e come. The Captain with his family
take supper. He also brings in some of the outsiders who are looking
in at the windows, and pays for their suppers. The Issue Clerk is
quick to see the day-school children, who are peeping in at the
window, and calls them in to give them their suppers. The ladies from
the Government Boarding School come, bringing some of the larger
children with them. These boys and girls, however, have earned money
and pay for their own supper.

A lady from the store building passes around some tiny round blocks.
"What is it, candy?" "No. Put it in your mouth," "Gum! Do you chew
gum?" "No, but a gentleman who was visiting us a short time since
left us a supply as his parting gift."

When the fire is stirred with a long stick, one gentleman remarks
that he admires that poker very much. A few days afterwards a
handsome new iron poker comes to the school-room. The whole school
give a vote of thanks to the donor of the poker.

During the evening there is music and reading of selections. Talking
can be taken part in by all, and laughing is done in a common
language. Whether the name of it is English or Vernacular, we do not
know. The evening passes all too quickly, and one by one they depart
to their homes. The money is counted, $21.50 cleared. The women feel
that their supper has been a success. The last one but the
school-teacher has left. There is something sublimely grand in being
alone at midnight in a house that was only a short time before full
of life and mirth. One has a desire to sit and look on the moonlight
and dream. But it is more practical to straighten up the school-room
and go home.

FROM THE WORD CARRIER.

* * * * *

THE CHINESE.

*ITEMS.*

1. The item of greatest importance to us is the establishment of a
mission at Los Angeles. The A.M.A. was first on this field, having
had a prosperous and useful mission school there, more than fourteen
years ago. But early in 1876 Rev. Ira M. Condit, a missionary
returned from China, well versed in the Chinese language, went with
his family to that city to open a mission under the Presbyterian
Board. In the belief that, with such advantages, better work could be
done by them than by us, we transferred our mission to them, pupils,
teacher and all. I have seen much reason since to doubt the wisdom of
this step, and to feel that I should never repeat it. But the open
doors have been too numerous, and the press