g back in his chair, and regarding the chess-board with
a half rueful look. "There, Ned, my boy, I think you wouldn't have come
off victor if my attention had not been called from the game by the talk
of the ladies."

"Never mind, Grandpa; we'll take all the blame," laughed Rosie, jumping
up to run and put her arms round his neck and give him a kiss.

He returned it, drew her to his knee, and went on with his remarks.

"You all know, of course, that I refer to the negroes, who were forcibly
torn from their own land and enslaved in this. We must educate and
evangelize them: as a debt we owe them, and also for the salvation of
our country, whose liberties will be greatly imperilled by their
presence and possession of the elective franchise, if they are left to
ignorance and vice."

"Grandpa, what do you mean by the elective franchise?" asked Walter
going to the side of the old gentleman's chair.

"The right to vote at elections, my son. You can see, can't you, what
harm might come from it."

"Yes, sir; they might help to put bad men into office; some of
themselves maybe; and bad men would be likely to make bad laws, and
favor rogues. Oh yes, sir, I understand it!"

"Then perhaps you may want to help provide for the instruction of the
colored race as well as of the Indians?"

"Yes, sir, I would like to. I hope the thousand dollars may be enough to
help the work for both."

"I think it will; that your mother will be satisfied to have you divide
it into two or more portions, that several good objects may receive
some aid from it."

"Will you, mamma?" asked Walter, turning to her.

"Yes, I think it would perhaps be the wisest way."

"And besides," said Rosie, "mamma is going to give us young ones a
chance to earn money for benevolence by paying us for good behavior. I
know we ought to be good without other reward than that of a good
conscience, but I'm quite delighted with the plan for all that."

"I too," said Walter, looking greatly pleased.

"Thank you, mamma dear. How much is it you're going to give us?"

"Twenty-five cents for every day on which I have no occasion to find
fault with either your conduct or recitations."

"A new idea, daughter, isn't it?" queried Mr. Dinsmore.

"Yes, sir; and not original. I learned at Woodburn to-day, that the
captain was going to try the plan with his children. I trust it meets
your approval? I might better have consulted with you before announcing
my intention to ad