w near, he had secured, as the nucleus of his
little family, some dozen tiny outcasts, consisting of six or seven boys,
and about as many girls.

It now remained that a "father" and "mother" should be found. On this
subject "the Golden Shoemaker" had talked much with his minister. He
shrank from the thought of advertising his need. He was afraid of bringing
upon himself an avalanche of mercenary applications. His idea was to fix
upon some excellent Christian man and woman who might be induced to accept
the post as a sacred and delightful duty. They must be persons who loved
children, and who were not in search of a living; and it would be none the
worse if it were necessary for them to make what would be considered a
sacrifice, in order to accept the post.

"Cobbler" Horn looked around. He had no acquaintances in whom it seemed
likely that his ideal would be realized. He mentioned his views to his
lawyers, and they smiled in their indulgent way. Messrs. Tongs and Ball
had already learnt to respect their eccentric client. But it was difficult
for their legal minds to regard the question of the appointment of a
master and matron to the "Home" exactly in the light in which it presented
itself to "Cobbler" Horn. He spoke of his cherished desire to Mr.
Durnford.

"If I get the right man and woman, you know, sir, I shall be willing to
pay them almost any amount of money. But I don't want them to know this
beforehand. I must have a _father_ and _mother_ for my little family. It
would be just as well," he added in faltering tones, "if they had lost a
little one of their own. And I should like them to be some good Christian
man and his wife, who would undertake the work without asking about salary
at all, and would leave it to me to make that all right. Do you think they
would trust me so far, Mr. Durnford?"

Mr. Durnford smiled in his shrewd way.

"If they knew you, Mr. Horn, they would rather trust you in the matter
than suggest an amount themselves."

"No doubt," responded "the Golden Shoemaker," with a smile. "But now, Mr.
Durnford," he persisted for the twentieth time, "do you know of such a
couple as I want?"

They were in the minister's study. Mr. Durnford sat musing, with his arms
resting upon his knees, and his hands together at the finger-tips.
Suddenly he looked up.

"You want a couple who have lost a child, Mr. Horn? I can tell you of some
good people who have found one."

"Cobbler" Horn gave a slight star