e entire
neighborhood. Good by for the present," said he, moving along towards
the village of S----.

"God speed your reverence," answered a hundred voices, as they returned
the adieu.

This was the first night since the death of his beloved mother, and that
was over two years, that the slightest ray of hope penetrated the
burdened but confiding soul of Paul. For himself he did not much care.
He could have escaped any day, and repudiated the iniquitous contract by
which the villanous poormaster had sold him and his brethren; but what
was to become of his younger sister and brothers? He knew how to plough,
mow, cradle, and farm it, as well as any body of his age. He knew how to
read, count, write, and even defend his religion, against all opponents,
as he did last winter at the Lyceum; but what was to become of Bridget,
Patrick, and little Eugene, who had yet many years to serve? This was
what puzzled him. But now the priest had come for the first time to this
remote region, and _he_ knew what to do, and would not desert the
orphan, for no priest ever had done so. He felt there was to be now a
change, and he felt assured that it would be for his good. "Thank God,"
said he, "I saw the priest at last. I return thee thanks, my God, and
thee, my mother in heaven, now my only mother, and I thank all the
heavenly citizens and all heaven, for this dawn of hope that I feel in
my soul. O Lord, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Fervent and pious were the prayers offered to God on this night by Paul,
as he thanked him for having seen one in whom he could confide as a
friend, as well as because he was preparing to go to his religious
duties on the morrow. Let it not be said that it was superstition in
Paul to thank God so fervently for having permitted him once more to
converse with his priest. What can be imagined a more worthy cause for
thanksgiving than the meeting with a true friend? What better gift can
we receive from God than a friend? And who ever, in need, has failed to
find the good priest a friend in all emergencies?

CHAPTER XI.

VAN STINGEY AGAIN.--HOW HE GETS RICH AND ENDS.

After a year or two in office, our friend Van Stingey found Fortune
rather adverse to him, a thing not unusual with the worshippers of that
fickle goddess; for not only was he put out of office by the influence
of the "furren" vote thrown against him, but his farther promotion even
in the church became almost problemati