in a ecstasy of joy. In less than a minute he returned folding
his Eliza to his throbbing heart. The joyful intelligence ran through
the house, and the other children impatiently flew to this scene of
transport.

To describe their feelings or express their felicity would require the
aid of the most descriptive pen, and even then would be but faintly
told, and therefore had much better be passed over.

From that moment the children all unanimously agreed strictly to
attend to their father's orders, and never in the slightest instance
act in opposition to his will.

Mr. and Mrs. Montague were laden with caresses, and earnestly
entreated to remain Mr. Darnley's guests. The hospitable invitation
would have been gladly accepted had not the thoughts of the poor
children who were still at Wycombe seemed to claim his immediate
attention, and so great was the philanthropy of Mr. Montague's
character that he could never rest satisfied if a single duty remained
unfulfilled.

DICKY RANDOM

OR GOOD NATURE IS NOTHING WITHOUT GOOD CONDUCT

"In festive play this maxim prize--
Be always merry--always WISE!"

"Do you know what hour it is when you see a clock?" said Mr. Random to
his little son Richard.

"Yes, father," said Richard; "for I can count it all round. When both
hands are at the top of the clock, then I know it is time to leave
school."

"Then go and see what time it is," said his father.

Away ran Richard, and brought back word in a moment that it was
exactly six o'clock.

In a few minutes after came in a friend with a young lady, the former
of whom asked Mr. Random why he was not ready to go with them to the
concert that evening, as he had promised. Mr. Random replied that it
was but six o'clock, which, however, he was soon convinced was a
mistake of Richard's, who, on being asked what he saw when he looked
on the clock, replied, "I saw the two hands together close to the six,
and that made me say it was six, for I always call it twelve when they
are right opposite."

"Remember, my dear," said his father, "that the long hand never tells
the hour, except on the stroke of twelve. You ought to know that the
minute hand overtakes its fellow somewhat later every hour, till at
noon and midnight they again start exactly even; and when a bigger boy
I shall expect you to tell me how much difference is increased every
time they come into conjunction. You now see, Dicky, that through such
a mistake I must