ay to Nova Scotia.
Years have passed away; but the "unfortunate man" has never since been
seen in the vicinity. It was feared by some that he had perished in the
snow; as there were some very severe storms soon after he left S.; but
nothing was ever learned to confirm the suspicion. According to his own
statement he belonged to the state of Vermont, but, from his speech, he
was evidently not an American. Several years have passed away since his
last visit to S., and it is more than probable that he is no longer
among the living.

THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE.

I lately visited the time-worn building, where for a lengthened period,
during my early years, I studied the rudiments of education; and what a
host of almost forgotten memories of the past came thronging back upon
my mind as I stood alone--in that well remembered room. I seemed again
to hear the hum of youthful voices as they conned or recited their daily
tasks, and, as memory recalled the years that had passed since we used
there to assemble, I could not avoid saying mentally: "My schoolmates,
where are they?" Even that thought called to mind an amusing story
related by a much loved companion who for a time formed one of our
number.

He was older than most of the other boys, and was a general favourite
with all. He was famous for relating funny stories, of which he had a
never-failing supply; and when the day was too stormy to allow of
out-of-door sports, during the noon hour, we used to gather around the
large stove which stood in the centre of the room and coax H. M. to tell
us stories. The story which recurred to my mind was of a poor Irishman,
who, in describing a visit which he paid to the home of his childhood
after a long absence, said: "At the sober hour of twilight, I entered
the lonely and desarted home uv me forefathers, an' as I gazed about the
silent walls, I said, 'me fathers, where are they?' an' did not echo
answer, 'Is that you Pathrick O'Flannigan, sure?'"

I was in no mood for laughter, and yet I could not repress a smile, as
memory recalled the comical voice and inimitable gestures with which
young H. M. related the story. He was beloved by us all, and when he
left school we parted from him with real sorrow. As I walked around, and
looked upon the worn and defaced desks, I observed the initials of many
once familiar names which many years before had been formed with a
knife, which were not so much obliterated but I could easily decipher
t