e and requested him to
forward it by the next mail to Hamilton. I felt an anxious curiosity to
know the contents of the Black-Sealed Letter. I felt certain that some
of Frederick's relatives had recently died. The aspect of his dream more
forcibly impressed itself upon my mind. But let a few days more pass
away, and the mystery will be solved.

At the end of the second week after this occurrence I went up to
Hamilton: and shortly after my arrival called upon the Upholsterer. He
told me that Frederick had not been at the workshop during the past few
days, owing to an attack of illness. He directed me to the hotel at
which Frederick was boarding. I went there, and was by the innkeeper
shown into a bedroom, in which he was reclining upon a couch reading a
newspaper. On seeing me he sprang forward and grasped my hand
affectionately in his own, and began sobbing aloud, the tears gushing
from his eyes. For a few seconds I stood motionless in sad bewilderment
of mind, feeling assured that something of a serious nature had
occurred. At length I ventured to express a desire to know what had
happened. He then drew from his pocket a letter, and handed it to me. I
recognized it at once as the "_Black-Sealed-Letter_." I opened it with
trembling hand, and read as follows:

"London, England, Sept. 20th, 1870.

"Dear Cousin Frederick.--I received your letter of the 28th ultimo on
the 18th inst., and was sorry indeed to hear of your illness, from
which I hope you have completely recovered. It gives me pleasure
however to know that you will again be amongst us. No doubt you will
feel happy to see your old friends again. But short as the time has
been since you left, you will find on your return that eventful
changes have taken place. Our life on earth is only a struggle with
itself, too frequently surrounded with adverse circumstances, that
are prolific with sad events, and gloomy with suffering and
disappointment. And were it not that the Star of Bethlehem still
shines in the firmament of Heaven the glory of this world would
transmit but a dim light upon the soul of the Christian life. Then be
prepared, my dear friend, to endure the ills of adversity with a
noble heart. Although a dark shadow may fall suddenly upon your
earthly vision, at once direct your eyes in faith towards the Star of
Celestial Glory; and the light of Heaven will dispel the darkness,
even, we