and asked the old priest to give
him a glass of water for his master.

"Carlos," said the priest to the younger boy, "give this nobleman a glass
of water, and add to it a glass of wine, if he will accept it. Be quick!"

The gentleman alighted from the coach. He seemed about fifty.

"Are the children your nephews?" inquired he.

"Much better," said the priest, "they are mine by adoption, be it
understood."

"How so?"

"I shall tell you, for I can refuse nothing to such a gentleman; for poor
and inexperienced in the world as I am, I need good advice, how best to
provide for these two boys."

"Make ensigns of them in the king's guards, and in order to keep up a
suitable appearance, he must allow them a pension of six thousand
ducats."

"I ask your advice, my lord, not mockery."

"Then you must have your church rebuilt, and by the side of it, a pretty
parsonage house, with handsome iron railings to inclose the whole. When
this work will be complete, it shall be called the church of the _Vasa
d'Agua_, (Glass of Water.) Here is the plan of it, will it suit you?"

"What can this mean?"

"What vague remembrance is mine; these features--this voice mean that I
am Don Jose della Ribera. Twelve years ago, I was the brigand Jose. I
escaped from prison, and the times have changed; from the chief of
robbers, I have become the chief of a party. You befriended me. You have
been a father to my children. Let them come to embrace me--let them
come," and he opened his arms to receive them. They fell on his bosom.

When he had long pressed them, and kissed them by turns, with tears, and
half-uttered expressions of gratitude, he held out his hand to the old
priest--

"Well, my father, will you not accept the church?"

The curate, greatly moved, turned to Margarita, and said: "Whosoever
shall give even a cup of cold water unto one of the least, being my
disciple; verily I say to you, he shall not lose his reward."

"Amen," responded the old dame, who wept for joy at the happiness of her
master, and his children by adoption, at whose departure she also
grieved.

Twelve months afterward, Don Jose della Ribera and his two sons attended
at the consecration of the church of San Pedro, one of the prettiest
churches in the environs of Seville.

* * * * *

SONG--BY MISS JEWSBURY.

There once was a brave cavalier,
Commanded by Cupid to bow;
And his mistress, though lovely, I hear
Had