over. He sprang forward, took the child in his arms, and with one blow he sent his wife to the floor, to all appearance lifeless s; for a moment silence reigned unbroken save by the death rattle of the child. Joe and Bob hurried to the scene of suffering. They were frightened by the maniac glare of Mr. Willard, as, grating his teeth, he ordered them to take the monster out of his sight. She was immediately borne to another part of the house. Mr. Willard continued to pace the apartment with his dying child folded tight to his bosom, and was deaf to all entreaties. His deep groans and distorted features told of the dreadful tempest within. At length Dr. Livingston came as he had been requested. Alighting from his sulky, he met several gentlemen coming out of the house. The Doctor bade them a polite "good morning," adding,

P

"I did not expect to meet so many of you at this early hour." One of them told him that they had been called to hold an inquest over the body of Dr. Spencer. The astonished Dr. started back.

"What was your verdict ?"
"Died in consequence of intemper-

ance."

Joe led the way to a scene still more agonizing. The Doctor entered the room unobserved by the bewildered father, who was still walking up and down with long unmeasured strides, folding close to his heart the lifeless body of his child. The Dr. turned pale as the sepulchral voice repeated, Darling, you are not dead-you will not die." It was some minutes before Dr. Livingston had strength of nerve to speak to him. Laying his hand. upon his shoulders, he endeavored to call back the mind that had wandered

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in a labyrinth of thought unaided by reason. He seated him in a large arm chair, and took from him the body of his child which for the last two hours he had folded convulsively to his bosom. Dr. Livingston saw strong symptoms of brain-fever; after bleeding him copiously, he ordered a large blister upon the neck, he watched him closely through the day, allowing no one to enter the room but his nurse.

The body of Dr. Spencer was carried to his own house. Preparations for Ashbel's funeral were made. Bob and Joe were faithful to perform every duty that devolved upon them.

Agnes was unable to do anything about the house till late in the afternoon. She then found enough to do. Mrs. Willard did not insult any one with her presence. When Agnes inquired of Bob for her, he said she

was alive, but it was a pity she had not died instead of Blitz; "for she is not worth three hundred dollars, and that is what Mr. Willard paid for him, less than a week ago."

"Oh, Bob, Mrs. Willard has a soul to be saved or lost."

"Don't talk to me of her soul; she drowned that long ago."

Mr. Willard so far recovered, that they ventured to ask him who he would have to preach the funeral sermon; he was unable to make a reply, for the first time since the cruel tragedy his bursting heart found relief in tears. He was confined to his room for several weeks, and during this time no reference was made to his wife or child.

The Rev. Charles Bradley, as he journeyed home, called at the hotel of his unfortunate friend. He endeavored to administer to him that

consolation that the world cannot give. He saw that the wound he had received, was deep, but he assured him, "That there was a Balm in Gilead, and a Physician there, and that Christ was an high Priest, that would be touched with the feelings of his infirmities."

The bereaved sufferer listened in tearful silence.

The faithful man of God continued, "Jesus Christ came not into this world to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Though thy sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snowthough they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.'"

Mr. Bradley said, "I would advise you to close your bar as soon as possible, and discontinue the use of ardent spirits in any form, and add to thy knowledge, temperance. They shall receive the reward of unrighteousness

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