AUNT SUKIS'S LUCK.

_■„ : _i(,V .': A LA y SERMON.

BY "A COUNTRY PARSON."

\? Well now you look sort of sickly, spind ling like you; you (tint hearty be ye, Mister.?' .The speaker was a tall, gaunt specimen of a: woman past middle age; almost masculine in physique! Her complcxidn made you1 "think of a russet apple with the sunshine on it," so bronzed was'it; and the hair-was! -too gray ifor so young a woman. ;At first, you .thought she was. old, but a nearer approach .reminded you she could not have ' passeil forty. '.Thp calico dress was scrupu lously clean and, although not in the mode, became her, with striking grace. The faded shawl seemed honored by its wearer.' She ' looked at you sharply as she talked and a shrewd smile crept to her lips, as if she'had hidden fountain of content. - What striking and unique characters one meets in the by-ways of New England struck iout of native granite, ~Tlioy, seem.rough ihewed at first,:until.you.find them suffused: with an inner grace, the magic touch of a Divine Artist. I was waiting at a station among the hills for the through express; It ' was a solitary place, only one house in sight, the. horizon outlined by darkling pines and, "the sandy bluff, oir which the desolatel structure'stood, affording one; a view of ft still flowing river, flashing down-through "the evergreens. It was in June, and i the' hills were beginning to burn -with strange fires. Carmine, emerald and russet flick-' ered'against stately backgrounds of darker; •hue,-, The , robin,,. the , blue-bird and the crow mingled their contented' notes in tlie .sunpy air. I had anho.urjand .a half to wait, and because I.'liad' nothing better to do I 'was' strolling'back and forth' on the plat form nursing my own grief, which lay heavy oh my heart. The words of the woman halted me in my self-imposed task,'and a careless curiosity caused me to enter into ■conversation, flow often His angels come 'tons in strange disguise. , 'Yes, mister, what you say is .true. The -.Lord A'mighty does shut us up in dreadful '•dork corners,;l, expect,.without even a star or nothing for a glint o' light. It does beat all how sort o' rough he appears.' 'You know .something about it, auntie ?' T called lier so, for although no older than I, she had had a rich experience, I saw at once.': " ■' ""' , V 'Law, yes,l have;' and her eyes took on a far-away expression, as if she was looking into the unseen and,eternal; : f you won't believe it, Mister, no how. , You'd think I was deceiving ye.',. -, ■ ~!,.,■■ ■' •-■ > ~'TeUusaboutit, if youwdl. ,„. : .....,. We seated .'ourselves on a low bench in sight of the glowing woods,, the sunlight filtering through,the clear morning air, fragrant with the fresh odors; of the year. •You see I was just past, 18 when Josiah married mc. He was in a powerful hurry. -_fe had bought a farm ;tt__ mortgage was to "be worked off; he needed a wife. They did -gay—you wouldn't-believe it—that Iwas handsome. A Boston chap had asked me to marry him before that, and the. folks they were rather anxious, for he was rich ; _ut Josiah and I had loved each other since we were children, and I said no. Well, wc were married and the farm had a mis , tress. I knew, all about Work, was strong aud hopeful. We didn't have any such fix ing as that city chap would have bought, but;we loved each other and onr poverty was no hindrance to that. We made butter and fatted cattle. The next spring Josiah ""raised garden sass,, and that first year we .managed to pay $200 on the mortage. It was hard work and we both were a little tired. I was not qiiite as strong as the summer came on.' Here she stopped as lost in reverie; her face took on that ab stracted look again. "'•' And how was it the _iext year.-?'., Lmquiredw,,..... r .. • ' She "aye a sigh. 'Mister, my luck be: gan then,' anil a dawning smile fluttered her thin lips ; !,that is, I called it so in my hot'wrath. .Little 'Siah canie.to. us the second"winter, and from tlie first he was a Eiece r so cunning and so cross./. I called im possessed some days, but Josiah said he was only powerful healthy. We loved iiim " He was our first born, and he twined -about oiir hearts just as the partridge vine clings to the-wttrm: carth,-.,But the spnn| work wSs" coming on ; I was ambitious. I was at work again before my strength came back. I crawled-about-theihousemorehke a shadowthan a young girl ndtyet twenty; Broken rest at night and Ion" days of cease less' work took the spunk all out of me. I kind of murmured in my heart, but.Lord forgive iriej f M that 'Was only the bcginn "P^ Josiah hid fust got the planting done, a powerful-large lbt;-whfehhe wasitaken Aick; never was sick before. Typhoid fever;, the doctor said, and he would have a hard: one. If did. break. down then, ,1 : was so weak I itist laid 'Siali by'his father and then crept lip stairs to the south chamber. The jnoon whs fuU and seemed'to mock me; tho fields; green, as. they were,, only made my heart ache.' I fi'ung'myself on the'floor and lifted ujb an exccctlingly, bitter cry. I charged; the food Lord foolishly. I rebelled at my condition. I said- it is cruel. He doesn t c_re. I heard some noise below and then I t_ou"ht, libw-'sinfiil"; perhnips-Josiah will die-"he needs you now, and here you are; oivin"- wav to dispair.[ I did-not see my f&y, cbut I plucked up a little courage and wenWown. _^f, , _ •Whdt'fmii^er^M.wa-'^Josiahkept growing, worse, until he seemed dead in all ~but .breathing. Crazy,! oh, how,he ravedi Some of the time'lie seemed to think 1 had married the Boston man, and lie was living alone 6n his farmi'dnd then he Would pray, 'Those. prayers were the finishing stroke. Josiah was not a professor. "'l'had.done my duty, but aU tlie time I rebeUed ; I .almost Cursed God. -Again and again I stole up to the south "chamber, when Josiah was quiet/ -and' thought and- thought /until it .seemed :ias if I should Vow mad., One night Tcaiiie -t| down more desperate than-ever. JpsiWi '•seemed asleep,, and. little 'Siah wasbeside Shim. -The moonlight-.fell ,on him like) a, Sclory.. I threw'myself by tlm'.bed, ,and i---Josiah all at one* began to pray. He noVer -j-Sid su'cli a thing before., , His. delirium, had mot left him, .but.-he..seemed,inspired.!' I 5 never would tell what he said; leastwise I 'wouldn't try.' God''knows' but ,'the baby • and..mc he.took,right,up to God A'mighty. :The'"mbbiibcams seemed -a shining ladder, • and the Lord Hirfiself came right dowrf.] He pointed to His.'bleeding side and His: briu'sedtfandSj'and I thought I heard Him -say, 'For you.' -■_' ".'-. . ... ' *' ' I don't know, Mister, but you are getting tired:-" Josiah went to deaths door. He seemed to cross over, and then for love o me came back. It was not until the frost came that he could do any work. Again and agauf%l rebelled, but Josiah's prayers brought me back,f or strange as it may spem, when the delirium left him lie kept on pray in"- and it was'the Lord's voice calling me. We laid up no "money that year Ihe -doctor's bill and the wages of the hired man took all the profits and left/us a little, more: in debt. Little 'Siah had been pmmg all the season. I was overworked and had never gained any' strength, and he felt it. _Tow we loved him as he would poor Ins --father's head, his little, wee face -trying to smile. I made an idol of my child. When the white frost «ame and Josiah could nist -crawl about and do his chores, little'Siah grew worse, ahd in a week he died. Per

haps you never'lost a child? You don't know then. Wc.. buried him under the apple tree, our dear little boy. That night he died he crept up to his father, as he kneeled beside him, and Josiah lie prayed, and the words seemed to open the gates of that city whore the children are, and his spirit fluttered away. ' And then I gave up I cursed God in my heart. I asked for death. Weeks passed but I lay in a dumb stupor, thedocfor said Imustbe roused or die. I had thought it was evil luck for a creature to have. I believed in -nothing. The spring came: .Josiah was strong again. : One day ho laid a single may-flower in my thin hand. >' God watches :Over the flowers, Sukie,' he said, and then my tears began to flow. I had not been able to cry for. months.' .These little pink petals spoke to me. I came to myself. I'began to pray. I said, *Twi)l not die.'

' Another autumn May Flower came-to us, a'calm, placid sprite. I had something to live for, and I rose up witli new courage. The red leaves fell on 'Siah's grave, but I knew he was beyond the. reach of a dying life. . I began to look for the Lord's faco. Days came when I seemed to be in a little hell-of-my own,-bnt afterward there came peace. I was finding my luck was. the Master himself, terrifying as He was to the disciples on the lake at first, but on a nearer approach a deliverer.' : ■ Here the woman ceased, I had been in tensely interested. I cannot put tone and bearing on paper. The winning expression of her calm.face, I had found bread. ' But tliat-was long ago,' I said; hoping she would continue her narrative.

r'.Yes,. sir, tlie years went on. The farmer's life is a hard one ; you can't realize it. It is. a tough battle to pay a mortgage and live.- Not much time for play. The children came, five of them in all, healthy, happy children, but making lots of work for a mother. We had reached the last pay ment on the mortgage, and May Flower was 15. We had worked hard, but ■ the years followed one another with no great changes. Ii thought my luck had turned, and then came that awful diphtheria. May Flower was sick two days. The third, tho blooming girl whose beauty we. had wor shipped faded,' and the flower was plucked by the gardener. The four remaining children were soon taken. In two weeks we had but one child. The hillocks were fresh in the orchard, four of them beside little 'Siali. So sudden was the blow, so anxious the days, that I had no 1, time to think of my, grief. But last of all Josiah was taken, wearied out with watching and sorrow. His strong constitution held at bay the terrible disease for weeks.. One night, when the crisis came, the medicine became misplaced. I was worn out, and watchers1 were absent • It could not be found. ,He prayed with me, his dying lips not faltering as he commended me to God. He said five children were waiting him, and he seemed to see them as he drew nearer the end, and at midnight I was a widow. 'You say I 'must have felt forsaken. ;. ,1 did not feel at all for weeks. I simply breathed; but when in the early spring I crawled out to the apple tree where the six mounds were beginning to grow green, and fell upon the sod, I left tho awful burden at the feet of Him'who has made immortality sure. It was God's way, and it was well. Do I not mourn ? Yes and no; not for them, but for myself; and yet I rejoice.' I never shall forget the expression that flitted across her face as she told me her story. There was a great peace in her heart, I knew; for its calm rested on her brow. I heard the whistle of the coming train, and knew we parted soon forever. 'Mister, you seem sort of down-hearted, as if you were a little rebeUious ; there is something better than children and husband —it's Him. Acquaint thyself, with Him.' The imisy train parted us—l to the east and she to the/west. But the sermon had been preached, and I thanked her. ;- . ,;::; -}\ Falconridge. ' Growlery Bleak House.'' ; j

The Old Maid.

Yes, she's, an "old maid." And you young people laugh and speak ,of her with,a sort of contemptuous pity. She has earned this from you 'simply through; growing old; dimply because her face' has ever so little altered, its' outlines., Tlie ,[ bloom on, her cheek has faded, and she has not for a com^ panion,, a^ihan .to make her miserable: Yet she has a heart maybe of affection and sympathy, and longing for an object on which :fo expend1 it. .You laugh at; her capacity for loving, but in reality, it's,.no laughing-matter. It'sj about i the. most serious quality belonging to these hearts of .ours. It ifi when ungrarificd, the cause of, more pain and''agony than all other\agen-i cies affecting us^put together. -It is as?vital to human-health and happiness as the airj we breathe. Could you see .with your eyes, or realize in your minds half tlie heart pain and- desolation;-existing in thousands,.of households through unmet and mated' love/ you Would' never"speak'"contemptuously of the old maid.' It is butthe outer skin and muscle that is-old. -The-heart within is -as young as ever, though alittle warped maybej a little souredj- a'litths: "eccrehtic through the trial and misery v.of,a-?life marred through alack'bf sympathy., ■■■*-.'■. ::*r ,' VN, j Itisjohly'the thbvtghtlessness of profound ignorance which treats .these" subjects with a^combined giggle and jest. vWhen next you see the old maid remember that though surrbuhded by human forms of "her own kith and kin, yet:she may be journeying through life alone. Alone for years in that awful sbliude, ashamed and afraid to speak toianyjbf her heart's deepest yearnings and longings*';Talone,,longing for: a compahion shipkwhich' she. knows canihever.come; alone!&_g_ted,- neglected, ami deemed now only fiffctiuties from which; bright eyes and beauty.are'exempt; alone, suffering year by year* this'hopeless hunger of the heart. .Young people, .this is your day of triumph.' It may be short. You, too; imay suffer as she does. > Fifteen, twenty years hence, youals'o, through the, appearance of a-f ew -wrinkles/may realize that the coveted surface admiration' of others ;is deserting you for.the: last newly blossomed flower. You may learn. that. surface adiniratioh is at its best but" heartless admiration, and admiration is close to' the chielty :which'-ridicules the old maid.— GraxiMc..

A Gentle Hint!

President Garfield kept up his spirits admirably during the early part of his illness.' The "Albany Sunday Press" says that every day packages of delicacies, antl bottles of rare old. wines, were received from all parts of the country. The Presi dent craved for iced water, but the physi cians would not allow him as much as he wanted. After Steward Crump had given him some chicken broth, the President said, " WeU, Criimp, I have had the broth, what next—medicine or water?" Crump looked dubious.: Again the President said, " Crump, there are three courses—broth, medicine, and water. I have had the medicine, I have had the broth, now what next'" Crump then knew the President had'riven hima^hint'fbr iced water, and the Impatient, but philosophic sufferer received it. ... .

Mr Spurgeon on Preaching.

IN an address recently issued by Mr Spur geon -with reference to preaching and the duties of pastors generally, he says :—"The 'common policy of our churches is that of great prudence. We do not, as a rule, attempt anything beyond our strength. We measure means and calculate possibili ties with economical accuracy; then wo strike oil' a large discount for contingencies; and a still larger as provision for our ease, and so we accomplish little because we havo no idea of doing much. I would to God wo had more pluck. I know of no fitter word; though it may be more fitting the camp than the church, and I will for once borrow from the barracks. . Bear in niine that tiiere is nothing like courage even in ordinary things. Sir Richard Suttou, when he was ambassa dor to Prussia,- was taken by Frederick the Greatto see the'regiment of giants, every one of whom.stood six feet in his shoos. The, King said to him, 'Do you think any regiment in the English army I could fight my men, mam for. man?' ,■ Sir liichard answered, 'Please your Majesty,-1 do.,not know whether the same number could bent your giants ; but I know that half the number would try at it.' The proachcr, Mr Spurgeon remarks, must have life in him self.. Of course he had been quickened as a plain believer; but as-a minister he should be altogether alivo. If there was a bone in a man's body which was not alive, it became the nidus of disease. A decayed tooth might cause more serious injury;than most persons imagined. lv. a living system a dead portion was gut of place, and was sure sooner or later to cause intense pain. Somo preachers seem never to be thoroughly alive. Their heads wore alive; they were intelli gent and studious, but their hearts were inactive, cold, and lethargic. Many preachers never spied out opportunities, for; death seemed to have sealed up their eyes, and their tongue also wasnot half quickened, j' so that they mumbled aud stumbled, and all around them sleep ruled the hour. , He (Mr Spurgeon) had been told that if certain preachers would only for once stamp a foot,: or lift a handkerchief, or do anything out of ■ their regular way, it would be a relief to: their people. While ho honed none of those' he was addressing had become quito so mechanical, he knew some were' heavy ahdl yet not weighty, solemn and yet not impres sive, and he wished them to be alivo from, the sole of the foot to tho crown of the head —alive in brain and heart, tongue aud hand, j in eye and ear." Alluding to how the preacher should love ' his work, Mr Spurgeon says: "You will; never preach well ualess you are enamoured of it; you will never do well in any particu lar charge unless you love the people, and,; I would almost'say, the village and the ; meeting-house. I would have you believe' ithat Slocum-in-the-Marsh is a gem among! villages. Think that London may be all very well as a city, but as a village Slocum, bears the palm. Even your chapel, with all its plainness, should have charms for you., Be of opinion that the Tabernacle is very well in its way, but that it has great den-: ciences about it; that it is too big for one thing—at least, too big for you. Do not leave your charge because the stipend-is small. Go on preaching the same gospel, but preach it with more faith, and preach' it better every day. Do hot draw back— your place is to the front. Qualify your selves for larger spheres, you that are in little places; but do not neglect your studies to look after better positions. Be prepared for an opening when it conies, and rest .assured that the office will come to the man who is fit for the office. We are not sq cheap that we need go hawking ourselves iq every market. Men whose fitness for tho ministry is doubtful arc a great discount now-a-days, but for men of ability and use fulness there is a great demand! You can not hide a candle under a bushel; and you cannot keep a really able man in an insigni ficant position. Patronage is of the smallest importance; fitness lor the work, grace) ability, earnestness, anda loving disposition soon push the man into his place. God; will bring.His servant into his true-position'if he has but faith to trust in Him. ■ Do not be afraid of hard work for Christ. Ateiv rible reckoning awaits those who have an easy time in, the ministry, but a grea^ reward is in' reserve for those who endure all things for the elect's sake.! -Ypu'will not regret your poverty when Christ cbmetli and calleth'.His own servants to Him.' It will beft'swect thing to have died at yonr post, not turning aside for wealth,lor running from Dan to Bcersheba to obtain a better salary, but stopping where your Lord: bade you hold the fort." ':.,','':!

Swallowing a Thimhle.

A' story" sent 'to Paris' f ro'ni rohb ' of' the departments in'the West shoWs that Nature ■Will -sometimes' effect ,a cure-which'the ■surgical art has in vnin"attempte'd (says the '"■Glbbe'V The 'patient whs a boy; who, when1 lie was a quite a child;- swallowed his, .mother's'thimble.'with wliiclrhe'liad been "pldying. i :Tlie indigestible morsel - stuck fast in liis' guild t,' and Would -nbt', yield' to aiiyatteniptsof thedoctors, Citliorforcibly 'oirl(ersuasive,to'get it out: -• Fortunately was ftn-old one and had a hole in it,-through-whioh-hb was able to breathe, though with a'good deal of difficulty; and thus he prolonged a very painful existence,-' during which it Was;: of course, still more difficult tor him to' eat than to breathe. He did cat, however, as it seems, In some; fashion; and,'indeed, it was.to his attempt to eat solid food that his cure was-due. A perverse cnimb.of bread as it passed down liis throat caused a violent irritation,' and the: cough which followed dislodged at last the intruding thimble, after it had been over ten years in its unwelcome place. The boy.is now quite well, ;and will perhaps resunm his capacity for, growing; which- has hitherto been strangely checked, as although he is four teen years old, he does not look more than about'eight... ■ . I,'•■ > :■■ '• ' '

A Veteran Steamer.

The steamship Great Britain; which was .one of the wonders of, the period in which she-was built, and which now lies in' the iWest Float, Birkenhead, has, just been offered for sale at the rooms'of Messrs.- Kellock and Co., Liverpool. The Great Britain is of 3,270 tons gross and 1,795 tons net register. She was for many years .'in the Australian. trade, in which. she made some rapid passages, and she hasalsc done good service as a troopship. , In the " bill of particulars" it is stated that her construc tion is of great strength. She is admirably adapted for the cattle trade across the Atlantic, her high 'tween-decks and side ports affording grand ventilation., She can carry live-stock on three decks. Hcv beau tiful lilies peculiarly adapt her for a sailing ship, and with her machinery taken out she would, it is calculated, carry upwards of 4,000 tons dead weight., She is 325 ft. long! with 50ft. Bin. breadth and ,31ft. sin. depth. The biddings began at £2,000 and went up to £6,500. There being no advance, the steamer was withdrawn from the sale.

A gentleman in one of our hotels recently asked for-some^-good- strong .brandy. He must have got it, for he said, after drinking he blew his nose, and a hole was burned in his handkerchief.' ' "-,;•'

Mr. G. A. Sala on the Art of Speech-making.

In London the thirty : sixth anniversary festival in aid of tlie Royal General Theatrical Fund has just been held at the Freemason's Tavern, under the presidency of Mr. Henry Irving.' 'There were about 200 guests present, amongst them being Mri H. J. Byron, Mr. G. A: "Sala'/ Mr.'J. L. Toole, Mr. Sims Rcevos.Mr, Russell Stur gis, Mr. E. Clarke,-M.P.; Mr.- E.L. Blan chard, Mr. W. Creswick, Mr: Pnlestono, M.P., &C. ""■ - -■• -»-.':«;(.,:-:;-'. • ■ Mr.; Irving,-* in. rconimbnding. thoi Institu tion to public suppbrt,.remarked that.no foundation could bo bettor or more economic callymanaged. ■■. ~r ;!■,,..! : •■, • . .i I; Responding to the principal toast, Mr. Swinbourne announced the receipt of the Queen's donation of one-hundred pounds, and' said that Mr. Betty:had promised, to bequeath ten thousand pounds to the Insti tution, which also had a*prospect of receiv ing two thousand pounds from . tho residue of an estate.'-..:,:•■■:';..:, i.;,, inxX.inu -''.<■

i In tlie coursOiOf the .evening; Mr. «p,: Al. Sala, who received; a cordial, greeting,- rer sponding to-the- toast ;of .'Literature and Art,' said : I have somewhere read.that ap illustrious statesman; who,was likewise ia most iluont rhetorician, once remarked that lie considered an after-dinner speech .to bo ope of the most arduous and diihcult flights of oratory imaginable, inasmuch,as it was, as a general rule, about nothingafal},,, ,(A laugh.) .Bowing,, with, due (leference,totliis dictum, I may at,'the sanje^timc: bo per mitted to express, .my owp.huin.blo ppinipn j that the art pf specchmaUing, .under; all and , any ■ circumstances, is a most painful and difficult one—to, all,'thos.q;atleast; who havp , not been .born orators,, as. Brutus was,: and! as tho. majority, of. Irislinjph ; iirc.- (Laugh ter.) Speaking for-'myself;-. I can.in,.all seriousness apd sincerity, say that,.whether the speccb wluoli I have had tp dcliycr has been | perpetrated i after dinner or before ! dinner, or, as has frequently, happened in the earlier stages of one's career, without any prospect, within "measurable distance,; of dinner at allr-(laughtcr)—-I-jhavc never begun my exordium without experiencing a sensation of ncrvpustcrrof ; I liave never' pursued my argument' Without undergoing; mental and bodily anguish;"l have never Concluded my peroration— ali;! blissful: word, it should be Us soothing to the speaker, 'and his hearers as ''that- blessed word, Mesopotamia'— (laughter) — I have never' brought my observations to a close without* a feeling of positive exultation.", There are. a good many ways of preparing yourself for the uttcranees of a speech in public: You* may learn it. by heart, and'.-repeat'it 'over; and over again in the solitttdri-pf your own j study,- the servants' in >the! lower regions; thinking that you are quarrelling with your wife, or that you have gone mad--(lnngh- ■ ter)-M>r'you may recite it in.the middle of; Hampstcnd Heath, to the admiration of the; distant donkey boys and the-sonwivhat; suspicious perplexity of the park-keepers,,' who are not quite certain-as 'to whether they ought not to take ybii into'custody for; preaching in the* open air-slaughter)—or you may run down by an,!early tram to Brighton, and 'spoilt'-your speech to the sad seawaves until it is time to fun back again to town, to assume the sable livery of woe called evening dress, and to surren der yourself to the- adnmantine chains- and penal fires of a public dinner."' (Groat laughter.) You are letter perfect in your speech about' the time"when ' the soup' is being served. You are not quite so certain about your being letter perfect at the period of the iced pudding making its appearance; and when, ultimately, the fatal voice of tho toastmaster 'bids' you rise, and;' trembling and perspiring, you begin your 'speech; you find that you have forgotten all about it.' (Laughter.) -Or 'another; way,' as Mrs. Glasso would say, you niay:write-out your; spbecli' on a' number- of" little1 squares of paper, holding them safely arranged "in the hollow of your handy ;an'd glancing at; the slips in a crafty-manner as'ybu speak; arid* slily turning thbmover," This is iiotbv'any means; a ; bad" system!' to '-adopt, unless,* indeed, as it will happen with melancholy, frequence,* you find' slip five*'followed byj slip fifteen, and that by slip nine—WheA tho result is collapse. (Great laughter.) Finally,: there is the rough and'"'ready way—thej Homeric way —of. plunging-iit'onco' ill ' medias'fes, 'thrUsting'your hands in your pockctß,!fi"xingyourreyes;on and■ levelling your voice at an imaginary old lady with a crimson turban and' a '•bird' of' paradise feather Jin-it at' the' Opposite* oxtremity of the hallj and simply ''saying- \vhat comes into your head. 'Thus,' fahr simply making j ashrticulate as lam able'to' do Certain criulp and blundering thoughts of mine, when11; say that'-'''rejoice1 from *tlie" bottom-' 'of my heart to find myself agubstiiVthis- hall'to-j highland to beCalled •Ihev„c¥omJ pushed president of the evening, my'dear; friend Henrylrving.to return thanks foi-' thq toast of 'Literature and Art:' i Wbknow that the connection botweeh literature and art is close; constant, and affectionate,I:while 'the love between literature and'the1 stage was never stronger 'than i it''is'at' 'the present time. * Aswith'afable? sdhvithl a'Speech^ it is never complete without a mbral:;,and the moral of my speech lis-that.ybu.shbuld snpportthe Royal*GenbrnLTheatrical Fund with all the pbwdrithat yotnnre' capable! of. (Cheers.)'*- tin!/, f.v.'Fnitd ibim: vmi! j

Winning Him Back.

One of the travellers.for, a new, fresh!dry \ goods house recently arrived- in, a'towrt, in the. interior of the State to.find that, ollc of his,best .customers,*was!about to transfer his custom; to a Boston Jidusß.-. "Did'nt we always do well by, you?'! asked! the I New Yorker; as he sat down: for idn explanation; "Yes; I believe: so."' v "Didn't wo sliip goods promptly?" "Yes." "Anddidwe ever , press yon in a pinch ?!'' ■, No. "■■'.' ! Did you get prices lower at the Boston house?,; " No, I can't say as I did.'.':',. "They can't understand wily y,ou-::shouhl leave' our house ajl of a sudden after buying: of. Us for several years/■• I know that some expla nation is due, and I will make one," replied the merchant. .."You know _that I attend church?"'-*'""Yes, -and"so" do I." "Do you?- <51 didn't know..that. ■ I,am, looked upon as a Christian."' ""'So am I, I've got the date of my baptism right here in this'book!" '* '"is'that-so? * Well,: 6m; church is in heed-of* repairs. ;We were talking it i over the. other: day when, the Boston drummer was,.in,here, and he at once subscribed,lo,dols.",„i "Ten dollars! Why that's only two kegs of hails! Put me down for 30 dols., cash,: a new.silk hat for every season, and suit of clothes for the minister.:" Do yoiireally niCari it? " "Of course I do; and if that 'two-Cent'Christian from Boston dares to sign * another'five I'll send you down a 600-doh church organ and pay a man 500 dols. a,ycar to play it. ~We are a house which never! makes a great display of gospel,' hymns and religious tracts, but when a Boston drummer bluffs wc show our rcligicius hahds, and rake in the pot every time." The merchant will still continue to deal-with the New York house— Wall-street Neivs. '•■■''*' -■••■ '■■>■> *

Tommy went fishing the other day with out permission of his mother. '■ Next morn- ing a neighboiir's son met him and asked, ' Did you ,', catch. ■, anything yesterday, Tommy?' ' Not till I got home,' was.the rather sad response.'- '.- ', •. \ , -,' ' J!," *

BT__BU-__fflD^^ SEPTEMBER/ 24]11881.

3



MR/ J. W- R"I G'-H T, A Business Man of 25 years' experience, Is,now, travelling on own'account, also for Importers, in tho Leather, Grindery, Sad dlery, Harness and Boot Trade, etc., and Wholesale Upper Manufacturers. T' HE AUCKLAND GAS COMPANY, ;.-,, Limited,, „ , PURVEYORS OF,LIGHT, HEAT, &'POWER. Gas fittings, Gas Apparatus, and Gas Engines inStock. ;/ ~'. .; , , ;', . .' ;' ,',. , t ,; , EORT-STREBT. AUCKLAND. WANTED KNOWN THAT ' H. Watt,'1 '■ ■■» •;' >■ ':; ' OENER AL r> c ALER,' ' '•' ■' ■>!.'•:[ ■ ■,' ■ Grey Street, ■ ' ' - Has always on hand a Largo and "Varied Stock of all kinds of Household Requisites, at the lowest Cash Pi-ices. Now Selling Cheap, 470 Volumes of Assorted books. ," ' ' ' ';' ■ "Good Salt Butter, 8d por lb. '• ,'■■ ~ . „ ■• ! ■• . by tho:keg, 6d per lb. J -,""■•/.D ■ A ■' V I E , V, if"1 : FASHIONABLE TAILOR, ' 1 'VULCAN LANE, AUCKLAND, Has jnst received New Spring' Goods,'consist ing of the No west Patterns of best Mosgielj Chipping, Norton, Scotch Twoeds, Fancy Coat ings, and West of England Broad Cloths, etc. 'Inspection and Trial invited. ,' Fit Guaranteed^ . ;.''' " E- M c ■•' X" B O W N, . Baker, Confectioner, and •i -•" '.Biscuit Baker; ■ . S ; H I P,P ING GROCER,. ET C. . Imperial Bakery/ ,'' '' ;'".',:/Queen Street Wharf.''! '.-'-' Town and Country Ordora promptly attended •-■' to. ' ' ' ■ - MADAME BOTTENELLI, MILLINER, DRESS, AND MANTLE MAKER, begs to inform tho public that she.is _ow selling the ENTIRE STOCK, at less than HALF tho original PRICE. ■ • ■ -' i.,1! ■, An early call will prove tho fact.. ,' ;.''./ 218, QUEEN STREET. LOO X HER E ! '.''. Corrugated Tanks, cheap, aud . ,: : , . always'on hand. .",'' R. TU D E H0 P E,; ..UPPER QUEEN STREET, AUCKLAND, Gasfltter, Plumber, Bellhanger, Coppersmith, and Zinc Worker. Hot, Cold, and Shower Baths. Gas Fittings ' • • * . i, ■ * ■' in every variety. i ,' : , ... Work Dono in tho best Btyle, * rp HE'S TA R BA X EEY,' i'.t-ii JAMES FERGUSON,'' ..-■ Corner of Durham arid Chapel Streets, Bread and Small Goods1 Baker. , 43" j Orders promptly attended to. *_t DN., G A R N I E R, ,'"; Manufacturing Jeweller, ' !, dealer in curios ' Albert Street (noar Star Hotel), Auckland. ! All kinds of Curios—Ornamental Kauri Gum, Wholesale and Retail; Shells of evory descrip .,,,.. tion mounted at moderate charges. S An Early Trial is Respectfully Solicited Repairs of every description. , On Parle Fransais.



W':. ■'■'■ s c r v; ,T' C E , (Noar Mr. Lamboum's) KARANGAHAPE ROAD, In thanking the Wholesalo Houses, Manufac turers, and Dressmakers for the patronage he has received in Frillings and Kiftings, -wishes ■ 'to inform tliem that he now mokes '; : Fancy Boxes, Orders for which will be"prompt!y attended to. JO H N MAXWELL, SHIPPING & FAMILY BUTCHER, Drake Street, Freeman's Bay, Auckland. - Poultry of all kinds dressed to ordor. Pickled Ox, and. Sheep. Tongues. Home-Cured Bacon and Ham*?. Corned Beef ou sale in kegs and tierces; quality guaranteed. Familes waited on for orders in city and suburbs. The best quality only kept. ■ • QfYMONDS STREET MEAT DEPOT. . ENOCH WOOD, Family Butcher. Meat dcllvored at Mount Albort, Epsom, Mount Eden, Carlton Grove, Lower Symonds Street, Newton, and Eden Terrace. • First-class quality; reasonable prices. '*■">'" i .Caah'customers llborally treated. • !, ~ i,it:-, 11 -~.. Inspection Invited;: ■,:.. ih.; H-- ', -,-rI '■'.'A-i IF; T O N, .' Basket & Perambulator Maker, ..' Junction of Queen and Grey Streets. ' ' Large Stock op Fancy Baskets always on Hand. .*' '•■' Discount to Wholesalo Dealers. 'iriRAPERY, MILLINERY, '&'LADIES' !J_/AND CHILDREN'S UNDERCLOTHING. ~'. '. H. FOUNTAIN, Ponsonby Road,,' is now offering *the above at lowest town prices, for cash, and respectfully solicits a continuance of the patrouago of his numerous Customers. .•■:.,:.::.,,.. RH. HUGH E' S, , FAMILY GROCER & TEA DEALER, DRAPER, HOSIER, AND HABERDASHER. ■: i Junction ofJUnion and Wellington Streets. ...,. j. • , ... ■ • ' Goods of best quality at moderate prices. A nice assortment of China and Earthenwaro .always oh hand. Families waited on for orders. Goods delivered. ' H- " & J. B I N S T E AD, .WHOLESALE & RETAIL BUTCHERS Victoria Street West, Auckland.,. ' Families waited on for orders., Slupping sup plied. ' '.'',' "'", 'Corned Beef in any Quantity. TH E MEDI.CA L HAL L, Queen-street Junction, hi, ...', " C. HENDERSON, Proprietor . | : is™ PHARMACEUTICAL pHE MIST. - ■■ ■ i „ IMPORTER OF • ' ■.' ■ PURE .DRUGS AND CHEMIC.ALS. Homoeopathic Chemist for the People. L'A'U R I T_S HENRI X S E N, ■ PRACTICAL WATCHMAKER, , Victoria Street, Auckland, ■'■ ■•' " (Next door to tho "Aurora Hotel.") Clocks, AVatches and Jewellery of every descrip tion alwav3 on hand. ' -' LATEST IMPROVEMENTS IN PSQTO -_ . GRAPHY. —,' , '-~, MARTIN & PARTINGTON'S . Instantaneous PiiOTOGßAPHSprinted by the New Platinum Process are themostbeautiful, 'artistic and permanent pictures ever produced. Martin & Partington, Market Entrance. Messrs. Martin & Partington having intro duced several improvements in Photography 1 are now producing piotures which, for fidelity as Portraits, and excellence as Photographs, are unsurpassed . . > ,