THE LEAVENWORTH MURDER.

BY AXNA KATHEBINE GREEN,

Authoress of " a stkange dlsappkakance " and "The Swokd of Damocles."

BOOK I.— THE PROBLEM, IV. A CLUE. Something is rotten in tlio State of Denmark. Uamlkt. The cook of Iho establishment being now called, that portly, riultly-faced individual stepped forward with alacrity, displaying upon her good-humoured countenance s«ch au. expression of mingled eagerness and anxiety that moro than one person present found it diffioult to restrain n smile nt her »pp«arauce. Observing this, and taking it as a compliment, being a' woman as well as a coolc, she immediately dropped a curtsey, and opening her lips was about to speak when the coroner, rising impatiently in liis ac;tt, took the word from her mouth by saying sternly, " Your name?"

"Kathcrini! Mnloue, sir." "Well, Katherine, how long havo you Ijecn in MrLcDvcnworlh's service?"

"Shure, it is a good twelvemonth now, ii 1, since I came, on Mrs Wilson's ricom mindntion to that very front door, and—"

" Never mind tlio front door, but tell us why you lek this Mrs Wilson ?"

" Shuro, and it was she as left mo, being as alie went nailing to the ould country the same day when on her ricommindation I catno to this very front door—" "Well well; no matter about that. You have been iv Mr Loavouworth's family a year I" "Toa, air." " And liked it ? found him a good mas ter ?" " Oeh, sir, niver have I found a bettor, worac luck to the villiau as killed him. He was that free and ginerous, sir, that manyV the time I liavo said to Hannah—" She stormed with a sudden comical gasp of ter ror, looking at her fellow-servants like one ■who Lad incautiously made a .slip. The coroner, observing this, inquired hastily, "Hannah? who is Hannah?" The cook, drawing her roly-poly figure Into some sort of shape in her efforts to ap pear unconcerned, exclaimed boldly, " She ? 0, only the ladies' maid, sir,"' " But I don't see any one here answering to that description. You didn't speak of any one of the natno of Hannah as belong ing to tho house," said ho, turning to Thomas. "No, sir," the latter replied with a bow and a. side-long look at the red-cheeked girl at his side, " Yon asked me who were in the house at the time tho murder was dis covered, ami I told you." "0," cried the coroner satirically, "used to police courts, 1 see." Then turning back to the cook, who hud all this while been rolling her eyes in a vague fright about the room, inquired, "And where is this Han nah ?" " Shure, sir, she's gone." "How long since?" The cook caught her breath hysterically. J 1 Since last uiglit." ■'What time last night ?" " Troth, .sir, and I don't know. I don't know anything about it." " Wn-i flic dismissed?' "Not as I knows on; her clothes is here." "0, her clothes are here. At what hour did you miss her ?" "I didn't miss her. She was here last night, and she isn't here this morning, and so I says she's gone." " Humph I" cried the coroner, casting a slow glance down tho room, while every one looked about him as if he had suddenly stumbled upon a.door in a closed wall, "Where did this girl sleep?" The cook, who had been fumbling uneasily •wil.li her apron, looked up, " Shure, we all sleeps at the house, sir." " In one room ?" Slowly. " Yes, sir." "Did she come up to the room last flight?" •' Yes, sir.", "At what hour?" "Shuro, it was ten when we all came up. I heard the clock a-striking." "Did you observe anything unusual in her appearance ?" " She had a toothache, sir ?' "0, a toothache j what then? Tell me all she did." 'jJu.t at this the cook broke into tears and Wails. '•.Shure, she didn't do nothing, sir. It ■wasn't her, sir. as did anything, don't you believs it. Hannah is a good girl, and honest, sir, as ever you see. lam ready to swp.ar on tho Book that she never put her hand to the lock of his door. - What should she for? bhe only went down to Miss Eleanor for some toothache drops, her face was paining her that awful; and 0, sir—" "There, there." interrupted the coroner, " I am not accusing Hannah of any thing. I only asked you what she did after you reached your room, she went down stairs, you say. How long after you went up ?" "Troth, sir, I couldn't tell; but Molly says—" " Never mind what Molly says, You didn't sec her go down ?'' " No, 'Sir." " Nor see her come back J" 8 No, sir. •'Nor s»'Cher this morning ?" "No,sir; how could I when she's gone?" " But you did fiee last night, that site seemed to'be suffering with toothache ?" "Yes, sir." "Very well; now tell me how and when you first became acquainted with the fact of Mr Lcavenworth's death." But her replies to this question, while ovcr-garrnlous, contained but little infor mation, and seeing this, the coroner was on the point of ds3missing her, when the little juror, remembering an admission she bad made, of having seen Miss Eleanore Leavenworth coming out of the .library door a few minutes ' after Mr Lcavenworth's body had been carried into the next room, asked if her mistress had anything in her hand at the time. " I don't know, sir. Faith 1" she suddenly exclaimed, " I believe she did have a piece of paper, I recollect now, seeing her put li in her pocket." The next witness was Molly, the up-stairs girl. Molly'O'Flanagan, as she called herself, was a rosy-cheeked, black-haired, pert girl of about eighteen, who under ordinary circumstances would have found herself able to answer, with a due degree of smart ness, any questions which might have been addressed to her. But fright will sometimes cower the stoutest heart, .and Molly, stand ing before the comner at this juncture, pre sented anything but a reckless appearance, her naturally rosy checks blanching at the first word addressed to her, ard her head

falling forward on her breast in a confusion, too genuine to be dissembled, and too trans pareot to be misunderstood. As her testimony related mostly to Hannah, and what she knew of her and her remarkublo disappearance, I shall codliuc myself to a mere synopsis of it. as far as she (Molly) knew, Hannah was what she had given herself out to bo, an un educated girl of Irish extraction, who had come from the country to act a<s lady's maid and seamstress to the two Misses Leaven worth She had been in the family sometime before Molly hcrself.iu fact; and thouah by nature remarkably reticent, refusing to tell anything about herself or her past life, she had managed to become a great favourite with all in tho house. But she was of a melancholy nature and fond of brooding, often petting up at nights to sit and think in the dark ; "as though she was a lady I exclaimed Molly. This habit being a kingnur one for a girl in her station, an attempt was made to win from tho witness further particular* in regard to it. But Molly, with a toss of her head, confined .herself to the one statement. She used to got up nights and sit in the window, and that was all she knew about it. Drawn avraj from this topic, during the consideration of which a little of tho sharp ness of Molly's disposition had assorted itself, she wont on to state in connection with the events of the past night, that Hannah had been ill for two days or more with a swelled faco ; that last night it had given her so'much trouble she got out of bed, and dressing herself-Molly was closely questioned hen-, bur, Insisted upon the fact that Hannah had fully dressed herself, even to arranging her collar and ribbon -lighted a caudle, and made known her intention of goinr; down to Miss Elcanore for aid. " Why Miss Eleanoro ?" a juryman here asked.

"0, she was tho one who always gave out medicines and such like to the ser vants."

Urged to proceed, she went on to state that "that was all she knew altout it. Hannah did not come back, nor was she to bo found in tho house at breakfast time.

"Yon say she took a candle with her," said the coroner. " Wa.s it in a candle stick ?'

" No, sir ; looso like."

" Why did she take a candle? Does not Mr. Leavenworth burn gas in his halls J"

" Yes, sir; but we put the gas out as we camu up, and Hannah is afraid of tho dark."

"if she took a caudle it must be lying somewhere about the house. Now,has any body '(ecu a stray candle?"

"Not as I knows on, sir.' 1 " Is this it ?" oxclaimod a voice over my shoulder.

It was Mr. firyce, and he was holding up iuto view a half-burned parallinecandle. "Yes, air; Lor', .where did you find

it?" "In the grass of tho carriage yard, half way from ttie kitchen door to the street," he returned quietly. Sensation. A clue, then, at last. Some thing had been found which seemed to connect this mysterious murder with the outside world. Instantly the back door as sumed tho ctticf position of interest. The candle found lying iv the yard seemed to prove not only that Hannah had left the house shortly after descending from her room, and bad left it by the back door, which we now remembered was only a few steps from tho iron gate opening into the side s'rect. But Thomas, being recalled, repeated bis assertion that not only the backdoor, but all the lower windows of the liousb, had been found by him securely locked and bolted at six that morning. Inevitable conclusion—some one had locked and bolted them after the girl. Who? Alas ! that had now become the very serious and momentous question.

V. EXPEBT TESTIMONY. And oftcu-timcs, to win us to our harm. Tlio instruments of darkness (ell ua truths ; Win na with honost trilloa, to betray ua Jn deepest consequence. M.iCBETIT. In the midst of the universal gloom that hatl now fallen upon all present, there came a sharp ring at the bell. Instantly all eyes turned towards tho parlour floor, when it slowely opened, and the oJUcer who had been sent off kci mysteriously by the coroner an hour before.'entered with a young wan at his side, whose sleek appearance, intelli gent ove,and general air of trustworthiness, seemed to proclaim him to be, whut in fact he was, the confidential clerk of a respon sible mercantile house.

Advancing without apparent embarrass ment, though, each and every eye in the room was fixed upon him with lively curiosity, he made a slight bow to the coroner.

" You have sent fora man from Bohn & C 0.," he said.

Strong and immedinto excitement. Bohn & Co. was tho well-known pistol and ammunition store of Broadway. "Yes, sir," returned the coroner. "We have hetc a bullet, which we would be glad to have you examine. You are fully acquainted with all matters connected with your business."

Tho young man, merely elevating an expressive eyebrow, took the bullet caro lessly in his hand.

_" Cnu. you toll us from what make ot pistol that was delivered ? " The young man rolled it slowly round between his thumb and forefinger, and then laid it down. "Itis a No. 32 ball, usually sold with, the small pistol made by Smith & Wesson."

" A small pistol!" exclaimed the, butler jumping up from his scat. "Master used to keep a little pistol, in his stand drawer. I have often seen it. We all know about it."

Great and irrepressible excitement, especially among the servants. "That's so," I heard a heavy voice exclaim, "I saw it'once myself—master was cleaning it." It was the cook who spoke "In his stand drawer?" the coroner iuquired. " Yes, sir; at the head of his bed."

Au officer was sent to examine the stand drawer. In a few moments he returned, bringing a small pistol which he laid down on the coroner's table, saying, "Here it is."

Immediately every one sprang to his feet, but the coroner handing it over to the clerk from Bonn's, inquired if that was of tho make before mentioned, Without hesita tion he replied, "Yes, Smith & Wesson, you can see for yourself," and he proceeded to examine it.

" Where did you find this pistol 1 " asked the coroner of the officer.

" Iv the top drawer of a shaving tabls that stands at the head of Air Leaven worth's bed. It wag lying in a velvet case together with a box of cartridges, one of which I bring as a sample," and he laid it down beside the bullet.

" Was the drawer locked ? "

"Yes, sir; but the key was not taken." Interest had now reached its climax. A universal cry swept through the room, "Is it loaded?"

The coroner frowning on the assembly, with a look of great dignity, remarked : " I was about to ask that question my self, bui; first I must request order." An immediate calm followed. Every one was

too much interested, to interpose any obstacle in the way of gratifying his curiosity. "Now sir ! " exclaimed the coroner.

The clerk from Uohn's, taking out the cylinder, held it up. "There ate seven chambers here, and they are all loaded." A murmur of disappointment followed this assertion.

"But," he quietly said after a momentary examination of the face of the cylinder, "they have not all been loaded long. A bullet has been recently shot from one of these chambers."

"How do you know? " cried one of the jury. "How do I know, sir," said he turning to the coroner, "vyijl you bo good enough to examine the condition of this pistol ? " and lie handed it over to that gentleman. "Look first at the barrel; it is clean and bright, you will say, and shows no evidence of a bullet having passed out of it very lately ; that is because it has been cleaned. But now ob serve the face o£ the cylinder, what do you sec there V"

" I see a faint line of smut noar one of chc chambers."

" Just so; show it to the gentlemen." It wn immediately handed down. "That faint line of smut on the edge of ono of the chambers is the tell-lalo. A bullet passing out always, leaves smut be hind. The niiin who fired this, remember ing the fact, cleaned the barrel, but forgot the cylinder." And stepping cside he folded hit arms.

"Jerusalem !" spoke out a rough heat ty voice, " isn't that wonderful 1" It was a countryman who had stepped in from the street, and now stood all agape in the door way. It was a rough but not altogether unwel come interruption. A smile passed round the room, and each man seemed to breathe oasier. Order being at last restored, the oilier was requested to describe the position of tlio stand, aud its distance from the library table. The library table is in one ronm and the stand in another. To reach tins former from the latter, one would be obliged to cross Mr Leavcnworth's bed-room in a diagonal direction, |pass through the p;issage way separating the one apartment from the orher, and—

" Wait a moment; how does this table stand in regard to the door which leads from the bed-room into the hall ?

"One might enter that door, pass directly round the foot of the bed, procure the pistol, and cross half way over the- pas sage way, without being seen by any one sitting or standing in the library beyond." " Holy Virgin I' exclaimed the horrified cook, throwiug her apron over her head aa if to shut out some dreadful vision. " Han nah niver would have the pluck for that, nivor, niver !" ])ut Mr Gryce laying a heavy hand on the woman, forced her back into her seat, reproving and calming her at the same time, with a dexterity that was mar vellous to behold. I beg your pardons," sho cried doprccatingly to those around, " but it niver was Hannah, niver."

Tfic clerk from Bolid'h here being dis missed, those asscmhled took the oppor tunity of making some chanße in their position, after which, the name of Mr Har well was again called. That person roso with manifest reluctance. Evidently the preceding testimony had cither upset some theory of his, or indubitably strengthened some unwelcome suspicion. "Mr Harwell,"'the coroner began, "we arc told of the existence of a pistol belong ing to Mr Leavenworth,and upon searching we discover it in his room. Did you know of Hia possessing such an instrument ?" "I did."

"Was it a fact generally known in the house ?"

'So it would seem,"

" How was that ? Was he in the habit of leaving it around where any one could see it?"

" I cannot say. I can only acquaint you with the manner in which I myself became cognizant of its existence," "Very well, do so."

"We were once talking about lire-arms, I have some taste that way, aud have al ways boon anxious to possess a pocket pis tol. Saying something of the kind to him one day, he rose from his seat and bringing this from its place in his stand drawer, showed it to me."

" How long ago was this ?" " Some few mouths since." " He has owned this pistol then for some time l"

"Yes, sir."

" Is that the only occasion upon which you have ever seen it." "No, sir,"—the secretary blushed—"l have scon it once since," "When?"

" About three weeks ago," " Under what circumstances?"

The secretary dropped his held, a certain drawn look making itself suddenly visible ou his countenance. Me even unfolded his arms and press»d his hands together, look ing all the while into the coroner's face, from under his half-closed lids, with an ex pression that was almost like an appeal. ' ■ Gentlemen," ho asked after a moment's hesitation, "willyou not excuse me?" " It is impossible," returned the coroner.

His face grow oven more pallid and de precatory. •' lam obliged to introduce the name ota lady," said he hesitatingly. " We are very sorry," remarked the coro ner. The young man turned fiercely upon him, and I could not help wondering that I had ever thought him commonplace. "Of Miss Elcanorc Leavenworth," he exclaimed.

At that name, so uttered, every one star ted but Mr Grycc; ho was engaged in hold ing a c!o?e and confidential confab with his linger tips, and did not appear to notice.

" Surely it is contrary to tho rules of decorum and the respect we all feel for the lady herself, "to introduce her name into this discussion," Mr Harwell went on hur riedly. But the enroner still insisting1 upon an answer, ho re-folded his arms, a move ment indicative of resolution with Mm, and began in a low forced tone to say,

"It is only this, gentlemen. Oue after noon about three weeks since, I had occa sion to go to the library at an unusual hour. Crossing over to the mantel-piece for the aose of procuring a penknife which I carelessly left there in the morning, I heard a noise in the adjoining room. Know ing that Mr Leavenworth was out, and sup posing that the ladies had gone with him, I took the liberty of looking to see who was there ; when what was my astonishment to behold Miss Elcanoro Loavenwortn stand ing at the side of her uncle's bed, with this pistil in her hand. Confused at my indis cretion, I attempted to escape without being observed, but in vain, for just as I set foot on the threshold of the door, she turned around and, detecting me, called me by name, and upon my advancing, asked me if I would not explain the pistol to her. Gentlemen, in order to do so, I was obliged to take it in my hand; and that, sirs, is the only other occasion upou which I ever saw or handled the pistol of Mr. Leavenworth." Drooping his head he waited in indescribable agitation for the next question. " She asked you to explain the pistol to her ; what do you mean by that ?" _" I mean," continued he faintly, catching his breath in a vain effort to appear calm, 11 bow to load, aim, and fire it.

A flash like the glare of sudden lightning, shot across the faces of all present. Even

the coroner showed sudden signs of emotion, and sat staring at the bowed form and pale countenance of the man before him, with a peculiar look of surprised compassion, that could not fail of producing its effect, not only, upon the young man himself, but upon all who saw him.

"Mr. Harwell." he inquired at length, " have you anything to add to the statement you have just made ?" The secretary sadly shook his head. " Mr. Gryce," I here whispered, clutching tbat person by the arm and dragging him down to my side; " assure me, I entreat you—" but he would not let me finish. "The coroner is about to a«<c for the young ladies," he quickly interposed. "If you desire to fulfil your duty towards them, be ready, that's all." Fulfil my duty ! The simple words re called me to myself. What had I been thinking of; was I mad? Instantly the present, with its doubt and horror rolled away from me like a scroll, leaving only a tender picture of the lovely cousins bowed in anguish over the remains of one who had been dear as a father to them. As this vision deepened and impressed itself upon me, I slowly rose, and upon demand being made for Miss Mary and Miss Eleanore Lcavenworth, advanced and said that, as a friend of the family—a pretty lie, which I hope will not be laid up against mo—-I begged the privilege of going for the ladies and escorting them down. Instantly a dozen eyes flashed upon me, and Inexperienced the embarrassment of one who, by some unexpected word or ac tion, has drawn upon, himself the concen trated attention of a whole room.

But tlie permission sought being almost immediately accorded, I was speedily en abled to withdraw from my rather trying position, finding myself,almost before I knew it, in the ball; my face aflame, my heart beating with excitement and these words of Mr Gryce's ringing in my ears. " Third floor, rear room, first door at the head of the stairs. You will find' the young ladies expecting you."

(To he continued.)

HOUSEHOLD RECIPES.

Swiss Fritters.—Cut the crumb of a French roll into square slices half-an-inch thick, beat up an egg with a little nut meg, cinnamon, and sugar, and soak the slices of roll in the mixture. Then fry them till they turned to a nice brown.

Potato Cakes.—Take ten ounces floury potatoes, boiled and smoothly pounded; when just warm add gradually a little salt, six ounces of flour, and three ounces of butter; no liquid is required. When the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, roll the dough into thin cakes the size of a captain's biscuit; bake in a moderate oven, or on a girdle ; when done, split open, butter well, «nd serve very hot. Lkmon Sfongk—Put one ounce of gela tine into a pint of cold water, let it stand five minnU'B, then dissolve it over the fire ; add the rind of two lemons thinly pared, lump sugar, and the juice of three lemons; boil all together two minutes, strain it, and let it remain till nearly cold, tben add the white of two eggs well beaten, and whisk it well ten minutes; put it" lightly in glass dishes. CkkamPieand Orange Dessert.— Cut the oranges in thin slices' and sprinkle suuar over them; let them stand for two or three hours ; serve on ordinary fruit plates. The pie is made with a bottom crust only, and that not thick, but light and flaky. Take one coffee cup of thick, sweet cream, half a cup of pulverised sugar, a table spoonful of flour, one egg; flavour with lemon extract; bake until you are sure the crust is brown and hard, co that it will not absorb the custard.

To Remove Inkstaijjs.— The Pharma ncWs Journnloi Antwerp recommends that, if the ink stains be aniline, they should be moistened with sttong alcohol, mixed with acetic acid. Pyrophosphato- of sodium is also recommended for general use for the pamo purpose. A little tallow should be dropped on the ink stains, aud then they should be washed in a solution of the sodium until the grease and the stain have both vanished. If not successful the first time, the process may be repeated. Swiss Pudding.—Take the yolks of seven eggs, half-ounce of isinglass, beat them well, add a pint of good milk and sugar to taste. Put this in a mould, and boil the pudding three quarters of an hour exactly. Let it stand in the mould till cold. The sauce for this pudding is made with a quarter ot a pint of white wine, a quarter of a pound of sugar, with the juice and the rind of a lemon pared very thin. Boil this till it becomes like a syrup. When cold pour it round the pudding, but not till it is ready to be sent to table, then put a few strips of of orange marmalade or apri cot jam on the top and round the pudding. Sponge Pudding.—Kub six ounces of butter or beef drippine into a pound of dry flour, in which a level dessert spoonful of ground ginger and six ounces of brown sugar have been mixed; dissolve two level tcaspoonfuls of carbonate of soda in half a pint of milk, making it smooth and free from lumps before adding to the flour. Beat all together into a soft hatter, and pour into a battered basin. Allow the pudding plenty of room to swell in the cloth, which it does considerably; plunge into very fast boiliDg water and keep boil ing two hours and a half. Turn it out and servo with sauce; some prefer to eat it dry.

RELIGIOUS NOTES.

" General" Booth of the Salvation Army says it has now 265 stations and 355 paid officers. Its income amounts to £55,000 per annum. Nine million copies of litera ture were distributed last year, and £15,000 raised for the purchase of Congress Hall, in London,

Professor Robertson Smith regularly visits London to attend the meetings of the Old Testament llevision Committee. Many attempts have been made by Presbyterians iv London to prevail upon him to occupy one of the metropolitan pulpit?, but the ex- Professor declines to preach nntil tbe stigma that he is unable to preach the Old Testament is removed by the Assembly. Ex-Canon Campello, of St. Peter's,Romo, in a recent letter to Father Hyacinthe, de nies that he has become a Protestant, except in the sense of protesting against the usurpations of the papal chair. He also says, notwithstanding the distinct statement that he has joined the Methodist Church, that lie has entered none of the numerous communions which are separate from the Catholic communion.

A London religious paper gives an account of a new freak in ceremonial prac tice. "Miss Mainwaring, the daughter of <m English array officer, was about to be married, but unexpectedly died. It was resolved, however, that before interment she should be married, 'as far as possible, and accordingly a clergyman, the Key. T. D. Platt, and other clergymen among them read the marriage service and then the ser vice of funerals.

A recent investigation, set on foot by the Society for the Suppression of Cruelty to Animals in the United States, ascertained the fact that out of 2,000 convicts in State prisons only twelve had been accustomed to keep domestic pets,

Scraps for the Curious.

A Russian proverb says :—Before going to war, pray once ; before going to sea, pray twice; before going to get married.pray three times.

The following is an admirable specimen of Lord Palmerston's curt way of transacting official business—they are the instructions given to a Foreign Office clerk for answering a letter—"Tell him (1) we'll see; (2) to use blacker ink; (3) to round his letters; and (4) that th'-re is no h ia exorbitant." . Mr. Joseph Whitwell Peaie, who is one of the new batch of baronets, will be the first Quaker who is known to have accepted such a title when offered. It is another proof that the Society of Friends is changing us front to the world, and it makes me wonder what Fox or the "Apologist" Barclay would have said to the assumption of the tHe of "Sjr," against which the early Quakers fulminated.

Lady Krancis Evelyn Bertie, daughter of Lord Abingdon, bas taken the black veil at the Convent of the Visitation of the Holy Mary,_ at Westbury-on-Trym, Gloucester shire, in the presence of numerous relatives, including Lord U orreys. The sermon -was preached by the licv. H. J. Coleridße, D.D., brother of the Lord Chief Justice.

Pere Hyacinthe is one of the " lions "who are coming to ihe May meeting?, and he has already arranged to deliver lectures on. the south coast on Catholic reform ; but he will not prove {such a popular attraction as the Blue llibbon Army. Mr Kichard T. Booth, the American "temperance orator," has just concluded a very successful fortnight's temperance work'at Brighton, nearly 12,000 new pledges having been taken. Mr Booth, has been equally successful in a monetary point of view, about £200 haviDg been pre sented to him.

There is a North Tyneside tradition that the Robsons once made a foray into Liddles dale, to harry the brahama, and drove off their flocks of sheep down into the North Tyne. Unfortunately the sheep proved to be scabbit, and communicated the disease to the other sheep of the Robsons. Upon this' the latter made a second raid into Liddesdale, and took seven of the most substantial of the Grahams they could lay their hands upon, and hanged them forth with, with the warning that " (he neist tynie gentleman enm to tak their schepe, they were not to be so scabbit." The '■ Court Circular " of Tuesday con tains the following :—"The funeral took place on Monday, at Hishgate, of Mrs Lilly, who died on tho 26th of April, at Camberwell, in her ninety-second year. She attended the Queen as monthly nurse at the birth of her Majesty's nine children, and was greatly respected and esteemed by her Majesty the Queen and by all. The Queen constantly sent to inquire after her, and four years ago Mrs Lilly came to sec her Majesty and several members of the Boyal family at Buckingham Palace, being then, in her eighty-eighth year. The Queen sent a wreath to be placed on her grave." An astounding scene took place recently at a funeral in a parish in one of the Scotch border counties. A procession was slowly wending its way along the road to the churchyard, when two others were seen approaching from different directions. Al most at the same moment the respective drivers made a "spurt," each wishing to get first to the ground, so that the hearses and coaches actually reached the gate at a gallop, the mourners appearing to partici pate iii the excitement. Alter the first interment the friends in the procession pro duced Glenlivet, and drank to " the health " of their departed friend! Altogether, it was an episode of " sixty years since," and a little more.

The Duke of Devonshire.

The following story is told by an American correspondent:—A Yankee tourist recently went down to Chatsworth, the Duka of Devonshire's English estate. There is a little villaee on it, where an inn is built for the accommodation of visitorn; and when Mr. A. reached there, afrer being through Chatsworth, he was naturally much im pressed with its beauty, and he couldn't re train from saying so to aqaiet-lookingnian, the landlord, who was sitting on. the inn piazza with-him affer tea. " Quite a nice place, isn't it?" said the American. "Ye?, a pleasant place enough," returned the Englishman. "The fellow who owns it must be worth a mint of money," said No. I through his cigar-smoke. " Yes, he's com fortably off," agreed No. 2 quietly. "I •wonder if I could get a look at the old chap," said the American after a short silence. " I should like to see what sort of a bird he is." Puff, puff, wept the English cigar, and then said the EDglish voice trying hard to control itself: "If you"—puff—"look hard"— puff, puff— " in this direction, you"—puff, puff—"can tell in a minute." "You— you I" faltered Mr. A., getting up. " Why, I thought you were the landlord I" "Well, so I am," said the duke, " though I don't perform the duties. I stay here," he added, with a twinkle in his eye, '■ to be looked at."

The Private Soldier's Fay.

The lowest rata of pay is Is a day, and although that sounds absurdly small, let us see what the soldier hag to do with it. In the first place, he has a good lodging found him, with plenty of bedding, lights, and tiring; therefore there is no expeose oa that score. As regards food,.he gets every daya pound of bread, andcitheronepound or three-quarters of a pound of beef or mutton, so the heaviest part of his " board "is found for him also ; but there is some slight ex pense of extras, to be mentioned presently. The main part of his clothing is ako supplied gratis, viz, the cloth clothes, bootp, &c, and the soldier need incur no expense on that head; butthesmnller details of clothing —i.e., shirts and stockings, &c.-—have to be paid for by him after the first issue has been worn out; it being borne in mmd that the first issue of clothing is made complete and without charge, except a small sum,for having the various articles marked. The chief necessities of life being thus provided, there only remain some small items of compulsory expenditure. The groceries, used for breakfast and tea, and the vege tables for dinner, are paid for by the soldie, at the rate of 3d a day, and the washing o 1 clothes at Jd a day, making a total of 2s OJd per week. Beer is to be got cheap and good at the canteen, and if a man drinks his quart a day that will come to 2s 4d a week. Deducting these two amounts from the pay of 7s a week, there remains about 2s 6d a week for what may be termed "pocket money," out of which, of course, a soldier can easily provide himself with tobacco, extras in the form of butter or cheese at his meals, and still leave- a few coppers in hand. This case has been taken as the very worst possible, but probably bears a good comparison with what many men have to put up with in ordinary life, as the.soldier is clothed* fed, and housed better than his civilian brother. And, moreover, the soldier has what is called " Deferred Pay " accumu lating all the time at the rate of £3 a year, which will be given to him whenever he leaves the army.-—" Cassell's Magazine. 1'

STAR SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT, JULY 8, 1882

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