Relief.

grate . He sank into it ; and as he felt the genial heat of the room stealing into his benumbed frame , a feAV tear-drops rolled down his wan cheeks . My uncle Avas a benevolent-hearted man . He regarded the lad for a feAV moments with an expression Avhich shoAved that much contact Avith a rough Avorld had not entirely dried up the fountains of sympathy in his heart .

" AVliy are you abroad in such rough weather 1 " he asked . " Your j > arents certainly cannot have sent you ?" The child ' s under lip trembled Avith emotion , and tears sprang into his eyes . " My father is dead , " he said , " and my

mother is very ill and destitute of bread . " " Poor child ! " said my uncle compassionately , " and this is the reason Avhy you are out ; you are too fine a little fellow to be sent on begging expeditions . " The boy ' s cheek flushed , but it was

with mortified pride and anger . " I am not a beggar , " he said , disdainfully . " I never took a copper in my life , and never mean to , Avithout giving something in return . My mother sent me out this morning to sell this , and not to beg . " As he spoke he drew from his pocket a small roll . I Avatched and admired the little fellow as he untied the

string and unrolled the brown paper that enclosed his treasure . I Avas surprised Avhen I saAv it at last held up for exhibition . It Avas a Avhite satin apron , beautifully painted and trimmed , —one Avhich must at some time have belonged to the most honourable of

the Fraternity . My uncle Avas a bri ght Mason . I saAv his eye kindle and his cheek flush at the sight of the satin texture now offered in exchange for bread , —for the common Avants of life .

" To Avhom did this belong , my boy ? " said my uncle in a mild voice ; " was this your father ' s ? " " Yes , " said the child ; " my father used often to Avear it , and a pretty sight it Avas , sir , to see him dressed out in his beautiful regalia . My mother hates to

part Avith it , sir ; indeed she has parted with everything else before she Avould part Avith this , but she is sick and in great distress . This morning she said I must offer this for sale , for she cannot bear to see me beg , and we have nothing else to sell .

A man up town to Avhom I offered it told me he Avas not a Mason , and had no use for such regalia , but if I AVOUICI come here perhaps I could sell it . I accordingly came , and how Avould you like to buy it , sir ?"

" Buy it ! " cried my uncle ; " no , I Avould not buy it for the Avorld ; but your mother if she is the widoAV of the man that Avore this , shall never again send you forth on such an errand . I pledge the Avord of a gentleman and a Mason . Take

your hat , boy , and show me the Avay to your residence . " My uncle had taken his cloak , and was already clasping it around him . " You Avill not surely go forth , uncle , in such an hour , and Avith your East

India constitution , to brave this inclement storm , " I said , rising and standing before him . " You can send money and relief to this unfortunate lady , Avithout exposing

yourself . " I cannot send , " he replied implicitly . "If the AvidoAv and child of a Mason can brave the rigours of the storm , I certainly am not too Aveak , too effeminate , for the task . Give me my cane and hat . " I handed them to himandtaking the

, , child by the hand , he went forth into the Avind and sleet , for the latter lad commenced falling . I Avent to the AVIUCIOAV , and Avatched them both until they Avere out of sight . I felt , as I saw my uncle ' s stalwart frame braving the inclemency

Avithout , and yielding support to the delicate , fragile boy , that he Avas indeed one of God's noblemen , and I mused over the mysterious organization of men to which he belonged , and the benevolence of Avhose creed had led him forth to peril

the safety of a constitution rendered peculiarly sensitive to cold , from a long residence in a foreign clime . * - * * * * * *

It Avas quite dark before my uncle returned . He came in , and to my surprise , exhibited no great symptoms of cold . He leisurely unclasped his cloak , and sat down to the supper table , Avhich Avas already spread , Avithout a remark . I looked into his face as I sat down

to pour the coffee into the cups , but it Avas unreadable as a scratched and torn page . I could not unravel his thoughts . He Avas serious , Avithout being sad , and gave brief answers to all my questions .