_Mrs. C._ You have guessed my intention exactly, sir.

_F. T._ Guessed'! madam'. I _know_ this is your object; and I know, moreover, that your ungrateful daughter has incurred your displeasure, by receiving the addresses of a worthless man.

_Mrs. C._ Every word is gospel truth.

_F. T._ This man has persuaded your daughter--

_Mrs. C._ I knew he did, I told her so. But good sir, can you tell me who has the ring?

_F. T._ This young man has it.

_Mrs. C._ But he denies it.

_F. T._ No matter, madam, he has it.

_Mrs. C._ But how shall I obtain it again?

_F. T._ The law points out the way, madam,--it is _my_ business to point out the rogue,--you must catch him.

_Mrs. C._ You are right, sir,--and if there is law to be had, I will spend every cent I own, but I will have it. I knew he was the robber, and I thank you for the information. [_Going_.]

_F. T._ But thanks, madam, will not pay for all my nightly vigils, consultations, and calculations.

_Mrs. C._ Oh, right, sir! I forgot to pay you. What am I indebted to you?

_F. T._ Only five dollars, madam.

_Mrs. C._ [_Handing him the money_.] There it is, sir. I would have paid twenty rather than not have found the ring.

_F. T._ I never take but five, madam. Farewell, madam, your friend is at the door with your chaise.

[_He leaves the room_.]

[_Enter, Friend_.]

_Friend_. Well, Mary, what does the fortune-teller say?

_Mrs. C._ Oh, he told me I was a widow, and lived in Boston, and had an adopted daughter,--and----

_Friend._ But you knew all this before, did you not?

_Mrs. C._ Yes; but how should _he_ know it? He told me, too, that I had lost a ring,--

_Friend._ Did he tell you where to find it?

_Mrs. C._ Oh yes! he says that fellow has it, and I must go to law and get it, if he will not give it up. What do you think of that?

_Friend._ It is precisely what any fool could have told you. But how much did you pay for this precious information?

_Mrs. C._ Only five dollars.

_Friend._ How much was the ring worth?

_Mrs. C._ Why, two dollars, at least.

_Friend._ Then you have paid ten dollars for a chaise to bring you here, five dollars for the information that you had already, and all this to gain possession of a ring not worth one quarter of the expense!

_Mrs. C._ Oh, the rascal! how he has cheated me! I will go to the world's end but I will be revenged.

_Friend._ You had better go home, and say nothing about it; for every effort to recover your money, will only expose your folly.

QUESTIONS.--1. What had Mrs. Credulous said, by which the fortune-teller knew all the circ.u.mstances relative to the loss of her ring? 2. How was she told she must get her ring? 3. What did she pay the fortune-teller?

4. How much for the chaise? 5. What was her ring worth? 6. Was she a bright dame?

LESSON LXVII.

UN FAL' TER ING, steady.

CON FID' ING LY, trustingly.

SOOTH' ING LY, tenderly, calmly.

AL LUR'ING, seductive; flattering.

AP PRO' PRI ATE, proper; peculiar.

SUB MIS' SION, resignation.

IN' VA LID, sick or infirm person.

CON TENT' MENT, satifaction.

MEA' GER, scanty.

CON' FI DENCE, faith; reliance.

AS SUAG' ED, relieved; mitigated.

FER' VEN CY, heat; ardent feeling.

RA DI A TION l.u.s.ter.

FRU I' TION, realization; enjoyment.

FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY.--AN ALLEGORY.

[Footnote: AL' LE GO RY is a word of Greek origin. It is made up of two parts; ALL, _other_; and EGORY, _discourse_; the literal meaning of the compound being, _discourse_ about _other_ things; that is, things other than those expressed by the words, literally interpreted. Allegory is, therefore, the general name for that cla.s.s of compositions, as _Fables_, _Apologues_, _Parables_, and _Myth_, in which there is a _double_ signification, one _literal_ and the other _figurative_; the literal being designed merely to give a more clear and impressive view of that which is figurative.]

1. Many years ago, three beautiful sisters came into our world to lighten the burdens of earth's toiling pilgrims, and aid them in preparation for a higher state of existence. Alike commissioned by the Great Father, they were sent on errands of mercy, and were not to turn away from scenes of darkness, sorrow, and suffering.

2. FAITH had a firm, unfaltering step; HOPE, a beaming eye, ever turned to the future; and LOVE, a pitying glance, and a helping hand. They journeyed confidingly together; and when they found a stricken being in danger of perishing by the wayside, FAITH soothingly whispered, "My Father doeth all things well;" HOPE pointed to the cooling shade just in advance; and LOVE a.s.sisted him to rise, and aided his feeble steps.

3. Groups of fair children played near the path in which they were traveling. Some of these did not understand the tones of FAITH; but they all listened eagerly to the alluring strains of HOPE, who painted brighter scenes than those they were enjoying, and flowers more fragrant than any they yet had gathered. LOVE delighted to linger with the youthful band, lessening their trials, and increasing their pleasures.

4. Her gentle touch arrested the little hand that was lifted against a playmate, and her soothing voice calmed the angry pa.s.sions which were swelling in the bosom. When a child stumbled in the way, she tenderly raised it up again, or when a thorn pierced the unwary finger, she kindly removed it, and bound up the bleeding wound.

5. While the sisters were busy in their appropriate mission, a pale-cheeked lad mingled with the group of merry children, though too weak to share their sports. FAITH stole to his side, and whispered of the great Parent above, who afflicts in wisdom, and chastens in love.

His eye brightened while she spoke, and he looked upward with that trust and submission which he had never before experienced.