money. All you've got to do about it is to say, acciden tally, where he keeps the key. We know you have charge of it.

RUSSELL (Walking about, as if thinking, and then speaking)-Can you keep a secret, boys?

DREW-Mum's the word. Nobody shall ever know. The rack couldn't wring it from us.

GREY-Oh, yes; we can keep a secret, and we will. Let us have it.

RUSSELL-So can I; and so I will! Mr. Soule gave me the care of the boat-house key. I promised him I would neither let it go out of, my possession, nor tell where I keep it. I know you'll both be offended, but I can't help it. My motto is "trusty and true," and I'll stick to it as long as I live.

DREW-You're a booby, spooney, and coward! I cut your acquaintance for ever. (Goes out.) GREY (Following DREW, takes RUSSELL'S hand, and speaks in a low voice.)-I respect you, Russell. I don't blame you! Don't forget me.

RUSSELL-Well, they've gone. Heigho! I've made a life-time enemy; but I can't help it! I'm a booby and a spooney, may be, but I'm not a coward. I know I'd rather march up to the cannon's mouth than to face such music as this. Oh, dear! wouldn't I like to have somebody tell me I'm not a booby. I wish somebody cared about us poor stranger-boys. When I'm a man, I'll hunt up all the young fellows, and just let them see that somebody has an interest in them. I'll ask them to church and Sabbath-school and-ah! well! that's another of my foolish actions. I suppose I must be a little unfinished in the upper story. I'll off to bed and to sleep.

[Exit.

[Curtain.]

SCENE II.-Place same as before. Time, Monday morning. MR. SOULE sitting by a desk.

Enter RUSSELL.

RUSSELL-You wished to see me, sir?

SOULE-Ah, Russell! (Extending his hand.)

Glad

to see you so prompt! Sit down here. I want to have a little talk with you.

RUSSELL (Taking a seat)—Thank you, sir, I've been expecting this for a week. I suppose you're about to make the change you spoke of. I'm sorry to go, sir, but as I'm the youngest clerk, I expected to be the first one turned off.

SOULE-Yes, I am making some changes in my business, and some two or three must be discharged. You found the snarl here, (Laying his hand on the ledger,) and unraveled it, I see.

RUSSELL-Yes, sir; I think it is all right.

SOULE All right, Russell, and very well done. Have you seen Drew this morning?

RUSSELL-No, sir; neither Drew nor Grey. I wondered where they are to-day. I noticed neither of their desks were filled.

SOULE-Then you haven't heard the news?

RUSSELL-No, sir! What news?

SOULE-Frank Grey had his eye put out last night, in a billiard saloon, in a drunken quarrel!

RUSSELL-Frank Grey! Poor fellow! You don't mean to say he had been drinking, Mr. Soule?

SOULE-No, I think not. He got mixed up in the quarrel somehow. It is a great pity he was ever tempted Grey is not very wicked yet, only

to go there at all.

a little weak.

RUSSELL-Perhaps this may save him. I hope so.

He's good-hearted. Poor Frank! Lost an eye! How terrible!

SOULE-Yes, but it might have been worse. If the loss of an eye will reform his character and make his life useful, it will be a mercy, after all. There's another piece of bad news which I presume you haven't heard. Drew is in the lockup.

RUSSELL (Astonished)-In the where?

SOULE-In "durance vile," Russell, on the charge of breaking and entering.

RUSSELL-Whose store? Can it be true, Mr. Soule? SOULE-Captain Nelson's boat-house. He stole Nelson's yacht, he and some other fellows, and went pleasuring. Nelson's angry, of course, and had them arrested this morning.

RUSSELL-It is a sad thing! I am very sorry. Was Grey one of the party?

SOULE-No, he was n't. He had a sick headache all day, and it is a great pity it had n't lasted all the evening, as well.

RUSSELL Somebody coaxed him off. The poor fellow could never say "no."

SOULE-It's a great pity. The fact is, he is n't "trusty and true." Very few young men are. When I find one that is, I consider him worth his weight in diamonds-eh, John?

RUSSELL-Yes, sir; I suppose so, sir! That is, my parents always taught me so.

SOULE-Don't blush so, Russell, my dear fellow. I did n't mean to play eaves-dropper last Saturday night, but I heard your conversation with Drew and Grey. You have been well taught, and you do your parents honor. You shall not suffer for your defence of me and my property, I assure you.

RUSSELL-I only did my duty, sir. When do you want me to leave-to-day?

SOULE-I don't wish you to leave at all.

RUSSELL I thought you said

SOULE You must n't jump at conclusions. I said I was about making some change, and I am. I sent for you to offer you the clerkship made vacant by Drew. That gives you a jump over four years, and will more than double your salary.

RUSSELL-O Mr. Soule, how can I thank you? Do you think I am competent to do his work!

SOULE-I think so. That was his work you righted up on Saturday night.

RUSSELL-Mr. Soule, you never can know what you have done for us all-mother and sister and me. I hope you will never have cause to regret your kindness.

SOULE-I never shall, if you continue trusty and true. That is all I ask of you. For no man can be that to the full, without being more-a true Christian.

(He shakes RUSSELL'S hand, and exits.) RUSSELL (Pinching himself)-It is n't me. I must be dreaming. John Russell, the booby, spooney, coward! O mother, it all comes of your teaching! And earnestly will I pray that I be not led into temptation, but ever be trusty and true.

[Curtain.]

A FRIGHTENED LODGER.

CHARACTERS:-HEZEKIAH SCRUGGINS.

ALEXANDER Addison.
PAT MULRAVEY.

LANDLORD.

SCENE.-Room in a Hotel.

Enter HEZEKIAH.

HEZ.-Wall, I 'spose I'll hev tew stop here and stay over night. This ain't much of a room, neither, tew put sich a feller as Hezekiah Scruggins intew. The landlord sez as heow they are awfully crowded, and if another feller should happen tew come, I s'pose he'd chuck him in along o' me. Neow I'd rayther not hev a companyun on the present occasion, but I reckon ef anybody comes in it will hev tew be endoored. I 'most wish I hadn't come tew this big agerculteral fair. It ain't nothin' but push and scrouge from mornin' till night. (Sits down.) I'm most tarnation tired. I've been a trampin' reound all this blessed day, and haven't seen nothin' of much acceount neither. I wish I was tew hum. If I know myself I'll strike eout fur that same hum to-morrow evenin'. (Noise outside.) Hullo! thar's a trampin' at the door. I 'spose my pardner is a comin'. If I am tew have a companyun, I hope he'll be a respectable-lookin' feller. (Door is opened, and LANDLORD ushers in ALEXANDER ADDISON. HEZEKIAH rises. Exit LANDLORD.)

ALEX.-Well, my friend, it seems that we are to lodge together to-night.

HEZ.-Yaas, so it seems. This ain't an awful good.