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being in debt, she said no more about the coveted new curtains, but busied herself with him in devising means how to expend the bulk of the sum-trifling, but a mine of wealth to them-so as to satisfy the most pressing of their creditors for the time being; and with the money for the purchase of the new bonnet in her purse, she retired to rest in a most happy humour.

We have mentioned that fortune, unknown to him, was hovering over the head of George Hartley, ready to shower her favours upon him. He was summoned the next morning into the presence of his employers.

"Mr. Hartley," said the principal of the firm, "we mentioned to you yesterday that we were highly pleased with your general conduct since you have been in our employ. In consequence of the illness of Mr. Jones, you have had an opportunity afforded you of getting an insight into the nature of our business, which under other circumstances you might not have had for years. It was our intention, in case Mr. Jones did not recover-and we fear, poor fellow, he is dying -to have promoted you to his desk. The late unfortunate occurrence, however, has opened to your observation another and a more intricate branch of our business, and we are so pleased with your promptitude and industry, and with the skill you have shown yourself to be possessed of, that we have resolved to advance you to a much more important position. We could readily procure the services of older and more experienced men, who would gladly give security for their honesty, and thus prevent the recurrence of such a loss as we have lately met with; but we have decided to advance you to the desk lately occupied by Mr. Hallam. Henceforward, consider yourself our cashier. Your salary will be trebled."

George Hartley was so surprised, so overjoyed at this fortunate turn in the tide of his affairs, that he was almost unable to speak. He essayed to do so; but his words were choked in the utterance; he stammered out some unintelligible words, expressive of his feelings, and hastily left the office; and it was not until he had remained at his desk for hours thinking over his good fortune, that he recovered his composure.

On his way home, he called at a dry goods store and ordered the curtains his wife so much coveted, resolved at the same time to surprise and gratify her, and to listen to her astonishment at his generosity, before he told her of his good fortune; and to ensure its prompt delivery, he carried home the parcel himself, and untying it spread it out proudly upon the table.

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Oh, George!" said Mrs. Hartley, "what beautiful curtains! How good of you to concoct this surprise for me, after telling me too, you naughty boy, that you could not afford them this winter; but dear George," she added, "I fear I was inclined to be extravagant, and perhaps you have debarred yourself of something you require, to purchase these curtains ?"

"No, my love. I hope before long-not just yet, but before long-we shall be able to pay all our debts and to live in a better style than we have hitherto done."

"What do you mean, George ?" asked his wife.

George told her of the good fortune that had befallen him, and the little woman was half crazy with joy. After she had in some degree recovered herself, she launched forth into such hopeful anticipations of the future, into such extravagant fancies as to what she would do; what a nice house, what handsome furniture they should have, and as to where and at what fashionable watering-place she should spend the next summer, that at length George laughed outright, and playfully reminded her that he had his increased salary yet to earn, his debts yet to pay, and that eighteen hundred dollars a year would not make him a millionaire. However, the advance was so large and so unexpected, that both he and his wife were excusable in thinking somewhat extravagantly of their future income, although George could not help recollecting that he had once thought six hundred dollars a-year a small fortune, and as he remembered how his former castles had dissolved like a "baseless fabric of a vision" into thin air, he felt a foreboding that he might, with new desires of comfort and luxury engendered, find three times that amount all too little for his cravings. With a woman's cheerful hope and lively fancy, however, Mrs. Hartley saw her future path through life strewn with roses, and she, wisely perhaps, did not trouble herself about the thorns that might be hidden beneath the flowers.

There were many heart-burnings with regard to George's good fortune amongst his fellow-clerks in the office, some of whom, who had been employed there for years, and had held better situations than he, considering him an interloper, thought that they should have been preferred before him; and even amongst his acquaintances, who outwardly warmly congratulated him, feelings of envy were engendered; and Potter, especially, although he smiled and fawned and flattered, grumbled bitterly at the success of his former friend.

"Just my luck," he observed to a crony of his with whom he was conversing upon the subject, "just my luck! It was I

who got Hartley into that office. 'Pon my soul I recommended him to the place, a paltry five or six hundred a-year, as I thought it would be. I never imagined there was such luck in store for him, or else, Bob, depend upon it, I would have accepted it myself. I was begged to accept it. I was indeed; and now, there he is installed cashier,just because he happened to come from Dublin, where old Wilson was born; and now he'll be as proud as Lucifer, I suppose. You know the old adage, 'set a beggar on horseback,' &c."

But George Hartley was in reality a fine, generous, wholesouled Irishman; and although, perhaps, a trifle given to the extravagance characteristic of his countrymen, he had not a particle of meanness or pride (and they are generally found in close companionship), in his disposition. He was rejoiced at his own success, and he had good and justifiable reason to be so; but he had not a thought of looking down upon his former friends.

Affording proof of this, he exerted himself to the utmost to conceal the disgrace that had befallen Charles Edwards, and obtaining the unfortunate young man's promise to repay him if he were able, at some future day, he managed to arrange matters with Mr. Oliver, who, on his part, was not disposed to be harsh, and promising himself to pay the amount Edwards had purloined, (Mr. Oliver generously allowing his own time to make the payment, in instalments,) the wine-merchant promised that he would not make his clerk's roguery public; and more, though he could not now conscientiously recommend him to other employment, if he showed signs of reformation, he would aid him with regard to his future prospects.

Having succeeded thus far, Hartley immediately called upon Edwards, and informing him of the success of his arrange ments, he asked him what he thought of doing.

"I don't know," replied Edwards, in a desponding manner. "Have you any hope of getting into another situation ?' asked George.

"What! here in New York ?" said Edwards. "Oh no, not here I could not remain here--I should be ashamed to walk the streets. I could not face Mr. Oliver."

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You have nothing to fear from him, Charles," replied George. But, if you would prefer to leave the city, I will try what I can do for you. I am in constant intercourse with gentlemen from all parts of the country, and I will mention you to every one who I think likely to assist you. But Charles, you must not be angry. I cannot recommend you personally. I will not say anything to your prejudice, but

will merely mention that I am acquainted with you. Your future conduct, should I be happy enough to procure you employment, must be your recommendation."

You turn from me like the rest," said Charles, moodily. "Has my conduct towards you shown that?" asked George. "Charles, I will speak plainly with you. I was nearly getting myself into trouble, perhaps disgrace, through your misfortune, and can you ask me to recommend you to speak for your character? Only my confidence in your promises of amendment, my sorrow for your wife and family, and my recollection of our former acquaintance, when together seeking employment, we wandered through the streets of this city, have led me still to interest myself in your welfare. And I am willing to add, that I have hopes for you, and that what has occurred shall be forgotten by me."

"You forget that I might have been in your position,” said Edwards.

"No, Charles. I do not forget that you might perhaps have obtained the junior clerkship at Messrs. Wilsons', had you chosen to apply for it; but you refused. I did not supplant you, and you are ungenerous in saying what you do. You say, too, that I am turning against you like the rest! Like whom, Charles? Mr. Oliver has not turned against you. He has acted most generously. I do not think you can say I have acted otherwise. Many would blame me for what I am now offering to do-for what I have done. But you will think differently by and bye. Your temper is chafed just now. Think over what I have said, and in the course of a day or two I will see you again. Good night;" and shaking him by the hand, Hartley left the house and went home.

Various opportunities offered, in George Hartley's new position of confidential clerk and cashier, in a house like that of Messrs. Wilson & Co., which would have enabled him to procure Edwards employment; but he wisely resolved that he would not mention his name in reference to any employment in which a breach of trust, with regard to money matters, was possible; but after a day or two, he succeeded in procuring for him an engagement as light porter in a shipping house in Boston; the member of the firm who offered to engage him observing that if, after a fair trial, they found him active and trustworthy, they would probably promote him to a better situation-and Charles accepted the situation; for he had thought over what Hartley had said, and his conscience had told him that George was right, and that he had acted basely, and accused his friend wrongfully. Hartley, at

considerable inconvenience to himself, just then, advanced money sufficient to enable Edwards to remove himself and his family to Boston, and within a week he received a letter from him, thanking him for his kindness, and assuring him that he was comfortably situated in his new employment, and was resolved that his friend should not suffer for his generosity.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE WRECK AT THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

"The whale it whistled, the porpoise rolled,
And the dolphins bared their backs of gold;
And never was heard such an outcry wild
As welcomed to earth the ocean child."

PROCTOR.

"Then flew from sea to sky the wild farewell;

Then shrieked the timid, and stood still the brave."

DON JUAN.

THE weather cleared up after the Sea Gull had been two or three days at sea, and nothing beyond matters of ordinary, every day occurrence, took place until the vessel had crossed the equator and was well on her way to the Cape of Good Hope. Henry had done his best to become acquainted with the ship's duties during the passage, and at the expiration of five or six weeks, he had become a handy, useful lad. He had ingratiated himself with the captain and first mate, and, although the second mate still felt sore at times, (for he was a cross-grained surly fellow,) when he thought of the accident with the main-royal, even he acknowledged that the lad was as good and smart a lad as one out of twenty that lumber up a ship's deck. But Henry's chief favourite and instructor, and almost constant companion-for they were in the same "watch"-was an elderly man named Jenkins-the best seaman on board—a thorough old sea dog, whose whole life had been spent upon the water, he having, as he asserted, been born aboard a ship in a gale of wind, and on that account claiming for himself a cosmopolitan nationality, so to speakfor he asserted that his ocean birth made him, pro tem., a native of the country from which the ship hailed that he happened to be on board of-and Jack Jenkins had been on board of all sorts of ships. He had served both in the English

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