him any relief. Thousands were in the same condition with himself; and his tale was too common a one to excite the sympathy of those to whom he applied — who, perhaps, could only sigh, and read therein what would but too soon be their own condition; all his efforts to procure employment proved fruitless.

While in this situation, he learned that an opportunity was open for him to obtain employment in the flourishing city of Rochester; and, accordingly, by the aid of a few friends, he acquired the means to proceed with his family to that place. But, alas! he was one day too late—and another had obtained the place he had hoped to get! A stranger, without means, he could not endure to behold the wretchedness which now awaited his once happy and still dearly—almost madly-loved wife and children. His uncomplaining wife, herself the picture of despair, was vainly striving to quiet the moaning of her children, who piteously besought her for some food and fire to keep them from perishing. Alas! not a morsel had passed the lips of either of them for the last twenty-four hours, and their last fagot had long since expired upon the desolate hearth. With a choking sensation she sought to hide the tears which would ever and anon flow silently from her eyes as she turned them from her curly-headed little boy, who was burying his face in her apron, to his younger brother whom she was supporting in her arms.

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Henry," said she, in a low tone, "if we do not obtain some relief before long, our sorrows will soon be

over.

cold m

Ah!" she added, shivering as she spoke, "it is so

"I will make one more effort," exclaimed he, starting up. Surely God will not utterly forsake us!"

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So saying, he pressed his lips to the cold, clammy cheeks of his tender wife, and again sallied forth, he knew not whither. Collecting his distracted thoughts, he resolved to apply to an acquaintance of former years, now residing in Rochester, who was indebted to him a small sum for services rendered in happier days, but who, upon some trifling pretext, at that time avoided paying it. With faint and weary steps, he proceeded to the splendid mansion occupied by this individual, in street; and finding the person he sought at home, at once stated his errand. The rich man would have put him off with a request to "call again," but he soon saw that Herbert was too fully bent upon obtaining his demand to be thus turned away. He therefore, with much apparent reluctance, took from a well-filled purse a roll of bills, and, after carefully scanning each, handed out a tattered one to Herbert, who eagerly clutched it, and, uttering a few words of thanks, hurried to the street, and bent his steps in search of a load of wood, which, with much difficulty, he finally succeeded in finding: but when about to pay for it, what was his consternation to find that the heartless rich man, of whom he had obtained the bill, had given him one upon a broken bank!

It was in this, his moment of deepest despair, that he

was observed by the stranger, whom we shall call Melville, who, scarcely waiting for the recital of the sad story, drew forth his pocketbook, and, extending it to Herbert, bid him supply his wants therefrom. The convulsive pressure of the hand, and the grateful looks that brightened upon Herbert's pallid cheek, told far more than words his deep sense of thankfulness. The wood was soon purchased, and the now attentive teamster sought to make amends for his late insolence, by the alacrity with which he obeyed the directions given him.

Melville insisted upon accompanying Herbert to his temporary abode, to assist him in restoring his family to comfort. They soon reached it, and Herbert, bidding his companion follow him, was in a moment locked in the embrace of his faithful wife.

"Cheer up, love," said he; "God has not indeed forsaken us, but has sent a brother to save us in our last extremity. Look up! and assist me in thanking our pre

server.

Slowly the suffering woman raised her eyes, until they met those of Melville, who, deeply affected, stood intently gazing upon her. A deep flush overspread her cheek as she encountered his earnest look, and she murmured, "How strange !—how very like-and yet it can not be-" "Gracious Heaven!" exclaimed Melville; "it is my God has truly sent me to you, and

own long-lost sister!

do I find you thus !"

As he spoke, he caught her from Herbert's arms, and pressed her to his heart.

It would be difficult to say which of the now-happy group was the most astonished. Herbert was so bewildered, that Melville assumed the charge of providing for their comfort; and the teamster, who had thrown his wood at the door, was despatched for female assistance, by the aid of which a cheerful fire was soon blazing upon the hearth, and their only table loaded with delicacies to which they had long been strangers. Before partaking of this, however, they, with overflowing hearts, returned devout thanks to that All-wise and Gracious Being who had so mercifully rescued them from their deep affliction.

As soon as they were sufficiently restored, Melville provided for their instant removal to more comfortable quarters, where they were surrounded with every luxury they could desire. He then explained to Herbert that, when yet a mere youth, he had left his father's home, and embarked for a southern clime, in which he had spent many years and amassed a large fortune, and had but lately returned, to find that both his parents were long since dead; that his only sister had married, and removed from place to place, until at length all trace of her was lost, and he gave up the search, despairing of ever finding her.

"But how is it," asked he, "that you gave me the token of the sacred brotherhood, and have not applied to them ere this for relief? You are surely a member?"

"I was," replied Herbert; "but it is some years since I have attended a meeting; and my wife was so strenuously opposed to my remaining a member of a society

which she feared would draw me from my home, and possibly lead me into evil habits, that I yielded to her wishes, and suffered my rights to expire. As I had never been an active member, I was soon forgotten by the Fraternity, if they missed me at all. I have deeply deplored my error since, but it was then too late. But, may I ask how it is that you are a member of a brotherhood that, in this country at least, is as yet only in its infancy?"

"I once was a witness of its power in saving an intimate friend from almost certain destruction," replied Mel ́ville, "and was so impressed with the circumstance, that I lost no time in availing myself of an opportunity, which soon after occurred, to enrol myself in its ranks; and I have truly cause to be thankful to that Power which has led me to take a step that has restored to me my only surviving relative.”

We will only add, that Herbert's affairs from that time wore a brighter aspect. Aided by his new-found brother, he commenced a moderate business for himself, and those who so lately would have turned a deaf ear to the application of the destitute, unemployed clerk were now eager to proffer their services to the brother-in-law of the wealthy Mr. Melville. His intercourse with the Order was renewed, and he is now known and respected as one of the most worthy and influential merchants. But never to this day has he forgotten the WINTER OF THIRTY-SEVEN.

NEW YORK, June, 1846.