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"and scatter their capital indiscriminately among those necessitated in the community, how many, I ask you, out of the myriads, could they relieve? and what means resort to, in order to discover those deserving of their bounty? With fraud and misrepresentation to contend against on either side, the result would inevitably be, that the funds, originally and exclusively collected for the purpose of giving adequate relief to those holding a legitimate right, would vanish to the four winds; while the sick Odd-Fellow and his destitute family would be the sufferers. Think you, for a moment, that the world would reciprocate the favor, and, in return, step forth and relieve them? But have not the friends you speak of, dearest William, already informed you of the necessary qualifications to OddFellowship, and do you fear the ordeal? Do you not believe in the overruling of an all-wise Providence? Is there blot or blemish upon your character derogatory to a man of honor or integrity? You are blessed with health, engaged in the pursuits of an honest calling, and surely you are not intemperate in your habits? William, if I for a moment thought that you possessed not the essential qualities necessary to become an Odd-Fellow, I would never see you more. This interview should be our last, though it sent me broken-hearted to the grave!" And tears dimmed the brilliant eyes of the fair creature at his side.

"For Heaven's sake," cried the lover, "talk not thus! I trust that I shall never prove unworthy of the bright

jewel I possess in you, or of discredit to

the Order you so warmly advocate. Dry up those tears it troubles me to see them coursing on features that should be all joy and smiles. Come, be thyself again."

William Seymour and Anna Thornton had been acquainted from infancy. Their parents had for many years been near neighbors in New York, and were now enjoying the profitable results of bygone years of toil. Elisha Seymour, six months before the date of this story, had transferred his entire business, that of a wholesale grocer, to his son on his becoming of age, and who was now about securing to himself a partner in the person of the lovely Anna Thornton. Her father, Joseph Thornton, was a master-builder, and had but shortly before retired on a farm he had purchased in an adjoining state. His reasons for so doing were twofold: Mrs. Thornton's health was precarious; she also, after having undergone the care and anxiety of raising a large family, had the misfortune to see them all, one by one, descend to the grave, with the exception of Anna, the youngest. All the affection of the family was therefore centred upon her. And for the purpose of weaning his wife as much as possible from the scene of her losses, as well as hoping to recruit her shattered constitution, Mr. Thornton had removed from the city to the residence mentioned, where the interview between the lovers, just related, had occurred. Seymour the same day took a short leave of his betrothed—not, however, until he had exacted a promise to be enlightened at

their next interview in regard to her being converted to the faith of Odd-Fellowship, of which, were it tangible, he would have been apt to be jealous. He departed for home, there to encounter the usual din and bustle of a metropolis.

True to his appointment (what lover is not?) Seymour presented himself, at the time specified, at the residence of his lady-love, and found her bounding with delight to see him. After the usual interchange of a little confidential talk, he proposed a stroll through the pleasure-grounds; and reaching a shady grove, they seated themselveswhile she, at his request, related the following tale of truth:

If ever a beautiful creature breathed the air of this world under golden auspices, Julia Morton did. Her family was one of the most wealthy in the city, and considered the leaders of the aristocracy. Horace Morton, her father, had commenced life as an assistant in a large importing house, and by dint of good conduct, the most scrupulous honesty, and faithful attendance to his duties, rose in a few years, step by step, to a partnership; and shortly after, by the unexpected death of one of his associates, became the head of the house. His commercial transactions now extended to every clime-his canvass whitening the most distant seas-while vessel after vessel almost daily came and departed, freighted with the most costly and luxurious, as well as cheaper but not the less

useful commodities-productions of the New and Old Worlds.

At first, upon reaching the pinnacle of his ambition, Morton was polite and courteous; but as soon as he became courted by the leading persons in the city, and began to feel the weight of his own supposed importance, he became morose and overbearing in the extreme: luckily, the greatest portion of the internal management devolved upon the junior partner, a man of intelligence and worth, else it would have been insupportable to those connected with the house. The principal salesman, Ferdinand Seaforth, was a relative of the deceased partner, who, having suddenly expired at sea while returning from a business tour through Europe, died intestate, and, of course, Seaforth was thus cut off from that portion of the estate which it was intended he should possess. In fact, he was to have been a partner on the return of his uncle, which was daily looked for. Judge, then, of the feelings of the family, as well as his own, when, instead of the arrival of one near and dear to all, the lifeless remains of Mr. Blauvelt reached the family mansion! It was, indeed, a scene of wo and despair.

After this, for some unaccountable reason, Mr. Morton took an especial aversion to Seaforth. Some hesitated not to say, it was because he bore so striking a resemblance to his uncle Blauvelt, and that Morton disliked to have the remembrance continually before him of his late benefactor; while others insisted that it was to prevent the

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