ggers; but bress de
Lord! I 'spec you's sleepy; good-night, young massars--why didn't I tink
of dis afore?"

"Good-night," said Guly, at the same time lifting a book from his
trunk.

Jeff reached the door and laid his hand on the knob to go out, but as he
cast his eye back at the brothers, he stopped short, then walked towards
them on tip-toe.

"'Scuse me, massa," said he to Guly, "but I jist happened to tink mebbe
dat big book was de Bible."

"And you are right."

"Was you gwine to read it, sah!"

"Yes."

"May dis chile stay an' listen? I like to hear de talk ob dat book; It
fecks me inordly and makes me feel better in my heart."

Guly signified his assent, and opening the book, read in a sweet, mellow
voice a selection of Psalms. Arthur listened attentively, but not more
so than Jeff, who stood with parted lips drinking eagerly in every word.
When Guly closed the Bible no one spoke; and after a moment's hesitation
he knelt, as did his brother and Jeff, and from the depths of his pure
young heart poured forth a prayer of sweet and touching eloquence, such
as might have graced the lips of older and wiser persons.

CHAPTER II.

Backward we turn life's varied page,
To note the changes written there.

On the banks of the Hudson, in one of the oldest settled counties of
New-York, stood the handsome dwelling of Arthur Pratt, the elder. All
that wealth could buy was lavished upon the elegant house and grounds,
to gratify the taste of the owner.

Mr. Pratt (or Colonel Pratt, as he was more generally called) had
married quite early in life, and having inherited a large fortune from
his father, sought out for himself and bride a home suited to their
wealth and station. His wife was a woman of great personal beauty, of
most engaging and graceful manners, and distinguished in her own circle
for her sweet and unobtrusive piety.

As far as was consistent with what she considered her Christian duty,
Mrs. Pratt mingled in the gay scenes with which she was constantly
brought in contact; and her gentleness and affability were the comment
of all. Col. Pratt having located himself in business (with the desire
of having "something to do," which sometimes prompts the millionaire to
busy himself in some way) in the adjacent city of New-York, was enabled
to pass much of his time in the precincts of his happy home, and at the
same time to enjoy the society of the _haut ton_ of the city.

When the happy fathe