terous management, to keep up the stock in his bed-
room, without the knowledge of either Jacob or Mrs Watson. But one day
he sent Jacob for a powder-flask which he had left on his dressing-
table, having forgotten, through inadvertence, to lock his cupboard door
or remove a spirit-bottle from his table. Jacob remained staring at the
bottle, and then at the open hamper in the closet, as if fascinated by
the gaze of some deadly serpent. He stood there utterly forgetting what
he was sent for, till he heard Frank's voice impatiently calling him.
Then he rushed out empty-handed and bewildered till he reached his
master's presence.

"Well, Jacob, where's the powder-flask? Why, man, what's scared your
wits out of you? You haven't seen a boggart, as you tell me they call a
ghost in Lancashire?"

"I've seen what's worse nor ten thousand boggarts, Mayster Frank," said
Jacob, sorrowfully.

"And pray what may that be?" asked his master.

"Why, mayster, I've seen what's filled scores of homes and hearts with
boggarts. I've seen the bottles as holds the drink--the strong drink as
ruins millions upon millions."

Frank started as if pierced by a sudden sting. His colour went and
came. He walked hastily a step or two towards the house, and then
turned back.

"And pray, my friend Jacob," he said, with a forced assumption of
gaiety, "why should my little bottle of spirits be worse for you than
ten thousand boggarts?"

"Oh, Mayster Frank, Mayster Frank," was the reply, "just excuse me, and
hearken to me one minute. I thought when I left my home, where the
drink had drowned out all as was good, as I should never love any one
any more. I thought as I'd try and get through the world without heart
at all--but it wasn't to be. The captain found a soft place in my
heart, and I loved him. But that were nothing at all to the love I've
had to yourself, Mayster Frank. I loved you afore you saved my life,
and I've loved you better nor my own life ever since you saved it. And
oh, I can't abide to see you throw away health and strength, and your
good name and all, for the sake of that wretched drink as'll bring you
to misery and beggary and shame. Oh, don't--dear mayster, don't--don't
keep the horrid poison in your house. It's poison to you, as I've seen
it poison to scores and scores, eating out manhood, withering out
womanhood, crushing down childhood, shrivelling up babyhood. I'll live
for you, Mayster Frank, work for you,