e. In the mean time, Edward joined his party, who were already on the
return, and was chid for his delay; without giving the least heed to the
rebuke, he drew Julia aside, and communicated his discovery to her. They
then laid their heads together, and concerted a fine plan for a
denouement.

They would first show Barton the little girl; he could not remember her
of course, for she had been born some months after he was separated
from his wife; but then he might find her out from her resemblance to
her mother; Julia remembered many stories she had read of similar
discoveries, and Edward affirmed his belief in natural affection,
though he allowed that his father said, that Dr. Franklin and many
other philosophers laughed at the idea. If the little girl proved
an insufficient clew, Dickey was to be brought into the room, as if
accidentally, and with many cautions by no means to tell his name;
and finally the door was to be thrown open, and good Mrs. Barton,
all unprepared for the sight, was to behold her long-lost husband.
Mrs. Sackville saw in the truth-telling faces of her children, that
something in their view very important was in agitation; but she
seemed to take no notice of their whisperings, and hurried pace, till
Mr. Morris called out, "Fall back children, one would think we were
walking for a wager; remember we carry weight of years."

"Oh," whispered Julia, "uncle Morris is such a snail; but there is no
use in our hurrying, because you know we should lose half the pleasure
if papa and mama and uncle were not there." Edward assented, and
patience had her perfect work while the children made their feet, which
seemed suddenly to have been furnished with the wings of Mercury, to
keep time with the dignified movements of their parents.

When they turned into St. John's-street, and came in sight of the hotel,
Edward saw the soldier standing by the step to the front entrance, and
looking eagerly towards him, "there he is!" said he to Julia, and they
both involuntarily changed their pace from a walk to a run, but before
they reached the hotel, the soldier sprung into the door, and disappeared
from their sight. He had caught the sound of his wife's voice, and
their first joyful recognition had passed before the children entered
the door.

* * * * *

Our youthful readers have, we trust, been entire strangers to those joys
that are preceded by suffering, and which remind us of