of his
reverend protector, where he was received with apparent affection by
that gentleman's wife. During the first three days after his arrival,
several of the "saints," male and female, of the doctor's church, came
to see the new acquisition, as well as to congratulate the parson on the
success of his plan. The little orphan was flattered, caressed, and
encouraged by the promise of nice clothes and other presents. And it
would be unnatural to expect that the innocent heart of a child of his
age, now between eight and nine years, could remain insensible to the
caresses and favors bestowed. The little lad felt quite content; nay, a
gradual sunshine began to spread over the calm melancholy of his angelic
face.

They first imposed on the child by telling him that his reverend
protector was the priest. He believed it for some time; but when, after
two weeks were elapsed, he was permitted to go to church, he was
perfectly surprised at "the quare way the priest said mass." He saw no
candles lighted on the altar. He heard no little bell rung at various
parts of the service. He saw no persons "bless themselves" there,
either. "I suppose," said he to himself, "they would not tell a lie; but
that was a very strange mass I was at to-day."

Friday came round soon after, and then little Eugene learned where he
stood. Then he saw what hypocrites the self-styled priest, his wife, and
all in his house were. He had perceived his reverence help himself
plentifully to fat meat; and Eugene was invited to eat it himself, but
declined, saying, "I would be a Protestant if I eat meat on Friday; and
I fear ye are all here Protestants." A suppressed laugh was all that his
remark could elicit from these worthies whose gluttony gave him such
scandal.

Eugene's eyes were further opened by some boys at school, who laughed
heartily at his expense when he asked about the "strange mass" that he
had heard on Sunday.

"What mass?" said they; "sure it is only the Popish priests that offer
mass, and it is a wicked thing to go to mass."

The poor child, on seeing the snare laid for him, burst into tears and
wept aloud, calling for his brother Paul by name, and crying, "O woe!
woe! woe!"

The school madam was attracted by the lamentable cries of the lad, and,
learning the cause of them, reprimanded the impudent boys, and tried to
console him. Her attempts were, however, in vain. The child seeing
himself sold and betrayed, his candid soul fell back t