trange to me, too, that I have plenty of
amusement in watching my neighbors; and I often forget that I
am as great a lion to them, until I meet their inquisitive
gaze.

"I should like for you to be here for a little while to get
some of the delicious fruits that are so common and abundant,
and to see the negroes working among the sugar-cane and
tobacco. I can not tell you all I would like to in a letter,
but we shall have very nice times when I get back again,
talking about what I have seen and heard. I send you a few
leaves of plants which I picked while walking in the garden of
the Bishop's palace. They are unlike any you have at home, and
I know your fancy for such things. I want very much to hear how
you are getting along; if you are as attentive as ever to your
lessons and school, and if Pat is doing well in the store, and
if the attic looks just as it used to? and Nannie, you must go
to Mrs. Kinalden's before you write and see puss for me; and
don't suffer for any thing, d'ye hear? I send your mother a
little money to help her along while I am away, for fear the
work has failed. Shall come in June, if permitted.

"Your friend,

"PETER BOND."

The letter brought much joy, as well as the money that could reinstate
them in their old quarters again; but the times were still pinching,
and poor Nannie almost sunk down in the pitiless streets sometimes from
fatigue and exhaustion. She had got very weary one day, and had sold but
few of her wares, when she bethought her of May Minturn's mother, and
wondered if she would buy something for May's sake; so she sought the
house and went timidly in at the basement door. It wasn't Biddy who
opened it for her, but a strange girl who told her they didn't want any
thing; and she had not the courage to ask for the mistress, so she was
turning sadly and despondingly away, when she saw the pale sweet face at
the window and the white hand beckoning her to come up the front steps,
and a moment after, Mrs. Minturn herself admitted her into the hall.

"I thought you were at school, Nannie," said she, looking over the
articles in the basket, and selecting a goodly number, "and that you no
longer needed to go out in the cold and tire yourself with this heavy
thing," and she tried to lift the basket which her delicate arm could
scarcely upho