ourn--my
name--James Madison Monroe Mortimer."

"Yes, Jim."

"And please direct it to Mistress Catherine Maria Mortimer, most in
general called by friends, Aunt Katie, as is housekeeper at Tanglewood."

Ishmael complied with his requests as far as discretion permitted.

"And now, sir, please read it all out aloud to me, so I can hear how it
sound."

Ishmael complied with this request also, and read the letter aloud, to
the immense delight of Jim, who earnestly expressed his approbation in
the emphatic words:

"Now--that--is--beautiful! Thank y', sir! That is ekal to anything as
ever I heard out'n the pulpit--and sides which, sir, it is all true,
true as gospel, sir. It is just exactly what I thinks and how I feels
and what I wants to say, only I aint got the words. Won't mother be
proud o' that letter nyther? Why, laws, sir, the ole 'oman 'll get the
minister to read that letter. And then she'll make everybody as comes to
the house as can read, read it over and over again for the pride she
takes in it, till she'll fairly know it all by heart," etc., etc., etc.

For Jim went on talking and smiling and covering the writer all over
with gratitude and affection, until he was interrupted by the stopping
of a carriage, the ringing of a door bell, and the sound of a sudden
arrival.

"There's Master Walter Middleton now, as sure as the world! I must run!
Dinner'll be put on the table soon's ever he's changed his dress. I'm a
thousand times obleeged to you, sir. I am, indeed, everlasting obleeged!
I wish I could prove it some way. Mother'll be so pleased." And talking
all the way downstairs, Jim took himself and his delight away.

Ishmael sighed, and arose to dress for dinner. His kindness had not
been without its reward. The little divertisement of Jim's letter had
done him good. Blessed little offices of loving-kindness--what
ministering angels are they to the donor as well as the receiver! With
some degree of self-possession Ishmael completed his toilet and turned
to leave the room, when the sound of someone rushing up the stairs like
a storm arrested his steps.

Then a voice sounded outside:

"Which is Ishmael's room? Bother! Oh, here it is!" and Bee's door was
opened. "No! calico! Ah! now I'm right."

And the next instant Walter Middleton burst open the door and rushed in,
exclaiming joyfully, as he seized and shook the hands of his friend:

"Ah, here you are, old fellow! God bless you! How glad I am to see