thy clerk, and a steady man of business. He went to
the ball and polked himself into the good graces of Miss Juliet
Trevor. The old gentleman and lady smiled upon their loves, and in
due time he was united to the object of his affections, securing
thereby a handsome and amiable wife, and an independent fortune, which
she insisted on settling upon her husband on the wedding day. There is
no fear of Jack's relapsing into his old habits of extravagance; and
while he is still as popular as ever, he never neglects his own
affairs for those of other people.

THE SILVER HAMMER.

The sun was sinking in the west, and gilding with its slant beams a
pastoral landscape, as a young soldier, weary and footsore, slowly
toiled along a lonely road that ran parallel with the course of the
bright and winding Seine. A dusty foraging cap rested on his dark
locks, and his youthful form bent beneath the weight of a well-filled
knapsack. Pierre Lacour had served with honor in that glorious little
band of heroes, which, under the leadership of the youthful Bonaparte,
had crossed the snow-clad Alps, and fallen like an avalanche upon the
plains of Lombardy, sweeping before it the veteran troops of Austria,
and astonishing all Europe by unparalleled audacity and unexampled
success. Pierre had marched farther on that day than he had ever done
while following the colors of his regiment--but he was on his way
home, and he longed to see his mother, his fair young sister Maria,
and a lovely maiden, named Estelle, dearer to his heart than all
beside. They had news of his coming,--at least, Maria and his mother
had,--and he had sent them in advance, by a sure hand, a large amount
of money, his share of the spoils of battle honorably won--enough, in
short, to give a dowry to his sister, and enable him to demand the
reward of all his toils and dangers--the hand of his betrothed.

His heart beat quick as he climbed the last vine-clad hill which
separated him from his native valley. A few steps more would bring him
to the summit, whence his eye would rest on the neat whitewashed
cottage, with its surrounding palings, and trim garden; and there,
perhaps, at the rustic gate, he should see the well-known figures of
his mother and sister. Far as he had travelled, he sprang up the
ascent with a buoyant step, and soon gained the eminence. The cottage
lay full in view, but though it was the usual hour for preparing the
evening meal, no blue smoke wreath