nk found himself alone, he exclaimed--'Thank
heaven, I am at last rid of those miserable and servile fellows, who in
my presence load me with the most extravagant praise and adulation,
while behind my back they doubtless ridicule my supposed credulity. I
have too long tolerated them--henceforth, I discard and cast them off.'

He approached the window, and drawing aside the curtain, looked forth
into the streets. The moon was shining brightly; and its rays fell with
dazzling lustre upon the snow which covered the ground. It was a most
lovely night, altho' excessively cold; and Sydney, feeling not the least
inclination to retire to rest, said to himself:

'What is to prevent me from beginning my career of usefulness and
charity to-night? The hour is late--but misery sleeps not, and 'tis
never too late to alleviate the sufferings of distressed humanity. Yes,
I will go forth, even at the midnight hour, and perchance I may
encounter some poor fellow-creature worthy of my aid, or visit some
abode of poverty where I can minister to the comfort of its wretched
inmates.'

He threw on an ample cloak, put on a fur cap and gloves, and taking his
sword-cane in his hand, left the hotel, and proceeded at a rapid pace
thro' the moon-lit and deserted streets. He entered the Park, and
crossed over towards Chatham street, wishing to penetrate into the more
obscure portions of the city, where Poverty, too often linked with
Crime, finds a miserable dwelling-place. Thus far, he had not
encountered a single person; but on approaching the rear of the City
Hall, he observed the figure of a man issue from the dark obscurity of
the building, and advance directly toward him. Sydney did not seek to
avoid him, supposing him to be one of the watchmen stationed in that
vicinity, but a nearer view satisfied him that the person was no
watchman but a man clothed in rags, whose appearance betokened the
extreme of human wretchedness. He was of a large and powerful build, but
seemed attenuated by want, or disease--or perhaps, both. As he
approached Sydney, his gestures were wild and threatening: he held in
his hands a large paving-stone, which he raised, as if to hurl it at the
other with all his force.

Sydney, naturally conceiving the man's intentions to be hostile, drew
the sword from his cane, and prepared to act on the defensive, at the
same time exclaiming:

'Who are you, and what do you wish?'

'Money!' answered the other, in a hollow tone, wi