"Why, not precisely so," answered the other, filling his glass; "for the fact is, that I invented them."

About this time it was, that Charles's speech

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began to announce that he was overtaken ; and he never could remember how or when he and his sable ally parted. Something there was floating in his recollection next morning about having been in the streets, and of a row; and a sort of a mill;-but the particulars he could not recal. The black smelling-bottle, in the black ebony case, instantly dispersed the unpleasant effects of his late debauch; but it was not intended to enable him to reflect clearly on the past.

The next morning he paced his room, after breakfast, endeavouring to settle within his own mind, some plan of operation, by which he might reap the most perfect enjoyment from the golden harvest before him. From this

reverie he was aroused by the entrance of his late father's confidential clerk, with an arm-full and a bag-full of papers. Charles noticed the honest anxiety expressed in his countenance, and at once resolved to make him happy.

"Take a seat, Mr. Ledger," said he, "I wished to see you on business."

"Indeed, Sir," ejaculated the astonished clerk. "Yes, indeed!" repeated Charles, seating himself at the table, "for I'm off to Melton in an hour."

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My dear Sir," said Mr. Ledger, imploringly, "let me intreat you. The supply you obtained yesterday was most providential. I am delighted

that

you have yet such friends left: but it must be repaid, and the concerns of the house are, I am sorry to say

"Confound the concerns of the house!" ex

claimed Charles.

"What do I hear!" ejaculated Ledger;

"alas! alas! my dear Sir, they are already confounded. And yet, if we could but obtain assistance for a few months only, and you would leave off drawing such heavy bills on your private account

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What, then," asked Charles, " do you really think such a beggarly concern worth carrying on."

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Beggarly, Sir!" said Ledger, rising from his seat, and all the blood in his body apparently rushing to his face; "Sir! if any other person had dared- ; but you are his son

Oh!

that I should live to see the day! My poor dear master! no man named him but with respect."

Here the poor fellow was utterly overpowered, and sinking, exhausted, on the chair, sobbed like a child. Charles caught the infection, and looked at his father's humble friend, with feelings far different from those which the money now at his command was intended by the donor to pro

duce. He certainly was not, at that moment, committing his stipulated quantum of sin.

"Mr. Ledger," said he, at length, "I most earnestly entreat your pardon for having trifled with your feelings; but the fact is, I have made up my mind

"Oh, don't say so, my dear Sir," said the clerk, interrupting him, from dread of the termination of his sentence, "just look over these papers-and, if the loan you obtained so miraculously can be continued but for a few months and you will only-in moderation-Sir-pray don't take my freedom amiss-we may still go on-and the profits are-have been-will be, I pledge my word-ample-more than sufficient for all that any gentleman could—that is, ought -don't be offended, I entreat you, Sir."

"Not I," replied Charles, "I'm glad to hear you give so good an account of the concern, as you call it. For my own part, it is no concern

of mine now.

If

you think it worth your acceptance, take it and welcome. As for me, thank God-no-I don't exactly mean that—but the fact is, I can do very well without it."

Poor Ledger's eyes and mouth were wide open, though he doubted much if that could be the case with his ears: but the reader shall not be troubled with an attempt to describe his feelings. Suffice it to say, that he would not accept more than a small share of the profits, the remainder to be duly carried to the credit side of his young master's account in the " "private ledger." As a matter of course, he was to manage the whole affair as he thought fit; and, as a matter of course with Charles Maxwell, he troubled him not with any more large drafts, nor asked for a farthing of the profits; all which surprised and perplexed Mr. Ledger, who endeavoured to account for the circumstance, by supposing that the young man had discovered