"This business does not look very clear," said the magistrate. “What is your name,

sir ?"

Bill Snub," was the answer. "And what is the boy's name?" "His name is Billy Snub, sir."

"Is he any connexion of your's?" asked the magistrate.

"I'm sorry to own it, sir, but he's my only son, bad as he is."

The magistrate, who had been looking over the top of his spectacles some time, now took them off, and fixed his eyes sternly on Bill.

"This business must be unravelled, sir. There is no evidence as yet on either side; but there is something mysterious about it. It must be unravelled, sir.'

At this, a little boy of about Billy's age, came forward and told the magistrate that he knew something about the matter.

"Let him be sworn," said the magistrate, “and now tell all you know about it."

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Well, I've seen Billy Snub selling newspapers 'most every day this three or four months; and I've known him to make as much as a dollar a day a good many times. And I've known he's been laying up his money all the time, only a little, jest enough to buy his victuals with, and about a quarter or a dollar a day that he took to buy victuals with, for his father and mother. And I've been a good many times in the evening, and put the victuals into the window where his father and mother lived, because Billy didn't dare to go himself, for fear his father would catch him, and lick him 'most to death, for breaking the rum bottle when he sent him to get some rum. And I know Billy had got up to about thirty dollars, for I've seen him count it a good many times. And yesterday his father was asking me what Billy was about all the time; and said Billy was a lazy feller, and never would earn anything in the world. And I told him Billy wasn't lazy, for he'd got more than thirty dollars now, that he'd earnt selling papers. And then he said, if Billy had got thirty dollars, he'd have it somehow or other before he was two days

older."

"You may stop there," said the magistrate; "the evidence is full and clear enough." Then turning to Bill, he continued with great severity of manner, "and as for you, sir, for this inhuman and wicked attempt to ruin your own son, you stand committed to prison, and at hard labor, for the term of one year." Then he turned to Billy, and said, "here, my noble lad, take your money and go home and take care of your mother. Continue to be industrious and honest, and never fear but that you will prosper."

The rest of this history is soon told. Billy was greatly rejoiced at the opportunity of visiting his mother in peace and safety again, and of once more having a home where he could rest in quietness at night. Bill Snub had to serve out his year in prison, but Billy constantly supplied him with all the comforts and necessaries of life which his situation admitted, and always visited him as often as once a week. And when he came out of prison he was an altered man. He joined the Temperance Society, and quit the rum bottle for ever. He became more industrious, worked at his trade, and earned enough to support himself and Sally, comfortably.

Billy still pursued his profession with unHe some tiring industry and great success. in the outskirts of the city, for a residence for time since purchased a small house and lot

his parents; and at this present writing, he bank, besides many loose coins profitably inhas several hundred dollara in the savings vested in various other ways. He is active, healthy, honest, and persevering, and deswealth and honorable distinction, whose tined, beyond doubt, to become a man of the illustrious head of an illustrious line of name will shine on the page of history as Snubs.

Written for the Ladies' Garland.

THE DIFFERENCE.

BY MRS. LYDIA JANE PEIRSON.

"Better is a little that the righteous hath, than great treasures of the ungodly." So said the wise man, and in my observations I have found it even 30. I know two families who so strikingly exemplify the text, that I cannot but consider them as practical preachers.

The head of one of these families is a

wealthy merchant by the name of Henderson. He is a man of probity and honor, high in the estimation of his fellow men; he is ever one of the foremost in any benevolent enterprise; ready to contribute to any religious, or philanthropic undertaking. He stared no expense or care in the education of his children, teaching them to be just, generous, and honorable. His wife was well chosen, being a woman of ability, and lofty spirit, who has been educated after the most approved

fashion.

The other family consists of a middle-aged widow, who has no wealth except beauty, health, cheerfulness of temper, and an ability to maintain her four children by honest labor; and the aforementioned children she has taught to be obedient, humble, and kind to

each other, and to fear and love their Almighty Father in Heaven.

ther refused her one like it, because it was so dear?"

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Very well, then you must content yourself to wear it until the season is out." Poor Louisa burst into a violent fit of weep

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Damaged? No!" she answered, rather pettishly. "I wish it was burnt up! I sent to the manufacturers in Philadelphia, ordering the most costly and beautiful carpet their looms could produce; and here it is, almost exactly after the pattern of Mrs. Elwell's. True, the materials are far superior, and the colors more brilliant; but these peculiarities will escape common observers, and the world will imagine that Mrs. Henderson's saloon has no richer carpeting than Mrs. Elwell's little parlor !"

"The world!" said I, mentally. "As if the world will concern itself about Mrs. Henderson's carpet? I much question whether one half dozen of those who compose the narrow world in which she moves, will be able at the end of six months to say what Mrs. Henderson's carpet is like. How vain that person must be who supposes that his or her affairs engross the attention of the world."

My musings were interrupted by the entrance of Miss Louisa Henderson with an elegant bonnet in her white-gloved hand.

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"I declare I don't know what to do with that girl," said Mrs. Henderson. "She has the most splendid and valuable wardrobe of any miss in this vicinity, and yet she is always craving every new thing she sees. I find it impossible to gratify her; and must begin to lay a check upon her extravagance. She is the most unhappy creature on earth, and yet she has every thing that any person can reasonably require. Her pa is very indulgent, and purchases many things which no other girl in her station thinks of asking for. Yet she is never satisfied."

I listened in silence. The carpet lay before me. I need not record my reflections.

When I was about taking leave, Mrs. Henderson requested, as I had to pass the house of the widow spoken of at the commencement of my story, that I would call and ask her to come and make up the new carpet. I accepted the commission, and accordingly called on Mrs. Nelson, the poor widow. She was sitting with her, hands clasped, and her eyes raised toward heaven, while the bright tears were dropping on a piece of cheap calico which lay on her lap. She apologized, saying

Well, if she will give you what it cost she may have it."

now I can make one, beside a dress for myself, and some frocks for my children. Indeed, the Lord is very good to me, and performs well his promises to the widow and the orphan."

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But," said I, "you have been obliged to earn all this with severe labor ?"

"But," she replied, earnestly, "who gives me strength to labor? Who sends me employ? Who inclines my employers to pay me promptly, but the good Lord? Oh, madam! I feel that every good gift comes from Him. I cannot be thankful as I ought. He has never left me or my little ones to suffer, since, by removing our natural guardian, he took our guardianship more immediately upon himself."

She was proceeding in the same strain when her daughter Mary entered, a sweet looking girl of fourteen.

as she spoke, a neat chip bonnet, which might have cost thirty-seven and a half

cents.

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Oh, mother, mother, how pretty; how nice!" said Mary. "Now I can go to church as neat as any body; but mother," she said, assuming a pensive look, "I am afraid you could not well afford this."

"Yes I could, my child," said the joyful mother. "The Lord has been very kind to us. Beside, Mary, you have deserved it. You are a diligent girl about the house, and kind to your little sister, and trusty to go on errands. I hope to be able to buy you a neat cloak before winter."

"Oh, mother, how comfortable that would be," she cried; and she put her arm round her mother's neck, murmuring-"oh, what a dear good mother I have!"

"My child," said the mother, "do not forget the Divine Author of all our blessings."

"Dear mother, I will not," cried Mary, "and I will beseech Him to spare you as long as it pleases Him to let me stay in this world."

So saying, she took her bonnet and went to lay it in her little chamber. I then mentioned Mrs. Henderson's errand.

"A new carpet!" repeated Mrs. Nelson,|| musingly. "How many new things the|| Henderson's are getting of late."

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Why, you know I lived there until lately, and I heard and saw a great deal. Some people should be more cautious before their servants than they are; for though they deem them another species of animal, they often make use of their eyes, ears, and tongues, in a manner not the most pleasing or creditable to their lords and ladies. I know that Miss Louisa is nearly distracted after Mr. Balfour, and Mrs. Henderson is striving to attract him by outshining all her neighbors; but 'tis all in vain-Mr. Balfour knows all their cal culations, and sees through all their embroidery and rose-wreaths to the trap they are intended to conceal. 'Tis no wonder Mr. Henderson wishes to get Louisa off his hands; her extravagance is sufficient to ruin a nabob, and her temper is excessively bad.”

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*

It is now three years ago that these simple scenes were enacted, and all my observations since have served to confirm me in the opinion, that the poor widow and her family are happier with the little they can earn, than the Henderson's with all their wealth.

Emily Elwell became the wife of Mr. Balfour, and report says she is not disappointed in her rational anticipations of happiness. Miss Louisa received the first intimation of the marriage in form of an invitation to the wedding, and so little accustomed was she to self-control, that she shrieked aloud, and fell down in a dreadful fit. Poor girl! she had always been indulged in every thing, and this first disappointment almost crushed her heart. For weeks it was the general opinion that she could not survive the terrible shock; indeed she declared that she would not, and seemed resolved to die; but a good constitution triumphed over her determination, and she still lives, the most peevish, misanthropic, and wretched young creature on earth.

Mary Nelson is universally admired and beloved for her beauty, sweetness, piety and genius-and is now betrothed to an excellent young clergyman, having for his sake rejected the proffered addresses of Mr. Balfour's wealthy cousin. When I pretended to wonder at the singularity of her choice, and spoke of the superiority of Mr. Balfour's fortune, she smilingly answered in the words of my text-" Better is a little that the righteous hath, than great treasures of the ungodly."