A Hricnd And A Brother.

A Hricnd and a Brother .

f TJ § T was half-past five o ' clock ono dreary November I jg afternoon that iu a little cottage on the Harrow e & a road a woman was sitting , iu widow ' s weeds , in &\ tho small library or study , and in great grief i Sundry articles of dress scattered here and there seemed to point to the facfc that somo event had taken place that day special and trying , inasmuch as they wero all black . Two children—a boy and a

girlwere sitting on stools hy thc tire , poor little things , with their arms interlaced , aud their thin white faces and tearful eyes were very mournful accessories to tho reality of that sombre little room . Tho truth must be toltl 1 Poor Mrs . Hilton was a young wielow who had buried her husband that day , cut off in thc very prime of manhood , and rising yearly in

tho confidence of his employers . Humanly speaking , thero is no doubt , had his life been spared , he woultl in another twelve months have been a partner in the house . But , alas ! such aro the ups anti downs of life , itsmelancholy vicissitudes and its mosfc trying scenes ! Wheu all seems progressing happily with us and ours , wheu the sky is serene , when no storm is apparcntly

impeuding—in a moment comes one of those fitful gusts of human trouble ( like as you may have seen on our English lakes ) and bears us down , and swamps and capsizes the little hark in which all our choicest cargo was consigned . Nothing is so sad for ns lo realize howmany mourners abound amongst us ; how many loving hearts aro sobbing bitterly , while tlie sights of Vanity

Fair glare out so boldly , and excitement , laughter and frivolity , pleasure and gaiety , hold , as it were , an hourly revel 1 1 do not wish to colour my canvass too highly , but great aro tho contrasts of lifo , always wonderful , often inexplicable . And thus was it with Mrs . Hilton . She had lost her husband after a short , sharp illness—a bad attack

of typhoid fever , and she found hersell , alter some years of iiniuinglcd happiness ( except for one drawback , to which 1 shall advert later ) , a lonely woman upon earth . The husband of her youth and love vvas gone ! She should listen for his manly step , hear his cheery greet ing no more . Ended for hor lion : below were happy hours of domestic peace and affection , as theirs

had been ii most happy home , and with similar tastes and simple joys , theirs had been a real heart-union , crowned wilh the full anil golden enjoyment , of home affection and conjugal sympathy . She hail nothing left her but her two bright children , Maggie and Harry , who hatl been a source of joy as well as delight to hoi husband ami herself .

Iters was , indeed , a dark timo and a trying dispensation , but Mary Hilton hud been well brought up , her religious principles were firmly lixt ? d , and as she had been taught to believe that there is no cloud without a " silver lining , " and that behind a "frowning I ' rovidenco" tho Most High "hides a smiling face , " she had that consolation in her moments of heartfelt

anguish mid trying tribulation , when all seemed " against" her here , which never fails those , be llicy who lhey may or where they may , those tiiie-.-ervauts of God—I mean who put their trust , in Him . The evening of the funeral , a sincere friend , Mrs . Marston , looked in for a few moments , and atlded hoi homely but sincere mito of sympathy to what is often

even unavailing in its best form afc such times—lire loving condolence of those who , heart to heart and soul to soul , share our joys and sorrows , our bright days and our dark days hero on earth ! As she left she said , " Uy the way , Mary , two friends of poor Harry have intimated n wish lo see you tomorrow , as they havo a little communication to make

to you . , " Two friends of Harry , " replied ( ho | iimr mrlcm-. " What can thoy havo to say to me ? I cannot see ilu-m , or anyone else , at such a lime , except my very dear frioi'ils . " Anil as she said this , she returned to her room sorrowing , for tho thought suddenly supervened she had

quarrelled with her own immediate relations on her marriage , and her friends were simply those of her husband , who had but few . The next morning her husband ' s solicitor called , who came to tell her , which he did with much kindness , that ho feared that there was but litllo to come to her .

" Your husband has left a will in your favour , * ' ho said , " of all he died possessed of , and has left you sole guardian of tho children , but when tho liabilities hro paid which he incurred for his brother , whose affairs are very complicated , there will bo nothing left for you but ihis house and furniture , which are , luckily , your own , nnd about , sixty pounds a year . Somu day ,

perhaps , we '" ay g' -t something from his brother ' s estate , " he added , " but , for tho present , with the exception of a small balance at tho hank , after the funeral expenses are paid , we can find nothing coming to you which will not be swept , away by these demands , which , luckily for you , in olio sense , your husband n savings will pay off and leave enough for all expenses . Indeed , 1 urn > - have a small balance to handover loyou .

But that is all . " Poor woman ! what a sad reality was before her now ; what au awakening from ihe bright itiitieipations and golden dreams of early hours of married happiiies .-, ! For herself she cured little , but what , were to Ireeoiuc ol ' her children , and children , too , of such promise ? And so the next day passed in sadly recurring and anxious thoughts for ihu I ' nlure , whioh a few kind visits of her husband ' - ' relatives served somewhat lo allay

A Hricnd And A Brother.

and lessen . But ono thing she did observe , which was this : though they were all full of present sympathy they none of them seemed to look on to the future , and thoso who did say anything seemed to assume thafc her husband had fully provided for her . Thoy say "

sorrowis selfish , " but I have sometimes thought thafc condolence is often more selfish still , as that , ignoring the sufferer's position , it affects to pride itself on a . Spartan virtue of resignation , which may bc of . stoic or philosophic school , but actually has littlo of true religion

m it . In tho evening came a knock at tho door , and Rhoda announced that " two gentlemen , Mr . Mifcford and 3 Ir . Petwovth , wished to see Mrs . Hilton particularly , as very valued friends of her lamented husband . " Thc wielow ' s first resolution was not to sec them , but when Harry saitl , " Oh , Mr . I ' ctworth is the gentleman

who called to tako our dear papa with him to lodge , a week before he was taken ill , Mrs . Hilton said at once , "You arc quite right , Harry , darling ; I had coinplotcly forgoiten that . Ask them to come in , Iihotla ' . " Anel soon after they were ushed in , with sympathy in their manner , and both in mourning , autl tho widow , without speaking , bufc with a wave of her hand , asked

them , as it were , to sifc down . They were both men in the prime of life , well dressed , and most gentlemanly in deportment , and after easting a most kindly ancl beaming , look ou the two children , and speaking most deferentially to Mrs . Hiltou , they thus began . " Dear madam—or rather , dear sister , wc should say ,

wo have been deputed by the Lodge of Friendship , ol which our lamented brother was an active and worthy member , to oiler to you the expression of our heartfelt sorrow , and of our deep sympathy for your irreparable loss . We have also been desired—for our Lodge meeting took place after our respected brother ' s funeralto offer to you sonic material assistance in litis your

timo of great personal anxiety . Brother Lncon , your solicitor , has told us of your position , ami ihe Lodge has requested us to say that it begs to offer you instant help , and will lake upon itself thc education of your two children , either in such way as you deem lics ' t , or by obtaining ailmis . sioii i ' or them into our admirable Institutions . We do not wish to trespass

upon yonr timo and nfllietion . " And after bowing to poor Mrs . Hilton gracefully , and shaking her hand warmly , they most kindly putted the poor little 1 children ' s heads , who wero sobbing out , anil bowed themselves mil of the room , leaving a small envelope on the table . When poor Mrs . Billon hud courage to open it she found a cheque for fifty pounds .

" Ah , " she said , " Freemasonry , then , is a real thing . It seeks to assist , the fatherless and witlows in their affliction , and to reverence God and love man . " But , as if tho excitement was not to end that- evening , shortly after , I'Inula entered and said '' a lady wished In see " . Mrs . Hilton . "

"A latly , " . said the widow , who vvas now crying too ; " what laiiy ?" " Sho would not give her name , lnaam , " said J'lioda , " but she is a lady , and in a carriage . " " Let her come in , " said Mrs . Hilton . ' Ye . s , I will come in , Mary , " saitl a clear voice , not without , however , a little tremble , hearing which pom

Mrs . Hilton turned pah-ami stood mill . " 1 am yourmnit , . Mary , after whom you were called . Pool' dour Mary , und these are your children ; " aud laking them in her arms she kissed tliem warmly , and then kissed Mary Billon herself . "When we last met , my dear , " _ she said , " you and I did not agree about , your marriage , anil we have never met since . Hut , hearing of your

great affliction , mid feeling lhat I may , after all , have beeu wrong , I have come to offer to you again my home and my heart , and I am only very sorry now lhat 1 have not been able lo come to you before . I have , as you know , no children . 1 shall adopt yours . " What It change in a few short moments ! Wonderful are the ways of I ' rovtilence ' . Neeil my readers he ( old

that poor Mary ' s troubles soon ended as far as earthly anxiety vvas concerned . Her sadness ami her separation from one she loved and cherished have never left her . To dav , when she is peaceably prosperous in her old house ) again , when her hoy is doing well at the I ' nivorsity and liei- outighler is the ornament of tho household and the pride 1 of her good old aunt and

herself , she often talks gratefully of that true Irntoriiity of Masonry which did not . forget a brother ' s widow in her dire grief and need , and she truly believes both in the iniseion and reality , the good and need of Freemasonry . A splendid "loving cup" graces the lierurd of that good l . mlge of Friendship , which had uot lost sight of Ihe golden rule , to practise what it professed '

Charissil.

Charissil .

Uv A YOUNG MAN AND -MASON . 1 * Sj Tj AM a young man anti si Young Mason , and I ilo ! J . j ll " quite ° see "hy 1 should not have my say , tffflS c .-pcciull \ in the I'lmMmas I-7 .. „ . ii .--. i ., the more

t ; .- ¦ (¦ ,. -iv I am told lirollii'i- Kenning wants a talc or ¦ l tvvo , and Ihe .-lories I - * ci ; in thee / 7- ¦ Miiis .,,,, and ' . J / ewei . e ' e ,. u hen 1 do see them—are generally writ leu by old men-a lillie too old fur my taste aieit illv money . '

Charissil.

I made ajoko at tho Griffin Club , which I think I ought to put down first of all . Brother Pattle , of the "Ibex" Lodge , was saying that Brother Konning wanted some talcs . "Ah , then , " I said , instautcr , "ho will bo a Bashaw not of three tails , but of many tales . ' " Wasn't it gooel ? I said before I was a young man . Well , I know a

youug woman ; she is my " particular mate , " and hor name is Clarissa , lt is an odd name , bufc sho had an auut , a sentimental old maid , who had read " Clarissa Harlowe" ( a story which I havo never read ) , and so had that gootl looking and agreeable party called Clarissa . IcallherClary— - she is so jolly . But the truth is , like all our young women , she knows such a lot ! She ' s

always talking of thiugs 1 never heard of ! She reads all sorts of books , and is quite " easy" with pro - fessors and all that sort of people . But 1 am always in awe of a professor . -1 once went up for the army , aud 1 got " spun " by a Professor of something , so 1 havo always gone in against professors ever since . Only think , he asked me to sped Constantinople ! How could

a " fellow" bc expected to spell Constantinople ? But to return to Clarissa . Clarissa and I . are goin <» to marry some day , only just at present my governor won ' t give us enough to live upon ! Ho says that wo ought to live on much less than Clarissa says is necessary for two people to get on with . Clarissa savs that

it is nonsense to expect people to cat cold meat , even with salad ; it ' s only a make-shift . The governor says , when he married they used to have cold meat and salad continuall y . Clarissa says she must have a nice little house . Thc governor says that wo must wait . And we ilo wail .

But as Clarissa remarked the other day , "It ' s awfully slow waiting . " Clarissa ' s on awfully clover girl . I think she is . just one of the best looking girls you ever saw ; and then she is so cheery—nothing puis her out . Shegot thrown in the park the other day , anil all sho said was "I hopo my hack hair did not come down . "

Fancy my feelings when 1 saw her thrown in Bolton Bow . But , the worst of it all was that a young man I don ' t like , and she does , was the tii-st to help lier up and she was so civil to him . 1 did not get over it for several days ! 1 sometimes begin to think that , perhaps , it . is as well that we don ' t many . Marriage is a great loiiery , it ' s a heavy trial ; and ihen women ' s tempers are so uncer .

tain ! Un the whole , 1 think one is just , a . s well unmarried ; indeed , 1 think , you cut yourself out of a good many things when you do get married . So 1 said to Clarissa the other other day"lleigho ! " 1 said , " I wonder if wo ever shall got married ? " "Oh , " she replied , us quick as li ghtning , "Don ' t you waUL to get married ? "

" Well , " I said , " I don ' i see any chance just ye ! . " " Very well , Mr , " . she said , ihen it ' sull oil * between us . " You'll hardly believe it , thafc tho very next day I heard at the Grilliu Club that sho had been " going on " for threo weeks wilh the young man who hail picked her ii )) iu the park . What was I to do ? , So 1 consulted my friend * and

made up my liinul lo have it out . wilh her . So I went to ten . ( N . B . —If you want , to havo a row with your " engaged , " always have ifc afc tea ; you don't , spoil your dinner . ) She was looking uncommonly well , and she was so wonderfully " got up . " And hi ! mid behold ! thorn vvas

that fellow who picked her ii )) in tho park close to her chair . So I pretended not to see him , hut I commenced a tremendous lli . taliim with a girl I knew site disliked very much . That brought her to ! Tho moment sho saw that , it , was too much for her feelings ; as she said afterwards , " she could stand anything but repulsion . "

Wo made it up that evening , and , dear editor , wc aro going to he married the week before Christmas , and I will send you a hit of our wedding cako . It ' s a beautiful affair—with two doves , all white sugar , pecking hard at each other . Js tin ' s typical of our married life ? I hopo not . Adieu . Ta , ta , dear hoy .

Law J Proposed To Miltildi Muggs.

Law J Proposed to Miltildi Muggs .

I ' Y TllF . OPlUI . US TOMLINSON . . ) Zf ?) AM a very oh I boy now , or else I should hardly ( I ) dure to tell this "ower Irue talo" in even errra llrolher Keiuiitig ' s ( 'hrisUtias Vrnnuis ,,,,. In . ' , " , '¦ . deed , I have been rather induced to narrate il by ¦ ' ¦ ' ) a persuasive " plant" on the part , of my friend

< t > Pilkingion , W . M . of ihe "Amphibious , " thai , famous lodge which dclighlelh in " Fish Dinners" and " I ' oeilerer . " He said lo me I he other day , " Toiuliiisoii , I know vou

can write . Don ' t . I remember that touching lecture ) you gavo on ihe ' Pros and I ' ons of Matrimony , ' which had this great ell ' , il pha-cd ihe women and tin . ' men equally . "It , iie-tutc Toiuliiisoii ! Brother Kenning wauls a story for his Christmas FITCOIUSOII , and , as I