The Widow's Stratagem.

band with her finery . Before I'd condescend to such means , I'd—I'd droAvn myself . " In this last amiable speech the young lady had unAvillingh y hit upon the true motive . The widoAv Avas intent upon catching Elder Boydand she indulged in a

, costly bonnet , not because she supposed he would be caught with finery , but because this would strengthen in liis mind the idea that she had stumbled upon hidden wealth . Tho widow calculated shrewdly , and the display had the effect she

anticipated . Monday afternoon the Elder found an errand that called him to the Avidow ' s . It chanced to be just about tea-time . He was importuned to stay to tea , and somewhat to his own surprise actually did . The polite widow , who knew the Elder ' s weak point , brought oue of her best mince pies , a piece of Avhich her guest partook with zeal .

"You'll take another piece , I know , " said she , persuasively . "Really , I am ashamed , " said the Elder , but he passed his plate . " The fact is , " he said , apologeticall y , " your pies are so nice , I don't knoAV Avhen to stop , " " Do you call these nice ? " said the widow

, modestly . "I call them common , lean make good mince pies Avhen I set out , too , but this time I didn ' t have as good luck as usual . "

"I shouldn't want any better , " said the Elder , emphatically . "Then I hope , if you like them , you will drop into tea often . We ought to be more neighbourly , Elder Boyd . " Elder Boyd assented , aud he meant

what he said . The fact is , the Elder began to think that the Avidow was a charming woman . She Avas very comel y , and then she Avas such an excellent cook .- Besides , he had no doubt iu his OAVU mind that she was Avorth a considerable sum of

money . What objection could there be to ' - > r becoming Mrs . Boyd ? He brought this Mon before her one evening , The ^ - blushed and professed to be greatly surp . In fact , she never thought of such a , in ] ler j ;^ but on the whole

she had a * thought a great deal of the Elder , and ti . the matter short she accepted him . ± x . % afterwards she was installed mistress the Elder ' s We bouse , somewhat to surprise of the

The Widow's Stratagem.

village people , AVIIO could not conceive how she had brought him over . Some weeks after the ceremony , the Elder ventured to inquire about the pot of gold Avhich she had found in the cellar . " Pot of gold" she exclaimed in surprise

, ; " I know of none . " "But , " said the Elder , disconcerted , "You asked me about whether the laAv could claim it . " " Oh , lor' ! Elder , I only asked from curiosity . "

" Ancl Avas that the reason you made inquiries at the bank ? " "Certainly , Avhat else could it be ?" The Elder went out to the barn and for half an hour sat in silent meditation . At theeud of that time he ejaculated as a closing consideration

: " After all , she makes good mince pies . " It gives me pleasure to state that tlie union between the Elder and the widow proved a very happy one , although to the end of his life he never could make up his mind about the "Pot of Gold , "—Keystone

Notes On Literature, Science, And Art.

NOTES ON LITERATURE , SCIENCE , AND ART .

BY BRO . GEORGE MARICHA 1 I TWliDUEl . L , Fellow of the Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries , Copenhagen ; Corresponding Member of the Royal Historical Society , London ; Honorary Member of the Manchester Literary Club , and of the Whitby Literary and Philosophical Society , & c , & c . ¦

FORTUNATE is the poor patient who is kindly ancl judiciousl y nursed . I never felt this so much as m the severe month of January , 1875 , Avhen I was totally prostrated , for three weeks , by a combination of bronchitis , influenza , and rheumatism , all throug h

walking some four miles , after being bonse-kept , when the snow was kneedeep , to preside at a country benefit club anniversary , which was held in a new building , only plastered two or three days before , ancl then having to sit up—to bivouac call

, I it—over a cottage-fire all night , because there was no room for me at the inn , and they to whom I was giving my services had not taken the precaution to provide me Avith a bed . Nothing but good nursing , under the blessing of God ,