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« pa a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a Aro Then, drawing up his Hiting his pale face, and turaing on the jury his searching took, Abbe Gue- rin commenced thus: " Gentlemen, the prisoner fused to answer; the prisoner tall figure, has re- does not wish to be defended." I do not tome to defend him ; I come to tell the story of his life." . J « e ~@ . On the right bank of the Thames, near to where it runs into the sea, ts situated the little village of Whit- stable. Its only inhabitants are a few sailors, and the houses which line the river are only simple two-stosied | brick cottages ; but it is easy to see | that they are inhabited by well-to-do and cheerful folks. j 'our years ago a _ touching scene | Was taking place in this smiling spot. A little boy was kneeling by a bed on which was lying a woman whose face was deathly pale. Sehind him it man was standing, his hands clench- ed, and his head bent down on his chest. Great down his cheeks. All took the child in his arms and heid his face to that of the woman lying on the bed. 'The poor little fdiow imprinted a kiss on a forehead which was as cold as marbie, and shuddered from head to foot. 'He had touched a corpse, and the corpse was that of his mother. The childs name was Robert 'Bird, and he had already lost his father. The man was an old sailor who had taken him under his care--his name was Thomas Disney. He was a wid- ower, and had two daughters. Dis- ney Hved in a cotta belonging to him, and situated quite close to the river. After having voyaged for many yeurs he had given up the sea in order to follow a more dangerous, but more lucrative calling. . Whit- stable has always been celebrated for its diving operations, and the English divers are almost entirely recruited from among its inhabitants. 'Th industry was little followed at that time, ana the hardy fellows who ex- plored the bottom of the sea earned # large salaries, not to mention their Tinds, which were not rare. - By dint ot economy and intelligence Disney had amassed a small capital, sind had become the head, man of a company of 'civers. hat is to say, he treated directiy with the con- tractors and took over the 'ssalrage of wrecks at-his own risk. The elder of his girls was named Mary; she was year older than Robert. Ellen, her sister, was three years younger. The latter was the orphans j.vvorite. Active and zood- tempered. 3he inherited, as o! '0 said, her mothers character. Mary fo med a tiect convrast to her. Wi :. her Madonna s face, light- ef up by . urge biue eyes of a gentle and melave oly expression, she was as quiet as |r sister was lively. Al- though over, she was piainly under her sigter ~ influence, whose mind was more developed, and Robert did not nlways am her worthy to share his games with Ellen. The thrie children were brought up together, and on carrying his mind back to those Jorous years, Robert often thought afterward that the old Spanish custom was a right one, of observing as a feast the death of the little beings whom God calis to Him- self before they have tasted the bit- terness of Ife. Ie was thirteen years old when he experienced His first sor- row. One evening the old sailor took him on his knees,, and snid to him: "Nobert, my child, you . 6aw your poor mother die, Your father--died, too, far, very far from here, on _. the other side of the sea. rou have no one in this world but poor Tom, and 2s long as he lives you will be treat- ed as his son, but he will not-.always be here; it is time to be thinking of, making a man of you. 'To-morrow 1 2m going: to take vou myself to Dov- er,"and I shall entrust vou to my old Ariel, who will take you to Paris, where you .yili learn Frén¢h," "mathematics, an many other things which I never kiwew." x The bor wept bitterly the nextday on kissing his two little companions, and started on his journey with a very full heart, afterwards he was placed tha best schools In Paris, and remained there six yenrr. Tho first months of his new life were _cruel--ones; Robert Was a victim to the rather wild timid- ity of children brought np at home, and-he did not know a word of French This was ample reason,to ed for 'the similarity of their studies make him the scapegoat of the other ¥ Gradually, however, his per- secutors left off troubling him. Robert ! was tall and strong for his age, and! he suceceded tp taking himself re-' spected. about the same time as he began to make himseif-understood. He | became then a studious and taciturn scholar. His comrades tormented him i no longer, but he took no part jin; their pleasures. -He preferred study } to their noisy girmes, and his only joy } was to receive news of his dear friends | at Whitstable. ! At the end of the sixth year of his stay In this school, where he 'had gsed 60 many long and sad hours, Robert learned * with joy that his foster-father had I example. Old Tom's affairs had prospered. The salvage of a ship wrecked on the Coast of ireland had brought. him in large profits, and every day fresh business was offered to him. Was to take his adopted son as partner, and he wished him to be- come an engineer, so that he would be able to help him in his undertak- ings. It was agreed that Robert should go and complete his studies In Lon- don, and that when he had obtained his. diploma he should come and di- rect the operations which Disney meditated. The old diver had all the fanaticism' of his profession, and the desire to grow rich was less strong in him than the love voi the unknown and the attractiveness of danger. He sought hazardous under- takings from choice; those which others lad refused. In spite of his age, he still loved to descend to the wreckage of lost ships, and he knew better than any how to discover the treasures hidden within their shat- tered hulls. He was learned in all the legends of the sea, and he had, no difficulty in inflaming Robert's youthful imagination, so that he left full of ardor and hopefalness. The London engineer was one of those clever, practical men that England produces, and under his care the young man made rapid progress. A new existence began for Robert. Every month he went to pass a few days of Whitstable, and he often took with him one of his compan- ions, for whom he had acquired a verm Warm affection. Diego Palmer --such was his name--was born at the Antilles of an English father and a Spanish mother. He was an orphan, and possessed no other means than a small allowance which A ma- ternal. uncle made him. Like Robert, he was intend an engineer, om an tions was the first tie which con- nec them. re was at that time a handsome young fellow--tall, slender, with a very dark complexion, and black eyes full of tire and boldness. His spirit charmed his friend} who, knowing his qualities, recogniz in him a. real superiority. Occasi he hor- rified him by expressing strange ideas. Robert was still of an age when life is smiling, and the bitter words which often escaped Diego shocked and saddened him. However, the young foreigner had been greeted like a brother at Whit- stable. He had at once made the con- quest of the good Tom by talking to him of the English Colony where he had been born, for the old sailor was charmed to have an opportunity of telling of his travels. As for the two little sisters, as Robert atill called hem, they were delighted with Mr. Palmer. The elder one-especially was never weary of listening to him. Mary was at that time of a per- fect beauty. Her sweet face had re- tained the angelic purity of chiid- hood.; but, like her face, her mind had remained that of a child. One would have said that she was still incom- plete, and it appeared as if God had stopped after having endowed her with beauty and goodness. Of all that had been taught her, her sluz- gish intellect had retained but lit- tle. She only knew how to love. Her father, .who had only received a sailor's education, hardly noticed this inferiority; but her sister Ellen Was pained at it, and upon more than one occasion she had confided her grief to Robert. . She was the first to perceive the new feeling which had taken posses- sion*-of--Mary.---She~--made--inquiriss about. Diego;-his habits and his char ncter, and she expressed serious fears about her sistefs future. vain Robert eulogized his friend; he did not succeed in completely reassuring her. They, too, loved one another; but they had never thought of telling it. Never to leave one another, and to wateh together "~ over their dear | Mary--such was the only... dream whieh these "two pure and tender souls indulged in. But the fatal noment which was to blast their lives was near. . One day, on his return from a trip to Whitstable, Robert received a let- ter from his sister "Gome immediately," wrote Ellen; "T must see you without jai, Do not lose a moment. The happiness of us all is at stake." Robert started the same evening, very uneasy at this hasty call, and arrived at Whitstable on the morning of the next day. E had come to meet him. She was ne, a fact that had nothing surprising in it, consid- ering the liberty which young girls enjoy in England, and instead of tak- ing Robert.to the cottage she. fol- lowed a path which ran along the beach. Two miles from the village a rocky point overlooks the sea. 'The view from here is magnificent. The Thames is 60 broad that the opposite. bank is hardly visible on the horizon, and the white sails. of the chips going up the stream seem from afar like flocks of gulls. On this rocky point, where she had so often come and sat when a child, Ellen stopped, " Robert," said she. "I have some- Pp should marry too, so that you. can aid me in protecting my sister?" rds to reply ; but Etlen's haad and, trembling, her memory, to watch over Mary all your life." obert young people, joined forever by these simple Words, took their way upset by his happiness that he had mucli dificulty in giving any explana- fon. hen the worthy Tom under- stood all, he could not help crying for joy. The dream of his whole life was about to be aceomplished. made one condition or giving his *eConsent; it -was that hig should never leave him, and Robert promised freely. ut his surprise was great when Ellen told him of Mary's resolution. He stammered, swore a 'little, even, under his breath, and ended by saying --il things were thus--if Mary loved the young man--and if the young man Was a good feliow, he would have na objection to this marriage, although, to tell the truth, Mary was no house- eeper. While he spoke thus, stopping each moment to wipe away a tear, Ellen had called Mary, who fell on his neck her turn. This Was too much, and poor Tom had no strength to resist. He tried to seald his imprudent daugh- ter; who had engaged herself without his consent ; but she repeated so often in her eweet voice: "Father, I love day Diego arrived at Robert was rather annoyed at him for his want of frankness ; but Diego was s0 affectionate towards bis friend, 80 loving with Mary, and so anxious to please old Tom, that he was obliged to forgive him. Ellen alone was rather cold towards him. The formalities which precede mar- riage are not so long in England as in France, and it was agreed tha the two couples should be united. on the same day, of one month. never saw; was absolutely alone {n the world. and Diego declared that he had no need of his uncle's con- sent. This only relative was at the Antilles, and it wonld have taken much too long to have waited foran answer from him. Tom was free from prejudices, and it mattered little' to him that he had Wo sons-in-law without family and without fortune, 60 long as ey were honest and hard-working. When he had made a journey to London he no longer doubted that' his daugh- s ter had made a good choice, for the engineer spoke in the most flattering terms of his pupil lego. It decided that they as should live at the cottage for the time being, and that they should form une hous¢hold, Disney having dec! that he was rich enough to keep all his children. The day on which the double mar age was celebrated was a grand one for Whitstable. Thomas Disney was 'beloved by every one, and the whole population shared his joy. was easy to see this from the vigor of the aloe which were shouted in his a. bed, and remembrance of the days which pind Robert's marriage remained av mind as the image of the most perfect bliss lich oa man can ta in this world. The pure and elevated feeling of conjugal love was born in his heart and filled it to the brim. day he discoy- ered new qualities in his and he biessed God who had permitted her to choose him. Mary?.who was not naturally expansive, seemed to be happy also, and' testifie tranquil joy. Diego was iull of tenderness, and the future smiled on the young couple. The honeymoon lasted two months, during which time the father left his children to themselves. as Ellen h time that he got to work agalm Mary pouted at the idea of leaving her little husband; but Robert sup- po the proposal, and Diego fol- lowed suit. Disney had just at that time started an office in Dover for the submarine works connected with the pier, and it was decided that the two sons-in- law should serve their apprenticeship under him. Tom said that 1t was not enough to an engineer, and that it was necessary in addition to know | how to walk about in the "clear sha- dows," as the divers call the bottom Of the sea. In order to save a cargo, the cleverest machinery is not equal, @ said, to an intelligent and daring | man's two hands; and* the old sailor | Was right. | Robert had always looked forward j | to this adventurous calling, and he adopted it with joy. Yet it is peril- ous work which is accomplished be- neath the waves. Clothed in his im- permeable costume, his head confined in a thick heimet, his feet and chest covered with sheets of lead, the diver descends slowly to the bottom of the sea..._Above-him,-in-a frail boat, two men keep constantly at work at the air-pump which conveys to him the breath of life. One instant of necli- gence on their part, one false move, and he is lost. When he touches the wet ground, where with difficulty he can find a footing, his head his ears bleed. lass panel of his helmet, and he break this glass; and at this is death. A cord fastened to his wrist serves him Ariadne's clue, and as when the doubtiul light which pene- trates to these gloomy solitudes has allowed him to find his way, he must work as if he were breathing the pure air, as if he were lighted py the joy- ous sun. The most wretched laborers in the towns sometimes leave off ing on their tools; they stag , in order to forget their fatigue. But the diver never _ companions, if he has any. c ost the armor of brass. This fearful callmg, a hundred times more dangerous than that of he ea therers-.on the cllifs ot Dover, which Sha calls a dreadful trade," had had att tions for his -ehildhood, and his joy 16 day when fT th ve h his" diers experience at their jirst battle. Old Tom was h see "quiet, seemed also to be very happy. The old 'sailor, as-crafty as bold, had allowed Diego In this low tap- ore a glass of -gin, learnt more in one evening than his son-in-law had done in three days in the fine offices at Lloyd's. H preserve his self-pos- session, to walk straight to the blocks which form the foundations of the Dover pier, wi an enorm e, tion; but it was easy to see that this perilous life had no Charms for him. He doubtless considered it be- neath his dignity as an engineer. Per- haps, too, he was afraid, and old Tom, who suspected this, said laugh- ingly to him more than once: - a& man has or a diver. besides, there are enough in the You can make plans of our Six months passed in this way. Their time was divided between the works at Dover and the calm happi- ness of the cottage. What joy, on arriving on Saturday sun! to come out and meet them. Sometimes they hid themselves behind a row of Willow trees which stood by the way- side, Tom would stop the horse, and Robert and Diego would iook~ for then? among the trees, until suddenly childish laughs wouid 3 out; they were there. Then they would jump out and kiss their wives, and the two joyous couples would walk together to the village. wi:ilst the father followed slowly beliad them. And thea there was the 1. nite cloth covering the supper-table, and e clear fire burning in the husce chim- ney, and the loving conversation in- | duiged in after is: meal, whilst Thomas Disney smoxe! his pipe and looked with tender e.«< at his child- ren. For Robert, the: whole universe Was contained in thi- tare. Bu life, and this happy existence lasted but a@ short time. One day at Dover the fdther re- ceived a letter from London, a thing which rarely happened to him. In the evening he told his sons that they would all go -back to Whit- Stable the next day, and during the journey. Was~- evidently very thoughtful. This unexpected ar- rival caused great joy at the cot- tage, and when Tom found | himself at home again his two daughters' de- light brought back his habitual cheer- fulness. After supper, when he was Seated before the cup of tea pre- pared by Mary, and poured out by Ellen, the old sailor could no longer remain silent. children," said he, "I have to you about a matter of very great importance. I hare a grand plan, and this plan interests you as much as it does me. This is what it is. You know that old Tom Disney is known through the whole of England, and that h 'ompany,.-the--Sutilej; has been wree in' the Mediterranean, on the coast of France. There is not much hope of making anything of it, } for it rests on a soft bottom, and it | is supposed to have sunk deeply into | the sand. The insurance' people | thought I might recover part of their } losses for them, and they are Willing | to hand over to me the ship and | cargo, at my own risk and peril. | They_ask_four-theusand guineas. It) is about half of what I possess. The | Sutlej] is laden with cotton: but it | contains also a sum of one hundred thousand pounds sterling, in bars of gold. If we succeed, it means wealth i for you and your children. If we} fail, it means, perhaps, ruin. And | this is why I wish to consult you." At this unexpected ert féff more astonishment than emo- | tion. Business, and especialir } t i } statement Rob- | busl- | ness having to do with money, was | s0 Strange to him that he never fave | it a thought. He i not know | what to reply, and he thou shtyshat he read in Ellen's eyes that sie / eared | his indifference, ,' As for Mary, she did not appear even to have comprehended, and she | remained absorbed in the cif eeeapine i tion" of "her husband, who, for his! part, had listened to Disney with | evident attenti ant tati j Diego took upon himself to answer for all. He said that the job was too good to think of refusing it, and that they must go to London and make further enquiries. An enthusi- asm pervaded his words which much ay. During their absence Ellen and Robert compared notes. They had both of them a vague presentiment of harm. It seemed of nd upon this point, they were eq fol low their fa' Three days afterwards Disney re- turned with The latter was radiant. He gave himeelf time | because fe) them, having fully made up his mind as to the chances of the undertaking, and convinced that it was an excel- m a cheque on the bank where he kept just like a large mer- die was cast, and all the hopes of the peaceful inhabitants of the Village rested thenceforward at the ttom of the Mediterranean, with- torn asunder They must suc- Y price. Disney declared that they should all go with him, and it was settled that they should £0 and take up their abode together on the coast p ssible. ne month afterwards it had taken up its quarters oast of v- ence, between Toulon and Antibes. (To be Continued.) A NEW ORDER. Bite trom the Kitual of the Newest of Fraterual Orgmnuizat a0etem. lt is Wonderful 'hat a hold the fra- ob Says Barney O' » in the Sum- menéide Journal "Unless u man belongs tu une or more of the many fraternal orders whith 'gre noay in existence, and Which have uctive subordinate rauches im almost every city and town in the country, he iy generally regarded as a social 'mugwump' and considered 'beyond the pale' of so- cial, circles, and will-tind himself as lonely among his fellow men as the proverbial ione oyster in a church fair stew, or as the goddess uf si- lence in a barber shop." How few men, says, there are in the towns who-have not eat some time or other overcome their misgivings und ridden one or other of the many "goats" which are stabled in dark rooms, and which are ever in readi- ness to terrify the poor unfortunate candidates who bestride them, und to make their hair stand on end as they enter the fated @rooin. Then he goes on to illustrate (from his imagination we must believe) the aims and objects of a new fraternal organization and to give an idea of its method of conducting "business. We demur to the fanciful statement about the botitle, and the bottig- holder; because no |. good brother y, takes bottles to meeting. e is a part of the routine as de- seribed by Barney. Possibly he has seen it at work on Prince Edward Is- bee 2 Senior Hoo Hoo--Guardian of the | Corkscrew, What are your duties in | this union? Guardian. of the Corkscrew--To open the bottle, and to see that it is-equalty shared, provided 1 can't sip away with the whole of it my- Self. Senior Hoo Pool, what union ? Guardian of the Poo!--To conduct the "tarpaulin muster." and to see that the funds so raised are jndic- iously Invested where they will do us most good. --Senior Hoo Hoo--You have all an- swered as becomes worthy members of this noble order, and now de- clare this Union of the Amalgamated Hoo Hoos open for business. Custo- dian of the Pool, you will now pro- ceed with your duties, anc T must ask the brethren to ' this is as chilly a day as Christmas will for the defeated Hoo--Custodian of the are your duties in this | candidate in Cardwell, and we are as > z - tte dry as a life J table when it is fired at one by a } Canvassing agent. THE KIGHTS OF NAJORITIES. Legisiation Based on Keligious Grounds Destroys Religious Liberty. A majority believe that Sunday should be observed as a day of rest. A minority do not believe in a day of rest every week. As a consequence, some persons will closé their places of business on Sunday, while others will keep theirs open. Those who close will find that their neighbors getting an advantage of them in the way of business, and consequently will @nact a law that all b ess 2a labor must s on Sunday. In 80 far as such a law is based upon the economic fact that it is better for society at large that one day in seven should be a day of tion from active labor, such legisiation is justifiable. When, however, it is based upon religious grounds it comes in direct conflict. with the principle of and t ights of 2 ually woul be violating -- principles if to prescribe how I should enforced leieure.--Hon. J. W. y. in February Canadian Magazine.