May Brooke

-past twelve, and, with a light heart and fleet step, she treaded her way through the hurrying and busy crowds, crossed B-- Street, then in the height o

ought in. Many passed her with a glance of surprise; some laughed, and gazed into her face with looks of insolent curiosity: while others regarded her with unconcern and indifference. "It is strange," thought May, shrinking back into a doorway, "I was so sure of the way; but it will nev

way to the Exchange, and shall be obliged to go right by it, so if you wi

e saw a face approaching through the crowd-then lost, then visible again, which blanched her cheeks by its sudden appearance. The cold, stern eyes were turned another way, yet she felt that they had recognized her; but it passed on, without seeming to notice her. "U

ng forward, more anxious to shut out the cold air

e a quarter of a c

ory, or pi

f you p

nd a half per cord,"

money. Can you send the

tainly," replied the young man, taking the half

will oblige me by se

e while a sawyer made his appearance at the door, and announced tha

Dennis," said the indefati

ma'am?" inq

ricate, narrow streets, filled her with apprehension. When they came to Howard Street, May stepped into a shoe-store, and purchased a pair of warm carpet-shoes, nicely wadded inside; then flitted out, and ran into a drygoods emporium, where she bought a cheap, but soft woolen shawl, of a brilliant scarlet yellow, and black palm-lea

uch further to

her step," he sa

er calm, bright eyes on his. "I know the number of your cart, and informed myself at the offic

esque declivities. Near a rustic bridge, which spanned a frozen stream, stood a few scattered huts, or cottages, towards the poorest of which she directed her footsteps. Standing on one of the broken flags, which formed a rude sort of pathway to the door, she waited until the wood was emptied near by, and paying t

?" said May, going close to her, a

less you, honey! You

ain't had none to spe

ost frozen," said May,

, and let me look at you; it will warm me

oft warm stockings and slippers on them, ere the old creature could fully comprehend her object; then opening the shawl, she folded it about the bowed and shivering form. With a blended e

be pleased," said May, lifting up her paralyzed hand, which lay

all this for Miss May? I'm only a poor old nigger; I got no friend

re old and black, Aunt Mabel. And more than that, I shall be well pai

lantation, that whomsoever give to the poor lend it to the Lord; is that it,

l as I; in His sight your soul is as precious as mine. We are truly brethren in our eternal interests. Then you are very o

that you say 'bout wood, eh? You gwine out to cut some of the trees down in Howar

good wood at your door, which is

o that too

of wood, which she hurried in with, and soon kindled a bright blaze on the heart

inquired, as she drew a low chair up by th

it 'minds me so of the bright swamp flowers in old Ca'lina, that it takes me clean back thar. I had good times then, honey; but I can't say nuffin. I feel

said May, leaning towards her, and li

od enough. He don't thi

nows no distinction in the distribution of his divine charity; the humblest slave, and the most powerful king, are alike the objects of his tender solicitude. And if I, a poor frail child o

ody, honey; or is you only sayin' so of you

ist himself, how we ought to fly, and never rest until we are gathered in. In this divine faith we are taught to 'love one another,' without regard to race, color, or

e will of Heaven, and all that, if they don't give the naked clothes to cover 'em, and the hungry food to nourish 'em, and to the frozen fire to warm 'em. I tell you what, Miss May, such religion aint no 'count it 'pears to me, and jest minds me of a apple-tree used to grow in ole mass'r's garden;

us, we are like fruit-trees cursed with barrenness-o

the Methodists; the Methodists hated the Presbyterians; the Protestants looked down, like, on all of 'em

ption, "did the thought never enter your mind that Jesus Christ might have established a faith and rul

; but I'm a poor ignorant creetur-w

icked, blood-thirsty, ambitious men, who wanted a broad license to sin, and who reserved only such fragments of our divine faith, as would give plausibility to their new doctrines without fettering theirs with responsibilities to spiritu

it 'pears to me that I never he'erd the true story until now. Whatever it is, your religion suits me, if you will jest show me

k a great deal about Almighty God, until I come again; then tell me if you think His word and promise are worthy of belief. Turn it over in your mind; view it in

." But May was out of the cot, going at full sp

and but little acquainted with the practical management of business affairs, he became embarrassed, and was finally compelled to dispose of his elegant house and furniture, and retire to a life of obscurity and poverty. But the city was growing around it rapidly; in a few more years

appiness, she found Helen moping over the gra

is very cold h

early f

to the next room and get coal? Th

etching coal and building f

rappings, she went out and brought in the hod, emptied it into the grate, let down the ashes, and put up the blower; and by the time she finished, the re

e the ogre of the castle w

and I beg, Helen, that you will speak

othing until he com

tion. "We can dine now. I have some cold roast beef

of fare; but let us have

that, my dear, you mu

h, and cut the bread;

and cut the bread

-sided, while the bread was cut in chunks. When May came in from the pantry, a butler's room as it used to be in the time

ry for you. You will have so many disheartening trials in your new way of life; b

re much about learning such low pursuits; but

together; and while Helen rallied her cousin on her long absence. May thought, more than once, with sad forebodings, of her encounter with her uncle down town that morning. But she determined to keep her