The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. again. ” As I mused for a. moment after my dis- comflture, the singular construction of the roofs, as they appeared to me on my first View of them, recurred to me. “The very thing !” I said to myself. “ It: will be very odd if I don’t manage to get into that house UIIU U'dl Ull- .[ watched the window of George Win- tock’s bedroom till I saw by his shadow on the window-blind that he had entered, After a while, the light was extinguished, and I concluded that he had retired to rest. I knew that he. his father, and the Italian were heavy sleepers, as they were accustom- ed to indulge in deep potations at night. How it came about that Benetti had dis- covered and frustrated my scheme, 1 never was able to fathom. Having reached that part of the premises which I. judged most convenient for my attemptâ€"a low abutment, used as a wood- houseâ€" -I lost no time in cautiously climbing on to its roof, which I was able to do Very easily, as its lowest edge was not more than seven feet from the ground. Fortunately, none of the rooms in which the inmates slep a. am. With me to resolve was an act ;- and I im- mediafiely dived into the shrubbery, in order - .L- ““1 “an...“ cm Hun Illuulauvsy unvvv. ._-V -1, to work my way quietly and unseen. to the back of the premises. It was well that I did so ; for scarcely was I concealed by the foliage, when the front-door was again Open- ed, and George Wintock and Benettiâ€"the former bearing a. lightâ€"stepped out upon the gravel-walk, and commenced making a. circuit of the premises. Holding my breath, and crawling upon hands and knees into deeper shade, I contrived to avoid them. At length, apparently satisfied. after their scrutiny, that I had made off, they retired into the house. I overheard enough of their conversation, however, to inform me that it was Benetti’s hand which had struck me to the earth. 11qu u; unv luv“... ._ .. 7w, looked out upon that particular angle, ID that I did not much fear detection ; if 1 could only make progress noiselessly, and attain the higher roof before daylight, I could then hide behind its high parapet. Dark as was the nigh t, or rather morning, it was sufli. ciently light for me to see what I was about. Slowly and with some difficulty, I dragged myself from root to roof till I reached a. stack of chimneys that roge side by side a. few feet. from the parapet, and which had been bolted with an iron girdle, and fastened with thick iron rods to the wall just below it. By the aid of the rod, I managed to reach the para. pet just as the dawn began to break. Here I was compelled, from sheer exhaustion, to lie down a short time and rest in the leaden gutter inside. Truly, I was but in a sorry plightâ€"my apparel soiled from crawling in the shrubbery, and from clambering over the dirty roofs, and saturated with the blood that had flowed freely from the‘ blow I had uumu “mu “v" w. __~_._, , received. I began also to feel extremely faint from exertion, loss of blood, and excite- ment. What would becomeof me, if strength failedsme? I might lie and die and‘rot on the summit of this old mansion, before any one discovered me. Yet not for onemoment did a thought cross my mind of showing the White-feather and giving up the adventure ; my feelings were indeed too overwrought for this, partly by an almost blind infatua. tion for the be less Miss Wintock, and partly by that onging desire to retaliate, which, whether rightly or wrongly, is gener- ally felt by any one who has been put hors- de-combat at an unfair advantage. A little rest and the cool fresh morning air somewhat revived me, and I commenced creeping along the gutter. With my pocket-knife I loosened the leaden frame of a pane in one of the garret windows and extracted the glass; inserting my hand; I was able to undo the catch and obtain in- gress. Finding the coast clear, I glided softly down to my room, locked myself in, bathed my head and face, and taking a pull at my flask of creaturecomfort, laid myself down awhile to rest my weary bones and head. I was much bruised, yet could not help inwardly chuckling at the surprise the Wintocks and their swarthy coadjutor would experience during the course of the day, when they found that, in spite of his sum. ‘ ll 1:”. n.-- 5“,...“Ns n u»... v..-_, _- ,7, mary ejection, Jack Meredith was oncemore the Man in Possession. And great indeed was the consternation of Benetti, when, on waking about midday and feeling urgent need of refreshment, I walked down into the kitchen, where he and M artha, were sitting at dinner. Neither heard me approach, as I purposely trod softly. Martha. had just helped the Italian to a. slice of mutton, when, slipping in, I coolly took a. chair and seated myself at the table. Both of them started and stared as if I had been a ghet- n - - L in ”.4th :nflnmi u. al'ifli‘y fine joint of mutton. indced, Marthaâ€" capital ! and so delightfully cooked ,_ 11L, A “0.1.4 Lu“... m... ...K_, , â€"-not overdone. I should so like a. taste just where it’s so nicely browned on the under-side ;" pointing as I spoke.â€"â€"“Ah! you haven’t athird plate. Never mind ; I’ll reach you one ;” and I accordingly rose and 7 - - .- u. _ .1 ______ mLA vavu J u.â€" v__v handed her one from the dresser. The Italian muttered something in his own lan- guage, which if translated would, I suspect, have been anything but complimentary. “ Extremely happy to see me at your social meal, no doubt you are, friend Benetti! I reciprocate the sentiment most warmly. Here’s to your very good health ”â€"~taking up the ale-jug from the table and filling my- self a glass.â€"â€"“ Admirable ! Right good stuff”â€"smacking my lips.â€"“Pray, Martha, don’t let the mutton get cold ;” seeing that she had not complied with my request. “ There’s nothing in the world I dislike so much an cold mutton.” , I could see that both were for the moment thunderstruck; and as I took up my plate and held it imploringly, Martha. proceeded to cut me the coveted slice. “Now, a. couple of potatoes and a. 'few greens, with just a dash of gravyâ€"Thad]; you, Martha. You are a. good soul. 1 think, in future I will always take my meals with you and Benctti, instead of giving you the trouble of waiting upon me up-stairs. It will save you a. great many steps, and be so much more com‘lortable for us all ;,for it’s rather lonely sitting up there by one’s self so much.” My cmupanions were at first disposed to be rather glumpy ; but seeing that l was de- termined to be on good terms with myself and them, 1;? ey at last: gave in, and we con- IN FIVE CHAPTERS. CHAPTER III. versed amicably. though reservedly. I could see, however, by their occasional sly glances at my physiognomy, that both, and especially the Italian, derived considerable gratification in noting how severely I had been punished. v... . 1 Acting up to my promise, I did not, dur- ing the remainder of the time I stayed at Briteleigh Hall, trouble Martha to wait upon me, having one objectin view, namely, the discovery of Miss Wintock’s whereabouts. I did not thinK it probable that she still occupied the same room above my sleeping apartment. or she would have devised some method of giving me at least a hint of it. Every night I was at my old post, the window. In vain I hummed and whistled every tune I was acquainted with. In vain I looked up to catch some slight token of her resence. I‘felt that she was not there. She new her case to be desperate; and if the Window were fastened, failing other means, would doubtless ha\e shivered a pane of glass as a signal. Yet [ was convinced that she was confined somewhere in the upper part of the mansion ; and for the fol- lowing reasons. Firstly, when I essayed to go up into the lumber-room on the following morning after I had effected my second entrance, I found the door at the top of the staircase locked, thus precluding all com- munication with the upper suite of apart- ments except by the back or servants’ stair- case. It was not so on the previous morn- ing, when the inmates thought me safely shut out, as I had assed through it on getting down to my c amber. Hence there must be a motive for endeavouring to pre- vent me exploring them. How I wished that I had made the circuit of the roof, and peeped into every attic through its window, before descending to my own room ; and yet I felt that perhaps I had acted for the best, as my strength would not have held out much longer. Secondly, I took occasion to observe that old Martha, when she thought herself unperceived, often put aside some of the best portions of her viands. asif for some other person. With these she would sud- denly disappear, but always in the evening. I contrived to ascertain that she invariably made for the back staircase ; and arranged my plan, desperate as it was, accordingly. It was destined to be put into execution much earlier than 1 had anticipated. The fifth morning after my clamber over the roofs, Mr. Wintock sent for me into his room. As I entered, I fancied that a smile of suppressed triumph flushed his counten- ance. Addressing me in a grandiloquent, sneering style, he said: “ Good-morning, Mr. Meredith. I am sorry that your stay at Briteleigh has been so protracted. But What cannot be helped, must be endured. I have been able to arrange my little affair with your principal, and consequently your presence here can now be dispensed with. I shall be glad if you will leave the premises at once.” Mr. Wiritock, seeing .that I was dum- founded, at once followed up his advantage. “ I wish to make one observation before you go. You have interfered most unwarrant- ably and impertinently in the domestic ar- rangements of my family since you have been in the house, both in intruding your- self upon the privacy of a young lady resi- dent here, and in endeavouring to facilitate her escape from her natural guardians. Possibly, you may not be aware that the young lady in question is a dangerous lunatic, and that a degree of wholesome restraint is absolutely necessary for her well- being and safety, though at times she may have apparently lucid intervals. I have no doubt you were misled by the craft peculiar to that sad affliction ; hence, I am disposed to make due allowance for your extraordinary conduct. Otherwise, I should'feel justified in communicating the circumstances to your employer. which would probably result in no very agreeable consequences to yourself. I may add for your satisfaction, that the young lady will shortly be placed in a suit- able establishment, where she will be pro- perly cared for. I hope, however, as you are a young man, that a due comideration of the extremely absurd manner in which you have acted, and the slightinconvenience you have suffered’Lâ€"here, with a bland smile, he passed his hand significantly over the upper part of his faceâ€"“may prove a warning to you to conduct yourself more discreetly in future.” He looked me full in the face and waved his hand towards the door. Taken aback, I was at a. loss foramoment or two for words to answer, as, from What I had heard previous to my coming to Brite- leigh, I had not the remotest idea. that Mr. Wintock would be able to liquidate the heavy demand upon him. Had Miss Wintock at last, thoroughly crushed and broken in spirit, acceded to one of his propositions, and either consented to become the bride of his son, or signed some document which gave him absolute power over her property 2 The thought was horrible. Yet it might be so ; for as I had not been able to efl'ect any communication with her since that unfor- tunate night, her energies, physical and mental, might have collapsed in despair. How I repressed the fierce tempest of passion that inwardly shook me, I cannot tell. “Sir,” I replied as calmly as I was able, “ I am not. in a position to doubt your word ; but ” “ But what ‘2” he angrily demanded. “ 1 tell you, man, that I posted a. cheque for the amount last evening, and that I expect a discharge and receiptflby to-morrow’s post. \V‘illjh'ét sati_sfy_yoti_2 “Then no doubt, sir, the same 'post will bring me from my principal the usual release, without which Iam not justified in deserting my post. Immediately upon its arrival, 1 W111 comply with your wishes.” “ You were ready enough, however, to leave it to suit your own insolent purpose 1” he hotly spurted out. “But one day will not make much difference, I daresay; there- fore, to- mo1row be it. ” I bowed, and withdrew to the kitchen, indignant, bewildered, and with a sickening sensation at the heart. I was completely foiled and beaten. “ The last night I shall be hereâ€"young lady madâ€"confined in a madhouse~tell my employerâ€"slight incon- venience,” kept echoing through my brain, till I felt dizzy with the whirl of confused thought, and mechanically passed my hand over my face as Mr. VVintock had done. The remembrance of. the indignity enraged me beyond endurance ; and I determined, if human craft could accomplish it, that I would trace out Miss VVinfock that very night, and ascertain from her own lips whether, when I left the house, I could do anything for her. Might not a solicitor, c?” upon proper representation, take her case in hand, and forcibly obtain the release of her person from the fiends who now held her in confinement? Doubtless. much energy and skill would be required ; but the strong arm of the law was, or ought to be, all-powerful. Yes I I would see her. Old Wintock might storm and rave as he liked. I should bid him farewell on the morrow : and if he tried to injure me with my employer, I hoped my statement would be believed ; and if not: supposing I got my discharge and was thrown out of workâ€"the world was wide, and I should be a kind of martyr in a good causeâ€"the cause of beauty in distress: Putting a good 1' ace on inatters, I told old Martha and Benetti that 1 was to depart on the morrow, as Mr. Wintock had settled all claims upon him. It was evident by the covert smile on the face of each that the intelligence gave them great satisfaction. In the course of the evening, I sauntered out of the kitchen as if to go to my room ; and no doubt, as I bade them good-evening. they concluded that I had retired for the night. Instead of doing so, I quietly slipped up the back staircase. Here, as in the other, there was a door at the top, which shut the upper range of apartments from the lower. The staircase itself, however, was much darker. This door was also locked, confirming my su picion that Miss \Viutock was above-stairs. As is oltm the case in ancient mansiors, there were several nooks and recesses in this old circular staircase. Within one of these, on the landing, I en- sconced myself and waited patiently. Idid not much fear discovery, as old Martha’s sight was none of the quickest, and she usually wore a, bonnet and shawl of an even- ing, as she suffered somewhat from rheu- matism. At length I saw (her coming, hobbling slowly up the stairs, and bearing a lighted candle and a covered dish. “ All right, Jack, my boy; you’re on the right Emery,” sgid I t9 myself. “ Lie cl_o§e l” “ Now, be civil, old lady. No ‘ manning,‘ if you please. Just take up the dish and candle, and I will bear you company. I P73111231. few minutes’ speech with your young 3 y. ’ “'I cannot! I dare not! Mr. Wintock would kill me.” “Stuff! He’ll do nothing of the kind. Besides, he is not obliged to know anything about it, unless you are silly enough to in- form him." And close I did lie as ever weasel in a hole. Old Martha reached the landing, put down her dish and candle, drew-the key from her pocket, and proceeded to unlock the door. Then entering with her burden â€" which she again put down for a. minute in- sideâ€"was about to relock it, when I emerged from my hiding-place and stepped in also, shutting the door after me. The old dame turned deadly pale and would haive scream- ed, but my hand was on her mouth. I learned that trick from Benetti the night Miss Wintock was forcibly carried back from my room. ‘ “Now, my dear soul, don’t make a riot, because there’s no need for it. I mean you no harm, and would’nt hurt a. hair of your old gray head fer the world. , I only want a. little private conversation with you.â€"-There, now ”â€"taking the key from her trembling hand, and transferring it to my pocket, after locking the doorâ€"“ we can have it all quietly to ourselves without fear of interrup- tion.â€"â€"It’s no use, Martha.” I added stetnly, seeing that she was about to remonstrate. “ It’s my turn for a. little while now. What is the use of your calling out? No one can possibly hear you.” “ You treacherous old beldam,” I whisper- ed, “if you try that dodge again, I’ll gag youâ€"Now, just listen to me. I know all about the rascally doings in this house. I know that Miss Wintock is forcibly confined somewhere in one of these attics. She is no more insane than 1 am ; so that tale will not serve Mr. Wintock’s purpose. To- morrow, I’m off to London ; and 1’11 move earth, s a, and sky, till I set the authorities on the right track to find and release her. I know Mr. Wintock’s motiveâ€"her property. He won’t have a feather of it to fly with ; he is more likely to land in jail. You shall come in for your share of punishment in illegally confining her. Let me see her for a few moments, and I promise you, on the word of a man, that whatever transpires, you shall be held free from blame.” After some further expostulation on her part, and renewed threats and promises on mine, Martha took her dish and candle and proceeded to Miss Wintock’s apartment, I kept close to her, eyeing keenly every move- ment; for I felt; that if only half a. chance occurred, she yould play me false. . Martha’s te'eth'chattered and her knees trembled. “ What is it you want with me, man ‘2” she asked. Old Martha. bent as if to pick up the dish and candle. There was a. slight noise below. Possible Benetti had returned for a moment into the house for something. In an instant her mouth was at the keyhole ; she was about to shriek tor assistance ; but I was too quickior her._ Never shall I forget the sight that present- ed itself on my entering Miss Wintock’s wretched garret. Stretched on a miserably narrow pallet lay the beautiful but haggard girl, dressed as I last saw her, but with a stout leathern girdle belt tightly round her waist, and which, fastened with a thick strong cord passing round one of the bed- posts, effectually prevented her from mov- ing except within a very limited area. The casement was strongly barred on the inside, and the catch securely fastened. In this remote room. at the very top of the house, there was not the slightest opportunity of communicating with the world without. 01d Martha, noticed the start I gave on first: entering the room, and commenced a hypocritical whimpering. “Indeed, Mr. Meredith, it‘s no fault or mine, nor could I help it. ’Tis all master’s doing and Mr. George’s, and I am too old and too feeble to do anything but obey orders.” “ Silence, woman I” I sternly retorted. as I thrust her into the only chair in the room, and advanced to the side of the poor suffer- ing and ill-usgagi young lady. The death-like pallor of her countenance, the drooping of the long dark eyelashes, and the listless \rolling of the languid eyes, evinced the intense mental anguish that racked her. The instant her eyes rested on me, a. sharp faint cry of Joyful recognition escaped her, and she stretched out her hand. In the tumult of my distracted feelings, I seized it and pressed it warmly to my lips. A deep flush came rushing into her neck and face until she crimsoned to the temples. The next instant she was, if possible, even “ 0 Mr. Meredithâ€"I was afraid thatâ€"I thoughtâ€"â€"I hoped you would not- desert me,” she gésped- ._ “Not while I have life, dear Miss VVin< took, ” was the» prompt reply. While I spoke, my pocket- -knife was out, and I was sawing like a. maniac at the cord to sever it. 01d Martha. began to wring her hands and to remonstmte, but her remonstrances l spggdily checked. .u . .. . 1 paler than before, and her short, rapid breathing told of the excitement under which she labored. ‘ The 50rd was speedily cut through ; and gently raising Miss VVintock to a, sitting poem}: 6, I aske‘d : “Are you able tc sfaud _?’.’ “ Yes; thank you vefy, very much. At least I’ll try. She gave me one glance of appraling trustfulness, and burst into a passionate fit of weeping. “0h, take me away with you from this horrid place ! 1 shall go really mad; I know I shall ; I am so_now, almost: ’ O my poor brain E” At length the young lady became calmer. But I saw that it would be necessar to use extreme caution, or she would su erare- lapse, as she continued to entreat me, in the most pathetic language, not to leave her again in the power of the Wintocks. I looked at my watch ; it wanted about twenty minutes to nine. Precisely at nine, in readi- ness for the evening ride, Mr. Wintock’s gig and mare would be in the yard near the side«door, and Mr. George’s horse shortly afterwards. Mr. Wintock would probably, as he often did, keep his gig Waiting.for' him till a quarter past. George Wintock would be off shortly afterwards. Though I had spoken so confidently to Martha, I was not at all sure that some unlucky accident might not intervene if I remained Where I was. Benetti might miss Martha. In fact, I was terrible uneasy and in a sad dilemma. Stay where I was for any length of time, I dared not. Leave Miss Wintock in her present state of mind, I could not. Indeed, I think she would have attempted to force her way with me, had I shown any indication of leaving her. A hasty and perhaps rash resolve took possession of me. If I could only get Miss Wintock below and conceal her till after the departure ot the Wintocks, we might succeed in getting away unseen down to the village, where I hoped to house her safely and obtain assistance in protect- ing her; for surely none who knew her would refuse to aid ; and evenif discovered, I should then only havu ihe Italian to deal with. Our time had been singularly i11- chosen before. We had waited till both Mr. Wintock and his son lad returned home before making our attempt. vvvt . ‘ - I tried my utmost to soothe her. Even old Martha aided me. Perhaps her womanly feeling was touched; for I believe she was more the unlucky victim and tool of circum. stances than of an intrinsically bad and hardened nature. She produced her old- fashioned smellingbottle, bathed Miss Win- tock’s hands and face, and induced her to eat some of the food she had brong ht; and gage ersuuded her, with some difficulty, to e da. sip or two from my spirit flask, which dpreviously put' 111 my packet' in case of eme g_ency. The ripid glanceof intelligencewith which shareplied reassured me. (To BE CONTINUED.) Omnibus Drivers in London. The life of an omnibus driver is somewhat hard. Every one sees him plodding along on his un structed course in Piccadilly or Oxford street, but few realize the great dis- tances over which he travels. Here, for in- stance, are the salient facts in regard to a particular instance with which I lately be- came acquainted. It appears that 11 horses are needed for the omnibus in question; of these 8 go out every day. The course of the vehicle is 15 miles, 7% in to the city and of course the same distance back to the stables in one of the suburbs. This journey is per- formed 4 times in each day, making a daily journey of 60 miles for the vehicle and driver, and of 15 miles for each horse on 8 days out of every 11. Though, however, the horse gets on the average 3 days in the stable out of every 11, the driver gets no respite at all. He drives his 60 miles a day, Sundays not excepted, which is equivalent to 420 miles a week, or 21,840 miles per an- num. For this he gets 6s. per diem, paid daily. He is subject to a notice of 24 hours. He is liable for one-third of the cost of any damage from accident. He has to provide his own personal equipment, including top- coat, gloves and. driving whips, the gloves especially being a surprisingly large item of expense. A whip costs 7s. 6d., and it is ex- traordinary how soon the handle wears through when it is held for 10 hours per day. So muchvfor the duties of the situa- tion. The consolations are the society of the various passengers and the study of the temperament. and peculiarities of the 11 horses who share the driver’s toils. These have all their names and histories ; the names being mostly comic, their histories sometimes tragic enough. On the whole they are well treated, and with steady, easy driving often do their work for years to- gether without a day’s illness. The com- panies might do well if they provided for their drivers having one week’s holiday per year, and if they could supply them with a uniform top coat, or whip, or pair of gloves, after certain sufficient terms of service to warrant the expenditure, the effect upon the men would be good. The 24 hours’ 130- ‘ tice seems also short for men in positions so important. 0n the other hand, the pay is good, and it is satisfactory to think that whenever we behold an omnibus driver we behold an individual who is probably in the receipt of more than £100 a year. â€"â€"-â€"â€"â€"â€"u<->w>â€"â€"â€" Shadowed by a Woman. Major John R. Throckmorton was buried in the family vault at Louisville the other day. He died some time ago in a lonely hut on a Mississippi plantation. His last mo- ments were haunted by the thought that Ellen Goodwin was still shadowing, him. For 25 years the woman followed him. and was known in Louisville as Throckmorton’s ghost. The reason for this was never, known. It was the popular belief that Throckmorton had wronged her in her youth. In storm’ and sunshine, at home and abroad, the silent figure in black hover- ed about him and blighted his life. She died some years ago, and ordered the his- tory of her heart secret buried with her.â€" Atlanta (Goa) Journal. I again beit over Miss Wintock, and asked: “Do you think you could walk a, little ?"â€"at the same time giving her a. meaning look. .. .n. 0“ ‘-‘ Painted Diamonds. BY II. C. HOVEY. The latest fraud in precious stones fur- nishes a curious confirmation of the law of chromatic contrasts, and an unexpected illustration of Shakespeare’s an.) ing: To gild refined gold, to paint the lily. About six months ago the owner cl a magnificent gem, which he had supposed to be a, Brazilian diamond of the, first water, suddenlv found it reduced, to about one- fifth its value by being accidentally washed with soap-suds, This simple process re- vealed its true character as a yellow African diamond of inferior grade. This trick, which was originally played in Paris. has since been reproduced in this country, and it is rumored that a. single firm on Chathum Street was thus swindled out of many thousands of dollars without being able to detect the perpetrator of the fraud. A Japanese Wedding. On Monday last the marriage of Miss Inouye and Mr. Katsunosuke Inouye was celebrated at the official residence of his EX- cellency Inouye, minister for Foreign Affairs. The ceremony was conducted in Japanese fashion, and attended only by the near rel- atives and intimate friends of the family. The wedding presents were displayed in an, up-stairs room, and of course attracted much attention. With a. few exceptions the Jap- anese gifts, though costly and attractive were intended to express a. sentiment rather than serve any useful purpose. Most promi- nent was a mountain formed of rolls of floss silk white and crimson. Each roll was bound: with strands of parti-colored twine, the en! Ki“ not brought round into a bow as is usually the case,but tied in hard knots, emblematic of the indissolubility of the marriage tie. The floss silk was intended to typify gentle yet en- during constancy, the strengih of its skeins offering a noted contrast to their softness and flexibility. Round the base of this mountain were deposited at number of ornaments of fresh rice straw, pléited into the forms of storks and tortoises, of longevity,or the pine bamboo, and plum, of perpetual bloom, while into the loops of the plaits were thrust pieces of dried bonito, a favorite accompaniment of wedding presents, its flame (katsu-wo-boshi) being a homonyme for the three Chinese characters signifying; victoritous, manly and braveâ€"Japan Weekly Mail. What is Work? I may perhaps be allowed to put the open- ing question, What is Work? The common reply is, “Any pursuit by which a man earns or attempts to earn a livelihood and to accum- ulate wealth.” This definition is more to be regretted because it cherishes. or rather be gets, the vulgar error that all persons who do not aim at the accumulation of wealth are “idlers.” In point of fact suchI men may be doing far greater services to the world than the most diligent and successful votary of a. trade or profession. Darwin having a com- petency, was therewith content. To him, and to others of kindred minds, the opportunity of devoting his whole life to the search after scientific truth was a boon immeasurably higher than any conceivable amount of wealth. Shall we call .him an idler? Nor is science the only field which opens splendid prospects to men ofindependent means. Art, literature, philanthropy, have all their de- partments, unremunerative in a commercial point of view, or at least not directly rem- unerative, and for all these cultivators are wanted. Therefore, reversing the advice given by routine moralists, I would say to wealthy young men of ability: “Do not take up any trade, business, or profession, but do some of the world’s unpaid work. Leave money-making to those who have no other option, and be searchers for truthandbeauty." Every one who follows this advice will con- tribute something to show the world that the race for wealth is not the only pursuit worthy of a rational being. I should define work as the conscious systematic application of mind or body to any definite purpose. A casé of the sort is now in the New Haven courts being,r tried by Judge Deming. some of the particulars of which may be of inter- est, and served to put persons on their guard against what is really an ingenious decep- Ju'nâ€" tfcn. Jacob Nepel, a manufacturing jeweler in that city, had several diam nds, apparently of great value, which he disposed of by an agent to Mr. Edward Engel, a. diamond broker of seventeen years’ experience. The gems were faultless, but the low price set on them awoke suspicion that they were either stolen or spurious. Several local dealers examined them, using a microscope for the purpose, and pronounced them fine old mine diamonds and worm five- or six times their price. Mr. Engel then took them to New York and exhibited» them to Messrs. Heller & Barber, importers and dealers in precious stones, uho were also deceived by the appearance of the gems, until the owner mentioned his suspicions. Mr. Heller, remembering to have heanl of a new process of painting diamonds, took one of the studs, estimated to be worth from $1,000 to $1,500, washed,“ in soap-suds, and found it to be a. cheap African diamond worth perhaps $140. The rest of the set proved to have been tampered with in a similar manner. On returning to New Haven,Mr. Engel sought redress through the courts, and probably will get it. The explanation )3 as follows: The com- mon African diamonds are naturally a honey yellow. On dipping one of them for a few minutes in an aqueous solution of aniline violet, and then letting it dry, it will be found that, while the lustre remains unim- paired, the color is changed from yellow to the fine steel-blue usually observable only in the best stones. The two colors, yellow and violet, it will be noticed, are comple- mentaries, and on blending produce the brilliant result described. The aniline is easily rerhcved by the application of soap- suds, the water being tinged, not violet. but green, while the diamond regains 'its orig'ylal yellow hueâ€"Scientific American. Ravages of the Spruce Tree Worm. The ravages of some insects on the mace trees in northern Maine, says the Bangor Commercial, is becoming a. serious matter to owners of timber lands. A gentleman who is well acquainted with the wooded tracts in the vicinity of Rangely says that if the work of devastation goes on five years more as it has for five years past, it will destroy all the spruee trees in that section. The lava, in which state the insect does the mischief, is a. green worm about an inch long.