The Mason's Orphan Daughter.

knew , find who in her present position is doubtless the rig ht woman in the right place .. " What is the history , " Ave asked , " of this little bine-eyed girl AA * 1 IO sat here to our rig ht this evening during devotional

services f " 0 , that is Annie Tony , one of my favourite pets . Is ' nt she an interesting child 1 " the Matron asked . " Indeed she is , but were is she from ?" Ave inquired .

" Her little short life story , " responded tho good Avoman , " is full of interest , and I might add even of romance , too , for she is an English born child , and here in this city lost both her father and mother within a year . She had two little brothers , but they are since dead , and Annie is now the only one left of the entire family . " "She is indeed a fair and beautiful

child , " we replied , " and her very soul seems to speak through the soft and mild beamings of her eyes . " " Does she seem happy hero 1 " inquired . " Why , yes , this is her native disposition .

It seems to be natural with her to be easil y p leased , no matter lvhat turns up . " " Do you knoAv anything of her parenteage , further fiian that she is of English birth ? " asked . " AVhyyes" she replied " I have heard

, , that her father Avas a Master Mason and came to this country to better his fortune as a machinist , and for some time worked in this city . But poor man , he and his Avii' e both died within a year after coming to the country . Their possessions wore

small , and by the time they had passed through their sickness and death , there was nothing but their three children left behind . "

AVith a sympathy of soul for tho poor little orphan daughter that Avas even painful , Ave bid the good Matron adieu for the evening , with a promise of attending the Sabbath services the next day in the institution . AVe could but think when l ying down

for the night how melancholy and hopeless is the prospective destiny of the tens of thousands of orphan children Avhich are to be found scattered over our country . AVe thought , devoutly too , of the " All-seeing eye , " and wondered if there was not an especial assurance given to all such , hi

that old Jewish inspiration , "AA hen thy father and mother forsake thee , then will the Lord take thee up . " Surely if God pities the poor , there must be some special hope for the helpless orphan in the divine compassion . Life ' s relationships are often

sad at the best , for men and women arc Aveak and frail , and too frequently are wanting in education and intelligence as Ayell as in self-government , and even with their children around them they are often far from being happy . They fail to

recognise tho richest gifts of heaven , and draw closer upon themselves tho sorrows of life when they should only be drinking of its most rileasurable realities . Tho next day in tho Chapel of tJie Orphan ' s Home Ave again met the Mason ' s orphan daughter . She was dressed in her plain Sunday suit of buff calico with a neat little ruffle of the same colour round her

neck , Avhich was partially hid by the beautiful clusters of auburn curls which hung doAvn her back . The children all looked well and appeared to be happy , and Ave joined with them in their Sabbath School services ivith

much more than the ordinary interest . Little Annie sat near us , and Ave had a fair opportunity of noticing her intelligent readiness in ansAvering questions , and when the school closed by permission of the Matron Ave held a long and interesting

conversation will her in regard to what she knew of her history . " Do you remember , Annie , " Ave asked her , " you father and mother !" " 0 , yes , sir , " said she , " as well as if they had only died yesterday . "

"AVhat do you remember of England , your native country ? " ire inquired . "AVhy , sir , I remember Manchester , the place were I was born . My grandfather and grandmother and Uncle James live

there , and I often think , " said she , with an air of observable sadness , " if my dear parents had remained there ive might all have been living yet . " " You have no relatives in this country , Annie V Ave asked . " Not one" she answered promptly .

, " AVould you like to go back to England 1 " Ave inquired . " Indeed I would , " she affirmed . "AVell , then , why don't you write to your relatives to send for you 1 Wouldn't they do it ? "