done for that rascal! But now I'll kick the scoundrel out- I'll give him to a policeman-I'll”

Just at that moment poor Seppi returned, and his master, who had now worked himself up to the conviction that the boy had robbed him, rushed towards him, and seizing him by the hair, shook him, and called out-" Give up the money, you rascal, that you have stolen from me!"

The poor boy was so alarmed that he trembled every limb. "Heaven is my witness, that I have never robbed you!" he exclaimed.

"Come, out with that purse full of money, you lying scoundrel, you have one-that I know!"

"There it is," said Seppi, drawing out of his pocket the little purse containing the few pieces of money; "that is the purse, if you mean that, and it is the same which madame there saw this morning."

The baker shook out its contents, and said--" Now, confess at once how robbed me of this money!"

you

"Heaven shall be my judge," exclaimed the poor boy, weeping, "if there is a single farthing of it yours! Every one of them was given to me; but take it all if that is what you want. Monsieur Dumenil knows well that I saved it up for my mother; and you ought to be ashamed of yourself, Madame Rivage, to state such falsehoods of me."

"What, me!" said the malicious woman, who now began to regret being a witness of this scene; "I" but she now became still more confused, for just at that moment Monsieur Dumenil entered the shop. He had just returned home, and his ear caught the sound of the boy's voice; and to whom was his appearance more welcome than to poor Seppi?

"What is the matter, Seppi? What have you done?" kindly asked his friend, who, when he saw the purse and money, soon guessed the truth.

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Pray mind your own business, and do n't interfere here at all," exclaimed the confectioner; "this boy is in my service, and I shall do with him what I like. Do you understand me?"

"Quite right; I understand you, sir," returned Monsieur Dumenil, calmly; "but it is possible you have made a mistake." "Mistake!" cried out the baker, still more harshly; "I you this rascal has robbed me.

tell

Ah, Monsieur Dumenil," said the boy, "the money that I have saved up to send to my dear mother

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Silence, you good-for-nothing fellow. I say you have robbed me; but you shall not keep the money: you shall be turned out of my service this day-nay, this very minute!"

"Be it so, Seppi," said Monsieur Dumenil; "your master has discharged you from his service: now take off that jacket and follow me-I will take you into mine."

"What! Would you dare to take away my errand boy?" exclaimed the baker in a threatening voice; for he had by no means been in earnest when he talked of turning Seppi away, whilst the overjoyed boy lost not a moment, but hurried off his jacket at once, and was speedily ready to follow his

new master.

"You may keep the money you have taken from the boy," said Monsieur Dumenil, without changing his calm, but firm tone of voice. You, yourself, have discharged the boy, and therefore you can no longer lay claim to him."

"Impudent fellow!" exclaimed the pastry cook, enraged. "Base slanderer, as you are, to accuse me of making bad pies!

Tell me, what is it you dared to say about my pies? what is it I make them of, eh? Here, Madame Rivage, you are my witness; repeat what he said, for it was to you he spoke."

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Madame was not a little astonished to find herself so suddenly called upon as a witness. Why-yes-yes—” she stuttered, "but it is hardly worth repeating-besides, I just recollect that I must go shopping"

"Stop a moment, madame," said Monsieur Dumenil; "you appear to have been doubly busy here; for it was yourself, if you recollect, who warned me against those pies, because they contained cats' meat."

"Good Heavens! Is that true, madame? Did you do that?" exclaimed the pieman.

"I tell you I know nothing about it; nothing! Therefore, don't ask me anything about it. I have nothing to say-I never said anything!" cried madame, hurriedly.

"I will not detain you any longer, madame," observed Monsieur Dumenil. "I have only to request, as I have this morning purchased the house here in which you live, that within a month from this time you will remove to another dwelling."

At this announcement, the old lady, between shame and surprise, could scarcely tell how she felt. What! Monsieur Dumenil have a house like this! Involuntarily even the baker took off his cap, for he venerated nothing so much as riches. But to his no little surprise and mortification, in return, Monsieur Dumenil said, calmly, to him likewise—“ I give you, sir, also warning to quit this house within a month!" and taking our happy Savoyard by the hand he quitted the shop, leaving behind him two individuals, a prey to the most bitter

feelings of rage and wonder at this unexpected change of

things.

"And now, Seppi," said his benevolent guide, "let us go and select a suit of clothes for you, for henceforward I will provide you with everything, and teach you what you stand in need of. Thus you see, my good boy, God has now placed you in a position to enable you to assist your mother in her old age; and I hope, Seppi, you will be grateful to God, and never forget the love He has shewn you."

The poor Savoyard's feelings were so overcome, that he could not find words to thank his protector; but his filled eyes proclaimed more than language could have expressed.

The fact is, that Monsieur Dumenil had unexpectedly come into the possession of considerable property but a few days before this event, and he was now anxious to devote it to useful purposes. Accordingly, he had at once purchased the house he lodged in-it being for sale-and had resolved to convert it into a manufactory, which he intended to establish, for the purpose of giving employment to poor people.

Seppi and his philanthropic friend had not proceeded far on their way to the tailor's shop, when they unexpectedly met several policemen, having charge of a person dressed in the height of fashion. Seppi, at sight of him, uttered a loud cry of astonishment; for in him he, once again, immediately recognised the individual from whom he had received the base money to exchange, and whom he had left standing near his Marie. Monsieur Dumenil rushed forward, and, overtaking the constables, begged them to stop a moment, whilst he questioned the man upon the subject. This they did instantly, saying, they had him in custody for coining false money.