THE APRIL FOOL. 109

 

how poor your own prospects are, and how
patiently you are trying to wait for prac-
tice, did not want press on me and my
babes so closely. If you can spare me a
little—ever so little—brother, it will come
as a blessing; for my extremity is great.
Forgive me for thus troubling you. Neces-
sity often prompts to acts, from the thought
of which, in brighter moments, we turn
with a feeling of pain.”

For many minutes after reading this let-
ter, Doctor Grimes sat with his eyes upon
the floor. )

“My poor Mary!” he said at length,
“how much you have suffered ; and yet
more drops of bitterness are given to your
cup! Oh that it was in my power to re-
lieve you! But my hands are stricken
down with paralysis. What can I do?
Thus far, I have gone in debt instead of
clearing my expenses.”

He took out his pocket-book and searched

it over.
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