The Step-~Mother.

- oop morning, my sweet little

girls, but pray, tell me, what
has happened to make you both
look so grave and sad to-day ?”

“Aunty, we are going to mane! a
step-mother !””

“Well, and one would think by your
solemn despairing looks, that the sum
of all earthly troubles was comprised
in the word ‘ step-mother.’”’