A FRIEND IN NEED. 405 knows his own business best, and my time is fully taken up with my own concerns; but I believe | have a note of the lodgings he then occupied—here it is.†, The captain took it, and, turning on his heel, with- arew in silence. He posted away to the place, but there, too, had the mortification of learning that he was too late. The people, however, teld him that they believed he might find the family he was seeking in a neighbour- ing alley, at a lodging up three pair of stairs. The captain’s heart sank within him; however, taking a boy as a guide, he proceeded immediately to the spot. On going up the narrow, creaking staircase, he met a man coming down with a bed on his shoulders. At_ the top of the landing stood another with a bundle of blankets and sheets. A woman, with a child in her arms, was expostulating with him, and he heard. her exclaim, “ Cruel! not to leave me one bed for myself and my poor children!’ . “Stop,†said the captain to the man, “ set down those things.’ The man hesitated. The captain renewed his command in a peremptory tone; and then advanced towards the woman. ‘They looked earnestly at each other. Through her pale and ema- ciated features, he saw something of his little smiler ; and at length, in a faint voice, he addressed her,— “ Are you Amelia Cornish ?†“That was my name,†she replied. “T am your uncle,’ he cried, clasping her in his arms, and sobbing as though his heart would break. _ “ My uncle!†said she, and fainted. He was just able to set her down on the only re- maining chair, and take her child from her. T'wo other young children came running up, and began to scream with terror. Amelia recovered herself. “ Oh, sir, what a situation you see me in!â€