A FRIEND IN NEED, 4AQ9

all tied up in a great bundle, and destined for some
family still poorer than they had been.

The captain then drove to the lodgings he had
taken, and which he had directed to be put in thorough
order. He led Amelia up stairs, who knew not whither
she was going. He brought her into a handsome room,
and seated her in a chair. |

“This, my dear,” said he, “is your home. I hope
you will let me now and then come and see you
in. it.’

Amelia turned pale, and could not speak. At length
a flood of tears came to her relief, and she suddenly
threw herself at her uncle’s feet, and poured out thanks
and blessings in a broken voice.

He raised her, and kindly kissing her and her
children, slipped a purse of gold into her hand, and
hurried down stairs. |

He next went to the hospital, and found Mr. Bland
sitting up in bed, and taking some food with apparent
pleasure. He sat down by him.

“God bless you, sir!” said Bland, “I see now it
is all a reality, and not a dream. Your figure has
been haunting me all night, and I have scarcely been
able to satisfy myself whether I had really seen and
spoken to you, or whether it were a fit of delirium.
Yet my spirits have been lightened, and I have now
been eating with a relish I have not experienced for
many days past. But may I ask, how is my poor
Amelia, and my little ones P”

“They are well and happy, my good friend,” said
the captain; “and I hope you will soon be so along
with them.”

The medical gentleman came up, and felt his patient’s
pulse.

“ You are a skilful doctor, indeed, sir,” said he to
Captain Cornish; “ you have cured the poor man. of
bis fever. Huis pulse is as calm as my own.”

The captain consulted him about the safety of re.