YONG, long ago, when this old world was in its
tender infancy, there was a child, named Epime-
theus, who never had either father or mother:
and, that he might not be lonely, another child, fatherless
aud motherless like himself, was sent from a far country,
to live with him, and be his playfellow and helpmate.
Her name was Pandora.

The first thing that Pandora saw, when she entered
the cottage where Epimetheus dwelt, was a great box.
And almost the first question which she put to him, after
crossing the threshold, was this, —

‘* Hpimetheus, what have you in that box ?”

‘““My- dear little Pandora,” answered Epimetheus,
“that is a secret, and you must be kind enough not to
ask any questions about it. The box was left here to be
kept safely, and I do not myself know what it contains.”

“But who gave it to you?” asked Pandora. ‘ And
where did it come from ?” |

“That 1s a secret, too,” replied Epimetheus.