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NEWS & PLANTER*’ GAZETTE. D.. COTTINft, Editor. No. 10.—NEW SERIES.] NEWS & PLANTERS’ GAZETTE. terms: Published weekly at Three Dollars per annum, if paid at the time of, subscribing; or Three Dollars and Fifty Cents, if not paid till the expi ration of six months. No paper to be disc rntinued, unless at, the option of the Editor, without the settlement of all ‘arrearages. cr Le Iters, on business, must be post paid, to insure attention. No communication shall be published, unless we are mtute acipuainted with the name of the author. THE FOLLOWING GENTLEMEN WILL FORWARD THE NAMES OF ANV WHO MAV WISH TO SUBSCRIBE : J. Yi df G. 11. Wooten, A. D. Statham,Da.iburg, Mallorysville, 11. F. Totem, l.incoln- Felix G. Edwards, I’e- ton, tersburg, Elbert, O. A. Lucked, Crawford- Tlen. Grier, Raytown, ville, Taliaferro, TV. Dacenporl, Lexing feriftes Bell, Powelton, ton, i Hancock, &■/ Hush, Irwington, Win. ft. Nelm.% Liber- Wilkinson, ton, - Dr. Cain, Cambridge, John A. Summons, Go- Abbeville • District, shen, Lincoln, South Carolina. ~ MISCELEAJVEOUs. From Blackwood’s Mazazine. The Wag Family• In a town which we call Middletown, be c3&use.it was of the middle size, dwelt a iworthy shopkeeper bearing the odd name ol . Jeremiah Wag. By dealing in all sorts of .commodities, and steady attention to his bu siness, he .'had managed to keep up his re spectability, and doubtless would have con siderably increased his store, but for the gradual inenease of his family. For seve ral years after his marriage a now little Wag was ushered annually into the world; and though there had latterly been some what less of regularity, as many as ten small heads might be counted in his back parlor. Jerry, the eldest boy, was, how ever, almost fourteen years of age, and therefore began “ to make himself useful,” bv carrying i?ut small parcels and assist ing behind the counter. All the rest were, rto use their parent’s pjira?c, “ deadstock,’ and “ were eating their heads oil; for sooth to say, they were a jolly h,* f le set, and blessed with most excellent appeti.’cs. Swell wac the state of family matters at the time when our narrative commences. Now, on the opposite of the street, ex actly facing the modest board on which Jer emiah’s name was painted, with the usual announcement o£ certain commodities in whieh he dealt, was another board of a ve ry different description. On it were em blazoned the arms of his Majesty, with the supporters, a lion and a unicorn, as the country folks said, “ a fighting for the crown.” The establishment indicated by this dis play, was upheld by a different class of customers to that which patronised the shop. Two or three times in each day some pri vate carriage or post-chaise would stop to change horses at the King’s Arms, and oc casionally “a family” took up their quart ers there for the night; but the latter was a piece of good-look not often to be expect ed, as there were no lions to be seen in Middletown save the red rampart guardian on the sign-board. It was haymaking time, and business was very “slack” with the worthy Jere miah ; but he said that he didn’t care much about it, as the country folks were earning money, part of which he trusted would find its way into his till in due course. So, af ter rummaging about among his stock to see if he was “ out of anything,” betook his stand at the door, just to breathe a mouth ful of fresh air. Titus Twist, the land lord, made his appearance at the same mo ment, in his low gateway, apparently with the same salubrious intent, and immedi ately ekoned to his neighbor just to step across. “Well, how are ye, Master Wag?” said he, when they met. “ Did you ob serve that green chariot that stands down ift the yard there, and came in more than an hour ago ?” Jere. liah answered in the negative. “ Weil,” continued mine host, ■“ it belongs to one of the oddest, rummest, little old gentleman I ever clapped my eyes on. He’s been asking me all sorts of questions, and seems mightily tickled with your name above all things. I think he’s cracked. Howsomever, he’s ordered din ■ ner; but hush ! here he comes.” The little gentleman in question seemed between sixty and seventy; but, except ing a certain sallowness of complexion, carried his ears well, his motions he wing lively, and wearing ji good-humored smile, as though habitual, on his counte nance. His dress was plain, but good, and altogether becoming his apparent rank. “I shall be back in a quarter of an hour,” said he to the landlord ; “ I’m only going ver the way to the shop to buy something:” and away he went, and, of course, was followed by Jeremiah, who, immediately on entering his own house, skipped nim bly behind the counter to wait upon his new customer. After trying on some gloves, and pur chasing two pair, the little strange gentle man looked round the shop, as though ex amining its contents to find something he wanted. “ Any thing else I can do for you, sir ?” replied Jeremiah. “ You sell almost every thing I see, Mr. Wag?” observed the old gentleman. “Mr. Wag? Your name is Wag, I suppose?” “Yes, sir?” replied the shop-keeper, dryly. “Wag, Wag, Wag!” repeated the stran- WASIIINGTON, (WILKE* COUNTY* U A.,) NOVEMBER 5, IS 10. I ger, briskly. “Funny name! eh?” “It was my father’s before me,” observed Jer emiah, scarcely knowing what to think of the matter. “ Verv good name !” continued the little gentleman, “ Like it very much. (lot any children ? Any little Wags, eh ? Like to see ’em. Fond of children —-little Wags in particular—lie, he, lie !” “Much obliged to ye for enquiring, sir,’’ replied the senior Wag; “I’ve got just half a score, sorted sizes. That’s the eldest!” and he pointed lo young Jerry, whose lan ky limbs were at the moment displayed, spread eagle fashion, against the shelves, from the topmost of which he was reach ing down some commodity for a customer. “That’s right. Bring ’em up to indus try,” said tii ■ little gentleman. “Well, l can’t stay now, because my dinner's rea dy ; so, perhaps, you’ll he so good as to look me out a good one and bring il over to me.” “You may rely,” commenced Mr. Wag; but his new customer cut him short by ad ding, “ 1 know that well enoungh,” as be briskly made bis exit. The industrious shop-keeper forthwith selected certain of his primest articles, folded them in a wrapper, and, at the ap pointed time, carried the whole across to the King’s Arms. He was immediately ushered into the presence of the eccentric elderly gentleman, who was seated alone behind a bottle of whiteand a bottle of red. “Suppose you’ve dined, Master Wag said ho. “So come ! No ceremony, sit down and take a glass of wine.” “ I’m very much obliged to you, I’m sure, sir,” replied Jeremiah : “but I have just brought over half a dozen pieces ol’ Irish for you to look at and choose.” “ Phoo, phoo!” quoth the small stran ger, “I don’t want to see them. I know nothing about ’em. Leave all to you.— Meant to have piece; but, as you have brought half a dozen, 1 may as well lake ’in. ‘ Store’s no sore,’ they say.— There’s a fifty pound note ! Reckon ’em up, and see if there’s any change.” Jeremia# started at. this unusual whole sale mode ofdealing, stammered bis (hanks and observed, that the goods would not a mount to half the money. “So much the worse,” said the little gen tleman. “Must see if I can’t buy some thine- in your like presently ; but, sit down now: that’s a good fellow ! I want to have some talk with you.” The basliful shopkeeper hereupon perch ed himself on the extreme front edge of a chair, at a respectful distance from the ta ble ; but was told to draw up closer by his hospitable entertainer. Then they took three or four glasses of wine together, and gradually Jeremiah found himself more at home, and scrupled uot to reply to the odd stranger’s questions respecting his family and occupations. And so they went on chatting till they appeared as two very old and intimate friends; for Mr. Wag was ot an open, unsuspecting disposition, and talked as though lie hail no objection that all the world should know all about his af fairs. “ Well, but, my dear Wag,” said the stranger, “can’t you tell what part of the country your father came from ? “ No, sir, I can’t” replied Jeremiah, lie died when I was about eight years old, and the London merchant to whom he was clerk, put me to school, after that apprenti ced me to old Hicks, who lived over the way where Ido now. Well, there I serv ed my time, and then married his daugh ter, and so came in lor tile business when he died ; but I’ve increased it a pretty deal, and if I’d more capital, could make a snug thing of it by going into the wholesale, and serving village shops with grocery, and so on.” “ Why don’t you try it?” asked the lit tle gentleman. “ It won’t do unless one has got the rea dy to go t° market with,” replied Jeremi ah, knowingly; “and then one must be able to give credit, and ought to keep one’s own waggon to carry out goods. No, no, it won’t do. Many a man has made bad worse by getting out of his depth, and, as it is, thank God, 1 can live. The only thing that puzzles me now and then is, what I shall do with all the children.” “ Hark ye, my worthy Wag,” said the odd stranger, “I have not got any child ren; so, if you’ll let me pick among the lot, I don’t care if I take two or three oil your hands.” “ Sir !” exclaimed the astonished shop keeper. “ I mean what I say,” replied the old gentleman, demurely. “ Take me with you. Introduce me to your wife and fami ly, and let us all have a friendly cup of tea together in our back parlor. Don’t stare, my good Wag; but fill your glass. I don’t want to buy your little Wags, but I happen to have more of the ready, as you call it, than I want; sol’ll put them to school, or what you like. What say you ?” Jeremiah rubbed his eyes, as though doubtful if he were awake, and then ut tered his thanks for such extraordinary kindness in the best way he was able; and, about an hour after, the whimsical little old gentleman was sitting by the side of Mrs. Wag, with a little curly-headed Wag on each knee, while the rest were playing round, or gazing open-mouthed at the stran ger with childish wonder. By degress all stiffness wore off; and, before the evening concluded, nothing could exceed the merriment of the whole party. The eccentric elderly gentleman had learn- PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY MORNING. ! etl to call all the Wags by their names, and he played, and frolicked, and rolled upon the floor with the little people, in a style that made the parents suspect, with tile landlord, that he must be “cracked.” However, at parting, lie became more serious, and invited Jeremiah to come and breakfast with him in the morning, and to bring with him a copy of the names and birthdays of his children, as entered in the Family Bible. .Mr. and Mrs. Wag, of course, lay awake for an hour that night, talking over the strange incidents of the day, and perhaps building a few castles in the air, after the style of affectionate parents for their chil dren. On the following morning Jeremiah dres sed himself in liis Sunday suit, and repair ed to fulfil li is engagement. His new old friend received him in the most cordial manner, and they breakfasted together, chatting over family concerns as on the preceding day. When their repast was ended, the little gentleman read over the list ofthe young Wags, and smilingly ob served, “A jolly set of them ! We must contrive to make them all good and happy Wags if wc can, eh ? Eldest, Jerry, al most fourteen—useful to you in business. That’s right.—Leave him there, eh? Next, Thomas, almost thirteen—fond of reading —told mo so. A good school first, eh ! Then three girls running, Mary, Anne, & Fanny. Pack them off to a good school too. Nevermind. Then comes William, eight—and Stephen, seven. Think I know where to place them.—Just the right ago. Perhaps can't do it at once, though.— That’s all 1 can take at present. The oth er three, Sarah, Henry and Philip, too young. Well, my worthy Wag, you will hear about what 1 mean to do with them before long, and a friend of mine will call upon you to consult about the best way of increasing your -business. Settle all in time. No more to say now, but good by— eh? Paid the landlord’s bill before break fast, ’cause don’t, like to be kept waiting. Didn’t mean, to have stopped longer than to change horses when I came yesterday. Glad I have, though. Hope you won’t be sorry. Holla! waiter! is my carriage ready?” “At the door, sir,” shouted the landlord in reply. “ That’s right !” ex claimed the extraordinary elderly gentle man—“ Good bye, my worthy Wag! Re member me to Mrs. Wag, and give my love to all the little Wags. Ten besides yourselves! A dozen Wags in one fami ly ! Never expected to see such a sight as that! He, he, he ! See it again, tlio’, hope. Wag together,all of you,like a bundle of sticks,hope !” And laughing and uttering similar incoherent sentences alternately, lie walked briskly along the passage to bis carriage, into which he forthwith jumped, arid, having repeated his valediction to the astounded shopkeeper, ordered the postil ion to drive on. Thus Jeremiah was prevented from ex pressing his grateful feelings for such won derful promises, and so stood gaping in si lence till the carriage was out of sight. “ Why, you seem regularly amazed, neighbor!” exclaimed the landlord. “Enough to make me,” replied Mr. Wag. “If one half what I’ve heard this morning should come true, I shall be a lucky fel low, that’s all!” “ The old fellow’s cracked,” observed Titus Twist. “He’s a gentleman, howev er, every inch of him, (hat I will say lor him. Didn’t make a word about nothing. All right. Used to good living, no doubt. More’s the pity, as he’s cracked, lie cer tainly ought not to be allowed to travel without a servant, as he does.” “Well,” observed Jeremiah, “ I don’t know what to say or what to think about it; but, if lie is cracked—humph! I don’t know. It may be so. However, there’s no harm done yet.” “So lie’s been cramming you, cli ?” said mine host. “ Made you a present of the moon, perhaps? They do fancy strange things, and think themselves kings, and very rich in particular.” The truth of this lattet’ assertion made an impression upon our worthy shopkeeper, who communicated it to his wife ; but she had taken a great fancy to the odd old gen tleman, and was not to be shaken in her conviction that he would really be “as good as his word.” “ Well,” observed her husband, “time will show; and, at all events, it was no bad thing to sell six pieces of fine linen at once. Wc don’t have such customers ev ery day. However, the best thing we can do is, to keep our own secret; for if the neighbors were to hear of it, we should ne ver hear the last of it.” Mrs. Wag agreed in the propriety of her spouse’s suggestion; but, nevertheless, was unable to refrain from dropping hints to sundry gossips concerning her anticipa tions of coming good fortune; and the vague ness and mysterious importance of her man ner created a sensation, and caused many strange surmises. Some decided that the Wags had been so imprudent as to purch ase a whole lottery ticket, and blamed them accordingly ; while others shook their heads, and hinted that, with so large ily, it would be a very fortunate circum stance if Jeremiah could manage so as not to go back in the world; and, for their parts, they never liked to hear folks talk mysteriously about good luck ; so, for some time, the stranger’s visit appeared to have produced results somewhat the reverse of beneficial ; but, at the end of a month, an elderly gentleman dressed in black, en tered the shop, and requested a private in- | terview with Mr. Wag; and as the back ! parlor was full of little W ags, then under going ablution, combing, &c., be propos ed that they should adjourn to the King’s Arms. When they were seated there, the stran ger very deliberately proceeded to arrange a variety of papers upon the table in a bu siness-like manner ; and when bis task was completed, apparently to his satisfaction, be smiled, rubbed his hands, and thus ad dressed the wondering shop-keeper. “My name is Stephen Goodfellow, I am an attorney, living in London, and there “ (handing a card) “is my address. Von will probably guess who is my client, hut tny instructions are to conceal his name. Well, ho has consulted with me as the host mode of carrying your intention of increas ing your business into effect, and 1 have, consequently, had interviews with certain commercial gentlemen, and ahem ! the re sult is, that as the thing must be done grad ually, T have to present you, in (he first, place, with this order for a thousand pounds. You will then be so good as to sign this document, by reading which you will perceive that you cannot bo called up on for repayment before the expiration of three years. Ahem! don’t interrupt, me. That will do to begin with ; but, after a little while, as you must give credit, and some of your commodities, particularly grocery, amount to considerable sums, you may want more, so—ahem ! —yes, this is the paper. You are to put your usual signature here ; and, mark me, in precise ly six monjlis from this day, an account will be opened in your name with the Lon don bankers, whose check-book I now pre sent you with. They will have assets in their hands, and instructions to honor your drafts for any sum or sums not exceeding four thousand pounds. You understand, eb ?” “ I hear what you say, sir,” stammered Jeremiah; “but, really, I’m so astonished, that” ■•Well, well,” observed Mr. Goodfellow, smiling, “it certainly is not an every day transaction ; but my respected client is a little eccentric, and so we must allow him to do things in bis own way. He lias ta ken a fancy to you, that’s clear ; and when ho takes any thing in hand, he doesn’t mind trifles.” “ But so much !” exclaimed Mr. Wag. “ One thousand—four thousand—five thou sand pounds ! It is lily* a dream ! Surely, sir,” and he hesitated ; “surely the gentle man can’t be in—ahem !—in—his—right senses ?” “ Sound as a bell,” replied the lawyer. “ I hope you may have as clear a head to carry on your new business. At present you are a little bewildered, that’s plain c liougli; but no great marvel. However, my time is precious, so just let me have your signature, and I’m off.” He then placed the papers before Jer emiah, who, after a little more demur, and a great deal of trepidation, wrote his name twice, and received the mo ney order and the banker’s cheek-book. Mr. Goodfellow then ordered a chaise, and chatted familiam till it was ready, when ho shook Mr. Wag by the band, wished him good luck, and departed. “ I told you so!” exclaimed Mrs. Wag, when Iter spouse related the morning’s ad venture. “lie seemed so fond ofthe tdiil- j dren. I knew how it would he. But, you should have asked his name. 1 wonder who ho can be ! Some great lord, no doubt. Well, bless him, 1 say! God bless him, whoever be is. Oh, Jerry! my dear Jer ry Wag! I feel as if I was going lo cry. How foolish! Well, l can’t help it, and that’s the truth ;” and the good housewife wiped her eyes, and then threw her arms round the neck of her dearly beloved Wag, who, albeit that he was unused to the melt ing mood, found his eyes suddenly grow dim, and so they performed a weeping du et together. It is pleasant to record, that at the termi nation of this natural paroxysm, they neg lected not to return thanks to a higher Power for the wonderful change that had thus suddenly taken place in their pros pects. Their subsequent task was to take counsel together ; but that was a work re quiring more of calmness than they pos sessed for the first few days. However, by degrees, as time rolled on, the industrious couple made their arrangements ; and, at the end of six mouths, Mr. Jeremiah Y\ ag had so increased his business, that it be came advisable for him to have recourse to his Loudon bankers. In the meanwhile, he had sent his son Tom and the three eldest girls to school, agreeably to the inti mation of his unknown friend, which he considered as a command that lie was in duty bound to comply with. Still it ap peared very extraordinary tiiat the little el derly gentleman neither communicated with nor came to sec them ; but, as the whole affair was out of the common way, Jeremiah resolved industriously to avail himself of the advantages of his new posi tion, as the best means of testifying his gra titude during his benefactor’s absence. Much marvelling, of course, there was in the town and neighborhood at the steady increase in Mr. Wag’s concern, in spite ol his very plaiti statement that a kind friend had advanced him a considerable sum. “ Who could that friend be ?” was the puzzling question, which no one could an swer ; but his unremitting attention to bu siness—the punctuality of his payments — and other evidences of his prosperity—suf ficed to ensure hirn general respect, though certain envious husybodies would venture now and then to hint significantly, that “ All is not gold that glistens.” So matters went on pleasantly with the Wags ill \\ inter, when Turn and his three sisters came homo (or the holidays, and the latter assisted their mother in preparing for the festivities ofthe season. It was Christinas eve, and the whole of j the family were congregated in the little j back parlor, when young Jerry started up J at the well-known sound of a customer at i the shop-door, at which he arrived with a bop, step, and jump; and, jerking it open, beheld a little old gentleman w rapped in a large cloak. “Please to walk in, sir,” said Jerry Wag. “ Hush !” whispered the stranger, plac j ilig his forefinger on bis mouth, “ I want ito surprise them. You're all together to night. I suppose ?” “ Yes, sir. ‘ replied Jerry smiling, for be (bought he knew to whom lie was speak ing. “Thai's right,” said the odd elderly gentleman, advancing cautiously towards (hi'darkest part, of the shop, and throwing off his cloak. “ Now for a Christmas fro lic ! Come here, you rogue ! Why, you've grown taller than me. That's right!—a thriving Wag! Now, mind, you go back as it’ nothing had happened, and give me bold of your coat tail, so that I can Ibe seen. That’ll do. No laughing, you young monkey. There, step along.” Jerry did as lie was bid, save that,though lie bit bis lips unmercifully, bis risible muscles would not remain inactive ; and thus the oddly joined pair made their way into the family apartment, just as the eld est daughter had exclaimed— “ Now, mamma, it’s your turn to wish !” They were sitting in a semicircle before the fire, and the stranger and his shield, of course, stood behind them. “ lieigho !” said Mrs. Wag, “ there’s only one thing I wish for to-night, and that is the addition ot one more to our party.” “Name! name! You must name vour wish ! cried, three or four juvenile voices, in full glee. “ J wish 1 could tell you his inline,” said Mrs. \\ ag, “ but your father knows who I mean. Don’t you, my dear ?” “ 1 can t mistake you, my love,” replied Jeremiah affectionately, “ and I wish be could see how happy you arc. It would do his heart good, l really think.” “ Who can he be.!” exclaimed the eldest daughter. “ Perhaps it’s somebody like me !” cried the little odd gentleman, stepping briskly forward. “ It is ! it is !” shrieked mamma, and up jumped the whole party, and down went Airs. Wag upon her knees, while, uttering unconsciously of what she did, her arms were clasped round the neck of her bene factor, u hose bodily frame, being unable to sustain her matronly weight, gave way, and so they rolled together on (he floor. “ Ila, ha, ha !” laughed the eccentric j elderly gentleman, as soon as he recovered j breath, but without attempting to rise, j “ This is Christmas gambol, eh ! Master j Wag ? Eli ! my merry little Wags ? Needn’t ask you all how you are.” “My dear sir !” exclaimed Jeremiah, !•• allow me to assist you. I hope you are j not hurt.’’ 1 “ Hurt!’ cried the little gentleman, I jumping up and otlering his hand to Mrs. I Wag. “ Hurt! Why, 1 feel mvself ! twenty years younger than 1 did live nii | mites ago. Never mind, madam. Like Christmas gambols. Always did. Hap- I pen to have such a thing as a bunch of mis- J tletoe, eh ?” “ I am sure, sir,” whimpered Mrs. | Wag—“ lam sure I shall never forgive | myself. To think oftakingsueh a liberty ; j I —l—can’t conceive how 1 could” “ -Vs often as ever you please, mv good ! lady,” said the eccentric, handing her to a I chair ; “ but sit down and compose your self,while I shake bands all around ;” and, turning toward Jeremiah, lie commenced the ceremony, which he went through with from the oldest to the youngest, calling them all by their names, as correctly as though he were a constant visiter. A right merry Christmas eve was that. The young Wags were, ever and anon, obliged to hold their sides, as they laughed and screamed with delight at the funny sto ries told by the funny little old gentleman, who romped and played with them with as much glee as though lie had been the youngest of the party. So the hours pass ed quickly away, till the unwelcome sound of “ bed-time” was whispered among the little circle ; and then one after another de parted, until Mr. and Mrs. Wag were left alone with their honored guest. The hearts of both were full, and they began to endeavor to express their feelings ; but the singular old gentleman stopped them by saying— “ Needn’t tell me. Know it all. Shall run away if you go on so. Remember, I told you I had more of the ready than 1 knew what to do with. Couldn’t have done better with it, eh ? Out at interest now. Best sort of interest, too. More pleasure t Lis evening titan receiving dividends, eh ! Never was happier. So come, let us wind up for the night. I’ve a memorandum or two for you in my pocket-book,” and he placed it on the table, and began to turn over divers papers, as he continued— “ Hem ! Ha! Yes. Those two. You’d better take them, my good sir. They’ll admit William and Stephen to Christ 11. J. K4PPGL, Printer. ; Church—what they call the Blue. Coat ! School. Capital school, eh ?” “ My dear sir !’’ exclaimed Jeremiah. “ Don’t interrupt rue, that’s a good fel low,” said the old gentleman. “ Hem ! i Do you ever smoke a pipe ?” “ V ery rarely,” replied the wondering Jeremiah. “ Well,” continued itis guest, “ lake that paper to light your next with. Put it in your pocket, and don’t look at it till I’m gone/ Hem! Tom’s master says bfe will make a good scholar ; so, if you’ve no ob jection, I was thinking he might as well go ;to college in a year or two. Not in your way, perhaps ? Never mind. I know some of the big-wigs. See all right, and enter his name. Should have one parson in a large family, cli ?” Here Mrs. Wag could no longer refrain from giving vent to her over-charged feel ings by certain incoherent ejaculations, llieh terminated in a flood of tears. •• 11 itnipli !’ said the old gentleman, •• my spectacles want wiping ;” and he took the opportunity of rubbing them and blowing bis nose, while Jeremiah was con fronting the wife of bis bosom, and telling her not to be so foolish, although he could scarcely avoid snivelling himself. “ Hern ! ahem !” resumed tlieiy guest ; “ think I’ve got some of the mince-pie stick ing in my throat. Siupid old fellow to cat so much, eh ?” “ Better take another glass of wine, sir,” said Jeremiah. “ Give nte leave, sir, to pour : t out.” “ Vo, no - !*’ exclaimed Mrs. Wag, staring up, and smiling through her tears. “ Let me ! Nobody else ! God bless you, sir!” “ And you, too !” ejaculated the old gen tleman gaily. “Come, that’s a challenge! Glasses round ! and then we must say, ‘ Good night.’ Don’t let us make a dull end of a merry evening.” Warm benedictions were forthwith ut tered, and the “compliments of the season” were wished , with more than common sin cerity,by till tli ree,as their glasses met jing ling together. Then, the whimsical guest tossed off his wine, jumped up, shook his hosts heartily by the hand, wished them good-night, and sallied into the siiop to find his cloak. Mr. and Mrs. Wag followed, and expressed a hope that he would honor their Christmas dinner by his presence in the followingday ; but all they could draw from him was— “ Can’t promise. Ate and drank a little too much last night, perhaps. Get ting shocking old. See how lam in the morning. Enjoyed myself this evening. A jolly set of Wags altogether! Merry Wags all,eh? Youngandold. Well,well, wag along happily, my dear Mr. and Mrs. Wag! Goodnight!” and after once more shaking hands with them, he nimbly whis ked himself out at the shop-door, and trot ted across to the King’s Arms. No sooner were the worthy couple alone, | than curiosity led them to examine the piece j ofpnper which their benefactor had present i and to Jeremiah for the purpose of lighting his pipe; and it proved to be the promissory note which the latter had signed for the first thousand pounds. The donor’s intention was plain enough, as it was regularly can celled, so Mrs. Wag was obliged to use her pocket-handkerchief once more; and her spouse, after striding three or four times ra pidly across the room, felt himself also un | dor the necessity oftakingouthis, andblow | ing his nose with unusual vehemence. ■ Then they congratulated and comforted each other, and said (heir prayers, and of fered up their thanksgivings with a fervor and sincerity that proved they were not un worthyof their good fortune. Then they retired to rest, though not immediately to sleep, for they were each beset by strange waking dreams, and beheld in their mind’s eye a black clerical Wag, two long-coated little blue Wags, with yellow nether invest ments, and other Wags of sorted sizes, but all very happy. On the following morning, being Christ mas day, our fortunate shop-keeper equip ped himself in itis best apparel, and, before breakfast, stepped across the road, and found Air. Titus Twist rubbing bis eyes in his own gateway. Mutual salutations, and “compliments ofthe season,” were ex changed in good neighborly style, and then mine host exclaimed, “ There’s a box here for you, Master Wag, left by that queer little old gentleman. I’m sure he’s cracked! In he comes here yesterday, just after dark, posting in his own carriage. Well, he or ders up any thing as we happened to have ready, and I sets him down to as good a din ner as ever any gentleman need sit down to, though 1 say it, because why, you see, our larder’s pretty considerably well stock ed at this season. So down be sits, rubbing his hands,and seeming as pleased as Punch, and orders a bottle of wine ; but, before he’d been ten minutes at table,up he jumps, claps on bis cloak and hat, and runs smack out of the house, and never comes back again till past eleven at night, when he pays his bill, and orders horses for six o’clock this morning.” “ Is he gone, then?” exclaimed Jeremi ah. “ Off, sure enough,” replied Titus ; “but he's left a great box for you, which I was just going to send over. So, I suppose you and he have some dealings together.” “ Yes,” said Mr. Wag, “ I shall have cause to bless and thank him the latest day I have to live ; but I wish he had stopped here to-day. AV ell, God bless him, where ever he’s gone. Hark ye, neighbor—you have often heard me speak ot having a friend—well, that’s him. I dont know why, [VOLUME XXVI.