situation of tutor, steward, secretary, and companion to Job; and also provided Mrs. Cole with a companion and housekeeper, “to l'arn her manners," as Job said, laughing.

They both, however, had sense enough to see the propriety of this arrangement, and in six months had certainly made considerable advance, especially Mrs. Cole, for women of all grades are naturally more genteel than the male part of the creation; as for Job, he could not for the life of him give up his accustomed pipe, and his pint of porter in the veritable pewter, before he retired for the night; and this was the only luxury of his former days that he could not be prevailed upon to abandon. The girls rapidly improved ; and Job himself declared that he was convinced that education was a fine thing, after all.

They could not, however, expend one-half of their income; the luxuries of the richly-born they could neither understand nor appreciate; but they gave away a vast sum in charity, although Job would not allow his name to be "stuck" in the papers.

It was not until two years after they had "come to the fortune" that they could be prevailed upon to set up their carriage.

Mr. Robinson, who was a real friend, invited them frequently to his table in a family way, until, finding they were presentable, he gradually introduced them and their children into society; and, as there was neither pride on Job's part, nor a vulgar assumption on his wife's, they were everywhere well received, and gave in return such pleasant, parties, under the direction and management of Mr. Frederick Lawson, the tutor, who was every way fitted by birth and taste to do the honours in an admirable manner, that their numerous acquaintances eagerly accepted the invitations, especially after the first party, when many went out of mere curiosity, but returned home with expressions of delight and amazement at the display. Job had discrimination enough to discover that it was not his money alone that made these parties pass so pleasantly, but that it was the skilful arrangement of his tutor.

On his first engagement he had paid him two hundred pounds per annum; but hearing that he had a widowed mother and two sisters, whom he supported, he generously added another hundred, and gave a hint to Mrs. Cole to make them presents now and then, out of her superfluities, which the kind soul most readily complied with.

When Fanny, his eldest daughter, had attained her eighteenth year, he took her from school, by the advice of Mr. Robinson, and engaged an accomplished woman to finish her education. She was a quick, sprightly girl, and very pretty, and had already acquired a tone and manner which surprised and gratified her excellent parents.

About a month after her return home, Job, addressing his tutor, said, "Mr. Lawson, Mrs. Cole and me have been thinking-" "Mrs. Cole and Í have been thinking, if you please, sir," interrupted Mr. Lawson.

'Well, never mind grammar, and all that, just now," continued Job, "for I am speaking natural. We've been thinking that it's rather awkard since Fanny has come home to have a young gentleman always fluttering about her."

Mr. Frederick Lawson blushed and trembled; he evidently saw the issue; he bowed, and was silent.

"Now tell me, don't you think a likely young fellow like you is dangerous; human nature is human nature, you know. You and me have always been friends, and I owe you a great deal, so speak your mind."

"I am sorry to confess, sir, that I think you are perfectly right in your views," replied Mr. Lawson.

"Cool!" said Job; "then you don't fret much about leaving?" "Indeed, sir, you wrong me-"

"And perhaps you don't think the girl's worth looking at, and there's no danger."

"Sir, I do think she is a very charming young lady; but I have never regarded her in any other light than the daughter of a liberal and kind-hearted patron."

"You think the old coalman's daughter not good enough, mayhap, for a gentleman ?"

"I am too poor and dependent to entertain any thoughts upon the subject."

"Nonsense! a gentleman's a gentleman, if he hasn't a scuddick. To cut the matter short, if you can make up matters with Fan, I shall be glad to have such a son-in-law, that's all. And Mrs. Cole's my way of thinking; so look to it."

A month after this singular tête-à-tête, Mr. Frederick Lawson led Frances Cole, the daughter of Job Cole, Esquire, to the hymeneal altar. And proud was the honest old coalman of such an alliance; although many scheming mammas, who had eligible sons were terribly put out, and wondered what the old fool could have been thinking of; and he worth a plum, too

INDEX

TO THE THIRTEENTH VOLUME.

END OF THE THIRTEENTH VOLUME.