the characters whose history is here recorded he was personally acquainted; and therefore can vouch that it is substantially a narrative of real events.

If to any the tale seem romantic, let them only examine into the history of mankind, and they will find that the events of real life far exceed in strangeness the most wonderful details of fiction, which are presented to the mind in novels and romances.

If it benefit and improve the mind of any individual, and strengthen the conviction of a special superintending Providence, the author will not have written in vain.

New-York, May 5, 1833.

THE

CLERGYMAN'S ORPHAN.

CHAPTER I.

"Has the physician called here this morning?" said Mr. Slade, who had just come in from his counting-house, and was awaiting the announcement of his dinner.

"He has," answered Mrs. Slade, "and his opinion of little Jane is, I fear, extremely unfavourable."

"What says he then ?" inquired Mr. Slade. "He informed me," answered his lady, "that Jane is labouring under a complication of diseases; that he considers the disorder of the spine to be incurable; and that he expects all that medicine can do will be only to mitigate her sufferings. Poor child, I expect she will gradually sink under it."

"I am sorry for it," said Mr. Slade; "however, we must try to make her as comfortable

B

as possible. I hope you will soon find a suitable servant to wait upon her, and nurse her."

"Upon that very point," answered Mrs. Slade, "I was just about to speak to you. I think I have succeeded in obtaining one. A young person called here this morning to offer her services. She is highly recommended by Mrs. Banks, and has also given me several respectable references. I like her much. She has never yet lived out at service; her manners are pleasing, and her countenance is amiable. She appears something above the common rank of servants, and I have engaged her for a month upon trial. She will come here this evening."

"I am glad of it," said Mr. Slade. "I think you may rely on Mrs. Banks's recommendation; but I hope this girl may not be one of your evangelicals. I would not have one of that sort about my house. She would be preaching to Jane about religion till she had made the poor thing quite superstitious and melancholy."

"I do not think she is," replied Mrs. Slade. "She seems quite cheerful and good-tempered."

Dinner was now announced, and an end

put to this conversation for the time. Leaving them then to enjoy their meal, it may be proper to give our readers some information relative to the history of the little invalid who has thus been introduced to their notice.

Jane, the subject of this tale, was the youngest daughter of a pious clergyman of the name of Banner, who, with her elder sister, Mary, had become orphans at a very early age, death having deprived them of both parents before the elder had completed her third year; and who were now brought up under the guardianship of their maternal uncle, Mr. Slade.

A very early attachment had been formed between Mr. Banner and his wife, who were both of them the subjects of early piety, and members in communion with the same church; but in consequence of the pride of Mrs. Banner's family, who concealed under a show of much external splendour their comparative poverty, and who were anticipating large fortunes upon the death of an immensely rich, but ungodly relative, the parents of Mrs. Banner threw difficulties for many years in the way of their union. It is true that Mr. Banner was the only son of his father, and would ultimately be possessed of a competent fortune;

but this consideration seemed to be of but little avail, so that it was not until the good clergyman had been several years pastor of a church, that he succeeded in obtaining the consent of the parents of his beloved Mary to celebrate their marriage.

For eight years before she became a wife, Mrs. Banner had been engaged as a teacher in a Sunday-school. In this employment she laboured not only with assiduity, but success. Her kindness won the affections of the children whom she taught, while her enlightened conversation and pathetic appeals made to the hearts and consciences of her scholars had proved in several instances to have been the means of their conversion to God. No class in the school ever made such high attainments as did hers. Many of her class remained with her till grown up to womanhood, or till they became teachers also in the school. And when she resigned her class, that she might become the wife of a minister, and move in a sphere of greater usefulness, it was amid the sobs of her almost disconsolate scholars, and the affectionate regrets of a large number of teachers, to whom, by her gentleness and piety, she had become decervedly endeared.