Your father is quite ill." "My father ill!" cried he, with a look of alarm.
"Yes, my dear! quite sick--so says my letter.

Here are two for you." Charlie hastily broke the seal of one, and read as follows:-- "MY DEAR LITTLE BROTHER,--We are all in deep distress in consequence of the misfortunes brought upon us by the mob.
Our home has been destroyed; and, worse than all, our poor father was caught, and so severely beaten by the rioters that for some days his life was entirely despaired of.

Thank God! he is now improving, and we have every reasonable hope of his ultimate recovery.

Mother, Caddy, and I, as you may well suppose, are almost prostrated by this accumulation of misfortunes, and but for the kindness of Mr.Walters, with whom we are living, I do not know what would have become of us.

Dear Mr.and Mrs.Garie--[Here followed a passage that was so scored and crossed as to be illegible.