Letters of condolence and notes of congratulation jostled each other as they slid down the brass throat; widowed mothers' tender epistles to wandering sons; the letters of fond wives to absent husbands; erring daughters' last appeals to outraged parents; offers of marriage; invitations to funerals; hope and despair; joy and sorrow; misfortune and success--had glided in one almost unbroken stream down that ever-distended and insatiable brass throat.
Charlie gave one more look at the opening, then sauntered homeward, building by the way houses of fabulous dimensions, with the income he anticipated from the situation if he succeeded in procuring it.

Throughout the next day he was in a state of feverish anxiety and expectation, and Mrs.Ellis two or three times inquired the meaning of the mysterious whisperings and glances that were exchanged between him and Esther.

The day wore away, and yet no answer--the next came and passed, still no communication; and Charlie had given up in despair, when he was agreeably surprised by the following:---- "Messrs.

Twining, Western, and Twining will be much obliged to Charles Ellis, if he will call at their office, 567, Water-street, to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock, as they would like to communicate further with him respecting a situation in their establishment." Charlie flew up stairs to Esther's room, and rushing in precipitately, exclaimed, "Oh! Ess--I've got it, I've got it--see here," he shouted, waving the note over his head; "Hurrah! Hurrah! Just read it, Ess, only just read it!" "How can I, Charlie ?" said she, with a smile, "if you hold it in your hand and dance about in that frantic style--give it me.

There now--keep quiet a moment, and let me read it." After perusing it attentively, Esther added, "Don't be too sanguine, Charlie.