last two weeks. But I managed to settle with his father, and to-morrow the business will be entirely completed, much to father's and my own satisfaction.

ALICE. I am delighted to hear that; for they say here you were so wild that your father would not take you into partnership.

JOHN MERCHANT. What will they say next? Well, I can guess how that originated. Father has always jokingly called me his wild boy, because he thought I was too quiet. Some one has heard of the pet name, and taken it for granted that I deserved it. But let us forget such trifles. I desire to speak on a subject that is of far greater importance to me. You must know what it is, little one ( placing his arm around her). You must know who is the fairy that has made this place so beautiful to me. Don't you see that I love you, Alice, far better than any one else in this world? ALICE (freeing herself). Oh, don't, John! mamma would be angry.

JOHN MERCHANT. But you shall not go until you tell me if you love me. We will consult mamma afterward. ALICE. It is wrong

JOHN MERCHANT. If it were wrong I would not ask it. Nay, Alice, don't you think I have a right to an answer when I love you so devotedly?

Enter Mrs. Grant, unperceived.

JOHN MERCHANT. Come, Alice, won't you answer me? Do you love me?

ALICE (in a low tone). Yes.

JOHN MERCHANT (kissing her). God bless you!

MRS. GRANT. And God forgive you both. O Alice! you have almost broken my heart.

ALICE (breaking from John, and throwing her arms around her mother). O mamma!

JOHN MERCHANT. You need not be afraid of me, Mrs. Grant. I have not the small-pox. There has been some ridiculous mistake.

MRS. GRANT. But no mistake about your treachery, sir. JOHN MERCHANT. Treachery? Is it treachery for me to love your daughter? Is it treachery for me to tell her so? Pardon me, Mrs. Grant, if I recall to your memory your own youthful days, when

MRS. GRANT (indignantly). My own youth! Who told you, sir, that my mother opposed my marriage?

JOHN MERCHANT. No one told me, Mrs. Grant. I did not even surmise such a thing. I was merely referring to the time when you were young, and loved as we do.

MRS. GRANT. Yes, yes; I see. I spoke too hastily. I have really told it all myself. (Speaking sadly, and stroking Alice's hair.) And does my little Alice really love this man?

JOHN MERCHANT. I know you do not esteem me very highly, Mrs. Grant; but I hope I may be able to convince you that I do not deserve the very low opinion which you entertain. Perhaps my father will tell you that I am not such a wild fellow as you imagine. I have just succeeded in buying out his partner

MR3. GRANT (in surprise). Have you?

me.

JOHN MERCHANT. So you see that my father does trust But if that should be insufficient evidence that I am not a reprobate, here is a letter of introduction from the Rev. Mr. Garside to another gentleman, with whom I remained during my sojourn in Albany. You know Mr. Garside?

MRS. GRANT (taking letter). Yes, very well, indeed. He was our pastor in New York.

Mrs. G. reads letter. While she is doing so, John Merchant takes Alice's hand, and draws her to his side.

MRS. GRANT (returning letter). Mr. Merchant, I fear that I have wronged you deeply. Knowing Mr. Garside as well as I do, I cannot believe that he would have written in such high commendation of any one who was not in every way worthy. I am glad to be convinced of my error; and yet I must confess that with the feeling of gladness comes one of regret. Of course you cannot understand a mother's heart. With what a pang comes to us the truth that another has taken the first place in the affection of our children. But I sincerely ask your forgiveness.

JOHN MERCHANT. Let us not talk of forgiveness. Have we your consent?

MRS. GRANT. Has your father given his?

JOHN MERCHANT. He has.

MRS. GRANT. Then I will not withhold mine.

JOHN MERCHANT (kissing Alice and Mrs. Grant). Thank

you; you have made me unspeakably happy.

Mr. Merchant rushes in, pursued by Board of Health, Dr. Funny and two officers; Mr. Woods and other characters following. The Board is frantically endeavoring to guard one arm and grasp Mr. Merchant's coat-tail at the same time.

now.

MR. MERCHANT. It is false! (Sees John.) There's my son Do you see any evidence of small-pox about him? JOHN MERCHANT. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to inform you that I have not been a victim of that terrible disease, the small-pox.

DR. FUNNY. Then, who was insane enough to start such a wild story?

MISS OLEMAID. It's put a wonderful lot in your pocket, any how, doctor.

DR. FUNNY (laughing). That's so.

SQUIRE. Why, I heard Mr. Merchant telling his partner this morning that John had gone off with the small-pox. MR. MERCHANT. Man, have you taken leave of your senses?

MR. WOODS (coming forward). Why, do you know to what this man refers? He overheard you telling me that John had gone away with that small box,-the box of jewelry, you know. He made a mistake in one letter, that was all. I noticed that he went off in a tremendous hurry.

MISS GABBLER. We have all been waccinated for nothin'! MR. MERCHANT (laughing heartily). All been vaccinated! THE VACCINATED ONES (lifting up their arms). Yes! Yes! Mrs. Grant, Alice, Mr. Merchant, and John Merchant, retire to rear of stage, and converse in whispers.

FIRST MEMBER B. OF H. Well, I say that the fellow who led us this wild goose chase should be prosecuted.

MISS OLEMAID. Persecuted? Dear me, sirs!

SQUIRE (uneasily). Oh, don't!

SECOND MEMBER. He ought to be tarred and feathered. SQUIRE (still more uneasily). Oh! Oh!

OFFICERS. Yes; tarred and feathered on the spot.

SQUIRE (jumping up and down frantically). I was only trying to do my duty.

MISS GABBLER. Wus and wus! Tarred and feathered! Dear, dear!

MR. MERCHANT (coming forward). Gentlemen, I have probably suffered as much as any of you on account of this

ridiculous mistake. But I think we ought to be magnani. mous, and forgive the offender this time, on condition that he does not repeat the offence. And now, I have two announcements to make: Firstly, I have been so wild as to take my wild son into partnership with me; the firm now is J. Merchant & Son. Secondly, He is soon to take as a lifepartner this sweet young lady, who has already won your love and admiration. We accept with pleasure your congratulations.

TABLEAU.

John Merchant, standing beside Alice, with his hand in hers. Mr. Merchant on her other side, his hand raised as if in blessing. Mrs. Grant smiling upon them. The Squire on his knees, at Mr. Merchant's feet. Board of Health standing in a line, trying to look dignified. Officers pouting. One small boy in rear, attemping to stand on his head. Other characters star ing in astonishment at the happy couple.

[Curtain falls.

DISCOVERY OF SAN FRANCISCO BAY.*

RICHARD EDWARD WHIte.

Good Junipero the Padre

Slowly read the King's commands,

In relation to the missions

To be built in heathen lands.
And he said: "The good Saint Francis
Surely has some little claim,

Yet I find that here no mission
Is assigned unto his name."
Then the Visitador answered:
"If the holy Francis care
For a mission to his honor

Surely he will lead you there;

And it may be by the harbor
That the Indian legends say

Lies by greenest hills surrounded
To the north of Monterey."

Spoke Junipero the Padre:

"It is not for me to tell

From "The Cross of Monterey and other Poems," by permission. See "The Lost Galleon," on page 33; also, "The Midnight Mass, accompanied by a brief description of PADRE JUNIPERO SERRA, in No. 27 of this Series.

Of the truth of Indian legends,
Yet of this I know full well-
If there be such hidden harbor,

And our hope and trust we place
In the care of good Saint Francis,
He will guide us to the place."
Soon, the Governor Portala
Started northward, on his way
Overland, to rediscover

The lost port of Monterey.
Since the time within its waters
Viscaino anchor cast,

It remained unknown to Spaniards,
Though a century had passed.

On his journey went Portala
With his band of pioneers,
Padres, Indian guides, and soldiers,
And a train of muleteers;

And said Serra, as he blessed them,
As he wished them all Godspeed:
"Trust Saint Francis-he will guide you
In your direst hour of need."

On his journey went Portala

Till he reached the crescent bay,
But he dreamed not he was gazing
On the wished-tor Monterey.*
So a cross on shore he planted,

And the ground about he blessed,
And then he and his companions
Northward went upon their quest.
On his journey went Portala

And his army northward on,
And methinks I see them marching,

Or in camp when day was done;
Or at night when stars were twinkling,
As that travel-weary band

By the log-fire's light would gather,
Telling of their far-off land.

And they told weird Indian legends,
Tales of Cortes, too, they told,
And of peaceful reign of Incas,
And of Montezuma's gold;

The Cross is still standing, with this inscription: "First Mass held June 3, 1773.