The little ones then were invited to a number of pleasant games, in which Master Johnny Cowles Marland, a little youngster claimed by our old friend Mary Jane, quite distinguished himself. They were playing button, button, who has the button? when he arose at once, and proudly declared himself to be the favored possessor. Neither, when the game was explained to him, could he be made to understand that it was right for him to guess, "Harry or Nelly have the button," while he held it between his own fingers. "No, no!" he cried; "I has got the button, and danpa dives me oranges when I tell the truth."
There was quite a shout at this, and one of the gentlemen remarked to Alderman Cowles, "He is a chip of the old block, I see."
After the games, the ladies and gentlemen walked to the supper-room to see the children partake of refreshments, when the little ones were consigned to the care of their nurses, and sent home to their pillows, to dream of the angels, while the older company returned to the parlors to seek further entertainment.
From these innocent amusements we must carry the reader to far graver scenes.
During the evening in question, the mind of Mr. Danforth more than once reverted to a cold, damp dungeon, not a dozen miles from his house, where, awaiting his trial for murder, lay a prisoner,—the brother of his beloved wife. He tried to throw it off and mingle gaily in the scene; but there would ever and anon come up to his remembrance thoughts of other days, when Alfred, the haughty, proud, and idle boy delighted to domineer over him, the poor but diligent youth. How strikingly in contrast was the meeting of that very day. God had rewarded the honest exertions of the poor youth, and he was rich and esteemed among men; while the idle, slothful boy had become a contemner of God, and had been cast away among the very lowest dregs of society.
The Monday following Christmas, Mrs. Danforth, wholly unconscious that her only brother was that day to be brought to trial for his life, proposed to her husband to improve the first sleighing by a ride. "Only think!" she exclaimed, with something of the enthusiasm of her girlhood, "How funny it will be for Harry! You know he can't remember riding in a sleigh."
"I should enjoy it extremely," said her husband, in a serious tone; "but I shall be very much engaged to-day, in fact all the week; but that need not prevent you and Harry from enjoying this fine winter weather. Robert can be spared from the store, and if you say so, I'll send him out."
"But what have you to do?" she asked, playfully. "Some public business, T dare say. I'm almost sorry that people like you so very well, for I don't see you half as much as I want to."
"Thank you, my dear. The knowledge of your affection will strengthen me in the performance of one of the most painful duties I have ever discharged. I am to-day to sit in judgment upon one of my fellow-creatures who is on trial for his life. I tremble lest I should judge him wrongfully."
"Dreadful!" cried the lady. "Who is he, and what is his crime?"