She retreated a few paces to the shade of a spreading tree, where she could see without being seen. Again she spoke aloud, "Perhaps these are gold diggers, and are now resting from their toils! I have not thought of that until now, -I wish I could dig gold here with them; this is such a beautiful place, and the stream is so calm! One might almost see the golden sand at the bottom."

Just then an old man approached from an opposite direction, and stood very near Kate, ere she was aware of his presence.

"I have unintentionally been a listener to your soliloquy," said he, "We are gold diggers, and we have for many years sought gold in the River. But we seek not here, such gold as the Sacramento yields; this stream has it not.

This river has its source in the fountains of Knowledge, Genius, Poetry and Truth; it is called the River of Literature."

"I cannot go into such a deep stream alone," said Kate sorrowfully; "when will some of this company commence their labors again?" "Not this season," replied her companion. "Their toils are over for the present."

"They have each an abundance of the precious metal, and now they only keep it, until they can find some one to take charge of a part of their treasure, to distribute to the needy."

Kate's eyes glistened, and her heart beat fast, as the thought passed through her mind, "Oh that I was capable of taking charge of this treasure and of becoming a steward of these noble people!"

She said nothing, but the old man seemed to read her thought. He led her to a mossy seat, and said, "Sit here, and I will go yonder, and ascertain what can be done for you."

in the grove,

He went to the company and after talking a few minutes with them, returned to Kate, accompanied by several of the gentlemen and ladies. Kate was much embarrassed by thus being the particular object of their attention, which being perceived by one of those kind looking ladies, she commenced singing in a sweet tone the following words:

"A gentle word hath a magical power,
The weary breast to beguile;

It gladdens the eye, it lightens the brow,
And changes the tear to a smile.

In the genial sunshine it sheds around,
The shadows of care depart,

And we feel in its soothing and friendly tone
There's a balm for the wounded heart.

Oh! watch thou, then, that thy lips ne'er breathe

A bitter ungentle word,

For that which is lightly and idly said,

Is often too deeply heard.

And tho' for the moment it leaves no trace For pride will its woes conceal, Remember, that the spirit that's calm and still Is always the first to feel.

It may not be in thy power perchance,
To secure a lofty place,

And blazon thy name on history's page
As a friend to the human race.

But oft in the daily tasks of life,
Though the world behold thee not,
Thy gentle and kindly words may soothe
A desponding brother's heart.

'Tis well to walk with a cheerful heart,

Wherever our fortune calls,

With a friendly glance and open hand

And a gentle word for all;

Since life is a thorny and difficult path,
Where toil is the portion of man,
We all should endeavor while passing along,
To make it as smooth as we can."

Kate felt this kindness much, and though in a strange land, among strangers, yet she knew that these could be no other than friends.

Another lady addressed her thus: "You are come, we hear, to seek gold. It is past the season for getting it here, as the stream is at present swollen to an unusual height by a large number of small tributaries. You are young, and inexperienced in this pursuit; we advise you to wait a while, before you dive