THE FOURTH HOME BOOK.

IN her last note of introduction to the Home circle, Cousin Alice partly promised to tell a story of Virginia life when she came to them again. She has to confess that she has not redeemed this now, though she is sure the trials and adventures of the young Californian will prove not less interesting, and there are other days to come when her little Southern friends shall be introduced.

American boys, perhaps more than those growing up in any other country, are thinking of money-getting before they are fairly out of school; but the history of King Midas, which most of them read there, teaches that the possession of gold is not happiness, and they will find it out, as our young hero did, when they come to earn it for themselves. There is another lesson shadowed forth in the title,-all fair promises are not to be trusted, though we know there is one

hope that never fails, ONE FRIEND that never de

ceives.

Cousin Alice has no more earnest wish than that this hope, and this friend, may be theirs througł life.

CHAPTER I.

BAD MANAGEMENT.

AIN'T the stage rather late, Squire ? I've been waiting round a considerable while now."

The "Squire" had just driven up to the Post Office, which was at one end of the village tavern, and a man hanging to a post that upheld the piazza addressed him.

"Perhaps it may be, I'm rather late myself; but I drove the long road past Deacon Chase's. Do you expect any body, Gilman ?"

"Well-I can't say I do, Squire; but I like to see the newspapers, and hear what's going on in the world, as well as most people, specially since the Californy gold's turned up. I wouldn't mind finding a big lump or so myself."