swept down the full form of the darker one. "I wonder if it's alive they are," thought Dan, as he gazed alternately at each. "I'll be upon me oath I dunno which is the purtiest of the two; the yalla-headed one looks as if she could coax the very heart out through me ribs; but, oh! murdher alive! the lightnin' that darts from them black eyes is enough to strike a fella foolish at onst; bad luck to me if I don't spake to them;" so saying, our friend made one of his best bows, tugging the conventional lock left for that purpose. "Your sarvant, ladies," said he, "and what might it be that brings yez out so airly this cowld mornin'." 

 The fairer apparition, in a voice like spoken melody, answered: "I am the spirit of your better thoughts." 

 "You don't tell me that, Miss, then it's glad that I am to see you to the fore, and mighty sorry that I haven't got a sate dacent enough to offer to the likes of such an iligant creather," said Dan, "and who's your frind, may I ax?" he went on, turning to the darker beauty. 

 "I am the spirit of your evil thoughts," replied the other, in a rich, full tone, bending her lustrous eyes upon the questioner in a way that made his heart bound. 

 "Oh! you are, are you," he gasped out; "faix, and I don't know, if it's welcome you ought to be, or not; but, for the sake of good manners, I'd ax you to sit too, av I had the convaynience." 

 "You called upon us both, just now," said the good spirit. 

 "And we are here," continued the other; "so choose between us, which you will entertain." 

 "Couldn't I be on the safe side, and entertain the both of yez?" suggested Dan, with a propitiatory wink to each. 

 "That is impossible," replied the good spirit. "We only meet when there's contention in a mortal mind whether he shall the right or wrong pursue. Did you not wish but now that you could change conditions with the rich man opposite?" 

 "Well, then, I may's well let the whole truth out, seein' that you're likely to know all about it; I did wish somethin' of the sort." 

 "And a very reasonable wish it was," said the dark spirit, on his left. 

 "A very foolish wish," firmly observed the fair one. 

 "I don't agree with you," replied the other. 

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