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MASTER MAfiTIN'S BILLY GOAT.

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MASTER MAfiTIN'S BILLY GOAT. When the ill-paid clergyman of V- walked home from church, with his wife on his arm, and saw Mrs McMartin, widow of Martin McMartin, of that ilk, roll up to her gate, in her phaeton, and alight at her beautiful little dwel. ling, known as Wistaria Cottage, a soft smile on her face, and her dress just what a well-to-do, still-far-from-old widow lady's should be, he would give a little sigh, as be answered her bow, and say t. his good help-meet, Maria, my dear, a modest competence is greatly to be desired," as if she did not know it already by the lack of it. It was only of late that Mrs McMartin had really felt that content which she assumed so well. Her little money was going fast, and she felt that the future might look dark for her boy; for though he was naturally his grandmother's heir, that lady was hard to manage and rather cranky, and might as likely as not leave it all to someone else, though no one could say to whom. All had been doubtful until the old lady had written of her own accord to propose coming to live with her daughter-in-law, and had added, I should like to oversee Martin a little and as I am competent to put on my own caps, I shan't need a maid, thank Heaven at your house." Mrs McMartin had instantly written that her mother-in-law must come at once, had set apart the best room for her, and forbidden her to think of being at any expense whatever. She should so enjoy having her; and now, though she would not put mercenary ideas in little Martin's mind, she talked piously to him about his duty to his poor papa's mamma, and begged him to promise that be would be very quiet and make no uncomfort- able noises. You won't beat your drum, or toot your trumpet, or play steam engine in the house, will you, dear ?" she insisted. "Promise 'Ma." To which Master Martin's sententious reply was, Then get me a billy-goat. Every other boy I know has got one. It makes me DIad when I think I ain't got one, and I can't keep quiet." Accordingly, she purchased for Master Martin a goat of fine dark colour, with splendid horns, a polished red and black waggon and bright red harnesss; and, having seen him driving it joy- ously down the road, ordered the phaeton and went to meet her mother-in-law at the station, feeling quite safe about her son and his prospects. Old Mrs McMartin was in an unusually ami- able mood, with trunks and hampers in good order. What a comfortable turn-out you have," she said, as she settled herself under the canopy. I never felt HO happy in my life, for I've seen, I think, the last of Jane lisher," she said to her daughter-in-law. "That wretch stuck pins into me on purpose, and her hands always smelt of scented soap—pah! I've got a room on the lower floor, eh ?" Ob, yes, mother," smiled Mrs McMartin. All in blue chintz, with the sweetest little daisies in it; china to match. One step to the dining-room; across the hall to the parlours; a good view from the window, and out of hearing of the kitchen. "You've been very attentive to my comfort, my dear," said old Mrs McMartin. Of course I should do all I could to please my poor husband's dear mother," sighed Mrs Mc- Martin. Then both ladies took out their hand- kerchiefs and applied them to their eyes. Never had matters been on so charming a footing be- tween them. And so the phaeton stopped at Wistaria Cottage. Now Philip, the factotum, to-day, of all days, was not on the spot. The fact was that the goat, whom be had been patting, bad suddenly seized upon and devoured the clean paper collar with which he was about to adorn himself, and held unsuspiciously in his hand, and he had gone to his room over the stable to get another. Therefore Mrs McMartin alighted first, and holding Topsy's head, that her mother-in-law might descend in safety, cried, Just go right in, mother, dear. Philip will be lrere soon. I'll wait; Topsy is a little frisky." And the mother-in-law, obeying placidly, toddled up the path towards the front door. But-horror of horrors!—what was this? What object was this, that, flying like the wind, appeared upon the path ? A thing with horns, all red and black: something behind it shrieking, Whoah whoah ? whoah!" It was the goat, who, not yet well broken in, was utterly beyond his master's control. It takes a minute or so to tell the tale, but it took only one second to enact it. Billy lowered his head at old Mrs McMartin, and plump went that lady into the midst of the great clump of foliage plants, where she lay shrieking, while the revolving fountain, set to playing in her honour, gave her an impromptu shower-bath. She was shaking and very wet when Philip, the cook, Mrs McMartin the younger, and a strange gentleman, who happened to be passing, bore her into the house. There were no injurie.3 to be discovered but the loss of her false teeth, which were found safe; the upper set in the cup of a calla lily, the under amongst the roots of a moss-rose bush. But she took to her bed and remained there two days, denouncing Master Martin as her murderer. "He did it on purpose, Augusta," she reite- rated to her daughter-in-law. There's not a doubt of that in my mind he knew he was to b my heir." A child like that! Oh, mamma, how can you dream it?" sobbed the younger Mrs Mc- Martin. I don't believe you were an accomplice," said the old lady, with a doubtful air; but I know that it is my duty to dishiaherit him. Have you had the goat killed ?" I have had him sent away," said Mrs Mc- Martin, and poor Martin is wretched." So he was, about the loss of the goat. However, nothing she could say in any degree softened the old lady's heart. She had her lawyer telegraphed for, and made a will leaving everything to the new Society for the Protection of Insects and Reptiles, of which she had just received a prospectus. "However, my dear madam," the lawyer whispered to Mrs McMartin," I have no doubt my excellent client will call me in again. It amuses her to write wills and destroy them." However, a year passed by, and the grand- mother had just made another will in which her property was left to the wealthiest church in her native town, when a late supper of salmon and oyster sauce resulted in a severe illness, and poor Mrs McMartin! ay at the point of death. She suffered terribly, but her memory was good; and she laid her illness to the terrible injuries inflicted by that horrible boy's goat; and having sent for her lawyer, altered her will, and left half her fortune to the church aforesaid and half to certain persons whose duty it should be to purchase and assassinate all goats to be obtained anywhere in the United Kingdom. "It is done," she said. "I have punished my murderers." Then she took the will, and sending everyone from the room, read and re-read it with satisfaction. Meanwhile, Mrs McMartin, who bad done her best for the old lady, overcome by mingled > feelings, wept in her own room, and Master Martin in the stable was in clover. Billy, who had been sent away only so far as a neighbour's stable-yard, had come home on a visit. Safe from the supervision of his mother at such a time, Martin harnessed his treasure and drove him up and down the road, until at last he released Billy from the traces, and would have led him back to his place of exile. Billy was not disposed to be led, but turning, butted his master in the chest, overset him, and rushing into the house, crossed the hall, threw himself against the door of the invalid's bedroom, burst it open, and bounded in and upon the bed. The terrified old lady, for the moment dumb with horror, lifed the only weapon at hand-her folded will—against him, and be, fancying it a kindly offer of refreshment, instantly seized it in his mouth and began to devour it. When the shrieks of the terrified lady, who at this sight found her voice return to her, had summoned the household to her aid, the will was gone, and Billy was slowly rolling the bit of red tape that had tied it, under his tongue as a choice bonne bouchee, over which he lingered lovingly. He knew what was in it, Augusta. He is Satanic," gasped poor old Mrs MoMartin. He came in here on purpose to destroy it. Take him away. He has killed me at last." It really seemed so for a while, but Grand- mamma McMartin was not ready for her tomb- stone 'yet. She recovered and lived many years. She even grew found of Martin. The sight of the goat was, however, insufferable to her ever after, and a superstitious belief that the goat would return if she did so withheld her from ever making another will, so that her fortune fell to Martin in the regular course of inheritance.

GALLANT RESCUE BY A YOUNG…

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