All the Year Round

partly in a bargain; that is to say, they had joicings, and he filled the cupboard and the saved up between them seven-and-fourpence, and bookcase with gold, and he showered it out the two horses, being Arabs, were worth more, on his Gran and his godfather because they were only the man said he would take that, to favour the two kindest and dearest people that ever them. Well! And so they made their fortunes lived in this world. And so while they were and came prancing back to the school, with sitting up to their knees in gold, a knocking their pockets full of gold enough to last for was heard at the street door, and who should it ever. And so they rang at the parents' and be but Bobbo, also on horseback with his bride visitors' bell (not the back gate), and when the in his arms, and what had he come to say but bell was answered they proclaimed, 'The same that he would take (at double rent) all the as if it was scarlet fever! Every boy goes Lodgings for ever, that were not wanted by home for an indefinite period!" And then there this boy and this Gran and this godfather, and was great hurrabing, and then they kissed Sera- that they would all live together, and all be phina and her sister-cach his own love and not happy! And so they were, and so it never the other's on any account-and then they ended!" ordered the Tartar into instant confinement."

"Poor man!" said my respected friend.

Into instant confinement, Gran," repeated Jemmy, trying to look severe and roaring with laughter, and he was to have nothing to cat but the boys' dinners, and was to drink half a cask of their beer, every day. And so then the preparations were made for the two weddings, and there were hampers, and potted things, and sweet things, and nuts, and postage-stamps, and all manner of things. And so they were so jolly, that they let the Tartar out, and he was jolly too."

I am glad they let him out," says my respected friend, "because he had only done his duty."

"Oh but hadn't he overdone it though!" cried Jemmy. "Well! And so then this boy mounted his horse, with his bride in his arms, and cantered away, and cantered on and on till he came to a certain place where he had a certain Gran and a certain godfather-not you two, you know."

No, no," we both said.

And there he was received with great re

"And was there no quarrelling?" asked my respected friend, as Jemmy sat upon her lap, and hugged her.

"No! Nobody ever quarrelled."

"And did the money never melt away?"
"No! Nobody could ever spend it all.”
"And did none of them ever grow older?"
"No!
Nobody ever grew older after that.”
"And did none of them ever die ?"

"O no, no, no, Gran!" exclaimed our dear boy, laying his cheek upon her breast, and draw. ing her closer to him. Nobody ever died."

"Ah Major, Major," says my respected friend, smiling benignly upon me. "This beats our stories. Let us end with the Boy's story, Major, for the Boy's story is the best that is ever told!"

In submission to which request on the part of the best of women, I have here noted down as faithfully as my best abilities, coupled with my best intentions, would admit, subscrib ing it with my name, J. JACKMAN.

THE PARLOURS.

MRS. LIRRIPER'S LODGINGS.

THE END OF THE CHRISTMAS NUMBER FOR 1863.

NEW WORK BY MR. CHARLES DICKENS.

MESSRS. CHAPMAN AND HALL have the pleasure to announce that they have made arrangements

for the issue of

A NEW STORY, BY MR. CHARLES DICKENS,

TO BE PUBLISHED IN TWENTY MONTHLY PARTS.

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.

Uniform with the Original Editions of "Pickwick," "Copperfield," &c.

PART I. TO BE PUBLISHED IN MAY.

On the conclusion of VERY HARD CASH, will be commenced, on the 4th of January, 1861, to be completed in Six Numbers of ALL THE YEAR ROUND, a New Story, called

A WHITE

HAND AND A BLACK THUMB.

HAND AND A

THE NEXT VOLUME OF ALL THE YEAR ROUND, VOL. XI.,

Will begin on the 15th of February, 1864, with a NEW SERIAL STORY, entitled