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 in comfort, if not in luxury. Well, if this young Josephine were of the same good stock as her father a little poverty and privation in her youth wouldn't hurt her; and where, search the wide world over, could any child find a sweeter, better foster-mother than his own Kitty?

When he arrived at Bismarck Avenue, things were already happening there which were out of the ordinary, to say the least. Among the day's mail had come several letters to one Miss Desire Parkinson Smith, care of Mr. Joseph Smith. These letters had been handed to the master along with his own, and had caused him surprise amounting almost to consternation.

"Desire Parkinson! Desire Parkinson! And Smith! The combination is remarkable, if nothing more, Peter," he exclaimed.

"Yes, suh, Massa Joe. Yes, suh," returned the also startled negro.

"Do you see these letters?" asked the master.

"Yes, sir," said the butler.