. St. Nicholas [serial] . dden. How soundly he sleeps, whispered the oldgentleman. From what a depth he draws thateasy breath ! Such sleep as that, brought on with-out an opiate, would be worth more to me thanhalf my income; for it would suppose health andan untroubled mind. And youth besides, said the lady. Healthyand quiet age does not sleep thus. Our slumberis no more like his than our wakefulness. The longer they looked, the more did this elderlycouple feel interested in the unknown youth, towhom the way-side and the maple shade were as a * Bom 1804—died 1864. THE ST. NICHOLAS TREASURE-BOX
. St. Nicholas [serial] . dden. How soundly he sleeps, whispered the oldgentleman. From what a depth he draws thateasy breath ! Such sleep as that, brought on with-out an opiate, would be worth more to me thanhalf my income; for it would suppose health andan untroubled mind. And youth besides, said the lady. Healthyand quiet age does not sleep thus. Our slumberis no more like his than our wakefulness. The longer they looked, the more did this elderlycouple feel interested in the unknown youth, towhom the way-side and the maple shade were as a * Bom 1804—died 1864. THE ST. NICHOLAS TREASURE-BOX. 141 secret chamber, with the rich gloom of damask cur-tains brooding over him. Perceiving that a straysunbeam glimmered down upon his face, the ladycontrived to twist a branch aside, so as to interceptit. And having done this little act of kindness, shebegan to feel like a mother to him. Providence seems to have laid him here,whispered she to her husband, and to havebrought us hither to find him, after our disappoint-. ment in our cousins son. Methinks I can see alikeness to our departed Henry. Shall we awakenhim? To what purpose? said the merchant, hesi-tating. We know nothing of the youthscharacter. That open countenance ! replied his wife, inthe same hushed voice, yet earnestly. , Thisinnocent sleep ! While these whispers were passing, the sleepers heart did not throb, nor his breath become agitated,nor did his features betray the least token of inter-est. Yet Fortune was bending over him, just readyto let fall a burden of gold. The old merchant hadlost his only son, and had no heir to his wealthexcept a distant relative, with whose conduct hewas dissatisfied. In such cases, people do strangerthings than to act the magician, and awaken tosplendor a young man who fell asleep in poverty. Shall we not wakenhim ? repeated the lady, The coach is ready, sir, said the servant, be-hind. The old couple started, reddened, and hurried away, mutually wondering that th
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