"There is a Providence in all things," many a pious heart will aspirate, as the truths of this little incident are made manifest. It does, certainly, seem a little singular that this little pedlar girl should be the chosen instrument of connexion between me and that benevolent gentleman, whom I had been vainly endeavoring to recognise in thought, and also another character, with which the reader is already acquainted. What is there in a word, or tone, the mere sound of the voice, that sends a stream of magnetic fluid through the system, to repel or attract the speaker? What singular means are used to bring about strange results! I was magnetized by that voice. What the result was, you shall see. But after the fluid had once entered my brain, I could no more repel the voice, or its owner, or drive it away, than the iron can disengage itself from the magnet. I looked up, and a little girl with a basket upon her arm was standing by my side, holding up a pair of suspenders while she uttered the "Please buy these, sir?" close to my ear. She was a pretty child, between twelve and thirteen years old, rather precocious in appearance; was neatly dressed, and possessed of such a mild, sweet voice, that the mocking-bird might imitate it in his dulcet notes. I could not say, no, in such tones as would send her away, and so I replied, pleasantly, "No, my girl, I do not wish to buy them." The timid take courage at mild words. Was she too, attracted by mine? There is magnetism in the human voice. "Then, perhaps, you will buy a box of matches?" "No." "Or a comb." "No." "Oh, do buy something, sir, it is getting late, and I am so anxious to sell a few shillings' worth more. Will you buy a pair of gloves? you wear gloves, don't you? Oh! do let me sell you a pair, you look as though you would buy something of me if you wanted anything. Will you buy a shirt collar? There is a nice one, sir, one that my sick mother made, sir. Will you buy that?" "No, my girl, I never wear collars, but I will buy a pair of gloves, if you will answer me a few questions." "Will you? Well sir, if they are such as I may answer, I will, and I don't think you would ask me any other--some men do, though." "That is just one of the questions I wanted to ask you." "Oh, sir, I wish you would not ask me what some men say to me, it is so bad; only yesterday evening, one very bad man--but I cannot tell." And she burst into tears. "Well, then, don't tell if it distresses you so." "It won't now, and I want to tell you, because I should like to let you know what a good man that grey-headed old gentleman is that came in just before I did." "What, the one with a gold-headed cane?" "Yes, sir, a tall man, with a grey frock-coat, and such a good-looking face." "Then, I do want you to tell me, if it is anything about him. I think I have seen him before."