Japhet--marry--have children--and so on. Susannah--nice girl--good wife--pop question--all right--sly puss--won't say no--um--what d'ye say?--and so on." I replied that I was very much attached to Susannah; but that I was afraid that the attachment was not mutual, and therefore hesitated to propose. Cophagus then said that he would make his wife sound his sister, and let me know the result. This was in the morning just before I was about to walk over to the shop, and I left the house in a state of anxiety and suspense. When I arrived at the shop, I found Tim there as usual; but the colour in his face was heightened as he said to me, "Read this, Japhet," and handed to me the "Reading Mercury." I read an advertisement as follows:-- "If Japhet Newland, who was left at the Foundling Asylum, and was afterwards for some time in London, will call at Number 16, Throgmorton Court, Minories, he will hear of something very much to his advantage, and will discover that of which he has been so long in search. Should this reach his eye, he is requested to write immediately to the above address, with full particulars of his situation. Should anyone who reads this be able to give any information relative to the said J.N., he will be liberally rewarded." I sank down on the chair. "Merciful Heaven! this can be no mistake--`he will discover the object of his search.' Timothy, my dear Timothy, I have at last found out my father." "So I should imagine, my dear Japhet," replied Timothy, "and I trust it will not prove a disappointment." "They never would be so cruel, Timothy," replied I. "But still it is evident that Mr Masterton is concerned in it," observed Timothy. "Why so?" inquired I. "How otherwise should it appear in the Reading newspaper? He must have examined the post-mark of my letter." To explain this, I must remind the reader that Timothy had promised to write to Mr Masterton when he found me; and he requested my permission shortly after we had met again. I consented to his keeping his word, but restricted him to saying any more than "that he had found me, and that I was well and happy." There was no address in the letter as a clue to Mr Masterton as to where I might be, and it could only have been from the post-mark that he could have formed any idea. Timothy's surmise was therefore very probable; but I would not believe that Mr Masterton would consent to the insertion of that portion of the advertisement, if there was no foundation for it. "What will you do, Japhet?" "Do," replied I, recovering from my reverie, for the information had again roused up all my dormant feelings--"Do," replied I, "why, I shall set off for town this very morning." "In that dress, Japhet?" "I suppose I must," replied I, "for I have no time to procure another;" and all my former ideas of fashion and appearance were roused, and in full activity--my pride recovered its ascendency.