On the first of January, Mr. Silas Peckham was in the habit of settling his quarterly accounts, and making such new arrangements as his convenience or interest dictated. New-Year was a holiday at the Institute. No doubt this accounted for Helen's being dressed so charmingly,--always, to be sure, in her own simple way, but yet with such a true lady's air that she looked fit to be the mistress of any mansion in the land. She was in the parlor alone, a little before noon, when Mr. Peckham came in. "I'm ready to settle my account with you now, Miss Darley," said Silas. "As you please, Mr. Peckham," Helen answered, very graciously. "Before payin' you your selary," the Principal continued, "I wish to come to an understandin' as to the futur'. I consider that I've been payin' high, very high, for the work you do. Women's wages can't be expected to do more than feed and clothe 'em, as a gineral thing, with a little savin', in case of sickness, and to bury 'em, if they break daown, as all of 'em are liable to do at any time. If I a'n't misinformed, you not only support yourself out of my establishment, but likewise relatives of yours, who I don't know that I'm called upon to feed and clothe. There is a young woman, not burdened with destitoot relatives, has signified that she would be glad to take your dooties for less pecooniary compensation, by a consid'able amaount, than you now receive. I shall be willin', however, to retain your services at sech redooced rate as we shall fix upon,--provided sech redooced rate be as low or lower than the same services can be obtained elsewhere." "As you please, Mr. Peckham," Helen answered, with a smile so sweet that the Principal (who of course had trumped up this opposition-teacher for the occasion) said to himself she would stand being cut down a quarter, perhaps a half, of her salary. "Here is your accaount, Miss Darley, and the balance doo you," said Silas Peckham, handing her a paper and a small roll of infectious-flavored bills wrapping six poisonous coppers of the old coinage. She took the paper and began looking at it. She could not quite make up her mind to touch the feverish bills with the cankering copper in them, and left them airing themselves on the table. The document she held ran as follows: _Silas Peckham, Esq., Principal of the Apollinean Institute, In Account with Helen Darley, Assist. Teacher._ _Dr._ To Salary for quarter ending Jan. 1st, @ $75 per quarter . . . . . . $75.00 ______ $75.00 _Cr._ By Deduction for absence, 1 week 8 days . . . . . . . . . . $10.00 " Board, lodging, etc., for 10 days, @ 75 cts. per day . . . . . . 7.50 " Damage to Institution by absence of teacher from duties, say . . . 25.00 " Stationery furnished . . . . . 43 " Postage-stamp . . . . . . . 01 " Balance due Helen Darley . . $32.06 ______ $75.00 ROCKLAND, Jan. 1st, 1859.