After the opening exercises, Roland arose. His name had not been announced; but while he spoke, the rich, manly voice, and quiet dignity of manner at once enchained attention; and as he proceeded to describe the wants of the neighborhood, and the necessity of some efforts by which to benefit the working classes, gradually his manner increased in warmth; and when he alluded to the days when as a boy athirst for knowledge, he had sat on these benches, and had often longed for the use of a well-assorted library, there was a general buzzing among the young people. "Who can it be?" said Minnie Smith. "Why, don't you remember Roland Bruce?" replied Lizzie Belton. "It cannot be possible--that elegant looking man, Roland Bruce! then such a speaker! I can't believe the evidence of my own senses." "I know his eye, Minnie, I knew him as soon as I looked at him--I heard the other day that he is quite a distinguished lawyer in New York." "Well, dear me! who ever could have believed it?" "Why, Madeline Hamilton believed it--or else she never would have taken so much interest in him--proud minx! she always said that he'd be a great man yet." "Let us listen, Lizzie, we are losing his speech;" and the young girls stopped talking, to listen to his eloquence. He represented the wants of the working man, said he had an intellect demanding food, as well as a body; that he had a right to both; he believed that many might be reclaimed and elevated, if those more favored would lend a helping hand, and recognise the one great fact of brotherhood--on this he spoke feelingly, for he had felt deeply. In glowing words, he enlarged upon the advantages of useful reading, appealed to those who employed these men; and asked if they would not make better workmen, more faithful laborers, more moral and intelligent, if conscious that there were hands stretched out, saying, "Come my brother, I will help you." All listened respectfully; and at the close, the gentlemen present contributed something, those of large means liberally, and Madeline had the pleasure of seeing her scheme likely to prosper. After all had subscribed, "M. H----" modestly added one hundred dollars to the list. "Who is he? Who is he?" was the question whispered all round when the meeting was over. "A young man by the name of Bruce, I think," was the reply of Mr. Belton. "I can tell you, gentlemen," said Mr. Stewart, his former minister; "he was once a boy in the Sunday-school of my church, and a member of Maple Lane School, very poor, very humble, but an excellent son, a devoted brother, an earnest Christian, with bright talents, all exercised for his Master. He is a child of Providence, gentlemen, raised to what he is by a blessing upon a mother's piety and manly trust in God." Several went forward, and shook him warmly by the hand. "We are proud of our Maple Lane boy, sir; your minister has told us something of your history."