To leave no stone unturned, however, Mr.Sclater wrote to Mr.Withrop.

The answer he received was, that, as the sister, concerning whose child he had applied to him, had never been anything but a trouble to the family; as he had no associations with her memory save those of misery and disgrace; as, before he left home, her name had long ceased to be mentioned among them; and as her own father had deliberately and absolutely disowned her because of her obstinate disobedience and wilfulness, it could hardly be expected of him, and indeed would ill become him, to show any lively interest in her offspring.

Still, although he could not honestly pretend to the smallest concern about him, he had, from pure curiosity, made inquiry of correspondents with regard to the boy; from which the resulting, knowledge was, that he was little better than an idiot, whose character, education, and manners, had been picked up in the streets.

Nothing, he was satisfied, could be done for such a child, which would not make him more miserable, as well as more wicked, than he was already.

Therefore, &c., &c., &c.
Thus failing, Mr.Sclater said to himself he had done all that could be required of him--and he had indeed taken trouble.