infatuation to look for the end of the world each day."

"He errs in the interpretation of the prophecies," said Mr. Armstrong,
"when he finds in them prognostics of the speedy destruction of the
world, but does he mistake the personal application? Who knows when
he may be called to face his judge? Youth, and health, and strength,
furnish no immunity against death."

"But what a gloom this daily expectation of an event which the wisest
and stoutest hearted are unable to contemplate without trepidation,
casts over life," said the Judge.

"Not in his case," replied Armstrong. "On the contrary, I am satisfied
he would hail it with a song of thanksgiving, and I think I have
observed he is sometimes impatient of the delay."

"It is well his notions are only crazy fancies as absurd as his beard.
His appearance is very heathenish," said Mrs. Bernard.

"Taste, my dear," exclaimed the Judge, "all taste. Why, I have a
great mind to wear a beard myself. It would be a prodigious comfort to
dispense with the razor in cold winter mornings, to say nothing of the
ornament. And now that I think of it, it is just the season to begin."

"You would look like a bear, Mr. Bernard," said his wife.

"It would be too near an imitation of the old Puritans for you,
Judge," said Faith.

"You, at least, my little Puritan," cried the Judge, "would not