he was going in a day or two to Q--, to
make arrangements for the sale of timber accumulated there for
ship-building purposes, or for exportation. He did not know much about
the matter and did not speak very hopefully. The sting of it was that
he might have known if he had done as his father had had a right to
expect him to do. However, Mr Caldwell sent him away none the less
willingly because of his low spirits.

"You will do better than nobody," said he, as Frank had said before.
"You can have an eye on the books and on all the papers. Don't let
Donnelly be too much for you."

It would not do to enter into all the particulars of Philip's first
business venture. It is enough to say, he was successful in
circumstances where failure would not have been surprising; and the very
first time he saw his father after he was a little better, he had the
satisfaction of hearing Mr Caldwell telling him of the successful
termination of the sale of the timber. He had the greater satisfaction
of prompting that slow-spoken gentleman where his memory or his
information failed, and of giving all details to his father, who was
both relieved and pleased with the turn this affair had taken.

But success in this his first independent attempt at doing business
could not avert the troubles that had been long hanging over his father.
If Mr Oswald had been in perfect health, it might have been different.
With time granted to continue his business relations, or even to settle
up his own affairs, he might have been able to give every man his own.
But his health came very slowly back, and affairs in the meantime
wrought to a crisis. Philip strove hard to obtain time, and pledged
himself to the full payment of all his father's liabilities within a
limited period. Even Mr Caldwell was influenced by his earnestness and
hopefulness, and by the good sense and business ability manifested by
him in several transactions with which he had had to do, and joined with
him in representing Mr Oswald's affairs to be in such a condition that
care and time, and close attention alone were needed to set them right,
and to satisfy all just claims at last. But Philip was young and
inexperienced, and those of his father's creditors who knew him best,
knew nothing in his past life to give them confidence either in his
principles or his judgment, and they could not be induced to yield to
him in this matter.

So it only remained for Mr Oswald to give up all t