ed so, but mark the issue. The steamer was lost, and all on
board were drowned. The disappointment saved his life."

"It might not always turn out so," objected Tom.

"No, that is true. Still, if we are willing to think that our
disappointments are not always misfortunes, we shall go through life
with more cheerfulness and content."

"Still, I hope I shall not be disappointed in this," said Tom.

"You are perhaps too young to be philosophical," said his father.

Mark Nelson had enjoyed only the usual advantages of education afforded
by a common school; but he was a man of good natural capacity, and more
thoughtful than many in his vocation. From him Tom inherited good
natural abilities and industrious habits. It would not be fair, however,
to give all the credit to his father. Mrs. Nelson was a superior woman,
and all her children were well endowed by nature.

As they turned into Squire Hudson's gravel-path, the squire himself
opened the front door.

"Were you coming to see me?" he asked.

"We would like to speak with you a few minutes, squire, if you can spare
the time."

"Oh, yes, I have nothing pressing on hand," said the squire, with
unusual affability. "Walk in, Mr. Nelson."

He led the way into the room where Tom had had his interview with him
the day before.

"Your son did me a good turn yesterday," he said graciously. "He behaved
in a very creditable manner."

"He told me that he found your pocketbook, Squire Hudson."

"Yes; it contained a large sum of money. Some boys would have kept it."

"None of my boys would," said Mark Nelson proudly.

"Of course not. They're too well brought up."

"Tom told me that you offered to advance money enough to get him to
California," said Mr. Nelson, coming to business.

"On satisfactory security," added the squire cautiously.

"You proposed to increase the mortgage on my place?"

"Yes," said the squire. "I wouldn't have done it, though, Neighbor
Nelson, but for the good turn the boy did me. I am not at all particular
about increasing the amount of the mortgage, but, if by so doing it I
can promote Tom's views, I won't object."

"Thank you, sir," said Tom gratefully.

"It is a serious step for me to take," continued Mr. Nelson, "for I feel
the incumbrance to be a heavy one already. In fact, it is with
difficulty that I pay the interest. But the time has come when Tom
should start in life, and in this village there seems to be no
opening."

"None whate