prepared to take an honorable position in society."

"No, no; he's bad, bad!" said the stricken father. "What did he care for
the labor and toil it took to save up that money?"

"I hope the loss of the money will not distress you, Mr. Graham."

"Well, no, not exactly," said Ebenezer, hesitating. "I shall have to
take some money from the savings bank to make up what that graceless boy
has stolen."

It was clear that Ebenezer Graham would not have to go to the poorhouse
in consequence of his losses.

"I can hardly offer you consolation," said George Melville, "but I
suspect that you will not be called upon to pay any more money for your
son."

"I don't mean to!" said Ebenezer, grimly.

"Going away as he has done, he will find it necessary to support
himself, and will hardly have courage to send to you for assistance."

"Let him try it!" said Ebenezer, his eyes snapping.

"He may, therefore, being thrown upon his own resources, be compelled to
work hard, and that will probably be the best thing that can happen to
him."

"I hope he will! I hope he will!" said the storekeeper. "He may find out
after a while that he had an easy time at home, and was better paid
than he will be among strangers. I won't pay any more of his debts. I'll
publish a notice saying that I have given him his time, and won't pay
any more debts of his contracting. He might run into debt enough to ruin
me, between now and the time he becomes of age."

George Melville considered that the storekeeper was justified in taking
this step, and said so.

While they were on the train, Ebenezer got measurably reconciled to his
loss, and his busy brain began to calculate how much money he would
save by ceasing to be responsible for Eben's expenses of living and
prospective debts. Without this drawback, he knew he would grow richer
every year. He knew also that notwithstanding the sum it had just cost
him, he would be better off at the end of the year than the beginning,
and to a man of his character this was perhaps the best form of
consolation that he could have.

Suddenly it occurred to Mr. Graham that he should need a clerk in place
of his son.

"Now that Eben has gone, Herbert," he said, "I am ready to take you
back."

This was a surprise, for Herbert had not thought of the effect upon his
own business prospects.

"I have got a place, thank you, Mr. Graham," he said.

"You don't call trampin' round huntin' and fishin' work, do you?" said