way home to dinner that day, Claire called into the store of a
Mr. Melleville, referred to in the conversation with his wife on the
previous evening. This gentleman, who was somewhat advanced in years,
was in the same business with Jasper. He was known as a strictly
upright dealer--"Too honest to get along in this world," as some said.
"Old Stick-in-the-mud," others called him. "A man behind the times,"
as the new-comers in the trade were pleased to say. Claire had lived
with him for some years, and left him on the offer of Jasper to give
him a hundred dollars more per annum than he was getting.

"Ah, Edward! How do you do to-day?" said Mr. Melleville, kindly, as
the young man came in.

"Very well in body, but not so well in mind," was the frank reply, as
he took the proffered hand of his old employer.

"Not well in mind, ah! That's about the worst kind of sickness I know
of, Edward. What's the matter?"

"As I have dropped in to talk with you a little about my own affairs,
I will come at once to the point."

"That is right. Speak out plainly, Edward, and you will find in me,
at least, a sincere friend, and an honest adviser. What is the matter
now?"

"I don't like my present situation, Mr. Melleville!"

"Ah! Well? What's the trouble? Have you and Jasper had a
misunderstanding?"

"Oh no! Nothing of that. We get on well enough together. But I don't
think its a good place for a young man to be in, sir!"

"Why not?"

"I can be plain with you. In a word, Mr. Jasper is not an honest
dealer; and he expects his clerks to do pretty much as he does."

Mr. Melleville shook his head and looked grave.

"To tell the truth," continued Edward, "I have suffered myself to
fall, almost insensibly, into his way of doing business, until I have
become an absolute cheat--taking, sometimes, double and treble profit
from a customer who happened to be ignorant about prices."

"Edward!" exclaimed the old man, an expression of painful surprise
settling on his countenance.

"It is all too true, Mr. Melleville--all too true. And I don't think
it good for me to remain with Mr. Jasper."

"What does he give you now?"

"The same as at first. Five hundred dollars."

The old man bent his head and thought for a few moments.

"His system of unfair dealing toward his customers is your principal
objection to Mr. Jasper?"

"That is one objection, and a very serious one, too: particularly as
I am required to be as unjust to customers a