at ten. I shall be in the city till five. Well,
Frederick, you may tell your mother that I will do myself the
pleasure of calling on her after tea."

He took his pen without another word, but smiled when Fred exclaimed,
warmly,--

"Thank you, sir;" and then went on with his writing.

Exactly at seven o'clock he drove to the door.

"I told my partners," he said to the lady, "what I knew of the lad;
and, though we don't really need another hand, yet they gave up to the
whims of an old man, who has taken a fancy to a boy that says 'thank
you' so earnestly. I've had my eye on the lad for a good many years;
and he may enter the store of Long, Haynes, & Long as soon as he
pleases."

Neither Mrs. Carleton nor her son failed to express their gratitude to
the kind old gentleman for acceding so cheerfully to their wishes.

"I know what I'm about," he answered, laughing; "I believe in God's
promise to the children of those that love him, and keep his
commandments. I mean to make Frederick my confidential clerk; and I
expect to get the best part of the bargain."

CHAPTER VIII.

THE GRATEFUL DOG.

Many people wondered by what piece of good luck so young a boy as Fred
Carleton was taken into the most prosperous store in town.

The mother and son did not fail to ascribe it to the over-ruling care
of their heavenly Father.

They recognized in this event a new source of gratitude; for they
knew he put the kind thought into 'Squire Long's heart.

Fred entered into his new employment with all the energy of his
character, and soon convinced the other partners that he meant to do
his part faithfully.

Even here his quick appreciation of kindness and the heartiness with
which he said "thank you" for the least favor, won him many friends.
The idea of his having gained his present situation, merely by
showing his gratitude, caused him to think much on the subject, both
of his indebtedness to God and to his Christian parents.

One Sabbath day he and his mother passed all their time out of church
in looking up instances in the Bible where gratitude for kindness was
shown from man to man; as, for instance, David's friendship to
Jonathan's family, on account of their former kindness to himself.
Also his kindness to Barzillai, in allowing him to live where he
pleased, because the old man had provided him food when he lay hid at
Mahanaim.

They read the account of Joseph in prison, and the ingratitude of the
chief butler