d houses, the rent from which was five
hundred dollars per annum. As soon as he could accumulate sufficient to
give him a clear income of two thousand dollars, his intention was to
quit business and live like a "gentleman" all the rest of his days. He
was in a very fair way of accomplishing all he desired in a few years,
and he did accomplish it.

Up to the time of his retiring from business, which he did at the age
of forty-three, Parker has passed through his share of trial and
affliction. One of his children did not do well, and one, his favourite
boy, had died. These events weighed down his spirit for a time, but no
very long period elapsed before he was again singing at his work--not,
it is true, quite so gayly as before, but still with an expression of
contentment. He had, likewise, his share of those minor crosses in life
which fret the spirit, but the impression they made was soon effaced.

In the final act of giving up, he felt a much greater reluctance than
he had supposed would be the case, and very unexpectedly began to ask
himself what he should do all the day, after he had no longer a shop in
which to employ himself. The feeling was but momentary, however. It was
forced back by the idea of living at his ease; of being able to come
and go just as it suited his fancy; to have no care of business, nor
any of its perplexities and anxieties. This thought was delightful.

"If I were you, I would go into the country and employ myself on a
little farm," said a friend to the hatter. "You will find it dull work
in town, with nothing on your hands to do."

The hatter shook his head. "No, no," said he, "I have no taste for
farming; it is too much trouble. I am tired of work, and want a little
rest during the remainder of my life."

Freedom from labour was the golden idea in his mind, and nothing else
could find an entrance. For a few days after he had fully and finally
got clear from all business, and was, to use his own words, a free man,
he drank of liberty almost to intoxication. Sometimes he would sit at
his window, looking out upon the hurrying crowd, and marking with pity
the care written upon each face; and sometimes he would walk forth to
breathe the free air and see every thing to be seen that could delight
the eye.

Much as the hatter gloried in this freedom and boasted of his
enjoyments, after the first day or two he began to grow weary long
before evening closed in, and then he could not sit and quie