EVERY man has some little defect of character, some easily-besettingsin that is always overtaking him, unless he be ever on the alert.My friend, Paul Burgess, was a man of considerable force of mind;whatever he undertook was carried through with much energy ofpurpose. But his leading defect was a tendency to inertia in smallmatters. It required an adequate motive to put the machinery of hismind in operation. Some men never let a day pass without carefullyseeing after every thing, little or great, that ought to be done.They cannot rest until the day's work is fully completed. But it wasvery different with Paul. If the principal business transactions ofthe day were rightly performed, he was satisfied to let things ofless consideration lie over until another time. From this cause itoccurred that every few weeks there was an accumulation of thingsnecessary to be done, so great that their aggregate calls upon hisattention roused him to action, and then every thing was reduced toorder with an energy, promptness, and internal satisfaction thatmade him wonder at himself for ever having neglected these minorinterests so long. On these occasions, a firm resolution was alwaysmade never again to let a day come to its close without every thingbeing done that the day called for. It usually happened that thefirst hour did not pass after the forming of this resolution withoutseeing its violation--so strong was the power of habit growing outof an original defect in the mind.
Every consequence in life is the natural result of some cause, andupon the character of the cause always depends the nature of theconsequence. An orderly cause never produces a disorderlyconsequence, and the converse of this is equally true. Every defectof character that we have, no matter how small and seeminglyinsignificant it may be, if suffered to flow down into our actions,produces an evil result. The man who puts off the doing of a thinguntil to-morrow that ought to be done to-day, injures his owninterest or the interest of others. This may not always clearly showitself, but the fact is nevertheless true. Sometimes theconsequences of even the smallest neglect are felt most deeply.
My friend Paul had a very familiar saying when reminded by any oneof something that ought to have been previously done. "I was justgoing to do it," or "I am just going to do it," dropped from histongue half-a-dozen times in a day.
"I wish you would have my bill ready by three o'clock," said acustomer to him, dropping in one morning.
"Very well, it shall be made out," replied Paul.
The customer turned and walked hurriedly away. He evidently had agood deal of business to do, and but a small time to do it in.
Precisely at three, the man called, and found the merchant readingthe afternoon paper.
"Is my bill made out?" he asked.
"I am just going to do it," answered Paul, handing the paper towardshis customer. "Look over the news for a few moments while I draw itoff; it won't take me long."
"I am sorry," replied the customer, "for I cannot wait. I have threeor four more accounts to settle, and the boat leaves in an hour.Send me the bill by mail, and I will remit you the amount.Good-by"--offering his hand--"I hope to see you again in the fall."
Paul took the extended hand of his customer, and shook it warmly. Inthe next moment he was standing alone, his ledger open before him,and his eye resting upon an account, the payment of which was ofsome importance to him just at that time. Disappointed anddissatisfied with himself, he closed the ledger heavily and left thedesk, instead of making out the account and mailing it. On the nextday, the want of just the amount of money he would have receivedfrom his customer kept him on the street two hours. It was threeweeks before he made out the account and sent it on. A monthelapsed, but no remittance came. He dropped his customer a line, andreceived for answer that when last in the city he had bought moregoods than he intended, and consequently paid away all his cash;business had not yet begun to stir, and thus far what little he hadsold had been for credit, but that he hoped soon to make him aremittance. The next news Paul had of his customer was that he hadfailed.
It was said of him that when a young man he became quite enamouredof a reigning belle, who to great beauty added many far moreessential prerequisites in a good wife, not the least of which inthe eye of Paul was a handsome fortune left her by a distantrelative. To this young lady he paid very marked attentions for sometime, but he did not stand alone in the number of her admirers.Several others were as much interested in gaining her favourableregard as he was.
One day a friend said to him--"Paul, have you heard the news?"
"What is it?"
Sefton has offered himself to Miss P----."
"It a'n't possible! Why, I was just going to do it myself! Has sheaccepted him?"
"So it is said."
"I don't believe it."
"I don't know how you will ascertain, certainly, unless you ask thelady herself," replied the friend.
"I will find out within an hour, if I have to do what you suggest.Sefton offered himself! I declare, I didn't dream that anyparticular intimacy existed between them. My own mind has been madeup these two or three months--in fact, long before Sefton knew her;but I have kept procrastinating the offer of marriage I determinedto make, week after week, like a fool as I am, until I have allowedanother to step in and carry off the prize, if what you say be true.But I can't believe it. I am sure Miss P----wouldn't accept any manon so short an acquaintance."
"Sefton is a bold fellow, and prompt in all his movements," returnedthe friend. "I rather think you will find the report true. I knowthat he has been paying her the closest attentions."
"I won't believe a word of it until I have undoubted evidence of thefact. It can't be!" said Paul, pacing the floor in considerableperturbation of mind.
But it was all so, as he very soon ascertained, to his deep regretand mortification at allowing another to carry off the prize he hadthought his own. When next under the influence of the tenderpassion, my friend took good care to do in good time just what hewas going to do.
Paul was perfectly aware of his defect, and often made the very bestresolutions against it, but it generally happened that they werebroken as soon as made. It was so easy to put off until the nexthour, or until to-morrow, a little thing that might just as well bedone now. Generally, the thing to be done was so trifling in itself,that the effort to do it appeared altogether disproportionate at thetime. It was like exerting the strength of a giant to lift a pebble.
Sometimes the letters and papers would accumulate upon his desk fora week or ten days, simply because the effort to put away eachletter as it was read and answered, and each paper as it was used,seemed so great when compared with the trifling matter to beaccomplished, as to appear a waste of effort, notwithstanding timeenough would be spent in reading the newspapers, conversation, orsitting idly about, to do all this three or four times over. Whenconfusion reached its climax, then he would go to work mostvigorously, and in a few hours reduce all to order. But usually someimportant paper was lost or mislaid, and could not be found at thetime when most needed. It generally happened that this great effortwas not made until he had been going to do it for three or fourdays, and not then until the call for some account or othercommercial paper, which was nowhere to be found, made a thoroughexamination of what had been accumulating for some time in hisdrawers and on his desk necessary. He was not always fortunate indiscovering the object of his search.
Notwithstanding this minor defect in Paul's character, his greatshrewdness and thorough knowledge of business made him a successfulmerchant. In matters of primary interest, he was far-seeing, active,and prompt, and as these involved the main chance, his worldlyaffairs were prosperous. Whatever losses he encountered weregenerally to be traced to his neglect of little matters in thepresent, to his habit of "going to do," but never doing at the righttime.
Not only in his business, but in his domestic affairs, and in everything that required his attention, did this disposition to put offthe doing of little things show itself. The consequences of hisneglect were always disturbing him in one way or another. So long ashe alone suffered, no one had a right to complain; but it is not tobe supposed that such a fault as he was chargeable with could existand not affect others.
One day while Paul was at his desk, a young lady, dressed in deepmourning, came into his store and asked to see him. The clerk handedher back to where his principal was sitting, who bowed low to thestranger and offered her a chair. The young lady drew aside her veilas she seated herself, and showed a young and beautiful face thatwas overcast with a shade of sadness. Although Paul never rememberedhaving seen the young lady before, he could not help remarking thatthere was something very familiar in her countenance.
"My name is Miss Ellison," said the stranger, in a low, tremulousvoice. "I believe you know my mother, sir."
"Oh, very well," quickly returned Paul. "You are not Lucy Ellison,surely?"
"Yes, sir, my name is Lucy," returned the young lady.
"Can it be possible? Why, it seems but yesterday that you were alittle girl. How rapidly time flies! How is your mother, MissEllison? She is one of my old friends."
"She is well, I thank you, sir," Lucy replied, casting her eyestimidly to the floor.
There was a pause. While Paul was turning over in his mind what nextto say, and slightly wondering what could be the cause of thisvisit, the young lady said, "Mr. Burgess, my mother desired me tocall upon you to ask your interest in procuring me the situation ofFrench teacher in Mr. C----'s school. Since my father's death, ourmeans of living have become so much reduced that it is necessary forme to do something to prevent absolute want from overtaking us."
Lucy's voice trembled very much, and once or twice a chokingsensation in her throat prevented the utterance of a word; but shestrove resolutely with herself, and was able to finish what shewished to say more calmly.
"I am perfectly ready," she continued, "to do any thing that lies inmy power. The French language I have studied thoroughly, and havingenjoyed the friendship and been on terms of intimacy with two orthree French ladies of education, I believe I can speak the languagewith great accuracy. Mother says she knows you to be on intimateterms with Mr. C----, and that a word from you will secure me thesituation."
"Mr. C----is, then, in want of a French teacher?"
"Oh, yes," replied Lucy; "we learned the fact yesterday. The salaryis five hundred dollars, which will give us a comfortable support ifI can obtain the situation."
"Of which there can be no doubt, Miss Ellison," returned Paul, "ifyour qualifications are such as to meet the approval of Mr. C----,which I presume they are. I will certainly call upon him and secureyou the place, if possible. Tell your mother that if in this or inany other way I can serve either you or her, I will do it withsincere pleasure. Please take to her my kind regards."
Lucy warmly expressed her thanks. On rising to depart, she said,"When shall I call in, Mr. Burgess, to hear the result of yourinterview with Mr. C----?"
"You needn't give yourself the trouble of calling at all, MissEllison," replied Mr. Burgess. "The moment I have seen the person ofwhom we were speaking, I will either call upon your mother or sendher a note."
"You are very kind," dropped almost involuntarily from Lucy's lips,as, with a graceful inclination of her body, she drew her veil overher face, and, turning from the merchant, walked quickly away.
When Paul went home at dinner-time, he said to his wife, "I am sureyou couldn't guess who I had for a visitor this morning."
"Then of course it would be useless for me to try," replied thewife, smiling. "Who was it?"
"You know the Ellisons?"
"Yes."
"Mr. Ellison, you remember, died about a year ago."
"Yes."
"At the time of his death it was rumoured that his estate wasinvolved, but never having had any business transactions with him, Ihad no occasion to investigate the matter, and did not really knowwhat had been the result of its settlement. This morning I wasgreatly surprised to receive a visit from Lucy Ellison, who hadgrown up into a beautiful young woman."
"Indeed!" ejaculated the wife. "And what did she want?"
"She came at her mother's request to solicit my influence with Mr.C----, who is in want of a French teacher. She said that theircircumstances were very much changed since her father's death andthat it had become necessary for her to do something as a means ofsupporting the family. The salary given by Mr. C----to his Frenchteacher is five hundred dollars. I really pitied the young thingfrom my heart. Think of our Mary, in two or three years from this,when, if ever, a cloudless sky should bend over her, going to someold friend of her father's, and almost tearfully soliciting him tobeg for her, of another, the privilege of toiling for bread. It mademy heart ache."
"She must be very young," remarked Mrs. Burgess.
"Not over eighteen or nineteen."
"Poor thing! What a sad, sad change she must feel it to be! But didyou call upon Mr. C----?"
A slight shade passed over the countenance of Paul.
"Not yet," he replied.
"Oh, you ought to have gone at once."
"I know. I was going as soon as Lucy left, but I thought I wouldattend to a little business down town first, and go to Mr. C----'simmediately on my return. When I came back, I thought I would lookover the newspaper a little; I wanted to see what had been said inCongress on the tariff question, which is now the all-absorbingtopic. I became so much interested in the remarks of one of themembers, that I forgot all about Lucy Ellison until I was called offby a customer, who occupied me until dinner-time. But I willcertainly attend to it this afternoon."
"Do, by all means. There should not be a moment's delay, for Mr.C----may supply himself with a teacher."
"Very true. If that were to happen through my neglect, I shouldnever forgive myself."
"Hadn't you better call as you go to the store? It will be just inyour way."
"So it will. Yes, I will call and put the matter in train at once,"replied the husband.
With this good intention in his mind, Paul left his dwelling afterdinner. He had only gone a couple of squares, however, before itoccurred to him that as Mr. C----had only one session of his school,which let out at two or half-past two, he didn't know which, he ofcourse did not dine before three o'clock, and as it was then just aquarter past three, it would not do to call upon him then; so hekept on to his store, fixing in his mind four o'clock as the hour atwhich he would call. Four o'clock found Paul deeply buried in a longseries of calculations that were not completed for some timeafterwards. On leaving his desk, he sat leisurely down in anarm-chair for the purpose of thinking about business. He had notthought long, before the image of Lucy Ellison came up before hismind. He drew out his watch.
"Nearly half-past four, I declare! I'm afraid Mr. C----is out now;but as it is so late, I will defer calling until I go home; it isjust in my way. If I see him, I can drop in upon Mrs. Ellison aftertea."
On his way home, Paul fell in with a friend whose conversation wasvery agreeable. He did not forget Lucy, but he thought a visit toMr. C----would accomplish just as much after supper as before. Sothe call was deferred without a twinge of conscience.
The first words of Mrs. Burgess, on her husband's entrance, were,"Well, dear, what did Mr. C----say?"
"I haven't been able to see him yet, but I am going round aftersupper," Paul replied, quickly.
"Indeed! I am sorry. Did you call?"
"No; it occurred to me that C----dined at three o'clock, so I put itoff until four."
"And didn't go then?"
"No; I was going to"--
"Yes, that is just like you, Paul!" spoke up his wife with somespirit, for she felt really provoked with her husband; "you arealways going to do!"
"There, there," returned Paul, "don't say a word more. A few hours,one way or the other, can make no great difference. I will go roundafter tea and have the matter settled. I shall be much more likelyto find C----in a state to talk about the matter than I wouldthrough the day."
As soon as tea was over, urged on by his wife, Paul put on his hatand started for the residence of Mr. C----. Unfortunately, thatgentleman had gone out, and Paul turned away from his door muchdisappointed.
"I will call the first thing in the morning," he consoled himself bysaying. "I will be sure to find him in then."
I am sorry to say that Paul was just going to do what he hadpromised Lucy he would do immediately, at least half-a-dozen timeson the next day, but still failed in accomplishing his intendedvisit to Mr. C----. Mrs. Burgess scolded vigorously every time hecame home, and he joined her in condemning himself, but still thething had not been done when Paul laid his head that night ratheruneasily upon his pillow.
When Lucy returned and related to her mother how kindly Mr. Burgesshad received her, promising to call upon Mr. C----and secure thesituation, if possible, the widow's heart felt warm with a gratefulemotion. Light broke in upon her mind, that had been for a long timeunder a cloud.
"He was always a kind-hearted man," she said, "and ever ready to doa good deed. If he should be so fortunate as to obtain this placefor you, we shall do very well; if not, heaven only knows what is tobecome of us."
"Do not give way to desponding thoughts, mother," returned Lucy;"all will yet be well. The vacancy has just occurred, and mine, Ifeel sure, will be the first application. Mr. Burgess's interestwith Mr. C----, if he can be satisfied of my qualifications, mustsecure me the place."
"We ought to hear from him to-day," said Mrs. Ellison.
"Yes, I should think so. Mr. Burgess, of course, understands thenecessity that always exists in a case of this kind for immediateapplication."
"Oh, yes, he'll do it all right. I feel perfectly willing to trustthe matter in his hands."
As the reader has very naturally inferred, the circumstances of Mrs.Ellison were of rather a pressing nature. Her family consisted ofthree children, of whom Lucy was the eldest. Up to the time of herhusband's death, she had been surrounded with every comfort shecould desire; but Mr. Ellison's estate proving bankrupt, his familywere left with but a small, and that a very uncertain income. Uponthis, by the practice of great economy, they had managed to live.The final settlement of the estate took away this resource, and thewidow found herself with only a small sum of money in hand, and allincome cut off. This had occurred about a month before the period ofLucy's introduction to the reader. During this time, their graduallydiminishing store, and the anxiety they felt in regard to thefuture, destroyed all the remains of former pride or regard forappearances, and made both Lucy and her mother willing to do anything that would yield them an income, provided it were honourable.Nothing offered until nearly all their money was exhausted, and theminds of the mother and eldest daughter were in a state of greatuncertainty and distress. Just at this darkest hour, intelligence ofthe vacancy in Mr. C----'s school reached their ears.
Such being their circumstances, it may well be supposed that Lucyand her mother felt deeply anxious to hear from Mr. Burgess, andcounted not only the hours as they passed, but the minutes that madeup the hours. Neither of them remarked on the fact that the day hadnearly come to its close without any communication having beenreceived, although both had expected to have heard much earlier fromMr. Burgess. As the twilight began to fall, its gloom making theirhearts feel sadder, Mrs. Ellison said, "Don't you think we ought tohave heard from Mr. Burgess by this time, Lucy?"
"I hoped to have received some intelligence before this," repliedthe daughter. "But perhaps we are impatient; it takes time to doevery thing."
"Yes; but it wouldn't take Mr. Burgess long to call upon Mr. C----.He might have done it in half an hour from the time you saw him."
"If he could have left his business to do so; but you know men inbusiness cannot always command their time."
"I know; but still"--
"He has no doubt called," continued Lucy, interrupting her mother,for she could not bear to hear even an implied censure passed uponMr. Burgess; "but he may not have obtained an interview with Mr.C----, or he may be waiting for a definite answer. I think duringthe evening we shall certainly hear from him."
But notwithstanding Lucy and her mother lingered up until pasteleven o'clock, the so-anxiously looked for communication was notreceived.
All the next day they passed in a state of nervous solicitude andanxious expectation, but night found them still ignorant as to whatMr. Burgess had done.
On the next day, unable to bear the suspense any longer, Lucy wentto the store of Mr. Burgess about ten o'clock.
"Have you called upon Mr. C----yet?" she asked, before he had timeto more than bid her a good-morning.
"I was going to do it this moment," replied Mr. Burgess, lookingconfused, yet trying to assume a bland and cordial manner.
In spite of her efforts to appear indifferent, the countenance ofLucy fell and assumed a look of painful disappointment.
"You shall hear from me in an hour," said Mr. Burgess, feelingstrongly condemned for his neglect. "I have had a great many thingson my mind for these two days past, and have been much occupied withbusiness. I regret exceedingly the delay, but you may rely upon myattending to it at once. As I said, I was just going out for thevery purpose when you called. Excuse me to your mother, and tell herthat she will certainly hear from me within the next hour. Tell herthat I have already made one or two efforts to see Mr. C----, butwithout succeeding in my object. He happened not to be at home whenI called."
Lucy stammered out a reply, bade Mr. Burgess good-morning, andreturned home with a heavy heart. She had little doubt but that thevacancy was already supplied. Scarcely half an hour elapsed, when anote was left. It was briefly as follows:--
"Mr. Burgess's compliments to Mrs. Ellison. Is very sorry to saythat the vacancy in Mr. C----'s seminary has already been filled. Ifin any thing else Mr. B. can be of any service, Mrs. E. will pleasefeel at perfect liberty in calling upon him. He exceedingly regretsthat his application to Mr. C----was not more successful."
The note dropped from the hands of Mrs. Ellison, and she groanedaudibly. Lucy snatched it up, and took in its contents at a singleglance. She made no remark, but clasped her hands together and drewthem tightly across her breast, while her eyes glanced involuntarilyupward.
About an hour afterwards, a lady who felt a good deal of interest inMrs. Ellison, and who knew of the application that was to be madethrough Mr. Burgess to Mr. C----, called in to express her sincereregret at Lucy's having failed to secure the situation, a knowledgeof which had just reached her ears.
"Nothing but the neglect of Mr. Burgess to call upon Mr. C----atonce, as he promised to do, has prevented Lucy from getting theplace!" she said, with the warmth of a just indignation. "A personwho was present when Mr. B. called this morning, told me, that afterhe left Mr. C----remarked to her that he was perfectly aware ofLucy's high qualifications for teaching French, and would have beenglad of her services had he known her wish to engage as aninstructor, but that it was now too late, as he had on the daybefore employed a competent person to fill the situation."
Lucy covered her face with her hands on hearing this, and gave wayto a passionate burst of tears.
When Mr. Burgess came home at dinner-time, his wife said,immediately on his entrance, "Have you secured that place for LucyEllison, my dear? I hope you haven't neglected it again."
"I called upon Mr. C----this morning," replied the husband, "butfound the vacancy already filled."
"Oh, I am so sorry!" said Mrs. Burgess, speaking in a tone of deepregret. "When was it filled?"
"I didn't inquire. Mr. C----said that Lucy would have suited himexactly, but that her application came too late."
"Poor thing! She will be terribly disappointed," said the wife.
"No doubt she will be disappointed, but I don't know why it shouldbe so very terrible to her. She had no right to be positivelycertain of obtaining the situation."
"Have you heard any particulars of her mother's situation?" inquiredMrs. Burgess.
"Nothing very particular. Have you?"
"Yes. Mrs. Lemmon called to see me this morning; she is an intimatefriend of Mrs. Ellison. She told me that the small income which Mrs.Ellison has enjoyed since her husband's death has, at the finalsettlement of his estate, been cut off, the estate proving to beutterly insolvent. A month has elapsed since she has been deprivedof all means of living beyond the small sum of money that happenedto be in her hands, an amount not over thirty or forty dollars.Since that time Lucy has been anxiously looking about for some kindof employment that would yield enough for the support of the family,to obtain which she was willing to devote every energy of body andmind. The vacancy in Mr. C----'s school is the first opening of anykind that has yet presented itself. For this she was fullycompetent, and the salary would have supported the family quitecomfortably. It is too bad that she should not have obtained it. Iam almost sure, if you had gone at once to see about it, that youmight have obtained it for her."
"Well, I was going to see about it at once, but something or otherprevented me. If I really thought it was my fault, I should feelvery bad."
That afternoon accident made him fully acquainted with the fact thathe, and he alone, was to blame in the matter, and then he felt badenough.
"That dreadful habit of procrastination," he murmured to himself,"is always getting me into trouble. If I alone were made to suffer,it would be no matter; but when it involves other people as it nowdoes, it becomes a crime. In the present case I must make reparationin some way; but I must think how this is to be done."
When any matter serious enough to call for the undivided attentionof Mr. Burgess presented itself, that thing was generally done, andwell done. He had great energy of character, and mental resourcesbeyond what were ordinarily possessed. It was only when he felt thewant of an adequate purpose that neglect became apparent.
On the morning after the day upon which Lucy and her mother had beenso bitterly disappointed, the former, while looking over thenewspaper, called the attention of the latter to an advertisement ofa young lady who was desirous of obtaining a situation as a Frenchteacher in some private family or seminary. The advertiserrepresented herself as being thoroughly versed in the principles ofthe language, and able to speak it as well as a native of Paris. Thehighest testimonials as to character, education, social standing,&c. would be given.
"I think I had better do the same," Lucy said.
"It won't be of any use," replied the mother, in a tone ofdespondency.
"We don't know that, mother," said Lucy. "We must use the best meansthat offer themselves for the accomplishment of what we desire."
"There is already one advertisement for a situation such as youdesire--some disappointed applicant for the place at Mr. C----'s, nodoubt. It is hardly to be supposed that two more French teachers arewanted in the city."
"Let us try, mother," returned Lucy to this.
"If you feel disposed to do it, child, I have no objection," saidMrs. Ellison; "but I shall count nothing on it."
"It is the only method that now presents itself, and I think it willbe right at least to make the trial. It can do no harm."
The more Lucy thought about an advertisement, the more hopeful didshe feel about the result. During the day she prepared one and sentit down to a newspaper office. Her messenger had not been long gonebefore the servant came up to the room where she sat with hermother, and said that a gentleman was in the parlour and wished tosee them. He had sent up his card.
"Mr. Burgess!" ejaculated Lucy, on taking the card from theservant's hand.
"I do not wish to see him," said Mrs. Ellison, as soon as theservant had withdrawn. "You will have to go down alone, Lucy."
Lucy descended to the parlour with reluctant steps, for she hadlittle desire to see the man whose thoughtlessness and neglect hadso cruelly wronged them. The moment she entered the parlour, Mr.Burgess stepped forward to meet her with a cheerful expression ofcountenance.
"Yesterday," he began immediately, "I had discouraging news for you,but I am happy to bring you a better story to-day. I have obtained asituation for you as a French teacher, in a new seminary which hasjust been opened, at a salary of six hundred dollars a year. If youwill go with me immediately, I will introduce you to the principal,and settle all matters preliminary to your entering upon the dutiesof your station."
"I will be with you in a few minutes," was all that Lucy could sayin reply, turning quickly away from Mr. Burgess and gliding from theroom. Her heart was too full for her to trust herself to say more.In a moment after she was sobbing upon her mother's bosom. It wassome minutes before she could command her feelings enough to tellthe good news she had just heard. When she did find utterance, andbriefly communicated the intelligence she had heard, her mother'stears of joy were mingled with her own.
Lucy accompanied Mr. Burgess to the residence of the principal ofthe new seminary, and there entered into a contract for one year toteach the French language, at a salary of six hundred dollars, herduties to commence at once, and her salary to be drawn weekly if shedesired it. She did not attempt an expression of the gratitude thatoppressed her bosom. Words would have been inadequate to convey herreal feelings. But this was not needed. Mr. Burgess saw how deeplygrateful she was, and wished for no utterance of what she felt.
That night both Mr. Burgess, as well as those he had benefited, hadsweeter dreams than visited their pillows on the night preceding.The latter never knew how much they stood his debtor. He put in theadvertisement which Lucy had read, and she was the person itdescribed. Five hundred dollars was all the principal of theseminary paid; the other hundred was placed in his hands by Mr.Burgess, that the salary might be six hundred.
THE END.
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