er had saved up for him.

When Brown got back to his own town he found that the story of
Smiler and the Andrew had got thither before him, and it was thought
a very good joke at the Grayhound. He soon recovered his spirits as
far as related to the horse, but as to his behavior to his dying
mother it troubled him at times to the last day of his life, though
he did all he could to forget it. He did not, however, go on at all
better, nor did he engage in one frolic the less for what had passed
at the Globe; his _good heart_ continually betrayed him into acts of
levity and vanity.

Jack began at length to feel the reverse of that proverb, _Keep your
shop and your shop will keep you_. He had neglected his customers,
and they forsook him. Quarter-day came round; there was much to pay
and little to receive. He owed two years' rent. He was in arrears to
his men for wages. He had a long account with his currier. It was in
vain to apply to his father. He had now no mother. Stock was the
only true friend he had in the world, and had helped him out of many
petty scrapes, but he knew Stock would advance no money in so
hopeless a case. Duns came fast about him. He named a speedy day for
payment; but as soon as they were out of the house, and the danger
put off to a little distance, he forgot every promise, was as merry
as ever, and run the same round of thoughtless gayety. Whenever lie
was in trouble, Stock did not shun him, because that was the moment
to throw in a little good advice. He one day asked him if he always
intended to go on in this course? "No," said he, "I am resolved by
and by to reform, grow sober, and go to church. Why I am but five
and twenty, man; I am stout and healthy, and likely to live long; I
can repent, and grow melancholy and good at any time."

"Oh Jack!" said Stock, "don't cheat thyself with that false hope.
What thou dost intend to do, do quickly. Didst thou never read about
the heart growing hardened by long indulgence in sin? Some folks,
who pretend to mean well, show that they mean nothing at all, by
never beginning to put their good resolutions into practice; which
made a wise man once say, that hell is paved with good intentions.
We can not repent when we please. _It is the goodness of God which
leadeth us to repentance._"

"I am sure," replied Jack, "I am no one's enemy but my own."

"It is as foolish," said Stock, "to say a bad man is no one's enemy
but his own, as that a good man is no one's