eason?" asked Mr Snow, gravely, but with
rather a preoccupied air. He was wondering how it was that Mr Green
should have been betrayed into giving his dreary confidences to a
comparative stranger.

"Well, I don't know," replied Mr Green, meditatively. "I suppose, for
one thing, I have been so long in the mill that I can't get out of the
old jog easily. I should have begun sooner, or have taken work and
pleasure by turns as I went along. I don't take much comfort in what
seems to please most folks."

There was a pause; Mr Snow had nothing to say in reply, however, and in
a little Mr Green went on:

"I haven't any very near relations; cousins and cousin's children are
the nearest. I have helped them some, and would rather do it than not,
and they are willing enough to be helped, but they don't seem very near
to me. I enjoy well enough going to see them once in a while, but it
don't amount to much all they care about me; and, to tell the truth, it
ain't much I care about them. If I had a family of my own, it would be
different. Women folks and young folk enjoy spending money, and I
suppose I would have enjoyed seeing them do it. But I have about come
to the conclusion that I should have seen to that long ago."

Without moving or turning his head, he gave his new friend a look out of
the corner of his eyes that it might have surprised him a little to see;
but Mr Snow saw nothing at the moment. To wonder as to why this new
acquaintance should bestow his confidence on him, was succeeding a
feeling of pity for him--a desire to help him--and he was considering
the propriety of improving the opportunity given to drop a "word in
season" for his benefit. Not that he had much confidence in his own
skill at this sort of thing. It is to be feared the deacon looked on
this way of witnessing for the truth as a cross to be borne rather than
as a privilege to be enjoyed. He was readier with good deeds than with
good words, and while he hesitated, Mr Green went on:

"How folks can hang round with nothing particular to do is what I can't
understand. I never should get used to it, I know. I've made
considerable property, and I expect I have enjoyed the making more than
I ever shall enjoy the spending of it."

"I shouldn't wonder if you had," said Mr Snow, gravely.

"I _have_ thought of going right slap into political life. I might have
got into the Legislature, time and again; and I don't doubt but I might
find my wa