and some cried bitterly, while others--those
who were younger--whispered to one another: "Hush, let us make no
noise; Old Grampa Growly is sleeping."

At last the old man roused up. He had lain like one dead for many
hours, but now at last he seemed to wake of a sudden, and, seeing
children about him, perhaps he fancied himself in that pleasant park,
under the trees, where so very often he had told his one pathetic story
to those little ones. Leastwise he made a feeble motion as if he would
have them gather nearer, and, seeming to know his wish, the children
came closer to him. Those who were nearest heard him say with the
ineffable tenderness of old, "Once ther' wuz a littl' boy--"

And with those last sweet words upon his lips, and with the touch in
his heart, the old man went down into the Valley.

DANIEL AND THE DEVIL

Daniel was a very wretched man. As he sat with his head bowed upon his
desk that evening he made up his mind that his life had been a failure.
"I have labored long and diligently," said he to himself, "and although I
am known throughout the city as an industrious and shrewd business man, I
am still a poor man, and shall probably continue so to the end of my days
unless--unless--"

Here Daniel stopped and shivered. For a week or more he had been
brooding over his unhappy lot. There seemed to be but one way out of his
trouble, yet his soul revolted from taking that step. That was why he
stopped and shivered.

"But," he argued, "I _must_ do something! My nine children are growing
up into big boys and girls. They must have those advantages which my
limited means will not admit of! All my life so far has been pure,
circumspect, and rigid; poverty has at last broken my spirit. I give up
the fight,--I am ready to sell my soul to the Devil!"

"The determination is a wise one," said a voice at Daniel's elbow.
Daniel looked up and beheld a grim-visaged stranger in the chair beside
him. The stranger was arrayed all in black, and he exhaled a distinct
odor of sulphur.

"Am I to understand," asked the stranger, "that you are prepared to enter
into a league with the Devil?"

"Yes," said Daniel, firmly; and he set his teeth together after the
fashion of a man who is not to be moved from his purpose.

"Then I am ready to treat with you," said the stranger.

"Are you the Devil?" asked Daniel, eying the stranger critically.

"No, but I am authorized to enter into contracts for him," exp