n,
as he did, without even a foreshadowing sign of his coming, was an
event that completely broke down his feelings. Moreover, he was
touched by the spirit in which his son came back; a spirit of
practical forgiveness; the first act flowing from which was the
conference of a great benefit.

"There was good in the boy," sighed the old man, as he mused on what
had just occurred. "Alas! that it should have been so long
overshadowed. A milder course might have done better. Ah, me! we are
weak and shortsighted mortals."

Mr. Howland remained in his store until the late mails were
distributed at the post-office, when, unexpectedly, a letter came
from Edward. It contained a draft for a thousand dollars, and was in
these words--

"DEAR FATHER--I received your two letters. To the first returned no
answer; I need hardly give you the reason. It was a hard, harsh,
insulting letter, charging me with extensive frauds on you and
others, assuming that I was in possession of large sums of money
thus obtained, and imperiously demanding restitution. As to your
sources of information, I know nothing; but I trust, that before you
take such stories for granted, you will, at least, look well to
their authenticity. Your second letter was in a different tone, and
awoke in me a far different spirit from that awakened by the one
first received. I am pained to hear of your great embarrassment,
which I did not anticipate. I thought that the extension of time you
received, would enable you to meet all demands, and deeply regret
that such has not proved to be the case. Enclosed, I send you a
draft for one thousand dollars, which I have raised with great
difficulty; I wish, for your sake, that it were ten times the
amount. But it is the best I can do. When I came here I had about
fifteen hundred dollars in money; upon this I commenced business,
and have done tolerably well, but I am still on the steep up-hill
side, and it is far from certain whether I will go up or down from
the point I now occupy. Give my love to mother and Martha,

Affectionately yours,

EDWARD."

Mr. Howland mused for some time after receiving the letter;
then he turned to his desk, and wrote briefly, as follows--

"MY DEAR SON--I have your letter enclosing a draft for one thousand
dollars. I thank you for the remittance, but, happily, have received
aid from an unexpected quarter, and do not now need the money. With
this I return the draft you sent. I regret any in