obtained. The question of old Tom
recalled everything to my memory, and I shuddered when I recollected the
circumstances attending it. I was confused, and did not like to reply.
"Be satisfied, the money is mine," replied I.

"Yes, Jacob, but how?" replied Mrs Beazeley; "surely you ought to be
able to tell how you got so large a sum."

"Jacob has some reason for not telling, missus, depend upon it; mayhap
Mr Turnbull, or whoever gave it to him, told him to hold his tongue."
But this answer would not satisfy Mrs Beazeley, who declared she would
not allow a farthing to be taken unless she knew how it was obtained.

"Tom, give back the money directly," said she, looking at me
suspiciously.

Tom laid it on the table before me, without saying a word.

"Take it, Tom," said I, colouring up. "I had it from my mother."

"From your mother, Jacob!" said old Tom. "Nay, that could not well be,
if my memory sarves me right. Still it may be."

"Deary me, I don't like this at all," cried Mrs Beazeley, getting up,
and wiping her apron with a quick motion. "Oh, Jacob, that must be--not
the truth."

I coloured up to the tips of my ears at being suspected of falsehood. I
looked round, and saw that even Tom and his father had a melancholy
doubt in their countenances; and certainly my confused appearance would
have caused suspicion in anybody. "I little thought," said I, at last,
"when I hoped to have so much pleasure in giving, and to find that I had
made you happy in receiving the money, that it would have proved a
source of so much annoyance. I perceive that I am suspected of having
obtained it improperly, and of not having told the truth. That Mrs
Beazeley may think so, who does not know me, is not to be wondered at;
but that you," continued I, turning to old Tom, "or you," looking at his
son, "should suspect me, is very mortifying; and I did not expect it. I
tell you that the money is mine, honestly mine, and obtained from my
mother. I ask you, do you believe me?"

"I, for one, do believe you, Jacob," said young Tom, striking his fist
on the table. "I can't understand it, but I know you never told a lie,
or did a dishonourable act since I've known you."

"Thank you, Tom," said I, taking his proffered hand.

"And I would swear the same, Jacob," said old Tom; "although I have been
longer in the world than my boy has, and have, therefore, seen more; and
sorry am I to say, many a good man turned bad, from temptation