the children was his favorite. Tommy climbed on his knees and rifled
his pockets, certain of finding something hidden there for himself.
Presently Millard drew Uncle Martin into talk. With his chair tilted
back and his broad hands locked together on his lap, Uncle Martin gave
Charley an oracular account of all the mistakes which his employers had
recently made in the conduct of their business. From his standpoint the
affairs of the company were usually on the high road to bankruptcy, and
all because of certain failures of judgment which Uncle Martin could
have pointed out in a moment had they taken the trouble to consult a man
of his experience. When Charley suggested that the company had paid an
eight per cent. dividend during the past year Uncle Martin put on a look
of contempt, and shook his head.

"Dividing their capital in order to keep up the price of stock," he said
sagely. Then he proceeded to show that if they would only do this and
not do the other they might easily crowd their rivals to the wall. He
knew three months before it took place that tin would fall in price. But
the company laid in a big stock just in time to get caught.

Having done the polite by Uncle Martin, Millard turned to Aunt Hannah.
Uncle Martin proceeded, therefore, to fill up the stove; which done, he
said:

"Well, Charley, I am going to see one of the men in our shop that got
his foot hurt a week ago Friday. I'll see you at supper; you'll take tea
with us."

"Thank you, Uncle Martin, but this time I can't stay so long. I've
promised to take dinner with some friends."

He held out his hand, and Uncle Martin said good-by, and good luck to
you, and come again, and always glad to see you, Charley, and then made
his exit, stooping a little as he went out through the low door, leaving
Charley what he wanted most, a chance to talk with his aunt about the
progress her children were making in their studies, and to find out what
he could do to help them. The mother told him that besides their school
they were reading some books brought to them by Dick's Sunday-school
teacher, who took a great interest in all the children. Millard always
expected to hear the praises of this Sunday-school teacher when he came
to see his aunt. Once on this theme good Aunt Hannah could not easily
stop.

"She doesn't put on the fine lady or talk to me as though I was somebody
different because I am a workingman's wife. I haven't many friends; the
people down here