all have a hard time of it, anyhow. Dan will be so
mad when he finds out that he can't ruin me, that he will do
something desperate."

David, however, did not waste much time in thinking of the troubles
that might come in the future. He preferred to think about pleasanter
things. He was so wholly engrossed with his plans that it seemed to
him that he was not more than five minutes in reaching the landing.
There was no one in the street, and nothing there worth looking at,
except General Gordon's white horse, which was hitched to a post in
front of Silas Jones's store. As David approached, the General
himself came out, accompanied by the grocer, who was as polite and
attentive to his rich customers as he was indifferent to the poor
ones.

"Ah, David!" exclaimed the General, extending his hand; "how are
times now? Business looking up any?"

"Y-yes, sir," stammered the boy, who could scarcely speak at all. He
was not abashed by the rich man's presence, for he had learned to
expect a friendly nod or a cordial grasp of the hand every time he
met him; but he was very much astonished by the greeting which Silas
Jones extended to him. No sooner had the General released David's
hand than it was seized by the grocer, who appeared to be as glad to
see him as though he knew that the boy had come there to buy a bill
of goods worth hundreds of dollars.

"It never does any good to give away to our gloomy feelings," said
the General. "There are many times when things don't go just as we
would like to have them, but the day always follows the night, and a
little perseverance sometimes works wonders."

David understood what the General meant, but it was plain that the
grocer did not, for he looked both bewildered and surprised. He bowed
to his rich customer, as he rode off, and then, turning to David,
conducted him into the store with a great deal of ceremony.

"Mr. Jones," said David, who began to think that the grocer must have
taken leave of his senses, "I have come here to settle father's
bill."

"O, that's all right," was the smiling reply. "It isn't fair that I
should hold you responsible for that debt, and I have concluded that
I will not do it. Your father will pay me some time, perhaps, and if
he doesn't, I'll let it go. The loss of it won't break me. Can I do
anything for you this evening?"

David was more astonished than ever. Was this the man who had spoken
so harshly to him no longer ago than that very morning? Wh