ss conferred is little less than a reproach.

1034

In the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for September, 1797, published in London,
there appears a letter which shows Benjamin Franklin, the philosopher,
in the character of a creditor. The letter, which was written in Paris,
is as follows:--

April 22, 1784.

I send you herewith a bill for ten louis d'ors. I do not
pretend to give such a sum. I only lend it to you. When you
shall return to your country you cannot fail of getting into
some business that will in time enable you to pay all your
debts. In that case, when you meet with another honest man in
similar distress you must pay me by lending this sum to him,
enjoining him to discharge the debt by a like operation when
he shall be able, and shall meet with such another
opportunity. I hope it may thus go through many hands before
it meets with a knave to stop its progress. This is a trick of
mine for doing a deal of good with a little money. I am not
rich enough to afford much in good works, and so am obliged to
be cunning and make the most of a little.

1035

If none were sick and none were sad,
We scarcely would be tender.

1036

GRATITUDE OF AN INDIAN CHIEF.

A Scotch Highlander was taken prisoner by a tribe of Indians; his life
was about to be sacrificed, when the chief adopted him as his son. They
carried him into the interior; he learnt their language, assumed their
habits, and became skillful in the use of their arms. After a season the
same tribe began their route to join the French army, at that time
opposed to the British. It was necessary to pass near to the British
lines during the night. Very early in the morning, and it was spring,
the old chief roused the young Highlander from his repose: he took him
to an eminence, and pointed out to him the tents of his countrymen. The
old man appeared to be dreadfully agitated, and there was a keen
restlessness in his eye. After a pause--"I lost," said he, "my only son
in a battle with your nation; are you the only son of your father? And
do you think that your father is yet alive?" The young man replied, "I
am the only son of my father, and I hope that my father is yet alive."
They stood close to a beautiful magnolia in full blossom. The prospect
was grand and enchanting, and all its charms were crowned by the sun,
which had fully emerg