ain with yourself, at least
for the present. Before it comes to the ears of Mr. Halpin, I wish to
let him see some better points in my character."

To this, Mr. Dix pledged himself. After repeating his thanks, Mr.
Bolton rode away a wiser and a better man.

When Mr. Halpin, some weeks afterwards, made reference to the right of
way across Mr. Bolton's land, and asked if he would not sell him a
narrow strip on the south edge of his farm, to be fenced off for a
road, the latter said--

"No, Mr. Halpin, I will not _sell_ you the land; but as it is of little
or no value to me, I will cheerfully vacate it for a road, if you are
willing to run the fence."

And thus was settled, most amicably, a matter that bid fair, in the
beginning, to result in a long and angry disputation, involving loss of
money, time, and friendly relationships. Ever after, when disposed to
act from a first angry impulse, Mr. Bolton's thoughts would turn to
this right-of-way question, and he would become cool and rational in a
moment.

COALS OF FIRE.

"I AM sorry, Mr. Grasper, that you should have felt it necessary to
proceed to extremities against me," said a care-worn, anxious-looking
man, as he entered the store of a thrifty dealer in tapes, needles, and
sundry small wares, drawing aside, as he spoke, the personage he
addressed. "There was no need of this."

"There's where you and I differ, Mr. Layton," replied Grasper, rudely.
"The account has been standing nearly a year, and I have dunned you for
it until I am sick and tired."

"I know you have waited a long time for your money," returned the
debtor, humbly, "but not, I assure you, because I felt indifferent
about paying the bill. I am most anxious to settle it, and would do so
this hour, if I had the ability."

"I can't lie out of my money in this way, Mr. Layton. If everybody kept
me out of my just dues as long as you have, where do you think I would
be? Not in this store, doing as good a business as any one in the
street, (Grasper drew himself up with an air of consequence,) but
coming out at the little end of the horn, as some of my neighbours are.
_I_ pay every man his just dues, and it is but right that every man
should pay me."

"Where there is a willingness, without present ability, some allowances
should be made."

"Humph! I consider a willingness to pay me my own, a very poor
substitute for the money."

There was an insulting rudeness in the way Grasper uttered this