ut it is too late now for regrets; they avail nothing. I still
have health, and an unbroken spirit. I am ready to try again, and, it
may be, that success will crown my efforts. If so, you have the pledge
of an honest man, that every dollar of present deficit shall be made
up. Can I say more?"

Fortunately for Layton, there was no Grasper among the unsatisfied
portion of his creditors. He was pitied more than censured. Every man
said "no" to the proposition to surrender up his household furniture.

"Let that remain untouched. We will not visit your misfortunes upon
your family."

After all his goods had been sold off to the best advantage, a little
over sixty cents on the dollar was paid. The loss to all parties would
have been light, had Grasper not sacrificed so much to secure his own
debt.

Regarding Layton as an honest man, and pitying his condition, with a
large family on his hands to provide for, a few of his creditors had a
conference on the subject of his affairs, which resulted in a
determination to make an effort to put him on his feet again. The first
thing done was to get all parties to sign a permanent release of
obligations still held against him, thus making him free from all legal
responsibilities for past transactions. The next thing was to furnish
him with a small, saleable stock of goods, on a liberal credit.

On this basis, Layton started again in the world, with a confident
spirit. The old store was given up, and a new one taken at about half
the rent. It so happened, that this store was next to the one occupied
by Grasper, who, now that he had got his own, and had been made
sensible of the indignation of the other creditors for what he had
done, felt rather ashamed to look his neighbour in the face.

"Who has taken your store?" he asked of the owner of the property next
to his own, seeing him taking down the bill that had been up for a few
days.

"Your old friend Layton," replied the man, who was familiar with the
story of Layton's recent failure.

"You are not in earnest?" said Grasper, looking serious.

"Yes--I have rented it to Layton."

"He has just been broken up root and branch, and can't get credit for a
dollar. How can he go into business?"

"Some friends have assisted him."

"Indeed! I didn't suppose a man in his condition had many friends."

"Oh, yes. An honest man always has friends. Layton is an honest man,
and I would trust him now as freely as before. He has learned wis