ot large this year.'

"'No, it failed.'

"'He has a wife and children.'

"'True, Governor.'

"'He has always borne a good reputation.'

"'True, Governor, and that makes the case more difficult.'

"'Neighbor, don't speak of this thing to others, but send that man to
me.'

"The man on the marsh came to the Governor's. His face was as white as
snow. How he had suffered!

"'Neighbor,' said the Governor, 'this is a cold winter.'

"'It is, your Honor.'

"'I hope that your family are comfortable.'

"'No, your Honor; they have sometimes gone to bed supperless and cold.'

"'It hurts my conscience to know that. Have you any fuel?'

"'None, your Honor. My children have kept their bed for warmth.'

"'But I have a good woodpile. See the shed: there is more wood there
than I can burn. I ought not to sit down by a comfortable fire night
after night, while my neighbor's family is cold.'

"'I am glad that you are so well provided for, for you are a good man,
and have a heart to feel for those in need.'

"'Neighbor, there is my woodpile. It is yours as well as mine. I would
not feel warm if I were to sit down by my fire and remember that you and
your wife and your children were cold. When you need any fuel, come to
my woodpile and take all the wood that you want.'

"The man on the marsh went away, his head hanging down. I believe that
there came into his heart the powerful resolution that he would never
steal again, and we have no record that he ever did. The Governor's hope
for him had made him another man.

"He came for the wood in his necessity one day. The Governor looked at
him pleasantly.

"'Why did you not come to me before?'"

Josiah Franklin looked around on the group at the fireside, and opened
the family Bible.

"Do you think that the Governor did right, Brother Ben?"

"Well, it isn't altogether clear to me."

"What do you think, Abiah?"

"Father would have done as he did. He hindered no one, but helped every
one. He saw life on that side."

"Well, little Ben, what have you to say?"

"The Governor looked upon the heart, didn't he? He felt for the man.
Would it not be better for all to look that way? The worth of life
depends upon those we help, lift, and make, not in those we destroy. I
like the old Governor, I do, and I am sorry that there are not many more
like him. That seems like a Luke story, father. Read a story from Luke."

Josiah read a story from Luke.

There followed a long prayer