and sat down on board of one of the
safely anchored boats. It was a sunny day, with a light breeze, and the
harbor lay before them bright, calm, and fair.

"Ben, let us talk together a little. I am an old man; I do not know how
many years or even days more I may have to spend with you. I hope
many, for I have always loved to live, and, since I have come to know
you and to give my heart to you, life is dearer to me than ever. I have
a secret which I wish to tell you.

"Ben, as I have said, I have found in you _personality_. You do not
fully know what that means now. Think of it fifty years from now, then
you will know. You just now gave up your boat-sailing for me and the
baby. You like to help others to be more comfortable and happy, and that
is the way to grow. That is the law of life, and the purpose of life is
to grow. You may not understand what I mean now; think of what I say
fifty years from now.

"Ben, I have faith in you. I want that you should always remember me as
one who saw what was in you and believed in you."

"Is that the secret that you wanted to tell me, uncle?" asked little
Ben.

"No, no, no, Ben; I am a poor man after a hard life. You do pity me,
don't you? Where are my ten children now, except one? Go ask the English
graveyard. My wife is gone. I am almost alone in the world. All bright
things seemed to be going out in my life when you came into it bearing
my name. I like to tell you this again and again. Oh, little Ben, you do
not know how I love you! To be with you is to be happy.

[Illustration: UNCLE BENJAMIN'S SECRET.]

"One after one my ten children went away to their long rest where the
English violets come and go. Two after one they went, three after two,
and four after three. I lost my property, and Samuel went to America,
and I was told that Brother Josiah had named you for me and made me
your godfather. Then, as there was nothing but graves left for me in
old England, I wished to come to America too.

"Ben, Ben, you have heard all this before, but, listen, I must tell you
more. I wanted to cross the ocean, but I had little money for such a
removal, and I used to walk about London with empty hands and wish for
L100, and my wishes brought me nothing but sorrow, and I would go to my
poor lodgings and weep. Oh, you can not tell how I used to feel!

"I had a few things left--they were as dear to me as my own heart. I am
coming to the secret now, Ben. You are asking in your mind what t