at
the legal rate, and to pay it punctually as it falls due. You
understand that?"

"Yes, sir, that is only fair."

"As you say, it is only fair, yet borrowers are apt to forget it. They
will make all sorts of promises when they want to borrow, and break
them afterward. Even honest men will think it is enough to pay
interest whenever it is convenient, forgetting that by their neglect
they are injuring their credit. Some years since I helped two former
clerks to establish themselves in business. Both were honest; but
while one was prompt in all his engagements, and waited upon me on the
very day the interest came due with the money ready, the other obliged
me to send for it, and then put me off on every occasion, though he
paid finally. The result was, that after a while I assisted the first
cheerfully to extend his business. The second, hearing of it, made a
similar application, which I promptly refused. Do you wonder at it?"

"Not at all, sir. I think you were perfectly right."

"Be prompt in all your engagements. That is a good rule in business,
and in everything else. I have confidence in your integrity, and shall
be very glad to assist you. Go and finish your negotiation, and when
you want the money come to me."

"Thank you, sir, not only for your kind offer, but for your advice."

"He is going to succeed," said the merchant, as Paul went out. "He
will some day be a prosperous man."

The merchant was pleased at the respect with which his advice was
received. Young America is very apt to regard the counsel of the old
and experienced as of slight value; but in this they make a great
mistake. There are plenty of young men, who, from their own
self-sufficiency and impatience of good advice, go to financial ruin
every year. He shows wisdom who avails himself of the experience of
other men, avoiding their errors, and imitating what in them is worthy
of imitation.

Paul returned to the shop and made a careful examination of the stock.
He came to the conclusion that the price asked was not excessive, and
agreed to pay it. In the course of two days the transfer was
concluded, and Paul transferred the small stock of his necktie stand
to the shop which he had taken. During all this time he had said
nothing to his mother of the change he had made. He wanted to surprise
her.

"Mother," he said, on the second morning of his possession, "I want
you to take a little walk with me this morning."

"May I go too, Paul?" a