ases. They consisted of new
suits for Jimmy and himself, and a complete outfit of under garments,
closing with the purchase of two plain, substantial trunks. Mrs.
Hoffman deferred her own shopping till Monday.

When, later in the day, the various articles arrived, Paul regarded
them with much complacency.

"It looks as if we were getting up in the world," he said.

"You deserve to succeed, Paul," said his mother. "You have been
industrious and faithful, and God has prospered you."

"I have had a good mother to encourage me," said Paul, "or I should
not have done so well."

"You are right to say that, Paul," said Mrs. Norton. "It isn't every
boy that has a good mother."

"That is true. There are some boys I know who would do well if their
mothers were not shiftless and intemperate. You remember Tommy
O'Connor, mother, don't you?"

"Yes, Paul."

"I met him in Nassau street yesterday. He was lounging about in rags,
doing nothing. He asked me to lend him five cents. I asked him why he
was not at work. He said his mother took all his money and spent it
for drink. Then she got quarrelsome and beat him."

"How can any mother behave in that way?" said Mrs. Hoffman, shuddering.

"I don't know, but there is more than one mother that does it, though
it's more likely to be the father."

The next day dawned bright and pleasant.

"Can I put on my new clothes, Paul?" asked Jimmy.

"Yes," said Paul. "It's Sunday, and we'll all put on our best clothes
and go to church."

"I should like that," said the little boy, delighted.

Mrs. Hoffman readily agreed to the plan.

If of late the family had remained at home on Sunday, it was at first
for want of good clothing, not from any want of respect for religious
institutions. During Mr. Hoffman's life they had attended regularly,
and Paul had belonged to a Sunday-school, Jimmy being too young. The
church they had formerly attended being in Harlem, they could not of
course go so far, but dropped into one not far from Union Square. They
were shown seats by the sexton, and listened attentively to the
services, though it must be confessed that Jimmy's attention was
occasionally diverted to his new clothes, of which he was not a little
proud. Mrs. Hoffman felt glad once more to find herself enjoying
religious privileges, and determined henceforth to attend regularly.

As they were leaving the church, Paul suddenly found himself, to his
surprise, next to Mr. and Mrs. Talbot, whom