happiness or to failure and misery."

Ben listened respectfully to what I said, and seemed impressed by my
words. I took him inside the office, explained to him more particularly
his duties, gave him a key with which to enter in the morning, and told
him to be on hand at six o'clock on the morrow, until which time he was
excused. His wages were to be two dollars a week, to begin from the day
on which I engaged him. Ben raised his hat, bade me good-day, and went
home, and I am sure there was no happier boy in Damietta than he.

It goes without saying that he attended to his duties faithfully from the
very first. He went to the public school when he could gain the chance. I
learned that he was a favorite there, on account of his manliness and
excellent scholarship. In conjunction with the principal we arranged to
give him private instruction at night, so that during the day he could
devote his energies to learning telegraphy, in which he displayed great
aptitude.

As I was manager of the office, it was in my power to advance Ben as
rapidly as circumstances warranted. He was given to understand from the
first that he would be assisted to the extent to which he proved himself
deserving, and no further. I did not intend to spoil him by undue favors,
nor did I allow him to see how much I really thought of him. One of the
surest means of ruining a boy is by partiality and too rapid advancement;
but I gave him an encouraging word now and then, and took pains to let
his mother know that he was meeting my high expectations, and that he was
fully worthy of the hopes she entertained of him.

I shall never forget the glow which came into the pinched face when I
addressed her thus, nor the devout expression which overspread her
countenance at my liberal praise of her child.

"Ben has always been obedient to his father and mother. I have never
known him to swear or tell an untruth, and he never took anything that
was not his own--that is," the poor lady hastened to add when she
recalled the painful circumstance, "he never forgot himself but once."

"He told me about it; few could blame him for that misstep; I cannot
think the distressing necessity will ever arise again. Should Heaven
spare his life he will become your staff, upon which you can soon lean
your whole weight."

She gave a faint sigh of happiness.

"My boy Ben has never brought a pang to his mother's heart."

Ah, my young friend, can your mother say that? When th