her and son were dining together without
guests, and their talk across the broad table, glittering with silver
and cut glass, and softly lit by shaded candles, was intimate, though a
little slow at times. The elder man was in rather a rare mood, more
expansive and confidential than usual; and, when the coffee was brought
in and they were left alone, he talked more freely of his personal
plans and hopes than he had ever done before.

"I feel very grateful to-night," said he, at last; "it must be
something in the air of Christmas that gives me this feeling of
thankfulness for the many divine mercies that have been bestowed upon
me. All the principles by which I have tried to guide my life have
been justified. I have never made the value of this salted almond by
anything that the courts would not uphold, at least in the long run,
and yet--or wouldn't it be truer to say and therefore?--my affairs have
been wonderfully prospered. There's a great deal in that text 'Honesty
is the best'--but no, that's not from the Bible, after all, is it?
Wait a moment; there is something of that kind, I know."

"May I light a cigar, father," said Harold, turning away to hide a
smile, "while you are remembering the text?"

"Yes, certainly," answered the elder man, rather shortly; "you know I
don't dislike the smell. But it is a wasteful, useless habit, and
therefore I have never practised it. Nothing useless is worth while,
that's my motto--nothing that does not bring the reward. Oh, now I
recall the text, 'Verily I say unto you they have their reward.' I
shall ask Doctor Snodgrass to preach a sermon on that verse some day."

"Using you as an illustration?"

"Well, not exactly that; but I could give him some good materials from
my own experience to prove the truth of Scripture. I can honestly say
that there is not one of my charities that has not brought me in a good
return, either in the increase of influence, the building up of credit,
or the association with substantial people. Of course you have to be
careful how you give, in order to secure the best results--no
indiscriminate giving--no pennies in beggars' hats! It has been one of
my principles always to use the same kind of judgment in charities that
I use in my other affairs, and they have not disappointed me."

"Even the check that you put in the plate when you take the offertory
up the aisle on Sunday morning?"

"Certainly; though there the influence is less direct;