r perpetual partner can also
signify their opinions, Joe began to comprehend that he was in active
demand. He regarded the matter as he would a sudden demand for any
commodity of trade, and by skillfully manipulating the market he was
soon enabled to choose from a full supply.

Thenceforward Joe was as happy as a man of his nature could be. All his
investments were paying well: the store was prosperous, he was
successful in all his trading enterprises, he had purchased, at fearful
shaves, scores of perfectly good notes, he realized on loans interest
which would cause a usury law to shrivel and crack, his insurance
policies brought him fair dividends, and his wife kept house with
economy and thrift. But the church--the church seemed an unmitigated
drag. Joe attended all the church meetings--determined to get the worth
of the money he was compelled to contribute to the current expenses--he
had himself appointed treasurer, so he could get the use of the church
money; but the interest, even at the rates Joe generally obtained, did
not balance the amount of his contribution.

Joe worried over the matter until he became very peevish, yet he came no
nearer a business-like adjustment of receipts and expenditures. One day
when his venerable partner presented him a certificate of dividend from
the Pantagonian Mutual, Joe remarked:

"Never got any dividends on that other insurance you put me up to
taking, partner--that 'gainst fire risks in the next world, you know.
'Twill be tough if there's any mistake--church does take a sight of
money."

"Joseph," said the Squire, in a sorrowful tone, "I've always been afeard
they didn't look enough into your evidences when they took you into
that church. How can a man expect to escape on the day of wrath if he's
all the time grumbling at the cost of his salvation? Mistake? If you
don't know in your heart the truth of what you profess, there's mighty
little hope for you, church or no church."

[Illustration: JOE AND HIS VENERABLE PARTNER TALKING OVER INSURANCE
MATTERS.]

"Know in my heart!" cried Joe. "That's a pretty kind of security. Is
that what I've been paying church dues for? Better have known it in my
heart in the first place, and saved the money. What's the use of
believing all these knotty points, if they don't make a sure thing for a
man?"

"If your belief don't make you any better or happier, Joseph," rejoined
the Squire, "you'd better look again and see if you've got a goo