asn't come yet," was answered.

"Not come yet?" said Mr. Abercrombie, in a fretful tone.

"No, sir."

"This is the third time he has been late within the past week, is it
not?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very well: it shall be the last time."

At this moment the boy came in. Mr. Abercrombie looked at him
sternly for a moment, and then said--

"You won't suit me, sir. I took you on trial, and am satisfied. You
can go home."

The poor lad's face crimsoned instantly, and he tried to say
something about his mother's being sick, but Mr. Abercrombie waved
his hand impatiently, and told him that he didn't wish to hear any
excuse.

Scarcely had the boy left the presence of Mr. Abercrombie, ere this
hasty action was repented of. But the merchant's pride of
consistency was strong: he was not the man to acknowledge an error.
His word had passed, and could not be recalled. Deeper were the
shadows that now fell upon his heart--more fretted the state of mind
that supervened.

Ah! the shadows would have been deeper still, could he have seen
that unhappy boy a little while afterward, as, with his face buried
in the pillow that supported the head of his sick mother, he sobbed
until his whole frame quivered. Had Mr. Abercrombie only asked the
reason why his appearance at the store was so late on this morning,
he would have learned that the delay had been solely occasioned by
needful attendance on his sick and almost helpless mother; and on a
little further inquiry, humanity would have dictated approval rather
than censure and punishment. But, touching all this painful consequence
of his ill-nature, the merchant knew nothing. How rarely do we
become cognizant of the evil wrought upon others by our hasty and
ill-judged actions!

The shadow was still on Mr. Abercrombie's feelings, when, half an
hour afterward, a man came to him and said--

"It will be impossible for me to lift the whole of that note
to-day."

"You'll have to do it," was the quiet answer. Mr. Abercrombie
frowned darkly as he thus replied.

"Don't say that, Mr. Abercrombie. I only want help to the amount of
two hundred dollars."

"I do say it. You must raise the money somewhere else. I don't like
this way of doing business. When a man gives his note, he should
make it a point of honour to pay it."

"Oh, very well," said the man. "I'm sorry if I've troubled you. I'll
get the money from a friend. Good morning."

And he turned off abruptly, and left the store. Mr.