Mr. Ludolph was much pleased with the proposition, and said, promptly, "You may try it, Fleet, and I will pay you accordingly. Do you know of a boy who will answer?" "I think I do, sir. There is a German lad in my mission class who has interested me very much. His father is really a superior artist, but is throwing himself away with drink, and his mother is engaged in an almost hopeless effort to support the family. They have seen much better days, and their life seems very hard in contrast with the past." "Can we trust such a boy? Their very necessities may lead to theft." "They are not of the thieving sort, sir. I am satisfied that they would all starve rather than touch a penny that did not belong to them." "Very well, then, let him come and see me; but I will hold you responsible for him." Mr. Ludolph, being in a good humor, was disposed to banter Dennis, so he added: "Do you find time to be a missionary, also? Are you not in danger of becoming a 'Jack at all trades'?" "I am not entitled to the first character, and hope to shun the latter. I merely teach a dozen boys in a mission school on Sundays." "When you ought to be taking a good long nap, or a row on the lake for fresh air and recreation." "I should be dishonest if I spent my Sabbaths in that way." "How so?" "I should give the lie to my profession and belief. I must drop the name of Christian when I live for myself." "And if you should drop it, do you think you would be much the loser?" "Yes, sir," said Dennis, with quiet emphasis. "You are expecting great reward, in some sort of Paradise, for your mission work, etc.?" "Nothing done for God is forgotten or unrewarded." "Believing that, it seems to me that you are looking after self-interest as much as the rest of us," said his employer, with a shrewd smile. Looking straight into Mr. Ludolph's eyes, Dennis said, earnestly: "Without boasting, I think that I can say that I try to serve you faithfully. If you could see my heart, I am sure you would find that gratitude for your kindness is a part of my motive, as well as my wages. In the same manner, while I do not lose sight of the rich rewards God promises and daily gives for the little I can do for Him, I am certain that I can do much out of simple gratitude and love, and ask no reward." "Ignorance is certainly bliss in your case, young man. Stick to your harmless superstition as long as you can."