“Any more dividends on your charity investment?” said Mr. Winslow’s friend, about this time. He spoke with the old manner, and from the old feelings. “Yes. Got a dividend to-day. The largest yet received,” replied the merchant, smiling. “Did you? Hope it does you a great deal of good.” “I realize your wish, my friend. It is doing me a great deal of good,” returned Mr. Winslow. “No cash, I presume?” “Something far better. Let me explain.” “Do so, if you please.” “You know the particulars of this investment?” said Mr. Winslow. His friend shook his head, and replied, “No. The fact is, I never felt interest enough in the matter to inquire particulars.” “Oh, well. Then I must give you a little history.” “You know old Davis, who has been working about our stores for the last ten or fifteen years?” “Yes.” “My investment was in the education of his son.” “Indeed!” “His father took him from school when he was only eleven years old, because he could not afford to send him any longer, and was about putting the little fellow out to learn a trade. Something interested me in the child, who was a bright lad, and acting from a good impulse that came over me at the moment, I proposed to his father to send him to school for three or four years, if he would board and clothe him during the time. To this he readily agreed. So I paid for Ned’s schooling until he was in his sixteenth year, and then got him into Webb & Waldron’s store, where he has been ever since.” “Webb & Waldron’s!” said the friend, evincing some surprise. “I know all their clerks very well, for we do a great deal of business with them. Which is the son of old Mr. Davis?” “The one they call Edward.” “Not that tall, fine-looking young man—their leading salesman?” “The same.” “Is it possible! Why he is worth any two clerks in the store.” “I know he is.” “For his age, there is not a better salesman in the city.” “So I believe,” said Mr. Winslow, “nor,” he added, “a better man.” “I know little of his personal character; but, unless his face deceives me, it cannot but be good.” “It is good. Let me say a word about him. The moment his salary increased beyond what was absolutely required to pay his board and find such clothing as his position made it necessary for him to wear, he devoted the entire surplus to rendering his father’s family more comfortable.” “Highly praiseworthy,” said the friend. “I had received, already, many dividends on my investment,” continued Mr. Winslow; “but when that fact came to my knowledge, my dividend exceeded all the other dividends put together.” The mercantile friend was silent. If ever in his life he had envied the reward of a good deed, it was at that moment.