“I am sorry, neighbor Jenkins, to make any allusion to old matters, but as you are getting along very comfortably, and I am rather hard pressed, don’t you think you could do something for me on account of the three hundred dollars due for borrowed money? If it had been a regular business debt, I would never have said a word about it, but—” “Neighbor Gooding,” said Jenkins, interrupting him, “don’t give yourself a moment’s uneasiness about that matter. It shall be paid, every dollar of it; but I am not able, just yet, to make it up for you. But you shall have it.” This was said in the blandest way imaginable, yet in a tone of earnestness. “How soon do you think you can do something for me?” asked Gooding. “I don’t know. If not disappointed, however, I think I can spare you a little in a couple of months.” “My rent is due on the first of October. If you can let me have, say fifty dollars, then, it will be a great accommodation.” “I will see. If in my power, you shall certainly have at least that amount.” Two months rolled round, and Gooding’s quarter day came. Nothing more had been said by Jenkins on the subject of the fifty dollars, and Gooding felt very reluctant about reminding him of his promise; but he was short in making up his rent, just the promised sum. He waited until late in the day, but Jenkins neither sent nor called. As the matter was pressing, he determined to drop in upon his neighbor, and remind him of what he had said. He accordingly went round to the store of Jenkins, and found him alone with his clerk. “How are you to-day?” said Jenkins, smiling. “Very well. How are you?” “So—so.” Then came a pause. “Business rather dull,” remarked Jenkins. “Very,” replied Gooding, with a serious face, and more serious tone of voice. “Nothing at all doing. I never saw business so flat in my life.” “Flat enough.” Another pause. “Ahem! Mr. Jenkins,” began Gooding, after a few moments, “do you think you can do any thing for me to-day?” “If there is any thing I can do for you, it shall be done with pleasure,” said Jenkins, in a cheerful way. “In what can I oblige you?” “You remember, you said that in all probability you would be able to spare me as much as fifty dollars to-day?” “_I_ said so?” Jenkins asked this question with an appearance of real surprise. “Yes. Don’t you remember that we were riding home one evening, about two months ago, and I called your attention to the old account standing between us, and you promised to pay it soon, and said you thought you could spare me fifty dollars about the time my quarter’s rent became due?” “Upon my word, friend Gooding, I have no recollection of the circumstance whatever,” replied Jenkins, with a smile. “It must have been some one else with whom you were riding. I never said I owed you any thing, or promised to pay you fifty dollars about this time.” “Oh yes! but I am sure you did.”