Paul went home in high spirits, and delighted his mother and Jimmy with the gift he had received. "Now, mother," he said, "get on your bonnet and shawl, and we'll go out shopping." "Won't you take me too, Paul?" asked Jimmy. "To be sure I will. I am going to buy you a suit of clothes, Jimmy." The little boy clapped his hands. New clothes were a rarity to him, and the purchase of a new suit, therefore, would be a memorable event. I do not propose to detail Paul's purchases. They consisted of new suits for Jimmy and himself, and a complete outfit of under garments, closing with the purchase of two plain, substantial trunks. Mrs. Hoffman deferred her own shopping till Monday. When, later in the day, the various articles arrived, Paul regarded them with much complacency. "It looks as if we were getting up in the world," he said. "You deserve to succeed, Paul," said his mother. "You have been industrious and faithful, and God has prospered you." "I have had a good mother to encourage me," said Paul, "or I should not have done so well." "You are right to say that, Paul," said Mrs. Norton. "It isn't every boy that has a good mother." "That is true. There are some boys I know who would do well if their mothers were not shiftless and intemperate. You remember Tommy O'Connor, mother, don't you?" "Yes, Paul." "I met him in Nassau street yesterday. He was lounging about in rags, doing nothing. He asked me to lend him five cents. I asked him why he was not at work. He said his mother took all his money and spent it for drink. Then she got quarrelsome and beat him." "How can any mother behave in that way?" said Mrs. Hoffman, shuddering. "I don't know, but there is more than one mother that does it, though it's more likely to be the father." The next day dawned bright and pleasant. "Can I put on my new clothes, Paul?" asked Jimmy. "Yes," said Paul. "It's Sunday, and we'll all put on our best clothes and go to church." "I should like that," said the little boy, delighted. Mrs. Hoffman readily agreed to the plan. If of late the family had remained at home on Sunday, it was at first for want of good clothing, not from any want of respect for religious institutions. During Mr. Hoffman's life they had attended regularly, and Paul had belonged to a Sunday-school, Jimmy being too young. The church they had formerly attended being in Harlem, they could not of course go so far, but dropped into one not far from Union Square. They were shown seats by the sexton, and listened attentively to the services, though it must be confessed that Jimmy's attention was occasionally diverted to his new clothes, of which he was not a little proud. Mrs. Hoffman felt glad once more to find herself enjoying religious privileges, and determined henceforth to attend regularly. As they were leaving the church, Paul suddenly found himself, to his surprise, next to Mr. and Mrs. Talbot, whom he had not before observed. "Good-morning, Mr. Talbot," he said.