"Oh! well never mind, let the dead past, bury its dead. The future is before you, try and redeem that. If you accept it, I will lend you a few dollars. I believe in lending a helping hand. So come with me to the barber's and I'll make it all right, you can pay me when you are able, but here we are at the door, let us go in." They entered, and in a few moments Joe's face was under the manipulating care of the barber. "Fix this so," said Joe to the barber, giving him directions how to cut his mustache. Paul was somewhat amused, and yet in that simple act, he saw a return of self-respect, and was glad to see its slightest manifestations, and it was pleasant to witness the satisfaction with which Joe beheld himself in the glass, as he exclaimed, "Why Mary would hardly know me!" "Suppose now, we go to the tailor's and get some new rigging?" "Mr. Clifford," said Joe hesitatingly, "you are very kind, but I don't know when I shall be able to pay you, and--" "Oh! never mind, when you are able I will send my bill. It will help you in looking for a place to go decently dressed. So let us go into the store and get a new suit." They entered a clothing store and in a few moments Joe was dressed in a new suit which made him look almost like another person. "Now, we are ready," said Paul, "appearances are not so much against you." "Good morning Mr. Tennant," said Paul to the proprietor of a large store. "I heard last night that you wanted help in your store and I have brought you Mr. Gough, who is willing to take any situation you will give him, and I will add, he is a member of our Reform Club." Mr. Tennant looked thoughtfully a moment, and replied, "I have only one vacancy, and I do not think it would suit your friend. My porter died yesterday and that is the only situation which I can offer him at present." "I will accept it," said Joe, "if you will give it to me, I am willing to do anything to make an honest living for my family." "Well you can come to-morrow, or stop now and begin." "All right," said Joe with a promptness that pleased his employer, and Joe was installed in the first day's regular work he had had for months. "What! sitting up sewing?" said Belle Gordon entering the neat room where Mrs. Gough was rejuvenating a dress for her older daughter. "Why you look like another woman, your cheeks are getting plump, your eyes are brightening, and you look so happy." "I feel just like I look, Miss Gordon. Joe has grown so steady, he gets constant work, and he is providing so well for us all, and he won't hear to me taking again that slop-shop work. He says all he wants me to do, is to get well, and take care of the home and children. But you look rather pale, have you been sick?"