"I believe that is all, ma'am," said he. "Yes, that pays the whole sum," said Aunt Deborah; "you have done well." "I am still very sorry I have troubled you, and I hope you forgive me," he said. "I do, with all my heart," said she earnestly. "Thank you," said Sam, as he started out, picking his old hat from the floor, where he had placed it; on entering. "Come back," said Aunt Deborah, "I've something more to say to you." With a startled look he turned into the room. Aunt Deborah went to the cabinet and unlocked it. She first took out a pair of new shoes, then half a dozen pairs of socks, some underclothing, two nice shirts, a neat woolen suit, and lastly a good felt hat. "Sam," said she to the astonished lad, "I have taken your money, not because I wanted it, but because I wished to test you. I wished to see whether you really meant to pay me. That Flipper boy would never have done it, I am sure. You have done so well in bringing me your little savings that I have learned to like you very much. Now I wish to make you a present of these articles. In the pocket of this jacket you will find the money you have paid me. I wouldn't take a cent of it. It is yours. You must keep working and adding to it, so that you can soon help your mother more. Go to work now with a light heart, and grow up a true and an honest man. Tell your mother that I say she has a fine son." In making this speech, Aunt Deborah's features relaxed into a pleasant smile; and Sam smiled too, and was so pleased that he could hardly utter his thanks. "And mind you," continued she, suddenly changing the current of his thoughts, "don't associate with that Flipper boy!" "Please, ma'am," said Sam, feeling a twinge of conscience that his former companion should bear so much of the blame, "you have been very kind to me, but Bill Philper didn't know the stone would turn as it did, and break your window." "Then why did he run away?" inquired Aunt Deborah somewhat fiercely. "It's quite proper that you should try to excuse him, Sam; but I should like to teach him a good lesson?" "You--you--have taught me a good lesson," said Sam, with a blushing face, "and I--I--thank you very much for it." Aunt Deborah smiled benignly again, and warmly bidding Sam to come often to see her, she let him out at the door. She felt very happy as Sam disappeared down the street, and he was very happy, as he hurried home with his great bundle, and told his mother all about it, which made that good woman very happy, too. So they were very happy all around. And it all came about because Sam had stood up like a brave boy to confess his wrong, which is always manly; and had offered reparation for it, which is always right; and had gone forward, in spite of the taunts of his companions, denying himself pleasures and comforts in order to do that which he knew to be right, which is always heroic. 697 Of Timothy Timid and his happy thought: these lines and pictures by A. Brennan. [Illustration]