"Ah, how foolish and sinful it is to worship money and show, as my parents did; how much suffering it has caused me! and how equally unwise and presumptuous it was for a young man, stung by the pride of others, to make that the rule of his life, and go forth in his own strength to build up a fortune, so that he might _demand_ me of my parents as an equal, and thus gratify his own pride! I see it now, but not clearly then. "Joseph, for a time, was prosperous. Everything he turned his hand to was remunerative; and when we met, his manner was confident and hopeful. "'Let the old gentleman look down upon me now if he chooses,' he would say; 'he won't always do it.' "He had been a year in business when a partnership was proposed to him by a man of education and gentlemanly appearance. Joseph spoke to me about it, and I said,-- "'You are doing well enough now. Why not be contented to go alone? I have often heard that partnerships are poor ships to sail in.' "'Well,' said he, 'there's something in his appearance that I do not quite like, and I think I shall not take him in.' "But as the man came with the highest testimonials as to his character, ability, and influence, with the hope of greatly enlarging his business, a copartnership was entered into. Mr. Jacques, the partner, was Joseph's senior in age--a stout, robust man, with a high forehead, light hair, always carried a cane, was jovial, and good-natured in the extreme, fond of telling a good story, but sharp in trade. I met him on one occasion, and there was something in the turn of his eye--a restless, jerking, selfish expression--that made me shrink from him. Joseph was proud of his acquisition, and, remembering my caution, asked me what I thought of him. I well remember the reply that leaped to my lips. "'Didn't you say that he was religious?' "'He professes to be,' said he. "'I fear that it is only a cloak to his real character. If he is a Christian, I do not know what grace has done for him; but if I do not misread his face, he is constitutionally dishonest.' "But every thing went on smoothly, and Joseph would say to me when we met,-- "'My partner loves scandal a little too well--is apt to talk against others; but one thing I'm sure of--he's honest.' "One morning, some months after this conversation, I chanced to meet Joseph as he was going to the office; he looked pale and careworn.