“Yes, mother, I bring home twelve thousand dollars.”

Mrs. Carr could not believe it at first, but Herbert told his story, and she gave joyful credence at last.

Eben did not receive as warm a welcome, but finally his father was propitiated, and agreed to give his son employment in his own store.  He’s there yet.  His hard experience in the West has subdued his pride, and he has really “turned over a new leaf,” as he promised Herbert.  His father will probably next year give him a quarter interest in the firm, and the firm’s name will be

“Ebenezer Graham & son.”

Herbert and his mother have moved to Boston.  Our hero is learning business in the counting room of Mr. Compton.  They live in a pleasant house at the South End, and Mr. Melville, restored to a very fair measure of health, is boarding, or, rather, has his home with them.  He is devoting his time to literary pursuits, and I am told that he is the author of a brilliant paper in a recent number of the North American Review.  Herbert finds some time for study, and, under the guidance of his friend and former employer, he has already become a very creditable scholar in French, German and English literature.  He enjoys his present prosperity all the better for the hardships through which he passed before reaching it.

THE END