“Why, don’t you remember, father, the little man who came to the mill and begged some meal?  You would not give him any, and drove him away, but I was so sorry for him, that I filled his bag out of the finest we had in the store-house, and told mother about it, and if I did wrong I am very sorry.”

“And does the brown man send me this as a present?” said the conscience-stricken father, almost dropping the fruit upon the ground; “there may be something hidden in it to destroy me.”

“Oh, no, father! they are too good to take revenge; they are all love and kindness, depend upon it.  They send you this present for your good, I am sure.  Pray do open it.”

“Yes, indeed,” said the wife, “I know it will bring in good fortune; I feel better, much better, since I ate the orange.”

“Well then, I will open the fruit,” said the husband.  As he spoke he broke the rind, when there rolled out upon the floor a large number of polished diamonds.

* * * * *

Now the miller was able to rebuild his mill and do a great deal of good to the poor, and was once more a rich and thriving man; no longer hard-hearted, but kind and benevolent.  Not a poor family was to be found, for to all who wanted he gave employment, thereby giving happiness to all.

Tony had been taught to read in his early childhood, and might have been often seen, before the acquaintance with the little brown neighbors, sitting in front of his father’s cottage, reading.  Among his amusements now, he was frequently engaged in taking some of the children of the neighborhood to ride in his neat little chaise, with his beautiful striped horse.

* * * * *

[Illustration]

He had now become older, and as he was fond of learning he was put to the best schools, and grew up to be a man having the true love of man in his heart, and happy to share the bounties of Providence with all that were in need; and he was blessed with more happiness than generally falls to the lot of men at this day.