Mr. Churchill could hardly command his voice sufficiently to express his thanks, and his wife burst into tears, as she exclaimed,

“If my poor husband had confided his troubles to you before, he would not have been reduced to this feeble state.”

“He will recover,” said the old gentleman.  “I feel sure, that in one month, he will look like a different man.  Rest yourself, now, William, and to-morrow I will see you again.”

And, followed by the blessings and thanks of the young couple, Uncle Joshua departed.

“Past ten o’clock,” he said to himself, as he paused near a lamp-post and looked at his watch.  “I must go to my own room.”

As he said this he was startled by a deep sigh from some one near, and on looking round, saw a lad, of fourteen or fifteen years of age, leaning against the post, and looking earnestly at him.

Uncle Joshua recognised the son of a poor widow, whom he had occasionally befriended, and said, kindly,

“Well, John, are you on your way home from the store?  This is rather a late hour for a boy like you.”

“Yes, sir, it is late.  I cannot bear to return home to my poor mother, for I have bad news for her to-night.  Mr. Mackenzie does not wish to employ me any more.  My year is up to-day.”

“Why, John, how is this?  Not long ago your employer told me that he was perfectly satisfied with you; indeed, he said that he never before had so trusty and useful a boy.”

“He has always appeared satisfied with me, sir, and I have endeavoured to serve him faithfully.  But he told me to-day that he had engaged another boy.”

Uncle Joshua mused for a moment, and then asked,

“What was he to give you for the first year, John?”

“Nothing, sir.  He told my mother that my services would be worth nothing the first year, but the second he would pay me fifty dollars, and so increase my salary as I grew older.  My poor mother has worked very hard to support me this year, and I had hoped that I would be able to help her soon.  But it is all over now, and I suppose I must take a boy’s place again, and work another year for nothing.”

“And then be turned off again.  Another set of pickpockets,” muttered his indignant auditor.

“Pickpockets!” exclaimed the lad.  “Did any one take your watch just now, sir?  I saw a man look at it as you took it out.  Perhaps we can overtake him.  I think he turned into the next street.”

“No, no, my boy.  My watch is safe enough.  I am not thinking of street pickpockets, but of another class whom you will find out as you grow older.  But never mind losing your place, John.  My nephew is in want of a boy who has had some experience in your business, and will pay him a fair salary—­more than Mr. Mackenzie agreed to give you for the second year.  I will mention you to him, and you may call at his store to-morrow at eleven o’clock, and we will see if you will answer his purpose.”