“It really grieves me to hear you say this,” replied Layton, not offering to take the notes which Grasper was still holding out for his acceptance.  “But, perhaps, you magnify your difficulties.  Don’t you think some temporary relief would help you over your present embarrassments?”

“No:  nothing temporary would be of any avail.”

“Have you any objection to letting me see a full statement of your affairs?  Perhaps I can suggest something better than a failure, which is almost always the very worst thing that can be done.”

“Most gladly will I do so, Mr. Layton,” returned Grasper; “and if you can point out any way by which I can get over my present difficulties, I shall be for ever under obligation to you.”

An examination into Grasper’s business satisfied Layton that a few thousand dollars would save it.

“You need not fail,” he said, cheerfully, to the unhappy man, as soon as he fully comprehended the state of his affairs.

“What is to prevent it?” eagerly asked the embarrassed merchant.

“You want more money,” said Layton.

“I know that.  Seven or eight thousand dollars would relieve me, if I had the use of it for one or two years, so that I could devote all my time to business.  I have enough to do.  All that is wanted is to do it well.”

“Yes, I see that clearly enough.”

“But the money, where is that to come from?”

“It can be raised, I think.  In fact, if you will secure me against loss, I will take your notes and raise it for you.”

“I will secure you upon every thing that I possess,” was instantly replied.

“Very well.  That will do.  How much money must you have to-morrow?”

“Two thousand dollars.”

“That can be managed easily enough.  I will see that it is raised.  In the mean time, get all arrangements for the security in progress, so that I can take your notes and pass them through bank as fast as you need to have money.”

Grasper was overpowered.  He could hardly believe that he heard aright.  This was the man who had been driven by his grasping spirit into bankruptcy, and utterly ruined.  The thought again flashed through his mind, and sent the blood burning to his face.  Pride for a moment tempted him to refuse the offered kindness; but there was too much at stake—­he could not do it.  While the act of Layton heaped coals of fire upon his head, he had no alternative but to submit to a thing only less painful than utter ruin.  From ruin he was saved; but he was an altered and an humbled man.  Many times since have unfortunate debtors been in his power, and, although he has not acted towards them with much liberality, (for it was not in him to do so,) he has not oppressed them.

A NEW PLEASURE.

The whole purpose of Mr. Bolton’s life had been the accumulation of property, with an end to his own gratification.  To part with a dollar was therefore ever felt as the giving up of a prospective good; and it acted as the abridgment of present happiness.  Appeals to Mr. Bolton’s benevolence had never been very successful; and, in giving, he had not experienced the blessing which belongs of right to good deeds.  The absolute selfishness of his feelings wronged him of what was justly his due.