I have been labouring under a mental delusion.  Man of the world as I am—­heathen as you have seemed to regard me, I am proud to say that I govern my actions from a higher principle.  You now understand, gentlemen,” addressing the friends of Rowley, “why I have called this man a Sunday Christian.  It is plain that he expects to get to heaven by a simple Sunday service of his Maker, while all the week he pursues gain so eagerly as to thrust other people aside, and even make his way, so to speak, over their prostrate bodies.  I have no more to say.”

Rowley was so much confounded by this unexpected charge, that he was silent.  His own conscience wrote an affirmation of the truth in his countenance.  The men who had come with him arose, and, bowing with far more respect than when they entered, withdrew, and Rowley went with them.

There was a change in the pious merchant after this.  He conducted his business with less apparent eagerness to get the best of every bargain than had been his custom in former times; but whether influenced by more genuine Christian principles, or by an awakened love of reputation, it is not for us to say.

It is not by a man’s religious profession that the world judges of his character, but by the quality of his transactions in business intercourse with his fellow-men.  If he be truly religious, it will be seen here in the justice and judgment of all his business transactions.  If a man be not faithful to his brother, he cannot be faithful to Heaven.

I KNEW HOW IT WOULD BE.

“He’ll never succeed!” was the remark of Mr. Hueston, on reference being made to a young man named Eldridge, who had recently commenced business.

“Why not?” was asked.

“He’s begun wrong.”

“In what way?”

“His connection is bad.”

“With Dalton?”

“Yes.  Dalton is either a knave or a fool.  The former, I believe; but in either case the result will be the same to his partner.  Before two years, unless a miracle takes place, you will see Eldridge, at least, coming out at the little end of the horn.  I could have told him this at first, but it was none of my business.  I never meddle with things that don’t concern me.”

“You know Dalton, then?”

“I think I do.”

“Has he been in business before?”

“Yes, half a dozen times; and somehow or other, he has always managed to get out of it, with cash in hand, long enough before it broke down to escape all odium and responsibility.”

“I’m sorry for Eldridge.  He’s a clever young man, and honest into the bargain.”

“Yes; and he has energy of character and some business talents.  But he is too confiding.  And here is just the weakness that will prove his ruin.  He will put too much faith in his plausible associate.”

“Some one should warn him of his danger.  Were I intimate enough to venture on the freedom, I would certainly do so.”