Mr. Crump continued to look out for work, but it was with a more cheerful spirit.  He did not now feel as if the comfort of his family depended absolutely upon his immediate success.  Used economically, the money he had by him would last nine months, and during that time it was impossible that he should not find something to do.  It was this sense of security—­of possessing something upon which he could fall back—­that enabled him to keep up good heart.  It is too generally the case that people are content to live as if they were sure of constantly retaining their health and never losing their employment.  When a reverse does come they are at once plunged into discouragement, and feel that something must be done immediately.  There is only one way to fend off such an embarrassment, and that is to resolve, whatever may be the amount of the income, to lay aside some part to serve as a reliance in time of trouble.  A little economy—­though it involves privation—­will be well repaid by the feeling of security thus engendered.

Mr. Crump was not compelled to remain inactive as long as he feared.  Not that his line of business revived,—­that still remained depressed,—­but another path was opened to him for a time.

Returning home late one evening, the cooper saw a man steal out from a doorway, and assault a gentleman whose dress and general appearance indicated probable wealth.  Seizing him by the throat, the villain effectually prevented him from calling the police, and was engaged in rifling his pockets when the cooper arrived at the scene.  A sudden blow on the side of the head admonished the robber that he had more than one to deal with.

“Leave this man instantly,” said the cooper, sternly, “or I will deliver you into the hands of the police.”

The villain hesitated, but fear prevailed, and springing to his feet, he hastily made off under cover of the darkness.

“I hope you have received no injury,” said Timothy, respectfully, turning towards the stranger he had rescued.

“No, my worthy friend, thanks to your timely assistance.  The rascal nearly succeeded, however.”

“I hope you have lost nothing, sir.”

“Nothing, fortunately.  You can form an idea of the value of your interference, when I say that I have fifteen hundred dollars with me, all of which I should undoubtedly have lost.”

“I am glad,” said the cooper, “that I was able to do you such essential service.  It was by the merest chance that I came this way.”

“Will you add to my indebtedness by accompanying me with that trusty club of yours?  I have some little distance yet to go, and the amount of money I have with me makes me feel desirous of taking every possible precaution.”

“Willingly,” said the cooper.

“But I am forgetting,” said the gentleman, “that you yourself will be obliged to return alone.”

“I do not carry enough money to make me fear an attack,” said Mr. Crump, laughing.  “Money brings care I have always heard, and now I realize it.”