"How did you come to trust him in the first place?"

 

"I didn't know him then as well as I do now. I make it a practice to accommodate my customers by trusting them for a month or two, if they want it. But Luke Harrison isn't one to be trusted."

 

"I should say not."

 

"If young Walton wants to get an overcoat on credit, I shan't object. I judge something by looks, and I am sure he is honest."

 

"Well, good night, Mr. Merrill. You'll have my coat done soon?"

 

"Yes, Mr. Tudor. It shall be ready for you to-morrow."

 

Maurice Tudor left the tailor's shop, revolving a new idea which had just entered his mind. Now he remembered that he had at home and excellent overcoat which he had worn the previous winter, but which was now too small for him. He had no younger brother to wear it, nor in his circumstances was such economy necessary. As well as he could judge by observing Harry's figure, it would be an excellent fit for him. Why should he not give it to him?

 

The opportunity came. On his way home he overtook our hero, plunged in thought. In fact, he was still occupied with the problem of the needed overcoat.

 

"Good evening, Harry," said young Tudor.

 

"Good evening, Mr. Tudor," answered Harry. "Are you going back to the city soon?"

 

"In the course of a week or two. Mr. Leavitt's son is in a store in Boston, is he not?"

 

"Yes. I have taken his place in the shop."

 

"By the way, I saw you in Merrill's this evening."

 

"Yes; I was pricing an overcoat."

 

"I bought this one in Boston just before I came away. I have a very good one left from last winter but it is too small for me. It is of no use to me. If I thought you would accept it, I would offer it to you."

 

Harry's heart gave a joyful bound.

 

"Accept it!" he repeated. "Indeed I will and thank you for your great kindness."

 

"Then I will write home at once to have it sent to me. I also have a suit which I have outgrown; if you wouldn't be too proud to take it."

 

"I am not so foolish. It will be a great favor."

 

"I thought you would take it right," said Maurice, well pleased. "I will also send for the suit. I will get my mother to forward them by express."

 

"They will be as good as money to me," said Harry; "and that is not very plenty with me."

 

"Will you tell me something of your circumstances? Perhaps I may have it in my power to help you."

 

Harry, assured of his friendly interest, did not hesitate to give him a full account of his plans in life, and especially of his desire to relieve his father of the burden of poverty. His straightforward narrative made a very favorable impression upon Maurice, who could not help reflecting: "How far superior this boy is to Luke Harrison and his tribe!"

 

"Thank you for telling me all this," he said. "It was not from mere curiosity that I asked."

 

"I am sure of that," said Harry. "Thanks to your generosity, I shall presen............