Flora could not help thinking how much good the forty dollars, which her father would have to pay for the birthday party, would do if given to the poor.

It seemed to her just like spending the money for a few hours’ pleasure; and even if they had a fine time, which she[Pg 28] was quite sure they would have, it would be soon over, and not do any real good.

Forty dollars was a great deal of money. It would pay Mrs. White’s rent for a whole year; it would clothe her family, and feed them nearly all the next winter. It appeared to her like a shameful waste; and these thoughts promised to take away a great deal from the pleasure of the occasion.

“I think, mother, I had just[Pg 29] as lief not have the band, and only have a supper of bread and butter and seed cakes.”

“Why, Flora, what has got into you?” said her father.

Mrs. Lee laughed at the troubled looks of Flora, and explained to her father the nature of her scruples in regard to the party.

“Where did the child get this foolish idea?” asked her[Pg 30] father, who thought her notions were too old and too severe for a little girl.

“Didn’t I see last winter how much good only a little money would do?” replied Flora.

“Don’t you think it is wicked for me to live in this great house, keep five or six horses, and nine or ten servants, when I could live in a little house, like Mrs. White?” laughed Mr. Lee.

“All the money you spend[Pg 31] would take care of a dozen families of poor folks,” said Flora.

“That is very true. Suppose I should turn away all the men and women that work for me,—those, I mean, who work about the house and garden,—and give the money I spend in luxuries to the poor.”

“But what would John and[Pg 32] Peter, Hannah and Bridget do then? They would lose their places, and not be able to earn any thing. Why, no, father; Peter has a family; he has got three children, and he must take care of them.”

“Ah, you begin to see it—do you?” said Mr. Lee, with a smile. “All that I spend upon luxury goes into the pockets of the farmer, mechanic, and laborer.”

“I see that, father,” replied[Pg 33] Flora, looking as bright as sunshine again; “but all the money spent on my party will be wasted—won’t it?”

“Not a cent of it; my child. If I were a miser, and kept my money in an iron safe, and lived like a poor man, I should waste it then.”

“But twenty dollars for the Riverdale Band is a great deal to give for a few hours’ service.[Pg 34] It don’t do any good, I think.”

“Yes, it does; music improves our minds and hearts. It makes us happy. I have engaged six men to play. They are musicians only at such times as they can get a job. They are shoemakers, also, and poor men; and the money which I shall pay them will help support their families and educate them.”

“What a fool I was, father!”[Pg 35] exclaimed Flora.

“O, no; not so bad as that; for a great many older and wiser persons than yourself have thought just what you think.”

“But the supper, father,—the ice cream, the cake, and the lemonade,—............