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boy had a thirst for learning; that he was, in fact, fitted to enter; but that he found he was too poor. 'If,' said the father, 'by denying myself every thing but the necessaries of life, I could feed my boy's mind, I would thankfully do it; but I cannot honestly indulge myself even in this luxury.' I felt smitten to the heart. When I failed, I owed that man twelve thousand dollars. I paid him but nine. I now, of course, owe him three, and the interest upon it. That sum would enable him to give his son the advantage which he so much desires. I have been thinking over the whole subject, and studying it fairly. Dymond's Essay would satisfy me, if I were not convinced before, of what is right."

"And you will of course do it, Edward; there can be no doubt."

"I knew that you would say so, Amy; but you must think it over calmly. You know, upon the subject of property, as well as other things, we have no mine and thine; as we have one interest and duty, so we have equal rights. I cannot take this step without your full approbation and consent."

"Is that all that has troubled you for these few days past?" said Amy, as she looked

into her husband's face, with an expression

of joyful relief.

"All," said Edward.

"And why not speak to me at first about it? Why not let me share every trouble as it rises?"

"O, Amy, I felt it only on your account. I hated to deprive you of all these luxuries. You know with what delight I see you doing good, real good, with money."

"Never again, Edward, do me the injustice to suppose that I prefer the lower virtue of charity to the higher one of justice. Let me not be acknowledged as your equal only in the cheap and easy duties and pleasures of life, but trust in me, as your worthy helpmate, in the higher and more arduous exercises of virtue. I love all the refined pleasures which wealth can give; I enjoy, highly enjoy, all these luxuries, with which we are surrounded; but, Edward, what are they, compared with the unspeakable thrill of joy, with which the noble soul can cast them all aside, as the slight, the paltry purchase money of an infinite satisfaction of this never-silent monitor within? You did not doubt me, surely, Edward?”

"No, dear Amy," said Edward, "I did not;

I never could doubt you. I ought to have spoken to you every thought as it arose in As soon as my moral sense was

my mind.
awakened to my duty,

opened my heart to you.

I ought to have
But it is so pain-

ful to me, not to be able to give you every thing that you can desire, and you seemed so perfectly happy!"

"It is simply a choice between pleasures, Edward; and, as we cannot have all, we will choose the highest and most enduring. Think of the happiness that you can give to others, by this simple act of justice!

"There is your father, too, Amy. The thought of him has been, perhaps, the greatest pain to me; for I knew you would feel justly; but his free consent to our marriage was founded upon the belief that I was rich; and when he hears of our determination, it will seem to him like mere folly and childishness. It will give him unmingled pain. I am grieved for him."

"He can enjoy

"So am I," said Amy. none of the pleasure of this sacrifice. He

It is the only

will even think we do wrong. real evil belonging to the case. I am sorry, very sorry, for him. But we must bear that too; and we will bear it all bravely, Edward.

What is it, after all, but relinquishing what we have no right to what, in fact, we have enjoyed at the expense of the rights and happiness of others? And the sooner we make restitution, the happier we shall be ourselves."

CHAPTER XV.

"The noble heart that harbors virtuous thoughts
And labors with a glorious, great intent
Can never rest until it forth have brought
The eternal brood of glory excellent."

FAIRY QUEEN.

THE next day Edward devoted himself to the examination of the papers relative to his failure; to ascertaining the number of his creditors, and the amount which, according to his views of duty, he justly owed them. Principal and interest to the last farthing he determined to pay, he said to Amy as he left her in the morning for his counting-room. "As I cannot help you there," said his wife, I will do my part at home, which is to tell my father of your resolution."

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"Poor Amy, you have far the worst task of the two; my heart is lighter and happier than it has been since I first viewed this subject rightly; but yours aches, I know, at giving pain to your father."

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