towards "Dodd," and, taking the boy's arm in his own, he led him to his
house. He would care for the prodigal with his own hand, and restore
him if possible.

So he gave him the best chamber, and bathed his head, and watched with
him till far into the night. The next morning they talked it all over.
"Dodd" was penitent, even to the extent of tears and bitter weeping.
He pledged Mr. Bright that this should be the last time; that he would
reform now. He confessed that for years he had been a miserable sinner
in the matter of drink, but declared that now he would break off. In a
word, he did the usual thing on such occasions.

Mr. Bright heard his pledges with a swelling heart and a thankful soul.
He fondly hoped that he might save the young man yet. You may have had
like hopes under similar circumstances, my gentle reader.

The scene ended with "Dodd's" leaving Mr. Bright's house in the
afternoon of the following day, accompanied by any amount of good
advice and even prayers for his future good behavior. He took with him
also a ten dollar note which he had borrowed from his benefactor, just
to get a start with.




CHAPTER XXI.

The wise Mr. George has remarked that "by no possibility can one really
use up his living in advance." "That is," he explains, "it is as
impossible to anticipate the products of one's labor, and live them up