[Illustration: "THE STORY OF VICTOR."]

* * * * *

As you sit at twilight in the "sweet safe corner of the household fire,"
the sound of the raindrops on the window-pane mingling with the laughing
treble of childish voices in some distant room, you see certain pictures
in the dying flame,--pictures unspeakably precious to every one who has
lived, or loved, or suffered.

I have my memory-pictures, too; and from the fairest frame of all shines
Patsy's radiant face as it looked into mine long ago when I told him the
story of Victor.




CHAPTER VI.

A LITTLE "HOODLUM'S" VIRTUE KINDLES AT THE TOUCH OF JOY.

"If you make children happy now, you will make them happy twenty
years hence by the memory of it."


The next morning when I reached the little tin shop on the corner,--a
blessed trysting-place, forever sacred, where the children waited for me
in sunshine, rain, wind, and storm, unless forbidden,--there on the step
sat faithful Patsy, with a clean and shining morning face, all glowing
with anticipation. How well I remember my poor lad's first day! Where