with Mr. Gray was in the shop of a mechanic to whom he had sold a
bill of goods some months previously. He had called to collect a
portion of the amount which remained unpaid. The mechanic was not
ready for him.

"I am sorry, Mr. Gray" he began, with some hesitation of manner.

"Sorry for what?" sharply interrupted Mr. Gray.

"Sorry that I have not the money to settle your bill. I have been
disappointed----"

"I don't want that old story. You promised to be ready for me
to-day, didn't you?" And Mr. Gray knit his brows, and looked angry
and imperative.

"Yes, I promised. But----"

"Then keep your promise. No man has a right to break his word.
Promises are sacred things, and should be kept religiously."

"If my customers had kept their promises to me there would have been
no failure in mine to you," answered the poor mechanic.

"It is of no use to plead other men's failings in justification of
your own. You said the bill should be settled to-day, and I
calculated upon it. Now, of all things in the world, I hate
trifling. I shall not call again, sir!"

"If you were to call forty times, and I hadn't the money to settle