into bankruptcy, and utterly ruined. The thought again flashed
through his mind, and sent the blood burning to his face. Pride for
a moment tempted him to refuse the offered kindness; but there was
too much at stake--he could not do it. While the act of Layton
heaped coals of fire upon his head, he had no alternative but to
submit to a thing only less painful than utter ruin. From ruin he
was saved; but he was an altered and an humbled man. Many times
since have unfortunate debtors been in his power, and, although he
has not acted towards them with much liberality, (for it was not in
him to do so,) he has not oppressed them.






A NEW PLEASURE.





THE whole purpose of Mr. Bolton's life had been the accumulation of
property, with an end to his own gratification. To part with a
dollar was therefore ever felt as the giving up of a prospective
good; and it acted as the abridgment of present happiness. Appeals
to Mr. Bolton's benevolence had never been very successful; and, in
giving, he had not experienced the blessing which belongs of right
to good deeds. The absolute selfishness of his feelings wronged him
of what was justly his due.