"I trust," said I, turning to him, "you will excuse the question I am about to ask; for your frankness emboldens me to propose it, and on your answer much of the effect of what you have been saying will depend.

In effecting these various improvements, and in the building of that house, have you been obliged to embarrass yourself, or are they free from incumbrance ?"--"Your question," he said, "is a reasonable one, and I will answer it with the frankness you are kind enough to ascribe to me.

I have ever made it a rule not to exceed my income.

Mrs.****** bore our first trials with so much cheerfulness, and contributed so much to my happiness and my prosperity, that I felt myself bound to build her a good house with the first money I had to spare." I confess this answer raised my host in my estimation, and it was a gratifying proof to me of the success that attends industry and perseverance.
But let us look at another case.

Mr.*** had a property to the N.W.