Try and Trust | Page 5

bound out to a
farmer or mechanic. To defray any little expenses that may arise, I
enclose ten dollars, which I hope he may find serviceable. Yours etc.,
"BENJAMIN STANTON."
This cold and selfish letter Herbert read with rising color, and a feeling
of bitterness found a place in his young heart, which was quite foreign
to him.
"Well, Herbert, what do you think of it?" asked the doctor.
"I think," said Herbert, hotly, "that I don't want to have anything to do
with an uncle who could write such a letter as that."
"He doesn't seem to write with much feeling." acknowledged the
doctor.
"Feeling!" repeated Herbert; "he writes as if I were a beggar, and asked
charity. Where is the money he inclosed, Dr. Kent?"
"I have it here in my vest pocket. I was afraid it would slip out of the
letter, and so took care of it."
"Will you let me send it back to my uncle?" asked Herbert.
"Send it back?"
"Yes, Dr. Kent; I don't want any of his charity, and I'll tell him so."

"I am afraid, Herbert, that you are giving way to your pride."
"But isn't it a proper pride, doctor?"
"I hardly know what to say, Herbert. You must remember, however,
that, as you are left quite unprovided for, even this small sum may be of
use to you."
"It isn't the smallness of the sum that I mind," said Herbert. "If Uncle
Benjamin had written a kind letter, or showed the least feeling in it for
me, or for--for mother [his voice faltered a moment], I would have
accepted it thankfully. But I couldn't accept money thrown at me in that
way. He didn't want to give it to me, I am sure, and wouldn't if he
hadn't felt obliged to."
Dr. Kent paced the room thoughtfully. He respected Herbert's feelings,
but he saw that it was not wise for him to indulge them. He was in a
dependent situation, and it was to be feared that he would have much to
suffer in time to come from the coldness and selfishness of the world.
"I will tell you what to do, Herbert," he said, after a while. "You can
accept this money as a loan, and repay it when you are able."
"With interest?"
"Yes, with interest, if you prefer it."
"I shall be willing to accept it on those terms," said Herbert; "but I want
my uncle to understand it."
"You may write to your uncle to that effect, if you like."
"Very well, Dr. Kent. Then I will write to him at once."
"You will find some paper in my desk, Herbert. I suppose you will not
object to my seeing your letter."
"No, doctor, I intended to show it to you. You won't expect me to show
much gratitude, I hope?"

"I won't insist upon it, Herbert," said the doctor, smiling.
Herbert in about half an hour submitted the following note to the
doctor's inspection. It had cost him considerable thought to determine
how to express himself, but he succeeded at last to his tolerable
satisfaction.
"UNCLE BENJAMIN [so the letter commenced]: Dr. Kent has just
shown me your reply to his letter about me. You seem to think I wish
you to support me, which is not the case. All I should have asked was
your influence to help me in obtaining a situation in the city, where I
might support myself. I am willing to work, and shall probably find
some opportunity here. The ten dollars, which you inclose, I will accept
AS A LOAN, and will repay you as soon as I am able, WITH
INTEREST. HERBERT MASON."
"Will that do?" asked Herbert.
Dr. Kent smiled.
"You were careful not to express any gratitude, Herbert," he said.
"Because I don't feel any," returned Herbert, promptly. "I feel grateful
to you, Dr. Kent, for your great kindness. I wish I could pay you for
that. I shall never forget how you attended my mother in her sickness,
when there was small prospect of your being paid."
"My dear boy," said the doctor, resting his hand affectionately on
Herbert's shoulder, "I have been able to do but very little. I wish I could
do more. If you wish to repay me, you can do it a hundred times over
by growing up a good and honorable man; one upon whom your
mother in heaven can look down with grateful joy, if it is permitted her
to watch your progress here."
"I will do my best, doctor," said Herbert.
"The world is all before you," proceeded Dr. Kent. "You may not
achieve a brilliant destiny. It is permitted to few to do that. But whether

your sphere is wide or narrow, you may exert an influence for good,