HELPING HIMSELF

CHAPTER I

THE MINISTER'S SON





"I wish we were not so terribly poor, Grant," said Mrs. Thornton, in
a discouraged tone.

"Is there anything new that makes you say so, mother?" answered the
boy of fifteen, whom she addressed.

"Nothing new, only the same old trouble. Here is a note from Mr.
Tudor, the storekeeper."

"Let me see it, mother."

Grant took a yellow envelope from his mother's hand, and drew out
the inclosure, a half sheet of coarse letter paper, which contained
the following lines:

"July 7, 1857.

REV. JOHN THORNTON:

DEAR SIR: Inclosed you will find a bill for groceries and other
goods furnished to you in the last six months, amounting to
sixty-seven dollars and thirty-four cents ($67.34). It ought to have
been paid before. How you, a minister of the Gospel, can justify
yourself in using goods which you don't pay for, I can't understand.
If I remember rightly, the Bible says: 'Owe no man anything.' As I
suppose you recognize the Bible as an authority, I expect you to pay
up promptly, and oblige,

Yours respectfully, THOMAS TUDOR."

Grant looked vexed and indignant. "I think that is an impudent
letter, mother," he said.