serve us. I have now several thousand dollars on my books against
clerks who receive salaries large enough to support them handsomely,
and I can't collect a dollar of it. There is Jacob Jones, whose
account I have just ordered to be placed in the hands of a lawyer,
he owes me nearly two hundred dollars, and I can't get a cent out of
him. I call him little better than a scamp."

The father and son exchanged glances of significance, but said
nothing. The fate of Jacob Jones was sealed.

"If that is the case," said the father, as they stepped into the
street, "the less we have to do with him the better."

To this the son assented. Another more prudent young man was
selected, whose fortune was made.

When Jacob received Lawyer Simpson's note, threatening a suit if the
tailor's bill was not paid, he was greatly disturbed.

"Am I not the most unfortunate man in the world?" said he to
himself, by way of consolation. "After having paid him so much
money, to be served like this. It is too bad. But this is the way of
the world. Let a poor devil once get a little under the weather,
every one must have a kick at him."

In this dilemma poor Jacob had to call upon the tailor, and beg him
for further time. This was humiliating, especially as the tailor was
considerably out of humour, and disposed to be hard with him. A
threat to apply for the benefit of the insolvent law again, if a
suit was pressed to an issue, finally induced the tailor to waive