days, and not then until the call for some account or other
commercial paper, which was nowhere to be found, made a thorough
examination of what had been accumulating for some time in his
drawers and on his desk necessary. He was not always fortunate in
discovering the object of his search.

Notwithstanding this minor defect in Paul's character, his great
shrewdness and thorough knowledge of business made him a successful
merchant. In matters of primary interest, he was far-seeing, active,
and prompt, and as these involved the main chance, his worldly
affairs were prosperous. Whatever losses he encountered were
generally to be traced to his neglect of little matters in the
present, to his habit of "going to do," but never doing at the right
time.

Not only in his business, but in his domestic affairs, and in every
thing that required his attention, did this disposition to put off
the doing of little things show itself. The consequences of his
neglect were always disturbing him in one way or another. So long as
he alone suffered, no one had a right to complain; but it is not to
be supposed that such a fault as he was chargeable with could exist
and not affect others.

One day while Paul was at his desk, a young lady, dressed in deep
mourning, came into his store and asked to see him. The clerk handed
her back to where his principal was sitting, who bowed low to the
stranger and offered her a chair. The young lady drew aside her veil
as she seated herself, and showed a young and beautiful face that
was overcast with a shade of sadness. Although Paul never remembered
having seen the young lady before, he could not help remarking that