THE LAST PENNY.

 

HOMAS CLAIRE, a son of St. Crispin,
was a clever sort of a man; though
not very well off in the world. He was in-
dustrious, but, as his abilities were small,
his reward was proportioned thereto. His
skill went but little beyond half-soles, heel-
taps, and patches. Those who, willing to
encourage Thomas, ventured to order from
him a new pair of boots or shoes, never re-
peated the order. That would have been
carrying their good wishes for his prospe-
rity rather too far.
As intimated, the income of Thomas
Claire was not large. Industrious though

he was, the amount earned proved so an
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