132 A WAY TO BE HAPPY.

 

He was in’a very fair way of accomplish-
ing all he desired in a few years, and he
_ did accomplish it.

Up to the time of his retiring from busi-
ness, which he did at the age of forty-three,
Parker has passed through his share of
trial and affliction. One of his children
did not do well, and one, his favourite boy,
had died. These events weighed down his
spirit for a time, but no very long period
elapsed before he was again singing at his
work—not, it is true, quite so gayly as be-
fore, but still with an expression of content-
ment. He had, likewise, his share of those
minor crosses in life which fret the spirit,
but the impression they made was soon
effaced.

In the final act of giving up, he felt a
much greater reluctance than he had sup-
posed would be the -case, and very unex-
pectedly began to ask himself what he
should do all the day, after he had no longer
a shop in which to employ himself. The
feeling was but momentary, however. It