144 A WAY TO BE HAPPY.

 

A year after he had given up business
he met Mr. Steele for the first time since
his retirement from the shop.

“ Well, my old friend,” said that gentle-
man to him familiarly, “how is it with
you now? I understand you have retired
from business.”

“Oh yes; a year since.”

“So long? I only heard of it a few
weeks ago. I have been absent from the
city. Well, do you find doing nothing any
easier than manufacturing good hats and.
serving the community like an honest man,
as you did for years? What is your expe-
rience worth ?”

“J don’t know that it is worth any
thing, except to myself; and it is doubtful
whether it isn’t too late for even me to
profit by it.” ,

“How so, my friend? Isn't living on
your money so pleasant a way of getting
through the world as you had supposed it
to be?”

“T presume there cannot be a pleasanter