202 THE CLERK OF THE WOODS 



yet accustomed to go about jingling a pocket- 

 ful of silver. Once, I remember, I saw a 

 little chap sidle up to the counter and look 

 long at the jack-knives and other temptations 

 displayed in the showcase. By and by the 

 shopkeeper espied a possible customer, and 

 came round to see what was wanted. 



" How much are those tops ? " asked the 

 boy, pointing with his finger. 



" Ten cents," was the answer. 



The boy was silent. He was thinking it 

 over. Then he said : " I '11 take two cents' 

 worth of peanuts." 



Poor fellow ! I have seen many a grown 

 man since then who was obliged to content 

 himself with the same kind of philosophy. 

 And who shall say it is not a good one ? If 

 you cannot spend the summer in Europe, 

 take a day at the seashore. If you miss of 

 an election to Congress, bid for a place on 

 the school committee. If you cannot write 

 ten-thousand-dollar novels, write well, 

 write a weekly column in a newspaper. 

 There is always something within a capable 

 man's reach, though it be only " two cents' 

 worth of peanuts." 



