Page:Anecdotescatechi00spiruoft.djvu/100

 not hesitate  a moment; wrenching  the  hand-rail  from a wooden bridge,  he  placed  it  across  the  road  to  stop the horses; and  when  they  came  up  he  sprang  forward, seized  the  bridle,  and  with  a strong  hand forced them  to  come  to  a standstill. The master alighted, and  taking  out  his  purse,  was  going  to reward  the  brave  countryman. But the  latter  said: “Such services  are  not  to  be  paid  for  with  money. This is  the  return  I make  you  for  the  old  grindstone which you  gave  me.”  This  story  shows  us  that  we ought  not  to  despise  any  one. We never  know  how we may  need  the  services  of  the  poorest  and  the humblest.

Those who  support  their  parents  from  selfish motives have  no  merit  in  God’s  sight. A rich manufacturer had  two  daughters,  both  of  whom  he married  very  well,  giving  them  a splendid  trousseau and ample  dowry. But as  they  knew  that  he  still had considerable  property  they  begged  him  to  divide it between  them,  promising  that  they  would  each provide for  him  in  turn. The father  was  so  foolish as to  yield  to  them  and  part  with  all  his  fortune. He was  soon  made  to  repent  of  his  weak  compliance with their  request,  for  they  kept  him  like  a beggar. The unfortunate  man  told  his  story  to  an  old  friend, himself a man  of  large  means,  and  asked  his  advice. This friend  at  once  gave  him  a bank-note,  telling  him to order  an  elaborate  dinner  and  invite  his  daughters and their  husbands,  besides  a select  party  of  friends.