“How much money have you lost?” he inquired.
“It was but half a dollar,” was the reply; “but it was of consequence to me, as I can get no more for a day or two; and how we are to live till then, Heaven knows.”
“Perhaps that will help you to decide the question.” And he took from his pocket a five-dollar bill, and handed it to her.
“Oh, sir!” said she, her face lighting up with gratitude, “this is indeed generous and noble. The blessings of those you have befriended attend you!”
She remained to make a few purchases, and then, with a light heart, departed.
The last picture faded from the mirror; and the stranger, wrapping it up, simply said,—
“You have seen how much happiness a trifling sum can produce. Will you not, out of your abundance, make a similar experiment?”
The stranger disappeared; and Mr. Hathaway awoke to find his dream terminated by the chime of the New Year’s bells.
“This is something more than a dream,” said he, thoughtfully. “I will, at all events, take counsel of the mystic vision; and it shall not be my fault if some hearts are not made happier through my means before another sun sets.”