did not dispel a single shadow from his mind. A few days after this, a gentleman said to Jacob Peters,-- "I'll give you a hint of something that is coming in the way of good fortune. A gentleman, whose name I do not feel at liberty to mention, contemplates going into your business. He has plenty of capital, and wishes to unite himself with a young, active, and experienced man. Two or three have been thought of--you among the rest; find I believe it has been finally settled that Jacob Peters is to be the man. So let me congratulate you, my young friend, on this good fortune." And he grasped the hand of Jacob, and shook it warmly. From the vale of despondency, the young man was at once elevated to the mountain-top of hope, and felt, for a time, bewildered in prospect of the good fortune awaited him. Almost in that very hour the capitalist, to whom his friend referred, was in conversation with Mr. A., of the firm of A. & L. "I have about concluded to associate with myself in business young Jacob Peters," said the former; "but before coming to a final conclusion, I thought it best to ask your opinion in the matter. You know the young man?" "Yes," replied Mr. A., "I have known him in a business way for several years. We have considerable dealing with the house in which he is employed." "What do you think of him?" "He is a young man of decided business qualities." "So it appear's to me. And you think favorably of him?" "As to the business qualification I do," replied Mr. A., placing an emphasis on the word business. "Then you do not think favorably of him in some other respect?" Mr. A. was silent. "I hope," said the, other, "that you will speak out plainly. This is a matter, to me, of the first importance. If you know of any reason why I should not associate this young man with me in business I trust you will speak without reserve." Mr. A. remained silent for some moments, and then said,-- "I feel considerably embarrassed in regard to this matter. I would on no account give a wrong impression in regard to the young man. He