HELPING HIMSELF CHAPTER I THE MINISTER'S SON "I wish we were not so terribly poor, Grant," said Mrs. Thornton, in a discouraged tone. "Is there anything new that makes you say so, mother?" answered the boy of fifteen, whom she addressed. "Nothing new, only the same old trouble. Here is a note from Mr. Tudor, the storekeeper." "Let me see it, mother." Grant took a yellow envelope from his mother's hand, and drew out the inclosure, a half sheet of coarse letter paper, which contained the following lines: "July 7, 1857. REV. JOHN THORNTON: DEAR SIR: Inclosed you will find a bill for groceries and other goods furnished to you in the last six months, amounting to sixty-seven dollars and thirty-four cents ($67.34). It ought to have been paid before. How you, a minister of the Gospel, can justify yourself in using goods which you don't pay for, I can't understand. If I remember rightly, the Bible says: 'Owe no man anything.' As I suppose you recognize the Bible as an authority, I expect you to pay up promptly, and oblige, Yours respectfully, THOMAS TUDOR." Grant looked vexed and indignant. "I think that is an impudent letter, mother," he said. "It is right that the man should have his money, Grant." "That is true, but he might have asked for it civilly, without taunting my poor father with his inability to pay. He would pay if he could." "Heaven knows he would, Grant," said his mother, sighing.