THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.
'" And that's true, Mr. Sims," says I, "for it's little enough I have to lay out, and the shop t'other side of the turnpike be nigher."
'Well, I sat me down; maybe a quarter of an hour after I'd bought my candle, and just as I was a-going, in comes Mrs. Sims, and, says she, "Is that Grattan's wife?"
'"Ay," says he.
'"Well," says she, "I reckon you remembered to give her that letter."
'"A good thing you spoke, my dear," says he, "I should have forgot it—that I should."
'If you'll believe me, I trembled like a leaf, to think I should so near have missed it. "Be it a letter from the Indies?" says I.
'"Ay," says he, "that it is, and nothing to pay on it; and it's marked, 'To be left at the post-office till called for.'"
'Well, dear, I took it home, and waited for my old man to come home, by reason I can't read, and about dusk he comes in, and we lights the candle, and my old man he read it right out, for he's a fine scholar. And there was two five-pound notes inside, bless him; and he says, "Mother, I've got made sergeant, and now I shall send to you regular.'"
'Well, I've heard no better news this many a day!' said Matilda.
'It was good, dear. Well, I paid the doctor, and when Mr. Ball came next day, says I, "There's the money, sir," and he stared. "Indeed," he says; "I am surprised, but them that pay can stay." So, you see, there's money to spend, more money, dear, when
