TWO men were neighbors—one rich, the other poor—and both of them had children of whom they were fond. The children of the rich man received many costly presents of such things as young people prize, but the children of the poor man had only their food and clothing, and that of the plainest sort.

Years passed by. Both families grew up like young trees in an orchard, and in due season began to display the fruits of their training, when the rich man, meeting his poor neighbor one day, said to him:

“I have been watching your children, and I notice they appear to feel as though they could never see enough of you or do enough for you. It is not so with mine. I wonder if you can tell the secret of this difference?”

“Perhaps it lies here,” replied the poor man: “As I am unable to draw my children to me by what I can give them, I have to try and accomplish it by what I can do for them. To this end I am careful about four things—viz.: To be as sparing as I can of my censure when they do wrong; to be as liberal as I can of my praise when they do right; to take an interest in whatever interests them; and to let them see that I deny myself to supply their needs as far as I can.”

“I see,” replied the rich man, “wherein our plans have differed: you have worked for what I have tried to buy. I gave of my money, you of what costs more—forbearance, consideration, and love. So I have been shut out of my children’s hearts, while you have gained an entrance into yours. I thank you for the lesson you have taught me, and purpose, though I begin late, to profit by it.”

We cannot buy affection at any price, or retain it by the mere tie of kindred, however close. We must secure it in each case by deserving it, and hold it by continuing to deserve it from day to day.