"Now, James," said a business man to his ten-year-old boy, "you are
going to be a business man, and it is time that we should begin to give
you some practical lessons in the art and science of investing money.
Here's a half dollar. You take it and go down town and invest it on
your own hook and to the best advantage. I don't care where you put it
in, only so you put it where it will be safe and where you will get a
good interest for your money."
The boy took the silver and started off. In an hour he returned,
reporting that he had made a good investment, and was going to get a
hundred per cent. interest.
"Splendid!" said the admiring father. "Where did you put it in?"
"Well," said the boy, "I went down town and walked around a while,
wondering where I should find a good place, and by and by I came by a
church, and there was a meeting, and they were singing, and I went in.
It was a missionary meeting, and the man was begging money for Missions,
and he said if you gave him your money why the Lord would send it back
to you doubled--He would pay you a hundred per cent."
"I hope," expostulated his father, "you didn't put that half dollar on
the collection plate?" "Yes, I did, father," said the boy, "and the man
he said that the Lord is a good paymaster and that He'd send it back
doubled."
"And you believed him! O pshaw, I'm utterly disappointed in you, James.
You'll never make a business man. The idea of your believing such stuff
like that. Why, that half dollar--you'll never see it again, and that
man--why, he's nothing but a fakir. O well--pshaw! I'll give you another
chance, and see that you do better this time. Here's a dollar. Now you
steer clear of all churches and missionary meetings this time----"
"Why, father!" exclaimed the boy as he took the dollar, "why, that man
was right after all. The Lord did send my half dollar back, and sooner
than I looked for it--and doubled, too!"