Horatio Alger

“ He took out his pencil and figured a few minutes.
"Uncle Hugh," said he, looking up, "when I get a hundred dollars more, I shall have enough to pay father's debt."
"Principal and interest?"
"Yes, principal and interest; reckoning the interest for a year to come."
"I did not suppose you had so much money, Paul. You must have been very economical."
"Yes, Uncle Hugh more so than I have wanted to be, oftentimes; but whenever I have been tempted to spend a cent unnecessarily, I have always called to mind my promise made to father on his deathbed, and I have denied myself." ”

“ There are few who would have had the resolution to do as you have."
"Oh yes, Uncle Hugh," said Paul, modestly, "I think there are a great many. I begin to feel repaid already. In a few months I shall be able to pay up the whole debt." ”

“ He spends nothing for dress or amusements. I do believe that I've had three coats since he's been wearing that old brown one. Yet, he always looks neat. I wonder what he's saving up his money for."
Meanwhile Paul went home.
The sexton and his wife looked the same as ever. Paul sometimes fancied that Uncle Hugh stooped a little more than he used to do; but his life moved on so placidly and evenly, that he grew old but slowly. Aunt Hester was the same good, kind, benevolent friend that she had always been. No mother could have been more devoted to Paul. ”