Will five
hundred dollars be enough?"
"It will be an abundance," said the man, with evident surprise at an
offer so unexpectedly liberal.
"Very well. That will place you above temptation."
"And I will be innocent and happy. You are my benefactor. You have
saved me."
"I believe it," said the man of benevolence.
And so he intrusted his goods and his money to the man he had
reformed by placing him in different circumstances.
But it is in the heart of man that evil lies; and from the heart's
impulses spring all our actions. That must cease to be a bitter
fountain before it can send forth sweet water. The thief was a thief
still. Not a month elapsed ere he was devising the means to enable
him to get from his kind, but mistaken friend, more than the liberal
sum for which he had agreed to serve him. He coveted his neighbour's
goods whenever his eyes fell upon them; and restlessly sought to
acquire their possession. In order to make more sure the attainment
of his ends, he affected sentiments of morality, and even went so
far as to cover his purposes by a show of religion. And thus he was
able to deceive and rob his kind friend.
Time went on; and the thief, apparently reformed by a change of
relation to society, continued in his post of responsibility. How it
was, the benefactor could not make out; but his affairs gradually
became less prosperous.
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