THE MERCHANT
pleasant word for every one, so in his short life he had found more friends than the old merchant had ever had, in spite of his seventy years. When the young man succeeded his father as master of the magnificent house, a great many of his friends took up their abode with him. They ate at his table, drank of his wine, and stayed with him days and nights, praising his great kindness and generosity, his open hand, and his open heart. Whenever they were in need of money and mentioned it to him, he pointed to an old chest in a corner, saying, "Take what you need, and return it when you can." At length his friends made themselves so much at home that they found their way into the chest without asking permission, so in a little while the old book-keeper, who had served the house for nearly forty years, told his young master that all the money was gone.
"Well, the chest must be filled again," said the young man, carelessly. "There is the floor in the great hall! Break it up, and fill the chest. We can have a marble floor laid in its place."
His orders were obeyed, and there seemed to be money enough to fill the chest for all time to come. Every one thought that the marble floor looked much handsomer than the golden one; besides, it was not as expensive, and the friends did not know how to praise enough the wisdom and foresight of their friend. A great many poor persons who heard of his generosity came and asked to be helped
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