PREFACE. THOSE who have got beyond the childish belief that happiness is the end and aim of existence, and is actually attainable in this stage of it—who have learned by the discipline of adversity and disappointment that the grand object of life is the development of character, while happiness is only the occasional, incidental attendant on its pursuit -will read the following story with an appreciative interest which only such education can afford. H. W. S. C. |