If Luke could have foreseen the immediate consequences of
this apparently simple act, and the position in which it would
soon place him, he would certainly have refused to take charge
of the box. And yet in so doing it might have happened that
he had made a mistake. The consequences of even our simple
acts are oftentimes far-reaching and beyond the power of human
wisdom to foreknow.
Luke thought little of this as, with the box under his arm, he
trudged homeward.
CHAPTER V
LUKE RECEIVES AN INVITATION
"What have you there, Luke?" asked Mrs. Larkin, as Luke
entered the little sitting-room with the tin box under his arm.
"I met a man on my way home, who asked me to keep it for him."
"Do you know the man?" asked his mother, in surprise.
"No," answered Luke.
"It seems very singular. What did he say?"
"He said that he was obliged to leave the neighborhood at
once, and could not conveniently carry the box."
"Do you think it contains anything of value?"
"Yes, mother. It is like the boxes rich men have to hold
their stocks and bonds. I was at the bank one day, and saw
a gentleman bring in one to deposit in the safe.
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