Who Are Happiest? and Other Stories

An evening conversation between a weary labourer and his wife opens this collection of stories for young readers. William Aiken envies a wealthy neighbour, while Mrs. Aiken points to the comforts of their home and the strain that money can bring. T. S. Arthur uses such ordinary disagreements to consider contentment, gratitude and the responsibilities that come with prosperity. His introduction explains that the adult characters and their trials are intended to prepare children for decisions in later life.

Another passage places honesty and practical judgment at the centre of a business dispute. Mr. Clinton corrects a bill in the worker's favour and explains why the safety of families downstream matters when choosing a contractor for a mill dam. Christian principles guide these stories, with dialogue turning everyday situations into lessons about conduct. Readers interested in nineteenth-century moral storytelling will find clear examples of how household concerns and commercial choices became material for children's fiction.