The old man shuffled slowly into the restaurant. With head tilted, and shoulders bent forward, he leaned on his trusty cane with each unhurried step.

His tattered cloth jacket, patched trousers, worn

out shoes, and warm personality made him stand out from the usual Saturday morning breakfast crowd. Unforgettable were his

pale blue eyes that sparkled like diamonds, large rosy cheeks, and thin lips held in a tight, steady smile.

Mary ran over to him, and said, "Here, Sir. Let me give you a hand with that chair."

Without saying a word, he smiled and nodded a thank you. She pulled the chair away from the table. Steadying him with one arm, she helped him move in front of the chair, and get comfortably seated.

In a soft, clear voice

he said, "Thank you, Miss. And bless you for your

kind gestures."

"You're welcome, Sir," she replied. "And my name is Mary. I'll be back in a moment, and if you need anything at all in the mean time, just wave at me!"

After he had finished a hearty meal of pancakes, bacon, and hot lemon tea, Mary brought him the change from his ticket. He left it lie. She helped him up from his chair.

Holding the door open for him, she said, "Come back and see us, Sir!"

"You are very kind." he said softly.

When Mary went to clean his table, she almost fainted. Under his plate she found a business card, and a note scribbled on a napkin. Under the napkin was a one hundred dollar bill.

The note on the napkin read; "Dear Mary, You

have found the secret of happiness."

The man was the owner of the restaurant where she worked. This was the first time that she, or any of his employees had ever seen him in person.