engaged himself to learn a new business, and
that the one which he had longed to follow ever since he had become
acquainted with Franklin's early life. He realized that he was probably
making immediate sacrifice. He could, undoubtedly, make more money in
the shoe shop than in the printing office, for the present at least. By
the first of April the shoe business obtain employment. But then he was
sure he should like printing better, and if he was ever going to change,
why, the sooner he made the change the better.

When he returned to the hotel, he told the professor what he had done.

"I am glad you are not going at once," said his employer, "for I should
be sorry to lose you. I generally give up traveling for the season about
the first of April, so that I shall be ready to release you. I commend
your choice of a trade. Many of our best editors have been practical
printers in their youth."

"I should like to be an editor, but I don't know enough."

"Not at present; but you can qualify yourself to become one--that is, if
you devote you spare time to reading and studying."

"I mean to do that."

"Then you will fair chance of becoming what you desire. To a certain
extent, a boy, or young man, holds the future in his own hands."

Harry wrote to father, at once, in regard to the plan which he had in
view. The answer did not reach him for nearly a week; but we will so far
anticipate matters as to insert that part which related to it.

"If you desire to be a printer, Harry, I shall not object. It is a good
trade, and you can make yourself, through it, useful to the community.
I do not suppose it will ever make you rich. Still, I should think it
might, in time, give you a comfortable living--better, I hope, than I
have been able to earn as a farmer. If you determine to win success, you
probably will. If you should leave your present place before the first
of April, we shall be very glad to have you come home, if only for a
day or two. We all miss you very much--your mother, particularly. Tom
doesn't say much about it; but I know he will be as glad to see you as
the rest of us."

Harry read this letter with great pleasure, partly because it brought
him permission to do as he desired, and partly because it was gratifying
to him to feel that he was missed at home. He determined, if it was a
possible thing, to leave the professor a week before his new engagement,
and spend that time in Granton.

CHAPTER XXX. THE