ember. That's in
six weeks--a little sooner than we calculated. I wish it were a little
later, as work is brisk, and I may find it difficult to fill your place
without paying more than I want to."

"I guess you can pick up somebody," said Robert, who was anxious to go
to Boston as soon as possible.

"Won't you hire me?" asked Harry, who felt that the time had come for
him to announce his business.

Mr. Leavitt looked at him more attentively.

"Have you ever worked in a shop?"

"No, sir."

"It will take you some time to learn pegging."

"I'll work for my board till I've learned."

"But you won't be able to do all I want at first."

"Suppose I begin now," said Harry, "and work for my board till your son
goes away. By that time I can do considerable."

"I don't know but that's a good idea," said Mr. Leavitt. "What do you
think, Bob?"

"Better take him, father," said Robert, who felt that it would
facilitate his own plans.

"How much would you want after you have learned?" asked the father.

"I don't know; what would be a fair price," said Harry.

"I'll give you three dollars a week and board," said Mr. Leavitt, after
a little consideration--"that is, if I am satisfied with you."

"I'll come," said Harry, promptly. He rapidly calculated that there
would be about twenty weeks for which he would receive pay before the
six months expired, at the end of which the cow must be paid for. This
would give him sixty dollars, of which he thought he should be able to
save forty to send or carry to his father.

"How did you happen to come to me?" asked Mr. Leavitt, with some
curiosity.

"I heard at the post office that your son was going to the city to work,
and I thought I could get in here."

"Is your father living?"

"Yes, my father and mother both."

"What business is he in?"

"He is a farmer; but his farm is small, and not very profitable."

"So you thought you would leave home and try something else?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, we will try you at shoemaking. Robert, you can teach him what you
know about pegging."

"Come here," said Robert. "What is your name?"

"Harry Walton."

"How old are you?"

"Fifteen."

"Did you ever work much?"

"Yes, on a farm."

"Do you think you'll like shoemaking better?"

"I don't know yet, but I think I shall. I like almost anything better
than farming."

"And I like almost anything better than pegging. I began when I was only
twelve years old, and I'm sick of