, but I should not insist upon his having been through a trainer's
hands. In fact, I would rather break him in myself, and if he's willing
and sound and no vice, I can get him into shape. I will pay a thousand
to start on, and if he draws and travels all right, may be better in the
long run," etc. John handed back the letter with a slight smile, which
was reflected in the face of the general. "What do you think of it?"
asked the latter.

"I should think it might be very characteristic," remarked John.

"Yes," said the general, "it is, to an extent. You see he writes pretty
fair English, and he can, on occasion, talk as he writes, but usually,
either from habit or choice, he uses the most unmitigated dialect. But
what I meant to ask you was, what do you think of the proposal?"

"You mean as an opportunity for _me_?" asked John.

"Yes," said General Wolsey, "I thought of you at once."

"Thank you very much," said John. "What would be your idea?"

"Well," was the reply, "I am inclined to think I should write to him if
I were you, and I will write to him about you if you so decide. You have
had some office experience, you told me--enough, I should say, for a
foundation, and I don't believe that Harum's books and accounts are very
complicated."

John did not speak, and the general went on: "Of course, it will be a
great change from almost everything you have been used to, and I dare
say that you may find the life, at first at least, pretty dull and
irksome. The stipend is not very large, but it is large for the country,
where your expenses will be light. In fact, I'm rather surprised at his
offering so much. At any rate, it is a living for the present, and may
lead to something better. The place is a growing one, and, more than
that, Harum is well off, and keeps more irons in the fire than one, and
if you get on with him you may do well."

"I don't think I should mind the change so much," said John, rather
sadly. "My present life is so different in almost every way from what it
used to be, and I think I feel it in New York more even than I might in
a country village; but the venture seems a little like burning my
bridges."

"Well," replied the general, "if the experiment should turn out a
failure for any reason, you won't be very much more at a loss than at
present, it seems to me, and, of course, I will do anything I can should
you wish me to be still on the lookout for you here."

"You are exceedingly kind, sir,