arrel thief, and this isn't the
first time you've been caught at it. Carry back the barrel to the place
you took it from and then come with me."

Jerry tried to beg off, but without avail.

At that moment Mike Donovan lounged up. When he saw his friend in
custody, he felt a degree of satisfaction, remembering the trick Jerry
had played on him.

"Where are you goin', Jerry?" he asked, with a grin, as he passed him.
"Did ye buy that barrel to kape your shirt in?"

Jerry scowled but thought it best not to answer, lest his unlawful
possession of the shirt might also be discovered, and lead to a longer
sentence.

"He's goin' down to the island to show his new shirt," thought Mike,
with a grin. "Maybe he'll set the fashion there."

Mike was right. Jerry was sent to the island for two months, there
introducing Mr. Preston's shirt to company little dreamed of by its
original proprietor.

CHAPTER XIII

OUT OF BUSINESS

The next day Mrs. Hoffman commenced work upon Mr. Preston's shirts. She
worked with much more cheerfulness now that she was sure of obtaining a
liberal price for her labor. As the shirts were of extra size, she found
herself unable to finish one in a day, as she had formerly done, but
had no difficulty in making four in a week. This, however, gave her five
dollars weekly, instead of a dollar and a half as formerly. Now, five
dollars may not seem a very large sum to some of my young readers, but
to Mrs. Hoffman it seemed excellent compensation for a week's work.

"If I could only earn as much every week," she said to Paul on Saturday
evening, "I should feel quite rich."

"Your work will last three weeks, mother, and perhaps at the end of that
time some of Mr. Preston's friends may wish to employ you."

"I hope they will."

"How much do you think I have made?" continued Paul.

"Six dollars."

"Seven dollars and a half."

"So between us we have earned over twelve dollars."

"I wish I could earn something," said little Jimmy, looking up from his
drawing.

"There's time enough for that, Jimmy. You are going to be a great artist
one of these days."

"Do you really think I shall?" asked the little boy, wistfully.

"I think there is a good chance of it. Let me see what you are drawing."

The picture upon which Jimmy was at work represented a farmer standing
upright in a cart, drawn by a sturdy, large-framed horse. The copy
bore a close resemblance to the original, even in the most difficult