airs of superior
sanctity. He did not even aim at being better than others, though he
did aim, daily, at being better than he was. In short, the lad, having
been trained in ways of righteousness, and having the Word of God as his
guide, advanced steadily and naturally along the narrow way that leads
to life. Hence it came to pass in the course of time that he passed
from the ranks of Out-door Boy Telegraph Messenger to that of
Boy-Sorter, with a wage of twelve shillings a week, which was raised to
eighteen shillings. His hours of attendance at the Circulation
Department were from 4:30 in the morning till 9; and from 4:30 in the
evening till 8. These suited him well, for he had ever been fond of
rising with the lark while at home, and had no objection to rise before
the lark in London. The evening being free he devoted to study--for
Phil was one of that by no means small class of youths who, in default
of a College education, do their best to train themselves, by the aid of
books and the occasional help of clergymen, philanthropists, and evening
classes.

In all this Phil was greatly assisted by his sister May, who, although
not much more highly educated than himself, was quick of perception, of
an inquiring mind, and a sympathetic soul. He was also somewhat
assisted, and, at times, not a little retarded, by his ardent admirer
Peter Pax, who joined him enthusiastically in his studies, but, being of
a discursive and enterprising spirit, was prone to tempt him off the
beaten paths of learning into the thickets of speculative philosophy.

One evening Pax was poring over a problem in Euclid with his friend in
Pegaway Hall.

"Phil," he said uneasily, "drop your triangles a bit and listen. Would
you think it dishonest to keep a thing secret that ought to be known?"

"That depends a good deal on what the secret is, and what I have got to
do with it," replied Phil. "But why do you ask?"

"Because I've been keeping a secret a long time--much against my will--
an' I can stand it no longer. If I don't let it out, it'll bu'st me--
besides, I've got leave to tell it."

"Out with it, then, Pax; for it's of no use trying to keep down things
that don't agree with you."

"Well, then," said Pax. "I know where George Aspel is!"

Phil, who had somewhat unwillingly withdrawn his mind from Euclid,
turned instantly with an eager look towards his little friend.

"Ah, I thought that would rouse you," said the latter, with a