be against you, but we must take the risk of that."

"I don't know what to think about it, Tom," said his mother, in a tone
of doubt and mental disturbance. "I feel as if you were too young to go
out in the wide world to seek your fortune."

"I am not so very young, mother. I am old enough to make my way."

"So your father says, and I have yielded to his judgment; but, Tom, I
don't know how to let you go."

There were tears in Mrs. Nelson's eyes as she spoke. Tom was moved, and
if he needed anything to strengthen him in the good resolutions he had
formed, his mother's emotion supplied it.

"You sha'n't regret giving your consent, mother," he said manfully, and,
rising from his seat, he went to his mother and kissed her.

"Mary," said Mr. Nelson, "you haven't answered my question. How long
will it take to get Tom ready? If he is to go, he may as well start as
soon as possible."

"Let me see," said Mrs. Nelson, "how many shirts have you got, Tom?"

"Five."

"Are they all in good order?"

"I believe one needs mending."

"I don't know whether that will be enough," said Mrs. Nelson doubtfully.

"Mary," said her husband, "don't provide too large a supply of clothing.
Tom may find it a burden. Remember, in California, he will have to
travel on foot and carry his own baggage."

"Then I think he is already pretty well provided. But some of his
clothes may need mending. That won't take long, and I will attend to it
at once."

"Perhaps Squire Hudson will go back on you, after all," said Walter.

Tom's face was overcast. That would be a disappointment he could not
easily bear.

"I shall soon know," he said.

An hour later Tom and his father set out for Squire Hudson's residence.
Tom felt nervous; he could not well help it.

"Tom," said his father, "this is an important visit for you."

"Yes, sir," said Tom.

"You are feeling nervous, I see. Try to take it coolly, and don't feel
too low-spirited if things don't turn out as you hope."

"I will try to follow your advice, father, but I am not sure as I can."

"If you are disappointed, try to think it is for the best. A boy of your
age had made all arrangements to visit Europe with a party of friends.
The day before starting something happened which made it impossible for
him to go. For weeks he had been looking forward with eager anticipation
to his journey, and now it was indefinitely postponed."

"What a terrible disappointment!" said Tom.

"Yes, it seem