quite out of my power to go to
college even if I were prepared."

"It is a thousand pities," said the principal, with concern. "If you
must leave, you must. I am not sure but I should be willing to take you
gratuitously."

"Thank you; but I feel that I ought to go to work at once to help my
father. It is not enough that I free him from expense."

"No doubt you are right. I respect you for your determination. You need
not hesitate to apply to me at any time in the future if you see any way
in which I can be of service to you."

"I think it will help me if you will give me a letter of recommendation,
which I can show to any one from whom I seek employment."

"I will give you such a letter with great pleasure;" and the doctor,
sitting down at his desk, wrote a first-class recommendation of his
favorite pupil.

There was general regret in the academy when it was learned that Andy
must leave them. One little boy of twelve--Dudley Cameron, a special
favorite of Andy--came to him to ask if there was no way by which he
could manage to stay.

"No, Dudley! I am too poor," said Andy.

"If I write to papa and ask him to send you a thousand dollars, will you
stay?" asked the little boy, earnestly.

"No, Dudley; you mustn't do anything of the kind. Even if your father
liked me as well as you do, and would give me the money, I could not
take it. I must go to work to help my father."

"You will write to me sometimes, Andy?"

"Yes; I will be sure to do that."

The little fellow's warm-hearted offer, and the expressions of sympathy
and regret on the part of his schoolmates, cheered Andy. It was pleasant
to think that he would be missed.

On the closing day he received the first prize for scholarship from the
hands of Dr. Crabb.

"You will take my best wishes with you, Andy," said the venerable
principal. "Let me hear from you when you have made any business
arrangement."

The farewells were said, and Andy set out on his return home.

He was leaving the old life behind him. A new one lay before him, but
what it was to be he could not foresee.

He reached Arden in due course and set out to walk home. He had barely
started when he heard his name called.

Looking around, he saw Conrad Carter, the squire's only son, on his
bicycle.

"So you've come home from the academy?" said Conrad, curiously.

"Yes," answered Andy, briefly.

He never could bring himself to like Conrad, who made himself offensive
and unpopular