uring this time you may as well
work for Mr. Flint."

"Do you think I shall suit him?" asked Andy, with some anxiety.

"I feel sure of it. You will find him strict in business, but kind and
reasonable. I shall expect to hear from you soon after you enter upon
your duties. I shall find life pretty dull at my uncle's house, and your
letters will bring something of the excitement of the outside world to
me."

"I will write you every week, Mr. Gale."

"If it won't be asking too much of you, I shall be glad to have you do
so."

Andy crossed the ferry with Mr. Gale, and then returning at once, took
the four o'clock train for Arden.

His news created considerable stir at home. All were pleased except Aunt
Jane.

"Brother," she said, "are you going to trust Andy alone in New York?"

"Yes, Jane; he must begin to rely upon himself some time, and he may as
well begin now."

"It's temptin' Providence, in my opinion."

"It might be so with some boys, but I have faith in Andy's prudence and
good sense."

"He ain't any different from other boys, as you will find."

But in spite of these ominous words Andy made arrangements to leave
Arden on Monday morning. He looked forward eagerly to his new life in
New York.

CHAPTER XIII.

ANDY LEAVES HOME.

Conrad was not slow in learning of Mr. Gale's departure from the hotel.
The intelligence pleased him, for, as he supposed, it threw Andy out of
employment. He sought an early opportunity of speaking to him on the
subject.

At five o'clock in the afternoon the mail came in at the post office.
Among those who congregated there at the time were Conrad and Andy.

"So you've lost your place?" began Conrad, abruptly.

"What do you mean?" asked Andy.

"Mr. Gale has left town, hasn't he?"

"Yes."

"Where has he gone?"

"To Pennsylvania, to stay with an uncle who is very sick."

"Do you think he will come back to Arden?"

"I don't know, but I think it is doubtful."

"I suppose, then, you will go back to work on the farm?"

Andy smiled.

"Things might be worse," he said.

"Yes. I think it is the best thing you can do."

"Why do you think so?"

"Oh, well, you are a poor boy, and there is nothing else for you to do."

"Did you ever think of becoming a farmer?"

"I should say not," replied Conrad, haughtily. "I shall probably be a
lawyer or a merchant."

"I might become a merchant myself--some day."

Conrad laughed.

"When you do," he said, "let me k