all was going into Charlie or he into the corn-ball. He quietly
stole back to his desk and there abruptly shouted, "Macomber, you may read
about the 'Miller' at once."

The shot struck. Charlie bounded up in great confusion, his month full of
corn-ball!

"Hold, Macomber!" said the master, in a very sarcastic way. "It must be
evident to you that a man cannot successfully read about the grinding of
corn, and yet be grinding corn in his mouth at the same time." Then he
broke out into a roar, "Stand out in the floor! You may do any further
grinding there. Stop after school, also!"

Unfortunate Charlie! When he went home at a late hour Aunt Stanshy was
disposed to rebuke him for his tardiness. This was too much for Charlie.
He broke out into a whimper: "I think I have a sad life, only scoldings at
home and scoldings and arithmetic at school."

"O, no!" said Aunt Stanshy, soothingly, guessing that the little fellow
had had some trouble that day, and had been sufficiently punished for any
fault; "O, no! not so bad as that! Haven't you a pleasant home?"

"Yes--you--you are kind, I know, real kind."

"Well, don't think any thing more about it. Here is a big piece of mince
pie."

He had not eaten more than one half of his lunch when he felt very much
comforted, and the outside world brightened very perceptibly. To comfort
him still further Aunt Stanshy allowed him to go after several boys and
bring them to the barn, and it was in connection with this gathering that
a new and important enterprise was suggested by one of the boys.

"It's something that will pay," said Sid.

Every body wanted to believe it and was willing to help it along. Soon
Charlie came running from the barn into the kitchen.

"Aunt Stanshy, will you please lend me your scales?"

"My what?"

"Your scales for weighing, please."

"What on earth is it now?" exclaimed Aunt Stanshy. It was a--so the
placard on the barn door stated--it was A FAIR!

Charlie did not have much to say about it, but through the remainder of
the day often hummed, or smiled and chuckled complacently. When Aunt
Stanshy had lighted the kerosene lamp that had a big lion's claw for a
base and boasted a yellow shade covered with green shepherdesses and blue
sheep, then Charlie sat down at the center-table and for an hour was
exceedingly busy. About eight he held up an object to Aunt Stanshy.

"What is that, Aunt Stanshy?" he asked.

"A rag-man," she replied, promptly.

The ar