fine times for them. He had been offered a place in a
dry-goods store, and he was willing to take it.

"I think you had better see uncle Royal before you take the place," said
his mother. "I have never sailed in the Goldwing, and Marian and I would
like to have you sail us up to Beech Hill."

"What does uncle Royal want me to do, mother?" asked Dory, who suspected
that the captain and his mother had something on their minds.

"I don't know. You must let him speak for himself," replied Mrs.
Dornwood.

The next morning Dory took his mother and sister into the Goldwing, and
sailed up to Beech Hill. His mother had to act as his pilot, for he did
not know how to take the boat from the river to the estate. Leaving
Beaver River, he followed a narrow and crooked stream, though it was
very deep, till he reached a small lake, on the shore of which stood the
house of Captain Gildrock.

The party received a warm welcome, and Mrs. Dornwood stated the business
that had brought them to Beech Hill. Seated in the library, the great
question was opened for discussion and settlement.

"Go into a store!" exclaimed Captain Gildrock. "There are more merchants
and traders in the country now than can get a living, and mercantile
life is a desperate struggle in these days. Be a mechanic, Theodore."

"A mechanic!" exclaimed Mrs. Dornwood.

"A mechanic, Patty," added the captain decidedly. "The first thing a boy
wants is an education, and the next is a good trade. I have been
thinking of this subject for years. Now I am going to tell you about my
scheme. I want to help supply the country with good, educated
mechanics."

"I don't think mechanics need much education, Royal," suggested Mrs.
Dornwood.

"There you are mistaken, Patty. What this country, especially the
Eastern and Middle States, needs more than any other class of men, is
educated mechanics,--skilled labor. Too many boys want to be
shopkeepers, and wear fine clothes."

"I should like to be a mechanic, uncle Royal," said Dory.

"So would the other members of the Goldwing Club," continued Captain
Gildrock. "Now I will tell you about my scheme. For the last year I have
had enrolled about a dozen of the young fellows of this vicinity as
volunteers on board of the Sylph. Jepson and I have been instructing
them in seamanship and mechanics. Jepson has instructed them in the
science of the steam-engine, so that they know all about the building of
one, though they haven't the prac