ld not leave for the city for an hour; so he
improved the time in examining and balancing his accounts. The book
sales amounted to just fifty dollars, and, after his ticket to Boston
was paid for, his expenses would amount to one dollar and fifty cents,
leaving a balance in his favor of fifteen dollars. He was overjoyed
with the result, and pictured the astonishment with which his mother,
Squire Lee, and Annie would listen to the history of his excursion.

After four o'clock that afternoon he entered the store of Mr. Bayard,
bag and baggage. On his arrival in the city, he was considerably
exercised in mind to know how he should get the trunk to his
destination. He was too economical to pay a cartman a quarter; but
what would have seemed mean in a man was praiseworthy in a boy
laboring for a noble end.

Probably a great many of my young readers in Bobby's position,
thinking that sixteen dollars, which our hero had in his pocket, was a
mint of money, would have been in favor of being a little
magnificent,--of taking a carriage and going up-town in state. Bobby
had not the least desire to "swell;" so he settled the matter by
bargaining with a little ragged fellow to help him carry the trunk to
Mr. Bayard's store for fourpence.

"How do you do, Mr. Timmins?" said Bobby to the spruce clerk, as he
deposited the trunk upon the floor, and handed the ragged boy the
fourpence.

"Ah, Bobby!" exclaimed Mr. Timmins. "Have you sold out?"

"All clean. Is Mr. Bayard in?"

"In the office. But how do you like it?"

"First rate."

"Well, every one to his taste; but I don't see how any one who has any
regard for his dignity can stick himself into everybody's house. I
couldn't do it, I know."

"I don't stand for the dignity."

"Ah, well, there is a difference in folks."

"That's a fact," replied Bobby, as he hurried to the office of
Mr. Bayard, leaving Mr. Timmins to sun himself in his own dignity.

The bookseller was surprised to see him so soon, but he gave him a
cordial reception.

"I didn't expect you yet," said he. "Why do you come back? Have you
got sick of the business?"

"Sick of it! No, sir."

"What have you come back for, then?"

"Sold out, sir."

"Sold out! You have done well!"

"Better than I expected."

"I had no idea of seeing you till to-morrow night; and I thought you
would have books enough to begin the next week with. You have done
bravely."

"If I had had twenty more, I could have sold them be