eve you are Mr. Melville," he said, inquiringly.

"Yes, that is my name," said Melville, looking puzzled; "I don't
remember you. Have I met you before?"

"You saw me in father's store, very likely," said Eben. "I am Eben
Graham, son of Ebenezer Graham, the postmaster."

"Indeed! That accounts for your face looking familiar. You resemble your
father very closely."

"I'm a chip off the old block with modern improvements," said Eben,
smirking. "Father's always lived in the country, and he ain't very
stylish. I've been employed in Boston for a couple of years past, and
got a little city polish."

"You don't show much of it," thought Melville, but he refrained from
saying so.

"So you have come home to assist your father," he said, politely.

"Well, no, not exactly," answered Eben, "I feel that a country store
isn't my sphere."

"Then you propose to go back to the city?"

"Probably I shall do so eventually, but I may stay here in Wayneboro a
while if I can make satisfactory arrangements. I assure you that it was
not my wish to take Herbert Carr's place."

"Herbert told me that you had assumed his duties."

"It is only ad interim. I assure you, it is only ad interim. I am quite
ready to give back the place to Herbert, who is better suited to it than
I."

"I wonder what the fellow is driving at," thought Melville. Eben did not
long leave him in doubt.

"Herbert tells me that he has made an engagement with you," continued
Eben, desiring to come to his business as soon as possible.

"Yes, we have made a mutual arrangement."

"Of course, it is very nice for him; and so I told him."

"I think I am quite as much a gainer by it as he is," said Melville.

"Herbert was right. He is easily suited," said Eben, to himself.

"Of course," Eben added, clearing his throat, "Herbert isn't so much of
a companion to you as if he were a few years older."

"I don't know that; it seems to me that he is a very pleasant companion,
young as he is."

"To be sure, Herbert is a nice boy, and father was glad to help him
along by giving him a place, with a larger salary than he ever paid
before."

"What is he driving at?" thought Melville.

"To come to the point, Mr. Melville," said Eben, "I have made bold to
call upon you to suggest a little difference in your arrangements."

"Indeed!" said Melville, coldly. Though he had no idea what his singular
visitor was about to propose, it struck him emphatically that Eben was
interfe