cause my uncle saw fit to arrange with him."

"What are you going to do, then?"

"I am offered work with the circus."

"You are!" exclaimed the country boy, opening wide his eyes in
astonishment. "What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to be an acrobat."

"What's that?"

Kit explained as well as he could.

"What are they going to pay you?"

"Ten dollars a week and my expenses," answered Kit, proudly.

"Jehu!" ejaculated the other boy. "Why, that's good wages for a man. Do
you think they'd hire me, too?"

"If you think you can do what they require, you can ask them."

"Why can't I do it as well as you?"

"Because I have been practicing for a long time at a gymnasium. What is
your name?"

"Bill Morris."

"Then, Bill, don't say a word to any one about my plans. Suppose we go
to Grafton together?"

"All right!"

Before the boys parted they made an agreement to meet at five o'clock
the next morning, to set out on their walk to Grafton.

CHAPTER X.

KIT'S FIRST NIGHT AT THE BLACKSMITH'S.

At nine o'clock the blacksmith, giving a deep yawn, said: "You'd better
be getting to bed, young feller. You'll have to be up bright and airly
in the morning."

Kit was already feeling sleepy, and made no objection. Though it was yet
early, he had found it hard work to get through the evening, as he could
find nothing to read except a weekly paper, three months old, and a copy
of "Pilgrim's Progress." In truth, neither Mr. Bickford nor his wife
were of a literary turn, and did not even manage to keep up with the
news of the day.

"I am ready," said Kit.

"Mother, show him to his room," added the blacksmith. "To-morrow I'll
give him a lesson at the forge."

"Perhaps you will," said Kit to himself, "but I think it doubtful."

Kit's room was a small back one on the second floor. The front apartment
was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Bickford, and there was one of the same
size which was used as a spare chamber.

Kit's room was supplied with a cot bed, and was furnished in the
plainest manner. One thing he missed. He saw no washstand.

"Where am I to wash in the morning?" he asked.

"You can wash in the tin basin in the kitchen," answered Mrs. Bickford.
"There's a bar of soap down there and a roller towel, so I guess you
won't have to go dirty."

Kit shuddered at the suggestion. He had seen bars of yellow soap in the
grocery at home, and didn't think he should enjoy its use. Nor did he
fancy using the sam