plans."

In due time Harry received the following reply:--

"My dear son:--I am indeed pleased and proud to hear of your success,
not that it is a great matter in itself, but because I think it shows
that you are in earnest in your determination to win an honorable
position by honorable labor. I am sorry that my narrow means have
not permitted me to give you those advantages which wealthy fathers
can bestow upon their sons. I should like to have sent you to
college and given you an opportunity afterward of studying for a
profession. I think your natural abilities would have justified such
an outlay. But, alas! poverty has always held me back. It shuts out
you, as it has shut out me, from the chance of culture. Your
college, my boy, must be the printing office. If you make the best
of that, you will find that it is no mean instructor. Not Franklin
alone, but many of our most eminent and influential men have
graduated from it.

"You will be glad to hear that we are all well. I have sold the cow
which I bought of Squire Green, and got another in her place that
proves to be much better. We all send much love, and your mother
wishes me to say that she misses you very much, as indeed we all do.
But we know that you are better off in Centreville than you would be
at home, and that helps to make us contented. Don't forget to write
every week.

"Your affectionate father,
"HIRAM WALTON.

"P. S.--If you print any more articles, we shall be interested to
read them."

Harry read this letter with eager interest. He felt glad that his
father was pleased with him, and it stimulated him to increased
exertions.

"Poor father!" he said to himself. "He has led a hard life,
cultivating that rocky little farm. It has been hard work and poor
pay with him. I hope there is something better in store for him. If
I ever get rich, or even well off, I will take care that he has an
easier time."

After the next issue of the "Gazette" had appeared, Harry informed
Ferguson in confidence that he was the author of the article on
Ambition.

"I congratulate you, Harry," said his friend. "It is an excellent
essay, well thought out, and well expressed. I don't wonder, now you
tell me of it. It sounds like you. Without knowing the authorship,
I asked Clapp his opinion of it."

"What did he say?"

"Are you sure it won't hurt your feelings?"

"It may; but I shall get over it. Go ahead."

"He said it was rubbi