ly, "it's
a happy home, and from all I've read, that is more than can be said
of some palaces. Step right in and make yourself at home."

They entered a tiny entry, and Mrs. Ferguson opened the door of the
sitting-room. She was a pleasant-looking woman, and her face wore a
smile st welcome.

"Hannah," said Ferguson, "this is our new apprentice, Harry Walton."

"I am glad to see you," she said, offering her hand. "My husband has
spoken of you. You are quite welcome, if you can put up with humble
fare."

"That is what I have always been accustomed to," said Harry,
beginning to feel quite at home.

"Where are the children, Hannah?"

Two children, a boy and a girl, of six and four years respectively,
bounded into the room and answered for themselves. They looked shyly
at Harry, but before many minutes their shyness had worn off, and the
little girl was sitting on his knee, while the boy stood beside him.
Harry was fond of children, and readily adapted himself to his young
acquaintances.

Supper was soon ready--a plain meal, but one that Harry enjoyed. He
could not help comparing Ferguson's plain, but pleasant home, with
Clapp's mode of life.

The latter spent on himself as much as sufficed his fellow-workman to
support a wife and two children, yet it was easy to see which found
the best enjoyment in life.

"How do you like your new business?" asked Mrs. Ferguson, as she
handed Harry a cup of tea.

"I like all but the name," said our hero, smiling.

"I wonder how the name came to be applied to a printer's apprentice
any more than to any other apprentice," said Mrs. Ferguson.

"I never heard," said her husband. "It seems to me to be a libel
upon our trade. But there is one comfort. If you stick to the
business, you'll outgrow the name."

"That is lucky; I shouldn't like to be called the wife of a ----. I
won't pronounce the word lest the children should catch it."

"What is it, mother?" asked Willie, with his mouth full.

"It isn't necessary for you to know, my boy."

"Do you know Mr. Clapp?" asked Harry.

"I have seen him, but never spoke with him."

"I never asked him round to tea," said Ferguson.

"I don't think he would enjoy it any better than I. His tastes are
very different from mine, and his views of life are equally
different."

"I should think so," said Harry.

"Now I think you and I would agree very well. Clapp dislikes the
business, and only sticks to it because he must get