with a will, and in twenty-five minutes the work was done.

"You're spry," said Jane Cleveland, when he brought the shovel to the
door. "It took Hannah twice as long, and she didn't do it as well."

"It isn't the kind of work for ladies," replied Chester.

"Wait till I fetch the money."

Miss Cleveland went into the house, and returned with a nickel and four
pennies.

"I'm reely ashamed," she said. "I'll have to owe you a cent. But here's
a mince pie I've just baked. Take it home to your ma. Maybe it'll come
handy. I'll try to think of the other cent next time you come along."

"Don't trouble yourself about it, Miss Cleveland. The pie is worth a
good deal more than the cent. Mother'll be very much obliged to you."

"She's very welcome, I'm sure," said the kindly spinster. "I hope
you'll get work soon, Chester."

"Thank you."

Chester made his way homeward, as he did not care to carry the pie
about with him. His mother looked at him in surprise as he entered the
house.

"What have you there, Chester?" she asked.

"A pie from Miss Cleveland."

"But how came she to give you a pie?"

"I shoveled a path for her, and she gave me a pie and ten cents--no,
nine. So you see, mother, I've earned something this week."

"I take it as a good omen. A willing hand will generally find work to
do."

"How are you off for wood, mother?"

"There is some left, Chester."

"I'll go out in the yard and work at the wood pile till dinner time.
Then this afternoon I will go out again and see if I can find some more
paths to shovel."

But Chester was not destined to earn any more money that day. As a
general thing, the village people shoveled their own paths, and would
regard hiring such work done as sinful extravagance. Chester did,
however, find some work to do. About half-past three he met Abel Wood
tugging a large basket, filled with groceries, to the minister's house.
He had set it down, and was resting his tired arms when Chester came
along.

"Give me a lift with this basket, Chester, that's a good fellow," said
Abel.

Chester lifted it.

"Yes, it is heavy," he said.

"The minister's got some company," went on Abel, "and he's given an
extra large order."

"How do you like working in the store, Abel?"

"It's hard work, harder than I thought."

"But remember what a magnificent salary you will get," said Chester,
with a smile.

"It ain't half enough. Say, Chester, old Tripp is rich, ain't he?"

"I should cal