uty," answered Gray.

"But," demurred Ishmael, "he ought to have known that you were not
precisely fitted for this new task he has set you."

"Well, my lad, he didn't; 'cause, you see, the gals as I edicated, you
know, they did everything for me as required larning, like writing
letters and keeping 'counts; and as for little Kitty, she used to do
them beautiful, for Kitty was real clever; and I do s'pose the judge
took it for granted as the work was all my own, and so he thinks I can
do this job too. Now, if the parish school wa'n't broke up for the
holidays, I might get the schoolmaster to do it for me and pay him for
it; but, you see, he is gone North to visit his mother and he won't be
back until September, so the mischief knows what I shall do. I thought
I'd just ask your advice, Ishmael, because you have got such a wonderful
head of your own."

"Thank you, Uncle Reuben. Don't you be the least distressed. I can do
what is required to be done, and do it in a manner that shall give
satisfaction, too," said Ishmael.

"You! you, my boy! could you do that everlasting big botheration of a
job?"

"Yes, and do it well, I hope."

"Why, I don't believe the professor himself could!" exclaimed Gray, in
incredulous astonishment.

"Nor I, either," laughed Ishmael; "but I know that I can."

"But, my boy, it is such a task!"

"I should like it, of all things, Uncle Reuben! You could not give me a
greater treat than the privilege of overhauling all those books and
putting them in order and making the catalogue," said the youth eagerly.

And besides he was going to Claudia's house!

Reuben looked more and more astonished as Ishmael went on; but Hannah
spoke up:

"You may believe him, Reuben! He is book-mad; and it is my opinion, that
when he gets into that musty old library, among the dusty books, he will
fancy himself in heaven."

Reuben looked from the serious face of Hannah to the smiling eyes of
Ishmael, and inquired doubtfully:

"Is that the truth, my boy?"

"Something very near it, Uncle Reuben," answered Ishmael.

"Very well, my lad," exclaimed the greatly relieved overseer, gleefully
slapping his knees, "very well! as sure as you are horn, you shall go to
your heaven."

CHAPTER XXXIX.

ISHMAEL IN TANGLEWOOD.

Into a forest far, they thence him led
Where stood the mansion in a pleasant glade,
With great hills round about environed
And mighty woods which did the valley shade,
And like