ddling about papers, periodicals, an
assortment of very inferior confectionery, and other small wares. The
proceeds of these sales made here at the seaside, deducting a
commission for the boy-vender, Jim hoped would suffice to start his
larger and more ambitious enterprise when we should return to the city.
This was to set up Tony and Matty Blair in business.

So far all was plain sailing, in anticipation; but now came the more
complicated part of the arrangement.

A stand was to be secured, a roaster, a fresh supply of peanuts, and
other necessary appliances purchased; and "our ladies," to wit, mother,
Milly, and myself, asked to provide the crippled young merchants with
warm clothing sufficient to protect them against exposure to the
elements.

There were so many "shares" to be provided for, shares of divers
proportions, and Jim's arithmetic was of such a very elementary nature,
that he soon found himself lost in a hopeless labyrinth of
calculations. With peanuts at so much by the wholesale, and so much at
retail, running-expenses, and so forth, on the one hand; what would be
the various amounts to be allowed from the proceeds, on the other, for
a "share" for Tony and Matty, another for return profits to Jim's own
pocket, and the third and larger for the establishment of the hospital
for crippled animals, the main object of the undertaking?

Now, if peanuts were so much per bag, and other needful appurtenances
so much more, how much profit might be realized, and what would be the
respective shares? Hardly had I solved this complicated problem to
Jim's satisfaction, and my own relief,--for, as I have said, numbers
were a weariness to my flesh, and the rule of three a burden to my
spirit,--when the boy remembered other claimants upon the fund.

"Miss Amy," he said, "didn't I forget. There's Rosie ought to have a
share for savin' me out the Smuggler's Hole; she _must_ have a share,
for sure; an' there's Captain Yorke, he ought to have some, too. Please
do it all over again, Miss Amy, takin' out their shares."

This was too much, however, and despite Jim's reproachful appeals to my
superior learning, I flatly refused to "do up" any more sums on his
behalf.

And now, happily, a diversion in my favor was effected, by the
appearance upon the scene of old Captain Yorke himself, who was seen
coming up the carriage-way, guiding before him a donkey-cart filled
with fish, while upon his arm he bore a basket of fruit, vege