"So that is your hero?" he repeated. "And what do you mean to do with
him, Milly?" he asked, turning to my sister. "Such a fellow should have
a chance in life."

"He thinks he has it since he has been here," answered Milly; "since he
has been among respectable people and surroundings, provided and cared
for, and taught. He and Bill both talk as if they needed no greater
advantages than those they possess already. As to what I mean to do
with him, dear uncle,--well, it is less what I mean to do with him,
than what he means to do with himself. His own ambitions are soaring,
and quite beyond any plans that I could form for him; his aim being the
head of the government of our country, with the powers of an autocrat,
and no responsibility to any one. Nor is his mind disturbed with any
doubts that he will be able to achieve this dignity, provided that he
continues to 'have his chance.' At present he is content with learning
his duties as a house and table servant, believing those to be but
stepping-stones towards his goal."

"To say nothing of his ambitious views regarding Milly herself," I
interrupted. But my remark was ignored as unworthy of the gravity of
the subject.

"But he should have some schooling, a boy such as he is,--do not you
think so?" asked uncle Rutherford; adding, "Whatever his aims and
ambitions may be, he can achieve nothing without some education."

Milly hesitated for a moment, unwilling to make mention of all that she
was doing for Jim and his _confrere_; and I spoke for her.

"Milly is spending a goodly portion of her worldly substance in that
way," I said. "The boys go to a teacher for two hours every evening,
and are both making quite remarkable progress in the three R's; and
Bill had singing-lessons all last winter, and I believe Milly intends
that he shall continue them when we go back to the city."

"H'm'm," said uncle Rutherford. "Very good, so far as it goes; but I
mean something more thorough and far-reaching than this." And Milly's
eyes lighted, for she knew that uncle was already planning some means
of substantial advancement for her _protege_.

"If you are going to give him any further 'chance,'" I said, "Columbia
itself will not bound his ambition. He, too, will sigh because there is
but one world for him to conquer."

"H'm'm," said uncle Rutherford again, with his eyes still fixed
thoughtfully upon the incipient candidate for presidential honors, who,
having shaken himself free