t easy to get work."

"Just so! If I hear of anything I will let you know. Good-morning!"

"I don't know what to make of Percy," thought Bert, perplexed. "He was
as kind as he could be this morning, and now he is offish. At any rate,
he didn't believe me guilty, and I won't forget that in a hurry."

Two more weeks passed, and Bert still found himself unable to find
employment. Berries had become so plenty that he was unable to sell any,
and only picked some for consumption at home. The sum of money which had
been received from Uncle Jacob gradually dwindled, and Bert became
alarmed. What would they do when it was all gone? He had no doubt that
Uncle Jacob would give them further assistance, if appealed to, but both
he and his mother felt that it would be an imposition on the old man,
with his limited fund of money, to ask anything more of him.

"I don't want any more of Uncle Jacob's money, mother," said Bert; "but
I should like to ask him if he could find me a place in New York."

"I couldn't bear to have you leave me, Bert."

"But I must take work wherever I can find it."

So Bert with his mother's permission, wrote to Uncle Jacob, informing
him of his discharge from the factory, and his desire to obtain work
elsewhere. This letter reached Jacob Marlowe, and led to his writing as
follows to the squire:

NEPHEW ALBERT:

I hear by a letter from Lakeville that you have discharged Bert
Barton from your employment, and that he cannot secure any other
kind of work. I am surprised that you should treat Mary's boy in
this manner, considering the relationship that exists between you.
I appeal to your better nature to reinstate him in his old place. I
can assure you that you will have no cause to regret it. I have
steady work here, and am quite well satisfied with my position and
prospects.

JACOB MARLOWE.

"The stupid old meddler!" ejaculated the squire, throwing the letter
from him in impatience. "I suppose the Barton boy has been writing to
him. He evidently considers it my duty to support all my poor relations,
himself included. I will undeceive him on that point." He drew writing
materials toward him and wrote as follows:

UNCLE JACOB:

I have received your letter asking me to reinstate the Barton boy
in his old place. This is a business matter, and I don't permit any
interference with my business. I may add that, even if