othing would please me better," said Jacob Marlowe, briskly.

"Will you come along, Percy?" asked his father.

"No, papa," answered Percy, with a grimace. "You know I don't like the
smell of leather."

"_I_ ought not to dislike it," said the squire, with a smile, "for it
gives me a very handsome income."

"Oh, it's different with you," returned Percy. "Just give me the profits
of the factory and I'll go there every day."

"He's a sharp one!" said the squire, with a smile.

"I am afraid he is too sharp to suit me," thought Uncle Jacob. "It seems
to me the boy's mind runs upon money, and his own interests."

The shoe factory was a large building of two stories, and within it was
a hive of industry.

As the squire led the way he explained the various workings to the old
man, who was really curious and interested. It was on a larger scale
than was common at the time he left for California, and the use of
machinery had to a greater extent supplemented and superseded the work
of the hands.

Finally they came to a room where several boys were pegging shoes, for
this work was still done in the old-fashioned way. Uncle Jacob's eyes
lighted up when in one of them he recognized Bert Barton.

He hurried forward, and put his hand on Bert's shoulder.

"So this is your business," he said.

"Yes," answered Bert, with a smile.

"Do you find it hard work?"

"Oh, no! That is, I am used to it. It used to tire me at first."

"Did you tell your mother I was in town?"

"Yes," answered Bert, "and she says she hopes you will call."

"To be sure I will. I may call this evening."

"He's a likely boy, Albert," said Uncle Jacob, rejoining the squire, who
stood aloof with a look of annoyance on his face.

"He works very well, I believe," was the cold reply. "Shall we move on?"

"Albert doesn't seem to feel much interest in his poor relations,"
thought Uncle Jacob. "Well, it's human nature, I suppose."

"You seem to be doing a large business, Albert," he said aloud.

"Yes; but with a little more capital I could very much increase it,"
rejoined the squire. "With twenty-five thousand dollars now, I would
enlarge the factory to double its present size, and do twice the
business I am now doing."

"I am afraid you want to get rich too fast, Albert."

"It would gratify my spirit of enterprise, Uncle Jacob. I feel that I
have the ability to make a big business success."

"Very likely, Albert. I've seen enough to convince me of