ife.

One day Salmon passed a store where some spades were exposed for sale.
He stopped to look at them. There was a strange smile on his face.

"Perhaps, after all, digging is my vocation! Well, it is an honorable
one. I only wish to know what God would have me to do. If to dig, then I
will undertake it cheerfully."

However, there was one great objection to his lifting a spade. It would
first have been necessary to apply to his uncle for the once-rejected
half-dollar. He was determined never to do that.

He walked home, very thoughtful. He could not see how it was possible
that any good fortune should ever happen to him in Washington. The
sights of the city had become exceedingly distasteful to him, associated
as they were with his hopes deferred and his heart-sickness. He reached
his door. Mrs. Markham met him with beaming countenance.

"There is a gentleman waiting for you! I reckon it's another pupil!"

His face brightened for an instant. But it was clouded again quickly, as
be reflected,--

"_One_ more pupil! Very likely! That makes two! At this rate, I shall
have four in the course of a year!"

He was inclined to be sarcastic with himself. But he checked the
ungrateful thoughts at once.

"What Providence sends me, that let me cheerfully and thankfully
accept!"

He entered the parlor. A gentlemanly person, with an air of culture,
advanced to meet him.

"This is Mr. ----?"

"That is my name, Sir."

"Mrs. Markham said you would be in in a minute; so I have waited."

"You are very kind to do so, Sir. Sit down."

"I have seen your advertisement in the 'Intelligencer.' You still think
of establishing a school?"

"That is my intention."

"May I ask if you have been successful in obtaining pupils?"

"Not very. I have one engaged. I would like a dozen more, to begin
with."

The gentleman took his hat. "Of course he will go, now he knows what my
prospects are!" But Salmon was mistaken. The visitor seemed to have
taken his hat merely for the sake of having something in his hands, to
occupy them.

"Then perhaps you will be pleased to listen to my proposition?

"Certainly, Sir."

"My name is Plumley. I have established a successful classical school,
as you may be aware. It is in G-Street."

"I have heard of you, Sir." And Salmon might have added, "I have envied
you!"

"Well, Mrs. Phimley has recently opened a young ladies' school, which
has succeeded beyond all our expectations."

"I congrat