hear from you.

"Yours very truly,

"ROD ROYAL."

Rod carried this letter to the office, mailed it, and brought back a
number of berry-boxes from the store in his little hand-waggon. The
rest of the afternoon he spent in making a crate to hold the boxes.
Long and patiently he toiled, and at times Mrs. Royal went into the
workshop to see how he was getting along. When supper time came it was
a queer ramshackle affair he had constructed, which would hardly hold
together long enough to reach the wharf, let alone the rough handling
it would receive on the steamer.

That evening after Rod was in bed, Parson Dan took a lamp and went out
to the workshop. His heart was strangely moved as he looked upon the
pathetic efforts of the little lad. Casting aside his coat, he started
to work, and in about half an hour he had fashioned a neat strong
crate, capable of standing the strain of travel. Into this he put the
berry-boxes, placed upon it a good strong cover, and went back into the
house.

Rod was surprised and delighted next morning when he went into the
workshop. He had his misgivings, however, and asked the parson whether
it was right for him to receive any help.

"That's all right, Rodney," the clergyman explained. "You can hardly
be expected to make the berry-boxes any more than you can make the
large crate. There are some things others must do for us. You will
need two or three more crates, so the one I made last night will show
you just how the work is to be done. You did remarkably well yesterday
with nothing to guide you, but to-day I expect you to do better."

Thus encouraged, Rod once more set to work, and by night he had
finished two crates which greatly pleased Mr. and Mrs. Royal. They
were overjoyed at the boy's enthusiasm, his skill and his work, as well
as his willingness to be taught.

The next day a reply was received from Peter McDuff. Rod was greatly
excited as he tore open the envelope.

"MR. ROD ROYAL," so the letter began,

"Dear Sir: Your favor of the 12th received, and its contents noted. I
shall be pleased to receive as many berries as you can send, and will
give you market prices for the same.

"Yours respectfully,

"PETER McDUFF."

This was the first business letter Rod had ever received and he was
delighted. After showing it to Mr. and Mrs. Royal, he rushed over to
tell the good news to Captain Josh and Whyn. The latter was much
pleased, and she gave him some so