ng
to be actualized. More than twenty times since the preceding evening had
the words of Captain Littleton crossed his imagination, and kindled up
a great blaze of possibilities and probabilities. "I will give you
twenty cents a dozen for them," the captain had said. If he would buy
perch others would buy them. He had a boat, and there would not be many
days when he could not catch as many as five or six dozen. Even at a
shilling a dozen he could make a dollar a day.

This was his scheme--to supply Bayville with fresh fish. He had as good
a chance to sell them as the men who went through the place blowing
their tin horns. He should have an advantage over them, for his fish
were certain to be fresh, and he was sure the people would be willing to
patronize him. The plan promised exceedingly well, and he wished to talk
it over with some one, though he was not quite ready to have it made
public. It was true, John was only ten years old, and didn't know much;
but he wanted to talk with somebody about it, and so he concluded to
take his brother into his confidence.

"What do I mean, John?" said he. "Why can't I catch perch every day, and
sell them in town?"

"Sure enough, why can't you?" replied John, delighted with the idea, and
perhaps bringing some selfish motives to bear upon it.

"We can haul 'em in as fast as we can throw over the line off the rocks,
and there are rich folks enough in Bayville to buy them."

"It's a first-rate idea," exclaimed John, with enthusiasm. "You might
go down farther, and catch cod and haddock."

"I would if I had a good boat."

"Father used to go out after cod and haddock in this boat."

"I know, but she is getting rather shaky."

The great idea was discussed in all its bearings till they reached Rock
Island, when Paul carefully selected his position, and let go the
anchor. The hooks were baited and the lines thrown over, and never
before had Paul taken his fishing apparatus when so much seemed to
depend upon the success of his efforts. His heart beat as the sinker
touched the bottom, and he pulled it up the proper distance. All his
fortunes for the future appeared to hang upon the result.

"Hurrah! I've got one!" shouted John, as with childish eagerness he
pulled in his line.

It was a sculpin!

Was this a type of his own success? Was he to watch his chance on the
great sea of life, and finally, after all his anxious watching and toil,
was he to pull in only a sculpin? These we