"Perch; do your folks want to buy any?"

"Yes, I guess they do. Where did you catch them?"

"Down at Rock Island; I am going down every day."

"Are you, though? I should like to go with you some time."

"I shall be glad to have you. I have gone into this business."

"What for?"

"Since my father died, I have to do something to help my mother,"
replied Paul, not caring to announce to his friend the whole of his
stupendous plan.

"Do you expect to do anything at this business?"

"Certainly I do; I made two dollars at it yesterday."

"Did you though?"

"Do your folks want any perch to-day?"

"I guess they do; how much a dozen?"

"Seventeen cents," replied Paul, who had decided to be moderate in his
prices.

"I will speak to my mother."

Thomas returned in a short time, and took two dozen of the fish, and
paid the money for them. Overjoyed at this success, he proceeded to the
next house; but though he was eloquent in regard to the freshness and
fineness of his wares, he could not make a trade. He met with no better
success at the next three or four places at which he called, and he
began to feel a little discouraged. But the next house in his way was a
large, genteel boarding-house, and he had the satisfaction of selling
four dozen at the price he had before fixed, though he had almost made
up his mind to let them go at ninepence. The gentleman who kept the
house was pleased to get the perch, and wanted the young fisherman to
bring him some three times a week for the present, for his boarders were
very fond of them.

Paul could scarcely contain himself for the joy he felt, as he glanced
at the only remaining dozen of his stock, and at the very next house he
disposed of them. With a dollar and nineteen cents in his pocket, he
walked towards home, proud as a lord of his success. The result of this
day's work afforded him far more satisfaction than that of the preceding
day, though the proceeds were considerably less; for he was conscious of
the influence of Captain Littleton's generosity in the transaction. But
the second day's triumph was achieved by his own unaided labor and
skill. What he had done this day was a fair specimen of what he might
hope to do in the future.

"Sold out so soon, Paul?" said his mother, as he entered the kitchen.

"Yes; I had good luck. They took four dozen at the boarding-house. I
think if I had had twenty dozen I could have sold them all. There is a
great deal of differe