would be willing to undertake the task."

"Who is it?" asked Andy, puzzled.

"Andrew Grant," answered this young man, with a smile.

"Do you mean me?" asked Andy, with a wondering face.

"Certainly. You are fresh from school, and I am sure you would be
competent to teach me."

"But I am only a boy."

"Age has nothing to do with a teacher's qualifications, except as to
discipline. You wouldn't find me a very advanced pupil. I had read one
book in _Caesar_ when I was compelled to leave school, and had begun to
translate Greek a little. Now the question is, are you willing to teach
me?"

"If you think I am competent, Mr. Gale."

"I don't doubt that. We will begin, if you like, next Monday. Perhaps,
in order to avoid village gossip, it will be well to pass yourself off
as my private secretary. Indeed, I will employ you a little in that way
also."

"I shall be very glad to serve you in any way."

"Then come to-morrow morning at nine and remain with me till twelve. Now
about the compensation."

"Fix that to suit yourself, Mr. Gale. I am almost ashamed to ask
anything."

"The laborer is worthy of his hire, Andy. Suppose I pay you six dollars
a week to begin with?"

"The money will be very acceptable, but I am afraid you will be
overpaying me."

"I will take my risk of that. On the whole, I will call it nine dollars
a week, and we will spend the afternoon together also. I will send to
the city for a boat, and you shall give me lessons in rowing."

Andy's eyes sparkled. Nothing would please him better, and the prospect
of earning nine dollars a week made him feel like a millionaire.

CHAPTER VII.

AN ENCOUNTER WITH A TRAMP.

It is hardly necessary to say that Andy's parents were equally surprised
and pleased at his new engagement.

"You will like that better than working on the farm, I expect, Andy?"
said Sterling Grant.

"Yes, father. I am willing to work, but I don't feel much interest in
farming."

"It is hard work and poor pay, Andy, but I like it. I was brought up to
it when a boy, and there is nothing else I can do."

"Andy is already beginning to get some advantage from his education,"
said Mrs. Grant.

Andy reported for duty, and during the first morning made up his mind
that he should enjoy his new employment. Mr. Gale really desired to
acquire a knowledge of Latin and Greek, and worked faithfully.

To Andy it was like a review of his own studies, and he experienced a
satisfacti