n
Mr. Bayard inquired what he wanted.

"I am going to buy this book," replied Bobby.

"Moore's Poems?"

"Yes, sir."

Mr. Bayard took from a glass case an elegantly bound copy of the same
work--morocco, full gilt--and handed it to our hero.

"I shall make you a present of this. Are you an admirer of Moore?"

"No, sir; not exactly--that is, I don't know much about it; but Annie
Lee does, and I want to get the book for her."

Bobby's cheeks reddened as he turned the leaves of the beautiful
volume, putting his head down to the page to hide his confusion.

"Annie Lee?" said Mr. Bayard with a quizzing smile. "I see how it
is. Rather young, Bobby."

"Her father has been very good to me and to my mother; and so has
Annie, for that matter. Squire Lee would be a great deal more pleased
if I should make Annie a present than if I made him one. I feel
grateful to him, and I want to let it out somehow."

"That's right, Bobby; always remember your friends. Timmins, wrap up
this book."

Bobby protested with all his might; but the bookseller insisted that
he should give Annie this beautiful edition, and he was obliged to
yield the point.

That evening he was at the little black house again, and his mother
examined his ledger with a great deal of pride and satisfaction. That
evening, too, another ten dollars was indorsed on the note, and Annie
received that elegant copy of Moore's Poems.

CHAPTER XIV

IN WHICH BOBBY'S AIR CASTLE IS UPSET AND TOM SPICER TAKES TO THE WOODS

During the next four weeks Bobby visited various places in the
vicinity of Boston; and at the end of that time he had paid the whole
of the debt he owed Squire Lee. He had the note in his memorandum
book, and the fact that he had achieved his first great purpose
afforded him much satisfaction. Now he owed no man anything, and he
felt as though he could hold up his head among the best people in the
world.

The little black house was paid for, and Bobby was proud that his own
exertions had released his mother from her obligation to her hard
creditor. Mr. Hardhand could no longer insult and abuse her.

The apparent results which Bobby had accomplished, however, were as
nothing compared with the real results. He had developed those
energies of character which were to make him, not only a great
business man, but a useful member of society. Besides, there was a
moral grandeur in his humble achievements which was more worthy of
consideration tha