uld rather be whipped than tell a lie.
He is noted through the place for his love of truth.'--That is pretty
strong testimony; and you see, Bobby,--that's what the squire calls
you,--your reputation has preceded you."

Bobby blushed, as he always did when he was praised, and Mr. Timmins
was more abashed than ever.

"Did you hear that, Timmins? Who is the liar now?" said Mr. Bayard,
turning to the culprit.

"Forgive me, sir, this time. If you turn me off now, I cannot get
another place, and my mother depends upon my wages."

"You ought to have thought of this before."

"He aggravated me, sir, so that I wanted to pay him off."

"As to that, he commenced upon me the moment I came into the
store. But don't turn him off, if you please, sir," said Bobby, who
even now wished no harm to his discomfited assailant. "He will do
better hereafter: won't you, Timmins?"

Thus appealed to, Timmins, though he did not relish so direct an
inquiry, and from such a source, was compelled to reply in the
affirmative; and Mr. Bayard graciously remitted the sentence he had
passed against the offending clerk.

"Now, Robert, you will come over to my house and dine with me. Ellen
will be delighted to see you."

"Thank you, sir," replied Bobby, bashfully, "I have been to
dinner"--referring to the luncheon he had eaten at Brighton.

"But you must go to the house with me."

"I should be very glad to do so, sir, but I came on business. I will
stay here with Mr. Timmins till you come back."

The truth is, he had heard something about the fine houses of the
city, and how stylish the people were, and he had some misgivings
about venturing into such a strange and untried scene as the parlor of
a Boston merchant.

"Indeed, you must come with me. Ellen would never forgive you or me,
if you did not come."

"I would rather rest here till you return," replied Bobby, still
willing to escape the fine house and the fine folks. "I walked from
Riverdale, sir, and I am rather tired."

"Walked!" exclaimed Mr. Bayard. "Had you no money?"

"Yes, sir, enough to pay my passage; but Dr. Franklin says that 'a
penny saved is a penny earned,' and I thought I would try it. I shall
get rested by the time you return."

"But you must go with me. Timmins, go and get a carriage."

Timmins obeyed, and before Mr. Bayard had finished asking Bobby how
all the people in Riverdale were, the carriage was at the door.

There was no backing out now, and our hero wa