copy?" inquired Nat, thinking that possibly some leaves
might be gone, which would render it worthless to him.

"Yes, not a page is gone, and it is well bound, as you see."

"I will take it," said Nat, well pleased to possess the coveted volume
so cheap, and especially that it was just the thing for his literary
pocket. He was now more than paid for his walk to Boston. He had no idea
of obtaining the work in a form so convenient for his use, and it was a
very agreeable surprise.

In the course of the day, he made one or two other purchases, of which
we shall not speak, and acquired many new ideas of books. Some valuable
bits of knowledge he gleaned from the pages over which his eyes glanced,
so that, on the whole, it was a day well spent for his intellectual
progress.

It is related of Dr. John Kitto, that in his boyhood, when he first
began to gratify his thirst for knowledge, he was wont to visit a
bookseller's stall, where he was privileged to examine the volumes, and
he there treasured up many a valuable thought, that contributed to his
future progress and renown. He always regarded this small opportunity of
improvement as one of the moulding events of his life.

Nat was on his way home at a seasonable hour, and had a very sociable
time with his new pocket companion, which he could not help reading some
on the road. It is doubtful if he ever spent a happier day than that,
though he knew little more about Boston than he did in the morning,
except about the extent and attractions of its bookstores, with a half
dozen of which, on Cornhill and Washington street, he became familiar.

"Good morning, Nat," said Charlie, on Monday morning, as they met at the
shop. "What discoveries did you make in Boston?"

The only reply that Nat made was to take from his pocket, and hold up
"Locke's Essay on the Understanding."

"What is that?" inquired Charlie, taking the volume from Nat's hand, and
turning to the title-page.

"I have been wanting that some time," said Nat, "but I had no idea of
finding a pocket edition nor getting it so cheap. I bought that for
twenty-five cents."

"It is a second-hand copy, I see."

"Yes; but just as good for my use as a copy fresh from the press."

"A good fit for your pocket," said Charlie; "I should think it was made
on purpose for you. Has the grammar vacated it?"

"To be sure; it moved out the other day, and Locke has moved in,"
replied Nat, taking up Charlie's witticism.

"Did y