well provided for with you. Can I
arrange to send money regularly to mother?" asked the boy. "I shouldn't
like to think of her as suffering for want of it."

"Yes, but to guard against emergencies, we can leave her a sum of money
before you start."

After dinner Mr. Melville proposed to Herbert to accompany him on a
walk up Washington Street, They walked slowly, Herbert using his eyes
diligently, for to him the display in the shop windows was novel and
attractive.

At length they paused at the door of a large and handsome jewelry
store--one of the two finest in Boston.

"I want to go in here, Herbert," said his employer.

"Shall I stay outside?"

"No, come in with me. You may like to look about."

Though Herbert had no idea of the cost of the fine stock with which the
store was provided, he saw that it must be valuable, and wondered where
purchasers enough could be found to justify keeping so large a supply
of watches, chains, rings and the numberless other articles in gold and
silver which he saw around him.

"I would like to look at your watches," said Melville to the salesman
who came forward to inquire his wishes.

"Gold or silver, sir?"

"Silver."

"This way, if you please."

He led the way to a case where through the glass covering Herbert
saw dozens of silver watches of all sizes and grades lying ready for
inspection.

"For what price can I get a fair silver watch?" asked Melville.

"Swiss or Waltham?"

"Waltham. I may as well patronize home manufactures."

"Here is a watch I will sell you for fifteen dollars," said the
salesman, drawing out a neat-looking watch, of medium size. "It will
keep excellent time, and give you good satisfaction."

"Very well; I will buy it on your recommendation. Have you any silver
chains?"

One was selected of pretty pattern, and George Melville paid for both.

"How do you like the watch and chain, Herbert?" said his employer, as
they left the store.

"They are very pretty, sir."

"I suppose you wonder what I want of two watches," said Melville.

"Perhaps you don't like to take your gold watch with you when you go out
West, for fear of thieves."

"No, that is not the reason. If I am so unfortunate as to lose my gold
watch, I will buy another. The fact is, I have bought this silver watch
and chain for you."

"For me!" exclaimed Herbert, intensely delighted.

"Yes; it will be convenient for you, as well as me, to be provided with
a watch. Every travel