t, but I am afraid that consideration won't weigh much with
John Walsingham."

"I have a great mind to go and see him, mother. Have you any
objections?"

"I have no objections, but I am afraid it will do no good."

"Mr. Graham ought to be ashamed, with the profits of his store, to want
the post office also. His store alone pays him handsomely."

"Mr. Graham is fond of money. He means to be a rich man."

"That is true enough. He is about the meanest man in town."

A few words are needed in explanation, though the conversation explains
itself pretty well.

Herbert's father, returning from the war with the loss of an arm, was
fortunate enough to receive the appointment of postmaster, and thus
earn a small, but, with strict economy, adequate income, until a fever
terminated his earthly career at middle age. Mr. Graham was a rival
applicant for the office, but Mr. Carr's services in the war were
thought to give him superior claims, and he secured it. During the month
that had elapsed since his death, Mrs. Carr had carried on the post
office under a temporary appointment. She was a woman of good business
capacity, and already familiar with the duties of the office, having
assisted her husband, especially during his sickness, when nearly the
whole work devolved upon her. Most of the village people were in favor
of having her retained, but the local influence of Squire Walsingham and
his nephew was so great that a petition in favor of the latter secured
numerous signatures, and was already on file at the department in
Washington, and backed by the congressman of the district, who was
a political friend of the squire. Mrs. Carr was not aware that the
movement for her displacement had gone so far.

It was already nine o'clock when Herbert's conversation with his mother
ended, and he resolved to defer his call upon Squire Walsingham till the
next morning.

About nine o'clock in the forenoon our young hero rang the bell of
the village magnate, and with but little delay was ushered into his
presence.

Squire Walsingham was a tall, portly man of fifty, sleek and evidently
on excellent terms with himself. Indeed, he was but five years older
than his nephew, Ebenezer Graham, and looked the younger of the two,
despite the relationship. If he had been a United States Senator he
could not have been more dignified in his deportment, or esteemed
himself of greater consequence. He was a selfish man, but he was free
from the mean