his thoughts, and he exclaimed, triumphantly:

"Look at this pickerel! He must weigh over two pounds."

"All of that," said the young man, rising and examining the fish with
interest. "Let me use your pole, and see what luck I have."

"Certainly."

The young man, some ten minutes later, succeeded in catching a smaller
pickerel, perhaps half the size of Herbert's.

"That will do for me," he said, "though it doesn't come up to your
catch."

For two hours Herbert and his friend alternately used the pole, and the
result was quite a handsome lot of fish.

"You have more fish than you want," said the young man. "You had better
bring what you don't want to the hotel. I heard the landlord say he
would like to buy some."

"That would suit me," said Herbert. "If he wants fish, I want money."

"Come along with me, then. Really, I don't know when I have passed a
forenoon so pleasantly. Usually I get tired of my own company, and the
day seems long to me. I believe I see my way clear to a better way of
spending my time. You say you want a place. How would you like me for an
employer?"

"I am sure I should like you, but you are not in any business."

"No," said the young man, smiling; "or, rather, my business is the
pursuit of health and pleasure just now. In that I think you can help
me."

"I shall be very glad to, if I can, Mr.---"

"My name is George Melville. Let me explain my idea to you. I want your
company to relieve my solitude. In your company I shall have enterprise
enough to go hunting and fishing, and follow out in good faith my
doctor's directions. What do you say?"

Herbert smiled.

"I would like that better than being in the post office," he said. "It
would seem like being paid for having a good time."

"How much would you consider your services worth?" asked Mr. Melville.

"I am content to leave that to you," said Herbert.

"Suppose we say six dollars a week, then?"

"Six dollars a week!" exclaimed Herbert, amazed.

"Isn't that enough?" asked Melville, smiling.

"It is more than I can earn. Mr. Graham thought he was over-paying me
with three dollars a week."

"You will find me a different man from Mr. Graham, Herbert. I am aware
that six dollars is larger pay than is generally given to boys of your
age. But I can afford to pay it, and I have no doubt you will find the
money useful."

"It will quite set us on our feet again, Mr. Melville," said Herbert,
earnestly. "You are very generous."