orks under some other name than his own.

But although the bitterness of this criticism rankled, its sting was
removed by the thought that lazy and snobbish as Peter Coddington had
been, thanks to Peter Strong he was neither lazy nor snobbish now; nor
was he, the boy acknowledged, the disappointment to his father that he
might have been had not prompt and heroic measures been taken. Yet even
Peter Strong was obliged to admit after truthful scrutiny of his
progress that there still was room for improvement. Accordingly he
accepted submissively the censure that fell to his lot and, as Carmachel
said, "did not consider himself the whole tannery just because one room
in it was named after him."

It was not until the spring of that year that the next upward step
came; then Peter and Nat were sent to the Elmwood plant for a few
months' experience at the sole leather factories. The inconvenience of
going seven miles and back every day was nothing to Peter because of his
motorcycle; but for Nat the case was different. Poor Nat was dependent
on street cars and once or twice, owing to delays, was tardy at the
works. Then one morning the trolley broke down and Jackson was forced to
walk three miles, arriving an hour late. In consequence his pay was
docked. This injustice was too much for Peter. All day he thought about
it.

"Father," he asked that evening when he arrived home, "do you think you
would like to lend Peter Strong some money?"

"Lend money to Peter Strong! What for?"

Hotly, earnestly, eloquently, Peter presented his case concluding with
the plea:

"Strong has some money in the bank, sir, but it is not enough. If he
paid back what you lent him month by month do you think you could let
him have what he needs to get a motorcycle for Nat?"

Mr. Coddington considered carefully.

"I do not at all approve of Peter Strong's borrowing money," said he.
"It is a bad habit to fall into."

"But Peter Strong isn't going to make a habit of it, Father. And he
isn't borrowing for himself, you know."

"Still he is borrowing."

"Yes, because if he waited until he had the cash in the bank Nat might
be too old to ride a motorcycle," chuckled Peter, mischievously.

A quiet smile crept into the corners of Mr. Coddington's mouth.

"Well," admitted he deliberately, "the case does seem to be an urgent
one. I might for once consent to break over my rule and furnish the sum
necessary. Yet it is quite a large loan that Peter Stron