ait here five minutes," said Lovett, and he went into an adjoining
room.

Within the time mentioned, he returned, holding in his hand a sealed
letter.

"Philip," he said, "put this envelope in your pocket, and don't open it
till you are fifty miles from here."

"Very well, sir," answered Philip, rather puzzled, but not so much
surprised as he might have been if he had not known the farmer's
reputation for eccentricity.

"I suppose it contains some good advice," he thought. "Well, good advice
is what I need."

The two boys went home immediately upon leaving the farmhouse. Though so
much had happened, it was not late, being not quite half-past nine.

Philip received a cordial welcome from Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar, who,
however, hardly expected to see him so soon. "Are you willing to receive
a pauper beneath your roof?" asked Philip, smiling.

"That you will never be while you have health and strength, I'll be
bound," said Mr. Dunbar. "I like your pride and independence, Philip."

They tried to induce Philip to give up his resolution to leave Norton
the next morning, but did not succeed.

"I will come back some time," he said. "Now I feel better to go."

At five o'clock the next morning, with a small bundle swung over his
shoulder, attached to a stick, Philip Gray, carrying his violin, left
the village, which, for some years, had been his home. Frank accompanied
him for the first mile of his journey. Then the two friends shook hands
and parted--not without sorrow, for who could tell when they would meet
again?

CHAPTER XVIII. A PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT.

A depressing feeling of loneliness came to Phil after he had parted with
Frank. He was going out into the world with no one to lean upon, and no
one to sympathize with him or lend him a helping hand. No wonder he felt
friendless and alone. But this mood did not last long.

"I shall find friends if I deserve them," he reflected, "and I don't
mean to do anything dishonorable or wrong. I am willing to work, and I
believe I can make a living."

Leaving him to proceed, we go back to the poor-house, where his absence
was not noticed till morning.

Joe Tucker, in spite of the blow which his nasal organ had received,
slept pretty comfortably, and was awakened at an early hour by his
vigilant spouse.

"You'd better go up and wake that boy and set him to work, Mr. Tucker,"
she said. "There are plenty of chores for him to do."

"You are right, Abigail," said M