a very good-looking boy, appeared to very good
advantage, though he certainly did look young.

As he walked through the hall, with his violin under his arm, he
attracted the attention of all, it having been already made known that
in place of the veteran Paul Beck--a man of fifty or more--an unknown
boy would furnish the music for the evening.

Philip could not avoid hearing some of the remarks which his appearance
excited. "What! that little runt play the fiddle?" said one countrified
young man, in a short-waisted blue coat, and tow-colored hair, plastered
down on either side of his head with tallow. "I don't believe he can
play any more than I can."

"I hope he can," retained his partner--a plump, red-cheeked, young
farmer's daughter. "He's very good-looking, anyhow."

"He isn't anything to brag of," said her partner jealously.

"Oh, how can you say so, Jedidiah. I See what beautiful black hair and
eyes he's got, and such a lovely color on his cheeks!"

Now, Jedidiah, in appearance, was just the reverse of Philip. His hair,
as already stated, was tow-color, his face was tanned, and the color
rather resembled brick-dust than the deep red of our hero's cheeks.

His partner was a rustic flirt, and he was disposed to be jealous, not
being certain how far she favored him. He, therefore, took offense at
his partner's admiration of the young fiddler.

"He looks very common to me," said Jedidiah pettishly. "You've got a
strange taste, Maria."

"Perhaps I have, and perhaps I haven't," retorted Maria, tossing her
head.

"Perhaps you're in love with him?" continued Jedidiah, in a tone meant
to be sarcastic.

"I should be if he was a little older," said the young lady, rather
enjoying her lover's displeasure.

"I don't believe he can play at all," growled Jedidiah. "He's fooled
Abner Webb, like as not. It's a pity we couldn't have Paul Beck."

"Very likely he can play better than Paul Beck," said Maria--not because
she thought so, but because she knew it would tease her partner.

"Don't be a fool, Maria," said Jedidiah, scarcely conscious of the
impoliteness of his speech.

The young lady, however, resented it at once.

"I am sure you are very polite, Mr. Jedidiah Burbank--so polite that I
think you had better find another partner!"

"Excuse me, Maria," said Jedidiah hastily, alarmed at the prospect of
being left without a partner. "Of course, I didn't mean anything."

"If you didn't mean it, what made you