pirited. He thought,
upon the whole, he would enjoy traveling with the circus. His duties
would be light, and the pay liberal.

Before he returned to breakfast, Ralph had come down-stairs, and had a
few words with his father.

"I think you are going to have trouble with Kit, father," he commenced.

"What makes you think so, and what about?" asked Mr. Watson.

"I told him last evening about your plan of apprenticing him to Mr.
Bickford."

"You did wrong. I did not propose to mention the matter to him till Mr.
Bickford's arrival. What did he say?"

"He turned up his nose at the idea. He thinks he ought to become a
merchant or a professional man like me. He is too proud to be a
blacksmith."

"Then he must put his pride in his pocket. It will be all I can do to
pay the expenses of your education. I can't provide for two boys."

"When Kit is off your hands won't you increase my allowance, father?"
asked Ralph, insinuatingly.

"Suppose we postpone that matter," replied Mr. Watson, in a tone of
voice that was not encouraging. "I have lost some money lately, and I
can't do anything more for you just at present."

Ralph looked disappointed, but did not venture to press the subject.

"Where have you been, Kit?" he asked, as he saw his cousin entering the
gate, and coming up the path to the front door.

"I have been taking a walk," answered Kit, cheerfully.

"It's a good idea to rise early."

"Why?"

"Because you will probably be required to do so in your new place."

"What new place?"

"At the blacksmith's."

Kit smiled. To Ralph's surprise he did not appear to be annoyed.

"I see you are getting reconciled to the idea. Last evening you seemed
to dislike it."

"Your father has not said anything about it to me."

"He will very soon."

"Won't you come round and see me occasionally, Ralph?" asked Kit, with a
curious smile.

"Yes; I may call on Saturday. I should like to see how you look."

Kit smiled again. He thought it extremely doubtful whether Ralph would
see him at the blacksmith's forge.

Half an hour after breakfast, while Ralph and Kit were in the stable,
the sound of wheels was heard, and a stout, broad-shouldered man, with a
bronzed complexion, drove up in a farm wagon. Throwing his reins over
the horse's neck, he descended from the wagon, and turned in at the
gate. Mr. Watson, who had been sitting at the front window, opened the
door for him.

"Glad to see you, Mr. Bickford," he said.