at
once to the kitchen, where his mother was engaged in mixing bread.

"What's the matter, Ben? You look excited," said Mrs. Barkley.

"So I am, mother. I am offered a position."

"Not in the store?"

"No; it is in New York."

"In New York!" repeated his mother, in a troubled voice. "It would
cost you all you could make to pay your board in some cheap boarding
house. If it were really going to be for your own good, I might
consent to part with you, but--"

"Read that letter, mother," said Ben. "You will see that I shall have
an elegant home and a salary besides. It is a chance in a thousand."

Mrs. Barclay read the letter carefully.

"Can I go, mother?" Ben asked anxiously.

"It will be a sacrifice for me to part with you," returned his mother
slowly; "but I agree with you that it is a rare chance, and I should
be doing wrong to stand in the way of your good fortune. Mrs.
Hamilton must have formed a very good opinion of you."

"She may be disappointed in me," said Ben modestly.

"I don't think she will," said Mrs. Barclay, with a proud and
affectionate glance at her boy. "You have always been a good son, and
that is the best of recommendations."

"I am afraid you are too partial, mother. I shall hate to leave you
alone."

"I can bear loneliness if I know you are prospering, Ben."

"And it will only be for a time, mother. When I am a young man and
earning a good income, I shall want you to come and live with me."

"All in good time, Ben. How soon do you want to go?"

"I think it better to lose no time, mother. You know I have no work
to keep me in Pentonville."

"But it will take two or three days to get your clothes ready."

"You can send them to me by express. I shall send you the address."

Mrs. Barclay was a fond mother, but she was also a sensible woman.
She felt that Ben was right, and, though it seemed very sudden, she
gave him her permission to start the next morning. Had she objected
strenuously, Ben would have given up his plan, much as he desired it,
for he felt that his mother had the strongest claims upon him, and he
would not have been willing to run counter to her wishes.

"Where are you going, Ben?" asked his mother, as Ben put on his hat
and moved toward the door.

"I thought I would like to call on Rose Gardiner to say good-by,"
answered Ben.

"Quite right, my son. Rose is a good friend of yours, and an
excellent girl"

"I say ditto to that, mother," Ben ans