ble from fear of
discovery, but his apprehensions were speedily dissipated by a remark of
the new-comer, "My boy, you are forming a very bad habit."

Paul did not dare to answer lest his voice should betray him. To his
relief, the pedler spoke----

"Just what I tell him, sir, but I suppose he thinks he must do as his
father does."

By this time the vehicles had passed each other, and the immediate peril
was over.

"Now, Paul," said his companion, laughing, "I'll trouble you for that
cigar, if you have done with it. The old gentleman's advice was good. If
I'd never learned to smoke, I wouldn't begin now."

Our hero was glad to take the cigar from his mouth. The brief time he
had held it was sufficient to make him slightly dizzy.

XIII.

PAUL REACHES THE CITY.

Towards evening they drew up before a small house with a neat yard in
front.

"I guess we'll get out here," said Mr. Stubbs. "There's a gentleman
lives here that I feel pretty well acquainted with. Shouldn't wonder if
he'd let us stop over Sunday. Whoa, Goliah, glad to get home, hey?" as
the horse pricked up his ears and showed manifest signs of satisfaction.

"Now, youngster, follow me, and I guess I can promise you some supper,
if Mrs. Stubbs hasn't forgotten her old tricks."

They passed through the entry into the kitchen, where Mrs. Stubbs was
discovered before the fire toasting slices of bread.

"Lor, Jehoshaphat," said she, "I didn't expect you so soon," and she
looked inquiringly at his companion.

"A young friend who is going to stay with us till Monday," explained the
pedler. "His name is Paul Prescott."

"I'm glad to see you, Paul," said Mrs. Stubbs with a friendly smile.
"You must be tired if you've been traveling far. Take a seat. Here's a
rocking-chair for you."

This friendly greeting made Paul feel quite at home. Having no children,
the pedler and his wife exerted themselves to make the time pass
pleasantly to their young acquaintance. Paul could not help contrasting
them with Mr. and Mrs. Mudge, not very much to the advantage of
the latter. On Sunday he went to church with them, and the peculiar
circumstances in which he was placed, made him listen to the sermon with
unusual attention. It was an exposition of the text, "My help cometh
from the Lord," and Paul could not help feeling that it was particularly
applicable to his own case. It encouraged him to hope, that, however
uncertain his prospects appeared, God would help