r and sister to support."

"What shall you do then?"

"I don't know." He laid down his putty knife and leaned back, wiping
his mouth again.

"I know you're sick," Bertie urged anxiously, "and I'm going to call
my papa."

"No, don't! I've had such turns before; but they do make me weak as a
baby."

But the child was alarmed, and had already gone. When he returned the
painter had risen and was slowly walking toward the house on his way
to his boarding place.

"My son," said Mr. Curtis, "call Whitefoot and harness him into the
carriage as quick as you can."

"Sit down on the boards, Dodge, until he brings the donkey round.
Bertie tells me you think painting disagrees with you."

"Yes, sir, I am sure it does. I half promised my mother never to do
another day's work at it; but when Torrey was hurt I couldn't refuse
Mr. Fuller; he's been a good friend to me in times past."

"What would you choose for an employment?"

"Out-door work, sir, was what I was brought up to. I shall try to get
something at that. There's nothing more healthy for the lungs than
being over horses and cattle."

The gentleman noticed that the effort of talking seemed to give the
man pain, and instantly checked him from saying more.

"You must stop at once," he urged in a firm voice. "Such warnings as
that," pointing to the blood-stained handkerchief, "are not to be
trifled with. I shall send a physician to see you; and I will talk
with you again."

At noon Mr. Curtis found that the woman who boarded Mr. Dodge
couldn't keep him while he was sick; and arrangements were made at
once to remove him to the chamber in Mrs. Taylor's farm-house which
Patrick Riley had left.

The next day he was so much worse that his mother was sent for; and
thus an acquaintance commenced which continued for life.

CHAPTER III.

THE MERRY GARDENER.

Mrs. Dodge was the widow of a clergyman. At her husband's death she
was left destitute; and until Albert was able to labor for her
support, she kept school, filling up every moment out of school hours,
in sewing for the slop-shops.

In this way she injured her health, and her son insisted she should
hire a couple of rooms, take his sister from an uncle's where she was
not happy, and keep house for him.

Her health was now entirely restored, and she had resolved to
advertise for a situation as housekeeper, and thus relieve her son of
the burden of her own and her daughter's support.

The longer Mrs.