farmer, a preacher or a storekeeper.

"Did ye ever hear anything like the choice?

"An' then he says, the old rascal, that ef by that time he hasn't made
something of himself in one or t'other er them things, that the money can
be given ter his cousin Dot, whatever she's done or hasn't done, bein's
he's never expected anything of her, she bein' only a girl.

"That made me bile when I heerd it, fer the old critter ought ter think
pretty well er girls and women. They say, as er boy he lived with his aunt
who gave him a good edication; a cousin er his'n, a woman by the way, set
him up in business, an' this money he's made his grand will fer was left
him by his wife, so ye'd think he'd feel thankful and kind toward all
women, but ye can't caount on folks."

"I'd a thought he'd a left the money ter be divided between Jack an' Dot,
'twould a sounded pleasanter," said Almira.

"Ef ye ever saw old Jehiel Marvin ye'd never expect anything very pleasant
of him," responded Mrs. Hodgkins.

"But lemme tell ye the greatest!

"Timotheus Simpkins ain't goin' ter the deestrict school this year, fer
the reason that his father says he's learned all there is ter learn, an'
there ain't nothing left that the teacher can tell him, so he's goin' ter
stay aout and help on the farm an' spend all his spare time on
literatoor!

"That's what old Mr. Simpkins says, what on airth do ye s'pose he means?"

Aunt Sophrony waited for her niece to solve the mystery, but the problem
was too great for her to grasp, and as Mrs. Hodgkins rose to go, Almira
begged her to question Timotheus if she chanced to meet him, and find out
just what he intended to do with his spare time, and to learn if possible
in what way "literatoor" was to form a part of his daily life.

CHAPTER IV

THE DISTRICT SCHOOL

The meeting held for the purpose of deciding that the town could or could
not afford to furnish suitable accommodations for its pupils proved to be
a most exciting affair.

Josiah Boyden filled with indignation that the matter should have been
thought worthy of consideration after he had spoken so vehemently against
it at Barnes' store, sat pompous and important near the door, fully
determined to crush any suggestion which might be offered.

Mr. Potts and Mr. Jenks early in the evening inquired the amount which the
town had set aside for the school. Upon learning the sum, each at once
agreed to contribute a quarter of the balance needed if oth