le, at the
latter's office.

"I hope I shall not interfere with your work, Mr. Drysdale," he said. "I
am an idler for the present, but I try to respect the business hours of
others, and so, if I disturb you, let me know it."

"Oh! not at all, I assure you," said Mr. Drysdale, warmly. "I am never
very busy, and just now, there is nothing whatever to do. Indeed, I wish
I had more to do--this lack of steady work wears upon me. I need
something to keep my mind constantly occupied."

"That is where you and I differ," said Andrews; "I have worked pretty
hard for twenty years, and now I am willing to take a rest. I don't wish
to be wholly idle, but I like to give up a good part of my time to
recreation."

"I used to feel so, too," said Drysdale, as if his thoughts were far
away; then, he added, hastily, as if recollecting himself: "I mean that
I have felt so at times, but I always need to come back to hard work
again. Will you be ready to go out to my plantation next Monday?"

"Yes; Monday will suit me as well as any other day," replied Andrews.
"When shall we return?"

"I had not intended to remain there more than three or four days,
unless you should wish to stay longer. If agreeable to you, we will
return Thursday afternoon."

"That will enable me to join our riding party the next day," said
Andrews. "All right; I will be ready to start Monday morning. Now, I
must be going; I only stopped to find out when you would be ready to
go."

"I am sorry you cannot stay longer," said Drysdale. "I hope that you
will drop in without ceremony, whenever you feel like it."

In the afternoon, young Green, the cabinet-maker, called upon Mr.
Andrews, and went up to the latter's room. The work to be done, must
have required a great deal of explanation, as Green remained nearly an
hour. As he went out, Mr. Andrews said to him:

"If we fail to return Thursday, you must be there Friday at the same
hour. You had better take a look at the place before then."

On Monday, Mr. Drysdale called at the hotel immediately after breakfast,
and found Mr. Andrews all ready for the ride to the plantation. As they
rode out of town, Mr. Drysdale's spirits seemed to rise rapidly, and he
entertained his companion so successfully, that when they reached the
plantation, they had become quite well acquainted with each other.
Drysdale was a man of fine education, and fascinating manners; he really
had great eloquence, and his abilities were far above th