st let me know and I'll
buy it as an investment."

"Two hundred and fifty years ago you might have bought one for that
price, probably. Real estate wasn't very high among the Indians."

"Just my luck," said Dick; "I was born too late. I'd orter have been
an Indian, and lived in splendor on my present capital."

"I'm afraid you'd have found your present business rather
unprofitable at that time."

But Dick had gained something more valuable than money. He had
studied regularly every evening, and his improvement had been
marvellous. He could now read well, write a fair hand, and had
studied arithmetic as far as Interest. Besides this he had obtained
some knowledge of grammar and geography. If some of my boy readers,
who have been studying for years, and got no farther than this,
should think it incredible that Dick, in less than a year, and
studying evenings only, should have accomplished it, they must
remember that our hero was very much in earnest in his desire to
improve. He knew that, in order to grow up respectable, he must be
well advanced, and he was willing to work. But then the reader must
not forget that Dick was naturally a smart boy. His street education
had sharpened his faculties, and taught him to rely upon himself. He
knew that it would take him a long time to reach the goal which he
had set before him, and he had patience to keep on trying. He knew
that he had only himself to depend upon, and he determined to make
the most of himself,--a resolution which is the secret of success
in nine cases out of ten.

"Dick," said Fosdick, one evening, after they had completed their
studies, "I think you'll have to get another teacher soon."

"Why?" asked Dick, in some surprise. "Have you been offered a more
loocrative position?"

"No," said Fosdick, "but I find I have taught you all I know myself.
You are now as good a scholar as I am."

"Is that true?" said Dick, eagerly, a flush of gratification
coloring his brown cheek.

"Yes," said Fosdick. "You've made wonderful progress. I propose,
now that evening schools have begun, that we join one, and study
together through the winter."

"All right," said Dick. "I'd be willin' to go now; but when I first
began to study I was ashamed to have anybody know that I was so
ignorant. Do you really mean, Fosdick, that I know as much as you?"

"Yes, Dick, it's true."

"Then I've got you to thank for it," said Dick, earnestly. "You've
made me what I am."

"And hav