Shifting For Himself

pectation. To-morrow was the end of the term, and vacation,

established twenty years before. It was favorably situated, being only forty miles from New York. Half the boarding-scholars were from the city, and half from more di

ted into little knots. The day-scholars mostly w

the same age, and much more plainly dressed. John was the son of a carpenter, of limited means, and had already begun to learn his father’s business. But the father was sensible of the advantages of education, and had per

bout vacation, Joh

come, Gilbert. It is likely to

w s

through my s

” asked Gilbert, with evident disappointm

r any other term, Gilb

ished your ed

as schoo

I shall miss you mor

e at work; but there will be times—in t

same desk, and studying together. You had better

hook h

ifice to him 12to spare me half the year thus far. Now I must go to work in earnest,

one the less. Somehow I never could be reconciled to y

ill make a good one?

question. Do you think you are better

I d

hat trade to any

either. For either I should be obliged to study years, and I can’t afford to do that. A carpenter I am to be,

s, and no letter has been received from him yet. I bel

he summer here, I

ke a little tour,

the White Mou

ad a jolly

l you go t

toga. I have estimated that I can do it for a hundred

of the world some day, though I suspect that I shall be a pretty old boy before I am

rt. 14“I wonder how it would seem if I had to su

es natural to me; but then I have be

ghtfully. “You are so much more self-reliant,

t it’s in you; but circumstances have never brought it out.

as never expressed his opinion. He has simply given his consent to my pur

f a man is y

to care to have me in his home much. He is a merchant, and appears to be wealthy. At

ted him you

w. I suppose

father

n’t k

xclaimed John,

explanation. My guardian tells me I shall know

at sati

that I must be satisfied with being so well provided for, wit

ink it did c

use in thinking about it. It wou

me it seems so natural to have a father and m

s, to be sure, I begin to think over the matter and wish that I had ties

a minute,

hall be late to supper, and t

upper w

a pleasant, motherly-looking woman, who heard he

t hesi

ore comfortable and home-like than the long tabl

the doctor,” continued Mrs. Munford,

t, smiling. “He doesn’t mean to pamper any of us, or make

stay,

tone of quick decision. “If t

ut your not being back, wi

yself. Besides, it will be a saving to him, al

landers call close. It was thought that he was more economical than he needed to be. At any rate he had made

fering his hand to a girl of ten, John’

ll,” said

said John, teasing her a

hing,” said Ma

use Gilbert

bad, John,” s

pper be ready, mo

r. Why; are you

t be time for Gilbert and me

a better way of fi

is t

f wood. Can’t you

be dull to Gilbert to

look on. You shall s

ork,” said Mrs. Munford. “I didn’t

along, John. 19You’ll see what execut

ke Gilbert. Though he is rich, he doesn’t put on any airs, but makes h