love of fun made him enjoy this little stratagem, in which he bore his
part successfully.

The selectman eyed him intently. Paul began to tremble from fear of
discovery, but his apprehensions were speedily dissipated by a remark of
the new-comer, "My boy, you are forming a very bad habit."

Paul did not dare to answer lest his voice should betray him. To his
relief, the pedler spoke----

"Just what I tell him, sir, but I suppose he thinks he must do as his
father does."

By this time the vehicles had passed each other, and the immediate peril
was over.

"Now, Paul," said his companion, laughing, "I'll trouble you for that
cigar, if you have done with it. The old gentleman's advice was good. If
I'd never learned to smoke, I wouldn't begin now."

Our hero was glad to take the cigar from his mouth. The brief time he
had held it was sufficient to make him slightly dizzy.




XIII.

PAUL REACHES THE CITY.