loading shot-gun also. As for fishing-tackle, you can get along with
a pole cut from the woods until you have earned money enough
yourself to buy what you need."

The boy was almost overwhelmed. He came to me, and took my hand in
both his own.

"O papa," he faltered, and his eyes were moist, "did you say a gun?"

"Yes, a breech-loading shot-gun on one condition--that you'll not
smoke till after you are twenty-one. A growing boy can't smoke in
safety."

He gave my hand a quick, strong pressure, and was immediately at the
farther end of the store, blowing his nose suspiciously. I chuckled
to myself: "I want no better promise. A gun will cure him of
cigarettes better than a tract would."

Mousie was quiet, as usual; but there was again a faint color in her
cheeks, a soft lustre in her eyes. I kept near my invalid child most
of the time, for fear that she would go beyond her strength. I made
her sit by a table, and brought the books that would interest her
most. Her sweet, thin face was a study, and I felt that she was
already enjoying the healing caresses of Mother Nature. When we
started homeward she carried a book about flowers next to her heart.

Bobsey taxed his mother's patience and agility, for he seemed all
over the store at the same moment, and wanted everything in it,
being sure that fifteen dollars would buy all and leave a handsome
margin; but at last he was content with a book illustrated from