this was in so imperfect a way, that he could by no means read easily, and
was obliged to spell more than half his words. Mr. Martin smiled
good-naturedly, as John's exclamation made him raise his head from the
book he was reading; and desiring him to come near his chair, he
explained, at some length, what the print represented; after which he
asked John if he would not like to be able to read the story himself. John
immediately answered, "O dear! yes Sir, that I should; but," looking down,
and the tears starting into his eyes, "that can never be now; for my dear
father is dead and gone; and nobody else will ever take the trouble to
teach so poor a boy as I am. And yet," continued he, looking in Mr.
Martin's face, and brightening a little with a kind of hope, "don't you
think, Sir, that if I succeed in getting a place, and if I am _very,
very_ attentive, and always take pains to please my master, I may in time
be able to save, out of my wages, as much as a penny a week, for I know if
I could do that, I might go to the school at Langholm. I remember hearing
my poor dear father wish very much that he could afford to pay so much
money for me; as he said he was sure that Mr. Campbell would teach me to
read much better than he could."

John here stopped, and seemed to wait anxiously to hear what Mr. Martin
would say to his little plan. After a few minutes' consideration, this
worthy man replied, "my dear John, I am afraid it would be a long time
before you would be able to save so much out of the very small sum that
such a little boy as you can earn;" but, seeing the poor fellow look
disappointed, he went on to say, that he had a little scheme to propose,
which he hoped John would like as well as going to Langholm school. He
then added, "my dear John, when your parents were dying, I promised them
to take care of you, and to endeavour to find a master who would be
willing to take you into his service, and treat you kindly. With that
view, I have been inquiring all around, amongst my parishioners, whether