A GOOD INVESTMENT. 93

 

Ned reads very well, writes a tolerable fair
hand, considering all things, and can figure
a little. And that’s about all I can do for
him. The other children are coming for-
ward, and I reckon he will have to go to a
trade middling soon.”

“How old is Ned?” inquired Mr. Wins-
low.

“ He’s turned of eleven.”

“You won't put him to a trade before
he’s thirteen or fourteen ?”

“‘Can’t keep him at home idling all that
time, Mr. Winslow. It would be his ruin-
ation. It’s young to go out from home, I
know, to rough it and tough it among
strangers”—there was a slight unsteadiness
in the poor man’s voice—“ but it’s better
than doing nothing.”

“‘ Ned ought to go to school a year or two
longer, Davis,” said Mr. Winslow, with some
interest in his manner. “ And as you are
not able to pay the quarter-bills, I guess I
will have todo it. What say you? If I
pay for Ned’s schooling, can you keep