104 BRAGGADOOIO.

be old and not able to work,” replied Bessie,
her bright eyes filling with tears.

“But how can Tom help him by studying
chemistry ?”

“He says he can then tell father how to
make beautiful colors, and he will get higher
wages ; and one of these days Tom may be
able to go into the mills, and get high wages
himself.”

Mr. Cramer—Your brother must be an
extraordinary boy.

Bessie—Thank you, sir, I think he is;
he can do almost anything. 7

Mr. Cramer.—Who is to teach your brother
chemistry. |

Bessie.—Oh, sir, he has the sweetest little
plan for that. He is going to learn it from
books and experiments. The vegetables that
we don’t want from our garden, he is going
to sell in the village, give half the profits
to father, and with the other half buy books.
Isn’t that an excellent plan ?

And Bessie’s bright eyes sparkled with joy
as Mr. Cramer, much amused, smiled assent.
It appeared to him a most remarkable thing,