FIRST EARNINGS. 133

to-morrow early, and have a right hard work-
ing day at the island.”

“ Well, you may go. You have fairly earned
the time. And Bessie may go with you.”

“Then I must go down to the store this
evening, and buy some things that I need.”

“Take Sancho with you, and be off.”

Where was there a happier boy in the
country than Tom Mixon, as he marched off
with two dollars in his pocket, of his own
earning ’—the first money of his own that he
had ever possessed.

He bought lime and fifty bricks, and on his
way home hired Pat Malony to call for them
at the store, and carry them down to the river
side the next morning. It was now the last
week in May. The weather was mild and
dry. The children were at the river while the
dew still sparkled upon the tall grass, and bent
the heads of the anemones on the hill-side.
They had brought the iron pot in a basket.
Pat soon came with the lime and bricks.

“T’ve brought ye some sand, too,” said Pat.
“Ye ought to have belonged to the Emerald