THE NEW SUIT OF CLOTHES. 49

departed. The wood-pile attracted my attention—or
rather, the wood to be piled. “I must find work here,”
was the uppermost thought in my mind. Mr. Merry,
Squire Hall’s chief workman, just then came along from
the field.

«Mr, Merry,” said i, “do you not think Squire Hait
will let me help pile his wood ?”

“You! How much could you pile, I wonder?” he
asked, in a surly tone.

“Try me, and see.”

“J do not want any boys about me: they are more
plague than profit,” growled Mr. Merry, as he turned |
his back upon me.

But I was resolved not to be discouraged.

“T can just ask the squire himself,” “thought I.
“There cdn be no harm in asking; and father says we
must not let little obstacles frighten us.” So, putting
my hands in my coat pockets, I walked out of the
yard.

AsI passed the iront of the house, I looked up at

every window, wondering whether the squire was in,
. 4 :