76 ROBERT DAWSON.

do not know that I shall -go back again,—the work is ~
so hard there!”

“T thought a clerk's work was easy.” -

“No: I do not call it easy to be on your feet from
morning till night. Besides, Mr. Jones says, if I take
so many vacations, he does not think I shall do for
him; just as if one could work all the time!”

“ But. people must stick to their business, Charley,”
said I, “That is what my father always says.”

“What! all ‘the time, and have no fun? Mother says
it is too bad to tie up boys so. I came off so long before
Thanksgiving, I suppose he will have to get somebody
to help him. For my part, I am glad to get rid of work;
and I do not care a snap whether I go back.again or
not.”

I looked at Charley, in his new suit of blue broad-
cloth, with a bright and animated smile upon his face,
and with a freedom and joyousness of manner that
could not fail to strike any one. I think a faint
emotion of envy, at least of regret, sprung up within

me, at the contrast of our situations. Charley was rich,