MR. EPHRAIM HUXTER.
Mrs. Oakley had determined to send John away, This resolution was easily formed, but it was not quite so easy to decide where to send him. There were plenty of boarding-schools where he might be sent, but these would be expensive, and, besides, Mrs. Oakley was of opinion that John knew enough already. He was very much the superior of Ben in scholarship, and for this she was sorry. She would like to have apprenticed him to a trade; but if this was done while Ben lived in idleness, Mr. Selwyn would be sure to remonstrate, and as the will was not yet found she felt in some fear of his opinion.
It was about this time that the stage arrived one afternoon before the gate, and a tall, shabbily dressed man, with a battered valise, descended, and walking up the front path rang the bell.
The servant who answered the summons thought she recognized him as a peddler who had called there about a month before.
"We don't want anything," she said, abruptly, nearly shutting the door in the stranger's face.
"What do you mean?" he demanded, staring at her in surprise. "I want to see your mistress."
"It's no use. She won't take anything of you."
"What do you mean by your impudence?" he said, angrily.
"Hoity-toity," said the girl. "You put on airs enough for a peddler; but it's of no use. You may take your rubbish off somewhere else."