The plainly-dressed boys whom you meet carrying packages, going of errands, working at trades, following the plow, are laying up stores of what you call good luck.  Overwork has no terrors for them.  They are preparing to take the places of the great leaders of our country’s affairs.  They have learned James Harper’s secret.  The key handed out to him in the “gray of the morning”—­that tells the story!

  “The heights by great men reached and kept
    Were not attained by sudden flight
  But they, while their companions slept,
    Were toiling upward in the night.”

[Illustration]

[Illustration:  Bring Your Wood Saws and Axes]

THE BEST FUN

“Now, boys, I’ll tell you how we can have some fun,” said Fred Blake to his companions, who had assembled on a beautiful, moonlight evening for sliding, snowballing, and fun generally.

“How?” “Where?” “What is it?” asked several eager voices together.

“I heard Widow More tell a man a little while ago,” replied Fred, “that she would go to sit up with a sick child to-night.  She said she would be there about eight o’clock.  Now, as soon as she is gone, let’s make a big snow man on her doorstep so that when she comes home, she cannot get in without first knocking him down.”

“Capital!” shouted several of the boys.

“See here,” said Charlie Neal, “I’ll tell you the best fun.”

“What is it?” again inquired several at once.

“Wait awhile,” said Charlie.  “Who has a wood-saw?”

“I have,” “So have I,” answered three of the boys.  “But what in the world do you want a wood saw for?”

[Illustration:  “We can saw and split this pile of wood.”]

“You shall see,” replied Charlie.  “It is almost eight o’clock now, so go and get your saws.  You, Fred and Nathan, get each an axe, and I will get a shovel.  Let us all be back here in fifteen minutes, and then I’ll show you the fun.”

The boys separated to go on their several errands, each wondering what the fun could be, and what possible use could be made of wood saws and axes, in their play.  But Charlie was not only a great favorite with them all, but also an acknowledged leader, and they fully believed in him and his promise.

Anxious to know what the “fun” was which Charlie had for them, they made haste, and were soon on hand, with their saws, axes, and shovels.

“Now,” said Charlie, “Mrs. More is gone, for I met her when I was coming back; so let’s be off at once.”

“But what are you going to do?” inquired several impatient members of the party.

“You shall see directly,” replied the leader, as they approached the humble home of Mrs. More.