“I will not take the whole of it.  You will want it yourself.  One dollar is enough.  When I find Mr. Bayard, I shall do very well.”

“Yes, Bobby, take the whole of it.”

“I will take just one dollar, and no more,” replied Bobby, resolutely, as he handed her the other two dollars.

“Do take it, Bobby.”

“No, mother; it will only make me lazy and indifferent.”

Taking a clean shirt, a pair of socks, and a handkerchief in his bundle, he was ready for a start.

“Good by, mother,” said he, kissing her and taking her hand.  “I shall try and come home on Saturday, so as to be with you on Sunday.”

Then kissing the children, who had not yet got up, and to whom he had bidden adieu the night before, he left the house.  He had seen the flood of tears that filled his mother’s eyes, as he crossed the threshold; and he could not help crying a little himself.  It is a sad thing to leave one’s home, one’s mother, especially, to go out into the great world; and we need not wonder that Bobby, who had hardly been out of Riverdale before, should weep.  But he soon restrained the flowing tears.

“Now or never!” said he, and he put his best foot forward.

It was an epoch in his history, and though he was too young to realize the importance of the event, he seemed to feel that what he did now was to give character to his whole future life.

It was a bright and beautiful morning—­somehow, it is always a bright and beautiful morning when boys leave their homes to commence the journey of life; it is typical of the season of youth and hope, and it is meet that the sky should be clear, and the sun shine brightly, when the little pilgrim sets out upon his tour.  He will see clouds and storms before he has gone far—­let him have a fair start.

He had to walk five miles to the nearest railroad station.  His road lay by the house of his friend, Squire Lee; and as he was approaching it, he met Annie.  She said she had come out to take her morning walk; but Bobby knew very well that she did not usually walk till an hour later; which, with the fact that she had asked him particularly, the day before, what time he was going, made Bobby believe that she had come out to say good by, and bid him God speed on his journey.  At any rate, he was very glad to see her.  He said a great many pretty things to her, and talked so big about what he was going to do, that the little maiden could hardly help laughing in his face.

Then at the house he shook hands with the squire and shook hands again with Annie, and resumed his journey.  His heart felt lighter for having met them, or at least for having met one of them, if not both; for Annie’s eyes were so full of sunshine that they seemed to gladden his heart, and make him feel truer and stronger.

After a pleasant walk, for he scarcely heeded the distance, so full was he of his big thoughts, he reached the railroad station.  The cars had not yet arrived, and would not for half an hour.