“March on, brave youth! the field of strife
    With peril fraught before thee lies;
  March on! the battle plain of life
    Shall yield thee yet a glorious prize.”

It was of no use to shrink then, even if he had felt disposed to do so.  He was prepared to be rebuffed, to be insulted, to be turned away from the doors at which he should seek admission; but he was determined to conquer.

He had reached a house at which he proposed to offer “The Wayfarer” for sale.  His heart went pit pat, pit pat, and he paused before the door.

“Now or never!” exclaimed he, as he swung open the garden gate, and made his way up to the door.

He felt some misgivings.  It was so new and strange to him that he could hardly muster sufficient resolution to proceed farther.  But his irresolution was of only a moment’s duration.

“Now or never!” and he gave a vigorous knock at the door.

It was opened by an elderly lady, whose physiognomy did not promise much.

“Good morning, ma’am.  Can I sell you a copy of ‘The Wayfarer’ to-day? a new book, just published.”

“No; I don’t want none of your books.  There’s more pedlers round the country now than you could shake a stick at in a month,” replied the old lady petulantly.

“It is a very interesting book, ma’am; has an excellent moral.”  Bobby had read the preface, as I before remarked.  “It will suit you, ma’am; for you look just like a lady who wants to read something with a moral.”

Bravo, Bobby!  The lady concluded that her face had a moral expression, and she was pleased with the idea.

“Let me see it;” and she asked Bobby to walk in and be seated, while she went for her spectacles.

As she was looking over the book, our hero went into a more elaborate recommendation of its merits.  He was sure it would interest the young and the old; it taught a good lesson; it had elegant engravings; the type was large, which would suit her eyes; it was well printed and bound; and finally, it was cheap at one dollar.

“I’ll take it,” said the old lady.

“Thank you, ma’am.”

Bobby’s first victory was achieved

“Have you got a dollar?” asked the lady, as she handed him a two dollar bill.

“Yes, ma’am;” and he gave her his only dollar, and put the two in its place, prouder than a king who has conquered an empire.  “Thank you, ma’am.”

Bidding the lady a polite good morning, he left the house, encouraged by his success to go forward in his mission with undiminished hope.

CHAPTER X.

In which Bobby is A little too smart.

The clouds were rolled back, and Bobby no longer had a doubt as to the success of his undertaking.  It requires but a little sunshine to gladden the heart, and the influence of his first success scattered all the misgivings he had cherished.