On the following day, the friend of the hatter called upon Mrs.Gaston, and it was settled between them that little Henry should be called for by the man who was to become his master on the morning of the next day but one.

The best that the mother could do for her son, about to leave his home and go out among strangers, was to get him a pair of shoes, upon which she paid forty cents, promising to settle the balance in a couple of weeks.

His thin, scanty clothes she mended and washed clean--darned his old and much-worn stockings, and sewed on the torn front of his seal-skin cap.

With his little bundle of clothes tied up, Henry sat awaiting on the morning of the day appointed for the arrival of his master, his young heart sorrowful at the thought of leaving his mother and sister.

But he seemed to feel that he was the subject of a stern necessity, and therefore strove to act a manly part, and keep back the tears that were ready to flow forth.