There was no daylight in it to James, and he so expressed himself. Each day brought discussion in the class between the principal and James. The former’s system of grammar was all of a piece with and and but, so that the hour for the grammar class was an hour of contention, very spicy to the members of the class, but rather annoying to the teacher. The latter was not long in discovering that he had a remarkable scholar in James —one who would not receive anything on trust, or without the most substantial reason or proof. His respect for James’s talents somewhat reconciled him to his annoying contradictions.

The boys had much sport over Branch’s grammar; we mean James and his cousins.

“If but is a verb, then butter must be an adverb, since it only adds three more letters and one more syllable,” said James.

“You ought to have told him so,” replied Henry; “it’s a good point: it is carrying out his system exactly.”

“Not much system about it any way,” responded James, “but a good deal of egotism and stubbornness.”

“You can be as stubborn as he is,” remarked Henry. “He don’t hardly know how to get along with Kirkman; it’s tough for him.”

We will not follow the grammar class. It should be said, however, that James never adopted Branch’s grammar. He contended against it, so long as he continued in the class; and it is our private opinion that the author of Branch’s Grammar was well pleased when James exchanged it for another study.

The boys succeeded tolerably well at housekeeping though they did not extract quite so much fun from it as they expected. After a short time, they hired the old lady in the house to cook some of their food. She did their washing also. It was only a very small amount they paid her weekly. Still, buying his books, and incurring some other unavoidable expenses, James saw his eleven dollars dwindling away quite rapidly.

“I must look up work, or I shall become bankrupt soon,” remarked James. “I can see the bottom of my purse now, almost.”

“What sort of work do you expect to find in this little place?” inquired William.

“Carpenter’s work, I guess,” answered James. “I’ve had my eye on that carpenter’s shop yonder(pointing) for some time. They seem to be busy there. I never lived anywhere yet that I couldn’t find work enough. I shall try them to-morrow.”

“What is that carpenter’s name?” inquired William.

“Woodworth—Heman Woodworth. I have had my eye on him for some time.”

Before school, on the following morning, James applied to Mr. Woodworth for work.

“What do you know about this business?” Mr. Woodworth inquired.

“I have worked for Mr. Treat, of Orange,” James replied.

“I know him; what can you do?” said Mr. Woodworth.

“I can build a barn, if you want I should,” answered James, laughingly. “I have helped in building five or six barns. I can plane for you.”

“You look as if you might be a good, strong fellow for planing,” continued Mr. Woodworth. “You pay your own way at school?”