358 SKETCHES IN PROSE. 



the school grounds or in the spelling class, I could lay Bob on 

 his back. But as store-tender he seemed a head and shoulder 

 above me. When kind fate plucked him from the thorny 

 path of agriculture the jagged surroundings, seemed to have 

 torn off and retained his rough exterior, so that when she 

 landed him behind the counter he was etherialized, so to re- 

 mark, and, after being reclad in store-clothes, was in a world 

 beyond me. I remember, about two weeks after his instal- 

 ment in his new position, I was sent to the store after a load 

 of mackerel and molasses. It was during my regular noon- 

 spell and in stone-picking time. A warm April sun showered 

 his rays upon me as I trudged along on foot, with the recep- 

 tacles for the above mentioned luxuries swinging at my side, 

 and my heart rebelled that the time for sending me had not 

 been delayed until after, working hours. When I entered the 

 store I was not in a joyous mood. Bob, who was waiting on a 

 village miss, vouchsafed me a condescending nod, which spoke 

 volumes in showing the difference in our present positions in 

 society. Putting my jug and dish-pan on the counter I sat 

 down disconsolately on a hard nail keg and read the hand 

 bills until I could be waited on,- as the storekeeper was away. 

 How I envied Bob ! My clothing was coarse and untidy, and 

 my feet were bare. My hands were rough and sore and my 

 skin tanned. Bob's clothes were neat and stylish, his hands 

 white and soft, and his face a putty-colored hue, which was my 

 envy; but above all these there was an easiness and famili- 

 arity of manner about him that smote me sorely. But to see 

 him — him who, when he had hitherto come in contact with 

 me, was always the under dog — pretending to be oblivious of 

 my presence, just because he " 'tended store," was insupport- 

 able. You wouldn't have thought that a short two weeks ago 

 he was picking stones, cutting wood, feeding pigs and milking 

 cows ! To see him when he weighed out the white sugar (how 

 well he had got to know the dividing line between giving 



