“I should like it above all things,” he said, “but I can’t see my way clear. I am a poor man, as you know, and it would cost a great deal of money to carry Dan through college even after he were prepared.” This was true, and the young lawyer was unprepared with any suggestion as to how the difficult matter was to be arranged. But Judge Webster did not forget the conversation. He was considering what could be done towards giving his promising son an education. He was willing to sacrifice his comfort, even, if thereby he could give him a good start in life. Finally he made up his mind to start him on the way, even if he were obliged to stop short before reaching the desired goal. Not far away was an institution which has since become famous, Exeter Academy, which has now for a century been doing an important work in preparing boys for our best colleges, and has always maintained a high standard of scholarship. Thither Judge Webster determined to take Daniel, and provide for his expenses by domestic self-denial. It was not till he had fully made up his mind that he announced his determination to the boy. “Dan,” he said one evening, “you must be up early to-morrow.” “Why, father?” Daniel supposed he was to be set at some farm work. “We are going to make a journey,” answered Judge Webster. “A journey!” repeated the boy in surprise. “Where are we going?” “I am going to take you to Exeter, to put you at school there.” The boy listened with breathless interest and delight, mingled perhaps with a little apprehension, for he did not know he would succeed in the untried scenes which awaited him. “Won’t it be expensive, father?” he asked after a pause, for he knew well his father’s circumstances, and was unusually considerate for a boy. “Yes, my son, but I look to you to improve your time, so that I may find my investment a wise one.” “How are we to go, father?” “On horseback.” Dan was a little puzzled, not knowing whether he and his father were to ride on one horse or not, as was a frequent custom at that time. It would have been hard upon any horse, for the judge was a man of weight, and the boy though light would have considerably increased the burden. The next morning Daniel’s curiosity was gratified. In front of the farmhouse stood two horses, one belonging to his father, the other filled out with a side-saddle. “Is that horse for me?” asked Daniel in surprise. “Yes, my son.” “What do I want of a side-saddle? I am not a lady.” “Neighbor —— is sending the horse to Exeter for the use of a lady who is to return here. I agreed to take charge of it, and it happens just right, as you can use it.” “I don’t know how I can get along with it. It will look strange for me to be riding on a lady’s saddle.” “If a lady can ride on it probably you can.”