His face brightened for an instant. But it was clouded again quickly, as be reflected,-- "_One_ more pupil! Very likely! That makes two! At this rate, I shall have four in the course of a year!" He was inclined to be sarcastic with himself. But he checked the ungrateful thoughts at once. "What Providence sends me, that let me cheerfully and thankfully accept!" He entered the parlor. A gentlemanly person, with an air of culture, advanced to meet him. "This is Mr. ----?" "That is my name, Sir." "Mrs. Markham said you would be in in a minute; so I have waited." "You are very kind to do so, Sir. Sit down." "I have seen your advertisement in the 'Intelligencer.' You still think of establishing a school?" "That is my intention." "May I ask if you have been successful in obtaining pupils?" "Not very. I have one engaged. I would like a dozen more, to begin with." The gentleman took his hat. "Of course he will go, now he knows what my prospects are!" But Salmon was mistaken. The visitor seemed to have taken his hat merely for the sake of having something in his hands, to occupy them. "Then perhaps you will be pleased to listen to my proposition? "Certainly, Sir." "My name is Plumley. I have established a successful classical school, as you may be aware. It is in G-Street." "I have heard of you, Sir." And Salmon might have added, "I have envied you!" "Well, Mrs. Phimley has recently opened a young ladies' school, which has succeeded beyond all our expectations." "I congratulate you sincerely!" "But it is found that the two schools are more than we can attend to. I propose to give up one. Now, if you choose to take the boys' school off my hands, I will make over my entire interest in it to you. Perhaps you may know the character the school sustains. We have, as pupils, sons of the Honorable Henry Clay, William Wirt, Southard, and other eminent men. The income amounts to something like eight hundred a year. You can go in next Monday, if you like." Thus suddenly the door, so long mysteriously closed, flew open wide, "on golden hinges turning." What Salmon saw within was heaven. He was dazzled. He was almost stunned with happiness. His lips quivered, his voice failed him as he spoke. "Mr. Plumley, this is--you are--too kind!" "You accept?" "Most gratefully!" The young man was regaining possession of himself. He grasped the other's hand. "You do not know what this is to me, Sir! You cannot know from what you have saved me! Providence has surely sent you to me! I cannot thank you now; but some day--perhaps--it may be in my power to do you a service." He was not the only one happy. Mr. Plumley felt the sweetness of doing a kind action for one who was truly worthy and grateful. From that moment they were friends. Salmon engaged to see him again, and make arrangements for entering the school the next Monday; and they parted.