"I called to ask, ma'am, if you will allow me to sleep in your barn to-night; I have walked twenty miles to-day, and have no place where to rest." Mrs. Romaine was really a kind woman, but here was a stranger, "Would it be safe?" "Where is thee going, my boy?" "I am on my road to College, ma'am, and I have yet one hundred and thirty miles to travel." "Going to College, my son, and no means to pay for a night's lodging; thee must be a brave boy to start on such an errand." "My mother told me to stop at nothing to get a good education; it was on her death-bed, madam, and I will do any thing to obtain such a blessing." "Don't thee know it takes money to go through college? But thee must be tired; come, sit down, my son; what is thy name?" "Roland Bruce." "How does thee expect to get through, Roland?" "I can work, madam," said Roland, with a bright smile. "I am very strong, and very willing; and I have my mother's motto to work by." "What is that, Roland?" "'Looking aloft,' madam; it is a strong tower." He was in New England, where sympathy with one thus anxious was sure to meet a response. "Thee can stay with us, Roland, to-night, but not in a barn; we have a little room where thee can sleep. But come in, thee must be hungry." And the kind woman led her guest out to the tea-table, where a comfortable repast was already spread. "What can thee do, Roland, in the way of work?" "I can make fires, black boots, saw wood, etc.; and, I suppose that there must be plenty of such work in a college." "But suppose the boys look down upon thee, Roland?" "I can afford to let them, if I get all the knowledge I want; they won't do it always; I am above getting angry at them, madam." "Thee is a strange boy, Roland; so humble, and yet so proud, too." "I am afraid that there is not so much humility as there seems to be about me; for all this stooping down is but to rise at last; I shall be thinking of that all the time." "When thee is ready, I will show thee thy room, Roland." They sat and chatted pleasantly for another hour, and, when Roland saw the family making preparations for retiring, he followed his kind hostess to a snug little room, opening out on a front balcony. Roland was too full of earnest thought for sleep; so, taking a chair, he seated himself alone on the balcony. The family had all retired; quiet reigned around. It was a clear, cold night, and the bright stars shone out, and spangled the heavens with their radiant constellations Roland looked upward, and listened to their voiceless eloquence. How long had they continued their silent march of glory?