Sometimes Dorian was for giving up and moving to the city; but the mother saw brighter prospects when the new canal should be finished.

And then her boy would be better off working for himself on the farm than drudging for others in the town; besides, she had a desire to remain on the spot made dear by her husband's work; and so they struggled along, making their payments on the land and later on the canal stock.

The summit of their difficulties seemed now to have passed, and better times were ahead.

Dorian looked down at his ragged shoes and laughed to himself good-naturedly.

Shucks, in a few months he would have plenty of money to buy shoes, perhaps also a Sunday suit for himself, and everything his mother needed.