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"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."

So Dan and his father set out on their journey from the quiet country town to Exeter, the boy mounted on a lady's horse. When in his later life he had occasion to refer to this journey, Mr. Webster recalled with great merriment the figure he must have cut as he rode meekly behind his father.

No doubt as they rode along father and son conversed together about the important step which had been taken. Judge Webster already had formed the plan of sending Daniel to college, after he should have completed a course of preparation at Exeter, but upon this part of his plan he did not think it best yet to speak to his son, very probably because he had not yet made up his mind as to whether his circumstances would allow him to incur so heavy an expense.

"My son," said the father gravely, "I hope you will improve to the utmost the advantages I am securing for you. You must remember how much depends upon yourself. A boy's future is largely in his own hands."

"Yes, father, I will do the best I can."

"Mr. Thompson thinks you can make a good scholar."

"I will try, father."

"I shall have no money to leave you, Daniel, but I hope to give you an education, which is better than a fortune."

How would the father have been gratified if he could have foreseen the brilliant future in store for the boy of fourteen who was about to take his first important step in life.

CHAPTER V.

DANIEL AT EXETER ACADEMY.

THE principal of Exeter Academy at that time was Benjamin Abbot, LL.D., a man of high repute in letters as well as in the educational field. He was a man of dignified presence, who exacted and received deference not only from his pupils but from all with whom he came in contact.

"Dr. Abbot," said Judge Webster, when the two were admitted to his presence, "I have brought my son Daniel to study in your institution, if you find him qualified."

The dignified principal turned towards the bashful boy, and said, "What is your age, sir?" "Fourteen," answered Daniel.

"I will examine you first in reading. Take this Bible, my lad, and read that chapter."

It was the twenty-second chapter of St. Luke's Gospel, and was very well adapted as a test of the boy's ability in reading.

Now if there was anything Dan could do well

it was this. He never could remember the time when he could not read. Probably he had learned from his mother, and his first text-book was the Bible. He was endowed with reverence, and his grave, sonorous voice was especially well fitted for sacred reading.

The boy took the book and commenced the task prescribed. Usually a few verses are considered sufficient, but in this case the dignified listener became absorbed in the boy's reading, and he listened, half forgetful of the object he had in view. It is a good deal to say that he actually enjoyed it. He had seldom listened to a voice at once so rich, deep and sonorous as belonged to this young boy of fourteen. Daniel, too, forgot that he was on trial, and read with his whole soul intent upon the words before him.

When he had completed the chapter Dr. Abbot said, abruptly, "You are qualified to enter this institution."

This was all the examination which in his case was required.

It was no common school that Daniel had entered, as is shown by the list of eminent men who have gone forth from it. George Bancroft, Edward Everett, Alexander H. Everett, Lewis Cass, Levi Woodbury, John E. Palfrey and others received here the first rudiments of their

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