with an inquiring eye, as I stood covered with confusion and agitation. "What is the meaning of this, Mr. Parr?" said he, "you seem equipped for a journey."
"I was twenty-one years of age at six o'clock this morning," said I, my face flushed as I could feel by the tingling in my ears.
"Well, what if you were," said he, looking as much surprised as if an apprentice never was to leave his master. "I thought your time was nearly out—this is St. Patrick's day, is it? but you are going to return. You shall have good wages, and I shall take care that you have a good berth."
"No, sir," said I, almost breathless with fear that I should be spell bound,—"no, sir, I intend to travel about in the country this summer; I am going to put head stones to the graves of my father and mother: that is my first purpose, now that I have money and am free. I hope and trust that you think I have served a faithful and honest apprenticeship, and that if I want a situation in a printing office I can ask you for a good character."
"Yes, most assuredly you can; but you need not apply elsewhere. I know your worth, young man, and I have both the power and inclination to serve you. Serve me for five years as well as you have done, and I will make you a partner in the concern."
I thanked him warmly for this gratifying mark of esteem, but I could not accept of his offer, my very heart turned sick at the thought of staying another day even. He was evidently disconcerted, and made several pauses, as if to consider whether he might not propose something more acceptable, but I fortified myself against all that he might urge, and I am sure that an offer to make me his full partner immediately would not have induced me to remain.
