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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10724 ***
+
+THE STORE BOY
+
+BY
+
+HORATO ALGER, Jr.
+
+Author of "Brave and Bold," "Bound to Rise," "Risen from the Ranks,"
+"Erie Train Boy", "Paul the Peddler,", "Phil, the Fiddler,", "Young
+Acrobat," Etc.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+BEN BARCLAY MEETS A TRAMP
+
+
+"Give me a ride?"
+
+Ben Barclay checked the horse he was driving and looked attentively at
+the speaker.  He was a stout-built, dark-complexioned man, with a
+beard of a week's growth, wearing an old and dirty suit, which would
+have reduced any tailor to despair if taken to him for cleaning and
+repairs.  A loose hat, with a torn crown, surmounted a singularly
+ill-favored visage.
+
+"A tramp, and a hard looking one!" said Ben to himself.
+
+He hesitated about answering, being naturally reluctant to have such a
+traveling companion.
+
+"Well, what do you say?" demanded the tramp rather impatiently.
+"There's plenty of room on that seat, and I'm dead tired."
+
+"Where are you going?" asked Ben.
+
+"Same way you are--to Pentonville."
+
+"You can ride," said Ben, in a tone by means cordial, and he halted
+his horse till his unsavory companion climbed into the wagon.
+
+They were two miles from Pentonville, and Ben had a prospect of a
+longer ride than he desired under the circumstances.  His companion
+pulled out a dirty clay pipe from his pocket, and filled it with
+tobacco, and then explored another pocket for a match.  A muttered
+oath showed that he failed to find one.
+
+"Got a match, boy?" he asked.
+
+"No," answered Ben, glad to have escaped the offensive fumes of the
+pipe.
+
+"Just my luck!" growled the tramp, putting back the pipe with a look
+of disappointment.  "If you had a match now, I wouldn't mind letting
+you have a whiff or two.
+
+"I don't smoke," answered Ben, hardly able to repress a look of
+disgust.
+
+"So you're a good boy, eh?  One of the Sunday school kids that want to
+be an angel, hey?  Pah!" and the tramp exhibited the disgust which the
+idea gave him.
+
+"Yes, I go to Sunday school," said Ben coldly, feeling more and more
+repelled by his companion.
+
+"I never went to Sunday school," said his companion.  "And I wouldn't.
+It's only good for milksops and hypocrites."
+
+"Do you think you're any better for not going?" Ben couldn't help
+asking.
+
+"I haven't been so prosperous, if that's what you mean.  I'm a
+straightforward man, I am.  You always know where to find me.  There
+ain't no piety about me.  What are you laughin' at?"
+
+"No offense," said Ben.  "I believe every word you say."
+
+"You'd better.  I don't allow no man to doubt my word, nor no boy,
+either.  Have you got a quarter about you?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Nor a dime?  A dime'll do."
+
+"I have no money to spare."
+
+"I'd pay yer to-morrer."
+
+"You'll have to borrow elsewhere; I am working in a store for a very
+smell salary, and that I pay over to my mother."
+
+"Whose store?"
+
+"Simon Crawford's; but you won't know any better for my telling you
+that, unless you are acquainted in Pentonville"
+
+"I've been through there.  Crawford keeps the grocery store."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What's your name?"
+
+"Ben Barclay," answered our hero, feeling rather annoyed at what he
+considered intrusive curiosity.
+
+"Barclay?" replied the tramp quickly.  "Not John Barclay's son?"
+
+It was Ben's turn to be surprised.  He was the son of John Barclay,
+deceased, but how could his ill-favored traveling companion know that?
+
+"Did you know my father?" asked the boy, astonished.
+
+"I've heerd his name," answered the tramp, in an evasive tone.
+
+"What is your name?" asked Ben, feeling that be had a right to be as
+curious as his companion.
+
+"I haven't got any visitin' cards with me," answered the tramp dryly.
+
+"Nor I; but I told you my name."
+
+"All right; I'll tell you mine.  You can call me Jack Frost."
+
+"I gave you my real name," said Ben significantly.
+
+"I've almost forgotten what my real name is," said the tramp.  "If you
+don't like Jack Frost, you can call me George Washington."
+
+Ben laughed.
+
+"I don't think that name would suit, he said.  George Washington never
+told a lie."
+
+"What d'ye mean by that?" demanded the tramp, his brow darkening.
+
+"I was joking," answered Ben, who did not care to get into difficulty
+with such a man.
+
+"I'm going to joke a little myself," growled the tramp, as, looking
+quickly about him, he observed that they were riding over a lonely
+section of the road lined with woods.  "Have you got any money about
+you?"
+
+Ben, taken by surprise, would have been glad to answer "No," but he
+was a boy of truth, and could not say so truly, though he might have
+felt justified in doing so under the circumstances.
+
+"Come, I see you have.  Give it to me right off or it'll be worse for
+you."
+
+Now it happened that Ben had not less than twenty-five dollars about
+him.  He had carried some groceries to a remote part of the town, and
+collected two bills on the way.  All this money he had in a wallet in
+the pocket on the other side from the tramp.  But the money was not
+his; it belonged to his employer, and he was not disposed to give it
+up without a struggle; though he knew that in point of strength he was
+not an equal match for the man beside him.
+
+"You will get no money from me," he answered in a firm tone, though be
+felt far from comfortable.
+
+"I won't, hey!" growled the tramp.  "D'ye think I'm goin' to let a boy
+like you get the best of me?"
+
+He clutched Ben by the arm, and seemed in a fair way to overcome
+opposition by superior strength, when a fortunate idea struck Ben.  In
+his vest pocket was a silver dollar, which had been taken at the
+store, but proving to be counterfeit, had been given to Ben by Mr.
+Crawford as a curiosity.
+
+This Ben extracted from his pocket, and flung out by the roadside.
+
+"If you want it, you'll have to get out and get it," he said.
+
+The tramp saw the coin glistening upon the ground, and had no
+suspicion of its not being genuine.  It was not much--only a
+dollar--but he was "dead broke," and it was worth picking up.  He had
+not expected that Ben had much, and so was not disappointed.
+
+"Curse you!" he said, relinquishing his hold upon Ben.  "Why couldn't
+you give it to me instead of throwing it out there?"
+
+"Because," answered Ben boldly, "I didn't want you to have it."
+
+"Get out and get it for me!"
+
+"I won't!" answered Ben firmly.
+
+"Then stop the horse and give me a chance to get out."
+
+"I'll do that."
+
+Ben brought the horse to a halt, and his unwelcome passenger
+descended, much to his relief.  He had to walk around the wagon to get
+at the coin.  Our hero brought down the whip with emphasis on the
+horse's back and the animal dashed off at a good rate of speed.
+
+"Stop!" exclaimed the tramp, but Ben had no mind to heed his call.
+
+"No, my friend, you don't get another chance to ride with me," he said
+to himself.
+
+The tramp picked up the coin, and his practiced eye detected that it
+was bogus.
+
+"The young villain!" he muttered angrily.  "I'd like to wring his
+neck.  It's a bad one after all." He looked after the receding team
+and was half disposed to follow, but he changed his mind, reflecting,
+"I can pass it anyhow."
+
+Instead of pursuing his journey, he made his way into the woods, and,
+stretching himself out among the underbrush, went to sleep.
+
+Half a mile before reaching the store, Ben overtook Rose Gardiner, who
+had the reputation of being the prettiest girl in Pendleton--at any
+rate, such was Ben's opinion.  She looked up and smiled pleasantly at
+Ben as he took off his hat.
+
+"Shall you attend Prof. Harrington's entertainment at the Town Hall
+this evening, Ben?" she asked, after they had interchanged greetings.
+
+"I should like to go," answered Ben, "but I am afraid I can't be
+spared from the store.  Shall you go?"
+
+"I wouldn't miss it for anything.  I hope I shall see you there."
+
+"I shall want to go all the more then." answered Ben gallantly.
+
+"You say that to flatter me," said the young lady, with an arch smile.
+
+"No, I don't," said Ben earnestly.  "Won't you get in and ride as far
+as the store?"
+
+"Would it be proper?" asked Miss Rose demurely.
+
+"Of course it would."
+
+"Then I'll venture."
+
+Ben jumped from the wagon, assisted the young lady in, and the two
+drove into the village together.  He liked his second passenger
+considerably better than the first.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+BEN AND HIS MOTHER
+
+
+Ben Barclay, after taking leave of the tramp, lost no time in driving
+to the grocery store where he was employed.  It was a large country
+store, devoted not to groceries alone, but supplies of dry-goods,
+boots and shoes, and the leading articles required in the community.
+There were two other clerks besides Ben, one the son, another the
+nephew, of Simon Crawford, the proprietor.
+
+"Did you collect any money, Ben?" asked Simon, who chanced to be
+standing at the door when our hero drove up.
+
+"Yes, sir; I collected twenty-five dollars, but came near losing it on
+the way home."
+
+"How was that?  I hope you were not careless."
+
+"No, except in taking a stranger as a passenger.  When we got to that
+piece of woods a mile back, he asked me for all the money I had."
+
+"A highwayman, and so near Pentonville!" ejaculated Simon Crawford.
+"What was he like?"
+
+"A regular tramp."
+
+"Yet you say you have the money.  How did you manage to keep it from
+him?"
+
+Ben detailed the stratagem of which he made use.
+
+"You did well," said the storekeeper approvingly.  "I must give you a
+dollar for the one you sacrificed."
+
+"But sir, it was bad money.  I couldn't have passed it."
+
+"That does not matter.  You are entitled to some reward for the
+courage and quick wit you displayed.  Here is a dollar, and--let me
+see, there is an entertainment at the Town Hall this evening, isn't
+there?"
+
+"Yes, sir.  Prof. Harrington, the magician, gives an entertainment,"
+said Ben eagerly.
+
+"At what time does it commence?"
+
+"At eight o'clock."
+
+"You may leave the store at half-past seven.  That will give you
+enough time to get there."
+
+"Thank you, sir.  I wanted to go to the entertainment, but did not
+like to ask for the evening."
+
+"You have earned it.  Here is the dollar," and Mr. Crawford handed the
+money to his young clerk, who received it gratefully.
+
+A magical entertainment may be a very common affair to my young
+readers in the city, but in a country village it is an event.
+Pentonville was too small to have any regular place of amusement, and
+its citizens were obliged to depend upon traveling performers, who,
+from time to time, engaged the Town Hall.  Some time had elapsed since
+there had been any such entertainment, and Prof. Harrington was the
+more likely to be well patronized.  Ben, who had the love of amusement
+common to boys of his age, had been regretting the necessity of
+remaining in the store till nine o'clock, and therefore losing his
+share of amusement when, as we have seen, an opportunity suddenly
+offered.
+
+"I am glad I met the tramp, after all," he said to himself.  "He has
+brought me luck."
+
+At supper he told is mother what had befallen him, but she tool a more
+serious view of it than he did.
+
+"He might have murdered you, Ben," she said with a shudder.
+
+"Oh, no; he wouldn't do that.  He might have stolen Mr. Crawford's
+money; that was the most that was likely to happen."
+
+"I didn't think there were highwaymen about here.  Now I shall be
+worrying about you."
+
+"Don't do that mother; I don't feel in any danger.  Still, if you
+think it best, I will carry a pistol."
+
+"No, no, Ben!  it might go off and kill you.  I would rather run the
+risk of a highwayman.  I wonder if the man is prowling about in the
+neighborhood yet?"
+
+"I don't think my bogus dollar will carry him very far.  By the way,
+mother, I must tell yon one strange thing.  He asked me if I was John
+Barclay's son."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Mrs. Barclay, in a tone of great surprise.  "Did he
+know your name was Barclay?"
+
+"Not till I told him.  Then it was he asked if I was the son of John
+Barclay."
+
+"Did he say he knew your father?"
+
+"I asked him, but he answered evasively."
+
+"He might have seen some resemblance--that is, if he had ever met your
+father.  Ah!  it was a sad day for us all when your poor father died.
+We should have been in a very different position," the widow sighed.
+
+"Yes, mother," said Ben; "but when I get older I will try to supply my
+father's place, and relieve you from care and trouble."
+
+"You are doing that in a measure now, my dear boy," said Mrs. Barclay
+affectionately.  "You are a great comfort to me."
+
+Ben's answer was to go up to his mother and kiss her.  Some boys of
+his age are ashamed to show their love for the mother who is devoted
+to them, but it a false shame, that does them no credit.
+
+"Still, mother, you work too hard," said Ben.  "Wait till I am a man,
+and you shall not need to work at all."
+
+Mrs. Barclay had been a widow for five years.  Her husband had been a
+commercial traveler, but had contracted a fever at Chicago, and died
+after a brief illness, without his wife having the satisfaction of
+ministering to him in his last days.  A small sum due him from his
+employers was paid over to his family, but no property was discovered,
+though his wife had been under the impression that her husband
+possessed some.  He had never been in the habit of confiding his
+business affairs to her, and so, if he had investments of any kind,
+she could not learn anything about them.  She found herself,
+therefore, with no property except a small cottage, worth, with its
+quarter acre of land, perhaps fifteen hundred dollars.  As Ben was too
+small to earn anything, she had been compelled to raise about seven
+hundred dollars on mortgage, which by this time had been expended for
+living.  Now, Ben was earning four dollars a week, and, with her own
+earnings, she was able to make both ends meet without further
+encroachments upon her scanty property; but the mortgage was a source
+of anxiety to her, especially as it was held by Squire Davenport, a
+lawyer of considerable means, who was not overscrupulous about the
+methods by which he strove to increase his hoards.  Should he at any
+time take it into his head to foreclose, there was no one to whom Mrs.
+Barclay could apply to assume the mortgage, and she was likely to be
+compelled to sacrifice her home.  He had more than once hinted that he
+might need the money but as yet had gone no further.
+
+Mrs. Barclay had one comfort, however, and a great one.  This was a
+good son.  Ben was always kind to his mother--a bright, popular,
+promising boy--and though at present he was unable to earn much, in a
+few years he would be able to earn a good income, and then his mother
+knew that she would be well provided for.  So she did not allow
+herself to borrow trouble but looked forward hopefully, thanking God
+for what He had given her.
+
+"Won't you go up to the Town Hall with me, mother?" asked Ben.  I am
+sure you would enjoy it."
+
+"Thank you, Ben, for wishing me to have a share in your amusements,"
+his mother replied, "but I have a little headache this evening, and I
+shall be better off at home."
+
+"It isn't on account of the expense you decline, mother, is it?  You
+know Mr. Crawford gave me a dollar, and the tickets are but
+twenty-five cents."
+
+"No, it isn't that, Ben.  If it were a concert I might be tempted to
+go in spite of my headache, but a magical entertainment would not
+amuse me as much as it will you."
+
+"Just as you think best, mother; but I should like to have you go.
+You won't feel lonely, will you?"
+
+"I am used to being alone till nine o'clock, when you are at the
+store."
+
+This conversation took place at the supper table.  Ben went directly
+from the store to the Town Hall, where he enjoyed himself as much as
+he anticipated.  If he could have foreseen how his mother was to pass
+that evening, it would have destroyed all is enjoyment.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+MRS. BARCLAY'S CALLERS
+
+
+About half-past eight o'clock Mrs. Barclay sat with her work in her
+hand.  Her headache was better, but she did not regret not having
+accompanied Ben to the Town Hall.
+
+"I am glad Ben is enjoying himself," she thought, "but I would rather
+stay quietly at home.  Poor boy!  he works hard enough, and needs
+recreation now and then."
+
+Just then a knock was heard at the outside door.
+
+"I wonder who it can be?" thought the widow.  "I supposed everybody
+would be at the Town Hall.  It may be Mrs. Perkins come to borrow
+something."
+
+Mrs. Perkins was a neighbor much addicted to borrowing, which was
+rather disagreeable, but might have been more easily tolerated but
+that she seldom returned the articles lent.
+
+Mrs. Barclay went to the door and opened it, fully expecting to see
+her borrowing neighbor.  A very different person met her view.  The
+ragged hat, the ill-looking face, the neglected attire, led her to
+recognize the tramp whom Ben had described to her as having attempted
+to rob him in the afternoon.  Terrified, Mrs. Barclay's first impulse
+was to shut the door and bolt it.  But her unwelcome visitor was too
+quick for her.  Thrusting his foot into the doorway, he interposed an
+effectual obstacle in the way of shutting the door.
+
+"No, you don't, ma'am!" he said, with as laugh.  "I understand your
+little game.  You want to shut me out."
+
+"What do you want?" asked the widow apprehensively.
+
+"What do I want?" returned the tramp.  "Well, to begin with, I want
+something to eat--and drink," he added, after a pause.
+
+"Why don't you go to the tavern?" asked Mrs. Barclay, anxious for him
+to depart.
+
+"Well, I can't afford it.  All the money I've got is a bogus dollar
+your rogue of a son gave me this afternoon."
+
+"You stole it from him," said the widow indignantly.
+
+"What's the odds if I did.  It ain't of no value.  Come, haven't you
+anything to eat in the house?  I'm hungry as a wolf."
+
+"And you look like one!" thought Mrs. Barclay, glancing at his
+unattractive features; but she did not dare to say it.
+
+There seemed no way of refusing, and she was glad to comply with his
+request, if by so doing she could soon get rid of him.
+
+"Stay here," she said, "and I'll bring you some bread and butter and
+cold meat."
+
+"Thank you, I'd rather come in," said the tramp, and he pushed his way
+through the partly open door.
+
+She led the way uneasily into the kitchen just in the rear of the
+sitting room where she had been seated.
+
+"I wish Ben was here," she said to herself, with sinking heart.
+
+The tramp seated himself at the kitchen table, while Mrs. Barclay,
+going to the pantry, brought out part of a loaf of bread, and butter,
+and a few slices of cold beef, which she set before him.  Without
+ceremony he attacked the viands and ate as if half famished.  When
+about half through, he turned to the widow, and asked:
+
+"Haven't you some whisky in the house?"
+
+"I never keep any," answered Mrs. Barclay.
+
+"Rum or gin, then?"  I ain't partic'lar.  I want something to warm me
+up."
+
+"I keep no liquor of any kind.  I don't approve of drink, or want Ben
+to touch it."
+
+"Oh, you belong to the cold water army, do you?" said the tramp with a
+sneer.  "Give me some coffee, then."
+
+"I have no fire, and cannot prepare any."
+
+"What have you got, then?" demanded than unwelcome guest impatiently.
+
+"I can give you a glass of excellent well water."
+
+"[illegible] Do you want to choke me?" returned the tramp in disgust.
+
+"Suppose I mix you some molasses and water," suggested the widow,
+anxious to propitiate her dangerous guest.
+
+"Humph!  Well, that will do, if you've got nothing better.  Be quick
+about it, for my throat is parched."
+
+As soon as possible the drink was prepared and set beside his plate.
+He drained it at a draught, and called for a second glass, which was
+supplied him.  Presently, for all things must have an end, the tramp's
+appetite seemed to be satisfied.  He threw himself back in his chair,
+stretched his legs, and, with his hands in his pockets, fixed his eyes
+on the widow.
+
+"I feel better," he said.
+
+"I am glad to hear it," said Mrs. Barclay.  "Now, if you'll be kind
+enough, leave the house, for I expect Ben back before long."
+
+"And you don't want him to get hurt," laughed the tramp.  "Well, I do
+owe him a flogging for a trick he played on me."
+
+"Oh, pray, go away!" said Mrs. Barclay, apprehensively.  "I have given
+you some supper, and that ought to satisfy you."
+
+"I can't go away till I've talked to you a little on business."
+
+"Business!  What business can you have with me?"
+
+"More than you think.  You are the widow of John Barclay, ain't you?"
+
+"Yes; did you know my husband?"
+
+"Yes; that is, I saw something of him just before he died."
+
+"Can you tell me anything about his last moments?" asked the widow,
+forgetting the character of her visitor, and only thinking of her
+husband.
+
+"No, that isn't in my line.  I ain't a doctor nor yet a minister.  I
+say, did he leave any money?"
+
+"Not that we have been able to find out.  He owned this hone, but left
+no other property."
+
+"That you know of," said the tramp, significantly.
+
+"Do you know of any?" asked Mrs. Barclay eagerly.  "How did you happen
+to know him?"
+
+"I was the barkeeper in the hotel where he died.  It was a small
+house, not one of your first-class hotels."
+
+"My husband was always careful of his expenses.  He did not spend
+money unnecessarily.  With his prudence we all thought he must have
+some investments, but we could discover none."
+
+"Have you got any money in the house?" asked the tramp, with seeming
+abruptness.
+
+"Why do you ask?" returned the widow, alarmed.  "Surely, you would not
+rob me?"
+
+"No, I don't want to rob you.  I want to sell you something."
+
+"I don't care to buy.  It takes all our money for necessary expenses."
+
+"You don't ask what I have to sell."
+
+"No, because I cannot buy it, whatever it may be."
+
+"It is--a secret," said the tramp.
+
+"A secret!" repeated Mrs. Barclay, bewildered.
+
+"Yes, and a secret worth buying.  Your husband wasn't so poor as you
+think.  He left stock and papers representing three thousand dollars,
+and I am the only man who can put you in the way of getting it."
+
+Mrs. Barclay was about to express her surprise, when a loud knock was
+head at the outer door.
+
+"Who's that?" demanded the tramp quickly.  "Is it the boy?"
+
+"No, he would not knock."
+
+"Then, let me get out of this," he said, leaping to his feet.  "Isn't
+there a back door?"
+
+"Yes, there it is."
+
+He hurried to the door, unbolted it, and made his escape into the open
+beyond the house, just as the knock was repeated.
+
+Confused by what she had heard, and the strange conduct of her
+visitor, the widow took the lamp and went to the door.  To her
+surprise she found on opening it, two visitors, in one of whom she
+recognized Squire Davenport, already referred to as holding a mortgage
+on her house.  The other was a short, dark-complexioned man, who
+looked like a mechanic.
+
+"Excuse me the lateness of my call, Mrs. Barclay," said the squire
+smoothly.  "I come on important business.  This is Mr. Kirk, a cousin
+of my wife."
+
+"Walk in, gentlemen," said Mrs. Barclay.
+
+"This is night of surprises," she thought to herself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+UNPLEASANT BUSINESS
+
+
+It was now nine o'clock, rather a late hour for callers in the
+country, and Mrs. Barclay waited not without curiosity to hear the
+nature of the business which had brought her two visitors at that
+time.
+
+"Take seats, gentlemen," she said, with the courtesy habitual to her.
+
+Squire Davenport, who was disposed to consider that he had a right to
+the best of everything, seated himself in the rocking-chair, and
+signed his companion to a cane chair beside him.
+
+"Mr. Kirk," he commenced, "is thinking of coming to Pentonville to
+live."
+
+"I am glad to hear it," said Mrs. Barclay politely.  Perhaps she would
+not have said this if she had known what was coming next.
+
+"He is a carpenter," continued the squire, "and, as we have none in
+the village except old Mr. Wade, who is superannuated, I think he will
+find enough to do to keep him busy."
+
+"I should think so," assented the widow.
+
+"If he does not, I can employ him a part of the time on my land."
+
+"What has all this to do with me?" thought Mrs. Barclay.
+
+She soon learned.
+
+"Of course he will need a house," pursued the squire, "and as his
+family is small, he thinks this house will just suit him."
+
+"But I don't wish to sell," said the widow hurriedly.  "I need this
+house for Ben and myself."
+
+"You could doubtless find other accommodations.  I dare say you could
+hire a couple of rooms from Elnathan Perkins."
+
+"I wouldn't live in that old shell," said Mrs. Barclay rather
+indignantly, "and I am sure Ben wouldn't."
+
+"I apprehend Benjamin will have no voice in the matter," said Squire
+Davenport stiffly.  "He is only a boy."
+
+"He is my main support, and my main adviser," said Mrs. Barclay, with
+spirit, "and I shall not take any step which is disagreeable to him."
+
+Mr. Kirk looked disappointed, but the squire gave him an assuring
+look, as the widow could see.
+
+"Perhaps you may change your mind," said the squire significantly.  "I
+am under the impression that I hold a mortgage on this property."
+
+"Yes, sir," assented Mrs. Barclay apprehensively.
+
+"For the sum of seven hundred dollars, if I am not mistaken."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I shall have need of this money for other purposes, and will trouble
+you to take it up."
+
+"I was to have three months' notice," said the widow, with a troubled
+look.
+
+"I will give you three months' notice to-night," said the squire.
+
+"I don't know where to raise the money," faltered Mrs. Barclay.
+
+"Then you had better sell to my friend here.  He will assume the
+mortgage and pay you three hundred dollars."
+
+"But that will be only a thousand dollars for the place."
+
+"A very fair price, in my opinion, Mrs. Barclay."
+
+"I have always considered it worth fifteen hundred dollars," said the
+widow, very much disturbed.
+
+"A fancy price, my dear madam; quite an absurd price, I assure you.
+What do you say, Kirk?"
+
+"I quite agree with you, squire," said Kirk, in a strong, nasal tone.
+"But then, women don't know anything of business."
+
+"I know that you and your cousin are trying to take advantage of my
+poverty," said Mrs. Barclay bitterly.  "If you are a carpenter, why
+don't you build a house for yourself, instead of trying to deprive me
+of mine?"
+
+"That's my business," said Kirk rudely.
+
+"Mr. Kirk cannot spare the time to build at present," said the squire.
+
+"Then why doesn't he hire rooms from Elnathan Perkins, as you just
+recommended to me?"
+
+"They wouldn't suit him," said the squire curtly.  "He has set his
+mind on this house."
+
+"Squire Davenport," said Mrs. Barclay, in a softened voice, "I am sure
+you cannot understand what you ask of me when you seek to take my home
+and turn me adrift.  Here I lived with my poor husband; here my boy
+was born.  During my married life I have had no other home.  It is a
+humble dwelling, but it has associations and charms for me which it
+can never have for no one else.  Let Mr. Kirk see some other house and
+leave me undisturbed in mine."
+
+"Humph!" said the squire, shrugging his shoulders; "you look upon the
+matter from a sentimental point of view.  That is unwise.  It is
+simply a matter of business.  You speak of the house as yours.  In
+reality, it is more mine than yours, for I have a major interest in
+it.  Think over my proposal coolly, and you will see that you are
+unreasonable.  Mr. Kirk may be induced to give you a little more--say
+three hundred and fifty dollars--over and above the mortgage, which,
+as I said before, he is willing assume."
+
+"How does it happen that you are willing to let the mortgage remain,
+if he buys, when you want the money for other purposes?" asked the
+widow keenly.
+
+"He is a near relative of my wife, and that makes the difference, I
+apprehend."
+
+"Well, madam, what do you say?" asked Kirk briskly.
+
+"I say this, that I will keep the house if I can."
+
+"You needn't expect that I will relent," said the squire hastily.
+
+"I do not, for I see there is no consideration in your heart for a
+poor widow; but I cannot help thinking that Providence will raise up
+some kind friend who will buy the mortgage, or in some other way will
+enable me to save my home."
+
+You are acting very foolishly, Mrs. Barclay, as you will realize in
+time.  I give you a week in which to change your mind.  Till then my
+friend Kirk's offer stands good.  After that I cannot promise.  If the
+property sold at auction I shouldn't he surprised if it did not fetch
+more than the amount of my lien upon it."
+
+"I will trust in Providence, Squire Davenport."
+
+"Providence won't pay off your mortgage, ma'am," said Kirk, with a
+coarse laugh.
+
+Mrs. Barclay did not answer.  She saw that he was a man of coarse
+fiber and did not care to notice him.
+
+"Come along, Kirk," said the squire.  "I apprehend she will be all
+right after a while.  Mrs. Barclay will see her own interest when she
+comes to reflect."
+
+"Good-evening, ma'am," said Kirk.
+
+Mrs. Barclay inclined her head slowly, but did not reply.
+
+When the two had left the house she sank into a chair and gave herself
+to painful thoughts.  She had known that Squire Davenport had the
+right to dispossess her, but had not supposed he would do so as long
+as she paid the interest regularly.  In order to do this, she and Ben
+had made earnest efforts, and denied themselves all but the barest
+necessities.  Thus far she had succeeded.  The interest on seven
+hundred dollars at six per cent. had amounted to forty-two dollars,
+and this was a large sum to pay, but thus far they had always had it
+ready.  That Squire Davenport, with his own handsome mansion, would
+fix covetous eyes on her little home, she had not anticipated, but it
+had come to pass.
+
+As to raising seven hundred dollars to pay off the mortgage, or induce
+any capitalist to furnish it, she feared it would be quite impossible.
+
+She anxiously waited for Ben's return from the Town Hall in order to
+consult with him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+PROFESSOR HARRINGTON'S ENTERTAINMENT
+
+
+Meanwhile Ben Barclay was enjoying himself at Professor Harrington's
+entertainment.  He was at the Town Hall fifteen minutes before the
+time, and secured a seat very near the stage, or, perhaps it will be
+more correct to say, the platform.  He had scarcely taken his seat
+when, to his gratification, Rose Gardiner entered the hall and sat
+down beside him.
+
+"Good-evening, Ben," she said pleasantly.  "So you came, after all."
+
+Ben's face flushed with pleasure, for Rose Gardiner was, as we have
+said, the prettiest girl in Pentonville, and for this reason, as well
+as for her agreeable manners, was an object of attraction to the boys,
+who, while too young to be in love, were not insensible to the charms
+of a pretty face.  I may add that Rose was the niece of the Rev. Mr.
+Gardiner, the minister of the leading church in the village.
+
+"Good-evening, Rose," responded Ben, who was too well acquainted with
+the young lady to address her more formally; "I am glad to be in such
+company."
+
+"I wish I could return the compliment," answered Rose, with a saucy
+smile.
+
+"Don't be too severe," said Ben, "or you will hurt my feelings."
+
+"That would be a pity, surely; but how do do you happen to get off this
+evening?  I thought you spent your evenings at the store."
+
+"So I do, generally, but I was excused this evening for a special
+reason," and then he told of his adventure with the tramp.
+
+Rose listened with eager attention.
+
+"Weren't you terribly frightened?" she asked.
+
+"No," answered Ben, adding, with a smile: "Even if I had been, I
+shouldn't like to confess it."
+
+"I should have been so frightened that I would have screamed,"
+continued the young lady.
+
+"I didn't think of that," said Ben, amused.  "I'll remember it next
+time."
+
+"Oh, now I know you are laughing at me.  Tell me truly, weren't you
+frightened?"
+
+"I was only afraid I would lose Mr. Crawford's money.  The tramp was
+stronger than I, and could have taken it from me if he had known I had
+it."
+
+"You tricked him nicely.  Where did he go?  Do you think he is still
+in town?"
+
+"He went into the woods.  I don't think he is in the village.  He
+would be afraid of being arrested."
+
+At that very moment the tramp was in Ben's kitchen, but of that Ben
+had no idea.
+
+"I don't know what I should do if I met him," said Rose.  "You see I
+came alone.  Aunt couldn't come with me, and uncle, being a minister,
+doesn't care for such things."
+
+"Then I hope you'll let me see you home," said Ben gallantly.
+
+"I wouldn't like to trouble you," said Rose, with a spice of coquetry.
+"It will take you out of your way."
+
+"I don't mind that," said Ben eagerly.
+
+"Besides there won't be any need.  You say the tramp isn't in the
+village."
+
+"On second thoughts, I think it very likely he is," said Ben.
+
+"If you really think so--" commenced Rose, with cunning hesitation.
+
+"I feel quite sure of it.  He's a terrible looking fellow."
+
+Rose smiled to herself.  She meant all the time to accept Ben's
+escort, for he was a bright, attractive boy, and she liked his
+society.
+
+"Then perhaps I had better accept your offer, but I am sorry to give
+you so much trouble."
+
+"No trouble at all," said Ben promptly.
+
+Just then Prof. Harrington came forward and made his introductory
+speech.
+
+"For my first experiment, ladies and gentlemen," he said, when this
+was over, "I should like a pocket handkerchief."
+
+A countrified-looking young man on the front seat, anxious to share in
+the glory of the coming trick, produced a flaming red bandanna from
+his pocket and tendered it with outstretched hand.
+
+"You are very kind," said the professor, "but this will hardly answer
+my purpose.  I should prefer a linen handkerchief.  Will some young
+lady oblige me?"
+
+"Let him have yours, Rose," suggested Ben.
+
+Rose had no objection, and it was passed to the professor.
+
+"The young lady will give me leave to do what I please with the
+handkerchief?" asked the professor.
+
+Rose nodded assent.
+
+"Then," said the professor, "I will see if it is proof against fire."
+
+He deliberately unfolded it, crushed it in his hand, and then held it
+in the flame of a candle.
+
+Rose uttered a low ejaculation.
+
+"That's the last of your handkerchief, Rose," said Ben.
+
+"You made me give it to him.  You must buy me another," said the young
+lady.
+
+"So I will, if you don't get it back safe."
+
+"How can I?"
+
+"I don't know.  Perhaps the professor does," answered Ben.
+
+"Really," said the professor, contemplating the handkerchief
+regretfully.  "I am afraid I have destroyed the handkerchief; I hope
+the young lady will pardon me."
+
+He looked at Rose, but she made no sign.  She felt a little disturbed,
+for it was a fine handkerchief, given her by her aunt.
+
+"I see the young lady is annoyed," continued the magician.  "In that
+case I must try to repair damages.  I made a little mistake in
+supposing the handkerchief to be noncombustible.  However, perhaps
+matters are not so bad as they seem."
+
+He tossed the handkerchief behind a screen, and moved forward to a
+table on which was a neat box.  Taking a small key from his pocket, he
+unlocked it and drew forth before the astonished eyes of his audience
+the handkerchief intact.
+
+"I believe this is your handkerchief, is it not?" he asked, stepping
+down from the platform and handing it back to Rose.
+
+"Yes," answered Rose, in amazement, examining it carefully, and unable
+to detect any injury.
+
+"And it is in as good condition as when you gave it to me?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"So much the better.  Then I shall not be at the expense of buying a
+new one.  Young man, have you any objections to lending me your hat?"
+
+This question was addressed to Ben.
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Thank you.  I will promise not to burn it, as I did the young lady's
+handkerchief.  You are sure there is nothing in it?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+By this time the magician had reached the platform.
+
+"I am sorry to doubt the young gentleman's word," said the professor,
+"but I will charitably believe he is mistaken.  Perhaps he forgot
+these articles when he said it was empty," and he drew forth a couple
+of potatoes and half a dozen onions from the hat and laid them on the
+table.
+
+There was a roar of laughter from the audience, and Ben looked rather
+confused, especially when Rose turned to him and, laughing, said:
+
+"You've been robbing Mr. Crawford, I am afraid, Ben."
+
+"The young gentleman evidently uses his hat for a market-basket,"
+proceeded the professor.  "Rather a strange taste, but this is a free
+country.  But what have we here?"
+
+Out came a pair of stockings, a napkin and a necktie.
+
+"Very convenient to carry your wardrobe about with you," said the
+professor, "though it is rather curious taste to put them with
+vegetables.  But here is something else," and the magician produced a
+small kitten, who regarded the audience with startled eyes and uttered
+a timid moan.
+
+"Oh, Ben!  let me have that pretty kitten," said Rose.
+
+"It's none of mine!" said Ben, half annoyed, half amused.
+
+"I believe there is nothing more," said the professor.
+
+He carried back the hat to Ben, and gave it to him with the remark:
+
+"Young man, you may call for your vegetables and other articles after
+the entertainment."
+
+"You are welcome to them," said Ben.
+
+"Thank you; you are very liberal."
+
+When at length the performance was over, Ben and Rose moved toward the
+door.  As Rose reached the outer door, a boy about Ben's age, but
+considerably better dressed, stepped up to her and said, with a
+consequential air:
+
+"I will see you home, Miss Gardiner."
+
+"Much obliged, Mr. Davenport," said Rose, "but I have accepted Ben's
+escort."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+TWO YOUNG RIVALS
+
+
+Tom Davenport, for it was the son of Squire Davenport who had offered
+his escort to Rose, glanced superciliously at our hero.
+
+"I congratulate you on having secured a grocer's boy as escort," he
+said in a tone of annoyance.
+
+Ben's fist contracted, and he longed to give the pretentious
+aristocrat a lesson, but he had the good sense to wait for the young
+lady's reply.
+
+"I accept your congratulations, Mr. Davenport," said Rose coldly.  "I
+have no desire to change my escort."
+
+Tom Davenport laughed derisively, and walked away.
+
+"I'd like to box his ears," said Ben, reddening.
+
+"He doesn't deserve your notice, Ben," said Rose, taking his arm.
+
+But Ben was not easily appeased.
+
+"Just because his father is a rich man," he resumed.
+
+"He presumes upon it," interrupted Rose, good-naturedly.  "Well, let
+him.  That's his chief claim to consideration, and it is natural for
+him to make the most of it."
+
+"At any rate, I hope that can't be said of me," returned Ben, his brow
+clearing.  "If I had nothing but money to be proud of, I should be
+very poorly off."
+
+"You wouldn't object to it, though."
+
+"No, I hope, for mother's sake, some day to be rich."
+
+"Most of our rich men were once poor boys," said Rose quietly.  "I
+have a book of biographies at home, and I find that not only rich men,
+but men distinguished in other ways, generally commenced in poverty."
+
+"I wish you'd lend me that book," said Ben.  "Sometimes I get
+despondent and that will give me courage."
+
+"You shall have it whenever you call at the house.  But you mustn't
+think too much of getting money."
+
+"I don't mean to; but I should like to make my mother comfortable.  I
+don't see much chance of it while I remain a 'grocer's boy,' as Tom
+Davenport calls me."
+
+"Better be a grocer's boy than spend your time in idleness, as Tom
+does."
+
+"Tom thinks it beneath him to work."
+
+"If his father had been of the sane mind when he was a boy, he would
+never have become a rich man."
+
+"Was Squire Davenport a poor boy?"
+
+"Yes, so uncle told me the other day.  When he was a boy he worked on
+a farm.  I don't know how he made his money, but I presume he laid the
+foundation of his wealth by hard work.  So, Tom hasn't any right to
+look down upon those who are beginning now as his father began."
+
+They had by this time traversed half the distance from the Town Hall
+to the young lady's home.  The subject of conversation was changed and
+they began to talk about the evening's entertainment.  At length they
+reached the minister's house.
+
+"Won't you come in, Ben?" asked Rose.
+
+"Isn't it too late?"
+
+"No, uncle always sits up late reading, and will be glad to see you."
+
+"Then I will come in for a few minutes."
+
+Ben's few minutes extended to three-quarters of an hour.  When he came
+out, the moon was obscured and it was quite dark.  Ben had not gone
+far when he heard steps behind him, and presently a hand was laid on
+his shoulder.
+
+"Hello, boy!" said a rough voice.
+
+Ben started, and turning suddenly, recognized in spite of the
+darkness, the tramp who had attempted to rob him during the day.  He
+paused, uncertain whether he was not going to be attacked, but the
+tramp laughed reassuringly.
+
+"Don't be afraid, boy," he said.  "I owe you some money, and here it
+is."
+
+He pressed into the hand of the astonished Ben the dollar which our
+hero had given him.
+
+"I don't think it will do me any good," he said.  "I've given it back,
+and now you can't say I robbed you."
+
+"You are a strange man," said Ben.
+
+"I'm not so bad as I look," said the tramp.  "Some day I may do you a
+service.  I'm goin' out of town to-night, and you'll hear from me
+again some time."
+
+He turned swiftly, and Ben lost sight of him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+THE TRAMP MAKES ANOTHER CALL
+
+
+My readers will naturally be surprised at the tramp's restitution of a
+coin, which, though counterfeit, he would probably have managed to
+pass, but this chapter will throw some light on his mysterious
+conduct.
+
+When he made a sudden exit from Mrs. Barclay's house, upon the
+appearance of the squire and his friend, he did not leave the
+premises, but posted himself at a window, slightly open, of the room
+in which the widow received her new visitors.  He listened with a
+smile to the squire's attempt to force Mrs. Barclay to sell her house.
+
+"He's a sly old rascal!" thought the tramp.  "I'll put a spoke in his
+wheel."
+
+When the squire and his wife's cousin left the house, the tramp
+followed at a little distance.  Not far from the squire's handsome
+residence Kirk left him, and the tramp then came boldly forward.
+
+"Good-evenin'," he said familiarly.
+
+Squire Davenport turned sharply, and as his eye fell on the
+unprepossessing figure, he instinctively put his hand in the pocket in
+which he kept his wallet.
+
+"Who are you?" he demanded apprehensively.
+
+"I ain't a thief, and you needn't fear for your wallet," was the
+reply.
+
+"Let me pass, fellow!  I can do nothing for you."
+
+"We'll see about that!"
+
+"Do you threaten me?" asked Squire Davenport, in alarm.
+
+"Not at all; but I've got some business with you--some important
+business."
+
+"Then call to-morrow forenoon," said Davenport, anxious to get rid of
+his ill-looking acquaintance.
+
+"That won't do; I want to leave town tonight."
+
+"That's nothing to me."
+
+"It may be," said the tramp significantly.  "I want to speak to you
+about the husband of the woman you called on to-night."
+
+"The husband of Mrs. Barclay!  Why, he is dead!" ejaculated the
+squire, in surprise.
+
+"That is true.  Do you know whether he left any property?"
+
+"No, I believe not."
+
+"That's what I want to talk about.  You'd better see me to-night."
+
+There was significance in the tone of the tramp, and Squire Davenport
+looked at him searchingly.
+
+"Why don't you go and see Mrs. Barclay about this matter?" he asked.
+
+"I may, but I think you'd better see me first."
+
+By this time they had reached the Squire's gate.
+
+"Come in," he said briefly.
+
+The squire led the way into a comfortable sitting room, and his rough
+visitor followed him.  By the light of an astral lamp Squire Davenport
+looked at him.
+
+"Did I ever see you before?" he asked.
+
+"Probably not."
+
+"Then I don't see what business we can have together.  I am tired, and
+wish to go to bed."
+
+"I'll come to business at once, then.  When John Barclay died in
+Chicago, a wallet was found in his pocket, and in that wallet was a
+promissory note for a thousand dollars, signed by you.  I suppose you
+have paid that sum to the widow?"
+
+Squire Davenport was the picture of dismay.  He had meanly ignored the
+note, with the intention of cheating Mrs. Barclay.  He had supposed it
+was lost, yet here, after some years, appeared a man who knew of it.
+As Mr. Barclay had been reticent about his business affairs, he had
+never told his wife about having deposited this sum with Squire
+Davenport, and of this fact the squire had meanly taken advantage.
+
+"What proof have you of this strange and improbable story?" asked the
+squire, after a nervous pause.
+
+"The best of proof," answered the tramp promptly.  "The note was found
+and is now in existence."
+
+"Who holds it--that is, admitting for a moment the truth of your
+story?"
+
+"I do; it is in my pocket at this moment."
+
+At this moment Tom Davenport opened the door of the apartment, and
+stared in open-eyed amazement at his father's singular visitor.
+
+"Leave the room, Tom," said his father hastily.  "This man is
+consulting me on business."
+
+"Is that your son, squire?" asked the tramp, with a familiar nod.
+"He's quite a young swell."
+
+"What business can my father have with such a cad?" thought Tom,
+disgusted.
+
+Tom was pleased, nevertheless, at being taken for "a young swell."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+SQUIRE DAVENPORT'S FINANCIAL OPERATION
+
+
+Squire Davenport was a thoroughly respectable man in the estimation of
+the community.  That such a man was capable of defrauding a poor
+widow, counting on her ignorance, would have plunged all his friends
+and acquaintances into the profoundest amazement.
+
+Yet this was precisely what the squire had done.
+
+Mr. Barclay, who had prospered beyond his wife's knowledge, found
+himself seven years before in possession of a thousand dollars in hard
+cash.  Knowing that the squire had a better knowledge of suitable
+investments than he, he went to him one day and asked advice.  Now,
+the squire was fond of money.  When he saw the ample roll of bank
+notes which his neighbor took from his wallet, he felt a desire to
+possess them.  They would not be his, to be sure, but merely to have
+them under his control seemed pleasant.  So he said:
+
+"Friend Barclay, I should need time to consider that question.  Are
+you in a hurry?"
+
+"I should like to get the money out of my possession.  I might lose it
+or have it stolen.  Besides, I don't want my wife to discover that I
+have it."
+
+"It might make her extravagant, perhaps," suggested the squire.
+
+"No, I am not afraid of that; but I want some day to surprise her by
+letting her see that I am a richer man than she thinks."
+
+"Very judicious!  Then no one knows that you have the money?"
+
+"No one; I keep my business to myself."
+
+"You are a wise man.  I'll tell you what I will do, friend Barclay.
+While I am not prepared to recommend any particular investment, I will
+take the money and give you my note for it, agreeing to pay six per
+cent. interest.  Of course I shall invest it in some way, and I may
+gain or I may lose, but even if I do lose you will be safe, for you
+will have my note, and will receive interest semi-annually."
+
+The proposal struck Mr. Barclay quite favorably.
+
+"I suppose I can have the money when I want it again?" he inquired.
+
+"Oh, certainly!  I may require a month's notice to realize on
+securities; but if I have the money in bank I won't even ask that."
+
+"Then take the money, squire, and give me the note."
+
+So, in less than five minutes, the money found its way into Squire
+Davenport's strong box, and Mr. Barclay left the squire's presence
+well satisfied with his note of hand in place of his roll of
+greenbacks.
+
+Nearly two years passed.  Interest was paid punctually three times,
+and another payment was all but due when the unfortunate creditor died
+in Chicago.  Then it was that a terrible temptation assailed Squire
+Davenport.  No one knew of the trust his neighbor had reposed in
+him--not even his wife.  Of course, if the note was found in his
+pocket, all would be known.  But perhaps it would not be known.  In
+that case, the thousand dollars and thirty dollars interest might be
+retained without anyone being the wiser.
+
+It is only fair to say that Squire Davenport's face flushed with shame
+as the unworthy thought came to him, but still he did not banish it.
+He thought the matter over, and the more he thought the more unwilling
+he was to give up this sum, which all at once had become dearer to him
+than all the rest of his possessions.
+
+"I'll wait to see whether the note is found," he said to himself.  "Of
+course, if it is, I will pay it--" That is, he would pay it if he
+were obliged to do it.
+
+Poor Barclay was buried in Chicago--it would have been too expensive
+to bring on the body--and pretty soon it transpired that he had left
+no property, except the modest cottage in which his widow and son
+continued to live.
+
+Poor Mrs. Barclay!  Everybody pitied her, and lamented her straitened
+circumstances.  Squire Davenport kept silence, and thought, with
+guilty joy, "They haven't found the note; I can keep the money, and no
+one will be the wiser!"
+
+How a rich man could have been guilty of such consummate meaness I
+will not undertake to explain, but "the love of money is the root of
+evil," and Squire Davenport had love of money in no common measure.
+
+Five years passed.  Mrs. Barclay was obliged to mortgage her house to
+obtain the means of living, and the very man who supplied her with the
+money was the very man whom her husband had blindly trusted.  She
+little dreamed that it was her own money he was doling out to her.
+
+In fact, Squire Davenport himself had almost forgotten it.  He had
+come to consider the thousand dollars and interest fully and
+absolutely his own, and had no apprehension that his mean fraud would
+ever be discovered.  Like a thunderbolt, then, came to him the
+declaration of his unsavory visitor that the note was in existence,
+and was in the hands of a man who meant to use it.  Smitten with
+sudden panic, he stared in the face of the tramp.  But he was not
+going to give up without a struggle.
+
+"You are evidently trying to impose upon me," he said, mentally
+bracing up.  "You wish to extort money from me."
+
+"So I do," said the tramp quietly.
+
+"Ha!  you admit it?" exclaimed the squire.
+
+"Certainly; I wouldn't have taken the trouble to come here at great
+expense and inconvenience if I hadn't been expecting to make some
+money."
+
+"Then you have come to the wrong person; I repeat it, you've come to
+the wrong person!" said the squire, straightening his back and eying
+his companion sternly.
+
+"I begin to think I have," assented the visitor.
+
+"Ha!  he weakens!" thought Squire Davenport.  "My good man, I
+recommend you to turn over a new leaf, and seek to earn an honest
+living, instead of trying to levy blackmail on men of means."
+
+"An honest living!"  repeated the tramp, with a laugh.  "This advice
+comes well from you."
+
+Once more the squire felt uncomfortable and apprehensive.
+
+"I don't understand you," he said irritably.  "However, as you
+yourself admit, you have come to the wrong person."
+
+"Just so," said the visitor, rising.  "I now go to the right person."
+
+"What do you mean?" asked Squire Davenport, in alarm.
+
+"I mean that I ought to have gone to Mrs. Barclay."
+
+"Sit down, sit down!" said the squire nervously.  "You mustn't do
+that."
+
+"Why not?" demanded the tramp, looking him calmly in the face.
+
+"Because it would disturb her mind, and excite erroneous thoughts and
+expectations."
+
+"She would probably be willing to give me a good sum for bringing it
+to her, say, the overdue interest.  That alone, in five years and a
+half, would amount to over three hundred dollars, even without
+compounding."
+
+Squire Davenport groaned in spirit.  It was indeed true!  He must pay
+away over thirteen hundred dollars, and his loss in reputation would
+be even greater than his loss of money.
+
+"Can't we compromise this thing?" he stammered.  "I don't admit the
+genuineness of the note, but if such a claim were made, it would
+seriously annoy me.  I am willing to give you, say, fifty dollars, if
+you will deliver up the pretended note."
+
+"It won't do, squire.  Fifty dollars won't do!  I won't take a cent
+less than two hundred, and that is only about half the interest you
+would have to pay."
+
+"You speak as if the note were genuine," said the squire
+uncomfortably.
+
+"You know whether it is or not," said the tramp significantly.  "At
+any rate, we won't talk about that.  You know my terms."
+
+In the end Squire Davenport paid over two hundred dollars, and
+received back the note, which after a hasty examination, he threw into
+the fire.
+
+"Now," he said roughly, "get out of my house, you--forger."
+
+"Good-evening, squire," said the tramp, laughing and nodding to the
+discomfited squire.  "We may meet again, some time."
+
+"If you come here again, I will set the dog on you."
+
+"So much the worse for the dog!  Well, good-night!  I have enjoyed my
+interview--hope you have."
+
+"Impudent scoundrel!" said the squire to himself.  "I hope he will
+swing some day!"
+
+But, as he thought over what had happened, he found comfort in the
+thought that the secret was at last safe.  The note was burned, and
+could never reappear in judgment against him.  Certainly, he got off
+cheap.
+
+"Well," thought the tramp as he strode away from the squire's mansion,
+"this has been a profitable evening.  I have two hundred dollars in my
+pocket, and--I still have a hold on the rascal.  If he had only
+examined the note before burning it, he might have made a discovery!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+A PROSPECT OF TROUBLE
+
+
+When Ben returned home from the Town Hall he discovered, at the first
+glance, that his mother was in trouble.
+
+"Are you disturbed because I came home so late?" asked Ben.  "I would
+have been here sooner, but I went home with Rose Gardiner.  I ought to
+have remembered that you might feel lonely."
+
+Mrs. Barclay smiled faintly.
+
+"I had no occasion to feel lonely," she said.  "I had three callers.
+The last did not go away till after nine o'clock."
+
+"I am glad you were not alone, mother," said Ben, thinking some of his
+mother's neighbors might have called.
+
+"I should rather have been alone, Ben.  They brought bad news--that
+is, one of them did."
+
+"Who was it, mother?  Who called on you?"
+
+"The first one was the same man who took your money in the woods."
+
+"What, the tramp!" exclaimed Ben hastily.  "Did he frighten you?"
+
+"A little, at first, but he did me no harm.  He asked for some supper,
+and I gave it to him."
+
+"What bad news did he bring?"
+
+"None.  It was not he.  On the other hand, what he hinted would be
+good news if it were true.  He said that your father left property,
+and that he was the only man that possessed the secret."
+
+"Do you think this can be so?" said Ben, looking at his mother in
+surprise.
+
+"I don't know what to think.  He said he was a barkeeper in the hotel
+where your poor father died, and was about to say more when a knock
+was heard at the door, and he hurried away, as if in fear of
+encountering somebody."
+
+"And he did not come back?"
+
+"No."
+
+"That is strange," said Ben thoughtfully.  "Do you know, mother, I met
+him on my way home, or rather, he came up behind me and tapped me on
+the shoulder."
+
+"What did be say?" asked Mrs. Barclay eagerly.
+
+"He gave me back the bogus dollar he took from me saying, with a
+laugh, that it would be of no use to him.  Then he said he might do me
+a service sometime, and I would some day hear from him."
+
+"Ben, I think that man took the papers from the pocket of your dying
+father, and has them now in his possession.  He promised to sell me a
+secret for money, but I told him I had none to give."
+
+"I wish we could see him again, but he said he should leave town
+to-night.  But, mother, what was the bad news you spoke of?"
+
+"Ben, I am afraid we are going to lose our home," said the widow, the
+look of trouble returning to her face.
+
+"What do you mean, mother?"
+
+"You know that Squire Davenport has a mortgage on the place for seven
+hundred dollars; he was here to-night with a man named Kirk, some
+connection of his wife.  It seems Kirk is coming to Pentonville to
+live, and wants this house."
+
+"He will have to want it, mother," said Ben stoutly.
+
+"Not if the squire backs him as he does; he threatens to foreclose the
+mortgage if I don't sell."
+
+Ben comprehended the situation now, and appreciated its gravity.
+
+"What does he offer, Mother?"
+
+"A thousand dollars only--perhaps a little more."
+
+"Why that would be downright robbery."
+
+"Not in the eye of the law.  Ben, we are in the power of Squire
+Davenport, and he is a hard man."
+
+"I would like to give him a piece of my mind, mother.  He might be in
+better business than robbing you of your house."
+
+"Do nothing hastily, Ben.  There is only one thing that we can do to
+save the house, and that is, to induce someone to advance the money
+necessary to take up the mortgage."
+
+"Can you think of anybody who would do it?"
+
+Mrs. Barclay shook her head.
+
+"There is no one in Pentonville who would be willing, and has the
+money," she said.  "I have a rich cousin in New York, but I have not
+met him since I was married; he thought a great deal of me once, but I
+suppose he scarcely remembers me now.  He lived, when I last heard of
+him, on Lexington Avenue, and his name is Absalom Peters."
+
+"And he is rich?"
+
+"Yes, very rich, I believe."
+
+"I have a great mind to ask for a day's vacation from Mr. Crawford,
+and go to New York to see him."
+
+"I am afraid it would do no good."
+
+"It would do no harm, except that it would cost something for
+traveling expenses.  But I would go as economically as possible.  Have
+I your permission, mother?"
+
+"You can do as you like, Ben; I won't forbid you, though I have little
+hope of its doing any good."
+
+"Then I will try and get away Monday.  To-morrow is Saturday, and I
+can't be spared at the store; there is always more doing, you know, on
+Saturday than any other day."
+
+"I don't feel like giving any advice, Ben.  Do as you please."
+
+The next day, on his way home to dinner, Ben met his young rival of
+the evening previous, Tom Davenport.
+
+"How are you, Tom?" said Ben, nodding.
+
+"I want to speak to you, Ben Barclay," said the young aristocrat,
+pausing in his walk.
+
+"Go ahead!  I'm listening," said Ben.
+
+Tom was rather annoyed at the want of respect which, in his opinion,
+Ben showed him, but hardly knew how to express his objections, so he
+came at once to the business in hand.
+
+"You'd better not hang around Rose Gardiner so much," he said
+superciliously.
+
+"What do you mean by that?" demanded Ben quickly.
+
+"You forced your attentions on her last evening at the Town Hall."
+
+"Who told you so?"
+
+"I saw it for myself."
+
+"I thought Rose didn't tell you so."
+
+"It must be disagreeable to her family to have a common grocer's boy
+seen with her."
+
+"It seems to me you take a great deal of interest in the matter, Tom
+Davenport.  You talk as if you were the guardian of the young lady.  I
+believe you wanted to go home with her yourself."
+
+"It would have been far more suitable, but you had made her promise to
+go with you."
+
+"I would have released her from her promise at once, if she had
+expressed a wish to that effect.  Now, I want to give you a piece of
+advice."
+
+"I don't want any of your advice," said Tom loftily.  "I don't want
+any advice from a store boy."
+
+"I'll give it to you all the same.  You can make money by minding your
+own business."
+
+"You are impudent!" said Tom, flushing with anger.  "I've got
+something more to tell you.  You'll be out on the sidewalk before
+three months are over.  Father is going to foreclose the mortgage on
+your house."
+
+"That remains to be seen!" said Ben, but his heart sank within him as
+he realized that the words would probably prove true.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+BEN GOES TO NEW YORK
+
+
+Pentonville was thirty-five miles distant from New York, and the fare
+was a dollar, but an excursion ticket, carrying a passenger both ways,
+was only a dollar and a half.  Ben calculated that his extra expenses,
+including dinner, might amount to fifty cents, thus making the cost of
+the trip two dollars.  This sum, small as it was, appeared large both
+to Ben and his mother.  Some doubts about the expediency of the
+journey suggested themselves to Mrs. Barclay.
+
+"Do you think you had better go, Ben?" she said doubtfully.  "Two
+dollars would buy you some new stockings and handkerchiefs."
+
+"I will do without them, mother.  Something has got to be done, or we
+shall be turned into the street when three months are up.  Squire
+Davenport is a very selfish man, and he will care nothing for our
+comfort or convenience."
+
+"That is true," said the widow, with a sigh.  "If I thought your going
+to New York would do any good, I would not grudge you the money--"
+
+"Something will turn up, or I will turn up something," said Ben
+confidently.
+
+When he asked Mr. Crawford for a day off, the latter responded: "Yes,
+Ben, I think I can spare you, as Monday is not a very busy day.  Would
+you be willing to do an errand for me?"
+
+"Certainly Mr. Crawford, with pleasure."
+
+"I need a new supply of prints.  Go to Stackpole & Rogers, No. ----
+White Street, and select me some attractive patterns.  I shall rely
+upon your taste."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Ben, gratified by the compliment.
+
+He received instructions as to price and quantity, which he carefully
+noted down.
+
+"As it will save me a journey, not to speak of my time, I am willing
+to pay your fare one way."
+
+"Thank you, sir; you are very kind."
+
+Mr. Crawford took from the money drawer a dollar, and handed it to
+Ben.
+
+"But I buy an excursion ticket, so that my fare each way will be but
+seventy-five cents."
+
+"Never mind, the balance will go toward your dinner."
+
+"There, mother, what do you say now?" said Ben, on Saturday night.
+"Mr. Crawford is going to pay half my expenses, and I am going to buy
+some goods for him."
+
+"I am glad he reposes so much confidence in you, Ben.  I hope you
+won't lose his money."
+
+"Oh, I don't carry any.  He buys on thirty days.  All I have to do is
+to select the goods."
+
+"Perhaps it is for the best that you go, after all," said Mrs.
+Barclay.  "At any rate, I hope so."
+
+At half-past seven o'clock on Monday morning Ben stood on the platform
+of the Pentonville station, awaiting the arrival of the train.
+
+"Where are you going?" said a voice.
+
+Ben, turning, saw that it was Tom Davenport who had spoken.
+
+"I am going to New York," he answered briefly.
+
+"Has Crawford discharged you?"
+
+"Why do you ask?  Would you like to apply for the position?" asked Ben
+coolly.
+
+"Do you think I would condescend to be a grocer's boy?" returned Tom
+disdainfully.
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"If I go into business it will be as a merchant."
+
+"I am glad to hear it."
+
+"You didn't say what you were going to New York for?"
+
+"I have no objection to tell you, as you are anxious to know; I am
+going to the city to buy goods."
+
+Tom looked not only amazed, but incredulous.
+
+"That's a likely story," said he, after a pause.
+
+"It is a true story."
+
+"Do you mean to say Crawford trusts you buy goods for him?"
+
+"So it seems."
+
+"He must be getting weak-headed."
+
+"Suppose you call and give him that gratifying piece of information."
+
+Just then the train came thundering up, and Ben jumped aboard.  Tom
+Davenport looked after him with a puzzled glance.
+
+"I wonder whether that boy tells the truth," he said to himself.  "He
+thinks too much of himself, considering what he is."
+
+It never occurred to Tom that the remark would apply even better to
+him than the boy he was criticising.  As a rule we are the last to
+recognize our own faults, however quick we may be to see the faults of
+others.
+
+Two hours later Ben stood in front of the large dry-goods jobbing
+house of Stackpole & Rogers, in White Street.
+
+He ascended the staircase to the second floor, which was very spacious
+and filled with goods in great variety.
+
+"Where is the department of prints?" he inquired of a young man near
+the door.
+
+He was speedily directed and went over at once.  He showed the
+salesman in charge a letter from Mr. Crawford, authorizing him to
+select a certain amount of goods.
+
+"You are rather a young buyer," said the salesman, smiling.
+
+"It is the first time I have served in that way," said Ben modestly;
+"but I know pretty well what Mr. Crawford wants."
+
+Half an hour was consumed in making his selections.
+
+"You have good taste," said the salesman, "judging from your
+selections."
+
+"Thank you."
+
+"If you ever come to the city to look for work, come here, and I will
+introduce you to the firm."
+
+"Thank you.  How soon can you ship the goods?"
+
+"I am afraid not to-day, as we are very busy.  Early next week we will
+send them."
+
+His business concluded, Ben left the store and walked up to Broadway.
+The crowded thoroughfare had much to interest him.  He was looking at
+a window when someone tapped him on the shoulder.
+
+It was a young man foppishly attired, who was smiling graciously upon
+him.
+
+"Why, Gus Andre," he said, "when did you come to town, and how did you
+leave all the folks in Bridgeport?"
+
+"You have made a mistake," said Ben.
+
+"Isn't your name Gus Andre?"
+
+"No, it is Ben Barclay, from Pentonville."
+
+"I really beg your pardon.  You look surprisingly like my friend
+Gussie."
+
+Five minutes later there was another tap on our hero's shoulder, as he
+was looking into another window, and another nicely dressed young man
+said heartily: "Why, Ben, my boy, when did you come to town?"
+
+"This morning," answered Ben.  "You seem to know me, but I can't
+remember you."
+
+"Are you not Ben Barclay, of Pentonville."
+
+"Yes, but----"
+
+"Don't you remember Jim Fisher, who passed part of the summer, two
+years since, in your village?"
+
+"Where were you staying?" asked Ben.
+
+It was the other's turn to looked confused.
+
+"At--the Smiths'," he answered, at random.
+
+"At Mrs. Roxana Smith's?" suggested Ben.
+
+"Yes, yes," said the other eagerly, "she is my aunt."
+
+"Is she?" asked Ben, with a smile of amusement, for he had by this
+time made up his mind as to the character of his new friend.  "She
+must be proud of her stylish nephew.  Mrs. Smith is a poor widow, and
+takes in washing."
+
+"It's some other Smith," said the young man, discomfited.
+
+"She is the only one by that name in Pentonville."
+
+Jim Fisher, as he called himself, turned upon his heel and left Ben
+without a word.  It was clear that nothing could be made out of him.
+
+Ben walked all the way up Broadway, as far as Twenty-first Street,
+into which he turned, and walked eastward until he reached Gramercy
+Park, opposite which Lexington Avenue starts.  In due time he reached
+the house of Mr. Absalom Peters, and, ascending the steps, he rang the
+bell.
+
+"Is Mr. Peters in?" he asked of the servant who answered the bell.
+
+"No."
+
+"Will he be in soon?"
+
+"I guess not.  He sailed for Europe last week."
+
+Ben's heart sank within him.  He had hoped much from Mr. Peters,
+before whom he meant to lay all the facts of his mother's situation.
+Now that hope was crushed.
+
+He turned and slowly descended the steps.
+
+"There goes our last chance of saving the house," he said to himself
+sadly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+THE MADISON AVENUE STAGE
+
+
+Ben was naturally hopeful, but he had counted more than he was aware
+on the chance of obtaining assistance from Absalom Peters toward
+paying off his mother's mortgage.  As Mr. Peters was in Europe nothing
+could be done, and them seemed absolutely no one else to apply to.
+They had friends, of course, and warm ones, in Pentonville, but none
+that were able to help them.
+
+"I suppose we must make up our minds to lose the house," thought Ben.
+"Squire Davenport is selfish and grasping, and there is little chance
+of turning him."
+
+He walked westward till he reached Madison Avenue.  A stage
+approached, being bound downtown, and, feeling tired, he got in.  The
+fare was but five cents, and he was willing to pay it.
+
+Some half dozen other passengers beside himself were in the stage.
+Opposite Ben sat a handsomely dressed, somewhat portly lady, of middle
+age, with a kindly expression.  Next her sat a young man, attired
+fashionably, who had the appearance of belonging to a family of
+position.  There were, besides, an elderly man, of clerical
+appearance; a nurse with a small child, a business man, intent upon
+the financial column of a leading paper, and a schoolboy.
+
+Ben regarded his fellow-passengers with interest.  In Pentonville he
+seldom saw a new face.  Here all were new.  Our young hero was, though
+be did not know it, an embryo student of human nature.  He liked to
+observe men and women of different classes and speculate upon their
+probable position and traits.  It so happened that his special
+attention was attracted to the fashionably-attired young man.
+
+"I suppose he belongs to a rich family, and has plenty of money,"
+thought Ben.  "It must be pleasant to be born with a gold spoon in
+your mouth, and know that you are provided for life."
+
+If Ben had been wiser he would have judged differently.  To be born to
+wealth removes all the incentives to action, and checks the spirit of
+enterprise.  A boy or man who finds himself gradually rising in the
+world, through his own exertions, experiences a satisfaction unknown
+to one whose fortune is ready-made.  However, in Ben's present strait
+it is no wonder he regarded with envy the supposed young man of
+fortune.
+
+Our hero was destined to be strangely surprised.  His eyes were
+unusually keen, and enabled him after a while to observe some rather
+remarkable movements on the part of the young man.  Though his eyes
+were looking elsewhere, Ben could see that his right hand was
+stealthily insinuating itself into the pocket of the richly-dressed
+lady at his side.
+
+"Is it possible that he is a pickpocket?" thought Ben, in amazement.
+"So nicely dressed as he is, too!"
+
+It did not occur to Ben that he dressed well the better to avert
+suspicion from his real character.  Besides, a man who lives at other
+people's expense can afford to dress well.
+
+"What shall I do?" thought Ben, disturbed in mind.  "Ought I not to
+warn the lady that she is in danger of losing her money?"
+
+While he was hesitating the deed was accomplished.  A pearl
+portemonnaie was adroitly drawn from the lady's pocket and transferred
+to that of the young man.  It was done with incredible swiftness, but
+Ben's sharp eyes saw it.
+
+The young man yawned, and, turning away from the lady, appeared to be
+looking out of a window at the head of the coach.
+
+"Why, there is Jack Osborne," he said, half audibly, and, rising,
+pulled the strap for the driver to stop the stage.
+
+Then was the critical moment for Ben.  Was he to allow the thief to
+escape with the money.  Ben hated to get into a disturbance, but he
+felt that it would be wrong and cowardly to be silent.
+
+"Before you get out," he said, "hand that lady her pocketbook."
+
+The face of the pickpocket changed and he darted a malignant glance at
+Ben.
+
+"What do you mean, you young scoundrel?" he said.
+
+"You have taken that lady's pocketbook," persisted Ben.
+
+"Do you mean to insult me?"
+
+"I saw you do it."
+
+With a half exclamation of anger, the young man darted to the door.
+But he was brought to a standstill by the business man, who placed
+himself in his way.
+
+"Not so fast, young man," he said resolutely.
+
+"Out of the way!" exclaimed the thief, in a rage.  "It's all a base
+lie.  I never was so insulted in my life."
+
+"Do you miss your pocketbook, madam?" asked the gentleman, turning to
+the lady who had been robbed.
+
+"Yes," she answered.  "It was in the pocket next to this man."
+
+The thief seeing there was no hope of retaining his booty, drew it
+from his pocket and flung it into the lady's lap.
+
+"Now, may I go?" he said.
+
+There was no policeman in sight, and at a nod from the lady, the
+pickpocket was allowed to leave the stage.
+
+"You ought to have had him arrested.  He is a dangerous character,"
+said the gentleman who had barred his progress.
+
+"It would have been inconvenient for me to appear against him," said
+the lady.  "I am willing to let him go."
+
+"Well, there is one comfort--if he keeps on he will be hauled up
+sooner or later," remarked the gentleman.  "Would your loss have been
+a heavy one?" he inquired.
+
+"I had quite a large sum in my pocketbook, over two hundred dollars.
+But for my young friend opposite," she said, nodding kindly at Ben, "I
+should have lost it with very small chance of recovery."
+
+"I am glad to have done you a service, madam," said Ben politely.
+
+"I know it is rather imprudent to carry so large sum about with me,"
+continued the lady, but I have a payment to make to a carpenter who
+has done work in my house, and I thought he might not find it
+convenient use a check."
+
+"A lady is in more danger than a gentleman," observed the business
+man, "as she cannot so well hide away her pocketbook.  You will need
+to be careful as you walk along the street."
+
+"I think it will be best to have a neighbor whom I can trust," said
+the lady.  "Would you mind taking this seat at my side?" she
+continued, addressing Ben.
+
+"I will change with pleasure," said our hero, taking the seat recently
+vacated by the pickpocket.
+
+"You have sharp eyes, my young friend," said his new acquaintance.
+
+"My eyes are pretty good," said Ben, with a smile.
+
+"They have done me good service to-day.  May I know to whom I am
+indebted for such timely help?"
+
+"My name is Benjamin Barclay."
+
+"Do you live in the city?"
+
+"No, madam.  I live in Pentonville, about thirty miles from New York."
+
+"I have heard of the place.  Are you proposing to live here?"
+
+"No madam.  I came in to-day on a little business of my own, and also
+to select some goods for a country store in which I am employed."
+
+"You are rather young for such a commission."
+
+"I know the sort of goods Mr. Crawford sells, so it was not very
+difficult to make the selection."
+
+"At what time do you go back?"
+
+"By the four o'clock train."
+
+"Have you anything to do meanwhile?"
+
+"No, madam," answered Ben, a little surprised.
+
+"Then I should like to have you accompany me to the place where I am
+to settle my bill.  I feel rather timid after my adventure with our
+late fellow-passenger."
+
+"I shall be very happy to oblige you, madam," said Ben politely.
+
+He had just heard a public clock strike one and he knew, therefore,
+that he would have plenty of time.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+BEN'S LUCK
+
+
+"We will get out here," said Mrs. Hamilton.
+
+They had reached the corner of Fourth Street and Broadway.
+
+Ben pulled the strap, and with his new friend left the stage.  He
+offered his hand politely to assist the lady in descending.
+
+"He is a little gentleman," thought Mrs. Hamilton, who was much
+pleased with our hero.
+
+They turned from Broadway eastward, and presently crossed the Bowery
+also.  Not far to the east of the last avenue they came to a
+carpenter's shop.
+
+Mr. Plank, a middle-aged, honest-looking mechanic, looked up in
+surprise when Mrs. Hamilton entered the shop.
+
+"You didn't expect a call from me?" said the lady pleasantly.
+
+"No, ma'am.  Fashionable ladies don't often find their way over here."
+
+"Then don't look upon me as a fashionable lady.  I like to attend to
+my business myself, and have brought you the money for your bill."
+
+"Thank you, ma'am.  You never made me wait.  But I am sorry you had
+the trouble to come to my shop.  I would have called at your house if
+you had sent me a postal."
+
+"My time was not so valuable as yours, Mr. Plank.  I must tell you,
+however, that you came near not getting your money this morning.
+Another person undertook to collect your bill."
+
+"Who was it?" demanded the carpenter indignantly.  "If there's anybody
+playing such tricks on me I will have him up before the courts."
+
+"It was no acquaintance of yours.  The person in question had no spite
+against you and you would only have suffered a little delay."
+
+Then Mrs. Hamilton explained how a pickpocket had undertaken to
+relieve her of her wallet, and would have succeeded but for her young
+companion.
+
+"Oh they're mighty sharp, ma'am, I can tell you," said the carpenter.
+"I never lost anything, because I don't look as if I had anything
+worth stealing; but if one of those rascals made up his mind to rob
+me, ten to one he'd do it."
+
+Mr. Plank receipted his bill and Mrs. Hamilton paid him a hundred and
+eighty-seven dollars and fifty cents.  Ben could not help envying him
+as he saw the roll of bills transferred to him.
+
+"I hope the work was done satisfactory," said Mr. Plank. (Perfect
+grammar could not be expected of a man who, from the age of twelve,
+had been forced to earn his own living.)
+
+"Quite so, Mr. Plank," said the lady graciously.  "I shall send for
+you when I have any more work to be done."
+
+There was no more business to attend to, and Mrs. Hamilton led the way
+out, accompanied by Ben.
+
+"I will trouble you to see me as far as Broadway," said the lady.  "I
+am not used to this neighborhood and prefer to have an escort."
+
+"I didn't think this morning," said Ben to himself, "that a rich lady
+would select me as her escort."
+
+On the whole, he liked it.  It gave him a feeling of importance, and a
+sense of responsibility which a manly boy always likes.
+
+"I shall be glad to stay with you as long as you like," said Ben.
+
+"Thank you, Benjamin, or shall I say Ben?"
+
+"I wish you would.  I hardly know myself when I am called Benjamin."
+
+"As we are walking alone, suppose you tell me something of yourself.
+I only know your name, and that you live in Pentonville.  What
+relations have you?"
+
+"A mother only--my father is dead."
+
+"And you help take care of your mother, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes; father left us nothing except the house we live in, or, at
+least, we could get track of no other property.  He died in Chicago
+suddenly."
+
+"I hope you are getting along comfortably--you and your mother," said
+Mrs. Hamilton kindly.
+
+"We have our troubles," answered Ben.  "We are in danger of having our
+house taken from us."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"A rich man in our village, Squire Davenport, has a mortgage of seven
+hundred dollars upon it.  He wants the house for a relative of his
+wife, and threatens to foreclose at the end of three months."
+
+"The house must be worth a good deal more than the mortgage."
+
+"It is worth twice as much; but if it is put up at auction I doubt if
+it will fetch over a thousand dollars."
+
+"This would leave your mother but three hundred?"
+
+"Yes," answered Ben despondingly.
+
+"Have you thought of any way of raising the money?"
+
+"Yes; I came up to the city to-day to see a cousin of mother's, a Mr.
+Absalom Peters, who lives on Lexington Avenue, and I had just come
+from there when I got into the stage with you."
+
+"Won't he help you?"
+
+"Perhaps he might if he was in the city; though mother has seen
+nothing of him for twenty years; but, unfortunately, he just sailed
+for Europe."
+
+"That is indeed a pity.  I suppose you haven't much hope now?"
+
+"Unless Mr. Peters comes back.  He is the only one we can think of to
+call upon."
+
+"What sort of a man is this Squire Davenport?"
+
+"He is a very selfish man, who thinks only of his own interests.  We
+felt safe, because we did not suppose he would have any use for a
+small house like ours; but night before last he called on mother with
+the man he wants it for."
+
+"He cannot foreclose just yet, can he?" asked Mrs. Hamilton.
+
+"No; we have three months to look around."
+
+"Three months is a long time," said the lady cheerfully. "A good deal
+can happen in three months.  Do the best you can, and keep up hope."
+
+"I shall try to do so."
+
+"You have reason to do so.  You may not save your house, but you have,
+probably, a good many years before you, and plenty of good fortune may
+be in store for you."
+
+The cheerful tone in which the lady spoke some how made Ben hopeful
+and sanguine, at any rate, for the time being.
+
+"In this country, the fact that you are a poor boy will not stand in
+the way of your success.  The most eminent men of the day, in all
+branches of business, and in all professions, were once poor boys.  I
+dare say, looking at me, you don't suppose I ever knew anything of
+poverty."
+
+"No," said Ben.
+
+"Yet I was the daughter of a bankrupt farmer, and my husband was clerk
+in a country store.  I am not going to tell you how he came to the
+city and prospered, leaving me, at his death, rich beyond my needs.
+Yet that is his history and mine.  Does it encourage you?
+
+"Yes, it does," answered Ben earnestly.
+
+"It is for that reason, perhaps, that I take an interest in country
+boys who are placed as my husband once was," continued Mrs. Hamilton.
+"But here we are at Broadway.  It only remains to express my
+acknowledgment of your timely assistance."
+
+"You are quite welcome," said Ben.
+
+"I am sure of that, but I am none the less indebted.  Do me the favor
+to accept this."
+
+She opened her portemonnaie, and taking from it a banknote, handed it
+to Ben.
+
+In surprise he looked at it, and saw that it was a twenty-dollar bill.
+
+"Did you know this was a twenty-dollar bill?" he asked in amazement.
+
+"Certainly," answered the lady, with a smile.  "It is less than ten
+per cent. of the amount I would have lost but for you.  I hope it will
+be of service to you."
+
+"I feel rich with it," answered Ben.  "How can I thank you, Mrs.
+Hamilton?"
+
+"Call on me at No. ---- Madison Avenue, and do it in person, when you
+next come to the city," said the lady, smiling.  "Now, if you will
+kindly call that stage, I will bid you good-by--for the present."
+
+Ben complied with her request, and joyfully resumed his walk down
+Broadway.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+A STARTLING EVENT
+
+
+Though Ben had failed in the main object of his expedition, he
+returned to Pentonville in excellent spirits.  He felt that he had
+been a favorite of fortune, and with good reason.  In one day he had
+acquired a sum equal to five weeks' wages.  Added to the dollar Mr.
+Crawford had contributed toward his expenses, he had been paid
+twenty-one dollars, while he had spent a little less than two.  It is
+not every country boy who goes up to the great city who returns with
+an equal harvest.  If Squire Davenport had not threatened to foreclose
+the mortgage, he would have felt justified in buying a present for his
+mother.  As it was, he feared they would have need of all the money
+that came in to meet contingencies.
+
+The train reached Pentonville at five o'clock, and about the usual
+time Ben opened the gate and walked up to the front door of his modest
+home.  He looked so bright and cheerful when he entered her presence
+that Mrs. Barclay thought be must have found and been kindly received
+by the cousin whom he had gone up to seek.
+
+"Did you see Mr. Peters?" she asked anxiously.
+
+"No, mother; he is in Europe."
+
+A shadow came over the mother's face.  It was like taking from her her
+last hope.
+
+"I was afraid you would not be repaid for going up to the city," she
+said.
+
+"I made a pretty good day's work of it, nevertheless, mother.  What do
+you say to this?" and he opened his wallet and showed her a roll of
+bills.
+
+"Is that Mr. Crawford's money?" she asked.
+
+"No, mother, it is mine, or rather it is yours, for I give it to you."
+
+"Did you find a pocketbook, Ben?  If so, the owner may turn up."
+
+"Mother, the money is mine, fairly mine, for it was given me in return
+for a service I rendered a lady in New York."
+
+"What service could you have possibly rendered, Ben, that merited such
+liberal payment?" asked his mother in surprise.
+
+Upon this Ben explained, and Mrs. Barclay listened to his story with
+wonder.
+
+"So you see, mother, I did well to go to the city," said Ben, in
+conclusion.
+
+"It has turned out so, and I am thankful for your good fortune.  But I
+should have been better pleased if you had seen Mr. Peters and found
+him willing to help us about the mortgage."
+
+"So would I, mother, but this money is worth having.  When supper is
+over I will go to the store to help out Mr. Crawford and report my
+purchase of goods.  You know the most of our trade is in the evening."
+
+After Ben had gone Mrs. Barclay felt her spirits return as she thought
+of the large addition to their little stock of money.
+
+"One piece of good fortune may be followed by another," she thought.
+"Mr. Peters may return from Europe in time to help us.  At any rate,
+we have nearly three months to look about us, and God may send us
+help."
+
+When the tea dishes were washed and put away Mrs. Barclay sat down to
+mend a pair of Ben's socks, for in that household it was necessary to
+make clothing last as long as possible, when she was aroused from her
+work by a ringing at the bell.
+
+She opened the door to admit Squire Davenport.
+
+"Good-evening," she said rather coldly, for she could not feel
+friendly to a man who was conspiring to deprive her of her modest home
+and turn her out upon the sidewalk.
+
+"Good-evening, widow," said the squire.
+
+"Will you walk in?" asked Mrs. Barclay, not over cordially.
+
+"Thank you, I will step in for five minutes.  I called to see if you
+had thought better of my proposal the other evening."
+
+"Your proposal was to take my house from me," said Mrs. Barclay.  "How
+can you suppose I would think better of that?"
+
+"You forget that the house is more mine than yours already, Mrs.
+Barclay.  The sum I have advanced on mortgage is two-thirds of the
+value of the property."
+
+"I dispute that, sir."
+
+"Let it pass," said the squire, with a wave of the hand.  "Call it
+three-fifths, if you will.  Even then the property is more mine than
+yours.  Women don't understand business, or you would see matters in a
+different light."
+
+"I am a woman, it is true, but I understand very well that you wish to
+take advantage of me," said the widow, not without excusable
+bitterness.
+
+"My good lady, you forget that I am ready to cancel the mortgage and
+pay you three hundred and fifty dollars for the house.  Now, three
+hundred and fifty dollars is a handsome sum--a very handsome sum.  You
+could put it in the savings bank and it would yield you quite a
+comfortable income."
+
+"Twenty dollars, more or less," said Mrs. Barclay.  "Is that what you
+call a comfortable income?  How long do you think it would keep us
+alive?"
+
+"Added, of course, to your son's wages.  Ben is now able to earn good
+wages."
+
+"He earns four dollars a week, and that is our main dependence."
+
+"I congratulate you.  I didn't suppose Mr. Crawford paid such high
+wages."
+
+"Ben earns every cent of it."
+
+"Very possibly.  By the way, what is this that Tom was telling me
+about Ben being sent to New York to buy goods for the store?"
+
+"It is true, if that is what you mean."
+
+"Bless my soul!  It is very strange of Crawford, and I may add, not
+very judicious."
+
+"I suppose Mr. Crawford is the best judge of that, sir."
+
+"Even if the boy were competent, which is not for a moment to be
+thought of, it is calculated to foster his self-conceit."
+
+"Ben is not self-conceited," said Mrs. Barclay, ready to resent any
+slur upon her boy.  "He has excellent business capacity, and if he
+were older I should not need to ask favors of anyone."
+
+"You are a mother, and naturally set an exaggerated estimate upon your
+son's ability, which, I presume, is respectable, but probably not
+more.  However, let that pass.  I did not call to discuss Ben but to
+inquire whether you had not thought better of the matter we discussed
+the other evening."
+
+"I never shall, Squire Davenport.  When the time comes you can
+foreclose, if you like, but it will never be done with my consent."
+
+"Ahem!  Your consent will not be required."
+
+"And let me tell you, Squire Davenport, if you do this wicked thing,
+it won't benefit you in the end."
+
+Squire Davenport shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"I am not at all surprised to find you so unreasonable, Mrs. Barclay,"
+he said.  "It's the way with women.  I should be glad if you would
+come to look upon the matter in a different light; but I cannot
+sacrifice my own interests in any event.  The law is on my side."
+
+"The law may be on your side, but the law upholds a great deal that is
+oppressive and cruel."
+
+"A curious set of laws we should have if women made them," said the
+squire.
+
+"They would not bear so heavily upon the poor as they do now."
+
+"Well, I won't stop to discuss the matter.  If you come to entertain
+different views about the house, send word by Ben, and we will arrange
+the details without delay.  Mr. Kirk is anxious to move his family as
+soon as possible, and would like to secure the house at once."
+
+"He will have to wait three months at least," said Mrs. Barclay
+coldly.  "For that time, I believe the law protects me."
+
+"You are right there; but at the end of that tine you cannot expect as
+liberal terms as we are now prepared to offer you."
+
+"Liberal!" repeated the widow, in a meaning tone.
+
+"So I regard it," said the squire stiffly.  "Good-evening."
+
+An hour later Mrs. Barclay's reflections were broken in upon by the
+ominous clang of the engine bell.  This is a sound which always
+excites alarm in a country village.
+
+"Where's the fire?" she asked anxiously, of a boy who was running by
+the house.
+
+"It's Crawford's store!" was the startling reply.  "It's blazin' up
+like anything.  Guess it'll have to go."
+
+"I hope Ben'll keep out of danger," thought Mrs. Barclay, as she
+hurriedly took her shawl and bonnet and started for the scene of
+excitement.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+BEN SHOWS HIMSELF A HERO
+
+
+A fire in a country village, particularly where the building is a
+prominent one, is sure to attract a large part of the resident
+population.  Men, women, and children, as well as the hook and ladder
+company, hurried to the scene of conflagration.  Everybody felt a
+personal interest in Crawford's.  It was the great emporium which
+provided all the families in the village with articles of prime and
+secondary necessity.  If Paris can be called France, then Crawford's
+might be called Pentonville.
+
+"Crawford's on fire!" exclaimed old Captain Manson.  "Bless my soul!
+It cannot be true.  Where's my cane?"
+
+"You don't mean to say you're goin' to the fire, father?" asked his
+widowed daughter in surprise, for the captain had bowed beneath the
+weight of eighty-six winters, and rarely left the domestic hearth.
+
+"Do you think I'd stay at home when Crawford's was a-burning?"
+returned the captain.
+
+"But remember, father, you ain't so young as you used to be.  You
+might catch your death of cold."
+
+"What!  at a fire?" exclaimed the old man, laughing at his own joke.
+
+"You know what I mean.  It's dreadfully imprudent.  Why, I wouldn't go
+myself."
+
+"Shouldn't think you would, at your time of life!" retorted her
+father, chuckling.
+
+So the old man emerged into the street, and hurried as fast as his
+unsteady limbs would allow, to the fire.
+
+"How did it catch?" the reader will naturally ask.
+
+The young man who was the only other salesman besides Ben and the
+proprietor, had gone down cellar smoking a cigar.  In one corner was a
+heap of shavings and loose papers.  A spark from his cigar must have
+fallen there.  Had he noticed it, with prompt measures the incipient
+fire might have been extinguished.  But he went up stairs with the
+kerosene, which he had drawn for old Mrs. Watts, leaving behind him
+the seeds of destruction.  Soon the flames, arising, caught the wooden
+flooring of the upper store.  The smell of the smoke notified Crawford
+and his clerks of the impending disaster.  When the door communicating
+with the basement was opened, a stifling smoke issued forth and the
+crackling of the fire was heard.
+
+"Run, Ben; give the alarm!" called Mr. Crawford, pale with dismay and
+apprehension.  It was no time then to inquire how the fire caught.
+There was only time to save as much of the stock as possible, since it
+was clear that the fire had gained too great a headway to be put out.
+
+Ben lost no time, and in less than ten minutes the engine, which,
+fortunately, was housed only ten rods away, was on the ground.  Though
+it was impossible to save the store, the fire might be prevented from
+spreading.  A band of earnest workers aided Crawford in saving his
+stock.  A large part, of course, must be sacrificed; but, perhaps, a
+quarter was saved.
+
+All at once a terrified whisper spread from one to another:
+
+"Mrs. Morton's children!  Where are they?  They must be in the third
+story."
+
+A poor woman, Mrs. Morton, had been allowed, with her two children, to
+enjoy, temporarily, two rooms in the third story.  She had gone to a
+farmer's two miles away to do some work, and her children, seven and
+nine years of age, had remained at home.  They seemed doomed to
+certain death.
+
+But, even as the inquiry went from lip to lip, the children appeared.
+They had clambered out of a third story window upon the sloping roof
+of the rear ell, and, pale and dismayed, stood in sight of the shocked
+and terrified crowd, shrieking for help!
+
+"A ladder!  A ladder!" exclaimed half a dozen.
+
+But there was no ladder at hand--none nearer than Mr. Parmenter's,
+five minutes' walk away.  While a messenger was getting it the fate of
+the children would be decided.
+
+"Tell 'em to jump!" exclaimed Silas Carver.
+
+"They'd break their necks, you fool!" returned his wife.
+
+"Better do that than be burned up!" said the old man.
+
+No one knew what to do--no one but Ben Barclay.
+
+He seized a coil of rope, and with a speed which surprised even
+himself, climbed up a tall oak tree, whose branches overshadowed the
+roof of the ell part.  In less than a minute he found himself on a
+limb just over the children.  To the end of the rope was fastened a
+strong iron hook.
+
+Undismayed by his own danger, Ben threw his rope, though he nearly
+lost his footing while he was doing it, and with an aim so precise
+that the hook caught in the smaller girl's dress.
+
+"Hold on to the rope, Jennie, if you can!" he shouted.
+
+The girl obeyed him instinctively.
+
+Drawing the cord hand over hand, the little girl swung clear, and was
+lowered into the arms of Ebenezer Strong, who detached the hook.
+
+"Save the other, Ben!" shouted a dozen.
+
+Ben needed no spur to further effort.
+
+Again he threw the hook, and this time the older girl, comprehending
+what was required, caught the rope and swung off the roof, scarcely in
+time, for her clothing had caught fire.  But when she reached the
+ground ready hands extinguished it and the crowd of anxious spectators
+breathed more freely, as Ben, throwing down the rope, rapidly
+descended the tree and stood once more in safety, having saved two
+lives.
+
+Just then it was that the poor mother, almost frantic with fear,
+arrived on the ground.
+
+"Where are my darlings?  Who will save them?" she exclaimed, full of
+anguish, yet not comprehending that they were out of peril.
+
+"They are safe, and here is the brave boy who saved their lives," said
+Ebenezer Strong.
+
+"God bless you, Ben Barclay!" exclaimed the poor mother.  "You have
+saved my life as well as theirs, for I should have died if they had
+burned."
+
+Ben scarcely heard her, for one and another came up to shake his hand
+and congratulate him upon his brave deed.  Our young hero was
+generally self-possessed, but he hardly knew how to act when he found
+himself an object of popular ovation.
+
+"Somebody else would have done it if I hadn't," he said modestly.
+
+"You are the only one who had his wits about him," said Seth Jones.
+"No one thought of the rope till you climbed the tree.  We were all
+looking for a ladder and there was none to be had nearer than Mr.
+Parmenter's."
+
+"I wouldn't have thought of it myself if I hadn't read in a daily
+paper of something like it," said Ben.
+
+"Ben," said Mr. Crawford, "I'd give a thousand dollars to have done
+what you did.  You have shown yourself a hero."
+
+"Oh, Ben, how frightened I was when I saw you on the branch just over
+the burning building," said a well-known voice.
+
+Turning, Ben saw it was his mother who spoke.
+
+"Well, it's all right now, mother," he said, smiling.  "You are not
+sorry I did it?"
+
+"Sorry!  I am proud of you."
+
+"I am not proud of my hands," said Ben.  "Look at them."
+
+They were chafed and bleeding, having been lacerated by his rapid
+descent from the tree.
+
+"Come home, Ben, and let me put some salve on them.  How they must
+pain you!"
+
+"Wait till the fire is all over, mother."
+
+The gallant firemen did all they could, but the store was doomed.
+They could only prevent it from extending.  In half an hour the engine
+was taken back, and Ben went home with his mother.
+
+"It's been rather an exciting evening, mother," said Ben.  "I rather
+think I shall have to find a new place."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+BEN LOSES HIS PLACE
+
+
+Ben did not find himself immediately out of employment.  The next
+morning Mr. Crawford commenced the work of ascertaining what articles
+he had saved, and storing them.  Luckily there was a vacant store
+which had once been used for a tailor's shop, but had been unoccupied
+for a year or more.  This he hired, and at once removed his goods to
+it.  But he did not display his usual energy.  He was a man of over
+sixty, and no longer possessed the enterprise and ambition which had
+once characterized him.  Besides, he was very comfortably off, or
+would be when he obtained the insurance money.
+
+"I don't know what I shall do," he said, when questioned.  "I was
+brought up on a farm, and I always meant to end my days on one.
+Perhaps now is as well any time, since my business is broken up."
+
+This came to the ears of Squire Davenport, who was always keen-scented
+for a bargain.  His wife's cousin, Mr. Kirk, who has already been
+introduced to the reader, had, in his earlier days, served as a clerk
+in a country store.  He had no capital, to be sure, but the squire had
+plenty.  It occurred to him as a good plan to buy out the business
+himself, hire Kirk on a salary to conduct it, and so add considerably
+to his already handsome income.  He sent for Kirk, ascertained that he
+was not only willing, but anxious, to manage the business, and then he
+called on Mr. Crawford.
+
+It is unnecessary to detail the negotiations that ensued.  It was
+Squire Davenport's wish to obtain the business as cheaply as possible.
+The storekeeper, however, had his own estimate of its worth, and the
+squire was obliged to add considerable to his first offer.  In the
+end, however, he secured it on advantageous terms, and Mr. Crawford
+now felt able to carry out the plan he had long had in view.
+
+It was in the evening, a week after the fire, that the bargain was
+struck, and Ben was one of the first to hear of it.
+
+When he came to work early the next morning he found his employer in
+the store before him, which was not usual.
+
+"You are early, Mr. Crawford," he said, in evident surprise.
+
+"Yes, Ben," was the reply.  "I can afford to come early for a morning
+or two, as I shall soon be out of business."
+
+"You haven't sold out, have you?" inquired Ben quickly.
+
+"Yes; the bargain was struck last evening."
+
+"How soon do you leave the store?"
+
+"In three days.  It will take that time to make up my accounts."
+
+"I am sorry," said Ben, "for I suppose I shall have to retire, too."
+
+"I don't know about that, Ben.  Very likely my successor may want
+you."
+
+"That depends on who he is.  Do you mind telling me, or is it a
+secret?"
+
+"Oh, no; it will have to come out, of course.  Squire Davenport has
+bought the business."
+
+"The squire isn't going to keep the store, is he?" asked Ben, in
+amazement.
+
+"No; though he will, no doubt, supervise it.  He will employ a
+manager."
+
+"Do you know who is to be the manager, Mr. Crawford?"
+
+"Some connection of his named Kirk."
+
+Ben whistled.
+
+"Do you know him?" the storekeeper was led to inquire.
+
+"I have not seen him, but he called with the squire on my mother,"
+said Ben significantly.
+
+"I shall be glad to recommend you to him."
+
+"It will be of no use, Mr. Crawford," answered Ben, in a decided tone.
+"I know he wouldn't employ me, nor would I work for him if he would.
+Neither he nor the squire is a friend of mine."
+
+"I did not dream of this, Ben.  I am sorry if the step I have taken is
+going to deprive you of employment," said Mr. Crawford, who was a
+kind-hearted man, and felt a sincere interest in his young clerk.
+
+"Never mind, Mr. Crawford, I am not cast down.  There will be other
+openings for me.  I am young, strong, and willing to work, and I am
+sure I shall find something to do."
+
+"That's right, Ben.  Cheer up, and if I hear of any good chance, rest
+assured that I will let you know of it."
+
+Tom Davenport was not long in hearing of his father's bargain.  He
+heard it with unfeigned pleasure, for it occurred to him at once that
+Ben, for whom he had a feeling of hatred, by no means creditable to
+him, would be thrown out of employment.
+
+"Promise me, pa, that you won't employ Ben Barclay," he said.
+
+"I have no intention of employing that boy," said his father.  "Mr.
+Kirk has a son of his own, about Ben's age, and will, no doubt, put
+him into the store, unless you should choose to go in and learn the
+business."
+
+"What!  I become a store boy!" exclaimed Tom, in disgust.  "No, thank
+you.  I might be willing to become salesman in a large establishment
+in the city, but I don't care to go into a country grocery."
+
+"It wouldn't do you any harm," said the squire, who was not quite so
+high-minded as his son.  "However, I merely mentioned it as something
+you could do if you chose."
+
+"Bah!  I don't choose it," said Tom decidedly.
+
+"Well, well; you won't have to do it."
+
+"It would put me on a level with Ben Barclay, if I stepped into his
+shoes.  Won't he be down in the month when he hears he has lost his
+place?" and Tom chuckled at the thought.
+
+"That is no concern of mine," said the squire.  "I suppose he can hire
+out to a farmer."
+
+"Just the business for him", said Tom, "unless he should prefer to go
+to New York and set up as a bootblack.  I believe I'll suggest that to
+him!"
+
+"Probably he won't thank you for the suggestion."
+
+"I guess not.  He's as proud as he is poor.  It's amusing to see what
+airs he puts on."
+
+Squire Davenport, however, was not so much interested in that phase of
+the subject as Tom, and did not reply.
+
+"I think I'll go down street," thought Tom.  "Perhaps I may come
+across Ben.  I shall enjoy seeing how he takes it."
+
+Tom had scarcely walked a hundred yards when he met, not the one of
+whom he had thought, but another to whom he felt glad to speak on the
+same subject. This was Rose Gardiner, the prettiest girl in the
+village, who had already deeply offended Tom by accepting Ben as her
+escort from the magical entertainment in place of him.  He had made
+advances since, being desirous of ousting Ben from his position of
+favorite, but the young lady had treated him coldly, much to his anger
+and mortification.
+
+"Good-morning, Miss Rose," said Tom.
+
+"Good-morning," answered Rose civilly.
+
+"Have you heard the news?"
+
+"To what news do you refer?"
+
+"Crawford has sold out his business."
+
+"Indeed!" said Rose, in surprise; "who has bought it?"
+
+"My father.  Of course, he won't keep store himself.  He will put in a
+connection of ours, Mr. Kirk."
+
+"This is news, indeed!  Where is Mr. Crawford going?"
+
+"I don't know, I'm sure.  I thought you'd be more apt to inquire about
+somebody else?"
+
+"I am not good at guessing enigmas," said Rose.
+
+"Your friend, Ben Barclay," returned Tom, with a sneer.  "Father won't
+have him in the store!"
+
+"Oh, I see; you are going to take his place," said Rose mischievously.
+
+"I?  What do you take me for?" said Tom, haughtily.  "I suppose Ben
+Barclay will have to go to work on a farm."
+
+"That is a very honorable employment," said Rose calmly.
+
+"Yes; he can be a hired man when he grows up.  Perhaps, though, he
+will prefer to go to the city and become a bootblack."
+
+"Ben ought to be very much obliged to you for the interest you feel in
+his welfare," said Rose, looking steadily and scornfully at Tom.
+"Good-morning."
+
+"She feels sore about it," thought Tom complacently.  "She won't be
+quite so ready to accept Ben's attentions when he is a farm laborer."
+
+Tom, however, did not understand Rose Gardiner.  She was a girl of
+good sense, and her estimate of others was founded on something else
+than social position.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+BEN FINDS TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT
+
+
+"Oh, Ben, what shall we do?" exclaimed Mrs. Barclay, when she heard
+Mr. Crawford had sold out his business.
+
+"We'll get along somehow, mother.  Something will be sure to turn up."
+
+Ben spoke more cheerfully than he felt.  He knew very well that
+Pentonville presented scarcely any field for a boy, unless he was
+willing to work on a farm.  Now, Ben had no objections to farm labor,
+provided he had a farm of his own, but at the rate such labor was paid
+in Pentonville, there was very little chance of ever rising above the
+position of a "hired man," if he once adopted the business.  Our young
+hero felt that this would not satisfy him.  He was enterprising and
+ambitious, and wanted to be a rich man some day.
+
+Money is said, by certain moralists, to be the root of all evil.  The
+love of money, if carried too far, may indeed lead to evil, but it is
+a natural ambition in any boy or man to wish to raise himself above
+poverty.  The wealth of Amos Lawrence and Peter Cooper was a source of
+blessing to mankind, yet each started as a poor boy, and neither would
+have become rich if he had not striven hard to become so.
+
+When Ben made this cheerful answer his mother shook her head sadly.
+She was not so hopeful as Ben, and visions of poverty presented
+themselves before her mind.
+
+"I don't see what you can find to do in Pentonville, Ben," she said.
+
+"I can live a while without work while I am looking around, mother,"
+Ben answered.  "We have got all that money I brought from New York
+yet."
+
+"It won't last long," said his mother despondently.
+
+"It will last till I can earn some more," answered Ben hopefully.
+
+Ben was about to leave the house when a man in a farmer's frock,
+driving a yoke of oxen, stopped his team in the road, and turned in at
+the widow's gate.
+
+It was Silas Greyson, the owner of a farm just out of the village.
+
+"Did you want to see mother?" asked Ben.
+
+"No, I wanted to see you, Benjamin," answered Greyson.  "I hear you've
+left the store."
+
+"The store has changed hands, and the new storekeeper don't want me."
+
+"Do you want a job?"
+
+"What is it, Mr. Greyson?" Ben replied, answering one question with
+another.
+
+"I'm goin' to get in wood for the winter from my wood lot for about a
+week," said the farmer, "and I want help.  Are you willin' to hire out
+for a week?"
+
+"What'll you pay me?" asked Ben.
+
+"I'll keep you, and give you a cord of wood.  Your mother'll find it
+handy.  I'm short of money, and calc'late wood'll be just as good
+pay."
+
+Ben thought over the proposal, and answered: "I'd rather take my meals
+at home, Mr. Greyson, and if you'll make it two cords with that
+understanding, I'll agree to hire out to you."
+
+"Ain't that rather high?" asked the farmer, hesitating.
+
+"I don't think so."
+
+Finally Silas Greyson agreed, and Ben promised to be on hand bright
+and early the next day.  It may be stated here that wood was very
+cheap at Pentonville, so that Ben would not be overpaid.
+
+There were some few things about the house which Ben wished to do for
+his mother before he went to work anywhere, and he thought this a good
+opportunity to do them.  While in the store his time had been so taken
+up that he was unable to attend to them.  He passed a busy day,
+therefore, and hardly went into the street.
+
+Just at nightfall, as he was in the front yard, he was rather
+surprised to see Tom Davenport open the gate and enter.
+
+"What does he want, I wonder?" he thought, but he said, in a civil
+tone: "Good-evening, Tom."
+
+"You're out of business, ain't you?" asked Tom abruptly.
+
+"I'm not out of work at any rate!" answered Ben.
+
+"Why, what work are you doing?" interrogated Tom, in evident
+disappointment.
+
+"I've been doing some jobs about the house, for mother."
+
+"That won't give you a living," said Tom disdainfully.
+
+"Very true."
+
+"Did you expect to stay in the store?" asked Tom.
+
+"Not after I heard that your father had bought it," answered Ben
+quietly.
+
+"My father's willing to give you work," said Tom.
+
+"Is he?" asked Ben, very much surprised.
+
+It occurred to him that perhaps he would have a chance to remain in
+the store after all, and for the present that would have suited him.
+Though he didn't like the squire, or Mr. Kirk, he felt that he had no
+right, in his present circumstances, to refuse any way to earn an
+honest living.
+
+"Yes," answered Tom.  "I told him he'd better hire you."
+
+"You did!" exclaimed Ben, more and more amazed.  "I didn't expect
+that.  However, go on, if you please."
+
+"He's got three cords of wood that he wants sawed and split," said
+Tom, "and as I knew how poor you were I thought it would be a good
+chance for you."
+
+You might have thought from Tom's manner that he was a young lord, and
+Ben a peasant.  Ben was not angry, but amused.
+
+"It is true," he said.  "I am not rich; still, I am not as poor as you
+think."
+
+He happened to have in his pocketbook the money he had brought from
+New York, and this he took from his pocket and displayed to the
+astonished Tom.
+
+"Where did you get that money?" asked Tom, surprised and chagrined.
+
+"I got it honestly.  You see we can hold out a few days.  However, I
+may be willing to accept the job you offer me.  How much is your
+father willing to pay me?"
+
+"He is willing to give you forty cents a day."
+
+"How long does he expect me to work for that?"
+
+"Ten hours."
+
+"That is four cents an hour, and hard work at that.  I am much obliged
+to you and him, Tom, for your liberal offer, but I can't accept it."
+
+"You'll see the time when you'll be glad to take such a job," said
+Tom, who was personally disappointed that he would not be able to
+exhibit Ben as his father's hired dependent.
+
+"You seem to know all about it, Tom," answered Ben.  "I shall be at
+work all next week, at much higher pay, for Silas Greyson."
+
+"How much does he pay you?"
+
+"That is my private business, and wouldn't interest you."
+
+"You're mighty independent for a boy in your position."
+
+"Very likely.  Won't you come in?"
+
+"No," answered Tom ungraciously; "I've wasted too much time here
+already."
+
+"I understand Tom's object in wanting to hire me," thought Ben.  "He
+wants to order me around.  Still, if the squire had been willing to
+pay a decent price, I would have accepted the job.  I won't let pride
+stand in the way of my supporting mother and myself."
+
+This was a sensible and praiseworthy resolution, as I hope my young
+readers will admit.  I don't think much of the pride that is willing
+to let others suffer in order that it may be gratified.
+
+Ben worked a full week for Farmer Greyson, and helped unload the two
+cords of wood, which were his wages, in his mother's yard.  Then there
+were two days of idleness, which made him anxious.  On the second day,
+just after supper, he met Rose Gardiner coming from the post office.
+
+"Have you any correspondents in New York, Ben?" she asked.
+
+"What makes you ask, Rose?"
+
+Because the postmaster told me there was a letter for you by this
+evening's mail.  It was mailed in New York, and was directed in a
+lady's hand.  I hope you haven't been flirting with any New York
+ladies, Mr. Barclay."
+
+"The only lady I know in New York is at least fifty years old,"
+answered Ben, smiling.
+
+"That is satisfactory," answered Rose solemnly.  "Then I won't be
+jealous."
+
+"What can the letter be?" thought Ben.  "I hope it contains good
+news."
+
+He hurried to the post office in a fever of excitement.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+WHAT THE LETTER CONTAINED
+
+
+"I hear there is a letter for me, Mr. Brown," said Ben to the
+postmaster, who was folding the evening papers, of which he received a
+parcel from the city by the afternoon train.
+
+"Yes, Ben," answered the postmaster, smiling.  "It appears to be from
+a lady in New York.  You must have improved your time during your
+recent visit to the city."
+
+"I made the acquaintance of one lady older than my mother," answered
+Ben.  "I didn't flirt with her any."
+
+"At any rate, I should judge that she became interested in you or she
+wouldn't write."
+
+"I hope she did, for she is very wealthy," returned Ben.
+
+The letter was placed in his hands, and he quickly tore it open.
+
+Something dropped from it.
+
+"What is that?" asked the postmaster.
+
+Ben stooped and picked it up, and, to his surprise, discovered that it
+was a ten-dollar bill.
+
+"That's a correspondent worth having," said Mr. Brown jocosely.
+"Can't you give me a letter of introduction?"
+
+Ben didn't answer, for he was by this time deep the letter.  We will
+look over his shoulder and read it with him.  It ran thus:
+
+                             "No. ---- Madison Avenue,
+                                   New York, October 5.
+
+  "My Dear Young Friend:
+
+  "Will you come to New York and call upon me?  I have a very pleasant
+  remembrance of you and the service you did me recently, and think I
+  can employ you in other ways, to our mutual advantage.  I am willing
+  to pay you a higher salary than you are receiving in your country
+  home, besides providing you with a home in my own house.  I inclose
+  ten dollars for expenses.  Yours, with best wishes,
+
+                             "Helen Hamilton"
+
+Ben's heart beat with joyful excitement as he read this letter.  It
+could not have come at a better time, for, as we know, he was out of
+employment, and, of course, earning nothing.
+
+"Well, Ben," said the postmaster, whose curiosity was excited, is it
+good news?"
+
+"I should say it was," said Ben emphatically.  "I am offered a good
+situation in New York."
+
+"You don't say so!  How much are offered?"
+
+"I am to get more than Mr. Crawford paid me and board in a fine house
+besides--a brownstone house on Madison Avenue."
+
+"Well, I declare!  You are in luck," ejaculated Mr. Brown.  "What are
+you to do?"
+
+"That's more than I know.  Here is the letter, if you like to read
+it."
+
+"It reads well.  She must be a generous lady.  But what will your
+mother say?"
+
+"That's what I want to know," said Ben, looking suddenly sober.  "I
+hate to leave her, but it is for my good."
+
+"Mothers are self-sacrificing when the interests of their children are
+concerned."
+
+"I know that," said Ben promptly; "and I've got one of the best
+mothers going."
+
+"So you have.  Every one likes and respects Mrs. Barclay."
+
+Any boy, who is worth anything, likes to hear his mother praised, and
+Ben liked Mr. Brown better for this tribute to the one whom he loved
+best on earth.  He was not slow in making his way home.  He went at
+once to the kitchen, where his mother was engaged in mixing bread.
+
+"What's the matter, Ben?  You look excited," said Mrs. Barkley.
+
+"So I am, mother.  I am offered a position."
+
+"Not in the store?"
+
+"No; it is in New York."
+
+"In New York!" repeated his mother, in a troubled voice.  "It would
+cost you all you could make to pay your board in some cheap boarding
+house.  If it were really going to be for your own good, I might
+consent to part with you, but--"
+
+"Read that letter, mother," said Ben.  "You will see that I shall have
+an elegant home and a salary besides.  It is a chance in a thousand."
+
+Mrs. Barclay read the letter carefully.
+
+"Can I go, mother?" Ben asked anxiously.
+
+"It will be a sacrifice for me to part with you," returned his mother
+slowly; "but I agree with you that it is a rare chance, and I should
+be doing wrong to stand in the way of your good fortune.  Mrs.
+Hamilton must have formed a very good opinion of you."
+
+"She may be disappointed in me," said Ben modestly.
+
+"I don't think she will," said Mrs. Barclay, with a proud and
+affectionate glance at her boy.  "You have always been a good son, and
+that is the best of recommendations."
+
+"I am afraid you are too partial, mother.  I shall hate to leave you
+alone."
+
+"I can bear loneliness if I know you are prospering, Ben."
+
+"And it will only be for a time, mother.  When I am a young man and
+earning a good income, I shall want you to come and live with me."
+
+"All in good time, Ben.  How soon do you want to go?"
+
+"I think it better to lose no time, mother.  You know I have no work
+to keep me in Pentonville."
+
+"But it will take two or three days to get your clothes ready."
+
+"You can send them to me by express.  I shall send you the address."
+
+Mrs. Barclay was a fond mother, but she was also a sensible woman.
+She felt that Ben was right, and, though it seemed very sudden, she
+gave him her permission to start the next morning.  Had she objected
+strenuously, Ben would have given up his plan, much as he desired it,
+for he felt that his mother had the strongest claims upon him, and he
+would not have been willing to run counter to her wishes.
+
+"Where are you going, Ben?" asked his mother, as Ben put on his hat
+and moved toward the door.
+
+"I thought I would like to call on Rose Gardiner to say good-by,"
+answered Ben.
+
+"Quite right, my son.  Rose is a good friend of yours, and an
+excellent girl"
+
+"I say ditto to that, mother," Ben answered warmly.
+
+I am not going to represent Ben as being in love--he was too young for
+that--but, like many boys of his age, he felt a special attraction in
+the society of one young girl.  His good taste was certainly not at
+fault in his choice of Rose Gardiner, who, far from being frivolous
+and fashionable, was a girl of sterling traits, who was not above
+making herself useful in the household of which she formed a part.
+
+On his way to the home of Rose Gardiner, Ben met Tom Davenport.
+
+"How are you getting along?" asked Tom, not out of interest, but
+curiosity.
+
+"Very well, thank you."
+
+"Have you got through helping the farmer?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"It was a very long job.  Have you thought better of coming to saw
+wood for father?"
+
+"No; I have thought worse of it," answered Ben, smiling.
+
+"You are too proud.  Poor and proud don't agree."
+
+"Not at all.  I would have had no objection to the work.  It was the
+pay I didn't like."
+
+"You can't earn more than forty cents a day at anything else."
+
+"You are mistaken.  I am going to New York to-morrow to take a place,
+where I get board and considerable more money besides."
+
+"Is that true?" asked Tom, looking as if he had lost his best friend.
+
+"Quite so.  The party inclosed ten dollars to pay my expenses up to
+the city."
+
+"He must be a fool."
+
+"Thank you.  It happens to be a lady."
+
+"What are you to do?"
+
+"I don't know yet.  I am sure I shall be well paid.  I must ask you to
+excuse me now, as I am going to call on Rose Gardiner to bid her
+good-by."
+
+"I dare say she would excuse you," said Tom, with a sneer.
+
+"Perhaps so; but I wouldn't like to go without saying good-by."
+
+"At any rate, he will be out of my way," thought Tom, "and I can
+monopolize Rose.  I'm glad he's going."
+
+He bade Ben an unusually civil good-night at this thought occurred to
+him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+FAREWELL TO PENTONVILLE
+
+
+"I have come to say good-by, Rose," said Ben, as the young lady made
+her appearance.
+
+"Good-by!" repeated Rose, in surprise.  "Why, where are you going?"
+
+"To New York."
+
+"But you are coming back again?"
+
+"I hope so, but only for a visit now and then.  I am offered a
+position in the city."
+
+"Isn't that rather sudden?" said Rose, after a pause.
+
+Ben explained how he came to be offered employment.
+
+"I am to receive higher pay than I did here, and a home besides," he
+added, in a tone of satisfaction.  "Don't you think I am lucky?"
+
+"Yes, Ben, and I rejoice in your good fortune; but I shall miss you so
+much," said Rose frankly.
+
+"I am glad of that," returned Ben.  "I hoped you would miss me a
+little.  You'll go and see mother now and then, won't you?  She will
+feel very lonely."
+
+"You may be sure I will.  It is a pity you have to go away.  A great
+many will be sorry."
+
+"I know someone who won't."
+
+"Who is that?"
+
+"Tom Davenport."
+
+Rose smiled.  She had a little idea why Tom would not regret Ben's
+absence.
+
+"Tom could be spared, as well as not," she said.
+
+"He is a strong admirer of yours, I believe," said Ben mischievously.
+
+"I don't admire him," retorted Rose, with a little toss of her head.
+
+Ben heard this with satisfaction, for though he was too young to be a
+lover, he did have a strong feeling of attraction toward Rose, and
+would have been sorry to have Tom step into his place.
+
+As Ben was preparing to go, Rose said, "Wait a minute, Ben."
+
+She left the room and went upstairs, but returned almost immediately,
+with a small knit purse.
+
+"Won't you accept this, Ben?" she said.  "I just finished it
+yesterday.  It will remind you of me when you are away."
+
+"Thank you, Rose.  I shall need nothing to keep you in my remembrance,
+but I will value it for your sake."
+
+"I hope you will be fortunate and fill it very soon, Ben."
+
+So the two parted on the most friendly terms, and the next day Ben
+started for New York in the highest of spirits.
+
+After purchasing his ticket, he gave place to Squire Davenport, who
+also called for a ticket to New York.  Now, it so happened that the
+squire had not seen Tom since the interview of the latter with our
+hero, and was in ignorance of his good luck.
+
+"Are you going to New York, Benjamin?" he asked, in surprise.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Isn't it rather extravagant for one in your circumstances?"
+
+"Yes, sir; if I had no object in view."
+
+"Have you any business in the city?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I am going to take a place."
+
+Squire Davenport was still more surprised, and asked particulars.
+These Ben readily gave, for he was quite elated by his good fortune.
+
+"Oh, that's it, is it?" said the squire contemptuously.  "I thought
+you might have secured a position in some business house.  This lady
+probably wants you to answer the doorbell and clean the knives, or
+something of that sort."
+
+"I am sure she does not," said Ben, indignant and mortified.
+
+"You'll find I am right," said the squire confidently.  "Young man, I
+can't congratulate you on your prospects.  You would have done as well
+to stay in Pentonville and work on my woodpile."
+
+"Whatever work I may do in New York, I shall be a good deal better
+paid for than here," retorted Ben.
+
+Squire Davenport shrugged his shoulders, and began to read the morning
+paper.  To do him justice, he only said what he thought when he
+predicted to Ben that he would be called upon to do menial work.
+
+"The boy won't be in so good spirits a week hence," he thought.
+"However, that is not my affair.  There is no doubt that I shall get
+possession of his mother's house when the three months are up, and I
+don't at all care where he and his mother go.  If they leave
+Pentonville I shall be very well satisfied.  I have no satisfaction in
+meeting either of them," and the squire frowned, as if some unpleasant
+thought had crossed his mind.
+
+Nothing of note passed during the remainder of the journey.  Ben
+arrived in New York, and at once took a conveyance uptown, and due
+time found himself, carpet-bag in hand, on the front steps of Mrs.
+Hamilton's house.
+
+He rang the bell, and the door was opened by a servant.
+
+"She's out shopping," answered the girl, looking inquisitively at
+Ben's carpet-bag.  "Will you leave a message for her?"
+
+"I believe I am expected," said Ben, feeling a little awkward.  "My
+name is Benjamin Barclay."
+
+"Mrs. Hamilton didn't say anything about expecting any boy," returned
+the servant.  "You can come in, if you like, and I'll call Mrs. Hill."
+
+"I suppose that is the housekeeper," thought Ben.
+
+"Very well," he answered.  "I believe I will come in, as Mrs. Hamilton
+wrote me to come."
+
+Ben left his bag in the front hall, and with his hat in his hand
+followed the servant into the handsomely-furnished drawing room.
+
+"I wish Mrs. Hamilton had been here," he said to himself.  "The girl
+seems to look at me suspiciously.  I hope the housekeeper knows about
+my coming."
+
+Ben sat down in an easy-chair beside a marble-topped center table, and
+waited for fifteen minutes before anyone appeared.  He beguiled the
+time by looking over a handsomely illustrated book of views, but
+presently the door was pushed open and he looked up.
+
+The newcomer was a spare, pale-faced woman, with a querulous
+expression, who stared coldly at our hero.  It was clear that she was
+not glad to see him.  "What can I do for you, young man?" she asked in
+a repellent tone.
+
+"What a disagreeable-looking woman!" thought Ben.  "I am sure we shall
+never be friends."
+
+"Is Mrs. Hamilton expected in soon?" he asked.
+
+"I really cannot say.  She does not report to me how long she expects
+to be gone."
+
+"Didn't she speak to you about expecting me?" asked Ben, feeling
+decidedly uncomfortable.
+
+"Not a word!" was the reply.
+
+"She wrote to me to come here, but perhaps she did not expect me so
+soon."
+
+"If you have come here to collect a bill, or with any business errand,
+I can attend to you.  I am Mrs. Hamilton's cousin."
+
+"Thank you; it will be necessary for me to see Mrs. Hamilton."
+
+"Then you may as well call in the afternoon, or some other day."
+
+"That's pretty cool!" thought Ben.  "That woman wants to get me out of
+the house, but I propose to 'hold the fort' till Mrs. Hamilton
+arrives."
+
+"I thought you might know that I am going to stay here," said Ben.
+
+"What!" exclaimed Mrs. Hill, in genuine surprise.
+
+"Mrs. Hamilton has offered me a position, though I do not know what
+the duties are to be, and am going to make my home here."
+
+"Really this is too much!" said the pale-faced lady sternly.  "Here,
+Conrad!" she called, going to the door.
+
+A third party made his appearance on the scene, a boy who looked so
+much like Mrs. Hill that it was clear she was his mother.  He was two
+inches taller than Ben, but looked pale and flabby.
+
+"What's wanted, ma?" he said, staring at Ben.
+
+"This young man has made a strange mistake.  He says Mrs. Hamilton has
+sent for him and that he is going to live here.
+
+"He's got cheek," exclaimed Conrad, continuing to stare at Ben.
+
+"Tell him he'd better go!"
+
+"You'd better go!" said the boy, like a parrot.
+
+"Thank you," returned Ben, provoked, "but I mean to stay."
+
+"Go and call a policeman, Conrad," said Mrs. Hill.  "We'll see what
+he'll have to say then."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+A COOL RECEPTION
+
+
+"This isn't quite the reception I expected," thought Ben.  He was
+provoked with the disagreeable woman who persisted in regarding and
+treating him as an intruder, but he was not nervous or alarmed.  He
+knew that things would come right, and that Mrs. Hill and her
+promising son would see their mistake.  He had half a mind to let
+Conrad call a policeman, and then turn the tables upon his foes.  But,
+he knew that this would be disagreeable to Mrs. Hamilton, whose
+feelings he was bound to consider.
+
+"Before you call a policeman," he said quietly, "it may be well for
+you to read this letter."
+
+As he spoke handed Mrs. Hill the letter he had received from Mrs.
+Hamilton.
+
+Mrs. Hill took the letter suspiciously, and glared over it.  As she
+read, a spot of red glowed in each pallid check, and she bit her lips
+in annoyance.
+
+"I don't understand it," she said slowly.
+
+Ben did not feel called upon to explain what was perfectly
+intelligible.  He saw that Mrs. Hill didn't want to understand it.
+
+"What is it, ma?" asked Conrad, his curiosity aroused.
+
+"You can read it for yourself, Conrad," returned his mother.
+
+"Is he coming to live here?" ejaculated Conrad, astonished, indicating
+Ben with a jerk of his finger.
+
+"If this letter is genuine," said Mrs. Hill, with at significant
+emphasis on the last word.
+
+"If it is not, Mrs. Hamilton will be sure to tell you so," said Ben,
+provoked.
+
+"Come out, Conrad; I want to speak to you," said his mother.
+
+Without ceremony, they left Ben in the parlor alone, and withdrew to
+another part of the house, where they held a conference.
+
+"What does it all mean, ma?" asked Conrad.
+
+"It means that your prospects are threatened, my poor boy.  Cousin
+Hamilton, who is very eccentric, has taken a fancy to this boy, and
+she is going to confer favors upon him at your expense.  It is too
+bad!"
+
+"I'd like to break his head!" said Conrad, scowling.
+
+"It won't do, Conrad, to fight him openly.  We must do what we can in
+an underhand way to undermine him with Cousin Hamilton.  She ought to
+make you her heir, as she has no children of her own."
+
+"I don't think she likes me," said the boy.  "She only gives me two
+dollars a week allowance, and she scolded me the other day because she
+met me in the hall smoking a cigarette."
+
+"Be sure not to offend her, Conrad.  A great deal depends on it.  Two
+dollars ought to answer for the present.  When you are a young man, you
+may be in very different circumstances."
+
+"I don't know about that," grumbled Conrad.  "I may get two dollars a
+week then, but what's that?"
+
+"You may be a wealthy man!" said his mother impressively.  "Cousin
+Hamilton is not so healthy as she looks.  I have a suspicion that her
+heart is affected.  She might die suddenly."
+
+"Do you really think so?" said Conrad eagerly.
+
+"I think so.  What you must try to do is to stand well with her, and
+get her to make her will in your favor.  I will attend to that, if you
+will do as I tell you."
+
+"She may make this boy her heir," said Conrad discontentedly.  "Then
+where would I be?"
+
+"She won't do it, if I can help it," said Mrs. Hill with an emphatic
+nod.  "I will manage to make trouble between them.  You will always be
+my first interest, my dear boy."
+
+She made a motion to kiss her dear boy, but Conrad, who was by no
+means of an affectionate disposition, moved his head suddenly, with an
+impatient exclamation, "Oh, bother!"
+
+A pained look came over the mother's face, for she loved her son,
+unattractive and disagreeable as he was, with a love the greater
+because she loved no one else in the world.  Mother and son were
+selfish alike, but the son the more so, for he had not a spark of love
+for any human being.
+
+"There's the bell!" said Mrs. Hill suddenly.  "I do believe Cousin
+Hamilton has come.  Now we shall find out whether this boy's story is
+true."
+
+"Let's go downstairs, ma!  I hope it's all a mistake and she'll send
+me for a policeman."
+
+"I am afraid the boy's story is correct.  But his day will be short."
+
+When they reached the hall, Mrs. Hamilton had already been admitted to
+the house.
+
+"There's a boy in the drawing room, Mrs. Hamilton," said Mrs. Hill,
+"who says he is to stay here--that you sent for him."
+
+"Has he come already?" returned Mrs. Hamilton.  "I am glad of it."
+
+"Then you did send for him?"
+
+"Of course.  Didn't I mention it to you?  I hardly expected he would
+come so soon."
+
+She opened the door of the drawing room, and approached Ben, with
+extended hand and a pleasant smile.
+
+"Welcome to New York, Ben," she said.  "I hope I haven't kept you
+waiting long?"
+
+"Not very long," answered Ben, shaking her hand.
+
+"This is my cousin Mrs. Hill, who relieves me of part of my
+housekeeping care," continued Mrs. Hamilton, "and this is her son,
+Conrad.  Conrad, this is a companion for you, Benjamin Barclay, who
+will be a new member of our small family."
+
+"I hope you are well, Conrad," said Ben, with a smile, to the boy who
+but a short time before was going for a policeman to put him under
+arrest.
+
+"I'm all right," said Conrad ungraciously.
+
+"Really, Cousin Hamilton, this is a surprise" said Mrs. Hill.  "You
+are quite kind to provide Conrad with a companion, but I don't think
+he felt the need of any, except his mother--and you."
+
+Mrs. Hamilton laughed.  She saw that neither Mrs. Hill nor Conrad was
+glad to see Ben, and this was only what she expected, and, indeed,
+this was the chief reason why she had omitted to mention Ben's
+expected arrival.
+
+"You give me too much credit," she said, "if you think I invited this
+young gentleman here solely as a companion to Conrad.  I shall have
+some writing and accounts for him to attend to."
+
+"I am sure Conrad would have been glad to serve you in that way,
+Cousin Hamilton," said Mrs. Hill.  "I am sorry you did not give him
+the first chance."
+
+"Conrad wouldn't have suited me," said Mrs. Hamilton bluntly.
+
+"Perhaps I may not be competent," suggested Ben modestly.
+
+"We can tell better after trying you," said his patroness.  "As for
+Conrad, I have obtained a position for him.  He is to enter the
+offices of Jones & Woodhull, on Pearl Street, to-morrow.  You will
+take an early breakfast, Conrad, for it will be necessary for you to
+be at the office at eight o'clock."
+
+"How much am I to get?" asked Conrad.
+
+"Four dollars a week.  I shall let you have all this in lieu of the
+weekly allowance I pay you, but will provide you with clothing, as
+heretofore, so that this will keep you liberally supplied with pocket
+money."
+
+"Conrad's brow cleared.  He was lazy, and did not enjoy going to work,
+but the increase of his allowance would be satisfactory.
+
+"And now, Ben, Mrs. Hill will kindly show you your room.  It is the
+large hall bedroom on the third floor.  When you have unpacked your
+valise, and got to feel at home, come downstairs, and we will have a
+little conversation upon business.  You will find me in the sitting
+room, on the next floor."
+
+"Thank you," said Ben politely, and he followed the pallid cousin
+upstairs.  He was shown into a handsomely furnished room, bright and
+cheerful.
+
+"This is a very pleasant room," he said.
+
+"You won't occupy it long!" said Mrs. Hill to herself.  "No one will
+step into my Conrad's place, if I can help it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES
+
+
+When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in
+the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the
+furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in
+a cozy sitting room, on the second floor.  It was furnished, Ben could
+not help thinking, more as if it were designed for a gentleman than a
+lady.  In one corner was a library table, with writing materials,
+books, and papers upon it, and an array of drawers on either side of
+the central part.
+
+"Come right in, Ben," said Mrs. Hamilton, who was seated at the table.
+"We will talk of business."
+
+This Ben was quite willing to do.  He was anxious to know what were to
+be his duties, that he might judge whether he was competent to
+discharge them.
+
+"Let me tell you, to begin with," said his patroness, "that I am
+possessed of considerable wealth, as, indeed, you may have judged by
+way of living.  I have no children, unfortunately, and being
+unwilling, selfishly, to devote my entire means to my own use
+exclusively, I try to help others in a way that I think most suitable.
+Mrs. Hill, who acts as my housekeeper, is a cousin, who made a poor
+marriage, and was left penniless.  I have given a home to her and her
+son."
+
+"I don't think Mrs. Hill likes my being here," said Ben.
+
+"You are, no doubt, right.  She is foolish enough to be jealous
+because I do not bestow all my favors upon her."
+
+"I think she will look upon me as a rival of her son."
+
+"I expected she would.  Perhaps she will learn, after a while, that I
+can be a friend to you and him both, though, I am free to admit, I
+have never been able to take any fancy to Conrad, nor, indeed, was his
+mother a favorite with me.  But for her needy circumstances, she is,
+perhaps, the last of my relatives that I would invite to become a
+member of my household.  However, to come to business: My money is
+invested in various ways.  Besides the ordinary forms of investment,
+stocks, bonds, and mortgages, I have set up two or three young men,
+whom I thought worthy, in business, and require them to send in
+monthly statements of their business to me.  You see, therefore, that
+I have more or less to do with accounts.  I never had much taste for
+figures, and it struck me that I might relieve myself of considerable
+drudgery if I could obtain your assistance, under my supervision, of
+course.  I hope you have a taste for figures?"
+
+"Arithmetic and algebra are my favorite studies," said Ben promptly.
+
+"I am glad of it.  Of course, I did not know that, but had you not
+been well versed in accounts, I meant to send you to a commercial
+school to qualify you for the duties I wished to impose upon you."
+
+"I don't think it will be necessary," answered Ben.  "I have taken
+lessons in bookkeeping at home, and, though it seems like boasting, I
+was better in mathematics than any of my schoolfellows."
+
+"I am so glad to hear that.  Can you write well?"
+
+"Shall I write something for you?"
+
+"Do so."
+
+Mrs. Hamilton vacated her place, and Ben, sitting at the desk, wrote
+two or three copies from remembrance.
+
+"Very well, indeed!" said his patroness approvingly.  "I see that in
+engaging you I have made no mistake."
+
+Ben's cheek flushed with pleasure, and he was eager to enter upon his
+new duties.  But he could not help wondering why he had been selected
+when Conrad was already in the house, and unemployed.  He ventured to
+say:
+
+"Would you mind telling me why you did not employ Conrad, instead of
+sending for me?"
+
+"There are two good and sufficient reasons: Conrad is not competent
+for such an office; and secondly, I should not like to have the boy
+about me as much as he would need to be.  I have obtained for him a
+position out of the house.  One question remains to be considered: How
+much wages do you expect?"
+
+"I would prefer to leave that to you, Mrs. Hamilton.  I cannot expect
+high pay."
+
+"Will ten dollars a week be adequate?"
+
+"I can't earn as much money as that," said Ben, in surprise.
+
+"Perhaps not, and yet I am not sure.  If you suit me, it will be worth
+my while to pay you as much."
+
+"But Conrad will only receive four dollars a week.  Won't he be
+angry?"
+
+"Conrad is not called upon to support his mother, as I understand you
+are."
+
+"You are very kind to think of that, Mrs. Hamilton."
+
+"I want to be kind to you, Ben," said his patroness with a pleasant
+smile.
+
+"When shall I commence my duties?"
+
+"Now.  You will copy this statement into the ledger you see here.
+Before doing so, will you look over and verify the figures?"
+
+Ben was soon hard at work.  He was interested in his work, and the
+time slipped fast.  After an hour and a half had passed, Mrs. Hamilton
+said:
+
+"It is about time for lunch, and I think there will be no more to do
+to-day.  Are you familiar with New York?"
+
+"No, I have spent very little time in the city."
+
+"You will, no doubt, like to look about.  We have dinner at six sharp.
+You will be on tine?"
+
+"I will be sure to be here."
+
+"That reminds me--have you a watch?"
+
+Ben shook his head.
+
+"I thought it might be so.  I have a good silver watch, which I have
+no occasion for."
+
+Mrs. Hamilton left the room, and quickly returned with a neat silver
+hunting-case watch, with a guilt chain.
+
+"This is yours, Ben," she said, "if you like it."
+
+"Do you give it to me?" asked Ben joyously.  He had only expected that
+it would be loaned to him.
+
+"Yes, I give it to you, and I hope you will find it useful."
+
+"How can I thank you, Mrs. Hamilton, for your kindness?"
+
+"You are more grateful than Conrad.  I gave him one just like it, and
+he was evidently dissatisfied became it was not gold.  When you are
+older the gold watch may come."
+
+"I am very well pleased with the silver watch, for I have long wanted
+one, but did not see any way of obtaining it."
+
+"You are wise in having moderate desires, Ben.  But there goes the
+lunch bell.  You may want to wash your hands.  When you have done so
+come down to the dining room, in the rear of the sitting room."
+
+Mrs. Hill and Conrad were already seated at the table when Ben
+descended.
+
+"Take a seat opposite Conrad, Ben," said Mrs. Hamilton, who was
+sitting at one end of the table.
+
+The lunch was plain but substantial, and Ben, who had taken an early
+breakfast, enjoyed it.
+
+"I suppose we shall not have Conrad at lunch to-morrow?" said Mrs.
+Hamilton.  "He will be at the store."
+
+Conrad made a grimace.  He world have enjoyed his freedom better.
+
+"I won't have much of my four dollars left if I have to pay for
+lunch," he said in a surly tone.
+
+"You shall have a reasonable allowance for that purpose."
+
+"I suppose Mr. Barclay will lunch at home," said Mrs. Hill.
+
+"Certainly, since his work will be here.  He is to be my home clerk,
+and will keep my accounts."
+
+"You needn't have gone out of the house for a clerk, Cousin Hamilton.
+I am sure Conrad would have been glad of the work."
+
+"It will be better for Conrad to learn business in a larger
+establishment," said Mrs. Hamilton quietly.
+
+This was a new way of looking at it, and helped to reconcile Mrs. Hill
+to an arrangement which at first had disappointed her.
+
+"Have you any engagements this afternoon, Conrad?" asked Mrs.
+Hamilton.  "Ben will have nothing to do, and you could show him the
+city."
+
+"I've got an engagement with a fellow," said Conrad hastily.
+
+"I can find my way about alone, thank you," said Ben.  "I won't
+trouble Conrad."
+
+"Very well.  This evening, however, Ben, I think you may enjoy going
+to the theater.  Conrad can accompany you, unless he has another
+engagement."
+
+"I'll go with him," said Conrad, more graciously, for he was fond of
+amusements.
+
+"Then we will all meet at dinner, and you two young gentlemen can
+leave in good time for the theater."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+AT THE THEATER
+
+
+After dinner, Ben and Conrad started to walk to the theater.  The
+distance was about a mile, but in the city there is so much always to
+be seen that one does not think of distance.
+
+Conrad, who was very curious to ascertain Ben's status in the
+household, lost no time in making inquiries.
+
+"What does my aunt find for you to do?" he asked.
+
+It may be remarked, by the way, that no such relationship ever existed
+between them, but Mrs. Hill and her son thought politic to make the
+relationship seem as close as possible, as it would, perhaps, increase
+their apparent claim upon their rich relative.
+
+Ben answered the question.
+
+"You'll have a stupid time," said Conrad.  "All the same, she ought to
+have given the place to me.  How much does she pay you?"
+
+Ben hesitated, for he knew that his answer would make his companion
+discontented.
+
+"I am not sure whether I am at liberty to tell," he answered, with
+hesitation.
+
+"There isn't any secret about it, is there?" said Conrad sharply.
+
+No, I suppose not.  I am to receive ten dollars a week."
+
+"Ten dollars a week!" ejaculated Conrad, stopping short in the street.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And I get but four!  That's a shame!"
+
+"I shall really have no more than you, Conrad.  I have a mother to
+provide for, and I shall send home six dollars a week regularly."
+
+"That doesn't make any difference!" exclaimed Conrad, in excitement.
+"It's awfully mean of aunt to treat you so much better than she does
+me."
+
+"You mustn't say that to me," said Ben.  "She has been kind to us
+both, and I don't like to hear anything said against her."
+
+"You're not going to tell her?" said Conrad suspiciously.
+
+"Certainly not," said Ben indignantly.  "What do you take me for?"
+
+"Some fellows would, to set Aunt Hamilton against me."
+
+"I am not so mean as that."
+
+"I am glad I can depend on you.  You see, the old lady is awfully
+rich--doesn't know what to do with her money--and as she has no son,
+or anybody nearer than me and mother, it's natural we should inherit
+her money."
+
+"I hope she will enjoy it herself for a good many years."
+
+"Oh, she's getting old," said Conrad carelessly.  "She can't expect to
+live forever.  It wouldn't be fair for young people if their parents
+lived to a hundred.  Now, would it?"
+
+"I should be very glad to have my mother live to a hundred, if she
+could enjoy life," said Ben, disgusted with his companoin's sordid
+selfishness.
+
+"Your mother hasn't got any money, and that makes a difference."
+
+Ben had a reply, but he reflected it would be of little use to argue
+with one who took such widely different views as Conrad.  Moreover,
+they were already within a block or two of the theater.
+
+The best seats were priced at a dollar and a half, and Mrs. Hamilton
+had given Conrad three dollars to purchase one for Ben and one for
+himself.
+
+"It seems an awful price to pay a dollar and a half for a seat," said
+Conrad.  "Suppose we go into the gallery, where the seats are only
+fifty cents?"
+
+"I think Mrs. Hamilton meant us to take higher-priced seats."
+
+"She won't care, or know, unless we choose to tell her."
+
+"Then you don't propose to give her back the difference?"
+
+"You don't take me for a fool, do you?  I'll tell you what I'll do.
+If you don't mind a fifty-cent seat, I'll give you twenty-five cents
+out of this money."
+
+Ben could hardly believe Conrad was in earnest in this exhibition of
+meanness.
+
+"Then," said he, "you would clear seventy-five cents on my seat and a
+dollar on your own?"
+
+"You can see almost as well in the gallery," said Conrad.  "I'll give
+you fifty cents, if you insist upon it."
+
+"I insist upon having my share of the money spent for a seat," said
+Ben, contemptuously.  "You can sit where you please, of course."
+
+"You ain't very obliging," said Conrad sullenly.  "I need the money,
+and that's what made me propose it.  As you've made so much fuss about
+it, we'll take orchestra seats."
+
+This he did, though unwillingly.
+
+"I don't think I shall ever like that boy," thought Ben.  "He's a
+little too mean."
+
+They both enjoyed the play, Ben perhaps with the most zest, for he had
+never before attended a city theater.  At eleven o'clock the curtain
+fell, and they went out.
+
+"Come, Ben," said Conrad, "you might treat a fellow to soda water."
+
+"I will," answered Ben.  "Where shall we go?"
+
+"Just opposite.  They've got fine soda water across the street."
+
+The boys drank their soda water, and started to go home.
+
+"Suppose we go in somewhere and have a game of billiards?" suggested
+Conrad.
+
+"I don't play," answered Ben.
+
+"I'll teach you; come along," urged Conrad.
+
+"It is getting late, and I would rather not."
+
+"I suppose you go to roost with the chickens in the country?" sneered
+Conrad.  You'll learn better in the city--if you stay."
+
+"There is another reason," continued Ben.  "I suppose it costs money
+to play billiards, and I have none to spare."
+
+"Only twenty-five cents a game."
+
+"It will be cheaper to go to bed."
+
+"You won't do anything a fellow wants you to," grumbled Conrad.  "You
+needn't be so mean, when you are getting ten dollars a week."
+
+"I have plenty to do with my money, and I want to save up something
+every week."
+
+On the whole the boys did not take to each other.  They took very
+different views of life and duty, and there seemed to be small
+prospect of their becoming intimate friends.
+
+Mrs. Hamilton had gone to bed when they returned, but Mrs. Hill was up
+watching for her son.  She was a cold, disagreeable woman, but she was
+devoted to her boy.
+
+"I am glad you have come home so soon," she said.
+
+"I wanted to play a game of billiards, but Ben wouldn't," grumbled
+Conrad.
+
+"If you had done so, I should have had to sit up later for you,
+Conrad."
+
+"There was no use in sitting up for me.  I ain't a baby," responded
+Conrad ungratefully.
+
+"You know I can't sleep when I know you are out, Conrad."
+
+"Then you're very foolish.  Isn't she, Ben?"
+
+"My mother would feel just so," answered Ben.
+
+Mrs. Hill regarded him almost kindly.  He had done her a good turn in
+bringing her son home in good season.
+
+"She may be a disagreeable woman," thought Ben, "but she is good to
+Conrad," and this made him regard the housekeeper with more favor.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+A MYSTERIOUS LETTER
+
+
+From time to time, Mrs. Hamilton sent Ben on errands to different
+parts of the city, chiefly to those who had been started in business
+with capital which she had supplied.  One afternoon, he was sent to a
+tailor on Sixth Avenue with a note, the contents of which were unknown
+to him.
+
+"You may wait for an answer," said Mrs. Hamilton.
+
+He readily found the tailor's shop, and called for Charles Roberts,
+the proprietor.
+
+The latter read the note, and said, in a business like tone:
+
+"Come to the back part of the shop, and I will show you some goods."
+
+Ben regarded him in surprise.
+
+"Isn't there some mistake?" he said.  "I didn't know I was to look at
+any goods."
+
+"As we are to make a suit for you, I supposed you would have some
+choice in the matter," returned the tailor, equally surprised.
+
+"May I look at the letter?" asked Ben.
+
+The tailor put it into his hands.
+
+It ran thus:
+
+  "Mr. Roberts: You will make a suit for the bearer, from any goods he
+  may select, and charge to the account of
+                                    Helen Hamilton."
+
+"Mrs. Hamilton did not tell me what was in the note," said Ben,
+smiling.  "She is very kind."
+
+Ben allowed himself to be guided by the tailor, and the result was a
+handsome suit, which was sent home in due time, and immediately
+attracted the attention of Conrad.  Ben had privately thanked his
+patroness, but had felt under no obligation to tell Conrad.
+
+"Seems to me you are getting extravagant!" said Conrad enviously.
+
+"I don't know but I am," answered Ben good-naturedly.
+
+"How much did you pay for it?"
+
+"The price was thirty-five dollars."
+
+"That's too much for a boy in your circumstances to pay."
+
+"I think so myself, but I shall make it last a long time."
+
+"I mean to make Aunt Hamilton buy me a new suit," grumbled Conrad.
+
+"I have no objection, I am sure," said Ben.
+
+"I didn't ask your permission," said Conrad rudely.
+
+"I wonder what he would say if he knew that Mrs. Hamilton paid for my
+suit?" Ben said to himself.  He wisely decided to keep the matter
+secret, as he knew that Conrad would be provoked to hear of this new
+proof of his relative's partiality for the boy whom he regarded as a
+rival.
+
+Conrad lost no time in preferring his request to Mrs. Hamilton for a
+new suit.
+
+"I bought you a suit two months since," said Mrs. Hamilton quietly.
+"Why do you come to me for another so soon?"
+
+"Ben has a new suit," answered Conrad, a little confused.
+
+"I don't know that that has anything to do with you.  However, I will
+ask Ben when he had his last new suit."
+
+Ben, who was present, replied:
+
+"It was last November."
+
+"Nearly a year since.  I will take care that you are supplied with new
+suits as often as Ben."
+
+Conrad retired from the presence of his relative much disgusted.  He
+did not know, but suspected that Ben was indebted to Mrs. Hamilton for
+his new suit, and although this did not interfere with a liberal
+provision for him, he felt unwilling that anyone beside himself should
+bask in the favor of his rich relative.  He made a discovery that
+troubled him about this time.
+
+"Let me see your watch, Ben," he said one day.
+
+Ben took out the watch and placed it in his hand.
+
+"It's just like mine," said Conrad, after a critical examination.
+
+"Is it?"
+
+"Yes; don't you see?  Where did you get it?"
+
+"It was a gift," answered Ben.
+
+"From my aunt?"
+
+"It was given me by Mrs. Hamilton."
+
+"She seems to be very kind to you," sneered Conrad, with a scowl.
+
+"She is indeed!" answered Ben earnestly.
+
+"You've played your cards well," said Conrad coarsely.
+
+"I don't understand you," returned Ben coldly.
+
+"I mean that, knowing her to be rich, you have done well to get on the
+blind side of her."
+
+"I can't accept the compliment, if you mean it as such.  I don't think
+Mrs. Hamilton has any blind side, and the only way in which I intend
+to commend myself to her favor is to be faithful to her interests."
+
+"Oh, you're mighty innocent; but all the same, you know how to feather
+your own nest."
+
+"In a good sense, I hope I do.  I don't suppose anyone else will take
+the trouble to feather it for me.  I think honesty and fidelity are
+good policy, don't you?"
+
+"I don't pretend to be an angel," answered Conrad sullenly.
+
+"Nor I," said Ben, laughing.
+
+Some days later, Conrad came to Ben one day, looking more cordial than
+usual.
+
+"Ben," he said, "I have a favor to ask of you."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Will you grant it?"
+
+"I want to know first what it is."
+
+"Lend me five dollars?"
+
+Ben stared at Conrad in surprise.  He had just that amount, after
+sending home money to his mother, but he intended that afternoon to
+deposit three dollars of it in the savings bank, feeling that he ought
+to be laying up money while he was so favorably situated.
+
+"How do you happen to be short of money?" he asked.
+
+"That doesn't need telling.  I have only four dollars a week pocket
+money, and I am pinched all the time."
+
+"Then, supposing I lent you the money, how could you manage to pay me
+back out of this small allowance?"
+
+"Oh, I expect to get some money in another way, but I cannot unless
+you lend me the money."
+
+"Would you mind telling me how?"
+
+"Why, the fact is, a fellow I know--that is, I have heard of him--has
+just drawn a prize of a thousand dollars in a Havana lottery.  All he
+paid for his ticket was five dollars."
+
+"And is this the way you expect to make some money?"
+
+"Yes; I am almost sure of winning."
+
+"Suppose you don't?"
+
+"Oh, what's the use of looking at the dark side?"
+
+"You are not so sensible as I thought, Conrad," said Ben.  "At least a
+hundred draw a blank to one who draws a small prize, and the chances
+are a hundred to one against you."
+
+"Then you won't lend me the money?" said Conrad angrily.
+
+"I would rather not."
+
+"Then you're a mean fellow!"
+
+"Thank you for your good opinion, but I won't change my
+determination."
+
+"You get ten dollars a week?"
+
+"I shall not spend two dollars a week on my own amusement, or for my
+own purposes."
+
+"What are you going to do with the rest, then?"
+
+"Part I shall send to my mother; part I mean to put in some savings
+bank."
+
+"You mean to be a miser, then?"
+
+"If to save money makes one a miser, then I shall be one."
+
+Conrad left the room in an angry mood.  He was one with whom
+prosperity didn't agree.  Whatever his allowance might be, he wished
+to spend more.  Looking upon himself as Mrs. Hamilton's heir, he could
+not understand the need or expediency of saving money.  He was not
+wholly to blame for this, as his mother encouraged him in hopes which
+had no basis except in his own and her wishes.
+
+Not quite three weeks after Ben had become established his new home he
+received a letter which mystified and excited him.
+
+It ran thus:
+
+  "If you will come at nine o'clock this evening to No. ---- West
+  Thirty-first Street, and call for me, you will hear something to your
+  advantage.
+                                  James Barnes."
+
+"It may be something relating to my father's affairs," thought Ben.
+"I will go."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+BEN'S VISIT TO THIRTY-FIRST STREET
+
+
+Ben's evenings being unoccupied, he had no difficulty in meeting the
+appointment made for him.  He was afraid Conrad might ask him to
+accompany him somewhere, and thus involve the necessity of an
+explanation, which he did not care to give until he had himself found
+out why he had been summoned.
+
+The address given by James Barnes was easy to find.  Ben found himself
+standing before a brick building of no uncommon exterior.  The second
+floor seemed to be lighted up; the windows were hung with crimson
+curtains, which quite shut out a view of what was transpiring within.
+
+Ben rang the bell.  The door was opened by a colored servant, who
+looked at the boy inquiringly.
+
+"Is Mr. Barnes within?" asked Ben.
+
+"I don't know the gentleman," was the answer.
+
+"He sent me a letter, asking me to meet him here at nine o'clock."
+
+"Then I guess it's all right.  Are you a telegraph boy?"
+
+"No," answered Ben, in surprise.
+
+"I reckon it's all right," said the negro, rather to himself than to
+Ben.  "Come upstairs."
+
+Ben followed his guide, and at the first landing a door was thrown
+open.  Mechanically, Ben followed the servant into the room, but he
+had not made half a dozen steps when he looked around in surprise and
+bewilderment.  Novice as he was, a glance satisfied him that he was in
+a gambling house.  The double room was covered with a soft, thick
+carpet, chandeliers depended from the ceiling, frequent mirrors
+reflecting the brilliant lights enlarged the apparent size the
+apartment, and a showy bar at one end of the room held forth an
+alluring invitation which most failed to resist.  Around tables were
+congregated men, young and old, each with an intent look, watching the
+varying chances of fortune.
+
+"I'll inquire if Mr. Barnes is here," said Peter, the colored servant.
+
+Ben stood uneasily looking at the scene till Peter came back.
+
+"Must be some mistake," he said.  "There's no gentleman of the name of
+Barnes here."
+
+"It's strange," said Ben, perplexed.
+
+He turned to go out, but was interrupted.  A man with a sinister
+expression, and the muscle of a prize fighter, walked up to him and
+said, with a scowl:
+
+"What brings you here, kid?"
+
+"I received a letter from Mr. Barnes, appointing to meet me here."
+
+"I believe you are lying.  No such man comes here."
+
+"I never lie," exclaimed Ben indignantly.
+
+"Have you got that letter about you?" asked the man suspiciously.
+
+Ben felt in his pocket for the letter, but felt in vain.
+
+"I think I must have left it at home," he said nervously.
+
+The man's face darkened.
+
+"I believe you come here as a spy," he said.
+
+"Then you are mistaken!" said Ben, looking him fearlessly in the face.
+
+"I hope so, for your sake.  Do you know what kind of a place this is?"
+
+"I suppose it is a gambling house," Ben answered, without hesitation.
+
+"Did you know this before you came here?"
+
+"I had not the least idea of it."
+
+The man regarded him suspiciously, but no one could look into Ben's
+honest face and doubt his word.
+
+"At any rate, you've found it out.  Do you mean to blab?"
+
+"No; that is no business of mine."
+
+"Then you can go, but take care that you never come here again."
+
+"I certainly never will."
+
+"Give me your name and address."
+
+"Why do you want it?"
+
+"Because if you break your word, you will be tracked and punished."
+
+"I have no fear," answered Ben, and he gave his name and address.
+
+"Never admit this boy again, Peter," said the man with whom Ben had
+been conversing; neither this boy, nor any other, except a telegraph
+boy."
+
+"All right, sah."
+
+A minute later, Ben found himself on the street, very much perplexed
+by the events of the evening.  Who could have invited him to a
+gambling house, and with what object in view?  Moreover, why had not
+James Barnes kept the appointment he had himself made?  These were
+questions which Ben might have been better able to answer if he could
+have seen, just around the corner, the triumphant look of one who was
+stealthily watching him.
+
+This person was Conrad Hill, who took care to vacate his position
+before Ben had reached the place where he was standing.
+
+"So far, so good!" he muttered to himself.  "Master Ben has been seen
+coming out of a gambling house.  That won't be likely to recommend him
+to Mrs. Hamilton, and she shall know it before long."
+
+Ben could not understand what had become of the note summoning him to
+the gambling house.  In fact, he had dislodged it from the vest pocket
+in which he thrust it, and it had fallen upon the carpet near the desk
+in what Mrs. Hamilton called her "office."  Having occasion to enter
+the room in the evening, his patroness saw it on the carpet, picked it
+up, and read it, not without surprise.
+
+"This is a strange note for Ben to receive," she said to herself.  "I
+wonder what it means?"
+
+Of course, she had no idea of the character of the place indicated,
+but was inclined to hope that some good luck was really in store for
+her young secretary.
+
+"He will be likely to tell me sooner or later," she said to herself.
+"I will wait patiently, and let him choose his own time.  Meanwhile I
+will keep the note."
+
+Mrs. Hamilton did not see Ben till the next morning.  Then he looked
+thoughtful, but said nothing.  He was puzzling himself over what had
+happened.  He hardly knew whether to conclude that the whole thing was
+a trick, or that the note was written in good faith.
+
+"I don't understand why the writer should have appointed to meet me at
+such a place," he reflected.  "I may hear from him again."
+
+It was this reflection which led him to keep the matter secret from
+Mrs. Hamilton, to whom be had been tempted to speak.
+
+"I will wait till I know more," he said to himself.  "This Barnes
+knows my address, and he can communicate with me if he chooses."
+
+Of course, the reader understands that Conrad was at the bottom of the
+trick, and that the object was to persuade Mrs. Hamilton that the boy
+she trusted was in the habit of visiting gambling houses.  The plan
+had been suggested by Conrad, and the details agreed on by him and his
+mother.  This explains why Conrad was so conveniently near at hand to
+see Ben coming out of the gambling house.
+
+The boy reported the success of this plan to his mother.
+
+"I never saw a boy look so puzzled," he said, with a chuckle, "when he
+came out of the gambling house.  I should like to know what sort of
+time he had there.  I expected he would get kicked out."
+
+"I feel no interest in that matter," said his mother.  "I am more
+interested to know what Cousin Hamilton will say when she finds where
+her model boy has been."
+
+"She'll give him his walking ticket, I hope."
+
+"She ought to; but she seems so infatuated with him that there is no
+telling."
+
+"When shall you tell her, mother?"
+
+"I will wait a day or two.  I want to manage matters so as not to
+arouse any suspicion."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+BEN ON TRIAL
+
+
+"Excuse my intrusion, Cousin Hamilton; I see you are engaged."
+
+The speaker was Mrs. Hill, and the person addressed was her wealthy
+cousin.  It was two days after the event recorded in the last chapter.
+
+"I am only writing a note, about which there is no haste.  Did you
+wish to speak to me?"
+
+Mrs. Hamilton leaned back in her chair, and waited to hear what Mrs.
+Hill had to say.  There was very little similarity between the two
+ladies.  One was stout, with a pleasant, benevolent face, to whom not
+only children, but older people, were irresistibly attracted.  The
+other was thin, with cold, gray eyes, a pursed-up mouth, thin lips,
+who had never succeeded in winning the affection of anyone.  True, she
+had married, but her husband was attracted by a small sum of money
+which she possessed, and which had been reported to him as much larger
+than it really was.
+
+When asked if she wished to speak, Mrs. Hill coughed.
+
+"There's a matter I think I ought to speak of," she said, "but it is
+painful for me to do so."
+
+"Why is it painful?" asked Mrs. Hamilton, eyeing her steadily.
+
+"Because my motives may be misconstrued.  Then, I fear it will give
+you pain."
+
+"Pain is sometimes salutary.  Has Conrad displeased you?"
+
+"No, indeed!" answered Mrs. Hill, half indignantly.  "My boy is a
+great comfort to me."
+
+"I am glad to hear it," said Mrs. Hamilton dryly.
+
+For her own part, Mrs. Hamilton thought her cousin's son one of the
+least attractive young people she had ever met, and save for a feeling
+of pity, and the slight claims of relationship, would not have been
+willing to keep him in the house.
+
+"I don't see why you should have judged so ill of my poor Conrad,"
+complained Mrs. Hill.
+
+"I am glad you are so well pleased with him.  Let me know what you
+have to communicate."
+
+"It is something about the new boy--Benjamin."
+
+Mrs. Hamilton lifted her eyebrows slightly.
+
+"Speak without hesitation," she said.
+
+"You will be sure not to misjudge me?"
+
+"Why should I?"
+
+"You might think I was jealous on account of my own boy."
+
+"There is no occasion for you to be jealous."
+
+"No, of course not.  I am sure Conrad and I have abundant cause to be
+grateful to you."
+
+"That is not telling me what you came to tell," said Mrs. Hamilton
+impatiently.
+
+"I am afraid you are deceived in the boy, Cousin Hamilton."
+
+"In what respect?"
+
+"I am almost sorry I had not kept the matter secret.  If I did not
+consider it my duty to you, I would have done so."
+
+"Be kind enough to speak at once.  You need not apologize, nor
+hesitate on my account.  What has Ben been doing?"
+
+"On Tuesday evening he was seen coming out of a well-known gambling
+house."
+
+"Who saw him?"
+
+"Conrad."
+
+"How did Conrad know that it was a gambling house?"
+
+"He had had it pointed out to him as such," Mrs. Hill answered, with
+some hesitation.
+
+"About what time was this?"
+
+"A little after nine in the evening."
+
+"And where was the gambling house situated?"
+
+"On Thirty-first Street."
+
+A peculiar look came over Mrs. Hamilton's face.
+
+"And Conrad reported this to you?"
+
+"The same evening."
+
+"That was Tuesday?"
+
+"Yes; I could not make up my mind to tell you immediately, because I
+did not want to injure the boy."
+
+"You are more considerate than I should have expected."
+
+"I hope I am.  I don't pretend to like the boy.  He seems to have
+something sly and underhand about him.  Still, he needs to be
+employed, and that made me pause."
+
+"Till your sense of duty to me overcame your reluctance?"
+
+"Exactly so, Cousin Hamilton.  I am glad you understand so well how I
+feel about the matter."
+
+Mrs. Hill was quite incapable of understanding the irony of her
+cousin's last remark, and was inclined to be well pleased with the
+reception her news had met with.
+
+"Where is Conrad?"
+
+"He is not in the house.  He didn't want me to tell you."
+
+"That speaks well for him.  I must speak to Ben on the subject."
+
+She rang the bell, and a servant appeared.
+
+"See if Master Ben is in his room," said the lady.  "If so ask him to
+come here for five minutes."
+
+Ben was in the house and in less than two minutes he entered the room.
+He glanced from one lady to the other in some surprise.  Mrs. Hamilton
+wore her ordinary manner, but Mrs. Hill's mouth was more pursed up
+than ever.  She looked straight before her, and did not look at Ben at
+all.
+
+"Ben," said Mrs. Hamilton, coming to the point at once, "did you visit
+a gambling house in Thirty-first Street on Tuesday evening?"
+
+"I did," answered Ben promptly.
+
+Mrs. Hill moved her hands slightly, and looked horror-stricken.
+
+"You must have had some good reason for doing so.  I take it for
+granted you did not go there to gamble?"
+
+"No," answered Ben, with a smile.  "That is not in my line."
+
+"What other purpose could he have had, Cousin Hamilton?" put in Mrs.
+Hill maliciously.
+
+Ben eyed her curiously.
+
+"Did Mrs. Hill tell you I went there?" he asked.
+
+"I felt it my duty to do so," said that lady, with acerbity.  "I
+dislike to see my cousin so deceived and imposed upon by one she had
+befriended."
+
+"How did you know I went there, Mrs. Hill?"
+
+"Conrad saw you coming out of the gambling house."
+
+"I didn't see him.  It was curious he happened be in that neighborhood
+just at that time," said Ben significantly.
+
+"If you mean to insinuate that Conrad goes to such places, you are
+quite mistaken," said Mrs. Hill sharply.
+
+"It was not that I meant to insinuate at all."
+
+"You have not yet told me why you went there, Ben?" said Mrs. Hamilton
+mildly."
+
+"Because I received a mysterious letter, signed James Barnes, asking
+me to come to that address about nine o'clock in the evening.  I was
+told I would hear something of advantage to myself."
+
+"Did you meet any such man there?" asked Mrs. Hill.
+
+"No."
+
+"Have you got the letter you speak of?" asked Mrs. Hamilton.
+
+"No," answered Ben.  "I must have dropped it somewhere.  I felt in my
+pocket for it when I reached the gambling house, but it was gone."
+
+Mrs. Hill looked fairly triumphant.
+
+"A very queer story!" she said, nodding her head.  "I don't believe
+you received any such letter.  I presume you had often been to the
+same place to misspend your evenings."
+
+"Do you think so, Mrs. Hamilton?" inquired Ben anxiously.
+
+"It is a pity you lost that letter, Ben."
+
+"Yes, it is," answered Ben regretfully.
+
+"Mrs. Hill," said Mrs. Hamilton, "if you will withdraw, I would like
+to say a few words to Ben in private."
+
+"Certainly, Cousin Hamilton," returned the poor cousin, with alacrity.
+"I think his race is about run," she said to herself, in a tone of
+congratulation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+CONRAD TAKES A BOLD STEP
+
+
+"I hope, Mrs. Hamilton, you don't suspect me of frequenting gambling
+houses?" said Ben, after his enemy had left the room.
+
+"No," answered Mrs. Hamilton promptly.  "I think I know you too well
+for that."
+
+"I did go on Tuesday evening, I admit," continued Ben.  "I saw that
+Mrs. Hill did not believe it, but it's true.  I wish I hadn't lost the
+letter inviting me there.  You might think I had invented the story."
+
+"But I don't, Ben; and, for the best of all reasons, because I found
+the note on the carpet, and have it in my possession now."
+
+"Have you?" exclaimed Ben gladly.
+
+"Here it is," said the lady, as she produced the note from the desk
+before her.  "It is singular such a note should have been sent you,"
+she added thoughtfully.
+
+"I think so, too.  I had no suspicion when I received it, but I think
+now that it was written to get to into a scrape."
+
+"Then it must have been written by an enemy.  Do you know of anyone
+who would feel like doing you a bad turn?"
+
+"No," answered Ben, shaking his head.
+
+"Do you recognize the handwriting?"
+
+"No; it may have been written by some person I know, but I have no
+suspicion and no clew as to who it is."
+
+"I think we will let the matter rest for a short time.  If we say
+nothing about it, the guilty person may betray himself."
+
+"You are very kind to keep your confidence in me, Mrs. Hamilton," said
+Ben gratefully.
+
+"I trust you as much as ever, Ben, but I shall appear not to--for a
+time."
+
+Ben looked puzzled.
+
+"I won't explain myself," said Mrs. Hamilton, with a smile, "but I
+intend to treat you coolly for a time, as if you had incurred my
+displeasure.  You need not feel sensitive, however, but may consider
+that I am acting."
+
+"Then it may be as well for me to act, too," suggested Ben.
+
+"A good suggestion!  You will do well to look sober and uneasy."
+
+"I will do my best," answered Ben brightly.
+
+The programme was carried out.  To the great delight of Mrs. Hill and
+Conrad, Mrs. Hamilton scarcely addressed a word to Ben at the supper
+table.  When she did speak, it was with an abruptness and coldness
+quite unusual for the warm-hearted woman.  Ben looked depressed, fixed
+his eyes on his plate, and took very little part in the conversation.
+Mrs. Hill and Conrad, on the other hand, seemed in very good spirits.
+They chatted cheerfully, and addressed an occasional word to Ben.
+They could afford to be magnanimous, feeling that he had forfeited
+their rich cousin's favor.
+
+After supper, Conrad went into his mother's room.
+
+"Our plan's working well, mother," he said, rubbing his hands.
+
+"Yes, Conrad, it is.  Cousin Hamilton is very angry with the boy.  She
+scarcely spoke a word to him."
+
+"He won't stay long, I'll be bound.  Can't you suggest, mother, that
+he had better be dismissed at once?"
+
+"No, Conrad; we have done all that is needed.  We can trust Cousin
+Hamilton to deal with him.  She will probably keep him for a short
+time, till she can get along without his services."
+
+"It's lucky he lost the letter.  Cousin Hamilton will think he never
+received any."
+
+So the precious pair conferred together.  It was clear that Ben had
+two dangerous and unscrupulous enemies in the house.
+
+It was all very well to anticipate revenge upon Ben, and his summary
+dismissal, but this did not relieve Conrad from his pecuniary
+embarrassments.  As a general thing, his weekly allowance was spent by
+the middle of the week.  Ben had refused to lend money, and there was
+no one else he could call upon.  Even if our hero was dismissed, there
+seemed likely to be no improvement in this respect.
+
+At this juncture, Conrad was, unfortunately, subjected to a temptation
+which proved too strong for him.
+
+Mrs. Hamilton was the possessor of an elegant opera glass, which she
+had bought some years previous in Paris at a cost of fifty dollars.
+Generally, when not in use, she kept it locked up in a bureau drawer.
+It so happened, however, that it had been left out on a return from a
+matinee, and lay upon her desk, where it attracted the attention of
+Conrad.
+
+It was an unlucky moment, for he felt very hard up.  He wished to go
+to the theater in the evening with a friend, but had no money.
+
+It flashed upon him that he could raise a considerable sum on the
+opera glass at Simpson's, a well-known pawnbroker on the Bowery, and
+he could, without much loss of time, stop there on his way down to
+business.
+
+Scarcely giving himself time to think, he seized the glass and thrust
+it into the pocket of his overcoat.  Then, putting on his coat, he
+hurried from the house.
+
+Arrived at the pawnbroker's, he produced the glass, and asked:
+
+"How much will you give me on this?"
+
+The attendant looked at the glass, and then at Conrad.
+
+"This is a very valuable glass," he said.  "Is it yours?"
+
+"No," answered Conrad glibly.  "It belongs to a lady in reduced
+circumstances, who needs to raise money.  She will be able to redeem
+it soon."
+
+"Did she send you here?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"We will loan you twenty dollars on it.  Will that be satisfactory?"
+
+"Quite so," answered Conrad, quite elated at the sum, which exceeded
+his anticipations.
+
+"Shall we make out the ticket to you or the lady?"
+
+"To me.  The lady does not like to have her name appear in the
+matter."
+
+This is so frequently the case that the statement created no surprise.
+
+"What is your name?" inquired the attendant.
+
+"Ben Barclay," answered Conrad readily.
+
+The ticket was made out, the money paid over, and Conrad left the
+establishment.
+
+"Now I am in funds!" he said to himself, "and there is no danger of
+detection.  If anything is ever found out, it will be Ben who will be
+in trouble, not I."
+
+It was not long before Mrs. Hamilton discovered her loss.  She valued
+the missing opera glass, for reasons which need not be mentioned, far
+beyond its intrinsic value, and though she could readily have supplied
+its place, so far as money was concerned, she would not have been as
+well pleased with any new glass, though precisely similar, as with the
+one she had used for years.  She remembered that she had not replaced
+the glass in the drawer, and, therefore, searched for it wherever she
+thought it likely to have been left.  But in vain.
+
+"Ben," she said, "have you seen my glass anywhere about?"
+
+"I think," answered Ben, "that I saw it on your desk."
+
+"It is not there now, but it must be somewhere in the house."
+
+She next asked Mrs. Hill.  The housekeeper was entirely ignorant of
+Conrad's theft, and answered that she had not seen it.
+
+"I ought not to have left it about," said Mrs. Hamilton.  "It may have
+proved too strong a temptation to some one of the servants."
+
+"Or someone else," suggested Mrs. Hill significantly.
+
+"That means Ben," thought Mrs. Hamilton, but she did not say so.
+
+"I would ferret out the matter if I were you," continued Mrs. Hill.
+
+"I intend to," answered Mrs. Hamilton quietly.  "I valued the glass
+far beyond its cost, and I will leave no means untried to recover it."
+
+"You are quite right, too."
+
+When Conrad was told that the opera glass had been lost, he said:
+
+"Probably Ben stole it."
+
+"So I think," assented his mother.  "But it will be found out.  Cousin
+Hamilton has put the matter into the hands of a detective."
+
+For the moment, Conrad felt disturbed.  But he quickly recovered
+himself.
+
+"Pshaw!  they can't trace it to me," he thought.  "They will put it on
+Ben."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+MR. LYNX, THE DETECTIVE
+
+
+The detective who presented himself to Mrs. Hamilton was a
+quiet-looking man, clad in a brown suit.  Except that his eyes were
+keen and searching, his appearance was disappointing.  Conrad met him
+as he was going out of the house, and said to himself contemptuously:
+"He looks like a muff."
+
+"I have sent for you, Mr. Lynx," said Mrs. Hamilton, "to see if you
+can help me in a matter I will explain to you," and then she gave him
+all the information she possessed about the loss of the opera glass.
+
+"How valuable was the glass?" inquired Mr. Lynx.
+
+"It cost fifty dollars in Paris," said Mrs. Hamilton.
+
+"But you set a higher value upon it for other reasons?  Just so."
+
+"You are right."
+
+"Will you favor me with an exact description of the article?" said the
+detective, producing his notebook.
+
+Mrs. Hamilton did so, and the detective made an entry.
+
+"Have you ever had anything taken out of your house by outside
+parties?" he asked.
+
+"On one occasion, when my brother was visiting me, his overcoat was
+taken from the hatstand in the hall."
+
+"A sneak thief, of course.  The glass, however, was not so exposed?"
+
+"No; it was not on the lower floor at all."
+
+"It looks, then, as if it was taken by someone in the house."
+
+"It looks so," said Mrs. Hamilton gravely.
+
+"Have you confidence in your servants?  Or, rather, have you reason to
+suspect any of them?"
+
+"I believe they are honest.  I don't believe they would be tempted by
+such an article."
+
+"Not, perhaps, for their own use, but a glass like this may be pawned
+for a considerable sum.  Being of peculiar appearance, the thief would
+be hardly likely to use it himself or herself.  Detection would be too
+sure."
+
+"No doubt you are right."
+
+"How long has the glass been missing?" resumed the detective.
+
+"Three days."
+
+"No doubt it has been pawned by this time.  Your course is clear."
+
+"And what is that?"
+
+"To make a tour of the pawnshops, and ascertain whether such an
+article has been brought to any one of them."
+
+"Very well, Mr. Lynx.  I leave the matter in your hands.  I trust
+everything to your judgment."
+
+"Thank you.  I will try to deserve your confidence.  And now,
+good-day.  I may call upon you to-morrow."
+
+"Mr. Lynx left the presence of the lady, and went downstairs.  He had
+just reached the bottom of the staircase, when a thin lady glided from
+the rear of the hall, and spoke to him.
+
+"Are you the detective summoned by Mrs. Hamilton?" she asked.
+
+"Yes, madam," answered Mr. Lynx, surveying housekeeper attentively.
+
+"I am Mrs. Hill, the housekeper," said she.  "I may add that I am a
+cousin of Mrs. Hamilton's."
+
+Mr. Lynx bowed, and waited for further information.  He knew who was
+addressing him, for he had questioned Mrs. Hamilton as to the
+different inmates of the house.
+
+"I stopped you," said Mrs. Hill, "because I have my suspicions, and I
+thought I might help you in this investigation."
+
+"I shall feel indebted to you for any help you can afford.  Do you
+mind telling me upon what your suspicions rest?"
+
+"I don't like to accuse or throw suspicions on anyone," said the
+housekeeper, but I think it is my duty to help my cousin in this
+matter."
+
+"Undoubtedly," said Mr. Lynx, noticing that she paused.  "Proceed."
+
+"You may or may not be aware that my cousin employs a boy of about
+sixteen, whom, as I think, she engaged rather rashly, without knowing
+anything of his antecedents.  He assists her in her writing and
+accounts--in fact, is a sort of secretary.
+
+"His name is Benjamin Barclay, is it not?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Do you know anything of his habits?"
+
+"He is very plausible.  In fact, I think his appearance is in his
+favor; but I think he is sly.  Still water, you know, runs deep."
+
+Mr. Lynx bowed assent.
+
+"I was disposed," proceeded Mrs. Hill artfully, "to think well of the
+boy, and to approve my cousin's selection, until last week he was seen
+leaving a well-known gambling house in Thirty-first Street."
+
+"Indeed!  That is certainly suspicious."
+
+"Is it not?"
+
+"Who saw him leaving the gambling house, Mrs. Hill?"
+
+"My son, Conrad."
+
+"Curious that he should have been near at the time!"
+
+"He was taking a walk.  He generally goes out in the evening."
+
+"Of course your son would not visit such a place?"
+
+"Certainly not," answered Mrs. Hill, looking offended at the
+suggestion.
+
+"By the way, are the two boys intimate?  Do they seem to like each
+other?"
+
+"My Conrad always treats the other boy well, out of common politeness,
+but I don't think he likes him very well."
+
+"Is your son in any situation?"
+
+"He is now."
+
+"Was he at the time this Benjamin was engaged by Mrs. Hamilton?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Rather singular that she did not employ your son, instead of seeking
+out a stranger, isn't it?"
+
+"Now that you mention it, I confess that I did feel hurt at the slight
+to my boy.  However, I don't wish to interfere with Cousin Hamilton,
+or obtrude my son upon her."
+
+"Strong jealousy there!" thought the detective.
+
+"So you think this Ben Barclay may have taken the glass?" he said
+inquiringly.
+
+"I do.  Since he visits gambling houses, he doubtless squanders money,
+and can find a market for more than he can honestly earn."
+
+"As you say, gambling often leads to dishonesty.  Does Mrs. Hamilton
+know that her protege visited a gambling house?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Mentioned it to him, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Of course, he denied it?"
+
+"No; he admitted it, but said he received a letter from a stranger
+appointing to meet him there.  It is rather curious that he couldn't
+show the letter, however.  He pretended he had lost it."
+
+"Did Mrs. Hamilton believe him?"
+
+"I don't know.  I think not, for, though she has not discharged him,
+she treats him very coldly."
+
+"Have you any further information to give me?"
+
+"No.  I hope this will be of some service to you."
+
+"I think it will.  Thank you, and good-afternoon."
+
+"There!  I've prejudiced him against Ben," said Mrs. Hill to herself,
+with a satisfied smile.  "These detectives are glad of a hint, sharp
+as they think themselves.  If he finds out that it is Ben, he will
+take all the credit to himself, and never mention me in the matter.
+However, that is just what I wish.  It is important that I should not
+appear too active in getting the boy into trouble, or I may be thought
+to be influenced by interested motives, though, Heaven knows, I only
+want justice for myself and my boy.  The sooner we get this boy out of
+the house, the better it will be for us."
+
+As Mr. Lynx left the house, he smiled to himself.
+
+"That woman and her son hate Ben Barclay, that much is certain, and
+look upon him as an interloper and a rival.  I rather sympathize with
+the poor fellow.  I should be sorry to find him guilty, but I shall
+not stop short till I have ferreted out the truth."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+THE TELLTALE TICKET
+
+
+Conrad still had the pawnbroker's ticket which he had received in
+return for the opera glasses, and did not quite know what to do with
+it.  He didn't intend to redeem the glass, and if found in his
+possession, it would bring him under suspicion.  Now that a detective
+had the matter in charge, it occurred to him that it would be well to
+have the ticket found in Ben's room.
+
+The two had rooms upon the same floor, and it would, therefore, be
+easy to slip into Ben's chamber and leave it somewhere about.
+
+Now, it chanced that Susan, the chambermaid, was about, though Conrad
+did not see her, when he carried out his purpose, and, instigated by
+curiosity, she peeped through the half-open door, and saw him place
+the ticket on the bureau.
+
+Wondering what it was, she entered the room after Conrad had vacated
+it, and found the ticket Conrad had placed there.
+
+Susan knew what a pawnbroker's ticket was, and read it with curiosity.
+
+She saw that it was made out to Ben Barclay.
+
+"How, then, did Master Conrad get hold of it?" she said to herself.
+"It's my belief he's trying to get Master Ben into trouble.  It's a
+shame, it is, for Master Ben is a gentleman and he isn't."
+
+Between the two boys, Susan favored Ben, who always treated her with
+consideration, while Conrad liked to order about the servants, as if
+they were made to wait upon him.
+
+After Conrad had disposed of the pawn ticket, he said carelessly to
+his mother:
+
+"Mother, if I were you, I'd look into Ben's room.  You might find the
+opera glass there."
+
+"I don't think he'd leave it there.  He would pawn it."
+
+"Then you might find the ticket somewhere about."
+
+Upon this hint, Mrs. Hill went up to Ben's room, and there, upon the
+bureau, she naturally found the ticket.
+
+"I thought so," she said to herself.  "Conrad was right.  The boy is a
+thief.  Here is the ticket made out to him by name.  Well, well, he's
+brazen enough, in all conscience.  Now shall I show it to Cousin
+Hamilton at once, or shall I wait until the detective has reported?"
+
+On the whole, Mrs. Hill decided to wait.  She could delay with safety,
+for she had proof which would utterly crush and confound the hated
+interloper.
+
+Meanwhile, the detective pursued his investigations.  Of course, he
+visited Simpson's, and there he learned that the opera glass, which he
+readily recognized from the description, had been brought there a few
+days previous.
+
+"Who brought it?" he asked.
+
+"A boy of about sixteen."
+
+"Did he give his name?"
+
+The books were referred to, and the attendant answered in the
+affirmative.
+
+"He gave the name of Ben Barclay," he answered.
+
+"Do you think that was his real name?" asked the detective.
+
+"That depends on whether he had a right to pawn it."
+
+"Suppose he stole it?"
+
+"Then, probably, he did not give his real name."
+
+"So I think," said Mr. Lynx quietly.
+
+"Do you know if there is a boy by that name?"
+
+"There is; but I doubt if he knows anything about the matter."
+
+"I will call again, perhaps to-morrow," he added.  "I must report to
+my principal what I have discovered."
+
+From Simpson's he went straight to Mrs. Hamilton, who had as yet
+received no communication from the housekeeper.
+
+"Well, Mr. Lynx," she asked, with interest, "have you heard anything
+of the glass?"
+
+"I have seen it," was the quiet reply.
+
+"Where?"
+
+"At a well-known pawnshop on the Bowery."
+
+"Did you learn who left it?" asked Mrs. Hamilton eagerly.
+
+"A boy--about sixteen years of age--who gave the name of Ben Barclay."
+
+"I can't believe Ben would be guilty of such a disgraceful act!"
+ejaculated Mrs. Hamilton, deeply moved.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+MRS. HILL'S MALICE
+
+
+At this moment there was a low knock on the door.
+
+"Come in!" said Mrs. Hamilton.
+
+Mrs. Hill, the housekeeper, glided in, with her usual stealthy step.
+
+"I really beg pardon for intruding," she said, with a slight cough,
+"but I thought perhaps I might throw light on the matter Mr. Lynx is
+investigating."
+
+"Well?" said the detective, eying her attentively.
+
+"I had occasion to go into Ben's room to see if the girl had put
+things in order, when my attention was drawn to a ticket upon the
+bureau.  You can tell whether it is of importance," and she handed it,
+with an air of deference, to Mr. Lynx.
+
+"What is it?" asked Mrs. Hamilton.
+
+"It is a pawn ticket," answered Mr. Lynx attentively.
+
+"Let me see it, please!"
+
+Mrs. Hamilton regarded it with mingled pain and incredulity.
+
+"I need not say," continued the housekeeper, "that I was surprised and
+saddened at this evidence of the boy's depravity.  Cousin Hamilton has
+been so kind to him that it seems like the height of ingratitude."
+
+"May I ask, madam," said Mr. Lynx, "if your suspicions had fastened on
+this boy, Ben, before you found the pawn ticket?"
+
+"To tell the truth, they had."
+
+"And what reason had you for forming such suspicions?"
+
+"I knew that the boy frequented gambling houses, and, of course, no
+salary, however large, would be sufficient for a boy with such
+habits."
+
+Mrs. Hamilton did not speak, which somewhat embarrassed Mrs. Hill.
+Mr. Lynx, however, was very affable, and thanked her for her
+assistance.
+
+"I felt it my duty to assist Cousin Hamilton," said she, "though I am
+sorry for that ungrateful boy.  I will now withdraw, and leave you to
+confer together."
+
+Mrs. Hill would like to have been invited to remain, but such an
+invitation was not given.
+
+"What do you think, Mr. Lynx?" asked Mrs. Hamilton.
+
+"I think your housekeeper does not like Ben Barclay," he answered
+dryly.
+
+"And you don't think him guilty?" she asked eagerly.
+
+"No; the boy isn't fool enough, first, to give his own name at the
+pawnbroker's, and next, to leave the ticket exposed in his room."
+
+"How then did it come there?"
+
+Mr. Lynx was saved the trouble of answering by another tap on the
+door.
+
+"Who is it now?" he said.
+
+He stepped to the door, and opening it, admitted Susan.
+
+"What is it, Susan," asked Mrs. Hamilton, in some surprise.
+
+"Did Mrs. Hill bring you a pawn ticket, ma'am?"
+
+"And what do you know about it?" demanded Mr. Lynx brusquely.
+
+"And did she say she found it on Master Ben's bureau?"
+
+"Yes, Susan," said the mistress; "what can you tell us about it?"
+
+"I can tell you this, ma'am, that I saw Master Conrad steal into the
+room this morning, and put it there with his own hands."
+
+"Ha!  this is something to the purpose." said the detective briskly.
+
+"Are you sure of this, Susan?" asked Mrs. Hamilton, evidently shocked.
+
+"I can take my Bible oath of it, ma'am; and it's my belief that he's
+tryin' to get Master Ben into trouble."
+
+"Thank you, Susan," said her mistress.  "You have done not only Ben,
+but myself, a valuable service.  You can go.  I will see that you do
+not regret it."
+
+"Don't tell Mrs. Hill that I told you, or she'd be my enemy for life!"
+
+"I will see to that."
+
+As Susan left the room, Mr. Lynx said:
+
+"You won't require my services any longer.  It is clear enough who
+pawned the glass."
+
+"You mean--"
+
+"I mean the boy Conrad, whose mother was so anxious to fix the guilt
+upon your young secretary.  If you have the slightest doubt about it,
+invite the young gentleman to accompany you to Simpson's to redeem the
+opera glass."
+
+"I will."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+SOME UNEXPECTED CHANGES
+
+
+When Conrad came home his first visit was to his mother.
+
+"Has anything been found out about the stolen opera glass?" he asked,
+with a studied air of indifference.
+
+"I should say there had," she answered.  "I followed the clew you
+suggested, and searched the boy's room.  On the bureau I found the
+pawn ticket."
+
+"You don't say so!  What a muff Ben must have been to leave it around
+so carelessly!  What did you do with it?"
+
+"I waited till Mr. Lynx was conferring with Cousin Hamilton, and then
+I carried it in and gave it to them."
+
+"What did they say?" asked Conrad eagerly.
+
+"They seemed thunderstruck, and Mr. Lynx very politely thanked me for
+the help I had given them."
+
+"Has Ben been bounced yet?"
+
+"No; but doubtless he will be very soon.  Cousin Hamilton doesn't want
+to think him a thief and gambler, but there seems no way of escaping
+from such a mass of proof."
+
+"I should say not.  Do you think she's told Ben?  Does he look down in
+the mouth?" continued Conrad.
+
+"I haven't seen him since."
+
+When they met at the table Mrs. Hamilton's manner toward Ben was
+decidedly frigid, as Conrad and his mother saw, much to their
+satisfaction.  Ben looked sober, but his appetite did not appear to be
+affected.
+
+"Your course is about run, young man!" thought Mrs. Hill.
+
+"I should like to see you after supper, Conrad," said Mrs. Hamilton.
+"Come into my sitting room."
+
+"I wonder if she is going to give me Ben's place," thought Conrad,
+hardly knowing whether he wished it or not.
+
+With a jaunty air and a self-satisfied smile, he followed Mrs.
+Hamilton into her "private office," as she sometimes called it.
+
+"Shut the door, Conrad," she said.
+
+He did so.
+
+"I have heard news of the opera glass," she commenced.
+
+"Mother gave me a hint of that," said Conrad.
+
+"It was stolen and pawned at Simpson's on the Bowery."
+
+"It's a great shame!" said Conrad, thinking that a safe comment to
+make.
+
+"Yes, it was a shame and a disgrace to the one who took it."
+
+"I didn't think Ben would do such a thing," continued Conrad, growing
+bolder.
+
+"Nor I," said Mrs. Hamilton.
+
+"After all you have done for him, too.  I never liked the boy, for my
+part."
+
+"So I suspected," said Mrs. Hamilton dryly.  "However, I will tell you
+what I want of you.  I am going down to Simpson's to-morrow to redeem
+the glass, and want you to go with me."
+
+"You want me to go with you!" ejaculated Conrad, turning pale.
+
+"Yes; I don't care to go to that part of the City by myself, and I
+will take you to keep me company."
+
+"But I must go to the office," faltered Conrad.
+
+"I will send Ben to say that you can't go to-morrow."
+
+"Why don't you take Ben to Simpson's, or the detective?" suggested
+Conrad, in great alarm, bethinking himself that it would hardly do to
+take Ben, since the attendant would certify that he was not the one
+who pawned the glass.
+
+"Because I prefer to take you.  Have you any objection to go!"
+
+"Oh, no, of course not!" answered Conrad, not daring to make any
+further objection.
+
+In the morning Mrs. Hill came to Mrs. Hamilton, and said:
+
+"Poor Conrad has a terrible toothache!  He is afraid he won't be able
+to go with you to Simpson's.  Will you kindly excuse him?"
+
+Mrs. Hamilton expected some such excuse.
+
+"I will take Ben, then," she said.
+
+"Are you going to keep that boy--after what be has done?" asked the
+housekeeper.
+
+"It is inconvenient for me to part with him just yet."
+
+"Then--I hope you will excuse the suggestion--I advise you to keep
+your bureau drawers locked."
+
+"I think it best myself," said Mrs. Hamilton.  Is Conrad's toothache
+very bad?"
+
+"The poor fellow is in great pain."
+
+When Ben was invited by Mrs. Hamilton to go to the pawnbroker's he
+made no objection.
+
+"It is only fair to tell you, Ben," said Mrs. Hamilton, that the
+person who pawned the opera glass gave your name."
+
+"Then," said Ben, "I should like to know who it is."
+
+"I think I know," said his patroness; "but when we redeem the glass we
+will ask for a description of him."
+
+An hour later they entered the pawnbroker's shop.  Mrs. Hamilton
+presented the ticket and made herself known.
+
+"Will you tell me," she asked, "whether you have ever seen the young
+gentleman that accompanies me?"
+
+"Not to my knowledge," answered the attendant, after attentively
+regarding Ben.
+
+"Can you remember the appearance of the boy who pawned the opera
+glass?"
+
+"He was taller than this boy, and pale.  He was thinner also.  His
+hair was a light brown."
+
+A light dawned upon Ben, and his glance met that of Mrs. Hamilton, so
+that she read his suspicions.
+
+"I think we both know who it was that took your name, Ben," she said;
+"but for the present I wish you to keep it secret."
+
+"I will certainly do so, Mrs. Hamilton."
+
+"I am placed in difficult circumstances, and have not made up my mind
+what to do."
+
+"I hope you won't allow yourself to be prejudiced against me by any
+false stories."
+
+"No, I can promise you that.  I have perfect confidence in you."
+
+"Thank you for that, Mrs. Hamilton," said Ben gratefully.
+
+"Yet I am about to take a course that will surprise you."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"I am going to let you leave me for a time, and put Conrad in your
+place."
+
+Ben looked bewildered, as well he might.  There was nothing that would
+have surprised him more.
+
+"Then I am afraid you don't find me satisfactory," he said anxiously.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"You discharge me from your service."
+
+"No" answered Mrs. Hamilton, smiling; "I have other work for you to
+do.  I mean to give you a confidential commission."
+
+Ben's face brightened up immediately.
+
+"You will find me faithful," he said, "and I hope I may repay your
+confidence."
+
+"I think you will.  I will explain matters to you before you reach the
+house, as I don't want Mrs. Hill or Conrad to know about the matter.
+Indeed, for reasons of my own, I shall let them think that I
+discharged you."
+
+Ben smiled; he was not averse to such a plan.
+
+"And now for the business.  I own a farm in the western part of
+Pennsylvania.  I have for years let it for a nominal sum to a man
+named Jackson.  Of late he has been very anxious to buy it, and has
+offered me a sum greater than I had supposed it to be worth.  As I
+know him to be a close-fisted man, who has tried more than once to get
+me to reduce the small rent I charge him, this naturally excites my
+curiosity.  I think something has been discovered that enhances the
+value of the farm, and, if so, I want to know it.  You are a boy, and
+a visit to the neighborhood will not excite surprise.
+
+"I understand," said Ben.  "When do you wish me to start?"
+
+"This afternoon.  I have prepared written instructions, and here is a
+pocketbook containing a hundred and fifty dollars for expenses."
+
+"Shall I need so much?"
+
+"Probably not; but I wish you to be amply provided.  You will remove
+all your things from my house, but you may store anything you don't
+need to carry."
+
+When Conrad heard that Mrs. Hamilton had taken Ben with her, he was
+alarmed lest it should be discovered that the boy pawning the opera
+glass was not Ben, but himself.  When, upon Mrs. Hamilton's return, he
+was summoned to her presence, he entered with trepidation.
+
+"Is your toothache better, Conrad?" asked Mrs. Hamilton.
+
+"A little better, thank you."
+
+"I am going to make a change in your position.  Ben is to leave me,
+and you will take his place as my secretary."
+
+Conrad's heart bounded with joy and surprise.
+
+"How can I thank you, Cousin Hamilton!" he said, with a feeling of
+great relief.
+
+"By serving me well."
+
+"All has turned out for the best, mother," said Conrad joyfully, as he
+sought his mother's presence.  "Ben is bounced, and I am to take his
+place."
+
+"Heaven be praised!" ejaculated Mrs. Hill.
+
+"I hope you'll soon find a place," said Conrad mockingly, when Ben
+left the house, valise in hand.
+
+"I think I shall," answered Ben calmly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+BEN "GOES WEST"
+
+
+Undisturbed by the thought that his departure was viewed with joy by
+Conrad and his mother, Ben set out on his Western journey.
+
+His destination was Centerville, in Western Pennsylvania.  I may as
+well say that this is not the real name of the place, which, for
+several reasons, I conceal.
+
+Though Ben was not an experienced traveler, he found no difficulty in
+reaching his destination, having purchased a copy of "Appleton's
+Railway Guide," which afforded him all the information he required.
+About fifty miles this side of Centerville he had for a seat companion
+a man of middle age, with a pleasant face, covered with a brown beard,
+who, after reading through a Philadelphia paper which he had purchased
+of the train-boy, seemed inclined to have a social chat with Ben.
+
+"May I ask your destination, my young friend?" he asked.
+
+Ben felt that it was well for him to be cautious, though he was
+pleasantly impressed with the appearance of his companion.
+
+"I think I shall stop over at Centerville," he said.
+
+"Indeed!  That is my destination."
+
+"Do you live there?" asked Ben.
+
+"No," said the other, laughing.  "Do I look like it?  I thought you
+would read 'New York' in my face and manner."
+
+"I am not an experienced observer," said Ben modestly.
+
+"Centerville has a prosperous future before it," said the stranger.
+
+"Has it?  I don't know much about the place.  I never was there."
+
+"You know, of course, that it is in the oil region?"
+
+"I didn't even know that."
+
+"A year ago," resumed the stranger, "it was a humdrum farming town,
+and not a very prosperous one either.  The land is not of good
+quality, and the farmers found it hard work to get a poor living.  Now
+all is changed."
+
+Ben's attention was aroused.  He began to understand why Mr. Jackson
+wished to buy the farm he rented from Mrs. Hamilton.
+
+"This is all new to me," he said.  "I suppose oil has been found
+there?"
+
+"Yes; one old farm, which would have been dear at three thousand
+dollars, is now yielding hundreds of barrels daily, and would fetch
+fifty thousand dollars easily."
+
+Ben began to be excited.  If he could only sell Mrs. Hamilton's farm
+for half that he felt that he would be doing an excellent thing.
+
+"I suppose you are interested in some of the petroleum wells?" he
+said.
+
+"Not yet, but I hope to be.  In fact, I don't mind confessing that I
+represent a New York syndicate, and that my object in making this
+journey is to purchase, if I can, the Jackson farm."
+
+"The Jackson farm!" repeated Ben, his breath almost taken away by his
+surprise.
+
+"Yes; do you know anything about it?" asked his companion.
+
+"I have heard of a farmer in Centerville named Peter Jackson."
+
+"That is the man."
+
+"And his farm is one of the lucky ones, then?"
+
+"It promises to be."
+
+"I suppose, then, you will have to pay a large sum for it?" said Ben,
+trying to speak calmly.
+
+"Jackson is very coy, and, I think, grasping.  He wants fifty thousand
+dollars."
+
+"Of course you won't pay so much?"
+
+"I should hardly feel authorized to do so.  I may go as high as forty
+thousand dollars."
+
+Ben was dazzled.  If he could effect a sale at this price he would be
+doing a splendid stroke of business, and would effectually defeat the
+plans of Mr. Jackson, who, it appeared, had pretended that he was the
+owner of the farm, hoping to obtain it from Mrs. Hamilton at a
+valuation which would have been suitable before the discovery of oil,
+but now would be ludicrously disproportionate to its real value.
+
+"Shall or shall I not, tell this gentleman the truth?" he reflected.
+
+He thought over the matter and decided to do so.  The discovery must
+be made sooner or later, and there would be no advantage in delay.
+
+"I don't think Jackson will sell," he said.
+
+"Why not?" asked the stranger, in surprise.  "Do you know him?"
+
+"I never saw him in my life."
+
+"Then how can you form any opinion on the subject?"
+
+Ben smiled.
+
+"The answer is easy enough," he said.  "Mr. Jackson can't sell what he
+doesn't own."
+
+"Do you mean to say that he is not the owner of the farm which he
+proposes to sell us?"
+
+"That is just what I mean.  He is no more the owner than you or I."
+
+"You speak confidently, young man.  Perhaps you can tell me who is the
+owner?"
+
+"I can.  The owner is Mrs. Hamilton, of New York."
+
+"Indeed!  That is a genuine surprise.  Can you give me her address?  I
+should like to communicate with her."
+
+"I will cheerfully give you her address, but it won't be necessary,
+for I represent her."
+
+"You!" exclaimed the stranger incredulously.
+
+"Yes; and I am going out to Centerville now as her agent.  This
+Jackson, who is her tenant, has been urging her to sell him the farm
+for some time.  He has offered a sum larger than the farm would be
+worth but for the discovery of petroleum, but has taken good care not
+to speak of this."
+
+"How much does he offer?"
+
+"Five thousand dollars."
+
+"The rascal!" He offers five thousand, and expects us to pay him fifty
+thousand dollars for his bargain.  What an unmitigated swindle it
+would have been if he had carried out his scheme!"
+
+"Perhaps you would like to see his last letter?" said Ben.
+
+"I should.  I want to see what the old rascal has to say for himself."
+
+Ben took from his pocket the letter in question, and put it into the
+hands of his new acquaintance.
+
+It was dated at Centerville, October 21.  It was written in a cramped
+hand, showing that the farmer was not accustomed to letter-writing.
+
+It ran thus:
+
+  "Respected Madam:
+
+  "As I have already wrote you, I would like to buy the farm, and will
+  give you more than anybody else, because I am used to living on it,
+  and it seems like home.  I am willing to pay five thousand dollars,
+  though I know it is only worth four, but it is worth more to me than
+  to others.  I offer you more because I know you are rich, and will not
+  sell unless you get a good bargain.  Please answer right away.
+
+                        "Yours respectfully,
+                               Peter Jackson.
+
+  "P.S.--My offer will hold good for only two weeks."
+
+"He seems to be very much in earnest," said Ben.
+
+"He has reason to be so, as he hopes to make forty-five thousand
+dollars on his investment."
+
+"He will be bitterly disappointed," said Ben.
+
+"I don't care anything about Jackson," said the stranger.  "I would
+just as soon negotiate with you.  Are you authorized to sell the
+farm?"
+
+"No," answered Ben; "but Mrs. Hamilton will probably be guided by my
+advice in the mater."
+
+"That amounts to the same thing.  I offer you forty thousand dollars
+for it."
+
+"I think favorably of your proposal, Mr. ----"
+
+"My name is Taylor."
+
+"Mr. Taylor; but I prefer to delay answering till I am on the ground
+and can judge better of the matter."
+
+"You are right.  I was surprised at first that Mrs. Hamilton should
+have selected so young an agent.  I begin to think her choice was a
+judicious one."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+MR. JACKSON RECEIVES A CALL
+
+
+"Suppose we join forces, Ben," said Mr. Taylor familiarly.
+
+"How do you mean?"
+
+"We will join forces against this man Jackson.  He wants to swindle
+both of us--that is, those whom we represent.
+
+"I am willing to work with you" answered Ben, who had been favorably
+impressed by the appearance and frankness of his traveling companion.
+
+"Then suppose to-morrow morning--it is too late to-day--we call over
+and see the old rascal."
+
+"I would rather not have him know on what errand I come, just at
+first."
+
+"That is in accordance with my own plans.  You will go as my
+companion.  He will take you for my son, or nephew, and, while I am
+negotiating, you can watch and judge for yourself."
+
+"I like the plan," said Ben.
+
+"When he finds out who you are he will feel pretty badly sold."
+
+"He deserves it."
+
+The two put up at a country hotel, which, though not luxurious, was
+tolerably comfortable.  After the fatigue of his journey, Ben enjoyed
+a good supper and a comfortable bed.  The evening, however, he spent
+in the public room of the inn, where he had a chance to listen to the
+conversation of a motley crowd, some of them native and residents,
+others strangers who had been drawn to Centerville by the oil
+discoveries.
+
+"I tell you," said a long, lank individual, "Centerville's goin' to be
+one of the smartest places in the United States.  It's got a big
+future before it."
+
+"That's so," said a small, wiry man; "but I'm not so much interested
+in that as I am in the question whether or not I've got a big future
+before me."
+
+"You're one of the owners of the Hoffman farm, ain't you?"
+
+"Yes.  I wish I owned the whole of it.  Still, I've made nigh on to a
+thousand dollars durin' the last month for my share of the profits.
+Pretty fair, eh?"
+
+"I should say so.  You've got a good purchase; but there's one better
+in my opinion."
+
+"Where's that?"
+
+"Peter Jackson's farm."
+
+Here Ben and Mr. Taylor began to listen with interest.
+
+"He hasn't begun to work it any, has he?"
+
+"Not much; just enough to find out its value."
+
+"What's he waitin' for?"
+
+"There's some New York people want it.  If he can get his price, he'll
+sell it to them for a good sum down."
+
+"What does he ask?"
+
+"He wants fifty thousand dollars."
+
+"Whew!  that's rather stiffish.  I thought the property belonged to a
+lady in New York."
+
+"So it did; but Jackson says he bought it a year ago."
+
+"He was lucky."
+
+Ben and Mr. Taylor looked at each other again.  It was easy to see the
+old farmer's game, and to understand why he was so anxious to secure
+the farm, out of which he could make so large a sum of money.
+
+"He's playing a deep game, Ben," said Taylor, when they had left the
+room.
+
+"Yes; but I think I shall be able to put a spoke in his wheel."
+
+"I shall be curious to see how he takes it when he finds the
+negotiation taken out of his hands.  We'll play with him a little, as
+a cat plays with a mouse."
+
+The next morning, after a substantial breakfast, Ben and his new
+friend took a walk to the farm occupied by Peter Jackson.  It was
+about half a mile away, and when reached gave no indication of the
+wealth it was capable of producing.  The farmhouse was a plain
+structure nearly forty years old, badly in need of paint, and the
+out-buildings harmonized with it in appearance.
+
+A little way from the house was a tall, gaunt man, engaged in mending
+a fence.  He was dressed in a farmer's blue frock and overalls, and
+his gray, stubby beard seemed to be of a week's growth.  There was a
+crafty, greedy look in his eyes, which overlooked a nose sharp and
+aquiline.  His feet were incased in a pair of cowhide boots.  He
+looked inquiringly at Taylor as he approached, but hardly deigned to
+look at Ben, who probably seemed too insignificant to notice.  He gave
+a shrewd guess at the errand of the visitor, but waited for him to
+speak first.
+
+"Is this Mr. Jackson?" asked Taylor, with a polite bow.
+
+"That's my name, stranger," answered the old man.
+
+"My name is Taylor.  I wrote to you last week."
+
+"I got the letter," said Jackson, going on with his work.  It was his
+plan not to seem too eager but to fight shy in order to get his price.
+Besides, though he would have been glad to close the bargain on the
+spot, there was an embarrassing difficulty.  The farm was not his to
+sell, and he was anxiously awaiting Mrs. Hamilton's answer to his
+proposal.
+
+"She can't have heard of the oil discoveries," he thought, "and five
+thousand dollars will seem a big price for the farm.  She can't help
+agreeing to my terms."
+
+This consideration made him hopeful, but for all that, he must wait,
+and waiting he found very tantalizing.
+
+"Have you decided to accept my offer, Mr. Jackson?"
+
+"Waal, I'll have to take a leetle time to consider.  How much did you
+say you'd give?"
+
+"Forty thousand dollars."
+
+"I'd ought to have fifty."
+
+"Forty thousand dollars is a big sum of money."
+
+"And this farm is a perfect gold mine.  Shouldn't wonder if it would
+net a hundred thousand dollars."
+
+"There is no certainty of that, and the purchasers will have to take a
+big risk"
+
+"There isn't much risk.  Ask anybody in Centerville what he thinks of
+the Jackson farm."
+
+"Suppose I were ready to come to your terms--mind, I don't say I
+am--would you sign the papers to-day?"
+
+Jackson looked perplexed.  He knew could not do it.
+
+"What's your hurry?" he said.
+
+"The capitalists whom I represent are anxious to get to work as soon
+as possible.  That's natural, isn't, it?"
+
+"Ye-es," answered Jackson.
+
+"So, the sooner we fix matters the better.  I want to go back to New
+York to-morrow if I can."
+
+"I don't think I can give my answer as soon as that.  Wait a minute,
+though."
+
+A boy was approaching, Jackson's son, if one could judge from the
+resemblance, holding a letter in his hand.
+
+"Come right here, Abner," he called out eagerly.
+
+Abner approached, and his father snatched the letter from his hand.
+It bore the New York postmark, but, on opening it, Jackson looked
+bitterly disappointed.  He had hoped it was from Mrs. Hamilton,
+accepting his offer for the farm; but, instead of that, it was an
+unimportant circular.
+
+"I'll have to take time to think over your offer, Mr. Taylor," he
+said.  "You see, I'll have to talk over matters with the old woman."
+
+"By the way," said Taylor carelessly, "I was told in the village that
+you didn't own the farm--that it was owned by a lady in New York."
+
+"She used to own it," said the fanner, uneasily; "but I bought it of
+her a year ago."
+
+"So that you have the right to sell it?"
+
+"Of course I have."
+
+"What have you to say to that, Ben?" asked Taylor quietly.
+
+"That if Mrs. Hamilton has sold the farm to Mr. Jackson she doesn't
+know it."
+
+"What do you mean, boy?" gasped Jackson.
+
+"I mean that when I left New York Mrs. Hamilton owned the farm."
+
+"It's a lie!" muttered the farmer; but he spoke with difficulty.  "I
+bought it a year ago."
+
+"In that case it is strange that you should have written a week ago
+offering five thousand dollars for the farm."
+
+"Who says I wrote?"
+
+"I do; and I have your letter in my pocket," answered Ben firmly.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+BEN SELLS THE FARM
+
+
+The farmer stared at Ben panic-stricken.  He had thought success
+within his grasp.  He was to be a rich man--independent for life--as
+the result of the trick which he was playing upon Mrs. Hamilton.  His
+disappointment was intense, and he looked the picture of discomfiture.
+
+"I don't believe you," he faltered after a pause.
+
+Ben drew a letter from his inside pocket and held it up.
+
+"Do you deny the writing?" he said.
+
+"Give it to me!" said Jackson, with a sudden movement.
+
+"No, thank you; I prefer to keep it.  I shall make no use of it unless
+it is necessary.  I called here to notify you that Mrs. Hamilton does
+not propose to sacrifice the farm.  If it is sold at all it will be to
+someone who will pay its full value."
+
+"You can't sell it," said Jackson sullenly.  "I have a lease."
+
+"Produce it."
+
+"At any rate, I shall stay till my year's out."
+
+"That will depend upon the new owner.  If he is willing, Mrs. Hamilton
+will not object."
+
+"I think you've got him there, Ben," said Mr. Taylor, with a laugh.
+"Mr. Jackson, I think it won't be worth while to continue our
+conversation.  You undertook to sell what was not yours.  I prefer to
+deal with the real owner or her representative."
+
+"That boy is an impostor!" muttered Jackson.  "Why, he's only a school
+boy.  What does he know about business?"
+
+"I think he has proved a match for you.  Good-morning, Mr. Jackson.
+Ben, let us be going."
+
+"Now," said Taylor as they were walking toward the inn, "what do you
+say to my offer?"
+
+"Please state it, Mr. Taylor."
+
+"I offer forty thousand dollars for the farm.  It may be worth
+considerably more than that; but, on the other hand, the wells may
+soon run dry.  I have to take the chances."
+
+"That seems a fair offer, Mr. Taylor," said Ben frankly.  "If I were
+the owner I would accept it; but I am acting for another who may not
+think as I do."
+
+"Will you consult her and let me know?"
+
+"I will write at once."
+
+"Why not telegraph?  The delay would be too great if you trust to the
+mail."
+
+"I will do as you suggest," answered Ben, "if there is an opportunity
+to telegraph from this place."
+
+"There is an office at the depot."
+
+"Then I will take that on my way back to the hotel."
+
+At one corner of the depot Ben found a telegraph operator.  After a
+little consideration, he dashed off the following telegram:
+
+                          "No. ---- Madison Avenue, New York.
+
+  "To Mrs. Hamilton:
+
+  "Oil has been discovered on your farm.  I am offered forty thousand
+  dollars for it by a responsible party.  What shall I do?
+
+                          "Ben Barclay."
+
+"Send answer to the hotel," said Ben, to the operator.
+
+Four hours later a messenger brought to Ben the following dispatch:
+
+  "Your news is most surprising.  Sell at the figure named if you think
+  it best.  You have full powers.
+
+                          "Helen Hamilton."
+
+Mr. Taylor watched Ben's face eagerly as he read the telegram, for he
+knew that it must relate to his offer.
+
+"What does your principal say?" he inquired.
+
+"You can read the telegram, Mr. Taylor."
+
+Taylor did so.
+
+"So you have full powers?" he said.  "Mrs. Hamilton must feel great
+confidence in you."
+
+There was a proud flush on Ben's cheek as he replied:
+
+"I have reason to think that she does.  I hope it is not misplaced."
+
+"I hope you won't drive a hard bargain with me, Ben."
+
+"I don't mean to bargain at all.  You have made a fair offer, and I
+will accept it."
+
+Taylor looked pleased.
+
+"Some boys in your position," he said, "would have stipulated for a
+present."
+
+"I shall do nothing of the kind," said Ben promptly.  "I should not
+think it honest."
+
+"Your honesty, my boy, is of the old-fashioned kind.  It is not the
+kind now in vogue.  I like you the better for it, and if you were not
+in Mrs. Hamilton's employ I would try to secure your services myself."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Taylor.  The time may come when shall remind you of
+your promise."
+
+"You will find I have not forgotten it.  And now to business.  We will
+go to a lawyer and have the necessary papers drawn up, which you shall
+sign in behalf of your principal."
+
+The business was speedily arranged, and by supper-time Ben found that
+he had nothing further to detain him in Centerville.  He felt that he
+had done a smart stroke of business.  Mrs. Hamilton had been surprised
+at receiving an offer of five thousand dollars for the farm, yet he
+had sold it for forty thousand!
+
+As they were returning from the lawyer's office they met farmer
+Jackson just returning from the post office.
+
+"By the way, Mr. Jackson," said Taylor, "you will perhaps be
+interested to learn that your farm has been sold."
+
+The farmer paused, and looked troubled.
+
+"Are you going to turn me out of the house?" he asked.
+
+"Not if you wish to live in it.  I shall employ workmen at once to
+sink wells, and develop the property.  They will need to board
+somewhere.  Are you willing to board them?"
+
+"Yes; I shall be glad to," answered Jackson.  "I am a poor man, and
+it's hard work living by farming."
+
+"Very well; we can no doubt make an arrangement.  I am obliged to go
+to New York to complete arrangements for the transfer of the property,
+but I shall come back as soon as possible and commence operations."
+
+"I wouldn't mind workin' for myself," said Jackson.
+
+"Then you are the first man I engage."
+
+The old farmer brightened up.  He was to make money out of the new
+discoveries after all, though not in the way he had comtemplated.
+
+"When are you going back to New York, Ben?" asked Taylor.
+
+"There is nothing to detain me here any longer."
+
+"We can go back together, then."
+
+"I shall be glad to travel in your company, sir."
+
+"Do you expect to remain in Mrs. Hamilton's employ?"
+
+"I don't know," answered Ben.
+
+"What were you doing?"
+
+"Keeping accounts and acting as her private secretary."
+
+"Do you like it?"
+
+"Yes; I find it very pleasant, or would be but for one thing."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"She has relatives living in the house who do not like me."
+
+"Jealous, eh?"
+
+"Perhaps so."
+
+"Let me say frankly, that you are fitted for something higher.  I am a
+good judge of men--"
+
+Ben smiled.
+
+"Boys, then; and I consider you a boy of excellent business capacity.
+After I have got my oil wells under way, I should like to engage you
+as superintendent."
+
+"I am flattered by your good opinion, Mr. Taylor, but it is a business
+I know nothing of."
+
+"You would make it your business to learn it, or I mistake you."
+
+"You are right there, sir."
+
+"However, there will be plenty of time to arrange about this matter.
+It would probably be two months before I felt justified in leaving
+another in charge."
+
+The two started for New York.  About fifty miles before reaching the
+city, as Ben was reading a magazine he had purchased from the
+train-boy, he felt a touch upon his shoulder.
+
+Looking up, he recognized, to his amazement, the tramp with whom he
+had had an adventure some weeks before in Pentonville.
+
+"I see you know me," said the tramp, with a smile.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII
+GOOD NEWS
+
+
+The tramp, as we may call him for want of a different name, certainly
+showed signs of improvement in his personal appearance.  He looked
+quite respectable, in fact, in a business suit of gray mixed cloth,
+and would have passed muster in any assemblage.
+
+"I think I have met you before," answered Ben, with a smile.
+
+"Perhaps it would have been more of a compliment not to have
+recognized me.  I flatter myself that I have changed."
+
+"So you have, and for the better."
+
+"Thank you.  I believe we rode together when we last met."
+
+"Yes," said Ben.
+
+"And you were not sorry to part copy with me--is it not so?"
+
+"I won't contradict you."
+
+"Yet I am inclined to be your friend."
+
+"I am glad of it," said Ben politely, though, truth to tell, he did
+not anticipate any particular benefit to accrue from the acquaintance
+of the speaker.
+
+"I see you don't attach much importance to my offer of friendship.
+Yet I can do you an important service."
+
+Mr. Taylor, who had been occupying a seat with Ben, here arose.
+
+"You have something to say to my young friend," he said.  "Take my
+seat."
+
+"Don't let me deprive you of it," said the other with a politeness Ben
+had not deemed him capable of.
+
+"By no means.  I am going into the smoking car to smoke a cigar.  Ben,
+I will be back soon."
+
+"I didn't expect to meet you so far from Pentonville," said Ben's new
+companion, unable to suppress his curiosity.
+
+"I don't live in Pentonville now."
+
+"Where then?"
+
+"In the city of New York."
+
+"Are you employed there?"
+
+"Yes; but I am just returning from a trip to Western Pennsylvania."
+
+"Did you go on business?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, you are getting on, for a country boy.  What do you hear from
+home?"
+
+"My mother is well, but I fancy that is not what you mean."
+
+"Yes, I am interested about your mother.  Has she yet paid off that
+mortgage on her cottage?"
+
+"How did you know there was a mortgage," asked Ben, in surprise.
+
+"I know more than you suppose.  What are the chances that she will be
+able to pay?"
+
+"They are very small," answered Ben, gravely, "but the money is not
+yet due."
+
+"When will it be due?"
+
+"In about six weeks."
+
+"Squire Davenport will foreclose--I know him well enough for that."
+
+"So I suppose," said Ben, soberly.
+
+"Is there no friend who will oblige you with the money?"
+
+"I don't know of anyone I should feel at liberty to call on."
+
+It came into his mind that Mrs. Hamilton was abundantly able to help
+them, but she did not know his mother, and it would savor of
+presumption for him to ask so great a favor.  True, he had effected a
+most profitable sale for her, but that was only in the line of his
+faithful duty, and gave him no claim upon his employer.
+
+"I thought, perhaps, the gentlemen you were traveling with--the one
+who has gone info the smoking-car--might--"
+
+"He is only a business acquaintance; I have known him less than a
+week."
+
+"To be sure, that alters matters.  He is not your employer, then?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Then I believe I shall have to help you myself."
+
+Ben stared at his companion in amazement.  What!  this man who had
+robbed him of a dollar only four weeks before, to offer assistance in
+so important a matter!
+
+"I suppose you are joking," said he, after a pause.
+
+"Joking!  Far from it.  I mean just what I say.  If Squire Davenport
+undertakes to deprive your mother of her home, I will interfere, and,
+you will see, with effect."
+
+"Would you mind explaining to me how you would help us?" asked Ben.
+
+"Yes, in confidence, it being understood that I follow my own course
+in the matter."
+
+"That is fair enough."
+
+"Suppose I tell you, then, that Squire Davenport--I believe that is
+the title he goes by in your village--owes your mother more than the
+amount of the mortgage."
+
+"Is this true?" said Ben, much surprised.
+
+"It is quite true."
+
+"But how can it be?"
+
+"Your father, at his death, held a note of Davenport's for a thousand
+dollars--money which he had placed in his hands--a note bearing six
+per cent. interest."
+
+Ben was more and more surprised; at first he was elated, then
+depressed.
+
+"It will do me no good," he said, "nothing was found at father's
+death, and the note is no doubt destroyed."
+
+"So Squire Davenport thinks," said his companion quietly.
+
+"But isn't it true?"
+
+"No; that note not only is in existence, but I knew where to lay my
+hands on it."
+
+"Then it will more than offset the mortgage?" said Ben joyfully.
+
+"I should say.  No interest has been paid on the note for more than
+five years.  The amount due must be quite double the amount of the
+mortgage."
+
+"How can I thank you for this information?" said Ben.  "We shall not
+be forced to give up our little cottage, after all.  But how could
+Squire Davenport so wickedly try to cheat us of our little property?"
+
+"My dear boy," said the tramp, shrugging his shoulders, "your question
+savors of verdancy.  Learn that there is no meanness too great to be
+inspired by the love of money."
+
+"But Squire Davenport was already rich."
+
+"And for that reason he desired to become richer."
+
+"When shall we go to see the squire and tell him about the note?"
+
+"I prefer that you should wait till the day the mortgage comes due.
+When is that?"
+
+"On the twentieth of December."
+
+"Then on the nineteenth of December we will both go to Pentonville and
+wait till the squire shows his hand."
+
+"You seem to be--excuse me--in better circumstances than when we last
+met."
+
+"I am.  An old uncle of mine died last month, and considerately left
+me ten thousand dollars.  Perhaps if he had known more about my way of
+life he would have found another heir.  It has led me to turn over a
+new leaf, and henceforth I am respectable, as befits a man of
+property.  I even keep a card case."
+
+He drew out a card case and handed a card to Ben.  It bore the name of
+Harvey Dinsmore.
+
+"Mr. Dinsmore," said our young hero, I rejoice at your good fortune."
+
+"Thank you.  Shall we be friends?"
+
+"With pleasure."
+
+"Then I have more good news for you.  Your father owned twenty-five
+shares in a Western railway.  These shares are selling at par, and a
+year's dividends are due."
+
+"Why, we shall be rich," said Ben, fairly dazzled by this second
+stroke of good fortune.
+
+"I hope so; though this is only a beginning."
+
+"How can we prove that the railway shares belong to us?"
+
+"Leave that to me.  On the nineteenth of December you will meet me in
+Pentonville.  Till then we probably shall not meet."
+
+At this moment Mr. Taylor made his appearance, returning from the
+smoking-car, and Harvey Dinsmore left them.
+
+"Well, Ben, has your friend entertained you?" asked Taylor.
+
+"He has told me some very good news."
+
+"I am glad to hear it."
+
+In due time they reached New York, and Ben started uptown to call upon
+Mrs. Hamilton.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV
+CONRAD GOES INTO WALL STREET
+
+
+When Conrad succeeded Ben as Mrs. Hamilton's private secretary, he was
+elated by what he considered his promotion.  His first disappointment
+came when he learned that his salary was to be but five dollars a
+week.  He did not dare to remonstrate with his employer, but he
+expressed himself freely to his mother.
+
+"Cousin Hamilton might afford to pay me more than five dollars a
+week," he said bitterly.
+
+"It is small," said his mother cautiously, "but we must look to the
+future."
+
+"If you mean till Cousin Hamilton dies, it may be twenty or thirty
+years.  Why, she looks healthier than you, mother, and will probably
+live longer."
+
+Mrs. Hill looked grave.  She did not fancy this speech.
+
+"I don't think we shall have to wait so long," she said.  "When you
+are twenty-one Cousin Hamilton will probably do something for you."
+
+"That's almost five years," grumbled Conrad.
+
+"At any rate we have got Ben Barclay out of the house, that's one
+comfort."
+
+"Yes, I am glad of that; but I'd rather be in my old place than this,
+if I am to get only five dollars a week."
+
+"Young people are so impatient," sighed Mrs. Hill.  "You don't seem to
+consider that it isn't alone taking Ben's place, but you have got rid
+of a dangerous rival for the inheritance."
+
+"That's true," said Conrad, "and I hated Ben.  I'd rather any other
+boy would cut me out than he."
+
+"Do you know what has become of him?"
+
+"No; I expect that he has gone back to the country--unless he's
+blacking boots or selling papers downtown somewhere.  By Jove, I'd
+like to come across him with a blacking-brush.  He used to put on such
+airs.  I would like to have heard Cousin Hamilton give him the grand
+bounce."
+
+Nothing could be more untrue than that Ben putting on airs, but Conrad
+saw him through the eyes of prejudice, and persuaded himself that such
+was the fact.  In reality Ben was exceedingly modest and unassuming,
+and it was this among other things that pleased Mrs. Hamilton.
+
+Conrad continued to find his salary insufficient.  He was still more
+dissatisfied after an interview with one of his school companions, a
+boy employed in a Wall Street broker's office.
+
+He was just returning from an errand on which Mrs. Hamilton had sent
+him, when he overtook Fred Lathrop on his way uptown.
+
+The attention of Conrad was drawn to a heavy gold ring with a handsome
+stone on Fred's finger.
+
+"Where did you get that ring?" asked Conrad, who had himself a fancy
+for rings.
+
+"Bought it in Maiden Lane.  How do you like it?"
+
+"It is splendid.  Do you mind telling me how much you paid?"
+
+"I paid forty-five dollars.  It's worth more."
+
+"Forty-five dollars!" ejaculated Conrad.  "Why, you must be a
+millionaire.  Where did you get so much money?"
+
+"I didn't find it in the street," answered Fred jocularly.
+
+"Can't you tell a feller?  You didn't save it out of your wages, did
+you?"
+
+"My wages?  I should say not.  Why, I only get six dollars a week, and
+have to pay car fare and lunches out of that."
+
+"Then it isn't equal to my five dollars, for that is all clear.  But,
+all the same, I can't save anything."
+
+"Nor I."
+
+"Then how can you afford to buy forty-five dollar rings?"
+
+"I don't mind telling you," said Fred.  "I made the money by
+speculating."
+
+"Speculating!" repeated Conrad, still in the dark.
+
+"Yes.  I'll tell you all about it."
+
+"Do!  there's a good fellow."
+
+"You see, I bought fifty Erie shares on a margin."
+
+"How's that?"
+
+"Why I got a broker to buy me fifty shares on a margin of one per
+cent.  He did it to oblige me.  I hadn't any money to put up, but I
+had done him one or two favors, and he did it out of good nature.  As
+the stock was on the rise, he didn't run much of a risk.  Well, I
+bought at 44 and sold at 45 1-4.  So I made fifty dollars over and
+above the commission.  I tell you I felt good when the broker paid me
+over five ten-dollar bills."
+
+"I should think you would."
+
+"I was afraid I'd spend the money foolishly, so I went right off and
+bought this ring.  I can sell it for what I gave any time."
+
+Conrad's cupidity was greatly excited by this remarkable luck of
+Fred's.
+
+"That seems an easy way of making money," he said.  "Do you think I
+could try it?"
+
+"Anybody can do it if he's got the money to plank down for a margin."
+
+"I don't think I quite understand."
+
+"Then I'll tell you.  You buy fifty shares of stock, costing, say,
+fifty dollars a share."
+
+"That would be twenty-five hundred dollars."
+
+"Yes, if you bought it right out.  But you don't.  You give the broker
+whatever per cent. he requires, say a dollar a share--most of them
+don't do it so cheap--and he buys the stock on your account.  If it
+goes up one or two points, say to fifty-one or fifty-two, he sells
+out, and the profit goes to you, deducting twenty-five cents a share
+which he charges for buying and selling.  Besides that, he pays you
+back your margin."
+
+"That's splendid.  But doesn't it ever go down?"
+
+"I should say so.  If it goes down a dollar a share, then, of course,
+you lose fifty dollars."
+
+Conrad looked serious.  This was not quite so satisfactory.
+
+"It is rather risky, then," he said.
+
+"Of course, there's some risk; but you know the old proverb, 'Nothing
+venture, nothing have.' You must choose the right stock--one that is
+going up."
+
+"I don't know anything about stock," said Conrad.
+
+"I do," said Fred.  "If I had money I know what I'd buy."
+
+"What?" asked Conrad eagerly.
+
+"Pacific Mail."
+
+"Do you think that's going up?"
+
+"I feel sure of it.  I overheard my boss and another broker talking
+about it yesterday, and they both predicted a bull movement in it."
+
+"Does that mean it's going up?"
+
+"To be sure."
+
+"I should like to buy some."
+
+"Have you got money to plank down as a margin?"
+
+Conrad had in his pocketbook fifty dollars which he had collected for
+Mrs. Hamilton, being a month's rent on a small store on Third Avenue.
+It flashed upon him that with this money he could make fifty dollars
+for himself, and be able to pay back the original sum to Mrs. Hamilton
+as soon as the operation was concluded.
+
+"Could you manage it for me, Fred?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, I wouldn't mind."
+
+"Then I'll give you fifty dollars, and you do the best you can for me.
+If I succeed I'll make you a present."
+
+"All right.  I hope you'll win, I am sure [illegible]"
+
+Not giving himself time to think of the serious breach of trust he was
+committing, Conrad took the money from his pocket and transferred it
+to his companion.
+
+"It won't take long, will it?" he asked anxiously.
+
+"Very likely the stock will be bought and sold to-morrow."
+
+"That will be splendid.  You'll let me know right off?"
+
+"Yes; I'll attend to that."
+
+Conrad went home and reported to Mrs. Hamilton that the tenant had not
+paid, but would do so on Saturday.
+
+Mrs. Hamilton was a little surprised, for the Third Avenue tenant had
+never before put her off.  Something in Conrad's manner excited her
+suspicion, and she resolved the next day to call herself on Mr. Clark,
+the tenant.  He would be likely to speak of the postponement, and give
+reasons for it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV
+TURNING THE TABLES
+
+
+"Now Conrad," said Mrs. Hamilton, "will you tell me by what authority
+you send away my visitors?"
+
+"I didn't suppose you would want to see Ben," stammered Conrad.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"After what he has done?"
+
+"What has he done?"
+
+"He stole your opera glass and pawned it."
+
+"You are mistaken.  It was stolen by a different person."
+
+Conrad started uneasily, and his mother, who was not in the secret,
+looked surprised.
+
+"I know who took the opera glass," continued Mrs. Hamilton.
+
+"Who was it?" asked the housekeeper.
+
+"Your son, I regret to say."
+
+"This is a slander!" exclaimed Mrs. Hill angrily.  "Cousin Hamilton,
+that boy has deceived you."
+
+"My information did not come from Ben, if that is what you mean."
+
+"My son would be incapable of stealing," continued Mrs. Hill.
+
+"I should be glad to think so.  It can easily be settled.  Let Conrad
+go with me tomorrow to the pawnbroker from whom I recovered the glass,
+and see if he recognizes him."
+
+"He would be sure to say it was me," stammered Conrad.
+
+"At any rate he told me it was not Ben, who made no opposition to
+accompanying me."
+
+"I see there is a plot against my poor boy," said Mrs. Hill bitterly.
+
+"On the contrary, I shall be glad to believe him innocent.  But there
+is another matter that requires investigation.  Conrad, here is a
+letter which has come for you.  Are you willing I should open and read
+it?"
+
+"I don't like to show my letters," said Conrad sullenly.
+
+"The boy is right," said his mother, always ready to back up her son.
+
+"I have good reason for wishing to know the contents of the letter,"
+said Mrs. Hamilton sternly.  "I will not open it, unless Conrad
+consents, but I will call on the brokers and question them as to their
+motive in addressing it to a boy."
+
+Conrad was silent.  He saw that there was no escape for him.
+
+"Shall I read it?" asked Mrs. Hamilton.
+
+"Yes," answered Conrad feebly.
+
+The letter was opened.
+
+It ran thus:
+
+  "Mr. Conrad Hill:
+
+  "You will be kind enough to call at our office at once, and pay
+  commission due us for buying add selling fifty shares Pacific Mail.
+  The fall in the price of the stock, as we have already notified you,
+  exhausted the money you placed in our hands as margin.
+
+                             "Yours respectfully,"
+                                         "BIRD & BRANT."
+
+"I hope, Cousin Hamilton, you won't be too hard on the poor boy," said
+the housekeeper.  "He thought he would be able to replace the money."
+
+"You and Conrad have done your best to prejudice me against Ben."
+
+"You are mistaken," said the housekeeper quickly, showing some
+evidence of agitation.
+
+"I have learned that the letter which lured Ben to a gambling house
+was concocted between you.  The letter I have in my possession."
+
+"Who told you such a falsehood?  If it is Ben--"
+
+"It is not Ben, Mrs. Hill.  He is as much surprised as you are to
+learn it now.  The letter I submitted to an expert, who has positively
+identified the handwriting as yours, Mrs. Hill.  You were very
+persistent in your attempts to make me believe than Ben was addicted
+to frequenting gambling houses."
+
+"I see you are determined to believe me guilty," said Mrs. Hill.
+"Perhaps you think I know about the opera glass and this stock
+gambling?"
+
+"I have no evidence of it, but I know enough to justify me in taking a
+decisive step."
+
+Mrs. Hill listened apprehensively.
+
+"It is this: you and Conrad must leave my house.  I can no longer
+tolerate your presence here."
+
+"You send us out to starve?" said the housekeeper bitterly.
+
+"No; I will provide for you.  I will allow you fifty dollars a month
+and Conrad half as much, and you can board where you please."
+
+"While that boy usurps our place?" said Mrs. Hill bitterly.
+
+"That is a matter to be decided between Ben and myself."
+
+"We will go at once," said the housekeeper.
+
+"I don't require it.  You can stay here until you have secured a
+satisfactory boarding place."
+
+But Conrad and his mother left the house the next morning.  They saw
+that Mrs. Hamilton was no longer to be deceived, and they could gain
+nothing by staying.  There was an angry scene between the mother and
+son.
+
+"Were you mad, Conrad," said his mother, "to steal, where you were sure
+to be found out?  It is your folly that has turned Cousin Hamilton
+against us?"
+
+"No; it is that boy.  I'd like to wring his neck!"
+
+"I hope he will come to some bad end," said Mrs. Hill malignantly.
+"If he had not come to the house none of this would have happened."
+
+Meanwhile Ben and his patroness had a satisfactory conversation.
+
+"I hope you are satisfied with my management, Mrs. Hamilton?" said our
+hero.
+
+"You have done wonderfully, Ben.  Through you I am the richer by
+thirty-five thousand dollars at the very least, for the farm would
+have been dear at five thousand, whereas it was sold for forty
+thousand."
+
+"I am very glad you are satisfied."
+
+"You shall have reason to be glad.  I intend to pay you a commission
+for selling the place."
+
+"Thank you," said Ben joyfully.
+
+He thought it possible Mrs. Hamilton might give him fifty dollars, and
+this would have been very welcome.
+
+"Under the circumstances, I shall allow you an extra commission--say
+10 per cent.  How much will 10 per cent. amount to on forty
+thousand dollars?"
+
+"Four thousand," answered Ben mechanically.
+
+"Consider yourself worth fourth thousand dollars, then."
+
+"But this is too much, Mrs. Hamilton," said Ben, scarcely crediting
+his good fortune.
+
+"Then give half of it to your mother," said Mrs. Hamilton, smiling.
+
+"Now we can pay off the mortgage!" exclaimed Ben, joyfully.
+
+"What mortgage?"
+
+Ben told the story, and it aroused the lively sympathy of his
+patroness.
+
+"As soon as the purchase money is paid," she said, "you shall have you
+commission, and sooner if it is needed."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI
+A LETTER FROM ROSE GARDINER
+
+
+Ben resumed his place as the secretary and confidential clerk of Mrs.
+Hamilton.  He found his position more agreeable when Mrs. Hill and
+Conrad were fairly out of the house.  In place of the first a
+pleasant-faced German woman was engaged, and there were no more sour
+looks and sneering words.
+
+Of course Ben kept up a weekly correspondence with his mother.  He did
+not tell her the extent of his good fortune--he wished that to be a
+surprise, when the time came.  From his mother, too, he received
+weekly letters, telling him not unfrequently how she missed him,
+though she was glad he was doing so well.
+
+One day beside his mother's letter was another.  He did not know the
+handwriting, but, looking eagerly to the end, he saw the name of Rose
+Gardiner.
+
+"What would Rose say," Ben asked himself, "if she knew that I am worth
+four thousand dollars?"
+
+The money had been paid to Ben, and was deposited in four different
+savings banks, till he could decide on a better investment.  So he was
+quite sure of having more than enough to pay off the mortgage and
+redeem the cottage.
+
+"Since mother is worrying, I must write and set her mind at rest," he
+decided.
+
+He wrote accordingly, telling his mother not to feel anxious, for he
+had wealthy friends, and he felt sure, with their help, of paying off
+the mortgage.  "But don't tell anybody this," he continued, "for I
+want to give the squire and Mr. Kirk a disagreeable surprise.  I shall
+come to Pentonville two days before, and may stay a week."
+
+He had already spoken to Mrs. Hamilton about having this week as a
+vacation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII
+BEN'S VISIT TO PENTONVILLE
+
+
+On the eighteenth of December Ben arrived in Pentonville.  It was his
+first visit since he went up to New York for good.  He reached home
+without observation, and found his mother overjoyed to see him.
+
+"It has seemed a long, long time that you have been away, Ben," she
+said.
+
+"Yes, mother; but I did a good thing in going to New York."
+
+"You are looking well, Ben, and you have grown."
+
+"Yes, mother; and best of all, I have prospered.  Squire Davenport
+can't have the house!"
+
+"You don't mean to say, Ben, that you have the money to pay it off?"
+asked his mother, with eager hope.
+
+"Yes, mother; and, better still, the money is my own."
+
+"This can't be true, Ben!" she said incredulously.
+
+"Yes, but it is, though!  You are to ask me no questions until after
+the twentieth.  Then I will tell you all."
+
+"I am afraid I shall have to send you to the store, for I am out of
+groceries."
+
+A list was given, and Ben started for the store.
+
+Mr. Kirk looked up in surprise as he entered.
+
+"You're the Barclay boy, ain't you?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I thought you were in New York."
+
+"I was, but I have just got home."
+
+"Couldn't make it, go, hey?"
+
+Ben smiled, but did not answer.
+
+"I may give you something to do," said Kirk, in a patronizing tone.
+"You've been employed in this store, I believe."
+
+"Yes, I was here some months."
+
+"I'll give you two dollars a week."
+
+"Thank you," said Ben meekly, "but I shall have to take a little time
+to decide--say the rest of the week."
+
+"I suppose you want to help your mother move?"
+
+"She couldn't move alone."
+
+"Very well; you can begin next Monday."
+
+When Ben was going home, he met his old enemy, Tom Davenport.  Tom's
+eyes lighted up when he saw Ben, and he crossed the street to speak to
+him.  It may be mentioned that, though Ben had a new and stylish suit
+of clothes, he came home in the old suit he had worn away, and his
+appearance, therefore, by no means betokened prosperity.
+
+"So you're back again!" said Tom abruptly.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I always said you'd come back."
+
+"Are you going to look for something to do?"  Tom asked.
+
+"Mr. Kirk has offered me a place in the store."
+
+"How much pay?"
+
+"Two dollars a week."
+
+"You'd better take it."
+
+"I hardly think I can work at that figure," said Ben, mildly.
+
+"Kirk won't pay you any more."
+
+"I'll think of it.  By the way, Tom, call around and see me some
+time."
+
+"I hardly think I shall have time," said Tom haughtily.  "He talks as
+if I were his equal!" he said to himself.
+
+"Well, good afternoon.  Remember me to your father."
+
+Tom stared at Ben in surprise.  Really the store boy was getting very
+presumptuous he thought.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII
+CONCLUSION
+
+
+On the evening of the nineteenth of December, Ben stood on the piazza
+of the village hotel when the stage returned from the depot.  He
+examined anxiously the passengers who got out.  His eyes lighted up
+joyfully as he recognized in one the man he was looking for.
+
+"Mr. Dinsmore," he said, coming forward hastily.
+
+"You see I have kept my word," said Harvey Dinsmore, with a smile.
+
+"I feared you would not come."
+
+"I wished to see the discomfiture of our friend Squire Davenport.  So
+to-morrow is the day?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I should like to be on hand when the squire calls."
+
+"That will be at twelve o'clock.  My mother has received a note from
+him fixing that hour."
+
+"Then I will come over at half-past eleven if you will allow me."
+
+"Come; we will expect you."
+
+"And how have you fared since I saw you, my young friend?"
+
+"I have been wonderfully fortunate, but I have kept my good fortune a
+secret from all, even my mother.  It will come out to-morrow."
+
+"Your mother can feel quite at ease about the mortgage."
+
+"Yes, even if you had not come I am able to pay it."
+
+"Whew!  then you have indeed been fortunate for a boy.  I suppose you
+borrowed the money?"
+
+"No; I earned it."
+
+"Evidently you were born to succeed.  Will you take supper with me?"
+
+"Thank you.  Mother will expect me at home."
+
+At half-past eleven the next forenoon the stranger called at door of
+Mrs. Barclay.  He was admitted by Ben.
+
+"Mother," said Ben, "this is Mr. Harvey Dinsmore."
+
+"I believe we have met before," said Dinsmore, smiling.  "I fear my
+first visit was not welcome.  To-day I come in more respectable guise
+and as a friend."
+
+"You are welcome, sir," said the widow courteously.  "I am glad to see
+you.  I should hardly have known you."
+
+"I take that as a compliment.  I am a tramp no longer, but a
+respectable and, I may add, well-to-do citizen.  Now I have a favor to
+ask."
+
+"Name it, sir."
+
+"Place me, if convenient, where I can hear the interview between Mr.
+Davenport and yourself without myself being seen."
+
+Ben conducted Dinsmore into the kitchen opening out of the sitting
+room, and gave him a chair.
+
+At five minute to twelve there was a knock at the outer door, and Ben
+admitted Squire Davenport.
+
+"So you are home again, Benjamin," said the squire.  "Had enough of the
+city?"
+
+"I am taking a vacation.  I thought mother would need me to-day."
+
+"She will--to help her move."
+
+"Step in, sir."
+
+Squire Davenport, with the air of a master, followed Ben into the
+sitting room.  Mrs. Barclay sat quietly at the table with her sewing
+in hand.
+
+"Good-day, widow," said the squire patronizingly.
+
+He was rather surprised at her quiet, unruffled, demeanor.  He
+expected to find her tearful and sad.
+
+"Good-day, Squire Davenport," she said quietly.  "Is your family
+well?"
+
+"Zounds!  she takes it coolly," thought the squire.
+
+"Very well," he said dryly.  "I suppose you know my business?"
+
+"You come about the mortgage?"
+
+"Yes; have you decided where to move?"
+
+"My mother does not propose to move," said Ben calmly.
+
+"Oho!  that's your opinion, is it?  I apprehend it is not for you to
+say."
+
+"That's where we differ.  We intend to stay."
+
+"Without consulting me, eh?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You are impudent, boy!" said the squire, waxing wrathful.  "I shall
+give you just three days to find another home, though I could force
+you to leave at once."
+
+"This house belongs to my mother."
+
+"You are mistaken.  It belongs to me."
+
+"When did you buy it?"
+
+"You are talking foolishly.  I hold a mortgage for seven hundred
+dollars on the property, and you can't pay it.  I am willing to cancel
+the mortgage and pay your mother three hundred dollars cash for the
+place."
+
+"It is worth a good deal more."
+
+"Who will pay more?" demanded the quire, throwing himself back in his
+chair.
+
+"I will," answered Ben.
+
+"Ho, ho!  that's a good joke," said the squire.  "Why, you are not
+worth five dollars in the world."
+
+"It doesn't matter whether I am or not.  My mother won't sell."
+
+"Then pay the mortgage," said the squire angrily.
+
+"I am prepared to do so.  Have you a release with you?"
+
+Squire Davenport stared at Ben in amazement.
+
+"Enough of this folly!" he said sternly.  I am not in the humor for
+jokes."
+
+"Squire Davenport, I am not joking.  I have here money enough to pay
+the mortgage," and Ben drew from his pocket a thick roll of bills.
+
+"Where did you get that money?" asked Squire Davenport, in evident
+discomfiture.
+
+"I don't think it necessary to answer that question; but there is
+another matter I wish to speak to you about.  When will you be ready
+to pay the sum you owe my father's estate?"
+
+Squire Davenport started violently.
+
+"What do you mean?" he demanded hoarsely.
+
+Harvey Dinsmore entered the room from the kitchen at that point.
+
+"I will answer that question," he said.  "Ben refers to a note for a
+thousand dollars signed by you, which was found on his father's person
+at the time of his death."
+
+"No such note is in existence," said the squire triumphantly.  He
+remembered that he had burned it.
+
+"You are mistaken.  That note you burned was only a copy!  I have the
+original with me."
+
+"You treacherous rascal!" exclaimed the squire, in great excitement.
+
+"When I have dealings with a knave I am not very scrupulous," said
+Dinsmore coolly.
+
+"I won't pay the note you have trumped up.  This is a conspiracy."
+
+"Then," said Ben, "the note will be placed in the hands of a lawyer."
+
+"This is a conspiracy to prevent my foreclosing the mortgage.  But it
+won't work," said the squire angrily.
+
+"There you are mistaken.  I will pay the mortgage now in the presence
+of Mr. Dinsmore, and let the other matter be settled hereafter.
+Please prepare the necessary papers."
+
+Suddenly the squire did as requested.  The money was paid over, and
+Ben, turning to his mother, said:
+
+"Mother, the house is ours once more without incumbrance."
+
+"Thank God!" ejaculated the widow.
+
+"Mr. Dinsmore," said Squire Davenport, when the business was
+concluded, "may I have a private word with you?  Please accompany me
+to my house."
+
+"As you please, sir."
+
+When they emerged into the street Squire Davenport said:
+
+"Of course this is all a humbug.  You can't have the original with
+you?"
+
+"But I have, sir.  You should have looked more closely at the one you
+burned."
+
+"Can't we compromise this matter?" asked the squire, in an insinuating
+tone.
+
+"No sir," said Dinsmore with emphasis.  "I have got through with
+rascality.  You can't tempt me.  If I were as hard up as when I called
+upon you before, I might not be able to resist you; but I am worth
+over ten thousand dollars, and--"
+
+"Have you broken into a bank?" asked Squire Davenport, with a sneer.
+
+"I have come into a legacy.  To cut matters short, it will be for your
+interest to pay this claim, and not allow the story to be made known.
+It would damage your reputation."
+
+In the end this was what the squire was forced very unwillingly to do.
+The amount he had to pay to the estate of the man whose family he had
+sought to defraud was nearly fifteen hundred dollars.  This, added to
+Ben's four thousand, made the family very comfortable.  Mr. Kirk was
+compelled to look elsewhere for a house.  No one was more chagrined at
+the unexpected issue of the affair than Tom Davenport, whose mean and
+jealous disposition made more intense his hatred of Ben.
+
+
+
+*       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+Several years have elapsed.  Ben is in the office of a real estate
+lawyer in New York, as junior partner.  All Mrs. Hamilton's business
+is in his hands, and it is generally thought that he will receive a
+handsome legacy from her eventually.  Mrs. Barclay prefers to live in
+Pentonville, but Ben often visits her.  Whenever he goes to
+Pentonville he never fails to call on Rose Gardiner, now a beautiful
+young lady of marriageable age.  She has lost none of her partiality
+for Ben, and it is generally understood that they are engaged.  I have
+reason to think that the rumor is correct and that Rose will change
+her name to Barclay within a year.  Nothing could be more agreeable to
+Mrs. Barclay, who has long looked upon Rose as a daughter.
+
+Tom Davenport is now in the city, but his course is far from
+creditable.  His father has more than once been compelled to pay his
+debts, and has angrily refused to do so again.  In fact, he has lost a
+large part of his once handsome fortune, and bids fair to close his
+life in penury.  Success has come to Ben because he deserved it, and
+well-merited retribution to Tom Davenport.  Harvey Dinsmore, once
+given over to evil courses, has redeemed himself, and is a reputable
+business man in New York.  Mrs. Hamilton still lives, happy in the
+success of her protege.  Conrad and his mother have tried more than
+once to regain their positions in her household, but in vain.  None of
+my young readers will pity them.  They are fully rewarded for their
+treachery.
+
+
+
+Transcriber's comments:
+Typographical errors have been left as in the original book.  Specifically,
+    meaness, companoin's, housekeper
+
+Repeated or incorrect words have been left as in the original book.
+For example
+    how do do, turn to looked, worth fourth thousand
+
+In a couble of places, the original material is illegible.  This is
+marked in the text.
+
+Occassional missing quote marks have been fixed.
+
+Accented characters have been replaced with plain ones in matinee
+and protege.
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10724 ***