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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/31065-8.txt b/31065-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9d4a5a4 --- /dev/null +++ b/31065-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7043 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Try Again, by Oliver Optic + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Try Again + or, the Trials and Triumphs of Harry West. A Story for Young Folks + + +Author: Oliver Optic + + + +Release Date: January 24, 2010 [eBook #31065] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TRY AGAIN*** + + +E-text prepared by Sankar Viswanathan, Juliet Sutherland, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 31065-h.htm or 31065-h.zip: + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/31065/31065-h/31065-h.htm) + or + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/31065/31065-h.zip) + + +Transcriber's note: + + The Table of Contents, not in the original book, has been + added for the convenience of the reader. + + + + + +TRY AGAIN + +Or + +The Trials and Triumphs of Harry West + +A Story for Young Folks + +by + +OLIVER OPTIC + +Author of +"The Boat Club," "All Aboard," "Poor and Proud," +"Hope and Have," "Now or Never," Etc. + + + + + + + +[Illustration: "Harry was Startled by the Discovery of +a Bright Light."] + + + +New York +The New York Book Company +1911 + + + +Contents + +Chapter Page + BIOGRAPHY AND BIBLIOGRAPHY 4 + I IN WHICH HARRY WEST AND SQUIRE WALKER DISAGREE ON AN + IMPORTANT POINT 5 + II IN WHICH HARRY FINDS A FRIEND, AND A PRACTICABLE + SCHEME FOR RESISTANCE 11 + III IN WHICH HARRY LEAVES THE POORHOUSE, AND TAKES TO + THE RIVER 19 + IV IN WHICH IT IS SHOWN THAT THE NAVIGATION OF THE + RIVER IS DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS 26 + V IN WHICH HARRY FIGHTS A HARD BATTLE, AND IS + DEFEATED 33 + VI IN WHICH HARRY CONCLUDES THAT A DEFEAT IS SOMETIMES + BETTER THAN A VICTORY 41 + VII IN WHICH HARRY FINDS HIMSELF IN A TIGHT PLACE AND + EXECUTES A COUNTER MOVEMENT 48 + VIII IN WHICH HARRY KILLS A BIG SNAKE, AND MAKES A NEW + FRIEND 55 + IX IN WHICH HARRY BREAKFASTS ON DOUGHNUTS, AND FINDS + THAT ANGELS DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE WINGS 62 + X IN WHICH HARRY FARES SUMPTUOUSLY, AND TAKES LEAVE + OF THE LITTLE ANGEL 69 + XI IN WHICH HARRY REACHES THE CITY, AND THOUGH OFTEN + DISAPPOINTED, TRIES AGAIN 76 + XII IN WHICH HARRY SUDDENLY GETS RICH AND HAS A + CONVERSATION WITH ANOTHER HARRY 83 + XIII IN WHICH HARRY BECOMES A STABLE BOY, AND HEARS + BAD NEWS FROM ROCKVILLE 90 + XIV IN WHICH HARRY DOES A GOOD DEED, AND DETERMINES + TO "FACE THE MUSIC" 97 + XV IN WHICH HARRY MAKES THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A VERY + IMPORTANT PERSONAGE 104 + XVI IN WHICH HARRY GOES INTO THE DRYGOODS BUSINESS 111 + XVII IN WHICH HARRY REVISITS ROCKVILLE, AND MEETS WITH + A SERIOUS LOSS 117 + XVIII IN WHICH HARRY MEETS WITH AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE AND + GETS A HARD KNOCK ON THE HEAD 124 + XIX IN WHICH HARRY FINDS THAT EVEN A BROKEN HEAD MAY + BE OF SOME USE TO A PERSON 131 + XX IN WHICH HARRY PASSES THROUGH HIS SEVEREST TRIAL, + AND ACHIEVES HIS GREATEST TRIUMPH 137 + XXI IN WHICH HARRY IS VERY PLEASANTLY SITUATED, AND + THE STORY COMES TO AN END 147 + + + + +BIOGRAPHY AND BIBLIOGRAPHY + + +William Taylor Adams, American author, better known and loved by boys +and girls through his pseudonym "Oliver Optic," was born July 30, +1822, in the town of Medway, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, about +twenty-five miles from Boston. For twenty years he was a teacher in +the Public Schools of Boston, where he came in close contact with boy +life. These twenty years taught him how to reach the boy's heart and +interest as the popularity of his books attest. + +His story writing began in 1850 when he was twenty-eight years old and +his first book was published in 1853. He also edited "The Oliver Optic +Magazine," "The Student and Schoolmate," "Our Little Ones." + +Mr. Adams died at the age of seventy-five years, in Boston, March 27, +1897. + +He was a prolific writer and his stories are most attractive and +unobjectionable. Most of his books were published in series. Probably +the most famous of these is "The Boat Club Series" which comprises the +following titles: + +"The Boat Club," "All Aboard," "Now or Never," "Try Again," "Poor and +Proud," "Little by Little." All of these titles will be found in this +edition. + +Other well-known series are his "Soldier Boy Series," "Sailor Boy +Series," "Woodville Stories." The "Woodville Stories" will also be +found in this edition. + + + + +TRY AGAIN + +CHAPTER I + +IN WHICH HARRY WEST AND SQUIRE WALKER DISAGREE ON AN IMPORTANT POINT + + +"Boy, come here!" + +Squire Walker was a very pompous man; one of the most notable persons +in the little town of Redfield, which, the inquiring young reader will +need to be informed, as it is not laid down on any map of +Massachusetts that I am acquainted with, is situated thirty-one miles +southwest of Boston. + +I am not aware that Redfield was noted for anything in particular, +unless it was noted for Squire Walker, as Mount Vernon was noted for +Washington, and Monticello for Jefferson. No doubt the squire thought +he was as great a man as either of these, and that the world was +strangely stupid because it did not find out how great a man he really +was. It was his misfortune that he was born in the midst of stirring +times, when great energy, great genius, and the most determined +patriotism are understood and appreciated. + +Squire Walker, then, was a great man--in his own estimation. It is +true, the rest of the world, including many of the people of Redfield, +had not found it out; but, as the matter concerned himself more nearly +than any one else, he seemed to be resigned to the circumstances of +his lot. He had represented the town in the legislature of the state, +was a member of the school committee, one of the selectmen, and an +overseer of the poor. Some men would have considered all these offices +as glory enough for a lifetime; and I dare say the squire would have +been satisfied, if he had not been ambitious to become one of the +county commissioners. + +The squire had a very high and proper regard for his own dignity. It +was not only his duty to be a great man, but to impress other people, +especially paupers and children, with a just sense of his importance. +Consequently, when he visited the poorhouse, he always spoke in the +imperative mood. It was not becoming a man of his magnificent +pretensions to speak gently and kindly to the unfortunate, the +friendless, and the forsaken; and the men and women hated him, and the +children feared him, as much as they would have feared a roaring lion. + +"Boy, come here!" said Squire Walker, as he raised his arm +majestically towards a youth who was picking up "windfalls" under the +apple trees in front of the poorhouse. + +The boy was dressed in a suit of blue cotton clothes, extensively, but +not very skillfully patched. At last two-thirds of the brim of his old +straw hat was gone, leaving nothing but a snarly fringe of straws to +protect his face from the heat of the sun. But this was the least of +the boy's trials. Sun or rain, heat or cold, were all the same to him, +if he only got enough to eat, and time enough to sleep. + +He straightened his back when Squire Walker spoke to him, and stood +gazing with evident astonishment that the distinguished gentleman +should condescend to speak to him. + +"Come here, you sir! Do you hear?" continued Squire Walker, upon whom +the boy's look of wonder and perturbation was not wholly lost. + +"This way, Harry," added Mr. Nason, the keeper of the poorhouse, who +was doing the honors of the occasion to the representative of the +people of Redfield. + +Harry West was evidently a modest youth, and appeared to be averse to +pushing himself irreverently into the presence of a man whom his vivid +imagination classed with Alexander the Great and Julius Cæsar, whose +great deeds he had read about in the spelling book. + +Harry slowly sidled along till he came within about a rod of the great +man, where he paused, apparently too much overawed to proceed any +farther. + +"Come here, I say," repeated Squire Walker. "Why don't you take your +hat off, and make your manners?" + +Harry took his hat off, and made his manners, not very gracefully, it +is true; but considering the boy's perturbation, the squire was +graciously pleased to let his "manners" pass muster. + +"How old are you, boy?" asked the overseer. + +"Most twelve," replied Harry, with deference. + +"High time you were put to work." + +"I do work," answered Harry. + +"Not much; you look as fat and lazy as one of my fat hogs." + +Mr. Nason ventured to suggest that Harry was a smart, active boy, +willing to work, and that he more than paid his keeping by the labor +he performed in the field, and the chores he did about the house--an +interference which the squire silently rebuked, by turning up his nose +at the keeper. + +"I do all they want me to do," added the boy, whose tongue seemed to +grow wonderfully glib under the gratuitous censure of the notable +gentleman. + +"Don't be saucy, Master West." + +"Bless you, squire! Harry never spoke a saucy word in his life," +interposed the friendly keeper. + +"He should know his place, and learn how to treat his superiors. You +give these boys too much meat, Mr. Nason. They can't bear it. Mush and +molasses is the best thing in the world for them." + +If any one had looked closely at Harry while the functionary was +delivering himself of this speech, he might have seen his eye snap and +his chest heave with indignation. He had evidently conquered his +timidity, and, maugre his youth, was disposed to stand forth and say, +"I, too, am a man." His head was erect, and he gazed unflinchingly +into the eye of the squire. + +"Boy," said the great man, who did not like to have a pauper boy look +him in the eye without trembling--"boy, I have got a place for you, +and the sooner you are sent to it, the better it will be for you and +for the town." + +"Where is it, sir?" + +"Where is it? What is that to you, you young puppy?" growled the +squire, shocked at the boy's presumption in daring to question him. + +"If I am going to a place, I would like to know where it is," replied +Harry. + +"You will go where you are sent!" roared the squire. + +"I suppose I must; but I should like to know where." + +"Well, then, you shall know," added the overseer maliciously; for he +had good reason to know that the intelligence would give the boy the +greatest pain he could possibly inflict. "You are going to Jacob +Wire's." + +"Where, sir?" asked the keeper, looking at the squire with +astonishment and indignation. + +"To Jacob Wire's," repeated the overseer. + +"Jacob Wire's!" exclaimed Mr. Nason. + +"I said so." + +"Do you think that will be a good place for the boy?" asked the +keeper, trying to smile to cover the indignation that was boiling in +his bosom. + +"Certainly I do." + +"Excuse me, Squire Walker, but I don't." + +The overseer stood aghast. Such a reply was little better than +rebellion in one of the town's servants, and his blood boiled at such +unheard-of plainness of speech to him, late representative to the +general court, member of the school committee, one of the selectmen, +and an overseer of the poor. + +Besides, there was another reason why the temerity of the keeper was +peculiarly aggravated. Jacob Wire was the squire's brother-in-law; and +though the squire despised him quite as much and as heartily as the +rest of the people of Redfield, it was not fitting that any of his +connections should be assailed by another. It was not so much the +fact, as the source from which it came, that was objectionable. + +"How dare you speak to me in that manner, Mr. Nason?" exclaimed the +squire. "Do you know who I am?" + +Mr. Nason did know who he was, but at that moment, and under those +circumstances, he so far forgot himself as to inform the important +functionary that he didn't care who he was; Jacob Wire's was not a fit +place for a heathen, much less a Christian. + +"What do you mean, sir?" gasped the overseer in his rage. + +"I mean just what I say, Squire Walker. Jacob Wire is the meanest man +in the county. He half starves his wife and children; and no hired man +ever stayed there more than a week--he always starved them out in that +time." + +"If you please, sir, I would rather not go to Mr. Wire's," put in +Harry, to whom the county jail seemed a more preferable place. + +"There, shut up! I say you shall go there!" replied the squire. + +"Really, squire, this is too bad. You know Wire as well as any man in +town, and--" + +"Not another word, Mr. Nason! Have the boy ready to go to Jacob Wire's +to-morrow!" and the overseer, not very well satisfied with the +interview, hastened away to avoid further argument upon so delicate a +topic. + +Harry stood watching the retreating form of the great man of Redfield. +The mandate he had spoken was the knell of hope to him. It made the +future black and desolate. As he gazed the tears flooded his eyes, and +his feelings completely overcame him. + +"Don't cry, Harry," said the kind-hearted keeper, taking him by the +hand. + +"I can't help it," sobbed Harry. "He will whip me, and starve me to +death. Don't let him put me there." + +"I don't know as I can help it, Harry." + +"I am willing to work, and work hard, too; but I don't want to be +starved to death." + +"I will do what I can for you; but the other overseers do pretty much +as Squire Walker tells them to do." + +"I can't go to Jacob Wire's," burst from Harry's lips, as he seated +himself on a rock, and gave way to the violence of his emotions. + +"I will see the other overseers; don't cry, Harry. Hope for the best." + +"No use of hoping against such a man as Jacob Wire. If he don't starve +me, he will work me to death. I would rather die than go there." + +"Well, well; don't take on so. Perhaps something can be done." + +"Something shall be done," added the boy, as he rose from his seat, +with an air of determination in keeping with the strong words he +uttered. + +The keeper's presence was required in the barn, and he left Harry +musing and very unhappy about his future prospects. The thought of +becoming a member of Jacob Wire's family was not to be entertained. +The boy was a pauper, and had been brought up at the expense of the +town; but he seemed to feel that, though fortune and friends had +forsaken him, he was still a member of the great human family. + +Jacob Wire, with whom it was proposed to apprentice him, had the +reputation of being a hard master. He loved money, and did not love +anything else. His heart was barren of affection, as his soul was of +good principles; and though he did not literally starve his family and +his help, he fed them upon the poorest and meanest fare that would +support human life. The paupers in the poorhouse lived sumptuously, +compared with those who gathered around the board of Jacob Wire. + +The keeper knew this from experience, for years ago, before he had +been appointed to his present situation, he had worked for Wire; and +age and prosperity had not improved him. The more he got, the more he +wanted; the fuller his barn and storehouse, the more stingy he became +to those who were dependent upon him. + +Harry West was a good boy, and a great favorite with the keeper of the +poorhouse. He was always good-natured, willing to work, and never +grumbled about his food. He was not only willing to take care of the +baby washing days, but seemed to derive pleasure from the occupation. +For all these reasons, Mr. Nason liked Harry, and had a deep interest +in his welfare; something more than a merely selfish interest, for he +had suggested to the overseers the propriety of binding him out to +learn some good trade. + +Harry was sad and disheartened; but he had unlimited confidence in the +keeper, and felt sure that he would protect him from such a calamity +as being sent to Jacob Wire's. After he had carried the windfalls into +the shed, he asked Mr. Nason if he might go down to the river for a +little while. The permission given, he jumped over the cow yard wall, +and with his eyes fixed in deep thought upon the ground, made his way +over the hill to Pine Pleasant, as the beautiful grove by the river's +side was called. + +The grove extended to the brink of the stream, which in this place +widened into a pond. Near the shore was a large flat rock, which was +connected with the mainland by a log, for the convenience of anglers +and bathers. This was a favorite spot with Harry; and upon the rock he +seated himself, to sigh over the hard lot which was in store for him. +It was not a good way to contend with the trials to which all are +subjected; but he had not yet learned that sorrow and adversity are as +necessary for man as joy and prosperity. Besides, it was a turning +point in his life, and it seemed to him that Jacob Wire's house would +be the tomb of all his hopes. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +IN WHICH HARRY FINDS A FRIEND, AND A PRACTICABLE SCHEME FOR RESISTANCE + + +My young readers will probably desire to know something about Harry's +"antecedents"; and while the poor fellow is mourning over the hard +lot which Squire Walker has marked out for him, we will briefly review +his previous history. + +Unlike the heroes of modern novels and romances, Harry did not belong +to an ancient, or even a very respectable family. We need not trace +his genealogy for any considerable period, and I am not sure that the +old records would throw much light on the subject if we should attempt +to do so. The accident of birth in our republican land is a matter of +very little consequence; therefore we shall only go back to Harry's +father, who was a carpenter by trade, but had a greater passion for +New England rum than for chisels and foreplanes. + +The bane of New England was the bane of Franklin West; for he was a +kind-hearted man, a good husband and a good father, before he was +deformed by the use of liquor. He made good wages, and supported his +little family for several years; but the vile habit grew upon him to +such a degree that the people of Redfield lost all confidence in him. +As his business decreased, his besetting vice increased upon him, till +he was nothing but the wreck of the man he had once been. Poverty had +come, and want stared him in the face. + +While everybody was wondering what would become of Franklin West, he +suddenly disappeared, and no one could form an idea of what had become +of him. People thought it was no great matter. He was only a nuisance +to himself and his family. Mrs. West was shocked by this sudden and +mysterious disappearance. He was her husband, and the father of her +children, and it was not strange that she wept, and even hoped that he +would come back. The neighbors comforted her, and put her in the way +of supporting herself and the children, so that she was very soon +reconciled to the event. + +When West had been gone a month, his wife received a letter from him, +informing her that he had determined to stop drinking, and be a man +again. He could not keep sober in Redfield, among his old companions, +and he was at work in Providence till he could get money enough to +pay his expenses to Valparaiso, in South America, where a lucrative +place awaited him. He hoped his wife would manage to get along for a +few months, when he should be able to send her some money. + +Mrs. West was easy again. Her husband was not dead, was not drowned in +the river, or lost in the woods; and her heart was cheered by the +prospects of future plenty, which the letter pointed out to her. + +A year passed by, and nothing more was heard from Franklin West. The +poor, forsaken wife had a hard time to support her little family. The +most constant and severe toil enabled her to pinch her way along; but +it was a bitter trial. She had no relations to help her; and though +the neighbors were as kind as neighbors could be, life was a hard +struggle. + +Then the baby sickened and died. This bereavement seemed to unnerve +and discourage her, and though there was one mouth less to feed, her +strength failed her, and she was unequal to the task. Care and sorrow +did their work upon her, and though people said she died of +consumption, Heaven knew she died of a broken heart and disappointed +hopes. + +Harry was four years old when this sad event left him alone in the +world. There was none willing to assume the burden of bringing up the +lonely little pilgrim, and he was sent to the poorhouse. It was a hard +fate for the tender child to be removed from the endearments of a +mother's love, and placed in the cheerless asylum which public charity +provides for the poor and the friendless. + +The child was only four years old; but he missed the fond kiss and the +loving caresses of his devoted mother. They were kind to him there, +but it was not home, and his heart could not but yearn for those +treasures of affection which glittered for him only in the heart of +his mother. There was an aching void, and though he could not +understand or appreciate his loss, it was none the less painful. + +He was a favorite child, not only with the old paupers, but with the +keeper and his family; and this circumstance undoubtedly softened the +asperities of his lot. As soon as he was old enough, he was required +to work as much as the keeper thought his strength would bear. He was +very handy about the house and barn, more so than boys usually are; +and Mr. Nason declared that, for the three years before it was +proposed to send him away, he had more than earned his board and +clothes. + +He had been at school four winters, and the schoolmasters were +unanimous in their praise. He was a smart scholar, but a little +disposed to be roguish. + +The moral discipline of the poorhouse was not of the most salutary +character. Mr. Nason, though a generous and kind-hearted man, was not +as exemplary in his daily life as might have been desired. Besides, +one or two of the old paupers were rather corrupt in their manners and +morals, and were not fit companions for a young immortal, whose mind, +like plastic clay, was impressible to the forming power. + +The poorhouse was not a good place for the boy, and the wonder is that +Harry, at twelve years of age, was not worse than we find him. He had +learned to love Mr. Nason, as he had learned to fear and to hate +Squire Walker. The latter seemed to have absolute power at the +poorhouse, and to be lord and master in Redfield. But when the +overseer proposed to place the boy in the family of a man whom even +the paupers looked down upon and despised, his soul rebelled even +against the mandate of the powerful magnate of the town. + +Harry turned the matter over and over in his mind as he sat upon the +rock at Pine Pleasant. At first he tried to reconcile the idea of +living with Jacob Wire; but it was a fruitless effort. The poorhouse +seemed like a paradise to such a fate. + +Then he considered the possibility and the practicability of resisting +the commands of Squire Walker. He could not obtain much satisfaction +from either view of the difficult problem, and as a happy resort under +the trials of the moment, he began to console himself with the +reflection that Mr. Nason might prevail with the overseers, and save +him from his doom. + +He had not much hope from this direction, and while he was turning +again to the question of resistance, he heard footsteps in the grove. +He did not feel like seeing any person and wished he could get out of +sight; but there was no retreating without being observed, so he lay +down upon the rock to wait till the intruder had passed. + +The person approaching did not purpose to let him off so easily; and +when Harry heard his step on the log he raised himself up. + +"Hallo, Harry! What are you doing here? Taking a nap?" + +It was Ben Smart, a boy of fourteen, who lived near the poorhouse. +Ben's reputation in Redfield was not A, No. 1; in fact, he had been +solemnly and publicly expelled from the district school only three +days before by Squire Walker, because the mistress could not manage +him. His father was the village blacksmith, and as he had nothing for +him to do--not particularly for the boy's benefit--he kept him at +school all the year round. + +"O, is that you, Ben?" replied Harry, more for the sake of being civil +than because he wished to speak to the other. + +"What are you doing here?" asked Ben, who evidently did not understand +how a boy could be there alone, unless he was occupied about +something. + +"Nothing." + +"Been in the water?" + +"No." + +"Fishing?" + +"No." + +Ben was nonplussed. He suspected that Harry had been engaged in some +mysterious occupation, which he desired to conceal from him. + +"How long have you been here?" continued Ben, persistently. + +"About half an hour." + +Ben stopped to think. He could make nothing of it. It was worse than +the double rule of three, which he conscientiously believed had been +invented on purpose to bother school boys. + +"You are up to some trick, I know. Tell me what you come down here +for." + +"Didn't come for anything." + +"What is the use of telling that. No feller would come clear down here +for nothing." + +"I came down to think, then, if you must know," answered Harry, rather +testily. + +"To think! Well, that is a good one! Ain't the poor-farm big enough to +do your thinking on?" + +"I chose to come down here." + +"Humph! You've got the blues, Harry. I should think old Walker had +been afoul of you, by your looks." + +Harry looked up suddenly, and wondered if Ben knew what had happened. + +"I should like to have the old rascal down here for half an hour. I +should like to souse him into the river, and hold his head under till +he begged my pardon," continued Ben. + +"So should I," added Harry. + +"Should you? You are a good feller, then! I mean to pay him off for +what he did for me the other day. I wouldn't minded being turned out +of school. I rather liked the idea; but the old muttonhead got me up +before all the school, and read me such a lecture! He thinks there +isn't anybody in the world but him." + +"The lecture didn't hurt you," suggested Harry. + +"No; it didn't. But that warn't the worst of it." + +"What else?" + +"My father give me a confounded licking when I got home. I haven't +done smarting yet. But I will pay 'em for it all." + +"You mean Squire Walker." + +"And the old man, too." + +"If I only had a father, I wouldn't mind letting him lick me now and +then," replied Harry, to whom home seemed a paradise, though he had +never understood it; and a father and mother, though coarse and +brutal, his imagination pictured as angels. + +"My father would learn you better than that in a few days," said Ben, +who did not appreciate his parents, especially when they held the rod. + +Harry relapsed into musing again. He thought how happy he should have +been in Ben's place. A home, a father, a mother! We value most what we +have not; and if the pauper boy could have had the blessings which +crowned his reckless companion's lot, it seemed as though he would +have been contented and happy. His condescension in regard to the +flogging now and then was a sincere expression of feeling. + +"What's old Walker been doing to you, Harry?" asked Ben, suspecting +the cause of the other's gloom. + +"He is going to send me to Jacob Wire's to live." + +"Whew! That is a good one! To die, you mean; Harry, I wouldn't stand +that." + +"I don't mean to." + +"That's right; I like your spunk. What do you mean to do?" + +Harry was not prepared to answer this question. He possessed a certain +degree of prudence, and though it was easy to declare war against so +powerful an enemy as Squire Walker, it was not so easy to carry on the +war after it was declared. The overseer was a bigger man to him than +the ogre in "Puss in Boots." Probably his imagination largely +magnified the grandeur of the squire's position, and indefinitely +multiplied the resources at his command. + +"What do you mean to do?" repeated Ben, who for some reason or other +took a deep interest in Harry's affairs. + +"I don't know. I would rather die than go; but I don't know how I can +help myself," answered the poor boy, gloomily. + +"I do." + +Harry looked up with interest and surprise. Ben sympathized with him +in his trials, and his heart warmed towards him. + +"What, Ben?" + +"I daresn't tell you now," replied Ben after a short pause. + +"Why not?" + +"Can you keep a secret?" + +"Of course I can. Did I ever blow on you?" + +"No, you never did, Harry. You are a first rate feller, and I like +you. But you see, if you should blow on me now, you would spoil my +kettle of fish, and your own, too." + +"But I won't, Ben." + +"Promise me solemnly." + +"Solemnly," repeated Harry. + +"Well, then, I will get you out of the scrape as nice as a cotton +hat." + +"How?" + +"I guess I won't tell you now; but if you will come down here to-night +at eleven o'clock I will let you into the whole thing." + +"Eleven o'clock! I can't come at that time. We all go to bed at eight +o'clock." + +"Get up and come." + +"I can do that; but perhaps Mr. Nason will persuade the overseers not +to send me to Jacob Wire's." + +"I'm glad I didn't tell you, then. But promise me this, Harry: that, +whatever happens, you'll hold your tongue." + +"I will, Ben." + +"And if Nason don't get you off, be here at eleven o'clock. Put on +your best clothes, and take everything you want with you." + +"Going to run away?" + +"I didn't say so." + +Ben made him promise again to be secret, and they separated. Harry had +an idea of what his companion intended, and the scheme solved all his +doubts. It was a practicable scheme of resistance, and he returned to +the poorhouse, no longer fearful of the impending calamity. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +IN WHICH HARRY LEAVES THE POORHOUSE, AND TAKES TO THE RIVER + + +When Harry reached the poorhouse, Mr. Nason was absent, and one of the +paupers told him that he had taken the horse and wagon. He conjectured +that the keeper had gone to see the other overseers, to intercede with +them in his behalf. He did not feel as much interest in the mission as +he had felt two hours before, for Ben Stuart had provided a remedy for +his grievances, which he had fully decided to adopt. + +It was nearly sunset before Mr. Nason returned; and when he came his +looks did not seem to indicate a favorable issue. Harry helped him +unharness the horse, and as he led him into the barn the keeper opened +the subject. + +"I have been to see the other overseers, Harry," he began, in tones +which seemed to promise nothing hopeful. + +"I thought likely you had gone." + +"As I supposed, they are all afraid of Squire Walker. They daresn't +say their souls are their own." + +"Then I must go to Jacob Wire's." + +"The other overseers declare, if the squire says so, you must." + +"It is a hard case, Mr. Nason," replied Harry, not much disappointed +at the result. + +"I know it is, Harry. Perhaps you might try the place, and then, if +you found you couldn't stand it we might make another trial to get you +off." + +"I don't want to go there, anyhow. I should like to help duck the +squire in the horse pond." + +"Well, Harry, I have done all I can for you," continued Mr. Nason, +seating himself on a keg on the barn floor. "I wish I could help you." + +"You have been very good to me, Mr. Nason. I shall always remember you +as the best friend I ever had," replied Harry, the tears streaming +down his sun-browned cheeks. + +"Never mind that, Harry; don't cry." + +"I can't help it; you have been so good to me, that I hate to leave +you," blubbered Harry. + +"I am sorry you must leave us; we shall miss you about the place, and +I wish it was so that you could stay. But what makes it ten times +worse is the idea of your going to Jacob Wire's." + +"Mr. Nason," said Harry, dashing down his tears, and looking earnestly +at the keeper, "I have made up my mind that I won't go to Wire's +anyhow." + +"I don't blame you; but I don't see how you can fight the squire. He +carries too many guns for you, or for me, either, for that matter. I +have been thinking of something, Harry, though I suppose, if I should +speak it out loud, it would be as much as my place here is worth." + +"I have been thinking of something, too," continued Harry, with a good +deal of emphasis. + +"What?" + +"I can't tell even you." + +Mr. Nason, sympathizing deeply with his young friend, did not attempt +to obtain any knowledge whose possession might be inconvenient to him. +He was disposed to help the boy escape the fate in store for him; but +at the same time, having a family to support, he did not wish to lose +his situation, though, if the emergency had demanded it, he would +probably have been willing to make even this sacrifice. + +"I was thinking, Harry, how astonished the squire would be, when he +comes over in the morning to take you to Jacob Wire's, if he should +not happen to find you here." + +"I dare say he would," answered Harry, with a meaning smile. + +"By the way, have you heard from Charles Smith lately? You know he +went to Boston last spring, and they say he has got a place, and is +doing first rate there." + +The keeper smiled as he spoke, and Harry understood him as well as +though he had spoken out the real thought that was in his mind. + +"I suppose others might do as he has done." + +"No doubt of it." + +Mr. Nason took from his pocket the large shot bag purse, in which he +kept his change, and picked out four quarters. + +"Here, Harry, take these; when you get over to Wire's, money will keep +you from starving. It will almost anywhere, for that matter." + +"How good you are!" exclaimed Harry, as he took the four quarters. +"You have been a father to me, and one of these days I shall be able +to pay you this money back again." + +"Don't trouble yourself about that. Keep it; and I wish I had a +hundred times as much to give you." + +"I shall never forget you, Mr. Nason. I shall be a man one of these +days, and we shall meet again." + +The supper bell rang, and they separated. Harry felt the spirit of a +man stirring within him. He felt that the world had cast him off, and +refused him a home, even in the poorhouse. He was determined to push +his way through life like a hero, and he nerved himself to meet +whatever hardships and trials might be apportioned to him. + +After supper he went to his room, gathered up the few articles of +clothing which constituted his wardrobe, and tying them up in a +bundle, concealed them in a hollow stump back of the barn. + +At eight o'clock he went to bed as usual. He felt no desire to sleep, +and would not have dared to do so if he had. He heard the old kitchen +clock strike ten. The house was still, for all had long ago retired to +their rest, and he could hear the sonorous snores of the paupers in +the adjoining rooms. His heart beat quick with anxiety. It was a +novel position in which he found himself. He had been accustomed to do +everything fairly and "above board," and the thought of rising from +his bed and sneaking out of the house like a thief was repulsive to +him. But it was a good cause, in his estimation, and he did not waste +much sentiment upon the matter. A conspiracy had been formed to cheat +him of his hopes and of his future happiness, and it seemed right to +him that he should flee from those with whom he could not successfully +contend. + +Carefully and stealthily he crept out of bed, and put on his best +clothes, which were nothing to boast of at that, for there was many a +darn and many a patch upon the jacket and trousers. Stockings and +shoes were luxuries in which Harry was not indulged in the warm +season; but he had a pair of each, which he took under his arm. + +Like a mouse he crept down stairs, and reached the back door of the +house without having disturbed any of its inmates. There were no locks +on the poorhouse doors, for burglars and thieves never invaded the +home of the stricken, forsaken paupers. + +The door opened with a sharp creak, and Harry was sure he was +detected. For several minutes he waited, but no sound was heard, and +more carefully he opened the door wide enough to permit his passage +out. + +He was now in the open air, and a sensation of relief pervaded his +mind. He was free. No man was his master in this world, and he had not +learned to think much of the other world. As he passed through the cow +yard he heard the old gray mare whinny, and he could not resist the +temptation to pay her a parting visit. They had been firm friends for +years, and as he entered the barn she seemed to recognize him in the +darkness. + +"Good-by, old Prue. I am going away to leave you," said Harry, in low +tones, as he patted the mare upon her neck. "I hope they will use you +well. Next to Mr. Nason, you have been my best friend. Good-by, old +Prue." + +The mare whinnied again, as though she perfectly comprehended this +affectionate speech, and wished to express her sympathy with her young +friend in her own most eloquent language. Perhaps Harry could not +render the speech into the vernacular, but he had a high appreciation +of her good feeling, and repeated his caresses. + +"Good-by, old Prue; but, before I go, I shall give you one more feed +of oats--the very last." + +The localities of the barn were as familiar to him as those of his own +chamber; and taking the half peck measure, he filled it heaping full +of oats at the grain chest as readily as though it had been clear +daylight. + +"Here, Prue, is the last feed I shall give you"; and he emptied the +contents of the measure into the trough. "Good-by, old Prue; I shall +never see you again." + +The mare plunged her nose deep down into the savory mess, and seemed +for a moment to forget her friend in the selfish gratification of her +appetite. If she had fully realized the unpleasant fact that Harry was +going, perhaps she might have been less selfish, for this was not the +first time she had been indebted to him for extra rations. + +Passing through the barn, the runaway was again in the open air. +Everything looked gloomy and sad to him, and the scene was as solemn +as a funeral. There were no sounds to be heard but the monotonous +chirp of the cricket, and the dismal piping of the frogs in the +meadow. Even the owl and the whip-poor-will had ceased their nocturnal +notes, and the stars looked more gloomy than he had ever seen them +before. + +There was no time to moralize over these things, though, as he walked +along, he could not help thinking how strange and solemn everything +seemed on that eventful night. It was an epoch in his history; one of +those turning points in human life, when all the works of nature and +art, borrowing the spirit which pervades the soul, assume odd and +unfamiliar forms. Harry was not old enough or wise enough to +comprehend the importance of the step he was taking; still he was +deeply impressed by the strangeness within and without. + +Taking his bundle from the hollow stump, he directed his steps toward +Pine Pleasant. He walked very slowly, for his feelings swelled within +him and retarded his steps. His imagination was busy with the past, or +wandering vaguely to the unexplored future, which with bright promises +tempted him to press on to the goal of prosperity. He yearned to be a +man; to leap in an instant over the years of discipline, that yawned +like a great gulf between his youth and his manhood. He wanted to be a +man, that his strong arm might strike great blows; that he might win +his way up to wealth and honor. + +Why couldn't he be a great man like Squire Walker. Squire West +wouldn't sound bad. + +"One has only to be rich in order to be great," thought he. "Why can't +I be rich, as well as anybody else? Who was that old fellow that saved +up his fourpences till he was worth a hundred thousand dollars? I can +do it as well as he, though I won't be as mean as they say he was, +anyhow. There are chances enough to get rich, and if I fail in one +thing, why--I can try again." + +Thus Harry mused as he walked along, and fixed a definite purpose +before him to be accomplished in life. It is true it was not a very +lofty or a very noble purpose, merely to be rich; but he had been +obliged to do his own philosophizing. He had not yet discovered the +true philosopher's stone. He had concluded, like the alchemists of +old, that it was the art of turning anything into gold. The paupers, +in their poverty, had talked most and prayed most for that which they +had not. Wealth was to them the loftiest ideal of happiness, and Harry +had adopted their conclusions. It is not strange, therefore, that +Harry's first resolve was to be a rich man. + +"Seek ye _first_ the kingdom of heaven, and all these things shall be +added unto you," was a text which he had often heard repeated; but he +did not comprehend its meaning, and he had reversed the proposition, +determined to look out for "all these things" first. + +The village clock struck eleven, and the peal of the clear notes on +the silent air cut short his meditations, and admonished him to +quicken his pace, or Ben would reach the place of rendezvous before +him. He entered the still shades of Pine Pleasant, but saw nothing of +his confederate. Seating himself on the familiar rock in the river, he +returned to his meditations. + +He had hardly laid down his first proposition in solving the problem +of his future success, before he was startled by the discovery of a +bright light in the direction of the village. It was plainly a +building on fire, and his first impulse was to rush to the meeting +house and give the alarm; but prudence forbade. His business was with +the great world and the future, not with Redfield and the present. + +A few moments later the church bell pealed its startling notes, and he +heard the cry of fire in the village. The building, whatever it was, +had become a mass of fierce flames, which no human arm could stay. + +While he was watching the exciting spectacle, he heard footsteps in +the grove, and Ben Smart, out of breath and nearly exhausted, leaped +upon the rock. + +"So you are here, Harry," gasped he. + +"I am, Ben," replied Harry. "Where is the fire?" + +"We have no time to waste now," panted Ben, rousing himself anew. "We +must be off at once." + +Ben descended to the lower side of the rock, and hauled a small +flat-bottomed boat out of the bushes that grew on the river's brink. + +"Where is the fire, Ben?" persisted Harry. + +"Never mind the fire now; jump into the boat, and let us be off." + +Harry obeyed, and Ben pushed off from the rock. + +"Where are you going?" asked Harry, not much pleased either with the +imperative tone or the haughty reserve of his companion. + +"Down the river. Take the paddle and steer her; the current will take +her along fast enough. I am so tired I can't do a thing more." + +Harry took the paddle and seated himself in the stern of the boat, +while Ben, puffing and blowing like a locomotive, placed himself at +the bow. + +"Tell me now where the fire is," said Harry, whose curiosity would not +be longer resisted. + +"_Squire Walker's barn._" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +IN WHICH IT IS SHOWN THAT THE NAVIGATION OF THE RIVER IS DIFFICULT AND +DANGEROUS + + +Harry was astounded at this information. Ben was exhausted, as though +he had been running very hard; besides, he was much agitated--more so +than the circumstances of the occasion seemed to justify. In +connection with the threat which his companion had uttered that day, +these appearances seemed to point to a solution of the burning +building. He readily understood that Ben, in revenge for the indignity +the squire had cast upon him, had set the barn on fire, and was now +running away by the light of it. + +This was more than he had bargained for. However ill-natured he felt +towards the squire for his proposal to send him to Jacob Wire's, it +never occurred to him to retaliate by committing a crime. His ideas of +Christian charity and of forgiveness were but partially developed; and +though he could not feel right towards his powerful enemy, he felt no +desire to punish him so severely as Ben had done. + +His companion gave him a short answer, and manifested no disposition +to enlarge upon the subject; and for several minutes both maintained a +profound silence. + +The boat, drifting slowly with the current, was passing from the pond +into the narrow river, and it required all Harry's skill to keep her +from striking the banks on either side. His mind was engrossed with +the contemplation of the new and startling event which had so suddenly +presented itself to embarrass his future operations. Ben was a +criminal in the eye of the law, and would be subjected to a severe +penalty if detected. + +"I shouldn't have thought you would have done that," Harry observed, +when the silence became painful to him. + +"Done what?" asked Ben, sharply. + +"Set the barn afire." + +"Who said I set it afire?" + +"Well, I can see through a millstone when there is a hole in it." + +"I didn't say I set the barn afire." + +"I know you didn't; but you said you meant to pay the squire off for +what he had done to you." + +"I mean to." + +"Haven't you done it already?" + +"I didn't say I had," answered Ben, who was evidently debating with +himself whether he should admit Harry to his confidence. + +"But didn't you set the barn afire?" + +"What if I did?" + +"Why, I should say you run a great risk." + +"I don't care for that." + +"I see the reason now, why you wouldn't tell me what you was going to +do before." + +"We are in for it now, Harry. I meant to pay off the squire, and--" + +"Then you did set the barn afire?" + +"I didn't say so; and, more than that, I don't mean to say so. If you +can see through a millstone, why, just open your eyes--that's all." + +"I am sorry you did it, Ben." + +"No whining, Harry; be a man." + +"I mean to be a man; but I don't think there was any need of burning +the barn." + +"I do; I couldn't leave Redfield without squaring accounts with Squire +Walker." + +"Where are you going, Ben?" + +"To Boston, of course." + +"How shall we get there?" + +"We will go by the river, as far as we can; then take to the road." + +"But this is George Leman's boat--isn't it?" + +"Yes." + +"You hooked it?" + +"Of course I did; you don't suppose I should mind trifles at such a +time as this! But he can have it again, when I have done with it." + +"What was the use of taking the boat?" + +"In the first place, don't you think it is easier to sail in a boat +than to walk? And in the second place, the river runs through the +woods for five or six miles below Pine Pleasant; so that no one will +be likely to see us. We shall get off without being found out." + +"But the river is not deep enough. It is full of rocks about three +miles down." + +"We won't mind them. We can keep her clear of the rocks well enough. +When I was down the river last spring, you couldn't see a single rock +above water, and we don't draw more than six inches." + +"But that was in the spring, when the water was high. I don't believe +we can get the boat through." + +"Yes, we can; at any rate, we can jump ashore and tow her down," +replied Ben, confidently, though his calculations were somewhat +disturbed by Harry's reasoning. + +"There is another difficulty, Ben," suggested Harry. + +"O, there are a hundred difficulties; but we mustn't mind them." + +"They will miss the boat, and suspect at once who has got it." + +"We shall be out of their reach when they miss it." + +"I heard George Leman say he was going a fishing in her to-morrow." + +"Did you? Then why didn't you say so before?" retorted Ben, angrily. + +"Because you didn't tell me what you were going to do. How could I?" + +"Never mind; it is no use to cry for spilt milk. We will make the best +of it." + +"We are in for it now." + +"That we are; and if you only stick by me, it will all come out right. +If we get caught, you must keep a stiff upper lip." + +"Never fear me." + +"And, above all, don't blow on me." + +"Of course I won't." + +"Whatever happens, promise that you will stick by me." + +"I will, Ben." + +"That's a good fellow, Harry. On that, we will take a bit of luncheon, +and have a good time of it." + +As he spoke, Ben drew out from under the seat in the bow a box filled +with bread and cheese. + +"You see we are provisioned for a cruise, Harry," added Ben, as he +offered the contents of the box to his companion. "Here is enough to +last us two or three days." + +"But you don't mean to keep on the river so long as that?" + +"I mean to stick to the boat as long as the navigation will permit," +replied Ben, with more energy than he had before manifested, for he +was recovering from the perturbation with which the crime he had +committed filled his mind. + +"There is a factory village, with a dam across the river, six or seven +miles below here." + +"I know it; but perhaps we can get the boat round the dam in the night +time, and continue our voyage below. Don't you remember that piece in +the Reader about John Ledyard--how he went down the Connecticut River +in a canoe?" + +"Yes; and you got your idea from that?" + +"I did; and I mean to have a first rate time of it." + +Ben proceeded to describe the anticipated pleasures of the river +voyage, as he munched his bread and cheese; and Harry listened with a +great deal of satisfaction. Running away was not such a terrible +thing, after all. It was both business and pleasure, and his +imagination was much inflated by the brilliant prospect before him. +There was something so novel and exciting in the affair, that his +first experience was of the most delightful character. + +He forgot the crime his companion had committed, and had almost come +to regard the burning of the squire's barn as a just and proper +retribution upon him for conspiring against the rights and privileges +of young America. + +My young readers may not know how easy it is even for a good boy to +learn to love the companionship of those who are vicious, and disposed +to take the road which leads down to moral ruin and death. Those lines +of Pope, which are familiar to almost every school boy, convey a great +truth, and a thrilling warning to those who first find themselves +taking pleasure in the society of wicked men, or wicked boys: + + "Vice is a monster of so frightful mien + As to be hated, needs but to be seen; + But seen too oft, familiar with her face, + We first endure, then pity, then embrace." + +Now, I have not represented my hero, at this stage of the story, as a +very good boy, and it did not require much time to familiarize him +with the wickedness which was in Ben's heart, and which he did not +take any pains to conceal. The transition from enduring to pitying and +from that to embracing was sudden and easy, if, indeed, there was any +middle passage between the first and last stage. + +I am sorry to say that an hour's fellowship with Ben, under the +exciting circumstances in which we find them, had led him to think Ben +a very good fellow, notwithstanding the crime he had committed. I +shall do my young reader the justice to believe he hopes Harry will be +a better boy, and obtain higher and nobler views of duty. It must be +remembered that Harry had never learned to "love God and man" on the +knee of an affectionate mother. He had long ago forgotten the little +prayers she had taught him, and none were said at the poorhouse. We +are sorry he was no better; but when we consider under what influences +he had been brought up, it is not strange that he was not a good boy. +Above every earthly good, we may be thankful for the blessing of a +good home, where we have been taught our duty to God, to our +fellow-beings, and to ourselves. + +The young navigators talked lightly of the present and the future, as +the boat floated gently along through the gloomy forest. They heard +the Redfield clock strike twelve, and then one. The excitement had +begun to die out. Harry yawned, for he missed his accustomed sleep, +and felt that a few hours' rest in his bed at the poorhouse was even +preferable to navigating the river at midnight. Ben gaped several +times, and the fun was really getting very stale. + +Those "who go down to the sea in ships," or navigate the river in +boats, must keep their eyes open. It will never do to slumber at the +helm; and Harry soon had a practical demonstration of the truth of the +proposition. He was so sleepy that he could not possibly keep his eyes +open; and Ben, not having the care of the helm, had actually dropped +off, and was bowing as politely as a French dancing master to his +companion in the stern. They were a couple of smart sailors, and +needed a little wholesome discipline to teach them the duty of those +who are on the watch. + +The needed lesson was soon administered; for just as Ben was making +one of his lowest bows in his semi-conscious condition, the bow of the +boat ran upon a concealed rock, which caused her to keel over to one +side, and very gently pitch the sleeper into the river. + +Of course, this catastrophe brought the commander of the expedition to +his senses, and roused the helmsman to a sense of his own delinquency, +though it is clear that, as there were no lighthouses on the banks of +the river, and the intricacies of the channel had never been defined +and charted for the benefit of the adventurous navigator, no human +forethought could have provided against the accident. + +Harry put the boat about, and assisted his dripping shipmate on board +again. The ducking he had received did not operate very favorably upon +Ben's temper, and he roundly reproached his companion for his +carelessness. The steersman replied with becoming spirit to this +groundless charge, telling him he had better keep his eyes open the +rest of the night. Wet and chilly as he was, Ben couldn't help +growling; and both evidently realized that the affair was not half as +romantic as they had adjudged it to be an hour or two before. + +"Never mind it, Ben. If we fail once let us try again--that's all." + +"Try again? You want to drown me, don't you?" snarled Ben. + +Harry assured him he did not, and called his attention to the sound of +dashing waters, which could now be plainly heard. They were +approaching the rocks, and it was certain from the noise that +difficult navigation was before them. Harry proposed to haul up by the +river's side, and wait for daylight; to which proposition Ben, whose +ardor was effectually cooled by the bath he had received, readily +assented. + +Accordingly they made fast the painter to a tree on the shore, and +both of them disembarked. While Harry was gathering up a pile of dead +leaves for a bed, Ben amused himself by wringing out his wet clothes. + +"Suppose we make a fire, Harry?" suggested Ben; and it would certainly +have been a great luxury to one in his damp condition. + +"No; it will betray us," replied Harry, with alarm. + +"Humph! It is easy enough for you to talk, who are warm and dry," +growled Ben. "I am going to have a fire, anyhow." + +In vain Harry protested. Ben had some matches in the boat, and in a +few minutes a cheerful fire blazed in the forest. As the leader of the +enterprise felt its glowing warmth his temper was sensibly impressed, +and he even had the hardihood to laugh at his late misfortune. But +Harry did not care just then whether his companion was pleasant or +sour, for he had stretched himself on his bed of leaves, and was in a +fair way to forget the trials and hardships of the voyage in the deep +sleep which makes it "all night" with a tired boy. + +After Ben was thoroughly dried and warmed, he placed himself by the +side of his fellow-voyager, and both journeyed together through the +quiet shades of dreamland, leaving no wakeful eye to watch over the +interests of the expedition while they slumbered. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +IN WHICH HARRY FIGHTS A HARD BATTLE, AND IS DEFEATED + + +The sun was high in the heavens when the tired boatmen awoke. +Unaccustomed as they were to fatigue and late hours, they had been +completely overcome by the exertion and exposure of the previous +night. Harry was the first to recover his lost senses; and when he +opened his eyes, everything looked odd and strange to him. It was not +the rough, but neat and comfortable little room in the poorhouse which +greeted his dawning consciousness; it was the old forest and the +dashing river. He did not feel quite at home; the affair had been +divested of its air of romance, and he felt more like a runaway boy +than the hero of a fairy tale. + +"Hallo, Ben!" shouted he, to his sleeping companion. + +Ben growled once, and then rolled over, as if angry at being +disturbed. + +"Ben! We shall be caught if you don't wake up. There, the clock is +striking eight!" and to give Ben a better idea of where he was, he +administered a smart kick in the region of the ribs. + +"What are you about?" snarled Ben, springing to his feet with clinched +fists. + +"Time we were moving. Don't you see how high the sun is? The clock has +just struck eight." + +"No matter for that. We are just as safe here as anywhere else. You +kick me again, and see where you will be!" + +"Come, come, Ben; don't get mad." + +"Don't kick me, then." + +"What are you going to do now?" + +"That's my business. You do what I tell you, that's all you have to do +with it," replied Ben, imperiously, as he walked to the bank of the +river to survey the difficulties of the navigation. + +"_Is_ it?" asked Harry, not particularly pleased with this +interpretation of their relations. + +"You better believe it is." + +"I don't believe anything of the kind. I ain't your nigger, anyhow!" +added Harry, with spirit. + +"I'll bet you are." + +"I'll bet I ain't." + +"What are you going to do about it?" + +"I'll let you know what I am going to do." + +"If you don't mind what I tell you, I'll wallop you on the spot." + +"No, you won't"; and Harry turned on his heel, and leisurely walked +off towards the thickest of the forest. + +"Where are you going?" + +"Off." + +"Off where?" + +"Do you think I'm going to stay with you, to be treated like a dog!" +replied Harry, as he continued his retreat. + +Ben started after him, but Harry picked up a stick of wood and stood +on the defensive. + +"Now, if you don't come back, I'll break your head!" said Ben. + +"Look out that your own don't get broke"; and Harry brandished his +cudgel in the air. + +Ben glanced at the club, and saw from the flash of Harry's bright eye +that he was thoroughly aroused. His companion was not to be trifled +with, and he was ready to abandon the point. + +"Come, Harry, it's no use for us to quarrel," he added, with a forced +smile. + +"I know that; but I won't be trod upon by you or anybody else." + +"I don't want to tread on you." + +"Yes, you do; you needn't think you are going to lord it over me in +that way. I will go back to the poorhouse first." + +"Let's be friends again, Harry. Throw down your club." + +"Yes, and let you lick me, then! No, you don't!" + +"I won't touch you, Harry; upon my word and honor, I won't." + +"Humph! Your word and honor ain't worth much. I'll go back, if you'll +behave yourself; but I shall keep the club handy." + +"Anyway you like; but let us be off." + +Ben changed his tone, and condescended to tell Harry what he meant to +do, even at the sacrifice of his dignity as commander of the +expedition. An appearance at least of good feeling was restored, and +after breakfasting on their bread and cheese, they embarked again, on +what promised to be a perilous voyage. + +For a quarter of a mile below, the bed of the narrow river was spotted +with rocks, among which the water dashed with a fury that threatened +the destruction of their frail bark. For a time they seriously debated +the question of abandoning the project, Harry proposing to penetrate +the woods in a northeasterly direction. Ben, however, could not +abandon the prospect of sailing leisurely down the river when they had +passed the rapids, making the passage without any exertion. He was not +pleased with the idea of trudging along on foot for thirty miles, when +the river would bear them to the city with only a little difficulty +occasionally at the rapids and shoal places. Perhaps his plan would +have been practicable at the highest stage of water, but the river was +now below its ordinary level. + +Ben's love of an easy and romantic time carried the day, and Harry's +practical common-sense reasoning was of no avail, and a taunt at his +cowardice induced him to yield the point. + +"Now, Harry, you take one of the paddles, and place yourself in the +bow, while I steer," said Ben, as he assumed his position. + +"Very well; you shall be captain of the boat, and I will do just as +you say; but I won't be bullied on shore," replied Harry, taking the +station assigned him. + +"All right; now cast off the painter, and let her slide. Keep both +eyes open." + +"Never fear me; I will do my share." + +The boat floated out into the current, and was borne rapidly down the +swift-flowing stream. They were not very skillful boatmen, and it was +more a matter of tact than of strength to keep the boat from dashing +on the sharp rocks. For a little way they did very well, though the +passage was sufficiently exciting to call their powers into action, +and to suggest a doubt as to the ultimate result of the venture. + +They soon reached a place, however, where the river turned a sharp +angle, and the waters were furiously precipitated down upon a bed of +rocks, which threatened them with instant destruction. + +"We shall be smashed to pieces!" exclaimed the foolhardy pilot, as his +eye measured the descent of the waters. "Let's try to get ashore." + +"Too late now," replied Harry, coolly. "Put her through, hit or miss." + +But Ben's courage all oozed out, in the face of this imminent peril, +and he made a vain attempt to push the boat toward the shore. + +"Paddle your end round, Harry," gasped Ben, in the extremity of fear. +"We shall be smashed to pieces." + +"Too late, Ben; stand stiff, and make the best of it," answered Harry, +as he braced himself to meet the shock. + +The rushing waters bore the boat down the stream in spite of the +feeble efforts of the pilot to check her progress. Ben seemed to have +lost all his self-possession, and stooped down, holding on with both +hands at the gunwale. + +Down she went into the boiling caldron of waters, roaring and foaming +like a little Niagara. One hard bump on the sharp rocks, and Harry +heard the boards snap under him. He waited for no more, but grasping +the over-hanging branches of a willow, which grew on the bank, and +upon which he had before fixed his eyes as the means of rescuing +himself, he sprang up into the tree, and saw Ben tumbled from the boat +into the seething caldron. + +"Save me, Harry!" shouted Ben. + +But Harry had to save himself first, which, however, was not a +difficult matter. Swinging himself from branch to branch till he +reached the trunk of the willow, he descended to the ground, without +having even wet the soles of his shoes. + +"Save me! save me!" cried Ben, in piteous accents, as the current bore +him down the stream. + +"Hold on to the boat," replied Harry, "and I will be there in a +minute." + +Seizing a long pole which had some time formed a part of a fence +there, he hastened down the bank to the water's edge. The water was +not very deep, but it ran so rapidly that Ben could neither swim nor +stand upon the bottom; and but for his companion's promptness he would +undoubtedly have been drowned. Grasping the long pole which Harry +extended to him, he was drawn to the shore, having received no other +injury than a terrible fright and a good ducking. + +"Here we are," said Harry, when his companion was safely landed. + +"Yes, here we are," growled Ben; "and it is all your fault that we are +here." + +"It is my fault that _you_ are here; for if I had not pulled you out +of the river, you would have been drowned," replied Harry, +indignantly; and perhaps he felt a little sorry just then that he had +rescued his ungrateful commander. + +"Yes, and if you had only done as I told you, and pushed for the shore +above the fall, all this would not have happened." + +"And if you hadn't been a fool, we should not have tried to go through +such a hole. There goes your old boat"; and Harry pointed to the +wreck, filled with water, floating down the stream. + +"Here they are!" shouted a voice, not far from them. + +Harry started, and so did Ben. + +"We are caught!" exclaimed Ben. + +"Not yet," replied Harry, with some trepidation, as he broke off a +piece of the pole that lay at his feet, and retreated from the river. +"Take a club, for I am not going to be carried back without fighting +for it." + +A survey of the ground and of the pursuers enabled him to prepare for +the future. He discovered at a glance the weakness of the assailants. + +"Take a club, Ben. Don't you see there is only one man on this side of +the river? and we can easily beat him off." + +Ben took the club; but he seemed not to have the energy to use it. In +fact, Harry showed himself better qualified to manage the present +interests of the expedition than his companion. All at once he +developed the attributes of a skillful commander, while his +confederate seemed to have lost all his cunning and all his +determination. + +"Now, let us run; and if we are caught we will fight for it," said +Harry. + +The boys took to their heels, and having a fair start of their +pursuer, they kept clear of him for a considerable distance; but Ben's +wet clothes impeded his progress, and Harry had too much magnanimity +to save himself at the sacrifice of his companion. + +It was evident, after the chase had continued a short time, that +their pursuer was gaining upon them. In vain Harry urged Ben to +increase his speed; his progress was very slow, and it was soon +apparent to Harry that they were wasting their breath in running when +they would need it for the fight. + +"Now, Ben, we can easily whip this man, and save ourselves. Be a man, +and let us stand by each other to the last." + +Ben made no reply; but when Harry stopped, he did the same. + +"Keep off! or we will knock your brains out," cried Harry, placing +himself in the attitude of defense. + +But the man took no notice of this piece of bravado; and as he +approached Harry leveled a blow at his head. The man warded it off, +and sprang forward to grasp the little rebel. + +"Hit him, Ben!" shouted Harry, as he dodged the swoop of his +assailant. + +To his intense indignation and disgust, Ben, instead of seconding his +assault, dropped his club and fled. He seemed to run a good deal +faster than he had run before that day; but Harry did not give up the +point. The man pressed him closely, and he defended himself with a +skill and vigor worthy a better cause. But it was of no use; or, if it +was, it only gave Ben more time to effect his escape. + +The unequal contest, however, soon terminated in the capture of our +resolute hero, and the man tied his hands behind his back; but he did +not dare to leave the young lion to go in pursuit of his less +unfortunate, but more guilty, confederate. + +"There, Master Harry West, I think you have got into a tight place +now," said his captor, whose name was Nathan Leman, brother of the +person to whom the boat belonged. "We will soon put you in a place +where you won't burn any more barns." + +Harry was confounded at this charge, and promptly and indignantly +denied it. He had not considered the possibility of being accused of +such a crime, and it seemed to put a new aspect upon his case. + +"You did not set fire to Squire Walker's barn last night?" replied +Leman, incredulously. + +"No, I did not." + +"Perhaps you can make the squire believe it," sneered his captor. + +"I didn't do it." + +"Didn't steal my brother's boat, either, did you?" + +"_I_ didn't." + +"Who did?" + +Harry thought a moment. After the mean trick which Ben Smart had +served him, he did not feel very kindly towards him, but he was not +yet prepared to betray him. + +"I didn't," was his reply. + +Nathan Leman then conducted his prisoner to the river's side. By this +time the other pursuer, who had been obliged to ascend the river for a +quarter of a mile before he could cross, joined him. + +"Where is the other fellow?" he asked. + +"Couldn't catch him. This one fought like a young tiger, and I +couldn't leave him," replied Nathan. "If you will take Harry up to the +village I will soon have him." + +The other assented, and while Nathan went in search of Ben, Harry was +conducted back to the village. + +The prisoner was sad and depressed in spirits; but he did not lose all +hope. He was appalled at the idea of being accused of burning the +barn; but he was innocent, and had a vague assurance that no harm +could befall him on that account. + +When they entered the village, a crowd gathered around them, eager to +learn the particulars of the capture; but without pausing to gratify +this curiosity, Harry's conductor led him to the poorhouse, and placed +him in charge of Mr. Nason. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +IN WHICH HARRY CONCLUDES THAT A DEFEAT IS SOMETIMES BETTER THAN A +VICTORY + + +The keeper of the poorhouse received Harry in sullen silence, and +conducted him to the chamber in which he had been ordered to keep him +a close prisoner. He apparently had lost all confidence in him, and +regretted that he had connived at his escape. + +Harry did not like the cold and repulsive deportment of his late +friend. Mr. Nason had always been kind to him; now he seemed to have +fallen in with Squire Walker's plans, and was willing to be the +instrument of the overseer's narrow and cruel policy. Before, he had +taken his part against the mighty, so far as it was prudent for him to +do so; now, he was willing to go over to the enemy. + +The reverse made him sadder than any other circumstance of his +return--sadder than the fear of punishment, or even of being sent to +live with Jacob Wire. + +"I've got back again," said Harry, when they reached the chamber in +which he was to be confined. + +"I see you have," replied Mr. Nason, in freezing tones. + +The keeper had never spoken to him in such tones, and Harry burst into +tears. His only friend had deserted him, and he felt more desolate +than ever before in his life. + +"You needn't cry, now," said Mr. Nason, sternly. + +"I can't help it," sobbed the little prisoner. + +"Can't you?" + +Mr. Nason sneered as he spoke, and his sneer pierced the heart of +Harry. + +"O, Mr. Nason!" + +"There--that will do. You needn't blubber any more. You have made your +bed, and now you can lie in it;" and the keeper turned on his heel to +leave the room. + +"Don't leave me yet," pleaded Harry. + +"Leave you? What do you want of me? I suppose you want to tell me I +advised you to burn the barn." + +"I didn't set the barn afire!" exclaimed Harry, now for the first time +realizing the cause of his friend's displeasure. + +"Don't lie." + +"I speak the truth. I did not set it afire, or even know that it was +going to be set on fire." + +Mr. Nason closed the door which he had opened to depart. The firm +denial, as well as the tone and manner of the boy, arrested his +judgment against him. He had learned to place implicit confidence in +Harry's word; for, though he might have told lies to others, he never +told them to him. + +"Who did burn the barn?" asked the keeper, looking sternly into the +eye of the culprit. + +Harry hesitated. A sense of honor and magnanimity pervaded his soul. +He had obtained some false notions; and he did not understand that he +could hardly be false to one who had been false to himself--that to +help a criminal conceal his crime was to conspire against the peace +and happiness of his fellow-beings. Shabbily as Ben Smart had used +him, he could not make up his mind to betray him. + +"You don't answer," added Mr. Nason. + +"I didn't do it." + +"But who did?" + +"I don't like to tell." + +"Very well; you can do as you like. After what I had done for you, it +was a little strange that you should do as you have." + +"I will tell you all about it, Mr. Nason, if you will promise not to +tell." + +"I know all about it. You and Ben Smart put your heads together to be +revenged on the squire; you set his barn afire, and then stole Leman's +boat." + +"No, sir; I didn't set the barn afire, nor steal the boat, nor help to +do either." + +"You and he were together." + +"We were; and if it wasn't for being mean to Ben, I would tell you all +about it." + +"Mean to Ben! As soon as it was known that you and Ben were missing, +everybody in the village knew who set the barn afire. All you have got +to do is to clear yourself, if you can; Ben is condemned already." + +"If you will hear my story I will tell you all about it." + +Harry proceeded to narrate everything that had occurred since he left +the house on the preceding night. It was a very clear and plausible +statement. He answered all the questions which Mr. Nason proposed with +promptness, and his replies were consistent. + +"I believe you, Harry," said the keeper, when he had finished his +examination. "Somehow I couldn't believe you would do such a thing as +set the squire's barn afire." + +"I wouldn't," replied Harry, warmly, and much pleased to find he had +re-established the confidence of his friend. + +"But it is a bad case. The fact of your being with Ben Smart is almost +enough to convict you." + +"I shouldn't have been with him, if I had known he set the barn +afire." + +"I don't know as I can do anything for you, Harry; but I will try." + +"Thank you." + +Mr. Nason left him, and Harry had an opportunity to consider the +desperate circumstances of his position. It looked just as though he +should be sent to the house of correction. But he was innocent. He +felt his innocence; as he expressed it to the keeper afterwards, he +"felt it in his bones." It did not, on further consideration, seem +probable that he would be punished for doing what he had not done, +either as principal or accessory. A vague idea of an all-pervading +justice consoled him; and he soon reasoned himself into a firm +assurance that he should escape unharmed. + +He was in the mood for reasoning just then--perhaps because he had +nothing better to do, or perhaps because the added experience of the +last twenty-four hours enabled him to reason better than before. His +fine scheme of getting to Boston, and there making a rich and great +man of himself, had signally failed. He did not give it up, however. + +"I have failed once, but I will try again," said he to himself, as the +conclusion of the whole matter; and he picked up an old school book +which lay on the table. + +The book contained a story, which he had often read, about a man who +had met with a long list of misfortunes, as he deemed them when they +occurred, but which proved to be blessings in disguise. + + "Oft from apparent ills our blessings rise, + Act well your part; there all the honor lies." + +This couplet from the school books came to his aid, also; and he +proceeded to make an application of this wisdom to his own mishaps. + +"Suppose I had gone on with Ben. He is a miserable fellow," thought +Harry; "he would have led me into all manner of wickedness. I ought +not to have gone with him, or had anything to do with him. He might +have made a thief and a robber of me. I know I ain't any better than I +should be; but I don't believe I'm as bad as he is. At any rate, I +wouldn't set a barn afire. It is all for the best, just as the parson +says when anybody dies. By this scrape I have got clear of Ben, and +learned a lesson that I won't forget in a hurry." + +Harry was satisfied with this logic, and really believed that +something which an older and more devout person would have regarded as +a special providence had interposed to save him from a life of infamy +and wickedness. It was a blessed experience, and his thoughts were +very serious and earnest. + +In the afternoon Squire Walker came down to the poorhouse to subject +Harry to a preliminary examination. Ben Smart had not been taken, and +the pursuers had abandoned the chase. + +"Boy," said the squire, when Harry was brought before him; "look at +me." + +Harry looked at the overseer with all his might. He had got far enough +to despise the haughty little great man. A taste of freedom had +enlarged his ideas and developed his native independence, so that he +did not quail, as the squire intended he should; on the contrary, his +eyes snapped with the earnestness of his gaze. With an honest and just +man, his unflinching eye would have been good evidence in his favor; +but the pompous overseer wished to awe him, rather than get at the +simple truth. + +"You set my barn on fire," continued the squire. + +"I did not," replied Harry, firmly. + +"Yes, you did. How dare you deny it?" + +"I did not." + +He had often read, and heard read, that passage of Scripture which +says, "Let your communication be Yea, yea, Nay, nay; for whatsoever is +more than these cometh of evil." Just then he felt the truth of the +inspired axiom. It seemed just as though any amount of violent +protestations would not help him; and though the squire repeated the +charge half a dozen times, he only replied with his firm and simple +denial. + +Then Squire Walker called his hired man, upon whose evidence he +depended for the conviction of the little incendiary. + +"Is that the boy, John?" asked the squire, pointing to Harry. + +"No, sir; it was a bigger boy than that," replied John, without +hesitation. + +"Are you sure?" + +"O, very sure." + +"It must be that this is the boy," persisted the squire, evidently +much disappointed by the testimony of the man. + +"I am certain it was a bigger boy than this." + +"I feel pretty clear about it, Mr. Nason," added the squire. "You +see, this boy was mad, yesterday, because I wanted to send him to +Jacob Wire's. My barn is burned, and it stands to reason he burned +it." + +"But I saw the boy round the barn night afore last," interposed John, +who was certainly better qualified to be a justice of the peace than +his employer. + +"I know that; but the barn wasn't burned till last night." + +"But Harry couldn't have had any grudge against you night before +last," said Mr. Nason. + +"I don't know about that," mused the squire, who was apparently trying +to reconcile the facts to his theory, rather than the theory to the +facts. + +John, the hired man, lived about three miles from the squire's house. +His father was very sick; and he had been home every evening for a +week, returning between ten and eleven. On the night preceding the +fire, he had seen a boy prowling round the barn, who ran away at his +approach. The next day, he found a pile of withered grass, dry sticks, +and other combustibles heaped against a loose board in the side of the +barn. He had informed the squire of the facts, but the worthy justice +did not consider them of much moment. + +Probably Ben had intended to burn the barn then, but had been +prevented from executing his purpose by the approach of the hired man. + +"This must be the boy," added the squire. + +"He had on a sack coat, and was bigger than this boy," replied John. + +"Harry has no sack coat," put in Mr. Nason, eagerly catching at his +evidence. + +"It is easy to be mistaken in the night. Search him, and see if there +are any matches about him." + +Undoubtedly this was a very brilliant suggestion of the squire's muddy +intellect--as though every man who carried matches was necessarily an +incendiary. But no matches were found upon Harry; and, according to +the intelligent justice's perception of the nature of evidence, the +suspected party should have been acquitted. + +No matches were found on Harry; but in his jacket pocket, carefully +enclosed in a piece of brown paper, were found the four quarters of a +dollar given to him by Mr. Nason. + +"Where did you get those?" asked the squire, sternly. + +"They were given to me," replied Harry. + +Mr. Nason averted his eyes, and was very uneasy. The fact of having +given this money to Harry went to show that he had been privy to his +escape; and his kind act seemed to threaten him with ruin. + +"Who gave them to you?" + +Harry made no reply. + +"Answer me," thundered the squire. + +"I shall not tell," replied Harry. + +"You shall not?" + +"No, sir." + +The squire was nonplussed. The boy was as firm as a hero; and no +threats could induce him to betray his kind friend, whose position he +fully comprehended. + +"We will see," roared the squire. + +Several persons who had been present during the examination, and who +were satisfied that Harry was innocent of the crime charged upon him, +interfered to save him from the consequences of the squire's wrath. + +Mr. Nason, finding that his young friend was likely to suffer for his +magnanimity, explained the matter--thus turning the squire's anger +from the boy to himself. + +"So you helped the boy run away--did you?" said the overseer. + +"He did not; he told me that money would keep me from starving." + +"Did he?" + +Those present understood the allusion, and the squire did not press +the matter any further. In the course of the examination, Ben Smart +had often been alluded to, and the crime was fastened upon him. Harry +told his story, which, confirmed by the evidence of the hired man, +was fully credited by all except the squire, who had conceived a +violent antipathy to the boy. + +The examination was informal; the squire did not hold it as a justice +of the peace, but only as a citizen, or, at most, as an overseer of +the poor. However, it proved that, as the burning of the barn had been +planned before any difficulty had occurred between the squire and +Harry, he had no motive for doing the deed. + +The squire was not satisfied; but the worst he could do was to commit +Harry to the care of Jacob Wire, which was immediately done. + +"I am sorry for you, Harry," whispered Mr. Nason. + +"Never mind; I shall _try again_," he replied, as he jumped into the +wagon with his persecutor. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +IN WHICH HARRY FINDS HIMSELF IN A TIGHT PLACE AND EXECUTES A COUNTER +MOVEMENT + + +"Jacob, here is the boy," said Squire Walker, as he stopped his horse +in front of an old, decayed house. + +Jacob Wire was at work in his garden, by the side of the house; and +when the squire spoke, he straightened his back, regarding Harry with +a look of mingled curiosity and distrust. He evidently did not like +his appearance. He looked as though he would eat too much; and to a +man as mean as Jacob, this was the sum total of all enormities. +Besides, the little pauper had earned a bad reputation within the +preceding twenty-four hours, and his new master glanced uneasily at +his barn, and then at the boy, as though he deemed it unsafe to have +such a desperate character about his premises. + +"He is a hard boy, Jacob, and will need a little taming. They fed him +too high at the poorhouse," continued the squire. + +"That spoils boys," replied Jacob, solemnly. + +"So it does." + +"So, this is the boy that burnt your barn?" + +"Well, I don't know. I rather think it was the Smart boy. Perhaps he +knew about it, though;" and the squire proceeded to give his +brother-in-law the particulars of the informal examination; for Jacob +Wire, who could hardly afford to lie still on Sundays, much less other +days, had not been up to the village to hear the news. + +"You must be pretty sharp with him," said the overseer, in conclusion. +"Keep your eye on him all the time, for we may want him again, as soon +as they can catch the other boy." + +Jacob promised to do the best he could with Harry, who, during the +interview, had maintained a sullen silence; and the squire departed, +assured that he had done his whole duty to the public and to the +little pauper. + +"Well, boy, it is about sundown now, and I guess we will go in and get +some supper before we do any more. But let me tell you beforehand, you +must walk pretty straight here, or you will fare hard." + +Harry vouchsafed no reply to this speech, and followed Jacob into the +house. His first meal at his new place confirmed all he had heard +about the penuriousness of his master. There was very little to eat on +the table, but Mrs. Wire gave him the poorest there was--a hard crust +of brown bread, a cold potato, and a dish of warm water with a very +little molasses and milk in it, which he was expected to imagine was +tea. + +Harry felt no disposition to eat. He was too sad and depressed, and +probably if the very best had been set before him he would have been +equally indifferent. + +He ate very little, and Jacob felt more kindly towards him than before +this proof of the smallness of his appetite. He had been compelled to +get rid of his last boy, because he was a little ogre, and it seemed +as though he would eat him out of house and home. + +After supper Harry assisted Jacob about the barn, and it was nearly +eight o'clock before they finished. + +"Now, boy, it is about bed time, and I will show you your rooms, if +you like," said Jacob. "Before you go, let me tell you it won't do any +good to try to run away from here, for I am going to borrow Leman's +bull-dog." + +Harry made no reply to this remark, and followed his master to the low +attic of the house, where he was pointed to a rickety bedstead, which +he was to occupy. + +"There, jump into bed afore I carry the candle off," continued Jacob. + +"I don't care about any light. You needn't wait," replied Harry, as he +slipped off his shoes and stockings. + +"That is right; boys always ought to be learnt to go to bed in the +dark," added Jacob, as he departed. + +But Harry was determined not to go to bed in the dark; so, as soon as +he heard Jacob's step on the floor below, he crept to the stairway, +and silently descended. He had made up his mind not to wait for the +bull-dog. Pausing in the entry, he heard Jacob tell his wife that he +was going over to Leman's to borrow his dog; he was afraid the boy +would get up in the night and set his barn on fire, or run away. Jacob +then left the house, satisfied, no doubt, that the bull-dog would be +an efficient sentinel while the family were asleep. + +After allowing time enough to elapse for Jacob to reach Leman's house, +he softly opened the front door and went out. It was fortunate for him +that Mrs. Wire was as "deaf as a post," or his suddenly matured plan +to "try again" might have been a failure. As it was, his departure was +not observed. It was quite dark, and after he had got a short distance +from the house, he felt a reasonable degree of security. + +His first purpose was to get as far away from Redfield as possible +before daylight should come to betray him; and, taking the road, he +walked as fast as his legs would carry him towards Boston. Jacob's +house was on the turnpike, which was the direct road to the city, and +the distance which the squire had carried him in his wagon was so much +clear gain. + +He did not feel very sentimental now. The sky was overshadowed with +clouds, so that he could not see any stars, and the future did not +look half so bright as his fancy had pictured it on the preceding +night. But he was free again; and free under more favorable +circumstances than before. This time he was himself commander of the +expedition, and was to suffer for no one's bad generalship but his +own. Besides, the experience he had obtained was almost a guarantee of +success. It had taught him the necessity of care and prudence. + +The moral lesson he had learned was of infinitely more value than even +the lesson of policy. For the first time in his life he was conscious +of a deep and earnest desire to be a good boy, and to become a true +man. As he walked along, he thought more of being a good man than of +being a rich man. It was very natural for him to do so, under the +circumstances, for he had come very near being punished as an +incendiary. The consequences of doing wrong were just then strongly +impressed upon his mind, and he almost shuddered to think he had +consented to remain with Ben Smart after he knew that he burned the +barn. Ah, it was an exceedingly fortunate thing for him that he had +got rid of Ben as he did. + +For two hours he walked as fast as he could, pausing now and then to +listen for the sound of any approaching vehicle. Possibly Jacob might +have gone to his room, or attic, to see if he was safe, and his escape +had been discovered. He could not be too wary, and every sound that +reached his waiting ear caused his heart to jump with anxiety. + +He heard a clock strike eleven. It was not the Redfield clock, and it +was evident that he was approaching Rockville, a factory village eight +miles from his native place. But his legs were failing him. He was +exhausted by the labors and the excitement of the day and night, and +his strength would hardly hold out till he should get beyond the +village. + +Seating himself on a rock by the side of the road, he decided to hold +a council of war, to determine what should be done. If he went +forward, his strength might fail him at the time when a vigorous +effort should be required of him. Somebody's dog might bark, and bring +the "Philistines upon him." He might meet some late walker, who would +detain him. It was hardly safe for him to go through the village by +night or day, after the search which had been made for Ben Smart. +People would be on the lookout, and it would be no hard matter to +mistake him for the other fugitive. + +On the other hand, he did not like to pause so near Redfield. He had +scarcely entered upon the consideration of this side of the question +before his quick ear detected the sound of rattling wheels in the +direction from which he had come. His heart beat violently. It was +Squire Walker and Jacob Wire, he was sure, in pursuit of him; but his +courage did not fail him. + +Leaping over the stone wall by the side of the road, he secured the +only retreat which the vicinity afforded, and waited, with his heart +in his throat, for the coming of his pursuers, as he had assured +himself they were. The present seemed to be his only chance of escape, +and if he failed now, he might not soon have another opportunity to +"try again." + +The vehicle was approaching at a furious pace, and as the noise grew +more distinct, his heart leaped the more violently. He thought he +recognized the sound of Squire Walker's wagon. There was not much time +for his fancy to conjure up strange things, for the carriage soon +reached the place where he was concealed. + +"Ur-r--woo!" said a big bull-dog, placing his ugly nose against the +wall, behind which Harry was lying. + +"Whoa!" added a voice, which the trembling fugitive recognized as that +of George Leman. + +"The dog has scented him," said another--that of Jacob Wire. + +Harry's heart sank within him, and he felt as faint as though every +drop of blood had been drawn from his veins. + +"I knew the dog would fetch him," said George Leman, as he leaped from +the wagon, followed by Jacob Wire. "At him, Tiger!" + +In obedience to this command, Tiger drew back a few steps, and then +leaped upon the top of the wall. The prospect of being torn to pieces +by the bull-dog was not pleasant to Harry, and with a powerful effort +he summoned his sinking energies for the struggle before him. Grasping +two large stones, he stood erect as the dog leaped on the wall. +Inspired by the imminence of his peril, he hurled one of the stones at +Tiger the instant he showed his ugly visage above the fence. The +missile took effect upon the animal, and he was evidently much +astonished at this unusual mode of warfare. Tiger was vanquished, and +fell back from the wall, howling with rage and pain. + +"Thunder! He has killed my dog!" exclaimed Leman, as he jumped over +the wall. + +Harry did not wait any longer, but took to his heels, followed by both +pursuers, though not by the dog, which was _hors de combat_. Our hero +was in a "tight place," but with a heroism worthy the days of +chivalry, he resolved not to be captured. + +He had not run far, however, before he realized that George Leman was +more than a match for him, especially in his present worn-out +condition. He was almost upon him, when Harry executed a counter +movement, which was intended to "outflank" his adversary. Dodging +round a large rock in the field, he redoubled his efforts, running now +towards the road where the horse was standing. Leman was a little +confused by this sudden action, and for an instant lost ground. + +Harry reached the road and leaped the wall at a single bound; it was a +miracle that, in the darkness, he had not dashed his brains out upon +the rocks, in the reckless leap. The horse was startled by the noise, +and his snort suggested a brilliant idea to Harry. + +"Go 'long!" he shouted; and the horse started towards Rockville at a +round pace. + +Harry jumped into the wagon over the hind board, and grasping the +reins, put the high-mettled animal to the top of his speed. + +"Go 'long!" hallooed Harry, mad with excitement. + +The horse manifested no feeling of partiality toward either of the +parties, and seemed as willing to do his best for Harry as for his +master. + +"Stop! Stop!" shouted George Leman, astounded at the new phase which +the chase had assumed. "Stop! and I will let you go." + +That was quite reasonable. It was natural that he should prefer to let +the fugitive escape, to the alternative of losing his horse. George +Leman was noted for three things in Redfield--his boat, his ugly dog, +and his fast horse; and Harry, after stealing the boat and killing the +dog, was in a fair way to deprive him of his horse, upon which he set +a high value. The boy seemed like his evil genius, and no doubt he was +angry with himself for letting so mean a man as Jacob Wire persuade +him to hunt down such small game. + +Harry did not deem it prudent to stop, and in a few moments had left +his pursuers out of sight. Then he began to breathe freer. He had +played a desperate game, and won the victory; yet he did not feel like +indulging in a triumph. The battle had been a bitter necessity, and he +even regretted the fate of poor Tiger, whose ribs he had stove in with +a rock. + +He passed through Rockville. All was still, save the roaring of the +waters at the dam, and no one challenged him. + +"I am safe, at any rate," said he to himself, when he had passed the +village. "What will be the next scrape, I wonder? Confound it! They +will have me up for stealing a horse next. But I didn't steal him. +George Leman is a good fellow, and only for the fun of the thing, he +wouldn't have come out on such a chase. I wouldn't steal anybody's +horse. Whoa!" + +Harry hauled up by the roadside, and fastened the horse to the fence. + +"There, George, you can have your horse again; but I will just put the +blanket over him, for he is all of a reeking sweat. It will just show +George, when he comes up, that I don't mean him any harm. I hope his +dog wasn't killed." + +Taking the blanket which lay in the bottom of the wagon (for George +Leman was very careful of his horse, and though it was October, always +covered him when he let him stand out at night), he spread it over +him. + +"Now, for Number One again," muttered Harry. "I must take to the +woods, though I doubt if George will follow me any farther." + +So saying, he got over the fence, and made his way across the fields +to the woods, which were but a short distance from the road. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +IN WHICH HARRY KILLS A BIG SNAKE, AND MAKES A NEW FRIEND + + +Harry was not entirely satisfied with what he had done. He regretted +the necessity which had compelled him to take George Leman's horse. It +looked too much like stealing; and his awakened moral sense repelled +the idea of such a crime. But they could not accuse him of stealing +the horse; for his last act would repudiate the idea. + +His great resolution to become a good and true man was by no means +forgotten. It is true, at the very outset of the new life he had +marked out for himself, he had been obliged to behave like a young +ruffian, or be restored to his exacting guardians. It was rather a bad +beginning; but he had taken what had appeared to him the only course. + +Was it right for him to run away? On the solution of this problem +depended the moral character of the subsequent acts. If it was right +for him to run away, why, of course it was right for him to resist +those who attempted to restore him to Jacob Wire. + +Harry made up his mind that it was right for him to run away, under +the circumstances. His new master had been charged to break him +down--even to starve him down. Jacob's reputation as a mean and hard +man was well merited; and it was his duty to leave without stopping to +say good by. + +I do not think that Harry was wholly in the right, though I dare say +all my young readers will sympathize with the stout-hearted little +hero. So far, Jacob Wire had done him no harm. He had suffered no +hardship at his hands. All his misery was in the future; and if he had +stayed, perhaps his master might have done well by him, though it is +not probable. Still, I think Harry was in some sense justifiable. To +remain in such a place was to cramp his soul, as well as pinch his +body--to be unhappy, if not positively miserable. He might have tried +the place, and when he found it could not be endured, fled from it. + +It must be remembered that Harry was a pauper and an orphan. He had +not had the benefit of parental instruction. It was not from the home +of those whom God had appointed to be his guardians and protectors +that he had fled; it was from one who regarded him, not as a rational +being, possessed of an immortal soul--one for whose moral, mental, and +spiritual welfare he was accountable before God--that he had run away, +but from one who considered him as a mere machine, from which it was +his only interest to get as much work at as little cost as possible. +He fled from a taskmaster, not from one who was in any just sense a +guardian. + +Harry did not reason out all this; he only felt it. What was Jacob +Wire to him? What was even Squire Walker to him? What did they care +about his true welfare? Nothing. Harry so understood it, and acted +accordingly. + +The future was full of trials and difficulties. But his heart was +stout; and the events of the last chapter inspired him with confidence +in his own abilities. He entered the dark woods, and paused to rest +himself. What should he do next? + +While he was discussing this question in his own mind he heard the +sound of voices on the road, which was not more than fifty rods +distant. It was George Leman and Jacob Wire. In a few minutes he heard +the sound of wagon wheels; and soon had the satisfaction of knowing +that his pursuers had abandoned the chase and were returning home. + +The little fugitive was very tired and very sleepy. It was not +possible for him to continue his journey, and he looked about him for +a place in which to lodge. The night was chilly and damp; and as he +sat upon the rock, he shivered with cold. It would be impossible to +sleep on the wet ground; and if he could, it might cost him his life. +It was a pine forest; and there were no leaves on the ground, so that +he could not make such a bed as that in which he had slept the +previous night. + +He was so cold that he was obliged to move about to get warm. It +occurred to him that he might get into some barn in the vicinity, and +nestle comfortably in the hay; but the risk of being discovered was +too great, and he directed his steps towards the depths of the forest. + +After walking some distance, he came to an open place in the woods. +The character of the growth had changed, and the ground was covered +with young maples, walnuts and oaks. The wood had been recently cut +off over a large area, but there were no leaves of which he could make +a bed. + +Fortune favored him, however; for, after advancing half way across the +open space he reached one of those cabins erected for the use of men +employed to watch coal pits. It was made of board slabs, and covered +with sods. Near it was the circular place on which the coal pit had +burned. + +At the time of which I write, charcoal was carried to Boston from many +towns within thirty miles of the city. Perhaps my young readers may +never have seen a coal pit. The wood is set up on the ends of the +sticks, till a circular pile from ten to twenty feet in diameter is +formed and two tiers in height. Its shape is that of a cone, or a +sugar loaf. It is then covered with turf and soil. Fire is +communicated to the wood, so that it shall smoulder, or burn slowly, +without blazing. Just enough air is admitted to the pit to keep the +fire alive. If the air were freely admitted the pile would burn to +ashes. Sometimes the outer covering of dirt and sods falls in, as the +wood shrinks permitting the air to rush in and fan the fire to a +blaze. When this occurs, the aperture must be closed, or the wood +would be consumed; and it is necessary to watch it day and night. The +cabin had been built for the comfort of the men who did this duty. + +Harry's heart was filled with gratitude when he discovered the rude +hut. If it had been a palace, it could not have been a more welcome +retreat. It is true the stormy wind had broken down the door, and the +place was no better than a squirrel hole; yet it suggested a thousand +brilliant ideas of comfort, and luxury even, to our worn-out and +hunted fugitive. + +He entered the cabin. The floor was covered with straw, which +completed his ideal of a luxurious abode. Raising up the door, which +had fallen to the ground, he placed it before the aperture--thus +excluding the cold air from his chamber. + +"I'm a lucky fellow," exclaimed Harry, as he threw himself on the +straw. "This place will be a palace beside Jacob Wire's house. And I +can stay here a month, if I like." + +Nestling closely under the side of the hut, he pulled the straw over +him, and soon began to feel perfectly at home. Only one consideration +troubled him. The commissary department of the establishment could not +be relied on. There were no pork and potatoes in the house, no +well-filled grain chest, no groceries, not even a rill of pure water +at hand. This was an unpromising state of things; and he began to see +that there would be no fun in living in the woods, where the butcher +and the baker would not be likely to visit him. + +Various means of supplying the deficiency suggested themselves. There +were rabbits, partridges, and quails in the woods; he might set a +snare, and catch some of them. But he had no fire to cook them; and +Dr. Kane had not then demonstrated the healthy and appetizing +qualities of raw meat. The orchards in the neighborhood were +accessible; but prudence seemed to raise an impassable barrier between +him and them. + +While he was thus considering these matters, he dropped asleep, and +forgot all about his stomach. He was completely exhausted; and no +doubt the owls and bats were astonished as they listened to the +sonorous sounds that came from the deserted cabin. + +Long and deep was his sleep. The birds sang their mating songs on the +tree tops; but he heard them not. The sun rose, and penetrated the +chinks of the hut; but the little wanderer still slumbered. The +Rockville clock struck nine; and he heard it not. + +I think it was Harry's grumbling stomach that finally waked him; and +it was no wonder that neglected organ grew impatient under the injury +put upon it, for Harry had eaten little or nothing since his dinner at +the poorhouse on the preceding day. + +Jumping out of the heap of straw in which he had "cuddled" all night +scarcely without moving, he left the hut to reconnoitre his position. +So far as security was concerned, it seemed to be a perfectly safe +place. He could see nothing of the village of Rockville, though, +beyond the open space, he saw the top of a chimney; but it was at +least half a mile distant. + +Just then he did not feel much interested in the scenery and natural +advantages of the position. His stomach was imperative, and he was +faint from the want of food. There was nothing in the woods to eat. +Berry time was past; and the prospect of supplying his wants was very +discouraging. Leaving the cabin, he walked towards the distant chimney +that peered above the tree tops. It belonged to a house that "was set +on a hill, and could not be hid." + +After going a little way, he came to a cart path, which led towards +the house. This he followed, descending a hill into a swamp, which was +covered over with alders and birches. At the foot of the declivity he +heard the rippling of waters; but the bushes concealed the stream from +his view. + +He had descended nearly to the foot of the hill when the sound of +footsteps reached his ears. His heart beat quick with apprehension, +and he paused to listen. The step was soft and light; it was not a +man's, and his courage rose. Pat, pat, pat, went the steps on the +leafy ground, so gently that his fears were conquered; for the person +could be only a child. + +Suddenly a piercing shriek saluted his ears. Something had occurred to +alarm the owner of the fairy feet which made the soft pat, pat, on the +ground. Another shriek, and Harry bounded down the road like an +antelope, heedless of the remonstrances of his grumbling stomach. + +"Mercy! help!" shouted a voice, which Harry perceived was that of a +little girl. + +In a moment more he discovered the young lady running with all her +might towards him. + +"Save me!" gasped the girl. + +"What is the matter?" + +But Harry had scarcely asked the question before he saw what had +alarmed her. Under other circumstances he would have quailed himself; +for, as he spoke, a great black snake raised his head two or three +feet from the ground directly in front of him. He was an ugly-looking +monster, and evidently intended to attack him. All the chivalry of +Harry's nature was called up to meet the emergency of the occasion. +Seizing a little stick that lay in the path, he struck sundry +vigorous blows at the reptile, which, however, seemed only to madden, +without disabling him. Several times he elevated his head from the +ground to strike at his assailant; but the little knight was an old +hand with snakes, and vigorously repelled his assaults. At last, he +struck a blow which laid out his snakeship; and the field was won, +when Harry had smashed his head with a large rock. The reptile was +about four feet and a half long, and as big round as a small boy's +wrist. + +"There, miss, he won't hurt you now," said Harry, panting with his +exertions. + +"Won't he? Are you sure he is dead?" + +"Very sure." + +The little girl ventured to approach the dead body of the snake, and +satisfied herself that he could not harm her. + +"What an ugly snake! I was crossing the brook at the foot of the hill, +when he sprang out from beneath my feet and chased me. I never was so +frightened in all my life," said the little miss. + +"I don't wonder," replied Harry. + +"I am very much obliged to you. What is your name?" asked she, with +childish simplicity. + +Harry did not like to answer that question, and made no reply. + +"Do you live in Rockville?" she continued. + +"No; I used to live in Redfield." + +"Where do you live now?" + +"I don't live anywhere." + +The little girl wanted to laugh then, it seemed such a funny answer. + +"Don't you? Who is your father?" + +"I have no father." + +"Who is your mother, then?" + +"I have no mother." + +"Poor boy! Then you are an orphan." + +"I suppose so. But, little girl, I don't want you to tell any one that +you have seen me. You won't--will you?" + +"Not father and mother?" asked the maiden, with a stare of +astonishment. + +"If you please, don't. I am a poor boy, and have run away from a hard +master." + +"I won't tell anybody." + +"And I am very hungry." + +"Poor boy! How lucky that I have lots of goodies in my basket!" +exclaimed she. "You shall eat all you can." + +"I haven't eat anything since yesterday noon," replied Harry, as he +took a handful of doughnuts she handed him. + +"Sit down on this rock, and do eat all you want. I never knew what it +was to be very hungry." + +Harry seated himself, and proceeded to devour the food the +sympathizing little maiden had given him, while she looked on with +astonishment and delight as he voraciously consumed cake after cake, +without seeming to produce any effect upon the "abhorred vacuum." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +IN WHICH HARRY BREAKFASTS ON DOUGHNUTS, AND FINDS THAT ANGELS DO NOT +ALWAYS HAVE WINGS + + +Harry was very hungry, and the little girl thought he would never have +eaten enough. Since he had told her he had run away, she was deeply +interested in him, and had a hundred questions to ask; but she did not +wish to bother him while he was eating, he was so deeply absorbed in +the occupation. + +"What a blessed thing doughnuts are!" laughed she, as Harry leveled on +the sixth cake. "I never thought much of them before, but I never +shall see a doughnut again without thinking of you." + +Our hero was perfectly willing to believe that doughnuts were a very +beneficent institution; but just then he was too busily occupied to be +sentimental over them. + +"What is your name, little girl?" asked Harry as he crammed half of +the cake into his mouth. + +"I have a great mind not to tell you, because you wouldn't tell me +what yours is," replied she, roguishly. + +"You see how it is with me. I have run away from--well, from +somewhere." + +"And you are afraid I will tell? I won't though. But, as you killed +the snake, I shall tell you. My name is Julia Bryant." + +"Mine is Harry West," replied he, unable to resist the little lady's +argument. "You must not tell any one about me for three days, for then +I shall be out of the way." + +"Where are you going, Harry?" + +"To Boston." + +"Are you? They say that none but bad boys run away. I hope you are not +a bad boy." And Julia glanced earnestly at the fugitive. + +"I don't think I am." + +"I don't think you are, either." + +It was a hearty endorsement, and Harry's heart warmed as she spoke. +The little maiden was not more than nine or ten years old, but she +seemed to have some skill in reading faces; at least, Harry thought +she had. Whatever might be said of himself, he was sure she was a good +girl. In short, though Harry had never read a novel in his life, she +was a little angel, even if she had no wings. He even went so far as +to believe she was a little angel, commissioned by that mysterious +something, which wiser and more devout persons would have called a +special providence, to relieve his wants with the contents of her +basket, and gladden his heart by the sunshine of her sweet smile. +There is something in goodness which always finds its way to the face. +It makes little girls look prettier than silks, and laces, and +ribbons, and embroidery. Julia Bryant was pretty, very pretty. Harry +thought so; but very likely it was the doughnuts and her kind words +which constituted her beauty. + +"I am pretty sure I am not a bad boy," continued Harry; "but I will +tell you my own story, and you shall judge for yourself." + +"You will tell me all of it--won't you?" + +"To be sure I will," replied Harry, a little tartly, for he +misapprehended Julia's meaning. + +He thought she was afraid he would not tell his wrong acts; whereas +her deep interest in him rendered her anxious to have the whole, even +to the smallest particulars. + +"I shall be so delighted! I do so love to hear a good story!" +exclaimed Julia. + +"You shall have it all; but where were you going? It will take me a +good while." + +"I was going to carry these doughnuts to Mrs. Lane. She is a poor +widow, who lives over the back lane. She has five children, and has +very hard work to get along. I carry something to her every week." + +"Then you are a little angel!" added Harry, who could understand and +appreciate kindness to the poor. + +"Not exactly an angel, though Mrs. Lane says I am," replied Julia, +with a blush. + +"Aunty Gray, over to the poorhouse, used to call everybody an angel +that brought her anything good. So I am sure you must be one." + +"Never mind what I am now. I am dying to hear your story," interposed +Julia, as she seated herself on another rock, near that occupied by +Harry. + +"Here goes, then"; and Harry proceeded with his tale, commencing back +beyond his remembrance with the traditionary history which had been +communicated to him by Mr. Nason and the paupers. + +When he came to the period of authentic history, or that which was +stored up in his memory, he grew eloquent, and the narrative glowed +with the living fire of the hero. Julia was quite as much interested +as Desdemona in the story of the swarthy Moor. His "round, unvarnished +tale," adorned only with the flowers of youthful simplicity, enchained +her attention, and she "loved him for the dangers he had passed;" +loved him, not as Desdemona loved, but as a child loves. She was sure +now that he was not a bad boy; that even a good boy might do such a +thing as run away from cruel and exacting guardians. + +"What a strange story, Harry! How near you came to being drowned in +the river! I wonder the man had not killed you! And then they wanted +to send you to prison for setting the barn afire!" exclaimed Julia, +when he had finished the story. + +"I came pretty near it; that's a fact!" replied Harry, warming under +the approbation of his partial auditor. + +"And you killed the big dog?" + +"I don't know; I hope I didn't." + +"But you didn't steal the horse?" + +"I didn't mean to steal him." + +"No one could call that stealing. But what are you going to do next, +Harry?" + +"I am going to Boston." + +"What will you do when you get there?" + +"I can go to work." + +"You are not big enough to work much." + +"I can do a good deal." + +For some time longer they discussed Harry's story, and Julia regretted +the necessity of leaving him to do her errand at Mrs. Lane's. She +promised to see him when she returned, and Harry walked down to the +brook to get a drink, while she continued on her way. + +Our hero was deeply interested in the little girl. Like the "great +guns" in the novels, he was sure she was no ordinary character. He was +fully satisfied in relation to the providential nature of their +meeting. She had been sent by that incomprehensible something to +furnish him with food, and he trembled when he thought what might have +happened if she had not come. + +"I can't be a very bad boy," thought he, "or she would not have liked +me. Mr. Nason used to say he could tell an ugly horse by the looks of +his eye; and the schoolmaster last winter picked out all the bad boys +at a glance. I can't be a very bad boy, or she would have found me +out. I _know_ I am not a bad boy. I feel right, and try to do right." + +Harry's investigation invested Julia Bryant with a thousand poetical +excellences. That she felt an interest in him--one so good as she--was +enough to confirm all the noble resolutions he had made, and give him +strength to keep them; and as he seated himself by the brook, he +thought over his faults, and renewed his determination to uproot them +from his character. His meeting with the "little angel," as he chose +to regard her, was an oasis in the desert--a place where his moral +nature could drink the pure waters of life. + +No one had ever before seemed to care much whether he was a good boy +or a bad boy. The minister used now and then to give him a dry +lecture; but he did not seem to feel any real interest in him. He was +minister, and of course he must preach; not that he cared whether a +pauper boy was a saint or a sinner, but only to do the work he was +hired to do, and earn his money. + +Julia did not preach. Her sweet face was the "beauty of holiness." She +hoped he was not a bad boy. She liked a good boy; and this was +incentive enough to incur a lifetime of trial and self-sacrifice. +Harry was an orphan. To have one feel an interest in his moral +welfare, to have one wish him to be a good boy, had not grown stale by +long continuance. He had known no anxious mother, who wished him to be +good, who would weep when he did wrong. The sympathy of the little +angel touched a sensitive chord in his heart and soul, and he felt +that he should go forward in the great pilgrimage of life with a new +desire to be true to himself, and true to her who had inspired his +reverence. + +Even a child cannot be good without having it felt by others. "She +hoped he was not a bad boy," were the words of the little angel; and +before she returned from her errand of mercy, he repeated them to +himself a hundred times. They were a talisman to him, and he was sure +he should never be a bad boy in the face of such a wish. + +He wandered about the woods for two or three hours, impatient for the +return of the little rural goddess who had taken possession of his +thoughts, and filled his soul with admiration. She came at last, and +glad was the welcome which he gave her. + +"I have been thinking of you ever since I left you," said Julia, as +she approached the place where he had been waiting her return. + +Harry thought this was a remarkable coincidence. He had been thinking +of her also. + +"I hope you didn't think of me as a bad boy," replied he, giving +expression to that which was uppermost in his mind. + +"I am sure I didn't. I am sure you must be a good boy." + +"I am glad you think so; and that will help me be a good boy." + +"Will it?" + +"I never had any one to care whether I was good or bad. If you do, you +will be the first one." + +The little girl looked sad. She had a father and mother who loved her, +and prayed for her every day. It seemed hard that poor Harry should +have no mother to love him as her mother loved her; to watch over him +day and night, to take care of him when he was sick, and, above all, +to teach him to be good. She pitied the lonely orphan, and would +gladly have taken him to her happy home, and shared with him all she +had, even the love of her mother. + +"Poor boy!" she sighed. "But I have been thinking of something," she +added, in more sprightly tones. + +"What, Julia?" + +"If you would only let me tell my father that you are here--" + +"Not for the world!" cried Harry. + +"O, I won't say a word, unless you give me leave; but my father is +rich. He owns a great factory and a great farm. He has lots of men to +work for him; and my father is a very good man, too. People will do as +he wants them to do, and if you will let me tell him your story, he +will go over to Redfield and make them let you stay at our house. You +shall be my brother then, and we can do lots of things together. Do +let me tell him." + +"I don't think it would be safe. I know Squire Walker wouldn't let me +go to any place where they would use me well." + +"What a horrible man he must be!" + +"No; I think I will go on to Boston." + +"You will have a very hard time of it." + +"No matter for that." + +"They may catch you." + +"If they do, I shall try again." + +"If they do catch you, will you let my father know it? He will be your +friend, for my friends are his friends." + +"I will. I should be very glad to have such a friend." + +"There is our dinner bell!" said Julia, as Harry heard the distant +sound. "I must go home. How I wish you were going with me!" + +"I wish I was. I may never see you again," added Harry, sadly. + +"O, you must see me again! When you get big you must come to +Rockville." + +"You will not wish to see the little poorhouse boy, then." + +"Won't I? I shall always be glad to see the boy that killed that +snake! But I shall come up after dinner, and bring you something to +eat. Do let me tell mother you are here." + +"I would rather you wouldn't." + +"Suppose she asks me what I am going to do with the dinner I shall +bring you? I can't tell a lie." + +"Don't bring any, then. I would rather not have any dinner than have +_you_ tell a lie." + +Harry would not always have been so nice about a lie; but for the +little angel to tell a falsehood, why, it seemed like mud on a white +counterpane. + +"I won't tell a lie, but you shall have your dinner. I suppose I must +go now." + +Harry watched the retreating form of his kind friend, till she +disappeared beyond the curve of the path, and his blessing went with +her. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +IN WHICH HARRY FARES SUMPTUOUSLY, AND TAKES LEAVE OF THE LITTLE ANGEL + + +When Harry could no longer see the little angel, he fixed his eyes +upon the ground, and continued to think of her. It is not every day +that a pauper boy sees an angel, or even one whom the enthusiasm of +the imagination invests with angelic purity and angelic affections. + +In the records of individual experience, as well as in the history of +the world, there are certain points of time which are rendered +memorable by important events. By referring to a chronological table, +the young reader will see the great events which have marked the +progress of civilized nations from the lowest depths of barbarism up +to their present enlightened state. Every individual, if he had the +requisite wisdom, could make up a list of epochs in his own +experience. Perhaps he would attach too little importance to some +things, too much to others; for we cannot always clearly perceive the +influences which assist in forming the character. Some trivial event, +far back in the past, which inspired him with a new reverence for +truth and goodness, may be forgotten. The memory may not now cherish +the look, the smile of approbation, which strengthened the heart, when +it was struggling against the foe within; but its influence was none +the less potent. "It is the last pound which breaks the camel's back;" +and that look, that smile, may have closed the door of the heart +against a whole legion of evil spirits, and thus turned a life of woe +and bitterness into a life of sunshine and happiness. + +There are hundreds of epochs in the experience of every person, boy or +man--events which raised him up or let him down in the scale of moral +existence. Harry West had now reached one of these epochs in his +pilgrimage. + +To meet a little girl in the woods, to kill a black snake, and thus +relieve her from a terrible fright, to say the least, was not a great +event, as events are reckoned in the world; yet it was destined to +exert a powerful influence upon his future career. It was not the +magnitude of the deed performed, or the chivalrous spirit which called +it forth, that made this a memorable event to Harry; it was the angel +visit--the kindling influence of a pure heart that passed from her to +him. But I suppose the impatient reader will not thank me for +moralizing over two whole pages, and I leave the further application +of the moral to the discretion of my young friends. + +Harry felt strangely--more strangely than he had ever felt before. As +he walked back to the cabin everything seemed to have assumed a new +appearance. Somehow the trees did not look as they used to look. He +saw through a different medium. His being seemed to have undergone a +change. He could not account for it; perhaps he did not try. + +He entered the cabin; and, without dropping the train of thought which +Julia's presence suggested, he busied himself in making the place more +comfortable. He shook up the straw, and made his bed, stuffed dried +grass into the chinks and crannies in the roof, fastened the door up +with some birch withes, and replaced some of the stones of the chimney +which had fallen down. This work occupied him for nearly two hours, +though, so busy were his thoughts, they seemed not more than half an +hour. + +He had scarcely finished these necessary repairs before he heard the +light step of her who fed him, as Elijah was fed by the ravens, for it +seemed like a providential supply. She saw him at the door of the +cabin; and she no longer dallied with a walk, but ran with all her +might. + +"O, Harry, I am so glad!" she cried, out of breath, as she handed him +a little basket, whose contents were carefully covered with a piece of +brown paper. + +"Glad of what, Julia?" asked Harry, smiling from sympathy with her. + +"I have heard all about it; and I am so glad you are a good boy!" +exclaimed she, panting like a pretty fawn which had gamboled its +breath away. + +"About what?" + +"Father has seen and talked with--who was he?" + +Harry laughed. How could he tell whom her father had seen and talked +with? He was not a magician. + +"The man that owned the dog, and the horse and the boat." + +"O! George Leman," replied Harry, now deeply interested in the little +maiden's story. "Where did he see him?" + +"Over at the store. But I have brought you some dinner; and while you +are eating it, I will tell you all about it. Come, there is a nice big +rock--that shall be your table." + +Julia, full of excitement, seized the basket, and ran to the rock, a +little way from the cabin. Pulling off half a dozen great oak leaves +from a shrub, she placed them on the rock. + +"Here is a piece of meat, Harry, on this plate," she continued, +putting it on an oak leaf; "here is a piece of pie; here is some bread +and butter; here is cheese; and here is a piece of cold apple pudding. +There! I forgot the sauce." + +"Never mind the sauce," said Harry; and he could hardly keep from +bursting into tears, as he saw how good the little angel was. + +It seemed as though she could not have been more an angel, if she had +had a pair of wings. The radiant face was there; the pure and loving +heart was there; all was there but the wings, and he could easily +imagine them. + +And what a dinner! Roast beef, pudding, pie! He was not much +accustomed to such luxuries; but just then he did not appreciate the +sumptuousness of the feast, for it was eclipsed by the higher +consideration of the devotion of the giver. + +"Come, eat, Harry! I am so glad!" added Julia. + +"So am I. If you feed me as high as this, I shall want to stay here a +good while." + +"I hope you will." + +"Only to-day; to-morrow I must be moving towards Boston." + +"I was hoping you would stay here a good long while. I shall be so +pleased to bring you your breakfast, and dinner, and supper every +day!" + +"Your father would not like it." + +"I don't know why he shouldn't. You are not very hungry; you don't eat +as you did this morning." + +"I ate so much then. Tell me, now, what your father said, Julia." + +"He saw George Leman; and he told him how you tied his horse to the +fence, and how careful you were to put the blanket on him, so that he +shouldn't catch cold after his hard run. That was very kind of you, +Harry, when you knew they were after you. Father said almost any one +would have run the horse till he dropped down. That one thing showed +that you were not a bad boy." + +"I wouldn't have injured George Leman for anything," added Harry. +"He's a good fellow, and never did me any harm." + +"He said, when he found his horse, he was so glad he wouldn't have +chased you any farther for all the world. He told father what Mr. +Nason said about you--that you were a good boy, had good feelings, and +were willing to work. He didn't blame you for not wanting to go to +Jacob Wire's--wasn't that the man?" + +"Yes." + +"And he didn't blame you for running away. Nobody believes that you +set the barn afire; and, Harry, they have caught the other boy--Ben +Smart, wasn't it?" + +"Yes, that was his name." + +"They caught him in the woods, over the other side of the river." + +"Did you find out whether the dog was killed?" asked Harry. + +"Mr. Leman said he thought he would get over it; and he has got his +boat again." + +"I am glad of that; and if anybody ever catches me with such a fellow +as Ben Smart again, they'll know it." + +"You can't think how I wanted to tell father where you were, when he +spoke so well of you. He even said he hoped you would get off, and +that you must be in the woods around here somewhere. You will let me +tell him now--won't you, Harry?" + +"I think not." + +"Why not, Harry?" + +"He may hope I will get off, and still not be willing to help me off." + +Julia looked very much disappointed; for she had depended upon +surprising her father with the story of the snake, and the little +fugitive in the woods. + +"He will be very good to you," pleaded she. + +"I dare say he would; but he may think it his duty to send me back to +Redfield; and Squire Walker would certainly make me go to Jacob +Wire's." + +"But you won't go yet." + +"To-morrow, Julia." + +"I'm afraid you will never get to Boston." + +"O, yes, I shall. I don't think it is safe for me to stay here much +longer." + +"Why not? Hardly any one ever goes through the woods here at this time +of year but myself." + +"Didn't your mother want to know what you were going to do with the +dinner you brought me?" + +"No, I went to the store room, and got it. She didn't see me; but I +don't like to do anything unknown to her." + +"You mustn't do it again." + +"You must have something to eat." + +"You have brought enough to last me while I stop here. To-morrow +morning I must start; so I suppose I shall not see you again. But I +shall never forget you," said Harry looking as sad as he felt. + +"No, you mustn't go off without any breakfast. Promise me you will not +go till I have brought you some." + +Harry assured Julia he had enough, and tried to persuade her not to +bring him any more food; but Julia was resolute, and he was obliged to +promise. Having finished his dinner, she gathered up the remnants of +the feast and put them in the cabin for his supper. She was afraid to +remain any longer, lest she might be missed at home and Harry +gallantly escorted her beyond the brook on her return home. + +He busied himself during the greater part of the afternoon in +gathering dry grass and dead leaves for the improvement of his bed in +the cabin. About an hour before sundown, he was surprised to receive +another visit from Julia Bryant. She had her little basket in one +hand, and in the other she carried a little package. + +"I didn't expect to see you again," said Harry, as she approached. + +"I don't know as you will like what I have done," she began timidly; +"but I did it for the best." + +"I shall like anything you have done," answered Harry promptly, "even +if you should send me back to Redfield." + +"I wouldn't do such a mean thing as that; but I have told somebody +that you are here." + +"Have you?" asked Harry, not a little alarmed. + +"You will forgive me if I have done wrong--won't you?" + +Harry looked at her. He mistook her anxious appearance for sorrow at +what she had done. He could not give her pain; so he told her that, +whatever she had done, she was forgiven. + +"But whom have you told?" + +"John Lane." + +"Who is he?" + +"Mrs. Lane's oldest son. He drives the baggage wagon that goes to +Boston every week. He promised not to lisp a word to a single soul, +and he would be your friend for my sake." + +"Why did you tell him?" + +"Well, you see, I was afraid you would never get to Boston; and I +thought what a nice thing it would be if you could only ride all the +way there with John Lane. John likes me because I carry things to his +mother, and I am sure he won't tell." + +"How good you are, Julia!" exclaimed Harry. "I may forget everybody +else in the world; but I shall never forget you." + +A tear moistened his eye, as he uttered his enthusiastic declaration. + +"The worst of it is, John starts at two o'clock--right in the middle +of the night." + +"So much the better," replied Harry, wiping away the tear. + +"You will take the wagon on the turnpike, where the cart path comes +out. But you won't wake up." + +"Yes, I shall." + +"I am sorry to have you go; for I like you, Harry. You will be a very +good boy, when you get to Boston; for they say the city is a wicked +place." + +"I will try." + +"There are a great many temptations there, people say." + +"I shall try to be as good as you are," replied Harry, who could +imagine nothing better. "If I fail once, I shall try again." + +"Here, Harry, I have brought you a good book--the best of all books. I +have written your name and mine in it; and I hope you will keep it and +read it as long as you live. It is the Bible." + +Harry took the package, and thanked her for it. + +"I never read the Bible much; but I shall read this for your sake." + +"No, Harry; read it for your own sake." + +"I will, Julia." + +"How I shall long to hear from you! John Lane goes to Boston every +week. Won't you write me a few lines, now and then, to let me know how +you prosper, and whether you are good or not?" + +"I will. I can't write much; but I suppose I can--" + +"Never mind how you write, if I can only read it." + +The sun had gone down, and the dark shadows of night were gathering +over the forest when they parted, but a short distance from Mr. +Bryant's house. With the basket which contained provisions for his +journey and the Bible in his hand, he returned to the hut, to get what +sleep he might before the wagon started. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +IN WHICH HARRY REACHES THE CITY, AND THOUGH OFTEN DISAPPOINTED, TRIES +AGAIN + + +Harry entered the cabin, and stretched himself on his bed of straw and +leaves; but the fear that he should not wake in season to take the +wagon at the appointed place, would scarcely permit him to close his +eyes. He had not yet made up for the sleep he had lost; and Nature, +not sharing his misgiving, at last closed and sealed his eyelids. + +It would be presumptuous for me to attempt to inform the reader what +Harry dreamed about on that eventful night; but I can guess that it +was about angels, about bright faces and sweet smiles, and that they +were very pleasant dreams. At any rate, he slept very soundly, as +tired boys are apt to sleep, even when they are anxious about getting +up early in the morning. + +He woke, at last, with a start; for with his first consciousness came +the remembrance of the early appointment. He sprang from his bed, and +threw down the door of the cabin. It was still dark; the stars +twinkled above, the owls screamed, and the frogs sang merrily around +him. He had no means of ascertaining the time of night. It might be +twelve; it might be four; and his uncertainty on this point filled him +with anxiety. Better too early than too late; and grasping the basket +and the Bible, which were to be the companions of his journey, he +hastened down the cart path to the turnpike. + +There was no sound of approaching wheels to cheer him, and the clock +in the meeting house at Rockville obstinately refused to strike. He +reached the designated place; there was no wagon there. Perhaps he was +too late. The thought filled him with chagrin; and he was reading +himself a very severe lesson for having permitted himself to sleep at +all, when the church clock graciously condescended to relieve his +anxiety by striking the hour. + +"One," said he, almost breathless with interest. + +"Two," he repeated, loud enough to be heard, if there had been any one +to hear him. + +"Three"; and he held his breath, waiting for more. + +"No more!" he added, with disappointment and chagrin, when it was +certain that the clock did not mean to strike another stroke. "I have +lost my chance. What a fool I have been! Miss Julia will think that I +am a smart fellow, when she finds that her efforts to get me off have +been wasted. Why did I go to sleep? I might have known that I should +not wake;" and he stamped his foot upon the ground with impatience. + +He had been caught napping, and had lost the wagon. He was never so +mortified in his life. One who was so careless did not deserve to +succeed. + +"One thing is clear--it is no use to cry for spilt milk," muttered he, +as he jumped over the fence into the road. "I have been stupid, but +try again." + +Unfortunately, there was no chance to try again. Like thousands of +blessed opportunities, it had passed by, never to return. He had come +at the eleventh hour, and the door was closed against him. With the +wagon it had been "now or never." + +Harry got over his impatience, and resolved that Julia should not come +to the cabin, the next morning, to find he had slept when the +bridegroom came. He had a pair of legs, and there was the road. It was +no use to "wait for the wagon;" legs were made before wagon wheels; +and he started on the long and weary pilgrimage. + +He had not advanced ten paces before pleasant sounds reached his ears. +He stopped short, and listened. A wagon was certainly approaching, and +his heart leaped high with hope. Was it possible that John Lane had +not yet gone? Retracing his steps, he got over the fence at the place +where John was to take him. Perhaps it was not he, after all. He had +no right to suppose it was; but he determined to wait till the wagon +had passed. + +The rumbling noise grew more distinct. It was a heavy wagon, heavily +loaded, and approached very slowly; but at last it reached the spot +where the impatient boy was waiting. + +"Whoa!" said the driver; and the horses stopped. + +Harry's heart bounded with joy. Some lucky accident had detained the +team, and he had regained his opportunity. + +"Harry West!" said he on the wagon. + +"John Lane!" replied Harry, as he leaped over the fence. + +"You are on hand," added John Lane. + +"I am; but I was sure you had gone. It is after three o'clock." + +"I know it. I don't generally get off much before this time," answered +John. "Climb up here, and let us be moving on." + +It was a large wagon, with a sail-cloth cover--one of those regular +baggage wagons which railroads have almost driven out of existence in +Massachusetts. It was drawn by four horses, harnessed two abreast, and +had a high "box" in front for the driver. + +Harry nimbly climbed upon the box, and took his seat by the side of +John Lane--though that worthy told him he had better crawl under the +cover, where he would find plenty of room to finish his nap on a bale +of goods. + +"I thought likely I should have to go up to the cabin and wake you. +Julia told me I must, if you were not on the spot." + +"I am glad I have saved you that trouble; but Julia said you would +start at two o'clock." + +"Well, I get off by two or three o'clock. I don't carry the mail, so I +ain't so particular. What do you mean to do when you get to Boston?" + +"I mean to go to work." + +"What at?" + +"Anything I can find." + +John Lane questioned the little wanderer, and drew from him all the +incidents of his past history. He seemed to feel an interest in the +fortunes of his companion, and gave him much good advice on practical +matters, including an insight into life in the city. + +"I suppose Squire Walker would give me fits, if he knew I carried you +off. He was over to Rockville yesterday looking for you." + +"He won't find me." + +"I hope not, my boy; though I don't know as I should have meddled in +the matter, if Julia hadn't teased me. I couldn't resist her. She is +the best little girl in the world; and you are a lucky fellow to have +such a friend." + +"I am; she is an angel;" and when Harry began to think of Julia, he +could not think of anything else, and the conversation was suspended. + +It was a long while before either of them spoke again, and then John +advised Harry to crawl into the wagon and lie down on the load. +Notwithstanding his agreeable thoughts, our hero yawned now and then, +and concluded to adopt the suggestion of the driver. He found a very +comfortable bed on the bales, softened by heaps of mattings, which +were to be used in packing the miscellaneous articles of the return +freight. + +John Lane took things very easily; and as the horses jogged slowly +along, he relieved the monotony of the journey by singing sundry +old-fashioned psalm tunes, which had not then gone out of use. He was +a good singer; and Harry was so pleased with the music, and so +unaccustomed to the heavy jolt of the wagon, that he could not go to +sleep at once. + + "While shepherds watched their flocks by night, + All seated on the ground, + The angel of the Lord came down, + And glory shone around." + +Again and again John's full and sonorous voice rolled out these +familiar lines, till Harry was fairly lulled to sleep by the +harmonious measures. The angel of the Lord had come down for the +fortieth time, after the manner of the ancient psalmody, and for the +fortieth time Harry had thought of _his_ angel, when he dropped off to +dream of the "glory that shone around." + +Harry slept soundly after he got a little used to the rough motion of +the wagon, and it was sunrise before he woke. + +"Well, Harry, how do you feel now?" asked John, as he emerged from his +lodging apartment. + +"Better; I feel as bright as a new pin. Where are we?" + +"We have come about twelve miles. Pretty soon we shall stop to bait +the team and get some breakfast." + +"I have got some breakfast in my basket. Julia gave me enough to last +a week. I shan't starve, at any rate." + +"No one would ever be hungry in this world, if everybody were like +Julia. But you shall breakfast with me at the tavern." + +"It won't be safe--will it?" + +"O, yes; nobody will know you here." + +"Well, I have got some money to pay for anything I have." + +"Keep your money, Harry; you will want it all when you get to Boston." + +After going a few miles farther, they stopped at a tavern, where the +horses were fed, and Harry ate such a breakfast as a pauper never ate +before. John would not let him pay for it, declaring that Julia's +friends were his friends. + +The remaining portion of the journey was effected without any incident +worthy of narrating, and they reached the city about noon. Of course +the first sight of Boston astonished Harry. His conceptions of a city +were entirely at fault; and though it was not a very large city +twenty-five years ago, it far exceeded his expectations. + +Harry had a mission before him, and he did not permit his curiosity to +interfere with that. John drove down town to deliver his load; and +Harry went with him, improving every opportunity to obtain work. When +the wagon stopped, he went boldly into the stores in the vicinity to +inquire if they "wanted to hire a hand." + +Now, Harry was not exactly in a condition to produce a very favorable +impression upon those to whom he applied for work. His clothes were +never very genteel, nor very artistically cut and made; and they were +threadbare, and patched at the knees and elbows. A patch is no +disguise to a man or boy, it is true; but if a little more care had +been taken to adapt the color and kind of fabric in Harry's patches to +the original garment, his general appearance would undoubtedly have +been much improved. Whether these patches really affected his ultimate +success I cannot say--only that they were an inconvenience at the +outset. + +It was late in the afternoon before John Lane had unloaded his +merchandise and picked up his return freight. Thus far Harry had been +unsuccessful; no one wanted a boy; or if they did, they did not want +such a boy as Harry appeared to be. His country garb, with the five +broad patches, seemed to interfere with the working out of his +manifest destiny. Yet he was not disheartened. Spruce clerks and +ill-mannered boys laughed at him; but he did not despond. + +"Try again," exclaimed he, as often as he was told that his services +were not required. + +When the wagon reached Washington Street, Harry wanted to walk, for +the better prosecution of his object; and John gave him directions so +that he could find Major Phillips's stable, where he intended to put +up for the night. + +Harry trotted along among the gay and genteel people that thronged the +sidewalk; but he was so earnest about his mission, that he could not +stop to look at their fine clothes, nor even at the pictures, the +gewgaws, and gimcracks that tempted him from the windows. + +"'Boy wanted'" Harry read on a paper in the window of a jeweler's +shop. "Now's my time;" and, without pausing to consider the chances +that were against him, he entered the store. + +"You want a boy--don't you?" asked he of a young man behind the +counter. + +"We do," replied the person addressed, looking at the applicant with a +broad grin on his face. + +"I should like to hire out," continued Harry, with an earnestness that +would have secured the attention of any man but an idiot. + +"Do you? Your name is Joseph--isn't it?" + +"No, sir; my name is Harry West." + +"O, I thought it was Joseph. The Book says he had a coat of many +colors, though I believe it don't say anything about the trousers," +sneered the shopkeeper. + +"Never mind the coat or the trousers. If you want to hire a boy, I +will do the best I can for you," replied Harry, willing to appreciate +the joke of the other, if he could get a place. + +"You won't answer for us; you come from the country." + +"I did." + +"What did you come to Boston for?" + +"After work." + +"You had better go back, and let yourself to some farmer. You will +make a good scarecrow to hang up in the field. No crow would ever come +near you, I'll warrant." + +Harry's blood boiled with indignation at this gratuitous insult. His +cheeks reddened, and he looked about him for the means of inflicting +summary vengeance upon the poltroon who so wantonly trifled with his +glowing aspirations. + +"Move on, boy; we don't want you," added the man. + +"You are a ----" + +I will not write what Harry said. It was a vulgar epithet, coupled +with a monstrous oath for so small a boy to utter. The shopkeeper +sprang out from his counter; but Harry retreated, and escaped him, +though not till he had repeated the vulgar and profane expression. + +But he was sorry for what he had said before he had gone ten paces. + +"What would the little angel say, if she had heard that?" Harry asked +himself. "'Twon't do; I must try again." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +IN WHICH HARRY SUDDENLY GETS RICH AND HAS A CONVERSATION WITH ANOTHER +HARRY + + +By the time he reached the stable, Harry would have given almost +anything to have recalled the hasty expressions he had used. He had +acquired the low and vulgar habit of using profane language at the +poorhouse. He was conscious that it was not only wicked to do so, but +that it was very offensive to many persons who did not make much +pretension to piety, or even morality; and, in summing up his faults +in the woods, he had included this habit as one of the worst. + +She hoped he was a good boy--Julia Bryant, the little angel, hoped so. +Her blood would have frozen in her veins if she had listened to the +irreverent words he had uttered in the shop. He had broken his +resolution, broken his promise to the little angel, on the first day +he had been in the city. It was a bad beginning; but instead of +permitting this first failure to do right to discourage him, he +determined to persevere--to try again. + +A good life, a lofty character, with all the trials and sacrifices +which it demands, is worth working for; and those who mean to grow +better than they are will often be obliged to "try again." The spirit +may be willing to do well, but the flesh is weak, and we are all +exposed to temptation. We may make our good resolutions--and it is +very easy to make them, but when we fail to keep them--it is sometimes +very hard to keep them--we must not be discouraged, but do as Harry +did--TRY AGAIN. The strong Spirit may conquer the weak Flesh. + +"Well, Harry, how did you make out?" asked John Lane, when Harry +joined him at the stable. + +"I didn't make out at all. Nobody seems to want a boy like me." + +"O, well, you will find a place. Don't be discouraged." + +"I am not. To-morrow I shall try again." + +"I don't know what I shall do with you to-night. Every bed in the +tavern up the street, where I stop, is full. I shall sleep with +another teamster." + +"Never mind me! I can sleep in the wagon. I have slept in worse places +than that." + +"I will fix a place for you, then." + +After they had prepared his bed, Harry drew out his basket, and +proceeded to eat his supper. He then took a walk down Washington +Street, with John, went to an auction, and otherwise amused himself +till after nine o'clock, when he returned to the stable. + +After John had left him, as he was walking towards the wagon, with the +intention of retiring for the night, his foot struck against something +which attracted his attention. He kicked it once or twice, to +determine what it was, and then picked it up. + +"By gracious!" he exclaimed; "it is a pocketbook. My fortune is made;" +and without stopping to consider the matter any further, he scrambled +into the wagon. + +His heart jumped with excitement, for his vivid imagination had +already led him to the conclusion that it was stuffed full of money. +It might contain a hundred dollars, perhaps five hundred; and these +sums were about as far as his ideas could reach. + +He could buy a suit of new clothes, a new cap, new shoes, and be as +spruce as any of the boys he had seen about the city. Then he could go +to a boarding house, and live like a prince, till he could get a place +that suited him; for Harry, however rich he might be, did not think of +living without labor of some kind. He could dress himself up in fine +broadcloth, present himself at the jeweler's shop where they wanted a +boy, and then see whether he would make a good scarecrow. + +Then his thoughts reverted to the cabin, where he had slept two +nights, and, of course, to the little angel, who had supplied the +commissary department during his sojourn in the woods. He could dress +himself up with the money in the pocketbook, and, after a while, when +he got a place, take the stage for Rockville. Wouldn't she be +astonished to see him then, in fine broadcloth! Wouldn't she walk with +him over to the spot where he had killed the black snake! Wouldn't she +be proud to tell her father that this was the boy she had fed in the +woods! + +What would she say to him? He had promised to write to her when he got +settled, and tell her how he got along, and whether he was good or +not. What should he say? How glad she would be to hear that he was +getting along so finely! + +"Stop!" said he to himself. "What have I been thinking about? This +pocketbook isn't mine." + +I am sorry to say it, but Harry really felt sad when the thought +occurred to him. He had been building very pretty air castles on this +money, and this reflection suddenly tumbled them all down--new +clothes, new cap, boarding house, visit to Rockville--all in a heap. + +"But I found it," Harry reasoned with himself. + +Something within him spoke out, saying: + +"You stole it, Harry." + +"No, I didn't; I found it." + +"If you don't return it to the owner, you will be a thief," continued +the voice within. + +"Nobody will know that I found it. I dare say the owner does not want +it half so much as I do." + +"No matter for that, Harry; if you keep it you will be a thief." + +He could not compromise with that voice within. It was the real Harry, +within the other Harry, that spoke, and he was a very obstinate +fellow, positively refusing to let him keep the pocketbook, at any +rate. + +"What am I about? She hoped I would be a good boy, and the evil one is +catching me as fast as he can," resumed Harry. + +"Be a good boy," added the other Harry. + +"I mean to be, if I can." + +"The little angel will be very sad when she finds out that you are a +thief." + +"I don't mean to be a thief. But this pocketbook will make me rich. +She never will know anything about it." + +"If she does not, there is One above who will know, and his angels +will frown upon you, and stamp your crime upon your face. Then you +will go about like Cain, with a mark upon you." + +"Pooh!" said the outer Harry, who was sorely tempted by the treasure +within his grasp. + +"You will not dare to look the little angel in the face, if you steal +this money. She will know you are not good, then. Honest folks always +hold their heads up, and are never ashamed to face any person." + +"I don't keep it!" replied the struggling, tempted Flesh. "Why did I +think of such a thing?" + +He felt strong then, for the Spirit had triumphed over the Flesh. The +foe within had been beaten back, at least for the moment; and as he +laid his head upon the old coat that was to serve him for a pillow, he +thought of Julia Bryant. He thought he saw her sweet face, and there +was an angelic smile upon it. + +My young readers will remember, after Jesus had been tempted, and +said, "Get thee behind, Satan," that "behold, angels came and +ministered unto him." They came and ministered to Harry after he had +cast out the evil thought; they come and minister to all who resist +temptation. They come in the heart, and minister with the healing balm +of an approving conscience. + +Placing the pocketbook under his head, with the intention of finding +the owner in the morning, he went to sleep. The fatigue and excitement +of the day softened his pillow, and not once did he open his eyes till +the toils of another day had commenced around him. I question whether +he would have slept so soundly if he had decided to keep the +pocketbook. + +But the tempter was not banished. He had only been conquered for the +moment--subdued only to attack him again. The first thought of the +treasure, in the morning, was to covet it. Again he allowed his fancy +to picture the comforts and the luxuries which it would purchase. + +"No one will know it," he added. "Why shouldn't I keep it?" + +"God will know it; you will know it yourself," said the other Harry, +more faithful and conscientious than the outside Harry, who, it must +be confessed, was sometimes disposed to be the "Old Harry." + +"No use of being too good. I will keep it." + +"_She_ hoped you would be a good boy," added the monitor within. + +"I will--that is, when I can afford it." + +"Be good now, or you never will." + +One hundred dollars!--perhaps five hundred! It was a fortune. The +temptation was very great. But the little angel--the act would forever +banish him from her presence. He would never dare to look at her +again, or even to write the letter he had promised. + +"Be true to yourself, Harry. Good first, and rich next." + +"I will," exclaimed Harry, in an earnest whisper; and again the +tempter was cast out. + +Once more the fine air castles began to pile themselves up before +him, standing on the coveted treasure; but he resolutely pitched them +down, and banished them from his mind. + +"Where did you lose it?" said a voice near the wagon. + +"I don't know. I didn't miss it till this morning; and I have been to +every place where I was last night; so I think I must have lost it +here, when I put my horse up," replied another. + +The first speaker was one of the ostlers; and the moment Harry heard +the other voice he started as though a rattlesnake had rattled in his +path. Was it possible? As the speaker proceeded, he was satisfied +beyond the possibility of a doubt that the voice belonged to Squire +Walker. + +"Was there much money in it?" asked the ostler. + +"About a hundred and fifty dollars; and there were notes and other +papers of great value," replied Squire Walker. + +"Well, I haven't seen or heard anything about it." + +"I remember taking it out of my great-coat pocket, and putting it into +a pocket inside of my vest, when I got out of the wagon." + +"I don't think you lost it here. Some of us would have found it, if +you had." + +Here was a dilemma for Harry. He had determined to restore the +pocketbook; but he could not do so without exposing himself. Besides, +if there had been any temptation to keep the treasure before, it was +ten times as great now that he knew it belonged to his enemy. It would +be no sin to keep it from Squire Walker. + +"It would be stealing," said the voice within. + +"But if I give it to him, he will carry me back to Jacob Wire's. I'll +be--I'll be hanged if I do." + +"She hopes you will be a good boy." + +There was no resisting this appeal; and again the demon was put down, +and the triumph added another laurel to the moral crown of the little +hero. + +"It will be a dear journey to me," continued Squire Walker. "I was +looking all day yesterday after a boy that ran away from the +poorhouse, and came to the city for him. I had better let him go." + +"Did you find him?" + +"No. I brought that money down to put in the bank. It is gone, I +suppose. Confound the boy!" + +Harry waited no longer; but while his heart beat like the machinery in +the great factory at Rockville, he tumbled out of his nest, and slid +down the bale of goods to the pavement. + +"Ah, Master Harry West! You are here--are you?" exclaimed Squire +Walker, springing forward to catch him. + +Harry dodged, and kept out of his reach. + +"Catch him!" shouted the squire to the ostler. + +"Wait a minute, Squire Walker," said Harry. "I won't go back to Jacob +Wire's, anyhow. Just hear what I have got to say; and then, if you +want to take me, you may, if you can." + +It was evident, even to the squire, that Harry had something of +importance to say; and he involuntarily paused to hear it. + +"I have found your pocketbook, squire, and--" + +"Give it to me, and I won't touch you," cried the overseer, eagerly. + +It was clear that the loss of his pocketbook had produced a salutary +impression on the squire's mind. He loved money, and the punishment +was more than he could bear. + +"I was walking along here, last night, when I struck my foot against +something. I picked it up, and found it was a pocketbook. I haven't +opened it. Here it is;" and Harry handed him his lost treasure. + +"By gracious!" exclaimed he, after he had assured himself that the +contents of the pocketbook had not been disturbed. "That is more than +ever I expected of you, Master Harry West." + +"I mean to be honest," replied Harry, proudly. + +"Perhaps you do. I told you, Harry, I wouldn't touch you; and I +won't," continued the squire. "You may go." + +The overseer was amazed. He had come to Boston with the intention of +catching Harry, cost what it might,--he meant to charge the expense to +the town; but the recovery of his money had warmed his heart, and +banished the malice he cherished toward the boy. + +Squire Walker volunteered some excellent advice for the guidance of +the little pilgrim, who, he facetiously observed, had now no one to +look after his manners and morals--manners first, and morals +afterwards. He must be very careful and prudent, and he wished him +well. Harry, however, took this wholesome counsel as from whom it +came, and was not very deeply impressed by it. + +John Lane came to the stable soon after, and congratulated our hero +upon the termination of the persecution from Redfield, and, when his +horses were hitched on, bade him good bye, with many hearty wishes for +his future success. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +IN WHICH HARRY BECOMES A STABLE BOY, AND HEARS BAD NEWS FROM ROCKVILLE + + +Harry was exceedingly rejoiced at the remarkable turn his affairs had +taken. It is true, he had lost the treasure upon which his fancy had +built so many fine castles; but he did not regret the loss, since it +had purchased his exemption from the Redfield persecution. He had +conquered his enemy--which was a great victory--by being honest and +upright; and he had conquered himself--which was a greater victory--by +listening to the voice within him. He resisted temptation, and the +victory made him strong. + +Our hero had won a triumph, but the battlefield was still spread out +before him. There were thousands of enemies lurking in his path, ready +to fall upon and despoil him of his priceless treasure--his integrity. + +"She had hoped he would be a good boy." He had done his duty--he had +been true in the face of temptation. He wanted to write to Julia then, +and tell her of his triumph--that, when tempted, he had thought of +her, and won the victory. + +The world was before him; it had no place for idlers, and he must get +work. The contents of the basket were not yet exhausted, and he took +it to a retired corner to eat his breakfast. While he was thus +engaged, Joe Flint, the ostler, happened to see him. + +"That is cold comfort," said he. "Why don't you go to the tavern and +have your breakfast like a gentleman?" + +"I can't afford it," replied Harry. + +"Can't afford it? How much did the man that owned the pocketbook give +you?" + +"Nothing." + +"Nothing! I'm blamed if he ain't a mean one!" exclaimed Joe, heartily. +"I don't wonder you run away." + +"I didn't want anything. I was too glad to get clear of him to think +of anything else." + +"Next time he loses his pocketbook, I hope he won't find it." + +And with this charitable observation, Joe resumed his labors. Harry +finished his meal, washed it down with a draught of cold water at the +pump, and was ready for business again. Unfortunately, there was no +business ready for him. All day long he wandered about the streets in +search of employment; but people did not appreciate his value. No one +would hire him or have anything to do with him. The five patches on +his clothes, he soon discovered, rendered it useless for him to apply +at the stores. He was not in a condition to be tolerated about one of +these; and he turned his attention to the market, the stables, and the +teaming establishments, yet with no better success. It was in vain +that he tried again; and at night, weary and dispirited, he returned +to Major Phillips's stable. + +His commissariat was not yet exhausted; and he made a hearty supper +from the basket. It became an interesting question for him to +consider how he should pass the night. He could not afford to pay one +of his quarters for a night's lodging at the tavern opposite. There +was the stable, however, if he could get permission to sleep there. + +"May I sleep in the hay loft, Joe?" he asked, as the ostler passed +him. + +"Major Phillips don't allow any one to sleep in the hay loft; but +perhaps he will let you sleep there. He was asking about you to-day." + +"How should he know anything about me?" said Harry, not a little +surprised to find his fame had gone before him. + +"He heard about the pocketbook, and wanted to see you. He said it was +the meanest thing he ever heard of, that the man who lost it didn't +give you anything; and them's my sentiments exactly. Here comes the +major; I will speak to him about you." + +"Thank you, Joe." + +"Major Phillips, this boy wants to know if he may sleep in the hay +loft to-night." + +"No," replied the stable keeper, short as pie crust. + +"This is the boy that found the pocketbook, and he hain't got no place +to sleep." + +"O, is it? Then I will find a place for him to sleep. So, my boy, you +are an honest fellow." + +"I try to be," replied Harry, modestly. + +"If you had kept the pocketbook you might have lodged at the Tremont +House." + +"I had rather sleep in your stable, without it." + +"Squire Walker was mean not to give you a ten-dollar bill. What are +you going to do with yourself?" + +"I want to get work; perhaps you have got something for me to do. I am +used to horses." + +"Well, I don't know as I have." + +Major Phillips was a great fat man, rough, vulgar, and profane in his +conversation; but he had a kind of sympathizing nature. Though he +swore like a pirate sometimes, his heart was in the right place, so +far as humanity was concerned. + +He took Harry into the counting room of the stable, and questioned him +in regard to his past history and future prospects. The latter, +however, were just now rather clouded. He told the major his +experience in trying to get something to do, and was afraid he should +not find a place. + +The stable keeper was interested in him and in his story. He swore +roundly at the meanness of Jacob Wire and Squire Walker, and commended +him for running away. + +"Well, my lad, I don't know as I can do much for you. I have three +ostlers now, which is quite enough, and all I can afford to pay; but I +suppose I can find enough for a boy to do about the house and the +stable. How much wages do you expect?" + +"Whatever you think I can earn." + +"You can't earn much for me just now; but if you are a-mind to try it, +I will give you six dollars a month and your board." + +"Thank you, sir; I shall be very glad of the chance." + +"Very well; but if you work for me, you must get up early in the +morning, and be wide awake." + +"I will, sir." + +"Now, we will see about a place for you to sleep." + +Over the counting room was an apartment in which two of the ostlers +slept. There was room for another bed, and one was immediately set up +for Harry's use. + +Once more, then, our hero was at home, if a mere abiding place +deserves that hallowed name. It was not an elegant, or even a +commodious, apartment in which Harry was to sleep. The walls were +dingy and black; the beds looked as though they had never been clean; +and there was a greasy smell which came from several harnesses that +were kept there. It was comfortable, if not poetical; and Harry soon +felt perfectly at home. + +His first duty was to cultivate the acquaintance of the ostlers. He +found them to be rough, good-natured men, not over-scrupulous about +their manners or their morals. If it does not occur to my young +readers, it will to their parents, that this was not a fit place for +a boy--that he was in constant contact with corruption. His companions +were good-hearted men; but this circumstance rendered them all the +more dangerous. There was no fireside of home, at which the evil +effects of communication with men of loose morals would be +counteracted. Harry had not been an hour in their society before he +caught himself using a big oath--which, when he had gone to bed, he +heartily repented, renewing his resolution with the promise to try +again. + +He was up bright and early the next morning, made a fire in the +counting room, and had let out half the horses in the stable to water, +before Major Phillips came out. His services were in demand, as Joe +Flint, for some reason, had not come to the stable that morning. + +The stable keeper declared that he had gone on a "spree," and told +Harry he might take his place. + +Harry did take his place; and the ostlers declared that, in everything +but cleaning the horses, he made good his place. The knowledge and +skill which he had obtained at the poorhouse was of great value to +him; and, at night, though he was very tired, he was satisfied that he +had done a good day's work. + +The ostlers took their meals at the house of Major Phillips, which +stood at one side of the stable yard. Harry did not like Mrs. Phillips +very well; she was cross, and the men said she was a "regular Tartar." +But he was resolved to keep the peace. He afterwards found it a +difficult matter; for he had to bring wood and water, and do other +chores about the house, and he soon ascertained that she was +determined not to be pleased with anything he did. He tried to keep +his temper, however, and meekly submitted to all her scolding and +grumbling. + +Thus far, while Harry has been passing through the momentous period of +his life with which we commenced his story, we have minutely detailed +the incidents of his daily life, so that we have related the events of +only a few days. This is no longer necessary. He has got a place, and +of course one day is very much like every other. The reader knows him +now--knows what kind of boy he is, and what his hopes and expectations +are. The reader knows, too, the great moral epoch in his history--the +event which roused his consciousness of error, and stimulated him to +become better; that he has a talisman in his mind, which can be no +better expressed than by those words he so often repeated, "She hoped +he would be a good boy." And her angel smile went with him to +encourage him in the midst of trial and temptation--to give him the +victory over the foes that assailed him. + +We shall henceforth give results, instead of a daily record, stopping +to detail only the great events of his career. + +We shall pass over three months, during which time he worked +diligently and faithfully for Major Phillips. Every day had its trials +and temptations; not a day passed in which there were none. The habit +of using profane language he found it very hard to eradicate; but he +persevered; and though he often sinned, he as often repented and tried +again, until he had fairly mastered the enemy. It was a great triumph, +especially when it is remembered that he was surrounded by those whose +every tenth word at least was an oath. + +He was tempted to lie, tempted to neglect his work, tempted to steal, +tempted in a score of other things. And often he yielded; but the +remembrance of the little angel, and the words of the good Book she +had given him, cheered and supported him as he struggled on. + +Harry's finances were in a tolerably prosperous condition. With his +earnings he had bought a suit of clothes, and went to church half a +day every Sunday. Besides his wages, he had saved about five dollars +from the "perquisites" which he received from customers for holding +their horses, running errands, and other little services a boy could +perform. He was very careful and prudent with his money; and whenever +he added anything to his little hoard, he thought of the man who had +become rich by saving up his fourpences. He still cherished his +purpose to become a rich man, and it is very likely he had some +brilliant anticipations of success. Not a cent did he spend foolishly, +though it was hard work to resist the inclination to buy the fine +things that tempted him from the shop windows. + +Those who knew him best regarded him as a very strange boy; but that +was only because he was a little out of his element. He would have +preferred to be among men who did not bluster and swear; but, in spite +of them, he had the courage and the fortitude to be true to himself. +The little angel still maintained her ascendency in his moral nature. + +The ostlers laughed at him when he took out his little Bible, before +he went to bed, to drink of the waters of life. They railed at him, +called him "Little Pious," and tried to induce him to pitch cents, in +the back yard, on Sunday afternoon, instead of going to church. He +generally bore these taunts with patience, though sometimes his high +spirit would get the better of his desire to be what the little angel +wished him to be. + +John Lane put up at the stable once a week; and, every time he +returned to Rockville, he carried a written or a verbal account of the +prosperity of the little pauper boy. One Sunday, he wrote her a long +letter all about "being good"--how he was tempted, and how he +struggled for her sake and for the sake of the truth. + +In return, he often received messages and letters from her, breathing +the same pure spirit which she had manifested when she "fed him in the +wilderness." These communications strengthened his moral nature, and +enabled him to resist temptation. He felt just as though she was an +angel sent into the world to watch over him. Perhaps he had fallen +without them; at any rate, her influence was very powerful. + +About the middle of January, when the earth was covered with snow, and +the bleak, cold winds of winter blew over the city, John Lane informed +Harry, on his arrival, that Julia was very sick with the scarlet fever +and canker rash, and it was feared she would not recover. + +This was the most severe trial of all. He wept when he thought of her +sweet face reddened with the flush of fever; and he fled to his +chamber, to vent his emotions in silence and solitude. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +IN WHICH HARRY DOES A GOOD DEED, AND DETERMINES TO "FACE THE MUSIC" + + +While Harry sat by the stove in the ostlers' room, grieving at the +intelligence he had received from Rockville, a little girl, so lame +that she walked with a crutch, hobbled into the apartment. + +"Is my father here?" she asked, in tones so sad that Harry could not +help knowing she was in distress. + +"I don't know as I am acquainted with your father," replied Harry. + +"He is one of the ostlers here." + +"Oh, Joseph Flint!" + +"Yes; he has not been home to dinner or supper to-day, and mother is +very sick." + +"I haven't seen him to-day." + +"O, dear! What will become of us?" sighed the little girl, as she +hobbled away. + +Harry was struck by the sad appearance of the girl, and the desponding +words she uttered. Of late, Joe Flint's vile habit of intemperance had +grown upon him so rapidly that he did not work at the stable more than +one day in three. For two months, Major Phillips had been threatening +to discharge him; and nothing but kindly consideration for his family +had prevented him from doing so. + +"Have you seen Joe to-day?" asked Harry of one of the ostlers, who +came into the room soon after the departure of the little girl. + +"No, and don't want to see him," replied Abner, testily; for, in Joe's +absence, his work had to be done by the other ostlers, who did not +feel very kindly towards him. + +"His little girl has just been here after him." + +"Very likely he hasn't been home for a week," added Abner. "I should +think his family would be very thankful if they never saw him again. +He is a nuisance to himself and everybody else." + +"Where does he live?" + +"Just up in Avery Street--in a ten-footer there." + +"The little girl said her mother was very sick." + +"I dare say. She is always sick; and I don't much wonder. Joe Flint is +enough to make any one sick. He has been drunk about two-thirds of the +time for two months." + +"I don't see how his family get along." + +"Nor I, either." + +After Abner had warmed himself, he left the room. Harry was haunted by +the sad look and desponding tones of the poor lame girl. It was a +bitter cold evening; and what if Joe's family were suffering with the +cold and hunger! It was sad to think of such a thing; and Harry was +deeply moved. + +"She hoped I would be a good boy. She is very sick now, and perhaps +she will die," said Harry to himself. "What would she do, if she were +here now?" + +He knew very well what she would do, and he determined to do it +himself. His heart was so deeply moved by the picture of sorrow and +suffering with which his imagination had invested the home of the +intemperate ostler that it required no argument to induce him to go. + +But he must go prepared to do something. However sweet and consoling +may be the sympathy of others to those in distress, it will not warm +the chilled limbs or feed the hungry mouths; and Harry thanked God +then that he had not spent his money foolishly upon gewgaws and +gimcracks, or in gratifying a selfish appetite. + +After assuring himself that no one was approaching, he jumped on his +bedstead, and reaching up into a hole in the board ceiling of the +room, he took out a large wooden pill box, which was nearly filled +with various silver coins, from a five-cent piece to a half dollar. +Putting the box in his pocket, he went down to the stable, and +inquired more particularly in relation Joe's house. + +When he had received such directions as would enable him to find the +place, he told Abner he wanted to be absent a little while, and left +the stable. He had no difficulty in finding the home of the drunkard's +family. It was a little, old wooden house, in Avery Street, opposite +Haymarket Place, which has long since been pulled down to make room +for a more elegant dwelling. + +Harry knocked, and was admitted by the little lame girl whom he had +seen at the stable. + +"I have come to see if I can do anything for you," said Harry, as he +moved forward into the room in which the family lived. + +"Have you seen anything of father?" asked the little girl. + +"I haven't; Abner says he hasn't been to the stable to-day. Haven't +you any lights?" asked Harry, as he entered the dark room. + +"We haven't got any oil, nor any candles." + +In the fireplace, a piece of pine board was blazing, which cast a +faint and fitful glare into the room; and Harry was thus enabled to +behold the scene which the miserable home of the drunkard presented. + +In one corner was a dilapidated bedstead, on which lay the sick woman. +Drawn from under it was a trundle bed, upon which lay two small +children, who had evidently been put to bed at that early hour to keep +them warm, for the temperature of the apartment was scarcely more +comfortable than that of the open air. It was a cheerless home; and +the faint light of the blazing board only served to increase the +desolate appearance of the place. + +"Who is it?" asked the sick woman, faintly. + +"The boy that works at the stable," replied the lame girl. + +"My name is Harry West, marm; and I come to see if you wanted +anything," added Harry. + +"We want a great many things," sighed she. "Can you tell me where my +husband is?" + +"I can't; he hasn't been at the stable to-day." + +"Oh, God! what will become of us?" sobbed the woman. + +"I will help you, marm. Don't take on so. I have money! and I will do +everything I can for you." + +When her mother sobbed, the lame girl sat down on the bed and cried +bitterly. Harry's tender heart was melted; and he would have wept also +if he had not been conscious of the high mission he had to perform; +and he felt very grateful that he was able to dry up those tears and +carry gladness to those bleeding hearts. + +"I don't know what you can do for us," said the poor woman, "though I +am sure I am very much obliged to you." + +"I can do a great deal, marm. Cheer up," replied Harry, tenderly. + +As he spoke, one of the children in the trundle bed sobbed in its +sleep; and the poor mother's heart seemed to be lacerated by the +sound. + +"Poor child," wailed she. "He had no supper but a crust of bread and a +cup of cold water. He cried himself to sleep with cold and hunger. Oh, +Heaven! that we should have come to this!" + +"And the room is very cold," added Harry, glancing around him. + +"It is. Our wood is all gone but two great logs. Katy could not bring +them up." + +"I worked for an hour trying to split some pieces off them," said +Katy, the lame girl. + +"I will fix them, marm," replied Harry, who felt the strength of ten +stout men in his limbs at that moment. "But you have had no supper." + +"No." + +"Wait a minute. Have you a basket?" + +Katy brought him a peck basket, and Harry rushed out of the house as +though he had been shot. Great deeds were before him, and he was +inspired for the occasion. + +In a quarter of an hour he returned. The basket was nearly full. +Placing it in a chair, he took from it a package of candles, one of +which he lighted and placed in a tin candlestick on the table. + +"Now we have got a little light on the subject," said he, as he began +to display the contents of the basket. "Here, Katy, is two pounds of +meat; here is half a pound of tea; you had better put a little in the +teapot, and let it be steeping for your mother." + +"God bless you!" exclaimed Mrs. Flint. "You are an angel sent from +Heaven to help us in our distress." + +"No, marm; I ain't an angel," answered Harry, who seemed to feel that +Julia Bryant had an exclusive monopoly of that appellation, so far as +it could be reasonably applied to mortals. "I only want to do my duty, +marm." + +Katy Flint was so bewildered that she could say nothing, though her +opinion undoubtedly coincided with that of her mother. + +"Here is two loaves of bread and two dozen crackers; a pound of +butter; two pounds of sugar. There! I did not bring any milk." + +"Never mind the milk. You are a blessed child." + +"Give me a pitcher, Katy. I will go down to Thomas's in two shakes of +a jiffy." + +Mrs. Flint protested that she did not want any milk--that she could +get along very well without it; but Harry said the children must have +it; and, without waiting for Katy to get the pitcher, he took it from +the closet, and ran out of the house. + +He was gone but a few minutes. When he returned he found Katy trying +to make the teakettle boil, but with very poor success. + +"Now, Katy, show me the logs, and I will soon have a fire." + +The lame girl conducted him to the cellar, where Harry found the +remnants of the old box which Katy had tried to split. Seizing the +axe, he struck a few vigorous blows, and the pine boards were reduced +to a proper shape for use. Taking an armful, he returned to the +chamber; and soon a good fire was blazing under the teakettle. + +"There, marm, we will soon have things to rights," said Harry, as he +rose from the hearth, where he had stooped down to blow the fire. + +"I am sure we should have perished if you had not come," added Mrs. +Flint, who was not disposed to undervalue Harry's good deeds. + +"Then I am very glad I came." + +"I hope we shall be able to pay you back all the money you have spent; +but I don't know. Joseph has got so bad, I don't know what he is +coming to. He is a good-hearted man. He always uses me well, even when +he is in liquor. Nothing but drink could make him neglect us so." + +"It is a hard case, marm," added Harry. + +"Very hard; he hasn't done much of anything for us this winter. I have +been out to work every day till a fortnight ago, when I got sick and +couldn't do anything. Katy has kept us alive since then; she is a good +girl, and takes the whole care of Tommy and Susan." + +"Poor girl! It is a pity she is so lame." + +"I don't mind that, if I only had things to do with," said Katy, who +was busy disposing of the provisions which Harry had bought. + +As soon as the kettle boiled, she made tea, and prepared a little +toast for her mother, who, however, was too sick to take much +nourishment. + +"Now, Katy, you must eat yourself," interposed Harry, when all was +ready. + +"I can't eat," replied the poor girl, bursting into tears. "I don't +feel hungry." + +"You must eat." + +Just then the children in the trundle bed, disturbed by the unusual +bustle in the room, waked, and gazed with wonder at Harry, who had +seated himself on the bed. + +"Poor Susy!" exclaimed Katy; "she has waked up. And Tommy, too! They +shall have their supper, now." + +They were taken up; and Harry's eyes were gladdened by such a sight as +he had never beheld before. The hungry ate; and every mouthful they +took swelled the heart of the little almoner of God's bounty. If the +thought of Julia Bryant, languishing on a bed of sickness, had not +marred his satisfaction, he had been perfectly happy. But he was +doing a deed that would rejoice her heart; he was doing just what she +had done for him; he was doing just what she would have done, if she +had been there. + +"She hoped he would be a good boy." His conscience told him he had +been a good boy--that he had been true to himself, and true to the +noble example she had set before him. + +While the family were still at supper, Harry, lighting another candle, +went down cellar to pay his respects to those big logs. He was a stout +boy, and accustomed to the use of the axe. By slow degrees he chipped +off the logs, until they were used up, and a great pile of serviceable +wood was before him. Not content with this, he carried up several +large armfuls of it, which he deposited by the fireplace in the room. + +"Now, marm, I don't know as I can do anything more for you to-night," +said he, moving towards the door. + +"The Lord knows you have done enough," replied the poor woman. "I hope +we shall be able to pay you for what you have done." + +"I don't want anything, marm." + +"If we can't pay you, the Lord will reward you." + +"I am paid enough already. I hope you will get better, marm." + +"I hope so. I feel better to-night than I have felt before for a +week." + +"Good night, marm! Good night, Katy!" And Harry hurried back to the +stable. + +"Where have you been, Harry?" asked Abner, when he entered the +ostler's room. + +"I have been out a little while." + +"I know that. The old man wanted you; and when he couldn't find you, +he was mad as thunder." + +"Where is he?" said Harry, somewhat annoyed to find that, while he had +been doing his duty in one direction, he had neglected his duty in +another. + +"In the counting room. You will catch fits for going off." + +Whatever he should catch, he determined to "face the music," and left +the room to find his employer. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +IN WHICH HARRY MAKES THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A VERY IMPORTANT PERSONAGE + + +Major Phillips was in the counting room, where Harry, dreading his +anger, presented himself before him. His employer was a violent man. +He usually acted first, and thought the matter over afterwards; so +that he frequently had occasion to undo what had been done in haste +and passion. His heart was kind, but his temper generally had the +first word. + +"So you have come, Harry," exclaimed he, as our hero opened the door. +"Where have you been?" + +"I have been out a little while," replied Harry, whose modesty +rebelled at the idea of proclaiming the good deed he had done. + +"Out a little while!" roared the major, with an oath that froze the +boy's blood. "That is enough--enough, sir. You know I don't allow man +or boy to leave the stable without letting me know it." + +"I was wrong, sir; but I--" + +"You little snivelling monkey, how dared you leave the stable?" +continued the stable keeper, heedless of the boy's submission. "I'll +teach you better than that." + +"Will you?" said Harry, suddenly changing his tone, as his blood began +to boil. "You can begin as quick as you like." + +"You saucy young cub! I have a great mind to give you a cowhiding," +thundered the enraged stable keeper. + +"I should like to see you do it," replied Harry, fixing his eyes on +the poker that lay on the floor near the stove. + +"Should you, you impertinent puppy?" + +The major sprang forward, as if to grasp the boy by the collar; but +Harry, with his eyes still fixed on the poker, retreated a pace or +two, ready to act promptly when the decisive moment should come. +Forgetting for the time that he had run away from one duty to attend +to another, he felt indignant that he should be thus rudely treated +for being absent a short time on an errand of love and charity. He +gave himself too much credit for the good deed, and felt that he was a +martyr to his philanthropic spirit. He was willing to bear all and +brave all in a good cause; and it seemed to him, just then, as though +he was being punished for assisting Joe Flint's family, instead of for +leaving his place without permission. A great many persons who mean +well are apt to think themselves martyrs for any good cause in which +they may be engaged, when, in reality, their own want of tact, or the +offensive manner in which they present their truth, is the stake at +which they are burned. + +"Keep off!" said Harry, his eyes flashing fire. + +The major was so angry that he could do nothing; and while they were +thus confronting each other, Joe Flint staggered into the counting +room. Intoxicated as he was, he readily discovered the position of +affairs between the belligerents. + +"Look here--hic--Major Phillips," said he, reeling up to his employer, +"I love you--hic--Major Phillips, like a--hic--like a brother, Major +Phillips; but if you touch that boy, Major Phillips, I'll--hic--you +touch me, Major Phillips. That's all." + +"Go home, Joe," replied the stable keeper, his attention diverted from +Harry to the new combatant. "You are drunk." + +"I know I'm drunk, Major Phillips. I'm as drunk as a beast; but I +ain't--hic--dead drunk. I know what I'm about." + +"No, you don't. Go home." + +"Yes, I dzoo. I'm a brute; I'm a hog; I'm a--dzwhat you call it? I'm a +villain." + +Joe tried to straighten himself up, and look at his employer; but he +could not, and suddenly bursting into tears, he threw himself heavily +into a chair, weeping bitterly in his inebriate paroxysm. He sobbed, +and groaned, and talked incoherently. He acted strangely, and Major +Phillips's attention was excited. + +"What is the matter, Joe?" he asked; and his anger towards Harry +seemed to have subsided. + +"I tell you I am a villain, Major Phillips," blubbered Joe. + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"Haven't I been on a drunk, and left my family to starve and freeze?" +groaned Joe, interlarding his speech with violent ebullitions of +weeping. "Wouldn't my poor wife, and my poor children--O my God," and +the poor drunkard covered his face with his hands, and sobbed like an +infant. + +"What is the matter? What do you mean, Joe?" asked Major Phillips, who +had never seen him in this frame before. + +"Wouldn't they all have died if Harry hadn't gone and fed 'em, and +split up wood to warm 'em?" + +As he spoke, Joe sprang up, and rushed towards Harry, and in his +drunken frenzy attempted to embrace him. + +"What does this mean, Harry?" said the stable keeper, turning to our +hero, who, while Joe was telling his story, had been thinking of +something else. + +"What a fool I was to get mad!" thought he. "What would she say if she +had seen me just now? Poor Julia! perhaps she is dead, even now." + +"My folks would have died if it hadn't been for him," hiccoughed Joe. + +"Explain it, Harry," added the major. + +"The lame girl, Katy, came down here after her father early in the +evening. She seemed to be in trouble and I thought I would go up and +see what the matter was. I found them in rather a bad condition, +without any wood or anything to eat. I did what I could for them, and +came away," replied Harry. + +"Give me your hand, Harry!" and the major grasped his hand like a +vise. "You are a good fellow," he added, with an oath. + +"Forgive me, Mr. Phillips, for saying what I did; I was mad," pleaded +Harry. + +"So was I, my boy; but we won't mind that. You are a good fellow, and +I like your spunk. So you have really been taking care of Joe's family +while he was off on a drunk?" + +"I didn't do much, sir." + +"Look here, Harry, and you, Major Phillips. When I get this rum out of +me I'll never take another drop again," said Joe, throwing himself +into a chair. + +"Bah, Joe! You have said that twenty times before," added Major +Phillips. + +"You dzee!" exclaimed Joe, doubling his fist, and bringing it down +with the intention of hitting the table by his side to emphasize his +resolution; but, unfortunately, he missed the table--a circumstance +which seemed to fore-shadow the fate of his resolve. + +Joe proceeded to declare in his broken speech what a shock he had +received when he went home, half an hour before--the first time for +several days--and heard the reproaches of his suffering wife; how +grateful he was to Harry, and what a villain he considered himself. +Either the sufferings of his family, or the rum he had drunk, melted +his heart, and he was as eloquent as his half-paralyzed tongue would +permit. He was a pitiable object; and having assured himself that +Joe's family were comfortable for the night, Major Phillips put him to +bed in his own house. + +Harry was not satisfied with himself; he had permitted his temper to +get the better of him. He thought of Julia on her bed of suffering, +wept for her, and repented for himself. That night he heard the clock +on the Boylston market strike twelve before he closed his eyes to +sleep. + +The next day, while he was at work in the stable, a boy of about +fifteen called to see him, and desired to speak with him alone. Harry, +much wondering who his visitor was, and what he wanted, conducted him +to the ostlers' chamber. + +"You are Harry West?" the boy began. + +"That is my name, for the want of a better," replied Harry. + +"Then there is a little matter to be settled between you and me. You +helped my folks out last night, and I want to pay you for it." + +"Your folks?" + +"My name is Edward Flint." + +"Then you are Joe's son." + +"I am," replied Edward, who did not seem to feel much honored by the +relationship. + +"Your folks were in a bad condition last night." + +"That's a fact; they were." + +"But I didn't know Joe had a son as old as you are." + +"I am the oldest; but I don't live at home, and have not for three +years. How much did you pay out for them last night?" + +"One dollar and twenty cents." + +"As much as that?" + +"Just that." + +Edward Flint manifested some uneasiness at the announcement. He had +evidently come with a purpose, but had found things different from +what he had expected. + +"I didn't think it was so much." + +"What matters how much?" asked Harry. + +"Why, I want to pay you." + +"You needn't mind that." + +"The fact is, I have only three dollars just now; and I promised to go +out to ride with a fellow next Sunday. So, you see, if I pay you, I +shall not have enough left to foot the bills." + +Harry looked at his visitor with astonishment; he did not know what to +make of him. Was he in earnest? Would a son of Joseph Flint go out to +ride--on Sunday, too--while his mother and his brothers and sisters +were on the very brink of starvation? Our hero had some strange, +old-fashioned notions of his own. For instance, he considered it a +son's duty to take care of his mother, even if he were obliged to +forego the Sunday ride; that he ought to do all he could for his +brothers and sisters, even if he had to go without stewed oysters, +stay away from the theatre, and perhaps wear a little coarser cloth on +his back. If Harry was unreasonable in his views, my young reader will +remember that he was brought up in the country, where young America is +not quite so "fast" as in the city. + +"I didn't ask you to pay me," continued Harry. + +"I know that; but, you see, I suppose I ought to pay you. The old man +don't take much care of the family." + +Harry wanted to say that the young man did not appear to do much +better; but he was disposed to be as civil as the circumstances would +permit. + +"You needn't pay me." + +"Oh, yes, I shall pay you; but if you can wait till the first of next +month, I should like it." + +"I can wait. Do you live out?" + +"Live out? What do you mean by that? I am a clerk in a store +downtown," replied Edward, with offended dignity. + +"Oh, are you? Do they pay you well?" + +"Pretty fair; I get five dollars a week." + +"Five dollars a week! Thunder! I should think you did get paid pretty +well!" exclaimed Harry, astonished at the vastness of the sum for a +week's work. + +"Fair salary," added Edward, complacently. "What are you doing here?" + +"I work in the stable and about the house." + +"That's mean business," said Mr. Flint, turning up his nose. + +"It does very well." + +"How much do you get?" + +"Six dollars a month and perquisites." + +"How much are the perquisites?" + +"From one to two dollars a month." + +"Humph! I wonder you stay here." + +"It is as well as I can do." + +"No, it isn't; why don't you go into a store? We want a boy in our +store." + +"Do you?" + +"We do." + +"How much do you pay?" + +"We pay from two to four dollars a week." + +"Can't you get me the place?" asked Harry, now much interested in his +companion. + +"Well, yes; perhaps I can." + +"What should I have to do?" + +"Make the fires, sweep out in the morning, go on errands, and such +work. Boys must begin at the foot of the ladder. I began at the foot +of the ladder," answered Mr. Flint, with an immense self-sufficiency, +which Harry, however, failed to notice. + +"I should like to get into a store." + +"You will have a good chance to rise." + +"I am willing to do anything, so that I can have a chance to get +ahead." + +"We always give boys a good chance." + +Harry wanted that mysterious "we" defined. As it was, he was left to +infer that Mr. Flint was a partner in the concern, unless the five +dollars per week was an argument to the contrary; but he didn't like +to ask strange questions, and desired to know whom "he worked for." + +Edward Flint did not "work for" anybody. He was a clerk in the +extensive dry goods establishment of the Messrs. Wake & Wade, which, +he declared, was the largest concern in Boston; and one might further +have concluded that Mr. Flint was the most important personage in the +said concern. + +Mr. Flint was obliged to descend from his lofty dignity, and compound +the dollar and twenty cents with the stable boy by promising to get +him the vacant place in the establishment of Wake & Wade, if his +influence was sufficient to procure it. Harry was satisfied, and +begged him not to distress himself about the debt. The visitor took +his leave, promising to see him again the next day. + +About noon Joe Flint appeared at the stable again, perfectly sober. +Major Phillips had lent him ten dollars, in anticipation of his +month's wages, and he had been home to attend to the comfort of his +suffering family. After dinner he had a long talk with Harry, in +which, after paying him the money disbursed on the previous evening, +he repeated his solemn resolution to drink no more. He was very +grateful to Harry, and hoped he should be able to do as much for him. + +"Don't drink any more, Joe, and it will be the best day's work I ever +did," added Harry. + +"I never will, Harry--never!" protested Joe. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +IN WHICH HARRY GOES INTO THE DRYGOODS BUSINESS + + +Mr. Edward Flint's reputation as a gentleman of honor and a man of his +word suffered somewhat in Harry's estimation; for he waited all day, +and all evening, without hearing a word from the firm of Wake & Wade. +He had actually begun to doubt whether the accomplished young man had +as much influence with the firm as he had led him to suppose. But his +ambition would not permit him longer to be satisfied with the humble +sphere of a stable boy; and he determined, if he did not hear from +Edward, to apply for the situation himself. + +The next day, having procured two hours' leave of absence from the +stable, he called at the home of Joe Flint to obtain further +particulars concerning Edward and his situation. He found the family +in much better circumstances than at his previous visit. Mrs. Flint +was sitting up, and was rapidly convalescing; Katy was busy and +cheerful; and it seemed a different place from that to which he had +been the messenger of hope and comfort two nights before. + +They were very glad to see him, and poured forth their gratitude to +him so eloquently that he was obliged to change the topic. Mrs. Flint +was sure that her husband was an altered man. She had never before +known him to be so earnest and solemn in his resolutions to amend and +lead a new life. + +But when Harry alluded to Edward, both Katy and her mother suddenly +grew red. They acknowledged that they had sent for him in their +extremity, but that he did not come till the next morning, when the +bounty of the stable boy had relieved them from the bitterness of +want. The mother dropped a tear as she spoke of the wayward son; and +Harry had not the heart to press the inquiries he had come to make. + +After speaking as well as he dared to speak of Edward, he took his +leave, and hastened to the establishment of Wake & Wade, to apply for +the vacant place. He had put on his best clothes, and his appearance +this time was very creditable. + +Entering the store, he inquired for Edward Flint; and that gentleman +was summoned to receive him. + +"Hallo, Harry West!" said Edward, when he recognized his visitor. "I +declare I forgot all about you." + +"I thought likely," replied Harry, willing to be very charitable to +the delinquent. + +"The fact is, we have been so busy in the store I haven't had time to +call on you, as I promised." + +"Never mind, now. Is the place filled?" + +"No." + +"I am glad to hear that. Do you think there is any chance for me?" + +"Well, I don't know. I will do what I can for you." + +"Thank you, Edward." + +"Wait here a moment till I speak with one of the partners." + +The clerk left him, and was absent but a moment, when Harry was +summoned to the private room of Mr. Wake. The gentleman questioned him +for a few moments, and seemed to be pleased with his address and his +frankness. The result of the interview was that our hero was engaged +at a salary of three dollars a week, though it was objected to him +that he had no parents residing in the city. + +"I thought I could fix it," said Edward, complacently, as they left +the counting room. + +"I am much obliged to you, Edward," replied Harry, willing to humor +his new friend. "Now I want to get a place to board." + +"That is easy enough." + +"Where do you board?" + +"In Green Street." + +"How much do you pay a week?" + +"Two dollars and a half." + +"I can't pay that." + +"Well, I suppose you can't." + +"I was thinking of something just now. Suppose we should both board +with your mother." + +"Me?" + +"Yes." + +"What, in a ten-footer!" exclaimed Edward, starting back with +astonishment and indignation at the proposal. + +"Why not? If it is good enough for your mother, isn't it good enough +for you?" + +"Humph! I'll bet it won't suit me." + +"We can fix up a room to suit ourselves, you know. And it will be much +cheaper for both of us." + +"That, indeed; but the idea of boarding with the old man is not to be +thought of." + +"I should think you would like to be with your mother and your +brothers and sisters." + +"Not particular about it." + +"Better think of it, Edward." + +The clerk promised to think about it, but did not consider it very +probable that he should agree to the proposition. + +Harry returned to the stable, and immediately notified Major Phillips +of his intention to leave his service. As may be supposed, the stable +keeper was sorry to lose him; but he did not wish to stand in the way +of his advancement. He paid him his wages, adding a gift of five +dollars, and kindly permitted him to leave at once, as he desired to +procure a place to board, and to acquaint himself with the localities +of the city, so that he could discharge his duty the more acceptably +to his new employers. + +The ostlers, too, were sorry to part with him--particularly Joe Flint, +whose admiration of our hero was unbounded. In their rough and honest +hearts they wished him well. They had often made fun of his good +principles; often laughed at him for refusing to pitch cents in the +back yard on Sunday, and for going to church instead; often ridiculed +him under the name of "Little Pious"; still they had a great respect +for him. They who are "persecuted for righteousness' sake"--who are +made fun of because they strive to do right--are always sure of +victory in the end. They may be often tried, but sooner or later they +shall triumph. + +After dinner, he paid another visit to Mrs. Flint, in Avery Street. He +opened his proposition to board in her family, to which she raised +several objections, chief of which was that she had no room. The plan +was more favorably received by Katy; and she suggested that they could +hire the little apartment upstairs, which was used as a kind of lumber +room by the family in the other part of the house. + +Her mother finally consented to the arrangement, and it became +necessary to decide upon the terms, for Harry was a prudent manager, +and left nothing to be settled afterwards. He then introduced the +project he had mentioned to Edward; and Mrs. Flint thought she could +board them both for three dollars a week, if they could put up with +humble fare. Harry declared that he was not "difficult," though he +could not speak for Edward. + +Our hero was delighted with the success of his scheme, and only wished +that Edward had consented to the arrangement; but the next time he saw +him, somewhat to his surprise, the clerk withdrew his objections, and +entered heartily into the scheme. + +"You see, Harry, I shall make a dollar a week--fifty-two dollars a +year--by the arrangement," said Edward, after he had consented. + +He evidently considered that some apology was due from him for +condescending from the social dignity of his position in the Green +Street boarding house to the humble place beneath his mother's roof. + +"Certainly you will; and that is a great deal of money," replied +Harry. + +"It will pay my theatre tickets, and for a ride once a month besides." + +"For what?" asked Harry, astonished at his companion's theory of +economy. + +Edward repeated his statement. + +"Why don't you save your money?" + +"Save it? What is the use of that? I mean to have a good time while I +can." + +"You never will be a rich man." + +"I'll bet I will." + +"You could give your mother and Katy a great many nice things with +that money." + +"Humph! The old man must take care of them. It is all I can do to take +care of myself." + +"If I had a mother, and brothers and sisters, I should be glad to +spend all I got in making them happy," sighed Harry. + +On the following Monday morning, Harry went to his new place. He was +in a strange position. All was untried and unfamiliar. Even the +language of the clerks and salesmen was strange to him; and he was +painfully conscious of the deficiencies of his education and of his +knowledge of business. He was prompt, active and zealous; yet his +awkwardness could not be concealed. The transition from the stable to +the store was as great as from a hovel to a palace. He made a great +many blunders. Mr. Wake laughed at him; Mr. Wade swore at him; and all +the clerks made him the butt of their mirth or their ill nature, just +as they happened to feel. + +What seemed to him worse than all, Edward Flint joined the popular +side, and laughed and swore with the rest. Poor Harry was almost +discouraged before dinner time, and began very seriously to consider +whether he had not entirely mistaken his calling. Dinner, however, +seemed to inspire him with new courage and new energy; and he hastened +back to the store, resolved to try again. + +The shop was crowded with customers; and partners and clerks hallooed +"Harry" till he was so confused that he hardly knew whether he stood +on his head or his heels. It was, Come here, Go there, Bring this, +Bring that; but in spite of laugh and curse, of push and kick, he +persevered, suiting nobody, least of all himself. + +It was a long day, a very long day; but it came to an end at last. Our +hero had hardly strength enough left to put up the shutters. His legs +ached, his head ached, and, worst of all, his heart ached at the +manifest failure of his best intentions. He thought of going to the +partners, and asking them whether they thought he was fit for the +place; but he finally decided to try again for another day, and +dragged himself home to rest his weary limbs. + +He and Edward had taken possession of their room at Joe Flint's house +that morning; and on their arrival they found that Katy had put +everything in excellent order for their reception. Harry was too much +fatigued and disheartened to have a very lively appreciation of the +comforts of his new home; but Edward, notwithstanding the descent he +had made, was in high spirits. He even declared that the room they +were to occupy was better than his late apartments in Green Street. + +"Do you think I shall get along with my work, Edward?" asked Harry, +gloomily, after they had gone to bed. + +"Why not?" + +"Everybody in the store has kicked and cuffed me, swore at and abused +me, till I feel like a jelly." + +"Oh, never mind that; they always do so with a green one. They served +me just so when I first went into business." + +"Did they?" + +"Fact. One must live and learn." + +"It seemed to me just as though I never could suit them." + +"Pooh! Don't be blue about it." + +"I can't help it, I know I did not suit them." + +"Yes, you did." + +"What made them laugh at me and swear at me, then?" + +"That is the fashion; you must talk right up to them. If they swear at +you, swear at them back again--that is, the clerks and salesmen. If +they give you any 'lip,' let 'em have as good as they send." + +"I don't want to do that." + +"Must do it, Harry. 'Live and learn' is my motto. When you go among +the Romans, do as the Romans do." + +Harry did not like this advice; for he who, among the Romans, would do +as the Romans do, among hogs would do as the hogs do. + +"If I only suit them, I don't care." + +"You do; I heard Wake tell Wade that you were a first-rate boy." + +"Did you?" And Harry's heart swelled with joy to think that, in spite +of his trials, he had actually triumphed in the midst of them. + +So he dropped the subject, with the resolution to redouble his +exertions to please his employers the next day, and turned his +thoughts to Julia Bryant, to wonder if she were still living, or had +become an angel indeed. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +IN WHICH HARRY REVISITS ROCKVILLE, AND MEETS WITH A SERIOUS LOSS + + +The next evening Harry was conscious of having gained a little in the +ability to discharge his novel duties. Either the partners and the +clerks had become tired of swearing and laughing at him, or he had +made a decided improvement, for less fault was found with him, and +his position was much more satisfactory. With a light heart he put up +the shutters; for though he was very much fatigued, the prestige of +future success was so cheering that he scarcely heeded his weary, +aching limbs. + +Every day was an improvement on the preceding day, and before the week +was out Harry found himself quite at home in his new occupation. He +was never a moment behind the time at which he was required to be at +the store in the morning. This promptness was specially noted by the +partners; for when they came to their business in the morning they +found the store well warmed, the floor nicely swept, and everything +put in order. + +When he was sent out with bundles he did not stop to look at the +pictures in the shop windows, to play marbles or tell long stories to +other boys in the streets. If his employers had even been very +unreasonable, they could not have helped being pleased with the new +boy, and Wake confidentially assured Wade that they had got a +treasure. + +Our hero was wholly devoted to his business. He intended to make a man +of himself, and he could only accomplish his purpose by constant +exertion, by constant study and constant "trying again." He was +obliged to keep a close watch over himself, for often he was tempted +to be idle and negligent, to be careless and indifferent. + +After supper, on Thursday evening of his second week at Wake & Wade's, +he hastened to Major Phillips' stable to see John Lane, and obtain the +news from Rockville. His heart beat violently when he saw John's great +wagon, for he dreaded some fearful announcement from his sick friend. +He had not before been so deeply conscious of his indebtedness to the +little angel as now, when she lay upon the bed of pain, perhaps of +death. She had kindled in his soul a love for the good and the +beautiful. She had inspired him with a knowledge of the difference +between the right and the wrong. In a word, she was the guiding star +of his existence. Her approbation was the bright guerdon of fidelity +to truth and principle. + +"How is Julia?" asked Harry, without giving John time to inquire why +he had left the stable. + +"They think she is a little grain better." + +"Then she is still living?" continued Harry, a great load of anxiety +removed from his soul. + +"She is; but it is very doubtful how it will turn. I went in to see +her yesterday, and she spoke of you." + +"Spoke of me?" + +"She said she should like to see you." + +"I should like to see her very much." + +"Her father told me, if you was a mind to go up to Rockville, he would +pay your expenses." + +"I don't mind the expenses. I will go, if I can get away." + +"Her father feels very bad about it. Julia is an only child, and he +would do anything in the world to please her." + +"I will go and see the gentlemen I work for, and if they will let me, +I will go with you to-morrow morning." + +"Better take the stage; you will get there so much quicker." + +"I will do so, then." + +Harry returned home to ascertain of Edward where Mr. Wake lived, and +hastened to see him. That gentleman, however, coldly assured him if he +went to Rockville he must lose his place--they could not get along +without a boy. In vain Harry urged that he should be gone but two +days; the senior was inflexible. + +"What shall I do?" said he to himself, when he got into the street +again. "Mr. Wake says she is no relation of mine, and he don't see why +I should go. Poor Julia! She may die, and I shall never see her again. +I must go." + +It did not require a great deal of deliberation to convince himself +that it was his duty to visit the sick girl. She had been a true +friend to him, and he could afford to sacrifice his place to procure +her even a slight gratification. Affection and duty called him one +way, self-interest the other. If he did not go, he should regret it as +long as he lived. Perhaps Mr. Wake would take him again on his +return; if not, he could at least go to work in the stable again. + +"Edward, I am going to Rockville to-morrow," he remarked to his +"chum," on his return to Mrs. Flint's. + +"The old man agreed to it, then? I thought he wouldn't. He never will +let a fellow off even for a day." + +"He did not; but I must go." + +"Better not, then. He will discharge you, for he is a hard nut." + +"I must go," repeated Harry, taking a candle, and going up to their +chamber. + +"You have got more spunk than I gave you credit for; but you are sure +of losing your place," replied Edward, following him upstairs. + +"I can't help it." + +Harry opened a drawer in the old broken bureau in the room, and from +beneath his clothes took out the great pill box which served him for a +savings bank. + +"You have got lots of money," remarked Edward, as he glanced at the +contents of the box. + +"Not much; only twelve dollars," replied Harry, taking out three of +them to pay his expenses to Rockville. + +"You won't leave that box there, will you, while you are gone?" + +"Why not?" + +"Somebody may steal it." + +"I guess not. I can hide it, though, before I go." + +"Better do so." + +Harry took his money and went to a bookstore in Washington Street, +where he purchased an appropriate present for Julia, for which he gave +half a dollar. On his return, he wrote her name in it, with his own as +the giver. Then the safety of his money came up for consideration; and +this matter was settled by raising a loose board in the floor and +depositing the pill box in a secure place. He had scarcely done so +before Edward joined him. + +Our hero did not sleep much that night. He was not altogether +satisfied with the step he was about to take. It was not doing right +by his employers; but he compromised the matter in part by engaging +Edward, "for a consideration," to make the fires and sweep out the +next morning. + +At noon, on the following day, he reached Rockville, and hastened to +the house of Mr. Bryant. + +"How is she?" he asked, breathless with interest, of the girl who +answered his knock. + +"She is better to-day. Are you the boy from Boston?" + +"Yes. Do they think she will get well?" + +"The doctor has more hope of her." + +"I am very glad to hear it." + +Harry was conducted into the house, and Mr. Bryant was informed of his +presence. + +"I am glad you have come, Harry. Julia is much better to-day," said +her father, taking him by the hand. "She has frequently spoken of you +during her illness, and feels a very strong interest in your welfare." + +"She was very good to me. I don't know what would have become of me if +she had not been a friend to me." + +"That is the secret of her interest in you. We love those best whom we +serve most. She is asleep now; but you shall see her as soon as she +wakes. In the meantime you had better have your dinner." + +Mr. Bryant looked very pale, and his eyes were reddened with weeping. +Harry saw how much he had suffered during the last fortnight; but it +seemed natural to him that he should suffer terribly at the thought of +losing one so beautiful and precious as the little angel. + +He dined alone with Mr. Bryant, for Mrs. Bryant could not leave the +couch of the little sufferer. The fond father could speak of nothing +but Julia, and more than once the tears flooded his eyes, as he told +Harry how meek and patient she had been through the fever, how loving +she was, and how resigned even to leave her parents, and go to the +heavenly Parent, to dwell with Him forever. + +Harry wept, too; and after dinner he almost feared to enter the +chamber, and behold the wreck which disease had made of this bright +and beautiful form. Removing the wrapper from the book he had +brought--a volume of sweet poems, entitled "Angel Songs"--he followed +Mr. Bryant into the sick girl's chamber. + +"Ah, Harry, I am delighted to see you!" exclaimed she, in a whisper, +for her diseased throat rendered articulation difficult and painful. + +"I am sorry to see you so sick, Julia," replied Harry, taking the +wasted hand she extended to him. + +"I am better, Harry. I feel as though I should get well now." + +"I hope you will." + +"You don't know how much I have thought of you while I lay here; how I +wished you were my brother, and could come in every day and see me," +she continued, with a faint smile. + +"I wish I could." + +"Now tell me how you get along in Boston." + +"Very well; but your father says I must not talk much with you now. I +have brought you a little book," and he placed it in her hand. + +"How good you are, Harry! 'Angel Songs.' How pretty! Now, Harry, you +must read me one of the angel songs." + +"I will; but I can't read very well," said he, as he opened the +volume. + +But he did read exceedingly well. The piece he selected was a very +pretty and a very touching little song; and Harry's feelings were so +deeply moved by the pathetic sentiments of the poem and their +adaptation to the circumstances of the case, that he was quite +eloquent. + +When he had finished, Mrs. Bryant interfered to prevent further +conversation; and Julia, though she had a great deal to say to her +young friend, cheerfully yielded to her mother's wishes, and Harry +reluctantly left the room. + +Towards night he was permitted to see her again, when he read several +of the angel songs to her, and gave her a brief account of the events +of his residence in Boston. She was pleased with his earnestness, and +smiled approvingly upon him for the moral triumphs he had achieved. +The reward of all his struggles with trial and temptation was lavishly +bestowed in her commendation, and if fidelity had not been its own +reward, he could have accepted her approval as abundant compensation +for all he had endured. There was no silly sentiment in Harry's +composition; he had read no novels, seen no plays, knew nothing of +romance even "in real life." The homage he yielded to the fair and +loving girl was an unaffected reverence for simple purity and +goodness; that which the True Heart and the True Life never fail to +call forth whenever they exert their power. + +On the following morning, Julia's condition was very much improved, +and the physician spoke confidently of a favorable issue. Harry was +permitted to spend an hour by her bedside, inhaling the pure spirit +that pervaded the soul of the sick one. She was so much better that +her father proposed to visit the city, to attend to some urgent +business, which had been long deferred by her illness; and an +opportunity was thus afforded for Harry to return. + +Mr. Bryant drove furiously in his haste, changing horses twice on the +journey, so that they reached the city at one o'clock. On their +arrival, Harry's attention naturally turned to the reception he +expected to receive from his employers. He had not spoken of his +relations with them at Rockville, preferring not to pain them, on the +one hand, and not to take too much credit to himself for his devotion +to Julia, on the other. After the horse was disposed of at Major +Phillips's stable, Mr. Bryant walked down town with Harry; and when +they reached the store of Wake & Wade, he entered with him. + +"What have you come back for?" asked the senior partner, rather +coldly, when he saw the delinquent. "We don't want you." + +Harry was confused at this reception, though it was not unexpected. + +"I didn't know but that you might be willing to take me again." + +"No, we don't want you. Ah, Mr. Bryant! Happy to see you," continued +Mr. Wake, recognizing Harry's friend. + +"Did I understand you aright? Did you say that you did not want my +young friend, here?" replied Mr. Bryant, taking the offered hand of +Mr. Wake. + +"I did say so," said the senior. "I was not aware that he was your +friend, though," and he proceeded to inform Mr. Bryant that Harry had +left them against their wish. + +"A few words with you, if you please." + +Mr. Wake conducted him to the private office, where they remained for +half an hour. + +"It is all right, Harry," continued Mr. Wake, on their return. "I did +not understand the matter." + +"Thank you, sir!" ejaculated our hero, rejoiced to find his place was +still secure. "I would not have gone if I could possibly have helped +it." + +"You did right, my boy, and I honor you for your courage and +constancy." + +Mr. Bryant bade him an affectionate adieu, promising to write to him +often until Julia recovered, and then departed. + +With a grateful heart Harry immediately resumed his duties, and the +partners were probably as glad to retain him as he was to remain. + +At night, when he went to his chamber, he raised the loose board to +get the pill box, containing his savings, in order to return the money +he had not expended. To his consternation, he discovered that it was +gone! + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +IN WHICH HARRY MEETS WITH AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE AND GETS A HARD KNOCK ON +THE HEAD + + +It was in vain that Harry searched beneath the broken floor for his +lost treasure; it could not be found. He raised the boards up, and +satisfied himself that it had not slipped away into any crevice, or +fallen through into the room below; and the conclusion was inevitable +that the box had been stolen. + +Who could have done it? The mystery confused Harry, for he was certain +that no one had seen him deposit the box beneath the floor. No one +except Edward even knew that he had any money. He was sure that +neither Mrs. Flint nor Katy would have stolen it; and he was not +willing to believe that his room-mate would be guilty of such a mean +and contemptible act. + +He tried to assure himself that it had not been stolen--that it was +still somewhere beneath the floor; and he pulled up another board, to +resume the search. He had scarcely done so before Edward joined him. + +"What are you about, Harry?" he asked, apparently very much astonished +at his chum's occupation. "Are you going to pull the house down?" + +"Not exactly. You know my pill box?" replied Harry, suspending +operations to watch Edward's expression when he told him of his loss. + +"The one you kept your money in?" + +"Yes. Well, it is gone." + +"Gone!" exclaimed Edward, starting back with surprise. + +"It is either lost or stolen." + +"What did you do with it?" + +"Put it here, under this loose board." + +"It must be there now, then. I will help you find it." + +Edward manifested a great deal of enthusiasm in the search. He was +sure it must be where Harry had put it, or that it had rolled back out +of sight; and he began tearing up the floor with a zeal that +threatened the destruction of the building. But the box could not be +found, and they were obliged to abandon the search. + +"Too bad, Harry." + +"That is a fact; I can't spare that money, anyhow. I have been a good +while earning it, and it is too thundering bad to lose it." + +"I don't understand it," continued Edward. + +"Nor I either," replied Harry, looking his companion sharp in the eye. +"No one knew I had it but you." + +"Do you mean to say I stole it?" exclaimed Edward, doubling his fist, +while his cheek reddened with anger. + +"I don't say so." + +"Humph! Well, you better not!" + +"Don't get mad, Edward. I didn't mean to lay it to you." + +"Didn't you?" And Edward was very glad to have the matter compromised. + +"I did not; perhaps I spoke hastily. You know how hard I worked for +this money; and it seems hard to lose it. But no matter; I will try +again." + +Mrs. Flint and Katy were much grieved when Harry told of his loss. +They looked as though they suspected Edward, but said nothing, for it +was very hard to accuse a son or a brother of such a crime. + +Mrs. Flint advised Harry to put his money in the savings bank in +future, promising to take care of his spare funds till they amounted +to five dollars, which was then the smallest sum that would be +received. It was a long time before our hero became reconciled to his +loss. He had made up his mind to be a rich man; and he had carefully +hoarded every cent he could spare, thus closely imitating the man who +got rich by saving his fourpences. + +A few days after the loss he was reading in one of Katy's Sunday +school books about a miser. The wretch was held up as a warning to +young folks by showing them how he starved his body and soul for the +sake of gold. + +"That's why I lost my money!" exclaimed Harry, as he laid the book +upon the window. + +"What do you mean, Harry?" asked Katy, who sat near him. + +"I have been hoarding up my money just like this old man in the book." + +"You are not a miser, Harry. You couldn't be mean and stingy if you +tried." + +"Yes, I could. I love money." + +"So does everybody." + +"A miser wouldn't do what you did for us, Harry," added Mrs. Flint. +"We ought to be careful and saving." + +"I have been thinking too much of money. After all, perhaps it was +just as well that I lost that money." + +"I am sorry you lost it; for I don't think there is any danger of your +becoming a miser," said Katy. + +"Perhaps not; at any rate, it has set me to thinking." + +Harry finished the book; and it was, fortunately, just such a work as +he required to give him right and proper views in regard to the value +of wealth. His dream of being a rich man was essentially modified by +these views; and he renewedly resolved that it was better to be a good +man than a rich man, if he could not be both. It seemed to him a +little remarkable that the minister should preach upon this very topic +on the following Sunday, taking for his text the words, "Seek ye first +the kingdom of heaven and all these things shall be added unto you." +He was deeply impressed by the sermon, probably because it was on a +subject to which he had given some attention. + +A few days after his return from Rockville, Harry received a very +cheerful letter from Mr. Bryant, to which Julia had added a few lines +in a postscript. The little angel was rapidly recovering, and our hero +was rejoiced beyond expression. The favorable termination of her +illness was a joy which far outbalanced the loss of his money, and he +was as cheerful and contented as ever. As he expressed it, in rather +homely terms, he had got "the streak of fat and the streak of lean." +Julia was alive; was to smile upon him again; was still to inspire him +with that love of goodness which had given her such an influence over +him. + +Week after week passed by, and Harry heard nothing of his lost +treasure; but Julia had fully recovered, and for the treasure lost an +incomparably greater treasure had been gained. Edward and himself +continued to occupy the same room, though ever since the loss of the +money box Harry's chum had treated him coldly. There had never been +much sympathy between them; for while Edward was at the theatre, or +perhaps at worse places, Harry was at home, reading some good book, +writing a letter to Rockville, or employed in some other worthy +occupation. While Harry was at church or at the Sunday school, Edward, +in company with some dissolute companion, was riding about the +adjacent country. + +Mrs. Flint often remonstrated with her son upon the life he led, and +the dissipated habits he was contracting; and several times Harry +ventured to introduce the subject. Edward, however, would not hear a +word from either. It is true that we either grow better or worse, as +we advance in life; and Edward Flint's path was down a headlong steep. +His mother wept and begged him to be a better boy. He only laughed at +her. + +Harry often wondered how he could afford to ride out and visit the +theatre and other places of amusement so frequently. His salary was +only five dollars a week now; it was only four when he had said it was +five. He seemed to have money at all times, and to spend it very +freely. He could not help believing that the contents of his pill box +had paid for some of the "stews" and "Tom and Jerrys" which his +reckless chum consumed. But the nine dollars he had lost would have +been but a drop in the bucket compared with his extravagant outlays. + +One day, about six months after Harry's return from Rockville, as he +was engaged behind the counter, a young man entered the store and +accosted him. + +"Halloo, Harry! How are you?" + +It was a familiar voice; and, to Harry's surprise, but not much to his +satisfaction, he recognized his old companion, Ben Smart, who, he had +learned from Mr. Bryant, had been sent to the house of correction for +burning Squire Walker's barn. + +"How do you do, Ben?" returned Harry, not very cordially. + +"So you are here--are you?" + +"Yes, I have been here six months." + +"Good place?" + +"First rate." + +"Any chance for me?" + +"No, I guess not." + +"You have got a sign out for a boy, I see." + +It was true they had. There were more errands to run than one boy +could attend to; besides, Harry had proved himself so faithful and so +intelligent, that Mr. Wake wished to retain him in the store, to fit +him for a salesman. + +"You can speak a good word for me, Harry; for I should like to work +here," continued Ben. + +"I thought you were in--in the--" + +Harry did not like to use the offensive expression, and Ben's face +darkened when he discovered what the other was going to say. + +"Not a word about that," said he. "If you ever mention that little +matter, I'll take your life." + +"But how was it?" + +"My father got me out, and then I ran away. Not a word more, for I had +as lief be hung for an old sheep as a lamb." + +"There is Mr. Wake; you can apply to him," continued Harry. + +Ben walked boldly up to Mr. Wake, and asked for the place. The senior +talked with him a few moments, and then retired to his private office, +calling Harry as he entered. + +"If you say anything, I will be the death of you," whispered Ben, as +Harry passed him on his way to the office. + +Our hero was not particularly pleased with these threats; he certainly +was not frightened by them. + +"Do you know that boy, Harry?" asked Mr. Wake, as he presented himself +before the senior. + +"I do, sir." + +"Who is he, and what is he?" + +"His name is Benjamin Smart. He belongs to Redfield." + +"To Redfield? He said he came from Worcester." + +"I believe Mr. Bryant told you the story about my leaving Redfield," +said Harry. + +"He did." + +"That is the boy that run away with me." + +"And the one that set the barn afire?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"That is enough." And Harry returned to his work at the counter. + +"What did he say to you?" asked Ben. + +Before Harry had time to make any reply, Mr. Wake joined them. + +"We don't want you, young man," said he. + +With a glance of hatred at Harry, the applicant left the store. Since +leaving Redfield, our hero's views of duty had undergone a change; and +he now realized that to screen a wicked person was to plot with him +against the good order of society. He knew Ben's character; he had no +reason, after their interview, to suppose it was changed; and he could +not wrong his employers by permitting them ignorantly to engage a bad +boy, especially when he had been questioned directly on the point. + +Towards evening Harry was sent with a bundle to a place in Boylston +Street, which required him to cross the Common. On his return, when he +reached the corner of the burying ground, Ben Smart, who had evidently +followed him, and lay in wait at this spot for him, sprang from his +covert upon him. The young villain struck him a heavy blow in the eye +before Harry realized his purpose. The blow, however, was vigorously +returned; but Ben, besides being larger and stronger than his victim, +had a large stone in his hand, with which he struck him a blow on the +side of his head, knocking him insensible to the ground. + +The wretch, seeing that he had done his work, fled along the side of +the walk of the burying ground, pursued by several persons who had +witnessed the assault. Ben was a fleet runner this time, and succeeded +in making his escape. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +IN WHICH HARRY FINDS THAT EVEN A BROKEN HEAD MAY BE OF SOME USE TO A +PERSON + + +When Harry recovered his consciousness, he found himself in an +elegantly furnished chamber, with several persons standing around the +bed upon which he had been laid. A physician was standing over him, +engaged in dressing the severe wound he had received in the side of +his head. + +"There, young man, you have had a narrow escape," said the doctor, as +he saw his patient's eyes open. + +"Where am I?" asked Harry, faintly, as he tried to concentrate his +wandering senses. + +"You are in good hands, my boy. What is your name?" + +"Harry West. Can't I go home now?" replied the sufferer, trying to +rise on the bed. + +"Do you feel as though you could walk home?" + +"I don't know; I feel kind of faint." + +"Does your head pain you?" + +"No, sir; it feels numb, and everything seems to be flying round." + +"I dare say." + +Harry expressed an earnest desire to go home, and the physician +consented to accompany him in a carriage to Mrs. Flint's residence. He +had been conveyed in his insensible condition to a house in Boylston +Street, the people of which were very kind to him, and used every +effort to make him comfortable. + +A carriage was procured, and Harry was assisted to enter it; for he +was so weak and confused that he could not stand alone. Ben had struck +him a terrible blow; and, as the physician declared, it was almost a +miracle that he had not been killed. + +Mrs. Flint and Katy were shocked and alarmed when they saw the +helpless boy borne into the house; but everything that the +circumstances required was done for him. + +"Has Edward come home?" he asked, when they had placed him on the bed. + +"No, not yet." + +"They will wonder what has become of me at the store," continued the +sufferer, whose thoughts reverted to his post of duty. + +"I will go down to the store and tell them what has happened," said +Mr. Callender, the kind gentleman to whose house Harry had been +carried, and who had attended him to his home. + +"Thank you, sir; you are very good. I don't want them to think that I +have run away, or anything of that sort." + +"They will not think so, I am sure," returned Mr. Callender, as he +departed upon his mission. + +"Do you think I can go to the store to-morrow?" asked Harry, turning +to the physician. + +"I am afraid not; you must keep very quiet for a time." + +Harry did not like this announcement. He had never been sick a day in +his life; and it seemed to him just then as though the world could not +possibly move on without him to help the thing along. A great many +persons cherish similar notions, and cannot afford to be sick a single +day. + +I should like to tell my readers at some length what blessings come to +us while we are sick; what angels with healing ministrations for the +soul visit the couch of pain; what holy thoughts are sometimes kindled +in the darkened chamber; what noble resolutions have their birth in +the heart when the head is pillowed on the bed of sickness. But my +remaining space will not permit it; and I content myself with +remarking that sickness in its place is just as great a blessing as +health; that it is a part of our needed discipline. When any of my +young friends are sick, therefore, let them yield uncomplainingly to +their lot, assured that He who hath them in his keeping "doeth all +things well." + +Harry was obliged to learn this lesson; and when the pain in his head +began to be almost intolerable, he fretted and vexed himself about +things at the store. He was not half as patient as he might have been; +and, during the evening, he said a great many hard things about Ben +Smart, the author of his misfortune. I am sorry to say he cherished +some malignant, revengeful feelings towards him, and looked forward +with a great deal of satisfaction to the time when he should be +arrested and punished for his crime. + +Both Mr. Wake and Mr. Wade called upon him as soon as they heard of +his misfortune. They were very indignant when they learned that Harry +was suffering for telling the truth. They assured him that they should +miss him very much at the store, but they would do the best they +could--which, of course, was very pleasant to him. But they told him +they could get along without him, bade him not fret, and said his +salary should be paid just the same as though he did his work. + +"Thank you! thank you! You are very good," exclaimed Harry. + +"Yes," Mr. Wade continued; "and, as it will cost you more to be sick, +we will raise your wages to four dollars a week. What do you say, +Wade?" + +"Certainly," replied the junior, warmly. + +There was no possible excuse for fretting now. With so many kind +friends around him, he had no excuse for fretting; but his human +nature rebelled at his lot, and he made himself more miserable than +the pain of his wound could possibly have made him. Mrs. Flint, who +sat all night by his bedside, labored in vain to make him resigned to +his situation. It seemed as though the great trial of his lifetime had +come--that which he was least prepared to meet and conquer. + +The next day he was very feverish. His head ached, and the pain of his +wound was very severe. His moral condition was, if possible, worse +than on the preceding night. He was fretful, morose, and unreasonable +towards those kind friends who kept vigil around his bedside. Strange +as it may seem, and strange as it did seem to himself, his thoughts +seldom reverted to the little angel. Once, when he thought of her +extended on the bed of pain as he was then, her example seemed to +reproach him. She had been meek and patient through all her +sufferings--had been content to die, even, if it was the will of the +Father in heaven. With a peevish exclamation, he drove her--his +guardian angel, as she often seemed to him--from his mind, with the +reflection that she could not have been as sick as he was, that she +did not endure as much pain as he did. For several days he remained in +pretty much the same state. His head ached, and the fever burned in +his veins. His moral symptoms were not improved, and he continued to +snarl and growl at those who took care of him. + +"Give me some cold water, marm; I don't want your slops," fretted he, +when Mrs. Flint brought him his drink. + +"But the doctor says you mustn't have cold water." It was twenty-five +years ago. + +"Confound the doctor! Give me a glass of cold water, and I will--" + +The door opened then, causing him to suspend the petulant words; for +one stood there whose good opinion he valued more than that of any +other person. + +"Oh, Harry! I am so sorry to see you so sick!" exclaimed Julia Bryant, +rushing to his bedside. + +She was followed by her father and mother; and Katy had admitted them +unannounced to the chamber. + +"Julia! is it you?" replied Harry, smiling for the first time since +the assault. + +"Yes, Harry; I hope you are better. When I heard about it last night, +I would not give father any peace till he promised to bring me to +Boston." + +"Don't be so wild, Julia," interposed her mother. "You forget that he +is very sick." + +"Forgive me, Harry; I was so glad and so sorry. I hope I didn't make +your head ache," she added, in a very gentle tone. + +"No, Julia. It was very good of you to come and see me." + +Harry felt a change come over him the moment she entered the room. The +rebellious thoughts in his bosom seemed to be banished by her +presence; and though his head ached and his flesh burned as much as +ever, he somehow had more courage to endure them. + +After Mr. and Mrs. Bryant had asked him a few questions, and expressed +their sympathy in proper terms, they departed, leaving Julia to remain +with the invalid for a couple of hours. + +"I did not expect to see you, Julia," said Harry, when they had gone. + +"Didn't you think I would do as much for you as you did for me?" + +"It was rather different with you. I am only a poor boy, and you are a +rich man's child." + +"Pooh, Harry! Our souls are all of a color. You can't think how bad I +felt when father got Mr. Wake's letter." + +"It's a hard case to be knocked down in that way, and laid up in the +house for a week or two." + +"I know it; but we must be patient." + +"Can't be patient. I haven't any patience--not a bit. If I could get +hold of Ben Smart, I would choke him. I hope they will catch him and +send him to the state prison for life." + +Julia looked sad. These malignant words did not sound like those of +the Harry West she had known and loved. They were so bitter that they +curdled the warm blood in her veins, and the heart of Harry seemed +less tender than before. + +"Harry," said she, in soft tones, and so sad that he could not but +observe the change which had come over her. + +"Well, Julia." + +"You don't mean what you said." + +"Don't mean it?" + +"No, I am sure you don't. Do you remember what the Bible says?" + +"What does it say?" asked he, deeply impressed by the sad and solemn +tones of the little angel. + +"'Forgive your enemies,' Harry." + +"Forgive Ben Smart, after he has almost killed me?" Julia took up the +Bible, which lay on the table by the bedside--it was the one she had +given him--and read several passages upon the topic she had +introduced. + +Harry was ashamed of himself. The gentle rebuke she administered +touched his soul, and he thought how peevish and ill-natured he had +been. + +"You have been badly hurt, Harry, and you are very sick. Now, let me +ask you one question: Which would you rather be, Harry West, sick as +you are, or Ben Smart, who struck the blow?" + +"I had rather be myself," replied he, promptly. + +"You ought to be glad that you are Harry West, instead of Ben Smart. +Sick as you are, I am sure you are a great deal happier than he can +be, even if he is not punished for striking you." + +"You are right, Julia. I have been very wicked. Here I have been +grumbling and growling all the time for four days. I have learned +better. It is lucky for me that I am Harry, instead of Ben." + +"I am sure I have been a great deal better since I was sick than +before. When I lay on the bed, hardly able to move, I kept thinking +all the time; and my thoughts did me a great deal of good." + +Harry had learned his lesson, and Julia's presence was indeed an +angel's visit. For an hour longer she sat by his bed, and her words +were full of inspiration; and when her father called for her he could +hardly repress a tear as she bade him good night. + +After she had gone Harry begged Mrs. Flint and Katy to forgive him for +being so cross, promising to be patient in the future. And he kept his +promise. The next day Julia came again. She read to him, conversed +with him about the scenes of the preceding autumn in the woods, and +told him again about her own illness. In the afternoon she bade him a +final adieu, as she was to return that day to her home. + +The patience and resignation which he had learned gave a favorable +turn to his sickness, and he began to improve. It was a month, +however, before he was able to take his place in the store again. +Without the assistance of Julia, perhaps, he had not learned the moral +of sickness so well. As it was, he came forth from his chamber with +truer and loftier motives, and with a more earnest desire to lead the +true life. + +Ben Smart had been arrested; and, shortly after his recovery, Harry +was summoned as a witness at his trial. It was a plain case, and Ben +was sent to the house of correction for a long term. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +IN WHICH HARRY PASSES THROUGH HIS SEVEREST TRIAL, AND ACHIEVES HIS +GREATEST TRIUMPH + + +Three years may appear to be a great while to the little pilgrim +through life's vicissitudes; but they soon pass away and are as "a +tale that is told." To note all the events of Harry's experience +through this period would require another volume; therefore I can only +tell the reader what he was, and what results he had achieved in that +time. It was filled with trials and temptations, not all of which were +overcome without care and privation. Often he failed, was often +disappointed, and often was pained to see how feebly the Spirit warred +against the Flesh. + +He loved money, and avarice frequently prompted him to do those things +which would have wrecked his bright hopes. That vision of the grandeur +and influence of the rich man's position sometimes deluded him, +causing him to forget at times that the soul would live forever, while +the body and its treasures would perish in the grave. As he grew +older, he reasoned more; his principles became more firmly fixed; and +the object of existence assumed a more definite character. He was an +attentive student, and every year not only made him wiser, but better. +I do not mean to say that Harry was a remarkably good boy, that his +character was perfect, or anything of the kind. He meant well, and +tried to do well, and he did not struggle in vain against the trials +and temptations that beset him. I dare say those with whom he +associated did not consider him much better than themselves. It is +true, he did not swear, did not frequent the haunts of vice and +dissipation, did not spend his Sundays riding about the country; yet +he had his faults, and captious people did not fail to see them. + +He was still with Wake & Wade, though he was a salesman now, on a +salary of five dollars a week. He still boarded with Mrs. Flint, +though Edward was no longer his room-mate. A year had been sufficient +to disgust his "fast" companion with the homely fare and homely +quarters of his father's house; and, as his salary was now eight +dollars a week, he occupied a room in the attic of a first-class +hotel. + +Harry was sixteen years old, and he had three hundred dollars in the +Savings Bank. He might have had more if he had not so carefully +watched and guarded against the sin of avarice. He gave some very +handsome sums to the various public charities, as well as expended +them in relieving distress wherever it presented itself. It is true, +it was sometimes very hard work to give of his earnings to relieve the +poor; and if he had acted in conformity with the nature he had +inherited, he might never have known that it was "more blessed to give +than to receive." As he grew older, and the worth of money was more +apparent, he was tempted to let the poor and the unfortunate take care +of themselves; but the struggle of duty with parsimony rendered his +gifts all the more worthy. + +Joe Flint had several times violated his solemn resolution to drink no +more ardent spirits; but Harry, who was his friend and confidant, +encouraged him, when he failed, to try again; and it was now nearly a +year since he had been on a "spree." + +Our hero occasionally heard from Rockville; and a few months before +the event we are about to narrate he had spent the pleasantest week of +his life with Julia Bryant, amid those scenes which were so full of +interest to both of them. As he walked through the woods where he had +first met the "little angel"--she had now grown to be a tall girl--he +could not but recall the events of that meeting. It was there that he +first began to live, in the true sense of the word. It was there that +he had been born into a new sphere of moral existence. + +Julia was still his friend, still his guiding star. Though the freedom +of childish intimacy had been diminished, the same heart resided in +each, and each felt the same interest in the other. The correspondence +between them had been almost wholly suspended, perhaps by the +interference of the "powers" at Rockville, and perhaps by the growing +sense of the "fitness of things" in the parties. But they occasionally +met, which amply compensated for the deprivations which propriety +demanded. + +But I must pass on to the closing event of my story--it was Harry's +severest trial, yet it resulted in his most signal triumph. + +Edward Flint was always short of money. He lived extravagantly, and +his increased salary was insufficient to meet his wants. When Harry +saw him drive a fast horse through the streets on Sundays, and heard +him say how often he went to the theatre, what balls and parties he +attended--when he observed how elegantly he dressed, and that he wore +a gold chain, a costly breastpin and several rings--he did not wonder +that he was "short." He lived like a prince, and it seemed as though +eight dollars a week would be but a drop in the bucket in meeting his +expenses. + +One day, in his extremity, he applied to Harry for the loan of five +dollars. Our hero did not like to encourage his extravagance, but he +was good-natured, and could not well avoid doing the favor, especially +as Edward wanted the money to pay his board. However, he made it the +occasion for a friendly remonstrance, and gave the spendthrift youth +some excellent advice. Edward was vexed at the lecture; but, as he +obtained the loan, he did not resent the kindly act. + +About a fortnight after, Edward paid him the money. It consisted of a +two-dollar bill and six half dollars. Harry was about to make a +further application of his views of duty to his friend's case, when +Edward impatiently interrupted him, telling him that, as he had got +his money, he need not preach. This was just before Harry went home to +dinner. + +On his return Mr. Wake called him into the private office, and when +they had entered he closed and locked the door. Harry regarded this as +rather a singular proceeding; but, possessing the entire confidence of +his employers, it gave him no uneasiness. + +"Harry," Mr. Wake began, "we have been losing money from the store for +the last year or more. I have missed small sums a great many times." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Harry, not knowing whether he was regarded as a +confidant or as the suspected person. + +"To-day I gave a friend of mine several marked coins, with which he +purchased some goods. These coins have all been stolen." + +"Is it possible, sir!" + +"Now, we have four salesmen besides yourself. Which stole it?" + +"I can form no idea, sir," returned Harry. "I can only speak for +myself." + +"Oh, well, I had no suspicion it was you," added Mr. Wade, with a +smile. "I am going to try the same experiment again; and I want you to +keep your eyes on the money drawer all the rest of the afternoon." + +"I will do so, sir." + +Mr. Wade took several silver coins from his pocket and scratched them +in such a way that they could be readily identified, and then +dismissed Harry, with the injunction to be very vigilant. + +When he came out of the office he perceived that Edward and Charles +Wallis were in close conversation. + +"I say, Harry, what's in the wind?" asked the former, as our hero +returned to his position behind the counter. + +Harry evaded answering the question, and the other two salesmen, who +were very intimate and whose tastes and amusements were very much +alike, continued their conversation. They were evidently aware that +something unusual had occurred, or was about to occur. + +Soon after, a person appeared at the counter and purchased a dozen +spools of cotton, offering two half dollars in payment. Harry kept his +eye upon the money drawer, but nothing was discovered. From what he +knew of Edward's mode of life, he was prepared to believe that he was +the guilty person. + +The experiment was tried for three days in succession before any +result was obtained. The coins were always found in the drawer; but on +the fourth day, when they were very busy, and there was a great deal +of money in the drawer, Harry distinctly observed Edward, while making +change, take several coins from the till. The act appalled him; he +forgot the customer to whose wants he was attending, and hastened to +inform Mr. Wake of the discovery. + +"Where are you going, Harry?" asked Edward, as he passed him. + +"Only to the office," replied he; and his appearance and manner might +have attracted the attention of any skillful rogue. + +"Come, Harry, don't leave your place," added Edward, playfully +grasping him by the collar, on his return. + +"Don't stop to fool, Edward," answered Harry, as he shook him off and +took his place at the counter again. + +He was very absent-minded the rest of the forenoon, and his frame +shook with agitation as he heard Mr. Wake call Edward shortly after. +But he trembled still more when he was summoned also, for it was very +unpleasant business. + +"Of course, you will not object to letting me see the contents of +your pockets, Edward," said Mr. Wake, as Harry entered the office. + +"Certainly not, sir;" and he turned every one of his pockets inside +out. + +Not one of the decoy pieces was found upon him, or any other coins, +for that matter; he had no money. Mr. Wake was confused, for he fully +expected to convict the culprit on the spot. + +"I suppose I am indebted to this young man for this," continued +Edward, with a sneer. "I'll bet five dollars he stole the money +himself, if any has been stolen. Why don't you search him?" + +"Search me, sir, by all means," added Harry; and he began to turn his +pockets out. + +From his vest pocket he took out a little parcel wrapped in a shop +bill. + +"What's that?" said Edward. + +"I don't know. I wasn't aware that there was any such thing in my +pocket." + +"I suppose not," sneered Edward. + +"But you seem to know more about it than Edward," remarked Mr. Wade, +as he took the parcel. + +"I know nothing about it." + +The senior opened the wrapper, and to his surprise and sorrow found it +contained two of the marked coins. But he was not disposed hastily to +condemn Harry. He could not believe him capable of stealing; besides, +there was something in Edward's manner which seemed to indicate that +our hero was the victim of a conspiracy. + +"As he has been so very generous towards me, Mr. Wake," interposed +Edward, "I will suggest a means by which you may satisfy yourself. My +mother keeps Harry's money for him, and perhaps, if you look it over, +you will find more marked pieces." + +"Mr. Wake, I'm innocent," protested Harry, when he had in some measure +recovered from the first shock of the heavy blow. "I never stole a +cent from anybody." + +"I don't believe you ever did, Harry. But can you explain how this +money happened to be in your pocket?" + +"I cannot, sir. If you wish to look at my money, Mrs. Flint will show +it to you." + +"Perhaps I had better." + +"Don't let him go with you, though," said Edward, maliciously. + +Mr. Wake wrote an order to Mrs. Flint, requesting her to exhibit the +money, and Harry signed it. The senior then hastened to Avery Street. + +"Now, Master Spy!" sneered Edward, when he had gone. "So you have been +watching me, I thought as much." + +"I only did what Mr. Wade told me to do," replied Harry, exceedingly +mortified at the turn the investigation had taken. + +"Humph! That is the way with you psalm-singers. Steal yourself, and +lay it to me!" + +"I did not steal. I never stole in my life." + +"Wait and see." + +In about half an hour Mr. Wake returned. + +"I am sorry, Harry, to find that I have been mistaken in you. Is it +possible that one who is outwardly so correct in his habits should be +a thief? But your career is finished," said he, very sternly, as he +entered the office. + +"Nothing strange to the rest of us," added Edward. "I never knew one +yet who pretended to be so pious that did not turn out a rascal." + +"And such a hypocrite!" + +"Mr. Wake, I am neither a thief nor a hypocrite," replied Harry, with +spirit. + +"I found four of the coins--four half dollars--which I marked first, +at Mrs. Flint's," said the senior, severely. + +Harry was astounded. Those half dollars were part of the money paid +him by Edward, and he so explained how they came in his possession. + +"Got them from me!" exclaimed Edward, with well-feigned surprise. "I +never borrowed a cent of him in my life; and, of course, never paid +him a cent." + +Harry looked at Edward, amazed at the coolness with which he uttered +the monstrous lie. He questioned him in regard to the transaction, but +the young reprobate reiterated his declaration with so much force and +art that Mr. Wake was effectually deceived. + +Our hero, conscious of his innocence, however strong appearances were +against him, behaved with considerable spirit, which so irritated Mr. +Wake that he sent for a constable, and Harry soon found himself in +Leverett Street Jail. Strange as it may seem to my young friends, he +was not very miserable there. He was innocent, and he depended upon +that special Providence which had before befriended him to extricate +him from the difficulty. It is true, he wondered what Julia would say +when she heard of his misfortune. She would weep and grieve; and he +was sad when he thought of her. But she would be the more rejoiced +when she learned that he was innocent. The triumph would be in +proportion to the trial. + +On the following day he was brought up for examination. As his name +was called, the propriety of the court was suddenly disturbed by an +exclamation of surprise from an elderly man, with sun-browned face and +monstrous whiskers. + +"Who is he?" almost shouted the elderly man, regardless of the dignity +of the court. + +An officer was on the point of turning him out; but his earnest manner +saved him. Pushing his way forward to Mr. Wake, he questioned him in +regard to the youthful prisoner. + +"Strange! I thought he was dead!" muttered the elderly man, in the +most intense excitement. + +The examination proceeded. Harry had a friend who had not been idle, +as the sequel will show. + +Mr. Wake first testified to the facts we have already related, and the +lawyer, whom Harry's friends had provided, questioned him in regard to +the prisoner's character and antecedents. Edward Flint was then +called. He was subjected to a severe cross-examination by Harry's +counsel, in which he repeatedly denied that he had ever borrowed or +paid any money to the accused. + +Mr. Wade was the next witness. While the events preceding Harry's +arrest were transpiring, he had been absent from the city, but had +returned early in the afternoon. He disagreed with his partner in +relation to our hero's guilt, and immediately set himself to work to +unmask the conspiracy, for such he was persuaded it was. + +He testified that, a short time before, Edward had requested him to +pay him his salary two days before it was due, assigning as a reason +the fact that he owed Harry five dollars, which he wished to pay. He +produced two of the marked half dollars, which he had received from +Edward's landlady. + +Of course, Edward was utterly confounded; and, to add to his +confusion, he was immediately called to the stand again. This time his +coolness was gone; he crossed himself a dozen times, and finally +acknowledged, under the pressure of the skillful lawyer's close +questioning, that Harry was innocent. He had paid him the money found +in Mrs. Flint's possession, and had slipped the coins wrapped in the +shop bills into his pocket when he took him by the collar on his +return from the office. + +He had known for some time that the partners were on the watch for the +thief. He had heard them talking about the matter; but he supposed he +had managed the case so well as to exonerate himself and implicate +Harry, whom he hated for being a good boy. + +Harry was discharged. His heart swelled with gratitude for the kindly +interposition of Providence. The trial was past--the triumph had come. + +Mr. Wake, Mr. Wade, and other friends, congratulated him on the happy +termination of the affair; and while they were so engaged the elderly +man elbowed his way through the crowd to the place where Harry stood. + +"Young man, what is your father's name?" he asked, in tones tremulous +with emotion. + +"I have no father," replied Harry. + +"You had a father--what was his name?" + +"Franklin West; a carpenter by trade. He went from Redfield to +Valparaiso when I was very young, and we never heard anything from +him." + +"My son!" exclaimed the stranger, grasping our hero by the hand, while +the tears rolled down his brown visage. + +Harry did not know what to make of this announcement. + +"Is it possible that you are my father?" asked he. + +"I am, Harry; but I was sure you were dead. I got a letter, informing +me that your mother and the baby had gone; and about a year after I +met a man from Rockville who told me that you had died also." + +"It was a mistake." + +They continued the conversation as they walked from the court room to +the store. There was a long story for each to tell. Mr. West confessed +that, for two years after his arrival at Valparaiso, he had +accomplished very little. He drank hard, and brought on a fever, which +had nearly carried him off. But that fever was a blessing in disguise; +and since his recovery he had been entirely temperate. He had nothing +to send to his family, and shame prevented him from even writing to +his wife. He received the letter which conveyed the intelligence of +the death of his wife and child, and soon after learned that his +remaining little one was also gone. + +Carpenters were then in great demand in Valparaiso. He was soon in a +condition to take contracts, and fortune smiled upon him. He had +rendered himself independent, and had now returned to spend his +remaining days in his native land. He had been in Boston a week, and +happened to stray into the Police Court, where he had found the son +who, he supposed, had long ago been laid in the grave. + +Edward Flint finished his career of "fashionable dissipation" by being +sentenced to the house of correction. Just before he was sent over, he +confessed to Mr. Wade that it was he who had stolen Harry's money, +three years before. + +The next day Harry obtained leave of absence, for the purpose of +accompanying his father on a visit to Redfield. He was in exuberant +spirits. It seemed as though his cup of joy was full. He could hardly +realize that he had a father--a kind, affectionate father--who shared +the joy of his heart. + +They went to Redfield; but I cannot stop to tell my readers how +astonished Squire Walker, and Mr. Nason, and the paupers were, to see +the spruce young clerk come to his early home, attended by his +father--a rich father, too. + +We can follow our hero no farther through the highways and byways of +his life-pilgrimage. We have seen him struggle like a hero through +trial and temptation, and come off conqueror in the end. He has found +a rich father, who crowns his lot with plenty; but his true wealth is +in those good principles which the trials, no less than the triumphs, +of his career have planted in his soul. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +IN WHICH HARRY IS VERY PLEASANTLY SITUATED, AND THE STORY COMES TO AN +END + + +Perhaps my young readers will desire to know something of Harry's +subsequent life; and we will "drop in" upon him at his pleasant +residence in Rockville, without the formality of an introduction. The +years have elapsed since we parted with him, after his triumphant +discharge from arrest. His father did not live long after his return +to his native land, and when he was twenty-one, Harry came into +possession of a handsome fortune. But even wealth could not tempt him +to choose a life of idleness; and he went into partnership with Mr. +Wade, the senior retiring at the same time. The firm of Wade and West +is quite as respectable as any in the city. + +Harry is not a slave to business; and he spends a portion of his time +at his beautiful place in Rockville; for the cars pass through the +village, which is only a ride of an hour and a half from the city. + +Mr. West's house is situated on a gentle eminence not far distant from +the turnpike road. It is built upon the very spot where the cabin of +the charcoal burners stood, in which Harry, the fugitive, passed two +nights. The aspect of the place is entirely changed, though the very +rock upon which our hero ate the sumptuous repast the little angel +brought him may be seen in the centre of the beautiful garden, by the +side of the house. Mr. West often seats himself there to think of the +events of the past, and to treasure up the pleasant memories connected +with the vicinity. + +The house is elegant and spacious, though there is nothing gaudy or +gay about it. Let us walk in. It is plainly furnished, though the +articles are rich and tasteful. This is the sitting room. Who is that +beautiful lady sitting at the piano-forte? Do you not recognize her, +gentle reader? Of course you do. It is Mrs. West, and an old +acquaintance. She is no longer the little angel, though I cannot tell +her height or her weight; but her husband thinks she is just as much +of an angel now as when she fed him on doughnuts upon the flat rock in +the garden. + +Ah, here comes Harry! He is a fine-looking man, rather tall; and +though he does not wear a mustache, I have no doubt Mrs. West thinks +he is handsome--which is all very well, provided he does not think so +himself. + +"This is a capital day, Julia; suppose we ride over to Redfield, and +see friend Nason," said Mr. West. + +"I shall be delighted," replied Julia. + +The horse is ordered; and as they ride along, the gentleman amuses his +wife with the oft-repeated story of his flight from Jacob Wire's. + +"Do you see that high rock, Julia?" he asked, pointing over the fence. + +"Yes." + +"That is the very one where I dodged Leman, and took the back track; +and there is where I knocked the bull-dog over." + +They arrived at the house of Mr. Nason. It is a pleasant little +cottage, for he is no longer in the service of the town. It was built +by Mr. West expressly for him. Connected with it is a fine farm of +twenty acres. This little property was sold to Mr. Nason by his +protege, though no money was paid. Harry would have made it a free +gift, if the pride of his friend would have permitted; but it amounts +to the same thing. + +Mr. West and his lady are warmly welcomed by Mr. Nason and his family. +The ex-keeper is an old man now. He is a member of the church, and +considered an excellent and useful citizen. He still calls Mr. West +his "boy," and regards him with mingled pride and admiration. + +Our friends dine at the cottage; and, after dinner, Mr. Nason and Mr. +West talk over old times, ride down to Pine Pleasant, and visit the +poorhouse. Great changes have come over Redfield. Squire Walker, Jacob +Wire, and most of the paupers who were the companions of our hero, are +dead and gone, and the living speak gently of the departed. + +At Pine Pleasant, they fasten the horse to a tree, and cross over to +the rock which was Harry's favorite resort in childhood. + +"By the way, Harry, have you heard anything of Ben Smart lately?" asks +Mr. Nason. + +"After his discharge from the state prison, I heard that he went to +sea." + +"He was a bad boy." + +"And a bad man." + +"I believed he killed his mother. They say she never smiled after she +gave him up as a hopeless case." + +"Poor woman! I pity a mother whose son turns out badly. What a wreck +of fond hopes!" + +"Just so," added Mr. Nason. + +After visiting various interesting localities, Mr. West and his lady +returned home. In their absence, a letter for Julia from Katy Flint +has arrived. The Flint family are now in good circumstances. Joe is a +steady man, and, with Harry's assistance, has purchased an interest in +the stable formerly kept by Major Phillips, who has retired on a +competency. + +"What does she say, Julia?" asked Harry, as she broke the seal. + +"They have heard from Edward." + +"Bad news, I am afraid. He was a hard boy." + +"Yes; he has just been sent to the Maryland penitentiary for +housebreaking." + +"I am sorry for him." + +"Katy says her mother feels very badly about it." + +"No doubt of it. Mrs. Flint is an excellent woman; she was a mother to +me." + +"She says they are coming up to Rockville next week." + +"Glad of that; they will always be welcome beneath my roof. I must +call upon them to-morrow when I go to the city." + +"Do; and give my love to them." + +And, here, reader, I must leave them--not without regret, I confess, +for it is always sad to part with warm and true-hearted friends; but +if one must leave them, it is pleasant to know that they are happy, +and are surrounded by all the blessings which make life desirable, and +filled with that bright hope which reaches beyond the perishable +things of this world. It is cheering to know that one's friends, after +they have fought a hard battle with foes without and foes within, have +won the victory, and are receiving their reward. + +If my young friends think well of Harry, let me admonish them to +imitate his virtues, especially his perseverance in trying to do well; +and when they fail to be as good and true as they wish to be, to TRY +AGAIN. + +THE END + + * * * * * + + +NOVELS WORTH READING + +RETAIL PRICE, TEN CENTS A COPY + +Magazine size, paper-covered novels. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Try Again</p> +<p> or, the Trials and Triumphs of Harry West. A Story for Young Folks</p> +<p>Author: Oliver Optic</p> +<p>Release Date: January 24, 2010 [eBook #31065]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TRY AGAIN***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Sankar Viswanathan, Juliet Sutherland,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<div class="tr"><p class="center">Transcriber's Note:</p> +<p>The Table of Contents, not in the original book, has been +added for the convenience of the reader.</p></div> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/frontis.jpg" width="400" height="577" alt=""Harry was Startled by the Discovery of a Bright +Light."" /> +<span class="caption">"Harry was Startled by the Discovery of a Bright +Light."</span> +</div> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h1>TRY AGAIN</h1> + +<h3>OR</h3> + +<h2>THE TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS OF<br /> +HARRY WEST</h2> + + +<h3>A STORY FOR YOUNG FOLKS</h3> + +<p> </p> +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>OLIVER OPTIC</h2> + +<h4>AUTHOR OF<br /> +"THE BOAT CLUB," "ALL ABOARD," "POOR AND PROUD,"<br /> +"HOPE AND HAVE," "NOW OR NEVER," ETC.</h4> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;"> +<img src="images/seal.jpg" width="100" height="103" alt="" /> +</div> +<p> </p> +<h3>NEW YORK<br /> +THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY<br /> +1911</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2>Contents</h2> +<table summary=""> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">Chapter</td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td class="tocpg">Page</td> +</tr> +<tr><td><a href="#BIOGRAPHY_AND_BIBLIOGRAPHY"></a></td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#BIOGRAPHY_AND_BIBLIOGRAPHY" class="smcap">BIOGRAPHY AND BIBLIOGRAPHY</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_4">4</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">I</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_I" class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY WEST AND SQUIRE WALKER DISAGREE ON AN IMPORTANT POINT</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_5">5</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">II</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_II" class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY FINDS A FRIEND, AND A PRACTICABLE SCHEME FOR RESISTANCE</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">III</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">IN WHICH HARRY LEAVES THE POORHOUSE, AND TAKES TO THE RIVER</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">IV</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">IN WHICH IT IS SHOWN THAT THE NAVIGATION OF THE RIVER IS DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_26">26</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">V</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">IN WHICH HARRY FIGHTS A HARD BATTLE, AND IS DEFEATED</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">VI</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">IN WHICH HARRY CONCLUDES THAT A DEFEAT IS SOMETIMES BETTER THAN A VICTORY</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">VII</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">IN WHICH HARRY FINDS HIMSELF IN A TIGHT PLACE AND EXECUTES A COUNTER MOVEMENT</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_48">48</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">VIII</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">IN WHICH HARRY KILLS A BIG SNAKE, AND MAKES A NEW FRIEND</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_55">55</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">IX</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">IN WHICH HARRY BREAKFASTS ON DOUGHNUTS, AND FINDS THAT ANGELS DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE WINGS</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_62">62</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">X</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">IN WHICH HARRY FARES SUMPTUOUSLY, AND TAKES LEAVE OF THE LITTLE ANGEL</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_69">69</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XI</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">IN WHICH HARRY REACHES THE CITY, AND THOUGH OFTEN DISAPPOINTED, TRIES AGAIN</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XII</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">IN WHICH HARRY SUDDENLY GETS RICH AND HAS A CONVERSATION WITH ANOTHER HARRY</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_83">83</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XIII</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">IN WHICH HARRY BECOMES A STABLE BOY, AND HEARS BAD NEWS FROM ROCKVILLE</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_90">90</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XIV</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">IN WHICH HARRY DOES A GOOD DEED, AND DETERMINES TO "FACE THE MUSIC"</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_97">97</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XV</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">IN WHICH HARRY MAKES THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A VERY IMPORTANT PERSONAGE</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XVI</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">IN WHICH HARRY GOES INTO THE DRYGOODS BUSINESS</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XVII</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">IN WHICH HARRY REVISITS ROCKVILLE, AND MEETS WITH A SERIOUS LOSS</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_117">117</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XVIII</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">IN WHICH HARRY MEETS WITH AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE AND GETS A HARD KNOCK ON THE HEAD</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_124">124</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XIX</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">IN WHICH HARRY FINDS THAT EVEN A BROKEN HEAD MAY BE OF SOME USE TO A PERSON</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_131">131</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XX</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">IN WHICH HARRY PASSES THROUGH HIS SEVEREST TRIAL, AND ACHIEVES HIS GREATEST TRIUMPH</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tocch">XXI</td> + <td class="smcap"> </td> + <td class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">IN WHICH HARRY IS VERY PLEASANTLY SITUATED, AND THE STORY COMES TO AN END</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_147">147</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="BIOGRAPHY_AND_BIBLIOGRAPHY" id="BIOGRAPHY_AND_BIBLIOGRAPHY"></a><span class="smcap">BIOGRAPHY AND BIBLIOGRAPHY</span></h2> + + +<p>William Taylor Adams, American author, better known and loved by boys +and girls through his pseudonym "Oliver Optic," was born July 30, +1822, in the town of Medway, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, about +twenty-five miles from Boston. For twenty years he was a teacher in +the Public Schools of Boston, where he came in close contact with boy +life. These twenty years taught him how to reach the boy's heart and +interest as the popularity of his books attest.</p> + +<p>His story writing began in 1850 when he was twenty-eight years old and +his first book was published in 1853. He also edited "The Oliver Optic +Magazine," "The Student and Schoolmate," "Our Little Ones."</p> + +<p>Mr. Adams died at the age of seventy-five years, in Boston, March 27, +1897.</p> + +<p>He was a prolific writer and his stories are most attractive and +unobjectionable. Most of his books were published in series. Probably +the most famous of these is "The Boat Club Series" which comprises the +following titles:</p> + +<p>"The Boat Club," "All Aboard," "Now or Never," "Try Again," "Poor and +Proud," "Little by Little." All of these titles will be found in this +edition.</p> + +<p>Other well-known series are his "Soldier Boy Series," "Sailor Boy +Series," "Woodville Stories." The "Woodville Stories" will also be +found in this edition.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2><a name="TRY_AGAIN" id="TRY_AGAIN"></a>TRY AGAIN</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY WEST AND SQUIRE WALKER DISAGREE ON AN IMPORTANT POINT</span></h2> + + +<p>"Boy, come here!"</p> + +<p>Squire Walker was a very pompous man; one of the most notable persons +in the little town of Redfield, which, the inquiring young reader will +need to be informed, as it is not laid down on any map of +Massachusetts that I am acquainted with, is situated thirty-one miles +southwest of Boston.</p> + +<p>I am not aware that Redfield was noted for anything in particular, +unless it was noted for Squire Walker, as Mount Vernon was noted for +Washington, and Monticello for Jefferson. No doubt the squire thought +he was as great a man as either of these, and that the world was +strangely stupid because it did not find out how great a man he really +was. It was his misfortune that he was born in the midst of stirring +times, when great energy, great genius, and the most determined +patriotism are understood and appreciated.</p> + +<p>Squire Walker, then, was a great man—in his own estimation. It is +true, the rest of the world, including many of the people of Redfield, +had not found it out; but, as the matter concerned himself more nearly +than any one else, he seemed to be resigned to the circumstances of +his lot. He had represented the town in the legislature of the state, +was a member of the school committee, one of the selectmen, and an +overseer of the poor. Some men would have considered all these offices +as glory enough for a lifetime;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> and I dare say the squire would have +been satisfied, if he had not been ambitious to become one of the +county commissioners.</p> + +<p>The squire had a very high and proper regard for his own dignity. It +was not only his duty to be a great man, but to impress other people, +especially paupers and children, with a just sense of his importance. +Consequently, when he visited the poorhouse, he always spoke in the +imperative mood. It was not becoming a man of his magnificent +pretensions to speak gently and kindly to the unfortunate, the +friendless, and the forsaken; and the men and women hated him, and the +children feared him, as much as they would have feared a roaring lion.</p> + +<p>"Boy, come here!" said Squire Walker, as he raised his arm +majestically towards a youth who was picking up "windfalls" under the +apple trees in front of the poorhouse.</p> + +<p>The boy was dressed in a suit of blue cotton clothes, extensively, but +not very skillfully patched. At last two-thirds of the brim of his old +straw hat was gone, leaving nothing but a snarly fringe of straws to +protect his face from the heat of the sun. But this was the least of +the boy's trials. Sun or rain, heat or cold, were all the same to him, +if he only got enough to eat, and time enough to sleep.</p> + +<p>He straightened his back when Squire Walker spoke to him, and stood +gazing with evident astonishment that the distinguished gentleman +should condescend to speak to him.</p> + +<p>"Come here, you sir! Do you hear?" continued Squire Walker, upon whom +the boy's look of wonder and perturbation was not wholly lost.</p> + +<p>"This way, Harry," added Mr. Nason, the keeper of the poorhouse, who +was doing the honors of the occasion to the representative of the +people of Redfield.</p> + +<p>Harry West was evidently a modest youth, and appeared to be averse to +pushing himself irreverently into the presence of a man whom his vivid +imagination classed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> with Alexander the Great and Julius Cæsar, whose +great deeds he had read about in the spelling book.</p> + +<p>Harry slowly sidled along till he came within about a rod of the great +man, where he paused, apparently too much overawed to proceed any +farther.</p> + +<p>"Come here, I say," repeated Squire Walker. "Why don't you take your +hat off, and make your manners?"</p> + +<p>Harry took his hat off, and made his manners, not very gracefully, it +is true; but considering the boy's perturbation, the squire was +graciously pleased to let his "manners" pass muster.</p> + +<p>"How old are you, boy?" asked the overseer.</p> + +<p>"Most twelve," replied Harry, with deference.</p> + +<p>"High time you were put to work."</p> + +<p>"I do work," answered Harry.</p> + +<p>"Not much; you look as fat and lazy as one of my fat hogs."</p> + +<p>Mr. Nason ventured to suggest that Harry was a smart, active boy, +willing to work, and that he more than paid his keeping by the labor +he performed in the field, and the chores he did about the house—an +interference which the squire silently rebuked, by turning up his nose +at the keeper.</p> + +<p>"I do all they want me to do," added the boy, whose tongue seemed to +grow wonderfully glib under the gratuitous censure of the notable +gentleman.</p> + +<p>"Don't be saucy, Master West."</p> + +<p>"Bless you, squire! Harry never spoke a saucy word in his life," +interposed the friendly keeper.</p> + +<p>"He should know his place, and learn how to treat his superiors. You +give these boys too much meat, Mr. Nason. They can't bear it. Mush and +molasses is the best thing in the world for them."</p> + +<p>If any one had looked closely at Harry while the functionary was +delivering himself of this speech, he might have seen his eye snap and +his chest heave with indignation. He had evidently conquered his +timidity, and, maugre his youth, was disposed to stand forth and say,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +"I, too, am a man." His head was erect, and he gazed unflinchingly +into the eye of the squire.</p> + +<p>"Boy," said the great man, who did not like to have a pauper boy look +him in the eye without trembling—"boy, I have got a place for you, +and the sooner you are sent to it, the better it will be for you and +for the town."</p> + +<p>"Where is it, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Where is it? What is that to you, you young puppy?" growled the +squire, shocked at the boy's presumption in daring to question him.</p> + +<p>"If I am going to a place, I would like to know where it is," replied +Harry.</p> + +<p>"You will go where you are sent!" roared the squire.</p> + +<p>"I suppose I must; but I should like to know where."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, you shall know," added the overseer maliciously; for he +had good reason to know that the intelligence would give the boy the +greatest pain he could possibly inflict. "You are going to Jacob +Wire's."</p> + +<p>"Where, sir?" asked the keeper, looking at the squire with +astonishment and indignation.</p> + +<p>"To Jacob Wire's," repeated the overseer.</p> + +<p>"Jacob Wire's!" exclaimed Mr. Nason.</p> + +<p>"I said so."</p> + +<p>"Do you think that will be a good place for the boy?" asked the +keeper, trying to smile to cover the indignation that was boiling in +his bosom.</p> + +<p>"Certainly I do."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, Squire Walker, but I don't."</p> + +<p>The overseer stood aghast. Such a reply was little better than +rebellion in one of the town's servants, and his blood boiled at such +unheard-of plainness of speech to him, late representative to the +general court, member of the school committee, one of the selectmen, +and an overseer of the poor.</p> + +<p>Besides, there was another reason why the temerity of the keeper was +peculiarly aggravated. Jacob Wire was the squire's brother-in-law; and +though the squire despised him quite as much and as heartily as the +rest of the people<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> of Redfield, it was not fitting that any of his +connections should be assailed by another. It was not so much the +fact, as the source from which it came, that was objectionable.</p> + +<p>"How dare you speak to me in that manner, Mr. Nason?" exclaimed the +squire. "Do you know who I am?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Nason did know who he was, but at that moment, and under those +circumstances, he so far forgot himself as to inform the important +functionary that he didn't care who he was; Jacob Wire's was not a fit +place for a heathen, much less a Christian.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, sir?" gasped the overseer in his rage.</p> + +<p>"I mean just what I say, Squire Walker. Jacob Wire is the meanest man +in the county. He half starves his wife and children; and no hired man +ever stayed there more than a week—he always starved them out in that +time."</p> + +<p>"If you please, sir, I would rather not go to Mr. Wire's," put in +Harry, to whom the county jail seemed a more preferable place.</p> + +<p>"There, shut up! I say you shall go there!" replied the squire.</p> + +<p>"Really, squire, this is too bad. You know Wire as well as any man in +town, and—"</p> + +<p>"Not another word, Mr. Nason! Have the boy ready to go to Jacob Wire's +to-morrow!" and the overseer, not very well satisfied with the +interview, hastened away to avoid further argument upon so delicate a +topic.</p> + +<p>Harry stood watching the retreating form of the great man of Redfield. +The mandate he had spoken was the knell of hope to him. It made the +future black and desolate. As he gazed the tears flooded his eyes, and +his feelings completely overcame him.</p> + +<p>"Don't cry, Harry," said the kind-hearted keeper, taking him by the +hand.</p> + +<p>"I can't help it," sobbed Harry. "He will whip me, and starve me to +death. Don't let him put me there."</p> + +<p>"I don't know as I can help it, Harry."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I am willing to work, and work hard, too; but I don't want to be +starved to death."</p> + +<p>"I will do what I can for you; but the other overseers do pretty much +as Squire Walker tells them to do."</p> + +<p>"I can't go to Jacob Wire's," burst from Harry's lips, as he seated +himself on a rock, and gave way to the violence of his emotions.</p> + +<p>"I will see the other overseers; don't cry, Harry. Hope for the best."</p> + +<p>"No use of hoping against such a man as Jacob Wire. If he don't starve +me, he will work me to death. I would rather die than go there."</p> + +<p>"Well, well; don't take on so. Perhaps something can be done."</p> + +<p>"Something shall be done," added the boy, as he rose from his seat, +with an air of determination in keeping with the strong words he +uttered.</p> + +<p>The keeper's presence was required in the barn, and he left Harry +musing and very unhappy about his future prospects. The thought of +becoming a member of Jacob Wire's family was not to be entertained. +The boy was a pauper, and had been brought up at the expense of the +town; but he seemed to feel that, though fortune and friends had +forsaken him, he was still a member of the great human family.</p> + +<p>Jacob Wire, with whom it was proposed to apprentice him, had the +reputation of being a hard master. He loved money, and did not love +anything else. His heart was barren of affection, as his soul was of +good principles; and though he did not literally starve his family and +his help, he fed them upon the poorest and meanest fare that would +support human life. The paupers in the poorhouse lived sumptuously, +compared with those who gathered around the board of Jacob Wire.</p> + +<p>The keeper knew this from experience, for years ago, before he had +been appointed to his present situation, he had worked for Wire; and +age and prosperity had not improved him. The more he got, the more he +wanted; the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> fuller his barn and storehouse, the more stingy he became +to those who were dependent upon him.</p> + +<p>Harry West was a good boy, and a great favorite with the keeper of the +poorhouse. He was always good-natured, willing to work, and never +grumbled about his food. He was not only willing to take care of the +baby washing days, but seemed to derive pleasure from the occupation. +For all these reasons, Mr. Nason liked Harry, and had a deep interest +in his welfare; something more than a merely selfish interest, for he +had suggested to the overseers the propriety of binding him out to +learn some good trade.</p> + +<p>Harry was sad and disheartened; but he had unlimited confidence in the +keeper, and felt sure that he would protect him from such a calamity +as being sent to Jacob Wire's. After he had carried the windfalls into +the shed, he asked Mr. Nason if he might go down to the river for a +little while. The permission given, he jumped over the cow yard wall, +and with his eyes fixed in deep thought upon the ground, made his way +over the hill to Pine Pleasant, as the beautiful grove by the river's +side was called.</p> + +<p>The grove extended to the brink of the stream, which in this place +widened into a pond. Near the shore was a large flat rock, which was +connected with the mainland by a log, for the convenience of anglers +and bathers. This was a favorite spot with Harry; and upon the rock he +seated himself, to sigh over the hard lot which was in store for him. +It was not a good way to contend with the trials to which all are +subjected; but he had not yet learned that sorrow and adversity are as +necessary for man as joy and prosperity. Besides, it was a turning +point in his life, and it seemed to him that Jacob Wire's house would +be the tomb of all his hopes.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY FINDS A FRIEND, AND A PRACTICABLE SCHEME FOR RESISTANCE</span></h2> + + +<p>My young readers will probably desire to know something about Harry's +"antecedents"; and while the poor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> fellow is mourning over the hard +lot which Squire Walker has marked out for him, we will briefly review +his previous history.</p> + +<p>Unlike the heroes of modern novels and romances, Harry did not belong +to an ancient, or even a very respectable family. We need not trace +his genealogy for any considerable period, and I am not sure that the +old records would throw much light on the subject if we should attempt +to do so. The accident of birth in our republican land is a matter of +very little consequence; therefore we shall only go back to Harry's +father, who was a carpenter by trade, but had a greater passion for +New England rum than for chisels and foreplanes.</p> + +<p>The bane of New England was the bane of Franklin West; for he was a +kind-hearted man, a good husband and a good father, before he was +deformed by the use of liquor. He made good wages, and supported his +little family for several years; but the vile habit grew upon him to +such a degree that the people of Redfield lost all confidence in him. +As his business decreased, his besetting vice increased upon him, till +he was nothing but the wreck of the man he had once been. Poverty had +come, and want stared him in the face.</p> + +<p>While everybody was wondering what would become of Franklin West, he +suddenly disappeared, and no one could form an idea of what had become +of him. People thought it was no great matter. He was only a nuisance +to himself and his family. Mrs. West was shocked by this sudden and +mysterious disappearance. He was her husband, and the father of her +children, and it was not strange that she wept, and even hoped that he +would come back. The neighbors comforted her, and put her in the way +of supporting herself and the children, so that she was very soon +reconciled to the event.</p> + +<p>When West had been gone a month, his wife received a letter from him, +informing her that he had determined to stop drinking, and be a man +again. He could not keep sober in Redfield, among his old companions, +and he was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> at work in Providence till he could get money enough to +pay his expenses to Valparaiso, in South America, where a lucrative +place awaited him. He hoped his wife would manage to get along for a +few months, when he should be able to send her some money.</p> + +<p>Mrs. West was easy again. Her husband was not dead, was not drowned in +the river, or lost in the woods; and her heart was cheered by the +prospects of future plenty, which the letter pointed out to her.</p> + +<p>A year passed by, and nothing more was heard from Franklin West. The +poor, forsaken wife had a hard time to support her little family. The +most constant and severe toil enabled her to pinch her way along; but +it was a bitter trial. She had no relations to help her; and though +the neighbors were as kind as neighbors could be, life was a hard +struggle.</p> + +<p>Then the baby sickened and died. This bereavement seemed to unnerve +and discourage her, and though there was one mouth less to feed, her +strength failed her, and she was unequal to the task. Care and sorrow +did their work upon her, and though people said she died of +consumption, Heaven knew she died of a broken heart and disappointed +hopes.</p> + +<p>Harry was four years old when this sad event left him alone in the +world. There was none willing to assume the burden of bringing up the +lonely little pilgrim, and he was sent to the poorhouse. It was a hard +fate for the tender child to be removed from the endearments of a +mother's love, and placed in the cheerless asylum which public charity +provides for the poor and the friendless.</p> + +<p>The child was only four years old; but he missed the fond kiss and the +loving caresses of his devoted mother. They were kind to him there, +but it was not home, and his heart could not but yearn for those +treasures of affection which glittered for him only in the heart of +his mother. There was an aching void, and though he could not +understand or appreciate his loss, it was none the less painful.</p> + +<p>He was a favorite child, not only with the old paupers,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> but with the +keeper and his family; and this circumstance undoubtedly softened the +asperities of his lot. As soon as he was old enough, he was required +to work as much as the keeper thought his strength would bear. He was +very handy about the house and barn, more so than boys usually are; +and Mr. Nason declared that, for the three years before it was +proposed to send him away, he had more than earned his board and +clothes.</p> + +<p>He had been at school four winters, and the schoolmasters were +unanimous in their praise. He was a smart scholar, but a little +disposed to be roguish.</p> + +<p>The moral discipline of the poorhouse was not of the most salutary +character. Mr. Nason, though a generous and kind-hearted man, was not +as exemplary in his daily life as might have been desired. Besides, +one or two of the old paupers were rather corrupt in their manners and +morals, and were not fit companions for a young immortal, whose mind, +like plastic clay, was impressible to the forming power.</p> + +<p>The poorhouse was not a good place for the boy, and the wonder is that +Harry, at twelve years of age, was not worse than we find him. He had +learned to love Mr. Nason, as he had learned to fear and to hate +Squire Walker. The latter seemed to have absolute power at the +poorhouse, and to be lord and master in Redfield. But when the +overseer proposed to place the boy in the family of a man whom even +the paupers looked down upon and despised, his soul rebelled even +against the mandate of the powerful magnate of the town.</p> + +<p>Harry turned the matter over and over in his mind as he sat upon the +rock at Pine Pleasant. At first he tried to reconcile the idea of +living with Jacob Wire; but it was a fruitless effort. The poorhouse +seemed like a paradise to such a fate.</p> + +<p>Then he considered the possibility and the practicability of resisting +the commands of Squire Walker. He could not obtain much satisfaction +from either view of the difficult problem, and as a happy resort under +the trials of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> the moment, he began to console himself with the +reflection that Mr. Nason might prevail with the overseers, and save +him from his doom.</p> + +<p>He had not much hope from this direction, and while he was turning +again to the question of resistance, he heard footsteps in the grove. +He did not feel like seeing any person and wished he could get out of +sight; but there was no retreating without being observed, so he lay +down upon the rock to wait till the intruder had passed.</p> + +<p>The person approaching did not purpose to let him off so easily; and +when Harry heard his step on the log he raised himself up.</p> + +<p>"Hallo, Harry! What are you doing here? Taking a nap?"</p> + +<p>It was Ben Smart, a boy of fourteen, who lived near the poorhouse. +Ben's reputation in Redfield was not A, No. 1; in fact, he had been +solemnly and publicly expelled from the district school only three +days before by Squire Walker, because the mistress could not manage +him. His father was the village blacksmith, and as he had nothing for +him to do—not particularly for the boy's benefit—he kept him at +school all the year round.</p> + +<p>"O, is that you, Ben?" replied Harry, more for the sake of being civil +than because he wished to speak to the other.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing here?" asked Ben, who evidently did not understand +how a boy could be there alone, unless he was occupied about +something.</p> + +<p>"Nothing."</p> + +<p>"Been in the water?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Fishing?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>Ben was nonplussed. He suspected that Harry had been engaged in some +mysterious occupation, which he desired to conceal from him.</p> + +<p>"How long have you been here?" continued Ben, persistently.</p> + +<p>"About half an hour."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p> + +<p>Ben stopped to think. He could make nothing of it. It was worse than +the double rule of three, which he conscientiously believed had been +invented on purpose to bother school boys.</p> + +<p>"You are up to some trick, I know. Tell me what you come down here +for."</p> + +<p>"Didn't come for anything."</p> + +<p>"What is the use of telling that. No feller would come clear down here +for nothing."</p> + +<p>"I came down to think, then, if you must know," answered Harry, rather +testily.</p> + +<p>"To think! Well, that is a good one! Ain't the poor-farm big enough to +do your thinking on?"</p> + +<p>"I chose to come down here."</p> + +<p>"Humph! You've got the blues, Harry. I should think old Walker had +been afoul of you, by your looks."</p> + +<p>Harry looked up suddenly, and wondered if Ben knew what had happened.</p> + +<p>"I should like to have the old rascal down here for half an hour. I +should like to souse him into the river, and hold his head under till +he begged my pardon," continued Ben.</p> + +<p>"So should I," added Harry.</p> + +<p>"Should you? You are a good feller, then! I mean to pay him off for +what he did for me the other day. I wouldn't minded being turned out +of school. I rather liked the idea; but the old muttonhead got me up +before all the school, and read me such a lecture! He thinks there +isn't anybody in the world but him."</p> + +<p>"The lecture didn't hurt you," suggested Harry.</p> + +<p>"No; it didn't. But that warn't the worst of it."</p> + +<p>"What else?"</p> + +<p>"My father give me a confounded licking when I got home. I haven't +done smarting yet. But I will pay 'em for it all."</p> + +<p>"You mean Squire Walker."</p> + +<p>"And the old man, too."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If I only had a father, I wouldn't mind letting him lick me now and +then," replied Harry, to whom home seemed a paradise, though he had +never understood it; and a father and mother, though coarse and +brutal, his imagination pictured as angels.</p> + +<p>"My father would learn you better than that in a few days," said Ben, +who did not appreciate his parents, especially when they held the rod.</p> + +<p>Harry relapsed into musing again. He thought how happy he should have +been in Ben's place. A home, a father, a mother! We value most what we +have not; and if the pauper boy could have had the blessings which +crowned his reckless companion's lot, it seemed as though he would +have been contented and happy. His condescension in regard to the +flogging now and then was a sincere expression of feeling.</p> + +<p>"What's old Walker been doing to you, Harry?" asked Ben, suspecting +the cause of the other's gloom.</p> + +<p>"He is going to send me to Jacob Wire's to live."</p> + +<p>"Whew! That is a good one! To die, you mean; Harry, I wouldn't stand +that."</p> + +<p>"I don't mean to."</p> + +<p>"That's right; I like your spunk. What do you mean to do?"</p> + +<p>Harry was not prepared to answer this question. He possessed a certain +degree of prudence, and though it was easy to declare war against so +powerful an enemy as Squire Walker, it was not so easy to carry on the +war after it was declared. The overseer was a bigger man to him than +the ogre in "Puss in Boots." Probably his imagination largely +magnified the grandeur of the squire's position, and indefinitely +multiplied the resources at his command.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean to do?" repeated Ben, who for some reason or other +took a deep interest in Harry's affairs.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. I would rather die than go; but I don't know how I can +help myself," answered the poor boy, gloomily.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I do."</p> + +<p>Harry looked up with interest and surprise. Ben sympathized with him +in his trials, and his heart warmed towards him.</p> + +<p>"What, Ben?"</p> + +<p>"I daresn't tell you now," replied Ben after a short pause.</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Can you keep a secret?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I can. Did I ever blow on you?"</p> + +<p>"No, you never did, Harry. You are a first rate feller, and I like +you. But you see, if you should blow on me now, you would spoil my +kettle of fish, and your own, too."</p> + +<p>"But I won't, Ben."</p> + +<p>"Promise me solemnly."</p> + +<p>"Solemnly," repeated Harry.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I will get you out of the scrape as nice as a cotton +hat."</p> + +<p>"How?"</p> + +<p>"I guess I won't tell you now; but if you will come down here to-night +at eleven o'clock I will let you into the whole thing."</p> + +<p>"Eleven o'clock! I can't come at that time. We all go to bed at eight +o'clock."</p> + +<p>"Get up and come."</p> + +<p>"I can do that; but perhaps Mr. Nason will persuade the overseers not +to send me to Jacob Wire's."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad I didn't tell you, then. But promise me this, Harry: that, +whatever happens, you'll hold your tongue."</p> + +<p>"I will, Ben."</p> + +<p>"And if Nason don't get you off, be here at eleven o'clock. Put on +your best clothes, and take everything you want with you."</p> + +<p>"Going to run away?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't say so."</p> + +<p>Ben made him promise again to be secret, and they separated. Harry had +an idea of what his companion intended,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> and the scheme solved all his +doubts. It was a practicable scheme of resistance, and he returned to +the poorhouse, no longer fearful of the impending calamity.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY LEAVES THE POORHOUSE, AND TAKES TO THE RIVER</span></h2> + + +<p>When Harry reached the poorhouse, Mr. Nason was absent, and one of the +paupers told him that he had taken the horse and wagon. He conjectured +that the keeper had gone to see the other overseers, to intercede with +them in his behalf. He did not feel as much interest in the mission as +he had felt two hours before, for Ben Stuart had provided a remedy for +his grievances, which he had fully decided to adopt.</p> + +<p>It was nearly sunset before Mr. Nason returned; and when he came his +looks did not seem to indicate a favorable issue. Harry helped him +unharness the horse, and as he led him into the barn the keeper opened +the subject.</p> + +<p>"I have been to see the other overseers, Harry," he began, in tones +which seemed to promise nothing hopeful.</p> + +<p>"I thought likely you had gone."</p> + +<p>"As I supposed, they are all afraid of Squire Walker. They daresn't +say their souls are their own."</p> + +<p>"Then I must go to Jacob Wire's."</p> + +<p>"The other overseers declare, if the squire says so, you must."</p> + +<p>"It is a hard case, Mr. Nason," replied Harry, not much disappointed +at the result.</p> + +<p>"I know it is, Harry. Perhaps you might try the place, and then, if +you found you couldn't stand it we might make another trial to get you +off."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to go there, anyhow. I should like to help duck the +squire in the horse pond."</p> + +<p>"Well, Harry, I have done all I can for you," continued<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> Mr. Nason, +seating himself on a keg on the barn floor. "I wish I could help you."</p> + +<p>"You have been very good to me, Mr. Nason. I shall always remember you +as the best friend I ever had," replied Harry, the tears streaming +down his sun-browned cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Never mind that, Harry; don't cry."</p> + +<p>"I can't help it; you have been so good to me, that I hate to leave +you," blubbered Harry.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry you must leave us; we shall miss you about the place, and +I wish it was so that you could stay. But what makes it ten times +worse is the idea of your going to Jacob Wire's."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Nason," said Harry, dashing down his tears, and looking earnestly +at the keeper, "I have made up my mind that I won't go to Wire's +anyhow."</p> + +<p>"I don't blame you; but I don't see how you can fight the squire. He +carries too many guns for you, or for me, either, for that matter. I +have been thinking of something, Harry, though I suppose, if I should +speak it out loud, it would be as much as my place here is worth."</p> + +<p>"I have been thinking of something, too," continued Harry, with a good +deal of emphasis.</p> + +<p>"What?"</p> + +<p>"I can't tell even you."</p> + +<p>Mr. Nason, sympathizing deeply with his young friend, did not attempt +to obtain any knowledge whose possession might be inconvenient to him. +He was disposed to help the boy escape the fate in store for him; but +at the same time, having a family to support, he did not wish to lose +his situation, though, if the emergency had demanded it, he would +probably have been willing to make even this sacrifice.</p> + +<p>"I was thinking, Harry, how astonished the squire would be, when he +comes over in the morning to take you to Jacob Wire's, if he should +not happen to find you here."</p> + +<p>"I dare say he would," answered Harry, with a meaning smile.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + +<p>"By the way, have you heard from Charles Smith lately? You know he +went to Boston last spring, and they say he has got a place, and is +doing first rate there."</p> + +<p>The keeper smiled as he spoke, and Harry understood him as well as +though he had spoken out the real thought that was in his mind.</p> + +<p>"I suppose others might do as he has done."</p> + +<p>"No doubt of it."</p> + +<p>Mr. Nason took from his pocket the large shot bag purse, in which he +kept his change, and picked out four quarters.</p> + +<p>"Here, Harry, take these; when you get over to Wire's, money will keep +you from starving. It will almost anywhere, for that matter."</p> + +<p>"How good you are!" exclaimed Harry, as he took the four quarters. +"You have been a father to me, and one of these days I shall be able +to pay you this money back again."</p> + +<p>"Don't trouble yourself about that. Keep it; and I wish I had a +hundred times as much to give you."</p> + +<p>"I shall never forget you, Mr. Nason. I shall be a man one of these +days, and we shall meet again."</p> + +<p>The supper bell rang, and they separated. Harry felt the spirit of a +man stirring within him. He felt that the world had cast him off, and +refused him a home, even in the poorhouse. He was determined to push +his way through life like a hero, and he nerved himself to meet +whatever hardships and trials might be apportioned to him.</p> + +<p>After supper he went to his room, gathered up the few articles of +clothing which constituted his wardrobe, and tying them up in a +bundle, concealed them in a hollow stump back of the barn.</p> + +<p>At eight o'clock he went to bed as usual. He felt no desire to sleep, +and would not have dared to do so if he had. He heard the old kitchen +clock strike ten. The house was still, for all had long ago retired to +their rest, and he could hear the sonorous snores of the paupers in +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> adjoining rooms. His heart beat quick with anxiety. It was a +novel position in which he found himself. He had been accustomed to do +everything fairly and "above board," and the thought of rising from +his bed and sneaking out of the house like a thief was repulsive to +him. But it was a good cause, in his estimation, and he did not waste +much sentiment upon the matter. A conspiracy had been formed to cheat +him of his hopes and of his future happiness, and it seemed right to +him that he should flee from those with whom he could not successfully +contend.</p> + +<p>Carefully and stealthily he crept out of bed, and put on his best +clothes, which were nothing to boast of at that, for there was many a +darn and many a patch upon the jacket and trousers. Stockings and +shoes were luxuries in which Harry was not indulged in the warm +season; but he had a pair of each, which he took under his arm.</p> + +<p>Like a mouse he crept down stairs, and reached the back door of the +house without having disturbed any of its inmates. There were no locks +on the poorhouse doors, for burglars and thieves never invaded the +home of the stricken, forsaken paupers.</p> + +<p>The door opened with a sharp creak, and Harry was sure he was +detected. For several minutes he waited, but no sound was heard, and +more carefully he opened the door wide enough to permit his passage +out.</p> + +<p>He was now in the open air, and a sensation of relief pervaded his +mind. He was free. No man was his master in this world, and he had not +learned to think much of the other world. As he passed through the cow +yard he heard the old gray mare whinny, and he could not resist the +temptation to pay her a parting visit. They had been firm friends for +years, and as he entered the barn she seemed to recognize him in the +darkness.</p> + +<p>"Good-by, old Prue. I am going away to leave you," said Harry, in low +tones, as he patted the mare upon her neck. "I hope they will use you +well. Next to Mr. Nason, you have been my best friend. Good-by, old +Prue."</p> + +<p>The mare whinnied again, as though she perfectly comprehended<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> this +affectionate speech, and wished to express her sympathy with her young +friend in her own most eloquent language. Perhaps Harry could not +render the speech into the vernacular, but he had a high appreciation +of her good feeling, and repeated his caresses.</p> + +<p>"Good-by, old Prue; but, before I go, I shall give you one more feed +of oats—the very last."</p> + +<p>The localities of the barn were as familiar to him as those of his own +chamber; and taking the half peck measure, he filled it heaping full +of oats at the grain chest as readily as though it had been clear +daylight.</p> + +<p>"Here, Prue, is the last feed I shall give you"; and he emptied the +contents of the measure into the trough. "Good-by, old Prue; I shall +never see you again."</p> + +<p>The mare plunged her nose deep down into the savory mess, and seemed +for a moment to forget her friend in the selfish gratification of her +appetite. If she had fully realized the unpleasant fact that Harry was +going, perhaps she might have been less selfish, for this was not the +first time she had been indebted to him for extra rations.</p> + +<p>Passing through the barn, the runaway was again in the open air. +Everything looked gloomy and sad to him, and the scene was as solemn +as a funeral. There were no sounds to be heard but the monotonous +chirp of the cricket, and the dismal piping of the frogs in the +meadow. Even the owl and the whip-poor-will had ceased their nocturnal +notes, and the stars looked more gloomy than he had ever seen them +before.</p> + +<p>There was no time to moralize over these things, though, as he walked +along, he could not help thinking how strange and solemn everything +seemed on that eventful night. It was an epoch in his history; one of +those turning points in human life, when all the works of nature and +art, borrowing the spirit which pervades the soul, assume odd and +unfamiliar forms. Harry was not old enough or wise enough to +comprehend the importance of the step he was taking; still he was +deeply impressed by the strangeness within and without.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> + +<p>Taking his bundle from the hollow stump, he directed his steps toward +Pine Pleasant. He walked very slowly, for his feelings swelled within +him and retarded his steps. His imagination was busy with the past, or +wandering vaguely to the unexplored future, which with bright promises +tempted him to press on to the goal of prosperity. He yearned to be a +man; to leap in an instant over the years of discipline, that yawned +like a great gulf between his youth and his manhood. He wanted to be a +man, that his strong arm might strike great blows; that he might win +his way up to wealth and honor.</p> + +<p>Why couldn't he be a great man like Squire Walker. Squire West +wouldn't sound bad.</p> + +<p>"One has only to be rich in order to be great," thought he. "Why can't +I be rich, as well as anybody else? Who was that old fellow that saved +up his fourpences till he was worth a hundred thousand dollars? I can +do it as well as he, though I won't be as mean as they say he was, +anyhow. There are chances enough to get rich, and if I fail in one +thing, why—I can try again."</p> + +<p>Thus Harry mused as he walked along, and fixed a definite purpose +before him to be accomplished in life. It is true it was not a very +lofty or a very noble purpose, merely to be rich; but he had been +obliged to do his own philosophizing. He had not yet discovered the +true philosopher's stone. He had concluded, like the alchemists of +old, that it was the art of turning anything into gold. The paupers, +in their poverty, had talked most and prayed most for that which they +had not. Wealth was to them the loftiest ideal of happiness, and Harry +had adopted their conclusions. It is not strange, therefore, that +Harry's first resolve was to be a rich man.</p> + +<p>"Seek ye <i>first</i> the kingdom of heaven, and all these things shall be +added unto you," was a text which he had often heard repeated; but he +did not comprehend its meaning, and he had reversed the proposition, +determined to look out for "all these things" first.</p> + +<p>The village clock struck eleven, and the peal of the clear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> notes on +the silent air cut short his meditations, and admonished him to +quicken his pace, or Ben would reach the place of rendezvous before +him. He entered the still shades of Pine Pleasant, but saw nothing of +his confederate. Seating himself on the familiar rock in the river, he +returned to his meditations.</p> + +<p>He had hardly laid down his first proposition in solving the problem +of his future success, before he was startled by the discovery of a +bright light in the direction of the village. It was plainly a +building on fire, and his first impulse was to rush to the meeting +house and give the alarm; but prudence forbade. His business was with +the great world and the future, not with Redfield and the present.</p> + +<p>A few moments later the church bell pealed its startling notes, and he +heard the cry of fire in the village. The building, whatever it was, +had become a mass of fierce flames, which no human arm could stay.</p> + +<p>While he was watching the exciting spectacle, he heard footsteps in +the grove, and Ben Smart, out of breath and nearly exhausted, leaped +upon the rock.</p> + +<p>"So you are here, Harry," gasped he.</p> + +<p>"I am, Ben," replied Harry. "Where is the fire?"</p> + +<p>"We have no time to waste now," panted Ben, rousing himself anew. "We +must be off at once."</p> + +<p>Ben descended to the lower side of the rock, and hauled a small +flat-bottomed boat out of the bushes that grew on the river's brink.</p> + +<p>"Where is the fire, Ben?" persisted Harry.</p> + +<p>"Never mind the fire now; jump into the boat, and let us be off."</p> + +<p>Harry obeyed, and Ben pushed off from the rock.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" asked Harry, not much pleased either with the +imperative tone or the haughty reserve of his companion.</p> + +<p>"Down the river. Take the paddle and steer her; the current will take +her along fast enough. I am so tired I can't do a thing more."</p> + +<p>Harry took the paddle and seated himself in the stern<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> of the boat, +while Ben, puffing and blowing like a locomotive, placed himself at +the bow.</p> + +<p>"Tell me now where the fire is," said Harry, whose curiosity would not +be longer resisted.</p> + +<p>"<i>Squire Walker's barn.</i>"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH IT IS SHOWN THAT THE NAVIGATION OF THE RIVER IS DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS</span></h2> + + +<p>Harry was astounded at this information. Ben was exhausted, as though +he had been running very hard; besides, he was much agitated—more so +than the circumstances of the occasion seemed to justify. In +connection with the threat which his companion had uttered that day, +these appearances seemed to point to a solution of the burning +building. He readily understood that Ben, in revenge for the indignity +the squire had cast upon him, had set the barn on fire, and was now +running away by the light of it.</p> + +<p>This was more than he had bargained for. However ill-natured he felt +towards the squire for his proposal to send him to Jacob Wire's, it +never occurred to him to retaliate by committing a crime. His ideas of +Christian charity and of forgiveness were but partially developed; and +though he could not feel right towards his powerful enemy, he felt no +desire to punish him so severely as Ben had done.</p> + +<p>His companion gave him a short answer, and manifested no disposition +to enlarge upon the subject; and for several minutes both maintained a +profound silence.</p> + +<p>The boat, drifting slowly with the current, was passing from the pond +into the narrow river, and it required all Harry's skill to keep her +from striking the banks on either side. His mind was engrossed with +the contemplation of the new and startling event which had so suddenly +presented itself to embarrass his future operations. Ben<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> was a +criminal in the eye of the law, and would be subjected to a severe +penalty if detected.</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't have thought you would have done that," Harry observed, +when the silence became painful to him.</p> + +<p>"Done what?" asked Ben, sharply.</p> + +<p>"Set the barn afire."</p> + +<p>"Who said I set it afire?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I can see through a millstone when there is a hole in it."</p> + +<p>"I didn't say I set the barn afire."</p> + +<p>"I know you didn't; but you said you meant to pay the squire off for +what he had done to you."</p> + +<p>"I mean to."</p> + +<p>"Haven't you done it already?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't say I had," answered Ben, who was evidently debating with +himself whether he should admit Harry to his confidence.</p> + +<p>"But didn't you set the barn afire?"</p> + +<p>"What if I did?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I should say you run a great risk."</p> + +<p>"I don't care for that."</p> + +<p>"I see the reason now, why you wouldn't tell me what you was going to +do before."</p> + +<p>"We are in for it now, Harry. I meant to pay off the squire, and—"</p> + +<p>"Then you did set the barn afire?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't say so; and, more than that, I don't mean to say so. If you +can see through a millstone, why, just open your eyes—that's all."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry you did it, Ben."</p> + +<p>"No whining, Harry; be a man."</p> + +<p>"I mean to be a man; but I don't think there was any need of burning +the barn."</p> + +<p>"I do; I couldn't leave Redfield without squaring accounts with Squire +Walker."</p> + +<p>"Where are you going, Ben?"</p> + +<p>"To Boston, of course."</p> + +<p>"How shall we get there?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We will go by the river, as far as we can; then take to the road."</p> + +<p>"But this is George Leman's boat—isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"You hooked it?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I did; you don't suppose I should mind trifles at such a +time as this! But he can have it again, when I have done with it."</p> + +<p>"What was the use of taking the boat?"</p> + +<p>"In the first place, don't you think it is easier to sail in a boat +than to walk? And in the second place, the river runs through the +woods for five or six miles below Pine Pleasant; so that no one will +be likely to see us. We shall get off without being found out."</p> + +<p>"But the river is not deep enough. It is full of rocks about three +miles down."</p> + +<p>"We won't mind them. We can keep her clear of the rocks well enough. +When I was down the river last spring, you couldn't see a single rock +above water, and we don't draw more than six inches."</p> + +<p>"But that was in the spring, when the water was high. I don't believe +we can get the boat through."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we can; at any rate, we can jump ashore and tow her down," +replied Ben, confidently, though his calculations were somewhat +disturbed by Harry's reasoning.</p> + +<p>"There is another difficulty, Ben," suggested Harry.</p> + +<p>"O, there are a hundred difficulties; but we mustn't mind them."</p> + +<p>"They will miss the boat, and suspect at once who has got it."</p> + +<p>"We shall be out of their reach when they miss it."</p> + +<p>"I heard George Leman say he was going a fishing in her to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Did you? Then why didn't you say so before?" retorted Ben, angrily.</p> + +<p>"Because you didn't tell me what you were going to do. How could I?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Never mind; it is no use to cry for spilt milk. We will make the best +of it."</p> + +<p>"We are in for it now."</p> + +<p>"That we are; and if you only stick by me, it will all come out right. +If we get caught, you must keep a stiff upper lip."</p> + +<p>"Never fear me."</p> + +<p>"And, above all, don't blow on me."</p> + +<p>"Of course I won't."</p> + +<p>"Whatever happens, promise that you will stick by me."</p> + +<p>"I will, Ben."</p> + +<p>"That's a good fellow, Harry. On that, we will take a bit of luncheon, +and have a good time of it."</p> + +<p>As he spoke, Ben drew out from under the seat in the bow a box filled +with bread and cheese.</p> + +<p>"You see we are provisioned for a cruise, Harry," added Ben, as he +offered the contents of the box to his companion. "Here is enough to +last us two or three days."</p> + +<p>"But you don't mean to keep on the river so long as that?"</p> + +<p>"I mean to stick to the boat as long as the navigation will permit," +replied Ben, with more energy than he had before manifested, for he +was recovering from the perturbation with which the crime he had +committed filled his mind.</p> + +<p>"There is a factory village, with a dam across the river, six or seven +miles below here."</p> + +<p>"I know it; but perhaps we can get the boat round the dam in the night +time, and continue our voyage below. Don't you remember that piece in +the Reader about John Ledyard—how he went down the Connecticut River +in a canoe?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; and you got your idea from that?"</p> + +<p>"I did; and I mean to have a first rate time of it."</p> + +<p>Ben proceeded to describe the anticipated pleasures of the river +voyage, as he munched his bread and cheese; and Harry listened with a +great deal of satisfaction. Running<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> away was not such a terrible +thing, after all. It was both business and pleasure, and his +imagination was much inflated by the brilliant prospect before him. +There was something so novel and exciting in the affair, that his +first experience was of the most delightful character.</p> + +<p>He forgot the crime his companion had committed, and had almost come +to regard the burning of the squire's barn as a just and proper +retribution upon him for conspiring against the rights and privileges +of young America.</p> + +<p>My young readers may not know how easy it is even for a good boy to +learn to love the companionship of those who are vicious, and disposed +to take the road which leads down to moral ruin and death. Those lines +of Pope, which are familiar to almost every school boy, convey a great +truth, and a thrilling warning to those who first find themselves +taking pleasure in the society of wicked men, or wicked boys:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Vice is a monster of so frightful mien<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As to be hated, needs but to be seen;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But seen too oft, familiar with her face,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We first endure, then pity, then embrace."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Now, I have not represented my hero, at this stage of the story, as a +very good boy, and it did not require much time to familiarize him +with the wickedness which was in Ben's heart, and which he did not +take any pains to conceal. The transition from enduring to pitying and +from that to embracing was sudden and easy, if, indeed, there was any +middle passage between the first and last stage.</p> + +<p>I am sorry to say that an hour's fellowship with Ben, under the +exciting circumstances in which we find them, had led him to think Ben +a very good fellow, notwithstanding the crime he had committed. I +shall do my young reader the justice to believe he hopes Harry will be +a better boy, and obtain higher and nobler views of duty. It must be +remembered that Harry had never learned to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> "love God and man" on the +knee of an affectionate mother. He had long ago forgotten the little +prayers she had taught him, and none were said at the poorhouse. We +are sorry he was no better; but when we consider under what influences +he had been brought up, it is not strange that he was not a good boy. +Above every earthly good, we may be thankful for the blessing of a +good home, where we have been taught our duty to God, to our +fellow-beings, and to ourselves.</p> + +<p>The young navigators talked lightly of the present and the future, as +the boat floated gently along through the gloomy forest. They heard +the Redfield clock strike twelve, and then one. The excitement had +begun to die out. Harry yawned, for he missed his accustomed sleep, +and felt that a few hours' rest in his bed at the poorhouse was even +preferable to navigating the river at midnight. Ben gaped several +times, and the fun was really getting very stale.</p> + +<p>Those "who go down to the sea in ships," or navigate the river in +boats, must keep their eyes open. It will never do to slumber at the +helm; and Harry soon had a practical demonstration of the truth of the +proposition. He was so sleepy that he could not possibly keep his eyes +open; and Ben, not having the care of the helm, had actually dropped +off, and was bowing as politely as a French dancing master to his +companion in the stern. They were a couple of smart sailors, and +needed a little wholesome discipline to teach them the duty of those +who are on the watch.</p> + +<p>The needed lesson was soon administered; for just as Ben was making +one of his lowest bows in his semi-conscious condition, the bow of the +boat ran upon a concealed rock, which caused her to keel over to one +side, and very gently pitch the sleeper into the river.</p> + +<p>Of course, this catastrophe brought the commander of the expedition to +his senses, and roused the helmsman to a sense of his own delinquency, +though it is clear that, as there were no lighthouses on the banks of +the river, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> the intricacies of the channel had never been defined +and charted for the benefit of the adventurous navigator, no human +forethought could have provided against the accident.</p> + +<p>Harry put the boat about, and assisted his dripping shipmate on board +again. The ducking he had received did not operate very favorably upon +Ben's temper, and he roundly reproached his companion for his +carelessness. The steersman replied with becoming spirit to this +groundless charge, telling him he had better keep his eyes open the +rest of the night. Wet and chilly as he was, Ben couldn't help +growling; and both evidently realized that the affair was not half as +romantic as they had adjudged it to be an hour or two before.</p> + +<p>"Never mind it, Ben. If we fail once let us try again—that's all."</p> + +<p>"Try again? You want to drown me, don't you?" snarled Ben.</p> + +<p>Harry assured him he did not, and called his attention to the sound of +dashing waters, which could now be plainly heard. They were +approaching the rocks, and it was certain from the noise that +difficult navigation was before them. Harry proposed to haul up by the +river's side, and wait for daylight; to which proposition Ben, whose +ardor was effectually cooled by the bath he had received, readily +assented.</p> + +<p>Accordingly they made fast the painter to a tree on the shore, and +both of them disembarked. While Harry was gathering up a pile of dead +leaves for a bed, Ben amused himself by wringing out his wet clothes.</p> + +<p>"Suppose we make a fire, Harry?" suggested Ben; and it would certainly +have been a great luxury to one in his damp condition.</p> + +<p>"No; it will betray us," replied Harry, with alarm.</p> + +<p>"Humph! It is easy enough for you to talk, who are warm and dry," +growled Ben. "I am going to have a fire, anyhow."</p> + +<p>In vain Harry protested. Ben had some matches in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> boat, and in a +few minutes a cheerful fire blazed in the forest. As the leader of the +enterprise felt its glowing warmth his temper was sensibly impressed, +and he even had the hardihood to laugh at his late misfortune. But +Harry did not care just then whether his companion was pleasant or +sour, for he had stretched himself on his bed of leaves, and was in a +fair way to forget the trials and hardships of the voyage in the deep +sleep which makes it "all night" with a tired boy.</p> + +<p>After Ben was thoroughly dried and warmed, he placed himself by the +side of his fellow-voyager, and both journeyed together through the +quiet shades of dreamland, leaving no wakeful eye to watch over the +interests of the expedition while they slumbered.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY FIGHTS A HARD BATTLE, AND IS DEFEATED</span></h2> + + +<p>The sun was high in the heavens when the tired boatmen awoke. +Unaccustomed as they were to fatigue and late hours, they had been +completely overcome by the exertion and exposure of the previous +night. Harry was the first to recover his lost senses; and when he +opened his eyes, everything looked odd and strange to him. It was not +the rough, but neat and comfortable little room in the poorhouse which +greeted his dawning consciousness; it was the old forest and the +dashing river. He did not feel quite at home; the affair had been +divested of its air of romance, and he felt more like a runaway boy +than the hero of a fairy tale.</p> + +<p>"Hallo, Ben!" shouted he, to his sleeping companion.</p> + +<p>Ben growled once, and then rolled over, as if angry at being +disturbed.</p> + +<p>"Ben! We shall be caught if you don't wake up. There, the clock is +striking eight!" and to give Ben a better idea of where he was, he +administered a smart kick in the region of the ribs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What are you about?" snarled Ben, springing to his feet with clinched +fists.</p> + +<p>"Time we were moving. Don't you see how high the sun is? The clock has +just struck eight."</p> + +<p>"No matter for that. We are just as safe here as anywhere else. You +kick me again, and see where you will be!"</p> + +<p>"Come, come, Ben; don't get mad."</p> + +<p>"Don't kick me, then."</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do now?"</p> + +<p>"That's my business. You do what I tell you, that's all you have to do +with it," replied Ben, imperiously, as he walked to the bank of the +river to survey the difficulties of the navigation.</p> + +<p>"<i>Is</i> it?" asked Harry, not particularly pleased with this +interpretation of their relations.</p> + +<p>"You better believe it is."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe anything of the kind. I ain't your nigger, anyhow!" +added Harry, with spirit.</p> + +<p>"I'll bet you are."</p> + +<p>"I'll bet I ain't."</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do about it?"</p> + +<p>"I'll let you know what I am going to do."</p> + +<p>"If you don't mind what I tell you, I'll wallop you on the spot."</p> + +<p>"No, you won't"; and Harry turned on his heel, and leisurely walked +off towards the thickest of the forest.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?"</p> + +<p>"Off."</p> + +<p>"Off where?"</p> + +<p>"Do you think I'm going to stay with you, to be treated like a dog!" +replied Harry, as he continued his retreat.</p> + +<p>Ben started after him, but Harry picked up a stick of wood and stood +on the defensive.</p> + +<p>"Now, if you don't come back, I'll break your head!" said Ben.</p> + +<p>"Look out that your own don't get broke"; and Harry brandished his +cudgel in the air.</p> + +<p>Ben glanced at the club, and saw from the flash of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> Harry's bright eye +that he was thoroughly aroused. His companion was not to be trifled +with, and he was ready to abandon the point.</p> + +<p>"Come, Harry, it's no use for us to quarrel," he added, with a forced +smile.</p> + +<p>"I know that; but I won't be trod upon by you or anybody else."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to tread on you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you do; you needn't think you are going to lord it over me in +that way. I will go back to the poorhouse first."</p> + +<p>"Let's be friends again, Harry. Throw down your club."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and let you lick me, then! No, you don't!"</p> + +<p>"I won't touch you, Harry; upon my word and honor, I won't."</p> + +<p>"Humph! Your word and honor ain't worth much. I'll go back, if you'll +behave yourself; but I shall keep the club handy."</p> + +<p>"Anyway you like; but let us be off."</p> + +<p>Ben changed his tone, and condescended to tell Harry what he meant to +do, even at the sacrifice of his dignity as commander of the +expedition. An appearance at least of good feeling was restored, and +after breakfasting on their bread and cheese, they embarked again, on +what promised to be a perilous voyage.</p> + +<p>For a quarter of a mile below, the bed of the narrow river was spotted +with rocks, among which the water dashed with a fury that threatened +the destruction of their frail bark. For a time they seriously debated +the question of abandoning the project, Harry proposing to penetrate +the woods in a northeasterly direction. Ben, however, could not +abandon the prospect of sailing leisurely down the river when they had +passed the rapids, making the passage without any exertion. He was not +pleased with the idea of trudging along on foot for thirty miles, when +the river would bear them to the city with only a little difficulty +occasionally at the rapids and shoal places. Perhaps<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> his plan would +have been practicable at the highest stage of water, but the river was +now below its ordinary level.</p> + +<p>Ben's love of an easy and romantic time carried the day, and Harry's +practical common-sense reasoning was of no avail, and a taunt at his +cowardice induced him to yield the point.</p> + +<p>"Now, Harry, you take one of the paddles, and place yourself in the +bow, while I steer," said Ben, as he assumed his position.</p> + +<p>"Very well; you shall be captain of the boat, and I will do just as +you say; but I won't be bullied on shore," replied Harry, taking the +station assigned him.</p> + +<p>"All right; now cast off the painter, and let her slide. Keep both +eyes open."</p> + +<p>"Never fear me; I will do my share."</p> + +<p>The boat floated out into the current, and was borne rapidly down the +swift-flowing stream. They were not very skillful boatmen, and it was +more a matter of tact than of strength to keep the boat from dashing +on the sharp rocks. For a little way they did very well, though the +passage was sufficiently exciting to call their powers into action, +and to suggest a doubt as to the ultimate result of the venture.</p> + +<p>They soon reached a place, however, where the river turned a sharp +angle, and the waters were furiously precipitated down upon a bed of +rocks, which threatened them with instant destruction.</p> + +<p>"We shall be smashed to pieces!" exclaimed the foolhardy pilot, as his +eye measured the descent of the waters. "Let's try to get ashore."</p> + +<p>"Too late now," replied Harry, coolly. "Put her through, hit or miss."</p> + +<p>But Ben's courage all oozed out, in the face of this imminent peril, +and he made a vain attempt to push the boat toward the shore.</p> + +<p>"Paddle your end round, Harry," gasped Ben, in the extremity of fear. +"We shall be smashed to pieces."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Too late, Ben; stand stiff, and make the best of it," answered Harry, +as he braced himself to meet the shock.</p> + +<p>The rushing waters bore the boat down the stream in spite of the +feeble efforts of the pilot to check her progress. Ben seemed to have +lost all his self-possession, and stooped down, holding on with both +hands at the gunwale.</p> + +<p>Down she went into the boiling caldron of waters, roaring and foaming +like a little Niagara. One hard bump on the sharp rocks, and Harry +heard the boards snap under him. He waited for no more, but grasping +the over-hanging branches of a willow, which grew on the bank, and +upon which he had before fixed his eyes as the means of rescuing +himself, he sprang up into the tree, and saw Ben tumbled from the boat +into the seething caldron.</p> + +<p>"Save me, Harry!" shouted Ben.</p> + +<p>But Harry had to save himself first, which, however, was not a +difficult matter. Swinging himself from branch to branch till he +reached the trunk of the willow, he descended to the ground, without +having even wet the soles of his shoes.</p> + +<p>"Save me! save me!" cried Ben, in piteous accents, as the current bore +him down the stream.</p> + +<p>"Hold on to the boat," replied Harry, "and I will be there in a +minute."</p> + +<p>Seizing a long pole which had some time formed a part of a fence +there, he hastened down the bank to the water's edge. The water was +not very deep, but it ran so rapidly that Ben could neither swim nor +stand upon the bottom; and but for his companion's promptness he would +undoubtedly have been drowned. Grasping the long pole which Harry +extended to him, he was drawn to the shore, having received no other +injury than a terrible fright and a good ducking.</p> + +<p>"Here we are," said Harry, when his companion was safely landed.</p> + +<p>"Yes, here we are," growled Ben; "and it is all your fault that we are +here."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It is my fault that <i>you</i> are here; for if I had not pulled you out +of the river, you would have been drowned," replied Harry, +indignantly; and perhaps he felt a little sorry just then that he had +rescued his ungrateful commander.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and if you had only done as I told you, and pushed for the shore +above the fall, all this would not have happened."</p> + +<p>"And if you hadn't been a fool, we should not have tried to go through +such a hole. There goes your old boat"; and Harry pointed to the +wreck, filled with water, floating down the stream.</p> + +<p>"Here they are!" shouted a voice, not far from them.</p> + +<p>Harry started, and so did Ben.</p> + +<p>"We are caught!" exclaimed Ben.</p> + +<p>"Not yet," replied Harry, with some trepidation, as he broke off a +piece of the pole that lay at his feet, and retreated from the river. +"Take a club, for I am not going to be carried back without fighting +for it."</p> + +<p>A survey of the ground and of the pursuers enabled him to prepare for +the future. He discovered at a glance the weakness of the assailants.</p> + +<p>"Take a club, Ben. Don't you see there is only one man on this side of +the river? and we can easily beat him off."</p> + +<p>Ben took the club; but he seemed not to have the energy to use it. In +fact, Harry showed himself better qualified to manage the present +interests of the expedition than his companion. All at once he +developed the attributes of a skillful commander, while his +confederate seemed to have lost all his cunning and all his +determination.</p> + +<p>"Now, let us run; and if we are caught we will fight for it," said +Harry.</p> + +<p>The boys took to their heels, and having a fair start of their +pursuer, they kept clear of him for a considerable distance; but Ben's +wet clothes impeded his progress, and Harry had too much magnanimity +to save himself at the sacrifice of his companion.</p> + +<p>It was evident, after the chase had continued a short<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> time, that +their pursuer was gaining upon them. In vain Harry urged Ben to +increase his speed; his progress was very slow, and it was soon +apparent to Harry that they were wasting their breath in running when +they would need it for the fight.</p> + +<p>"Now, Ben, we can easily whip this man, and save ourselves. Be a man, +and let us stand by each other to the last."</p> + +<p>Ben made no reply; but when Harry stopped, he did the same.</p> + +<p>"Keep off! or we will knock your brains out," cried Harry, placing +himself in the attitude of defense.</p> + +<p>But the man took no notice of this piece of bravado; and as he +approached Harry leveled a blow at his head. The man warded it off, +and sprang forward to grasp the little rebel.</p> + +<p>"Hit him, Ben!" shouted Harry, as he dodged the swoop of his +assailant.</p> + +<p>To his intense indignation and disgust, Ben, instead of seconding his +assault, dropped his club and fled. He seemed to run a good deal +faster than he had run before that day; but Harry did not give up the +point. The man pressed him closely, and he defended himself with a +skill and vigor worthy a better cause. But it was of no use; or, if it +was, it only gave Ben more time to effect his escape.</p> + +<p>The unequal contest, however, soon terminated in the capture of our +resolute hero, and the man tied his hands behind his back; but he did +not dare to leave the young lion to go in pursuit of his less +unfortunate, but more guilty, confederate.</p> + +<p>"There, Master Harry West, I think you have got into a tight place +now," said his captor, whose name was Nathan Leman, brother of the +person to whom the boat belonged. "We will soon put you in a place +where you won't burn any more barns."</p> + +<p>Harry was confounded at this charge, and promptly and indignantly +denied it. He had not considered the possibility<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> of being accused of +such a crime, and it seemed to put a new aspect upon his case.</p> + +<p>"You did not set fire to Squire Walker's barn last night?" replied +Leman, incredulously.</p> + +<p>"No, I did not."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you can make the squire believe it," sneered his captor.</p> + +<p>"I didn't do it."</p> + +<p>"Didn't steal my brother's boat, either, did you?"</p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> didn't."</p> + +<p>"Who did?"</p> + +<p>Harry thought a moment. After the mean trick which Ben Smart had +served him, he did not feel very kindly towards him, but he was not +yet prepared to betray him.</p> + +<p>"I didn't," was his reply.</p> + +<p>Nathan Leman then conducted his prisoner to the river's side. By this +time the other pursuer, who had been obliged to ascend the river for a +quarter of a mile before he could cross, joined him.</p> + +<p>"Where is the other fellow?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't catch him. This one fought like a young tiger, and I +couldn't leave him," replied Nathan. "If you will take Harry up to the +village I will soon have him."</p> + +<p>The other assented, and while Nathan went in search of Ben, Harry was +conducted back to the village.</p> + +<p>The prisoner was sad and depressed in spirits; but he did not lose all +hope. He was appalled at the idea of being accused of burning the +barn; but he was innocent, and had a vague assurance that no harm +could befall him on that account.</p> + +<p>When they entered the village, a crowd gathered around them, eager to +learn the particulars of the capture; but without pausing to gratify +this curiosity, Harry's conductor led him to the poorhouse, and placed +him in charge of Mr. Nason.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY CONCLUDES THAT A DEFEAT IS SOMETIMES BETTER THAN A VICTORY</span></h2> + + +<p>The keeper of the poorhouse received Harry in sullen silence, and +conducted him to the chamber in which he had been ordered to keep him +a close prisoner. He apparently had lost all confidence in him, and +regretted that he had connived at his escape.</p> + +<p>Harry did not like the cold and repulsive deportment of his late +friend. Mr. Nason had always been kind to him; now he seemed to have +fallen in with Squire Walker's plans, and was willing to be the +instrument of the overseer's narrow and cruel policy. Before, he had +taken his part against the mighty, so far as it was prudent for him to +do so; now, he was willing to go over to the enemy.</p> + +<p>The reverse made him sadder than any other circumstance of his +return—sadder than the fear of punishment, or even of being sent to +live with Jacob Wire.</p> + +<p>"I've got back again," said Harry, when they reached the chamber in +which he was to be confined.</p> + +<p>"I see you have," replied Mr. Nason, in freezing tones.</p> + +<p>The keeper had never spoken to him in such tones, and Harry burst into +tears. His only friend had deserted him, and he felt more desolate +than ever before in his life.</p> + +<p>"You needn't cry, now," said Mr. Nason, sternly.</p> + +<p>"I can't help it," sobbed the little prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Can't you?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Nason sneered as he spoke, and his sneer pierced the heart of +Harry.</p> + +<p>"O, Mr. Nason!"</p> + +<p>"There—that will do. You needn't blubber any more. You have made your +bed, and now you can lie in it;" and the keeper turned on his heel to +leave the room.</p> + +<p>"Don't leave me yet," pleaded Harry.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Leave you? What do you want of me? I suppose you want to tell me I +advised you to burn the barn."</p> + +<p>"I didn't set the barn afire!" exclaimed Harry, now for the first time +realizing the cause of his friend's displeasure.</p> + +<p>"Don't lie."</p> + +<p>"I speak the truth. I did not set it afire, or even know that it was +going to be set on fire."</p> + +<p>Mr. Nason closed the door which he had opened to depart. The firm +denial, as well as the tone and manner of the boy, arrested his +judgment against him. He had learned to place implicit confidence in +Harry's word; for, though he might have told lies to others, he never +told them to him.</p> + +<p>"Who did burn the barn?" asked the keeper, looking sternly into the +eye of the culprit.</p> + +<p>Harry hesitated. A sense of honor and magnanimity pervaded his soul. +He had obtained some false notions; and he did not understand that he +could hardly be false to one who had been false to himself—that to +help a criminal conceal his crime was to conspire against the peace +and happiness of his fellow-beings. Shabbily as Ben Smart had used +him, he could not make up his mind to betray him.</p> + +<p>"You don't answer," added Mr. Nason.</p> + +<p>"I didn't do it."</p> + +<p>"But who did?"</p> + +<p>"I don't like to tell."</p> + +<p>"Very well; you can do as you like. After what I had done for you, it +was a little strange that you should do as you have."</p> + +<p>"I will tell you all about it, Mr. Nason, if you will promise not to +tell."</p> + +<p>"I know all about it. You and Ben Smart put your heads together to be +revenged on the squire; you set his barn afire, and then stole Leman's +boat."</p> + +<p>"No, sir; I didn't set the barn afire, nor steal the boat, nor help to +do either."</p> + +<p>"You and he were together."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We were; and if it wasn't for being mean to Ben, I would tell you all +about it."</p> + +<p>"Mean to Ben! As soon as it was known that you and Ben were missing, +everybody in the village knew who set the barn afire. All you have got +to do is to clear yourself, if you can; Ben is condemned already."</p> + +<p>"If you will hear my story I will tell you all about it."</p> + +<p>Harry proceeded to narrate everything that had occurred since he left +the house on the preceding night. It was a very clear and plausible +statement. He answered all the questions which Mr. Nason proposed with +promptness, and his replies were consistent.</p> + +<p>"I believe you, Harry," said the keeper, when he had finished his +examination. "Somehow I couldn't believe you would do such a thing as +set the squire's barn afire."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't," replied Harry, warmly, and much pleased to find he had +re-established the confidence of his friend.</p> + +<p>"But it is a bad case. The fact of your being with Ben Smart is almost +enough to convict you."</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't have been with him, if I had known he set the barn +afire."</p> + +<p>"I don't know as I can do anything for you, Harry; but I will try."</p> + +<p>"Thank you."</p> + +<p>Mr. Nason left him, and Harry had an opportunity to consider the +desperate circumstances of his position. It looked just as though he +should be sent to the house of correction. But he was innocent. He +felt his innocence; as he expressed it to the keeper afterwards, he +"felt it in his bones." It did not, on further consideration, seem +probable that he would be punished for doing what he had not done, +either as principal or accessory. A vague idea of an all-pervading +justice consoled him; and he soon reasoned himself into a firm +assurance that he should escape unharmed.</p> + +<p>He was in the mood for reasoning just then—perhaps because he had +nothing better to do, or perhaps because<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> the added experience of the +last twenty-four hours enabled him to reason better than before. His +fine scheme of getting to Boston, and there making a rich and great +man of himself, had signally failed. He did not give it up, however.</p> + +<p>"I have failed once, but I will try again," said he to himself, as the +conclusion of the whole matter; and he picked up an old school book +which lay on the table.</p> + +<p>The book contained a story, which he had often read, about a man who +had met with a long list of misfortunes, as he deemed them when they +occurred, but which proved to be blessings in disguise.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Oft from apparent ills our blessings rise,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Act well your part; there all the honor lies."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>This couplet from the school books came to his aid, also; and he +proceeded to make an application of this wisdom to his own mishaps.</p> + +<p>"Suppose I had gone on with Ben. He is a miserable fellow," thought +Harry; "he would have led me into all manner of wickedness. I ought +not to have gone with him, or had anything to do with him. He might +have made a thief and a robber of me. I know I ain't any better than I +should be; but I don't believe I'm as bad as he is. At any rate, I +wouldn't set a barn afire. It is all for the best, just as the parson +says when anybody dies. By this scrape I have got clear of Ben, and +learned a lesson that I won't forget in a hurry."</p> + +<p>Harry was satisfied with this logic, and really believed that +something which an older and more devout person would have regarded as +a special providence had interposed to save him from a life of infamy +and wickedness. It was a blessed experience, and his thoughts were +very serious and earnest.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon Squire Walker came down to the poorhouse to subject +Harry to a preliminary examination. Ben<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> Smart had not been taken, and +the pursuers had abandoned the chase.</p> + +<p>"Boy," said the squire, when Harry was brought before him; "look at +me."</p> + +<p>Harry looked at the overseer with all his might. He had got far enough +to despise the haughty little great man. A taste of freedom had +enlarged his ideas and developed his native independence, so that he +did not quail, as the squire intended he should; on the contrary, his +eyes snapped with the earnestness of his gaze. With an honest and just +man, his unflinching eye would have been good evidence in his favor; +but the pompous overseer wished to awe him, rather than get at the +simple truth.</p> + +<p>"You set my barn on fire," continued the squire.</p> + +<p>"I did not," replied Harry, firmly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you did. How dare you deny it?"</p> + +<p>"I did not."</p> + +<p>He had often read, and heard read, that passage of Scripture which +says, "Let your communication be Yea, yea, Nay, nay; for whatsoever is +more than these cometh of evil." Just then he felt the truth of the +inspired axiom. It seemed just as though any amount of violent +protestations would not help him; and though the squire repeated the +charge half a dozen times, he only replied with his firm and simple +denial.</p> + +<p>Then Squire Walker called his hired man, upon whose evidence he +depended for the conviction of the little incendiary.</p> + +<p>"Is that the boy, John?" asked the squire, pointing to Harry.</p> + +<p>"No, sir; it was a bigger boy than that," replied John, without +hesitation.</p> + +<p>"Are you sure?"</p> + +<p>"O, very sure."</p> + +<p>"It must be that this is the boy," persisted the squire, evidently +much disappointed by the testimony of the man.</p> + +<p>"I am certain it was a bigger boy than this."</p> + +<p>"I feel pretty clear about it, Mr. Nason," added the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> squire. "You +see, this boy was mad, yesterday, because I wanted to send him to +Jacob Wire's. My barn is burned, and it stands to reason he burned +it."</p> + +<p>"But I saw the boy round the barn night afore last," interposed John, +who was certainly better qualified to be a justice of the peace than +his employer.</p> + +<p>"I know that; but the barn wasn't burned till last night."</p> + +<p>"But Harry couldn't have had any grudge against you night before +last," said Mr. Nason.</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that," mused the squire, who was apparently trying +to reconcile the facts to his theory, rather than the theory to the +facts.</p> + +<p>John, the hired man, lived about three miles from the squire's house. +His father was very sick; and he had been home every evening for a +week, returning between ten and eleven. On the night preceding the +fire, he had seen a boy prowling round the barn, who ran away at his +approach. The next day, he found a pile of withered grass, dry sticks, +and other combustibles heaped against a loose board in the side of the +barn. He had informed the squire of the facts, but the worthy justice +did not consider them of much moment.</p> + +<p>Probably Ben had intended to burn the barn then, but had been +prevented from executing his purpose by the approach of the hired man.</p> + +<p>"This must be the boy," added the squire.</p> + +<p>"He had on a sack coat, and was bigger than this boy," replied John.</p> + +<p>"Harry has no sack coat," put in Mr. Nason, eagerly catching at his +evidence.</p> + +<p>"It is easy to be mistaken in the night. Search him, and see if there +are any matches about him."</p> + +<p>Undoubtedly this was a very brilliant suggestion of the squire's muddy +intellect—as though every man who carried matches was necessarily an +incendiary. But no matches were found upon Harry; and, according to +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> intelligent justice's perception of the nature of evidence, the +suspected party should have been acquitted.</p> + +<p>No matches were found on Harry; but in his jacket pocket, carefully +enclosed in a piece of brown paper, were found the four quarters of a +dollar given to him by Mr. Nason.</p> + +<p>"Where did you get those?" asked the squire, sternly.</p> + +<p>"They were given to me," replied Harry.</p> + +<p>Mr. Nason averted his eyes, and was very uneasy. The fact of having +given this money to Harry went to show that he had been privy to his +escape; and his kind act seemed to threaten him with ruin.</p> + +<p>"Who gave them to you?"</p> + +<p>Harry made no reply.</p> + +<p>"Answer me," thundered the squire.</p> + +<p>"I shall not tell," replied Harry.</p> + +<p>"You shall not?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir."</p> + +<p>The squire was nonplussed. The boy was as firm as a hero; and no +threats could induce him to betray his kind friend, whose position he +fully comprehended.</p> + +<p>"We will see," roared the squire.</p> + +<p>Several persons who had been present during the examination, and who +were satisfied that Harry was innocent of the crime charged upon him, +interfered to save him from the consequences of the squire's wrath.</p> + +<p>Mr. Nason, finding that his young friend was likely to suffer for his +magnanimity, explained the matter—thus turning the squire's anger +from the boy to himself.</p> + +<p>"So you helped the boy run away—did you?" said the overseer.</p> + +<p>"He did not; he told me that money would keep me from starving."</p> + +<p>"Did he?"</p> + +<p>Those present understood the allusion, and the squire did not press +the matter any further. In the course of the examination, Ben Smart +had often been alluded to, and the crime was fastened upon him. Harry +told his story, which,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> confirmed by the evidence of the hired man, +was fully credited by all except the squire, who had conceived a +violent antipathy to the boy.</p> + +<p>The examination was informal; the squire did not hold it as a justice +of the peace, but only as a citizen, or, at most, as an overseer of +the poor. However, it proved that, as the burning of the barn had been +planned before any difficulty had occurred between the squire and +Harry, he had no motive for doing the deed.</p> + +<p>The squire was not satisfied; but the worst he could do was to commit +Harry to the care of Jacob Wire, which was immediately done.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry for you, Harry," whispered Mr. Nason.</p> + +<p>"Never mind; I shall <i>try again</i>," he replied, as he jumped into the +wagon with his persecutor.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY FINDS HIMSELF IN A TIGHT PLACE AND EXECUTES A COUNTER MOVEMENT</span></h2> + + +<p>"Jacob, here is the boy," said Squire Walker, as he stopped his horse +in front of an old, decayed house.</p> + +<p>Jacob Wire was at work in his garden, by the side of the house; and +when the squire spoke, he straightened his back, regarding Harry with +a look of mingled curiosity and distrust. He evidently did not like +his appearance. He looked as though he would eat too much; and to a +man as mean as Jacob, this was the sum total of all enormities. +Besides, the little pauper had earned a bad reputation within the +preceding twenty-four hours, and his new master glanced uneasily at +his barn, and then at the boy, as though he deemed it unsafe to have +such a desperate character about his premises.</p> + +<p>"He is a hard boy, Jacob, and will need a little taming. They fed him +too high at the poorhouse," continued the squire.</p> + +<p>"That spoils boys," replied Jacob, solemnly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> + +<p>"So it does."</p> + +<p>"So, this is the boy that burnt your barn?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know. I rather think it was the Smart boy. Perhaps he +knew about it, though;" and the squire proceeded to give his +brother-in-law the particulars of the informal examination; for Jacob +Wire, who could hardly afford to lie still on Sundays, much less other +days, had not been up to the village to hear the news.</p> + +<p>"You must be pretty sharp with him," said the overseer, in conclusion. +"Keep your eye on him all the time, for we may want him again, as soon +as they can catch the other boy."</p> + +<p>Jacob promised to do the best he could with Harry, who, during the +interview, had maintained a sullen silence; and the squire departed, +assured that he had done his whole duty to the public and to the +little pauper.</p> + +<p>"Well, boy, it is about sundown now, and I guess we will go in and get +some supper before we do any more. But let me tell you beforehand, you +must walk pretty straight here, or you will fare hard."</p> + +<p>Harry vouchsafed no reply to this speech, and followed Jacob into the +house. His first meal at his new place confirmed all he had heard +about the penuriousness of his master. There was very little to eat on +the table, but Mrs. Wire gave him the poorest there was—a hard crust +of brown bread, a cold potato, and a dish of warm water with a very +little molasses and milk in it, which he was expected to imagine was +tea.</p> + +<p>Harry felt no disposition to eat. He was too sad and depressed, and +probably if the very best had been set before him he would have been +equally indifferent.</p> + +<p>He ate very little, and Jacob felt more kindly towards him than before +this proof of the smallness of his appetite. He had been compelled to +get rid of his last boy, because he was a little ogre, and it seemed +as though he would eat him out of house and home.</p> + +<p>After supper Harry assisted Jacob about the barn, and it was nearly +eight o'clock before they finished.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now, boy, it is about bed time, and I will show you your rooms, if +you like," said Jacob. "Before you go, let me tell you it won't do any +good to try to run away from here, for I am going to borrow Leman's +bull-dog."</p> + +<p>Harry made no reply to this remark, and followed his master to the low +attic of the house, where he was pointed to a rickety bedstead, which +he was to occupy.</p> + +<p>"There, jump into bed afore I carry the candle off," continued Jacob.</p> + +<p>"I don't care about any light. You needn't wait," replied Harry, as he +slipped off his shoes and stockings.</p> + +<p>"That is right; boys always ought to be learnt to go to bed in the +dark," added Jacob, as he departed.</p> + +<p>But Harry was determined not to go to bed in the dark; so, as soon as +he heard Jacob's step on the floor below, he crept to the stairway, +and silently descended. He had made up his mind not to wait for the +bull-dog. Pausing in the entry, he heard Jacob tell his wife that he +was going over to Leman's to borrow his dog; he was afraid the boy +would get up in the night and set his barn on fire, or run away. Jacob +then left the house, satisfied, no doubt, that the bull-dog would be +an efficient sentinel while the family were asleep.</p> + +<p>After allowing time enough to elapse for Jacob to reach Leman's house, +he softly opened the front door and went out. It was fortunate for him +that Mrs. Wire was as "deaf as a post," or his suddenly matured plan +to "try again" might have been a failure. As it was, his departure was +not observed. It was quite dark, and after he had got a short distance +from the house, he felt a reasonable degree of security.</p> + +<p>His first purpose was to get as far away from Redfield as possible +before daylight should come to betray him; and, taking the road, he +walked as fast as his legs would carry him towards Boston. Jacob's +house was on the turnpike, which was the direct road to the city, and +the distance which the squire had carried him in his wagon was so much +clear gain.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> + +<p>He did not feel very sentimental now. The sky was overshadowed with +clouds, so that he could not see any stars, and the future did not +look half so bright as his fancy had pictured it on the preceding +night. But he was free again; and free under more favorable +circumstances than before. This time he was himself commander of the +expedition, and was to suffer for no one's bad generalship but his +own. Besides, the experience he had obtained was almost a guarantee of +success. It had taught him the necessity of care and prudence.</p> + +<p>The moral lesson he had learned was of infinitely more value than even +the lesson of policy. For the first time in his life he was conscious +of a deep and earnest desire to be a good boy, and to become a true +man. As he walked along, he thought more of being a good man than of +being a rich man. It was very natural for him to do so, under the +circumstances, for he had come very near being punished as an +incendiary. The consequences of doing wrong were just then strongly +impressed upon his mind, and he almost shuddered to think he had +consented to remain with Ben Smart after he knew that he burned the +barn. Ah, it was an exceedingly fortunate thing for him that he had +got rid of Ben as he did.</p> + +<p>For two hours he walked as fast as he could, pausing now and then to +listen for the sound of any approaching vehicle. Possibly Jacob might +have gone to his room, or attic, to see if he was safe, and his escape +had been discovered. He could not be too wary, and every sound that +reached his waiting ear caused his heart to jump with anxiety.</p> + +<p>He heard a clock strike eleven. It was not the Redfield clock, and it +was evident that he was approaching Rockville, a factory village eight +miles from his native place. But his legs were failing him. He was +exhausted by the labors and the excitement of the day and night, and +his strength would hardly hold out till he should get beyond the +village.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> + +<p>Seating himself on a rock by the side of the road, he decided to hold +a council of war, to determine what should be done. If he went +forward, his strength might fail him at the time when a vigorous +effort should be required of him. Somebody's dog might bark, and bring +the "Philistines upon him." He might meet some late walker, who would +detain him. It was hardly safe for him to go through the village by +night or day, after the search which had been made for Ben Smart. +People would be on the lookout, and it would be no hard matter to +mistake him for the other fugitive.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, he did not like to pause so near Redfield. He had +scarcely entered upon the consideration of this side of the question +before his quick ear detected the sound of rattling wheels in the +direction from which he had come. His heart beat violently. It was +Squire Walker and Jacob Wire, he was sure, in pursuit of him; but his +courage did not fail him.</p> + +<p>Leaping over the stone wall by the side of the road, he secured the +only retreat which the vicinity afforded, and waited, with his heart +in his throat, for the coming of his pursuers, as he had assured +himself they were. The present seemed to be his only chance of escape, +and if he failed now, he might not soon have another opportunity to +"try again."</p> + +<p>The vehicle was approaching at a furious pace, and as the noise grew +more distinct, his heart leaped the more violently. He thought he +recognized the sound of Squire Walker's wagon. There was not much time +for his fancy to conjure up strange things, for the carriage soon +reached the place where he was concealed.</p> + +<p>"Ur-r—woo!" said a big bull-dog, placing his ugly nose against the +wall, behind which Harry was lying.</p> + +<p>"Whoa!" added a voice, which the trembling fugitive recognized as that +of George Leman.</p> + +<p>"The dog has scented him," said another—that of Jacob Wire.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> + +<p>Harry's heart sank within him, and he felt as faint as though every +drop of blood had been drawn from his veins.</p> + +<p>"I knew the dog would fetch him," said George Leman, as he leaped from +the wagon, followed by Jacob Wire. "At him, Tiger!"</p> + +<p>In obedience to this command, Tiger drew back a few steps, and then +leaped upon the top of the wall. The prospect of being torn to pieces +by the bull-dog was not pleasant to Harry, and with a powerful effort +he summoned his sinking energies for the struggle before him. Grasping +two large stones, he stood erect as the dog leaped on the wall. +Inspired by the imminence of his peril, he hurled one of the stones at +Tiger the instant he showed his ugly visage above the fence. The +missile took effect upon the animal, and he was evidently much +astonished at this unusual mode of warfare. Tiger was vanquished, and +fell back from the wall, howling with rage and pain.</p> + +<p>"Thunder! He has killed my dog!" exclaimed Leman, as he jumped over +the wall.</p> + +<p>Harry did not wait any longer, but took to his heels, followed by both +pursuers, though not by the dog, which was <i>hors de combat</i>. Our hero +was in a "tight place," but with a heroism worthy the days of +chivalry, he resolved not to be captured.</p> + +<p>He had not run far, however, before he realized that George Leman was +more than a match for him, especially in his present worn-out +condition. He was almost upon him, when Harry executed a counter +movement, which was intended to "outflank" his adversary. Dodging +round a large rock in the field, he redoubled his efforts, running now +towards the road where the horse was standing. Leman was a little +confused by this sudden action, and for an instant lost ground.</p> + +<p>Harry reached the road and leaped the wall at a single bound; it was a +miracle that, in the darkness, he had not dashed his brains out upon +the rocks, in the reckless leap.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> The horse was startled by the noise, +and his snort suggested a brilliant idea to Harry.</p> + +<p>"Go 'long!" he shouted; and the horse started towards Rockville at a +round pace.</p> + +<p>Harry jumped into the wagon over the hind board, and grasping the +reins, put the high-mettled animal to the top of his speed.</p> + +<p>"Go 'long!" hallooed Harry, mad with excitement.</p> + +<p>The horse manifested no feeling of partiality toward either of the +parties, and seemed as willing to do his best for Harry as for his +master.</p> + +<p>"Stop! Stop!" shouted George Leman, astounded at the new phase which +the chase had assumed. "Stop! and I will let you go."</p> + +<p>That was quite reasonable. It was natural that he should prefer to let +the fugitive escape, to the alternative of losing his horse. George +Leman was noted for three things in Redfield—his boat, his ugly dog, +and his fast horse; and Harry, after stealing the boat and killing the +dog, was in a fair way to deprive him of his horse, upon which he set +a high value. The boy seemed like his evil genius, and no doubt he was +angry with himself for letting so mean a man as Jacob Wire persuade +him to hunt down such small game.</p> + +<p>Harry did not deem it prudent to stop, and in a few moments had left +his pursuers out of sight. Then he began to breathe freer. He had +played a desperate game, and won the victory; yet he did not feel like +indulging in a triumph. The battle had been a bitter necessity, and he +even regretted the fate of poor Tiger, whose ribs he had stove in with +a rock.</p> + +<p>He passed through Rockville. All was still, save the roaring of the +waters at the dam, and no one challenged him.</p> + +<p>"I am safe, at any rate," said he to himself, when he had passed the +village. "What will be the next scrape, I wonder? Confound it! They +will have me up for stealing a horse next. But I didn't steal him. +George Leman is a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> good fellow, and only for the fun of the thing, he +wouldn't have come out on such a chase. I wouldn't steal anybody's +horse. Whoa!"</p> + +<p>Harry hauled up by the roadside, and fastened the horse to the fence.</p> + +<p>"There, George, you can have your horse again; but I will just put the +blanket over him, for he is all of a reeking sweat. It will just show +George, when he comes up, that I don't mean him any harm. I hope his +dog wasn't killed."</p> + +<p>Taking the blanket which lay in the bottom of the wagon (for George +Leman was very careful of his horse, and though it was October, always +covered him when he let him stand out at night), he spread it over +him.</p> + +<p>"Now, for Number One again," muttered Harry. "I must take to the +woods, though I doubt if George will follow me any farther."</p> + +<p>So saying, he got over the fence, and made his way across the fields +to the woods, which were but a short distance from the road.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY KILLS A BIG SNAKE, AND MAKES A NEW FRIEND</span></h2> + + +<p>Harry was not entirely satisfied with what he had done. He regretted +the necessity which had compelled him to take George Leman's horse. It +looked too much like stealing; and his awakened moral sense repelled +the idea of such a crime. But they could not accuse him of stealing +the horse; for his last act would repudiate the idea.</p> + +<p>His great resolution to become a good and true man was by no means +forgotten. It is true, at the very outset of the new life he had +marked out for himself, he had been obliged to behave like a young +ruffian, or be restored to his exacting guardians. It was rather a bad +beginning; but he had taken what had appeared to him the only course.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> + +<p>Was it right for him to run away? On the solution of this problem +depended the moral character of the subsequent acts. If it was right +for him to run away, why, of course it was right for him to resist +those who attempted to restore him to Jacob Wire.</p> + +<p>Harry made up his mind that it was right for him to run away, under +the circumstances. His new master had been charged to break him +down—even to starve him down. Jacob's reputation as a mean and hard +man was well merited; and it was his duty to leave without stopping to +say good by.</p> + +<p>I do not think that Harry was wholly in the right, though I dare say +all my young readers will sympathize with the stout-hearted little +hero. So far, Jacob Wire had done him no harm. He had suffered no +hardship at his hands. All his misery was in the future; and if he had +stayed, perhaps his master might have done well by him, though it is +not probable. Still, I think Harry was in some sense justifiable. To +remain in such a place was to cramp his soul, as well as pinch his +body—to be unhappy, if not positively miserable. He might have tried +the place, and when he found it could not be endured, fled from it.</p> + +<p>It must be remembered that Harry was a pauper and an orphan. He had +not had the benefit of parental instruction. It was not from the home +of those whom God had appointed to be his guardians and protectors +that he had fled; it was from one who regarded him, not as a rational +being, possessed of an immortal soul—one for whose moral, mental, and +spiritual welfare he was accountable before God—that he had run away, +but from one who considered him as a mere machine, from which it was +his only interest to get as much work at as little cost as possible. +He fled from a taskmaster, not from one who was in any just sense a +guardian.</p> + +<p>Harry did not reason out all this; he only felt it. What was Jacob +Wire to him? What was even Squire Walker to him? What did they care +about his true welfare? Nothing. Harry so understood it, and acted +accordingly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<p>The future was full of trials and difficulties. But his heart was +stout; and the events of the last chapter inspired him with confidence +in his own abilities. He entered the dark woods, and paused to rest +himself. What should he do next?</p> + +<p>While he was discussing this question in his own mind he heard the +sound of voices on the road, which was not more than fifty rods +distant. It was George Leman and Jacob Wire. In a few minutes he heard +the sound of wagon wheels; and soon had the satisfaction of knowing +that his pursuers had abandoned the chase and were returning home.</p> + +<p>The little fugitive was very tired and very sleepy. It was not +possible for him to continue his journey, and he looked about him for +a place in which to lodge. The night was chilly and damp; and as he +sat upon the rock, he shivered with cold. It would be impossible to +sleep on the wet ground; and if he could, it might cost him his life. +It was a pine forest; and there were no leaves on the ground, so that +he could not make such a bed as that in which he had slept the +previous night.</p> + +<p>He was so cold that he was obliged to move about to get warm. It +occurred to him that he might get into some barn in the vicinity, and +nestle comfortably in the hay; but the risk of being discovered was +too great, and he directed his steps towards the depths of the forest.</p> + +<p>After walking some distance, he came to an open place in the woods. +The character of the growth had changed, and the ground was covered +with young maples, walnuts and oaks. The wood had been recently cut +off over a large area, but there were no leaves of which he could make +a bed.</p> + +<p>Fortune favored him, however; for, after advancing half way across the +open space he reached one of those cabins erected for the use of men +employed to watch coal pits. It was made of board slabs, and covered +with sods. Near it was the circular place on which the coal pit had +burned.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> + +<p>At the time of which I write, charcoal was carried to Boston from many +towns within thirty miles of the city. Perhaps my young readers may +never have seen a coal pit. The wood is set up on the ends of the +sticks, till a circular pile from ten to twenty feet in diameter is +formed and two tiers in height. Its shape is that of a cone, or a +sugar loaf. It is then covered with turf and soil. Fire is +communicated to the wood, so that it shall smoulder, or burn slowly, +without blazing. Just enough air is admitted to the pit to keep the +fire alive. If the air were freely admitted the pile would burn to +ashes. Sometimes the outer covering of dirt and sods falls in, as the +wood shrinks permitting the air to rush in and fan the fire to a +blaze. When this occurs, the aperture must be closed, or the wood +would be consumed; and it is necessary to watch it day and night. The +cabin had been built for the comfort of the men who did this duty.</p> + +<p>Harry's heart was filled with gratitude when he discovered the rude +hut. If it had been a palace, it could not have been a more welcome +retreat. It is true the stormy wind had broken down the door, and the +place was no better than a squirrel hole; yet it suggested a thousand +brilliant ideas of comfort, and luxury even, to our worn-out and +hunted fugitive.</p> + +<p>He entered the cabin. The floor was covered with straw, which +completed his ideal of a luxurious abode. Raising up the door, which +had fallen to the ground, he placed it before the aperture—thus +excluding the cold air from his chamber.</p> + +<p>"I'm a lucky fellow," exclaimed Harry, as he threw himself on the +straw. "This place will be a palace beside Jacob Wire's house. And I +can stay here a month, if I like."</p> + +<p>Nestling closely under the side of the hut, he pulled the straw over +him, and soon began to feel perfectly at home. Only one consideration +troubled him. The commissary department of the establishment could not +be relied on. There were no pork and potatoes in the house,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> no +well-filled grain chest, no groceries, not even a rill of pure water +at hand. This was an unpromising state of things; and he began to see +that there would be no fun in living in the woods, where the butcher +and the baker would not be likely to visit him.</p> + +<p>Various means of supplying the deficiency suggested themselves. There +were rabbits, partridges, and quails in the woods; he might set a +snare, and catch some of them. But he had no fire to cook them; and +Dr. Kane had not then demonstrated the healthy and appetizing +qualities of raw meat. The orchards in the neighborhood were +accessible; but prudence seemed to raise an impassable barrier between +him and them.</p> + +<p>While he was thus considering these matters, he dropped asleep, and +forgot all about his stomach. He was completely exhausted; and no +doubt the owls and bats were astonished as they listened to the +sonorous sounds that came from the deserted cabin.</p> + +<p>Long and deep was his sleep. The birds sang their mating songs on the +tree tops; but he heard them not. The sun rose, and penetrated the +chinks of the hut; but the little wanderer still slumbered. The +Rockville clock struck nine; and he heard it not.</p> + +<p>I think it was Harry's grumbling stomach that finally waked him; and +it was no wonder that neglected organ grew impatient under the injury +put upon it, for Harry had eaten little or nothing since his dinner at +the poorhouse on the preceding day.</p> + +<p>Jumping out of the heap of straw in which he had "cuddled" all night +scarcely without moving, he left the hut to reconnoitre his position. +So far as security was concerned, it seemed to be a perfectly safe +place. He could see nothing of the village of Rockville, though, +beyond the open space, he saw the top of a chimney; but it was at +least half a mile distant.</p> + +<p>Just then he did not feel much interested in the scenery and natural +advantages of the position. His stomach was imperative, and he was +faint from the want of food.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> There was nothing in the woods to eat. +Berry time was past; and the prospect of supplying his wants was very +discouraging. Leaving the cabin, he walked towards the distant chimney +that peered above the tree tops. It belonged to a house that "was set +on a hill, and could not be hid."</p> + +<p>After going a little way, he came to a cart path, which led towards +the house. This he followed, descending a hill into a swamp, which was +covered over with alders and birches. At the foot of the declivity he +heard the rippling of waters; but the bushes concealed the stream from +his view.</p> + +<p>He had descended nearly to the foot of the hill when the sound of +footsteps reached his ears. His heart beat quick with apprehension, +and he paused to listen. The step was soft and light; it was not a +man's, and his courage rose. Pat, pat, pat, went the steps on the +leafy ground, so gently that his fears were conquered; for the person +could be only a child.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a piercing shriek saluted his ears. Something had occurred to +alarm the owner of the fairy feet which made the soft pat, pat, on the +ground. Another shriek, and Harry bounded down the road like an +antelope, heedless of the remonstrances of his grumbling stomach.</p> + +<p>"Mercy! help!" shouted a voice, which Harry perceived was that of a +little girl.</p> + +<p>In a moment more he discovered the young lady running with all her +might towards him.</p> + +<p>"Save me!" gasped the girl.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?"</p> + +<p>But Harry had scarcely asked the question before he saw what had +alarmed her. Under other circumstances he would have quailed himself; +for, as he spoke, a great black snake raised his head two or three +feet from the ground directly in front of him. He was an ugly-looking +monster, and evidently intended to attack him. All the chivalry of +Harry's nature was called up to meet the emergency of the occasion. +Seizing a little stick that lay in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> the path, he struck sundry +vigorous blows at the reptile, which, however, seemed only to madden, +without disabling him. Several times he elevated his head from the +ground to strike at his assailant; but the little knight was an old +hand with snakes, and vigorously repelled his assaults. At last, he +struck a blow which laid out his snakeship; and the field was won, +when Harry had smashed his head with a large rock. The reptile was +about four feet and a half long, and as big round as a small boy's +wrist.</p> + +<p>"There, miss, he won't hurt you now," said Harry, panting with his +exertions.</p> + +<p>"Won't he? Are you sure he is dead?"</p> + +<p>"Very sure."</p> + +<p>The little girl ventured to approach the dead body of the snake, and +satisfied herself that he could not harm her.</p> + +<p>"What an ugly snake! I was crossing the brook at the foot of the hill, +when he sprang out from beneath my feet and chased me. I never was so +frightened in all my life," said the little miss.</p> + +<p>"I don't wonder," replied Harry.</p> + +<p>"I am very much obliged to you. What is your name?" asked she, with +childish simplicity.</p> + +<p>Harry did not like to answer that question, and made no reply.</p> + +<p>"Do you live in Rockville?" she continued.</p> + +<p>"No; I used to live in Redfield."</p> + +<p>"Where do you live now?"</p> + +<p>"I don't live anywhere."</p> + +<p>The little girl wanted to laugh then, it seemed such a funny answer.</p> + +<p>"Don't you? Who is your father?"</p> + +<p>"I have no father."</p> + +<p>"Who is your mother, then?"</p> + +<p>"I have no mother."</p> + +<p>"Poor boy! Then you are an orphan."</p> + +<p>"I suppose so. But, little girl, I don't want you to tell any one that +you have seen me. You won't—will you?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not father and mother?" asked the maiden, with a stare of +astonishment.</p> + +<p>"If you please, don't. I am a poor boy, and have run away from a hard +master."</p> + +<p>"I won't tell anybody."</p> + +<p>"And I am very hungry."</p> + +<p>"Poor boy! How lucky that I have lots of goodies in my basket!" +exclaimed she. "You shall eat all you can."</p> + +<p>"I haven't eat anything since yesterday noon," replied Harry, as he +took a handful of doughnuts she handed him.</p> + +<p>"Sit down on this rock, and do eat all you want. I never knew what it +was to be very hungry."</p> + +<p>Harry seated himself, and proceeded to devour the food the +sympathizing little maiden had given him, while she looked on with +astonishment and delight as he voraciously consumed cake after cake, +without seeming to produce any effect upon the "abhorred vacuum."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY BREAKFASTS ON DOUGHNUTS, AND FINDS THAT ANGELS DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE WINGS</span></h2> + + +<p>Harry was very hungry, and the little girl thought he would never have +eaten enough. Since he had told her he had run away, she was deeply +interested in him, and had a hundred questions to ask; but she did not +wish to bother him while he was eating, he was so deeply absorbed in +the occupation.</p> + +<p>"What a blessed thing doughnuts are!" laughed she, as Harry leveled on +the sixth cake. "I never thought much of them before, but I never +shall see a doughnut again without thinking of you."</p> + +<p>Our hero was perfectly willing to believe that doughnuts were a very +beneficent institution; but just then he was too busily occupied to be +sentimental over them.</p> + +<p>"What is your name, little girl?" asked Harry as he crammed half of +the cake into his mouth.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I have a great mind not to tell you, because you wouldn't tell me +what yours is," replied she, roguishly.</p> + +<p>"You see how it is with me. I have run away from—well, from +somewhere."</p> + +<p>"And you are afraid I will tell? I won't though. But, as you killed +the snake, I shall tell you. My name is Julia Bryant."</p> + +<p>"Mine is Harry West," replied he, unable to resist the little lady's +argument. "You must not tell any one about me for three days, for then +I shall be out of the way."</p> + +<p>"Where are you going, Harry?"</p> + +<p>"To Boston."</p> + +<p>"Are you? They say that none but bad boys run away. I hope you are not +a bad boy." And Julia glanced earnestly at the fugitive.</p> + +<p>"I don't think I am."</p> + +<p>"I don't think you are, either."</p> + +<p>It was a hearty endorsement, and Harry's heart warmed as she spoke. +The little maiden was not more than nine or ten years old, but she +seemed to have some skill in reading faces; at least, Harry thought +she had. Whatever might be said of himself, he was sure she was a good +girl. In short, though Harry had never read a novel in his life, she +was a little angel, even if she had no wings. He even went so far as +to believe she was a little angel, commissioned by that mysterious +something, which wiser and more devout persons would have called a +special providence, to relieve his wants with the contents of her +basket, and gladden his heart by the sunshine of her sweet smile. +There is something in goodness which always finds its way to the face. +It makes little girls look prettier than silks, and laces, and +ribbons, and embroidery. Julia Bryant was pretty, very pretty. Harry +thought so; but very likely it was the doughnuts and her kind words +which constituted her beauty.</p> + +<p>"I am pretty sure I am not a bad boy," continued Harry; "but I will +tell you my own story, and you shall judge for yourself."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You will tell me all of it—won't you?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure I will," replied Harry, a little tartly, for he +misapprehended Julia's meaning.</p> + +<p>He thought she was afraid he would not tell his wrong acts; whereas +her deep interest in him rendered her anxious to have the whole, even +to the smallest particulars.</p> + +<p>"I shall be so delighted! I do so love to hear a good story!" +exclaimed Julia.</p> + +<p>"You shall have it all; but where were you going? It will take me a +good while."</p> + +<p>"I was going to carry these doughnuts to Mrs. Lane. She is a poor +widow, who lives over the back lane. She has five children, and has +very hard work to get along. I carry something to her every week."</p> + +<p>"Then you are a little angel!" added Harry, who could understand and +appreciate kindness to the poor.</p> + +<p>"Not exactly an angel, though Mrs. Lane says I am," replied Julia, +with a blush.</p> + +<p>"Aunty Gray, over to the poorhouse, used to call everybody an angel +that brought her anything good. So I am sure you must be one."</p> + +<p>"Never mind what I am now. I am dying to hear your story," interposed +Julia, as she seated herself on another rock, near that occupied by +Harry.</p> + +<p>"Here goes, then"; and Harry proceeded with his tale, commencing back +beyond his remembrance with the traditionary history which had been +communicated to him by Mr. Nason and the paupers.</p> + +<p>When he came to the period of authentic history, or that which was +stored up in his memory, he grew eloquent, and the narrative glowed +with the living fire of the hero. Julia was quite as much interested +as Desdemona in the story of the swarthy Moor. His "round, unvarnished +tale," adorned only with the flowers of youthful simplicity, enchained +her attention, and she "loved him for the dangers he had passed;" +loved him, not as Desdemona loved, but as a child loves. She was sure +now that he was not a bad<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> boy; that even a good boy might do such a +thing as run away from cruel and exacting guardians.</p> + +<p>"What a strange story, Harry! How near you came to being drowned in +the river! I wonder the man had not killed you! And then they wanted +to send you to prison for setting the barn afire!" exclaimed Julia, +when he had finished the story.</p> + +<p>"I came pretty near it; that's a fact!" replied Harry, warming under +the approbation of his partial auditor.</p> + +<p>"And you killed the big dog?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know; I hope I didn't."</p> + +<p>"But you didn't steal the horse?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean to steal him."</p> + +<p>"No one could call that stealing. But what are you going to do next, +Harry?"</p> + +<p>"I am going to Boston."</p> + +<p>"What will you do when you get there?"</p> + +<p>"I can go to work."</p> + +<p>"You are not big enough to work much."</p> + +<p>"I can do a good deal."</p> + +<p>For some time longer they discussed Harry's story, and Julia regretted +the necessity of leaving him to do her errand at Mrs. Lane's. She +promised to see him when she returned, and Harry walked down to the +brook to get a drink, while she continued on her way.</p> + +<p>Our hero was deeply interested in the little girl. Like the "great +guns" in the novels, he was sure she was no ordinary character. He was +fully satisfied in relation to the providential nature of their +meeting. She had been sent by that incomprehensible something to +furnish him with food, and he trembled when he thought what might have +happened if she had not come.</p> + +<p>"I can't be a very bad boy," thought he, "or she would not have liked +me. Mr. Nason used to say he could tell an ugly horse by the looks of +his eye; and the schoolmaster last winter picked out all the bad boys +at a glance. I can't be a very bad boy, or she would have found me +out. I <i>know</i> I am not a bad boy. I feel right, and try to do right."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> + +<p>Harry's investigation invested Julia Bryant with a thousand poetical +excellences. That she felt an interest in him—one so good as she—was +enough to confirm all the noble resolutions he had made, and give him +strength to keep them; and as he seated himself by the brook, he +thought over his faults, and renewed his determination to uproot them +from his character. His meeting with the "little angel," as he chose +to regard her, was an oasis in the desert—a place where his moral +nature could drink the pure waters of life.</p> + +<p>No one had ever before seemed to care much whether he was a good boy +or a bad boy. The minister used now and then to give him a dry +lecture; but he did not seem to feel any real interest in him. He was +minister, and of course he must preach; not that he cared whether a +pauper boy was a saint or a sinner, but only to do the work he was +hired to do, and earn his money.</p> + +<p>Julia did not preach. Her sweet face was the "beauty of holiness." She +hoped he was not a bad boy. She liked a good boy; and this was +incentive enough to incur a lifetime of trial and self-sacrifice. +Harry was an orphan. To have one feel an interest in his moral +welfare, to have one wish him to be a good boy, had not grown stale by +long continuance. He had known no anxious mother, who wished him to be +good, who would weep when he did wrong. The sympathy of the little +angel touched a sensitive chord in his heart and soul, and he felt +that he should go forward in the great pilgrimage of life with a new +desire to be true to himself, and true to her who had inspired his +reverence.</p> + +<p>Even a child cannot be good without having it felt by others. "She +hoped he was not a bad boy," were the words of the little angel; and +before she returned from her errand of mercy, he repeated them to +himself a hundred times. They were a talisman to him, and he was sure +he should never be a bad boy in the face of such a wish.</p> + +<p>He wandered about the woods for two or three hours, impatient for the +return of the little rural goddess who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> had taken possession of his +thoughts, and filled his soul with admiration. She came at last, and +glad was the welcome which he gave her.</p> + +<p>"I have been thinking of you ever since I left you," said Julia, as +she approached the place where he had been waiting her return.</p> + +<p>Harry thought this was a remarkable coincidence. He had been thinking +of her also.</p> + +<p>"I hope you didn't think of me as a bad boy," replied he, giving +expression to that which was uppermost in his mind.</p> + +<p>"I am sure I didn't. I am sure you must be a good boy."</p> + +<p>"I am glad you think so; and that will help me be a good boy."</p> + +<p>"Will it?"</p> + +<p>"I never had any one to care whether I was good or bad. If you do, you +will be the first one."</p> + +<p>The little girl looked sad. She had a father and mother who loved her, +and prayed for her every day. It seemed hard that poor Harry should +have no mother to love him as her mother loved her; to watch over him +day and night, to take care of him when he was sick, and, above all, +to teach him to be good. She pitied the lonely orphan, and would +gladly have taken him to her happy home, and shared with him all she +had, even the love of her mother.</p> + +<p>"Poor boy!" she sighed. "But I have been thinking of something," she +added, in more sprightly tones.</p> + +<p>"What, Julia?"</p> + +<p>"If you would only let me tell my father that you are here—"</p> + +<p>"Not for the world!" cried Harry.</p> + +<p>"O, I won't say a word, unless you give me leave; but my father is +rich. He owns a great factory and a great farm. He has lots of men to +work for him; and my father is a very good man, too. People will do as +he wants them to do, and if you will let me tell him your story, he +will go<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> over to Redfield and make them let you stay at our house. You +shall be my brother then, and we can do lots of things together. Do +let me tell him."</p> + +<p>"I don't think it would be safe. I know Squire Walker wouldn't let me +go to any place where they would use me well."</p> + +<p>"What a horrible man he must be!"</p> + +<p>"No; I think I will go on to Boston."</p> + +<p>"You will have a very hard time of it."</p> + +<p>"No matter for that."</p> + +<p>"They may catch you."</p> + +<p>"If they do, I shall try again."</p> + +<p>"If they do catch you, will you let my father know it? He will be your +friend, for my friends are his friends."</p> + +<p>"I will. I should be very glad to have such a friend."</p> + +<p>"There is our dinner bell!" said Julia, as Harry heard the distant +sound. "I must go home. How I wish you were going with me!"</p> + +<p>"I wish I was. I may never see you again," added Harry, sadly.</p> + +<p>"O, you must see me again! When you get big you must come to +Rockville."</p> + +<p>"You will not wish to see the little poorhouse boy, then."</p> + +<p>"Won't I? I shall always be glad to see the boy that killed that +snake! But I shall come up after dinner, and bring you something to +eat. Do let me tell mother you are here."</p> + +<p>"I would rather you wouldn't."</p> + +<p>"Suppose she asks me what I am going to do with the dinner I shall +bring you? I can't tell a lie."</p> + +<p>"Don't bring any, then. I would rather not have any dinner than have +<i>you</i> tell a lie."</p> + +<p>Harry would not always have been so nice about a lie; but for the +little angel to tell a falsehood, why, it seemed like mud on a white +counterpane.</p> + +<p>"I won't tell a lie, but you shall have your dinner. I suppose I must +go now."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> + +<p>Harry watched the retreating form of his kind friend, till she +disappeared beyond the curve of the path, and his blessing went with +her.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY FARES SUMPTUOUSLY, AND TAKES LEAVE OF THE LITTLE ANGEL</span></h2> + + +<p>When Harry could no longer see the little angel, he fixed his eyes +upon the ground, and continued to think of her. It is not every day +that a pauper boy sees an angel, or even one whom the enthusiasm of +the imagination invests with angelic purity and angelic affections.</p> + +<p>In the records of individual experience, as well as in the history of +the world, there are certain points of time which are rendered +memorable by important events. By referring to a chronological table, +the young reader will see the great events which have marked the +progress of civilized nations from the lowest depths of barbarism up +to their present enlightened state. Every individual, if he had the +requisite wisdom, could make up a list of epochs in his own +experience. Perhaps he would attach too little importance to some +things, too much to others; for we cannot always clearly perceive the +influences which assist in forming the character. Some trivial event, +far back in the past, which inspired him with a new reverence for +truth and goodness, may be forgotten. The memory may not now cherish +the look, the smile of approbation, which strengthened the heart, when +it was struggling against the foe within; but its influence was none +the less potent. "It is the last pound which breaks the camel's back;" +and that look, that smile, may have closed the door of the heart +against a whole legion of evil spirits, and thus turned a life of woe +and bitterness into a life of sunshine and happiness.</p> + +<p>There are hundreds of epochs in the experience of every person, boy or +man—events which raised him up or let<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> him down in the scale of moral +existence. Harry West had now reached one of these epochs in his +pilgrimage.</p> + +<p>To meet a little girl in the woods, to kill a black snake, and thus +relieve her from a terrible fright, to say the least, was not a great +event, as events are reckoned in the world; yet it was destined to +exert a powerful influence upon his future career. It was not the +magnitude of the deed performed, or the chivalrous spirit which called +it forth, that made this a memorable event to Harry; it was the angel +visit—the kindling influence of a pure heart that passed from her to +him. But I suppose the impatient reader will not thank me for +moralizing over two whole pages, and I leave the further application +of the moral to the discretion of my young friends.</p> + +<p>Harry felt strangely—more strangely than he had ever felt before. As +he walked back to the cabin everything seemed to have assumed a new +appearance. Somehow the trees did not look as they used to look. He +saw through a different medium. His being seemed to have undergone a +change. He could not account for it; perhaps he did not try.</p> + +<p>He entered the cabin; and, without dropping the train of thought which +Julia's presence suggested, he busied himself in making the place more +comfortable. He shook up the straw, and made his bed, stuffed dried +grass into the chinks and crannies in the roof, fastened the door up +with some birch withes, and replaced some of the stones of the chimney +which had fallen down. This work occupied him for nearly two hours, +though, so busy were his thoughts, they seemed not more than half an +hour.</p> + +<p>He had scarcely finished these necessary repairs before he heard the +light step of her who fed him, as Elijah was fed by the ravens, for it +seemed like a providential supply. She saw him at the door of the +cabin; and she no longer dallied with a walk, but ran with all her +might.</p> + +<p>"O, Harry, I am so glad!" she cried, out of breath, as she handed him +a little basket, whose contents were carefully covered with a piece of +brown paper.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Glad of what, Julia?" asked Harry, smiling from sympathy with her.</p> + +<p>"I have heard all about it; and I am so glad you are a good boy!" +exclaimed she, panting like a pretty fawn which had gamboled its +breath away.</p> + +<p>"About what?"</p> + +<p>"Father has seen and talked with—who was he?"</p> + +<p>Harry laughed. How could he tell whom her father had seen and talked +with? He was not a magician.</p> + +<p>"The man that owned the dog, and the horse and the boat."</p> + +<p>"O! George Leman," replied Harry, now deeply interested in the little +maiden's story. "Where did he see him?"</p> + +<p>"Over at the store. But I have brought you some dinner; and while you +are eating it, I will tell you all about it. Come, there is a nice big +rock—that shall be your table."</p> + +<p>Julia, full of excitement, seized the basket, and ran to the rock, a +little way from the cabin. Pulling off half a dozen great oak leaves +from a shrub, she placed them on the rock.</p> + +<p>"Here is a piece of meat, Harry, on this plate," she continued, +putting it on an oak leaf; "here is a piece of pie; here is some bread +and butter; here is cheese; and here is a piece of cold apple pudding. +There! I forgot the sauce."</p> + +<p>"Never mind the sauce," said Harry; and he could hardly keep from +bursting into tears, as he saw how good the little angel was.</p> + +<p>It seemed as though she could not have been more an angel, if she had +had a pair of wings. The radiant face was there; the pure and loving +heart was there; all was there but the wings, and he could easily +imagine them.</p> + +<p>And what a dinner! Roast beef, pudding, pie! He was not much +accustomed to such luxuries; but just then he did not appreciate the +sumptuousness of the feast, for it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> was eclipsed by the higher +consideration of the devotion of the giver.</p> + +<p>"Come, eat, Harry! I am so glad!" added Julia.</p> + +<p>"So am I. If you feed me as high as this, I shall want to stay here a +good while."</p> + +<p>"I hope you will."</p> + +<p>"Only to-day; to-morrow I must be moving towards Boston."</p> + +<p>"I was hoping you would stay here a good long while. I shall be so +pleased to bring you your breakfast, and dinner, and supper every +day!"</p> + +<p>"Your father would not like it."</p> + +<p>"I don't know why he shouldn't. You are not very hungry; you don't eat +as you did this morning."</p> + +<p>"I ate so much then. Tell me, now, what your father said, Julia."</p> + +<p>"He saw George Leman; and he told him how you tied his horse to the +fence, and how careful you were to put the blanket on him, so that he +shouldn't catch cold after his hard run. That was very kind of you, +Harry, when you knew they were after you. Father said almost any one +would have run the horse till he dropped down. That one thing showed +that you were not a bad boy."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't have injured George Leman for anything," added Harry. +"He's a good fellow, and never did me any harm."</p> + +<p>"He said, when he found his horse, he was so glad he wouldn't have +chased you any farther for all the world. He told father what Mr. +Nason said about you—that you were a good boy, had good feelings, and +were willing to work. He didn't blame you for not wanting to go to +Jacob Wire's—wasn't that the man?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"And he didn't blame you for running away. Nobody believes that you +set the barn afire; and, Harry, they have caught the other boy—Ben +Smart, wasn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that was his name."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They caught him in the woods, over the other side of the river."</p> + +<p>"Did you find out whether the dog was killed?" asked Harry.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Leman said he thought he would get over it; and he has got his +boat again."</p> + +<p>"I am glad of that; and if anybody ever catches me with such a fellow +as Ben Smart again, they'll know it."</p> + +<p>"You can't think how I wanted to tell father where you were, when he +spoke so well of you. He even said he hoped you would get off, and +that you must be in the woods around here somewhere. You will let me +tell him now—won't you, Harry?"</p> + +<p>"I think not."</p> + +<p>"Why not, Harry?"</p> + +<p>"He may hope I will get off, and still not be willing to help me off."</p> + +<p>Julia looked very much disappointed; for she had depended upon +surprising her father with the story of the snake, and the little +fugitive in the woods.</p> + +<p>"He will be very good to you," pleaded she.</p> + +<p>"I dare say he would; but he may think it his duty to send me back to +Redfield; and Squire Walker would certainly make me go to Jacob +Wire's."</p> + +<p>"But you won't go yet."</p> + +<p>"To-morrow, Julia."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you will never get to Boston."</p> + +<p>"O, yes, I shall. I don't think it is safe for me to stay here much +longer."</p> + +<p>"Why not? Hardly any one ever goes through the woods here at this time +of year but myself."</p> + +<p>"Didn't your mother want to know what you were going to do with the +dinner you brought me?"</p> + +<p>"No, I went to the store room, and got it. She didn't see me; but I +don't like to do anything unknown to her."</p> + +<p>"You mustn't do it again."</p> + +<p>"You must have something to eat."</p> + +<p>"You have brought enough to last me while I stop here.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> To-morrow +morning I must start; so I suppose I shall not see you again. But I +shall never forget you," said Harry looking as sad as he felt.</p> + +<p>"No, you mustn't go off without any breakfast. Promise me you will not +go till I have brought you some."</p> + +<p>Harry assured Julia he had enough, and tried to persuade her not to +bring him any more food; but Julia was resolute, and he was obliged to +promise. Having finished his dinner, she gathered up the remnants of +the feast and put them in the cabin for his supper. She was afraid to +remain any longer, lest she might be missed at home and Harry +gallantly escorted her beyond the brook on her return home.</p> + +<p>He busied himself during the greater part of the afternoon in +gathering dry grass and dead leaves for the improvement of his bed in +the cabin. About an hour before sundown, he was surprised to receive +another visit from Julia Bryant. She had her little basket in one +hand, and in the other she carried a little package.</p> + +<p>"I didn't expect to see you again," said Harry, as she approached.</p> + +<p>"I don't know as you will like what I have done," she began timidly; +"but I did it for the best."</p> + +<p>"I shall like anything you have done," answered Harry promptly, "even +if you should send me back to Redfield."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't do such a mean thing as that; but I have told somebody +that you are here."</p> + +<p>"Have you?" asked Harry, not a little alarmed.</p> + +<p>"You will forgive me if I have done wrong—won't you?"</p> + +<p>Harry looked at her. He mistook her anxious appearance for sorrow at +what she had done. He could not give her pain; so he told her that, +whatever she had done, she was forgiven.</p> + +<p>"But whom have you told?"</p> + +<p>"John Lane."</p> + +<p>"Who is he?"</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Lane's oldest son. He drives the baggage wagon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> that goes to +Boston every week. He promised not to lisp a word to a single soul, +and he would be your friend for my sake."</p> + +<p>"Why did you tell him?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you see, I was afraid you would never get to Boston; and I +thought what a nice thing it would be if you could only ride all the +way there with John Lane. John likes me because I carry things to his +mother, and I am sure he won't tell."</p> + +<p>"How good you are, Julia!" exclaimed Harry. "I may forget everybody +else in the world; but I shall never forget you."</p> + +<p>A tear moistened his eye, as he uttered his enthusiastic declaration.</p> + +<p>"The worst of it is, John starts at two o'clock—right in the middle +of the night."</p> + +<p>"So much the better," replied Harry, wiping away the tear.</p> + +<p>"You will take the wagon on the turnpike, where the cart path comes +out. But you won't wake up."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I shall."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry to have you go; for I like you, Harry. You will be a very +good boy, when you get to Boston; for they say the city is a wicked +place."</p> + +<p>"I will try."</p> + +<p>"There are a great many temptations there, people say."</p> + +<p>"I shall try to be as good as you are," replied Harry, who could +imagine nothing better. "If I fail once, I shall try again."</p> + +<p>"Here, Harry, I have brought you a good book—the best of all books. I +have written your name and mine in it; and I hope you will keep it and +read it as long as you live. It is the Bible."</p> + +<p>Harry took the package, and thanked her for it.</p> + +<p>"I never read the Bible much; but I shall read this for your sake."</p> + +<p>"No, Harry; read it for your own sake."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I will, Julia."</p> + +<p>"How I shall long to hear from you! John Lane goes to Boston every +week. Won't you write me a few lines, now and then, to let me know how +you prosper, and whether you are good or not?"</p> + +<p>"I will. I can't write much; but I suppose I can—"</p> + +<p>"Never mind how you write, if I can only read it."</p> + +<p>The sun had gone down, and the dark shadows of night were gathering +over the forest when they parted, but a short distance from Mr. +Bryant's house. With the basket which contained provisions for his +journey and the Bible in his hand, he returned to the hut, to get what +sleep he might before the wagon started.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY REACHES THE CITY, AND THOUGH OFTEN DISAPPOINTED, TRIES AGAIN</span></h2> + + +<p>Harry entered the cabin, and stretched himself on his bed of straw and +leaves; but the fear that he should not wake in season to take the +wagon at the appointed place, would scarcely permit him to close his +eyes. He had not yet made up for the sleep he had lost; and Nature, +not sharing his misgiving, at last closed and sealed his eyelids.</p> + +<p>It would be presumptuous for me to attempt to inform the reader what +Harry dreamed about on that eventful night; but I can guess that it +was about angels, about bright faces and sweet smiles, and that they +were very pleasant dreams. At any rate, he slept very soundly, as +tired boys are apt to sleep, even when they are anxious about getting +up early in the morning.</p> + +<p>He woke, at last, with a start; for with his first consciousness came +the remembrance of the early appointment. He sprang from his bed, and +threw down the door of the cabin. It was still dark; the stars +twinkled above, the owls screamed, and the frogs sang merrily around +him. He had no means of ascertaining the time of night. It<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> might be +twelve; it might be four; and his uncertainty on this point filled him +with anxiety. Better too early than too late; and grasping the basket +and the Bible, which were to be the companions of his journey, he +hastened down the cart path to the turnpike.</p> + +<p>There was no sound of approaching wheels to cheer him, and the clock +in the meeting house at Rockville obstinately refused to strike. He +reached the designated place; there was no wagon there. Perhaps he was +too late. The thought filled him with chagrin; and he was reading +himself a very severe lesson for having permitted himself to sleep at +all, when the church clock graciously condescended to relieve his +anxiety by striking the hour.</p> + +<p>"One," said he, almost breathless with interest.</p> + +<p>"Two," he repeated, loud enough to be heard, if there had been any one +to hear him.</p> + +<p>"Three"; and he held his breath, waiting for more.</p> + +<p>"No more!" he added, with disappointment and chagrin, when it was +certain that the clock did not mean to strike another stroke. "I have +lost my chance. What a fool I have been! Miss Julia will think that I +am a smart fellow, when she finds that her efforts to get me off have +been wasted. Why did I go to sleep? I might have known that I should +not wake;" and he stamped his foot upon the ground with impatience.</p> + +<p>He had been caught napping, and had lost the wagon. He was never so +mortified in his life. One who was so careless did not deserve to +succeed.</p> + +<p>"One thing is clear—it is no use to cry for spilt milk," muttered he, +as he jumped over the fence into the road. "I have been stupid, but +try again."</p> + +<p>Unfortunately, there was no chance to try again. Like thousands of +blessed opportunities, it had passed by, never to return. He had come +at the eleventh hour, and the door was closed against him. With the +wagon it had been "now or never."</p> + +<p>Harry got over his impatience, and resolved that Julia should not come +to the cabin, the next morning, to find<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> he had slept when the +bridegroom came. He had a pair of legs, and there was the road. It was +no use to "wait for the wagon;" legs were made before wagon wheels; +and he started on the long and weary pilgrimage.</p> + +<p>He had not advanced ten paces before pleasant sounds reached his ears. +He stopped short, and listened. A wagon was certainly approaching, and +his heart leaped high with hope. Was it possible that John Lane had +not yet gone? Retracing his steps, he got over the fence at the place +where John was to take him. Perhaps it was not he, after all. He had +no right to suppose it was; but he determined to wait till the wagon +had passed.</p> + +<p>The rumbling noise grew more distinct. It was a heavy wagon, heavily +loaded, and approached very slowly; but at last it reached the spot +where the impatient boy was waiting.</p> + +<p>"Whoa!" said the driver; and the horses stopped.</p> + +<p>Harry's heart bounded with joy. Some lucky accident had detained the +team, and he had regained his opportunity.</p> + +<p>"Harry West!" said he on the wagon.</p> + +<p>"John Lane!" replied Harry, as he leaped over the fence.</p> + +<p>"You are on hand," added John Lane.</p> + +<p>"I am; but I was sure you had gone. It is after three o'clock."</p> + +<p>"I know it. I don't generally get off much before this time," answered +John. "Climb up here, and let us be moving on."</p> + +<p>It was a large wagon, with a sail-cloth cover—one of those regular +baggage wagons which railroads have almost driven out of existence in +Massachusetts. It was drawn by four horses, harnessed two abreast, and +had a high "box" in front for the driver.</p> + +<p>Harry nimbly climbed upon the box, and took his seat by the side of +John Lane—though that worthy told him he had better crawl under the +cover, where he would find plenty of room to finish his nap on a bale +of goods.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I thought likely I should have to go up to the cabin and wake you. +Julia told me I must, if you were not on the spot."</p> + +<p>"I am glad I have saved you that trouble; but Julia said you would +start at two o'clock."</p> + +<p>"Well, I get off by two or three o'clock. I don't carry the mail, so I +ain't so particular. What do you mean to do when you get to Boston?"</p> + +<p>"I mean to go to work."</p> + +<p>"What at?"</p> + +<p>"Anything I can find."</p> + +<p>John Lane questioned the little wanderer, and drew from him all the +incidents of his past history. He seemed to feel an interest in the +fortunes of his companion, and gave him much good advice on practical +matters, including an insight into life in the city.</p> + +<p>"I suppose Squire Walker would give me fits, if he knew I carried you +off. He was over to Rockville yesterday looking for you."</p> + +<p>"He won't find me."</p> + +<p>"I hope not, my boy; though I don't know as I should have meddled in +the matter, if Julia hadn't teased me. I couldn't resist her. She is +the best little girl in the world; and you are a lucky fellow to have +such a friend."</p> + +<p>"I am; she is an angel;" and when Harry began to think of Julia, he +could not think of anything else, and the conversation was suspended.</p> + +<p>It was a long while before either of them spoke again, and then John +advised Harry to crawl into the wagon and lie down on the load. +Notwithstanding his agreeable thoughts, our hero yawned now and then, +and concluded to adopt the suggestion of the driver. He found a very +comfortable bed on the bales, softened by heaps of mattings, which +were to be used in packing the miscellaneous articles of the return +freight.</p> + +<p>John Lane took things very easily; and as the horses jogged slowly +along, he relieved the monotony of the journey by singing sundry +old-fashioned psalm tunes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> which had not then gone out of use. He was +a good singer; and Harry was so pleased with the music, and so +unaccustomed to the heavy jolt of the wagon, that he could not go to +sleep at once.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"While shepherds watched their flocks by night,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">All seated on the ground,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The angel of the Lord came down,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And glory shone around."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Again and again John's full and sonorous voice rolled out these +familiar lines, till Harry was fairly lulled to sleep by the +harmonious measures. The angel of the Lord had come down for the +fortieth time, after the manner of the ancient psalmody, and for the +fortieth time Harry had thought of <i>his</i> angel, when he dropped off to +dream of the "glory that shone around."</p> + +<p>Harry slept soundly after he got a little used to the rough motion of +the wagon, and it was sunrise before he woke.</p> + +<p>"Well, Harry, how do you feel now?" asked John, as he emerged from his +lodging apartment.</p> + +<p>"Better; I feel as bright as a new pin. Where are we?"</p> + +<p>"We have come about twelve miles. Pretty soon we shall stop to bait +the team and get some breakfast."</p> + +<p>"I have got some breakfast in my basket. Julia gave me enough to last +a week. I shan't starve, at any rate."</p> + +<p>"No one would ever be hungry in this world, if everybody were like +Julia. But you shall breakfast with me at the tavern."</p> + +<p>"It won't be safe—will it?"</p> + +<p>"O, yes; nobody will know you here."</p> + +<p>"Well, I have got some money to pay for anything I have."</p> + +<p>"Keep your money, Harry; you will want it all when you get to Boston."</p> + +<p>After going a few miles farther, they stopped at a tavern, where the +horses were fed, and Harry ate such a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> breakfast as a pauper never ate +before. John would not let him pay for it, declaring that Julia's +friends were his friends.</p> + +<p>The remaining portion of the journey was effected without any incident +worthy of narrating, and they reached the city about noon. Of course +the first sight of Boston astonished Harry. His conceptions of a city +were entirely at fault; and though it was not a very large city +twenty-five years ago, it far exceeded his expectations.</p> + +<p>Harry had a mission before him, and he did not permit his curiosity to +interfere with that. John drove down town to deliver his load; and +Harry went with him, improving every opportunity to obtain work. When +the wagon stopped, he went boldly into the stores in the vicinity to +inquire if they "wanted to hire a hand."</p> + +<p>Now, Harry was not exactly in a condition to produce a very favorable +impression upon those to whom he applied for work. His clothes were +never very genteel, nor very artistically cut and made; and they were +threadbare, and patched at the knees and elbows. A patch is no +disguise to a man or boy, it is true; but if a little more care had +been taken to adapt the color and kind of fabric in Harry's patches to +the original garment, his general appearance would undoubtedly have +been much improved. Whether these patches really affected his ultimate +success I cannot say—only that they were an inconvenience at the +outset.</p> + +<p>It was late in the afternoon before John Lane had unloaded his +merchandise and picked up his return freight. Thus far Harry had been +unsuccessful; no one wanted a boy; or if they did, they did not want +such a boy as Harry appeared to be. His country garb, with the five +broad patches, seemed to interfere with the working out of his +manifest destiny. Yet he was not disheartened. Spruce clerks and +ill-mannered boys laughed at him; but he did not despond.</p> + +<p>"Try again," exclaimed he, as often as he was told that his services +were not required.</p> + +<p>When the wagon reached Washington Street, Harry<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> wanted to walk, for +the better prosecution of his object; and John gave him directions so +that he could find Major Phillips's stable, where he intended to put +up for the night.</p> + +<p>Harry trotted along among the gay and genteel people that thronged the +sidewalk; but he was so earnest about his mission, that he could not +stop to look at their fine clothes, nor even at the pictures, the +gewgaws, and gimcracks that tempted him from the windows.</p> + +<p>"'Boy wanted'" Harry read on a paper in the window of a jeweler's +shop. "Now's my time;" and, without pausing to consider the chances +that were against him, he entered the store.</p> + +<p>"You want a boy—don't you?" asked he of a young man behind the +counter.</p> + +<p>"We do," replied the person addressed, looking at the applicant with a +broad grin on his face.</p> + +<p>"I should like to hire out," continued Harry, with an earnestness that +would have secured the attention of any man but an idiot.</p> + +<p>"Do you? Your name is Joseph—isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir; my name is Harry West."</p> + +<p>"O, I thought it was Joseph. The Book says he had a coat of many +colors, though I believe it don't say anything about the trousers," +sneered the shopkeeper.</p> + +<p>"Never mind the coat or the trousers. If you want to hire a boy, I +will do the best I can for you," replied Harry, willing to appreciate +the joke of the other, if he could get a place.</p> + +<p>"You won't answer for us; you come from the country."</p> + +<p>"I did."</p> + +<p>"What did you come to Boston for?"</p> + +<p>"After work."</p> + +<p>"You had better go back, and let yourself to some farmer. You will +make a good scarecrow to hang up in the field. No crow would ever come +near you, I'll warrant."</p> + +<p>Harry's blood boiled with indignation at this gratuitous insult. His +cheeks reddened, and he looked about him for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> the means of inflicting +summary vengeance upon the poltroon who so wantonly trifled with his +glowing aspirations.</p> + +<p>"Move on, boy; we don't want you," added the man.</p> + +<p>"You are a ——"</p> + +<p>I will not write what Harry said. It was a vulgar epithet, coupled +with a monstrous oath for so small a boy to utter. The shopkeeper +sprang out from his counter; but Harry retreated, and escaped him, +though not till he had repeated the vulgar and profane expression.</p> + +<p>But he was sorry for what he had said before he had gone ten paces.</p> + +<p>"What would the little angel say, if she had heard that?" Harry asked +himself. "'Twon't do; I must try again."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY SUDDENLY GETS RICH AND HAS A CONVERSATION WITH ANOTHER HARRY</span></h2> + + +<p>By the time he reached the stable, Harry would have given almost +anything to have recalled the hasty expressions he had used. He had +acquired the low and vulgar habit of using profane language at the +poorhouse. He was conscious that it was not only wicked to do so, but +that it was very offensive to many persons who did not make much +pretension to piety, or even morality; and, in summing up his faults +in the woods, he had included this habit as one of the worst.</p> + +<p>She hoped he was a good boy—Julia Bryant, the little angel, hoped so. +Her blood would have frozen in her veins if she had listened to the +irreverent words he had uttered in the shop. He had broken his +resolution, broken his promise to the little angel, on the first day +he had been in the city. It was a bad beginning; but instead of +permitting this first failure to do right to discourage him, he +determined to persevere—to try again.</p> + +<p>A good life, a lofty character, with all the trials and sacrifices +which it demands, is worth working for; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> those who mean to grow +better than they are will often be obliged to "try again." The spirit +may be willing to do well, but the flesh is weak, and we are all +exposed to temptation. We may make our good resolutions—and it is +very easy to make them, but when we fail to keep them—it is sometimes +very hard to keep them—we must not be discouraged, but do as Harry +did—<span class="smcap">TRY AGAIN</span>. The strong Spirit may conquer the weak Flesh.</p> + +<p>"Well, Harry, how did you make out?" asked John Lane, when Harry +joined him at the stable.</p> + +<p>"I didn't make out at all. Nobody seems to want a boy like me."</p> + +<p>"O, well, you will find a place. Don't be discouraged."</p> + +<p>"I am not. To-morrow I shall try again."</p> + +<p>"I don't know what I shall do with you to-night. Every bed in the +tavern up the street, where I stop, is full. I shall sleep with +another teamster."</p> + +<p>"Never mind me! I can sleep in the wagon. I have slept in worse places +than that."</p> + +<p>"I will fix a place for you, then."</p> + +<p>After they had prepared his bed, Harry drew out his basket, and +proceeded to eat his supper. He then took a walk down Washington +Street, with John, went to an auction, and otherwise amused himself +till after nine o'clock, when he returned to the stable.</p> + +<p>After John had left him, as he was walking towards the wagon, with the +intention of retiring for the night, his foot struck against something +which attracted his attention. He kicked it once or twice, to +determine what it was, and then picked it up.</p> + +<p>"By gracious!" he exclaimed; "it is a pocketbook. My fortune is made;" +and without stopping to consider the matter any further, he scrambled +into the wagon.</p> + +<p>His heart jumped with excitement, for his vivid imagination had +already led him to the conclusion that it was stuffed full of money. +It might contain a hundred dollars, perhaps five hundred; and these +sums were about as far as his ideas could reach.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> + +<p>He could buy a suit of new clothes, a new cap, new shoes, and be as +spruce as any of the boys he had seen about the city. Then he could go +to a boarding house, and live like a prince, till he could get a place +that suited him; for Harry, however rich he might be, did not think of +living without labor of some kind. He could dress himself up in fine +broadcloth, present himself at the jeweler's shop where they wanted a +boy, and then see whether he would make a good scarecrow.</p> + +<p>Then his thoughts reverted to the cabin, where he had slept two +nights, and, of course, to the little angel, who had supplied the +commissary department during his sojourn in the woods. He could dress +himself up with the money in the pocketbook, and, after a while, when +he got a place, take the stage for Rockville. Wouldn't she be +astonished to see him then, in fine broadcloth! Wouldn't she walk with +him over to the spot where he had killed the black snake! Wouldn't she +be proud to tell her father that this was the boy she had fed in the +woods!</p> + +<p>What would she say to him? He had promised to write to her when he got +settled, and tell her how he got along, and whether he was good or +not. What should he say? How glad she would be to hear that he was +getting along so finely!</p> + +<p>"Stop!" said he to himself. "What have I been thinking about? This +pocketbook isn't mine."</p> + +<p>I am sorry to say it, but Harry really felt sad when the thought +occurred to him. He had been building very pretty air castles on this +money, and this reflection suddenly tumbled them all down—new +clothes, new cap, boarding house, visit to Rockville—all in a heap.</p> + +<p>"But I found it," Harry reasoned with himself.</p> + +<p>Something within him spoke out, saying:</p> + +<p>"You stole it, Harry."</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't; I found it."</p> + +<p>"If you don't return it to the owner, you will be a thief," continued +the voice within.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Nobody will know that I found it. I dare say the owner does not want +it half so much as I do."</p> + +<p>"No matter for that, Harry; if you keep it you will be a thief."</p> + +<p>He could not compromise with that voice within. It was the real Harry, +within the other Harry, that spoke, and he was a very obstinate +fellow, positively refusing to let him keep the pocketbook, at any +rate.</p> + +<p>"What am I about? She hoped I would be a good boy, and the evil one is +catching me as fast as he can," resumed Harry.</p> + +<p>"Be a good boy," added the other Harry.</p> + +<p>"I mean to be, if I can."</p> + +<p>"The little angel will be very sad when she finds out that you are a +thief."</p> + +<p>"I don't mean to be a thief. But this pocketbook will make me rich. +She never will know anything about it."</p> + +<p>"If she does not, there is One above who will know, and his angels +will frown upon you, and stamp your crime upon your face. Then you +will go about like Cain, with a mark upon you."</p> + +<p>"Pooh!" said the outer Harry, who was sorely tempted by the treasure +within his grasp.</p> + +<p>"You will not dare to look the little angel in the face, if you steal +this money. She will know you are not good, then. Honest folks always +hold their heads up, and are never ashamed to face any person."</p> + +<p>"I don't keep it!" replied the struggling, tempted Flesh. "Why did I +think of such a thing?"</p> + +<p>He felt strong then, for the Spirit had triumphed over the Flesh. The +foe within had been beaten back, at least for the moment; and as he +laid his head upon the old coat that was to serve him for a pillow, he +thought of Julia Bryant. He thought he saw her sweet face, and there +was an angelic smile upon it.</p> + +<p>My young readers will remember, after Jesus had been tempted, and +said, "Get thee behind, Satan," that "behold,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> angels came and +ministered unto him." They came and ministered to Harry after he had +cast out the evil thought; they come and minister to all who resist +temptation. They come in the heart, and minister with the healing balm +of an approving conscience.</p> + +<p>Placing the pocketbook under his head, with the intention of finding +the owner in the morning, he went to sleep. The fatigue and excitement +of the day softened his pillow, and not once did he open his eyes till +the toils of another day had commenced around him. I question whether +he would have slept so soundly if he had decided to keep the +pocketbook.</p> + +<p>But the tempter was not banished. He had only been conquered for the +moment—subdued only to attack him again. The first thought of the +treasure, in the morning, was to covet it. Again he allowed his fancy +to picture the comforts and the luxuries which it would purchase.</p> + +<p>"No one will know it," he added. "Why shouldn't I keep it?"</p> + +<p>"God will know it; you will know it yourself," said the other Harry, +more faithful and conscientious than the outside Harry, who, it must +be confessed, was sometimes disposed to be the "Old Harry."</p> + +<p>"No use of being too good. I will keep it."</p> + +<p>"<i>She</i> hoped you would be a good boy," added the monitor within.</p> + +<p>"I will—that is, when I can afford it."</p> + +<p>"Be good now, or you never will."</p> + +<p>One hundred dollars!—perhaps five hundred! It was a fortune. The +temptation was very great. But the little angel—the act would forever +banish him from her presence. He would never dare to look at her +again, or even to write the letter he had promised.</p> + +<p>"Be true to yourself, Harry. Good first, and rich next."</p> + +<p>"I will," exclaimed Harry, in an earnest whisper; and again the +tempter was cast out.</p> + +<p>Once more the fine air castles began to pile themselves<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> up before +him, standing on the coveted treasure; but he resolutely pitched them +down, and banished them from his mind.</p> + +<p>"Where did you lose it?" said a voice near the wagon.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. I didn't miss it till this morning; and I have been to +every place where I was last night; so I think I must have lost it +here, when I put my horse up," replied another.</p> + +<p>The first speaker was one of the ostlers; and the moment Harry heard +the other voice he started as though a rattlesnake had rattled in his +path. Was it possible? As the speaker proceeded, he was satisfied +beyond the possibility of a doubt that the voice belonged to Squire +Walker.</p> + +<p>"Was there much money in it?" asked the ostler.</p> + +<p>"About a hundred and fifty dollars; and there were notes and other +papers of great value," replied Squire Walker.</p> + +<p>"Well, I haven't seen or heard anything about it."</p> + +<p>"I remember taking it out of my great-coat pocket, and putting it into +a pocket inside of my vest, when I got out of the wagon."</p> + +<p>"I don't think you lost it here. Some of us would have found it, if +you had."</p> + +<p>Here was a dilemma for Harry. He had determined to restore the +pocketbook; but he could not do so without exposing himself. Besides, +if there had been any temptation to keep the treasure before, it was +ten times as great now that he knew it belonged to his enemy. It would +be no sin to keep it from Squire Walker.</p> + +<p>"It would be stealing," said the voice within.</p> + +<p>"But if I give it to him, he will carry me back to Jacob Wire's. I'll +be—I'll be hanged if I do."</p> + +<p>"She hopes you will be a good boy."</p> + +<p>There was no resisting this appeal; and again the demon was put down, +and the triumph added another laurel to the moral crown of the little +hero.</p> + +<p>"It will be a dear journey to me," continued Squire<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> Walker. "I was +looking all day yesterday after a boy that ran away from the +poorhouse, and came to the city for him. I had better let him go."</p> + +<p>"Did you find him?"</p> + +<p>"No. I brought that money down to put in the bank. It is gone, I +suppose. Confound the boy!"</p> + +<p>Harry waited no longer; but while his heart beat like the machinery in +the great factory at Rockville, he tumbled out of his nest, and slid +down the bale of goods to the pavement.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Master Harry West! You are here—are you?" exclaimed Squire +Walker, springing forward to catch him.</p> + +<p>Harry dodged, and kept out of his reach.</p> + +<p>"Catch him!" shouted the squire to the ostler.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute, Squire Walker," said Harry. "I won't go back to Jacob +Wire's, anyhow. Just hear what I have got to say; and then, if you +want to take me, you may, if you can."</p> + +<p>It was evident, even to the squire, that Harry had something of +importance to say; and he involuntarily paused to hear it.</p> + +<p>"I have found your pocketbook, squire, and—"</p> + +<p>"Give it to me, and I won't touch you," cried the overseer, eagerly.</p> + +<p>It was clear that the loss of his pocketbook had produced a salutary +impression on the squire's mind. He loved money, and the punishment +was more than he could bear.</p> + +<p>"I was walking along here, last night, when I struck my foot against +something. I picked it up, and found it was a pocketbook. I haven't +opened it. Here it is;" and Harry handed him his lost treasure.</p> + +<p>"By gracious!" exclaimed he, after he had assured himself that the +contents of the pocketbook had not been disturbed. "That is more than +ever I expected of you, Master Harry West."</p> + +<p>"I mean to be honest," replied Harry, proudly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Perhaps you do. I told you, Harry, I wouldn't touch you; and I +won't," continued the squire. "You may go."</p> + +<p>The overseer was amazed. He had come to Boston with the intention of +catching Harry, cost what it might,—he meant to charge the expense to +the town; but the recovery of his money had warmed his heart, and +banished the malice he cherished toward the boy.</p> + +<p>Squire Walker volunteered some excellent advice for the guidance of +the little pilgrim, who, he facetiously observed, had now no one to +look after his manners and morals—manners first, and morals +afterwards. He must be very careful and prudent, and he wished him +well. Harry, however, took this wholesome counsel as from whom it +came, and was not very deeply impressed by it.</p> + +<p>John Lane came to the stable soon after, and congratulated our hero +upon the termination of the persecution from Redfield, and, when his +horses were hitched on, bade him good bye, with many hearty wishes for +his future success.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY BECOMES A STABLE BOY, AND HEARS BAD NEWS FROM ROCKVILLE</span></h2> + + +<p>Harry was exceedingly rejoiced at the remarkable turn his affairs had +taken. It is true, he had lost the treasure upon which his fancy had +built so many fine castles; but he did not regret the loss, since it +had purchased his exemption from the Redfield persecution. He had +conquered his enemy—which was a great victory—by being honest and +upright; and he had conquered himself—which was a greater victory—by +listening to the voice within him. He resisted temptation, and the +victory made him strong.</p> + +<p>Our hero had won a triumph, but the battlefield was still spread out +before him. There were thousands of enemies lurking in his path, ready +to fall upon and despoil him of his priceless treasure—his integrity.</p> + +<p>"She had hoped he would be a good boy." He had done<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> his duty—he had +been true in the face of temptation. He wanted to write to Julia then, +and tell her of his triumph—that, when tempted, he had thought of +her, and won the victory.</p> + +<p>The world was before him; it had no place for idlers, and he must get +work. The contents of the basket were not yet exhausted, and he took +it to a retired corner to eat his breakfast. While he was thus +engaged, Joe Flint, the ostler, happened to see him.</p> + +<p>"That is cold comfort," said he. "Why don't you go to the tavern and +have your breakfast like a gentleman?"</p> + +<p>"I can't afford it," replied Harry.</p> + +<p>"Can't afford it? How much did the man that owned the pocketbook give +you?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing."</p> + +<p>"Nothing! I'm blamed if he ain't a mean one!" exclaimed Joe, heartily. +"I don't wonder you run away."</p> + +<p>"I didn't want anything. I was too glad to get clear of him to think +of anything else."</p> + +<p>"Next time he loses his pocketbook, I hope he won't find it."</p> + +<p>And with this charitable observation, Joe resumed his labors. Harry +finished his meal, washed it down with a draught of cold water at the +pump, and was ready for business again. Unfortunately, there was no +business ready for him. All day long he wandered about the streets in +search of employment; but people did not appreciate his value. No one +would hire him or have anything to do with him. The five patches on +his clothes, he soon discovered, rendered it useless for him to apply +at the stores. He was not in a condition to be tolerated about one of +these; and he turned his attention to the market, the stables, and the +teaming establishments, yet with no better success. It was in vain +that he tried again; and at night, weary and dispirited, he returned +to Major Phillips's stable.</p> + +<p>His commissariat was not yet exhausted; and he made a hearty supper +from the basket. It became an interesting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> question for him to +consider how he should pass the night. He could not afford to pay one +of his quarters for a night's lodging at the tavern opposite. There +was the stable, however, if he could get permission to sleep there.</p> + +<p>"May I sleep in the hay loft, Joe?" he asked, as the ostler passed +him.</p> + +<p>"Major Phillips don't allow any one to sleep in the hay loft; but +perhaps he will let you sleep there. He was asking about you to-day."</p> + +<p>"How should he know anything about me?" said Harry, not a little +surprised to find his fame had gone before him.</p> + +<p>"He heard about the pocketbook, and wanted to see you. He said it was +the meanest thing he ever heard of, that the man who lost it didn't +give you anything; and them's my sentiments exactly. Here comes the +major; I will speak to him about you."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Joe."</p> + +<p>"Major Phillips, this boy wants to know if he may sleep in the hay +loft to-night."</p> + +<p>"No," replied the stable keeper, short as pie crust.</p> + +<p>"This is the boy that found the pocketbook, and he hain't got no place +to sleep."</p> + +<p>"O, is it? Then I will find a place for him to sleep. So, my boy, you +are an honest fellow."</p> + +<p>"I try to be," replied Harry, modestly.</p> + +<p>"If you had kept the pocketbook you might have lodged at the Tremont +House."</p> + +<p>"I had rather sleep in your stable, without it."</p> + +<p>"Squire Walker was mean not to give you a ten-dollar bill. What are +you going to do with yourself?"</p> + +<p>"I want to get work; perhaps you have got something for me to do. I am +used to horses."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know as I have."</p> + +<p>Major Phillips was a great fat man, rough, vulgar, and profane in his +conversation; but he had a kind of sympathizing nature. Though he +swore like a pirate sometimes, his heart was in the right place, so +far as humanity was concerned.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> + +<p>He took Harry into the counting room of the stable, and questioned him +in regard to his past history and future prospects. The latter, +however, were just now rather clouded. He told the major his +experience in trying to get something to do, and was afraid he should +not find a place.</p> + +<p>The stable keeper was interested in him and in his story. He swore +roundly at the meanness of Jacob Wire and Squire Walker, and commended +him for running away.</p> + +<p>"Well, my lad, I don't know as I can do much for you. I have three +ostlers now, which is quite enough, and all I can afford to pay; but I +suppose I can find enough for a boy to do about the house and the +stable. How much wages do you expect?"</p> + +<p>"Whatever you think I can earn."</p> + +<p>"You can't earn much for me just now; but if you are a-mind to try it, +I will give you six dollars a month and your board."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir; I shall be very glad of the chance."</p> + +<p>"Very well; but if you work for me, you must get up early in the +morning, and be wide awake."</p> + +<p>"I will, sir."</p> + +<p>"Now, we will see about a place for you to sleep."</p> + +<p>Over the counting room was an apartment in which two of the ostlers +slept. There was room for another bed, and one was immediately set up +for Harry's use.</p> + +<p>Once more, then, our hero was at home, if a mere abiding place +deserves that hallowed name. It was not an elegant, or even a +commodious, apartment in which Harry was to sleep. The walls were +dingy and black; the beds looked as though they had never been clean; +and there was a greasy smell which came from several harnesses that +were kept there. It was comfortable, if not poetical; and Harry soon +felt perfectly at home.</p> + +<p>His first duty was to cultivate the acquaintance of the ostlers. He +found them to be rough, good-natured men, not over-scrupulous about +their manners or their morals. If it does not occur to my young +readers, it will to their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> parents, that this was not a fit place for +a boy—that he was in constant contact with corruption. His companions +were good-hearted men; but this circumstance rendered them all the +more dangerous. There was no fireside of home, at which the evil +effects of communication with men of loose morals would be +counteracted. Harry had not been an hour in their society before he +caught himself using a big oath—which, when he had gone to bed, he +heartily repented, renewing his resolution with the promise to try +again.</p> + +<p>He was up bright and early the next morning, made a fire in the +counting room, and had let out half the horses in the stable to water, +before Major Phillips came out. His services were in demand, as Joe +Flint, for some reason, had not come to the stable that morning.</p> + +<p>The stable keeper declared that he had gone on a "spree," and told +Harry he might take his place.</p> + +<p>Harry did take his place; and the ostlers declared that, in everything +but cleaning the horses, he made good his place. The knowledge and +skill which he had obtained at the poorhouse was of great value to +him; and, at night, though he was very tired, he was satisfied that he +had done a good day's work.</p> + +<p>The ostlers took their meals at the house of Major Phillips, which +stood at one side of the stable yard. Harry did not like Mrs. Phillips +very well; she was cross, and the men said she was a "regular Tartar." +But he was resolved to keep the peace. He afterwards found it a +difficult matter; for he had to bring wood and water, and do other +chores about the house, and he soon ascertained that she was +determined not to be pleased with anything he did. He tried to keep +his temper, however, and meekly submitted to all her scolding and +grumbling.</p> + +<p>Thus far, while Harry has been passing through the momentous period of +his life with which we commenced his story, we have minutely detailed +the incidents of his daily life, so that we have related the events of +only a few days. This is no longer necessary. He has got a place, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +of course one day is very much like every other. The reader knows him +now—knows what kind of boy he is, and what his hopes and expectations +are. The reader knows, too, the great moral epoch in his history—the +event which roused his consciousness of error, and stimulated him to +become better; that he has a talisman in his mind, which can be no +better expressed than by those words he so often repeated, "She hoped +he would be a good boy." And her angel smile went with him to +encourage him in the midst of trial and temptation—to give him the +victory over the foes that assailed him.</p> + +<p>We shall henceforth give results, instead of a daily record, stopping +to detail only the great events of his career.</p> + +<p>We shall pass over three months, during which time he worked +diligently and faithfully for Major Phillips. Every day had its trials +and temptations; not a day passed in which there were none. The habit +of using profane language he found it very hard to eradicate; but he +persevered; and though he often sinned, he as often repented and tried +again, until he had fairly mastered the enemy. It was a great triumph, +especially when it is remembered that he was surrounded by those whose +every tenth word at least was an oath.</p> + +<p>He was tempted to lie, tempted to neglect his work, tempted to steal, +tempted in a score of other things. And often he yielded; but the +remembrance of the little angel, and the words of the good Book she +had given him, cheered and supported him as he struggled on.</p> + +<p>Harry's finances were in a tolerably prosperous condition. With his +earnings he had bought a suit of clothes, and went to church half a +day every Sunday. Besides his wages, he had saved about five dollars +from the "perquisites" which he received from customers for holding +their horses, running errands, and other little services a boy could +perform. He was very careful and prudent with his money; and whenever +he added anything to his little hoard, he thought of the man who had +become rich by saving up his fourpences. He still cherished his +purpose to become a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> rich man, and it is very likely he had some +brilliant anticipations of success. Not a cent did he spend foolishly, +though it was hard work to resist the inclination to buy the fine +things that tempted him from the shop windows.</p> + +<p>Those who knew him best regarded him as a very strange boy; but that +was only because he was a little out of his element. He would have +preferred to be among men who did not bluster and swear; but, in spite +of them, he had the courage and the fortitude to be true to himself. +The little angel still maintained her ascendency in his moral nature.</p> + +<p>The ostlers laughed at him when he took out his little Bible, before +he went to bed, to drink of the waters of life. They railed at him, +called him "Little Pious," and tried to induce him to pitch cents, in +the back yard, on Sunday afternoon, instead of going to church. He +generally bore these taunts with patience, though sometimes his high +spirit would get the better of his desire to be what the little angel +wished him to be.</p> + +<p>John Lane put up at the stable once a week; and, every time he +returned to Rockville, he carried a written or a verbal account of the +prosperity of the little pauper boy. One Sunday, he wrote her a long +letter all about "being good"—how he was tempted, and how he +struggled for her sake and for the sake of the truth.</p> + +<p>In return, he often received messages and letters from her, breathing +the same pure spirit which she had manifested when she "fed him in the +wilderness." These communications strengthened his moral nature, and +enabled him to resist temptation. He felt just as though she was an +angel sent into the world to watch over him. Perhaps he had fallen +without them; at any rate, her influence was very powerful.</p> + +<p>About the middle of January, when the earth was covered with snow, and +the bleak, cold winds of winter blew over the city, John Lane informed +Harry, on his arrival, that Julia was very sick with the scarlet fever +and canker rash, and it was feared she would not recover.</p> + +<p>This was the most severe trial of all. He wept when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> he thought of her +sweet face reddened with the flush of fever; and he fled to his +chamber, to vent his emotions in silence and solitude.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY DOES A GOOD DEED, AND DETERMINES TO "FACE THE MUSIC"</span></h2> + + +<p>While Harry sat by the stove in the ostlers' room, grieving at the +intelligence he had received from Rockville, a little girl, so lame +that she walked with a crutch, hobbled into the apartment.</p> + +<p>"Is my father here?" she asked, in tones so sad that Harry could not +help knowing she was in distress.</p> + +<p>"I don't know as I am acquainted with your father," replied Harry.</p> + +<p>"He is one of the ostlers here."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Joseph Flint!"</p> + +<p>"Yes; he has not been home to dinner or supper to-day, and mother is +very sick."</p> + +<p>"I haven't seen him to-day."</p> + +<p>"O, dear! What will become of us?" sighed the little girl, as she +hobbled away.</p> + +<p>Harry was struck by the sad appearance of the girl, and the desponding +words she uttered. Of late, Joe Flint's vile habit of intemperance had +grown upon him so rapidly that he did not work at the stable more than +one day in three. For two months, Major Phillips had been threatening +to discharge him; and nothing but kindly consideration for his family +had prevented him from doing so.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen Joe to-day?" asked Harry of one of the ostlers, who +came into the room soon after the departure of the little girl.</p> + +<p>"No, and don't want to see him," replied Abner, testily; for, in Joe's +absence, his work had to be done by the other ostlers, who did not +feel very kindly towards him.</p> + +<p>"His little girl has just been here after him."</p> + +<p>"Very likely he hasn't been home for a week," added<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> Abner. "I should +think his family would be very thankful if they never saw him again. +He is a nuisance to himself and everybody else."</p> + +<p>"Where does he live?"</p> + +<p>"Just up in Avery Street—in a ten-footer there."</p> + +<p>"The little girl said her mother was very sick."</p> + +<p>"I dare say. She is always sick; and I don't much wonder. Joe Flint is +enough to make any one sick. He has been drunk about two-thirds of the +time for two months."</p> + +<p>"I don't see how his family get along."</p> + +<p>"Nor I, either."</p> + +<p>After Abner had warmed himself, he left the room. Harry was haunted by +the sad look and desponding tones of the poor lame girl. It was a +bitter cold evening; and what if Joe's family were suffering with the +cold and hunger! It was sad to think of such a thing; and Harry was +deeply moved.</p> + +<p>"She hoped I would be a good boy. She is very sick now, and perhaps +she will die," said Harry to himself. "What would she do, if she were +here now?"</p> + +<p>He knew very well what she would do, and he determined to do it +himself. His heart was so deeply moved by the picture of sorrow and +suffering with which his imagination had invested the home of the +intemperate ostler that it required no argument to induce him to go.</p> + +<p>But he must go prepared to do something. However sweet and consoling +may be the sympathy of others to those in distress, it will not warm +the chilled limbs or feed the hungry mouths; and Harry thanked God +then that he had not spent his money foolishly upon gewgaws and +gimcracks, or in gratifying a selfish appetite.</p> + +<p>After assuring himself that no one was approaching, he jumped on his +bedstead, and reaching up into a hole in the board ceiling of the +room, he took out a large wooden pill box, which was nearly filled +with various silver coins, from a five-cent piece to a half dollar. +Putting the box in his pocket, he went down to the stable, and +inquired more particularly in relation Joe's house.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + +<p>When he had received such directions as would enable him to find the +place, he told Abner he wanted to be absent a little while, and left +the stable. He had no difficulty in finding the home of the drunkard's +family. It was a little, old wooden house, in Avery Street, opposite +Haymarket Place, which has long since been pulled down to make room +for a more elegant dwelling.</p> + +<p>Harry knocked, and was admitted by the little lame girl whom he had +seen at the stable.</p> + +<p>"I have come to see if I can do anything for you," said Harry, as he +moved forward into the room in which the family lived.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen anything of father?" asked the little girl.</p> + +<p>"I haven't; Abner says he hasn't been to the stable to-day. Haven't +you any lights?" asked Harry, as he entered the dark room.</p> + +<p>"We haven't got any oil, nor any candles."</p> + +<p>In the fireplace, a piece of pine board was blazing, which cast a +faint and fitful glare into the room; and Harry was thus enabled to +behold the scene which the miserable home of the drunkard presented.</p> + +<p>In one corner was a dilapidated bedstead, on which lay the sick woman. +Drawn from under it was a trundle bed, upon which lay two small +children, who had evidently been put to bed at that early hour to keep +them warm, for the temperature of the apartment was scarcely more +comfortable than that of the open air. It was a cheerless home; and +the faint light of the blazing board only served to increase the +desolate appearance of the place.</p> + +<p>"Who is it?" asked the sick woman, faintly.</p> + +<p>"The boy that works at the stable," replied the lame girl.</p> + +<p>"My name is Harry West, marm; and I come to see if you wanted +anything," added Harry.</p> + +<p>"We want a great many things," sighed she. "Can you tell me where my +husband is?"</p> + +<p>"I can't; he hasn't been at the stable to-day."</p> + +<p>"Oh, God! what will become of us?" sobbed the woman.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I will help you, marm. Don't take on so. I have money! and I will do +everything I can for you."</p> + +<p>When her mother sobbed, the lame girl sat down on the bed and cried +bitterly. Harry's tender heart was melted; and he would have wept also +if he had not been conscious of the high mission he had to perform; +and he felt very grateful that he was able to dry up those tears and +carry gladness to those bleeding hearts.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what you can do for us," said the poor woman, "though I +am sure I am very much obliged to you."</p> + +<p>"I can do a great deal, marm. Cheer up," replied Harry, tenderly.</p> + +<p>As he spoke, one of the children in the trundle bed sobbed in its +sleep; and the poor mother's heart seemed to be lacerated by the +sound.</p> + +<p>"Poor child," wailed she. "He had no supper but a crust of bread and a +cup of cold water. He cried himself to sleep with cold and hunger. Oh, +Heaven! that we should have come to this!"</p> + +<p>"And the room is very cold," added Harry, glancing around him.</p> + +<p>"It is. Our wood is all gone but two great logs. Katy could not bring +them up."</p> + +<p>"I worked for an hour trying to split some pieces off them," said +Katy, the lame girl.</p> + +<p>"I will fix them, marm," replied Harry, who felt the strength of ten +stout men in his limbs at that moment. "But you have had no supper."</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute. Have you a basket?"</p> + +<p>Katy brought him a peck basket, and Harry rushed out of the house as +though he had been shot. Great deeds were before him, and he was +inspired for the occasion.</p> + +<p>In a quarter of an hour he returned. The basket was nearly full. +Placing it in a chair, he took from it a package of candles, one of +which he lighted and placed in a tin candlestick on the table.</p> + +<p>"Now we have got a little light on the subject," said he,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> as he began +to display the contents of the basket. "Here, Katy, is two pounds of +meat; here is half a pound of tea; you had better put a little in the +teapot, and let it be steeping for your mother."</p> + +<p>"God bless you!" exclaimed Mrs. Flint. "You are an angel sent from +Heaven to help us in our distress."</p> + +<p>"No, marm; I ain't an angel," answered Harry, who seemed to feel that +Julia Bryant had an exclusive monopoly of that appellation, so far as +it could be reasonably applied to mortals. "I only want to do my duty, +marm."</p> + +<p>Katy Flint was so bewildered that she could say nothing, though her +opinion undoubtedly coincided with that of her mother.</p> + +<p>"Here is two loaves of bread and two dozen crackers; a pound of +butter; two pounds of sugar. There! I did not bring any milk."</p> + +<p>"Never mind the milk. You are a blessed child."</p> + +<p>"Give me a pitcher, Katy. I will go down to Thomas's in two shakes of +a jiffy."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Flint protested that she did not want any milk—that she could +get along very well without it; but Harry said the children must have +it; and, without waiting for Katy to get the pitcher, he took it from +the closet, and ran out of the house.</p> + +<p>He was gone but a few minutes. When he returned he found Katy trying +to make the teakettle boil, but with very poor success.</p> + +<p>"Now, Katy, show me the logs, and I will soon have a fire."</p> + +<p>The lame girl conducted him to the cellar, where Harry found the +remnants of the old box which Katy had tried to split. Seizing the +axe, he struck a few vigorous blows, and the pine boards were reduced +to a proper shape for use. Taking an armful, he returned to the +chamber; and soon a good fire was blazing under the teakettle.</p> + +<p>"There, marm, we will soon have things to rights," said Harry, as he +rose from the hearth, where he had stooped down to blow the fire.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I am sure we should have perished if you had not come," added Mrs. +Flint, who was not disposed to undervalue Harry's good deeds.</p> + +<p>"Then I am very glad I came."</p> + +<p>"I hope we shall be able to pay you back all the money you have spent; +but I don't know. Joseph has got so bad, I don't know what he is +coming to. He is a good-hearted man. He always uses me well, even when +he is in liquor. Nothing but drink could make him neglect us so."</p> + +<p>"It is a hard case, marm," added Harry.</p> + +<p>"Very hard; he hasn't done much of anything for us this winter. I have +been out to work every day till a fortnight ago, when I got sick and +couldn't do anything. Katy has kept us alive since then; she is a good +girl, and takes the whole care of Tommy and Susan."</p> + +<p>"Poor girl! It is a pity she is so lame."</p> + +<p>"I don't mind that, if I only had things to do with," said Katy, who +was busy disposing of the provisions which Harry had bought.</p> + +<p>As soon as the kettle boiled, she made tea, and prepared a little +toast for her mother, who, however, was too sick to take much +nourishment.</p> + +<p>"Now, Katy, you must eat yourself," interposed Harry, when all was +ready.</p> + +<p>"I can't eat," replied the poor girl, bursting into tears. "I don't +feel hungry."</p> + +<p>"You must eat."</p> + +<p>Just then the children in the trundle bed, disturbed by the unusual +bustle in the room, waked, and gazed with wonder at Harry, who had +seated himself on the bed.</p> + +<p>"Poor Susy!" exclaimed Katy; "she has waked up. And Tommy, too! They +shall have their supper, now."</p> + +<p>They were taken up; and Harry's eyes were gladdened by such a sight as +he had never beheld before. The hungry ate; and every mouthful they +took swelled the heart of the little almoner of God's bounty. If the +thought of Julia Bryant, languishing on a bed of sickness, had not +marred his satisfaction, he had been perfectly happy. But he was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +doing a deed that would rejoice her heart; he was doing just what she +had done for him; he was doing just what she would have done, if she +had been there.</p> + +<p>"She hoped he would be a good boy." His conscience told him he had +been a good boy—that he had been true to himself, and true to the +noble example she had set before him.</p> + +<p>While the family were still at supper, Harry, lighting another candle, +went down cellar to pay his respects to those big logs. He was a stout +boy, and accustomed to the use of the axe. By slow degrees he chipped +off the logs, until they were used up, and a great pile of serviceable +wood was before him. Not content with this, he carried up several +large armfuls of it, which he deposited by the fireplace in the room.</p> + +<p>"Now, marm, I don't know as I can do anything more for you to-night," +said he, moving towards the door.</p> + +<p>"The Lord knows you have done enough," replied the poor woman. "I hope +we shall be able to pay you for what you have done."</p> + +<p>"I don't want anything, marm."</p> + +<p>"If we can't pay you, the Lord will reward you."</p> + +<p>"I am paid enough already. I hope you will get better, marm."</p> + +<p>"I hope so. I feel better to-night than I have felt before for a +week."</p> + +<p>"Good night, marm! Good night, Katy!" And Harry hurried back to the +stable.</p> + +<p>"Where have you been, Harry?" asked Abner, when he entered the +ostler's room.</p> + +<p>"I have been out a little while."</p> + +<p>"I know that. The old man wanted you; and when he couldn't find you, +he was mad as thunder."</p> + +<p>"Where is he?" said Harry, somewhat annoyed to find that, while he had +been doing his duty in one direction, he had neglected his duty in +another.</p> + +<p>"In the counting room. You will catch fits for going off."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> + +<p>Whatever he should catch, he determined to "face the music," and left +the room to find his employer.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY MAKES THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A VERY IMPORTANT PERSONAGE</span></h2> + + +<p>Major Phillips was in the counting room, where Harry, dreading his +anger, presented himself before him. His employer was a violent man. +He usually acted first, and thought the matter over afterwards; so +that he frequently had occasion to undo what had been done in haste +and passion. His heart was kind, but his temper generally had the +first word.</p> + +<p>"So you have come, Harry," exclaimed he, as our hero opened the door. +"Where have you been?"</p> + +<p>"I have been out a little while," replied Harry, whose modesty +rebelled at the idea of proclaiming the good deed he had done.</p> + +<p>"Out a little while!" roared the major, with an oath that froze the +boy's blood. "That is enough—enough, sir. You know I don't allow man +or boy to leave the stable without letting me know it."</p> + +<p>"I was wrong, sir; but I—"</p> + +<p>"You little snivelling monkey, how dared you leave the stable?" +continued the stable keeper, heedless of the boy's submission. "I'll +teach you better than that."</p> + +<p>"Will you?" said Harry, suddenly changing his tone, as his blood began +to boil. "You can begin as quick as you like."</p> + +<p>"You saucy young cub! I have a great mind to give you a cowhiding," +thundered the enraged stable keeper.</p> + +<p>"I should like to see you do it," replied Harry, fixing his eyes on +the poker that lay on the floor near the stove.</p> + +<p>"Should you, you impertinent puppy?"</p> + +<p>The major sprang forward, as if to grasp the boy by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> the collar; but +Harry, with his eyes still fixed on the poker, retreated a pace or +two, ready to act promptly when the decisive moment should come. +Forgetting for the time that he had run away from one duty to attend +to another, he felt indignant that he should be thus rudely treated +for being absent a short time on an errand of love and charity. He +gave himself too much credit for the good deed, and felt that he was a +martyr to his philanthropic spirit. He was willing to bear all and +brave all in a good cause; and it seemed to him, just then, as though +he was being punished for assisting Joe Flint's family, instead of for +leaving his place without permission. A great many persons who mean +well are apt to think themselves martyrs for any good cause in which +they may be engaged, when, in reality, their own want of tact, or the +offensive manner in which they present their truth, is the stake at +which they are burned.</p> + +<p>"Keep off!" said Harry, his eyes flashing fire.</p> + +<p>The major was so angry that he could do nothing; and while they were +thus confronting each other, Joe Flint staggered into the counting +room. Intoxicated as he was, he readily discovered the position of +affairs between the belligerents.</p> + +<p>"Look here—hic—Major Phillips," said he, reeling up to his employer, +"I love you—hic—Major Phillips, like a—hic—like a brother, Major +Phillips; but if you touch that boy, Major Phillips, I'll—hic—you +touch me, Major Phillips. That's all."</p> + +<p>"Go home, Joe," replied the stable keeper, his attention diverted from +Harry to the new combatant. "You are drunk."</p> + +<p>"I know I'm drunk, Major Phillips. I'm as drunk as a beast; but I +ain't—hic—dead drunk. I know what I'm about."</p> + +<p>"No, you don't. Go home."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I dzoo. I'm a brute; I'm a hog; I'm a—dzwhat you call it? I'm a +villain."</p> + +<p>Joe tried to straighten himself up, and look at his employer; but he +could not, and suddenly bursting into tears,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> he threw himself heavily +into a chair, weeping bitterly in his inebriate paroxysm. He sobbed, +and groaned, and talked incoherently. He acted strangely, and Major +Phillips's attention was excited.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter, Joe?" he asked; and his anger towards Harry +seemed to have subsided.</p> + +<p>"I tell you I am a villain, Major Phillips," blubbered Joe.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by that?"</p> + +<p>"Haven't I been on a drunk, and left my family to starve and freeze?" +groaned Joe, interlarding his speech with violent ebullitions of +weeping. "Wouldn't my poor wife, and my poor children—O my God," and +the poor drunkard covered his face with his hands, and sobbed like an +infant.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter? What do you mean, Joe?" asked Major Phillips, who +had never seen him in this frame before.</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't they all have died if Harry hadn't gone and fed 'em, and +split up wood to warm 'em?"</p> + +<p>As he spoke, Joe sprang up, and rushed towards Harry, and in his +drunken frenzy attempted to embrace him.</p> + +<p>"What does this mean, Harry?" said the stable keeper, turning to our +hero, who, while Joe was telling his story, had been thinking of +something else.</p> + +<p>"What a fool I was to get mad!" thought he. "What would she say if she +had seen me just now? Poor Julia! perhaps she is dead, even now."</p> + +<p>"My folks would have died if it hadn't been for him," hiccoughed Joe.</p> + +<p>"Explain it, Harry," added the major.</p> + +<p>"The lame girl, Katy, came down here after her father early in the +evening. She seemed to be in trouble and I thought I would go up and +see what the matter was. I found them in rather a bad condition, +without any wood or anything to eat. I did what I could for them, and +came away," replied Harry.</p> + +<p>"Give me your hand, Harry!" and the major grasped his hand like a +vise. "You are a good fellow," he added, with an oath.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Forgive me, Mr. Phillips, for saying what I did; I was mad," pleaded +Harry.</p> + +<p>"So was I, my boy; but we won't mind that. You are a good fellow, and +I like your spunk. So you have really been taking care of Joe's family +while he was off on a drunk?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't do much, sir."</p> + +<p>"Look here, Harry, and you, Major Phillips. When I get this rum out of +me I'll never take another drop again," said Joe, throwing himself +into a chair.</p> + +<p>"Bah, Joe! You have said that twenty times before," added Major +Phillips.</p> + +<p>"You dzee!" exclaimed Joe, doubling his fist, and bringing it down +with the intention of hitting the table by his side to emphasize his +resolution; but, unfortunately, he missed the table—a circumstance +which seemed to fore-shadow the fate of his resolve.</p> + +<p>Joe proceeded to declare in his broken speech what a shock he had +received when he went home, half an hour before—the first time for +several days—and heard the reproaches of his suffering wife; how +grateful he was to Harry, and what a villain he considered himself. +Either the sufferings of his family, or the rum he had drunk, melted +his heart, and he was as eloquent as his half-paralyzed tongue would +permit. He was a pitiable object; and having assured himself that +Joe's family were comfortable for the night, Major Phillips put him to +bed in his own house.</p> + +<p>Harry was not satisfied with himself; he had permitted his temper to +get the better of him. He thought of Julia on her bed of suffering, +wept for her, and repented for himself. That night he heard the clock +on the Boylston market strike twelve before he closed his eyes to +sleep.</p> + +<p>The next day, while he was at work in the stable, a boy of about +fifteen called to see him, and desired to speak with him alone. Harry, +much wondering who his visitor was, and what he wanted, conducted him +to the ostlers' chamber.</p> + +<p>"You are Harry West?" the boy began.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That is my name, for the want of a better," replied Harry.</p> + +<p>"Then there is a little matter to be settled between you and me. You +helped my folks out last night, and I want to pay you for it."</p> + +<p>"Your folks?"</p> + +<p>"My name is Edward Flint."</p> + +<p>"Then you are Joe's son."</p> + +<p>"I am," replied Edward, who did not seem to feel much honored by the +relationship.</p> + +<p>"Your folks were in a bad condition last night."</p> + +<p>"That's a fact; they were."</p> + +<p>"But I didn't know Joe had a son as old as you are."</p> + +<p>"I am the oldest; but I don't live at home, and have not for three +years. How much did you pay out for them last night?"</p> + +<p>"One dollar and twenty cents."</p> + +<p>"As much as that?"</p> + +<p>"Just that."</p> + +<p>Edward Flint manifested some uneasiness at the announcement. He had +evidently come with a purpose, but had found things different from +what he had expected.</p> + +<p>"I didn't think it was so much."</p> + +<p>"What matters how much?" asked Harry.</p> + +<p>"Why, I want to pay you."</p> + +<p>"You needn't mind that."</p> + +<p>"The fact is, I have only three dollars just now; and I promised to go +out to ride with a fellow next Sunday. So, you see, if I pay you, I +shall not have enough left to foot the bills."</p> + +<p>Harry looked at his visitor with astonishment; he did not know what to +make of him. Was he in earnest? Would a son of Joseph Flint go out to +ride—on Sunday, too—while his mother and his brothers and sisters +were on the very brink of starvation? Our hero had some strange, +old-fashioned notions of his own. For instance, he considered it a +son's duty to take care of his mother, even if he were obliged to +forego the Sunday ride; that he ought to do all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> he could for his +brothers and sisters, even if he had to go without stewed oysters, +stay away from the theatre, and perhaps wear a little coarser cloth on +his back. If Harry was unreasonable in his views, my young reader will +remember that he was brought up in the country, where young America is +not quite so "fast" as in the city.</p> + +<p>"I didn't ask you to pay me," continued Harry.</p> + +<p>"I know that; but, you see, I suppose I ought to pay you. The old man +don't take much care of the family."</p> + +<p>Harry wanted to say that the young man did not appear to do much +better; but he was disposed to be as civil as the circumstances would +permit.</p> + +<p>"You needn't pay me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I shall pay you; but if you can wait till the first of next +month, I should like it."</p> + +<p>"I can wait. Do you live out?"</p> + +<p>"Live out? What do you mean by that? I am a clerk in a store +downtown," replied Edward, with offended dignity.</p> + +<p>"Oh, are you? Do they pay you well?"</p> + +<p>"Pretty fair; I get five dollars a week."</p> + +<p>"Five dollars a week! Thunder! I should think you did get paid pretty +well!" exclaimed Harry, astonished at the vastness of the sum for a +week's work.</p> + +<p>"Fair salary," added Edward, complacently. "What are you doing here?"</p> + +<p>"I work in the stable and about the house."</p> + +<p>"That's mean business," said Mr. Flint, turning up his nose.</p> + +<p>"It does very well."</p> + +<p>"How much do you get?"</p> + +<p>"Six dollars a month and perquisites."</p> + +<p>"How much are the perquisites?"</p> + +<p>"From one to two dollars a month."</p> + +<p>"Humph! I wonder you stay here."</p> + +<p>"It is as well as I can do."</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't; why don't you go into a store? We want a boy in our +store."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Do you?"</p> + +<p>"We do."</p> + +<p>"How much do you pay?"</p> + +<p>"We pay from two to four dollars a week."</p> + +<p>"Can't you get me the place?" asked Harry, now much interested in his +companion.</p> + +<p>"Well, yes; perhaps I can."</p> + +<p>"What should I have to do?"</p> + +<p>"Make the fires, sweep out in the morning, go on errands, and such +work. Boys must begin at the foot of the ladder. I began at the foot +of the ladder," answered Mr. Flint, with an immense self-sufficiency, +which Harry, however, failed to notice.</p> + +<p>"I should like to get into a store."</p> + +<p>"You will have a good chance to rise."</p> + +<p>"I am willing to do anything, so that I can have a chance to get +ahead."</p> + +<p>"We always give boys a good chance."</p> + +<p>Harry wanted that mysterious "we" defined. As it was, he was left to +infer that Mr. Flint was a partner in the concern, unless the five +dollars per week was an argument to the contrary; but he didn't like +to ask strange questions, and desired to know whom "he worked for."</p> + +<p>Edward Flint did not "work for" anybody. He was a clerk in the +extensive dry goods establishment of the Messrs. Wake & Wade, which, +he declared, was the largest concern in Boston; and one might further +have concluded that Mr. Flint was the most important personage in the +said concern.</p> + +<p>Mr. Flint was obliged to descend from his lofty dignity, and compound +the dollar and twenty cents with the stable boy by promising to get +him the vacant place in the establishment of Wake & Wade, if his +influence was sufficient to procure it. Harry was satisfied, and +begged him not to distress himself about the debt. The visitor took +his leave, promising to see him again the next day.</p> + +<p>About noon Joe Flint appeared at the stable again, perfectly sober. +Major Phillips had lent him ten dollars, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> anticipation of his +month's wages, and he had been home to attend to the comfort of his +suffering family. After dinner he had a long talk with Harry, in +which, after paying him the money disbursed on the previous evening, +he repeated his solemn resolution to drink no more. He was very +grateful to Harry, and hoped he should be able to do as much for him.</p> + +<p>"Don't drink any more, Joe, and it will be the best day's work I ever +did," added Harry.</p> + +<p>"I never will, Harry—never!" protested Joe.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY GOES INTO THE DRYGOODS BUSINESS</span></h2> + + +<p>Mr. Edward Flint's reputation as a gentleman of honor and a man of his +word suffered somewhat in Harry's estimation; for he waited all day, +and all evening, without hearing a word from the firm of Wake & Wade. +He had actually begun to doubt whether the accomplished young man had +as much influence with the firm as he had led him to suppose. But his +ambition would not permit him longer to be satisfied with the humble +sphere of a stable boy; and he determined, if he did not hear from +Edward, to apply for the situation himself.</p> + +<p>The next day, having procured two hours' leave of absence from the +stable, he called at the home of Joe Flint to obtain further +particulars concerning Edward and his situation. He found the family +in much better circumstances than at his previous visit. Mrs. Flint +was sitting up, and was rapidly convalescing; Katy was busy and +cheerful; and it seemed a different place from that to which he had +been the messenger of hope and comfort two nights before.</p> + +<p>They were very glad to see him, and poured forth their gratitude to +him so eloquently that he was obliged to change the topic. Mrs. Flint +was sure that her husband was an altered man. She had never before +known him to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> be so earnest and solemn in his resolutions to amend and +lead a new life.</p> + +<p>But when Harry alluded to Edward, both Katy and her mother suddenly +grew red. They acknowledged that they had sent for him in their +extremity, but that he did not come till the next morning, when the +bounty of the stable boy had relieved them from the bitterness of +want. The mother dropped a tear as she spoke of the wayward son; and +Harry had not the heart to press the inquiries he had come to make.</p> + +<p>After speaking as well as he dared to speak of Edward, he took his +leave, and hastened to the establishment of Wake & Wade, to apply for +the vacant place. He had put on his best clothes, and his appearance +this time was very creditable.</p> + +<p>Entering the store, he inquired for Edward Flint; and that gentleman +was summoned to receive him.</p> + +<p>"Hallo, Harry West!" said Edward, when he recognized his visitor. "I +declare I forgot all about you."</p> + +<p>"I thought likely," replied Harry, willing to be very charitable to +the delinquent.</p> + +<p>"The fact is, we have been so busy in the store I haven't had time to +call on you, as I promised."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, now. Is the place filled?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"I am glad to hear that. Do you think there is any chance for me?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know. I will do what I can for you."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Edward."</p> + +<p>"Wait here a moment till I speak with one of the partners."</p> + +<p>The clerk left him, and was absent but a moment, when Harry was +summoned to the private room of Mr. Wake. The gentleman questioned him +for a few moments, and seemed to be pleased with his address and his +frankness. The result of the interview was that our hero was engaged +at a salary of three dollars a week, though it was objected to him +that he had no parents residing in the city.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I thought I could fix it," said Edward, complacently, as they left +the counting room.</p> + +<p>"I am much obliged to you, Edward," replied Harry, willing to humor +his new friend. "Now I want to get a place to board."</p> + +<p>"That is easy enough."</p> + +<p>"Where do you board?"</p> + +<p>"In Green Street."</p> + +<p>"How much do you pay a week?"</p> + +<p>"Two dollars and a half."</p> + +<p>"I can't pay that."</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose you can't."</p> + +<p>"I was thinking of something just now. Suppose we should both board +with your mother."</p> + +<p>"Me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"What, in a ten-footer!" exclaimed Edward, starting back with +astonishment and indignation at the proposal.</p> + +<p>"Why not? If it is good enough for your mother, isn't it good enough +for you?"</p> + +<p>"Humph! I'll bet it won't suit me."</p> + +<p>"We can fix up a room to suit ourselves, you know. And it will be much +cheaper for both of us."</p> + +<p>"That, indeed; but the idea of boarding with the old man is not to be +thought of."</p> + +<p>"I should think you would like to be with your mother and your +brothers and sisters."</p> + +<p>"Not particular about it."</p> + +<p>"Better think of it, Edward."</p> + +<p>The clerk promised to think about it, but did not consider it very +probable that he should agree to the proposition.</p> + +<p>Harry returned to the stable, and immediately notified Major Phillips +of his intention to leave his service. As may be supposed, the stable +keeper was sorry to lose him; but he did not wish to stand in the way +of his advancement. He paid him his wages, adding a gift of five +dollars, and kindly permitted him to leave at once, as he desired to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +procure a place to board, and to acquaint himself with the localities +of the city, so that he could discharge his duty the more acceptably +to his new employers.</p> + +<p>The ostlers, too, were sorry to part with him—particularly Joe Flint, +whose admiration of our hero was unbounded. In their rough and honest +hearts they wished him well. They had often made fun of his good +principles; often laughed at him for refusing to pitch cents in the +back yard on Sunday, and for going to church instead; often ridiculed +him under the name of "Little Pious"; still they had a great respect +for him. They who are "persecuted for righteousness' sake"—who are +made fun of because they strive to do right—are always sure of +victory in the end. They may be often tried, but sooner or later they +shall triumph.</p> + +<p>After dinner, he paid another visit to Mrs. Flint, in Avery Street. He +opened his proposition to board in her family, to which she raised +several objections, chief of which was that she had no room. The plan +was more favorably received by Katy; and she suggested that they could +hire the little apartment upstairs, which was used as a kind of lumber +room by the family in the other part of the house.</p> + +<p>Her mother finally consented to the arrangement, and it became +necessary to decide upon the terms, for Harry was a prudent manager, +and left nothing to be settled afterwards. He then introduced the +project he had mentioned to Edward; and Mrs. Flint thought she could +board them both for three dollars a week, if they could put up with +humble fare. Harry declared that he was not "difficult," though he +could not speak for Edward.</p> + +<p>Our hero was delighted with the success of his scheme, and only wished +that Edward had consented to the arrangement; but the next time he saw +him, somewhat to his surprise, the clerk withdrew his objections, and +entered heartily into the scheme.</p> + +<p>"You see, Harry, I shall make a dollar a week<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>—fifty-two dollars a +year—by the arrangement," said Edward, after he had consented.</p> + +<p>He evidently considered that some apology was due from him for +condescending from the social dignity of his position in the Green +Street boarding house to the humble place beneath his mother's roof.</p> + +<p>"Certainly you will; and that is a great deal of money," replied +Harry.</p> + +<p>"It will pay my theatre tickets, and for a ride once a month besides."</p> + +<p>"For what?" asked Harry, astonished at his companion's theory of +economy.</p> + +<p>Edward repeated his statement.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you save your money?"</p> + +<p>"Save it? What is the use of that? I mean to have a good time while I +can."</p> + +<p>"You never will be a rich man."</p> + +<p>"I'll bet I will."</p> + +<p>"You could give your mother and Katy a great many nice things with +that money."</p> + +<p>"Humph! The old man must take care of them. It is all I can do to take +care of myself."</p> + +<p>"If I had a mother, and brothers and sisters, I should be glad to +spend all I got in making them happy," sighed Harry.</p> + +<p>On the following Monday morning, Harry went to his new place. He was +in a strange position. All was untried and unfamiliar. Even the +language of the clerks and salesmen was strange to him; and he was +painfully conscious of the deficiencies of his education and of his +knowledge of business. He was prompt, active and zealous; yet his +awkwardness could not be concealed. The transition from the stable to +the store was as great as from a hovel to a palace. He made a great +many blunders. Mr. Wake laughed at him; Mr. Wade swore at him; and all +the clerks made him the butt of their mirth or their ill nature, just +as they happened to feel.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> + +<p>What seemed to him worse than all, Edward Flint joined the popular +side, and laughed and swore with the rest. Poor Harry was almost +discouraged before dinner time, and began very seriously to consider +whether he had not entirely mistaken his calling. Dinner, however, +seemed to inspire him with new courage and new energy; and he hastened +back to the store, resolved to try again.</p> + +<p>The shop was crowded with customers; and partners and clerks hallooed +"Harry" till he was so confused that he hardly knew whether he stood +on his head or his heels. It was, Come here, Go there, Bring this, +Bring that; but in spite of laugh and curse, of push and kick, he +persevered, suiting nobody, least of all himself.</p> + +<p>It was a long day, a very long day; but it came to an end at last. Our +hero had hardly strength enough left to put up the shutters. His legs +ached, his head ached, and, worst of all, his heart ached at the +manifest failure of his best intentions. He thought of going to the +partners, and asking them whether they thought he was fit for the +place; but he finally decided to try again for another day, and +dragged himself home to rest his weary limbs.</p> + +<p>He and Edward had taken possession of their room at Joe Flint's house +that morning; and on their arrival they found that Katy had put +everything in excellent order for their reception. Harry was too much +fatigued and disheartened to have a very lively appreciation of the +comforts of his new home; but Edward, notwithstanding the descent he +had made, was in high spirits. He even declared that the room they +were to occupy was better than his late apartments in Green Street.</p> + +<p>"Do you think I shall get along with my work, Edward?" asked Harry, +gloomily, after they had gone to bed.</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Everybody in the store has kicked and cuffed me, swore at and abused +me, till I feel like a jelly."</p> + +<p>"Oh, never mind that; they always do so with a green one. They served +me just so when I first went into business."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Did they?"</p> + +<p>"Fact. One must live and learn."</p> + +<p>"It seemed to me just as though I never could suit them."</p> + +<p>"Pooh! Don't be blue about it."</p> + +<p>"I can't help it, I know I did not suit them."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you did."</p> + +<p>"What made them laugh at me and swear at me, then?"</p> + +<p>"That is the fashion; you must talk right up to them. If they swear at +you, swear at them back again—that is, the clerks and salesmen. If +they give you any 'lip,' let 'em have as good as they send."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to do that."</p> + +<p>"Must do it, Harry. 'Live and learn' is my motto. When you go among +the Romans, do as the Romans do."</p> + +<p>Harry did not like this advice; for he who, among the Romans, would do +as the Romans do, among hogs would do as the hogs do.</p> + +<p>"If I only suit them, I don't care."</p> + +<p>"You do; I heard Wake tell Wade that you were a first-rate boy."</p> + +<p>"Did you?" And Harry's heart swelled with joy to think that, in spite +of his trials, he had actually triumphed in the midst of them.</p> + +<p>So he dropped the subject, with the resolution to redouble his +exertions to please his employers the next day, and turned his +thoughts to Julia Bryant, to wonder if she were still living, or had +become an angel indeed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY REVISITS ROCKVILLE, AND MEETS WITH A SERIOUS LOSS</span></h2> + + +<p>The next evening Harry was conscious of having gained a little in the +ability to discharge his novel duties. Either the partners and the +clerks had become tired of swearing and laughing at him, or he had +made a decided improvement,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> for less fault was found with him, and +his position was much more satisfactory. With a light heart he put up +the shutters; for though he was very much fatigued, the prestige of +future success was so cheering that he scarcely heeded his weary, +aching limbs.</p> + +<p>Every day was an improvement on the preceding day, and before the week +was out Harry found himself quite at home in his new occupation. He +was never a moment behind the time at which he was required to be at +the store in the morning. This promptness was specially noted by the +partners; for when they came to their business in the morning they +found the store well warmed, the floor nicely swept, and everything +put in order.</p> + +<p>When he was sent out with bundles he did not stop to look at the +pictures in the shop windows, to play marbles or tell long stories to +other boys in the streets. If his employers had even been very +unreasonable, they could not have helped being pleased with the new +boy, and Wake confidentially assured Wade that they had got a +treasure.</p> + +<p>Our hero was wholly devoted to his business. He intended to make a man +of himself, and he could only accomplish his purpose by constant +exertion, by constant study and constant "trying again." He was +obliged to keep a close watch over himself, for often he was tempted +to be idle and negligent, to be careless and indifferent.</p> + +<p>After supper, on Thursday evening of his second week at Wake & Wade's, +he hastened to Major Phillips' stable to see John Lane, and obtain the +news from Rockville. His heart beat violently when he saw John's great +wagon, for he dreaded some fearful announcement from his sick friend. +He had not before been so deeply conscious of his indebtedness to the +little angel as now, when she lay upon the bed of pain, perhaps of +death. She had kindled in his soul a love for the good and the +beautiful. She had inspired him with a knowledge of the difference +between the right and the wrong. In a word, she was the guiding star +of his existence. Her approbation was the bright guerdon of fidelity +to truth and principle.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How is Julia?" asked Harry, without giving John time to inquire why +he had left the stable.</p> + +<p>"They think she is a little grain better."</p> + +<p>"Then she is still living?" continued Harry, a great load of anxiety +removed from his soul.</p> + +<p>"She is; but it is very doubtful how it will turn. I went in to see +her yesterday, and she spoke of you."</p> + +<p>"Spoke of me?"</p> + +<p>"She said she should like to see you."</p> + +<p>"I should like to see her very much."</p> + +<p>"Her father told me, if you was a mind to go up to Rockville, he would +pay your expenses."</p> + +<p>"I don't mind the expenses. I will go, if I can get away."</p> + +<p>"Her father feels very bad about it. Julia is an only child, and he +would do anything in the world to please her."</p> + +<p>"I will go and see the gentlemen I work for, and if they will let me, +I will go with you to-morrow morning."</p> + +<p>"Better take the stage; you will get there so much quicker."</p> + +<p>"I will do so, then."</p> + +<p>Harry returned home to ascertain of Edward where Mr. Wake lived, and +hastened to see him. That gentleman, however, coldly assured him if he +went to Rockville he must lose his place—they could not get along +without a boy. In vain Harry urged that he should be gone but two +days; the senior was inflexible.</p> + +<p>"What shall I do?" said he to himself, when he got into the street +again. "Mr. Wake says she is no relation of mine, and he don't see why +I should go. Poor Julia! She may die, and I shall never see her again. +I must go."</p> + +<p>It did not require a great deal of deliberation to convince himself +that it was his duty to visit the sick girl. She had been a true +friend to him, and he could afford to sacrifice his place to procure +her even a slight gratification. Affection and duty called him one +way, self-interest the other. If he did not go, he should regret it as +long as he lived. Perhaps Mr. Wake would take him again on his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +return; if not, he could at least go to work in the stable again.</p> + +<p>"Edward, I am going to Rockville to-morrow," he remarked to his +"chum," on his return to Mrs. Flint's.</p> + +<p>"The old man agreed to it, then? I thought he wouldn't. He never will +let a fellow off even for a day."</p> + +<p>"He did not; but I must go."</p> + +<p>"Better not, then. He will discharge you, for he is a hard nut."</p> + +<p>"I must go," repeated Harry, taking a candle, and going up to their +chamber.</p> + +<p>"You have got more spunk than I gave you credit for; but you are sure +of losing your place," replied Edward, following him upstairs.</p> + +<p>"I can't help it."</p> + +<p>Harry opened a drawer in the old broken bureau in the room, and from +beneath his clothes took out the great pill box which served him for a +savings bank.</p> + +<p>"You have got lots of money," remarked Edward, as he glanced at the +contents of the box.</p> + +<p>"Not much; only twelve dollars," replied Harry, taking out three of +them to pay his expenses to Rockville.</p> + +<p>"You won't leave that box there, will you, while you are gone?"</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Somebody may steal it."</p> + +<p>"I guess not. I can hide it, though, before I go."</p> + +<p>"Better do so."</p> + +<p>Harry took his money and went to a bookstore in Washington Street, +where he purchased an appropriate present for Julia, for which he gave +half a dollar. On his return, he wrote her name in it, with his own as +the giver. Then the safety of his money came up for consideration; and +this matter was settled by raising a loose board in the floor and +depositing the pill box in a secure place. He had scarcely done so +before Edward joined him.</p> + +<p>Our hero did not sleep much that night. He was not altogether +satisfied with the step he was about to take.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> It was not doing right +by his employers; but he compromised the matter in part by engaging +Edward, "for a consideration," to make the fires and sweep out the +next morning.</p> + +<p>At noon, on the following day, he reached Rockville, and hastened to +the house of Mr. Bryant.</p> + +<p>"How is she?" he asked, breathless with interest, of the girl who +answered his knock.</p> + +<p>"She is better to-day. Are you the boy from Boston?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Do they think she will get well?"</p> + +<p>"The doctor has more hope of her."</p> + +<p>"I am very glad to hear it."</p> + +<p>Harry was conducted into the house, and Mr. Bryant was informed of his +presence.</p> + +<p>"I am glad you have come, Harry. Julia is much better to-day," said +her father, taking him by the hand. "She has frequently spoken of you +during her illness, and feels a very strong interest in your welfare."</p> + +<p>"She was very good to me. I don't know what would have become of me if +she had not been a friend to me."</p> + +<p>"That is the secret of her interest in you. We love those best whom we +serve most. She is asleep now; but you shall see her as soon as she +wakes. In the meantime you had better have your dinner."</p> + +<p>Mr. Bryant looked very pale, and his eyes were reddened with weeping. +Harry saw how much he had suffered during the last fortnight; but it +seemed natural to him that he should suffer terribly at the thought of +losing one so beautiful and precious as the little angel.</p> + +<p>He dined alone with Mr. Bryant, for Mrs. Bryant could not leave the +couch of the little sufferer. The fond father could speak of nothing +but Julia, and more than once the tears flooded his eyes, as he told +Harry how meek and patient she had been through the fever, how loving +she was, and how resigned even to leave her parents, and go to the +heavenly Parent, to dwell with Him forever.</p> + +<p>Harry wept, too; and after dinner he almost feared to enter the +chamber, and behold the wreck which disease had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> made of this bright +and beautiful form. Removing the wrapper from the book he had +brought—a volume of sweet poems, entitled "Angel Songs"—he followed +Mr. Bryant into the sick girl's chamber.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Harry, I am delighted to see you!" exclaimed she, in a whisper, +for her diseased throat rendered articulation difficult and painful.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry to see you so sick, Julia," replied Harry, taking the +wasted hand she extended to him.</p> + +<p>"I am better, Harry. I feel as though I should get well now."</p> + +<p>"I hope you will."</p> + +<p>"You don't know how much I have thought of you while I lay here; how I +wished you were my brother, and could come in every day and see me," +she continued, with a faint smile.</p> + +<p>"I wish I could."</p> + +<p>"Now tell me how you get along in Boston."</p> + +<p>"Very well; but your father says I must not talk much with you now. I +have brought you a little book," and he placed it in her hand.</p> + +<p>"How good you are, Harry! 'Angel Songs.' How pretty! Now, Harry, you +must read me one of the angel songs."</p> + +<p>"I will; but I can't read very well," said he, as he opened the +volume.</p> + +<p>But he did read exceedingly well. The piece he selected was a very +pretty and a very touching little song; and Harry's feelings were so +deeply moved by the pathetic sentiments of the poem and their +adaptation to the circumstances of the case, that he was quite +eloquent.</p> + +<p>When he had finished, Mrs. Bryant interfered to prevent further +conversation; and Julia, though she had a great deal to say to her +young friend, cheerfully yielded to her mother's wishes, and Harry +reluctantly left the room.</p> + +<p>Towards night he was permitted to see her again, when he read several +of the angel songs to her, and gave her a brief account of the events +of his residence in Boston. She<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> was pleased with his earnestness, and +smiled approvingly upon him for the moral triumphs he had achieved. +The reward of all his struggles with trial and temptation was lavishly +bestowed in her commendation, and if fidelity had not been its own +reward, he could have accepted her approval as abundant compensation +for all he had endured. There was no silly sentiment in Harry's +composition; he had read no novels, seen no plays, knew nothing of +romance even "in real life." The homage he yielded to the fair and +loving girl was an unaffected reverence for simple purity and +goodness; that which the True Heart and the True Life never fail to +call forth whenever they exert their power.</p> + +<p>On the following morning, Julia's condition was very much improved, +and the physician spoke confidently of a favorable issue. Harry was +permitted to spend an hour by her bedside, inhaling the pure spirit +that pervaded the soul of the sick one. She was so much better that +her father proposed to visit the city, to attend to some urgent +business, which had been long deferred by her illness; and an +opportunity was thus afforded for Harry to return.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bryant drove furiously in his haste, changing horses twice on the +journey, so that they reached the city at one o'clock. On their +arrival, Harry's attention naturally turned to the reception he +expected to receive from his employers. He had not spoken of his +relations with them at Rockville, preferring not to pain them, on the +one hand, and not to take too much credit to himself for his devotion +to Julia, on the other. After the horse was disposed of at Major +Phillips's stable, Mr. Bryant walked down town with Harry; and when +they reached the store of Wake & Wade, he entered with him.</p> + +<p>"What have you come back for?" asked the senior partner, rather +coldly, when he saw the delinquent. "We don't want you."</p> + +<p>Harry was confused at this reception, though it was not unexpected.</p> + +<p>"I didn't know but that you might be willing to take me again."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, we don't want you. Ah, Mr. Bryant! Happy to see you," continued +Mr. Wake, recognizing Harry's friend.</p> + +<p>"Did I understand you aright? Did you say that you did not want my +young friend, here?" replied Mr. Bryant, taking the offered hand of +Mr. Wake.</p> + +<p>"I did say so," said the senior. "I was not aware that he was your +friend, though," and he proceeded to inform Mr. Bryant that Harry had +left them against their wish.</p> + +<p>"A few words with you, if you please."</p> + +<p>Mr. Wake conducted him to the private office, where they remained for +half an hour.</p> + +<p>"It is all right, Harry," continued Mr. Wake, on their return. "I did +not understand the matter."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir!" ejaculated our hero, rejoiced to find his place was +still secure. "I would not have gone if I could possibly have helped +it."</p> + +<p>"You did right, my boy, and I honor you for your courage and +constancy."</p> + +<p>Mr. Bryant bade him an affectionate adieu, promising to write to him +often until Julia recovered, and then departed.</p> + +<p>With a grateful heart Harry immediately resumed his duties, and the +partners were probably as glad to retain him as he was to remain.</p> + +<p>At night, when he went to his chamber, he raised the loose board to +get the pill box, containing his savings, in order to return the money +he had not expended. To his consternation, he discovered that it was +gone!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY MEETS WITH AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE AND GETS A HARD KNOCK ON THE HEAD</span></h2> + + +<p>It was in vain that Harry searched beneath the broken floor for his +lost treasure; it could not be found. He raised the boards up, and +satisfied himself that it had not slipped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> away into any crevice, or +fallen through into the room below; and the conclusion was inevitable +that the box had been stolen.</p> + +<p>Who could have done it? The mystery confused Harry, for he was certain +that no one had seen him deposit the box beneath the floor. No one +except Edward even knew that he had any money. He was sure that +neither Mrs. Flint nor Katy would have stolen it; and he was not +willing to believe that his room-mate would be guilty of such a mean +and contemptible act.</p> + +<p>He tried to assure himself that it had not been stolen—that it was +still somewhere beneath the floor; and he pulled up another board, to +resume the search. He had scarcely done so before Edward joined him.</p> + +<p>"What are you about, Harry?" he asked, apparently very much astonished +at his chum's occupation. "Are you going to pull the house down?"</p> + +<p>"Not exactly. You know my pill box?" replied Harry, suspending +operations to watch Edward's expression when he told him of his loss.</p> + +<p>"The one you kept your money in?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Well, it is gone."</p> + +<p>"Gone!" exclaimed Edward, starting back with surprise.</p> + +<p>"It is either lost or stolen."</p> + +<p>"What did you do with it?"</p> + +<p>"Put it here, under this loose board."</p> + +<p>"It must be there now, then. I will help you find it."</p> + +<p>Edward manifested a great deal of enthusiasm in the search. He was +sure it must be where Harry had put it, or that it had rolled back out +of sight; and he began tearing up the floor with a zeal that +threatened the destruction of the building. But the box could not be +found, and they were obliged to abandon the search.</p> + +<p>"Too bad, Harry."</p> + +<p>"That is a fact; I can't spare that money, anyhow. I have been a good +while earning it, and it is too thundering bad to lose it."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't understand it," continued Edward.</p> + +<p>"Nor I either," replied Harry, looking his companion sharp in the eye. +"No one knew I had it but you."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say I stole it?" exclaimed Edward, doubling his fist, +while his cheek reddened with anger.</p> + +<p>"I don't say so."</p> + +<p>"Humph! Well, you better not!"</p> + +<p>"Don't get mad, Edward. I didn't mean to lay it to you."</p> + +<p>"Didn't you?" And Edward was very glad to have the matter compromised.</p> + +<p>"I did not; perhaps I spoke hastily. You know how hard I worked for +this money; and it seems hard to lose it. But no matter; I will try +again."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Flint and Katy were much grieved when Harry told of his loss. +They looked as though they suspected Edward, but said nothing, for it +was very hard to accuse a son or a brother of such a crime.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Flint advised Harry to put his money in the savings bank in +future, promising to take care of his spare funds till they amounted +to five dollars, which was then the smallest sum that would be +received. It was a long time before our hero became reconciled to his +loss. He had made up his mind to be a rich man; and he had carefully +hoarded every cent he could spare, thus closely imitating the man who +got rich by saving his fourpences.</p> + +<p>A few days after the loss he was reading in one of Katy's Sunday +school books about a miser. The wretch was held up as a warning to +young folks by showing them how he starved his body and soul for the +sake of gold.</p> + +<p>"That's why I lost my money!" exclaimed Harry, as he laid the book +upon the window.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, Harry?" asked Katy, who sat near him.</p> + +<p>"I have been hoarding up my money just like this old man in the book."</p> + +<p>"You are not a miser, Harry. You couldn't be mean and stingy if you +tried."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, I could. I love money."</p> + +<p>"So does everybody."</p> + +<p>"A miser wouldn't do what you did for us, Harry," added Mrs. Flint. +"We ought to be careful and saving."</p> + +<p>"I have been thinking too much of money. After all, perhaps it was +just as well that I lost that money."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry you lost it; for I don't think there is any danger of your +becoming a miser," said Katy.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not; at any rate, it has set me to thinking."</p> + +<p>Harry finished the book; and it was, fortunately, just such a work as +he required to give him right and proper views in regard to the value +of wealth. His dream of being a rich man was essentially modified by +these views; and he renewedly resolved that it was better to be a good +man than a rich man, if he could not be both. It seemed to him a +little remarkable that the minister should preach upon this very topic +on the following Sunday, taking for his text the words, "Seek ye first +the kingdom of heaven and all these things shall be added unto you." +He was deeply impressed by the sermon, probably because it was on a +subject to which he had given some attention.</p> + +<p>A few days after his return from Rockville, Harry received a very +cheerful letter from Mr. Bryant, to which Julia had added a few lines +in a postscript. The little angel was rapidly recovering, and our hero +was rejoiced beyond expression. The favorable termination of her +illness was a joy which far outbalanced the loss of his money, and he +was as cheerful and contented as ever. As he expressed it, in rather +homely terms, he had got "the streak of fat and the streak of lean." +Julia was alive; was to smile upon him again; was still to inspire him +with that love of goodness which had given her such an influence over +him.</p> + +<p>Week after week passed by, and Harry heard nothing of his lost +treasure; but Julia had fully recovered, and for the treasure lost an +incomparably greater treasure had been gained. Edward and himself +continued to occupy the same room, though ever since the loss of the +money box Harry's chum had treated him coldly. There had never been +much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> sympathy between them; for while Edward was at the theatre, or +perhaps at worse places, Harry was at home, reading some good book, +writing a letter to Rockville, or employed in some other worthy +occupation. While Harry was at church or at the Sunday school, Edward, +in company with some dissolute companion, was riding about the +adjacent country.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Flint often remonstrated with her son upon the life he led, and +the dissipated habits he was contracting; and several times Harry +ventured to introduce the subject. Edward, however, would not hear a +word from either. It is true that we either grow better or worse, as +we advance in life; and Edward Flint's path was down a headlong steep. +His mother wept and begged him to be a better boy. He only laughed at +her.</p> + +<p>Harry often wondered how he could afford to ride out and visit the +theatre and other places of amusement so frequently. His salary was +only five dollars a week now; it was only four when he had said it was +five. He seemed to have money at all times, and to spend it very +freely. He could not help believing that the contents of his pill box +had paid for some of the "stews" and "Tom and Jerrys" which his +reckless chum consumed. But the nine dollars he had lost would have +been but a drop in the bucket compared with his extravagant outlays.</p> + +<p>One day, about six months after Harry's return from Rockville, as he +was engaged behind the counter, a young man entered the store and +accosted him.</p> + +<p>"Halloo, Harry! How are you?"</p> + +<p>It was a familiar voice; and, to Harry's surprise, but not much to his +satisfaction, he recognized his old companion, Ben Smart, who, he had +learned from Mr. Bryant, had been sent to the house of correction for +burning Squire Walker's barn.</p> + +<p>"How do you do, Ben?" returned Harry, not very cordially.</p> + +<p>"So you are here—are you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have been here six months."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Good place?"</p> + +<p>"First rate."</p> + +<p>"Any chance for me?"</p> + +<p>"No, I guess not."</p> + +<p>"You have got a sign out for a boy, I see."</p> + +<p>It was true they had. There were more errands to run than one boy +could attend to; besides, Harry had proved himself so faithful and so +intelligent, that Mr. Wake wished to retain him in the store, to fit +him for a salesman.</p> + +<p>"You can speak a good word for me, Harry; for I should like to work +here," continued Ben.</p> + +<p>"I thought you were in—in the—"</p> + +<p>Harry did not like to use the offensive expression, and Ben's face +darkened when he discovered what the other was going to say.</p> + +<p>"Not a word about that," said he. "If you ever mention that little +matter, I'll take your life."</p> + +<p>"But how was it?"</p> + +<p>"My father got me out, and then I ran away. Not a word more, for I had +as lief be hung for an old sheep as a lamb."</p> + +<p>"There is Mr. Wake; you can apply to him," continued Harry.</p> + +<p>Ben walked boldly up to Mr. Wake, and asked for the place. The senior +talked with him a few moments, and then retired to his private office, +calling Harry as he entered.</p> + +<p>"If you say anything, I will be the death of you," whispered Ben, as +Harry passed him on his way to the office.</p> + +<p>Our hero was not particularly pleased with these threats; he certainly +was not frightened by them.</p> + +<p>"Do you know that boy, Harry?" asked Mr. Wake, as he presented himself +before the senior.</p> + +<p>"I do, sir."</p> + +<p>"Who is he, and what is he?"</p> + +<p>"His name is Benjamin Smart. He belongs to Redfield."</p> + +<p>"To Redfield? He said he came from Worcester."</p> + +<p>"I believe Mr. Bryant told you the story about my leaving Redfield," +said Harry.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He did."</p> + +<p>"That is the boy that run away with me."</p> + +<p>"And the one that set the barn afire?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"That is enough." And Harry returned to his work at the counter.</p> + +<p>"What did he say to you?" asked Ben.</p> + +<p>Before Harry had time to make any reply, Mr. Wake joined them.</p> + +<p>"We don't want you, young man," said he.</p> + +<p>With a glance of hatred at Harry, the applicant left the store. Since +leaving Redfield, our hero's views of duty had undergone a change; and +he now realized that to screen a wicked person was to plot with him +against the good order of society. He knew Ben's character; he had no +reason, after their interview, to suppose it was changed; and he could +not wrong his employers by permitting them ignorantly to engage a bad +boy, especially when he had been questioned directly on the point.</p> + +<p>Towards evening Harry was sent with a bundle to a place in Boylston +Street, which required him to cross the Common. On his return, when he +reached the corner of the burying ground, Ben Smart, who had evidently +followed him, and lay in wait at this spot for him, sprang from his +covert upon him. The young villain struck him a heavy blow in the eye +before Harry realized his purpose. The blow, however, was vigorously +returned; but Ben, besides being larger and stronger than his victim, +had a large stone in his hand, with which he struck him a blow on the +side of his head, knocking him insensible to the ground.</p> + +<p>The wretch, seeing that he had done his work, fled along the side of +the walk of the burying ground, pursued by several persons who had +witnessed the assault. Ben was a fleet runner this time, and succeeded +in making his escape.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY FINDS THAT EVEN A BROKEN HEAD MAY BE OF SOME USE TO A PERSON</span></h2> + + +<p>When Harry recovered his consciousness, he found himself in an +elegantly furnished chamber, with several persons standing around the +bed upon which he had been laid. A physician was standing over him, +engaged in dressing the severe wound he had received in the side of +his head.</p> + +<p>"There, young man, you have had a narrow escape," said the doctor, as +he saw his patient's eyes open.</p> + +<p>"Where am I?" asked Harry, faintly, as he tried to concentrate his +wandering senses.</p> + +<p>"You are in good hands, my boy. What is your name?"</p> + +<p>"Harry West. Can't I go home now?" replied the sufferer, trying to +rise on the bed.</p> + +<p>"Do you feel as though you could walk home?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know; I feel kind of faint."</p> + +<p>"Does your head pain you?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir; it feels numb, and everything seems to be flying round."</p> + +<p>"I dare say."</p> + +<p>Harry expressed an earnest desire to go home, and the physician +consented to accompany him in a carriage to Mrs. Flint's residence. He +had been conveyed in his insensible condition to a house in Boylston +Street, the people of which were very kind to him, and used every +effort to make him comfortable.</p> + +<p>A carriage was procured, and Harry was assisted to enter it; for he +was so weak and confused that he could not stand alone. Ben had struck +him a terrible blow; and, as the physician declared, it was almost a +miracle that he had not been killed.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Flint and Katy were shocked and alarmed when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> they saw the +helpless boy borne into the house; but everything that the +circumstances required was done for him.</p> + +<p>"Has Edward come home?" he asked, when they had placed him on the bed.</p> + +<p>"No, not yet."</p> + +<p>"They will wonder what has become of me at the store," continued the +sufferer, whose thoughts reverted to his post of duty.</p> + +<p>"I will go down to the store and tell them what has happened," said +Mr. Callender, the kind gentleman to whose house Harry had been +carried, and who had attended him to his home.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir; you are very good. I don't want them to think that I +have run away, or anything of that sort."</p> + +<p>"They will not think so, I am sure," returned Mr. Callender, as he +departed upon his mission.</p> + +<p>"Do you think I can go to the store to-morrow?" asked Harry, turning +to the physician.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid not; you must keep very quiet for a time."</p> + +<p>Harry did not like this announcement. He had never been sick a day in +his life; and it seemed to him just then as though the world could not +possibly move on without him to help the thing along. A great many +persons cherish similar notions, and cannot afford to be sick a single +day.</p> + +<p>I should like to tell my readers at some length what blessings come to +us while we are sick; what angels with healing ministrations for the +soul visit the couch of pain; what holy thoughts are sometimes kindled +in the darkened chamber; what noble resolutions have their birth in +the heart when the head is pillowed on the bed of sickness. But my +remaining space will not permit it; and I content myself with +remarking that sickness in its place is just as great a blessing as +health; that it is a part of our needed discipline. When any of my +young friends are sick, therefore, let them yield uncomplainingly to +their lot, assured that He who hath them in his keeping "doeth all +things well."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> + +<p>Harry was obliged to learn this lesson; and when the pain in his head +began to be almost intolerable, he fretted and vexed himself about +things at the store. He was not half as patient as he might have been; +and, during the evening, he said a great many hard things about Ben +Smart, the author of his misfortune. I am sorry to say he cherished +some malignant, revengeful feelings towards him, and looked forward +with a great deal of satisfaction to the time when he should be +arrested and punished for his crime.</p> + +<p>Both Mr. Wake and Mr. Wade called upon him as soon as they heard of +his misfortune. They were very indignant when they learned that Harry +was suffering for telling the truth. They assured him that they should +miss him very much at the store, but they would do the best they +could—which, of course, was very pleasant to him. But they told him +they could get along without him, bade him not fret, and said his +salary should be paid just the same as though he did his work.</p> + +<p>"Thank you! thank you! You are very good," exclaimed Harry.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Mr. Wade continued; "and, as it will cost you more to be sick, +we will raise your wages to four dollars a week. What do you say, +Wade?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly," replied the junior, warmly.</p> + +<p>There was no possible excuse for fretting now. With so many kind +friends around him, he had no excuse for fretting; but his human +nature rebelled at his lot, and he made himself more miserable than +the pain of his wound could possibly have made him. Mrs. Flint, who +sat all night by his bedside, labored in vain to make him resigned to +his situation. It seemed as though the great trial of his lifetime had +come—that which he was least prepared to meet and conquer.</p> + +<p>The next day he was very feverish. His head ached, and the pain of his +wound was very severe. His moral condition was, if possible, worse +than on the preceding night. He was fretful, morose, and unreasonable +towards<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> those kind friends who kept vigil around his bedside. Strange +as it may seem, and strange as it did seem to himself, his thoughts +seldom reverted to the little angel. Once, when he thought of her +extended on the bed of pain as he was then, her example seemed to +reproach him. She had been meek and patient through all her +sufferings—had been content to die, even, if it was the will of the +Father in heaven. With a peevish exclamation, he drove her—his +guardian angel, as she often seemed to him—from his mind, with the +reflection that she could not have been as sick as he was, that she +did not endure as much pain as he did. For several days he remained in +pretty much the same state. His head ached, and the fever burned in +his veins. His moral symptoms were not improved, and he continued to +snarl and growl at those who took care of him.</p> + +<p>"Give me some cold water, marm; I don't want your slops," fretted he, +when Mrs. Flint brought him his drink.</p> + +<p>"But the doctor says you mustn't have cold water." It was twenty-five +years ago.</p> + +<p>"Confound the doctor! Give me a glass of cold water, and I will—"</p> + +<p>The door opened then, causing him to suspend the petulant words; for +one stood there whose good opinion he valued more than that of any +other person.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Harry! I am so sorry to see you so sick!" exclaimed Julia Bryant, +rushing to his bedside.</p> + +<p>She was followed by her father and mother; and Katy had admitted them +unannounced to the chamber.</p> + +<p>"Julia! is it you?" replied Harry, smiling for the first time since +the assault.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Harry; I hope you are better. When I heard about it last night, +I would not give father any peace till he promised to bring me to +Boston."</p> + +<p>"Don't be so wild, Julia," interposed her mother. "You forget that he +is very sick."</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, Harry; I was so glad and so sorry. I hope I didn't make +your head ache," she added, in a very gentle tone.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, Julia. It was very good of you to come and see me."</p> + +<p>Harry felt a change come over him the moment she entered the room. The +rebellious thoughts in his bosom seemed to be banished by her +presence; and though his head ached and his flesh burned as much as +ever, he somehow had more courage to endure them.</p> + +<p>After Mr. and Mrs. Bryant had asked him a few questions, and expressed +their sympathy in proper terms, they departed, leaving Julia to remain +with the invalid for a couple of hours.</p> + +<p>"I did not expect to see you, Julia," said Harry, when they had gone.</p> + +<p>"Didn't you think I would do as much for you as you did for me?"</p> + +<p>"It was rather different with you. I am only a poor boy, and you are a +rich man's child."</p> + +<p>"Pooh, Harry! Our souls are all of a color. You can't think how bad I +felt when father got Mr. Wake's letter."</p> + +<p>"It's a hard case to be knocked down in that way, and laid up in the +house for a week or two."</p> + +<p>"I know it; but we must be patient."</p> + +<p>"Can't be patient. I haven't any patience—not a bit. If I could get +hold of Ben Smart, I would choke him. I hope they will catch him and +send him to the state prison for life."</p> + +<p>Julia looked sad. These malignant words did not sound like those of +the Harry West she had known and loved. They were so bitter that they +curdled the warm blood in her veins, and the heart of Harry seemed +less tender than before.</p> + +<p>"Harry," said she, in soft tones, and so sad that he could not but +observe the change which had come over her.</p> + +<p>"Well, Julia."</p> + +<p>"You don't mean what you said."</p> + +<p>"Don't mean it?"</p> + +<p>"No, I am sure you don't. Do you remember what the Bible says?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What does it say?" asked he, deeply impressed by the sad and solemn +tones of the little angel.</p> + +<p>"'Forgive your enemies,' Harry."</p> + +<p>"Forgive Ben Smart, after he has almost killed me?" Julia took up the +Bible, which lay on the table by the bedside—it was the one she had +given him—and read several passages upon the topic she had +introduced.</p> + +<p>Harry was ashamed of himself. The gentle rebuke she administered +touched his soul, and he thought how peevish and ill-natured he had +been.</p> + +<p>"You have been badly hurt, Harry, and you are very sick. Now, let me +ask you one question: Which would you rather be, Harry West, sick as +you are, or Ben Smart, who struck the blow?"</p> + +<p>"I had rather be myself," replied he, promptly.</p> + +<p>"You ought to be glad that you are Harry West, instead of Ben Smart. +Sick as you are, I am sure you are a great deal happier than he can +be, even if he is not punished for striking you."</p> + +<p>"You are right, Julia. I have been very wicked. Here I have been +grumbling and growling all the time for four days. I have learned +better. It is lucky for me that I am Harry, instead of Ben."</p> + +<p>"I am sure I have been a great deal better since I was sick than +before. When I lay on the bed, hardly able to move, I kept thinking +all the time; and my thoughts did me a great deal of good."</p> + +<p>Harry had learned his lesson, and Julia's presence was indeed an +angel's visit. For an hour longer she sat by his bed, and her words +were full of inspiration; and when her father called for her he could +hardly repress a tear as she bade him good night.</p> + +<p>After she had gone Harry begged Mrs. Flint and Katy to forgive him for +being so cross, promising to be patient in the future. And he kept his +promise. The next day Julia came again. She read to him, conversed +with him about the scenes of the preceding autumn in the woods, and +told him again about her own illness. In the afternoon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> she bade him a +final adieu, as she was to return that day to her home.</p> + +<p>The patience and resignation which he had learned gave a favorable +turn to his sickness, and he began to improve. It was a month, +however, before he was able to take his place in the store again. +Without the assistance of Julia, perhaps, he had not learned the moral +of sickness so well. As it was, he came forth from his chamber with +truer and loftier motives, and with a more earnest desire to lead the +true life.</p> + +<p>Ben Smart had been arrested; and, shortly after his recovery, Harry +was summoned as a witness at his trial. It was a plain case, and Ben +was sent to the house of correction for a long term.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY PASSES THROUGH HIS SEVEREST TRIAL, AND ACHIEVES HIS GREATEST TRIUMPH</span></h2> + + +<p>Three years may appear to be a great while to the little pilgrim +through life's vicissitudes; but they soon pass away and are as "a +tale that is told." To note all the events of Harry's experience +through this period would require another volume; therefore I can only +tell the reader what he was, and what results he had achieved in that +time. It was filled with trials and temptations, not all of which were +overcome without care and privation. Often he failed, was often +disappointed, and often was pained to see how feebly the Spirit warred +against the Flesh.</p> + +<p>He loved money, and avarice frequently prompted him to do those things +which would have wrecked his bright hopes. That vision of the grandeur +and influence of the rich man's position sometimes deluded him, +causing him to forget at times that the soul would live forever, while +the body and its treasures would perish in the grave. As he grew +older, he reasoned more; his principles became more firmly fixed; and +the object of existence assumed a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> more definite character. He was an +attentive student, and every year not only made him wiser, but better. +I do not mean to say that Harry was a remarkably good boy, that his +character was perfect, or anything of the kind. He meant well, and +tried to do well, and he did not struggle in vain against the trials +and temptations that beset him. I dare say those with whom he +associated did not consider him much better than themselves. It is +true, he did not swear, did not frequent the haunts of vice and +dissipation, did not spend his Sundays riding about the country; yet +he had his faults, and captious people did not fail to see them.</p> + +<p>He was still with Wake & Wade, though he was a salesman now, on a +salary of five dollars a week. He still boarded with Mrs. Flint, +though Edward was no longer his room-mate. A year had been sufficient +to disgust his "fast" companion with the homely fare and homely +quarters of his father's house; and, as his salary was now eight +dollars a week, he occupied a room in the attic of a first-class +hotel.</p> + +<p>Harry was sixteen years old, and he had three hundred dollars in the +Savings Bank. He might have had more if he had not so carefully +watched and guarded against the sin of avarice. He gave some very +handsome sums to the various public charities, as well as expended +them in relieving distress wherever it presented itself. It is true, +it was sometimes very hard work to give of his earnings to relieve the +poor; and if he had acted in conformity with the nature he had +inherited, he might never have known that it was "more blessed to give +than to receive." As he grew older, and the worth of money was more +apparent, he was tempted to let the poor and the unfortunate take care +of themselves; but the struggle of duty with parsimony rendered his +gifts all the more worthy.</p> + +<p>Joe Flint had several times violated his solemn resolution to drink no +more ardent spirits; but Harry, who was his friend and confidant, +encouraged him, when he failed, to try again; and it was now nearly a +year since he had been on a "spree."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> + +<p>Our hero occasionally heard from Rockville; and a few months before +the event we are about to narrate he had spent the pleasantest week of +his life with Julia Bryant, amid those scenes which were so full of +interest to both of them. As he walked through the woods where he had +first met the "little angel"—she had now grown to be a tall girl—he +could not but recall the events of that meeting. It was there that he +first began to live, in the true sense of the word. It was there that +he had been born into a new sphere of moral existence.</p> + +<p>Julia was still his friend, still his guiding star. Though the freedom +of childish intimacy had been diminished, the same heart resided in +each, and each felt the same interest in the other. The correspondence +between them had been almost wholly suspended, perhaps by the +interference of the "powers" at Rockville, and perhaps by the growing +sense of the "fitness of things" in the parties. But they occasionally +met, which amply compensated for the deprivations which propriety +demanded.</p> + +<p>But I must pass on to the closing event of my story—it was Harry's +severest trial, yet it resulted in his most signal triumph.</p> + +<p>Edward Flint was always short of money. He lived extravagantly, and +his increased salary was insufficient to meet his wants. When Harry +saw him drive a fast horse through the streets on Sundays, and heard +him say how often he went to the theatre, what balls and parties he +attended—when he observed how elegantly he dressed, and that he wore +a gold chain, a costly breastpin and several rings—he did not wonder +that he was "short." He lived like a prince, and it seemed as though +eight dollars a week would be but a drop in the bucket in meeting his +expenses.</p> + +<p>One day, in his extremity, he applied to Harry for the loan of five +dollars. Our hero did not like to encourage his extravagance, but he +was good-natured, and could not well avoid doing the favor, especially +as Edward wanted the money to pay his board. However, he made it the +occasion for a friendly remonstrance, and gave the spendthrift<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> youth +some excellent advice. Edward was vexed at the lecture; but, as he +obtained the loan, he did not resent the kindly act.</p> + +<p>About a fortnight after, Edward paid him the money. It consisted of a +two-dollar bill and six half dollars. Harry was about to make a +further application of his views of duty to his friend's case, when +Edward impatiently interrupted him, telling him that, as he had got +his money, he need not preach. This was just before Harry went home to +dinner.</p> + +<p>On his return Mr. Wake called him into the private office, and when +they had entered he closed and locked the door. Harry regarded this as +rather a singular proceeding; but, possessing the entire confidence of +his employers, it gave him no uneasiness.</p> + +<p>"Harry," Mr. Wake began, "we have been losing money from the store for +the last year or more. I have missed small sums a great many times."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" exclaimed Harry, not knowing whether he was regarded as a +confidant or as the suspected person.</p> + +<p>"To-day I gave a friend of mine several marked coins, with which he +purchased some goods. These coins have all been stolen."</p> + +<p>"Is it possible, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Now, we have four salesmen besides yourself. Which stole it?"</p> + +<p>"I can form no idea, sir," returned Harry. "I can only speak for +myself."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, I had no suspicion it was you," added Mr. Wade, with a +smile. "I am going to try the same experiment again; and I want you to +keep your eyes on the money drawer all the rest of the afternoon."</p> + +<p>"I will do so, sir."</p> + +<p>Mr. Wade took several silver coins from his pocket and scratched them +in such a way that they could be readily identified, and then +dismissed Harry, with the injunction to be very vigilant.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> + +<p>When he came out of the office he perceived that Edward and Charles +Wallis were in close conversation.</p> + +<p>"I say, Harry, what's in the wind?" asked the former, as our hero +returned to his position behind the counter.</p> + +<p>Harry evaded answering the question, and the other two salesmen, who +were very intimate and whose tastes and amusements were very much +alike, continued their conversation. They were evidently aware that +something unusual had occurred, or was about to occur.</p> + +<p>Soon after, a person appeared at the counter and purchased a dozen +spools of cotton, offering two half dollars in payment. Harry kept his +eye upon the money drawer, but nothing was discovered. From what he +knew of Edward's mode of life, he was prepared to believe that he was +the guilty person.</p> + +<p>The experiment was tried for three days in succession before any +result was obtained. The coins were always found in the drawer; but on +the fourth day, when they were very busy, and there was a great deal +of money in the drawer, Harry distinctly observed Edward, while making +change, take several coins from the till. The act appalled him; he +forgot the customer to whose wants he was attending, and hastened to +inform Mr. Wake of the discovery.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going, Harry?" asked Edward, as he passed him.</p> + +<p>"Only to the office," replied he; and his appearance and manner might +have attracted the attention of any skillful rogue.</p> + +<p>"Come, Harry, don't leave your place," added Edward, playfully +grasping him by the collar, on his return.</p> + +<p>"Don't stop to fool, Edward," answered Harry, as he shook him off and +took his place at the counter again.</p> + +<p>He was very absent-minded the rest of the forenoon, and his frame +shook with agitation as he heard Mr. Wake call Edward shortly after. +But he trembled still more when he was summoned also, for it was very +unpleasant business.</p> + +<p>"Of course, you will not object to letting me see the contents<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> of +your pockets, Edward," said Mr. Wake, as Harry entered the office.</p> + +<p>"Certainly not, sir;" and he turned every one of his pockets inside +out.</p> + +<p>Not one of the decoy pieces was found upon him, or any other coins, +for that matter; he had no money. Mr. Wake was confused, for he fully +expected to convict the culprit on the spot.</p> + +<p>"I suppose I am indebted to this young man for this," continued +Edward, with a sneer. "I'll bet five dollars he stole the money +himself, if any has been stolen. Why don't you search him?"</p> + +<p>"Search me, sir, by all means," added Harry; and he began to turn his +pockets out.</p> + +<p>From his vest pocket he took out a little parcel wrapped in a shop +bill.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" said Edward.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. I wasn't aware that there was any such thing in my +pocket."</p> + +<p>"I suppose not," sneered Edward.</p> + +<p>"But you seem to know more about it than Edward," remarked Mr. Wade, +as he took the parcel.</p> + +<p>"I know nothing about it."</p> + +<p>The senior opened the wrapper, and to his surprise and sorrow found it +contained two of the marked coins. But he was not disposed hastily to +condemn Harry. He could not believe him capable of stealing; besides, +there was something in Edward's manner which seemed to indicate that +our hero was the victim of a conspiracy.</p> + +<p>"As he has been so very generous towards me, Mr. Wake," interposed +Edward, "I will suggest a means by which you may satisfy yourself. My +mother keeps Harry's money for him, and perhaps, if you look it over, +you will find more marked pieces."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Wake, I'm innocent," protested Harry, when he had in some measure +recovered from the first shock of the heavy blow. "I never stole a +cent from anybody."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't believe you ever did, Harry. But can you explain how this +money happened to be in your pocket?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot, sir. If you wish to look at my money, Mrs. Flint will show +it to you."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I had better."</p> + +<p>"Don't let him go with you, though," said Edward, maliciously.</p> + +<p>Mr. Wake wrote an order to Mrs. Flint, requesting her to exhibit the +money, and Harry signed it. The senior then hastened to Avery Street.</p> + +<p>"Now, Master Spy!" sneered Edward, when he had gone. "So you have been +watching me, I thought as much."</p> + +<p>"I only did what Mr. Wade told me to do," replied Harry, exceedingly +mortified at the turn the investigation had taken.</p> + +<p>"Humph! That is the way with you psalm-singers. Steal yourself, and +lay it to me!"</p> + +<p>"I did not steal. I never stole in my life."</p> + +<p>"Wait and see."</p> + +<p>In about half an hour Mr. Wake returned.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry, Harry, to find that I have been mistaken in you. Is it +possible that one who is outwardly so correct in his habits should be +a thief? But your career is finished," said he, very sternly, as he +entered the office.</p> + +<p>"Nothing strange to the rest of us," added Edward. "I never knew one +yet who pretended to be so pious that did not turn out a rascal."</p> + +<p>"And such a hypocrite!"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Wake, I am neither a thief nor a hypocrite," replied Harry, with +spirit.</p> + +<p>"I found four of the coins—four half dollars—which I marked first, +at Mrs. Flint's," said the senior, severely.</p> + +<p>Harry was astounded. Those half dollars were part of the money paid +him by Edward, and he so explained how they came in his possession.</p> + +<p>"Got them from me!" exclaimed Edward, with well-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>feigned surprise. "I +never borrowed a cent of him in my life; and, of course, never paid +him a cent."</p> + +<p>Harry looked at Edward, amazed at the coolness with which he uttered +the monstrous lie. He questioned him in regard to the transaction, but +the young reprobate reiterated his declaration with so much force and +art that Mr. Wake was effectually deceived.</p> + +<p>Our hero, conscious of his innocence, however strong appearances were +against him, behaved with considerable spirit, which so irritated Mr. +Wake that he sent for a constable, and Harry soon found himself in +Leverett Street Jail. Strange as it may seem to my young friends, he +was not very miserable there. He was innocent, and he depended upon +that special Providence which had before befriended him to extricate +him from the difficulty. It is true, he wondered what Julia would say +when she heard of his misfortune. She would weep and grieve; and he +was sad when he thought of her. But she would be the more rejoiced +when she learned that he was innocent. The triumph would be in +proportion to the trial.</p> + +<p>On the following day he was brought up for examination. As his name +was called, the propriety of the court was suddenly disturbed by an +exclamation of surprise from an elderly man, with sun-browned face and +monstrous whiskers.</p> + +<p>"Who is he?" almost shouted the elderly man, regardless of the dignity +of the court.</p> + +<p>An officer was on the point of turning him out; but his earnest manner +saved him. Pushing his way forward to Mr. Wake, he questioned him in +regard to the youthful prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Strange! I thought he was dead!" muttered the elderly man, in the +most intense excitement.</p> + +<p>The examination proceeded. Harry had a friend who had not been idle, +as the sequel will show.</p> + +<p>Mr. Wake first testified to the facts we have already related, and the +lawyer, whom Harry's friends had provided, questioned him in regard to +the prisoner's character and antecedents. Edward Flint was then +called. He was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> subjected to a severe cross-examination by Harry's +counsel, in which he repeatedly denied that he had ever borrowed or +paid any money to the accused.</p> + +<p>Mr. Wade was the next witness. While the events preceding Harry's +arrest were transpiring, he had been absent from the city, but had +returned early in the afternoon. He disagreed with his partner in +relation to our hero's guilt, and immediately set himself to work to +unmask the conspiracy, for such he was persuaded it was.</p> + +<p>He testified that, a short time before, Edward had requested him to +pay him his salary two days before it was due, assigning as a reason +the fact that he owed Harry five dollars, which he wished to pay. He +produced two of the marked half dollars, which he had received from +Edward's landlady.</p> + +<p>Of course, Edward was utterly confounded; and, to add to his +confusion, he was immediately called to the stand again. This time his +coolness was gone; he crossed himself a dozen times, and finally +acknowledged, under the pressure of the skillful lawyer's close +questioning, that Harry was innocent. He had paid him the money found +in Mrs. Flint's possession, and had slipped the coins wrapped in the +shop bills into his pocket when he took him by the collar on his +return from the office.</p> + +<p>He had known for some time that the partners were on the watch for the +thief. He had heard them talking about the matter; but he supposed he +had managed the case so well as to exonerate himself and implicate +Harry, whom he hated for being a good boy.</p> + +<p>Harry was discharged. His heart swelled with gratitude for the kindly +interposition of Providence. The trial was past—the triumph had come.</p> + +<p>Mr. Wake, Mr. Wade, and other friends, congratulated him on the happy +termination of the affair; and while they were so engaged the elderly +man elbowed his way through the crowd to the place where Harry stood.</p> + +<p>"Young man, what is your father's name?" he asked, in tones tremulous +with emotion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I have no father," replied Harry.</p> + +<p>"You had a father—what was his name?"</p> + +<p>"Franklin West; a carpenter by trade. He went from Redfield to +Valparaiso when I was very young, and we never heard anything from +him."</p> + +<p>"My son!" exclaimed the stranger, grasping our hero by the hand, while +the tears rolled down his brown visage.</p> + +<p>Harry did not know what to make of this announcement.</p> + +<p>"Is it possible that you are my father?" asked he.</p> + +<p>"I am, Harry; but I was sure you were dead. I got a letter, informing +me that your mother and the baby had gone; and about a year after I +met a man from Rockville who told me that you had died also."</p> + +<p>"It was a mistake."</p> + +<p>They continued the conversation as they walked from the court room to +the store. There was a long story for each to tell. Mr. West confessed +that, for two years after his arrival at Valparaiso, he had +accomplished very little. He drank hard, and brought on a fever, which +had nearly carried him off. But that fever was a blessing in disguise; +and since his recovery he had been entirely temperate. He had nothing +to send to his family, and shame prevented him from even writing to +his wife. He received the letter which conveyed the intelligence of +the death of his wife and child, and soon after learned that his +remaining little one was also gone.</p> + +<p>Carpenters were then in great demand in Valparaiso. He was soon in a +condition to take contracts, and fortune smiled upon him. He had +rendered himself independent, and had now returned to spend his +remaining days in his native land. He had been in Boston a week, and +happened to stray into the Police Court, where he had found the son +who, he supposed, had long ago been laid in the grave.</p> + +<p>Edward Flint finished his career of "fashionable dissipation" by being +sentenced to the house of correction. Just before he was sent over, he +confessed to Mr. Wade that it was he who had stolen Harry's money, +three years before.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + +<p>The next day Harry obtained leave of absence, for the purpose of +accompanying his father on a visit to Redfield. He was in exuberant +spirits. It seemed as though his cup of joy was full. He could hardly +realize that he had a father—a kind, affectionate father—who shared +the joy of his heart.</p> + +<p>They went to Redfield; but I cannot stop to tell my readers how +astonished Squire Walker, and Mr. Nason, and the paupers were, to see +the spruce young clerk come to his early home, attended by his +father—a rich father, too.</p> + +<p>We can follow our hero no farther through the highways and byways of +his life-pilgrimage. We have seen him struggle like a hero through +trial and temptation, and come off conqueror in the end. He has found +a rich father, who crowns his lot with plenty; but his true wealth is +in those good principles which the trials, no less than the triumphs, +of his career have planted in his soul.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h2><span class="smcap">IN WHICH HARRY IS VERY PLEASANTLY SITUATED, AND THE STORY COMES TO AN END</span></h2> + + +<p>Perhaps my young readers will desire to know something of Harry's +subsequent life; and we will "drop in" upon him at his pleasant +residence in Rockville, without the formality of an introduction. The +years have elapsed since we parted with him, after his triumphant +discharge from arrest. His father did not live long after his return +to his native land, and when he was twenty-one, Harry came into +possession of a handsome fortune. But even wealth could not tempt him +to choose a life of idleness; and he went into partnership with Mr. +Wade, the senior retiring at the same time. The firm of Wade and West +is quite as respectable as any in the city.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p> + +<p>Harry is not a slave to business; and he spends a portion of his time +at his beautiful place in Rockville; for the cars pass through the +village, which is only a ride of an hour and a half from the city.</p> + +<p>Mr. West's house is situated on a gentle eminence not far distant from +the turnpike road. It is built upon the very spot where the cabin of +the charcoal burners stood, in which Harry, the fugitive, passed two +nights. The aspect of the place is entirely changed, though the very +rock upon which our hero ate the sumptuous repast the little angel +brought him may be seen in the centre of the beautiful garden, by the +side of the house. Mr. West often seats himself there to think of the +events of the past, and to treasure up the pleasant memories connected +with the vicinity.</p> + +<p>The house is elegant and spacious, though there is nothing gaudy or +gay about it. Let us walk in. It is plainly furnished, though the +articles are rich and tasteful. This is the sitting room. Who is that +beautiful lady sitting at the piano-forte? Do you not recognize her, +gentle reader? Of course you do. It is Mrs. West, and an old +acquaintance. She is no longer the little angel, though I cannot tell +her height or her weight; but her husband thinks she is just as much +of an angel now as when she fed him on doughnuts upon the flat rock in +the garden.</p> + +<p>Ah, here comes Harry! He is a fine-looking man, rather tall; and +though he does not wear a mustache, I have no doubt Mrs. West thinks +he is handsome—which is all very well, provided he does not think so +himself.</p> + +<p>"This is a capital day, Julia; suppose we ride over to Redfield, and +see friend Nason," said Mr. West.</p> + +<p>"I shall be delighted," replied Julia.</p> + +<p>The horse is ordered; and as they ride along, the gentleman amuses his +wife with the oft-repeated story of his flight from Jacob Wire's.</p> + +<p>"Do you see that high rock, Julia?" he asked, pointing over the fence.</p> + +<p>"Yes."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That is the very one where I dodged Leman, and took the back track; +and there is where I knocked the bull-dog over."</p> + +<p>They arrived at the house of Mr. Nason. It is a pleasant little +cottage, for he is no longer in the service of the town. It was built +by Mr. West expressly for him. Connected with it is a fine farm of +twenty acres. This little property was sold to Mr. Nason by his +protege, though no money was paid. Harry would have made it a free +gift, if the pride of his friend would have permitted; but it amounts +to the same thing.</p> + +<p>Mr. West and his lady are warmly welcomed by Mr. Nason and his family. +The ex-keeper is an old man now. He is a member of the church, and +considered an excellent and useful citizen. He still calls Mr. West +his "boy," and regards him with mingled pride and admiration.</p> + +<p>Our friends dine at the cottage; and, after dinner, Mr. Nason and Mr. +West talk over old times, ride down to Pine Pleasant, and visit the +poorhouse. Great changes have come over Redfield. Squire Walker, Jacob +Wire, and most of the paupers who were the companions of our hero, are +dead and gone, and the living speak gently of the departed.</p> + +<p>At Pine Pleasant, they fasten the horse to a tree, and cross over to +the rock which was Harry's favorite resort in childhood.</p> + +<p>"By the way, Harry, have you heard anything of Ben Smart lately?" asks +Mr. Nason.</p> + +<p>"After his discharge from the state prison, I heard that he went to +sea."</p> + +<p>"He was a bad boy."</p> + +<p>"And a bad man."</p> + +<p>"I believed he killed his mother. They say she never smiled after she +gave him up as a hopeless case."</p> + +<p>"Poor woman! I pity a mother whose son turns out badly. What a wreck +of fond hopes!"</p> + +<p>"Just so," added Mr. Nason.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> + +<p>After visiting various interesting localities, Mr. West and his lady +returned home. In their absence, a letter for Julia from Katy Flint +has arrived. The Flint family are now in good circumstances. Joe is a +steady man, and, with Harry's assistance, has purchased an interest in +the stable formerly kept by Major Phillips, who has retired on a +competency.</p> + +<p>"What does she say, Julia?" asked Harry, as she broke the seal.</p> + +<p>"They have heard from Edward."</p> + +<p>"Bad news, I am afraid. He was a hard boy."</p> + +<p>"Yes; he has just been sent to the Maryland penitentiary for +housebreaking."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry for him."</p> + +<p>"Katy says her mother feels very badly about it."</p> + +<p>"No doubt of it. Mrs. Flint is an excellent woman; she was a mother to +me."</p> + +<p>"She says they are coming up to Rockville next week."</p> + +<p>"Glad of that; they will always be welcome beneath my roof. I must +call upon them to-morrow when I go to the city."</p> + +<p>"Do; and give my love to them."</p> + +<p>And, here, reader, I must leave them—not without regret, I confess, +for it is always sad to part with warm and true-hearted friends; but +if one must leave them, it is pleasant to know that they are happy, +and are surrounded by all the blessings which make life desirable, and +filled with that bright hope which reaches beyond the perishable +things of this world. It is cheering to know that one's friends, after +they have fought a hard battle with foes without and foes within, have +won the victory, and are receiving their reward.</p> + +<p>If my young friends think well of Harry, let me admonish them to +imitate his virtues, especially his perseverance in trying to do well; +and when they fail to be as good and true as they wish to be, to <span class="smcap">TRY +AGAIN</span>.</p> + +<h3>THE END</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><span class="smcap">Novels Worth Reading</span></h2> + +<p class="center">RETAIL PRICE, TEN CENTS A COPY</p> + +<p>Magazine size, paper-covered novels. Covers printed in attractive +colors. List of titles contains the very best sellers of popular +fiction. Printed from new plates; type clear, clean and readable.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>The following books are ready to deliver:</i></p> + +<table class="tab1" summary=""> +<tr><td>Treasure Island</td><td class="td1">By</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Robert Louis Stevenson</td></tr> +<tr><td>King Solomon's Mines</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>H. Rider Haggard</td></tr> +<tr><td>Meadow Brook</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Mary J. Holmes</td></tr> +<tr><td>Old Mam'selle's Secret</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>E. Marlitt</td></tr> +<tr><td>By Woman's Wit</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Mrs. Alexander</td></tr> +<tr><td>Tempest and Sunshine</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Mary J. Holmes</td></tr> +</table> + + +<p class="center"><i>Other titles in preparation</i></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h2><span class="smcap">Children's Color Books</span></h2> +<p class="center">RETAIL PRICE, FIFTEEN CENTS A COPY</p> + +<p>Books for children that are not only picture books but play books. +Beautifully printed in four colors. Books that children can cut out, +paint or puzzle over. More entertaining than the most expensive toys.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>The following books are ready to deliver:</i></p> + +<ul> +<li><b>The Painting Book—Post Cards</b></li> + +<li><b> The Scissors Book—Our Army</b></li> + +<li><b> The Scissors Book—Dolls of All Nations</b></li> + +<li><b> The Puzzle Book—Children's Pets</b></li> +</ul> + + +<p class="center"><i>Others in preparation</i></p> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Ask for the New York Book Company's</span></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Novels Worth Reading and Children's Color Books</span></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sold by Dealers Everywhere</span></p> + +<h3>THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY</h3> +<h4><span class="smcap">Publishers, 147 Fourth Avenue</span></h4> +<h3>NEW YORK, N. Y.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>OUR GIRLS BOOKS</h3> +<p class="center">RETAIL PRICE, FIFTEEN CENTS EACH</p> + +<p>A new series of FICTION FOR GIRLS containing the best books of the +most popular writers of girls' books, of the same interesting, high +class as the Alger Books for Boys, of which we sold a million and a +half copies in 1909.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>The following books are ready to deliver:</i></p> + + +<table class="tab1" summary=""> +<tr><td>A Girl from America</td><td class="td1">By</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Meade</td></tr> +<tr><td>A Sweet Girl Graduate</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Meade</td></tr> +<tr><td>A World of Girls</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Meade</td></tr> +<tr><td>Daddy's Girl</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Meade</td></tr> +<tr><td>Polly—A New-Fashioned Girl</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Meade</td></tr> +<tr><td>Sue—A Little Heroine</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Meade</td></tr> +<tr><td>The Princess of the Revels</td><td class="td1">By</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Meade</td></tr> +<tr><td>The School Queens</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Meade</td></tr> +<tr><td>Wild Kitty</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Meade</td></tr> +<tr><td>Faith Gartney's Girlhood</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Whitney</td></tr> +<tr><td>Grimm's Tales</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Grimm</td></tr> +<tr><td>Fairy Tales and Legends</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Perrault</td></tr> +</table> + + +<p>These will be followed by other titles until the series contains sixty +volumes of the best literature for girls.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h2><span class="smcap">Famous Fiction Library</span></h2> +<p class="center">RETAIL PRICE, FIFTEEN CENTS A VOLUME</p> + +<p>A new series of novels, which will contain the great books of the +greatest novelists, in distinctively good-looking cloth-bound volumes, +with attractive new features.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>The following books are ready to deliver:</i></p> + +<table class="tab1" summary=""> +<tr><td>Ten Nights in a Bar Room</td><td class="td1">By</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Arthur</td></tr> +<tr><td>Golden Gates</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Clay</td></tr> +<tr><td>Two Years Before the Mast</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Dana</td></tr> +<tr><td>Cast Up by the Tide</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Delmar</td></tr> +<tr><td>Great Expectations, Vol. 1</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Dickens</td></tr> +<tr><td>Great Expectations, Vol. 2</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Dickens</td></tr> +<tr><td>Beulah</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Evans</td></tr> +<tr><td>Inez</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Evans</td></tr> +<tr><td>The Baronet's Bride</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Fleming</td></tr> +<tr><td>Who Wins</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Fleming</td></tr> +<tr><td>Staunch as a Woman</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Garvice</td></tr> +<tr><td>Led by Love</td><td class="td1">By</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Garvice</td></tr> +<tr><td>Aikenside</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Holmes</td></tr> +<tr><td>Dora Deane</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Holmes</td></tr> +<tr><td>Lena Rivers</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Holmes</td></tr> +<tr><td>Soldiers Three</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Kipling</td></tr> +<tr><td>The Light That Failed</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Kipling</td></tr> +<tr><td>The Rifle Rangers</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Reid</td></tr> +<tr><td>Ishmael, Vol. 1</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Southworth</td></tr> +<tr><td>Ishmael, Vol. 2</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Southworth</td></tr> +<tr><td>Self-Raised, Vol. 1</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Southworth</td></tr> +<tr><td>Self-Raised, Vol. 2</td><td class="td1">"</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Southworth</td></tr> +</table> + + +<p>Other books of the same high class will follow these until the Library +contains one hundred titles.</p> + +<p>The size of Our Girls Books series and the Famous Fiction series is +five by seven and a quarter inches; they are printed from new plates, +and bound in cloth with decorated covers. 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For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/31065-h/images/frontis.jpg b/31065-h/images/frontis.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f038458 --- /dev/null +++ b/31065-h/images/frontis.jpg diff --git a/31065-h/images/seal.jpg b/31065-h/images/seal.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ff0e064 --- /dev/null +++ b/31065-h/images/seal.jpg diff --git a/31065.txt b/31065.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..58063c7 --- /dev/null +++ b/31065.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7043 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Try Again, by Oliver Optic + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Try Again + or, the Trials and Triumphs of Harry West. A Story for Young Folks + + +Author: Oliver Optic + + + +Release Date: January 24, 2010 [eBook #31065] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TRY AGAIN*** + + +E-text prepared by Sankar Viswanathan, Juliet Sutherland, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 31065-h.htm or 31065-h.zip: + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/31065/31065-h/31065-h.htm) + or + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/31065/31065-h.zip) + + +Transcriber's note: + + The Table of Contents, not in the original book, has been + added for the convenience of the reader. + + + + + +TRY AGAIN + +Or + +The Trials and Triumphs of Harry West + +A Story for Young Folks + +by + +OLIVER OPTIC + +Author of +"The Boat Club," "All Aboard," "Poor and Proud," +"Hope and Have," "Now or Never," Etc. + + + + + + + +[Illustration: "Harry was Startled by the Discovery of +a Bright Light."] + + + +New York +The New York Book Company +1911 + + + +Contents + +Chapter Page + BIOGRAPHY AND BIBLIOGRAPHY 4 + I IN WHICH HARRY WEST AND SQUIRE WALKER DISAGREE ON AN + IMPORTANT POINT 5 + II IN WHICH HARRY FINDS A FRIEND, AND A PRACTICABLE + SCHEME FOR RESISTANCE 11 + III IN WHICH HARRY LEAVES THE POORHOUSE, AND TAKES TO + THE RIVER 19 + IV IN WHICH IT IS SHOWN THAT THE NAVIGATION OF THE + RIVER IS DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS 26 + V IN WHICH HARRY FIGHTS A HARD BATTLE, AND IS + DEFEATED 33 + VI IN WHICH HARRY CONCLUDES THAT A DEFEAT IS SOMETIMES + BETTER THAN A VICTORY 41 + VII IN WHICH HARRY FINDS HIMSELF IN A TIGHT PLACE AND + EXECUTES A COUNTER MOVEMENT 48 + VIII IN WHICH HARRY KILLS A BIG SNAKE, AND MAKES A NEW + FRIEND 55 + IX IN WHICH HARRY BREAKFASTS ON DOUGHNUTS, AND FINDS + THAT ANGELS DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE WINGS 62 + X IN WHICH HARRY FARES SUMPTUOUSLY, AND TAKES LEAVE + OF THE LITTLE ANGEL 69 + XI IN WHICH HARRY REACHES THE CITY, AND THOUGH OFTEN + DISAPPOINTED, TRIES AGAIN 76 + XII IN WHICH HARRY SUDDENLY GETS RICH AND HAS A + CONVERSATION WITH ANOTHER HARRY 83 + XIII IN WHICH HARRY BECOMES A STABLE BOY, AND HEARS + BAD NEWS FROM ROCKVILLE 90 + XIV IN WHICH HARRY DOES A GOOD DEED, AND DETERMINES + TO "FACE THE MUSIC" 97 + XV IN WHICH HARRY MAKES THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A VERY + IMPORTANT PERSONAGE 104 + XVI IN WHICH HARRY GOES INTO THE DRYGOODS BUSINESS 111 + XVII IN WHICH HARRY REVISITS ROCKVILLE, AND MEETS WITH + A SERIOUS LOSS 117 + XVIII IN WHICH HARRY MEETS WITH AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE AND + GETS A HARD KNOCK ON THE HEAD 124 + XIX IN WHICH HARRY FINDS THAT EVEN A BROKEN HEAD MAY + BE OF SOME USE TO A PERSON 131 + XX IN WHICH HARRY PASSES THROUGH HIS SEVEREST TRIAL, + AND ACHIEVES HIS GREATEST TRIUMPH 137 + XXI IN WHICH HARRY IS VERY PLEASANTLY SITUATED, AND + THE STORY COMES TO AN END 147 + + + + +BIOGRAPHY AND BIBLIOGRAPHY + + +William Taylor Adams, American author, better known and loved by boys +and girls through his pseudonym "Oliver Optic," was born July 30, +1822, in the town of Medway, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, about +twenty-five miles from Boston. For twenty years he was a teacher in +the Public Schools of Boston, where he came in close contact with boy +life. These twenty years taught him how to reach the boy's heart and +interest as the popularity of his books attest. + +His story writing began in 1850 when he was twenty-eight years old and +his first book was published in 1853. He also edited "The Oliver Optic +Magazine," "The Student and Schoolmate," "Our Little Ones." + +Mr. Adams died at the age of seventy-five years, in Boston, March 27, +1897. + +He was a prolific writer and his stories are most attractive and +unobjectionable. Most of his books were published in series. Probably +the most famous of these is "The Boat Club Series" which comprises the +following titles: + +"The Boat Club," "All Aboard," "Now or Never," "Try Again," "Poor and +Proud," "Little by Little." All of these titles will be found in this +edition. + +Other well-known series are his "Soldier Boy Series," "Sailor Boy +Series," "Woodville Stories." The "Woodville Stories" will also be +found in this edition. + + + + +TRY AGAIN + +CHAPTER I + +IN WHICH HARRY WEST AND SQUIRE WALKER DISAGREE ON AN IMPORTANT POINT + + +"Boy, come here!" + +Squire Walker was a very pompous man; one of the most notable persons +in the little town of Redfield, which, the inquiring young reader will +need to be informed, as it is not laid down on any map of +Massachusetts that I am acquainted with, is situated thirty-one miles +southwest of Boston. + +I am not aware that Redfield was noted for anything in particular, +unless it was noted for Squire Walker, as Mount Vernon was noted for +Washington, and Monticello for Jefferson. No doubt the squire thought +he was as great a man as either of these, and that the world was +strangely stupid because it did not find out how great a man he really +was. It was his misfortune that he was born in the midst of stirring +times, when great energy, great genius, and the most determined +patriotism are understood and appreciated. + +Squire Walker, then, was a great man--in his own estimation. It is +true, the rest of the world, including many of the people of Redfield, +had not found it out; but, as the matter concerned himself more nearly +than any one else, he seemed to be resigned to the circumstances of +his lot. He had represented the town in the legislature of the state, +was a member of the school committee, one of the selectmen, and an +overseer of the poor. Some men would have considered all these offices +as glory enough for a lifetime; and I dare say the squire would have +been satisfied, if he had not been ambitious to become one of the +county commissioners. + +The squire had a very high and proper regard for his own dignity. It +was not only his duty to be a great man, but to impress other people, +especially paupers and children, with a just sense of his importance. +Consequently, when he visited the poorhouse, he always spoke in the +imperative mood. It was not becoming a man of his magnificent +pretensions to speak gently and kindly to the unfortunate, the +friendless, and the forsaken; and the men and women hated him, and the +children feared him, as much as they would have feared a roaring lion. + +"Boy, come here!" said Squire Walker, as he raised his arm +majestically towards a youth who was picking up "windfalls" under the +apple trees in front of the poorhouse. + +The boy was dressed in a suit of blue cotton clothes, extensively, but +not very skillfully patched. At last two-thirds of the brim of his old +straw hat was gone, leaving nothing but a snarly fringe of straws to +protect his face from the heat of the sun. But this was the least of +the boy's trials. Sun or rain, heat or cold, were all the same to him, +if he only got enough to eat, and time enough to sleep. + +He straightened his back when Squire Walker spoke to him, and stood +gazing with evident astonishment that the distinguished gentleman +should condescend to speak to him. + +"Come here, you sir! Do you hear?" continued Squire Walker, upon whom +the boy's look of wonder and perturbation was not wholly lost. + +"This way, Harry," added Mr. Nason, the keeper of the poorhouse, who +was doing the honors of the occasion to the representative of the +people of Redfield. + +Harry West was evidently a modest youth, and appeared to be averse to +pushing himself irreverently into the presence of a man whom his vivid +imagination classed with Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, whose +great deeds he had read about in the spelling book. + +Harry slowly sidled along till he came within about a rod of the great +man, where he paused, apparently too much overawed to proceed any +farther. + +"Come here, I say," repeated Squire Walker. "Why don't you take your +hat off, and make your manners?" + +Harry took his hat off, and made his manners, not very gracefully, it +is true; but considering the boy's perturbation, the squire was +graciously pleased to let his "manners" pass muster. + +"How old are you, boy?" asked the overseer. + +"Most twelve," replied Harry, with deference. + +"High time you were put to work." + +"I do work," answered Harry. + +"Not much; you look as fat and lazy as one of my fat hogs." + +Mr. Nason ventured to suggest that Harry was a smart, active boy, +willing to work, and that he more than paid his keeping by the labor +he performed in the field, and the chores he did about the house--an +interference which the squire silently rebuked, by turning up his nose +at the keeper. + +"I do all they want me to do," added the boy, whose tongue seemed to +grow wonderfully glib under the gratuitous censure of the notable +gentleman. + +"Don't be saucy, Master West." + +"Bless you, squire! Harry never spoke a saucy word in his life," +interposed the friendly keeper. + +"He should know his place, and learn how to treat his superiors. You +give these boys too much meat, Mr. Nason. They can't bear it. Mush and +molasses is the best thing in the world for them." + +If any one had looked closely at Harry while the functionary was +delivering himself of this speech, he might have seen his eye snap and +his chest heave with indignation. He had evidently conquered his +timidity, and, maugre his youth, was disposed to stand forth and say, +"I, too, am a man." His head was erect, and he gazed unflinchingly +into the eye of the squire. + +"Boy," said the great man, who did not like to have a pauper boy look +him in the eye without trembling--"boy, I have got a place for you, +and the sooner you are sent to it, the better it will be for you and +for the town." + +"Where is it, sir?" + +"Where is it? What is that to you, you young puppy?" growled the +squire, shocked at the boy's presumption in daring to question him. + +"If I am going to a place, I would like to know where it is," replied +Harry. + +"You will go where you are sent!" roared the squire. + +"I suppose I must; but I should like to know where." + +"Well, then, you shall know," added the overseer maliciously; for he +had good reason to know that the intelligence would give the boy the +greatest pain he could possibly inflict. "You are going to Jacob +Wire's." + +"Where, sir?" asked the keeper, looking at the squire with +astonishment and indignation. + +"To Jacob Wire's," repeated the overseer. + +"Jacob Wire's!" exclaimed Mr. Nason. + +"I said so." + +"Do you think that will be a good place for the boy?" asked the +keeper, trying to smile to cover the indignation that was boiling in +his bosom. + +"Certainly I do." + +"Excuse me, Squire Walker, but I don't." + +The overseer stood aghast. Such a reply was little better than +rebellion in one of the town's servants, and his blood boiled at such +unheard-of plainness of speech to him, late representative to the +general court, member of the school committee, one of the selectmen, +and an overseer of the poor. + +Besides, there was another reason why the temerity of the keeper was +peculiarly aggravated. Jacob Wire was the squire's brother-in-law; and +though the squire despised him quite as much and as heartily as the +rest of the people of Redfield, it was not fitting that any of his +connections should be assailed by another. It was not so much the +fact, as the source from which it came, that was objectionable. + +"How dare you speak to me in that manner, Mr. Nason?" exclaimed the +squire. "Do you know who I am?" + +Mr. Nason did know who he was, but at that moment, and under those +circumstances, he so far forgot himself as to inform the important +functionary that he didn't care who he was; Jacob Wire's was not a fit +place for a heathen, much less a Christian. + +"What do you mean, sir?" gasped the overseer in his rage. + +"I mean just what I say, Squire Walker. Jacob Wire is the meanest man +in the county. He half starves his wife and children; and no hired man +ever stayed there more than a week--he always starved them out in that +time." + +"If you please, sir, I would rather not go to Mr. Wire's," put in +Harry, to whom the county jail seemed a more preferable place. + +"There, shut up! I say you shall go there!" replied the squire. + +"Really, squire, this is too bad. You know Wire as well as any man in +town, and--" + +"Not another word, Mr. Nason! Have the boy ready to go to Jacob Wire's +to-morrow!" and the overseer, not very well satisfied with the +interview, hastened away to avoid further argument upon so delicate a +topic. + +Harry stood watching the retreating form of the great man of Redfield. +The mandate he had spoken was the knell of hope to him. It made the +future black and desolate. As he gazed the tears flooded his eyes, and +his feelings completely overcame him. + +"Don't cry, Harry," said the kind-hearted keeper, taking him by the +hand. + +"I can't help it," sobbed Harry. "He will whip me, and starve me to +death. Don't let him put me there." + +"I don't know as I can help it, Harry." + +"I am willing to work, and work hard, too; but I don't want to be +starved to death." + +"I will do what I can for you; but the other overseers do pretty much +as Squire Walker tells them to do." + +"I can't go to Jacob Wire's," burst from Harry's lips, as he seated +himself on a rock, and gave way to the violence of his emotions. + +"I will see the other overseers; don't cry, Harry. Hope for the best." + +"No use of hoping against such a man as Jacob Wire. If he don't starve +me, he will work me to death. I would rather die than go there." + +"Well, well; don't take on so. Perhaps something can be done." + +"Something shall be done," added the boy, as he rose from his seat, +with an air of determination in keeping with the strong words he +uttered. + +The keeper's presence was required in the barn, and he left Harry +musing and very unhappy about his future prospects. The thought of +becoming a member of Jacob Wire's family was not to be entertained. +The boy was a pauper, and had been brought up at the expense of the +town; but he seemed to feel that, though fortune and friends had +forsaken him, he was still a member of the great human family. + +Jacob Wire, with whom it was proposed to apprentice him, had the +reputation of being a hard master. He loved money, and did not love +anything else. His heart was barren of affection, as his soul was of +good principles; and though he did not literally starve his family and +his help, he fed them upon the poorest and meanest fare that would +support human life. The paupers in the poorhouse lived sumptuously, +compared with those who gathered around the board of Jacob Wire. + +The keeper knew this from experience, for years ago, before he had +been appointed to his present situation, he had worked for Wire; and +age and prosperity had not improved him. The more he got, the more he +wanted; the fuller his barn and storehouse, the more stingy he became +to those who were dependent upon him. + +Harry West was a good boy, and a great favorite with the keeper of the +poorhouse. He was always good-natured, willing to work, and never +grumbled about his food. He was not only willing to take care of the +baby washing days, but seemed to derive pleasure from the occupation. +For all these reasons, Mr. Nason liked Harry, and had a deep interest +in his welfare; something more than a merely selfish interest, for he +had suggested to the overseers the propriety of binding him out to +learn some good trade. + +Harry was sad and disheartened; but he had unlimited confidence in the +keeper, and felt sure that he would protect him from such a calamity +as being sent to Jacob Wire's. After he had carried the windfalls into +the shed, he asked Mr. Nason if he might go down to the river for a +little while. The permission given, he jumped over the cow yard wall, +and with his eyes fixed in deep thought upon the ground, made his way +over the hill to Pine Pleasant, as the beautiful grove by the river's +side was called. + +The grove extended to the brink of the stream, which in this place +widened into a pond. Near the shore was a large flat rock, which was +connected with the mainland by a log, for the convenience of anglers +and bathers. This was a favorite spot with Harry; and upon the rock he +seated himself, to sigh over the hard lot which was in store for him. +It was not a good way to contend with the trials to which all are +subjected; but he had not yet learned that sorrow and adversity are as +necessary for man as joy and prosperity. Besides, it was a turning +point in his life, and it seemed to him that Jacob Wire's house would +be the tomb of all his hopes. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +IN WHICH HARRY FINDS A FRIEND, AND A PRACTICABLE SCHEME FOR RESISTANCE + + +My young readers will probably desire to know something about Harry's +"antecedents"; and while the poor fellow is mourning over the hard +lot which Squire Walker has marked out for him, we will briefly review +his previous history. + +Unlike the heroes of modern novels and romances, Harry did not belong +to an ancient, or even a very respectable family. We need not trace +his genealogy for any considerable period, and I am not sure that the +old records would throw much light on the subject if we should attempt +to do so. The accident of birth in our republican land is a matter of +very little consequence; therefore we shall only go back to Harry's +father, who was a carpenter by trade, but had a greater passion for +New England rum than for chisels and foreplanes. + +The bane of New England was the bane of Franklin West; for he was a +kind-hearted man, a good husband and a good father, before he was +deformed by the use of liquor. He made good wages, and supported his +little family for several years; but the vile habit grew upon him to +such a degree that the people of Redfield lost all confidence in him. +As his business decreased, his besetting vice increased upon him, till +he was nothing but the wreck of the man he had once been. Poverty had +come, and want stared him in the face. + +While everybody was wondering what would become of Franklin West, he +suddenly disappeared, and no one could form an idea of what had become +of him. People thought it was no great matter. He was only a nuisance +to himself and his family. Mrs. West was shocked by this sudden and +mysterious disappearance. He was her husband, and the father of her +children, and it was not strange that she wept, and even hoped that he +would come back. The neighbors comforted her, and put her in the way +of supporting herself and the children, so that she was very soon +reconciled to the event. + +When West had been gone a month, his wife received a letter from him, +informing her that he had determined to stop drinking, and be a man +again. He could not keep sober in Redfield, among his old companions, +and he was at work in Providence till he could get money enough to +pay his expenses to Valparaiso, in South America, where a lucrative +place awaited him. He hoped his wife would manage to get along for a +few months, when he should be able to send her some money. + +Mrs. West was easy again. Her husband was not dead, was not drowned in +the river, or lost in the woods; and her heart was cheered by the +prospects of future plenty, which the letter pointed out to her. + +A year passed by, and nothing more was heard from Franklin West. The +poor, forsaken wife had a hard time to support her little family. The +most constant and severe toil enabled her to pinch her way along; but +it was a bitter trial. She had no relations to help her; and though +the neighbors were as kind as neighbors could be, life was a hard +struggle. + +Then the baby sickened and died. This bereavement seemed to unnerve +and discourage her, and though there was one mouth less to feed, her +strength failed her, and she was unequal to the task. Care and sorrow +did their work upon her, and though people said she died of +consumption, Heaven knew she died of a broken heart and disappointed +hopes. + +Harry was four years old when this sad event left him alone in the +world. There was none willing to assume the burden of bringing up the +lonely little pilgrim, and he was sent to the poorhouse. It was a hard +fate for the tender child to be removed from the endearments of a +mother's love, and placed in the cheerless asylum which public charity +provides for the poor and the friendless. + +The child was only four years old; but he missed the fond kiss and the +loving caresses of his devoted mother. They were kind to him there, +but it was not home, and his heart could not but yearn for those +treasures of affection which glittered for him only in the heart of +his mother. There was an aching void, and though he could not +understand or appreciate his loss, it was none the less painful. + +He was a favorite child, not only with the old paupers, but with the +keeper and his family; and this circumstance undoubtedly softened the +asperities of his lot. As soon as he was old enough, he was required +to work as much as the keeper thought his strength would bear. He was +very handy about the house and barn, more so than boys usually are; +and Mr. Nason declared that, for the three years before it was +proposed to send him away, he had more than earned his board and +clothes. + +He had been at school four winters, and the schoolmasters were +unanimous in their praise. He was a smart scholar, but a little +disposed to be roguish. + +The moral discipline of the poorhouse was not of the most salutary +character. Mr. Nason, though a generous and kind-hearted man, was not +as exemplary in his daily life as might have been desired. Besides, +one or two of the old paupers were rather corrupt in their manners and +morals, and were not fit companions for a young immortal, whose mind, +like plastic clay, was impressible to the forming power. + +The poorhouse was not a good place for the boy, and the wonder is that +Harry, at twelve years of age, was not worse than we find him. He had +learned to love Mr. Nason, as he had learned to fear and to hate +Squire Walker. The latter seemed to have absolute power at the +poorhouse, and to be lord and master in Redfield. But when the +overseer proposed to place the boy in the family of a man whom even +the paupers looked down upon and despised, his soul rebelled even +against the mandate of the powerful magnate of the town. + +Harry turned the matter over and over in his mind as he sat upon the +rock at Pine Pleasant. At first he tried to reconcile the idea of +living with Jacob Wire; but it was a fruitless effort. The poorhouse +seemed like a paradise to such a fate. + +Then he considered the possibility and the practicability of resisting +the commands of Squire Walker. He could not obtain much satisfaction +from either view of the difficult problem, and as a happy resort under +the trials of the moment, he began to console himself with the +reflection that Mr. Nason might prevail with the overseers, and save +him from his doom. + +He had not much hope from this direction, and while he was turning +again to the question of resistance, he heard footsteps in the grove. +He did not feel like seeing any person and wished he could get out of +sight; but there was no retreating without being observed, so he lay +down upon the rock to wait till the intruder had passed. + +The person approaching did not purpose to let him off so easily; and +when Harry heard his step on the log he raised himself up. + +"Hallo, Harry! What are you doing here? Taking a nap?" + +It was Ben Smart, a boy of fourteen, who lived near the poorhouse. +Ben's reputation in Redfield was not A, No. 1; in fact, he had been +solemnly and publicly expelled from the district school only three +days before by Squire Walker, because the mistress could not manage +him. His father was the village blacksmith, and as he had nothing for +him to do--not particularly for the boy's benefit--he kept him at +school all the year round. + +"O, is that you, Ben?" replied Harry, more for the sake of being civil +than because he wished to speak to the other. + +"What are you doing here?" asked Ben, who evidently did not understand +how a boy could be there alone, unless he was occupied about +something. + +"Nothing." + +"Been in the water?" + +"No." + +"Fishing?" + +"No." + +Ben was nonplussed. He suspected that Harry had been engaged in some +mysterious occupation, which he desired to conceal from him. + +"How long have you been here?" continued Ben, persistently. + +"About half an hour." + +Ben stopped to think. He could make nothing of it. It was worse than +the double rule of three, which he conscientiously believed had been +invented on purpose to bother school boys. + +"You are up to some trick, I know. Tell me what you come down here +for." + +"Didn't come for anything." + +"What is the use of telling that. No feller would come clear down here +for nothing." + +"I came down to think, then, if you must know," answered Harry, rather +testily. + +"To think! Well, that is a good one! Ain't the poor-farm big enough to +do your thinking on?" + +"I chose to come down here." + +"Humph! You've got the blues, Harry. I should think old Walker had +been afoul of you, by your looks." + +Harry looked up suddenly, and wondered if Ben knew what had happened. + +"I should like to have the old rascal down here for half an hour. I +should like to souse him into the river, and hold his head under till +he begged my pardon," continued Ben. + +"So should I," added Harry. + +"Should you? You are a good feller, then! I mean to pay him off for +what he did for me the other day. I wouldn't minded being turned out +of school. I rather liked the idea; but the old muttonhead got me up +before all the school, and read me such a lecture! He thinks there +isn't anybody in the world but him." + +"The lecture didn't hurt you," suggested Harry. + +"No; it didn't. But that warn't the worst of it." + +"What else?" + +"My father give me a confounded licking when I got home. I haven't +done smarting yet. But I will pay 'em for it all." + +"You mean Squire Walker." + +"And the old man, too." + +"If I only had a father, I wouldn't mind letting him lick me now and +then," replied Harry, to whom home seemed a paradise, though he had +never understood it; and a father and mother, though coarse and +brutal, his imagination pictured as angels. + +"My father would learn you better than that in a few days," said Ben, +who did not appreciate his parents, especially when they held the rod. + +Harry relapsed into musing again. He thought how happy he should have +been in Ben's place. A home, a father, a mother! We value most what we +have not; and if the pauper boy could have had the blessings which +crowned his reckless companion's lot, it seemed as though he would +have been contented and happy. His condescension in regard to the +flogging now and then was a sincere expression of feeling. + +"What's old Walker been doing to you, Harry?" asked Ben, suspecting +the cause of the other's gloom. + +"He is going to send me to Jacob Wire's to live." + +"Whew! That is a good one! To die, you mean; Harry, I wouldn't stand +that." + +"I don't mean to." + +"That's right; I like your spunk. What do you mean to do?" + +Harry was not prepared to answer this question. He possessed a certain +degree of prudence, and though it was easy to declare war against so +powerful an enemy as Squire Walker, it was not so easy to carry on the +war after it was declared. The overseer was a bigger man to him than +the ogre in "Puss in Boots." Probably his imagination largely +magnified the grandeur of the squire's position, and indefinitely +multiplied the resources at his command. + +"What do you mean to do?" repeated Ben, who for some reason or other +took a deep interest in Harry's affairs. + +"I don't know. I would rather die than go; but I don't know how I can +help myself," answered the poor boy, gloomily. + +"I do." + +Harry looked up with interest and surprise. Ben sympathized with him +in his trials, and his heart warmed towards him. + +"What, Ben?" + +"I daresn't tell you now," replied Ben after a short pause. + +"Why not?" + +"Can you keep a secret?" + +"Of course I can. Did I ever blow on you?" + +"No, you never did, Harry. You are a first rate feller, and I like +you. But you see, if you should blow on me now, you would spoil my +kettle of fish, and your own, too." + +"But I won't, Ben." + +"Promise me solemnly." + +"Solemnly," repeated Harry. + +"Well, then, I will get you out of the scrape as nice as a cotton +hat." + +"How?" + +"I guess I won't tell you now; but if you will come down here to-night +at eleven o'clock I will let you into the whole thing." + +"Eleven o'clock! I can't come at that time. We all go to bed at eight +o'clock." + +"Get up and come." + +"I can do that; but perhaps Mr. Nason will persuade the overseers not +to send me to Jacob Wire's." + +"I'm glad I didn't tell you, then. But promise me this, Harry: that, +whatever happens, you'll hold your tongue." + +"I will, Ben." + +"And if Nason don't get you off, be here at eleven o'clock. Put on +your best clothes, and take everything you want with you." + +"Going to run away?" + +"I didn't say so." + +Ben made him promise again to be secret, and they separated. Harry had +an idea of what his companion intended, and the scheme solved all his +doubts. It was a practicable scheme of resistance, and he returned to +the poorhouse, no longer fearful of the impending calamity. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +IN WHICH HARRY LEAVES THE POORHOUSE, AND TAKES TO THE RIVER + + +When Harry reached the poorhouse, Mr. Nason was absent, and one of the +paupers told him that he had taken the horse and wagon. He conjectured +that the keeper had gone to see the other overseers, to intercede with +them in his behalf. He did not feel as much interest in the mission as +he had felt two hours before, for Ben Stuart had provided a remedy for +his grievances, which he had fully decided to adopt. + +It was nearly sunset before Mr. Nason returned; and when he came his +looks did not seem to indicate a favorable issue. Harry helped him +unharness the horse, and as he led him into the barn the keeper opened +the subject. + +"I have been to see the other overseers, Harry," he began, in tones +which seemed to promise nothing hopeful. + +"I thought likely you had gone." + +"As I supposed, they are all afraid of Squire Walker. They daresn't +say their souls are their own." + +"Then I must go to Jacob Wire's." + +"The other overseers declare, if the squire says so, you must." + +"It is a hard case, Mr. Nason," replied Harry, not much disappointed +at the result. + +"I know it is, Harry. Perhaps you might try the place, and then, if +you found you couldn't stand it we might make another trial to get you +off." + +"I don't want to go there, anyhow. I should like to help duck the +squire in the horse pond." + +"Well, Harry, I have done all I can for you," continued Mr. Nason, +seating himself on a keg on the barn floor. "I wish I could help you." + +"You have been very good to me, Mr. Nason. I shall always remember you +as the best friend I ever had," replied Harry, the tears streaming +down his sun-browned cheeks. + +"Never mind that, Harry; don't cry." + +"I can't help it; you have been so good to me, that I hate to leave +you," blubbered Harry. + +"I am sorry you must leave us; we shall miss you about the place, and +I wish it was so that you could stay. But what makes it ten times +worse is the idea of your going to Jacob Wire's." + +"Mr. Nason," said Harry, dashing down his tears, and looking earnestly +at the keeper, "I have made up my mind that I won't go to Wire's +anyhow." + +"I don't blame you; but I don't see how you can fight the squire. He +carries too many guns for you, or for me, either, for that matter. I +have been thinking of something, Harry, though I suppose, if I should +speak it out loud, it would be as much as my place here is worth." + +"I have been thinking of something, too," continued Harry, with a good +deal of emphasis. + +"What?" + +"I can't tell even you." + +Mr. Nason, sympathizing deeply with his young friend, did not attempt +to obtain any knowledge whose possession might be inconvenient to him. +He was disposed to help the boy escape the fate in store for him; but +at the same time, having a family to support, he did not wish to lose +his situation, though, if the emergency had demanded it, he would +probably have been willing to make even this sacrifice. + +"I was thinking, Harry, how astonished the squire would be, when he +comes over in the morning to take you to Jacob Wire's, if he should +not happen to find you here." + +"I dare say he would," answered Harry, with a meaning smile. + +"By the way, have you heard from Charles Smith lately? You know he +went to Boston last spring, and they say he has got a place, and is +doing first rate there." + +The keeper smiled as he spoke, and Harry understood him as well as +though he had spoken out the real thought that was in his mind. + +"I suppose others might do as he has done." + +"No doubt of it." + +Mr. Nason took from his pocket the large shot bag purse, in which he +kept his change, and picked out four quarters. + +"Here, Harry, take these; when you get over to Wire's, money will keep +you from starving. It will almost anywhere, for that matter." + +"How good you are!" exclaimed Harry, as he took the four quarters. +"You have been a father to me, and one of these days I shall be able +to pay you this money back again." + +"Don't trouble yourself about that. Keep it; and I wish I had a +hundred times as much to give you." + +"I shall never forget you, Mr. Nason. I shall be a man one of these +days, and we shall meet again." + +The supper bell rang, and they separated. Harry felt the spirit of a +man stirring within him. He felt that the world had cast him off, and +refused him a home, even in the poorhouse. He was determined to push +his way through life like a hero, and he nerved himself to meet +whatever hardships and trials might be apportioned to him. + +After supper he went to his room, gathered up the few articles of +clothing which constituted his wardrobe, and tying them up in a +bundle, concealed them in a hollow stump back of the barn. + +At eight o'clock he went to bed as usual. He felt no desire to sleep, +and would not have dared to do so if he had. He heard the old kitchen +clock strike ten. The house was still, for all had long ago retired to +their rest, and he could hear the sonorous snores of the paupers in +the adjoining rooms. His heart beat quick with anxiety. It was a +novel position in which he found himself. He had been accustomed to do +everything fairly and "above board," and the thought of rising from +his bed and sneaking out of the house like a thief was repulsive to +him. But it was a good cause, in his estimation, and he did not waste +much sentiment upon the matter. A conspiracy had been formed to cheat +him of his hopes and of his future happiness, and it seemed right to +him that he should flee from those with whom he could not successfully +contend. + +Carefully and stealthily he crept out of bed, and put on his best +clothes, which were nothing to boast of at that, for there was many a +darn and many a patch upon the jacket and trousers. Stockings and +shoes were luxuries in which Harry was not indulged in the warm +season; but he had a pair of each, which he took under his arm. + +Like a mouse he crept down stairs, and reached the back door of the +house without having disturbed any of its inmates. There were no locks +on the poorhouse doors, for burglars and thieves never invaded the +home of the stricken, forsaken paupers. + +The door opened with a sharp creak, and Harry was sure he was +detected. For several minutes he waited, but no sound was heard, and +more carefully he opened the door wide enough to permit his passage +out. + +He was now in the open air, and a sensation of relief pervaded his +mind. He was free. No man was his master in this world, and he had not +learned to think much of the other world. As he passed through the cow +yard he heard the old gray mare whinny, and he could not resist the +temptation to pay her a parting visit. They had been firm friends for +years, and as he entered the barn she seemed to recognize him in the +darkness. + +"Good-by, old Prue. I am going away to leave you," said Harry, in low +tones, as he patted the mare upon her neck. "I hope they will use you +well. Next to Mr. Nason, you have been my best friend. Good-by, old +Prue." + +The mare whinnied again, as though she perfectly comprehended this +affectionate speech, and wished to express her sympathy with her young +friend in her own most eloquent language. Perhaps Harry could not +render the speech into the vernacular, but he had a high appreciation +of her good feeling, and repeated his caresses. + +"Good-by, old Prue; but, before I go, I shall give you one more feed +of oats--the very last." + +The localities of the barn were as familiar to him as those of his own +chamber; and taking the half peck measure, he filled it heaping full +of oats at the grain chest as readily as though it had been clear +daylight. + +"Here, Prue, is the last feed I shall give you"; and he emptied the +contents of the measure into the trough. "Good-by, old Prue; I shall +never see you again." + +The mare plunged her nose deep down into the savory mess, and seemed +for a moment to forget her friend in the selfish gratification of her +appetite. If she had fully realized the unpleasant fact that Harry was +going, perhaps she might have been less selfish, for this was not the +first time she had been indebted to him for extra rations. + +Passing through the barn, the runaway was again in the open air. +Everything looked gloomy and sad to him, and the scene was as solemn +as a funeral. There were no sounds to be heard but the monotonous +chirp of the cricket, and the dismal piping of the frogs in the +meadow. Even the owl and the whip-poor-will had ceased their nocturnal +notes, and the stars looked more gloomy than he had ever seen them +before. + +There was no time to moralize over these things, though, as he walked +along, he could not help thinking how strange and solemn everything +seemed on that eventful night. It was an epoch in his history; one of +those turning points in human life, when all the works of nature and +art, borrowing the spirit which pervades the soul, assume odd and +unfamiliar forms. Harry was not old enough or wise enough to +comprehend the importance of the step he was taking; still he was +deeply impressed by the strangeness within and without. + +Taking his bundle from the hollow stump, he directed his steps toward +Pine Pleasant. He walked very slowly, for his feelings swelled within +him and retarded his steps. His imagination was busy with the past, or +wandering vaguely to the unexplored future, which with bright promises +tempted him to press on to the goal of prosperity. He yearned to be a +man; to leap in an instant over the years of discipline, that yawned +like a great gulf between his youth and his manhood. He wanted to be a +man, that his strong arm might strike great blows; that he might win +his way up to wealth and honor. + +Why couldn't he be a great man like Squire Walker. Squire West +wouldn't sound bad. + +"One has only to be rich in order to be great," thought he. "Why can't +I be rich, as well as anybody else? Who was that old fellow that saved +up his fourpences till he was worth a hundred thousand dollars? I can +do it as well as he, though I won't be as mean as they say he was, +anyhow. There are chances enough to get rich, and if I fail in one +thing, why--I can try again." + +Thus Harry mused as he walked along, and fixed a definite purpose +before him to be accomplished in life. It is true it was not a very +lofty or a very noble purpose, merely to be rich; but he had been +obliged to do his own philosophizing. He had not yet discovered the +true philosopher's stone. He had concluded, like the alchemists of +old, that it was the art of turning anything into gold. The paupers, +in their poverty, had talked most and prayed most for that which they +had not. Wealth was to them the loftiest ideal of happiness, and Harry +had adopted their conclusions. It is not strange, therefore, that +Harry's first resolve was to be a rich man. + +"Seek ye _first_ the kingdom of heaven, and all these things shall be +added unto you," was a text which he had often heard repeated; but he +did not comprehend its meaning, and he had reversed the proposition, +determined to look out for "all these things" first. + +The village clock struck eleven, and the peal of the clear notes on +the silent air cut short his meditations, and admonished him to +quicken his pace, or Ben would reach the place of rendezvous before +him. He entered the still shades of Pine Pleasant, but saw nothing of +his confederate. Seating himself on the familiar rock in the river, he +returned to his meditations. + +He had hardly laid down his first proposition in solving the problem +of his future success, before he was startled by the discovery of a +bright light in the direction of the village. It was plainly a +building on fire, and his first impulse was to rush to the meeting +house and give the alarm; but prudence forbade. His business was with +the great world and the future, not with Redfield and the present. + +A few moments later the church bell pealed its startling notes, and he +heard the cry of fire in the village. The building, whatever it was, +had become a mass of fierce flames, which no human arm could stay. + +While he was watching the exciting spectacle, he heard footsteps in +the grove, and Ben Smart, out of breath and nearly exhausted, leaped +upon the rock. + +"So you are here, Harry," gasped he. + +"I am, Ben," replied Harry. "Where is the fire?" + +"We have no time to waste now," panted Ben, rousing himself anew. "We +must be off at once." + +Ben descended to the lower side of the rock, and hauled a small +flat-bottomed boat out of the bushes that grew on the river's brink. + +"Where is the fire, Ben?" persisted Harry. + +"Never mind the fire now; jump into the boat, and let us be off." + +Harry obeyed, and Ben pushed off from the rock. + +"Where are you going?" asked Harry, not much pleased either with the +imperative tone or the haughty reserve of his companion. + +"Down the river. Take the paddle and steer her; the current will take +her along fast enough. I am so tired I can't do a thing more." + +Harry took the paddle and seated himself in the stern of the boat, +while Ben, puffing and blowing like a locomotive, placed himself at +the bow. + +"Tell me now where the fire is," said Harry, whose curiosity would not +be longer resisted. + +"_Squire Walker's barn._" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +IN WHICH IT IS SHOWN THAT THE NAVIGATION OF THE RIVER IS DIFFICULT AND +DANGEROUS + + +Harry was astounded at this information. Ben was exhausted, as though +he had been running very hard; besides, he was much agitated--more so +than the circumstances of the occasion seemed to justify. In +connection with the threat which his companion had uttered that day, +these appearances seemed to point to a solution of the burning +building. He readily understood that Ben, in revenge for the indignity +the squire had cast upon him, had set the barn on fire, and was now +running away by the light of it. + +This was more than he had bargained for. However ill-natured he felt +towards the squire for his proposal to send him to Jacob Wire's, it +never occurred to him to retaliate by committing a crime. His ideas of +Christian charity and of forgiveness were but partially developed; and +though he could not feel right towards his powerful enemy, he felt no +desire to punish him so severely as Ben had done. + +His companion gave him a short answer, and manifested no disposition +to enlarge upon the subject; and for several minutes both maintained a +profound silence. + +The boat, drifting slowly with the current, was passing from the pond +into the narrow river, and it required all Harry's skill to keep her +from striking the banks on either side. His mind was engrossed with +the contemplation of the new and startling event which had so suddenly +presented itself to embarrass his future operations. Ben was a +criminal in the eye of the law, and would be subjected to a severe +penalty if detected. + +"I shouldn't have thought you would have done that," Harry observed, +when the silence became painful to him. + +"Done what?" asked Ben, sharply. + +"Set the barn afire." + +"Who said I set it afire?" + +"Well, I can see through a millstone when there is a hole in it." + +"I didn't say I set the barn afire." + +"I know you didn't; but you said you meant to pay the squire off for +what he had done to you." + +"I mean to." + +"Haven't you done it already?" + +"I didn't say I had," answered Ben, who was evidently debating with +himself whether he should admit Harry to his confidence. + +"But didn't you set the barn afire?" + +"What if I did?" + +"Why, I should say you run a great risk." + +"I don't care for that." + +"I see the reason now, why you wouldn't tell me what you was going to +do before." + +"We are in for it now, Harry. I meant to pay off the squire, and--" + +"Then you did set the barn afire?" + +"I didn't say so; and, more than that, I don't mean to say so. If you +can see through a millstone, why, just open your eyes--that's all." + +"I am sorry you did it, Ben." + +"No whining, Harry; be a man." + +"I mean to be a man; but I don't think there was any need of burning +the barn." + +"I do; I couldn't leave Redfield without squaring accounts with Squire +Walker." + +"Where are you going, Ben?" + +"To Boston, of course." + +"How shall we get there?" + +"We will go by the river, as far as we can; then take to the road." + +"But this is George Leman's boat--isn't it?" + +"Yes." + +"You hooked it?" + +"Of course I did; you don't suppose I should mind trifles at such a +time as this! But he can have it again, when I have done with it." + +"What was the use of taking the boat?" + +"In the first place, don't you think it is easier to sail in a boat +than to walk? And in the second place, the river runs through the +woods for five or six miles below Pine Pleasant; so that no one will +be likely to see us. We shall get off without being found out." + +"But the river is not deep enough. It is full of rocks about three +miles down." + +"We won't mind them. We can keep her clear of the rocks well enough. +When I was down the river last spring, you couldn't see a single rock +above water, and we don't draw more than six inches." + +"But that was in the spring, when the water was high. I don't believe +we can get the boat through." + +"Yes, we can; at any rate, we can jump ashore and tow her down," +replied Ben, confidently, though his calculations were somewhat +disturbed by Harry's reasoning. + +"There is another difficulty, Ben," suggested Harry. + +"O, there are a hundred difficulties; but we mustn't mind them." + +"They will miss the boat, and suspect at once who has got it." + +"We shall be out of their reach when they miss it." + +"I heard George Leman say he was going a fishing in her to-morrow." + +"Did you? Then why didn't you say so before?" retorted Ben, angrily. + +"Because you didn't tell me what you were going to do. How could I?" + +"Never mind; it is no use to cry for spilt milk. We will make the best +of it." + +"We are in for it now." + +"That we are; and if you only stick by me, it will all come out right. +If we get caught, you must keep a stiff upper lip." + +"Never fear me." + +"And, above all, don't blow on me." + +"Of course I won't." + +"Whatever happens, promise that you will stick by me." + +"I will, Ben." + +"That's a good fellow, Harry. On that, we will take a bit of luncheon, +and have a good time of it." + +As he spoke, Ben drew out from under the seat in the bow a box filled +with bread and cheese. + +"You see we are provisioned for a cruise, Harry," added Ben, as he +offered the contents of the box to his companion. "Here is enough to +last us two or three days." + +"But you don't mean to keep on the river so long as that?" + +"I mean to stick to the boat as long as the navigation will permit," +replied Ben, with more energy than he had before manifested, for he +was recovering from the perturbation with which the crime he had +committed filled his mind. + +"There is a factory village, with a dam across the river, six or seven +miles below here." + +"I know it; but perhaps we can get the boat round the dam in the night +time, and continue our voyage below. Don't you remember that piece in +the Reader about John Ledyard--how he went down the Connecticut River +in a canoe?" + +"Yes; and you got your idea from that?" + +"I did; and I mean to have a first rate time of it." + +Ben proceeded to describe the anticipated pleasures of the river +voyage, as he munched his bread and cheese; and Harry listened with a +great deal of satisfaction. Running away was not such a terrible +thing, after all. It was both business and pleasure, and his +imagination was much inflated by the brilliant prospect before him. +There was something so novel and exciting in the affair, that his +first experience was of the most delightful character. + +He forgot the crime his companion had committed, and had almost come +to regard the burning of the squire's barn as a just and proper +retribution upon him for conspiring against the rights and privileges +of young America. + +My young readers may not know how easy it is even for a good boy to +learn to love the companionship of those who are vicious, and disposed +to take the road which leads down to moral ruin and death. Those lines +of Pope, which are familiar to almost every school boy, convey a great +truth, and a thrilling warning to those who first find themselves +taking pleasure in the society of wicked men, or wicked boys: + + "Vice is a monster of so frightful mien + As to be hated, needs but to be seen; + But seen too oft, familiar with her face, + We first endure, then pity, then embrace." + +Now, I have not represented my hero, at this stage of the story, as a +very good boy, and it did not require much time to familiarize him +with the wickedness which was in Ben's heart, and which he did not +take any pains to conceal. The transition from enduring to pitying and +from that to embracing was sudden and easy, if, indeed, there was any +middle passage between the first and last stage. + +I am sorry to say that an hour's fellowship with Ben, under the +exciting circumstances in which we find them, had led him to think Ben +a very good fellow, notwithstanding the crime he had committed. I +shall do my young reader the justice to believe he hopes Harry will be +a better boy, and obtain higher and nobler views of duty. It must be +remembered that Harry had never learned to "love God and man" on the +knee of an affectionate mother. He had long ago forgotten the little +prayers she had taught him, and none were said at the poorhouse. We +are sorry he was no better; but when we consider under what influences +he had been brought up, it is not strange that he was not a good boy. +Above every earthly good, we may be thankful for the blessing of a +good home, where we have been taught our duty to God, to our +fellow-beings, and to ourselves. + +The young navigators talked lightly of the present and the future, as +the boat floated gently along through the gloomy forest. They heard +the Redfield clock strike twelve, and then one. The excitement had +begun to die out. Harry yawned, for he missed his accustomed sleep, +and felt that a few hours' rest in his bed at the poorhouse was even +preferable to navigating the river at midnight. Ben gaped several +times, and the fun was really getting very stale. + +Those "who go down to the sea in ships," or navigate the river in +boats, must keep their eyes open. It will never do to slumber at the +helm; and Harry soon had a practical demonstration of the truth of the +proposition. He was so sleepy that he could not possibly keep his eyes +open; and Ben, not having the care of the helm, had actually dropped +off, and was bowing as politely as a French dancing master to his +companion in the stern. They were a couple of smart sailors, and +needed a little wholesome discipline to teach them the duty of those +who are on the watch. + +The needed lesson was soon administered; for just as Ben was making +one of his lowest bows in his semi-conscious condition, the bow of the +boat ran upon a concealed rock, which caused her to keel over to one +side, and very gently pitch the sleeper into the river. + +Of course, this catastrophe brought the commander of the expedition to +his senses, and roused the helmsman to a sense of his own delinquency, +though it is clear that, as there were no lighthouses on the banks of +the river, and the intricacies of the channel had never been defined +and charted for the benefit of the adventurous navigator, no human +forethought could have provided against the accident. + +Harry put the boat about, and assisted his dripping shipmate on board +again. The ducking he had received did not operate very favorably upon +Ben's temper, and he roundly reproached his companion for his +carelessness. The steersman replied with becoming spirit to this +groundless charge, telling him he had better keep his eyes open the +rest of the night. Wet and chilly as he was, Ben couldn't help +growling; and both evidently realized that the affair was not half as +romantic as they had adjudged it to be an hour or two before. + +"Never mind it, Ben. If we fail once let us try again--that's all." + +"Try again? You want to drown me, don't you?" snarled Ben. + +Harry assured him he did not, and called his attention to the sound of +dashing waters, which could now be plainly heard. They were +approaching the rocks, and it was certain from the noise that +difficult navigation was before them. Harry proposed to haul up by the +river's side, and wait for daylight; to which proposition Ben, whose +ardor was effectually cooled by the bath he had received, readily +assented. + +Accordingly they made fast the painter to a tree on the shore, and +both of them disembarked. While Harry was gathering up a pile of dead +leaves for a bed, Ben amused himself by wringing out his wet clothes. + +"Suppose we make a fire, Harry?" suggested Ben; and it would certainly +have been a great luxury to one in his damp condition. + +"No; it will betray us," replied Harry, with alarm. + +"Humph! It is easy enough for you to talk, who are warm and dry," +growled Ben. "I am going to have a fire, anyhow." + +In vain Harry protested. Ben had some matches in the boat, and in a +few minutes a cheerful fire blazed in the forest. As the leader of the +enterprise felt its glowing warmth his temper was sensibly impressed, +and he even had the hardihood to laugh at his late misfortune. But +Harry did not care just then whether his companion was pleasant or +sour, for he had stretched himself on his bed of leaves, and was in a +fair way to forget the trials and hardships of the voyage in the deep +sleep which makes it "all night" with a tired boy. + +After Ben was thoroughly dried and warmed, he placed himself by the +side of his fellow-voyager, and both journeyed together through the +quiet shades of dreamland, leaving no wakeful eye to watch over the +interests of the expedition while they slumbered. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +IN WHICH HARRY FIGHTS A HARD BATTLE, AND IS DEFEATED + + +The sun was high in the heavens when the tired boatmen awoke. +Unaccustomed as they were to fatigue and late hours, they had been +completely overcome by the exertion and exposure of the previous +night. Harry was the first to recover his lost senses; and when he +opened his eyes, everything looked odd and strange to him. It was not +the rough, but neat and comfortable little room in the poorhouse which +greeted his dawning consciousness; it was the old forest and the +dashing river. He did not feel quite at home; the affair had been +divested of its air of romance, and he felt more like a runaway boy +than the hero of a fairy tale. + +"Hallo, Ben!" shouted he, to his sleeping companion. + +Ben growled once, and then rolled over, as if angry at being +disturbed. + +"Ben! We shall be caught if you don't wake up. There, the clock is +striking eight!" and to give Ben a better idea of where he was, he +administered a smart kick in the region of the ribs. + +"What are you about?" snarled Ben, springing to his feet with clinched +fists. + +"Time we were moving. Don't you see how high the sun is? The clock has +just struck eight." + +"No matter for that. We are just as safe here as anywhere else. You +kick me again, and see where you will be!" + +"Come, come, Ben; don't get mad." + +"Don't kick me, then." + +"What are you going to do now?" + +"That's my business. You do what I tell you, that's all you have to do +with it," replied Ben, imperiously, as he walked to the bank of the +river to survey the difficulties of the navigation. + +"_Is_ it?" asked Harry, not particularly pleased with this +interpretation of their relations. + +"You better believe it is." + +"I don't believe anything of the kind. I ain't your nigger, anyhow!" +added Harry, with spirit. + +"I'll bet you are." + +"I'll bet I ain't." + +"What are you going to do about it?" + +"I'll let you know what I am going to do." + +"If you don't mind what I tell you, I'll wallop you on the spot." + +"No, you won't"; and Harry turned on his heel, and leisurely walked +off towards the thickest of the forest. + +"Where are you going?" + +"Off." + +"Off where?" + +"Do you think I'm going to stay with you, to be treated like a dog!" +replied Harry, as he continued his retreat. + +Ben started after him, but Harry picked up a stick of wood and stood +on the defensive. + +"Now, if you don't come back, I'll break your head!" said Ben. + +"Look out that your own don't get broke"; and Harry brandished his +cudgel in the air. + +Ben glanced at the club, and saw from the flash of Harry's bright eye +that he was thoroughly aroused. His companion was not to be trifled +with, and he was ready to abandon the point. + +"Come, Harry, it's no use for us to quarrel," he added, with a forced +smile. + +"I know that; but I won't be trod upon by you or anybody else." + +"I don't want to tread on you." + +"Yes, you do; you needn't think you are going to lord it over me in +that way. I will go back to the poorhouse first." + +"Let's be friends again, Harry. Throw down your club." + +"Yes, and let you lick me, then! No, you don't!" + +"I won't touch you, Harry; upon my word and honor, I won't." + +"Humph! Your word and honor ain't worth much. I'll go back, if you'll +behave yourself; but I shall keep the club handy." + +"Anyway you like; but let us be off." + +Ben changed his tone, and condescended to tell Harry what he meant to +do, even at the sacrifice of his dignity as commander of the +expedition. An appearance at least of good feeling was restored, and +after breakfasting on their bread and cheese, they embarked again, on +what promised to be a perilous voyage. + +For a quarter of a mile below, the bed of the narrow river was spotted +with rocks, among which the water dashed with a fury that threatened +the destruction of their frail bark. For a time they seriously debated +the question of abandoning the project, Harry proposing to penetrate +the woods in a northeasterly direction. Ben, however, could not +abandon the prospect of sailing leisurely down the river when they had +passed the rapids, making the passage without any exertion. He was not +pleased with the idea of trudging along on foot for thirty miles, when +the river would bear them to the city with only a little difficulty +occasionally at the rapids and shoal places. Perhaps his plan would +have been practicable at the highest stage of water, but the river was +now below its ordinary level. + +Ben's love of an easy and romantic time carried the day, and Harry's +practical common-sense reasoning was of no avail, and a taunt at his +cowardice induced him to yield the point. + +"Now, Harry, you take one of the paddles, and place yourself in the +bow, while I steer," said Ben, as he assumed his position. + +"Very well; you shall be captain of the boat, and I will do just as +you say; but I won't be bullied on shore," replied Harry, taking the +station assigned him. + +"All right; now cast off the painter, and let her slide. Keep both +eyes open." + +"Never fear me; I will do my share." + +The boat floated out into the current, and was borne rapidly down the +swift-flowing stream. They were not very skillful boatmen, and it was +more a matter of tact than of strength to keep the boat from dashing +on the sharp rocks. For a little way they did very well, though the +passage was sufficiently exciting to call their powers into action, +and to suggest a doubt as to the ultimate result of the venture. + +They soon reached a place, however, where the river turned a sharp +angle, and the waters were furiously precipitated down upon a bed of +rocks, which threatened them with instant destruction. + +"We shall be smashed to pieces!" exclaimed the foolhardy pilot, as his +eye measured the descent of the waters. "Let's try to get ashore." + +"Too late now," replied Harry, coolly. "Put her through, hit or miss." + +But Ben's courage all oozed out, in the face of this imminent peril, +and he made a vain attempt to push the boat toward the shore. + +"Paddle your end round, Harry," gasped Ben, in the extremity of fear. +"We shall be smashed to pieces." + +"Too late, Ben; stand stiff, and make the best of it," answered Harry, +as he braced himself to meet the shock. + +The rushing waters bore the boat down the stream in spite of the +feeble efforts of the pilot to check her progress. Ben seemed to have +lost all his self-possession, and stooped down, holding on with both +hands at the gunwale. + +Down she went into the boiling caldron of waters, roaring and foaming +like a little Niagara. One hard bump on the sharp rocks, and Harry +heard the boards snap under him. He waited for no more, but grasping +the over-hanging branches of a willow, which grew on the bank, and +upon which he had before fixed his eyes as the means of rescuing +himself, he sprang up into the tree, and saw Ben tumbled from the boat +into the seething caldron. + +"Save me, Harry!" shouted Ben. + +But Harry had to save himself first, which, however, was not a +difficult matter. Swinging himself from branch to branch till he +reached the trunk of the willow, he descended to the ground, without +having even wet the soles of his shoes. + +"Save me! save me!" cried Ben, in piteous accents, as the current bore +him down the stream. + +"Hold on to the boat," replied Harry, "and I will be there in a +minute." + +Seizing a long pole which had some time formed a part of a fence +there, he hastened down the bank to the water's edge. The water was +not very deep, but it ran so rapidly that Ben could neither swim nor +stand upon the bottom; and but for his companion's promptness he would +undoubtedly have been drowned. Grasping the long pole which Harry +extended to him, he was drawn to the shore, having received no other +injury than a terrible fright and a good ducking. + +"Here we are," said Harry, when his companion was safely landed. + +"Yes, here we are," growled Ben; "and it is all your fault that we are +here." + +"It is my fault that _you_ are here; for if I had not pulled you out +of the river, you would have been drowned," replied Harry, +indignantly; and perhaps he felt a little sorry just then that he had +rescued his ungrateful commander. + +"Yes, and if you had only done as I told you, and pushed for the shore +above the fall, all this would not have happened." + +"And if you hadn't been a fool, we should not have tried to go through +such a hole. There goes your old boat"; and Harry pointed to the +wreck, filled with water, floating down the stream. + +"Here they are!" shouted a voice, not far from them. + +Harry started, and so did Ben. + +"We are caught!" exclaimed Ben. + +"Not yet," replied Harry, with some trepidation, as he broke off a +piece of the pole that lay at his feet, and retreated from the river. +"Take a club, for I am not going to be carried back without fighting +for it." + +A survey of the ground and of the pursuers enabled him to prepare for +the future. He discovered at a glance the weakness of the assailants. + +"Take a club, Ben. Don't you see there is only one man on this side of +the river? and we can easily beat him off." + +Ben took the club; but he seemed not to have the energy to use it. In +fact, Harry showed himself better qualified to manage the present +interests of the expedition than his companion. All at once he +developed the attributes of a skillful commander, while his +confederate seemed to have lost all his cunning and all his +determination. + +"Now, let us run; and if we are caught we will fight for it," said +Harry. + +The boys took to their heels, and having a fair start of their +pursuer, they kept clear of him for a considerable distance; but Ben's +wet clothes impeded his progress, and Harry had too much magnanimity +to save himself at the sacrifice of his companion. + +It was evident, after the chase had continued a short time, that +their pursuer was gaining upon them. In vain Harry urged Ben to +increase his speed; his progress was very slow, and it was soon +apparent to Harry that they were wasting their breath in running when +they would need it for the fight. + +"Now, Ben, we can easily whip this man, and save ourselves. Be a man, +and let us stand by each other to the last." + +Ben made no reply; but when Harry stopped, he did the same. + +"Keep off! or we will knock your brains out," cried Harry, placing +himself in the attitude of defense. + +But the man took no notice of this piece of bravado; and as he +approached Harry leveled a blow at his head. The man warded it off, +and sprang forward to grasp the little rebel. + +"Hit him, Ben!" shouted Harry, as he dodged the swoop of his +assailant. + +To his intense indignation and disgust, Ben, instead of seconding his +assault, dropped his club and fled. He seemed to run a good deal +faster than he had run before that day; but Harry did not give up the +point. The man pressed him closely, and he defended himself with a +skill and vigor worthy a better cause. But it was of no use; or, if it +was, it only gave Ben more time to effect his escape. + +The unequal contest, however, soon terminated in the capture of our +resolute hero, and the man tied his hands behind his back; but he did +not dare to leave the young lion to go in pursuit of his less +unfortunate, but more guilty, confederate. + +"There, Master Harry West, I think you have got into a tight place +now," said his captor, whose name was Nathan Leman, brother of the +person to whom the boat belonged. "We will soon put you in a place +where you won't burn any more barns." + +Harry was confounded at this charge, and promptly and indignantly +denied it. He had not considered the possibility of being accused of +such a crime, and it seemed to put a new aspect upon his case. + +"You did not set fire to Squire Walker's barn last night?" replied +Leman, incredulously. + +"No, I did not." + +"Perhaps you can make the squire believe it," sneered his captor. + +"I didn't do it." + +"Didn't steal my brother's boat, either, did you?" + +"_I_ didn't." + +"Who did?" + +Harry thought a moment. After the mean trick which Ben Smart had +served him, he did not feel very kindly towards him, but he was not +yet prepared to betray him. + +"I didn't," was his reply. + +Nathan Leman then conducted his prisoner to the river's side. By this +time the other pursuer, who had been obliged to ascend the river for a +quarter of a mile before he could cross, joined him. + +"Where is the other fellow?" he asked. + +"Couldn't catch him. This one fought like a young tiger, and I +couldn't leave him," replied Nathan. "If you will take Harry up to the +village I will soon have him." + +The other assented, and while Nathan went in search of Ben, Harry was +conducted back to the village. + +The prisoner was sad and depressed in spirits; but he did not lose all +hope. He was appalled at the idea of being accused of burning the +barn; but he was innocent, and had a vague assurance that no harm +could befall him on that account. + +When they entered the village, a crowd gathered around them, eager to +learn the particulars of the capture; but without pausing to gratify +this curiosity, Harry's conductor led him to the poorhouse, and placed +him in charge of Mr. Nason. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +IN WHICH HARRY CONCLUDES THAT A DEFEAT IS SOMETIMES BETTER THAN A +VICTORY + + +The keeper of the poorhouse received Harry in sullen silence, and +conducted him to the chamber in which he had been ordered to keep him +a close prisoner. He apparently had lost all confidence in him, and +regretted that he had connived at his escape. + +Harry did not like the cold and repulsive deportment of his late +friend. Mr. Nason had always been kind to him; now he seemed to have +fallen in with Squire Walker's plans, and was willing to be the +instrument of the overseer's narrow and cruel policy. Before, he had +taken his part against the mighty, so far as it was prudent for him to +do so; now, he was willing to go over to the enemy. + +The reverse made him sadder than any other circumstance of his +return--sadder than the fear of punishment, or even of being sent to +live with Jacob Wire. + +"I've got back again," said Harry, when they reached the chamber in +which he was to be confined. + +"I see you have," replied Mr. Nason, in freezing tones. + +The keeper had never spoken to him in such tones, and Harry burst into +tears. His only friend had deserted him, and he felt more desolate +than ever before in his life. + +"You needn't cry, now," said Mr. Nason, sternly. + +"I can't help it," sobbed the little prisoner. + +"Can't you?" + +Mr. Nason sneered as he spoke, and his sneer pierced the heart of +Harry. + +"O, Mr. Nason!" + +"There--that will do. You needn't blubber any more. You have made your +bed, and now you can lie in it;" and the keeper turned on his heel to +leave the room. + +"Don't leave me yet," pleaded Harry. + +"Leave you? What do you want of me? I suppose you want to tell me I +advised you to burn the barn." + +"I didn't set the barn afire!" exclaimed Harry, now for the first time +realizing the cause of his friend's displeasure. + +"Don't lie." + +"I speak the truth. I did not set it afire, or even know that it was +going to be set on fire." + +Mr. Nason closed the door which he had opened to depart. The firm +denial, as well as the tone and manner of the boy, arrested his +judgment against him. He had learned to place implicit confidence in +Harry's word; for, though he might have told lies to others, he never +told them to him. + +"Who did burn the barn?" asked the keeper, looking sternly into the +eye of the culprit. + +Harry hesitated. A sense of honor and magnanimity pervaded his soul. +He had obtained some false notions; and he did not understand that he +could hardly be false to one who had been false to himself--that to +help a criminal conceal his crime was to conspire against the peace +and happiness of his fellow-beings. Shabbily as Ben Smart had used +him, he could not make up his mind to betray him. + +"You don't answer," added Mr. Nason. + +"I didn't do it." + +"But who did?" + +"I don't like to tell." + +"Very well; you can do as you like. After what I had done for you, it +was a little strange that you should do as you have." + +"I will tell you all about it, Mr. Nason, if you will promise not to +tell." + +"I know all about it. You and Ben Smart put your heads together to be +revenged on the squire; you set his barn afire, and then stole Leman's +boat." + +"No, sir; I didn't set the barn afire, nor steal the boat, nor help to +do either." + +"You and he were together." + +"We were; and if it wasn't for being mean to Ben, I would tell you all +about it." + +"Mean to Ben! As soon as it was known that you and Ben were missing, +everybody in the village knew who set the barn afire. All you have got +to do is to clear yourself, if you can; Ben is condemned already." + +"If you will hear my story I will tell you all about it." + +Harry proceeded to narrate everything that had occurred since he left +the house on the preceding night. It was a very clear and plausible +statement. He answered all the questions which Mr. Nason proposed with +promptness, and his replies were consistent. + +"I believe you, Harry," said the keeper, when he had finished his +examination. "Somehow I couldn't believe you would do such a thing as +set the squire's barn afire." + +"I wouldn't," replied Harry, warmly, and much pleased to find he had +re-established the confidence of his friend. + +"But it is a bad case. The fact of your being with Ben Smart is almost +enough to convict you." + +"I shouldn't have been with him, if I had known he set the barn +afire." + +"I don't know as I can do anything for you, Harry; but I will try." + +"Thank you." + +Mr. Nason left him, and Harry had an opportunity to consider the +desperate circumstances of his position. It looked just as though he +should be sent to the house of correction. But he was innocent. He +felt his innocence; as he expressed it to the keeper afterwards, he +"felt it in his bones." It did not, on further consideration, seem +probable that he would be punished for doing what he had not done, +either as principal or accessory. A vague idea of an all-pervading +justice consoled him; and he soon reasoned himself into a firm +assurance that he should escape unharmed. + +He was in the mood for reasoning just then--perhaps because he had +nothing better to do, or perhaps because the added experience of the +last twenty-four hours enabled him to reason better than before. His +fine scheme of getting to Boston, and there making a rich and great +man of himself, had signally failed. He did not give it up, however. + +"I have failed once, but I will try again," said he to himself, as the +conclusion of the whole matter; and he picked up an old school book +which lay on the table. + +The book contained a story, which he had often read, about a man who +had met with a long list of misfortunes, as he deemed them when they +occurred, but which proved to be blessings in disguise. + + "Oft from apparent ills our blessings rise, + Act well your part; there all the honor lies." + +This couplet from the school books came to his aid, also; and he +proceeded to make an application of this wisdom to his own mishaps. + +"Suppose I had gone on with Ben. He is a miserable fellow," thought +Harry; "he would have led me into all manner of wickedness. I ought +not to have gone with him, or had anything to do with him. He might +have made a thief and a robber of me. I know I ain't any better than I +should be; but I don't believe I'm as bad as he is. At any rate, I +wouldn't set a barn afire. It is all for the best, just as the parson +says when anybody dies. By this scrape I have got clear of Ben, and +learned a lesson that I won't forget in a hurry." + +Harry was satisfied with this logic, and really believed that +something which an older and more devout person would have regarded as +a special providence had interposed to save him from a life of infamy +and wickedness. It was a blessed experience, and his thoughts were +very serious and earnest. + +In the afternoon Squire Walker came down to the poorhouse to subject +Harry to a preliminary examination. Ben Smart had not been taken, and +the pursuers had abandoned the chase. + +"Boy," said the squire, when Harry was brought before him; "look at +me." + +Harry looked at the overseer with all his might. He had got far enough +to despise the haughty little great man. A taste of freedom had +enlarged his ideas and developed his native independence, so that he +did not quail, as the squire intended he should; on the contrary, his +eyes snapped with the earnestness of his gaze. With an honest and just +man, his unflinching eye would have been good evidence in his favor; +but the pompous overseer wished to awe him, rather than get at the +simple truth. + +"You set my barn on fire," continued the squire. + +"I did not," replied Harry, firmly. + +"Yes, you did. How dare you deny it?" + +"I did not." + +He had often read, and heard read, that passage of Scripture which +says, "Let your communication be Yea, yea, Nay, nay; for whatsoever is +more than these cometh of evil." Just then he felt the truth of the +inspired axiom. It seemed just as though any amount of violent +protestations would not help him; and though the squire repeated the +charge half a dozen times, he only replied with his firm and simple +denial. + +Then Squire Walker called his hired man, upon whose evidence he +depended for the conviction of the little incendiary. + +"Is that the boy, John?" asked the squire, pointing to Harry. + +"No, sir; it was a bigger boy than that," replied John, without +hesitation. + +"Are you sure?" + +"O, very sure." + +"It must be that this is the boy," persisted the squire, evidently +much disappointed by the testimony of the man. + +"I am certain it was a bigger boy than this." + +"I feel pretty clear about it, Mr. Nason," added the squire. "You +see, this boy was mad, yesterday, because I wanted to send him to +Jacob Wire's. My barn is burned, and it stands to reason he burned +it." + +"But I saw the boy round the barn night afore last," interposed John, +who was certainly better qualified to be a justice of the peace than +his employer. + +"I know that; but the barn wasn't burned till last night." + +"But Harry couldn't have had any grudge against you night before +last," said Mr. Nason. + +"I don't know about that," mused the squire, who was apparently trying +to reconcile the facts to his theory, rather than the theory to the +facts. + +John, the hired man, lived about three miles from the squire's house. +His father was very sick; and he had been home every evening for a +week, returning between ten and eleven. On the night preceding the +fire, he had seen a boy prowling round the barn, who ran away at his +approach. The next day, he found a pile of withered grass, dry sticks, +and other combustibles heaped against a loose board in the side of the +barn. He had informed the squire of the facts, but the worthy justice +did not consider them of much moment. + +Probably Ben had intended to burn the barn then, but had been +prevented from executing his purpose by the approach of the hired man. + +"This must be the boy," added the squire. + +"He had on a sack coat, and was bigger than this boy," replied John. + +"Harry has no sack coat," put in Mr. Nason, eagerly catching at his +evidence. + +"It is easy to be mistaken in the night. Search him, and see if there +are any matches about him." + +Undoubtedly this was a very brilliant suggestion of the squire's muddy +intellect--as though every man who carried matches was necessarily an +incendiary. But no matches were found upon Harry; and, according to +the intelligent justice's perception of the nature of evidence, the +suspected party should have been acquitted. + +No matches were found on Harry; but in his jacket pocket, carefully +enclosed in a piece of brown paper, were found the four quarters of a +dollar given to him by Mr. Nason. + +"Where did you get those?" asked the squire, sternly. + +"They were given to me," replied Harry. + +Mr. Nason averted his eyes, and was very uneasy. The fact of having +given this money to Harry went to show that he had been privy to his +escape; and his kind act seemed to threaten him with ruin. + +"Who gave them to you?" + +Harry made no reply. + +"Answer me," thundered the squire. + +"I shall not tell," replied Harry. + +"You shall not?" + +"No, sir." + +The squire was nonplussed. The boy was as firm as a hero; and no +threats could induce him to betray his kind friend, whose position he +fully comprehended. + +"We will see," roared the squire. + +Several persons who had been present during the examination, and who +were satisfied that Harry was innocent of the crime charged upon him, +interfered to save him from the consequences of the squire's wrath. + +Mr. Nason, finding that his young friend was likely to suffer for his +magnanimity, explained the matter--thus turning the squire's anger +from the boy to himself. + +"So you helped the boy run away--did you?" said the overseer. + +"He did not; he told me that money would keep me from starving." + +"Did he?" + +Those present understood the allusion, and the squire did not press +the matter any further. In the course of the examination, Ben Smart +had often been alluded to, and the crime was fastened upon him. Harry +told his story, which, confirmed by the evidence of the hired man, +was fully credited by all except the squire, who had conceived a +violent antipathy to the boy. + +The examination was informal; the squire did not hold it as a justice +of the peace, but only as a citizen, or, at most, as an overseer of +the poor. However, it proved that, as the burning of the barn had been +planned before any difficulty had occurred between the squire and +Harry, he had no motive for doing the deed. + +The squire was not satisfied; but the worst he could do was to commit +Harry to the care of Jacob Wire, which was immediately done. + +"I am sorry for you, Harry," whispered Mr. Nason. + +"Never mind; I shall _try again_," he replied, as he jumped into the +wagon with his persecutor. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +IN WHICH HARRY FINDS HIMSELF IN A TIGHT PLACE AND EXECUTES A COUNTER +MOVEMENT + + +"Jacob, here is the boy," said Squire Walker, as he stopped his horse +in front of an old, decayed house. + +Jacob Wire was at work in his garden, by the side of the house; and +when the squire spoke, he straightened his back, regarding Harry with +a look of mingled curiosity and distrust. He evidently did not like +his appearance. He looked as though he would eat too much; and to a +man as mean as Jacob, this was the sum total of all enormities. +Besides, the little pauper had earned a bad reputation within the +preceding twenty-four hours, and his new master glanced uneasily at +his barn, and then at the boy, as though he deemed it unsafe to have +such a desperate character about his premises. + +"He is a hard boy, Jacob, and will need a little taming. They fed him +too high at the poorhouse," continued the squire. + +"That spoils boys," replied Jacob, solemnly. + +"So it does." + +"So, this is the boy that burnt your barn?" + +"Well, I don't know. I rather think it was the Smart boy. Perhaps he +knew about it, though;" and the squire proceeded to give his +brother-in-law the particulars of the informal examination; for Jacob +Wire, who could hardly afford to lie still on Sundays, much less other +days, had not been up to the village to hear the news. + +"You must be pretty sharp with him," said the overseer, in conclusion. +"Keep your eye on him all the time, for we may want him again, as soon +as they can catch the other boy." + +Jacob promised to do the best he could with Harry, who, during the +interview, had maintained a sullen silence; and the squire departed, +assured that he had done his whole duty to the public and to the +little pauper. + +"Well, boy, it is about sundown now, and I guess we will go in and get +some supper before we do any more. But let me tell you beforehand, you +must walk pretty straight here, or you will fare hard." + +Harry vouchsafed no reply to this speech, and followed Jacob into the +house. His first meal at his new place confirmed all he had heard +about the penuriousness of his master. There was very little to eat on +the table, but Mrs. Wire gave him the poorest there was--a hard crust +of brown bread, a cold potato, and a dish of warm water with a very +little molasses and milk in it, which he was expected to imagine was +tea. + +Harry felt no disposition to eat. He was too sad and depressed, and +probably if the very best had been set before him he would have been +equally indifferent. + +He ate very little, and Jacob felt more kindly towards him than before +this proof of the smallness of his appetite. He had been compelled to +get rid of his last boy, because he was a little ogre, and it seemed +as though he would eat him out of house and home. + +After supper Harry assisted Jacob about the barn, and it was nearly +eight o'clock before they finished. + +"Now, boy, it is about bed time, and I will show you your rooms, if +you like," said Jacob. "Before you go, let me tell you it won't do any +good to try to run away from here, for I am going to borrow Leman's +bull-dog." + +Harry made no reply to this remark, and followed his master to the low +attic of the house, where he was pointed to a rickety bedstead, which +he was to occupy. + +"There, jump into bed afore I carry the candle off," continued Jacob. + +"I don't care about any light. You needn't wait," replied Harry, as he +slipped off his shoes and stockings. + +"That is right; boys always ought to be learnt to go to bed in the +dark," added Jacob, as he departed. + +But Harry was determined not to go to bed in the dark; so, as soon as +he heard Jacob's step on the floor below, he crept to the stairway, +and silently descended. He had made up his mind not to wait for the +bull-dog. Pausing in the entry, he heard Jacob tell his wife that he +was going over to Leman's to borrow his dog; he was afraid the boy +would get up in the night and set his barn on fire, or run away. Jacob +then left the house, satisfied, no doubt, that the bull-dog would be +an efficient sentinel while the family were asleep. + +After allowing time enough to elapse for Jacob to reach Leman's house, +he softly opened the front door and went out. It was fortunate for him +that Mrs. Wire was as "deaf as a post," or his suddenly matured plan +to "try again" might have been a failure. As it was, his departure was +not observed. It was quite dark, and after he had got a short distance +from the house, he felt a reasonable degree of security. + +His first purpose was to get as far away from Redfield as possible +before daylight should come to betray him; and, taking the road, he +walked as fast as his legs would carry him towards Boston. Jacob's +house was on the turnpike, which was the direct road to the city, and +the distance which the squire had carried him in his wagon was so much +clear gain. + +He did not feel very sentimental now. The sky was overshadowed with +clouds, so that he could not see any stars, and the future did not +look half so bright as his fancy had pictured it on the preceding +night. But he was free again; and free under more favorable +circumstances than before. This time he was himself commander of the +expedition, and was to suffer for no one's bad generalship but his +own. Besides, the experience he had obtained was almost a guarantee of +success. It had taught him the necessity of care and prudence. + +The moral lesson he had learned was of infinitely more value than even +the lesson of policy. For the first time in his life he was conscious +of a deep and earnest desire to be a good boy, and to become a true +man. As he walked along, he thought more of being a good man than of +being a rich man. It was very natural for him to do so, under the +circumstances, for he had come very near being punished as an +incendiary. The consequences of doing wrong were just then strongly +impressed upon his mind, and he almost shuddered to think he had +consented to remain with Ben Smart after he knew that he burned the +barn. Ah, it was an exceedingly fortunate thing for him that he had +got rid of Ben as he did. + +For two hours he walked as fast as he could, pausing now and then to +listen for the sound of any approaching vehicle. Possibly Jacob might +have gone to his room, or attic, to see if he was safe, and his escape +had been discovered. He could not be too wary, and every sound that +reached his waiting ear caused his heart to jump with anxiety. + +He heard a clock strike eleven. It was not the Redfield clock, and it +was evident that he was approaching Rockville, a factory village eight +miles from his native place. But his legs were failing him. He was +exhausted by the labors and the excitement of the day and night, and +his strength would hardly hold out till he should get beyond the +village. + +Seating himself on a rock by the side of the road, he decided to hold +a council of war, to determine what should be done. If he went +forward, his strength might fail him at the time when a vigorous +effort should be required of him. Somebody's dog might bark, and bring +the "Philistines upon him." He might meet some late walker, who would +detain him. It was hardly safe for him to go through the village by +night or day, after the search which had been made for Ben Smart. +People would be on the lookout, and it would be no hard matter to +mistake him for the other fugitive. + +On the other hand, he did not like to pause so near Redfield. He had +scarcely entered upon the consideration of this side of the question +before his quick ear detected the sound of rattling wheels in the +direction from which he had come. His heart beat violently. It was +Squire Walker and Jacob Wire, he was sure, in pursuit of him; but his +courage did not fail him. + +Leaping over the stone wall by the side of the road, he secured the +only retreat which the vicinity afforded, and waited, with his heart +in his throat, for the coming of his pursuers, as he had assured +himself they were. The present seemed to be his only chance of escape, +and if he failed now, he might not soon have another opportunity to +"try again." + +The vehicle was approaching at a furious pace, and as the noise grew +more distinct, his heart leaped the more violently. He thought he +recognized the sound of Squire Walker's wagon. There was not much time +for his fancy to conjure up strange things, for the carriage soon +reached the place where he was concealed. + +"Ur-r--woo!" said a big bull-dog, placing his ugly nose against the +wall, behind which Harry was lying. + +"Whoa!" added a voice, which the trembling fugitive recognized as that +of George Leman. + +"The dog has scented him," said another--that of Jacob Wire. + +Harry's heart sank within him, and he felt as faint as though every +drop of blood had been drawn from his veins. + +"I knew the dog would fetch him," said George Leman, as he leaped from +the wagon, followed by Jacob Wire. "At him, Tiger!" + +In obedience to this command, Tiger drew back a few steps, and then +leaped upon the top of the wall. The prospect of being torn to pieces +by the bull-dog was not pleasant to Harry, and with a powerful effort +he summoned his sinking energies for the struggle before him. Grasping +two large stones, he stood erect as the dog leaped on the wall. +Inspired by the imminence of his peril, he hurled one of the stones at +Tiger the instant he showed his ugly visage above the fence. The +missile took effect upon the animal, and he was evidently much +astonished at this unusual mode of warfare. Tiger was vanquished, and +fell back from the wall, howling with rage and pain. + +"Thunder! He has killed my dog!" exclaimed Leman, as he jumped over +the wall. + +Harry did not wait any longer, but took to his heels, followed by both +pursuers, though not by the dog, which was _hors de combat_. Our hero +was in a "tight place," but with a heroism worthy the days of +chivalry, he resolved not to be captured. + +He had not run far, however, before he realized that George Leman was +more than a match for him, especially in his present worn-out +condition. He was almost upon him, when Harry executed a counter +movement, which was intended to "outflank" his adversary. Dodging +round a large rock in the field, he redoubled his efforts, running now +towards the road where the horse was standing. Leman was a little +confused by this sudden action, and for an instant lost ground. + +Harry reached the road and leaped the wall at a single bound; it was a +miracle that, in the darkness, he had not dashed his brains out upon +the rocks, in the reckless leap. The horse was startled by the noise, +and his snort suggested a brilliant idea to Harry. + +"Go 'long!" he shouted; and the horse started towards Rockville at a +round pace. + +Harry jumped into the wagon over the hind board, and grasping the +reins, put the high-mettled animal to the top of his speed. + +"Go 'long!" hallooed Harry, mad with excitement. + +The horse manifested no feeling of partiality toward either of the +parties, and seemed as willing to do his best for Harry as for his +master. + +"Stop! Stop!" shouted George Leman, astounded at the new phase which +the chase had assumed. "Stop! and I will let you go." + +That was quite reasonable. It was natural that he should prefer to let +the fugitive escape, to the alternative of losing his horse. George +Leman was noted for three things in Redfield--his boat, his ugly dog, +and his fast horse; and Harry, after stealing the boat and killing the +dog, was in a fair way to deprive him of his horse, upon which he set +a high value. The boy seemed like his evil genius, and no doubt he was +angry with himself for letting so mean a man as Jacob Wire persuade +him to hunt down such small game. + +Harry did not deem it prudent to stop, and in a few moments had left +his pursuers out of sight. Then he began to breathe freer. He had +played a desperate game, and won the victory; yet he did not feel like +indulging in a triumph. The battle had been a bitter necessity, and he +even regretted the fate of poor Tiger, whose ribs he had stove in with +a rock. + +He passed through Rockville. All was still, save the roaring of the +waters at the dam, and no one challenged him. + +"I am safe, at any rate," said he to himself, when he had passed the +village. "What will be the next scrape, I wonder? Confound it! They +will have me up for stealing a horse next. But I didn't steal him. +George Leman is a good fellow, and only for the fun of the thing, he +wouldn't have come out on such a chase. I wouldn't steal anybody's +horse. Whoa!" + +Harry hauled up by the roadside, and fastened the horse to the fence. + +"There, George, you can have your horse again; but I will just put the +blanket over him, for he is all of a reeking sweat. It will just show +George, when he comes up, that I don't mean him any harm. I hope his +dog wasn't killed." + +Taking the blanket which lay in the bottom of the wagon (for George +Leman was very careful of his horse, and though it was October, always +covered him when he let him stand out at night), he spread it over +him. + +"Now, for Number One again," muttered Harry. "I must take to the +woods, though I doubt if George will follow me any farther." + +So saying, he got over the fence, and made his way across the fields +to the woods, which were but a short distance from the road. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +IN WHICH HARRY KILLS A BIG SNAKE, AND MAKES A NEW FRIEND + + +Harry was not entirely satisfied with what he had done. He regretted +the necessity which had compelled him to take George Leman's horse. It +looked too much like stealing; and his awakened moral sense repelled +the idea of such a crime. But they could not accuse him of stealing +the horse; for his last act would repudiate the idea. + +His great resolution to become a good and true man was by no means +forgotten. It is true, at the very outset of the new life he had +marked out for himself, he had been obliged to behave like a young +ruffian, or be restored to his exacting guardians. It was rather a bad +beginning; but he had taken what had appeared to him the only course. + +Was it right for him to run away? On the solution of this problem +depended the moral character of the subsequent acts. If it was right +for him to run away, why, of course it was right for him to resist +those who attempted to restore him to Jacob Wire. + +Harry made up his mind that it was right for him to run away, under +the circumstances. His new master had been charged to break him +down--even to starve him down. Jacob's reputation as a mean and hard +man was well merited; and it was his duty to leave without stopping to +say good by. + +I do not think that Harry was wholly in the right, though I dare say +all my young readers will sympathize with the stout-hearted little +hero. So far, Jacob Wire had done him no harm. He had suffered no +hardship at his hands. All his misery was in the future; and if he had +stayed, perhaps his master might have done well by him, though it is +not probable. Still, I think Harry was in some sense justifiable. To +remain in such a place was to cramp his soul, as well as pinch his +body--to be unhappy, if not positively miserable. He might have tried +the place, and when he found it could not be endured, fled from it. + +It must be remembered that Harry was a pauper and an orphan. He had +not had the benefit of parental instruction. It was not from the home +of those whom God had appointed to be his guardians and protectors +that he had fled; it was from one who regarded him, not as a rational +being, possessed of an immortal soul--one for whose moral, mental, and +spiritual welfare he was accountable before God--that he had run away, +but from one who considered him as a mere machine, from which it was +his only interest to get as much work at as little cost as possible. +He fled from a taskmaster, not from one who was in any just sense a +guardian. + +Harry did not reason out all this; he only felt it. What was Jacob +Wire to him? What was even Squire Walker to him? What did they care +about his true welfare? Nothing. Harry so understood it, and acted +accordingly. + +The future was full of trials and difficulties. But his heart was +stout; and the events of the last chapter inspired him with confidence +in his own abilities. He entered the dark woods, and paused to rest +himself. What should he do next? + +While he was discussing this question in his own mind he heard the +sound of voices on the road, which was not more than fifty rods +distant. It was George Leman and Jacob Wire. In a few minutes he heard +the sound of wagon wheels; and soon had the satisfaction of knowing +that his pursuers had abandoned the chase and were returning home. + +The little fugitive was very tired and very sleepy. It was not +possible for him to continue his journey, and he looked about him for +a place in which to lodge. The night was chilly and damp; and as he +sat upon the rock, he shivered with cold. It would be impossible to +sleep on the wet ground; and if he could, it might cost him his life. +It was a pine forest; and there were no leaves on the ground, so that +he could not make such a bed as that in which he had slept the +previous night. + +He was so cold that he was obliged to move about to get warm. It +occurred to him that he might get into some barn in the vicinity, and +nestle comfortably in the hay; but the risk of being discovered was +too great, and he directed his steps towards the depths of the forest. + +After walking some distance, he came to an open place in the woods. +The character of the growth had changed, and the ground was covered +with young maples, walnuts and oaks. The wood had been recently cut +off over a large area, but there were no leaves of which he could make +a bed. + +Fortune favored him, however; for, after advancing half way across the +open space he reached one of those cabins erected for the use of men +employed to watch coal pits. It was made of board slabs, and covered +with sods. Near it was the circular place on which the coal pit had +burned. + +At the time of which I write, charcoal was carried to Boston from many +towns within thirty miles of the city. Perhaps my young readers may +never have seen a coal pit. The wood is set up on the ends of the +sticks, till a circular pile from ten to twenty feet in diameter is +formed and two tiers in height. Its shape is that of a cone, or a +sugar loaf. It is then covered with turf and soil. Fire is +communicated to the wood, so that it shall smoulder, or burn slowly, +without blazing. Just enough air is admitted to the pit to keep the +fire alive. If the air were freely admitted the pile would burn to +ashes. Sometimes the outer covering of dirt and sods falls in, as the +wood shrinks permitting the air to rush in and fan the fire to a +blaze. When this occurs, the aperture must be closed, or the wood +would be consumed; and it is necessary to watch it day and night. The +cabin had been built for the comfort of the men who did this duty. + +Harry's heart was filled with gratitude when he discovered the rude +hut. If it had been a palace, it could not have been a more welcome +retreat. It is true the stormy wind had broken down the door, and the +place was no better than a squirrel hole; yet it suggested a thousand +brilliant ideas of comfort, and luxury even, to our worn-out and +hunted fugitive. + +He entered the cabin. The floor was covered with straw, which +completed his ideal of a luxurious abode. Raising up the door, which +had fallen to the ground, he placed it before the aperture--thus +excluding the cold air from his chamber. + +"I'm a lucky fellow," exclaimed Harry, as he threw himself on the +straw. "This place will be a palace beside Jacob Wire's house. And I +can stay here a month, if I like." + +Nestling closely under the side of the hut, he pulled the straw over +him, and soon began to feel perfectly at home. Only one consideration +troubled him. The commissary department of the establishment could not +be relied on. There were no pork and potatoes in the house, no +well-filled grain chest, no groceries, not even a rill of pure water +at hand. This was an unpromising state of things; and he began to see +that there would be no fun in living in the woods, where the butcher +and the baker would not be likely to visit him. + +Various means of supplying the deficiency suggested themselves. There +were rabbits, partridges, and quails in the woods; he might set a +snare, and catch some of them. But he had no fire to cook them; and +Dr. Kane had not then demonstrated the healthy and appetizing +qualities of raw meat. The orchards in the neighborhood were +accessible; but prudence seemed to raise an impassable barrier between +him and them. + +While he was thus considering these matters, he dropped asleep, and +forgot all about his stomach. He was completely exhausted; and no +doubt the owls and bats were astonished as they listened to the +sonorous sounds that came from the deserted cabin. + +Long and deep was his sleep. The birds sang their mating songs on the +tree tops; but he heard them not. The sun rose, and penetrated the +chinks of the hut; but the little wanderer still slumbered. The +Rockville clock struck nine; and he heard it not. + +I think it was Harry's grumbling stomach that finally waked him; and +it was no wonder that neglected organ grew impatient under the injury +put upon it, for Harry had eaten little or nothing since his dinner at +the poorhouse on the preceding day. + +Jumping out of the heap of straw in which he had "cuddled" all night +scarcely without moving, he left the hut to reconnoitre his position. +So far as security was concerned, it seemed to be a perfectly safe +place. He could see nothing of the village of Rockville, though, +beyond the open space, he saw the top of a chimney; but it was at +least half a mile distant. + +Just then he did not feel much interested in the scenery and natural +advantages of the position. His stomach was imperative, and he was +faint from the want of food. There was nothing in the woods to eat. +Berry time was past; and the prospect of supplying his wants was very +discouraging. Leaving the cabin, he walked towards the distant chimney +that peered above the tree tops. It belonged to a house that "was set +on a hill, and could not be hid." + +After going a little way, he came to a cart path, which led towards +the house. This he followed, descending a hill into a swamp, which was +covered over with alders and birches. At the foot of the declivity he +heard the rippling of waters; but the bushes concealed the stream from +his view. + +He had descended nearly to the foot of the hill when the sound of +footsteps reached his ears. His heart beat quick with apprehension, +and he paused to listen. The step was soft and light; it was not a +man's, and his courage rose. Pat, pat, pat, went the steps on the +leafy ground, so gently that his fears were conquered; for the person +could be only a child. + +Suddenly a piercing shriek saluted his ears. Something had occurred to +alarm the owner of the fairy feet which made the soft pat, pat, on the +ground. Another shriek, and Harry bounded down the road like an +antelope, heedless of the remonstrances of his grumbling stomach. + +"Mercy! help!" shouted a voice, which Harry perceived was that of a +little girl. + +In a moment more he discovered the young lady running with all her +might towards him. + +"Save me!" gasped the girl. + +"What is the matter?" + +But Harry had scarcely asked the question before he saw what had +alarmed her. Under other circumstances he would have quailed himself; +for, as he spoke, a great black snake raised his head two or three +feet from the ground directly in front of him. He was an ugly-looking +monster, and evidently intended to attack him. All the chivalry of +Harry's nature was called up to meet the emergency of the occasion. +Seizing a little stick that lay in the path, he struck sundry +vigorous blows at the reptile, which, however, seemed only to madden, +without disabling him. Several times he elevated his head from the +ground to strike at his assailant; but the little knight was an old +hand with snakes, and vigorously repelled his assaults. At last, he +struck a blow which laid out his snakeship; and the field was won, +when Harry had smashed his head with a large rock. The reptile was +about four feet and a half long, and as big round as a small boy's +wrist. + +"There, miss, he won't hurt you now," said Harry, panting with his +exertions. + +"Won't he? Are you sure he is dead?" + +"Very sure." + +The little girl ventured to approach the dead body of the snake, and +satisfied herself that he could not harm her. + +"What an ugly snake! I was crossing the brook at the foot of the hill, +when he sprang out from beneath my feet and chased me. I never was so +frightened in all my life," said the little miss. + +"I don't wonder," replied Harry. + +"I am very much obliged to you. What is your name?" asked she, with +childish simplicity. + +Harry did not like to answer that question, and made no reply. + +"Do you live in Rockville?" she continued. + +"No; I used to live in Redfield." + +"Where do you live now?" + +"I don't live anywhere." + +The little girl wanted to laugh then, it seemed such a funny answer. + +"Don't you? Who is your father?" + +"I have no father." + +"Who is your mother, then?" + +"I have no mother." + +"Poor boy! Then you are an orphan." + +"I suppose so. But, little girl, I don't want you to tell any one that +you have seen me. You won't--will you?" + +"Not father and mother?" asked the maiden, with a stare of +astonishment. + +"If you please, don't. I am a poor boy, and have run away from a hard +master." + +"I won't tell anybody." + +"And I am very hungry." + +"Poor boy! How lucky that I have lots of goodies in my basket!" +exclaimed she. "You shall eat all you can." + +"I haven't eat anything since yesterday noon," replied Harry, as he +took a handful of doughnuts she handed him. + +"Sit down on this rock, and do eat all you want. I never knew what it +was to be very hungry." + +Harry seated himself, and proceeded to devour the food the +sympathizing little maiden had given him, while she looked on with +astonishment and delight as he voraciously consumed cake after cake, +without seeming to produce any effect upon the "abhorred vacuum." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +IN WHICH HARRY BREAKFASTS ON DOUGHNUTS, AND FINDS THAT ANGELS DO NOT +ALWAYS HAVE WINGS + + +Harry was very hungry, and the little girl thought he would never have +eaten enough. Since he had told her he had run away, she was deeply +interested in him, and had a hundred questions to ask; but she did not +wish to bother him while he was eating, he was so deeply absorbed in +the occupation. + +"What a blessed thing doughnuts are!" laughed she, as Harry leveled on +the sixth cake. "I never thought much of them before, but I never +shall see a doughnut again without thinking of you." + +Our hero was perfectly willing to believe that doughnuts were a very +beneficent institution; but just then he was too busily occupied to be +sentimental over them. + +"What is your name, little girl?" asked Harry as he crammed half of +the cake into his mouth. + +"I have a great mind not to tell you, because you wouldn't tell me +what yours is," replied she, roguishly. + +"You see how it is with me. I have run away from--well, from +somewhere." + +"And you are afraid I will tell? I won't though. But, as you killed +the snake, I shall tell you. My name is Julia Bryant." + +"Mine is Harry West," replied he, unable to resist the little lady's +argument. "You must not tell any one about me for three days, for then +I shall be out of the way." + +"Where are you going, Harry?" + +"To Boston." + +"Are you? They say that none but bad boys run away. I hope you are not +a bad boy." And Julia glanced earnestly at the fugitive. + +"I don't think I am." + +"I don't think you are, either." + +It was a hearty endorsement, and Harry's heart warmed as she spoke. +The little maiden was not more than nine or ten years old, but she +seemed to have some skill in reading faces; at least, Harry thought +she had. Whatever might be said of himself, he was sure she was a good +girl. In short, though Harry had never read a novel in his life, she +was a little angel, even if she had no wings. He even went so far as +to believe she was a little angel, commissioned by that mysterious +something, which wiser and more devout persons would have called a +special providence, to relieve his wants with the contents of her +basket, and gladden his heart by the sunshine of her sweet smile. +There is something in goodness which always finds its way to the face. +It makes little girls look prettier than silks, and laces, and +ribbons, and embroidery. Julia Bryant was pretty, very pretty. Harry +thought so; but very likely it was the doughnuts and her kind words +which constituted her beauty. + +"I am pretty sure I am not a bad boy," continued Harry; "but I will +tell you my own story, and you shall judge for yourself." + +"You will tell me all of it--won't you?" + +"To be sure I will," replied Harry, a little tartly, for he +misapprehended Julia's meaning. + +He thought she was afraid he would not tell his wrong acts; whereas +her deep interest in him rendered her anxious to have the whole, even +to the smallest particulars. + +"I shall be so delighted! I do so love to hear a good story!" +exclaimed Julia. + +"You shall have it all; but where were you going? It will take me a +good while." + +"I was going to carry these doughnuts to Mrs. Lane. She is a poor +widow, who lives over the back lane. She has five children, and has +very hard work to get along. I carry something to her every week." + +"Then you are a little angel!" added Harry, who could understand and +appreciate kindness to the poor. + +"Not exactly an angel, though Mrs. Lane says I am," replied Julia, +with a blush. + +"Aunty Gray, over to the poorhouse, used to call everybody an angel +that brought her anything good. So I am sure you must be one." + +"Never mind what I am now. I am dying to hear your story," interposed +Julia, as she seated herself on another rock, near that occupied by +Harry. + +"Here goes, then"; and Harry proceeded with his tale, commencing back +beyond his remembrance with the traditionary history which had been +communicated to him by Mr. Nason and the paupers. + +When he came to the period of authentic history, or that which was +stored up in his memory, he grew eloquent, and the narrative glowed +with the living fire of the hero. Julia was quite as much interested +as Desdemona in the story of the swarthy Moor. His "round, unvarnished +tale," adorned only with the flowers of youthful simplicity, enchained +her attention, and she "loved him for the dangers he had passed;" +loved him, not as Desdemona loved, but as a child loves. She was sure +now that he was not a bad boy; that even a good boy might do such a +thing as run away from cruel and exacting guardians. + +"What a strange story, Harry! How near you came to being drowned in +the river! I wonder the man had not killed you! And then they wanted +to send you to prison for setting the barn afire!" exclaimed Julia, +when he had finished the story. + +"I came pretty near it; that's a fact!" replied Harry, warming under +the approbation of his partial auditor. + +"And you killed the big dog?" + +"I don't know; I hope I didn't." + +"But you didn't steal the horse?" + +"I didn't mean to steal him." + +"No one could call that stealing. But what are you going to do next, +Harry?" + +"I am going to Boston." + +"What will you do when you get there?" + +"I can go to work." + +"You are not big enough to work much." + +"I can do a good deal." + +For some time longer they discussed Harry's story, and Julia regretted +the necessity of leaving him to do her errand at Mrs. Lane's. She +promised to see him when she returned, and Harry walked down to the +brook to get a drink, while she continued on her way. + +Our hero was deeply interested in the little girl. Like the "great +guns" in the novels, he was sure she was no ordinary character. He was +fully satisfied in relation to the providential nature of their +meeting. She had been sent by that incomprehensible something to +furnish him with food, and he trembled when he thought what might have +happened if she had not come. + +"I can't be a very bad boy," thought he, "or she would not have liked +me. Mr. Nason used to say he could tell an ugly horse by the looks of +his eye; and the schoolmaster last winter picked out all the bad boys +at a glance. I can't be a very bad boy, or she would have found me +out. I _know_ I am not a bad boy. I feel right, and try to do right." + +Harry's investigation invested Julia Bryant with a thousand poetical +excellences. That she felt an interest in him--one so good as she--was +enough to confirm all the noble resolutions he had made, and give him +strength to keep them; and as he seated himself by the brook, he +thought over his faults, and renewed his determination to uproot them +from his character. His meeting with the "little angel," as he chose +to regard her, was an oasis in the desert--a place where his moral +nature could drink the pure waters of life. + +No one had ever before seemed to care much whether he was a good boy +or a bad boy. The minister used now and then to give him a dry +lecture; but he did not seem to feel any real interest in him. He was +minister, and of course he must preach; not that he cared whether a +pauper boy was a saint or a sinner, but only to do the work he was +hired to do, and earn his money. + +Julia did not preach. Her sweet face was the "beauty of holiness." She +hoped he was not a bad boy. She liked a good boy; and this was +incentive enough to incur a lifetime of trial and self-sacrifice. +Harry was an orphan. To have one feel an interest in his moral +welfare, to have one wish him to be a good boy, had not grown stale by +long continuance. He had known no anxious mother, who wished him to be +good, who would weep when he did wrong. The sympathy of the little +angel touched a sensitive chord in his heart and soul, and he felt +that he should go forward in the great pilgrimage of life with a new +desire to be true to himself, and true to her who had inspired his +reverence. + +Even a child cannot be good without having it felt by others. "She +hoped he was not a bad boy," were the words of the little angel; and +before she returned from her errand of mercy, he repeated them to +himself a hundred times. They were a talisman to him, and he was sure +he should never be a bad boy in the face of such a wish. + +He wandered about the woods for two or three hours, impatient for the +return of the little rural goddess who had taken possession of his +thoughts, and filled his soul with admiration. She came at last, and +glad was the welcome which he gave her. + +"I have been thinking of you ever since I left you," said Julia, as +she approached the place where he had been waiting her return. + +Harry thought this was a remarkable coincidence. He had been thinking +of her also. + +"I hope you didn't think of me as a bad boy," replied he, giving +expression to that which was uppermost in his mind. + +"I am sure I didn't. I am sure you must be a good boy." + +"I am glad you think so; and that will help me be a good boy." + +"Will it?" + +"I never had any one to care whether I was good or bad. If you do, you +will be the first one." + +The little girl looked sad. She had a father and mother who loved her, +and prayed for her every day. It seemed hard that poor Harry should +have no mother to love him as her mother loved her; to watch over him +day and night, to take care of him when he was sick, and, above all, +to teach him to be good. She pitied the lonely orphan, and would +gladly have taken him to her happy home, and shared with him all she +had, even the love of her mother. + +"Poor boy!" she sighed. "But I have been thinking of something," she +added, in more sprightly tones. + +"What, Julia?" + +"If you would only let me tell my father that you are here--" + +"Not for the world!" cried Harry. + +"O, I won't say a word, unless you give me leave; but my father is +rich. He owns a great factory and a great farm. He has lots of men to +work for him; and my father is a very good man, too. People will do as +he wants them to do, and if you will let me tell him your story, he +will go over to Redfield and make them let you stay at our house. You +shall be my brother then, and we can do lots of things together. Do +let me tell him." + +"I don't think it would be safe. I know Squire Walker wouldn't let me +go to any place where they would use me well." + +"What a horrible man he must be!" + +"No; I think I will go on to Boston." + +"You will have a very hard time of it." + +"No matter for that." + +"They may catch you." + +"If they do, I shall try again." + +"If they do catch you, will you let my father know it? He will be your +friend, for my friends are his friends." + +"I will. I should be very glad to have such a friend." + +"There is our dinner bell!" said Julia, as Harry heard the distant +sound. "I must go home. How I wish you were going with me!" + +"I wish I was. I may never see you again," added Harry, sadly. + +"O, you must see me again! When you get big you must come to +Rockville." + +"You will not wish to see the little poorhouse boy, then." + +"Won't I? I shall always be glad to see the boy that killed that +snake! But I shall come up after dinner, and bring you something to +eat. Do let me tell mother you are here." + +"I would rather you wouldn't." + +"Suppose she asks me what I am going to do with the dinner I shall +bring you? I can't tell a lie." + +"Don't bring any, then. I would rather not have any dinner than have +_you_ tell a lie." + +Harry would not always have been so nice about a lie; but for the +little angel to tell a falsehood, why, it seemed like mud on a white +counterpane. + +"I won't tell a lie, but you shall have your dinner. I suppose I must +go now." + +Harry watched the retreating form of his kind friend, till she +disappeared beyond the curve of the path, and his blessing went with +her. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +IN WHICH HARRY FARES SUMPTUOUSLY, AND TAKES LEAVE OF THE LITTLE ANGEL + + +When Harry could no longer see the little angel, he fixed his eyes +upon the ground, and continued to think of her. It is not every day +that a pauper boy sees an angel, or even one whom the enthusiasm of +the imagination invests with angelic purity and angelic affections. + +In the records of individual experience, as well as in the history of +the world, there are certain points of time which are rendered +memorable by important events. By referring to a chronological table, +the young reader will see the great events which have marked the +progress of civilized nations from the lowest depths of barbarism up +to their present enlightened state. Every individual, if he had the +requisite wisdom, could make up a list of epochs in his own +experience. Perhaps he would attach too little importance to some +things, too much to others; for we cannot always clearly perceive the +influences which assist in forming the character. Some trivial event, +far back in the past, which inspired him with a new reverence for +truth and goodness, may be forgotten. The memory may not now cherish +the look, the smile of approbation, which strengthened the heart, when +it was struggling against the foe within; but its influence was none +the less potent. "It is the last pound which breaks the camel's back;" +and that look, that smile, may have closed the door of the heart +against a whole legion of evil spirits, and thus turned a life of woe +and bitterness into a life of sunshine and happiness. + +There are hundreds of epochs in the experience of every person, boy or +man--events which raised him up or let him down in the scale of moral +existence. Harry West had now reached one of these epochs in his +pilgrimage. + +To meet a little girl in the woods, to kill a black snake, and thus +relieve her from a terrible fright, to say the least, was not a great +event, as events are reckoned in the world; yet it was destined to +exert a powerful influence upon his future career. It was not the +magnitude of the deed performed, or the chivalrous spirit which called +it forth, that made this a memorable event to Harry; it was the angel +visit--the kindling influence of a pure heart that passed from her to +him. But I suppose the impatient reader will not thank me for +moralizing over two whole pages, and I leave the further application +of the moral to the discretion of my young friends. + +Harry felt strangely--more strangely than he had ever felt before. As +he walked back to the cabin everything seemed to have assumed a new +appearance. Somehow the trees did not look as they used to look. He +saw through a different medium. His being seemed to have undergone a +change. He could not account for it; perhaps he did not try. + +He entered the cabin; and, without dropping the train of thought which +Julia's presence suggested, he busied himself in making the place more +comfortable. He shook up the straw, and made his bed, stuffed dried +grass into the chinks and crannies in the roof, fastened the door up +with some birch withes, and replaced some of the stones of the chimney +which had fallen down. This work occupied him for nearly two hours, +though, so busy were his thoughts, they seemed not more than half an +hour. + +He had scarcely finished these necessary repairs before he heard the +light step of her who fed him, as Elijah was fed by the ravens, for it +seemed like a providential supply. She saw him at the door of the +cabin; and she no longer dallied with a walk, but ran with all her +might. + +"O, Harry, I am so glad!" she cried, out of breath, as she handed him +a little basket, whose contents were carefully covered with a piece of +brown paper. + +"Glad of what, Julia?" asked Harry, smiling from sympathy with her. + +"I have heard all about it; and I am so glad you are a good boy!" +exclaimed she, panting like a pretty fawn which had gamboled its +breath away. + +"About what?" + +"Father has seen and talked with--who was he?" + +Harry laughed. How could he tell whom her father had seen and talked +with? He was not a magician. + +"The man that owned the dog, and the horse and the boat." + +"O! George Leman," replied Harry, now deeply interested in the little +maiden's story. "Where did he see him?" + +"Over at the store. But I have brought you some dinner; and while you +are eating it, I will tell you all about it. Come, there is a nice big +rock--that shall be your table." + +Julia, full of excitement, seized the basket, and ran to the rock, a +little way from the cabin. Pulling off half a dozen great oak leaves +from a shrub, she placed them on the rock. + +"Here is a piece of meat, Harry, on this plate," she continued, +putting it on an oak leaf; "here is a piece of pie; here is some bread +and butter; here is cheese; and here is a piece of cold apple pudding. +There! I forgot the sauce." + +"Never mind the sauce," said Harry; and he could hardly keep from +bursting into tears, as he saw how good the little angel was. + +It seemed as though she could not have been more an angel, if she had +had a pair of wings. The radiant face was there; the pure and loving +heart was there; all was there but the wings, and he could easily +imagine them. + +And what a dinner! Roast beef, pudding, pie! He was not much +accustomed to such luxuries; but just then he did not appreciate the +sumptuousness of the feast, for it was eclipsed by the higher +consideration of the devotion of the giver. + +"Come, eat, Harry! I am so glad!" added Julia. + +"So am I. If you feed me as high as this, I shall want to stay here a +good while." + +"I hope you will." + +"Only to-day; to-morrow I must be moving towards Boston." + +"I was hoping you would stay here a good long while. I shall be so +pleased to bring you your breakfast, and dinner, and supper every +day!" + +"Your father would not like it." + +"I don't know why he shouldn't. You are not very hungry; you don't eat +as you did this morning." + +"I ate so much then. Tell me, now, what your father said, Julia." + +"He saw George Leman; and he told him how you tied his horse to the +fence, and how careful you were to put the blanket on him, so that he +shouldn't catch cold after his hard run. That was very kind of you, +Harry, when you knew they were after you. Father said almost any one +would have run the horse till he dropped down. That one thing showed +that you were not a bad boy." + +"I wouldn't have injured George Leman for anything," added Harry. +"He's a good fellow, and never did me any harm." + +"He said, when he found his horse, he was so glad he wouldn't have +chased you any farther for all the world. He told father what Mr. +Nason said about you--that you were a good boy, had good feelings, and +were willing to work. He didn't blame you for not wanting to go to +Jacob Wire's--wasn't that the man?" + +"Yes." + +"And he didn't blame you for running away. Nobody believes that you +set the barn afire; and, Harry, they have caught the other boy--Ben +Smart, wasn't it?" + +"Yes, that was his name." + +"They caught him in the woods, over the other side of the river." + +"Did you find out whether the dog was killed?" asked Harry. + +"Mr. Leman said he thought he would get over it; and he has got his +boat again." + +"I am glad of that; and if anybody ever catches me with such a fellow +as Ben Smart again, they'll know it." + +"You can't think how I wanted to tell father where you were, when he +spoke so well of you. He even said he hoped you would get off, and +that you must be in the woods around here somewhere. You will let me +tell him now--won't you, Harry?" + +"I think not." + +"Why not, Harry?" + +"He may hope I will get off, and still not be willing to help me off." + +Julia looked very much disappointed; for she had depended upon +surprising her father with the story of the snake, and the little +fugitive in the woods. + +"He will be very good to you," pleaded she. + +"I dare say he would; but he may think it his duty to send me back to +Redfield; and Squire Walker would certainly make me go to Jacob +Wire's." + +"But you won't go yet." + +"To-morrow, Julia." + +"I'm afraid you will never get to Boston." + +"O, yes, I shall. I don't think it is safe for me to stay here much +longer." + +"Why not? Hardly any one ever goes through the woods here at this time +of year but myself." + +"Didn't your mother want to know what you were going to do with the +dinner you brought me?" + +"No, I went to the store room, and got it. She didn't see me; but I +don't like to do anything unknown to her." + +"You mustn't do it again." + +"You must have something to eat." + +"You have brought enough to last me while I stop here. To-morrow +morning I must start; so I suppose I shall not see you again. But I +shall never forget you," said Harry looking as sad as he felt. + +"No, you mustn't go off without any breakfast. Promise me you will not +go till I have brought you some." + +Harry assured Julia he had enough, and tried to persuade her not to +bring him any more food; but Julia was resolute, and he was obliged to +promise. Having finished his dinner, she gathered up the remnants of +the feast and put them in the cabin for his supper. She was afraid to +remain any longer, lest she might be missed at home and Harry +gallantly escorted her beyond the brook on her return home. + +He busied himself during the greater part of the afternoon in +gathering dry grass and dead leaves for the improvement of his bed in +the cabin. About an hour before sundown, he was surprised to receive +another visit from Julia Bryant. She had her little basket in one +hand, and in the other she carried a little package. + +"I didn't expect to see you again," said Harry, as she approached. + +"I don't know as you will like what I have done," she began timidly; +"but I did it for the best." + +"I shall like anything you have done," answered Harry promptly, "even +if you should send me back to Redfield." + +"I wouldn't do such a mean thing as that; but I have told somebody +that you are here." + +"Have you?" asked Harry, not a little alarmed. + +"You will forgive me if I have done wrong--won't you?" + +Harry looked at her. He mistook her anxious appearance for sorrow at +what she had done. He could not give her pain; so he told her that, +whatever she had done, she was forgiven. + +"But whom have you told?" + +"John Lane." + +"Who is he?" + +"Mrs. Lane's oldest son. He drives the baggage wagon that goes to +Boston every week. He promised not to lisp a word to a single soul, +and he would be your friend for my sake." + +"Why did you tell him?" + +"Well, you see, I was afraid you would never get to Boston; and I +thought what a nice thing it would be if you could only ride all the +way there with John Lane. John likes me because I carry things to his +mother, and I am sure he won't tell." + +"How good you are, Julia!" exclaimed Harry. "I may forget everybody +else in the world; but I shall never forget you." + +A tear moistened his eye, as he uttered his enthusiastic declaration. + +"The worst of it is, John starts at two o'clock--right in the middle +of the night." + +"So much the better," replied Harry, wiping away the tear. + +"You will take the wagon on the turnpike, where the cart path comes +out. But you won't wake up." + +"Yes, I shall." + +"I am sorry to have you go; for I like you, Harry. You will be a very +good boy, when you get to Boston; for they say the city is a wicked +place." + +"I will try." + +"There are a great many temptations there, people say." + +"I shall try to be as good as you are," replied Harry, who could +imagine nothing better. "If I fail once, I shall try again." + +"Here, Harry, I have brought you a good book--the best of all books. I +have written your name and mine in it; and I hope you will keep it and +read it as long as you live. It is the Bible." + +Harry took the package, and thanked her for it. + +"I never read the Bible much; but I shall read this for your sake." + +"No, Harry; read it for your own sake." + +"I will, Julia." + +"How I shall long to hear from you! John Lane goes to Boston every +week. Won't you write me a few lines, now and then, to let me know how +you prosper, and whether you are good or not?" + +"I will. I can't write much; but I suppose I can--" + +"Never mind how you write, if I can only read it." + +The sun had gone down, and the dark shadows of night were gathering +over the forest when they parted, but a short distance from Mr. +Bryant's house. With the basket which contained provisions for his +journey and the Bible in his hand, he returned to the hut, to get what +sleep he might before the wagon started. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +IN WHICH HARRY REACHES THE CITY, AND THOUGH OFTEN DISAPPOINTED, TRIES +AGAIN + + +Harry entered the cabin, and stretched himself on his bed of straw and +leaves; but the fear that he should not wake in season to take the +wagon at the appointed place, would scarcely permit him to close his +eyes. He had not yet made up for the sleep he had lost; and Nature, +not sharing his misgiving, at last closed and sealed his eyelids. + +It would be presumptuous for me to attempt to inform the reader what +Harry dreamed about on that eventful night; but I can guess that it +was about angels, about bright faces and sweet smiles, and that they +were very pleasant dreams. At any rate, he slept very soundly, as +tired boys are apt to sleep, even when they are anxious about getting +up early in the morning. + +He woke, at last, with a start; for with his first consciousness came +the remembrance of the early appointment. He sprang from his bed, and +threw down the door of the cabin. It was still dark; the stars +twinkled above, the owls screamed, and the frogs sang merrily around +him. He had no means of ascertaining the time of night. It might be +twelve; it might be four; and his uncertainty on this point filled him +with anxiety. Better too early than too late; and grasping the basket +and the Bible, which were to be the companions of his journey, he +hastened down the cart path to the turnpike. + +There was no sound of approaching wheels to cheer him, and the clock +in the meeting house at Rockville obstinately refused to strike. He +reached the designated place; there was no wagon there. Perhaps he was +too late. The thought filled him with chagrin; and he was reading +himself a very severe lesson for having permitted himself to sleep at +all, when the church clock graciously condescended to relieve his +anxiety by striking the hour. + +"One," said he, almost breathless with interest. + +"Two," he repeated, loud enough to be heard, if there had been any one +to hear him. + +"Three"; and he held his breath, waiting for more. + +"No more!" he added, with disappointment and chagrin, when it was +certain that the clock did not mean to strike another stroke. "I have +lost my chance. What a fool I have been! Miss Julia will think that I +am a smart fellow, when she finds that her efforts to get me off have +been wasted. Why did I go to sleep? I might have known that I should +not wake;" and he stamped his foot upon the ground with impatience. + +He had been caught napping, and had lost the wagon. He was never so +mortified in his life. One who was so careless did not deserve to +succeed. + +"One thing is clear--it is no use to cry for spilt milk," muttered he, +as he jumped over the fence into the road. "I have been stupid, but +try again." + +Unfortunately, there was no chance to try again. Like thousands of +blessed opportunities, it had passed by, never to return. He had come +at the eleventh hour, and the door was closed against him. With the +wagon it had been "now or never." + +Harry got over his impatience, and resolved that Julia should not come +to the cabin, the next morning, to find he had slept when the +bridegroom came. He had a pair of legs, and there was the road. It was +no use to "wait for the wagon;" legs were made before wagon wheels; +and he started on the long and weary pilgrimage. + +He had not advanced ten paces before pleasant sounds reached his ears. +He stopped short, and listened. A wagon was certainly approaching, and +his heart leaped high with hope. Was it possible that John Lane had +not yet gone? Retracing his steps, he got over the fence at the place +where John was to take him. Perhaps it was not he, after all. He had +no right to suppose it was; but he determined to wait till the wagon +had passed. + +The rumbling noise grew more distinct. It was a heavy wagon, heavily +loaded, and approached very slowly; but at last it reached the spot +where the impatient boy was waiting. + +"Whoa!" said the driver; and the horses stopped. + +Harry's heart bounded with joy. Some lucky accident had detained the +team, and he had regained his opportunity. + +"Harry West!" said he on the wagon. + +"John Lane!" replied Harry, as he leaped over the fence. + +"You are on hand," added John Lane. + +"I am; but I was sure you had gone. It is after three o'clock." + +"I know it. I don't generally get off much before this time," answered +John. "Climb up here, and let us be moving on." + +It was a large wagon, with a sail-cloth cover--one of those regular +baggage wagons which railroads have almost driven out of existence in +Massachusetts. It was drawn by four horses, harnessed two abreast, and +had a high "box" in front for the driver. + +Harry nimbly climbed upon the box, and took his seat by the side of +John Lane--though that worthy told him he had better crawl under the +cover, where he would find plenty of room to finish his nap on a bale +of goods. + +"I thought likely I should have to go up to the cabin and wake you. +Julia told me I must, if you were not on the spot." + +"I am glad I have saved you that trouble; but Julia said you would +start at two o'clock." + +"Well, I get off by two or three o'clock. I don't carry the mail, so I +ain't so particular. What do you mean to do when you get to Boston?" + +"I mean to go to work." + +"What at?" + +"Anything I can find." + +John Lane questioned the little wanderer, and drew from him all the +incidents of his past history. He seemed to feel an interest in the +fortunes of his companion, and gave him much good advice on practical +matters, including an insight into life in the city. + +"I suppose Squire Walker would give me fits, if he knew I carried you +off. He was over to Rockville yesterday looking for you." + +"He won't find me." + +"I hope not, my boy; though I don't know as I should have meddled in +the matter, if Julia hadn't teased me. I couldn't resist her. She is +the best little girl in the world; and you are a lucky fellow to have +such a friend." + +"I am; she is an angel;" and when Harry began to think of Julia, he +could not think of anything else, and the conversation was suspended. + +It was a long while before either of them spoke again, and then John +advised Harry to crawl into the wagon and lie down on the load. +Notwithstanding his agreeable thoughts, our hero yawned now and then, +and concluded to adopt the suggestion of the driver. He found a very +comfortable bed on the bales, softened by heaps of mattings, which +were to be used in packing the miscellaneous articles of the return +freight. + +John Lane took things very easily; and as the horses jogged slowly +along, he relieved the monotony of the journey by singing sundry +old-fashioned psalm tunes, which had not then gone out of use. He was +a good singer; and Harry was so pleased with the music, and so +unaccustomed to the heavy jolt of the wagon, that he could not go to +sleep at once. + + "While shepherds watched their flocks by night, + All seated on the ground, + The angel of the Lord came down, + And glory shone around." + +Again and again John's full and sonorous voice rolled out these +familiar lines, till Harry was fairly lulled to sleep by the +harmonious measures. The angel of the Lord had come down for the +fortieth time, after the manner of the ancient psalmody, and for the +fortieth time Harry had thought of _his_ angel, when he dropped off to +dream of the "glory that shone around." + +Harry slept soundly after he got a little used to the rough motion of +the wagon, and it was sunrise before he woke. + +"Well, Harry, how do you feel now?" asked John, as he emerged from his +lodging apartment. + +"Better; I feel as bright as a new pin. Where are we?" + +"We have come about twelve miles. Pretty soon we shall stop to bait +the team and get some breakfast." + +"I have got some breakfast in my basket. Julia gave me enough to last +a week. I shan't starve, at any rate." + +"No one would ever be hungry in this world, if everybody were like +Julia. But you shall breakfast with me at the tavern." + +"It won't be safe--will it?" + +"O, yes; nobody will know you here." + +"Well, I have got some money to pay for anything I have." + +"Keep your money, Harry; you will want it all when you get to Boston." + +After going a few miles farther, they stopped at a tavern, where the +horses were fed, and Harry ate such a breakfast as a pauper never ate +before. John would not let him pay for it, declaring that Julia's +friends were his friends. + +The remaining portion of the journey was effected without any incident +worthy of narrating, and they reached the city about noon. Of course +the first sight of Boston astonished Harry. His conceptions of a city +were entirely at fault; and though it was not a very large city +twenty-five years ago, it far exceeded his expectations. + +Harry had a mission before him, and he did not permit his curiosity to +interfere with that. John drove down town to deliver his load; and +Harry went with him, improving every opportunity to obtain work. When +the wagon stopped, he went boldly into the stores in the vicinity to +inquire if they "wanted to hire a hand." + +Now, Harry was not exactly in a condition to produce a very favorable +impression upon those to whom he applied for work. His clothes were +never very genteel, nor very artistically cut and made; and they were +threadbare, and patched at the knees and elbows. A patch is no +disguise to a man or boy, it is true; but if a little more care had +been taken to adapt the color and kind of fabric in Harry's patches to +the original garment, his general appearance would undoubtedly have +been much improved. Whether these patches really affected his ultimate +success I cannot say--only that they were an inconvenience at the +outset. + +It was late in the afternoon before John Lane had unloaded his +merchandise and picked up his return freight. Thus far Harry had been +unsuccessful; no one wanted a boy; or if they did, they did not want +such a boy as Harry appeared to be. His country garb, with the five +broad patches, seemed to interfere with the working out of his +manifest destiny. Yet he was not disheartened. Spruce clerks and +ill-mannered boys laughed at him; but he did not despond. + +"Try again," exclaimed he, as often as he was told that his services +were not required. + +When the wagon reached Washington Street, Harry wanted to walk, for +the better prosecution of his object; and John gave him directions so +that he could find Major Phillips's stable, where he intended to put +up for the night. + +Harry trotted along among the gay and genteel people that thronged the +sidewalk; but he was so earnest about his mission, that he could not +stop to look at their fine clothes, nor even at the pictures, the +gewgaws, and gimcracks that tempted him from the windows. + +"'Boy wanted'" Harry read on a paper in the window of a jeweler's +shop. "Now's my time;" and, without pausing to consider the chances +that were against him, he entered the store. + +"You want a boy--don't you?" asked he of a young man behind the +counter. + +"We do," replied the person addressed, looking at the applicant with a +broad grin on his face. + +"I should like to hire out," continued Harry, with an earnestness that +would have secured the attention of any man but an idiot. + +"Do you? Your name is Joseph--isn't it?" + +"No, sir; my name is Harry West." + +"O, I thought it was Joseph. The Book says he had a coat of many +colors, though I believe it don't say anything about the trousers," +sneered the shopkeeper. + +"Never mind the coat or the trousers. If you want to hire a boy, I +will do the best I can for you," replied Harry, willing to appreciate +the joke of the other, if he could get a place. + +"You won't answer for us; you come from the country." + +"I did." + +"What did you come to Boston for?" + +"After work." + +"You had better go back, and let yourself to some farmer. You will +make a good scarecrow to hang up in the field. No crow would ever come +near you, I'll warrant." + +Harry's blood boiled with indignation at this gratuitous insult. His +cheeks reddened, and he looked about him for the means of inflicting +summary vengeance upon the poltroon who so wantonly trifled with his +glowing aspirations. + +"Move on, boy; we don't want you," added the man. + +"You are a ----" + +I will not write what Harry said. It was a vulgar epithet, coupled +with a monstrous oath for so small a boy to utter. The shopkeeper +sprang out from his counter; but Harry retreated, and escaped him, +though not till he had repeated the vulgar and profane expression. + +But he was sorry for what he had said before he had gone ten paces. + +"What would the little angel say, if she had heard that?" Harry asked +himself. "'Twon't do; I must try again." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +IN WHICH HARRY SUDDENLY GETS RICH AND HAS A CONVERSATION WITH ANOTHER +HARRY + + +By the time he reached the stable, Harry would have given almost +anything to have recalled the hasty expressions he had used. He had +acquired the low and vulgar habit of using profane language at the +poorhouse. He was conscious that it was not only wicked to do so, but +that it was very offensive to many persons who did not make much +pretension to piety, or even morality; and, in summing up his faults +in the woods, he had included this habit as one of the worst. + +She hoped he was a good boy--Julia Bryant, the little angel, hoped so. +Her blood would have frozen in her veins if she had listened to the +irreverent words he had uttered in the shop. He had broken his +resolution, broken his promise to the little angel, on the first day +he had been in the city. It was a bad beginning; but instead of +permitting this first failure to do right to discourage him, he +determined to persevere--to try again. + +A good life, a lofty character, with all the trials and sacrifices +which it demands, is worth working for; and those who mean to grow +better than they are will often be obliged to "try again." The spirit +may be willing to do well, but the flesh is weak, and we are all +exposed to temptation. We may make our good resolutions--and it is +very easy to make them, but when we fail to keep them--it is sometimes +very hard to keep them--we must not be discouraged, but do as Harry +did--TRY AGAIN. The strong Spirit may conquer the weak Flesh. + +"Well, Harry, how did you make out?" asked John Lane, when Harry +joined him at the stable. + +"I didn't make out at all. Nobody seems to want a boy like me." + +"O, well, you will find a place. Don't be discouraged." + +"I am not. To-morrow I shall try again." + +"I don't know what I shall do with you to-night. Every bed in the +tavern up the street, where I stop, is full. I shall sleep with +another teamster." + +"Never mind me! I can sleep in the wagon. I have slept in worse places +than that." + +"I will fix a place for you, then." + +After they had prepared his bed, Harry drew out his basket, and +proceeded to eat his supper. He then took a walk down Washington +Street, with John, went to an auction, and otherwise amused himself +till after nine o'clock, when he returned to the stable. + +After John had left him, as he was walking towards the wagon, with the +intention of retiring for the night, his foot struck against something +which attracted his attention. He kicked it once or twice, to +determine what it was, and then picked it up. + +"By gracious!" he exclaimed; "it is a pocketbook. My fortune is made;" +and without stopping to consider the matter any further, he scrambled +into the wagon. + +His heart jumped with excitement, for his vivid imagination had +already led him to the conclusion that it was stuffed full of money. +It might contain a hundred dollars, perhaps five hundred; and these +sums were about as far as his ideas could reach. + +He could buy a suit of new clothes, a new cap, new shoes, and be as +spruce as any of the boys he had seen about the city. Then he could go +to a boarding house, and live like a prince, till he could get a place +that suited him; for Harry, however rich he might be, did not think of +living without labor of some kind. He could dress himself up in fine +broadcloth, present himself at the jeweler's shop where they wanted a +boy, and then see whether he would make a good scarecrow. + +Then his thoughts reverted to the cabin, where he had slept two +nights, and, of course, to the little angel, who had supplied the +commissary department during his sojourn in the woods. He could dress +himself up with the money in the pocketbook, and, after a while, when +he got a place, take the stage for Rockville. Wouldn't she be +astonished to see him then, in fine broadcloth! Wouldn't she walk with +him over to the spot where he had killed the black snake! Wouldn't she +be proud to tell her father that this was the boy she had fed in the +woods! + +What would she say to him? He had promised to write to her when he got +settled, and tell her how he got along, and whether he was good or +not. What should he say? How glad she would be to hear that he was +getting along so finely! + +"Stop!" said he to himself. "What have I been thinking about? This +pocketbook isn't mine." + +I am sorry to say it, but Harry really felt sad when the thought +occurred to him. He had been building very pretty air castles on this +money, and this reflection suddenly tumbled them all down--new +clothes, new cap, boarding house, visit to Rockville--all in a heap. + +"But I found it," Harry reasoned with himself. + +Something within him spoke out, saying: + +"You stole it, Harry." + +"No, I didn't; I found it." + +"If you don't return it to the owner, you will be a thief," continued +the voice within. + +"Nobody will know that I found it. I dare say the owner does not want +it half so much as I do." + +"No matter for that, Harry; if you keep it you will be a thief." + +He could not compromise with that voice within. It was the real Harry, +within the other Harry, that spoke, and he was a very obstinate +fellow, positively refusing to let him keep the pocketbook, at any +rate. + +"What am I about? She hoped I would be a good boy, and the evil one is +catching me as fast as he can," resumed Harry. + +"Be a good boy," added the other Harry. + +"I mean to be, if I can." + +"The little angel will be very sad when she finds out that you are a +thief." + +"I don't mean to be a thief. But this pocketbook will make me rich. +She never will know anything about it." + +"If she does not, there is One above who will know, and his angels +will frown upon you, and stamp your crime upon your face. Then you +will go about like Cain, with a mark upon you." + +"Pooh!" said the outer Harry, who was sorely tempted by the treasure +within his grasp. + +"You will not dare to look the little angel in the face, if you steal +this money. She will know you are not good, then. Honest folks always +hold their heads up, and are never ashamed to face any person." + +"I don't keep it!" replied the struggling, tempted Flesh. "Why did I +think of such a thing?" + +He felt strong then, for the Spirit had triumphed over the Flesh. The +foe within had been beaten back, at least for the moment; and as he +laid his head upon the old coat that was to serve him for a pillow, he +thought of Julia Bryant. He thought he saw her sweet face, and there +was an angelic smile upon it. + +My young readers will remember, after Jesus had been tempted, and +said, "Get thee behind, Satan," that "behold, angels came and +ministered unto him." They came and ministered to Harry after he had +cast out the evil thought; they come and minister to all who resist +temptation. They come in the heart, and minister with the healing balm +of an approving conscience. + +Placing the pocketbook under his head, with the intention of finding +the owner in the morning, he went to sleep. The fatigue and excitement +of the day softened his pillow, and not once did he open his eyes till +the toils of another day had commenced around him. I question whether +he would have slept so soundly if he had decided to keep the +pocketbook. + +But the tempter was not banished. He had only been conquered for the +moment--subdued only to attack him again. The first thought of the +treasure, in the morning, was to covet it. Again he allowed his fancy +to picture the comforts and the luxuries which it would purchase. + +"No one will know it," he added. "Why shouldn't I keep it?" + +"God will know it; you will know it yourself," said the other Harry, +more faithful and conscientious than the outside Harry, who, it must +be confessed, was sometimes disposed to be the "Old Harry." + +"No use of being too good. I will keep it." + +"_She_ hoped you would be a good boy," added the monitor within. + +"I will--that is, when I can afford it." + +"Be good now, or you never will." + +One hundred dollars!--perhaps five hundred! It was a fortune. The +temptation was very great. But the little angel--the act would forever +banish him from her presence. He would never dare to look at her +again, or even to write the letter he had promised. + +"Be true to yourself, Harry. Good first, and rich next." + +"I will," exclaimed Harry, in an earnest whisper; and again the +tempter was cast out. + +Once more the fine air castles began to pile themselves up before +him, standing on the coveted treasure; but he resolutely pitched them +down, and banished them from his mind. + +"Where did you lose it?" said a voice near the wagon. + +"I don't know. I didn't miss it till this morning; and I have been to +every place where I was last night; so I think I must have lost it +here, when I put my horse up," replied another. + +The first speaker was one of the ostlers; and the moment Harry heard +the other voice he started as though a rattlesnake had rattled in his +path. Was it possible? As the speaker proceeded, he was satisfied +beyond the possibility of a doubt that the voice belonged to Squire +Walker. + +"Was there much money in it?" asked the ostler. + +"About a hundred and fifty dollars; and there were notes and other +papers of great value," replied Squire Walker. + +"Well, I haven't seen or heard anything about it." + +"I remember taking it out of my great-coat pocket, and putting it into +a pocket inside of my vest, when I got out of the wagon." + +"I don't think you lost it here. Some of us would have found it, if +you had." + +Here was a dilemma for Harry. He had determined to restore the +pocketbook; but he could not do so without exposing himself. Besides, +if there had been any temptation to keep the treasure before, it was +ten times as great now that he knew it belonged to his enemy. It would +be no sin to keep it from Squire Walker. + +"It would be stealing," said the voice within. + +"But if I give it to him, he will carry me back to Jacob Wire's. I'll +be--I'll be hanged if I do." + +"She hopes you will be a good boy." + +There was no resisting this appeal; and again the demon was put down, +and the triumph added another laurel to the moral crown of the little +hero. + +"It will be a dear journey to me," continued Squire Walker. "I was +looking all day yesterday after a boy that ran away from the +poorhouse, and came to the city for him. I had better let him go." + +"Did you find him?" + +"No. I brought that money down to put in the bank. It is gone, I +suppose. Confound the boy!" + +Harry waited no longer; but while his heart beat like the machinery in +the great factory at Rockville, he tumbled out of his nest, and slid +down the bale of goods to the pavement. + +"Ah, Master Harry West! You are here--are you?" exclaimed Squire +Walker, springing forward to catch him. + +Harry dodged, and kept out of his reach. + +"Catch him!" shouted the squire to the ostler. + +"Wait a minute, Squire Walker," said Harry. "I won't go back to Jacob +Wire's, anyhow. Just hear what I have got to say; and then, if you +want to take me, you may, if you can." + +It was evident, even to the squire, that Harry had something of +importance to say; and he involuntarily paused to hear it. + +"I have found your pocketbook, squire, and--" + +"Give it to me, and I won't touch you," cried the overseer, eagerly. + +It was clear that the loss of his pocketbook had produced a salutary +impression on the squire's mind. He loved money, and the punishment +was more than he could bear. + +"I was walking along here, last night, when I struck my foot against +something. I picked it up, and found it was a pocketbook. I haven't +opened it. Here it is;" and Harry handed him his lost treasure. + +"By gracious!" exclaimed he, after he had assured himself that the +contents of the pocketbook had not been disturbed. "That is more than +ever I expected of you, Master Harry West." + +"I mean to be honest," replied Harry, proudly. + +"Perhaps you do. I told you, Harry, I wouldn't touch you; and I +won't," continued the squire. "You may go." + +The overseer was amazed. He had come to Boston with the intention of +catching Harry, cost what it might,--he meant to charge the expense to +the town; but the recovery of his money had warmed his heart, and +banished the malice he cherished toward the boy. + +Squire Walker volunteered some excellent advice for the guidance of +the little pilgrim, who, he facetiously observed, had now no one to +look after his manners and morals--manners first, and morals +afterwards. He must be very careful and prudent, and he wished him +well. Harry, however, took this wholesome counsel as from whom it +came, and was not very deeply impressed by it. + +John Lane came to the stable soon after, and congratulated our hero +upon the termination of the persecution from Redfield, and, when his +horses were hitched on, bade him good bye, with many hearty wishes for +his future success. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +IN WHICH HARRY BECOMES A STABLE BOY, AND HEARS BAD NEWS FROM ROCKVILLE + + +Harry was exceedingly rejoiced at the remarkable turn his affairs had +taken. It is true, he had lost the treasure upon which his fancy had +built so many fine castles; but he did not regret the loss, since it +had purchased his exemption from the Redfield persecution. He had +conquered his enemy--which was a great victory--by being honest and +upright; and he had conquered himself--which was a greater victory--by +listening to the voice within him. He resisted temptation, and the +victory made him strong. + +Our hero had won a triumph, but the battlefield was still spread out +before him. There were thousands of enemies lurking in his path, ready +to fall upon and despoil him of his priceless treasure--his integrity. + +"She had hoped he would be a good boy." He had done his duty--he had +been true in the face of temptation. He wanted to write to Julia then, +and tell her of his triumph--that, when tempted, he had thought of +her, and won the victory. + +The world was before him; it had no place for idlers, and he must get +work. The contents of the basket were not yet exhausted, and he took +it to a retired corner to eat his breakfast. While he was thus +engaged, Joe Flint, the ostler, happened to see him. + +"That is cold comfort," said he. "Why don't you go to the tavern and +have your breakfast like a gentleman?" + +"I can't afford it," replied Harry. + +"Can't afford it? How much did the man that owned the pocketbook give +you?" + +"Nothing." + +"Nothing! I'm blamed if he ain't a mean one!" exclaimed Joe, heartily. +"I don't wonder you run away." + +"I didn't want anything. I was too glad to get clear of him to think +of anything else." + +"Next time he loses his pocketbook, I hope he won't find it." + +And with this charitable observation, Joe resumed his labors. Harry +finished his meal, washed it down with a draught of cold water at the +pump, and was ready for business again. Unfortunately, there was no +business ready for him. All day long he wandered about the streets in +search of employment; but people did not appreciate his value. No one +would hire him or have anything to do with him. The five patches on +his clothes, he soon discovered, rendered it useless for him to apply +at the stores. He was not in a condition to be tolerated about one of +these; and he turned his attention to the market, the stables, and the +teaming establishments, yet with no better success. It was in vain +that he tried again; and at night, weary and dispirited, he returned +to Major Phillips's stable. + +His commissariat was not yet exhausted; and he made a hearty supper +from the basket. It became an interesting question for him to +consider how he should pass the night. He could not afford to pay one +of his quarters for a night's lodging at the tavern opposite. There +was the stable, however, if he could get permission to sleep there. + +"May I sleep in the hay loft, Joe?" he asked, as the ostler passed +him. + +"Major Phillips don't allow any one to sleep in the hay loft; but +perhaps he will let you sleep there. He was asking about you to-day." + +"How should he know anything about me?" said Harry, not a little +surprised to find his fame had gone before him. + +"He heard about the pocketbook, and wanted to see you. He said it was +the meanest thing he ever heard of, that the man who lost it didn't +give you anything; and them's my sentiments exactly. Here comes the +major; I will speak to him about you." + +"Thank you, Joe." + +"Major Phillips, this boy wants to know if he may sleep in the hay +loft to-night." + +"No," replied the stable keeper, short as pie crust. + +"This is the boy that found the pocketbook, and he hain't got no place +to sleep." + +"O, is it? Then I will find a place for him to sleep. So, my boy, you +are an honest fellow." + +"I try to be," replied Harry, modestly. + +"If you had kept the pocketbook you might have lodged at the Tremont +House." + +"I had rather sleep in your stable, without it." + +"Squire Walker was mean not to give you a ten-dollar bill. What are +you going to do with yourself?" + +"I want to get work; perhaps you have got something for me to do. I am +used to horses." + +"Well, I don't know as I have." + +Major Phillips was a great fat man, rough, vulgar, and profane in his +conversation; but he had a kind of sympathizing nature. Though he +swore like a pirate sometimes, his heart was in the right place, so +far as humanity was concerned. + +He took Harry into the counting room of the stable, and questioned him +in regard to his past history and future prospects. The latter, +however, were just now rather clouded. He told the major his +experience in trying to get something to do, and was afraid he should +not find a place. + +The stable keeper was interested in him and in his story. He swore +roundly at the meanness of Jacob Wire and Squire Walker, and commended +him for running away. + +"Well, my lad, I don't know as I can do much for you. I have three +ostlers now, which is quite enough, and all I can afford to pay; but I +suppose I can find enough for a boy to do about the house and the +stable. How much wages do you expect?" + +"Whatever you think I can earn." + +"You can't earn much for me just now; but if you are a-mind to try it, +I will give you six dollars a month and your board." + +"Thank you, sir; I shall be very glad of the chance." + +"Very well; but if you work for me, you must get up early in the +morning, and be wide awake." + +"I will, sir." + +"Now, we will see about a place for you to sleep." + +Over the counting room was an apartment in which two of the ostlers +slept. There was room for another bed, and one was immediately set up +for Harry's use. + +Once more, then, our hero was at home, if a mere abiding place +deserves that hallowed name. It was not an elegant, or even a +commodious, apartment in which Harry was to sleep. The walls were +dingy and black; the beds looked as though they had never been clean; +and there was a greasy smell which came from several harnesses that +were kept there. It was comfortable, if not poetical; and Harry soon +felt perfectly at home. + +His first duty was to cultivate the acquaintance of the ostlers. He +found them to be rough, good-natured men, not over-scrupulous about +their manners or their morals. If it does not occur to my young +readers, it will to their parents, that this was not a fit place for +a boy--that he was in constant contact with corruption. His companions +were good-hearted men; but this circumstance rendered them all the +more dangerous. There was no fireside of home, at which the evil +effects of communication with men of loose morals would be +counteracted. Harry had not been an hour in their society before he +caught himself using a big oath--which, when he had gone to bed, he +heartily repented, renewing his resolution with the promise to try +again. + +He was up bright and early the next morning, made a fire in the +counting room, and had let out half the horses in the stable to water, +before Major Phillips came out. His services were in demand, as Joe +Flint, for some reason, had not come to the stable that morning. + +The stable keeper declared that he had gone on a "spree," and told +Harry he might take his place. + +Harry did take his place; and the ostlers declared that, in everything +but cleaning the horses, he made good his place. The knowledge and +skill which he had obtained at the poorhouse was of great value to +him; and, at night, though he was very tired, he was satisfied that he +had done a good day's work. + +The ostlers took their meals at the house of Major Phillips, which +stood at one side of the stable yard. Harry did not like Mrs. Phillips +very well; she was cross, and the men said she was a "regular Tartar." +But he was resolved to keep the peace. He afterwards found it a +difficult matter; for he had to bring wood and water, and do other +chores about the house, and he soon ascertained that she was +determined not to be pleased with anything he did. He tried to keep +his temper, however, and meekly submitted to all her scolding and +grumbling. + +Thus far, while Harry has been passing through the momentous period of +his life with which we commenced his story, we have minutely detailed +the incidents of his daily life, so that we have related the events of +only a few days. This is no longer necessary. He has got a place, and +of course one day is very much like every other. The reader knows him +now--knows what kind of boy he is, and what his hopes and expectations +are. The reader knows, too, the great moral epoch in his history--the +event which roused his consciousness of error, and stimulated him to +become better; that he has a talisman in his mind, which can be no +better expressed than by those words he so often repeated, "She hoped +he would be a good boy." And her angel smile went with him to +encourage him in the midst of trial and temptation--to give him the +victory over the foes that assailed him. + +We shall henceforth give results, instead of a daily record, stopping +to detail only the great events of his career. + +We shall pass over three months, during which time he worked +diligently and faithfully for Major Phillips. Every day had its trials +and temptations; not a day passed in which there were none. The habit +of using profane language he found it very hard to eradicate; but he +persevered; and though he often sinned, he as often repented and tried +again, until he had fairly mastered the enemy. It was a great triumph, +especially when it is remembered that he was surrounded by those whose +every tenth word at least was an oath. + +He was tempted to lie, tempted to neglect his work, tempted to steal, +tempted in a score of other things. And often he yielded; but the +remembrance of the little angel, and the words of the good Book she +had given him, cheered and supported him as he struggled on. + +Harry's finances were in a tolerably prosperous condition. With his +earnings he had bought a suit of clothes, and went to church half a +day every Sunday. Besides his wages, he had saved about five dollars +from the "perquisites" which he received from customers for holding +their horses, running errands, and other little services a boy could +perform. He was very careful and prudent with his money; and whenever +he added anything to his little hoard, he thought of the man who had +become rich by saving up his fourpences. He still cherished his +purpose to become a rich man, and it is very likely he had some +brilliant anticipations of success. Not a cent did he spend foolishly, +though it was hard work to resist the inclination to buy the fine +things that tempted him from the shop windows. + +Those who knew him best regarded him as a very strange boy; but that +was only because he was a little out of his element. He would have +preferred to be among men who did not bluster and swear; but, in spite +of them, he had the courage and the fortitude to be true to himself. +The little angel still maintained her ascendency in his moral nature. + +The ostlers laughed at him when he took out his little Bible, before +he went to bed, to drink of the waters of life. They railed at him, +called him "Little Pious," and tried to induce him to pitch cents, in +the back yard, on Sunday afternoon, instead of going to church. He +generally bore these taunts with patience, though sometimes his high +spirit would get the better of his desire to be what the little angel +wished him to be. + +John Lane put up at the stable once a week; and, every time he +returned to Rockville, he carried a written or a verbal account of the +prosperity of the little pauper boy. One Sunday, he wrote her a long +letter all about "being good"--how he was tempted, and how he +struggled for her sake and for the sake of the truth. + +In return, he often received messages and letters from her, breathing +the same pure spirit which she had manifested when she "fed him in the +wilderness." These communications strengthened his moral nature, and +enabled him to resist temptation. He felt just as though she was an +angel sent into the world to watch over him. Perhaps he had fallen +without them; at any rate, her influence was very powerful. + +About the middle of January, when the earth was covered with snow, and +the bleak, cold winds of winter blew over the city, John Lane informed +Harry, on his arrival, that Julia was very sick with the scarlet fever +and canker rash, and it was feared she would not recover. + +This was the most severe trial of all. He wept when he thought of her +sweet face reddened with the flush of fever; and he fled to his +chamber, to vent his emotions in silence and solitude. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +IN WHICH HARRY DOES A GOOD DEED, AND DETERMINES TO "FACE THE MUSIC" + + +While Harry sat by the stove in the ostlers' room, grieving at the +intelligence he had received from Rockville, a little girl, so lame +that she walked with a crutch, hobbled into the apartment. + +"Is my father here?" she asked, in tones so sad that Harry could not +help knowing she was in distress. + +"I don't know as I am acquainted with your father," replied Harry. + +"He is one of the ostlers here." + +"Oh, Joseph Flint!" + +"Yes; he has not been home to dinner or supper to-day, and mother is +very sick." + +"I haven't seen him to-day." + +"O, dear! What will become of us?" sighed the little girl, as she +hobbled away. + +Harry was struck by the sad appearance of the girl, and the desponding +words she uttered. Of late, Joe Flint's vile habit of intemperance had +grown upon him so rapidly that he did not work at the stable more than +one day in three. For two months, Major Phillips had been threatening +to discharge him; and nothing but kindly consideration for his family +had prevented him from doing so. + +"Have you seen Joe to-day?" asked Harry of one of the ostlers, who +came into the room soon after the departure of the little girl. + +"No, and don't want to see him," replied Abner, testily; for, in Joe's +absence, his work had to be done by the other ostlers, who did not +feel very kindly towards him. + +"His little girl has just been here after him." + +"Very likely he hasn't been home for a week," added Abner. "I should +think his family would be very thankful if they never saw him again. +He is a nuisance to himself and everybody else." + +"Where does he live?" + +"Just up in Avery Street--in a ten-footer there." + +"The little girl said her mother was very sick." + +"I dare say. She is always sick; and I don't much wonder. Joe Flint is +enough to make any one sick. He has been drunk about two-thirds of the +time for two months." + +"I don't see how his family get along." + +"Nor I, either." + +After Abner had warmed himself, he left the room. Harry was haunted by +the sad look and desponding tones of the poor lame girl. It was a +bitter cold evening; and what if Joe's family were suffering with the +cold and hunger! It was sad to think of such a thing; and Harry was +deeply moved. + +"She hoped I would be a good boy. She is very sick now, and perhaps +she will die," said Harry to himself. "What would she do, if she were +here now?" + +He knew very well what she would do, and he determined to do it +himself. His heart was so deeply moved by the picture of sorrow and +suffering with which his imagination had invested the home of the +intemperate ostler that it required no argument to induce him to go. + +But he must go prepared to do something. However sweet and consoling +may be the sympathy of others to those in distress, it will not warm +the chilled limbs or feed the hungry mouths; and Harry thanked God +then that he had not spent his money foolishly upon gewgaws and +gimcracks, or in gratifying a selfish appetite. + +After assuring himself that no one was approaching, he jumped on his +bedstead, and reaching up into a hole in the board ceiling of the +room, he took out a large wooden pill box, which was nearly filled +with various silver coins, from a five-cent piece to a half dollar. +Putting the box in his pocket, he went down to the stable, and +inquired more particularly in relation Joe's house. + +When he had received such directions as would enable him to find the +place, he told Abner he wanted to be absent a little while, and left +the stable. He had no difficulty in finding the home of the drunkard's +family. It was a little, old wooden house, in Avery Street, opposite +Haymarket Place, which has long since been pulled down to make room +for a more elegant dwelling. + +Harry knocked, and was admitted by the little lame girl whom he had +seen at the stable. + +"I have come to see if I can do anything for you," said Harry, as he +moved forward into the room in which the family lived. + +"Have you seen anything of father?" asked the little girl. + +"I haven't; Abner says he hasn't been to the stable to-day. Haven't +you any lights?" asked Harry, as he entered the dark room. + +"We haven't got any oil, nor any candles." + +In the fireplace, a piece of pine board was blazing, which cast a +faint and fitful glare into the room; and Harry was thus enabled to +behold the scene which the miserable home of the drunkard presented. + +In one corner was a dilapidated bedstead, on which lay the sick woman. +Drawn from under it was a trundle bed, upon which lay two small +children, who had evidently been put to bed at that early hour to keep +them warm, for the temperature of the apartment was scarcely more +comfortable than that of the open air. It was a cheerless home; and +the faint light of the blazing board only served to increase the +desolate appearance of the place. + +"Who is it?" asked the sick woman, faintly. + +"The boy that works at the stable," replied the lame girl. + +"My name is Harry West, marm; and I come to see if you wanted +anything," added Harry. + +"We want a great many things," sighed she. "Can you tell me where my +husband is?" + +"I can't; he hasn't been at the stable to-day." + +"Oh, God! what will become of us?" sobbed the woman. + +"I will help you, marm. Don't take on so. I have money! and I will do +everything I can for you." + +When her mother sobbed, the lame girl sat down on the bed and cried +bitterly. Harry's tender heart was melted; and he would have wept also +if he had not been conscious of the high mission he had to perform; +and he felt very grateful that he was able to dry up those tears and +carry gladness to those bleeding hearts. + +"I don't know what you can do for us," said the poor woman, "though I +am sure I am very much obliged to you." + +"I can do a great deal, marm. Cheer up," replied Harry, tenderly. + +As he spoke, one of the children in the trundle bed sobbed in its +sleep; and the poor mother's heart seemed to be lacerated by the +sound. + +"Poor child," wailed she. "He had no supper but a crust of bread and a +cup of cold water. He cried himself to sleep with cold and hunger. Oh, +Heaven! that we should have come to this!" + +"And the room is very cold," added Harry, glancing around him. + +"It is. Our wood is all gone but two great logs. Katy could not bring +them up." + +"I worked for an hour trying to split some pieces off them," said +Katy, the lame girl. + +"I will fix them, marm," replied Harry, who felt the strength of ten +stout men in his limbs at that moment. "But you have had no supper." + +"No." + +"Wait a minute. Have you a basket?" + +Katy brought him a peck basket, and Harry rushed out of the house as +though he had been shot. Great deeds were before him, and he was +inspired for the occasion. + +In a quarter of an hour he returned. The basket was nearly full. +Placing it in a chair, he took from it a package of candles, one of +which he lighted and placed in a tin candlestick on the table. + +"Now we have got a little light on the subject," said he, as he began +to display the contents of the basket. "Here, Katy, is two pounds of +meat; here is half a pound of tea; you had better put a little in the +teapot, and let it be steeping for your mother." + +"God bless you!" exclaimed Mrs. Flint. "You are an angel sent from +Heaven to help us in our distress." + +"No, marm; I ain't an angel," answered Harry, who seemed to feel that +Julia Bryant had an exclusive monopoly of that appellation, so far as +it could be reasonably applied to mortals. "I only want to do my duty, +marm." + +Katy Flint was so bewildered that she could say nothing, though her +opinion undoubtedly coincided with that of her mother. + +"Here is two loaves of bread and two dozen crackers; a pound of +butter; two pounds of sugar. There! I did not bring any milk." + +"Never mind the milk. You are a blessed child." + +"Give me a pitcher, Katy. I will go down to Thomas's in two shakes of +a jiffy." + +Mrs. Flint protested that she did not want any milk--that she could +get along very well without it; but Harry said the children must have +it; and, without waiting for Katy to get the pitcher, he took it from +the closet, and ran out of the house. + +He was gone but a few minutes. When he returned he found Katy trying +to make the teakettle boil, but with very poor success. + +"Now, Katy, show me the logs, and I will soon have a fire." + +The lame girl conducted him to the cellar, where Harry found the +remnants of the old box which Katy had tried to split. Seizing the +axe, he struck a few vigorous blows, and the pine boards were reduced +to a proper shape for use. Taking an armful, he returned to the +chamber; and soon a good fire was blazing under the teakettle. + +"There, marm, we will soon have things to rights," said Harry, as he +rose from the hearth, where he had stooped down to blow the fire. + +"I am sure we should have perished if you had not come," added Mrs. +Flint, who was not disposed to undervalue Harry's good deeds. + +"Then I am very glad I came." + +"I hope we shall be able to pay you back all the money you have spent; +but I don't know. Joseph has got so bad, I don't know what he is +coming to. He is a good-hearted man. He always uses me well, even when +he is in liquor. Nothing but drink could make him neglect us so." + +"It is a hard case, marm," added Harry. + +"Very hard; he hasn't done much of anything for us this winter. I have +been out to work every day till a fortnight ago, when I got sick and +couldn't do anything. Katy has kept us alive since then; she is a good +girl, and takes the whole care of Tommy and Susan." + +"Poor girl! It is a pity she is so lame." + +"I don't mind that, if I only had things to do with," said Katy, who +was busy disposing of the provisions which Harry had bought. + +As soon as the kettle boiled, she made tea, and prepared a little +toast for her mother, who, however, was too sick to take much +nourishment. + +"Now, Katy, you must eat yourself," interposed Harry, when all was +ready. + +"I can't eat," replied the poor girl, bursting into tears. "I don't +feel hungry." + +"You must eat." + +Just then the children in the trundle bed, disturbed by the unusual +bustle in the room, waked, and gazed with wonder at Harry, who had +seated himself on the bed. + +"Poor Susy!" exclaimed Katy; "she has waked up. And Tommy, too! They +shall have their supper, now." + +They were taken up; and Harry's eyes were gladdened by such a sight as +he had never beheld before. The hungry ate; and every mouthful they +took swelled the heart of the little almoner of God's bounty. If the +thought of Julia Bryant, languishing on a bed of sickness, had not +marred his satisfaction, he had been perfectly happy. But he was +doing a deed that would rejoice her heart; he was doing just what she +had done for him; he was doing just what she would have done, if she +had been there. + +"She hoped he would be a good boy." His conscience told him he had +been a good boy--that he had been true to himself, and true to the +noble example she had set before him. + +While the family were still at supper, Harry, lighting another candle, +went down cellar to pay his respects to those big logs. He was a stout +boy, and accustomed to the use of the axe. By slow degrees he chipped +off the logs, until they were used up, and a great pile of serviceable +wood was before him. Not content with this, he carried up several +large armfuls of it, which he deposited by the fireplace in the room. + +"Now, marm, I don't know as I can do anything more for you to-night," +said he, moving towards the door. + +"The Lord knows you have done enough," replied the poor woman. "I hope +we shall be able to pay you for what you have done." + +"I don't want anything, marm." + +"If we can't pay you, the Lord will reward you." + +"I am paid enough already. I hope you will get better, marm." + +"I hope so. I feel better to-night than I have felt before for a +week." + +"Good night, marm! Good night, Katy!" And Harry hurried back to the +stable. + +"Where have you been, Harry?" asked Abner, when he entered the +ostler's room. + +"I have been out a little while." + +"I know that. The old man wanted you; and when he couldn't find you, +he was mad as thunder." + +"Where is he?" said Harry, somewhat annoyed to find that, while he had +been doing his duty in one direction, he had neglected his duty in +another. + +"In the counting room. You will catch fits for going off." + +Whatever he should catch, he determined to "face the music," and left +the room to find his employer. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +IN WHICH HARRY MAKES THE ACQUAINTANCE OF A VERY IMPORTANT PERSONAGE + + +Major Phillips was in the counting room, where Harry, dreading his +anger, presented himself before him. His employer was a violent man. +He usually acted first, and thought the matter over afterwards; so +that he frequently had occasion to undo what had been done in haste +and passion. His heart was kind, but his temper generally had the +first word. + +"So you have come, Harry," exclaimed he, as our hero opened the door. +"Where have you been?" + +"I have been out a little while," replied Harry, whose modesty +rebelled at the idea of proclaiming the good deed he had done. + +"Out a little while!" roared the major, with an oath that froze the +boy's blood. "That is enough--enough, sir. You know I don't allow man +or boy to leave the stable without letting me know it." + +"I was wrong, sir; but I--" + +"You little snivelling monkey, how dared you leave the stable?" +continued the stable keeper, heedless of the boy's submission. "I'll +teach you better than that." + +"Will you?" said Harry, suddenly changing his tone, as his blood began +to boil. "You can begin as quick as you like." + +"You saucy young cub! I have a great mind to give you a cowhiding," +thundered the enraged stable keeper. + +"I should like to see you do it," replied Harry, fixing his eyes on +the poker that lay on the floor near the stove. + +"Should you, you impertinent puppy?" + +The major sprang forward, as if to grasp the boy by the collar; but +Harry, with his eyes still fixed on the poker, retreated a pace or +two, ready to act promptly when the decisive moment should come. +Forgetting for the time that he had run away from one duty to attend +to another, he felt indignant that he should be thus rudely treated +for being absent a short time on an errand of love and charity. He +gave himself too much credit for the good deed, and felt that he was a +martyr to his philanthropic spirit. He was willing to bear all and +brave all in a good cause; and it seemed to him, just then, as though +he was being punished for assisting Joe Flint's family, instead of for +leaving his place without permission. A great many persons who mean +well are apt to think themselves martyrs for any good cause in which +they may be engaged, when, in reality, their own want of tact, or the +offensive manner in which they present their truth, is the stake at +which they are burned. + +"Keep off!" said Harry, his eyes flashing fire. + +The major was so angry that he could do nothing; and while they were +thus confronting each other, Joe Flint staggered into the counting +room. Intoxicated as he was, he readily discovered the position of +affairs between the belligerents. + +"Look here--hic--Major Phillips," said he, reeling up to his employer, +"I love you--hic--Major Phillips, like a--hic--like a brother, Major +Phillips; but if you touch that boy, Major Phillips, I'll--hic--you +touch me, Major Phillips. That's all." + +"Go home, Joe," replied the stable keeper, his attention diverted from +Harry to the new combatant. "You are drunk." + +"I know I'm drunk, Major Phillips. I'm as drunk as a beast; but I +ain't--hic--dead drunk. I know what I'm about." + +"No, you don't. Go home." + +"Yes, I dzoo. I'm a brute; I'm a hog; I'm a--dzwhat you call it? I'm a +villain." + +Joe tried to straighten himself up, and look at his employer; but he +could not, and suddenly bursting into tears, he threw himself heavily +into a chair, weeping bitterly in his inebriate paroxysm. He sobbed, +and groaned, and talked incoherently. He acted strangely, and Major +Phillips's attention was excited. + +"What is the matter, Joe?" he asked; and his anger towards Harry +seemed to have subsided. + +"I tell you I am a villain, Major Phillips," blubbered Joe. + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"Haven't I been on a drunk, and left my family to starve and freeze?" +groaned Joe, interlarding his speech with violent ebullitions of +weeping. "Wouldn't my poor wife, and my poor children--O my God," and +the poor drunkard covered his face with his hands, and sobbed like an +infant. + +"What is the matter? What do you mean, Joe?" asked Major Phillips, who +had never seen him in this frame before. + +"Wouldn't they all have died if Harry hadn't gone and fed 'em, and +split up wood to warm 'em?" + +As he spoke, Joe sprang up, and rushed towards Harry, and in his +drunken frenzy attempted to embrace him. + +"What does this mean, Harry?" said the stable keeper, turning to our +hero, who, while Joe was telling his story, had been thinking of +something else. + +"What a fool I was to get mad!" thought he. "What would she say if she +had seen me just now? Poor Julia! perhaps she is dead, even now." + +"My folks would have died if it hadn't been for him," hiccoughed Joe. + +"Explain it, Harry," added the major. + +"The lame girl, Katy, came down here after her father early in the +evening. She seemed to be in trouble and I thought I would go up and +see what the matter was. I found them in rather a bad condition, +without any wood or anything to eat. I did what I could for them, and +came away," replied Harry. + +"Give me your hand, Harry!" and the major grasped his hand like a +vise. "You are a good fellow," he added, with an oath. + +"Forgive me, Mr. Phillips, for saying what I did; I was mad," pleaded +Harry. + +"So was I, my boy; but we won't mind that. You are a good fellow, and +I like your spunk. So you have really been taking care of Joe's family +while he was off on a drunk?" + +"I didn't do much, sir." + +"Look here, Harry, and you, Major Phillips. When I get this rum out of +me I'll never take another drop again," said Joe, throwing himself +into a chair. + +"Bah, Joe! You have said that twenty times before," added Major +Phillips. + +"You dzee!" exclaimed Joe, doubling his fist, and bringing it down +with the intention of hitting the table by his side to emphasize his +resolution; but, unfortunately, he missed the table--a circumstance +which seemed to fore-shadow the fate of his resolve. + +Joe proceeded to declare in his broken speech what a shock he had +received when he went home, half an hour before--the first time for +several days--and heard the reproaches of his suffering wife; how +grateful he was to Harry, and what a villain he considered himself. +Either the sufferings of his family, or the rum he had drunk, melted +his heart, and he was as eloquent as his half-paralyzed tongue would +permit. He was a pitiable object; and having assured himself that +Joe's family were comfortable for the night, Major Phillips put him to +bed in his own house. + +Harry was not satisfied with himself; he had permitted his temper to +get the better of him. He thought of Julia on her bed of suffering, +wept for her, and repented for himself. That night he heard the clock +on the Boylston market strike twelve before he closed his eyes to +sleep. + +The next day, while he was at work in the stable, a boy of about +fifteen called to see him, and desired to speak with him alone. Harry, +much wondering who his visitor was, and what he wanted, conducted him +to the ostlers' chamber. + +"You are Harry West?" the boy began. + +"That is my name, for the want of a better," replied Harry. + +"Then there is a little matter to be settled between you and me. You +helped my folks out last night, and I want to pay you for it." + +"Your folks?" + +"My name is Edward Flint." + +"Then you are Joe's son." + +"I am," replied Edward, who did not seem to feel much honored by the +relationship. + +"Your folks were in a bad condition last night." + +"That's a fact; they were." + +"But I didn't know Joe had a son as old as you are." + +"I am the oldest; but I don't live at home, and have not for three +years. How much did you pay out for them last night?" + +"One dollar and twenty cents." + +"As much as that?" + +"Just that." + +Edward Flint manifested some uneasiness at the announcement. He had +evidently come with a purpose, but had found things different from +what he had expected. + +"I didn't think it was so much." + +"What matters how much?" asked Harry. + +"Why, I want to pay you." + +"You needn't mind that." + +"The fact is, I have only three dollars just now; and I promised to go +out to ride with a fellow next Sunday. So, you see, if I pay you, I +shall not have enough left to foot the bills." + +Harry looked at his visitor with astonishment; he did not know what to +make of him. Was he in earnest? Would a son of Joseph Flint go out to +ride--on Sunday, too--while his mother and his brothers and sisters +were on the very brink of starvation? Our hero had some strange, +old-fashioned notions of his own. For instance, he considered it a +son's duty to take care of his mother, even if he were obliged to +forego the Sunday ride; that he ought to do all he could for his +brothers and sisters, even if he had to go without stewed oysters, +stay away from the theatre, and perhaps wear a little coarser cloth on +his back. If Harry was unreasonable in his views, my young reader will +remember that he was brought up in the country, where young America is +not quite so "fast" as in the city. + +"I didn't ask you to pay me," continued Harry. + +"I know that; but, you see, I suppose I ought to pay you. The old man +don't take much care of the family." + +Harry wanted to say that the young man did not appear to do much +better; but he was disposed to be as civil as the circumstances would +permit. + +"You needn't pay me." + +"Oh, yes, I shall pay you; but if you can wait till the first of next +month, I should like it." + +"I can wait. Do you live out?" + +"Live out? What do you mean by that? I am a clerk in a store +downtown," replied Edward, with offended dignity. + +"Oh, are you? Do they pay you well?" + +"Pretty fair; I get five dollars a week." + +"Five dollars a week! Thunder! I should think you did get paid pretty +well!" exclaimed Harry, astonished at the vastness of the sum for a +week's work. + +"Fair salary," added Edward, complacently. "What are you doing here?" + +"I work in the stable and about the house." + +"That's mean business," said Mr. Flint, turning up his nose. + +"It does very well." + +"How much do you get?" + +"Six dollars a month and perquisites." + +"How much are the perquisites?" + +"From one to two dollars a month." + +"Humph! I wonder you stay here." + +"It is as well as I can do." + +"No, it isn't; why don't you go into a store? We want a boy in our +store." + +"Do you?" + +"We do." + +"How much do you pay?" + +"We pay from two to four dollars a week." + +"Can't you get me the place?" asked Harry, now much interested in his +companion. + +"Well, yes; perhaps I can." + +"What should I have to do?" + +"Make the fires, sweep out in the morning, go on errands, and such +work. Boys must begin at the foot of the ladder. I began at the foot +of the ladder," answered Mr. Flint, with an immense self-sufficiency, +which Harry, however, failed to notice. + +"I should like to get into a store." + +"You will have a good chance to rise." + +"I am willing to do anything, so that I can have a chance to get +ahead." + +"We always give boys a good chance." + +Harry wanted that mysterious "we" defined. As it was, he was left to +infer that Mr. Flint was a partner in the concern, unless the five +dollars per week was an argument to the contrary; but he didn't like +to ask strange questions, and desired to know whom "he worked for." + +Edward Flint did not "work for" anybody. He was a clerk in the +extensive dry goods establishment of the Messrs. Wake & Wade, which, +he declared, was the largest concern in Boston; and one might further +have concluded that Mr. Flint was the most important personage in the +said concern. + +Mr. Flint was obliged to descend from his lofty dignity, and compound +the dollar and twenty cents with the stable boy by promising to get +him the vacant place in the establishment of Wake & Wade, if his +influence was sufficient to procure it. Harry was satisfied, and +begged him not to distress himself about the debt. The visitor took +his leave, promising to see him again the next day. + +About noon Joe Flint appeared at the stable again, perfectly sober. +Major Phillips had lent him ten dollars, in anticipation of his +month's wages, and he had been home to attend to the comfort of his +suffering family. After dinner he had a long talk with Harry, in +which, after paying him the money disbursed on the previous evening, +he repeated his solemn resolution to drink no more. He was very +grateful to Harry, and hoped he should be able to do as much for him. + +"Don't drink any more, Joe, and it will be the best day's work I ever +did," added Harry. + +"I never will, Harry--never!" protested Joe. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +IN WHICH HARRY GOES INTO THE DRYGOODS BUSINESS + + +Mr. Edward Flint's reputation as a gentleman of honor and a man of his +word suffered somewhat in Harry's estimation; for he waited all day, +and all evening, without hearing a word from the firm of Wake & Wade. +He had actually begun to doubt whether the accomplished young man had +as much influence with the firm as he had led him to suppose. But his +ambition would not permit him longer to be satisfied with the humble +sphere of a stable boy; and he determined, if he did not hear from +Edward, to apply for the situation himself. + +The next day, having procured two hours' leave of absence from the +stable, he called at the home of Joe Flint to obtain further +particulars concerning Edward and his situation. He found the family +in much better circumstances than at his previous visit. Mrs. Flint +was sitting up, and was rapidly convalescing; Katy was busy and +cheerful; and it seemed a different place from that to which he had +been the messenger of hope and comfort two nights before. + +They were very glad to see him, and poured forth their gratitude to +him so eloquently that he was obliged to change the topic. Mrs. Flint +was sure that her husband was an altered man. She had never before +known him to be so earnest and solemn in his resolutions to amend and +lead a new life. + +But when Harry alluded to Edward, both Katy and her mother suddenly +grew red. They acknowledged that they had sent for him in their +extremity, but that he did not come till the next morning, when the +bounty of the stable boy had relieved them from the bitterness of +want. The mother dropped a tear as she spoke of the wayward son; and +Harry had not the heart to press the inquiries he had come to make. + +After speaking as well as he dared to speak of Edward, he took his +leave, and hastened to the establishment of Wake & Wade, to apply for +the vacant place. He had put on his best clothes, and his appearance +this time was very creditable. + +Entering the store, he inquired for Edward Flint; and that gentleman +was summoned to receive him. + +"Hallo, Harry West!" said Edward, when he recognized his visitor. "I +declare I forgot all about you." + +"I thought likely," replied Harry, willing to be very charitable to +the delinquent. + +"The fact is, we have been so busy in the store I haven't had time to +call on you, as I promised." + +"Never mind, now. Is the place filled?" + +"No." + +"I am glad to hear that. Do you think there is any chance for me?" + +"Well, I don't know. I will do what I can for you." + +"Thank you, Edward." + +"Wait here a moment till I speak with one of the partners." + +The clerk left him, and was absent but a moment, when Harry was +summoned to the private room of Mr. Wake. The gentleman questioned him +for a few moments, and seemed to be pleased with his address and his +frankness. The result of the interview was that our hero was engaged +at a salary of three dollars a week, though it was objected to him +that he had no parents residing in the city. + +"I thought I could fix it," said Edward, complacently, as they left +the counting room. + +"I am much obliged to you, Edward," replied Harry, willing to humor +his new friend. "Now I want to get a place to board." + +"That is easy enough." + +"Where do you board?" + +"In Green Street." + +"How much do you pay a week?" + +"Two dollars and a half." + +"I can't pay that." + +"Well, I suppose you can't." + +"I was thinking of something just now. Suppose we should both board +with your mother." + +"Me?" + +"Yes." + +"What, in a ten-footer!" exclaimed Edward, starting back with +astonishment and indignation at the proposal. + +"Why not? If it is good enough for your mother, isn't it good enough +for you?" + +"Humph! I'll bet it won't suit me." + +"We can fix up a room to suit ourselves, you know. And it will be much +cheaper for both of us." + +"That, indeed; but the idea of boarding with the old man is not to be +thought of." + +"I should think you would like to be with your mother and your +brothers and sisters." + +"Not particular about it." + +"Better think of it, Edward." + +The clerk promised to think about it, but did not consider it very +probable that he should agree to the proposition. + +Harry returned to the stable, and immediately notified Major Phillips +of his intention to leave his service. As may be supposed, the stable +keeper was sorry to lose him; but he did not wish to stand in the way +of his advancement. He paid him his wages, adding a gift of five +dollars, and kindly permitted him to leave at once, as he desired to +procure a place to board, and to acquaint himself with the localities +of the city, so that he could discharge his duty the more acceptably +to his new employers. + +The ostlers, too, were sorry to part with him--particularly Joe Flint, +whose admiration of our hero was unbounded. In their rough and honest +hearts they wished him well. They had often made fun of his good +principles; often laughed at him for refusing to pitch cents in the +back yard on Sunday, and for going to church instead; often ridiculed +him under the name of "Little Pious"; still they had a great respect +for him. They who are "persecuted for righteousness' sake"--who are +made fun of because they strive to do right--are always sure of +victory in the end. They may be often tried, but sooner or later they +shall triumph. + +After dinner, he paid another visit to Mrs. Flint, in Avery Street. He +opened his proposition to board in her family, to which she raised +several objections, chief of which was that she had no room. The plan +was more favorably received by Katy; and she suggested that they could +hire the little apartment upstairs, which was used as a kind of lumber +room by the family in the other part of the house. + +Her mother finally consented to the arrangement, and it became +necessary to decide upon the terms, for Harry was a prudent manager, +and left nothing to be settled afterwards. He then introduced the +project he had mentioned to Edward; and Mrs. Flint thought she could +board them both for three dollars a week, if they could put up with +humble fare. Harry declared that he was not "difficult," though he +could not speak for Edward. + +Our hero was delighted with the success of his scheme, and only wished +that Edward had consented to the arrangement; but the next time he saw +him, somewhat to his surprise, the clerk withdrew his objections, and +entered heartily into the scheme. + +"You see, Harry, I shall make a dollar a week--fifty-two dollars a +year--by the arrangement," said Edward, after he had consented. + +He evidently considered that some apology was due from him for +condescending from the social dignity of his position in the Green +Street boarding house to the humble place beneath his mother's roof. + +"Certainly you will; and that is a great deal of money," replied +Harry. + +"It will pay my theatre tickets, and for a ride once a month besides." + +"For what?" asked Harry, astonished at his companion's theory of +economy. + +Edward repeated his statement. + +"Why don't you save your money?" + +"Save it? What is the use of that? I mean to have a good time while I +can." + +"You never will be a rich man." + +"I'll bet I will." + +"You could give your mother and Katy a great many nice things with +that money." + +"Humph! The old man must take care of them. It is all I can do to take +care of myself." + +"If I had a mother, and brothers and sisters, I should be glad to +spend all I got in making them happy," sighed Harry. + +On the following Monday morning, Harry went to his new place. He was +in a strange position. All was untried and unfamiliar. Even the +language of the clerks and salesmen was strange to him; and he was +painfully conscious of the deficiencies of his education and of his +knowledge of business. He was prompt, active and zealous; yet his +awkwardness could not be concealed. The transition from the stable to +the store was as great as from a hovel to a palace. He made a great +many blunders. Mr. Wake laughed at him; Mr. Wade swore at him; and all +the clerks made him the butt of their mirth or their ill nature, just +as they happened to feel. + +What seemed to him worse than all, Edward Flint joined the popular +side, and laughed and swore with the rest. Poor Harry was almost +discouraged before dinner time, and began very seriously to consider +whether he had not entirely mistaken his calling. Dinner, however, +seemed to inspire him with new courage and new energy; and he hastened +back to the store, resolved to try again. + +The shop was crowded with customers; and partners and clerks hallooed +"Harry" till he was so confused that he hardly knew whether he stood +on his head or his heels. It was, Come here, Go there, Bring this, +Bring that; but in spite of laugh and curse, of push and kick, he +persevered, suiting nobody, least of all himself. + +It was a long day, a very long day; but it came to an end at last. Our +hero had hardly strength enough left to put up the shutters. His legs +ached, his head ached, and, worst of all, his heart ached at the +manifest failure of his best intentions. He thought of going to the +partners, and asking them whether they thought he was fit for the +place; but he finally decided to try again for another day, and +dragged himself home to rest his weary limbs. + +He and Edward had taken possession of their room at Joe Flint's house +that morning; and on their arrival they found that Katy had put +everything in excellent order for their reception. Harry was too much +fatigued and disheartened to have a very lively appreciation of the +comforts of his new home; but Edward, notwithstanding the descent he +had made, was in high spirits. He even declared that the room they +were to occupy was better than his late apartments in Green Street. + +"Do you think I shall get along with my work, Edward?" asked Harry, +gloomily, after they had gone to bed. + +"Why not?" + +"Everybody in the store has kicked and cuffed me, swore at and abused +me, till I feel like a jelly." + +"Oh, never mind that; they always do so with a green one. They served +me just so when I first went into business." + +"Did they?" + +"Fact. One must live and learn." + +"It seemed to me just as though I never could suit them." + +"Pooh! Don't be blue about it." + +"I can't help it, I know I did not suit them." + +"Yes, you did." + +"What made them laugh at me and swear at me, then?" + +"That is the fashion; you must talk right up to them. If they swear at +you, swear at them back again--that is, the clerks and salesmen. If +they give you any 'lip,' let 'em have as good as they send." + +"I don't want to do that." + +"Must do it, Harry. 'Live and learn' is my motto. When you go among +the Romans, do as the Romans do." + +Harry did not like this advice; for he who, among the Romans, would do +as the Romans do, among hogs would do as the hogs do. + +"If I only suit them, I don't care." + +"You do; I heard Wake tell Wade that you were a first-rate boy." + +"Did you?" And Harry's heart swelled with joy to think that, in spite +of his trials, he had actually triumphed in the midst of them. + +So he dropped the subject, with the resolution to redouble his +exertions to please his employers the next day, and turned his +thoughts to Julia Bryant, to wonder if she were still living, or had +become an angel indeed. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +IN WHICH HARRY REVISITS ROCKVILLE, AND MEETS WITH A SERIOUS LOSS + + +The next evening Harry was conscious of having gained a little in the +ability to discharge his novel duties. Either the partners and the +clerks had become tired of swearing and laughing at him, or he had +made a decided improvement, for less fault was found with him, and +his position was much more satisfactory. With a light heart he put up +the shutters; for though he was very much fatigued, the prestige of +future success was so cheering that he scarcely heeded his weary, +aching limbs. + +Every day was an improvement on the preceding day, and before the week +was out Harry found himself quite at home in his new occupation. He +was never a moment behind the time at which he was required to be at +the store in the morning. This promptness was specially noted by the +partners; for when they came to their business in the morning they +found the store well warmed, the floor nicely swept, and everything +put in order. + +When he was sent out with bundles he did not stop to look at the +pictures in the shop windows, to play marbles or tell long stories to +other boys in the streets. If his employers had even been very +unreasonable, they could not have helped being pleased with the new +boy, and Wake confidentially assured Wade that they had got a +treasure. + +Our hero was wholly devoted to his business. He intended to make a man +of himself, and he could only accomplish his purpose by constant +exertion, by constant study and constant "trying again." He was +obliged to keep a close watch over himself, for often he was tempted +to be idle and negligent, to be careless and indifferent. + +After supper, on Thursday evening of his second week at Wake & Wade's, +he hastened to Major Phillips' stable to see John Lane, and obtain the +news from Rockville. His heart beat violently when he saw John's great +wagon, for he dreaded some fearful announcement from his sick friend. +He had not before been so deeply conscious of his indebtedness to the +little angel as now, when she lay upon the bed of pain, perhaps of +death. She had kindled in his soul a love for the good and the +beautiful. She had inspired him with a knowledge of the difference +between the right and the wrong. In a word, she was the guiding star +of his existence. Her approbation was the bright guerdon of fidelity +to truth and principle. + +"How is Julia?" asked Harry, without giving John time to inquire why +he had left the stable. + +"They think she is a little grain better." + +"Then she is still living?" continued Harry, a great load of anxiety +removed from his soul. + +"She is; but it is very doubtful how it will turn. I went in to see +her yesterday, and she spoke of you." + +"Spoke of me?" + +"She said she should like to see you." + +"I should like to see her very much." + +"Her father told me, if you was a mind to go up to Rockville, he would +pay your expenses." + +"I don't mind the expenses. I will go, if I can get away." + +"Her father feels very bad about it. Julia is an only child, and he +would do anything in the world to please her." + +"I will go and see the gentlemen I work for, and if they will let me, +I will go with you to-morrow morning." + +"Better take the stage; you will get there so much quicker." + +"I will do so, then." + +Harry returned home to ascertain of Edward where Mr. Wake lived, and +hastened to see him. That gentleman, however, coldly assured him if he +went to Rockville he must lose his place--they could not get along +without a boy. In vain Harry urged that he should be gone but two +days; the senior was inflexible. + +"What shall I do?" said he to himself, when he got into the street +again. "Mr. Wake says she is no relation of mine, and he don't see why +I should go. Poor Julia! She may die, and I shall never see her again. +I must go." + +It did not require a great deal of deliberation to convince himself +that it was his duty to visit the sick girl. She had been a true +friend to him, and he could afford to sacrifice his place to procure +her even a slight gratification. Affection and duty called him one +way, self-interest the other. If he did not go, he should regret it as +long as he lived. Perhaps Mr. Wake would take him again on his +return; if not, he could at least go to work in the stable again. + +"Edward, I am going to Rockville to-morrow," he remarked to his +"chum," on his return to Mrs. Flint's. + +"The old man agreed to it, then? I thought he wouldn't. He never will +let a fellow off even for a day." + +"He did not; but I must go." + +"Better not, then. He will discharge you, for he is a hard nut." + +"I must go," repeated Harry, taking a candle, and going up to their +chamber. + +"You have got more spunk than I gave you credit for; but you are sure +of losing your place," replied Edward, following him upstairs. + +"I can't help it." + +Harry opened a drawer in the old broken bureau in the room, and from +beneath his clothes took out the great pill box which served him for a +savings bank. + +"You have got lots of money," remarked Edward, as he glanced at the +contents of the box. + +"Not much; only twelve dollars," replied Harry, taking out three of +them to pay his expenses to Rockville. + +"You won't leave that box there, will you, while you are gone?" + +"Why not?" + +"Somebody may steal it." + +"I guess not. I can hide it, though, before I go." + +"Better do so." + +Harry took his money and went to a bookstore in Washington Street, +where he purchased an appropriate present for Julia, for which he gave +half a dollar. On his return, he wrote her name in it, with his own as +the giver. Then the safety of his money came up for consideration; and +this matter was settled by raising a loose board in the floor and +depositing the pill box in a secure place. He had scarcely done so +before Edward joined him. + +Our hero did not sleep much that night. He was not altogether +satisfied with the step he was about to take. It was not doing right +by his employers; but he compromised the matter in part by engaging +Edward, "for a consideration," to make the fires and sweep out the +next morning. + +At noon, on the following day, he reached Rockville, and hastened to +the house of Mr. Bryant. + +"How is she?" he asked, breathless with interest, of the girl who +answered his knock. + +"She is better to-day. Are you the boy from Boston?" + +"Yes. Do they think she will get well?" + +"The doctor has more hope of her." + +"I am very glad to hear it." + +Harry was conducted into the house, and Mr. Bryant was informed of his +presence. + +"I am glad you have come, Harry. Julia is much better to-day," said +her father, taking him by the hand. "She has frequently spoken of you +during her illness, and feels a very strong interest in your welfare." + +"She was very good to me. I don't know what would have become of me if +she had not been a friend to me." + +"That is the secret of her interest in you. We love those best whom we +serve most. She is asleep now; but you shall see her as soon as she +wakes. In the meantime you had better have your dinner." + +Mr. Bryant looked very pale, and his eyes were reddened with weeping. +Harry saw how much he had suffered during the last fortnight; but it +seemed natural to him that he should suffer terribly at the thought of +losing one so beautiful and precious as the little angel. + +He dined alone with Mr. Bryant, for Mrs. Bryant could not leave the +couch of the little sufferer. The fond father could speak of nothing +but Julia, and more than once the tears flooded his eyes, as he told +Harry how meek and patient she had been through the fever, how loving +she was, and how resigned even to leave her parents, and go to the +heavenly Parent, to dwell with Him forever. + +Harry wept, too; and after dinner he almost feared to enter the +chamber, and behold the wreck which disease had made of this bright +and beautiful form. Removing the wrapper from the book he had +brought--a volume of sweet poems, entitled "Angel Songs"--he followed +Mr. Bryant into the sick girl's chamber. + +"Ah, Harry, I am delighted to see you!" exclaimed she, in a whisper, +for her diseased throat rendered articulation difficult and painful. + +"I am sorry to see you so sick, Julia," replied Harry, taking the +wasted hand she extended to him. + +"I am better, Harry. I feel as though I should get well now." + +"I hope you will." + +"You don't know how much I have thought of you while I lay here; how I +wished you were my brother, and could come in every day and see me," +she continued, with a faint smile. + +"I wish I could." + +"Now tell me how you get along in Boston." + +"Very well; but your father says I must not talk much with you now. I +have brought you a little book," and he placed it in her hand. + +"How good you are, Harry! 'Angel Songs.' How pretty! Now, Harry, you +must read me one of the angel songs." + +"I will; but I can't read very well," said he, as he opened the +volume. + +But he did read exceedingly well. The piece he selected was a very +pretty and a very touching little song; and Harry's feelings were so +deeply moved by the pathetic sentiments of the poem and their +adaptation to the circumstances of the case, that he was quite +eloquent. + +When he had finished, Mrs. Bryant interfered to prevent further +conversation; and Julia, though she had a great deal to say to her +young friend, cheerfully yielded to her mother's wishes, and Harry +reluctantly left the room. + +Towards night he was permitted to see her again, when he read several +of the angel songs to her, and gave her a brief account of the events +of his residence in Boston. She was pleased with his earnestness, and +smiled approvingly upon him for the moral triumphs he had achieved. +The reward of all his struggles with trial and temptation was lavishly +bestowed in her commendation, and if fidelity had not been its own +reward, he could have accepted her approval as abundant compensation +for all he had endured. There was no silly sentiment in Harry's +composition; he had read no novels, seen no plays, knew nothing of +romance even "in real life." The homage he yielded to the fair and +loving girl was an unaffected reverence for simple purity and +goodness; that which the True Heart and the True Life never fail to +call forth whenever they exert their power. + +On the following morning, Julia's condition was very much improved, +and the physician spoke confidently of a favorable issue. Harry was +permitted to spend an hour by her bedside, inhaling the pure spirit +that pervaded the soul of the sick one. She was so much better that +her father proposed to visit the city, to attend to some urgent +business, which had been long deferred by her illness; and an +opportunity was thus afforded for Harry to return. + +Mr. Bryant drove furiously in his haste, changing horses twice on the +journey, so that they reached the city at one o'clock. On their +arrival, Harry's attention naturally turned to the reception he +expected to receive from his employers. He had not spoken of his +relations with them at Rockville, preferring not to pain them, on the +one hand, and not to take too much credit to himself for his devotion +to Julia, on the other. After the horse was disposed of at Major +Phillips's stable, Mr. Bryant walked down town with Harry; and when +they reached the store of Wake & Wade, he entered with him. + +"What have you come back for?" asked the senior partner, rather +coldly, when he saw the delinquent. "We don't want you." + +Harry was confused at this reception, though it was not unexpected. + +"I didn't know but that you might be willing to take me again." + +"No, we don't want you. Ah, Mr. Bryant! Happy to see you," continued +Mr. Wake, recognizing Harry's friend. + +"Did I understand you aright? Did you say that you did not want my +young friend, here?" replied Mr. Bryant, taking the offered hand of +Mr. Wake. + +"I did say so," said the senior. "I was not aware that he was your +friend, though," and he proceeded to inform Mr. Bryant that Harry had +left them against their wish. + +"A few words with you, if you please." + +Mr. Wake conducted him to the private office, where they remained for +half an hour. + +"It is all right, Harry," continued Mr. Wake, on their return. "I did +not understand the matter." + +"Thank you, sir!" ejaculated our hero, rejoiced to find his place was +still secure. "I would not have gone if I could possibly have helped +it." + +"You did right, my boy, and I honor you for your courage and +constancy." + +Mr. Bryant bade him an affectionate adieu, promising to write to him +often until Julia recovered, and then departed. + +With a grateful heart Harry immediately resumed his duties, and the +partners were probably as glad to retain him as he was to remain. + +At night, when he went to his chamber, he raised the loose board to +get the pill box, containing his savings, in order to return the money +he had not expended. To his consternation, he discovered that it was +gone! + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +IN WHICH HARRY MEETS WITH AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE AND GETS A HARD KNOCK ON +THE HEAD + + +It was in vain that Harry searched beneath the broken floor for his +lost treasure; it could not be found. He raised the boards up, and +satisfied himself that it had not slipped away into any crevice, or +fallen through into the room below; and the conclusion was inevitable +that the box had been stolen. + +Who could have done it? The mystery confused Harry, for he was certain +that no one had seen him deposit the box beneath the floor. No one +except Edward even knew that he had any money. He was sure that +neither Mrs. Flint nor Katy would have stolen it; and he was not +willing to believe that his room-mate would be guilty of such a mean +and contemptible act. + +He tried to assure himself that it had not been stolen--that it was +still somewhere beneath the floor; and he pulled up another board, to +resume the search. He had scarcely done so before Edward joined him. + +"What are you about, Harry?" he asked, apparently very much astonished +at his chum's occupation. "Are you going to pull the house down?" + +"Not exactly. You know my pill box?" replied Harry, suspending +operations to watch Edward's expression when he told him of his loss. + +"The one you kept your money in?" + +"Yes. Well, it is gone." + +"Gone!" exclaimed Edward, starting back with surprise. + +"It is either lost or stolen." + +"What did you do with it?" + +"Put it here, under this loose board." + +"It must be there now, then. I will help you find it." + +Edward manifested a great deal of enthusiasm in the search. He was +sure it must be where Harry had put it, or that it had rolled back out +of sight; and he began tearing up the floor with a zeal that +threatened the destruction of the building. But the box could not be +found, and they were obliged to abandon the search. + +"Too bad, Harry." + +"That is a fact; I can't spare that money, anyhow. I have been a good +while earning it, and it is too thundering bad to lose it." + +"I don't understand it," continued Edward. + +"Nor I either," replied Harry, looking his companion sharp in the eye. +"No one knew I had it but you." + +"Do you mean to say I stole it?" exclaimed Edward, doubling his fist, +while his cheek reddened with anger. + +"I don't say so." + +"Humph! Well, you better not!" + +"Don't get mad, Edward. I didn't mean to lay it to you." + +"Didn't you?" And Edward was very glad to have the matter compromised. + +"I did not; perhaps I spoke hastily. You know how hard I worked for +this money; and it seems hard to lose it. But no matter; I will try +again." + +Mrs. Flint and Katy were much grieved when Harry told of his loss. +They looked as though they suspected Edward, but said nothing, for it +was very hard to accuse a son or a brother of such a crime. + +Mrs. Flint advised Harry to put his money in the savings bank in +future, promising to take care of his spare funds till they amounted +to five dollars, which was then the smallest sum that would be +received. It was a long time before our hero became reconciled to his +loss. He had made up his mind to be a rich man; and he had carefully +hoarded every cent he could spare, thus closely imitating the man who +got rich by saving his fourpences. + +A few days after the loss he was reading in one of Katy's Sunday +school books about a miser. The wretch was held up as a warning to +young folks by showing them how he starved his body and soul for the +sake of gold. + +"That's why I lost my money!" exclaimed Harry, as he laid the book +upon the window. + +"What do you mean, Harry?" asked Katy, who sat near him. + +"I have been hoarding up my money just like this old man in the book." + +"You are not a miser, Harry. You couldn't be mean and stingy if you +tried." + +"Yes, I could. I love money." + +"So does everybody." + +"A miser wouldn't do what you did for us, Harry," added Mrs. Flint. +"We ought to be careful and saving." + +"I have been thinking too much of money. After all, perhaps it was +just as well that I lost that money." + +"I am sorry you lost it; for I don't think there is any danger of your +becoming a miser," said Katy. + +"Perhaps not; at any rate, it has set me to thinking." + +Harry finished the book; and it was, fortunately, just such a work as +he required to give him right and proper views in regard to the value +of wealth. His dream of being a rich man was essentially modified by +these views; and he renewedly resolved that it was better to be a good +man than a rich man, if he could not be both. It seemed to him a +little remarkable that the minister should preach upon this very topic +on the following Sunday, taking for his text the words, "Seek ye first +the kingdom of heaven and all these things shall be added unto you." +He was deeply impressed by the sermon, probably because it was on a +subject to which he had given some attention. + +A few days after his return from Rockville, Harry received a very +cheerful letter from Mr. Bryant, to which Julia had added a few lines +in a postscript. The little angel was rapidly recovering, and our hero +was rejoiced beyond expression. The favorable termination of her +illness was a joy which far outbalanced the loss of his money, and he +was as cheerful and contented as ever. As he expressed it, in rather +homely terms, he had got "the streak of fat and the streak of lean." +Julia was alive; was to smile upon him again; was still to inspire him +with that love of goodness which had given her such an influence over +him. + +Week after week passed by, and Harry heard nothing of his lost +treasure; but Julia had fully recovered, and for the treasure lost an +incomparably greater treasure had been gained. Edward and himself +continued to occupy the same room, though ever since the loss of the +money box Harry's chum had treated him coldly. There had never been +much sympathy between them; for while Edward was at the theatre, or +perhaps at worse places, Harry was at home, reading some good book, +writing a letter to Rockville, or employed in some other worthy +occupation. While Harry was at church or at the Sunday school, Edward, +in company with some dissolute companion, was riding about the +adjacent country. + +Mrs. Flint often remonstrated with her son upon the life he led, and +the dissipated habits he was contracting; and several times Harry +ventured to introduce the subject. Edward, however, would not hear a +word from either. It is true that we either grow better or worse, as +we advance in life; and Edward Flint's path was down a headlong steep. +His mother wept and begged him to be a better boy. He only laughed at +her. + +Harry often wondered how he could afford to ride out and visit the +theatre and other places of amusement so frequently. His salary was +only five dollars a week now; it was only four when he had said it was +five. He seemed to have money at all times, and to spend it very +freely. He could not help believing that the contents of his pill box +had paid for some of the "stews" and "Tom and Jerrys" which his +reckless chum consumed. But the nine dollars he had lost would have +been but a drop in the bucket compared with his extravagant outlays. + +One day, about six months after Harry's return from Rockville, as he +was engaged behind the counter, a young man entered the store and +accosted him. + +"Halloo, Harry! How are you?" + +It was a familiar voice; and, to Harry's surprise, but not much to his +satisfaction, he recognized his old companion, Ben Smart, who, he had +learned from Mr. Bryant, had been sent to the house of correction for +burning Squire Walker's barn. + +"How do you do, Ben?" returned Harry, not very cordially. + +"So you are here--are you?" + +"Yes, I have been here six months." + +"Good place?" + +"First rate." + +"Any chance for me?" + +"No, I guess not." + +"You have got a sign out for a boy, I see." + +It was true they had. There were more errands to run than one boy +could attend to; besides, Harry had proved himself so faithful and so +intelligent, that Mr. Wake wished to retain him in the store, to fit +him for a salesman. + +"You can speak a good word for me, Harry; for I should like to work +here," continued Ben. + +"I thought you were in--in the--" + +Harry did not like to use the offensive expression, and Ben's face +darkened when he discovered what the other was going to say. + +"Not a word about that," said he. "If you ever mention that little +matter, I'll take your life." + +"But how was it?" + +"My father got me out, and then I ran away. Not a word more, for I had +as lief be hung for an old sheep as a lamb." + +"There is Mr. Wake; you can apply to him," continued Harry. + +Ben walked boldly up to Mr. Wake, and asked for the place. The senior +talked with him a few moments, and then retired to his private office, +calling Harry as he entered. + +"If you say anything, I will be the death of you," whispered Ben, as +Harry passed him on his way to the office. + +Our hero was not particularly pleased with these threats; he certainly +was not frightened by them. + +"Do you know that boy, Harry?" asked Mr. Wake, as he presented himself +before the senior. + +"I do, sir." + +"Who is he, and what is he?" + +"His name is Benjamin Smart. He belongs to Redfield." + +"To Redfield? He said he came from Worcester." + +"I believe Mr. Bryant told you the story about my leaving Redfield," +said Harry. + +"He did." + +"That is the boy that run away with me." + +"And the one that set the barn afire?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"That is enough." And Harry returned to his work at the counter. + +"What did he say to you?" asked Ben. + +Before Harry had time to make any reply, Mr. Wake joined them. + +"We don't want you, young man," said he. + +With a glance of hatred at Harry, the applicant left the store. Since +leaving Redfield, our hero's views of duty had undergone a change; and +he now realized that to screen a wicked person was to plot with him +against the good order of society. He knew Ben's character; he had no +reason, after their interview, to suppose it was changed; and he could +not wrong his employers by permitting them ignorantly to engage a bad +boy, especially when he had been questioned directly on the point. + +Towards evening Harry was sent with a bundle to a place in Boylston +Street, which required him to cross the Common. On his return, when he +reached the corner of the burying ground, Ben Smart, who had evidently +followed him, and lay in wait at this spot for him, sprang from his +covert upon him. The young villain struck him a heavy blow in the eye +before Harry realized his purpose. The blow, however, was vigorously +returned; but Ben, besides being larger and stronger than his victim, +had a large stone in his hand, with which he struck him a blow on the +side of his head, knocking him insensible to the ground. + +The wretch, seeing that he had done his work, fled along the side of +the walk of the burying ground, pursued by several persons who had +witnessed the assault. Ben was a fleet runner this time, and succeeded +in making his escape. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +IN WHICH HARRY FINDS THAT EVEN A BROKEN HEAD MAY BE OF SOME USE TO A +PERSON + + +When Harry recovered his consciousness, he found himself in an +elegantly furnished chamber, with several persons standing around the +bed upon which he had been laid. A physician was standing over him, +engaged in dressing the severe wound he had received in the side of +his head. + +"There, young man, you have had a narrow escape," said the doctor, as +he saw his patient's eyes open. + +"Where am I?" asked Harry, faintly, as he tried to concentrate his +wandering senses. + +"You are in good hands, my boy. What is your name?" + +"Harry West. Can't I go home now?" replied the sufferer, trying to +rise on the bed. + +"Do you feel as though you could walk home?" + +"I don't know; I feel kind of faint." + +"Does your head pain you?" + +"No, sir; it feels numb, and everything seems to be flying round." + +"I dare say." + +Harry expressed an earnest desire to go home, and the physician +consented to accompany him in a carriage to Mrs. Flint's residence. He +had been conveyed in his insensible condition to a house in Boylston +Street, the people of which were very kind to him, and used every +effort to make him comfortable. + +A carriage was procured, and Harry was assisted to enter it; for he +was so weak and confused that he could not stand alone. Ben had struck +him a terrible blow; and, as the physician declared, it was almost a +miracle that he had not been killed. + +Mrs. Flint and Katy were shocked and alarmed when they saw the +helpless boy borne into the house; but everything that the +circumstances required was done for him. + +"Has Edward come home?" he asked, when they had placed him on the bed. + +"No, not yet." + +"They will wonder what has become of me at the store," continued the +sufferer, whose thoughts reverted to his post of duty. + +"I will go down to the store and tell them what has happened," said +Mr. Callender, the kind gentleman to whose house Harry had been +carried, and who had attended him to his home. + +"Thank you, sir; you are very good. I don't want them to think that I +have run away, or anything of that sort." + +"They will not think so, I am sure," returned Mr. Callender, as he +departed upon his mission. + +"Do you think I can go to the store to-morrow?" asked Harry, turning +to the physician. + +"I am afraid not; you must keep very quiet for a time." + +Harry did not like this announcement. He had never been sick a day in +his life; and it seemed to him just then as though the world could not +possibly move on without him to help the thing along. A great many +persons cherish similar notions, and cannot afford to be sick a single +day. + +I should like to tell my readers at some length what blessings come to +us while we are sick; what angels with healing ministrations for the +soul visit the couch of pain; what holy thoughts are sometimes kindled +in the darkened chamber; what noble resolutions have their birth in +the heart when the head is pillowed on the bed of sickness. But my +remaining space will not permit it; and I content myself with +remarking that sickness in its place is just as great a blessing as +health; that it is a part of our needed discipline. When any of my +young friends are sick, therefore, let them yield uncomplainingly to +their lot, assured that He who hath them in his keeping "doeth all +things well." + +Harry was obliged to learn this lesson; and when the pain in his head +began to be almost intolerable, he fretted and vexed himself about +things at the store. He was not half as patient as he might have been; +and, during the evening, he said a great many hard things about Ben +Smart, the author of his misfortune. I am sorry to say he cherished +some malignant, revengeful feelings towards him, and looked forward +with a great deal of satisfaction to the time when he should be +arrested and punished for his crime. + +Both Mr. Wake and Mr. Wade called upon him as soon as they heard of +his misfortune. They were very indignant when they learned that Harry +was suffering for telling the truth. They assured him that they should +miss him very much at the store, but they would do the best they +could--which, of course, was very pleasant to him. But they told him +they could get along without him, bade him not fret, and said his +salary should be paid just the same as though he did his work. + +"Thank you! thank you! You are very good," exclaimed Harry. + +"Yes," Mr. Wade continued; "and, as it will cost you more to be sick, +we will raise your wages to four dollars a week. What do you say, +Wade?" + +"Certainly," replied the junior, warmly. + +There was no possible excuse for fretting now. With so many kind +friends around him, he had no excuse for fretting; but his human +nature rebelled at his lot, and he made himself more miserable than +the pain of his wound could possibly have made him. Mrs. Flint, who +sat all night by his bedside, labored in vain to make him resigned to +his situation. It seemed as though the great trial of his lifetime had +come--that which he was least prepared to meet and conquer. + +The next day he was very feverish. His head ached, and the pain of his +wound was very severe. His moral condition was, if possible, worse +than on the preceding night. He was fretful, morose, and unreasonable +towards those kind friends who kept vigil around his bedside. Strange +as it may seem, and strange as it did seem to himself, his thoughts +seldom reverted to the little angel. Once, when he thought of her +extended on the bed of pain as he was then, her example seemed to +reproach him. She had been meek and patient through all her +sufferings--had been content to die, even, if it was the will of the +Father in heaven. With a peevish exclamation, he drove her--his +guardian angel, as she often seemed to him--from his mind, with the +reflection that she could not have been as sick as he was, that she +did not endure as much pain as he did. For several days he remained in +pretty much the same state. His head ached, and the fever burned in +his veins. His moral symptoms were not improved, and he continued to +snarl and growl at those who took care of him. + +"Give me some cold water, marm; I don't want your slops," fretted he, +when Mrs. Flint brought him his drink. + +"But the doctor says you mustn't have cold water." It was twenty-five +years ago. + +"Confound the doctor! Give me a glass of cold water, and I will--" + +The door opened then, causing him to suspend the petulant words; for +one stood there whose good opinion he valued more than that of any +other person. + +"Oh, Harry! I am so sorry to see you so sick!" exclaimed Julia Bryant, +rushing to his bedside. + +She was followed by her father and mother; and Katy had admitted them +unannounced to the chamber. + +"Julia! is it you?" replied Harry, smiling for the first time since +the assault. + +"Yes, Harry; I hope you are better. When I heard about it last night, +I would not give father any peace till he promised to bring me to +Boston." + +"Don't be so wild, Julia," interposed her mother. "You forget that he +is very sick." + +"Forgive me, Harry; I was so glad and so sorry. I hope I didn't make +your head ache," she added, in a very gentle tone. + +"No, Julia. It was very good of you to come and see me." + +Harry felt a change come over him the moment she entered the room. The +rebellious thoughts in his bosom seemed to be banished by her +presence; and though his head ached and his flesh burned as much as +ever, he somehow had more courage to endure them. + +After Mr. and Mrs. Bryant had asked him a few questions, and expressed +their sympathy in proper terms, they departed, leaving Julia to remain +with the invalid for a couple of hours. + +"I did not expect to see you, Julia," said Harry, when they had gone. + +"Didn't you think I would do as much for you as you did for me?" + +"It was rather different with you. I am only a poor boy, and you are a +rich man's child." + +"Pooh, Harry! Our souls are all of a color. You can't think how bad I +felt when father got Mr. Wake's letter." + +"It's a hard case to be knocked down in that way, and laid up in the +house for a week or two." + +"I know it; but we must be patient." + +"Can't be patient. I haven't any patience--not a bit. If I could get +hold of Ben Smart, I would choke him. I hope they will catch him and +send him to the state prison for life." + +Julia looked sad. These malignant words did not sound like those of +the Harry West she had known and loved. They were so bitter that they +curdled the warm blood in her veins, and the heart of Harry seemed +less tender than before. + +"Harry," said she, in soft tones, and so sad that he could not but +observe the change which had come over her. + +"Well, Julia." + +"You don't mean what you said." + +"Don't mean it?" + +"No, I am sure you don't. Do you remember what the Bible says?" + +"What does it say?" asked he, deeply impressed by the sad and solemn +tones of the little angel. + +"'Forgive your enemies,' Harry." + +"Forgive Ben Smart, after he has almost killed me?" Julia took up the +Bible, which lay on the table by the bedside--it was the one she had +given him--and read several passages upon the topic she had +introduced. + +Harry was ashamed of himself. The gentle rebuke she administered +touched his soul, and he thought how peevish and ill-natured he had +been. + +"You have been badly hurt, Harry, and you are very sick. Now, let me +ask you one question: Which would you rather be, Harry West, sick as +you are, or Ben Smart, who struck the blow?" + +"I had rather be myself," replied he, promptly. + +"You ought to be glad that you are Harry West, instead of Ben Smart. +Sick as you are, I am sure you are a great deal happier than he can +be, even if he is not punished for striking you." + +"You are right, Julia. I have been very wicked. Here I have been +grumbling and growling all the time for four days. I have learned +better. It is lucky for me that I am Harry, instead of Ben." + +"I am sure I have been a great deal better since I was sick than +before. When I lay on the bed, hardly able to move, I kept thinking +all the time; and my thoughts did me a great deal of good." + +Harry had learned his lesson, and Julia's presence was indeed an +angel's visit. For an hour longer she sat by his bed, and her words +were full of inspiration; and when her father called for her he could +hardly repress a tear as she bade him good night. + +After she had gone Harry begged Mrs. Flint and Katy to forgive him for +being so cross, promising to be patient in the future. And he kept his +promise. The next day Julia came again. She read to him, conversed +with him about the scenes of the preceding autumn in the woods, and +told him again about her own illness. In the afternoon she bade him a +final adieu, as she was to return that day to her home. + +The patience and resignation which he had learned gave a favorable +turn to his sickness, and he began to improve. It was a month, +however, before he was able to take his place in the store again. +Without the assistance of Julia, perhaps, he had not learned the moral +of sickness so well. As it was, he came forth from his chamber with +truer and loftier motives, and with a more earnest desire to lead the +true life. + +Ben Smart had been arrested; and, shortly after his recovery, Harry +was summoned as a witness at his trial. It was a plain case, and Ben +was sent to the house of correction for a long term. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +IN WHICH HARRY PASSES THROUGH HIS SEVEREST TRIAL, AND ACHIEVES HIS +GREATEST TRIUMPH + + +Three years may appear to be a great while to the little pilgrim +through life's vicissitudes; but they soon pass away and are as "a +tale that is told." To note all the events of Harry's experience +through this period would require another volume; therefore I can only +tell the reader what he was, and what results he had achieved in that +time. It was filled with trials and temptations, not all of which were +overcome without care and privation. Often he failed, was often +disappointed, and often was pained to see how feebly the Spirit warred +against the Flesh. + +He loved money, and avarice frequently prompted him to do those things +which would have wrecked his bright hopes. That vision of the grandeur +and influence of the rich man's position sometimes deluded him, +causing him to forget at times that the soul would live forever, while +the body and its treasures would perish in the grave. As he grew +older, he reasoned more; his principles became more firmly fixed; and +the object of existence assumed a more definite character. He was an +attentive student, and every year not only made him wiser, but better. +I do not mean to say that Harry was a remarkably good boy, that his +character was perfect, or anything of the kind. He meant well, and +tried to do well, and he did not struggle in vain against the trials +and temptations that beset him. I dare say those with whom he +associated did not consider him much better than themselves. It is +true, he did not swear, did not frequent the haunts of vice and +dissipation, did not spend his Sundays riding about the country; yet +he had his faults, and captious people did not fail to see them. + +He was still with Wake & Wade, though he was a salesman now, on a +salary of five dollars a week. He still boarded with Mrs. Flint, +though Edward was no longer his room-mate. A year had been sufficient +to disgust his "fast" companion with the homely fare and homely +quarters of his father's house; and, as his salary was now eight +dollars a week, he occupied a room in the attic of a first-class +hotel. + +Harry was sixteen years old, and he had three hundred dollars in the +Savings Bank. He might have had more if he had not so carefully +watched and guarded against the sin of avarice. He gave some very +handsome sums to the various public charities, as well as expended +them in relieving distress wherever it presented itself. It is true, +it was sometimes very hard work to give of his earnings to relieve the +poor; and if he had acted in conformity with the nature he had +inherited, he might never have known that it was "more blessed to give +than to receive." As he grew older, and the worth of money was more +apparent, he was tempted to let the poor and the unfortunate take care +of themselves; but the struggle of duty with parsimony rendered his +gifts all the more worthy. + +Joe Flint had several times violated his solemn resolution to drink no +more ardent spirits; but Harry, who was his friend and confidant, +encouraged him, when he failed, to try again; and it was now nearly a +year since he had been on a "spree." + +Our hero occasionally heard from Rockville; and a few months before +the event we are about to narrate he had spent the pleasantest week of +his life with Julia Bryant, amid those scenes which were so full of +interest to both of them. As he walked through the woods where he had +first met the "little angel"--she had now grown to be a tall girl--he +could not but recall the events of that meeting. It was there that he +first began to live, in the true sense of the word. It was there that +he had been born into a new sphere of moral existence. + +Julia was still his friend, still his guiding star. Though the freedom +of childish intimacy had been diminished, the same heart resided in +each, and each felt the same interest in the other. The correspondence +between them had been almost wholly suspended, perhaps by the +interference of the "powers" at Rockville, and perhaps by the growing +sense of the "fitness of things" in the parties. But they occasionally +met, which amply compensated for the deprivations which propriety +demanded. + +But I must pass on to the closing event of my story--it was Harry's +severest trial, yet it resulted in his most signal triumph. + +Edward Flint was always short of money. He lived extravagantly, and +his increased salary was insufficient to meet his wants. When Harry +saw him drive a fast horse through the streets on Sundays, and heard +him say how often he went to the theatre, what balls and parties he +attended--when he observed how elegantly he dressed, and that he wore +a gold chain, a costly breastpin and several rings--he did not wonder +that he was "short." He lived like a prince, and it seemed as though +eight dollars a week would be but a drop in the bucket in meeting his +expenses. + +One day, in his extremity, he applied to Harry for the loan of five +dollars. Our hero did not like to encourage his extravagance, but he +was good-natured, and could not well avoid doing the favor, especially +as Edward wanted the money to pay his board. However, he made it the +occasion for a friendly remonstrance, and gave the spendthrift youth +some excellent advice. Edward was vexed at the lecture; but, as he +obtained the loan, he did not resent the kindly act. + +About a fortnight after, Edward paid him the money. It consisted of a +two-dollar bill and six half dollars. Harry was about to make a +further application of his views of duty to his friend's case, when +Edward impatiently interrupted him, telling him that, as he had got +his money, he need not preach. This was just before Harry went home to +dinner. + +On his return Mr. Wake called him into the private office, and when +they had entered he closed and locked the door. Harry regarded this as +rather a singular proceeding; but, possessing the entire confidence of +his employers, it gave him no uneasiness. + +"Harry," Mr. Wake began, "we have been losing money from the store for +the last year or more. I have missed small sums a great many times." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Harry, not knowing whether he was regarded as a +confidant or as the suspected person. + +"To-day I gave a friend of mine several marked coins, with which he +purchased some goods. These coins have all been stolen." + +"Is it possible, sir!" + +"Now, we have four salesmen besides yourself. Which stole it?" + +"I can form no idea, sir," returned Harry. "I can only speak for +myself." + +"Oh, well, I had no suspicion it was you," added Mr. Wade, with a +smile. "I am going to try the same experiment again; and I want you to +keep your eyes on the money drawer all the rest of the afternoon." + +"I will do so, sir." + +Mr. Wade took several silver coins from his pocket and scratched them +in such a way that they could be readily identified, and then +dismissed Harry, with the injunction to be very vigilant. + +When he came out of the office he perceived that Edward and Charles +Wallis were in close conversation. + +"I say, Harry, what's in the wind?" asked the former, as our hero +returned to his position behind the counter. + +Harry evaded answering the question, and the other two salesmen, who +were very intimate and whose tastes and amusements were very much +alike, continued their conversation. They were evidently aware that +something unusual had occurred, or was about to occur. + +Soon after, a person appeared at the counter and purchased a dozen +spools of cotton, offering two half dollars in payment. Harry kept his +eye upon the money drawer, but nothing was discovered. From what he +knew of Edward's mode of life, he was prepared to believe that he was +the guilty person. + +The experiment was tried for three days in succession before any +result was obtained. The coins were always found in the drawer; but on +the fourth day, when they were very busy, and there was a great deal +of money in the drawer, Harry distinctly observed Edward, while making +change, take several coins from the till. The act appalled him; he +forgot the customer to whose wants he was attending, and hastened to +inform Mr. Wake of the discovery. + +"Where are you going, Harry?" asked Edward, as he passed him. + +"Only to the office," replied he; and his appearance and manner might +have attracted the attention of any skillful rogue. + +"Come, Harry, don't leave your place," added Edward, playfully +grasping him by the collar, on his return. + +"Don't stop to fool, Edward," answered Harry, as he shook him off and +took his place at the counter again. + +He was very absent-minded the rest of the forenoon, and his frame +shook with agitation as he heard Mr. Wake call Edward shortly after. +But he trembled still more when he was summoned also, for it was very +unpleasant business. + +"Of course, you will not object to letting me see the contents of +your pockets, Edward," said Mr. Wake, as Harry entered the office. + +"Certainly not, sir;" and he turned every one of his pockets inside +out. + +Not one of the decoy pieces was found upon him, or any other coins, +for that matter; he had no money. Mr. Wake was confused, for he fully +expected to convict the culprit on the spot. + +"I suppose I am indebted to this young man for this," continued +Edward, with a sneer. "I'll bet five dollars he stole the money +himself, if any has been stolen. Why don't you search him?" + +"Search me, sir, by all means," added Harry; and he began to turn his +pockets out. + +From his vest pocket he took out a little parcel wrapped in a shop +bill. + +"What's that?" said Edward. + +"I don't know. I wasn't aware that there was any such thing in my +pocket." + +"I suppose not," sneered Edward. + +"But you seem to know more about it than Edward," remarked Mr. Wade, +as he took the parcel. + +"I know nothing about it." + +The senior opened the wrapper, and to his surprise and sorrow found it +contained two of the marked coins. But he was not disposed hastily to +condemn Harry. He could not believe him capable of stealing; besides, +there was something in Edward's manner which seemed to indicate that +our hero was the victim of a conspiracy. + +"As he has been so very generous towards me, Mr. Wake," interposed +Edward, "I will suggest a means by which you may satisfy yourself. My +mother keeps Harry's money for him, and perhaps, if you look it over, +you will find more marked pieces." + +"Mr. Wake, I'm innocent," protested Harry, when he had in some measure +recovered from the first shock of the heavy blow. "I never stole a +cent from anybody." + +"I don't believe you ever did, Harry. But can you explain how this +money happened to be in your pocket?" + +"I cannot, sir. If you wish to look at my money, Mrs. Flint will show +it to you." + +"Perhaps I had better." + +"Don't let him go with you, though," said Edward, maliciously. + +Mr. Wake wrote an order to Mrs. Flint, requesting her to exhibit the +money, and Harry signed it. The senior then hastened to Avery Street. + +"Now, Master Spy!" sneered Edward, when he had gone. "So you have been +watching me, I thought as much." + +"I only did what Mr. Wade told me to do," replied Harry, exceedingly +mortified at the turn the investigation had taken. + +"Humph! That is the way with you psalm-singers. Steal yourself, and +lay it to me!" + +"I did not steal. I never stole in my life." + +"Wait and see." + +In about half an hour Mr. Wake returned. + +"I am sorry, Harry, to find that I have been mistaken in you. Is it +possible that one who is outwardly so correct in his habits should be +a thief? But your career is finished," said he, very sternly, as he +entered the office. + +"Nothing strange to the rest of us," added Edward. "I never knew one +yet who pretended to be so pious that did not turn out a rascal." + +"And such a hypocrite!" + +"Mr. Wake, I am neither a thief nor a hypocrite," replied Harry, with +spirit. + +"I found four of the coins--four half dollars--which I marked first, +at Mrs. Flint's," said the senior, severely. + +Harry was astounded. Those half dollars were part of the money paid +him by Edward, and he so explained how they came in his possession. + +"Got them from me!" exclaimed Edward, with well-feigned surprise. "I +never borrowed a cent of him in my life; and, of course, never paid +him a cent." + +Harry looked at Edward, amazed at the coolness with which he uttered +the monstrous lie. He questioned him in regard to the transaction, but +the young reprobate reiterated his declaration with so much force and +art that Mr. Wake was effectually deceived. + +Our hero, conscious of his innocence, however strong appearances were +against him, behaved with considerable spirit, which so irritated Mr. +Wake that he sent for a constable, and Harry soon found himself in +Leverett Street Jail. Strange as it may seem to my young friends, he +was not very miserable there. He was innocent, and he depended upon +that special Providence which had before befriended him to extricate +him from the difficulty. It is true, he wondered what Julia would say +when she heard of his misfortune. She would weep and grieve; and he +was sad when he thought of her. But she would be the more rejoiced +when she learned that he was innocent. The triumph would be in +proportion to the trial. + +On the following day he was brought up for examination. As his name +was called, the propriety of the court was suddenly disturbed by an +exclamation of surprise from an elderly man, with sun-browned face and +monstrous whiskers. + +"Who is he?" almost shouted the elderly man, regardless of the dignity +of the court. + +An officer was on the point of turning him out; but his earnest manner +saved him. Pushing his way forward to Mr. Wake, he questioned him in +regard to the youthful prisoner. + +"Strange! I thought he was dead!" muttered the elderly man, in the +most intense excitement. + +The examination proceeded. Harry had a friend who had not been idle, +as the sequel will show. + +Mr. Wake first testified to the facts we have already related, and the +lawyer, whom Harry's friends had provided, questioned him in regard to +the prisoner's character and antecedents. Edward Flint was then +called. He was subjected to a severe cross-examination by Harry's +counsel, in which he repeatedly denied that he had ever borrowed or +paid any money to the accused. + +Mr. Wade was the next witness. While the events preceding Harry's +arrest were transpiring, he had been absent from the city, but had +returned early in the afternoon. He disagreed with his partner in +relation to our hero's guilt, and immediately set himself to work to +unmask the conspiracy, for such he was persuaded it was. + +He testified that, a short time before, Edward had requested him to +pay him his salary two days before it was due, assigning as a reason +the fact that he owed Harry five dollars, which he wished to pay. He +produced two of the marked half dollars, which he had received from +Edward's landlady. + +Of course, Edward was utterly confounded; and, to add to his +confusion, he was immediately called to the stand again. This time his +coolness was gone; he crossed himself a dozen times, and finally +acknowledged, under the pressure of the skillful lawyer's close +questioning, that Harry was innocent. He had paid him the money found +in Mrs. Flint's possession, and had slipped the coins wrapped in the +shop bills into his pocket when he took him by the collar on his +return from the office. + +He had known for some time that the partners were on the watch for the +thief. He had heard them talking about the matter; but he supposed he +had managed the case so well as to exonerate himself and implicate +Harry, whom he hated for being a good boy. + +Harry was discharged. His heart swelled with gratitude for the kindly +interposition of Providence. The trial was past--the triumph had come. + +Mr. Wake, Mr. Wade, and other friends, congratulated him on the happy +termination of the affair; and while they were so engaged the elderly +man elbowed his way through the crowd to the place where Harry stood. + +"Young man, what is your father's name?" he asked, in tones tremulous +with emotion. + +"I have no father," replied Harry. + +"You had a father--what was his name?" + +"Franklin West; a carpenter by trade. He went from Redfield to +Valparaiso when I was very young, and we never heard anything from +him." + +"My son!" exclaimed the stranger, grasping our hero by the hand, while +the tears rolled down his brown visage. + +Harry did not know what to make of this announcement. + +"Is it possible that you are my father?" asked he. + +"I am, Harry; but I was sure you were dead. I got a letter, informing +me that your mother and the baby had gone; and about a year after I +met a man from Rockville who told me that you had died also." + +"It was a mistake." + +They continued the conversation as they walked from the court room to +the store. There was a long story for each to tell. Mr. West confessed +that, for two years after his arrival at Valparaiso, he had +accomplished very little. He drank hard, and brought on a fever, which +had nearly carried him off. But that fever was a blessing in disguise; +and since his recovery he had been entirely temperate. He had nothing +to send to his family, and shame prevented him from even writing to +his wife. He received the letter which conveyed the intelligence of +the death of his wife and child, and soon after learned that his +remaining little one was also gone. + +Carpenters were then in great demand in Valparaiso. He was soon in a +condition to take contracts, and fortune smiled upon him. He had +rendered himself independent, and had now returned to spend his +remaining days in his native land. He had been in Boston a week, and +happened to stray into the Police Court, where he had found the son +who, he supposed, had long ago been laid in the grave. + +Edward Flint finished his career of "fashionable dissipation" by being +sentenced to the house of correction. Just before he was sent over, he +confessed to Mr. Wade that it was he who had stolen Harry's money, +three years before. + +The next day Harry obtained leave of absence, for the purpose of +accompanying his father on a visit to Redfield. He was in exuberant +spirits. It seemed as though his cup of joy was full. He could hardly +realize that he had a father--a kind, affectionate father--who shared +the joy of his heart. + +They went to Redfield; but I cannot stop to tell my readers how +astonished Squire Walker, and Mr. Nason, and the paupers were, to see +the spruce young clerk come to his early home, attended by his +father--a rich father, too. + +We can follow our hero no farther through the highways and byways of +his life-pilgrimage. We have seen him struggle like a hero through +trial and temptation, and come off conqueror in the end. He has found +a rich father, who crowns his lot with plenty; but his true wealth is +in those good principles which the trials, no less than the triumphs, +of his career have planted in his soul. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +IN WHICH HARRY IS VERY PLEASANTLY SITUATED, AND THE STORY COMES TO AN +END + + +Perhaps my young readers will desire to know something of Harry's +subsequent life; and we will "drop in" upon him at his pleasant +residence in Rockville, without the formality of an introduction. The +years have elapsed since we parted with him, after his triumphant +discharge from arrest. His father did not live long after his return +to his native land, and when he was twenty-one, Harry came into +possession of a handsome fortune. But even wealth could not tempt him +to choose a life of idleness; and he went into partnership with Mr. +Wade, the senior retiring at the same time. The firm of Wade and West +is quite as respectable as any in the city. + +Harry is not a slave to business; and he spends a portion of his time +at his beautiful place in Rockville; for the cars pass through the +village, which is only a ride of an hour and a half from the city. + +Mr. West's house is situated on a gentle eminence not far distant from +the turnpike road. It is built upon the very spot where the cabin of +the charcoal burners stood, in which Harry, the fugitive, passed two +nights. The aspect of the place is entirely changed, though the very +rock upon which our hero ate the sumptuous repast the little angel +brought him may be seen in the centre of the beautiful garden, by the +side of the house. Mr. West often seats himself there to think of the +events of the past, and to treasure up the pleasant memories connected +with the vicinity. + +The house is elegant and spacious, though there is nothing gaudy or +gay about it. Let us walk in. It is plainly furnished, though the +articles are rich and tasteful. This is the sitting room. Who is that +beautiful lady sitting at the piano-forte? Do you not recognize her, +gentle reader? Of course you do. It is Mrs. West, and an old +acquaintance. She is no longer the little angel, though I cannot tell +her height or her weight; but her husband thinks she is just as much +of an angel now as when she fed him on doughnuts upon the flat rock in +the garden. + +Ah, here comes Harry! He is a fine-looking man, rather tall; and +though he does not wear a mustache, I have no doubt Mrs. West thinks +he is handsome--which is all very well, provided he does not think so +himself. + +"This is a capital day, Julia; suppose we ride over to Redfield, and +see friend Nason," said Mr. West. + +"I shall be delighted," replied Julia. + +The horse is ordered; and as they ride along, the gentleman amuses his +wife with the oft-repeated story of his flight from Jacob Wire's. + +"Do you see that high rock, Julia?" he asked, pointing over the fence. + +"Yes." + +"That is the very one where I dodged Leman, and took the back track; +and there is where I knocked the bull-dog over." + +They arrived at the house of Mr. Nason. It is a pleasant little +cottage, for he is no longer in the service of the town. It was built +by Mr. West expressly for him. Connected with it is a fine farm of +twenty acres. This little property was sold to Mr. Nason by his +protege, though no money was paid. Harry would have made it a free +gift, if the pride of his friend would have permitted; but it amounts +to the same thing. + +Mr. West and his lady are warmly welcomed by Mr. Nason and his family. +The ex-keeper is an old man now. He is a member of the church, and +considered an excellent and useful citizen. He still calls Mr. West +his "boy," and regards him with mingled pride and admiration. + +Our friends dine at the cottage; and, after dinner, Mr. Nason and Mr. +West talk over old times, ride down to Pine Pleasant, and visit the +poorhouse. Great changes have come over Redfield. Squire Walker, Jacob +Wire, and most of the paupers who were the companions of our hero, are +dead and gone, and the living speak gently of the departed. + +At Pine Pleasant, they fasten the horse to a tree, and cross over to +the rock which was Harry's favorite resort in childhood. + +"By the way, Harry, have you heard anything of Ben Smart lately?" asks +Mr. Nason. + +"After his discharge from the state prison, I heard that he went to +sea." + +"He was a bad boy." + +"And a bad man." + +"I believed he killed his mother. They say she never smiled after she +gave him up as a hopeless case." + +"Poor woman! I pity a mother whose son turns out badly. What a wreck +of fond hopes!" + +"Just so," added Mr. Nason. + +After visiting various interesting localities, Mr. West and his lady +returned home. In their absence, a letter for Julia from Katy Flint +has arrived. The Flint family are now in good circumstances. Joe is a +steady man, and, with Harry's assistance, has purchased an interest in +the stable formerly kept by Major Phillips, who has retired on a +competency. + +"What does she say, Julia?" asked Harry, as she broke the seal. + +"They have heard from Edward." + +"Bad news, I am afraid. He was a hard boy." + +"Yes; he has just been sent to the Maryland penitentiary for +housebreaking." + +"I am sorry for him." + +"Katy says her mother feels very badly about it." + +"No doubt of it. Mrs. Flint is an excellent woman; she was a mother to +me." + +"She says they are coming up to Rockville next week." + +"Glad of that; they will always be welcome beneath my roof. I must +call upon them to-morrow when I go to the city." + +"Do; and give my love to them." + +And, here, reader, I must leave them--not without regret, I confess, +for it is always sad to part with warm and true-hearted friends; but +if one must leave them, it is pleasant to know that they are happy, +and are surrounded by all the blessings which make life desirable, and +filled with that bright hope which reaches beyond the perishable +things of this world. It is cheering to know that one's friends, after +they have fought a hard battle with foes without and foes within, have +won the victory, and are receiving their reward. + +If my young friends think well of Harry, let me admonish them to +imitate his virtues, especially his perseverance in trying to do well; +and when they fail to be as good and true as they wish to be, to TRY +AGAIN. + +THE END + + * * * * * + + +NOVELS WORTH READING + +RETAIL PRICE, TEN CENTS A COPY + +Magazine size, paper-covered novels. 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