\"Don’tworryaboutme，mother，I’llgetalongsomehow。\"
BoundtoRiseOR
UptheLadderPREFACE
WeprintthefollowingstoryfromHoratioAlger，Jr。，``BoundtoRise，’’hopingitwillreachasmanyboysofthepresentdayasitdidthoseofthepast，andinspirethemtoworkforsuccess，asdidtheheroofthisstory。
And*noticethat*honestyisalwaysthekeytoanyendeavor。HarryWaltonandLukeHarrisonweretwocountryboyswhohadthesameopportunitiestoachievesuccess。
HarryWaltonbyhiseffortssucceeded，andLukeHarrison’slifewasafailure。
Readthisstoryandyouwillseewhatqualitiesintheonebroughtabouthissuccess，andwhatintheothercausedhisdownfall。
Chapter1CHAPTERI。
THEFARMER’SHOME。
``Situptothetable，children；breakfast’sready。’’
Thespeakerwasawomanofmiddleage，notgoodlooking，butneverthelessshelookedgood。Shewasdressedwithextremeplainness，inacheapcalico；butthoughcheap，thedresswasneat。Thechildrensheaddressedweresixinnumber，varyinginagefromfourteentofour。Theoldest，Harry，theheroofthepresentstory，wasabroad—shouldered，sturdyboy，withafrank，openface，resolute，thoughgood—natured。
``Fatherisn’there，’’saidFanny，thesecondchild。
``He’llbeindirectly。Hewenttothestore，andhemaystopashecomesbacktomilk。’’
Thetablewassetinthecenteroftheroom，coveredwithacoarsetablecloth。Thebreakfastprovidedwashardlyofakindtotemptanepicure。Therewasaloafofbreadcutintoslices，andadishofboiledpotatoes。Therewasnobutterandnomeat，forthefamilywereverypoor。
Thechildrensatuptothetableandbegantoeat。Theywereblessedwithgoodappetites，anddidnotgrumbleatthescantyfare。Theyhadnotbeenaccustomedtoanythingbetter。
Theyhadscarcelycommencedthemealwhenthefatherentered。Likehiswifehewascoarselydressed。Hiswifelookingupperceivedthathelookedtroubled。
``Whatisthematter，Hiram？’’sheasked。``Youlookasifsomethinghadhappened。’’
``Nothinghashappenedyet，’’heanswered；``butIamafraidwearegoingtolosethecow。’’
``Goingtolosethecow!’’repeatedMrs。Walton，indismay。
``Sheissick。Idon’tknowwhat’sthematterwithher。’’
``Perhapsitisonlyatrifle。Shemaygetoveritduringtheday。’’
``Shemay，butI’mafraidshewon’t。’’
``Whatareyougoingtodo？’’
``I
havebeentoElihuPerkins，andhe’scomingovertoseewhathecandoforher。
Hecansaveherifanybodycan。’’
Thechildrenlistened，and，youngastheywere，theelderonesunderstoodthecalamityinvolvedinthepossiblelossofthecow。Theyhadbutone，andthatwasreliedupontofurnishmilkforthefamily，and，besides，asmallamountofbutterandcheese，notforhomeconsumption，butforsaleatthestoreinexchangefornecessarygroceries。TheWaltonsweretoopoortoindulgeintheseluxuries。
AfterbreakfastElihuPerkins，the``cowdoctor，’’came。Hewasanoldmanwithiron—grayhair，andalwaysworesteelbowedspectacles。
``Well，neighborWalton，sothecow’ssick？’’hesaid。
``Yes，Elihu，shelooksdowninthemouth。Ihopeyoucansaveher。’’
``IkintellbetterwhenI’veseenthecritter。Whenyou’vegotthroughbreakfast，we’llgoouttothebarn。’’
``I’vegotthroughnow，’’saidMr。Walton。
``MayI
go，too，father？’’askedHarry，risingfromthetable。
``Yes，ifyouwantto。’’
Thethreewentouttothesmall，weather—beatenbuildingwhichservedasabarn。Itwassmall，butstilllargeenoughtocontainallthecropswhichMr。Waltoncouldraise。
Theyopenedthesmallbarndoor，whichledtothepartoccupiedbythecow’sstall。
Thecowwaslyingdown，breathingwithdifficulty。ElihuPerkinslookedathersharplythroughhis``specs。’’
``Whatdoyouthinkofher，neighborPerkins？’’askedtheowner，anxiously。
``I
thinkthecritter’snighherend，’’hesaid，atlast。
``ShelookslikeFarmerHenderson’sthatdiedawhileago：Icouldn’tsaveher。’’
``Savemycowifyoucan。Idon’tknowwhatIshoulddowithouther。’’
``I’lldomybest，butyoumustn’tblamemeifIcan’tbringherround。’’
``I
knowyoucansaveherifanyonecan，Elihu，’’saidMr。Walton。
``Yes，IguessIknowaboutasmuchaboutthemcrittersasanybody，’’saidtheoldman。``Haveyougotanyhotwaterinthehouse？’’
``I’llgoinandsee。’’
``I’llgo，father，’’saidHarry。
``Well，comerightback。Wehavenotimetolose。’’
Harryreappearedwithapailofhotwater。
``That’sright，Harry，’’saidhisfather。``Nowyou’dbettergointothehouseanddoyourchores，soasnottobelateforschool。’’
Harrywouldhavelikedtoremainandwatchthestepswhichwerebeingtakenfortherecoveryofthecow；butheknewhehadbarelytimetodothe``chores’’
referredtobeforeschool，andhewasfarfromwishingtobelatethere。Hehadanardentthirstforlearning，and，youngashewas，rankedfirstinthedistrictschoolwhichheattended。Sincehewasnineyearsofage，hisschoolinghadbeenforthemostpartlimitedtoelevenweeksintheyear。SoithappenedthatHarry，thoughatolerablygoodscholar，wasdeficientinmanyrespects，onaccountofthelimitednatureofhisopportunities。
Hesettoworkatonceatthechores。Firsthewenttothewoodpileandsawedandsplitaquantityofwood。
Aftersawingandsplittingwhathethoughttobesufficient，hecarrieditintothehousebyarmfuls，andpileditupnearthekitchenstove。Henextdrewseveralbucketsofwaterfromthewell，foritwaswashingday，broughtupsomevegetablesfromthecellartoboilfordinner，andthengotreadyforschool。Chapter2CHAPTERII。
ACALAMITY。
``Thecritter’sgone，’’ElihuPerkinssaid。``’Tain’tnousedoin’anythingmore。’’
``Thecow’sdead!’’repeatedMr。Walton。
``Yes，thecritter’sdead!’’saidElihu。``Itwassotobe，andtherewa’n’tnohelpforit。That’swhatIthoughtfromthefust，butIwaswillin’totry。’’
``Wasn’tthereanythingthatcouldhavesavedher？’’
``Ifshecoulda—beensaved，Icould’avedoneit，’’hesaid。``WhatIdon’tknowaboutcowdiseasesain’twuthknowin’。’’
``I
s’poseyou’reright，Elihu，’’hesaid；``butit’shardonme。’’
``Yes，neighbor，it’shardonyou，that’safact。
Whatwasshewuth？’’
``I
wouldn’thavetakenfortydollarsforheryesterday。’’
``Fortydollarsisagoodsum。’’
``Itistome。Ihaven’tgotfivedollarsintheworldoutsideofmyfarm。Somehowitdon’tseemfairthatmyonlycowshouldbetaken，whenSquireGreenhasgotten，andthey’reallaliveandwell。Ifallhiscowsshoulddie，hecouldbuyasmanymoreandnotfeeltheloss。’’
``SquireGreen’sacloseman。Hecouldgiveyouacowjustaswellasnot。IfIwasasrichashe，I’ddoit。’’
``I
believeyouwould，Elihu；butthere’ssomedifferencebetweenyouandhim。’’
``Maybethesquirewouldlendyoumoneytobuyacow。Healwayskeepsmoneytolendonhighinterest。’’
Mr。
Waltonsaid：``Imusthaveacow，andIdon’tknowofanyotherway，butIhatetogotohim。’’
``He’stheonlymanthat’slikelytohavemoneytolendintown。’’
``Well，I’llgo。’’
``Goodlucktoyou，neighborWalton。Well，I’llbegoin’，asIcan’tdonomoregood。’’
HiramWaltonwentintothehouse。
``Isshedead，Hiram？’’askedhiswife。
``Yes，thecow’sdead。Fortydollarscleangone，’’hesaid，ratherbitterly。
``Don’tbediscouraged，Hiram。It’sbadluck，butworsethingsmighthappen。Thehousemightburndown，or——orsomeofusmightfallsickanddie。It’sbetterthatitshouldbethecow。’’
``You’rerightthere；butthoughit’spleasanttohavesomanychildrenround，weshan’tliketoseethemstarving。’’
``Theyarenotstarvingyet，and，pleaseGod，theywon’tyetawhile。Somehelpwillcometous。Whereareyougoing，Hiram？’’sheasked。
``GoingtoseeifSquireGreenwilllendmemoneyenoughtobuyanothercow。’’
SquireGreenwastherichmanofthetown。Hehadinheritedfromhisfather，justashecameofage，afarmofahundredandfiftyacres，andafewhundreddollars。Thelandwasnotgood，andfarfromproductive；buthehadscrimpedandsaved，spendingalmostnothing，tillthelittlemoneywhichthefarmannuallyyieldedhimhadaccumulatedtoaconsiderablesum。Then，too，thesquireusedtolendmoneytohispoorerneighbors。Hetookcarenottoexactmorethansixpercentopenly，butitwasgenerallyunderstoodthattheborrowermustpayabonusbesidestosecuretheloan，which，addedtothelegalinterest，gavehimaveryhandsomeconsiderationfortheuseofhissparefunds。
Thesquirehadoneson，nowintheneighborhoodofthirty，buthehadnotbeenathomeforseveralyears。Assoonasheattainedhismajorityheleftthehomestead，andsetouttoseekhisfortuneelsewhere。Sotheoldmanwasleftalone，buthedidnotfeelthesolitude。Hehadhisgold，andthatwascompanyenough。
``Isthesquireathome？’’Hiramasked，atthebackdoor。
``He’souttothebarn，’’saidHannahGreen，anieceoftheoldman，whoactedasmaidofallwork。
``I’llgooutthere。’’
Entering，hefoundtheoldmanengagedinsomelightwork。
``Good—morning，SquireGreen。’’
``Good—morning，Mr。Walton，’’returnedthesquire。
``Howareyougettin’on？’’
``I’vemetwithaloss，’’answeredHiramWalton。
``Youdon’tsayso，’’returnedthesquire，withinstantattention。``What’shappened？’’
``Mycowisdead。’’
``I
hopeitisn’tanydiseasethat’scatchin’，’’saidthesquireinalarm，thinkingofhisten。
``Itwouldbeabadjobifitshouldgetamongmine。’’
``It’sabadjobforme，squire。Ihadn’tbutonecow，andshe’sgone。’’
``Justso，justso。Is’poseyou’llbuyanother。’’
``Yes，Imusthaveacow。Mychildrenliveonbreadandmilkmostly。Thenthere’sthebutterandcheese，thatItradeoffatthestoreforgroceries。’’
``Justso，justso。Comeintothehouse，neighborWalton。’’
Thesquireguessedhisvisitor’sbusinessinadvance，andwantedtotaketimetotalkitover。Hewouldfirstfindouthowgreathisneighbor’snecessitywas，andthen，ifheaccommodatedhim，wouldchargehimaccordingly。
Therewasalittleroomjustoffthekitchen，wherethesquirehadanold—fashioneddesk。Hereitwasthathetransactedhisbusiness，andinthedeskhekepthispapers。ItwasintothisroomheusheredMr。Walton。
Thesquirealwaysfeltathomeinthisoffice，foritwaswherehederivedmostofhispleasure，eitherbyputtingthroughashrewddealwithoneofhisneighbors，bygloatingoverhisdistortedideasofsuccess，orbygoingoverhisnotesandmortgagestodeterminehowsoonhewouldreachanothergoalinhisraceforriches。
Whilethesquireusuallyfeltatease，hisvictimwouldbeverymuchperturbed，forhegenerallyknewthereputationoftheoldman，andexpectednomercyfromhim。
Buttoreturntothedealwhichnowoccupiedthemindofthesquire。Chapter3CHAPTERIII。
HIRAM’SMOTTO。
``Setdown，setdown，neighborWalton，’’hesaid。
``We’lltalkthisthingover。Soyou’vegottohaveacow？’’
``Yes，Imusthaveone。’’
``Goin’
tobuyoneintown？’’
``I
don’tknowofanythat’sforsale。’’
``Howmuchdoyoucalc—latetopay？’’
``I
supposeI’llhavetopaythirtydollars。’’
``More’nthat，neighborWalton。Youcan’tgetadecentcowforthirtydollars。
Ihain’tgotonethatisn’twuthmore。’’
``ThirtydollarsisallIcanaffordtopay，squire。’’
``Takemyadvice，andgetagoodcowwhileyou’reaboutit。Itdon’tpaytogetapoorone。’’
``I’mapoorman，squire。ImusttakewhatIcanget。’’
``I
ain’tsurebutI’vegotacowthatwillsuityou，aredwithwhitespots。She’safust—ratemilker。’’
``Howoldisshe？’’
``She’sturnedoffive。’’
``Howmuchdoyouaskforher？’’
``Areyougoingtopaycashdown？’’askedthesquire。
``I
can’tdothat。I’mveryshortofmoney。’’
``SoamI，’’chimedinthesquire。``Money’stight，neighbor。’’
``Money’salwaystightwithme，squire，’’returnedHiramWalton，withasigh。
``Wasyoua—meanin’topayanythingdown？’’inquiredthesquire。
``I
don’tseehowIcan。’’
``Thataltersthecase，youknow。Imightaswellkeepthecowastosellherwithoutthemoneydown。’’
``Iamwillingtopayinterestonthemoney。’’
``Ofcourse，that’sfair。Wall，neighbor，whatdoyousaytogoin’outtoseethecow？’’
``I’llgoalongwithyou。’’
``That’sthecritter，’’hesaid，pointingoutoneofthecowswhowasgrazingnearby。``Ain’tsheabeauty？’’
``Shelooksprettywell，’’saidMr。Walton。``Whatdoyouaskforher，squire？’’
``She’swuthalloffortydollars，’’answeredthesquire，whoknewperfectlywellthatafairpricewouldbeaboutthirty。
``Thatseemshigh，’’saidHiram。
``She’swutheverycentofit；butIain’tnowisepartic’laraboutsellin’her。’’
``Couldn’tyousaythirty—seven？’’
``MaybeI’dtakethirty—eightcashdown。’’
HiramWaltonshookhishead。
``I
havenocash，’’hesaid。``Imustbuyoncredit。’’
``Wall，then，there’sabargainforyou。I’llletyouhaveherforfortydollars，givingyousixmonthstopayit，atreg’larinterest，sixpercent。Ofcourse，Iexpectalittlebonusfortheaccommodation。AllIwantisafairpriceformytimeandtrouble。We’llsaythreedollarsextrafortheaccommodation——
threedollarsdown。’’
HiramWaltonfeltthatitwasahardbargainthesquirewasdrivingwithhim，butthereseemednohelpforit。Therewasnooneelsetowhomhecouldlookforhelponanyterms。Astothethreedollars，hiswholeavailablecashamountedtobutfourdollars。Butthesacrificemustbemade。
``Well，SquireGreen，ifthatisyourlowestprice，IsupposeImustcometoit，’’heanswered，atlast。
``Ifsobeasyou’vemadeupyourmind，we’llmakeoutthepapers。Whendoyouwanttotakethecow？’’
``I’lldriveheralongnow，ifyouarewilling。’’
``Why，yousee，’’saidthesquire，``she’sbeenfeedin’inmypastur’allmornin’，andIcalc’lateI’mentitledtothenextmilkin’。You’dbettercomearoundto—nightjustaftermilkin’，andthenyoucantakeher。’’
``Justasyousay，’’heanswered。``I’llcomeroundto—night，orsendHarry。’’
``HowoldisHarry，now？’’
``Aboutfourteen。’’
``Doeshegotoschool？’’
``Yes，he’sbeengoingtoschoolalltheterm。’’
``He’soldenoughtogiveuplarnin’altogether。Don’theknowhowtoreadandwriteandcipher？’’
``Yes，he’saboutthebestscholarinschool。’’
``Then，neighborWalton，takemyadviceanddon’tsendhimanymore。Youneedhimathome，andheknowsenoughtogetalongintheworld。’’
``I
wanthimtolearnasmuchashecan。I’dliketosendhimtoschooltillheissixteen。’’
``He’shadasmuchschoolin’nowaseverIhad，’’saidthesquire，``andI’vegotalongpootywell。I’vebeenseleckman，andschoolcommitty，andfilledabouteverytownoffice，andIneverwantednomoreschoolin’。MyfathertookmeawayfromschoolwhenIwasthirteen。’’
``Harry’stimeistoovaluabletospendintheschool—room，’’saidthesquire。
``I
can’tagreewithyou，squire。Ithinknotimeisbetterspentthanthetimethat’sspentinlearning。IwishIcouldaffordtosendmyboytocollege。’’
``Itwouldcostamintofmoney，andwouldn’tpay。Betterputhimtosomegoodbusiness。’’
Thatwasthewayhetreatedhisownson，andforthisandotherreasons，assoonashearrivedatman’sestate，helefthome，whichhadneverhadanypleasantassociationswithhim。
``Nowonderhe’sapoorman，’’thoughtthesquire，afterhisvisitorreturnedhome。
``Heain’tgotnopracticalidees。Liveandlearn!that’sallnonsense。Hisboylooksstrongandabletowork，andit’sfoolishsendin’himtoschoolanylonger。Thatwa’n’tmyway，andseewhereIam，’’heconcluded，withcomplacentremembranceofhisbondsandmortgagesandmoneyoutatinterest。``Thatwasapootygoodcowtrade，’’heconcluded。``Ididn’tcalc’latefortogetmore’nthirty—fivedollarsforthecritter；butthenneighborWaltonhadtohaveacow，andhadtopaymyprice。’’
NowforHiramWalton’sreflections。
``I’mapoorman，butIwouldn’tbeasmeanasTomGreenforallthemoneyhe’sworth。
He’smadeahardbargainwithme，buttherewasnohelpforit。’’Chapter4CHAPTERIV。
THEPRIZEWINNER。
``Areyougoingtotheexaminationto—day，mother？’’askedHarry，atbreakfast。
``I
shouldliketogo，’’saidMrs。Walton，``butI
don’tseehowIcan。To—day’smybakin’
day。’’
``I
thinkHarry’llgettheprize，’’saidTom，aboyoften。Healsoattendedtheschool，butwasnotaspromisingashisoldestbrother。
``Whatprize？’’askedMrs。Walton，lookingupwithinterest。
``Themasterofferedaprizetothescholarthatwasmostfaithfultohisstudies。’’
``Whatistheprize？’’
``A
book。’’
``Whenwillitbegiven？’’
``Towardthecloseoftheafternoon。’’
``MaybeIcangettimetocomeinthen；I’lltry。’’
``I
wishyouwouldcome，mother，’’saidHarry，earnestly。``Onlydon’tbedisappointedifIdon’tgetit。I’vebeentrying，buttherearesomeothergoodscholars。
``You’rethebest，Harry，’’saidTom。
``I
don’tknowaboutthat。Ishan’tcountmychickensbeforetheyarehatched。OnlyifIamtogettheprizeIshouldliketohavemotherthere。’’
``I
knowyou’reagoodscholar，andhaveimprovedyourtime，’’saidMrs。Walton。
``Iwishyourfatherwasrichenoughtosendyoutocollege。’’
``I
shouldlikethatverymuch，’’saidHarry，hiseyessparklingatmerelythesuggestion。
JustthenMr。Waltoncameinfromthebarn。
``Howdoyoulikethenewcow，father？’’askedHarry。
``Sheisn’tequaltoouroldone。Shedoesn’tgiveasmuchmilkwithintwoquarts，ifthismorning’smilkingisafairsample。’’
``Youpaidenoughforher，’’saidMrs。Walton。
``I
paidtoomuchforher，’’answeredherhusband，``butitwasthebestIcoulddo。’’
``Forty—threedollarsisagreatdealofmoneytopayforacow。’’
``Notforsomecows。Someareworthmore；butthisoneisn’t。’’
``Whatdoyouthinksheisreallyworth？’’
``Thirty—threedollarsisthemostIwouldgiveifIhadthecashtopay。’’
``I
thinkit’smeaninSquireGreentotakesuchadvantageofyou，’’saidHarry。
``Youmustn’tsayso，Harry，foritwon’tdoformetogetthesquire’sillwill。I
amowinghimmoney。I’veagreedtopayforthecowinsixmonths。’’
``Canyoudoit？’’
``I
don’tseehow；butthemoney’soninterest，andmaybethesquire’llletitstay。Iforgottosay，though，thatlasteveningwhenIwenttogetthecowhemademeagreetoforfeittendollarsifIwasnotreadywiththemoneyandinterestinsixmonths。’’
``Itwillbebetterforyoutopayandhavedonewithit。’’
``Ofcourse。Ishalltrytodothat。’’
MeantimeHarrywasbusythinking。``Wouldn’titbepossibleformetoearnmoneyenoughtopayforthecowinsixmonths？IwishIcoulddoitandrelievefather。’’
Harryknewthatifheshouldhireouttoafarmerforsixmonthstheutmosthecouldexpectwouldbeadollaraweek，anditwasnotcertainhecouldearnthat。Besides，hewouldprobablybeworthasmuchtohisfatherasanyone，andhislaborinneithercaseprovidedmoneyenoughtopayforthecow。Obviouslythatwouldnotanswer。Hemustthinkofsomeotherway，butatpresentnoneseemedopen。Hesensiblydeferredthinkingtillaftertheexamination。
``Areyougoingtotheschoolexamination，father？’’askedourhero。
``I
can’tsparetime，Harry。Ishouldliketogo，forIwanttoknowhowfaryouhaveprogressed。
`Liveandlearn，’myboy。That’sagoodmotto，thoughSquireGreenthinksthat`Liveandearn’isbetter。``No，’’saidMr。Walton；``IamafraidIcan’tsparetimetocometotheexamination。Areyougoing，mother？’’
``I
shalltrytogointhelastoftheafternoon，’’saidMrs。Walton。
``Ifyouwillcome，mother，’’saidHarry，``we’llallhelpyouafterward，soyouwon’tloseanythingbyit。’’
``I
thinkIwillcontrivetocome。’’
Theexaminationtookplaceintheafternoon。
Intheafternoontherewasquiteafairattendanceofparentsandfriendsofthescholars，thoughsomedidnotcomeintilllate，likeMrs。Walton。Harryeclipsedhimself。Hisambitionhadbeenstirredbytheofferofaprize，andhewasresolvedtodeserveit。Hisrecitationswerepromptandcorrect，andhisanswersweregivenwithconfidence。HehadselectedanextractfromWebster——thereplytoHayne——andthiswastheshowpieceoftheafternoon。Therestofthedeclamationwascrudeenough，butHarry’simpressedeventhemostignorantofhislistenersassuperiorforaboyofhisage。Whenheutteredhislastsentenceandmadeapartingbowtherewassubduedapplause，anditbroughtaflushofgratificationtothecheekofouryounghero。
``Thisisthelastexercise，’’saidtheteacher，``exceptone。AtthecommencementofthetermIofferedaprizetothescholarthatwoulddothebestfromthattimetillthecloseoftheschool。Iwillnowawardtheprize。HarryWalton，comeforward。’’
Harryrosefromhisseatandadvancedtowheretheteacherwasstanding。
``Harry，’’saidMr。Burbank，``Ihavenohesitationingivingyoutheprize。
Youhaveexcelledalltheotherscholars，anditisfairlyyours。Thebookisnotofmuchvalue，butIthinkyouwillfinditinterestingandinstructive。ItisthelifeofthegreatAmericanphilosopherandstatesman，BenjaminFranklin。
Ihopeyouwillreadandprofitbyit，andtry，likehim，tomakeyourlifeacredittoyourselfandablessingtomankind。’’
``Thankyou，sir，’’saidHarry，bowinglow。``Iwilltrytodoso。’’
Harryreceivedthecongratulationsofhisclassmatesandotherswithmodestsatisfaction，buthewasmostpleasedbytheevidentprideandpleasurewhichhismotherexhibited，whenshe，too，wascongratulatedonhissuccess。Hisworldlyprospectswereveryuncertain，buthehadachievedthesuccessforwhichhehadbeenlaboring，andhewashappy。Chapter5CHAPTERV。
LOOKINGOUTONTHEWORLD。
ItwasnotuntileveningthatHarryhadachancetolookathisprize。Itwasacheapbook，costingprobablynotoveradollar；butexcepthisschool—books，andaraggedcopyof``RobinsonCrusoe，’’itwastheonlybookthatourheropossessed。Soouryoungherolookedforwardwithgreatjoytothepleasureofreadinghisnewbook。HedidnotknowmuchaboutBenjaminFranklin，buthadavagueideathathewasagreatman。
Afterhisevening``chores’’weredone，hesatdownbythetableonwhichwasburningasolitarytallowcandle，andbegantoread。Hismotherwasdarningstockings，andhisfatherhadgonetothevillagestoreonanerrand。
Sohebeganthestory，andthemorehereadthemoreinterestinghefoundit。Greatasheafterwardbecame，hewassurprisedtofindthatFranklinwasapoorboy，andhadtoworkforaliving。Hestartedoutinlifeonhisownaccount，andthroughindustry，frugality，perseveranceandafixeddeterminationtoriseinlife，hebecameadistinguishedmanintheend，andawisemanalso，thoughhisearlyopportunitieswereverylimited。ItseemedtoHarrythattherewasagreatsimilaritybetweenhisowncircumstancesandpositioninlifeandthoseofthegreatmanaboutwhomhewasreading，andthismadethebiographythemorefascinating。Thehopecametohimthat，byfollowingFranklin’sexample，he，too，mightbecomeasuccessfulman。
Hismother，lookingupatintervalsfromherwork，noticedhowabsorbedhewas。
``Isyourbookinteresting，Harry？’’sheasked。
``It’sthemostinterestingbookIeverread，’’saidHarry，withasighofintenseenjoyment。
``It’saboutBenjaminFranklin，isn’tit？’’
``Yes。
Doyouknow，mother，hewasapoorboy，andheworkedhiswayup？’’
``Yes，Ihaveheardso，butIneverreadhislife。’’
``You’dbetterreadthiswhenIhavefinishedit。I’vebeenthinkingthatthere’sachanceforme，mother。’’
``A
chancetodowhat？’’
``A
chancetobesomebodywhenIgetbigger。I’mpoornow，butsowasFranklin。Heworkedhard，andtriedtolearnallhecould。That’sthewayhesucceeded。I’mgoingtodothesame。’’
``Wecan’tallbeFranklins，myson，’’saidMrs。Walton。
``I
knowthat，mother，andIdon’texpecttobeagreatmanlikehim。ButifItryhardIthinkIcanriseintheworld，andbeworthalittlemoney。’’
``I
hopeyouwon’tbeaspoorasyourfather，Harry，’’saidMrs。Walton。
``I
hopenot，’’saidHarry。``IfIevergetrich，youshan’thavetoworkanymore。’’
``Iamsureyouwon’tletyourfatherandmotherwant，ifyouhavethemeanstopreventit，’’shesaid。
``I
readinthecountrypapertheotherdaythatmanyoftherichestmeninBostonandNewYorkwereoncepoorboys，’’saidHarry，inahopefultone。
``SoI
haveheard，’’saidhismother。
``Iftheysucceeded，Idon’tseewhyIcan’t。’’
``Youmusttrytobesomethingmorethanarichman。Ishouldn’twantyoutobelikeSquireGreen。’’
``Heisrich，butheismeanandignorant。Idon’tthinkIshallbelikehim。Hehascheatedfatheraboutthecow。’’
``Yes，hedroveasharptradewithhim，takingadvantageofhisnecessities。Iamafraidyourfatherwon’tbeabletopayforthecowsixmonthsfromnow。’’
``Iamafraidso，too。’’
``I
don’tseehowhecanpossiblysaveupfortydollars。Weareaseconomicalnowaswecanbe。’’
``ThatiswhatIhavebeenthinkingof，mother。Thereisnochanceoffatherpayingthemoney。’’
``Thenitwon’tbepaid，andweshallbeworseoffwhenthenotecomesduethannow。’’
``Doyouthink，’’saidHarry，layingdownthebookonthetable，andlookingupearnestly，``doyouthink，mother，Icouldinanywayearnthefortydollarsbeforeitistobepaid？’’
``I
don’tknowwhatyoucando，excepttohireouttoafarmer，andtheypayverylittle。’’
``I
wasn’tthinkingofthat，’’saidHarry。``Thereisn’tmuchchancethere。’’
``I
don’tknowofanyworktodohere。’’
``NorI，mother。ButIwasn’tthinkingofstayingintown。’’
``Notthinkingofstayingintown!’’repeatedMrs。Walton，insurprise。``Youdon’twanttoleavehome，doyou？’’
``No，mother，Idon’twanttoleavehome，orIwouldn’twantto，iftherewasanythingtodohere。Butyouknowthereisn’t。Farmworkwon’thelpmealong，andIdon’tlikeitaswellassomeotherkindsofwork。ImustleavehomeifIwanttoriseintheworld。’’
``Butyouaretooyoung，Harry。’’
``Iamgoingonfifteen，andIdon’tcallthatveryyoung。AndIamstrongformyage，too，mother。IamsureIamoldenoughtotakecareofmyself。’’
``Butyouareyoungtogooutintotheworld。’’
``I
don’tbelieveFranklinwasmucholderthanI，andhegotalong。’’
``Supposeyouaresick，Harry？’’
``IfI
amI’llcomehome。ButyouknowIamveryhealthy，mother，andifIamawayfromhomeIshallbeverycareful。’’
``Butyouwouldnotbesureofgettinganythingtodo。’’
``I’llriskthat，mother，’’saidHarry，inaconfidenttone。
``Didyouthinkofthisbeforeyoureadthatbook？’’
``YesI’vebeenthinkingofitforaboutamonth；butthebookputitintomyheadto—night。IseemtoseemywayclearerthanIdid。Iwant，mostofall，toearnmoneyenoughtopayforthecowinsixmonths。Youknowyourself，mother，thereisn’tanychanceoffatherdoingithimself，andIcan’tearnanythingifI
stayathome。’’
``Haveyoumentionedthemattertoyourfatheryet，Harry？’’
``No，I
haven’t。Iwishyouwouldspeakaboutitto—night，mother。Youcantellhimfirstwhatmakesmewanttogo。Justmentionit，mother，andthenI’lltalkwithhimaboutitto—morrow。’’
TothisMrs。Waltonagreed，andHarry，afterreadingafewpagesmoreinthe``LifeofFranklin，’’wentuptobed；butitwassometimebeforeheslept。Chapter6CHAPTERVI。
INFRANKLIN’SFOOTSTEPS。
``Father，’’saidHarry，thenextmorning，asMr。Waltonwasabouttoleavethehouse，``there’ssomethingI
wanttosaytoyou。’’
``Whatisit？’’askedhisfather，imaginingitwassometrifle。
``I
wanttogoawayfromhome。’’
``Awayfromhome!Where？’’askedMr。Walton，insurprise。
``I
don’tknowwhere；butsomewherewhereIcanearnmyownliving。Thisisn’taverygoodfarm，andit’sallyoucandotomakealivingfortherestofusoutofit。IfIcouldgosomewhere，whereIcouldworkatsomethingelse，Icouldsendyouhomemywages。’’
``Iamafraidaboylikeyoucouldn’tearnverylargewages。Peopledon’tgivemuchforboys’work。’’
``I
don’texpectmuch；butIknowIcangetsomething，andbyandbyitwillleadtomore。Iwanttohelpyoutopayforthatcowyou’vejustboughtofSquireGreen。’’
``I
don’tseehowI’mgoingtopayforit，’’saidMr。Walton，withasigh。
``That’sjustwhatI’msaying，father。Thereisn’tmuchmoneytobegotinfarming。That’swhyIwanttotrysomethingelse。’’
``Whatputthisplanintoyourhead？’’
``ThatbookIgotasaprize。’’
``ItisthelifeofFranklin，isn’tit？’’
``Yes。’’
``Didhegoawayfromhomewhenhewasaboy？’’
``Yes，andhesucceeded，too。’’
``I
knowhedid。Hebecameafamousman。Butitisn’teveryboythatislikeFranklin。’’
``I
knowthat。Ineverexpecttobecomeagreatmanlikehim；butIcanmakesomething。’’
``There’sanotherthing，Harry。Ittakesmoneytotravelround，andIhaven’tgotanymeanstogiveyou。’’
``I
don’twantany，father。Imeantoworkmyway。I’vegottwenty—fivecentstostartwith。Now，father，whatdoyousay？’’
``I’llspeaktoyourmotheraboutit。’’
WiththisHarrywascontent。Hehadagooddealofconfidencethathecouldcarryhispointwithbothparents。
Hewentintothehouse，andsaidtohismother：
``Mother，father’sgoingtospeaktoyouaboutmygoingawayfromhome。Nowdon’tyouopposeit。’’
``I
won’topposeyournotion，thoughIain’tclearaboutit’sbeingwise。’’
``We’lltalkaboutthatinafewmonths，mother。’’
``HasHarryspokentoyouabouthisplanofgoingawayfromhome？’’askedthefarmer，whenhereenteredthehouse。
``Yes，’’
saidMrs。Walton。
``Whatdoyouthink？’’
``Perhapswe’dbetterlettheladhavehisway。He’spromisedtocomehomeifhe’stakensick。’’
``Soletitbe，then，Harry。Whendoyouwanttogo？’’
``AssoonasIcan。’’
``You’llhavetowaittillMonday。It’lltakeadayortwotofixupyourclothes，’’saidhismother。
``Allright，mother。’’
``Wheredoyouthinkofgoing，Harry？Haveyouanyidea？’’
``No，mother。I’mgoingtotrusttoluck。Ishan’tgoveryfar。WhenI’vegotfixedanywhereI’llwriteandletyouknow。’’
IntheeveningHarryresumedthe``LifeofFranklin，’’andbeforehewasreadytogotobedhehadgottwothirdsthroughwithit。ToHarryitwasnotalonethe``LifeofBenjaminFranklin。’’Itwasthechartbywhichhemeanttosteerintheunknowncareerwhichstretchedbeforehim。Heknewsolittleoftheworldthathetrustedimplicitlytothatasaguide，andhesilentlystoredawaythewisepreceptsinconformitywithwhichthegreatpracticalphilosopherhadshapedandmoldedhislife。
Asthefamilyweresittingaroundthekitchentabletherewasheardascrapingatthedoor，andpresentlyaknock。Mr。Waltonanswereditinperson，andadmittedSquireGreen。
``Howareyou，neighbor？’’hesaid。``IthoughtI’djustruninaminutetoseeyouasIwasgoin’by。’’
``Sitdown，SquireGreen。Taketherockingchair。’’
``Thankyou，neighbor。How’sthecowa—doin’？’’
``Middlingwell。Shedon’tgiveasmuchmilkastheoneIlost。’’
``She’lldobetterbymeby。She’sagoodbargaintoyou，neighbor，andyou’reluckytogethersocheap，buyin’ontime。Whatareyoudoin’there，Harry？Schoolthrough，ain’tit？’’
``Yes，sir。’’
``I
hearyou’reagoodscholar。Gottheprize，didn’tyou？’’
``Yes，’’saidMr。Walton；``Harrywasalwaysgoodathisbooks。’’
``I
guessheknowsenoughnow。You’doughttosethimtowork。’’
``Heisreadyenoughtowork，’’saidMr。Walton。
``Heneverwaslazy。’’
``That’sgood。I’vebeena—thinkin’，neighborWalton，thatyou’llfindithardtopayforthatcowinsixmonths。’’
``I’mafraidIshall，’’saidthefarmer，thinkinginsurprise，``Canhebegoingtoreducetheprice？’’
``SoI
thoughtmebbewemightmakeanarrangementtomakeiteasier。’’
``I
shouldbegladtohaveitmadeeasier，squire。Itwashardonme，losingthatcowbydisease。’’
``Ofcourse。Well，whatIwasthinkin’was，youmighthireoutyourboytoworkforme。I’dallowhimtwodollarsamonthandboard，andthewageswouldhelppayforthecow。’’
Harrylookedupindismayatthisproposition。Wereallhisbrightdreamsoffuturesuccesstoterminateinthis？Chapter7CHAPTERVII。
HARRY’SDECISION。
Mr。Waltonpausedbeforereplyingtohisproposal。
``You’realittletoolate，’’hesaid，atlast，toHarry’sgreatrelief。
``Toolate，’’repeatedthesquire，hastily。``Why，youhain’thiredoutyourboytoanybodyelse，haveyou？’’
``No；
buthehasaskedmetolethimleavehome，andI’veagreedtoit。’’
``Leavehome？Where’shegoin’？’’
``Hehasnotfullydecided。Hewantstogooutandseekhisfortune。’’
``He’llfetchupatthepoorhouse，’’growledthesquire。
``Ifhedoesnotsucceed，hewillcomehomeagain。’’
``It’safoolishplan，neighborWalton。Takemywordfor’t。You’dbetterkeephimhere，andlethimworkforme。’’
``Ifhestayedathome，Ishouldfindworkforhimonmyfarm。’’
``I
wantedtohelpyoupayforthatcow，’’saidthesquire，crossly。``Ifyoucan’tpayfor’twhenthetimecomesyoumustn’tblameme。’’
``I
shallblamenoone。’’
``Youmustn’taskformoretime。Sixmonthsisalongtimetogive。’’
``IbelieveIhaven’tsaidanythingaboutmoretimeyet，’’saidHiramWalton，stiffly。``I
don’tseethatyouneedwarnme。’’
``I
thoughtwemightaswellhaveanunderstandingaboutit，’’saidthesquire。
``Soyouwon’thireouttheboy？’’
``No，I
cannot，underthecircumstances。IfIdidIshouldconsiderhisservicesworthmorethantwodollarsamonth。’’
``I
mightgivehimtwo’nahalf，’’saidthesquire，fancyingitwasmerelyaquestionofmoney。
``HowmuchdoyoupayAbnerKimball？’’
``Wal，rathermorethanthat，’’answeredthesquire，slowly。
``Youpayhimtendollarsamonth，don’tyou？’’
``Wal，somewheresaboutthat；butit’smore’nheearns。’’
``Ifheisworthtendollars，Harrywouldbeworthfourorsix。’’
``I’llgivethree，’’saidthesquire，whoreflectedthatevenatthatratehewouldbesavingconsiderable。
``I
willleaveittoHarryhimself，’’saidhisfather。
``Harry，youhearSquireGreen’soffer。Whatdoyousay？Willyougotoworkforhimatthreedollarsamonth？’’
``I’drathergoaway，asyoutoldmeImight，father。’’
``Youheartheboy’sdecision，squire。’’
``Wal，wal，’’saidthesquire；``Ihopeyouwon’tneitheronyerregretit。’’
Histoneclearlyindicatedthathereallyhopedandexpectedtheywould。``Ibidyougood—night。’’
HarrybreathedadeepsighofreliefafterSquireGreenlefttheroom。
``Iwasafraidyouweregoingtohiremeouttothesquire，father，’’hesaid。
``Youdidn’tenjoytheprospect，didyou？’’saidhisfather，smiling。
``Notmuch。’’
``Thesquiredidn’tseemtolikeitverywell，’’saidMrs。Walton，lookingupfromhermending。
``No，hefullyexpectedtogetHarryforlittleornothing。Itwasridiculoustooffertwodollarsamonthforaboyofhisage。’’
``Iamafraidhewillbemoredisposedtobehardonyouwhenthetimecomestopayforthecow。Hetoldyouhewouldn’textendthetime。’’
``Heisnotlikelytoafterthis；but，wife，wewon’tborrowtrouble。Somethingmayturnuptohelpus。’’
``IamsureIshallbeabletohelpyouaboutit，father，’’saidHarry。
``I
hopeso，myson，butdon’tfeeltoocertain。Youmaynotsucceedaswellasyouanticipate。’’
``I
knowthat，butImeantotryatanyrate。’’Chapter8CHAPTERVIII。
LEAVINGHOME。
Mondaymorningcame，andthewholefamilystoodonthegrassplotinfrontofthehouse，readytobidHarrygood—by。Hewasencumberedbynotrunk，butcarriedhisscantysupplyofclothingwrappedinaredcottonhandkerchief，andnotaveryheavybundleatthat。Hehadcutastoutstickinthewoodsnearby，andfromtheendofthissuspendedoverhisbackborethebundlewhichcontainedallhisworldlyfortuneexceptthetwenty—fivecentswhichwasinhisvestpocket。
``I
don’tliketohaveyougo，’’saidhismother，anxiously。``Supposeyoudon’tgetwork？’’
``Don’tworryaboutme，mother，’’saidHarry，brightly。``I’llgetalongsomehow。’’
``Rememberyou’vegotahomehere，Harry，whateverhappens，’’saidhisfather。
``I
shan’tforget，father。’’
``Good—by，mother，’’saidHarry，feelinganunwontedmoisteningoftheeyes，ashereflectedthathewasabouttoleavethehouseinwhichhehadlivedsinceinfancy。
``Good—by，mydearchild，’’saidhismother，kissinghim。``Besuretowrite。’’
``Yes，Iwill。’’
SowithfarewellgreetingsHarrywalkedoutintotheworld。Hehadallatonceassumedaman’sresponsibilities，andhisfacegrewserious，ashebegantorealizethathemustnowlookoutforhimself。
Hewalkedfivemileswithoutstopping。Hefelttired，andsatdownbytheroadsidetorestbeforegoingfurther。
Harrywalkedsixmilesfarther，andthendecidedthatitwastimetorestagain。
Hesatdownagainbesidetheroad，anduntyingthehandkerchiefwhichcontainedhisworldlypossessions，hedrewtherefromalargesliceofbreadandbegantoeatwithevidentrelish。Therewasasliceofcoldmeatalso，whichhefoundtastedparticularlygood。
``I
wonderwhethertheyarethinkingofmeathome，’’hesaidtohimself。
Harryrestedforacoupleofhours，shelteredfromthesunbythefoliageoftheoakbeneathwhichhehadstretchedhimself。
Heresumedwalking，butwewillnotdwelluponthedetailsofhisjourney。Atsixo’clockhewastwenty—fivemilesfromhome。Hewasalarmedbythedarkeningofthesky。
Itwasevidentthatastormwasapproaching。Helookedabouthimforshelterfromtheshower，andaplacewherehecouldpassthenight。
Thecloudsweredarkening，andtheshowerwasevidentlynotfaroff。Itwasasolitaryplace，andnohousesweretobeseennearby。ButnearlyaquarterofamilebackHarrycaughtsightofasmallhouse，andjumpingoverthefencedirectedhisstepstowardit。Itwasnotuponapublicroad，buttherewasanarrowlaneleadingtoitfromthehighway。Probablyitwasoccupiedbyapoorfamily，Harrythought。Stillitwouldshelterhimfromthestormwhichhadevennowcommenced。
Heknockedatthedoor。
Immediatelyitwasopenedandafacepeeredout——thefaceofamanadvancedinyears。Itwasthin，wrinkledandhaggard。Hedemanded，``Whoareyou？’’
``MynameisHarryWalton。’’
``Whatdoyouwant？’’
``Shelterfromthestorm。Itisgoingtorain。’’
``Comein，’’saidtheoldman，andopeningthedoorwider，headmittedourhero。
TheoldmansatdownoppositeHarry，andstaredathim，tillourherofeltsomewhatembarrassedanduncomfortable。
Harryknewthattheoldmanmustbecrazy，oratleastamonomaniac，and，thoughheseemedharmlessenough，itwasofcoursepossiblethathemightbedangerous。Hewasalmostsorrythathehadsoughtshelterhere。
Theoldmanhadrisen，and，takingateakettle，suspendeditoverthefire。A
monomaniacthoughhewas，heknewhowtomaketea。Presentlyhetookfromthecupboardabaker’srollandsomecoldmeat，andwhentheteawasreadyinvitedHarrytobeseatedatthetable。Ourherodidsowillingly。
``Whatifmothercouldseemenow？’’hethought。
Stilltherainpoureddown。Itshowednosignsofslackening。Hesawthatitwouldbenecessarytoremainwherehewasthroughthenight。
``Canyouaccommodatemetillmorning？’’heasked。
``Certainly，’’saidtheoldman。``Ishallbegladtohaveyoustayhere。’’
``Verywell。’’
Thesupperwasplainenough，butitwasrelishedbyouryoungtraveler，whoselongwalkhadstimulatedanaturallygoodappetite。
Atnineo’clockhebegantofeeldrowsy，andintimatedasmuchtohishost。Theoldmanconductedhimtoanupperchamber，wheretherewasabeduponthefloor。
``Youcansleepthere，’’hesaid。
``Wheredoyousleep？’’askedHarry。
``DownbelowbutIshallnotgotobeduntillate。’’
``Verywell，’’saidHarry。``Good—night。’’
``Good—night。’’
``Iamgladheisnotintheroomwithme，’’thoughtHarry。``Idon’tthinkthereisanydanger，butitisn’tcomfortabletobetoonearacrazyman。’’Chapter9CHAPTERIX。
INSEARCHOFWORK。
WhenHarryawokethenextmorning，afterasoundandrefreshingsleep，thesunwasshiningbrightlyinatthewindow。Herubbedhiseyes，andstaredabouthim，notatfirstrememberingwherehewas。Butalmostimmediatelyrecollectioncametohisaid，andhesmiledashethoughtoftheeccentricoldmanwhoseguesthewas。Heleapedoutofbed，and，quicklydressinghimself，wentdownstairs。Thefirewasburningandbreakfastwasalreadyonthetable。Itwaspreciselysimilartothesupperofthenightprevious。Theoldmansatatthefiresidesmokingapipe。
``Good—morning，’’saidHarry。``Iamuplate。’’
``Itisnomatter。Youhavealongjourneybeforeyou，anditiswelltorestbeforestarting。’’
``Breakfastisready，’’saidtheoldman，hospitably。
Harrymadeaheartybreakfast。Whenitwasoverherosetogo。
``I
mustbegoing，’’hesaid。``Thankyouforyourkindentertainment。Ifyouwouldallowmetopayyou。’’
``Idonotkeepaninn，’’saidtheoldman，withdignity。
Shakingtheoldmanbythehand，hemadehiswayacrossthefieldstothemainroad。
Lookingbackfromtimetotime，hesawtheoldmanwatchinghimfromhisplaceinthedoorway，hiseyesshadedbyhishand。
``HeisthestrangestmanIeversaw，’’thoughtHarry。``Stillhetreatedmekindly。’’
Whenhereachedtheroadhesaw，justinfrontofhim，aboyofabouthisownagedrivinghalfadozencowsbeforehim。
``Hello!’’hecried，bywayofsalutation。
``Hello!’’returnedthecountryboy。``Whereareyougoing？’’
``I
don’tknow。WhereverIcanfindwork，’’answeredourhero。
Theboylaughed。``Dadfindsenoughformetodo。Idon’thavetogoafterit。Haven’tyougotafather？’’
``Yes。’’
``Whydon’tyouworkforhim？’’
``I
wanttoworkforpay。’’
``Onafarm？’’
``No。
I’llworkinashoeshopifIgetachanceorinaprintingoffice。’’
``Doyouunderstandtheshoebusiness？’’
``No；
butIcanlearn。’’
``Wheredidyoucomefrom？’’
``Granton。’’
Heretheboyreachedthepasturetowhichhewasdrivingthecows，andHarry，biddinghimgood—by，wentonhisway。Hefeltfreshandvigorous，andwalkedtenmilesbeforehefelttheneedofrest。Hefelthungry，andtheprovisionwhichhebroughtfromhomewasnearlygone。Therewasagrocerystorecloseathand，andhewentin，thinkingthathewouldfindsomethingtohelphismeal。
Onthecounterhesawsomerolls，andtherewasanopenbarrelofapplesnotfaroff。
ForfourcentsHarrymadequiteasubstantialadditiontohismeal。Asheleftthestoreandwalkeduptheroad，witharollinhishand，andeatinganapple，hecalledtomindBenjaminFranklin’sentranceofPhiladelphiawitharollundereacharm。
``I
hopeIshallhaveasgoodluckasFranklinhad，’’hethought。
Walkingslowly，hesaw，onasmallbuildingwhichhehadjustreached，thesign，``PostOffice。’’
``Perhapsthepostmasterwillknowifanybodyaboutherewantsaboy，’’Harrysaidtohimself。
Heentered，findinghimselfinasmallroom，withonepartpartitionedoffasarepositoryformailmatter。Hesteppeduptoalittlewindow，andpresentlythepostmaster，anelderlyman，presentedhimself。
``Whatname？’’heasked。
``I
haven’tcomeforaletter，’’saidHarry。
``Whatdoyouwant，then？’’askedtheofficial。
``Doyouknowofanyonethatwantstohireaboy？’’
``Who’stheboy？’’
``Iam。
Iwanttogetachancetowork。’’
``Whatkindofwork？’’
``Anykindthat’llpaymyboardandalittleover。’’
``I
don’tknowofanyplace，’’saidthepostmaster，afteralittlethought。
``Isn’tthereanyshoeshopwhereIcouldgetin？’’
``Thatremindsme——JamesLeavitttoldmethismorningthathisboywasgoingtoBostontogointoastoreinacoupleofmonths。He’sbeenpeggingforhisfather，andIguessthey’llhavetogetsomebodyinhisplace。’’
Harry’sfacebrightenedatthisintelligence。
``That’sjustthekindofplaceI’dliketoget，’’hesaid。``WheredoesMr。
Leavittlive？’’
``A
quarterofamilefromhere——overthebridge。You’llknowitwellenough。
It’sacottagehouse，withashoeshopinthebackyard。’’
``Thankyou，sir，’’saidHarry。``I’llgothereandtrymyluck。’’
``Waitaminute，’’saidthepostmaster。``There’saletterhereforMr。Leavitt。Ifyou’regoingthere，youmayaswellcarryitalong。It’sfromBoston。I
shouldn’twonderifit’sabouttheplaceBobLeavittwants。’’
``I’lltakeitwithpleasure，’’saidHarry。
Itoccurredtohimthatitwouldbeagoodintroductionforhim，andpavethewayforhisapplication。
Hewalkedupthestreet，crossingthebridgereferredtobythepostmaster，andlookedcarefullyoneachsideofhimforthecottageandshop。Ashenearedtheshopheheardanoisewhichindicatedthatworkwasgoingoninside。Heopenedthedoorandentered。Chapter10CHAPTERX。
THENEWBOARDER。
Harryfoundhimselfinaroomabouttwenty—fivefeetbytwenty。Therewerethreepersonspresent。One，amanofmiddleage，wasMr。JamesLeavitt，theproprietoroftheshop。HissonRobert，aboutseventeen，workedatanadjoiningbench。TomGavitt，ajourneyman，ashort，thick—setmanofthirty，employedbyMr。Leavitt，wasthethird。
ThethreelookedupasHarryenteredtheshop。
``I
havealetterforMr。Leavitt，’’saidourhero。
``That’smyname，’’saidtheeldestoftheparty。
Harryadvancedandplaceditinhishands。
``Wheredidyougetthisletter？’’
``Atthepostoffice。’’
``I
can’tcallyoubyname。Doyouliveabouthere？’’
``No，I
camefromGranton。’’
``It’sfromyourUncleBenjamin，’’hesaid，addressingRobert。``Letusseewhathehastosay。’’
``HesaysheshallbereadytotakeyouthefirstofSeptember。That’sinsixweeks——alittlesoonerthanwecalculated。Iwishitwerealittlelater，asworkisbrisk，andImayfinditdifficulttofillyourplacewithoutpayingmorethanIwantto。’’
``Won’tyouhireme？’’askedHarry，whofeltthatthetimehadcomeforhimtoannouncehisbusiness。
Mr。
Leavittlookedathimmoreattentively。
``Haveyoueverworkedinashop？’’
``No，sir。’’
``Itwilltakeyousometimetolearnpegging。’’
``I’llworkformyboardtillI’velearned。’’
``Butyouwon’tbeabletodoallIwantatfirst。’’
``SupposeIbeginnow，’’saidHarry，``andworkformyboardtillyoursongoesaway。BythattimeIcandoconsiderable。’’
’’Bettertakehim，father，’’saidRobert，whofeltthatitwouldfacilitatehisownplans。
``Howmuchwouldyouwantafteryouhavelearned？’’askedthefather。
``I
don’tknow；whatwouldbeafairprice？’’saidHarry。