``Yousay`we，’’’commentedtheeditor，slightlysmiling。``AreyouandProfessorHendersonbusinesspartners？’’
``Notexactly，’’answeredHarry，amused，``Itaketicketsandassisthimgenerally。’’
``Howdoyoulikethebusiness？’’
``Verywell；butIshouldlikeyourbusinessbetter。’’
``Whatmakesyouthinkso？’’
``I
havebeenreadingthe`LifeofBenjaminFranklin。’Hewasaprinter。’’
``That’strue；butI’msorrytosayFranklinsarescarceinourprintingoffices。Inevermetoneyet。’’
``I
shouldn’texpecttoturnoutaFranklin；butIthinkonecouldn’thelpbeingimprovedbyfollowingthebusiness。’’
``Whatdidyoudobefore；orwasthatyourfirstsituation？’’
``Iwaspeggerinashoeshop。’’
``Didn’tyoulikethat？’’
``Wellenough；butIdon’tthinkIshouldliketobeashoemakerallmylife。Itdoesn’tgiveanychancetolearn。’’
``Thenyoulikelearning？’’
``Yes。
`LiveandLearn’——thatismymotto。’’
``Itisaverygoodone。Doyouevermeantobeaprinter？’’
``IfI
getachance。’’
``YoumaycomeintomyofficeonthefirstofApril，ifyoulike。OneofmymenwillleavemebythefirstofMay。Ifyouareasmartboyandreallywishtolearnthebusiness，youcanbreakinsoastobeusefulinfourweeks。’’
``I
shouldlikethat，’’saidHarry；``but，’’headded，withhesitation，``Iampoor，andcouldnotaffordtoworkfornothingwhileIwaslearning。’’
``I’lltellyouwhatI’lldo，then，’’saidtheeditor``I’llgiveyouyourboardforthefirstmonth，onconditionthatyou’llworkforsixmonthsafterwardfortwodollarsaweekandboard。That’safairoffer。Iwouldn’tmakeitifIdidn’tfeelassuredthatyouweresmart，andwouldintimebevaluabletome。’’
Harrystoppedtoconsider。
``I’llcome，’’saidhe，atlength；``thatis，ifmyfatherdoesnotobject。’’
``Quiteright。Ishouldnotliketohaveyouactcontrarytohiswishes。Isuppose，forthepresent，youwillremainwithProfessorHenderson。’’
``Yes，sir。’’
``Verywell。Letmehearfromyouwhenyouhavecommunicatedwithyourfather。’’
``Yes，sir。’’
Harrylefttheofficeplungedinthought。Itcameuponhimwithsurprise，thathehadengagedhimselftolearnanewbusiness，andthattheonewhichhehadlongedtofolloweversincehehadbecomeacquaintedwithFranklin’slife。
Whenhereturnedtothehotelhetoldtheprofessorwhathehaddone。
``Iamgladyouarenotgoingatonce，’’saidhisemployer，``forIshouldbesorrytoloseyou。IgenerallygiveuptravelingfortheseasonaboutthefirstofApril，sothatIshallthenbereadytoreleaseyou。Icommendyourchoiceofatrade。Manyofourbesteditorshavebeenpracticalprintersintheiryouth。’’
``I
shouldliketobeaneditor，butIdon’tknowenough。’’
``Notatpresent，butyoucanqualifyyourselftobecomeone——thatis，ifyoudevoteyoursparetimetoreadingandstudying。’’
``I
meantodothat。’’
``Thenyouwillhaveafairchanceofbecomingwhatyoudesire。Toacertainextent，aboy，oryoungman，holdsthefutureinhisownhands。’’
Harrywrotetohisfatheratonceinregardtotheplanwhichhehadinview。
``Ifyoudesiretobeaprinter，Harry，Ishallnotobject，’’repliedhisfather。
``Idonotsupposeitwillevermakeyourich。Ifyoudeterminetowinsuccessyouprobablywill。IfyoushouldleaveyourpresentplacebeforethefirstofApril，weshallbeverygladtohaveyoucomehome，ifonlyforadayortwo。
Weallmissyouverymuch——yourmother，particularly。Tomdoesn’tsaymuchaboutit，butIknowhewillbeasgladtoseeyouastherestofus。’’
Harryreadthisletterwithgreatpleasure，partlybecauseitbroughthimpermissiontodoashedesired，andpartlybecauseitwasgratifyingtohimtofeelthathewasmissedathome。Chapter23CHAPTERXXIII。
THEYOUNGTREASURER。
Onthemorningafterreceivingtheletterfromhisfather，Harrycamedowntobreakfast，butlookedinvainfortheprofessor。Whenhehadnearlyfinishedeating，aboyemployedaboutthehotelcametohisside。
``Thatgentlemanyou’rewithissick。Hewantsyoutocometohisroomassoonasyouarethroughbreakfast。’’
Harrydidnotwaittofinish，butatoncewentuptohisemployer’sroom。
``Areyousick，sir？’’heinquired，anxiously。
Theprofessor’sfacewasflushed，andhewastossingaboutinbed。
``Yes，’’heanswered。``IamafraidIamthreatenedwithafever。’’
``I
hopenot，sir。’’
``Iamsubjecttofevers；butIhopedImightnothaveanotherforsometimetocome。’’
``WhatcanIdoforyou，sir？’’
``I
shouldliketohaveyougoforthedoctor。Inquireofthelandlordwhoisthebestinthevillage。’’
``I
willgoatonce。’’
OninquiryourherowasinformedthatDr。Parkerwasthemosttrustedphysicianintheneighborhood，andheproceededtohishouseatonce。Thedoctorwas，fortunately，stillathome，andansweredthesummonsimmediately。Hefeltthesickman’spulse，andaskedhimavarietyofquestions。
``DoyouthinkIshallbelongsick？’’
``Thatisuncertain。Isupposeyouwillbelikelytobedetainedhereafortnight，atleast。’’
``I
wishIcouldgohome。’’
``Itwouldnotbesafeforyoutotravel，underpresentcircumstances。’’
``IfI
wereathomeIcouldbeundermywife’scare。’’
``Can’tshecomehere？’’
``Shehasthreeyoungchildren。Itwouldbedifficultforhertoleavethem。’’
``Whoistheboythatcalledatmyhouse？’’
``HarryWalton。Heismyassistant——takesmoneyatthedoorandhelpsmeinotherways。’’
``Ishetrustworthy？’’
``I
havealwaysfoundhimso。’’
``Whycan’theattenduponyou？’’
``I
meantoretainhimwithmethatis，ifhewillstay。Itwillbedullworkforaboyofhisage。’’
``Youcanobtainanurse，besides，ifneedful。’’
``Youhadbetterengageoneforme，asIcannotconfinehimhereallthetime。’’
``I
willdoso。Iknowofone，skillful，experienced，whoisjustnowatleisure。I
willsendherroundherethismorning。’’
``Whatishername？’’
``NotaveryromanticoneBetsyChase。’’
``I
supposethatdoesn’tpreventherbeingagoodnurse，’’saidtheprofessor，smiling。
``Notatall。’’
HereHarryenteredtheroom。
``Harry，’’saidtheprofessor，``thedoctortellsmeIamgoingtobesick。’’
``Iamverysorry，sir，’’saidourhero，withanairofconcern。
``I
shallprobablybedetainedhereatleastafort—night。Areyouwillingtoremainwithme？’’
``Certainly，sir。Ishouldnotthinkofleavingyou，sickandalone，ifyoudesiredmetostay。IhopeIcanmakemyselfusefultoyou。’’
``Youcan。Ishallneedyoutodoerrandsforme，andtositwithmeapartofthetime。’’
``Anursewillbeherethisafternoon，’’saidthedoctor。``Untilshecomesyouwillbeinattendancehere。’’
``Yes，sir。’’
``I
willdirectyouwhattodoandhowoftentoadministerthemedicines。Canyouremember？’’
``Yes，sir；Ishallnotforget。’’
AfterthedoctorwasgoneProfessorHendersonsaid：``AssoonasthenursecomesI
shallwantyoutorideovertothenexttown，Carmansville，andcountermandthenoticesforanexhibitionto—night。Ishallnotbeabletogiveentertainmentsforsometimetocome。Indeed，IamnotsurebutImustwaittillnextseason。’’
``HowshallIgoover？’’askedHarry。
``Youmaygetahorseandbuggyatthestableanddriveoverthere。Theroadisalittlewinding，butIthinkyouwon’tloseyourway。’’
``Oh，I’llfindit，’’saidHarry，confidently。
Itwasnottillthreeo’clockthatthenursemadeherappearance，anditwashalf—pastthreebeforeHarrystartedonhisway。
``Youneednothurryhome，’’saidtheprofessor。
``Infact，youhadbettertakesupperatthehotelinCarmansville。’’
Harrylefttheroom，andwassoononhiswaytoCarmansville。Oncehegotofftheroad，whichwasratheraperplexingone，buthesoonfounditagain。However，itwashalf—pastfivebeforehereachedthevillage，andnearlyanhourlaterbeforehehaddonetheerrandwhichbroughthimover。Finally，hecamebacktothetavern，and，beingbythistimehungry，wentinatoncetosupper。Hedidfulljusticetothemealwhichwassetbeforehim。Thedaywascold，andhiscoldridehadstimulatedhisappetite。
Whenhesatdowntothetablehewasalone；butaminuteafterwardasmall，dark—complexionedman，withheavyblackwhiskers，camein，andsatdownbesidehim。
``It’saprettycoldday，’’heremarked。
``Verycold，’’saidHarry。``IamdreadingmyridebacktoPentland。；’
``Doyouliveoverthere？’’
``No；I
amthereforashorttimeonly，’’Harryreplied。
``IamintheemployofProfessorHenderson，theventriloquist。’’
``ProfessorHenderson!Why，heisgoingtogiveanentertainmenthereto—night，isn’the？’’
``Hewas；butIhavecomeovertocountermandthenotice。’’
``Whatisthatfor？’’
``HeistakensickatPentland，andwon’tbeabletocome。’’
``Oh，that’sit。Well，I’msorry，forIshouldliketohavegonetohearhim。Soyouarehisassistant，areyou？’’
``I
takemoneyatthedoor，andhelphimwithhisapparatus。’’
``Haveyoubeenwithhimlong？’’
``Onlyafewweeks。’’
``Soyouarehistreasurer，areyou？’’askedthestranger，smiling。
``Ye—es，’’saidHarry，slowly，foritbroughttohismindthathehadonehundred—andfiftydollarsoftheprofessor’smoneyinhispocket，besidesthepocketbookcontaininghisown。Heintendedtohaveleftitwithhisemployer，butinthehurryofleavinghehadforgottentodoso。
``However，’’hesaid，reassuringhimself，``thereisnothingtobeafraidof。
Countrypeoplearenotrobbers。Burglarsstayinthecities。Ihavenothingtofear。’’
Herosefromthetable，followedbythestranger。
``Well，’’saidthelatter，``Imustbegoing。Howsoondoyoustart？’’
``Inafewminutes。’’
``Well，good—night。’’
``Good—night。’’
``Heseemsinclinedtobesocial，’’thoughtHarry，``butI
don’tfancyhimmuch。’’Chapter24CHAPTERXXIV。
``HELDUP。’’
Harrywassoononhiswayhome。Itwasalreadygettingdark，andhefeltalittleanxiouslestheshouldlosehisway。
Hehadgoneabouttwomiles，whenhecametoaplacewheretworoadsmet。Therewasnoguide—board，andhecouldnotrememberbywhichhehadcome。Luckily，ashethought，hedescriedamanalittleahead。Hestoppedthehorseandhailedhim。
``CanyoutellmewhichroadtotaketoPentland？’’heasked。
Themanaddressedturnedhishead，and，tohissurprise，ourhero，recognizedhistablecompanionattheinn。
``Oh，it’syou，myyoungfriend!’’hesaid。
``Yes，sir。CanyoutellmetherightroadtoPentland？Ihaveneverbeenthiswaybeforetoday，andIhaveforgottenhowIcame。’’
``I’mthinkingofgoingtoPentlandmyself，’’saidtheother。``Mysisterlivesthere。Ifyoudon’tmindgivingmealift，Iwilljumpinwithyou，andguideyou。’’
``Jumpin，sir，’’hesaid。``Thereisplentyofroom。’’
Thestrangerwasspeedilyseatedathisside。
``Taketheleft—handroad，’’hesaid。
Harryturnedtotheleft。
``It’sratherablindroad，’’observedthestranger。
``I
don’trememberthisroad，’’saidHarry，anxiously。``Areyousureweareright？’’
``Yes，yes，weareright。Don’ttroubleyourself。’’
``Theroaddidn’tseemsolonelywhenIcameoveritthisafternoon。’’
``Oh，that’stheeffectofsunshine。Nothingseemslonelyinthedaytime。Turndownthatlane。’’
``Whatfor？’’askedHarry，insurprise。``Thatcan’tbetheroadtoPentland。’’
``Nevermindthat。Turn，Itellyou。’’
Hiscompanionspokefiercely，andHarry’smindbegantoconceivealarmingsuspicionsastohischaracter。Buthewasbrave，andnoteasilydaunted。
``Thehorseandcarriagearemine，or，atleast，areundermydirection，’’hesaid，firmly，``andyouhavenocontroloverthem。Ishallnotturn。’’
``Won’tyou？’’retortedthestranger，withanoath，anddrewfromhispocketapistol。
``Won’tyou？’’
``I
willnot，’’saidHarry，pale，butdetermined。
``ThenIwillsaveyouthetrouble，’’andhiscompanionsnatchedthereinsfromhim，andturnedthehorsehimself。Resistancewas，ofcourse，useless，andourherowascompelledtosubmit。
``Produceyourpocketbook。’’
Harryhadtwopocketbooks。Theonecontainedhisownmoney——aboutfortydollarstheotherthemoneyofhisemployer。Thefirstwasinthesidepocketofhiscoat，thesecondinthepocketofhispants。Thelatter，aswasstatedintheprecedingchapter，containedonehundredandfiftydollars。Harryheartilyrepentednothavingleftitbehind，butitwastoolateforrepentance。Hecouldonlyhopethattherobberwouldbesatisfiedwithonepocketbook，andnotsuspecttheexistenceoftheother。Thereseemedbutlittlehopeofsavinghisownmoney。However，hedetrmined{sic}todoit，ifpossible。
``Hurryup，’’saidthestranger，impatiently。``Youneedn’tpretendyouhavenomoney。
Iknowbetterthanthat。Isawyoupaythelandlord。’’
``Thenhesawtheprofessor’spocketbook，’’thoughtHarry，uneasily。
``I
hopeyouwillleavemesomeofthemoney，’’saidHarry，producingthepocketbook。``ItisallIhave。’’
``Howmuchisthere？’’
``Aboutfortydollars。’’
``Humph!thatisn’tmuch。’’
``Can’tyouleavemefivedollars？’’
``No，I
can’t。Fortydollarsarelittleenoughtoservemyturn。’’
Sosaying，hecoollydepositedthepocketbookinthepocketofhispants。
``Willyouletmegonow，sir？’’
``I
havenotgotthroughmybusinessyet。That’saniceovercoatofyours。’’
``Iamasmallperson，’’proceededthemanwithblackwhiskers，``scarcelyanylargerthanyou。Ithinkit’llbeagoodfit。’’
``You’vegotanovercoatofyourown，sir，’’hesaid。``Youdon’tneedmine。’’
``Oh，I
wouldn’trobyouofyours，onanyaccount。Afairexchangeisnorobbery。Iamgoingtogivemineinexchangeforyours。’’
Thestranger’scoatwasroughandwellworn，and，atitsbest，hadbeeninferiortoHarry’scoat。
``I
shouldthinkyoumightbesatisfiedwiththepocketbook，’’hesaid。``Ihopeyouwillleavememycoat。’’
``Offwiththecoat，youngster!’’wasthesolereply。``Firstgetoutofthebuggy。
Wecanmaketheexchangebetteroutside。
Asoppositionwouldbeunavailing，Harryobeyed。Therobbertookfromhimthehandsomeovercoat，thepossessionofwhichhadaffordedhimsomuchsatisfaction，andhandedhimhisown``Fityouasifitwasmadeforyou，’’saidthestranger，withashortlaugh。``Yoursisatrifleslowforme，butIcanmakeitgo。No，don’tbeinsuchahurry。’’
HeseizedHarrybythearmashewasabouttojumpintothecarriage。
Heproducedaballofcordfromapocketofhisinsidecoat，andwithaknifeseveredaportion。
``Doyouknowwhatthisisfor？’’heasked，jeeringly。
``No。’’
``Say`No，sir。’It’smorerespectful。Well，I’llgratifyyourlaudablecuriosity。
It’stotieyourhandsandfeet。’’
``I
won’tsubmittoit，’’saidHarry，angrily。
``Won’tyou？’’askedtheother，coolly。``Thisisaveryprettypistol，isn’tit？I
hopeIshan’thavetouseit。’’
``Whatdoyouwanttotiemyhandsfor？’’askedHarry。
``Forobviousreasons，myyoungfriend。’’
``I
can’tdriveifmyhandsaretied。’’
``Correct，myson。Idon’tintendyoutodrivetonight。Givemeyourhands。’’
Harryconsideredwhetheritwouldbeadvisabletoresist。Thestrangerwasnotmuchlargerthanhimself。Hewasaman，however，andnaturallystronger。Besides，hehadapistol。Hedecidedthatitwasnecessarytosubmit。
``Now，’’
saidthestranger，settinghimupagainstthestonewall，whichborderedthelane，``Iwillbidyougood—night。Imighttakeyourhorse，but，onthewhole，Idon’twantit。Iwillfastenittothistree，whereitwillbeallreadyforyouinthemorning。That’sconsiderateinme。Good—night。Ihopeyouarecomfortable。’’
Hedisappearedinthedarkness，andHarrywasleftalone。Chapter25CHAPTERXXV。
THEGOODSAMARITAN。
Harry’sreflections，ashelayontheground，werenotthemostcheerful。Hewassittinginaconstrainedposture，hishandsandfeetbeingtied，and，moreover，thecoldairchilledhim。Thecoldwasnotintense，butashewasunabletomovehislimbshe，ofcourse，feltitthemore。
Thehorseevidentlybegantofeelimpatient，forheturnedroundandlookedatourhero，asmuchastosay，``Whyarewestoppinghere？Whydon’tyoukeepon？’’
``I
wishsomebodywouldcomethisway，’’thoughtHarry，andhelookedupanddownthelaneaswellashecould，butcouldseenoone。
Thehorsewhinniedagain，andagainlookedinquiringlyathisyoungdriver，butthelatterwasnotmasterofthesituation，andwasobligedtodisregardthemuteappeal。
``I
wondertherobberdidn’tcarryoffthehorse，’’thoughtHarry。``Isupposehehadhisreasons。Itisn’tlikelyheleftitoutofregardforme。’’
Twohourspassed，andHarrystillfoundhimselfaprisoner。Nopersonhadpassed，norhadheheardanysoundashelaythere，excepttheoccasionalwhinnyofthehorse，whichwastiedaswellashimself，anddidnotappeartoenjoyhisconfinementanybetter。
ItwasatthismomentthatHarry’sheartleapedwithsuddenhope，asheheardinthedistancethesoundofawhistle。Itmightbeaboy，oritmightbeaman；but，ashelistenedintently，heperceivedthatitwascomingnearer。
``I
hopeIcanmakehimhear，’’thoughtHarry，earnestly。
Itwasaboyofabouthisownage，whowasadvancingalongtheroadfromwhichhehadturnedintothelane。Theboywasnotalone，asitappeared，foralargedogranbeforehim。Thedogfirstnoticedthehorseandbuggy，andnextourhero，lyingontheground，and，concludingthatsomethingwaswrong，begantobarkviolently，circlinguncomfortablynearHarry，againstwhomheseemedtocherishhostiledesigns。
``What’sthematter，C鎠ar？’’shoutedhisyoungmaster。
Therewasanothervolleyofbarks，whichseemedlikedtobefollowedbyanattack。
Justatthismoment，however，luckilyforourhero，thedog’smastercameup。
``Why，C鎠ar，’’hecalled，``whatisthematterwithyou？’
``Pleasetakeyourdogaway；’’saidHarry。``Iamafraidhewillbiteme。’’
``Whoareyou？’’inquiredtheboy，insurprise。
``Comeanduntiethesecords，andIwilltellyou。’’
``What!
areyoutied？’’
``Yes，handandfoot。’’
``Whodidit？’’askedtheboy，inincreasingsurprise。
``I
don’tknowhisname，butherobbedmeofmypocketbookbeforedoingit。’’
``What，arobberaroundhere!’’exclaimedtheboy，incredulous。
``Yes；
ImethimfirstoverinCarmansville。Thankyou；nowmyfeet，ifyouplease。Itseemsgoodtobefreeagain’’；andHarryswunghisarms，andjumpedupanddowntobringbackthesenseofwarmthtohischilledlimbs。
``Howmuchmoneydidhetakefromyou？’’
``Fortydollars。’’
``That’sagooddeal，’’saidthecountryboy。``Wasityours？’’
``Yes。’’
``I
neverhadsomuchmoneyinmylife。’’
``Ithastakenmealmostsixmonthstoearnit。ButIhadmoremoneywithme，onlyhedidn’tknowit。’’
``Howmuch？’’
``A
hundredandfiftydollars。’’
``Wasityours？’’askedtheboy，surprised。
``No；
itbelongedtomyemployer。’’
``Whoishe？’’
``ProfessorHenderson，theventriloquist。’’
``Whereishestopping？’’
``OveratPentland。Heissickatthehotelthere。’’
``It’sluckyforyouIwasoutto—night。Iain’toftenoutsolate，butIwenttoseeafriendofmine，andstayedlaterthanImeantto。Comehomewithme。Thefolkswilltakeyouin，andthehorsecanbeputupinthebarn。’’
``I
supposetheywillfeelanxiousaboutmeoveratPentland。Theywon’tknowwhathasbecomeofme。’’
``Youcanstartearlyinthemorning——asearlyasyoulike。’’
``Perhapsitwillbebetter，’’saidHarry，afterapause。``Itwon’ttroubleyourfamilytoomuch，willit？’’
``Notabit，’’answeredtheboy，heartily。``Verylikelytheywon’tknowtillmorning，’’headded，laughing。``Theygotobedearly，andItoldthemtheyneedn’twaitupforme。’’
``Iamverymuchobligedtoyou，’’saidHarry。``Iwillacceptyourkindinvitation。
AsI’vegotahorse，wemayaswellride。I’lluntiehim，andyoujumpintothebuggy。’’
``Allright，’’saidtheboy，wellpleased。
``Youmaydrive，foryouknowthewaybetterthanI。’’
``Wheredidthishorsecomefrom？’’
``FromthestableinPentland。’’
``Perhapstheywillthinkyouhaverunawaywithit。’’
``I
hopenot。’’
``Whatisyourname？’’
``HarryWalton。Whatisyours？’’
``JeffersonSelden。TheboysusuallycallmeJeff。’’
``Isthatyourdog？’’
``Yea。
He’safinefellow。’’
``I
didn’tthinksowhenhewasthreateningtobiteme，’’saidHarry，laughing。
``I
usedtobeafraidofdogs，’’saidJeff；``butIgotcuredofitafterawhile。
WhenIgooutatnight，IgenerallytakeC鎠arwithme。Ifyouhadhadhim，youwouldhavebeenamatchfortherobber。’’
``Hehadapistol。’’
``C鎠arwouldhavehadhimdownbeforehecoulduseit。’’
``I
wishhehadbeenwithme，then。’’
Theyhad，bythistimecomeinsightofJeff’shouse。Itwasasquarefarmhouse，withabarnintherear。
``We’llgorightouttothebarn，’’saidJeff，``andputupthehorse。Thenwe’llcomebacktothehouseandgotobed。’’
Heenteredbythebacksheddoor，andHarryfollowedhim。Theywentintothebroad，lowkitchen，withitsamplefireplace，inwhichafewemberswereglowing。BytheseJefflightedacandle，andaskedHarryifhewouldhaveanythingtoeat。
``No，thankyou，’’saidHarry。``IateaheartysupperatCarmansville。’’
``Thenwe’llgoupstairstobed。Isleepinasmallroomovertheshed。Youwon’tmindsleepingwithme？’’
``Ishouldlikeyourcompany，’’saidHarry，whowasattractedtohisgood—naturedcompanion。
``Thencomeup。Iguesswe’llfindthebedwideenough。’’
Heledthewayupanarrowstaircase，intoaroomlowstudded，andveryplainly，butcomfortably，furnished。
``Thefolkswillbesurprisedtoseeyouhereinthemorning，’’saidJeff。
``Imaybegonebeforetheyareup。’’
``I
guessnot。Father’llbeupbyfiveo’clock，andIthinkthat’llbeasearlyasyou’llwanttobestirring。’’Chapter26CHAPTERXXVI。
THEREWARDOFFIDELITY。
``WhereamI？’’askedHarry，thenextmorning，ashesatupinbed，andstaredaroundhim。
``Don’tyouremember？’’askedJeff，smiling。
``Yes；
Iremembernow，’’saidHarry，slowly。``Whattimeisit？’’
``Seveno’clock。’’
``Seveno’clock!Imeanttobedressedatsix。’’
``ThatisthetimeIgotup，’’saidJeff。``YoulookedsocomfortablethatIthoughtitwasapitytowakeyou。Youmusthavefelttired。’’
``I
thinkitwasthecoldthatmademesleepy。IgotchilledthroughwhenIlayonthegroundthere，tiedhandandfoot。ButImustgetupinahurry。’’
``Now，’’saidJeff，``comedownintothekitchen，andmother’llgiveyousomebreakfast。I’vebeenupanhour，andfeelashungryasawolf。Socomedown，andwe’llseewho’lleatthemost。’’
``Icandomypart，’’saidHarry。``I’vegotagoodappetite，thoughI’vebeenupagooddeallessthananhour。’’
``Takeyourovercoatalong，’’saidJeff；``orwillyoucomeupandgetitafterbreakfast？’’
``I’lltakeitdownwithme。Itisn’tmycoat，youknow。Minewasamuchbetterone。’’
Jeffmeanwhilehadtakenupthecoat。
``There’ssomethinginthepocket，’’hesaid。``Whatisit？’’
Harrythrusthishandintothesidepocketforthefirsttime，anddrewoutashabbyleatherwallet。
Hehastilyopenedit，andhiseyesopenedwidewithastonishmentashedrewoutathickrollofbills。
``Byhokey!’’saidJeff，``you’reinluck。Therobbertookyourpocketbook，andlefthisown。’’
``Three——eight——eleven——thirteen——eighteen——twenty，’’Harrycountedaloud。Hecontinuedhiscount，whichresultedinshowingthatthewalletcontainedninety—sevendollars。
``Ninety—sevendollars!’’exclaimedJeff。``Howmuchdidyoulose？’’
``Fortydollars。’’
``Thenyou’vemadejustfifty—sevendollars。Bullyforyou!’’
``ButI’veexchangedagoodovercoatforapoorone。’’
``Therecan’tbemorethanseventeendollarsdifference。’’
``Notsomuch。’’
``Thenyou’refortydollarsbetteroff，atanyrate。’’
``ButI
don’tknowasIcanclaimthismoney，’’saidHarry，doubtfully。``Itisn’tmine。IwillaskProfessorHendersonaboutthat。Atanyrate，I’vegotmymoneyback，that’sonegoodthing。’’
ThistimelydiscoverymadeHarrydecidedlycheerful，and，ifanything，sharpenedhisappetiteforbreakfast。
``I
shalltakecarehowIcarrymuchmoneyaboutwithme，afterthis，’’saidHarry。
``Thatwaswhatgotmeintoascrapeyesterday。’’
``Hewouldn’tmakeoutmuchifhetriedtorobme，’’saidJeff。``Ihaven’tgotenoughmoneyaboutmetopaytheboardofafull—grownflyfortwenty—fourhours。’’
``Youdon’tlookasifyourpovertytroubledyoumuch，’’saidhismother。
``I
don’thaveanyboardbillstopay，’’saidJeff，``soIcangetalong。’’
``I
shouldthinkyouwouldfeelnervousaboutridingtoPentlandalone，’’saidMrs。
Selden，``forfearofmeetingthemanwhorobbedyouyesterday。’’
``Idodreaditalittle，’’saidHarry，``havingsomuchmoneyaboutme。Besidesthisninety—sevendollars，I’vegotahundredandfiftydollarsbelongingtomyemployer。’’
``SupposeIgowithyoutoprotectyou，’’saidJeff。
``I
wishyouwould。’’
``Ifyouwouldliketorideoverwithyourfriend，youmaydoso，’’saidhismother。
``Buthowwillyougetback？’’
``MajorPinkhamwillbeuptherethisafternoon。Icanwait，andridehomewithhim。’’
``Verywell；Ihavenoobjection。’’
Thetwoboysrodeofftogether。Harrywasgladtohaveacompanionwhoknewtheroadwell，forhedidnotcaretobelostagaintillhehaddeliveredupthemoneywhichhehadincharge。TherewasnoopportunitytotestJeff’scourage，forthehighwaymandidnotmakehisappearance。
WhenHarryarrivedatPentland，hefoundthatnolittleanxietyhadbeenfeltabouthim。
``HasHarrycomeyet？’’askedthesickman，atteno’clocktheeveningprevious。
``No，hehasn’t，’’answeredthenurse。
``It’sstrangewhatkeepshim。’’
``Didhehaveanymoneyofyourswithhim？’’
``Yes，Ibelieve：hehad。’’
``Howmuchdidhehave？’’
``I
can’tsayexactly。Overahundreddollars，Ibelieve。’’
``Thenhewon’tcomeback，’’saidMrs。Chase，decidedly。
Heretheconferenceclosed，asitwasnecessaryforMr。Hendersontotakemedicine。
``Hastheboyreturned？’’askedtheprofessor，thenextmorning。
``Youdon’texpecthim，doyou？’’
``CertainlyIexpecthim。’’
``Well，heain’tcome，andIguesshewon’tcome。’’
``Iamsurethatboyishonest，’’saidProfessorHendersontohimself。``Ifheisn’t，I’llnevertrustaboyagain。’’
Mrs。
Chasewasgoingdownstairswithherpatient’sbreakfastdishes，whenshewasnearlyrunintobyourhero，whohadjustreturned，andwaseagertoreporttohisemployer。
Mrs。
Chasewassocuriousthatshereturned，withthedishes，tohearHarry’sstatement。
``Good—morning，’’saidHarry，enteringthechamber。``I’msorrytohavebeensolongaway，butIcouldn’thelpit。Ihopeyouhaven’tworriedmuchaboutmyabsence。’’
``I
knewyouwouldcomeback，butMrs。Chasehadherdoubts，’’saidProfessorHenderson，pleasantly。``Nowtellmewhatwasitthatdetainedyou？’’
``A
highwayman，’’saidHarry。
``A
highwayman!’’exclaimedboth，inconcert。
``Yes。
I’lltellyouallaboutit。But，first，I’llsaythatheonlystolemymoney，anddidn’tsuspectthatIhadahundredandfiftydollarsofyourswithme。That’sallsafe。Hereitis。Ithinkyouhadbettertakecareofthatyourself，sir，hereafter。’’
TheprofessorglancedsignificantlyatMrs。Chase，asmuchastosay，``Youseehowunjustyoursuspicionswere。Iamright，afterall。’’
``Tellusallaboutit，Harry。’’
Ourheroobeyedinstructions；butitisnotnecessarytorepeatafamiliartale。
``Massysakes!’’ejaculatedBetsyChase。``Whoeverheeredthelike？’’
``I
congratulateyou，Harry，oncomingofwithsuchflyingcolors。Iwill，atmyownexpense，provideyouwithanewovercoat，asarewardforbringinghomemymoneysafe。Youshallnotloseanythingbyyourfidelity。’’Chapter27CHAPTERXXVII。
INDIFFICULTY。
WemustnowtransferthescenetotheWaltonhomestead。
Itlookedverymuchthesameasonthedaywhenthereaderwasfirstintroducedtoit。Povertyreignswithundisputedsway。Mr。Waltonisreadingaborrowednewspaperbythelightofacandleforitisevening——whileMrs。Waltonisengagedinhernever—endingtaskofmendingoldclothes。
``Itseemsstrangewedon’thearfromHarry，’’saidMrs。Walton，lookingupfromherwork。
``Whenwasthelastletterreceived？’’askedMr。Walton，layingdownthepaper。
``Overaweekago。Hewrotethattheprofessorwassick，andhewasstoppingatthehoteltotakecareofhim。’’
``Perhapshisemployerisrecovered，andheisgoingaboutwithhim。’’
``Perhapsso；butIshouldthinkhewouldwrite。
Iamafraidheissickhimself。Hemayhavecaughtthesamefever。’’
``Itispossible；butIthinkHarrywouldletusknowinsomeway。Atanyrate，itisn’tbesttoworryourselvesaboutuncertainties。’’
``I
wonderifHarry’sgrown？’’saidTom。
``Ofcoursehe’sgrown，’’saidMary。
``I
wonderifhe’sgrownasmuchasIhave？’’saidTom，complacently。
``I
don’tbelieveyou’vegrownabit。’’
``Yes，Ihave；ifyoudon’tbelieveit，seehowshortmypantsare。’’
``Yououghttohavesomenewpants，’’saidhismother，sighing；``butIdon’tseewherethemoneyistocomefrom。’’
``NorI，’’saidMr。Walton，soberly。``SomehowIdon’tseemtogetaheadatall。
To—morrowmynoteforthecowcomesdue；andIhaven’tbuttwodollarstomeetit。’’
``Howlargeisthenote？’’
``Withsixmonths’interest，itamountstoforty—onedollarsandtwentycents。’’
``Yousayyouwon’tbeabletomeetthepayment。Whatwillbetheconsequence？’’
``I
supposeSquireGreenwilltakebackthecow。’’
``Perhapsyoucangetanothersomewhereelse，onbetterterms。’’
``I’mafraidmycreditwon’tbeverygood。IagreedtoforfeittendollarstoSquireGreenifIcouldn’tpayattheendofsixmonths。’’
``Willheinsistonthatcondition？’’
``Iamafraidhewill。Heisahardman。’’
``Then，’’saidMrs。Walton，indignantly，``hedeservetoprosper。’’
``Wordly{sic}prosperitydoesn’talwaysgobymerit。Plentyofmeanmenprosper。’’
BeforeMrs。Waltonhadtimetoreply，aknockwasheardatthedoor。
``Gotothedoor，Tom，’’saidhisfather。
Tomobeyed，andshortlyreappeared，followedbyasmallmanwithathinfigureandwrinkledface，thosedeep—set，craweyespeeredabouthimcuriouslyasheenteredtheroom。
``Good—evening，SquireGreen，’’saidMr。Walton，politely，guessinghiserrand。
``Good—evenin’，Mrs。Walton。Theair’skinderfrosty。Iain’tsoyoungasIwasonce，anditchillsmyblood。’’
Theoldmansatdownandspreadhishandsbeforethefire。
``Iwaslookin’overmypapersto—night，neighbor，andIcomeacrossthatnoteyougiveforthecow。Fortydollarswithinterest，whichmakesthewholecometoforty—onedollarsandtwentycents。To—morrow’sthedayforpayin’。Isupposeyou’llbeready？’’andtheoldmanpeeredatHiramWaltonwithhislittlekeeneyes。
``Nowforit，’’thoughtHiram。’I’msorrytosay，SquireGreen，’’heanswered，``thatIcan’tpaythenote。Timeshavebeenhard，andmyfamilyexpenseshavetakenallIcouldearn。’’
Thesquirewasnotmuchdisappointed，fornowhewasentitledtoexacttheforfeitoftendollars。
``Thecontrackprovidesthatifyoucan’tmeetthenoteyoushallpaytendollars，’’hesaid。
``Is’poseyoucandothat。’’
``SquireGreen，Ihaven’tgotbuttwodollarslaidby。’’
``Twodollars!’’repeatedthesquire，frowning。
``Thatain’thonest。Youknewthenotewascomin’due，andyou’doughterhaveprovidedtendollars，atleast。’’
``I’vedoneasmuchasIcould。I’vewantedtomeetthenote，butIcouldn’tmakemoney，andIearnedallIcould。’’
``Youain’tbeenequinomical，’’saidthesquire，testily。
``I
shouldliketohaveyoutellushowwecaneconomizeanymorethanwehave，’’
saidMrs。Walton，withspirit。``Justlookaroundyou，andseeifyouthinkwehavebeenextravagantinbuyingclothes。IamsureIhavetodarnandmendtillIamactuallyashamed。’’
``
’Tain’tnoneofmybusiness，aslongasyoupaymewhatyouoweme，’’saidthesquire。``AllIwantismymoney，andI’dorterhaveit。’’
``Itdoesn’tseemrightthatmyhusbandshouldforfeittendollarsandlosethecow。’’
``Thatwasthecontrack，Mrs。Walton。Yourhusbandagreedtoit，and————’’
``Thatdoesn’tmakeitjust。’’
``
’Tain’tnomore’nafairpricefortheuseofthecowforsixmonths。Efyou’llpaythetendollarsto—morrow，I’llletyouhavethecowsixmonthslongeronthesamecontrack。’’
``I
don’tseeanypossibilityofmypayingyouthemoney，SquireGreen。Ihaven’tgotit。’’
``Whydon’tyouborrersomewhere？’’
``I
mightaswelloweyouasanotherman。Besides，Idon’tknowanybodythatwouldlendmethemoney。’’
``Well，I’llcomeroundto—morrownight，andIhopeyou’llbeready。Good—night。’’
Noverycordialgood—nightfollowedSquireGreenashehobbledoutofthecottage。Hewasamean，miserly，graspingman，whohadnoregardforthefeelingsorcomfortofanyoneelse；whosemasterpassionwasaselfishloveofaccumulatingmoney。Hismoneydidhimlittlegood，however，forhewasasmeanwithhimselfaswithothers，andgrudgedhimselfeventhenecessariesoflife，because，ifpurchased，itmustbeattheexpenseofhishoards。Thetimemustcomewhenheandhismoneymustpart，buthedidnotthinkofthat。Chapter28CHAPTERXXVIII。
SETTLED。
TherewasageneralsilenceafterSquireGreen’sdeparture。HiramWaltonlookedgloomy，andtherestofthefamily，also。
``Whatanawfulmeanmanthesquireis!’’Tombrokeout，indignantly。
``You’reright，foronce，’’saidMary。
Ingeneral，suchremarkswererebukedbythefatherormother；butthetruthofTom’sobservationwassoclear，thatforoncehewasnotreproved。
``SquireGreen’smoneydoeshimverylittlegood，’’saidHiramWalton。``Richasheis，andpoorasI
am，Iwouldratherstandinmyshoesthanhis。’’
``I
shouldthinkso，’’saidhiswife。``Moneyisn’teverything。’’
``No；
butitisagooddeal。Ihavesufferedtoomuchfromthewantofittodespiseit。’’
``Well，Hiram，’’saidMrs。Walton，``youknowthatthesongsays，`There’sagoodtimecoming。’’’
``I’vewaitedforitalongtime，wife，’’saidthefarmer，soberly。
``Waitalittlelonger，’’saidMrs。Walton，quotingtherefrainofthesong。
Hesmiledfaintly。
``Children，it’stimetogotobed，’’saidMrs。Walton。
``Mayn’tIsitupalittlelonger？’’pleadedMary。
``
`Waitalittlelonger，’mother，’’saidTomlaughing，ashequotedhismother’swordsagainsther。
``Tenminutesonly，then。’’
Beforetenminuteswereover，therewasgreatandunexpectedjoyinthelittlehouse。
Suddenlytheouterdooropened，and，withouttheslightestwarningtoanyone，Harrywalkedin。
``Wheredidyoucomefrom，Harry？’’askedMary。
``Droppeddownfromthesky，’’saidHarry，laughing。
``Hastheprofessorbeengivingexhibitionsupthere？’’askedTom。
``I’vedischargedtheprofessor，’’saidHarry，gayly。
``I’mmyownmannow。’’
``Andyou’vecomehometostay，Ihope，’’saidhismother。
``Notlong，mother，’’saidHarry。``Icanonlystayafewdays。’’
``Whatabullyovercoatyou’vegoton!’’saidTom。
``Theprofessorgaveittome。’’
``Hasn’thegotoneforme，too？’’
Harrytookoffhisovercoat，andTomwasstruckwithfreshadmirationashesurveyedhisbrother’sinsidesuit。
``I
guessyouspentallyourmoneyonclothes，’’hesaid。
``I
hopenot，’’saidMrs。Walton，whomexperiencehadmadeprudent。
``Notquiteall，’’saidHarry，cheerfully。``HowmuchmoneydoyouthinkIhavebroughthome？’’
``Tendollars，’’saidTom。
``Twenty，’’saidMary。
``Whatdoyousaytofiftydollars？’’
``Oh，whatalotofmoney!’’saidMary。
``Youhavedonewell，myson，’’saidMr。Walton。
``Youmusthavebeenveryeconomical。’’
``I
triedtobe，father。ButIdidn’tsayfiftydollarswasallIhad。’’
``Youhaven’tgotmore？’’saidhismother，incredulously。
``I’vegotahundreddollars，mother，’’saidHarry。
``Herearefiftydollarsforyou，father。It’llpayyournotetoSquireGreen，andalittleover。Herearethirtydollars，mother，ofwhichyoumustusetenforyourself，tenforMary，andtenforTom。Iwantyoualltohavesomenewclothes，toremembermeby。’’
``But，Harry，youwillhavenothingleftforyourself。’’
``Yes，Ishall。Ihavekepttwentydollars，whichwillbeenoughtillIcanearnsomemore。’’
``I
don’tseehowyoucouldsavesomuchmoney，Harry，’’saidhisfather。
``Itwaspartlyluck，father，andpartlyhardwork。I’lltellyouallaboutit。’’
Hesatdownbeforethefire，andtheylistenedtohisnarrative。
ThecloudthatSquireGreenhadbroughtwithhimhadvanished，andallwassunshineandhappiness。
ItwasagreedthatnohintshouldbegiventoSquireGreenthathisnotewastobepaid。HedidnotevenhearofHarry’sarrival，andwasquiteunconsciousofanychangeinthecircumstancesofthefamily，whenheenteredthecottagethenextevening。
``Well，neighbor，’’hesaid，``I’vebroughtalongthat’erenote。Ihopeyou’veraisedthemoneytopayit。’’
``WheredoyouthinkIcouldraisemoney，squire？’’askedHiramWalton。
``I
thoughtmebbesomeoftheneighborswouldlendittoyou。’’
``Moneyisn’tveryplentywithanyofthem，squire，exceptwithyou。’’
``I
calc’latebetterthanthey。Hevyougotthetendollarsthatyouagreedtopayefyoucouldn’tmeetthenote？’’
``Don’tyouthink，squire，it’sratherhardonapoorman，tomakehimforfeittendollarsbecausehecan’tmeethisnote？’’
``A
contrack’sacontrack，’’saidthesquire。``It’stheonlywaytodobusiness。’’
``I
thinkyouaretakingadvantageofme，squire。’’
``No，I
ain’t。Youneedn’thevcometomeefyoudidn’twantto。Ididn’taskyoutobuythecow。I’lltroubleyouforthattendollars，neighbor，asI’minahurry。’’
``Onthewhole，squire，IthinkI’llsettleupthenote。That’llbecheaperthanpayingtheforfeit。’’
``What!
payforty—onedollarsandtwentycents!’’ejaculatedthesquire，incredulously。
``Yes；
it’smorethanthecow’sworth，butasIagreedtopayit，IsupposeImust。’’
``I
thoughtyoudidn’thevthemoney，’’saidthesquire，hislowerjawfalling；forhewouldhavepreferredthetendollarsforfeitandarenewaloftheusuriouscontract。
``I
didn’thaveitwhenyouwereinlastnight；butI’veraiseditsince。’’
``Yousaidyoucouldn’tborrowit。’’
``I
didn’tborrowit。’’
``Thenwherediditcomefrom？’’
``MysonHarryhasgothome，squire。Hehassuppliedmewiththemoney。’’
``Youdon’tsay!Whereishe？Beena—doin’well，hashe？’’
Harryenteredtheroomandnoddedrathercoldlytothesquire，whowasdisposedtopatronizehim，nowthathewaswelldressed，andappearedtobedoingwell。
``I’mgladtoseeye，Harry。Soyou’vemademoney，hevye？’’
``A
little。’’
``Hevyoucomehometostay？’’
``No，sir；Ishallonlystayafewdays。’’
``Whathevyebeendoin’？’’
``Iamgoingtobeaprinter。’’
``Youdon’tsay!Isitagoodbusiness？’’
``I
thinkitwillbe，’’saidHarry。``Icantellbetterbyandby。’’
``Well，I’mgladyou’redoin’sowell。NeighborWalton，whenyouwantanothercowI’lldoaswellbyyouasanybody。I’llgiveyoucreditforanotheronthesameterms。’’
``IfI
concludetobuyany，squire，Imaycomeround。’’
``Well，good—night，all。Harry，youmustcomeroundandseemebeforeyougoback。’’
Harrythankedhim，butdidnotproposetoaccepttheinvitation。Itwasnotinhisnaturetobehypocritical，andheexpressednopleasureatthesquire’saffabilityandpoliteness。
ThushasbeendetailedafewofHarry’searlyexperiences。Hehasneitherlivedlongnorlearnedmuchasyet，norhasherisenveryhighintheworld。Infact，heisstillatthebottomoftheladder。
Weleavehimwiththehopethathemaycontinueinthepathheseemstohavechosen，foritleadstoSuccess，whilewewouldimpressonthereaderthatthoughtheoppositecoursemayappearforatimetobefruitful，itwillultimatelyleadtofailure。