CHAPTER XXI.
HARRY IS PROMOTED.
Clapp re-entered the printing office highly elated.
"Mr. Anderson," said he to the editor, "I am going to leave you."
Ferguson and Harry Walton looked up in surprise, and Mr. Andersonasked,--
"Have you got another place?"
"No; I am going West."
"Indeed! How long have you had that in view?"
"Not long. I am going with Mr. Kensington."
"The one who just called on you?"
"Yes."
"How soon do you want to leave?"
"Now."
"That is rather short notice."
"I know it, but I leave town to-morrow morning."
"Well, I wish you success. Here is the money I owe you."
"Sha'n't we see you again, Clapp?" asked Ferguson.
"Yes; I'll just look in and say good-by. Now I must go home and getready."
"Well, Ferguson," said Mr. Andersen, after Clapp's departure, "thatis rather sudden."
"So I think."
"How can we get along with only two hands?"
"Very well, sir. I'm willing to work a little longer, and Harry hereis a pretty quick compositor now. The fact is, there isn't enoughwork for three."
"Then you think I needn't hire another journeyman?"
"No."
"If you both work harder I must increase your wages, and then I shallsave money."
"I sha'n't object to that," said Ferguson, smiling.
"Nor I," said Harry.
"I was intending at any rate to raise Harry's wages, as I find hedoes nearly as much as a journeyman. Hereafter I will give you fivedollars a week besides your board."
"Oh, thank you, sir!" said Harry, overjoyed at his good fortune.
"As for you, Ferguson, if you will give me an hour more daily, I willadd three dollars a week to your pay."
"Thank you, sir. I think I can afford now to give Mrs. Ferguson thenew bonnet she was asking for this morning."
"I don't want to overwork you two, but if that arrangement provessatisfactory, we will continue it."
"I suppose you will be buying your wife a new bonnet too; eh, Harry?"said Ferguson.
"I may buy myself a new hat. Luke Harrison turned up his nose at myold one the other day."
"What will Luke do without Clapp? They were always together."
"Perhaps he is going too."
"I don't know where he will raise the money, nor Clapp either, forthat matter."
"Perhaps their new friend furnishes the money."
"If he does, he is indeed a friend."
"Well, it has turned out to our advantage, at any rate, Harry.Suppose you celebrate it by coming round and taking supper with me?"
"With the greatest pleasure."
Harry was indeed made happy by his promotion. Having been employedfor some months on board-wages, he had been compelled to trench uponthe small stock of money which he had saved up when in the employ ofProf. Henderson, and he had been unable to send any money to hisfather, whose circumstances were straitened, and who found it veryhard to make both ends meet. That evening he wrote a letter to hisfather, in which he inclosed ten dollars remaining to him from hisfund of savings, at the same time informing him of his promotion. Afew days later, he received the following reply:--
"MY DEAR SON:
"Your letter has given me great satisfaction, for I conclude fromyour promotion that you have done your duty faithfully, and won theapprobation of your employer. The wages you now earn will amply payyour expenses, while you may reasonably hope that they will be stillfurther increased, as you become more skilful and experienced. I amglad to hear that you are using your leisure hours to such goodpurpose, and are trying daily to improve your education. In this wayyou may hope in time to qualify yourself for the position of aneditor, which is an honorable and influential profession, to which Ishould be proud to have you belong.
"The money which you so considerately inclose comes at the righttime. Your brother needs some new clothes, and this will enable meto provide them. We all send love, and hope to hear from you often.
"Your affectionate father, "HIRAM WALTON."
Harry's promotion took place just before the beginning of September.During the next week the fall term of the Prescott Academy commenced,and the village streets again became lively with returning students.Harry was busy at the case, when Oscar Vincent entered the printingoffice, and greeted him warmly.
"How are you, Oscar?" said Harry, his face lighting up with pleasure."I am glad to see you back. I would shake hands, but I am afraid youwouldn't like it," and Harry displayed his hands soiled withprinter's ink.
"Well, we'll shake hands in spirit, then, Harry. How have you passedthe time?"
"I have been very busy, Oscar."
"And I have been very lazy. I have scarcely opened a book, that is,a study-book, during the vacation. How much have you done in French?"
"I have nearly finished Telemachus."
"You have! Then you have done splendidly. By the way, Harry, Ireceived the paper you sent, containing your essay. It does youcredit, my boy."
Mr. Anderson, who was sitting at his desk, caught the last words.
"What is that, Harry?" he asked. "Have you been writing for thepapers?"
Harry blushed.
"Yes, sir," he replied. "I have written two or three articles forthe 'Boston Weekly Standard.'"
"Indeed! I should like to see them."
"You republished one of them in the 'Gazette,' Mr. Anderson," saidFerguson.
"What do you refer to?"
"Don't you remember an article on 'Ambition,' which you inserted someweeks ago?"
"Yes, it was a good article. Did you write it, Walton?"
"Yes, air."
"Why didn't you tell me of it?"
"He was too bashful," said Ferguson.
"I am glad to know that you can write," said the editor. "I shallcall upon you for assistance, in getting up paragraphs occasionally."
"I shall be very glad to do what I can," said Harry, gratified.
"Harry is learning to be an editor," said Ferguson.
"I will give him a chance for practice, then," and Mr. Andersonreturned to his exchanges.
"By the way, Oscar," said Harry, "I am not a printer's devil anylonger. I am promoted to be a journeyman."
"I congratulate you, Harry, but what will Fitz do now? He used totake so much pleasure in speaking of you as a printer's devil."
"I am sorry to deprive him of that pleasure. Did you see much of himin vacation, Oscar?"
"I used to meet him almost every day walking down Washington Street,swinging a light cane, and wearing a stunning necktie, as usual."
"Is he coming back this term?"
"Yes, he came on the same train with me. Hasn't he called to pay hisrespects to you?"
"No," answered Harry, with a smile. "He hasn't done me that honor.He probably expects me to make the first call."
"Well, Harry, I suppose you will be on hand next week, when theClionian holds its first meeting?"
"Yes, I will be there."
"And don't forget to call at my room before that time. I want toexamine you in French, and see how much progress you have made."
"Thank you, Oscar."
"Now I must be going. I have got a tough Greek lesson to prepare forto-morrow. I suppose it will take me twice as long as usual. It isalways hard to get to work again after a long vacation. Sogood-morning, and don't forget to call at my room soon--say to-morrowevening."
"I will come."
"What a gentlemanly fellow your friend is!" said Ferguson.
"What is his name, Harry?" asked Mr. Anderson.
"Oscar Vincent. His father is an editor in Boston."
"What! the son of John Vincent?" said Mr. Anderson, surprised.
"Yes, sir; do you know his father?"
"Only by reputation. He is a man of great ability."
"Oscar is a smart fellow, too, but not a hard student."
"I shall be glad to have you bring him round to the house someevening, Harry. I shall be glad to become better acquainted withhim."
"Thank you, sir. I will give him the invitation."
It is very possible that Harry rose in the estimation of hisemployer, from his intimacy with the son of a man who stood so highin his own profession. At all events, Harry found himself from thistime treated with greater respect and consideration than before, andMr. Anderson often called upon him to write paragraphs upon localmatters, so that his position might be regarded except as to pay, asthat of an assistant editor.