"I? What do you take me for?" said Tom, haughtily. "I suppose BenBarclay will have to go to work on a farm."
"That is a very honorable employment," said Rose calmly.
"Yes; he can be a hired man when he grows up. Perhaps, though, hewill prefer to go to the city and become a bootblack."
"Ben ought to be very much obliged to you for the interest you feel inhis welfare," said Rose, looking steadily and scornfully at Tom."Good-morning."
"She feels sore about it," thought Tom complacently. "She won't bequite so ready to accept Ben's attentions when he is a farm laborer."
Tom, however, did not understand Rose Gardiner. She was a girl ofgood sense, and her estimate of others was founded on something elsethan social position.
CHAPTER XVIBEN FINDS TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT
"Oh, Ben, what shall we do?" exclaimed Mrs. Barclay, when she heardMr. Crawford had sold out his business.
"We'll get along somehow, mother. Something will be sure to turn up."
Ben spoke more cheerfully than he felt. He knew very well thatPentonville presented scarcely any field for a boy, unless he waswilling to work on a farm. Now, Ben had no objections to farm labor,provided he had a farm of his own, but at the rate such labor was paidin Pentonville, there was very little chance of ever rising above theposition of a "hired man," if he once adopted the business. Our younghero felt that this would not satisfy him. He was enterprising andambitious, and wanted to be a rich man some day.
Money is said, by certain moralists, to be the root of all evil. Thelove of money, if carried too far, may indeed lead to evil, but it isa natural ambition in any boy or man to wish to raise himself abovepoverty. The wealth of Amos Lawrence and Peter Cooper was a source ofblessing to mankind, yet each started as a poor boy, and neither wouldhave become rich if he had not striven hard to become so.
When Ben made this cheerful answer his mother shook her head sadly.She was not so hopeful as Ben, and visions of poverty presentedthemselves before her mind.
"I don't see what you can find to do in Pentonville, Ben," she said.
"I can live a while without work while I am looking around, mother,"Ben answered. "We have got all that money I brought from New Yorkyet."
"It won't last long," said his mother despondently.
"It will last till I can earn some more," answered Ben hopefully.
Ben was about to leave the house when a man in a farmer's frock,driving a yoke of oxen, stopped his team in the road, and turned in atthe widow's gate.
It was Silas Greyson, the owner of a farm just out of the village.
"Did you want to see mother?" asked Ben.
"No, I wanted to see you, Benjamin," answered Greyson. "I hear you'veleft the store."
"The store has changed hands, and the new storekeeper don't want me."
"Do you want a job?"
"What is it, Mr. Greyson?" Ben replied, answering one question withanother.
"I'm goin' to get in wood for the winter from my wood lot for about aweek," said the farmer, "and I want help. Are you willin' to hire outfor a week?"
"What'll you pay me?" asked Ben.
"I'll keep you, and give you a cord of wood. Your mother'll find ithandy. I'm short of money, and calc'late wood'll be just as goodpay."
Ben thought over the proposal, and answered: "I'd rather take my mealsat home, Mr. Greyson, and if you'll make it two cords with thatunderstanding, I'll agree to hire out to you."
"Ain't that rather high?" asked the farmer, hesitating.
"I don't think so."
Finally Silas Greyson agreed, and Ben promised to be on hand brightand early the next day. It may be stated here that wood was verycheap at Pentonville, so that Ben would not be overpaid.
There were some few things about the house which Ben wished to do forhis mother before he went to work anywhere, and he thought this a goodopportunity to do them. While in the store his time had been so takenup that he was unable to attend to them. He passed a busy day,therefore, and hardly went into the street.
Just at nightfall, as he was in the front yard, he was rathersurprised to see Tom Davenport open the gate and enter.
"What does he want, I wonder?" he thought, but he said, in a civiltone: "Good-evening, Tom."
"You're out of business, ain't you?" asked Tom abruptly.
"I'm not out of work at any rate!" answered Ben.
"Why, what work are you doing?" interrogated Tom, in evidentdisappointment.
"I've been doing some jobs about the house, for mother."
"That won't give you a living," said Tom disdainfully.
"Very true."
"Did you expect to stay in the store?" asked Tom.
"Not after I heard that your father had bought it," answered Benquietly.
"My father's willing to give you work," said Tom.
"Is he?" asked Ben, very much surprised.
It occurred to him that perhaps he would have a chance to remain inthe store after all, and for the present that would have suited him.Though he didn't like the squire, or Mr. Kirk, he felt that he had noright, in his present circumstances, to refuse any way to earn anhonest living.
"Yes," answered Tom. "I told him he'd better hire you."
"You did!" exclaimed Ben, more and more amazed. "I didn't expectthat. However, go on, if you please."
"He's got three cords of wood that he wants sawed and split," saidTom, "and as I knew how poor you were I thought it would be a goodchance for you."
You might have thought from Tom's manner that he was a young lord, andBen a peasant. Ben was not angry, but amused.
"It is true," he said. "I am not rich; still, I am not as poor as youthink."
He happened to have in his pocketbook the money he had brought fromNew York, and this he took from his pocket and displayed to theastonished Tom.
"Where did you get that money?" asked Tom, surprised and chagrined.
"I got it honestly. You see we can hold out a few days. However, Imay be willing to accept the job you offer me. How much is yourfather willing to pay me?"
"He is willing to give you forty cents a day."
"How long does he expect me to work for that?"
"Ten hours."
"That is four cents an hour, and hard work at that. I am much obligedto you and him, Tom, for your liberal offer, but I can't accept it."
"You'll see the time when you'll be glad to take such a job," saidTom, who was personally disappointed that he would not be able toexhibit Ben as his father's hired dependent.
"You seem to know all about it, Tom," answered Ben. "I shall be atwork all next week, at much higher pay, for Silas Greyson."
"How much does he pay you?"
"That is my private business, and wouldn't interest you."
"You're mighty independent for a boy in your position."
"Very likely. Won't you come in?"
"No," answered Tom ungraciously; "I've wasted too much time herealready."
"I understand Tom's object in wanting to hire me," thought Ben. "Hewants to order me around. Still, if the squire had been willing topay a decent price, I would have accepted the job. I won't let pridestand in the way of my supporting mother and myself."
This was a sensible and praiseworthy resolution, as I hope my youngreaders will admit. I don't think much of the pride that is willingto let others suffer in order that it may be gratified.
Ben worked a full week for Farmer Greyson, and helped unload the twocords of wood, which were his wages, in his mother's yard. Then therewere two days of idleness, which made him anxious. On the second day,just after supper, he met Rose Gardiner coming from the post office.
"Have you any correspondents in New York, Ben?" she asked.
"What makes you ask, Rose?"
Because the postmaster told me there was a letter for you by thisevening's mail. It was mailed in New York, and was directed in alady's hand. I hope you haven't been flirting with any New Yorkladies, Mr. Barclay."
"The only lady I know in New York is at least fifty years old,"answered Ben, smiling.
"That is satisfactory," answered Rose solemnly. "Then I won't bejealous."
"What can the letter be?" thought Ben. "I hope it contains goodnews."
He hurried to the post office in a fever of excitement.
CHAPTER XVIIWHAT THE LETTER CONTAINED
"I hear there is a letter for me, Mr. Brown," said Ben to thepostmaster, who was folding the evening papers, of which he received aparcel from the city by the afternoon train.
"Yes, Ben," answered the postmaster, smiling. "It appears to be froma lady in New York. You must have improved your time during yourrecent visit to the city."
"I made the acquaintance of one lady older than my mother," answeredBen. "I didn't flirt with her any."
"At any rate, I should judge that she became interested in you or shewouldn't write."
"I hope she did, for she is very wealthy," returned Ben.
The letter was placed in his hands, and he quickly tore it open.
Something dropped from it.
"What is that?" asked the postmaster.
Ben stooped and picked it up, and, to his surprise, discovered that itwas a ten-dollar bill.
"That's a correspondent worth having," said Mr. Brown jocosely."Can't you give me a letter of introduction?"
Ben didn't answer, for he was by this time deep the letter. We willlook over his shoulder and read it with him. It ran thus:
"No. ---- Madison Avenue, New York, October 5.
"My Dear Young Friend:
"Will you come to New York and call upon me? I have a very pleasant remembrance of you and the service you did me recently, and think I can employ you in other ways, to our mutual advantage. I am willing to pay you a higher salary than you are receiving in your country home, besides providing you with a home in my own house. I inclose ten dollars for expenses. Yours, with best wishes,
"Helen Hamilton"
Ben's heart beat with joyful excitement as he read this letter. Itcould not have come at a better time, for, as we know, he was out ofemployment, and, of course, earning nothing.
"Well, Ben," said the postmaster, whose curiosity was excited, is itgood news?"
"I should say it was," said Ben emphatically. "I am offered a goodsituation in New York."
"You don't say so! How much are offered?"
"I am to get more than Mr. Crawford paid me and board in a fine housebesides--a brownstone house on Madison Avenue."
"Well, I declare! You are in luck," ejaculated Mr. Brown. "What areyou to do?"
"That's more than I know. Here is the letter, if you like to readit."
"It reads well. She must be a generous lady. But what will yourmother say?"
"That's what I want to know," said Ben, looking suddenly sober. "Ihate to leave her, but it is for my good."
"Mothers are self-sacrificing when the interests of their children areconcerned."
"I know that," said Ben promptly; "and I've got one of the bestmothers going."
"So you have. Every one likes and respects Mrs. Barclay."
Any boy, who is worth anything, likes to hear his mother praised, andBen liked Mr. Brown better for this tribute to the one whom he lovedbest on earth. He was not slow in making his way home. He went atonce to the kitchen, where his mother was engaged in mixing bread.
"What's the matter, Ben? You look excited," said Mrs. Barkley.
"So I am, mother. I am offered a position."
"Not in the store?"
"No; it is in New York."
"In New York!" repeated his mother, in a troubled voice. "It wouldcost you all you could make to pay your board in some cheap boardinghouse. If it were really going to be for your own good, I mightconsent to part with you, but--"
"Read that letter, mother," said Ben. "You will see that I shall havean elegant home and a salary besides. It is a chance in a thousand."
Mrs. Barclay read the letter carefully.
"Can I go, mother?" Ben asked anxiously.
"It will be a sacrifice for me to part with you," returned his motherslowly; "but I agree with you that it is a rare chance, and I shouldbe doing wrong to stand in the way of your good fortune. Mrs.Hamilton must have formed a very good opinion of you."
"She may be disappointed in me," said Ben modestly.
"I don't think she will," said Mrs. Barclay, with a proud andaffectionate glance at her boy. "You have always been a good son, andthat is the best of recommendations."
"I am afraid you are too partial, mother. I shall hate to leave youalone."
"I can bear loneliness if I know you are prospering, Ben."
"And it will only be for a time, mother. When I am a young man andearning a good income, I shall want you to come and live with me."
"All in good time, Ben. How soon do you want to go?"
"I think it better to lose no time, mother. You know I have no workto keep me in Pentonville."
"But it will take two or three days to get your clothes ready."
"You can send them to me by express. I shall send you the address."
Mrs. Barclay was a fond mother, but she was also a sensible woman.She felt that Ben was right, and, though it seemed very sudden, shegave him her permission to start the next morning. Had she objectedstrenuously, Ben would have given up his plan, much as he desired it,for he felt that his mother had the strongest claims upon him, and hewould not have been willing to run counter to her wishes.
"Where are you going, Ben?" asked his mother, as Ben put on his hatand moved toward the door.
"I thought I would like to call on Rose Gardiner to say good-by,"answered Ben.
"Quite right, my son. Rose is a good friend of yours, and anexcellent girl"
"I say ditto to that, mother," Ben answered warmly.
I am not going to represent Ben as being in love--he was too young forthat--but, like many boys of his age, he felt a special attraction inthe society of one young girl. His good taste was certainly not atfault in his choice of Rose Gardiner, who, far from being frivolousand fashionable, was a girl of sterling traits, who was not abovemaking herself useful in the household of which she formed a part.
On his way to the home of Rose Gardiner, Ben met Tom Davenport.
"How are you getting along?" asked Tom, not out of interest, butcuriosity.
"Very well, thank you."
"Have you got through helping the farmer?"
"Yes."
"It was a very long job. Have you thought better of coming to sawwood for father?"
"No; I have thought worse of it," answered Ben, smiling.
"You are too proud. Poor and proud don't agree."
"Not at all. I would have had no objection to the work. It was thepay I didn't like."
"You can't earn more than forty cents a day at anything else."
"You are mistaken. I am going to New York to-morrow to take a place,where I get board and considerable more money besides."
"Is that true?" asked Tom, looking as if he had lost his best friend.
"Quite so. The party inclosed ten dollars to pay my expenses up tothe city."
"He must be a fool."
"Thank you. It happens to be a lady."
"What are you to do?"
"I don't know yet. I am sure I shall be well paid. I must ask you toexcuse me now, as I am going to call on Rose Gardiner to bid hergood-by."
"I dare say she would excuse you," said Tom, with a sneer.
"Perhaps so; but I wouldn't like to go without saying good-by."
"At any rate, he will be out of my way," thought Tom, "and I canmonopolize Rose. I'm glad he's going."
He bade Ben an unusually civil good-night at this thought occurred tohim.
CHAPTER XVIIIFAREWELL TO PENTONVILLE
"I have come to say good-by, Rose," said Ben, as the young lady
madeher appearance.
"Good-by!" repeated Rose, in surprise. "Why, where are you going?"
"To New York."
"But you are coming back again?"
"I hope so, but only for a visit now and then. I am offered aposition in the city."
"Isn't that rather sudden?" said Rose, after a pause.
Ben explained how he came to be offered employment.
"I am to receive higher pay than I did here, and a home besides," headded, in a tone of satisfaction. "Don't you think I am lucky?"
"Yes, Ben, and I rejoice in your good fortune; but I shall miss you somuch," said Rose frankly.
"I am glad of that," returned Ben. "I hoped you would miss me alittle. You'll go and see mother now and then, won't you? She willfeel very lonely."
"You may be sure I will. It is a pity you have to go away. A greatmany will be sorry."
"I know someone who won't."
"Who is that?"
"Tom Davenport."
Rose smiled. She had a little idea why Tom would not regret Ben'sabsence.
"Tom could be spared, as well as not," she said.
"He is a strong admirer of yours, I believe," said Ben mischievously.
"I don't admire him," retorted Rose, with a little toss of her head.
Ben heard this with satisfaction, for though he was too young to be alover, he did have a strong feeling of attraction toward Rose, andwould have been sorry to have Tom step into his place.