American library books ยป Fiction ยป Walter Sherwood's Probation by Jr. Horatio Alger (good romance books to read txt) ๐Ÿ“•

Read book online ยซWalter Sherwood's Probation by Jr. Horatio Alger (good romance books to read txt) ๐Ÿ“•ยป.   Author   -   Jr. Horatio Alger



1 ... 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 ... 48
Go to page:

โ€œThat he never pays for work in advanceโ€”he doesn't approve of it.โ€

โ€œHe could afford it?โ€

โ€œOh, yes; he's got a good sum in the savings-bank, but he is a very cautious man. I don't see how I'm going to get through. Perhaps I had better take a year away from college.โ€

โ€œThere is no need of that. I have some money here for you.โ€

โ€œSome money for me?โ€

โ€œYes,โ€ and Walter placed four ten-dollar bills on the table.

โ€œBut, Walter, you are in no position to lend me money.โ€

โ€œTrue; the money doesn't come from me.โ€

โ€œBut who besides you would do me such a great favor?โ€

โ€œOne of the rich fellows in collegeโ€”no, I can't tell you his name. You can take it without hesitation.โ€

โ€œBut it must have been to you that he lent it.โ€

โ€œNo, he understands that it is to be given to you. Will it help you?โ€

โ€œWill it help me? It will carry me through gloriously,โ€ and Gates was radiant with pleasure.

โ€œAre you going to leave college now?โ€

โ€œNo; this help is providential. I will never be distrustful again.โ€

โ€œI wish Creswell could see how much happiness his gift has brought with it,โ€ thought Walter.





CHAPTER VII WALTER'S EXPERIMENT BEGINS

After a conference between Walter and his guardian it was decided that he should wait till the first of September before seeking for any business position. Walter, who was somewhat impulsive, was disposed to start at once, but Doctor Mack said: โ€œNo, you are entitled to a vacation. When your class resumes study at Euclid, it will be time for you to begin to earn your living.โ€

โ€œI am not sure that I deserve a vacation,โ€ said Walter frankly. โ€œI have not studied as hard at I ought.โ€

โ€œVery probably. You have not been in earnest. You are a year older now, and you have a better understanding of your position.โ€

โ€œYou are very charitable, my dear guardian,โ€ said Walter.

Doctor Mack smiled.

โ€œI am quite aware,โ€ he said, โ€œthat old heads are not often to be found on young shoulders.โ€

โ€œThen you think it will be right for me to enjoy myself this summer?โ€

โ€œI want you to do so.โ€

โ€œOne of my college friends, Frank Clifford, has invited me to pass a month with him in the Adirondacks. The Cliffords have a lodge not far from Blue Mountain Lake. Frank's mother and sisters will be abroad, and he wants me to keep him company.โ€

โ€œI can think of no objection. How shall you spend your time?โ€

โ€œIn hunting and fishing. There are splendid chances for both up there, so Clifford says.โ€

โ€œGo and have your good time. When you come back we will talk of your future plans.โ€

Walter's stay was prolonged to eight weeks, and when he returned it was already nearing the end of August. He was browned by exposure, and looked the picture of health.

โ€œNow I am ready to go to work, Doctor Mack,โ€ he said. โ€œHave you any plans for me?โ€

โ€œHow would you like to go into a drug-store? I have a college classmate who is a very successful druggist in Syracuse.โ€

Walter shrugged his shoulders.

โ€œI don't believe I have a taste for making pills,โ€ he said.

โ€œI thought not. What do you think of entering a dry-goods store? I am acquainted with the head of a prominent establishment in New York.โ€

โ€œIt is a very respectable position, but I should feel cabined, cribbed, confined in it.โ€

โ€œI am at the end of my tether. Have you formed any plans of your own?โ€

โ€œWell, not exactly.โ€

โ€œBut you have thought somewhat on the subject?โ€

โ€œYes,โ€ answered Walter.

โ€œIf at all possible, I shall let you have your own way.โ€

โ€œYou may think me foolish,โ€ said Walter hesitatingly.

โ€œI don't know. Let me hear what you have to propose.โ€

โ€œI thought,โ€ said Walter eagerly, โ€œI would like to go out West.โ€

โ€œWhat would you do when you got there?โ€

โ€œThere must be lots of things to do.โ€

โ€œVery likely. You might buy an ax and clear the virgin forests.โ€

โ€œI am afraid I wouldn't be a success at that.โ€

โ€œYou have no definite idea as to what you would do?โ€

โ€œNo. I could tell better when I got out there.โ€

โ€œNow, about the expense. How much money would you need? You would require to live till you begin to earn something.โ€

โ€œHow much will it cost me to get to Chicago?โ€

โ€œSay about twenty-five dollars.โ€

โ€œI think, guardian, if you will advance me a hundred dollars, that will be sufficient.โ€

โ€œFor how long a time?โ€

โ€œFor a year. You see, I expect to earn my own living by the time I have spent fifty dollars in all. I should go to a cheap boarding-place, of course. I should be able to pay my way.โ€

โ€œYou will be content, then, with a hundred dollars, Walter?โ€

โ€œYes; perhaps I could make it do on less.โ€

โ€œNo; you shall have a hundred. If absolutely necessary, you can send for more.โ€

โ€œNo,โ€ said Walter confidently; โ€œI won't do that. I shall get along somehow. I want to make a man of myself.โ€

โ€œThat is a commendable ambition. Still, sometimes a young man finds it hard to obtain employment. If you had a trade, now, it might be different. Suppose, for instance, you were a journeyman tailor, you could readily find a place in Chicago or any good-sized city.โ€

โ€œI shouldn't care to be a tailor.โ€

1 ... 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 ... 48
Go to page:

Free e-book: ยซWalter Sherwood's Probation by Jr. Horatio Alger (good romance books to read txt) ๐Ÿ“•ยป   -   read online now on website american library books (americanlibrarybooks.com)

Comments (0)

There are no comments yet. You can be the first!
Add a comment