Do and Dare β a Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune by Jr. Horatio Alger (good books for 8th graders .TXT) π
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
Read book online Β«Do and Dare β a Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune by Jr. Horatio Alger (good books for 8th graders .TXT) πΒ». Author - Jr. Horatio Alger
βDidn't the reading tire you, Herbert?β asked Melville.
βNo, sir; not at all.β
βIt is evident that your lungs are stronger than mine.β
At five o'clock Melville dismissed his young companion.
βDo you wish me to come this evening?β asked Herbert.
βOh, no. I wouldn't think of taking up your evenings.β
βAt the post office I had to stay till eight o'clock.β
βProbably it was necessary there; I won't task you so much.β
βWhen shall I come to-morrow?β
βAt nine o'clock.β
βThat isn't very early,β said Herbert, smiling.
βNo, I don't get up very early. My health won't allow me to cultivate early rising. I shall not be through breakfast much before nine.β
βI see you don't mean to overwork me, Mr. Melville.β
βNo, for it would involve overworking myself.β
βI shall certainly have an easy time,β thought Herbert, as he walked homeward.
He reflected with satisfaction that he was being paid at the rate of a dollar a day, which was quite beyond anything he had ever before earned. Indeed, to-day he had earned sixty cents besides. The sum received for the fish.
After supper Herbert went to the store to purchase some articles for his mother. He was waited on by Mr. Graham in person. As the articles called for would amount to nearly one dollar, the storekeeper said, cautiously: βOf course, you are prepared to pay cash?β
βCertainly, sir,β returned Herbert.
βI mentioned it because I knew your income was small,β said Ebenezer, apologetically.
βIt is more than it was last week,β said Herbert, rather enjoying the prospect of surprising the storekeeper.
βWhy, you ain't found anything to do, have you?β asked Mr. Graham, his face indicating curiosity.
βYes, sir; I am engaged as companion by Mr. Melville, who is staying at the hotel.β
βI don't know what he wants of a companion,β said the storekeeper, with that disposition to criticise the affairs of his neighbors often found in country places.
βHe thinks he needs one,β answered Herbert.
βAnd how much does he pay you now?β queried Ebenezer.
βSix dollars a week.β
βYou don't mean it!β ejaculated the storekeeper. βWhy, the man must be crazy!β
βI don't think he is,β said Herbert, smiling.
βGot plenty of money, I take it?β continued Ebenezer, who had a good share of curiosity.
βYes; he tells me he is rich.β
βHow much money has he got?β
βHe didn't tell me that.β
βWell, I declare! You're lucky, that's a fact!β
There was an interested listener to this conversation in the person of Eben, who had been in the store all day, taking Herbert's place. As we know, the position by no means suited the young man. He had been employed in a store in Boston, and to come back to a small country grocery might certainly be considered a descent. Besides, the small compensation allowed him was far from satisfying Eben.
He was even more dissatisfied when he learned how fortunate Herbert was. To be selected as a companion by a rich young man was just what he would have liked himself, and he flattered himself that he should make a more desirable companion than a mere boy like Herbert.
As our hero was leaving the store, Eben called him back.
βWhat was that you were telling father about going round with a young man from the city?β he asked.
Herbert repeated it.
βAnd he pays you six dollars a week?β asked Eben, enviously.
βYes; of course, I shouldn't have asked so much, but he fixed the price himself.β
βYou think he is very rich?β said Eben, thoughtfully.
βYes, I think so.β
βWhat a splendid chance it would be for me!β thought Eben. βIf I could get intimate with a man like that, he might set me up in business some day; perhaps take me to Europe, or round the world!β βHow much of the time do you expect to be with this Mr. Melville?β he asked.
Herbert answered the question.
βDoes he seem like a man easy to get along with?β
βVery much so.β
Eben inwardly decided that, if he could, he would oust Herbert from his desirable place, and substitute himself. It was a very mean thought, but Eben inherited meanness from his father.
βHerbert,β he said, βwill you do me a favor?β
βWhat is it?β asked our hero.
βWill you take my place in the store this evening? I am not feeling well, and want to take a walk.β
βYes,β answered Herbert, βas soon as I have run home to tell mother where I am.β
βThat's a good fellow. You shan't lose anything by it. I'll give you ten cents.β
βYou needn't pay me anything, Eben. I'll do it as a favor.β
βYou're a trump, Herbert. Come back as soon as you can.β
When Eben was released from the store, he went over to the hotel, and inquired for Mr. Melville, leaving his unsuspecting young substitute in the post office.
CHAPTER VIII. EBEN'S ASSURANCE.
βA young man wishes to see you, Mr. Melville,β said the servant.
George Melville looked up in some surprise from his book, and said: βYou may show him up.β
βIt must be Herbert,β he thought.
But when the door was opened, and the visitor shown in, Mr. Melville found it was an older person than Herbert. Eben, for it was he, distorted his mean features into what he regarded as a pleasant smile, and, without waiting
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