American library books Β» Fiction Β» Do and Dare β€” a Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune by Jr. Horatio Alger (good books for 8th graders .TXT) πŸ“•

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to receive a welcome, came forward with extended hand.

β€œI believe you are Mr. Melville,” he said, inquiringly.

β€œYes, that is my name,” said Melville, looking puzzled; β€œI don't remember you. Have I met you before?”

β€œYou saw me in father's store, very likely,” said Eben. β€œI am Eben Graham, son of Ebenezer Graham, the postmaster.”

β€œIndeed! That accounts for your face looking familiar. You resemble your father very closely.”

β€œI'm a chip off the old block with modern improvements,” said Eben, smirking. β€œFather's always lived in the country, and he ain't very stylish. I've been employed in Boston for a couple of years past, and got a little city polish.”

β€œYou don't show much of it,” thought Melville, but he refrained from saying so.

β€œSo you have come home to assist your father,” he said, politely.

β€œWell, no, not exactly,” answered Eben, β€œI feel that a country store isn't my sphere.”

β€œThen you propose to go back to the city?”

β€œProbably I shall do so eventually, but I may stay here in Wayneboro a while if I can make satisfactory arrangements. I assure you that it was not my wish to take Herbert Carr's place.”

β€œHerbert told me that you had assumed his duties.”

β€œIt is only ad interim. I assure you, it is only ad interim. I am quite ready to give back the place to Herbert, who is better suited to it than I.”

β€œI wonder what the fellow is driving at,” thought Melville. Eben did not long leave him in doubt.

β€œHerbert tells me that he has made an engagement with you,” continued Eben, desiring to come to his business as soon as possible.

β€œYes, we have made a mutual arrangement.”

β€œOf course, it is very nice for him; and so I told him.”

β€œI think I am quite as much a gainer by it as he is,” said Melville.

β€œHerbert was right. He is easily suited,” said Eben, to himself.

β€œOf course,” Eben added, clearing his throat, β€œHerbert isn't so much of a companion to you as if he were a few years older.”

β€œI don't know that; it seems to me that he is a very pleasant companion, young as he is.”

β€œTo be sure, Herbert is a nice boy, and father was glad to help him along by giving him a place, with a larger salary than he ever paid before.”

β€œWhat is he driving at?” thought Melville.

β€œTo come to the point, Mr. Melville,” said Eben, β€œI have made bold to call upon you to suggest a little difference in your arrangements.”

β€œIndeed!” said Melville, coldly. Though he had no idea what his singular visitor was about to propose, it struck him emphatically that Eben was interfering in an unwarrantable manner with his affairs.

β€œYou see,” continued Eben, β€œI'm a good deal nearer your age than Herbert, and I've had the advantage of residing in the city, which Herbert hasn't, and naturally should be more company to you. Then, again, Herbert could do the work in the post office and store, which I am doing, nearly as well as I can. I'll undertake to get father to give him back his place, and then I shall be happy to make an arrangement with you to go hunting and fishing, or anything else that you choose. I am sure I should enjoy your company, Mr. Melville,” concluded Eben, rubbing his hands complacently and surveying George Melville with an insinuating smile.

β€œYou have certainly taken considerable trouble to arrange this matter for me,” said Melville, with a sarcasm which Eben did not detect.

β€œOh, no trouble at all!” said Eben, cheerfully. β€œYou see, the idea came into my head when Herbert told me of his arrangements with you, and I thought I'd come and see you about it.”

β€œDid you mention it to Herbert?” asked George Melville, with some curiosity.

β€œWell, no, I didn't. I didn't know how Herbert would look at it. I got Herbert to take my place in the store while I ran over to see you about the matter. By the way, though I am some years older than Herbert, I shan't ask more than you pay him. In fact, I am willing to leave the pay to your liberality.”

β€œYou are very considerate!” said Melville, hardly knowing whether to be amused or provoked by the cool assurance of his visitor.

β€œOh, not at all!” returned Eben, complacently. β€œI guess I've fetched him!” he reflected, looking at Mr. Melville through his small, half-closed eyes.

β€œYou have certainly surprised me very much, Mr. Graham,” said Melville, β€œby the nature of your suggestion. I won't take into consideration the question whether you have thought more of your own pleasure or mine. So far as the latter is concerned, you have made a mistake in supposing that Herbert's youth is any drawback to his qualification as a companion. Indeed, his youth and cheerful temperament make him more attractive in my eyes. I hope, Mr. Graham, you will excuse me for saying that he suits me better than you possibly could.”

Eben's countenance fell, and he looked quite discomfited and mortified.

β€œI didn't suppose a raw, country boy would be likely to suit a gentleman of taste, who has resided in the city,” he said, with asperity.

β€œThen you will have a chance to correct your impression,” said Melville, with a slight smile.

β€œThen you don't care to accept my offer?” said Eben, regretfully.

β€œThank you, no. If you will excuse me for suggesting it, Mr. Graham, it would have been more considerate for you to have apprised Herbert of your object in asking him to take your place this evening. Probably he had no idea that you meant to supersede him with me.”

Eben tossed his head.

β€œYou mustn't think, Mr. Melville,” he said, β€œthat I was after the extra pay. Six dollars doesn't seem much to me. I was earning ten dollars a week in Boston, and if I had stayed, should probably have been raised to twelve.”

β€œSo that you were really consenting to a sacrifice in offering to enter my employment at six dollars a week?”

β€œJust so!”

β€œThen I am all the more convinced that I have decided for the best in retaining Herbert. I do not wish to interfere with your prospects in the city.”

β€œOh, as for that,” said Eben, judging that he had gone too far, β€œI don't care to go back to the city just yet. I've been confined pretty steadily, and a few weeks in the country, hunting and fishing, will do me good.”

George Melville bowed, but said nothing.

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