Try and Trust; Or, Abner Holden's Bound Boy by Jr. Horatio Alger (best e books to read .TXT) π
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
Read book online Β«Try and Trust; Or, Abner Holden's Bound Boy by Jr. Horatio Alger (best e books to read .TXT) πΒ». Author - Jr. Horatio Alger
βIt's pretty much so,β said the housekeeper, joining in the laugh.
They went up a narrow staircase and emerged into a dark garret, running the whole length of the house without a partition. The beams and rafters were visible, for the sloping sides were not plastered. Herbert felt that he might as well have been in the barn, except that there was a small cot bedstead in the center of the floor.
βIt isn't very pleasant,β said the housekeeper.
βNo,β said Herbert, βI don't think it is.β
βI declare, it's too bad you should have to sleep here. Mr. Holden isn't very considerate.β
βI guess I can stand it,β said our hero, βthough I should rather be downstairs.β
βI'll bring up the trap and set it before you go to bed,β said Mrs. Bickford.
βThe trap!β repeated Herbert, in surprise.
βYes, there's rats about, and I suppose you'd rather have a trap than a cat.β
βYes; the cat would be about as bad as the rats.β
At this moment Abner Holden's voice was heard at the bottom of the stairs, and Mrs. Bickford hurried down, followed by our hero.
βI thought you were going to stay up there all day,β said Mr. Holden. βWhat were you about up there?β
βThat is my business,β said Mrs. Bickford, shortly.
The housekeeper was independent in her feelings, and, knowing that she could readily obtain another situation, did not choose to be browbeaten by Mr. Holden. He was quite aware of her value, and the difficulty he would experience in supplying her place, and he put some constraint over himself in the effort not to be rude to her. With Herbert, however, it was different. HE was BOUND to him, and therefore in his power. Abner Holden exulted in this knowledge, and with the instinct of a petty tyrant determined to let Herbert realize his dependence.
βYou may go out and saw some wood,β he said. βYou'll find the saw in the woodshed.β
βWhat wood shall I saw?β
βThe wood in the woodpile, stupid.β
βVery well, sir,β said our hero, quietly.
Herbert thought Mr. Holden was losing no time in setting him to work. However, he had resolved to do his duty, unpleasant as it might be, as long as Abner Holden only exacted what was reasonable, and Herbert was aware that he had a right to require him to go to work at once. Mrs. Bickford, however, said a word in his favor.
βI've got wood enough to last till to-morrow, Mr. Holden,β she said.
βWell, what of it?β
βIt's likely the boy is tired.β
βWhat's he done to make him tired, I should like to know? Ridden thirty miles, and eaten a good dinner!β
βWhich I paid for myself,β said Herbert.
βWhat if you did?β said Abner Holden, turning to him. βI suppose you'll eat supper at my expense, and you'd better do something, first, to earn it.β
βThat I am willing to do.β
βThen go out to the woodpile without any more palavering.β
βMr. Holden,β said the housekeeper, seriously, after Herbert had gone out, βif you want to keep that boy, I think you had better be careful how you treat him.β
βWhy do you say that?β demanded Abner, eying her sharply. βHas he been saying anything to you about me?β
βNo.β
βThen why did you say that?β
βBecause I can see what kind of a boy he is.β
βWell, what kind of a boy is he?β asked Abner, with a sneer.
βHe is high-spirited, and will work faithfully if he's treated well, but he won't allow himself to be imposed upon.β
βHow do you know that?β
βI can read it in his face. I have had some experience with boys, and you may depend upon it that I am not mistaken.β
βHe had better do his duty,β blustered Abner, βif he knows what's best for himself.β
βHe will do his duty,β said the housekeeper, firmly, βbut there is a duty which you owe to him, as well as he to you.β
βDon't I always do my duty by boys, Mrs. Bickford?β
βNo, Mr. Holden, I don't think you do. You know very well you can never get a boy to stay with you.β
βThis boy is bound to me, Mrs. Bickfordβlegally bound.β
βThat may be; but if you don't treat him as he ought to be treated, he will run away, take my word for it.β
βIf he does, he'll be brought back, take my word for that, Mrs. Bickford. I shall treat him as I think he deserves, but as to petting and pampering the young rascal I shall do nothing of the kind.β
βI don't think you will,β said the housekeeper. βHowever, I've warned you.β
βYou seem to take a good deal of interest in the boy,β said Abner, sneeringly.
βYes, I do.β
βAfter half an hour's acquaintance.β
βI've known him long enough to see that he's better than the common run of boys, and I hope that he'll stay.β
βThere's no doubt about that,β said Abner Holden, significantly. βHe'll have to stay, whether he wants to or not.β
CHAPTER VIII THE GHOST IN THE ATTIC
After working two hours at the woodpile, Herbert was called in to tea. There was no great variety, Abner Holden not being a bountiful provider. But the bread was sweet and good, and the gingerbread fresh. Herbert's two hours of labor had given him a hearty appetite, and he made a good meal. Mrs. Bickford looked on approvingly. She was glad to see that our hero enjoyed his supper.
There was tea on the table, and, after pouring out a cup for Mr. Holden, the housekeeper was about to pour out one for Herbert.
βHe don't want any tea,β said Abner, noticing the action. βKeep the cup for yourself, Mrs. Bickford.β
βWhat do you mean, Mr. Holden?β asked the housekeeper, in surprise.
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