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Abner. Mr. Joel Barton is a drunkard. He gets drunk whenever he has money to buy whisky. Mrs. Barton is a hard-working woman, and she does about all the work that is done. Mr. Ford paid her some money in advance. She is a tall woman, and her voice sounds like a man's. She does not ill treat me, but I wish I were at home. Abner is a big, rough boy, a good deal older and larger than I am, but he is kind to me and he wants to come to New York. He says he will run away and take me with him, if we can get enough money to pay our fares. I don't think we could walk it so far. Abner might, for he is a good deal stronger than I am, but I know I should get very tired.

β€œNow, dear papa, if you will send me money enough to pay for railroad tickets, Abner and I will start just as soon as we get it. I don't know as he ought to run away from home, but he says his father and mother don't care for him, and I don't believe they do. His father doesn't care for anything but whisky, and his mother is scolding him all the time. I don't think she would do that if she cared much for him, do you?

β€œI have filled the paper, and must stop. Be sure to send the money to your loving son,

β€œHERBERT REYNOLDS.”

β€œHow easy you write!” said Abner, in wonder, as he saw Herbert's letter growing long before his eyes. β€œIt would take me a week to write as long a letter as that, and then I couldn't do it.”

β€œI can't write so easy generally,” said the little boy, β€œbut, you see, I have a good deal to write about.”

β€œThen there's another thing,” said Abner. β€œI shouldn't know how to spell so many words. You must be an awful good scholar.”

β€œI always liked to study,” said Herbert. β€œDon't you like to read and study?”

β€œNo; I'd rather play ball or go fishin', wouldn't you?”

β€œI like to play part of the time, but I wouldn't like to grow up ignorant.”

β€œI expect I'll always be a know-nothin', but I reckon I know as much as dad. The old man's awful ignorant. He don't care for nothin' but whisky.”

β€œAnd I hope you won't be like him in that, Abner.”

β€œNo, I won't. I wouldn't like to have the boys flingin' stones at me, as they did at dad once when he was tight. I licked a couple of 'em.”

Mrs. Estabrook read Herbert's letter with intense interest. She saw that the little boy's testimony would seriously incriminate Willis Ford, if he were recovered, as he would be if this letter came into his father's hands.

β€œThere's only one thing to do,” the housekeeper reflected, closing her thin lips tightly.

She lit the gas jet in her chamber, and, without a trace of compunction, held the letter in the flame until it was thoroughly consumed.





CHAPTER XXXII β€” HOPE DEFERRED

Day after day Herbert and Abner went to the post office and inquired for letters, but alas! none came. Poor Herbert was in despair. He thought his father would have instantly sent the money, or come out himself to take him home. Was it possible his father had forgotten him, or was indifferent to his absence? He could not believe it, but what was he to think?

β€œI reckon your father didn't get the letter,” suggested Abner.

Herbert hailed this suggestion with relief.

β€œOr, maybe, marm has told the postmaster to give her any letters that come.”

This suggestion, too, seemed not improbable.

β€œWhat can we do?” asked Herbert, helplessly. β€œI reckon we'd better run away.”

β€œWithout money?”

β€œWe'll hire out to somebody for a week or two and write from where we are.”

β€œI'm afraid I couldn't do much work,” said the little boy.

β€œThen I'll work for both,” said Abner, stoutly. β€œI've got tired of stayin' at home, anyway.”

β€œI'll do whatever you say,” said Herbert, feeling that any change would be for the better.

β€œI'll tell you when I'm ready,” said Abner. β€œWe'll start some time when marm's gone to the village.”

There was another reason for Herbert's being dissatisfied with his new home. A month had passedβ€”the full time for which Willis Ford had paid the boy's boardβ€”and there were no indications that any more was to be paid. During the the first week the fare had been tolerable, though Mrs. Barton was not a skillful cook; but now there was no money left, and the family fell back upon what their limited resources could supply. Mush and milk now constituted their principal diet. It is well enough occasionally, but, when furnished at every meal, both Herbert and Abner became tired of it.

β€œHaven't you got anything else for dinner, marm?” asked Abner, discontentedly.

β€œNo, I haven't,” answered the mother, snappishly.

β€œYou used to have sassiges and bacon.”

β€œThat was when I had money to buy 'em.”

β€œWhere's all that money gone the man left with him?” indicating Herbert.

β€œIt's spent, and I wish Willis Ford would send along some more mighty quick. He needn't expect me to take a free boarder.”

She looked severely at Herbert, as if he were in fault. Certainly the poor boy had no desire to live on the liberality of Mrs. Barton.

β€œMaybe he's sent you some money in a letter,” suggested Abner.

β€œWell, I never thought of that. It's a bright idee, ef it did come from you, Abner Barton. Jest go up to the postoffice after dinner, and ask if there's any letter for me. Ef there is, mind you, don't open it.”

β€œAll right, marm.”

β€œCome along, bub,” said Abner.

This was the name he gave to Herbert, whom he liked in his own rough way.

β€œI don't think,” said Herbert, as they walked along, β€œthat your mother can have got any letter written by my father. If she had, she would not be out of money.”

β€œI reckon you're right. Do you think that Ford feller will send money for your board?”

β€œI think he will, if he can, for he wants to keep me here; but I don't think he has much money with him.”

β€œAll the worse for marm.”

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