Helping Himself; Or, Grant Thornton's Ambition by Jr. Horatio Alger (no david read aloud .txt) π
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
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After breakfast they set out again on their tramp. At sunset, having rested several hours in the middle of the day, they had accomplished twenty miles. Abner could have gone further, but Herbert was well tired out. They obtained permission from a friendly farmer to spend the night in his barn, and retired at half-past seven. Mr. Reynolds would have been shocked had he known that his little son was compelled to sleep on a pile of hay, but it may truthfully be said that Herbert had seldom slept as soundly or felt more refreshed.
βHow did you sleep, Abner?β he asked.
βLike a top. How was it with you, bub?β
βI didn't wake up all night,β answered the little boy.
βI wonder what dad and marm thought when they found us gone?β said Abner, with a grin.
βWon't they feel bad?β
βNot much,β said Abner. βThey ain't that kind. I reckon it won't spoil their appetite.β
When they descended from the haymow, the farmer was milking his cows.
βWell, youngsters,β he said, βso you're up and dressed?β
βYes, sir.β
βAnd ready for breakfast, I'll be bound.β
βI reckon I should feel better for eatin',β said Abner, promptly.
βJest you wait till I get through milkin', and we'll see what Mrs. Wiggins has got for us.β
Abner heard these words with joy, for he was always possessed of a good appetite.
βI say, bub, I'm glad I run away,β he remarked, aside, to Herbert. βWe live enough sight better than we did at home.β
Leaving the boys to pursue their journey, we will return to the bereaved parents, and inquire how they bore their loss.
When Mrs. Barton rose to commence the labors of the day, she found that no wood was on hand for the kitchen fire.
βAbner's gittin' lazier and lazier,β she soliloquized. βI'll soon have him up.β
She went to the foot of the stairs, and called βAbner!β in a voice by no means low or gentle.
There was no answer.
βThat boy would sleep if there was an earthquake,β she muttered. βCome down here and split some wood, you lazy boy!β she cried, still louder.
Again no answer.
βHe hears, fast enough, but he don't want to work. I'll soon have him down.β
She ascended the stairs, two steps at a time, and opened the door of her son's room.
If Abner had been in bed his mother would have pulled him out, for her arm was vigorous, but the bed was empty.
βWell, I vum!β she ejaculated, in surprise. βEf that boy isn't up already. That's a new wrinkle. And the little boy gone, too. What can it mean?β
It occurred to Mrs. Barton that Abner and Herbert might have got up early to go fishing, though she had never known him to make so early a start before.
βI reckon breakfast'll bring 'em round,β she said to herself. βI reckon I shall have to split the wood myself.β
In half an hour breakfast was ready. It was of a very simple character, for the family resources were limited. Mr. Barton came downstairs, and looked discontentedly at the repast provided.
βThis is a pretty mean breakfast, Mrs. B.,β he remarked. βWhere's your meat and taters?β
βThere's plenty of 'em in the market,β answered Mrs. Barton.
βThen, why didn't you buy some?β
βYou ought to know, Joel Barton. You give me the money, and I'll see that you have a good breakfast.β
βWhere's all the money that man Ford gave you?β
βWhere is it? It's eaten up, Mr. Barton, and you did your share. Ef you'd had your way, you'd have spent some of the money for drink.β
βWhy don't he send you some more, then?β
βEf you see him anywheres, you'd better ask him. It's your business to provide me with money; you can't expect one boy's board to support the whole family.β
βIt's strange where them boys are gone,β said Joel, desirous of changing the subject. βLike as not, they hid under the bed, and fooled you.β
βEf they did, I'll rout 'em out,β said Mrs. Barton, who thought the supposition not improbable.
Once more she ascended the stairs and made an irruption into the boy's chamber. She lifted the quilt, and peered under the bed. But there were no boys there. Looking about the room, however, she discovered something else. On the mantelpiece was a scrap of paper, which appeared to be so placed as to invite attention.
βWhat's that?β said Mrs. Barton to herself.
A moment later she was descending the staircase more rapidly than she had gone up just before.
βLook at that,β she exclaimed, holding out a scrap of paper to Joel Barton.
βI don't see nothin' but a bit of paper,β said her husband.
βDon't be a fool! Read what it is.β
βRead it aloud. I ain't got my specks.β
βThe boys have run away. Abner writ it. Listen to this.β
Rudely written on the paper, for Abner was by no means a skillful penman, were these words:
βBub and I have runned away. You needn't worry. I reckon we can get along. We're going to make our fortunes. When we're rich, we'll come back. ABNER.β
βWhat do you think of that, Joel Barton?β demanded his wife.
Joel shrugged his shoulders.
βI shan't worry much,β he said. βThey'll be back by to-morrer, likely.β
βThen you'll have to split some wood to-day, Joel. You can't expect a delicate woman like me to do such rough work.β
βYou're stronger'n I be,
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