Try and Trust; Or, Abner Holden's Bound Boy by Jr. Horatio Alger (best e books to read .TXT) 📕

claim relationship as soon as he discovered his name. While he would be compelled to admit it, he determined to treat Herbert with such a degree of coolness that he would take the hint, and keep his distance.

When he arrived at the counting-room, Herbert was already there, and Mr. Pratt also.

“Good-morning,” said Herbert.

“Morning,” muttered Tom.

“This is Thomas Stanton, your fellow-clerk,” said Mr. Pratt, the bookkeeper. “I believe you have not been introduced.”

“Now for it,” thought Tom.

But rather to his surprise, Herbert made no demonstration, but merely bowed slightly.

“What does it mean?” thought Tom, a little perplexed. “Is it possible that he is not my cousin, after all?”

“I think you came from Ohio?” inquired Tom, impelled by his curiosity to ask the question.

“Yes,” said Herbert.

“Why didn't you stay there? Couldn't you make a living there?” asked Tom, not over-politely.

“Probably I might,” said Herbert, quietly.

“Then I think you should have stayed there.”

“Which do you like best, the city or the country?” asked our hero.

“The city.”

“So do I.”

“But there's a difference. I have always lived in the city.”

“I suppose boys often do come from the country to the city,” said Herbert. “Was your father born in the city?”

“No,” said Tom, glancing keenly at Herbert, to see if he meant anything by the question.

“Then it seems he must have preferred the city to the country.”

Tom had his share of curiosity. He knew that it would be better not to pursue this subject further if he wished his cousin to remain ignorant of the relationship between them. Still, he was anxious to know what Herbert's actual knowledge was, and whether he would be likely to avail himself of it. He was therefore tempted to say, “I suppose you have no relations in the city?”

“What makes you think I haven't?” asked Herbert, looking at Tom rather peculiarly.

“I don't think anything about it. I only asked,” said Tom, a little confused.

“Yes, I have an uncle in the city,” said Herbert, quietly.

“Oh, indeed,” said Tom.

He said nothing more, for he felt that he might betray his knowledge of the relationship unintentionally. Herbert's manner left him as much in the dark as ever.

Mr. Pratt set Herbert to work on some writing, and Tom, also, was soon busy. After a while Mr. Godfrey came in.

“Good-morning, Herbert,” he said, pleasantly, offering his hand. “So Mr. Pratt has set you to work, has he?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I think we shall find enough for him to do, eh, Mr. Pratt?”

“Yes, sir, I think so,” said the bookkeeper, who perceived that Herbert was in favor, and it was as well to fall in with his employer.

“That's well. How do you like your boarding place, Herbert?”

“It isn't a very nice one, sir, but it is as good a one as I have a right to expect for the money I pay.”

“Come round and dine with us to-night,” said the merchant. “Mrs. Godfrey will be glad to see you. I'll give you my street and number.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Herbert. “I shall be glad to accept your kind invitation.”

Tom listened to this invitation with envy. Mr. Godfrey occupied a high social position. Moreover, he had a pretty daughter, whom he, Tom, had met at dancing school, and he would have been very glad to receive the invitation which had been extended to “that beggar, Herbert,” as he mentally styled him.