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β€œDo you suppose a young man like me can get along without money?”

β€œYou ought to get along without money for the next two years, after the sums you've wasted in Boston. It will cripple me to pay your bills,” and the storekeeper groaned at the thought of the inroads the payment would make on his bank account.

β€œYou're poorer than I thought, if seventy-five dollars will cripple you,” said Eben, who knew his father's circumstances too well to be moved by this representation.

β€œI shall be in the poorhouse before many years if I undertake to pay all your bills, Eben.”

After all, this was not, perhaps, an exaggeration, for a spendthrift son can get through a great deal of money.

β€œI can't get along without money, father,” said Eben, decidedly. β€œHow can I buy cigars, let alone other things?”

β€œI don't want you to smoke cigars. You'll be a great deal better off without them,” said his father, sharply.

β€œI understand; it's necessary to my health,” said Eben, rather absurdly.

β€œYou won't smoke at my expense,” said Ebenezer, decidedly. β€œI don't smoke myself, and I never knew any good come of it.”

β€œAll the same, I must have some money. What will people say about a young man of my age not having a cent in his pocket? They think my father is very mean.”

β€œI'll allow you fifty cents a week,” said Mr. Graham, after a pause.

β€œThat won't do! You seem to think I am only six or seven years old!”

Finally, after considerable haggling, Mr. Graham agreed to pay his son a dollar and a half a week, in cash, besides board and clothes. He reflected that he should be obliged to board and clothe his son at any rate, and should save a dollar and a half from Herbert's wages.

β€œWell,” he said, β€œwhen will you be ready to go to work?”

β€œI must have a few days to loaf, father. I have been hard at work for a long time, and need some rest.”

β€œThen you can begin next Monday morning. I'll get Herbert to show you how to prepare the mail, so that you won't have any trouble about the post-office work.”

β€œBy the way, father, how do you happen to have the post office? I thought Mrs. Carr was to carry it on.”

β€œSo she did, for a time, but a woman ain't fit for a public position of that kind. So I applied for the position, and got it.”

β€œWhat's Mrs. Carr going to do?”

β€œShe's got her pension,” said Ebenezer, shortly.

β€œEight dollars a month, isn't it?”

β€œYes.”

β€œThat ain't much to support a family.”

β€œShe'll have to do something else, then, I suppose.”

β€œThere isn't much to do in Wayneboro.”

β€œThat isn't my lookout. She can take in sewing, or washing,” suggested Ebenezer, who did not trouble himself much about the care of his neighbors. β€œBesides there's Herbertβ€”he can earn something.”

β€œBut I'm to take his place.”

β€œOh well, I ain't under any obligations to provide them a livin'. I've got enough to take care of myself and my family.”

β€œYou'd better have let her keep the post office,” said Eben. He was not less selfish than his father, but then his own interests were not concerned. He would not have scrupled, in his father's case, to do precisely the same.

β€œIt's lucky I've got a little extra income,” said Ebenezer, bitterly; β€œnow I've got your bills to pay.”

β€œI suppose I shall have to accept your offer, father,” said Eben, β€œfor the present; but I hope you'll think better of my California plan after a while. Why, there's a fellow I know went out there last year, went up to the mines, and now he's worth five thousand dollars!”

β€œThen he must be a very different sort of a person from you,” retorted his father, sagaciously. β€œYou would never succeed there, if you can't in Boston.”

β€œI've never had a chance to try,” grumbled Eben.

There was sound sense in what his father said. Failure at home is very likely to be followed by failure away from home. There have been cases that seemed to disprove my assertion, but in such cases failure has only been changed into success by earnest work. I say to my young readers, therefore, never give up a certainty at home to tempt the chances of success in a distant State, unless you are prepared for disappointment.

When the engagement had been made with Eben, Mr. Graham called Herbert to his presence.

β€œHerbert,” said he, β€œI won't need you after Saturday night. My son is going into the store, and will do all I require. You can tell him how to prepare the mails, et cetery.”

β€œVery well, sir,” answered Herbert. It was not wholly a surprise, but it was a disappointment, for he did not know how he could make three dollars a week in any other way, unless he left Wayneboro.





CHAPTER V. EBEN'S SCHEME.

Saturday night came, and with it the end of Herbert's engagement in the post office.

He pocketed the three dollars which his employer grudgingly gave him, and set out on his way home.

β€œWait a minute, Herbert,” said Eben. β€œI'll walk with you.”

Herbert didn't care much for Eben's company but he was too polite to say so. He waited therefore, till Eben appeared with hat and cane.

β€œI'm sorry to cut you out of your place, Herbert,” said the young man.

β€œThank you,” answered Herbert.

β€œIt isn't my fault, for I don't want to go into the store,” proceeded Eben. β€œA fellow that's stood behind the counter in a city store is fit for something better, but it's the old man's fault.”

Herbert made no comment, and Eben proceeded:

β€œYes,” said he, β€œit's the old man's fault. He's awfully stingy, you know that yourself.”

Herbert did know it, but thought it would not be in good taste to say so.

β€œI suppose Wayneboro is rather dull for you after living in the city,” he remarked.

β€œI should say so. This village is a dull hole, and yet father expects me to

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