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Read book online ยซTry and Trust; Or, Abner Holden's Bound Boy by Jr. Horatio Alger (best e books to read .TXT) ๐Ÿ“•ยป.   Author   -   Jr. Horatio Alger



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handkerchief dipped into a crystal stream at the roadside, Abner Holden succeeded in effacing some of the muddy stains upon his coat and pantaloons, and at length got himself into presentable trim for calling upon a โ€œselectman.โ€

At length he came in sight of the house which had been described to him as that of Captain Ross. There was a woman at the well-sweep engaged in drawing water.

โ€œDoes Captain Ross live here?โ€ he inquired.

โ€œYes, sir.โ€

โ€œIs he at home?โ€

โ€œHe's over in the three-acre lot. Was you wantin' to see him?โ€

โ€œI should like to. Is the field far away?โ€

โ€œNo, it's just behind the house.โ€

โ€œThen I guess I'll go and find him. I want to see him on a little matter of business.โ€

Mr. Holden crossed a mowing-field, and then, climbing over a stone wall, found himself at the edge of the three-acre lot. The captain was superintending one or two hired men, and, as he had his coat off, had probably been assisting them.

โ€œCaptain Ross?โ€ said Abner Holden, interrogatively.

โ€œThat's my name.โ€

โ€œYou are chairman of the selectmen, I believe?โ€

โ€œYes, sir.โ€

โ€œI understand that you have a boy that you want to bind out.โ€

โ€œI reckon you mean Herbert Mason.โ€

โ€œYes, I believe that's the name I heard.โ€

โ€œAre you in want of a boy?โ€

โ€œYes, I am looking out for one.โ€

โ€œWhat is your business?โ€

โ€œI keep a store, but I should want him to work on land part of the time.โ€

โ€œDo you live hereabouts?โ€

โ€œOver at Cranston.โ€

โ€œIf you'll come to the house, we'll talk the matter over. The boy's a good boy, and we want to get a good place for him. His mother was a widder, and he's her only son. He's a smart, capable lad, and good to work.โ€

โ€œI've no doubt he'll suit me. I'll take him on your recommendation.โ€

โ€œWe should want him to go to school winters. He's a pretty good scholar already. His father was a larned man, and used to teach him before he died. If he had lived, I reckon Herbert would certainly have gone to college.โ€

โ€œI'll agree to send him to school in the winter for the next two years,โ€ said Holden, โ€œand will give him board and clothes, and when he's twenty-one a freedom suit, and a hundred dollars. Will that do?โ€

โ€œI don't know but that's reasonable,โ€ said Captain Ross, slowly. โ€œThe boy's a bit high-spirited, but if you manage him right, I guess you'll like him.โ€

โ€œI'll manage him!โ€ thought Abner Holden. โ€œCan I take him with me to-morrow?โ€ he asked. โ€œI don't come this way very often.โ€

โ€œWell, I guess that can be arranged. We'll go over to Dr. Kent's after dinner, and see if they can get him ready.โ€

โ€œIn the meantime,โ€ said Holden, afraid that the prize might slip through his fingers, โ€œsuppose we make out the papers. I suppose you have full authority in the matter.โ€

Captain Ross had no objection, and thus poor Herbert was unconsciously delivered over to the tender mercies of a man who had very little love for him.





CHAPTER IV A DISAGREEABLE SURPRISE

After his collision with the traveler, Herbert hurried on to the mill, intent upon making up for lost time. He was satisfied with having successfully maintained his rights; and, as he had no reason to suppose he should ever again see his unreasonable opponent, dismissed him from his thoughts.

On reaching the mill, he found he should have to remain an hour or two before he could have his grain ground. He was not sorry for this, as it would give him an opportunity to walk around the village.

โ€œI wish,โ€ he thought, โ€œI could get a place in one of the stores here. There's more going on than there is in Waverley, and I could go over Sundays to see Dr. Kent's family.โ€

On the spur of the moment, he resolved to inquire if some of the storekeepers did not require help. There was a large dry-goods storeโ€”the largest in the villageโ€”kept by Beckford & Keyes. He entered and inquired for the senior partner.

โ€œMr. Beckford is not in,โ€ said the clerk. โ€œMr. Keyes is standing at that desk.โ€

Herbert went up to the desk, and said inquiringly, โ€œMr. Keyes?โ€

โ€œThat is my name,โ€ said that gentleman, pleasantly. โ€œIs there anything I can do for you?โ€

โ€œI am in search of a place,โ€ said our hero, โ€œand I thought you might have a vacancy here.โ€

โ€œWe have none just at present,โ€ said Mr. Keyes, who was favorably impressed by Herbert's appearance; โ€œbut it is possible we may have in a few weeks. Where do you live? Not in the village, I suppose?โ€

โ€œNo, sir,โ€ said Herbert, and a shadow passed over his face, โ€œMy mother died three weeks since, and I am now stopping at the house of Dr. Kent.โ€

โ€œDr. Kentโ€”ah, yes, I know the doctor. He is an excellent man.โ€

โ€œHe is,โ€ said Herbert, warmly. โ€œHe has been very kind to me.โ€

โ€œWhat is your name?โ€

โ€œHerbert Mason.โ€

โ€œThen, Herbert, I will promise to bear you in mind. I will note down your name and address, and as soon as we have a vacancy I will write to you. Come into the store whenever you come this way.โ€

โ€œThank you,โ€ said Herbert.

He left the store feeling quite encouraged. Even if the chance never amounted to anything, the kind words and manner of the storekeeper gave him courage to hope that he would meet with equal kindness from others. Kind words cost nothing, but they have a marvelous power in lightening the burdens of the sorrowful and cheering the desponding.

Herbert left the store, feeling that he should consider himself truly fortunate if he could obtain a place in such an establishment. But there was a rough experience before him, of which at present he guessed nothing.

After sauntering about the village a little longer, and buying a stick of candy for

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