Part 6 (1/2)

”You are right, mother,” he said, more hopefully. ”I was feeling low-spirited to-night, but I won't feel so any more. I don't see how we are to live, but I won't let it trouble me tonight.”

”Let us do our part, and leave the rest to G.o.d,” said Mrs. Carr. ”He won't support us in idleness, but I am sure that in some way relief will come if we are ready to help ourselves.”

”G.o.d helps them that help themselves,” repeated Herbert.

”Exactly so. To-morrow is Sunday, and we won't let any worldly anxieties spoil that day for us. When Monday comes, we will think over what is best to be done.”

The next day Herbert and his mother attended church in neat apparel, and those who saw their cheerful faces were not likely to guess the serious condition of their affairs. They were not in debt, to be sure, but, unless employment came soon, they were likely to be ere long, for they had barely enough money ahead to last them two weeks.

Monday morning came, and brought its burden of care.

”I wish there was a factory in Wayneboro,” said Herbert. ”I am told that boys of my age sometimes earn six or seven dollars a week.”

”I have heard so. Here there seems nothing, except working on a farm.”

”And the farmers expect boys to take their pay princ.i.p.ally in board.”

”That is a consideration, but, if possible, I hope we shall not be separated at meals.”

”I will try other things first,” said Herbert. ”How would you like some fish for dinner, mother? My time isn't of any particular value, and I might as well go fis.h.i.+ng.”

”Do so, Herbert. It will save our buying meat, which, indeed, we can hardly afford to do.”

Herbert felt that anything was better than idleness, so he took his pole from the shed, and, after digging a supply of bait, set out for the banks of the river half a mile away.

Through a gra.s.sy lane leading from the main street, he walked down to the river with the pole on his shoulder.

He was not destined to solitude, for under a tree whose branches hung over the river sat a young man, perhaps twenty-five years of age, with a book in his hand.

CHAPTER VI. HERBERT'S GOOD LUCK.

”Good-morning,” said the young man, pleasantly.

”Good-morning,” answered Herbert, politely.

He recognized the young man, though he had never seen him before, as a visitor from the city, who was boarding at the hotel, if the village tavern could be so designated. He seemed to be a studious young man, for he always had a book in his hand. He had a pleasant face, but was pale and slender, and was evidently in poor health.

”I see you are going to try your luck at fis.h.i.+ng,” said the young man.

”Yes, sir; I have nothing else to do, and that brings me here.”

”I, too, have nothing else to do; but I judge from your appearance that you have not the same reason for being idle.”

”What is that, sir?”

”Poor health.”

”No, sir; I have never been troubled in that way.”