Part 3 (2/2)
”Never mind that, Harry; don't cry.”
”I can't help it; you have been so good to me, that I hate to leave you,” blubbered Harry.
”I am sorry you must leave us; we shall miss you about the place, and I wish it was so that you could stay. But what makes it ten times worse is the idea of your going to Jacob Wire's.”
”Mr. Nason,” said Harry, das.h.i.+ng down his tears, and looking earnestly at the keeper, ”I have made up my mind that I won't go to Wire's anyhow.”
”I don't blame you; but I don't see how you can fight the squire. He carries too many guns for you, or for me, either, for that matter. I have been thinking of something, Harry, though I suppose, if I should speak it out loud, it would be as much as my place here is worth.”
”I have been thinking of something, too,” continued Harry, with a good deal of emphasis.
”What?”
”I can't tell even you.”
Mr. Nason, sympathizing deeply with his young friend, did not attempt to obtain any knowledge whose possession might be inconvenient to him.
He was disposed to help the boy escape the fate in store for him; but at the same time, having a family to support, he did not wish to lose his situation, though, if the emergency had demanded it, he would probably have been willing to make even this sacrifice.
”I was thinking, Harry, how astonished the squire would be, when he comes over in the morning to take you to Jacob Wire's, if he should not happen to find you here.”
”I dare say he would,” answered Harry, with a meaning smile.
”By the way, have you heard from Charles Smith lately? You know he went to Boston last spring, and they say he has got a place, and is doing first rate there.”
The keeper smiled as he spoke, and Harry understood him as well as though he had spoken out the real thought that was in his mind.
”I suppose others might do as he has done.”
”No doubt of it.”
Mr. Nason took from his pocket the large shot bag purse, in which he kept his change, and picked out four quarters.
”Here, Harry, take these; when you get over to Wire's, money will keep you from starving. It will almost anywhere, for that matter.”
”How good you are!” exclaimed Harry, as he took the four quarters.
”You have been a father to me, and one of these days I shall be able to pay you this money back again.”
”Don't trouble yourself about that. Keep it; and I wish I had a hundred times as much to give you.”
”I shall never forget you, Mr. Nason. I shall be a man one of these days, and we shall meet again.”
The supper bell rang, and they separated. Harry felt the spirit of a man stirring within him. He felt that the world had cast him off, and refused him a home, even in the poorhouse. He was determined to push his way through life like a hero, and he nerved himself to meet whatever hards.h.i.+ps and trials might be apportioned to him.
After supper he went to his room, gathered up the few articles of clothing which const.i.tuted his wardrobe, and tying them up in a bundle, concealed them in a hollow stump back of the barn.
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