Part 26 (1/2)
”Thank you, Edward.”
”Wait here a moment till I speak with one of the partners.”
The clerk left him, and was absent but a moment, when Harry was summoned to the private room of Mr. Wake. The gentleman questioned him for a few moments, and seemed to be pleased with his address and his frankness. The result of the interview was that our hero was engaged at a salary of three dollars a week, though it was objected to him that he had no parents residing in the city.
”I thought I could fix it,” said Edward, complacently, as they left the counting room.
”I am much obliged to you, Edward,” replied Harry, willing to humor his new friend. ”Now I want to get a place to board.”
”That is easy enough.”
”Where do you board?”
”In Green Street.”
”How much do you pay a week?”
”Two dollars and a half.”
”I can't pay that.”
”Well, I suppose you can't.”
”I was thinking of something just now. Suppose we should both board with your mother.”
”Me?”
”Yes.”
”What, in a ten-footer!” exclaimed Edward, starting back with astonishment and indignation at the proposal.
”Why not? If it is good enough for your mother, isn't it good enough for you?”
”Humph! I'll bet it won't suit me.”
”We can fix up a room to suit ourselves, you know. And it will be much cheaper for both of us.”
”That, indeed; but the idea of boarding with the old man is not to be thought of.”
”I should think you would like to be with your mother and your brothers and sisters.”
”Not particular about it.”
”Better think of it, Edward.”
The clerk promised to think about it, but did not consider it very probable that he should agree to the proposition.
Harry returned to the stable, and immediately notified Major Phillips of his intention to leave his service. As may be supposed, the stable keeper was sorry to lose him; but he did not wish to stand in the way of his advancement. He paid him his wages, adding a gift of five dollars, and kindly permitted him to leave at once, as he desired to procure a place to board, and to acquaint himself with the localities of the city, so that he could discharge his duty the more acceptably to his new employers.
The ostlers, too, were sorry to part with him--particularly Joe Flint, whose admiration of our hero was unbounded. In their rough and honest hearts they wished him well. They had often made fun of his good principles; often laughed at him for refusing to pitch cents in the back yard on Sunday, and for going to church instead; often ridiculed him under the name of ”Little Pious”; still they had a great respect for him. They who are ”persecuted for righteousness' sake”--who are made fun of because they strive to do right--are always sure of victory in the end. They may be often tried, but sooner or later they shall triumph.