Part 34 (1/2)
”I congratulate you, old fellow,” said James Watson to Ben. ”You've done splendidly.”
”Thank you, James.”
”So do I, and I,” exclaimed one and another.
Ben received all these congratulations modestly.
”Go and congratulate Sam, boys,” he said.
”A good scholar, but a mean boy,” said James. ”However, here goes.”
”I congratulate you on your prize, Sam,” he said offering his hand.
Sam did not appear to see the hand.
”A second prize isn't worth having,” he said discontentedly. ”Of course it was all I had a chance for. Bradford is the teacher's favorite.”
”Do you mean to say Ben don't deserve the first prize?”
”He was sure to get it, anyhow.”
”That's mean in you to speak so, Sam.”
”It's what I think, at any rate.”
”Well, Sam,” said his father, as he entered his presence, ”how is it?”
”Just as I expected, father. Old Taylor gave the first prize to his favorite, Ben Bradford.”
”After all the attention I have paid that man, it is positively outrageous to defraud you of your rights.”
”You won't have his salary increased now, will you, father?”
”I'll do what I can to have the man discharged.”
”There's a favor I want to ask of you, father.”
”What is it, my son?”
”I hear that Ben Bradford is going to seek employment in the mill, now that school is over; I hope you'll refuse to take him on.”
”I will. His prize will cost him dear.”
”Would you have given him employment if I had beaten him for the prize?”
”Yes; business has revived, and we have decided to take on some extra hands, giving preference to those who have formerly been in our employ.”
”Then I will be revenged, at any rate,” said Sam.