Part 46 (1/2)
”I think I had better ask Ben to get me the place. We must not be too proud.”
”We have no right to be proud now. We shall have scarcely enough to support us in the humblest manner.”
”My wages will help. I shall get five dollars a week. That will be two hundred and sixty dollars a year.”
Even Mrs. Archer was surprised at the change in Sam.
”Do you think you will be willing to work?”
”Of course I shall; that is, if I can work in Boston. I don't want to stay here.”
”Nor I,” said Mrs. Archer.
”Suppose we both go to Boston, then.”
”I am afraid our income won't be sufficient.”
”For two or three years you can spend some of your princ.i.p.al, mother. By that time I shall be getting higher wages, and it may not be necessary.”
”I didn't expect that you would take it so, Sam.”
Ben received the following answer to his letter.
”Dear Ben: I thank you for your kind letter. I feel very much ashamed of the way I have treated you in the past. I didn't know what a good fellow you were. I am afraid I shouldn't have behaved as well in your place. As to your offer, I accept it thankfully. I shall be very glad to get the place you speak of.
Mother and I intend to move to Boston, as it is no longer agreeable to stay here. Do you know of any boarding-house where the prices are reasonable, for we cannot afford to pay high rates? If you do, please find out on what terms we can be accommodated, and let me know.”
Ben was pleased.
”Sam has improved,” he thought.
By the first of the month Sam and his mother were established in a boarding-house on Warren Avenue and Sam had entered upon his duties in Milk Street.
Chapter x.x.xI
Clouds in the Sky
Ben felt that he and his aunt were fortunately situated. From the time when his salary was raised he had laid aside two dollars a week, which he deposited in the savings-bank on School Street. His aunt, having no rent to pay, easily got along on her income from work and from the liberal board paid for little Emma.
”I am getting on,” thought Ben, complacently regarding his bank book, at the end of three months. ”I am worth twenty-six dollars already.”
Little Emma, his aunt's boarder, was a child of pleasant disposition, and had given little trouble to Mrs. Bradford. Her health, too, had been excellent, until all at once she became pale and thin. Mrs.
Bradford felt it her duty to report this to Mr. Manning, the child's guardian. By his direction, a skillful physician was consulted, who gave it as his opinion that the best thing for the child would be a sea voyage. This was communicated to Mr. Manning.
”Fortunately,” he responded, ”my sister starts in a fortnight for Europe. She will be absent six months. I have prevailed upon her to take charge of Emma.”
Mrs. Bradford was glad that the little girl would have a chance to recover her former health and bloom; but she felt her loss doubly, on account of her society, and on account of the loss of income which her absence would involve. It was not until after Emma had actually gone that she felt the full force of the last consideration. So the poor woman wrote a doleful letter to Ben, in which she predicted that Tony and herself must soon go to the poorhouse.
When this letter reached Ben his duty was set plainly before him.