The summer passed quickly, and the time arrived for Robert Leavitt to go to the city. By this time Harry was well qualified to take his place. It had not been difficult, for he had only been required to peg, and that is learned in a short time. Harry, however, proved to be a quick workman, quicker, if anything, than Robert, though the latter had been accustomed to the work for several years. Mr. Leavitt was well satisfied with his new apprentice, and quite content to pay him the three dollars a week agreed upon. In fact, it diminished the amount of cash he was called upon to pay.
"Good-by, Harry," said Robert, as he saw the coach coming up the road, to take him to the railroad station.
"Good-by, and good luck!" said Harry.
"When you come to the city, come and see me."
"I don't think I shall be going very soon. I can't afford it."
"You must save up your wages, and you'll have enough soon."
"I've got another use for my wages, Bob."
"To buy cigars?"
Harry shook his head. "I shall save it up to carry home."
"Well, you must try to make my place good in the shop."
"He can do that," said Mr. Leavitt, slyly; "but there's one place where he can't equal you."
"Where is that?"
"At the dinner table."
"You've got me there, father," said Bob, good-naturedly. "Well, good-by all, here's the stage."
In a minute more he was gone. Harry felt rather lonely, for he had grown used to working beside him. But his spirits rose as he reflected that the time had now come when he should be in receipt of an income. Three dollars a week made him feel rich in anticipation. He looked forward already with satisfaction to the time when he might go home with money enough to pay off his father's debt to Squire Green. But he was not permitted to carry out his economical purpose without a struggle.
On Saturday evening, after he had received his week's pay, Luke Harrison, who worked in a shop near by, met him at the post office.
"Come along, Harry," he said. "Let us play a game of billiards."
"You must excuse me," said Harry.
"Oh, come along," said Luke, taking him by the arm; "it's only twenty-five cents."
"I can't afford it,"
"Can't afford it! Now that's nonsense. You just changed a two-dollar note for those postage stamps."
"I know that; but I must save that money for another purpose."
"What's the use of being stingy, Harry? Try one game."
"You can get somebody else to play with you, Luke."
"Oh, hang it, if you care so much for a quarter, I'll pay for the game myself. Only come and play."
Harry shook his head.
"I don't want to amuse myself at your expense."
"You are a miser," said Luke, angrily.
"You can call me so, if you like," said Harry, firmly; "but that won't make it so."
"I don't see how you can call yourself anything else, if you are so afraid to spend your money."
"I have good reasons."
"What are they?"
"I told you once that I had another use for the money."
"To hoard away in an old stocking," said Luke, sneering.
"You may say so, if you like," said Harry, turning away.
He knew he was right, but it was disagreeable to be called a miser. He was too proud to justify himself to Luke, who spent all his money foolishly, though earning considerably larger wages than he.
There was one thing that Harry had not yet been able to do to any great extent, though it was something he had at heart. He had not forgotten his motto, "Live and Learn," and now that he was in a fair way to make a living, he felt that he had made no advance in learning during the few weeks since he arrived in Glenville.
The day previous he had heard, for the first time, that there was a public library in another part of the town, which was open evenings. Though it was two miles distant, and he had been at work all day, he determined to walk up there and get a book. He felt that he was very ignorant, and that his advance in the world depended upon his improving all opportunities that might present themselves for extending his limited knowl............
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