Do and Dare — a Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune Page 6

  "Good-morning," said the young man, pleasantly.

  "Good-morning," answered Herbert, politely.

  He recognized the young man, though he had never seen him before, asa visitor from the city, who was boarding at the hotel, if the villagetavern could be so designated. He seemed to be a studious young man, forhe always had a book in his hand. He had a pleasant face, but was paleand slender, and was evidently in poor health.

  "I see you are going to try your luck at fishing," said the young man.

  "Yes, sir; I have nothing else to do, and that brings me here."

  "I, too, have nothing else to do; but I judge from your appearance thatyou have not the same reason for being idle."

  "What is that, sir?"

  "Poor health."

  "No, sir; I have never been troubled in that way."

  "You are fortunate. Health is a blessing not to be overestimated. It isbetter than money."

  "I suppose it is, sir; but at present I think I should value a littlemoney."

  "Are you in want of it?" asked the young man, earnestly.

  "Yes, sir; I have just lost my place in the post office."

  "I think I have seen you in the post office."

  "Yes, sir; my mother had charge of the office till two weeks since,when it was transferred to Mr. Graham. He employed me to attend to theduties, and serve the customers in the store, till Saturday night, whenI was succeeded by his son, who had just returned from the city."

  "Your mother is a widow, is she not?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "I know where you live; I have had it pointed out to me. Your fatherserved in the war, did he not?"

  "Yes, sir; and the injuries he received hastened his death."

  The young man looked thoughtful. Then he said: "How much did Mr. Grahampay you for your services?"

  "Three dollars a week."

  "That was not--excuse the question--all you and your mother had todepend upon, was it?"

  "Not quite; mother receives a pension of eight dollars per month."

  "Five dollars a week altogether--that is very little."

  "It is only two dollars now, sir."

  "True; but you have health and strength, and those will bring money.In one respect you are more fortunate than I. You have a mother--I haveneither father nor mother."

  "I'm sorry for you, sir."

  "Thank you; anyone is to be pitied who has lost his parents. Now, as Ihave asked about your affairs, it is only fair that I should tell youabout myself. To begin with, I am rich. Don't look envious, for thereis something to counterbalance. I am of feeble constitution, and thedoctors say that my lungs are affected. I have studied law, but thestate of my health has obliged me to give up, for the present at least,the practice of my profession."

  "But if you are rich you do not need to practice," said Herbert, who maybe excused for still thinking his companion's lot a happy one.

  "No, I do not need to practice my profession, so far as the earning ofmoney is concerned; but I want something to occupy my mind. The doctorssay I ought to take considerable out-door exercise; but I suppose myphysical condition makes me indolent, for my chief exercise has been,thus far, to wander to the banks of the river and read under the trees."

  "That isn't very severe exercise," said Herbert, smiling.

  "No; still it keeps me out in the open air, and that is something. Nowtell me, what are your plans?"

  "My hope is to find something to do that will enable me to help mother;but there doesn't seem much chance of finding anything in Wayneboro. Doyou think I could get a place in the city?"

  "You might; but even if you did, you would find it difficult to earnyour own living, and there would be no chance of your helping yourmother."

  Herbert, though naturally sanguine and hopeful, looked sober. Justthen he had a bite, and drew out a good-sized pickerel. This gave a newdirection to his thoughts, and he exclaimed, triumphantly:

  "Look at this pickerel! He must weigh over two pounds."

  "All of that," said the young man, rising and examining the fish withinterest. "Let me use your pole, and see what luck I have."

  "Certainly."

  The young man, some ten minutes later, succeeded in catching a smallerpickerel, perhaps half the size of Herbert's.

  "That will do for me," he said, "though it doesn't come up to yourcatch."

  For two hours Herbert and his friend alternately used the pole, and theresult was quite a handsome lot of fish.

  "You have more fish than you want," said the young man. "You had betterbring what you don't want to the hotel. I heard the landlord say hewould like to buy some."

  "That would suit me," said Herbert. "If he wants fish, I want money."

  "Come along with me, then. Really, I don't know when I have passed aforenoon so pleasantly. Usually I get tired of my own company, and theday seems long to me. I believe I see my way clear to a better way ofspending my time. You say you want a place. How would you like me for anemployer?"

  "I am sure I should like you, but you are not in any business."

  "No," said the young man, smiling; "or, rather, my business is thepursuit of health and pleasure just now. In that I think you can helpme."

  "I shall be very glad to, if I can, Mr.---"

  "My name is George Melville. Let me explain my idea to you. I want yourcompany to relieve my solitude. In your company I shall have enterpriseenough to go hunting and fishing, and follow out in good faith mydoctor's directions. What do you say?"

  Herbert smiled.

  "I would like that better than being in the post office," he said. "Itwould seem like being paid for having a good time."

  "How much would you consider your services worth?" asked Mr. Melville.

  "I am content to leave that to you," said Herbert.

  "Suppose we say six dollars a week, then?"

  "Six dollars a week!" exclaimed Herbert, amazed.

  "Isn't that enough?" asked Melville, smiling.

  "It is more than I can earn. Mr. Graham thought he was over-paying mewith three dollars a week."

  "You will find me a different man from Mr. Graham, Herbert. I am awarethat six dollars is larger pay than is generally given to boys of yourage. But I can afford to pay it, and I have no doubt you will find themoney useful."

  "It will quite set us on our feet again, Mr. Melville," said Herbert,earnestly. "You are very generous."

  "Oh, you don't know what a hard taskmaster you may find me," said theyoung man, playfully. "By the way, I consider that you have alreadyentered upon your duties. To-day is the first day. Now come to the hotelwith me, and see what you can get for the fish. I happen to know thattwo of the guests, a lady and her daughter, are anxious for a good fishdinner and, as there is no market here, I think the landlord will beglad to buy from you."

  Mr. Melville was right. Mr. Barton, the landlord, purchased the fishthat Herbert had to sell, for sixty cents, which he promptly paid.

  "Don't that pay you for your morning's work?" asked Melville.

  "I don't know but the money ought to go to you, Mr. Melville," saidHerbert, "as I am now in your employ. Besides, you caught a part ofthem."

  "I waive all claim to compensation," said the young man, "though itwould be a novel sensation to receive money for services rendered. Whatwill you say, Herbert, when I tell you that I never earned a dollar inmy life?"

  Herbert looked incredulous.

  "It is really true," said George Melville, "my life has been passed atschool and college, and I have never had occasion to work for money."

  "You are in luck, then."

  "I don't know that; I think those who work for the money they receiveare happy. Tell me, now, don't you feel more satisfaction in the sixtycents you have just been paid because you have earned it?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "I thought so. The happiest men are those who are usefully employed.Don't forget that, and never sigh for the opportunity to lead an idlelife. But I suppose your dinner is ready. You may go home, and come backat three o'clock."

  "Very well, sir."

  Herbert made good time going home. He was eager to tell his mother thegood news of his engagement.

  CHAPTER VII. EBEN GROWS ENVIOUS.