Sam's Chance, and How He Improved It

  CHAPTER XXIX.

  ARTHUR BROWN.

  At half-past five Sam and his companion reached the home of the latterin Brookline. It was a handsome mansion, with ample grounds, standingsome rods back from the street.

  "That's where I live, Sam," said the young student.

  "It's an elegant place," said Sam, admiringly "I hope your father'lltake me. I'd like to live here ever so much."

  "There's my brother the one I spoke to you about."

  Brown pointed out a boy considerably smaller than Sam, who washurrying to the gate as fast as his lameness would admit. His thin,pale face was lighted up with joy, as he espied his brother.

  "I am glad you have come, Charlie," he said. "It's so lonely hereduring the week."

  "And how are you feeling, Arthur?" asked his brother, laying his handcaressingly on the shoulder of the younger boy.

  "Oh, I'm all right; only lonely."

  "I've brought you some company--don't you see?"

  For the first time Arthur's attention was drawn to Sam.

  "I am glad to see you," he said, politely extending his hand. "Are youa friend of Charlie's?"

  "Yes, Arthur," the student replied, anticipating our hero. "This is myfriend, Sam Barker."

  "Are you in college, Mr. Barker?" asked Arthur.

  "Please call me Sam," said our hero. "I am only a boy, and I don'tbegin to know enough to be in college."

  "Nor I, either," said Arthur.

  "Come into the house," said the elder brother. "Has father got backfrom the city?"

  "No; he sent word that he should not be back till evening. We are totake supper without him. You are going to stop over Sunday, I hope,Charlie?"

  "Yes, till to-morrow evening. Sam will stay, too. Won't you take himup to the little room next to yours? He will want to wash beforesupper."

  Sam did not know that he needed to wash, but accepted this as a hint.

  "Won't it be too much trouble for you?" he asked, thinking of Arthur'slameness.

  "Oh, no," said the lame boy. "I can go upstairs almost as quick as ifI wasn't lame. Come this way, please."

  Sam followed him upstairs. He was shown to a small, but handsomelyfurnished chamber.

  "You'll find everything you need, I think," said Arthur. "That room,"pointing to one adjoining, "is mine; so we shall be near neighbors."

  "I am glad of that. If burglars get in in the night, I'll come to youfor protection."

  "I am afraid I couldn't do you much good. You are a great dealstronger than I."

  "Then I'll protect you."

  "Do you live in Boston, Sam?"

  "I only came to Boston a few days ago. I came from New York."

  "Did you live in the city?"

  "Yes. Were you ever there?"

  "I have passed through New York on my way to Saratoga. I went up theHudson River on a steamboat."

  "We call it the North River there."

  "We stopped at the Fifth Avenue Hotel."

  "That's a tiptop hotel. I've been in there often."

  "Are you going to live in Boston?"

  "If I can find anything to do. I am not rich like you."

  "No," said Arthur; "but you are something better."

  "What is better than being rich?" asked Sam, incredulously.

  "You are strong and healthy. You are not an invalid like me."

  "How long have you been lame, Arthur?" inquired Sam, who had naturallya kind heart, and was already beginning to feel an interest in his newfriend.

  "Ever since I was a very small boy."

  "Your brother is strong enough."

  "Yes, Charlie's got muscle," said Arthur, proudly. "He's one of thestrongest fellows in his class. He goes to gymnasium regularly. Youought to feel his arm. He's going to belong to the boat club nextyear."

  By this time Sam had finished his ablutions.

  "Come downstairs, and I'll show you the stable," said Arthur. "I guessthere'll be time before supper."

  "How many horses have you got?"

  "Three carriage horses. Father would buy me a pony, but he's afraid Imight fall, and not be able to help myself."

  "Do you go to school?"

  "No; my health is not good enough. The doctor says I must be out inthe open air a good deal, and must not overtax my brain. I suppose youhave been to school a good deal."

  "Well, no," said Sam; "I am afraid of overtaxing my brain, too."

  Arthur laughed. "I don't think, from your looks, that you need feelafraid," he said.

  "You've no idea how delicate I am," said Sam, humorously.

  "I should think you might be," said Arthur, merrily; "but you are verysuccessful in not showing it."

  "That's why I don't get any sympathy. What do you do all day long ifyou don't go to school?"

  "I study some, and recite to a tutor who comes out from Boston; but Ihave a good deal of time to myself. I've been very lonely since mymother died," he added, soberly.

  "How long ago was that?" Sam inquired, with sympathy.

  "A year ago. Her death was a great loss to me, as Charlie has beenaway from home so much, and father is all day in the city."

  "Are there no boys round here that you can play with?"

  "There are boys, but I can't join in their sports, on account of mylameness."

  "I wonder whether he will like the idea of my staying with him,"thought Sam. "We could have good times together."

  They went out to the stable, and looked about till the supper-bellrang. Everything was well arranged, and on a scale which indicatedthat Mr. Brown was a man of wealth.

  More and more Sam though he would like to live there.

  Entering the dining-room, where the supper was provided, they foundthe older brother already present.

  "Have you two boys got acquainted?" he asked.

  "Yes," said Arthur; "it didn't take us long. I've been showing Sam thestable."

  "How do you like what you have seen?" asked the sophomore.

  "Tiptop," said Sam.

  "Take a seat there, Sam; Arthur, you know your place. I must presidein father's absence."

  They talked together socially during the meal, Sam getting to feelbetter and better acquainted as time went on. After supper they tookanother walk, and then Arthur asked: "Do you play backgammon, Sam?"

  "I never learned."

  "Shall I show you?"

  "I wish you would."

  The backgammon board was brought out, and the two boys had a pleasantevening. As the older brother heard their lively laughter, and noticedhow Arthur seemed brightened up by Sam's companionship, he felt moreand more that it would be a good plan to keep him there. When hisfather reached home, a little before nine o'clock, he made theproposal to him.

  "I am convinced," he said, "that Arthur needs a young companion, of acheerful temperament, who will brighten him up, and keep him in goodspirits.

  "Do you know anything of this boy?" asked Mr. Brown, cautiously.

  "Not much, except that Arthur appears to fancy him. His education hasbeen neglected."

  "That would not matter. He could study regularly with Arthur, andrecite to his tutor."

  "That occurred to me."

  "Has he any bad habits?"

  "No confirmed bad habits. If it should prove so, he can bedismissed."

  "Would he like to come?"

  "Of that I am sure. Indeed it would be a great thing for him, as he ispoor, and has no friends to help him along."

  "Then he may stay a month on trial. You may speak to him about it."