CHAPTER XXV.
AN INVITATION TO BOSTON.
Harry was doubly glad that he was now in receipt of a moderatesalary. He welcomed it as an evidence that he was rising in theestimation of his employer, which was of itself satisfactory, andalso because in his circumstances the money was likely to be useful.
"Five dollars a week!" said Harry to himself. "Half of that ought tobe enough to pay for my clothes and miscellaneous expenses, and therest I will give to father. It will help him take care of the restof the family."
Our hero at once made this proposal by letter. This is a paragraphfrom his father's letter in reply:--
"I am glad, my dear son, to find you so considerate and dutiful, asyour offer indicates. I have indeed had a hard time in supporting myfamily, and have not always been able to give them the comforts Idesired. Perhaps it is my own fault in part. I am afraid I have notthe faculty of getting along and making money that many others have.But I have had an unexpected stroke of good fortune. Last evening aletter reached your mother, stating that her cousin Nancy hadrecently died at St. Albans, Vermont, and that, in accordance withher will, your mother is to receive a legacy of four thousanddollars. With your mother's consent, one-fourth of this is to bedevoted to the purchase of the ten acres adjoining my little farm,and the balance will be so invested as to yield us an annual incomeof one hundred and eighty dollars. Many would think this a smalladdition to an income, but it will enable us to live much morecomfortably. You remember the ten-acre lot to the east of us,belonging to the heirs of Reuben Todd. It is excellent land, welladapted for cultivation, and will fully double the value of my farm.
"You see, therefore, my dear son, that a new era of prosperity hasopened for us. I am now relieved from the care and anxiety which foryears have oppressed me, and feel sure of a comfortable support.Instead of accepting the half of your salary, I desire you, ifpossible, to save it, depositing in some reliable savingsinstitution. If you do this every year till you are twenty-one, youwill have a little capital to start you in business, and will be ableto lead a more prosperous career than your father. Knowing you aswell as I do, I do not feel it necessary to caution you againstunnecessary expenditures. I will only remind you that extravaganceis comparative, and that what would be only reasonable expenditurefor one richer than yourself would be imprudent in you."
Harry read this letter with great joy. He was warmly attached to thelittle home circle, and the thought that they were comparativelyprovided for gave him fresh courage. He decided to adopt hisfather's suggestion, and the very next week deposited three dollarsin the savings bank.
"That is to begin an account," he thought. "If I can only keep thatup, I shall feel quite rich at the end of a year."
Several weeks rolled by, and Thanksgiving approached.
Harry was toiling at his case one day, when Oscar Vincent entered theoffice.
"Hard at work, I see, Harry," he said.
"Yes," said Harry; "I can't afford to be idle."
"I want you to be idle for three days," said Oscar.
Harry looked up in surprise.
"How is that?" he asked.
"You know we have a vacation from Wednesday to Monday at the Academy."
"Over Thanksgiving?"
"Yes."
"Well, I am going home to spend that time, and I want you to go withme."
"What, to Boston?" asked Harry, startled, for to him, inexperiencedas he was, that seemed a very long journey.
"Yes. Father and mother gave me permission to invite you. Shall Ishow you the letter?"
"I'll take it for granted, Oscar, but I am afraid I can't go."
"Nonsense! What's to prevent?"
"In the first place, Mr. Anderson can't spare me."
"Ask him."
"What's that?" asked the editor, hearing his name mentioned.
"I have invited Harry to spend the Thanksgiving vacation with me inBoston, and he is afraid you can't spare him?"
"Does your father sanction your invitation?"
"Yes, he wrote me this morning--that is, I got the letter thismorning--telling me to ask Harry to come."
Now the country editor had a great respect for the city editor, whowas indeed known by reputation throughout New England as a man ofinfluence and ability, and he felt disposed to accede to any requestof his.
So he said pleasantly, "Of course, Harry, we shall miss you, but ifMr. Ferguson is disposed to do a little additional work, we will getalong till Monday. What do you say, Mr. Ferguson?"
"I shall be very glad to oblige Harry," said the older workman, "andI hope he will have a good time."
"That settles the question, Harry," said Oscar, joyfully. "So allyou've got to do is to pack up and be ready to start to-morrowmorning. It's Tuesday, you know, already."
Harry hesitated, and Oscar observed it.
"Well, what's the matter now?" he said; "out with it."
"I'll tell you, Oscar," said Harry, coloring a little. "Your fatheris a rich man, and lives handsomely. I haven't any clothes goodenough to wear on a visit to your house."
"Oh, hang your clothes!" said Oscar, impetuously. "It isn't yourclothes we invite. It's yourself."
"Still, Oscar--"
"Come, I see you think I am like Fitz Fletcher, after all. Say youthink me a snob, and done with it."
"But I don't," said Harry, smiling.
"Then don't make any more ridiculous objections. Don't you thinkthey are ridiculous, Mr. Ferguson?"
"They wouldn't be in some places," said Ferguson, "but here I thinkthey are out of place. I feel sure you are right, and that you valueHarry more than the clothes he wears."
"Well, Harry, do you surrender at discretion?" said Oscar. "You seeFerguson is on my side."
"I suppose I shall have to," said Harry, "as long as you are notashamed of me."
"None of that, Harry."
"I'll go."
"The first sensible words you've spoken this morning."
"I want to tell you how much I appreciate your kindness, Oscar," saidHarry, earnestly.
"Why shouldn't I be kind to my friend?"
"Even if he was once a printer's devil."
"Very true. It is a great objection, but still I will overlook it.By the way, there is one inducement I didn't mention."
"What is that?"
"We may very likely see Fitz in the city. He is studying at homenow, I hear. Who knows but he may get up a great party in yourhonor?"
"Do you think it likely?" asked Harry, smiling.
"It might not happen to occur to him, I admit. Still, if we made hima ceremonious call--"
"I am afraid he might send word that he was not at home."
"That would be a loss to him, no doubt. However, we will leave timeto settle that question. Be sure to be on hand in time for themorning train."
"All right, Oscar."
Harry had all the love of new scenes natural to a boy of sixteen. Hehad heard so much of Boston that he felt a strong curiosity to seeit. Besides, was not that the city where the "Weekly Standard" wasprinted, the paper in which he had already appeared as an author? Inconnection with this, I must here divulge a secret of Harry's. Hewas ambitious not only to contribute to the literary papers, but tobe paid for his contributions. He judged that essays were not verymarketable, and he had therefore in his leisure moments written ahumorous sketch, entitled "The Tin Pedler's Daughter." I shall notgive any idea of the plot here; I will only say that it was reallyhumorous, and did not betray as much of the novice as might have beenexpected. Harry had copied it out in his best hand, and resolved tocarry it to Boston, and offer it in person to the editor of the"Standard" with an effort, if accepted, to obtain compensation for it.