Wait and Hope: or, A Plucky Boy's Luck

"Excuse me," said Sam. "I was thinking how green you would be at first in a city place. I will call and see you when I go to the city."

"I don't like to be impolite; but as you prevented my getting a place here, I don't look upon you as a friend, and I only care to receive calls from my friends."

"How proud we are just because we have got a place in Boston!" said Sam mockingly, and he laughed again.

"I thought he would be disappointed to hear of my success," thought

Ben. "He is rather a queer boy."

"Isn't it jolly?" said Sam to himself. "Won't he be mad when he finds it all a sell?"

Chapter XXIV

Ben Arrives in Boston

Ben set out for Boston on Monday morning in very good spirits. His aunt shed a few tears at parting. She was apt to take depressing views of the future, and said; "I hope you'll prosper, Ben," in a tone which implied that she did not think there was more than one chance in ten of his success. But Ben understood his aunt, and did not allow her presentiments to weigh with him. His motto was still, "Wait and Hope."

Ben found himself seated beside a young man of pleasant appearance, who was attracted by our hero's frank and manly look.

"I suppose you are going to Boston," he said.

"Yes," answered Ben readily.

"Have you got a place there?"

"I am going to have," said Ben cheerfully.

"Do you mind telling where?"

"Oh, no," said Ben; "I am going to the store of Jones & Porter."

"Indeed! There are very prominent business men."

"I suppose they are," said Ben.

"Do you know them personally?"

"I don't know them at all. I think some friend of mine must have mentioned me to them."

"It's rather singular that I shouldn't know anything about your engagement," said the young man.

"Why should you?" inquired Ben, in natural surprise.

"The fact is, I am Mr. Porter's nephew, and am a salesman in the establishment," said the young man. He drew from his pocket a business card, bearing the name.

HENRY W. PORTER

With Jones and Porter

Ben was rather disturbed, and he thought: "Can there be anything wrong?"

He said aloud: "I don't see how there can be any mistake. I received a letter from Jones & Porter last week, offering me the place."

Ben took the letter from his pocket and handed it to the young man.

The latter ran his eye over it hastily. He examined the signature and the address, and said quietly "I don't think this letter came from our store."

Ben felt as if the earth had opened before him.

"I don't understand it," he said, his face very red. "If the letter isn't genuine, who could have written it?"

"It seems written in a schoolboy hand," said young Porter. "Isn't it possible that some one may be playing a practical joke on you?"

"It wouldn't be much of a joke to me," said Ben.

"I should call it a mean trick myself," said Porter; "but can't you think of any one who may have written it?"

"I'll bet it's Sam Archer."

"And who is Sam Archer?"

"He is the meanest boy in Milltown," said Ben.

"Doesn't he like you? Isn't he one of your friends?"

"No, he does all he can to injure me. But" – here Ben examined the letter a second time – "this isn't his handwriting."

"That proves nothing. He probably sent it to some confederate in

Boston to copy and mail to you."

"Don't you think there is any chance of its being genuine?" asked Ben.

"The chance is very slight; but it is well, of course, to make sure. I have been away to pass Sunday, and shall go to the store at once on my arrival. You can go with me. I will introduce you to my uncle."

"If it is a trick," said Ben uncomfortably, "I shall be in an awkward fix."

"Whether it is a trick or not, you can count on my friendship," said young Porter kindly.

"Thank you," said Ben gratefully.

About an hour later Ben and his new friend entered the large and handsome bookstore of Jones & Porter.

Young Porter, as he walked through the store, received the greetings of his fellow clerks.

"Have you adopted a boy?" asked one facetiously.

"Yes," said Porter, smiling. "Where is my uncle?"