The Tin Box, and What it Contained

Angrily Mrs. Ross left the store, a second time mortified at her want ofsuccess.

"I am sorry, Mr. Mead, that you are likely to lose trade on my account," said Harry, with sincere regret.

Mr. Mead smiled.

"If Mrs. Ross leaves me she will have to go five miles for hergroceries," he said quietly. "We shall have them back again beforelong."

CHAPTER IV

HARRY LOSES HIS PLACE, AFTER ALL

Mrs. Ross carried out her threat, and transferred her trade to a groceryin the neighboring village, but not without considerable inconvenience.

Her pride compelled her to the course, notwithstanding the extra troubleshe incurred, and this, also, she laid up against Harry. Her husband wasopposed to any change, not being so spiteful as his wife, but allowedher to have her way.

Meanwhile Mr. Mead, though he regretted to lose a good customer, did notshow any signs of financial weakness, and there seemed to be no prospectof his failing.

Had he done so Mrs. Ross would have been overjoyed, for she was veryangry at all who upheld "that low Gilbert boy," as she designated him.

It is said that all things come to him who waits, and circumstances wereshaping themselves in a very gratifying way to Mrs. Ross and her schemesof revenge.

One day as Harry was driving the store wagon which bore the name of hisemployer he was hailed, about a mile from the store, by a boy about hisown age, who carried in his hand a carpetbag, and appeared to be makinga journey on foot.

"Hello!" said the traveler.

"Hello!" returned Harry.

"Are you working for my uncle?" asked the stranger.

"I can tell you better when I find out who your uncle is. If you are thenephew of General Grant, or the czar of Russia, I am not working forhim."

"I see you like to joke," said the stranger. "My uncle is Mr. Mead, thestorekeeper."

"That is the name of the man I work for."

"Then I guess you had better give me a lift, for I am going to myuncle's."

"All right! Glad to have your company."

"What's your name?" asked the stranger.

"Harry Gilbert. What's yours?"

"Howard Randall."

"Where do you live?"

"I used to live at Upton, but my father is dead, and mother – she's Mrs. Mead's sister – told me I'd better come to see if Uncle Reuben wouldn'tgive me a place in his store."

Instantly it flashed upon Harry that this new boy's arrival was likelyto endanger his prospects. Mr. Mead, as he knew, had no occasion for theservices of two boys, and he would naturally give his nephew thepreference. He was not unjust enough to take a dislike to Howard inconsequence. Indeed, the new boy had a pleasant face and manner, whichled him to think he would like him for a friend.

"If I do lose my place," thought Harry, "I will put my trust in God. Idon't think He will see me or mother suffer, and I won't borrow troubleuntil it comes."

"Were you ever employed in a store?" he asked, pleasantly.

"No; that is, not regularly. I have been in our grocery store at homefor a few days at a time, when the storekeeper's son was sick."

"You look as if you were about my age."

"I am sixteen. My birthday came last month."

"Then you are a little older. I am not sixteen yet."

"You look stronger than I. I should think you were older."

Harry felt flattered. All boys like to be considered strong and largefor their age, and our hero was no exception to the general rule in thisrespect.

"I don't know about that," he answered. "I guess we are a pretty goodmatch. How far off is Upton?"

"Fifty miles."

"You haven't walked all the way, have you?" inquired Harry, insurprise.

"Every step," said Howard, proudly. "You see, money isn't very plentywith us, and I told mother I didn't mind walking. I got a lift for a fewmiles the first day, so I haven't walked quite all the way."

"You and I seem to be situated pretty much the same way," said Harry. "Ihave no father, and we have hard work to get along."

"You seem like a tiptop fellow. I think I shall like you."

"The same to you," said Harry, smiling. "I am glad you are coming to

Greenville to live."

Harry was sincere enough in his words, so far as his impressions aboutthe boy went, but when he reflected that through him he was likely tolose his place he felt a little troubled.

"Look here!" said Howard, suddenly; "will you lose your place if uncletakes me into his store?"

"I don't think he will need two boys," replied Harry, soberly.

"Then I'd better see if I can't find a place somewhere else. I don'twant to take away your place, if you are poor and need the money unclepays you."

"I do need it, but I guess something else will turn up for me. You are

Mr. Mead's nephew, and ought to have it."

"I hope we shall be friends, at any rate," said Howard, warmly.

"I am sure we shall, Howard," returned Harry, cordially, who feltattracted toward his new friend, in spite of the misfortune which hisarrival would bring to him personally.