"That's about the figure," said Ben cheerfully. "A hundred and fifty
dollars and board, or three hundred dollars, and I'll board with my
uncle."
"Is the boy crazy?" asked the deacon, in a bewildered tone.
"You'd have to pay a man as much as twenty dollars a month," pursued
Ben. "That's about a hundred dollars a year more."
"Benjamin," said the deacon solemnly, "do you want to ruin me?"
"No, sir, I hope not," answered our hero innocently.
"Then why do you ask such an unheard-of price?"
"I think I'm worth it," said Ben.
"Boys haven't much jedgment," said the deacon. "You'd better let me
talk over this matter with your Uncle Job."
"It won't be any use, Deacon Pitkin. Uncle Job won't interfere with
me."
"You can't get such wages anywhere. You'll have to work for less."
"Perhaps I can't get my price in Hampton," said Ben.
"Of course you can't. There ain't no one goin' to pay you men's
wages."
"Perhaps you are right, Deacon Pitkin. In that case, my mind is made
up."
"What will you do?" asked the deacon, showing some curiosity.
"I'll leave town."
"It's a resky thing, Benjamin. You ain't old enough to take care of
yourself.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25