Chapter XIII. An Invitation Declined

by Horatio Alger

　　The summer passed quickly, and the time arrived for Robert Leavittto go to the city. By this time Harry was well qualified to takehis place. It had not been difficult, for he had only been requiredto peg, and that is learned in a short time. Harry, however, provedto be a quick workman, quicker, if anything, than Robert, thoughthe latter had been accustomed to the work for several years.Mr. Leavitt was well satisfied with his new apprentice, and quitecontent to pay him the three dollars a week agreed upon. In fact,it diminished the amount of cash he was called upon to pay."Good-by, Harry," said Robert, as he saw the coach coming up theroad, to take him to the railroad station."Good-by, and good luck!" said Harry."When you come to the city, come and see me.""I don't think I shall be going very soon. I can't afford it.""You must save up your wages, and you'll have enough soon.""I've got another use for my wages, Bob.""To buy cigars?""Harry shook his head. "I shall save it up to carry home.""Well, you must try to make my place good in the shop.""He can do that," said Mr. Leavitt, slyly;" but there's one placewhere he can't equal you.""Where is that?""At the dinner table.""You've got me there, father," said Bob, good-naturedly." Well,good-by all, here's the stage."In a minute more he was gone. Harry felt rather lonely, for hehad grown used to working beside him. But his spirits rose as hereflected that the time had now come when he should be in receiptof an income. Three dollars a week made him feel rich in anticipation.He looked forward already with satisfaction to the time when hemight go home with money enough to pay off his father's debt toSquire Green. But he was not permitted to carry out his economicalpurpose without a struggle.On Saturday evening, after he had received his week's pay, LukeHarrison, who worked in a shop near by, met him at the post office."Come along, Harry," he said. "Let us play a game of billiards.""You must excuse me," said Harry."Oh, come along," said Luke, taking him by the arm; "it's onlytwenty-five cents,""I can't afford it,""Can't afford it! Now that's nonsense. You just changed a two-dollarnote for those postage stamps.""I know that; but I must save that money for another purpose.""What's the use of being stingy, Harry? Try one game.""You can get somebody else to play with you, Luke.""Oh, hang it, if you care so much for a quarter, I'll pay for thegame myself. Only come and play."Harry shook his head."I don't want to amuse myself at your expense.""You are a miser," said Luke, angrily."You can call me so, if you like," said Harry, firmly; "but thatwon't make it so.""I don't see how you can call yourself anything else, if you areso afraid to spend your money.""I have good reasons.""What are they?""I told you once that I had another use for the money.""To hoard away in an old stocking," said Luke, sneering."You may say so, if you like," said Harry, turning away.He knew he was right, but it was disagreeable to be called amiser. He was too proud to justify himself to Luke, who spent allhis money foolishly, though earning considerably larger wages thanhe.There was one thing that Harry had not yet been able to do to anygreat extent, though it was something he had at heart. He had notforgotten his motto, "Live and Learn," and now that he was in afair way to make a living, he felt that he had made no advance inlearning during the few weeks since he arrived in Glenville.The day previous he had heard, for the first time, that therewas a public library in another part of the town, which was openevenings. Though it was two miles distant, and he had been at workall day, he determined to walk up there and get a book. He felt thathe was very ignorant, and that his advance in the world dependedupon his improving all opportunities that might present themselvesfor extending his limited knowledge. This was evidently one.After his unsatisfactory interview with Luke, he set out for theupper village, as it was called. Forty minutes' walk brought himto the building in which the library was kept. An elderly man hadcharge of it--a Mr. Parmenter."Can I take out a book?" asked Harry."Do you live in town?""Yes, sir.""I don't remember seeing you before. You don't live in this village,do you?""No, sir. I live in the lower village.""What is your name?""Harry Walton.""I don't remember any Walton family.""My father lives in Granton. I am working for Mr. James Leavitt.""I have no doubt this is quite correct, but I shall have to haveMr. Leavitt's certificate to that effect, before I can put yourname down, and trust you with books.""Then can't I take any book to-night?" asked Harry, disappointed."I am afraid not."So it seemed his two-mile walk was for nothing. He must retracehis steps and come again Monday night.He was turning away disappointed when Dr. Townley, of the lowervillage, who lived near Mr. Leavitt, entered the library."My wife wants a book in exchange for this, Mr. Parmenter," hesaid. "Have you got anything new in? Ah, Harry Walton, how cameyou here? Do you take books out of the library?""That's is what I came up for, but the librarian says I must bringa line from Mr. Leavitt, telling who I am.""If Dr. Townley knows you, that is sufficient," said the librarian."He is all right, Mr. Parmenter. He is a young neighbor of mine.""That is enough. He can select a book."Harry was quite relieved at this fortunate meeting, and after alittle reflection selected the first volume of "Rollin's UniversalHistory," a book better known to our fathers than the presentgeneration."That's a good, solid book, Harry," said the doctor."Most of our young people select stories.""I like stories very much," said Harry; "but I have only a littletime to read, and I must try to learn something.""You are a sensible boy," said the doctor, emphatically."I'm afraid there are few of our young people who take such wise viewsof what is best for them. Most care only for present enjoyment.""I have got my own way to make," said Harry, "and I suppose thatis what influences me. My father is poor and cannot help me, andI want to rise in the world.""You are going the right way to work. Do you intend to take outbooks often from the library?""Yes, sir.""It will be a long walk from the lower village.""I would walk farther rather than do without the books.""I can save you at any rate from walking back. My chaise is outside,and, if you will jump in, I will carry you home.""Thank you, doctor. I shall be very glad to ride."On the way, Dr. Townley said: "I have a few miscellaneous book inmy medical library, which I will lend to you with pleasure, if youwill come in. It may save you an occasional walk to the library."Harry thanked him, and not long afterwards availed himself of theconsiderate proposal. Dr Townley was liberally educated, and as faras his professional engagements would permit kept up with generalliterature. He gave Harry some valuable directions as to the bookswhich it would benefit him to read, and more than once took him upon the road to the library.Once a week regularly Harry wrote home. He knew that his letterswould give pleasure to the family, and he never allowed anythingto interfere with his duty.His father wrote: "We are getting on about as usual. The cow doestolerably well, but is not as good as the one I lost. I have notyet succeeded in laying up anything toward paying for her. Somehow,whenever I have a few dollars laid aside Tom wants shoes, or yoursister wants a dress, or some other expense swallows it up."Harry wrote in reply: "Don't trouble yourself, father, about yourdebt to Squire Green. If I have steady work, and keep my health,I shall have enough to pay it by the time it comes due."