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Updated: June 16, 2025
"If Tom Tripp was with me, I might work him into the business," said Ebenezer, thoughtfully, "but he's bound out to a farmer." An inspiration came to Herbert. He knew that his mother would be glad to earn something, and there was little else to do in Wayneboro. "I think," he said, "you might make an arrangement with my mother, to make up and sort the mail, for a time, at least."
"I am glad it doesn't cost so much to live in Wayneboro," said Herbert. "We couldn't afford even one meal a day." "You haven't asked me what the doctor said," remarked Melville, as they left the dining room. "Excuse me, Mr. Melville. It wasn't from any lack of interest." "He advises me to go West by the first of October, either to Colorado or Southern California." Herbert's countenance fell.
"You don't show much of it," thought Melville, but he refrained from saying so. "So you have come home to assist your father," he said, politely. "Well, no, not exactly," answered Eben, "I feel that a country store isn't my sphere." "Then you propose to go back to the city?" "Probably I shall do so eventually, but I may stay here in Wayneboro a while if I can make satisfactory arrangements.
In your journey through the world you will make many agreeable and trustworthy acquaintances in whom it will be safe to confide. It is only necessary to be cautious and not give your confidence too soon." "Oh, I didn't mention that I met somebody from Wayneboro," said Herbert. "Was it Eben Graham?" "Yes." "I met him myself on Washington Street. Did you speak to him?" "Yes, sir."
"I wish there was a factory in Wayneboro," said Herbert. "I am told that boys of my age sometimes earn six or seven dollars a week." "I have heard so. Here there seems nothing, except working on a farm." "And the farmers expect boys to take their pay principally in board." "That is a consideration, but, if possible, I hope we shall not be separated at meals."
"If he had been in distress, I might have let him have a few dollars, notwithstanding he treated me so meanly at Wayneboro, but he seems to be earning a living." "I presume he doesn't enjoy the business he is in?" "No; he complains that he has lowered himself by accepting such a place." "It doesn't occur to him that he lowered himself when he stole money from his father, I suppose."
A week slipped by, and a circular containing the list of prizes drawn was sent to Eben. He ran his eyes over it in a flutter of excitement. Alas! for his hopes. In the list of lucky numbers the number on his ticket was not included. "I have drawn a blank! Curse the luck!" he muttered, savagely. "The old man needn't think I am going to stay here in Wayneboro.
He had at least a partial understanding of Eben's mean nature and utter selfishness, and felt that he wished to have nothing to do with him. Ebenezer Graham was very "close," but he was a hard-working man and honest as the world goes. He was tolerably respected in Wayneboro, though not popular, but Eben seemed on the high road to become a rascal.
The ticket arrived two days later; Eben took care to slip the envelope into his pocket without letting his father or anyone else see it, for unpleasant questions might have been asked as to where he got the money that paid for it, Mr. Graham knowing very well that his son had not five dollars by him. For a few days Eben must remain in Wayneboro, until the lottery was drawn.
His plan to throw suspicion upon Herbert had utterly failed, and the cold looks with which he had been greeted showed what the villagers thought of his attempt. "I won't stay in Wayneboro much longer," Eben inwardly resolved. "It's the dullest hole in creation. I can get along somehow in a large place, but here there's positively nothing. Hire out on a farm, indeed!
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