by Alfred Elwes
CHAPTER III.
ARCHIE DETERMINES TO GO TO THE CITY TO WORK--LEAVING HOME AT NIGHT.
ARCHIE DUNN was not more ambitious than many other boys of his age,but he possessed one quality which is not developed in every boy,determination. Once Archie decided upon doing a thing, once he had madeup his mind that it was truly a good thing to do, nothing could keep himfrom putting his plans into action, and making an effort, at least, toaccomplish his ends. Most boys of seventeen have not decided what theywant to become when they are men, and, until his visit to the city,Archie was equally at sea concerning his future. He knew, of course,that he wanted to be rich and famous, but when he tried to think upsome suitable profession which would bring him these possessions, he wasnever able to decide.
The two days in the city with Uncle Henry had opened to his boyishmind a new world, and when he returned to the humble home surrounded bygardens, he felt that he would never be satisfied to live and work inthis small town. There was now no question in his mind but what the citywas the place for any one who wished to become either rich or famous. Itwould certainly be impossible for him to make a name for himself in thisvillage, while in the city he would have every opportunity for improvinghimself, and advancing himself in every way. He wondered, indeed, thathe had never thought of going to New York before, and was disgusted withhimself when he thought of the time he had wasted here at home.
But there was no use in thinking of the past. The thing to do now was toget to the city as quickly as possible, for to Archie every day seemedprecious, and each delay kept him further from the consummation ofhis hopes. It never occurred to the boy that his mother might haveobjections to his leaving home. She had always been very ambitious forhis future, and he supposed that she would be delighted at the ideaof having her boy in the great city, where he would have innumerablechances for improving himself. So when they sat on the front porch,one evening, and he told her of his plan, he was surprised to hear hismother pleading with him to remain at home. "Archie," she said, "I amalmost sure you will come to some bad end in the city. You really mustnot go, for my sake, if for no other reason."
"But, mother, I can't remain here in town always. I must go out intothe world some time to earn a living and make a place for myself, and Ithink the sooner I go the better, don't you?"
"Yes, Archie, but you're so young, and you've had no experience. Youhave no idea of the things there are in great cities to drag young mendown. I don't think I could stand it to have you so far away from homeand in such danger."
"Well, mother," said Archie, "there isn't much use in arguing about it.I have reached a point where I don't think I can be any longer satisfiedat home. I have been here seventeen years, and I think I can remain herethat much longer without improving myself. In the city I am sure I canmake rapid progress, and in a year or two you can come there and livewith me."
Archie got up from the porch and went down the street, while poor Mrs.Dunn ran over next door to see her neighbour, Mrs. Sullivan. When shehad entered the disorderly kitchen, and seated herself on one of thehome-made chairs, the anxious mother burst into tears. "I don't knowwhat to think of Archie, Mrs. Sullivan," she said. "He is determined,now, to go to New York, and I know that if he goes I will never be ableto see him again. I am nigh distracted with worrying over it. I havetalked with him, but he seems determined, and I know I can never holdout against his entreaties and arguments."
"Sure, now, Mrs. Dunn," said the Widow Sullivan, "don't yez be aworryin' about 'im at all. That Archie is a smart boy, he is, and if hegoes to New York he'll come out all right, never fear, I only wish myDannie had as much get-up about him as your boy."
"Yes, yes, Archie is very ambitious for his age," said Mrs. Dunn, "butI sometimes wish he were less so. I know I could keep him at home longerif he wasn't so anxious to be at work. I don't believe I can let him go,Mrs. Sullivan, not yet. I want him to stay in school another year, andthen I'll think about it."
"Well, ye're wise, Mrs. Dunn, ye're a wise woman," said the WidowSullivan. "Since yer husband died ye've been a good mother to the lad,and have brought 'im up well. And now, how is yer chickens, Mrs. Dunn?Have ye got that cochin hen a 'settin'' yit?"
And the two women began to discuss their various fowls, and theconversation was so interesting that Mrs. Dunn remained late, and foundArchie in bed when she went home. "Ah, well, poor boy, I'll have to tellhim of my decision in the morning. He'll be terribly disappointed, and Ihate to do it I'm afraid it's selfishness that makes me want to keephim with me. I almost wish he would take things into his own hands, andstart for the city himself. I would be rid then of the responsibilityof sending him, and the question would be settled for me. Boys sometimesknow best how to settle their own difficulties, anyhow."
Mrs. Dunn kneaded the bread before retiring, for to-morrow was Saturday,and, therefore, baking-day, and then she went into her little roomoff the kitchen, and prayed earnestly for her boy before sleeping.She prayed that she might be helped in advising him, and that he mightalways do what was best for himself and for his mother.
The next day was Saturday, and in the morning the Hut Club met, asusual, and prepared to have an open-air dinner for this day. Thefurnace, which had been knocked down during the week by the East Siders,was rebuilt, and the skillet and other utensils were brought from thenearest kitchens. Archie went to the grocery around the corner andbought five cents' worth of cakes, and then the six boys sat down ina circle and prepared to devour their home-made feast. But before theybegan Archie stood up. "I want to say that this will probably be myfarewell dinner with the club," he said, in a low tone, "and I hope thatyou will appoint another president in my place."
The boys were horror-struck, but Archie refused to explain where andwhen he was going. Finally, they refused to appoint another president,all agreeing that Archie should hold that office for ever, wherever hewas. And the meal was eaten in silence, for the announcement had throwna sort of chill over the proceedings. When they had finished, Archiesilently shook hands with each of the boys, who were dumb withamazement, gathered up his skillet and coffee-pot, and went home throughthe gate to the chicken-lot.
"I wonder what he's goin' to do," they all said, as in one breath, andas there was seldom much fun in the club when Archie was absent, theyall went home in a few minutes, or down-town to watch the farmers, whowere in town to do their weekly buying.
When Archie reached home he went up-stairs to his little room, and beganto lay out a few things which he wanted to take with him, for he haddetermined to start for New York this very night. Then he tied thethings up in a small bundle, and sat down to write a note to his mother.When he had finished it, he pinned it up at the head of his cot, andthis is what it said:
"MY DARLING MOTHER:--Please don't worry about me, I'm bound to come through all right, and if anything happens to me, I promise that I will write to you immediately and let you know. I have the ten dollars which I have saved, and if I don't get work at once I will write to you for some more. Now, I am not doing this thing for the sake of adventure, but because I am sure it is the best thing for me, and I don't want you to worry at all. I shall write to you often and let you know just what I'm doing, so don't worry, but be a brave mother. I'm not going off this way as a sneak, but because I want to avoid a 'scene.'
"Your loving
"ARCHIE."
And at three o'clock the next morning Archie Dunn got out of bed,shouldered his bundle, and started off for the great city, which seemedto be drawing him like a magnet.