CHAPTER VI
ON THE WAY
By the time they had ridden twenty miles both Herbert and Mr. Holdenfelt hungry. The fresh air had produced a similar effect upon both. Theyapproached a broad, low building with a swinging sign and a long piazzain front, which it was easy to see was a country tavern.
"Do you feel hungry, boy?" inquired Abner Holden.
"Yes, sir," returned our hero.
"So do I. I think I shall get some dinner here. You can get some, too,if you like."
"Thank you, sir."
"Oh, there's no occasion to thank me," said Mr. Holden, dryly. "I shallpay for my dinner, and if you want any, you can pay for yours."
Herbert looked surprised. As he had entered Mr. Holden's employ, hesupposed of course that the latter would feel bound to provide for him,and it certainly seemed mean that he should be compelled to pay for hisown dinner. However, he was beginning to suspect that his new employerwas essentially a mean man.
"How much will it cost?" asked Herbert, at length.
"Thirty-seven cents," was the reply.
It must be remembered that this was in the day of low prices, when goldwas at par, and board could be obtained at first-class city hotels fortwo dollars and a half a day, and in country villages at that amount bythe week.
"Thirty-seven cents!" Herbert hardly liked to break in upon his scantyhoard, but the morning air had sharpened his appetite, and he felt thathe must have something to eat. Besides, he remembered one thing whichfortunately Mr. Holden did not know, that in addition to the fivedollars which Dr. Kent had given him he had the ten dollars sent himby his uncle, and not only that, but a little loose change which he hadearned.
"Well, are you going to get out?" asked Abner Holden. "It's nothing tome whether you take dinner or not."
"Yes, I guess I will."
"Very well," said Holden, who had a reason for being pleased with hisdecision.
Both went into the tavern. There were two or three loungers on a settle,who gazed at them curiously. One of them at once appeared to recognizeAbner Holden.
"How dy do, Holden?" he said. "Who've you got with you?"
"A boy I've taken," said Holden, shortly.
"A pretty smart-looking boy. Where'd you pick him up?"
"Over in Waverley. He's got some pretty high notions, but I guess I'lltake 'em out of him in time."
"Yes," chuckled the other; "I warrant you will."
While this conversation was going on Herbert had entered the tavern, buthe could not avoid hearing what was said, including Mr. Holden's reply.He was not frightened, but inwardly determined that he would do hisduty, and then if Mr. Holden saw fit to impose upon him, he would makewhat resistance he was able.
"I wonder what high notions he means," thought our hero. "If he expectsto make a slave of me, he will be mistaken, that's all."
"Sit down there, and I'll go and order dinner," said Mr. Holden,entering.
Just then, however, the landlord came in and greeted Abner Holden, whomhe appeared to know.
"I want dinner for two, Mr. Robinson," he said.
"For two! You haven't brought your wife along with you, Holden?" hesaid, jocosely.
"No, I haven't come across any such lady yet. I've got a boy here who isbound to me. And hark you, landlord," he added, in a lower voice,that Herbert might not hear, "he will pay you for his dinner out of afive-dollar bill which he has with him. YOU NEEDN'T GIVE BACK THE CHANGETO HIM, BUT TO ME."
"Yes, I understand," said the landlord, winking.
"I prefer to keep the money for him. He has refused to give it up andthis will give me a chance to get hold of it without any fuss."
"All right."
"If he kept it himself he'd spend it in some improper way."
"Just so. I'll attend to it."
Now our hero was gifted with pretty sharp ears, and he caught enough ofthis conversation to understand Mr. Holden's plot, which he straightwaydetermined should not succeed.
"You shan't take me in this time, Mr. Holden," he thought.
He opened his pocketbook to see if he had enough small change to payfor his dinner without intrenching upon his bill. There proved to be aquarter and two half-dimes, amounting, of course, to thirty-five cents.This would not be quite sufficient.
"I must change the bill somewhere," he said to himself.
Looking out of the tavern window, he saw the village store nearlyopposite. He took his cap and ran over. There was a clerk leaning withhis elbows upon the counter, appearing unoccupied.
It occurred to Herbert that he might want some paper and envelopes. Heinquired the price.
"We sell the paper at a penny a sheet, and the envelopes will cost youeight cents a package."
"Then you may give me twelve sheets of paper and a package ofenvelopes," said Herbert.
The package was done up for him and in payment he tendered the bill.
The clerk gave him back four dollars and eighty cents in change. Heput the money in his pocketbook, and the paper and envelopes in hisjacket-pocket, and returned to the tavern well pleased with his success.Mr. Holden was in the barroom, taking a glass of "bitters," and had notnoticed the absence of our hero.
Dinner was soon ready.
There was some beefsteak and coffee and a whole apple pie. Herbertsurveyed the viands with satisfaction, having a decidedly good appetite.He soon found, however, that hungry as he was, he stood a poor chancewith Abner Holden; that gentleman, being a very rapid eater, managed toappropriate two-thirds of the beefsteak and three-quarters of thepie. However, the supply being abundant, Herbert succeeded in makinga satisfactory repast, and did not grudge the amount which he knew heshould have to pay for it before leaving.
"Now," said Abner Holden, his eyes twinkling at the thought of ourhero's coming discomfiture, "we'll go and settle our bill."
"Very well," said Herbert, quietly.
They entered the public room and advanced to the bar.
"This boy wants to pay for his dinner, Mr. Robinson," said Abner,significantly.
"How much will it be?" asked Herbert.
"Thirty-seven cents."
Herbert took out of his vest pocket a quarter, a dime and two cents, andhanded them over.
To say that Abner Holden looked amazed is not sufficient. He lookeddisgusted and wronged, and glared at Herbert as if to inquire how hecould have the face to outrage his feelings in that way.
"Ho! ho!" laughed the landlord, who, having no interest in the matter,was amused at the course affairs had taken.
Herbert suppressed his desire to laugh, and looked as if he had noknowledge of Mr. Holden's plans.
"Where did you get that money?" growled Abner, with a scowl.
"Out of my vest pocket," said Herbert, innocently.
"I know that, of course, but I thought you had only a bill."
"Oh, I got that changed at the store."
"How dared you go over there without my permission?" roared Abner.
"I didn't think it necessary to ask your permission to go across thestreet."
"Well, you know it now. Don't you go there again without my knowledge."
"Very well, sir."
"Did you buy anything at the store?" continued Mr. Holden.
"Yes, sir."
"What was it?"
"Some paper and envelopes."
"Humph!" muttered Abner, discontentedly.
He proceeded to pay his own bill and in a few minutes got into the wagonand drove off rather sulkily. Herbert saw that Mr. Holden was disturbedby the failure of his little plan, and felt amused rather thanotherwise. But when he reflected that he was going to live with thisman, and be, to a considerable extent under his control, he feltinclined to be sad. One thing he resolved that he would not submit totyranny. The world was wide, and he felt able to earn his own living.He would give Mr. Holden a trial, and if he treated him with reasonablefairness he would remain with him. But he was not going to be any man'sslave.
Meanwhile they were getting o
ver the road, and a few more hours broughtthem to their journey's end.
Abner Holden's house stood in considerable need of paint. It had nogreat pretensions to architectural beauty, being about as handsome fora house as Abner Holden was for a man. There was a dilapidated barn, alittle to one side, and the yard was littered up with a broken wagon, awoodpile and various odds and ends, giving the whole a very untidy look.
"Is this where you live, Mr. Holden?" asked Herbert, looking about him.
"Yes, and I'm glad to get home. Do you know how to unharness a horse?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then jump out and unharness this horse. A man will come for itto-morrow."
Herbert did as directed. Then he took his little trunk from the wagon,and went with it to the back door and knocked.
Try and Trust; Or, Abner Holden's Bound Boy Page 6