"To-morrow, Herbert," said George Melville, as they parted for the day,"I shall propose a new excursion to you."
Herbert regarded him inquiringly.
"I want to go to Boston to make a few purchases, but principally toconsult my physician."
"I hope you are not feeling any worse, Mr. Melville," said Herbert, withgenuine concern, for he had come to feel a regard for his employer, whowas always kind and considerate to him.
"No, I am feeling as well as usual; but I wish to consult Dr. Daviesabout the coming winter--whether he would advise me to spend it inMassachusetts."
"If Mr. Melville goes away, I shall have to look for another place,"thought Herbert, soberly. It was hardly likely, he knew, that he wouldobtain a position so desirable as the one he now filled.
"I hope he will be able to do so, Mr. Melville," he said, earnestly.
"I hope so; but I shall not be surprised if the doctor ordered me away."
"Then you won't want me to come to-morrow?"
"Certainly, unless you object to going to Boston with me."
"Object?" repeated Herbert, eagerly. "I should like nothing better."
In fact, our hero, though a well-grown boy of sixteen, had never been toBoston but three times, and the trip, commonplace as it may seem tomy traveled young readers, promised him a large amount of novelty andpleasurable excitement.
"I shall be glad of your company, Herbert. I hardly feel the strengthor enterprise to travel alone, even for so trifling a trip as going toBoston."
"At what hour will you go, Mr. Melville?"
"I will take the second train, at nine o'clock. It will afford me timeenough, and save my getting up before my usual time."
Herbert would have preferred going by the first train, starting athalf-past seven, as it would have given him a longer day in the city,but of course he felt that his employer had decided wisely.
"It will be quite a treat to me, going to Boston," he said. "I have onlybeen there three times in my life."
"You certainly have not been much of a traveler, Herbert," said GeorgeMelville, smiling. "However, you are young, and you may see a good dealof the world yet before you die."
"I hope I will. It must be delightful to travel."
"Yes, when you are young and strong," said Melville, thoughtfully. "Thatmakes a great deal of difference in the enjoyment."
Herbert did not fail to put in an appearance at the hotel considerablybefore it was time to leave for the train. George Melville smiled at hispunctuality.
"I wish, Herbert," he said, "that I could look forward with as muchpleasure as you feel to our trip to-day."
"I wish so, too, Mr. Melville."
"At any rate, I shall enjoy it better for having a companion."
The tickets were bought, and they took their places in one of thepassenger cars.
Just as the train was ready to start, Herbert saw a young man with aticket in his hand hurrying along the platform.
"Why, there's Eben Graham!" he said, in surprise.
"Is he entering the cars?"
"Yes, he has just got into the car behind us."
"I wonder if he is going to leave Wayneboro for good?"
"Probably he is only going to Boston for the day, perhaps to buy goods."
Herbert thought it doubtful whether Ebenezer Graham would trust his sonso far, but did not say so. Eben, on his part, had not seen Herbert onboard the train, and was not aware that he was a fellow passenger.
The journey was a tolerably long one--forty miles--and consumed an hourand a half. At last they rolled into the depot, and before the trainhad fairly stopped the passengers began to crowd toward the doors of thecar.
"Let us remain till the crowd has passed out," said George Melville. "Itis disagreeable to me to get into the throng, and it saves very littletime."
"Very well, sir."
Looking out of the car window, Herbert saw Eben Graham walking swiftlyalong the platform, and could not forbear wondering what had brought himto the city.
"My doctor's office is on Tremont Street," said Mr. Melville. "Ishall go there immediately, and may have to wait some time. It will betiresome to you, and I shall let you go where you please. You can meetme at the Parker House, in School Street, at two o'clock."
"Very well, sir."
"Do you know where the hotel is?"
"No, but I can find it," answered Herbert, confidently.
"I believe I will also get you to attend to a part of my business forme."
"I shall be very glad to do so," said Herbert, sincerely. It made himfeel more important to be transacting business in Boston.
"Here is a check for a hundred and fifty dollars on the Merchants'Bank," continued George Melville. "It is payable to the bearer, and youwill have no trouble in getting the money on it. You may present it atthe bank, and ask for fives and tens and a few small bills."
"Very well, sir."
Herbert felt rather proud to have so much confidence reposed in him, forto him a hundred and fifty dollars seemed a large sum of money, and hefelt that George Melville was a rich man to draw so much at one time.
"Had I better go to the bank at once?" he asked.
"Yes, I think so; of course, I need not caution you to take good care ofthe money."
"I'll be sure to do that, sir."
They walked together to Tremont Street, and Mr. Melville paused at adoorway opposite the Common.
"My doctor's office is upstairs," he said. "We will part here and meetat the hotel. If you are late, I may go into the dining room; so if youdon't see me in the reading room, go to the door of the dining room andlook in."
"Very well, sir; but I think I shall be on time."
"The bank is open now, and you can cash the check if you go down there."
Left to himself, Herbert walked slowly along, looking into shop windowsand observing with interested attention the people whom he met.
"It must be very pleasant to live in the city," he thought; "there is somuch going on all the time."
It is no wonder that country boys are drawn toward the city, and feelthat their cup of happiness would be full if they could get a positionin some city store. They do not always find the reality equal to theiranticipations. The long hours and strict discipline of a city office ormercantile establishment are not much like the freedom they picturedto themselves, and after they have paid their board bill in some shabbyboarding house they seldom find much left over, either for amusementor needful expenses. The majority of boys would do better to remain intheir country homes, where at least they can live comfortably and atsmall expense, and take such employment as may fall in their way. Theywill stand a much better chance of reaching a competence in middle lifethan if they helped to crowd the ranks of city clerks and salesmen.There is many a hard-working clerk of middle age, living poorly, andwith nothing laid by, in the city, who, had he remained in his nativevillage, might have reached a modest independence. It was hardly to beexpected, however, that Herbert would feel thus. Upon him the show andglitter of the city shops and streets produced their natural effect, andhe walked on buoyantly, seeing three times as much as a city boy wouldhave done.
He turned down School Street, passing the Parker House, where he was tomeet Mr. Melville. Just before he reached it he saw Eben Graham emergefrom the hotel and walk towards Washington Street. Eben did not lookbehind him, and therefore did not see Herbert.
"I wonder where he is going?" thought our hero, as he followed a fewsteps behind Eben.
CHAPTER XV. AN OBLIGING GUIDE.
Do and Dare — a Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune Page 14