Andy Grant's Pluck. Alger Horatio Jr.

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СКАЧАТЬ I have tried to make myself comfortable. What I lack most is society."

      "I wonder that you are content to live in the country. Are you not accustomed to the city?"

      "Yes; but I had a severe sickness in the spring, and the doctors recommended me to absent myself for a time from the excitement of the town and take up my residence in the country."

      "Didn't that interfere with your business?"

      Walter Gale smiled.

      "Fortunately, or unfortunately," he answered, "I have no business. Until two years since I was employed in an insurance office in the city. The death of an uncle has made me pecuniarily independent, so that I had leisure to be sick."

      "You look in good health now."

      "Yes; but I have a nervous temperament, and am obliged to be careful.

      Now tell me about yourself. You have been for some time at Penhurst

      Academy?"

      "Yes; for two years."

      "Do you go back there?"

      "No; my father has met with serious losses, and can no longer afford to send me. I must stay at home and help him."

      "And this is a disappointment to you?"

      "Yes; I was expecting to go to college in a few months."

      "I believe your father is a farmer?"

      "Yes."

      "Do you expect to assist him on the farm?"

      "Till I can get something to do. I shall try to get some business situation. Business pays better than farming."

      "I suppose you are a good Latin and Greek scholar?"

      "Yes; that is, I like the languages, and stood high in my classes."

      "My own education is limited. Though I am rich now, I was a poor boy. At sixteen I had made some progress in Latin and commenced Greek, when my father's failure obliged me to seek employment. The uncle who has now made me rich would do nothing for me; so I left school half educated."

      "You would be able to make up deficiencies now," suggested Andy.

      "That is what I have been thinking of, if I can get a satisfactory teacher."

      "I don't think you can find a classical teacher in Arden."

      "I know of one, if he would be willing to undertake the task."

      "Who is it?" asked Andy, puzzled.

      "Andrew Grant," answered this young man, with a smile.

      "Do you mean me?" asked Andy, with a wondering face.

      "Certainly. You are fresh from school, and I am sure you would be competent to teach me."

      "But I am only a boy."

      "Age has nothing to do with a teacher's qualifications, except as to discipline. You wouldn't find me a very advanced pupil. I had read one book in Caesar when I was compelled to leave school, and had begun to translate Greek a little. Now the question is, are you willing to teach me?"

      "If you think I am competent, Mr. Gale."

      "I don't doubt that. We will begin, if you like, next Monday. Perhaps, in order to avoid village gossip, it will be well to pass yourself off as my private secretary. Indeed, I will employ you a little in that way also."

      "I shall be very glad to serve you in any way."

      "Then come to-morrow morning at nine and remain with me till twelve. Now about the compensation."

      "Fix that to suit yourself, Mr. Gale. I am almost ashamed to ask anything."

      "The laborer is worthy of his hire, Andy. Suppose I pay you six dollars a week to begin with?"

      "The money will be very acceptable, but I am afraid you will be overpaying me."

      "I will take my risk of that. On the whole, I will call it nine dollars a week, and we will spend the afternoon together also. I will send to the city for a boat, and you shall give me lessons in rowing."

      Andy's eyes sparkled. Nothing would please him better, and the prospect of earning nine dollars a week made him feel like a millionaire.

      CHAPTER VII.

      AN ENCOUNTER WITH A TRAMP

      It is hardly necessary to say that Andy's parents were equally surprised and pleased at his new engagement.

      "You will like that better than working on the farm, I expect, Andy?" said Sterling Grant.

      "Yes, father. I am willing to work, but I don't feel much interest in farming."

      "It is hard work and poor pay, Andy, but I like it. I was brought up to it when a boy, and there is nothing else I can do."

      "Andy is already beginning to get some advantage from his education," said Mrs. Grant.

      Andy reported for duty, and during the first morning made up his mind that he should enjoy his new employment. Mr. Gale really desired to acquire a knowledge of Latin and Greek, and worked faithfully.

      To Andy it was like a review of his own studies, and he experienced a satisfaction in the rapid progress of his pupil.

      He felt quite at home with Mr. Gale, though their acquaintance had been so brief. When twelve o'clock came he was really sorry.

      "What time shall I come over this afternoon, Mr. Gale?" he asked.

      "At two o'clock. Can you borrow your friend Valentine's boat? I have sent for one, but it may be several days before it arrives."

      "Oh, yes; I am sure Val will let me have it. He is a very good-natured boy."

      "I will be glad to pay for its use."

      "I don't think he'd accept anything."

      "Then I will make him a present."

      Before he returned to the hotel, Andy saw Valentine and obtained the loan of his boat.

      At three o'clock Mr. Gale and Andy started from the boathouse, and again

      Andy became a teacher.

      The young man was a good rower, but Andy was able to give him some points. Sometimes they sat idle and let the boat float at will.

      About four o'clock Conrad came down for his usual afternoon row. He was surprised and not altogether pleased at meeting Andy and his companion.

      "Why are you not hoeing potatoes?" he asked.

      "I've got a vacation," answered Andy, with a smile.

      "Are you out for a row?" inquired Mr. Gale, pleasantly.

      "Yes," answered Conrad, sullenly.

      Though Walter СКАЧАТЬ