"You are a sensible boy," said the doctor, emphatically.
"I"m afraid there are few of our young people who take such wise views of what is best for them. Most care only for present enjoyment."
"I have got my own way to make," said Harry, "and I suppose that is what influences me. My father is poor and cannot help me, and I want to rise in the world."
"You are going the right way to work. Do you intend to take out books often from the library?"
"Yes, sir."
"It will be a long walk from the lower village."
"I would walk farther rather than do without the books."
"I can save you at any rate from walking back. My chaise is outside, and, if you will jump in, I will carry you home."
"Thank you, doctor. I shall be very glad to ride."
On the way, Dr. Townley said: "I have a few miscellaneous book in my medical library, which I will lend to you with pleasure, if you will come in. It may save you an occasional walk to the library."
Harry thanked him, and not long afterwards availed himself of the considerate proposal. Dr Townley was liberally educated, and as far as his professional engagements would permit kept up with general literature. He gave Harry some valuable directions as to the books which it would benefit him to read, and more than once took him up on the road to the library.
Once a week regularly Harry wrote home. He knew that his letters would give pleasure to the family, and he never allowed anything to interfere with his duty.
His father wrote: "We are getting on about as usual. The cow does tolerably well, but is not as good as the one I lost. I have not yet succeeded in laying up anything toward paying for her. Somehow, whenever I have a few dollars laid aside Tom wants shoes, or your sister wants a dress, or some other expense swallows it up."
Harry wrote in reply: "Don"t trouble yourself, father, about your debt to Squire Green. If I have steady work, and keep my health, I shall have enough to pay it by the time it comes due."
CHAPTER XIV. THE TAILOR"S CUSTOMER
At the end of six weeks from the date of Robert"s departure, Harry had been paid eighteen dollars. Of this sum he had spent but one dollar, and kept the balance in his pocketbook. He did not care to send it home until he had enough to meet Squire Green"s demand, knowing that his father would be able to meet his ordinary expenses. Chiefly through the reports of Luke Harrison he was acquiring the reputation of meanness, though, as we know, he was far from deserving it.
"See how the fellow dresses," said Luke, contemptuously, to two of his companions one evening. "His clothes are shabby enough, and he hasn"t got an overcoat at all. He h.o.a.rds his money, and is too stingy to buy one. See, there he comes, b.u.t.toned to the chin to keep warm, and I suppose he has more money in his pocketbook than the whole of us together. I wouldn"t be as mean as he is for a hundred dollars."
"You"d rather get trusted for your clothes than do without them," said Frank Heath, slyly; for he happened to know that Luke had run up a bill with the tailor, about which the latter was getting anxious.
"What if I do," said Luke, sharply, "as long as I am going to pay for them?"
"Oh, nothing," said Frank. "I didn"t say anything against it, did I? I suppose you are as able to owe the tailor as anyone."
By this time, Harry had come up.
"Where are you going, Walton?" asked Luke. "You look cold."
"Yes, it"s a cold day."
"Left your overcoat at home, didn"t you?"
Harry colored. The fact was, he felt the need of an overcoat, but didn"t know how to manage getting one. At the lowest calculation, it would cost all the money he had saved up for one, and the purchase would defeat all his plans. The one he had worn at home during the previous winter was too small for him, and had been given to his brother.
"If I only could get through the winter without one," he thought, "I should be all right." But a New England winter is not to be braved with impunity, useless protected by adequate clothing. Luke"s sneer was therefore not without effect. But he answered, quietly: "I did not leave it at home, for I have none to leave."
"I suppose you are bound to the tailor"s to order one."
"What makes you think so?" asked Harry.
"You are not such a fool as to go without one when you have money in your pocket, are you?"
"You seem very curious about my private affairs," said Harry, rather provoked.
"He"s only drumming up customers for the tailor," said Frank Heath. "He gets a commission on all he brings."
"That"s the way he pays his bill," said Sam Anderson.
"Quit fooling, boys," said Luke, irritated. "I ain"t a drummer. I pay my bills, like a gentleman."
"By keeping the tailor waiting," said Frank.
"Quit that!"
So attention was diverted from Harry by this opportune attack upon Luke, much to our hero"s relief. Nevertheless, he saw, that in order to preserve his health, he must have some outer garment, and in order the better to decide what to do, he concluded to step into the tailor"s, and inquire his prices.
The tailor, Merrill by name, had a shop over the dry goods store, and thither Harry directed his steps. There was one other person in the shop, a young fellow but little larger than Harry, though two years older, who was on a visit to an aunt in the neighborhood, but lived in Boston. He belonged to a rich family, and had command of considerable money. His name was Maurice Tudor. He had gone into the shop to leave a coat to be repaired.
"How are you, Walton?" he said, for he knew our hero slightly.
"Pretty well. Thank you."
"It"s pretty cold for October."
"Yes, unusually so."
"Mr. Merrill," said Harry, "I should like to inquire the price of an overcoat. I may want to order one by and by."
"What sort of one do you want--pretty nice?"
"No, I can"t afford anything nice--something as cheap as possible."
"This is the cheapest goods I have," said the tailor, pointing to some coa.r.s.e cloth near by.
"I can make you up a coat from that for eighteen dollars."
"Eighteen dollars!" exclaimed Harry, in dismay. "Is that the cheapest you have?"