Horatio Alger - Do and Dare — a Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune

“He thinks he needs one,” answered Herbert.

“And how much does he pay you now?” queried Ebenezer.

“Six dollars a week.”

“You don’t mean it!” ejaculated the storekeeper. “Why, the man must be crazy!”

“I don’t think he is,” said Herbert, smiling.

“Got plenty of money, I take it?” continued Ebenezer, who had a good share of curiosity.

“Yes; he tells me he is rich.”

“How much money has he got?”

“He didn’t tell me that.”

“Well, I declare! You’re lucky, that’s a fact!”

There was an interested listener to this conversation in the person of Eben, who had been in the store all day, taking Herbert’s place. As we know, the position by no means suited the young man. He had been employed in a store in Boston, and to come back to a small country grocery might certainly be considered a descent. Besides, the small compensation allowed him was far from satisfying Eben.

He was even more dissatisfied when he learned how fortunate Herbert was. To be selected as a companion by a rich young man was just what he would have liked himself, and he flattered himself that he should make a more desirable companion than a mere boy like Herbert.

As our hero was leaving the store, Eben called him back.

“What was that you were telling father about going round with a young man from the city?” he asked.

Herbert repeated it.

“And he pays you six dollars a week?” asked Eben, enviously.

“Yes; of course, I shouldn’t have asked so much, but he fixed the price himself.”

“You think he is very rich?” said Eben, thoughtfully.

“Yes, I think so.”

“What a splendid chance it would be for me!” thought Eben. “If I could get intimate with a man like that, he might set me up in business some day; perhaps take me to Europe, or round the world!” “How much of the time do you expect to be with this Mr. Melville?” he asked.

Herbert answered the question.

“Does he seem like a man easy to get along with?”

“Very much so.”

Eben inwardly decided that, if he could, he would oust Herbert from his desirable place, and substitute himself. It was a very mean thought, but Eben inherited meanness from his father.

“Herbert,” he said, “will you do me a favor?”

“What is it?” asked our hero.

“Will you take my place in the store this evening? I am not feeling well, and want to take a walk.”

“Yes,” answered Herbert, “as soon as I have run home to tell mother where I am.”

“That’s a good fellow. You shan’t lose anything by it. I’ll give you ten cents.”

“You needn’t pay me anything, Eben. I’ll do it as a favor.”

“You’re a trump, Herbert. Come back as soon as you can.”

When Eben was released from the store, he went over to the hotel, and inquired for Mr. Melville, leaving his unsuspecting young substitute in the post office.

“A young man wishes to see you, Mr. Melville,” said the servant.

George Melville looked up in some surprise from his book, and said: “You may show him up.”

“It must be Herbert,” he thought.

But when the door was opened, and the visitor shown in, Mr. Melville found it was an older person than Herbert. Eben, for it was he, distorted his mean features into what he regarded as a pleasant smile, and, without waiting to receive a welcome, came forward with extended hand.

“I believe you are Mr. Melville,” he said, inquiringly.

“Yes, that is my name,” said Melville, looking puzzled; “I don’t remember you. Have I met you before?”

“You saw me in father’s store, very likely,” said Eben. “I am Eben Graham, son of Ebenezer Graham, the postmaster.”

“Indeed! That accounts for your face looking familiar. You resemble your father very closely.”

“I’m a chip off the old block with modern improvements,” said Eben, smirking. “Father’s always lived in the country, and he ain’t very stylish. I’ve been employed in Boston for a couple of years past, and got a little city polish.”

“You don’t show much of it,” thought Melville, but he refrained from saying so.

“So you have come home to assist your father,” he said, politely.

“Well, no, not exactly,” answered Eben, “I feel that a country store isn’t my sphere.”

“Then you propose to go back to the city?”

“Probably I shall do so eventually, but I may stay here in Wayneboro a while if I can make satisfactory arrangements. I assure you that it was not my wish to take Herbert Carr’s place.”

“Herbert told me that you had assumed his duties.”

“It is only ad interim. I assure you, it is only ad interim. I am quite ready to give back the place to Herbert, who is better suited to it than I.”

“I wonder what the fellow is driving at,” thought Melville. Eben did not long leave him in doubt.

“Herbert tells me that he has made an engagement with you,” continued Eben, desiring to come to his business as soon as possible.

“Yes, we have made a mutual arrangement.”

“Of course, it is very nice for him; and so I told him.”

“I think I am quite as much a gainer by it as he is,” said Melville.

“Herbert was right. He is easily suited,” said Eben, to himself.

“Of course,” Eben added, clearing his throat, “Herbert isn’t so much of a companion to you as if he were a few years older.”

“I don’t know that; it seems to me that he is a very pleasant companion, young as he is.”

“To be sure, Herbert is a nice boy, and father was glad to help him along by giving him a place, with a larger salary than he ever paid before.”

“What is he driving at?” thought Melville.

“To come to the point, Mr. Melville,” said Eben, “I have made bold to call upon you to suggest a little difference in your arrangements.”

“Indeed!” said Melville, coldly. Though he had no idea what his singular visitor was about to propose, it struck him emphatically that Eben was interfering in an unwarrantable manner with his affairs.

“You see,” continued Eben, “I’m a good deal nearer your age than Herbert, and I’ve had the advantage of residing in the city, which Herbert hasn’t, and naturally should be more company to you. Then, again, Herbert could do the work in the post office and store, which I am doing, nearly as well as I can. I’ll undertake to get father to give him back his place, and then I shall be happy to make an arrangement with you to go hunting and fishing, or anything else that you choose. I am sure I should enjoy your company, Mr. Melville,” concluded Eben, rubbing his hands complacently and surveying George Melville with an insinuating smile.

“You have certainly taken considerable trouble to arrange this matter for me,” said Melville, with a sarcasm which Eben did not detect.

“Oh, no trouble at all!” said Eben, cheerfully. “You see, the idea came into my head when Herbert told me of his arrangements with you, and I thought I’d come and see you about it.”

“Did you mention it to Herbert?” asked George Melville, with some curiosity.

“Well, no, I didn’t. I didn’t know how Herbert would look at it. I got Herbert to take my place in the store while I ran over to see you about the matter. By the way, though I am some years older than Herbert, I shan’t ask more than you pay him. In fact, I am willing to leave the pay to your liberality.”

“You are very considerate!” said Melville, hardly knowing whether to be amused or provoked by the cool assurance of his visitor.

“Oh, not at all!” returned Eben, complacently. “I guess I’ve fetched him!” he reflected, looking at Mr. Melville through his small, half-closed eyes.