Horatio Alger - The Tin Box, and What it Contained

Meanwhile Mr. Mead, though he regretted to lose a good customer, did notshow any signs of financial weakness, and there seemed to be no prospectof his failing.

Had he done so Mrs. Ross would have been overjoyed, for she was veryangry at all who upheld "that low Gilbert boy," as she designated him.

It is said that all things come to him who waits, and circumstances wereshaping themselves in a very gratifying way to Mrs. Ross and her schemesof revenge.

One day as Harry was driving the store wagon which bore the name of hisemployer he was hailed, about a mile from the store, by a boy about hisown age, who carried in his hand a carpetbag, and appeared to be makinga journey on foot.

"Hello!" said the traveler.

"Hello!" returned Harry.

"Are you working for my uncle?" asked the stranger.

"I can tell you better when I find out who your uncle is. If you are thenephew of General Grant, or the czar of Russia, I am not working forhim."

"I see you like to joke," said the stranger. "My uncle is Mr. Mead, thestorekeeper."

"That is the name of the man I work for."

"Then I guess you had better give me a lift, for I am going to myuncle's."

"All right! Glad to have your company."

"What's your name?" asked the stranger.

"Harry Gilbert. What's yours?"

"Howard Randall."

"Where do you live?"

"I used to live at Upton, but my father is dead, and mother – she's Mrs. Mead's sister – told me I'd better come to see if Uncle Reuben wouldn'tgive me a place in his store."

Instantly it flashed upon Harry that this new boy's arrival was likelyto endanger his prospects. Mr. Mead, as he knew, had no occasion for theservices of two boys, and he would naturally give his nephew thepreference. He was not unjust enough to take a dislike to Howard inconsequence. Indeed, the new boy had a pleasant face and manner, whichled him to think he would like him for a friend.

"If I do lose my place," thought Harry, "I will put my trust in God. Idon't think He will see me or mother suffer, and I won't borrow troubleuntil it comes."

"Were you ever employed in a store?" he asked, pleasantly.

"No; that is, not regularly. I have been in our grocery store at homefor a few days at a time, when the storekeeper's son was sick."

"You look as if you were about my age."

"I am sixteen. My birthday came last month."

"Then you are a little older. I am not sixteen yet."

"You look stronger than I. I should think you were older."

Harry felt flattered. All boys like to be considered strong and largefor their age, and our hero was no exception to the general rule in thisrespect.

"I don't know about that," he answered. "I guess we are a pretty goodmatch. How far off is Upton?"

"Fifty miles."

"You haven't walked all the way, have you?" inquired Harry, insurprise.

"Every step," said Howard, proudly. "You see, money isn't very plentywith us, and I told mother I didn't mind walking. I got a lift for a fewmiles the first day, so I haven't walked quite all the way."

"You and I seem to be situated pretty much the same way," said Harry. "Ihave no father, and we have hard work to get along."

"You seem like a tiptop fellow. I think I shall like you."

"The same to you," said Harry, smiling. "I am glad you are coming to

Greenville to live."

Harry was sincere enough in his words, so far as his impressions aboutthe boy went, but when he reflected that through him he was likely tolose his place he felt a little troubled.

"Look here!" said Howard, suddenly; "will you lose your place if uncletakes me into his store?"

"I don't think he will need two boys," replied Harry, soberly.

"Then I'd better see if I can't find a place somewhere else. I don'twant to take away your place, if you are poor and need the money unclepays you."

"I do need it, but I guess something else will turn up for me. You are

Mr. Mead's nephew, and ought to have it."

"I hope we shall be friends, at any rate," said Howard, warmly.

"I am sure we shall, Howard," returned Harry, cordially, who feltattracted toward his new friend, in spite of the misfortune which hisarrival would bring to him personally.

Just then, within a quarter of a mile of the store, Harry saw his youngenemy, Philip Ross, approaching him.

Philip was driving his buggy, which had been repaired since theaccident.

"I wonder if he will turn out for me?" thought Harry.

Philip had learned wisdom from experience, and did turn out for thestore wagon. He knew Harry's firmness too well to put it to the test asecond time at his own expense.

"Good-morning, Philip," said Harry, in his usual manner.

Philip did not notice Harry's salutation, but held his head very high, while his face reddened and his lip curled as he drove by his lateantagonist.

"Who is that boy?" asked Howard, whose attention was drawn to Philip'ssingular conduct.

"Philip Ross, son of Colonel Ross, a rich man in town."

"Is he deaf?"

"No."

"He didn't seem to hear you say good-morning."

"Oh, yes, he did," answered Harry, laughing; "but Philip isn't very fondof me."

"Are you enemies?"

"We had a little difficulty lately, and Philip hasn't got over it yet."

"Tell me about it."

Harry told the story, and Howard fully sustained him in what he haddone.

"He must be a mean boy."

"He thinks he has more rights than common folks, such as he considersme. He tried – or, at least, his mother did – to have Mr. Mead turn meoff, but your uncle is too just a man to go against me for doing myduty."

"I noticed he gave you half the road this time," said Howard.

"Yes," answered Harry, with a smile. "He doesn't care to have his wheeltaken off again."

By this time they had reached the store, and Howard introduced himselfto his uncle. The next day the blow fell.

"Harry," said Mr. Mead, "I've got bad news for you. My nephew stands inneed of a place, and I can't afford to keep two boys. I wish I couldkeep you, too."

"I see how it is, Mr. Mead," said Harry, calmly, though his heart sankwithin him. "Howard has the best right to the place. I trust somethingwill turn up for me."

"I have been perfectly satisfied with you, and am ready to give you thehighest recommendation for honesty and fidelity."

"Thank you, Mr. Mead."

"You will stay till Saturday night, of course, unless something elseshould offer before that."

Poor Harry! His heart sank within him as he thought of the seriousdifference which the loss of his wages would make at home. The prospectof another situation was not very good, for Greenville was a small, quiet place, with very few places of business.

Harry shrank from telling his mother that he was about to lose hisplace, but he knew it must be done.

In the evening, when he got home from the store, he seemed so restlessthat his mother asked him what was the matter with him.

"This is my last week at the store, mother," he answered, soberly. "Isuppose that is what makes me feel nervous."

"Has Mr. Mead been induced by Mrs. Ross to turn you away?" asked Mrs.

Gilbert, beginning to feel indignant.

"No; he isn't that kind of a man."

"Isn't he satisfied with you?"

"I ought to have told you at first that a nephew of his own needs theplace, and he can't afford to employ two boys."

"I believe Mrs. Ross is at the bottom of it, after all," said Mrs.

Gilbert.

"No, mother; there you are wrong," and Harry went on to explain that

Howard's appearance was a surprise to his uncle.

"What kind of a boy is he?" asked the widow, disposed to dislike inadvance the boy who had been the means of depriving her son of a place.

"He's a nice fellow. I like him already. Of course I am sorry to lose myplace, but, if I must, I am willing he should have it. I think we shallbe good friends."