Horatio Alger - The Tin Box, and What it Contained

"You'll feel better acquainted after a while, Lucindy."

"That shows he expects to stay a long time," thought Mrs. Ross.

"Don't you think you made a mistake in leaving Illinois?" asked Mrs.

Ross, point-blank.

"Well, perhaps I did," admitted Uncle Obed.

"Of course you did. You are too old to come to a new place where youdon't know anybody. Now, out there you knew – "

"Pretty nigh everybody."

"Exactly."

"But out there I hadn't any relations left. After my poor Mary died Ifelt lonesome."

"Still, as you hadn't seen us for so many years, we are almost the sameas strangers."

"I can't forget, Lucindy, how you and your poor mother struggled along, and how I tried to help – "

"We won't recall those old times," said Mrs. Ross, impatiently. "I wasgoing to say you wouldn't be happy here. We don't as you were accustomedto do; and, in fact, it would be inconvenient for us to have a newinmate. My health is delicate, and – "

"You look pretty rugged, Lucindy."

"Appearances are deceitful," said Mrs. Ross, nodding her head solemnly.

"I am very nervous and all excitement is bad for me."

"I hope I haven't excited you, Lucindy," said Uncle Obed. "I thought Iwas pretty quiet. As to the work, you've got two girls to help in thekitchen."

"Yes; but there's a certain amount of care that falls upon me which youcan't understand."

"I hope you won't alter your living for me, Lucindy. I'm one of your ownfolks, and I don't mind a picked-up dinner now and then."

"The ridiculous old man," thought Mrs. Ross, impatiently. "As if I'dalter my style of living for a destitute old man that looks as ifhe'd just escaped from an almshouse."

"We always live the same, company or no company," she said, coldly.

"If we don't change for fashionable visitors from New York and

Philadelphia, it is hardly likely would for you."

"I'm glad I don't give you any trouble."

"But," continued Mrs. Ross, "it is worrying to my nerves to havecompany."

"Then I shouldn't think you'd invite those fashionable people from New

York and Philadelphia," said Obed, slyly.

"Plague take him!" thought Mrs. Ross; "won't he take a hint? I shallhave to speak more plainly. Indeed," said she, "I was surprised youshould come in upon us without writing, or inquiring whether it would beconvenient for us to receive you."

"I begin to understand," said Uncle Obed. "I ain't welcome here."

"Well, you can stay a few days, if you desire it," said Mrs. Ross, "butyou will be much happier in your old home than here."

"I ought to be the best judge of that, Lucindy," said the old man, withdignity.

"Perhaps not. People can't always judge best for themselves."

"Perhaps not; but I am going to try the experience of staying here awhile."

"I have already told you that it will not be convenient for you to stayhere. Colonel Ross will pay your fare back to Illinois, and that, I amsure, is quite as much as he ought to do."

"Lucindy," said Uncle Obed, "you seem to have forgotten the years Ifreely helped you and your poor mother. However, if you don't care toremember them, I won't refer to them."

Mrs. Ross had the grace to be ashamed, but was not moved in herresolution to get rid of her uncle.

"Of course," she said, "I don't forget the past. We will help pay yourboard in some town at a distance."

"Why at a distance?"

"Because, if you were here, people might think it strange you didn'tstay with us, and my health won't admit that."

"I'm much obliged for your offer, Lucindy, but I prefer to make my ownarrangements. I am going to stay here."

"Then we shall not assist you," said Mrs. Ross, angrily.

"I don't wish you to. I can manage to pay my board, and I have alreadyselected a boarding place."

"Where do you expect to board?" asked Mrs. Ross, curiously.

"I'll tell you when it's settled."

The next day Uncle Obed informed his niece that he was to board withMrs. Gilbert. This was unwelcome news, because it would be a help to afamily she disliked; but Uncle Obed was proof against any insinuationsshe was able to bring against Harry and his mother, and the day after hetransferred himself to the clean and airy chamber in Mrs. Gilbert'scottage.

"This will just suit me," said the old man, looking about him with apleased expression. "I like this room much better than the one my niecegave me."

"Our house won't compare with hers, Mr. Wilkins," said the widow.

"It ain't so fine, but she put me in a little seven-by-nine chamber, and

I was always used to plenty of room."

"I am afraid our living will be too plain for you," suggested Mrs.

Gilbert, apprehensively.

"Do I look as if I was used to high living?" asked Uncle Obed. "No; whatever's good enough for you and Harry is good enough for me. And nowit's best to agree about terms, so that we may know just how we stand."

This was rather embarrassing to the widow. Uncle Obed certainly did notlook as if he could pay much, yet it would not do to charge too little. She would not be able to provide her table.

"Would four dollars suit you?" she asked, in a hesitating way.

"No, it wouldn't," said the old man.

"I don't see how I can afford to ask less," faltered Mrs. Gilbert.

"That isn't the point," he said. "You don't ask enough. I will pay yousix dollars a week – the first week in advance."

"I should never think of asking so much," said Mrs. Gilbert, amazed.

"Are you sure – "

"That I can afford to pay so much?" asked Uncle Obed, who understood herthought. "Yes; I have a little something, though you might not think itfrom my clothes. When my trunk comes – I left it at a hotel in NewYork – I will dress a little better; but I wanted to try an experimentwith my niece, Mrs. Ross. Here's the money for the first week."

And, drawing out a large wallet, he took therefrom two bills – a five anda one.

"It will make me feel very easy," said Mrs. Gilbert, gratefully, "evenif Harry doesn't get any regular work, though I hope he will."

"I should like to warn you of one thing," said Uncle Obed. "Don't letpeople know how much board I pay. If Mrs. Ross chooses to think I amvery poor, let her. She won't pester me with hypocritical attentions, which I shouldn't value."

Harry was delighted at his mother's good fortune in obtaining sovaluable a boarder. Six dollars a week would go a long way in theirlittle household.

It gave him fresh courage in his efforts to obtain a place, for he knewthat, even if it was deferred, his mother would not suffer from thedelay.

Though it would have been possible for the Gilberts to get along nowwithout help from Harry's earnings, his desire to obtain employment wasquite as great as before.

As he had no place in view, he continued to go to the berry field everyday, supplying his mother with what she needed, and disposing of therest to Mr. Mead.

The field in which he had at first picked being nearly exhausted, hebent his steps in another direction, where he learned that there wasstill a good supply. The field belonged to a Mr. Hammond, a substantialfarmer, who had no objections to the berries being picked, but requiredparties to obtain his permission.

As Mr. Hammond was understood to be very well to do, Mrs. Ross and herson condescended to associate with him and his family on equal terms.

On the particular morning when Harry sought the field, Philip wascrossing the pasture on his way to a river, where he kept a rowboat, when he espied two children, Tommy and Rose Perkins, picking berries.

They were children of eight and ten, and it occurred to Philip that hehad a fine chance to bully them, in the name of Mr. Hammond.

Striding up to them, with an air of authority, he said: