ARTHUR BROWN.
At half-past five Sam and his companion reached the home of the latter
in Brookline. It was a handsome mansion, with ample grounds, standing
some rods back from the street.
"That's where I live, Sam," said the young student.
"It's an elegant place," said Sam, admiringly "I hope your father'll
take me. I'd like to live here ever so much."
"There's my brother the one I spoke to you about."
Brown pointed out a boy considerably smaller than Sam, who was
hurrying to the gate as fast as his lameness would admit. His thin,
pale face was lighted up with joy, as he espied his brother.
"I am glad you have come, Charlie," he said. "It's so lonely here
during the week."
"And how are you feeling, Arthur?" asked his brother, laying his hand
caressingly on the shoulder of the younger boy.
"Oh, I'm all right; only lonely."
"I've brought you some company--don't you see?"
For the first time Arthur's attention was drawn to Sam.
"I am glad to see you," he said, politely extending his hand. "Are you
a friend of Charlie's?"
"Yes, Arthur," the student replied, anticipating our hero. "This is my
friend, Sam Barker."
"Are you in college, Mr. Barker?" asked Arthur.
"Please call me Sam," said our hero. "I am only a boy, and I don't
begin to know enough to be in college."
"Nor I, either," said Arthur.
"Come into the house," said the elder brother. "Has father got back
from the city?"
"No; he sent word that he should not be back till evening. We are to
take supper without him. You are going to stop over Sunday, I hope,
Charlie?"
"Yes, till to-morrow evening. Sam will stay, too. Won't you take him
up to the little room next to yours? He will want to wash before
supper."
Sam did not know that he needed to wash, but accepted this as a hint.
"Won't it be too much trouble for you?" he asked, thinking of Arthur's
lameness.
"Oh, no," said the lame boy. "I can go upstairs almost as quick as if
I wasn't lame. Come this way, please."
Sam followed him upstairs. He was shown to a small, but handsomely
furnished chamber.
"You'll find everything you need, I think," said Arthur. "That room,"
pointing to one adjoining, "is mine; so we shall be near neighbors."
"I am glad of that. If burglars get in in the night, I'll come to you
for protection."
"I am afraid I couldn't do you much good. You are a great deal
stronger than I."
"Then I'll protect you."
"Do you live in Boston, Sam?"
"I only came to Boston a few days ago. I came from New York."
"Did you live in the city?"
"Yes. Were you ever there?"
"I have passed through New York on my way to Saratoga. I went up the
Hudson River on a steamboat."
"We call it the North River there."
"We stopped at the Fifth Avenue Hotel."
"That's a tiptop hotel. I've been in there often."
"Are you going to live in Boston?"
"If I can find anything to do. I am not rich like you."
"No," said Arthur; "but you are something better."
"What is better than being rich?" asked Sam, incredulously.
"You are strong and healthy. You are not an invalid like me."
"How long have you been lame, Arthur?" inquired Sam, who had naturally
a kind heart, and was already beginning to feel an interest in his new
friend.
"Ever since I was a very small boy."
"Your brother is strong enough."
"Yes, Charlie's got muscle," said Arthur, proudly. "He's one of the
strongest fellows in his class. He goes to gymnasium regularly. You
ought to feel his arm. He's going to belong to the boat club next
year."
By this time Sam had finished his ablutions.
"Come downstairs, and I'll show you the stable," said Arthur. "I guess
there'll be time before supper."
"How many horses have you got?"
"Three carriage horses. Father would buy me a pony, but he's afraid I
might fall, and not be able to help myself."
"Do you go to school?"
"No; my health is not good enough. The doctor says I must be out in
the open air a good deal, and must not overtax my brain. I suppose you
have been to school a good deal."
"Well, no," said Sam; "I am afraid of overtaxing my brain, too."
Arthur laughed. "I don't think, from your looks, that you need feel
afraid," he said.
"You've no idea how delicate I am," said Sam, humorously.
"I should think you might be," said Arthur, merrily; "but you are very
successful in not showing it."
"That's why I don't get any sympathy. What do you do all day long if
you don't go to school?"
"I study some, and recite to a tutor who comes out from Boston; but I
have a good deal of time to myself. I've been very lonely since my
mother died," he added, soberly.
"How long ago was that?" Sam inquired, with sympathy.
"A year ago. Her death was a great loss to me, as Charlie has been
away from home so much, and father is all day in the city."
"Are there no boys round here that you can play with?"
"There are boys, but I can't join in their sports, on account of my
lameness."
"I wonder whether he will like the idea of my staying with him,"
thought Sam. "We could have good times together."
They went out to the stable, and looked about till the supper-bell
rang. Everything was well arranged, and on a scale which indicated
that Mr. Brown was a man of wealth.
More and more Sam though he would like to live there.
Entering the dining-room, where the supper was provided, they found
the older brother already present.
"Have you two boys got acquainted?" he asked.
"Yes," said Arthur; "it didn't take us long. I've been showing Sam the
stable."
"How do you like what you have seen?" asked the sophomore.
"Tiptop," said Sam.
"Take a seat there, Sam; Arthur, you know your place. I must preside
in father's absence."
They talked together socially during the meal, Sam getting to feel
better and better acquainted as time went on. After supper they took
another walk, and then Arthur asked: "Do you play backgammon, Sam?"
"I never learned."
"Shall I show you?"
"I wish you would."
The backgammon board was brought out, and the two boys had a pleasant
evening. As the older brother heard their lively laughter, and noticed
how Arthur seemed brightened up by Sam's companionship, he felt more
and more that it would be a good plan to keep him there. When his
father reached home, a little before nine o'clock, he made the
proposal to him.
"I am convinced," he said, "that Arthur needs a young companion, of a
cheerful temperament, who will brighten him up, and keep him in good
spirits.
"Do you know anything of this boy?" asked Mr. Brown, cautiously.
"Not much, except that Arthur appears to fancy him. His education has
been neglected."
"That would not matter. He could study regularly with Arthur, and
recite to his tutor."
"That occurred to me."
"Has he any bad habits?"
"No confirmed bad habits. If it should prove so, he can be
dismissed."
"Would he like to come?"
"Of that I am sure. Indeed it would be a great thing for him, as he is
poor, and has no friends to help him along."
"Then he may stay a month on trial. You may speak to him about it."