“Good-morning,” said the young man, pleasantly.
“Good-morning,” answered Herbert, politely.
He recognized the young man, though he had never seen him before, as
a visitor from the city, who was boarding at the hotel, if the village
tavern could be so designated. He seemed to be a studious young man, for
he always had a book in his hand. He had a pleasant face, but was pale
and slender, and was evidently in poor health.
“I see you are going to try your luck at fishing,” said the young man.
“Yes, sir; I have nothing else to do, and that brings me here.”
“I, too, have nothing else to do; but I judge from your appearance that
you have not the same reason for being idle.”
“What is that, sir?”
“Poor health.”
“No, sir; I have never been troubled in that way.”
“You are fortunate. Health is a blessing not to be overestimated. It is
better than money.”
“I suppose it is, sir; but at present I think I should value a little
money.”
“Are you in want of it?” asked the young man, earnestly.
“Yes, sir; I have just lost my place in the post office.”
“I think I have seen you in the post office.”
“Yes, sir; my mother had charge of the office till two weeks since,
when it was transferred to Mr. Graham. He employed me to attend to the
duties, and serve the customers in the store, till Saturday night, when
I was succeeded by his son, who had just returned from the city.”
“Your mother is a widow, is she not?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I know where you live; I have had it pointed out to me. Your father
served in the war, did he not?”
“Yes, sir; and the injuries he received hastened his death.”
The young man looked thoughtful. Then he said: “How much did Mr. Graham
pay you for your services?”
“Three dollars a week.”
“That was not--excuse the question--all you and your mother had to
depend upon, was it?”
“Not quite; mother receives a pension of eight dollars per month.”
“Five dollars a week altogether--that is very little.”
“It is only two dollars now, sir.”
“True; but you have health and strength, and those will bring money.
In one respect you are more fortunate than I. You have a mother--I have
neither father nor mother.”
“I'm sorry for you, sir.”
“Thank you; anyone is to be pitied who has lost his parents. Now, as I
have asked about your affairs, it is only fair that I should tell you
about myself. To begin with, I am rich. Don't look envious, for there
is something to counterbalance. I am of feeble constitution, and the
doctors say that my lungs are affected. I have studied law, but the
state of my health has obliged me to give up, for the present at least,
the practice of my profession.”
“But if you are rich you do not need to practice,” said Herbert, who may
be excused for still thinking his companion's lot a happy one.
“No, I do not need to practice my profession, so far as the earning of
money is concerned; but I want something to occupy my mind. The doctors
say I ought to take considerable out-door exercise; but I suppose my
physical condition makes me indolent, for my chief exercise has been,
thus far, to wander to the banks of the river and read under the trees.”
“That isn't very severe exercise,” said Herbert, smiling.
“No; still it keeps me out in the open air, and that is something. Now
tell me, what are your plans?”
“My hope is to find something to do that will enable me to help mother;
but there doesn't seem much chance of finding anything in Wayneboro. Do
you think I could get a place in the city?”
“You might; but even if you did, you would find it difficult to earn
your own living, and there would be no chance of your helping your
mother.”
Herbert, though naturally sanguine and hopeful, looked sober. Just
then he had a bite, and drew out a good-sized pickerel. This gave a new
direction to his thoughts, and he exclaimed, triumphantly:
“Look at this pickerel! He must weigh over two pounds.”
“All of that,” said the young man, rising and examining the fish with
interest. “Let me use your pole, and see what luck I have.”
“Certainly.”
The young man, some ten minutes later, succeeded in catching a smaller
pickerel, perhaps half the size of Herbert's.
“That will do for me,” he said, “though it doesn't come up to your
catch.”
For two hours Herbert and his friend alternately used the pole, and the
result was quite a handsome lot of fish.
“You have more fish than you want,” said the young man. “You had better
bring what you don't want to the hotel. I heard the landlord say he
would like to buy some.”
“That would suit me,” said Herbert. “If he wants fish, I want money.”
“Come along with me, then. Really, I don't know when I have passed a
forenoon so pleasantly. Usually I get tired of my own company, and the
day seems long to me. I believe I see my way clear to a better way of
spending my time. You say you want a place. How would you like me for an
employer?”
“I am sure I should like you, but you are not in any business.”
“No,” said the young man, smiling; “or, rather, my business is the
pursuit of health and pleasure just now. In that I think you can help
me.”
“I shall be very glad to, if I can, Mr.---”
“My name is George Melville. Let me explain my idea to you. I want your
company to relieve my solitude. In your company I shall have enterprise
enough to go hunting and fishing, and follow out in good faith my
doctor's directions. What do you say?”
Herbert smiled.
“I would like that better than being in the post office,” he said. “It
would seem like being paid for having a good time.”
“How much would you consider your services worth?” asked Mr. Melville.
“I am content to leave that to you,” said Herbert.
“Suppose we say six dollars a week, then?”
“Six dollars a week!” exclaimed Herbert, amazed.
“Isn't that enough?” asked Melville, smiling.
“It is more than I can earn. Mr. Graham thought he was over-paying me
with three dollars a week.”
“You will find me a different man from Mr. Graham, Herbert. I am aware
that six dollars is larger pay than is generally given to boys of your
age. But I can afford to pay it, and I have no doubt you will find the
money useful.”
“It will quite set us on our feet again, Mr. Melville,” said Herbert,
earnestly. “You are very generous.”
“Oh, you don't know what a hard taskmaster you may find me,” said the
young man, playfully. “By the way, I consider that you have already
entered upon your duties. To-day is the first day. Now come to the hotel
with me, and see what you can get for the fish. I happen to know that
two of the guests, a lady and her daughter, are anxious for a good fish
dinner and, as there is no market here, I think the landlord will be
glad to buy from you.”
Mr. Melville was right. Mr. Barton, the landlord, purchased the fish
that Herbert had to sell, for sixty cents, which he promptly paid.
“Don't that pay you for your morning's work?” asked Melville.
“I don't know but the money ought to go to you, Mr. Melville,” said
Herbert, “as I am now in your employ. Besides, you caught a part of
them.”
“I waive all claim to compensation,” said the young man, “though it
would be a novel sensation to receive money for services rendered. What
will you say, Herbert, when I tell you that I never earned a dollar in
my life?”
Herbert looked incredulous.
“It is really true,” said George Melville, “my life has been passed at
school and college, and I have never had occasion to work for money.”
“You are in luck, then.”
“I don't know that; I think those who work for the money they receive
are happy. Tell me, now, don't you feel more satisfaction in the sixty
cents you have just been paid because you have earned it?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I thought so. The happiest men are those who are usefully employed.
Don't forget that, and never sigh for the opportunity to lead an idle
life. But I suppose your dinner is ready. You may go home, and come back
at three o'clock.”
“Very well, sir.”
Herbert made good time going home. He was eager to tell his mother the
good news of his engagement.