Sam Attempts Strategy
The more Sam Archer thought of the effect of his letter upon Ben's
fortunes the more he felt provoked.
"I wish I hadn't sent him to Jones & Porter," thought he. "I hope he
won't suit them."
When a fortnight had passed Sam managed to meet James Watson.
"Have you heard from Ben Bradford lately?"
"Yes," said James.
"What does he write?"
"That he likes his place very much. The bookkeeper is very kind to
him, and assists him with advice. Then he likes being in a bookstore."
Sam was not overjoyed at the news.
"How kind you are to take such an interest in Ben!"
"I don't take an interest in him," returned Sam.
"Then what makes you ask after him so particularly?"
"I expected he'd be discharged by this time."
"What made you think so?"
"He didn't give satisfaction at the mill. He was discharged."
"So was I."
"But not for the same reasons," said Sam. "It was because times
were dull."
"I rather think Ben's work was satisfactory enough, but you
influenced your father against him."
"How much pay does he get?" inquired Sam.
"More than he received at the mill."
"I wonder whether all this is true," considered Sam. "James Watson
is Ben's friend and he may represent things better than they are."
An excellent plan suggested itself to Sam. He would ask his father's
permission to go to Boston and pass a day or two with his friend,
Frank Ferguson. This would allow him to drop into Jones & Porter's
store and judge for himself how Ben was situated.
Sam had no trouble about obtaining permission.
On reaching the city he decided to call at the store before going to
his friend's residence.
Ben was dusting books, when a glance toward the door revealed
the entrance of Sam. The latter had cherished a faint hope that
James had deceived him, and that Ben was really not employed.
"How shall I receive him?" Ben asked himself.
He decided to treat him coolly, but not to quarrel.
"Good morning, Bradford," said Sam.
"Good morning, Archer," was the return greeting.
Sam didn't quite like this familiarity.
"How do you like working here?"
"Very much," answered Ben. "Much better than in the mill," he
added significantly.
"I shouldn't think they'd have taken a green country boy," suggested
Sam pleasantly.
"Perhaps they wouldn't if a friend hadn't written for me," said Ben
with a meaning glance at Sam.
"How much pay do you get?"
"I would rather not say."
"Because it is so small," said Sam, with a sneer.
"On the contrary, I look upon it as liberal. I am doing better than if I
had remained at Milltown."
This was bad news for Sam.
"I am really obliged to the person who wrote the letter which
secured me the position," Ben added.
"It isn't much of a business to dust books."
"I sell books sometimes," said Ben, smiling. "Can I show you
something this morning."
"No, I don't want anything. Where do you live?"
"I board on Warren Avenue."
"In a cheap boarding-house?"
"There are some very nice people who board there."
Sam came to a sudden decision. Would it be possible to induce
Ben to give up his place, and enter the mill again? He could be
discharged after awhile, and cast adrift. It was rather foolish to
suppose that Ben would snap at such a bait, but he decided to
try it.
"I think you would be better off in the mill," he said.
"You could board at home, and help your aunt. You would soon be
promoted, too."
"I thought you didn't want me to enter the mill," exclaimed Ben,
amazed. "Your father told me that my record was not good;" and
Ben looked indignant.
"Father was feeling out of sorts," said Sam smoothly.
"He will take you on if you'll come back."
"What does the fellow mean?" thought Ben.
It didn't take him long to guess. If he should return to the mill he
would be once more in Sam's power.
"You really think your father would employ me?"
"Yes, he would if I asked him to."
"I would thank you, Sam Archer, if I thought your offer was a
friendly one."
"What makes you think that it isn't."
"The feeling which I have reason to think you entertain for me, and
your conduct in the past."
"You are too suspicious, Ben."
"If I find I am, I will apologize to you. It would be foolish for me
to give up so good a position in order to accept a poor one, which
is not all permanent."
"Well, Bradford, I must bid you good morning. Just write to me if
you decide to accept."
"If I decide to accept I will."
"He's getting very impudent," said Sam to himself, "If I could only
get him into the mill I could fix him. We'd let him stay two or three
weeks, and then ship him. But he won't do it. Stay, I think of a
way."
What the way was may be conjectured from a letter which Ben
received three days later from his Aunt Jane:
"My Dear Nephew: I am feeling almost heart-broken. It is reported
by one who saw you lately that you are looking very dissipated. I
was afraid the temptations of the city were too much for you. You
are too young to go away from home. I won't blame you too much,
for I feel that you are weak rather than wicked. But I shall not feel
comfortable till you are at home again. Don't hesitate to give up
your place. I am assured that they will take you on again at the mill,
and it will be much better for you to be at home with us, till you are
older, and better able to resist temptation.
"Your anxious aunt,
"Jane Bradford"
Ben read this letter in amazed indignation.
"Sam is at the bottom of this," he concluded. "It is he that has
reported that I look dissipated. He wants to deprive me of my place,
and get me into the mill, where I shall be in his power. I can't forgive
him for frightening my poor aunt. If I were at home, I should
certainly punish him as he deserves."
Ben took the letter to his friend, the bookkeeper.
"What do you think of that?" he asked.
"This letter was written at an enemy's instigation."
"You are right, Mr. Porter."
Then Ben told his friend of Sam's call.
"Will you do me a favor, Mr. Porter?" he asked.
"Certainly I will, Ben."
"Then, will you write to my aunt, and assure her that my habits are
good, and that her informant has willfully lied? It will relieve her
anxiety."
"With pleasure."
The next day Mrs. Bradford received a letter, very enthusiastic in its
tone, which completely exonerated our hero from the charges
brought against him.
"Your nephew," it concluded, "bids fair to become one of our best
clerks. He is polite, faithful, and continually trying to improve.
You need have no apprehension about him. It would be very
foolish for him to resign his situation."