Now there were two disagreeable things in Joe’s new place.  The first was the parsimony of Major Norton, who was noted for his stingy disposition, and the second was the overbearing manners of Oscar, who lost no opportunity to humiliate Joe and tyrannize over him so far as Joe’s independent spirit would allow.  It happened, therefore, that Joe was compelled to work hard, while the promised clothing was of the cheapest and shabbiest description.  He was compelled to go to school in patched shoes and a ragged suit, which hurt his pride as he compared himself with Oscar, who was carefully and even handsomely dressed.  Parsimonious as his father was, he was anxious that his only boy should appear to advantage.

On the very day on which our story begins Oscar had insulted Joe in a way which excited our hero’s bitter indignation.

This is the way it happened: 

Joe, who was a general favorite on account of his good looks and gentlemanly manners, and in spite of his shabby attire, was walking home with Annie Raymond, the daughter of the village physician, when Oscar came up.

He was himself secretly an admirer of the young lady, but had never received the least encouragement from her.  It made him angry to see his father’s drudge walking on equal terms with his own favorite, and his coarse nature prompted him to insult his enemy.

“Miss Raymond,” he said, lifting his hat mockingly, “I congratulate you on the beau you have picked up.”

Annie Raymond fully appreciated his meanness, and answered calmly: 

“I accept your congratulations, Mr. Norton.”

This answer made Oscar angry and led him to go further than he otherwise would.

“You must be hard up for an escort, when you accept such a ragamuffin as Joe Mason.”

Joe flushed with anger.

“Oscar Norton, do you mean to insult Miss Raymond or me,” he demanded.

“So you are on your high horse!” said Oscar sneeringly.

“Will you answer my question?”

“Yes, I will.  I certainly don’t mean to insult Miss Raymond, but I wonder at her taste in choosing my father’s hired boy to walk with.”

“I am not responsible to you for my choice, Oscar Norton,” said Annie Raymond, with dignity.  “If my escort is poorly dressed, it is not his fault, nor do I think the less of him for it.”

“If your father would dress me better, I should be very glad of it,” said Joe.  “If I am a ragamuffin, it is his fault.”

“I’ll report that to him,” said Oscar maliciously.

“I wish you would.  It would save me the trouble of asking him for better clothes.”

“Suppose we go on,” said Annie Raymond.

“Certainly,” said Joe politely.

And they walked on, leaving Oscar discomfited and mortified.

“What a fool Annie Raymond makes of herself” he muttered.  “I should think she’d be ashamed to go round with Joe Mason.”