Frank was gratified by Mr. Percival’s commendation, though he could not see in what manner his education was likely to bring him employment.  It was desirable, however, to produce a favorable impression on Mr. Percival, and he could not help hoping something would result to his advantage.

At this moment Freddie’s mother entered the room, and greeted Frank with a cordial smile.

“Freddie,” she said, “it is time for you to go to bed.”

“I don’t want to leave Frank,” said Freddie.

“Frank will come and see you again.”

“Will you, Frank?”

Frank made the promise, and Mrs. Gordon—­for that was her name—­left the room, promising to return before Frank went away.

He was now left alone with the old gentleman.

CHAPTER XXIX

FRANK IS OFFERED A POSITION

Mr. Percival engaged Frank in conversation on general topics while Mrs. Gordon was out of the room.  His young visitor had been an extensive reader, and displayed a good deal of general information.  Moreover, he expressed himself intelligently and modestly, and deepened the favorable impression which he had already succeeded in making.

I should like to call the attention of my young readers to the fact that Frank was now reaping the advantage of the time he had devoted to study and the cultivation of his mind.

A boy who starts in life with a fair education always stands a better chance than one who is poorly provided in that respect.

It is true that many of our prominent public men have started with a very scanty supply of book-learning, but in most cases it has only transferred the labor of study to their maturer years.

President Andrew Johnson did not learn to read and write until after he had attained his majority, but he made up his early deficiencies later.

Abraham Lincoln, when nearly thirty, devoted his leisure hours to mastering the problems in Euclid, and thus trained and strengthened his mental faculties so that he was enabled to grapple with the difficult problems of statesmanship in after years.

Henry Wilson commenced attending an academy after he had reached the age of twenty-one.

The fact is, no boy or man can be too well equipped for his life-work.

I hope my boy readers will not skip the paragraphs above, for they can learn from them a useful lesson.

When Mrs. Gordon returned, she placed in Frank’s hands a small sum of money, saying: 

“Allow me to repay my debt, with many thanks.”

“You are quite welcome,” answered our hero.

He had too much tact to refuse the money, but quietly put it into his pocket.

“Helen,” said Mr. Percival, “I would like a word with you.  We will leave our young friend here alone for five minutes.”

“Certainly, father.”

The two went into an adjoining room, and Mr. Percival commenced by asking: