CHAPTER III.

A prodigal son.

Herbert did not look forward with very joyful anticipations to the new engagement he had formed.  He knew very well that he should not like Ebenezer Graham as an employer, but it was necessary that he should earn something, for the income was now but two dollars a week.  He was sorry, too, to displace Tom Tripp, but upon this point his uneasiness was soon removed, for Tom dropped in just after Mr. Graham had left the house, and informed Herbert that he was to go to work the next day for a farmer in the neighborhood, at a dollar and a half per week, and board besides.

“I am glad to hear it, Tom,” said Herbert, heartily.  “I didn’t want to feel that I was depriving you of employment.”

“You are welcome to my place in the store,” said Tom.  “I’m glad to give it up.  Mr. Graham seemed to think I was made of iron, and I could work like a machine, without getting tired.  I hope he pays you more than a dollar and a half a week.”

“He has agreed to pay me three dollars,” said Herbert.

Tom whistled in genuine amazement.

“What! has the old man lost his senses?” he exclaimed.  “He must be crazy to offer such wages as that.”

“He didn’t offer them.  I told him I wouldn’t come for less.”

“I don’t see how he came to pay such a price.”

“Because he wanted me to take care of the post office.  I know all about it, and he doesn’t.”

“As soon as he learns, he will reduce your wages.”

“Then I shall leave him.”

“Well, I hope you’ll like store work better than I do.”

The next two or three days were spent in removing the post office to one corner of Eben-ezer Graham’s store.  The removal was superintended by Herbert, who was not interfered with to any extent by his employer, nor required to do much work in the store.  Our hero was agreeably surprised, and began to think he should get along better than he anticipated.

At the end of the first week the storekeeper, while they were closing the shutters, said:  “I expect, Herbert, you’d just as lieves take your pay in groceries and goods from the store?”

“No, sir,” answered Herbert, “I prefer to be paid in money, and to pay for such goods as we buy.”

“I don’t see what odds it makes to you,” said Ebenezer.  “It comes to the same thing, doesn’t it?”

“Then if it comes to the same thing,” retorted Herbert, “why do you want to pay me in goods?”

“Ahem!  It saves trouble.  I’ll just charge everything you buy, and give you the balance Saturday night.”

“I should prefer the money, Mr. Graham,” said Herbert, firmly.

So the storekeeper, considerably against his will, drew three dollars in bills from the drawer and handed them to his young clerk.

“It’s a good deal of money, Herbert,” he said, “for a boy.  There ain’t many men would pay you such a good salary.”