WAIT AND HOPE

Table of Contents


I - Ben and His Aunt
II - Three Situations
III - At Lovell's Grounds
IV - The Boys' Race
V - Ben Wins Again
VI - Mr. Dobson's Visit
VII - Ben Gets Employment
VIII - Deacon Sawyer's Liberality
IX - Mr. Manning's Proposal
X - Ben's Journey
XI - In New York
XII - An Adventure
XIII - A Curious Old Lady
XIV - Prof. Crane, The Phrenologist
XV - An Old Convert to Phrenology
XVI - Ben's Loss
XVII - The Strange Captor
XVIII - The Envelope
XIX - The Prize for Scholarship
XX - Before the Battle
XXI - Ben Wins at School
XXII - Sam's Revenge
XXIII - The Decoy Letter
XXIV - Ben Arrives in Boston
XXV - Sam Gives Himself Away
XXVI - Ben Finds a Boarding-Place
XXVII - Sam Attempts Strategy
XXVIII - Sam Praises Ben
XXIX - The Cunard Steamer
XXX - Sam Is Improved By Adversity
XXXI - Clouds in the Sky
XXXII - The Blow Falls
XXXIII - Ben Receives a Commission
XXXIV - Solomon Brief
XXXV - John Tremlett
XXXVI - A Surprising Discovery
XXXVII - The Dead Alive
XXXVIII - Conclusion




Chapter I

Ben and His Aunt


Five o'clock sounded from the church clock, and straightway the
streets of Milltown were filled with men, women, and children
issuing from the great brick factories huddled together at one
end of the town. Among these, two boys waked in company, James
Watson and Ben Bradford. They were very nearly of an age, James
having just passed his fifteenth birthday, and Ben having nearly
attained it.

Both boys looked sober. Why, will appear from their
conversation.

"It's rather hard to get out of a job just now," said James.
"Why couldn't the superintendent discharge somebody else?"

"I suppose it's all right," said Ben. "We were taken on last, and
we haven't as much claim to remain as those that have been in
the mill longer."

"I don't believe there was any need of discharging anybody,"
complained James.

"You know business is very dull," said Ben, who was more
considerate, "and I hear they have been losing money."

"Oh, well, they can stand it," said James.

"So can you," said Ben. "Your father is pretty well off, and
you won't suffer."

"Oh, I shall have enough to eat, and so on; but I shan't have
any spending money, and I can't get a new suit, as I expected to
this fall."

"I wish that was all I had to fear," said Ben; "but you know how
it is with me. I don't see how Aunt Jane is going to get along
without my earnings."

"Oh, you'll get along somehow," said James carelessly, for he
did not care enough about other people's prospects to discuss
them.

"Yes, I guess so," said Ben, more cheerfully. "There's no use
in worrying. Wait and Hope--that's my motto."

"You have to wait a thundering long time sometimes," said James.
"Well, good night. Come round and see me to-morrow. You'll
have plenty of time."

"I don't know about that. I must look up something to do."

"I shan't. I am going to wait till the superintendent takes me
on again. There's one comfort. I can lie abed as long as I want
to. I won't be tied to the factory bell."