Wait and Hope: or, A Plucky Boy's Luck

"Yes, I may say it is something about Benjamin," answered Mrs.

Perkins, nodding in a tantalizing manner.

"He hasn't got into any scrape, has he? He hasn't done anything wrong, has he?" asked Aunt Jane startled.

"No, poor child!" sighed the old lady. "That's the wust on't. It ain't what he has done; it's because he won't have anything to do."

"For mercy's sakes, tell me what you mean, Mrs. Perkins."

"Hasn't Benjamin told you that he's lost his place at the factory?"

"Is this true, Mrs. Perkins?" asked Mrs. Bradford, turning pale.

"Yes, business is dull and fifty men and boys have been turned off.

James Watson and your Benjamin are among them."

"Ben never told me anything about it," faltered Mrs. Bradford.

"Heaven only knows what we shall do."

"Oh, I guess you'll get along someway," said Mrs. Perkins, complacently. She was not herself affected, having sufficient property to live upon. "Well, I must be going," said the old lady, anxious to reach the next neighbor, and report how poor Mrs. Bradford took it. "Don't you be too much worried. The Lord will provide."

"I am afraid we shall all starve," thought Mrs. Bradford mournfully.

She opened the shed door, and said: "Ben, is it true that you've lost your place at the mill?"

"Yes, aunt," answered Ben. "Who told you?"

"Old Mrs. Perkins. Why didn't you tell me before?"

"There's no hurry about bad news, aunt."

"I am afraid we'll all have to go to the poorhouse," said Aunt Jane, sighing.

"Perhaps we may, but we'll see what else we can do first. Wait and

Hope, aunt – that's my motto."

Mrs. Bradford shook her heard mournfully.

"I don't mind it so much for myself," she said; "but I can't help thinking of you and Tony."

"Tony and I are coming out all right. There's lots of ways of making money, aunt. Just do as I do – 'Wait and Hope.'"

Chapter II

Three Situations

Before going further it may be as well to explain exactly how the Bradfords were situated. To begin with, they had no rent to pay. The small house in which they lived belonged to an old bachelor uncle of Mrs. Bradford, living in Montreal, and all they were required to do was to pay the taxes, which amounted to very little, not more than twelve dollars a year. Ben had earned at the factory five dollars a week, and his aunt averaged two. To some readers it may seem remarkable that three persons could live and clothe themselves on seven dollars a week; but Mrs. Bradford was a good manager, and had not found the problem a difficult one.

Now, however, the question promised to become more difficult. If Ben found nothing to do, the family would be reduced to two dollars a week, and to live comfortably on that small sum might well appal the most skilful financier.

Ben woke up early, and immediately began to consider the situation. His motto was "Wait and Hope"; but he knew very well that he must work while he was waiting and hoping, otherwise he would differ very little from the hopeful Micawber, who was always waiting for something to turn up.

"Aunt Jane," he said, after a frugal breakfast, over which Mrs. Bradford presided with an uncommonly long face, "how much money have you got on hand? I want to know just how we stand."

Mrs. Bradford opened her pocketbook with a sigh, and produced two one-dollar bills and thirty-seven cents in change.

"There's only that between us and starvation," she said mournfully.

"Well, that's something," said Ben cheerfully. "Isn't it, Tony?"

"It's a lot of money," said the inexperienced Tony. "I never had so much in all my life."

"There, somebody thinks you are rich, Aunt Jane," laughed Ben.

"What should the poor child know of household expenses?" said

Mrs. Bradford.

"To be sure. Only we may get some money before that is used up.

They owe me at the factory for half a week – two dollars and a half.

I shall get it Saturday night. We won't starve for a week, you see."

"Where are you going, Ben?" asked Tony; "won't you stay and play with me?"

"I can't, Tony. I must go out, and see if I can find something to do."

Milltown was something more than a village. In fact, it had been incorporated two years before as a city, having the requisite number of inhabitants. The main street was quite city-like, being lined with stores.

"I wonder if I can't get a change in a store," thought Ben. So he made his way to the principal street, and entered the first store he came to – a large dry-goods store.

Entering, he addressed himself to a small, thin man, with an aquiline nose, who seemed to have a keen scent for money.

"What can I do for you, young man?" he asked, taking Ben for a customer.

"Can you give me a place in your store?" asked Ben.

The small man's expression changed instantly.

"What do you know of the dry-goods trade?" he inquired.

"Nothing at present, but I could learn," answered our hero.

"Then, I'll make you an offer."