Risen from the Ranks; Or, Harry Walton's Success

by Jr. Horatio Alger

  CHAPTER XIII.

  VACATION BEGINS AT THE ACADEMY.

  Not long after his election as a member of the Clionian Society, thesummer term of the Prescott Academy closed. The examination tookplace about the tenth of June, and a vacation followed, lasting tillthe first day of September. Of course, the Clionian Society, whichwas composed of Academy students, suspended its meetings for the samelength of time. Indeed, the last meeting for the season took placeduring the first week in June, as the evenings were too short and toowarm, and the weather was not favorable to oratory. At the lastmeeting, an election was held of officers to serve for the followingterm. The same President and Vice-President were chosen; but as theSecretary declined to serve another term, Harry Walton, considerablyto his surprise, found himself elected in his place.

  Fitzgerald Fletcher did not vote for him. Indeed, he expressed it ashis opinion that it was a shame to elect a "printer's devil"Secretary of the Society.

  "Why is it?" said Oscar. "Printing is a department of literature,and the Clionian is a literary society, isn't it?"

  "Of course it is a literary society, but a printer's devil is notliterary."

  "He's as literary as a tin-pedler," said Tom Carver, maliciously.

  Fletcher turned red, but managed to say, "And what does that prove?"

  "We don't object to you because you are connected with the tinbusiness."

  "Do you mean to insult me?" demanded Fletcher, angrily. "What have Ito do with the tin business?"

  "Oh, I beg pardon, it's your cousin that's in it."

  "I deny the relationship," said Fletcher, "and I will thank you notto refer again to that vulgar pedler."

  "Really, Fitz, you speak rather roughly, considering he's yourcousin. But as to Harry Walton, he's a fine fellow, and he has anexcellent handwriting, and I was very glad to vote for him."

  Fitzgerald walked away, not a little disgusted, as well at theallusion to the tin-pedler, as at the success of Harry Walton inobtaining an office to which he had himself secretly aspired. He hadfancied that it would sound well to put "Secretary of the ClionianSociety" after his name, and would give him increased consequence athome. As to the tin-pedler, it would have relieved his mind to hearthat Mr. Bickford had been carried off suddenly by an apoplectic fit,and notwithstanding the tie of kindred, he would not have taken thetrouble to put on mourning in his honor.

  Harry Walton sat in Oscar Vincent's room, on the last evening of theterm. He had just finished reciting the last French lesson in whichhe would have Oscar's assistance for some time to come.

  "You have made excellent progress," said Oscar. "It is only twomonths since you began French, and now you take a long lesson intranslation."

  "That is because I have so good a teacher. But do you think I canget along without help during the summer?"

  "No doubt of it. You may find some difficulties, but those you canmark, and I will explain when I come back. Or I'll tell you what isstill better. Write to me, and I'll answer. Shall I write inFrench?"

  "I wish you would, Oscar."

  "Then I will. I'm rather lazy with the pen, but I can find time foryou. Besides, it will be a good way for me to keep up my French."

  "Shall you be in Boston all summer, Oscar?"

  "No; our family has a summer residence at Nahant, a sea-shore placetwelve miles from Boston. Then I hope father will let me travelabout a little on my own account. I want to go to Saratoga and LakeGeorge."

  "That would be splendid."

  "I wish you could go with me, Harry."

  "Thank you, Oscar, but perhaps you can secure Fletcher's company.That will be much better than that of a 'printer's devil' likemyself."

  "It may show bad taste, but I should prefer your company,notwithstanding your low employment."

  "Thank you, Oscar. I am much obliged."

  "Fitz has been hinting to me how nice it would be for us to go offsomewhere together, but I don't see it in that light. I asked himwhy he didn't secure board with his cousin, the tin-pedler, but thatmade him angry, and he walked away in disgust. But I can't helppitying you a little, Harry."

  "Why? On account of my occupation?"

  "Partly. All these warm summer days, you have got to be working atthe case, while I can lounge in the shade, or travel for pleasure.Sha'n't you have a vacation?"

  "I don't expect any. I don't think I could well be spared. However,I don't mind it. I hope to do good deal of studying while you aregone."

  "And I sha'n't do any."

  "Neither would I, perhaps, in your position. But there's a good dealof difference between us. You are a Latin and Greek scholar, and cantalk French, while I am at the bottom of the ladder. I have no timeto lose."

  "You have begun to mount the ladder, Harry. Don't be discouraged.You can climb up."

  "But I must work for it. I haven't got high enough up to stop andrest. But there is one question I want to ask you, before you go."

  "What is it?"

  "What French book would you recommend after I have finished thisReader? I am nearly through now."

  "Telemaque will be a good book to take next. It is easy andinteresting. Have you got a French dictionary?"

  "No; but I can buy one."

  "You can use mine while I am gone. You may as well have it as not.I have no copy of Telemaque, but I will send you one from Boston."

  "Agreed, provided you will let me pay you for it."

  "So I would, if I had to buy one. But I have got an old copy, notvery ornamental, but complete. I will send it through the mail."

  "Thank you, Oscar. How kind you are!"

  "Don't flatter me, Harry. The favors you refer to are but trifles.I will ask a favor of you in return."

  "I wish you would."

  "Then help me pack my trunk. There's nothing I detest so much.Generally I tumble things in helter-skelter, and get a good scoldingfrom mother for doing it, when she inspects my trunk."

  "I'll save you the trouble, then. Bring what you want to carry home,and pile it on the floor, and I'll do the packing."

  "A thousand thanks, as the French say. It takes a load off my mind.By the way, here's a lot of my photographs. Would you like one toremember your professor by?"

  "Very much, Oscar."

  "Then take your choice. They don't do justice to my beauty, which isof a stunning description, as you are aware, nor do they convey anidea of the lofty intellect which sits enthroned behind my classicbrow; but such as they are, you are welcome to one."

  "Any one would think, to hear you, that you had no end ofself-conceit, Oscar," said Harry, laughing.

  "How do you know that I haven't? Most people think they arebeautiful. A photographer told my sister that he was once visited bya frightfully homely man from the the country, who wanted his 'pictertook.' When the result was placed before him, he seemeddissatisfied. 'Don't you think it like?' said the artist.--'Well,ye-es,' he answered slowly, 'but it hasn't got my sweet expressionabout the mouth!'"

  "Very good," said Harry, laughing; "that's what's the matter withyour picture."

  "Precisely. I am glad your artistic eye detects what is wanting.But, hold! there's a knock. It's Fitz, I'll bet a hat."

  "Come in!" he cried, and Fletcher walked in.

  "Good-evening, Fletcher," said Oscar. "You see I'm packing, orrather Walton is packing. He's a capital packer."

  "Indeed!" sneered Fletcher. "I was not aware that Mr. Walton was inthat line of business. What are his terms?"

  "I refer you to him."

  "What do you charge for packing trunks, Mr. Walton?"

  "I think fifty cents would be about right," answered Harry, withperfect gravity. "Can you give me a job, Mr. Fletcher?"

  "I might, if I had known it in time, though I am particular whohandles my things."

  "Walton is careful, and I can vouch for his honesty," said Oscar,carrying out the joke. "His wages in the printing office are notlarge, and he would be glad to make a little extra m
oney."

  "It must be very inconvenient to be poor," said Fletcher, with asupercilious glance at our hero, who was kneeling before Oscar'strunk.

  "It is," answered Harry, quietly, "but as long as work is to be had Ishall not complain."

  "To be sure!" said Fletcher. "My father is wealthy, and I shall nothave to work."

  "Suppose he should fail?" suggested Oscar.

  "That is a very improbable supposition," said Fletcher, loftily.

  "But not impossible?"

  "Nothing is impossible."

  "Of course. I say, Fitz, if such a thing should happen, you've gotsomething to fall back upon."

  "To what do you refer?"

  "Mr. Bickford could give you an interest in the tin business."

  "Good-evening!" said Fletcher, not relishing the allusion.

  "Good-evening! Of course I shall see you in the city."

  "I suppose I ought not to tease Fitz," said Oscar, after his visitorhad departed, "but I enjoy seeing how disgusted he looks."

  In due time the trunk was packed, and Harry, not without regret, tookleave of his friend for the summer.