The Tin Box, and What it Contained. Horatio Alger Jr.

said Uncle Obed, "you seem to have forgotten the years Ifreely helped you and your poor mother. However, if you don't care toremember them, I won't refer to them."

      Mrs. Ross had the grace to be ashamed, but was not moved in herresolution to get rid of her uncle.

      "Of course," she said, "I don't forget the past. We will help pay yourboard in some town at a distance."

      "Why at a distance?"

      "Because, if you were here, people might think it strange you didn'tstay with us, and my health won't admit that."

      "I'm much obliged for your offer, Lucindy, but I prefer to make my ownarrangements. I am going to stay here."

      "Then we shall not assist you," said Mrs. Ross, angrily.

      "I don't wish you to. I can manage to pay my board, and I have alreadyselected a boarding place."

      "Where do you expect to board?" asked Mrs. Ross, curiously.

      "I'll tell you when it's settled."

      The next day Uncle Obed informed his niece that he was to board withMrs. Gilbert. This was unwelcome news, because it would be a help to afamily she disliked; but Uncle Obed was proof against any insinuationsshe was able to bring against Harry and his mother, and the day after hetransferred himself to the clean and airy chamber in Mrs. Gilbert'scottage.

      "This will just suit me," said the old man, looking about him with apleased expression. "I like this room much better than the one my niecegave me."

      "Our house won't compare with hers, Mr. Wilkins," said the widow.

      "It ain't so fine, but she put me in a little seven-by-nine chamber, and

      I was always used to plenty of room."

      "I am afraid our living will be too plain for you," suggested Mrs.

      Gilbert, apprehensively.

      "Do I look as if I was used to high living?" asked Uncle Obed. "No; whatever's good enough for you and Harry is good enough for me. And nowit's best to agree about terms, so that we may know just how we stand."

      This was rather embarrassing to the widow. Uncle Obed certainly did notlook as if he could pay much, yet it would not do to charge too little. She would not be able to provide her table.

      "Would four dollars suit you?" she asked, in a hesitating way.

      "No, it wouldn't," said the old man.

      "I don't see how I can afford to ask less," faltered Mrs. Gilbert.

      "That isn't the point," he said. "You don't ask enough. I will pay yousix dollars a week – the first week in advance."

      "I should never think of asking so much," said Mrs. Gilbert, amazed.

      "Are you sure – "

      "That I can afford to pay so much?" asked Uncle Obed, who understood herthought. "Yes; I have a little something, though you might not think itfrom my clothes. When my trunk comes – I left it at a hotel in NewYork – I will dress a little better; but I wanted to try an experimentwith my niece, Mrs. Ross. Here's the money for the first week."

      And, drawing out a large wallet, he took therefrom two bills – a five anda one.

      "It will make me feel very easy," said Mrs. Gilbert, gratefully, "evenif Harry doesn't get any regular work, though I hope he will."

      "I should like to warn you of one thing," said Uncle Obed. "Don't letpeople know how much board I pay. If Mrs. Ross chooses to think I amvery poor, let her. She won't pester me with hypocritical attentions, which I shouldn't value."

      Harry was delighted at his mother's good fortune in obtaining sovaluable a boarder. Six dollars a week would go a long way in theirlittle household.

      It gave him fresh courage in his efforts to obtain a place, for he knewthat, even if it was deferred, his mother would not suffer from thedelay.

      CHAPTER X

      PHILIP MEETS HIS MATCH

      Though it would have been possible for the Gilberts to get along nowwithout help from Harry's earnings, his desire to obtain employment wasquite as great as before.

      As he had no place in view, he continued to go to the berry field everyday, supplying his mother with what she needed, and disposing of therest to Mr. Mead.

      The field in which he had at first picked being nearly exhausted, hebent his steps in another direction, where he learned that there wasstill a good supply. The field belonged to a Mr. Hammond, a substantialfarmer, who had no objections to the berries being picked, but requiredparties to obtain his permission.

      As Mr. Hammond was understood to be very well to do, Mrs. Ross and herson condescended to associate with him and his family on equal terms.

      On the particular morning when Harry sought the field, Philip wascrossing the pasture on his way to a river, where he kept a rowboat, when he espied two children, Tommy and Rose Perkins, picking berries.

      They were children of eight and ten, and it occurred to Philip that hehad a fine chance to bully them, in the name of Mr. Hammond.

      Striding up to them, with an air of authority, he said:

      "Look here, you children, what business have you in this field?"

      "It isn't yours, is it?" asked Tommy, independently.

      "It belongs to my friend, Mr. Hammond," said Philip. "He don't allow allthe loafers in town here."

      "Tommy and I are not loafers," said Rose.

      "All the same, you are trespassing on Mr. Hammond's pasture. Come, clearout."

      "Mr. Hammond gave us leave to come here, and I don't see what businessit is of yours," said Tommy.

      "I don't believe he gave you permission at all, and I'll let you knowwhat business it is of mine, you little rascal," said Philip, in abullying tone.

      Luckily for Tommy and Rose, there was a friend near at hand, who was notdisposed to see them abused. Harry Gilbert had reached the bars betweenthe berry pasture and the next field in time to hear Philip's attempt tobully the young brother and sister.

      "Just like Philip," he thought, with a feeling of disgust. "He is alwaystrying to bully those younger than himself, especially if they arepoor."

      Tommy and Rose were the children of a widow, no better off than Mrs.

      Gilbert, and Harry felt a greater sympathy for them on that account.

      Meanwhile, Philip, not aware that there was help at hand, continued hispersecutions.

      "Well, are you going to clear out?" he demanded, in a threatening tone.

      "No," said Tommy. "Mr. Hammond said we might pick berries here, and youhave no right to touch us."