This was true. In spite of all his training, John Miles had never been able to overcome a shortness of breath which was constitutional with him. It was telling upon him now.
Foot by foot Ben gained upon him. It was the first race over again. Toward the finish he overtook him, and a final spurt won the race – with John Miles full ten feet behind.
"Have I won fairly?" asked our her, turning to John.
"That confounded cramp caught me again," said John sullenly. "If it hadn't been for that, you couldn't have beaten me."
"That was unlucky for you."
"I could beat you by twenty-five yards if I felt all right."
"Boasting is easy," thought Ben, but he did not say it. He felt in too good humor over his second victory.
"We may have a chance to run again some time when you are in better condition," he said cheerfully.
"Maybe so," answered John dubiously. He felt that he had had enough of running against Ben.
Ben's acquaintances gathered about him, and congratulated him over his double victory. Boys whom he did not know sought an introduction, and he found himself quite a lion.
John Miles returned to the two boys who had accompanied him, and began to apologize for his want of success.
"I was awfully unlucky," he said. "I suppose that fellow thinks, because he has beaten me twice when I had the cramp, that he is a better runner than I am. Just see those fellows crowding around him! I suppose he will strut like a turkey-cock."
But this was doing injustice to Ben. He certainly had reason to feel pleased with his success; for it not only brought him a sum equal to two weeks' wages at the factory, but he received the congratulations of the boys so modestly that he won the good opinion of many who had hitherto been strangers to him.
"By George, Ben, you've done well," said James Watson. "I just wish
I were in your place."
"I owe my good luck to you, James."
"How is that?"
"You invited me to come here. I shouldn't have come but for you."
"I am glad of it, Ben. From what you tell me, the money'll come in handy."
"Indeed it will, James."
"It would come in handy to me, too, but you need it more."
Ben was summoned before the committee of the picnic, and asked whether he preferred to take his prizes in money or in the form of a gold medal.
"In money," he said promptly.
"The medal would always remind you of your victory."
"They wouldn't receive it at a grocery store," said Ben.
"Then you are a family man?" said a member of the committee, smiling.
"Yes," said Ben; "I've got an aunt and cousin to provide for."
The money was accordingly placed in his hands. Two five-dollar greenbacks were a rich reward for his afternoon's exertions, he thought.
"I wish I could earn as much money every day," he thought.
"We would have no trouble then about getting along."
About half-past four o'clock, Ben and James left the picnic grounds, and started on their way home. They had occasion to pass the cigar store where Ben had been offered employment. The proprietor was standing at the door.
"Have you made up your mind to accept my offer?" he asked recognizing Ben.
"You don't offer enough," said Ben.
"Isn't three dollars a week enough for a boy like you?"
"Since I last saw you I've earned ten dollars," answered Ben.
"You have!" exclaimed the cigar dealer, in surprise. "I believe you are deceiving me. You don't expect me to believe a story like that."
"There is the proof," said Ben, displaying the greenbacks.
"Are you sure you haven't stolen the money?" asked the dwarf suspiciously.
"I am as sure as that you are no gentleman," retorted Ben, nettled by his tone.
The cigar dealer began to jump up and down with rage, and shook his fist violently at the two boys, who retired laughing.
Chapter VI
It was a little after five o'clock when Ben entered his humble home. He was in excellent spirits, as may be imagined. His aunt's face, however, presented a decided contrast to his own.
"Well, Benjamin," she said, with a sigh, "I suppose you haven't found anything to do."
"No, Aunt Jane, I have been to a picnic."
"I don't see how you can have the spirits to go to a picnic when we are on the verge of starvation," said Mrs. Bradford reproachfully.
"Not so bad as that, Aunt Jane; we won't starve this week, anyway."
"Perhaps not; but I look forward to the future."
"So do I, Aunt Jane," Ben replied; "but there is this difference between us. You look forward with discouragement, while I look forward hopefully. You know my motto is, Wait and Hope!"
"You'll have plenty of waiting to do," his aunt retorted; "but there isn't much to hope for."
"Why isn't there?"
"I shouldn't think you'd need to be told. You haven't earned a cent to-day, and – "
"How do you know I haven't?" demanded Ben, smiling.
"How could you? You were going about this morning after a place, and this afternoon you have been at a picnic."
"For all that, aunt, I have earned something – more than if I had been at the factory."
Mrs. Bradford stared at Ben in astonishment.
"How much did you earn, Ben?" asked Tony.
"Haven't I done well enough to earn a dollar, Tony?"
Mrs. Bradford's face assumed a more cheerful look, for a dollar in that little household would go far.
"I don't see how you found time to earn so much, Benjamin," she said.
"Now, just suppose, aunt, that I earned two dollars," said Ben, with a merry twinkle in his eyes.
This was too much for his aunt to believe.
"If supposing would make it so, I should be very glad to suppose; but it won't."
"But it's true, aunt."
"I can't believe it, Benjamin, unless you've found the money somewhere, and then you will have to return it."
"No, I earned it, Aunt Jane, and it's mine fairly."
"I am glad to hear it, Benjamin. Is there any chance to earn any more the same way?"
"I am afraid not, Aunt Jane. However, I've done even better than I told you. I've earned ten dollars this afternoon."
"Benjamin Bradford!" said his aunt sharply. "Do you expect me to believe such a foolish story as that?"
Ben laughed, He was not surprised at his aunt's incredulity; he wouldn't have believed that morning that there was any chance of his making so much money.
"I don't know as I blame you, Aunt Jane; but if you won't believe me, perhaps you'll believe your own eyes," answered Ben, as he drew forth the two five-dollar bills from his pocket, and showed them to Mrs. Bradford.
"Are they good?" she asked suspiciously.
"As good as gold, Aunt Jane; well, not exactly as good as gold, but as good as greenbacks, anyway."
"I can't understand it at all," said Mrs. Bradford, in helpless bewilderment.
"Then I'll tell you all about it," said Ben; and he did so.
"I