“Well, good by, Rodney! I leave school
tomorrow. I am going to learn a trade.”
“I am sorry to part with you, David. Couldn’t
you stay another term?”
“No: my uncle says I must be earning my
living, and I have a chance to learn the carpenter’s
trade.”
“Where are you going?”
“To Duffield, some twenty miles away. I
wish I were in your shoes. You have no money
cares, and can go on quietly and complete your education.”
“I don’t know how I am situated, David.
I only know that my guardian pays my expenses at this
boarding school.”
“Yes, you are a star boarder, and have the nicest
room in the institution. I am only a poor day
scholar. Still I feel thankful that I have been
allowed to remain as long as I have. Who is your
guardian?”
“A Mr. Benjamin Fielding, of New York.”
“Is he a business man?”
“I believe so.”
“Do you know how much you will inherit when
you come of age?” asked David, after a short
pause.
“I haven’t an idea.”
“It seems to me your guardian ought to have
told you.”
“I scarcely know my guardian. Five years
ago I spent a week at his home. I don’t
remember much about it except that he lives in a handsome
house, and has plenty of servants. Since then,
as you know, I have passed most of my time here, except
that in the summer I was allowed to board at the Catskills
or any country place I might select.”
“Yes, and I remember one year you took me with
you and paid all my expenses. I shall never forget
your kindness, and how much I enjoyed that summer.”
Rodney Ropes smiled, and his smile made his usually
grave face look very attractive.
“My dear David,” he said, “it was
all selfishness on my part. I knew I should enjoy
myself much better with a companion.”
“You may call that selfishness, Rodney, but
it is a kind of selfishness that makes me your devoted
friend. How long do you think you shall remain
at school?”
“I don’t know. My guardian has never
told me his plans for me. I wish he would.”
“I shall miss you, Rodney, but we will correspond,
won’t we?”
“Surely. You know I shall always feel interested
in you and your welfare.”
David was a plain boy of humble parentage, and would
probably be a hard working mechanic. In fact
he was looking for nothing better.
But Rodney Ropes looked to be of genteel blood, and
had the air of one who had been brought up a gentleman.
But different as they were in social position the
two boys had always been devoted friends.
The boarding school of which Rodney was, as his friend
expressed himself, a star pupil, was situated about
fifty miles from the city of New York. It was
under the charge of Dr. Sampson, a tall, thin man
of fair scholarship, keenly alive to his own interest,
who showed partiality for his richer pupils, and whenever
he had occasion to censure bore most heavily upon
boys like David Hull, who was poor.
