"and it won't be much
loss to you, either."

"Don't dispute, children," said Mrs. Walton. "I expect you both will
turn over a new leaf by and by."

Meanwhile, Harry was busily reading the "Life of Franklin." The more he
read, the more hopeful he became as to the future.

CHAPTER IX. LEAVING HOME

Monday morning came, and the whole family stood on the grass plat in
front of the house, ready to bid Harry good-by. He was encumbered by no
trunk, but carried his scanty supply of clothing wrapped in a red cotton
handkerchief, and not a very heavy bundle at that. He had cut a stout
stick in the woods near by, and from the end of this suspended over his
back bore the bundle which contained all his worldly fortune except the
twenty-five cents which was in his vest pocket.

"I don't like to have you go," said his mother, anxiously. "Suppose you
don't get work?"

"Don't worry about me, mother," said Harry, brightly. "I'll get along
somehow."

"Remember you've got a home here, Harry, whatever happens," said his
father.

"I shan't forget, father."

"I wish I was going with you," said Tom, for the first time fired with
the spirit of adventure.

"What could you do, Tom?" said Jane, teasingly.

"Work, of course."

"I never saw you do it yet."

"I'm no more lazy than you," retorted Tom, offended.

"Don't dispute, children, just as your brother is leaving us," said Mrs.
Walton.

"Good-by, mother," said Harry, feeling an unwonted moistening of the
eyes, as he reflected that he was about to leave the house in which he
had lived since infancy.

"Good-by, my dear child," said his mother, kissing him.

"Be sure to write."

"Yes I will."

So with farewell greetings Harry walked out into the world. He had all
at once assumed a man's responsibilities, and his face grew serious, as
he began to realize that he must now look out for himself.

His native village was situated in the northern part of New Hampshire.
Not far away could be seen, indistinct in the distance, the towering
summits of the White Mountain range, but his back was turned to them.
In the south were larger and more thriving villages, and the wealth was
greater. Harry felt that his chances would be greater there. Not that
he had any particular place in view. Wherever there was an opening, he
meant to stop.

"I won't come back till I am better off," he said to himself. "If I
don't succeed it won't be for want of trying."

He walked five mile