re willing to pay," said Ben. "If
it's only five dollars a week, it won't more than pay my board,
and I don't like to call upon Aunt Jane to pay for my clothes."

"You will take the place, won't you, at any rate?"

"Oh, yes. Perhaps I can get a chance to earn something by extra
work, and so pay for my clothes."

"Well, I wish you good luck, Ben. If you hear of a place for me,
let me know."

"I will, James. I should like your company."

Ben went home and showed the letter to his aunt.

"You see, aunt, I am provided for," said Ben.

Old Mrs. Perkins was present and hazarded a cheerful observation.

"I wouldn't trust a boy of mine in the city, Mrs. Bradford," she said;
"it's the ruination of 'em most always. Like or not, Ben will get
dissipated, and take to drinkin', and have the delirious triangles."

Mrs. Bradford was easily alarmed.

"Do you think you'd better go, Ben?" she asked doubtfully. "You're
so young."

"I can't afford to wait till I'm an old man, Aunt Jane," he said; "and I
don't mean to have the 'delirous triangles,' if I can help it. You
wouldn't keep me at home till I'm eighty, like Mrs. Perkins-------"

"I'm only sixty-two," exclaimed the old lady indignantly. "What do
you mean by calling me eighty?"

"I didn't know you were sensitive about your age."

"I ain't," snarled the old lady; "I own up to sixty-two, but you needn't
call me twenty years older."

Mrs. Perkins was really seventy-two and looked her age; but she
fondly hoped to deceive the public.

"Do you really think you had better go to Boston, Ben?" said his
aunt, after the departure of the visitor.

"Yes, Aunt Jane. There's no chance for me in Milltown, as you
know very well. Mr. Archer's prejudiced against me, and
won't take me into the mill."

"I shall miss you very much, Ben."

"I'll write you once every week."

"How much will you get?"

"I don't know. If it's too little, I will live as closely as I can. I
shall be learning the business, you know, and, of course, I shall get
my salary raised when I deserve it."

Ben had a strong, positive nature, and he convinced his aunt that he
ought to accept the offer of Jones & Porter. Mrs. Bradford set
about putting his clothes in order.

Sam Archer awaited with interest the result of his joke. Seeing Ben
the next day, he stopped him.

"Where are you bound, Ben?" he asked.

"I am going to buy some underclothes," he said.

"Have you got a place?"

"Yes, I e