s Ben
Clark has an allowance of five dollars a week, and he is three months
younger than I am."

"Then I think his parents or guardians are very unwise. How does he
spend his liberal allowance?"

"Oh, he has a good time."

"I am afraid it isn't the sort of good time I would approve."

"Luke has more money than I have, and he is only a newsboy," grumbled
Harold.

"How do you know?"

"I notice he always has money."

"I doubt whether he spends half a dollar a week on his own amusement.
He has a mother and young brother to support."

"He says so!"

"So you doubt it?"

"It may be true."

"If you find it isn't true you can let me know."

"I am sorry that you think so much more of Luke than of me,"
complained Harold.

"How do you know I do?"

"Mother thinks so as well as I."

"Suppose we leave Luke out of consideration. I shall think as much of
you as you deserve."

Harold rose from his seat.

"As you have no errand for me, Aunt Eliza, I will go," he said.

Mrs. Merton unlocked a drawer in a work table, took out a pocketbook,
and extracted therefrom a ten-dollar-bill.

"You have asked me a favor, and I will grant it--for once," she said.
"Here are ten dollars."

"Thank you," said Harold, joyfully.

"I won't even ask how you propose to spend it. I thought of doing so,
but it would imply distrust, and for this occasion I won't show any."

"You are very kind, Aunt Eliza."

"I am glad you think so. You are welcome to the money."

Harold left the room in high spirits. He decided not to let his mother
know that he had received so large a sum, as she might inquire to what
use he intended to put it; and some of his expenditures, he felt
pretty sure, would not be approved by her.

He left the house, and going downtown, joined a couple of friends of
his own stamp. They adjourned to a billiard saloon, and between
billiards, bets upon the game, and drinks, Harold managed to spend
three dollars before suppertime.

Three days later the entire sum given him by his aunt was gone.

When Harold made the discovery, he sighed. His dream was over. It had
been pleasant as long as it lasted, but it was over too soon.

"Now I must go back to my mean allowance," he said to himself, in a
discontented tone. "Aunt Eliza might give me ten dollars every week
just as well as not. She is positively rolling in wealth, while I have
to grub along like a newsboy. Why, that fellow Luke has a great deal
more money than I."