Budd Boyd's Triumph

ng dark and heavy over both land and sea. The wind, too, which had for hours been steadily increasing in violence

that runs near the west shore of Narragansett Bay. He was a lad that would have attracted attention anywhere. Tall for his age, which could not have be

here were also upon it unmistakable evidences of intelligence, resoluteness, and honesty of purpose. A close obse

as though even his rapid walking did not make him entirely comfortable. He also looked eagerly ahead, like one who was w

d it was at the top of the first long hi

ed the summit, quite out of breath, but with a genial warm

held. To the north and west of him he saw the twinkling lights of several villages through which he had already passed. To the east of him was the bay, its tossing waves capped with w

, and I hope to find a home here," he

to its nearest door. As he was about to knock, a man came f

-even

ng!" respon

he

s Mr. B

on the next farm. You will have to turn into the next gateway and

shed to hire help, and I hoped to get work t

oy's side, and was looking hi

fellow for the coming season, and hadn't hired anyone the las

y; and then thanking the man fo

d after him, "else you wouldn

k then; but it was not long before he k

n the narrow lane till he came to a long, low, dilapidated house; but in the darkness, wh

the rear door of the building. To his knock there was a chorus of respons

me

knocked again. Then there was a heavy step across the floor, the door swung open with a

ment in surprise, he a

ou want, y

Benton?" th

t?" the man ans

, and I have called to see

he man, and his tones w

itchen and living-room all in one. There was no carpet on the floor, a

mall children were seated at the table. An empty chair and an unemptied p

y in which each child was helping itself, caused the lad to give an involuntary shudder as

spitality, for he heaped the lad's plate with cold pork, brown bread, and vegetables

d away a quantity that surprised himself, if not his host. When supper w

are

promptly answ

it?" questioned Mr. Benton. "I dunno a

r of one who had studied his answer; but it seemed for

" next inquir

keeping house now. I'm to look out for my

nquired Mr. Benton, doubtingly, and looking at Bud

m willing to lea

uch in the way of wages," re

my full share of work,"

for a moment in

d, beginnin' the fust of the month, ye to wor

d the lad; and immedi

to-day, and if you don't

s sign it," suggested Mr. Benton, rubbing his hands vigorously t

custom," said Budd. "Draw up

rt, Mr. Benton produced

to begin work April fust, an' work 6 munths, at 10 dollers an' bord. He's to work til the f

TON, on

gnature. He knew, however much importance Mr. Benton might attach to it, that as a legal document it had no special force. He simply set the whole act down as one of

he second floor, and telling him that he would ca

ang his garments upon, were all it contained. Yet it was evidently with some satisfaction that the lad opened h

the outlook for the next six months, at least, is far from encouraging

and muttered strange sentences. One was, "Father never did it; how could they treat him so?" Another, "I can never face them again; no, never!" Still another, "Thank Heaven, mother never lived to kno

t up and come o

time he was dressed a full consciousness of his situation had come back to him, and wit