about to leave
the house, "there's something I want to say to you."

"What is it?" asked his father, imagining it was some trifle.

"I'll go out with you, and tell you outside."

"Very well, my son."

Harry put on his cap, and followed his father into the open air.

"Now, my son, what is it?"

"I want to go away from home."

"Away from home! Where?" asked Mr. Walton, in surprise.

"I don't know where; but somewhere where I can earn my own living."

"But you can do that here. You can give me your help on the farm, as you
always have done."

"I don't like farming, father."

"You never told me that before. Is it because of the hard work?"

"No," said Harry, earnestly. "I am not afraid of hard work; but you know
how it is, father. This isn't a very good farm, and it's all you can do
to make a living for the rest of us out of it. If I could go somewhere,
where I could work at something else, I could send you home my wages."

"I am afraid a boy like you couldn't earn very large wages."

"I don't see why not, father. I'm strong and stout, and willing to
work."

"People don't give much for boys' work."

"I don't expect much; but I know I can get something, and by and by it
will lead to more. I want to help you to pay for that cow you've just
bought of Squire Green."

"I don't see how I'm going to pay for it," said Mr. Walton, with a sigh.
"Hard money's pretty scarce, and we farmers don't get much of it."

"That's just what I'm saying, father. There isn't much money to be got
in farming. That's why I want to try something else."

"How long have you been thinking of this plan, Harry?"

"Only since last night."

"What put it into your head?"

"That book I got as a prize."

"It is the life of Franklin, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Did he go away from home when he was a boy?"

"Yes, and he succeeded, too."

"I know he did. He became a famous man. But it isn't every boy that is
like Franklin."

"I know that. I never expect to become a great man like him; but I can
make something."

Harry spoke those words in a firm, resolute tone, which seemed to
indicate a consciousness of power. Looking in his son's face, the
elder Walton, though by no means a sanguine man, was inclined to think
favorably of the scheme, But he was cautious, and he did not want Harry
to be too confident of success.

"It's a new idea to me," he said. "Suppose you fail?"

"I don't mean to."

"But suppose you do--suppose you get sick?