gs gave me a long lecture and my walking
papers, and here I am."

Ebenezer Graham was sorely troubled, and, though he isn't a favorite of
mine, I confess, that in this matter he has my sincere sympathy.

CHAPTER IV. HERBERT LOSES HIS PLACE.

Ebenezer Graham with some difficulty ascertained from Eben that he had
other bills, amounting in the aggregate to forty-seven dollars. This
added to the board bill, made a total of seventy-seven dollars. Mr.
Graham's face elongated perceptibly.

"That is bad enough," he said; "but you have lost your income also, and
that makes matters worse. Isn't there a chance of the firm taking you
back?"

"No, sir," replied the prodigal. "You see, we had a flare up, and I
expressed my opinion of them pretty plainly. They wouldn't take me back
if I'd come for nothing."

"And they won't give you a recommendation, either?" said Ebenezer, with
a half groan.

"No, sir; I should say not."

"So you have ruined your prospects so far as Boston is concerned," said
his father, bitterly. "May I ask how you expect to get along?"

"I have a plan," said Eben, with cheerful confidence.

"What is it?"

"I would like to go to California. If I can't get any situation in San
Francisco, I can go to the mines."

"Very fine, upon my word!" said his father, sarcastically. "And how do
you propose to get to California?"

"I can go either by steamer, across the isthmus, or over the Union
Pacific road."

"That isn't what I mean. Where are you to get the money to pay your fare
with?"

"I suppose you will supply that," said Eben.

"You do? Well, it strikes me you have some assurance," ejaculated Mr.
Graham. "You expect me to advance hundreds of dollars, made by working
early and late, to support a spendthrift son!"

"I'll pay you back as soon as I am able," said Eben, a little abashed.

"No doubt! You'd pay me in the same way you pay your board bills," said
Ebenezer, who may be excused for the sneer. "I can invest my money to
better advantage than upon you."

"Then, if you will not do that," said Eben, sullenly, "I will leave you
to suggest a plan."

"There is only one plan I can think of, Eben. Go back to your old place
in the store. I will dismiss the Carr boy, and you can attend to the
post office, and do the store work."

"What, go back to tending a country grocery, after being a salesman in a
city store!" exclaimed Eben, disdainfully.

"Yes, it seems the only thing you have left.