or you to accommodate
yourself to your means."

"I understand you, Mr. Porter, and thank you. I consider you a true
friend," said Ben earnestly.

"I see you are a sensible boy, Ben. You are right in looking upon me
as a friend. I hope you will come and call upon me often."

"Thank you, sir. I shall consider it a privilege to do so. And I hope
you will give me any advice that you think will benefit me."

"I will, Ben, and I will begin now. We have a large public library in
Boston, of which we are very proud. I advise you to draw books
from it."

"I shall be glad to," said Ben eagerly.

"Come round, and I will show it to you."

Together they entered the handsome building on Copley Square.
Ben, who had never seen a large library, or, indeed, any library
containing over a thousand books, was amazed at what he saw.

"I didn't suppose there was any library in the world so large," he said.

"Here is the newspaper and magazine room. You can come in here
any evening. It will be much better than to spend your time where
many boys and young men do--in billiard and drinking saloons."

"I shall enjoy living in Boston very much."

"I think you will. While a large city has more temptations than a
small town, it also has more opportunities for improvement. I
hope, Ben, you will start right, and prepare the way for a useful
manhood."

"Thank you, Mr. Porter. I mean to try."

The next day Ben took formal possession of his room in the
boarding-house on Warren Avenue. He found a pleasant class
of boarders there and a good table. Though not luxurious, it
was better than he had been used to at home, and he felt
himself fortunately placed.

Chapter XXVII

Sam Attempts Strategy

The more Sam Archer thought of the effect of his letter upon Ben's
fortunes the more he felt provoked.

"I wish I hadn't sent him to Jones & Porter," thought he. "I hope he
won't suit them."

When a fortnight had passed Sam managed to meet James Watson.

"Have you heard from Ben Bradford lately?"

"Yes," said James.

"What does he write?"

"That he likes his place very much. The bookkeeper is very kind to
him, and assists him with advice. Then he likes being in a bookstore."

Sam was not overjoyed at the news.

"How kind you are to take such an interest in Ben!"

"I don't take an interest in him," returned Sam.

"Then what makes you ask after him so particularly?"

"I expected he'd be discharged by this time