to Ben.

"Do you know Archer living in Milltown?"

"Certainly; he is the superintendent of the mill there."

"Well, here is a paragraph about him. It seems he has left the town,
with fifty thousand dollars belonging to the corporation. His flight
has made a great sensation. The police are on his track, and it is
thought that he will be arrested and brought back."

"I saw Squire Archer this morning, on the Cunard steamer. He told
me not to mention having seen him till after the steamer had started."

"Is it possible?" exclaimed young Porter.

"Yes; he said he was looking out for a man who owed money to the
mill, whom he suspected of taking secret passage for Europe."

Chapter XXX

Sam Is Improved By Adversity

Mr. Archer's flight made a great commotion in Milltown. No one
entertained a suspicion of his integrity. He had been appropriating
the funds of the corporation to his own use, being treasurer as well
as superintendent. When exposure was inevitable he fled.

To Sam and his mother, it was a great blow, not only on account
of the disgrace, but also because it involved poverty and a narrow
style of living. To persons of their pretensions this was heavy to
bear. They were not altogether penniless. Mrs. Archer had
property of her own, to the amount of four thousand dollars, which
was unimpaired. But, even at a liberal rate of interest, this would
not support them. Sam remained in the house, dispirited and
resentful against the father who had brought this upon him, till he
got tired of confinement and walked out. He hoped to meet no one
whom he knew, but at the corner of the street he fell in with James
Watson.

"He is one of Ben Bradford's friends. He will rejoice at what has
happened," thought Sam. But James stopped him, and said in a
friendly tone: "Are you out for a walk, Sam? Let us walk together?"

"I didn't know as you'd care to walk with me."

"You don't think I rejoice over your misfortune?"

"I didn't know but you might. You are a friend of Ben Bradford."

"He will be very sorry. He won't think of any little difference there
has been between you."

"I don't believe that," said Sam, shaking his head.

"You will, as soon as you see him. You mustn't lose courage, Sam.
I know it's bad for you, but----"

"I don't know what's going to become of us," said Sam despondently.
"We shall be poor."

"That isn't the worst thing that can happen to you."

"Father has treated