He had never attempted to
debate, and dreaded attempting it for the first time; but he knew
that nothing desirable would be accomplished without effort, and he
was willing to make that effort.

"What have you there, Walton?" asked Clapp, noticing the letter which
he held in his hand.

"You can read it if you like," said Harry.

"Humph!" said Clapp; "so you are getting in with the Academy boys?"

"Why shouldn't he?" said Ferguson.

"Oh, they're a stuck-up set."

"I don't find them so--that is, with one exception," said Harry.

"They are mostly the sones of rich men, and look down on those who
have to work for a living."

Clapp was of a jealous and envious disposition, and he was always
fancying slights where they were not intended.

"If I thought so," said Harry, "I would not join the Society, but as
they have elected me, I shall become a member, and see how things
turn out."

"It is a good plan, Harry," said Ferguson. "It will be a great
advantage to you."

"I wish I had a chance to attend the Academy for a couple of years,"
said our hero, thoughtfully.

"I don't," said Clapp. "What's the good of studying Latin and Greek,
and all that rigmarole? It won't bring you money, will it?"

"Yes," said Ferguson. "Education will make a man more competent to
earn money, at any rate in many cases. I have a cousin, who used to
go to school with me, but his father was able to send him to college.
He is now a lawyer in Boston, making four or five times my income.
But it isn't for the money alone that an education is worth having.
There is a pleasure in being educated."

"So I think," said Harry.

"I don't see it," said Clapp. "I wouldn't be a bookworm for anybody.
There's Walton learning French. What good is it ever going to do
him?"

"I can tell you better by and by, when I know a little more," said
Harry. "I am only a beginner now."

"Dr. Franklin would never have become distinguished if he had been
satisfied with what he knew as an apprentice," said Ferguson.

"Oh, if you're going to bring up Franklin again, I've got through,"
said Clapp with a sneer. "I forgot that Walton was trying to be a
second Franklin."

"I don't see much chance of it," said Harry, good-humoredly. "I
should like to be if I could."

Clapp seemed to be in an ill-humor, and the conversation was not
continued. He had been up late the night before with Luke Harrison,
and both had drank more than was good for them. In conseq