The Project Gutenberg EBook of Cast Upon the Breakers, by Horatio Alger
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Title: Cast Upon the Breakers
Author: Horatio Alger
Release Date: January 16, 2006 [EBook #399]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAST UPON THE BREAKERS ***
Produced by Charles Keller and David Widger
CAST UPON THE BREAKERS
by Horatio Alger, Jr.
CHAPTER I.
A FAITHLESS GUARDIAN.
"Well, good by, Rodney! I leave school tomorrow. I am going to learn a
trade."
"I am sorry to part with you, David. Couldn't you stay another term?"
"No: my uncle says I must be earning my living, and I have a chance to
learn the carpenter's trade."
"Where are you going?"
"To Duffield, some twenty miles away. I wish I were in your shoes. You
have no money cares, and can go on quietly and complete your education."
"I don't know how I am situated, David. I only know that my guardian
pays my expenses at this boarding school."
"Yes, you are a star boarder, and have the nicest room in the
institution. I am only a poor day scholar. Still I feel thankful that I
have been allowed to remain as long as I have. Who is your guardian?"
"A Mr. Benjamin Fielding, of New York."
"Is he a business man?"
"I believe so."
"Do you know how much you will inherit when you come of age?" asked
David, after a short pause.
"I haven't an idea."
"It seems to me your guardian ought to have told you."
"I scarcely know my guardian. Five years ago I spent a week at his home.
I don't remember much about it except that he lives in a handsome house,
and has plenty of servants. Since then, as you know, I have passed most
of my time here, except that in the summer I was allowed to board at the
Catskills or any country place I might select."
"Yes, and I remember one year you took me with you and paid all my
expenses. I shall never forget your kindness, and how much I enjoyed
that summer."
Rodney Ropes smiled, and his smile made his usually grave face look very
attractive.
"My dear David," he said, "it was all selfishness on my part. I knew I
should enjoy myself much better with a companion."
"You may call that selfishn
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