"Alger Jr, Horatio - The Young Explorer" - читать интересную книгу автора (Alger Horatio Jr)

"I never heard such impudence," said Sam, in concentrated wrath. "I never was so
repaid for kindness before."
"Look here, Sam," said Ben, "I understand just how kind you are. You want the
satisfaction of ordering me round, and you can't have it. I decline your offer.
I'd rather beg for bread than accept it."
"You may starve, for all me," said Sam. "It's ridiculous for a poor boy to put
on such airs. You'll die in the poorhouse yet."
"I won't live there, if I can help it. What! are you going to leave me?"
"I won't condescend to be seen with you."
"Good-by, Sam. I hope you won't have to black your own boots."
Sam did not deign a reply.
"He looks mad," thought Ben. "I'd live on one meal a day rather than let him
order me round."
CHAPTER IV. A BRILLIANT CHANCE.
The week was over, and Ben persisted in his determination to leave Hampton.
"I'm sorry you are going, Ben," said his Cousin Jennie. "I shall miss you
awfully."
As Jennie was the prettiest girl in the village, though she did not inherit any
good looks from her plain-looking father, Ben was gratified.
"You'd forget me soon," he said.
"No, I won't."
"Especially when Sam Sturgis comes round to see you."
"I don't want to see him. He's a stuck-up boy, and thinks himself too good to
associate with common people."
"He wanted to have me black his boots," said Ben.
"He isn't fit to black yours," said Jennie energetically.
"Oh, yes, he is," said Ben, laughing. "That's where you and I disagree."
"I guess we both mean about the same thing," said Jennie, who saw the point.
Ben's resolve to go to California was modified by an advertisement in a New York
daily paper which he saw at the village tavern.
It ran thus:
"Wanted, six boys, from fifteen to eighteen years of age, to fill positions of
trust. Ten dollars per week will be paid; but a deposit of fifty dollars is
required as a guarantee of honesty. This sum will be repaid at the close of term
of service. Address Fitch Perguson, No.ЧNassau Street."
This advertisement looked quite attractive to Ben. He copied it, and showed it
to Uncle Job.
"Isn't that a good chance, Uncle Job?" he said. "Just think! Ten dollars a
week!"
"You'd have to pay your board out of it," said his uncle.
"I know that, but my board wouldn't cost more than four dollars a week. That
would leave me six."
"So it would. I declare it does seem to be a good chance. Maybe they've got all
the boys they want."
"Why, you see, uncle, there's a good many boys that couldn't pay the deposit
money. That would limit the number of applicants. Now, I have the money, and I
guess I'd better write to New York at once about it."
"Maybe you had, Ben."
Ben immediately procured a sheet of paper and wrote to the advertisers, stating
that he would like the position, and assuring them of his ability to furnish the