"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."

 

"What made you think so?"

 

"He didn't give satisfaction at the mill. He was discharged."

 

"So was I."

 

"But not for the same reasons," said Sam. "It was because times were dull."

 

"I rather think Ben's work was satisfactory enough, but you influenced your father against him."

 

"How much pay does he get?" inquired Sam.

 

"More than he received at the mill."

 

"I wonder whether all this is true," considered Sam. "James Watson is Ben's friend and he may represent things better than they are."

 

An excellent plan suggested itself to Sam. He would ask his father's permission to go to Boston and pass a day or two with his friend, Frank Ferguson. This would allow him to drop into Jones & Porter's store and judge for himself how Ben was situated².

 

Sam had no trouble about obtaining permission.

 

On reaching the city he decided³ to call at the store before going to his friend's residence.

 

Ben was dusting books, when a glance toward the door revealed the entrance of Sam. The latter had cherished a faint hope that James had deceived him, and that Ben was really not employed.

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