"
Carl recited some incidents in his experience
with his stepmother. The stranger listened
with evident interest.
"I am not in general in favor of boys
leaving home except on extreme provocation,"
he said, after a pause; "but in your case,
as your father seems to take part against you,
I think you may be justified, especially as,
at your age, you have a fair chance of making
your own living."
"I am glad you think that, sir. I have begun
to wonder whether I have not acted rashly."
"In undertaking to support yourself?"
"Yes, sir."
"How old are you?"
"Sixteen."
"At fourteen I was obliged to undertake
what you have now before you."
"To support yourself?"
"Yes; I was left an orphan at fourteen, with
no money left me by my poor father, and no
relatives who could help me."
"How did you make out, sir?" asked Carl,
feeling very much interested.
"I sold papers for a while--in Newark, New
Jersey--then I got a place at three dollars
a week, out of which I had to pay for board,
lodging and clothes. Well, I won't go through
my history. I will only say that whatever I
did I did as well as I could. I am now a man
of about middle age, and I am moderately wealthy."
"I am very much encouraged by what you tell me, sir."
"Perhaps you don't understand what a hard
struggle I had. More than once I have had
to go to bed hungry. Sometimes I have had
to sleep out, but one mustn't be afraid to rough
it a little when he is young. I shouldn't like to
sleep out now, or go to bed without my supper,"
and the little man laughed softly.
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