Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck

on. Prominent among them was a tall, pleasant-looking young man of twenty-two, the teacher of the Center Grammar School, Frederic Hooper, A. B.,

ill skate across the pond and back in the least time. You will all start together, at a given signal, and make your way to th

claimed the bo

efer more particularly to some of the

s supposed to be a rich man, and lived in a style quite beyond that of his neighbors. Randolph was his only son, a boy of sixteen, and felt that in socia

or any one in the village who desired his services. He filled the position of janitor at the school which he attended, sweeping out twice a week and making the fires. He had a pleasant expression, and a bright, resolute look, a warm heart, and a clear intellect, and was probably, in spite of his poverty, the most popular boy in Grove

contestants for the prize offered by their te

the watch," said Fred

and he has a pair of club skates. His father sent to New York for them la

Percy Hall. "Look at Luke's old-fashioned woo

don't think the contest is a fair one. Luke ought to have an al

d preferred to associate with him, though Randolph had made advances toward intimacy, Linton being the only boy in the vill

olph's. He, too, was a contestant, but, being three years youn

ar him, administering the a

ll get the watch, Ran

skater any day

are!" chimed

n't think so," said Ran

to think he can beat you,

ey look as if Adam might have

f Tom's crea

to understand that any remark of this kind might dim the luster of his expected v

him the watch, t

e watch myself," sai

one now, and am to

want to show that

s promised me ten

n dollars," said

llowed him only ten cents a week pocket-money, so t

"but you couldn't be trusted with so much money. You'd

y, boys?" ask

but Luke, who had been tightening his straps, said qui

the teacher, approaching and examining the f

to feel, he knew that his chances of success would b

yours now,"

answered Randol

ed the watch. Several of his friends of his own age had watches, either silver or Waterbury, and t

sympathy. "You are one of the best skaters, and had an excellent chance

said Fra

"you forget that your feet are se

," replied Frank, who w

ke," said Linton Tomkins.

een, but he was unusu

" said Luke, "but that will

ng," said Linton, "and I wi

Randolph, with a frown. "Each

her, "except that Luke is placed at disadvantage

gainsay the teacher,

ing that beggar!" he said i

is!" chimed

Luke, regarding his friend affect

Luke," said Linton.