Struggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's Luck

id the teacher, after Randolph's departure. "Y

t, sir," answered Luke. "I can get al

ay to his mother. As it was, he was in no hurry to go home, but remained for two hours skating with the o

he called home. His mother, a pleasant woman of middle age, w

?" she said

ome the watch, mothe

accident. I will

thoughtfully. "Isn't it a little singula

ought so a

s any arrangement betw

ther, I am obliged

trick!" said Mrs.

d for it. Why, he's got a bunch on the back

y him," said

for the service done him. If Randolph had met with the same accid

en seriously injur

t, so I won't take th

ch or no watch, I've

ready when

es afterward and proved his words go

ceived a dollar a week for taking care of the schoolhouse, but this income only lasted forty weeks in the year. Then he did odd jobs for the neighbors, and picked up perhaps as much more. Mrs. Larkin had some skill as a dressmaker, but Groveton was a small village, and there was anothe

ke?" asked his mot

Can I do anyt

she will want to wear it to church to-morrow. But she live

ind. It won't

ll get

all sleep the

a good so

Haven't I got

for there was some wood to saw and split-Luke set out, with the bund

was to be a turning-point, and to mark the beginning of a new chapter of experiences. Was it to be for good or ill? That w

rn. It was half-past eight, but the moon had risen and diffused a mild radiance over the landscape. Luke thought he would shorten his homeward way by taking a path through the woods. It was not over a quarter of a mile, but would shorten the distance by a

s your name

our hero answer

do yo

village

u do me

is it,

to your home. Keep it under lo

that. But how shal

at me, that you

ou again, but hadn't yo

nswered the other, af

Roland Reed. Wi

s,

and can't conveniently carry the box," explained

ght to refuse, since money was so scarce at home. He took the tin box and thrust the bank-

d Luke, as the st

ered his new acqua

ace him, he would certainly have refused to take charge of the box. And yet in so doing it might have happened that he had made

s as, with the box under h