Finally he said: "I think it will be well to pay some attention to Mr.

Taylor. It may turn the scale. When you go to school to-morrow I will send by you an invitation to Mr. Taylor to dine with us.

We'll give him a good dinner and get him good-natured."

So when Sam went to school in the morning he bore a note from his father, containing a dinner invitation.

"Say to your father that I will accept his invitation with pleasure,"

said the princ.i.p.al.

It was the first time he had received such a mark of attention from Mr. Archer, and, being a shrewd man, he understood at once what it signified.

"He's coming, father," announced Sam, on his return home.

"Did he seem gratified by the invitation?"

"I couldn't tell exactly. He said he would accept with pleasure."

"No doubt, he feels the attention," said Mr. Archer pompously.

"He knows I am a man of prominence and influence, and the invitation will give him social status."

Mr. Archer would have been offended if he had been told that the princ.i.p.al was more highly respected in town than himself, in spite of his wealth and fine house.

When the princ.i.p.al sat down to Mr. Archer's dinner table, he partook of a dinner richer and more varied than his modest salary enabled him to indulge in at home. Nevertheless, he had more than once been as well entertained by others, and rather annoyed Mr. Archer by not appearing to appreciate the superiority of the dinner.

"Confound the man! He takes it as coolly as if he were accustomed to dine as sumptuously every day," thought Archer.

"I hope you are enjoying dinner, Mr. Taylor," he said.

"Very much, thank you."

"I rather plume myself on my cook. I venture to say that I pay five dollars a month more than any other person in Milltown. But I must have a good dinner. I am very particular on that score."

"Have you a good cook, Mr. Taylor?" asked Mrs. Archer condescendingly.

"Why, the fact is, that we keep but one servant."

"I suppose your salary will not permit you to keep more than one servant."

"You are right, madam."

"Really, Mr. Taylor, I think your salary ought to be increased,"

said Mr. Archer graciously. "The laborer is worthy of his hire, eh?

I must see if I can't induce the town to vote you an increased compensation."

"Thank you," said the princ.i.p.al quietly. "A larger salary would, of course, be acceptable, but I doubt whether the town will feel like voting it."

"Rest easy," said Mr. Archer pompously. "I think I can bring it about."

"Oh, by the by," continued the rich man, "Samuel tells me that you have offered two scholarship prizes."

"Yes, sir--to the two scholars who pa.s.s the best examination."

"How does my boy stand in the matter?"

"He is one of the most prominent compet.i.tors."

"I am very glad to hear it--very glad. Sam, you must do your best to-morrow. It would gratify me very much if you should succeed.

I am ambitious for my son, Mr. Taylor, and I don't mind admitting it."

"Your ambition is a very natural one," said the princ.i.p.al. "Sam's scholarship is excellent and his record is very satisfactory."

"Thank you, Mr. Taylor. Your a.s.surance is deeply gratifying to Mrs. Archer and myself. It will be the happiest day of our lives if Sam succeeds in the approaching compet.i.tion."

"He has a very fair chance of success, sir."

"I think I've fixed things," said Mr. Archer complacently, after the princ.i.p.al had taken his leave. "The prize is as good as yours, Sam."

Chapter XX

Before the Battle

Ben's term at school had already extended to eight months. Our hero was thorough in whatever he did, and, having an excellent natural capacity, easily took high rank as a scholar.

"Do you expect to win the prize, Ben?" asked his friend, James Watson.

"I hope to win it," said Ben.

"So does Sam Archer."

"I suppose it lies between us two, unless you step in and carry it off,"

added Ben, smiling, for he knew that James, who was low in rank, was not at all sensitive on the subject.

"Make yourself easy, Ben; I won't interfere with you. You are my friend, you know, and for your sake I will answer a few questions wrong."

"You always were considerate, James. You have relieved my mind of a load of anxiety."

"Don't mention it, Ben. I shan't feel the sacrifice."

"You are a good fellow, at any rate, James, and that is more than I can say for Sam Archer."

"He thinks an awful lot of himself."

"He can't forget that his father is superintendent of the mill."

"By the way, Ben, what are you intending to do in vacation."