"I shall try to get employment in the mill again. I have been idle nearly a year now."

"Your aunt has been getting along very well."

"Yes; thanks to the seven dollars a week received for Emma's board.

But I don't like to feel that she is supporting the family. I think it is high time for me to be at work."

"Ben, I've been thinking of something."

"Out with it, James."

"Sam Archer will be very much disappointed if you take the prize over him."

"He doesn't love me overmuch now."

"I am afraid he will prejudice his father against you, so as to induce him to refuse you employment in the mill."

"Do you think he would be as mean as that?"

"Do I think so? I know it. Sam Archer is mean enough for anything."

"He has just as good a chance as I have."

"He told one of the boys you were Mr. Taylor's pet. He will say the prize was give to you on account of favoritism."

"Will anybody believe it?"

"No one except Sam's special friends. I think Mr. Taylor does like you. That reminds me, where do you think Mr. Taylor is to-night?"

"I don't know, I am sure."

"He is dining at Mr. Archer's."

"That's something new, isn't it?"

"Mr. Archer is trying to curry favor with the princ.i.p.al for Sam."

"Then he doesn't know him very well. Mr. Taylor will decide justly, at any rate."

"Do you want very much to go back to the mill, Ben?"

"Yes."

"Then the best thing you can do is to let Sam beat you. That will make him good-natured and you will probably get a place."

"I shan't resign the prize. I shall do my best to obtain it. If that loses me employment in the mill, I will go in search of employment elsewhere."

"I like your pluck, Ben."

"I am willing to wait and I expect to win in the end."

"Well, good luck to you, Ben. My supper is ready, and I must go home."

The more Ben thought it over, the more he felt that James was probably correct in his prediction as to the effect of his success.

"I am determined to beat Sam," he said to himself. The next morning he entered the schoolroom cool and confident, while Sam, though rather nervous, seemed almost equally confident.

"Mr. Taylor won't go back on me," he reflected, "after dining at our house; especially after father has promised to get him a higher salary."

The examination lasted all the session. It was partly oral and partly written.

"Boys," said the princ.i.p.al, "I shall devote the evening to the examination of your papers. To-morrow morning my decision will be made known."

"I wish it were over," thought Sam. "I think he'll give me the prize, but I should like to be sure of it."

Chapter XXI

Ben Wins at School

Every boy was in his seat the next morning at the opening of school.

Though the choice lay between two only, there was a general interest felt in the result of the compet.i.tion. Ben was the favorite, though Sam had a few followers--generally sycophantic boys who had a respect for wealth, or had favors to ask of him.

"Boys," said the princ.i.p.al, "I sat up till twelve o'clock last evening, examining your papers. I have not only ascertained who are ent.i.tled to the two prizes, but I have made a list of the ten highest scholars, with their percentages. I am glad to say that many of you have done well, and I regret that I have not more prizes to bestow. I will now announce the names of the prize boys."

"First prize--Benjamin Bradford."

"Second prize--Sam Archer."

The boys applauded noisily.

"Bradford's percentage," continued the princ.i.p.al, "is ninety-nine and eight-tenths; Archer's, ninety-seven and nine-tenths. Both are very high and I heartily congratulate both young gentlemen upon their brilliant success. Bradford, you may come up to the desk."

Mr. Taylor placed in his hands a neat edition of Longfellow's poems.

"Thank you, sir," said Ben.

The boys again applauded.

"Archer, you may come up," said the princ.i.p.al.

Sam rose slowly, and with a discontented look shuffled up to the desk. An edition of Tennyson's poems was handed to him. He received them without a word of thanks and hurried back to his seat.

There was no applause in his case.

This was the last day of school, and the session lasted but an hour and a half. At half-past ten the boys poured out of the schoolhouse with noisy demonstrations of joy.