"I congratulate you, old fellow," said James Watson to Ben. "You've done splendidly."

"Thank you, James."

"So do I, and I," exclaimed one and another.

Ben received all these congratulations modestly.

"Go and congratulate Sam, boys," he said.

"A good scholar, but a mean boy," said James. "However, here goes."

"I congratulate you on your prize, Sam," he said offering his hand.

Sam did not appear to see the hand.

"A second prize isn't worth having," he said discontentedly. "Of course it was all I had a chance for. Bradford is the teacher's favorite."

"Do you mean to say Ben don't deserve the first prize?"

"He was sure to get it, anyhow."

"That's mean in you to speak so, Sam."

"It's what I think, at any rate."

"Well, Sam," said his father, as he entered his presence, "how is it?"

"Just as I expected, father. Old Taylor gave the first prize to his favorite, Ben Bradford."

"After all the attention I have paid that man, it is positively outrageous to defraud you of your rights."

"You won't have his salary increased now, will you, father?"

"I'll do what I can to have the man discharged."

"There's a favor I want to ask of you, father."

"What is it, my son?"

"I hear that Ben Bradford is going to seek employment in the mill, now that school is over; I hope you'll refuse to take him on."

"I will. His prize will cost him dear."

"Would you have given him employment if I had beaten him for the prize?"

"Yes; business has revived, and we have decided to take on some extra hands, giving preference to those who have formerly been in our employ."

"Then I will be revenged, at any rate," said Sam.

Chapter XXII

Sam's Revenge

Now that vacation had fairly commenced, Ben thought he had better make application for employment at the mills. It was generally understood that business had improved and that new hands were to be taken on.

On the morning succeeding the award of prizes, Ben presented himself at the office of the superintendent.

After awhile the great man arrived. He nodded patronizingly to the applicants for employment. He saw Ben in the number and his small soul was rejoiced, for he meant to humiliate him.

He summoned one and another to a conference, engaging such as were old hands.

Ben began to look hopeful. He, too, had experience.

At last Mr. Archer beckoned to him to approach.

"What do you wish?" he demanded.

"I should like employment at the mills," said Ben.

"Have you been in my employ before?"

"Yes, sir."

Mr. Archer opened a thick folio volume which lay upon the desk, and appeared to be looking for something, which he found at last.

"I can't employ you," he said coldly.

"Why not, sir?"

"Because your record is not good."

Ben's eyes flashed with proper indignation.

"I don't understand, sir," he said, in a dignified tone.

"It strikes me that my language is plain."

"What complaints were made of me? I should like to know in what respect I failed to do my duty."

"Probably you know as well as I can tell you," said the superintendent. "At any rate, I have no time to waste in examining into the matter. I prefer to take a boy who has nothing against him.

Next."

Ben left the office, smarting not so much at the failure to obtain employment, as at the unfounded charges trumped up against him.

Just outside the office he met Sam Archer.