He had never attempted to
debate, and dreaded attempting it for the first time; but he knew
that nothing desirable would be accomplished without effort, and he
was willing to make that effort.
"What have you there, Walton?" asked Clapp, noticing the letter which
he held in his hand.
"You can read it if you like," said Harry.
"Humph!" said Clapp; "so you are getting in with the Academy boys?"
"Why shouldn't he?" said Ferguson.
"Oh, they're a stuck-up set."
"I don't find them so--that is, with one exception," said Harry.
"They are mostly the sones of rich men, and look down on those who
have to work for a living."
Clapp was of a jealous and envious disposition, and he was always
fancying slights where they were not intended.
"If I thought so," said Harry, "I would not join the Society, but as
they have elected me, I shall become a member, and see how things
turn out."
"It is a good plan, Harry," said Ferguson. "It will be a great
advantage to you."
"I wish I had a chance to attend the Academy for a couple of years,"
said our hero, thoughtfully.
"I don't," said Clapp. "What's the good of studying Latin and Greek,
and all that rigmarole? It won't bring you money, will it?"
"Yes," said Ferguson. "Education will make a man more competent to
earn money, at any rate in many cases. I have a cousin, who used to
go to school with me, but his father was able to send him to college.
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