"Really, Clapp, you're rather hard on our young friend," said
Ferguson. "He doesn't put on any airs of superiority, or pretend to
anything uncommon."
"He's very kind--such an intellect as he's got, too!" said Clapp.
"I'm glad you found it out," said Harry. "I haven't a very high idea
of my intellect yet. I wish I had more reason to do so."
Finding that he had failed in his attempt to provoke Harry by his
ridicule, Clapp desisted, but he disliked him none the less.
The fact was, that Clapp was getting into a bad way. He had no high
aim in life, and cared chiefly for the pleasure of the present
moment. He had found Luke Harrison a congenial companion, and they
had been associated in more than one excess. The morning previous,
Clapp had entered the printing office so evidently under the
influence of liquor, that he had been sharply reprimanded by Mr.
Anderson.
"I don't choose to interfere with your mode of life, unwise and
ruinous as I may consider it," he said, "as long as it does not
interfere with your discharge of duty. But to-day you are clearly
incapacitated for labor, and I have a right to complain. If it
happens again, I shall be obliged to look for another journeyman."
Clapp did not care to leave his place just at present, for he had no
money saved up, and was even somewhat in debt, and it might be some
time before he got another place.
Pages:
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104