"Yours respectfully,
"PAULINE CLINTON."
Fletcher read this letter with feelings which can better be imagined
than described. He had already written home in the most boastful
manner about the invitation he had received, and he knew that before
he could contradict it, it would have been generally reported by his
gratified parents to his city friends. And now he would be compelled
to explain that he had been duped, besides enduring the jeers of
those who had planned the trick.
This was more than he could endure. He formed a sudden resolution.
He would feign illness, and go home the next day. He could let it be
inferred that it was sickness alone which had compelled him to give
up the idea of appearing as a public reader.
Fitz immediately acted upon his decision, and the next day found him
on the way to Boston. He never returned to the Prescott Academy as a
student.
CHAPTER XXV.
AN INVITATION TO BOSTON.
Harry was doubly glad that he was now in receipt of a moderate
salary. He welcomed it as an evidence that he was rising in the
estimation of his employer, which was of itself satisfactory, and
also because in his circumstances the money was likely to be useful.
"Five dollars a week!" said Harry to himself. "Half of that ought to
be enough to pay for my clothes and miscellaneous expenses, and the
rest I will give to father.
Pages:
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165