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The Young Explorer by Horatio Alger
page 21 of 228 (09%)
final decision, he had another offer of employment.

This is how it came about:

A little out of the village, in a handsome house, the best in
Hampton, lived Major Sturgis, a wealthy landholder, who had plenty
to live upon and nothing in particular to do, except to look after
his property. He was a portly man, who walked with a slow, dignified
step, leaning on a gold-headed cane, and evidently felt his
importance. His son, Sam, was a chip of the old block. He
condescended to associate with the village boys, because solitary
grandeur is not altogether pleasant. He occasionally went to New
York to visit a cousin of about his own age. From such a visit he
had just returned, bringing back with him a new idea.

"Father," he said, "Cousin Henry has a boy about his own age to wait
on him, black his boots, and run errands."

"Has he?" asked the major mechanically, not looking up from the
daily paper which he was reading.

"Yes, sir. He don't pay him much, you know, only five dollars a
month and his board, and Henry finds it very convenient."

Major Sturgis did not reply. In fact, he was too much interested in
the article he was reading.

"Ain't you as rich as uncle?" asked Sam, who was gradually leading
up to his proposal.

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