CHAPTER IV.

A BRILLIANT CHANCE.





The week was over, and Ben persisted in his determination to leave
Hampton.

"I'm sorry you are going, Ben," said his Cousin Jennie. "I shall
miss you awfully."

As Jennie was the prettiest girl in the village, though she did not
inherit any good looks from her plain-looking father, Ben was
gratified.

"You'd forget me soon," he said.

"No, I won't."

"Especially when Sam Sturgis comes round to see you."

"I don't want to see him. He's a stuck-up boy, and thinks himself
too good to associate with common people."