"So you have ruined your prospects so far as Boston is concerned,"
said his father, bitterly. "May I ask how you expect to get along?"

"I have a plan," said Eben, with cheerful confidence.

"What is it?"

"I would like to go to California. If I can't get any situation in
San Francisco, I can go to the mines."

"Very fine, upon my word!" said his father, sarcastically. "And how
do you propose to get to California?"

"I can go either by steamer, across the isthmus, or over the Union
Pacific road."

"That isn't what I mean. Where are you to get the money to pay your
fare with?"

"I suppose you will supply that," said Eben.

"You do? Well, it strikes me you have some assurance," ejaculated
Mr. Graham. "You expect me to advance hundreds of dollars, made by
working early and late, to support a spendthrift son!"

"I'll pay you back as soon as I am able," said Eben, a little
abashed.

"No doubt! You'd pay me in the same way you pay your board bills,"
said Ebenezer, who may be excused for the sneer. "I can invest my