"I shall be in the poorhouse before many years if I undertake to pay
all your bills, Eben."

After all, this was not, perhaps, an exaggeration, for a spendthrift
son can get through a great deal of money.

"I can't get along without money, father," said Eben, decidedly.
"How can I buy cigars, let alone other things?"

"I don't want you to smoke cigars. You'll be a great deal better off
without them," said his father, sharply.

"I understand; it's necessary to my health," said Eben, rather
absurdly.

"You won't smoke at my expense," said Ebenezer, decidedly. "I don't
smoke myself, and I never knew any good come of it."

"All the same, I must have some money. What will people say about a
young man of my age not having a cent in his pocket? They think my
father is very mean."

"I'll allow you fifty cents a week," said Mr. Graham, after a pause.

"That won't do! You seem to think I am only six or seven years old!"

Finally, after considerable haggling, Mr. Graham agreed to pay his
son a dollar and a half a week, in cash, besides board and clothes.
He reflected that he should be obliged to board and clothe his son