Читать книгу The Tin Box, and What it Contained - Horatio Alger Jr., Alger Horatio Jr., Thomas Chandler Haliburton - Страница 10

Though it would have been possible for the Gilberts to get along nowwithout help from Harry's earnings, his desire to obtain employment wasquite as great as before.

As he had no place in view, he continued to go to the berry field everyday, supplying his mother with what she needed, and disposing of therest to Mr. Mead.

The field in which he had at first picked being nearly exhausted, hebent his steps in another direction, where he learned that there wasstill a good supply. The field belonged to a Mr. Hammond, a substantialfarmer, who had no objections to the berries being picked, but requiredparties to obtain his permission.

As Mr. Hammond was understood to be very well to do, Mrs. Ross and herson condescended to associate with him and his family on equal terms.

On the particular morning when Harry sought the field, Philip wascrossing the pasture on his way to a river, where he kept a rowboat, when he espied two children, Tommy and Rose Perkins, picking berries.

They were children of eight and ten, and it occurred to Philip that hehad a fine chance to bully them, in the name of Mr. Hammond.

Striding up to them, with an air of authority, he said:

"Look here, you children, what business have you in this field?"

"It isn't yours, is it?" asked Tommy, independently.

"It belongs to my friend, Mr. Hammond," said Philip. "He don't allow allthe loafers in town here."

"Tommy and I are not loafers," said Rose.

"All the same, you are trespassing on Mr. Hammond's pasture. Come, clearout."

"Mr. Hammond gave us leave to come here, and I don't see what businessit is of yours," said Tommy.

"I don't believe he gave you permission at all, and I'll let you knowwhat business it is of mine, you little rascal," said Philip, in abullying tone.

Luckily for Tommy and Rose, there was a friend near at hand, who was notdisposed to see them abused. Harry Gilbert had reached the bars betweenthe berry pasture and the next field in time to hear Philip's attempt tobully the young brother and sister.

"Just like Philip," he thought, with a feeling of disgust. "He is alwaystrying to bully those younger than himself, especially if they arepoor."

Tommy and Rose were the children of a widow, no better off than Mrs.

Gilbert, and Harry felt a greater sympathy for them on that account.

Meanwhile, Philip, not aware that there was help at hand, continued hispersecutions.

"Well, are you going to clear out?" he demanded, in a threatening tone.

"No," said Tommy. "Mr. Hammond said we might pick berries here, and youhave no right to touch us."