Richard Dares Venture | Page 8

in disappointment. He knew that what Mr. Barrows
said about the amount was true, but still he needed more, and for that
reason, he had, somehow, expected a larger sum to be offered.
"I'm much obliged, but I'll have to think it over before I decide," he said.
"Three years is a long time to bind one's self."
"Oh, they'll slip by before you know it. Besides, I'll raise your wages
just as soon as you are worth it," said Mr. Barrows.
"I'll see about it," was all the boy could answer.
"Two dollars a week would not go far towards supporting a family of
five," sighed Richard, as he walked away. "And then to be a house
painter all one's life! I must strike something else."
But "striking something else" was no easy matter, as the boy soon
learned. A visit to the two stores, the blacksmith shop and to several
people whom he thought might give him employment, brought forth no

results of value. Either they had nothing for him to do, or else the pay
offered was altogether too small.
Richard returned home late in the afternoon. Grace met him at the end
of the lane.
"Any luck, Dick?" she asked eagerly.
"No," he replied, and related his experience.
"Never mind," returned his sister. "Maybe it isn't so bad after all. The
minister is here."
"Mr. Cook?"
"Yes, he's in the parlor talking to mamma, and I heard them mention
your name, and say something about New York."
Richard's heart gave a bound. He knew that Mr. Cook, who was their
old family pastor, had great influence with his mother, and that she
would probably go to him for advice.
"Guess I'll go in and hear what he has to say," said Richard, and a
moment later he knocked on the parlor door and entered.
Mr. Cook shook him cordially by the hand.
"We have just been speaking about you," he said. "How have you fared
in your search for employment?"
The boy told him.
"Mossvale is so small, there is hardly any chance," he added.
"Your mother tells me that you have an idea you could do better in
New York," went on the minister. "It is a big place, and nearly every
one is almost too busy to notice a new-comer."
"I know that. But I should watch my chances."

"And there are many temptations there that never arise in such a place
as this," continued Mr. Cook earnestly; "and it very often takes all the
will power a person possesses to keep in the straight and narrow path."
"I wouldn't do what wasn't right!" burst out Richard. "I'd starve first!"
Mr. Cook looked down into the clear, outspoken face before him.
"I believe it," he declared. "You have had a good training, thanks to
your mother and father. Well, I have advised her to let you try your
luck in the great metropolis."
"Oh, Mr. Cook!"
"Yes. Now don't get excited. She has thought it over, and agrees to let
you go for two weeks, at least. The fare is only four dollars and a half,
and board for that length of time will not be much. Of course you can't
put up at an expensive hotel."
"I won't put up anywhere until I find a job," declared Richard. "I only
want my railroad ticket, and a dollar or two extra."
"Indeed not!" put in Mrs. Dare. "I would not have you stay out doors all
night, like a tramp. There are plenty of cheap lodging-houses."
"And when can I go?" asked Richard eagerly.
His mother gave a sad little smile.
"Do you want to leave your mother so very soon?" she asked.
"Oh, no, only I want to be doing something--helping you and the rest,"
he replied quickly.
"Then you shall go bright and early next Monday morning," returned
Mrs. Dare, and she turned away to hide the tears that sprang up at the
thought of her only boy leaving the shelter of the quiet country home,
to mingle with strangers in the great city more than a hundred miles
away.

As for Richard he was delighted with the prospects. At last the dream
of many months was to be realized. He was to go to New York, to tread
the streets of the great metropolis, to find a place for himself, and make
a fortune!
Little did he know or care for the many trials and disappointments in
store for him. He was striking out for himself, and intended to do his
level best.
Would he succeed or fail?
We shall see.
CHAPTER IV.
ON THE TRAIN.
Of course there was a good deal of talking about Richard's proposed
venture. The girls seemed never to tire of it, and the amount of advice
that they