Struggling Upward | Page 2

the contest is a fair one. Luke ought to have an allowance of twenty
rods, to make up for the difference in skates."
"He wouldn't accept it," said Linton Tomkins, the son of a
manufacturer in Groveton, who was an intimate friend of Luke, and
preferred to associate with him, though Randolph had made advances
toward intimacy, Linton being the only boy in the village whom he
regarded as his social equal. "I offered him my club skates, but he said
he would take the chances with his own."
Linton was the only boy who had a pair of skates equal to Randolph's.
He, too, was a contestant, but, being three years younger than Luke and
Randolph, had no expectation of rivaling them.
Randolph had his friends near him, administering the adulation he so
much enjoyed.
"I have no doubt you'll get the watch, Randolph," said Sam Noble.
"You're a better skater any day than Luke Larkin."
"Of course you are!" chimed in Tom Harper.
"The young janitor doesn't think so," said Randolph, his lips curling.
"Oh, he's conceited enough to think he can beat you, I make no doubt,"
said Sam.
"On those old skates, too! They look as if Adam might have used them
when he was a boy!"

This sally of Tom's created a laugh.
"His skates are old ones, to be sure," said Randolph, who was
quick-sighted enough to understand that any remark of this kind might
dim the luster of his expected victory. "His skates are old enough, but
they are just as good for skating as mine."
"They won't win him the watch, though," said Sam.
"I don't care for the watch myself," said Randolph, loftily. "I've got a
silver one now, and am to have a gold one when I'm eighteen. But I
want to show that I am the best skater. Besides, father has promised me
ten dollars if I win."
"I wish I had ten dollars," said Sam, enviously.
He was the son of the storekeeper, and his father allowed him only ten
cents a week pocket-money, so that ten dollars in his eyes was a
colossal fortune.
"I have no doubt you would, Sam," said Tom, joyously; "but you
couldn't be trusted with so much money. You'd go down to New York
and try to buy out A. T. Stewart."
"Are you ready, boys?" asked Mr. Hooper.
Most of the boys responded promptly in the affirmative; but Luke, who
had been tightening his straps, said quickly: "I am not ready, Mr.
Hooper. My strap has broken!"
"Indeed, Luke, I am sorry to hear it," said the teacher, approaching and
examining the fracture. "As matters stand, you can't skate."
Randolph's eyes brightened. Confident as he professed to feel, he knew
that his chances of success would be greatly increased by Luke's
withdrawal from the list.
"The prize is yours now," whispered Tom.

"It was before," answered Randolph, conceitedly.
Poor Luke looked disappointed. He knew that he had at least an even
chance of winning, and he wanted the watch. Several of his friends of
his own age had watches, either silver or Waterbury, and this seemed,
in his circumstances, the only chance of securing one. Now he was
apparently barred out.
"It's a pity you shouldn't skate, Luke," said Mr. Hooper, in a tone of
sympathy. "You are one of the best skaters, and had an excellent
chance of winning the prize. Is there any boy willing to lend Luke his
skates?"
"I will," said Frank Acken.
"My dear boy," said the teacher, "you forget that your feet are several
sizes smaller than Luke's."
"I didn't think of that," replied Frank, who was only twelve years old.
"You may use my skates, Luke," said Linton Tomkins. "I think they
will fit you."
Linton was only thirteen, but he was unusually large for his age.
"You are very kind, Linton," said Luke, "but that will keep you out of
the race."
"I stand no chance of winning," said Linton, "and I will do my skating
afterward."
"I don't think that fair," said Randolph, with a frown. "Each boy ought
to use his own skates."
"There is nothing unfair about it," said the teacher, "except that Luke is
placed at disadvantage in using a pair of skates he is unaccustomed to."
Randolph did not dare gainsay the teacher, but he looked sullen.

"Mr. Hooper is always favoring that beggar!" he said in a low voice, to
Tom Harper.
"Of course he is!" chimed in the toady.
"You are very kind, Linny," said Luke, regarding his friend
affectionately. "I won't soon forget it."
"Oh, it's all right, Luke," said Linton. "Now go in and win!"
CHAPTER II
TOM HARPER'S ACCIDENT
Tom Harper and Sam Noble were not wholly disinterested in their
championship of Randolph. They were very