The Adventures of a Boy Reporter | Page 7

some bad end in the city. You really must
not go, for my sake, if for no other reason."
"But, mother, I can't remain here in town always. I must go out into the
world some time to earn a living and make a place for myself, and I
think the sooner I go the better, don't you?"
"Yes, Archie, but you're so young, and you've had no experience. You
have no idea of the things there are in great cities to drag young men
down. I don't think I could stand it to have you so far away from home
and in such danger."
"Well, mother," said Archie, "there isn't much use in arguing about it. I
have reached a point where I don't think I can be any longer satisfied at
home. I have been here seventeen years, and I think I can remain here

that much longer without improving myself. In the city I am sure I can
make rapid progress, and in a year or two you can come there and live
with me."
Archie got up from the porch and went down the street, while poor Mrs.
Dunn ran over next door to see her neighbour, Mrs. Sullivan. When she
had entered the disorderly kitchen, and seated herself on one of the
home-made chairs, the anxious mother burst into tears. "I don't know
what to think of Archie, Mrs. Sullivan," she said. "He is determined,
now, to go to New York, and I know that if he goes I will never be able
to see him again. I am nigh distracted with worrying over it. I have
talked with him, but he seems determined, and I know I can never hold
out against his entreaties and arguments."
"Sure, now, Mrs. Dunn," said the Widow Sullivan, "don't yez be a
worryin' about 'im at all. That Archie is a smart boy, he is, and if he
goes to New York he'll come out all right, never fear, I only wish my
Dannie had as much get-up about him as your boy."
"Yes, yes, Archie is very ambitious for his age," said Mrs. Dunn, "but I
sometimes wish he were less so. I know I could keep him at home
longer if he wasn't so anxious to be at work. I don't believe I can let
him go, Mrs. Sullivan, not yet. I want him to stay in school another
year, and then I'll think about it."
"Well, ye're wise, Mrs. Dunn, ye're a wise woman," said the Widow
Sullivan. "Since yer husband died ye've been a good mother to the lad,
and have brought 'im up well. And now, how is yer chickens, Mrs.
Dunn? Have ye got that cochin hen a 'settin'' yit?"
And the two women began to discuss their various fowls, and the
conversation was so interesting that Mrs. Dunn remained late, and
found Archie in bed when she went home. "Ah, well, poor boy, I'll
have to tell him of my decision in the morning. He'll be terribly
disappointed, and I hate to do it I'm afraid it's selfishness that makes me
want to keep him with me. I almost wish he would take things into his
own hands, and start for the city himself. I would be rid then of the
responsibility of sending him, and the question would be settled for me.
Boys sometimes know best how to settle their own difficulties,
anyhow."
Mrs. Dunn kneaded the bread before retiring, for to-morrow was
Saturday, and, therefore, baking-day, and then she went into her little

room off the kitchen, and prayed earnestly for her boy before sleeping.
She prayed that she might be helped in advising him, and that he might
always do what was best for himself and for his mother.
The next day was Saturday, and in the morning the Hut Club met, as
usual, and prepared to have an open-air dinner for this day. The furnace,
which had been knocked down during the week by the East Siders, was
rebuilt, and the skillet and other utensils were brought from the nearest
kitchens. Archie went to the grocery around the corner and bought five
cents' worth of cakes, and then the six boys sat down in a circle and
prepared to devour their home-made feast. But before they began
Archie stood up. "I want to say that this will probably be my farewell
dinner with the club," he said, in a low tone, "and I hope that you will
appoint another president in my place."
The boys were horror-struck, but Archie refused to explain where and
when he was going. Finally, they refused to appoint another president,
all agreeing that Archie should hold that office for ever, wherever he
was. And the meal was eaten in silence, for the announcement had