Accordingly Aleck was saddled and bridled and Mr. Wilmot was soon mounted
and, with his subscription paper in his pocket, was riding off after
subscribers. He was very successful; and when at night he turned his face
homeward, he had the names of fifteen scholars and the partial promise of
five more.
"Well, my boy, what luck?" said Mr. Middleton, as Wilmot entered the
sitting room that evening.
"Very good success," returned Mr. Wilmot; "I am sure of fifteen scholars
and have a promise for five more."
"Yes, pretty good," said Mr. Middleton; "fifteen sartin, and five
unsartin. Who are the unsartin ones?--old Thornton's?"
Mr. Wilmot replied that he believed it was a Mr. Thornton who had
hesitated about signing.
"He'll sign," said Mr. Middleton. "I's thar after you was, and he told me
you might put down five for him. I pay for two on 'em. He lives on my
premises; and if he doesn't pay up for t'other three, why, he'll jog,
that's all."
Mr. Wilmot said he hoped no one would send to school against their wishes.
"Lord, no," rejoined Mr. Middleton; "old Thornton wants to send bad
enough, only he's stingy like. Let me see your paper, boy."
Mr. Wilmot handed him the paper, and he went on: "Thar's ten scholars at
eight dollars--that makes eighty; then thar's five at eleven dollars, and
fifty-five and eighty makes a hundred and thirty-five; then thar's five
more at fifteen dollars; five times fifteen; five times five is
twenty-five--seventy-five dollars;--seventy-five and a hundred and
thirty-five;--five and five is ten, one to seven is eight, eight and three
is eleven--two hundred and ten dollars! Why, quite a heap! Of course you've
got clothes enough to last a spell, so you can put two hundred out at
interest. I'll take it and give you ten per cent."
Mr. Wilmot smiled at seeing his money so carefully disposed of before it
was earned, but he merely said, "There's my board to be deducted."
"Your what?" asked Mr. Middleton.
"My board, sir. I have no other means of paying it. I find I can get
boarded for a dollar and a half a week."
"The deuce you can," said Mr. Middleton. "Who'll board you for that?"
Mr. Wilmot gave the name of the gentleman, to which Mr. Middleton replied,
"I want to know if he will board you so very cheap!"
"Why, yes. Do you think I should pay more?"