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Henty, G. A. (George Alfred), 1832-1902

"By Sheer Pluck, a Tale of the Ashanti War"

He went into many shops
where he saw notices that an errand boy was required, but everywhere
without success. He perceived at once that his appearance was
against him, and he either received the abrupt answer of, "You're
not the sort of chap for my place," or an equally decided refusal
upon the grounds that he did not know the neighborhood, or that
they preferred one who had parents who lived close by and could
speak for him.
At six o'clock he rejoined the porter. He brought with him some
bread and butter and a piece of bacon. When, on arriving at the
lodging of his new friend, a neat room with two small beds in it,
he produced and opened his parcel, the porter said angrily, "Don't
you do that again, young fellow, or we shall have words. You're
just coming to stop with me for a bit till you see your way, and
I'm not going to have you bring things in here. My money is good
for two months, and your living here with me won't cost three
shillings a week. So don't you hurt my feelings by bringing things
home again. There, don't say no more about it."
Frank, seeing that his companion was really in earnest, said no
more, and was the less reluctant to accept the other's kindness
as he saw that his society was really a great relief to him in his
trouble.


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