Horatio Alger

“ Gilbert rather dreaded the interview he was likely to have with Mrs. Crawford; but he was acting for Carl, and his feelings of friendship were strong.
So he walked beside Dr. Crawford till they reached the tasteful dwelling occupied as a residence by Carl and his father.
"How happy Carl could he here, if he had a stepmother like mine," Gilbert thought.
They went up to the front door, which was opened for them by a servant.
"Jane, is Mrs. Crawford in?" asked the doctor.
"No, sir; not just now. She went to the village to do some shopping." ”

“ Crawford would object."
"Good heavens! Hasn't the man a mind of his own?" thought Gilbert.
"Jane, you may show this young gentleman up to Master Carl's room, and give him the key of his trunk. He is going to pack his clothes."
"When is Master Carl coming back?" asked Jane. ”

“ I will do so if he promises to obey his stepmother."
"That he won't do, I am sure."
"Then what is the object of your visit?"
"To say that Carl wants and intends to earn his own living. But it is hard for a boy of his age, who has never worked, to earn enough at first to pay for his board and clothes. He asks, or, rather, I ask for him, that you will allow him a small sum, say three or four dollars a week, which is considerably less than he must cost you at home, for a time until he gets on his feet."
"I don't know," said Dr. Crawford, in a vacillating tone. "I don't think Mrs. ”