would do the best from that time till the close of the school. I
will now award the prize. Harry Walton, come forward."

Harry rose from his seat, his cheeks flushed again with gratification,
and advanced to where the teacher was standing.

"Harry," said Mr. Burbank, "I have no hesitation in giving you the
prize. You have excelled all the other scholars, and it is fairly
yours. The book is not of much value, but I think you will find it
interesting and instructive. It is the life of the great American
philosopher and statesman, Benjamin Franklin. I hope you will read
and profit by it, and try like him to make your life a credit to
yourself and a blessing to mankind."

"Thank you, sir," said Harry, bowing low. "I will try to do so."

There was a speech by the chairman of the school committee, in
which allusion was made to Harry and the prize, and the exercises
were over. Harry received the congratulations of his schoolmates
and others with modest satisfaction, but he was most pleased by the
evident pride and pleasure which his mother exhibited, when she,
too, was congratulated on his success. His worldly prospects were
very uncertain, but he had achieved the success for which he had
been laboring, and he was happy.





Chapter VI