"There is not much chance of my becoming a beggar, Halbert Davis; but I
would rather be one than be as mean as you. I will drop you a slight
hint, which you had better bear in mind. It won't be any safer to insult
me now than it was yesterday. I can't lose my place a second time."

Halbert instinctively moved aside, while our hero passed on, without
taking farther notice of him.

"I hate him!" he muttered to himself. "I hope he won't find anything to
do. If he wasn't so strong, I'd give him a thrashing."




CHAPTER VI.


HALBERT'S DISCOMFITURE.

Great was the dismay of Mrs. Rushton when she heard from Robert that he
was discharged from the factory. She was a timid woman, and rather apt
to take desponding views of the future.

"Oh, Robert, what is going to become of us?" she exclaimed, nervously.
"We have only ten dollars in the house, and you know how little I can
earn by braiding straw. I really think you were too hasty and
impetuous."

"Don't be alarmed, my dear mother," said Robert, soothingly. "I am sorry
I have lost my place, but there are other things I can do besides