Jacob Winter felt, though he hardly liked to confess it, that but for Ben he would have been the loser of five hundred dollars. He was not a liberal man, but he determined to make some acknowledgment of his stepson’s services.
Accordingly, when he had returned from the savings bank, he drew a twenty-five cent piece from his pocket and handed it to Ben with the remark: “Benjamin, you have behaved very well. Here is a quarter for you. Be keerful not to spend it foolishly.”
Ben was considerably surprised. It was the first gift he ever remembered to have received from his stepfather, and he hardly knew whether to be amused or grateful.
If he accepted it, he knew that Mr. Winter would feel that he had squared up his obligations. But Ben preferred to leave the matter open. So he quickly decided not to accept the money.
“Thank you, Mr. Winter,” he said, “but I would rather not take it.”
“You refuse money!” exclaimed Jacob in amazement.
“Yes, sir. I only did my duty.”
“I guess you’d better take it. Quarters don’t grow on every bush.”
“They don’t for me, Mr. Winter,” said Ben smiling. “I’m just as much obliged, but I would rather not take any money for what I’ve done. It was good fun.”
“Good fun!” ejaculated his stepfather. “It isn’t my idea of fun to have a ruffian try to rob me.”