"I see you are a sensible boy, Ben. You are right in looking upon me as a friend. I hope you will come and call upon me often."
"Thank you, sir. I shall consider it a privilege to do so. And I hope you will give me any advice that you think will benefit me."
"I will, Ben, and I will begin now. We have a large public library in Boston, of which we are very proud. I advise you to draw books from it."
"I shall be glad to," said Ben eagerly.
"Come round, and I will show it to you."
Together they entered the handsome building on Copley Square. Ben, who had never seen a large library, or, indeed, any library containing over a thousand books, was amazed at what he saw.
"I didn't suppose there was any library in the world so large," he said.
"Here is the newspaper and magazine room. You can come in here any evening. It will be much better than to spend your time where many boys and young men do—in billiard and drinking saloons."
"I shall enjoy living in Boston very much."
"I think you will. While a large city has more temptations than a small town, it also has more opportunities for improvement. I hope, Ben, you will start right, and prepare the way for a useful manhood."