[CHAPTER VIII. EBEN TRIES TO SERVE TWO MASTERS]

[CHAPTER IX. THE OLD GENTLEMAN]

[CHAPTER X. EBEN GETS AN ADVANCE]

[CHAPTER XI. MR. ANTIS FORGETS THE BELL-ROPE]

[CHAPTER XII. JEDUTHUN IS GROSSLY CARELESS]

[CHAPTER XIII. EBEN GETS A NEW PLACE]

THE FAIRCHILDS.

[CHAPTER I.]

EBEN MAKES UP HIS MIND.

"THE long and the short of it is, mother, I must just go to work and earn my living the best way I can," said Eben Fairchild, straightening himself up so as to make the most of his not many feet in height; "and if I can't do what I want to do, why, I must just do what I can."