It was soon apparent to all, moreover, that Ray and Edward Lawton were inseparable. Some unusual tie evidently bound them together. Nor was it long before the reason for this was discovered. Ray had saved Edward's life at the risk of his own. Here was heroism, and they could honor heroism wherever it was found. Ray at once became an important personage in their eyes. And this, together with his manly, courteous attitude toward all, soon made him a general favorite.
But Ray was not contented with the work he had already found to do. There were incidental expenses that must be met, and clothing that must be provided. His little store of money would soon be exhausted. He must contrive some way to carry himself through to the long summer vacation, and pay all bills. "I must keep myself just as far as possible from trespassing upon the generosity of my friends," he said. On Saturdays, therefore, he went among the farmers of the neighborhood, seeking work. He cut wood, and hauled it to the market. He helped to harvest the ice crop. He even shoveled paths when they were made necessary by a heavy fall of snow. One day he came up from the city, where he had been on an errand, rubbing his hands in great glee. "Ned," he cried, bursting into the room where his chum was sitting, "I have found two grand jobs for us."
"That's good news," answered Edward, who had manfully done all he could find to do, that he might lighten his mother's burdens. "What are they?"
"One is in a shoe store," replied Ray. "They want an extra clerk on Saturday and Saturday evenings; will pay a dollar and a half each time. I've booked you for the place. How's that?"
"Let me hear about the other first," said his chum, with a smile.
"The other is in a grocery store; but it is heavier work, and there is more exposure. So I kept that for myself," remarked Ray.
"And what is the pay?" asked Ned; for he knew Ray well enough to suspect there was an additional reason for his choice.
"Why, they will give but a dollar each time," Ray admitted, after some hesitation; "but that is all right."
"No, it isn't," answered Edward, decidedly. "I have allowed you to take the heaviest part in many of our jobs, because I knew you were more capable and more used to toil; but I won't take more pay. I'll go to that shoe store if you will take the extra half dollar; or else I'll throw up the job."
Ray tried to argue the unreasonableness of this; but Edward would not yield. And the matter was finally settled by putting all the money they both earned into a common fund, from which each was to draw as he had need. This custom continued between these two friends not only through their academic, but also through their college course.