I 'll look up the concern and try my chance . Would you call it too great a come-down to have father an ` ostler after being first rider in the ` Great Golden Menagerie , Circus , and Colossem , ' hey , Ben ? '' asked Mr. Brown , quoting the well-remembered show-bill with a laugh . `` No , I should n't ; it 's real jolly up there when the big barn is full and eighty horses have to be taken care of . I love to go and see 'em . Mr. Towne asked me to come and be stable-boy when I rode the kicking gray the rest were afraid of . I hankered to go , but Miss Celia had just got my new books , and I knew she 'd feel bad if I gave up going to school . Now I 'm glad I did n't , for I get on first rate and like it . '' `` You done right , boy , and I 'm pleased with you . Do n't you ever be ungrateful to them that befriended you , if you want to prosper . I 'll tackle the stable business a Monday and see what 's to be done . Now I ought to be walking , but I 'll be round in the morning ma'am , if you can spare Ben for a spell to-morrow . We 'd like to have a good Sunday tramp and talk ; would n't we , Sonny ? '' and Mr. Brown rose to go with his hand on Ben 's shoulder , as if loth to leave him even for the night . Mrs. Moss saw the longing in his face , and forgetting that he was an utter stranger , spoke right out of her hospitable heart . `` It 's a long piece to the tavern , and my little back bedroom is always ready . It wo n't make a mite of trouble if you do n't mind a plain place , and you are heartily welcome . '' Mr. Brown looked pleased , but hesitated to accept any further favor from the good soul who had already done so much for him and his . Ben gave him no time to speak , however , for running to a door he flung it open and beckoned , saying , eagerly , -- `` Do stay , father ; it will be so nice to have you . This is a tip-top room ; I slept here the night I came , and that bed was just splendid after bare ground for a fortnight . ''
`` I 'll stop , and as I 'm pretty well done up , I guess we may as well turn in now , '' answered the new guest ; then , as if the memory of that homeless little lad so kindly cherished made his heart overflow in spite of him , Mr. Brown paused at the door to say hastily , with a hand on Bab and Betty 's heads , as if his promise was a very earnest one , -- `` I do n't forget , ma'am , these children shall never want a friend while Ben XXXXX 's alive ; '' then he shut the door so quickly that the other Ben 's prompt `` Hear , hear ! ''
Ben Brown Colossem Menagerie Moss Towne fortnight loth morning show-bill