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Alger, Horatio, Jr.

"Struggling Upward"

He had fallen in with a few young men of no social
standing, who flattered him, and, therefore, stood in his good
graces. With them he played billiards and drank. After a
time he found that he was exceeding his allowance, but in the
most obliging way Tony Denton had offered him credit.
"Of course, Mr. Duncan"--Randolph felt flattered at being
addressed in this way--"of course, Mr. Duncan, your credit is
good with me. If you haven't the ready money, and I know most
young gentlemen are liable to be short, I will just keep an
account, and you can settle at your convenience."
This seemed very obliging, but I am disposed to think that
a boy's worst enemy is the one who makes it easy for him to
run into debt. Randolph was not wholly without caution, for
he said: "But suppose, Tony, I am not able to pay when you want
the money?"
"Oh, don't trouble yourself about that, Mr. Duncan," said
Tony cordially. "Of course, I know the standing of your family,
and I am perfectly safe. Some time you will be a rich man."
"Yes, I suppose I shall," said Randolph, in a consequential tone.
"And it is worth something to me to have my saloon patronized
by a young gentleman of your social standing.


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