"
"I know you will, Richard. You have always been a good boy. I am sorry
that I cannot leave you all better off than I'm doing."
"Never mind, father; we will get along."
"I suppose I might have done so if I'd had the courage to strike out,"
continued Mr. Dare, with a sigh. "I always calculated to do something
for myself, but that's all over now. But you take after your mother,
the same as your sister Grace, and if you make the right start I feel
you will succeed."
"I shall remember what you say."
"Do so. But remember also to be always sober, industrious, and
considerate of those around you. Be true to yourself, and to every one
with whom you have dealings. You may not get along so fast, but people
will respect you more, and your success will be ten times sweeter than
it would have been had you risen by pushing others down."
"I shall try to deserve success, even if I don't rise very high,
father."
"That's right." Mr. Dare paused for a moment. "I'm sorry that I cannot
leave you more of a capital upon which to start in life."
"Never mind; I have a common school education and my health. What more
can a boy wish?"
"It is as much as I had upon which to start. But I might have left you
more. I deserve a pension as a soldier."
"You never pushed your claim, did you?"
"Yes, once.
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