"
Mr. Lord paused, as if expecting some expression of sympathy from
his listener; but Toby was so busily engaged with his unexpected
feast, and his mouth was so full, that it did not seem even possible
for him to shake his head.
"Now what should you say if I told you that you looked to me like
a boy that was made especially to help run a candy counter at a
circus, and if I offered the place to you?"
Toby made one frantic effort to swallow the very large mouthful,
and in a choking voice he answered, quickly, "I should say I'd go
with you, an' be mighty glad of the chance."
"Then it's a bargain, my boy, and you shall leave town with me
tonight."
II: TOBY RUNS AWAY FROM HOME
Toby could scarcely restrain himself at the prospect of this golden
future that had so suddenly opened before him. He tried to express
his gratitude, but could only do so by evincing his willingness to
commence work at once.
"No, no, that won't do," said Mr. Lord, cautiously. "If your uncle
Daniel should see you working here, he might mistrust something,
and then you couldn't get away."
"I don't believe he'd try to stop me," said Toby, confidently; "for
he's told me lots of times that it was a sorry day for him when he
found me."
"We won't take any chances, my son," was the reply, in a very
benevolent tone, as he patted Toby on the head and at the same
time handed him a piece of pasteboard.
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