He made a little money by extra work.
He hired a teacher, to whom he recited evenings.
He was often very tired, but he never complained.
He had many friends because he was always good-natured.
He used often to say to himself, "If ever I get rich I will build a
place where the poor girls and boys of New York may have an
education free."
Wasn't that a queer thought for a boy who earned only fifty cents a
week?
Yet perhaps his even dreaming such dreams helped him to do the great
things of which I shall tell you.
Now, Peter noticed that the tools which they worked with in the
carriage shop were not very good.
So he began to try to make better ones.
He succeeded in doing so, but Mr. Woodward, the man for whom he
worked, had all the benefit of his work.
But at last Peter's apprenticeship was over.
Much to his surprise Mr. Woodward one day called him into his
office.
"You have been very faithful," he said, "and I will set you up in a
carriage manufactory of your own.
"You could pay me back the money borrowed in a few years."
This was a remarkable offer for a poor young man.
But Peter had made it a solemn rule of his life never to go in debt.
So he thanked Mr. Woodward very earnestly, but declined his offer.
It was then Mr. Woodward's turn to be astonished.
But he knew Peter was right, and respected his good judgment in the
matter.
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