NEVER GIVE UP III：ARTHUR IN BUSINESS
永不放弃（3）：亚瑟在工作
1.The next morning Arthur went to the store resolved to do his best.He did not expect to find his work all play，but he said，“It will be pleasant，even，if it is hard，for I shall be helping mother.”
2.For two whole years he remained as an errand-boy.He had many bundles to carry home for the customers，and sometimes they were so large that he could hardly carry them.
3.Once he stopped and sat down on the steps of a fine house，for he was very warm and tired.While he was wiping the sweat from his brow，the door opened，and his employer came out.
4.“Ah，Arthur，is this you？You look tired.”
5.For a moment Arthur was a little confused.He did not know how to reply.He thought it would hardly be manly and brave to say he was tired，so he simply said，“‘tis very warm，sir，”and he resolutely shouldered his bundle and started on.
6.“That is the right kind of a boy；he will make a man yet，”
said Mr.Penny，as he walked to the store.
7.Mr.Penny had one faculty not possessed by all business men.He could see and appreciate the good qualities of those in his employ.
8.From time to time he had increased Arthur’s wages，and now，as the second year was drawing to a close，he was thinking what he could do for him.He was not long in making up his mind.
9.“O mother！mother！”exclaimed Arthur，as he bounded into the house on New Year‘s eve.“Look here！look here！Mr.Penny has given me a twenty dollar gold piece for a New Year’s gift；and here is a dresspattern，with a letter for you！”
10.“My boy，my darling boy！”said Mrs.Camp，as she pressed Arthur to her heart，“this comes from never giving up.I thank God that my little son has learned this lesson.”
11.“And I thank Him，too，for so good a mother to teach it tome，”said Arthur.
12.But let us see what is in the letter.While Mrs.Camp was reading it，her eyes filled with tears，and somehow，very soon after，Arthur had his arms around her neck；and though they both cried，they seemed very happy.
13.The letter read as follows：
MRS.CAMP：
MY DEAR MADAM：
It is but just that I should tell you that Arthur pleases me very much.I like his spirit，-his resolution.As an errand-boy，for the past two years，he has been faithful，as well as kind and polite.
I shall hereafter put him behind the counter，and increase his pay.For the year to come his salary will be five hundred dollars.
Please accept the little token I send by Arthur.I am，my dear madam，Very respectfully，DEC.31，1865.
CHARLES PENNY.
14.“So much，”said Arthur，“for learning that hard lesson.Iam so glad I learned it.”
15.“And may God bless you，my son，and ever lead you inthe right way，”said his mother.
16.Ten years have since passed.Another and a greater change has been made.Arthur is a partner now in the same store.Mr.Penny is old，and is at the store but little；but he knows it is properly managed，for Arthur is there.
17.Do you see two men standing in front of that white cottage，talking with those two ladies？Do you know who they are？
18.They are Mr.Penny and Arthur Camp talking with Mrs.Camp and Mary.They all look so pleased.That is Arthur‘s home，and he often says，“It all comes of NEVER GIVING Up.”
【中文阅读】
1.第二天一早亚瑟去了商店，他下决心要最努力地作。他并不认为工作就是玩，但他说：“即使这个工作很累，我也会非常高兴，因为我可以成为妈妈的助手了。”
2.整整两年，他都一直在做童工，他需要把很重的大捆货物扛到顾客家，有时货物太大太重，他几乎都抬不动。
3.一次，因为又热又累，他中途停了下来，坐在一幢漂亮房子的台阶上。他正在擦脑门上的汗水，这时门突然开了，他的老板走了出来。
4.“哈，亚瑟，是你啊！你看起来够累的。”
5.亚瑟不知该怎么说，愣了一下，他想如果自己勇敢地承认很累，那会显得不是男子汉，因此他简洁地说：“先生，是很热。”说完，他又把货物扛到肩上，继续上路了。
6.“这真是个好孩子，他会成为一名真正的男人的。”潘妮先生一边往商店走一边说。
7.潘妮先生拥有一样其他商人所没有的东西，那就是他能看到并欣赏他的雇员的优良品质。
8.他隔一段时间就给亚瑟增加一些薪水。现在时间已经接近第二年的年尾了，他开始考虑要为亚瑟做些什么，很快他便做出了决定。9.“妈妈，妈妈！”就在新年的除夕夜他冲进家门，大声喊着妈妈，“快看，快看！潘妮先生给了我20金币作为新年礼物，还有一个衣服样子，还有您的一封信！”
10.“孩子，亲爱的！”坎普夫人激动地把他抱在胸前，“这些都来自于你的永不放弃，感谢上帝让我的孩子学到了这一课。”
11.“我也感谢他，因为他让我有这么好的一个妈妈教会我这一点。”亚瑟说。
12.我们来看看信中是什么内容吧。坎普夫人读着读着，眼中充满了泪水。过了一会儿，亚瑟一下子用双臂保住了妈妈的脖子。
虽然两人都在哭泣，但他们的心里是快乐的。
13.下面就是那封信的内容：
坎普夫人：
亲爱的夫人，我想我应该告诉您亚瑟令我很满意。我喜欢他的精神--他的刚毅。作为一名做了两年的童工，他忠诚、善良、有礼貌。从现在起，我将让他站柜台，并给他加薪水，因此明年他的薪水将是500美元。请接受我托亚瑟带给您的礼物。此致，敬礼理查斯o 潘妮
1865年12月31日
14.“这么多钱啊！”亚瑟说，“就因为我学到了那一课。我太高兴我学到了那一课。”
15.“上帝保佑你，我的孩子，是他让你走对了路。”妈妈告诉他。
16.十年过去了，十年里发生了巨大的变化。亚瑟已经成为了那个商店的合伙人，而且潘妮也已经老了，每天他只是到商店里看一看，然后很快就离开。他知道生意会有条不紊地进行，因为有亚瑟在商店里。
17.你看到那白色农舍前面有两个男人正在与两位女士说话吗？你知道他们是谁吗？
18.他们就是潘妮先生和亚瑟正在与坎普夫人和玛丽交谈。他们看起来都非常高兴。那间白色农舍是亚瑟的家，他经常说：“这都来自于永不放弃。”