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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6a7463b --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #55598 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55598) diff --git a/old/55598-0.txt b/old/55598-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index dbb286e..0000000 --- a/old/55598-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9129 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Shifting For Himself, by Horatio Alger Jr. - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Shifting For Himself - or Gilbert Greyson's Fortunes - -Author: Horatio Alger Jr. - -Release Date: September 22, 2017 [EBook #55598] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SHIFTING FOR HIMSELF *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Elizabeth Oscanyan and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - SHIFTING FOR HIMSELF; - - OR, - - GILBERT GREYSON’S FORTUNES. - - - BY - - HORATIO ALGER, Jr., - - AUTHOR OF “RAGGED DICK,” “TATTERED TOM,” “LUCK AND PLUCK,” - “BRAVE AND BOLD” SERIES. - - - THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., - PHILADELPHIA, - CHICAGO, TORONTO. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - FAMOUS ALGER BOOKS. - - -------------- - - -=RAGGED DICK SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 6 vols. 12mo. Cloth. - - RAGGED DICK. - FAME AND FORTUNE. - MARK THE MATCH BOY. - ROUGH AND READY - BEN THE LUGGAGE BOY. - RUFUS AND ROSE. - -=TATTERED TOM SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. FIRST -SERIES. - - TATTERED TOM. - PHIL THE FIDDLER. - PHIL THE FIDDLER - SLOW AND SURE - -=TATTERED TOM SERIES.= 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. SECOND SERIES. - - JULIUS. - THE YOUNG OUTLAW. - SAM’S CHANCE. - THE TELEGRAPH BOY. - -=CAMPAIGN SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 3 vols. - - FRANK’S CAMPAIGN. - PAUL PRESCOTT’S CHARGE. - CHARLIE CODMAN’S CRUISE. - -=LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. -FIRST SERIES. - - LUCK AND PLUCK. - STRONG AND STEADY. - STRIVE AND SUCCEED. - -=LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.= 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. SECOND SERIES. - - TRY AND TRUST. - BOUND TO RISE. - RISEN FROM THE RANKS. - HERBERT CARTER’S LEGACY. - -=BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. - - BRAVE AND BOLD. - JACK’S WARD. - SHIFTING FOR HIMSELF. - WAIT AND HOPE. - -=PACIFIC SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. - - THE YOUNG ADVENTURER. - THE YOUNG MINER. - THE YOUNG EXPLORERS. - BEN’S NUGGET. - -=ATLANTIC SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. - - THE YOUNG CIRCUS RIDER. - DO AND DARE. - HECTOR’S INHERITANCE. - HELPING HIMSELF. - -=WAY TO SUCCESS SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. - - BOB BURTON. - THE STORE BOY. - LUKE WALTON. - STRUGGLING UPWARD. - -=NEW WORLD SERIES.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 3 vols. 12mo. Cloth. - - DIGGING FOR GOLD. - FACING THE WORLD. - IN A NEW WORLD. - - _Other Volumes in Preparation._ - - -------------------------------------------------- - - COPYRIGHT BY A. K. LORING, 1876. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - To - - JOSEPH T. PRESTON, - - OF NEW YORK, - - WHO HONORABLY REPRESENTS THE “ART PRESERVATIVE OF - ALL ARTS,” WITHOUT WHOSE AID AUTHORS WOULD - WRITE TO LITTLE PURPOSE, - - - This Volume is Dedicated - - WITH FRIENDLY REGARD. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - PREFACE. - - -“Shifting for Himself” records the experiences of a boy who, in the -course of a preparation for college, suddenly finds himself reduced to -poverty. He is obliged to leave his books, and give up his cherished -plans. How cheerfully Gilbert Greyson accepted the situation, and -settled down to regular work, what obstacles he encountered and -overcame, and what degree of success he met with in the end, the reader -of this story will learn. - -Though it must be admitted that Gilbert was more fortunate than the -majority of boys in his position, it is claimed that he displayed -qualities which may wisely be imitated by all boys who are called upon -to shift for themselves. In the last three years many thousand American -boys have been compelled, like Gilbert, to give up their cherished -hopes, and exchange school-life for narrow means and hard work. Nothing -is more uncertain than riches; and such cases are liable to occur at all -times. I shall be glad if the story of Gilbert Greyson and his fortunes -gives heart or hope to any of my young readers who are similarly placed. -The loss of wealth often develops a manly self-reliance, and in such -cases it may prove a blessing in disguise. - -NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 1876. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - SHIFTING FOR HIMSELF; - - OR, - - GILBERT GREYSON’S FORTUNES. - - -------------- - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - TWO SCHOOL-FELLOWS. - - -Dr. Burton’s boarding-school was in a ferment of hope and expectation. -To-morrow was the end of the term, and vacation, so dear to the heart of -every school-boy, was close at hand. - -The school was not a large one. There were twenty-four boarding pupils, -and an equal number of day-scholars from the village of Westville, in -which the school had been established twenty years before. It was -favorably situated, being only forty miles from New York. Half the -boarding-scholars were from the city, and half from more distant places. -Generally two or three pupils were sent to college each year, and, as -the principal was a thorough scholar, maintained a creditable, often a -high rank. - -The school-session was over, and the boys separated into little knots. -The day-scholars mostly went home, carrying their books under their -arms. - -Among the little knots we must direct particular attention to two boys, -one a boarding-scholar, the other a day-scholar. The first was Gilbert -Greyson, a handsome, spirited boy of sixteen; the other, John Munford, -of about the same age, and much more plainly dressed. John was the son -of a carpenter, of limited means, and had already begun to learn his -father’s business. But the father was sensible of the advantages of -education, and had permitted his son to spend six months of each year at -school, on condition that he would work the balance of the time. This -arrangement seemed fair to John, and he took care, whether he studied or -worked, to do both in earnest. - -“How do you feel about vacation, John?” asked Gilbert. - -“I was in no hurry to have it come, Gilbert. It is likely to be a very -long vacation to me.” - -“How so?” - -“I have got through my school-life.” - -“What! Are you not coming back next term?” asked Gilbert, with evident -disappointment, for John was his most intimate friend. - -“Neither next term, nor any other term, Gilbert, I am sorry to say.” - -“Have you finished your education, then?” - -“So far as school goes.” - -“I am sorry for that. I shall miss you more than any one else.” - -“We shall still meet, I hope. I shall be at work; but there will be -times—in the evening—when we can see each other.” - -“No doubt; but that won’t be like sitting at the same desk, and studying -together. You had better let me ask your father to send you one more -year.” - -John shook his head. - -“No, Gilbert, it ought not to be. My father is poor you know, and it has -been a sacrifice to him to spare me half the year thus far. Now I must -go to work in earnest, and perfect myself in my trade, that I may -relieve him of all expense on my account.” - -“I suppose you are right, John; but I shall miss you none the less. -Somehow I never could be reconciled to your becoming a carpenter. You -are not cut out for it.” - -“Don’t you think I will make a good one?” asked John, smiling. - -“I am sure you will; but that isn’t the question. Do you think you are -better fitted for that than for anything else?” - -“No, I don’t.” - -“Do you prefer that trade to any other business?” - -“No; but I can’t choose for myself. I should rather be a teacher, or a -lawyer; but there is small chance for either. For either I should be -obliged to study years, and I can’t afford to do that. A carpenter I am -to be, and I will try to make a good one. Now, your case is different. -You are going to school next year, I suppose?” - -“Yes, I suppose so. That is as my guardian determines, and no letter has -been received from him yet. I believe Dr. Burton is expecting one to-day -or to-morrow.” - -“You won’t spend the summer here, I suppose, Gilbert?” - -“I am hoping to make a little tour, as I did last year.” - -“You went to the White Mountains then.” - -“Yes, and had a jolly good time.” - -“Where will you go this year?” - -“I want to go to Niagara, stopping on the way at Saratoga. I have -estimated that I can do it for a hundred dollars,—the same that my last -summer’s trip cost me.” - -“It must be splendid to travel,” said John, enthusiastically. “I mean to -see something of the world some day, though I suspect that I shall be a -pretty old boy before I am able to. I have no guardian to send me money. -I must earn my money before I spend it.” - -“I never earned a dollar in my life,” said Gilbert. “I wonder how it -would seem if I had to support myself, and make my own way in the -world.” - -“It would seem hard at first. It comes natural to me; but then I have -been differently brought up from you.” - -“I rather envy you, John,” said Gilbert, thoughtfully. “You are so much -more self-reliant, so much better able to take care of yourself.” - -“It’s the difference in the training, Gilbert. I’ve no doubt it’s in -you; but circumstances have never brought it out. You expect to go to -Yale College a year hence, don’t you?” - -“I expect to; at least that has been Dr. Burton’s plan; but my guardian -has never expressed his opinion. He has simply given his consent to my -pursuing the course preparatory to entrance. I presume I shall go, -however.” - -“What sort of a man is your guardian?” - -“I have never seen much of him. He lives in the city, you know; but he -never seemed to care to have me in his home much. He is a merchant, and -appears to be wealthy. At any rate, he lives in a fine house up-town, -and keeps up a good style of living.” - -“Who appointed him your guardian?” - -“I don’t know. I suppose my father.” - -“Is your father living?” - -“I don’t know.” - -“Don’t know!” exclaimed John, opening his eyes. - -“It seems strange to you; but I cannot give any explanation. My guardian -tells me I shall know some time; meanwhile I am to ask no questions.” - -“Did that satisfy you?” - -“No; but when I pressed my question I was silenced. I was told that I -must be satisfied with being so well provided for, without trying to -penetrate into matters that did not concern me.” - -“I should think it did concern you.” - -“So I do think; but there is no use in thinking about it. It would only -perplex me to no purpose.” - -“I can’t put myself in your place at all. To me it seems so natural to -have a father and mother, and sister. How lonely you must feel!” - -“I have never been used to them. And that makes a difference. Sometimes, -to be sure, I begin to think over the matter and wish that I had ties -like other boys; but it doesn’t last long. But here we are at your -home.” - -“Come in a minute, Gilbert.” - -“I don’t know if I ought. I shall be late to supper, and the doctor -wouldn’t like that.” - -“Take supper with us.” - -“Yes, take supper with us,” echoed John’s mother, a pleasant, -motherly-looking woman, who heard her son’s words of invitation as he -opened the door. - -Gilbert hesitated. - -The little table spread for tea looked so much more comfortable and -home-like than the long table at the doctor’s, that he was strongly -tempted. - -“We may not have as nice a supper as the doctor,” continued Mrs. -Munford, “but you may not mind that for once.” - -“You give the doctor’s table too much credit,” said Gilbert, smiling. -“He doesn’t mean to pamper any of us, or make us gluttons. I would a -great deal rather take supper here.” - -“Then stay, Gilbert.” - -“I will,” said Gilbert, in a tone of quick decision. “If the doctor -scolds, why let him.” - -“He won’t feel anxious about your not being back, will he?” asked Mrs. -Munford. - -“No; he knows I can take pretty good care of myself. Besides, it will be -a saving to him, all the more because I have a very good appetite.” - -All laughed, for Dr. Burton, though on the whole a very worthy man, had -the reputation of being what New Englanders call close. It was thought -that he was more economical than he needed to be. At any rate he had -made his school profitable, and was assessed for a very considerable sum -in the list of village property-holders. - -“How do you do, Mary?” said Gilbert, offering his hand to a girl of ten, -John’s sister, who just then entered the room. - -“Pretty well,” said Mary, shyly. - -“Don’t blush so, Mary,” said John, teasing her as brothers are apt to -do. - -“I wasn’t blushing,” said Mary, indignantly. - -“Just because Gilbert spoke to you.” - -“You are too bad, John,” said his mother. - -“How soon will supper be ready, mother?” asked John. - -“In half an hour. Why; are you very impatient?” - -“No; but I thought there might be time for Gilbert and me to have a -catch in the yard.” - -“I’ll tell you of a better way of filling up your time.” - -“What is that?” - -“I am almost out of wood. Can’t you saw me up a little?” - -“I am afraid it will be dull to Gilbert to look on,” said John. - -“I don’t propose to look on. You shall saw, and I will split.” - -“I don’t like to set a visitor to work,” said Mrs. Munford. “I didn’t -expect you to work for your supper.” - -“I shall enjoy it all the more. Come along, John. You’ll see what -execution I will make with your wood-pile.” - -As the two boys passed out into the woodshed, Mrs. Munford said, “I like -Gilbert. Though he is rich, he doesn’t put on any airs, but makes -himself at home even among such plain people as we are.” - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - THE GUARDIAN’S LETTER. - - -When supper was over, the boys took a walk, bringing round by the large -square house occupied by Dr. Burton for his boarding-school. They had -got within a few rods when John observed one of the younger boys running -towards them. - -“There’s little Evans,” he said. “He looks as if he had a message for -you, Gilbert.” - -“From the doctor, I suppose. I’m in for a scolding, probably.” - -By this time Evans had reached them. - -“You’re wanted, Greyson,” he said. “Why weren’t you home to supper?” - -“Is the doctor mad?” - -“I don’t know. He seems anxious to see you.” - -“All right. Then I’ll go in. I must bid you good-night, John. Business -before pleasure, you know, or rather business after pleasure.” - -“I hope the business won’t be serious.” - -“I hope not. Good-night.” - -“Good-night, Gilbert.” - -There was a small room about twelve feet square, which was known as Dr. -Burton’s study. There was a desk beside the window, and book-shelves -occupying the sides of the room. Hither it was that refractory or -disobedient pupils were summoned, to receive admonition from the -principal. In his early experience as teacher he had employed a sterner -sort of discipline, but later he had substituted words for blows—very -wisely, as I think. - -Gilbert went at once to the doctor’s study. - -Dr. Burton was a tall, spare man, with strongly marked features, and on -the whole rather a stern face. He looked toward the door as Gilbert -opened it. - -“Good-evening, sir,” said Gilbert. - -“You were absent from supper without notice or permission, Greyson,” the -doctor began. - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Where were you?” - -“I walked home with John Munford, and was invited to take supper there.” - -“I should have had no objection, if you had asked me. John Munford is -one of my most reliable pupils, both in study and deportment.” - -Gilbert was pleased at this commendation of his friend. - -“I hope you will excuse me for absence without permission,” he said, -apologizing with a good grace. - -“You are excused, Greyson.” - -Supposing that the interview was over, Gilbert bowed, and was about to -leave the room, but was stopped by the doctor. - -“Stay,” he said; “I have something more to say to you.” - -“What else have I done?” thought Gilbert, in surprise. - -“Sit down,” said the teacher. - -Gilbert seated himself. - -“How long have you been here, Greyson?” - -“Six years, sir.” - -“In a year more you would be ready for college,” said the doctor, -musing. - -“Why does he say ‘would’? Why not ‘will’?” thought Greyson. - -“Am I to go to college?” asked Gilbert. - -“I thought it probable; but I have just learned that your guardian has -other views for you.” - -“Have you a letter from my guardian?” asked Gilbert, eagerly. - -“Yes; it only reached me this afternoon. Would you like to read it?” - -“Very much, sir.” - -“Here it is,” said Dr. Burton, opening his desk, and drawing therefrom a -letter enclosed in a buff envelope. - -Gilbert quickly reached out for it. - -This was the material portion of the letter, which Gilbert read with -hurried interest:— - - “Circumstances will not permit my ward remaining with you another - year. I may say plainly that, should he do so, I should be compelled - to defray the expense out of my own pocket, and consideration for my - own family will not justify me in doing that. I have never, as you - know, promised positively that he should go to college. It was barely - possible that funds would be forthcoming which would admit of such a - course; but it is now quite certain that there is no chance of it. - - “He has already, as I should judge from your letters, considerably - more than an average education,—more, indeed, than I had when I began - my career,—and he ought to be satisfied with that. He has led an easy - life hitherto. Now it is time that he did something for himself. Upon - receipt of this letter, will you, as soon as may be, send him to me in - New York? I will then confer with him as to his future plans.” - -This letter was signed Richard Briggs. - -Gilbert read it with a mixture of feelings. He was making an unpleasant -discovery. Though he knew little about his own affairs, he had always -cherished the idea that he had considerable property, and that his path -in life would be smoothed as only money can smooth it. He was not -especially fond of money, nor did he ever presume on its supposed -possession, but it was certainly comfortable to think that he was not -poor. - -Now it appeared that he had been all his life under a mistake. He was -not a favored child of fortune after all, but a poor boy,—as poor, very -likely, as his friend John Munford, from whom he had just parted. No -wonder he looked with some bewilderment in the doctor’s face when he had -completed reading the letter. - -The doctor, though a stern man, felt for the boy’s disappointment. He, -too, had been under the impression that Gilbert was at least comfortably -provided for. - -“Well, Greyson,” he said, “I suppose this letter surprises you.” - -“Yes, sir, it does,” answered Gilbert, slowly. “I always supposed that I -had money to depend upon.” - -“I don’t like to reflect upon your guardian, but it seems to me he ought -to have apprised you beforehand of what you had to expect.” - -“I wish he had.” - -“Do you feel very much disappointed?” asked the doctor, eying his pupil -with interest. - -“Considerably, sir. It is hard to fancy myself a poor boy, with my own -way to make in the world.” - -“It might have been worse. You have, as your guardian suggests, more -than an average education.” - -“Thanks to you, sir.” - -“And to your own application,” added the doctor, gratified by this -tribute. - -“I am glad you think so, sir. I hope it will help me in life.” - -“Undoubtedly it will. Besides, you will have the influence of your -guardian to assist you. He will probably procure you a good place in -some counting-room.” - -“I wish he had told me something about myself; where the money came from -which had paid my bills hitherto.” - -Gilbert looked inquiringly at the doctor, as if to ask whether he could -throw any light upon these points. But he was destined to be -disappointed, for the doctor said, “He has not seen fit to take me into -his confidence. I know no more than you do on this subject. Perhaps, in -your approaching interview with him, he may give you information on the -subject.” - -“I will ask him, at all events,” said Gilbert. “When do you think it -best that I should leave, Dr. Burton?” - -“He wishes you to be sent ‘as soon as may be,’” said the doctor, -consulting the letter. “I should think you had better go to-morrow, or -the next day.” - -“I will go to-morrow,” said Gilbert, promptly. - -“Can you get ready so soon?” - -“I will pack to-night, sir.” - -“That shall be as you wish. If you would prefer to wait till another -day, you can of course do so.” - -“Thank you, sir; but I want to see my guardian as soon as possible. Will -you permit me, as the cars start early to-morrow, to go to-night, and -bid good-by to John Munford?” - -Under ordinary circumstances Dr. Burton would have declined this -application, but he felt that it was only natural, and he gave the -required permission without hesitation. - -John Munford was astonished when, on opening the front door, he saw the -school-fellow from whom he had so recently parted. - -“What’s the matter, Gilbert?” he asked; “has anything happened?” - -“Yes,” answered Gilbert. “Get your hat and take a walk with me. I’ll -tell you on the way.” - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - RICHARD BRIGGS. - - -Gilbert told his story briefly. - -“So you see,” he said in conclusion, “my position is like yours, after -all. I am thrown upon my own exertions, and must face the world, without -the help of money.” - -“I’m truly sorry,” said John, in a tone of sympathy. - -“Thank you, John; I knew you would be; but do you know, I am not sure -whether I am so very sorry myself.” - -“But it must be hard for you to give up the hope of wealth.” - -“I needn’t give up the hope,” said Gilbert, “only if the hope is to be -realized I shall have to make it for myself. As far as that goes I am no -worse off than you; but there is one advantage you have over me.” - -“You are a better scholar than I am.” - -“I don’t mean that. You have a father and mother and sister to encourage -you, while I have no one.” - -“You have a friend, Gilbert; but he can’t help you much.” - -“I know that, old fellow. You have been my most intimate friend for the -last three years, and I hope and believe that our friendship is going to -last. But I can’t help feeling alone in the world.” - -“Why don’t you ask your guardian about your father?” - -“I mean to; but I don’t believe he will tell me.” - -“Have you any idea what views he has for you?” - -“Not the slightest. I suppose he will provide me with a place -somewhere.” - -“Then you are entirely in the dark as to your prospects?” - -“Entirely so.” - -“I wish you would write to me, Gilbert, after you are settled. I shall -want to know all about it.” - -“I will certainly write. In fact, you will be my only correspondent. You -must write me about yourself, too.” - -“There won’t be much to write. My life will be uneventful. But you may -like to hear news of the village and the school, that is, after vacation -is over. I’ll write all that I think will interest you.” - -“Thank you. You may be sure I shall want to hear. And now, John, I must -bid you good-night, and good-by, for I am to start early in the morning, -and have not yet packed my trunk.” - -“Good-night, then. Take care of yourself, Gilbert.” - -“The same to you, John.” - -So the two boys parted, but they saw each other once more. As Gilbert -was about to get into the cars, John came up hurriedly and gave him a -farewell shake of the hand. - -“He’s a capital fellow,” thought Gilbert. “I hope he’ll have good luck, -and that we shall meet again soon.” - -An hour and a half brought our hero to the city. He stepped upon the -platform, and getting upon a horse-car rode down-town to his guardian’s -office. He had a check for his trunk, but did not claim it at once, not -feeling certain what would be his destination. - -In a busy street, not five minutes’ walk from Wall Street, was the -office of Richard Briggs. Gilbert had no trouble in finding it, for he -had been there before. Now, however, he had a new feeling as he entered -the handsomely fitted-up room. He was no longer the wealthy ward, but as -it appeared the humble dependent of the rich merchant whom he was to -meet. The change was not an agreeable one, but he had made up his mind -that he must face whatever was disagreeable in his position in a manly -way. - -“Is Mr. Briggs in?” he inquired, of a clerk who was writing at a desk. - -“Yes; but I don’t know if he will see you.” - -“He sent for me.” - -“Oh, did he? Well, he’s in there.” - -The clerk pointed to an inner room, partitioned off from the main -office. - -Gilbert approached it, and as the door was partially open entered, and, -removing his hat, said, “Good-morning, Mr. Briggs.” - -Mr. Briggs was a short man, inclined to be corpulent, with marked -features. - -He turned as he heard Gilbert’s salutation. - -“So you received my letter,” he said. - -“Dr. Burton did.” - -“Yes, I wrote to him. It’s all the same.” - -“I thought I had better come up at once, sir.” - -“You did right.” - -“I was rather surprised at what your letter contained. Dr. Burton let me -read it.” - -“You fancied yourself rich?” said the merchant, coldly. - -“Yes, sir; I had always been led to suppose so.” - -“I never told you so.” - -“You did not tell me I was poor, and would have to make my own way.” - -“You complain of that, do you?” demanded Mr. Briggs, frowning. - -“I wish I had known it before.” - -“It wasn’t necessary to tell you. As to that, my judgment is of course -superior to yours. You understand, do you, that you must now go to -work?” - -“I am ready, sir.” - -“Have you improved your time while at school?” - -“Dr. Burton could tell you better than I as to that.” - -“He would be more reliable, of course. Still you must have some idea. -Give me your own impressions. If you misrepresent, I shall find you -out.” - -“I shall not misrepresent, sir.” - -“Of course not,” said Mr. Briggs, ironically. “I suppose you were a -model scholar.” - -“No; I was not; but I think I did pretty well.” - -“What do you know?” - -“I can tell you how far I have been in my studies. I have been so far in -Latin and Greek that in another year—perhaps less—I should be prepared -for Yale College.” - -“You won’t go there. You can’t expect me to pay your expenses.” - -“I don’t,” said Gilbert, promptly. “I was only trying to give you an -idea of what I knew.” - -“Very well. Are you good in arithmetic?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“How far have you been?” - -“Through the book.” - -“That is well. How do you write?” - -“Shall I give you a specimen of my writing, sir?” - -“Yes. Here is a pen. Write anything you like. You may copy the first -three lines of this newspaper article.” - -Gilbert did so. - -“That will do very well. You don’t write rapidly enough, but you will in -time. I shall get you a place as soon as possible. Where is your trunk?” - -“At the depot.” - -“You can have it sent to my house. You will stay there till I can get -you a boarding-place or make some other arrangement for you. Do you know -where I live?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Give your check to an expressman, and tell him to bring it round. Stay, -here is my son. I will put you in his charge.” - -A boy, about Gilbert’s age, had just entered the office. He was the -counterpart of his father, and no one could be likely to mistake the -relationship. He glanced at Gilbert, but did not speak. - -“Randolph, this is Gilbert Greyson,” said his father. - -“Good-morning,” said Randolph, curtly. “Father, I want five dollars.” - -“What for? It seems to me you are always wanting money.” - -“Everybody needs money,” said the son, pertly. “I want to go to a -matinée this afternoon.” - -“I want you to go with Gilbert; he is going to stop with us a short -time.” - -“He’s old enough to take care of himself,” said Randolph, unpleasantly. - -“I can get along by myself,” said Gilbert, quickly. “I don’t want to -trouble your son.” - -There was no great self-denial in this. It did not seem to our hero that -he should particularly enjoy Randolph’s companionship. - -“At any rate you can go with him to the office of Adams’ Express. He -wants to send for his trunk.” - -“Will you give me the five dollars, then?” - -“Here it is. Don’t come again for a week.” - -“All right. Come along, whatever your name is.” - -This last polite invitation was addressed to our hero, who answered, -shortly, “My name is Gilbert Greyson.” - -“Well, come along. I’m in a hurry.” - -When they had reached the street, Randolph’s curiosity led him to say, -“I thought you were at school.” - -“So I was; but your father sent for me.” - -“He’s your guardian, isn’t he?” - -“So I thought; but he tells me I have no money, and must work for my -living.” - -“Oh, indeed!” said Randolph, superciliously. “That’s quite a different -matter.” - -Gilbert didn’t like his tone, but did not want to quarrel without cause. - -They walked on without further conversation. - -Presently Randolph said, “There’s the express office. Now you can look -after yourself.” - -He darted off, and Gilbert entered the office, not sorry to be rid of -his uncongenial companion. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - GILBERT MAKES A NEW ACQUAINTANCE. - - -Having arranged about his trunk, Gilbert took one of the -University-Place cars at the Astor House, and rode up-town. Mrs. Briggs -might not know of his coming, and the trunk might be refused. - -The house was a four-story brown-stone front, with English basement, -differing in no wise from the thousands of fashionable mansions to be -seen in the upper part of the city. - -Gilbert rang the bell. - -“Is Mrs. Briggs at home?” he inquired of the servant, who answered the -bell. - -“I don’t know, sir. I’ll see. Will you send your name?” - -Gilbert drew out a neat visiting-card bearing his name. The servant took -it, and carried it to her mistress. - -“Take a seat in the parlor, sir,” she said, on her return. “Mrs. Briggs -will be down directly.” - -The large parlor was showily furnished, in the regulation style. There -was a chilly splendor about it that carried with it no idea of comfort -or home feeling. Gilbert’s attention was drawn to a family portrait near -the front windows. There were three figures,—Mr. Briggs, Randolph, and a -lady, who was probably Mrs. Briggs. She had a high forehead, a thin -face, cold blue eyes, and pinched lips. Gilbert privately decided that -he should not like the original of that portrait. - -While he was examining it Mrs. Briggs entered. - -“Mr. Greyson?” she asked, in a chilly way. - -“Yes, madam.” - -“I believe I have not met you before. You are Mr. Briggs’ ward or -protégé?” - -“Yes, madam.” - -“I thought you were at a boarding-school somewhere in the country.” - -“So I have been, madam; but the term is at an end, and Mr. Briggs sent -for me to come to the city.” - -“Indeed! Have you seen Mr. Briggs this morning?” - -“Yes, madam. It is by his direction that I have ordered my trunk brought -here.” - -The lady arched her eyebrows slightly. - -“Then you propose to favor us with a visit,” she said. - -There was a slight emphasis on the word favor, which Gilbert felt to be -a sneer. - -“I am at Mr. Briggs’ disposal,” he answered. “He ordered me to come here -first. I hope I may not give you any trouble.” - -“Oh, no; you will excuse my remaining with you—I have an engagement. I -will tell the servants to receive your trunk, and put it in your room. -Our lunch will be ready at one o’clock.” - -“Thank you,” said Gilbert, hastily; “I think I shall not be here at -lunch. I want to go about the city.” - -It was eleven o’clock; and he was sure he could not kill the time in -that frigid parlor for two hours. - -“Very well,” said Mrs. Briggs; “then we shall see you at dinner. Our -dinner-hour is six.” - -“Thank you, madam.” - -“If you come earlier, you can ask to be shown to your room.” - -Gilbert thanked her again. - -“Now I must leave you. Good-morning.” - -Mrs. Briggs sailed out of the room, and Gilbert, following her, let -himself out into the street. - -“So that’s what they call a city mansion,” he said to himself. “I’d ten -times rather be in my room at Dr. Burton’s. I felt as if I was in danger -of stifling in that showy parlor. I hope I am not going to live there.” - -Gilbert had nowhere to go; but the city was a novelty, and he wandered -about the streets, looking about him with the keen interest of a country -visitor. - -A short walk brought him to the Fifth Avenue Hotel. He had heard of it -often, but never seen the interior. Attracted by curiosity he went in. -He took a seat near the door, and idly watched the people who were -continually going out and coming in. Among the latter he soon saw a -familiar face. Randolph Briggs lounged in, swinging a light cane. - -“Hallo!” he said, noticing Gilbert, “you here!” - -“So it seems,” said Gilbert. - -“You aint going to stop here, are you?” - -“For the present, I am staying at your house.” - -“Oh, yes, I forgot. Been up there?” - -“Yes.” - -“Did you see mother?” - -“For a few minutes.” - -“Didn’t she invite you to lunch?” - -“Yes; but I thought I should like to look round the city a little.” - -“What do you expect to do?” - -“I suppose I must get a place. As I have no property, I must do -something to earn my living.” - -“You don’t expect to stay at our house, do you?” - -“I don’t expect anything. I feel bound to be guided by your father.” - -“You see it would be awkward to have an office-boy at our table, meeting -our friends.” - -“I suppose so,” said Gilbert, his lip curling. - -“It wouldn’t be proper.” - -“I suppose you know best.” - -“Probably father will find you some cheap boarding-house. That will be -better for you, you know.” - -“It’s a pity you were not my guardian,” said Gilbert. - -“Why?” - -“Because you seem to understand so well what is best for me.” - -Randolph looked puzzled. Was this penniless boy chaffing him, or was he -in earnest? Randolph’s vanity led him to think the latter. - -“Yes, of course I do. I’ve lived in the city all my life. I ought to -know what’s what. Do you play billiards?” - -“No; I never learned.” - -“There’s a billiard-room below. I thought we might have a game.” - -“I never played a game in my life.” - -“Then there would be no fun for me. I guess I’ll go in and get a drink. -Are you thirsty?” - -“No, thank you.” - -“I’m going to the theatre afterwards—a matinée. I’ve only got one -ticket, but you can buy one at the door.” - -“Thank you; I would rather walk about the streets this afternoon.” - -Randolph lounged into the bar-room, ordered his drink, then lounged out -again. - -He nodded carelessly to Gilbert as he went out. - -“See you by and by,” he said. - -Gilbert bowed. - -“It doesn’t strike me I shall like that boy,” he said to himself. “I -wonder if his father knows about his drinking.” - -Gilbert amused himself for a little while longer watching those who -entered and departed from the great hotel. Then he went out into the -street, and proceeded down Broadway. He made slow progress, for there -was much to interest a stranger like himself in the busy life of the -street. At length it occurred to him that he would go to Central Park, -of which he had heard a great deal. By this time he had strayed to Sixth -Avenue and Fourteenth Street. - -At the same time with Gilbert a young girl of thirteen entered the car, -and, as chance would have it, she and our hero were seated side by side. - -Presently the conductor made his rounds. - -First he presented his hand for the young girl’s fare. She felt in her -pocket, but apparently in vain. Her face flushed, and she looked very -much embarrassed. - -“I think I forgot to bring my money,” she murmured. “I will get out.” - -“By no means,” said Gilbert, promptly. “Permit me to pay your fare. For -two,” he said, handing a ten-cent stamp to the conductor. - -“You are very kind,” said the young girl, looking relieved. “I live in -Forty-eighth Street, and should not have liked to walk so far. I am sure -I can’t tell how I happened to forget my money; I am ever so much -obliged to you.” - -“Oh, don’t mention it,” said Gilbert, privately thinking his new -acquaintance one of the prettiest girls he had ever met. - -“Will you give me your name and residence,” she asked, “that I may send -you the money?” - -“With pleasure, on condition that you won’t think of repaying such a -trifle,” said Gilbert. - -He drew out a card, added his guardian’s residence, and passed it to his -companion. - -“At any rate,” said the young girl, “you must call, and let mamma thank -you for your politeness to me. This is mine.” - -She handed Gilbert a petite card, with the name of - - “LAURA VIVIAN, - “No. — West 48th Street.” - -“Thank you,” said Gilbert. “I will call with pleasure, but not to -receive thanks.” - -After this the two young people continued to converse with a freedom -upon which they would not have ventured if older and more conventional; -and Gilbert was really sorry when his fair companion arrived at her -street and got out. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - AT THE DINNER-TABLE. - - -At five o’clock Gilbert started from the park, where he had sauntered -about for several hours, and reached the house of Mr. Briggs half an -hour or more before dinner. - -“Your room is ready,” said the servant, who had received her -instructions. “Shall I show you the way up?” - -“If you please. Has my trunk come?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“The dinner-hour is six, I believe.” - -“Yes, sir. The bell will ring at that time.” - -Gilbert understood that he was expected to remain in his room till -dinner-time. That, however, would have been his choice. - -He followed the servant to a small hall-bedroom on the third floor, -where he found his trunk awaiting him. He opened it, and, taking out his -comb and brush, and a clean collar, made his dinner toilet. A new life -had opened before him, and he could not help wondering what it would be -like. In the midst of his meditations came the sound of the bell, and he -went downstairs. - -Mr. Briggs was already present. - -“Well,” said he, stiffly, “so you found your way here?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Did you see Mrs. Briggs?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“And how have you spent the day?” - -“I spent the afternoon at Central Park.” - -“Was Randolph with you?” - -“No, sir. It wasn’t necessary; I found my way without any trouble.” - -Here Mrs. Briggs entered. - -She nodded slightly to Gilbert, and said, in a chilly way:— - -“Take that seat, Mr. Greyson.” - -Gilbert seated himself, and Randolph, who entered directly afterwards, -sat down opposite. - -“You were not with Gilbert to-day, Randolph,” said his father. - -“No, sir.” - -“Where were you?” - -“At the theatre.” - -“Humph! you go to the theatre too much.” - -“How can you say so, Mr. Briggs?” said the mother, who, though her heart -was cold to all beside, fairly idolized her son, and as a consequence -foolishly indulged him. - -“This is the second time he has been this week.” - -“The boy is young, and needs recreation.” - -“It seems to me it is all recreation with him, and no work. When I was a -boy, I was lucky if I could go to a place of amusement once in three -months.” - -“You hadn’t got a rich father,” said Randolph. - -“I am not made of money,” muttered Mr. Briggs, “though you seem to think -I am.” - -“Really, Mr. Briggs,” said his wife, “it is ridiculous to expect -Randolph to spend as little as you did when you were a boy. The -circumstances are quite different.” - -Mr. Briggs frowned, but did not answer. - -“What did you do with yourself?” asked Randolph, turning to Gilbert. - -“I went to Central Park. It is a beautiful place.” - -“I never go there,” said Randolph. “You meet only low persons there.” - -“I saw many driving about in handsome carriages. Are they low?” - -“Of course not. I meant only low persons walk there.” - -“Randolph is right,” said his mother. - -“Still I think I shall go again,” said Gilbert. - -“Oh, it’s different with you. You are a poor boy, aint you?” said -Randolph, bluntly. - -Gilbert colored a little. - -“I only know what your father has told me,” said he. - -“Have you got any property of Gilbert’s, father?” asked Randolph. - -“This is not the time to ask such questions,” said his father, looking -annoyed. - -“Why not? There is no company—no one but ourselves.” - -“Ahem!” said Mr. Briggs, clearing his throat: “there was a very small -property, but it has all been spent on Gilbert’s education.” - -“Who left him the property?” asked Randolph, persistently. - -Gilbert was interested in the answer to this question, and he looked -with eager inquiry at his guardian, hoping that he would reveal what he -had so long desired to know. - -“You are very curious,” said Mr. Briggs, displeased. - -“There’s no reason why you shouldn’t tell me; is there, father?” - -“No,” answered his father, slowly. “The money was left him by his -father, who was an old schoolmate of mine. He died in the West Indies, -and sent me the money in trust for his son, to provide for him as long -as it lasted. It was exhausted nearly a year since, but I kept Gilbert -at school till now at my own expense. Now the time has come when he must -shift for himself.” - -“Rather hard on you, Gilbert,” said Randolph. - -“I am willing to look out for myself,” said Gilbert, quietly. “My father -did all he could for me. I have a good education, thanks partly to you, -Mr. Briggs, and I ought to be able to make my way.” - -“Oh, you are welcome,” said Mr. Briggs, rather uncomfortably. - -“You have done more than could have been expected, Mr. Briggs,” said his -wife. “Why did you not take the boy from school months ago?” - -“I wanted him to have a fair education.” - -“It seems to me he was already sufficiently educated for his sphere in -life,” said the lady. “I don’t believe in educating persons beyond their -station.” - -There was something in the lady’s remarks which grated harshly upon the -ear of our young hero. What right had Mrs. Briggs to assume that his -station was inferior to hers? The dislike which he had already begun to -entertain for her was increased. He found it impossible to like any of -the family, but he had insight enough to see that in cold selfishness -Mrs. Briggs exceeded her husband and son. - -“It seems to me,” said Mr. Briggs, in answer to his wife’s last remark, -“that a good education is a good thing for any one to possess, be he -rich or poor.” - -“You wouldn’t advise a boy that was going to be a mechanic to study -Latin or Greek, would you?” - -“If he liked it.” - -“Then I can’t agree with you,” retorted the lady, sharply; “I consider -it simply time and money thrown away.” - -“Have you studied Latin and Greek, Gilbert?” asked Randolph. - -“Yes.” - -“Have you gone far in them?” - -“In a year I should have been ready to enter Yale College.” - -“And after all I suppose you will be a mechanic.” - -“Why should I be?” demanded Gilbert. - -“You have no money.” - -“I suppose there are other kinds of business I can learn.” - -“Perhaps so.” - -Apparently tiring of the subject, Randolph turned to his mother. - -“Has any invitation come for me?” he asked. - -“Invitation—to what?” - -“I hear that Laura Vivian is going to give a party. I didn’t know but -she might invite me.” - -“The Vivians do not visit us. I should be glad to become acquainted. -They move in the very first society. Do you know Laura?” - -“I knew her at dancing-school. I used to dance with her sometimes. She -was a great favorite. All the boys wanted her for a partner.” - -“It is hardly likely she will invite you. I wish she would.” - -“What is the name of the young lady?” asked Gilbert, interested. - -“Laura Vivian. What interest can you feel in her?” - -“I made the young lady’s acquaintance this afternoon,” said Gilbert, -quietly. - -“Laura Vivian? Impossible.” - -“Doesn’t she live in West Forty-eighth Street?” - -“Yes.” - -“Then it is the same one, as you will see by this card.” - -Here Gilbert produced the card referred to in the last chapter. - -“How on earth did you get acquainted with her?” exclaimed Mrs. Briggs. -“Who introduced you?” - -“I believe I introduced myself,” said Gilbert, smiling. “I’ll tell you -all about it,” and he recounted the circumstances of his acquaintance. - -“She invited you to call?” exclaimed Randolph, enviously. - -“Yes.” - -“Do you mean to go?” - -“I shall go once, out of politeness.” - -“She will think you want to be repaid your five cents,” said Mrs. -Briggs, disagreeably. - -“I don’t think she will,” said Gilbert. “At any rate I will take the -risk.” - -“Will you take me with you?” asked Randolph. - -“I hardly think it would be proper,” said Gilbert; “but if I have a -second invitation I may take the liberty of doing so.” - -“Gilbert is right,” said Mr. Briggs. - -Randolph was disappointed, and indulged in a sneer at a penniless boy -like Gilbert calling on a young lady of high social position. But -Gilbert did not choose to notice it. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - HOW GILBERT GOT ON. - - -When dinner was over, Gilbert found that he was not going to have the -pleasure of Randolph’s companionship. - -“Where are you going, Randolph?” asked his father, as Randolph was -leaving the room. - -“I’m going out.” - -“Perhaps Gilbert may like to go with you,” suggested Mr. Briggs. - -“I’ve got an engagement,” said Randolph, shortly. - -“When was it made?” - -“This afternoon.” - -“Don’t let me interfere with Randolph’s engagements,” said Gilbert, -hastily. - -“Won’t you feel lonely?” asked Mr. Briggs. - -“Oh, no, sir. I shall take a walk down Broadway. There will be plenty to -take up my attention.” - -“Randolph can hardly be expected to give up his engagement,” said Mrs. -Briggs. “I am surprised, Mr. Briggs, that you should expect it.” - -Mr. Briggs muttered something about politeness. - -Gilbert protested again that he could get along very well by himself, -and the matter dropped. - -Presently he went out, and Mrs. Briggs, who had been waiting her -opportunity, commenced an attack upon her husband. - -“What are your plans for this boy, Mr. Briggs?” she asked. “Are you -going to support him in idleness?” - -“Certainly not. I shall find him a place as soon as I can.” - -“What claim has he upon you, I should like to know?” - -“He has only me to look out for him.” - -“What of that?” - -“He was the son of my old schoolmate.” - -“I have old schoolmates, too, and some, I suppose, are in want; but I am -not going to adopt their children.” - -“This boy was especially recommended to me, and what property his father -left was given in trust to me for him.” - -“Well, it’s all used up, isn’t it?” - -“Yes.” - -“Then your trust is at an end.” - -“What are you driving at, wife?” - -“I want to know whether you expect this boy to remain in your house.” - -“I see no objection.” - -“I do. You will be pampering him at the expense of your own son.” - -Mr. Briggs shrugged his shoulders. - -“I apprehend,” he said, “that our household expenses will not be -increased materially by Gilbert’s remaining here.” - -“Clothes and board cost something. Besides, he is not a fit companion -for Randolph.” - -“Why not?” - -“He is a poor boy.” - -“He has the education and manners of a young gentleman. It strikes me -that he is quite the equal of Randolph in these respects.” - -“You are always ready to side against your own boy.” - -“I don’t want to spoil him.” - -“You seem to prefer this new boy.” - -“Not at all. Must I be unjust to every other boy, because I have a son -of my own?” - -“You know what I mean well enough.” - -“The point seems to be, that you don’t want Gilbert in the house.” - -“No.” - -“What shall I do with him?” - -“Let him shift for himself.” - -Mr. Briggs shook his head. - -“The world would talk,” said Mr. Briggs. - -“Let them talk!” said the lady, independently. - -“It isn’t best to incur the reproach of your fellow-men.” - -“Well, get him a cheap boarding-house: that’s more suited to his station -in life than a home like ours.” - -“Let him stay here a few days, and I will see what I can do.” - -Mrs. Briggs would have preferred to have Gilbert leave the next day, but -decided to accept the concession made by her husband. He was placed in a -difficult position, but did not venture to tell his wife all. The truth -was, for I do not mean to make a mystery of it, he had wronged Gilbert -most grievously. The sum of money placed in his hands in trust for our -hero had been not a small sum, but seventy-five thousand dollars. -Gilbert’s father, trusting all to the honor of his friend, had exacted -no guaranties of good faith. So far as Mr. Briggs knew, no living person -was aware of the amount of Gilbert’s inheritance. There was no one, so -far as he knew, to contradict his assertion that it had all been -expended in the education of our hero. Yet it troubled him. He had made -up his mind to wrong the boy, but he was not so hardened as to do it -without some qualms of conscience. He meant to do something for him, get -him a place, and give him a home in his own family; but here, as we see, -Mrs. Briggs had interfered with his plans. He could not make up his mind -to throw Gilbert wholly upon his own resources, and he was disappointed -at his wife’s opposition. He was not wholly a bad man, but the -temptation of appropriating Gilbert’s money had been too great, and he -had yielded. He had used it in his business, and a sudden call for it -would have very much embarrassed him. - -Meanwhile Gilbert set out on his walk. The crowded city streets, which -had interested him in the daytime, assumed a new charm in the evening. -Walking slowly along, looking in at the brilliantly lighted windows, he -did not feel the need of companionship. In fact, he was rather glad that -Randolph was not with him, for he had already satisfied himself that -they had very little in common. - -[Illustration: GILBERT MEETS MR. VIVIAN.] - -Half an hour had passed, when all at once he heard his name called. - -“Good-evening, Mr. Greyson,” said a sweet voice. - -Turning quickly, he recognized Laura Vivian. - -“Good-evening, Miss Vivian,” he said, pleased at the meeting. - -“Papa,” said Laura, “this is Mr. Greyson, who was so polite to me in the -cars.” - -Then for the first time Gilbert noticed that Laura was accompanied by a -pleasant-looking gentleman of middle age. - -“I am glad to meet you, Mr. Greyson,” said Mr. Vivian, cordially. “My -daughter has told me that you extricated her from a dilemma.” - -“It isn’t worth mentioning, sir,” said Gilbert. “I am ashamed to be -thanked for such a little thing.” - -“It was a trifle, no doubt, but a mark of kind attention no less. My -daughter and I are out for a walk. If you have no engagement, will you -join us?” - -“With great pleasure, sir,” said Gilbert; and he spoke sincerely. - -“Do you live in the city?” asked Mr. Vivian. - -“I have been at a boarding-school hitherto, but I have now come to the -city to live.” - -“Do your parents reside here?” - -Gilbert looked sober. - -“I have no parents,” he said. - -“Indeed!” said Mr. Vivian, in a voice of sympathy. - -“Indeed I have no relatives that I am aware of; Mr. Richard Briggs, a -merchant of this city, is my guardian.” - -“Richard Briggs? I know of him.” - -“I ought to say, however,” added Gilbert, who did not wish to sail under -false colors, “that I can hardly continue to call him my guardian, as he -informs me that my little property has been all expended on my -education, and that I am now penniless, and must work for my living.” - -“I don’t consider that a misfortune,” said Mr. Vivian. “It will make a -man of you the sooner. But about this property, do you know how much it -amounted to originally?” - -“No, sir.” - -“Hasn’t Mr. Briggs ever rendered an account to you?” - -“No, sir. I have always supposed that I should be rich until within a -week. Then, for the first time, I was told that I must withdraw from -school, and get a place.” - -“Mr. Briggs has not treated you fairly in leaving you uninformed as to -your real position,” said Mr. Vivian, gravely. - -“I won’t blame him, but I wish he had told me earlier.” - -By this time they had reached a fashionable confectioner’s. - -“Come in with us, and have an ice-cream,” said Mr. Vivian. - -“Thank you, sir,” said Gilbert, and the three entered and sat down at -one of the small tables. - -At a table near by sat Randolph Briggs. Looking up by chance, he was -astonished to see his father’s penniless ward in such company. - -“By Jove!” he muttered, “that young beggar has more cheek than any one I -know of.” - -He would have liked to have joined the party, but even he had not the -assurance to force himself upon them. So he sat watchful and envious, -his jealousy excited by the evident favor with which Gilbert was -regarded. - -“If Mr. Vivian knew he hadn’t a cent in the world, he wouldn’t be quite -so cordial,” he thought. - -But Mr. Vivian did know. The trouble was that Randolph did not know him, -or he would not have suspected him of such regard for wealth and its -possession. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - A SPITEFUL WOMAN. - - -Randolph lost no time in going home to report what he had seen. Both his -father and mother were surprised to see him back so soon. - -“I am glad you came home early,” said his mother. - -“Did you see anything of Gilbert while you were out?” asked his father. - -“Do you suppose, Mr. Briggs, that Randolph is going to follow your -beggarly ward?” demanded Mrs. Briggs, sharply. - -“He might have met him,” said her husband, in an apologetic tone. - -“I did meet him,” said Randolph, in so significant a tone that both his -father and mother looked at him for an explanation. - -“Where do you think I saw him?” continued Randolph. - -“In some low place,” suggested his mother. - -“Not at all. He was eating an ice-cream at Delmonico’s.” - -“Pretty well for a penniless boy!” said Mrs. Briggs. “I suppose he -expects us to supply him with money to pay for his extravagant outlays.” - -“Oh, he didn’t pay for it himself. He got Mr. Vivian to treat him.” - -“Mr. Vivian!” - -“Yes: he had picked up Mr. Vivian and Laura somewhere, and probably -suggested going in to take an ice-cream.” - -“No doubt Mr. Vivian invited him,” said Mr. Briggs, who did not allow -dislike to run away with his common-sense. - -“He is certainly the most forward and impudent boy I ever met,” -exclaimed Mrs. Briggs, whose annoyance arose largely from Gilbert’s -succeeding better with the Vivians than her own son. - -“Really, my dear,” expostulated her husband, “I am sure you do the boy -injustice.” - -“Don’t call me ‘my dear,’” said Mrs. Briggs, scornfully. “I can’t see -what has got into you. You certainly must be wilfully blind if you don’t -see through the artfulness of that boy.” - -“What has he done?” - -“He has wormed himself into the intimacy of Mr. Vivian; that is what he -has done.” - -“Why shouldn’t he? If Mr. Vivian is inclined to befriend him, it will be -a saving to me.” - -“It won’t be for long. Mr. Vivian will find him out, and cast him off.” - -“I don’t know that there is anything in particular to find out. He seems -to me as good as the average of boys.” - -“Well, Mr. Briggs, I can only say that you seem infatuated about him. I -beg to say that I am not.” - -“That is apparent,” said her husband, smiling. - -“Moreover,” added his wife, provoked, “I wish to tell you that it is -disagreeable to me to have him in the house. So the sooner you can find -a boarding-house for him the better.” - -“Well, I will, if you insist upon it.” - -“I do insist upon it.” - -“Then I will try in a day or two to find him a home.” - -“Mark my words, Mr. Briggs: you will find, sooner or later, that my -prejudice against him is not so foolish as you imagine. That boy will -turn out badly.” - -“I hope not.” - -“It’s all very well hoping; but you’ll see.” - -Randolph now got up to go. - -“Where are you going, Randolph?” asked his mother. - -“I am going out a while; I can’t say where.” - -“Why can’t you be satisfied to stay at home?” - -“Oh, it’s so stupid staying at home,” said Randolph. “I want to go where -there’s something going on.” - -“It isn’t a very good plan for a boy of your age to spend his evenings -about the street,” said Mr. Briggs. - -“Why shouldn’t he go out?” said Mrs. Briggs, in the spirit of -opposition. “You haven’t anything to say about your favorite being out.” - -“The city is new to him. If he went out every evening like Randolph, I -should think it a bad plan.” - -“I suppose you would find some excuse for him.” - -“Really,” said Mr. Briggs, “I shall be quite as anxious to get him out -of the house as you, if you keep up such an incessant attack.” - -“If you are going to talk to me in this style, I will retire,” said Mrs. -Briggs, stiffly. - -Suiting the action to the word, she rose and left the room. Her husband -made no opposition. Indeed, as her temper was, he felt her withdrawal a -relief. He settled himself down to the comfortable reading of an evening -paper, and had about completed its perusal when the bell rang, and -Gilbert entered the room. - -“Well, Gilbert, did you have a pleasant time?” asked his guardian. - -“Yes, sir; unexpectedly so. I met Mr. Vivian and his daughter, and went -to Delmonico’s with them.” - -“You found him an agreeable man, no doubt?” - -“Yes, sir; he treated me very kindly for a stranger.” - -“He has a high reputation,” said Mr. Briggs. - -“Is he in business?” - -“Yes; he is an importer, and is generally considered very wealthy. He is -a prudent, conservative man, who avoids dangerous risks, and so meets -with few losses.” - -“He has invited me to call next Friday evening at his house.” - -“You had better go, by all means. His friendship may be valuable to -you.” - -“I am glad you approve of my going, for I am sure I shall enjoy it.” - -“Now, Gilbert,” said Mr. Briggs, clearing his throat, “as we have a good -opportunity, I will say a few words about my plans for you.” - -“I wish you would, sir. I am anxious to know what is to be my path in -life.” - -“I propose to get you into some store or counting-room in the city.” - -“Yes, sir. That is what I should like.” - -“And,” continued Mr. Briggs, rather embarrassed, “it will probably be -necessary for you to obtain a boarding-place nearer the business part of -the city than you would be here.” - -“I should think it would be better,” said Gilbert, who decidedly -preferred a boarding-house to an establishment presided over by Mrs. -Briggs, who, he clearly saw, was not disposed to be his friend. - -“We have breakfast too late to admit of your getting down-town in time,” -continued Mr. Briggs, who seemed to want to justify himself in the eyes -of his ward for the inhospitable proposal. - -“Yes, sir, I think it will be every way better,” said Gilbert, promptly. -“What wages do you think I can get, sir?” - -“Why,” said Mr. Briggs, hesitating, “beginners like you seldom command -more than five dollars a week at first.” - -Gilbert looked serious. - -“I suppose,” he said, “this will not be enough to pay all my expenses.” - -“Certainly not,” said his guardian, “but you need not feel troubled -about that. I will make up the balance necessary till you are far enough -advanced to be self-supporting.” - -“You are very kind, sir,” said Gilbert, gratefully; “but it appears that -I have already cost you considerable.” - -“Oh, that is of no consequence,” said Mr. Briggs, hurriedly. “I was your -father’s friend, and naturally I feel an interest in your progress.” - -“Thank you, sir; but I don’t like to be a continued burden to you. Do -you think it will be long before I can support myself?” - -“It will certainly be two years—perhaps three.” - -“Of course I don’t know anything about it, but I should think my -services ought to be worth my board and clothes before that.” - -“We must take things as we find them,” said his guardian. “There are a -dozen applicants for every place open to a boy, and while this state of -things continues employers will pay low wages. Besides, it is felt that -a boy is paid partly in the knowledge of business he acquires.” - -“I have no doubt you are right, sir; but how do poor boys manage who -have no one to make up the deficiency?” - -“Some of them have to live on five dollars a week.” - -“Couldn’t I do it?” - -“I should not be willing to have you. You have been brought up as a -gentleman, and could not get along as well as if you had always been -poor.” - -“I will trust to your judgment, sir; but I shall want you to keep an -account of all you spend for me.” - -“Why?” - -“Because some day I mean to repay it,” said Gilbert, proudly. - -“You are too particular about this matter,” said Mr. Briggs, -uncomfortably. - -“No, sir, I don’t think so. I think I am old enough now to undertake my -entire support.” - -“I will see about it, then.” - -This closed the conversation for the evening. Gilbert was glad to have -spoken to his guardian. Now he knew better what to look forward to. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - GILBERT GETS A PLACE. - - -The next morning, about eight o’clock, the family were gathered about -the breakfast-table. Randolph was ten minutes late. He came in looking -sleepy and cross. - -“Randolph,” said his father, “what made you so late last evening?” - -“I wasn’t late.” - -“You may not call half-past eleven late; I do.” - -“It wasn’t more than half-past ten when I came in.” - -“You are quite mistaken. I looked at my watch when I heard you coming -upstairs.” - -“It was rather late; but you needn’t make such a fuss about it, Mr. -Briggs,” said his wife. “You have been out later than that yourself.” - -“Whenever I have been late, I had a good reason for it. Besides, there -is some difference in age between Randolph and myself.” - -“At any rate, you needn’t scold him before a stranger.” - -“I do not consider Gilbert a stranger. Besides, what I say is partly -meant for him. It is not wise for any boy of his or Randolph’s age to -remain out till nearly twelve.” - -“I hope you are almost through; I am getting tired of the subject.” - -Thus Mrs. Briggs gave Randolph indirect encouragement, by taking his -part against his father. - -Mr. Briggs shrugged his shoulders and was silent. Gilbert felt rather -uncomfortable. - -“Will you have some more coffee?” asked Mrs. Briggs, in an icy tone. - -“No, thank you,” he said. - -“You may go down-town with me, Gilbert,” said Mr. Briggs. “I will -introduce you to a gentleman who will possibly give you a place.” - -“Thank you, sir.” - -“I hope, Mr. Briggs, you will bear in mind what I said last night,” said -his wife. - -She referred to his getting a boarding-place for Gilbert. - -“I have not forgotten it,” he answered. - -Gilbert and his guardian took a University Place car, and they rode -down-town together. - -Mr. Briggs obtained a seat, but Gilbert was compelled to stand, on -account of the crowded state of the car. - -Seated beside Mr. Briggs was a business man of about his own age. - -“Good-morning, Mr. Sands,” he said, for it was an acquaintance. - -“Good-morning, Mr. Briggs. Is this young man your son?” - -“No, he is under my charge, however. I have a son of about his age.” - -“Is he at school?” - -“He has been till recently. I am looking for a place for him at present. -It is time he commenced his business education.” - -“Indeed,” said the gentleman, thoughtfully. “Are you thinking of any -business in particular?” - -“No. I shall accept any good opening for him.” - -“The fact is,” said Sands, “I am looking for a boy to enter my own -office. I was compelled yesterday to dismiss one who had been with me -for six months, on account of dishonesty. I found he appropriated -revenue-stamps, and sold them. I don’t know how long this has been going -on, but probably I have been a considerable loser.” - -“I don’t think you will have any such difficulty with Gilbert, if you -are inclined to take him,” said Mr. Briggs. - -“I like his appearance, and will take him at once, if you say so. I have -been in the habit of paying five dollars a week.” - -“It is as much as I expected him to earn for the present. Gilbert, this -gentleman is willing to give you a place in his office.” - -Gilbert had already formed a favorable opinion of Mr. Sands and he -answered promptly, “I am very much obliged to him, and shall be glad to -be in his employ.” - -Mr. Sands looked pleased. - -“May I ask what is your business, sir?” continued Gilbert. - -“I am a broker; my office is at No. — Wall Street.” - -“I am afraid you will find me very ignorant of business,” said Gilbert; -“but I hope to learn rapidly.” - -“There is nothing that will puzzle you at first. If you remain any -length of time, there will be something to learn.” - -“I have assured Mr. Sands,” said Mr. Briggs, “that he can rely upon your -honesty. His last boy was discharged for lack of that very necessary -quality.” - -“I don’t think he will be disappointed in me, so far as that goes,” said -Gilbert, proudly. - -“I don’t think I shall,” said the broker, upon whom Gilbert’s modest but -manly bearing had produced a very favorable impression. “When shall you -be ready to go to work?” - -“At any time, sir.” - -“Does that mean to-day?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“I will stipulate, however,” said Mr. Briggs, “that Gilbert may be -released at four o’clock. I want to select a boarding-place for him, and -that will give me time.” - -“Oh, certainly,” said the broker. “I can let him go earlier if you -desire it.” - -“No, it will not be necessary; I shall not myself be at leisure till -that hour. You know my place of business, Gilbert, do you not?” - -“Yes, sir; I have been there already, you know.” - -“I remember. Very well, go with Mr. Sands to his office, and come to me -at four this afternoon.” - -“Very well, sir.” - -It seemed rather strange to Gilbert to find himself already in a -situation. The transition from life at school had been very sudden. On -the whole he was not sorry for it. It kindled his ambition to think that -he was going to make himself useful; that he was to have a part in the -busy scene around him. He only regretted that for some time to come he -could not hope to earn his living entirely; that for two or three years, -perhaps, he was to be a source of expense to his guardian. - -“I will be as economical as I can,” he thought. “I will cost him as -little as possible, and when I am older I will pay back every cent I owe -him, if I am lucky enough to have the means.” - -Had Gilbert only known it, it was Mr. Briggs who was heavily in his -debt, and the small sum which would be allowed him to help defray his -expenses was already his own. It was just as well that he did not know -it. It was better that he should feel entirely dependent upon his own -exertions for support. To an active and ambitious boy it is a stimulus -and an incentive to effort. - -“What is your whole name, Gilbert?” asked Mr. Sands, pleasantly. - -“Gilbert Greyson, sir.” - -“You have been at school until recently, Mr. Briggs tells me.” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“In the city?” - -“No, sir; I was at Dr. Burton’s classical school, in the town of -Westville.” - -“I have heard of it. Did you pursue a classical course?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Then you know something of Latin and Greek?” - -“Yes, sir. In a year I should have been ready for Yale College.” - -“Then you already have more than an average education.” - -“I hoped to have a better, sir.” - -“You need not stop learning because you left school. It happens that I, -myself, pursued a course similar to yours, and left my studies for -business when nearly ready for college.” - -“Indeed, sir?” said Gilbert, interested. - -“But I still keep up my Latin a little. Greek I have pretty much -forgotten.” - -By this time they had reached the office of Mr. Sands. It was not large, -but was neat and well furnished. A clerk was at a desk, engaged in -writing. There was, besides, in waiting a boy of about Gilbert’s age, -who apparently wished to speak to Mr. Sands. - -“You here, John?” demanded Mr. Sands. - -“Yes, sir,” whined the boy. “Won’t you take me back, sir?” - -The broker shook his head. - -“No, I cannot,” he said. “You have deceived me, and I cannot trust you.” - -“I won’t do it again, sir.” - -“I could not take you back now if I would,” said the broker. “I have -engaged this boy in your place.” - -John scowled at Gilbert with a sense of personal injury, and left the -office. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - THE FIRST DAY IN BUSINESS. - - -During the day Gilbert learned the way to the Stock Exchange, to the -bank where his employer kept an account, and to the Post Office. He was -also sent on various errands to offices of other brokers and business -men. Indeed, he was kept so busy that he found the day pass very -rapidly. He made up his mind that he should like Mr. Sands, whose manner -towards him was marked with kindness and consideration. - -It was not so, however, with the clerk who has already been mentioned. -He was disposed to regard Gilbert as an unwelcome intruder into the -office. His prejudice will be understood when the reader learns that he -was a cousin of the boy who had been discharged. He had interceded to -have John reinstated in his place; but Mr. Sands had been inexorable. - -“I should like to oblige you, Mr. Moore,” said he, “but I cannot take -back your cousin. I must have a boy in whom I can feel a reasonable -degree of confidence.” - -“John has reformed, sir. He will be strictly honest hereafter.” - -“I hope he will, for his own sake; but it is best for him to find some -place where there will be fewer opportunities to steal.” - -The clerk saw that it would be of no use to pursue the subject further, -and was silent. But he made up his mind to dislike any boy that might -come in his cousin’s place. - -In his employer’s presence he did not venture to manifest his feelings, -but when Gilbert came back from an errand later in the day, Mr. Sands -being absent at the Board, he said irritably, “What made you so long?” - -“So long?” repeated Gilbert, in surprise. “I lost no time, Mr. Moore. I -went directly to the office where I was sent, and as soon as my business -was attended to I came directly back.” - -“Oh, no doubt!” sneered Moore. “You didn’t stop to play on the way, _of -course_.” - -“No, I didn’t,” said Gilbert, indignantly. - -“Then you stopped to hear a hand-organ, or something of the kind,” -persisted Moore, in a disagreeable manner. - -“You are quite mistaken, Mr. Moore. You probably know where the office -is, and must be aware that I had no time for any such delay.” - -“Oh, you are a model boy, I have no doubt!” sneered the clerk. - -“I have great doubts on the subject myself,” said Gilbert, -good-naturedly. “I never had that reputation.” - -“Did you ever do anything wrong?” - -“No doubt I have.” - -“I thought perhaps you were intending to pass yourself off as an angel.” - -“I don’t believe there are many angels in Wall Street,” said Gilbert, in -the same tone of good-humor. - -“No more of your impudence!” said Moore, snappishly, feeling that -Gilbert had the better of him in this little passage of words. - -“What have I said that is impudent?” asked Gilbert, in astonishment. - -“No matter. Go to your work.” - -“What a disagreeable fellow!” thought our hero. “I don’t think I shall -enjoy having him over me. He seems determined to find fault.” - -“Go over to Smith & Dixon’s, and ask them for a Union Pacific First, on -our account—stay; here’s an order.” - -“All right, sir.” - -“And don’t be gone all day.” - -“I shall be back as soon as I can,” said Gilbert, coldly. - -“Mind you do!” said Moore, in an aggravating manner. - -It was a comfort to Gilbert that Mr. Moore did not venture to treat him -in this way while Mr. Sands was in the office. Then, if he had occasion -to speak, it was in a proper tone. But for two or three hours during the -day the broker was absent at the Stock Exchange, and during this period -the clerk saw fit to treat him with rudeness. This treatment, which -commenced on the first day, was continued. Gilbert made little effort to -conciliate Simon Moore (this was the clerk’s full name), for he saw in -advance that he would have small chance of succeeding. He was convinced -of it when he discovered the relationship between Moore and his -predecessor, and learned, moreover, that the clerk was a boarder in his -cousin’s family. - -“I shall have to be very careful,” thought Gilbert, “or Mr. Moore will -get me into trouble of some kind. He wants to get rid of me, for some -reason or other.” - -Gilbert came to the only sensible determination: to do his duty as well -and faithfully as he knew how, and trust to Providence for the issue. He -decided not to trouble himself too much about the clerk’s enmity, since -he knew that he had done nothing to deserve it. - -At a little before four Gilbert left the office, and sought the -counting-room of Mr. Briggs. He found that gentleman ready to go -up-town. - -“Well, Gilbert,” he said, “how do you like your first day in business?” - -“Very well, sir. I think I shall get on.” - -“Then you don’t find your duties hard?” - -“No, sir; they are pleasant and easy.” - -“You will find Mr. Sands very considerate and kind, I am sure.” - -“I like him already, sir.” - -“That is well,” said Mr. Briggs, in a tone of satisfaction. “The next -thing is to find you a boarding-place.” - -“Yes, sir. I shall be very glad to get settled.” - -“There will be little difficulty about that. If we start immediately, I -can select a place for you this afternoon.” - -They took the street-cars at the Astor House. - -“I have been thinking, Gilbert,” said his guardian, “that Waverly Place -or Clinton Place will be a good location for you. It is not so far but -that on pleasant days you can walk to your place of business. This will -save car-fare, which, though a small matter, is yet to be considered -where your income is so small.” - -“How far is it, sir?” - -“About two miles from Wall Street.” - -“I shan’t mind that. When at school I used to walk ten miles sometimes, -on holidays.” - -“Mind, Gilbert, I only recommend it. I will see that you have money -enough to get along comfortably, even if you choose to ride constantly.” - -“I shall enjoy the walk when it is pleasant.” - -“Clinton Place is the western portion of Eighth Street,” said Mr. -Briggs. “East Eighth Street is known as St. Mark’s Place. There are -numerous boarding-houses there also, but I think you will like Clinton -Place better. I suppose you are not very familiar with the streets yet?” - -“No, sir; but I shall get accustomed to them as soon as possible. I -found, this morning, that it is a useful thing to know.” - -About twenty minutes’ ride brought the car to Clinton Place. - -“We will get out here,” said Mr. Briggs. “As we pass through the street,” -he said, “we shall probably notice papers pasted on some of the houses, -indicating that boarders or lodgers will be received. At some of these -houses we will inquire.” - -It was as Mr. Briggs had said. They had scarcely began their walk -towards Broadway, when they saw such a paper on a neat-looking brick -house. - -“Let us inquire here, Gilbert,” he said. - -He went up the steps, and rang the bell. On a servant appearing, he -announced his business. This brought about an interview with the -landlady. - -“Do you wish a room for two?” she asked. - -“No; only for this boy.” - -“We have a hall bedroom on the third floor, and an attic room,” said the -landlady. - -“We will look at the hall bedroom.” - -It was a small room, about seven feet by nine, and the furniture was -very common. - -“You can’t expect anything very luxurious, Gilbert,” said Mr. Briggs. -“Shall you be contented with this room?” - -“Yes, sir,” answered Gilbert, promptly. - -“What is your price, madam?” asked Mr. Briggs. - -“With board, six dollars a week.” - -“I think we will try it,” he said. “Will you stay here to-night, or come -to-morrow, Gilbert?” - -Gilbert thought of Mrs. Briggs, and answered, “I will begin now. I -suppose I shall need to send for my trunk.” - -“I will send it by an expressman—to-night, if possible.” - -“In the case of strangers,” said the landlady, hesitating, “we expect -something in advance.” - -“I will pay you a week in advance,” said Mr. Briggs. - -He drew six dollars from his pocket-book, and handed it to the smiling -landlady. - -“Of course, sir,” she said apologetically, “it isn’t necessary with a -gentleman like you, but it is our custom.” - -“Quite right, madam. I may as well tell you that I will be responsible -for this boy’s board. Here is my card.” - -Mr. Briggs was a well-known business man, and his name was familiar to -the landlady. - -“I am glad to have a friend of yours in my house,” she said. “I hope the -young gentleman will find everything satisfactory.” - -“I don’t think he will be hard to please. Good-evening, madam. -Good-night, Gilbert. You must call and see us often.” - -Mr. Briggs withdrew, and Gilbert sat down on the bed and tried to -realize his new position. Less than a week had elapsed since he left -school. Now he had entered on a business career in New York. It made him -feel years older, but he did not shrink from his new responsibilities. -He rather liked them. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - THE NEW BOARDING-HOUSE. - - -Not long after Gilbert took possession of his room, the bell rang for -dinner. As at most New York boarding-houses, the last meal of the day -was dinner, not supper. Gilbert heard an adjoining door open, and, -leaving his own room, followed the occupants down to the dining-room, -which proved to be in the front basement. - -The room was deep, and allowed of a long table, large enough for the -accommodation of sixteen boarders. Mrs. White, the landlady, did not -herself sit down to the table, but superintended the servants, who acted -as waiters. - -“Where shall I sit, Mrs. White?” asked Gilbert. - -“You may sit here, between Mr. Ingalls and Miss Brintnall.” - -Neither of these persons had appeared, but Gilbert took the seat pointed -out. - -One by one the boarders entered, until the table was full. Gilbert -looked about him with considerable curiosity. Mr. Ingalls proved to be a -young man of twenty-five, who was employed in a wholesale stationery -store in William Street. Miss Brintnall was an elderly-looking young -lady, who was engaged as teacher in one of the public schools of the -city. Her face was of a masculine type, and Gilbert was not surprised to -hear that she was a strong advocate of woman’s rights. - -Just opposite were seated Mr. and Mrs. Theophilus Bower. He was clerk in -a dry goods house, and had been but three months married. He was an -inoffensive young man, with hair parted in the middle, who appeared to -be very fond of his young wife, who wore long ringlets, and seemed quite -a fitting match for her husband. Gilbert was rather amused by the manner -in which they addressed each other. - -“Theophilus, my love, may I pass you the salt?” - -“Yes, my dear.” - -Occasionally, that is, as often as opportunity offered, they would press -each other’s hands under the table, the pressure being accompanied by a -languishing look, which nearly upset the gravity of Mr. Ingalls, who, in -his endeavors to suppress his merriment, once came so near choking that -he had to leave the table. - -On the other side of Mr. Ingalls sat an actor at one of the city -theatres, with his wife. He seldom engaged in general conversation, but -spoke in low tones to his wife. Whether this sprang from natural -reserve, or from his mind being preoccupied with his business, opinion -was divided; but the natural consequence was that he was unpopular. - -There were several other boarders, who will be referred to in due time. -Among them may be mentioned Alphonso Jones, a man of thirty, whose seedy -attire would seem to indicate limited means, but who lost no opportunity -of boasting of his aristocratic connections, and his intimacy with the -best society. - -Mr. Ingalls was the first to notice his young neighbor. Mrs. White had -introduced Gilbert to his right and left hand neighbor, but left him to -make acquaintance with the rest as he could. - -“Have you been long in the city, Mr. Greyson?” he asked. - -“No,” said Gilbert, “but a few days.” - -“I suppose you are on business?” - -“I am in a broker’s office on Wall Street.” - -“And I am in a wholesale stationery store not far from Wall Street. If -you have no better company, we might go down-town together in the -morning.” - -“Thank you, I should like company.” - -“That is, if you walk; I never ride except on stormy days.” - -“Nor shall I. It’s only two miles, I believe.” - -“Scarcely that; some think two miles a long walk. My brother from -Boston, who was here for a while, complained a good deal of the long -distances in New York. In Boston business men have much less distance to -travel.” - -“I never was in Boston,” said Gilbert. “Is it a pleasant city?” - -“It is the ‘Hub of the Universe,’ you know; so Dr. Holmes calls it, at -any rate. Yes, it is a pleasant city, but small, of course, compared -with New York. How did you happen to come to this boarding-house?” - -“I saw a notice outside that boarders would be taken.” - -“I hope you will like it.” - -“I hope so. I am not very difficult to suit.” - -“You have not been long in your place of business, I suppose.” - -“No; I went there only to-day. I have always been at school till now.” - -“Out of the city?” - -“Yes, at Dr. Burton’s Boarding School, at Westville.” - -“I have heard of it.” - -Then, lowering his voice, he said, “I see, Mr. Greyson, you are looking -at the happy couple opposite.” - -“They seem very happy,” said Gilbert, smiling. - -“Oh, yes, they are wrapt up in each other. However, that is better than -to quarrel all the time. Do you see that tall, thin man at the end of -the table, and the lady at his side?” - -“Yes.” - -“There isn’t much love-making between them. They have a room adjoining -mine, and I have the privilege of listening to some of their disputes.” - -“Who are they?” - -“Major McDonald and his wife. He is Scotch, I believe. They married each -other for their money, I hear, and then discovered that neither had any -to speak of.” - -The conversation was interrupted by Miss Brintnall, who was expressing -her views on woman’s rights. - -“In my opinion,” she said, “man is a cruel and despotic tyrant. He -monopolizes the good things of this life, and only throws an occasional -crumb to poor, ill-used women. Women, for the same work, are paid less -than half as much as men. Take myself, for example. I work just as hard -as the principal of my school, yet he gets three dollars to my one. Now, -I want to know where is the justice of that?” - -“Perhaps,” suggested Mr. Bower, “he has a wife and children to support. -You haven’t, you know, Miss Brintnall. Of course, you couldn’t, you -know,” he added, with a simper. - -“I might have a husband and children to support, I suppose,” said Miss -Brintnall, severely. - -“If that is the case, Miss Brintnall,” said Mr. Ingalls, humorously, -“you ought to let us know, that we may not cherish vain hopes.” - -Miss Brintnall smiled; she generally did smile on Mr. Ingalls, who was a -favorite of hers. Indeed, it was generally thought at the table that she -would have had no objection to becoming Mrs. Ingalls, though the young -man certainly had never given her any encouragement, save by such -jocular remarks as the foregoing. - -“You will have your joke, Mr. Ingalls,” she said good-humoredly; “but to -return to my argument. Is there any one present that can deny the -correctness of my statement, that man is a tyrant?” - -“I can,” said little Mrs. Bower, indignantly. “My Theophilus isn’t a -tyrant, are you, dear?” - -“I hope not, my love,” he answered, pressing her hand under the table. - -Mr. Ingalls came near swallowing a piece of meat the wrong way, and Miss -Brintnall sniffed contemptuously. - -“There may be exceptions,” she said, “but they only prove the rule; even -in your own case, Mrs. Bower, you may change your mind some years -hence.” - -“I never shall, I am sure. Shall I, Theophilus, dear?” - -“No, my love.” - -Here Mr. Ingalls squeezed Gilbert’s hand under the table, with a comic -look, which proved very trying to our hero’s gravity. - -Miss Brintnall received unexpected help from Mrs. McDonald. - -“I agree with you entirely, Miss Brintnall,” said that lady, “and I -don’t believe there are any exceptions. Men always try to domineer over -women.” - -“My experience is the other way,” said the major. - -“Of course, I expected to hear you say so,” said the lady, tossing her -head. - -“Men are very forbearing, in my opinion,” proceeded the major. - -“And very unselfish, I suppose,” sneered his wife. - -“That’s where you hit the nail on the head, ma’am.” - -“I think,” said Alphonso Jones, “it depends very much on social rank. I -have the privilege of being intimately acquainted with some of our very -highest families, and I can assure you that they are very harmonious. -Among the lower orders, no doubt, men often act like brutes; but it is -from lack of refinement. My friends, the Tiptops, who have their villa -at Newport, never exchange a rude word. I think you are too sweeping in -your remarks, Miss Brintnall.” - -“I have not the honor of knowing your grand friends, Mr. Jones,” said -Miss Brintnall, sarcastically; “but I contend that human nature is -everywhere the same. Money and rank don’t change it. I think it very -likely that some of your Fifth Avenue grandees beat their wives.” - -“O Miss Brintnall!” exclaimed Mr. Bower and Mr. Jones in chorus. - -“Yes, I do believe it. I won’t take a word back.” - -“I don’t believe your husband will ever beat you, Miss Brintnall,” said -Mr. Ingalls, slyly. - -“I think not,” said the teacher, decidedly. “I should allow him all the -rights which he could fairly claim, but I would not let him infringe -upon mine.” - -“I wouldn’t marry her for a million dollars,” whispered Mr. Bower to his -wife. - -“Isn’t she horrid?” was the shuddering reply. - -Here some one started a new topic of conversation, and Miss Brintnall -subsided. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - A NEW ARRANGEMENT. - - -About nine o’clock that evening Gilbert’s trunk arrived. He received it -with satisfaction, and unpacked it at once, putting a part of his -clothing into the drawers of a small bureau, which, with the bedstead -and one chair, took up about all the space in his contracted chamber. - -Mr. Ingalls stepped in as he was unpacking. - -“You haven’t got much extra room,” he said. - -“No, I wish my room was larger,” said Gilbert; “but it is as large as I -can afford.” - -“My room is at least twice as large, but by sharing it with another I -pay no more than you do.” - -“You are in luck; that is, if your room-mate is agreeable.” - -“We get along very well, but I expect to lose him in a week. He is to -leave the city. If you would like to take his place, I shall be glad to -have you.” - -“Will it increase my board?” asked Gilbert. - -“How much do you pay now?” - -“Six dollars.” - -“No; you would pay the same as my room-mate.” - -“Then I will accept your offer with thanks.” - -“I hope you won’t have cause to repent it,” said Mr. Ingalls. “If you do -at any time I will let you off.” - -“If you should marry Miss Brintnall,” suggested Gilbert, with a smile, -“you will have to give me warning.” - -“No Miss Brintnall for me!” said Ingalls. “I don’t want to be a -henpecked husband, or marry one who would insist on wearing the -breeches.” - -“The lady seems partial to you.” - -“She is not only partial, but martial,” said the young man, who was apt -to indulge in poor jokes; “I would as soon marry an Amazon. When you get -through unpacking, come to my room; you may like to see it.” - -“I have unpacked as much as I intend to to-night. I will go with you -now.” - -Mr. Ingalls’ room was square in shape, and of very good dimensions; it -was better furnished also than Gilbert’s. It contained two single beds, -side by side, a good closet, a sofa, a bureau, rocking-chair, and -several ordinary chairs. Several fair engravings adorned the walls, and -Gilbert felt that it would be decidedly pleasanter for him to share such -a room as this with a pleasant companion, than to reign sole master of a -hall bedroom. - -“How do you like it?” asked Mr. Ingalls. - -“Very much better than mine. I shall be glad to change.” - -“Then we will consider the arrangement decided upon. Can I offer you a -cigarette?” - -“No, thank you; I never smoke.” - -“That is where you are sensible; I only indulge myself occasionally.” - -They sat for half an hour and chatted. Gilbert was favorably impressed -by his new friend, who, though ten years older than himself, proved a -congenial companion. At ten o’clock he bade him good-night, and went to -bed. - -His bed was not particularly soft or luxurious, but he slept soundly, -and awoke in the morning refreshed. He took an early breakfast, and -walked down-town with Mr. Ingalls. - -When Mr. Moore, the book-keeper, arrived, Gilbert was already at work. - -“A new broom sweeps clean,” sneered Moore, in an unpleasant tone. - -“Do you mean me?” asked Gilbert. - -“Yes; you are trying to make Mr. Sands think you a model.” - -“I hope he won’t think that, for he will find out his mistake.” - -“He _will_ find out his mistake,” said Moore; “I predict that.” - -“I intend to do my work faithfully,” said Gilbert; “there will be no -mistake about that.” - -“I’ve heard boys talk that way before. They don’t deceive me.” - -Just then Mr. Sands entered. He greeted Gilbert pleasantly. - -“So you are on hand in good season. I like to see that.” - -“I shall try not to be late, sir.” - -“Where do you board?” - -“In Waverly Place.” - -“That is convenient as regards distance. You may go to the Post Office -for letters.” - -As Gilbert started for the Post Office, a boy about his own age came up -and joined him. - -“Are you Mr. Sands’ new boy?” he asked. - -“Yes,” answered Gilbert. - -“You’ve got my place, then. I used to be there.” - -“Did you? I am sorry to have interfered with you.” - -“You won’t like it. He is very hard to get along with.” - -“He doesn’t look like it.” - -“He discharged me for just nothing at all. That’s what my cousin, the -book-keeper, says.” - -“Is Mr. Moore your cousin?” asked Gilbert, who began now to understand -the cause of his own unpopularity with that official. - -“Yes; he lives at our house.” - -Gilbert said nothing, judging that it would be repeated. - -“I hope you will get another place,” he said, politely. - -“I don’t want another place. I want to be where my cousin is.” - -Gilbert felt rather awkward. - -“That is natural,” he said; “I am sorry you are disappointed, but, of -course, I am glad to get a place. I have to shift for myself, and it is -necessary I should be earning money.” - -“You won’t stay long; old Sands will discharge you.” - -“I hope not. If I do my duty faithfully, I don’t see why he should.” - -“That won’t make any difference. Didn’t I discharge my duty faithfully?” - -Gilbert did not know, and expressed no opinion. Moreover, he thought he -would not inquire, preferring to remain neutral. Besides, he doubted -whether he could fully rely on the correctness of John’s statements. - -“I don’t want to lose my place,” he said; “but if I do, I hope you will -get it back again.” - -“Suppose you resign in my favor,” suggested John, in an insinuating -manner. - -“I would rather not,” answered Gilbert, who felt that this request was -decidedly cool. - -“Just as I thought,” muttered John. - -“Mr. Sands would not thank me for meddling with what is not my business. -If he chooses, at any time, to put you back and dismiss me, he’ll do so -without any request from me.” - -John did not vouchsafe an answer, but walked off sullenly. - -Nothing of any importance occurred during the day, except that Gilbert -found the book-keeper as disagreeable as ever. It seemed impossible to -suit him. This Gilbert correctly attributed to his disappointment that -his cousin had been superseded. - -About the hour of closing, Gilbert was surprised at the entrance of Mr. -Briggs. - -“How are you getting on, Gilbert?” he inquired. - -“Very well, thank you, sir.” - -“Do you think you shall like this place?” - -“Yes, sir, I think so.” - -“And you don’t regret leaving school?” - -“Yes, sir, I do; but that can’t be helped, and I don’t trouble myself -with thinking of it.” - -“You are right there; are you ready to go up town?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Come along with me, then.” - -When they were in the street, Mr. Briggs said, “I will tell you in a few -words what I mean to do for you, so that you can have a fair -understanding about money matters. I shall pay your board, and out of -your wages you will be able to buy your clothes and provide for your -other expenses.” - -“But, Mr. Briggs,” said Gilbert, “I shall be able to pay part of my -board. I do not wish to be such a burden to you.” - -“Say no more about it,” said his guardian, hastily, “I insist upon that -arrangement.” - -“But, sir, I shall want sometime to repay you for the money you spend on -me.” - -“When you are a rich man, I will permit you to do so. Till then, think -nothing of it.” - -“I am at least very grateful to you for your kindness,” said Gilbert. - -For some reason Mr. Briggs seemed uncomfortable whenever Gilbert spoke -of gratitude, and tried to drop the subject. - -“Randolph spoke of calling to see you this evening,” he said. “Shall you -be at home?” - -“Yes, sir, I shall be glad to have him come.” - -Gilbert was rather astonished at such a mark of attention on the part of -the young aristocrat, but determined to treat him cordially, for his -father’s sake. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - RANDOLPH’S CALL. - - -Randolph had expressed to his father in the morning an intention of -calling upon Gilbert. His motive was not interest in our hero’s welfare, -but curiosity to find out how he was situated, as indeed he freely -acknowledged. - -“I wouldn’t call if I were you, Randolph,” said his mother. - -“Why not?” asked her husband. - -“Gilbert will move in a different sphere,” said Mrs. Briggs, loftily. “I -do not wish my son to form intimacies beneath him.” - -“I don’t intend to,” said Randolph; “I want to see what sort of a place -he is in.” - -“He will be likely to presume upon your condescension, and boast of you -as one of his friends.” - -Mr. Briggs understood Gilbert better. - -“No fear of that!” he said. “Gilbert is a boy of spirit. He is not one -to seek or accept patronage. His pride is quite as great as Randolph’s.” - -“What has he to be proud of, I should like to know,” said Mrs. Briggs, -with a sneer. - -“He is my ward,” said Mr. Briggs, stiffly, “and it is quite proper that -my son should pay him some attention.” - -“You seem to be infatuated about that boy,” said his wife coldly. “I -suppose you will want him invited to Randolph’s birthday party next -month.” - -“I certainly shall,” said Mr. Briggs. - -“This is going rather too far,” said his wife angrily. - -“However that may be, he must be invited.” - -“I should think I had some voice in that matter, Mr. Briggs.” - -“Unless Gilbert Greyson is invited, there shall be no party at all,” -said Mr. Briggs, with decision. - -Mrs. Briggs felt that the fiat had gone forth. Her husband generally -yielded to her, but sometimes he put his foot down, as the saying is, -and was not to be moved. She felt very much annoyed, but Randolph -offered her a way of yielding gracefully. - -“Oh, let the beggar come,” he said. “He will be good fun. I want to see -how he will behave.” - -“Since you wish it, Randolph,” said Mrs. Briggs, addressing herself -pointedly to her son, “I will make no further objection. It is your -party, and you ought to have your own way. But I shouldn’t think it was -necessary for you to call on the boy. He is at some cheap -boarding-house, I suppose.” - -“Cheap, but perfectly respectable,” said Mr. Briggs. - -“I want to see what a cheap boarding-house is like,” said Randolph; and -his mother said no more. - -At eight o’clock the servant brought up to Gilbert’s room a card bearing -the name of Randolph Briggs. - -“It’s a young gentleman that wants to see you,” she explained. - -“I will go down and bring him up,” said Gilbert. - -He hurried downstairs, and found Randolph waiting in the parlor. - -“I am glad to see you, Randolph,” he said cordially; “will you stay -here, or come up to my room?” - -“I would like to see your room,” said Randolph. - -“It isn’t much to see,” said Gilbert; “but I shall be glad to have you -come up.” - -“It’s a long way down-town,” said Randolph. - -“All the better for me. I am nearer my place of business.” - -Gilbert’s room was on the third floor, back. He opened the door and -invited Randolph in. - -“What a small place!” exclaimed Randolph, looking around him. - -“So it is,” said Gilbert; “but I make it do.” - -“And the furniture is extremely common,” remarked his visitor, -critically. - -“That is true also,” said Gilbert, laughing. - -“There does not seem to be much of it either; you have but one chair.” - -“Take that, if you please, and I will sit on the bed.” - -Randolph sat down, but not till he had examined the chair carefully to -see if it was clean. - -“I don’t see how you can live in such a place,” remarked the young -aristocrat. - -“Oh, I easily accommodate myself to it,” said Gilbert; “but I hope soon -to make a change for the better.” - -“Indeed!” - -“Yes; a young man in the house has a large room, which he has agreed to -share with me as soon as his present room-mate leaves. That will -probably be in a week. Then I can offer you a better reception.” - -“What is the young man’s name?” - -“Ingalls. I believe he comes from Massachusetts.” - -“Is he in business?” - -“Yes; he is in a stationery store on William Street. Of course, he is a -new acquaintance, but I think we shall get on well together.” - -“What sort of boarders have you here?” asked Randolph, curiously. - -“Rather a miscellaneous class. The gentlemen are chiefly in business. -There is one public school-teacher—a lady.” - -“Of course, there is nobody that moves in good society?” - -“I really don’t know.” - -“How much board do you pay?” - -“Six dollars.” - -“Six dollars!” repeated Randolph, turning up his nose. - -“Some of the boarders pay considerably more, but my room, as you see, is -small, and that makes it low for me.” - -“What sort of a table have you?” - -“Plain, but as good as could be expected. Of course it don’t compare -with yours.” - -“I should say not.” - -“But I find no fault with it. Everything is served neatly, and that is -what I care most about.” - -At this point Mr. Ingalls knocked at the door. - -“Excuse me,” he said, when he saw Randolph; “I didn’t know you had -company.” - -“Come in,” said Gilbert; “or rather, if your room-mate is out, let us -adjourn to your room. We shall be more comfortable.” - -“Certainly; I shall be glad to have you.” - -“Mr. Randolph Briggs, Mr. Ingalls,” said Gilbert, by way of -introduction. - -“I am glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Briggs,” said the young man. - -Randolph bowed condescendingly. - -They went at once to the larger room. - -“This is much better,” said Randolph, who seemed surprised to see a -sofa. - -“Yes, I shall consider myself promoted when I get here.” - -“Are you in business, Mr. Briggs?” asked Mr. Ingalls. - -“Oh, no, I am preparing for college,” said Randolph; “there is no need -of my going into business.” - -“I wish I could have gone to college,” said Gilbert, regretfully. - -“It takes money to go to college,” said Randolph, complacently; “I -intend to live in style when I go there.” - -“I am afraid, Gilbert,” said young Ingalls, “we must put off going till -our wages are raised.” - -“I must put it off forever,” said Gilbert. - -“I have hopes of getting ready when I am fifty,” said the young man; -“perhaps Mr. Briggs will be a professor at that time.” - -“I wouldn’t teach,” said Randolph, “though it is very respectable to be -a professor. I shall be a man of fortune.” - -Mr. Ingalls glanced quietly at Gilbert. He was evidently amused by the -self-importance of the young aristocrat. - -“Do you like your place, Gilbert?” asked Randolph. - -“Pretty well.” - -“You haven’t got any ice-water here, have you?” - -“I will go down and order some.” - -While Gilbert was gone, Randolph said, “I am glad Gilbert has got a -place, for he is poor and needs it. My father has done a great deal for -him; but then he can afford it, for he is a rich man. I have no friends -in this neighborhood; but I thought I would come down to see how he was -getting along.” - -“Gilbert ought to be very grateful,” said Mr. Ingalls, dryly. - -“I think so, too. It is not every poor boy who has a rich man to help -him.” - -Here Gilbert re-entered with the water, and shortly after Randolph left. - -“What do you think of him, Mr. Ingalls?” asked Gilbert. - -“He seems to think a good deal of himself,” said the young man. “He -referred to you in a very patronizing way.” - -Gilbert laughed. - -“His mother has spoiled him,” he said; “she is the most disagreeable -woman I ever saw. If Randolph had been brought up differently, he might -not show so much foolish pride. I like his father best of the three.” - -Gilbert little suspected that the man whom he praised had been, thus far -in life, his worst enemy. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - GILBERT CALLS ON THE VIVIANS. - - -As the boarders rose from the dinner-table on Friday, Alphonso Jones -addressed Gilbert. - -“Let us take a walk,” he proposed. - -“Thank you,” said Gilbert; “but I have an engagement.” - -“I suppose there is a lady in the case,” said Alphonso, slyly. - -“There is a young lady where I am going,” answered Gilbert. - -“So I thought. I suppose you wouldn’t be willing to mention names?” - -“Oh, yes. I am going to call on Mr. Vivian, in West Forty-eighth -Street.” - -“What! Mr. Vivian, the great merchant?” asked Jones, surprised. - -“I believe he is an extensive importer.” - -“That’s the one I mean. How in the world did you get acquainted there?” - -“I haven’t been long acquainted,” said our hero. - -Alphonso Jones was a young man who, in England, would be called a -tuft-hunter. He aspired to be on visiting terms in families of high -social position; but thus far had not met with much success. This did -not prevent him from boasting continually of intimacy in quarters where -he was not even acquainted. He did not dream that his little imposture -was easily seen through by most of those who knew him, but was -complacent in the thought that he was classed with that aristocracy, -which he admired from a distance. - -“Don’t you know the Vivians, Mr. Jones?” asked Mr. Ingalls. “I thought -you knew everybody that was worth knowing.” - -“So I do,” said Alphonso, with an air of importance,—“that is, nearly -everybody. I met the Vivians, I believe, at Saratoga, but did not have a -chance to cultivate their acquaintance. Greyson, will you do me a -favor?” - -“What is it?” asked Gilbert. - -“Let me accompany you this evening to Mr. Vivian’s. You can introduce me -as your friend, in case they do not remember our former meeting.” - -“I should like to oblige you, Mr. Jones,” said Gilbert, “but my own -acquaintance is too limited to allow me to take such a liberty.” - -“Just as you say, of course,” said Alphonso, crestfallen. “I dare say I -shall soon meet them at some fashionable party.” - -“So it will really not make much difference,” suggested Ingalls. - -“Oh, very little,” said Mr. Jones, nonchalantly. “I thought perhaps Mr. -Greyson might like the company of one who was used to society. I think, -on the whole, I will call on my friends, the Montmorencys, this -evening.” - -“Where do they live, Mr. Jones?” asked Mr. Ingalls. - -“They occupy an elegant mansion on Fifth Avenue,” answered Alphonso, -consequentially. - -“Couldn’t you take me along with you?” asked Mr. Ingalls, demurely. - -“I fear not,” said Alphonso. “The fact is, Mr. Ingalls, the Montmorencys -are very exclusive, and have expressly said to me more than once, ‘We -are always glad to have you drop in, Mr. Jones, for we look upon you as -one of ourselves; but bring no strangers. Our circle is already -extensive, and we cannot add to it.’ Very sorry, of course.” - -“So am I, Mr. Jones,” said Mr. Ingalls. “I should like to know a few -high-toned people. How fortunate you are in knowing so many! What is the -number of the Montmorencys’ house?” - -“I always forget numbers,” said Alphonso, rather confused (for the whole -story of the Montmorencys was a fiction), “but, of course, the house is -familiar to me. It’s on Murray Hill.” - -“That fellow is a humbug, Gilbert,” said Ingalls, as he and his -room-mate entered their own apartment. “He pretends to have a great many -fashionable friends; but it’s all a sham. Some day I’m going to teach -him a lesson.” - -“How?” - -“Introduce a friend of mine, a good amateur actor, as a French count. -Fancy his delight at making each an aristocratic acquaintance!” - -“Let me know when the time comes,” said Gilbert, laughing. - -“You shall assist me in it. I hope you will have a pleasant call this -evening.” - -“I have no doubt of it.” - -Gilbert dressed himself carefully, and at half-past seven started on his -visit. The evening was pleasant, and he decided to walk. Just opposite -the Hoffman House he fell in with Randolph Briggs. - -“Hallo, Gilbert,” called out Randolph, “where are you bound,—to our -house? I don’t believe you’ll find anybody at home.” - -“I am bound elsewhere,” said Gilbert - -“Where?” asked Randolph, curiously. - -“To Mr. Vivian’s.” - -“To call upon Laura?” - -“My call will not be exclusively upon her,” said Gilbert. - -“Take my advice and don’t go,” said Randolph actuated by jealousy. - -“Why not?” Gilbert asked, quietly. - -“They might look upon it as an intrusion.” - -“I don’t think they will, as I was specially invited for this evening.” - -“Out of politeness. Probably they have forgotten all about it.” - -“It appears to me, Randolph, that you take a good deal of interest in -this matter,” said Gilbert, amused. - -“Oh, I care nothing about it; only as a friend I thought I would just -mention that it might be thought rather presumptuous to take advantage -of the accident that made you acquainted with Laura, to force yourself -upon the family. If I were a poor boy like you, I would be careful to -associate with my own class.” - -Gilbert was provoked at Randolph’s insolence, as he rightly considered -it, and answered coldly, “I will think of your advice, Mr. Briggs. I -appreciate your motives in offering it.” - -“What does he mean?” thought Randolph, following with his eyes his -father’s ward. “I believe the fellow is angry with me. Poor and proud, I -dare say. The Vivians will soon get tired of him.” - -But though he tried to console himself with this reflection, it chafed -Randolph not a little that Gilbert should be invited to a house which he -could not hope to enter. - -Gilbert kept on his way to Mr. Vivian’s house arriving about eight -o’clock. - -“Is Mr. Vivian at home?” he inquired of the servant who answered his -summons. - -“He went out for half an hour; will you come in and wait for him?” - -“Is Miss Laura in?” - -“I believe she is.” - -“Then you may hand her my card, if you please.” - -Gilbert was ushered into the parlor. He did not have to wait long. Laura -entered and cordially offered her hand. - -“I am very glad to see you, Gilbert—Mr. Greyson, I mean.” - -“Never mind about Mr. Greyson,” said Gilbert, smiling. “Call me Gilbert, -if you don’t mind.” - -“Then I will,” said Laura, frankly. “Do you know, I already begin to -look upon you as an old friend.” - -“I am very glad of that, Miss Laura.” - -“My father went out for half an hour, as the servant probably told you. -He bade me keep you till his return.” - -“Thank you; I shall be very glad to stay.” - -“I met a friend of yours on Fifth Avenue yesterday, Gilbert.” - -“Who was it?” - -“Randolph Briggs.” - -Gilbert smiled. - -“I don’t know how far he is my friend,” he said; “though he told me this -evening he was, and as a friend he ventured to give me some advice.” - -“Indeed?” said Laura, looking the curiosity she felt. - -“Would you like to hear what it was?” - -“I certainly should, for it doesn’t strike me that Randolph Briggs is -particularly qualified to give advice to anybody.” - -“He advised me not to come here.” - -“Not to come here! Why not?” exclaimed Laura, impetuously. - -“He said I was only invited out of compliment, and that my visit would -probably be considered an intrusion.” - -“I wonder how he dared to say such things!” said Laura, indignantly. -“What can he know of our feelings? Why, he isn’t on visiting terms here -himself!” - -“I suppose he meant it for my good,” said Gilbert. - -“I am glad you didn’t take his advice, Gilbert.” - -“I didn’t care to deprive myself of a pleasure. Besides, I thought I -could soon judge for myself whether you looked upon me as an intruder.” - -“What do you think about it?” asked Laura. “You have been here long -enough to decide.” - -“I think I will stay a little longer.” - -Just then a boy of ten opened the door of the parlor. - -“Laura,” he said, “mother wants you to bring Mr. Greyson into the -library.” - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - A PLEASANT EVENING. - - -Gilbert was presented to a pleasant-looking lady, whom Laura introduced -as her mother. - -“I am glad to see you, Mr. Greyson,” she said, cordially; “I supposed -Laura would bring you in here at once, but it seemed to be her intention -to monopolize you.” - -“We had important business to talk over, mamma.” - -“Very important, no doubt. How do you like the city, Mr. Greyson?” - -“I think I shall like it after I am better acquainted,” Gilbert -answered. - -“You haven’t introduced me, Laura,” said her brother Fred, in an -aggrieved tone. - -“Gilbert,” said Laura, “let me introduce to your favorable notice my -brother Fred, who, in his own opinion, is a model of all the virtues.” - -“I am glad to meet him. I never saw a model boy before,” said Gilbert, -pleasantly. - -“I never pretended to be a model boy,” said Fred. “Laura’s only -chaffing.” - -“Where did you pick up that word, Fred?” said his mother. - -“Isn’t it a good word, mamma? It’s just what she does.” - -“Fred has just commenced Latin,” said Laura, “but I am afraid, from his -own story, that it is just wearing out his constitution.” - -“I don’t see any good in it,” said Fred. “Do you know Latin, Mr. -Greyson?” - -“I have studied it some.” - -“How far have you been?” - -“I have read Cæsar and Virgil.” - -“Oh, then you know a lot about it. I’m only in the second declension.” - -“You don’t like it, then?” - -“Not much. I don’t see how anybody could ever talk such stuff.” - -“You will be more interested in it as you get on further. That was the -way with me. I wasn’t in love with it at first.” - -“I hope so,” said Fred. - -Here Mr. Vivian entered, and greeted Gilbert cordially. - -“I told Laura to keep you,” he said. “What have you been doing since we -met?” - -“I have got a place, or rather Mr. Briggs got one for me.” - -“What sort of a place?” - -“I am with Mr. Sands, a stock-broker. His office is on Wall Street.” - -“I know of him, though I don’t personally know him. How do you like your -new situation?” - -“I have not been there long enough to decide. I like Mr. Sands.” - -“Are you still an inmate of Mr. Briggs’ house?” - -“No, sir; I am boarding on Clinton Place, near Broadway.” - -“You find that more convenient to your office?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Then you have fairly got started in your business career. I hope you -may be successful.” - -“Thank you, sir.” - -“I believe you told me that your money, of which Mr. Briggs had charge, -has been entirely expended on your education?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Are you compelled, then, to live on your weekly wages?” - -“I don’t think I could do that very well, as they only amount to five -dollars a week. Mr. Briggs offered to pay my board, and let me use this -for other expenses. I don’t like to have him do it, but he insists upon -it.” - -“That seems kind,” said Mr. Vivian. “Was it your idea, or his, to go to -a boarding-house?” - -“I suspect,” said Gilbert, hesitating, for he was not clear whether he -ought to tell this, “that it was Mrs. Briggs’ idea. From the first, she -has not seemed to like me.” - -“I don’t like her looks,” said Laura; “I have seen her several times. -You know, papa, she was at the same hotel with us at Saratoga. She looks -cross.” - -“You must not speak too hastily against people, Laura,” said Mrs. -Vivian. - -“I suspect Laura only shares the general feeling,” said Mr. Vivian. -“Mrs. Briggs is, by no means, a favorite in society.” - -“Nor Randolph, either,” added Laura. - -“I thought he was a beau of yours, Laura,” said her father, slyly. - -“He never was, papa. I used to meet him at dancing-school, and I have -danced with him there; but that is the end of our acquaintance. If he -bows to me I bow back, but I don’t care to know any more of him.” - -“Can’t we have a little music, Laura?” asked her father. - -“I only play a little. Do you play, Gilbert?” - -“No, Miss Laura.” - -“Or sing?” - -“A little.” - -“Then I’ll make a bargain; I will play if you will sing.” - -“I hardly feel prepared to sing in company.” - -“This isn’t company. You needn’t mind any of us. Fred, open the -folding-doors, will you?” - -The piano was in the parlor adjoining. The doors were thrown open, and -Laura sat down to the piano. Two or three songs were selected, and -Gilbert sang to Laura’s accompaniment. He had a good voice, and a -correct ear, and the double performance passed off smoothly. - -“Doesn’t your brother sing?” asked Gilbert. - -“Fred? He don’t know one tune from another; besides, he don’t like the -piano. The hand-organ is his favorite instrument.” - -“I mean to buy one when I am rich enough,” said Fred. - -“Shall you go around with it?” asked Laura; “or only keep it in the -parlor for the entertainment of visitors?” - -“You may laugh as much as you like,” said Fred; “but a hand-organ, that -is, a good one, sounds splendid.” - -“Did you ever see such a barbarian? Gilbert, what else do you sing?” - -The evening slipped away almost before they were aware. To Gilbert, it -was positively delightful. Not that he was in love with Laura, but, -never having had a sister, it was an agreeable novelty to him to meet a -young girl so frank and attractive as Laura. - -“I hope you will come again soon, Mr. Greyson,” said Mrs. Vivian, when -our hero rose to take his leave. - -“Yes, do come,” said Laura. - -“I shall consider it a privilege to call,” said Gilbert, with sincerity. - -“By the way,” said Mr. Vivian, “I have taken several tickets for a -concert in Steinway Hall next Wednesday evening. I have a spare one for -you, Mr. Greyson, if you have no engagement.” - -“I shall be very glad to accept one, sir.” - -“Then come up to dinner that evening; we dine at six. We will all go -together.” - -“Am I to go?” asked Fred. - -“There will be a ticket for you, if you would like to go, though I am -afraid you won’t enjoy the classical music you will hear.” - -“No matter,” said Fred, “I’ll go, though I’d rather go to a circus.” - -“If there were only a hand-organ, Fred would enjoy it,” suggested Laura. - - * * * * * - -“Well, Gilbert, what sort of a time did you have?” asked Mr. Ingalls, -when his room-mate returned. - -“Delightful! I am going to dine there next Wednesday.” - -“It seems to me you are making a favorable impression in that quarter.” - -“I hope so.” - -A knock was heard at the door. - -“Come in,” said Mr. Ingalls. - -Mr. Alphonso Jones opened the door and entered. - -“Excuse my late intrusion, gents,” he said. “And how did you find the -Vivians, Mr. Greyson?” - -“Very well, thank you.” - -“They are very high-toned people.” - -“I presume so, but I am not much of a judge,” said Gilbert - -“Probably,” said Mr. Ingalls, “you do not know as many of that class as -Mr. Jones. Did you find the Montmorencys well, Mr. Jones?” - -“Quite so, thank you. Mrs. Montmorency has had a bad cold; but she has -quite recovered now. They talk of going to Europe next summer.” - -“Do they, indeed? How you will miss them!” - -“To be sure. However, I have many other friends in the first circles -whom I can visit. I suppose, Mr. Greyson, the Vivians have a fine -house?” - -“It seems very comfortable.” - -“The Montmorencys live in a perfect palace. I wish you could see it.” - -“I wish I could, Mr. Jones,” said Mr. Ingalls; “but you wouldn’t take -me, you know.” - -“I couldn’t, Mr. Ingalls, as I explained to you. They are so very -exclusive.” - -“I wonder visiting such fine houses doesn’t make you dissatisfied with -your own home.” - -“Oh, my tastes are very plain,” said Alphonso. - - “‘Mid pleasures and palaces though I may roam, - Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.’” - -“Some of your own poetry, Mr. Jones?” asked Mr. Ingalls, demurely. - -“No, it’s Shakespeare or Byron,” answered Jones; “I forget which. -Good-evening, gents.” - -“Would you like to know where Mr. Jones spent the evening, Gilbert?” -asked his room-mate. - -“On Fifth Avenue?” - -“No. Mr. Tarbox followed him, and saw him enter a billiard-saloon on the -Bowery. Jones is a first-class humbug.” - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - AT STEINWAY HALL. - - -Simon Moore, the book-keeper in the broker’s office where Gilbert was -employed, was a young man, somewhat under thirty. He understood his -business very well, and thus far had given satisfaction to Mr. Sands. -Personally, however, he was not agreeable. He was irritable and -exacting, and had not been liked even by his cousin John, when the -latter was office boy. Now, however, that John had been discharged, the -book-keeper, as we have seen, made common cause with him, and John came -to look upon him as a friend. - -In this Moore was not altogether disinterested. John’s mother, who was -his aunt, kept a boarding-house, and found it difficult to meet her -expenses. John’s wages, though small, were important to her, and now -that she was deprived of this resource, her nephew feared that he might -be called on for assistance. It was in order to save his own purse that -he desired to reinstate John in his old place. The readiest method that -occurred to him was to prejudice Mr. Sands against Gilbert. - -“Are you going out this evening, cousin Simon?” asked John, one evening. - -“I may go out by and by.” - -“May I go with you?” - -“If you want to.” - -Simon Moore was not always willing to be troubled with his cousin, but -this evening he chanced to be in a pleasanter humor than usual. - -“I have tickets to a concert, John,” he said. “Would you like to go?” - -“Very much,” answered John, readily. - -“The tickets were given me by a friend of mine, who is on the ‘Times,’” -explained Moore. - -“Where is the concert, cousin Simon?” - -“At Steinway Hall.” - -It was, in fact, the same concert to which Gilbert was invited by Mr. -Vivian. - -The book-keeper was not remarkable for his liberality, and John had been -not a little surprised at receiving the invitation, until he learned -that the tickets had cost his cousin nothing. - -Eight o’clock found them in their seats at Steinway Hall. The concert -did not commence punctually, and they had some time to look about them. - -“Do you see any one you know, cousin Simon,” asked John. - -“Yes,” said the book-keeper, “I see a particular friend of yours.” - -“A particular friend of mine!” repeated John, puzzled. “Where?” - -“Five rows in front of this. There, near the centre of the hall.” - -“I don’t see any body I know.” - -“It is Gilbert Greyson, your successor in our office.” - -“It is he, I declare. He is talking to a pretty girl beside him.” - -“That girl is the daughter of Mr. Vivian, the great importer.” - -“You don’t say so. How on earth did he come to know her?” - -“I can’t say,” answered Moore, coldly. “He is a very forward, pushing -fellow. That may explain it.” - -“I hate him,” said John. - -“I don’t love him overmuch myself,” said Moore. - -John and his cousin were not the only acquaintances who recognized -Gilbert on that evening. - -Randolph and his mother sat two rows behind the Vivians. Mr. Briggs had -intended to come, but had a headache. He had suggested that the extra -ticket be sent to Gilbert; but Mrs. Briggs had decisively objected. - -“I don’t care about having that boy seen with us in Steinway Hall,” she -said. - -“Why not?” asked Mr. Briggs. - -“I don’t fancy him. Besides, he would be presuming on our kindness.” - -“I don’t think he is the kind of boy to do that,” said Mr. Briggs, who -understood Gilbert much better than his wife. “It is a pity the ticket -should not be used.” - -“If it were in a different part of the house, away from our seats, I -should not care particularly,” said Mrs. Briggs. “If he went with us, he -might be thought to be a near relative.” - -“I don’t think he would do us any discredit, either in appearance or in -manners,” said her husband. - -“You are simply infatuated with that boy, Mr. Briggs. I am sure Randolph -doesn’t want his company.” - -“No, I don’t,” said Randolph. - -“Like mother, like son,” thought Mr. Briggs; but for the sake of peace -he did not think it best to press the matter. - -Soon after Randolph and his mother took their seats, the former -discovered Gilbert sitting nearly in front of him. - -“He’s here, after all, mother,” he exclaimed, in a low voice. - -“Who is here, Randolph?” - -“Gilbert Greyson. Don’t you see him?” - -“He’s with the Vivians, too!” ejaculated Mrs. Briggs, unpleasantly -surprised. “That boy doesn’t appear to have a particle of shame.” - -“He needn’t be ashamed of his company. I wish I were in his place.” - -“I don’t mean that. He probably hinted to Mr. Vivian to take him, and he -couldn’t very well refuse.” - -“Very likely,” said Randolph. “He’s got plenty of cheek.” - -Both mother and son could see that Gilbert and Laura Vivian were -conversing pleasantly, judging from the smiles on the faces of each. - -“Mr. and Mrs. Vivian are not very wise in permitting such an intimacy -between their daughter and a penniless boy,” said Mrs. Briggs, frowning. -“Some people are very unwise.” - -“I dare say he pretends he is rich, and boasts of father’s being his -guardian,” suggested Randolph. - -“I dare say you are correct,” said Mrs. Briggs. “If I knew Mrs. Vivian, -I would correct that wrong impression.” - -Here the music commenced, and the two were silent. - -Randolph cared very little for the music, which was too classical to -suit his taste. He did not expect to like it, but he went because he -knew that the audience would be a fashionable one, and he liked to be -seen on such occasions. Gilbert had more musical taste, and appreciated -the greater part of what he had heard. - -When the concert was over, he thanked Mr. Vivian cordially for the -invitation. - -“I have had a very pleasant evening, thanks to you, sir,” he said. - -“I am glad you have enjoyed it,” said Mr. Vivian, kindly. “Come and see -us soon.” - -“Thank you, sir.” - -Just after this parting, Gilbert fell in with Mrs. Briggs and Randolph. - -“Good-evening, Mrs. Briggs,” he said, politely. “Good-evening, Randolph. -Where were you sitting? I did not see you.” - -“We saw you,” said Randolph. “You were nearly in front of us.” - -“Did Mr. Vivian invite you to come?” asked Mrs. Briggs, coldly. - -“Yes, madam.” - -“You are making the most of your chance meeting with them.” - -There was something unpleasant in her tone, and Gilbert detected it. - -“They have been very kind and polite to me,” he answered, in a reserved -tone. - -“I would not advise you to presume upon it too far,” continued Mrs. -Briggs. - -“I don’t intend to, madam,” said Gilbert, stiffly. “I don’t think I -have.” - -“You seemed very attentive to Laura,” said Randolph, with a -characteristic sneer. - -“It was my duty to be polite,” said Gilbert. - -By this time they had reached the street, and Gilbert said -“Good-evening.” - -Neither Mrs. Briggs nor Randolph invited him to call, though the fact -that Mr. Briggs was still his guardian would have made such an -invitation only an act of ordinary politeness. - -As he made his way toward Fourth Avenue, Gilbert brushed against Simon -Moore and John; but having his mind occupied, he did not notice them. - -“There he goes!” said John, enviously. “I wish I had as much cheek as -that fellow has.” - -“You’ve got a fair amount, John,” said his cousin, drily. - -“I didn’t know it,” said John, aggrieved. - -“Never mind, John,” said the book-keeper, with unwonted good-humor. -“Suppose we go in somewhere and have oysters. I feel hungry.” - -“So do I,” said John, briskly. “I know a bully place near by.” - -“If it’s a good place, you can lead me there. While we are discussing -the oysters, I have a little plan to tell you about, that may give you -back your place at our office.” - -“Good!” said John. “You’re a true friend, cousin Simon.” - -Ten minutes later they were sitting in a curtained compartment, in a -saloon famous for the excellence of its oysters. - -In the next compartment, two minutes previous, Mr. Sands, the broker, -had taken his seat and given his order; but of this neither John nor his -cousin had the slightest suspicion. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - A PLOT AGAINST GILBERT. - - -The next day Mr. Sands received an unexpected summons to Washington. A -brother, who was clerk in one of the departments, was seriously ill, and -he was summoned to his bedside. - -“How long shall you be absent, sir?” inquired Simon Moore. - -“I cannot say; it will depend on how I find my brother. Keep me apprised -of what is going on by letter, and, if necessary, by telegraph.” - -“Yes, sir,” said Simon, cheerfully; “you may rely upon me.” - -“Where is Gilbert?” - -“Gone to the post-office.” - -“I have sometimes thought, Mr. Moore, that you were prejudiced against -the boy.” - -“I was at first, sir,” said Moore; “but on the whole he seems faithful, -and disposed to do his duty.” - -Mr. Sands smiled slightly, but this Mr. Moore did not observe. - -“I think well of him myself,” he said. - -“If he does well, he won’t have reason to complain of me,” said the -book-keeper. - -Again Mr. Sands smiled, but said nothing. Just as he was leaving the -office for the cars, Gilbert returned. - -“I wish, Gilbert, you would accompany me to the Courtland Street Ferry,” -said his employer. “I am going to Washington this afternoon.” - -“Indeed, sir!” - -“I am summoned to my brother’s sick-bed.” - -“When did you hear of his sickness, sir?” asked Gilbert, in a -sympathizing tone. - -“A week since; but last evening I learned by a telegram that he is -dangerously sick.” - -By this time they were on their way to the ferry. - -“You may take my valise, Gilbert,” said the broker, “if you are -willing.” - -“Certainly, sir,” said Gilbert, politely. “I hope you will find your -brother better.” - -“I certainly hope so. He would be a great loss to his family. By the -way, how are you getting on with Mr. Moore?” - -“I hardly know, sir,” said Gilbert. “I don’t think he likes me.” - -“Have you done anything to offend him?” - -“Not that I am aware of. I have always treated him with respect.” - -“That is right. If you get into any trouble with him while I am away, -come to me after I return, and tell me all about it.” - -Gilbert looked surprised, but of course promised to do so. - -“I shall try not to get into any disturbance,” he said. - -“I hope you won’t, but I fancy you will,” said his employer. - -“I hope you don’t think I am quarrelsome, Mr. Sands.” - -“No, that is not my reason. I will say no more at present, except to -request you, if anything happens, to give me a truthful and detailed -account of it when I return.” - -“Thank you, sir, I will,” said Gilbert, who, though puzzled, felt that -his employer was friendly towards him. - -Gilbert waited till the boat started, and then returned to the office. -He regretted Mr. Sands’ absence, for something told him that Mr. Moore -would make it very disagreeable for him while he was gone. Indeed, the -book-keeper was not long in showing his state of feeling towards our -hero. As Gilbert entered, he looked up sharply from his desk. - -“So you are back at last?” he said unpleasantly. - -“Yes, sir,” answered Gilbert. - -“I thought you intended to remain away all day.” - -“Mr. Sands desired me to go to the ferry with him.” - -“He didn’t desire you to stop to play on the way home.” - -“Did you see me playing on the way home?” demanded Gilbert, provoked. - -“How could I when I was at work in the office?” - -“Has any one reported to you that I stopped to play?” - -“No.” - -“Then why do you charge me with it?” - -“Look here, young man, I advise you not to try any of your impudence on -me!” said Simon Moore, who, knowing himself in the wrong, was all the -more angry. “I tell you, once for all, that I won’t stand it.” - -“I don’t intend to be impudent, Mr. Moore; but I do expect decent -treatment from you.” - -“You are showing your hand pretty quick, young man. No sooner does Mr. -Sands leave the city than you begin to put on your airs. I shall take -care to report your conduct to him.” - -“I have neither done nor said anything that I am ashamed to have -reported to him.” - -“Shut up!” said Moore, sharply. - -Gilbert saw that there was no use in prolonging the dispute, and quietly -went about his duties. While he was absent on an errand, a little later, -his predecessor, John, looked in the door, and, seeing his cousin alone, -entered. - -“Good-morning, cousin Simon,” he said. “Where is Mr. Sands?” - -“Gone to Washington.” - -“He has? How long will he be gone?” - -“A week perhaps.” - -John’s eyes sparkled. - -“That’s favorable for us, isn’t it?” he said. - -Simon Moore nodded significantly. - -“You are right there,” he said. “When he gets back, Gilbert Greyson -won’t be here.” - -“You’ll do what we were talking about last evening?” - -“Yes, I shall have plenty of chances while Sands is away.” - -“Can’t you manage it to-day?” - -“No, it would look suspicious; I don’t want Mr. Sands to suspect -anything.” - -“How soon, then?” - -“Say day after to-morrow. In order to avert suspicion, I will in my -letter of to-morrow speak a good word for Gilbert,—say he’s doing better -than I anticipated, or something of that sort. The next day the -explosion will come.” - -“You’ll bounce Gilbert?” - -“Yes, I’ll take that upon myself, and explain to Sands when he returns. -Ten to one he won’t interfere then.” - -“And you’ll take me in Gilbert’s place?” - -“Yes, I’ll do that, too. But you must do better than you did last time. -The fact is, John, you were lazy and careless. I was sorry to have you -go, as you are my cousin; but I couldn’t blame Mr. Sands much.” - -“Oh, I’ll turn over a new leaf, cousin Simon,” said John, readily. “You -shan’t have anything to complain of.” - -“I hope not.” - -Here Gilbert returned from his errand, and the conversation necessarily -closed. - -Gilbert nodded politely to John, though he took no particular fancy to -him. - -“So the boss is away?” said John, sociably. - -“Yes, he has been called away.” - -“I suppose you are glad of it?” - -“Why should I be?” - -“When the cat’s away, the mice can play, you know.” - -“This mouse does not care about playing,” said Gilbert, smiling. - -“Gilbert is a model boy,” said Simon Moore, with a sneer. - -“I never set up for one,” said John, in a tone of congratulation. - -“I should say not,” sneered the book-keeper, who could not abstain from -criticising even his cousin, in whose favor he was intriguing to oust -Gilbert from his position. “However, I’ll say this for you, that you are -not a hypocrite.” - -“And I never want to be,” said John, virtuously. - -Of course Gilbert understood that here was another hit at him; but he -was discreet enough to understand that it would do him no good to notice -it. - -Presently John turned to go. - -“Is there anything I can do for you, cousin Simon?” he asked. - -“Not to-day,” answered the book-keeper, significantly. “You can look -round again in a day or two.” - -“All right.” - -As John left the office, a small boot-black approached him. - -“Shine yer boots?” he asked. - -“Get out of my way!” said John, crossly, at the same time lifting his -foot and kicking the boy. - -“What did you do that for?” said the boy, angrily. - -“Because I pleased.” - -“Then take that;” and the knight of the brush swiftly touched John’s -cheek with the dirty brush, leaving a black mark upon his assailant’s -cheek. - -John would have renewed the attack, but a chorus of laughter at his -appearance drove him back into the office to wash off the black mark. - -“I’ll wring his neck when I get a chance,” muttered John, angrily. - -“He wouldn’t have touched you, if you had let him alone,” said Gilbert. -“Why did you kick him?” - -“Because I pleased. Mind your business, or I may kick you, too.” - -“You’d better not,” said Gilbert, quietly. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - THE PLOT SUCCEEDS. - - -The third day was rainy, and Gilbert wore a thin overcoat, which, on -arriving at the office, he took off and hung up. At ten o’clock the rain -ceased, and he did not feel the need of wearing it when sent out on -errands. - -About eleven o’clock John sauntered into the office. - -“You may go round to the post-office, Gilbert,” said the book-keeper. - -“Very well, sir.” - -Gilbert put on his coat and went out. - -“Isn’t it about time, cousin Simon?” asked John, significantly. - -“Yes,” said Moore. - -“How shall we manage?” - -The book-keeper took from his pocket a ten-dollar bill, and handed it to -John. - -“That is Gilbert’s coat,” he said. “Put this bill into one of the -pockets.” - -John obeyed. - -“I guess that will fix him,” he said, in a tone of satisfaction. - -“I’ll manage the rest,” said the book-keeper. “Stay round here till -Gilbert gets back, and we’ll bring matters to a crisis.” - -Just as John was placing the bill in Gilbert’s coat-pocket, the little -boot-black mentioned at the close of the last chapter thrust his head -into the doorway. - -“Shine yer boots?” he asked. - -“Clear out, you vagabond!” said the book-keeper, irritably. - -Tom, for that was his name, looked inquisitively about him and retired. -He saw that there was no chance for business. He recognized John as the -one who had kicked him the day before. - -“I wonder what he was putting into the coat,” he thought; but dismissed -the thought as not concerning him till afterwards. - -“Did he notice what I was doing?” thought John, with momentary -uneasiness. “But, of course, he wouldn’t understand,” he felt, with -quick relief. - -A few minutes elapsed, and Gilbert returned, bringing home the mail. - -“All right!” said Moore, “wait a minute, and I shall want to send you -out again.” - -“Oh, by the way, Gilbert,” he said, after a moment’s pause, “have you -seen anything of a ten-dollar bill?—I laid one on the desk an hour ago, -and now it has disappeared.” - -“I haven’t seen it, sir.” - -“Won’t you look on the floor? It may have dropped.” - -Gilbert searched, but of course unsuccessfully. - -“That is strange,” said the book-keeper. “I remember distinctly placing -the bill on the desk; have you seen it, John?” - -“No, cousin Simon.” - -“It is very mysterious,” mused the book-keeper. - -“I hope you don’t suspect me of taking it, cousin Simon,” said John, who -had been instructed what to say. - -“Of course not.” - -John began to turn his pockets inside out. - -“I want you to search me,” he said; “if you don’t, you may think I took -it, after all.” - -“I never thought of such a thing, John,” said Simon Moore. - -“I am sure Gilbert and I would prefer to be searched,” persisted John, -looking towards Gilbert as he spoke. - -Gilbert colored, for it was not agreeable to him to fall under -suspicion, but he answered quietly, “I am quite ready to be searched.” - -“I don’t think it at all necessary,” said Simon Moore; “but if you boys -insist upon it, I will do it. It is certainly strange that the bill -should have disappeared, and left no trace behind. Gilbert, will you -search John, and then he shall search you.” - -“If you desire it, Mr. Moore,” said Gilbert; “but I don’t believe John -took the bill, and I am sure I didn’t.” - -Gilbert proceeded to search John, the latter assisting him. A -jack-knife, a couple of keys, a handkerchief, and twenty-five cents in -money were all that he found. - -“I’m not very rich,” said John, smiling. “I don’t mind saying that the -ten dollars would be very acceptable, but I haven’t got it; are you -satisfied?” - -“Yes,” said Gilbert, “you haven’t got it, and I didn’t think you had; -you may search me now.” - -John conducted the search carelessly, for he knew, beforehand, what the -result would be. - -“I don’t find it,” he said. “Where can the bill be? Are you sure you -didn’t put it back into your own pocket, cousin Simon?” - -“Quite sure. By the way, Gilbert, didn’t you wear an overcoat?” - -“Yes, sir; there it is, hanging up.” - -“John, you had better examine that also, that the search may be -thorough.” - -“Certainly,” said Gilbert, little dreaming of what was in store for him. - -John plunged his hand into one pocket and found nothing; then into the -other, and drew out the ten-dollar bill. - -“What’s this?” he asked, pretending to be surprised. - -“Let me see it,” said Gilbert, overcome with surprise. - -“Let _me_ see it,” said Simon Moore, sharply. - -“It’s a ten-dollar bill,” said John, looking at it more closely. - -“It’s the note I missed,” said the book-keeper, taking it into his -hands. “What have you to say to this, Greyson?” he demanded, sternly. - -“I have this to say,” said Gilbert, a little pale, as was natural, “that -I don’t know anything about that bill, or how it came in my -coat-pocket.” - -“I suppose not,” sneered the book-keeper. - -“I am willing to swear to it,” said Gilbert, recovering his firmness. - -“A boy that steals money cannot expect to be believed, even upon oath,” -said the book-keeper. - -“Do you believe I took that money, John?” asked Gilbert. - -“You mustn’t ask me,” said John. “I didn’t think you’d do such a thing, -Gilbert, but it looks mighty suspicious.” - -“I never stole a penny in my life,” said Gilbert, hotly. - -“Do you claim this money as yours?” asked the book-keeper. - -“No, I don’t.” - -“Then how came it in your pocket? It couldn’t have got there without -hands.” - -A light dawned upon Gilbert’s mind; a suspicion of the truth flashed -upon him. - -“It is true,” he said, significantly. “Somebody must have put it into my -pocket.” - -“And that somebody was yourself,” said Moore, sharply. - -“Of course it was,” chimed in John. - -Gilbert looked slowly from one to the other. There was something in -their faces that revealed all to him. - -“I think I understand,” he said. “You two have formed a conspiracy to -ruin me. I see it now.” - -“If you speak in that way again,” said Moore, in a rage, “I will kick -you out of the office.” - -“I should like to have you refer the matter to Mr. Sands,” said Gilbert, -betraying no alarm. “He will do me justice.” - -“I ought to refer the matter to the nearest policeman,” said the -book-keeper, in a menacing tone. - -“Do so, if you like,” said Gilbert, though he shrank with natural -reluctance from being arrested, innocent as he knew himself to be. “I am -not without powerful friends, as you will find.” - -“Don’t have him arrested, cousin Simon,” said John, with apparent -compassion. “He has given up the money. Discharge him, and let him go.” - -This was what Simon Moore had already determined to do. He knew very -well that in any legal investigation John and he would incur suspicion, -and for prudential reasons he preferred not to court any such publicity. - -“I ought to arrest you,” he said, turning to Gilbert; “but I will have -pity on your youth, hoping that this will be your last offence. I shall, -of course, discharge you, since I should not be justified in retaining -you under the circumstances. I will report to Mr. Sands why I was -compelled to dispense with your services. I will pay you your wages up -to to-day, and you need not come here again.” - -“Don’t trouble yourself about that, Mr. Moore,” said Gilbert, with -dignity. “I shall report to Mr. Sands when he returns, and abide by his -judgment.” - -“You had better not,” said Moore. “I advise you for your own good. Mr. -Sands will still have it in his power to arrest you; your best course -will be to leave the city, and go to some place where you are not -known.” - -“I shall remain in the city, and can be found, if wanted,” said Gilbert, -boldly. “The day will come, Mr. Moore, when my innocence will be known -by all.” - -Moore shrugged his shoulders. - -“I have heard such things before,” he said. “You can go. John, I will -employ you, temporarily, in Gilbert’s place.” - -“I understand your object now, Mr. Moore,” said Gilbert, looking -significantly at John. - -“Begone, or I will yet have you arrested,” said the book-keeper, -angrily. - -Gilbert put on his coat and hat, and walked out of the office. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - AN HUMBLE FRIEND. - - -Just outside the office from which he had been discharged, Gilbert was -accosted by Tom, the boot-black. - -“Shine yer boots?” - -Gilbert shook his head. - -“Only five cents, mister,—that’s half price.” - -“That’s cheap enough,” said Gilbert; “but I’ve just lost my place, and I -cannot afford to pay even that.” - -“Been bounced?” asked Tom. - -“Yes.” - -“What for?” - -Gilbert hesitated. He did not like to admit that he had been suspected -of dishonesty; still he was innocent, and had nothing to be ashamed of -in the matter. He accordingly related what had happened. - -Tom whistled. - -“Did you say the money was found in your pocket?” he asked. - -“In the pocket of my overcoat,” he replied. - -“And was your coat hanging up?” - -“Yes.” - -“Then I know how the money got there.” - -“You know how the money got into my pocket!” repeated Gilbert, in -surprise. - -“Yes, the other boy put it there.” - -“What other boy,—the boy that’s in the office?” - -“Yes, his name is John.” - -“How did you happen to see him do it?” asked Gilbert, eagerly. - -“I went to the door to see if the book-keeper didn’t want a shine; just -as I was looking in, I see that boy John go to a coat, and put a bill -into the pocket. I thought it was his coat, and wondered what made him -keep his money loose in that way. Did he say you put it there?” - -“Yes.” - -“He wanted you bounced—that’s what’s the matter.” - -“You are right; he wanted the place himself, and now he’s got it.” - -“Just you go back and tell the book-keeper all about it, and I’ll stand -by you,” suggested Tom. - -Gilbert shook his head. - -“It won’t do,” he said. “John is Mr. Moore’s cousin, and I feel sure -they are both in the plot; they would say you were lying.” - -“Let ’em say it,” said Tom. “I’ll punch their heads if they do.” - -Gilbert smiled at the zeal of his humble friend. “I am afraid that would -do neither of us any good,” he said. - -“Won’t you do nothin’, then?” asked Tom, disappointed. “Will you stay -bounced?” - -“Yes, till Mr. Sands comes back.” - -“Is he the boss?” - -“Yes; he is now in Washington, and may not return for several days. When -he comes back, I shall want you to tell him all you saw.” - -“I’ll do it,” said Tom. - -“What is your name? Where can I find you if I want you?” - -“I hang out at the Newsboys’ Lodge. My name is Tom Connor.” - -“Thank you, Tom; I’m very glad I met you. Your testimony will be -valuable to me. Don’t say anything about it to anybody else at present. -I want to surprise them.” - -“All right.” - -“I think I will have a shine, after all,” said Gilbert, wishing to repay -his new friend by a little patronage. - -“I’ll make your boots shine so you can see your face in ’em,” said Tom, -dropping on his knees, and proceeding to his task energetically. - -“That will save me the expense of a looking-glass,” said Gilbert. - -“So it will,” said Tom. - -When the last was completed, Gilbert drew ten cents from his pocket, and -extended it towards Tom, but to his surprise the bootblack did not offer -to take it. - -“Never mind,” said he, “I don’t want no pay.” - -“Why not? You have earned it,” said Gilbert, wondering at the refusal. - -“You’re bounced, and aint got no money to spare. I’ll wait till you’ve -got your place again.” - -“You are very kind,” said Gilbert, grateful for the considerate sympathy -of his humble present; “but I am not so badly off as some, for I have no -board to pay. You’d better take the money.” - -“I’ll take five cents,” said Tom; “that’ll be enough. I’d rather work -for you for nothin’ than for that other feller for full price.” - -“You don’t like him, then? Did he ever employ you?” - -“He kicked me yesterday; but I got even with him,” he added, in a tone -of satisfaction. - -“How did you get even with him?” - -“I blacked his face for him,” said Tom, brandishing the brush. - -Gilbert laughed. - -“He didn’t fancy that, I suppose?” - -“He had to go back and wash his face,” said Tom, laughing at the -recollection. - -“Well, Tom, good-by,” said Gilbert, preparing to go. “I’ll hunt you up -when Mr. Sands gets back.” - -“You’ll find me round here somewheres; this is where I stand.” - -Gilbert walked away, feeling considerably more cheerful and hopeful than -before his interview with Tom. Now he felt that he had at hand the means -of his vindication, and his idleness would only be temporary. He was -shocked at the meanness and wickedness of John and the book-keeper in -forming such a conspiracy against him. He was already learning the -lesson of distrust, and that is never a pleasant lesson for any of us. -Fortunately, we need not distrust everybody. He must be indeed -unfortunate who does not find some true friends to keep up his faith in -humanity. Our hero had found one, who, though but a boot-black, was -likely to be of essential service to him. - -It is said that ill news travels fast. That very evening Mrs. Briggs -learned that Gilbert had lost his situation, and from what cause. It -happened in this way. - -Randolph, chancing to be down-town, it occurred to him to call upon -Gilbert. His call was made about half an hour after Gilbert had been -discharged. - -He entered the office, and, looking about, saw John, who appeared to be -employed. He asked, in some surprise, “Does not Gilbert Greyson work -here?” - -“No,” answered John promptly, “not now.” - -“How is that?” - -“He was discharged this morning. Can I do anything for you?” - -“Discharged!” exclaimed Randolph, much surprised. “What was he -discharged for?” - -Here Simon Moore took part in the conversation. - -“Are you a friend of Gilbert Greyson?” he asked. - -“Ye-es,” answered Randolph, in a tone of hesitation. “That is, he’s an -acquaintance of mine.” - -“If you feel interested in him, I have unpleasant news for you.” - -Randolph pricked up his ears. - -“What has happened?” he inquired. - -“To be brief, I am afraid your friend is not strictly honest.” - -“You don’t say so!” exclaimed Randolph, really amazed. “He hasn’t run -off with any money, has he?” - -“He isn’t very much interested in him,” the book-keeper said to himself -shrewdly. “He doesn’t say anything in his defence.” - -“No; but I am afraid he would if the theft had not been detected so -soon.” - -“What was it,—money?” - -“A ten-dollar bill, which I laid casually on the desk, suddenly -disappeared. It was found, after a little search, in the pocket of your -friend’s coat.” - -“He isn’t my friend; he is only an acquaintance,” said Randolph. “I -don’t know much about him. I didn’t think he’d steal, though. Did he own -up?” - -“Not he; he was too brazen. Mr. Sands was absent from the city, but I -did not hesitate to discharge him at once. In our business a boy must -often be trusted with sums of value, and I should not feel safe in -continuing to employ him.” - -[Illustration: GILBERT ACCUSED OF STEALING.] - -“I suppose you’re right,” said Randolph. “I wonder what father’ll say.” - -“Well, I guess I’ll be going,” he continued. “I didn’t expect to hear -such news of Gilbert.” - -“We regret it very much,” said the book-keeper, hypocritically. - -“Of course,” said Randolph. “Serves him right. He shouldn’t have made -such a fool of himself.” - -“That fellow don’t care much about Gilbert, John,” said Simon Moore, -after Randolph’s departure. - -“That’s so,” said John. - -“If he has no warmer friends than that, we shan’t have any applications -to take him back.” - -“I hope not,” said John. “What do you think Mr. Sands will say when he -finds me here?” - -“If I tell him you have done your duty, and done all I required, he’ll -probably keep you. You must do better than you did last time. No fooling -away your time in the streets when you are sent on an errand. It won’t -do.” - -“There won’t be any trouble about me,” said John, confidently. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - A DOMESTIC DISCUSSION. - - -Randolph hurried home to tell his mother what he had heard about -Gilbert’s loss of employment. He knew well enough her feeling towards -his father’s ward to feel sure that it would be welcome intelligence. - -“Detected in stealing money!” ejaculated Mrs. Briggs, triumphantly. -“Just what I predicted all along. I am not often deceived about -character.” - -“I never heard you predict it, mother,” said Randolph. - -“It was only because I did not like to speak against the boy,” said Mrs. -Briggs, only slightly discomfited. “I read it in his face the first day -he came here. I saw he was sly and underhanded.” - -“Well, I didn’t,” said Randolph, who was less malignant than his mother. -“I never thought he would do such a thing. I didn’t like him, of course, -but still I thought he was honest.” - -“I have lived longer in the world than you, Randolph,” said Mrs. Briggs, -sagaciously, “and I know that appearances are deceitful. I am not so -easily taken in as your father. He has been infatuated about this -disreputable boy. I hope the knowledge of the boy’s baseness will cure -him.” - -“I suppose we needn’t invite Gilbert to my party, now?” - -“No, of course not,” said Mrs. Briggs, with emphasis. “It would be an -insult to you to invite a boy convicted of theft.” - -“Father may insist upon it,” said Randolph. - -“Not unless he is bereft of his senses,” said Mrs. Briggs. “He has made -a point of it till now; but, of course, this will change his wishes.” - -Randolph did not reply; but, notwithstanding his mother’s assurance, he -felt some doubts on the subject. His father was, in general, yielding -and easily managed; but, as is often the case with such men, he was, at -times, unexpectedly firm. - -This conversation took place just before dinner. It was interrupted by -the arrival of Mr. Briggs, who went upstairs at once to prepare for -dinner. Fifteen minutes later they met around the dinner-table. By -arrangement with Randolph, Mrs. Briggs had reserved to herself the -pleasure of imparting to her husband the news she had heard. - -“I have heard some news to-day, Mr. Briggs,” she commenced, in a -premonitory tone. - -“Indeed, my dear! Pleasant news, I hope.” - -“I don’t think it will be pleasant to you, though, I must confess, it is -only what I have all along anticipated.” - -“You speak in enigmas, Mrs. Briggs. Will you kindly be a little more -explicit?” - -“You are aware, Mr. Briggs, that I have always had a very unfavorable -opinion of your protegé, the Greyson boy?” - -“You certainly have not concealed your opinion of him,” said her -husband, shrugging his shoulders. “Yes, I may say that I know your -opinion of him.” - -“I suppose you call it prejudice,” continued the lady. - -“Well, it certainly seems like it, not being founded on the knowledge of -anything to his detriment.” - -“That was not necessary. There is such a thing as reading character. I -judged him by his face.” - -“He seems to me to have a very frank, attractive face.” - -“As you read it,” said his wife, contemptuously. “Well, this paragon of -yours has lost his place.” - -“He has?” inquired Mr. Briggs, in evident surprise. - -“Yes, he has, and I am not surprised to hear it.” - -“Do you know why he was discharged?” - -“He was detected in theft—stealing a large sum of money!” answered Mrs. -Briggs, triumphantly. - -She expected that her husband would be overwhelmed at this disclosure; -but he asked quite calmly, “How do you know this? Who is your -informant?” - -“Randolph.” - -“What do you know of this, Randolph?” asked his father. - -Randolph gave his father an account of his visit to the office of Mr. -Sands, and the information given him there. - -“What do you say to that?” demanded Mrs. Briggs, in exultation. “Does -that change your opinion of your paragon?” - -“I think there is some mistake somewhere,” said Mr. Briggs. - -“Why should there be any mistake?” she asked. “Do you think Randolph -would tell a lie?” - -“There are other ways of accounting for the mistake. I have no idea that -Gilbert is guilty of what is charged against him.” - -“Really, this is absurd. You are perfectly infatuated with this boy,” -said Mrs. Briggs, angrily. - -“Mistakes have occurred before,” said her husband, with provoking -calmness. “I will investigate the matter.” - -“I don’t see what investigation is needed. The boy has stolen the money. -The book-keeper told Randolph so.” - -“The book-keeper may be mistaken.” - -“Not much chance of that.” - -“Or he may have taken the money himself and charged it upon Gilbert.” - -“Really, Mr. Briggs you are very perverse,” said his wife, impatiently. - -“Because I am not ready to believe Gilbert a thief before he is proved -so.” - -“After he has been proved so.” - -“There would be no need of trials or juries if you were a judge, my -dear,” said Mr. Briggs, smiling. “You would be for sentencing the -unfortunate defendant as soon as the charge had been brought against -him.” - -“Cherish your delusion as to the boy’s innocence as much as you like, -Mr. Briggs; but there is one thing which you will certainly concede.” - -“What is that?” - -“Gilbert Greyson must not be invited to Randolph’s party.” - -“Why not?” - -“A common thief—impossible!” - -“But suppose he is wrongfully accused?” - -“It is enough that he is accused, and probably guilty.” - -“I will investigate the matter, Mrs. Briggs. If I am convinced that the -boy is innocent, he shall be invited.” - -Mrs. Briggs was about to make an indignant protest, when the servant, -who had answered the door-bell, opened the door and ushered in the -innocent cause of the heated discussion,—Gilbert Greyson. - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - - A FEMALE FOE. - - -There was a moment of embarrassing silence after the entrance of -Gilbert. Mrs. Briggs, as she afterwards expressed it, was paralyzed with -astonishment at the effrontery of the boy. Randolph waited with -curiosity to hear what his parents would say, while Mr. Briggs was -silent merely because he was taken by surprise. He was the first to -speak, and his tone, though a little embarrassed, was yet not without -kindness. - -“Good-evening, Gilbert,” he said. “Won’t you sit down and have some -dinner?” - -Mrs. Briggs looked daggers at her husband. How could he dream of -extending such an invitation to Gilbert, under the circumstances. - -“No, thank you,” said Gilbert, “I have already dined.” - -“Then take a seat. We shall soon be through dinner.” - -“This is an unusual time to call,” said Mrs. Briggs frigidly, breaking -silence for the first time. - -“What difference does it make?” interposed her husband. “Gilbert is not -a stranger, to stand on ceremony.” - -“So it appears,” returned his wife, in the same unpleasant tone. - -“I ought to apologize for calling during your dinner-hour,” said -Gilbert, “but I wished particularly to consult you about my affairs.” - -Of course this was addressed to Mr. Briggs. Mrs. Briggs was perhaps the -last person in the range of his acquaintance whom our hero would have -cared to consult. - -“Anything new with you?” asked his guardian, in a tone of slight -embarrassment. - -“Yes,” answered Gilbert, frankly; “I am in trouble.” - -Mrs. Briggs glanced meaningly at Randolph, as if to say, “Now it’s -coming.” - -“You would perhaps wish to speak to me alone,” said Mr. Briggs. - -“Oh, if you have any secrets, Randolph and I can withdraw,” said Mrs. -Briggs, with unnecessary offence. She would have been deeply -disappointed to be excluded from the conference between Gilbert and her -husband. Our hero, however, relieved her of her apprehensions. - -“Though I am in trouble,” he said, “I have nothing to be ashamed of, and -am perfectly willing to speak before all of you.” - -Mr. Briggs here glanced at his wife with a relieved air. Gilbert spoke -as if confident of his own innocence. It produced no such effect on Mrs. -Briggs. - -“He’s going to brazen it out,” she said to herself. - -“Go on, then,” said Mr. Briggs, kindly. “What is your trouble?” - -“I have been charged with theft, and dismissed from my situation,” said -Gilbert, candidly. - -“Do you call that nothing to be ashamed of?” demanded Mrs. Briggs, -sharply. - -Gilbert met her hostile gaze with unflinching calmness. - -“No,” he said, “it is nothing for me to be ashamed of, for the charge is -false.” - -“What evidence have we of that except your own assertion?” demanded Mrs. -Briggs. - -“That is enough for me,” said Mr. Briggs. - -“It is not enough for me,” said his wife. - -“I will give you an account of the affair so far as I understand it,” -said Gilbert. “Fortunately, I have a witness who is able to confirm my -words.” - -Gilbert’s statement need not be repeated, as the facts are already known -to us. - -“So you expect us to believe the testimony of this boot-black.” said -Mrs. Briggs, scornfully,—“a highly respectable witness indeed.” - -“I suppose a boot-black may speak the truth, madam,” said Gilbert. - -“I dare say he would say whatever he was instructed to say for -twenty-five cents, perhaps less.” - -“You are determined to believe me guilty, Mrs. Briggs,” said Gilbert, -quietly, betraying no anger; “I expected it, for I knew you are -prejudiced against me.” - -“I certainly don’t believe the very extraordinary story you have told -us,” retorted the lady. “You charge a book-keeper, of high standing, -with entering into a conspiracy against you. It is absurd upon its -face.” - -“How do you know the book-keeper is of high standing?” asked Mr. Briggs. - -“Because Mr. Sands would not have any other.” - -“Gilbert has the same guaranty of high standing,” said her husband, -smiling. “He has been employed by Mr. Sands.” - -“That is different. He took him upon your recommendation.” - -“Would I be likely to recommend any boy not of high standing?” - -“Your levity seems to be ill-timed, Mr. Briggs,” said his wife, coldly. - -“I thought it my duty to come to you and tell you at once,” said -Gilbert. - -“Knowing that you could not conceal it from us, for we knew it already,” -said Mrs. Briggs, who could not forbear another sneer. - -“You knew it already!” exclaimed Gilbert, with unmistakable astonishment -“Has Mr. Moore already sent you word of it?” - -“No; Randolph happened to call at the office for you just after your -discharge. He brought us the news.” - -“I am much obliged to Randolph for his call,” said Gilbert; “I am only -sorry that it occurred at such an unfortunate time.” - -“It was unfortunate for you, no doubt,” said Mrs. Briggs. - -“When I return there, I hope you will call again,” said our hero, -turning to Randolph. - -Mrs. Briggs was exasperated by our hero’s coolness. - -“Have you the effrontery to fancy you will be taken back after such a -crime?” she demanded. - -“I have committed no crime, Mrs. Briggs. The charge is false, as I shall -prove to Mr. Sands when he returns from Washington. He is a just man, -and understands that the book-keeper is prejudiced against me.” - -“When will Mr. Sands return?” asked Mr. Briggs. - -“In a few days. He has gone to the sick-bed of his brother. I shall wait -till he returns before taking any steps to clear myself.” - -“It is probably your best course. I hope all will come out right.” - -“I think it will,” said Gilbert. “Now, let me bid you good-evening.” - -“Why not stay the evening?” said Mr. Briggs, in a friendly tone. - -“Thank you very much, but I will wait till I am cleared of this charge. -I came up to-night because I wanted you to know about it.” - -“I will accompany you to the door,” said Mr. Briggs. - -When they were in the hall, he said, “Next Wednesday Randolph is to have -a birthday party. I shall be glad to see you here.” - -“Thank you, sir,” said Gilbert, gratefully. “I thank you all the more, -because it shows that you believe in my innocence. But all the same, I -would rather not accept. I shall still be resting under this false -charge, and Mrs. Briggs evidently believes me guilty.” - -“Women are apt to be prejudiced,” said Mr. Briggs, apologetically. - -“Still the prejudice would make it unpleasant for me to come.” - -“Perhaps you are right, Gilbert. At any rate, you are manly and -independent, and I respect you for it. Come round to my office if -anything turns up in which you need my advice.” - -“Thank you, sir.” - -When Mr. Briggs returned to the dining-room, his wife accosted him. - -“Well, you had a secret conference with your promising protegé,” she -said. - -“Not secret. I am willing to tell you all that passed between us.” - -“Well?” - -“I invited Gilbert to attend Randolph’s party next Wednesday.” - -“Good heavens! Mr. Briggs,” exclaimed the lady, angrily, “this is a -little too much. Of course the boy snapped at it. He has more effrontery -than any boy I ever knew.” - -“He declined the invitation,” said Mr. Briggs. “He said that while -resting under this charge he was unwilling to be present on such an -occasion.” - -“Then he has more decency than I gave him credit for,” said Mrs. Briggs, -relieved. “Knowing his guilt, he would find it embarrassing.” - -“Permit me to differ with you, Mrs. Briggs. One thing more. I have only -given Gilbert a verbal invitation. Let me request you to send him a -personal invitation with the rest.” - -“What necessity is there for that? Has he not declined to come?” - -“He must receive a formal invitation, nevertheless,” said her husband, -sternly, “or there shall be no party.” - -“Your father is so infatuated with that boy,” said Mrs. Briggs, after -her husband had left the room. - -But she sent the invitation. She knew by her husband’s tone that he was -fully in earnest. She was still a little afraid that Gilbert would -accept, and was only quite freed from apprehension when she received a -note from him regretting that he could not be present. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - - ALPHONSO JONES. - - -“Would you like a little fun this evening, Gilbert?” asked his -room-mate, on the succeeding morning. - -“Yes,” said Gilbert; “I always enjoy fun, and especially now when I have -lost my place, since it will help me to forget my bad luck. Is there -anything up?” - -“Yes; we are going to play a practical joke on Alphonso Jones. We are -going to gratify his taste for associating with the aristocracy.” - -“What is your plan?” - -“I have discovered in Bleecker Street a stylish barber, who has a -smattering of French. In feet, he has served me more than once. He has -entered into our plot, and agreed to personate a French count—the Count -de Montmorency.” - -“Good!” said Gilbert, laughing. “When are the two to be brought -together?” - -“This very evening, in our room. I shall despatch a note to Mr. Jones -during the day, inviting him to meet my illustrious visitor. Hayward and -Kennedy are in the secret, and will be present also. Of course you will -be with us, but you must keep on a straight face.” - -“Never fear for me,” said Gilbert. “I will take care not to let the cat -out of the bag.” - -In conformity with the plan, Mr. Alphonso Jones received, during the -day, the following note:— - - “DEAR MR. JONES,—I shall be glad if you will favor me with your - company this evening, in my room. I have been fortunate enough to - make the acquaintance of an illustrious French nobleman, Count - Ernest de Montmorency, who, in the most condescending manner, has - accepted an invitation to spend this evening with me. You will find - him very affable and agreeable, notwithstanding his superiority in - social rank. I feel a little diffident about receiving him, not - being so well up in the usages of fashionable society as you are—I - rely on you to help me out. I have invited Hayward and Kennedy also - to be present. Greyson will, of course, be with us. If you have any - other engagement, break it for my sake. - - “Yours truly, - - “W. INGALLS.” - -The face of Jones was overspread with smiles as he read this epistle, -and he felt at least a foot taller. He could conceive of nothing more -glorious than to be introduced to a foreign nobleman. Once in his life -it had been his privilege to make the acquaintance of a brigadier-general, -who had given him two fingers to shake, and said, “I am glad to meet you, -sir.” Most of the fashionable acquaintances of whom he boasted had no -existence save in his imagination, but this general was a reality; he -was only a general of volunteers, but that made no difference to -Alphonso; he had managed hundreds of times to make capital of his -greatness in some such way as this: “My friend, General Smith, remarked -to me one day;” or, “Speaking of brave men reminds me of my intimate -friend, General Smith.” But even General Smith was not for a moment to -be compared to the Count Ernest de Montmorency; there was something -peculiarly high-toned in the name, Alphonso thought. So thought Mr. -Ingalls, or he would have invented some other. - -Alphonso was anxious to communicate to some one else the honor in store -for him; he would like to have gone to his employer at once, and said, -“Mr. Simpson, I am to meet the Count de Montmorency this evening.” This, -however, even to Alphonso, seemed rather an abrupt and uncalled-for -announcement, and he had to consider how best to manage the matter, for -he was determined that Mr. Simpson should know it. It was not entirely -easy, but finally a bright and satisfactory idea dawned upon the happy -Jones. - -He went up to the desk, behind which his employer, a stout, practical -man of business, was sitting, and coughed by the way of arresting his -attention. - -“Eh, Mr. Jones, did you wish to speak to me?” inquired Mr. Simpson. - -“Yes, sir,” said Alphonso; “would you be kind enough to let me leave the -store half an hour earlier than usual?” - -“If you have a good reason, Mr. Jones; are you sick?” - -“No, sir, my health is excellent, thank you. The fact is, sir, I have an -invitation to meet the noble count, Count Ernest de Montmorency, this -evening, and—” - -“The—what?” exclaimed his employer, arching his brows. - -“A French nobleman, sir—the Count Ernest de Montmorency,” repeated -Alphonso, trying not to betray too strongly his inward exultation. - -“What time are you going to meet him?” - -“This evening, sir, but I wish time to dress properly.” - -“Well, I don’t know that I have any objection,” said the merchant, -deliberately. “Where is this count stopping?” - -“I don’t know exactly, sir; but probably at the Brevoort House or the -Clarendon.” - -“Very well, you can go. Business is not pressing, and you can be spared. -But, hark you, Mr. Jones, one word of advice.” - -“Certainly, sir.” - -“If this count wants to borrow money of you, don’t lend him.” - -“I am sure he wouldn’t ask such a thing,” said Alphonso, shocked at the -idea. “Why, he possesses a beautiful chateau and an immense estate in -France!” - -Here Alphonso drew upon his imagination for what he considered to be -probable enough. - -“They all say so,” said the practical Simpson, “even when they haven’t -twenty-five cents to bless themselves with. My advice may be needed, -after all.” - -Alphonso was rather disgusted by this caution, which seemed so -derogatory to the character and position of a nobleman; but he, after -some reflection, attributed it to Mr. Simpson’s disappointment in not -himself enjoying the privilege of being invited to meet the count. - -“Mr. Kidder,” he said to a fellow-clerk, “what do you think of my -necktie?” - -“It looks well enough—why?” - -“I was wondering whether it would do to wear this evening.” - -“What’s up this evening?” - -“I am invited to meet the Count Ernest de Montmorency, as you will see -by this note.” - -“Strange Ingalls didn’t invite me,” said Kidder. “When did he pick up -the count?” - -“Really, Mr. Kidder, that is a singular way of speaking,—_picking up_ -the count,” protested Alphonso. - -“I have no great respect for French counts,” said Kidder. “They don’t -generally amount to much.” - -“He’s jealous, too,” said Alphonso to himself, complacently. “It is -clear he envies me my invitation.” - -“What do you think I ought to wear, Mr. Kidder?” he asked. - -“Dress suit and white tie, of course.” - -“So I think. I’m really sorry I can’t take you with me, Kidder.” - -“Oh, I couldn’t go to-night. I’ve got a ticket to the theatre.” - -“I’d rather meet the count than go to forty theatres,” thought Alphonso. -“Wouldn’t it be a splendid thing if he should take a fancy to me, and -invite me to visit him at his chateau in _la belle France_?” - -Alphonso made so many mistakes during the remainder of the day that he -might have been spared considerably sooner without detriment to the -business. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - - COUNT ERNEST DE MONTMORENCY. - - -At eight o’clock Alphonso knocked at the door of Mr. Ingalls’ room. He -was got up with the utmost magnificence which he could command. With his -dress-coat, white tie, and imitation diamond pin, he made an imposing -appearance. - -“I am glad to see you, Mr. Jones,” said Mr. Ingalls. “Count Ernest de -Montmorency, permit me to introduce my friend, Mr. Alphonso Jones.” - -The count, a little man, with a waxed mustache of extraordinary size, a -long nose, and pale, watery eyes, rose, and bowed profoundly. - -“I am most happy, Monsieur Jones, to have ze honor of making your -acquaintance,” he said. - -“My lord count, the honor is on my side,” returned Alphonso, with an -elaborate bow, which he had learned in dancing-school. - -“Mr. Jones,” said Ingalls, “will you take the chair next to the count? -Our distinguished friend is desirous of making some inquiries about -fashionable society in America.” - -“I shall be most happy,” replied Alphonso, immensely flattered, “to give -the noble count any information in my power.” - -“I understand from Monsieur Ingalls you do go much in society,” said the -count. - -“A little, your lordship,” said Mr. Jones, modestly. “I am intimate in -some of our leading families.” - -“You have some fine watering-places, _n’est ce pas_?” - -“Yes, my lord count,—Newport, Saratoga, and Long Branch are all -fashionable.” - -“You have visit zem all?” - -“Oh, yes,” answered Alphonso, who had once stopped over night at -Saratoga, and made a day’s excursion to Long Branch. “I meet so many of -my fashionable friends there, that it is very pleasant for me.” - -“_Sans doute_, and which do you prefare?” - -“Saratoga, my lord count. It is the most high-toned, in my opinion. My -friends, the Vernons, of Madison avenue, always go there.” - -“I once did know a Marquis de Vernon in my own country.” - -“A relation of my friends,” said Alphonso, confidently. “How long has -your lordship been in America?” - -“Tree week, zat is all.” - -“Have you been in New York all the time?” - -“No, Monsieur Jones, I did visit Boston and Philadelphia, but New York -is one fine city, ze best of all; it reminds me of Paris.” - -“Paris is a very beautiful city, I have always heard, my lord count.” - -“Oh, _très magnifique_. Zere is no city like it. Have you visited Paris, -Monsieur Alphonse?” - -He is getting intimate, thought Mr. Jones, elated, or he would not call -me by my first name. - -“No, your lordship, I have not had that great pleasure.” - -“When you come,” said the count, affably, “you must come to my chateau -in Normandy, and stay one month.” - -This was beyond Alphonso’s most sanguine hopes. To be invited to visit a -foreign nobleman at his chateau was an unlooked-for honor. - -“You overwhelm me with your kindness, my lord count,” said Alphonso, in -a flutter of delight. “I hope some day to accept your honorable -invitation.” - -“I think you will have zer good time. My sister, the Countess Marie de -Montmorency, will be charmed to see you. She adores Americans.” - -Alphonso was in the seventh heaven of delight. Instantly he pictured the -high-born Countess Marie falling in love with him, marrying him, and -thus giving him a place in the aristocratic circles of France. Perhaps, -in that case, family influence would procure him a title also. It was -the happiest moment of his life. - -“Nothing would delight me more than to make the acquaintance of your -august family, my lord count,” he said, his voice partly tremulous with -joy. “When do you propose to return to _la belle France_?” - -“What, you do speak my language, Monsieur Alphonse?” - -“Only a little, your lordship,” said Mr. Jones, modestly. - -“_Oui, monsieur, un peu._” - -“_Comment vous portez vous, Monsieur Alphonse?_” - -“_Très beaucoup bien_,” answered Alphonso, proudly. - -“What an accent!” exclaimed the count, raising both hands. “You do speak -like one native.” - -“I think I should soon learn it if I were in _la belle France_,” said -Alphonso, much pleased. - -“Gentlemen,” said Mr. Ingalls, “I don’t like to interrupt you, but -permit me to offer you a glass of wine.” - -Glasses were handed to the company. - -“Mr. Jones, will you propose the count’s health?” asked the host. -Alphonso rose, and placed one hand on his heart. - -“Gentlemen,” he commenced, “I feel—ahem! deeply honored, and—and happy -on this auspicious occasion. We are assembled, sir, to do honor to an -illustrious peer of the realm. The noble Count Ernest de Montmorency -honors us with his high-toned presence. We all hope that he may enjoy -his visit, and return in safety to his aristocratic relations, his -honorable mother, and his sister, the noble Countess Marie de -Montmorency. I propose the health of the noble count.” - -The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. - -“Mr. Jones, you are quite an orator,” said Mr. Ingalls. - -“You have ze great talent for speaking Monsieur Alphonse. You should go -to Congress.” - -“My lord count, you flatter me,” said Mr. Jones, deciding that this was, -by all odds, the proudest moment of his life. - -“Not at all, Mr. Jones,” said Mr. Ingalls. “I never heard a neater -speech, did you, Hayward?” - -“Never,” said Hayward. - -So poor Alphonso was fooled to the top of his bent, and when the company -separated, and he retired to his humble apartment, he was visited by the -most ravishing dreams, in which he stood at the altar with the high-born -Countess Marie de Montmorency, clad in sumptuous attire, wearing on his -breast the cross of the Legion of Honor. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - THE LITTLE FLOWER-GIRL. - - -Gilbert found it very irksome to be without employment; besides, he was -anxious to be vindicated as soon as possible from the malicious charge -which had been made against him. He felt himself fortunate, however, in -one respect; he was subjected to no privations, having his board and -lodging paid by his guardian. Had Mr. Briggs suspected him, he was proud -enough to have left his boarding-place, and relied upon his own -exertions. - -From the force of habit, and partly to fill up his time, Gilbert -continued to go down-town daily. One day he met Mr. Vivian on Broadway, -below the Astor House. - -“Good-morning, Gilbert,” said the merchant, pleasantly. “Are you out on -business?” - -“No, sir,” answered Gilbert. “I am out of business just at present.” - -“I thought you were in the office of a stock-broker.” - -“So I was; but I have lost my place.” - -“Through no fault of your own, I am sure.” - -“No, sir. I should not have lost my place if Mr. Sands had been in the -city. During his absence the book-keeper, who has a dislike to me -because I superseded his cousin, discharged me.” - -“Come up this evening to my house, Gilbert. Then I shall be at leisure, -and you can tell me all the details of the affair.” - -“Thank you, sir.” - -“I am sure he won’t credit the charge against me,” thought Gilbert, and -this thought encouraged him not a little. - -Gilbert continued his walk. As he was passing Trinity church-yard, he -was accosted by a little girl, of perhaps eight years old. “Won’t you -buy some flowers, sir?—only five cents.” - -Gilbert shook his head mechanically. Then he glanced at the little girl, -and his sympathy was aroused. She was poorly dressed, with a fragile -figure, and thin, pale face, which yet only lacked the roundness and -rosy hue of health to be uncommonly pretty. She did not repeat her -request, but she looked sad and depressed. Gilbert paused and spoke to -her. - -“Have you sold many flowers to-day, little girl?” he asked. - -“No, sir; only three bunches,” she replied. - -“Where do you get them?” - -“I sell them for a woman.” - -“How much does she give you for selling them?” - -“Two cents a bunch.” - -“Then you have only made six cents to-day. How long have you been -standing here?” - -“Ever since eight o’clock,” said the little girl, wearily. - -“Don’t you get tired being on your feet so long?” - -“I wouldn’t care for that if the people would only buy my flowers.” - -“You are young to be sent out in this way. Haven’t you got a father to -take care of you?” - -“Papa used to take care of me when he was well, and did not let me come -out; but now he is sick, and we have no money, and I have to leave him,” -said the little girl, sadly. - -“Poor child!” said Gilbert, compassionately. “You are unfortunate. Where -does your father live?” - -“On Pearl Street, in a tenement house,” said the little flower-girl; -“but I am afraid we will be turned out because we cannot pay the rent.” - -“What is your name?” - -“Emma Talbot.” - -“Then, Emma, if you like, I will go around and see your father with you. -Perhaps I can help him, or get some of my friends to help him. Can you -come now?” - -“When I have sold this bunch of flowers, sir.” - -“As it is the last you have got, I will take it; so we needn’t wait.” - -“Oh, thank you, sir,” said the child, brightening up. “If you won’t -mind, I will stop and buy a roll at the baker’s for papa.” - -“Certainly, Emma. I have plenty of time. Wait; take my hand while we -cross the street, you must be careful, or you may be run over.” - -“I wait for the policeman generally,” said the little girl. “I should be -afraid to cross alone.” - -“You are quite right to be careful.” - -The little girl took his hand confidingly, and together they crossed the -City Hall Park. It was a new sensation to Gilbert to have the charge of -a little girl. He had always been thrown among boys, and, never having -had a sister, was very ignorant of girls, and the tastes of girls. For -the first time, as he held Emma’s hand, it occurred to him that he would -like to have a little sister, whom he could pet and protect. - -As he was crossing the Park, he met his successor, John, sauntering -along at a snail’s pace. John had been sent out on an errand, but had -fallen into his old way of loitering and wasting the time which belonged -to his employer. When he caught sight of Gilbert he started in surprise -at his young companion. - -“Hallo, Greyson!” he said, by way of opening a conversation. - -“Good-morning,” said Gilbert, coldly. - -“Is that your sister?” asked John, looking hard at Emma. - -“No,” answered Gilbert, shortly. - -“Ho, ho!” laughed John. “I understand.” - -“I am glad you do.” - -“You’ve got a place as a girl’s nurse. That’s good.” - -“You are very witty,” said Gilbert. - -“How much wages do you get?” continued John. - -“I think I had better not tell you, or you might get up a conspiracy to -deprive me of my position.” - -“What do you mean by that?” asked John, uncomfortably. - -“You know well enough what I mean. You know that you got your present -place by dishonorable means. But I don’t think you’ll keep it long.” - -“You’d better take care what you say,” blustered John. “My cousin may -have you arrested yet.” - -“He is quite at liberty to do so,” answered Gilbert, unterrified. “I -don’t think he will find it prudent though.” - -“Why not?” - -“Because it might come out who really put the money in my coat-pocket.” - -“You did it yourself.” - -“You are mistaken. I have found out who did put it in.” - -“Who?” - -“I don’t think you need any information on that point.” - -“Look here,” said John, angrily, “you’d better not tell any lies to Mr. -Sands when he comes back.” - -“I have no occasion to do so.” - -“You’d better leave the city, or Mr. Sands may have you arrested.” - -“I will risk that.” - -“I guess you can get a place in Philadelphia,” said John. “I’ll get my -cousin to give you a recommendation if you’ll promise to go there.” - -“How can he recommend me after discharging me for theft?” - -“He’ll think this will be a lesson to you. Shall I ask him?” - -“No, thank you. I don’t intend to leave the city at present.” - -“I’m afraid that chap will make trouble for me yet,” muttered John to -himself, as Gilbert walked away with the little girl; “but he can’t -prove anything. I guess me and cousin Simon will be more than a match -for him.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - - EMMA’S FATHER. - - -Gilbert kept on his way with the little girl. After a short walk, she -paused in front of a miserable tenement house on Pearl Street. - -“This is where we live,” she said; “will you go upstairs, sir?” - -“If you think I shall not be intruding on your father,” said Gilbert, -with instinctive delicacy. - -“He will be glad to see a kind face,” said Emma, simply. - -“Then if you will lead the way, I will follow,” said our hero. - -They clambered up three flights of stairs, and then Emma opened a door -and ushered her companion into a small, barely furnished room. On a -pallet on the floor was stretched a man of fifty, pale and emaciated, -with eyes preternaturally bright; his face was turned towards the wall, -and he did not see Gilbert. - -“Is that you, Emma?” he asked. - -“Yes, papa; how do you feel now?” asked the little girl. - -“Much the same, my child; did you sell your flowers?” - -“Yes, papa, and I have brought you a fresh roll. I have brought some one -with me, too.” - -Mr. Talbot turned his head, and looked at Gilbert, not without surprise. - -“I hope you won’t look upon me as an intruder, sir,” said Gilbert; “your -little girl told me you would not, or I would not have ventured to -call.” - -“I am glad to see you,” said the sick man, “though this is but a poor -place to receive company in.” - -“I understand your situation, sir,” said Gilbert; “you have been sick -and unfortunate.” - -“You are right; I was unfortunate first, and sick afterwards. Emma, will -you give the young gentleman a chair?” - -“Oh, don’t trouble yourself,” said Gilbert, taking a chair for himself. - -Mr. Talbot proceeded: “Five years since, I removed to Chicago, with my -little girl, in the hope that in that growing and prosperous Western -city I might, at least, earn a comfortable living. I was not wholly -without means,—I had about a thousand dollars,—but misfortune pursued -me. I was once burnt out, lost my situation by the failure of the firm -that employed me, and the end of it all was, that a year ago I found -myself bankrupt. Then I decided to come to New York, hoping to succeed -better here. I managed, while I was well, to earn a precarious living by -copying for lawyers (I am a book-keeper by vocation) but, a month since, -I was stricken down by a fever, from which I am only just recovering. -How we have got along I can hardly tell you. When I became sick I had -but a dollar in my pocket-book, yet we have continued to live. My little -Emma,” he continued, looking proudly at the little girl, “has been a -great help to me. She has managed to earn a little, and has attended -upon me by night and by day. I don’t know what I could have done without -her.” - -“I ought to work for you now, papa,” said the child, simply; “all my -life you have been working for me.” - -“She is a perfect little woman, though only ten years old,” said the -father. “Poor child! her life has been far from bright. I hope the -future has some happier days in store for both of us.” - -“Only get well, sir,” said Gilbert, cheerfully, “and the happier days -will begin.” - -“I hope so; but even in health I found it hard to get along.” - -At this moment there was a knock at the door. - -Emma went to the door, and opened it. - -A short, stout, coarse-featured woman entered, and looked about her with -the air of one who had come to engage in battle. - -“Take a seat, Mrs. Flanders,” said the sick man. - -“Much obliged to you, sir,” said the woman, not to be placated by this -politeness; “but I can’t stop. I come on business. I suppose you know -what it is.” - -“I suppose it is the rent,” said Mr. Talbot, uneasily. - -“Yes, it is the rent,” said Mrs. Flanders. “I hope you are ready to pay -it.” - -“How can you expect it, Mrs. Flanders? You know how long I have been -sick and unable to earn anything.” - -“That is not my fault, Mr. Talbot,” said the woman, sharply. “I’m a -widow woman, and have to look out for myself. When I let you this room, -I told you you must pay me prompt, for I had to pay prompt. Have you -forgot that?” - -“No, I have not forgotten it, and I am very sorry that circumstances -have been so against me. Wait patiently, and I will pay you yet.” - -“Wait patiently!” repeated the woman, angrily. “Haven’t I been waiting -patiently for a month? To-morrow I have to pay my rent, and I must be -paid what you owe me.” - -“We have but a few cents in the house,” said Mr. Talbot. “How much have -you got, Emma?” - -“Four cents, papa.” - -“Give them to Mrs. Flanders; it is all we have.” - -“Four cents!” exclaimed the landlady, shrilly; “do you mean to insult -me?” - -“I don’t feel much like insulting anybody,” said Mr. Talbot, wearily. - -“Once more, do you intend to pay me my rent or not?” demanded the -virago. - -“I can’t at present. In time—” - -“Stuff and nonsense!—then out you budge to-day. I can’t afford to keep -you here for nothing.” - -“O Mrs. Flanders,” pleaded Emma, in terror. “It will kill my father to -go out, sick as he is. Let us stay here a little longer.” - -“It won’t do,” said the woman; “I’m not so soft as that comes to. If you -won’t pay the rent, you must budge.” - -Gilbert had listened to this dialogue with mingled pain and indignation. -It was his first practical acquaintance with poverty and the world’s -inhumanity. He could remain silent no longer. - -“How much is your bill, madam?” he asked. - -“Rent for four weeks, at a dollar a week,—four dollars.” - -“I will pay it,” said Gilbert, glad that the amount was not beyond his -resources. - -The little girl impulsively seized his hand and carried it to her lips. - -“Oh, how kind you are!” she said. - -“Are you sure it will not inconvenience you?” asked Mr. Talbot. - -“Oh, no, sir.” - -“Then I will accept the loan with thanks. You are a friend in need.” - -The landlady took the money with avidity, for she had considered the -debt a bad one. - -“Thank you, young man,” she said; adding, in an apologetic tone, “You -may think me hard, but I have to be. I have to live myself.” - -Gilbert listened coldly, for he was disgusted with the woman’s coarse -and brutal manners. - -“And I hope you’ll get well soon, sir,” she said, turning to Mr. Talbot; -but he did not answer her. - -“It is the way of the world,” he remarked, after Mrs. Flanders had gone -out. “Poverty has few friends.” - -“When you are well, sir, I will mention you to a friend who may give you -some work,” said Gilbert. “Meanwhile I will call again in a day or two.” - -“You will always be welcome,” said Mr. Talbot, gratefully. “You have -done me a great service.” - -When Gilbert went out, he realized that his generosity might cause him -inconvenience, for he had but a dollar remaining in his pocket-book, and -was earning nothing. - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - - GILBERT IN A TIGHT PLACE. - - -Gilbert called upon the Vivians the same evening. He was received with -as much cordiality as on his first visit. - -“Now,” said Mr. Vivian, laying down the evening paper, which he had been -reading at Gilbert’s entrance, “tell me how you came to lose your -place.” - -Gilbert told his story in the fewest possible words. - -“It’s a great shame,” said Fred, indignantly; “I’d like to put a head on -that book-keeper.” - -“I sympathize with you, Fred,” said Laura; “but I think you might have -expressed yourself differently.” - -“Your sister is right, Fred,” said Mr. Vivian; “you must not be too -ready to employ street phrases.” - -“That’s what I mean, any way,” said Fred. - -“Do you think your employer will do you justice when he returns?” asked -Mr. Vivian. - -“Yes, sir. Mr. Sands is an excellent man, and he knows very well that -Mr. Moore is prejudiced against me.” - -“Then you expect to be taken back?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“If anything should occur to prevent, come at once and let me know.” - -“Thank you, sir.” - -Before the evening was over Gilbert managed to introduce the subject of -the little flower-girl whom he had befriended. He gave an account of the -father’s sickness, and the little girl’s devotion. Fred and Laura were -much interested, and asked many questions, which Gilbert answered as -well as he could. - -“You think these people really worthy of assistance, Gilbert?” asked Mr. -Vivian. - -“Yes, sir, I have no doubt of it.” - -“You know there are many impostors, who live by working on the -sympathies of the benevolent?” - -“Yes, sir; but in this case I have no hesitation at all. I am sure Mr. -Talbot and the little girl deserve help.” - -“In that case,” said the merchant, “I am willing to do something for -them.” - -He drew from his pocket a ten-dollar bill and handed it to Gilbert. - -“It may be best,” he suggested, “not to give them this money all at -once, but a dollar or two at a time, in order to insure its careful -use.” - -“Thank you, sir,” said Gilbert, joyfully; “this money will be like a -fortune to them. I will see that your wishes are carried out.” - -“Papa,” said Fred, “may I give Gilbert my five-dollar gold piece for the -little girl and her father?” - -“Not at present, Fred; though I am glad you feel like offering it. When -this money is expended, Gilbert will let us know, and then we will see -what else is to be done.” - -“You are a dear, good boy, to offer the money,” said Laura, giving her -brother an unexpected kiss; “you have got a good heart, though you don’t -always keep your face and hands clean.” - -“A fellow can’t be always washing his face and hands,” said Fred. “You -needn’t kiss me if you are afraid of the dirt.” - -Laura laughed. “I will risk it this time,” she said. - -“Won’t you play me a game of checkers, Gilbert?” asked Fred. - -“What am I to do while you two are playing?” asked Laura. - -“Oh, you can be umpire,” said Fred. - -“I should be sure to decide against you,” said Laura. - -“That’s because you like Gilbert,” said Fred, who was just at the age -when a boy is apt to make disconcerting speeches. - -Laura blushed a little, and so did Gilbert. - -“I think we both like him,” said Laura. - -“I do,” said Fred. - -“Thank you both,” said Gilbert. “I suppose there isn’t such a thing as -three playing a game of checkers. That would bring us all in.” - -“No,” said Laura; “but we can play the Mansion of Happiness, if Fred is -willing.” - -“I don’t mind,” said Fred. “That’s good fun, too.” - -So the game referred to was brought out, and an hour was consumed in -this way. Fred, to his great delight, was the victor each time, and was -disposed to exult over his vanquished opponents. - -“Never mind, Fred; it will be our turn next time,” said Laura. - -At half-past nine Gilbert set out for home. He felt that he had passed a -pleasant evening, and was cheered by the thought that his discharge had -not alienated these true friends from him. - -Two days later he went into the office of Mr. Briggs. He was accustomed -to make a weekly call, when Mr. Briggs would give him money to pay his -week’s board. - -“Is Mr. Briggs in?” he asked, after looking about him in vain for that -gentleman. - -“Mr. Briggs will not be in for a long time,” said the clerk addressed. -“He has gone to Europe.” - -“Gone to Europe!” exclaimed Gilbert, in genuine astonishment. - -“Business of importance called him very suddenly,” said the clerk. - -“How long is he to be gone?” - -“It is uncertain. From two to three months, I should say.” - -“Did he leave any letter or message for me,—Gilbert Greyson?” - -The clerk shook his head. - -“Nothing at all,” he answered. - -Gilbert left the office in great perplexity. How was he to pay the -week’s board now due, he asked himself, with less than a dollar in hand, -and no income? - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - - THE COUNT’S SECRET. - - -On the morning after Alphonso Jones had enjoyed his memorable interview -with the Count Ernest de Montmorency, he bore himself in a loftier and -more consciously superior manner than usual. He felt that he was -entitled to a larger measure of consideration, on account of his -intimacy with one of the nobility. - -“The count must have seen something in me, or he would not have invited -me to visit him at his chateau,” reflected Alphonso. - -It was natural that Mr. Jones should wish his friends to be aware of his -social distinction. - -“Good-morning, Mr. Kidder,” he said, in a patronizing manner, to his -fellow-clerk. “How did you enjoy the theatre last evening?” - -“Very well. The play was a good one, and well performed.” - -“I also passed the evening in a very agreeable manner,” remarked -Alphonso, complacently. - -“Where were you?” - -“In Mr. Ingalls’ room.” - -“Oh, yes, I forgot. What company did he have in? Didn’t you say -something of a French count being expected?” - -“The Count Ernest de Montmorency was present,” said Alphonso, dwelling -with unction on the high-sounding syllables. - -“How did you like him?” asked Kidder, who had received a brief note from -Mr. Ingalls, letting him into the secret. - -“I never met a more high-toned gentleman,” said Mr. Jones, -enthusiastically. “His manners were most courtly, and I may add that he -was very affable to me.” - -“Ingalls ought to have invited me,” said Mr. Kidder, affecting to feel -slighted. - -“He will doubtless remember you another time,” said Alphonso; “probably -the count does not like a large company.” - -“I suppose he is just like other men,” said Kidder, by way of drawing -out his fellow-clerk. “If you hadn’t known him to be a count, you -wouldn’t have seen anything particular in him.” - -“I beg to differ with you,” said Alphonso, with an air of superior -information. “_Some_ persons might have thought so; but I claim to be a -judge of men, and I at once saw that he was a high-toned aristocrat.” - -“What did you judge from, now?” asked Kidder, amused. - -“I cannot explain what,—it was that the French call _je ne sais quoi_,” -answered Mr. Jones, who had been studying up some French phrases that -very morning. - -“_Genesee squaw!_” echoed Kidder, purposely misunderstanding him. “What -on earth has a French count to do with a Genesee squaw?” - -“I pity your ignorance, Mr. Kidder,” said Alphonso, mildly. “The words I -used were French, and mean, ‘I don’t know what.’” - -“You don’t know what they mean? Then why do you use them?” - -“You misunderstand me again. _Je ne sais quoi_ means I—do—not—know—what. -Do you see it now?” - -“Oh, that’s it. I didn’t know you were such a French scholar, Mr. -Jones.” - -“I am a poor French scholar,” said Alphonso, modestly; “but I shall try -to make myself familiar with the language before I go to France.” - -“Are you going to France? How long has that been in your mind?” - -“To tell the truth, Mr. Kidder, I never thought seriously of it till -last evening. But since the Count de Montmorency has been kind enough to -invite me to visit him at his chateau, and become acquainted with his -noble family, I feel that it is quite worth my while to prepare myself -to converse with them.” - -“You don’t say so! What a lucky fellow you are! Did the count really -invite you?” - -“He invited me in the most affable and friendly—I may say urgent -manner,” said Alphonso, complacently. - -“Couldn’t you get me an invitation, too?” asked Kidder, in pretended -anxiety. “I’ve been long wanting to go abroad, and I think my father -would consent, if I received such an invitation as that.” - -“I should like to oblige you, Mr. Kidder, but really I couldn’t venture -on such a liberty,” said Alphonso, decidedly; for he feared that his -fellow-clerk, who was better-looking than himself, might interfere with -his matrimonial designs upon the count’s high-born sister. - -“Perhaps the count will invite me himself. I’ll get Ingalls to introduce -me.” - -“Possibly,” said Alphonso, coldly; “but I wouldn’t obtrude myself upon -his lordship.” - -“I don’t see why I shouldn’t be introduced as well as you.” - -Alphonso, who privately considered himself more high-toned than Kidder, -felt that there was good reason, but did not think it policy to pursue -the subject. - -Probably Mr. Jones referred to the Count Ernest de Montmorency at least -thirty times that day, and succeeded in arousing the curiosity and envy -of such of his acquaintances as were not in the secret. He indulged in -many a gorgeous day-dream, in which he figured as the brother-in-law of -the count, with a beautiful chateau of his own, and this continued for -several days. But his dreams were destined to a rude awakening. - -One evening, in passing through Bleeker Street, Mr. Jones strolled into -a barber shop, which he had never before entered. He glanced carelessly -about him, when he made a sudden start, and gasped for breath. There, -behind a barber’s chair, in the act of shaving a red-headed man, was the -elegant Count Ernest de Montmorency! - -The count looked up and met Alphonso’s astonished gaze. - -“Good-evening, M. Alphonse,” he said, with a nod and a smile. - -“Good-evening,” ejaculated Alphonso, with difficulty. - -How could he say “my lord count” to a barber? - -“Are you the—the—gentleman I met at the room of my friend, Mr. Ingalls?” -asked Mr. Jones. - -“The same. I will explain hereafter,” said the count, mysteriously. - -Alphonso succeeded the red-headed man in the chair presided over by the -count. - -“I am incognito,” said the latter, in a low voice. “I have been reduced -to poverty by the rascality of a relative. They don’t know me here in -the shop.” - -“You don’t say so!” ejaculated Mr. Jones, much impressed. - -“They think I am a common man. It would not do to tell them.” - -“Does Mr. Ingalls know?” asked Alphonso. - -“Yes, he knows how I am reduced; but he does not respect me the less. -May I rely upon your secrecy, also?” - -“Certainly, my lord—I mean, sir,” said Mr. Jones, beginning to think it -was all right again. “Do you think you will ever recover your estates?” - -“Don’t speak so loud! Yes, I am almost sure of it. In that case, I shall -expect you to visit me at my chateau.” - -“Thank you. I shall be most happy.” - -“How strange it seems to be shaved by a count!” thought Alphonso. “But I -really wish he wasn’t a barber. Couldn’t he get something else to do?” - -“How is your friend, the Count de Montmorency, Mr. Jones?” asked Mr. -Kidder, the next morning. - -“I believe he is well,” said Alphonso, shortly. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - - HARD UP. - - -A street boy, accustomed to live from hand to mouth, would not have been -disconcerted on finding himself in Gilbert’s circumstances. But this was -our hero’s first experience of debt which he was unable to pay, and it -troubled him. He felt embarrassed at the dinner-table, knowing that he -was eating a meal for which he had not the means of paying; and this -thought not only interfered with his appetite, but made him unusually -silent and reserved. His room-mate noticed this, and spoke of it when -they had gone up to their room together. - -“What made you so quiet, Gilbert?” he asked. “You scarcely uttered a -word at the dinner-table.” - -“The fact is, Mr. Ingalls, I am in trouble,” answered Gilbert. - -“About your loss of place? You told me about that, and that you expected -to get it back when your employer returned.” - -“So I do; but there is another trouble.” - -“Troubles never come singly, they say.” - -“It seems to be true in my case. I am owing for a week’s board, and -don’t know where I shall get the money to pay it.” - -“I thought your guardian paid your board,” said Ingalls, who was -acquainted with the particulars of Gilbert’s history. - -“So he did; but he has sailed for Europe suddenly, without making any -provision for the payment of my money.” - -“How long is he to be gone?” - -“Two or three months, they told me at the office.” - -“That is rather inconvenient. If you were only a few years older, there -would be a remedy.” - -“What remedy?” - -“You could marry Miss Brintnall. Mrs. White told me the other day that -Miss Brintnall has saved up two or three thousand dollars from her -earnings.” - -“That will be convenient for you when she becomes Mrs. Ingalls,” said -Gilbert, with a smile. - -“Do you think I would sacrifice myself for that paltry sum?” demanded -Ingalls, with much indignation. “Ten thousand dollars is the lowest sum -for which I will sacrifice my liberty. I’ll tell you who is most likely -to become Miss Brintnall’s husband, that is, if she consents.” - -“Who?” - -“Alphonso Jones.” - -“What makes you think so?” - -“Alphonso lacks money to back up his gentility. He only gets twelve -dollars a week, Kidder tells me, though he claims to have a thousand -dollars a year. Miss Brintnall’s fortune will be a great inducement to -him.” - -“You forget that he has hopes of an alliance with the sister of the -Count de Montmorency.” - -“I think he had better take Miss Brintnall,” said Mr. Ingalls, dryly. -“Now, to come back to your affairs. Are you quite out of money?” - -“Almost. I gave four dollars to a poor family a day or two since, not -expecting that I was to be left this way. I have about fifty cents in my -pocket-book, and I owe a week’s board.” - -His room-mate reflected a moment. - -“I wish I were richer, for your sake, Gilbert,” he said. “As it is, I -can lend you money enough to pay this week’s board bill. Before another -week comes round, something may turn up.” - -“Thank you,” said Gilbert, gratefully; “but I don’t like to rob you.” - -“You won’t rob me, for I intend to let you repay it when you can. If I -could keep it up till your guardian returns I would do so; but this I -can’t do. I will tell you what I would do in your case.” - -“I wish you would advise me, for I don’t know what to do. I never was in -such a situation before.” - -“It was understood that your guardian would pay your board for the -present, was it not?” - -“Yes. He offered to do it. I never would have asked him.” - -“You say he left no directions at the office in regard to it?” - -“So the chief clerk told me.” - -“It is clear, then, that it escaped his mind in the hurry of an -unexpected departure. Probably he will set the matter right in his first -letter. Wait a minute, though. His wife and son probably accompanied him -to the steamer to see him off.” - -“I suppose so.” - -“Very likely he spoke to them about it. I advise you to call on them and -inquire.” - -Gilbert looked reluctant. - -“It may be as you say,” said he; “but I don’t like to speak to Mrs. -Briggs on the subject. She dislikes me, and so I think does Randolph, -though not so much as his mother.” - -“So you have told me; still I advise you to call, the sooner the better, -in my opinion.” - -“Suppose I get no satisfaction?” - -“In that case you will know what to look forward to. If you are thrown -upon your own resources, you can lay your plans accordingly.” - -“I should like to know the worst, at any rate,” said Gilbert, -thoughtfully. - -“Then take my advice, and call this evening on Mrs. Briggs.” - -“I will,” said Gilbert; “but I would rather have a tooth out.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - - AN UNSATISFACTORY CALL. - - -Mr. Ingalls was right in his conjecture. On board the steamer Mr. Briggs -had thought of his young ward, and was rather annoyed that he had not -left directions at the office that he should be paid his regular weekly -stipend. - -“There is one thing which I have forgotten,” he said to his wife. - -“What is it?” she inquired. - -“Gilbert has been in the habit of coming to me every week for his board. -I ought to have left directions at the office with Seymour to pay him in -my place.” - -He forgot that Mrs. Briggs was not aware of this arrangement. She was -not slow in expressing her dissatisfaction. - -“You don’t mean to say that that boy lived on you!” she exclaimed. - -“I pay his board, if that is what you mean by living on me.” - -“That is what it amounts to. Why permit this?” - -“Surely, you don’t expect that Gilbert will pay all his expenses out of -five dollars a week,” said her husband. - -“Why can’t he get along as well as other boys?” - -“Other boys have no friends able to help them. Gilbert’s father was my -friend, and I mean to stand by him.” - -“How much do you allow him for board?” - -“Six dollars a week.” - -“Can’t he get boarded cheaper?” - -“It seems to me that six dollars is very cheap. You remember that I -spent a hundred dollars a week for you and Randolph and myself at -Saratoga one season. That is about thirty-three dollars apiece.” - -“There is no resemblance in the two cases,” said Mrs. Briggs, coldly. -“Gilbert Greyson is only a working-boy.” - -“And I am a working-man.” - -“Don’t talk foolishly, Mr. Briggs,” said his wife, sharply. - -“I have not much time to talk foolishly or otherwise. Will you attend to -this matter of Gilbert’s board?” - -“I will attend to it,” said Mrs. Briggs. - -“Then there will be no need of my writing to the office.” - -“No, there will be no occasion to trouble yourself further in the -matter.” - -On this assurance Mr. Briggs dismissed Gilbert from his mind, and -shortly afterwards bade good-by to his wife and son. - -“I sometimes think your father is actually soft,” said Mrs. Briggs to -Randolph, on the way over the ferry. “What claim has that Greyson boy -upon him, that he should squander six dollars a week upon him? And that -isn’t all, I presume. I have no doubt the boy manages to coax extra -money out of him almost every week.” - -“He won’t get it out of you, mother,” said Randolph. - -“I should say not,” said Mrs. Briggs, very emphatically. “I should feel -that I was robbing you. If your father impoverishes himself by such -ill-timed liberality, you will be the sufferer.” - -“I didn’t think of that,” said Randolph, soberly. - -“I don’t, of course, wish to be mean or parsimonious,” continued Mrs. -Briggs, “but I hold that a man’s first duty is to his own family.” - -“Of course it is,” said Randolph, who felt confident of it now that he -saw the bearing upon his own interests. - -“Will you give Gilbert the six dollars a week?” he inquired. - -“Not unless he asks for it,” said Mrs. Briggs. “If he doesn’t need it -there will be no occasion to offer it.” - -“If he don’t ask for it, will you give it to me?” asked Randolph. - -“You have an allowance of five dollars a week now. It seems to me that -ought to be sufficient.” - -“I can’t save anything from it. If you give me the six dollars beside, -I’ll put some in the savings bank.” - -“I will wait and see whether the boy calls for it.” - -“I hope he won’t.” - -“He probably will. He’ll take all he can get. That is his nature.” - -Mrs. Briggs quite misread Gilbert, as my readers will probably judge; -but she was too prejudiced to judge him fairly. - -Randolph was not as mean as his mother. He had a little of his father’s -nature, though he was more like his mother. The thought that it would -impair his future inheritance did not much affect him, but the prospect -of having his allowance so largely increased took away all consideration -for Gilbert. He cared very little whether our hero was able to pay his -board or not, if only the money might be paid to him. He was very -selfish certainly; but he loved money for what it would buy, and not for -its own sake, as was the case with his mother. Of course he hoped that -Gilbert would not present himself at the house, or make inquiry for the -money; but in this he was destined to be disappointed. - -Sitting at the window on the evening Gilbert had resolved to call, he -saw, not without disappointment, our hero mount the steps and ring the -bell. - -“He’s come, mother,” said he, in a tone of regret. - -“Who has come?” - -“Gilbert Greyson. I suppose he has come for his six dollars.” - -“I suppose he has,” said Mrs. Briggs, with a curl of the lip. “I knew he -wouldn’t keep away long. Now, Randolph, one thing I ask,—don’t say a -word about the matter. I want to make him introduce the subject himself. -I don’t wish to spare him any embarrassment.” - -“All right, mother.” - -Directly the door opened, and Gilbert entered. - -“Good-evening, Mrs. Briggs,” he said, approaching and taking the lady’s -hand. She just touched his hand coldly, and withdrew hers. - -“Good-evening,” she said, briefly. - -“Good-evening, Randolph,” said Gilbert, turning to the younger member of -the party. - -“Good-evening,” said Randolph, less frigidly. “Have you got a place -yet?” - -“Not yet. My employer has not returned from Washington.” - -“Probably it will make very little difference to you how long he stays,” -said Mrs. Briggs, disagreeably. - -“I hope it will make considerable,” returned Gilbert. “I was surprised -to hear that Mr. Briggs had gone to Europe.” - -“He went very suddenly,” said Randolph. “It has put off my birthday -party.” - -“I should like to have seen him before he went,” said Gilbert. - -“He had no time to notify all his acquaintances that he was going,” said -Mrs. Briggs. - -“How long will he be gone?” - -“It is quite uncertain,” said the lady, shortly. “It will depend on his -business, of course.” - -“I wish this visit were well over,” thought Gilbert, but he felt that he -must introduce the matter which led to his call. - -“Did Mr. Briggs leave any message for me?” he inquired. - -“Any message for you?” repeated Mrs. Briggs, arching her eyebrows. “Why -should you expect that he would leave any message for you?” - -“Perhaps you are not aware,” said Gilbert, uncomfortably, “that Mr. -Briggs, while I am at work on small wages, has been in the habit of -paying my board.” - -“Indeed!” said Mrs. Briggs, in apparent surprise. “Why should he do -that?” - -“Out of friendship for my father, he told me,” said Gilbert. - -“I should hardly have supposed that you would request such a thing of -one not related to you.” - -“I didn’t request it,” said Gilbert, coloring. “Mr. Briggs was kind -enough to offer to do it. I accepted, on condition that I might -hereafter repay him what money he should advance.” - -“It is not very likely the money will ever be repaid,” said Mrs. Briggs, -coldly. - -“It will be repaid if I live,” said Gilbert, warmly. - -“I have heard such promises before,” said the lady, contemptuously. -“They are generally made to be broken.” - -“Not in my case,” said Gilbert, flushing. - -“I will not discuss the matter,” said Mrs. Briggs, coldly. “May I ask -why you have introduced this subject?” - -“Mr. Briggs gave me no notice that he intended to withdraw his -assistance, and I accordingly went to the office yesterday, only to -learn that he had gone to Europe, and left no message there. I thought -he might possibly have spoken to you on the subject, and therefore I -called. My board-bill, amounting to six dollars, is due to-night, and -unfortunately I have no funds to meet it.” - -“It must be rather humiliating for you to accept charity,” said Mrs. -Briggs. “I don’t think my son would be willing to do it.” - -“I should say not,” said Randolph. - -“Say nothing more, Mrs. Briggs,” said Gilbert, rising. “If you regard it -in that light, I wish no assistance.” - -“I don’t wish you to suffer,” continued Mrs. Briggs, coldly. “I will -give you money for your board-bill, if you will tell me how much it -amounts to.” - -“Thank you, I won’t trouble you,” said Gilbert. “I shall get along -somehow. Good-evening.” - -“You are impetuous. You will bear in mind that I have not refused you -the money.” - -“I will bear it in mind. Good-evening, madam.” - -“You did it well, mother,” said Randolph, admiringly, as our hero left -the house. “Will you give me the six dollars, now he has refused it?” - -“I will give it to you this week, Randolph; but mind, I make no promises -for the future.” - -“I guess it’s all right,” thought Randolph, pocketing the bills -complacently. “I’ll take care she keeps it up.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX. - - GILBERT’S PLANS. - - -Gilbert left the house of Mrs. Briggs, not cast down, but with a full -understanding of his situation. Until now he had had his guardian’s -assistance, and, with the income from his position as office-boy, had -felt no anxiety. Now, both had failed him, for the time at least, and he -must shift for himself. Disaster develops the manhood in a boy as well -as a man. So Gilbert did not indulge in any gloomy anticipations of -starvation or pauperism. He never for a moment regretted his refusal to -take money from Mrs. Briggs, offered as it had been in such a manner as -to insult his self-respect. - -“I’d rather live on one meal a day,” he said to himself stoutly, “than -humble myself to that woman.” - -When he re-entered his room he found his room-mate reading. - -“Well, Gilbert,” he said, “did you have a pleasant call?” - -“So pleasant that I shall not call again in a hurry,” answered Gilbert. - -“Then Mrs. Briggs won’t give you any assistance?” - -“Yes; but I have rejected it.” - -Mr. Ingalls looked surprised. - -“Did you not act unwisely?” he asked. - -“Let me tell you just what passed between us, and you shall judge.” - -The young man listened attentively. When Gilbert had finished his story, -he said, emphatically, “You did just right. I should have done the same -thing in your circumstances.” - -“I am glad you approve of my action. I couldn’t stoop to take money -offered as charity.” - -“Then you have got to strike out for yourself, it seems?” - -“Yes, and I must settle to-night what I shall do.” - -“Have you made up your mind to anything?” - -“I was thinking about that as I walked home. To begin with, I will -borrow money of you to pay Mrs. White, if you are still willing to lend -it.” - -“I will lend it to you with pleasure.” - -“I think I had better leave this house, obtain a cheaper room, and board -at a restaurant.” - -“I don’t think you can save much that way. Mrs. White is very reasonable -in her charges.” - -“I know that, but the probability is that I can’t pay her. I must be -strictly economical. I am not sure but the best thing I can do is to go -to the Newsboys’ Lodge.” - -Mr. Ingalls shook his head. - -“It would never do,” he said. “It would not suit a boy brought up as you -have been.” - -“I don’t suppose it would; but I don’t expect to suit myself. That is -not the question with me. I must do as I can.” - -“Then stay here. If you can’t pay your whole board at the week’s end I -will make up the balance. I should have to pay more, at any rate, if I -occupied the room alone.” - -Gilbert reflected a moment. - -“You are very kind, Mr. Ingalls,” he said, “and I will accept your -offer, on one condition.” - -“What is that?” - -“That you lend me the money, and I will repay it as soon as I am able.” - -“I agree to that.” - -“Then I will stay, for a week or two at least. Now I want to ask your -advice. I must find something to do at once.” - -“I wish there was a vacancy in our establishment.” - -“I only want temporary employment. I expect Mr. Sands will take me back -on his return.” - -“I didn’t think of that. Have you thought of anything?” - -“I am going to try my luck as a newsboy.” - -“As a newsboy! What will your friends, the Vivians, say?” - -“I don’t know, and I can’t afford to care. I must get a living somehow -for the next few days, and I would rather sell papers than black boots. -In the afternoon I shall try to get a little baggage-smashing to do.” - -“I admire your pluck, Gilbert,” said his room-mate. “Not many boys, -brought up as you have been, would be willing to sell papers in the -streets.” - -“I don’t pretend to like it,” said Gilbert; “but I would rather do it -than sponge on others, or take money flung at me as alms. If you object -to rooming with a common newsboy,” he added, smiling, “I suppose I must -look for another boarding-place.” - -“Wait till I give you notice to quit,” said Ingalls. “In the mean time I -will do all I can to encourage you. I will buy a morning paper of you -to-morrow morning. Where shall you stand?” - -“Near the ‘Times’ building, I think. Don’t forget your promise now. If I -have one customer engaged I shall sleep more soundly.” - -“You can rely upon me. Have you got money enough to start yourself in -business? If not, command my purse.” - -“I will borrow fifty cents, to make sure that I have enough. Now, as I -must be up betimes and take an early breakfast, I think I will turn in.” - -“Good-night, then. I will stay up and read awhile longer.” - -“He’s a plucky boy,” thought the young man. “He deserves to succeed, and -I believe he will.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXX. - - GILBERT BECOMES A NEWSBOY. - - -At an early hour the next morning Gilbert took his stand near the office -of the daily “Times.” He attracted immediate attention from the members -of the new profession in which he had enrolled himself without -permission. - -“What are you doin’ here?” asked Jim Noonan, a tall newsboy, with red -hair and freckled face. - -“I am selling papers,” answered Gilbert, quietly. - -“What business have you here anyhow? That’s my place.” - -“I shall not interfere with you.” - -“You’d better not,” said Jim, pugnaciously, under the impression that -Gilbert was apologising. “Just you leave here!” - -Gilbert eyed him quietly. - -“I shall not interfere with you,” he repeated; “nor will I allow you to -interfere with me,” he added, firmly. - -Jim looked at him attentively, and his opinion of him was somewhat -altered. - -“What does a boy with good clothes want selling papers?” he asked. - -“He wants to make a living,” said Gilbert. “Paper, sir?” - -The man addressed purchased a four-cent paper. Gilbert made change in a -business-like manner, and directly afterwards sold another, while Jim -Noonan looked on enviously. - -“I’ve a good mind to bust your head,” he said, angrily. - -“Better go to work and look for customers,” suggested Gilbert, coolly. - -Jim eyed him with angry discontent. He would like to have pitched into -him, but Gilbert was compactly made, and, though smaller than his -fellow-newsboy, looked difficult to handle. Jim had hoped to frighten -him; but his success was not encouraging. - -Gilbert, on the whole, succeeded beyond his anticipations. Probably his -appearance was in his favor, and attracted customers. But this was not -all. He was quick and alert in manner, and kept a good look-out for -trade. - -“How many papers have you sold?” asked Jim, after a while. - -“Fifty,” answered Gilbert. - -“Fifty!” ejaculated Jim; “why, I aint sold but twenty.” - -“You haven’t attended to business as closely as I have.” - -“Ef it hadn’t been for you I’d have sold a good many more.” - -“That isn’t the reason. You would have sold as many as I if you had -tried as hard.” - -“It’s mean, a boy like you comin’ down, and takin’ away a poor boy’s -business.” - -“I shan’t sell papers any longer than I have to. I hope next week to go -into something else.” - -Just then a gentleman inquired for a paper which Gilbert was out of. - -“I think he’s got it,” said Gilbert, pointing to Jim, thereby obtaining -a customer for the latter. - -“We may as well help each other,” said Gilbert. “There’s no use in -quarrelling.” - -“Do you mean that?” asked Jim, doubtfully. - -“Yes, I do.” - -“You aint as mean as I thought you was,” said Jim, his dislike beginning -to evaporate. - -“I hope you’ll stick to that opinion,” said Gilbert, good-humoredly. -“When I go out of this business I’ll recommend my friends to patronize -you.” - -Thus far Gilbert had seen no one whom he knew. That trial was yet to -come. I call it a trial, because Gilbert was quite aware that in -becoming a newsboy he had made a descent in the social scale. He had -taken the step as a matter of necessity, and not because he liked it. He -knew very well how it would be regarded by his acquaintances, and he -rather dreaded the expressions of surprise which it would elicit. - -The first acquaintance to greet him was Alphonso Jones. - -“Good gracious, Greyson!” he exclaimed, “what are you doing here?” - -“Selling papers,” answered Gilbert, flushing a little. - -“I thought you was in a broker’s office.” - -“So I was, and hope to be again; but just now I’m out of a place, so -I’ve gone into business on my own account.” - -“But, good gracious, how can you sell papers?” - -“It’s the only thing that offered, and I must earn my living.” - -“Suppose the Count Ernest de Montmorency should see you,—what would he -say?” - -“I hope he would buy a paper of me,” returned Gilbert, smiling. - -“And your friends, the Vivians,—they would be awfully shocked.” - -“I can’t help it. I must earn a living. Won’t you have a paper, Mr. -Jones? I’ve got all the morning papers—‘Times,’ ‘Tribune,’ ‘Herald,’ -‘Sun.’” - -“I’m afraid I haven’t got any change,” said Alphonso, whose large -expenditure for clothing compelled him to economize on minor matters. -“But, really, now, you aint going to keep the thing up, are you?” - -“Till I get something better,” said Gilbert, firmly. “I hope that will -be soon. I don’t like it myself.” - -“It’s so—so ungentlemanly a business.” - -“I don’t agree with you, Mr. Jones; I think it perfectly respectable.” - -“Oh, yes, of course; but it is not high-toned, you’ll admit that.” - -“Perhaps not,” said Gilbert, with a smile. “I don’t pretend to be a -judge of what is high-toned. I hope you won’t cut my acquaintance, Mr. -Jones, because I am a newsboy.” - -“Oh, no, of course not; but I am afraid your friends, the Vivians, -will.” - -“I hope not,” said Gilbert. - -Alphonso Jones departed, and next in order came John,—Gilbert’s -successor at the broker’s. - -“Oh, my eye!” he exclaimed, in genuine astonishment; “you don’t mean to -say you’ve turned newsboy?” - -“Yes, I have. Will you buy a paper?” - -“Haven’t got a cent. How’s business?” asked John, with a grin. - -“Pretty good.” - -“Hope you’ve got a permanent situation.” - -“I think not. I don’t expect to sell papers more than a week.” - -“What are you going to do then?” - -“Going back into the office.” - -“What office?” - -“Mr. Sands’ office.” - -“Do you think he’d take back a—” - -“Stop there!” said Gilbert, sternly. “You know very well the charge -against me is false. Fortunately I am in a position to prove it.” - -“You are?” asked John, in alarm. - -“Yes.” - -“How can you prove it?” - -“I will let you know when the time comes.” - -John was not disposed to continue the conversation. He walked back to -the office, and told Simon Moore that Gilbert was selling papers in the -square. - -“I am glad his pride is brought low,” said Moore, with satisfaction. - -“But it isn’t,” said John. “He is as proud as ever. He says he is coming -back here.” - -“Let him talk,” said the book-keeper, contemptuously. “That is all it -will amount to.” - -But John did not feel quite certain of this. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXI. - - GILBERT’S SECOND DAY. - - -“How much did you make in your new business, Gilbert?” inquired his -room-mate, Ingalls, with interest, at the close of his first day’s -experience. - -“Seventy-five cents,” answered Gilbert. - -“That is quite fair.” - -“I suppose it is all I could reasonably expect, but it won’t pay my -expenses. At that rate my weekly income will be but four dollars and a -half, while, as you know, my board amounts to six dollars.” - -“I will pay the extra dollar and a half.” - -“You are a true friend, Mr. Ingalls,” said Gilbert, gratefully, “but -that doesn’t dispose of all my difficulties. I shall have no money for -washing, or to purchase clothing.” - -“But you expect to get your place back in a week.” - -“Even if I do, my income will be only five dollars. I never supposed it -was so difficult to make a living before.” - -“Wait and hope, Gilbert,” said his room-mate, cheerfully. “That is what -I had to do when I first came to the city. It was weeks before I got -anything to do at all. I got almost discouraged. Finally, through the -influence of a friend, I got a foothold, and have been able to live -comfortably ever since.” - -“I won’t get discouraged just yet, at any rate,” said Gilbert. “I will -wait and see how things come out. If I am forced to remain in the paper -business, I must find some way of increasing my income. I might combine -a little baggage-smashing with it.” - -“That’s one thing I like about you, Gilbert,” said the young man. “You -have no false shame, but undertake whatever work you find to do.” - -“I am not wholly without pride, Mr. Ingalls; but I can’t afford to -indulge it. I shall get out of this street business as soon as I can.” - -“You are justified in that, certainly. It shows a proper ambition.” - -The next day Gilbert sought his chosen place, and again proceeded to -sell his stock of daily papers, with about the same measure of success. - -At about half-past ten he caught sight of a familiar face. His own face -blushed uncomfortably, for Randolph Briggs was about the last person he -wished to see, under the circumstances. - -Randolph, who was rather near-sighted, did not recognize him till he was -close upon him. Gilbert had a momentary impulse to desert his post, and -thus escape the notice of his unwelcome acquaintance; but this impulse -was succeeded by the more manly resolve to stand his ground. - -“I have nothing to be ashamed of,” he said to himself. “It is Randolph, -or rather his mother, who should be ashamed.” - -He was in the act of selling a “Herald” when Randolph came up. - -“Gilbert Greyson!” exclaimed Randolph, in amazement. - -“Good-morning, Randolph,” said Gilbert, quietly. - -“What are you doing?” - -“Selling papers, as you see.” - -“You don’t mean to say you have become a common newsboy?” - -“I don’t know whether I am a common or uncommon newsboy, but a newsboy I -certainly am, just at present.” - -“What induced you to take up such a business?” - -“The necessity of making a living.” - -“Why didn’t you take the money my mother offered you?” - -“Because she offered it as charity. I don’t accept charity.” - -“It seems to me you are poor and proud.” - -“I certainly am poor, and my pride I hope is a proper one.” - -“I should be too proud to sell papers in the streets,” said Randolph, -emphatically. - -“Perhaps you wouldn’t in my case.” - -“I never expect to be in your case.” - -“I hope you won’t.” - -“You know, of course, you will have to give up your fashionable -acquaintances.” - -“Does that mean you and your mother?” inquired Gilbert, smiling. - -“Yes partly,” answered Randolph, seriously. “Then, there are the -Vivians. You wouldn’t presume to call upon them now?” - -“Why not?” - -“Do you suppose they admit newsboys in the list of their visitors?” - -“I don’t know; but I shall soon find out.” - -“How?” - -“I mean to call there very soon.” - -“I wouldn’t. You wouldn’t be welcome.” - -“How do you know that?” - -“It stands to reason,” argued Randolph. “They stand very high in the -social scale, and a newsboy is very low.” - -“I don’t think the Vivians and you quite agree in some matters. If I -find I am not welcome, you may be sure I won’t repeat the call.” - -“You will see I am right.” - -“I suppose, from what you say, that I shall not be welcome at your -house?” said Gilbert, rather amused. - -“Why, you might call when no one is there. Of course, we couldn’t -introduce you to our friends.” - -“I think the safest way will be not to call at all.” - -“That’s so,” said Randolph, and he walked on. - -“I suppose that is the way of the world,” thought Gilbert. “Well, I -expected it, and so far as Randolph and his mother are concerned I shall -not have much to regret.” - -At half-past twelve he stood with his last paper in his hand. They had -gone off more slowly than the day before, and he doubted whether he -could dispose of the last one. - -“Good-morning, Gilbert,” said a cordial voice. “Are you reading the -paper?” - -“No, Mr. Vivian,” answered our hero; “I am trying to sell it.” - -“What! Have you turned newsboy?” - -“Yes, sir. I could think of nothing else to do, and I must do -something.” - -“Was this necessary?” asked the merchant, in a tone of sympathy. - -“Yes, sir; I have nothing to depend upon, except what I make in this -way.” - -“You can’t make a living, can you?” - -“I am afraid not by this alone,” said Gilbert. - -“Have you had lunch?” - -“No, sir.” - -“Then come with me to the Astor House restaurant. There we will talk -over your affairs, and perhaps I can suggest something that will be more -to your advantage than your present employment.” - -“Thank you, sir; I shall feel very grateful for your advice.” - -They went to the Astor House, which was very near, and seated themselves -at a table. Mr. Vivian ordered a substantial lunch, considerably better -than Gilbert could have afforded on his own account. In fact, he had -decided to content himself with an apple, and make that do till the -six-o’clock dinner at his boarding-house. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXII. - - A NOVEL PROPOSITION. - - -A liberal lunch was ordered, and placed before them. - -“My time is limited,” said Mr. Vivian, “and we will economize it by -discussing lunch and your affairs at the same time. How much do you pay -for board?” - -“Six dollars a week,” answered Gilbert. - -“That is very little,” said the merchant. - -“I room with another person, and thus secure more favorable terms.” - -“Are your meals satisfactory?” - -“The food is plain, but good. I have nothing to complain of. I should -like nothing better than to feel sure that I could continue to pay my -expenses at this rate.” - -“That is well,” said Mr. Vivian, approvingly. “I like your spirit. You -are not disposed to find unnecessary fault. Then you cannot make six -dollars a week by selling papers?” - -“No, sir; at least, I have not done so thus far. Yesterday I made -seventy cents, and to-day about the same sum.” - -“That will never do. It leaves you nothing for washing or clothes.” - -“No, sir. However, I am pretty well provided with clothes. I don’t -expect to require anything in that line for six months.” - -“Probably you couldn’t put off washing for so long,” suggested Mr. -Vivian, with a smile. - -“Hardly,” answered Gilbert. - -“Before you came to the city,” said Mr. Vivian, apparently changing the -subject, “you were studying for college, were you not?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“How far had you proceeded?” - -“By next summer I could easily have been ready to enter Yale College; if -necessary, earlier.” - -“Then you must be a good classical scholar already.” - -“A fair one,” said Gilbert, modestly. - -“Did you ever think of teaching?” - -Gilbert looked surprised. - -“I don’t know who would employ a boy like me,” he said. - -“You would be competent to instruct a beginner in Latin and the common -English studies, I suppose?” - -“I ought to be, sir.” - -“Then I will tell you an idea I have had in mind for a week or more. My -boy Fred is attending a classical school, but his progress is not -satisfactory to me. I don’t think him lacking in capacity, but he does -not apply himself as he ought. It has occurred to me that assistance in -the evening would materially aid him, and promote his standing in -school. Except in Latin I could myself assist him, but after the -business and perplexities of the day I am in no mood to turn teacher. -Now, you are competent, and Fred has taken a fancy to you. Are you -willing to give him five evenings a week?” - -“Nothing would suit me better, sir,” said Gilbert, quickly. “I like -Fred, and would do my best to be of service to him.” - -Mr. Vivian looked pleased. - -“Then,” he said, “I see no reason why we should not try the experiment. -The only thing remaining to be discussed is the compensation.” - -“I leave that to you, sir.” - -“I may take advantage of your confidence,” said the merchant. - -“I don’t feel alarmed,” said Gilbert, smiling. - -“Suppose, then, we say ten dollars a week for five evenings.” - -“Ten dollars!” exclaimed Gilbert, in amazement. - -“If that is not adequate—” - -“Why, Mr. Vivian, my services would never be worth ten dollars a week. -Remember, sir, I am only a boy, and inexperienced as a teacher.” - -“I believe you will do Fred more good than an older and more experienced -teacher. He takes to you, and will work cheerfully with you, while I -don’t think he would with the other.” - -“But ten dollars a week is a large sum for you to pay, Mr. Vivian.” - -“I believe in paying a good price, and requiring good, faithful work, -such as I think you will render.” - -“I will try to render it, at any rate, sir.” - -“Then it is a bargain, is it?” - -“Yes, sir, if you say so. I need not say that it will be a very great -help to me.” - -“I know that, Gilbert; and I am glad to be able to serve you, at the -same time that I serve myself. When I was a boy I was in limited -circumstances. The memory of my own past makes me considerate of others. -Now, when will you begin?” - -“This evening, if you like.” - -“I should like it. We will expect you then. Here is a week’s pay in -advance.” - -Mr. Vivian took from his pocket-book a ten-dollar bill and placed it in -Gilbert’s hands. - -“Under the circumstances,” he said, “you may as well give up selling -papers.” - -“I shall be very glad to give it up, sir, and now I shall feel able to -do so.” - -“I appreciate and respect your motives in doing what you could find to -do, but now you are a teacher,—a classical professor,—and must do -nothing incompatible with the dignity of your learned profession.” - -“I will try to remember it, sir.” - -“I must leave you now. Let us see you this evening.” - -“I will be sure to come, sir.” - -When Gilbert left the hotel, he felt elated at his unexpected good -fortune. - -“I believe the tide has turned,” he said to himself. “I little dreamed -that my Latin would prove such a friend in need. I can’t expect to earn -the liberal sum Mr. Vivian has agreed to pay me, but I will do my duty -as faithfully and well as I can.” - -Just after dinner that evening Alphonso Jones strolled into Gilbert’s -room. - -“How is the newspaper business?” he inquired. - -“Pretty fair,” answered Gilbert. - -“I think we ought to patronize Mr. Greyson, eh, Mr. Ingalls?” - -“Thank you, Mr. Jones, but I have retired from the business.” - -“You don’t say! Why, you told me it was fair.” - -“I shall retire nevertheless.” - -“Have you found another place?” - -“I have obtained another position.” - -“You have! What is it?” - -“Professor of the Classics and English Literature.” - -“You’re joking,” remarked Alphonso, rather bewildered. - -“No, I am not. I have been engaged to teach five evenings in the week.” - -“I didn’t know you were such a scholar,” said Mr. Jones, surprised. “Do -they pay you much?” - -“Two dollars an evening.” - -“Good gracious! That is splendid pay.” - -“Yes, it is very good pay.” - -“Where are you to teach?” - -“Mr. Vivian’s son.” - -“He don’t know that you have been a newsboy, does he?” - -“Yes, he does; he saw me selling papers in the street to-day.” - -“Well, Greyson, all I can say is, you are the luckiest boy I ever knew. -I wish I could earn two dollars an evening.” - -“I’ll try to get you a chance,” said Gilbert, demurely. “What can you -teach?” - -“Well, I aint very fresh in my studies,” said Alphonso. “I guess it -wouldn’t be of any use. Aint you going to work in the daytime?” - -“I shall get back into the broker’s office if I can.” - -“Then you will have quite an income for a boy, Gilbert,” said Mr. -Ingalls. - -“Don’t you think you could take me up and introduce me to the Vivians -some evening?” insinuated Alphonso. - -“I don’t think I could, Mr. Jones.” - -“Oh! it’s of no consequence,” said Alphonso, with apparent indifference. -“I have any quantity of high-toned friends who move in the first -circles. Some of them know the Vivians, and that’s why I wanted to be -introduced.” - -“I wonder if that fellow expects to be believed,” said Mr. Ingalls, -after Alphonso had retired. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIII. - - THE NEW PROFESSOR. - - -Fred Vivian had not been informed of the plan which his father had in -view for him. Mr. Vivian, however, felt confident that it would be -agreeable to his son, and did not wish to speak of it until he had -ascertained Gilbert’s willingness. - -At dinner, after the interview described in the last chapter, Mr. Vivian -for the first time mentioned the matter. - -“What lessons have you to-night, Fred?” he asked. - -“I have my Latin, and some hard sums in Reduction.” - -“How are you getting on in Latin?” - -“I wish you would let me give it up, father,” said Fred, earnestly. “I -believe it was only got up to trouble school-boys.” - -“I suppose,” said his father, smiling, “you think Cæsar, Virgil, and -Cicero only wrote with the same purpose.” - -“Confound them! Why couldn’t they write in English?” said Fred, -petulantly. - -All at the table laughed, and finally Fred himself joined in. - -“I suspect the Roman boys would have found as much trouble with English -as you find with Latin,” said Mr. Vivian. “As a fact, there was no such -language in existence then as our modern English tongue.” - -“I wish Latin were as easy as English,” said Fred. - -“No doubt it is. Foreigners find our language very difficult.” - -“Difficult! I don’t see what there is difficult about it.” - -“Because it is your native language. Roman boys would have been equally -surprised at any one finding Latin difficult.” - -“I wish I was a Roman boy, then. Laura, will you help me about my sums?” - -“I have got my own lessons to prepare, Fred.” - -“Will you help me, father?” - -“I like to have my evenings to myself, Fred. However, don’t look -disappointed. You shall have help.” - -“Who will help me? Laura says she can’t.” - -“I have engaged a professor to come here every evening, and assist you -about your lessons.” - -“A professor!” exclaimed Fred, uneasily. “That will be as bad as being -at an evening school. I would rather get along by myself.” - -“Just now you wanted help,” said his father. - -“I don’t want a professor. He will make me work too hard.” - -“I think you will like him,” said Mr. Vivian. - -“When is he coming?” - -“This evening. He will be here about eight o’clock.” - -“Isn’t this a new plan?” asked Mrs. Vivian. - -“Don’t you approve of it, my dear?” asked her husband. - -“I thought his presence might be a restraint upon us, unless, indeed, -Fred goes upstairs with him.” - -“No, let me stay here,” urged Fred. “I don’t want to go off with that -old man.” - -“How do you know he is an old man?” inquired his father, smiling. - -“I suppose he is.” - -“He can’t be considered so. In fact, he is rather young.” - -“It’s all the same,” said Fred, discontentedly. “I suppose he is as -stiff as a poker.” - -“He did not impress me so. With his help you will get through your -lessons quickly; and then you can have the rest of the evening to -yourself.” - -“What is his name?” asked Laura. - -“I will see if I can find his card,” said Mr. Vivian, pretending to -search his pockets in vain. “Never mind, I will ask him when he comes.” - -“You did not tell me you thought of making this arrangement for Fred,” -said Mrs. Vivian. - -“I see,” said her husband, smiling, “that you are a little in doubt as -to its expediency. If at the end of a week it appears unsatisfactory I -will dismiss the professor.” - -Fred was relieved by this promise. He had already formed in his own mind -an image of the expected teacher,—a tall, thin man, in a rusty-black -suit, wearing a pair of iron-bowed spectacles. He had seen the tutor of -a schoolmate of his who answered this description, and hastily adopted -the conclusion that most visiting tutors were like him. - -At ten minutes of eight Gilbert Greyson was announced. - -“O Gilbert, I’m so glad to see you,” said Fred; “though I’m afraid I -can’t be with you much this evening.” - -“Why not?” asked Gilbert. - -“Father has engaged a professor to assist me in my studies; when you -came in I thought at first it was he.” - -Gilbert read the joke in Mr. Vivian’s smiling face, and determined to -keep it up. - -“What sort of a teacher is he?” he asked. - -“I don’t know. I suppose he’s an old fogy in spectacles.” - -“Don’t you think you shall like him?” - -“Father says if I don’t he’ll send him off at the end of the week.” - -Again Gilbert smiled, and Mr. Vivian laughed outright. - -“I don’t see what you two are laughing about,” said Fred. - -“It’s a good joke, Gilbert, isn’t it?” said the merchant. - -“Yes, sir.” - -“I don’t see any joke,” said Fred. - -“Nor I,” said Laura. - -“Perhaps the professor may be willing to help you, if you require it, -Laura,” suggested her father. - -“If he is such a man as Fred expects,” said Laura, “I would rather get -along by myself.” - -“It is hardly fair to take a prejudice against a person before you see -him, Laura.” - -“I won’t.” - -“For my own part, I was favorably impressed by what I saw of him.” - -“What does he look like? Is he tall?” - -“No.” - -“Is he old?” - -“No; quite young.” - -“Has he whiskers?” - -“I didn’t see any.” - -“Is he good-looking?” - -“That is rather a delicate question, eh, Gilbert?” - -“Yes, sir. I will answer it for you. He is not.” - -“What—do you know him, Gilbert?” asked Fred. - -“He ought to,” said Mr. Vivian. “He has seen him in his looking-glass -every morning for sixteen years. There, the secret is out Fred, let me -formally introduce you to Professor Gilbert,—the teacher I have engaged -for you.” - -“Are you really to be my teacher, Gilbert?” asked Fred, delighted. - -“If you conclude to keep me,” said our hero, “you may decide to send me -adrift at the end of the week.” - -[Illustration: GILBERT IN A NEW ROLE.] - -“I said that when I thought it was somebody else,” said Fred. “Do you -think you can show me how to do sums in Reduction?” - -“I think I can,” said Gilbert, smiling. - -“I will get you to help me in Interest, Gilbert,” said Laura. - -“I thought you didn’t want any help from your brother’s teacher,” said -Mr. Vivian. - -“I didn’t know who it was to be then, papa. I’m glad you have engaged -Gilbert.” - -“There is one more objection to you, Gilbert,” said Mr. Vivian, -seriously; “my wife thinks your presence may be a restraint upon us. She -thinks you had better retire with Fred to some other part of the house.” - -“You have got the joke upon me too,” said Mrs. Vivian. “I, too, was -quite in the dark as to whom you had engaged. We don’t look upon Gilbert -in the light of a stranger, but rather as one of the family.” - -“Thank you, Mrs. Vivian,” said our hero, gratefully. - -“Then it appears, Gilbert, that you will be allowed to practise your -vocation here. I would suggest that a pair of spectacles would make your -appearance more impressive and dignified.” - -“I like you best as you are, Gilbert,” said Fred, putting his arm around -the neck of his new tutor. - -“And I too,” said Laura. - -“Then I won’t go to the expense of spectacles,” said Gilbert. “Shall we -begin now, Fred?” - -Fred brought his arithmetic and slate, and Gilbert explained the sums in -a familiar manner, making Fred do them himself. - -“I understand them first-rate now,” said Fred, in a tone of -satisfaction. “You’re a bully teacher, Gilbert.” - -“Now, shall we take the Latin?” asked Gilbert. “I’ll try to be a _bully_ -teacher in that also.” - -By nine o’clock Fred’s task was completed, and Gilbert transferred his -attention to Laura. Fifteen minutes were all she required. The evening -work being over, Gilbert played at games with his two pupils till ten, -then rose to go. - -“I’m so glad you’re my teacher,” said Fred. “Be sure to come to-morrow -night.” - -“I am afraid you will get tired of me after a while, and want to -discharge me,” said Gilbert, smiling. - -“Will you promise to stay with us till you are discharged?” - -“Yes, Fred.” - -“Then it’s all right,” said Fred, in a tone of satisfaction. - -Mr. Vivian found that he had done a very popular thing in engaging -Gilbert, and was, in consequence, pleased himself. - -“Well, Gilbert,” said his room-mate, on his return, “how did your first -lesson come off?” - -“With flattering success. I never earned money more pleasantly in my -life. My old teacher would stare if he should learn that I had set -myself up as a classical professor.” - -“Your fortune has changed wonderfully. From a newsboy to professor is -rather a startling transformation.” - -“My career as a newsboy is ended. I abandon the field to my competitors, -and devote myself to the dissemination of learning.” - -“Alphonso Jones thinks you are a very remarkable young man. He told me -so to-night.” - -“I can return the compliment,” said Gilbert, laughing. “If you can -change a ten-dollar bill, Mr. Ingalls, I will pay you the six dollars -advanced for my board.” - -“You needn’t be in a hurry, Gilbert.” - -“I don’t like to be in debt. I can sleep better when I have paid up the -loan.” - -“I shall be glad to lend you again if you need it.” - -“Thank you, Mr. Ingalls; but I hope I shan’t need it.” - -Early the next morning Mr. Sands reached New York, having come through -by night from Washington. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIV. - - THE BROKER’S RETURN. - - -About ten o’clock, on the morning of his arrival, Mr. Sands entered his -office. He had kept the run of the business through letters from Mr. -Moore, the book-keeper; but the latter had omitted to mention Gilbert’s -dismissal, and the reinstatement of John as his successor. - -Mr. Sands was therefore surprised to see John in the office, with his -hat off. - -“Where is Gilbert?” he asked, abruptly. - -John looked confused. - -“He’ll tell you,” he said, pointing to his cousin. - -“Have you dismissed Gilbert, Mr. Moore?” demanded Mr. Sands, abruptly. - -Moore, in spite of his bravado, was a little nervous. He was -apprehensive that he would not be able to convince Mr. Sands of -Gilbert’s guilt. - -“I was obliged to discharge him, I am sorry to say,” he answered. - -“Why did you discharge him, may I inquire?” persisted the broker. - -Simon Moore, himself of a haughty disposition, flushed at the imperative -tone which his employer used. It chafed him especially to be so -addressed in the presence of his young cousin. - -“I don’t suppose you wish to have a thief in your employ,” he answered, -hastily. - -“Do you charge Gilbert Greyson with being a thief?” - -“I do, sir.” - -“Let me know the particulars.” - -Simon Moore rehearsed the story, already familiar to the reader, of the -ten-dollar bill found in the pocket of Gilbert’s overcoat. - -“Did he admit his guilt?” asked the broker. - -“Oh, no, he brazened it out; but the proofs were overwhelming.” - -“Who found the bill in Gilbert’s pocket?” - -“John.” - -“Oh!” ejaculated the broker, significantly. - -Simon Moore’s face flushed again. - -“Let me explain,” he said. - -“By all means; that is what I want.” - -“Only John, who had come in to make a call on me, and Gilbert had been -here. One or the other must have been the thief. I therefore asked -Gilbert to search John, and John to search Gilbert. It seemed to me -fair. The result showed who was the thief.” - -“Upon this, you discharged Gilbert, and engaged John.” - -“Yes, sir. I needed a boy, and did not dare to employ Gilbert lest there -should be further and more serious losses. John being present, and -understanding the duties, I engaged him.” - -“John is your cousin, is he not, Mr. Moore?” asked Mr. Sands, quietly. - -“Yes, sir,” said the book-keeper, looking slightly embarrassed. - -“It was very fortunate for him that he happened to be at the office on -that particular morning.” - -Here John thought it time to introduce himself into the conversation. - -“That’s what Cousin Simon told me,” he said. - -“If John had not been here, I should have been obliged to advertise for -a boy,” said the book-keeper, recovering his confidence. - -“Have you seen Gilbert since?” inquired Mr. Sands. - -“I have,” said John, grinning. - -“Where did you see him? Do you know if he has another situation?” - -“Oh, yes,” said John, chuckling; “he’s set up on his own account.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“T’other morning I saw him selling papers near the City Hall Park.” - -“Humph!” - -Mr. Sands said no more, but set about examining the books. Presently he -put on his hat and went out. - -“What do you think he’s going to do, Cousin Simon?” asked John, -anxiously. - -“I guess the storm’s blown over.” - -“He didn’t seem to like it that I was here.” - -“He don’t have a very high opinion of you; and I don’t blame him,” said -the book-keeper, unable to restrain his sarcasm, although John was his -cousin. - -“Seems to me you’re pretty hard on me,” said John, aggrieved. “Do you -think he’ll let me stay?” - -“I think he will, if you do your duty.” - -“Oh, I’ll do that fast enough,” said John, looking relieved. - -“I advise you not to let Mr. Sands see you with a cigarette in your -mouth.” - -“Who told you I smoked cigarettes? It’s a—” - -“You’d better not finish the sentence. I saw you last evening on the -street with one in your mouth.” - -“I guess I’ll have to be more careful,” said John to himself. “Who’d -have thought he’d find out?” - -“I was just trying it to see how it seemed,” he explained. - -“Well, you know now, and you’d better give them up,” said Simon Moore. -“Now, go to the post-office for the mail.” - -On his way home, in the afternoon, Mr. Sands was looking about for a -seat in the crowded car, when a boy addressed him. - -“Take my seat, Mr. Sands.” - -“Gilbert!” exclaimed the broker, cordially, extending his hand. “I have -been hoping to meet you.” - -“When did you get home from Washington, sir?” - -“This morning early. I was surprised not to find you in your accustomed -place in my office.” - -“I suppose Mr. Moore explained my absence?” said Gilbert. - -“Yes; but I should prefer to hear your explanation. I should have more -faith in its truth.” - -“Thank you, sir,” said Gilbert, gratefully. - -“It is hardly a matter to talk about in public. Have you any engagement -this afternoon?” - -“No, sir.” - -“Then come around to my house, and take dinner.” - -“What will Mr. Moore say?” asked Gilbert smiling. - -“We will see to-morrow. Will you come?” - -“With great pleasure, Mr. Sands.” - -Mr. Sands lived in a pleasant house up-town. He had a wife but no -children. His wife greeted Gilbert pleasantly. - -“I have heard my husband speak of you,” she said. - -Before dinner Gilbert got a chance to explain matters to Mr. Sands. - -“I believe you,” said the broker, emphatically. - -“Don’t rely too much upon my word, sir,” said Gilbert. “I want you to be -thoroughly convinced of my innocence.” - -“I am.” - -“Still, sir, I should like to bring a street boy—a boot-black—to confirm -my story. He saw John put the bill into my overcoat pocket, when I was -out on an errand.” - -“That is important testimony. I trust your word implicitly; but it may -be as well to bring him round to the office, in order to confound those -who have got up this wicked plot against you.” - -“He is only a boot-black,” said Gilbert; “but I think he is -trustworthy.” - -“I have reasons with which you are not acquainted for believing him and -you,” said the broker. - -Gilbert looked curious, and Mr. Sands explained. - -“I was present in an oyster-saloon, one evening before I started for -Washington, and overheard Mr. Moore and John expressing their intentions -to get you into trouble during my absence. This was the reason why I -warned you against the book-keeper.” - -“I remember it, sir; but I did not know your reasons.” - -“Now, tell me how you have got along, being suddenly deprived of your -income. John told me he saw you selling papers near City Hall Park one -day.” - -“It is true, sir. I could make something that way, and so I tried it.” - -“I respect you the more for it. Have you kept up this employment till -now?” - -“No, sir. Mr. Vivian has engaged me as tutor for his son, at a salary of -ten dollars per week.” - -“Is it possible? That is remarkable, considering your youth.” - -“It was to help me, sir, I have no doubt.” - -“You must be a good scholar.” - -“Not necessarily; Fred is only just beginning Latin, and it does not -require much learning to teach him.” - -“If your time is so profitably occupied, I suppose I can’t induce you to -come back into my office.” - -“I should be very glad to do so, sir. I only give my evenings to Fred -Vivian.” - -“Then you may come back to-morrow, at a salary of seven dollars a week.” - -“You are very kind, sir. I fear I shall not earn so much.” - -“That is my lookout. Come to-morrow, at quarter-past nine. If I am not -there, say nothing to Mr. Moore about resuming your situation.” - -“All right, sir.” - -After dinner Gilbert went to Mr. Vivian’s, to meet his pupil. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXV. - - GILBERT’S TRIUMPH. - - -Shortly after the office opened on the following day, Simon Moore and -John were disagreeably surprised by the entrance of Gilbert. He had -found his witness, Tom, the boot-black, and requested him to remain -outside, within call. - -“What do you want here?” demanded the book-keeper, frowning. - -“Has Mr. Sands returned?” asked our hero. - -“No, he hasn’t,” replied Moore, with unblushing falsehood. - -“I think you must be mistaken,” said Gilbert, composedly; “for I saw him -getting on a street-car yesterday.” - -“Then if you knew he was at home, why did you ask me?” - -Gilbert did not think it necessary to answer this question. - -“I will stop and speak to him,” he said. - -“No, you won’t,” said Simon Moore, roughly. “I know what you want. You -want to make him believe you are innocent.” - -“You are right, Mr. Moore. I do wish to convince him of my innocence.” - -“I guess you’ve got cheek,” put in John. “Didn’t I find the money that -was lost, in your overcoat pocket?” - -“Yes.” - -“That’s enough, I should say,” said the book-keeper, dexterously -availing himself of this admission. “You are a witness, John, that he -has confessed the theft.” - -“If you twist what I say in that way,” said Gilbert, indignantly, “there -is no use in my saying anything.” - -“That is true enough. There is no use in your saying anything. Now, I’ve -got something more to say. You’ve no business in this office; and the -sooner you clear out the better.” - -“Yes, the sooner you clear out the better,” chimed in John. “You’ve come -here to get away my place; but you’d better give up trying. Mr. Sands is -not such a fool as to believe you.” - -“Are you going?” demanded the book-keeper, menacingly. “John, put him -out.” - -John advanced cautiously towards our hero, who smiled unterrified. - -“Come, go out!—do you hear?” he said. - -“I won’t put you to the trouble of putting me out,” said Gilbert, -good-naturedly. “I’ll step out for the present.” - -“And go away from here,—do you hear? Don’t you hang around the office.” - -Gilbert, however, did not see fit to obey this last order. He waited in -the neighborhood for Mr. Sands to arrive. - -“He means to make trouble, Cousin Simon,” said John, uneasily. - -“He would like to, no doubt,” responded the book-keeper; “but it would -be very strange if Mr. Sands believed him against us.” - -“Well, I hope it’ll all turn out right,” said John; “but he’s got a lot -of cheek—that boy has. I wish you’d had him locked up.” - -“It might have been the best plan; but I think we can carry things -through. Don’t you put in your oar, or you may spoil the whole thing. -Leave it to me.” - -“All right, Cousin Simon.” - -At the corner of Wall and New Streets Gilbert met Mr. Sands, who had -come down-town, in a Broadway stage. - -“I see you are on hand,” said the broker. “Have you been to the office?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“What sort of a reception did you get from Mr. Moore?” - -“He ordered me out.” - -The broker smiled. - -“Perhaps it may be my turn to order out,” he said. “Come back with me.” - -“Thank you, sir.” - -Simon Moore was not over-pleased when he saw Gilbert entering the office -with his employer, but he said nothing. He waited to see how the land -lay. - -“Mr. Moore,” said the broker, “I met Gilbert outside, and have brought -him in to talk over the charge which you bring against him.” - -“He has been here already,” said Moore, coldly, “and I ordered him out.” - -“It appears to me that this is rather summary treatment.” - -“I think I have treated him very indulgently. I might have had him -arrested for theft, but I didn’t want to be too hard upon him.” - -“You seem to take it for granted that he is guilty.” - -“He _must_ be. He will himself admit that the missing bill was found in -his overcoat pocket; ask him, if you like, sir.” - -Mr. Sands turned to Gilbert. - -“It is true,” he said. - -“That is all that need be said,” said the book-keeper, shrugging his -shoulders. - -“It does not necessarily follow that he put the bill in himself,” -remarked Mr. Sands. - -“Who else could have done it?” demanded Moore, triumphantly. - -“I will answer that question,” said Gilbert. “John put the money in my -pocket, in order to get me into a scrape.” - -“Do you hear that, Cousin Simon?” exclaimed John, with virtuous -indignation. “I didn’t think Gilbert could be so wicked as to say such -things.” - -“I expected it,” said Moore, regarding Gilbert maliciously. “A boy that -will steal will lie also. Of course he only says it to screen himself.” - -Gilbert listened to this outbreak very composedly. He knew that his -employer was on his side, and did not think it necessary to contradict -it. - -“Have you any proof of your statement, Gilbert?” asked Mr. Sands. - -“Of course he hasn’t,” said Moore, contemptuously. “It rests upon his -word; and that is worth nothing. Ask him if he saw John put the money in -his pocket.” - -“No, I did not,” answered Gilbert, without waiting for Mr. Sands to put -the question. - -“I thought not,” said Moore, triumphantly. “You only suspected it.” - -“Somebody saw it done,” said Gilbert. “Shall I call him?” - -The question was addressed to Mr. Sands, who nodded his head. - -Gilbert went to the door, and called Tom. - -Tom, the boot-black, shuffled in, with his box strapped to his back. - -“Tom,” said Gilbert, “did you, one day, see John—that boy there—putting -a bill in my coat-pocket?” - -“Yes,” answered Tom, “shure I did; but I thought it was his own, and it -was no harm, till you told me how you’d lost your place.” - -Mr. Sands put two or three questions, which Tom answered in a -straightforward manner. Then he turned to the book-keeper. - -“What do you say to this, Mr. Moore?” he asked. - -“I say that it is all a lie,” returned the book-keeper, angrily. “How -much are you paid for lying?” he demanded, sharply, of the boot-black. - -“Not a cent,” said Tom, indignantly; “and it isn’t a lie either, you -spalpeen! You knew all about it, too. I saw you lookin’ at him when he -did it.” - -“I’d like to thrash you, within an inch of your life, you impudent young -blackguard!” said Simon Moore, furiously. - -“You’d better not try it,” said Tom, boldly. - -“I hope, Mr. Sands,” said Moore, turning to the broker, “that you are -not going to believe this young ragamuffin against me. It is a pretty -state of things, if my word is to be disputed by such as he.” - -“Mr. Moore,” said the broker, gravely, “I regret to say that, in this -instance, I am forced to believe him rather than you. Wait a -moment,”—seeing that Moore was going to interrupt him,—“it is only fair -that I should give you my reason. Possibly you will remember one evening -when, at an oyster-saloon, you and John concerted this very plot against -Gilbert. I was in the next stall, and overheard all you both said. I was -not, therefore, surprised to learn, upon my return, under what -circumstances Gilbert had been discharged.” - -Simon Moore and John looked at each other in silent dismay. Both -remembered well the conversation alluded to. - -“If I am the object of such suspicion,” blustered Moore, at length, “I -don’t think I had better remain in your employ.” - -“I approve your decision,” said the broker, gravely. - -“I will leave at once, if you say so.” - -Just then a young man entered the office. - -“You are at liberty to do so,” said Mr. Sands. “I have already engaged -this gentleman as your successor.” - -“I guess I’ll go, too,” said John. - -“You may. Gilbert, you will resume your old place.” - -It would be difficult to paint the anger and mortification upon the -faces of the two cousins as they left the office. - -“This comes from trying to help you, you young loafer,” said Moore, -savagely, turning upon John. “But for you I should have kept my place.” - -“I’m sure I aint to blame,” said John, whining. - -“You are wholly to blame. I shall thrash you some day.” - -John thought this rather hard, since the plot was of his cousin’s -contriving. I may remark here that months passed before Simon Moore -obtained another situation. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVI. - - MR. BRIGGS RETURNS FROM EUROPE. - - -So Gilbert was reinstated in his old position, at an advanced salary. -His income was now seventeen dollars a week,—an amount which enabled him -to live very comfortably, and even to lay aside a few dollars every -week. Of course, this required the exercise of economy; but Gilbert felt -it to be his duty to be prudent, and prepare for a time when his income -might be less. - -He found the new book-keeper a very different man from Mr. Moore. He was -quite as efficient, and far more agreeable. From the first he regarded -Gilbert with friendly interest, and treated him as a friend. - -For some time Gilbert had seen nothing of Randolph Briggs. The latter -occasionally condescended to wonder how that beggar Greyson was getting -along, but did not feel any very deep anxiety on his account. One day, -however, Randolph ventured down-town, and had the curiosity to enter Mr. -Sands’ office. - -The book-keeper chanced to be out, and Gilbert was in charge. - -Randolph stared in astonishment at our hero. - -“How do you happen to be here?” he asked, abruptly. - -“Why shouldn’t I be here?” returned Gilbert, pleasantly. “This is my -place of business.” - -“But, I say, I thought you were sent off.” - -“So I was.” - -“How did you get back?” - -“Mr. Sands took me back, and discharged the book-keeper.” - -“Whew!” exclaimed Randolph. “He must think a good deal of you.” - -“He believed the charge to be false, and that it was a conspiracy -against me.” - -Randolph did not know what to think. He had predicted that Gilbert would -never get back; and it is not pleasant to be mistaken in one’s -predictions. - -“Do you board at the same place?” he asked, after a while. - -“Yes.” - -“Don’t you find it hard to pay your board?” - -Gilbert smiled. The question was an impertinent one; but he felt amused -rather than offended. - -“I have paid regularly so far,” he said. - -“How did you do when you were out of a place?” - -“I lived on my salary as teacher.” - -Randolph opened wide his eyes in astonishment. - -“What do you mean?” he asked. - -“I teach in the evening,” explained our hero. - -“You don’t say so! Why, you are only a boy!” - -“But I know enough to teach a younger boy.” - -“Who are you teaching?” - -“Fred Vivian.” - -“What, Laura’s brother?” - -“The same.” - -“He don’t come to your room, does he?” - -“No, I go there five evenings in the week.” - -“Do you get much pay?” - -“I don’t think you can expect me to answer that question, Randolph.” - -“Why, aint you willing to tell?” - -“I’ll tell you so much,—that Mr. Vivian pays me more than Mr. Sands.” - -Randolph was silent for a moment. This news was worse than the other. He -had an admiration for Laura, and it was very disagreeable to think that -while he was not on visiting terms at her house, this boy, so much his -social inferior, should be freely admitted to Laura’s presence. Perhaps, -however, he only saw Fred. - -“Does Laura come into the room when you teach her brother?” he asked. - -“Certainly. In fact, I help her a little too.” - -“It’s the strangest thing I ever heard of,” muttered Randolph. - -“What is?” - -“That Mr. Vivian should take a poor office-boy to teach his children.” - -“It is strange, but true,” assented Gilbert, smiling. - -“I didn’t think you were so artful.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“If you hadn’t been artful, you wouldn’t have got so thick with the -Vivians.” - -“I don’t want to get angry with you, Randolph, but I don’t like that -remark. Suppose we change the subject. What do you hear from your -father?” - -“He was in Manchester when we last heard from him.” - -“When do you expect him home?” - -“In a month or six weeks.” - -“You must be glad to have him return.” - -“Oh, I don’t know,” said Randolph. “I’m having a pretty good time.” - -“He don’t seem to have overmuch affection for his father,” thought -Gilbert. And Gilbert was right. Randolph was very selfish; and his chief -regard was for himself. Even his mother, who idolized him, received but -a scant return. One reason why Randolph would be sorry to have his -father return was, that he was now receiving, from his mother, the six -dollars a week which properly should have gone for Gilbert’s board; and -of this he would doubtlessly be deprived when Mr. Briggs came back. - -“Well, I guess I can’t stay any longer,” said Randolph, looking at his -watch. “You haven’t been up to the house lately.” - -“No; my evenings are engaged, you know.” - -“You’d better come up and dine soon.” - -Gilbert was rather surprised at this invitation; but Randolph’s motive -was soon apparent. - -“If you will, I will go round to the Vivians afterwards with you.” - -“Perhaps,” suggested Gilbert, “when I want to be away for an evening, -you will go in my place.” - -“No, I guess not. I don’t think I should like to teach. I’d rather go -with you.” - -“I will think of it. At any rate, I thank you for the invitation.” - -Randolph went home at once. He wanted to tell his mother the news. It -may well be believed that she was not pleased. She would have been glad -to hear that he had been compelled to leave the city. - -“It seems,” said she, sharply, “that Mr. Briggs is not the only fool in -the city.” - -“I wonder what father would say to hear that,” chuckled Randolph. - -“You know what I mean. He was perfectly infatuated with that Greyson -boy; and now it appears that Mr. Vivian is just as much of a dupe.” - -“He’s very artful,” suggested Randolph. - -“That is the very word to use,” said Mrs. Briggs, energetically. “It -does credit to your insight into character.” - -“I always thought he was artful,” said Randolph, much flattered. - -“He never deceived _me_,” said his mother, emphatically. “I felt -instinctively that he was a boy to be shunned. I dare say he would like -to ingratiate himself with your father so far as to induce him to adopt -him, and put him on an equality with you.” - -“By gracious, I hope not,” exclaimed Randolph, alarmed. - -“He shall never do it with my consent,” said Mrs. Briggs, energetically. -“Fortunately you have a mother, who is devoted to you, my son.” - -“Of course you are, mother. You won’t let father pay Gilbert’s board, -after he gets back will you?” - -“Not if I can help it.” - -“And you’ll persuade him to give the extra amount to me?” - -“I will do my best; but your father is sometimes very obstinate.” - -“It takes you to manage him, mother. Just let him know what you think of -Gilbert.” - -“He knows that very well already; but I will do my best for you, -Randolph.” - -Six weeks later Mr. Briggs arrived in New York. Gilbert saw his name in -a list of the passengers by the last Cunard steamer, but decided not to -call upon him immediately. - -“He would think I was applying to have my board paid again,” he said to -himself; “and that is no longer necessary.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVII. - - AN IMPORTANT REVELATION. - - -Gilbert did not lose sight of the little flower-girl whom he had -befriended. Even when his fortunes were at the lowest, he never failed -to buy a bouquet of her daily. More than this he did not feel able to do -then. But as soon as he obtained the position of Fred’s teacher, he -again visited Mr. Talbot in his poor lodgings, and gave him more -substantial assistance. The sick man improved steadily in health and -spirits. It did him great good to feel that he had a friend, though that -friend was only a boy, dependent on his earnings for support. - -On the day after he had heard of Mr. Briggs’ return from Europe, Gilbert -made a hurried call during his dinner-hour. - -“How are you to-day, Mr. Talbot?” he asked. - -“I am better,” said the sick man. “I hope I shall soon be well enough to -go to work again.” - -“I think you will,” said Gilbert, cheerfully. “I must try to see what I -can find for you to do, among my business friends.” - -“Thank you; do you know many business men?” - -“No,” answered Gilbert. “I wonder,” he said, half to himself, “whether -my guardian couldn’t give you work.” - -“Your guardian!” repeated Mr. Talbot, in surprise. - -“Yes,” said Gilbert, smiling; “but you mustn’t think because I have a -guardian that I have any property.” - -“Who is your guardian?” - -“Mr. Richard Briggs, a New York merchant. He only got home from Europe -yesterday.” - -“Richard Briggs!” exclaimed the sick man in evident excitement. - -“Yes; do you know anything of him?” - -“His name is very familiar to me. Tell me, are you the son of James -Greyson, formerly a merchant in the West Indies?” - -It was Gilbert’s turn to be excited. - -“My father died in the West Indies,” he answered; “but I know very -little of him. Did you know him, Mr. Talbot?” - -“I ought to know him. I was his book-keeper up to the time of his -death.” - -“Is it possible?” ejaculated Gilbert. “How glad I am to meet you! I know -nothing of my father except what Mr. Briggs has told me.” - -“One thing I do not understand,” continued the sick man. “You say you -have no property; but this cannot be. Your father left seventy-five -thousand dollars.” - -“Seventy-five thousand dollars! Are you sure, Mr. Talbot?” - -“No one can be surer. I knew all about your father’s business and the -extent of his property.” - -“Was this money entrusted to my guardian?” asked Gilbert, quickly. - -“It was. Your father and Richard Briggs were schoolmates, so I have -heard him say; and he felt sufficient confidence in him to confide you -to his care.” - -It is not a pleasant moment when for the first time we are led to -suspect those in whom we have confided; and important and welcome as the -intelligence otherwise was, Gilbert felt sober at the treachery of Mr. -Briggs. The latter, as we have seen, had been kinder to him than his -wife or son, and Gilbert had felt grateful. Even now he could not rid -himself of a certain feeling of kindness to his guardian, false as he -had been to his trust. - -“I am sorry to hear this,” he said, gravely. - -“Sorry to hear that your father left you a fortune?” - -“I don’t mean that. I am sorry that my guardian has been wicked enough -to attempt to cheat me out of it.” - -“What sort of a man is Mr. Briggs?” - -“At first I was not prepossessed in his favor; but he improved on -acquaintance. When his wife and son spoke against me, he always took my -part. When I was charged with dishonesty, he refused to believe it.” - -“I think it quite possible that he is a naturally kind-hearted man,” -said the sick man; “but human nature is sometimes inconsistent. I think -it may have been in a moment of embarrassment that he appropriated your -fortune. If he has since prospered, it may be possible for you to -recover it.” - -“Are you sure it was as much as seventy-five thousand dollars, Mr. -Talbot?” asked Gilbert, dazzled as he well might be by the magnitude of -the sum. - -“I am sure of it.” - -“Can you prove it, so that Mr. Briggs will be compelled to give it up to -me?” - -“Fortunately I can. I have in my trunk a document, in your father’s own -handwriting, giving a schedule of his property, in which he expressly -says that he makes it over in trust to Richard Briggs, for your use. -Indeed, it must now amount to more than seventy-five thousand dollars; -for only a small part of the income has been expended for you. Probably -a few hundreds of dollars a year are all that have been spent for you.” - -“I don’t see how Mr. Briggs could make such false representations,” said -Gilbert, thoughtfully. - -“‘Money is the root of all evil,’ my young friend. It is an old proverb, -and unfortunately a true one.” - -“I have noticed one thing,” continued our hero. “When I thanked Mr. -Briggs for paying my board, as I supposed, out of his own pocket, he -always seemed uncomfortable and embarrassed.” - -“That shows he is not wholly without shame.” - -“It is about time for me to be going back to the office, Mr. Talbot; but -before I go I want to ask your advice on one point. How soon shall I -speak to Mr. Briggs on this subject?” - -“Whenever you have an opportunity.” - -“Of course, I must refer to you as my informant.” - -“By all means,” said the sick man, promptly. “It will be a great -satisfaction to me if, through my means, you succeed in obtaining your -rights.” - -For the rest of the day and through the evening Gilbert’s mind was -occupied with the important intelligence he had learned. He did not make -a confidant of any one, feeling that it was not yet time. - -Mr. Ingalls, his room-mate, saw that he was thinking busily about -something, but did not make any inquiries. He knew that Gilbert would -let him know when he got ready. Alphonso Jones was not so forbearing. - -“By Jove! Greyson, I believe you are in love,” he said, abruptly. - -“What makes you think so, Mr. Jones?” - -“You’ve been sitting with your eyes fixed on the carpet for five minutes -without speaking a word.” - -“Your opinion about love is worth something, Mr. Jones,” said Gilbert, -smiling. “You know how it is yourself. Didn’t I see you walking with a -fair widow last evening?” - -“Who do you mean?” asked Alphonso, smiling. - -“Mrs. Kinney, of course.” - -“I only happened to meet her going to a concert with Mr. Pond,” -exclaimed Alphonso. “He was called away a moment, and left her in my -care.” - -“He was very imprudent,” said Mr. Ingalls. “You know, Jones, you’re a -regular lady-killer. I really hope you won’t try any of your -fascinations on the widow.” - -Mr. Jones simpered, and was evidently pleased. It was his private -opinion that he was unusually fascinating, and this public -acknowledgment of it was gratifying. - -“You will have your joke, Mr. Ingalls,” he said. “I have a high respect -for Mrs. Kinney; but, really, there is nothing in it, I do assure you.” - -“Time will show,” said Mr. Ingalls, nodding his head in an oracular way. -“But don’t be precipitate, Mr. Jones. Remember the Countess de -Montmorency, who may yet be your bride.” - -“I have no hopes in that quarter,” said Alphonso, who had ascertained -that the count had been reduced by family misfortunes to accept a -position in a barbers shop. “Good-evening, gents.” - -When Alphonso had retired, Gilbert said, “I have something on my mind, -Mr. Ingalls, though not what Mr. Jones supposed. I hope soon to let you -know what it is.” - -“Whenever you are ready, Gilbert. I am not curious; but shall be -interested in anything that concerns you. It isn’t anything unpleasant, -I hope.” - -“It may be greatly to my advantage.” - -“If that is the case, I can wait cheerfully.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVIII. - - GILBERT’S SHIP COMES IN. - - -It may well be supposed that Gilbert wished, as soon as possible, to -question his guardian on a subject having such an important bearing upon -his future career. It occurred to him that it might be well to consult a -lawyer first; but he finally decided not to do so. Personally Mr. Briggs -had treated him kindly, and he did not wish, unless it should prove -absolutely necessary, to assume a position antagonistic to him. - -Gilbert reached his guardian’s house about eight o’clock in the evening. -He had received a note from Fred Vivian, stating that he was going to -the theatre, and would not require a lesson that evening. This gave him -abundant time for the interview. - -Mrs. Briggs and Randolph had gone to make a call, and Gilbert found Mr. -Briggs alone. In dressing-gown and slippers he was conning the evening -paper when Gilbert was announced. - -“Good-evening, Gilbert,” said Mr. Briggs, cordially. “I am glad to see -you.” - -“Thank you, sir,” said Gilbert, gravely. - -“I was feeling a little lonely. Mrs. Briggs and Randolph have gone out -to make a call. How have you got on since I went away?” - -“I am doing well now, sir; but at one time my prospects looked dark.” - -“How is that?” asked Mr. Briggs, surprised. “I thought I left you well -provided for.” - -It was Gilbert’s turn to look surprised. - -“Didn’t Randolph tell you about my losing my situation?” he asked. - -“Not a word. How came you to lose it?” - -Gilbert told the story, already familiar to the reader. He also told -about his regaining it. - -“That must have been disagreeable; and, of course, you felt the loss of -income. But your board was at least provided for. You received money for -that from my office?” - -“No, sir; not a cent.” - -“Why not? I left directions to that effect.” - -Gilbert’s cheek flushed. - -“I called on Mrs. Briggs, to inquire about it,” he said, reluctantly; -“but she chose to treat me as a beggar, and I declined to receive -anything.” - -Mr. Briggs looked annoyed. - -“I am afraid,” he said, desirous of excusing his wife, “that you are too -sensitive, Gilbert. Mrs. Briggs is a little unfortunate in her manner, -and gave you a wrong impression. However, you shall not suffer for it. -Come round to the office to-morrow, and I will give you a sum equal to -what you would have had if I had been at home.” - -“Thank you, sir,” said Gilbert; but still he looked grave. - -“Does not that satisfy you?” asked Mr. Briggs, a little annoyed. - -Gilbert felt that the time had come for his question. - -“I came here to-night, Mr. Briggs,” he commenced, “to ask you a -question.” - -“Ask it, of course,” said the merchant, quite unprepared for what was -coming. - -Gilbert fixed his clear, penetrating eyes on his guardian’s face. - -“My father left you some money in trust for me; did he not, sir?” - -“Certainly. I told you so.” - -“I know it, sir. Will you tell me what it amounted to?” - -“Really,” said Mr. Briggs, uncomfortably, “I can’t tell without looking -over my papers. What makes you ask?” - -“Did it not amount to seventy-five thousand dollars?” demanded Gilbert, -quietly. - -Richard Briggs nearly started from his seat in surprise and dismay. That -was the amount, as he well knew; but how on earth could the boy have -found out? He saw that his ward had obtained some dangerously accurate -information somewhere; and that he was thoroughly in earnest in his -inquiry. - -“Who could have put such a thought into your head?” he asked, slowly and -hesitatingly. - -“I won’t make a secret of it,” said Gilbert. “I have made the -acquaintance of a man who knew my father. He tells me he was his -book-keeper up to the time of his death. He claims to know all about my -father’s affairs, and the amount of property he left.” - -“There is some great mistake,” muttered the merchant. - -“I don’t think there can be. Mr. Talbot has, in his possession, and has -showed to me, an autograph-letter of my father, in which he gives full -details on this subject.” - -“Where is this Talbot?” asked Mr. Briggs, abruptly. - -“He is living in this city.” - -“Where?” - -“You must excuse me, Mr. Briggs. At present I do not wish to tell you.” - -“He may be an impostor.” - -“I have thought of that; but such an imposition could not be carried -out. I think he tells the truth.” - -“Suppose I believe the contrary,—what, then?” - -“You have reason to know whether what he says is correct or not, Mr. -Briggs,” said Gilbert, resolutely. “If you deny it, and assert that he -is an impostor, I will consult a lawyer, and have him cross-examine him -on the subject, and give me his opinion.” - -“You have not spoken to a lawyer yet?” said Mr. Briggs, uneasily. - -“No, sir.” - -“Lawyers are fond of instituting lawsuits. Probably one would report -favorably.” - -“I should want to know his grounds. And I would not consent to a suit, -unless he convinced me there was good ground for it.” - -“Gilbert,” said the merchant, “I feel friendly to you, and I want you to -succeed. Say no more about this affair, and to-morrow I will make over -to you bank-shares amounting to ten thousand dollars. That will give you -a good start in life.” - -“I only want what is my own,” said Gilbert, sturdily. “I want what my -father left me.” - -Mr. Briggs rose, and paced the room in silence. His good and bad angel -were contending for the supremacy. The conflict came to an end, and his -better nature triumphed. He resumed his seat, looking no longer -perplexed or troubled, but as one who had thrown off a burden. - -“Gilbert,” he said, “it is all true. I have tried to be a villain; but I -won’t be one any longer. Your father left you a fortune, and it shall be -restored to you.” - -Gilbert rose, and grasped Mr. Briggs’ hand cordially. Boy as he was, he -comprehended the struggle through which his guardian had passed. - -“Thank you, sir,” he said. “I shall forget all that has passed; and I -ask you to remain my guardian, and take care of my property for me.” - -Man of the world as he was, Mr. Briggs was touched by this proof of -generous confidence. - -“I don’t deserve this, Gilbert; but I will do as you ask. I will, -however, see a lawyer, and make such arrangements that whatever may -happen to me you will be safe.” - -At that moment the bell rang. - -“I think Mrs. Briggs and Randolph have returned,” said the merchant. -“One word, Gilbert, of what has passed between us, let it only be known -that you have received a large legacy, and that I am your guardian in -reality as well as in name.” - -“All right, sir. Perhaps I had better go. Mrs. Briggs don’t like me.” - -Her husband laughed. - -“She will change when she knows you are rich,” he said. “Don’t be -surprised. It is the way of the world.” - -He had scarcely finished when Mrs. Briggs entered, followed by Randolph. -She remarked Gilbert’s presence with displeasure. - -“You here?” she said. - -“Yes, my dear,” said Mr. Briggs, pleasantly. “Gilbert has been keeping -me company.” - -“He came _on business_, I suppose,” sneered the lady. - -“You are right, my dear. What made you guess his errand?” - -“I supposed he wanted help,” said Mrs. Briggs. “He wants his pension -restored, of course.” - -“Is that what you came for, Gilbert?” asked Randolph, uncomfortably. - -Gilbert rather enjoyed the misapprehension of his two enemies, but he -left Mr. Briggs to answer. - -“Really, my dear, you are hardly polite to my young ward.” - -“Your ward! Don’t be ridiculous, Mr. Briggs. You know he hasn’t got a -cent, and has to live on charity.” - -“You are quite mistaken, my dear. Gilbert has just come into a property -of over eighty thousand dollars. And he has asked me to take charge of -it for him.” - -Mrs. Briggs sank into a chair in utter stupefaction, while Randolph -opened his eyes in astonishment. - -“You are jesting!” Mrs. Briggs managed to utter. - -“Not at all. Is what I say correct, Gilbert?” - -“I believe it is, sir.” - -It is singular how Gilbert was transformed all at once in the eyes of -the worldly woman, and her son. Circumstances were changed, and they -must change with them. It was awkward, but it must be done. - -“I congratulate you, Gilbert,” she said, trying to smile. “You are -certainly very fortunate.” - -“I should say he was!” exclaimed Randolph. “I say, Gilbert, come and -live with us, won’t you?” - -“I should really be glad to have my husband’s ward in my family,” said -Mrs. Briggs, as graciously as possible. - -“Thank you,” said Gilbert; “but this has come upon me so suddenly, that -I don’t know what arrangements I shall make.” - -“Who left you this fortune?” asked Mrs. Briggs, curiously. - -“We are not at liberty to go into particulars,” said Mr. Briggs; “but -there is no doubt about it.” - -“If you will excuse me, Mr. Briggs, I will leave you now. I should like -to tell my friends of my good fortune.” - -“Certainly. Come to my counting-room in the morning at ten. Some -arrangements will need to be made.” - -“I will be on hand, sir.” - -“Dine with us to-morrow, Gilbert,” said Mrs. Briggs, graciously. -“Randolph will be so glad of your company.” - -“Thank you.” - -Gilbert thought it due to his guardian to accept. He was wise enough to -take the world as he found it, and return courtesy with courtesy. - -“What has happened, Gilbert?” exclaimed his room-mate, when, half an -hour later, Gilbert broke into the room, his face full of excitement. - -“I am rich, Mr. Ingalls. I have become heir to eighty thousand dollars.” - -“Good gracious!” exclaimed Alphonso Jones, who was present. “I suppose -you will go to live on Fifth Avenue among the swells.” - -“Not at present, Mr. Jones.” - -“I am very glad of your good luck, Gilbert,” said his room-mate, warmly. -“You must tell me all about it by and by.” - -“I wish I had eighty thousand dollars,” said Alphonso. “Wouldn’t I be -high-toned?” - -“Can’t one be high-toned without being rich, Mr. Jones?” asked Gilbert. - -Mr. Jones thought not; but he made one mental reservation. He privately -thought himself high-toned, though he certainly was not rich. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIX. - - CONCLUSION. - - -Nowhere did Gilbert receive heartier congratulations on the change in -his fortunes than from Mr. Vivian and his family. Fred only was -disturbed. - -“I suppose you won’t be willing to teach me any more, now you are rich, -Gilbert,” he said. - -“I don’t think it will make any difference, Fred,” said Gilbert; “but I -must consult your father about my plans.” - -“What are your own views and wishes, Gilbert?” asked the merchant. - -“I want to get a better education,” said Gilbert. “I should like to -carry out my original plan, and go to college. After I graduate I may -devote myself to business; but a good education won’t interfere with -that.” - -“I approve your plan,” said Mr. Vivian. “Of course you will resign your -place at the broker’s.” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Then I shall submit a plan for your future. We all like you, and you -can be of use to Fred. Come and live with us. You can complete your -preparation for college at some first-class school in the city, and -enter next summer, if you like.” - -“I hope you will come, Gilbert,” said Laura. - -It might have been her voice which decided Gilbert to accept. At any -rate, he did accept gratefully; and in less than a week he was installed -at Mr. Vivian’s as a member of the family. - -Mr. Sands was sorry to lose his services, but acknowledged that it was -better for him to give up his place. The day after his retirement he was -sitting in Madison Park, when John, who had once caused him to lose his -place, espied him. John had not yet succeeded in securing a place, nor -had Mr. Moore, the book-keeper. - -“What brings you here at this time in the day?” asked John, in surprise. - -“I am a gentleman of leisure,” answered Gilbert. - -“Have you left Mr. Sands?” asked John, eagerly. - -“Yes.” - -“Been bounced, eh?” asked John, radiantly. - -Gilbert smiled. He understood John’s feelings. - -“No,” he answered. “I left of my own accord.” - -“You haven’t got another place?” - -“No.” - -“Then it’s too thin, your leaving of your own accord.” - -“It does look so, I admit,” said Gilbert, good-humoredly. “But it is -true, nevertheless.” - -“Why did you leave, then? You haven’t had a fortune left you?” - -“You’ve hit it, John. I no longer need my pay. I have become rich, and -shall go on preparing for college.” - -“Is that really so?” - -“It is quite true.” - -“Some folks are lucky,” said John, enviously. “I aint one of that kind. -I wish I could get your old place.” - -“I am afraid Mr. Sands wouldn’t take you back. I wish he would, and that -you would do so well that he would keep you.” - -“That will do to say; but you wouldn’t help me back.” - -“Yes, I would, and will. I will go down to the office now, and ask Mr. -Sands to take you back.” - -“You will, after the mean way I have treated you?” exclaimed John, in -surprise. - -“I don’t bear any malice, John,” said Gilbert. “Here, take my hand, and -look upon me as a friend. If I can’t get you back into my old place, -I’ll try elsewhere. Come, let us take the cars down-town, and I’ll see -what I can do for you.” - -“What a good fellow you are, Gilbert!” said John, much moved. “I am -ashamed of trying to injure you.” - -“You didn’t know me, then. But, John, will you try to give satisfaction, -if you are taken back?” - -“Yes, I will,” said John, earnestly. - -Half an hour later they entered the broker’s office. No boy had been -engaged as yet. Mr. Sands did not at first regard John’s application -with favor; though, as he understood the duties of the place, he could, -if he pleased, do better than a new boy. Finally, the broker agreed to -take him on trial. - -“Remember, John,” he said, “you owe your place to Gilbert’s -intercession. But for that I wouldn’t take you back.” - -“I know it, sir. I hope you won’t be sorry.” - -Here it may be said that John turned over a new leaf, and succeeded in -this last trial in giving satisfaction. His cousin, Simon Moore, called -him mean-spirited for going back; but John felt that he must look out -for his own interests now, and did not regard his objection. - -In his prosperity Gilbert did not forget Mr. Talbot and his little -daughter. While he continued sick our hero allowed him a weekly sum -sufficient to support father and daughter comfortably; and on his -recovery he found him employment, and a more comfortable lodging. Little -Emma was no longer obliged to go into the streets to sell bouquets, but -was put at a good day-school. From time to time Gilbert called upon -them, and was rejoiced to see the improved looks and happier faces of -Emma and her father. - -In the first chapter of this story the reader will recall John Munford, -a school-friend of Gilbert, the son of a carpenter, who, on account of -his father’s poverty, was obliged to leave school, and go to work. -Gilbert, in becoming rich, did not forget his early friend. One day John -received a letter from Gilbert, in which, after speaking of his change -of fortune, he wrote:— - -“Now, John, I have a large income,—much more than I can use,—and I want -to do what good I can with it. I know you want to keep at school, but -cannot, on account of your father’s circumstances. I have a proposal to -make to you. Give up work, and go back to Dr. Burton’s school. I will -allow you three hundred dollars a year till you are ready to go to -college. Then you shall come to Yale, and room with me. I will provide -for you in college. After you graduate, your education will command a -position that will make you independent. Let me know at once if you -accept, or rather write me that you do accept.” - -What could John do, but to accept this generous offer with deep -gratitude to his old school-fellow? Need it be said that Gilbert -fulfilled his promise to the letter. Last year the two friends -graduated, both taking high rank; and John is now principal of a High -School in a Massachusetts town. Gilbert has decided to lead a business -life, and has entered Mr. Vivian’s establishment. He will be junior -partner at the end of three years. He may form another partnership with -a member of Mr. Vivian’s family. I cannot say positively, but I think it -quite probable. - -Mr. Briggs is no longer Gilbert’s guardian. Our hero is of age, and has -assumed the charge of his own property. He is always sure of a cordial -welcome from Mrs. Briggs now, and Randolph cultivates his intimacy; but -Gilbert does not find him congenial. He is inclined to be dissipated, -and, I am afraid, will not turn out well. But his mother upholds him on -all occasions; and her ill-judged indulgence is partly the cause of her -son’s lack of promise. - -Gilbert sometimes visits the old boarding-house. Mr. Ingalls is -prospering. Alphonso Jones now boasts of his intimacy with Gilbert. It -is rumored that he has offered himself to Mrs. Kinney, a young widow, -already mentioned, and been rejected. His heart is not broken, however; -and he is now a suitor for the hand of Miss Brintnall, the strong-minded -school-teacher. She is “high-toned” in one sense, at least, as he will -probably find after marriage. - - * * * * * - -The next volume of this series will be - - WORK AND HOPE; - OR, - BEN BRADFORD’S MOTTO. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - -Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_); text in bold by -“equal” signs (=bold=). - -Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. - -Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved. - -Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved. - -The author was consistent in his spelling of “aint” throughout. - -On page 75 “conderable” was replaced by “considerable”. - -On page 139 an “at” was added to the sentence between “dine” and the -hour. - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Shifting For Himself, by Horatio Alger Jr. - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SHIFTING FOR HIMSELF *** - -***** This file should be named 55598-0.txt or 55598-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/5/9/55598/ - -Produced by David Edwards, Elizabeth Oscanyan and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Shifting For Himself - or Gilbert Greyson's Fortunes - -Author: Horatio Alger Jr. - -Release Date: September 22, 2017 [EBook #55598] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SHIFTING FOR HIMSELF *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Elizabeth Oscanyan and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/frontis.jpg' alt='frontis' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/titlepage.jpg' alt='title page' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <h1 class='c011'><span class='xlarge'>SHIFTING FOR HIMSELF;</span></h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c019'> - <div>OR,</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c020'> - <div><span class='sc'>GILBERT GREYSON’S FORTUNES</span>.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c021'> - <div>BY</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c000'> - <div><span class='sc'>HORATIO ALGER, Jr.</span>,</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c022'> - <div>AUTHOR OF “RAGGED DICK,” “TATTERED TOM,” “LUCK AND PLUCK,”</div> - <div>“BRAVE AND BOLD” SERIES.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c023'> - <div>THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO.,</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c024'> - <div>PHILADELPHIA,</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c025'> - <div>CHICAGO, TORONTO.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c001'>FAMOUS ALGER BOOKS.</h2> -</div> -<hr class='c002' /> -<p class='c003'><b>RAGGED DICK SERIES.</b> <span class='small'>By <span class='sc'>Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> 6 vols. 12mo. Cloth.</span></p> - <ul class='ul_1'> - <li><span class='sc'>Ragged Dick.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Fame and Fortune.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Mark the Match Boy.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Rough and Ready</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Ben the Luggage Boy.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Rufus and Rose.</span> - </li> - </ul> -<p class='c004'><b>TATTERED TOM SERIES.</b> <span class='small'>By <span class='sc'>Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. <span class='sc'>First Series.</span></span></p> - <ul class='ul_1'> - <li><span class='sc'>Tattered Tom.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Phil the Fiddler.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Phil the Fiddler</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Slow and Sure</span> - </li> - </ul> -<p class='c004'><b>TATTERED TOM SERIES.</b> <span class='small'>4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. <span class='sc'>Second Series.</span></span></p> - <ul class='ul_1'> - <li><span class='sc'>Julius.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>The Young Outlaw.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Sam’s Chance.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>The Telegraph Boy.</span> - </li> - </ul> - -<p class='c004'><b>CAMPAIGN SERIES.</b> <span class='small'>By <span class='sc'>Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> 3 vols.</span></p> - <ul class='ul_1'> - <li><span class='sc'>Frank’s Campaign.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Paul Prescott’s Charge.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Charlie Codman’s Cruise.</span> - </li> - </ul> -<p class='c004'><b>LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.</b> <span class='small'>By <span class='sc'>Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. <span class='sc'>First Series.</span></span></p> - <ul class='ul_1'> - <li><span class='sc'>Luck and Pluck.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Strong and Steady.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Strive and Succeed.</span> - </li> - </ul> -<p class='c004'><b>LUCK AND PLUCK SERIES.</b> <span class='small'>4 vols. 12mo. Cloth. <span class='sc'>Second Series.</span></span></p> - <ul class='ul_1'> - <li><span class='sc'>Try and Trust.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Bound to Rise.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Risen from the Ranks.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Herbert Carter’s Legacy.</span> - </li> - </ul> - -<p class='c004'><b>BRAVE AND BOLD SERIES.</b> <span class='small'>By <span class='sc'>Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth.</span></p> - <ul class='ul_1'> - <li><span class='sc'>Brave and Bold.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Jack’s Ward.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Shifting for Himself.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Wait and Hope.</span> - </li> - </ul> - -<p class='c004'><b>PACIFIC SERIES.</b> <span class='small'>By <span class='sc'>Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> 4 vols. 12mo.</span></p> - <ul class='ul_1'> - <li><span class='sc'>The Young Adventurer.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>The Young Miner.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>The Young Explorers.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Ben’s Nugget.</span> - </li> - </ul> -<p class='c004'><b>ATLANTIC SERIES.</b> <span class='small'>By <span class='sc'>Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> 4 vols.</span></p> - <ul class='ul_1'> - <li><span class='sc'>The Young Circus Rider.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Do and Dare.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Hector’s Inheritance.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Helping Himself.</span> - </li> - </ul> - -<p class='c004'><b>WAY TO SUCCESS SERIES.</b> <span class='small'>By <span class='sc'>Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> 4 vols. 12mo. Cloth.</span></p> - <ul class='ul_1'> - <li><span class='sc'>Bob Burton.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>The Store Boy.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Luke Walton.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Struggling Upward.</span> - </li> - </ul> -<p class='c004'><b>NEW WORLD SERIES.</b> <span class='small'>By <span class='sc'>Horatio Alger, Jr.</span> 3 vols. 12mo. Cloth.</span></p> - <ul class='ul_1'> - <li><span class='sc'>Digging for Gold.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>Facing the World.</span> - </li> - <li><span class='sc'>In a New World.</span> - </li> - </ul> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c000'> - <div><i>Other Volumes in Preparation.</i></div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c005' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><span class='small'><span class='sc'>Copyright by A. K. Loring, 1876.</span></span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c006'> - <div><span class='sc'><span class='small'>To</span></span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='large'>JOSEPH T. PRESTON,</span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='xxsmall'>OF NEW YORK,</span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='xsmall'>WHO HONORABLY REPRESENTS THE “ART PRESERVATIVE OF</span></div> - <div><span class='xsmall'>ALL ARTS,” WITHOUT WHOSE AID AUTHORS WOULD</span></div> - <div><span class='xsmall'>WRITE TO LITTLE PURPOSE,</span></div> - <div class='c007'><span class='large'><b>This Volume is Dedicated</b></span></div> - <div class='c008'><span class='xsmall'>WITH FRIENDLY REGARD.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_v'>v</span> - <h2 class='c001'>PREFACE.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>Shifting for Himself</span>” records the experiences -of a boy who, in the course of a -preparation for college, suddenly finds himself -reduced to poverty. He is obliged to -leave his books, and give up his cherished -plans. How cheerfully Gilbert Greyson accepted -the situation, and settled down to regular -work, what obstacles he encountered -and overcame, and what degree of success -he met with in the end, the reader of this -story will learn.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Though it must be admitted that Gilbert -was more fortunate than the majority of -boys in his position, it is claimed that he -displayed qualities which may wisely be imitated -by all boys who are called upon to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_vi'>vi</span>shift for themselves. In the last three years -many thousand American boys have been -compelled, like Gilbert, to give up their -cherished hopes, and exchange school-life for -narrow means and hard work. Nothing is -more uncertain than riches; and such cases -are liable to occur at all times. I shall be -glad if the story of Gilbert Greyson and -his fortunes gives heart or hope to any of -my young readers who are similarly placed. -The loss of wealth often develops a manly -self-reliance, and in such cases it may prove -a blessing in disguise.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='small'><span class='sc'>New York</span>, Oct. 20, 1876.</span></p> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c026'> - <div>SHIFTING FOR HIMSELF;</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c019'> - <div>OR,</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c020'> - <div><span class='sc'>GILBERT GREYSON’S FORTUNES</span>.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c012' /> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER I. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>TWO SCHOOL-FELLOWS.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Dr. Burton’s</span> boarding-school was in a ferment -of hope and expectation. To-morrow was the end -of the term, and vacation, so dear to the heart of -every school-boy, was close at hand.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The school was not a large one. There were -twenty-four boarding pupils, and an equal number -of day-scholars from the village of Westville, in -which the school had been established twenty years -before. It was favorably situated, being only forty -miles from New York. Half the boarding-scholars -were from the city, and half from more distant places. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>Generally two or three pupils were sent to college -each year, and, as the principal was a thorough -scholar, maintained a creditable, often a high rank.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The school-session was over, and the boys separated -into little knots. The day-scholars mostly went home, -carrying their books under their arms.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Among the little knots we must direct particular -attention to two boys, one a boarding-scholar, the -other a day-scholar. The first was Gilbert Greyson, -a handsome, spirited boy of sixteen; the other, John -Munford, of about the same age, and much more -plainly dressed. John was the son of a carpenter, -of limited means, and had already begun to learn -his father’s business. But the father was sensible -of the advantages of education, and had permitted -his son to spend six months of each year at school, -on condition that he would work the balance of the -time. This arrangement seemed fair to John, and -he took care, whether he studied or worked, to do -both in earnest.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How do you feel about vacation, John?” asked -Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>“I was in no hurry to have it come, Gilbert. It -is likely to be a very long vacation to me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How so?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have got through my school-life.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What! Are you not coming back next term?” -asked Gilbert, with evident disappointment, for John -was his most intimate friend.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Neither next term, nor any other term, Gilbert, -I am sorry to say.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you finished your education, then?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So far as school goes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am sorry for that. I shall miss you more than -any one else.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We shall still meet, I hope. I shall be at work; -but there will be times—in the evening—when we -can see each other.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No doubt; but that won’t be like sitting at the -same desk, and studying together. You had better -let me ask your father to send you one more year.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>John shook his head.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, Gilbert, it ought not to be. My father is -poor you know, and it has been a sacrifice to him -<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>to spare me half the year thus far. Now I must go -to work in earnest, and perfect myself in my trade, -that I may relieve him of all expense on my -account.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose you are right, John; but I shall miss -you none the less. Somehow I never could be -reconciled to your becoming a carpenter. You are -not cut out for it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t you think I will make a good one?” asked -John, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am sure you will; but that isn’t the question. -Do you think you are better fitted for that than for -anything else?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, I don’t.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you prefer that trade to any other business?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; but I can’t choose for myself. I should -rather be a teacher, or a lawyer; but there is small -chance for either. For either I should be obliged to -study years, and I can’t afford to do that. A carpenter -I am to be, and I will try to make a good -one. Now, your case is different. You are going -to school next year, I suppose?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>“Yes, I suppose so. That is as my guardian -determines, and no letter has been received from him -yet. I believe Dr. Burton is expecting one to-day -or to-morrow.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You won’t spend the summer here, I suppose, -Gilbert?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am hoping to make a little tour, as I did last -year.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You went to the White Mountains then.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, and had a jolly good time.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where will you go this year?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I want to go to Niagara, stopping on the way at -Saratoga. I have estimated that I can do it for a -hundred dollars,—the same that my last summer’s -trip cost me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It must be splendid to travel,” said John, enthusiastically. -“I mean to see something of the world -some day, though I suspect that I shall be a pretty -old boy before I am able to. I have no guardian to -send me money. I must earn my money before I -spend it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I never earned a dollar in my life,” said Gilbert. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>“I wonder how it would seem if I had to support -myself, and make my own way in the world.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It would seem hard at first. It comes natural to -me; but then I have been differently brought up from -you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I rather envy you, John,” said Gilbert, thoughtfully. -“You are so much more self-reliant, so much -better able to take care of yourself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s the difference in the training, Gilbert. I’ve -no doubt it’s in you; but circumstances have never -brought it out. You expect to go to Yale College -a year hence, don’t you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I expect to; at least that has been Dr. Burton’s -plan; but my guardian has never expressed his opinion. -He has simply given his consent to my pursuing the -course preparatory to entrance. I presume I shall -go, however.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What sort of a man is your guardian?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have never seen much of him. He lives in -the city, you know; but he never seemed to care to -have me in his home much. He is a merchant, and -appears to be wealthy. At any rate, he lives in a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>fine house up-town, and keeps up a good style of -living.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Who appointed him your guardian?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know. I suppose my father.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is your father living?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t know!” exclaimed John, opening his eyes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It seems strange to you; but I cannot give any -explanation. My guardian tells me I shall know -some time; meanwhile I am to ask no questions.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did that satisfy you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; but when I pressed my question I was -silenced. I was told that I must be satisfied with -being so well provided for, without trying to penetrate -into matters that did not concern me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should think it did concern you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So I do think; but there is no use in thinking -about it. It would only perplex me to no purpose.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I can’t put myself in your place at all. To me -it seems so natural to have a father and mother, and -sister. How lonely you must feel!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have never been used to them. And that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>makes a difference. Sometimes, to be sure, I begin -to think over the matter and wish that I had ties like -other boys; but it doesn’t last long. But here we -are at your home.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come in a minute, Gilbert.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know if I ought. I shall be late to -supper, and the doctor wouldn’t like that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Take supper with us.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, take supper with us,” echoed John’s mother, -a pleasant, motherly-looking woman, who heard her -son’s words of invitation as he opened the door.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert hesitated.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The little table spread for tea looked so much more -comfortable and home-like than the long table at -the doctor’s, that he was strongly tempted.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We may not have as nice a supper as the doctor,” -continued Mrs. Munford, “but you may not mind -that for once.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You give the doctor’s table too much credit,” -said Gilbert, smiling. “He doesn’t mean to pamper -any of us, or make us gluttons. I would a great -deal rather take supper here.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>“Then stay, Gilbert.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will,” said Gilbert, in a tone of quick decision. -“If the doctor scolds, why let him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He won’t feel anxious about your not being back, -will he?” asked Mrs. Munford.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; he knows I can take pretty good care of -myself. Besides, it will be a saving to him, all the -more because I have a very good appetite.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>All laughed, for Dr. Burton, though on the whole -a very worthy man, had the reputation of being what -New Englanders call close. It was thought that he -was more economical than he needed to be. At any -rate he had made his school profitable, and was -assessed for a very considerable sum in the list of -village property-holders.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How do you do, Mary?” said Gilbert, offering -his hand to a girl of ten, John’s sister, who just then -entered the room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Pretty well,” said Mary, shyly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t blush so, Mary,” said John, teasing her as -brothers are apt to do.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wasn’t blushing,” said Mary, indignantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>“Just because Gilbert spoke to you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are too bad, John,” said his mother.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How soon will supper be ready, mother?” asked -John.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In half an hour. Why; are you very impatient?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; but I thought there might be time for Gilbert -and me to have a catch in the yard.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ll tell you of a better way of filling up your -time.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What is that?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am almost out of wood. Can’t you saw me up -a little?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am afraid it will be dull to Gilbert to look on,” -said John.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t propose to look on. You shall saw, and I -will split.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t like to set a visitor to work,” said Mrs. -Munford. “I didn’t expect you to work for your -supper.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall enjoy it all the more. Come along, John. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>You’ll see what execution I will make with your -wood-pile.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>As the two boys passed out into the woodshed, Mrs. -Munford said, “I like Gilbert. Though he is rich, -he doesn’t put on any airs, but makes himself at -home even among such plain people as we are.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER II. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>THE GUARDIAN’S LETTER.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>When</span> supper was over, the boys took a walk, -bringing round by the large square house occupied by -Dr. Burton for his boarding-school. They had got -within a few rods when John observed one of the -younger boys running towards them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There’s little Evans,” he said. “He looks as if -he had a message for you, Gilbert.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“From the doctor, I suppose. I’m in for a scolding, -probably.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>By this time Evans had reached them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’re wanted, Greyson,” he said. “Why -weren’t you home to supper?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is the doctor mad?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know. He seems anxious to see you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All right. Then I’ll go in. I must bid you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>good-night, John. Business before pleasure, you -know, or rather business after pleasure.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope the business won’t be serious.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope not. Good-night.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-night, Gilbert.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>There was a small room about twelve feet square, -which was known as Dr. Burton’s study. There was -a desk beside the window, and book-shelves occupying -the sides of the room. Hither it was that refractory -or disobedient pupils were summoned, to receive -admonition from the principal. In his early experience -as teacher he had employed a sterner sort of -discipline, but later he had substituted words for -blows—very wisely, as I think.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert went at once to the doctor’s study.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dr. Burton was a tall, spare man, with strongly -marked features, and on the whole rather a stern face. -He looked toward the door as Gilbert opened it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-evening, sir,” said Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You were absent from supper without notice or -permission, Greyson,” the doctor began.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>“Where were you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I walked home with John Munford, and was -invited to take supper there.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should have had no objection, if you had asked -me. John Munford is one of my most reliable pupils, -both in study and deportment.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert was pleased at this commendation of his -friend.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope you will excuse me for absence without -permission,” he said, apologizing with a good grace.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are excused, Greyson.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Supposing that the interview was over, Gilbert -bowed, and was about to leave the room, but was -stopped by the doctor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Stay,” he said; “I have something more to say -to you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What else have I done?” thought Gilbert, in -surprise.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Sit down,” said the teacher.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert seated himself.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How long have you been here, Greyson?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Six years, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>“In a year more you would be ready for college,” -said the doctor, musing.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why does he say ‘would’? Why not ‘will’?” -thought Greyson.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Am I to go to college?” asked Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thought it probable; but I have just learned -that your guardian has other views for you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you a letter from my guardian?” asked -Gilbert, eagerly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; it only reached me this afternoon. Would -you like to read it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very much, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Here it is,” said Dr. Burton, opening his desk, -and drawing therefrom a letter enclosed in a buff -envelope.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert quickly reached out for it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>This was the material portion of the letter, which -Gilbert read with hurried interest:—</p> - -<p class='c016'>“Circumstances will not permit my ward remaining -with you another year. I may say plainly that, -should he do so, I should be compelled to defray the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>expense out of my own pocket, and consideration for -my own family will not justify me in doing that. I -have never, as you know, promised positively that he -should go to college. It was barely possible that -funds would be forthcoming which would admit of -such a course; but it is now quite certain that there is -no chance of it.</p> - -<p class='c016'>“He has already, as I should judge from your -letters, considerably more than an average education,—more, -indeed, than I had when I began my career,—and -he ought to be satisfied with that. He has -led an easy life hitherto. Now it is time that he did -something for himself. Upon receipt of this letter, -will you, as soon as may be, send him to me in New -York? I will then confer with him as to his future -plans.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>This letter was signed Richard Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert read it with a mixture of feelings. He -was making an unpleasant discovery. Though he -knew little about his own affairs, he had always -cherished the idea that he had considerable property, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>and that his path in life would be smoothed as only -money can smooth it. He was not especially fond of -money, nor did he ever presume on its supposed possession, -but it was certainly comfortable to think that -he was not poor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Now it appeared that he had been all his life under -a mistake. He was not a favored child of fortune -after all, but a poor boy,—as poor, very likely, as his -friend John Munford, from whom he had just parted. -No wonder he looked with some bewilderment in the -doctor’s face when he had completed reading the letter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The doctor, though a stern man, felt for the boy’s -disappointment. He, too, had been under the impression -that Gilbert was at least comfortably provided -for.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, Greyson,” he said, “I suppose this letter -surprises you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir, it does,” answered Gilbert, slowly. “I -always supposed that I had money to depend upon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t like to reflect upon your guardian, but it -seems to me he ought to have apprised you beforehand -of what you had to expect.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>“I wish he had.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you feel very much disappointed?” asked -the doctor, eying his pupil with interest.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Considerably, sir. It is hard to fancy myself a -poor boy, with my own way to make in the world.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It might have been worse. You have, as your -guardian suggests, more than an average education.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thanks to you, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And to your own application,” added the doctor, -gratified by this tribute.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am glad you think so, sir. I hope it will help -me in life.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Undoubtedly it will. Besides, you will have the -influence of your guardian to assist you. He will -probably procure you a good place in some counting-room.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wish he had told me something about myself; -where the money came from which had paid my bills -hitherto.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert looked inquiringly at the doctor, as if to -ask whether he could throw any light upon these -points. But he was destined to be disappointed, for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>the doctor said, “He has not seen fit to take me into -his confidence. I know no more than you do on this -subject. Perhaps, in your approaching interview with -him, he may give you information on the subject.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will ask him, at all events,” said Gilbert. -“When do you think it best that I should leave, Dr. -Burton?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He wishes you to be sent ‘as soon as may be,’” -said the doctor, consulting the letter. “I should -think you had better go to-morrow, or the next -day.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will go to-morrow,” said Gilbert, promptly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Can you get ready so soon?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will pack to-night, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That shall be as you wish. If you would prefer -to wait till another day, you can of course do so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, sir; but I want to see my guardian -as soon as possible. Will you permit me, as the cars -start early to-morrow, to go to-night, and bid good-by -to John Munford?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Under ordinary circumstances Dr. Burton would -have declined this application, but he felt that it was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>only natural, and he gave the required permission -without hesitation.</p> - -<p class='c010'>John Munford was astonished when, on opening the -front door, he saw the school-fellow from whom he -had so recently parted.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What’s the matter, Gilbert?” he asked; “has -anything happened?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes,” answered Gilbert. “Get your hat and -take a walk with me. I’ll tell you on the way.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER III. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>RICHARD BRIGGS.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Gilbert</span> told his story briefly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So you see,” he said in conclusion, “my position -is like yours, after all. I am thrown upon my own -exertions, and must face the world, without the help -of money.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m truly sorry,” said John, in a tone of sympathy.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, John; I knew you would be; but do -you know, I am not sure whether I am so very sorry -myself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But it must be hard for you to give up the -hope of wealth.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I needn’t give up the hope,” said Gilbert, “only -if the hope is to be realized I shall have to make it -for myself. As far as that goes I am no worse off -<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>than you; but there is one advantage you have over -me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are a better scholar than I am.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t mean that. You have a father and -mother and sister to encourage you, while I have -no one.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have a friend, Gilbert; but he can’t help -you much.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I know that, old fellow. You have been my -most intimate friend for the last three years, and -I hope and believe that our friendship is going to -last. But I can’t help feeling alone in the world.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why don’t you ask your guardian about your -father?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I mean to; but I don’t believe he will tell -me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you any idea what views he has for you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not the slightest. I suppose he will provide -me with a place somewhere.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then you are entirely in the dark as to your -prospects?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Entirely so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>“I wish you would write to me, Gilbert, after you -are settled. I shall want to know all about it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will certainly write. In fact, you will be my -only correspondent. You must write me about -yourself, too.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There won’t be much to write. My life will -be uneventful. But you may like to hear news of -the village and the school, that is, after vacation is -over. I’ll write all that I think will interest -you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you. You may be sure I shall want to -hear. And now, John, I must bid you good-night, -and good-by, for I am to start early in the morning, -and have not yet packed my trunk.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-night, then. Take care of yourself, Gilbert.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The same to you, John.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>So the two boys parted, but they saw each other -once more. As Gilbert was about to get into the -cars, John came up hurriedly and gave him a -farewell shake of the hand.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He’s a capital fellow,” thought Gilbert. “I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>hope he’ll have good luck, and that we shall meet -again soon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>An hour and a half brought our hero to the city. -He stepped upon the platform, and getting upon a -horse-car rode down-town to his guardian’s office. He -had a check for his trunk, but did not claim it at -once, not feeling certain what would be his destination.</p> - -<p class='c010'>In a busy street, not five minutes’ walk from Wall -Street, was the office of Richard Briggs. Gilbert -had no trouble in finding it, for he had been there -before. Now, however, he had a new feeling as he -entered the handsomely fitted-up room. He was no -longer the wealthy ward, but as it appeared the -humble dependent of the rich merchant whom he -was to meet. The change was not an agreeable -one, but he had made up his mind that he must -face whatever was disagreeable in his position in a -manly way.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is Mr. Briggs in?” he inquired, of a clerk -who was writing at a desk.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; but I don’t know if he will see you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He sent for me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>“Oh, did he? Well, he’s in there.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The clerk pointed to an inner room, partitioned -off from the main office.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert approached it, and as the door was partially -open entered, and, removing his hat, said, -“Good-morning, Mr. Briggs.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Briggs was a short man, inclined to be corpulent, -with marked features.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He turned as he heard Gilbert’s salutation.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So you received my letter,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dr. Burton did.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I wrote to him. It’s all the same.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thought I had better come up at once, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You did right.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I was rather surprised at what your letter contained. -Dr. Burton let me read it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You fancied yourself rich?” said the merchant, -coldly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir; I had always been led to suppose so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I never told you so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You did not tell me I was poor, and would have -to make my own way.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>“You complain of that, do you?” demanded Mr. -Briggs, frowning.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wish I had known it before.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It wasn’t necessary to tell you. As to that, my -judgment is of course superior to yours. You understand, -do you, that you must now go to work?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am ready, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you improved your time while at school?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dr. Burton could tell you better than I as to -that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He would be more reliable, of course. Still you -must have some idea. Give me your own impressions. -If you misrepresent, I shall find you out.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall not misrepresent, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course not,” said Mr. Briggs, ironically. “I -suppose you were a model scholar.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; I was not; but I think I did pretty well.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What do you know?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I can tell you how far I have been in my -studies. I have been so far in Latin and Greek that -in another year—perhaps less—I should be prepared -for Yale College.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>“You won’t go there. You can’t expect me to -pay your expenses.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t,” said Gilbert, promptly. “I was only -trying to give you an idea of what I knew.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very well. Are you good in arithmetic?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How far have you been?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Through the book.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is well. How do you write?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Shall I give you a specimen of my writing, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes. Here is a pen. Write anything you like. -You may copy the first three lines of this newspaper -article.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert did so.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That will do very well. You don’t write rapidly -enough, but you will in time. I shall get you a -place as soon as possible. Where is your trunk?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“At the depot.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You can have it sent to my house. You will -stay there till I can get you a boarding-place or -make some other arrangement for you. Do you -know where I live?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Give your check to an expressman, and tell him -to bring it round. Stay, here is my son. I will -put you in his charge.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>A boy, about Gilbert’s age, had just entered the -office. He was the counterpart of his father, and no -one could be likely to mistake the relationship. He -glanced at Gilbert, but did not speak.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Randolph, this is Gilbert Greyson,” said his -father.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-morning,” said Randolph, curtly. “Father, -I want five dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What for? It seems to me you are always -wanting money.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Everybody needs money,” said the son, pertly. -“I want to go to a matinée this afternoon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I want you to go with Gilbert; he is going to -stop with us a short time.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He’s old enough to take care of himself,” said -Randolph, unpleasantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I can get along by myself,” said Gilbert, quickly. -“I don’t want to trouble your son.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>There was no great self-denial in this. It did not -seem to our hero that he should particularly enjoy -Randolph’s companionship.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“At any rate you can go with him to the office of -Adams’ Express. He wants to send for his trunk.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Will you give me the five dollars, then?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Here it is. Don’t come again for a week.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All right. Come along, whatever your name -is.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>This last polite invitation was addressed to our -hero, who answered, shortly, “My name is Gilbert -Greyson.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, come along. I’m in a hurry.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>When they had reached the street, Randolph’s -curiosity led him to say, “I thought you were at -school.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So I was; but your father sent for me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He’s your guardian, isn’t he?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So I thought; but he tells me I have no money, -and must work for my living.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, indeed!” said Randolph, superciliously. -“That’s quite a different matter.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>Gilbert didn’t like his tone, but did not want to -quarrel without cause.</p> - -<p class='c010'>They walked on without further conversation.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Presently Randolph said, “There’s the express -office. Now you can look after yourself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He darted off, and Gilbert entered the office, not -sorry to be rid of his uncongenial companion.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER IV.<br /> <br /><span class='small'>GILBERT MAKES A NEW ACQUAINTANCE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Having</span> arranged about his trunk, Gilbert took -one of the University-Place cars at the Astor House, -and rode up-town. Mrs. Briggs might not know of -his coming, and the trunk might be refused.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The house was a four-story brown-stone front, with -English basement, differing in no wise from the thousands -of fashionable mansions to be seen in the upper -part of the city.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert rang the bell.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is Mrs. Briggs at home?” he inquired of the -servant, who answered the bell.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know, sir. I’ll see. Will you send -your name?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert drew out a neat visiting-card bearing his -name. The servant took it, and carried it to her -mistress.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>“Take a seat in the parlor, sir,” she said, on her -return. “Mrs. Briggs will be down directly.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The large parlor was showily furnished, in the -regulation style. There was a chilly splendor about -it that carried with it no idea of comfort or home -feeling. Gilbert’s attention was drawn to a family -portrait near the front windows. There were three -figures,—Mr. Briggs, Randolph, and a lady, who -was probably Mrs. Briggs. She had a high forehead, -a thin face, cold blue eyes, and pinched lips. -Gilbert privately decided that he should not like the -original of that portrait.</p> - -<p class='c010'>While he was examining it Mrs. Briggs entered.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Greyson?” she asked, in a chilly way.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, madam.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I believe I have not met you before. You are -Mr. Briggs’ ward or protégé?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, madam.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thought you were at a boarding-school somewhere -in the country.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So I have been, madam; but the term is at an -end, and Mr. Briggs sent for me to come to the city.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>“Indeed! Have you seen Mr. Briggs this -morning?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, madam. It is by his direction that I have -ordered my trunk brought here.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The lady arched her eyebrows slightly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then you propose to favor us with a visit,” she -said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>There was a slight emphasis on the word favor, -which Gilbert felt to be a sneer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am at Mr. Briggs’ disposal,” he answered. -“He ordered me to come here first. I hope I may -not give you any trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, no; you will excuse my remaining with you—I -have an engagement. I will tell the servants to -receive your trunk, and put it in your room. Our -lunch will be ready at one o’clock.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you,” said Gilbert, hastily; “I think I -shall not be here at lunch. I want to go about the -city.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was eleven o’clock; and he was sure he could -not kill the time in that frigid parlor for two -hours.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>“Very well,” said Mrs. Briggs; “then we shall -see you at dinner. Our dinner-hour is six.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, madam.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you come earlier, you can ask to be shown to -your room.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert thanked her again.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now I must leave you. Good-morning.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Briggs sailed out of the room, and Gilbert, -following her, let himself out into the street.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So that’s what they call a city mansion,” he -said to himself. “I’d ten times rather be in my -room at Dr. Burton’s. I felt as if I was in danger -of stifling in that showy parlor. I hope I am not -going to live there.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert had nowhere to go; but the city was a -novelty, and he wandered about the streets, looking -about him with the keen interest of a country visitor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A short walk brought him to the Fifth Avenue -Hotel. He had heard of it often, but never seen -the interior. Attracted by curiosity he went in. -He took a seat near the door, and idly watched the -people who were continually going out and coming -<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>in. Among the latter he soon saw a familiar face. -Randolph Briggs lounged in, swinging a light cane.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hallo!” he said, noticing Gilbert, “you here!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So it seems,” said Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You aint going to stop here, are you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“For the present, I am staying at your house.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, yes, I forgot. Been up there?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did you see mother?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“For a few minutes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Didn’t she invite you to lunch?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; but I thought I should like to look round -the city a little.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What do you expect to do?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose I must get a place. As I have no -property, I must do something to earn my living.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You don’t expect to stay at our house, do -you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t expect anything. I feel bound to be -guided by your father.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You see it would be awkward to have an office-boy -at our table, meeting our friends.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>“I suppose so,” said Gilbert, his lip curling.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It wouldn’t be proper.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose you know best.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Probably father will find you some cheap boarding-house. -That will be better for you, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s a pity you were not my guardian,” said -Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Because you seem to understand so well what is -best for me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Randolph looked puzzled. Was this penniless boy -chaffing him, or was he in earnest? Randolph’s -vanity led him to think the latter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, of course I do. I’ve lived in the city all -my life. I ought to know what’s what. Do you -play billiards?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; I never learned.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There’s a billiard-room below. I thought we -might have a game.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I never played a game in my life.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then there would be no fun for me. I guess I’ll -go in and get a drink. Are you thirsty?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>“No, thank you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m going to the theatre afterwards—a matinée. -I’ve only got one ticket, but you can buy one at the -door.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you; I would rather walk about the -streets this afternoon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Randolph lounged into the bar-room, ordered his -drink, then lounged out again.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He nodded carelessly to Gilbert as he went out.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“See you by and by,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert bowed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It doesn’t strike me I shall like that boy,” he -said to himself. “I wonder if his father knows -about his drinking.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert amused himself for a little while longer -watching those who entered and departed from the -great hotel. Then he went out into the street, and -proceeded down Broadway. He made slow progress, -for there was much to interest a stranger like himself -in the busy life of the street. At length it -occurred to him that he would go to Central Park, -of which he had heard a great deal. By this time -<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>he had strayed to Sixth Avenue and Fourteenth -Street.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At the same time with Gilbert a young girl of -thirteen entered the car, and, as chance would have -it, she and our hero were seated side by side.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Presently the conductor made his rounds.</p> - -<p class='c010'>First he presented his hand for the young girl’s -fare. She felt in her pocket, but apparently in -vain. Her face flushed, and she looked very much -embarrassed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think I forgot to bring my money,” she murmured. -“I will get out.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“By no means,” said Gilbert, promptly. “Permit -me to pay your fare. For two,” he said, handing a -ten-cent stamp to the conductor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are very kind,” said the young girl, looking -relieved. “I live in Forty-eighth Street, and should -not have liked to walk so far. I am sure I can’t tell -how I happened to forget my money; I am ever so -much obliged to you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, don’t mention it,” said Gilbert, privately -<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>thinking his new acquaintance one of the prettiest -girls he had ever met.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Will you give me your name and residence,” she -asked, “that I may send you the money?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“With pleasure, on condition that you won’t think -of repaying such a trifle,” said Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He drew out a card, added his guardian’s residence, -and passed it to his companion.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“At any rate,” said the young girl, “you must -call, and let mamma thank you for your politeness -to me. This is mine.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She handed Gilbert a petite card, with the name -of</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Laura Vivian</span>,</div> - <div class='line'> <span class='c014'> “No. — West 48th Street.”</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you,” said Gilbert. “I will call with -pleasure, but not to receive thanks.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>After this the two young people continued to converse -with a freedom upon which they would not have -ventured if older and more conventional; and Gilbert -was really sorry when his fair companion arrived at -her street and got out.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER V. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>AT THE DINNER-TABLE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>At</span> five o’clock Gilbert started from the park, -where he had sauntered about for several hours, and -reached the house of Mr. Briggs half an hour or -more before dinner.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Your room is ready,” said the servant, who had -received her instructions. “Shall I show you the -way up?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you please. Has my trunk come?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The dinner-hour is six, I believe.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir. The bell will ring at that time.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert understood that he was expected to remain -in his room till dinner-time. That, however, would -have been his choice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He followed the servant to a small hall-bedroom on -the third floor, where he found his trunk awaiting -<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>him. He opened it, and, taking out his comb and -brush, and a clean collar, made his dinner toilet. A -new life had opened before him, and he could not -help wondering what it would be like. In the midst -of his meditations came the sound of the bell, and he -went downstairs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Briggs was already present.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well,” said he, stiffly, “so you found your way -here?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did you see Mrs. Briggs?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And how have you spent the day?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I spent the afternoon at Central Park.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Was Randolph with you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir. It wasn’t necessary; I found my way -without any trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here Mrs. Briggs entered.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She nodded slightly to Gilbert, and said, in a chilly -way:—</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Take that seat, Mr. Greyson.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>Gilbert seated himself, and Randolph, who entered -directly afterwards, sat down opposite.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You were not with Gilbert to-day, Randolph,” -said his father.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where were you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“At the theatre.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Humph! you go to the theatre too much.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How can you say so, Mr. Briggs?” said the -mother, who, though her heart was cold to all beside, -fairly idolized her son, and as a consequence foolishly -indulged him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This is the second time he has been this week.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The boy is young, and needs recreation.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It seems to me it is all recreation with him, and -no work. When I was a boy, I was lucky if I could -go to a place of amusement once in three months.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You hadn’t got a rich father,” said Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am not made of money,” muttered Mr. Briggs, -“though you seem to think I am.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Really, Mr. Briggs,” said his wife, “it is ridiculous -to expect Randolph to spend as little as you did -<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>when you were a boy. The circumstances are quite -different.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Briggs frowned, but did not answer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What did you do with yourself?” asked Randolph, -turning to Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I went to Central Park. It is a beautiful -place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I never go there,” said Randolph. “You meet -only low persons there.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I saw many driving about in handsome carriages. -Are they low?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course not. I meant only low persons walk -there.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Randolph is right,” said his mother.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Still I think I shall go again,” said Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, it’s different with you. You are a poor boy, -aint you?” said Randolph, bluntly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert colored a little.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I only know what your father has told me,” said -he.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you got any property of Gilbert’s, father?” -asked Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>“This is not the time to ask such questions,” said -his father, looking annoyed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why not? There is no company—no one but -ourselves.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ahem!” said Mr. Briggs, clearing his throat: -“there was a very small property, but it has all been -spent on Gilbert’s education.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Who left him the property?” asked Randolph, -persistently.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert was interested in the answer to this question, -and he looked with eager inquiry at his guardian, -hoping that he would reveal what he had so long -desired to know.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are very curious,” said Mr. Briggs, displeased.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There’s no reason why you shouldn’t tell me; is -there, father?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No,” answered his father, slowly. “The money -was left him by his father, who was an old schoolmate -of mine. He died in the West Indies, and sent -me the money in trust for his son, to provide for him -as long as it lasted. It was exhausted nearly a year -since, but I kept Gilbert at school till now at my own -<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>expense. Now the time has come when he must shift -for himself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Rather hard on you, Gilbert,” said Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am willing to look out for myself,” said Gilbert, -quietly. “My father did all he could for me. -I have a good education, thanks partly to you, Mr. -Briggs, and I ought to be able to make my way.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, you are welcome,” said Mr. Briggs, rather -uncomfortably.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have done more than could have been expected, -Mr. Briggs,” said his wife. “Why did you -not take the boy from school months ago?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wanted him to have a fair education.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It seems to me he was already sufficiently educated -for his sphere in life,” said the lady. “I don’t -believe in educating persons beyond their station.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>There was something in the lady’s remarks which -grated harshly upon the ear of our young hero. -What right had Mrs. Briggs to assume that his station -was inferior to hers? The dislike which he had -already begun to entertain for her was increased. He -found it impossible to like any of the family, but he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>had insight enough to see that in cold selfishness -Mrs. Briggs exceeded her husband and son.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It seems to me,” said Mr. Briggs, in answer to -his wife’s last remark, “that a good education is a -good thing for any one to possess, be he rich or poor.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You wouldn’t advise a boy that was going to be a -mechanic to study Latin or Greek, would you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If he liked it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then I can’t agree with you,” retorted the lady, -sharply; “I consider it simply time and money -thrown away.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you studied Latin and Greek, Gilbert?” -asked Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you gone far in them?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In a year I should have been ready to enter Yale -College.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And after all I suppose you will be a mechanic.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why should I be?” demanded Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have no money.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose there are other kinds of business I can -learn.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>“Perhaps so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Apparently tiring of the subject, Randolph turned -to his mother.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Has any invitation come for me?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Invitation—to what?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hear that Laura Vivian is going to give a -party. I didn’t know but she might invite me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The Vivians do not visit us. I should be glad to -become acquainted. They move in the very first society. -Do you know Laura?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I knew her at dancing-school. I used to dance -with her sometimes. She was a great favorite. All -the boys wanted her for a partner.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is hardly likely she will invite you. I wish -she would.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What is the name of the young lady?” asked -Gilbert, interested.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Laura Vivian. What interest can you feel in -her?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I made the young lady’s acquaintance this afternoon,” -said Gilbert, quietly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Laura Vivian? Impossible.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>“Doesn’t she live in West Forty-eighth Street?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then it is the same one, as you will see by this -card.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here Gilbert produced the card referred to in the -last chapter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How on earth did you get acquainted with her?” -exclaimed Mrs. Briggs. “Who introduced you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I believe I introduced myself,” said Gilbert, smiling. -“I’ll tell you all about it,” and he recounted -the circumstances of his acquaintance.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“She invited you to call?” exclaimed Randolph, -enviously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you mean to go?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall go once, out of politeness.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“She will think you want to be repaid your five -cents,” said Mrs. Briggs, disagreeably.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think she will,” said Gilbert. “At any -rate I will take the risk.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Will you take me with you?” asked Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hardly think it would be proper,” said Gilbert; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>“but if I have a second invitation I may take the -liberty of doing so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gilbert is right,” said Mr. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Randolph was disappointed, and indulged in a -sneer at a penniless boy like Gilbert calling on a -young lady of high social position. But Gilbert -did not choose to notice it.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER VI. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>HOW GILBERT GOT ON.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>When</span> dinner was over, Gilbert found that he was -not going to have the pleasure of Randolph’s companionship.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where are you going, Randolph?” asked his -father, as Randolph was leaving the room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m going out.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Perhaps Gilbert may like to go with you,” suggested -Mr. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ve got an engagement,” said Randolph, shortly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“When was it made?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This afternoon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t let me interfere with Randolph’s engagements,” -said Gilbert, hastily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Won’t you feel lonely?” asked Mr. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, no, sir. I shall take a walk down Broadway. -There will be plenty to take up my attention.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>“Randolph can hardly be expected to give up his -engagement,” said Mrs. Briggs. “I am surprised, -Mr. Briggs, that you should expect it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Briggs muttered something about politeness.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert protested again that he could get along -very well by himself, and the matter dropped.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Presently he went out, and Mrs. Briggs, who had -been waiting her opportunity, commenced an attack -upon her husband.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What are your plans for this boy, Mr. Briggs?” -she asked. “Are you going to support him in idleness?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Certainly not. I shall find him a place as soon -as I can.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What claim has he upon you, I should like to -know?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He has only me to look out for him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What of that?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He was the son of my old schoolmate.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have old schoolmates, too, and some, I suppose, -are in want; but I am not going to adopt their children.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>“This boy was especially recommended to me, and -what property his father left was given in trust to me -for him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, it’s all used up, isn’t it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then your trust is at an end.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What are you driving at, wife?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I want to know whether you expect this boy to -remain in your house.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I see no objection.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I do. You will be pampering him at the expense -of your own son.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Briggs shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I apprehend,” he said, “that our household expenses -will not be increased materially by Gilbert’s -remaining here.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Clothes and board cost something. Besides, he -is not a fit companion for Randolph.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He is a poor boy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He has the education and manners of a young -<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>gentleman. It strikes me that he is quite the equal -of Randolph in these respects.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are always ready to side against your own -boy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t want to spoil him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You seem to prefer this new boy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not at all. Must I be unjust to every other -boy, because I have a son of my own?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You know what I mean well enough.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The point seems to be, that you don’t want Gilbert -in the house.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What shall I do with him?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let him shift for himself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Briggs shook his head.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The world would talk,” said Mr. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let them talk!” said the lady, independently.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It isn’t best to incur the reproach of your fellow-men.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, get him a cheap boarding-house: that’s -more suited to his station in life than a home like -ours.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>“Let him stay here a few days, and I will see -what I can do.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Briggs would have preferred to have Gilbert -leave the next day, but decided to accept the concession -made by her husband. He was placed in a -difficult position, but did not venture to tell his wife -all. The truth was, for I do not mean to make a -mystery of it, he had wronged Gilbert most grievously. -The sum of money placed in his hands in -trust for our hero had been not a small sum, but -seventy-five thousand dollars. Gilbert’s father, trusting -all to the honor of his friend, had exacted no -guaranties of good faith. So far as Mr. Briggs -knew, no living person was aware of the amount of -Gilbert’s inheritance. There was no one, so far as he -knew, to contradict his assertion that it had all been -expended in the education of our hero. Yet it -troubled him. He had made up his mind to wrong -the boy, but he was not so hardened as to do it -without some qualms of conscience. He meant to do -something for him, get him a place, and give him a -home in his own family; but here, as we see, Mrs. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>Briggs had interfered with his plans. He could not -make up his mind to throw Gilbert wholly upon his -own resources, and he was disappointed at his wife’s -opposition. He was not wholly a bad man, but the -temptation of appropriating Gilbert’s money had been -too great, and he had yielded. He had used it in his -business, and a sudden call for it would have very -much embarrassed him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Meanwhile Gilbert set out on his walk. The -crowded city streets, which had interested him in the -daytime, assumed a new charm in the evening. -Walking slowly along, looking in at the brilliantly -lighted windows, he did not feel the need of companionship. -In fact, he was rather glad that Randolph -was not with him, for he had already satisfied -himself that they had very little in common.</p> -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/p062.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='sc'>Gilbert meets Mr. Vivian.</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Half an hour had passed, when all at once he -heard his name called.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-evening, Mr. Greyson,” said a sweet voice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Turning quickly, he recognized Laura Vivian.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-evening, Miss Vivian,” he said, pleased at -the meeting.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>“Papa,” said Laura, “this is Mr. Greyson, who -was so polite to me in the cars.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then for the first time Gilbert noticed that Laura -was accompanied by a pleasant-looking gentleman of -middle age.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am glad to meet you, Mr. Greyson,” said Mr. -Vivian, cordially. “My daughter has told me that -you extricated her from a dilemma.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It isn’t worth mentioning, sir,” said Gilbert. “I -am ashamed to be thanked for such a little thing.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It was a trifle, no doubt, but a mark of kind -attention no less. My daughter and I are out for a -walk. If you have no engagement, will you join -us?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“With great pleasure, sir,” said Gilbert; and he -spoke sincerely.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you live in the city?” asked Mr. Vivian.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have been at a boarding-school hitherto, but I -have now come to the city to live.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do your parents reside here?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert looked sober.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have no parents,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>“Indeed!” said Mr. Vivian, in a voice of sympathy.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Indeed I have no relatives that I am aware of; -Mr. Richard Briggs, a merchant of this city, is my -guardian.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Richard Briggs? I know of him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I ought to say, however,” added Gilbert, who did -not wish to sail under false colors, “that I can hardly -continue to call him my guardian, as he informs me -that my little property has been all expended on my -education, and that I am now penniless, and must -work for my living.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t consider that a misfortune,” said Mr. -Vivian. “It will make a man of you the sooner. -But about this property, do you know how much it -amounted to originally?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hasn’t Mr. Briggs ever rendered an account to -you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir. I have always supposed that I should -be rich until within a week. Then, for the first time, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>I was told that I must withdraw from school, and get -a place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Briggs has not treated you fairly in leaving -you uninformed as to your real position,” said Mr. -Vivian, gravely.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I won’t blame him, but I wish he had told me -earlier.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>By this time they had reached a fashionable confectioner’s.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come in with us, and have an ice-cream,” said -Mr. Vivian.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, sir,” said Gilbert, and the three entered -and sat down at one of the small tables.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At a table near by sat Randolph Briggs. Looking -up by chance, he was astonished to see his father’s -penniless ward in such company.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“By Jove!” he muttered, “that young beggar -has more cheek than any one I know of.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He would have liked to have joined the party, but -even he had not the assurance to force himself upon -them. So he sat watchful and envious, his jealousy -<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>excited by the evident favor with which Gilbert was -regarded.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If Mr. Vivian knew he hadn’t a cent in the -world, he wouldn’t be quite so cordial,” he thought.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But Mr. Vivian did know. The trouble was that -Randolph did not know him, or he would not have -suspected him of such regard for wealth and its -possession.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER VII. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>A SPITEFUL WOMAN.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Randolph</span> lost no time in going home to report -what he had seen. Both his father and mother -were surprised to see him back so soon.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am glad you came home early,” said his mother.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did you see anything of Gilbert while you were -out?” asked his father.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you suppose, Mr. Briggs, that Randolph is -going to follow your beggarly ward?” demanded -Mrs. Briggs, sharply.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He might have met him,” said her husband, in -an apologetic tone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I did meet him,” said Randolph, in so significant -a tone that both his father and mother looked at him -for an explanation.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where do you think I saw him?” continued -Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>“In some low place,” suggested his mother.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not at all. He was eating an ice-cream at -Delmonico’s.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Pretty well for a penniless boy!” said Mrs. -Briggs. “I suppose he expects us to supply him -with money to pay for his extravagant outlays.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, he didn’t pay for it himself. He got Mr. -Vivian to treat him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Vivian!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes: he had picked up Mr. Vivian and Laura -somewhere, and probably suggested going in to take -an ice-cream.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No doubt Mr. Vivian invited him,” said Mr. -Briggs, who did not allow dislike to run away with -his common-sense.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He is certainly the most forward and impudent -boy I ever met,” exclaimed Mrs. Briggs, whose -annoyance arose largely from Gilbert’s succeeding -better with the Vivians than her own son.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Really, my dear,” expostulated her husband, “I -am sure you do the boy injustice.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t call me ‘my dear,’” said Mrs. Briggs, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>scornfully. “I can’t see what has got into you. -You certainly must be wilfully blind if you don’t -see through the artfulness of that boy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What has he done?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He has wormed himself into the intimacy of Mr. -Vivian; that is what he has done.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why shouldn’t he? If Mr. Vivian is inclined -to befriend him, it will be a saving to me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It won’t be for long. Mr. Vivian will find him -out, and cast him off.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know that there is anything in particular -to find out. He seems to me as good as the average -of boys.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, Mr. Briggs, I can only say that you seem -infatuated about him. I beg to say that I am not.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is apparent,” said her husband, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Moreover,” added his wife, provoked, “I wish to -tell you that it is disagreeable to me to have him in -the house. So the sooner you can find a boarding-house -for him the better.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, I will, if you insist upon it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I do insist upon it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>“Then I will try in a day or two to find him a -home.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mark my words, Mr. Briggs: you will find, -sooner or later, that my prejudice against him is -not so foolish as you imagine. That boy will turn -out badly.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope not.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s all very well hoping; but you’ll see.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Randolph now got up to go.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where are you going, Randolph?” asked his -mother.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am going out a while; I can’t say where.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why can’t you be satisfied to stay at home?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, it’s so stupid staying at home,” said Randolph. -“I want to go where there’s something -going on.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It isn’t a very good plan for a boy of your age -to spend his evenings about the street,” said Mr. -Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why shouldn’t he go out?” said Mrs. Briggs, -in the spirit of opposition. “You haven’t anything -to say about your favorite being out.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>“The city is new to him. If he went out every -evening like Randolph, I should think it a bad -plan.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose you would find some excuse for him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Really,” said Mr. Briggs, “I shall be quite as -anxious to get him out of the house as you, if you -keep up such an incessant attack.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you are going to talk to me in this style, I -will retire,” said Mrs. Briggs, stiffly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Suiting the action to the word, she rose and left -the room. Her husband made no opposition. Indeed, -as her temper was, he felt her withdrawal a -relief. He settled himself down to the comfortable -reading of an evening paper, and had about completed -its perusal when the bell rang, and Gilbert entered -the room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, Gilbert, did you have a pleasant time?” -asked his guardian.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir; unexpectedly so. I met Mr. Vivian -and his daughter, and went to Delmonico’s with -them.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You found him an agreeable man, no doubt?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>“Yes, sir; he treated me very kindly for a stranger.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He has a high reputation,” said Mr. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is he in business?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; he is an importer, and is generally considered -very wealthy. He is a prudent, conservative -man, who avoids dangerous risks, and so meets with -few losses.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He has invited me to call next Friday evening -at his house.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You had better go, by all means. His friendship -may be valuable to you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am glad you approve of my going, for I am -sure I shall enjoy it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now, Gilbert,” said Mr. Briggs, clearing his -throat, “as we have a good opportunity, I will say a -few words about my plans for you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wish you would, sir. I am anxious to know -what is to be my path in life.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I propose to get you into some store or counting-room -in the city.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir. That is what I should like.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>“And,” continued Mr. Briggs, rather embarrassed, -“it will probably be necessary for you to obtain a -boarding-place nearer the business part of the city -than you would be here.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should think it would be better,” said Gilbert, -who decidedly preferred a boarding-house to an -establishment presided over by Mrs. Briggs, who, he -clearly saw, was not disposed to be his friend.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We have breakfast too late to admit of your -getting down-town in time,” continued Mr. Briggs, -who seemed to want to justify himself in the eyes of -his ward for the inhospitable proposal.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir, I think it will be every way better,” -said Gilbert, promptly. “What wages do you think -I can get, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why,” said Mr. Briggs, hesitating, “beginners -like you seldom command more than five dollars a -week at first.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert looked serious.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose,” he said, “this will not be enough to -pay all my expenses.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Certainly not,” said his guardian, “but you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>need not feel troubled about that. I will make up -the balance necessary till you are far enough advanced -to be self-supporting.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are very kind, sir,” said Gilbert, gratefully; -“but it appears that I have already cost you considerable.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, that is of no consequence,” said Mr. Briggs, -hurriedly. “I was your father’s friend, and naturally -I feel an interest in your progress.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, sir; but I don’t like to be a continued -burden to you. Do you think it will be long -before I can support myself?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It will certainly be two years—perhaps three.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course I don’t know anything about it, but I -should think my services ought to be worth my board -and clothes before that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We must take things as we find them,” said his -guardian. “There are a dozen applicants for every -place open to a boy, and while this state of things -continues employers will pay low wages. Besides, -it is felt that a boy is paid partly in the knowledge -of business he acquires.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>“I have no doubt you are right, sir; but how do -poor boys manage who have no one to make up the -deficiency?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Some of them have to live on five dollars a -week.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Couldn’t I do it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should not be willing to have you. You have -been brought up as a gentleman, and could not get -along as well as if you had always been poor.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will trust to your judgment, sir; but I shall -want you to keep an account of all you spend for me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Because some day I mean to repay it,” said -Gilbert, proudly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are too particular about this matter,” said -Mr. Briggs, uncomfortably.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir, I don’t think so. I think I am old -enough now to undertake my entire support.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will see about it, then.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>This closed the conversation for the evening. Gilbert -was glad to have spoken to his guardian. -Now he knew better what to look forward to.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER VIII. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>GILBERT GETS A PLACE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>The</span> next morning, about eight o’clock, the family -were gathered about the breakfast-table. Randolph -was ten minutes late. He came in looking sleepy -and cross.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Randolph,” said his father, “what made you so -late last evening?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wasn’t late.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You may not call half-past eleven late; I do.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It wasn’t more than half-past ten when I came -in.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are quite mistaken. I looked at my watch -when I heard you coming upstairs.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It was rather late; but you needn’t make such a -fuss about it, Mr. Briggs,” said his wife. “You have -been out later than that yourself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Whenever I have been late, I had a good reason -<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>for it. Besides, there is some difference in age between -Randolph and myself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“At any rate, you needn’t scold him before a -stranger.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I do not consider Gilbert a stranger. Besides, -what I say is partly meant for him. It is not wise -for any boy of his or Randolph’s age to remain out -till nearly twelve.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope you are almost through; I am getting -tired of the subject.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Thus Mrs. Briggs gave Randolph indirect encouragement, -by taking his part against his father.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Briggs shrugged his shoulders and was silent. -Gilbert felt rather uncomfortable.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Will you have some more coffee?” asked Mrs. -Briggs, in an icy tone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, thank you,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You may go down-town with me, Gilbert,” said -Mr. Briggs. “I will introduce you to a gentleman -who will possibly give you a place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>“I hope, Mr. Briggs, you will bear in mind what -I said last night,” said his wife.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She referred to his getting a boarding-place for -Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have not forgotten it,” he answered.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert and his guardian took a University Place -car, and they rode down-town together.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Briggs obtained a seat, but Gilbert was compelled -to stand, on account of the crowded state of the -car.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Seated beside Mr. Briggs was a business man of -about his own age.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-morning, Mr. Sands,” he said, for it was an -acquaintance.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-morning, Mr. Briggs. Is this young man -your son?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, he is under my charge, however. I have a -son of about his age.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is he at school?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He has been till recently. I am looking for a -place for him at present. It is time he commenced -his business education.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>“Indeed,” said the gentleman, thoughtfully. -“Are you thinking of any business in particular?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No. I shall accept any good opening for him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The fact is,” said Sands, “I am looking for a boy -to enter my own office. I was compelled yesterday to -dismiss one who had been with me for six months, on -account of dishonesty. I found he appropriated -revenue-stamps, and sold them. I don’t know how -long this has been going on, but probably I have been -a considerable loser.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think you will have any such difficulty -with Gilbert, if you are inclined to take him,” said -Mr. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I like his appearance, and will take him at once, -if you say so. I have been in the habit of paying five -dollars a week.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is as much as I expected him to earn for the -present. Gilbert, this gentleman is willing to give -you a place in his office.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert had already formed a favorable opinion of -Mr. Sands and he answered promptly, “I am very -<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>much obliged to him, and shall be glad to be in his -employ.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Sands looked pleased.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“May I ask what is your business, sir?” continued -Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am a broker; my office is at No. — Wall -Street.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am afraid you will find me very ignorant of -business,” said Gilbert; “but I hope to learn rapidly.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There is nothing that will puzzle you at first. If -you remain any length of time, there will be something -to learn.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have assured Mr. Sands,” said Mr. Briggs, -“that he can rely upon your honesty. His last boy -was discharged for lack of that very necessary -quality.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think he will be disappointed in me, so -far as that goes,” said Gilbert, proudly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think I shall,” said the broker, upon -whom Gilbert’s modest but manly bearing had produced -a very favorable impression. “When shall -you be ready to go to work?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>“At any time, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Does that mean to-day?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will stipulate, however,” said Mr. Briggs, -“that Gilbert may be released at four o’clock. I -want to select a boarding-place for him, and that will -give me time.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, certainly,” said the broker. “I can let him -go earlier if you desire it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, it will not be necessary; I shall not myself -be at leisure till that hour. You know my place of -business, Gilbert, do you not?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir; I have been there already, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I remember. Very well, go with Mr. Sands to -his office, and come to me at four this afternoon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very well, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It seemed rather strange to Gilbert to find himself -already in a situation. The transition from life at -school had been very sudden. On the whole he was -not sorry for it. It kindled his ambition to think -that he was going to make himself useful; that he -was to have a part in the busy scene around him. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>He only regretted that for some time to come he -could not hope to earn his living entirely; that for -two or three years, perhaps, he was to be a source of -expense to his guardian.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will be as economical as I can,” he thought. -“I will cost him as little as possible, and when I am -older I will pay back every cent I owe him, if I am -lucky enough to have the means.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Had Gilbert only known it, it was Mr. Briggs who -was heavily in his debt, and the small sum which -would be allowed him to help defray his expenses was -already his own. It was just as well that he did not -know it. It was better that he should feel entirely -dependent upon his own exertions for support. To an -active and ambitious boy it is a stimulus and an incentive -to effort.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What is your whole name, Gilbert?” asked Mr. -Sands, pleasantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gilbert Greyson, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have been at school until recently, Mr. -Briggs tells me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>“In the city?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir; I was at Dr. Burton’s classical school, -in the town of Westville.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have heard of it. Did you pursue a classical -course?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then you know something of Latin and Greek?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir. In a year I should have been ready for -Yale College.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then you already have more than an average -education.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hoped to have a better, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You need not stop learning because you left -school. It happens that I, myself, pursued a course -similar to yours, and left my studies for business when -nearly ready for college.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Indeed, sir?” said Gilbert, interested.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But I still keep up my Latin a little. Greek I -have pretty much forgotten.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>By this time they had reached the office of Mr. -Sands. It was not large, but was neat and well -furnished. A clerk was at a desk, engaged in writing. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>There was, besides, in waiting a boy of about -Gilbert’s age, who apparently wished to speak to Mr. -Sands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You here, John?” demanded Mr. Sands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir,” whined the boy. “Won’t you take -me back, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The broker shook his head.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, I cannot,” he said. “You have deceived -me, and I cannot trust you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I won’t do it again, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I could not take you back now if I would,” said -the broker. “I have engaged this boy in your -place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>John scowled at Gilbert with a sense of personal -injury, and left the office.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER IX. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>THE FIRST DAY IN BUSINESS.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>During</span> the day Gilbert learned the way to the -Stock Exchange, to the bank where his employer -kept an account, and to the Post Office. He was also -sent on various errands to offices of other brokers and -business men. Indeed, he was kept so busy that he -found the day pass very rapidly. He made up his -mind that he should like Mr. Sands, whose manner -towards him was marked with kindness and consideration.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was not so, however, with the clerk who has -already been mentioned. He was disposed to regard -Gilbert as an unwelcome intruder into the office. -His prejudice will be understood when the reader -learns that he was a cousin of the boy who had been -discharged. He had interceded to have John reinstated -<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>in his place; but Mr. Sands had been inexorable.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should like to oblige you, Mr. Moore,” said he, -“but I cannot take back your cousin. I must have a -boy in whom I can feel a reasonable degree of confidence.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“John has reformed, sir. He will be strictly -honest hereafter.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope he will, for his own sake; but it is best for -him to find some place where there will be fewer -opportunities to steal.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The clerk saw that it would be of no use to pursue -the subject further, and was silent. But he made up -his mind to dislike any boy that might come in his -cousin’s place.</p> - -<p class='c010'>In his employer’s presence he did not venture to -manifest his feelings, but when Gilbert came back -from an errand later in the day, Mr. Sands being -absent at the Board, he said irritably, “What made -you so long?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So long?” repeated Gilbert, in surprise. “I -lost no time, Mr. Moore. I went directly to the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>office where I was sent, and as soon as my business -was attended to I came directly back.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, no doubt!” sneered Moore. “You didn’t -stop to play on the way, <i>of course</i>.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, I didn’t,” said Gilbert, indignantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then you stopped to hear a hand-organ, or something -of the kind,” persisted Moore, in a disagreeable -manner.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are quite mistaken, Mr. Moore. You probably -know where the office is, and must be aware that -I had no time for any such delay.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, you are a model boy, I have no doubt!” -sneered the clerk.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have great doubts on the subject myself,” said -Gilbert, good-naturedly. “I never had that reputation.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did you ever do anything wrong?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No doubt I have.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thought perhaps you were intending to pass -yourself off as an angel.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t believe there are many angels in Wall -Street,” said Gilbert, in the same tone of good-humor.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>“No more of your impudence!” said Moore, snappishly, -feeling that Gilbert had the better of him in -this little passage of words.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What have I said that is impudent?” asked -Gilbert, in astonishment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No matter. Go to your work.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What a disagreeable fellow!” thought our hero. -“I don’t think I shall enjoy having him over me. -He seems determined to find fault.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Go over to Smith & Dixon’s, and ask them for a -Union Pacific First, on our account—stay; here’s an -order.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All right, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And don’t be gone all day.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall be back as soon as I can,” said Gilbert, -coldly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mind you do!” said Moore, in an aggravating -manner.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was a comfort to Gilbert that Mr. Moore did not -venture to treat him in this way while Mr. Sands was -in the office. Then, if he had occasion to speak, it -was in a proper tone. But for two or three hours -<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>during the day the broker was absent at the Stock -Exchange, and during this period the clerk saw fit -to treat him with rudeness. This treatment, which -commenced on the first day, was continued. Gilbert -made little effort to conciliate Simon Moore (this -was the clerk’s full name), for he saw in advance that -he would have small chance of succeeding. He was -convinced of it when he discovered the relationship -between Moore and his predecessor, and learned, -moreover, that the clerk was a boarder in his cousin’s -family.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall have to be very careful,” thought Gilbert, -“or Mr. Moore will get me into trouble of some kind. -He wants to get rid of me, for some reason or other.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert came to the only sensible determination: -to do his duty as well and faithfully as he knew how, -and trust to Providence for the issue. He decided -not to trouble himself too much about the clerk’s -enmity, since he knew that he had done nothing to -deserve it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At a little before four Gilbert left the office, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>sought the counting-room of Mr. Briggs. He found -that gentleman ready to go up-town.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, Gilbert,” he said, “how do you like your -first day in business?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very well, sir. I think I shall get on.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then you don’t find your duties hard?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir; they are pleasant and easy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You will find Mr. Sands very considerate and -kind, I am sure.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I like him already, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is well,” said Mr. Briggs, in a tone of -satisfaction. “The next thing is to find you a boarding-place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir. I shall be very glad to get settled.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There will be little difficulty about that. If we -start immediately, I can select a place for you this -afternoon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>They took the street-cars at the Astor House.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have been thinking, Gilbert,” said his guardian, -“that Waverly Place or Clinton Place will be a good -location for you. It is not so far but that on pleasant -days you can walk to your place of business. This -<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>will save car-fare, which, though a small matter, is -yet to be considered where your income is so small.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How far is it, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“About two miles from Wall Street.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shan’t mind that. When at school I used to -walk ten miles sometimes, on holidays.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mind, Gilbert, I only recommend it. I will see -that you have money enough to get along comfortably, -even if you choose to ride constantly.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall enjoy the walk when it is pleasant.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Clinton Place is the western portion of Eighth -Street,” said Mr. Briggs. “East Eighth Street is -known as St. Mark’s Place. There are numerous -boarding-houses there also, but I think you will like -Clinton Place better. I suppose you are not very -familiar with the streets yet?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir; but I shall get accustomed to them as -soon as possible. I found, this morning, that it is -a useful thing to know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>About twenty minutes’ ride brought the car to -Clinton Place.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We will get out here,” said Mr. Briggs. “As -<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>we pass through the street,” he said, “we shall probably -notice papers pasted on some of the houses, -indicating that boarders or lodgers will be received. -At some of these houses we will inquire.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was as Mr. Briggs had said. They had scarcely -began their walk towards Broadway, when they saw -such a paper on a neat-looking brick house.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let us inquire here, Gilbert,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He went up the steps, and rang the bell. On a -servant appearing, he announced his business. This -brought about an interview with the landlady.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you wish a room for two?” she asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; only for this boy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We have a hall bedroom on the third floor, and -an attic room,” said the landlady.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We will look at the hall bedroom.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was a small room, about seven feet by nine, and -the furniture was very common.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You can’t expect anything very luxurious, -Gilbert,” said Mr. Briggs. “Shall you be contented -with this room?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir,” answered Gilbert, promptly.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>“What is your price, madam?” asked Mr. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“With board, six dollars a week.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think we will try it,” he said. “Will you stay -here to-night, or come to-morrow, Gilbert?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert thought of Mrs. Briggs, and answered, “I -will begin now. I suppose I shall need to send for -my trunk.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will send it by an expressman—to-night, if -possible.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In the case of strangers,” said the landlady, hesitating, -“we expect something in advance.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will pay you a week in advance,” said Mr. -Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He drew six dollars from his pocket-book, and -handed it to the smiling landlady.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course, sir,” she said apologetically, “it -isn’t necessary with a gentleman like you, but it is -our custom.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Quite right, madam. I may as well tell you that -I will be responsible for this boy’s board. Here is -my card.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>Mr. Briggs was a well-known business man, and -his name was familiar to the landlady.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am glad to have a friend of yours in my house,” -she said. “I hope the young gentleman will find -everything satisfactory.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think he will be hard to please. Good-evening, -madam. Good-night, Gilbert. You must -call and see us often.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Briggs withdrew, and Gilbert sat down on the -bed and tried to realize his new position. Less than -a week had elapsed since he left school. Now he had -entered on a business career in New York. It made -him feel years older, but he did not shrink from his -new responsibilities. He rather liked them.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER X. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>THE NEW BOARDING-HOUSE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Not</span> long after Gilbert took possession of his room, -the bell rang for dinner. As at most New York -boarding-houses, the last meal of the day was dinner, -not supper. Gilbert heard an adjoining door open, -and, leaving his own room, followed the occupants -down to the dining-room, which proved to be in the -front basement.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The room was deep, and allowed of a long table, -large enough for the accommodation of sixteen -boarders. Mrs. White, the landlady, did not herself -sit down to the table, but superintended the -servants, who acted as waiters.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where shall I sit, Mrs. White?” asked Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You may sit here, between Mr. Ingalls and Miss -Brintnall.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>Neither of these persons had appeared, but Gilbert -took the seat pointed out.</p> - -<p class='c010'>One by one the boarders entered, until the table -was full. Gilbert looked about him with considerable -curiosity. Mr. Ingalls proved to be a young man -of twenty-five, who was employed in a wholesale -stationery store in William Street. Miss Brintnall -was an elderly-looking young lady, who was engaged -as teacher in one of the public schools of the city. -Her face was of a masculine type, and Gilbert was -not surprised to hear that she was a strong advocate -of woman’s rights.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Just opposite were seated Mr. and Mrs. Theophilus -Bower. He was clerk in a dry goods house, and had -been but three months married. He was an inoffensive -young man, with hair parted in the middle, who -appeared to be very fond of his young wife, who wore -long ringlets, and seemed quite a fitting match for -her husband. Gilbert was rather amused by the -manner in which they addressed each other.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Theophilus, my love, may I pass you the salt?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, my dear.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>Occasionally, that is, as often as opportunity -offered, they would press each other’s hands under the -table, the pressure being accompanied by a languishing -look, which nearly upset the gravity of Mr. Ingalls, -who, in his endeavors to suppress his merriment, -once came so near choking that he had to leave the -table.</p> - -<p class='c010'>On the other side of Mr. Ingalls sat an actor at -one of the city theatres, with his wife. He seldom -engaged in general conversation, but spoke in low -tones to his wife. Whether this sprang from natural -reserve, or from his mind being preoccupied with his -business, opinion was divided; but the natural consequence -was that he was unpopular.</p> - -<p class='c010'>There were several other boarders, who will be -referred to in due time. Among them may be mentioned -Alphonso Jones, a man of thirty, whose seedy -attire would seem to indicate limited means, but who -lost no opportunity of boasting of his aristocratic -connections, and his intimacy with the best society.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Ingalls was the first to notice his young neighbor. -Mrs. White had introduced Gilbert to his right -<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>and left hand neighbor, but left him to make acquaintance -with the rest as he could.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you been long in the city, Mr. Greyson?” -he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No,” said Gilbert, “but a few days.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose you are on business?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am in a broker’s office on Wall Street.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And I am in a wholesale stationery store not far -from Wall Street. If you have no better company, -we might go down-town together in the morning.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, I should like company.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is, if you walk; I never ride except on -stormy days.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nor shall I. It’s only two miles, I believe.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Scarcely that; some think two miles a long walk. -My brother from Boston, who was here for a while, -complained a good deal of the long distances in New -York. In Boston business men have much less -distance to travel.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I never was in Boston,” said Gilbert. “Is it a -pleasant city?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is the ‘Hub of the Universe,’ you know; so -<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>Dr. Holmes calls it, at any rate. Yes, it is a pleasant -city, but small, of course, compared with New York. -How did you happen to come to this boarding-house?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I saw a notice outside that boarders would be -taken.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope you will like it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope so. I am not very difficult to suit.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have not been long in your place of business, -I suppose.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; I went there only to-day. I have always -been at school till now.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Out of the city?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, at Dr. Burton’s Boarding School, at Westville.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have heard of it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then, lowering his voice, he said, “I see, Mr. -Greyson, you are looking at the happy couple opposite.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They seem very happy,” said Gilbert, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, yes, they are wrapt up in each other. However, -that is better than to quarrel all the time. Do -<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>you see that tall, thin man at the end of the table, -and the lady at his side?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There isn’t much love-making between them. -They have a room adjoining mine, and I have the -privilege of listening to some of their disputes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Who are they?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Major McDonald and his wife. He is Scotch, I -believe. They married each other for their money, -I hear, and then discovered that neither had any to -speak of.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The conversation was interrupted by Miss Brintnall, -who was expressing her views on woman’s -rights.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In my opinion,” she said, “man is a cruel and -despotic tyrant. He monopolizes the good things of -this life, and only throws an occasional crumb to poor, -ill-used women. Women, for the same work, are paid -less than half as much as men. Take myself, for -example. I work just as hard as the principal of my -school, yet he gets three dollars to my one. Now, I -want to know where is the justice of that?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>“Perhaps,” suggested Mr. Bower, “he has a wife -and children to support. You haven’t, you know, -Miss Brintnall. Of course, you couldn’t, you know,” -he added, with a simper.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I might have a husband and children to support, -I suppose,” said Miss Brintnall, severely.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If that is the case, Miss Brintnall,” said Mr. -Ingalls, humorously, “you ought to let us know, that -we may not cherish vain hopes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Brintnall smiled; she generally did smile on -Mr. Ingalls, who was a favorite of hers. Indeed, it -was generally thought at the table that she would -have had no objection to becoming Mrs. Ingalls, -though the young man certainly had never given her -any encouragement, save by such jocular remarks as -the foregoing.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You will have your joke, Mr. Ingalls,” she said -good-humoredly; “but to return to my argument. Is -there any one present that can deny the correctness of -my statement, that man is a tyrant?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I can,” said little Mrs. Bower, indignantly. -“My Theophilus isn’t a tyrant, are you, dear?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>“I hope not, my love,” he answered, pressing her -hand under the table.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Ingalls came near swallowing a piece of meat -the wrong way, and Miss Brintnall sniffed contemptuously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There may be exceptions,” she said, “but they -only prove the rule; even in your own case, Mrs. -Bower, you may change your mind some years -hence.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I never shall, I am sure. Shall I, Theophilus, -dear?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, my love.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here Mr. Ingalls squeezed Gilbert’s hand under -the table, with a comic look, which proved very trying -to our hero’s gravity.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Brintnall received unexpected help from Mrs. -McDonald.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I agree with you entirely, Miss Brintnall,” said -that lady, “and I don’t believe there are any exceptions. -Men always try to domineer over women.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My experience is the other way,” said the major.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>“Of course, I expected to hear you say so,” said -the lady, tossing her head.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Men are very forbearing, in my opinion,” proceeded -the major.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And very unselfish, I suppose,” sneered his wife.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s where you hit the nail on the head, -ma’am.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think,” said Alphonso Jones, “it depends very -much on social rank. I have the privilege of being -intimately acquainted with some of our very highest -families, and I can assure you that they are very -harmonious. Among the lower orders, no doubt, -men often act like brutes; but it is from lack of -refinement. My friends, the Tiptops, who have their -villa at Newport, never exchange a rude word. I -think you are too sweeping in your remarks, Miss -Brintnall.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have not the honor of knowing your grand -friends, Mr. Jones,” said Miss Brintnall, sarcastically; -“but I contend that human nature is everywhere -the same. Money and rank don’t change it. I think -<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>it very likely that some of your Fifth Avenue -grandees beat their wives.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“O Miss Brintnall!” exclaimed Mr. Bower and -Mr. Jones in chorus.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I do believe it. I won’t take a word back.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t believe your husband will ever beat you, -Miss Brintnall,” said Mr. Ingalls, slyly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think not,” said the teacher, decidedly. “I -should allow him all the rights which he could fairly -claim, but I would not let him infringe upon mine.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wouldn’t marry her for a million dollars,” -whispered Mr. Bower to his wife.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Isn’t she horrid?” was the shuddering reply.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here some one started a new topic of conversation, -and Miss Brintnall subsided.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XI. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>A NEW ARRANGEMENT.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>About</span> nine o’clock that evening Gilbert’s trunk -arrived. He received it with satisfaction, and unpacked -it at once, putting a part of his clothing into -the drawers of a small bureau, which, with the bedstead -and one chair, took up about all the space in his -contracted chamber.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Ingalls stepped in as he was unpacking.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You haven’t got much extra room,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, I wish my room was larger,” said Gilbert; -“but it is as large as I can afford.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My room is at least twice as large, but by sharing -it with another I pay no more than you do.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are in luck; that is, if your room-mate is -agreeable.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We get along very well, but I expect to lose him -<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>in a week. He is to leave the city. If you would -like to take his place, I shall be glad to have you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Will it increase my board?” asked Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How much do you pay now?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Six dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; you would pay the same as my room-mate.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then I will accept your offer with thanks.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope you won’t have cause to repent it,” said -Mr. Ingalls. “If you do at any time I will let -you off.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you should marry Miss Brintnall,” suggested -Gilbert, with a smile, “you will have to give me -warning.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No Miss Brintnall for me!” said Ingalls. “I -don’t want to be a henpecked husband, or marry one -who would insist on wearing the breeches.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The lady seems partial to you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“She is not only partial, but martial,” said the -young man, who was apt to indulge in poor jokes; “I -would as soon marry an Amazon. When you get -through unpacking, come to my room; you may like -to see it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>“I have unpacked as much as I intend to to-night. -I will go with you now.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Ingalls’ room was square in shape, and of very -good dimensions; it was better furnished also than -Gilbert’s. It contained two single beds, side by side, -a good closet, a sofa, a bureau, rocking-chair, and -several ordinary chairs. Several fair engravings -adorned the walls, and Gilbert felt that it would be -decidedly pleasanter for him to share such a room as -this with a pleasant companion, than to reign sole -master of a hall bedroom.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How do you like it?” asked Mr. Ingalls.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very much better than mine. I shall be glad to -change.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then we will consider the arrangement decided -upon. Can I offer you a cigarette?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, thank you; I never smoke.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is where you are sensible; I only indulge -myself occasionally.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>They sat for half an hour and chatted. Gilbert -was favorably impressed by his new friend, who, -though ten years older than himself, proved a congenial -<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>companion. At ten o’clock he bade him good-night, -and went to bed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>His bed was not particularly soft or luxurious, but -he slept soundly, and awoke in the morning refreshed. -He took an early breakfast, and walked down-town -with Mr. Ingalls.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When Mr. Moore, the book-keeper, arrived, Gilbert -was already at work.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A new broom sweeps clean,” sneered Moore, in -an unpleasant tone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you mean me?” asked Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; you are trying to make Mr. Sands think -you a model.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope he won’t think that, for he will find out his -mistake.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He <i>will</i> find out his mistake,” said Moore; “I -predict that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I intend to do my work faithfully,” said Gilbert; -“there will be no mistake about that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ve heard boys talk that way before. They -don’t deceive me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>Just then Mr. Sands entered. He greeted Gilbert -pleasantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So you are on hand in good season. I like to -see that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall try not to be late, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where do you board?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In Waverly Place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is convenient as regards distance. You may -go to the Post Office for letters.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>As Gilbert started for the Post Office, a boy about -his own age came up and joined him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Are you Mr. Sands’ new boy?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes,” answered Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’ve got my place, then. I used to be there.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did you? I am sorry to have interfered with -you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You won’t like it. He is very hard to get along -with.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He doesn’t look like it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He discharged me for just nothing at all. That’s -what my cousin, the book-keeper, says.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is Mr. Moore your cousin?” asked Gilbert, who -<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>began now to understand the cause of his own unpopularity -with that official.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; he lives at our house.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert said nothing, judging that it would be -repeated.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope you will get another place,” he said, -politely.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t want another place. I want to be where -my cousin is.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert felt rather awkward.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is natural,” he said; “I am sorry you are -disappointed, but, of course, I am glad to get a place. -I have to shift for myself, and it is necessary I should -be earning money.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You won’t stay long; old Sands will discharge -you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope not. If I do my duty faithfully, I don’t -see why he should.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That won’t make any difference. Didn’t I discharge -my duty faithfully?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert did not know, and expressed no opinion. -Moreover, he thought he would not inquire, preferring -<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>to remain neutral. Besides, he doubted -whether he could fully rely on the correctness of -John’s statements.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t want to lose my place,” he said; “but if -I do, I hope you will get it back again.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Suppose you resign in my favor,” suggested John, -in an insinuating manner.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I would rather not,” answered Gilbert, who felt -that this request was decidedly cool.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Just as I thought,” muttered John.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Sands would not thank me for meddling with -what is not my business. If he chooses, at any time, -to put you back and dismiss me, he’ll do so without -any request from me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>John did not vouchsafe an answer, but walked off -sullenly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Nothing of any importance occurred during the -day, except that Gilbert found the book-keeper as -disagreeable as ever. It seemed impossible to suit -him. This Gilbert correctly attributed to his disappointment -that his cousin had been superseded.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>About the hour of closing, Gilbert was surprised -at the entrance of Mr. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How are you getting on, Gilbert?” he inquired.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very well, thank you, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you think you shall like this place?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir, I think so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And you don’t regret leaving school?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir, I do; but that can’t be helped, and I -don’t trouble myself with thinking of it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are right there; are you ready to go up -town?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come along with me, then.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>When they were in the street, Mr. Briggs said, -“I will tell you in a few words what I mean to do for -you, so that you can have a fair understanding about -money matters. I shall pay your board, and out of -your wages you will be able to buy your clothes and -provide for your other expenses.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But, Mr. Briggs,” said Gilbert, “I shall be able -to pay part of my board. I do not wish to be such a -burden to you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>“Say no more about it,” said his guardian, hastily, -“I insist upon that arrangement.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But, sir, I shall want sometime to repay you for -the money you spend on me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“When you are a rich man, I will permit you to -do so. Till then, think nothing of it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am at least very grateful to you for your kindness,” -said Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>For some reason Mr. Briggs seemed uncomfortable -whenever Gilbert spoke of gratitude, and tried to drop -the subject.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Randolph spoke of calling to see you this evening,” -he said. “Shall you be at home?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir, I shall be glad to have him come.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert was rather astonished at such a mark of -attention on the part of the young aristocrat, but -determined to treat him cordially, for his father’s -sake.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XII. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>RANDOLPH’S CALL.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Randolph</span> had expressed to his father in the morning -an intention of calling upon Gilbert. His motive -was not interest in our hero’s welfare, but curiosity -to find out how he was situated, as indeed he freely -acknowledged.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wouldn’t call if I were you, Randolph,” said -his mother.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why not?” asked her husband.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gilbert will move in a different sphere,” said Mrs. -Briggs, loftily. “I do not wish my son to form -intimacies beneath him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t intend to,” said Randolph; “I want to -see what sort of a place he is in.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He will be likely to presume upon your condescension, -and boast of you as one of his friends.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Briggs understood Gilbert better.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No fear of that!” he said. “Gilbert is a boy -<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>of spirit. He is not one to seek or accept patronage. -His pride is quite as great as Randolph’s.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What has he to be proud of, I should like to -know,” said Mrs. Briggs, with a sneer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He is my ward,” said Mr. Briggs, stiffly, “and it -is quite proper that my son should pay him some -attention.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You seem to be infatuated about that boy,” -said his wife coldly. “I suppose you will want -him invited to Randolph’s birthday party next month.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I certainly shall,” said Mr. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This is going rather too far,” said his wife angrily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“However that may be, he must be invited.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should think I had some voice in that matter, -Mr. Briggs.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Unless Gilbert Greyson is invited, there shall be -no party at all,” said Mr. Briggs, with decision.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Briggs felt that the fiat had gone forth. Her -husband generally yielded to her, but sometimes he -put his foot down, as the saying is, and was not to be -moved. She felt very much annoyed, but Randolph -offered her a way of yielding gracefully.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>“Oh, let the beggar come,” he said. “He will be -good fun. I want to see how he will behave.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Since you wish it, Randolph,” said Mrs. Briggs, -addressing herself pointedly to her son, “I will -make no further objection. It is your party, and -you ought to have your own way. But I shouldn’t -think it was necessary for you to call on the boy. -He is at some cheap boarding-house, I suppose.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Cheap, but perfectly respectable,” said Mr. -Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I want to see what a cheap boarding-house is -like,” said Randolph; and his mother said no more.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At eight o’clock the servant brought up to Gilbert’s -room a card bearing the name of Randolph Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s a young gentleman that wants to see you,” -she explained.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will go down and bring him up,” said Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He hurried downstairs, and found Randolph waiting -in the parlor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am glad to see you, Randolph,” he said -cordially; “will you stay here, or come up to my -room?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>“I would like to see your room,” said Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It isn’t much to see,” said Gilbert; “but I shall -be glad to have you come up.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s a long way down-town,” said Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All the better for me. I am nearer my place of -business.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert’s room was on the third floor, back. He -opened the door and invited Randolph in.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What a small place!” exclaimed Randolph, -looking around him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So it is,” said Gilbert; “but I make it do.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And the furniture is extremely common,” remarked -his visitor, critically.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is true also,” said Gilbert, laughing.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There does not seem to be much of it either; you -have but one chair.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Take that, if you please, and I will sit on the -bed.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Randolph sat down, but not till he had examined -the chair carefully to see if it was clean.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t see how you can live in such a place,” -remarked the young aristocrat.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>“Oh, I easily accommodate myself to it,” said -Gilbert; “but I hope soon to make a change for the -better.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Indeed!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; a young man in the house has a large room, -which he has agreed to share with me as soon as his -present room-mate leaves. That will probably be in a -week. Then I can offer you a better reception.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What is the young man’s name?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ingalls. I believe he comes from Massachusetts.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is he in business?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; he is in a stationery store on William -Street. Of course, he is a new acquaintance, but I -think we shall get on well together.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What sort of boarders have you here?” asked -Randolph, curiously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Rather a miscellaneous class. The gentlemen -are chiefly in business. There is one public school-teacher—a -lady.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course, there is nobody that moves in good -society?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I really don’t know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>“How much board do you pay?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Six dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Six dollars!” repeated Randolph, turning up his -nose.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Some of the boarders pay considerably more, but -my room, as you see, is small, and that makes it low -for me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What sort of a table have you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Plain, but as good as could be expected. Of -course it don’t compare with yours.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should say not.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But I find no fault with it. Everything is -served neatly, and that is what I care most about.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>At this point Mr. Ingalls knocked at the door.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Excuse me,” he said, when he saw Randolph; “I -didn’t know you had company.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come in,” said Gilbert; “or rather, if your room-mate -is out, let us adjourn to your room. We shall -be more comfortable.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Certainly; I shall be glad to have you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Randolph Briggs, Mr. Ingalls,” said Gilbert, -by way of introduction.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>“I am glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. -Briggs,” said the young man.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Randolph bowed condescendingly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>They went at once to the larger room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This is much better,” said Randolph, who seemed -surprised to see a sofa.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I shall consider myself promoted when I -get here.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Are you in business, Mr. Briggs?” asked Mr. -Ingalls.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, no, I am preparing for college,” said Randolph; -“there is no need of my going into business.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wish I could have gone to college,” said Gilbert, -regretfully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It takes money to go to college,” said Randolph, -complacently; “I intend to live in style when I go -there.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am afraid, Gilbert,” said young Ingalls, “we -must put off going till our wages are raised.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I must put it off forever,” said Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have hopes of getting ready when I am fifty,” -<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>said the young man; “perhaps Mr. Briggs will be a -professor at that time.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wouldn’t teach,” said Randolph, “though it is -very respectable to be a professor. I shall be a man -of fortune.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Ingalls glanced quietly at Gilbert. He was -evidently amused by the self-importance of the young -aristocrat.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you like your place, Gilbert?” asked Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Pretty well.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You haven’t got any ice-water here, have you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will go down and order some.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>While Gilbert was gone, Randolph said, “I am -glad Gilbert has got a place, for he is poor and needs -it. My father has done a great deal for him; but -then he can afford it, for he is a rich man. I have -no friends in this neighborhood; but I thought I -would come down to see how he was getting along.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gilbert ought to be very grateful,” said Mr. -Ingalls, dryly.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>“I think so, too. It is not every poor boy who -has a rich man to help him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here Gilbert re-entered with the water, and shortly -after Randolph left.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What do you think of him, Mr. Ingalls?” asked -Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He seems to think a good deal of himself,” said -the young man. “He referred to you in a very -patronizing way.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert laughed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“His mother has spoiled him,” he said; “she is -the most disagreeable woman I ever saw. If Randolph -had been brought up differently, he might not -show so much foolish pride. I like his father best of -the three.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert little suspected that the man whom he -praised had been, thus far in life, his worst enemy.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XIII. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>GILBERT CALLS ON THE VIVIANS.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>As</span> the boarders rose from the dinner-table on Friday, -Alphonso Jones addressed Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let us take a walk,” he proposed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you,” said Gilbert; “but I have an engagement.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose there is a lady in the case,” said -Alphonso, slyly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There is a young lady where I am going,” answered -Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So I thought. I suppose you wouldn’t be willing -to mention names?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, yes. I am going to call on Mr. Vivian, in -West Forty-eighth Street.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What! Mr. Vivian, the great merchant?” asked -Jones, surprised.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I believe he is an extensive importer.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>“That’s the one I mean. How in the world did -you get acquainted there?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I haven’t been long acquainted,” said our hero.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alphonso Jones was a young man who, in England, -would be called a tuft-hunter. He aspired to be on -visiting terms in families of high social position; but -thus far had not met with much success. This did -not prevent him from boasting continually of intimacy -in quarters where he was not even acquainted. He -did not dream that his little imposture was easily seen -through by most of those who knew him, but was -complacent in the thought that he was classed with -that aristocracy, which he admired from a distance.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t you know the Vivians, Mr. Jones?” asked -Mr. Ingalls. “I thought you knew everybody that -was worth knowing.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So I do,” said Alphonso, with an air of importance,—“that -is, nearly everybody. I met the -Vivians, I believe, at Saratoga, but did not have a -chance to cultivate their acquaintance. Greyson, -will you do me a favor?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What is it?” asked Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>“Let me accompany you this evening to Mr. -Vivian’s. You can introduce me as your friend, in -case they do not remember our former meeting.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should like to oblige you, Mr. Jones,” said -Gilbert, “but my own acquaintance is too limited to -allow me to take such a liberty.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Just as you say, of course,” said Alphonso, -crestfallen. “I dare say I shall soon meet them at -some fashionable party.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So it will really not make much difference,” suggested -Ingalls.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, very little,” said Mr. Jones, nonchalantly. “I -thought perhaps Mr. Greyson might like the company -of one who was used to society. I think, on the -whole, I will call on my friends, the Montmorencys, -this evening.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where do they live, Mr. Jones?” asked Mr. -Ingalls.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They occupy an elegant mansion on Fifth -Avenue,” answered Alphonso, consequentially.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Couldn’t you take me along with you?” asked -Mr. Ingalls, demurely.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>“I fear not,” said Alphonso. “The fact is, Mr. -Ingalls, the Montmorencys are very exclusive, and -have expressly said to me more than once, ‘We are -always glad to have you drop in, Mr. Jones, for we -look upon you as one of ourselves; but bring no strangers. -Our circle is already extensive, and we cannot -add to it.’ Very sorry, of course.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So am I, Mr. Jones,” said Mr. Ingalls. “I -should like to know a few high-toned people. How -fortunate you are in knowing so many! What is the -number of the Montmorencys’ house?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I always forget numbers,” said Alphonso, rather -confused (for the whole story of the Montmorencys -was a fiction), “but, of course, the house is familiar -to me. It’s on Murray Hill.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That fellow is a humbug, Gilbert,” said Ingalls, -as he and his room-mate entered their own apartment. -“He pretends to have a great many fashionable friends; -but it’s all a sham. Some day I’m going to teach -him a lesson.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Introduce a friend of mine, a good amateur actor, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>as a French count. Fancy his delight at making each -an aristocratic acquaintance!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let me know when the time comes,” said Gilbert, -laughing.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You shall assist me in it. I hope you will have -a pleasant call this evening.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have no doubt of it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert dressed himself carefully, and at half-past -seven started on his visit. The evening was pleasant, -and he decided to walk. Just opposite the Hoffman -House he fell in with Randolph Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hallo, Gilbert,” called out Randolph, “where -are you bound,—to our house? I don’t believe you’ll -find anybody at home.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am bound elsewhere,” said Gilbert</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where?” asked Randolph, curiously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“To Mr. Vivian’s.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“To call upon Laura?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My call will not be exclusively upon her,” said -Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Take my advice and don’t go,” said Randolph -actuated by jealousy.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>“Why not?” Gilbert asked, quietly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They might look upon it as an intrusion.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think they will, as I was specially invited -for this evening.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Out of politeness. Probably they have forgotten -all about it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It appears to me, Randolph, that you take a good -deal of interest in this matter,” said Gilbert, amused.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, I care nothing about it; only as a friend I -thought I would just mention that it might be thought -rather presumptuous to take advantage of the accident -that made you acquainted with Laura, to force yourself -upon the family. If I were a poor boy like you, -I would be careful to associate with my own class.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert was provoked at Randolph’s insolence, as he -rightly considered it, and answered coldly, “I will -think of your advice, Mr. Briggs. I appreciate your -motives in offering it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What does he mean?” thought Randolph, following -with his eyes his father’s ward. “I believe the -fellow is angry with me. Poor and proud, I dare say. -The Vivians will soon get tired of him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>But though he tried to console himself with this -reflection, it chafed Randolph not a little that Gilbert -should be invited to a house which he could not hope -to enter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert kept on his way to Mr. Vivian’s house -arriving about eight o’clock.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is Mr. Vivian at home?” he inquired of the -servant who answered his summons.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He went out for half an hour; will you come in -and wait for him?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is Miss Laura in?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I believe she is.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then you may hand her my card, if you please.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert was ushered into the parlor. He did not -have to wait long. Laura entered and cordially -offered her hand.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am very glad to see you, Gilbert—Mr. Greyson, -I mean.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never mind about Mr. Greyson,” said Gilbert, -smiling. “Call me Gilbert, if you don’t mind.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then I will,” said Laura, frankly. “Do you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>know, I already begin to look upon you as an old -friend.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am very glad of that, Miss Laura.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My father went out for half an hour, as the -servant probably told you. He bade me keep you till -his return.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you; I shall be very glad to stay.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I met a friend of yours on Fifth Avenue yesterday, -Gilbert.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Who was it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Randolph Briggs.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert smiled.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know how far he is my friend,” he said; -“though he told me this evening he was, and as a -friend he ventured to give me some advice.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Indeed?” said Laura, looking the curiosity she -felt.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Would you like to hear what it was?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I certainly should, for it doesn’t strike me that -Randolph Briggs is particularly qualified to give -advice to anybody.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He advised me not to come here.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>“Not to come here! Why not?” exclaimed -Laura, impetuously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He said I was only invited out of compliment, -and that my visit would probably be considered an -intrusion.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wonder how he dared to say such things!” said -Laura, indignantly. “What can he know of our feelings? -Why, he isn’t on visiting terms here himself!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose he meant it for my good,” said Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am glad you didn’t take his advice, Gilbert.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I didn’t care to deprive myself of a pleasure. -Besides, I thought I could soon judge for myself -whether you looked upon me as an intruder.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What do you think about it?” asked Laura. -“You have been here long enough to decide.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think I will stay a little longer.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Just then a boy of ten opened the door of the -parlor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Laura,” he said, “mother wants you to bring -Mr. Greyson into the library.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XIV. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>A PLEASANT EVENING.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Gilbert</span> was presented to a pleasant-looking lady, -whom Laura introduced as her mother.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am glad to see you, Mr. Greyson,” she said, -cordially; “I supposed Laura would bring you in -here at once, but it seemed to be her intention to -monopolize you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We had important business to talk over, -mamma.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very important, no doubt. How do you like the -city, Mr. Greyson?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think I shall like it after I am better -acquainted,” Gilbert answered.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You haven’t introduced me, Laura,” said her -brother Fred, in an aggrieved tone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gilbert,” said Laura, “let me introduce to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>your favorable notice my brother Fred, who, in his -own opinion, is a model of all the virtues.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am glad to meet him. I never saw a model boy -before,” said Gilbert, pleasantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I never pretended to be a model boy,” said Fred. -“Laura’s only chaffing.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where did you pick up that word, Fred?” said -his mother.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Isn’t it a good word, mamma? It’s just what -she does.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Fred has just commenced Latin,” said Laura, -“but I am afraid, from his own story, that it is just -wearing out his constitution.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t see any good in it,” said Fred. “Do -you know Latin, Mr. Greyson?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have studied it some.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How far have you been?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have read Cæsar and Virgil.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, then you know a lot about it. I’m only in -the second declension.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You don’t like it, then?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>“Not much. I don’t see how anybody could ever -talk such stuff.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You will be more interested in it as you get on -further. That was the way with me. I wasn’t in -love with it at first.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope so,” said Fred.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here Mr. Vivian entered, and greeted Gilbert -cordially.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I told Laura to keep you,” he said. “What -have you been doing since we met?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have got a place, or rather Mr. Briggs got one -for me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What sort of a place?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am with Mr. Sands, a stock-broker. His office -is on Wall Street.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I know of him, though I don’t personally know -him. How do you like your new situation?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have not been there long enough to decide. I -like Mr. Sands.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Are you still an inmate of Mr. Briggs’ house?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir; I am boarding on Clinton Place, near -Broadway.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>“You find that more convenient to your office?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then you have fairly got started in your business -career. I hope you may be successful.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I believe you told me that your money, of which -Mr. Briggs had charge, has been entirely expended on -your education?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Are you compelled, then, to live on your weekly -wages?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think I could do that very well, as they -only amount to five dollars a week. Mr. Briggs -offered to pay my board, and let me use this for -other expenses. I don’t like to have him do it, -but he insists upon it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That seems kind,” said Mr. Vivian. “Was it -your idea, or his, to go to a boarding-house?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suspect,” said Gilbert, hesitating, for he was -not clear whether he ought to tell this, “that it was -Mrs. Briggs’ idea. From the first, she has not -seemed to like me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>“I don’t like her looks,” said Laura; “I have seen -her several times. You know, papa, she was at the -same hotel with us at Saratoga. She looks cross.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You must not speak too hastily against people, -Laura,” said Mrs. Vivian.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suspect Laura only shares the general feeling,” -said Mr. Vivian. “Mrs. Briggs is, by no means, a -favorite in society.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nor Randolph, either,” added Laura.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thought he was a beau of yours, Laura,” said -her father, slyly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He never was, papa. I used to meet him at -dancing-school, and I have danced with him there; -but that is the end of our acquaintance. If he bows -to me I bow back, but I don’t care to know any more -of him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Can’t we have a little music, Laura?” asked her -father.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I only play a little. Do you play, Gilbert?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, Miss Laura.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Or sing?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>“A little.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then I’ll make a bargain; I will play if you -will sing.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hardly feel prepared to sing in company.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This isn’t company. You needn’t mind any of -us. Fred, open the folding-doors, will you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The piano was in the parlor adjoining. The doors -were thrown open, and Laura sat down to the piano. -Two or three songs were selected, and Gilbert sang to -Laura’s accompaniment. He had a good voice, and a -correct ear, and the double performance passed off -smoothly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Doesn’t your brother sing?” asked Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Fred? He don’t know one tune from another; -besides, he don’t like the piano. The hand-organ is -his favorite instrument.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I mean to buy one when I am rich enough,” said -Fred.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Shall you go around with it?” asked Laura; “or -only keep it in the parlor for the entertainment of -visitors?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You may laugh as much as you like,” said Fred; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>“but a hand-organ, that is, a good one, sounds splendid.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did you ever see such a barbarian? Gilbert, -what else do you sing?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The evening slipped away almost before they were -aware. To Gilbert, it was positively delightful. -Not that he was in love with Laura, but, never having -had a sister, it was an agreeable novelty to him to -meet a young girl so frank and attractive as Laura.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope you will come again soon, Mr. Greyson,” -said Mrs. Vivian, when our hero rose to take his leave.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, do come,” said Laura.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall consider it a privilege to call,” said Gilbert, -with sincerity.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“By the way,” said Mr. Vivian, “I have taken -several tickets for a concert in Steinway Hall next -Wednesday evening. I have a spare one for you, Mr. -Greyson, if you have no engagement.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall be very glad to accept one, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then come up to dinner that evening; we dine at -six. We will all go together.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Am I to go?” asked Fred.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>“There will be a ticket for you, if you would like -to go, though I am afraid you won’t enjoy the classical -music you will hear.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No matter,” said Fred, “I’ll go, though I’d -rather go to a circus.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If there were only a hand-organ, Fred would -enjoy it,” suggested Laura.</p> - -<hr class='c015' /> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, Gilbert, what sort of a time did you have?” -asked Mr. Ingalls, when his room-mate returned.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Delightful! I am going to dine there next -Wednesday.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It seems to me you are making a favorable -impression in that quarter.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>A knock was heard at the door.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come in,” said Mr. Ingalls.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Alphonso Jones opened the door and entered.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Excuse my late intrusion, gents,” he said. -“And how did you find the Vivians, Mr. Greyson?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very well, thank you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They are very high-toned people.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>“I presume so, but I am not much of a judge,” -said Gilbert</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Probably,” said Mr. Ingalls, “you do not know -as many of that class as Mr. Jones. Did you find -the Montmorencys well, Mr. Jones?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Quite so, thank you. Mrs. Montmorency has -had a bad cold; but she has quite recovered now. -They talk of going to Europe next summer.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do they, indeed? How you will miss them!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“To be sure. However, I have many other friends -in the first circles whom I can visit. I suppose, -Mr. Greyson, the Vivians have a fine house?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It seems very comfortable.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The Montmorencys live in a perfect palace. I -wish you could see it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wish I could, Mr. Jones,” said Mr. Ingalls; -“but you wouldn’t take me, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I couldn’t, Mr. Ingalls, as I explained to you. -They are so very exclusive.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wonder visiting such fine houses doesn’t make -you dissatisfied with your own home.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, my tastes are very plain,” said Alphonso.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>“‘Mid pleasures and palaces though I may roam,</div> - <div class='line'>Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.’”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>“Some of your own poetry, Mr. Jones?” asked -Mr. Ingalls, demurely.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, it’s Shakespeare or Byron,” answered Jones; -“I forget which. Good-evening, gents.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Would you like to know where Mr. Jones spent -the evening, Gilbert?” asked his room-mate.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“On Fifth Avenue?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No. Mr. Tarbox followed him, and saw him -enter a billiard-saloon on the Bowery. Jones is a -first-class humbug.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XV. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>AT STEINWAY HALL.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Simon Moore</span>, the book-keeper in the broker’s -office where Gilbert was employed, was a young man, -somewhat under thirty. He understood his business -very well, and thus far had given satisfaction to Mr. -Sands. Personally, however, he was not agreeable. -He was irritable and exacting, and had not been liked -even by his cousin John, when the latter was office -boy. Now, however, that John had been discharged, -the book-keeper, as we have seen, made common cause -with him, and John came to look upon him as a -friend.</p> - -<p class='c010'>In this Moore was not altogether disinterested. -John’s mother, who was his aunt, kept a boarding-house, -and found it difficult to meet her expenses. -John’s wages, though small, were important to her, -and now that she was deprived of this resource, her -<span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>nephew feared that he might be called on for assistance. -It was in order to save his own purse that he -desired to reinstate John in his old place. The -readiest method that occurred to him was to prejudice -Mr. Sands against Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Are you going out this evening, cousin Simon?” -asked John, one evening.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I may go out by and by.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“May I go with you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you want to.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Simon Moore was not always willing to be troubled -with his cousin, but this evening he chanced to be in -a pleasanter humor than usual.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have tickets to a concert, John,” he said. -“Would you like to go?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very much,” answered John, readily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The tickets were given me by a friend of mine, -who is on the ‘Times,’” explained Moore.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where is the concert, cousin Simon?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“At Steinway Hall.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was, in fact, the same concert to which Gilbert -was invited by Mr. Vivian.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>The book-keeper was not remarkable for his liberality, -and John had been not a little surprised at -receiving the invitation, until he learned that the -tickets had cost his cousin nothing.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eight o’clock found them in their seats at Steinway -Hall. The concert did not commence punctually, and -they had some time to look about them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you see any one you know, cousin Simon,” -asked John.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes,” said the book-keeper, “I see a particular -friend of yours.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A particular friend of mine!” repeated John, -puzzled. “Where?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Five rows in front of this. There, near the -centre of the hall.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t see any body I know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is Gilbert Greyson, your successor in our -office.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is he, I declare. He is talking to a pretty -girl beside him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That girl is the daughter of Mr. Vivian, the -great importer.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>“You don’t say so. How on earth did he come to -know her?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I can’t say,” answered Moore, coldly. “He is -a very forward, pushing fellow. That may explain it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hate him,” said John.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t love him overmuch myself,” said Moore.</p> - -<p class='c010'>John and his cousin were not the only acquaintances -who recognized Gilbert on that evening.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Randolph and his mother sat two rows behind the -Vivians. Mr. Briggs had intended to come, but had -a headache. He had suggested that the extra -ticket be sent to Gilbert; but Mrs. Briggs had decisively -objected.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t care about having that boy seen with us -in Steinway Hall,” she said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why not?” asked Mr. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t fancy him. Besides, he would be presuming -on our kindness.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think he is the kind of boy to do that,” -said Mr. Briggs, who understood Gilbert much better -than his wife. “It is a pity the ticket should not be -used.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>“If it were in a different part of the house, away -from our seats, I should not care particularly,” said -Mrs. Briggs. “If he went with us, he might be -thought to be a near relative.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think he would do us any discredit, -either in appearance or in manners,” said her husband.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are simply infatuated with that boy, Mr. -Briggs. I am sure Randolph doesn’t want his -company.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, I don’t,” said Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Like mother, like son,” thought Mr. Briggs; but -for the sake of peace he did not think it best to press -the matter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Soon after Randolph and his mother took their -seats, the former discovered Gilbert sitting nearly in -front of him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He’s here, after all, mother,” he exclaimed, in a -low voice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Who is here, Randolph?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gilbert Greyson. Don’t you see him?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He’s with the Vivians, too!” ejaculated Mrs. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>Briggs, unpleasantly surprised. “That boy doesn’t -appear to have a particle of shame.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He needn’t be ashamed of his company. I wish -I were in his place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t mean that. He probably hinted to Mr. -Vivian to take him, and he couldn’t very well refuse.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very likely,” said Randolph. “He’s got plenty -of cheek.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Both mother and son could see that Gilbert and -Laura Vivian were conversing pleasantly, judging -from the smiles on the faces of each.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. and Mrs. Vivian are not very wise in permitting -such an intimacy between their daughter and -a penniless boy,” said Mrs. Briggs, frowning. “Some -people are very unwise.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I dare say he pretends he is rich, and boasts of -father’s being his guardian,” suggested Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I dare say you are correct,” said Mrs. Briggs. -“If I knew Mrs. Vivian, I would correct that wrong -impression.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here the music commenced, and the two were silent.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Randolph cared very little for the music, which -<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>was too classical to suit his taste. He did not expect -to like it, but he went because he knew that the audience -would be a fashionable one, and he liked to be -seen on such occasions. Gilbert had more musical -taste, and appreciated the greater part of what he had -heard.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When the concert was over, he thanked Mr. Vivian -cordially for the invitation.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have had a very pleasant evening, thanks to -you, sir,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am glad you have enjoyed it,” said Mr. Vivian, -kindly. “Come and see us soon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Just after this parting, Gilbert fell in with Mrs. -Briggs and Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-evening, Mrs. Briggs,” he said, politely. -“Good-evening, Randolph. Where were you sitting? -I did not see you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We saw you,” said Randolph. “You were -nearly in front of us.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did Mr. Vivian invite you to come?” asked Mrs. -Briggs, coldly.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>“Yes, madam.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are making the most of your chance meeting -with them.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>There was something unpleasant in her tone, and -Gilbert detected it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They have been very kind and polite to me,” he -answered, in a reserved tone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I would not advise you to presume upon it too -far,” continued Mrs. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t intend to, madam,” said Gilbert, stiffly. -“I don’t think I have.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You seemed very attentive to Laura,” said Randolph, -with a characteristic sneer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It was my duty to be polite,” said Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>By this time they had reached the street, and Gilbert -said “Good-evening.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Neither Mrs. Briggs nor Randolph invited him to -call, though the fact that Mr. Briggs was still his -guardian would have made such an invitation only an -act of ordinary politeness.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As he made his way toward Fourth Avenue, Gilbert -<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>brushed against Simon Moore and John; but -having his mind occupied, he did not notice them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There he goes!” said John, enviously. “I wish -I had as much cheek as that fellow has.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’ve got a fair amount, John,” said his cousin, -drily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I didn’t know it,” said John, aggrieved.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never mind, John,” said the book-keeper, with -unwonted good-humor. “Suppose we go in somewhere -and have oysters. I feel hungry.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So do I,” said John, briskly. “I know a bully -place near by.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If it’s a good place, you can lead me there. -While we are discussing the oysters, I have a little -plan to tell you about, that may give you back your -place at our office.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good!” said John. “You’re a true friend, -cousin Simon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Ten minutes later they were sitting in a curtained -compartment, in a saloon famous for the excellence of -its oysters.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>In the next compartment, two minutes previous, -Mr. Sands, the broker, had taken his seat and given -his order; but of this neither John nor his cousin had -the slightest suspicion.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XVI. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>A PLOT AGAINST GILBERT.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>The</span> next day Mr. Sands received an unexpected -summons to Washington. A brother, who was clerk -in one of the departments, was seriously ill, and he -was summoned to his bedside.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How long shall you be absent, sir?” inquired -Simon Moore.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I cannot say; it will depend on how I find my -brother. Keep me apprised of what is going on by -letter, and, if necessary, by telegraph.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir,” said Simon, cheerfully; “you may -rely upon me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where is Gilbert?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gone to the post-office.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have sometimes thought, Mr. Moore, that you -were prejudiced against the boy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>“I was at first, sir,” said Moore; “but on the -whole he seems faithful, and disposed to do his duty.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Sands smiled slightly, but this Mr. Moore did -not observe.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think well of him myself,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If he does well, he won’t have reason to complain -of me,” said the book-keeper.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Again Mr. Sands smiled, but said nothing. Just -as he was leaving the office for the cars, Gilbert -returned.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wish, Gilbert, you would accompany me to the -Courtland Street Ferry,” said his employer. “I am -going to Washington this afternoon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Indeed, sir!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am summoned to my brother’s sick-bed.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“When did you hear of his sickness, sir?” asked -Gilbert, in a sympathizing tone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A week since; but last evening I learned by a -telegram that he is dangerously sick.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>By this time they were on their way to the ferry.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You may take my valise, Gilbert,” said the broker, -“if you are willing.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>“Certainly, sir,” said Gilbert, politely. “I hope -you will find your brother better.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I certainly hope so. He would be a great loss to -his family. By the way, how are you getting on with -Mr. Moore?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hardly know, sir,” said Gilbert. “I don’t -think he likes me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you done anything to offend him?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not that I am aware of. I have always treated -him with respect.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is right. If you get into any trouble with -him while I am away, come to me after I return, and -tell me all about it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert looked surprised, but of course promised to -do so.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall try not to get into any disturbance,” he -said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope you won’t, but I fancy you will,” said his -employer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope you don’t think I am quarrelsome, Mr. -Sands.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, that is not my reason. I will say no more at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>present, except to request you, if anything happens, to -give me a truthful and detailed account of it when I -return.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, sir, I will,” said Gilbert, who, though -puzzled, felt that his employer was friendly towards -him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert waited till the boat started, and then returned -to the office. He regretted Mr. Sands’ absence, -for something told him that Mr. Moore would -make it very disagreeable for him while he was gone. -Indeed, the book-keeper was not long in showing his -state of feeling towards our hero. As Gilbert entered, -he looked up sharply from his desk.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So you are back at last?” he said unpleasantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir,” answered Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thought you intended to remain away all day.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Sands desired me to go to the ferry with -him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He didn’t desire you to stop to play on the way -home.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did you see me playing on the way home?” -demanded Gilbert, provoked.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>“How could I when I was at work in the office?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Has any one reported to you that I stopped to -play?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then why do you charge me with it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Look here, young man, I advise you not to try -any of your impudence on me!” said Simon Moore, -who, knowing himself in the wrong, was all the more -angry. “I tell you, once for all, that I won’t stand -it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t intend to be impudent, Mr. Moore; but I do -expect decent treatment from you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are showing your hand pretty quick, young -man. No sooner does Mr. Sands leave the city than -you begin to put on your airs. I shall take care to -report your conduct to him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have neither done nor said anything that I am -ashamed to have reported to him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Shut up!” said Moore, sharply.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert saw that there was no use in prolonging the -dispute, and quietly went about his duties. While he -was absent on an errand, a little later, his predecessor, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>John, looked in the door, and, seeing his cousin alone, -entered.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-morning, cousin Simon,” he said. “Where -is Mr. Sands?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gone to Washington.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He has? How long will he be gone?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A week perhaps.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>John’s eyes sparkled.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s favorable for us, isn’t it?” he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Simon Moore nodded significantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are right there,” he said. “When he gets -back, Gilbert Greyson won’t be here.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’ll do what we were talking about last evening?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I shall have plenty of chances while Sands is -away.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Can’t you manage it to-day?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, it would look suspicious; I don’t want Mr. -Sands to suspect anything.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How soon, then?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Say day after to-morrow. In order to avert suspicion, -I will in my letter of to-morrow speak a good -<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>word for Gilbert,—say he’s doing better than I anticipated, -or something of that sort. The next day the -explosion will come.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’ll bounce Gilbert?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I’ll take that upon myself, and explain to -Sands when he returns. Ten to one he won’t interfere -then.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And you’ll take me in Gilbert’s place?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I’ll do that, too. But you must do better -than you did last time. The fact is, John, you were -lazy and careless. I was sorry to have you go, as -you are my cousin; but I couldn’t blame Mr. Sands -much.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, I’ll turn over a new leaf, cousin Simon,” said -John, readily. “You shan’t have anything to complain -of.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope not.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here Gilbert returned from his errand, and the conversation -necessarily closed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert nodded politely to John, though he took no -particular fancy to him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So the boss is away?” said John, sociably.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>“Yes, he has been called away.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose you are glad of it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why should I be?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“When the cat’s away, the mice can play, you -know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This mouse does not care about playing,” said -Gilbert, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gilbert is a model boy,” said Simon Moore, with -a sneer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I never set up for one,” said John, in a tone of -congratulation.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should say not,” sneered the book-keeper, who -could not abstain from criticising even his cousin, in -whose favor he was intriguing to oust Gilbert from his -position. “However, I’ll say this for you, that you -are not a hypocrite.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And I never want to be,” said John, virtuously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Of course Gilbert understood that here was another -hit at him; but he was discreet enough to understand -that it would do him no good to notice it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Presently John turned to go.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>“Is there anything I can do for you, cousin -Simon?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not to-day,” answered the book-keeper, significantly. -“You can look round again in a day or -two.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All right.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>As John left the office, a small boot-black approached -him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Shine yer boots?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Get out of my way!” said John, crossly, at the -same time lifting his foot and kicking the boy.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What did you do that for?” said the boy, angrily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Because I pleased.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then take that;” and the knight of the brush -swiftly touched John’s cheek with the dirty brush, -leaving a black mark upon his assailant’s cheek.</p> - -<p class='c010'>John would have renewed the attack, but a chorus -of laughter at his appearance drove him back into the -office to wash off the black mark.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ll wring his neck when I get a chance,” muttered -John, angrily.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>“He wouldn’t have touched you, if you had let him -alone,” said Gilbert. “Why did you kick him?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Because I pleased. Mind your business, or I -may kick you, too.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’d better not,” said Gilbert, quietly.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XVII. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>THE PLOT SUCCEEDS.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>The</span> third day was rainy, and Gilbert wore a thin -overcoat, which, on arriving at the office, he took off -and hung up. At ten o’clock the rain ceased, and he -did not feel the need of wearing it when sent out on -errands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>About eleven o’clock John sauntered into the -office.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You may go round to the post-office, Gilbert,” -said the book-keeper.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very well, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert put on his coat and went out.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Isn’t it about time, cousin Simon?” asked John, -significantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes,” said Moore.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How shall we manage?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>The book-keeper took from his pocket a ten-dollar -bill, and handed it to John.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is Gilbert’s coat,” he said. “Put this bill -into one of the pockets.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>John obeyed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I guess that will fix him,” he said, in a tone of -satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ll manage the rest,” said the book-keeper. -“Stay round here till Gilbert gets back, and we’ll -bring matters to a crisis.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Just as John was placing the bill in Gilbert’s coat-pocket, -the little boot-black mentioned at the close of -the last chapter thrust his head into the doorway.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Shine yer boots?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Clear out, you vagabond!” said the book-keeper, -irritably.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Tom, for that was his name, looked inquisitively -about him and retired. He saw that there was no -chance for business. He recognized John as the one -who had kicked him the day before.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wonder what he was putting into the coat,” he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>thought; but dismissed the thought as not concerning -him till afterwards.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did he notice what I was doing?” thought John, -with momentary uneasiness. “But, of course, he -wouldn’t understand,” he felt, with quick relief.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A few minutes elapsed, and Gilbert returned, bringing -home the mail.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All right!” said Moore, “wait a minute, and I -shall want to send you out again.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, by the way, Gilbert,” he said, after a moment’s -pause, “have you seen anything of a ten-dollar -bill?—I laid one on the desk an hour ago, and -now it has disappeared.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I haven’t seen it, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Won’t you look on the floor? It may have -dropped.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert searched, but of course unsuccessfully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is strange,” said the book-keeper. “I remember -distinctly placing the bill on the desk; have -you seen it, John?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, cousin Simon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is very mysterious,” mused the book-keeper.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>“I hope you don’t suspect me of taking it, cousin -Simon,” said John, who had been instructed what to -say.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course not.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>John began to turn his pockets inside out.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I want you to search me,” he said; “if you -don’t, you may think I took it, after all.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I never thought of such a thing, John,” said -Simon Moore.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am sure Gilbert and I would prefer to be -searched,” persisted John, looking towards Gilbert as -he spoke.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert colored, for it was not agreeable to him to -fall under suspicion, but he answered quietly, “I am -quite ready to be searched.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think it at all necessary,” said Simon -Moore; “but if you boys insist upon it, I will do it. -It is certainly strange that the bill should have disappeared, -and left no trace behind. Gilbert, will you -search John, and then he shall search you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you desire it, Mr. Moore,” said Gilbert; “but -<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>I don’t believe John took the bill, and I am sure I -didn’t.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert proceeded to search John, the latter assisting -him. A jack-knife, a couple of keys, a handkerchief, -and twenty-five cents in money were all that he -found.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m not very rich,” said John, smiling. “I don’t -mind saying that the ten dollars would be very acceptable, -but I haven’t got it; are you satisfied?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes,” said Gilbert, “you haven’t got it, and I -didn’t think you had; you may search me now.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>John conducted the search carelessly, for he knew, -beforehand, what the result would be.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t find it,” he said. “Where can the bill -be? Are you sure you didn’t put it back into -your own pocket, cousin Simon?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Quite sure. By the way, Gilbert, didn’t you -wear an overcoat?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir; there it is, hanging up.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“John, you had better examine that also, that the -search may be thorough.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>“Certainly,” said Gilbert, little dreaming of what -was in store for him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>John plunged his hand into one pocket and found -nothing; then into the other, and drew out the ten-dollar -bill.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What’s this?” he asked, pretending to be surprised.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let me see it,” said Gilbert, overcome with surprise.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let <i>me</i> see it,” said Simon Moore, sharply.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s a ten-dollar bill,” said John, looking at it -more closely.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s the note I missed,” said the book-keeper, -taking it into his hands. “What have you to say to -this, Greyson?” he demanded, sternly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have this to say,” said Gilbert, a little pale, as -was natural, “that I don’t know anything about that -bill, or how it came in my coat-pocket.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose not,” sneered the book-keeper.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am willing to swear to it,” said Gilbert, recovering -his firmness.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>“A boy that steals money cannot expect to be -believed, even upon oath,” said the book-keeper.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you believe I took that money, John?” asked -Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You mustn’t ask me,” said John. “I didn’t -think you’d do such a thing, Gilbert, but it looks -mighty suspicious.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I never stole a penny in my life,” said Gilbert, -hotly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you claim this money as yours?” asked the -book-keeper.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, I don’t.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then how came it in your pocket? It couldn’t -have got there without hands.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>A light dawned upon Gilbert’s mind; a suspicion -of the truth flashed upon him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is true,” he said, significantly. “Somebody -must have put it into my pocket.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And that somebody was yourself,” said Moore, -sharply.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course it was,” chimed in John.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>Gilbert looked slowly from one to the other. There -was something in their faces that revealed all to him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think I understand,” he said. “You two have -formed a conspiracy to ruin me. I see it now.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you speak in that way again,” said Moore, in a -rage, “I will kick you out of the office.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should like to have you refer the matter to Mr. -Sands,” said Gilbert, betraying no alarm. “He will -do me justice.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I ought to refer the matter to the nearest policeman,” -said the book-keeper, in a menacing tone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do so, if you like,” said Gilbert, though he -shrank with natural reluctance from being arrested, -innocent as he knew himself to be. “I am not without -powerful friends, as you will find.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t have him arrested, cousin Simon,” said -John, with apparent compassion. “He has given up -the money. Discharge him, and let him go.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>This was what Simon Moore had already determined -to do. He knew very well that in any legal -investigation John and he would incur suspicion, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>for prudential reasons he preferred not to court any -such publicity.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I ought to arrest you,” he said, turning to Gilbert; -“but I will have pity on your youth, hoping that this -will be your last offence. I shall, of course, discharge -you, since I should not be justified in retaining you -under the circumstances. I will report to Mr. Sands -why I was compelled to dispense with your services. -I will pay you your wages up to to-day, and you need -not come here again.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t trouble yourself about that, Mr. Moore,” -said Gilbert, with dignity. “I shall report to Mr. -Sands when he returns, and abide by his judgment.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You had better not,” said Moore. “I advise you -for your own good. Mr. Sands will still have it in his -power to arrest you; your best course will be to leave -the city, and go to some place where you are not -known.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall remain in the city, and can be found, if -wanted,” said Gilbert, boldly. “The day will come, -Mr. Moore, when my innocence will be known by all.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Moore shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>“I have heard such things before,” he said. “You -can go. John, I will employ you, temporarily, in -Gilbert’s place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I understand your object now, Mr. Moore,” said -Gilbert, looking significantly at John.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Begone, or I will yet have you arrested,” said the -book-keeper, angrily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert put on his coat and hat, and walked out of -the office.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XVIII. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>AN HUMBLE FRIEND.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Just</span> outside the office from which he had been discharged, -Gilbert was accosted by Tom, the boot-black.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Shine yer boots?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert shook his head.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Only five cents, mister,—that’s half price.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s cheap enough,” said Gilbert; “but I’ve just -lost my place, and I cannot afford to pay even that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Been bounced?” asked Tom.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What for?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert hesitated. He did not like to admit that he -had been suspected of dishonesty; still he was innocent, -and had nothing to be ashamed of in the matter. He -accordingly related what had happened.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Tom whistled.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>“Did you say the money was found in your -pocket?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In the pocket of my overcoat,” he replied.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And was your coat hanging up?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then I know how the money got there.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You know how the money got into my pocket!” -repeated Gilbert, in surprise.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, the other boy put it there.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What other boy,—the boy that’s in the office?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, his name is John.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How did you happen to see him do it?” asked -Gilbert, eagerly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I went to the door to see if the book-keeper didn’t -want a shine; just as I was looking in, I see that -boy John go to a coat, and put a bill into the -pocket. I thought it was his coat, and wondered -what made him keep his money loose in that way. Did -he say you put it there?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He wanted you bounced—that’s what’s the -matter.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>“You are right; he wanted the place himself, and -now he’s got it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Just you go back and tell the book-keeper all -about it, and I’ll stand by you,” suggested Tom.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert shook his head.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It won’t do,” he said. “John is Mr. Moore’s -cousin, and I feel sure they are both in the plot; -they would say you were lying.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let ’em say it,” said Tom. “I’ll punch their -heads if they do.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert smiled at the zeal of his humble friend. “I -am afraid that would do neither of us any good,” he -said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Won’t you do nothin’, then?” asked Tom, disappointed. -“Will you stay bounced?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, till Mr. Sands comes back.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is he the boss?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; he is now in Washington, and may not return -for several days. When he comes back, I shall -want you to tell him all you saw.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ll do it,” said Tom.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>“What is your name? Where can I find you if I -want you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hang out at the Newsboys’ Lodge. My name -is Tom Connor.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, Tom; I’m very glad I met you. -Your testimony will be valuable to me. Don’t say -anything about it to anybody else at present. I want -to surprise them.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All right.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think I will have a shine, after all,” said Gilbert, -wishing to repay his new friend by a little patronage.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ll make your boots shine so you can see your -face in ’em,” said Tom, dropping on his knees, and -proceeding to his task energetically.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That will save me the expense of a looking-glass,” -said Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So it will,” said Tom.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When the last was completed, Gilbert drew ten -cents from his pocket, and extended it towards Tom, -but to his surprise the bootblack did not offer to -take it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never mind,” said he, “I don’t want no pay.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>“Why not? You have earned it,” said Gilbert, -wondering at the refusal.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’re bounced, and aint got no money to spare. -I’ll wait till you’ve got your place again.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are very kind,” said Gilbert, grateful for the -considerate sympathy of his humble present; “but I -am not so badly off as some, for I have no board to -pay. You’d better take the money.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ll take five cents,” said Tom; “that’ll be -enough. I’d rather work for you for nothin’ than for -that other feller for full price.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You don’t like him, then? Did he ever employ -you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He kicked me yesterday; but I got even with -him,” he added, in a tone of satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How did you get even with him?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I blacked his face for him,” said Tom, brandishing -the brush.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert laughed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He didn’t fancy that, I suppose?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He had to go back and wash his face,” said Tom, -laughing at the recollection.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>“Well, Tom, good-by,” said Gilbert, preparing to -go. “I’ll hunt you up when Mr. Sands gets back.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’ll find me round here somewheres; this is -where I stand.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert walked away, feeling considerably more -cheerful and hopeful than before his interview with -Tom. Now he felt that he had at hand the means of -his vindication, and his idleness would only be temporary. -He was shocked at the meanness and wickedness -of John and the book-keeper in forming such a conspiracy -against him. He was already learning the -lesson of distrust, and that is never a pleasant lesson -for any of us. Fortunately, we need not distrust -everybody. He must be indeed unfortunate who does -not find some true friends to keep up his faith in -humanity. Our hero had found one, who, though but -a boot-black, was likely to be of essential service to -him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It is said that ill news travels fast. That very -evening Mrs. Briggs learned that Gilbert had lost his -situation, and from what cause. It happened in this -way.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>Randolph, chancing to be down-town, it occurred to -him to call upon Gilbert. His call was made about -half an hour after Gilbert had been discharged.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He entered the office, and, looking about, saw John, -who appeared to be employed. He asked, in some -surprise, “Does not Gilbert Greyson work here?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No,” answered John promptly, “not now.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How is that?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He was discharged this morning. Can I do anything -for you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Discharged!” exclaimed Randolph, much surprised. -“What was he discharged for?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here Simon Moore took part in the conversation.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Are you a friend of Gilbert Greyson?” he -asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ye-es,” answered Randolph, in a tone of hesitation. -“That is, he’s an acquaintance of mine.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you feel interested in him, I have unpleasant -news for you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Randolph pricked up his ears.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What has happened?” he inquired.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>“To be brief, I am afraid your friend is not strictly -honest.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You don’t say so!” exclaimed Randolph, really -amazed. “He hasn’t run off with any money, has -he?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He isn’t very much interested in him,” the book-keeper -said to himself shrewdly. “He doesn’t say -anything in his defence.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; but I am afraid he would if the theft had not -been detected so soon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What was it,—money?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A ten-dollar bill, which I laid casually on the -desk, suddenly disappeared. It was found, after a -little search, in the pocket of your friend’s coat.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He isn’t my friend; he is only an acquaintance,” -said Randolph. “I don’t know much about him. I -didn’t think he’d steal, though. Did he own up?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not he; he was too brazen. Mr. Sands was -absent from the city, but I did not hesitate to discharge -him at once. In our business a boy must -often be trusted with sums of value, and I should not -feel safe in continuing to employ him.”</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/p180.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='sc'>Gilbert accused of stealing.</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>“I suppose you’re right,” said Randolph. “I -wonder what father’ll say.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, I guess I’ll be going,” he continued. “I -didn’t expect to hear such news of Gilbert.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We regret it very much,” said the book-keeper, -hypocritically.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course,” said Randolph. “Serves him right. -He shouldn’t have made such a fool of himself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That fellow don’t care much about Gilbert, John,” -said Simon Moore, after Randolph’s departure.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s so,” said John.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If he has no warmer friends than that, we shan’t -have any applications to take him back.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope not,” said John. “What do you think -Mr. Sands will say when he finds me here?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If I tell him you have done your duty, and done -all I required, he’ll probably keep you. You must -do better than you did last time. No fooling away -your time in the streets when you are sent on an -errand. It won’t do.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There won’t be any trouble about me,” said John, -confidently.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XIX. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>A DOMESTIC DISCUSSION.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Randolph</span> hurried home to tell his mother what -he had heard about Gilbert’s loss of employment. -He knew well enough her feeling towards his father’s -ward to feel sure that it would be welcome intelligence.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Detected in stealing money!” ejaculated Mrs. -Briggs, triumphantly. “Just what I predicted all -along. I am not often deceived about character.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I never heard you predict it, mother,” said Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It was only because I did not like to speak -against the boy,” said Mrs. Briggs, only slightly discomfited. -“I read it in his face the first day he -came here. I saw he was sly and underhanded.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, I didn’t,” said Randolph, who was less -malignant than his mother. “I never thought he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>would do such a thing. I didn’t like him, of course, -but still I thought he was honest.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have lived longer in the world than you, Randolph,” -said Mrs. Briggs, sagaciously, “and I know -that appearances are deceitful. I am not so easily -taken in as your father. He has been infatuated -about this disreputable boy. I hope the knowledge of -the boy’s baseness will cure him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose we needn’t invite Gilbert to my party, -now?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, of course not,” said Mrs. Briggs, with -emphasis. “It would be an insult to you to invite a -boy convicted of theft.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Father may insist upon it,” said Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not unless he is bereft of his senses,” said Mrs. -Briggs. “He has made a point of it till now; but, -of course, this will change his wishes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Randolph did not reply; but, notwithstanding his -mother’s assurance, he felt some doubts on the subject. -His father was, in general, yielding and easily -managed; but, as is often the case with such men, he -was, at times, unexpectedly firm.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>This conversation took place just before dinner. It -was interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Briggs, who -went upstairs at once to prepare for dinner. Fifteen -minutes later they met around the dinner-table. By -arrangement with Randolph, Mrs. Briggs had reserved -to herself the pleasure of imparting to her -husband the news she had heard.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have heard some news to-day, Mr. Briggs,” she -commenced, in a premonitory tone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Indeed, my dear! Pleasant news, I hope.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think it will be pleasant to you, though, I -must confess, it is only what I have all along anticipated.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You speak in enigmas, Mrs. Briggs. Will you -kindly be a little more explicit?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are aware, Mr. Briggs, that I have always -had a very unfavorable opinion of your protegé, the -Greyson boy?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You certainly have not concealed your opinion of -him,” said her husband, shrugging his shoulders. -“Yes, I may say that I know your opinion of -him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>“I suppose you call it prejudice,” continued the -lady.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, it certainly seems like it, not being founded -on the knowledge of anything to his detriment.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That was not necessary. There is such a thing -as reading character. I judged him by his face.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He seems to me to have a very frank, attractive -face.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“As you read it,” said his wife, contemptuously. -“Well, this paragon of yours has lost his place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He has?” inquired Mr. Briggs, in evident surprise.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, he has, and I am not surprised to hear it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you know why he was discharged?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He was detected in theft—stealing a large sum -of money!” answered Mrs. Briggs, triumphantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She expected that her husband would be overwhelmed -at this disclosure; but he asked quite -calmly, “How do you know this? Who is your -informant?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Randolph.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>“What do you know of this, Randolph?” asked his -father.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Randolph gave his father an account of his visit to -the office of Mr. Sands, and the information given -him there.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What do you say to that?” demanded Mrs. -Briggs, in exultation. “Does that change your -opinion of your paragon?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think there is some mistake somewhere,” said -Mr. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why should there be any mistake?” she asked. -“Do you think Randolph would tell a lie?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There are other ways of accounting for the mistake. -I have no idea that Gilbert is guilty of what is -charged against him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Really, this is absurd. You are perfectly infatuated -with this boy,” said Mrs. Briggs, angrily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mistakes have occurred before,” said her husband, -with provoking calmness. “I will investigate the -matter.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t see what investigation is needed. The -<span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>boy has stolen the money. The book-keeper told -Randolph so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The book-keeper may be mistaken.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not much chance of that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Or he may have taken the money himself and -charged it upon Gilbert.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Really, Mr. Briggs you are very perverse,” said -his wife, impatiently.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Because I am not ready to believe Gilbert a thief -before he is proved so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“After he has been proved so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There would be no need of trials or juries if you -were a judge, my dear,” said Mr. Briggs, smiling. -“You would be for sentencing the unfortunate defendant -as soon as the charge had been brought -against him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Cherish your delusion as to the boy’s innocence -as much as you like, Mr. Briggs; but there is one -thing which you will certainly concede.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What is that?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gilbert Greyson must not be invited to Randolph’s -party.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A common thief—impossible!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But suppose he is wrongfully accused?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is enough that he is accused, and probably -guilty.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will investigate the matter, Mrs. Briggs. If I -am convinced that the boy is innocent, he shall be -invited.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Briggs was about to make an indignant protest, -when the servant, who had answered the door-bell, -opened the door and ushered in the innocent cause of -the heated discussion,—Gilbert Greyson.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XX. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>A FEMALE FOE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>There</span> was a moment of embarrassing silence after -the entrance of Gilbert. Mrs. Briggs, as she afterwards -expressed it, was paralyzed with astonishment -at the effrontery of the boy. Randolph waited with -curiosity to hear what his parents would say, while -Mr. Briggs was silent merely because he was taken by -surprise. He was the first to speak, and his tone, -though a little embarrassed, was yet not without kindness.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-evening, Gilbert,” he said. “Won’t you -sit down and have some dinner?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Briggs looked daggers at her husband. How -could he dream of extending such an invitation to -Gilbert, under the circumstances.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, thank you,” said Gilbert, “I have already -dined.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>“Then take a seat. We shall soon be through -dinner.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This is an unusual time to call,” said Mrs. -Briggs frigidly, breaking silence for the first time.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What difference does it make?” interposed her -husband. “Gilbert is not a stranger, to stand on ceremony.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So it appears,” returned his wife, in the same -unpleasant tone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I ought to apologize for calling during your dinner-hour,” -said Gilbert, “but I wished particularly to -consult you about my affairs.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Of course this was addressed to Mr. Briggs. Mrs. -Briggs was perhaps the last person in the range of his -acquaintance whom our hero would have cared to -consult.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Anything new with you?” asked his guardian, -in a tone of slight embarrassment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes,” answered Gilbert, frankly; “I am in -trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Briggs glanced meaningly at Randolph, as if -to say, “Now it’s coming.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>“You would perhaps wish to speak to me alone,” -said Mr. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, if you have any secrets, Randolph and I can -withdraw,” said Mrs. Briggs, with unnecessary offence. -She would have been deeply disappointed to -be excluded from the conference between Gilbert and -her husband. Our hero, however, relieved her of her -apprehensions.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Though I am in trouble,” he said, “I have nothing -to be ashamed of, and am perfectly willing to -speak before all of you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Briggs here glanced at his wife with a relieved -air. Gilbert spoke as if confident of his own innocence. -It produced no such effect on Mrs. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He’s going to brazen it out,” she said to herself.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Go on, then,” said Mr. Briggs, kindly. “What is -your trouble?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have been charged with theft, and dismissed -from my situation,” said Gilbert, candidly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you call that nothing to be ashamed of?” -demanded Mrs. Briggs, sharply.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>Gilbert met her hostile gaze with unflinching calmness.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No,” he said, “it is nothing for me to be ashamed -of, for the charge is false.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What evidence have we of that except your own -assertion?” demanded Mrs. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is enough for me,” said Mr. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is not enough for me,” said his wife.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will give you an account of the affair so far as -I understand it,” said Gilbert. “Fortunately, I have -a witness who is able to confirm my words.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert’s statement need not be repeated, as the -facts are already known to us.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So you expect us to believe the testimony of this -boot-black.” said Mrs. Briggs, scornfully,—“a highly -respectable witness indeed.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose a boot-black may speak the truth, -madam,” said Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I dare say he would say whatever he was instructed -to say for twenty-five cents, perhaps less.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are determined to believe me guilty, Mrs. -Briggs,” said Gilbert, quietly, betraying no anger; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>“I expected it, for I knew you are prejudiced against -me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I certainly don’t believe the very extraordinary -story you have told us,” retorted the lady. “You -charge a book-keeper, of high standing, with entering -into a conspiracy against you. It is absurd upon its -face.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How do you know the book-keeper is of high -standing?” asked Mr. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Because Mr. Sands would not have any other.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gilbert has the same guaranty of high standing,” -said her husband, smiling. “He has been employed -by Mr. Sands.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is different. He took him upon your recommendation.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Would I be likely to recommend any boy not of -high standing?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Your levity seems to be ill-timed, Mr. Briggs,” -said his wife, coldly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thought it my duty to come to you and tell you -at once,” said Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Knowing that you could not conceal it from us, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>for we knew it already,” said Mrs. Briggs, who could -not forbear another sneer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You knew it already!” exclaimed Gilbert, with -unmistakable astonishment “Has Mr. Moore already -sent you word of it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; Randolph happened to call at the office for -you just after your discharge. He brought us the -news.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am much obliged to Randolph for his call,” -said Gilbert; “I am only sorry that it occurred at -such an unfortunate time.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It was unfortunate for you, no doubt,” said Mrs. -Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“When I return there, I hope you will call again,” -said our hero, turning to Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Briggs was exasperated by our hero’s coolness.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you the effrontery to fancy you will be -taken back after such a crime?” she demanded.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have committed no crime, Mrs. Briggs. The -charge is false, as I shall prove to Mr. Sands when he -returns from Washington. He is a just man, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>understands that the book-keeper is prejudiced against -me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“When will Mr. Sands return?” asked Mr. -Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In a few days. He has gone to the sick-bed of -his brother. I shall wait till he returns before taking -any steps to clear myself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is probably your best course. I hope all will -come out right.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think it will,” said Gilbert. “Now, let me bid -you good-evening.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why not stay the evening?” said Mr. Briggs, in -a friendly tone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you very much, but I will wait till I am -cleared of this charge. I came up to-night because I -wanted you to know about it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will accompany you to the door,” said Mr. -Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When they were in the hall, he said, “Next -Wednesday Randolph is to have a birthday party. I -shall be glad to see you here.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, sir,” said Gilbert, gratefully. “I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>thank you all the more, because it shows that you -believe in my innocence. But all the same, I would -rather not accept. I shall still be resting under this -false charge, and Mrs. Briggs evidently believes me -guilty.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Women are apt to be prejudiced,” said Mr. -Briggs, apologetically.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Still the prejudice would make it unpleasant for -me to come.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Perhaps you are right, Gilbert. At any rate, -you are manly and independent, and I respect you -for it. Come round to my office if anything turns up -in which you need my advice.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>When Mr. Briggs returned to the dining-room, his -wife accosted him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, you had a secret conference with your -promising protegé,” she said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not secret. I am willing to tell you all that -passed between us.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>“I invited Gilbert to attend Randolph’s party next -Wednesday.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good heavens! Mr. Briggs,” exclaimed the lady, -angrily, “this is a little too much. Of course the -boy snapped at it. He has more effrontery than any -boy I ever knew.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He declined the invitation,” said Mr. Briggs. -“He said that while resting under this charge he was -unwilling to be present on such an occasion.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then he has more decency than I gave him -credit for,” said Mrs. Briggs, relieved. “Knowing -his guilt, he would find it embarrassing.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Permit me to differ with you, Mrs. Briggs. One -thing more. I have only given Gilbert a verbal invitation. -Let me request you to send him a personal -invitation with the rest.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What necessity is there for that? Has he not -declined to come?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He must receive a formal invitation, nevertheless,” -said her husband, sternly, “or there shall be no -party.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Your father is so infatuated with that boy,” -<span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>said Mrs. Briggs, after her husband had left the -room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But she sent the invitation. She knew by her -husband’s tone that he was fully in earnest. She was -still a little afraid that Gilbert would accept, and was -only quite freed from apprehension when she received -a note from him regretting that he could not be -present.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXI. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>ALPHONSO JONES.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>Would</span> you like a little fun this evening, Gilbert?” -asked his room-mate, on the succeeding -morning.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes,” said Gilbert; “I always enjoy fun, and -especially now when I have lost my place, since it -will help me to forget my bad luck. Is there anything -up?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; we are going to play a practical joke on -Alphonso Jones. We are going to gratify his taste -for associating with the aristocracy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What is your plan?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have discovered in Bleecker Street a stylish -barber, who has a smattering of French. In feet, he -has served me more than once. He has entered into -our plot, and agreed to personate a French count—the -Count de Montmorency.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>“Good!” said Gilbert, laughing. “When are the -two to be brought together?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This very evening, in our room. I shall despatch -a note to Mr. Jones during the day, inviting -him to meet my illustrious visitor. Hayward and -Kennedy are in the secret, and will be present also. -Of course you will be with us, but you must keep on -a straight face.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never fear for me,” said Gilbert. “I will take -care not to let the cat out of the bag.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>In conformity with the plan, Mr. Alphonso Jones -received, during the day, the following note:—</p> - -<p class='c016'>“<span class='sc'>Dear Mr. Jones</span>,—I shall be glad if you will -favor me with your company this evening, in my -room. I have been fortunate enough to make the -acquaintance of an illustrious French nobleman, -Count Ernest de Montmorency, who, in the most condescending -manner, has accepted an invitation to -spend this evening with me. You will find him very -affable and agreeable, notwithstanding his superiority -in social rank. I feel a little diffident about receiving -<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>him, not being so well up in the usages of fashionable -society as you are—I rely on you to help me -out. I have invited Hayward and Kennedy also to -be present. Greyson will, of course, be with us. -If you have any other engagement, break it for my -sake.</p> - -<p class='c017'>“Yours truly,</p> -<p class='c018'>“<span class='sc'>W. Ingalls</span>.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The face of Jones was overspread with smiles as he -read this epistle, and he felt at least a foot taller. -He could conceive of nothing more glorious than to -be introduced to a foreign nobleman. Once in his -life it had been his privilege to make the acquaintance -of a brigadier-general, who had given him two -fingers to shake, and said, “I am glad to meet you, -sir.” Most of the fashionable acquaintances of whom -he boasted had no existence save in his imagination, -but this general was a reality; he was only a general -of volunteers, but that made no difference to Alphonso; -he had managed hundreds of times to make -capital of his greatness in some such way as this: -<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>“My friend, General Smith, remarked to me one -day;” or, “Speaking of brave men reminds me of my -intimate friend, General Smith.” But even General -Smith was not for a moment to be compared to the -Count Ernest de Montmorency; there was something -peculiarly high-toned in the name, Alphonso thought. -So thought Mr. Ingalls, or he would have invented -some other.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alphonso was anxious to communicate to some one -else the honor in store for him; he would like to have -gone to his employer at once, and said, “Mr. Simpson, -I am to meet the Count de Montmorency this evening.” -This, however, even to Alphonso, seemed rather -an abrupt and uncalled-for announcement, and he had -to consider how best to manage the matter, for he was -determined that Mr. Simpson should know it. It was -not entirely easy, but finally a bright and satisfactory -idea dawned upon the happy Jones.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He went up to the desk, behind which his employer, -a stout, practical man of business, was sitting, and -coughed by the way of arresting his attention.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>“Eh, Mr. Jones, did you wish to speak to me?” -inquired Mr. Simpson.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir,” said Alphonso; “would you be kind -enough to let me leave the store half an hour earlier -than usual?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you have a good reason, Mr. Jones; are you -sick?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir, my health is excellent, thank you. The -fact is, sir, I have an invitation to meet the noble -count, Count Ernest de Montmorency, this evening, -and—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The—what?” exclaimed his employer, arching -his brows.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A French nobleman, sir—the Count Ernest de -Montmorency,” repeated Alphonso, trying not to betray -too strongly his inward exultation.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What time are you going to meet him?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This evening, sir, but I wish time to dress properly.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, I don’t know that I have any objection,” -said the merchant, deliberately. “Where is this -count stopping?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>“I don’t know exactly, sir; but probably at the -Brevoort House or the Clarendon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very well, you can go. Business is not pressing, -and you can be spared. But, hark you, Mr. Jones, -one word of advice.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Certainly, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If this count wants to borrow money of you, -don’t lend him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am sure he wouldn’t ask such a thing,” said -Alphonso, shocked at the idea. “Why, he possesses -a beautiful chateau and an immense estate in France!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here Alphonso drew upon his imagination for what -he considered to be probable enough.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They all say so,” said the practical Simpson, -“even when they haven’t twenty-five cents to bless -themselves with. My advice may be needed, after -all.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alphonso was rather disgusted by this caution, -which seemed so derogatory to the character and position -of a nobleman; but he, after some reflection, -attributed it to Mr. Simpson’s disappointment in not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>himself enjoying the privilege of being invited to meet -the count.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Kidder,” he said to a fellow-clerk, “what -do you think of my necktie?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It looks well enough—why?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I was wondering whether it would do to wear this -evening.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What’s up this evening?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am invited to meet the Count Ernest de Montmorency, -as you will see by this note.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Strange Ingalls didn’t invite me,” said Kidder. -“When did he pick up the count?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Really, Mr. Kidder, that is a singular way -of speaking,—<i>picking up</i> the count,” protested -Alphonso.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have no great respect for French counts,” said -Kidder. “They don’t generally amount to much.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He’s jealous, too,” said Alphonso to himself, -complacently. “It is clear he envies me my invitation.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What do you think I ought to wear, Mr. Kidder?” -he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>“Dress suit and white tie, of course.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So I think. I’m really sorry I can’t take you -with me, Kidder.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, I couldn’t go to-night. I’ve got a ticket to -the theatre.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’d rather meet the count than go to forty -theatres,” thought Alphonso. “Wouldn’t it be a -splendid thing if he should take a fancy to me, and -invite me to visit him at his chateau in <i>la belle -France</i>?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alphonso made so many mistakes during the -remainder of the day that he might have been spared -considerably sooner without detriment to the business.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXII. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>COUNT ERNEST DE MONTMORENCY.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>At</span> eight o’clock Alphonso knocked at the door of -Mr. Ingalls’ room. He was got up with the utmost -magnificence which he could command. With his -dress-coat, white tie, and imitation diamond pin, he -made an imposing appearance.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am glad to see you, Mr. Jones,” said Mr. -Ingalls. “Count Ernest de Montmorency, permit me -to introduce my friend, Mr. Alphonso Jones.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The count, a little man, with a waxed mustache -of extraordinary size, a long nose, and pale, watery -eyes, rose, and bowed profoundly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am most happy, Monsieur Jones, to have ze -honor of making your acquaintance,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My lord count, the honor is on my side,” returned -Alphonso, with an elaborate bow, which he -had learned in dancing-school.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>“Mr. Jones,” said Ingalls, “will you take the -chair next to the count? Our distinguished friend is -desirous of making some inquiries about fashionable -society in America.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall be most happy,” replied Alphonso, immensely -flattered, “to give the noble count any -information in my power.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I understand from Monsieur Ingalls you do go -much in society,” said the count.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A little, your lordship,” said Mr. Jones, modestly. -“I am intimate in some of our leading families.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have some fine watering-places, <i>n’est ce -pas</i>?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, my lord count,—Newport, Saratoga, and -Long Branch are all fashionable.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have visit zem all?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, yes,” answered Alphonso, who had once -stopped over night at Saratoga, and made a day’s excursion -to Long Branch. “I meet so many of my fashionable -friends there, that it is very pleasant for me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Sans doute</i>, and which do you prefare?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Saratoga, my lord count. It is the most high-toned, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>in my opinion. My friends, the Vernons, of -Madison avenue, always go there.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I once did know a Marquis de Vernon in my own -country.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A relation of my friends,” said Alphonso, confidently. -“How long has your lordship been in -America?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Tree week, zat is all.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you been in New York all the time?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, Monsieur Jones, I did visit Boston and Philadelphia, -but New York is one fine city, ze best of -all; it reminds me of Paris.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Paris is a very beautiful city, I have always -heard, my lord count.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, <i>très magnifique</i>. Zere is no city like it. -Have you visited Paris, Monsieur Alphonse?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He is getting intimate, thought Mr. Jones, elated, -or he would not call me by my first name.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, your lordship, I have not had that great -pleasure.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“When you come,” said the count, affably, “you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>must come to my chateau in Normandy, and stay one -month.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>This was beyond Alphonso’s most sanguine hopes. -To be invited to visit a foreign nobleman at his -chateau was an unlooked-for honor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You overwhelm me with your kindness, my lord -count,” said Alphonso, in a flutter of delight. “I -hope some day to accept your honorable invitation.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think you will have zer good time. My sister, -the Countess Marie de Montmorency, will be charmed -to see you. She adores Americans.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alphonso was in the seventh heaven of delight. -Instantly he pictured the high-born Countess Marie -falling in love with him, marrying him, and thus giving -him a place in the aristocratic circles of France. -Perhaps, in that case, family influence would procure -him a title also. It was the happiest moment of his -life.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nothing would delight me more than to make the -acquaintance of your august family, my lord count,” -he said, his voice partly tremulous with joy. “When -do you propose to return to <i>la belle France</i>?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>“What, you do speak my language, Monsieur -Alphonse?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Only a little, your lordship,” said Mr. Jones, -modestly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Oui, monsieur, un peu.</i>”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Comment vous portez vous, Monsieur Alphonse?</i>”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Très beaucoup bien</i>,” answered Alphonso, -proudly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What an accent!” exclaimed the count, raising -both hands. “You do speak like one native.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think I should soon learn it if I were in <i>la -belle France</i>,” said Alphonso, much pleased.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gentlemen,” said Mr. Ingalls, “I don’t like to -interrupt you, but permit me to offer you a glass of -wine.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Glasses were handed to the company.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Jones, will you propose the count’s health?” -asked the host. Alphonso rose, and placed one hand -on his heart.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gentlemen,” he commenced, “I feel—ahem! -deeply honored, and—and happy on this auspicious -<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>occasion. We are assembled, sir, to do honor to an -illustrious peer of the realm. The noble Count -Ernest de Montmorency honors us with his high-toned -presence. We all hope that he may enjoy his visit, -and return in safety to his aristocratic relations, his -honorable mother, and his sister, the noble Countess -Marie de Montmorency. I propose the health of the -noble count.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The toast was drunk with enthusiasm.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Jones, you are quite an orator,” said Mr. -Ingalls.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have ze great talent for speaking Monsieur -Alphonse. You should go to Congress.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My lord count, you flatter me,” said Mr. Jones, -deciding that this was, by all odds, the proudest -moment of his life.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not at all, Mr. Jones,” said Mr. Ingalls. “I -never heard a neater speech, did you, Hayward?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never,” said Hayward.</p> - -<p class='c010'>So poor Alphonso was fooled to the top of his bent, -and when the company separated, and he retired to -his humble apartment, he was visited by the most -<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>ravishing dreams, in which he stood at the altar with -the high-born Countess Marie de Montmorency, clad -in sumptuous attire, wearing on his breast the cross of -the Legion of Honor.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXIII. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>THE LITTLE FLOWER-GIRL.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Gilbert</span> found it very irksome to be without employment; -besides, he was anxious to be vindicated as -soon as possible from the malicious charge which had -been made against him. He felt himself fortunate, -however, in one respect; he was subjected to no privations, -having his board and lodging paid by his -guardian. Had Mr. Briggs suspected him, he was -proud enough to have left his boarding-place, and -relied upon his own exertions.</p> - -<p class='c010'>From the force of habit, and partly to fill up his -time, Gilbert continued to go down-town daily. One -day he met Mr. Vivian on Broadway, below the -Astor House.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-morning, Gilbert,” said the merchant, -pleasantly. “Are you out on business?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>“No, sir,” answered Gilbert. “I am out of -business just at present.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thought you were in the office of a stock-broker.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So I was; but I have lost my place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Through no fault of your own, I am sure.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir. I should not have lost my place if Mr. -Sands had been in the city. During his absence the -book-keeper, who has a dislike to me because I -superseded his cousin, discharged me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come up this evening to my house, Gilbert. -Then I shall be at leisure, and you can tell me all -the details of the affair.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am sure he won’t credit the charge against me,” -thought Gilbert, and this thought encouraged him not -a little.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert continued his walk. As he was passing -Trinity church-yard, he was accosted by a little girl, -of perhaps eight years old. “Won’t you buy some -flowers, sir?—only five cents.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert shook his head mechanically. Then he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>glanced at the little girl, and his sympathy was -aroused. She was poorly dressed, with a fragile -figure, and thin, pale face, which yet only lacked the -roundness and rosy hue of health to be uncommonly -pretty. She did not repeat her request, but she looked -sad and depressed. Gilbert paused and spoke to her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you sold many flowers to-day, little girl?” -he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir; only three bunches,” she replied.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where do you get them?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I sell them for a woman.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How much does she give you for selling them?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Two cents a bunch.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then you have only made six cents to-day. How -long have you been standing here?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ever since eight o’clock,” said the little girl, -wearily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t you get tired being on your feet so long?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wouldn’t care for that if the people would only -buy my flowers.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are young to be sent out in this way. -Haven’t you got a father to take care of you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>“Papa used to take care of me when he was well, -and did not let me come out; but now he is sick, and -we have no money, and I have to leave him,” said the -little girl, sadly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Poor child!” said Gilbert, compassionately. -“You are unfortunate. Where does your father -live?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“On Pearl Street, in a tenement house,” said the -little flower-girl; “but I am afraid we will be turned -out because we cannot pay the rent.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What is your name?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Emma Talbot.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then, Emma, if you like, I will go around and -see your father with you. Perhaps I can help him, -or get some of my friends to help him. Can you -come now?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“When I have sold this bunch of flowers, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“As it is the last you have got, I will take it; so -we needn’t wait.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, thank you, sir,” said the child, brightening -up. “If you won’t mind, I will stop and buy a roll -at the baker’s for papa.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>“Certainly, Emma. I have plenty of time. -Wait; take my hand while we cross the street, you -must be careful, or you may be run over.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wait for the policeman generally,” said the -little girl. “I should be afraid to cross alone.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are quite right to be careful.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The little girl took his hand confidingly, and -together they crossed the City Hall Park. It was a -new sensation to Gilbert to have the charge of a little -girl. He had always been thrown among boys, and, -never having had a sister, was very ignorant of girls, -and the tastes of girls. For the first time, as he -held Emma’s hand, it occurred to him that he would -like to have a little sister, whom he could pet and -protect.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As he was crossing the Park, he met his successor, -John, sauntering along at a snail’s pace. John had -been sent out on an errand, but had fallen into his old -way of loitering and wasting the time which belonged -to his employer. When he caught sight of Gilbert -he started in surprise at his young companion.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>“Hallo, Greyson!” he said, by way of opening a -conversation.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-morning,” said Gilbert, coldly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is that your sister?” asked John, looking hard -at Emma.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No,” answered Gilbert, shortly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ho, ho!” laughed John. “I understand.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am glad you do.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’ve got a place as a girl’s nurse. That’s -good.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are very witty,” said Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How much wages do you get?” continued John.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think I had better not tell you, or you might -get up a conspiracy to deprive me of my position.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What do you mean by that?” asked John, uncomfortably.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You know well enough what I mean. You know -that you got your present place by dishonorable -means. But I don’t think you’ll keep it long.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’d better take care what you say,” blustered -John. “My cousin may have you arrested yet.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He is quite at liberty to do so,” answered Gilbert, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>unterrified. “I don’t think he will find it prudent -though.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Because it might come out who really put the -money in my coat-pocket.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You did it yourself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are mistaken. I have found out who did -put it in.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Who?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think you need any information on that -point.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Look here,” said John, angrily, “you’d better -not tell any lies to Mr. Sands when he comes back.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have no occasion to do so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’d better leave the city, or Mr. Sands may -have you arrested.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will risk that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I guess you can get a place in Philadelphia,” -said John. “I’ll get my cousin to give you a recommendation -if you’ll promise to go there.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How can he recommend me after discharging me -for theft?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>“He’ll think this will be a lesson to you. Shall I -ask him?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, thank you. I don’t intend to leave the city -at present.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m afraid that chap will make trouble for me -yet,” muttered John to himself, as Gilbert walked -away with the little girl; “but he can’t prove anything. -I guess me and cousin Simon will be more -than a match for him.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXIV. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>EMMA’S FATHER.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Gilbert</span> kept on his way with the little girl. -After a short walk, she paused in front of a miserable -tenement house on Pearl Street.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This is where we live,” she said; “will you go -upstairs, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you think I shall not be intruding on your -father,” said Gilbert, with instinctive delicacy.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He will be glad to see a kind face,” said Emma, -simply.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then if you will lead the way, I will follow,” -said our hero.</p> - -<p class='c010'>They clambered up three flights of stairs, and then -Emma opened a door and ushered her companion into -a small, barely furnished room. On a pallet on the -floor was stretched a man of fifty, pale and emaciated, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>with eyes preternaturally bright; his face was -turned towards the wall, and he did not see Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is that you, Emma?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, papa; how do you feel now?” asked the -little girl.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Much the same, my child; did you sell your -flowers?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, papa, and I have brought you a fresh roll. -I have brought some one with me, too.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Talbot turned his head, and looked at Gilbert, -not without surprise.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope you won’t look upon me as an intruder, -sir,” said Gilbert; “your little girl told me you -would not, or I would not have ventured to call.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am glad to see you,” said the sick man, -“though this is but a poor place to receive company -in.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I understand your situation, sir,” said Gilbert; -“you have been sick and unfortunate.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are right; I was unfortunate first, and sick -afterwards. Emma, will you give the young gentleman -a chair?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>“Oh, don’t trouble yourself,” said Gilbert, taking -a chair for himself.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Talbot proceeded: “Five years since, I removed -to Chicago, with my little girl, in the hope -that in that growing and prosperous Western city I -might, at least, earn a comfortable living. I was not -wholly without means,—I had about a thousand dollars,—but -misfortune pursued me. I was once burnt -out, lost my situation by the failure of the firm that -employed me, and the end of it all was, that a year -ago I found myself bankrupt. Then I decided to -come to New York, hoping to succeed better here. I -managed, while I was well, to earn a precarious living -by copying for lawyers (I am a book-keeper by vocation) -but, a month since, I was stricken down by a -fever, from which I am only just recovering. How -we have got along I can hardly tell you. When I -became sick I had but a dollar in my pocket-book, -yet we have continued to live. My little Emma,” he -continued, looking proudly at the little girl, “has -been a great help to me. She has managed to earn a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>little, and has attended upon me by night and by day. -I don’t know what I could have done without her.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I ought to work for you now, papa,” said the -child, simply; “all my life you have been working -for me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“She is a perfect little woman, though only ten -years old,” said the father. “Poor child! her life -has been far from bright. I hope the future has -some happier days in store for both of us.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Only get well, sir,” said Gilbert, cheerfully, -“and the happier days will begin.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope so; but even in health I found it hard to -get along.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>At this moment there was a knock at the door.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Emma went to the door, and opened it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A short, stout, coarse-featured woman entered, and -looked about her with the air of one who had come to -engage in battle.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Take a seat, Mrs. Flanders,” said the sick man.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Much obliged to you, sir,” said the woman, not -to be placated by this politeness; “but I can’t stop. -I come on business. I suppose you know what it is.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>“I suppose it is the rent,” said Mr. Talbot, -uneasily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, it is the rent,” said Mrs. Flanders. “I hope -you are ready to pay it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How can you expect it, Mrs. Flanders? You -know how long I have been sick and unable to earn -anything.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is not my fault, Mr. Talbot,” said the -woman, sharply. “I’m a widow woman, and have -to look out for myself. When I let you this room, I -told you you must pay me prompt, for I had to pay -prompt. Have you forgot that?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, I have not forgotten it, and I am very sorry -that circumstances have been so against me. Wait -patiently, and I will pay you yet.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Wait patiently!” repeated the woman, angrily. -“Haven’t I been waiting patiently for a month? To-morrow -I have to pay my rent, and I must be paid -what you owe me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We have but a few cents in the house,” said Mr. -Talbot. “How much have you got, Emma?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Four cents, papa.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>“Give them to Mrs. Flanders; it is all we have.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Four cents!” exclaimed the landlady, shrilly; -“do you mean to insult me?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t feel much like insulting anybody,” said -Mr. Talbot, wearily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Once more, do you intend to pay me my rent or -not?” demanded the virago.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I can’t at present. In time—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Stuff and nonsense!—then out you budge to-day. -I can’t afford to keep you here for nothing.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“O Mrs. Flanders,” pleaded Emma, in terror. -“It will kill my father to go out, sick as he is. Let -us stay here a little longer.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It won’t do,” said the woman; “I’m not so -soft as that comes to. If you won’t pay the rent, -you must budge.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert had listened to this dialogue with mingled -pain and indignation. It was his first practical -acquaintance with poverty and the world’s inhumanity. -He could remain silent no longer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How much is your bill, madam?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>“Rent for four weeks, at a dollar a week,—four -dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will pay it,” said Gilbert, glad that the amount -was not beyond his resources.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The little girl impulsively seized his hand and carried -it to her lips.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, how kind you are!” she said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Are you sure it will not inconvenience you?” -asked Mr. Talbot.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, no, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then I will accept the loan with thanks. You -are a friend in need.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The landlady took the money with avidity, for she -had considered the debt a bad one.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, young man,” she said; adding, in an -apologetic tone, “You may think me hard, but I -have to be. I have to live myself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert listened coldly, for he was disgusted with -the woman’s coarse and brutal manners.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And I hope you’ll get well soon, sir,” she said, -turning to Mr. Talbot; but he did not answer her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is the way of the world,” he remarked, after -<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>Mrs. Flanders had gone out. “Poverty has few -friends.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“When you are well, sir, I will mention you to a -friend who may give you some work,” said Gilbert. -“Meanwhile I will call again in a day or two.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You will always be welcome,” said Mr. Talbot, -gratefully. “You have done me a great service.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>When Gilbert went out, he realized that his generosity -might cause him inconvenience, for he had but a -dollar remaining in his pocket-book, and was earning -nothing.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXV. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>GILBERT IN A TIGHT PLACE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Gilbert</span> called upon the Vivians the same evening. -He was received with as much cordiality as on -his first visit.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now,” said Mr. Vivian, laying down the evening -paper, which he had been reading at Gilbert’s -entrance, “tell me how you came to lose your place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert told his story in the fewest possible words.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s a great shame,” said Fred, indignantly; “I’d -like to put a head on that book-keeper.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I sympathize with you, Fred,” said Laura; “but -I think you might have expressed yourself differently.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Your sister is right, Fred,” said Mr. Vivian; -“you must not be too ready to employ street -phrases.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s what I mean, any way,” said Fred.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>“Do you think your employer will do you justice -when he returns?” asked Mr. Vivian.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir. Mr. Sands is an excellent man, and he -knows very well that Mr. Moore is prejudiced -against me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then you expect to be taken back?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If anything should occur to prevent, come at -once and let me know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Before the evening was over Gilbert managed to -introduce the subject of the little flower-girl whom he -had befriended. He gave an account of the father’s -sickness, and the little girl’s devotion. Fred and -Laura were much interested, and asked many questions, -which Gilbert answered as well as he could.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You think these people really worthy of assistance, -Gilbert?” asked Mr. Vivian.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir, I have no doubt of it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You know there are many impostors, who live by -working on the sympathies of the benevolent?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir; but in this case I have no hesitation at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>all. I am sure Mr. Talbot and the little girl deserve -help.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In that case,” said the merchant, “I am willing -to do something for them.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He drew from his pocket a ten-dollar bill and -handed it to Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It may be best,” he suggested, “not to give them -this money all at once, but a dollar or two at a time, -in order to insure its careful use.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, sir,” said Gilbert, joyfully; “this -money will be like a fortune to them. I will see that -your wishes are carried out.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Papa,” said Fred, “may I give Gilbert my five-dollar -gold piece for the little girl and her father?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not at present, Fred; though I am glad you feel -like offering it. When this money is expended, Gilbert -will let us know, and then we will see what else -is to be done.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are a dear, good boy, to offer the money,” -said Laura, giving her brother an unexpected kiss; -“you have got a good heart, though you don’t always -keep your face and hands clean.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>“A fellow can’t be always washing his face and -hands,” said Fred. “You needn’t kiss me if you are -afraid of the dirt.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Laura laughed. “I will risk it this time,” she -said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Won’t you play me a game of checkers, Gilbert?” -asked Fred.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What am I to do while you two are playing?” -asked Laura.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, you can be umpire,” said Fred.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should be sure to decide against you,” said -Laura.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s because you like Gilbert,” said Fred, who -was just at the age when a boy is apt to make disconcerting -speeches.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Laura blushed a little, and so did Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think we both like him,” said Laura.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I do,” said Fred.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you both,” said Gilbert. “I suppose -there isn’t such a thing as three playing a game of -checkers. That would bring us all in.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>“No,” said Laura; “but we can play the Mansion -of Happiness, if Fred is willing.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t mind,” said Fred. “That’s good fun, -too.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>So the game referred to was brought out, and an -hour was consumed in this way. Fred, to his great -delight, was the victor each time, and was disposed to -exult over his vanquished opponents.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never mind, Fred; it will be our turn next -time,” said Laura.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At half-past nine Gilbert set out for home. He -felt that he had passed a pleasant evening, and was -cheered by the thought that his discharge had not -alienated these true friends from him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Two days later he went into the office of Mr. -Briggs. He was accustomed to make a weekly call, -when Mr. Briggs would give him money to pay his -week’s board.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is Mr. Briggs in?” he asked, after looking about -him in vain for that gentleman.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Briggs will not be in for a long time,” said -the clerk addressed. “He has gone to Europe.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>“Gone to Europe!” exclaimed Gilbert, in genuine -astonishment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Business of importance called him very suddenly,” -said the clerk.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How long is he to be gone?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is uncertain. From two to three months, I -should say.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did he leave any letter or message for me,—Gilbert -Greyson?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The clerk shook his head.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nothing at all,” he answered.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert left the office in great perplexity. How -was he to pay the week’s board now due, he asked -himself, with less than a dollar in hand, and no income?</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXVI. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>THE COUNT’S SECRET.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>On</span> the morning after Alphonso Jones had enjoyed -his memorable interview with the Count Ernest de -Montmorency, he bore himself in a loftier and more -consciously superior manner than usual. He felt that -he was entitled to a larger measure of consideration, -on account of his intimacy with one of the nobility.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The count must have seen something in me, or -he would not have invited me to visit him at his -chateau,” reflected Alphonso.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was natural that Mr. Jones should wish his -friends to be aware of his social distinction.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-morning, Mr. Kidder,” he said, in a patronizing -manner, to his fellow-clerk. “How did you -enjoy the theatre last evening?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very well. The play was a good one, and well -performed.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>“I also passed the evening in a very agreeable -manner,” remarked Alphonso, complacently.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where were you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In Mr. Ingalls’ room.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, yes, I forgot. What company did he have -in? Didn’t you say something of a French count -being expected?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The Count Ernest de Montmorency was present,” -said Alphonso, dwelling with unction on the high-sounding -syllables.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How did you like him?” asked Kidder, who had -received a brief note from Mr. Ingalls, letting him -into the secret.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I never met a more high-toned gentleman,” said -Mr. Jones, enthusiastically. “His manners were -most courtly, and I may add that he was very affable -to me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ingalls ought to have invited me,” said Mr. Kidder, -affecting to feel slighted.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He will doubtless remember you another time,” -said Alphonso; “probably the count does not like a -large company.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>“I suppose he is just like other men,” said Kidder, -by way of drawing out his fellow-clerk. “If you -hadn’t known him to be a count, you wouldn’t have -seen anything particular in him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I beg to differ with you,” said Alphonso, with an -air of superior information. “<i>Some</i> persons might -have thought so; but I claim to be a judge of -men, and I at once saw that he was a high-toned -aristocrat.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What did you judge from, now?” asked Kidder, -amused.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I cannot explain what,—it was that the French call -<i>je ne sais quoi</i>,” answered Mr. Jones, who had been -studying up some French phrases that very morning.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Genesee squaw!</i>” echoed Kidder, purposely -misunderstanding him. “What on earth has a -French count to do with a Genesee squaw?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I pity your ignorance, Mr. Kidder,” said Alphonso, -mildly. “The words I used were French, -and mean, ‘I don’t know what.’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You don’t know what they mean? Then why do -you use them?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>“You misunderstand me again. <i>Je ne sais quoi</i> -means I—do—not—know—what. Do you see it -now?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, that’s it. I didn’t know you were such a -French scholar, Mr. Jones.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am a poor French scholar,” said Alphonso, -modestly; “but I shall try to make myself familiar -with the language before I go to France.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Are you going to France? How long has that -been in your mind?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“To tell the truth, Mr. Kidder, I never thought -seriously of it till last evening. But since the Count -de Montmorency has been kind enough to invite me -to visit him at his chateau, and become acquainted -with his noble family, I feel that it is quite worth my -while to prepare myself to converse with them.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You don’t say so! What a lucky fellow you -are! Did the count really invite you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He invited me in the most affable and friendly—I -may say urgent manner,” said Alphonso, complacently.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Couldn’t you get me an invitation, too?” asked -<span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>Kidder, in pretended anxiety. “I’ve been long wanting -to go abroad, and I think my father would consent, -if I received such an invitation as that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should like to oblige you, Mr. Kidder, but -really I couldn’t venture on such a liberty,” said -Alphonso, decidedly; for he feared that his fellow-clerk, -who was better-looking than himself, might -interfere with his matrimonial designs upon the -count’s high-born sister.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Perhaps the count will invite me himself. I’ll -get Ingalls to introduce me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Possibly,” said Alphonso, coldly; “but I wouldn’t -obtrude myself upon his lordship.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t see why I shouldn’t be introduced as well -as you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alphonso, who privately considered himself more -high-toned than Kidder, felt that there was good -reason, but did not think it policy to pursue the -subject.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Probably Mr. Jones referred to the Count Ernest -de Montmorency at least thirty times that day, and -succeeded in arousing the curiosity and envy of such -<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>of his acquaintances as were not in the secret. He -indulged in many a gorgeous day-dream, in which he -figured as the brother-in-law of the count, with a -beautiful chateau of his own, and this continued for -several days. But his dreams were destined to a rude -awakening.</p> - -<p class='c010'>One evening, in passing through Bleeker Street, -Mr. Jones strolled into a barber shop, which he had -never before entered. He glanced carelessly about -him, when he made a sudden start, and gasped for -breath. There, behind a barber’s chair, in the act of -shaving a red-headed man, was the elegant Count -Ernest de Montmorency!</p> - -<p class='c010'>The count looked up and met Alphonso’s astonished -gaze.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-evening, M. Alphonse,” he said, with a -nod and a smile.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-evening,” ejaculated Alphonso, with difficulty.</p> - -<p class='c010'>How could he say “my lord count” to a barber?</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Are you the—the—gentleman I met at the -room of my friend, Mr. Ingalls?” asked Mr. Jones.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>“The same. I will explain hereafter,” said the -count, mysteriously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alphonso succeeded the red-headed man in the -chair presided over by the count.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am incognito,” said the latter, in a low voice. -“I have been reduced to poverty by the rascality -of a relative. They don’t know me here in the -shop.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You don’t say so!” ejaculated Mr. Jones, much -impressed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They think I am a common man. It would not -do to tell them.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Does Mr. Ingalls know?” asked Alphonso.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, he knows how I am reduced; but he does -not respect me the less. May I rely upon your -secrecy, also?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Certainly, my lord—I mean, sir,” said Mr. -Jones, beginning to think it was all right again. -“Do you think you will ever recover your estates?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t speak so loud! Yes, I am almost sure of -it. In that case, I shall expect you to visit me at -my chateau.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>“Thank you. I shall be most happy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How strange it seems to be shaved by a count!” -thought Alphonso. “But I really wish he wasn’t a -barber. Couldn’t he get something else to do?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How is your friend, the Count de Montmorency, -Mr. Jones?” asked Mr. Kidder, the next morning.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I believe he is well,” said Alphonso, shortly.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXVII. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>HARD UP.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>A street</span> boy, accustomed to live from hand to -mouth, would not have been disconcerted on finding -himself in Gilbert’s circumstances. But this was our -hero’s first experience of debt which he was unable to -pay, and it troubled him. He felt embarrassed at the -dinner-table, knowing that he was eating a meal for -which he had not the means of paying; and this -thought not only interfered with his appetite, but -made him unusually silent and reserved. His room-mate -noticed this, and spoke of it when they had gone -up to their room together.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What made you so quiet, Gilbert?” he asked. -“You scarcely uttered a word at the dinner-table.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The fact is, Mr. Ingalls, I am in trouble,” answered -Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“About your loss of place? You told me about -<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>that, and that you expected to get it back when your -employer returned.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So I do; but there is another trouble.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Troubles never come singly, they say.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It seems to be true in my case. I am owing for -a week’s board, and don’t know where I shall get the -money to pay it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thought your guardian paid your board,” said -Ingalls, who was acquainted with the particulars of -Gilbert’s history.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So he did; but he has sailed for Europe suddenly, -without making any provision for the payment of my -money.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How long is he to be gone?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Two or three months, they told me at the office.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is rather inconvenient. If you were only a -few years older, there would be a remedy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What remedy?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You could marry Miss Brintnall. Mrs. White -told me the other day that Miss Brintnall has saved -up two or three thousand dollars from her earnings.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>“That will be convenient for you when she becomes -Mrs. Ingalls,” said Gilbert, with a smile.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you think I would sacrifice myself for that -paltry sum?” demanded Ingalls, with much indignation. -“Ten thousand dollars is the lowest sum for -which I will sacrifice my liberty. I’ll tell you who -is most likely to become Miss Brintnall’s husband, -that is, if she consents.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Who?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Alphonso Jones.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What makes you think so?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Alphonso lacks money to back up his gentility. -He only gets twelve dollars a week, Kidder tells me, -though he claims to have a thousand dollars a year. -Miss Brintnall’s fortune will be a great inducement -to him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You forget that he has hopes of an alliance with -the sister of the Count de Montmorency.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think he had better take Miss Brintnall,” said -Mr. Ingalls, dryly. “Now, to come back to your -affairs. Are you quite out of money?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Almost. I gave four dollars to a poor family a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>day or two since, not expecting that I was to be left -this way. I have about fifty cents in my pocket-book, -and I owe a week’s board.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>His room-mate reflected a moment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wish I were richer, for your sake, Gilbert,” he -said. “As it is, I can lend you money enough to pay -this week’s board bill. Before another week comes -round, something may turn up.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you,” said Gilbert, gratefully; “but I -don’t like to rob you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You won’t rob me, for I intend to let you repay -it when you can. If I could keep it up till your -guardian returns I would do so; but this I can’t do. -I will tell you what I would do in your case.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wish you would advise me, for I don’t know -what to do. I never was in such a situation before.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It was understood that your guardian would pay -your board for the present, was it not?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes. He offered to do it. I never would have -asked him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You say he left no directions at the office in regard -to it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>“So the chief clerk told me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is clear, then, that it escaped his mind in the -hurry of an unexpected departure. Probably he will -set the matter right in his first letter. Wait a -minute, though. His wife and son probably accompanied -him to the steamer to see him off.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very likely he spoke to them about it. I advise -you to call on them and inquire.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert looked reluctant.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It may be as you say,” said he; “but I don’t like -to speak to Mrs. Briggs on the subject. She dislikes -me, and so I think does Randolph, though not so -much as his mother.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So you have told me; still I advise you to call, -the sooner the better, in my opinion.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Suppose I get no satisfaction?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In that case you will know what to look forward -to. If you are thrown upon your own resources, you -can lay your plans accordingly.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should like to know the worst, at any rate,” -said Gilbert, thoughtfully.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>“Then take my advice, and call this evening on -Mrs. Briggs.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will,” said Gilbert; “but I would rather have -a tooth out.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXVIII. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>AN UNSATISFACTORY CALL.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Mr. Ingalls</span> was right in his conjecture. On -board the steamer Mr. Briggs had thought of his -young ward, and was rather annoyed that he had not -left directions at the office that he should be paid his -regular weekly stipend.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There is one thing which I have forgotten,” he -said to his wife.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What is it?” she inquired.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gilbert has been in the habit of coming to me -every week for his board. I ought to have left directions -at the office with Seymour to pay him in my -place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He forgot that Mrs. Briggs was not aware of this -arrangement. She was not slow in expressing her -dissatisfaction.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>“You don’t mean to say that that boy lived on -you!” she exclaimed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I pay his board, if that is what you mean by -living on me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is what it amounts to. Why permit this?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Surely, you don’t expect that Gilbert will pay -all his expenses out of five dollars a week,” said her -husband.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why can’t he get along as well as other boys?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Other boys have no friends able to help them. -Gilbert’s father was my friend, and I mean to stand -by him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How much do you allow him for board?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Six dollars a week.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Can’t he get boarded cheaper?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It seems to me that six dollars is very cheap. -You remember that I spent a hundred dollars a week -for you and Randolph and myself at Saratoga one -season. That is about thirty-three dollars apiece.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There is no resemblance in the two cases,” said -Mrs. Briggs, coldly. “Gilbert Greyson is only a -working-boy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>“And I am a working-man.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t talk foolishly, Mr. Briggs,” said his wife, -sharply.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have not much time to talk foolishly or otherwise. -Will you attend to this matter of Gilbert’s -board?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will attend to it,” said Mrs. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then there will be no need of my writing to the -office.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, there will be no occasion to trouble yourself -further in the matter.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>On this assurance Mr. Briggs dismissed Gilbert -from his mind, and shortly afterwards bade good-by -to his wife and son.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I sometimes think your father is actually soft,” -said Mrs. Briggs to Randolph, on the way over the -ferry. “What claim has that Greyson boy upon him, -that he should squander six dollars a week upon him? -And that isn’t all, I presume. I have no doubt the -boy manages to coax extra money out of him almost -every week.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>“He won’t get it out of you, mother,” said Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should say not,” said Mrs. Briggs, very emphatically. -“I should feel that I was robbing you. -If your father impoverishes himself by such ill-timed -liberality, you will be the sufferer.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I didn’t think of that,” said Randolph, soberly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t, of course, wish to be mean or parsimonious,” -continued Mrs. Briggs, “but I hold that a -man’s first duty is to his own family.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course it is,” said Randolph, who felt confident -of it now that he saw the bearing upon his own -interests.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Will you give Gilbert the six dollars a week?” -he inquired.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not unless he asks for it,” said Mrs. Briggs. -“If he doesn’t need it there will be no occasion to -offer it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If he don’t ask for it, will you give it to me?” -asked Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have an allowance of five dollars a week -now. It seems to me that ought to be sufficient.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>“I can’t save anything from it. If you give me -the six dollars beside, I’ll put some in the savings -bank.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will wait and see whether the boy calls for it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope he won’t.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He probably will. He’ll take all he can get. -That is his nature.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Briggs quite misread Gilbert, as my readers -will probably judge; but she was too prejudiced to -judge him fairly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Randolph was not as mean as his mother. He had -a little of his father’s nature, though he was more like -his mother. The thought that it would impair his -future inheritance did not much affect him, but the -prospect of having his allowance so largely increased -took away all consideration for Gilbert. He cared -very little whether our hero was able to pay his board -or not, if only the money might be paid to him. He -was very selfish certainly; but he loved money for -what it would buy, and not for its own sake, as was -the case with his mother. Of course he hoped that -Gilbert would not present himself at the house, or -<span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>make inquiry for the money; but in this he was -destined to be disappointed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Sitting at the window on the evening Gilbert had -resolved to call, he saw, not without disappointment, -our hero mount the steps and ring the bell.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He’s come, mother,” said he, in a tone of regret.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Who has come?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gilbert Greyson. I suppose he has come for his -six dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose he has,” said Mrs. Briggs, with a curl -of the lip. “I knew he wouldn’t keep away long. -Now, Randolph, one thing I ask,—don’t say a word -about the matter. I want to make him introduce the -subject himself. I don’t wish to spare him any embarrassment.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All right, mother.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Directly the door opened, and Gilbert entered.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-evening, Mrs. Briggs,” he said, approaching -and taking the lady’s hand. She just touched his -hand coldly, and withdrew hers.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-evening,” she said, briefly.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>“Good-evening, Randolph,” said Gilbert, turning -to the younger member of the party.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-evening,” said Randolph, less frigidly. -“Have you got a place yet?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not yet. My employer has not returned from -Washington.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Probably it will make very little difference to you -how long he stays,” said Mrs. Briggs, disagreeably.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope it will make considerable,” returned Gilbert. -“I was surprised to hear that Mr. Briggs had -gone to Europe.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He went very suddenly,” said Randolph. “It -has put off my birthday party.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should like to have seen him before he went,” -said Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He had no time to notify all his acquaintances -that he was going,” said Mrs. Briggs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How long will he be gone?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is quite uncertain,” said the lady, shortly. -“It will depend on his business, of course.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wish this visit were well over,” thought Gilbert, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>but he felt that he must introduce the matter which -led to his call.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did Mr. Briggs leave any message for me?” he -inquired.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Any message for you?” repeated Mrs. Briggs, -arching her eyebrows. “Why should you expect -that he would leave any message for you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Perhaps you are not aware,” said Gilbert, uncomfortably, -“that Mr. Briggs, while I am at work on -small wages, has been in the habit of paying my -board.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Indeed!” said Mrs. Briggs, in apparent surprise. -“Why should he do that?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Out of friendship for my father, he told me,” said -Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should hardly have supposed that you would -request such a thing of one not related to you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I didn’t request it,” said Gilbert, coloring. -“Mr. Briggs was kind enough to offer to do it. I -accepted, on condition that I might hereafter repay -him what money he should advance.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>“It is not very likely the money will ever be -repaid,” said Mrs. Briggs, coldly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It will be repaid if I live,” said Gilbert, warmly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have heard such promises before,” said the lady, -contemptuously. “They are generally made to be -broken.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not in my case,” said Gilbert, flushing.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will not discuss the matter,” said Mrs. Briggs, -coldly. “May I ask why you have introduced this -subject?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Briggs gave me no notice that he intended to -withdraw his assistance, and I accordingly went to the -office yesterday, only to learn that he had gone to -Europe, and left no message there. I thought he -might possibly have spoken to you on the subject, and -therefore I called. My board-bill, amounting to six -dollars, is due to-night, and unfortunately I have no -funds to meet it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It must be rather humiliating for you to accept -charity,” said Mrs. Briggs. “I don’t think my son -would be willing to do it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should say not,” said Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>“Say nothing more, Mrs. Briggs,” said Gilbert, -rising. “If you regard it in that light, I wish no -assistance.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t wish you to suffer,” continued Mrs. -Briggs, coldly. “I will give you money for your -board-bill, if you will tell me how much it amounts -to.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, I won’t trouble you,” said Gilbert. -“I shall get along somehow. Good-evening.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are impetuous. You will bear in mind that -I have not refused you the money.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will bear it in mind. Good-evening, madam.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You did it well, mother,” said Randolph, admiringly, -as our hero left the house. “Will you give -me the six dollars, now he has refused it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will give it to you this week, Randolph; but -mind, I make no promises for the future.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I guess it’s all right,” thought Randolph, pocketing -the bills complacently. “I’ll take care she keeps -it up.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXIX. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>GILBERT’S PLANS.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Gilbert</span> left the house of Mrs. Briggs, not cast -down, but with a full understanding of his situation. -Until now he had had his guardian’s assistance, and, -with the income from his position as office-boy, had -felt no anxiety. Now, both had failed him, for the -time at least, and he must shift for himself. Disaster -develops the manhood in a boy as well as a man. So -Gilbert did not indulge in any gloomy anticipations of -starvation or pauperism. He never for a moment -regretted his refusal to take money from Mrs. Briggs, -offered as it had been in such a manner as to insult -his self-respect.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’d rather live on one meal a day,” he said -to himself stoutly, “than humble myself to that -woman.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>When he re-entered his room he found his room-mate -reading.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, Gilbert,” he said, “did you have a pleasant -call?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So pleasant that I shall not call again in a -hurry,” answered Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then Mrs. Briggs won’t give you any assistance?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; but I have rejected it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Ingalls looked surprised.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did you not act unwisely?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let me tell you just what passed between us, and -you shall judge.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The young man listened attentively. When Gilbert -had finished his story, he said, emphatically, -“You did just right. I should have done the same -thing in your circumstances.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am glad you approve of my action. I couldn’t -stoop to take money offered as charity.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then you have got to strike out for yourself, it -seems?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, and I must settle to-night what I shall do.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you made up your mind to anything?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>“I was thinking about that as I walked home. To -begin with, I will borrow money of you to pay Mrs. -White, if you are still willing to lend it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will lend it to you with pleasure.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think I had better leave this house, obtain a -cheaper room, and board at a restaurant.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think you can save much that way. Mrs. -White is very reasonable in her charges.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I know that, but the probability is that I can’t -pay her. I must be strictly economical. I am not -sure but the best thing I can do is to go to the Newsboys’ -Lodge.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Ingalls shook his head.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It would never do,” he said. “It would not suit -a boy brought up as you have been.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t suppose it would; but I don’t expect to -suit myself. That is not the question with me. I -must do as I can.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then stay here. If you can’t pay your whole -board at the week’s end I will make up the balance. -I should have to pay more, at any rate, if I occupied -the room alone.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>Gilbert reflected a moment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are very kind, Mr. Ingalls,” he said, “and I -will accept your offer, on one condition.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What is that?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That you lend me the money, and I will repay it -as soon as I am able.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I agree to that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then I will stay, for a week or two at least. -Now I want to ask your advice. I must find something -to do at once.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wish there was a vacancy in our establishment.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I only want temporary employment. I expect -Mr. Sands will take me back on his return.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I didn’t think of that. Have you thought of -anything?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am going to try my luck as a newsboy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“As a newsboy! What will your friends, the -Vivians, say?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know, and I can’t afford to care. I must get -a living somehow for the next few days, and I would -rather sell papers than black boots. In the afternoon -I shall try to get a little baggage-smashing to do.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>“I admire your pluck, Gilbert,” said his room-mate. -“Not many boys, brought up as you have -been, would be willing to sell papers in the streets.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t pretend to like it,” said Gilbert; “but I -would rather do it than sponge on others, or take -money flung at me as alms. If you object to rooming -with a common newsboy,” he added, smiling, “I suppose -I must look for another boarding-place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Wait till I give you notice to quit,” said Ingalls. -“In the mean time I will do all I can to encourage -you. I will buy a morning paper of you to-morrow -morning. Where shall you stand?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Near the ‘Times’ building, I think. Don’t forget -your promise now. If I have one customer -engaged I shall sleep more soundly.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You can rely upon me. Have you got money -enough to start yourself in business? If not, command -my purse.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will borrow fifty cents, to make sure that I have -enough. Now, as I must be up betimes and take an -early breakfast, I think I will turn in.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>“Good-night, then. I will stay up and read -awhile longer.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He’s a plucky boy,” thought the young man. -“He deserves to succeed, and I believe he will.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXX. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>GILBERT BECOMES A NEWSBOY.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>At</span> an early hour the next morning Gilbert took -his stand near the office of the daily “Times.” He -attracted immediate attention from the members of the -new profession in which he had enrolled himself without -permission.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What are you doin’ here?” asked Jim Noonan, -a tall newsboy, with red hair and freckled face.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am selling papers,” answered Gilbert, quietly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What business have you here anyhow? That’s -my place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall not interfere with you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’d better not,” said Jim, pugnaciously, under -the impression that Gilbert was apologising. “Just -you leave here!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert eyed him quietly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall not interfere with you,” he repeated; “nor -<span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>will I allow you to interfere with me,” he added, -firmly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Jim looked at him attentively, and his opinion of -him was somewhat altered.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What does a boy with good clothes want selling -papers?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He wants to make a living,” said Gilbert. -“Paper, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The man addressed purchased a four-cent paper. -Gilbert made change in a business-like manner, and -directly afterwards sold another, while Jim Noonan -looked on enviously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ve a good mind to bust your head,” he said, -angrily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Better go to work and look for customers,” suggested -Gilbert, coolly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Jim eyed him with angry discontent. He would -like to have pitched into him, but Gilbert was compactly -made, and, though smaller than his fellow-newsboy, -looked difficult to handle. Jim had hoped -to frighten him; but his success was not encouraging.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert, on the whole, succeeded beyond his anticipations. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>Probably his appearance was in his favor, -and attracted customers. But this was not all. He -was quick and alert in manner, and kept a good look-out -for trade.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How many papers have you sold?” asked Jim, -after a while.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Fifty,” answered Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Fifty!” ejaculated Jim; “why, I aint sold but -twenty.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You haven’t attended to business as closely as I -have.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ef it hadn’t been for you I’d have sold a good -many more.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That isn’t the reason. You would have sold as -many as I if you had tried as hard.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s mean, a boy like you comin’ down, and takin’ -away a poor boy’s business.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shan’t sell papers any longer than I have to. I -hope next week to go into something else.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Just then a gentleman inquired for a paper which -Gilbert was out of.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>“I think he’s got it,” said Gilbert, pointing to -Jim, thereby obtaining a customer for the latter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We may as well help each other,” said Gilbert. -“There’s no use in quarrelling.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you mean that?” asked Jim, doubtfully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I do.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You aint as mean as I thought you was,” said -Jim, his dislike beginning to evaporate.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope you’ll stick to that opinion,” said Gilbert, -good-humoredly. “When I go out of this business -I’ll recommend my friends to patronize you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Thus far Gilbert had seen no one whom he knew. -That trial was yet to come. I call it a trial, because -Gilbert was quite aware that in becoming a newsboy -he had made a descent in the social scale. He had -taken the step as a matter of necessity, and not because -he liked it. He knew very well how it would -be regarded by his acquaintances, and he rather -dreaded the expressions of surprise which it would -elicit.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The first acquaintance to greet him was Alphonso -Jones.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>“Good gracious, Greyson!” he exclaimed, “what -are you doing here?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Selling papers,” answered Gilbert, flushing a -little.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thought you was in a broker’s office.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So I was, and hope to be again; but just now I’m -out of a place, so I’ve gone into business on my own -account.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But, good gracious, how can you sell papers?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s the only thing that offered, and I must earn -my living.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Suppose the Count Ernest de Montmorency -should see you,—what would he say?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope he would buy a paper of me,” returned -Gilbert, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And your friends, the Vivians,—they would be -awfully shocked.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I can’t help it. I must earn a living. Won’t -you have a paper, Mr. Jones? I’ve got all the morning -papers—‘Times,’ ‘Tribune,’ ‘Herald,’ ‘Sun.’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m afraid I haven’t got any change,” said Alphonso, -whose large expenditure for clothing compelled -<span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>him to economize on minor matters. “But, -really, now, you aint going to keep the thing up, are -you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Till I get something better,” said Gilbert, firmly. -“I hope that will be soon. I don’t like it myself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s so—so ungentlemanly a business.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t agree with you, Mr. Jones; I think it -perfectly respectable.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, yes, of course; but it is not high-toned, -you’ll admit that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Perhaps not,” said Gilbert, with a smile. “I -don’t pretend to be a judge of what is high-toned. I -hope you won’t cut my acquaintance, Mr. Jones, -because I am a newsboy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, no, of course not; but I am afraid your -friends, the Vivians, will.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope not,” said Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Alphonso Jones departed, and next in order came -John,—Gilbert’s successor at the broker’s.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, my eye!” he exclaimed, in genuine astonishment; -“you don’t mean to say you’ve turned -newsboy?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>“Yes, I have. Will you buy a paper?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Haven’t got a cent. How’s business?” asked -John, with a grin.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Pretty good.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hope you’ve got a permanent situation.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think not. I don’t expect to sell papers more -than a week.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What are you going to do then?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Going back into the office.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What office?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Sands’ office.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you think he’d take back a—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Stop there!” said Gilbert, sternly. “You -know very well the charge against me is false. Fortunately -I am in a position to prove it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are?” asked John, in alarm.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How can you prove it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will let you know when the time comes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>John was not disposed to continue the conversation. -He walked back to the office, and told Simon Moore -that Gilbert was selling papers in the square.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>“I am glad his pride is brought low,” said Moore, -with satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But it isn’t,” said John. “He is as proud as -ever. He says he is coming back here.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let him talk,” said the book-keeper, contemptuously. -“That is all it will amount to.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>But John did not feel quite certain of this.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXXI. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>GILBERT’S SECOND DAY.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>“<span class='sc'>How</span> much did you make in your new business, -Gilbert?” inquired his room-mate, Ingalls, with interest, -at the close of his first day’s experience.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Seventy-five cents,” answered Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is quite fair.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose it is all I could reasonably expect, but -it won’t pay my expenses. At that rate my weekly -income will be but four dollars and a half, while, as -you know, my board amounts to six dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will pay the extra dollar and a half.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are a true friend, Mr. Ingalls,” said Gilbert, -gratefully, “but that doesn’t dispose of all my difficulties. -I shall have no money for washing, or to -purchase clothing.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But you expect to get your place back in a -week.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>“Even if I do, my income will be only five dollars. -I never supposed it was so difficult to make a living -before.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Wait and hope, Gilbert,” said his room-mate, -cheerfully. “That is what I had to do when I first -came to the city. It was weeks before I got anything -to do at all. I got almost discouraged. Finally, -through the influence of a friend, I got a foothold, and -have been able to live comfortably ever since.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I won’t get discouraged just yet, at any rate,” -said Gilbert. “I will wait and see how things come -out. If I am forced to remain in the paper business, -I must find some way of increasing my income. I -might combine a little baggage-smashing with it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s one thing I like about you, Gilbert,” -said the young man. “You have no false shame, but -undertake whatever work you find to do.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am not wholly without pride, Mr. Ingalls; but I -can’t afford to indulge it. I shall get out of this -street business as soon as I can.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are justified in that, certainly. It shows a -proper ambition.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>The next day Gilbert sought his chosen place, and -again proceeded to sell his stock of daily papers, with -about the same measure of success.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At about half-past ten he caught sight of a familiar -face. His own face blushed uncomfortably, for Randolph -Briggs was about the last person he wished to -see, under the circumstances.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Randolph, who was rather near-sighted, did not -recognize him till he was close upon him. Gilbert -had a momentary impulse to desert his post, and thus -escape the notice of his unwelcome acquaintance; but -this impulse was succeeded by the more manly resolve -to stand his ground.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have nothing to be ashamed of,” he said to himself. -“It is Randolph, or rather his mother, who -should be ashamed.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He was in the act of selling a “Herald” when -Randolph came up.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gilbert Greyson!” exclaimed Randolph, in -amazement.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-morning, Randolph,” said Gilbert, quietly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What are you doing?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>“Selling papers, as you see.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You don’t mean to say you have become a common -newsboy?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know whether I am a common or uncommon -newsboy, but a newsboy I certainly am, just at -present.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What induced you to take up such a business?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The necessity of making a living.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why didn’t you take the money my mother -offered you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Because she offered it as charity. I don’t accept -charity.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It seems to me you are poor and proud.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I certainly am poor, and my pride I hope is a -proper one.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should be too proud to sell papers in the streets,” -said Randolph, emphatically.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Perhaps you wouldn’t in my case.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I never expect to be in your case.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope you won’t.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You know, of course, you will have to give up -your fashionable acquaintances.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>“Does that mean you and your mother?” inquired -Gilbert, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes partly,” answered Randolph, seriously. -“Then, there are the Vivians. You wouldn’t presume -to call upon them now?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why not?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you suppose they admit newsboys in the list -of their visitors?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know; but I shall soon find out.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I mean to call there very soon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wouldn’t. You wouldn’t be welcome.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How do you know that?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It stands to reason,” argued Randolph. “They -stand very high in the social scale, and a newsboy is -very low.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think the Vivians and you quite agree in -some matters. If I find I am not welcome, you may -be sure I won’t repeat the call.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You will see I am right.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose, from what you say, that I shall not be -welcome at your house?” said Gilbert, rather amused.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span>“Why, you might call when no one is there. Of -course, we couldn’t introduce you to our friends.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think the safest way will be not to call at all.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s so,” said Randolph, and he walked on.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose that is the way of the world,” thought -Gilbert. “Well, I expected it, and so far as Randolph -and his mother are concerned I shall not have -much to regret.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>At half-past twelve he stood with his last paper in -his hand. They had gone off more slowly than the -day before, and he doubted whether he could dispose -of the last one.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-morning, Gilbert,” said a cordial voice. -“Are you reading the paper?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, Mr. Vivian,” answered our hero; “I am -trying to sell it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What! Have you turned newsboy?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir. I could think of nothing else to do, -and I must do something.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Was this necessary?” asked the merchant, in a -tone of sympathy.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>“Yes, sir; I have nothing to depend upon, except -what I make in this way.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You can’t make a living, can you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am afraid not by this alone,” said Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you had lunch?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then come with me to the Astor House restaurant. -There we will talk over your affairs, and -perhaps I can suggest something that will be more to -your advantage than your present employment.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, sir; I shall feel very grateful for -your advice.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>They went to the Astor House, which was very -near, and seated themselves at a table. Mr. Vivian -ordered a substantial lunch, considerably better than -Gilbert could have afforded on his own account. In -fact, he had decided to content himself with an apple, -and make that do till the six-o’clock dinner at his -boarding-house.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXXII. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>A NOVEL PROPOSITION.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>A liberal</span> lunch was ordered, and placed before -them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My time is limited,” said Mr. Vivian, “and we -will economize it by discussing lunch and your affairs -at the same time. How much do you pay for board?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Six dollars a week,” answered Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is very little,” said the merchant.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I room with another person, and thus secure more -favorable terms.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Are your meals satisfactory?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The food is plain, but good. I have nothing to -complain of. I should like nothing better than to -feel sure that I could continue to pay my expenses -at this rate.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is well,” said Mr. Vivian, approvingly. “I -like your spirit. You are not disposed to find unnecessary -<span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>fault. Then you cannot make six dollars -a week by selling papers?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir; at least, I have not done so thus far. -Yesterday I made seventy cents, and to-day about the -same sum.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That will never do. It leaves you nothing for -washing or clothes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir. However, I am pretty well provided -with clothes. I don’t expect to require anything in -that line for six months.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Probably you couldn’t put off washing for so -long,” suggested Mr. Vivian, with a smile.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hardly,” answered Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Before you came to the city,” said Mr. Vivian, -apparently changing the subject, “you were studying -for college, were you not?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How far had you proceeded?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“By next summer I could easily have been ready -to enter Yale College; if necessary, earlier.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then you must be a good classical scholar -already.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>“A fair one,” said Gilbert, modestly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did you ever think of teaching?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert looked surprised.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know who would employ a boy like me,” -he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You would be competent to instruct a beginner in -Latin and the common English studies, I suppose?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I ought to be, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then I will tell you an idea I have had in mind -for a week or more. My boy Fred is attending a -classical school, but his progress is not satisfactory to -me. I don’t think him lacking in capacity, but he -does not apply himself as he ought. It has occurred -to me that assistance in the evening would materially -aid him, and promote his standing in school. Except -in Latin I could myself assist him, but after the -business and perplexities of the day I am in no mood -to turn teacher. Now, you are competent, and Fred -has taken a fancy to you. Are you willing to give -him five evenings a week?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nothing would suit me better, sir,” said Gilbert, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>quickly. “I like Fred, and would do my best to be -of service to him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Vivian looked pleased.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then,” he said, “I see no reason why we should -not try the experiment. The only thing remaining to -be discussed is the compensation.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I leave that to you, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I may take advantage of your confidence,” said -the merchant.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t feel alarmed,” said Gilbert, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Suppose, then, we say ten dollars a week for five -evenings.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ten dollars!” exclaimed Gilbert, in amazement.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If that is not adequate—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, Mr. Vivian, my services would never be -worth ten dollars a week. Remember, sir, I am only -a boy, and inexperienced as a teacher.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I believe you will do Fred more good than an -older and more experienced teacher. He takes to -you, and will work cheerfully with you, while I -don’t think he would with the other.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>“But ten dollars a week is a large sum for you -to pay, Mr. Vivian.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I believe in paying a good price, and requiring -good, faithful work, such as I think you will render.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will try to render it, at any rate, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then it is a bargain, is it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir, if you say so. I need not say that it -will be a very great help to me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I know that, Gilbert; and I am glad to be able to -serve you, at the same time that I serve myself. -When I was a boy I was in limited circumstances. -The memory of my own past makes me considerate -of others. Now, when will you begin?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This evening, if you like.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should like it. We will expect you then. -Here is a week’s pay in advance.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Vivian took from his pocket-book a ten-dollar -bill and placed it in Gilbert’s hands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Under the circumstances,” he said, “you may as -well give up selling papers.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall be very glad to give it up, sir, and now I -shall feel able to do so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>“I appreciate and respect your motives in doing -what you could find to do, but now you are a teacher,—a -classical professor,—and must do nothing incompatible -with the dignity of your learned profession.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will try to remember it, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I must leave you now. Let us see you this -evening.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will be sure to come, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>When Gilbert left the hotel, he felt elated at his -unexpected good fortune.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I believe the tide has turned,” he said to himself. -“I little dreamed that my Latin would prove such a -friend in need. I can’t expect to earn the liberal sum -Mr. Vivian has agreed to pay me, but I will do my -duty as faithfully and well as I can.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Just after dinner that evening Alphonso Jones -strolled into Gilbert’s room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How is the newspaper business?” he inquired.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Pretty fair,” answered Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think we ought to patronize Mr. Greyson, eh, -Mr. Ingalls?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>“Thank you, Mr. Jones, but I have retired from -the business.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You don’t say! Why, you told me it was fair.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall retire nevertheless.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you found another place?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have obtained another position.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have! What is it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Professor of the Classics and English Literature.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’re joking,” remarked Alphonso, rather bewildered.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, I am not. I have been engaged to teach -five evenings in the week.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I didn’t know you were such a scholar,” said Mr. -Jones, surprised. “Do they pay you much?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Two dollars an evening.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good gracious! That is splendid pay.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, it is very good pay.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where are you to teach?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Vivian’s son.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He don’t know that you have been a newsboy, -does he?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>“Yes, he does; he saw me selling papers in the -street to-day.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, Greyson, all I can say is, you are the -luckiest boy I ever knew. I wish I could earn two -dollars an evening.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ll try to get you a chance,” said Gilbert, -demurely. “What can you teach?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, I aint very fresh in my studies,” said -Alphonso. “I guess it wouldn’t be of any use. -Aint you going to work in the daytime?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall get back into the broker’s office if I -can.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then you will have quite an income for a boy, -Gilbert,” said Mr. Ingalls.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t you think you could take me up and introduce -me to the Vivians some evening?” insinuated -Alphonso.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think I could, Mr. Jones.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh! it’s of no consequence,” said Alphonso, with -apparent indifference. “I have any quantity of high-toned -friends who move in the first circles. Some of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>them know the Vivians, and that’s why I wanted to -be introduced.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wonder if that fellow expects to be believed,” -said Mr. Ingalls, after Alphonso had retired.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXXIII. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>THE NEW PROFESSOR.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Fred Vivian</span> had not been informed of the plan -which his father had in view for him. Mr. Vivian, -however, felt confident that it would be agreeable to -his son, and did not wish to speak of it until he had -ascertained Gilbert’s willingness.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At dinner, after the interview described in the last -chapter, Mr. Vivian for the first time mentioned the -matter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What lessons have you to-night, Fred?” he -asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have my Latin, and some hard sums in Reduction.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How are you getting on in Latin?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wish you would let me give it up, father,” said -Fred, earnestly. “I believe it was only got up to -trouble school-boys.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>“I suppose,” said his father, smiling, “you think -Cæsar, Virgil, and Cicero only wrote with the same -purpose.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Confound them! Why couldn’t they write in -English?” said Fred, petulantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>All at the table laughed, and finally Fred himself -joined in.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suspect the Roman boys would have found as -much trouble with English as you find with Latin,” -said Mr. Vivian. “As a fact, there was no such -language in existence then as our modern English -tongue.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wish Latin were as easy as English,” said -Fred.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No doubt it is. Foreigners find our language -very difficult.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Difficult! I don’t see what there is difficult -about it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Because it is your native language. Roman boys -would have been equally surprised at any one finding -Latin difficult.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>“I wish I was a Roman boy, then. Laura, will -you help me about my sums?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have got my own lessons to prepare, Fred.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Will you help me, father?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I like to have my evenings to myself, Fred. -However, don’t look disappointed. You shall have -help.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Who will help me? Laura says she can’t.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have engaged a professor to come here every -evening, and assist you about your lessons.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A professor!” exclaimed Fred, uneasily. “That -will be as bad as being at an evening school. I would -rather get along by myself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Just now you wanted help,” said his father.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t want a professor. He will make me -work too hard.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think you will like him,” said Mr. Vivian.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“When is he coming?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This evening. He will be here about eight -o’clock.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Isn’t this a new plan?” asked Mrs. Vivian.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>“Don’t you approve of it, my dear?” asked her -husband.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thought his presence might be a restraint upon -us, unless, indeed, Fred goes upstairs with him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, let me stay here,” urged Fred. “I don’t -want to go off with that old man.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How do you know he is an old man?” inquired -his father, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose he is.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He can’t be considered so. In fact, he is rather -young.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s all the same,” said Fred, discontentedly. “I -suppose he is as stiff as a poker.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He did not impress me so. With his help you -will get through your lessons quickly; and then you -can have the rest of the evening to yourself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What is his name?” asked Laura.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will see if I can find his card,” said Mr. -Vivian, pretending to search his pockets in vain. -“Never mind, I will ask him when he comes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You did not tell me you thought of making this -arrangement for Fred,” said Mrs. Vivian.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>“I see,” said her husband, smiling, “that you are -a little in doubt as to its expediency. If at the end -of a week it appears unsatisfactory I will dismiss the -professor.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Fred was relieved by this promise. He had already -formed in his own mind an image of the expected -teacher,—a tall, thin man, in a rusty-black suit, -wearing a pair of iron-bowed spectacles. He had -seen the tutor of a schoolmate of his who answered -this description, and hastily adopted the conclusion -that most visiting tutors were like him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At ten minutes of eight Gilbert Greyson was -announced.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“O Gilbert, I’m so glad to see you,” said Fred; -“though I’m afraid I can’t be with you much this -evening.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why not?” asked Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Father has engaged a professor to assist me in -my studies; when you came in I thought at first it -was he.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert read the joke in Mr. Vivian’s smiling face, -and determined to keep it up.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>“What sort of a teacher is he?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know. I suppose he’s an old fogy in -spectacles.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t you think you shall like him?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Father says if I don’t he’ll send him off at the -end of the week.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Again Gilbert smiled, and Mr. Vivian laughed -outright.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t see what you two are laughing about,” -said Fred.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s a good joke, Gilbert, isn’t it?” said the -merchant.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t see any joke,” said Fred.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nor I,” said Laura.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Perhaps the professor may be willing to help you, -if you require it, Laura,” suggested her father.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If he is such a man as Fred expects,” said -Laura, “I would rather get along by myself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is hardly fair to take a prejudice against a -person before you see him, Laura.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I won’t.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>“For my own part, I was favorably impressed by -what I saw of him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What does he look like? Is he tall?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is he old?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; quite young.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Has he whiskers?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I didn’t see any.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is he good-looking?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is rather a delicate question, eh, Gilbert?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir. I will answer it for you. He is not.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What—do you know him, Gilbert?” asked Fred.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He ought to,” said Mr. Vivian. “He has seen -him in his looking-glass every morning for sixteen -years. There, the secret is out Fred, let me -formally introduce you to Professor Gilbert,—the -teacher I have engaged for you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Are you really to be my teacher, Gilbert?” -asked Fred, delighted.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you conclude to keep me,” said our hero, -“you may decide to send me adrift at the end of -the week.”</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/p296.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p><span class='sc'>Gilbert in a new role.</span></p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>“I said that when I thought it was somebody else,” -said Fred. “Do you think you can show me how to -do sums in Reduction?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think I can,” said Gilbert, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will get you to help me in Interest, Gilbert,” -said Laura.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thought you didn’t want any help from your -brother’s teacher,” said Mr. Vivian.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I didn’t know who it was to be then, papa. I’m -glad you have engaged Gilbert.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There is one more objection to you, Gilbert,” -said Mr. Vivian, seriously; “my wife thinks your -presence may be a restraint upon us. She thinks -you had better retire with Fred to some other part of -the house.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have got the joke upon me too,” said Mrs. -Vivian. “I, too, was quite in the dark as to whom -you had engaged. We don’t look upon Gilbert in -the light of a stranger, but rather as one of the -family.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, Mrs. Vivian,” said our hero, gratefully.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>“Then it appears, Gilbert, that you will be allowed -to practise your vocation here. I would suggest that -a pair of spectacles would make your appearance -more impressive and dignified.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I like you best as you are, Gilbert,” said Fred, -putting his arm around the neck of his new tutor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And I too,” said Laura.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then I won’t go to the expense of spectacles,” -said Gilbert. “Shall we begin now, Fred?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Fred brought his arithmetic and slate, and Gilbert -explained the sums in a familiar manner, making -Fred do them himself.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I understand them first-rate now,” said Fred, in -a tone of satisfaction. “You’re a bully teacher, -Gilbert.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now, shall we take the Latin?” asked Gilbert. -“I’ll try to be a <i>bully</i> teacher in that also.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>By nine o’clock Fred’s task was completed, and -Gilbert transferred his attention to Laura. Fifteen -minutes were all she required. The evening work -being over, Gilbert played at games with his two -pupils till ten, then rose to go.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>“I’m so glad you’re my teacher,” said Fred. -“Be sure to come to-morrow night.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am afraid you will get tired of me after a -while, and want to discharge me,” said Gilbert, -smiling.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Will you promise to stay with us till you are -discharged?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, Fred.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then it’s all right,” said Fred, in a tone of satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Vivian found that he had done a very popular -thing in engaging Gilbert, and was, in consequence, -pleased himself.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, Gilbert,” said his room-mate, on his return, -“how did your first lesson come off?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“With flattering success. I never earned money -more pleasantly in my life. My old teacher would -stare if he should learn that I had set myself up as -a classical professor.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Your fortune has changed wonderfully. From -a newsboy to professor is rather a startling transformation.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>“My career as a newsboy is ended. I abandon the -field to my competitors, and devote myself to the -dissemination of learning.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Alphonso Jones thinks you are a very remarkable -young man. He told me so to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I can return the compliment,” said Gilbert, -laughing. “If you can change a ten-dollar bill, Mr. -Ingalls, I will pay you the six dollars advanced for -my board.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You needn’t be in a hurry, Gilbert.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t like to be in debt. I can sleep better -when I have paid up the loan.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shall be glad to lend you again if you need it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, Mr. Ingalls; but I hope I shan’t -need it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Early the next morning Mr. Sands reached -New York, having come through by night from -Washington.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXXIV. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>THE BROKER’S RETURN.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>About</span> ten o’clock, on the morning of his arrival, -Mr. Sands entered his office. He had kept the run -of the business through letters from Mr. Moore, the -book-keeper; but the latter had omitted to mention -Gilbert’s dismissal, and the reinstatement of John -as his successor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Sands was therefore surprised to see John in -the office, with his hat off.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where is Gilbert?” he asked, abruptly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>John looked confused.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He’ll tell you,” he said, pointing to his cousin.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you dismissed Gilbert, Mr. Moore?” -demanded Mr. Sands, abruptly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Moore, in spite of his bravado, was a little nervous. -He was apprehensive that he would not be able to -convince Mr. Sands of Gilbert’s guilt.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>“I was obliged to discharge him, I am sorry to -say,” he answered.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why did you discharge him, may I inquire?” -persisted the broker.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Simon Moore, himself of a haughty disposition, -flushed at the imperative tone which his employer -used. It chafed him especially to be so addressed -in the presence of his young cousin.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t suppose you wish to have a thief in your -employ,” he answered, hastily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you charge Gilbert Greyson with being a -thief?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I do, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let me know the particulars.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Simon Moore rehearsed the story, already familiar -to the reader, of the ten-dollar bill found in the -pocket of Gilbert’s overcoat.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did he admit his guilt?” asked the broker.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, no, he brazened it out; but the proofs -were overwhelming.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Who found the bill in Gilbert’s pocket?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“John.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>“Oh!” ejaculated the broker, significantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Simon Moore’s face flushed again.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let me explain,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“By all means; that is what I want.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Only John, who had come in to make a call on -me, and Gilbert had been here. One or the other -must have been the thief. I therefore asked Gilbert -to search John, and John to search Gilbert. It -seemed to me fair. The result showed who was -the thief.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Upon this, you discharged Gilbert, and engaged -John.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir. I needed a boy, and did not dare to -employ Gilbert lest there should be further and more -serious losses. John being present, and understanding -the duties, I engaged him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“John is your cousin, is he not, Mr. Moore?” -asked Mr. Sands, quietly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir,” said the book-keeper, looking slightly -embarrassed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It was very fortunate for him that he happened -to be at the office on that particular morning.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>Here John thought it time to introduce himself -into the conversation.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s what Cousin Simon told me,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If John had not been here, I should have been -obliged to advertise for a boy,” said the book-keeper, -recovering his confidence.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you seen Gilbert since?” inquired Mr. -Sands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have,” said John, grinning.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where did you see him? Do you know if he -has another situation?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, yes,” said John, chuckling; “he’s set up -on his own account.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What do you mean?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“T’other morning I saw him selling papers near -the City Hall Park.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Humph!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Sands said no more, but set about examining the -books. Presently he put on his hat and went out.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What do you think he’s going to do, Cousin -Simon?” asked John, anxiously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I guess the storm’s blown over.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>“He didn’t seem to like it that I was here.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He don’t have a very high opinion of you; and -I don’t blame him,” said the book-keeper, unable to -restrain his sarcasm, although John was his cousin.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Seems to me you’re pretty hard on me,” said -John, aggrieved. “Do you think he’ll let me -stay?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think he will, if you do your duty.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, I’ll do that fast enough,” said John, looking -relieved.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I advise you not to let Mr. Sands see you with a -cigarette in your mouth.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Who told you I smoked cigarettes? It’s a—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’d better not finish the sentence. I saw you -last evening on the street with one in your mouth.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I guess I’ll have to be more careful,” said John -to himself. “Who’d have thought he’d find out?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I was just trying it to see how it seemed,” he -explained.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, you know now, and you’d better give them -up,” said Simon Moore. “Now, go to the post-office -for the mail.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>On his way home, in the afternoon, Mr. Sands was -looking about for a seat in the crowded car, when a -boy addressed him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Take my seat, Mr. Sands.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gilbert!” exclaimed the broker, cordially, extending -his hand. “I have been hoping to meet -you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“When did you get home from Washington, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This morning early. I was surprised not to find -you in your accustomed place in my office.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose Mr. Moore explained my absence?” -said Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; but I should prefer to hear your explanation. -I should have more faith in its truth.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, sir,” said Gilbert, gratefully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is hardly a matter to talk about in public. -Have you any engagement this afternoon?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then come around to my house, and take dinner.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What will Mr. Moore say?” asked Gilbert -smiling.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We will see to-morrow. Will you come?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>“With great pleasure, Mr. Sands.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Sands lived in a pleasant house up-town. He -had a wife but no children. His wife greeted Gilbert -pleasantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have heard my husband speak of you,” she -said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Before dinner Gilbert got a chance to explain -matters to Mr. Sands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I believe you,” said the broker, emphatically.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t rely too much upon my word, sir,” said -Gilbert. “I want you to be thoroughly convinced -of my innocence.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Still, sir, I should like to bring a street boy—a -boot-black—to confirm my story. He saw John put -the bill into my overcoat pocket, when I was out on -an errand.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is important testimony. I trust your word -implicitly; but it may be as well to bring him round -to the office, in order to confound those who have got -up this wicked plot against you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>“He is only a boot-black,” said Gilbert; “but I -think he is trustworthy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have reasons with which you are not acquainted -for believing him and you,” said the broker.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert looked curious, and Mr. Sands explained.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I was present in an oyster-saloon, one evening -before I started for Washington, and overheard Mr. -Moore and John expressing their intentions to get -you into trouble during my absence. This was the -reason why I warned you against the book-keeper.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I remember it, sir; but I did not know your -reasons.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now, tell me how you have got along, being suddenly -deprived of your income. John told me he -saw you selling papers near City Hall Park one -day.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is true, sir. I could make something that -way, and so I tried it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I respect you the more for it. Have you kept -up this employment till now?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir. Mr. Vivian has engaged me as tutor -for his son, at a salary of ten dollars per week.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>“Is it possible? That is remarkable, considering -your youth.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It was to help me, sir, I have no doubt.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You must be a good scholar.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not necessarily; Fred is only just beginning -Latin, and it does not require much learning to -teach him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If your time is so profitably occupied, I suppose -I can’t induce you to come back into my office.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should be very glad to do so, sir. I only give -my evenings to Fred Vivian.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then you may come back to-morrow, at a salary -of seven dollars a week.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are very kind, sir. I fear I shall not earn -so much.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is my lookout. Come to-morrow, at quarter-past -nine. If I am not there, say nothing to Mr. -Moore about resuming your situation.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All right, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>After dinner Gilbert went to Mr. Vivian’s, to -meet his pupil.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXXV. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>GILBERT’S TRIUMPH.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Shortly</span> after the office opened on the following -day, Simon Moore and John were disagreeably surprised -by the entrance of Gilbert. He had found -his witness, Tom, the boot-black, and requested him -to remain outside, within call.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What do you want here?” demanded the book-keeper, -frowning.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Has Mr. Sands returned?” asked our hero.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, he hasn’t,” replied Moore, with unblushing -falsehood.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think you must be mistaken,” said Gilbert, -composedly; “for I saw him getting on a street-car -yesterday.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then if you knew he was at home, why did you -ask me?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>Gilbert did not think it necessary to answer this -question.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will stop and speak to him,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, you won’t,” said Simon Moore, roughly. -“I know what you want. You want to make him -believe you are innocent.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are right, Mr. Moore. I do wish to convince -him of my innocence.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I guess you’ve got cheek,” put in John. -“Didn’t I find the money that was lost, in your -overcoat pocket?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s enough, I should say,” said the book-keeper, -dexterously availing himself of this admission. -“You are a witness, John, that he has confessed -the theft.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you twist what I say in that way,” said Gilbert, -indignantly, “there is no use in my saying -anything.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is true enough. There is no use in your -saying anything. Now, I’ve got something more to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>say. You’ve no business in this office; and the -sooner you clear out the better.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, the sooner you clear out the better,” chimed -in John. “You’ve come here to get away my place; -but you’d better give up trying. Mr. Sands is not -such a fool as to believe you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Are you going?” demanded the book-keeper, -menacingly. “John, put him out.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>John advanced cautiously towards our hero, who -smiled unterrified.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come, go out!—do you hear?” he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I won’t put you to the trouble of putting me out,” -said Gilbert, good-naturedly. “I’ll step out for the -present.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And go away from here,—do you hear? Don’t -you hang around the office.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert, however, did not see fit to obey this last -order. He waited in the neighborhood for Mr. Sands -to arrive.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He means to make trouble, Cousin Simon,” said -John, uneasily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He would like to, no doubt,” responded the book-keeper; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span>“but it would be very strange if Mr. Sands -believed him against us.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, I hope it’ll all turn out right,” said John; -“but he’s got a lot of cheek—that boy has. I -wish you’d had him locked up.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It might have been the best plan; but I think we -can carry things through. Don’t you put in your -oar, or you may spoil the whole thing. Leave it to -me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All right, Cousin Simon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>At the corner of Wall and New Streets Gilbert met -Mr. Sands, who had come down-town, in a Broadway -stage.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I see you are on hand,” said the broker. “Have -you been to the office?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What sort of a reception did you get from -Mr. Moore?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He ordered me out.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The broker smiled.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Perhaps it may be my turn to order out,” he said. -“Come back with me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span>“Thank you, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Simon Moore was not over-pleased when he saw -Gilbert entering the office with his employer, but he -said nothing. He waited to see how the land lay.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Moore,” said the broker, “I met Gilbert -outside, and have brought him in to talk over the -charge which you bring against him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He has been here already,” said Moore, coldly, -“and I ordered him out.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It appears to me that this is rather summary -treatment.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think I have treated him very indulgently. I -might have had him arrested for theft, but I didn’t -want to be too hard upon him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You seem to take it for granted that he is -guilty.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He <i>must</i> be. He will himself admit that the -missing bill was found in his overcoat pocket; ask -him, if you like, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Sands turned to Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is true,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span>“That is all that need be said,” said the book-keeper, -shrugging his shoulders.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It does not necessarily follow that he put the bill -in himself,” remarked Mr. Sands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Who else could have done it?” demanded Moore, -triumphantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will answer that question,” said Gilbert. -“John put the money in my pocket, in order to -get me into a scrape.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you hear that, Cousin Simon?” exclaimed -John, with virtuous indignation. “I didn’t think -Gilbert could be so wicked as to say such things.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I expected it,” said Moore, regarding Gilbert -maliciously. “A boy that will steal will lie also. -Of course he only says it to screen himself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert listened to this outbreak very composedly. -He knew that his employer was on his side, and did -not think it necessary to contradict it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you any proof of your statement, Gilbert?” -asked Mr. Sands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course he hasn’t,” said Moore, contemptuously. -“It rests upon his word; and that is worth -<span class='pageno' id='Page_316'>316</span>nothing. Ask him if he saw John put the money -in his pocket.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, I did not,” answered Gilbert, without waiting -for Mr. Sands to put the question.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thought not,” said Moore, triumphantly. “You -only suspected it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Somebody saw it done,” said Gilbert. “Shall I -call him?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The question was addressed to Mr. Sands, who -nodded his head.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert went to the door, and called Tom.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Tom, the boot-black, shuffled in, with his box -strapped to his back.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Tom,” said Gilbert, “did you, one day, see -John—that boy there—putting a bill in my coat-pocket?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes,” answered Tom, “shure I did; but I -thought it was his own, and it was no harm, till -you told me how you’d lost your place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Sands put two or three questions, which Tom -answered in a straightforward manner. Then he -turned to the book-keeper.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_317'>317</span>“What do you say to this, Mr. Moore?” he -asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I say that it is all a lie,” returned the book-keeper, -angrily. “How much are you paid for -lying?” he demanded, sharply, of the boot-black.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not a cent,” said Tom, indignantly; “and it -isn’t a lie either, you spalpeen! You knew all -about it, too. I saw you lookin’ at him when he -did it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’d like to thrash you, within an inch of your -life, you impudent young blackguard!” said Simon -Moore, furiously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’d better not try it,” said Tom, boldly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope, Mr. Sands,” said Moore, turning to the -broker, “that you are not going to believe this young -ragamuffin against me. It is a pretty state of things, -if my word is to be disputed by such as he.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Moore,” said the broker, gravely, “I regret -to say that, in this instance, I am forced to believe -him rather than you. Wait a moment,”—seeing that -Moore was going to interrupt him,—“it is only fair -that I should give you my reason. Possibly you will -<span class='pageno' id='Page_318'>318</span>remember one evening when, at an oyster-saloon, you -and John concerted this very plot against Gilbert. I -was in the next stall, and overheard all you both said. -I was not, therefore, surprised to learn, upon my -return, under what circumstances Gilbert had been -discharged.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Simon Moore and John looked at each other in -silent dismay. Both remembered well the conversation -alluded to.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If I am the object of such suspicion,” blustered -Moore, at length, “I don’t think I had better remain -in your employ.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I approve your decision,” said the broker, gravely.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will leave at once, if you say so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Just then a young man entered the office.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are at liberty to do so,” said Mr. Sands. -“I have already engaged this gentleman as your -successor.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I guess I’ll go, too,” said John.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You may. Gilbert, you will resume your old -place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It would be difficult to paint the anger and mortification -<span class='pageno' id='Page_319'>319</span>upon the faces of the two cousins as they -left the office.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This comes from trying to help you, you young -loafer,” said Moore, savagely, turning upon John. -“But for you I should have kept my place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m sure I aint to blame,” said John, whining.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are wholly to blame. I shall thrash you -some day.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>John thought this rather hard, since the plot was -of his cousin’s contriving. I may remark here that -months passed before Simon Moore obtained another -situation.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_320'>320</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXXVI. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>MR. BRIGGS RETURNS FROM EUROPE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>So </span>Gilbert was reinstated in his old position, at an -advanced salary. His income was now seventeen -dollars a week,—an amount which enabled him to live -very comfortably, and even to lay aside a few dollars -every week. Of course, this required the exercise -of economy; but Gilbert felt it to be his duty to be -prudent, and prepare for a time when his income -might be less.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He found the new book-keeper a very different man -from Mr. Moore. He was quite as efficient, and far -more agreeable. From the first he regarded Gilbert -with friendly interest, and treated him as a friend.</p> - -<p class='c010'>For some time Gilbert had seen nothing of Randolph -Briggs. The latter occasionally condescended -to wonder how that beggar Greyson was getting -along, but did not feel any very deep anxiety on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_321'>321</span>his account. One day, however, Randolph ventured -down-town, and had the curiosity to enter Mr. Sands’ -office.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The book-keeper chanced to be out, and Gilbert -was in charge.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Randolph stared in astonishment at our hero.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How do you happen to be here?” he asked, -abruptly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why shouldn’t I be here?” returned Gilbert, -pleasantly. “This is my place of business.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But, I say, I thought you were sent off.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So I was.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How did you get back?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Sands took me back, and discharged the -book-keeper.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Whew!” exclaimed Randolph. “He must think -a good deal of you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He believed the charge to be false, and that it -was a conspiracy against me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Randolph did not know what to think. He had -predicted that Gilbert would never get back; and it -is not pleasant to be mistaken in one’s predictions.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_322'>322</span>“Do you board at the same place?” he asked, -after a while.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t you find it hard to pay your board?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert smiled. The question was an impertinent -one; but he felt amused rather than offended.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have paid regularly so far,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How did you do when you were out of a place?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I lived on my salary as teacher.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Randolph opened wide his eyes in astonishment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What do you mean?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I teach in the evening,” explained our hero.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You don’t say so! Why, you are only a boy!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But I know enough to teach a younger boy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Who are you teaching?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Fred Vivian.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What, Laura’s brother?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The same.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He don’t come to your room, does he?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, I go there five evenings in the week.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you get much pay?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_323'>323</span>“I don’t think you can expect me to answer that -question, Randolph.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, aint you willing to tell?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ll tell you so much,—that Mr. Vivian pays -me more than Mr. Sands.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Randolph was silent for a moment. This news was -worse than the other. He had an admiration for -Laura, and it was very disagreeable to think that -while he was not on visiting terms at her house, this -boy, so much his social inferior, should be freely admitted -to Laura’s presence. Perhaps, however, he -only saw Fred.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Does Laura come into the room when you teach -her brother?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Certainly. In fact, I help her a little too.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s the strangest thing I ever heard of,” muttered -Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What is?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That Mr. Vivian should take a poor office-boy to -teach his children.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is strange, but true,” assented Gilbert, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_324'>324</span>“I didn’t think you were so artful.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What do you mean?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you hadn’t been artful, you wouldn’t have got -so thick with the Vivians.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t want to get angry with you, Randolph, -but I don’t like that remark. Suppose we change the -subject. What do you hear from your father?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He was in Manchester when we last heard from -him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“When do you expect him home?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In a month or six weeks.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You must be glad to have him return.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, I don’t know,” said Randolph. “I’m having -a pretty good time.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He don’t seem to have overmuch affection for his -father,” thought Gilbert. And Gilbert was right. -Randolph was very selfish; and his chief regard was -for himself. Even his mother, who idolized him, -received but a scant return. One reason why Randolph -would be sorry to have his father return was, -that he was now receiving, from his mother, the six -dollars a week which properly should have gone for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_325'>325</span>Gilbert’s board; and of this he would doubtlessly be -deprived when Mr. Briggs came back.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, I guess I can’t stay any longer,” said Randolph, -looking at his watch. “You haven’t been up -to the house lately.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; my evenings are engaged, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’d better come up and dine soon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert was rather surprised at this invitation; -but Randolph’s motive was soon apparent.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you will, I will go round to the Vivians afterwards -with you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Perhaps,” suggested Gilbert, “when I want to -be away for an evening, you will go in my place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, I guess not. I don’t think I should like -to teach. I’d rather go with you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will think of it. At any rate, I thank you for -the invitation.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Randolph went home at once. He wanted to tell -his mother the news. It may well be believed that -she was not pleased. She would have been glad to -hear that he had been compelled to leave the city.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_326'>326</span>“It seems,” said she, sharply, “that Mr. Briggs -is not the only fool in the city.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wonder what father would say to hear that,” -chuckled Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You know what I mean. He was perfectly infatuated -with that Greyson boy; and now it appears -that Mr. Vivian is just as much of a dupe.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He’s very artful,” suggested Randolph.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is the very word to use,” said Mrs. Briggs, -energetically. “It does credit to your insight into -character.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I always thought he was artful,” said Randolph, -much flattered.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He never deceived <i>me</i>,” said his mother, emphatically. -“I felt instinctively that he was a boy -to be shunned. I dare say he would like to ingratiate -himself with your father so far as to induce -him to adopt him, and put him on an equality with -you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“By gracious, I hope not,” exclaimed Randolph, -alarmed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He shall never do it with my consent,” said Mrs. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_327'>327</span>Briggs, energetically. “Fortunately you have a -mother, who is devoted to you, my son.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course you are, mother. You won’t let -father pay Gilbert’s board, after he gets back will -you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not if I can help it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And you’ll persuade him to give the extra -amount to me?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I will do my best; but your father is sometimes -very obstinate.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It takes you to manage him, mother. Just let -him know what you think of Gilbert.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He knows that very well already; but I will do -my best for you, Randolph.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Six weeks later Mr. Briggs arrived in New York. -Gilbert saw his name in a list of the passengers by -the last Cunard steamer, but decided not to call -upon him immediately.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He would think I was applying to have my -board paid again,” he said to himself; “and that -is no longer necessary.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_328'>328</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXXVII. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>AN IMPORTANT REVELATION.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Gilbert</span> did not lose sight of the little flower-girl -whom he had befriended. Even when his fortunes -were at the lowest, he never failed to buy a bouquet -of her daily. More than this he did not feel able to -do then. But as soon as he obtained the position of -Fred’s teacher, he again visited Mr. Talbot in his -poor lodgings, and gave him more substantial assistance. -The sick man improved steadily in health and -spirits. It did him great good to feel that he had a -friend, though that friend was only a boy, dependent -on his earnings for support.</p> - -<p class='c010'>On the day after he had heard of Mr. Briggs’ return -from Europe, Gilbert made a hurried call during -his dinner-hour.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How are you to-day, Mr. Talbot?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_329'>329</span>“I am better,” said the sick man. “I hope I shall -soon be well enough to go to work again.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think you will,” said Gilbert, cheerfully. “I -must try to see what I can find for you to do, among -my business friends.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you; do you know many business men?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No,” answered Gilbert. “I wonder,” he said, -half to himself, “whether my guardian couldn’t give -you work.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Your guardian!” repeated Mr. Talbot, in surprise.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes,” said Gilbert, smiling; “but you mustn’t -think because I have a guardian that I have any -property.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Who is your guardian?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Richard Briggs, a New York merchant. -He only got home from Europe yesterday.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Richard Briggs!” exclaimed the sick man in -evident excitement.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; do you know anything of him?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“His name is very familiar to me. Tell me, are -<span class='pageno' id='Page_330'>330</span>you the son of James Greyson, formerly a merchant -in the West Indies?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was Gilbert’s turn to be excited.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My father died in the West Indies,” he answered; -“but I know very little of him. Did you know him, -Mr. Talbot?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I ought to know him. I was his book-keeper up -to the time of his death.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is it possible?” ejaculated Gilbert. “How glad -I am to meet you! I know nothing of my father -except what Mr. Briggs has told me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“One thing I do not understand,” continued the -sick man. “You say you have no property; but this -cannot be. Your father left seventy-five thousand -dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Seventy-five thousand dollars! Are you sure, -Mr. Talbot?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No one can be surer. I knew all about your -father’s business and the extent of his property.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Was this money entrusted to my guardian?” -asked Gilbert, quickly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It was. Your father and Richard Briggs were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_331'>331</span>schoolmates, so I have heard him say; and he felt -sufficient confidence in him to confide you to his -care.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It is not a pleasant moment when for the first time -we are led to suspect those in whom we have confided; -and important and welcome as the intelligence otherwise -was, Gilbert felt sober at the treachery of Mr. -Briggs. The latter, as we have seen, had been kinder -to him than his wife or son, and Gilbert had -felt grateful. Even now he could not rid himself of -a certain feeling of kindness to his guardian, false as -he had been to his trust.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am sorry to hear this,” he said, gravely.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Sorry to hear that your father left you a fortune?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t mean that. I am sorry that my guardian -has been wicked enough to attempt to cheat me out -of it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What sort of a man is Mr. Briggs?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“At first I was not prepossessed in his favor; but -he improved on acquaintance. When his wife and son -spoke against me, he always took my part. When -<span class='pageno' id='Page_332'>332</span>I was charged with dishonesty, he refused to believe -it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think it quite possible that he is a naturally -kind-hearted man,” said the sick man; “but human -nature is sometimes inconsistent. I think it may -have been in a moment of embarrassment that he appropriated -your fortune. If he has since prospered, -it may be possible for you to recover it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Are you sure it was as much as seventy-five thousand -dollars, Mr. Talbot?” asked Gilbert, dazzled as -he well might be by the magnitude of the sum.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am sure of it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Can you prove it, so that Mr. Briggs will be compelled -to give it up to me?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Fortunately I can. I have in my trunk a document, -in your father’s own handwriting, giving a -schedule of his property, in which he expressly says -that he makes it over in trust to Richard Briggs, for -your use. Indeed, it must now amount to more -than seventy-five thousand dollars; for only a small -part of the income has been expended for you. Probably -<span class='pageno' id='Page_333'>333</span>a few hundreds of dollars a year are all that -have been spent for you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t see how Mr. Briggs could make such false -representations,” said Gilbert, thoughtfully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“‘Money is the root of all evil,’ my young friend. -It is an old proverb, and unfortunately a true one.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have noticed one thing,” continued our hero. -“When I thanked Mr. Briggs for paying my board, -as I supposed, out of his own pocket, he always -seemed uncomfortable and embarrassed.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That shows he is not wholly without shame.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is about time for me to be going back to the -office, Mr. Talbot; but before I go I want to ask -your advice on one point. How soon shall I speak to -Mr. Briggs on this subject?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Whenever you have an opportunity.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course, I must refer to you as my informant.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“By all means,” said the sick man, promptly. -“It will be a great satisfaction to me if, through my -means, you succeed in obtaining your rights.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>For the rest of the day and through the evening -Gilbert’s mind was occupied with the important intelligence -<span class='pageno' id='Page_334'>334</span>he had learned. He did not make a confidant -of any one, feeling that it was not yet time.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Ingalls, his room-mate, saw that he was thinking -busily about something, but did not make any -inquiries. He knew that Gilbert would let him know -when he got ready. Alphonso Jones was not so forbearing.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“By Jove! Greyson, I believe you are in love,” he -said, abruptly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What makes you think so, Mr. Jones?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’ve been sitting with your eyes fixed on the -carpet for five minutes without speaking a word.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Your opinion about love is worth something, Mr. -Jones,” said Gilbert, smiling. “You know how it is -yourself. Didn’t I see you walking with a fair -widow last evening?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Who do you mean?” asked Alphonso, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mrs. Kinney, of course.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I only happened to meet her going to a concert -with Mr. Pond,” exclaimed Alphonso. “He was -called away a moment, and left her in my care.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He was very imprudent,” said Mr. Ingalls. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_335'>335</span>“You know, Jones, you’re a regular lady-killer. I -really hope you won’t try any of your fascinations -on the widow.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Jones simpered, and was evidently pleased. -It was his private opinion that he was unusually -fascinating, and this public acknowledgment of it -was gratifying.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You will have your joke, Mr. Ingalls,” he said. -“I have a high respect for Mrs. Kinney; but, really, -there is nothing in it, I do assure you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Time will show,” said Mr. Ingalls, nodding his -head in an oracular way. “But don’t be precipitate, -Mr. Jones. Remember the Countess de Montmorency, -who may yet be your bride.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have no hopes in that quarter,” said Alphonso, -who had ascertained that the count had been reduced -by family misfortunes to accept a position in a barbers -shop. “Good-evening, gents.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>When Alphonso had retired, Gilbert said, “I have -something on my mind, Mr. Ingalls, though not what -Mr. Jones supposed. I hope soon to let you know -what it is.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_336'>336</span>“Whenever you are ready, Gilbert. I am not -curious; but shall be interested in anything that -concerns you. It isn’t anything unpleasant, I hope.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It may be greatly to my advantage.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If that is the case, I can wait cheerfully.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_337'>337</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXXVIII. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>GILBERT’S SHIP COMES IN.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>It</span> may well be supposed that Gilbert wished, as -soon as possible, to question his guardian on a subject -having such an important bearing upon his -future career. It occurred to him that it might be -well to consult a lawyer first; but he finally decided -not to do so. Personally Mr. Briggs had treated -him kindly, and he did not wish, unless it should -prove absolutely necessary, to assume a position -antagonistic to him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert reached his guardian’s house about eight -o’clock in the evening. He had received a note -from Fred Vivian, stating that he was going to the -theatre, and would not require a lesson that evening. -This gave him abundant time for the interview.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Briggs and Randolph had gone to make a -call, and Gilbert found Mr. Briggs alone. In dressing-gown -<span class='pageno' id='Page_338'>338</span>and slippers he was conning the evening -paper when Gilbert was announced.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good-evening, Gilbert,” said Mr. Briggs, cordially. -“I am glad to see you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, sir,” said Gilbert, gravely.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I was feeling a little lonely. Mrs. Briggs and -Randolph have gone out to make a call. How have -you got on since I went away?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am doing well now, sir; but at one time my -prospects looked dark.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How is that?” asked Mr. Briggs, surprised. -“I thought I left you well provided for.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was Gilbert’s turn to look surprised.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Didn’t Randolph tell you about my losing my -situation?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not a word. How came you to lose it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert told the story, already familiar to the -reader. He also told about his regaining it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That must have been disagreeable; and, of course, -you felt the loss of income. But your board was at -least provided for. You received money for that -from my office?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_339'>339</span>“No, sir; not a cent.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why not? I left directions to that effect.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert’s cheek flushed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I called on Mrs. Briggs, to inquire about it,” he -said, reluctantly; “but she chose to treat me as a -beggar, and I declined to receive anything.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Briggs looked annoyed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am afraid,” he said, desirous of excusing his -wife, “that you are too sensitive, Gilbert. Mrs. -Briggs is a little unfortunate in her manner, and -gave you a wrong impression. However, you shall -not suffer for it. Come round to the office to-morrow, -and I will give you a sum equal to what you -would have had if I had been at home.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, sir,” said Gilbert; but still he looked -grave.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Does not that satisfy you?” asked Mr. Briggs, -a little annoyed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert felt that the time had come for his question.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I came here to-night, Mr. Briggs,” he commenced, -“to ask you a question.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_340'>340</span>“Ask it, of course,” said the merchant, quite -unprepared for what was coming.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert fixed his clear, penetrating eyes on his -guardian’s face.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My father left you some money in trust for me; -did he not, sir?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Certainly. I told you so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I know it, sir. Will you tell me what it -amounted to?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Really,” said Mr. Briggs, uncomfortably, “I -can’t tell without looking over my papers. What -makes you ask?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did it not amount to seventy-five thousand dollars?” -demanded Gilbert, quietly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Richard Briggs nearly started from his seat in -surprise and dismay. That was the amount, as he -well knew; but how on earth could the boy have -found out? He saw that his ward had obtained -some dangerously accurate information somewhere; -and that he was thoroughly in earnest in his inquiry.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Who could have put such a thought into your -head?” he asked, slowly and hesitatingly.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_341'>341</span>“I won’t make a secret of it,” said Gilbert. “I -have made the acquaintance of a man who knew my -father. He tells me he was his book-keeper up to the -time of his death. He claims to know all about my -father’s affairs, and the amount of property he left.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There is some great mistake,” muttered the -merchant.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think there can be. Mr. Talbot has, in -his possession, and has showed to me, an autograph-letter -of my father, in which he gives full details -on this subject.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where is this Talbot?” asked Mr. Briggs, -abruptly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He is living in this city.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You must excuse me, Mr. Briggs. At present -I do not wish to tell you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He may be an impostor.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have thought of that; but such an imposition -could not be carried out. I think he tells the truth.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Suppose I believe the contrary,—what, then?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have reason to know whether what he says -<span class='pageno' id='Page_342'>342</span>is correct or not, Mr. Briggs,” said Gilbert, resolutely. -“If you deny it, and assert that he is an -impostor, I will consult a lawyer, and have him -cross-examine him on the subject, and give me his -opinion.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You have not spoken to a lawyer yet?” said -Mr. Briggs, uneasily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Lawyers are fond of instituting lawsuits. Probably -one would report favorably.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should want to know his grounds. And I -would not consent to a suit, unless he convinced me -there was good ground for it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gilbert,” said the merchant, “I feel friendly to -you, and I want you to succeed. Say no more about -this affair, and to-morrow I will make over to you -bank-shares amounting to ten thousand dollars. That -will give you a good start in life.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I only want what is my own,” said Gilbert, -sturdily. “I want what my father left me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Briggs rose, and paced the room in silence. -His good and bad angel were contending for the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_343'>343</span>supremacy. The conflict came to an end, and his better -nature triumphed. He resumed his seat, looking -no longer perplexed or troubled, but as one who -had thrown off a burden.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Gilbert,” he said, “it is all true. I have tried -to be a villain; but I won’t be one any longer. -Your father left you a fortune, and it shall be restored -to you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert rose, and grasped Mr. Briggs’ hand cordially. -Boy as he was, he comprehended the struggle -through which his guardian had passed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, sir,” he said. “I shall forget all -that has passed; and I ask you to remain my -guardian, and take care of my property for me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Man of the world as he was, Mr. Briggs was -touched by this proof of generous confidence.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t deserve this, Gilbert; but I will do as -you ask. I will, however, see a lawyer, and make -such arrangements that whatever may happen to me -you will be safe.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>At that moment the bell rang.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think Mrs. Briggs and Randolph have returned,” -<span class='pageno' id='Page_344'>344</span>said the merchant. “One word, Gilbert, -of what has passed between us, let it only be known -that you have received a large legacy, and that I am -your guardian in reality as well as in name.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All right, sir. Perhaps I had better go. Mrs. -Briggs don’t like me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Her husband laughed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“She will change when she knows you are rich,” -he said. “Don’t be surprised. It is the way of the -world.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He had scarcely finished when Mrs. Briggs entered, -followed by Randolph. She remarked Gilbert’s -presence with displeasure.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You here?” she said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, my dear,” said Mr. Briggs, pleasantly. -“Gilbert has been keeping me company.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He came <i>on business</i>, I suppose,” sneered the -lady.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are right, my dear. What made you guess -his errand?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I supposed he wanted help,” said Mrs. Briggs. -“He wants his pension restored, of course.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_345'>345</span>“Is that what you came for, Gilbert?” asked -Randolph, uncomfortably.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert rather enjoyed the misapprehension of his -two enemies, but he left Mr. Briggs to answer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Really, my dear, you are hardly polite to my -young ward.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Your ward! Don’t be ridiculous, Mr. Briggs. -You know he hasn’t got a cent, and has to live on -charity.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are quite mistaken, my dear. Gilbert has -just come into a property of over eighty thousand -dollars. And he has asked me to take charge of it -for him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Briggs sank into a chair in utter stupefaction, -while Randolph opened his eyes in astonishment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are jesting!” Mrs. Briggs managed to -utter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not at all. Is what I say correct, Gilbert?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I believe it is, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It is singular how Gilbert was transformed all at -once in the eyes of the worldly woman, and her son. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_346'>346</span>Circumstances were changed, and they must change -with them. It was awkward, but it must be done.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I congratulate you, Gilbert,” she said, trying to -smile. “You are certainly very fortunate.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should say he was!” exclaimed Randolph. -“I say, Gilbert, come and live with us, won’t you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should really be glad to have my husband’s -ward in my family,” said Mrs. Briggs, as graciously -as possible.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you,” said Gilbert; “but this has come -upon me so suddenly, that I don’t know what arrangements -I shall make.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Who left you this fortune?” asked Mrs. Briggs, -curiously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We are not at liberty to go into particulars,” said -Mr. Briggs; “but there is no doubt about it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you will excuse me, Mr. Briggs, I will leave -you now. I should like to tell my friends of my -good fortune.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Certainly. Come to my counting-room in the -morning at ten. Some arrangements will need to be -made.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_347'>347</span>“I will be on hand, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dine with us to-morrow, Gilbert,” said Mrs. -Briggs, graciously. “Randolph will be so glad of -your company.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert thought it due to his guardian to accept. -He was wise enough to take the world as he found it, -and return courtesy with courtesy.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What has happened, Gilbert?” exclaimed his -room-mate, when, half an hour later, Gilbert broke -into the room, his face full of excitement.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am rich, Mr. Ingalls. I have become heir to -eighty thousand dollars.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good gracious!” exclaimed Alphonso Jones, who -was present. “I suppose you will go to live on -Fifth Avenue among the swells.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not at present, Mr. Jones.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I am very glad of your good luck, Gilbert,” said -his room-mate, warmly. “You must tell me all about -it by and by.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wish I had eighty thousand dollars,” said Alphonso. -“Wouldn’t I be high-toned?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_348'>348</span>“Can’t one be high-toned without being rich, Mr. -Jones?” asked Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Jones thought not; but he made one mental -reservation. He privately thought himself high-toned, -though he certainly was not rich.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_349'>349</span> - <h2 class='c001'>CHAPTER XXXIX. <br /> <br /><span class='small'>CONCLUSION.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'><span class='sc'>Nowhere</span> did Gilbert receive heartier congratulations -on the change in his fortunes than from Mr. -Vivian and his family. Fred only was disturbed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose you won’t be willing to teach me any -more, now you are rich, Gilbert,” he said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think it will make any difference, Fred,” -said Gilbert; “but I must consult your father about -my plans.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What are your own views and wishes, Gilbert?” -asked the merchant.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I want to get a better education,” said Gilbert. -“I should like to carry out my original plan, and go -to college. After I graduate I may devote myself to -business; but a good education won’t interfere with -that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_350'>350</span>“I approve your plan,” said Mr. Vivian. “Of -course you will resign your place at the broker’s.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, sir.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then I shall submit a plan for your future. We -all like you, and you can be of use to Fred. Come -and live with us. You can complete your preparation -for college at some first-class school in the city, and -enter next summer, if you like.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope you will come, Gilbert,” said Laura.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It might have been her voice which decided Gilbert -to accept. At any rate, he did accept gratefully; -and in less than a week he was installed at Mr. -Vivian’s as a member of the family.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Sands was sorry to lose his services, but -acknowledged that it was better for him to give up -his place. The day after his retirement he was -sitting in Madison Park, when John, who had once -caused him to lose his place, espied him. John had -not yet succeeded in securing a place, nor had Mr. -Moore, the book-keeper.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What brings you here at this time in the day?” -asked John, in surprise.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_351'>351</span>“I am a gentleman of leisure,” answered Gilbert.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Have you left Mr. Sands?” asked John, eagerly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Been bounced, eh?” asked John, radiantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Gilbert smiled. He understood John’s feelings.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No,” he answered. “I left of my own accord.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You haven’t got another place?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then it’s too thin, your leaving of your own -accord.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It does look so, I admit,” said Gilbert, good-humoredly. -“But it is true, nevertheless.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why did you leave, then? You haven’t had a -fortune left you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’ve hit it, John. I no longer need my pay. -I have become rich, and shall go on preparing for -college.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is that really so?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is quite true.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Some folks are lucky,” said John, enviously. -“I aint one of that kind. I wish I could get your -old place.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_352'>352</span>“I am afraid Mr. Sands wouldn’t take you back. -I wish he would, and that you would do so well that -he would keep you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That will do to say; but you wouldn’t help me -back.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I would, and will. I will go down to the -office now, and ask Mr. Sands to take you back.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You will, after the mean way I have treated -you?” exclaimed John, in surprise.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t bear any malice, John,” said Gilbert. -“Here, take my hand, and look upon me as a friend. -If I can’t get you back into my old place, I’ll try -elsewhere. Come, let us take the cars down-town, -and I’ll see what I can do for you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What a good fellow you are, Gilbert!” said -John, much moved. “I am ashamed of trying to -injure you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You didn’t know me, then. But, John, will you -try to give satisfaction, if you are taken back?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I will,” said John, earnestly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Half an hour later they entered the broker’s office. -No boy had been engaged as yet. Mr. Sands did not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_353'>353</span>at first regard John’s application with favor; though, -as he understood the duties of the place, he could, if -he pleased, do better than a new boy. Finally, the -broker agreed to take him on trial.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Remember, John,” he said, “you owe your place -to Gilbert’s intercession. But for that I wouldn’t -take you back.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I know it, sir. I hope you won’t be sorry.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here it may be said that John turned over a new -leaf, and succeeded in this last trial in giving satisfaction. -His cousin, Simon Moore, called him mean-spirited -for going back; but John felt that he must -look out for his own interests now, and did not regard -his objection.</p> - -<p class='c010'>In his prosperity Gilbert did not forget Mr. -Talbot and his little daughter. While he continued -sick our hero allowed him a weekly sum sufficient -to support father and daughter comfortably; and on -his recovery he found him employment, and a more -comfortable lodging. Little Emma was no longer -obliged to go into the streets to sell bouquets, but -was put at a good day-school. From time to time -<span class='pageno' id='Page_354'>354</span>Gilbert called upon them, and was rejoiced to see the -improved looks and happier faces of Emma and her -father.</p> - -<p class='c010'>In the first chapter of this story the reader will -recall John Munford, a school-friend of Gilbert, the -son of a carpenter, who, on account of his father’s -poverty, was obliged to leave school, and go to work. -Gilbert, in becoming rich, did not forget his early -friend. One day John received a letter from Gilbert, -in which, after speaking of his change of fortune, he -wrote:—</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now, John, I have a large income,—much more -than I can use,—and I want to do what good I can -with it. I know you want to keep at school, but -cannot, on account of your father’s circumstances. I -have a proposal to make to you. Give up work, and -go back to Dr. Burton’s school. I will allow you -three hundred dollars a year till you are ready to go -to college. Then you shall come to Yale, and room -with me. I will provide for you in college. After -you graduate, your education will command a position -that will make you independent. Let me know at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_355'>355</span>once if you accept, or rather write me that you do -accept.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>What could John do, but to accept this generous -offer with deep gratitude to his old school-fellow? -Need it be said that Gilbert fulfilled his promise to -the letter. Last year the two friends graduated, both -taking high rank; and John is now principal of a -High School in a Massachusetts town. Gilbert has -decided to lead a business life, and has entered -Mr. Vivian’s establishment. He will be junior partner -at the end of three years. He may form another -partnership with a member of Mr. Vivian’s family. -I cannot say positively, but I think it quite probable.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mr. Briggs is no longer Gilbert’s guardian. Our -hero is of age, and has assumed the charge of his -own property. He is always sure of a cordial welcome -from Mrs. Briggs now, and Randolph cultivates -his intimacy; but Gilbert does not find him congenial. -He is inclined to be dissipated, and, I am afraid, -will not turn out well. But his mother upholds him -on all occasions; and her ill-judged indulgence is -partly the cause of her son’s lack of promise.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_356'>356</span>Gilbert sometimes visits the old boarding-house. -Mr. Ingalls is prospering. Alphonso Jones now -boasts of his intimacy with Gilbert. It is rumored -that he has offered himself to Mrs. Kinney, a young -widow, already mentioned, and been rejected. His -heart is not broken, however; and he is now a suitor -for the hand of Miss Brintnall, the strong-minded -school-teacher. She is “high-toned” in one sense, -at least, as he will probably find after marriage.</p> - -<hr class='c015' /> - -<p class='c010'>The next volume of this series will be</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><span class='sc'>Work and Hope;</span></div> - <div><span class='sc'>or,</span></div> - <div><span class='sc'>Ben Bradford’s Motto.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c001'>Transcriber’s Notes</h2> -</div> -<p class='c009'>Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The author was consistent in his spelling of “aint” throughout.</p> - -<p class='c010'>On page 75 “conderable” was replaced by “considerable”.</p> - -<p class='c010'>On page 139 an “at” was added to the sentence between “dine” and the hour.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Shifting For Himself, by Horatio Alger Jr. - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SHIFTING FOR HIMSELF *** - -***** This file should be named 55598-h.htm or 55598-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/5/9/55598/ - -Produced by David Edwards, Elizabeth Oscanyan and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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