Alger Horatio Jr.
Cast Upon the Breakers
CHAPTER XVI
A SURPRISING TURN OF FORTUNE
Rodney told his story frankly. Mrs. Harvey was very sympathetic by nature, and she listened with the deepest interest, and latterly with indignation when Rodney spoke of his dismissal from Mr. Goodnow’s store.
“You have been treated shamefully,” she said warmly.
“I think Mr. Goodnow really believes me guilty,” rejoined Rodney.
“A dishonest boy would hardly have returned a valuable box of jewelry.”
“Still Mr. Goodnow didn’t know that I would do it.”
“I see you are disposed to apologize for your late employer.”
“I do not forget that he treated me kindly till this last occurrence.”
“Your consideration does you credit. So you have really been reduced to earn your living as a newsboy?”
“Yes, madam.”
“I must think what I can do for you. I might give you money, but when that was gone you would be no better off.”
“I would much rather have help in getting a place.”
Mrs. Harvey leaned her head on her hand and looked thoughtful.
“You are right,” she said. “Let me think.”
Rodney waited, hoping that the lady would be able to think of something to his advantage.
Finally she spoke.
“I think you said you understood Latin and Greek?”
“I have studied both languages and French also. I should have been ready to enter college next summer.”
“Then perhaps I shall be able to do something for you. I live in Philadelphia, but I have a brother living in West Fifty Eighth Street. He has one little boy, Arthur, now nine years of age. Arthur is quite precocious, but his health is delicate, and my brother has thought of getting a private instructor for him. Do you like young children?”
“Very much. I always wished that I had a little brother.”
“Then I think you would suit my brother better as a tutor for Arthur than a young man. Being a boy yourself, you would be not only tutor but companion.”
“I should like such a position very much.”
“Then wait here a moment, and I will write you a letter of introduction.”
She went up stairs, but soon returned.
She put a small perfumed billet into Rodney’s hands. It was directed to John Sargent with an address on West Fifty Eighth Street.
“Call this evening,” she said, “about half past seven o’clock. My brother will be through dinner, and will not have gone out at that hour.”
“Thank you,” said Rodney gratefully.
“Here is another envelope which you can open at your leisure. I cannot part from you without thanking you once more for returning my jewelry.”
“You have thanked me in a very practical way, Mrs. Harvey.”
“I hope my letter may lead to pleasant results for you. If you ever come to Philadelphia call upon me at No. 1492 Walnut Street.”
“Thank you.”
As Rodney left the house he felt that his ill fortune had turned, and that a new prospect was opened up before him. He stepped into the Windsor Hotel, and opened the envelope last given him. It contained five five dollar bills.
To one of them was pinned a scrap of paper containing these words: “I hope this money will be useful to you. It is less than the reward I should have offered for the recovery of the jewels.”
Under the circumstances Rodney felt that he need not scruple to use the money. He knew that he had rendered Mrs. Harvey a great service, and that she could well afford to pay him the sum which the envelopes contained.
He began to be sensible that he was hungry, not having eaten for some time. He went into a restaurant on Sixth Avenue, and ordered a sirloin steak. It was some time since he had indulged in anything beyond a common steak, and he greatly enjoyed the more luxurious meal. He didn’t go back to selling papers, for he felt that it would hardly be consistent with the position of a classical teacher—the post for which he was about to apply.
Half past seven found him at the door of Mr. John Sargent. The house was of brown stone, high stoop, and four stories in height. It was such a house as only a rich man could occupy.
He was ushered into the parlor and presently Mr. Sargent came in from the dining room.
“Are you Mr. Ropes?” he asked, looking at Rodney’s card.
It is not usual for newsboys to carry cards, but Rodney had some left over from his more prosperous days.
“Yes, sir. I bring you a note of introduction from Mrs. Harvey.”
“Ah yes, my sister. Let me see it.”
The note was of some length. That is, it covered three pages of note paper. Mr. Sargent read it attentively.
“My sister recommends you as tutor for my little son, Arthur,” he said, as he folded up the letter.
“Yes, sir; she suggested that I might perhaps suit you in that capacity.”
“She also says that you found and restored to her a valuable box of jewelry which she was careless enough to drop near Tiffany’s.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I have a good deal of confidence in my sister’s good judgment. She evidently regards you very favorably.”
“I am glad of that sir,”
“Will you tell me something of your qualifications? Arthur is about to commence Latin. He is not old enough for Greek.”
“I could teach either, sir.”
“And of course you are well up in English branches?”
“I think I am.”
“My sister hints that you are poor, and obliged to earn your own living. How, then, have you been able to secure so good an education?”
“I have only been poor for a short time. My father left me fifty thousand dollars, but it was lost by my guardian.”
“Who was your guardian?”
“Mr. Benjamin Fielding.”
“I knew him well. I don’t think he was an unprincipled man, but he was certainly imprudent, and was led into acts that were reprehensible. Did he lose all your money for you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What did you do?”
“Left the boarding school where I was being educated, and came to this city.”
“Did you obtain any employment?”
“Yes, sir; I have been employed for a short time by Otis Goodnow, a merchant of Reade Street.”
“And why did you leave?”
“Because Mr. Goodnow missed some articles from his stock, and I was charged with taking them.”
Rodney was fearful of the effect of his frank confession upon Mr. Sargent, but the latter soon reassured him.
“Your honesty in restoring my sister’s jewelry is sufficient proof that the charge was unfounded. I shall not let it influence me.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Now as to the position of teacher, though very young, I don’t see why you should not fill it satisfactorily. I will call Arthur.”
He went to the door and called “Arthur.”
A delicate looking boy with a sweet, intelligent face, came running into the room.
“Do you want me, papa?”
“Yes, Arthur. I have a new friend for you. Will you shake hands with him?”
Arthur, who was not a shy boy, went up at once to Rodney and offered his hand.
“I am glad to see you,” he said.
Rodney smiled. He was quite taken with the young boy.
“What’s your name?” the latter asked.
“Rodney Ropes.”
“Are you going to stay and make us a visit?”
Mr. Sargent answered this question.
“Would you like to have Rodney stay?” he asked.
“Oh yes.”
“How would you like to have him give you lessons in Latin and other studies?”
“I should like it. I am sure he wouldn’t be cross. Are you a teacher, Rodney?”
“I will be your teacher if you are willing to have me.”
“Yes, I should like it. And will you go to walk with me in Central Park?”
“Yes.”
“Then, papa, you may as well engage him. I was afraid you would get a tiresome old man for my teacher.”
“That settles it, Rodney,” said Mr. Sargent, smiling. “Now, Arthur, run out and I will speak further with Rodney about you.”
“All right, papa.”
“As Arthur seems to like you, I will give you a trial. As he suggested, I should like to have you become his companion as well as teacher. You will come here at nine o’clock in the morning, and stay till four, taking lunch with your pupil. About the compensation, will you tell me what will be satisfactory to you?”
“I prefer to leave that to you, sir.”
“Then we will say fifteen dollars a week—today is Thursday. Will you present yourself here next Monday morning?”
“Yes, sir.”
“If you would like an advance of salary, you need only say so.”
“Thank you, sir, but I am fairly provided with money for the present.”
“Then nothing more need be said. As I am to meet a gentleman at the Union League Club tonight, I will bid you good evening, and expect to see you on Monday.”
Rodney rose and Mr. Sargent accompanied him to the door, shaking hands with him courteously by way of farewell.
Rodney emerged into the street in a state of joyous excitement. Twenty five dollars in his pocket, and fifteen dollars a week! He could hardly credit his good fortune.
CHAPTER XVII
JASPER’S PERPLEXITY
Mike Flynn was overjoyed to hear of Rodney’s good fortune.
“Fifteen dollars a week!” he repeated. “Why you will be rich.”
“Not exactly that, Mike, but it will make me comfortable. By the way, as I have so much more than you, it will only be fair for me to pay the whole rent.”
“No, Rodney, you mustn’t do that.”
“I shall insist upon it, Mike. You would do the same in my place.”
“Yes I would.”
“So you can’t object to my doing it.”
“You are very kind to me, Rodney,” said Mike, who had the warm heart of his race. “It isn’t every boy brought up like you who would be willing to room with a bootblack.”
“But you are not a bootblack now. You are a telegraph boy.”
“There are plenty that mind me when I blacked boots down in front of the Astor House.”
“You are just as good a boy for all that. How much did you make last week?”
“Four dollars salary, and a dollar and a half in extra tips.”
“Hereafter you must save your rent money for clothes. We must have you looking respectable.”
“Won’t you adopt me, Rodney?” asked Mike with a laughing face.
“That’s a good idea. Perhaps I will. In that case you must obey all my orders. In the first place, what are you most in want in the way of clothing?”
“I haven’t got but two shirts.”
“That is hardly enough for a gentleman of your social position. Anything else.”
“I’m short on collars and socks.”
“Then we’ll go out shopping. I’ll buy you a supply of each.”
“But you haven’t begun to work yet.”
“No, but Mrs. Harvey made me a present of twenty five dollars. We’ll go to some of the big stores on Sixth Avenue where we can get furnishing goods cheap.”
Rodney carried out his purpose, and at the cost of four dollars supplied his room mate with all he needed for the present.
“See what it is to be rich, Mike,” he said. “It seems odd for me to be buying clothes for my adopted son.”
“You’re in luck, Rodney, and so am I. I hope some time I can do you a favor.”
“Perhaps you can, Mike. If I should get sick, you might take my place as tutor.”
“You must know an awful lot, Rodney,” said Mike, regarding his companion with new respect.
“Thank you for the compliment, Mike. I hope Mr. Sargent will have the same opinion.”
The next day it is needless to say that Rodney did not resume the business of newsboy. He was very glad to give it up. He dressed with unusual care and took a walk down town.
As he passed Reade Street by chance Jasper was coming around the corner. His face lighted up first with pleasure at seeing Rodney, for it gratified his mean nature to triumph over the boy whom he had ousted from his position, and next with surprise at his unusually neat and well dressed appearance. Rodney looked far from needing help. He might readily have been taken for a boy of aristocratic lineage.
“Hallo!” said Jasper, surveying Rodney curiously.
“How are you this morning, Jasper?” returned Rodney quietly.
“Why ain’t you selling papers?”
“I don’t like the business.”
“But you’ve got to make a living.”
“Quite true.”
“Are you going to black boots?”
“Why should I? Is it a desirable business?”
“How should I know?” asked Jasper, coloring.
“I didn’t know but you might have had some experience at it. I haven’t.”
“Do you mean to insult me?” demanded Jasper hotly.
“I never insult anybody. I will only say that you are as likely to take up the business as I.”
“I’ve got a place.”
“How do you know but I have?”
“Because you were selling papers yesterday and are walking the street today.”
“That is true. But I have a place engaged for all that. I shall go to work on Monday.”
Jasper pricked up his ears.
“Where is it?” he asked.
“I don’t care to tell at present.”
“Is it true? Have you got a place?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t see how you could. Mr. Goodnow wouldn’t give you a recommendation.”
“There is no reason why he should not.”
“What, after your taking cloaks and dress patterns from the store?”
“I did nothing of the kind. Sooner or later Mr. Goodnow will find out his mistake. Probably the real thief is still in his employ.”
Jasper turned pale and regarded Rodney searchingly, but there was nothing in his manner or expression to indicate that his remark had been personal. He thought it best to turn the conversation.
“How much pay do you get—four dollars?”
“More than that.”
“You don’t get as much as you did at our store?”
“Yes; I get more.”
Now it was Jasper’s turn to show surprise. He did not know whether to believe Rodney or not, but there was something in his face which commanded belief.
“How much do you get?” he asked.
“You would not believe me if I told you.”
“Try me,” returned Jasper, whose curiosity was aroused.
“I am to get fifteen dollars a week.”
Jasper would not have looked more surprised if Rodney had informed him that he was to become a Cabinet minister.
“You’re joking!” he ejaculated.
“Not at all.”
“How could you have the face to ask such a price. Did you pass yourself off as an experienced salesman?”
“No.”
“I don’t understand it at all, that is, if you are telling the truth.”
“I have told you the truth, Jasper. I have no object in deceiving you. The salary was fixed by my employer.”
“Who did you say it was?”
“I didn’t say.”
Jasper’s cunning scheme was defeated. He felt disturbed to hear of Rodney’s good fortune, but he had a shot in reserve.
“I don’t think you will keep your place long,” he said in a malicious tone.
“Why not?”
“Your employer will hear under what circumstances you left our store, and then of course he will discharge you.”
“You will be sorry for that won’t you?” asked Rodney pointedly.
“Why of course I don’t want you to have bad luck.”
“Thank you. You are very considerate.”
“Suppose you lose your place, shall you go back to selling papers?”
“I hope to find something better to do.”
“Where are you going now?”
“To get some lunch.”
“So am I. Suppose we go together.”
“Very well, providing you will lunch with me.”
“I don’t want to impose upon you.”
“You won’t. We may not meet again for some time, and we shall have this meal to remind us of each other.”
They went to a well known restaurant on Park Row. Rodney ordered a liberal dinner for himself, and Jasper followed his example nothing loath. He was always ready to dine at the expense of others, but even as he ate he could not help wondering at the strange chance that had made him the guest of a boy who was selling papers the day before.
He had nearly finished eating when a disturbing thought occurred to him. Suppose Rodney didn’t have money enough to settle the bill, and threw it upon him.
When Rodney took the checks and walked up to the cashier’s desk he followed him with some anxiety. But his companion quietly took out a five dollar bill, from his pocket and tendered it to the cashier. The latter gave him back the right change and the two boys went out into the street.
“You seem to have plenty of money,” said Jasper.
“There are very few who would admit having that,” smiled Rodney.
“I don’t see why you sold papers if you have five dollar bills in your pocket.”
“I don’t want to be idle.”
“May I tell my uncle and Mr. Goodnow that you have got a place?”
“If you like.”
“Well, good by, I must be hurrying back to the store.”
Rodney smiled. He rather enjoyed Jasper’s surprise and perplexity.
CHAPTER XVIII
RODNEY’S SECRET IS DISCOVERED
Jasper lost no time in acquainting his uncle with Rodney’s extraordinary good fortune. James Redwood was surprised, but not all together incredulous.
“I don’t understand it,” he said, “but Ropes appears to be a boy of truth. Perhaps he may have exaggerated the amount of his salary.”
“I hardly think so, uncle. He gave me a tip top dinner down on Park Row.”
“He may have been in funds from selling the articles taken from the store.”
“That’s so!” assented Jasper, who had the best possible reason for knowing that it was not so.
“I wish the boy well,” said his uncle. “He always treated me respectfully, and I never had anything against him except the loss of stock, and it is not certain that he is the thief.”
“I guess there isn’t any doubt about that.”
“Yet, believing him to be a thief, you did not hesitate to accept a dinner from him.”
“I didn’t want to hurt his feelings,” replied Jasper, rather sheepishly.
“Do you know what sort of a place he has got, or with what house?”
“No; he wouldn’t tell me.”
“He thought perhaps you would inform the new firm of the circumstances under which he left us. I don’t blame him, but I am surprised that he should have been engaged without a recommendation.”
“Shall you tell Mr. Goodnow?”
“Not unless he asks about Ropes. I don’t want to interfere with the boy in any way.”
In the store, as has already been stated, Jasper succeeded to Rodney’s place, and in consequence his pay was raised to seven dollars a week. Still it was not equal to what it had been when he was receiving additional money from the sale of the articles stolen by Philip Carton and himself.
The way in which they had operated was this: Philip would come in and buy a cloak or a dress pattern from Jasper, and the young salesman would pack up two or three instead of one. There was a drawback to the profit in those cases, as Carton would be obliged to sell both at a reduced price. Still they had made a considerable sum from these transactions, though not nearly as much as Mr. Goodnow had lost.
After the discovery of the theft and the discharge of Rodney, the two confederates felt that it would be imprudent to do any more in that line. This suspension entailed heavier loss on Carton than on Jasper. The latter had a fixed income and a home at his uncle’s house, while Philip had no regular income, though he occasionally secured a little temporary employment.
In the meantime Rodney had commenced his tutorship. His young pupil became very fond of him, and being a studious boy, made rapid progress in his lessons.
Mr. Sargent felt that his experiment, rash as it might be considered, vindicated his wisdom by its success. At the end of a month he voluntarily raised Rodney’s salary to twenty dollars a week.
“I am afraid you are overpaying me, Mr. Sargent,” said Rodney.
“That’s my lookout. Good service is worth a good salary, and I am perfectly satisfied with you.”
“Thank you, sir. I prize that even more than the higher salary.”
Only a portion of Rodney’s time was spent in teaching. In the afternoon he and his charge went on little excursions, generally to Central Park.
One holiday, about four months after the commencement of Rodney’s engagement, he was walking in the Park when he fell in with Jasper. Jasper’s attention was at once drawn to the little boy, whose dress and general appearance indicated that he belonged to a wealthy family. This excited Jasper’s curiosity.
“How are you, Rodney?” said Jasper adroitly. “It is a good while since I met you.”
“Yes.”
“Who is the little boy with you?”
“His name is Arthur Sargent.”
Rodney gave this information unwillingly, for he saw that his secret was likely to be discovered.
“How do you do, Arthur?” asked Jasper, with unwonted affability, for he did not care for children.
“Pretty well,” answered Arthur politely.
“Have you known Rodney long?”
“Why, he is my teacher,” answered Arthur in some surprise.
Jasper’s eyes gleamed with sudden intelligence. So this was Rodney’s secret, and this was the position for which he was so well paid.
Rodney bit his lip in vexation, but made no remark.
“Does he ever punish you for not getting your lessons?” asked Jasper without much tact.
“Of course not,” answered Arthur indignantly.
“Arthur always does get his lessons,” said Rodney. “I suppose you have a holiday from work today, Jasper.”
“Yes; I am glad to get away now and then.”
“I must bid you good morning now.”
“Won’t you let me call on you? Where do you live, Arthur?”
The boy gave the number of his house.
Jasper asked Arthur, thinking rightly that he would be more likely to get an answer from him than from Rodney. He walked away triumphantly, feeling that he had made a discovery that might prove of advantage to him.
“Is that a friend of yours, Rodney?” asked little Arthur.
“I have known him for some time.”
“I don’t like him very much.”
“Why?” asked Rodney with some curiosity.
“I don’t know,” answered the little boy slowly. “I can’t like everybody.”
“Quite true, Arthur. Jasper is not a special friend of mine, and I am not particular about your liking him. I hope you like me.”
“You know I do, Rodney,” and he gave Rodney’s hand an assuring pressure.
Ten minutes after he left Rodney, Jasper fell in with Carton. The intimacy between them had perceptibly fallen off. It had grown out of business considerations.
Now that it was no longer safe to abstract articles from the store, Jasper felt that he had no more use for his late confederate. When they met he treated him with marked coldness.
On this particular day Carton was looking quite shabby. In fact, his best suit was in pawn, and he had fallen back on one half worn and soiled.
“Hello!” exclaimed Jasper, and was about to pass on with a cool nod.
“Stop!” said Philip, looking offended.
“I am in a hurry,” returned Jasper. “I can’t stop today.”
“You are in a hurry, and on a holiday?”
“Yes; I am to meet a friend near the lake.”
“I’ll go along with you.”
Jasper had to submit though with an ill grace.
“Wouldn’t another day do?”
“No; the fact is, Jasper, I am in trouble,”
“You usually are,” sneered Jasper.
“That is so. I have been out of luck lately.”
“I am sorry, but I can’t help it as I see.”
“How much money do you think I have in my pocket?”
“I don’t know, I am sure. I am not good at guessing conundrums.”
“Just ten cents.”
“That isn’t much,” said Jasper, indifferently.
“Let me have a dollar, thats a good fellow!”
“You seem to think I am made of money,” said Jasper sharply. “I haven’t got much more myself.”
“Then you might have. You get a good salary.”
“Only seven dollars.”
“You are able to keep most of it for yourself.”
“Suppose I am? You seem to know a good deal of my affairs.”
“Haven’t you any pity for an old friend?”
“Yes, I’ll give you all the pity you want, but when it comes to money it’s a different matter. Here you are, a man of twenty six, ten years older than me, and yet you expect me to help support you.”
“You didn’t use to talk to me like that.”
“Well, I do now. You didn’t use to try to get money out of me.”
“Look here, Jasper! I am poor, but I don’t want you to talk to me as you are doing.”
“Indeed!” sneered Jasper.
“And I won’t have it,” said Carton firmly. “Listen to me, and I will propose a plan that will help us both.”
“What is it?”
“You can easily secrete articles, if you are cautious, without attracting notice, and I will dispose of them and share the money with you.”
Jasper shook his head.
“I wouldn’t dare to do it,” he said. “Somebody might spy on me.”
“Not if you are careful.”
“If it were found out I would be bounced like Ropes.”
“What is he doing? Have you seen him lately?”
“He is getting on finely. He is earning fifteen dollars a week.”
“You don’t mean it?”
“Yes I do.”
“What firm is he working for?”
“For none at all. He is tutor to a young kid.”
“I didn’t know he was scholar enough.”
“Oh yes, he knows Greek and Latin and a lot of other stuff.”
“Who is the boy?”
“I don’t feel at liberty to tell. I don’t think he would care to have you know.”
“I’ll tell you what you can do. Borrow five dollars of him for me.”
“I don’t know about that. If I were to borrow it would be for myself.”
“You can do as you please. If you don’t do something for me I will write to Mr. Goodnow that you are the thief who stole the cloaks and dress patterns.”
“You wouldn’t do that?” exclaimed Jasper in consternation.
“Wouldn’t I? I am desperate enough to do anything.”
After a little further conference Jasper agreed to do what was asked of him. He did not dare to refuse.
