Alger Horatio Jr.
Sam's Chance, and How He Improved It
CHAPTER VII.
TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS REWARD
Henry Martin was rather surprised at not receiving from Sam another application for a loan that evening. He had watched Sam's rate of expenditure, and decided that he must be at the bottom of his purse. He was surprised, therefore, to find that his roommate ordered an unusually expensive supper, and paid for the same out of a two-dollar bill.
"I didn't think you were so rich, Sam," he remarked.
"I can manage better than you think I can," said Sam, with an important air.
"I am glad to hear it. I want you to get along."
"I guess I'll get along. Here's the fifty cents I was to pay you this week."
"You were not to pay it till Saturday."
"Never mind. I'll pay it now."
Henry Martin was surprised, but his surprise was of an agreeable character. He was convinced that Sam must have obtained money from some other quarter, but decided not to inquire about it. He would wait till Sam chose to tell him.
"Are you going back to the room, Sam?" he inquired.
"No; I'm going to the theater. Won't you go, too?"
"No; I don't want to give up my studies."
"One evening won't matter."
"Perhaps not, but I will wait till some other time."
"You must have a sweet time working all day, and studying all night," said Sam, rather contemptuously.
"Not quite all night," answered Henry, smiling.
"You don't take any time for amusement."
"I am looking forward to the future. I want to rise in the world."
"So do I; but I ain't going to kill myself with work."
"I don't think you ever will, Sam. I'll be willing to insure you from dying in that way."
Sam laughed. "I guess you're right there," he said. "Well, if you won't go, I'll leave you. I s'pose you'll be asleep when I get home, so good-night."
"Good-night, Sam," said Henry, good-humoredly.
"I wonder how soon he'll be wanting to borrow money again?" he thought.
The next morning, when Sam reached the office, he found William Budd glancing at the Herald.
"You are late," said the young clerk.
"I was out late last evening," said Sam, apologetically.
"At a fashionable party, I suppose?"
"Not exactly. I was at the theater."
"I thought you were out of money yesterday."
"Oh, I raised a little."
"It seems to me you are rather extravagant for your means."
"I guess I'll come out right," said Sam, carelessly.
"By the way, you haven't found a diamond ring, have you?" asked Budd, his eyes fixed upon the paper.
Sam was startled, but his fellow clerk was scanning the paper, and did not observe his embarrassment.
"What makes you ask that?" Sam inquired.
"Nothing; only you'd be in luck if you did."
"Why would I?"
"Here's an advertisement from a man who has lost such a ring, offering twenty-five dollars reward to the finder."
"Twenty-five dollars!" ejaculated Sam, in excitement. "Does he say where he lost it?"
"Supposed to have been lost in Wall Street."
"Wall Street!" repeated Sam. "It must be the one I found," he thought.
"Yes; I don't suppose there's much chance of his getting it back again."
"Let me see the advertisement," said Sam.
"There it is," said Budd, handing him the paper.
Sam read it carefully, and impressed the address upon his memory – No. 49 Wall Street. The advertiser was John Chester.
"Are you going out to look for it?" asked William, in joke.
"I guess there wouldn't be much show for me. Probably somebody has picked it up already."
"No doubt."
"Shall I go to the post office?"
"Of course not till after you have swept the office. Did you expect me to do that?"
Sam probably never swept so quickly before. He was anxious to get out, and see what chance he had of earning the twenty-five dollars, for he was convinced that the ring advertised for was the one he had found. He was provoked to think he had been so quick in pawning it. If he only had it in his possession now he would have nothing to do but to call on Mr. Chester and receive twenty-five dollars. With that amount he would feel as rich as a millionaire. Now the problem was to get hold of the ring, and this, in Sam's circumstances, was not an easy problem to solve. Of the five dollars he had received from the pawnbroker he had but three left, and it was idle to expect to recover it unless he should pay the full price and the commission besides.
"What shall I do?" thought Sam, perplexed. "Here is a chance to make twenty dollars extra if I only had three dollars more."
A bright idea dawned upon him. If he would only get his week's wages in advance he would be able to manage. He would broach the subject.
"Do you think, Mr. Budd, Mr. Dalton would be willing to pay me my week's wages to-day instead of Saturday?" he inquired.
"I know he wouldn't. It's contrary to his rule."
"But it is important for me to have the money to-day," pleaded Sam.
"Don't you think he would do it if I told him that?"
Budd shook his head.
"It wouldn't be a good plan to ask him," he said. "He would conclude that you were living beyond your means, and that he doesn't like."
"Couldn't you lend me the money?" asked Sam.
"I told you yesterday I couldn't, that is, I am not willing to. I don't approve of the way you spend your money."
"It's only for this time," said Sam. "I'll never ask you again."
"I may as well be frank with you," said the young man. "If you were economical, and were short o money from sickness, or any other cause which you could not control, I would say 'Yes'; but while you complain of your salary as insufficient, you play billiards, and spend the evening at the theater; and these things I don't approve. I didn't do that when I was in your position. How do I know but you want your money in advance to spend in the same way?"
"I don't," said Sam.
"What do you want of it, then?"
"The fact is," said Sam, "it's to get something out of the pawnbroker's."
"What is it?"
"It's – a coat," said Sam, forced to tell a lie.
"When did you pledge it?"
"Yesterday."
"And you spent the money going to the theater," said Budd, sarcastically.
"Yes," said Sam, confused.
"Then you ought to be ashamed of yourself."
"I won't do it again, if you will lend me money to get it out."
"You can wait till Saturday, when you receive your wages. You have a coat on, and certainly cannot need the other. I didn't know that you had another, by the way."
Sam was beginning to see that he had only got himself into a scrape by his false statement, and he did not know how to extricate himself.
"I need it before Saturday," he said.
"Why do you? Won't this do?"
"The fact is," said Sam, "there's a fellow wants to buy it from me, and he wants it to-day, or he won't take it."
"Why do you want to sell your clothes, Sam?"
"Because I need the money."
"It seems to me you are managing very poorly. Rather than economize, you pawn your coat, and then try to sell it. So you are continually getting yourself into trouble."
"I know it," said Sam, "but I don't mean to do it again."
"If you'll take my advice you will leave your coat where it is till you are able to redeem it. Don't think of selling it, for a new one would cost you more than you will get for it."
This advice was good, but it did not apply to Sam's case, since he had no coat to pawn. It will easily be understood, therefore, that it proved unsatisfactory to him. He didn't reply, but finished his sweeping, and then, putting on his hat, he went to the post office for letters.
CHAPTER VIII.
AN UNEXPECTED OBSTACLE
As Sam walked rapidly to the post office he tried to think of some way of raising the money he needed. If his credit had been better Henry Martin might have accommodated him; but Sam was conscious that he had not treated his roommate in such a way as to inspire confidence. Then it occurred to him that he might obtain the ring back by giving the pawnbroker what money he had, and leaving his vest on deposit with him. At any rate, it would do no harm to try.
There was no time to go round to the pawnbroker's now, for his employer was very particular about receiving his letters promptly, and so great a delay might lead to his dismissal. He waited, therefore, until dinner time and then went round.
The pawnbroker recognized him at once, and regretted to see him. He knew the value of the ring, and was afraid Sam wished to redeem it.
"What can I do for you?" he asked, pretending not to know him.
"I was here yesterday," said Sam. "Don't you remember me?"
"I have so many come in I can't remember them all."
"But I left a ring here."
"A ring?" repeated the pawnbroker, vacantly. "What kind of a ring?"
"A ring with a stone set in it."
"Oh? you left it here."
"Yes, and you gave me five dollars on it."
"Did I? Then I gave you too much."
Sam was glad to hear this. Evidently the man, so he thought, did not understand the value of the ring, and would be glad to let him have it again. It was for his interest to let him think so.
"I guess you're right," he said. "The ring wasn't worth much, but my grandfather left it to me, and so I like it."
"You said it was your grandmother yesterday," remarked the pawnbroker, shrewdly.
"Did I? Well, it's all the same," said Sam, getting over the little difficulty. "I should like to have it again."
"Have you got the receipt?" asked the pawnbroker, to gain time.
"Yes, I've got it here."
The man looked discomfited, but Sam's next words freed him from anxiety.
"I want to ask of you a favor," said Sam. "I haven't got money enough here, but I'll pay you what I've got and bring you the rest tomorrow."
"Oh, no, you won't," said the old man, smiling, and wagging his head.
"Do you think I am a fool? That isn't the way I do business, my boy."
"But I swear to you I will bring you the money," said Sam, earnestly.
"I'll give you a little extra besides, to pay you for waiting."
"You are very kind," said the pawnbroker, revealing his yellow teeth in a cunning smile; "but I can't do it."
Sam had one other resource.
"Then," he proposed, "I'll pay you all the money I have, and give you my vest besides to keep till to-morrow."
"How much money have you got?"
"Three dollars."
"And your vest is worth about twenty-five cents."
"Twenty-five cents!" repeated Sam, looking insulted. "Do you think I would wear a twenty-five cent vest?"
"It is all it is worth to me. I lent you five dollars, and you want to put me off with three dollars and a quarter."
"But I would come round to-morrow and give you the money."
"Shall you have the money to-morrow?" inquired the dealer.
"Yes," answered Sam.
"Where will you get it?"
"I ain't obliged to tell that. It don't make no difference to you."
"Well, if you get the money to-morrow you can come round to-morrow," said the old man, with the air of one who had announced his ultimatum.
"But I want it to-day, particular," persisted Sam.
"Why do you want it to-day, particular?" asked the pawnbroker, looking curious.
"I'm going to a party to-night," said Sam, whose imagination was always to be relied upon. "I want to wear the ring there."
"Did you expect to go to the party without a vest?" queried the old man.
"Oh, I've got another at home," said Sam, composedly.
"You'll have to do without the ring till you bring me the money," said the pawnbroker, finally.
Sam saw from his manner that he was in earnest, and as perplexed as ever he left the shop.
"What am I going to do now?" he thought. "It's a shame to give up the reward on account of that mean old man. Why can't he trust me, I'd like to know? Does he think I would cheat him?"
Then a new fear disturbed Sam.
The pawnbroker might see the reward, and himself go to the advertiser and claim it.
"I wonder whether he takes the Herald?" thought our hero.
Something must be done, and at once. It was quite impossible to let such a golden chance slip by. So, finally, he determined to see Henry Martin, and if absolutely necessary tell him the whole story, and get him to accompany him to the pawnbroker's shop.
On his way back he happened to overtake Henry in the street, and broached the subject to him. Henry listened to him attentively.
"So that is where you got your supply of money from, Sam?" he said.
"Yes."
"I thought you must have raised some somewhere, or you would have been borrowing of me."
"I want to borrow three dollars of you now, or three fifty, to make sure I have enough."
"You had no right to pawn that ring, Sam. You ought to have remembered that it was not yours."
"I couldn't help it. I was out of money. Besides, I didn't know whose it was."
"It was your duty to find out, or try to find out."
"Could I go round the city asking everybody if the ring belonged to them?"
"No, but you could have advertised it in some paper.".
"How could I when I was dead broke? You know I couldn't."
"Well, what do you propose to do now?"
"I want you to lend me money enough to get back the ring. Then I'll go round to Wall Street and return it and get the twenty-five dollars reward, and pay you back every cent I owe you."
Henry reflected.
"I don't know but that's the best way," he said; "but I must go with you to see that it's all right."
"Of course you can. I want you to," said Sam, relieved.
"We can't go now, for there isn't time. Come into my place as soon as you get away, and we'll go round together."
"All right, Henry. You're a trump, and no mistake. I thought you'd help me out."
Sam's cheerfulness returned, and he went to work with more alacrity. All the afternoon he was forming plans for the disposal of the reward when it came into his hands.
About a quarter after five the two boys entered the pawnbroker's office.
The latter was not particularly pleased to see Sam, and his countenance showed it.
"I guess I'll take that ring, mister," said Sam, in an independent tone.
"What ring?"
"Oh, you know well enough."
"Have you brought the money?"
"Yes; I've got it here."
"It will be five dollars and a half."
"That is too much, but I'll give it to you; so just hand it over."
"Wait a minute, my friend," said the pawnbroker. "Where did you get the ring?"
"I've told you already."
"You said your grandmother left it to you; but I don't believe it."
"I can't help what you believe. Just hand it over."
"I have a strong suspicion, my young friend, that it is stolen."
"It's a lie!" said Sam, angrily.
"I'm not sure about that. I think I'll call a policeman."
Here Henry Martin interfered.
"Did you think it was stolen when you advanced money on it?" he asked.
"Yes, I did," said the pawnbroker. "Your friend's story was too thin."
"Then," said Henry, quietly, "you've got yourself into trouble. You can be arrested for receiving stolen goods."
The pawnbroker turned pale. He knew very well that he was in a dilemma.
"My friend didn't tell you the truth," continued Henry. "He found the ring, and now he has found the owner. He wants to return it, and that is why he is here. Unless you give it up, I will myself call a policeman."
Henry's quiet, assured manner produced its effect. With great reluctance the pawnbroker produced the ring, the charges were paid, and the two boys retired triumphant.
CHAPTER IX.
RESTORING THE RING
"Now," said Henry, "we had better go down to Wall Street and see the advertiser at once. If we can restore the ring to-night we shall avoid the risk of losing it."
"What makes you say we?" asked Sam, uneasily. "You don't expect any of the reward, do you?"
"I only expect you to pay me back what you owe me, Sam. The ring was found by you, and you are entitled to the reward."
Sam looked relieved.
"Of course I'll pay you all I owe you, as soon as I get the twenty-five dollars," he said.
"Have you got the advertisement? Can you tell the name and number of the advertiser?"
"Yes, his name is John Chester, and his office is at No. 49 Wall Street."
"Good. We must go down directly, or he will be gone."
The boys hurried to the office, which was on the third floor of the building. A young man, of eighteen or nineteen, was in sole possession. It may be remarked, by the way, that Mr. Chester was a lawyer, and this young man had just entered the office as student.
"That can't be Mr. Chester," said Henry, in a low voice, as the young man turned upon their entrance, and fixed his eyes inquiringly upon them.
"I'll ask," said Sam.
"Are you Mr. Chester?" he inquired.
The youth looked flattered at being mistaken for his employer.
"Mr. Chester has gone home," he answered, consequentially; "but, perhaps, I can do well. Do you come on business?"
"Yes," said Sam.
"Ahem! law business, I suppose," said the lawyer's assistant, looking wise. "State your case, and I may be able to assist you. Is it a case of trespass, or do you wish to obtain a habeas corpus, or a caveat, or a nisi prius?"
"What a lot he knows!" thought Sam, respectfully. "I don't want none of those things."
"Perhaps you want to obtain a divorce," said the budding barrister, in a jocular tone. "I am afraid we can't manage that for you."
"We want to see Mr. Chester on particular business," said Henry Martin.
"Well, you can't see him to-night. He's gone home."
"Where does he live?"
"He don't see clients at his house. It won't be any use going there."
"I guess he'll see us. We'll take the risk."
"What is your business about?" asked the young man, with curiosity.
"It's private," said Henry.
"Very important, no doubt," said the disappointed neophyte.
"Mr. Chester will think so," said Sam. "Where did you say he lived?"
"Did you come about the ring?" asked the young man, with a sudden thought.
"What ring?" asked Sam, cunningly.
"Mr. Chester lost a ring in Wall Street yesterday and advertised it in the Herald. I didn't know but you had found it."
"Suppose we had?" said Sam.
"Then you can give it to me, and I'll take it up to Mr. Chester."
"Thank you, but if I've found it I'll carry it up myself."
"Have you got it?"
"You can ask Mr. Chester about it to-morrow morning. Where does he live?"
"I've a great mind not to tell you," said the law student, resentfully.
"Then I'll find out in the 'Directory' and let Mr. Chester know you wouldn't tell us."
Upon this Sam got the desired information.
He was told that Mr. Chester lived in West Thirty-fifth Street.
"Let us go," said Henry.
Sam followed him out.
"Shall we go up there to-night?" he asked.
"Yes; it is no doubt very valuable, and the sooner we get it into the hands of the owner, the better."
They took the University Place cars, and in a little more than half an hour reached Thirty-fifth Street. They heard the neighboring clocks strike six as they rang the bell.
The door was opened by a colored man.
"Does Mr. Chester live here?" asked Sam.
"Yes," was the reply.
"Can I see him?"
"He's just gone in to dinner."
"I only want to see him a minute."
"Mr. Chester don't like to be disturbed when he's at dinner. You can come round again in an hour."
Sam looked at Henry for advice.
"Tell Mr. Chester," said Henry, "that we have found something belonging to him, and wish to return it to him."
"You haven't found his ring?" said the servant, excited.
"Yes, we have; but we will only deliver it into his hands."
"Come right in. Just stand here in the hall, and I'll tell him."
Presently a pleasant-looking man of middle age came from the dining-room, and looked inquiringly from one to the other.
"Which is the boy that has my ring?" he asked.
"I'm the one," said Sam, promptly.
"Show it to me, if you please."
"You promised a reward of twenty-five dollars," said Sam, with anxiety.
"Certainly. If the ring is mine, you shall have the reward."
Thereupon Sam produced the ring.
Mr. Chester received it with great satisfaction.
"Yes, it is the one," he said. "Where did you find it?"
Sam described the place as well as he could.
"So you saw my advertisement?"
"Yes, sir; a friend of mine read it to me this morning."
"Why didn't you bring it to my office before?"
Sam hesitated, but Henry said, in a low voice: "Tell the truth, Sam."
"The fact is," said he, "I pawned it, and it was some trouble for me to get it again."
"You pawned it! How much did you get on it?"
"Five dollars."
"Five dollars! Why, the ring cost six hundred dollars!"
Henry and Sam looked at each other in blank astonishment. How could that little ring be worth so much?
"I am glad we didn't know how much it was worth," said Henry. "It would have made us feel nervous."
"I am surprised that the pawnbroker gave it back to you at all," said Mr. Chester. "He must have known something of its value."
"He didn't want to give it up. He said it was stolen, and he would call the police."
"What did you say, then?"
"Henry asked him if he thought it was stolen when I brought it to him, and he said yes. Then Henry threatened to have him taken up for receiving stolen goods."
"Good!" said Mr. Chester, laughing. "Your friend would make a good lawyer. At any rate, I am glad I have got it back. Have you had dinner, boys?"
"No, sir," answered Henry.
"Then come in and dine with me. My family are all away except my wife, and there is plenty of room."
"Thank you, sir," said Henry Martin. "We will accept your invitation."
"You can hang your hats up, and follow me."
Sam began to feel bashful, but he obeyed directions, and followed Mr. Chester into a handsome dining-room in the rear extension, where a lady was already sitting at one end of the table.
"I bring you two guests, Mrs. Chester," said her husband. "These two young gentlemen have brought me my diamond ring."
"You are, indeed, fortunate in recovering it," said his wife. "Young gentlemen, you can sit, one on this side, the other opposite. I think, John, you will have to introduce them by name."
"Really, that is more than I can do," said the lawyer, laughing.
"My name is Henry Martin," said Henry, who was perfectly self-possessed.
"Mine is Sam Barker," said the young outlaw.
"Shall I send you some soup, Mr. Martin?"
"Yes, thank you."
"And you, Mr. Barker?"
Sam stared and wanted to laugh. It seemed so droll to be called "Mr.
Barker," but he managed to answer properly.
Mr. Chester was a man of some humor, and he enjoyed Sam's evident embarrassment. He took pains to be ceremoniously polite. Sam, who was used to the free and easy ways of a restaurant, hardly knew how to act. Henry Martin, though now thrown upon his own exertions, had been well brought up, and betrayed no awkwardness.
At the close of the meal, to which Sam, despite his bashfulness, did full justice, Mr. Chester opened his pocket-book and produced twenty-five dollars in bills.
"Is this to be divided between you?" he inquired.
"No, sir," said Henry; "Sam found the ring. It is all for him."
"Allow me to offer you five dollars, also," said the lawyer, who was pleased with Henry's manner.
"Thank you, sir, I would rather not take it."
"At all events, if I can ever be of any service to you, let me know."
"Thank you, sir."
Soon afterward the boys left the house.
