Alger Horatio Jr.
Sam's Chance, and How He Improved It
CHAPTER XXVIII.
BROWN'S PLAN
Brown, Jones and Robinson roomed in one of the college dormitories, but took their meals at a private boarding-house not far from the college yard. Memorial Hall had not yet been erected, and there was no public dining-place, as now. They paid a high price and enjoyed in return a luxurious table. About twenty students boarded at the same place, but less than half that number were present when Sam and the three sophomores entered the house.
"Leave your hat on the rack," said Brown, "and follow me."
He led the way into the dining-room and seated Sam beside himself.
"Is that your brother, Brown?" asked Bates, a classmate who sat opposite.
"Yes," answered Brown. "Do you think he looks like me?"
"He seems more intelligent," said Bates.
"Thank you. I owe you one."
"There's something about his left eyebrow that reminds me of you," said Bates, reflectively. "Yes, I should know he was your brother."
"I never saw him before," continued Brown. "He's been traveling ever since he was a baby, but this morning witnessed his happy restoration to my arms."
Sam listened to this chaffing with amusement. He relished it better than a discussion which followed upon the relative merits of two Greek authors which the students had been occupied with since entering college. This talk seemed very dry to Sam, whose previous life had hardly fitted him to take an interest in such subjects.
The dinner, however, he did relish, and did not fail to do justice to it.
"I think, Sam," said Brown, as the dessert came on, "that there is one society you will like better than the Alpha Zeta."
"What's that?" asked Sam.
"The Eta Pi Society."
"I can eat a pie as well as anybody," answered Sam, who, however, not being acquainted with the Greek alphabet, did not quite comprehend the joke.
"I should never think of doubting your word on that score. Here, Mary, bring this young man an extra large slice of apple pie. He has been working hard this morning."
At length the dinner was over, and the three students withdrew from the table.
"Well, Jones, what are your plans for the afternoon?" asked Brown.
"I'm going into town on important business."
"Such as what?"
"Ordering a new suit at my tailor's."
"That's important. How is it with you, Robinson?"
"I'm going in with Jones."
"To help him order his suit?"
"I shan't need any help in ordering it," said Jones. "I may need help in paying for it."
"I'd rather help order it," said Robinson. "Are you going into the city, Brown?"
"Not till four o'clock. I have a little work to do first. Sam, are you in any hurry to go back to Boston?"
"No," answered Sam. "I've made ten dollars this forenoon, and can afford to take it easy the rest of the day."
"Then stay with me until I go. I may have something to say to you."
"All right."
The three students parted; Jones and Robinson jumping on board a street car, while Brown took Sam to his room. It was not the one in which Sam's initiation had taken place, but another in the same dormitory, and was handsomely furnished. The walls were lined with fine engravings, and various ornaments adorned the mantel.
"Brown must be rich," though Sam. "I wish I had such a nice room."
"I'm going to read a little Greek," said Brown. "I was away two days last week, and I want to make up the lessons. You may find something on that bookcase to amuse you. Stretch yourself out in that armchair and make yourself comfortable."
Sam accepted the invitation willingly. He was not particularly bashful, and made himself quite at home. Most of the books on Brown's shelves struck him as very dry; but he finally found one profusely illustrated, and this entertained him till Brown, after an hour's silence and turning over the pages of his Greek dictionary, closed his books and said: "Well, thank goodness, that job's over!"
"Have you got through?"
"Yes, for to-day."
"Don't it make your head ache to study so hard?" asked Sam, curiously.
Brown laughed.
"I don't study hard enough to endanger my head," he answered. "I am not likely to become a martyr to science."
"You must know a lot," said Sam, opening the Greek book, and surveying the pages with admiring awe.
"My Greek professor does not appear to be of that opinion," said Brown, "judging from the way he marks me. However, it is quite possible that he is prejudiced, and can't appreciate modest merit.
What have you got there?"
"The 'Arabian Nights' Entertainments,'" said Sam.
"Do you like it?"
"It's tiptop. I wish I had that lamp I've been reading about."
"Aladdin's lamp?"
"Yes."
"What would you do?"
"Call for a lot of money."
"You are poor," said Brown, thoughtfully, "Yes, I'm about as poor as I want to be. I've been lookin' round for a fortune for five or six years; but I haven't found it yet."
"What can you do?"
"I was a clerk in New York."
"That means an errand boy, doesn't it?" inquired Brown, shrewdly.
"Yes," said Sam, not disturbed by being found out.
"How much did you receive for your services in New York?"
"Five dollars a week," answered Sam, telling the truth, by way of variety.
"I am afraid it would be hard to get that in Boston. Are you not fit for anything better?"
"I am afraid not," said Sam. "The fact is, I don't know much."
"In other words, your education has been neglected."
"Yes, it has."
"That's in your way. If you wrote a good hand, and were good at figures, you might perhaps do better than become an errand boy, though even then it is doubtful whether you could obtain more than five dollars a week."
"I don't see how I can live on that," said Sam, "even if I could get it."
"It would be rather hard," said the student. "I have twice that for spending money."
"And don't you have to pay for your clothes or your meals?" asked Sam.
"No, nor for my books, nor any of my college bills."
"Your folks must be awful rich," said Sam, not without a touch of envy.
"My father is prosperous in business," Brown admitted.
"Does he live in Boston?"
"No, he lives in Brookline."
"Where is that?"
"Not far from the city – not over three miles away."
"Couldn't your father give me a place in his store?" asked Sam.
"I don't think he has any vacancy," Sam looked despondent. Brown appeared to take an interest in him, and he had hoped that he might do something for him.
"But," Brown continued, "I have another plan for you."
"What is it?" asked Sam, his hopes reviving.
"I have a young brother of fourteen at home – there are only two of us; but he is small and delicate. He is lame, besides, having met with an accident when quite young. He is unable to go to school, as it would prove too great a tax upon one in his delicate state of health. He takes lessons at home, however, of a visiting tutor, as in this way his studies can be arranged to suit his varying strength. Now, I have been long of opinion that he requires a boy companion, older than himself, who is naturally lively and cheerful, to share with him in his amusements, to accompany him in his walks, and share with him in his studies. From what I have seen of you, I think you are just the companion my brother wants. Have you any bad habits?"
Sam had shrewdness enough to perceive that it would be better for him to be truthful. Besides, to do him justice, Brown's kindness had made an impression upon him, and he would have felt ashamed to deceive him.
"I am afraid I have," he answered; "but I could get rid of them."
"What are your bad habits?"
"Sometimes I swear," said Sam, candidly.
"Will you give that up?"
"Yes, I will."
"What else?"
"Sometimes I smoke cigars."
"You must give that up. My father abominates cigars."
"I will."
"What else?"
"I don't always tell the truth," said Sam, courageously.
"Lying is very ungentlemanly, to say the least. Do you think you can get over that?"
"Yes."
"Then, I will ask my father to take you on trial. I am going over to Brookline to supper this afternoon, and I will take you over, and talk with him about it. Will you go?"
"I'll go," said Sam, eagerly. "I'd like to be with your brother ever so much."
CHAPTER XXIX.
ARTHUR BROWN
At half-past five Sam and his companion reached the home of the latter in Brookline. It was a handsome mansion, with ample grounds, standing some rods back from the street.
"That's where I live, Sam," said the young student.
"It's an elegant place," said Sam, admiringly "I hope your father'll take me. I'd like to live here ever so much."
"There's my brother the one I spoke to you about."
Brown pointed out a boy considerably smaller than Sam, who was hurrying to the gate as fast as his lameness would admit. His thin, pale face was lighted up with joy, as he espied his brother.
"I am glad you have come, Charlie," he said. "It's so lonely here during the week."
"And how are you feeling, Arthur?" asked his brother, laying his hand caressingly on the shoulder of the younger boy.
"Oh, I'm all right; only lonely."
"I've brought you some company – don't you see?"
For the first time Arthur's attention was drawn to Sam.
"I am glad to see you," he said, politely extending his hand. "Are you a friend of Charlie's?"
"Yes, Arthur," the student replied, anticipating our hero. "This is my friend, Sam Barker."
"Are you in college, Mr. Barker?" asked Arthur.
"Please call me Sam," said our hero. "I am only a boy, and I don't begin to know enough to be in college."
"Nor I, either," said Arthur.
"Come into the house," said the elder brother. "Has father got back from the city?"
"No; he sent word that he should not be back till evening. We are to take supper without him. You are going to stop over Sunday, I hope, Charlie?"
"Yes, till to-morrow evening. Sam will stay, too. Won't you take him up to the little room next to yours? He will want to wash before supper."
Sam did not know that he needed to wash, but accepted this as a hint.
"Won't it be too much trouble for you?" he asked, thinking of Arthur's lameness.
"Oh, no," said the lame boy. "I can go upstairs almost as quick as if I wasn't lame. Come this way, please."
Sam followed him upstairs. He was shown to a small, but handsomely furnished chamber.
"You'll find everything you need, I think," said Arthur. "That room," pointing to one adjoining, "is mine; so we shall be near neighbors."
"I am glad of that. If burglars get in in the night, I'll come to you for protection."
"I am afraid I couldn't do you much good. You are a great deal stronger than I."
"Then I'll protect you."
"Do you live in Boston, Sam?"
"I only came to Boston a few days ago. I came from New York."
"Did you live in the city?"
"Yes. Were you ever there?"
"I have passed through New York on my way to Saratoga. I went up the Hudson River on a steamboat."
"We call it the North River there."
"We stopped at the Fifth Avenue Hotel."
"That's a tiptop hotel. I've been in there often."
"Are you going to live in Boston?"
"If I can find anything to do. I am not rich like you."
"No," said Arthur; "but you are something better."
"What is better than being rich?" asked Sam, incredulously.
"You are strong and healthy. You are not an invalid like me."
"How long have you been lame, Arthur?" inquired Sam, who had naturally a kind heart, and was already beginning to feel an interest in his new friend.
"Ever since I was a very small boy."
"Your brother is strong enough."
"Yes, Charlie's got muscle," said Arthur, proudly. "He's one of the strongest fellows in his class. He goes to gymnasium regularly. You ought to feel his arm. He's going to belong to the boat club next year."
By this time Sam had finished his ablutions.
"Come downstairs, and I'll show you the stable," said Arthur. "I guess there'll be time before supper."
"How many horses have you got?"
"Three carriage horses. Father would buy me a pony, but he's afraid I might fall, and not be able to help myself."
"Do you go to school?"
"No; my health is not good enough. The doctor says I must be out in the open air a good deal, and must not overtax my brain. I suppose you have been to school a good deal."
"Well, no," said Sam; "I am afraid of overtaxing my brain, too."
Arthur laughed. "I don't think, from your looks, that you need feel afraid," he said.
"You've no idea how delicate I am," said Sam, humorously.
"I should think you might be," said Arthur, merrily; "but you are very successful in not showing it."
"That's why I don't get any sympathy. What do you do all day long if you don't go to school?"
"I study some, and recite to a tutor who comes out from Boston; but I have a good deal of time to myself. I've been very lonely since my mother died," he added, soberly.
"How long ago was that?" Sam inquired, with sympathy.
"A year ago. Her death was a great loss to me, as Charlie has been away from home so much, and father is all day in the city."
"Are there no boys round here that you can play with?"
"There are boys, but I can't join in their sports, on account of my lameness."
"I wonder whether he will like the idea of my staying with him," thought Sam. "We could have good times together."
They went out to the stable, and looked about till the supper-bell rang. Everything was well arranged, and on a scale which indicated that Mr. Brown was a man of wealth.
More and more Sam though he would like to live there.
Entering the dining-room, where the supper was provided, they found the older brother already present.
"Have you two boys got acquainted?" he asked.
"Yes," said Arthur; "it didn't take us long. I've been showing Sam the stable."
"How do you like what you have seen?" asked the sophomore.
"Tiptop," said Sam.
"Take a seat there, Sam; Arthur, you know your place. I must preside in father's absence."
They talked together socially during the meal, Sam getting to feel better and better acquainted as time went on. After supper they took another walk, and then Arthur asked: "Do you play backgammon, Sam?"
"I never learned."
"Shall I show you?"
"I wish you would."
The backgammon board was brought out, and the two boys had a pleasant evening. As the older brother heard their lively laughter, and noticed how Arthur seemed brightened up by Sam's companionship, he felt more and more that it would be a good plan to keep him there. When his father reached home, a little before nine o'clock, he made the proposal to him.
"I am convinced," he said, "that Arthur needs a young companion, of a cheerful temperament, who will brighten him up, and keep him in good spirits.
"Do you know anything of this boy?" asked Mr. Brown, cautiously.
"Not much, except that Arthur appears to fancy him. His education has been neglected."
"That would not matter. He could study regularly with Arthur, and recite to his tutor."
"That occurred to me."
"Has he any bad habits?"
"No confirmed bad habits. If it should prove so, he can be dismissed."
"Would he like to come?"
"Of that I am sure. Indeed it would be a great thing for him, as he is poor, and has no friends to help him along."
"Then he may stay a month on trial. You may speak to him about it."
CHAPTER XXX.
HOW IT WAS ARRANGED
"Sam," said the young student, the next morning, "I have spoken to my father about your remaining here as a companion to Arthur."
"What did he say?" asked Sam, anxiously.
"That you may stay a month on trial. If the arrangement proves satisfactory, you can remain longer."
"I'm ever so much obliged to you," said Sam, overjoyed. "I hope I'll suit."
"I hope you will, too, for Arthur's sake. You must bear in mind that we expect you to lay aside all your bad habits, and try to become refined and gentlemanly."
"I'll try," said Sam, earnestly.
"You will take lessons of Arthur's tutor, and study with him. Though considerably younger than you are he is much more advanced in his studies, and will be able to help you in any difficulties."
"Perhaps he won't want to be bothered with me."
"On the contrary, it will interest and amuse him to be so occupied.
There is no reason why you should not improve fast."
"I want to know something," said Sam. "Ever since I met that girl on the boat I've been ashamed of being such a know-nothing."
"I am glad to hear you say that. It is encouraging to find that you are sensible of your deficiencies. It is the first step toward remedying them."
"Will the tutor lick me if I don't know my lessons?" asked Sam, anxiously.
The student smiled. "He wouldn't do that," he answered, "but he will inform my father – that is, if you persist in neglecting your lessons – and that might lead to your being dismissed."
"I'll study," said Sam. "You see if I don't, even if it makes my head ache awful."
"You look as if you could stand a mode amount of study," said the sophomore, smiling good-naturedly. "If your head aches very bad we can give you some pills."
"I guess it won't," said Sam, hastily, for he had a distinct remembrance of having been dosed with some very nauseous pills in his early days.
"My father will see that you are provided with suitable clothes," proceeded Brown; "and you shall have a little spending money also; but you must not spend any of it for cigars."
"I won't," said Sam, virtuously.
"It seems almost like a dream," he added, "to think of my having a private tutor, with nice clothes and spending money. I wonder what Henry Martin would say."
"Who is Henry Martin?"
"I used to room with him in New York. He is a nice boy, Henry is, a good deal better'n me. He used to save his money and put it in the bank, and study evenings."
"And you didn't, I suppose?"
"No. I was a fool; but I won't be any longer. I'm going to turn over a new leaf."
"If you do, I shall not regret having engaged you as a companion for Arthur."
Here Arthur's voice was heard, as he entered the room.
"What are you two talking about?" he inquired.
"I was telling Sam you would miss him when he went away."
"So I shall. Why can't he stay a little longer?"
Arthur had not yet been told of the plan for giving him a companion.
"You would get tired of me," said Sam.
"No, I wouldn't."
"Not if I stayed a month?"
"Will you, really?" asked Arthur, his pale face brightening up with evident pleasure.
"He shall stay if you would like to have him," said his brother, "and study with you every day. I think Prof. Taylor will be willing to take one additional pupil."
"Will he live here in this house?" asked Arthur, with animation.
"Certainly,"
"Then I shan't feel lonely any more," said Arthur. "I've been wanting company."
"I am sorry to say Sam's studies have been neglected, and he may require some assistance in getting his lessons."
"I'll help him," said Arthur, eagerly.
So it was arranged, and so it was that Sam; after drifting about for years, found at last a good home.
CHAPTER XXXI.
TWO YEARS LATER
More than two years have elapsed. In the fine old home at Brookline, Sam and Arthur are sitting out on the lawn. Both have changed. Arthur looks stronger and better than when Sam first made his acquaintance, His thin face is more full, his pallor has been succeeded by a faint tinge of color, and he looks contented and happy. But the greatest change has come over Sam. He is now a young man of eighteen, well-formed and robust, handsomely dressed, with a face not only attractive, but intelligent. These two years have improved him greatly, as we shall see.
"I can hardly realize that Charlie is to graduate next week," said Arthur.
"He was a sophomore when I first met him," said Sam. "How little I thought that the meeting would be so important to me!"
"And to me!" said Arthur. "You have up idea how lonely I felt before you came."
"You have an idea how ignorant I was at that time," said Sam.
"You didn't know much, to be sure," said Arthur, smiling. "I remember how I had to drill you in the multiplication table."
"My spelling was rather weak," said Sam.
"I should say it was; it was original, at least," said Arthur. "To tell the truth, I was rather dismayed when I found how little you knew. But you have made it up bravely."
"Yes," said Sam, complacently, "I think have; but still you are ahead of me."
"Not in all things. You write a much better hand than I."
"I am afraid it is my only accomplishment," said Sam.
"But not your only acquisition. You are a good English scholar. I don't mind telling you, however, that in the first three months I never expected you would be."
"I used to have the headache pretty often about that time," said Sam.
"Yes; I sympathized with you at first, till I began to suspect that it was all put on."
"It was harder for me to apply myself than you, Arthur. My street life made it so. It was only by degrees that I got the habit of application."
"It was a good thing for me that I had to assist you. It gave me an object in life. Besides, it made me work harder myself in order to continue able to do it. I used to get low-spirited, and feel that I was of no use in the world."
"You don't feel so now," said Sam, with a look of affection; for Arthur seemed to him like a dear, younger brother, whom it was his duty to care for and protect.
"Oh, no," said Arthur, cheerfully. "I am much better and stronger now.
And that leads me to a little secret which affects both you and me.
Would you like to hear it?"
"Yes, Arthur."
"Father is going to take both of us into the office, to learn business. I shall only be there about half the day, but you will have full hours. How will you like that?"
"It is the very thing I would like above all others," said Sam, with animation. "I want to be doing something. I want to earn my own living. When are we to go into the office?"
"On the first of September."
"Not till then?"
"No; we are to spend the summer at the White Mountains. Late in August Charlie will sail for Europe, where he is to travel for a year, and we two are to be disposed of as I have told you."
"It was a lucky day for me, Arthur, when I became your companion. But for that I might have been the same shiftless fellow I was before, fit for nothing except to run errands or sell newspapers."
"Are you sure you are fit for anything better now?" asked Arthur, mischievously.
"I hope so," said Sam. "Time will show."
The arrangement indicated was carried out. Sam, through his bright, sunny disposition, had become a favorite with all the Browns, who, besides, felt grateful to him for the good effect his companionship had had upon Arthur's health and happiness. It had long been understood between Charlie and his father that Sam was eventually to be taken into the office, and promoted as rapidly as his abilities would justify. He was allowed a liberal salary, and continued a member of Mr. Brown's family.
