CHAPTER VI.
AN IMPUDENT ADVENTURER.
While Rodney was talking with Mike Flynn he was an object of attentionto a man who stood near the corner of Barclay Street, and was ostensiblylooking in at the window of the drug store. As Rodney turned away herecognized him at once as his enterprising fellow traveler who had takenpossession of the casket of jewels.
He did not care to keep up an acquaintance with him, and started tocross the street. But the other came forward smiling, and with a nodsaid: "I believe you are the young man I met yesterday in the cars andafterwards at Kentville?"
"Yes, sir."
"I just wanted to tell you that I had got back my jewel box, the one forwhich I mistook yours."
"Indeed!" said Rodney, who did not believe a word the fellow said.
"Quite an amusing mistake, I made."
"It might have proved serious to me."
"Very true, as I shouldn't have known where to find you to restore yourproperty."
"I don't think that would have troubled you much," thought Rodney."Where did you find your box?" he asked.
"In the car. That is, the conductor picked it up and left it at thedepot for me. Where are you staying here in the city? At the AstorHouse?"
"No, I have found a boarding house on West Fourteenth Street."
"If it is a good place, I should like to go there. What is the number?"
"I can't recall it, though I could find it," answered Rodney withreserve, for he had no wish to have his railroad acquaintance in thehouse.
"Is the gentleman who was traveling with you there also?"
"Yes, sir."
"He is a very pleasant gentleman, though he misjudged me. Ha, ha! myfriends will be very much amused when I tell them that I was taken for athief. Why, I venture to say that my box is more valuable than yours."
"Very likely," said Rodney coldly. "Good morning."
"Good morning. I hope we may meet again."
Rodney nodded, but he could not in sincerity echo the wish.
He was now confronted by a serious problem. He had less than ten dollarsin his pocketbook, and this would soon be swallowed up by the necessaryexpenses of life in a large city. What would he do when that was gone?
It was clear that he must go to work as soon as possible. If hisguardian had remained in the city, probably through his influence asituation might have been secured. Now nothing was to be looked for inthat quarter.
He bought a morning paper and looked over the Want Column. He found twoplaces within a short distance of the Astor House, and called at each.One was in a railroad office.
"My boy," said the manager, a pleasant looking man, "the place was takenhours since. You don't seem to get up very early in the morning."
"I could get up at any hour that was necessary," replied Rodney, "but Ihave only just made up my mind to apply for a position."
"You won't meet with any luck today. It is too late. Get up bright andearly tomorrow morning, buy a paper, and make early application for anyplace that strikes you as desirable."
"Thank you, sir. I am sure your advice is good."
"If you had been the first to call here, I should have taken you. I likeyour appearance better than that of the boy I have selected."
"Thank you, sir."
"This boy may not prove satisfactory. Call in six days, just beforehis week expires, and if there is likely to be a vacancy I will let youknow."
"Thank you, sir. You are very kind."
"I always sympathize with boys. I have two boys of my own."
This conversation quite encouraged Rodney. It seemed to promise successin the future. If he had probably impressed one man, he might be equallyfortunate with another.
It was about half past twelve when he passed through Nassau Street.
All at once his arm was grasped, and a cheery voice said, "Where are yougoing, Rodney?"
"Mr. Woods!" he exclaimed, with pleased recognition.
"Yes, it's your old friend Woods."
"You are not the only railroad friend I have met this morning."
"Who was the other?"
"The gentleman who obligingly took care of my jewel box for a shorttime."
"You don't mean to say you have met him? Where did you come across him?"
"In front of the Astor House, almost two hours since."
"Did you speak to him?"
"He spoke to me. You will be glad to hear that he has recovered his owncasket of jewels."
Adin Woods smiled.
"He must think you are easily imposed upon," he said, "to believe anysuch story. Anything more?"
"He said his friends would be very much surprised to hear that he hadbeen suspected of theft."
"So he wanted to clear himself with you?"
"Yes; he asked where I was staying."
"I hope you didn't tell him."
"I only said I was at a boarding house on West Fourteenth Street, butdidn't mention the number."
"He thinks you have the casket with you, and that he may get possessionof it. It is well that you stored it at Tiffany's."
"I think so. Now I have no anxiety about it. Do you think he will findout where we live?"
"Probably, as you gave him a clew. But, Rodney, it is about lunch time,and I confess I have an appetite. Come and lunch with me."
"But I am afraid, Mr. Woods, I shall not be able to return thecompliment."
"There is no occasion for it. I feel in good humor this morning. I havesold one lot, and have hopes of disposing of another. The one lot paysme a commission of twenty dollars."
"I wish I could make twenty dollars in a week."
"Sometimes I only sell one lot in a week. It isn't like a regularbusiness. It is precarious. Still, take the year through and I make apretty good income. Come in here. We can get a good lunch here," and heled the way into a modest restaurant, not far from the site of the oldpost office, which will be remembered by those whose residence in NewYork dates back twenty years or more.
"Now we will have a nice lunch," said the agent. "I hope you can dojustice to it."
"I generally can," responded Rodney, smiling. "I am seldom troubled witha poor appetite."
"Ditto for me. Now what have you been doing this morning?"
"Looking for a place."
"With what success?"
"Pretty good if I had only been earlier."
Rodney told the story of his application to the manager of the railroadoffice.
"You will know better next time. I think you'll succeed. I did. When Icame to New York at the age of twenty two I had only fifty dollars. Thatsmall sum had to last me twelve weeks. You can judge that I didn'tlive on the fat of the land during that time. I couldn't often eat atDelmonico's. Even Beefsteak John's would have been too expensive for me.However, those old days are over."
The next day and the two following Rodney went about the city makingapplication for positions, but every place seemed full.
On the third day Mr. Woods said, "I shall have to leave you for a weekor more, Rodney."
"Where are you going?"
"To Philadelphia. There's a man there who is a capitalist and likes landinvestments. I am going to visit him, and hope to sell him several lots.He once lived in this city, so he won't object to New York investments."
"I hope you will succeed, Mr. Woods. I think if you are going away I hadbetter give up the room, and find cheaper accommodations. I am gettingnear the end of my money."
"You are right. It is best to be prudent."
That evening Rodney found a room which he could rent for two dollars aweek. He estimated that by economy he could get along for fifty cents aday for his eating, and that would be a decided saving.
He was just leaving the house the next morning, gripsack in hand, whenon the steps he met Louis Wheeler, his acquaintance of the train.
"Where are you going?" asked Wheeler.
"I am leaving this house. I have hired a room elsewhere."
Wheeler's countenance fell,
and he looked dismayed.
"Why, I have just taken a room here for a week," he said.
"You will find it a good place."
"But--I wouldn't have come here if I hadn't thought I should havecompany."
"I ought to feel complimented."
Rodney was convinced that Wheeler had come in the hopes of stealingthe casket of jewels a second time, and he felt amused at the fellow'sdiscomfiture.
"You haven't got your jewel box with you?"
"No, I can take that another time."
"Then it's still in the house," thought Wheeler with satisfaction. "Itwon't be my fault if I don't get it in my hands. Well, good morning," hesaid. "Come around and call on me."
"Thank you!"