"Thank you, sir; if it won't be too much trouble for you."
CHAPTER VIII -- GRANT TAKES A DECISIVE STEP
Grant came home a messenger of good tidings, as his beaming faceplainly showed. His mother could hardly believe in her good fortune,when Grant informed her that he had sold the pearls for four hundreddollars.
"Why, that will pay up all your father's debts," she said, "and weshall once more feel independent."
"And with a good reserve fund besides," suggested Grant.
On Saturday evening he called on Mr. Clifton, and received thebalance of the purchase money. On Monday, with a little list ofcreditors, and his pocket full of money, he made a round of calls,and paid up everybody, including Mr. Tudor.
"I told you the bill would be paid, Mr. Tudor," he said, quietly, tothe grocer.
"You mustn't feel hard on me on account of my pressing you, Grant,"said the grocer, well pleased, in a conciliatory tone. "You see, Ineeded money to pay my bills."
"You seemed to think my father didn't mean to pay you," said Grant,who could not so easily get over what he had considered unfriendlyconduct on the part of Mr. Tudor.
"No, I didn't. Of course I knew he was honest, but all the same Ineeded the money. I wish all my customers was as honest as yourfolks."
With this Grant thought it best to be contented. The time might comeagain when they would require the forbearance of the grocer; but hedid not mean that it should be so if he could help it. For he wasmore than ever resolved to give up the project of going to college.The one hundred and fifty dollars which remained after paying thedebts would tide them over a year, but his college course wouldoccupy four; and then there would be three years more of study tofit him for entering a profession, and so there would be plenty oftime for the old difficulties to return. If the parish wouldincrease kis father's salary by even a hundred dollars, they mightget along; but there was such a self-complacent feeling in thevillage that Mr. Thornton was liberally paid, that he well knewthere was no chance of that.
Upon this subject he had more than one earnest conversation with hismother.
"I should be sorry to have you leave home," she said; "but Iacknowledge the force of your reasons."
"I shouldn't be happy at college, mother," responded Grant, "if Ithought you were pinched at home."
"If you were our only child, Grant, it would be different."
"That is true; but there are Frank and Mary who would suffer. If Igo to work I shall soon be able to help you take care of them."
"You are a good and unselfish boy, Grant," said his mother.
"I don't know about that, mother; I am consulting my own happinessas well as yours."
"Yet you would like to go to college?"
"If we had plenty of money, not otherwise. I don't want to enjoyadvantages at the expense of you all."
"Your Uncle Godfrey will be very angry," said Mrs. Thornton,thoughtfully.
"I suppose he will, and I shall be sorry for it. I am grateful tohim for his good intentions toward me, and I have no right to expectthat he will feel as I do about the matter. If he is angry, I shallbe sorry, but I don't think it ought to influence me."
"You must do as you decide to be best, Grant. It is you who are mostinterested. But suppose you make up your mind to enter upon abusiness career, what chance have you of obtaining a place?"
"I shall call upon Mr. Reynolds, and see if he has any place forme."
"Who is Mr. Reynolds?" asked his mother, in some surprise.
"I forgot that I didn't tell you of the gentleman whose acquaintanceI made on my way up to the city. He is a Wall Street broker. Hisattention was drawn to me by something that he heard, and he offeredto help me, if he could, to get employment."
"It would cost something to go to New York, and after all there isno certainty that he could help you," said Mrs. Thornton,cautiously.
"That is true, mother, but I think he would do something for me."
However Grant received a summons to New York on other business. Mrs.Simpson, as she called herself, though she had no right to the name,was brought up for trial, and Grant was needed as a witness. Ofcourse his expenses were to be paid. He resolved to take thisopportunity to call at the office of Mr. Reynolds.
I do not propose to speak of Mrs. Simpson's trial. I will merely saythat she was found guilty of the charge upon which she had beenindicted, and was sentenced to a term of imprisonment.
When Grant was released from his duties as witness, he made his wayto Wall Street, or rather New Street, which branches out from thegreat financial thoroughfare, and had no difficulty in finding theoffice of Mr. Reynolds.
"Can I see Mr. Reynolds?" he asked of a young man, who was writingat a desk.
"Have you come to deliver stock? If so, I will take charge of it."
"No," answered Grant; "I wish to see him personally."
"He is at the Stock Exchange just at present. If you will take aseat, he will be back in twenty minutes, probably."
Grant sat down, and in less than the time mentioned, Mr. Reynoldsentered the office. The broker, who had a good memory for faces, atonce recognized our hero.
"Ha, my young friend from the country," he said; "would you like tosee me?"
"When you are at leisure, sir," answered Grant, well pleased at theprompt recognition.
"You will not have to wait long. Amuse yourself as well as you canfor a few minutes."
Promptness was the rule in Mr. Reynolds' office. Anothercharacteristic of the broker was, that he was just as polite to aboy as to his best customer. This is, I am quite aware, an unusualtrait, and, therefore, the more to be appreciated when we meet withit.
Presently Mr. Reynolds appeared at the door of his inner office, andbeckoned to Grant to enter.
"Take a seat, my young friend," he said; "and now let me know what Ican do for you."
"When I met you in the cars," said Grant, "you invited me, if I everwanted a position, to call upon you, and you would see if you couldhelp me."
"Very true, I did. Have you made up your mind to seek a place?"
"Yes, sir."
"Are your parents willing you should come to New York?"
"Yes, sir. That is, my mother is willing, and my father will agreeto whatever she decides to be best."
"So far so good. I wouldn't engage any boy who came against hisparents' wishes. Now let me tell you that you have come at a veryfavorable time. I have had in my employ for two years the son of anold friend, who has suited me in every respect; but now he is to goabroad with his father for a year, and I must supply his place. Youshall have the place if you want it."
"Nothing would suit me better," said Grant, joyfully. "Do you thinkI would be competent to fulfill the duties?"
"Harry Becker does not leave me for two weeks. He will initiate youinto your duties, and if you are as quick as I think you are atlearning, that will be sufficient."
"When shall I come, sir?"
"Next Monday morning. It is now Thursday, and that will give youtime to remove to the city."
"Perhaps I had better come Saturday, so as to get settled in aboarding-house before going to work. Could you recommend somemoderate priced boarding-house, Mr. Reynolds?"
"For the first week you may come to my house as my guest. That willgive you a chance to look about you. I live at 58 West 3-th Street.You had better take it down on paper. You can come any time onMonday. That will give you a chance to spend Sunday at home, and youneed not go to work till Tuesday."
Grant expressed his gratitude in suitable terms, and left the officeelated at his good fortune. A surprise awaited him. At the junctionof Wall and New Streets he came suddenly upon a large-sizedbootblack, whose face looked familiar.
"Tom Calder!" he exclaimed. "Is that you?"
CHAPTER IX -- 'UNCLE GODFREY PARTS FROM GRANT
When Tom Calder turned round and saw who had addressed him, heturned red with mortification, and he tried to hide his blackingbox. He was terribly mortified to have it known that
he had beenforced into such a business. If Tom had nothing worse to be ashamedof he need not have blushed, but he was suffering from false shame.
"When did you come to the city?" he stammered.
"Only this morning."
"I suppose you are surprised to see me in this business," said Tom,awkwardly.
"There is nothing to be ashamed of," said Grant. "It is an honestbusiness."
"It's an awful come down for me," said Tom, uncomfortably. "The factis, I've had hard luck."
"I am sorry to hear that," said Grant.
"I expected a place in Wall Street, but I came just too late, andthings are awful dull anyway. Then I was robbed of my money."
"How much?" asked Grant, curiously, for he didn't believe a word ofit.
"Eight dollars and thirty-three cents," replied Tom, glibly.
"I thought you were too smart to be robbed," said Grant, slyly. "Ifit had been a green boy from the country like me, now, it wouldn'thave been surprising."
"I was asleep when I was robbed," explained Tom, hurriedly. "Afellow got into my room in the night, and picked my pocket. Icouldn't help that, now, could I?"
"I suppose not."
"So I had to get something to do, or go back to Colebrook. I say,Grant---"
"Well?"
"Don't you tell any of the fellers at home what business I'm in,that's a good fellow."
"I won't if you don't want me to," said Grant.
"You see, it's only a few days till I can get something else to do."
"It's a great deal better blacking boots than being idle, in myopinion," said Grant.
"That's the way I look at it. But you didn't tell me what you cameto the city for?"
"I'm coming here for good," announced Grant.
"You haven't got a place, have you?" ejaculated Tom, in surprise.
"Yes, I am to enter the office of Mr. Reynolds, a stock broker.There is his sign."
"You don't say so I. Why, that's just the sort of place I wanted.How did you get the chance?"
"I got acquainted with Mr. Reynolds on board the cars that day wecame to New York together."
"And you asked him for the place?"
"I asked him this morning."
"You might have given me the chance," grumbled Tom, enviously. "Youknew it was the sort of place I was after."
"I don't think I was called upon to do that," said Grant, smiling."Besides, he wouldn't have accepted you."
"Why not? Ain't I as smart as you, I'd like to know?" retorted TomCalder, angrily.
"He heard us talking in the cars, and didn't like what you said."
"What did I say?"
"He doesn't approve of boys smoking cigarettes and going to bucketshops. You spoke of both."
"How did he hear?"
"He was sitting just behind us."
"Was it that old chap that was sittin' with you when I came backfrom the smoking car?"
"Yes."
"Just my luck," said Tom, ruefully.
"When are you goin' to work?" asked Tom, after a pause.
"Next Monday."
"Where are you going to board? We might take a room together, youknow. It would be kind of social, as we both come from the sameplace."
It did not occur to Grant that the arrangement would suit him atall, but he did not think it necessary to say so. He only said: "Iam going to Mr. Reynolds' house, just at first."
"You don't say so! Why, he's taken a regular fancy to you."
"If he has, I hope he won't get over it."
"I suppose he lives in a handsome brownstone house uptown."
"Very likely; I've never seen the house."
"Well, some folks has luck, but I ain't one of 'em," grumbled Tom.
"Your luck is coming, I hope, Tom."
"I wish it would come pretty soon, then; I say, suppose your folkswon't let you take the place?" he asked, suddenly, brightening up.
"They won't oppose it." "I thought they wanted you to go tocollege."
"I can't afford it. It would take too long before I could earnanything, and I ought to be helping the family."
"I'm goin' to look out for number one," said Tom, shrugging hisshoulders. "That's all I can do."
Tom's mother was a hard-working woman, and had taken in washing foryears. But for her the family would often have lacked for food. Hisfather was a lazy, intemperate man, who had no pride of manhood, andcared only for himself. In this respect Tom was like him, though theson had not as yet become intemperate.
"I don't think there is any chance of my giving up the place,"answered Grant. "If I do, I will mention your name."
"That's a good fellow."
Grant did not volunteer to recommend Tom, for he could not have doneso with a clear conscience. This omission, however, Tom did notnotice.
"Well, Tom, I must be going. Good-by, and good luck."
Grant went home with a cheerful face, and announced his good luck tohis mother.
"I am glad you are going to your employer's house," she said. "Iwish you could remain there permanently."
"So do I, mother; but I hope at any rate to get a comfortableboarding place. Tom Calder wants to room with me."
"I hope you won't think of it," said Mrs. Thornton, alarmed.
"Not for a moment. I wish Tom well, but I shouldn't like to be toointimate with him. And now, mother, I think I ought to write toUncle Godfrey, and tell him what I have decided upon."
"That will be proper, Grant." Grant wrote the following letter, andmailed it at once:
"DEAR UNCLE GODFREY:
I am afraid you won't like what I have to tell you, but I think itis my duty to the family to give up the college course you so kindlyoffered me, in view of father's small salary and narrow means. Ihave been offered a place in the office of a stock broker in NewYork, and have accepted it. I enter upon my duties next Mondaymorning. I hope to come near paying my own way, and before very longto help father. I know you will be disappointed, Uncle Godfrey, andI hope you won't think I don't appreciate your kind offer, but Ithink it would be selfish in me to accept it. Please do forgive me,and believe me to be
Your affectionate nephew, GRANT THORNTON."
In twenty-four hours an answer came to this letter. It ran thus:
"NEPHEW GRANT:
I would not have believed you would act so foolishly andungratefully. It is not often that such an offer as mine is made toa boy. I did think you were sensible enough to understand theadvantages of a professional education. I hoped you would do creditto the name of Thornton, and keep up the family reputation as a manof learning and a gentleman. But you have a foolish fancy for goinginto a broker's office, and I suppose you must be gratified. But youneedn't think I will renew my offer. I wash my hands of you fromthis time forth, and leave you to your own foolish course. The timewill come when you will see your folly.
GODFREY THORNTON."
Grant sighed as he finished reading this missive. He felt that hisuncle had done him injustice. It was no foolish fancy, but aconscientious sense of duty, which had led him to sacrifice hiseducational prospects.
On Monday morning he took the earliest train for New York.
CHAPTER X -- A DAY IN WALL STREET
Grant went at once on his arrival in the city to Mr. Reynolds'office. He had in his hand a well-worn valise containing his smallstock of clothing. The broker was just leaving the office for theStock Exchange as Grant entered.
"So you are punctual," he said, smiling.
"Yes, sir, I always on time."
"That is an excellent habit. Here, Harry."
In answer to this summons, Harry Becker, a boy two years older andcorrespondingly larger than Grant, came forward. He was apleasant-looking boy, and surveyed Grant with a friendly glance.
"Harry," said Mr. Reynolds, "this is your successor. Do me the favorof initiating him into his duties, so that when you leave me he willbe qualified to take your place."
"All right, sir."
The broker hurried over to the Exchang
e, and the two boys were lefttogether.
"What is your name?" asked the city boy.
"Grant Thornton."
"Mine is Harry Becker. Are you accustomed to the city?"
"No, I am afraid you will find me very green," answered Grant.
"You are not the boy to remain so long," said Harry, scrutinizinghim attentively.
"I hope not. You are going to Europe, Mr. Reynolds tells me."
"Yes, the governor is going to take me."
"The governor?"
"My father, I mean," said Harry, smiling.
"I suppose you are not sorry to go?"
"Oh, no; I expect to have a tip-top time. How would you like it?"
"Very much, if I could afford it, but at present I would rather fillyour place in the office. I am the son of a poor country minister,and must earn my own living."
"How did you get in with Mr. Reynolds?" asked Harry.
Grant told him. "Is he easy to get along with?" he inquired, alittle anxiously.
"He is very kind and considerate. Still he is stanch, and expects aboy to serve him faithfully."
"He has a right to expect that."
"As I am to break you in, you had better go about with meeverywhere. First, we will go to the post-office."
The two boys walked to Nassau Street, where the New York post-officewas then located. Harry pointed out the box belonging to the firm,and producing a key opened it, and took out half a dozen letters.