CHAPTER IV
MRS. HARDING TAKES A BOARDER
Jack started for the newspaper offices and bought a supply of papers.
"I don't see why I can't sell papers as well as other boys," he said tohimself. "I'm going to try, at any rate."
He thought it prudent, however, not to buy too large stock at first. Hemight sell them all, but then again he might get "stuck" on a part, andthis might take away all his profits.
Jack, however, was destined to find that in the newspaper business, aswell as in others, there was no lack of competition. He took his placejust below the Astor House, and began to cry his papers. This arousedthe ire of a rival newsboy a few feet away.
"Get away from here!" he exclaimed, scowling at Jack.
"What for?" said Jack.
"This is my stand."
"Keep it, then. This is mine," retorted Jack, composedly.
"I don't allow no other newsboys in this block," said the other.
"Don't you? You ain't the city government, are you?"
"I don't want any of your impudence. Clear out!"
"Clear out yourself!"
"I'll give you a lickin'!"
"Perhaps you will when you're able."
Jack spoke manfully; but the fact was that the other boy probably wasable, being three years older, and as many inches taller.
Jack kept on crying his papers, and his opponent, incensed at thecontemptuous disregard of his threats, advanced toward him, and, takingJack unawares, pushed him off the sidewalk with such violence that henearly fell flat. Jack felt that the time for action had arrived. Hedropped his papers temporarily on the sidewalk, and, lowering his head,butted against his young enemy with such force as to double him up, andseat him, gasping for breath, on the sidewalk. Tom Rafferty, for thiswas his name, looked up in astonishment at the unexpected form of theattack.
"Well done, my lad!" said a hearty voice.
Jack turned toward the speaker, and saw a stout man dressed in a bluecoat with brass buttons. He was dark and bronzed with exposure to theweather, and there was something about him which plainly indicated thesailor.
"Well done, my lad!" he repeated. "You know how to pay off your debts."
"I try to," said Jack, modestly. "But where's my papers?"
The papers, which he had dropped, had disappeared. One of the boys whohad seen the fracas had seized the opportunity to make off with them,and poor Jack was in the position of a merchant who had lost his stockin trade.
"Who took them papers?" he asked, looking about him.
"I saw a boy run off with them," said a bystander.
"I'm glad of it," said Tom Rafferty, sullenly.
Jack looked as if he was ready to pitch into him again, but the sailorinterfered.
"Don't mind the papers, my lad. What were they worth?"
"I gave twenty cents for 'em."
"Then here's thirty."
"I don't think I ought to take it," said Jack. "It's my loss."
"Take it, my boy. It won't ruin me. I've got plenty more behind."
"Thank you, sir; I'll go and buy some more papers."
"Not to-night. I want you to take a cruise with me."
"All right, sir."
"I suppose you'd like to know who I am?" said the sailor, as they movedoff together.
"I suppose you're a sailor."
"You can tell that by the cut of my jib. Yes, my lad, I'm captain of the_Argo_, now in port. It's a good while since I've been in York. Forten years I've been plying between Liverpool and Calcutta. Now I've gotabsence to come over here."
"Are you an American, sir?"
"Yes; I was raised in Connecticut, but then I began going to sea when Iwas only thirteen. I only arrived to-day, and I find the city changedsince ten years ago, when I used to know it."
"Where are you staying--at what hotel?"
"I haven't gone to any yet; I used to stay with a cousin of mine, buthe's moved. Do you know any good boarding place, where they'd make mefeel at home, and let me smoke a pipe after dinner?"
An idea struck Jack. They had an extra room at home, or could make oneby his sleeping in the sitting room. Why shouldn't they take thestranger to board? The money would certainly be acceptable. Hedetermined to propose it.
"If we lived in a nicer house," he said, "I'd ask you to board at mymother's."
"Would she take me, my lad?"
"I think she would; but we are poor, and live in a small house."
"That makes no odds. I ain't a bit particular, as long as I can feel athome. So heave ahead, my lad, and we'll go and see this mother of yours,and hear what she has to say about it."
Jack took the way home well pleased, and, opening the front door,entered the sitting room, followed by the sailor.
Aunt Rachel looked up nervously, and exclaimed: "A man!"
"Yes, ma'am," said the stranger. "I'm a man, and no mistake. Are youthis lad's mother?"
"No, sir!" answered Rachel, emphatically. "I am nobody's mother."
"Oh, an old maid!" said the sailor, whose mode of life had made himunceremonious.
"I am a spinster," said Rachel, with dignity.
"That's the same thing," said the visitor, sitting down opposite AuntRachel, who eyed him suspiciously.
"My aunt, Rachel Harding, Capt. Bowling," introduced Jack. "Aunt Rachel,Capt. Bowling is the commander of a vessel now in port."
Aunt Rachel made a stiff courtesy, and Capt. Bowling eyed her curiously.
"Are you fond of knitting, ma'am?" he asked.
"I am not fond of anything," said Rachel, mournfully. "We should not setour affections upon earthly things."
"You wouldn't say that if you had a beau, ma'am," said Capt. Bowling,facetiously.
"A beau!" repeated Rachel, horror-stricken.
"Yes, ma'am. I suppose you've had a beau some time or other."
"I don't think it proper to talk on such a subject to a stranger," saidAunt Rachel, primly.
"Law, ma'am, you needn't be so particular."
Just at this moment, Mrs. Harding entered the room, and was introducedto Capt. Bowling by Jack. The captain proceeded to business at once.
"Your son, here, ma'am, told me you might maybe swing a hammock for mesomewhere in your house. I liked his looks, and here I am."
"Do you think you would be satisfied with our plain fare, and humbledwelling, Capt. Bowling?"
"I ain't hard to suit, ma'am; so, if you can take me, I'll stay."
His manner was frank, although rough; and Mrs. Harding cheerfullyconsented to do so. It was agreed that Bowling should pay five dollars aweek for the three or four weeks he expected to stay.
"I'll be back in an hour," said the new boarder. "I've got a littlebusiness to attend to before supper."
When he had gone out, Aunt Rachel began to cough ominously. Evidentlysome remonstrance was coming.
"Martha," she said, solemnly, "I'm afraid you've done wrong in takingthat sailor man."
"Why, Rachel?"
"He's a strange man."
"I don't see anything strange about him," said Jack.
"He spoke to me about having a beau," said Aunt Rachel, in a shockedtone.
Jack burst into a fit of hearty laughter. "Perhaps he's going to makeyou an offer, Aunt Rachel," he said. "He wants to see if there's anybodyin the way."
Rachel did not appear so very indignant.
"It was improper for a stranger to speak to me on that subject," shesaid, mildly.
"You must make allowances for the bluntness of a sailor," said Mrs.Harding.
For some reason Rachel did not seem as low-spirited as usual thatevening. Capt. Bowling entertained them with narratives of his personaladventures, and it was later than usual when the lamps were put out, andthey were all in bed.