"I would rather not answer that question, sir. I might wrong Mr.Manning, and I have no proof to offer."
"I understand you, and I applaud your discretion. It does you credit.Some time or other the mystery may be cleared up, and the wrong, ifthere is one, may be righted. I can't understand, however, how this Mr.Manning should be willing to leave you dependent upon your own exertionswith such a scanty provision as twenty-five dollars a quarter."
"I didn't ask for any more; and, besides, Mr. Manning offered to take meto Europe with his son Mark."
"Do you think that he was sincere in the offer?"
"I don't think he expected me to accept it, and I am sure that it wouldhave been very disagreeable to Mark to have me in the party."
"Have you any objections to telling me how you have succeeded in yourefforts to make a living?" asked the old gentleman, with a keen butkindly glance.
"I have been disappointed, sir," was the candid reply.
"I am not surprised to hear it. A boy brought up as you have been cannotrough it like a farmer's son or a street boy."
"I think I could, sir; but I should not like to."
"Precisely. Now, I am not sure that you acted wisely in undertaking atask so difficult, since it was not necessary, and your stepfather couldhardly have refused to support you at home. However, as you have takenthe decisive step, we must consider what is best to do under thecircumstances. What work have you been doing?"
"I have been selling tea for the Great Pekin Tea Company."
"How have you succeeded?"
"I have not been able to pay expenses," Frank admitted.
"How have you made up the difference?"
"I brought about fifty dollars with me from home."
"Is it all used up?"
"I had thirty-five dollars left, sir, but a day or two since one of myfellow boarders opened my trunk and borrowed it without leave."
"Of course you won't recover it?"
"I don't think there is much chance of it, sir."
"Then probably your money is nearly exhausted?"
Frank did not like to admit his poverty, but owned up that he had lessthan two dollars.
"And yet you paid the car fares of this little boy and his mother?"
"I hope, sir, I would not refuse to assist a lady when in trouble."
Mr. Percival nodded two or three times, smiling as he did so. He wasbecoming more and more favorably impressed without young hero.
"Do you mean to continue this tea agency?" he asked.
"No, sir; I have already notified my employers that I do not care tocontinue it."
"Have you anything else in view?"
Frank felt that now was the time to speak.
"I came here this evening," he said, "intending to ask you if you knewof any situation I could fill, or could recommend me to employment ofany kind by which I might make a living."
"I must consider that. Have you thought of any particular employmentwhich you would like?"
"No, sir; I cannot afford to be particular. I will do anything that ishonest, and at all suitable for me."
"What would you consider unsuitable?"
"I should not wish to black boots, for instance, sir. It is honest work,but I ought to be suited to something better."
"Of course; What education have you had? Good, I suppose?"
"I am nearly ready for college."
"Then you are already fairly well educated. I will put you to a test.Sit up to the table, and take paper and pen. I will dictate to you aparagraph from the evening paper, which I should like to have you writedown."
Frank obeyed, though, in doing so, he was obliged to set Freddie down,rather to the little fellow's dissatisfaction.
Mr. Percival selected a short letter, written by some public man, whichchanced to have found a place in the evening journal.
Frank wrote rapidly, and when his copy was finished submitted it to Mr.Percival.
The old gentleman took it, and, running his eye over it, noticed that itwas plainly written, correctly spelled and properly punctuated. Thisdiscovery evidently gave him satisfaction.
"Very creditably written," he said. "I have known boys nearly ready forcollege who could not copy such a letter without blundering. I am gladthat your English education has not been neglected while you have beenstudying the classics."
Frank was gratified by Mr. Percival's commendation, though he could notsee in what manner his education was likely to bring him employment. Itwas desirable, however, to produce a favorable impression on Mr.Percival, and he could not help hoping something would result to hisadvantage.
At this moment Freddie's mother entered the room, and greeted Frank witha cordial smile.
"Freddie," she said, "it is time for you to go to bed."
"I don't want to leave Frank," said Freddie.
"Frank will come and see you again."
"Will you, Frank?"
Frank made the promise, and Mrs. Gordon--for that was her name--left theroom, promising to return before Frank went away.
He was now left alone with the old gentleman.
CHAPTER XXIX
FRANK IS OFFERED A POSITION
Mr. Percival engaged Frank in conversation on general topics while Mrs.Gordon was out of the room. His young visitor had been an extensivereader, and displayed a good deal of general information. Moreover, heexpressed himself intelligently and modestly, and deepened the favorableimpression which he had already succeeded in making.
I should like to call the attention of my young readers to the fact thatFrank was now reaping the advantage of the time he had devoted to studyand the cultivation of his mind.
A boy who starts in life with a fair education always stands a betterchance than one who is poorly provided in that respect.
It is true that many of our prominent public men have started with avery scanty supply of book-learning, but in most cases it has onlytransferred the labor of study to their maturer years.
President Andrew Johnson did not learn to read and write until after hehad attained his majority, but he made up his early deficiencies later.
Abraham Lincoln, when nearly thirty, devoted his leisure hours tomastering the problems in Euclid, and thus trained and strengthened hismental faculties so that he was enabled to grapple with the difficultproblems of statesmanship in after years.
Henry Wilson commenced attending an academy after he had reached the ageof twenty-one.
The fact is, no boy or man can be too well equipped for his life-work.
I hope my boy readers will not skip the paragraphs above, for they canlearn from them a useful lesson.
When Mrs. Gordon returned, she placed in Frank's hands a small sum ofmoney, saying:
"Allow me to repay my debt, with many thanks."
"You are quite welcome," answered our hero.
He had too much tact to refuse the money, but quietly put it into hispocket.
"Helen," said Mr. Percival, "I would like a word with you. We will leaveour young friend here alone for five minutes."
"Certainly, father."
The two went into an adjoining room, and Mr. Percival commenced byasking:
"How do you like this boy, Helen?"
"Very much. He seems to have been brought up as a gentleman."
"He has. Till a short time since he supposed himself the heir to afortune."
"Indeed!" said Mrs. Gordon, with curiosity.
Briefly, Mr. Percival rehearsed the story which Frank had told him.
"What a shame!" exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, indignantly. "His stepfatherought to be punished:"
"That may come in time. Wickedness does not always prosper. But asregards our young friend, I have a plan in view."
"What is it, father?"
"I find he has an excellent education, having been nearly ready forcollege when the crisis in his fortunes came. I have been thinkingwhether we could not find a place for him in this house. My eyes, youknow, are so weak that they are often strained by attention to m
ycorrespondence and reading. I have an idea of engaging Frank Courtney asa sort of private secretary, upon whom I can at any time call. Ofcourse, he would have his home in the house."
"There will be no difficulty about that. Our family is small, and wehave plenty of vacant rooms. But, father, will he be qualified toundertake the duties you have designed for him? He is very young."
"That is true, my dear; but he is remarkably well educated. I havetested his capacity by dictating a letter for him to copy."
"Did he do the work satisfactorily?" asked Mrs. Gordon.
"Without a single mistake."
"Then, father, I would not hesitate to engage him. Freddie likes him,and will be delighted to have him in the house."
"Another idea, Helen. It is time Freddie began to study. Suppose we makehim Freddie's private tutor--say for an hour daily?"
"That is really an excellent idea, father," said Mrs. Gordon, in a toneof satisfaction. "It will please and benefit Freddie, and be a relief tome. Do you think Frank will have patience enough?"
"I watched him with the little fellow, and I could see that he likedchildren. I am sure he will succeed in this as well as in the dutieswhich he will undertake for me."
"I suppose he will have no objection to the plan?"
"I think he will accept gladly. He has had a hard struggle thus far inmaintaining himself, and I can relieve him from all anxiety on thatscore. I am indebted to him for helping me to recover my bonds, andthis will be an excuse for offering him a larger salary than theservices of so young a secretary could be expected to command."
"Very well, father. Your plan pleases me very much, and I shall be gladto have Frank commence to-morrow, if he chooses. Now let us return tothe library."
While father and daughter were absent Frank had taken from the table avolume of "Macaulay's History," and had become interested in it.
He laid it down upon their return.
Mr. Percival resumed his easy-chair, and said, with a smile.
"My daughter and I have been consulting about you."
Frank bowed, and his hopes rose.
"I suppose you are open to an offer of employment?"
"I am not only open to it, Mr. Percival, but I shall be grateful forit."
He could not help wondering what sort of employment Mr. Percival wasabout to offer him. He concluded that it might be a place in somebusiness house.
"The fact is," said the old gentleman, "I have a great mind to offer youthe situation of my private secretary."
Frank was astonished. This was something he had not thought of.
"Do you think I am qualified to fill such a position, Mr. Percival?" heasked, hesitatingly.
"The duties would not be difficult," returned the old gentleman. "Thoughnot in active business, the care of my property, and looking after myscattered investments, involves me in considerable correspondence. Myeyes are not as strong as they once were, and I find them at times taxedby letter-writing, not to mention reading. You can relieve me verymaterially."
"I shall be very glad to do so, sir. The duties will be very agreeableto me."
"But that is not all. My daughter proposes to employ you as privatetutor for Freddie."
Frank smiled.
"I think my scholarship will be sufficient for that," he said.
Frank was to receive $50 a month and board. This was wonderful news tohim. Mr. Percival with great forethought paid him a month's salary inadvance. Frank went home happy.
CHAPTER XXX
FRANK AS PRIVATE SECRETARY
The next day Frank transferred his residence to Madison Avenue. He wasassigned to a pleasant room, decidedly superior, it need hardly be said,to his room at Clinton Place. It seemed agreeable to him once more toenjoy the comforts of a liberal home.
Frank had had some doubts as to how he would satisfy Mr. Percival in hiscapacity of private secretary.
He was determined to do his best, but thought it possible that the oldgentleman might require more than he could do well. He looked forward,therefore, with some apprehension to his first morning's work.
Mr. Percival, though not engaged in active business, was a wealthy man,and his capital was invested in a great variety of enterprises.Naturally, therefore, he received a large number of business letters,which required to be answered.
The first day he dictated several replies, which Frank put upon paper.He wished, however, to put Frank's ability to a severe test.
"Here are two letters," he said, "which you may answer. I have noted oneach instructions which you will follow. The wording of the letters Ileave to you."
"I will try to satisfy you sir," said Frank.
Our hero was a good writer for his age. Moreover, he had been welltrained at school and did not shrink from the task assigned him.
He read carefully the instruction of his employer, and composed theletters in strict accordance with them.
Mr. Percival awaited with some interest the result of his experiment. IfFrank proved competent to the task assigned him, his own daily laborwould be considerably abridged.
"Here are the letters, sir," said our hero, passing the drafts to Mr.Percival.
The old gentleman examined them carefully. As he did so, his faceexpressed his satisfaction.
"Upon my word, Frank," he said, familiarly, "you have done your workexceedingly well. They are brief, concise and yet comprehensive. Ifeared that you would use too many words."
"I am glad you are pleased, sir. Dr. Brush trained us to write letters,and he cut down our essays when they were too diffuse."
"Then I feel indebted to Dr. Brush for providing me with so competent ayoung secretary. You will be able to assist me even more than Ianticipated. I shall, of course, read over your letters before they aresent, to make sure that you have fully comprehended and carried out myinstructions, but I don't expect they will need much correction."
Frank was much gratified by these words. This was the only point onwhich he had felt at all doubtful as to his ability to please hisemployer.
Sometimes, when his eyes pained him more than usual, Mr. Percival alsoemployed him to read to him from the daily papers, or from some book inwhich he was interested, but this did not occur regularly.
Every day, however, Frank was occupied with Freddie. The little boy knewhis alphabet, but nothing more, so that his young teacher had to beginwith him at the beginning of the primer.
He succeeded in interesting his little pupil, and did not protract histerm of study so as to weary him.
Finding that the little fellow was fond of hearing stories, he read tohim every day a story or two from Hans Christian Andersen, or from acollection of German fairy stories, and sometimes went out to walk withhim.
Freddie was delighted with his teacher, and freely expressed hisapproval to his mother and grandfather.
"Really, Frank," said Mrs. Gordon, "I shall begin to be jealous of yourhold upon Freddie. I am not sure but he likes your company better thanmine."
"I don't think Freddie will prefer anyone to his mother," said Frank;"but I am glad he likes to be with me."
"You have certainly proved very successful as a private tutor, Frank,"said Mrs. Gordon, "and my father tells me you succeeded equally well asa secretary."
"It is partly because you both treat me so indulgently," answered Frank,gracefully.
This answer pleased Mr. Percival and Mrs. Gordon, who more than evercongratulated themselves upon the lucky chance that had thrown Frank intheir way.
Assuredly he made himself very useful in the small household,contributing to the comfort and pleasure of Freddie, his mother andgrandfather in nearly equal measure.
While Frank's monthly salary was of great value and importance to him,it was nothing to Mr. Percival in comparison with the pleasure andrelief afforded by his presence in the house.
It must not be supposed, however, that Frank's time was wholly occupiedby the duties of his two positions. Usually he had several hours dailyat his disposal, and these he was allowed t
o spend as he pleased.
Part of this he occupied in visiting different localities of the cityand points of interest in the neighborhood, and part in reading andstudy.
Mr. Percival had a large and well-selected library, which, to a boy ofFrank's studious tastes, was a great attraction.
He entered upon a course of solid reading, embracing some of thestandard histories, and devoted some hours every week to keeping up hisacquaintance with the Greek and Latin authors which he had read atschool.
In this way his time was well and usefully employed, and the weeksslipped by till almost before he was aware six months had passed.
One afternoon Frank walked down Broadway enjoying the bright sunshine.Just in front of the St. Nicholas Hotel he heard his name called andlooking up he recognized with some surprise, Pliny Tarbox, his cousinfrom Newark.
Pliny asked many questions as to what Frank was doing and how much moneyhe was making. Frank told him of his good fortune in obtaining theposition he held with Mr. Percival and the two parted--Frank the muchhappier of the two.
Pliny urgently invited Frank to visit them but Frank would rather remainin New York.
"I hope I shall never think so much of money as Pliny and his father,"thought Frank. "Money is a good thing to have but there are some thingsthat are better."
CHAPTER XXXI
A LETTER FROM MR. TARBOX
Frank did not speak to Mr. Percival's family of his meeting with Pliny.It was not pleasant to him to think that he was valued only for his goodfortune. He had seen but little of the Tarbox family, but he understoodvery well what their professions of friendship amounted to, and thatthey were not to be relied upon in an emergency.