CHAPTER XXIII
A NEW EXPEDIENT
"I believe your name is Peck?" said Mr. Montgomery, hazarding a guess.
"No, it's Young, Ephraim Young."
"Of course it is. I remember now, but I am apt to forget names. You saidyour parents were quite well?"
"Yes, they're pretty smart."
"I am glad to hear it; I have the pleasantest recollections of yourexcellent father. Let me see, didn't you call there with me once, Mrs.Barnes?"
"Not that I remember."
"You must go with me the next time. I want you to know the parentsof our young friend. They are excellent people. Do you go back thisafternoon, Mr. Young?"
"Yes, I guess so. You don't know of any sitooation I could get in astore round here, do you?"
"Not at present, but I have some influential friends to whom I willmention your name. Suppose, now, I could obtain a situation for you, howshall I direct the letter letting you know?"
"Just put on the letter 'Ephraim Young.' Everybody in Plainfield knowsme."
"So he lives in Plainfield," said Mr. Montgomery to himself. "It's aswell to know that." Then aloud: "I won't forget, Mr. Young. What sort ofbusiness would you prefer?"
"Any kind that'll pay," said the gratified youth, firmly convincedof his companion's ability to fulfill his promise. "I've got tired ofstayin' round home, and I'd like to try York a little while. Folks sayit's easy to make money here."
"You are right. If I were a business man, I would come to New York atonce. For a smart young man like you it offers a much better openingthan a country village."
"That's what I've told dad often," said the rustic, "but he's afraid Iwouldn't get nothing to do and he says it's dreadful expensive livin'here."
"So it is expensive, but then you will be better paid than in thecountry. However, here we are. You won't forget what I told you?"
"No--I'll remember," said the young man.
The reappearance of Mr. Barnes and wife so soon excited some surprisein the store, for it had got around, as such things will, that he was animpostor, and it was supposed that he would not venture to show his facethere again. The appearance of his rustic companion likewise attractedattention. Certainly, Mr. Montgomery (it makes little difference what wecall him) did not exhibit the slightest appearance of apprehension, buthis manner was quite cool and self-possessed. He made his way to thatpart of the counter attended by the clerk with whom he had beforespoken. He observed with pleasure and relief that the man who hadquestioned his identity with any of the ministers of Hayfield Centrewas no longer in the store. This would make the recovery of the ringconsiderably easier.
"Well, sir," he said, addressing the clerk, "I suppose you did notexpect to see me again so soon?"
"No, sir."
"Nor did I expect to be able to return for the ring before to-morrow,not supposing that I could bring witnesses to prove that I was whatI represented. But fortunately I met just now a young friend, whocan testify to my identity, as he has heard me preach frequently inPlainfield, where he resides. Mr. Young, will you be kind enough to tellthis gentleman who I am?"
"Parson Barnes, of Hayfield Centre," said the youth, confidently.
"You have heard me preach, have you not, in Plainfield?"
"Yes," said the young man, fully believing that he was telling thetruth.
"And I have called on your parents?"
"Yes."
"I think," said the adventurer, "that will be sufficient to convince youthat I am what I appear."
It was hard to doubt, in the face of such evidence. Ephraim Young was sounmistakably from the rural districts that it would have been absurd tosuspect him of being an artful city rogue. Besides, Mr. Barnes himselfwas got up so naturally that all the clerk's doubts vanished at once. Heconcluded that the customer who had questioned his genuineness must bevery much mistaken.
"I ought to apologize to you, sir," he said, "for doubting your word.But in a city like this you know one has to be very careful."
"Of course," said the adventurer, blandly, "I do not blame you in theleast. You only did your duty, though it might have cost me some troubleand inconvenience."
"I am sorry, sir."
"No apologies, I beg. It has all turned out right, and your mistakewas a natural one. If you will kindly return me the ring, I will deferselling it, I think, till another day."
The clerk brought the ring, which he handed back to Mr. Montgomery. Thelatter received it with so much the more satisfaction, as he had madeup his mind at one time that it was gone irrevocably, and put it away inhis waistcoat pocket.
"I had intended to buy some silver spoons," he said, "but it will benecessary to wait until I have disposed of the ring. However, I may aswell look at some, eh, Mrs. Barnes?"
"If you like," assented the lady.
So the pair examined some spoons, and fixed upon a dozen, which theysaid they would return and buy on the next day, and then, with apolite good-by, went out of the store, leaving behind, on the whole, afavorable impression.
Ephraim Young accompanied them out, and walked along beside them in thestreet. He, too, was in good spirits, for had not his companion promisedhim five dollars for his services, which he had faithfully rendered?Five dollars to the young man from the rural districts was a veryconsiderable sum of money--quite a nugget, in fact--and he alreadyenjoyed in advance the pleasure which he anticipated of telling hisfriends at home how easily he had earned such a sum in "York." He walkedalong beside the adventurer, expecting that he would say something aboutpaying him, but no allusion was made by the adventurer to hispromise. Indeed, five dollars was considerably more than he had in hispossession. When they reached Amity street, for they were now proceedingup Broadway, he sought to shake off the young man, whose company he nolonger desired.
"This is our way," he said. "I suppose you are going further. I am veryglad to have met you, Mr. Young. I hope you will give our regards toyour excellent parents;" and he held out his hand in token of farewell.
"Ain't you goin' to pay me that money?" said Ephraim, bluntly, becomingalarmed at the prospect of losing the nugget he had counted on with somuch confidence.
"Bless me, I came near forgetting it! I hope you will excuse me," andto Ephraim's delight he drew out his pocketbook. But the prospect ofpayment was not so bright as the young man supposed.
"I don't think I have a five-dollar bill," said Mr. Montgomery, after anexamination of the pocketbook. "Mrs. Montgomery, do you happen to have afive with you?"
"No, I haven't," said the lady, promptly. "I spent all my money shoppingthis morning."
"That is unfortunate. Our young friend has rendered us such a service Idon't like to make him wait for his money."
Ephraim Young looked rather blank at this suggestion.
"Let me see, I have a hundred-dollar bill here," said Mr. Montgomery."I will go into the next store, and see if I can't get it changed. Mr.Young, will you be kind enough to remain with my wife?"
"Certain," said Ephraim, brightening up.
Mr. Montgomery went into a shop near by, but made no request to have ahundred-dollar bill changed. He was rather afraid that they might complywith his request, which would have subjected him to some embarrassment.He merely inquired if he could use a pen for a moment; request which wasreadily granted. In less than five minutes he emerged into the streetagain. Ephraim Young looked toward him eagerly.
"I am sorry to say, my young friend," he remarked, "that I was unable toget my bill changed. I might get it changed at a bank, but the banks areall closed at this hour."
The countryman looked disturbed.
"I am afraid," continued Mr. Montgomery, "I must wait and send you themoney in a letter from Hayfield Centre."
"I'd rather have it now," said Ephraim.
"I am sorry to disappoint you," said the adventurer smoothly; "but afterall you will only have a day or two to wait. To make up to you for thedelay I have decided to send you ten dollars instead of five. FindingI could not chang
e my bill, I wrote a note for the amount, which I willhand you."
Ephraim received the paper, which the other handed him, and read asfollows:
NEW YORK, Sept 15, 18--.
Three days from date I promise to pay Mr. Ephraim Young ten dollars.
JOTHAM BARNES, of Hayfield Centre.
"How will that do?" asked the adventurer. "By waiting three days youdouble your money."
"You'll be sure to send it," said Ephraim, doubtfully.
"My young friend, I hope you do not doubt me," said the Rev. Mr. Barnes,impressively.
"I guess it's all right," said Ephraim, "only I thought I might like tospend the money in the city."
"Much better save it up," said the other. "By and by it may come inuseful."
Ephraim carefully folded up the note, and deposited it in an immensewallet, the gift of his father. He would have preferred the money whichit represented: but three days would soon pass, and the ten dollarswould be forwarded to him. He took leave of his new acquaintances, Mr.Montgomery shaking his hand with affectionate warmth, and requesting himto give his best respects to his parents. When Ephraim was out of sighthe returned to his wife, with a humorous twinkle in his eye, and said:
"Wasn't that cleverly done, old lady?"
"Good enough!" remarked the lady. "Now you've got the ring back again,what are you going to do with it?"
"That, my dear, is a subject which requires the maturest consideration.I shall endeavor to convert it as soon as possible into the largestpossible sum in greenbacks. Otherwise I am afraid our board bill, andthe note I have just given to my rural friend, will remain unpaid."