CHAPTER XVI.
SAM LOSES HIS PLACE.
"Mr. Dalton wants you to go to the bank, and make a deposit," saidWilliam Budd, to Sam, on the forenoon of the same day.
"All right," said Sam.
"Be particularly careful, as the deposit is unusually large."
"Oh, yes, I'll be careful."
Sam received the checks and drafts, amounting to several thousanddollars, and started for the Fourth National Bank, on Nassau Street.When he had accomplished a part of the distance, he met an oldacquaintance, whom he had known in his boot-blacking days.
"How are you, Sam?" said Tim Brady. "I haven't seen you for a longtime."
"I'm all right, Tim. I haven't seen you, either. Where have youbeen?"
"To Boston," answered Tim, briefly.
"You have!" exclaimed Sam, interested. "How did you like it?"
"I don't like it as well as York."
"Why not? Ain't it a nice place?"
"'Tisn't half as big as York. Besides, there ain't half so much fun.There ain't no Old Bowery there, nor Tony Pastor's. I didn't know whatto do with myself nights."
"What were you doing? Did you black boots?"
"No," answered Tim. "I was in a store on Dock Square."
"What sort of a store?"
"Clothing store."
"How did you get the place?"
"It is kept by a cousin of the old woman. He wrote that he'd take meif I'd come on. So I went; but I didn't like it."
"Where did you live?"
"With him. He had a house in Chelsea, just over the river, likeBrooklyn is. I got my board and a dollar a week."
"That ain't much," said Sam.
"No, I should say not. I had to pay my way over the ferry out of it,too. It didn't leave me no money for cigars nor nothing."
"How long were you there?"
"About three months. I would not have stayed so long, only I couldn'tget money to get back."
"You got it at last; or did you walk back?"
"Walk? I guess not. It's three or four hundred miles."
This was not quite exact, but near enough for a guess.
"How much did it cost you to come back?"
"Five dollars."
"That's a good deal. Where did you get so much?"
"I found it in the street one day," answered Tim, with a littlehesitation.
"How long have you been back?"
"About a week. I've been looking round for you. Where do you hangout?"
"I've got a room of my own," answered Sam, with an air of importance.
"You have! You're in luck. What are you doin'?"
"I've got a place with Dalton & Co., on Pearl Street."
"What business?
"Merchant. He's awful rich. Just look at that!"
Sam displayed his bundle of checks.
"I don't see nothin' particular except some bits of paper."
"You don't know anything about business, Tim. Them's checks."
"Are they?"
"They're good for a lot of money. Here's a check for twelve hundreddollars, and there's others besides."
"That piece of paper worth twelve hundred dollars!" said Tim,incredulously.
"Yes."
"What are you going to do with it?"
"Take it to the bank."
"What bank?"
"Fourth National Bank."
Tim looked at Sam with respect. He must certainly occupy a responsiblebusiness position if he was trusted with such a large amount ofmoney.
Sam, in putting back his checks, was careless enough to drop thetwelve-hundred-dollar check. He hurried off, unconscious of his loss,and Tim quietly secured it. He ought to have restored it to Sam, as heeasily might have done; but an idea struck him. He would instead carryit round to Mr. Dalton, and in all probability secure a reward for hishonesty. This was sharp practice, and hardly consistent withfriendship for Sam; but Tim was a boy not particularly scrupulous, whocared more for number one than for any friend. He went into a storenear by, ascertained the number of Mr. Dalton's place of business, andhurried down there.
"Is the boss in?" he asked of William Budd, whom he firstencountered.
"Yes."
"I'd like to see him."
"What for?"
"Important business," answered Tim.
Budd looked at him rather incredulously.
"If you want to apply for a place, it's no use. We've got a boyalready."
"That ain't my business. I've picked up something in the street thatbelongs to Mr. Dalton, I'm thinkin'."
"What is it?"
"A check."
"Sam must have dropped it," thought William, instantly. "Let me seeit," he said, aloud.
"I'll show it to the boss," said Tim, obstinately.
"Come on, then."
"Here is a boy, Mr. Dalton, who thinks he has found somethingbelonging to you," said the young man.
Mr. Dalton looked up.
"What is it, my boy?" he said.
"It's a check," said Tim, and, taking off his ragged hat, he handedthe paper to Mr. Dalton.
"It's Nesbitt's check for twelve hundred dollars!" exclaimed themerchant. "Where did you find it?"
"In Nassau Street."
"How could it be there, Mr. Budd?" asked Mr. Dalton.
"I sent Sam to the bank not long since. He must have dropped it. It isnot the first time he has been careless."
"I am afraid we shall have to discharge him. How does he perform hisduties generally?"
"Not very satisfactorily, sir."
"Send him to me as soon as he returns. Now, my boy, what is yourname?"
"Tim Brady, sir."
"Did you know the value of this check?"
"Yes, sir; it's worth twelve hundred dollars."
"How did you know where to bring it?"
"I saw the name, and looked in the 'Directory' to find your place ofbusiness."
"You are a good and honest boy."
"Thank you, sir; I try to be," said Tim, meekly.
"You have done me a service. Here are ten dollars."
"Thank you, sir," said Tim, joyfully. "You're a gentleman."
Mr. Dalton smiled.
"Always keep honest. 'Honesty is the best policy.'"
"I think so myself, sir," said Tim.
Tim retired quite elated. From a corner nearly opposite he watched forSam's return.
"He looks sober," said Tim to himself. "It's likely he'll get'bounced.' I wonder will I stand a chance for his place."
"Sam," said William Budd, on his entrance, "Mr. Dalton wants to seeyou."
Sam looked startled. He had ascertained his loss, and was perplexedand troubled about it.
Mr. Dalton looked up as he entered.
"Have you been to the bank, Samuel?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Did you deposit all the checks given you?"
"I lost one check some way," stammered Sam.
"You must have been very careless," said his employer, in a tone ofreproof.
"I don't think I was," said Sam.
"You must have been. Did you not know that you had charge of a largeamount?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then, knowing this, you should have been particularly careful."
"I'll go back and look for it, sir."
"Fortunately there is no need of this, as it was picked up and broughthere by an honest boy. It was a check for twelve hundred dollars."
"Then, you've got it again?" said Sam, relieved. "Shall I go round tothe bank and carry it?"
"No, I shall not again trust you to go to the bank. Indeed, I am sorryto say that I cannot retain you in my employ."
"I hope you'll keep me," said Sam, alarmed.
"I cannot do it in justice to myself. Call Mr. Budd."
William Budd entered.
"Mr. Budd," said Mr. Dalton, "I think you told me you had a cousin whodesired a place."
"Yes, sir."
"Tell him to come here to-morrow. I have discharged
Sam."
"Thank you, sir."
"I do not forget, Sam," continued the merchant, "that you oncerendered me a service in bringing home my little boy. I regret that Icannot keep you in my employ. To compensate you for thedisappointment, I will give you twenty-five dollars, and you are atliberty to go at once if you desire it."
Sam's eyes sparkled with pleasure. He felt so rich that he caredlittle for the loss of his place.
"Thank you, sir," he said.
"I wish you good luck, Samuel," said Mr. Dalton, good-naturedly.
Again Sam thanked him, and left the store looking so cheerful thatTim, who was watching for his appearance, was quite bewildered.
"He seems glad he's 'bounced,'" thought Tim. "I'll go and ask himabout it."