CHAPTER XX.
SAM GETS INTO A NEW BUSINESS.
Sam helped the old man up two flights of stairs.
"Shall we go any farther?" he asked.
"No; that's my office," said his companion, pointing to a door, overwhich was the number 10. From his pocket he drew a key, and opened thedoor. Sam entered with him. The room was small. One corner waspartitioned off for an inner office. Inside was a chair, somethinglike a barber's chair, and a table covered with instruments. Sam'scuriosity was aroused. He wondered what sort of business was carriedon here. He also wondered whether he would get anything for histrouble.
"If you don't want me any longer I'll go," he said, by way of adelicate hint.
"Stop a minute," said the old man, who had limped to a sofa in theouter office, and sat down.
"I guess I'll get something," thought Sam, cheerfully complying withthe request.
"What do you do for a living?" asked the old man.
"Sometimes I black boots, sometimes I sell papers,--anything that'llpay."
"What are you doing now?"
"Nothing. Business aint good."
"Would you like something to do?"
Sam gave a glance into the office, and answered dubiously, "Yes." Hewas not at all clear about the nature of the employment likely to beoffered.
"Then I may be able to give you a job. Do you know my business?"
"No, sir."
"I'm a corn-doctor--you've heard of Dr. Felix Graham, the celebratedcorn-doctor, haven't you?" said the old man, complacently.
"Yes," said Sam, thinking that this was the answer expected.
"I am Dr. Graham," said the old man, proudly.
"Are you?" said Sam in some curiosity.
"Yes. Now I'll tell you what I want you to do. Go and bring me thatpile of circulars."
He pointed to a pile of papers on the floor in the corner.
Sam brought them as directed.
"Can you read?" asked the doctor.
"Yes, sir, a little."
"Read that circular."
Sam read as follows:
"DR. FELIX GRAHAM,CHIROPODIST.Corns and bunions cured without pain.Satisfaction guaranteed.BROADWAY, ROOM 10."
Sam bungled over the word chiropodist, but was put right by thedoctor.
"I want a boy to stand at the door, and distribute these circulars,"said Dr. Graham. "Can you do it?"
"Of course I can," said Sam. "What pay will I get?"
"Ten cents a hundred;" said the doctor, "but you mustn't do as my lastboy did."
"How did he do?" asked Sam.
"He was so anxious to get rid of them that he gave half a dozen awayat a time. I caught him in it. He wanted to earn money too fast."
"He was smart," said Sam, with a grin.
"I don't like that kind of smartness," said the doctor, sharply. "Iwant you to serve me faithfully."
"So I will," said Sam.
"You needn't give to everybody. There isn't much use in giving tochildren."
"Yes, sir."
"But if you see any one walking as if he had corns, be sure to handhim one."
"Yes, sir."
"Now count off a hundred of the circulars, and go downstairs."
"All right, sir."
This was the first regular employment Sam had obtained, and he feltrather important. He resolved to acquit himself to the satisfaction ofthe doctor. In his zeal he even determined to improve upon hisinstructions.
He had no sooner taken his stand than he saw a gentleman and ladyapproaching. They were young, and, being engaged, were indulging inconversation more interesting to themselves than any one else. Thegentleman had on a pair of tight boots, and from his style of walkingSam concluded that he was a suitable customer.
"Here, sir," said he, pressing a circular into the young man's glovedhand.
"What's that?" asked the young man. Then, glancing at it, he showed itwith a laugh to the young lady.
"Look here, boy," he said turning to Sam, "what made you give methis?"
"You walked as if you'd got corns," said Sam, honestly. "Walk rightup, and Dr. Graham will cure 'em in a jiffy."
"Perhaps you'll tell me what is to become of this young lady while Igo up, Johnny?"
"Maybe she's got corns too," said Sam. "She can go up too."
Both the lady and gentleman laughed convulsively, considerably toSam's surprise, for he was not aware that he had said anything unusualor funny.
"Shall we go up, Eliza?" asked the young man.
The only answer was a laugh, and they passed on.
The next one who attracted Sam's attention was an elderly maidenlady.
"Have you got corns, ma'am?" asked Sam, eagerly.
Now it so happened that the lady was a little deaf, and did notunderstand Sam's question. Unfortunately for herself, she stoppedshort, and inquired, "What did you say?"
"I guess she's hard of hearing," Sam concluded, and raising his voiceloud enough to be heard across the street, he repeated his question:"HAVE YOU GOT CORNS, MA'AM?"
At the same time he thrust a circular into the hand of the astonishedand mortified lady.
Two school-girls, just behind, heard the question, and laughedheartily. The offended lady dropped the paper as if it werecontamination, and sailed by, her sallow face red with anger.
"That's funny," thought Sam. "I don't know what's got into all thepeople. Seems to me they're ashamed of havin' corns."
The next half-dozen took circulars, mechanically glanced at them, anddropped them indifferently.
"Guess they aint got corns," thought the observing Sam.
By and by a countryman came along, and into his hand Sam put thecircular.
"What's this?" he asked.
"It's corns. Just go upstairs, and the doctor'll cure 'em less'n notime."
"Wal, I have got two," said the countryman. "They hurt like time too.What does this doctor charge?"
Sam did not know, but he was not the boy to allow his ignorance toappear.
"Ten cents apiece," he answered.
"That's cheap enough, anyway," said he. "I've got a good mind to goup. Where is it?"
"Come along. I'll show you," said Sam, promptly.
"I guess I may as well. Are you sure he can cure 'em?"
"I ought to know," said Sam. "I had one about as big as a marble on mybig toe. The doctor, he cured it in a minute."
"You don't say! He must be pooty good."
"You bet! He's the great Dr. Graham. Everybody's heard of him."
By such convincing assurances the man's faith was increased. Hefollowed Sam into the doctor's office.
"Here," said Sam, "I've brought you a customer, Dr. Graham. I told himyou could cure his corns in a jiffy."
The doctor smiled approvingly.
"You are right there. My friend, sit down in this chair."
"You won't hurt, will you, doctor?" asked the customer, glancing witha little alarm at the table with its instruments.
"Oh, no, you'll scarcely feel it."
Sam returned to his post, and began to distribute handbills oncemore.
About quarter of an hour later he was assailed by an angry voice.Looking up, he saw the customer he had sent upstairs.
"Look here, boy," he said, angrily; "you told me a lie."
"How did I?" asked Sam.
"You told me the doctor only charged ten cents for each corn.Jerusalem! he made me fork out a dollar."
Sam was rather surprised himself at the price.
"I guess they was tough ones, mister," he said. "He cured 'em, didn'the?"
"Ye--es."
"Then it's worth the money. You don't want 'em back, do you?"
"No," admitted the other; "but it's a thunderin' sight to pay;" and hewent off grumbling.
"Don't the doctor make money, though?" thought Sam. "He'd orter giveme a commission on them two dollars."