CHAPTER VIII.
THE EFFECT OF A NEW SUIT.
Tom bent his steps in the direction of a large and popular clothingestablishment, and, entering, looked about for an unoccupied salesman.
"Well, boy, what's wanted?" asked a young man behind the counter.
"I want some clo'es."
"Then you've come to the right place. Did you buy them you have onhere?" asked the salesman, with a grin.
"Young feller," said Tom, "these clo'es were bought before you wereborn."
"So I should think, from the looks."
"I'd make 'em do for a few years longer, only I'm goin' to be marriednext week. Have you got any bridal suits?"
"Step this way. I suppose you have got money to pay for them?" remarkedthe clerk, doubtfully.
"You suppose right. Just lead the way, and I'll see what you've got."
"How high are you willing to go?"
"Anywhere from twenty-five cents to twenty-five dollars."
"Our twenty-five cent suits are all out; but we can give you some forfifteen dollars, and as much more as you like."
"Show me some at fifteen."
Tom looked at some suits at this price. They were well made, butcoarse, and did not quite come up to his ideas of what was appropriatefor a young man of fortune.
"Show me some for twenty-five dollars," he said. "These ain't goodenough to be married in."
Finally, Tom picked out a dark mixed suit, which appeared to be anexact fit. The price was twenty dollars, which he consideredreasonable, and at once paid.
"Shall I send them home for you?" asked the clerk, regarding our herowith more respect, now that he had shown himself a purchaser for cash.
"Never mind; I'll take 'em myself," said Tom. "My carriage is waitin'outside, so it's no trouble."
He left the store with the clothes under his arm. But he was not yetwholly provided. He had no shirts, stockings, or under-clothes, whichhe cared to wear in the new life upon which he was entering. All mustbe procured. He stopped at a cheap store in Nassau street, and providedhimself with half a dozen of each, at a cost of twenty dollars more. Bythis time he found himself so encumbered with bundles that he thoughtit best to go home.
He entered the room without attracting attention, and proceeded at onceto throw off his old rags, and array himself in the new clothes,including a blue silk neck-tie which he had purchased. When his toiletwas complete, he surveyed himself with no little complacency. For thefirst time in all the years that he could remember, he was attired,from top to toe, as a young gentleman.
"Blest if I couldn't pass myself off for a young Fifth avenoodle," hesaid to himself. "I'll go down and see Mrs. Flanagan. I wonder ifshe'll know me?"
He descended the stairs, and knocked at the door of the good-heartedIrishwoman.
She did not recognize him, having no idea that it was Tom thebootblack.
"Does Mrs. Flanagan live here?" asked Tom, slightly disguising hisvoice.
"Yes, sir. Is it washing ye want me to do?"
"Is there a boy named Tom lives here?" asked our hero.
"He lives up stairs, just over this."
"Do you know him?"
"Shure I do. I know him as if he was my own bye."
"I don't know about that," said Tom, in his natural voice, raising hishat, which he had worn slouched down over his eyes. "You didn't seem toknow him when you saw him."
"Shure it's Tom himself!" exclaimed Mrs. Flanagan. "Why, Tom, dear,what's come to you? You're lookin' quite the gintleman."
"Of course I am," said Tom. "That's the new business I've gone into."
"Where did you get them new clo'es, Tom?"
"I bought them with the money old Jacob left me. And now, Mrs.Flanagan, I'm goin' to leave you."
"Where are you goin', Tom?"
"I'm goin' out West, to seek my fortune."
"Shure I hope you'll find it."
"So do I, Mrs. Flanagan. I know it's there, and mean to get it, if Ican."
"Are you goin' now?"
"Not till to-morrow. I've got some more things to buy first."
"I'm sorry to lose you, Tom. I'll miss you and old Jacob. I hope thepoor man's better off."
"So do I, Mrs. Flanagan. I won't hide it from you--but he left me apaper, tellin' me that there is a man out West that's cheated me out ofmy fortune."
"What's his name?"
"Grey. He's my father's cousin."
"Where does he live?"
"I don't know."
"Then how will you find him?"
"I know how he looks. He was in New York a little while ago, and Iblacked his boots. When I come into my fortune, I'll make you ahandsome present, Mrs. Flanagan."
"Shure I hope you'll get it widout the present."
"Now I must be goin'. I've got to buy a carpet-bag and umbrella."
"Come in and bid me good-by before you go, Tom."
"Yes, I will."
Tom went out into the street, when it occurred to him that there wasone article he had not yet renewed--his hat. He lost no time invisiting a hat store, where he supplied himself with one of fashionableshape. He could not resist the temptation, also, of purchasing a small,jaunty cane. Being naturally a good-looking boy, I am justified insaying that, in his new outfit, he would have easily passed muster asthe son of a man of wealth. In fact, so effectually was he disguised,that he passed some of his old street companions without theirrecognizing him. Tom was rather amused and pleased at this. As hepassed his old rival and enemy, Pat Walsh, it struck him that it wouldbe a good joke to employ him to black his shoes, of which I neglectedto say that he had purchased a new pair. Pat was just finishing off acustomer, when Tom stepped up.
"Shine yer boots?" asked Pat.
"Yes, boy, and be quick about it," answered Tom, assuming a tone ofhaughty command.
Pat was at once on his knees, blacking the shoes of his old rivalwithout the slightest suspicion of his identity.
"Humph! do you call that a good shine?" demanded Tom, when the firstshoe was finished. "I could black it better myself."
"What do you know about blackin' boots?" said Pat, angrily. "Thereain't a boy round here can give you a better shine than that."
"I got my boots blacked yesterday by a boy named Tom. He gave me abetter shine."
Just then Pat looked up in his face, and started in surprise.
"You're Tom yourself," he said. "Where'd you get them clo'es?"
"Do you dare to compare me to a bootblack?" said Tom. "My name isGilbert."
"You look like Tom's twin-brother, then," said Pat, bewildered.
Tom didn't reply, but walked off in a dignified manner, after payingPat, swinging his cane in the most approved style.
"Don't he look like Tom, though?" soliloquized Pat, bewildered.
Tom enjoyed the joke, but didn't venture to laugh till he was out ofsight.
"No wonder Pat didn't know," he thought. "I ain't sure I'd know myself,it I'd gone to sleep a bootblack and waked up as I am now."
Tom made his purchases, took supper at a restaurant, and went to bedearly. It was his last night in the city. On the next day he was tostart for the West, in quest of fortune.