"Much obliged, Joshua," said the salesman."I'll do as much for you another time. I don't think you'll have long to wait."
"You'd better hurry off," said Joshua. "I'd just as lief wait as not."
"I never knew him so accommodating before," thought Nichols, with a feeling of surprise.
He seized his hat and hurried away.
No sooner had he gone than Joshua, after following him to the door, and looking carefully up and down the street, walked behind the counter with a hasty step, and opened the money-drawer.
There was a small pile of bills in one compartment, and in the other a collection of currency. He took the bills into his hand, and looked over them. His hands trembled a little, for he contemplated a dishonest act. Unable to obtain the money in any other way, he meant to borrow (that was what he called it) five dollars from the money-drawer, and expend it in a lottery ticket.
Singling out a five-dollar bill from the pile, he thrust it into his vest-pocket. He had scarcely done so when he was startled by hearing the door open. He made a guilty jump, but perceived, to his relief,that it was a woman not living in the village, but probably in some adjoining town.
"What can I show you, ma'am?" he asked, in a flurried manner, for he could not help thinking of what he had in his vest-pocket.
"I should like to look at some of your shawls," said the woman.
Joshua knew very little about his father's stock. He did know, however, where the shawls were kept, and going to that portion of the shelves, pulled down half a dozen and showed them to his customer.
"Are they all wool?" she asked, critically examining one of them.
"Yes," answered Joshua, confidently, though he had not the slightest knowledge on the subject.
"What is the price of this one?" asked the customer, indicating the one she had in her hand.
"Five dollars," answered Joshua, with some hesitation. He knew nothing of the price, but guessed that this would be about right.
"And you say it is all wool?"
"Certainly, ma'am."
"I guess I'll take it. Will you wrap it up for me?"
This Joshua did awkwardly enough, and the customer departed, much pleased with her bargain, as she had a right to be, for the real price of the shawl was nine dollars, but, thanks to Joshua's ignorance, she had been able to save four.
Joshua looked at the five-dollar bill he had just received, and a new idea occurred to him. He replaced in the drawer the bill he had originally taken from it, and substituted that just received.
"I won't say anything about having sold a shawl," he said, "and father'll never know that one has been sold. At any rate, not till I get money enough to replace the bill I have taken."
Just then a little girl came in and inquired for a spool of cotton.
Joshua found the spools, and let her select one.
"How much is it?" asked the young customer.
"Ten cents."
"Mother told me it wouldn't be but six."
"Very well, if that is all you expect to pay, you shall have it for that."
"Thank you, sir;" and the little girl departed with her purchase.
Joshua now hurriedly folded up the shawls and replaced them on the shelves. He had just finished the task when Walter entered.
"Are you tending store?" he said, in surprise.
"Yes," said Joshua. "Nichols got tired waiting for you, so I told him I'd stay till you got back."
"I had some distance to go, and that detained me. Did you have any customers?"
"Yes, I just sold a spool of cotton to a little girl."
"I met her a little way up the road, holding the spool in her hand."
"Well," said Joshua, "I guess I'll go, now you've got back."
He went across the street to his father's house, and, going up into his own room, locked the door, not wishing to be interrupted. Then, opening his desk, he took out a sheet of paper, and wrote a note to the address given in his lottery circular, requesting the parties to send him by return of mail a lottery ticket. He added, shrewdly as he thought,"If this ticket draws a prize, I will keep on buying; but if it don't I shall get discouraged and stop."
"I guess that'll fetch 'em," thought Joshua. He folded up the paper, and, inclosing the bill, directed it.
The next thing to do was to mail it.
Now this seemed a very simple thing, but it really occasioned considerable trouble. The postmaster in a small village can generally identify many of the correspondents who send letters through his office by their handwriting. He knew Joshua's, and such a letter as this would attract his attention and set him to gossiping. Considering the circumstances under which he obtained the money, this was hardly desirable, and Joshua therefore decided, though unwillingly, on account of the trouble, to walk to the next post-office, a distance of three miles, and post his letter there.
He came downstairs with his letter in his pocket. "Where are you going, Joshua?" asked his mother.
"Going out to walk," said Joshua, shortly.
"I wanted to send a little bundle to Mr. Faulkner's, but that is too far off."
"I'll carry it," said Joshua.
Mrs. Drummond was astonished at this unusual spirit of accommodation, for Joshua was, in general, far from obliging. The truth was, however, that, though Mr. Faulkner lived over a mile and a quarter distant, it was on his way to the post-office.
"Thank you, Joshua," said Mrs. Drummond. "I was afraid you wouldn't be willing to go so far."
"I feel just like taking a long walk to-day, mother."
"Here is the bundle. I will bake a little pie for you while you are gone."
So things seemed to be working very smoothly for Joshua, and he set out on his three-mile walk in very good spirits. His walk he knew would make him hungry, and the pie which his mother promised him would be very acceptable on his return.
Arrived in front of Mr. Faulkner's, he saw Frank Faulkner, a boy of twelve, playing outside.
"Frank," called out Joshua, "here's a bundle I want you to carry into the house. Tell your folks my mother sent it."
"All right," said Frank, and he carried it in.
Joshua proceeded on his way, and finally reached the post-office.
"Give me a three-cent postage-stamp," he said to the postmaster.
This was speedily affixed to the letter, and, after resting a short time, he set out on his walk homeward.
Reaching the house of Mr. Faulkner, he was hailed by Frank, who was still playing outside.
"Where have you been, Joshua?"
Joshua was not desirous of having it known where he had been, and he answered, in the surly manner characteristic of him, "What business is that of yours?"
"Where did you learn manners?" asked Frank, who was a sturdy scion of Young America, and quite disposed to stand up for his rights.
"If you're impudent, I'll give you a licking," growled Joshua.
"Next time you come along this way, you may take in your own bundles," retorted Frank.
"If I had a stick, I'd give you something you wouldn't like."
"You'd have to catch me first," said Frank.
Joshua's temper, which was none of the sweetest, was by this time roused, and he started in pursuit of Frank, but the younger boy dodged so adroitly as to baffle his pursuit. In attempting to catch him, indeed, Joshua stubbed his toe violently against a projecting root, and measured his length by the roadside.
"Who's down, I wonder?" asked Frank, scrambling over the fence, where he felt safe.
"I'll wring your neck some time, you young imp!" exclaimed Joshua, gathering himself up slowly and painfully, and shaking his fist vindictively at Frank.
"I'll wait till you're ready," returned Frank. "I'm in no hurry."
At length Joshua reached home, feeling tired and provoked, but congratulating himself that he had taken the first step towards the grand prize which loomed in dazzling prospect before his eyes.
In due time, to Joshua's great delight, the lottery ticket reached him. It was several days in coming, and he had almost given it up, but the sight of it raised his spirits to the highest pitch. It seemed to him the first step to a fortune. He began at once to indulge in dazzling visions of what he would do when the prize came to hand; how the "old man" would be astonished and treat him with increased respect; how he would go to the city and have a good time seeing the lions, and from henceforth throw off the galling yoke of dependence which his father's parsimony had made it so hard to bear.
Whenever he was by himself, he used to pull out the ticket and gaze at it with the greatest satisfaction, as the key that was to unlock the portals of Fortune, Independence, and Happiness.
He had been afraid that his appropriation of fivedollars would be detected, and every time his father entered the house he looked into his face with some apprehension; but days rolled by, and nothing was heard. He congratulated himself that he had been able to sell the shawl for precisely the sum he needed, otherwise the money might have been missed that very night. As it was, neither the shawl nor the bill had been missed.
About this time he received a letter from Sam Crawford, describing the gayeties of the city. It closed thus:—
"By the way, Josh, when are you coming up to the city, to take a look at the lions? It's a shame that a young man of your age should be cooped up in an insignificant little village like Stapleton. I wouldn't exchange the knowledge of the world I have obtained here for five hundred dollars! What a green rustic I was when I first came here! But it didn't take me long to find the way round, and now I know the ropes as well as the next man. I generally play billiards in the evening, and, if I do say it myself, I am rather hard to beat. When you come up, I'll give you a few lessons. I can't help pityingyou for leading such a slow, humdrum life in the country. I should be moped to death if I were in your place. Can't you induce the old man to fork over the stamps, and come up here, if only for a week?"
This letter had the effect of making Joshua very much disgusted with Stapleton. Brilliant visions of city life and city enjoyments flitted before his eyes, and he felt that nothing was needed to make a man of him except the knowledge of life which a city residence would be sure to give.
"It's all true what Sam says," he soliloquized. "A man can't learn anything of life here. No wonder he looks upon me as a green rustic. How can I be anything else in this miserable little village? But as for the old man's paying my expenses on a visit, he's too mean for that. But then there is the lottery ticket. Just as soon as I get hold of my prize, I'll go on my own hook."
I append a passage from Joshua's reply to Sam's letter:—
"There isn't any chance of the old man's forking over stamps enough to pay for my visit to NewYork. He's too thundering mean for that. All he cares for is to make money.But I'm coming, for all that.I've bought a lottery ticket, as you advised, and just as soon as I get hold of the prize, I shall come and make you a visit. I should like very much to learn billiards. I wish there was a billiard table in Stapleton, though it wouldn't do me much good if there were, the old man keeps me so close. I shall be glad when I am twenty-one. I don't see why he can't let me have a few thousand dollars then, and set me up in business in the city. Perhaps we could go in together as partners. However, there is no use in talking about him, for he won't do it.But I may get hold of the money some other way.Would five thousand dollars be enough to set a fellow up in business in New York?"You will hear from me again soon. I hope I shall be able to write you that I am coming to see you."Your friend,"Joshua Drummond."
"There isn't any chance of the old man's forking over stamps enough to pay for my visit to NewYork. He's too thundering mean for that. All he cares for is to make money.But I'm coming, for all that.I've bought a lottery ticket, as you advised, and just as soon as I get hold of the prize, I shall come and make you a visit. I should like very much to learn billiards. I wish there was a billiard table in Stapleton, though it wouldn't do me much good if there were, the old man keeps me so close. I shall be glad when I am twenty-one. I don't see why he can't let me have a few thousand dollars then, and set me up in business in the city. Perhaps we could go in together as partners. However, there is no use in talking about him, for he won't do it.But I may get hold of the money some other way.Would five thousand dollars be enough to set a fellow up in business in New York?
"You will hear from me again soon. I hope I shall be able to write you that I am coming to see you.
"Your friend,"Joshua Drummond."
It will be seen that Joshua was willing to go into business for himself, though he did not care to takea situation. He had the idea, which I think is entertained by a large number of boys and young men, that an employer has nothing to do but to sit at his desk, count over his money, and order his clerks around. For such an employment as this Joshua felt that he was well adapted, and would very much have enjoyed the sense of importance it would give him. But Joshua made a great mistake. Many employers look back upon the years which they passed as clerks as years of comparative leisure and ease, certainly of freedom from anxiety. They find that they have a heavy price to pay for the privilege of being their own masters, and the masters of others. But Joshua was thoroughly lazy, and it was this feeling that dictated the wish which he expressed in his letter to Sam Crawford.
The days passed very slowly, it must be acknowledged. Joshua was in a restless and excited state. Though he expected to draw a prize, he knew that there was a remote chance of failing to draw anything, and he wanted the matter decided.
But at length the long-expected letter arrived. Joshua did not like to open it in the post-office, lestit should attract the attention of the postmaster. He therefore withdrew to a place where he was not likely to be disturbed, and with trembling fingers opened the letter.
Something dropped out.
"I wonder if it is a check?" thought Joshua, stooping over and picking it up.
But no, it was an announcement of the drawing.
Joshua's numbers,—for each lottery ticket contains three numbers,—were 9, 15, 50. But of the thirteen lucky numbers drawn out of sixty-five, neither of them was one.
Slowly it dawned upon Joshua that he had drawn nothing, that his five dollars had been absolutely thrown away. But there was a letter. Perhaps this would explain it.
Joshua read as follows:—
"Dear Sir:—We regret to say that we are unable to send you a prize this time. We hope, however, you will not be discouraged. Some of our patrons who have been most fortunate have commenced by being unlucky. Indeed, singularly enough, this is ageneral rule. Let us cite an instance. Mr. B——, of your State, bought his first ticket of us last spring. It turned out a blank. We wrote him not to be discouraged, but we did not hear from him for some weeks. Finally he sent us a remittance for a ticket, adding that he sent it with a very faint hope of success. He was convinced that he was born to ill-luck. But what was the result? In less than a fortnight we had the pleasure and gratification of sending him five thousand dollars, minus our usual commission. Suppose he had been discouraged by a first failure, you can see how much he would have lost."Hoping to hear from you again, and to send you in return better news, we subscribe ourselves,"Very respectfully,"Grabb & Co."
"Dear Sir:—We regret to say that we are unable to send you a prize this time. We hope, however, you will not be discouraged. Some of our patrons who have been most fortunate have commenced by being unlucky. Indeed, singularly enough, this is ageneral rule. Let us cite an instance. Mr. B——, of your State, bought his first ticket of us last spring. It turned out a blank. We wrote him not to be discouraged, but we did not hear from him for some weeks. Finally he sent us a remittance for a ticket, adding that he sent it with a very faint hope of success. He was convinced that he was born to ill-luck. But what was the result? In less than a fortnight we had the pleasure and gratification of sending him five thousand dollars, minus our usual commission. Suppose he had been discouraged by a first failure, you can see how much he would have lost.
"Hoping to hear from you again, and to send you in return better news, we subscribe ourselves,
"Very respectfully,"Grabb & Co."
The effect of Joshua's ill success was to make him very despondent.
"It's all very well to say 'Try again,'" he said to himself, "but where can I get the money? That fivedollars is thrown away, and I've got nothing to show for it."
He thought of all he had intended to do, and now his castles had crumbled, and all in consequence of this letter. He had been so sanguine of success. Now he must write to Sam that his visit to New York was indefinitely postponed, that is, unless he could induce his father to provide him with money enough to go. The prospect was not very encouraging, but he felt desperate, and he determined to make the attempt.
Accordingly, just after supper, he detained his father, just as he was returning to the store, and said:—
"Father, I wish you'd let me go to New York on a visit."
"What for?" asked Mr. Drummond, elevating his brows.
"Because I'm eighteen years old, and I've never been there yet."
"Then, if you've gone eighteen years without seeing the city, I think you can go a while longer," said his father, under the impression that he had madea witty remark. But Joshua did not appreciate the humor of it.
"I've lived in Stapleton ever since I was born," grumbled Joshua, "and have got tired of it. I want to see something of life."
"Do you? Well, I'm sure I've no objection."
"May I go then?"
"Yes."
"When?" asked Joshua, joyfully.
"To-morrow, if you like; but of course you will pay your own expenses."
"How can I?" exclaimed Joshua, in angry disappointment. "I have no money."
"Then you can save up your allowance till you have enough."
"Save up on twenty-five cents a week! I couldn't go till I was an old man!"
"I know of no other way," said Mr. Drummond, with provoking indifference, "unless you earn the money in some way."
"You treat me like a little boy!" said Joshua, angrily.
"You are better off than I am. I have to workfor all I get. You get your board, clothes, and pocket-money for nothing."
"Other boys go to New York when they are much younger."
"I have told you you can go when you like, but you mustn't expect me to supply the money."
Mr. Drummond put on his hat and crossed the street to the store, leaving Joshua in a very unfilial frame of mind.
Two days later two women entered Mr. Drummond's store. One was Joshua's customer, and she wore the same shawl which she had purchased of him.
It happened that Walter was out, but Mr. Drummond and Nichols were both behind the counter.
"Have you got any more shawls like this?" asked the first lady, whom we will call Mrs. Blake. "Mrs. Spicer, who is a neighbor of mine, liked it so well that she wants to get another just like it."
This was addressed to Mr. Drummond, who happened to be nearest the door.
"Did you buy this shawl of us?" asked Mr. Drummond.
"Yes, sir. I bought it about a fortnight ago, and paid five dollars for it."
"Five dollars! There must be some mistake.We never sell such a shawl as that for less than ten dollars."
"I can't help it," said Mrs. Blake, positively. "I bought it here, and paid five dollars for it."
"Why, those shawls cost me seven dollars and a half at wholesale. It is not likely I would sell them for five."
"I didn't buy it of you."
"Mr. Nichols," said Mr. Drummond, "did you sell this lady the shawl she is wearing, for five dollars?"
"No, sir; have not sold a shawl like that for two months. I know the price well enough, and I wouldn't sell it for less than ten dollars."
"I didn't buy it of him, I bought it of a boy," said Mrs. Blake.
"It must have been that stupid Conrad," exclaimed Mr. Drummond, angrily. "Wait till he comes in, and I'll haul him over the coals."
"Then you won't let my friend have another like it for five dollars?"
"No," said Mr. Drummond, provoked. "I don't do business that way. I've lost nearly three dollarsby that shawl of yours. You ought to make up the wholesale price to me."
"I shan't do it," said Mrs. Blake. "If you've made a mistake, it's your lookout. I wasn't willing to pay more than five dollars."
The two ladies were about to leave the store when Mr. Drummond said, "The boy will be back directly. I wish you would wait a few minutes, so that if he denies it you can prove it upon him."
"I've got a call to make," said Mrs. Blake, "but I'll come in again in about an hour."
They left the store, and Mr. Drummond began to berate the absent Walter. He was provoked to find that he had lost two dollars and a half, and, if Walter had been in receipt of any wages, would have stopped the amount out of his salary. But, unfortunately for this plan of reprisal, our hero received his board only, and that could not very well be levied upon. However, he might have some money in his possession, and Mr. Drummond decided to require him to make up the loss.
"When did she say she bought the shawl, Mr. Nichols?" asked his employer.
"About a fortnight ago."
"Will you look on the books, and see if you find the sale recorded? I am surprised that it escaped my attention."
Nichols looked over the book of sales, and announced that no such entry could be found.
Mr. Drummond was surprised. Though not inclined to judge others any too charitably, he had never suspected Walter of dishonesty.
"Are you sure you looked back far enough?" he asked.
"Yes," said Nichols; "to make sure, I looked back four weeks. The woman said only a fortnight, you know."
"I know. Then it seems Conrad has concealed the sale and kept the money."
"Perhaps," suggested Nichols, who rather liked Walter, "he forgot to put it down."
"If he did, he forgot to put the money in the drawer, for the cash and the sales have always balanced. He's an ungrateful young rascal," continued Mr. Drummond, harshly. "After I took him into my house and treated him as a son (this was notsaying much, if Joshua may be believed), he has robbed me in the most cold-blooded manner."
Why there should be anything cold-blooded in appropriating the price of the shawl, even had the charge been true, I cannot say, nor could Mr. Drummond probably, but he thought that the use of this term would make the offence seem more aggravated.
Even Nichols was a little staggered by the evidence against our hero. He did not like to think him guilty, but it certainly seemed as if he must be.
"What are you going to do about it, Mr. Drummond?" he asked.
"I suppose I ought to have him arrested. He deserves it."
"I hope you won't do that. He may be able to explain it."
"If I do not proceed to extremities, it will be on account of his relationship, which I blush to acknowledge."
The time had been, and that not long since, when Mr. Drummond felt proud of his relationship to the rich Squire Conrad of Willoughby; but that was before his loss of property. Circumstances alter cases.
Quite unconscious of the storm that was gathering, Walter at this moment entered the store.
"So you've got back!" said Mr. Drummond, harshly.
"Yes, sir."
"You haven't been in any particular hurry. However, that was not what I wished to speak to you about. We have made a discovery since you went out."
"Have you, sir?" asked Walter, rather surprised by the peculiar tone which Mr. Drummond saw fit to adopt.
"Yes, and not a very agreeable one."
"I am sorry for that," said Walter, not knowing what else was expected of him.
"No doubt you are sorry," sneered Mr. Drummond. "I should think he would be, eh, Mr. Nichols?"
"I am sorry also," said Nichols, who, though rather weak-minded, was a good-hearted young man.
"So am I sorry," said Mr. Drummond. "It strikes me I have most reason to be sorry, considering that the loss has fallen on me."
All this was an enigma to Walter, and he had notthe faintest idea of what his employer meant. He inferred, however, that some blame was about to be laid upon him.
"If you have no objection, Mr. Drummond," he said quietly, "perhaps you will tell me what has happened."
"I have found out your ingratitude, Conrad," said Mr. Drummond, preparing for a lecture, which he rather liked to indulge in, as his wife could have testified. "I have discovered how like a viper you have repaid me for my kindness. You didn't think I would find out, but your iniquity has providentially come to light. While I was loading you with benefits, you prepared to sting the hand of your benefactor."
"I don't know what you are talking about, Mr. Drummond," said Walter, impatiently. "I wish you would stop talking in riddles, and let me know in what way I resemble a viper."
"Did you ever witness such brazen effrontery, Mr. Nichols?" demanded Mr. Drummond, turning to his head salesman; "even when he is found out, he brazens it out."
"Wouldn't it be as well to tell him what is the matter, Mr. Drummond?" asked Nichols, who was in hopes our hero would be able to prove his innocence.
"Won't you tell me, Mr. Nichols?" asked Walter.
"No," said Mr. Drummond, waving his hand; "it is my duty to tell him myself. I will do so briefly. Walter Conrad, when I admitted you into my house I little dreamed that I was harboring a thief."
"A thief!" exclaimed Walter, his eyes flashing with anger, and elevating his fist involuntarily. "Who dares to call me a thief?"
"No violence, Conrad," said Mr. Drummond. "Such a theatrical display of indignation and surprise won't help you any. We are not to be imposed upon by your artful demonstrations."
"Mr. Drummond," burst forth Walter, fairly aroused, "you are insulting me by every word you speak. I am no more a thief than you are."
"Do you call me a thief?" exclaimed Mr. Drummond, turning white about the lips.
"No, I don't; but I have as much right to call you one as you have to charge such a thing upon me."
"I can prove what I say," said his employer. "I have got you in a net."
"It won't take me long to get out of any net you may set for me. I insist upon your telling me at once what you mean."
"This language is rather extraordinary for a boy convicted of dishonesty to use towards his employer."
"I am not convicted of dishonesty. Mr. Nichols, I appeal to you to tell me, what Mr. Drummond does not seem disposed to do, what is the meaning of this false charge which he has trumped up against me."
"I am sure you can prove your innocence, Conrad," said Nichols, soothingly.
"Mr. Nichols, will you do me the favor to be silent?" said his employer, sharply. "The matter concerns Conrad and myself, and I don't choose that any one should communicate with him except myself. To come to the point, did you, or did you not, a fortnight since, sell one of those shawls, such as you see on the counter, for five dollars?"
"I did not," said Walter, promptly.
"It might not have been exactly a fortnight. Have you sold such a shawl within four weeks?"
"I have not sold such a shawl since I have been in your employ, Mr. Drummond."
"You hear what he says, Mr. Nichols," said Mr. Drummond. "You see how he adds falsehood to dishonesty. But that is not uncommon. It is only what I expected. Do you mean to say, Walter Conrad, that you didn't sell such a shawl for five dollars (only half price), and, instead of entering the sale, put the money into your own pocket?"
"I do deny it most emphatically, Mr. Drummond," said Walter, impetuously, "and I challenge you to prove it."
"I shall soon be able to prove it," said Mr. Drummond. "The lady who bought the shawl came into the store half an hour since, and asked for another. When I told her that it would cost ten dollars, she said she only paid five for the one she had on. She then told us that she bought it of you a fortnight since."
"How did she know my name?"
"She did not mention your name. She said that it was a boy she bought it of, and of course that can only be you."
"There is some mistake about this, Mr. Drummond. She has made a mistake. She must have bought it somewhere else."
"She would not be likely to make such a mistake as this. Besides, the shawl is like others I have.How do you account for that?" queried Mr. Drummond, triumphantly.
"I don't pretend to account for it, and don't feel called upon to do so. All I have got to say is, that I did not sell the shawl, nor pocket the money."
"I shouldn't be surprised if you had the money about you at this very moment."
"You are mistaken," said Walter, firmly.
"Show me your pocket-book."
"My pocket-book is my own property."
"You are afraid to show it. Observe that, Mr. Nichols. Does not that look like guilt?"
"I am willing to show it to Mr. Nichols," said Walter.
He took it from his pocket, and handed it to Nichols, who took it rather unwillingly.
"Open that pocket-book, Mr. Nichols, and show me what is in it."
"Shall I do so, Walter?" asked Nichols.
"Yes, Mr. Nichols. There is nothing in it that I am ashamed of."
Nichols opened the pocket-book and took out three bills.
"What are those bills, Mr. Nichols?" asked his employer.
"There is a one, here is a two, and here is—" Nichols hesitated and looked disturbed—"here is a five."
Mr. Drummond's mean face was radiant with exultation.
"I told you so. I think we need no further proof. The stolen money has been found in Conrad's possession, and his falsehood and dishonesty are clearly proved. Hand me that five."
"Stop a minute, Mr. Drummond," said Walter, coolly. "You are altogether too much in a hurry. You have proved nothing whatever. That five-dollar bill I brought from home with me, and I have kept it ever since, having no occasion to spend it."
"Do you think I will believe any such story?" asked his employer, with a sneer. "That is very plausible, Conrad, but very improbable. I have no doubt whatever that the bill is the same one which was paid you for the shawl."
"Then you are entirely mistaken."
"That remains to be seen. Mr. Nichols, I willrelieve you of that pocket-book. As the shawl should have been sold for ten dollars, the entire contents will not be sufficient to pay for the loss I have sustained."
"Mr. Nichols," said Walter, "I forbid your giving that pocket-book to Mr. Drummond. He has no claim to it whatever. You may give it to me."
"I forbid you giving it to Conrad," broke in his employer.
"I don't know what to do," said Nichols, perplexed, looking from one to the other.
"You know that it belongs to me, Mr. Nichols," said Walter.
"I—I think I had better lay it down on the counter," said Nichols, by the way of compromise.
Walter, who was on the outside, sprang to the counter, and seized it just in time to prevent Mr. Drummond's obtaining it. The latter was very angry at his want of success, and exclaimed violently, "Walter Conrad, give me that pocket-book instantly."
Walter, who had put it in an inside pocket of his coat, coolly buttoned the coat and answered, "Ifyou had any claim to it, Mr. Drummond, you would not have to speak twice; but as it is mine, I prefer to keep it."
Mr. Drummond, though he had an irritable, aggravating temper, was not one to proceed to violence on ordinary occasions. But just now he was thoroughly provoked, and showed it. He sprang over the counter with an agility worthy of his youth, and advanced threateningly upon Walter.
"Walter Conrad," he exclaimed furiously, "how dare you defy me in this outrageous manner? Do you know that I can have you arrested; but in consideration of your being a relation, I may be induced to spare you the penalty of the law if you will give me what money you have towards making up my loss."
"So I would, if the loss had come through me. But I have already told you that this is not the case. I know nothing whatever about the shawl."
"And this," said Mr. Drummond, folding his arms, "this is the viper that I have warmed in my bosom. This is the friendless orphan that I admitted beneath my roof, and made a companion ofmy son. This is the ungrateful serpent who has crept into my confidence, and abused it!"
Mr. Drummond was an orator on a small scale, and the pleasure of giving utterance to this scathing denunciation caused him to delay his intention to obtain possession of the pocket-book by violence.
Walter ought to have been withered by this outburst of righteous anger, but he wasn't. He stood it very well, and did not seem in the least affected.
"Behold his hardened effrontery, Mr. Nichols," pursued Mr. Drummond, unfolding his arms, and pointing at our hero with quivering fore-finger. "I could not have believed that a boy of his years could be so brazen."
"Mr. Drummond," said Walter, "I am sustained by a consciousness of my innocence, and therefore what you say has no effect upon me. It doesn't seem to be very just to convict me without evidence, and sentence me without trial."
"Will you give up that pocket-book?" demanded Mr. Drummond, furiously, having indulged in his little flight of oratory, and being now ready to proceed to business.
"No, sir, I will not," returned Walter, looking him firmly in the face.
Mr. Drummond made a dash for him, but Walter was used to dodging, and, eluding his grasp, ran behind the counter.
"Mr. Nichols, help me to catch him," said Mr. Drummond, quite red in the face.
But Nichols did not show any great readiness to obey. He let Walter pass him, and did not make the least effort to retain him.
Mr. Drummond was making ready to jump over the counter, when Nichols, to his great relief, observed the ladies, already referred to, coming up the steps from the street.
"Mr. Drummond, the ladies have returned," he said hastily.
"Aha!" said his employer, with exultation. "Now we will be able to prove your guilt, you young rascal! Here is the lady who bought the shawl of you."
Mrs. Blake and her friend, Mrs. Spicer, here entered the store.
Mr. Drummond went forward to meet them. His face was flushed, but he tried to look composed.
"I am glad to see you back, ladies," he said. "You told me that you bought your shawl of a boy?" turning to Mrs. Blake.
"Yes, sir."
"Come forward, Conrad," said Mr. Drummond, a malignant smile overspreading his face. "Perhaps you will deny now, to this lady's face, that you sold her the shawl she has on."
"I certainly do," said Walter. "I never, to my knowledge, saw the lady before, and I know that I did not sell her the shawl."
"What do you think of that, Mr. Nichols?" said Mr. Drummond. "Did you ever witness such unblushing falsehood?"
But here a shell was thrown into Mr. Drummond's camp, and by Mrs. Blake herself.
"The boy is perfectly right," she said. "I did not buy the shawl of him."
"What!" stammered Mr. Drummond.
Mrs. Blake repeated her statement.
"Didn't you say you bought the shawl of theboy?" asked Mr. Drummond, with a sickly hue of disappointment overspreading his face.
"Yes, but it was not that boy."
"That is the only boy I have in my employment."
"Come to think of it, I believe it was your son," said Mrs. Blake. "Isn't he a little older than this boy?"
"My son,—Joshua!" exclaimed Mr. Drummond.
"Yes, I think it must be he. He's got rather an old-looking face, with freckles and reddish hair; isn't so good-looking as this boy."
"Joshua!" repeated Mr. Drummond, bewildered. "He doesn't tend in the store."
"It was about dinner-time," said Mrs. Blake. "He was the only one here."
"Do you know anything about this, Mr. Nichols?" asked Mr. Drummond, turning to his head clerk.
Light had dawned upon Nichols. He remembered now Joshua's offer to take his place, and he felt sure in his own mind who was the guilty party.
"Yes, Mr. Drummond," he answered; "about a fortnight ago, as Walter was rather late in gettingback, Joshua offered to stay in the store for a while. He must have sold the shawl, but he must have guessed at the price."
"A mistake has been made," said Mr. Drummond, hurriedly, to the ladies,—"a mistake that you have profited by. I shall not be able to sell you another shawl for less than ten dollars."
The ladies went out, and Mr. Drummond and his two clerks were left alone.
"Mr. Drummond," said Walter, quietly, "after what has happened, you will not be surprised if I decline to remain in your employ. I shall take the afternoon train to Willoughby."
He walked out of the store, and crossed the street to Mr. Drummond's house.
Walter went up to his room, and hastily packed his trunk. He felt wronged and outraged by the unfounded charge that had been made against him. Why, he argued, should Mr. Drummond so readily decide that he had cheated him out of five dollars? He felt that he could not, with any self-respect, remain any longer under the same roof with a man who had such a poor opinion of him.
He was not sorry that his engagement was at an end. He had obtained some knowledge of the dry-goods business, and he knew that his services were worth more than his board. Then again, though he was not particular about living luxuriously, the fare at Mr. Drummond's was so uncommonly poor that he did sometimes long for one of the abundant and well-cooked meals which he used to have spreadbefore him at home, or even at his boarding-house while a pupil of the Essex Classical Institute.
He was packing his trunk when a step was heard on the stairs, and his door was opened by Mr. Drummond, considerably to Walter's surprise.
The fact is, that Mr. Drummond, on realizing what a mistake he had made, and that Joshua was the real culprit, felt that he had gone altogether too far, and he realized that he would be severely censured by Walter's friends in Willoughby. Besides, it was just possible that Walter might, after all, recover a few thousand dollars from his father's estate, and therefore it was better to be on good terms with him. Mr. Drummond determined, therefore, to conciliate Walter, and induce him, if possible, to remain in his house and employ.
"What are you doing, Conrad?" he asked, on entering Walter's chamber.
"Packing my trunk, sir," said Walter.
"Surely you are not going to leave us."
"I think it best," said Walter, quietly.
"You won't—ahem!—bear malice on accountof the little mistake I made. We are all liable to mistakes."
"It was something more than a mistake, Mr. Drummond. What had you seen in me to justify you in such a sudden charge of dishonesty?"
"Almost anybody would have been deceived under the circumstances," said Mr. Drummond, awkwardly.
"You did not give me an opportunity to defend myself, or rather you disbelieved all I said."
"Well, Conrad, I was mistaken. I shall be glad to have you come back to the store as before."
"Thank you, Mr. Drummond, but I have decided to go back to Willoughby for a short time. I want to consult Mr. Shaw about the future. It is time I formed some plans, as I shall probably have to earn my living."
"Don't you think you had better wait a few months?"
"No, sir, I think not."
"If you have made up your mind, all I have to say is that my humble dwelling will be ever open to receive you in the future. Perhaps, after a shortvisit at your old home, you may feel inclined to return to my employment. I will give you a dollar a week besides board."
Mr. Drummond looked as if he felt that this was a magnificent offer, for which Walter ought to feel grateful. But our hero knew very well that he could command better pay elsewhere, and was not particularly impressed. Still he wished to be polite.
"Thank you for your offer, Mr. Drummond," he said; "but I am not prepared to say, as yet, what I will do."
"I hope," said Mr. Drummond, rather embarrassed, "you won't speak of our little difference to your friends at Willoughby."
"No, sir, not if you wish me not to do so."
By this time the trunk was packed, and Walter, locking it, rose from his knees.
"If it won't be too much trouble, Mr. Drummond," he said, "I will send for my trunk to-morrow."
"Certainly. Why won't you wait till to-morrow yourself?"
"As I am ready, I may as well take the afternoon train."
"Very well; just as you think best."
"I will go down and bid good-by to Mrs. Drummond."
Mrs. Drummond had just come from the kitchen. She looked with surprise at Walter and her husband, whose presence in the house at that hour was unusual.
"What is the matter?" she asked.
"Conrad is going home a short time on business," explained Mr. Drummond.
"When shall we see you back again, Walter?" asked Mrs. Drummond.
"That is uncertain," said Walter. "It depends upon my plans for the future."
"I have offered him increased pay," said Mr. Drummond, "if he will return to the store. I hope he may decide to do so. Our humble roof will ever be ready to shelter him."
Considering that Mr. Drummond had not lately made any such hospitable references to the humble roof, his wife looked somewhat puzzled.
Just at that moment Joshua, unconscious of the damaging discovery that had been made relative to himself, entered the room.
"Hallo! what's up?" he asked.
It was the first time his father had seen him since the discovery of his dishonesty, and his anger was kindled.
"You ought to be ashamed to show your face here, you young reprobate!" he exclaimed.
Joshua stared in amazement, and Mrs. Drummond exclaimed, "What makes you talk so, Mr. Drummond? What has he done?"
"What has he done?" ejaculated Mr. Drummond, adding, rather ungrammatically, "He's a thief, that's what he's done."
"How can you say such things of your own son?"
"Shut up, Mrs. Drummond; you don't know what you're talking about, or you wouldn't defend him. It would serve him right if I should flog him within an inch of his life."
"If you try it," said Joshua, sullenly, "I'll have you arrested for assault and battery."
"Take care, boy! or you may find yourself in custody for theft."
"What do all these dreadful words mean?" asked Mrs. Drummond, distressed. "Tell me, Walter, if you know."
"I would rather Mr. Drummond informed you," said Walter.
"I'll tell you, Mrs. Drummond," said her husband. "That boy sold a shawl a fortnight ago, when alone in the store, and pocketed the money."
"Who said I did?" asked Joshua, boldly, though he looked a little pale.
"The woman who bought it of you was in the store to-day."
"Did she say I sold it to her?"
"Yes."
"Did she know my name?"
"No, but she described you."
"So I did," said Joshua, finding it advisable to remember. "I remember now I sold it for five dollars."
"What made you keep the money?"
"I didn't. I waited till Conrad came into thestore, and gave the money to him. What he did with it, I don't know. Perhaps he forgot to put it in the drawer," he added, with a spiteful look at Walter.
"That's a lie, Joshua Drummond!" said Walter, quietly, "and you know it is. I think your father knows it is also."
"Do you mean to say I lie?" blustered Joshua.
"I wouldn't if I wasn't obliged to; but in my own defence I am compelled to do so."
"What could I want of the money?" demanded Joshua, with a look of virtuous indignation.
"I might as well ask the same question of myself; but that would be a poor defence. If you really want me to answer that question, I will do it."
"Go ahead, then," said Joshua. "I hope my word is better than that of a beggar living on charity."
"Joshua!" said his mother, in a tone of remonstrance.
"I think you wanted the money to buy lottery tickets with," said Walter, calmly.
Joshua turned pale, and looked thunderstruck.
"To buy lottery tickets with!" he gasped, staring at Walter in dismay.
"What's that?" asked Mr. Drummond, pricking up his ears.
"Your son can tell you," said Walter.
"What does this mean, Joshua?" demanded his father, sternly.
"It's a lie," said Joshua, unblushingly.
"Have you bought no lottery tickets?"
"No."
"Can you prove this charge which you have made against my son?" asked Mr. Drummond, turning to Walter.
"I can, but I am sorry to do so. I picked up this letter a day or two since, and intended to give it back to Joshua, but it escaped my mind. I would not have exposed him if he had not tried to charge me with theft."
He placed in Mr. Drummond's hands the letter already given, announcing to Joshua that he had drawn a blank.
Mr. Drummond read it with no little anger, for he detested lotteries.
"Unhappy boy!" he said, addressing Joshua. "I understand now what became of the five dollars. This decides me to do what I had intended to do sooner. I have supported you in laziness long enough. It is time you went to work. Next week you must go to work. I will take you into my store; but as I am not sure of your honesty, if I find you appropriating money to your own use, I will put you into a shoe-shop and make a shoemaker of you."
This was an alarming threat to Joshua, who had a foolish pride, which led him to look upon a trade as less respectable than the mercantile profession. He slunk out of the house, and Mr. Drummond went back to the store, while Walter set out on foot for the railway station, three-quarters of a mile distant.
"Give me a ticket to Willoughby," said Walter, offering the five-dollar bill which he had come so near losing.
The ticket was handed him, and three dollars and seventy-five cents were returned to him.
"How long are you going to stay away?" asked the station-master, with whom Walter had some acquaintance.
"I may not come back at all."
"Have you left Drummond's store?"
"Yes."
"Isn't that rather sudden?"
"A little so; but I didn't mean to stay long."
The shriek of the locomotive now became audible, and Walter went out on the platform. Five minutes later found him occupying a seat, or rather half aseat, for there sat next to him a brisk, energetic-looking man, of about thirty years of age.
He had been reading the morning paper, but apparently he had got through with it, for he folded it up, and put it in his pocket.
"Fine day," he said, briskly.
"Yes, sir, very fine," answered Walter.
"Some people are affected by the weather; I am not," pursued his fellow-traveller. "I feel as smart one day as another."
"It isn't quite so cheerful when it rains," observed Walter.
"I'm always cheerful. I've got too much business to do to mope. When a man's got enough to busy himself about, he hasn't time to be in the dumps."
"There's a good deal in that," said Walter.
"Of course there is. Push along, keep moving, that's my motto. Are you in business?"
"No, sir, not at present."
"I'm in the subscription-book business,—got an office in New York. We send out agentseverywhere to canvass for our publication. Lots of money in it."
"Is there?"
"Yes. I used to be an agent myself, and, though I say it, I don't think there are many agents that can get ahead of me. Sometimes I used to make twenty dollars a day. At last I thought I'd like to settle down, so I bought a partnership, and now, instead of being an agent, I send out agents."
"Isn't twenty dollars a day pretty large for an agent to make?" asked Walter.
"Yes, there are not many do it, but plenty make from five to ten right along. You look as if you would make a good agent."
"What makes you think so?" asked Walter.
"You look smart."
"Thank you," said Walter, laughing. "I am afraid you won't think so much of my ability when I tell you I have been working for the last three months for my board."
"It's a shame. You'd better come with us. We'll do much better by you than that."
"I am going to consult some friends about myfuture plans. If you are willing to tell me a little of your business, I will think of what you propose."
"I have with me our latest publication. It's going like wildfire. Just the thing to please the people. I'll show it to you."
Walter looked with interest while his new acquaintance drew out from a carpet-bag, which he had beneath the seat, a good-sized parcel wrapped in brown paper. Untying it, he produced a bulky octavo, in flashy binding, and abounding in illustrations. He opened the book and turned over the leaves rapidly.
"It's stuffed full of illustrations, you see," said he. "The expense of the pictures alone was absolutely e-nor-mous!" he added, dwelling upon the last word by way of emphasis. "But we're going to make it pay. The sale will be immense. Our agents already in the field report remarkable sales."
"What's the title of the book?" asked Walter, who had yet been unable to determine this point, by reason of the rapid turning of the pages.
"'Scenes in Bible Lands.' We include othercountries besides Palestine, and we've made a book that'll sell. Most every family will want one."
"What terms do you offer to agents?"
"Why, the book sells at retail at three dollars and fifty cents. Of this the agent keeps one dollar and twenty-five cents. Pretty good, isn't it?"
"Yes, I should think it was."
"You see you have only to sell four copies a day to make five dollars. If you're smart, you can do better than that."
It really did seem very good to Walter, who couldn't help comparing it with the miserable wages he had received from Mr. Drummond.
"I think that would pay very well," he said.
"Most paying business out," said the other. "Say the word, and I'll engage you on the spot."
"Where would you want me to sell?"
"I should like to have you go West. This way districts are mostly taken up. It would give you a good chance to travel and see the world."
Now Walter was, like most young people, fond of new scenes, and this consideration was a weightyone. It would enable him to travel, and pay his expenses while doing so.
"Better say the word."
"I can't now. I must see my friends first."
"Where are you going?"
"To Willoughby."
"How long are you going to stay?"
"I can't tell. A few days probably."
"Well, I'll give you the number of our office in New York. When you get ready, report to us there, and we'll put you in the field."
To this Walter assented, and asked several questions further, to which he received encouraging answers. The stranger gave him his card, from which our hero learned that he had made the acquaintance of Mr. James Pusher, of the firm of Flint & Pusher, subscription publishers, No. — Nassau St., New York.
"Good-by," said Mr. Pusher, cordially, when Walter left the train for the Willoughby station; "hope to see you again."
"Thank you," said Walter; "very likely you will."
Taking his carpet-bag in his hand, for he had arranged to have his trunk come the next day, he walked over to the house of Mr. Shaw, his father's executor.
Mr. Shaw was in his office, a little one-story building standing by itself a little to the left of his house. He was busily writing, and did not at once look up. When he saw who it was, he rose up and welcomed Walter with a smile.
"I'm very glad to see you, Walter," he said. "I was just wishing you were here. When did you leave Stapleton?"
"This afternoon, Mr. Shaw. I have just reached Willoughby."
"And how did you like Stapleton?"
"Tolerably well."
"And Mr. Drummond,—how were you pleased with him?"
"As to that," said Walter, smiling, "I can't say that I liked him as well as I might."
"I judged that from what I have heard of his character. He has the reputation of being very mean. A cent in his eyes is as large as a dollarappears to some men. How did he pay you for your services?"
"I worked for board wages."
"And pretty poor board at that, I imagine."
"I had no fear of the gout," said Walter. "The living isn't luxurious."
"Well, I'm glad you are back again. For the present I shall expect you to be my guest."
This settled the embarrassing question which had suggested itself as to where he should stay. His late father's house was of course shut up, and he had no relatives in Willoughby.
"Thank you, Mr. Shaw," he said. "For a few days I shall be glad to accept your kind offer. What progress have you made in settling the estate?"
"I can give you some idea of how it stands. There will be something left, but not much. After paying all debts, including Nancy's, there will certainly be a thousand dollars; but if you pay Nancy's legacy, that will take half of this sum."
"The legacy shall be paid," said Walter, promptly,"no matter how little remains. I am glad there is enough for that."
"I honor your determination, Walter, but I don't think Nancy will be willing to take half of what you have left."
"Then don't let her know how little it is."
"There is a chance of something more. I have made no account of the Great Metropolitan Mining stock, of which your father held shares to the amount of one hundred thousand dollars, cost price. How these will come out is very uncertain, but I think we can get something. Suppose it were only five per cent., that would make five thousand dollars. But it isn't best to count on that."
"I shan't make any account of the mining stock," said Walter. "If I get anything, it will be so much more than I expect."
"That is the best way. It will prevent disappointment."
"How long before we find out about it?"
"It is wholly uncertain. It may be six months; It may be two years. All I can say is, that I will look after your interests."
"Thank you, I am sure of that."
"Now, as to your plans. You were at the Essex Classical Institute, I think?"
"Yes, sir."
"What do you say to going back for a year? It is not an expensive school. You could stay a year, including all expenses, for the sum of five hundred dollars."
Walter shook his head.
"It would consume all my money; and as long as I am not going to college, my present education will be sufficient."
"As to consuming all your money," said Mr. Shaw, "let me say one thing. I received many favors from your father, especially when a young man just starting in business. Let me repay them by paying half your expenses for the next year at school."
"You are very kind, Mr. Shaw," said Walter, gratefully, "and I would accept that favor from you sooner than from any one; but I've made up my mind to take care of myself,and paddle my own canoe."
"Well, perhaps you're right," said the lawyer, kindly; "but at least you will accept my advice. Have you formed any plans for the future?"