``So this is New York,'' said Frank to himself, ashe emerged from the railway station and lookedabout him with interest and curiosity.
``Black yer boots? Shine?'' asked a bootblack,seeing our hero standing1 still.
Frank looked at his shoes. They were dirty,without doubt, but he would not have felt disposed to beso extravagant2, considering his limited resources,had he not felt it necessary to obtain some informationabout the city.
``Yes,'' he said, ``you may black them.''
The boy was on his knees instantly and at work.
``How much do you make in a day?'' asked Frank.
``When it's a good day I make a dollar.''
``That's pretty good,'' said Frank.
``Can you show me the way to Broadway?''
``Go straight ahead.''
Our hero paid for his shine and started in thedirection indicated.
Frank's plans, so far as he had any, were to getinto a store. He knew that Broadway was the principalbusiness street in the city, and this was aboutall he did know about it.
He reached the great thoroughfare in a fewminutes, and was fortunate enough to find on the windowof the corner store the sign:
``A Boy Wanted.''
He entered at once, and going up to the counter,addressed a young man, who was putting up goods.
``Do you want a boy?''
``I believe the boss wants one; I don't. Go out tothat desk.''
Frank found the desk, and propounded3 the samequestion to a sandy-whiskered man, who looked upfrom his writing.
``You're prompt,'' he said. ``That notice was onlyput out two minutes ago.''
``I only saw it one minute ago.''
``So you want the place, do you?''
``I should like it.''
``Do you know your way about the city?''
``No, sir, but I could soon find out.''
``That won't do. I shall have plenty ofapplications from boys who live in the city and are familiarwith the streets.''
Frank left the store rather discomfited4.
He soon came to another store where there was asimilar notice of ``A Boy Wanted.'' It was a drygoods store.
``Do you live with your parents?'' was asked.
``My parents are dead,'' said Frank, sadly.
``Very sorry, but we can't take you.''
``Why not, sir?''
``In case you took anything we should make yourparents responsible.''
``I shouldn't take anything,'' said Frank, indignantly.
``You might; I can't take you.''
Our hero left this store a little disheartened by hissecond rebuff.
He made several more fruitless applications, butdid not lose courage wholly. He was gaining an appetite,however. It is not surprising therefore, thathis attention was drawn5 to the bills of a restauranton the opposite side of the street. He crossed over,and standing outside, began to examine them to seewhat was the scale of prices. While in this positionhe was suddenly aroused by a slap on the back.
Turning he met the gaze of a young man of aboutthirty, who was smiling quite cordially.
``Why, Frank, my boy, how are you?'' he said,offering his hand.
``Pretty well, thank you,'' said our hero bewildered,for he had no recollection of the man who had calledhim by name.
The other smiled a little more broadly, andthought:
``It was a lucky guess; his name is Frank.''
``I am delighted to hear it,'' he continued. ``Whendid you reach the city?''
``This morning,'' said the unsuspecting Frank.
``Well, it's queer I happened to meet you so soon,isn't it? Going to stay long?''
``I shall, if I can get a place.''
``Perhaps I can help you.''
``I suppose I ought to remember you,'' venturedour hero, ``but I can't think of your name.''
``Jasper Wheelock. You don't mean to say youdon't remember me? Perhaps it isn't strange, aswe only met once or twice in your country home.
But that doesn't matter. I'm just as ready to helpyou. By the way, have you dined?''
``No.''
``No more have I. Come in and dine with me.''
``What'll you take?'' asked Jasper Wheelock,passing the bill of fare to Frank.
``I think I should like to have some roast beef,''
said Frank.
``That will suit me. Here, waiter, two plates ofroast beef, and two cups of coffee.''
``How are they all at home?'' asked Jasper.
``My mother has just died.''
``You don't say so,'' said Jasper, sympathetically.
``My sister is well.''
``I forgot your sister's name.''
``Grace.''
``Of course--Grace. I find it hard to remembernames. The fact is, I have been trying to recall yourlast name, but it's gone from me.''
``Fowler.''
``To be sure Frank Fowler. How could I be soforgetful.''
The conversation was interrupted by the arrivalof the coffee and roast beet6, which both he and hisnew friend attacked with vigor7.
``What kind of pudding will you have?'' askedthe stranger.
``Apple dumpling,'' said Frank.
``That suits me. Apple dumpling for two.''
In due time the apple dumpling was disposed of,and two checks were brought, amounting to seventycents.
``I'll pay for both,'' said Jasper. ``No thanks. Weare old acquaintances, you know.''
He put his hand into his pocket, and quicklywithdrew it with an exclamation8 of surprise:
``Well, if that isn't a good joke,'' he said. ``I'veleft my money at home. I remember now, I left itin the pocket of my other coat. I shall have toborrow the money of you. You may as well hand me adollar!''
Frank was not disposed to be suspicious, but therequest for money made him uneasy. Still thereseemed no way of refusing, and he reluctantly drewout the money.
His companion settled the bill and then led theway into the street.
Jasper Wheelock was not very scrupulous9; he wasquite capable of borrowing money, without intendingto return it; but he had his good side.
``Frank,'' said he, as they found themselves in thestreet, ``you have done me a favor, and I am goingto help you in return. Have you got very muchmoney?''
``No. I had twenty dollars when I left home, butI had to pay my fare in the cars and the dinner, Ihave seventeen dollars and a half left.''
``Then it is necessary for you to get a place assoon as possible.''
``Yes; I have a sister to support; Grace, you know.''
``No, I don't know. The fact is, Frank, I havebeen imposing10 upon you. I never saw you before inthe whole course of my life.''
``What made you say you knew me?''
``I wanted to get a dinner out of you. Don't betroubled, though; I'll pay back the money. I've beenout of a place for three or four weeks, but I enterupon one the first of next week. For the rest of theweek I've got nothing to do, and I will try to get youa place.
``The first thing is to get a room somewhere. I'lltell you what, you may have part of my room.''
``Is it expensive?''
``No; I pay a dollar and a half a week. I thinkthe old lady won't charge more than fifty cents extrafor you.''
``Then my share would be a dollar.''
``You may pay only fifty cents. I'll keep on payingwhat I do now. My room is on Sixth Avenue.''
They had some distance to walk. Finally Jasperhalted before a baker's shop.
``It's over this,'' he said.
He drew out a latch-key and entered.
``This is my den,'' he said. It isn't large youcan't get any better for the money.''
``I shall have to be satisfied,'' said Frank. ``I wantto get along as cheap as I can.''
``I've got to economize11 myself for a short time.
After this week I shall earn fifteen dollars a week.''
``What business are you in, Mr. Wheelock?''
``I am a journeyman printer. It is a very goodbusiness, and I generally have steady work. I expectto have after I get started again. Now, shall Igive you some advice?''
``I wish you would.''
``You don't know your way around New York.
I believe I have a map somewhere. I'll just showyou on it the position of the principal streets, andthat will give you a clearer idea of where we go.''
The map was found and Jasper explained to Frankthe leading topographical features of the Island City.
One thing only was wanting now to make himcontented, and this was employment. But it was toolate to make any further inquiries12.
``I've been thinking, Frank,'' said Jasper, the nextmorning, ``that you might get the position as a cash-boy.''
``What does a cash-boy do?''
``In large retail13 establishments every salesmankeeps a book in which his sales are entered. Hedoes not himself make change, for it would not doto have so many having access to the money-drawer.
The money is carried to the cashier's desk by boysemployed for the purpose, who return with thechange.''
``Do you think I can get a situation as cash-boy?''
``I will try at Gilbert & Mack's. I know one ofthe principal salesmen. If there is a vacancy14 hewill get it for you to oblige me.''
They entered a large retail store on Broadway.
It was broad and spacious15. Twenty salesmen stoodbehind the counter, and boys were running this wayand that with small books in their hands.
``How are you, Duncan?'' said Jasper.
The person addressed was about Jasper Wheelock'sage. He had a keen, energetic look and manner,and would be readily singled out as one of theleading clerks.
``All right, Wheelock. How are you?'' heresponded. ``Do you want anything in our line?''
``No goods; I want a place for this youngster. He'sa friend of mine. I'll answer for his good character.''
``That will be satisfactory. But what sort of aplace does he want?''
``He is ready to begin as cash-boy.''
``Then we can oblige you, as one of our boys hasfallen sick, and we have not supplied his place. I'llspeak to Mr. Gilbert.''
He went up to Mr. Gilbert, a portly man in theback part of the store. Mr. Gilbert seemed to beasking two or three questions. Frank waited theresult in suspense16, dreading17 another disappointment,but this time he was fortunate.
``The boy can stay,'' reported Duncan. ``Hiswages are three dollars a week.''
It was not much, but Frank was well pleased tofeel that at last he had a place in the city.
He wrote a letter to Grace in the evening,announcing his success, and expressing the hope that hewould soon be able to send for her.
收听单词发音 |
1
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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2
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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3
propounded
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| v.提出（问题、计划等）供考虑[讨论]，提议( propound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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4
discomfited
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| v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词)；使狼狈；使挫折；挫败 | |
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5
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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6
beet
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| n.甜菜；甜菜根 | |
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7
vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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8
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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9
scrupulous
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| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
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10
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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11
economize
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| v.节约，节省 | |
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12
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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13
retail
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| v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格 | |
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14
vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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15
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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16
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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17
dreading
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| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
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