Four weeks passed. The duties of a cash-boy aresimple enough, and Frank had no difficulty in dischargingthem satisfactorily. At first he found ittiresome, being on his feet all day, for the cash-boyswere not allowed to sit down, but he got used tothis, being young and strong.
All this was very satisfactory, but one thing gaveFrank uneasiness. His income was very inadequateto his wants.
``What makes you so glum1, Frank?'' asked JasperWheelock one evening.
``Do I look glum?'' said Frank. ``I was onlythinking how I could earn more money. You knowhow little I get. I can hardly take care of myself,much less take care of Grace.''
``I can lend you some money, Frank. Thanks toyour good advice, I have got some laid up.''
``Thank you, Jasper, but that wouldn't helpmatters. I should owe you the money, and I don't knowhow I could pay you.''
``About increasing your income, I really don'tknow,'' said Jasper. ``I am afraid Gilbert & Mackwouldn't raise your wages.''
``I don't expect it. All the rest of the cash-boyswould ask the same thing.''
``True; still I know they are very well pleasedwith you. Duncan told me you did more work thanany of the rest of the boys.''
``I try to do all I can.''
``He said you would make a good salesman, hethought. Of course you are too young for that yet.''
``I suppose I am.''
``Frank, I am earning fifteen dollars a week, youknow, and I can get along on ten, but of the five Isave let me give you two. I shall never feel it, andby and by when you are promoted it won't be necessary.''
``Jasper, you are a true friend,'' said Frank,warmly; ``but it wouldn't be right for me to acceptyour kind offer, though I shan't forget it. You havebeen a good friend to me.''
``And you to me, Frank. I'll look out for you.
Perhaps I may hear of something for you.''
Small as Frank's income was, he had managed tolive within it. It will be remembered that he hadpaid but fifty cents a week for a room. By greateconomy he had made his meals cost but two dollarsa week, so that out of his three dollars he savedfifty cents. But this saving would not be sufficientto pay for his clothes. However, he had had nooccasion to buy any as yet, and his little fundaltogether amounted to twenty dollars. Of this sum heinclosed{sic} eight dollars to Mr. Pomeroy to pay for fourweeks' board for Grace.
``I hope I shall be able to keep it up,'' he said tohimself, thoughtfully. ``At any rate, I've got enoughto pay for six weeks more. Before that time somethingmay turn up.''
Several days passed without showing Frank anyway by which he could increase his income. Jasperagain offered to give him two dollars a week out ofhis own wages, but this our hero steadily2 refused.
One Friday evening, just as the store was aboutto close, the head salesman called Frank to him.
``Where do you live?'' he asked.
``In Sixth avenue, near Twenty-fifth street.''
``There's a bundle to go to Forty-sixth street. I'llpay your fare upon the stage if you'll carry it. Ipromised to send it to-night, and I don't like todisappoint the lady.''
``I can carry it just as well as not.''
Frank took the bundle, and got on board a passingomnibus. There was just one seat vacant beside anold gentleman of seventy, who appeared to be quitefeeble.
At Forty-fifth street he pulled the strap3 andprepared to descend4, leaning heavily on his cane5 as hedid so. By some mischance the horses started alittle too soon and the old man, losing his footing,fell in the street. Frank observed the accident andsprang out instantly to his help.
``I hope you are not much hurt, sir?'' he said, hastily.
``I have hurt my knee,'' said the old gentleman.
``Let me assist you, sir,'' said Frank, helping6 himup.
``Thank you, my boy. I live at number forty-five,close by. If you will lead me to the door and intothe house I shall be much indebted to you.''
``Certainly, sir. It is no trouble to me.''
With slow step, supported by our hero, the oldgentleman walked to his own door.
It was opened by a maid servant, who looked withsome surprise at Frank.
``I fell, Mary,'' explained her master, ``and thisyoung gentleman has kindly7 helped me home.''
``Did you hurt yourself much, sir?''
``Not seriously.''
``Can I do anything more for you, sir?'' askedFrank.
``Come in a moment.''
Our hero followed his new acquaintance into ahandsomely furnished parlor8.
``Now, my young friend tell me if you have beentaken out of your way by your attention to me?''
``Oh, no, sir; I intended to get out at the nextstreet.''
``My dinner is just ready. Won't you stop anddine with me?''
``Thank you, sir,'' he said, hesitatingly, ``but Ipromised to carry this bundle. I believe it is wantedat once.''
``So you shall. You say the house is in the nextstreet. You can go and return in five minutes. Youhave done me a service, and I may have it in mypower to do something for you in return.''
``Perhaps,'' thought Frank, ``he can help me tosome employment for my evenings.'' Then, aloud:
``Thank you, sir; I will come.''
Five minutes later Frank was ushered9 into ahandsome dining-room. The dinner was already onthe table, but chairs were only set for three. Theone at the head of the table was of course occupiedby the old gentleman, the one opposite by Mrs. Bradley,his housekeeper10, and one at the side was placedfor Frank.
``Mrs. Bradley,'' said the old gentleman, ``this isa young gentleman who was kind enough to help mehome after the accident of which I just spoke11 to you.
I would mention his name, but I must leave that tohim.''
``Frank Fowler, sir.''
``And my name is Wharton. Now that we are allintroduced, we can talk more freely.''
``Will you have some soup, Mr. Fowler?'' asked thehousekeeper.
She was a tall thin woman, with a reservedmanner that was somewhat repellant. She had onlynodded slightly at the introduction, fixing her eyescoldly and searchingly on the face of our hero. Itwas evident that whatever impression the servicerendered might have made upon the mind of Mr.
Wharton, it was not calculated to warm thehousekeeper to cordiality.
``Thank you,'' he answered, but he could not helpfeeling at the same time that Mrs. Bradley was nota very agreeable woman.
``You ought to have a good appetite,'' said Mr.
Wharton. ``You have to work hard during the day.
Our young friend is a cash-boy at Gilbert & Mack's,Mrs. Bradley.
``Oh, indeed!'' said Mrs. Bradley, arching herbrows as much as to say: ``You have invited strangecompany to dinner.''
``Do your parents live in the city, Frank--Ibelieve your name is Frank?''
``No, sir; they are dead. My mother died only afew weeks since.''
``And have you no brothers and sisters?''
``I have one sister--Grace.''
``I suppose she is in the city here with you?''
``No, sir. I left her in the country. I am herealone.''
``I will ask you more about yourself after dinner.
If you have no engagement, I should like to haveyou stay with me a part of the evening.''
``Thank you, sir.''
Frank accepted the invitation, though he knewJasper would wonder what had become of him. Hesaw that the old gentleman was kindly disposedtoward him, and in his present circumstances he neededsuch a friend.
But in proportion as Mr. Wharton became morecordial, Mrs. Bradley became more frosty, until atlast the old gentleman noticed her manner.
``Don't you feel well this evening, Mrs Bradley?''
he asked.
``I have a little headache,'' said the housekeeper,coldly.
``You had better do something for it.''
``It will pass away of itself, sir.''
They arose from the dinner table, and Mr.
Wharton, followed by Frank, ascended12 the staircase tothe front room on the second floor, which washandsomely fitted up as a library,``What makes him take such notice of a mere13 cash-boy?'' said Mrs. Bradley to herself. ``That boy remindsme of somebody. Who is it?''
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glum
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| adj.闷闷不乐的，阴郁的 | |
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2
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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3
strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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4
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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6
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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7
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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8
parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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9
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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10
housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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11
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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12
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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