CHAPTER XXXIV. CONCLUSION.

 "Do you think we shall have to give up the house, Job?" asked Mrs. Stanton, anxiously.

 

"I see no other way," said Job, mournfully. "I can't raise five hundred dollars anywhere."

 

"Have you been to Deacon Pitkin?"

 

"Yes, but the deacon says he's just put out what money he had, and can't accommodate me."

 

"It's hard!" said Mrs. Stanton, with sad brevity.

 

"Yes, it is hard!" assented¹ Job. "I did hope the Lord would show us a way of deliverance, but it seems likely that the sorrow must come upon us."

 

"How meanly Major Sturgis and that man Richmond have behaved! I can't help feeling that they will be come up with sooner or later," said Mrs.[Pg 266] Stanton, who, mild as she generally was, could not help feeling exasperated².

 

"I do think they've been inconsiderate," Job admitted.

 

"'Inconsiderate'! Their conduct has been contemptible³. The major don't need the money. He could just as well let us stay here."

 

While this conversation was going on Ben and his friend Bradley were approaching the little cottage.

 

Full of joyful⁴ memories, Ben lifted the latch⁵ and walked into the presence of his uncle and aunt. Nothing but his return could have chased the mournful expression from their faces.

 

"Why, it's Ben come back!" exclaimed his aunt, joyfully⁶.

 

"Well, I declare, so it is!" answered Job Stanton, hurrying forward and grasping the hand of his boy after his aunt had embraced him.

 

"How you've grown, Ben!" said his aunt, admiringly.

 

"Yes, Aunt Clarissa, I've grown four inches," said Ben, proudly. "But I've brought a friend with me.—Jake, come in."

 

[Pg 267]And then Bradley was introduced to Job and his wife, and was cordially welcomed by both.

 

"You're lucky to come while we've got a home to welcome you to," said Job, his face again saddening.

 

"Why, Uncle Job, you're not thinking of selling the house, are you?"

 

Then the whole story came out.

 

Ben listened attentively⁷, and when his uncle had finished he said, "That Richmond is a first-class rascal⁸."

 

"And I'd like to give him a first-class kick," said Bradley, indignantly.

 

"That wouldn't mend matters," said Job, shaking his head. "It wouldn't pay off the mortgage."

 

"You say the mortgage amounts to five hundred dollars, Uncle Job?"

 

"Yes. Then there's six months' interest, at six per cent., makes fifteen dollars more."

 

"When do you expect Major Sturgis to call?"

 

"This morning. It's almost time for him."

 

"I met Sam on my way here," said Ben. "He[Pg 268] told me I'd come just in the nick of time. I didn't know what he meant, but I know now."

 

"The major offers to buy the house, paying me two hundred and fifty dollars over and above the note."

 

"Why, that's robbery!" said Ben, indignantly.

 

"So it is, Ben; but what can I do?"

 

"I think," said Ben, smiling, "you'd better borrow five hundred and fifteen dollars of your rich nephew."

 

"What do you mean, Ben?" asked Job, in surprise.

 

"I mean this, Uncle Job—that I'll lend you the money to pay up this shark."

 

"You don't mean to say you've got money enough?" ejaculated Uncle Job.

 

"Yes, I do, uncle, and a little over. I'll prove it to you."

 

He produced a wallet, from which he drew out five one-hundred-dollar bills and three fives.

 

"Take them, uncle, and ask me questions afterward⁹, for I see through the window that the major is coming."

 

[Pg 269]Indeed, a knock was heard directly, and Job, answering it himself, ushered¹⁰ in the stately figure of Major Sturgis.

 

The major looked around him in surprise, finding more persons than he expected to see.

 

"Don't you remember Ben, Major Sturgis?" asked Job.

 

"When did you come home, Benjamin," asked the major, taken by surprise.

 

"I have just arrived, sir."

 

"Tired of California, eh?"

 

"For the present, yes, sir."

 

"I think my son Sam wishes to see you. He thinks of offering you a place."

 

Ben bowed and smiled. He understood what sort of a place Sam was likely to offer.

 

"Well, Mr. Stanton," asked the major, pompously¹¹, "have you decided¹² to accept my offer for the house?"

 

"No, major. Your offer is too small."

 

"You are quite at liberty to look around for a higher bid, or rather you were. Now it is too late."

 

[Pg 270]"Just so, major. On the whole I don't think I want to sell."

 

"'Don't want to sell'?" repeated the major, frowning; "you will have to sell."

 

"Why will Uncle Job have to sell?" demanded Ben, irritated by the major's tone.

 

"Young man," said the major, grandly, "this is not a matter with which you have anything to do. Your uncle and I can arrange it between ourselves."

 

"Still, I shall advise Uncle Job to pay the mortgage, though he was swindled into agreeing to it."

 

"I apprehend," sneered¹³ the major, "he will have some difficulty in paying me five hundred and fifteen dollars."

 

"I guess I can manage to do it, major," said Job, mildly.

 

"I don't believe you," said the major, hastily.

 

"Have you got the mortgage with you?" asked Job.

 

"Yes; here it is."

 

"And here is your money," said the shoemaker, producing the bills.

 

[Pg 271]Major Sturgis received them in amazement¹⁴ bordering upon stupefaction, and counted them over three times.

 

"I guess they're all right," said Job.

 

"Where did you get them?" inquired the major, unable to control his curiosity.

 

"I guess that doesn't matter so long as they're good," answered Job. "Still, I've no objection to tellin' you that it's Ben's money that he's kindly¹⁵ lent to me."

 

"Did you bring this from California?" asked the major, turning to our hero.

 

"Yes, sir," answered Ben.

 

"Have you any more?"

 

"I've got enough more, so that I don't expect to need the situation Sam thought of offering me."

 

When Major Sturgis left the cottage his grand air had passed off, and he looked disappointed and mortified¹⁶. Sam's spirits, too, were perceptibly dashed when he learned that the boy he disliked had been successful in California.

 

"That settles the major," said Ben. "This after[Pg 272]noon I will see what I can do in the case of Richmond."

 

"You can't do anything, Ben," said his aunt. "Leave him to the reproaches of his own conscience."

 

"He hasn't got any conscience, Aunt Clarissa," said Ben.—"Jake, will you ride over with me to the next town this afternoon?"

 

"I shall be glad to, Ben."

 

Ben went at once to the office of an able lawyer, engaged his services, and put the matter into his hands. The result was, that John Richmond received a note by messenger summoning him to the lawyer's office. He at first tried to bluster¹⁷, then to temporize¹⁸, but the lawyer was stern and threatened to exhaust the resources of the law in behalf of his clients. Like most bullies¹⁹, Richmond was a coward, and ended by giving a note for the full amount, with interest, at thirty days.

 

"You had better leave this note with me," said the lawyer to Ben; "I will collect it when due."

 

And he did. With a crestfallen²⁰ air John Richmond had to confess himself defeated in his[Pg 273] mean attempt at swindling, for he had obtained Uncle Job's indorsement with the deliberate intention of leaving him to pay the note, supposing that the old man would be too timid to do anything about it.

 

Ben remained in Hampton a week. During that time he bought the three-acre lot adjoining—the major having given up the purchase when his plan of getting possession of Job Stanton's little property fell through—and gave it to his uncle. This made Job feel like a rich man, and he only accepted it on Ben's assurance that he had plenty more money.

 

At the end of a week Ben received a letter from Richard Dewey, informing him that he proposed to go into business for himself in the city of New York, and was anxious to engage Ben as a clerk. This offer was too good to refuse. So Ben, a month later, found himself in a responsible business position. As his employer within a few months came into possession of his wife's large fortune, which her guardian²¹ was reluctantly obliged to surrender, he was not hampered²² by[Pg 274] lack of capital, but within a year had his business securely established.

 

Ten years have passed. Ben is now junior partner, and enjoys a high reputation for business ability. A year since he married his cousin Jennie, and in so doing has made a wise choice. He lives in the city, but Uncle Job and his wife still live in Hampton, though Job is no longer compelled to work for a livelihood²³. He has given up his shop, and confines himself to the cultivation²⁴ of his small tract²⁵ of land. Though now seventy, his eye is not dim nor his natural force abated²⁶.

 

Major Sturgis is dead, and Sam, it is understood, has wasted a considerable portion of the handsome property that was left him. It is quite possible that he may end in poverty and destitution²⁷, and be forced at last to work for a living. This he would regard as a misfortune, but it will probably be a blessing²⁸ in disguise, for the necessity of honest labor²⁹ is generally a salutary restraint.

 

Bradley has gone back to California. His son in now with him, and both are prosperous. Richard Dewey and his wife are rich and happy (the[Pg 275] two do not always go together), and have four children, the second of whom, a boy, is named Benjamin Stanton Dewey, in honor of our hero.

 

I have endeavored to ascertain³⁰ what became of our Mongolian friend, Ki Sing, but without entire success. My impression is, that he started a laundry in San Francisco, made enough money for a Chinaman to retire upon, and went back to his native land to live in competence³¹, the happy husband of a high-born Chinese maiden³² with incredibly small feet. Doubtless, he has more than once retailed³³ to wondering ears the account of his adventures and perils³⁴ when he, as well as Ben, visited California "in search of fortune."

 

THE END.

1 assented   

同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The judge assented to allow the prisoner to speak. 法官同意允许犯人申辩。
• "No," assented Tom, "they don't kill the women -- they're too noble. “对，”汤姆表示赞同地说，“他们不杀女人——真伟大！

2 exasperated   

adj.恼怒的

参考例句：

• We were exasperated at his ill behaviour. 我们对他的恶劣行为感到非常恼怒。
• Constant interruption of his work exasperated him. 对他工作不断的干扰使他恼怒。

3 contemptible   

adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的

参考例句：

• His personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.他气貌不扬，言语粗俗。
• That was a contemptible trick to play on a friend.那是对朋友玩弄的一出可鄙的把戏。

4 joyful   

adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的

参考例句：

• She was joyful of her good result of the scientific experiments.她为自己的科学实验取得好成果而高兴。
• They were singing and dancing to celebrate this joyful occasion.他们唱着、跳着庆祝这令人欢乐的时刻。

5 latch   

n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁

参考例句：

• She laid her hand on the latch of the door.她把手放在门闩上。
• The repairman installed an iron latch on the door.修理工在门上安了铁门闩。

6 joyfully   

adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地

参考例句：

• She tripped along joyfully as if treading on air. 她高兴地走着，脚底下轻飘飘的。
• During these first weeks she slaved joyfully. 在最初的几周里，她干得很高兴。

7 attentively   

adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神

参考例句：

• She listened attentively while I poured out my problems. 我倾吐心中的烦恼时，她一直在注意听。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She listened attentively and set down every word he said. 她专心听着，把他说的话一字不漏地记下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 rascal   

n.流氓；不诚实的人

参考例句：

• If he had done otherwise,I should have thought him a rascal.如果他不这样做，我就认为他是个恶棍。
• The rascal was frightened into holding his tongue.这坏蛋吓得不敢往下说了。

9 afterward   

adv.后来；以后

参考例句：

• Let's go to the theatre first and eat afterward. 让我们先去看戏，然后吃饭。
• Afterward,the boy became a very famous artist.后来，这男孩成为一个很有名的艺术家。

10 ushered   

v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The secretary ushered me into his office. 秘书把我领进他的办公室。
• A round of parties ushered in the New Year. 一系列的晚会迎来了新年。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 pompously   

adv.傲慢地，盛大壮观地；大模大样

参考例句：

• He pompously described his achievements. 他很夸耀地描述了自己所取得的成绩。 来自互联网

12 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

13 sneered   

讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He sneered at people who liked pop music. 他嘲笑喜欢流行音乐的人。
• It's very discouraging to be sneered at all the time. 成天受嘲讽是很令人泄气的。

14 amazement   

n.惊奇，惊讶

参考例句：

• All those around him looked at him with amazement.周围的人都对他投射出惊异的眼光。
• He looked at me in blank amazement.他带着迷茫惊诧的神情望着我。

15 kindly   

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

• Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
• A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。

16 mortified   

v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等）

参考例句：

• She was mortified to realize he had heard every word she said. 她意识到自己的每句话都被他听到了，直羞得无地自容。
• The knowledge of future evils mortified the present felicities. 对未来苦难的了解压抑了目前的喜悦。 来自《简明英汉词典》

17 bluster   

v.猛刮；怒冲冲的说；n.吓唬，怒号；狂风声

参考例句：

• We could hear the bluster of the wind and rain.我们能听到狂风暴雨的吹打声。
• He was inclined to bluster at first,but he soon dropped.起初他老爱吵闹一阵，可是不久就不做声了。

18 temporize   

v.顺应时势；拖延

参考例句：

• Celia had decided long ago she would never temporize on that.西莉亚早就认定，在这上面她绝不能妥协。
• I can't permit you to temporize any longer.我不能允许你再拖延时间了。

19 bullies   

n.欺凌弱小者, 开球 vt.恐吓, 威胁, 欺负

参考例句：

• Standing up to bullies takes plenty of backbone. 勇敢地对付暴徒需有大无畏精神。
• Bullies can make your life hell. 恃强欺弱者能让你的日子像活地狱。

20 crestfallen   

adj. 挫败的，失望的，沮丧的

参考例句：

• He gathered himself up and sneaked off,crushed and crestfallen.他爬起来，偷偷地溜了，一副垂头丧气、被斗败的样子。
• The youth looked exceedingly crestfallen.那青年看上去垂头丧气极了。

21 guardian   

n.监护人；守卫者，保护者

参考例句：

• The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。
• The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。

22 hampered   

妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The search was hampered by appalling weather conditions. 恶劣的天气妨碍了搜寻工作。
• So thought every harassed, hampered, respectable boy in St. Petersburg. 圣彼德堡镇的那些受折磨、受拘束的体面孩子们个个都是这么想的。

23 livelihood   

n.生计，谋生之道

参考例句：

• Appropriate arrangements will be made for their work and livelihood.他们的工作和生活会得到妥善安排。
• My father gained a bare livelihood of family by his own hands.父亲靠自己的双手勉强维持家计。

24 cultivation   

n.耕作，培养，栽培（法），养成

参考例句：

• The cultivation in good taste is our main objective.培养高雅情趣是我们的主要目标。
• The land is not fertile enough to repay cultivation.这块土地不够肥沃，不值得耕种。

25 tract   

n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林)

参考例句：

• He owns a large tract of forest.他拥有一大片森林。
• He wrote a tract on this subject.他曾对此写了一篇短文。

26 abated   

减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼）

参考例句：

• The worker's concern about cuts in the welfare funding has not abated. 工人们对削减福利基金的关心并没有减少。
• The heat has abated. 温度降低了。

27 destitution   

n.穷困，缺乏，贫穷

参考例句：

• The people lived in destitution. 民生凋敝。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• His drinking led him to a life of destitution. 酗酒导致他生活贫穷。 来自辞典例句

28 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。

29 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

30 ascertain   

vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清

参考例句：

• It's difficult to ascertain the coal deposits.煤储量很难探明。
• We must ascertain the responsibility in light of different situtations.我们必须根据不同情况判定责任。

31 competence   

n.能力，胜任，称职

参考例句：

• This mess is a poor reflection on his competence.这种混乱情况说明他难当此任。
• These are matters within the competence of the court.这些是法院权限以内的事。

32 maiden   

n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的

参考例句：

• The prince fell in love with a fair young maiden.王子爱上了一位年轻美丽的少女。
• The aircraft makes its maiden flight tomorrow.这架飞机明天首航。

33 retailed   

vt.零售（retail的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• She retailed the neighbours' activities with relish. 她饶有兴趣地对邻居们的活动说三道四。
• The industrial secrets were retailed to a rival concern. 工业秘密被泄露给一家对立的公司。 来自《简明英汉词典》

34 perils   

极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境）

参考例句：

• The commander bade his men be undaunted in the face of perils. 指挥员命令他的战士要临危不惧。
• With how many more perils and disasters would he load himself? 他还要再冒多少风险和遭受多少灾难？