All this Robert thought over as he was riding in the cars to the city. He acknowledged that the chances were all against his success, but in spite of all, he had a feeling, for which he could not account, that his father was still living, and that he should find him some day. At any rate, there was something attractive in the idea of going out to unknown lands to meet unknown adventures, and so his momentary1 depression was succeeded by a return of his old confidence.
Arrived in the city, he took his carpetbag in his hand, and crossing the street, walked at random2, not being familiar with the streets, as he had not been in New York but twice before, and that some time since.
"I don't know where to go," thought Robert. "I wish I knew where to find some cheap hotel."
Just then a boy, in well-ventilated garments and a rimless3 straw hat, with a blacking box over his shoulder, approached.
"Shine your boots, mister?" he asked.
Robert glanced at his shoes, which were rather deficient4 in polish, and finding that the expense would be only five cents, told him to go ahead.
"I'll give you the bulliest shine you ever had," said the ragamuffin.
"That's right! Go ahead!" said Robert.
When the boy got through, he cast a speculative5 glance at the carpetbag.
"Smash yer baggage?" he asked.
"What's that?"
"Carry yer bag."
"Do you know of any good, cheap hotel where I can put up?" asked Robert.
"What kind of a hotel is that?"
"You take a room, and get your grub where you like."
"Yes, that will suit me."
"I'll show you one and take yer bag along for two shillings."
"All right," said our hero. "Go ahead."
The boy shouldered the carpetbag and started in advance, Robert following. He found a considerable difference between the crowded streets of New York and the quiet roads of Millville. His spirits rose, and he felt that life was just beginning for him. Brave and bold by temperament8, he did not shrink from trying his luck on a broader arena9 than was afforded by the little village whence he came. Such confidence is felt by many who eventually fail, but Robert was one who combined ability and willingness to work with confidence, and the chances were in favor of his succeeding.
Unused to the city streets, Robert was a little more cautious about crossing than the young Arab who carried his bag. So, at one broad thoroughfare, the latter got safely across, while Robert was still on the other side waiting for a good opportunity to cross in turn. The bootblack, seeing that communication was for the present cut off by a long line of vehicles, was assailed10 by a sudden temptation. For his services as porter he would receive but twenty-five cents, while here was an opportunity to appropriate the entire bag, which must be far more valuable. He was not naturally a bad boy, but his street education had given him rather loose ideas on the subject of property. Obeying his impulse, then, he started rapidly, bag in hand, up a side street.
"Hold on, there! Where are you going?" called out Robert.
He received no answer, but saw the baggage-smasher quickening his pace and dodging11 round the corner. He attempted to dash across the street, but was compelled to turn back, after being nearly run over.
"Who do you mane, Johnny?" asked a boy at his side.
"A boy has run off with my carpetbag," said Robert.
"I know him. It's Jim Malone."
"Do you know where I can find him?" asked Robert, eagerly. "If you'll help me get back my bag, I'll give you a dollar."
"I'll do it then. Come along of me. Here's a chance to cross."
Following his new guide, Robert dashed across the street at some risk, and found himself safe on the other side.
"Now where do you think he's gone?" demanded Robert.
"It's likely he'll go home."
"Do you know where he lives?"
"No.—Mulberry street."
"Has he got any father and mother?"
"He's got a mother, but the ould woman's drunk most all the time."
"Then she won't care about his stealing?"
"No, she'll think he's smart."
"Then we'll go there. Is it far?"
"Not more than twenty minutes."
The boy was right. Jim steered13 for home, not being able to open the bag in the street without suspicion. His intention was to appropriate a part of the clothing to his own use, and dispose of the rest to a pawnbroker14 or second-hand15 dealer16, who, as long as he got a good bargain, would not be too particular about inquiring into the customer's right to the property. He did not, however, wholly escape suspicion. He was stopped by a policeman, who demanded, "Whose bag is that, Johnny?"
"Where is the gentleman?"
"He's took a car to Wall street on business."
"How came he to trust you with the bag? Wasn't he afraid you'd steal it?"
"Oh, he knows me. I've smashed baggage for him more'n once."
This might be true. At any rate, it was plausible18, and the policeman, having no ground of detention19, suffered him to go on.
Congratulating himself on getting off so well, Jim sped on his way, and arrived in quick time at the miserable20 room in Mulberry street, which he called home.
His mother lay on a wretched bed in the corner, half stupefied with drink. She lifted up her head as her son entered.
"What have you there, Jimmy?" she asked.
"It's a bag, mother."
"Whose is it?"
"It's mine now."
"And where did ye get it?"
"A boy gave it to me to carry to a chape hotel, so I brought it home. This is a chape hotel, isn't it?"
"You're a smart boy, an' I always said it, Jimmy. Let me open it," and the old woman, with considerable alacrity21, rose to her feet and came to Jim's side.
"I'll open it myself, mother, that is, I if I had a kay. Haven't you got one?"
"I have that same. I picked up a bunch of kays in the strate last week."
She fumbled22 in her pocket, and drew out half a dozen keys of different sizes, attached to a steel ring.
"Let me open the bag," said Mrs. Malone, persuasively24.
"No, you don't," said her dutiful son. "'Tain't none of yours. It's mine."
"The kays is mine," said his mother, "and I'll kape 'em."
"Give 'em here," said Jim, finding a compromise necessary, "and I'll give you fifty cents out of what I get."
"That's the way to talk, darlint," said his mother, approvingly. "You wouldn't have the heart to chate your ould mother out of her share?"
"It's better I did," said Jim; "you'll only get drunk on the money."
"Shure a little drink will do me no harm," said Mrs. Malone.
Meanwhile the young Arab had tried key after key until he found one that fitted—the bag flew open, and Robert's humble25 stock of clothing lay exposed to view. There was a woolen26 suit, four shirts, half a dozen collars, some stockings and handkerchiefs. Besides these there was the little Bible which Robert had had given him by his father just before he went on his last voyage. It was the only book our hero had room for, but in the adventurous27 career upon which he had entered, exposed to perils28 of the sea and land, he felt that he would need this as his constant guide.
"Them shirts'll fit me," said Jim. "I guess I'll kape 'em, and the close besides."
"Then where'll you git the money for me?" asked his mother.
"I'll sell the handkerchiefs and stockings. I don't nade them," said Jim, whose ideas of full dress fell considerably29 short of the ordinary standard. "I won't nade the collars either."
"You don't nade all the shirts," said his mother.
"I'll kape two," said Jim. "It'll make me look respectable. Maybe I'll kape two collars, so I can sit up for a gentleman of fashion."
"You'll be too proud to walk with your ould mother," said Mrs. Malone.
"Maybe I will," said Jim, surveying his mother critically. "You aint much of a beauty, ould woman."
"The whisky's had something to do with it," said Jim. "Hard work didn't make your face so red."
"Is it my own boy talks to me like that?" said the old woman, wiping her eyes on her dress.
But her sorrow was quickly succeeded by a different emotion, as the door opened suddenly, and Robert Rushton entered the room.
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1
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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3
rimless
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| adj.无边的 | |
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deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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speculative
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| adj.思索性的，暝想性的，推理的 | |
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6
urchin
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| n.顽童；海胆 | |
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7
syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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8
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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9
arena
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| n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台 | |
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assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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11
dodging
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| n.避开，闪过，音调改变v.闪躲( dodge的现在分词 )；回避 | |
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12
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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13
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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14
pawnbroker
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| n.典当商，当铺老板 | |
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15
second-hand
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| adj.用过的，旧的，二手的 | |
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16
dealer
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| n.商人，贩子 | |
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17
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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18
plausible
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| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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19
detention
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| n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下 | |
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20
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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21
alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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22
fumbled
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| （笨拙地）摸索或处理（某事物）( fumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 乱摸，笨拙地弄； 使落下 | |
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23
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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24
persuasively
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| adv.口才好地；令人信服地 | |
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25
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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26
woolen
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| adj.羊毛(制)的；毛纺的 | |
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27
adventurous
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| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
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perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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29
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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gal
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| n.姑娘，少女 | |
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