There were several letters in Box 5,670. Dick secured these, and, turning round to go out, his attention was drawn2 to a young gentleman of about his own age, who, from his consequential3 air, appeared to feel his own importance in no slight degree. He recognized him at once as Roswell Crawford, a boy who had applied4 unsuccessfully for the place which Fosdick obtained in Henderson's hat and cap store.
Roswell recognized Dick at the same time, and perceiving that our hero was well-dressed, concluded to speak to him, though he regarded Dick as infinitely5 beneath himself in the social scale, on account of his former employment. He might not have been so condescending6, but he was curious to learn what Dick was about.
"I haven't seen you for some time," he said, in a patronizing tone.
"No," said Dick, "and I haven't seen you for some time either, which is a very curious coincidence."
"Tip-top," said Dick, not at all disturbed by Roswell's manner. "I do it wholesale8 now, and have been obliged to hire a large building on Pearl Street to transact9 my business in. You see them letters? They're all from wholesale customers."
"I congratulate you on your success," said Roswell, in the same disagreeable manner. "Of course that's all humbug10. I suppose you've got a place."
"Yes," said Dick.
"Who are you with?"
"Rockwell & Cooper, on Pearl Street."
"How did you get it?" asked Roswell, appearing surprised. "Did they know you had been a boot-black?"
"Of course they did."
"I shouldn't think that they would have taken you."
"Why not?"
"There are not many firms that would hire a boot-black, when they could get plenty of boys from nice families."
"Perhaps they might have secured your services if they had applied," said Dick, good-humoredly.
"I've got a place," said Roswell, in rather an important manner. "I'm very glad I didn't go into Henderson's hat and cap store. I've got a better situation."
"Have you?" said Dick. "I'm glad to hear it. I'm always happy to hear that my friends are risin' in the world."
"You needn't class me among your friends," said Roswell, superciliously11.
"No, I won't," said Dick. "I'm goin' to be particular about my associates, now that I'm gettin' up in the world."
"No," said Dick. "I wouldn't on any account. I should be afraid you'd want me to fight a duel13, and that wouldn't be convenient, for I haven't made my will, and I'm afraid my heirs would quarrel over my extensive property."
"How much do you get a week?" asked Roswell, thinking it best to change the subject.
"Ten dollars," said Dick.
"Ten dollars!" ejaculated Roswell. "That's a pretty large story."
"You needn't believe it if you don't want to," said Dick. "That won't make any difference to me as long as they pay me reg'lar."
"Ten dollars! Why, I never heard of such a thing," exclaimed Roswell, who only received four dollars a week himself, and thought he was doing well.
"Do you think I'd give up a loocrative business for less?" asked Dick. "How much do you get?"
"That's my business," said Roswell, who, for reasons that may be guessed, didn't care to mention the price for which he was working. Judging Dick by himself, he thought it would give him a chance to exult14 over him.
"I suppose it is," said Dick; "but as you was so partic'lar to find out how much I got, I thought I'd inquire."
"You're trying to deceive me; I don't believe you get more than three dollars a week."
"Don't you? Is that what you get?"
"I get a great deal more."
"I'm happy to hear it."
"I can find out how much you get, if I want to."
"You've found out already."
"I know what you say, but I've got a cousin in Rockwell & Cooper's."
"Have you?" asked Dick, a little surprised. "Who is it?"
"It is the book-keeper."
"Mr. Gilbert?"
"Yes; he has been there five years. I'll ask him about it."
"You'd better, as you're so anxious to find out. Mr. Gilbert is a friend of mine. He spoke15 only this morning of my valooable services."
Roswell looked incredulous. In fact he did not understand Dick at all; nor could he comprehend his imperturbable16 good-humor. There were several things that he had said which would have offended most boys; but Dick met them with a careless good-humor, and an evident indifference17 to Roswell's good opinion, which piqued18 and provoked that young man.
It must not be supposed that while this conversation was going on the boys were standing19 in the post-office. Dick understood his duty to his employers too well to delay unnecessarily while on an errand, especially when he was sent to get letters, some of which might be of an important and urgent nature.
The two boys had been walking up Nassau Street together, and they had now reached Printing House Square.
"There are some of your old friends," said Roswell, pointing to a group of ragged20 boot-blacks, who were on the alert for customers, crying to each passer, "Shine yer boots?"
"Yes," said Dick, "I know them all."
"I'm glad you think so," said Dick. "They're a rough set," he continued, more earnestly; "but there's one of them, at least, that's ten times better than you or I."
"Speak for yourself, if you please," said Roswell, haughtily.
"I'm speakin' for both of us," said Dick. "There's one boy there, only twelve years old, that's supported his sick mother and sister for more'n a year, and that's more good than ever you or I did.—How are you, Tom?" he said, nodding to the boy of whom he had spoken.
"Tip-top, Dick," said a bright-looking boy, who kept as clean as his avocation22 would permit. "Have you given up business?"
"Yes, Tom. I'll tell you about it some other time. I must get back to Pearl Street with these letters. How's your mother?"
"She aint much better, Dick."
"Buy her some oranges. They'll do her good," and Dick slipped half a dollar into Tom's hand.
"Thank you, Dick. She'll like them, I know, but you oughtn't to give so much."
"What's half a dollar to a man of my fortune?" said Dick. "Take care of yourself, Tom. I must hurry back to the store."
Roswell was already gone. His pride would not permit him to stand by while Dick was conversing23 with a boot-black. He felt that his position would be compromised. As for Dick, he was so well dressed that nobody would know that he had ever been in that business. The fact is, Roswell, like a great many other people, was troubled with a large share of pride, though it might have puzzled himself to explain what he had to be proud of. Had Dick been at all like him he would have shunned24 all his former acquaintances, and taken every precaution against having it discovered that he had ever occupied a similar position. But Dick was above such meanness. He could see that Tom, for instance, was far superior in all that constituted manliness25 to Roswell Crawford, and, boot-black though he was, he prepared to recognize him as a friend.
When Dick reached the store, he did not immediately see Mr. Rockwell.
He accordingly entered the counting-room where Gilbert, the book-keeper, was seated at a desk.
"Here are the letters, Mr. Gilbert," said Dick.
"Lay them down," said the book-keeper, sourly. "You've been gone long enough. How many did you drop on the way?"
"I didn't know I was expected to drop any," said Dick. "If I had been told to do so, I would have obeyed orders cheerfully."
Mr. Gilbert was about to remark that Dick was an impudent26 young rascal27, when the sudden entrance of Mr. Rockwell compelled him to suppress the observation, and he was obliged to be content with muttering it to himself.
"Back already, Richard?" said his employer, pleasantly. "Where are the letters?"
"Here, sir," said Dick.
"Very well, you may go to Mr. Murdock, and see what he can find for you to do."
Mr. Rockwell sat down to read his letters, and Dick went as directed to the head clerk.
"Mr. Rockwell sent me to you, Mr. Murdock," he said. "He says you will find something for me to do."
"Oh, yes, we'll keep you busy," said the head clerk, with a manner very different from that of the book-keeper. "At present, however, your duties will be of rather a miscellaneous character. We shall want you partly for an entry clerk, and partly to run to the post-office, bank, and so forth28."
"All right, sir," said Dick. "I'm ready to do anything that is required of me. I want to make myself useful."
"That's the right way to feel, my young friend. Some boys are so big-feeling and put on so many airs, that you'd think they were partners in the business, instead of beginning at the lowest round of the ladder. A while ago Mr. Gilbert brought round a cousin of his, about your age, that he wanted to get in here; but the young gentleman was altogether too lofty to suit me, so we didn't take him."
"Was the boy's name Roswell Crawford?"
"Yes; do you know him?"
"Not much. He thinks I'm too far beneath him for him to associate with, but he was kind enough to walk up Nassau Street with me this morning, just to encourage me a little."
"That was kind in him, certainly," said the head clerk, smiling. "Unless I am very much mistaken, you will be able to get along without his patronage29."
"I hope so," said Dick.
The rest of the day Dick was kept busy in various ways. He took hold with a will, and showed himself so efficient that he made a favorable impression upon every one in the establishment, except the book-keeper. For some reason or other Mr. Gilbert did not like Dick, and was determined30 to oust31 him from his situation if an opportunity should offer.
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1
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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2
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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consequential
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| adj.作为结果的，间接的；重要的 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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5
infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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6
condescending
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| adj.谦逊的,故意屈尊的 | |
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7
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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8
wholesale
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| n.批发；adv.以批发方式；vt.批发，成批出售 | |
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9
transact
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| v.处理；做交易；谈判 | |
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10
humbug
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| n.花招，谎话，欺骗 | |
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11
superciliously
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| adv.高傲地；傲慢地 | |
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12
haughtily
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| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
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13
duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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14
exult
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| v.狂喜，欢腾；欢欣鼓舞 | |
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15
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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16
imperturbable
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| adj.镇静的 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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piqued
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| v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的过去式和过去分词 )；激起（好奇心） | |
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19
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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ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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21
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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avocation
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| n.副业，业余爱好 | |
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conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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shunned
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| v.避开，回避，避免( shun的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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25
manliness
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| 刚毅 | |
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impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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28
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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29
patronage
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| n.赞助，支援，援助；光顾，捧场 | |
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30
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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oust
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| vt.剥夺，取代，驱逐 | |
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