“I wonder if it is going to rain,” he thought. “I must raise an umbrella somewhere.”
After passing his fingers through his bristling3 locks, which had the effect of giving each particular hair an upward tendency,—a favorite habit of Mr. Sharp, who regards it perhaps as the sign of an aspiring4 intellect,—our attorney put on his white hat and, opening the door of his office, stepped out upon the landing. Before locking the door he carefully affixed6 a card bearing upon it, in bold characters, “Absent on Business.” Mr. Sharp never dispenses7 with this little formality, even when he is only going round the corner to order an oyster-stew, or to a neighboring hotel to while away an hour at billiards8. Entertaining broad and philosophic9 views of life, he regards any action, however trivial, in the light of business; and with this idea feels abundantly justified10 in leaving behind him this standing11 notice. And who shall say he is not right?
It chanced on this particular occasion, however, that Mr. Sharp’s business was really of a professional character.
On the stairs our lawyer met a stout12, puffy little counsellor, whose business yielded him probably an income of from eight to ten thousand dollars a year. Mr. Sharp 87bowed with a mixture of condescension13 and affability. Passing a door on a lower floor, he noticed an umbrella standing outside. Was it in a fit of absence of mind that Mr. Sharp appropriated it, and with innocent unconsciousness raised it above his head when he got into the street? If so, his temporary abstraction served him in good stead since the rain was already beginning to fall.
Reaching the street he was accosted14 by a newsboy who was anxious to place in his hands a sheet containing a record of all the latest news that had transpired15 in both hemispheres—and all for the insignificant16 sum of five cents! Mr. Sharp took the paper. He then began to fumble17 about in his pocket for the required change.
“Bless me!” he exclaimed, after two or three dives which brought forth18 nothing, “I believe on my soul that I haven’t got any change. Such a ridiculously small sum, too!”
After a moment’s pause the lawyer explained, suddenly, “Perhaps you can change a fifty?”
“Half a dollar!” said the boy, briskly, “Oh, yes!” and he forthwith pulled out a handful of small silver pieces mingled20 with pennies.
“My young friend,” remarked Mr. Sharp, graciously, “I meant a fifty-dollar bill.”
The newsboy whistled. “Perhaps you take me for a bank,” he remarked. “I can’t change no fifties. I can change a one or a two may be.”
“My boy,” said the attorney, with a gentle intonation21. “I never carry small bills about with me. If you will call on me to-morrow, I will take another paper.”
The little newsboy looked in bewilderment after the retreating form of Mr. Sharp. There was something wrong 88unquestionably. He had parted with his paper, and had not obtained an equivalent. But how could he summon up confidence to dun a man of such magnificent conceptions that a bill representing his entire capital would be too small for him to carry about.
“I’d a good deal rather trade with people that ain’t so darned rich,” thought the newsboy, ruefully.
Then it occurred to him that his customer had asked him to call the next day, and he had not been told where to call. Mr. Sharp was still near, and he determined22 to run after him and inquire.
In a minute or two the lawyer was made sensible of a slight tugging23 at his coat-tail. Looking around, his eye rested on the little newsboy.
“You asked me to leave you a paper to-morrow, but I don’t know where you live.”
“O yes, certainly,” said Mr. Sharp, “how could I be so neglectful? You will find me at any time in my office, third story, round the corner. Anybody will tell you where. And now, as I am called away upon important business, I shall be compelled to request you to release your hold upon my coat-tail.”
So saying he smiled benignantly, and walked away.
“‘Third story, round the corner;’” slowly repeated the boy. “‘Anybody will tell me!’ What corner, I’d like to know? And how in thunder am I to know what third story it is, and who I am to ask for when I find it?”
The young merchant shook his head dubiously25 as these formidable queries26 suggested themselves to him, and came to the conclusion that he was no better off than before he inquired.
Meanwhile Mr. Sharp pursued his way, smiling complacently27 89as he thought of the admirable manner in which he had obtained possession of the newspaper without rendering28 an equivalent.
“You’re a shrewd fellow, Sharp,” said he to himself. “There are not many who would have managed it so cleverly.”
Mr. Sharp kept on his way with quiet dignity, dispensing29 affable smiles to such acquaintances as he met. Sometimes his smiles were returned with cold nods, by such as were familiar with his unscrupulous character; but our lawyer was on such good terms with himself, that these little rebuffs appeared to have no effect upon him. At length he paused before Mrs. Morton’s boarding-house. Opening the outer door, he ascended30 three flights of stairs until he reached Mr. Ford31’s apartment. He knocked, but although sounds were heard from within there was no response. Rightly judging that Mr. Ford was so preoccupied32 that he had not heard or noticed the knock, he knocked again, this time louder. As this too was disregarded, he opened the door softly and went in.
It was the afternoon preceding Helen’s début at the theatre, and this accounted for her absence. Mr. Sharp was secretly glad to find it so, judging that Helen’s presence might possibly interfere33 with his object in calling.
“Mr. Ford,” he said, bowing benignantly, as that gentleman chanced to look up, “I beg you will pardon my entering so unceremoniously. I have availed myself of the polite invitation you so kindly34 extended some days since, to look in upon you and observe your progress. I knocked twice, but understanding that you were too absorbed to hear it, I took the liberty of opening the door without leave.”
Mr. Ford politely expressed his pleasure at seeing him, though it required an effort on his part to recall the name of his visitor, or the circumstances under which they had 90first met. “In spite of my numerous engagements,” resumed Mr. Sharp, “I could not forego the pleasure of looking in upon you at your labors35. I have many times blessed the chance which procured36 me the acquaintance of yourself and your amiable37 daughter. I look upon you, my dear sir, as engaged in a work of infinite importance to society, and to the welfare of the human race. And in after years, when posterity38 shall have done ample justice to your merits, when your name has been elevated to its appropriate place beside those of Watt39 and Franklin—and—Christopher Columbus, it will be my proudest boast that I recognized your claims to the world’s gratitude40 in advance of others.”
To Mr. Ford, who was thoroughly41 convinced of the practicability of his invention, and its great importance to the world, this language did not seem extravagant42. Never doubting his visitor’s sincerity43, he could not but feel grateful for the meed of encouragement to which he was a stranger. At the request of Mr. Sharp he began to explain some of the chief features in his invention, the lawyer listening with the greatest apparent interest.
“It is admirable!” he exclaimed, with enthusiasm. “Take my word for it, it must and will succeed. But pardon me for suggesting that with better materials your model would be likely to prove more satisfactory. An inventor should be able to command large means in order to perfect his plans.”
“Of that I am aware,” said Mr. Ford, with hesitation44. “But, as you have no doubt inferred, from the style in which Helen and I live, my means are very limited.”
“No more,” said Mr. Sharp, warmly, “I anticipate all that you would say. Yet, if you will pardon me the question, why do you not apply to your friends for a loan?”
Mr. Ford shook his head, smiling faintly. “It would be of no use,” he said.
91“Sir,” said the worthy45 attorney, grasping the hand of the inventor with an effusion of emotion, “you do your friends injustice46. To convince you of it, I, the unworthiest of those whose proud privilege it is to bear that title, offer to loan you two hundred dollars. It is not much——”
“But, my dear sir——”
“No, sir, you shall not object. I am determined to connect my name in some way with this important discovery. To satisfy your scruples48, I will consent to your signing this note for the amount. You may affix5 your signature while I am counting the money.”
“But I may never be able to pay you.”
“That risk is mine. I ask no security. I claim no interest. It is enough that in this way I am able to link my name with modest merit, and aid in bringing forward a discovery which will prove of incalculable benefit to mankind.”
Poor Mr. Ford! He was tempted49 beyond his power of resistance. This timely aid would enable him to carry out plans which he thought likely to expedite his final triumph. Yes, he would accept what was so generally proffered50. A little while and he would be able to repay the loan with interest. So at least he was sanguine51 enough to think.
“I cannot thank you sufficiently,” he said, warmly, “for this mark of generous and disinterested52 friendship towards a comparative stranger. The delicacy53 with which you tender this loan removes all the objections I might otherwise have to receiving it. Again I thank you.”
He signed the note and handed it to Mr. Sharp, who took from his pocket-book the sum mentioned and laid it on the table. The lawyer put the note into his pocket, saying, as he did so, “This strip of paper is to me of inestimable value in so far as it connects me with one whose name, I am sure, will be handed down to fame as one of the greatest of modern inventors. But, sir, my mission is accomplished54, I will not 92further trespass55 upon your valuable time. I trust you will not scruple47 to use freely the money I have advanced for the furtherance of your great purpose. I shall claim the privilege of sometimes looking in upon you and witnessing your progress.”
“You will always be most welcome,” said Mr. Ford, cordially.
“Rather a clever operation that!” thought Mr. Sharp, as he threaded his way down stairs. “It was a capital idea, making out the note for three hundred dollars and only paying him two. I knew he would never detect it. After all, the extra hundred will do more good in my hands than in Ford’s, who would only waste it on his crazy invention. My client will never be the wiser. By the way, he must have some deep scheme on foot, or he would never throw away such a sum on a crack-brained enthusiast56. I think, old fellow, you’ve earned a good oyster-supper, with a glass or so to make it go down. Talking has made me as dry as a herring.”
And the benevolent57 Mr. Sharp, who was so anxious to connect his name with an important discovery in science, gravely entered a neighboring saloon and called for something to drink. Human nature is not at all times heroic.
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1
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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stump
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| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
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bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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4
aspiring
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| adj.有志气的；有抱负的；高耸的v.渴望；追求 | |
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affix
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| n.附件，附录 vt.附贴，盖(章)，签署 | |
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6
affixed
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| adj.[医]附着的，附着的v.附加( affix的过去式和过去分词 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章） | |
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7
dispenses
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| v.分配，分与；分配( dispense的第三人称单数 )；施与；配（药） | |
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8
billiards
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| n.台球 | |
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philosophic
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| adj.哲学的，贤明的 | |
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justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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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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condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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14
accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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15
transpired
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| （事实，秘密等）被人知道( transpire的过去式和过去分词 )； 泄露； 显露； 发生 | |
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16
insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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17
fumble
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| vi.笨拙地用手摸、弄、接等，摸索 | |
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18
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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pensively
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| adv.沉思地，焦虑地 | |
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20
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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21
intonation
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| n.语调，声调；发声 | |
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22
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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23
tugging
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| n.牵引感v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的现在分词 ) | |
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24
blandly
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| adv.温和地，殷勤地 | |
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25
dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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26
queries
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| n.问题( query的名词复数 )；疑问；询问；问号v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的第三人称单数 )；询问 | |
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complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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28
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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29
dispensing
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| v.分配( dispense的现在分词 )；施与；配（药） | |
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30
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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31
Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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32
preoccupied
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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33
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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34
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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labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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36
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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37
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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38
posterity
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| n.后裔，子孙，后代 | |
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39
watt
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| n.瓦，瓦特 | |
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40
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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41
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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42
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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43
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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44
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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45
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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46
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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47
scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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48
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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49
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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50
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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52
disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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53
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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54
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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55
trespass
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| n./v.侵犯，闯入私人领地 | |
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56
enthusiast
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| n.热心人，热衷者 | |
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57
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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