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CHAPTER XXIII A NEW EXPEDIENT
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 “I believe your name is Peck?” said Mr. Montgomery, hazarding a guess.
“No, it's Young, Ephraim Young.”
“Of course it is. I remember now, but I am apt to forget names. You said your parents were quite well?”
“Yes, they're pretty smart.”
“I am glad to hear it; I have the pleasantest recollections of your excellent father. Let me see, didn't you call there with me once, Mrs. Barnes?”
“Not that I remember.”
“You must go with me the next time. I want you to know the parents of our young friend. They are excellent people. Do you go back this afternoon, Mr. Young?”
“Yes, I guess so. You don't know of any sitooation I could get in a store round here, do you?”
“Not at present, but I have some influential1 friends to whom I will mention your name. Suppose, now, I could obtain a situation for you, how shall I direct the letter letting you know?”
“Just put on the letter 'Ephraim Young.' Everybody in Plainfield knows me.”
“So he lives in Plainfield,” said Mr. Montgomery to himself. “It's as well to know that.” Then aloud: “I won't forget, Mr. Young. What sort of business would you prefer?”
“Any kind that'll pay,” said the gratified youth, firmly convinced of his companion's ability to fulfill2 his promise. “I've got tired of stayin' round home, and I'd like to try York a little while. Folks say it's easy to make money here.”
“You are right. If I were a business man, I would come to New York at once. For a smart young man like you it offers a much better opening than a country village.”
“That's what I've told dad often,” said the rustic3, “but he's afraid I wouldn't get nothing to do and he says it's dreadful expensive livin' here.”
“So it is expensive, but then you will be better paid than in the country. However, here we are. You won't forget what I told you?”
“No—I'll remember,” said the young man.
The reappearance of Mr. Barnes and wife so soon excited some surprise in the store, for it had got around, as such things will, that he was an impostor, and it was supposed that he would not venture to show his face there again. The appearance of his rustic companion likewise attracted attention. Certainly, Mr. Montgomery (it makes little difference what we call him) did not exhibit the slightest appearance of apprehension4, but his manner was quite cool and self-possessed. He made his way to that part of the counter attended by the clerk with whom he had before spoken. He observed with pleasure and relief that the man who had questioned his identity with any of the ministers of Hayfield Centre was no longer in the store. This would make the recovery of the ring considerably5 easier.
“Well, sir,” he said, addressing the clerk, “I suppose you did not expect to see me again so soon?”
“No, sir.”
“Nor did I expect to be able to return for the ring before to-morrow, not supposing that I could bring witnesses to prove that I was what I represented. But fortunately I met just now a young friend, who can testify to my identity, as he has heard me preach frequently in Plainfield, where he resides. Mr. Young, will you be kind enough to tell this gentleman who I am?”
“Parson Barnes, of Hayfield Centre,” said the youth, confidently.
“You have heard me preach, have you not, in Plainfield?”
“Yes,” said the young man, fully6 believing that he was telling the truth.
“And I have called on your parents?”
“Yes.”
“I think,” said the adventurer, “that will be sufficient to convince you that I am what I appear.”
It was hard to doubt, in the face of such evidence. Ephraim Young was so unmistakably from the rural districts that it would have been absurd to suspect him of being an artful city rogue7. Besides, Mr. Barnes himself was got up so naturally that all the clerk's doubts vanished at once. He concluded that the customer who had questioned his genuineness must be very much mistaken.
“I ought to apologize to you, sir,” he said, “for doubting your word. But in a city like this you know one has to be very careful.”
“Of course,” said the adventurer, blandly8, “I do not blame you in the least. You only did your duty, though it might have cost me some trouble and inconvenience.”
“I am sorry, sir.”
“No apologies, I beg. It has all turned out right, and your mistake was a natural one. If you will kindly9 return me the ring, I will defer10 selling it, I think, till another day.”
The clerk brought the ring, which he handed back to Mr. Montgomery. The latter received it with so much the more satisfaction, as he had made up his mind at one time that it was gone irrevocably, and put it away in his waistcoat pocket.
“I had intended to buy some silver spoons,” he said, “but it will be necessary to wait until I have disposed of the ring. However, I may as well look at some, eh, Mrs. Barnes?”
“If you like,” assented12 the lady.
So the pair examined some spoons, and fixed13 upon a dozen, which they said they would return and buy on the next day, and then, with a polite good-by, went out of the store, leaving behind, on the whole, a favorable impression.
Ephraim Young accompanied them out, and walked along beside them in the street. He, too, was in good spirits, for had not his companion promised him five dollars for his services, which he had faithfully rendered? Five dollars to the young man from the rural districts was a very considerable sum of money—quite a nugget, in fact—and he already enjoyed in advance the pleasure which he anticipated of telling his friends at home how easily he had earned such a sum in “York.” He walked along beside the adventurer, expecting that he would say something about paying him, but no allusion14 was made by the adventurer to his promise. Indeed, five dollars was considerably more than he had in his possession. When they reached Amity15 street, for they were now proceeding16 up Broadway, he sought to shake off the young man, whose company he no longer desired.
“This is our way,” he said. “I suppose you are going further. I am very glad to have met you, Mr. Young. I hope you will give our regards to your excellent parents;” and he held out his hand in token of farewell.
“Ain't you goin' to pay me that money?” said Ephraim, bluntly, becoming alarmed at the prospect17 of losing the nugget he had counted on with so much confidence.
“Bless me, I came near forgetting it! I hope you will excuse me,” and to Ephraim's delight he drew out his pocketbook. But the prospect of payment was not so bright as the young man supposed.
“I don't think I have a five-dollar bill,” said Mr. Montgomery, after an examination of the pocketbook. “Mrs. Montgomery, do you happen to have a five with you?”
“No, I haven't,” said the lady, promptly18. “I spent all my money shopping this morning.”
“That is unfortunate. Our young friend has rendered us such a service I don't like to make him wait for his money.”
Ephraim Young looked rather blank at this suggestion.
“Let me see, I have a hundred-dollar bill here,” said Mr. Montgomery. “I will go into the next store, and see if I can't get it changed. Mr. Young, will you be kind enough to remain with my wife?”
“Certain,” said Ephraim, brightening up.
Mr. Montgomery went into a shop near by, but made no request to have a hundred-dollar bill changed. He was rather afraid that they might comply with his request, which would have subjected him to some embarrassment19. He merely inquired if he could use a pen for a moment; request which was readily granted. In less than five minutes he emerged into the street again. Ephraim Young looked toward him eagerly.
“I am sorry to say, my young friend,” he remarked, “that I was unable to get my bill changed. I might get it changed at a bank, but the banks are all closed at this hour.”
The countryman looked disturbed.
“I am afraid,” continued Mr. Montgomery, “I must wait and send you the money in a letter from Hayfield Centre.”
“I'd rather have it now,” said Ephraim.
“I am sorry to disappoint you,” said the adventurer smoothly20; “but after all you will only have a day or two to wait. To make up to you for the delay I have decided21 to send you ten dollars instead of five. Finding I could not change my bill, I wrote a note for the amount, which I will hand you.”
Ephraim received the paper, which the other handed him, and read as follows:
NEW YORK, Sept 15, 18—.
Three days from date I promise to pay Mr. Ephraim Young ten dollars.
JOTHAM BARNES, of Hayfield Centre.
“How will that do?” asked the adventurer. “By waiting three days you double your money.”
“You'll be sure to send it,” said Ephraim, doubtfully.
“My young friend, I hope you do not doubt me,” said the Rev11. Mr. Barnes, impressively.
“I guess it's all right,” said Ephraim, “only I thought I might like to spend the money in the city.”
“Much better save it up,” said the other. “By and by it may come in useful.”
Ephraim carefully folded up the note, and deposited it in an immense wallet, the gift of his father. He would have preferred the money which it represented: but three days would soon pass, and the ten dollars would be forwarded to him. He took leave of his new acquaintances, Mr. Montgomery shaking his hand with affectionate warmth, and requesting him to give his best respects to his parents. When Ephraim was out of sight he returned to his wife, with a humorous twinkle in his eye, and said:
“Wasn't that cleverly done, old lady?”
“Good enough!” remarked the lady. “Now you've got the ring back again, what are you going to do with it?”
“That, my dear, is a subject which requires the maturest consideration. I shall endeavor to convert it as soon as possible into the largest possible sum in greenbacks. Otherwise I am afraid our board bill, and the note I have just given to my rural friend, will remain unpaid22.”
 

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1 influential l7oxK     
adj.有影响的,有权势的
参考例句:
  • He always tries to get in with the most influential people.他总是试图巴结最有影响的人物。
  • He is a very influential man in the government.他在政府中是个很有影响的人物。
2 fulfill Qhbxg     
vt.履行,实现,完成;满足,使满意
参考例句:
  • If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了,你就要履行你的诺言。
  • This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。
3 rustic mCQz9     
adj.乡村的,有乡村特色的;n.乡下人,乡巴佬
参考例句:
  • It was nearly seven months of leisurely rustic living before Michael felt real boredom.这种悠闲的乡村生活过了差不多七个月之后,迈克尔开始感到烦闷。
  • We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him adjust.我们希望新鲜的空气和乡村的氛围能帮他调整自己。
4 apprehension bNayw     
n.理解,领悟;逮捕,拘捕;忧虑
参考例句:
  • There were still areas of doubt and her apprehension grew.有些地方仍然存疑,于是她越来越担心。
  • She is a girl of weak apprehension.她是一个理解力很差的女孩。
5 considerably 0YWyQ     
adv.极大地;相当大地;在很大程度上
参考例句:
  • The economic situation has changed considerably.经济形势已发生了相当大的变化。
  • The gap has narrowed considerably.分歧大大缩小了。
6 fully Gfuzd     
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地
参考例句:
  • The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气,然后全部呼出。
  • They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。
7 rogue qCfzo     
n.流氓;v.游手好闲
参考例句:
  • The little rogue had his grandpa's glasses on.这淘气鬼带上了他祖父的眼镜。
  • They defined him as a rogue.他们确定他为骗子。
8 blandly f411bffb7a3b98af8224e543d5078eb9     
adv.温和地,殷勤地
参考例句:
  • There is a class of men in Bristol monstrously prejudiced against Blandly. 布里斯托尔有那么一帮人为此恨透了布兰德利。 来自英汉文学 - 金银岛
  • \"Maybe you could get something in the stage line?\" he blandly suggested. “也许你能在戏剧这一行里找些事做,\"他和蔼地提议道。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
9 kindly tpUzhQ     
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。
10 defer KnYzZ     
vt.推迟,拖延;vi.(to)遵从,听从,服从
参考例句:
  • We wish to defer our decision until next week.我们希望推迟到下星期再作出决定。
  • We will defer to whatever the committee decides.我们遵从委员会作出的任何决定。
11 rev njvzwS     
v.发动机旋转,加快速度
参考例句:
  • It's his job to rev up the audience before the show starts.他要负责在表演开始前鼓动观众的热情。
  • Don't rev the engine so hard.别让发动机转得太快。
12 assented 4cee1313bb256a1f69bcc83867e78727     
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!
13 fixed JsKzzj     
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的
参考例句:
  • Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗?
  • Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定,我们就不应该随意改变。
14 allusion CfnyW     
n.暗示,间接提示
参考例句:
  • He made an allusion to a secret plan in his speech.在讲话中他暗示有一项秘密计划。
  • She made no allusion to the incident.她没有提及那个事件。
15 amity lwqzz     
n.友好关系
参考例句:
  • He lives in amity with his neighbours.他和他的邻居相处得很和睦。
  • They parted in amity.他们很友好地分别了。
16 proceeding Vktzvu     
n.行动,进行,(pl.)会议录,学报
参考例句:
  • This train is now proceeding from Paris to London.这次列车从巴黎开往伦敦。
  • The work is proceeding briskly.工作很有生气地进展着。
17 prospect P01zn     
n.前景,前途;景色,视野
参考例句:
  • This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
  • The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。
18 promptly LRMxm     
adv.及时地,敏捷地
参考例句:
  • He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。
  • She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。
19 embarrassment fj9z8     
n.尴尬;使人为难的人(事物);障碍;窘迫
参考例句:
  • She could have died away with embarrassment.她窘迫得要死。
  • Coughing at a concert can be a real embarrassment.在音乐会上咳嗽真会使人难堪。
20 smoothly iiUzLG     
adv.平滑地,顺利地,流利地,流畅地
参考例句:
  • The workmen are very cooperative,so the work goes on smoothly.工人们十分合作,所以工作进展顺利。
  • Just change one or two words and the sentence will read smoothly.这句话只要动一两个字就顺了。
21 decided lvqzZd     
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。
22 unpaid fjEwu     
adj.未付款的,无报酬的
参考例句:
  • Doctors work excessive unpaid overtime.医生过度加班却无报酬。
  • He's doing a month's unpaid work experience with an engineering firm.他正在一家工程公司无偿工作一个月以获得工作经验。


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