CHAPTER XI. — HENRY BECOMES A MERCHANT.

 While Sam was impatiently awaiting the drawing of the Havana lottery¹, Henry; too, made an investment, but of an entirely² different character.

 

He was in the employ of a shipping³ house, which dispatched vessels⁴ to different parts of the world with assorted⁵ cargoes⁶. The head of the firm was James Hamilton, a man who stood deservedly high, not only in the mercantile world, but as a citizen. He had served his native city as an alderman, and had been offered the nomination⁸ for mayor by the party to which he belonged, but had declined, on account of the imperative⁹ claims of his private business.

 

Mr. Hamilton had long noticed, with a feeling of approval, Henry Martin's faithful performance of duty. Though he had not promoted him rapidly, he was observing him carefully, fully¹⁰ determined¹¹ to serve him in the future if he should deserve it. This Henry did not know. His employer was not a man of many words, and he was not aware that he had attracted his attention. Sometimes even he felt depressed¹² by the thought that he was getting on so slowly. But it did not so affect him as to make him careless or neglectful of his duties. Even if he did not obtain promotion¹³, he meant to deserve it.

 

One morning, about this time, a clerk came to Henry, and said: "Mr. Hamilton wishes to see you in his private office."

 

Henry was a little startled. The idea came to him that he might have done something which had displeased¹⁴ his employer, and that he was to be reprimanded, perhaps discharged. This would be so disastrous¹⁵ to him that the thought of it made him turn pale. Still, think as he might, he could not call to mind any error he had committed, and this somewhat encouraged him.

 

He entered the office, saying, respectfully: "Did you wish to see me, sir?"

 

"Yes," said the merchant, looking up from his writing; "sit down, please."

 

It may be remarked that it was Mr. Hamilton's custom to be as polite to his subordinates as to his social equals.

 

Henry sat down.

 

"How long have you been in my employ, Henry?" asked the merchant.

 

"I am now on my fourth year."

 

"How old are you?"

 

"Nearly sixteen, sir."

 

"You entered upon your business career very early."

 

"Yes, sir, earlier than I wished, but I was obliged to earn my living, and had no choice."

 

"Have you parents living?"

 

"No, sir."

 

"Are you entirely dependent upon what I pay you for your support?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"I hope you don't get into debt?"

 

"No, sir; I have even saved a little money."

 

"Indeed!" said his employer, with interest. "What have you done with it?"

 

"Deposited it in the Sixpenny Savings¹⁶ Bank."

 

"That is well. How much have you saved?"

 

"Thirty-five dollars. It isn't much, but it is a beginning."

 

"It is a good deal for a boy in your circumstances to save," said Mr. Hamilton, with emphasis. "How much do I pay you?"

 

"Five dollars a week."

 

"I suppose you consider that small pay?"

 

Henry smiled.

 

"Any addition will be acceptable," he answered; "but I don't complain of it."

 

"It shall be raised to seven at once," said the merchant.

 

"Thank you, sir," said Henry, his face showing the delight he felt. "You are very kind. I shall feel quite rich now."

 

"I suppose you will now live in a little better style," suggested Mr. Hamilton.

 

"I don't think I shall, sir. I shall increase my savings."

 

"That is well. I commend your self-denial and prudence¹⁷. How much interest does the savings-bank pay you?"

 

"Six per cent., sir."

 

"I will propose a different investment. I am about to send a cargo⁷ of goods to Rotterdam. The venture will, I think, prove a paying one. Would you like to join in it?"

 

Henry stared at his employer in surprise. How could he, a boy with thirty-five dollars capital, join in such an enterprise?

 

"I don't see how I can," he replied. "I am afraid you take me for a capitalist."

 

"So you are," said his employer. "Have you not money in the bank?"

 

Henry smiled.

 

"I don't think that will go very far," he said.

 

"Perhaps not, and, therefore, if you are going to take part in my venture, I suggest that you borrow five hundred dollars."

 

Henry was surprised once more. He began to think Mr. Hamilton was out of his head. Yet he did not look so. On the contrary, as he smiled kindly¹⁸ upon Henry, he looked what he was, a shrewd, kindly, long-headed man of business. Still, he had just advised an almost penniless boy to borrow five hundred dollars.

 

"I don't know anybody that would lend me so much money," said Henry.

 

"Why don't you apply to me?" suggested his employer.

 

"Would you lend me five hundred dollars?" asked the boy, in surprise.

 

"Am I to regard that as an application?" inquired Mr. Hamilton.

 

"Yes, sir," said Henry, "if you think it well for me to borrow it."

 

"Then I answer yes, upon conditions. First, let me explain why I advise you to borrow. I have little doubt that you will find the venture a profitable one. Next, you may place your savings-bank book in my hands as security. Thirty-five dollars will pay a year's interest on the five hundred dollars I lend you; so my interest is secure."

 

"But suppose the speculation¹⁹ shouldn't pay, Mr. Hamilton?"

 

"As to that, I know so much about it that I am willing to take the risk. I do not scruple²⁰ to say that if the money were to be placed in your hands for investment, according to your own judgment²¹, I should have some doubts as to your being able to repay it to me at the end of the year."

 

"Probably you are right, sir," said Henry.

 

"But, as it is, I am willing to take the risk. Do you think of any objections?"

 

"I was only thinking," said Henry, "that I might want to save up more money from my wages; but if you have the book I could not have them entered."

 

"There will be no trouble about that. Though you leave this book with me, you can start another account in another savings-bank. Indeed, I would advise you to do so. There is an old saying: 'Never put all your eggs in one basket.' So it may be as well to divide your money between two banks."

 

"I didn't think of that, sir. I will follow your advice."

 

"I don't know that I have any more to say to you. We understand each other now. I will put you down on my books as a partner, to the extent of five hundred dollars, in my Rotterdam shipment, and you may place the savings-bank book in my hands tomorrow."

 

"Thank you, sir. I am very grateful to you for your kind interest in me."

 

"That is a good boy one of the right stamp," soliloquized the merchant. "A boy who has the prudence and self-denial to save money out of a weekly income of five dollars is bound to succeed in life. I will push him as he deserves."

 

"Well, Henry," asked the clerk, curiously²², "have you been receiving a lecture from the boss?"

 

"Yes," answered Henry, smiling.

 

"Did he blow you up?"

 

"Not very high."

 

"You've been with him full twenty minutes."

 

"We were discussing important business," said Henry.

 

"I hope it was satisfactory to you."

 

"Very much so."

 

"You haven't had your pay raised, have you?"

 

"Yes."

 

"How much?"

 

"From five to seven dollars a week."

 

"That's a good raise. I wonder whether I'm to be raised, too."

 

"Perhaps so."

 

"I hope so, for I'm fifty dollars in debt, and don't see how I am to pay it."

 

"You get twelve dollars a week, don't you?"

 

"Yes; but what's twelve dollars?"

 

"I have been living on five."

 

"And you don't owe anything?"

 

"Not a cent."

 

"Blessed if I see how you do it! I need fifteen, and I ought to have it."

 

"He's like Sam," thought Henry. "If Mr. Hamilton finds out that he is in debt, he won't stand much chance of having his wages raised. I'm glad I've got something ahead. It makes me feel independent. I hope I shall make something on my borrowed money."

 

So Henry and Sam have both made investments. It remains²³ to be seen how they will come out.

1 lottery   

n.抽彩；碰运气的事，难于算计的事

参考例句：

• He won no less than ￡5000 in the lottery.他居然中了5000英镑的奖券。
• They thought themselves lucky in the lottery of life.他们认为自己是变幻莫测的人生中的幸运者。

2 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

3 shipping   

n.船运（发货，运输，乘船）

参考例句：

• We struck a bargain with an American shipping firm.我们和一家美国船运公司谈成了一笔生意。
• There's a shipping charge of ￡5 added to the price.价格之外另加五英镑运输费。

4 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 assorted   

adj.各种各样的，各色俱备的

参考例句：

• There's a bag of assorted sweets on the table.桌子上有一袋什锦糖果。
• He has always assorted with men of his age.他总是与和他年令相仿的人交往。

6 cargoes   

n.（船或飞机装载的）货物( cargo的名词复数 )；大量，重负

参考例句：

• This ship embarked cargoes. 这艘船装载货物。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The crew lashed cargoes of timber down. 全体船员将木材绑牢。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 cargo   

n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物

参考例句：

• The ship has a cargo of about 200 ton.这条船大约有200吨的货物。
• A lot of people discharged the cargo from a ship.许多人从船上卸下货物。

8 nomination   

n.提名，任命，提名权

参考例句：

• John is favourite to get the nomination for club president.约翰最有希望被提名为俱乐部主席。
• Few people pronounced for his nomination.很少人表示赞成他的提名。

9 imperative   

n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的

参考例句：

• He always speaks in an imperative tone of voice.他老是用命令的口吻讲话。
• The events of the past few days make it imperative for her to act.过去这几天发生的事迫使她不得不立即行动。

10 fully   

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。

11 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

12 depressed   

adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的

参考例句：

• When he was depressed,he felt utterly divorced from reality.他心情沮丧时就感到完全脱离了现实。
• His mother was depressed by the sad news.这个坏消息使他的母亲意志消沉。

13 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

14 displeased   

a.不快的

参考例句：

• The old man was displeased and darted an angry look at me. 老人不高兴了，瞪了我一眼。
• He was displeased about the whole affair. 他对整个事情感到很不高兴。

15 disastrous   

adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的

参考例句：

• The heavy rainstorm caused a disastrous flood.暴雨成灾。
• Her investment had disastrous consequences.She lost everything she owned.她的投资结果很惨，血本无归。

16 savings   

n.存款，储蓄

参考例句：

• I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假，那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
• By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时，他的存款已全部用完。

17 prudence   

n.谨慎，精明，节俭

参考例句：

• A lack of prudence may lead to financial problems.不够谨慎可能会导致财政上出现问题。
• The happy impute all their success to prudence or merit.幸运者都把他们的成功归因于谨慎或功德。

18 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。

19 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。

20 scruple   

n./v.顾忌，迟疑

参考例句：

• It'seemed to her now that she could marry him without the remnant of a scruple.她觉得现在她可以跟他成婚而不需要有任何顾忌。
• He makes no scruple to tell a lie.他说起谎来无所顾忌。

21 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

22 curiously   

adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地

参考例句：

• He looked curiously at the people.他好奇地看着那些人。
• He took long stealthy strides. His hands were curiously cold.他迈着悄没声息的大步。他的双手出奇地冷。

23 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。