CHAPTER XXV. — IN PURSUIT OP A PLACE.

 Sam was more angry than discouraged when he reflected upon the imposition which had been practiced upon him. His indignation was excited when he considered how his confidence had been betrayed. Presently it occurred to him that Abner had served him no worse than he intended to serve his roommate in New York. The thought made him ashamed.

 

"I didn't think I was acting¹ so mean," he said to himself. "I am glad Henry didn't lose anything by me."

 

Another thought followed, and one which inspires confidence in Sam's reformation: "I'd rather have the money stolen from me than steal it from somebody else."

 

It was quite true that Sam's conscience had become more sensitive than formerly². His meeting with Julia Stockton on board the Fall River boat had kindled³ in him a new and honorable ambition to attain⁴ a respectable position in society. In a strange city, separated from his street acquaintances, it really seemed as if he stood some chance of realizing his hope, when he was met at the outset with this discouraging loss.

 

But Sam was not discouraged. He had been dependent upon his own resources for too many years to give up easily. Moreover, he was hopeful and sanguine⁵ by temperament⁶, and determined⁷ to make the best of his position. There was this to encourage him. He had paid a week's board in advance, and therefore was sure of regular meals, and a comfortable lodging⁸ for six days to come. In that time he might get a situation.

 

"As you are alone, Mr. Barker," said Mrs. Campbell, "I am afraid I must put you into the single room. I may have opportunities to let this to two persons."

 

"All right," said Sam, "but I have only paid seven dollars. You said you should expect eight for the small room."

 

"No matter about that for this week," said the landlady⁹. "You have been unfortunate, and I will take that into consideration."

 

"Thank you. When I'm a rich merchant I'll make it up to you."

 

"I hope you will become one, for your own sake," said Mrs. Campbell, smiling.

 

When breakfast was over, Sam strolled out into the streets. He felt that the sooner he got something to do the better. Certainly in his situation there was no time to lose. He had found out that the leading retail¹⁰ stores were on Washington Street, and it seemed to him a good plan to begin there.

 

The first he selected was a dry-goods store. He entered, and looked about him, inquiringly. A salesman asked him, briskly: "What can I show you to-day?"

 

"If you'll show me a situation where I can make a living, you'll oblige me," answered Sam.

 

"We don't keep such goods for sale," said the salesman, smiling.

 

"Then perhaps you give them away. Can I speak to the boss?"

 

"There he is," said the young man—"at the end of the store."

 

"What is his name?"

 

"Hunter."

 

Sam was not bashful. He went up to Mr. Hunter and called him by name.

 

"Can I speak to you on business?" he asked.

 

"What kind of business?"

 

"I want a place," said Sam, bluntly.

 

"We are not engaging any new clerks at present. Where do you live?"

 

"I have just come from New York."

 

"Did you have any experience there in the dry-goods line?"

 

"No, sir."

 

"Then you know nothing about it."

 

"Oh, yes, sir; I can tell calico from silk."

 

"That's more than I can always do," said Mr. Hunter, jocosely¹¹. "I took you for silk, and I find you to be calico."

 

"You've got me there," said Sam. "Then you can't give me anything to do?"

 

"I don't think it would be for my advantage to engage you. Do you think so?"

 

"I think it would be for mine," said Sam. "I guess I will look further."

 

"I am afraid I don't know much about business," thought Sam. "I wish I knew what I am fit for, and I'd go for it."

 

He kept on his way down Washington Street, and entered the next large store, where he repeated his request for a place. Here he was not so well treated.

 

"Clear out, you young loafer!" was the rude response.

 

"Thank you," said Sam, coolly. "You're extremely polite."

 

"I don't waste my politeness on such fellows as you," said the clerk, disagreeably.

 

"I wouldn't," retorted Sam. "You don't seem to have any to spare."

 

"I guess I don't stand much chance there," he considered. "I wouldn't want to be in the same store with that hog¹², anyway."

 

The next store was devoted¹³ to millinery. Just outside was a small piece of paper on which Sam read "Little Girl Wanted."

 

He went in. Those in charge of the store he found to be females.

 

"You've got a notice in the window for help," said Sam.

 

"Yes," was the reply. "Do you want it for your sister?"

 

"I think not," replied Sam. "I haven't any sister, to begin with."

 

"Then what is your business?"

 

"I want a place for myself."

 

"Did you read the notice? It says 'Little Girl Wanted.' Are you a little girl?"

 

"Not that I am aware of," said Sam; "but I can do a little girl's work."

 

"Perhaps you would not be willing to take a little girl's pay."

 

"How much is the pay?"

 

"Two dollars a week."

 

"Declined with thanks," said Sam, promptly¹⁴. "I don't like to disappoint you, but that wouldn't pay for my wardrobe."

 

The lady smiled. "I'm sorry I can't do anything for you," she said, amused.

 

"So am I," said Sam.

 

Presently he discovered a sign, "Boy Wanted," and this inspired in him some hope. He entered, and made known his wishes.

 

"You are altogether too large," said a brisk-looking man, eying him rapidly. "We want a boy of twelve."

 

"Can't I do as much as a boy of twelve?" asked Sam.

 

"Probably you can. Do you reside with your parents?"

 

"No, sir."

 

"Where do you live?"

 

"I board on Harrison Avenue."

 

"How much do you pay for board?"

 

"Seven dollars a week."

 

"Have you any means of your own?"

 

"No."

 

"Then you don't want a situation with us. We give only three dollars a week."

 

By this time Sam began to feel a little despondent¹⁵.

 

There were situations for small girls and small boys, but none for him.

 

"Why didn't I stay a small boy?" he reflected.

 

But, after all, it is a question whether three dollars would defray the expenses of even a small boy.

 

"Boston don't seem to be much of a business place, after all," thought Sam; but, perhaps, it was hardly fair to draw such a conclusion from his own failure to procure¹⁶ a situation. Sam made one or two more ineffectual applications, which did not tend to improve his spirits. As he came out of the last one, he saw, to his great joy, Julia Stockton passing by. She recognized him at the same moment.

 

"Good-morning, Mr. Barker," she said, frankly¹⁷, holding out her hand. "Are you out shopping this morning?"

 

"It'll be some time before I go shopping," said Sam.

 

"Why so?"

 

"I had all my money stolen last night."

 

"You did! What a shame! Tell me all about it," said Julia, sympathizingly.

 

Sam told his story, the young lady showing her warm sympathy in her expressive¹⁸ face.

 

"How will you get along without money?" she asked.

 

"I must get a place right off," said Sam.

 

"If—if you wouldn't mind," said Julia, in an embarrassed tone, "I have five dollars that I have no use for. Won't you let me lend it to you?"

 

Sam, to his credit be it spoken, declined the tempting¹⁹ proposal.

 

"I am just as much obliged to you, Miss Julia," he said, "but I can get along somehow. I have got my board paid for a week in advance, and something will turn up in that time, I am sure."

 

"Won't you take it, then? I really don't need it," said Julia, earnestly.

 

"If I get very hard up, I'll remember your kind offer," said Sam.

 

"You'll be sure to do it, Sam?"

 

"Yes, I'll be sure."

 

"I must bid you good-morning now," said Julia. "I'm going into Loring's Library to get a new book. Here it is, close by. I am glad I met you."

 

"Thank you," said Sam.

 

"Don't forget to call at the house. Mamma will be glad to see you."

 

"I would feel more like calling, if I had a place," thought Sam, soberly. "She's a bully²⁰ girl and no mistake, but I wouldn't like to take money from her. It's the first time I ever refused five dollars that I can remember."

1 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

2 formerly   

adv.从前，以前

参考例句：

• We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
• This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。

3 kindled   

（使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光

参考例句：

• We watched as the fire slowly kindled. 我们看着火慢慢地燃烧起来。
• The teacher's praise kindled a spark of hope inside her. 老师的赞扬激起了她内心的希望。

4 attain   

vt.达到，获得，完成

参考例句：

• I used the scientific method to attain this end. 我用科学的方法来达到这一目的。
• His painstaking to attain his goal in life is praiseworthy. 他为实现人生目标所下的苦功是值得称赞的。

5 sanguine   

adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的

参考例句：

• He has a sanguine attitude to life.他对于人生有乐观的看法。
• He is not very sanguine about our chances of success.他对我们成功的机会不太乐观。

6 temperament   

n.气质，性格，性情

参考例句：

• The analysis of what kind of temperament you possess is vital.分析一下你有什么样的气质是十分重要的。
• Success often depends on temperament.成功常常取决于一个人的性格。

7 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。

8 lodging   

n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍

参考例句：

• The bill is inclusive of the food and lodging. 账单包括吃、住费用。
• Where can you find lodging for the night? 你今晚在哪里借宿?

9 landlady   

n.女房东，女地主

参考例句：

• I heard my landlady creeping stealthily up to my door.我听到我的女房东偷偷地来到我的门前。
• The landlady came over to serve me.女店主过来接待我。

10 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

11 jocosely   

adv.说玩笑地，诙谐地

参考例句：

12 hog   

n.猪；馋嘴贪吃的人；vt.把…占为己有，独占

参考例句：

• He is greedy like a hog.他像猪一样贪婪。
• Drivers who hog the road leave no room for other cars.那些占着路面的驾驶员一点余地都不留给其他车辆。

13 devoted   

adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的

参考例句：

• He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。

14 promptly   

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。

15 despondent   

adj.失望的，沮丧的，泄气的

参考例句：

• He was up for a time and then，without warning,despondent again.他一度兴高采烈，但忽然又情绪低落下来。
• I feel despondent when my work is rejected.作品被拒后我感到很沮丧。

16 procure   

vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条

参考例句：

• Can you procure some specimens for me?你能替我弄到一些标本吗？
• I'll try my best to procure you that original French novel.我将尽全力给你搞到那本原版法国小说。

17 frankly   

adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说

参考例句：

• To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
• Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

18 expressive   

adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的

参考例句：

• Black English can be more expressive than standard English.黑人所使用的英语可能比正式英语更有表现力。
• He had a mobile,expressive,animated face.他有一张多变的，富于表情的，生动活泼的脸。

19 tempting   

a.诱人的, 吸引人的

参考例句：

• It is tempting to idealize the past. 人都爱把过去的日子说得那么美好。
• It was a tempting offer. 这是个诱人的提议。

20 bully   

n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮

参考例句：

• A bully is always a coward.暴汉常是懦夫。
• The boy gave the bully a pelt on the back with a pebble.那男孩用石子掷击小流氓的背脊。