"How are you?" said Pliny, in a sudden burst of sociability.
"Pretty well, thank you!" answered Frank, finding it rather difficult topreserve his gravity.
"I am in a store," said Pliny.
"In your father's store?"
"No. He wouldn't pay me as much as I get where I am."
Mr. Tarbox looked embarrassed.
"A smaller boy answered my purpose," he said, in an explanatory manner."Pliny is suited for higher duties. But our supper is ready. It isfrugal compared with yours at the Cedars, my dear Frank, but you areheartily welcome to it."
"It looks very nice, Mr. Tarbox," said our hero, "and I have not beenaccustomed to luxurious living."
This answer pleased Mr. and Mrs. Tarbox. Even if Frank should become aboarder on liberal terms, they didn't wish to spend too much on theirtable.
"We couldn't get sirloin steak," said Mr. Tarbox; "but I hope you willfind this good."
"No doubt I shall," said Frank, politely.
"Won't you have another piece of steak?" asked Mrs. Tarbox.
Frank saw that there was but a small piece left, and, though hisappetite was not wholly satisfied, he answered:
"No, thank you."
"I will!" said Pliny, quickly.
Mrs. Tarbox frowned at her son, but did not venture to refuse in thepresence of her guest. She cut off a small portion of the steak, and,with a severe look, put it on the extended plate of Pliny.
"You've got a good appetite, Pliny," said Julia.
"So would you have, if you had to work like me!" grumbled Pliny.
After the steak came an apple pie, which was cut into seven pieces. Mrs.Tarbox managed to make Frank's piece a little larger than the rest.
Her husband observed it with approval. He was very desirous that Frankshould be satisfied with his fare.
When Pliny rose from the table, saying that he must be getting back tothe store, Frank rose also.
"I will go with you," he said, "if you have no objection. I would liketo take a walk."
"Come along," said Pliny. "I should like to have company."
"You will be a great deal of company for Pliny," observed Mr. Tarbox,rubbing his hands with satisfaction. "Just of an age and of congenialtastes."
Frank hardly expected to find Pliny very congenial, but he wished toobtain some information, which he thought the latter could give him,and he also wanted to see something of Newark.
"I say, your name is Frank, isn't it?" commenced Pliny:
"Yes."
"The old man's awful glad to see you."
"I am glad of it. He has received me very kindly."
"Got up an extra supper for you. We don't often get steak for supper."
This was rather an embarrassing revelation, and surprised Franksomewhat. The supper had not seemed to him at all extra. It would do,but was far from luxurious.
"I hope you'll stay with us a good while," continued Pliny.
"Thank you."
"You see we shall live better while you are with us, and the rest of uswill be gainers."
"I don't want to put your father to any unusual expense."
"Oh, he can afford it! But he's stingy, father is. He doesn't spend anymore than he can help."
"It is best to be economical, I suppose."
"When you don't carry it too far. I say, Frank," continued Pliny,lowering his voice, "you can't lend me five dollars, can you?"
Frank regarded Pliny with astonishment. The proposal was very abrupt,especially when the shortness of their acquaintance was considered.
"Are you particularly in need of money?" asked Frank.
"Well, you see," said Pliny, "I want it for a particular purpose."
"Why not ask your father for it?"
"Oh, he'd never let me have it!"
Now, in Frank's present circumstances, five dollars represented a gooddeal of money. He was the more impressed with the necessity of economysince he had found out how small were the wages paid in stores to boysof his age.
He did not feel at all inclined to grant Pliny's request, especially ashe had a strong suspicion that it would be a long time before the sumwould be returned.
"Why do you apply to me, Pliny?" he asked, seriously.
"Didn't your mother die and leave you a big property? Father says youmust be worth more than a hundred thousand dollars."
"Your father probably has not heard of the will," said Frank, quietly.
"What was there in the will?" asked Pliny.
"The whole property was left to Mr. Manning."
"Who is he?"
"My stepfather."
"And nothing to you?"
"Nothing to me."
"But he's got to take care of you, hasn't he?"
"It was expected, but I am going to earn my own living, if I can."
Pliny stopped short in blank amazement and whistled.
"Then you haven't got a lot of money?"
"No."
"Won't your stepfather give you a part of the property?"
"I haven't asked him, but I don't think he will."
"And why did you come to Newark?"
"I thought your father might give me some help about getting a place."
"If this isn't the richest joke!" said Pliny, laughing uproariously.
"Where is the joke? I don't see it," returned Frank, inclined to beangry.
"The way you have taken in the old man. He thinks you are rich, and hastreated you accordingly--got up an extra supper and all that. Oh, it'stoo good!"
"I certainly didn't intend to take him in, as you call it," said Frank."The sooner you tell him the better."
"I'll tell him," said Pliny. "I shall enjoy seeing how provoked he'llbe."
"I think I will leave you," said Frank, shortly. "I will take a walk bymyself.
"Well, don't lose your way. Oh, I wish the store was shut! I want totell the old man."
And Pliny laughed again, while our hero walked off in disgust.
CHAPTER XVII
THE WAY OF THE WORLD
Frank felt like an impostor when he discovered that his cordialreception was wholly owing to the belief that he was his mother's heir.
The situation was unpleasant, and he was impatient to have Mr. Tarboxundeceived. He was sure that Pliny would lose no time in revealing histrue position, and decided not to return to the house of Mr. Tarbox tillnine o'clock, when the story would have been told.
He wandered about aimlessly till he heard the city clocks strike nine,and then rang the bell at his relation's house.
The family, with the exception of the two younger children, wereassembled in the common sitting room.
As Frank entered, instead of the cordial welcome he had previouslyreceived, he noticed a look of coldness and constraint on the faces ofMr. and Mrs. Tarbox, while Pliny looked as if some stupendous joke wasbeing perpetrated.
"Good-evening!" said Frank, politely. "I have been taking a walk."
"My son Pliny tells me," said Mr. Tarbox, "that you have not inheritedyour mother's property."
Frank bowed.
"And that it has gone to your stepfather."
"It seems so."
"I am amazed."
"So was I, sir."
"Your mother has practically disinherited you?"
"It was not my mother, sir," said Frank, hastily. "I can't explain it,but I'm sure she would not will away everything from me."
"Do you suspect your stepfather of anything irregular?" asked Mr.Tarbox, briskly.
"I would rather not answer your question, sir. I don't care to make anycharges which I cannot prove."
"And so Mr. Manning has sent you out into the world to earn your ownliving, has he?"
"No, sir. He has consented that I may do so. It was my own plan."
Much as Frank was prejudiced against his stepfather, his natural senseof justice would not allow him to accuse him unjustly.
"Did he suggest that you should come to me?" asked Mr. Tarbox, in atone which Frank did not like.
&
nbsp; "No, sir."
"So that was your idea, too," continued Mr. Tarbox, with a palpablesneer.
"Yes, sir," answered Frank. "You are not a very near relative, but thenearest I know of, and I supposed you would be willing to give me someadvice about the best means of earning my living. I remembered," hecould not help adding, "that my mother received you all as guests for aconsiderable time, and I thought I might take the liberty."
"Oh, certainly!" returned Mr. Tarbox, rather abashed. "I am, of course,ready to give you advice, and my first advice is to seek a lawyer andlet him institute a suit against your stepfather, on speculation. Thatis, he gets nothing if he fails, but obtains a commission if hesucceeds. I could myself recommend a reliable man."
"Thank you, sir; but I have no present thought of contesting the will."
"I think you make a mistake. Do I understand that you expect to earnyour own living?"
"I shall try to do so."
"You will find it very difficult. You may expect me to take you into myown store, but there is no vacancy, and--"
Frank hastily assured Mr. Tarbox that he had no such expectations. Hehad no wish to deprive the errand boy of the two dollars a week, whichhe probably richly earned.
"Situations in Newark are not easily obtained," proceeded Mr. Tarbox. "Iam willing that you should stay with us a day or two, but I don't thinkyou will find it worth your while to stay here."
Mr. Tarbox feared that his young relative might expect to find a homefree of charge in his house, and such an arrangement did not suit hiseconomical ideas. There was no profit in it, but, on the contrary, apositive loss. Frank read clearly the thoughts of his host, with thehelp of what Pliny had told him, and, expressing his thanks verybriefly, announced his intention to go to New York the next morning.
"It may be the best thing you can do!" said Mr. Tarbox, relieved. "NewYork opens a much wider field to a boy of enterprise than Newark, andprobably you will pick up something to do."
"It won't be my fault, if I don't," said Frank.
"You have my best wishes," said Mr. Tarbox. "The demands of my familyforbid me offering you any pecuniary assistance, but--"
"I don't stand in need of it, sir. I have money enough to keep me till Iget started in something."
"Really, I am very glad to hear it!"
And there is no doubt that Mr. Tarbox was sincere.
"I wonder how much money he has got?" thought Pliny. "Perhaps he'd lendme two dollars. I'll ask him, if I have a chance."
Pliny proposed to borrow, not because he needed the money, but becausehe liked to levy contributions upon any available party, with a veryfaint idea of repaying the same. The money would go to swell his depositat the savings bank. It was very commendable, of course, to save hismoney, but not at the expense of others, as Pliny too frequently did.
"I have moved you out of the spare room," said Mrs. Tarbox, when ourhero asked permission to retire, "and put you in the same room withPliny. I suppose you won't mind?"
"Just as you please, Mrs. Tarbox," said Frank, though he would havepreferred to have passed the night alone.
"Could you make it convenient to lend me two dollars?" asked Pliny, asthey went up to bed together.
"Not just now," answered Frank. "When I get something to do I shall notneed to be so careful of my money."
"One dollar would answer," persisted Pliny.
Without a word, Frank drew a dollar bill from his pocketbook and handedit to Pliny.
"Now," he thought, "I shall not feel under any obligations to thefamily."
"You're a good fellow, even if you are poor," said Pliny, in high goodhumor.
Frank was tired, and it was not long before all his anxieties for futurewere lost sight of in a sound and refreshing slumber.
CHAPTER XVIII
FRANK ARRIVES IN NEW YORK
The breakfast the next morning was very meager. It was no longer anobject to gratify Frank's palate, now that he turned out to be a poorrelation, and the family returned to their usual plain diet.
"So you are resolved to go to New York this morning," said Mr. Tarbox."Of course it would gratify us to have you remain longer, but Iappreciate your anxiety to go to work."
Frank was by no means deceived by this statement. He knew very wellthat Mr. Tarbox would be relieved by his departure, but of thisknowledge he made no sign. He merely said that he thought it best to go.
He took leave of his hosts, and, purchasing a ticket at the railwaystation, found himself within an hour in New York. He had been therebefore, but it was not for a long time, and he had but a vague generalidea of the city.
Frank made inquiries of a kindly man who owned a clean little store onone of the streets. The latter knew of places where Frank could boardand lodge for five dollars a week or about that and directed Frank tothem. They were all near University Place. He found the place withoutdifficulty.
A slipshod servant answered the bell.
"Have you got any small rooms?" asked Frank.
"Yes," answered the girl. "Missus is out, but I'll show you a hallbedroom, if you like."
"I should like to see it."
Frank followed the girl upstairs.
He was not favorably impressed by the appearance of the interior. He didnot so much mind its being shabby, but he was repelled by the evidentlack of neatness.
The girl threw open the door of a small hall bedroom at the head of thestairs, but it looked so comfortless that he felt sure he should notlike it. He thought it best, however, to inquire the price.
"Five dollars a week with board," answered the girl.
"I don't think it will suit me," said our hero.
"There's a larger room for seven dollars," said the servant.
"No. I think I will look elsewhere."
The next house was not much better, but the third was much neater andmore attractive, and Frank agreed to take a room at five dollars perweek.
It was a small hall bedroom, but it looked clean, and the lady whoshowed him about the house was very neat in her dress.
"When will you come?" asked the lady.
"Now," replied Frank, promptly.
"Would you mind paying the first week in advance?"
"Not at all. Here is the money."
And Frank drew a five-dollar bill from his portemonnaie.
"Thank you!" said the boarding-house keeper. "I have lost so much byboarders going away owing me money that I am obliged to ask gentlemen topay in advance till I am well acquainted with them."
"That is quite right," said Frank. "What is your dinner hour?"
"Six o'clock. We have lunch at half-past twelve for the ladies, but ifany gentleman happens to be at home at that time, he can go in."
Frank looked at his watch. It was only eleven o'clock and as so much ofthe day remained, he decided, as soon as he had unpacked his valise, togo downtown and look for a place without delay.
"I shall not be here at lunch to-day," he said. "You may expect me atdinner."
There was a small bureau in the room--a piece of furniture not oftenfound in hall bedrooms.
Frank deposited the contents of the valise in the bureau drawers, andthen went downstairs and out into the street.
CHAPTER XIX
FRANK SEEKS EMPLOYMENT IN VAIN
It was a bright, pleasant day, and Broadway looked very lively. In spiteof his being alone in a strange city, with uncertain prospects, Frankfelt in good spirits.
Boys of his age usually like excitement and bustle, and Frank was quickto notice the shifting scenes of the great panorama.
"Here are thousands of people," he reflected, "all of whom make a livingin some way. I don't see why I can't succeed as well as they."
Some of the objects he saw amused him.
In front of him walked an elderly man with a large placard strapped tohis back, on which was the advertisement of a "Great Clothing Emporium."
"I don't think I should fancy that kind of employment," thought ourhero.
As he was look
ing in at a shop window, a boy about his own age hailedhim.
"I say, Johnny, what's the price of turnips?"
"Do you want to buy any?" asked Frank quietly.
"Well, I might. Have you got any with you?"
"I am sorry I can't supply you," said Frank, coolly. "Up our way we keepour cattle on turnips."
"You ain't so green, after all," said the boy, laughing good-naturedly.
"Thank you for the compliment!"
"I suppose I look countrylike," thought Frank, "but it won't last long.I shall get used to city ways."
Close by he saw in a window the sign:
"CASH BOY WANTED."
Frank as not altogether certain about the duties of cash boys nor theirrate of compensation, but he made up his mind not to lose sight of anychances, and accordingly stepped into the store.
It proved to be a large dry-goods store.
Near the entrance he met a tall man, with black whiskers.
"Do you want any cash boys?" inquired Frank.
"Are you inquiring for yourself?"
"Yes, sir."
"You are too large. Besides, you would not be satisfied with the wages?"
"How much do you pay, sir?"
"Two dollars a week."
"No; I don't think I should like to work for that," said Frank. "Arethose cash boys?" he asked, pointing out some boys of apparently ten totwelve years, old, who were flitting about from desk to counter.
Making His Way; Or, Frank Courtney's Struggle Upward Page 7