CHAPTER X.
AN IMPORTANT COMMISSION.
"No. 79!" called the superintendent.
Mark Mason came forward to receive his commission. He had been sittingon a bench with several other telegraph boys, awaiting a call.
"Do you know Henry Swan, jeweler?" asked the superintendent, referringto a paper in his hand.
"Yes, sir; that is, I met him lately in a Fifth Avenue stage."
"He has sent for a telegraph boy, No. 79 preferred."
Mark smiled with pleasure.
"I am glad he remembers me," he said.
"You may go there at once."
Mark put on his cap and went to the jeweler's store. As he entered, Mr.Swan, who was crossing from one side of the store to the other,recognized him.
"You see I haven't forgotten you," he said.
"I am glad of that, sir."
"The boy in my employ has sent word that he is sick. It is necessaryfor me to supply his place. In my business fidelity and sharpness arerequisite. I knew that you possess these traits, and as I don't want toexperiment with a new boy of whom I know nothing, I sent for you."
"I will try to meet your wishes, sir."
"To begin with, have you another suit? I don't want you to wear theuniform of a telegraph boy while you are in my employ."
"Yes, sir. Shall I go home and get it?"
"On the whole, no. I will give you an order on a clothier in FultonStreet for a new suit."
"You are very kind, Mr. Swan," said Mark in astonishment. "I have donenothing to deserve such kindness."
"Not yet," answered the jeweler pleasantly; "but perhaps you may soon.Take this note to Knight Brothers, and you will have no trouble."
This was the note.
* * * * *
"KNIGHT BROTHERS, FULTON STREET:
"Fit out this boy with a nice suit and send the bill to me.
"HENRY SWAN."
* * * * *
Mark lost no time in visiting the clothiers.
"What can I do for you, young man?" asked the salesman.
"This note will explain," said Mark.
The salesman opened and read it.
"It will be all right," he said. "Mr. Swan gets his clothes here, but hehas them made to order. Do you want one made to order or ready made?"
"Ready made. I want to put it on to-day."
"Come up-stairs then."
In twenty minutes Mark left the store attired in a nice eighteen dollarsuit. He would have selected a cheaper one, but the salesman overruledhim.
"Mr. Swan never buys a cheap suit or inferior article," he said. "In theletter he wishes you to have a nice suit, and we must followdirections."
"I don't want to abuse his generosity."
"You won't. He is a very liberal man. He is teacher of a class of fivepoor boys in a mission Sunday-school. Last Christmas he sent them all inhere for new suits."
"If that is the case," said Mark, "I shall feel easier."
When he reappeared at the jeweler's Mr. Swan regarded him with criticalapproval.
"You have made a good selection," he said.
"I hope I didn't go too high for the suit, Mr. Swan. I wanted to order acheaper one, but the salesman wouldn't let me."
"The salesman was right," said the jeweler smiling. "I am satisfied.And now to your work. I have a request from a lady up town to send her acouple of diamond rings to select from. She professed to be on her wayfrom Brooklyn and to be in haste. She is, she says, staying at the houseof a friend at No. 282 West Forty-Seventh between Seventh and EighthAvenues. She is to go away to-morrow and would like to make choice of aring to-day."
Mark was rather surprised to hear this full account from the jeweler. Ashe was only to take the part of an errand boy he didn't see thenecessity for it. He was soon enlightened.
"Now," proceeded the jeweler, "I am of the opinion that this lady is aclever swindler. I believe she wants to get hold of the rings, and carrythem off without paying for them."
"Then you won't send them to her, I suppose."
"I would not if I were absolutely sure that she is a fraud, but this Idon't know. She may be a _bona fide_ customer, and if so I should liketo sell her a ring."
"How can you find out, sir?"
"I hope to do so with your help."
Mark Mason's Victory: The Trials and Triumphs of a Telegraph Boy Page 10