CHAPTER VIII.
A GIFT.
The next forenoon Paul called at Mr. Preston's place of business. Onentering the office he found Mr. Talbot conversing with him.
"Talbot," said Mr. Preston, "this is your new tenant, Paul Hoffman."
"Good-morning, Paul," said Mr. Talbot pleasantly. "Mrs. Talbot tellsme that you and your mother called last evening."
"Yes, sir."
"I was called away by an engagement, but I am glad to say that Mrs.Talbot approves my choice."
"Thank you, sir."
"I hear from Mr. Preston that you have been unfortunate in beingburned out."
"Yes, sir, we have been burned out, but we hadn't much to lose."
"Were you able to save any of your clothing?"
"My mother saved a new dress she had just bought."
"Was that all?"
"Yes, sir."
"It will cost you considerable to replace what was destroyed."
"Considerable for me, sir. I called this morning to ask Mr. Prestonfor fifty dollars, from the money he has of mine, to spend for clothesfor my mother, and brother, and myself."
"Will fifty dollars be sufficient?"
"I have some money on hand. That will be all I shall need to draw."
"It will be a pity to disturb your savings. Your care of my house willbe worth more than the rent. I will give you fifty dollars besides."
Suiting the action to the word, Mr. Talbot took out his pocketbook anddrew therefrom five ten-dollar bills, which he placed in Paul's hands.
"You are very kind," said Paul, in grateful surprise. "We felt wellpaid by having our rent free."
"You are quite welcome, but I ought to tell you that it is to Mrs.Talbot you are indebted rather than to myself. She suggested my givingyou the money, having been much pleased with your mother'sappearance."
"I am very much obliged to her also, then," said Paul, "and so will bemy mother when I tell her. We will try to give you satisfaction."
"I feel sure you will," said Mr. Talbot kindly.
"That is a fine boy," he said, after Paul had bidden them good-morningand left the office.
"He is an excellent boy," said Mr. Preston warmly. "He isstraightforward, manly, and honest."
"How did you fall in with him?"
"He fell in with me," said Mr. Preston, laughing.
"How is that?"
"As I was turning the corner of a street downtown one day he ran intome and nearly knocked the breath out of me."
"Which prepossessed you in his favor?" inquired Mr. Talbot, smiling.
"Not at first. However, it led to a little conversation, by which Ilearned that he was a street candy merchant, and that some young thiefhad run off with all his stock in trade. He was then in hot pursuit.Learning that his mother was a seamstress and a worthy woman, Iemployed her to make me some shirts. I have followed the fortunes ofthe family, and have been Paul's adviser since then, and latterly hisbanker. He is now proprietor of a street-stand, and making, for a boyof his age, quite a fair income."
"Your account interests me. If I am as well satisfied as I hope to bewith the family I will hereafter seek out some way of serving him."
"I am certain you will be satisfied."
The two gentlemen now conversed of other things, with which the readerhas no concern.
Paul went home in high spirits, and delighted his mother and Jimmywith the gift he had received.
"Now, mother," he said, "get on your bonnet and shawl, and we'll goout shopping."
"Won't you take me too, Paul?" asked Jimmy.
"To be sure I will. I am going to buy you a suit of clothes, Jimmy."
The little boy clapped his hands. New clothes were a rarity to him,and the purchase of a new suit, therefore, would be a memorable event.
I do not propose to detail Paul's purchases. They consisted of newsuits for Jimmy and himself, and a complete outfit of under garments,closing with the purchase of two plain, substantial trunks. Mrs.Hoffman deferred her own shopping till Monday.
When, later in the day, the various articles arrived, Paul regardedthem with much complacency.
"It looks as if we were getting up in the world," he said.
"You deserve to succeed, Paul," said his mother. "You have beenindustrious and faithful, and God has prospered you."
"I have had a good mother to encourage me," said Paul, "or I shouldnot have done so well."
"You are right to say that, Paul," said Mrs. Norton. "It isn't everyboy that has a good mother."
"That is true. There are some boys I know who would do well if theirmothers were not shiftless and intemperate. You remember TommyO'Connor, mother, don't you?"
"Yes, Paul."
"I met him in Nassau street yesterday. He was lounging about in rags,doing nothing. He asked me to lend him five cents. I asked him why hewas not at work. He said his mother took all his money and spent itfor drink. Then she got quarrelsome and beat him."
"How can any mother behave in that way?" said Mrs. Hoffman, shuddering.
"I don't know, but there is more than one mother that does it, thoughit's more likely to be the father."
The next day dawned bright and pleasant.
"Can I put on my new clothes, Paul?" asked Jimmy.
"Yes," said Paul. "It's Sunday, and we'll all put on our best clothesand go to church."
"I should like that," said the little boy, delighted.
Mrs. Hoffman readily agreed to the plan.
If of late the family had remained at home on Sunday, it was at firstfor want of good clothing, not from any want of respect for religiousinstitutions. During Mr. Hoffman's life they had attended regularly,and Paul had belonged to a Sunday-school, Jimmy being too young. Thechurch they had formerly attended being in Harlem, they could not ofcourse go so far, but dropped into one not far from Union Square. Theywere shown seats by the sexton, and listened attentively to theservices, though it must be confessed that Jimmy's attention wasoccasionally diverted to his new clothes, of which he was not a littleproud. Mrs. Hoffman felt glad once more to find herself enjoyingreligious privileges, and determined henceforth to attend regularly.
As they were leaving the church, Paul suddenly found himself, to hissurprise, next to Mr. and Mrs. Talbot, whom he had not beforeobserved.
"Good-morning, Mr. Talbot," he said.
Mr. Talbot turned on being addressed and said:
"What, Paul, are you here?"
"Mr. Talbot, this is my mother," said Paul.
"Mrs. Hoffman," said Mr. Talbot, with as much courtesy as if he wereaddressing his social equal, "I am glad to make your acquaintance. Mydear, this is Mrs. Hoffman."
Mrs. Talbot greeted both cordially, and made some inquiries aboutJimmy. She observed with pleasure the neat appearance of the entirefamily, feeling sure that those who were so careful about their ownappearance would be equally careful of her house. She also thoughtmore favorably of them for their attendance at church, having herselfa high respect for religious observances. Of course Paul and hismother thanked her in fitting terms for the gift which had enabledthem to replace their losses by the fire.
After a brief conversation they parted, Mr. and Mrs. Talbot goinguptown, while Paul and his mother had nearly two miles to walk in adifferent direction.
"Next Sunday we shall be walking uptown also," said Paul. "It willlook well in the Directory, 'Paul Hoffman, merchant; house, Madisonavenue,' won't it?"
"Yes," said his mother, "so long as it doesn't mention that you livein the basement."
"Some time I hope to occupy a whole house of my own."
"In Madison avenue?"
"Perhaps so; who knows?"
"I see, Paul, you are getting ambitious."
"Where shall I be, Paul?" asked Jimmy, who felt that his futureprospects deserved consideration.
"Oh, you'll be a famous artist, and have a studio on Fifth avenue."
"Do you think so, Paul?" asked the little fellow seriously.
"I hope so. A
ll you want is a little help from me now and then. If Ihad time I would give you a course of lessons in drawing."
"You draw awfully, Paul."
"Do you draw any better?"
"Of course I do."
"Mother," said Paul, with much gravity, "that boy's self-conceit isunbounded. You ought to talk to him about it."
But though Paul liked to joke Jimmy, he had already decided, afterthey moved uptown, to give him an opportunity of developing his talentby engaging a drawing teacher for him. The large saving in theirexpenses from not being obliged to pay rent would allow him to do thiseasily. He had not yet mentioned this to Jimmy, for he meant tosurprise him.
Slow and Sure: The Story of Paul Hoffman the Young Street-Merchant Page 8