The Store Boy

by Jr. Horatio Alger

  As Ben was preparing to go, Rose said, "Wait a minute, Ben."

  She left the room and went upstairs, but returned almost immediately,with a small knit purse.

  "Won't you accept this, Ben?" she said. "I just finished ityesterday. It will remind you of me when you are away."

  "Thank you, Rose. I shall need nothing to keep you in my remembrance,but I will value it for your sake."

  "I hope you will be fortunate and fill it very soon, Ben."

  So the two parted on the most friendly terms, and the next day Benstarted for New York in the highest of spirits.

  After purchasing his ticket, he gave place to Squire Davenport, whoalso called for a ticket to New York. Now, it so happened that thesquire had not seen Tom since the interview of the latter with ourhero, and was in ignorance of his good luck.

  "Are you going to New York, Benjamin?" he asked, in surprise.

  "Yes, sir."

  "Isn't it rather extravagant for one in your circumstances?"

  "Yes, sir; if I had no object in view."

  "Have you any business in the city?"

  "Yes, sir; I am going to take a place."

  Squire Davenport was still more surprised, and asked particulars.These Ben readily gave, for he was quite elated by his good fortune.

  "Oh, that's it, is it?" said the squire contemptuously. "I thoughtyou might have secured a position in some business house. This ladyprobably wants you to answer the doorbell and clean the knives, orsomething of that sort."

  "I am sure she does not," said Ben, indignant and mortified.

  "You'll find I am right," said the squire confidently. "Young man, Ican't congratulate you on your prospects. You would have done as wellto stay in Pentonville and work on my woodpile."

  "Whatever work I may do in New York, I shall be a good deal betterpaid for than here," retorted Ben.

  Squire Davenport shrugged his shoulders, and began to read the morningpaper. To do him justice, he only said what he thought when hepredicted to Ben that he would be called upon to do menial work.

  "The boy won't be in so good spirits a week hence," he thought."However, that is not my affair. There is no doubt that I shall getpossession of his mother's house when the three months are up, and Idon't at all care where he and his mother go. If they leavePentonville I shall be very well satisfied. I have no satisfaction inmeeting either of them," and the squire frowned, as if some unpleasantthought had crossed his mind.

  Nothing of note passed during the remainder of the journey. Benarrived in New York, and at once took a conveyance uptown, and duetime found himself, carpet-bag in hand, on the front steps of Mrs.Hamilton's house.

  He rang the bell, and the door was opened by a servant.

  "She's out shopping," answered the girl, looking inquisitively atBen's carpet-bag. "Will you leave a message for her?"

  "I believe I am expected," said Ben, feeling a little awkward. "Myname is Benjamin Barclay."

  "Mrs. Hamilton didn't say anything about expecting any boy," returnedthe servant. "You can come in, if you like, and I'll call Mrs. Hill."

  "I suppose that is the housekeeper," thought Ben.

  "Very well," he answered. "I believe I will come in, as Mrs. Hamiltonwrote me to come."

  Ben left his bag in the front hall, and with his hat in his handfollowed the servant into the handsomely-furnished drawing room.

  "I wish Mrs. Hamilton had been here," he said to himself. "The girlseems to look at me suspiciously. I hope the housekeeper knows aboutmy coming."

  Ben sat down in an easy-chair beside a marble-topped center table, andwaited for fifteen minutes before anyone appeared. He beguiled thetime by looking over a handsomely illustrated book of views, butpresently the door was pushed open and he looked up.

  The newcomer was a spare, pale-faced woman, with a querulousexpression, who stared coldly at our hero. It was clear that she wasnot glad to see him. "What can I do for you, young man?" she asked ina repellent tone.

  "What a disagreeable-looking woman!" thought Ben. "I am sure we shallnever be friends."

  "Is Mrs. Hamilton expected in soon?" he asked.

  "I really cannot say. She does not report to me how long she expectsto be gone."

  "Didn't she speak to you about expecting me?" asked Ben, feelingdecidedly uncomfortable.

  "Not a word!" was the reply.

  "She wrote to me to come here, but perhaps she did not expect me sosoon."

  "If you have come here to collect a bill, or with any business errand,I can attend to you. I am Mrs. Hamilton's cousin."

  "Thank you; it will be necessary for me to see Mrs. Hamilton."

  "Then you may as well call in the afternoon, or some other day."

  "That's pretty cool!" thought Ben. "That woman wants to get me out ofthe house, but I propose to 'hold the fort' till Mrs. Hamiltonarrives."

  "I thought you might know that I am going to stay here," said Ben.

  "What!" exclaimed Mrs. Hill, in genuine surprise.

  "Mrs. Hamilton has offered me a position, though I do not know whatthe duties are to be, and am going to make my home here."

  "Really this is too much!" said the pale-faced lady sternly. "Here,Conrad!" she called, going to the door.

  A third party made his appearance on the scene, a boy who looked somuch like Mrs. Hill that it was clear she was his mother. He was twoinches taller than Ben, but looked pale and flabby.

  "What's wanted, ma?" he said, staring at Ben.

  "This young man has made a strange mistake. He says Mrs. Hamilton hassent for him and that he is going to live here.

  "He's got cheek," exclaimed Conrad, continuing to stare at Ben.

  "Tell him he'd better go!"

  "You'd better go!" said the boy, like a parrot.

  "Thank you," returned Ben, provoked, "but I mean to stay."

  "Go and call a policeman, Conrad," said Mrs. Hill. "We'll see whathe'll have to say then."

  CHAPTER XIXA COOL RECEPTION

  "This isn't quite the reception I expected," thought Ben. He wasprovoked with the disagreeable woman who persisted in regarding andtreating him as an intruder, but he was not nervous or alarmed. Heknew that things would come right, and that Mrs. Hill and herpromising son would see their mistake. He had half a mind to letConrad call a policeman, and then turn the tables upon his foes. But,he knew that this would be disagreeable to Mrs. Hamilton, whosefeelings he was bound to consider.

  "Before you call a policeman," he said quietly, "it may be well foryou to read this letter."

  As he spoke handed Mrs. Hill the letter he had received from Mrs.Hamilton.

  Mrs. Hill took the letter suspiciously, and glared over it. As sheread, a spot of red glowed in each pallid check, and she bit her lipsin annoyance.

  "I don't understand it," she said slowly.

  Ben did not feel called upon to explain what was perfectlyintelligible. He saw that Mrs. Hill didn't want to understand it.

  "What is it, ma?" asked Conrad, his curiosity aroused.

  "You can read it for yourself, Conrad," returned his mother.

  "Is he coming to live here?" ejaculated Conrad, astonished, indicatingBen with a jerk of his finger.

  "If this letter is genuine," said Mrs. Hill, with at significantemphasis on the last word.

  "If it is not, Mrs. Hamilton will be sure to tell you so," said Ben,provoked.

  "Come out, Conrad; I want to speak to you," said his mother.

  Without ceremony, they left Ben in the parlor alone, and withdrew toanother part of the house, where they held a conference.

  "What does it all mean, ma?" asked Conrad.

  "It means that your prospects are threatened, my poor boy. CousinHamilton, who is very eccentric, has taken a fancy to this boy, andshe is going to confer favors upon him at your expense. It is toobad!"

  "I'd like to break his head!" said Conrad, scowling.

  "It won't do, Conrad, to fight him openly. We must do what we can inan underhan
d way to undermine him with Cousin Hamilton. She ought tomake you her heir, as she has no children of her own."

  "I don't think she likes me," said the boy. "She only gives me twodollars a week allowance, and she scolded me the other day because shemet me in the hall smoking a cigarette."

  "Be sure not to offend her, Conrad. A great deal depends on it. Twodollars ought to answer for the present. When you are a young man, youmay be in very different circumstances."

  "I don't know about that," grumbled Conrad. "I may get two dollars aweek then, but what's that?"

  "You may be a wealthy man!" said his mother impressively. "CousinHamilton is not so healthy as she looks. I have a suspicion that herheart is affected. She might die suddenly."

  "Do you really think so?" said Conrad eagerly.

  "I think so. What you must try to do is to stand well with her, andget her to make her will in your favor. I will attend to that, if youwill do as I tell you."

  "She may make this boy her heir," said Conrad discontentedly. "Thenwhere would I be?"

  "She won't do it, if I can help it," said Mrs. Hill with an emphaticnod. "I will manage to make trouble between them. You will always bemy first interest, my dear boy."

  She made a motion to kiss her dear boy, but Conrad, who was by nomeans of an affectionate disposition, moved his head suddenly, with animpatient exclamation, "Oh, bother!"

  A pained look came over the mother's face, for she loved her son,unattractive and disagreeable as he was, with a love the greaterbecause she loved no one else in the world. Mother and son wereselfish alike, but the son the more so, for he had not a spark of lovefor any human being.

  "There's the bell!" said Mrs. Hill suddenly. "I do believe CousinHamilton has come. Now we shall find out whether this boy's story istrue."

  "Let's go downstairs, ma! I hope it's all a mistake and she'll sendme for a policeman."

  "I am afraid the boy's story is correct. But his day will be short."

  When they reached the hall, Mrs. Hamilton had already been admitted tothe house.

  "There's a boy in the drawing room, Mrs. Hamilton," said Mrs. Hill,"who says he is to stay here--that you sent for him."

  "Has he come already?" returned Mrs. Hamilton. "I am glad of it."

  "Then you did send for him?"

  "Of course. Didn't I mention it to you? I hardly expected he wouldcome so soon."

  She opened the door of the drawing room, and approached Ben, withextended hand and a pleasant smile.

  "Welcome to New York, Ben," she said. "I hope I haven't kept youwaiting long?"

  "Not very long," answered Ben, shaking her hand.

  "This is my cousin Mrs. Hill, who relieves me of part of myhousekeeping care," continued Mrs. Hamilton, "and this is her son,Conrad. Conrad, this is a companion for you, Benjamin Barclay, whowill be a new member of our small family."

  "I hope you are well, Conrad," said Ben, with a smile, to the boy whobut a short time before was going for a policeman to put him underarrest.

  "I'm all right," said Conrad ungraciously.

  "Really, Cousin Hamilton, this is a surprise" said Mrs. Hill. "Youare quite kind to provide Conrad with a companion, but I don't thinkhe felt the need of any, except his mother--and you."

  Mrs. Hamilton laughed. She saw that neither Mrs. Hill nor Conrad wasglad to see Ben, and this was only what she expected, and, indeed,this was the chief reason why she had omitted to mention Ben'sexpected arrival.

  "You give me too much credit," she said, "if you think I invited thisyoung gentleman here solely as a companion to Conrad. I shall havesome writing and accounts for him to attend to."

  "I am sure Conrad would have been glad to serve you in that way,Cousin Hamilton," said Mrs. Hill. "I am sorry you did not give himthe first chance."

  "Conrad wouldn't have suited me," said Mrs. Hamilton bluntly.

  "Perhaps I may not be competent," suggested Ben modestly.

  "We can tell better after trying you," said his patroness. "As forConrad, I have obtained a position for him. He is to enter theoffices of Jones & Woodhull, on Pearl Street, to-morrow. You willtake an early breakfast, Conrad, for it will be necessary for you tobe at the office at eight o'clock."

  "How much am I to get?" asked Conrad.

  "Four dollars a week. I shall let you have all this in lieu of theweekly allowance I pay you, but will provide you with clothing, asheretofore, so that this will keep you liberally supplied with pocketmoney."

  "Conrad's brow cleared. He was lazy, and did not enjoy going to work,but the increase of his allowance would be satisfactory.

  "And now, Ben, Mrs. Hill will kindly show you your room. It is thelarge hall bedroom on the third floor. When you have unpacked yourvalise, and got to feel at home, come downstairs, and we will have alittle conversation upon business. You will find me in the sittingroom, on the next floor."

  "Thank you," said Ben politely, and he followed the pallid cousinupstairs. He was shown into a handsomely furnished room, bright andcheerful.

  "This is a very pleasant room," he said.

  "You won't occupy it long!" said Mrs. Hill to herself. "No one willstep into my Conrad's place, if I can help it."

  CHAPTER XXENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES

  When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away inthe drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of thefurniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness ina cozy sitting room, on the second floor. It was furnished, Ben couldnot help thinking, more as if it were designed for a gentleman than alady. In one corner was a library table, with writing materials,books, and papers upon it, and an array of drawers on either side ofthe central part.

  "Come right in, Ben," said Mrs. Hamilton, who was seated at the table."We will talk of business."

  This Ben was quite willing to do. He was anxious to know what were tobe his duties, that he might judge whether he was competent todischarge them.

  "Let me tell you, to begin with," said his patroness, "that I ampossessed of considerable wealth, as, indeed, you may have judged byway of living. I have no children, unfortunately, and beingunwilling, selfishly, to devote my entire means to my own useexclusively, I try to help others in a way that I think most suitable.Mrs. Hill, who acts as my housekeeper, is a cousin, who made a poormarriage, and was left penniless. I have given a home to her and herson."

  "I don't think Mrs. Hill likes my being here," said Ben.

  "You are, no doubt, right. She is foolish enough to be jealousbecause I do not bestow all my favors upon her."

  "I think she will look upon me as a rival of her son."

  "I expected she would. Perhaps she will learn, after a while, that Ican be a friend to you and him both, though, I am free to admit, Ihave never been able to take any fancy to Conrad, nor, indeed, was hismother a favorite with me. But for her needy circumstances, she is,perhaps, the last of my relatives that I would invite to become amember of my household. However, to come to business: My money isinvested in various ways. Besides the ordinary forms of investment,stocks, bonds, and mortgages, I have set up two or three young men,whom I thought worthy, in business, and require them to send inmonthly statements of their business to me. You see, therefore, thatI have more or less to do with accounts. I never had much taste forfigures, and it struck me that I might relieve myself of considerabledrudgery if I could obtain your assistance, under my supervision, ofcourse. I hope you have a taste for figures?"

  "Arithmetic and algebra are my favorite studies," said Ben promptly.

  "I am glad of it. Of course, I did not know that, but had you notbeen well versed in accounts, I meant to send you to a commercialschool to qualify you for the duties I wished to impose upon you."

  "I don't think it will be necessary," answered Ben. "I have takenlessons in bookkeeping at home, and, though it seems like boasting, Iwas better in mathematics than any of my schoolfellows."

  "I am so glad to hear that. Can you write well?"
>
  "Shall I write something for you?"

  "Do so."

  Mrs. Hamilton vacated her place, and Ben, sitting at the desk, wrotetwo or three copies from remembrance.

  "Very well, indeed!" said his patroness approvingly. "I see that inengaging you I have made no mistake."

  Ben's cheek flushed with pleasure, and he was eager to enter upon hisnew duties. But he could not help wondering why he had been selectedwhen Conrad was already in the house, and unemployed. He ventured tosay:

  "Would you mind telling me why you did not employ Conrad, instead ofsending for me?"

  "There are two good and sufficient reasons: Conrad is not competentfor such an office; and secondly, I should not like to have the boyabout me as much as he would need to be. I have obtained for him aposition out of the house. One question remains to be considered: Howmuch wages do you expect?"

  "I would prefer to leave that to you, Mrs. Hamilton. I cannot expecthigh pay."

  "Will ten dollars a week be adequate?"

  "I can't earn as much money as that," said Ben, in surprise.

  "Perhaps not, and yet I am not sure. If you suit me, it will be worthmy while to pay you as much."

  "But Conrad will only receive four dollars a week. Won't he beangry?"

  "Conrad is not called upon to support his mother, as I understand youare."

  "You are very kind to think of that, Mrs. Hamilton."

  "I want to be kind to you, Ben," said his patroness with a pleasantsmile.