In due time our travelers reached Chicago, and put up at the PalmerHouse. Herbert was much impressed by the elegance of the hotel, itssumptuous furniture, and luxurious table. It must be considered that hewas an inexperienced traveler, though had he been otherwise he might beexcused for his admiration.
"I have some business in Chicago, and shall remain two or three days,"said George Melville.
Herbert was quite reconciled to the delay, and, as his services were notrequired, employed his time in making himself familiar with the famousWestern city. He kept his eyes open, and found something new andinteresting at every step. One day, as he was passing through the lowerportion of the city, his attention was called to a young man wheeling abarrow of cabbages and other vegetables, a little in advance of him.Of course, there was nothing singular about this, but there seemedsomething familiar in the figure of the young man. Herbert quickened hisstep, and soon came up with him.
One glance was enough. Though disguised by a pair of overalls, andwithout a coat, Herbert recognized the once spruce dry-goods clerk, EbenGraham.
Eben recognized Herbert at the same time. He started, and flushed withshame, not because of the theft of which he had been guilty, but becausehe was detected in an honest, but plebeian labor.
"Herbert Carr!" he exclaimed, stopping short.
"Yes, Eben; it is I!"
"You find me changed," said Eben, dolefully.
"No, I should recognize you anywhere."
"I don't mean that. I have sunk very low," and he glanced patheticallyat the wheelbarrow.
"If you refer to your employment, I don't agree with you. It is anhonest business."
"True, but I never dreamed when I stood behind the counter in Boston,and waited on fashionable ladies, that I should ever come to this."
"He seems more ashamed of wheeling vegetables than of stealing," thoughtHerbert, and he was correct.
"How do you happen to be in this business, Eben?" he asked, with somecuriosity.
"I must do it or starve. I was cheated out of my money soon after I camehere, and didn't know where to turn."
Eben did not explain that he lost his money in a gambling house.He might have been cheated out of it, but it was his own fault, forventuring into competition with older and more experienced knaves thanhimself.
"I went for thirty-six hours without food," continued Eben, "when I fellin with a man who kept a vegetable store, and he offered to employ me. Ihave been with him ever since."
"You were fortunate to find employment," said Herbert.
"Fortunate!" repeated Eben, in a tragic tone. "How much wages do youthink I get?"
"I can't guess."
"Five dollars a week, and have to find myself," answered Eben,mournfully. "What would my fashionable friends in Boston say if theycould see me?"
"I wouldn't mind what they said as long as you are getting an honestliving."
"How do you happen to be out here?" asked Eben.
His story was told in a few words.
"You are always in luck!" said Eben, enviously. "I wish I had yourchance. Is Mr. Melville very rich?"
"He is rich; but I don't know how rich."
"Do you think he'd lend me money enough to get home?"
"I don't know."
"Will you ask him?"
"I will tell him that you made the request, Eben," answered Herbert,cautiously. "Have you applied to your father?"
"To the old man? Yes. He hasn't any more heart than a grindstone," saidEben, bitterly. "What do you think he wrote me?"
"He refused, I suppose."
"Here is his letter," said Eben, drawing from his pocket a greasy halfsheet of note paper. "See what he has to say to his only son."
This was the letter:
"EBEN GRAHAM: I have received your letter, and am not surprised to hearthat you are in trouble. 'As a man sows, so also shall he reap.' A youngman who will rob his father of his hard earnings is capable of anything.You have done what you could to ruin me, and deserve what you have got.You want me to send you money to come home, and continue your wickedwork--I shall not do it. I wash my hands of you; I have already givennotice, through the country paper that I have given you your time, andshall pay no more debts of your contracting.
"I am glad to hear that you are engaged in an honest employment. It isbetter than I expected. I would not have been surprised if I had heardthat you were in jail. My advice to you is to stay where you are andmake yourself useful to your employer. He may in time raise your wages.Five years hence, if you have turned over a new leaf and led an honestlife, I may give you a place in my store. At present, I would ratherleave you where you are.
"EBENEZER GRAHAM."
"What do you say to that? Isn't that rather rough on an only son, eh?"said Eben.
It occurred to Herbert that Eben hardly deserved very liberal treatmentfrom his father, notwithstanding he was an only son.
"Oh, the old man is awfully mean and close-fisted," said Eben. "He caresmore for money than for anything else. By the way, how does Melvilletreat you?"
"Mr. Melville," said Herbert, emphasizing the Mr., "is always kind andconsiderate."
"Pays you well, eh?"
"He pays me more than I could get anywhere else."
"Pays all your hotel and traveling expenses, eh?"
"Of course."
"And a good salary besides?"
"Yes."
"Herbert," said Eben, suddenly, "I want you to do me a favor."
"What is it?"
"You've always known me, you know. When you was a little chap, and cameinto the store, I used to give you sticks of candy."
"I don't remember it," answered Herbert, truthfully.
"I did, all the same. You were so young that you don't remember it."
"Well, Eben, what of it?"
"I want you to lend me ten dollars, Herbert, in memory of old times."
Herbert was generously inclined, on ordinary occasions, but did not feelso on this occasion. He felt that Eben was not a deserving object, evenhad he felt able to make so large a loan. Besides, he could not forgetthat the young man who now asked a favor had brought a false charge ofstealing against him.
"You will have to excuse me, Eben," he answered. "To begin with, Icannot afford to lend so large a sum."
"I would pay you back as soon as I could."
"Perhaps you would," said Herbert, "though I have not much confidencein it. But you seem to forget that you charged me with stealing only ashort time since. I wonder how you have the face to ask me to lend youten dollars, or any sum."
"It was a mistake," muttered Eben, showing some signs of confusion.
"At any rate, I won't say anything more about it while you are introuble. But you must excuse my declining to lend you."
"Lend me five dollars, then," pleaded Eben.
"What do you want to do with it?"
"To buy lottery tickets. I am almost sure I should win a prize, and thenI can pay you five dollars for one."
"I wouldn't lend any money for that purpose to my dearest friend," saidHerbert "Buying lottery tickets is about the most foolish investment youcould make."
"Then I won't buy any," said Eben. "Lend me the money and I will use itto buy clothes."
"You will have to excuse me," said Herbert, coldly.
"I didn't think you'd be so mean," whined Eben, "to a friend indistress."
"I don't look upon you as a friend, and for very good reasons," retortedHerbert, as he walked away.
Eben looked after him with a scowl of hatred.
"I'd like to humble that boy's pride," he muttered, as he slowly resumedhis march.
CHAPTER XXI. COL. WARNER.
Do and Dare — a Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune Page 20