Andy Grant's Pluck 8

Andy Grant's Pluck 8

"There is my card," said Mr. Flint.

 

Andy received it and read the name:

 

F. FLINT,

 

UNION SQUARE.

 

JEWELRY.

 

The two men conversed together, and when dinner was over they walked up

Broadway to Fourteenth Street. Turning the left-hand corner, they soon

reached a jewelry store of modest appearance, but evidently containing a

valuable stock.

 

A youth with light-brown hair, who seemed to have been born tired, was

leaning against the counter. This, doubtless, was the boy who was not

satisfactory.

 

"John," said Mr. Flint, "have you carried the parcel to Forty-eighth

Street?"

 

"No, sir," answered the boy.

 

"Why not?"

 

"I thought it would do just as well after lunch."

 

"There you are mistaken. Put on your hat at once and go," said his

employer, sharply.

 

"You see," went on Mr. Flint, after the boy had started, "the trouble I

have with John. He needs to be looked after continually."

 

"You won't have that trouble with Andy."

 

"No, I think not."

 

Walter Gale accompanied Mr. Flint to the back part of the store, where

they held a conversation in a low tone. Presently Walter Gale came back,

and signified to Andy that they must be going.

 

"Mr. Flint will expect you to present yourself for duty on Tuesday

morning," he said. "You will reach the store at eight o'clock."

 

"All right, sir."

 

On returning to the street, Walter Gale said:

 

"I propose to take the next train for Philadelphia. You may accompany me

to the Cortlandt Street station. Can you find your way from there to the

Grand Central Depot?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"You will get there in time to take the afternoon train back to Arden.

You haven't asked me what salary you are to receive."

 

"I should like to know, sir."

 

"Five dollars a week, which is better than is generally paid to a new

boy."

 

"Will it pay my expenses, Mr. Gale?" asked Andy, doubtfully.

 

"No; but you remember that I promised you five dollars a week. Instead

of paying it to you I will give you a note to Mrs. Norris, who keeps a

comfortable boarding house on Clinton Place. She knows me well, and will

assign you a room, looking to me for payment. That will leave you five

dollars a week for your personal expenses, clothing, etc."

 

"I shall be rich, Mr. Gale, thanks to your kindness."

 

"Mind, Andy, I am to have you back whenever I want you. Probably I may

spend some weeks with my uncle, and during this time you may as well

work for Mr. Flint."

 

"Do you think I shall suit him?" asked Andy, with some anxiety.

 

"I feel sure of it. You will find him strict in business, but kind and

reasonable. I shall expect to hear from you soon after you enter upon

your duties. I shall find life pretty dull at my uncle's house, and your

letters will bring something of the excitement of the outside world to

me."

 

"I will write you every week, Mr. Gale."

 

"If it won't be asking too much of you, I shall be glad to have you do

so."

 

Andy crossed the ferry with Mr. Gale, and then returning at once, took

the four o'clock train for Arden.

 

His news created considerable stir at home. All were pleased except Aunt

Jane.

 

"Brother," she said, "are you going to trust Andy alone in New York?"

 

"Yes, Jane; he must begin to rely upon himself some time, and he may as

well begin now."

 

"It's temptin' Providence, in my opinion."

 

"It might be so with some boys, but I have faith in Andy's prudence and

good sense."

 

"He ain't any different from other boys, as you will find."

 

But in spite of these ominous words Andy made arrangements to leave

Arden on Monday morning. He looked forward eagerly to his new life in

New York.

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER XIII.

 

ANDY LEAVES HOME.

 

 

Conrad was not slow in learning of Mr. Gale's departure from the hotel.

The intelligence pleased him, for, as he supposed, it threw Andy out of

employment. He sought an early opportunity of speaking to him on the

subject.

 

At five o'clock in the afternoon the mail came in at the post office.

Among those who congregated there at the time were Conrad and Andy.

 

"So you've lost your place?" began Conrad, abruptly.

 

"What do you mean?" asked Andy.

 

"Mr. Gale has left town, hasn't he?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Where has he gone?"

 

"To Pennsylvania, to stay with an uncle who is very sick."

 

"Do you think he will come back to Arden?"

 

"I don't know, but I think it is doubtful."

 

"I suppose, then, you will go back to work on the farm?"

 

Andy smiled.

 

"Things might be worse," he said.

 

"Yes. I think it is the best thing you can do."

 

"Why do you think so?"

 

"Oh, well, you are a poor boy, and there is nothing else for you to do."

 

"Did you ever think of becoming a farmer?"

 

"I should say not," replied Conrad, haughtily. "I shall probably be a

lawyer or a merchant."

 

"I might become a merchant myself--some day."

 

Conrad laughed.

 

"When you do," he said, "let me know."

 

"I will."

 

"By the way, you won't want that boat of yours now."

 

"Why not?"

 

"You won't get time to use it. I'll give you twenty dollars for it."

 

"It is not for sale," answered Andy, firmly.

 

"It will be after a while," said Conrad, in a self-satisfied tone. "I

will see the time when you will be glad enough to get the money I

offer."

 

During the few days that Andy remained at home he did some work on the

farm. Mr. Grant's boy helper was sick with a cold, and Andy stepped into

his place.

 

The next time of Conrad's meeting him he was at work digging potatoes.

Conrad smiled and nodded. He felt quite friendly as he witnessed what he

considered Andy's humiliation.

 

"My father may give you a little job," he said, as he leaned over the

fence.

 

"What is it?"

 

"He needs some work done round the house. He will pay you fifty cents a

day. When can you come?"

 

"Just at present I am too busy. If I can spare the time I will let you

know."

 

"I like to see upstarts brought down to their level," thought Conrad.

"Andy Grant won't be putting on any more airs, I reckon."

 

On Monday morning Andy stood on the platform of the railroad station

with a good-sized gripsack in his hand. He was about starting for New

York to enter upon his duties at the jewelry store.

 

Swinging a light cane, Conrad Carter appeared on the platform with his

father, who was going to the city on business. With a good deal of

surprise he recognized Andy.

 

"Where are you going?" he asked, abruptly, with a glance at the

gripsack.

 

"To New York," answered Andy.

 

"What business have you there?"

 

"I have a position in a store on Union Square. I shall be pleased to

have you call when you are in the city."

 

Conrad was greatly surprised.

 

"What kind of a store is it?" he asked.

 

"A jewelry store. I haven't a card with me, but will send you one."

 

Conrad didn't appear to be glad at Andy's good fortune. He had made up

his mind that his humble rival, as he chose to consider him, would be

obliged to work on the farm, and now he had found a way to avoid it.

 

"I think your father will have to find some one else to assist him,"

Andy continued; "you see, I shall be otherwise occupied."

 

"What pay will you receive?"

 

"If you will excuse me, I would rather not tell."

 

"Oh, just as you like. Where will you live? Will you sleep in the

store?"

 

"No; I am to board on Clinton Place, with a Mrs. Norris."

 

"Did you know about this when we were talking the other day?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Why didn't you tell me?"

 

"I would have done so if I had known how much interest you took in my

plans."

 

The rumble of the approaching train was heard, and Andy was obliged to

enter a car. It chanced that it was unusually full, and Andy found but

one vacant seat--the one beside Squire Carter.

 

The squire now noticed Andy for the first time.

 

"Where are you going, Andrew?" he asked.

 

"To New York, sir."

 

"On any special errand?"

 

"I am going to work there."

 

"Indeed! What kind of a place?"

 

"I shall have a place with Mr. Flint, of Union Square, a jeweler."

 

"I suppose Mr. Gale obtained you the place?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"I am not sure that you are acting wisely. I doubt if you can make

expenses. What are you to be paid?"

 

"Five dollars a week."

 

"That is very fair pay for a boy of your age, but it won't go very far

in New York."

 

"I suppose New York is an expensive place to live in," said Andy,

noncommittally.

 

"Yes. You will have to pay all your wages for board. Your other expenses

will have to come out of your father's pocket."

 

"I may be advanced."

 

"It will be a good while, first. You seem to be acting very

injudiciously."

 

This remark did not trouble Andy. As his board was to be paid by Mr.

Gale, his salary would be practically ten dollars a week; but this he

did not care to tell.

 

"Country boys are always in a stew to get work in the city," observed

the squire. "If they would only take the advice of their elders, they

would see that it is better to stay in the country."

 

"They think probably that there is more chance of advancement in the

city. Horace Greeley never would have risen to distinction if he had

remained in his native village."

 

"Ahem! there are exceptions. What is the number of the store where you

will be employed?"

 

Andy told him.

 

"I may call in upon you some time. I am often in the city on business."

 

"I shall be glad if you will," said Andy, sincerely. "It will seem

pleasant to me to see an Arden face."

 

Andy got out of the cars at the Grand Central Depot. He was not quite

sure of his way to Clinton Place, but he was not in the least disturbed.

He was naturally self-reliant.

 

He asked the question of a gentleman, and was advised to take a Fourth

Avenue car through the tunnel as far as Eighth Street, but he thought he

should prefer to walk, as it would enable him to enjoy the sights and

scenes of the metropolis. All these were fresh and interesting to him.

 

He had gone but a dozen steps from the depot when a plausible stranger

of thirty-five years, apparently, stopped him.

 

"Young man, may I have a word with you?" he asked.

 

"If you wish."

 

"I speak to you, because I judge from your appearance that you have a

good, kind heart."

 

"I hope you are right, sir."

 

"I am very awkwardly placed. My sister is very sick in Yonkers and has

sent for me. On my way to the depot in a horse car I had my pocket

picked, and I have not enough money to get to the bedside of my poor

sister. If you would kindly lend me a quarter--"

 

Andy was kind-hearted, and he was not versed in city wiles. He put his

hand in his pocket and drew out a twenty-five-cent silver coin.

 

"I am glad to help you," he said, as he passed the coin to the

applicant.

 

"You have a noble heart. I thank you," said the stranger, feelingly.

 

Andy felt pleased to think that he had done the man a favor, but his

satisfaction was short-lived.

 

A stout, pleasant-looking man who had caught sight of the conference

addressed him.

 

"Did you give that man any money?" he asked.

 

"Yes sir."

 

"What did he need it for?"

 

"His pocket had been picked, and he wanted to go to Yonkers to visit his

sick sister."

 

His new friend laughed.

 

"That's a new story," he said. "The man is an arrant fraud. Your money

will be spent for drink. He has no sick sister."

 

This was quite a shock to Andy. He saw that he had been victimized, and

must hereafter be on his guard against plausible strangers.

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER XIV.

 

THE FIRST DAY IN NEW YORK.

 

 

By dint of a little inquiry Andy found his way to Mrs. Norris' boarding

house in Clinton Place. It was a plain three-story-and-basement house

of brick and looked thoroughly respectable.

 

Andy took a general view of it, and thought he should take it. To his

country eyes it looked quite aristocratic. It was higher than any house

in Arden, even Squire Carter's.

 

He ascended the steps and rang the bell.

 

It was answered by a Swedish girl named Eva, a blond girl of the true

Scandinavian type.

 

"Is Mrs. Norris at home?" he asked.

 "She is upstairs," was the reply.