章节正文
will get it for you to oblige me.''
They entered a large retail store on Broadway.
It was broad and spacious. Twenty salesmen stood
behind the counter, and boys were running this way
and that with small books in their hands.
``How are you, Duncan?'' said Jasper.
The person addressed was about Jasper Wheelock's
age. He had a keen, energetic look and manner,
and would be readily singled out as one of the
leading clerks.
``All right, Wheelock. How are you?'' he
responded. ``Do you want anything in our line?''
``No goods; I want a place for this youngster. He's
a friend of mine. I'll answer for his good character.''
``That will be satisfactory. But what sort of a
place does he want?''
``He is ready to begin as cash-boy.''
``Then we can oblige you, as one of our boys has
fallen sick, and we have not supplied his place. I'll
speak to Mr. Gilbert.''
He went up to Mr. Gilbert, a portly man in the
back part of the store. Mr. Gilbert seemed to be
asking two or three questions. Frank waited the
result in suspense, dreading another disappointment,
but this time he was fortunate.
``The boy can stay,'' reported Duncan. ``His
wages are three dollars a week.''
It was not much, but Frank was well pleased to
feel that at last he had a place in the city.
He wrote a letter to Grace in the evening,
announcing his success, and expressing the hope that he
would soon be able to send for her.
CHAPTER VII
THE CASH BOY HAS AN ADVENTURE
Four weeks passed. The duties of a cash-boy are
simple enough, and Frank had no difficulty in discharging
them satisfactorily. At first he found it
tiresome, being on his feet all day, for the cash-boys
were not allowed to sit down, but he got used to
this, being young and strong.
All this was very satisfactory, but one thing gave
Frank uneasiness. His income was very inadequate
to his wants.
``What makes you so glum, Frank?'' asked Jasper
Wheelock one evening.
``Do I look glum?'' said Frank. ``I was only
thinking how I could earn more money. You know
how little I get. I can hardly take care of myself,
much less take care of Grace.''
``I can lend you some money, Frank. Thanks to
your good advice, I have got some laid up.''
``Thank you, Jasper, but that wouldn't help
matters. I should owe you the money, and I don't know
how I could pay you.''
``About increasing your income, I really don't
know,'' said Jasper. ``I am afraid Gilbert & Mack
wouldn't raise your wages.''
``I don't expect it. All the rest of the cash-boys
would ask the same thing.''
``True; still I know they are very well pleased
with you. Duncan told me you did more work than
any of the rest of the boys.''
``I try to do all I can.''
``He said you would make a good salesman, he
thought. Of course you are too young for that yet.''
``I suppose I am.''
``Frank, I am earning fifteen dollars a week, you
know, and I can get along on ten, but of the five I
save let me give you two. I shall never feel it, and
by and by when you are promoted it won't be necessary.''
``Jasper, you are a true friend,'' said Frank,
warmly; ``but it wouldn't be right for me to accept
your kind offer, though I shan't forget it. You have
been a good friend to me.''
``And you to me, Frank. I'll look out for you.
Perhaps I may hear of something for you.''
Small as Frank's income was, he had managed to
live within it. It will be remembered that he had
paid but fifty cents a week for a room. By great
economy he had made his meals cost but two dollars
a week, so that out of his three dollars he saved
fifty cents. But this saving would not be sufficient
to pay for his clothes. However, he had had no
occasion to buy any as yet, and his little fund
altogether amounted to twenty dollars. Of this sum he
inclosed{sic} eight dollars to Mr. Pomeroy to pay for four
weeks' board for Grace.
``I hope I shall be able to keep it up,'' he said to
himself, thoughtfully. ``At any rate, I've got enough
to pay for six weeks more. Before that time something
may turn up.''
Several days passed without showing Frank any
way by which he could increase his income. Jasper
again offered to give him two dollars a week out of
his own wages, but this our hero steadily refused.
One Friday evening, just as the store was about
to close, the head salesman called Frank to him.
``Where do you live?'' he asked.
``In Sixth avenue, near Twenty-fifth street.''
``There's a bundle to go to Forty-sixth street. I'll
pay your fare upon the stage if you'll carry it. I
promised to send it to-night, and I don't like to
disappoint the lady.''
``I can carry it just as well as not.''
Frank took the bundle, and got on board a passing
omnibus. There was just one seat vacant beside an
old gentleman of seventy, who appeared to be quite
feeble.
At Forty-fifth street he pulled the strap and
prepared to descend, leaning heavily on his cane as he
did so. By some mischance the horses started a
little too soon and the old man, losing his footing,
fell in the street. Frank observed the accident and
sprang out instantly to his help.
``I hope you are not much hurt, sir?'' he said, hastily.
``I have hurt my knee,'' said the old gentleman.
``Let me assist you, sir,'' said Frank, helping him
up.
``Thank you, my boy. I live at number forty-five,
close by. If you will lead me to the door and into
the house I shall be much indebted to you.''
``Certainly, sir. It is no trouble to me.''
With slow step, supported by our hero, the old
gentleman walked to his own door.
It was opened by a maid servant, who looked with
some surprise at Frank.
``I fell, Mary,'' explained her master, ``and this
young gentleman has kindly helped me home.''
``Did you hurt yourself much, sir?''
``Not seriously.''
``Can I do anything more for you, sir?'' asked
Frank.
``Come in a moment.''
Our hero followed his new acquaintance into a
handsomely furnished parlor.
``Now, my young friend tell me if you have been
taken out of your way by your attention to me?''
``Oh, no, sir; I intended to get out at the next
street.''
``My dinner is just ready. Won't you stop and
dine with me?''
``Thank you, sir,'' he said, hesitatingly, ``but I
promised to carry this bundle. I believe it is wanted
at once.''
``So you shall. You say the house is in the next
street. You can go and return in five minutes. You
have done me a service, and I may have it in my
power to do something for you in return.''
``Perhaps,'' thought Frank, ``he can help me to
some employment for my evenings.'' Then, aloud:
``Thank you, sir; I will come.''
Five minutes later Frank was ushered into a
handsome dining-room. The dinner was already on
the table, but chairs were only set for three. The
one at the head of the table was of course occupied
by the old gentleman, the one opposite by Mrs. Bradley,
his housekeeper, and one at the side was placed
for Frank.
``Mrs. Bradley,'' said the old gentleman, ``this is
a young gentleman who was kind enough to help me
home after the accident of which I just spoke to you.
I would mention his name, but I must leave that to
him.''
``Frank Fowler, sir.''
``And my name is Wharton. Now that we are all
introduced, we can talk more freely.''
``Will you have some soup, Mr. Fowler?'' asked the
housekeeper.
She was a tall thin woman, with a reserved
manner that was somewhat repellant. She had only
nodded slightly at the introduction, fixing her eyes
coldly and searchingly on the face of our hero. It
was evident that whateverimpression the service
rendered might have made upon the mind of Mr.
Wharton, it was not calculated to warm the
housekeeper to cordiality.
``Thank you,'' he answered, but he could not help
feeling at the same time that Mrs. Bradley was not
a very agreeable woman.
``You ought to have a good appetite,'' said Mr.
Wharton. ``You have to work hard during the day.
Our young friend is a cash-boy at Gilbert & Mack's,
Mrs. Bradley.
``Oh, indeed!'' said Mrs. Bradley, arching her
brows as much as to say: ``You have invited strange
company to dinner.''
``Do your parents live in the city, Frank--I
believe your name is Frank?''
``No, sir; they are dead. My mother died only a
few weeks since.''
``And have you no brothers and sisters?''
``I have one sister--Grace.''
``I suppose she is in the city here with you?''
``No, sir. I left her in the country. I am here
alone.''
``I will ask you more about yourself after dinner.
If you have no engagement, I should like to have
you stay with me a part of the evening.''
``Thank you, sir.''
Frank accepted the invitation, though he knew
Jasper would wonder what had become of him. He
They entered a large retail store on Broadway.
It was broad and spacious. Twenty salesmen stood
behind the counter, and boys were running this way
and that with small books in their hands.
``How are you, Duncan?'' said Jasper.
The person addressed was about Jasper Wheelock's
age. He had a keen, energetic look and manner,
and would be readily singled out as one of the
leading clerks.
``All right, Wheelock. How are you?'' he
responded. ``Do you want anything in our line?''
``No goods; I want a place for this youngster. He's
a friend of mine. I'll answer for his good character.''
``That will be satisfactory. But what sort of a
place does he want?''
``He is ready to begin as cash-boy.''
``Then we can oblige you, as one of our boys has
fallen sick, and we have not supplied his place. I'll
speak to Mr. Gilbert.''
He went up to Mr. Gilbert, a portly man in the
back part of the store. Mr. Gilbert seemed to be
asking two or three questions. Frank waited the
result in suspense, dreading another disappointment,
but this time he was fortunate.
``The boy can stay,'' reported Duncan. ``His
wages are three dollars a week.''
It was not much, but Frank was well pleased to
feel that at last he had a place in the city.
He wrote a letter to Grace in the evening,
announcing his success, and expressing the hope that he
would soon be able to send for her.
CHAPTER VII
THE CASH BOY HAS AN ADVENTURE
Four weeks passed. The duties of a cash-boy are
simple enough, and Frank had no difficulty in discharging
them satisfactorily. At first he found it
tiresome, being on his feet all day, for the cash-boys
were not allowed to sit down, but he got used to
this, being young and strong.
All this was very satisfactory, but one thing gave
Frank uneasiness. His income was very inadequate
to his wants.
``What makes you so glum, Frank?'' asked Jasper
Wheelock one evening.
``Do I look glum?'' said Frank. ``I was only
thinking how I could earn more money. You know
how little I get. I can hardly take care of myself,
much less take care of Grace.''
``I can lend you some money, Frank. Thanks to
your good advice, I have got some laid up.''
``Thank you, Jasper, but that wouldn't help
matters. I should owe you the money, and I don't know
how I could pay you.''
``About increasing your income, I really don't
know,'' said Jasper. ``I am afraid Gilbert & Mack
wouldn't raise your wages.''
``I don't expect it. All the rest of the cash-boys
would ask the same thing.''
``True; still I know they are very well pleased
with you. Duncan told me you did more work than
any of the rest of the boys.''
``I try to do all I can.''
``He said you would make a good salesman, he
thought. Of course you are too young for that yet.''
``I suppose I am.''
``Frank, I am earning fifteen dollars a week, you
know, and I can get along on ten, but of the five I
save let me give you two. I shall never feel it, and
by and by when you are promoted it won't be necessary.''
``Jasper, you are a true friend,'' said Frank,
warmly; ``but it wouldn't be right for me to accept
your kind offer, though I shan't forget it. You have
been a good friend to me.''
``And you to me, Frank. I'll look out for you.
Perhaps I may hear of something for you.''
Small as Frank's income was, he had managed to
live within it. It will be remembered that he had
paid but fifty cents a week for a room. By great
economy he had made his meals cost but two dollars
a week, so that out of his three dollars he saved
fifty cents. But this saving would not be sufficient
to pay for his clothes. However, he had had no
occasion to buy any as yet, and his little fund
altogether amounted to twenty dollars. Of this sum he
inclosed{sic} eight dollars to Mr. Pomeroy to pay for four
weeks' board for Grace.
``I hope I shall be able to keep it up,'' he said to
himself, thoughtfully. ``At any rate, I've got enough
to pay for six weeks more. Before that time something
may turn up.''
Several days passed without showing Frank any
way by which he could increase his income. Jasper
again offered to give him two dollars a week out of
his own wages, but this our hero steadily refused.
One Friday evening, just as the store was about
to close, the head salesman called Frank to him.
``Where do you live?'' he asked.
``In Sixth avenue, near Twenty-fifth street.''
``There's a bundle to go to Forty-sixth street. I'll
pay your fare upon the stage if you'll carry it. I
promised to send it to-night, and I don't like to
disappoint the lady.''
``I can carry it just as well as not.''
Frank took the bundle, and got on board a passing
omnibus. There was just one seat vacant beside an
old gentleman of seventy, who appeared to be quite
feeble.
At Forty-fifth street he pulled the strap and
prepared to descend, leaning heavily on his cane as he
did so. By some mischance the horses started a
little too soon and the old man, losing his footing,
fell in the street. Frank observed the accident and
sprang out instantly to his help.
``I hope you are not much hurt, sir?'' he said, hastily.
``I have hurt my knee,'' said the old gentleman.
``Let me assist you, sir,'' said Frank, helping him
up.
``Thank you, my boy. I live at number forty-five,
close by. If you will lead me to the door and into
the house I shall be much indebted to you.''
``Certainly, sir. It is no trouble to me.''
With slow step, supported by our hero, the old
gentleman walked to his own door.
It was opened by a maid servant, who looked with
some surprise at Frank.
``I fell, Mary,'' explained her master, ``and this
young gentleman has kindly helped me home.''
``Did you hurt yourself much, sir?''
``Not seriously.''
``Can I do anything more for you, sir?'' asked
Frank.
``Come in a moment.''
Our hero followed his new acquaintance into a
handsomely furnished parlor.
``Now, my young friend tell me if you have been
taken out of your way by your attention to me?''
``Oh, no, sir; I intended to get out at the next
street.''
``My dinner is just ready. Won't you stop and
dine with me?''
``Thank you, sir,'' he said, hesitatingly, ``but I
promised to carry this bundle. I believe it is wanted
at once.''
``So you shall. You say the house is in the next
street. You can go and return in five minutes. You
have done me a service, and I may have it in my
power to do something for you in return.''
``Perhaps,'' thought Frank, ``he can help me to
some employment for my evenings.'' Then, aloud:
``Thank you, sir; I will come.''
Five minutes later Frank was ushered into a
handsome dining-room. The dinner was already on
the table, but chairs were only set for three. The
one at the head of the table was of course occupied
by the old gentleman, the one opposite by Mrs. Bradley,
his housekeeper, and one at the side was placed
for Frank.
``Mrs. Bradley,'' said the old gentleman, ``this is
a young gentleman who was kind enough to help me
home after the accident of which I just spoke to you.
I would mention his name, but I must leave that to
him.''
``Frank Fowler, sir.''
``And my name is Wharton. Now that we are all
introduced, we can talk more freely.''
``Will you have some soup, Mr. Fowler?'' asked the
housekeeper.
She was a tall thin woman, with a reserved
manner that was somewhat repellant. She had only
nodded slightly at the introduction, fixing her eyes
coldly and searchingly on the face of our hero. It
was evident that whateverimpression the service
rendered might have made upon the mind of Mr.
Wharton, it was not calculated to warm the
housekeeper to cordiality.
``Thank you,'' he answered, but he could not help
feeling at the same time that Mrs. Bradley was not
a very agreeable woman.
``You ought to have a good appetite,'' said Mr.
Wharton. ``You have to work hard during the day.
Our young friend is a cash-boy at Gilbert & Mack's,
Mrs. Bradley.
``Oh, indeed!'' said Mrs. Bradley, arching her
brows as much as to say: ``You have invited strange
company to dinner.''
``Do your parents live in the city, Frank--I
believe your name is Frank?''
``No, sir; they are dead. My mother died only a
few weeks since.''
``And have you no brothers and sisters?''
``I have one sister--Grace.''
``I suppose she is in the city here with you?''
``No, sir. I left her in the country. I am here
alone.''
``I will ask you more about yourself after dinner.
If you have no engagement, I should like to have
you stay with me a part of the evening.''
``Thank you, sir.''
Frank accepted the invitation, though he knew
Jasper would wonder what had become of him. He
- oblige [ə´blaidʒ]
vt.责成；迫使；使感激 (初中英语单词) - running [´rʌniŋ] a.奔跑的；流动的 (初中英语单词)
- readily [´redili] ad.乐意地；容易地 (初中英语单词)
- youngster [´jʌŋstə] n.年轻人；小伙子；少年 (初中英语单词)
- satisfactory [,sætis´fæktəri] a.令人满意的 (初中英语单词)
- income [´inkʌm] n.收入，所得 (初中英语单词)
- steadily [´stedili] ad.坚定地；不断地 (初中英语单词)
- bundle [´bʌndl] n.包，捆；包袱(裹) (初中英语单词)
- vacant [´veikənt] a.空虚的，无表情的 (初中英语单词)
- descend [di´send] v.下来，下降 (初中英语单词)
- instantly [´instəntli] ad.立即，立刻 (初中英语单词)
- assist [ə´sist] v.协助；援助；搀扶 (初中英语单词)
- acquaintance [ə´kweintəns] n.相识；熟人，相识的人 (初中英语单词)
- employment [im´plɔimənt] n.工作；职业；雇用 (初中英语单词)
- slightly [´slaitli] ad.轻微地；细长的 (初中英语单词)
- introduction [,intrə´dʌkʃən] n.介绍；引言；引导 (初中英语单词)
- evident [´evidənt] a.明显的，明白的 (初中英语单词)
- whatever [wɔt´evə] pron.&a.无论什么 (初中英语单词)
- impression [im´preʃən] n.印刷；印象；效果 (初中英语单词)
- agreeable [ə´gri:əbəl] a.适合的；符合的 (初中英语单词)
- engagement [in´geidʒmənt] n.婚约；雇用；受聘 (初中英语单词)
- invitation [,invi´teiʃən] n.邀请；请帖；吸引 (初中英语单词)
- spacious [´speiʃəs] a.广阔的，宽敞的 (高中英语单词)
- counter [´kauntə] n.计算者；柜台；计算机 (高中英语单词)
- salesman [´seilzmən] n.店员；推销员 (高中英语单词)
- thoughtfully [´θɔ:tfuli] ad.深思地；体贴地 (高中英语单词)
- housekeeper [´haus,ki:pə] n.主妇，女管家 (高中英语单词)
- retail [´ri:teil, ri´teil] n.&a.&v.零售(商品的) (英语四级单词)
- energetic [,enə´dʒetik] a.精力旺盛的；有力的 (英语四级单词)
- uneasiness [ʌn´i:zinis] n.不安，担忧；不自在 (英语四级单词)
- suspense [sə´spens] n.悬挂；悬虑不安 (英语六级单词)
- satisfactorily [sætis´fæktərili] ad.令人满意地 (英语六级单词)
- indebted [in´detid] a.负债的；感恩的 (英语六级单词)
文章标签:名著
章节正文
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