章节正文
how would you like to have a situation in the factory?
Would you like to take Leonard's place?"
"Yes, sir, if you think I would do."
"I feel quite sure of it. Have you ever done
any manual labor?"
"No, sir."
"I suppose you have always been to school."
"Yes, sir."
"You are a gentleman's son," proceeded Mr.
Jennings, eying Carl attentively. "How will
it suit you to become a working boy?"
"I shall like it," answered Carl, promptly.
"Don't be too sure! You can tell better after
a week in the factory. Those in my employ work
ten hours a day. Leonard Craig doesn't like it."
"All I ask, Mr. Jennings, is that you give me a trial."
"That is fair," responded the little man,
looking pleased. "I will tell you now that,
not knowing of any vacancy in the factory,
I had intended to give you the place in the office
which Mr. Gibbon has asked for his nephew.
It would have been a good deal easier work."
"I shall be quite satisfied to take my place
in the factory."
"Come in, then, and see your future scene
of employment."
They entered a large room, occupying nearly
an entire floor of the building. Part of the
space was filled by machinery. The number
employed Carl estimated roughly at twenty-five.
Quite near the door was a boy, who bore
some personal resemblance to the bookkeeper.
Carl concluded that it must be Leonard Craig.
The boy looked round as Mr. Jennings entered,
and eyed Carl sharply.
"How are you getting on, Leonard?" Mr. Jennings asked.
"Pretty well, sir; but the machinery makes my head ache."
"Your uncle tells me that your employment does not agree with you."
"No, sir; I don't think it does."
"He would like to have you in the office with him.
Would you like it, also?"
"Yes, sir," answered Leonard, eagerly.
"Very well. You may report for duty at the office
to-morrow morning. This boy will take your place here."
Leonard eyed Carl curiously, not cordially.
"I hope you'll like it," he said.
"I think I shall."
"You two boys must get acquainted," said Mr. Jennings.
"Leonard, this is Carl Crawford."
"Glad to know you," said Leonard, coldly.
"I don't think I shall like that boy," thought Carl,
as he followed Mr. Jennings to another part of the room.
CHAPTER XVII.
CARL ENTERS THE FACTORY.
When they left the factory Mr. Jennings said, with a smile:
"Now you are one of us, Carl. To-morrow you begin work."
"I am glad of it, sir."
"You don't ask what salary you are to get."
"I am willing to leave that to you."
"Suppose we say two dollars a week and board--
to begin with."
"That is better than I expected. But where
am I to board?"
"At my house, for the present, if that will suit you."
"I shall like it very much, if it won't
inconvenience you."
"Hannah is the one to be inconvenienced,
if anyone. I had a little conversation with
her while you were getting ready for dinner.
She seems to have taken a liking for you,
though she doesn't like boys generally.
As for me, it will make the home brighter to have
a young person in it. Hannah and I are old-
fashioned and quiet, and the neighbors don't
have much reason to complain of noise."
"No, sir; I should think not, ' said Carl, with a smile.
"There is one thing you must be prepared
for, Carl," said Mr. Jennings, after a pause.
"What is that, sir?"
"Your living in my house--I being your
employer--may excitejealousy in some. I think
I know of one who will be jealous."
"Leonard Craig?"
"And his uncle. However, don't borrow any
trouble on that score. I hope you won't take
advantage of your position, and, thinking yourself
a favorite, neglect your duties."
"I will not, sir."
"Business and friendship ought to be kept apart."
"That is right, sir."
"I am going back to the house, but you may
like to take a walk about the village. You
will feel interested in it, as it is to be your
future home. By the way, it may be well for
you to write for your trunk. You can order
it sent to my house."
"All right, sir; I will do so."
He went to the post office, and, buying a postal
card, wrote to his friend, Gilbert Vance,
as follows:
"Dear Gilbert:--Please send my trunk by
express to me at Milford, care of Henry Jennings,
Esq. He is my employer, and I live at
his house. He is proprietor of a furniture
factory. Will write further particulars soon.
"Carl Crawford."
This postal carried welcomeintelligence to
Gilbert, who felt a brotherly interest in Carl.
He responded by a letter of hearty congratulation,
and forwarded the trunk as requested.
Carl reported for duty the next morning,
and, though a novice, soon showed that he was
not without mechanical skill.
At twelve o'clock all the factory hands had
an hour off for dinner. As Carl passed into
the street he found himself walking beside the
boy whom he had succeeded--Leonard Craig.
"Good-morning, Leonard," said Carl, pleasantly.
"Good-morning. Have you taken my place
in the factory?"
"Yes."
"Do you think you shall like it?"
"I think I shall, though, of course, it is
rather early to form an opinion."
"I didn't like it."
"Why not?"
"I don't want to grow up a workman. I
think I am fit for something better."
"Mr. Jennings began as a factory hand."
"I suppose he had a taste for it. I haven't."
"Then you like your present position better?"
"Oh, yes; it's more genteel. How much does
Jennings pay you?"
"Two dollars a week and board."
"How is that? Where do you board?"
"With him."
"Oh!" said Leonard, his countenance changing.
"So you are a favorite with the boss, are you?"
"I don't know. He gave me warning that
he should be just as strict with me as if we
were strangers."
"How long have you known him?"
Carl smiled.
"I met him for the first time yesterday," he answered.
"That's very queer."
"Well, perhaps it is a little singular."
"Are you a poor boy?"
"I have to earn my own living."
"I see. You will grow up a common workman."
"I shall try to rise above it. I am not ashamed
of the position, but I am ambitious to rise."
"I am going to be a bookkeeper," said Leonard.
"My uncle is going to teach me. I would
rather be a bookkeeper than a factory hand."
"Then you are right in preparing yourself
for such a post."
Here the two boys separated, as they were
to dine in different places.
Leonard was pleased with his new position.
He really had very little to do. Twice a day
he went to the post office, once or twice to the
bank, and there was an occasionalerrand besides.
To Carl the idleness would have been
insupportable, but Leonard was naturally
indolent. He sat down in a chair by the window,
and watched the people go by.
The first afternoon he was in luck, for there
was a dog fight in the street outside. He seized
his hat, went out, and watched the canine warfare
with the deepest interest.
"I think I will buy you a system of bookkeeping,"
said his uncle, "and you can study it in the office."
"Put it off till next week, Uncle Julius. I
want to get rested from the factory work."
"It seems to me, Leonard, you were born lazy,"
said his uncle, sharply.
"I don't care to work with my hands."
"Do you care to work at all?"
"I should like to be a bookkeeper."
"Do you know that my work is harder and
more exhausting than that of a workman in
the factory?"
"You don't want to exchange with him, do you?"
asked Leonard.
"No."
"That's where I agree with you."
Mr. Jennings took several weekly papers.
Leonard was looking over the columns of one
of them one day, when he saw the advertisement
of a gift enterprise of a most attractive
character. The first prize was a house and
grounds valued at ten thousand dollars. Following
were minor prizes, among them one
thousand dollars in gold.
Leonard's fancy was captivated by the brilliant
prospect of such a prize.
"Price of tickets--only one dollar!" he read.
"Think of getting a thousand dollars for one!
Oh, if I could only be the lucky one!"
He took out his purse, though he knew
beforehand that his stock of cash consisted only
Would you like to take Leonard's place?"
"Yes, sir, if you think I would do."
"I feel quite sure of it. Have you ever done
any manual labor?"
"No, sir."
"I suppose you have always been to school."
"Yes, sir."
"You are a gentleman's son," proceeded Mr.
Jennings, eying Carl attentively. "How will
it suit you to become a working boy?"
"I shall like it," answered Carl, promptly.
"Don't be too sure! You can tell better after
a week in the factory. Those in my employ work
ten hours a day. Leonard Craig doesn't like it."
"All I ask, Mr. Jennings, is that you give me a trial."
"That is fair," responded the little man,
looking pleased. "I will tell you now that,
not knowing of any vacancy in the factory,
I had intended to give you the place in the office
which Mr. Gibbon has asked for his nephew.
It would have been a good deal easier work."
"I shall be quite satisfied to take my place
in the factory."
"Come in, then, and see your future scene
of employment."
They entered a large room, occupying nearly
an entire floor of the building. Part of the
space was filled by machinery. The number
employed Carl estimated roughly at twenty-five.
Quite near the door was a boy, who bore
some personal resemblance to the bookkeeper.
Carl concluded that it must be Leonard Craig.
The boy looked round as Mr. Jennings entered,
and eyed Carl sharply.
"How are you getting on, Leonard?" Mr. Jennings asked.
"Pretty well, sir; but the machinery makes my head ache."
"Your uncle tells me that your employment does not agree with you."
"No, sir; I don't think it does."
"He would like to have you in the office with him.
Would you like it, also?"
"Yes, sir," answered Leonard, eagerly.
"Very well. You may report for duty at the office
to-morrow morning. This boy will take your place here."
Leonard eyed Carl curiously, not cordially.
"I hope you'll like it," he said.
"I think I shall."
"You two boys must get acquainted," said Mr. Jennings.
"Leonard, this is Carl Crawford."
"Glad to know you," said Leonard, coldly.
"I don't think I shall like that boy," thought Carl,
as he followed Mr. Jennings to another part of the room.
CHAPTER XVII.
CARL ENTERS THE FACTORY.
When they left the factory Mr. Jennings said, with a smile:
"Now you are one of us, Carl. To-morrow you begin work."
"I am glad of it, sir."
"You don't ask what salary you are to get."
"I am willing to leave that to you."
"Suppose we say two dollars a week and board--
to begin with."
"That is better than I expected. But where
am I to board?"
"At my house, for the present, if that will suit you."
"I shall like it very much, if it won't
inconvenience you."
"Hannah is the one to be inconvenienced,
if anyone. I had a little conversation with
her while you were getting ready for dinner.
She seems to have taken a liking for you,
though she doesn't like boys generally.
As for me, it will make the home brighter to have
a young person in it. Hannah and I are old-
fashioned and quiet, and the neighbors don't
have much reason to complain of noise."
"No, sir; I should think not, ' said Carl, with a smile.
"There is one thing you must be prepared
for, Carl," said Mr. Jennings, after a pause.
"What is that, sir?"
"Your living in my house--I being your
employer--may excitejealousy in some. I think
I know of one who will be jealous."
"Leonard Craig?"
"And his uncle. However, don't borrow any
trouble on that score. I hope you won't take
advantage of your position, and, thinking yourself
a favorite, neglect your duties."
"I will not, sir."
"Business and friendship ought to be kept apart."
"That is right, sir."
"I am going back to the house, but you may
like to take a walk about the village. You
will feel interested in it, as it is to be your
future home. By the way, it may be well for
you to write for your trunk. You can order
it sent to my house."
"All right, sir; I will do so."
He went to the post office, and, buying a postal
card, wrote to his friend, Gilbert Vance,
as follows:
"Dear Gilbert:--Please send my trunk by
express to me at Milford, care of Henry Jennings,
Esq. He is my employer, and I live at
his house. He is proprietor of a furniture
factory. Will write further particulars soon.
"Carl Crawford."
This postal carried welcomeintelligence to
Gilbert, who felt a brotherly interest in Carl.
He responded by a letter of hearty congratulation,
and forwarded the trunk as requested.
Carl reported for duty the next morning,
and, though a novice, soon showed that he was
not without mechanical skill.
At twelve o'clock all the factory hands had
an hour off for dinner. As Carl passed into
the street he found himself walking beside the
boy whom he had succeeded--Leonard Craig.
"Good-morning, Leonard," said Carl, pleasantly.
"Good-morning. Have you taken my place
in the factory?"
"Yes."
"Do you think you shall like it?"
"I think I shall, though, of course, it is
rather early to form an opinion."
"I didn't like it."
"Why not?"
"I don't want to grow up a workman. I
think I am fit for something better."
"Mr. Jennings began as a factory hand."
"I suppose he had a taste for it. I haven't."
"Then you like your present position better?"
"Oh, yes; it's more genteel. How much does
Jennings pay you?"
"Two dollars a week and board."
"How is that? Where do you board?"
"With him."
"Oh!" said Leonard, his countenance changing.
"So you are a favorite with the boss, are you?"
"I don't know. He gave me warning that
he should be just as strict with me as if we
were strangers."
"How long have you known him?"
Carl smiled.
"I met him for the first time yesterday," he answered.
"That's very queer."
"Well, perhaps it is a little singular."
"Are you a poor boy?"
"I have to earn my own living."
"I see. You will grow up a common workman."
"I shall try to rise above it. I am not ashamed
of the position, but I am ambitious to rise."
"I am going to be a bookkeeper," said Leonard.
"My uncle is going to teach me. I would
rather be a bookkeeper than a factory hand."
"Then you are right in preparing yourself
for such a post."
Here the two boys separated, as they were
to dine in different places.
Leonard was pleased with his new position.
He really had very little to do. Twice a day
he went to the post office, once or twice to the
bank, and there was an occasionalerrand besides.
To Carl the idleness would have been
insupportable, but Leonard was naturally
indolent. He sat down in a chair by the window,
and watched the people go by.
The first afternoon he was in luck, for there
was a dog fight in the street outside. He seized
his hat, went out, and watched the canine warfare
with the deepest interest.
"I think I will buy you a system of bookkeeping,"
said his uncle, "and you can study it in the office."
"Put it off till next week, Uncle Julius. I
want to get rested from the factory work."
"It seems to me, Leonard, you were born lazy,"
said his uncle, sharply.
"I don't care to work with my hands."
"Do you care to work at all?"
"I should like to be a bookkeeper."
"Do you know that my work is harder and
more exhausting than that of a workman in
the factory?"
"You don't want to exchange with him, do you?"
asked Leonard.
"No."
"That's where I agree with you."
Mr. Jennings took several weekly papers.
Leonard was looking over the columns of one
of them one day, when he saw the advertisement
of a gift enterprise of a most attractive
character. The first prize was a house and
grounds valued at ten thousand dollars. Following
were minor prizes, among them one
thousand dollars in gold.
Leonard's fancy was captivated by the brilliant
prospect of such a prize.
"Price of tickets--only one dollar!" he read.
"Think of getting a thousand dollars for one!
Oh, if I could only be the lucky one!"
He took out his purse, though he knew
beforehand that his stock of cash consisted only
- working [´wə:kiŋ]
a.工人的；劳动的 (初中英语单词) - knowing [´nəuiŋ] a.会意的，心照不宣的 (初中英语单词)
- employment [im´plɔimənt] n.工作；职业；雇用 (初中英语单词)
- curiously [´kjuəriəsli] ad.好奇地；稀奇古怪地 (初中英语单词)
- willing [´wiliŋ] a.情愿的，乐意的 (初中英语单词)
- complain [kəm´plein] vi.抱怨，叫屈；控诉 (初中英语单词)
- excite [ik´sait] vt.激动；引起，招惹 (初中英语单词)
- neglect [ni´glekt] vt.&n.疏忽；忽视；忽略 (初中英语单词)
- employer [im´plɔiə] n.雇佣者，雇主 (初中英语单词)
- welcome [´welkəm] a.受欢迎的；可喜的 (初中英语单词)
- intelligence [in´telidʒəns] n.智力；消息 (初中英语单词)
- mechanical [mi´kænikəl] a.机械的；力学的 (初中英语单词)
- countenance [´kauntinəns] n.面部表情；脸色；面容 (初中英语单词)
- ambitious [æm´biʃəs] a.有雄心的；热望的 (初中英语单词)
- occasional [ə´keiʒənəl] a.偶然的；临时的 (初中英语单词)
- errand [´erənd] n.差使，使命 (初中英语单词)
- system [´sistəm] n.系统，体系，制度 (初中英语单词)
- weekly [´wi:kli] a.&ad.每周一次(的) (初中英语单词)
- enterprise [´entəpraiz] n.企业；雄心；胆识 (初中英语单词)
- vacancy [´veikənsi] n.空缺；空间；空虚 (高中英语单词)
- roughly [´rʌfli] ad.粗糙地；毛糙地 (高中英语单词)
- resemblance [ri´zembləns] n.类似；肖像；外表 (高中英语单词)
- jealousy [´dʒeləsi] n.妒忌；猜忌 (高中英语单词)
- proprietor [prə´praiətə] n.所有人；业主；经营者 (高中英语单词)
- postal [´pəustl] a.邮政的 n.明信片 (高中英语单词)
- hearty [´hɑ:ti] a.热忱的；强健的 (高中英语单词)
- workman [´wə:kmən] n.工人；工作人员 (高中英语单词)
- strict [strikt] a.严厉的；精确的 (高中英语单词)
- manual [´mænjuəl] a.用手(操作)的 n.手册 (英语四级单词)
- warning [´wɔ:niŋ] n.警告；前兆 a.预告的 (英语四级单词)
- idleness [´aidlnis] n.懒；闲着不干事 (英语四级单词)
- liking [´laikiŋ] n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 (英语六级单词)
- brotherly [´brʌðəli] a.兄弟般的 (英语六级单词)
- novice [´nɔvis] n.新手；初学者 (英语六级单词)
- genteel [dʒen´ti:l] a.有教养的；文雅的 (英语六级单词)
- bookkeeper [´buk,ki:pə] n.记帐员，簿记员 (英语六级单词)
文章标签:名著
章节正文
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