章节正文
of two dimes and a nickel.
"I wonder if I could borrow a dollar of that
boy Carl!" he deliberated. "I'll speak to him
about it."
This happened more than a week after Carl
went to work in the factory. He had already
received one week's pay, and it remained
untouched in his pocket.
Leonard joined him in the street early in the
evening, and accosted him graciously.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Nowhere in particular. I am out for a walk."
"So am I. Shall we walk together?"
"If you like."
After talking on indifferent matters, Leonard
said suddenly: "Oh, by the way, will you do me a favor?"
"What is it?"
"Lend me a dollar till next week."
In former days Carl would probably have granted
the favor, but he realized the value of money now
that he had to earn it by steady work.
"I am afraid it won't be convenient," he answered.
"Does that mean that you haven't got it?"
asked Leonard.
"No, I have it, but I am expecting to use it."
"I wouldn't mind paying you interest for it--
say twenty-five cents," continued Leonard,
who had set his heart on buying a ticket in the
gift enterprise.
"I would be ashamed to take such interest as that."
"But I have a chance of making a good deal
more out of it myself."
"In what way?"
"That is my secret."
"Why don't you borrow it of your uncle?"
"He would ask too many questions. However,
I see that you're a miser, and I won't
trouble you."
He left Carl in a huff and walked hastily
away. He turned into a lane little traveled,
and, after walking a few rods, came suddenly
upon the prostrate body of a man, whose deep,
breathing showed that he was stupefied by
liquor. Leonard was not likely to feel any
special interest in him, but one object did
attract his attention. It was a wallet which had
dropped out of the man's pocket and was lying
on the grass beside him.
CHAPTER XVIII.
LEONARD'S TEMPTATION.
Leonard was not a thief, but the sight of the
wallet tempted him, under the circumstances.
He had set his heart on buying a ticket in the
gift enterprise, and knew of no way of obtaining
the requisite sum--except this. It was,
indeed, a little shock to him to think of
appropriating money not his own; yet who would
know it? The owner of the wallet was drunk,
and would be quite unconscious of his loss.
Besides, if he didn't take the wallet, some one else
probably would, and appropriate the entire
contents. It was an insidious suggestion, and
Leonard somehow persuaded himself that since
the money was sure to be taken, he might as
well have the benefit of it as anyone else.
So, after turning over the matter in his mind
rapidly, he stooped down and picked up the
wallet.
The man did not move.
Emboldened by his insensibility, Leonard
cautiously opened the pocketbook, and his eyes
glistened when he saw tucked away in one
side, quite a thick roll of bills.
"He won't miss one bill," thought Leonard.
"Anyone else might take the whole wallet, but
I wouldn't do that. I wonder how much money
there is in the roll."
He darted another glance at the prostrate
form, but there seemed no danger of interruption.
He took the roll in his hand, therefore,
and a hasty scrutiny showed him that the bills
ran from ones to tens. There must have been
nearly a hundred dollars in all.
"Suppose I take a five," thought Leonard,
whose cupidity increased with the sight of the
money. "He won't miss it, and it will be better
in my hands than if spent for whiskey."
How specious are the arguments of those
who seek an excuse for a wrong act that will
put money in the purse!
"Yes, I think I may venture to take a five,
and, as I might not be able to change it right
away, I will take a one to send for a ticket.
Then I will put the wallet back in the man's pocket."
So far, all went smoothly, and Leonard was
proceeding to carry out his intention when,
taking a precautionary look at the man on the
ground, he was dumfounded by seeing his eyes
wide open and fixed upon him.
Leonard flushed painfully, like a criminal
detected in a crime, and returned the look of
inquiry by one of dismay.
"What--you--doing?" inquired the victim
of inebriety.
"I--is this your wallet, sir?" stammered Leonard.
"Course it is. What you got it for?"
"I--I saw it on the ground, and was afraid
some one would find it, and rob you," said
Leonard, fluently.
"Somebody did find it," rejoined the man,
whose senses seemed coming back to him.
"How much did you take?"
"I? You don't think I would take any of
your money?" said Leonard, in virtuous surprise.
"Looked like it! Can't tell who to trust."
"I assure you, I had only just picked it up,
and was going to put it back in your pocket, sir."
The man, drunk as he was, winked knowingly.
"Smart boy!" he said. "You do it well, ol' fella!"
"But, sir, it is quite true, I assure you.
I will count over the money before you.
Do you know how much you had?"
"Nev' mind. Help me up!"
Leonard stooped over and helped the drunkard
to a sitting position.
"Where am I? Where is hotel?"
Leonard answered him.
"Take me to hotel, and I'll give you a dollar."
"Certainly, sir," said Leonard, briskly. He
was to get his dollar after all, and would not
have to steal it. I am afraid he is not to be
praised for his honesty, as it seemed to be a
matter of necessity.
"I wish he'd give me five dollars," thought
Leonard, but didn't see his way clear to make
the suggestion.
He placed the man on his feet, and guided
his steps to the road. As he walked along,
the inebriate, whose gait was at first unsteady,
recovered his equilibrium and required less help.
"How long had you been lying there?" asked Leonard.
"Don't know. I was taken sick," and the
inebriate nodded knowingly at Leonard,
who felt at liberty to laugh, too.
"Do you ever get sick?"
"Not that way," answered Leonard.
"Smart boy! Better off!"
They reached the hotel, and Leonard engaged
a room for his companion.
"Has he got money?" asked the landlord, in
a low voice.
"Yes," answered Leonard, "he has nearly
a hundred dollars. I counted it myself."
"That's all right, then," said the landlord.
"Here, James, show the gentleman up to No. 15."
"Come, too," said the stranger to Leonard.
The latter followed the more readily because
he had not yet been paid his dollar.
The door of No. 15 was opened, and the two entered.
"I will stay with the gentleman a short time,"
said Leonard to the boy. "If we want anything we will ring."
"All right, sir."
"What's your name?" asked the inebriate,
as he sank into a large armchair near the window.
"Leonard Craig."
"Never heard the name before."
"What's your name, sir?"
"What yon want to know for?" asked the other, cunningly.
"The landlord will want to put it on his book."
"My name? Phil Stark."
"Philip Stark?"
"Yes; who told you?"
It will be seen that Mr. Stark was not yet
quite himself.
"You told me yourself."
"So I did--'scuse me."
"Certainly, sir. By the way, you told me
you would pay me a dollar for bringing you
to the hotel."
"So I did. Take it," and Philip Stark passed
the wallet to Leonard.
Leonard felt tempted to take a two-dollar bill
instead of a one, as Mr. Stark would hardly notice
the mistake. Still, he might ask to look at the bill,
and that would be awkward. So the boy contented himself
with the sum promised.
"Thank you, sir," he said, as he slipped the bill
into his vest pocket. "Do you want some supper?"
"No, I want to sleep."
"Then you had better lie down on the bed.
Will you undress?"
"No; too much trouble."
Mr. Stark rose from the armchair, and,
lurching round to the bed, flung himself on it.
"I suppose you don't want me any longer,"
said Leonard.
"No. Come round to-morrer."
"Yes, sir."
Leonard opened the door and left the room.
He resolved to keep the appointment, and come
round the next day. Who knew but some more
"I wonder if I could borrow a dollar of that
boy Carl!" he deliberated. "I'll speak to him
about it."
This happened more than a week after Carl
went to work in the factory. He had already
received one week's pay, and it remained
untouched in his pocket.
Leonard joined him in the street early in the
evening, and accosted him graciously.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Nowhere in particular. I am out for a walk."
"So am I. Shall we walk together?"
"If you like."
After talking on indifferent matters, Leonard
said suddenly: "Oh, by the way, will you do me a favor?"
"What is it?"
"Lend me a dollar till next week."
In former days Carl would probably have granted
the favor, but he realized the value of money now
that he had to earn it by steady work.
"I am afraid it won't be convenient," he answered.
"Does that mean that you haven't got it?"
asked Leonard.
"No, I have it, but I am expecting to use it."
"I wouldn't mind paying you interest for it--
say twenty-five cents," continued Leonard,
who had set his heart on buying a ticket in the
gift enterprise.
"I would be ashamed to take such interest as that."
"But I have a chance of making a good deal
more out of it myself."
"In what way?"
"That is my secret."
"Why don't you borrow it of your uncle?"
"He would ask too many questions. However,
I see that you're a miser, and I won't
trouble you."
He left Carl in a huff and walked hastily
away. He turned into a lane little traveled,
and, after walking a few rods, came suddenly
upon the prostrate body of a man, whose deep,
breathing showed that he was stupefied by
liquor. Leonard was not likely to feel any
special interest in him, but one object did
attract his attention. It was a wallet which had
dropped out of the man's pocket and was lying
on the grass beside him.
CHAPTER XVIII.
LEONARD'S TEMPTATION.
Leonard was not a thief, but the sight of the
wallet tempted him, under the circumstances.
He had set his heart on buying a ticket in the
gift enterprise, and knew of no way of obtaining
the requisite sum--except this. It was,
indeed, a little shock to him to think of
appropriating money not his own; yet who would
know it? The owner of the wallet was drunk,
and would be quite unconscious of his loss.
Besides, if he didn't take the wallet, some one else
probably would, and appropriate the entire
contents. It was an insidious suggestion, and
Leonard somehow persuaded himself that since
the money was sure to be taken, he might as
well have the benefit of it as anyone else.
So, after turning over the matter in his mind
rapidly, he stooped down and picked up the
wallet.
The man did not move.
Emboldened by his insensibility, Leonard
cautiously opened the pocketbook, and his eyes
glistened when he saw tucked away in one
side, quite a thick roll of bills.
"He won't miss one bill," thought Leonard.
"Anyone else might take the whole wallet, but
I wouldn't do that. I wonder how much money
there is in the roll."
He darted another glance at the prostrate
form, but there seemed no danger of interruption.
He took the roll in his hand, therefore,
and a hasty scrutiny showed him that the bills
ran from ones to tens. There must have been
nearly a hundred dollars in all.
"Suppose I take a five," thought Leonard,
whose cupidity increased with the sight of the
money. "He won't miss it, and it will be better
in my hands than if spent for whiskey."
How specious are the arguments of those
who seek an excuse for a wrong act that will
put money in the purse!
"Yes, I think I may venture to take a five,
and, as I might not be able to change it right
away, I will take a one to send for a ticket.
Then I will put the wallet back in the man's pocket."
So far, all went smoothly, and Leonard was
proceeding to carry out his intention when,
taking a precautionary look at the man on the
ground, he was dumfounded by seeing his eyes
wide open and fixed upon him.
Leonard flushed painfully, like a criminal
detected in a crime, and returned the look of
inquiry by one of dismay.
"What--you--doing?" inquired the victim
of inebriety.
"I--is this your wallet, sir?" stammered Leonard.
"Course it is. What you got it for?"
"I--I saw it on the ground, and was afraid
some one would find it, and rob you," said
Leonard, fluently.
"Somebody did find it," rejoined the man,
whose senses seemed coming back to him.
"How much did you take?"
"I? You don't think I would take any of
your money?" said Leonard, in virtuous surprise.
"Looked like it! Can't tell who to trust."
"I assure you, I had only just picked it up,
and was going to put it back in your pocket, sir."
The man, drunk as he was, winked knowingly.
"Smart boy!" he said. "You do it well, ol' fella!"
"But, sir, it is quite true, I assure you.
I will count over the money before you.
Do you know how much you had?"
"Nev' mind. Help me up!"
Leonard stooped over and helped the drunkard
to a sitting position.
"Where am I? Where is hotel?"
Leonard answered him.
"Take me to hotel, and I'll give you a dollar."
"Certainly, sir," said Leonard, briskly. He
was to get his dollar after all, and would not
have to steal it. I am afraid he is not to be
praised for his honesty, as it seemed to be a
matter of necessity.
"I wish he'd give me five dollars," thought
Leonard, but didn't see his way clear to make
the suggestion.
He placed the man on his feet, and guided
his steps to the road. As he walked along,
the inebriate, whose gait was at first unsteady,
recovered his equilibrium and required less help.
"How long had you been lying there?" asked Leonard.
"Don't know. I was taken sick," and the
inebriate nodded knowingly at Leonard,
who felt at liberty to laugh, too.
"Do you ever get sick?"
"Not that way," answered Leonard.
"Smart boy! Better off!"
They reached the hotel, and Leonard engaged
a room for his companion.
"Has he got money?" asked the landlord, in
a low voice.
"Yes," answered Leonard, "he has nearly
a hundred dollars. I counted it myself."
"That's all right, then," said the landlord.
"Here, James, show the gentleman up to No. 15."
"Come, too," said the stranger to Leonard.
The latter followed the more readily because
he had not yet been paid his dollar.
The door of No. 15 was opened, and the two entered.
"I will stay with the gentleman a short time,"
said Leonard to the boy. "If we want anything we will ring."
"All right, sir."
"What's your name?" asked the inebriate,
as he sank into a large armchair near the window.
"Leonard Craig."
"Never heard the name before."
"What's your name, sir?"
"What yon want to know for?" asked the other, cunningly.
"The landlord will want to put it on his book."
"My name? Phil Stark."
"Philip Stark?"
"Yes; who told you?"
It will be seen that Mr. Stark was not yet
quite himself.
"You told me yourself."
"So I did--'scuse me."
"Certainly, sir. By the way, you told me
you would pay me a dollar for bringing you
to the hotel."
"So I did. Take it," and Philip Stark passed
the wallet to Leonard.
Leonard felt tempted to take a two-dollar bill
instead of a one, as Mr. Stark would hardly notice
the mistake. Still, he might ask to look at the bill,
and that would be awkward. So the boy contented himself
with the sum promised.
"Thank you, sir," he said, as he slipped the bill
into his vest pocket. "Do you want some supper?"
"No, I want to sleep."
"Then you had better lie down on the bed.
Will you undress?"
"No; too much trouble."
Mr. Stark rose from the armchair, and,
lurching round to the bed, flung himself on it.
"I suppose you don't want me any longer,"
said Leonard.
"No. Come round to-morrer."
"Yes, sir."
Leonard opened the door and left the room.
He resolved to keep the appointment, and come
round the next day. Who knew but some more
- ashamed [ə´ʃeimd]
a.惭愧；不好意思 (初中英语单词) - enterprise [´entəpraiz] n.企业；雄心；胆识 (初中英语单词)
- suggestion [sə´dʒestʃən] n.建议，提议；暗示 (初中英语单词)
- venture [´ventʃə] n.投机 v.冒险；敢于 (初中英语单词)
- intention [in´tenʃən] n.意图；打算；意义 (初中英语单词)
- knowingly [´nəuiŋli] ad.狡黠地，机警地 (初中英语单词)
- landlord [´lændlɔ:d] n.地主；房东；店主 (初中英语单词)
- readily [´redili] ad.乐意地；容易地 (初中英语单词)
- indifferent [in´difrənt] a.不关心的；中立的 (高中英语单词)
- unconscious [ʌn´kɔnʃəs] a.无意识的；不觉察的 (高中英语单词)
- appropriate [ə´prəupri-it, ə´prəuprieit] a.适宜的 vt.私占；拨给 (高中英语单词)
- smoothly [´smu:ðli] ad.光滑地；顺利地 (高中英语单词)
- seeing [si:iŋ] see的现在分词 n.视觉 (高中英语单词)
- honesty [´ɔnisti] n.诚实，老实 (高中英语单词)
- awkward [´ɔ:kwəd] a.笨拙的；为难的 (高中英语单词)
- contented [kən´tentid] a.满足的；心满意足的 (高中英语单词)
- prostrate [´prɔstreit, prɔ´streit] a.俯伏的 vt.弄倒 (英语四级单词)
- wallet [´wɑ:lit] n.(放钞票等的)皮夹子 (英语四级单词)
- requisite [´rekwizit] a.需要的；必要的 n.必需品 (英语四级单词)
- painfully [´peinfuli] ad.痛苦地；费力地 (英语四级单词)
- virtuous [´və:tjuəs] a.道德的；善良的 (英语四级单词)
- briskly [´briskli] ad.轻快地；活泼地 (英语四级单词)
- armchair [´ɑ:mtʃeə] n.扶手椅 (英语四级单词)
- resolved [ri´zɔlvd] a.决心的；坚定的 (英语四级单词)
- pocketbook [´pɔkitbuk] n.袖珍本；皮夹子；财力 (英语六级单词)
- equilibrium [,i:kwi´libriəm] n.平衡；均势 (英语六级单词)
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章节正文
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