章节正文
in the employ of an old schoolmate of mine,
Henry Jennings, of Milford. By the way,
what business are you going to put into his hands?"
"A young man who has a shoe store on State
Street has asked me for a loan of two thousand
dollars to extend his business. His
name is John French, and his mother was an
old schoolmate of mine, though some years
younger. Now I know nothing of him. If
he is a sober, steady, industrious young man,
I may comply with his request. This boy will
investigate and report to me."
"And you will be guided by his report?"
"Probably."
"Aunt Rachel, you are certainly very eccentric."
"I may be, but I am not often deceived."
"Well, I hope you won't be this time. The boy
seems to me a very good boy, but you can't
put an old head on young shoulders."
"Some boys have more sense than men twice their age."
"You don't mean me, I hope, Aunt Rachel,"
said Mr. Norris, smiling.
"Indeed, I don't. I shall not flatter you by
speaking of you as only twice this boy's age."
"I see, Aunt Rachel, there is no getting the
better of you."
Meanwhile Carl was making business calls.
He obtained a map of the city, and located the
different firms on which he proposed to call.
He had been furnished with a list by Mr.
Jennings. He was everywhere pleasantly received
--in some places with an expression of surprise
at his youth--but when he began to talk
he proved to be so well informed upon the
subject of his call that any prejudice excited
by his age quickly vanished. He had the
satisfaction of securing several unexpectedly
large orders for the chair, and transmitting
them to Mr. Jennings by the afternoon mail.
He got through his business at four o'clock,
and rested for an hour or more at his hotel.
Then he arranged his toilet, and set out for
the residence of Miss Rachel Norris.
It was rather a prim-looking, three-story
house, such as might be supposed to belong
to a maiden lady. He was ushered into a sitting-
room on the second floor, where Miss Norris
soon joined him.
"I am glad to see you, my young friend,"
she said, cordially. "You are in time."
"I always try to be, Miss Norris."
"It is a good way to begin."
Here a bell rang.
"Supper is ready," she said. "Follow me downstairs."
Carl followed the old lady to the rear room
on the lower floor. A small table was set in
the center of the apartment.
"Take a seat opposite me," said Miss Norris.
There were two other chairs, one on each
side--Carl wondered for whom they were set.
No sooner were he and Miss Norris seated than
two large cats approached the table, and
jumped up, one into each chair. Carl looked
to see them ordered away, but instead, Miss
Norris nodded pleasantly, saying: "That's right,
Jane and Molly, you are punctual at meals."
The two cats eyed their mistressgravely,
and began to purr contentedly.
CHAPTER XXXI.
CARL TAKES SUPPER WITH MISS NORRIS.
"This is my family," said Miss Norris,
pointing to the cats.
"I like cats," said Carl.
"Do you?" returned Miss Norris, looking
pleased. "Most boys tease them. Do you see
poor Molly's ear? That wound came from a
stone thrown by a bad boy."
"Many boys are cruel," said Carl, "but I
remember that my mother was very fond of cats,
and I have always protected them from abuse."
As he spoke he stroked Molly, who purred
an acknowledgment of his attention. This
completed the conquest of Miss Norris, who
inwardly decided that Carl was the finest boy
she had ever met. After she had served Carl
from the dishes on the table, she poured out
two saucers of milk and set one before each cat,
who, rising upon her hind legs, placed her
forepaws on the table, and gravely partook
of the refreshments provided. Jane and Molly
were afterwards regaled with cold meat, and
then, stretching themselves out on their chairs,
closed their eyes in placid content.
During the meal Miss Norris questioned Carl
closely as to his home experiences. Having
no reason for concealment Carl frankly related
his troubles with his stepmother, eliciting
expressions of sympathy and approval from his hostess.
"Your stepmother must be an ugly creature?" she said.
"I am afraid I am prejudiced against her,"
said Carl, "but that is my opinion."
"Your father must be very weak to be influenced
against his own son by such a woman."
Carl winced a little at this outspoken criticism,
for he was attached to his father in spite of his
unjust treatment.
"My father is an invalid," he said, apologetically,
"and I think he yielded for the sake of peace."
"All the same, he ought not to do it," said
Miss Norris. "Do you ever expect to live at
home again?"
"Not while my stepmother is there,"
answered Carl. "But I don't know that I should
care to do so under any circumstances, as I
am now receiving a business training. I
should like to make a little visit home," he
added, thoughtfully, "and perhaps I may do
so after I return from Chicago. I shall have
no favors to ask, and shall feel independent."
"If you ever need a home," said Miss
Norris, abruptly, "come here. You will be welcome."
"Thank you very much," said Carl, gratefully.
"It is all the more kind in you since
you have known me so short a time."
"I have known you long enough to judge
of you," said the maiden lady. "And now if
you won't have anything more we will go into
the next room and talk business."
Carl followed her into the adjoining room,
and Miss Norris at once plunged into the subject.
She handed him a business card bearing
this inscription:
JOHN FRENCH,
BOOTS, SHOES AND RUBBER GOODS,
42a State Street, CHICAGO.
"This young man wants me to lend him two
thousand dollars to extend his business," she
said. "He is the son of an old school friend,
and I am willing to oblige him if he is a sober,
steady and economical business man. I want
you to find out whether this is the case and
report to me."
"Won't that be difficult?" asked Carl.
"Are you afraid to undertake anything that is difficult?"
"No," answered Carl, with a smile. "I was only afraid
I might not do the work satisfactorily."
"I shall give you no instructions," said Miss Norris.
"I shall trust to your good judgment.
I will give you a letter to Mr. French,
which you can use or not, as you think wise.
Of course, I shall see that you are paid for
your trouble."
"Thank you," said Carl. "I hope my services
may be worth compensation."
"I don't know how you are situated as to money,
but I can give you some in advance,"
and the old lady opened her pocketbook.
"No, thank you, Miss Norris; I shall not need it.
I might have been short if you had not kindly paid me
a reward for a slight service."
"Slight, indeed! If you had lost a bank
book like mine you would be glad to get it
back at such a price. If you will catch the
rascal who stole it I will gladly pay you as
much more."
"I wish I might for my own sake, but I am
afraid it would be too late to recover my money
and clothing."
At an early hour Carl left the house,
promising to write to Miss Norris from Chicago.
CHAPTER XXXII.
A STARTLING DISCOVERY.
"Well," thought Carl, as he left the house
where he had been so hospitably entertained,
"I shall not lack for business. Miss Norris
seems to have a great deal of confidence in
me, considering that I am a stranger. I will
take care that she does not repent it."
"Can you give a poor man enough money to
buy a cheap meal?" asked a plaintive voice.
Carl scanned the applicant for charity
closely. He was a man of medium size, with
a pair of small eyes, and a turnup nose. His
dress was extremelyshabby, and he had the
appearance of one who was on bad terms with
fortune. There was nothing striking about
his appearance, yet Carl regarded him with
surprise and wonder. Despite the difference
in age, he bore a remarkableresemblance to
his stepbrother, Peter Cook.
"I haven't eaten anything for twenty-four hours,"
continued the tramp, as he may properly be called.
"It's a hard world to such as me, boy."
"I should judge so from your looks," answered Carl.
"Indeed you are right. I was born to ill luck."
Carl had some doubts about this. Those who
represent themselves as born to ill luck can
usually trace the ill luck to errors or shortcomings
of their own. There are doubtless
inequalities of fortune, but not as great as
many like to represent. Of two boys who
Henry Jennings, of Milford. By the way,
what business are you going to put into his hands?"
"A young man who has a shoe store on State
Street has asked me for a loan of two thousand
dollars to extend his business. His
name is John French, and his mother was an
old schoolmate of mine, though some years
younger. Now I know nothing of him. If
he is a sober, steady, industrious young man,
I may comply with his request. This boy will
investigate and report to me."
"And you will be guided by his report?"
"Probably."
"Aunt Rachel, you are certainly very eccentric."
"I may be, but I am not often deceived."
"Well, I hope you won't be this time. The boy
seems to me a very good boy, but you can't
put an old head on young shoulders."
"Some boys have more sense than men twice their age."
"You don't mean me, I hope, Aunt Rachel,"
said Mr. Norris, smiling.
"Indeed, I don't. I shall not flatter you by
speaking of you as only twice this boy's age."
"I see, Aunt Rachel, there is no getting the
better of you."
Meanwhile Carl was making business calls.
He obtained a map of the city, and located the
different firms on which he proposed to call.
He had been furnished with a list by Mr.
Jennings. He was everywhere pleasantly received
--in some places with an expression of surprise
at his youth--but when he began to talk
he proved to be so well informed upon the
subject of his call that any prejudice excited
by his age quickly vanished. He had the
satisfaction of securing several unexpectedly
large orders for the chair, and transmitting
them to Mr. Jennings by the afternoon mail.
He got through his business at four o'clock,
and rested for an hour or more at his hotel.
Then he arranged his toilet, and set out for
the residence of Miss Rachel Norris.
It was rather a prim-looking, three-story
house, such as might be supposed to belong
to a maiden lady. He was ushered into a sitting-
room on the second floor, where Miss Norris
soon joined him.
"I am glad to see you, my young friend,"
she said, cordially. "You are in time."
"I always try to be, Miss Norris."
"It is a good way to begin."
Here a bell rang.
"Supper is ready," she said. "Follow me downstairs."
Carl followed the old lady to the rear room
on the lower floor. A small table was set in
the center of the apartment.
"Take a seat opposite me," said Miss Norris.
There were two other chairs, one on each
side--Carl wondered for whom they were set.
No sooner were he and Miss Norris seated than
two large cats approached the table, and
jumped up, one into each chair. Carl looked
to see them ordered away, but instead, Miss
Norris nodded pleasantly, saying: "That's right,
Jane and Molly, you are punctual at meals."
The two cats eyed their mistressgravely,
and began to purr contentedly.
CHAPTER XXXI.
CARL TAKES SUPPER WITH MISS NORRIS.
"This is my family," said Miss Norris,
pointing to the cats.
"I like cats," said Carl.
"Do you?" returned Miss Norris, looking
pleased. "Most boys tease them. Do you see
poor Molly's ear? That wound came from a
stone thrown by a bad boy."
"Many boys are cruel," said Carl, "but I
remember that my mother was very fond of cats,
and I have always protected them from abuse."
As he spoke he stroked Molly, who purred
an acknowledgment of his attention. This
completed the conquest of Miss Norris, who
inwardly decided that Carl was the finest boy
she had ever met. After she had served Carl
from the dishes on the table, she poured out
two saucers of milk and set one before each cat,
who, rising upon her hind legs, placed her
forepaws on the table, and gravely partook
of the refreshments provided. Jane and Molly
were afterwards regaled with cold meat, and
then, stretching themselves out on their chairs,
closed their eyes in placid content.
During the meal Miss Norris questioned Carl
closely as to his home experiences. Having
no reason for concealment Carl frankly related
his troubles with his stepmother, eliciting
expressions of sympathy and approval from his hostess.
"Your stepmother must be an ugly creature?" she said.
"I am afraid I am prejudiced against her,"
said Carl, "but that is my opinion."
"Your father must be very weak to be influenced
against his own son by such a woman."
Carl winced a little at this outspoken criticism,
for he was attached to his father in spite of his
unjust treatment.
"My father is an invalid," he said, apologetically,
"and I think he yielded for the sake of peace."
"All the same, he ought not to do it," said
Miss Norris. "Do you ever expect to live at
home again?"
"Not while my stepmother is there,"
answered Carl. "But I don't know that I should
care to do so under any circumstances, as I
am now receiving a business training. I
should like to make a little visit home," he
added, thoughtfully, "and perhaps I may do
so after I return from Chicago. I shall have
no favors to ask, and shall feel independent."
"If you ever need a home," said Miss
Norris, abruptly, "come here. You will be welcome."
"Thank you very much," said Carl, gratefully.
"It is all the more kind in you since
you have known me so short a time."
"I have known you long enough to judge
of you," said the maiden lady. "And now if
you won't have anything more we will go into
the next room and talk business."
Carl followed her into the adjoining room,
and Miss Norris at once plunged into the subject.
She handed him a business card bearing
this inscription:
JOHN FRENCH,
BOOTS, SHOES AND RUBBER GOODS,
42a State Street, CHICAGO.
"This young man wants me to lend him two
thousand dollars to extend his business," she
said. "He is the son of an old school friend,
and I am willing to oblige him if he is a sober,
steady and economical business man. I want
you to find out whether this is the case and
report to me."
"Won't that be difficult?" asked Carl.
"Are you afraid to undertake anything that is difficult?"
"No," answered Carl, with a smile. "I was only afraid
I might not do the work satisfactorily."
"I shall give you no instructions," said Miss Norris.
"I shall trust to your good judgment.
I will give you a letter to Mr. French,
which you can use or not, as you think wise.
Of course, I shall see that you are paid for
your trouble."
"Thank you," said Carl. "I hope my services
may be worth compensation."
"I don't know how you are situated as to money,
but I can give you some in advance,"
and the old lady opened her pocketbook.
"No, thank you, Miss Norris; I shall not need it.
I might have been short if you had not kindly paid me
a reward for a slight service."
"Slight, indeed! If you had lost a bank
book like mine you would be glad to get it
back at such a price. If you will catch the
rascal who stole it I will gladly pay you as
much more."
"I wish I might for my own sake, but I am
afraid it would be too late to recover my money
and clothing."
At an early hour Carl left the house,
promising to write to Miss Norris from Chicago.
CHAPTER XXXII.
A STARTLING DISCOVERY.
"Well," thought Carl, as he left the house
where he had been so hospitably entertained,
"I shall not lack for business. Miss Norris
seems to have a great deal of confidence in
me, considering that I am a stranger. I will
take care that she does not repent it."
"Can you give a poor man enough money to
buy a cheap meal?" asked a plaintive voice.
Carl scanned the applicant for charity
closely. He was a man of medium size, with
a pair of small eyes, and a turnup nose. His
dress was extremelyshabby, and he had the
appearance of one who was on bad terms with
fortune. There was nothing striking about
his appearance, yet Carl regarded him with
surprise and wonder. Despite the difference
in age, he bore a remarkableresemblance to
his stepbrother, Peter Cook.
"I haven't eaten anything for twenty-four hours,"
continued the tramp, as he may properly be called.
"It's a hard world to such as me, boy."
"I should judge so from your looks," answered Carl.
"Indeed you are right. I was born to ill luck."
Carl had some doubts about this. Those who
represent themselves as born to ill luck can
usually trace the ill luck to errors or shortcomings
of their own. There are doubtless
inequalities of fortune, but not as great as
many like to represent. Of two boys who
- schoolmate [´sku:lmeit]
n.同学 (初中英语单词) - flatter [´flætə] vt.阿谀，奉承；胜过 (初中英语单词)
- residence [´rezidəns] n.居住(期间)；住宅 (初中英语单词)
- supposed [sə´pəuzd] a.想象的；假定的 (初中英语单词)
- maiden [´meidn] n.少女 a.未婚的 (初中英语单词)
- punctual [´pʌŋktjuəl] a.准时的；精确的 (初中英语单词)
- mistress [´mistris] n.女主人；情妇；女能手 (初中英语单词)
- conquest [´kɔŋkwest] n.赢得；获得；占领地 (初中英语单词)
- gravely [´greivli] ad.庄重地，严肃地 (初中英语单词)
- frankly [´fræŋkli] ad.直率地；慷慨地 (初中英语单词)
- sympathy [´simpəθi] n.同情，怜悯 (初中英语单词)
- abruptly [ə´brʌptli] ad.突然地；粗鲁地 (初中英语单词)
- rubber [´rʌbə] n.(摩)擦的人；橡皮 (初中英语单词)
- willing [´wiliŋ] a.情愿的，乐意的 (初中英语单词)
- oblige [ə´blaidʒ] vt.责成；迫使；使感激 (初中英语单词)
- undertake [,ʌndə´teik] vt.从事；承担；担保 (初中英语单词)
- situated [´sitʃueitid] a.位于；处于....境地 (初中英语单词)
- reward [ri´wɔ:d] n.&v.报答；报酬；奖赏 (初中英语单词)
- medium [´mi:diəm] n.中间；平均 a.中等的 (初中英语单词)
- extremely [ik´stri:mli] ad.极端地；非常地 (初中英语单词)
- striking [´straikiŋ] a.显著的，明显的 (初中英语单词)
- despite [di´spait] prep.尽管 (初中英语单词)
- remarkable [ri´mɑ:kəbl] a.值得注意的；显著的 (初中英语单词)
- properly [´prɔpəli] ad.适当地；严格地 (初中英语单词)
- industrious [in´dʌstriəs] a.勤勉的，刻苦的 (高中英语单词)
- pleasantly [´plezntli] ad.令人愉快地；舒适地 (高中英语单词)
- prejudice [´predʒədis] n.偏见；不利 vt.损害 (高中英语单词)
- toilet [´tɔilit] n.梳妆(台)；卫生间 (高中英语单词)
- saying [´seiŋ, ´sei-iŋ] n.言语；言论；格言 (高中英语单词)
- decided [di´saidid] a.明显的；决定的 (高中英语单词)
- approval [ə´pru:vəl] n.赞成，批准，认可 (高中英语单词)
- thoughtfully [´θɔ:tfuli] ad.深思地；体贴地 (高中英语单词)
- gladly [´glædli] ad.愉快地，高兴地 (高中英语单词)
- startling [´stɑ:tliŋ] a.惊人的 (高中英语单词)
- repent [ri´pent] v.后悔；悔改；悔悟 (高中英语单词)
- applicant [´æplikənt] n.请求者；申请人 (高中英语单词)
- shabby [´ʃæbi] a.(衣服)破旧的 (高中英语单词)
- resemblance [ri´zembləns] n.类似；肖像；外表 (高中英语单词)
- comply [kəm´plai] vi.照做 (英语四级单词)
- cordially [´kɔ:djəli] ad.热诚地；亲切地 (英语四级单词)
- placid [´plæsid] a.平静的；温和的 (英语四级单词)
- chicago [ʃi´kɑ:gəu] n.芝加哥 (英语四级单词)
- economical [,i:kə´nɔmikəl] a.节俭的；经济的 (英语四级单词)
- considering [kən´sidəriŋ] prep.就...而论 (英语四级单词)
- acknowledgment [ək´nɔlidʒmənt] n.承认；鸣谢 (英语六级单词)
- concealment [kən´si:lmənt] n.隐藏，隐瞒 (英语六级单词)
- stepmother [´step,mʌðə] n.继母，后母 (英语六级单词)
- plaintive [´pleintiv] a.表示哀怨(悲痛) (英语六级单词)
文章标签:名著
章节正文
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