章节正文
"As for you, sir, it's none of your business."
"Young man, you asked me a short time since
who I am. Do you want to know?"
"I am not very particular."
"Then, sir, I have to inform you that I am Richard
Grant, the president of this road."
The conductor's face was a curious and interesting
study when he heard this announcement. He knew
that the old man whom he had insulted had a right
to discharge him from his position, and bully as he
had shown himself, he was now inclined to humble
himself to save his place.
"I beg your pardon, sir," he said in a composed
tone. "If I had known who you were I wouldn't
have spoken as I did."
"I had a claim to be treated like a gentleman,
even if I had no connection with the road," he said.
"If you say the boy's all right, I won't interfere
with him," continued the conductor.
"My testimony would clear him from any charge
that might be brought against him," said the
president. "I saw him enter the car, and know he has
had no opportunity to take the ring."
"If he'll give me back the ring, that's all I want,"
said the young lady.
"That I am willing to do, though I lose five
dollars by it," said Philip.
"Do so, my boy," said the president. "I take it
for granted that the young lady's claim is a just
one."
Upon this Philip drew the ring from his finger
and handed it to the young lady, who went back to
the car where her friends were sitting.
"I hope, sir," said the conductoranxiously, "that
you won't be prejudiced against me on account of
this affair."
"I am sorry to say that I can't help feeling
prejudiced against you," returned the president dryly;
"but I won't allow this feeling to injure you if, upon
inquiring, I find that you are otherwise an efficient
officer."
"Thank you, sir."
"I am glad that my presence has saved this boy
from being the victim of an injustice. Let this be a
lesson to you in future."
The conductor walked away, looking quite chop-
fallen, and Philip turned to his new friend.
"I am very much indebted to you, sir," he said.
"But for you I should have found myself in serious
trouble."
"I am glad to have prevented an injustice, my lad.
I am sorry I could not save you from loss also. That
enterprising rogue has gone off with five dollars
belonging to you. I hope the loss will not be a serious
one to you."
"It was more than a third part of my capital, sir,"
said Phil, rather ruefully.
"I am sorry for that. I suppose, however, you
are not dependent upon your own resources?"
"Yes, sir, I am."
"Have you no parents, then?" asked Mr. Grant,
with interest.
"No, sir; that is, I have a step-mother."
"And what are your plans, if you are willing to
tell me?"
"I am going to New York to try to make a
living."
"I cannot commend your plan, my young friend,
unless there is a good reason for it."
"I think there is a good reason for it, sir."
"I hope you have not run away from home?"
"No, sir; I left home with my step-mother's
knowledge and consent."
"That is well. I don't want wholly to discourage
you, and so I will tell you that I, too, came to New
York at your age with the same object in view, with
less money in my pocket than you possess."
"And now you are the president of a railroad!"
said Phil hopefully.
"Yes; but I had a hard struggle before I reached
that position."
"I am not afraid of hard work, sir."
"That is in your favor. Perhaps you may be as
lucky as I have been. You may call at my office in
the city, if you feel inclined."
As Mr. Grant spoke he put in Phil's hand a card
bearing his name and address, in Wall Street.
"Thank you, sir," said Phil gratefully. "I shall
be glad to call. I may need advice."
"If you seek advice and follow it you will be an
exception to the general rule," said the president,
smiling. "One thing more--you have met with a
loss which, to you, is a serious one. Allow me to
bear it, and accept this bill."
"But, sir, it is not right that you should bear it,"
commenced Phil. Then, looking at the bill, he said:
"Haven't you made a mistake? This is a TEN-dollar
bill."
"I know it. Accept the other five as an evidence
of my interest in you. By the way, I go to
Philadelphia and Washington before my return to New
York, and shall not return for three or four days.
After that time you will find me at my office.
"I am in luck after all," thought Phil cheerfully,
"in spite of the mean trick of Mr. Lionel Lake."
CHAPTER VI.
SIGNOR ORLANDO.
So Phil reached New York in very fair spirits.
He found himself, thanks to the liberality of
Mr. Grant, in a better financial position than when
he left home.
As he left the depot and found himself in the
streets of New York, he felt like a stranger upon
the threshold of a new life. He knew almost nothing
about the great city he had entered, and was at
a loss where to seek for lodgings.
"It's a cold day," said a sociable voice at his elbow.
Looking around, Phil saw that the speaker was a
sallow-complexioned young man, with black hair and
mustache, a loose black felt hat, crushed at the
crown, giving him rather a rakish look.
"Yes, sir," answered Phil politely.
"Stranger in the city, I expect?"
"Yes, sir."
"Never mind the sir. I ain't used to ceremony.
I am Signor Orlando."
"Signor Orlando!" repeated Phil, rather puzzled.
"Are you an Italian?"
"Well, yes," returned Signor Orlando, with a
wink, "that's what I am, or what people think me;
but I was born in Vermont, and am half Irish and
half Yankee."
"How did you come by your name, then?"
"I took it," answered his companion. "You see,
dear boy, I'm a professional."
"A what?"
"A professional--singer and clog-dancer. I
believe I am pretty well known to the public,"
continued Signor Orlando complacently. "Last
summer I traveled with Jenks & Brown's circus. Of
course you've heard of THEM. Through the winter
I am employed at Bowerman's Varieties, in the Bowery.
I appear every night, and at two matinees
weekly."
It must be confessed that Phil was considerably
impressed by the professionalcharacter of Signor
Orlando. He had never met an actor, or public
performer of any description, and was disposed to have
a high respect for a man who filled such a conspicuous
position. There was not, to be sure, anything
very impressive about Signor Orlando's appearance.
His face did not indicate talent, and his dress was
shabby. But for all that he was a man familiar with
the public--a man of gifts.
"I should like to see you on the stage," said Phil
respectfully.
"So you shall, my dear boy--so you shall. I'll get
you a pass from Mr. Bowerman. Which way are
you going?"
"I don't know," answered Phil, puzzled. "I
should like to find a cheap boarding-house, but I don't
know the city."
"I do," answered Signor Orlando promptly. "Why
not come to my house?"
"Have you a house?"
"I mean my boarding-house. It's some distance
away. Suppose we take a horse-car?"
"All right!" answered Phil, relieved to find a
guide in the labyrinth of the great city.
"I live on Fifth Street, near the Bowery--a very
convenient location," said Orlando, if we may take
the liberty to call him thus.
"Fifth Avenue?" asked Phil, who did not know
the difference.
"Oh, no; that's a peg above my style. I am not a
Vanderbilt, nor yet an Astor."
"Is the price moderate?" asked Phil anxiously.
"I must make my money last as long as I can, for I
don't know when I shall get a place."
"To be sure. You might room with me, only I've
got a hall bedroom. Perhaps we might manage it,
though."
"I think I should prefer a room by myself," said
Phil, who reflected that Signor Orlando was a
stranger as yet.
"Oh, well, I'll speak to the old lady, and I guess
she can accommodate you with a hall bedroom like
mine on the third floor."
"What should I have to pay?"
"A dollar and a quarter a week, and you can get
your meals where you please."
"I think that will suit me," said Phil thoughtfully.
After leaving the car, a minute's walk brought
them to a shabby three-story house of brick. There
was a stable opposite, and a group of dirty children
were playing in front of it.
"This is where I hang out," said Signor Orlando
cheerfully. "As the poet says, there is no place like
home."
If this had been true it was not much to be regretted,
since the home in question was far from attractive.
"Young man, you asked me a short time since
who I am. Do you want to know?"
"I am not very particular."
"Then, sir, I have to inform you that I am Richard
Grant, the president of this road."
The conductor's face was a curious and interesting
study when he heard this announcement. He knew
that the old man whom he had insulted had a right
to discharge him from his position, and bully as he
had shown himself, he was now inclined to humble
himself to save his place.
"I beg your pardon, sir," he said in a composed
tone. "If I had known who you were I wouldn't
have spoken as I did."
"I had a claim to be treated like a gentleman,
even if I had no connection with the road," he said.
"If you say the boy's all right, I won't interfere
with him," continued the conductor.
"My testimony would clear him from any charge
that might be brought against him," said the
president. "I saw him enter the car, and know he has
had no opportunity to take the ring."
"If he'll give me back the ring, that's all I want,"
said the young lady.
"That I am willing to do, though I lose five
dollars by it," said Philip.
"Do so, my boy," said the president. "I take it
for granted that the young lady's claim is a just
one."
Upon this Philip drew the ring from his finger
and handed it to the young lady, who went back to
the car where her friends were sitting.
"I hope, sir," said the conductoranxiously, "that
you won't be prejudiced against me on account of
this affair."
"I am sorry to say that I can't help feeling
prejudiced against you," returned the president dryly;
"but I won't allow this feeling to injure you if, upon
inquiring, I find that you are otherwise an efficient
officer."
"Thank you, sir."
"I am glad that my presence has saved this boy
from being the victim of an injustice. Let this be a
lesson to you in future."
The conductor walked away, looking quite chop-
fallen, and Philip turned to his new friend.
"I am very much indebted to you, sir," he said.
"But for you I should have found myself in serious
trouble."
"I am glad to have prevented an injustice, my lad.
I am sorry I could not save you from loss also. That
enterprising rogue has gone off with five dollars
belonging to you. I hope the loss will not be a serious
one to you."
"It was more than a third part of my capital, sir,"
said Phil, rather ruefully.
"I am sorry for that. I suppose, however, you
are not dependent upon your own resources?"
"Yes, sir, I am."
"Have you no parents, then?" asked Mr. Grant,
with interest.
"No, sir; that is, I have a step-mother."
"And what are your plans, if you are willing to
tell me?"
"I am going to New York to try to make a
living."
"I cannot commend your plan, my young friend,
unless there is a good reason for it."
"I think there is a good reason for it, sir."
"I hope you have not run away from home?"
"No, sir; I left home with my step-mother's
knowledge and consent."
"That is well. I don't want wholly to discourage
you, and so I will tell you that I, too, came to New
York at your age with the same object in view, with
less money in my pocket than you possess."
"And now you are the president of a railroad!"
said Phil hopefully.
"Yes; but I had a hard struggle before I reached
that position."
"I am not afraid of hard work, sir."
"That is in your favor. Perhaps you may be as
lucky as I have been. You may call at my office in
the city, if you feel inclined."
As Mr. Grant spoke he put in Phil's hand a card
bearing his name and address, in Wall Street.
"Thank you, sir," said Phil gratefully. "I shall
be glad to call. I may need advice."
"If you seek advice and follow it you will be an
exception to the general rule," said the president,
smiling. "One thing more--you have met with a
loss which, to you, is a serious one. Allow me to
bear it, and accept this bill."
"But, sir, it is not right that you should bear it,"
commenced Phil. Then, looking at the bill, he said:
"Haven't you made a mistake? This is a TEN-dollar
bill."
"I know it. Accept the other five as an evidence
of my interest in you. By the way, I go to
Philadelphia and Washington before my return to New
York, and shall not return for three or four days.
After that time you will find me at my office.
"I am in luck after all," thought Phil cheerfully,
"in spite of the mean trick of Mr. Lionel Lake."
CHAPTER VI.
SIGNOR ORLANDO.
So Phil reached New York in very fair spirits.
He found himself, thanks to the liberality of
Mr. Grant, in a better financial position than when
he left home.
As he left the depot and found himself in the
streets of New York, he felt like a stranger upon
the threshold of a new life. He knew almost nothing
about the great city he had entered, and was at
a loss where to seek for lodgings.
"It's a cold day," said a sociable voice at his elbow.
Looking around, Phil saw that the speaker was a
sallow-complexioned young man, with black hair and
mustache, a loose black felt hat, crushed at the
crown, giving him rather a rakish look.
"Yes, sir," answered Phil politely.
"Stranger in the city, I expect?"
"Yes, sir."
"Never mind the sir. I ain't used to ceremony.
I am Signor Orlando."
"Signor Orlando!" repeated Phil, rather puzzled.
"Are you an Italian?"
"Well, yes," returned Signor Orlando, with a
wink, "that's what I am, or what people think me;
but I was born in Vermont, and am half Irish and
half Yankee."
"How did you come by your name, then?"
"I took it," answered his companion. "You see,
dear boy, I'm a professional."
"A what?"
"A professional--singer and clog-dancer. I
believe I am pretty well known to the public,"
continued Signor Orlando complacently. "Last
summer I traveled with Jenks & Brown's circus. Of
course you've heard of THEM. Through the winter
I am employed at Bowerman's Varieties, in the Bowery.
I appear every night, and at two matinees
weekly."
It must be confessed that Phil was considerably
impressed by the professionalcharacter of Signor
Orlando. He had never met an actor, or public
performer of any description, and was disposed to have
a high respect for a man who filled such a conspicuous
position. There was not, to be sure, anything
very impressive about Signor Orlando's appearance.
His face did not indicate talent, and his dress was
shabby. But for all that he was a man familiar with
the public--a man of gifts.
"I should like to see you on the stage," said Phil
respectfully.
"So you shall, my dear boy--so you shall. I'll get
you a pass from Mr. Bowerman. Which way are
you going?"
"I don't know," answered Phil, puzzled. "I
should like to find a cheap boarding-house, but I don't
know the city."
"I do," answered Signor Orlando promptly. "Why
not come to my house?"
"Have you a house?"
"I mean my boarding-house. It's some distance
away. Suppose we take a horse-car?"
"All right!" answered Phil, relieved to find a
guide in the labyrinth of the great city.
"I live on Fifth Street, near the Bowery--a very
convenient location," said Orlando, if we may take
the liberty to call him thus.
"Fifth Avenue?" asked Phil, who did not know
the difference.
"Oh, no; that's a peg above my style. I am not a
Vanderbilt, nor yet an Astor."
"Is the price moderate?" asked Phil anxiously.
"I must make my money last as long as I can, for I
don't know when I shall get a place."
"To be sure. You might room with me, only I've
got a hall bedroom. Perhaps we might manage it,
though."
"I think I should prefer a room by myself," said
Phil, who reflected that Signor Orlando was a
stranger as yet.
"Oh, well, I'll speak to the old lady, and I guess
she can accommodate you with a hall bedroom like
mine on the third floor."
"What should I have to pay?"
"A dollar and a quarter a week, and you can get
your meals where you please."
"I think that will suit me," said Phil thoughtfully.
After leaving the car, a minute's walk brought
them to a shabby three-story house of brick. There
was a stable opposite, and a group of dirty children
were playing in front of it.
"This is where I hang out," said Signor Orlando
cheerfully. "As the poet says, there is no place like
home."
If this had been true it was not much to be regretted,
since the home in question was far from attractive.
- discharge [dis´tʃɑ:dʒ]
vt.&n.卸货；释放；解雇 (初中英语单词) - pardon [´pɑ:dən] n.&vt.原谅；饶恕；赦免 (初中英语单词)
- spoken [´spəukən] speak的过去分词 (初中英语单词)
- connection [kə´nekʃən] n.联系；关系；联运 (初中英语单词)
- willing [´wiliŋ] a.情愿的，乐意的 (初中英语单词)
- conductor [kən´dʌktə] n.指导者；向导者 (初中英语单词)
- account [ə´kaunt] vi.说明 vt.认为 n.帐目 (初中英语单词)
- injure [´indʒə] vt.伤害，损害，毁坏 (初中英语单词)
- otherwise [´ʌðəwaiz] ad.另外 conj.否则 (初中英语单词)
- victim [´viktim] n.牺牲者；受害者 (初中英语单词)
- wholly [´həul-li] ad.完全，十足；统统 (初中英语单词)
- gratefully [´greitfuli] ad.感激地 (初中英语单词)
- financial [fi´nænʃəl] a.金融的，财政的 (初中英语单词)
- speaker [´spi:kə] n.演讲人；代言人 (初中英语单词)
- companion [kəm´pæniən] n.同伴；同事；伴侣 (初中英语单词)
- professional [prə´feʃənəl] a.职业的 n.自由职业 (初中英语单词)
- character [´kæriktə] n.特性；性质；人物；字 (初中英语单词)
- description [di´skripʃən] n.描写 (初中英语单词)
- talent [´tælənt] n.天才；才干；天资 (初中英语单词)
- promptly [´prɔmptli] ad.敏捷地；即时地 (初中英语单词)
- stable [´steibəl] n.马棚 a.稳固的 (初中英语单词)
- attractive [ə´træktiv] a.有吸引力；诱人的 (初中英语单词)
- announcement [ə´naunsmənt] n.通告；宣布；言谈 (高中英语单词)
- testimony [´testiməni] n.证明；证据；表明 (高中英语单词)
- anxiously [´æŋkʃəsli] ad.挂念地；渴望地 (高中英语单词)
- injustice [in´dʒʌstis] n.不公正，不公平 (高中英语单词)
- dependent [di´pendənt] a.依赖的；从属的 (高中英语单词)
- commend [kə´mend] vt.把...交托给；称赞 (高中英语单词)
- threshold [´θreʃhəuld] n.门槛；入门；开端 (高中英语单词)
- repeated [ri´pi:tid] a.反复的；重复的 (高中英语单词)
- circus [´sə:kəs] n.马戏(团)；圆形广场 (高中英语单词)
- impressive [im´presiv] a.给人深刻印象的 (高中英语单词)
- accommodate [ə´kɔmədeit] vt.供应；容纳；调节 (高中英语单词)
- shabby [´ʃæbi] a.(衣服)破旧的 (高中英语单词)
- traveled [´trævəld] a.见面广的；旅客多的 (英语四级单词)
- indebted [in´detid] a.负债的；感恩的 (英语六级单词)
- labyrinth [´læbərinθ] 迷宫；错综复杂之事件 (英语六级单词)
文章标签:名著
章节正文
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