章节正文
"I think country boys are very foolish to leave
good homes in the country to seek places in the
city," said Mrs. Pitkin sharply.
"There may be circumstances, Lavinia, that make
it advisable," suggested Mr. Carter, who, however,
did not know Phil's reason for coming.
"No doubt; I understand that," answered Mrs.
Pitkin, in a tone so significant that Phil wondered
whether she thought he had got into any trouble at
home.
"And besides, we can't judge for every one. So I
hope Master Philip may find some good and satisfactory
opening, now that he has reached the city."
After a short time, lunch, which in New York is
generally a plain meal, was over, and Mr. Carter
invited Philip to come up-stairs again.
"I want to talk over your prospects, Philip," he
said.
There was silence till after the two had left the
room. Then Mrs. Pitkin said:
"Alonzo, I don't like this."
"What don't you like, ma?"
"Uncle bringing this boy home. It is very
extraordinary, this sudden interest in a perfect
stranger."
"Do you think he'll leave him any money?" asked
Alonzo, betraying interest.
"I don't know what it may lead to, Lonny, but it
don't look right. Such things have been known."
"I'd like to punch the boy's head," remarked
Alonzo, with sudden hostility. "All uncle's money
ought to come to us."
"So it ought, by rights," observed his mother.
"We must see that this boy doesn't get any
ascendency over him."
Phil would have been very much amazed if he
had overheard this conversation.
CHAPTER IX.
THE OLD GENTLEMAN PROVES A FRIEND.
The old gentleman sat down in an arm-chair
and waved his hand toward a small rocking-
chair, in which Phil seated himself.
"I conclude that you had a good reason for
leaving home, Philip," said Mr. Carter, eying our hero
with a keen, but friendly look.
"Yes, sir; since my father's death it has not been
a home to me."
"Is there a step-mother in the case?" asked the
old gentleman shrewdly.
"Yes, sir."
"Any one else?"
"She has a son."
"And you two don't agree?"
"You seem to know all about it, sir," said Phil,
surprised.
"I know something of the world--that is all."
Phil began to think that Mr. Carter's knowledge
of the world was very remarkable. He began to wonder
whether he could know anything more--could
suspect the secret which Mrs. Brent had communicated
to him. Should he speak of it? He decided
at any rate to wait, for Mr. Carter, though kind, was
a comparative stranger.
"Well," continued the old gentleman, "I won't
inquire too minutely into the circumstances. You
don't look like a boy that would take such an important
step as leaving home without a satisfactory reason.
The next thing is to help you."
Phil's courage rose as he heard these words. Mr.
Carter was evidently a rich man, and he could help
him if he was willing. So he kept silence, and let
his new friend do the talking.
"You want a place," continued Mr. Carter. "Now,
what are you fit for?"
"That is a hard question for me to answer, sir. I
don't know."
"Have you a good education?"
"Yes, sir; and I know something of Latin and
French besides."
"You can write a good hand?"
"Shall I show you, sir?"
"Yes; write a few lines at my private desk."
Phil did so, and handed the paper to Mr. Carter.
"Very good," said the old gentleman approvingly.
"That is in your favor. Are you good at accounts?"
"Yes, sir."
"Better still."
"Sit down there again," he continued. "I will
give you a sum in interest."
Phil resumed his seat.
"What is the interest of eight hundred and forty-
five dollars and sixty cents for four years, three
months and twelve days, at eight and one-half per
cent?"
Phil's pen moved fast in perfect silence for five
minutes. Then he announced the result.
"Let me look at the paper. I will soon tell you
whether it is correct."
After a brief examination, for the old gentleman
was himself an adept at figures, he said, with a
beaming smile:
"It is entirely correct. You are a smart boy."
"Thank you, sir," said Phil, gratified.
"And you deserve a good place--better than you
will probably get."
Phil listened attentively. The last clause was not
quite so satisfactory.
"Yes," said Mr. Carter, evidently talking to
himself, "I must get Pitkin to take him."
Phil knew that the lady whom he had already
met was named Pitkin, and he rightly concluded
that it was her husband who was meant.
"I hope he is more agreeable than his wife,"
thought Philip.
"Yes, Philip," said Mr. Carter, who had evidently
made up his mind, "I will try to find you a place
this afternoon.
"I shall be very much obliged, sir," said Philip
gladly.
"I have already told you that my nephew and I
are in business together, he being the active and I
the silent partner. We do a general shipping
business. Our store is on Franklin Street. I will give
you a letter to my nephew and he will give you a
place."
"Thank you, sir."
"Wait a minute and I will write the note."
Five minutes later Phil was on his way down town
with his credentials in his pocket.
CHAPTER X.
Phil CALLS ON MR. PITKIN.
PHIL paused before an imposing business structure,
and looked up to see if he could see the
sign that would show him he had reached his destination.
He had not far to look. On the front of the
building he saw in large letters the sign:
ENOCH PITKIN & CO.
In the door-way there was another sign, from
which he learned that the firm occupied the second
floor.
He went up-stairs, and opening a door, entered a
spacious apartment which looked like a hive of
industry. There were numerous clerks, counters
piled with goods, and every indication that a prosperous
business was being carried on.
The nearest person was a young man of eighteen,
or perhaps more, with an incipient, straw-colored
mustache, and a shock of hair of tow-color. This
young man wore a variegated neck-tie, a stiff
standing-collar, and a suit of clothes in the extreme of
fashion.
Phil looked at him hesitatingly.
The young man observed the look, and asked
condescendingly:
"What can I do for you, my son?"
Such an address from a person less than three
years older than himself came near upsetting the
gravity of Phil.
"Is Mr. Pitkin in?" he asked.
"Yes, I believe so."
"Can I see him."
"I have no objection," remarked the young man
facetiously.
"Where shall I find him?"
The youth indicated a small room partitioned off
as a private office in the extreme end of the store.
"Thank you," said Phil, and proceeded to find
his way to the office in question.
Arrived at the door, which was partly open, he
looked in.
In an arm-chair sat a small man, with an erect
figure and an air of consequence. He was not over
forty-five, but looked older, for his cheeks were
already seamed and his look was querulous. Cheerful
natures do not so soon show signs of age as their
opposites.
"Mr. Pitkin?" said Phil interrogatively.
"Well?" said the small man, frowning instinctively.
"I have a note for you, sir."
Phil stepped forward and handed the missive to
Mr. Pitkin.
The latter opened it quickly and read as follows:
The boy who will present this to you did me a
service this morning. He is in want of employment.
He seems well educated, but if you can't offer him
anything better than the post of errand boy, do so.
I will guarantee that he will give satisfaction. You
can send him to the post-office, and to other offices
on such errands as you may have. Pay him five
dollars a week and charge that sum to me.
Yours truly,
OLIVER CARTER.
Mr. Pitkin's frown deepened as he read this note.
"Pish!" he ejaculated, in a tone which, though
low, was audible to Phil. "Uncle Oliver must be
crazy. What is your name?" he demanded fiercely,
turning suddenly to Phil.
"Philip Brent."
"When did you meet--the gentleman who gave
you this letter?"
Phil told him.
good homes in the country to seek places in the
city," said Mrs. Pitkin sharply.
"There may be circumstances, Lavinia, that make
it advisable," suggested Mr. Carter, who, however,
did not know Phil's reason for coming.
"No doubt; I understand that," answered Mrs.
Pitkin, in a tone so significant that Phil wondered
whether she thought he had got into any trouble at
home.
"And besides, we can't judge for every one. So I
hope Master Philip may find some good and satisfactory
opening, now that he has reached the city."
After a short time, lunch, which in New York is
generally a plain meal, was over, and Mr. Carter
invited Philip to come up-stairs again.
"I want to talk over your prospects, Philip," he
said.
There was silence till after the two had left the
room. Then Mrs. Pitkin said:
"Alonzo, I don't like this."
"What don't you like, ma?"
"Uncle bringing this boy home. It is very
extraordinary, this sudden interest in a perfect
stranger."
"Do you think he'll leave him any money?" asked
Alonzo, betraying interest.
"I don't know what it may lead to, Lonny, but it
don't look right. Such things have been known."
"I'd like to punch the boy's head," remarked
Alonzo, with sudden hostility. "All uncle's money
ought to come to us."
"So it ought, by rights," observed his mother.
"We must see that this boy doesn't get any
ascendency over him."
Phil would have been very much amazed if he
had overheard this conversation.
CHAPTER IX.
THE OLD GENTLEMAN PROVES A FRIEND.
The old gentleman sat down in an arm-chair
and waved his hand toward a small rocking-
chair, in which Phil seated himself.
"I conclude that you had a good reason for
leaving home, Philip," said Mr. Carter, eying our hero
with a keen, but friendly look.
"Yes, sir; since my father's death it has not been
a home to me."
"Is there a step-mother in the case?" asked the
old gentleman shrewdly.
"Yes, sir."
"Any one else?"
"She has a son."
"And you two don't agree?"
"You seem to know all about it, sir," said Phil,
surprised.
"I know something of the world--that is all."
Phil began to think that Mr. Carter's knowledge
of the world was very remarkable. He began to wonder
whether he could know anything more--could
suspect the secret which Mrs. Brent had communicated
to him. Should he speak of it? He decided
at any rate to wait, for Mr. Carter, though kind, was
a comparative stranger.
"Well," continued the old gentleman, "I won't
inquire too minutely into the circumstances. You
don't look like a boy that would take such an important
step as leaving home without a satisfactory reason.
The next thing is to help you."
Phil's courage rose as he heard these words. Mr.
Carter was evidently a rich man, and he could help
him if he was willing. So he kept silence, and let
his new friend do the talking.
"You want a place," continued Mr. Carter. "Now,
what are you fit for?"
"That is a hard question for me to answer, sir. I
don't know."
"Have you a good education?"
"Yes, sir; and I know something of Latin and
French besides."
"You can write a good hand?"
"Shall I show you, sir?"
"Yes; write a few lines at my private desk."
Phil did so, and handed the paper to Mr. Carter.
"Very good," said the old gentleman approvingly.
"That is in your favor. Are you good at accounts?"
"Yes, sir."
"Better still."
"Sit down there again," he continued. "I will
give you a sum in interest."
Phil resumed his seat.
"What is the interest of eight hundred and forty-
five dollars and sixty cents for four years, three
months and twelve days, at eight and one-half per
cent?"
Phil's pen moved fast in perfect silence for five
minutes. Then he announced the result.
"Let me look at the paper. I will soon tell you
whether it is correct."
After a brief examination, for the old gentleman
was himself an adept at figures, he said, with a
beaming smile:
"It is entirely correct. You are a smart boy."
"Thank you, sir," said Phil, gratified.
"And you deserve a good place--better than you
will probably get."
Phil listened attentively. The last clause was not
quite so satisfactory.
"Yes," said Mr. Carter, evidently talking to
himself, "I must get Pitkin to take him."
Phil knew that the lady whom he had already
met was named Pitkin, and he rightly concluded
that it was her husband who was meant.
"I hope he is more agreeable than his wife,"
thought Philip.
"Yes, Philip," said Mr. Carter, who had evidently
made up his mind, "I will try to find you a place
this afternoon.
"I shall be very much obliged, sir," said Philip
gladly.
"I have already told you that my nephew and I
are in business together, he being the active and I
the silent partner. We do a general shipping
business. Our store is on Franklin Street. I will give
you a letter to my nephew and he will give you a
place."
"Thank you, sir."
"Wait a minute and I will write the note."
Five minutes later Phil was on his way down town
with his credentials in his pocket.
CHAPTER X.
Phil CALLS ON MR. PITKIN.
PHIL paused before an imposing business structure,
and looked up to see if he could see the
sign that would show him he had reached his destination.
He had not far to look. On the front of the
building he saw in large letters the sign:
ENOCH PITKIN & CO.
In the door-way there was another sign, from
which he learned that the firm occupied the second
floor.
He went up-stairs, and opening a door, entered a
spacious apartment which looked like a hive of
industry. There were numerous clerks, counters
piled with goods, and every indication that a prosperous
business was being carried on.
The nearest person was a young man of eighteen,
or perhaps more, with an incipient, straw-colored
mustache, and a shock of hair of tow-color. This
young man wore a variegated neck-tie, a stiff
standing-collar, and a suit of clothes in the extreme of
fashion.
Phil looked at him hesitatingly.
The young man observed the look, and asked
condescendingly:
"What can I do for you, my son?"
Such an address from a person less than three
years older than himself came near upsetting the
gravity of Phil.
"Is Mr. Pitkin in?" he asked.
"Yes, I believe so."
"Can I see him."
"I have no objection," remarked the young man
facetiously.
"Where shall I find him?"
The youth indicated a small room partitioned off
as a private office in the extreme end of the store.
"Thank you," said Phil, and proceeded to find
his way to the office in question.
Arrived at the door, which was partly open, he
looked in.
In an arm-chair sat a small man, with an erect
figure and an air of consequence. He was not over
forty-five, but looked older, for his cheeks were
already seamed and his look was querulous. Cheerful
natures do not so soon show signs of age as their
opposites.
"Mr. Pitkin?" said Phil interrogatively.
"Well?" said the small man, frowning instinctively.
"I have a note for you, sir."
Phil stepped forward and handed the missive to
Mr. Pitkin.
The latter opened it quickly and read as follows:
The boy who will present this to you did me a
service this morning. He is in want of employment.
He seems well educated, but if you can't offer him
anything better than the post of errand boy, do so.
I will guarantee that he will give satisfaction. You
can send him to the post-office, and to other offices
on such errands as you may have. Pay him five
dollars a week and charge that sum to me.
Yours truly,
OLIVER CARTER.
Mr. Pitkin's frown deepened as he read this note.
"Pish!" he ejaculated, in a tone which, though
low, was audible to Phil. "Uncle Oliver must be
crazy. What is your name?" he demanded fiercely,
turning suddenly to Phil.
"Philip Brent."
"When did you meet--the gentleman who gave
you this letter?"
Phil told him.
- remarkable [ri´mɑ:kəbl]
a.值得注意的；显著的 (初中英语单词) - comparative [kəm´pærətiv] a.比较的 n.匹敌者 (初中英语单词)
- satisfactory [,sætis´fæktəri] a.令人满意的 (初中英语单词)
- evidently [´evidəntli] ad.明显地 (初中英语单词)
- willing [´wiliŋ] a.情愿的，乐意的 (初中英语单词)
- examination [ig,zæmi´neiʃən] n.检查；考试；检验 (初中英语单词)
- deserve [di´zə:v] v.应受；值得 (初中英语单词)
- agreeable [ə´gri:əbəl] a.适合的；符合的 (初中英语单词)
- nephew [´nevju:, ´nɛfju] n.侄子；外甥 (初中英语单词)
- partner [´pɑ:tnə] n.伙伴 v.同....合作 (初中英语单词)
- opening [´əupəniŋ] n.开放；开端 a.开始的 (初中英语单词)
- apartment [ə´pɑ:tmənt] n.一套房间 (初中英语单词)
- indication [,indi´keiʃən] n.指示；征兆，迹象 (初中英语单词)
- extreme [ik´stri:m] a.尽头的 n.极端 (初中英语单词)
- partly [´pɑ:tli] ad.部分地；不完全地 (初中英语单词)
- consequence [´kɔnsikwəns] n.结果；后果；推断 (初中英语单词)
- errand [´erənd] n.差使，使命 (初中英语单词)
- satisfaction [,sætis´fækʃən] n.满意；满足 (初中英语单词)
- charge [tʃɑ:dʒ] v.收费；冲锋 n.费用 (初中英语单词)
- significant [sig´nifikənt] a.重要的；意义重大的 (高中英语单词)
- hostility [hɔ´stiliti] n.敌意 战斗(争) (高中英语单词)
- learned [´lə:nid] a.有学问的，博学的 (高中英语单词)
- guarantee [,gærən´ti:] n.保证；担保 vt.允诺 (高中英语单词)
- post-office [´pəust-´ɔfis] a.邮政的 (高中英语单词)
- clause [klɔ:z] n.条(款)；分句，从句 (英语四级单词)
- rightly [´raitli] ad.正义地；正确地 (英语四级单词)
- audible [´ɔ:dibəl] a.听得见的 (英语四级单词)
- imposing [im´pəuziŋ] a.壮丽的，堂皇的 (英语六级单词)
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章节正文
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