第18章

The housekeeper left the room, but speedily reappeared, followed by her nephew, who seemed a little abashed.

``My nephew, Thomas Bradley, Mr.Wharton,''

said his aunt, by way of introduction.``You have often heard me speak of Mr.Wharton, Thomas.''

``How do you do, sir?'' said Thomas awkwardly.

``Pray take a seat, Mr.Bradley.Your aunt has been long a member of my family.I am glad to see a nephew of hers.I believe you are a salesman at Gilbert & Mack's?''

``Yes, sir.''

``Then you must know my young friend here?''

pointing to Frank.

``How are you, Cash?'' said Thomas, laughing, under the impression that he had said something smart.

``Very well, Mr.Bradley,'' answered Frank, quietly.

``You see, that's all the name we call 'em in the store,'' said Thomas.

Mr.Wharton could not help thinking:

``How poorly this young man compares with my young friend.Still, as he is Mrs.Bradley's nephew, I must be polite to him.''

``Are there many cash-boys in your establishment, Mr.Bradley?''

``About a dozen.Ain't there, Fowler?''

``I believe so, Mr.Bradley.''

``Gilbert & Mack do a good business, I should judge.''

``Yes, they do; but that doesn't do us poor salesmen much good.We get just enough to keep soul and body together.''

``I am sorry to hear it,'' said Mr.Wharton.

``Why, sir,'' said Thomas, gaining confidence, ``all they pay me is twelve dollars a week.How can they expect a fellow to live on that?''

``I began my career about your age,'' said Mr.

Wharton, ``or perhaps a little younger, and had to live on but six dollars a week.''

``Didn't you come near starving?'' he asked.

``On the contrary, I saved a little every week.''

``I can't,'' said Thomas, a little discomfited.``Why, it takes half that to dress decently.''

Mr.Wharton glanced quietly at the rather loud and flashy dress worn by his visitor, but only said:

``A small salary, of course, makes economy necessary.''

``But when a fellow knows he earns a good deal more than he gets, he doesn't feel like starving himself just that his employers may grow rich.''

``Of course, if he can better himself they cannot object.''

``That's just what I want to do,'' said Thomas; ``but I expect I need influence to help me to something better.That's a good hint,'' thought he.

``I was telling Thomas,'' said the housekeeper, ``that you had kindly expressed a desire to be of service to him.''

``I am not now in active business,'' said Mr.Wharton, ``and of course have not the opportunities Iformerly had for helping young men, but I will bear your case in mind, Mr.Bradley.''

``Thank you, sir,'' said Thomas.``I am sure Iearn a thousand dollars a year.''

``I think, Thomas,'' said Mrs.Bradley, ``we won't intrude on Mr.Wharton longer this evening.When he finds something for you he will tell me.''

``All right, aunt.Good-night, Mr.Wharton.Good-night, Cash,'' said Thomas, chuckling anew at the old joke.

``Well, aunt,'' said he, when they were once more in the housekeeper's room, ``do you think the old gentleman will do anything for me?''

``I hope so; but I am not sure, Thomas, whether you were not too familiar.You spoke of money too quick.''

``It's my way to come to business.''

``I wish you were his reader, instead of that boy.''

``Well, I don't.I wouldn't want to he mewed up in that room with the old man every night.I should get tired to death of it.''

``You would have a chance to get him interested in you.That boy is artful; he is doing all he can to win Mr.Wharton's favor.He is the one you have most reason to dread.''

``Do you think he will do me any harm?''

``I think he will injure your chances.''

``Egad! if I thought that, I'd wring the young rascal's neck.''

``There's a better way, Thomas.''

``What's that?''

``Can't you get him dismissed from Gilbert &Mack's?''

``I haven't enough influence with the firm.''

``Suppose they thought him dishonest?''

``They'd give him the sack, of course.''

``Can't you make them think so, Thomas?''

``I don't know.''

``Then make it your business to find out.''

``I suppose you know what good it's going to do, aunt, but I don't.He's got his place here with the old man.''

``If Mr.Wharton hears that he is discharged, and has lost his situation, he will probably discharge him, too.''

``Perhaps so; I suppose you know best.''

``Do as I tell you, and I will manage the rest.''

``All right.I need your help enough.To-night, for instance, I'm regularly cleaned out.Haven't got but twenty-five cents to my name.''

``It seems to me, Thomas,'' said his aunt, with a troubled look, ``you are always out of money.I'll give you five dollars, Thomas, but you must remember that I am not made of money.My wages are small.''

``You ought to have a good nest-egg laid aside, aunt.''

``I've got something, Thomas, and when I die, it'll be yours.''

``I hope I shan't have to wait too long,'' thought Thomas, but he did not give utterance to the thought.''

``Come again, Thomas, and don't forget what Ihave said,'' said Mrs.Bradley.