Cast Upon the Breakers, Jr. Horatio Alger [ebooks that read to you .txt] 📗

“Here is another envelope which you can open at your leisure. I cannot part from you without thanking you once more for returning my jewelry.”

“You have thanked me in a very practical way, Mrs. Harvey.”

“I hope my letter may lead to pleasant results for you. If you ever come to Philadelphia call upon me at No. 1492 Walnut Street.”

“Thank you.”

As Rodney left the house he felt that his ill fortune had turned, and that a new prospect was opened up before him. He stepped into the Windsor Hotel, and opened the envelope last given him. It contained five five dollar bills.

To one of them was pinned a scrap of paper containing these words: “I hope this money will be useful to you. It is less than the reward I should have offered for the recovery of the jewels.”

Under the circumstances Rodney felt that he need not scruple to use the money. He knew that he had rendered Mrs. Harvey a great service, and that she could well afford to pay him the sum which the envelopes contained.

He began to be sensible that he was hungry, not having eaten for some time. He went into a restaurant on Sixth Avenue, and ordered a sirloin steak. It was some time since he had indulged in anything beyond a common steak, and he greatly enjoyed the more luxurious meal. He didn’t go back to selling papers, for he felt that it would hardly be consistent with the position of a classical teacher—the post for which he was about to apply.

Half past seven found him at the door of Mr. John Sargent. The house was of brown stone, high stoop, and four stories in height. It was such a house as only a rich man could occupy.

He was ushered into the parlor and presently Mr. Sargent came in from the dining room.

“Are you Mr. Ropes?” he asked, looking at Rodney’s card.

It is not usual for newsboys to carry cards, but Rodney had some left over from his more prosperous days.

“Yes, sir. I bring you a note of introduction from Mrs. Harvey.”

“Ah yes, my sister. Let me see it.”

The note was of some length. That is, it covered three pages of note paper. Mr. Sargent read it attentively.

“My sister recommends you as tutor for my little son, Arthur,” he said, as he folded up the letter.

“Yes, sir; she suggested that I might perhaps suit you in that capacity.”

“She also says that you found and restored to her a valuable box of jewelry which she was careless enough to drop near Tiffany’s.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I have a good deal of confidence in my sister’s good judgment. She evidently regards you very favorably.”

“I am glad of that sir,”

“Will you tell me something of your qualifications? Arthur is about to commence Latin. He is not old enough for Greek.”

“I could teach either, sir.”

“And of course you are well up in English branches?”

“I think I am.”

“My sister hints that you are poor, and obliged to earn your own living. How, then, have you been able to secure so good an education?”

“I have only been poor for a short time. My father left me fifty thousand dollars, but it was lost by my guardian.”

“Who was your guardian?”

“Mr. Benjamin Fielding.”

“I knew him well. I don’t think he was an unprincipled man, but he was certainly imprudent, and was led into acts that were reprehensible. Did he lose all your money for you?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What did you do?”

“Left the boarding school where I was being educated, and came to this city.”

“Did you obtain any employment?”

“Yes, sir; I have been employed for a short time by Otis Goodnow, a merchant of Reade Street.”

“And why did you leave?”

“Because Mr. Goodnow missed some articles from his stock, and I was charged with taking them.”

Rodney was fearful of the effect of his frank confession upon Mr. Sargent, but the latter soon reassured him.

“Your honesty in restoring my sister’s jewelry is sufficient proof that the charge was unfounded. I shall not let it influence me.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Now as to the position of teacher, though very young, I don’t see why you should not fill it satisfactorily. I will call Arthur.”

He went to the door and called “Arthur.”

A delicate looking boy with a sweet, intelligent face, came running into the room.

“Do you want me, papa?”

“Yes, Arthur. I have a new friend for you. Will you shake hands with him?”

Arthur, who was not a shy boy, went up at once to Rodney and offered his hand.

“I am glad to see you,” he said.

Rodney smiled. He was quite taken with the young boy.

“What’s your name?” the latter asked.

“Rodney Ropes.”

“Are you going to stay and make us a visit?”

Mr. Sargent answered this question.

“Would you like to have Rodney stay?” he asked.

“Oh yes.”

“How would you like to have him give you lessons in Latin and other studies?”

“I should like it. I am sure he wouldn’t be cross. Are you a teacher, Rodney?”

“I will be your teacher if you are willing to have me.”

“Yes, I should like it. And will you go to walk with me in Central Park?”

“Yes.”

“Then, papa, you may as well engage him. I was afraid you would get a tiresome old man for my teacher.”

“That settles it, Rodney,” said Mr. Sargent, smiling. “Now, Arthur, run out and I will speak further with Rodney about you.”

“All right, papa.”