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

Still it was not equal to what it had been when he was receiving additional money from the sale of the articles stolen by Philip Carton and himself.

The way in which they had operated was this: Philip would come in and buy a cloak or a dress pattern from Jasper, and the young salesman would pack up two or three instead of one. There was a drawback to the profit in those cases, as Carton would be obliged to sell both at a reduced price. Still they had made a considerable sum from these transactions, though not nearly as much as Mr. Goodnow had lost.

After the discovery of the theft and the discharge of Rodney, the two confederates felt that it would be imprudent to do any more in that line. This suspension entailed heavier loss on Carton than on Jasper. The latter had a fixed income and a home at his uncle’s house, while Philip had no regular income, though he occasionally secured a little temporary employment.

In the meantime Rodney had commenced his tutorship. His young pupil became very fond of him, and being a studious boy, made rapid progress in his lessons.

Mr. Sargent felt that his experiment, rash as it might be considered, vindicated his wisdom by its success. At the end of a month he voluntarily raised Rodney’s salary to twenty dollars a week.

“I am afraid you are overpaying me, Mr. Sargent,” said Rodney.

“That’s my lookout. Good service is worth a good salary, and I am perfectly satisfied with you.”

“Thank you, sir. I prize that even more than the higher salary.”

Only a portion of Rodney’s time was spent in teaching. In the afternoon he and his charge went on little excursions, generally to Central Park.

One holiday, about four months after the commencement of Rodney’s engagement, he was walking in the Park when he fell in with Jasper. Jasper’s attention was at once drawn to the little boy, whose dress and general appearance indicated that he belonged to a wealthy family. This excited Jasper’s curiosity.

“How are you, Rodney?” said Jasper adroitly. “It is a good while since I met you.”

“Yes.”

“Who is the little boy with you?”

“His name is Arthur Sargent.”

Rodney gave this information unwillingly, for he saw that his secret was likely to be discovered.

“How do you do, Arthur?” asked Jasper, with unwonted affability, for he did not care for children.

“Pretty well,” answered Arthur politely.

“Have you known Rodney long?”

“Why, he is my teacher,” answered Arthur in some surprise.

Jasper’s eyes gleamed with sudden intelligence. So this was Rodney’s secret, and this was the position for which he was so well paid.

Rodney bit his lip in vexation, but made no remark.

“Does he ever punish you for not getting your lessons?” asked Jasper without much tact.

“Of course not,” answered Arthur indignantly.

“Arthur always does get his lessons,” said Rodney. “I suppose you have a holiday from work today, Jasper.”

“Yes; I am glad to get away now and then.”

“I must bid you good morning now.”

“Won’t you let me call on you? Where do you live, Arthur?”

The boy gave the number of his house.

Jasper asked Arthur, thinking rightly that he would be more likely to get an answer from him than from Rodney. He walked away triumphantly, feeling that he had made a discovery that might prove of advantage to him.

“Is that a friend of yours, Rodney?” asked little Arthur.

“I have known him for some time.”

“I don’t like him very much.”

“Why?” asked Rodney with some curiosity.

“I don’t know,” answered the little boy slowly. “I can’t like everybody.”

“Quite true, Arthur. Jasper is not a special friend of mine, and I am not particular about your liking him. I hope you like me.”

“You know I do, Rodney,” and he gave Rodney’s hand an assuring pressure.

Ten minutes after he left Rodney, Jasper fell in with Carton. The intimacy between them had perceptibly fallen off. It had grown out of business considerations.

Now that it was no longer safe to abstract articles from the store, Jasper felt that he had no more use for his late confederate. When they met he treated him with marked coldness.

On this particular day Carton was looking quite shabby. In fact, his best suit was in pawn, and he had fallen back on one half worn and soiled.

“Hello!” exclaimed Jasper, and was about to pass on with a cool nod.

“Stop!” said Philip, looking offended.

“I am in a hurry,” returned Jasper. “I can’t stop today.”

“You are in a hurry, and on a holiday?”

“Yes; I am to meet a friend near the lake.”

“I’ll go along with you.”

Jasper had to submit though with an ill grace.

“Wouldn’t another day do?”

“No; the fact is, Jasper, I am in trouble,”

“You usually are,” sneered Jasper.

“That is so. I have been out of luck lately.”

“I am sorry, but I can’t help it as I see.”

“How much money do you think I have in my pocket?”

“I don’t know, I am sure. I am not good at guessing conundrums.”

“Just ten cents.”

“That isn’t much,” said Jasper, indifferently.

“Let me have a dollar, thats a good fellow!”

“You seem to think I am made of money,” said Jasper sharply. “I haven’t got much more myself.”

“Then you might have. You get a good salary.”

“Only seven dollars.”

“You are able to keep most of it for yourself.”

“Suppose I am? You seem to know a good deal of my affairs.”

“Haven’t you any pity for an old friend?”

“Yes, I’ll give you all the pity you want, but when it comes to money it’s a different matter. Here you are,