Ragged Dick Part 29

"Bashfulness aint as natural to me as it is to you. I'm always on hand, as the cat said to the milk. You'd better give up s.h.i.+nes, Fosd.i.c.k, and give your 'tention to mercantile pursuits."

"I've thought of trying to get a place," said Fosd.i.c.k; "but no one would take me with these clothes;" and he directed his glance to his well-worn suit, which he kept as neat as he could, but which, in spite of all his care, began to show decided marks of use. There was also here and there a stain of blacking upon it, which, though an advertis.e.m.e.nt of his profession, scarcely added to its good appearance.

"I almost wanted to stay at home from Sunday school last Sunday," he continued, "because I thought everybody would notice how dirty and worn my clothes had got to be."

"If my clothes wasn't two sizes too big for you," said d.i.c.k, generously, "I'd change. You'd look as if you'd got into your great-uncle's suit by mistake."

"You're very kind, d.i.c.k, to think of changing," said Fosd.i.c.k, "for your suit is much better than mine; but I don't think that mine would suit you very well. The pants would show a little more of your ankles than is the fas.h.i.+on, and you couldn't eat a very hearty dinner without bursting the b.u.t.tons off the vest."

"That wouldn't be very convenient," said d.i.c.k. "I aint fond of lacin' to show my elegant figger. But I say," he added with a sudden thought, "how much money have we got in the savings' bank?"

Fosd.i.c.k took a key from his pocket, and went to the drawer in which the bank-books were kept, and, opening it, brought them out for inspection.

It was found that d.i.c.k had the sum of eighteen dollars and ninety cents placed to his credit, while Fosd.i.c.k had six dollars and forty-five cents. To explain the large difference, it must be remembered that d.i.c.k had deposited five dollars before Henry deposited anything, being the amount he had received as a gift from Mr. Whitney.

"How much does that make, the lot of it?" asked d.i.c.k. "I aint much on figgers yet, you know."

"It makes twenty-five dollars and thirty-five cents, d.i.c.k," said his companion, who did not understand the thought which suggested the question.

"Take it, and buy some clothes, Henry," said d.i.c.k, shortly.

"What, your money too?"

"In course."

"No, d.i.c.k, you are too generous. I couldn't think of it. Almost three-quarters of the money is yours. You must spend it on yourself."

"I don't need it," said d.i.c.k.

"You may not need it now, but you will some time."

"I shall have some more then."

"That may be; but it wouldn't be fair for me to use your money, d.i.c.k. I thank you all the same for your kindness."

"Well, I'll lend it to you, then," persisted d.i.c.k, "and you can pay me when you get to be a rich merchant."

"But it isn't likely I ever shall be one."

"How d'you know? I went to a fortun' teller once, and she told me I was born under a lucky star with a hard name, and I should have a rich man for my particular friend, who would make my fortun'. I guess you are going to be the rich man."

Fosd.i.c.k laughed, and steadily refused for some time to avail himself of d.i.c.k's generous proposal; but at length, perceiving that our hero seemed much disappointed, and would be really glad if his offer were accepted, he agreed to use as much as might be needful.

This at once brought back d.i.c.k's good-humor, and he entered with great enthusiasm into his friend's plans.

The next day they withdrew the money from the bank, and, when business got a little slack, in the afternoon set out in search of a clothing store. d.i.c.k knew enough of the city to be able to find a place where a good bargain could be obtained. He was determined that Fosd.i.c.k should have a good serviceable suit, even if it took all the money they had. The result of their search was that for twenty-three dollars Fosd.i.c.k obtained a very neat outfit, including a couple of s.h.i.+rts, a hat, and a pair of shoes, besides a dark mixed suit, which appeared stout and of good quality.

"Shall I send the bundle home?" asked the salesman, impressed by the off-hand manner in which d.i.c.k drew out the money in payment for the clothes.

"Thank you," said d.i.c.k, "you're very kind, but I'll take it home myself, and you can allow me something for my trouble."

"All right," said the clerk, laughing; "I'll allow it on your next purchase."

Proceeding to their apartment in Mott Street, Fosd.i.c.k at once tried on his new suit, and it was found to be an excellent fit. d.i.c.k surveyed his new friend with much satisfaction.

"You look like a young gentleman of fortun'," he said, "and do credit to your governor."

"I suppose that means you, d.i.c.k," said Fosd.i.c.k, laughing.

"In course it does."

"You should say _of_ course," said Fosd.i.c.k, who, in virtue of his position as d.i.c.k's tutor, ventured to correct his language from time to time.

"How dare you correct your gov'nor?" said d.i.c.k, with comic indignation. "'I'll cut you off with a s.h.i.+llin', you young dog,' as the Markis says to his nephew in the play at the Old Bowery."

CHAPTER XIX

FOSd.i.c.k CHANGES HIS BUSINESS

Fosd.i.c.k did not venture to wear his new clothes while engaged in his business. This he felt would have been wasteful extravagance. About ten o'clock in the morning, when business slackened, he went home, and dressing himself went to a hotel where he could see copies of the "Morning Herald" and "Sun," and, noting down the places where a boy was wanted, went on a round of applications. But he found it no easy thing to obtain a place. Swarms of boys seemed to be out of employment, and it was not unusual to find from fifty to a hundred applicants for a single place.

There was another difficulty. It was generally desired that the boy wanted should reside with his parents. When Fosd.i.c.k, on being questioned, revealed the fact of his having no parents, and being a boy of the street, this was generally sufficient of itself to insure a refusal. Merchants were afraid to trust one who had led such a vagabond life. d.i.c.k, who was always ready for an emergency, suggested borrowing a white wig, and pa.s.sing himself off for Fosd.i.c.k's father or grandfather. But Henry thought this might be rather a difficult character for our hero to sustain. After fifty applications and as many failures, Fosd.i.c.k began to get discouraged.

There seemed to be no way out of his present business, for which he felt unfitted.

"I don't know but I shall have to black boots all my life," he said, one day, despondently, to d.i.c.k.

"Keep a stiff upper lip," said d.i.c.k. "By the time you get to be a gray-headed veteran, you may get a chance to run errands for some big firm on the Bowery, which is a very cheerin' reflection."

So d.i.c.k by his drollery and perpetual good spirits kept up Fosd.i.c.k's courage.

"As for me," said d.i.c.k, "I expect by that time to lay up a colossal fortun' out of s.h.i.+nes, and live in princely style on the Avenoo."

But one morning, Fosd.i.c.k, straying into French's Hotel, discovered the following advertis.e.m.e.nt in the columns of "The Herald,"--

"WANTED--A smart, capable boy to run errands, and make himself generally useful in a hat and cap store. Salary three dollars a week at first. Inquire at No. -- Broadway, after ten o'clock, A.M."

He determined to make application, and, as the City Hall clock just then struck the hour indicated, lost no time in proceeding to the store, which was only a few blocks distant from the Astor House.

It was easy to find the store, as from a dozen to twenty boys were already a.s.sembled in front of it. They surveyed each other askance, feeling that they were rivals, and mentally calculating each other's chances.

"There isn't much chance for me," said Fosd.i.c.k to d.i.c.k, who had accompanied him. "Look at all these boys. Most of them have good homes, I suppose, and good recommendations, while I have n.o.body to refer to."

"Go ahead," said d.i.c.k. "Your chance is as good as anybody's."

While this was pa.s.sing between d.i.c.k and his companion, one of the boys, a rather supercilious-looking young gentleman, genteelly dressed, and evidently having a very high opinion of his dress and himself turned suddenly to d.i.c.k, and remarked,--

"I've seen you before."