The Errand Boy; Or, How Phil Brent Won Success by Jr. Horatio Alger (bearly read books .txt) π
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
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He made three more applications. In one of them he again came near succeeding, but once more the fact that he did not live with his parents defeated his application.
βIt seems to be very hard getting a place,β thought Phil, and it must be confessed he felt a little homesick.
βI won't make any more applications to-day,β he decided, and being on Broadway, walked up that busy thoroughfare, wondering what the morrow would bring forth.
It was winter, and there was ice on the sidewalk. Directly in front of Phil walked an elderly gentleman, whose suit of fine broadcloth and gold spectacles, seemed to indicate a person of some prominence and social importance.
Suddenly he set foot on a treacherous piece of ice. Vainly he strove to keep his equilibrium, his arms waving wildly, and his gold-headed cane falling to the sidewalk. He would have fallen backward, had not Phil, observing his danger in time, rushed to his assistance.
CHAPTER VIII. THE HOUSE IN TWELFTH STREET.
With some difficulty the gentleman righted himself, and then Phil picked up his cane.
βI hope you are not hurt, sir?β he said.
βI should have been but for you, my good boy,β said the gentleman. βI am a little shaken by the suddenness of my slipping.β
βWould you wish me to go with you, sir?β
βYes, if you please. I do not perhaps require you, but I shall be glad of your company.β
βThank you, sir.β
βDo you live in the city?β
βYes, sir; that is, I propose to do so. I have come here in search of employment.β
Phil said this, thinking it possible that the old gentleman might exert his influence in his favor.
βAre you dependent on what you may earn?β asked the gentleman, regarding him attentively.
βI have a little money, sir, but when that is gone I shall need to earn something.β
βThat is no misfortune. It is a good thing for a boy to be employed. Otherwise he is liable to get into mischief.β
βAt any rate, I shall be glad to find work, sir.β
βHave you applied anywhere yet?β
Phil gave a little account of his unsuccessful applications, and the objections that had been made to him.
βYes, yes,β said the old gentleman thoughtfully, βmore confidence is placed in a boy who lives with his parents.β
The two walked on together until they reached Twelfth Street. It was a considerable walk, and Phil was surprised that his companion should walk, when he could easily have taken a Broadway stage, but the old gentleman explained this himself.
βI find it does me good,β he said, βto spend some time in the open air, and even if walking tires me it does me good.β
At Twelfth Street they turned off.
βI am living with a married niece,β he said, βjust on the other side of Fifth Avenue.β
At the door of a handsome four-story house, with a brown-stone front, the old gentleman paused, and told Phil that this was his residence.
βThen, sir, I will bid you good-morning,β said Phil.
βNo, no; come in and lunch with me,β said Mr. Carter hospitably.
He had, by the way, mentioned that his name was Oliver Carter, and that he was no longer actively engaged in business, but was a silent partner in the firm of which his nephew by marriage was the nominal head.
βThank you, sir,β answered Phil.
He was sure that the invitation was intended to be accepted, and he saw no reason why he should not accept it.
βHannah,β said the old gentleman to the servant who opened the door, βtell your mistress that I have brought a boy home to dinner with me.β
βYes, sir,β answered Hannah, surveying Phil in some surprise.
βCome up to my room, my young friend,β said Mr. Carter. βYou may want to prepare for lunch.β
Mr. Carter had two connecting rooms on the second floor, one of which he used as a bed-chamber. The furniture was handsome and costly, and Phil, who was not used to city houses, thought it luxurious.
Phil washed his face and hands, and brushed his hair. Then a bell rang, and following his new friend, he went down to lunch.
Lunch was set out in the front basement. When Phil and Mr. Carter entered the room a lady was standing by the fire, and beside her was a boy of about Phil's age. The lady was tall and slender, with light-brown hair and cold gray eyes.
βLavinia,β said Mr. Carter, βI have brought a young friend with me to lunch.β
βSo I see,β answered the lady. βHas he been here before?β
βNo; he is a new acquaintance.β
βI would speak to him if I knew his name.β
βHis name isβββ
Here the old gentleman hesitated, for in truth he had forgotten.
βPhilip Brent.β
βYou may sit down here, Mr. Brent,β said Mrs. Pitkin, for this was the lady's name.
βThank you, ma'am.β
βAnd so you made my uncle's acquaintance this morning?β she continued, herself taking a seat at the head of the table.
βYes; he was of service to me,β answered Mr. Carter for him. βI had lost my balance, and should have had a heavy fall if Philip had not come to my assistance.β
βHe was very kind, I am sure,β said Mrs. Pitkin, but her tone was very cold.
βPhilip,β said Mr. Carter, βthis is my grand-nephew, Alonzo Pitkin.β
He indicated the boy already referred to.
βHow do you do?β said Alonzo, staring at Philip not very cordially.
βVery well, thank you,β answered Philip politely.
βWhere do you live?β asked Alonzo, after a moment's hesitation.
βIn Fifth Street.β
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