American library books Β» Fiction Β» The Errand Boy; Or, How Phil Brent Won Success by Jr. Horatio Alger (bearly read books .txt) πŸ“•

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get a place. The abrupt termination of the conversation dispirited him.

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.

β€œIt seems to be very hard getting a place,” thought Phil, and it must be confessed he felt a little homesick.

β€œI won't make any more applications to-day,” 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.

β€œI hope you are not hurt, sir?” he said.

β€œI should have been but for you, my good boy,” said the gentleman. β€œI am a little shaken by the suddenness of my slipping.”

β€œWould you wish me to go with you, sir?”

β€œYes, if you please. I do not perhaps require you, but I shall be glad of your company.”

β€œThank you, sir.”

β€œDo you live in the city?”

β€œYes, sir; that is, I propose to do so. I have come here in search of employment.”

Phil said this, thinking it possible that the old gentleman might exert his influence in his favor.

β€œAre you dependent on what you may earn?” asked the gentleman, regarding him attentively.

β€œI have a little money, sir, but when that is gone I shall need to earn something.”

β€œThat is no misfortune. It is a good thing for a boy to be employed. Otherwise he is liable to get into mischief.”

β€œAt any rate, I shall be glad to find work, sir.”

β€œHave you applied anywhere yet?”

Phil gave a little account of his unsuccessful applications, and the objections that had been made to him.

β€œYes, yes,” said the old gentleman thoughtfully, β€œmore confidence is placed in a boy who lives with his parents.”

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.

β€œI find it does me good,” he said, β€œto spend some time in the open air, and even if walking tires me it does me good.”

At Twelfth Street they turned off.

β€œI am living with a married niece,” he said, β€œjust on the other side of Fifth Avenue.”

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.

β€œThen, sir, I will bid you good-morning,” said Phil.

β€œNo, no; come in and lunch with me,” 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.

β€œThank you, sir,” answered Phil.

He was sure that the invitation was intended to be accepted, and he saw no reason why he should not accept it.

β€œHannah,” said the old gentleman to the servant who opened the door, β€œtell your mistress that I have brought a boy home to dinner with me.”

β€œYes, sir,” answered Hannah, surveying Phil in some surprise.

β€œCome up to my room, my young friend,” said Mr. Carter. β€œYou may want to prepare for lunch.”

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.

β€œLavinia,” said Mr. Carter, β€œI have brought a young friend with me to lunch.”

β€œSo I see,” answered the lady. β€œHas he been here before?”

β€œNo; he is a new acquaintance.”

β€œI would speak to him if I knew his name.”

β€œHis name is——”

Here the old gentleman hesitated, for in truth he had forgotten.

β€œPhilip Brent.”

β€œYou may sit down here, Mr. Brent,” said Mrs. Pitkin, for this was the lady's name.

β€œThank you, ma'am.”

β€œAnd so you made my uncle's acquaintance this morning?” she continued, herself taking a seat at the head of the table.

β€œYes; he was of service to me,” answered Mr. Carter for him. β€œI had lost my balance, and should have had a heavy fall if Philip had not come to my assistance.”

β€œHe was very kind, I am sure,” said Mrs. Pitkin, but her tone was very cold.

β€œPhilip,” said Mr. Carter, β€œthis is my grand-nephew, Alonzo Pitkin.”

He indicated the boy already referred to.

β€œHow do you do?” said Alonzo, staring at Philip not very cordially.

β€œVery well, thank you,” answered Philip politely.

β€œWhere do you live?” asked Alonzo, after a moment's hesitation.

β€œIn Fifth Street.”

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