Driven from Home; Or, Carl Crawford's Experience by Jr. Horatio Alger (book club books .txt) 📕
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
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“I am glad to see you,” said Mr. Gibbon, coldly.
“Thank you, sir.”
“By the way, Mr. Jennings,” said the bookkeeper, “I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Go on, Mr. Gibbon,” rejoined his employer, in a cordial tone.
“Two months since you gave my nephew, Leonard Craig, a place in the factory.”
“Yes; I remember.”
“I don’t think the work agrees with him.”
“He seemed a strong, healthy boy.”
“He has never been used to confinement, and it affects him unpleasantly.”
“Does he wish to resign his place?”
“I have been wondering whether you would not be willing to transfer him to the office. I could send him on errands, to the post office, and make him useful in various ways.”
“I had not supposed an office boy was needed. Still, if you desire it, I will try your nephew in the place.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“I am bound to tell you, however, that his present place is a better one. He is learning a good trade, which, if he masters it, will always give him a livelihood. I learned a trade, and owe all I have to that.”
“True, Mr. Jennings, but there are other ways of earning a living.”
“Certainly.”
“And I thought of giving Leonard evening instruction in bookkeeping.”
“That alters the case. Good bookkeepers are always in demand. I have no objection to your trying the experiment.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Have you mentioned the matter to your nephew?”
“I just suggested that I would ask you, but could not say what answer you would give.”
“It would have been better not to mention the matter at all till you could tell him definitely that he could change his place.”
“I don’t know but you are right, sir. However, it is all right now.”
“Now, Carl,” said Mr. Jennings, “I will take you into the workroom.”
CHAPTER XVI. CARL GETS A PLACE.
“I suppose that is the bookkeeper,” said Carl.
“Yes. He has been with me three years. He understands his business well. You heard what he said about his nephew?”
“Yes, sir.”
“It is his sister’s son—a boy of about your own age. I think he is making a mistake in leaving the factory, and going into the office. He will have little to do, and that not of a character to give him knowledge of business.”
“Still, if he takes lessons in bookkeeping——”
Mr. Jennings smiled.
“The boy will never make a bookkeeper,” he said. “His reason for desiring the change is because he is indolent. The world has no room for lazy people.”
“I wonder, sir, that you have had a chance to find him out.”
“Little things betray a boy’s nature, or a man’s, for that matter. When I have visited the workroom I have noticed Leonard, and formed my conclusions. He is not a boy whom I would select for my service, but I have taken him as a favor to his uncle. I presume he is without means, and it is desirable that he should pay his uncle something in return for the home which he gives him.”
“How much do you pay him, sir, if it is not a secret?”
“Oh, no; he receives five dollars a week to begin with. I will pay him the same in the office. And that reminds me; how would you like to have a situation in the factory? Would you like to take Leonard’s place?”
“Yes, sir, if you think I would do.”
“I feel quite sure of it. Have you ever done any manual labor?”
“No, sir.”
“I suppose you have always been to school.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You are a gentleman’s son,” proceeded Mr. Jennings, eying Carl attentively. “How will it suit you to become a working boy?”
“I shall like it,” answered Carl, promptly.
“Don’t be too sure! You can tell better after a week in the factory. Those in my employ work ten hours a day. Leonard Craig doesn’t like it.”
“All I ask, Mr. Jennings, is that you give me a trial.”
“That is fair,” responded the little man, looking pleased. “I will tell you now that, not knowing of any vacancy in the factory, I had intended to give you the place in the office which Mr. Gibbon has asked for his nephew. It would have been a good deal easier work.”
“I shall be quite satisfied to take my place in the factory.”
“Come in, then, and see your future scene of employment.”
They entered a large room, occupying nearly an entire floor of the building. Part of the space was filled by machinery. The number employed Carl estimated roughly at twenty-five.
Quite near the door was a boy, who bore some personal resemblance to the bookkeeper. Carl concluded that it must be Leonard Craig. The boy looked round as Mr. Jennings entered, and eyed Carl sharply.
“How are you getting on, Leonard?” Mr. Jennings asked.
“Pretty well, sir; but the machinery makes my head ache.”
“Your uncle tells me that your employment does not agree with you.”
“No, sir; I don’t think it does.”
“He would like to have you in the office with him. Would you like it, also?”
“Yes, sir,” answered Leonard, eagerly.
“Very well. You may report for duty at the office to-morrow morning. This boy will take your place here.”
Leonard eyed Carl curiously, not cordially.
“I hope you’ll like it,” he said.
“I think I shall.”
“You two boys must get acquainted,” said Mr. Jennings. “Leonard, this is Carl
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