American library books ยป Fiction ยป Timothy Crump's Ward: A Story of American Life by Jr. Horatio Alger (top 10 novels to read TXT) ๐Ÿ“•

Read book online ยซTimothy Crump's Ward: A Story of American Life by Jr. Horatio Alger (top 10 novels to read TXT) ๐Ÿ“•ยป.   Author   -   Jr. Horatio Alger



1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... 39
Go to page:

โ€œServed you right,โ€ said his aunt, still clasping her foot.

โ€œSha'n't I get something for you to put on it?โ€ asked Mrs. Crump of (sic) her-sister-in-law.

This Rachel steadily refused, and after a few more postures, (sic) indicating a great amount of anguish, limped out of the room, and ascended the stairs to her own apartment.





CHAPTER III. THE LANDLORD'S VISIT.

SOON after Rachel's departure Jack, also, was seized with a sleepy fit, and postponing the construction of his boat to a more favorable opportunity, took a candle and followed his aunt's example.

The cooper and his wife were now left alone.

โ€œNow that Rachel and Jack have gone to bed, Mary,โ€ he commenced, hesitatingly, โ€œI don't mind saying that I am a little troubled in mind about one thing.โ€

โ€œWhat's that?โ€ asked Mrs. Crump, anxiously.

โ€œIt's just this, I don't anticipate being stinted for food. I know we shall get along some way; but there's another expense which I am afraid of.โ€

โ€œIs it the rent?โ€ inquired his wife, apprehensively.

โ€œThat's it. The quarter's rent, twenty dollars, comes due to-morrow, and I've got less than a dollar to meet it.โ€

โ€œWon't Mr. Colman wait?โ€

โ€œI'm afraid not. You know what sort of a man he is, Mary. There ain't much feeling about him. He cares more for money than anything else.โ€

โ€œPerhaps you are doing him injustice.โ€

โ€œI am afraid not. Did you never hear how he treated the Underhills?โ€

โ€œHow was it?โ€

โ€œUnderhill was laid up with a rheumatic fever for three months. The consequence was, that, when quarter-day came round, he was in about the same situation with ourselves,โ€”a little worse even, for his wife was sick, also. But though Colman was aware of the circumstances, he had no pity; but turned them out without ceremony.โ€

โ€œIs it possible?โ€ asked Mrs. Crump, uneasily.

โ€œAnd there's no reason for his being more lenient with us. I can't but feel anxious about to-morrow, Mary.โ€

At this moment, verifying an old adage which will perhaps occur to the reader, who should knock but Mr. Colman himself?

Both the cooper and his wife had an instinctive foreboding as to the meaning of his visit.

He came in, rubbing his hands in a social way, as was his custom. No one, to look at him, would have suspected the hardness of heart that lay veiled under his velvety softness of manner.

โ€œGood evening, Mr. Crump,โ€ said he, affably, โ€œI trust you and your worthy wife are in good health.โ€

โ€œThat blessing, at least, is continued to us,โ€ said the cooper, gravely.

โ€œAnd how comfortable you're looking too, eh! It makes an old bachelor, like me, feel lonesome when he contrasts his own solitary room with such a scene of comfort as this. You've got a comfortable home, and dog-cheap, too. All my other tenants are grumbling to think you don't have to pay any more for such superior accommodations. I've about made up my mind that I must ask you twenty-five dollars a quarter, hereafter.โ€

All this was said very pleasantly, but the pill was none the less bitter.

โ€œIt seems to me, Mr. Colman,โ€ remarked the cooper soberly, โ€œyou have chosen rather a singular time for raising the rent.โ€

โ€œWhy singular, my good sir?โ€ inquired the landlord, urbanely.

โ€œYou know of course, that this is a time of general business depression; my own trade in particular has suffered greatly. For a month past, I have not been able to find any work.โ€

Colman's face lost something of its graciousness.

โ€œAnd I fear I sha'n't be able to pay my quarter's rent to-morrow.โ€

โ€œIndeed!โ€ said the landlord coldly. โ€œPerhaps you can make it up within two or three dollars?โ€

โ€œI can't pay a dollar towards it,โ€ said the cooper. โ€œIt's the first time, in five years that I've lived here, that this thing has happened to me. I've always been prompt before.โ€

โ€œYou should have economized as you found times growing harder,โ€ said Colman, harshly. โ€œIt is hardly honest to live in a house when you know you can't pay the rent.โ€

โ€œYou sha'n't lose it Mr. Colman,โ€ said the cooper, earnestly. โ€œNo one ever yet lost anything by me. Only give me time, and I will pay you all.โ€

The landlord shook his head.

โ€œYou ought to cut your coat according to your cloth,โ€ he responded. โ€œMuch as it will go against my feelings, under the circumstances I am compelled by a prudent regard to my own interests to warn you that, in case your rent is not ready to-morrow, I shall be obliged to trouble you to find another tenement; and furthermore, the rent of this will be raised five dollars a quarter.โ€

โ€œI can't pay it, Mr. Colman,โ€ said the cooper; โ€œI may as well say that now; and it's no use my agreeing to pay more rent. I pay all I can afford now.โ€

โ€œVery well, you know the alternative. But it is a disagreeable subject. We won't talk of it now; I shall be round to-morrow morning. How's your excellent sister; as cheerful as ever?โ€

โ€œQuite as much so as usual,โ€ answered the cooper, dryly.

โ€œBut there's one favor I should like to ask, if you will allow us to remain here a few days till I can look about me a little.โ€

โ€œI would with the greatest pleasure in the world,โ€ was the reply, โ€œbut there's another family very anxious to take the house, and they wish to come in immediately. Therefore I shall be obliged to ask you to move out to-morrow. In fact that is the very thing I came here this evening to speak about, as I thought you might not wish to pay the increased rent.โ€

โ€œWe are much obliged to you,โ€ said the cooper, with a tinge of bitterness unusual to him. โ€œIf we are to be turned out of doors, it is pleasant to have a few hours' notice of it.โ€

โ€œTurned out of doors, my good friend! What disagreeable expressions you employ! It is merely a matter of business. I have an article to dispose of. There are two bidders; yourself and another person. The latter is willing to pay a larger sum. Of course I give him the preference. Don't you see how it is?โ€

โ€œI believe I do,โ€ replied the cooper. โ€œOf course, it's a regular proceeding; but you must excuse me if I think

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... 39
Go to page:

Free e-book: ยซTimothy Crump's Ward: A Story of American Life by Jr. Horatio Alger (top 10 novels to read TXT) ๐Ÿ“•ยป   -   read online now on website american library books (americanlibrarybooks.com)

Comments (0)

There are no comments yet. You can be the first!
Add a comment