The Cash Boy by Jr. Horatio Alger (good ebook reader .TXT) ๐
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
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โRUTH FOWLER.โ
Frank, following the instructions of the letter, found the gold pieces and put them carefully into his pocketbook. He did not mention the letter to Grace at present, for he knew not but Deacon Pinkerton might lay claim to the money to satisfy his debt if he knew it.
โI am ready, Frank,โ said Grace, entering the room. โShall we go?โ
โYes, Grace. There is no use in stopping here any longer.โ
As he spoke he heard the outer door open, and a minute later Deacon Pinkerton entered the room.
None of the deaconโs pompousness was abated as he entered the house and the room.
โWill you take a seat?โ said our hero, with the air of master of the house.
โI intended to,โ said the deacon, not acknowledging his claim. โSo your poor mother is gone?โ
โYes, sir,โ said Frank, briefly.
โWe must all die,โ said the deacon, feeling that it was incumbent on him to say something religious. โAhem! your mother died poor? She left no property?โ
โIt was not her fault.โ
โOf course not. Did she mention that I had advanced her money on the furniture?โ
โMy mother told me all about it, sir.โ
โAhem! You are in a sad condition. But you will be taken care of. You ought to be thankful that there is a home provided for those who have no means.โ
โWhat home do you refer to, Deacon Pinkerton?โ asked Frank, looking steadily in the face of his visitor.
โI mean the poorhouse, which the town generously provides for those who cannot support themselves.โ
This was the first intimation Grace had received of the possibility that they would be sent to such a home, and it frightened her.
โOh, Frank!โ she exclaimed, โmust we go to the poorhouse?โ
โNo, Grace; donโt be frightened,โ said Frank, soothingly. โWe will not go.โ
โFrank Fowler,โ said the deacon, sternly, โcease to mislead your sister.โ
โI am not misleading her, sir.โ
โDid you not tell her that she would not be obliged to go to the poorhouse?โ
โYes, sir.โ
โThen what do you mean by resisting my authority?โ
โYou have no authority over us. We are not paupers,โ and Frank lifted his head proudly, and looked steadily in the face of the deacon.
โYou are paupers, whether you admit it or not.โ
โWe are not,โ said the boy, indignantly.
โWhere is your money? Where is your property?โ
โHere, sir,โ said our hero, holding out his hands.
โI have two strong hands, and they will help me make a living for my sister and myself.โ
โMay I ask whether you expect to live here and use my furniture?โ
โI do not intend to, sir. I shall ask no favors of you, neither for Grace nor myself. I am going to leave the house. I only came back to get a few clothes. Mr. Pomeroy has invited Grace and me to stay at his house for a few days. I havenโt decided what I shall do afterward.โ
โYou will have to go to the poorhouse, then. I have no objection to your making this visit first. It will be a saving to the town.โ
โThen, sir, we will bid you good-day. Grace, let us go.โ
CHAPTER V A LITTLE MISUNDERSTANDING
โHave you carried Frank Fowler to the poorhouse?โ asked Tom Pinkerton, eagerly, on his fatherโs return.
โNo,โ said the deacon, โhe is going to make a visit at Mr. Pomeroyโs first.โ
โI shouldnโt think you would have let him make a visit,โ said Tom, discontentedly. โI should think you would have taken him to the poorhouse right off.โ
โI feel it my duty to save the town unnecessary expense,โ said Deacon Pinkerton.
So Tom was compelled to rest satisfied with his fatherโs assurance that the removal was only deferred.
Meanwhile Frank and Grace received a cordial welcome at the house of Mr. Pomeroy. Sam and Frank were intimate friends, and our hero had been in the habit of calling frequently, and it seemed homelike.
โI wish you could stay with us all the time, Frankโyou and Grace,โ said Sam one evening.
โWe should all like it,โ said Mr. Pomeroy, โbut we cannot always have what we want. If I had it in my power to offer Frank any employment which it would be worth his while to follow, it might do. But he has got his way to make in the world. Have you formed any plans yet, Frank?โ
โThat is what I want to consult you about, Mr. Pomeroy.โ
โI will give you the best advice I can, Frank. I suppose you do not mean to stay in the village.โ
โNo, sir. There is nothing for me to do here. I must go somewhere where I can make a living for Grace and myself.โ
โYouโve got a hard row to hoe, Frank,โ said Mr. Pomeroy, thoughtfully. โHave you decided where to go?โ
โYes, sir. I shall go to New York.โ
โWhat! To the city?โ
โYes, sir. Iโll get something to do, no matter what it is.โ
โBut how are you going to live in the meantime?โ
โIโve got a little money.โ
โThat wonโt last long.โ
โI know it, but I shall soon get work, if it is only to black boots in the streets.โ
โWith that spirit, Frank, you will stand a fair chance to succeed. What do you mean to do with Grace?โ
โI will take her with me.โ
โI can think of a better plan. Leave her here till you have found something to do. Then send for her.โ
โBut if I leave her here Deacon Pinkerton will
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