Timothy Crump's Ward: A Story of American Life by Jr. Horatio Alger (top 10 novels to read TXT) π
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
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He determined to say nothing to his wife of the night's adventure until after his meeting appointed for the next day. Then if any advantage accrued to him from it, he would tell the whole at once.
When he reached home, Mrs. Crump was sewing beside the fire. Aunt Rachel sat with her hands folded in her lap, with an air of martyr-like resignation to the woes of life.
βI've brought you home a paper, Aunt Rachel,β said the cooper, cheerfully. βYou may find something interesting in it.β
βI sha'n't be able to read it this evening,β said Rachel, mournfully. βMy eyes have troubled me lately. I feel that it is more than probable that I am growing blind. But I trust I shall not live to be a burden to you. Your prospects are dark enough without that.β
βDon't trouble yourself with any fears of that sort, Rachel,β said the cooper, cheerily. βI think I know what will enable you to use your eyes as well as ever.β
βWhat?β asked Rachel, with melancholy curiosity.
βA pair of spectacles,β said her brother, incautiously.
βSpectacles!β retorted Rachel, indignantly. βIt will be a good many years before I am old enough to wear spectacles. I didn't expect to be insulted by my own brother. But it's one of my trials.β
βI didn't mean to hurt your feelings, Rachel,β said the cooper, perplexed.
βGood night,β said Rachel, rising and taking a small lamp from the table.
βCome, Rachel, don't go yet. It is early.β
βAfter what you have said to me, Timothy, my self-respect will not permit me to stay.β
Rachel swept out of the room with something more than her customary melancholy.
βI wish Rachel war'n't quite so contrary,β said the cooper. βShe turns upon a body so sudden, it's hard to know how to take her. How's the little girl, Mary?β
βShe's been asleep ever since six o'clock.β
βI hope you don't find her very much trouble. That all comes upon you, while we have the benefit of the money.β
βI don't think of that, Timothy. She is a sweet child, and I love her almost as much as if she were my own. As for Jack, he perfectly idolizes her.β
βAnd how does Aunt Rachel look upon her?β
βI am afraid she will never be a favorite with Rachel.β
βRachel never took to children much. It isn't her way. Now, Mary, while you are sewing, I will read you the news.β
CHAPTER VI. WHAT THE ENVELOPE CONTAINED.
THE card which had been handed to Timothy Crump contained the name of Thomas Merriam,ββWall Street. Punctually at twelve, the cooper reported himself at the counting-room, and received a cordial welcome from the merchant.
βI am glad to see you,β he said. βI will come to business at once, as I am particularly engaged this morning. Is there any way in which I can serve you?β
βNot unless you can procure me a situation, sir.β
βI think you told me you were a cooper.β
βYes sir.β
βDoes this yield you a good support?β
βIn good times it pays me two dollars a day. Lately it has been depressed, and for a time paid me but a dollar and a half.β
βWhen do you anticipate its revival?β
βThat is uncertain. It may be some months first.β
βAnd, in the mean time, you are willing to undertake some other employment?β
βYes, sir. I have no objection to any honest employment.β
Mr. Merriam reflected a moment.
βJust at present,β he said, βI have nothing to offer except the post of porter. If that will suit you, you can enter upon the duties to-morrow.β
βI shall be very glad to take it, sir. Anything is better than idleness.β
βYour compensation shall be the same that you have been accustomed to earn by your trade,βtwo dollars a day.β
βI only received that in the best times,β said Timothy, conscientiously.
βYour services will be worth it. I will expect you, then, to-morrow morning at eight. You are married, I suppose?β
βYes, sir. I am blessed with a good wife.β
βI am glad of that. Stay a moment.β
The merchant went to his desk, and presently returned with a scaled envelope.
βGive that to your wife,β he said.
The interview terminated, and the cooper went home, quite elated by his success. His present engagement would enable him to bridge over the dull time, and save him from incurring debt, of which he had a just horror.
βJust in time,β said Mrs. Crump. βWe've got an apple-pudding to-day.β
βYou haven't forgotten what I like, Mary.β
βThere's no knowing how long you will be able to afford puddings,β said Aunt Rachel. βTo my mind it's extravagant to have meat and pudding both, when a month hence you may be in the poor-house.β
βThen,β said Jack, βI wouldn't eat any.β
βOh, if you grudge me the little I eat,β said his aunt, in severe sorrow, βI will go without.β
βTut, Rachel, nobody grudges you anything here,β said her brother, βand as to the poor-house, I've got some good news to tell you that will put that thought out of your heads.β
βWhat is it?β asked Mrs. Crump, looking up brightly.
βI have found employment.β
βNot at your trade?β
βNo, but at something else, which will pay equally well, till trade revives.β
Here he told the story of the chance by which he was enabled to serve Mr. Merriam, and of the engagement to which it had led.
βYou are, indeed, fortunate,β said Mrs. Crump. βTwo dollars a day, and we've got nearly the whole of the money that came with this dear child. How rich we shall be!β
βWell, Rachel, where are your congratulations?β asked
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