The Errand Boy; Or, How Phil Brent Won Success by Jr. Horatio Alger (bearly read books .txt) π
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
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βI am sorry to say that I can't help feeling prejudiced against you,β returned the president dryly; βbut I won't allow this feeling to injure you if, upon inquiring, I find that you are otherwise an efficient officer.β
βThank you, sir.β
βI am glad that my presence has saved this boy from being the victim of an injustice. Let this be a lesson to you in future.β
The conductor walked away, looking quite chop-fallen, and Philip turned to his new friend.
βI am very much indebted to you, sir,β he said. βBut for you I should have found myself in serious trouble.β
βI am glad to have prevented an injustice, my lad. I am sorry I could not save you from loss also. That enterprising rogue has gone off with five dollars belonging to you. I hope the loss will not be a serious one to you.β
βIt was more than a third part of my capital, sir,β said Phil, rather ruefully.
βI am sorry for that. I suppose, however, you are not dependent upon your own resources?β
βYes, sir, I am.β
βHave you no parents, then?β asked Mr. Grant, with interest.
βNo, sir; that is, I have a step-mother.β
βAnd what are your plans, if you are willing to tell me?β
βI am going to New York to try to make a living.β
βI cannot commend your plan, my young friend, unless there is a good reason for it.β
βI think there is a good reason for it, sir.β
βI hope you have not run away from home?β
βNo, sir; I left home with my step-mother's knowledge and consent.β
βThat is well. I don't want wholly to discourage you, and so I will tell you that I, too, came to New York at your age with the same object in view, with less money in my pocket than you possess.β
βAnd now you are the president of a railroad!β said Phil hopefully.
βYes; but I had a hard struggle before I reached that position.β
βI am not afraid of hard work, sir.β
βThat is in your favor. Perhaps you may be as lucky as I have been. You may call at my office in the city, if you feel inclined.β
As Mr. Grant spoke he put in Phil's hand a card bearing his name and address, in Wall Street.
βThank you, sir,β said Phil gratefully. βI shall be glad to call. I may need advice.β
βIf you seek advice and follow it you will be an exception to the general rule,β said the president, smiling. βOne thing moreβyou have met with a loss which, to you, is a serious one. Allow me to bear it, and accept this bill.β
βBut, sir, it is not right that you should bear it,β commenced Phil. Then, looking at the bill, he said: βHaven't you made a mistake? This is a TEN-dollar bill.β
βI know it. Accept the other five as an evidence of my interest in you. By the way, I go to Philadelphia and Washington before my return to New York, and shall not return for three or four days. After that time you will find me at my office.
βI am in luck after all,β thought Phil cheerfully, βin spite of the mean trick of Mr. Lionel Lake.β
CHAPTER VI. SIGNOR ORLANDO.
So Phil reached New York in very fair spirits. He found himself, thanks to the liberality of Mr. Grant, in a better financial position than when he left home.
As he left the depot and found himself in the streets of New York, he felt like a stranger upon the threshold of a new life. He knew almost nothing about the great city he had entered, and was at a loss where to seek for lodgings.
βIt's a cold day,β said a sociable voice at his elbow.
Looking around, Phil saw that the speaker was a sallow-complexioned young man, with black hair and mustache, a loose black felt hat, crushed at the crown, giving him rather a rakish look.
βYes, sir,β answered Phil politely.
βStranger in the city, I expect?β
βYes, sir.β
βNever mind the sir. I ain't used to ceremony. I am Signor Orlando.β
βSignor Orlando!β repeated Phil, rather puzzled.
βAre you an Italian?β
βWell, yes,β returned Signor Orlando, with a wink, βthat's what I am, or what people think me; but I was born in Vermont, and am half Irish and half Yankee.β
βHow did you come by your name, then?β
βI took it,β answered his companion. βYou see, dear boy, I'm a professional.β
βA what?β
βA professionalβsinger and clog-dancer. I believe I am pretty well known to the public,β continued Signor Orlando complacently. βLast summer I traveled with Jenks & Brown's circus. Of course you've heard of THEM. Through the winter I am employed at Bowerman's Varieties, in the Bowery. I appear every night, and at two matinees weekly.β
It must be confessed that Phil was considerably impressed by the professional character of Signor Orlando. He had never met an actor, or public performer of any description, and was disposed to have a high respect for a man who filled such a conspicuous position. There was not, to be sure, anything very impressive about Signor Orlando's appearance. His face did not indicate talent, and his dress was shabby. But for all that he was a man familiar with the publicβa man of gifts.
βI should like to see you on the stage,β said Phil respectfully.
βSo you shall, my dear boyβso you shall. I'll get you a pass from Mr. Bowerman. Which way are you going?β
βI don't know,β answered Phil, puzzled. βI should like to find a cheap boarding-house, but I don't know the city.β
βI do,β answered Signor Orlando promptly. βWhy not come to my house?β
βHave you a house?β
βI mean my boarding-house. It's some distance away. Suppose we take a horse-car?β
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