Herbert Carter's Legacy; Or, the Inventor's Son by Jr. Horatio Alger (top reads .TXT) π
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
Read book online Β«Herbert Carter's Legacy; Or, the Inventor's Son by Jr. Horatio Alger (top reads .TXT) πΒ». Author - Jr. Horatio Alger
βI don't think you'll have that pleasure,β said Herbert, flushing. βIf I wear them I shall have them made over for me.β
βI congratulate you on your new and extensive wardrobe,β said James, mockingly. βWon't you cut a dash, though, on the streets of Wrayburn!β
Herbert did not deign a reply to this rude speech. Tom Spencer, who was much more of a gentleman than James, was disgusted with his impertinence. He rose, and took Herbert by the hand.
βYou must let me introduce myself,β he said. βMy name is Thomas Spencer, and I am glad to see you here.β
βThank you,β said Herbert, his heart opening at the frank and cordial manner of the other. βMy name is Herbert Carter, and I am very glad to make your acquaintance.β
βAre you going to finish this game, Tom?β drawled James, not relishing the idea of Herbert's receiving any attention from his friend.
βIf you don't mind, we'll have it another time,β said Tom. βThere goes the supper bell, and I for one am hungry.β
At the supper table James noticed, to his secret disgust, that Herbert was treated with as much consideration as himself. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer appeared to consider them social equals, which made James very uncomfortable.
βYou boys are about of an age, I suppose,β said Mr. Spencer.
βI really don't know,β said James, haughtily.
βYou attend the same school?β
βYes,β said James, βbut I expect to go to some select academy very soon. At a public school you have to associate with all classes, you know.β
Mr. Spencer arched his brows, and steadily regarded the young aristocrat.
βI don't see any great distinction of classes in a country village,β said he, dryly. βBesides, we are living in a republic.β
βYou wouldn't like to associate on equal terms with a day laborer,β said James, pertly.
βI am a laborer myself,β said the lawyer, smiling. βI wish I could say I were a day laborer exclusively, but sometimes I have to work into the night.β
βYou are a professional man, and a gentleman,β said James. βYou don't work with your hands.β
βI hope you boys will all grow up gentlemen,β said Mr. Spencer.
βI shall, of course,β said James.
βAnd you, Tom?β
βI hope so.β
βAnd you, Herbert?β
βI hope so, too,β said Herbert; βbut if it is necessary to be rich to be a gentleman, I am not sure about it.β
βWhat is your idea of a gentleman, James?β asked the lawyer.
βHe must be of a good family, and wear good clothes, and live nicely.β
βIs that all?β
βHe ought to be well educated.β
βI see you name that last which I should name first. So these constitute a gentleman, in your opinion?β
βYes, sir.β
βNot always. I have known men combining all the qualifications you have mentioned, who were very far from being gentlemen, in my opinion.β
βHow is that, sir?β asked James, puzzled.
βThey were arrogant, puffed up with an idea of their own importance, deficient in politeness.β
βHow well he has described James!β thought Herbert, but he was too much of a gentleman to say so.
James looked disconcerted, and dropped the subject. He thought the lawyer had some queer ideas. Why need a gentleman be polite to his inferiors? he thought, but he didn't say so.
After supper the boys went out behind the house, and feasted on peaches, which were just ripe. Herbert found Tom very social, but James took very little notice of him. Our hero did not make himself unhappy on this account. In fact, he was in unusual good spirits, and enjoyed in anticipation the pleasure of going back to Wrayburn with the welcome news of the two legacies.
About half past seven Mr. Spencer came out into the orchard.
βAs the stage starts early in the morning, Herbert,β he said, βwe had better go over and get the trunk ready, so that you can take it home.β
James Leech hoped to receive an invitation to accompany the two; but no invitation was given, and he was forced to content himself with staying behind.
CHAPTER VII A WELCOME DISCOVERY
Mr. Spencer entered the house so lately vacated by the old man who had occupied it for forty years.
βThe trunk is in your uncle's room,β said the lawyer, βor ought to be. I suppose it has not been moved.β
The two entered the chamber. It was a small, poorly furnished apartment, covered with a carpet which, cheap in the first place, was so worn with use that the bare floor showed in spots.
βYour uncle was not very luxurious in his taste,β said Mr. Spencer. βThere are plenty of day laborers in town who have as good rooms as this.β
βI suppose he liked laying up money better than spending it,β said Herbert.
βYou are right there. This must be the trunk.β
It was a small, black hair trunk, studded with brass nails. Mr. Spencer took a bunch of keys from his pocket and unlocked it. Lifting the cover he exposed to view a collection of woolen clothes-coats, vests, and pants.
βThis is your legacy, Herbert,β said the lawyer. βI am afraid you won't find it very valuable. What is this?β
He drew out, and held up to view, a blue cloak of ample proportions.
βWill you try it on?β he said, smiling.
Herbert threw it over his shoulders, and looked at himself in a small seven-by-nine looking-glass which was suspended over the washstand. It came down nearly to his feet.
βI should hardly dare to wear this without alteration,β he said; βbut there is a good deal of good cloth in it. Mother can cut a coat and vest out of it for me.β
βHere is a blue coat with brass buttons. I remember your uncle used to wear it to church twenty years ago.
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