Making His Way; Or, Frank Courtney's Struggle Upward
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"Yes."
"I see they are much younger than I. Excuse the trouble I have givenyou!"
"None whatever," said the man, politely.
Frank left the store, and continued his walk down Broadway.
He began to feel a little serious. It was evident that the boys did notreceive as large compensation for their services as he had supposed.
The problem promised to be a perplexing one, but Frank was by no meansdiscouraged. In fact, if he had been, he would hardly have deserved tobe the hero of my story.
Though Clinton Place is not very far uptown, it is a considerable walkfrom this point to the Astor House.
There was so much to see, however, that Frank did not become tired, norwas he sensible of the distance. He walked a little beyond the AstorHouse, and, crossing Broadway, turned down Fulton Street.
On the left side of the street his attention was drawn to a restaurant,and he was led by the prompting of appetite to enter.
The prices he found to be reasonable, and the tables were already prettywell filled with clerks and business men, who were partaking of theirmidday lunch.
Frank found that a plate of meat, with potato and a small supply ofbread and butter, could be obtained for fifteen cents.
He afterward found restaurants where the same could be gotten for tencents, but generally there was a deficiency in quality or quantity, andthere was less neatness in serving the articles.
Seated at the same table with Frank were two young men, neither probablymuch over twenty. One appeared to be filling a regular clerkship.
"What are you doing now, Jack?" he asked of the other.
"I am in the tea business."
"How is that?"
"You know the Great Pekin Tea Company, of course?"
"Yes."
"Well, until I can get a place, I am selling for them."
"How do you make out?"
"I can't tell you, for I have only just commenced," said his friend.
"How do they pay--salary or commission?"
"They are to pay me a commission--twenty per cent on what I sell."
"That is a good commission."
"Yes; it is good enough, if I can make a fair amount of sales. There isa good deal of uncertainty about it of course. I would much rather havea place like yours."
Frank listened with interest. He wondered whether the Great Pekin TeaCompany would employ him. If so, he would have a field for his energy,and every inducement to work hard, since his pay would depend on theamount of his sales. Besides, as an agent, he would occupy acomparatively independent position, and Frank was ambitious enough toenjoy this.
CHAPTER XX
AN ADVENTURE IN WALL STREET
When the two men at his table left the restaurant, Frank followed them.At the door the two parted, the clerk going toward Broadway, while theagent walked in the direction of Nassau Street.
"I beg your pardon," said Frank, overtaking him; "but may I ask you aquestion?"
"Half a dozen, if you like," said the other, good-naturedly.
"I overheard what you said about the Great Pekin Tea Company. Do youthink I could get a chance to sell for them?"
"Oh, yes; there'll be no trouble about that!"
"I am looking for something to do," continued Frank, "and I think Ishould like to try that."
"You'll find it uphill work," said the agent; "hard work and poor pay. Ishall leave it as soon as I can get a regular position. Can't you get aplace?"
"Perhaps I can. I haven't tried very hard yet," answered Frank; "but Ifind boys are paid so little that I can't make enough to live on. If Iwere a man it would be different."
"I don't believe you can make more than a boy's wages at selling tea,"said Frank's new acquaintance, "but you might try it."
"Would you mind giving me a note to the company?" asked Frank.
"I will write a line on one of my business cards," said the agent. "Thatwill be all you will need."
He drew out a card and wrote a line commending Frank to the attention ofthe company.
Frank thanked him, and sought the direction given.
Entering a large shop, not far from the Astor House, he looked about hisinquiringly. Around him were chests of tea, inscribed with Chinesecharacters. A portly man addressed him.
"Well, my boy, what can I do for you?" he asked.
"Mr. Mason, one of your agents, has given me this card," said Frank. "Hethinks you might be willing to employ me."
"We are ready to employ any competent person," said the gentleman; "butyou seem very young."
"I am sixteen, sir."
"That is young. Have you had any experience as an agent?"
"No, sir?"
The man questioned him further and finally accepted him.
Frank was told that it would be well to take samples of different kindsof teas with their respective prices attached, and seek orders for themat private houses and groceries, noting down in a little book ordersobtained. Small quantities he could himself deliver, and largequantities, should he be fortunate enough to obtain any, could be sentout from the store by their general delivery.
"What commission am I to get, sir?" inquired Frank.
"Twenty per cent on parcels sold to private houses and ten per cent whenyou sell to retail dealers. To the first you can charge a full price,but it is necessary to sell at lower rates to dealers."
"I understand, sir," said Frank.
"When do you want to begin?"
"To-morrow morning, sir. Where do you advise me to go?"
"New York has been pretty well canvassed, except perhaps the upper part,Harlem. It might be well to make a start in Brooklyn."
"Very well, sir. I will call to-morrow and get samples."
As Frank left the store, he reflected, with satisfaction:
"I have only been a few hours in New York, and I have gotten employmentalready."
This reflection raised his spirits, and disposed him to regard thefuture with a degree of confidence. He resolved to spend the rest of theafternoon in walking about in the lower part of the city, and acquiringa little familiarity with the streets, as this was a kind of knowledgehe was likely to need.
He strolled down Broadway, admiring the massive and stately structuresthat lined the streets on either side. Very soon he came to TrinityChurch, and, standing in front it, looked down Wall Street. He had heardso much of this street that he felt inclined to turn from Broadway andwalk down its entire length.
As he sauntered along a man whom he met scrutinized him sharply, as ifconsidering some plan. Apparently making up his mind, he stepped up toFrank, and, touching him on the shoulder, said:
"Boy, would you like a job?"
Now Frank, though he had engaged to work for the Great Pekin Tea Companywas ready to accept any other proposal, and answered promptly:
"Yes, sir."
"That is right," said the man. "It is a mere trifle, but I am willing topay you a dollar."
"What is it, sir?"
"Do you see that window?"
He pointed to a basement window, in which were exposed rolls of gold,currency and greenbacks of different denominations, and Englishsovereigns and French gold coins.
"I want you to do me a little errand in there," he said.
Frank was rather surprised that the man did not do his own errand, whenthe broker's office was so near, but he had no objection to earning adollar and signified his willingness.
"What I want you to do," said his new acquaintance, "is to sell somegovernment bonds for me."
"Very well, sir."
The man produced a large yellow envelope, already open.
"In this envelope," he said, "are two five-twenty governments for ahundred dollars each. Take them in and sell them, and bring the proceedsto me."
"All right, sir."
Frank took the envelope, and entered the office of Jones & Robinson,that being the style of the firm.
He advanced to the counter, and singling out a clerk, said:
The clerk took them and drew them out of the envelope. Then he figured alittle on a slip of paper, and said:
"They are worth two hundred and twenty-five dollars and twenty-fivecents."
"All right, sir."
"Will you take a check or currency?"
Frank hesitated.
"Perhaps I'd better ask the man I am getting them for."
"Very well. You can bring them here to-morrow."
"Oh, I will let you know in a minute! The man is just outside."
This answer immediately excited suspicion. Frank was too little versedin business ways to understand how singular it was for his principal notto transact his own business under the circumstances, but the brokerswere necessarily keen, shrewd men.
"Wait a minute," said the clerk; "I will speak to Mr. Jones."
Mr. Jones came forward and addressed Frank.
"Are you acquainted with the man who gave you these bonds to sell?" heasked.
"No, sir. I met him in the street."
"Did he offer you any pay for selling them?"
"Yes, sir. He is going to give me a dollar."
"Will you go out and ask him to come in here a moment?"
Frank obeyed.
When his employer saw him coming, he asked, eagerly:
"Have you got the money?"
"No," answered Frank. "They asked me if I wanted a check or currency."
"Either currency or gold," answered the man, hastily. "Go back at once,and don't keep me waiting."
"They want to see you, sir."
"What for?" inquired the man, looking disturbed.
"I don't know."
"There is no need of my going in," said the man, angrily. "I paid you tosell the bonds. Now go back."
"He won't come," reported Frank. "He says I can attend to the business.He will take either gold or currency."
"No doubt," said Mr. Jones, significantly. "Thomas, go out with thisboy, and tell the man that employed him that we do not purchase bondsunless we have a reasonable assurance that they belong to the personoffering them. We will take the liberty of retaining them, giving him areceipt for them, and if we are satisfied, he can have his moneyto-morrow."
Robinson, who had been examining some newspaper slips, here cameforward, and said:
"That is unnecessary. I find that these bonds are among those stolenfrom the house of Henry Percival, Madison Avenue, a week since. We mustmanage to delay the man while we notify the police."
Frank was very much surprised to learn that he was acting as agent for abond robber, and was fearful that he might himself be regarded withsuspicion; but he need not have troubled himself on this score. WallStreet men are good judges of human nature, and it was at once concludedin the office that Frank was the dupe of a designing knave.
A boy was dispatched to the nearest police office, and Frank wasdirected to tell his principal that he would not long be delayed.
Naturally, however, the man outside had become suspicious.
"I can't wait," he said. "Meet me on the steps of the Astor House atfive o'clock with the money. I am obliged to hurry away now to abusiness appointment."
Frank could think of no other pretext for delaying him, and was forcedto see him hurry away.
He hastened back to the office and gave the alarm.
"He has taken fright," said Robinson. "I fear we have lost him. Wheredid he go?"
Frank, however, was too ignorant of city streets to give any accurateinformation.
The consequence was that when the policeman appeared on the scene, therewas no occasion for his services.
"At any rate," said the broker, "we have secured a little of theplunder. What is your name and address my boy? We may wish tocommunicate with you."
Frank gave his name, and added the directions of his boarding house.
"Shall I meet the man at the Astor House?" he inquired, as he wasleaving the office.
"To be sure!" said Mr. Jones. "I came near forgetting that. Officer,will you be on hand at the time?"
"Better employ a detective, sir, as my uniform would keep the thief at adistance. I don't think he'll appear, at any rate."
"I do," said the broker. "He won't give up the money while he thinksthere is a chance of securing it."
CHAPTER XXI
THE CAPTURE
At the hour named, Frank repaired to the Astor House, and took aposition on the steps.
He looked about him for his street acquaintance, but could see no onewho bore any resemblance to him.
Finally, a man dressed in a gray suit with a pair of green glasses,walked carelessly up to our hero and said, in a low voice:
"Have you got the money?"
Frank looked at him in surprise.
This man had thick, black whiskers, while the man who had employed himhad none at all, so far as he could remember. Besides, the green glassesaltered him considerably.
To make sure that he was not deceived he inquired:
"What money?"
"You know very well," said the man, impatiently. "You are the boy whom Iemployed to sell some bonds this morning."
"You don't look like the same man," said Frank.
"Because of my glasses. I have to wear them at times on account of theweakness of my eyes."
While he was speaking, a quiet-looking man approached and listened tothe conversation.
"Then," said Frank, "you can tell me how many bonds you handed me."
"They were two five-twenty government bonds of a hundred dollars each."
"Correct, sir."
"Then hand me the money and be quick about it, for I have no time towaste! You shall have the dollar I promised you."
But here the quiet-looking man took a part in the conversation. Passinghis arm through that of the man with the green glasses, he said:
"I will trouble you to come with me."
"How dare you touch me? Do you mean to insult me?" demanded the other,struggling with captor.
"I will make all clear in due time. You must come with me and explainhow you came in possession of the bonds you gave this boy."
"They were put in my hands by an acquaintance. If there is anythingwrong, I am not to blame."
"In that case no harm will come to you; but now you must come along."
After his experience, Frank walked to his boarding place. He was quiteready for six o'clock.
When he entered the dining room, his hostess introduced him to all.
A young man sat next to him and entered into conversation.
"What do you do, Mr. Courtney?"
"I have taken an agency to sell tea for the Great Pekin Tea Company. Iam to begin to-morrow."
"I am afraid you won't like it. A friend of mine tried it once and camenear starving."
This was not encouraging, but Frank was not going to despair before hehad fairly begun his work.
"I find that boys receive such small wages," Frank continued, "that Ipreferred to try an agency."
"Quite true," said Mr. Preston, condescendingly. "When I started I waspaid a paltry sum; now I am not paid what I am worth. Still, twenty-fivedollars a week is fair."
"Quite fair," responded Frank, who could not, of course, know that Mr.Preston did not receive one-half of this sum, though he chose to givethat impression.
After dinner, Preston was obliged to go back to the store where he wasemployed. By invitation, Frank walked with him.
Turning into Sixth Avenue they passed a saloon.
"Won't you have something to drink, Courtney?" said Preston.
"No, thank you, I never drink," answered Frank.
"It will brace you up, and make you feel jolly. Better come in!"
"I don't need bracing up," answered Frank, quietly.
"Well, perhaps you are right," said Mr. Peter Preston. "I don't indulgevery often, but sometimes I feel like it."
Some boys might have yielded to the temptation, but Frank had determinedthat he would abstain from liq
uor, and kept his resolution. A boy whocomes to the city is exposed at every step to this peril, and needs afirm will to withstand it. It is the fruitful source of crime andmisery, and does more to fill our prisons than any other cause.
"This is my store," said Preston, as he pointed to a modest-looking shopon the west side of the avenue. "I wish I could keep you company longer,but business before pleasure, you know."
Before returning to his boarding house, Frank sat down for a short timein Washington Park, and reviewed his plans and prospects. He could nottell how he would succeed in his tea agency; but if that failed, he wasresolved to try something else.
He didn't feel homesick, for since his mother's death he had no longerany home ties. Young as he was, he felt that one part of his life wasat an end, and that a new life and a new career were before him.
CHAPTER XXII
THE YOUNG TEA MERCHANT
The next morning, at breakfast, one of the gentlemen, who had beenrunning his eyes over the morning paper, said, suddenly:
"Ah! I see they have caught one of the gang who robbed the house of Mr.Percival, on Madison Avenue, a week ago."
"Read the paragraph, Mr. Smith," said one of the boarders.
Mr. Smith read as follows:
"About noon yesterday a boy entered the banking house of Jones &Robinson, in Wall Street, and offered for sale two one-hundred-dollargovernment bonds. On inquiry, he said that the bonds belonged to a manin the street, whom he had never before met, and who had offered him adollar to sell them. This naturally excited suspicion, and a policemanwas sent for. Before he could arrive the man had hastily departed,requesting the boy to meet him at a specified hour in front of the AstorHouse and hand him the money. He came to the rendezvous, but indisguise, and, while talking to the boy, was arrested. It is understoodthat he has agreed to turn State's evidence, and probably the entire sumstolen, amounting to several thousand dollars, will be recovered."