The Telegraph Boy

by Jr. Horatio Alger

  "Oh," said Frank, "I nearly forgot. Here is the balance of the money youhanded me for expenses."

  "Keep it for yourself," said Mrs. Vivian, "and accept my thanksbesides."

  Though Frank had paid for the cab, there was a balance of nearly twodollars in his hands which he was very glad to keep.

  CHAPTER XIV.

  FRANK MAKES AN EVENING CALL.

  The next day Frank chanced to meet Mrs. Vivian in the street. Sherecognized him at once.

  "I see you are kept busy," she said, pleasantly.

  "Yes," answered Frank. "Our business is pretty good just now. How isyour son?"

  "He slept well, and woke much refreshed this morning. He is a good boynaturally, but unable to withstand temptation. I have decided to sendhim to the country for a few weeks, to visit a cousin of about his ownage. There he will be secure from temptation, and will have a chance toride. I would have sent him away before, but that it would leave mealone in the house. You told me last evening that you had noboarding-place."

  "My only home is at the lodging-house," said Frank.

  "How would you like to occupy a room at my house while my son is away?"

  "Very much," said Frank, promptly.

  "I shall find it convenient to have you in the house, and shall feelsafer."

  "I am afraid I shouldn't be a match for an able-bodied burglar," saidFrank, smiling.

  "Perhaps not; but you could summon a policeman. When can you come andsee me about this arrangement?"

  "I am off duty to-night."

  "Very well; I will expect you. Fred will not go away till to-morrow, andyou will have a chance to see him under more favorable circumstancesthan last evening."

  "Thank you very much for your kind invitation," said Frank, politely.

  Mrs. Vivian bade him good-morning, very favorably impressed with hismanners and deportment.

  Frank looked upon the proposal made him by Mrs. Vivian as a piece ofgreat good-fortune. In his new position, excellent as were the beds atthe lodging-house, he found it inconvenient to go there to sleep. Onceor twice, on account of the late hour at which he was released fromduty, he was unable to secure admittance, and had to pay fifty cents fora bed at a hotel on the European system. He had for some time beenthinking seriously of hiring a room; but the probable expense deterredhim. At Mrs. Vivian's he would have nothing to pay.

  In the evening he changed his uniform for the neat suit given him by Mr.Bowen, and about eight o'clock rang the bell of the house inThirty-eighth street.

  He was at once ushered into the presence of Mrs. Vivian and her son.

  "I am glad to see you, my young friend," said Mrs. Vivian, glancing withapproval at the neat appearance of her young visitor. "Fred, this is theyoung man who brought you home last night."

  "I am much obliged to you," said Fred Vivian, offering his hand toFrank. "I am ashamed of having been found in such a place."

  "I don't think the young men with you were very much your friends," saidFrank; "I detected one in cheating you."

  "You mean at cards?"

  "I don't mean that, though I presume they did; but you handed aten-dollar bill to one of them, and he took it as a five."

  "Are you sure of that?" asked Fred, his face flushing with indignation.

  "Yes, I saw the number of the bill, though he put it away very quickly."

  "And I had been treating that fellow all the afternoon! I gave him agood dinner, too."

  "Are you surprised at such treatment from such a person?" asked hismother. "I should have expected it."

  "I will never notice the fellow again as long as I live," said Fred, whoseemed a good deal impressed by his companion's treachery. "Why, it'snothing better than robbery."

  "You have given it the right name, Fred," said his mother, quietly.

  "He ought to give the money back," said Fred.

  "Let it go, my son. I am willing to lose it, if it severs allacquaintance between you and your unworthy companions."

  "Have I ever met you before?" asked Fred, turning to Frank.

  "Not before last evening."

  "I thought you spoke of yourself as an old acquaintance."

  "That was to induce you to come with me," explained Frank. "I hope youwill excuse the deception."

  "Certainly I will. I had been drinking so much that it was quitenecessary to treat me as a child; but I don't mean to be caught in sucha scrape again."

  "May you keep that resolution, Fred!" said his mother, earnestly.

  "I will try to, mother."

  "My mother tells me that you are going to take my place while I am inthe country," said Fred, turning to Frank.

  "I shall be very glad to do so," said our hero. "I never had such a goodhome before."

  "You are a telegraph boy, are you not?" asked Fred.

  "Yes," answered Frank.

  "Tell me about it. Is it hard work?"

  "Not hard, but sometimes when I have been kept pretty busy, I get tiredtowards night."

  "I should think it would be rather good fun," said Fred.

  "Do you think you would like it?" asked his mother, with a smile.

  "I might like it for about half a day, but all day would be too much forme. However, I am too old for such a position."

  Fred had no false pride, and though he knew that Frank was in a socialposition considerably below his own, he treated him as an equal. Thosewho are secure of their own position are much more likely to avoid"putting on airs" than those who have recently been elevated in thesocial scale. Frank was destined that same evening to see the contrastbetween true and false gentility.

  It so happened that Victor Dupont, already mentioned, was anacquaintance and former school-fellow of Fred Vivian. It also chancedthat he selected this evening for a call, as the Vivians stood very highsocially, being an old family. Victor was rather proud of hisacquaintance with them, and took occasion to call frequently.

  As he was ushered into the room he did not at first recognize Frank inhis new clothes.

  "Victor, this is a friend of mine, Frank Kavanagh," said Fred,introducing his two visitors. "Frank, let me introduce my oldschool-fellow Victor Dupont."

  "We are already acquainted," said Frank. "Good-evening, Victor."

  Victor stared in amusing astonishment at Frank.

  "How do you happen to be here?" asked Victor, brusquely.

  "By Mrs. Vivian's kind invitation," said Frank, quite at ease.

  "How do you two happen to know each other?" asked Fred.

  "We met in the country last summer," said Frank, finding Victor did notanswer.

  "I suppose you had a very good time together," said Mrs. Vivian.

  "Our acquaintance was very slight," said Victor superciliously.

  "We must have gone fishing together at least a dozen times," said Frank,quietly.

  "How in the world did the fellow thrust himself in here?" said Victor tohimself. "They can't know his low position."

  In the amiable desire of enlightening the Vivians Victor took an earlyopportunity to draw Fred aside.

  "Have you known Frank Kavanagh long?" he asked.

  "Not very long."

  "Do you know that he is a telegraph boy?"

  "Oh, yes," answered Fred, smiling.

  "He used to be a newsboy, and sell papers in the lower part of thecity."

  "I didn't know that," said Fred indifferently.

  "I must say that I am rather surprised to see him here."

  "Why?" asked Fred, with provoking calmness.

  "Oh, you know, he is much below us in a social point of view."

  "I know that he is a poor boy; but some of our most prominent men wereonce poor boys."

  "I don't believe in mixing up different ranks."

  "You didn't think so in the country last summer."

  "Oh, well, a fellow must have some company, and there was no better tobe had."

  "You will probably be surprised to hear that your old acquaintance is tolive here while I am in the country. I am go
ing away to-morrow to spenda few weeks with my cousin."

  "Is it possible!" exclaimed Victor, in surprise and annoyance. "Perhapshe is to be here as an errand boy?" he suggested, evidently relieved bythe idea.

  "Oh, no; he will be treated in all respects as one of the family."

  "Hadn't you better tell your mother that he was once a newsboy? Shemight recall the invitation."

  "It would make no difference with her. It seems to me, Victor, you areprejudiced against Frank."

  "No, I am not; but I like to see newsboys and telegraph messengers keeptheir place."

  "So do I. I hope Frank will keep his place till he can find a betterone."

  "That isn't what I meant. How can you associate with such a boy on anequality?"

  "Because he seems well-bred and gentlemanly."

  "I don't believe he gets more than three or four dollars a week," saidVictor, contemptuously.

  "Then I really hope his wages will soon be increased."

  Victor saw that he could do Frank no harm, and was forced, out ofpolicy, to treat our hero with more politeness than he wished.

  When Frank rose to go, Mrs. Vivian desired him to send round his trunk,and take possession of his room the next day.

  "She doesn't suspect that I never owned a trunk," thought Frank. "I willbuy one to-morrow, though I haven't got much to put in it."

  CHAPTER XV.

  AT WALLACK'S THEATRE.

  The next day Frank devoted what small leisure he had to the purchase ofa trunk, in which he stored his small supply of clothing, leaving out,however, the clothes in which he made his first appearance in the city.These he gave to his friend, Dick Rafferty, to whom they were a welcomegift, being considerably better than those he usually wore. Dick might,out of his earnings, have dressed better, but when he had any extramoney it went for some kind of amusement. He was one of the steadiestpatrons of the Old Bowery, and was often to be seen in the gallery ofother places of amusement. He was surprised to hear of Frank's intendedremoval from the lodging-house.

  "I say, Frank," he said, "you're gettin' on fast. Here you are, goin' tolive in a tip-top house up-town. You'll be a reg'lar swell."

  "I hope not, Dick. I don't like swells very much."

  "You won't notice your old friends bimeby."

  "That shows you don't know me, Dick. I shall be glad to notice youwhenever we meet."

  "I don't see why I can't be in luck too," said Dick. "I wish I couldfind some rich lady to give me a room in her house."

  "You'll have to get some new clothes first, Dick."

  "I know I aint got a genteel look," said Dick, surveying his well-wornclothes, soiled and ragged; "but it wouldn't be no use if I was to dressin velvet."

  "Unless you kept your face clean," suggested Frank.

  "A feller can't be washin' his face all the time," said Dick.

  "It's the fashion to have a clean face in good society," said Frank,smiling.

  "It must be a good deal of trouble," said Dick. "Is my face very dirty?"

  "Not very. There's a black spot on each cheek, and one on the side ofyour nose, and your chin looks a little shady."

  "A feller can't keep very clean in my business."

  "I suppose it is rather hard," Frank admitted; "but you won't be aboot-black always, I hope."

  "I'd just as lieves give it up for bankin', or cashier of asavings-bank," said Dick. "Them's light, genteel kinds of business, anddon't dirty the hands."

  "Well, Dick, if I hear of an opening in either line I'll let you know.Now I must go and buy a trunk."

  "I never expect to get as far as a trunk," said Dick. "I shall feel likea gentleman when I can set up one. It wouldn't be no use to me now. I'dhave to stuff it with rocks to make a show."

  "Poor Dick!" thought Frank as he left his friend. "He takes the worldtoo easy. He hasn't any ambition, or he wouldn't be content to keep onblacking boots when there are so many better ways of making a living. IfI ever get a chance to give him a lift I will. He aint much to look at,but he's a good-hearted boy, and would put himself to a good deal oftrouble to do me a favor."

  It was not much trouble to pack his trunk. Indeed, he had scarcelyenough clothing to fill it one-third full.

  "I may have to adopt Dick's plan, and fill it with rocks," said Frank tohimself. "Some day I shall be better supplied. I can't expect to get ontoo fast."

  The room assigned to Frank was a small one; but it was neatly furnished,and provided with a closet. The bed, with its clean white spread, lookedvery tempting, and Frank enjoyed the prospect of the privacy he wouldhave in a room devoted to his sole use. At the lodging-house, though hisbed was comfortable, there were sixty to eighty boys who slept in thesame room, and of course he had no more rights than any other.

  "I hope you like your room, Frank," said Mrs. Vivian.

  "It is the best I ever had," he replied.

  "How early are you obliged to be on duty?" she asked.

  "At eight o'clock."

  "I do not breakfast till that hour; but I will direct the cook to have acup of coffee and some breakfast ready for you at seven."

  "Am I to take my meals here?" asked Frank, in surprise.

  "Certainly. Did you think I was going to send you out to a restaurant?"inquired Mrs. Vivian, smiling.

  "I am very much obliged to you; but I am afraid it will inconveniencethe cook to get me an early breakfast."

  "I am glad to see you so considerate of others. I can answer for Mary,however, who is very obliging. You can get lunch outside, as I supposeit will be inconvenient for you to leave your duties to come so far asThirty-eighth street."

  "You are very kind to me, Mrs. Vivian," said Frank, gratefully.

  "I shall claim an occasional service of you in return," said Mrs.Vivian.

  "I hope you will," said Frank, promptly.

  Two days after he had taken up his residence in his new quarters Frankwas called upon to render a very agreeable service.

  "I have two tickets for Wallack's theatre for this evening," said Mrs.Vivian. "Will it be agreeable for you to accompany me?"

  "I should like it very much."

  "Then you shall be my escort. When Fred is at home he goes with me; butnow I must depend on you. Have you a pair of kid gloves?"

  Frank was obliged to confess that he had not. In fact he had never owneda pair in his life.

  "I will give you a pair of mine. Probably there is little difference inthe size of our hands."

  This proved to be true.

  Somehow Frank in his new life seemed always running across VictorDupont. That young gentleman and his sister sat in the row behind Mrs.Vivian and her youthful escort, but did not immediately become aware ofit.

  "Why, Victor," said his sister, who had been looking about her, "thereis Mrs. Vivian in the next row. Who is that nice-looking boy with her?It can't be Fred, for he is larger."

  Victor turned his glance in the direction of Mrs. Vivian. His surpriseand disgust were about equal when he saw the country-boy he had lookeddown upon, faultlessly attired, with neat-fitting gloves, and a rose inhis button-hole and looking like a gentleman.

  "I never saw such cheek!" he exclaimed, in disgust.

  "What do you mean, Victor?" asked his sister, looking puzzled.

  "Do you want to know who that boy is with Mrs. Vivian?"

  "Yes; he is very nice-looking."

  "Then you can marry him if you like. That boy is a telegraph messenger.I used to know him in the country. A few weeks ago he was selling papersin front of the Astor House."

  "You don't say so!" ejaculated Flora Dupont, "Aren't you mistaken?"

  "I guess not. I know him as well as I know you."

  "He is a good-looking boy, at any rate," said Flora, who was lesssnobbish than her brother.

  "I can't see it," said Victor, annoyed. "He looks to me very common andvulgar. I don't see how Mrs. Vivian can be willing to appear with him ata fashionable theatre like this."

  "It's a pity he is a telegraph boy, he is so nic
e-looking."

  Just then Frank, turning, recognized Victor and bowed. Victor could notafford not to recognize Mrs. Vivian's escort, and bowed in return.

  But Victor was not the only one of Frank's acquaintances who recognizedhim that evening. In the upper gallery sat Dick Rafferty and Micky Shea,late fellow-boarders at the lodging-house. It was not often that theseyoung gentlemen patronized Wallack's, for even a gallery ticket therewas high-priced; but both wanted to see the popular play of "Ours," andhad managed to scrape together fifty cents each.

  "Dick," said Micky, suddenly, "there's Frank Kavanagh down near thestage, in an orchestra seat."

  "So he is," said Dick. "Aint he dressed splendid though, wid kid gloveson and a flower in his button-hole, and an elegant lady beside him? See,she's whisperin' to him now. Who'd think he used to kape company wid thelikes of us?"

  "Frank's up in the world. He's a reg'lar swell now."

  "And it's I that am glad of it. He's a good fellow, Frank is, and hewon't turn his back on us."

  This was proved later in the evening, for, as Frank left the theatrewith Mrs. Vivian, he espied his two old friends standing outside, andbowed with a pleasant smile, much to the gratification of the two streetboys, who were disposed to look upon their old friend as one of thearistocracy.

  CHAPTER XVI.

  FRANK AS A DETECTIVE.

  Of course Frank's daily duties were far the most part of a commonplacecharacter. They were more varied, to be sure, than those of anerrand-boy, or shop-boy, but even a telegraph messenger does not have anadventure every day. Twice in the next three weeks our hero was summonedby Mrs. Leroy to give her pet dog an airing. It was not hard work, butFrank did not fancy it, though he never failed to receive a handsome feefrom the mistress of Fido.