Chapter XXXV.The Darkest Day.
When Florence left the employ of Mrs. Leighton she had a few dollarsas a reserve fund. As this would not last long, she at once made aneffort to obtain employment.
She desired another position as governess, and made application inanswer to an advertisement.
Her ladylike manner evidently impressed the lady to whom she applied.
"I suppose you have taught before?" she said.
"Yes, madam."
"In whose family?"
"I taught the daughter of Mrs. Leighton, of West -- Street."
"I have heard of the lady. Of course you are at liberty to refer toher?"
"Yes, madam," but there was a hesitation in her tone that excitedsuspicion.
"Very well; I will call upon her and make inquiries. If you will callto-morrow morning, I can give you a decisive answer."
Florence fervently hoped that this might prove favorable; but wasapprehensive, and with good reason, it appeared.
When she presented herself the next day, Mrs. Cole said:
"I am afraid, Miss Linden, you will not suit me."
"May I ask why?" Florence inquired, schooling herself to calmness.
"I called on Mrs. Leighton," was the answer. "She speaks well of youas a teacher, but--she told me some things which make it seeminexpedient to engage you."
"What did she say of me?"
"That, perhaps, you had better not inquire."
"I prefer to know the worst."
"She said you encouraged the attentions of her nephew, forgetting thedifference in social position, and also that your connections were notof a sort to recommend you. I admit, Miss Linden, that you are veryladylike in appearance, but, I can hardly be expected to admit into myhouse, in the important position of governess to my child, thedaughter or niece of an apple-woman."
"Did Mrs. Leighton say that I was related to an apple-woman?"
"Yes, Miss Linden. I own I was surprised."
"It is not true, Mrs. Cole."
"You live in the house of such a person, do you not?"
"Yes, she is an humble friend of mine, and has been kind to me."
"You cannot be very fastidious. However, that is your own affair. I amsorry to disappoint you, Miss Linden, but it will be quite impossiblefor me to employ you."
"Then I will bid you good-morning, Mrs. Cole," said Florence, sore atheart.
"Good-morning. You will, I think, understand my position. If youapplied for a position in one of the public schools, I don't thinkthat your residence would be an objection."
Florence left the house, sad and despondent. She saw that Mrs.Leighton, by her unfriendly representations, would prevent her fromgetting any opportunity to teach. She must seek some more humbleemployment.
"Well, Florence, did you get a place?" asked Mrs. O'Keefe, as shepassed that lady's stand.
"No, Mrs. O'Keefe," answered Florence, wearily.
"And why not? Did the woman think you didn't know enough?"
"She objected to me because I was not living in a fashionable quarter--at least that was one of her objections."
"I'm sure you've got a nate, clane home, and it looks as nate as waxall the time."
"It isn't exactly stylish," said Florence, with a faint smile.
"You are, at any rate. What does the woman want, I'd like to know?"
"She doesn't want me. It seems Mrs. Leighton did not speak very highlyof me."
"The trollop! I'd like to give her a box on the ear, drat herimpudence!" said the irate apple-woman. "And what will you be doin'now?"
"Do you think I can get some sewing to do, Mrs. O'Keefe?"
"Yes, Miss Florence--I'll get you some vests to make; but it's hardwork and poor pay."
"I must take what I can get," sighed Florence. "I cannot choose."
"If you'd only tend an apple-stand, Miss Florence! There's Mrs. Bradywants to sell out on account of the rheumatics, and I've got a triflein the savings bank--enough to buy it. You'd make a dollar a day,easy."
"It isn't to be thought of, Mrs. O'Keefe. If you will kindly see aboutgetting me some sewing, I will see how I can get along."
The result was that Mrs. O'Keefe brought Florence in the course of theday half a dozen vests, for which she was to be paid the munificentsum of twenty-five cents each.
Florence had very little idea of what she was undertaking.
She was an expert needlewoman, and proved adequate to the work, butwith her utmust industry she could only make one vest in a day, andthat would barely pay her rent.
True, she had some money laid aside on which she could draw, but thatwould soon be expended, and then what was to become of her?
"Shure, I won't let you starve, Florence," said the warm-heartedapple-woman.
"But, Mrs. O'Keefe, I can't consent to live on you."
"And why not? I'm well and strong, and I'm makin' more money than Inade."
"I couldn't think of it, though I thank you for your kindness."
"Shure, you might write a letter to your uncle, Florence."
"He would expect me, in that case, to consent to a marriage withCurtis. You wouldn't advise me to do that?"
"No; he's a mane blackguard, and I'd say it to his face."
Weeks rolled by, and Florence began to show the effects of hard workand confinement.
She grew pale and thin, and her face was habitually sad.
She had husbanded her savings as a governess as closely as she could,but in spite of all her economy it dwindled till she had none left.
Henceforth, she must depend on twenty-five cents a day, and thisseemed well-nigh impossible.
In this emergency the pawnbroker occurred to her.
She had a variety of nice dresses, and she had also a handsome ring,given her by her uncle on her last birthday.
This she felt sure must have cost fifty dollars.
It was a trial to part with it, but there seemed to be no alternative.
"If my uncle has withdrawn his affection from me," she said toherself, "why should I scruple to pawn the ring? It is the symbol of alove that no longer exists."
So she entered the pawnbrowker's--the first that attracted herattention--and held out the ring.
"How much will you lend me on this?" she asked, half frightened atfinding herself in such a place.
The pawnbroker examined it carefully. His practiced eye at oncedetected its value, but it was not professional to admit this.
"Rings is a drug in the market, young lady," he said. "I've got morethan I know what to do with. I'll give you four--four dollars."
"Four dollars!" repeated Florence, in dismay. "Why, it must have costfifty. It was bought in Tiffany's."
"You are mistaken, my dear. Did you buy it yourself there?"
"No, my uncle gave it to me."
"He may have said he paid fifty dollars for it," said the pawnbroker,wagging his head, "but we know better."
"But what will you give?" asked Florence, desperately.
"I'll give you five dollars, and not a penny more," said the broker,surveying her distressed face, shrewdly. "You can take it or not."
What could Florence do?
She must have money, and feared that no other pawnbroker would giveher more.
"Make out the ticket, then," she said, wearily, with a sigh.
This was done, and she left the place, half timid, half ashamed, andwholly discouraged.
But the darkest hour is sometimes nearest the dawn. A greatoverwhelming surprise awaited her. She had scarcely left the shop whena glad voice cried:
"I have found you at last, Florence!"
She looked up and saw--Dodger.
But not the old Dodger. She saw a nicely dressed young gentleman,larger than the friend she had parted with six months before, with abrighter, more intelligent, and manly look.
"Dodger!" she faltered.
"Yes, it is Dodger."
"Where did you come from?"
"From San Francisco. But what have you bee
n doing there?"
And Dodger pointed in the direction of the pawnbroker's shop.
"I pawned my ring."
"Then I shall get it back at once. How much did you get on it?"
"Five dollars."
"Give me the ticket, and go in with me."
The pawnbroker was very reluctant to part with the ring, which he madesure would not be reclaimed; but there was no help for it.
As they emerged into the street, Dodger said: "I've come back torestore you to your rights, and give Curtis Waring the mostdisagreeable surprise he ever had. Come home, and I'll tell you allabout it. I've struck luck, Florence, and you're going to share it."
Adrift in New York: Tom and Florence Braving the World Page 35
