CHAPTER XXIII.
BOB HUNTER'S AMBITION.
On the following day, after the paper trade of the morning was over,Bob and Tom, acting upon young Randolph's advice, went to the Emigrants'Industrial Savings Bank, and deposited each five dollars. They felt veryproud as they came out into Chambers Street with their bank books.
"It's a starter any way," said Bob.
"I've been thinking over what Herbert said, and I guess between you'nme, Tom, he is 'bout right."
"That's what I think too, Bob," replied young Flannery, for aside fromthe matter of betting on horse racing and speculating, he always agreedwith Bob.
"I think we was in big luck, Tom, when we run on to Herbert Randolph."
"I think so, too, Bob; but why do you think so?"
"Why do I think so! Well, ef that ain't a queer question, Tom Flannery.Would you a' had that bank book now, with your name, Thomas Flannery, inplain writin' writ across it, I'd like to know, ef it hadn't been forVermont?"
"No, I wouldn't. That's so, Bob, I wouldn't, fer to be honest with you,Bob, I think I'd put it on racin'."
"So you would, Tom, ef you'd had it, but you wouldn't er had it."
"Well, I never thought of that, Bob, but it's so, ain't it?"
"I should say it is, and I wouldn't er had my bank book or these newclothes either."
"And the big supper, Bob?"
"That's so, Tom, and the big supper too. I tell you, Tom Flannery, 'twasgreat luck when we struck Vermont."
BOB AND TOM COMING OUT OF THE BANK.]
"That's so, Bob, so it was. But say, Bob, don't you think 'twas kinderlucky for Herbert when he fell in with you?"
"I don't know 'bout that, Tom. How do you figure it?"
"Why, I figures it in this way, Bob; ef it hadn't been fer you he wouldbe down in that old Gunwagner's cellar now."
"Well, that's so, Tom, but he has more than paid me up, though."
"How did he do it, Bob?" asked Tom eagerly.
"Ain't he helping me right along, I'd like to know?"
"I hain't heard much about it, Bob. What has he done for you?"
"Yes, you have heard about it, too, Tom Flannery. Didn't I tell you howhe teaches me every night?"
"Oh, yes, you told me about that, Bob, but that ain't much--'tain't likedoin' the detective business, is it?"
"Well, no, of course it hain't, but it's just as good, Tom, and a gooddeal more so, I think."
"Well, I don't think no such thing, Bob."
"Well, ef I do, that's all right, ain't it? I tell you, Tom, 'tain'tevery feller that can do the teachin' act."
"Nuther can every fellow do the detective business. Ef you want to knowwhat I think, Bob Hunter, I'll tell you."
"All right, Tom, sail in."
"Well, I think, ef I was you, I'd jest let this learnin' business go,and I'd make myself a detective. No feller could put more style into itthan what you could, Bob."
"Tom, you're way off again. A feller can't make no kind of a detective,nor nothin' else, neither, unless he knows somethin'. I guess I know,and Herbert says so too."
"Well, I hain't got no learnin'," replied Tom, somewhat pompously, as ifto prove by himself that Bob's statement was untrue.
"I know it," said Bob, and stopped short.
Tom looked at him doubtfully.
"Then you might's well say right out that I won't make nothin', BobHunter," said he, his manner resembling that of one not a littleindignant.
"Well, I said what I said, Tom, and if it fits you, why then am I toblame?"
Tom made no reply.
"It's no use for you to get mad, Tom. Anybody would tell you jest thesame as what I did. Now, the thing for you to do, Tom, is ter get somelearnin'--you can do it."
"Do you think I could, Bob?" replied Tom, coming round to Bob's views,as he almost always did.
"Why, of course you could, Tom; ain't I doin' it?"
"Well, yes, I s'pose you are, Bob, but then you can do 'most anything."
"That ain't so, Tom. You can do it jest as well as what I can, ef youonly try."
"I never thought about that before, Bob," said Tom, thoughtfully. "Whocould I get to learn me?"
"You mustn't say 'learn you,' Tom. Herbert says that hain't right."
"What is it, then, Bob?"
"He says I must say 'teach me,' because I've got to do the learningmyself."
"Well, that's too much for me, Bob; I want to start in on somethin'easier."
At length this discussion ended by Tom falling in with Bob's opinion asusual, and by his agreeing to commence at once attending an eveningschool.
Boy Broker; Or, Among the Kings of Wall Street Page 26
