Fame and Fortune; or, The Progress of Richard Hunter

by Jr. Horatio Alger

  CHAPTER XXIII.

  FAME AND FORTUNE.

  Mr. Gilbert chanced to be looking out of the window of Mr. Rockwell'scounting-room, when he was unpleasantly surprised by the suddenapparition of Micky Maguire. He was destined to be still moreunpleasantly surprised. Micky walked up to the main entrance, andentered with an assured air. Gilbert hastened to meet him, and preventhis entrance.

  "Clear out of here, you young rascal!" he said, in a tone of authority."You're not wanted here."

  "I've come on business," said Micky, with a scowl of dislike, showing nointention of retreating.

  "I have no business with you," said Gilbert.

  "Perhaps you haven't," said Micky, "but Mr. Rockwell has."

  "Mr. Rockwell will have nothing to say to a vagabond like you."

  "He told me to come," said Micky, resolutely, "and I shan't go till I'veseen him."

  Gilbert did not believe this, but suspected that Micky intended tobetray him, and to this of course he had a decided objection.

  "Go out!" he said, imperiously, "or I'll make you."

  "I won't then," said Micky, defiantly.

  "We'll see about that."

  Gilbert seized him by the shoulders; but Micky was accustomed tofighting, and made a vigorous resistance. In the midst of the fracas Mr.Rockwell came up.

  "What does this mean?" he demanded, in a quiet but authoritative tone.

  "This young rascal has attempted to force his way in," said thebook-keeper, desisting, and with a flushed face.

  "I asked to see you," said Micky, "and he said I shouldn't."

  "I told him to come," said Mr. Rockwell. "You may come into thecounting-room, Michael. Mr. Gilbert, I should like your presence also."

  In surprise, not unmingled with foreboding, Mr. Gilbert followed hisemployer and Micky Maguire into the counting-room.

  "Mr. Gilbert," commenced Mr. Rockwell, "are you acquainted with thisboy?"

  "He blacked my boots on one occasion," said the book-keeper; "I know nomore of him except that he is a young vagabond and a thief."

  "Who hired me to steal?" retorted Micky.

  "I don't think you would need any hiring," said Gilbert, with a sneer.

  Micky was about to retort in no choice terms, but Mr. Rockwell signed tohim to be silent.

  "This boy has made a charge against you, Mr. Gilbert," he said, "whichyou ought to be made aware of."

  "He is capable of any falsehood," said the book-keeper; but he began tobe nervous.

  "I thought your acquaintance with him was very slight."

  "So it is; but it is easy to judge from his looks what he is."

  "That is not always a safe guide. But to the charge. He asserts that youhired him to fix the charge of theft upon Richard, on account of yourdislike to him."

  "So he did, and all he give me was a dollar," said Micky, aggrieved."That was mean."

  "Do you believe this story?" asked Gilbert, turning to Mr. Rockwell.

  "I know that you dislike Richard, Mr. Gilbert."

  "So I do. He's artful and bad; but you'll find him out some day."

  "I don't think you do him justice. Artful is the very last word I shouldapply to him."

  "You may be deceived."

  "If I am, I shall never put confidence in any boy again. But you haven'tanswered the charge, Mr. Gilbert."

  "It isn't worth answering," said the book-keeper, scornfully.

  "Still, I would be glad to have you give an answer one way or theother," persisted Mr. Rockwell.

  "Then it's a lie, of course."

  "It's true," said Micky.

  "I hope you consider my word as of more value than this vagabond's,"said Gilbert, contemptuously.

  "Why were you so anxious to prevent his entering, Mr. Gilbert?"

  "I didn't see what business he could possibly have here."

  "Michael, will you give an account of all that has taken place betweenMr. Gilbert and yourself? I do not yet feel satisfied."

  "Mr. Rockwell," said Gilbert, in a passion, "I do not choose to submitto the insulting investigation you propose. My month is out nextThursday; I beg leave to resign my situation."

  "Your resignation is accepted," said Mr. Rockwell, quietly.

  "If it is convenient to you, I should like to leave at once," said thebook-keeper, livid with passion.

  "As you please," said his employer. "Your salary shall be paid up to theend of the month."

  To this Gilbert offered no opposition. The balance of his salary waspaid him, and he left the warehouse in a very unpleasant frame of mind,much to the gratification of Micky Maguire, who felt that his vengeancewas complete.

  "Now, Michael," said Mr. Rockwell, "I must see what I can do for you. Doyou wish to give up your present business?"

  "Yes," said Micky, "I don't like it."

  "I can give you a situation as errand-boy in my own employ," said Mr.Rockwell. "My head clerk will explain your duties."

  "What wages will I get?" asked Micky, anxiously.

  "For the present you shall have a dollar a day, or six dollars a week. Iwill besides give you a new suit of clothes. Will that suit you?"

  "Yes," said Micky, feeling as if he had unexpectedly become heir to afortune. "When will I begin?"

  "To-morrow if you like. Come here this afternoon at three, and I willsend Richard with you to a clothing-house."

  Just then Dick, who had been to the post-office, entered, and Mr.Rockwell in a few words informed him of the changes that had takenplace.

  "I believe you and Michael haven't been very good friends," he added;"but I trust you will get over that."

  Dick promptly offered his hand to his old enemy.

  "I am glad you are coming here, Micky," he said "I'll do all I can tohelp you on, and if we are not good friends it won't be my fault."

  "Do you mean that, Dick?" said Micky, almost incredulous.

  "Yes, I do."

  "I've acted mean by you more'n once."

  "If you have, it's all over now," said Dick. "There's no use inremembering it."

  "You're a good fellow, Dick," said Micky, "an' I ought to have known itbefore."

  Dick was gratified by this testimony from one who for years had been hisactive opponent, and he determined to help Micky to turn over the newleaf which was to bear a very different record from the old one.

  When Micky had gone out, Mr. Rockwell said, "Well, Richard, I have lostmy book-keeper."

  "Yes, sir," said Dick.

  "And I can't say I am sorry. I will do Mr. Gilbert the justice to saythat he understood his business; but he was personally disagreeable, andI never liked him. Now I suppose I must look out for a successor."

  "Yes, sir, I suppose so."

  "I know a very competent book-keeper, who is intending to go intobusiness for himself at the expiration of six months. Until that time Ican secure his services. Now, I have a plan in view which I think youwill approve. You shall at once commence the study of book-keeping in acommercial school in the evening, and during the day I will direct Mr.Haley to employ you as his assistant. I think in that way you will beable to succeed him at the end of his term."

  Dick was completely taken by surprise. The thought that he, so recentlyplying the trade of a boot-black in the public streets, could rise insix months to the responsible post of a book-keeper in a large wholesalehouse, seemed almost incredible.

  "I should like nothing better," he said, his eyes sparkling withdelight, "if you really think I could discharge the dutiessatisfactorily."

  "I think you could. I believe you have the ability, and of your fidelityI feel assured."

  "Thank you, sir; you are very kind to me," said Dick, gratefully.

  "I have reason to be," said Mr. Rockwell, taking his hand. "Under God itis to your courage that I owe the life of my dear boy. I shall neverforget it. One thing more. I intend Michael to undertake most of yourpresent duties, such as going to the post-office, etc. Do you think hewill answer?"

  "I think so," said Dick. "He ha
s been a rough customer, but then he hasnever had a chance. I believe in giving everybody a chance."

  "So do I," said Mr. Rockwell. "Michael shall have his chance. Let ushope he will improve it."

  There are many boys, and men too, who, like Micky Maguire, have neverhad a fair chance in life. Let us remember that, when we judge them, andnot be too hasty to condemn. Let us consider also whether it is not inour power to give some one the chance that may redeem him.

  That afternoon Micky Maguire was provided with a new suit of clothes, ofwhich he felt very proud. The next morning, on his way to thepost-office, he fell in with his old confederate, Limpy Jim, whoregarded him with a glance of the most bewildering surprise.

  "It aint you, Micky,--is it?" he asked, cautiously, surveying his oldcomrade's neat appearance. "When did you come back from the Island?"

  "Shut up about the Island, Jim," said Micky. "Do I look as if I had beenthere?"

  "You look nobby," said Jim. "Where's your brush?"

  "I've give up the blackin' business," said Micky.

  "You have? What are you going to do? Sell papers?"

  "No," said Micky, consequentially. "I'm in business on Pearl Street."

  "Why," said Limpy Jim, surprised, "that's where that upstart Ragged Dickworks."

  "He aint an upstart, an' he aint ragged," said Micky. "He's a friend ofmine, an' if you insult him, I'll lam' ye."

  "O my eyes!" ejaculated Jim, opening the organs of vision to a very wideextent; "that's the biggest joke I ever heerd of."

  "You'll hear of a bigger one pretty quick," said Micky, rolling up hissleeves, and squaring off scientifically.

  Limpy Jim, who had a respect for Micky's prowess, incontinently fled,surveying Micky from a safe distance, with a look in which surpriseseemed to mingle with incredulity.

  It may seem strange, but, from that time forth, Dick had no firmerfriend than Micky Maguire, who, I am glad to say, though occasionallywayward, improved vastly, and became a useful employe of theestablishment which he had entered. Of course both in ability andeducation, though in the last he gained considerably, he was quiteinferior to Dick; but he was advanced as he grew older to the positionof porter, where his strength stood him in good stead. His pay increasedalso, and through Dick's influence he was saved from vicious habits, andconverted from a vagabond to a useful member of society.

  And now, almost with regret, I find myself closing up the record ofDick's chequered career. The past with its trials is over; the futureexpands before him, a bright vista of merited success. But it remainsfor me to justify the title of my story, and show how Dick acquired"Fame and Fortune." I can only hint briefly at the steps that led tothem.

  In six months, at the age of seventeen, Dick succeeded to Mr. Gilbert'splace with a salary, to commence with, of one thousand dollars. To thisan annual increase was made, making his income at twenty-one, fourteenhundred dollars. Just about that time he had an opportunity to sell hisup-town lots, to a gentleman who had taken a great fancy to them, forfive times the amount he paid, or five thousand dollars. His savingsfrom his salary amounted to about two thousand dollars more.

  Meanwhile Mr. Rockwell's partner, Mr. Cooper, from ill health feltobliged to withdraw from business, and Richard, to his unboundedastonishment and gratification, was admitted to the post of juniorpartner, embarking the capital he had already accumulated, and receivinga corresponding share of the profits. These were so large that Richardwas able to increase his interest yearly by investing his additionalsavings, and three years later he felt justified in offering his hand toIda Greyson, whose partiality to Dick had never wavered. He was nolonger Ragged Dick now, but Mr. Richard Hunter, junior partner in thelarge firm of Rockwell & Hunter. Mr. Greyson felt that even in a worldlyway Dick was a good match for his daughter; but he knew and valued stillmore his good heart and conscientious fidelity to duty, and excellentprinciples, and cheerfully gave his consent. Last week I read Dick'smarriage in the papers, and rejoiced in his new hopes of happiness.

  So Dick has achieved FAME and FORTUNE,--the fame of an honorable andenterprising man of business, and a fortune which promises to be verylarge. But I am glad to say that Dick has not been spoiled by prosperity.He never forgets his humble beginnings, and tries to show his sense ofGod's goodness by extending a helping hand to the poor and needy boys,whose trials and privations he understands well from his own pastexperience. I propose in my next story to give an account of one ofthese boys, and shall take the opportunity to give further informationin regard to some of the characters introduced in this volume. Thisstory, the third in the Ragged Dick series; will be entitled

  MARK, THE MATCH BOY;OR,RICHARD HUNTER'S WARD.

  * * * * *

  HORATIO ALGER'S Successful Juvenile Books.

  * * * * *

  Ragged Dick Books.

  I. RAGGED DICK; or, Street Life in New York. II. FAME AND FORTUNE; or,The Progress of Richard Hunter. III. MARK, THE MATCH BOY. IV. ROUGH ANDREADY; or, Life Among New York Newsboys. V. BEN THE LUGGAGE BOY; or,Among the Wharves. VI. RUFUS AND ROSE; or, The Fortunes of Rough andReady.

  * * * * *

  Tattered Tom Books.

  A Continuation of the Ragged Dick Series.

  FIRST SERIES, in Four Volumes

  I. TATTERED TOM; or, The Story of a Street Arab. II. PAUL, THE PEDDLER;or, The Adventures of a Young Street Merchant. III. PHIL, THE FIDDLER;or, The Young Street Musician. IV. SLOW AND SURE; or, From the Sidewalkto the Shop.

  SECOND SERIES.

  I. JULIUS; or, The Street Boy out West.

  * * * * *

  Luck and Pluck Books.

  FIRST SERIES, in Four Volumes

  I. LUCK AND PLUCK; or, John Oakley's Inheritance. II. SINK OR SWIM; or,Harry Raymond's Resolve. III. STRONG AND STEADY; or, Paddle your ownCanoe. IV. STRIVE AND SUCCEED; or, The Progress of Walter Conrad.

  SECOND SERIES.

  I. TRY AND TRUST; or, The Story of a Bound Boy. II. BOUND TO RISE; or,How Harry Walton rose in the World. III. RISEN FROM THE RANKS; or, HarryWalton's Success.

  * * * * *

  Bold and Brave Books.

  _To be completed in Four Volumes._

  I. BOLD AND BRAVE; or, The Fortunes of a Factory Boy.

  * * * * *

  Campaign Books.

  I. FRANK'S CAMPAIGN. II. PAUL PRESCOTT'S CHARGE. III. CHARLIE CODMAN'SCRUISE.