CHAPTER XIX.
ANDY IS DISCHARGED
"You don't know what it means!" repeated Simon Rich in a sarcastic tone.
"Probably not. I understand it."
"Do you think I stole a watch and pawned it, Mr. Rich?" demanded Andy, with spirit.
"There seems to be absolute proof of your dishonesty. Will you explain how, otherwise, this pawn ticket is found in your pocket?"
"I can't explain it, nor can I understand it. All I can say is, that I never saw it before."
"You must think I am a fool to be deceived by such a story."
"I can't believe that Andy pawned a watch," said John Crandall, hypocritically.
"Will you be kind enough to inform me who did, then?" asked his uncle, with pretended severity.
"I can't guess."
"Nor any one else, I fancy. Of course, Andrew, after this proof of your dishonesty, I cannot retain you in my, or rather in Mr. Flint's employment."
"Mr. Rich, will you do me a favor?"
"What is it?"
"Will you go with me to the pawnbroker who issued the ticket and ask him if he ever saw me before?"
"I have no time to go on such a foolish errand. Can you give me the ten dollars you obtained for the watch?"
"I didn't obtain a dollar nor a cent for the watch. I know nothing about it."
"Probably you have laid it away somewhere, or spent it."
"That is not true, and I am sure you don't believe it yourself."
"No impudence, young man! I am forced to believe it. I have treated you kindly since Mr. Flint went away, and that is sufficient to show that I wish to do you no injustice. Is this true or not?"
"I have no fault to find with your treatment, except now."
"I shall continue to act as your friend. I might have you arrested, and your conviction would be certain with the evidence I have in my possession. But I will not do it. I will redeem the watch at my own expense and be content with discharging you."
"I believe there is a plot against me," said Andy, pale but firm. "It will come out some time. When do you wish me to go?"
"At once. I will pay you to the end of the week, but I could not feel safe in retaining your services any longer. John, will you oblige me by taking Andrew's place till I have a chance to secure another boy?"
"Yes, Uncle Simon, but I don't want to feel that I have had anything to do with Andy's discharge."
"You have not. No one is responsible for it but himself."
"Then I will stay while you need me. I don't want to leave you in a hole."
Simon Rich went to the money drawer and drew out a five-dollar bill.
"Here is your pay to the end of the week," he said.
"I prefer to accept pay only to to-day," replied Andy.
"As you please."
Andy walked out of the store feeling crushed and overwhelmed. He was all at sea concerning the pawn ticket. He could not understand how it got into his pocket.
He formed a resolution. He would go around to the pawnbroker's and see if he could obtain any information.
He found the pawn shop without difficulty. It was a small apartment, but seemed quite full of goods of all varieties.
A small man of perhaps sixty was behind the counter. Seated in a rocking-chair, sewing, an old lady was to be seen in the rear of the shop.
Andy had never before been in a pawn shop, and would have been interested in examining it if his errand had not been so serious.
He walked up to the counter.
"Well, young man, what is your business?" asked the old man.
"Do you remember lending some money on a new gold watch last Monday?"
"Was the watch stolen?" asked the pawnbroker, with shade of anxiety.
"You will have no difficulty about it. It will be redeemed."
"How much did I lend on it?"
"Ten dollars."
"Yes, I remember."
"Can you remember who brought it in?"
"No, except that it was a boy about your size."
"Did he look like me?"
"I can't remember. You see, I have so many customers."
"I remember," said the old lady, speaking up. "He was about your size."
"It was not I?"
"No; he was thinner than you, and he was dark complexioned."
A light began to dawn upon Andy. This description fitted John Crandall.
"Do you remember what kind of an overcoat he wore?"
"It was a light overcoat."
"Thank you. Will you please remember this if you are asked?"
"Did the young gentleman own the watch?"
"He was employed by another party, but I cannot tell you any more at present. The watch will probably be redeemed by a man about thirty-five. Don't mention to him that any one has asked you questions about it."
"All right. I shall be glad to oblige you. You are sure it was not stolen?"
"The man who sent the boy was not dishonest. You will have no trouble."
"It was a new watch, and I thought it might be stolen. We poor pawnbrokers have a hard time. If we take stolen property we get into trouble, but how can we tell if the rings and watches they bring in are stolen?"
"Very true. I can see that you must sometimes be puzzled. Do those who pawn articles generally give their own names?"
"Very seldom. They almost always give wrong names. That sometimes leads to trouble. I remember a gentleman who mislaid his ticket, and he could not remember what name he gave. If he had we might have overlooked the loss of the pawn ticket. As it was, we did not know but he might be a fraud, though I think it was all right, and the watch he pawned was his own."
"Thank you for answering my questions. I am sorry to have troubled you," said Andy, politely.
"Oh, it is no matter," rejoined the old man, who felt very favorably impressed by Andy's good looks, and frank, open manner.
As Andy went out of the shop he experienced a feeling of relief. He saw that he would be able to prove his innocence through the testimony of the pawnbroker and his wife. He was in no hurry. It would do when Mr. Flint returned. He did not want the friendly jeweler to think that he had been dishonest.
It was clear that he was the victim of a conspiracy, and that the plot had been engineered by Simon Rich and carried out by his nephew.
As Andy's board was paid by Walter Gale, he would not be distressed by want of employment, but would be able to remain in New York. He might obtain another position, though he foresaw that it would be useless to apply to Simon Rich for a letter of recommendation.
He had not gone more than a hundred feet when he met a boy whom he knew, named James Callahan.
"How do you happen to be here, Andy?" he asked. "Are you on an errand for the firm?"
"I have left them."
"Why is that?"
"They—or rather the clerk—charged me with stealing a gold watch and pawning it."
"Where?" asked the boy, in some excitement.
Andy pointed out the pawnbroker's shop from which he had just come.
"I saw John Crandall coming out of there yesterday."
"You did?"
"Yes."
"I am not surprised. The pawnbroker described to me the boy who pawned the watch, and I recognized John from the description."
"What does it all mean?"
"Mr. Flint has gone out West, and Mr. Rich and John have conspired to get me into trouble."
"When were you discharged?"
"Less than an hour since."
"Who has taken your place?"
"John Crandall."
James Callahan whistled.
"I see," he said. "It was thundering mean. What are you going to do about it?"
"Wait till Mr. Flint comes home. Give me your address. I may want to call you as a witness."
Callahan gave his number on Ninth Avenue.
"I will note it down."
"How are you going to get along while you are without a place?" asked
James, with friendly solicitude.
"I have a friend who will pay my board."
"Good! I am glad to hear it."
"Now," thought Andy, "I have a chain of proof that will clear me with
Mr. Flint. That is what I care most about."
CHAPTER XX.
AN INVITATION TO DINNER
Andy reached his boarding house at four o'clock.
"What brings you home so early, Mr. Grant?" asked Warren, whose door was open. "Is business poor?"
"It is with me," answered Andy; "I am discharged."
"You don't tell me so! How did it happen?"
"My employer is out West, and the head salesman has discharged me and engaged his nephew in my place."
"It's a shame. What shall you do about it?"
"Wait till Mr. Flint gets home."
"I hope you won't leave us."
"No, I think not."
"Of course you will miss your salary. I wish I could lend you some money, but I have not heard from the article I sent to the Century. If accepted, they will send me a large check."
"Thank you, Mr. Warren. I shall be able to get along for the present."
Soon Sam Perkins arrived, with a new and gorgeous necktie.
"Glad to see you, Andy," he said. "Won't you go with me to the Star
Theater this evening?"
"I can't, Sam; I have no money to spare."
"I thought you got a good salary?"
"Just at present I have none at all. I have been discharged."
"I am sorry for that. I wish there was a vacancy in our place; I should like to get you in there."
"Thank you. That is quite friendly."
Andy was about to go down to supper when Eva, the servant, came upstairs.
"There's a messenger boy downstairs wants to see you, Mr. Grant," she said.
In some surprise Andy went downstairs to see the messenger. He was a short boy of fourteen, Tom Keegan by name.
"I have a letter for Andrew Grant," he said.
"Give it to me; I am Andrew Grant. Here's a dime."
"Thank you," said the boy in a tone of satisfaction, for his weekly income was small.
Andy opened the letter. It was written on fashionable note paper. At the top of the paper was a monogram formed of the letters H and M.
Here is the letter:
"MY DEAR MR. GRANT: I shall be glad to have you take dinner with me at seven o'clock. I should have given you earlier notice, but supposed you would not be back from the store till six o'clock. You will meet my son Roy, who is a year or two younger than yourself, and my brother, John Crawford. Both will be glad to see you. Yours sincerely,
"HENRIETTA MASON."
"What is it, Andy?" asked Sam.
"You can read the note."
"By George, Andy, you are getting into fashionable society! Couldn't you take me along, too?"
"I am afraid I am not well enough acquainted to take such a liberty."
"I'll tell you what I'll do for you. I'll lend you my best necktie."
Sam produced a gorgeous red tie, which he held up admiringly.
"Thank you, Sam," said Andy, "but I think that won't suit me as well as you."
"What are you going to wear?"
Andy took from the bureau drawer a plain black tie.
"That!" exclaimed Sam, disgusted. "That is awfully plain."
"It suits my taste."
"Excuse me, Andy, but I don't think you've got any taste."
Andy laughed good-naturedly.
"Certainly my taste differs from yours," he said.
"I suppose you'll have a fine layout. I'd like to go to a fashionable dinner myself."
"I'll tell you all about it when I get back."
"Just mention that you've got a friend—a stylish young man whom they'd like to meet. That may bring me an invitation next time."
Andy laughed.
"So far as I am concerned, Sam," he said, "I wish you were going. But you have an engagement at the Star Theater."
"So I have. I almost forgot."
Andy had very little time for preparation, but made what haste he could, and just as the public clocks struck seven he rang the bell of Mrs. Mason's house.
"I am glad you received my invitation in time," said the lady.
"So am I," returned Andy; "nothing could have been more welcome."
Just then Roy and her brother, Mr. Crawford, entered.
Roy was a very pleasant-looking boy, with dark-brown hair and a dark complexion. He was perhaps two inches shorter than Andy.
"This is Roy," said Mrs. Mason.
"I am glad to see you," said Roy, offering his hand.
Andy felt that he should like his new boy friend.
Next he was introduced to Mr. Crawford, a stout gentleman of perhaps forty, looking very much like his sister.
"I have heard my sister speak of you so often that I am glad to meet you, Andy," he said, affably.
"Thank you, sir."
"John, lead the way to the dining room," said his sister.
So they filed downstairs, and took their seats at the table.
Mr. Crawford sat at the head, opposite his sister, while Roy and Andy occupied the sides.
When dinner was nearly over, Mr. Crawford remarked:
"I believe, Andy, you are in the employ of Mr. Flint, the jeweler."
"I was," answered Andy.
"Surely you have not left him?" exclaimed Mrs. Mason.
"No, I have been discharged."
"I am surprised to hear it. I thought you were a favorite with Mr.
Flint."
"So I was. He does not know I have been discharged."
"You puzzle me."
"Mr. Flint is in Colorado, and Mr. Rich, his head salesman, has taken the opportunity to discharge me, and put his nephew in my place."
"But surely he would not venture to do this without some pretext."
"He claims that I took a watch from the case, and pawned it."
"Of course that is untrue."
"Yes, and I am in a position to prove it when Mr. Flint returns."
Andy told the story of his visit to the pawn shop, and the discovery he made there.
"This is a shameful plot!" said Mrs. Mason, indignantly. "I am afraid you are in trouble, deprived of your income."
"Fortunately I have no board to pay. That is paid by the gentleman who procured me the situation."
Presently they went upstairs.
"Roy," said his mother, "we will excuse you for an hour while you are getting your Latin lesson."
"I don't like Latin, mother," grumbled Roy, "at least not to-night. I am afraid I can't fix my thoughts on the lesson. I want to be with Andy."
"What are you studying in Latin, Roy?" asked Andy.
"Caesar."
"If you wish, I will help you."
"Can you?" asked Roy, joyfully.
"I have been through Caesar, and Virgil, also. When I left the academy I was studying Cicero."
"Roy will be glad of your help, Andy," said his mother. "I did not know you were such a scholar."
"I was getting ready for college, but my father's losses required me to break off."
Andy proved such an efficient helper that Roy found himself at leisure in half an hour.
In the meantime Mrs. Mason asked her brother:
"What do you think of my protege?"
"He seems a manly and attractive boy."
"Can't you find something for him to do?"
"I will talk with him presently, and then decide."
CHAPTER XXI.
NEW PROSPECTS
After Roy, with Andy's assistance, had prepared his lesson in Caesar, John Crawford began to converse with him with a view of forming a judgment of his business qualifications.
"Are you especially interested in the jewelry line?" he asked.
"No, sir. It was merely chance that led me to Mr. Flint's store."
"I see you are a Latin scholar. What career did you expect to follow if your father's misfortune had not interrupted your education?"
"I don't think I should care for a profession. I prefer a life of business."
"You have had no special business in view?"
"No, sir. I think I could adapt myself to any that I had an opportunity to follow."
"What pay did you receive from Mr. Flint?"
"Five dollars a week."
"I will tell you why I am inquiring. I am in the real estate business, in rather a large way. I have a boy in the office who is not suited to his position. He is a good scholar, but has no head for business. I have made up my mind to discharge him on Saturday. Would you like his place?"
"Very much, sir."
"I can only offer you five dollars a week, but as soon as you make yourself worth more I will raise you."
"That is quite satisfactory, Mr. Crawford. As soon as Mr. Flint returns I can get a recommendation from him. I am quite sure I shall like your business better."
"My sister's recommendation is sufficient."
"Thank you, John," said Mrs. Mason.
"If you become interested in the business and show an aptitude for it, there will be a chance to rise. It depends upon that. If you only work for the money, you won't rise."
"I understand, Mr. Crawford, and I am satisfied."
"Mother," said Roy, "I wish you would engage Andy to come here evenings and help me with my lessons. I should learn twice as fast. Besides, I should like his company."
Roy was an only child, and it was the desire of his mother's heart that he should acquire a good education. Her means were ample and her disposition generous.
"I don't know but Andy would feel too tired, after being in your uncle's office all day, to teach you in the evening, she said.
"Would you, Andy?" asked Roy.
"No; I should enjoy reviewing my old studies with you."
"Then, I will engage you," said Mrs. Mason. "You can come here at eight every evening."
"I will do so with pleasure."
"And for compensation I will pay you as much as my brother does."
"I wouldn't charge anything for helping Roy," said Andy. "It would only be a pleasure to me."
"Andrew," said Mr. Crawford. "I am afraid you will never make a business man if you are willing to work on those terms. My advice to you is to accept my sister's offer. She can afford to pay you what she offers, and you have your living to make."
"I shall insist upon paying," said Mrs. Mason, "though I appreciate
Andy's generous offer."
"Thank you very much. With such an income I shall feel rich."
"I am so glad you are going to help me, Andy," said Roy. "We'll have bully times."
"I don't think Julius Caesar ever made use of such an expression, Roy," said his uncle.
"When do you wish me to come down to business, Mr. Crawford?" asked
Andy.
"You may as well come to-morrow, and get broken in before your regular engagement commences."
"I shall be glad to do so."
"For this week you need only stay till three o'clock in the afternoon.
There isn't much doing after that."
When Andy went home it will not be wondered at if he was in a state of exhilaration. His discharge from the jeweler's had turned out to his advantage. His income was now ten dollars a week, and he had no board to pay. He certainly ought to lay up money.
He said to himself that now he would not go back to Mr. Flint's even if he had the chance.
When he entered his room he found Sam Perkins waiting for him.
"I have been thinking, Andy," he said, "that I might be able to get you into our store. I will speak to Mr. Chambers to-morrow."
"There is no occasion, Sam, though I thank you for your kind offer; I have a place."
"What, already?" ejaculated Sam, in amazement. "What chance have you had to hunt up a place?"
"The place hunted me up," answered Andy, with a smile. "I met a gentleman at dinner, who offered to take me into his employment."
"What business?"
"Real estate."
"What is the firm?"
"John Crawford & Co."
"I know of the house. The office is on lower Broadway. It is a big firm."
"I am glad of that."
"How much are you to get?"
"Five dollars a week."
"Won't you find it hard to live on that?"
"I have got another place, too."
"What do you mean?"
"I am to help a boy about his Latin in the evening. I shall get five dollars a week for that, too."
"What! ten dollars a week in all?"
"You are right. I give you credit for your mathematical talent."
"Why, Andy, you are born to good luck! I wish I was paid ten dollars a week," said Sam, rather enviously. "But I didn't know you understood Latin."
"You don't know how learned I am," said Andy, smiling.
"When will you get time for your pupil?"
"In the evening."
"I am sorry for that. I sha'n't often meet you if you are to be occupied day and evening, too."
"We shall meet at breakfast and supper. I sha'n't leave here to go uptown till half-past seven."
"But you can't go to the theater."
"I am willing to give that up for five dollars a week."
"So would I be."
"If I hear of any other boy who needs a Latin tutor I will recommend you."
The next morning Andy reported at Mr. Crawford's office. The office he found to be a large one, consisting of three rooms, one of them small, and appropriated to Mr. Crawford's special use.
In the outer rooms were two or three clerks and a boy. The last, James Grey, was a good-natured looking fellow, but he had no force or efficiency. He had already received notice that he was to be discharged on the coming Saturday.
"I suppose you are coming in my place," said he to Andy.
"I suppose so. I am sorry that I shall be throwing you out of a position."
"Oh, you needn't mind. I am to be telephone boy at an uptown hotel. My cousin got the place for me."
"I am glad of that."
"It will be a soft snap, I think."
"What are the hours?"
"I go on at five o'clock in the afternoon, and stay till midnight."
"Will you like that?"
"Oh, well, I can lie abed the next morning till ten or eleven o'clock, and I won't have much to do when I am on duty. I shall buy a lot of dime novels, and that will fill up the time."
"How do you like the real estate business?"
"Oh, so-so. I guess I'll like being a telephone boy better."
"Andrew, you may go round with James, and he will give you a little idea of your duties," said Mr. Crawford. "James, you can go to the post office now."
"All right, sir."
"I hope you will soon get another place."
"I have got one already, sir."
"Indeed! I am very glad."
"I am to be a telephone boy."
"I wish you success."
As they walked to the post office together, James remarked:
"Mr. Crawford is a nice man, but I guess I don't hustle enough for him."
"I think I can hustle," said Andy.
"Then you'll suit him."
On Saturday night, when James was paid his salary, he received five dollars extra as a present. Andy thought this very kind and considerate on the part of his new employer. To his surprise he, too, was paid half a week's salary—something he did not expect.