CHAPTER XX ENTERING UPON HIS DUTIES
When Ben had taken out his clothing from his valise and put it away in the drawers of the handsome bureau which formed a part of the furniture of his room, he went downstairs, and found his patroness in a cozy sitting room, on the second floor. It was furnished, Ben could not help thinking, more as if it were designed for a gentleman than a lady. In one corner was a library table, with writing materials, books, and papers upon it, and an array of drawers on either side of the central part.
"Come right in, Ben," said Mrs. Hamilton, who was seated at the table.
"We will talk of business."
This Ben was quite willing to do. He was anxious to know what were to be his duties, that he might judge whether he was competent to discharge them.
"Let me tell you, to begin with," said his patroness, "that I am possessed of considerable wealth, as, indeed, you may have judged by way of living. I have no children, unfortunately, and being unwilling, selfishly, to devote my entire means to my own use exclusively, I try to help others in a way that I think most suitable. Mrs. Hill, who acts as my housekeeper, is a cousin, who made a poor marriage, and was left penniless. I have given a home to her and her son."
"I don't think Mrs. Hill likes my being here," said Ben.
"You are, no doubt, right. She is foolish enough to be jealous because I do not bestow all my favors upon her."
"I think she will look upon me as a rival of her son."
"I expected she would. Perhaps she will learn, after a while, that I can be a friend to you and him both, though, I am free to admit, I have never been able to take any fancy to Conrad, nor, indeed, was his mother a favorite with me. But for her needy circumstances, she is, perhaps, the last of my relatives that I would invite to become a member of my household. However, to come to business: My money is invested in various ways. Besides the ordinary forms of investment, stocks, bonds, and mortgages, I have set up two or three young men, whom I thought worthy, in business, and require them to send in monthly statements of their business to me. You see, therefore, that I have more or less to do with accounts. I never had much taste for figures, and it struck me that I might relieve myself of considerable drudgery if I could obtain your assistance, under my supervision, of course. I hope you have a taste for figures?"
"Arithmetic and algebra are my favorite studies," said Ben promptly.
"I am glad of it. Of course, I did not know that, but had you not been well versed in accounts, I meant to send you to a commercial school to qualify you for the duties I wished to impose upon you."
"I don't think it will be necessary," answered Ben. "I have taken lessons in bookkeeping at home, and, though it seems like boasting, I was better in mathematics than any of my schoolfellows."
"I am so glad to hear that. Can you write well?"
"Shall I write something for you?"
"Do so."
Mrs. Hamilton vacated her place, and Ben, sitting at the desk, wrote two or three copies from remembrance.
"Very well, indeed!" said his patroness approvingly. "I see that in engaging you I have made no mistake."
Ben's cheek flushed with pleasure, and he was eager to enter upon his new duties. But he could not help wondering why he had been selected when Conrad was already in the house, and unemployed. He ventured to say:
"Would you mind telling me why you did not employ Conrad, instead of sending for me?"
"There are two good and sufficient reasons: Conrad is not competent for such an office; and secondly, I should not like to have the boy about me as much as he would need to be. I have obtained for him a position out of the house. One question remains to be considered: How much wages do you expect?"
"I would prefer to leave that to you, Mrs. Hamilton. I cannot expect high pay."
"Will ten dollars a week be adequate?"
"I can't earn as much money as that," said Ben, in surprise.
"Perhaps not, and yet I am not sure. If you suit me, it will be worth my while to pay you as much."
"But Conrad will only receive four dollars a week. Won't he be angry?"
"Conrad is not called upon to support his mother, as I understand you are."
"You are very kind to think of that, Mrs. Hamilton."
"I want to be kind to you, Ben," said his patroness with a pleasant smile.
"When shall I commence my duties?"
"Now. You will copy this statement into the ledger you see here.
Before doing so, will you look over and verify the figures?"
Ben was soon hard at work. He was interested in his work, and the time slipped fast. After an hour and a half had passed, Mrs. Hamilton said:
"It is about time for lunch, and I think there will be no more to do to-day. Are you familiar with New York?"
"No, I have spent very little time in the city."
"You will, no doubt, like to look about. We have dinner at six sharp.
You will be on tine?"
"I will be sure to be here."
"That reminds me—have you a watch?"
Ben shook his head.
"I thought it might be so. I have a good silver watch, which I have no occasion for."
Mrs. Hamilton left the room, and quickly returned with a neat silver hunting-case watch, with a guilt chain.
"This is yours, Ben," she said, "if you like it."
"Do you give it to me?" asked Ben joyously. He had only expected that it would be loaned to him.
"Yes, I give it to you, and I hope you will find it useful."
"How can I thank you, Mrs. Hamilton, for your kindness?"
"You are more grateful than Conrad. I gave him one just like it, and he was evidently dissatisfied became it was not gold. When you are older the gold watch may come."
"I am very well pleased with the silver watch, for I have long wanted one, but did not see any way of obtaining it."
"You are wise in having moderate desires, Ben. But there goes the lunch bell. You may want to wash your hands. When you have done so come down to the dining room, in the rear of the sitting room."
Mrs. Hill and Conrad were already seated at the table when Ben descended.
"Take a seat opposite Conrad, Ben," said Mrs. Hamilton, who was sitting at one end of the table.
The lunch was plain but substantial, and Ben, who had taken an early breakfast, enjoyed it.
"I suppose we shall not have Conrad at lunch to-morrow?" said Mrs.
Hamilton. "He will be at the store."
Conrad made a grimace. He world have enjoyed his freedom better.
"I won't have much of my four dollars left if I have to pay for lunch," he said in a surly tone.
"You shall have a reasonable allowance for that purpose."
"I suppose Mr. Barclay will lunch at home," said Mrs. Hill.
"Certainly, since his work will be here. He is to be my home clerk, and will keep my accounts."
"You needn't have gone out of the house for a clerk, Cousin Hamilton.
I am sure Conrad would have been glad of the work."
"It will be better for Conrad to learn business in a larger establishment," said Mrs. Hamilton quietly.
This was a new way of looking at it, and helped to reconcile Mrs. Hill to an arrangement which at first had disappointed her.
"Have you any engagements this afternoon, Conrad?" asked Mrs. Hamilton. "Ben will have nothing to do, and you could show him the city."
"I've got an engagement with a fellow," said Conrad hastily.
"I can find my way about alone, thank you," said Ben. "I won't trouble Conrad."
"Very well. This evening, however, Ben, I think you may enjoy going to the theater. Conrad can accompany you, unless he has another engagement."
"I'll go with him," said Conrad, more graciously, for he was fond of amusements.
"Then we will all meet at dinner, and you two young gentlemen can leave in good time for the theater."
CHAPTER XXI AT THE THEATER
After dinner, Ben and Conrad started to walk to the theater. The distance was about a mile, but in the city there is so much always to be seen that one does not think of distance.
Conrad, who was very curious to ascertain Ben's status in the household, lost no time in making inquiries.
"What does my aunt find for you to do?" he asked.
It may be remarked, by the way, that no such relationship ever existed between them, but Mrs. Hill and her son thought politic to make the relationship seem as close as possible, as it would, perhaps, increase their apparent claim upon their rich relative.
Ben answered the question.
"You'll have a stupid time," said Conrad. "All the same, she ought to have given the place to me. How much does she pay you?"
Ben hesitated, for he knew that his answer would make his companion discontented.
"I am not sure whether I am at liberty to tell," he answered, with hesitation.
"There isn't any secret about it, is there?" said Conrad sharply.
No, I suppose not. I am to receive ten dollars a week."
"Ten dollars a week!" ejaculated Conrad, stopping short in the street.
"Yes."
"And I get but four! That's a shame!"
"I shall really have no more than you, Conrad. I have a mother to provide for, and I shall send home six dollars a week regularly."
"That doesn't make any difference!" exclaimed Conrad, in excitement. "It's awfully mean of aunt to treat you so much better than she does me."
"You mustn't say that to me," said Ben. "She has been kind to us both, and I don't like to hear anything said against her."
"You're not going to tell her?" said Conrad suspiciously.
"Certainly not," said Ben indignantly. "What do you take me for?"
"Some fellows would, to set Aunt Hamilton against me."
"I am not so mean as that."
"I am glad I can depend on you. You see, the old lady is awfully rich—doesn't know what to do with her money—and as she has no son, or anybody nearer than me and mother, it's natural we should inherit her money."
"I hope she will enjoy it herself for a good many years."
"Oh, she's getting old," said Conrad carelessly. "She can't expect to live forever. It wouldn't be fair for young people if their parents lived to a hundred. Now, would it?"
"I should be very glad to have my mother live to a hundred, if she could enjoy life," said Ben, disgusted with his companoin's sordid selfishness.
"Your mother hasn't got any money, and that makes a difference."
Ben had a reply, but he reflected it would be of little use to argue with one who took such widely different views as Conrad. Moreover, they were already within a block or two of the theater.
The best seats were priced at a dollar and a half, and Mrs. Hamilton had given Conrad three dollars to purchase one for Ben and one for himself.
"It seems an awful price to pay a dollar and a half for a seat," said Conrad. "Suppose we go into the gallery, where the seats are only fifty cents?"
"I think Mrs. Hamilton meant us to take higher-priced seats."
"She won't care, or know, unless we choose to tell her."
"Then you don't propose to give her back the difference?"
"You don't take me for a fool, do you? I'll tell you what I'll do. If you don't mind a fifty-cent seat, I'll give you twenty-five cents out of this money."
Ben could hardly believe Conrad was in earnest in this exhibition of meanness.
"Then," said he, "you would clear seventy-five cents on my seat and a dollar on your own?"
"You can see almost as well in the gallery," said Conrad. "I'll give you fifty cents, if you insist upon it."
"I insist upon having my share of the money spent for a seat," said Ben, contemptuously. "You can sit where you please, of course."
"You ain't very obliging," said Conrad sullenly. "I need the money, and that's what made me propose it. As you've made so much fuss about it, we'll take orchestra seats."
This he did, though unwillingly.
"I don't think I shall ever like that boy," thought Ben. "He's a little too mean."
They both enjoyed the play, Ben perhaps with the most zest, for he had never before attended a city theater. At eleven o'clock the curtain fell, and they went out.
"Come, Ben," said Conrad, "you might treat a fellow to soda water."
"I will," answered Ben. "Where shall we go?"
"Just opposite. They've got fine soda water across the street."
The boys drank their soda water, and started to go home.
"Suppose we go in somewhere and have a game of billiards?" suggested Conrad.
"I don't play," answered Ben.
"I'll teach you; come along," urged Conrad.
"It is getting late, and I would rather not."
"I suppose you go to roost with the chickens in the country?" sneered Conrad. You'll learn better in the city—if you stay."
"There is another reason," continued Ben. "I suppose it costs money to play billiards, and I have none to spare."
"Only twenty-five cents a game."
"It will be cheaper to go to bed."
"You won't do anything a fellow wants you to," grumbled Conrad. "You needn't be so mean, when you are getting ten dollars a week."
"I have plenty to do with my money, and I want to save up something every week."
On the whole the boys did not take to each other. They took very different views of life and duty, and there seemed to be small prospect of their becoming intimate friends.
Mrs. Hamilton had gone to bed when they returned, but Mrs. Hill was up watching for her son. She was a cold, disagreeable woman, but she was devoted to her boy.
"I am glad you have come home so soon," she said.
"I wanted to play a game of billiards, but Ben wouldn't," grumbled Conrad.
"If you had done so, I should have had to sit up later for you, Conrad."
"There was no use in sitting up for me. I ain't a baby," responded Conrad ungratefully.
"You know I can't sleep when I know you are out, Conrad."
"Then you're very foolish. Isn't she, Ben?"
"My mother would feel just so," answered Ben.
Mrs. Hill regarded him almost kindly. He had done her a good turn in bringing her son home in good season.
"She may be a disagreeable woman," thought Ben, "but she is good to Conrad," and this made him regard the housekeeper with more favor.
CHAPTER XXII A MYSTERIOUS LETTER
From time to time, Mrs. Hamilton sent Ben on errands to different parts of the city, chiefly to those who had been started in business with capital which she had supplied. One afternoon, he was sent to a tailor on Sixth Avenue with a note, the contents of which were unknown to him.
"You may wait for an answer," said Mrs. Hamilton.
He readily found the tailor's shop, and called for Charles Roberts, the proprietor.
The latter read the note, and said, in a business like tone:
"Come to the back part of the shop, and I will show you some goods."
Ben regarded him in surprise.
"Isn't there some mistake?" he said. "I didn't know I was to look at any goods."
"As we are to make a suit for you, I supposed you would have some choice in the matter," returned the tailor, equally surprised.
"May I look at the letter?" asked Ben.
The tailor put it into his hands.
It ran thus:
"Mr. Roberts: You will make a suit for the bearer, from any goods he may select, and charge to the account of Helen Hamilton."
"Mrs. Hamilton did not tell me what was in the note," said Ben, smiling. "She is very kind."
Ben allowed himself to be guided by the tailor, and the result was a handsome suit, which was sent home in due time, and immediately attracted the attention of Conrad. Ben had privately thanked his patroness, but had felt under no obligation to tell Conrad.
"Seems to me you are getting extravagant!" said Conrad enviously.
"I don't know but I am," answered Ben good-naturedly.
"How much did you pay for it?"
"The price was thirty-five dollars."
"That's too much for a boy in your circumstances to pay."
"I think so myself, but I shall make it last a long time."
"I mean to make Aunt Hamilton buy me a new suit," grumbled Conrad.
"I have no objection, I am sure," said Ben.
"I didn't ask your permission," said Conrad rudely.
"I wonder what he would say if he knew that Mrs. Hamilton paid for my suit?" Ben said to himself. He wisely decided to keep the matter secret, as he knew that Conrad would be provoked to hear of this new proof of his relative's partiality for the boy whom he regarded as a rival.
Conrad lost no time in preferring his request to Mrs. Hamilton for a new suit.
"I bought you a suit two months since," said Mrs. Hamilton quietly.
"Why do you come to me for another so soon?"
"Ben has a new suit," answered Conrad, a little confused.
"I don't know that that has anything to do with you. However, I will ask Ben when he had his last new suit."
Ben, who was present, replied:
"It was last November."
"Nearly a year since. I will take care that you are supplied with new suits as often as Ben."
Conrad retired from the presence of his relative much disgusted. He did not know, but suspected that Ben was indebted to Mrs. Hamilton for his new suit, and although this did not interfere with a liberal provision for him, he felt unwilling that anyone beside himself should bask in the favor of his rich relative. He made a discovery that troubled him about this time.
"Let me see your watch, Ben," he said one day.
Ben took out the watch and placed it in his hand.
"It's just like mine," said Conrad, after a critical examination.
"Is it?"
"Yes; don't you see? Where did you get it?"
"It was a gift," answered Ben.
"From my aunt?"
"It was given me by Mrs. Hamilton."
"She seems to be very kind to you," sneered Conrad, with a scowl.
"She is indeed!" answered Ben earnestly.
"You've played your cards well," said Conrad coarsely.
"I don't understand you," returned Ben coldly.
"I mean that, knowing her to be rich, you have done well to get on the blind side of her."
"I can't accept the compliment, if you mean it as such. I don't think Mrs. Hamilton has any blind side, and the only way in which I intend to commend myself to her favor is to be faithful to her interests."
"Oh, you're mighty innocent; but all the same, you know how to feather your own nest."
"In a good sense, I hope I do. I don't suppose anyone else will take the trouble to feather it for me. I think honesty and fidelity are good policy, don't you?"
"I don't pretend to be an angel," answered Conrad sullenly.
"Nor I," said Ben, laughing.
Some days later, Conrad came to Ben one day, looking more cordial than usual.
"Ben," he said, "I have a favor to ask of you."
"What is it?"
"Will you grant it?"
"I want to know first what it is."
"Lend me five dollars?"
Ben stared at Conrad in surprise. He had just that amount, after sending home money to his mother, but he intended that afternoon to deposit three dollars of it in the savings bank, feeling that he ought to be laying up money while he was so favorably situated.
"How do you happen to be short of money?" he asked.
"That doesn't need telling. I have only four dollars a week pocket money, and I am pinched all the time."
"Then, supposing I lent you the money, how could you manage to pay me back out of this small allowance?"
"Oh, I expect to get some money in another way, but I cannot unless you lend me the money."
"Would you mind telling me how?"
"Why, the fact is, a fellow I know—that is, I have heard of him—has just drawn a prize of a thousand dollars in a Havana lottery. All he paid for his ticket was five dollars."
"And is this the way you expect to make some money?"
"Yes; I am almost sure of winning."
"Suppose you don't?"
"Oh, what's the use of looking at the dark side?"
"You are not so sensible as I thought, Conrad," said Ben. "At least a hundred draw a blank to one who draws a small prize, and the chances are a hundred to one against you."
"Then you won't lend me the money?" said Conrad angrily.
"I would rather not."
"Then you're a mean fellow!"
"Thank you for your good opinion, but I won't change my determination."
"You get ten dollars a week?"
"I shall not spend two dollars a week on my own amusement, or for my own purposes."
"What are you going to do with the rest, then?"
"Part I shall send to my mother; part I mean to put in some savings bank."
"You mean to be a miser, then?"
"If to save money makes one a miser, then I shall be one."
Conrad left the room in an angry mood. He was one with whom prosperity didn't agree. Whatever his allowance might be, he wished to spend more. Looking upon himself as Mrs. Hamilton's heir, he could not understand the need or expediency of saving money. He was not wholly to blame for this, as his mother encouraged him in hopes which had no basis except in his own and her wishes.
Not quite three weeks after Ben had become established his new home he received a letter which mystified and excited him.
It ran thus:
"If you will come at nine o'clock this evening to No. – West Thirty-first Street, and call for me, you will hear something to your advantage.
James Barnes."
"It may be something relating to my father's affairs," thought Ben.
"I will go."