"Have you any objections to telling me how you have succeeded in your efforts to make a living?" asked the old gentleman, with a keen but kindly glance.
"I have been disappointed, sir," was the candid reply.
"I am not surprised to hear it. A boy brought up as you have been cannot rough it like a farmer"s son or a street boy."
"I think I could, sir; but I should not like to."
"Precisely. Now, I am not sure that you acted wisely in undertaking a task so difficult, since it was not necessary, and your stepfather could hardly have refused to support you at home. However, as you have taken the decisive step, we must consider what is best to do under the circ.u.mstances. What work have you been doing?"
"I have been selling tea for the Great Pekin Tea Company."
"How have you succeeded?"
"I have not been able to pay expenses," Frank admitted.
"How have you made up the difference?"
"I brought about fifty dollars with me from home."
"Is it all used up?"
"I had thirty-five dollars left, sir, but a day or two since one of my fellow boarders opened my trunk and borrowed it without leave."
"Of course you won"t recover it?"
"I don"t think there is much chance of it, sir."
"Then probably your money is nearly exhausted?"
Frank did not like to admit his poverty, but owned up that he had less than two dollars.
"And yet you paid the car fares of this little boy and his mother?"
"I hope, sir, I would not refuse to a.s.sist a lady when in trouble."
Mr. Percival nodded two or three times, smiling as he did so. He was becoming more and more favorably impressed without young hero.
"Do you mean to continue this tea agency?" he asked.
"No, sir; I have already notified my employers that I do not care to continue it."
"Have you anything else in view?"
Frank felt that now was the time to speak.
"I came here this evening," he said, "intending to ask you if you knew of any situation I could fill, or could recommend me to employment of any kind by which I might make a living."
"I must consider that. Have you thought of any particular employment which you would like?"
"No, sir; I cannot afford to be particular. I will do anything that is honest, and at all suitable for me."
"What would you consider unsuitable?"
"I should not wish to black boots, for instance, sir. It is honest work, but I ought to be suited to something better."
"Of course; What education have you had? Good, I suppose?"
"I am nearly ready for college."
"Then you are already fairly well educated. I will put you to a test.
Sit up to the table, and take paper and pen. I will dictate to you a paragraph from the evening paper, which I should like to have you write down."
Frank obeyed, though, in doing so, he was obliged to set Freddie down, rather to the little fellow"s dissatisfaction.
Mr. Percival selected a short letter, written by some public man, which chanced to have found a place in the evening journal.
Frank wrote rapidly, and when his copy was finished submitted it to Mr.
Percival.
The old gentleman took it, and, running his eye over it, noticed that it was plainly written, correctly spelled and properly punctuated. This discovery evidently gave him satisfaction.
"Very creditably written," he said. "I have known boys nearly ready for college who could not copy such a letter without blundering. I am glad that your English education has not been neglected while you have been studying the cla.s.sics."
Frank was gratified by Mr. Percival"s commendation, though he could not see in what manner his education was likely to bring him employment. It was desirable, however, to produce a favorable impression on Mr.
Percival, and he could not help hoping something would result to his advantage.
At this moment Freddie"s mother entered the room, and greeted Frank with a cordial smile.
"Freddie," she said, "it is time for you to go to bed."
"I don"t want to leave Frank," said Freddie.
"Frank will come and see you again."
"Will you, Frank?"
Frank made the promise, and Mrs. Gordon--for that was her name--left the room, promising to return before Frank went away.
He was now left alone with the old gentleman.
CHAPTER XXIX
FRANK IS OFFERED A POSITION
Mr. Percival engaged Frank in conversation on general topics while Mrs.