Have you ever thought about what fiction is? Probably, such a question may seem surprising: and so everything is clear. Every person throughout his life has to repeatedly create the works he needs for specific purposes - statements, autobiographies, dictations - using not gypsum or clay, not musical notes, not paints, but just a word. At the same time, almost every person will be very surprised if he is told that he thereby created a work of fiction, which is very different from visual art, music and sculpture making. However, everyone understands that a student's essay or dictation is fundamentally different from novels, short stories, news that are created by professional writers. In the works of professionals there is the most important difference - excogitation. But, oddly enough, in a school literature course, you don’t realize the full power of fiction. So using our website in your free time discover fiction for yourself. Cast Upon the Breakers by Jr. Horatio Alger (fun books to read for adults .TXT) 📖
- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
Book online «Cast Upon the Breakers by Jr. Horatio Alger (fun books to read for adults .TXT) 📖». Author Jr. Horatio Alger
“I can give you my name, but she won’t recognize it.”
“Then you don’t know her.”
“No.”
“If it’s money you want, she don’t give to beggars.”
“You are impudent,” said Rodney hotly. “If you don’t give my message you will get into trouble.”
The servant opened his eyes. He seemed somewhat impressed by Rodney’s confident tone.
“Mrs. Harvey doesn’t live here,” he said.
“Is she in the house?”
“Well, yes, she’s visiting here.”
“Then why do you waste your time?” said Rodney impatiently. He forgot for the time that he was no longer being educated at an expensive boarding school, and spoke in the tone he would have used before his circumstances had changed.
“I’ll go and ask if she’ll see you,” said the flunky unwillingly.
Five minutes later a pleasant looking woman of middle age descended the staircase.
“Are you the boy that wished to see me?” she asked.
“Yes, if you are Mrs. Harvey.”
“I am. But come in! Thomas, why didn’t you invite this young gentleman into the parlor?”
Thomas opened his eyes wide. So the boy whom he had treated so cavalierly was a young gentleman.
He privately put down Mrs. Harvey in his own mind as eccentric.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” he said. “I didn’t know as he was parlor company.”
“Well, he is,” said Mrs. Harvey with a cordial smile that won Rodney’s heart.
“Follow me!” said the lady.
Rodney followed her into a handsome apartment and at a signal seated himself on a sofa.
“Now,” she said, “I am ready to listen to your message.”
“Have you lost anything?” asked Rodney abruptly.
“Oh, have you found it?” exclaimed Mrs. Harvey, clasping her hands.
“That depends on what you have lost,” answered Rodney, who felt that it was necessary to be cautious.
“Certainly, you are quite right. I have lost a box containing jewelry bought this morning at Tiffany’s.”
“What were the articles?”
“A diamond necklace and pin. They are intended as a present for my daughter who is to be married. Tell me quick have you found them?”
“Is this the box?” asked Rodney.
“Oh yes, yes! How delightful to recover it. I thought I should never see it again. Where did you find it?”
“On Fifteenth Street beside Tiffany’s store.”
“And you brought it directly to me?”
“Yes, madam.”
“Have you any idea of the value of the articles?”
“Perhaps they may be worth five hundred dollars.”
“They are worth over a thousand. Are you poor?”
“Yes, madam. I am trying to make a living by selling papers, but find it hard work.”
“But you don’t look like a newsboy.”
“Till a short time since I thought myself moderately rich.”
“That is strange. Tell me your story.”
CHAPTER XVI.
A SURPRISING TURN OF FORTUNE.
Rodney told his story frankly. Mrs. Harvey was very sympathetic by nature, and she listened with the deepest interest, and latterly with indignation when Rodney spoke of his dismissal from Mr. Goodnow’s store.
“You have been treated shamefully,” she said warmly.
“I think Mr. Goodnow really believes me guilty,” rejoined Rodney.
“A dishonest boy would hardly have returned a valuable box of jewelry.”
“Still Mr. Goodnow didn’t know that I would do it.”
“I see you are disposed to apologize for your late employer.”
“I do not forget that he treated me kindly till this last occurrence.”
“Your consideration does you credit. So you have really been reduced to earn your living as a newsboy?”
“Yes, madam.”
“I must think what I can do for you. I might give you money, but when that was gone you would be no better off.”
“I would much rather have help in getting a place.”
Mrs. Harvey leaned her head on her hand and looked thoughtful.
“You are right,” she said. “Let me think.”
Rodney waited, hoping that the lady would be able to think of something to his advantage.
Finally she spoke.
“I think you said you understood Latin and Greek?”
“I have studied both languages and French also. I should have been ready to enter college next summer.”
“Then perhaps I shall be able to do something for you. I live in Philadelphia, but I have a brother living in West Fifty Eighth Street. He has one little boy, Arthur, now nine years of age. Arthur is quite precocious, but his health is delicate, and my brother has thought of getting a private instructor for him. Do you like young children?”
“Very much. I always wished that I had a little brother.”
“Then I think you would suit my brother better as a tutor for Arthur than a young man. Being a boy yourself, you would be not only tutor but companion.”
“I should like such a position very much.”
“Then wait here a moment, and I will write you a letter of introduction.”
She went up stairs, but soon returned.
She put a small perfumed billet into Rodney’s hands. It was directed to John Sargent with an address on West Fifty Eighth Street.
“Call this evening,” she said, “about half past seven o’clock. My brother will be through dinner, and will not have gone out at that hour.”
“Thank you,” said Rodney gratefully.
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