The Cash Boy by Jr. Horatio Alger (ebooks children's books free TXT) 📖

suddenly aroused by a slap on the back.

Turning he met the gaze of a young man of about thirty, who was smiling quite cordially.

“Why, Frank, my boy, how are you?” he said, offering his hand.

“Pretty well, thank you,” said our hero bewildered, for he had no recollection of the man who had called him by name.

The other smiled a little more broadly, and thought:

“It was a lucky guess; his name is Frank.”

“I am delighted to hear it,” he continued. “When did you reach the city?”

“This morning,” said the unsuspecting Frank.

“Well, it’s queer I happened to meet you so soon, isn’t it? Going to stay long?”

“I shall, if I can get a place.”

“Perhaps I can help you.”

“I suppose I ought to remember you,” ventured our hero, “but I can’t think of your name.”

“Jasper Wheelock. You don’t mean to say you don’t remember me? Perhaps it isn’t strange, as we only met once or twice in your country home. But that doesn’t matter. I’m just as ready to help you. By the way, have you dined?”

“No.”

“No more have I. Come in and dine with me.”

“What’ll you take?” asked Jasper Wheelock, passing the bill of fare to Frank.

“I think I should like to have some roast beef,” said Frank.

“That will suit me. Here, waiter, two plates of roast beef, and two cups of coffee.”

“How are they all at home?” asked Jasper.

“My mother has just died.”

“You don’t say so,” said Jasper, sympathetically.

“My sister is well.”

“I forgot your sister’s name.”

“Grace.”

“Of course—Grace. I find it hard to remember names. The fact is, I have been trying to recall your last name, but it’s gone from me.”

“Fowler.”

“To be sure Frank Fowler. How could I be so forgetful.”

The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the coffee and roast beet, which both he and his new friend attacked with vigor.

“What kind of pudding will you have?” asked the stranger.

“Apple dumpling,” said Frank.

“That suits me. Apple dumpling for two.”

In due time the apple dumpling was disposed of, and two checks were brought, amounting to seventy cents.

“I’ll pay for both,” said Jasper. “No thanks. We are old acquaintances, you know.”

He put his hand into his pocket, and quickly withdrew it with an exclamation of surprise:

“Well, if that isn’t a good joke,” he said. “I’ve left my money at home. I remember now, I left it in the pocket of my other coat. I shall have to borrow the money of you. You may as well hand me a dollar!”

Frank was not disposed to be suspicious, but the request for money made him uneasy. Still there seemed no way of refusing, and he reluctantly drew out the money.

His companion settled the bill and then led the way into the street.

Jasper Wheelock was not very scrupulous; he was quite capable of borrowing money, without intending to return it; but he had his good side.

“Frank,” said he, as they found themselves in the street, “you have done me a favor, and I am going to help you in return. Have you got very much money?”

“No. I had twenty dollars when I left home, but I had to pay my fare in the cars and the dinner, I have seventeen dollars and a half left.”

“Then it is necessary for you to get a place as soon as possible.”

“Yes; I have a sister to support; Grace, you know.”

“No, I don’t know. The fact is, Frank, I have been imposing upon you. I never saw you before in the whole course of my life.”

“What made you say you knew me?”

“I wanted to get a dinner out of you. Don’t be troubled, though; I’ll pay back the money. I’ve been out of a place for three or four weeks, but I enter upon one the first of next week. For the rest of the week I’ve got nothing to do, and I will try to get you a place.

“The first thing is to get a room somewhere. I’ll tell you what, you may have part of my room.”

“Is it expensive?”

“No; I pay a dollar and a half a week. I think the old lady won’t charge more than fifty cents extra for you.”

“Then my share would be a dollar.”

“You may pay only fifty cents. I’ll keep on paying what I do now. My room is on Sixth Avenue.” They had some distance to walk. Finally Jasper halted before a baker’s shop.

“It’s over this,” he said.

He drew out a latch-key and entered.

“This is my den,” he said. “It isn’t large you can’t get any better for the money.”

“I shall have to be satisfied,” said Frank. “I want to get along as cheap as I can.”

“I’ve got to economize myself for a short time. After this week I shall earn fifteen dollars a week.”

“What business are you in, Mr. Wheelock?”

“I am a journeyman printer. It is a very good business, and I generally have steady work. I expect to have after I get started again. Now, shall I give you some advice?”

“I wish you would.”

“You don’t know your way around New York. I believe I have a map somewhere. I’ll just show you on it the position of the principal streets, and that will give you a clearer idea of where we go.”

The map was found and Jasper explained to Frank the leading topographical features of the Island City.

One thing only was wanting now to make him contented, and this was employment. But it was too late to make any further inquiries.

“I’ve been thinking, Frank,” said Jasper, the next morning, “that you