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The Telegraph Boy, a novel by Horatio Alger |
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Chapter 9. Victor Dupont |
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_ CHAPTER IX. VICTOR DUPONT As Frank was walking on Madison avenue, a little before reaching the house of Mr. Bowen he met a boy of his own age, whom he recognized. Victor Dupont had spent the previous summer at the hotel in the country village where Frank had lived until he came to the city. Victor was proud of his social position, but time hung so heavily upon his hands in the country that he was glad to keep company with the village boys. Frank and he had frequently gone fishing together, and had been associated in other amusements, so that they were for the time quite intimate. The memories of home and past pleasures thronged upon our hero as he met Victor, and his face flushed with pleasure. "Why, Victor," he said, eagerly, extending his hand, "how glad I am to see you!" Frank forgot that intimacy in the country does not necessarily lead to intimacy in the city, and he was considerably surprised when Victor, not appearing to notice his offered hand, said coldly, "I don't think I remember you." "Don't remember me!" exclaimed Frank, amazed. "Why, I am Frank Kavanagh! Don't you remember how much we were together last summer, and what good times we had fishing and swimming together?" "Yes, I believe I do remember you now," drawled Victor, still not offering his hand, or expressing any pleasure at the meeting. "When did you come to the city?" "I have been here two or three weeks," replied Frank. "Oh, indeed! Are you going to remain?" "Yes, if I can earn a living." Victor scanned Frank's clothes with a critical, and evidently rather contemptuous, glance. "What are you doing?" he asked. "Are you in a store?" "No; I am selling papers." "A newsboy!" said Victor, with a curve of the lip. "Yes," answered Frank, his pleasure quite chilled by Victor's manner. "Are you doing well?" asked Victor, more from curiosity than interest. "I am making my expenses." "How do you happen to be in this neighborhood? I suppose you sell papers down-town." "Yes, but I am invited to dinner." "Not here--on the avenue!" ejaculated Victor. "Yes," answered Frank, enjoying the other's surprise. "Where?" Frank mentioned the number. "Why, that is next to my house. Mr. Bowen lives there." "Yes." "Perhaps you know some of the servants," suggested Victor. "I know one," said Frank, smiling, for he read Victor's thoughts; "but my invitation comes from Mr. Bowen." "Did you ever dine there before?" asked Victor, puzzled. "Yes, last week." "You must excuse my mentioning it, but I should hardly think you would like to sit down at a gentleman's table in that shabby suit." "I don't," answered Frank; "but I have no better." "Then you ought to decline the invitation." "I would, but for appearing impolite." "It seems very strange that Mr. Bowen should invite a newsboy to dinner." "Perhaps if you'd mention what you think of it," said Frank, somewhat nettled, "he would recall the invitation." "Oh, it's nothing to me," said Victor; "but I thought I'd mention it, as I know more of etiquette than you do." "You are very considerate," said Frank, with a slight tinge of sarcasm in his tone. By this time he had reached the house of Mr. Bowen, and the two boys parted. Frank could not help thinking a little about what Victor had said. His suit, as he looked down at it, seemed shabbier than ever. Again it occurred to him that perhaps Mr. Bowen had forgotten the invitation, and this would make it very awkward for him. As he waited for the door to open he decided that, if it should appear that he was not expected, he would give some excuse, and go away. Susan opened the door. "Mr. Bowen invited me to come here to dinner to-night," began Frank, rather nervously. "Yes, you are expected," said Susan, very much to his relief. "Wipe your feet, and come right in." Frank obeyed. "You are to go upstairs and get ready for dinner," said Susan, and she led the way to the same chamber into which our hero had been ushered the week before. "There won't be much getting ready," thought Frank. "However, I can stay there till I hear the bell ring." As he entered the room he saw a suit of clothes and some underclothing lying on the bed. "They are for you," said Susan, laconically. "For me!" exclaimed Frank, in surprise. "Yes, put them on, and when you come down to dinner Mr. Bowen will see how they fit." "Is it a present from him?" asked Frank, overwhelmed with surprise and gratitude, for he could see that the clothes were very handsome. "Well, they aint from me," said Susan, "so it's likely they come from him. Don't be too long, for Mr. Bowen doesn't like to have any one late to dinner." Susan had been in the service of her present mistress fifteen years, and was a privileged character. She liked to have her own way; but had sterling qualities, being neat, faithful, and industrious. "I wonder whether I am awake or dreaming," thought Frank, when he was left alone. "I shouldn't like to wake up and find it was all a dream." He began at once to change his shabby clothes for the new ones. He found that the articles provided were a complete outfit, including shirt, collar, cuffs, stockings; in fact, everything that was needful. The coat, pants, and vest were a neat gray, and proved to be an excellent fit. In the bosom of the shirt were neat studs, and the cuffs were supplied with sleeve-buttons to correspond. When Frank stood before the glass, completely attired, he hardly knew himself. He was as well dressed as his aristocratic acquaintance, Victor Dupont, and looked more like a city boy than a boy bred in the country. "I never looked so well in my life," thought our young hero, complacently. "How kind Mr. Bowen is!" Frank did not know it; but he was indebted for this gift to Susan's suggestion. When her master told her in the morning that Frank was coming to dinner, she said, "It's a pity the boy hadn't some better clothes." "I didn't notice his clothes," said Mr. Bowen. "Are they shabby?" "Yes; and they are almost worn out. They don't look fit for one who is going to sit at your table." "Bless my soul! I never thought of that. You think he needs some new clothes." "He needs them badly." "I will call at Baldwin's, and order some ready-made; but I don't know his size." "He's about two inches shorter than you, Mr. Bowen. Tell 'em that, and they will know. He ought to have shirts and stockings, too." "So he shall," said the old man, quite interested. "He shall have a full rig-out from top to toe. Where shall I go for the shirts and things?" Susan had a nephew about Frank's age, and she was prepared to give the necessary information. The old gentleman, who had no business to attend to, was delighted to have something to fill up his time. He went out directly after breakfast, or as soon as he had read the morning paper, and made choice of the articles already described, giving strict injunctions that they should be sent home immediately. This was the way Frank got his new outfit. When our hero came downstairs Mr. Bowen was waiting eagerly to see the transformation. The result delighted him. "Why, I shouldn't have known you!" he exclaimed, lifting both hands. "I had no idea new clothes would change you so much." "I don't know how to thank you, sir," said Frank, gratefully. "I never should have thought of it if it hadn't been for Susan." "Then I thank you, Susan," said Frank, offering his hand to the girl, as she entered the room. Susan was pleased. She liked to be appreciated; and she noted with satisfaction the great improvement in Frank's appearance. "You are quite welcome," she said; "but it was master's money that paid for the clothes." "It was your kindness that made him think of it," said Frank. From that moment Susan became Frank's fast friend. We generally like those whom we have benefited, if our services are suitably acknowledged. _ |
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