Helping Himself; Or Grant Thornton's Ambition Read online

  "I think he might have raised you, if only on account of theconnection between our families."

  "Perhaps he would if you would ask him, mother."

  "I will when there is a good opportunity. Still, Willis, I thinkfifteen dollars a week very comfortable."

  "You don't know a young man's expenses, mother."

  "How much do you pay for board, Willis?"

  "Six dollars a week. I have a room with a friend, or I should haveto pay eight."

  "That leaves you nine dollars a week for all other expenses. I thinkyou might save something out of that."

  "I can't. I have clothes to buy, and sometimes I want to go to thetheatre, and in fact, nine dollars don't go as far as you think. Ofcourse, a woman doesn't need to spend much. It's different with ayoung man."

  "Your income would be a good deal increased if you had no board topay."

  "Of course. You don't know any generous minded person who will boardme for nothing, do you?"

  "There's a new office boy in your office, isn't there?"

  "Yes, a country boy."

  "Did you know he was boarding here?"

  "No; is he?"

  "Mr. Reynolds told me to-night he was going to keep him herepermanently, as a companion for his little son."

  "Lucky for him."

  "I wish Mr. Reynolds would give you a home here."

  "I would rather he would make it up in money, and let me board whereI please."

  "But you forget. It would give you a chance to get him interested inyou, and if Herbert should die, you might take his place as heir."

  "That would be a splendid idea, but there's no prospect of it. Itisn't for me."

  "It may be for the office boy. He's an artful boy, and that's whathe's working for, in my opinion."

  "I didn't think the little beggar was so evil-headed. He seems quietenough."

  "Still waters run deep. You'd better keep an eye on him, and I'll dothe same."

  "I will."

  The next day Grant was puzzled to understand why Willis Ford spokeso sharply to him, and regarded him with such evident unfriendliness.

  "What have I done to offend you?" he thought.

  CHAPTER XIII -- TWO VIEWS OF TOM CALDER

  Thus far nothing had been said about the compensation Grant was toreceive for his work in the broker's office. He did not like to ask,especially as he knew that at the end of the first week the matterwould be settled. When he found that he was to remain for thepresent at the house of his employer he concluded that his cash paywould be very small, perhaps a dollar a week. However, that would bedoing quite as well as if he paid his own board elsewhere, while heenjoyed a much more agreeable and luxurious home. He would be unableto assist his father for a year or two; but that was only what hehad a right to expect.

  When Saturday afternoon came, Mr. Reynolds said: "By the way, Grant,I must pay you your week's wages. I believe no sum was agreed upon."

  "No, sir."

  "We will call it six dollars. Will that be satisfactory?"

  "Very much so, Mr. Reynolds; but there will be a deduction forboard."

  Mr. Reynolds smiled.

  "That is a different matter," he said. "That comes to you asHerbert's companion. It is worth that to me to have my boy'shappiness increased."

  Grant was overjoyed at the bright prospect opened before him, and hesaid, with glowing face: "You are very kind, Mr. Reynolds. Now Ishall be able to help my father."

  "That is very creditable to you, my boy. Willis, you may pay Grantsix dollars."

  Willis Ford did so, but he looked very glum. He estimated that,including his board, Grant would be in receipt of twelve dollars aweek, or its equivalent, and this was only three dollars less thanhe himself received, who had been in the office five years and was aconnection of the broker.

  "It's a shame," he thought, "that this green, country boy should bepaid nearly as much as I--I must call and tell mother."

  Grant was a very happy boy that evening. He resolved to lay asidethree dollars a week to send to his mother, to save up a dollar aweek and deposit it in some savings bank, and make the other twodollars answer for his clothing and miscellaneous expenses.

  On the next Monday afternoon Grant walked home alone, Mr. Reynoldshaving some business which delayed him. He thought he would walk upBroadway, as there was much in that crowded thoroughfare to amuseand interest him.

  Just at the corner of Canal Street he came across Tom Calder. Tomwas standing in a listless attitude with his hands in his pockets,with apparently no business cares weighing upon his mind.

  "Hello, Grant!" he said, with sudden recognition.

  "How are you, Tom?"

  "I'm all right, but I'm rather hard up."

  Grant was not surprised to hear that.

  "You see, there's a feller owes me seven dollars, and I can't get ittill next week," continued Tom, watching Grant's face to see if hebelieved it.

  Grant did not believe it, but did not think it necessary to say so.

  "That's inconvenient," he remarked.

  "I should say it was. You couldn't lend me a couple of dollars,could you?"

  "I don't think I could."

  Tom looked disappointed.

  "How much do you get?" he asked.

  "Six dollars a week."

  "That's pretty good, for a boy like you. I wish you'd take a roomwith me. It would come cheaper."

  "I shall stay where I am for the present," said Grant.

  He did not care to mention, unless he were asked, that he was makinghis home at the house of Mr. Reynolds, as it might either lead to acall from Tom, whom he did not particularly care to introduce to hisnew friends, or might lead to a more pressing request for a loan.

  "Where are you boarding?" asked Grant, after a pause.

  "In Clinton Place. I have a room there, and get my meals where Ilike. There's a chap from your office that lives in the same house."

  "Who is it?" asked Grant, anxiously.

  "It's Willis Ford."

  "Is that so?" returned Grant, in surprise. "Do you know him?"

  "Only a little. I don't like him. He's too stuck up."

  Grant made no comment, but in his heart he agreed with Tom.

  "Are you doing anything?" he asked.

  "Not just yet," answered Tom, "I expect a good job soon. You haven'ta quarter to spare, have you?" Grant produced the desired sum andhanded it to his companion. He didn't fancy Tom, but he was willingto help him in a small way.

  "Thanks," said Tom. "That'll buy my supper. I'll give it back to youin a day or two."

  Grant did not think there was much likelihood of that, but felt thathe could afford to lose this small sum.

  Four days later he met Tom in Wall Street. But what a change! He wasattired in a new suit, wore a fancy necktie, while a chain, thatlooked like gold, dangled from his watch pocket. Grant stared at himin amazement.

  "How are you, Grant?" said Tom, patronizingly.

  "Very well, thank you."

  "I hope you are a-doin' well."

  "Very well. You seem to be prosperous."

  "Yes," answered Tom, languidly, evidently enjoying his surprise. "Itold you I expected to get into something good. By the way, I oweyou a quarter--there it is. Much obliged for the accommodation."

  Grant pocketed the coin, which he had never expected to receive, andcontinued to regard Tom with puzzled surprise. He could notunderstand what business Tom could have found that had so alteredhis circumstances. He ventured to inquire.

  "I wouldn't mind tellin' you," answered Tom, "but, you see, it'skind of confidential. I'm a confidential agent; that's it."

  "It seems to be a pretty good business," remarked Grant.

  "Yes, it is; I don't work for nothin', I can tell you that."

  "I'm glad of your good luck, Tom," said Grant, and he spokesincerely. "I hope you'll keep your agency."

  "Oh, I guess I will! A feller like me is pretty sure of a goodlivin', anyway. Hello, Jim!"

  This last w
as addressed to a flashily dressed individual--the sameone, in fact, that Grant had seen on a former occasion with Tom.

  "Who's your friend?" asked Jim, with a glance at Grant.

  "Grant Thornton. He's from my place in the country. He's in theoffice of Mr. Reynolds, a broker in New Street."

  "Introduce me."

  "Grant, let me make you acquainted with my friend, Jim Morrison,"said Tom, with a flourish.

  "Glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Thornton," said Jim Morrison,jauntily, offering his hand.

  "Thank you," said Grant, in a reserved tone; for he was notespecially attracted by the look of Tom's friend. He shook hands,however.

  "Come 'round and see us some evenin', Grant," said Tom. "We'll takeyou round, won't we, Jim?"

  "Of course we will. Your friend should see something of the city."

  "You're the feller that can show him. Well, we must be goin'. It'slunch time."

  Tom pulled out a watch, which, if not gold, was of the same color asgold, and the two sauntered away.

  "What in the world can Tom have found to do?" Grant wondered.

  CHAPTER XIV -- WILLIS FORD'S NEW FRIENDS

  When Harry Decker left the office at the end of two weeks, Grant wasfully able to take his place, having, with Harry's friendlyassistance, completely mastered the usual routine of a broker'soffice. He had also learned the names and offices of prominentoperators, and was, in all respects, qualified to be of service tohis employer.

  Mr. Reynolds always treated him with friendly consideration, andappeared to have perfect confidence in him. For some reason which hecould not understand, however, Willis Ford was far from cordial,often addressing him in a fault-finding tone, which at firstdisturbed Grant. When he found that it arose from Ford's dislike, heceased to trouble himself about it, though it annoyed him. He haddiscovered Ford's relationship to Mrs. Estabrook, who treated him inthe same cool manner.

  "As it appears I can't please them," Grant said to himself, "I won'tmake any special effort to do so." He contented himself with doinghis work faithfully, and so satisfying his own conscience.

  One evening some weeks later, Grant was returning from a concert, towhich the broker had given him a ticket, when, to his greatsurprise, he met Willis Ford walking with Tom Calder and JimMorrison. The three were apparently on intimate terms.

  "Good-evenin', Grant," said Tom.

  "Good-evening, Tom."

  Grant looked at Willis Ford, but the latter's lip curled and he didnot speak. Grant, however, bowed and passed on. He was surprised atthe intimacy which had grown up between Ford and those two, knowingFord's spirit of exclusiveness. He would have been less surprisedhad he known that Morrison had first ingratiated himself with Fordby offering to lend him money, and afterward had lured him into agambling house, where Ford, not knowing that he was a dupe, had beeninduced to play, and was now a loser to the extent of severalhundred dollars, for which Morrison held his notes.

  "I don't know when I can pay you," said Ford, gloomily, when he cameto realize his situation.

  "Oh, something will turn up." said Jim Morrison, lightly. "I shan'ttrouble you."

  Two weeks later, however, he lay in wait for Ford when he left WallStreet.

  "I want to speak to you a moment, Mr. Ford," he said.

  "Well, what is it?" asked Ford, uncomfortably.

  "I am hard up."

  "So am I," responded Willis Ford.

  "But you owe me a matter of six hundred dollars."

  "I know it, but you said you wouldn't trouble me."

  "I didn't expect I should be obliged to," said Morrison, smoothly."But 'Circumstances alter cases,' you know. I shall have to ask youfor it."

  "That's all the good it will do," said Willis, irritably. "I haven'ta cent to my name."

  "When do you expect to have?"

  "Heaven knows; I don't."

  Ford was about to leave his companion and walk away, but Morrisonhad no intention of allowing the matter to end so. He laid his handon Ford's shoulder and said, firmly: "Mr. Ford, this won't do. Yoursis a debt of honor, and must be paid."

  "Will you be kind enough to let me know how it is to be paid?"demanded Ford, with an ugly sneer.

  "That is your business, not mine, Mr. Ford."

  "Then, if it is my business, I'll give you notice when I can payyou. And now, good-afternoon."

  He made another attempt to walk away, but again there was a handplaced upon his shoulder.

  "Understand, Mr. Ford, that I am in earnest," said Morrison. "Ican't undertake to tell you how you are to find the money, but itmust be found."

  "Suppose it isn't?" said Ford, with a look of defiance.

  "Then I shall seek an interview with your respected employer, tellhim of the debt, and how it was incurred, and I think he would lookfor another clerk."

  "You wouldn't do that!" said Ford, his face betraying consternation.

  "I would, and I will, unless you pay what you owe me."

  "But, man, how am I to do it? You will drive me to desperation."

  "Take three days to think of it. If you can't raise it, I maysuggest a way."

  The two parted, and Willis Ford was left to many uncomfortablereflections. He knew of no way to raise the money; yet, if he didnot do it, he was menaced with exposure and ruin. Would hisstepmother come to his assistance? He knew that Mrs. Estabrook had athousand dollars in government bonds. If he could only induce her togive him the custody of them on any pretext, he could meet thedemand upon him, and he would never again incur a debt of honor. Hecursed his folly for ever yielding to the temptation. Once let himget out of this scrape, and he would never get into another like it.

  The next evening he made a call upon Mrs. Estabrook, and madehimself unusually agreeable. The cold-hearted woman, whose heartwarmed to him alone, smiled upon him with affection.

  "I am glad to see you in such good spirits, Willis," she said.

  "If she only knew how I really felt," thought her stepson. But itwas for his interest to wear a mask.

  "The fact is, mother," he said, "I feel very cheerful. I've made alittle turn in stocks, and realized three hundred dollars."

  "Have you, indeed, Willis? I congratulate you, my son. No doubt youwill find the money useful."

  "No doubt of that. If I had the capital, I could make a good dealmore."

  "But there would be the danger of losing," suggested Mrs. Estabrook.

  "That danger is very small, mother. I am in a situation to know allabout the course of stocks. I wouldn't advise another to speculate,unless he has some friend in the Stock Exchange; but for me it isperfectly safe."

  "Pray be careful, Willis."

  "Oh, yes. I am sure to be. By the way, mother, haven't you got somemoney in government bonds?"

  "A little," answered Mrs. Estabrook, cautiously.

  "How much, now?"

  "About a thousand dollars."

  "Let me manage it for you, and I will make it two thousand inside ofa month."

  Mrs. Estabrook had a large share of acquisitiveness, but she hadalso a large measure of caution, which she had inherited from herScotch ancestry.

  "No, Willis," she said, shaking her head, "I can't take any risk.This money it has taken me years to save. It is the sole dependenceI have for my old age, and I can't run the risk of losing it."

  "But two thousand dollars will be better than one, mother. Just letme tell you what happened to a customer of ours: He had above fivehundred dollars in the savings bank, drawing four per centinterest--only twenty dollars a year. He had a friend in the StockExchange who took charge of it, bought stocks judiciously on amargin, then reinvested, and now, after three months, how much doyou think it amounts to?"

  "How much?" asked the housekeeper, with interest.

  "Six thousand five hundred dollars--just thirteen times as much!"answered Willis, glibly.

  This story, by the way, was all a fabrication, intended to influencehis stepmother. Mrs. Estabrook never doubted Ford's statement, buther instinctive cau
tion saved her from falling into the trap.

  "It looks tempting, Willis," she said, "but I don't dare to take therisk." Ford was deeply disappointed, but did not betray it.

  "It is for you to decide," said he, carelessly, then drifted toother subjects.

  Ten minutes later he pressed his hand upon his breast, while hisfeatures worked convulsively. "I believe I am sick," he said.

  "What can I do for you, my dear son?" asked the housekeeper, inalarm.

  "If you have a glass of brandy!" gasped Willis.

  "I will go downstairs and get some," she said, hurriedly.

  No sooner had she left the room than Willis sprang to his feet,locked the door, then went to the bureau, unlocked the upperdrawer--he had a key in his pocket which fitted the lock and,thrusting in his hand, drew out a long envelope containing onefive-hundred-dollar government bond and five bonds of one hundreddollars each, which he thrust into his side pocket. Then, closingthe drawer, he unlocked the door of the room, and when hisstep-mother returned he threw himself back in his chair, groaning.He took the glass of brandy the housekeeper brought him, and, aftera few minutes, professing himself much better, left the house.

  "Saved!" he exclaimed, triumphantly. "Now I shall be all rightagain."

  CHAPTER XV -- AN ARTFUL TRAP

  Willis Ford was anxious to get away. He feared that Mrs. Estabrookmight go to the bureau and discover the loss before he got out ofthe house, which would make it awkward for him. Once out in thestreet, he breathed more freely. He had enough with him to pay hisonly debt, and give him four hundred dollars extra. It might besupposed he would feel some compunction at robbing his stepmother ofher all. Whatever her faults, she was devoted to him. But WillisFord had a hard, selfish nature, and the only thought that troubledhim was the fear that he might be found out. Indeed, thehousekeeper's suspicions would be likely to fall upon him unlessthey could be turned in some other direction. Who should it be?There came to him an evil suggestion which made his face brightenwith relief and malicious joy. The new boy, Grant Thornton, was amember of the household. He probably had the run of the house. Whatmore probable than that he should enter Mrs. Estabrook's chamber andsearch her bureau? This was the way Willis reasoned. He knew thathis stepmother hated Grant, and would be very willing to believeanything against him. He would take care that suspicion should fallin that direction. He thought of a way to heighten that suspicion.What it was my readers will learn in due time.