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Robert continued to seek for a position, but he
seemed out of luck. Once he came near success. It
was in a furnishing goods store. The shopkeeper
seemed inclined to engage him, but before the
decisive word was spoken his wife entered the store.
She looked at Robert scrutinizingly.
"I think I have seen you before," she said sharply.
"I don't know, madam. I don't remember you."
"But I remember you. It was two days since. I saw
you in a store on State Street. You were about to be
arrested for stealing a wallet."
Robert blushed.
"Did you stay till it was discovered that someone else
took it?" he asked.
"I know you got off somehow."
"I got off because I was innocent. I was as innocent
as you were."
"Do you mean to insult me, boy?" asked the lady
sharply.
"No, madam. I only say that I was innocent. It was
shown that a man then in the store took the wallet.
He was arrested, and I was released."
"Very likely he was a confederate of yours."
"If he had been he would have said so."
"At any rate, circumstances were very suspicious.
Were you thinking of hiring this boy, William?"
"Yes, I liked his looks," answered the shopkeeper.
"Then be guided by me, and don't hire him."
"Why not? The charge seems to have been false."
"At any rate, he has been under suspicion. He can't
be trusted."
"In that case," said Robert proudly, "I withdraw my
application. I need the place enough, but if you are
afraid to trust me I don't care to come."
"I am not afraid to trust you," said the owner of the
shop kindly, "but my wife seems to have taken a
prejudice against you."
"In that case I will go."
Robert bowed and left the store. His heart was full of
disappointment and bitterness, and he resented the
cruel want of consideration shown by the woman who
had interfered between him and employment.
In fact, he had but fifteen cents left in his
pocketbook. It was time for dinner, and he felt that he
must eat. But where his next meal, outside of his
boarding house, was to come from, he could not tell.
He was on State Street, and must go to another part
of the city to find a cheap restaurant. He chanced to
be passing the same store where he had almost
suffered arrest.
"I wish I had never gone in there," he reflected. "It
cost me a place."
As this thought passed through his mind a lady, richly
dressed, passed through the portals of the store and
stepped on the sidewalk.
Her glance rested on the boy.
"Didn't I see you in this store day before yesterday?"
she asked.
"What!" thought Robert. "Does she remember me
also?"
"I was here, madam," he replied.
"You were charged with stealing a wallet?"
"Yes, madam, but I hope you don't think that I did it."
"No; you were exonerated. But even if you had not
been, I should know by your face that you were not a
thief."
Robert brightened up.
"Thank you," he said gratefully. "I appreciate your
confidence the more because I have just lost a place
because a lady insisted that I might have been a
confederate of the thief."
"Tell me about it. We will walk up the street, and you
shall speak as we walk along."
Robert placed himself at her side, and told the story.
"Then you need employment?" she asked.
"Yes, madam. I need it very much. I have only fifteen
cents left in my pocket."
"Do you live in the city?"
"I have been here only a short time. I came from the
country."
"Are you well educated? Can you write a good hand?
Are you good at figures?"
"I am nearly ready for college, but troubles at home
prevented my going."
"You shall tell me of them later. Would you like to be
my private secretary?"
"Yes, madam. I should feel very fortunate to procure
such a position."
"Can you enter upon your duties at once?"
"Yes, madam."
"Then we will take a car, and you can accompany me
home."
"Shall I go after my valise?"
"No, you can go after that this evening. If you
accompany me now we shall be in time for dinner."
Rather dazed by the suddenness of his engagement,
Robert hailed a passing car by direction of his
companion, and they took seats. The ride proved to
be a long one. They disembarked at Prairie Avenue,
and the lady led the way to a handsome residence.
Robert went up the front steps with her, and rang the
bell.
The door was opened by a smart servant girl, who
regarded Robert with some surprise.
"Is dinner ready, Martha?" asked the lady of the
house.
"Yes, madam. It will be served at once."
"Take this young gentleman up to the back room on
the third floor, so that he may prepare for dinner."
"Yes, Mrs. Vernon."
"You will find everything necessary for your toilet in
the room which I have assigned you. By the way,
what is your name?"
"Robert Frost."
"A good name. Martha will go up in ten minutes to
conduct you to the dining room."
"If this is a dream," thought Robert, as he followed
the servant upstairs--"it is a very pleasant one. I hope
I shan't wake up till I have had dinner."
He was shown into a chamber of fair size, very
handsomely furnished. Everything was at hand for
making his toilet. Robert bathed his face and hands
and combed his hair. He was quite ready when
Martha knocked at the door.
"Dinner is served," she said. "I will show you the way
to the dining room."
CHAPTER III.
GETTING SETTLED.
Robert was well prepared by long abstinence to do
justice to the choice viands that were set before him.
He had not been brought up in poverty, yet he had
not been accustomed to the luxurious table
maintained by Mrs. Vernon. He ate with so much
relish that he was almost ashamed.
"I have an unusual appetite," he said half
apologetically.
"Probably you do not generally dine so late," said Mrs.
Vernon.
"No, madam."
"I am glad you enjoy your dinner," said his hostess.
When dinner was over she said, "Come with me into
my study, or perhaps I may say my office, and I will
give you an idea of your duties."
Robert followed her with not a little curiosity, to a
somewhat smaller room on the same floor.
It contained a large writing desk with numerous
drawers, also several chairs and a bookcase.
Mrs. Vernon seated herself at the desk.
"Probably you wonder what a woman can want of a
secretary?" she said inquiringly.
"No," answered Robert. "I know that there are
women of business as well as men."
"Quite true. I do not need to enter into full
explanations. However, I may say that I possess
considerable property invested in different ways. My
husband died two years since, and I am left to
manage it for myself."
Robert bowed, indicating that he understood.
"A part of my property is in real estate, and I have
numerous tenants. A part is invested in
manufacturing stocks. I believe you said you
understood bookkeeping?"
"Theoretically, I do. I have studied it in school."
"Take this sheet of paper and write a letter at my
dictation."
She rose from the desk and signed to Robert to take
her seat.
He did so, and wrote a short letter at her dictation.
"Now give it to me."
She regarded it approvingly.
"That will do very well," she said. "I think you will suit
me."
"Am I the first secretary you have employed?" asked
Robert curiously.
"A natural question. No, I still have a secretary, a
nephew of mine."
Robert looked puzzled.
"Then, with me, you will have two."
"No, for I shall discharge my nephew."
"Is he--a boy?"
"No, he is a young man of twenty-five."
"Do you think I shall suit you any better? I am afraid
you will be disappointed in me."
"I will tell you why I discharge my nephew. He takes
advantage of his relationship to make suggestions
and interfere with my plans. Besides, he is inclined to
be gay, and though his duties are by no means
arduous he neglects them, and is so careless that I
have found numerous errors in his accounts."
"Does he know that he is to be superseded?"
"No; he will learn it first when he sees you."
"I am afraid he will be prejudiced against me."
"No doubt he will."
"Does he depend upon his salary? Won't he be put to
inconvenience?"
"You are very considerate. I answer No, for I shall
continue to pay him a liberal salary, but will leave him
to obtain employment elsewhere. And this leads me
to ask your views in regard to compensation."
"I shall be satisfied with whatever you choose to pay
me."
"Then suppose we say a hundred dollars a month,
and of course a home. You will continue to occupy the
room into which Martha conducted you before
dinner."
"But, Mrs. Vernon, can I possibly earn as much as
that? Most boys of my age are contented with five or
six dollars a week."
"They do not have as responsible duties as you. You
will not only be my secretary, but will be entrusted
with my bank account. I can afford to pay you
liberally, and wish to do so."
"Then I can only thank you and accept your generous
offer."
"That is well. By the way, how are you provided with
money now?"
"I have almost nothing. I have been out of
employment for some weeks."
Mrs. Vernon opened a drawer in her desk, and took
out a roll of bills.
"Count those, please," she said.
"There are seventy-five dollars."
"You can accept them on account, or rather, I won't
charge them to you. You may look upon that sum as
your outfit. Very likely you may need to replenish your
wardrobe."
"Yes, Mrs. Vernon, I shall, if I am to live in your
house."
"Well spoken. As one of my family, of course I shall
want you to be well dressed."
"Shall I begin my duties now?"
"No; you may return to your boarding house and
prepare to transfer your trunk here."
Robert bowed.
"We shall have supper at seven. Very possibly your
predecessor, my nephew, may be here. We will
separate till then."
She left the room, and Robert followed.
As he emerged into the street he asked himself
whether it were not all a dream. But feeling in his
vest pocket he found the roll of bills, and this was a
sufficient answer.
What a difference a couple of hours had made in his
feelings! In the forenoon he had been discouraged,
now he was in the highest spirits.
On his way he passed the furnishing goods store
where he had been refused a position in the morning.
He was in need of underclothing, and entered.
The proprietor of the shop saw and recognized him.
"You have come back again, I see," he said. "It is of
no use. I cannot employ you. So far as I am
concerned, I should be willing, but, as you know, my
wife is prejudiced against you."
"I am not looking for a position," said Robert quietly.
"What, then?"
"I wish to buy a few articles."
He passed from one article to another, and his bill
amounted to over ten dollars.
The proprietor of the store, who waited upon him in
person, became more and more amazed, and even a
little anxious.
"Can you pay for all these?" he asked.
"Certainly, or I should not buy them."
When the bill was made out it amounted to between
fourteen and fifteen dollars. Robert passed out two
ten-dollar bills.
"You seem well provided with money," said the
merchant respectfully. "Where shall I send these
articles?"
Robert gave the number of Mrs. Vernon's residence
on Prairie Avenue.
"Do you live there?"
"Yes, sir."
"I hope you will favor me with your continued
patronage. Evidently my wife made a very absurd
mistake."
Robert did not buy any more articles. He deferred till
the next day purchasing a suit, of which he stood in
need.
Then it occurred to him, as he had plenty of time,
that he would call at the cut-rate ticket office where
he had been employed.
As he entered the office he found Livingston Palmer
alone.
"I am glad to see you, Robert," said his friend. "I
begin to hope that Mr. Gray will take you back."
"How is that?"
"His nephew is getting home-sick. Besides, he has no
business in him. He will never make a good clerk. If
you can get along for a week or two you may be
taken into the office again."
"I am not in the market, Livingston."
"You don't mean to say you have got a place?"
"But I have."
"What is it?"
"I am private secretary to a lady of property on Prairie
Avenue."
"You don't say so! Is the pay good?"
"A hundred dollars a month."
"Jumping Jehosophat! You are jollying me."
"Not at all. It's all straight. And that is not all. I have a
home in the house, too."
Livingston Palmer regarded his young friend with
reverential awe.
"It doesn't seem possible," said he. "How did you get
it?"
"I can hardly tell you. The lady has taken me without
recommendations."
"Well, Robert, you were born to good luck. I am afraid
you won't notice me now that you are getting up in
the world."
Robert smiled.
"I will see you as often as I can," he said.
Just then Mr. Gray entered the office.
"Ah, Frost," he said. "I suppose you haven't a place
yet?"
"I have one," answered Robert rather coolly, for he
felt that the broker had treated him badly.
"Indeed!"
Then after Robert's departure Palmer told his
employer the particulars of his late clerk's good
fortune. Mr. Gray was disposed to be incredulous.
On returning to Prairie Avenue Robert found himself
just in time for tea. At the table he met a stout,
swarthy young man, whom Mrs. Vernon introduced as
her nephew, Frederic Vernon.
"Is this a new acquaintance of yours, aunt?" asked
Frederic Vernon.
"It is my new secretary," she replied, "Robert Frost."
"That boy!" he said disdainfully, regarding Robert with
unmistakable animosity.
CHAPTER IV.
THE OLD SECRETARY AND THE NEW.
Before Robert's entrance Frederic Vernon and his aunt
had had a conversation. He had no idea that his aunt
contemplated a change in their arrangements. She
was a woman of a few words, and had been gradually
making up her mind to dismiss her nephew from his
post as secretary.
When he entered her presence at five o'clock he said
apologetically, "I hope you had no important business
for me this afternoon, aunt. I was unavoidably
detained."
"Please explain, Frederic," she said composedly.
"At the Palmer House I fell in with an old schoolmate
who wished me to dine with him."
"And you accepted?"
"Yes; I am awfully sorry."
"Your regrets are unavailing. This is not the first, nor
the tenth time, that you have neglected your duties
without adequate cause."
Frederic looked at her. She was not in the least
excited, but she seemed in earnest.
"I see I shall have to turn over a new leaf," he said to
himself. "My aunt is taking it seriously."
"It will be the last time," he said. "I admit that I have
been neglectful. Hereafter I will be more attentive."
"It will not be necessary," said Mrs. Vernon.
"Why not?" he asked, in surprise.
"Because I shall relieve you from your duties."
"What do you mean?"
"I shall give you a permanent vacation."
"Do you discharge me?" asked Frederic quickly, his
cheek flushing.
"Yes, if you choose to use that word."
"But--how am I to live?"
"I will continue your salary--you may hereafter call it
an allowance."
"But how will you manage about your writing?"
"I shall get another secretary--indeed, I have already
engaged one."
Frederic Vernon hardly knew how to take this
announcement. It was certainly a favorable change
for him, as his salary would be continued, and his
time would all be at his own disposal.
"I am afraid you are angry with me, aunt?" he said.
"Say dissatisfied."
"But----"
"The fact is, I have thought it best to employ one who
was not related to me. You have taken advantage of
the relationship to slight my interests. My new
secretary is not likely to do that."
"Who is he? Where did you find him?"
"His name is Robert Frost. As to where I found him, I
do not consider it necessary to answer that question."
"Is he in the house?"
"He will be here to tea."
Frederic Vernon remained silent for a short time. He
was thinking over the new situation. In some respects
it was satisfactory. He was naturally lazy, and though
his duties had been light, he had no objection to give
up work altogether.
"Of course, you will please yourself, aunt," he said.
"There is one thing more. You had better find another
home."
"What! Leave this house?"
"Yes; you will be more independent elsewhere. While
you were in my service it was best for you to have
your home here. I shall make you an extra provision
to cover the expense of a room elsewhere."
"You are very kind, aunt."
"I mean to be. Of course, you are at liberty to come
here to meals whenever you like. You will be quite
independent as regards that."
"How long have you been thinking of making a
change, aunt?"
"For some weeks. I advise you to find some
occupation. It will not be well for you to have your
time entirely unoccupied."
"You are sure this change will not alter your feeling
toward me?" he asked anxiously.
"I think not."
Frederic Vernon went upstairs to prepare for tea.
Soon after he came down he met Robert, as already
mentioned.
He was certainly very much surprised at the youthful
appearance of the new secretary, and he was not
altogether free from jealousy.
"Have you ever filled the position of secretary
before?" he asked abruptly.
"No, Mr. Vernon."
"I supposed not. How old are you?"
"Sixteen."
"Humph! How long since did you lay aside short
pants?"
"Frederic!" said his aunt, in a tone of displeasure. "I
desire you to drop this tone. I expect you to treat
your successor with courtesy. You have nothing to
complain of."
"Very well, aunt. I will be guarded by your wishes."
On the whole the young man was not sorry to have
his duties transferred to another. Though he had
seldom been occupied more than three hours daily,
even those had been irksome to him.
"When do you wish me to find a new home, aunt?" he
asked.
"You can consult your own convenience."
"I will look around to-morrow, then. Do you wish me
to initiate my successor in the duties of his position?"
"It will not be necessary. They are simple, and I will
give him all the aid he requires."
When they rose from the table Frederic Vernon
invited Robert to go out with him.
"I will take you to some place of amusement," he
said.
His object was to get better acquainted with his
successor, and report unfavorably to his aunt.
"Thank you," answered Robert. "You are very kind,
but I am tired, and I should like to arrange my
clothing in my chamber. Some other time I shall be
glad to accept your invitation."
"Very well," said Vernon indifferently, and soon left.
"I am glad you did not go out with my nephew," said
Mrs. Vernon. "He keeps late hours, which would be
even worse for a boy of your age than for him."
"I am afraid he is not pleased with my taking his
place."
"Probably not; though he won't object to being
relieved from all care. Perhaps I had better tell you
something about our relations. He is a son of an older
brother of my husband, and should I die without a
will, he is my natural heir. I fancy he bears this in
mind, and that it prevents his making any exertions in
his own behalf. I don't mind confessing that I am a
rich woman, and that my property would be well
worth inheriting."
"Still," said Robert, "you are likely to live a good many
years."
"Perhaps so, but I am twenty years older than my
nephew. He is a young man of fair abilities, and might
achieve a creditable success in business if he were
not looking forward to my fortune."
Mrs. Vernon seemed quite confidential, considering
their brief acquaintance.
"At any rate," said Robert, smiling, "I hope I am not
likely to be spoiled by any such anticipation."
"Some time you shall tell me of your family. Now it
may be well to go up to your room and arrange your
things."
Robert went upstairs, and retired early, feeling
fatigued. He could not help congratulating himself on
the favorable change in his circumstances. In the
morning he had been despondent and almost
penniless. Now he felt almost rich.
The next morning after breakfast Mrs. Vernon said:
"Be ready to go downtown with me at two o'clock. I
will introduce you at my bank, as I shall have
occasion to send you there at times to draw and
deposit money."
"When shall you wish me to write for you, Mrs.
Vernon?"
"To-day, just after dinner. It will not always be at the
same hour."
They set out at the time mentioned. Mrs. Vernon
introduced Robert to the teller at what we will call the
Bank of Chicago, and announced that he would act as
her messenger and agent.
As they left the bank she said: "I shall now leave you
to your own devices--only stipulating that you be at
home at two o'clock."
"It seems I am to have an easy time," thought
Robert, when left alone.
In one of the cross streets leading from Clark to State
Street Robert met Frederic Vernon and a friend.
"Hallo, Frost!" said the former. "Have you been out
with my aunt?"
"Yes, sir."
"Cameron, this is Mr. Frost, my aunt's private
secretary."
"I thought you filled that honorable position," said
Cameron.
"So I did, but I have resigned it--that is, the place,
but not the salary."
"You are in luck. Won't your friend come in with us
and have a drink?"
"Thank you for the invitation," said Robert, "but I
must ask you to excuse me."
"Oh, you are Puritanical," said Cameron, with an
unpleasant sneer.
"Perhaps so."
Robert bowed and passed on.
"Do you know, Vernon," said Cameron, "I have seen
that kid before, and under peculiar circumstances."
"Indeed!"
"Yes; on Tuesday I was in the Bazaar dry goods store,
on State Street, when I saw him for the first time."
"What were the peculiar circumstances?"
"He was charged with stealing a pocket-book."
"Are you sure of that?" asked Vernon eagerly.
"Yes, I should know him anywhere."
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