These merchants and capitalists are only looking out for themselves, trying to keep labor down and not let it know how oppressed it is, trying to get people here from everywhere to show what a fine city they have and get their money.""Well, 'TIS a fine town," Tim burst in, "a boss town!
And they ain't gouging folks a little bit. None of the hotels or the restaurants have put up their prices one cent.
Look what a dandy supper we got for twenty-five cents!
And ain't the boy at Lumley's grocery given me two tickets to set on the steamboat? There's nothing mean about this town!"Nelson made no remark; but he thought, for the fiftieth time, that his farm was too near the city. Tim was picking up all the city boys'
false pride as well as their slang. Unconscious Tim resumed his tune.
He knew that it was "Annie Rooney" if no one else did, and he mangled the notes with appropriate exhilaration.
Now, the river was as busy as the land, lights swimming hither and thither; steamboats with ropes of tiny stars bespangling their dark bulk and a white electric glare in the bow, low boats with lights that sent wavering spear-heads into the shadow beneath.
The bridge was a blazing barbed fence of fire, and beyond the bridge, at the point of the island, lay a glittering multitude of lights, a fairy fleet with miniature sails outlined in flame as if by jewels.
Nelson followed Tim. The crowds, the ceaseless clatter of tongues and jar of wheels, depressed the man, who hardly knew which way to dodge the multitudinous perils of the thoroughfare;but Tim used his elbows to such good purpose that they were out of the levee, on the steamboat, and settling themselves in two comfortable chairs in a coign of vantage on deck, that commanded the best obtainable view of the pageant, before Nelson had gathered his wits together enough to plan a path out of the crush.
"I sized up this place from the shore," Tim sighed complacently, drawing a long breath of relief; "only jest two chairs, so we won't be crowded."Obediently, Nelson took his chair. His head sank on his thin chest.
Richards or himself, which should he sacrifice? So the weary old question droned through his brain. He felt a tap on his shoulder.
The man who roused him was an acquaintance, and he stood smiling in the attitude of a man about to ask a favor, while the expectant half-smile of the lady on his arm hinted at the nature of the favor.
Would Mr. Forrest be so kind?--there seemed to be no more seats.
Before Mr. Forrest could be kind Tim had yielded his own chair and was off, wriggling among the crowd in search of another place.
"Smart boy, that youngster of yours," said the man;"he'll make his way in the world, he can push. Well, Miss Alma, let me make you acquainted with Mr. Forrest. I know you will be well entertained by him. So, if you'll excuse me, I'll get back and help my wife wrestle with the kids.
They have been trying to see which will fall overboard first ever since we came on deck!"Under the leeway of this pleasantry he bowed and retired.
Nelson turned with determined politeness to the lady.
He was sorry that she had come, she looking to him a very fine lady indeed, with her black silk gown, her shining black ornaments, and her bright black eyes. She was not young, but handsome in Nelson's judgment, although of a haughty bearing.
"Maybe she is the principal of the High School," thought he.
"Martin has her for a boarder, and he said she was very particular about her melons being cold!"But however formidable a personage, the lady must be entertained.
"I expect you are a resident of the city, ma'am?" said Nelson.
"Yes, I was born here." She smiled, a smile that revealed a little break in the curve of her cheek, not exactly a dimple, but like one.
"I don't know when I have seen such a fine appearing lady,"thought Nelson. He responded: "Well, I wasn't born here;but I come when I was a little shaver of ten and stayed till Iwas eighteen, when I went to Kansas to help fight the border ruffians.
I went to school here in the Warren Street school-house.""So did I, as long as I went anywhere to school.
I had to go to work when I was twelve."
Nelson's amazement took shape before his courtesy had a chance to control it. "I didn't suppose you ever did any work in your life!" cried he.
"I guess I haven't done much else. Father died when I was twelve and the oldest of five, the next only eight--Polly, that came between Eb and me, died--naturally I had to work. I was a nurse-girl by the day, first; and I never shall forget how kind the woman was to me.
She gave me so much dinner I never needed to eat any breakfast, which was a help.""You poor little thing! I'm afraid you went hungry sometimes."Immediately he marvelled at his familiar speech, but she did not seem to resent it.
"No, not so often," she said, musingly; "but I used often and often to wish I could carry some of the nice things home to mother and the babies. After a while she would give me a cookey or a piece of bread and butter for lunch; that I could take home.
I don't suppose I'll often have more pleasure than I used to have then, seeing little Eb waiting for sister; and the baby and mother ----"She stopped abruptly, to continue, in an instant, with a kind of laugh;"I am never likely to feel so important again as I did then, either.
It was great to have mother consulting me, as if I had been grown up.
I felt like I had the weight of the nation on my shoulders, I assure you.""And have you always worked since? You are not working out now?"with a glance at her shining gown.
"Oh, no, not for a long time. I learned to be a cook.
I was a good cook, too, if I say it myself. I worked for the Lossings for four years. I am not a bit ashamed of being a hired girl, for I was as good a one as I knew how.
It was Mrs. Lossing that first lent me books; and Harry Lossing, who is head of the firm now, got Ebenezer into the works.
Ebenezer is shipping-clerk with a good salary and stock in the concern; and Ralph is there, learning the trade.
I went to the business-college and learned book-keeping, and afterward I learned typewriting and shorthand.
