Cast Upon the Breakers

After the discovery of the theft and the discharge of Rodney, the two confederates felt that it would be imprudent to do any more in that line. This suspension entailed heavier loss on Carton than on Jasper. The latter had a fixed income and a home at his uncle’s house, while Philip had no regular income, though he occasionally secured a little temporary employment.

In the meantime Rodney had commenced his tutorship. His young pupil became very fond of him, and being a studious boy, made rapid progress in his lessons.

Mr. Sargent felt that his experiment, rash as it might be considered, vindicated his wisdom by its success. At the end of a month he voluntarily raised Rodney’s salary to twenty dollars a week.

“I am afraid you are overpaying me, Mr. Sargent,” said Rodney.

“That’s my lookout. Good service is worth a good salary, and I am perfectly satisfied with you.”

“Thank you, sir. I prize that even more than the higher salary.”

Only a portion of Rodney’s time was spent in teaching. In the afternoon he and his charge went on little excursions, generally to Central Park.

One holiday, about four months after the commencement of Rodney’s engagement, he was walking in the Park when he fell in with Jasper. Jasper’s attention was at once drawn to the little boy, whose dress and general appearance indicated that he belonged to a wealthy family. This excited Jasper’s curiosity.

“How are you, Rodney?” said Jasper adroitly. “It is a good while since I met you.”

“Yes.”

“Who is the little boy with you?”

“His name is Arthur Sargent.”

Rodney gave this information unwillingly, for he saw that his secret was likely to be discovered.

“How do you do, Arthur?” asked Jasper, with unwonted affability, for he did not care for children.

“Pretty well,” answered Arthur politely.

“Have you known Rodney long?”

“Why, he is my teacher,” answered Arthur in some surprise.

Jasper’s eyes gleamed with sudden intelligence. So this was Rodney’s secret, and this was the position for which he was so well paid.

Rodney bit his lip in vexation, but made no remark.

“Does he ever punish you for not getting your lessons?” asked Jasper without much tact.

“Of course not,” answered Arthur indignantly.

“Arthur always does get his lessons,” said Rodney. “I suppose you have a holiday from work today, Jasper.”

“Yes; I am glad to get away now and then.”

“I must bid you good morning now.”

“Won’t you let me call on you? Where do you live, Arthur?”

The boy gave the number of his house.

Jasper asked Arthur, thinking rightly that he would be more likely to get an answer from him than from Rodney. He walked away triumphantly, feeling that he had made a discovery that might prove of advantage to him.

“Is that a friend of yours, Rodney?” asked little Arthur.

“I have known him for some time.”

“I don’t like him very much.”

“Why?” asked Rodney with some curiosity.

“I don’t know,” answered the little boy slowly. “I can’t like everybody.”

“Quite true, Arthur. Jasper is not a special friend of mine, and I am not particular about your liking him. I hope you like me.”

“You know I do, Rodney,” and he gave Rodney’s hand an assuring pressure.

Ten minutes after he left Rodney, Jasper fell in with Carton. The intimacy between them had perceptibly fallen off. It had grown out of business considerations.

Now that it was no longer safe to abstract articles from the store, Jasper felt that he had no more use for his late confederate. When they met he treated him with marked coldness.

On this particular day Carton was looking quite shabby. In fact, his best suit was in pawn, and he had fallen back on one half worn and soiled.

“Hello!” exclaimed Jasper, and was about to pass on with a cool nod.

“Stop!” said Philip, looking offended.

“I am in a hurry,” returned Jasper. “I can’t stop today.”

“You are in a hurry, and on a holiday?”

“Yes; I am to meet a friend near the lake.”

“I’ll go along with you.”

Jasper had to submit though with an ill grace.

“Wouldn’t another day do?”

“No; the fact is, Jasper, I am in trouble,”

“You usually are,” sneered Jasper.

“That is so. I have been out of luck lately.”

“I am sorry, but I can’t help it as I see.”

“How much money do you think I have in my pocket?”

“I don’t know, I am sure. I am not good at guessing conundrums.”

“Just ten cents.”

“That isn’t much,” said Jasper, indifferently.

“Let me have a dollar, thats a good fellow!”

“You seem to think I am made of money,” said Jasper sharply. “I haven’t got much more myself.”

“Then you might have. You get a good salary.”

“Only seven dollars.”

“You are able to keep most of it for yourself.”

“Suppose I am? You seem to know a good deal of my affairs.”

“Haven’t you any pity for an old friend?”

“Yes, I’ll give you all the pity you want, but when it comes to money it’s a different matter. Here you are, a man of twenty six, ten years older than me, and yet you expect me to help support you.”

“You didn’t use to talk to me like that.”

“Well, I do now. You didn’t use to try to get money out of me.”

“Look here, Jasper! I am poor, but I don’t want you to talk to me as you are doing.”

“Indeed!” sneered Jasper.

“And I won’t have it,” said Carton firmly. “Listen to me, and I will propose a plan that will help us both.”

“What is it?”

“You can easily secrete articles, if you are cautious, without attracting notice, and I will dispose of them and share the money with you.”

Jasper shook his head.

“I wouldn’t dare to do it,” he said. “Somebody might spy on me.”

“Not if you are careful.”

“If it were found out I would be bounced like Ropes.”

“What is he doing? Have you seen him lately?”

“He is getting on finely. He is earning fifteen dollars a week.”

“You don’t mean it?”

“Yes I do.”

“What firm is he working for?”

“For none at all. He is tutor to a young kid.”

“I didn’t know he was scholar enough.”

“Oh yes, he knows Greek and Latin and a lot of other stuff.”

“Who is the boy?”

“I don’t feel at liberty to tell. I don’t think he would care to have you know.”

“I’ll tell you what you can do. Borrow five dollars of him for me.”

“I don’t know about that. If I were to borrow it would be for myself.”

“You can do as you please. If you don’t do something for me I will write to Mr. Goodnow that you are the thief who stole the cloaks and dress patterns.”

“You wouldn’t do that?” exclaimed Jasper in consternation.

“Wouldn’t I? I am desperate enough to do anything.”

After a little further conference Jasper agreed to do what was asked of him. He did not dare to refuse.

CHAPTER XIX

JASPER’S REVENGE

Rodney was considerably surprised one evening to receive a call from Jasper in his room. He was alone, as Mike had been detailed about a week ago for night duty. The room looked more attractive than formerly. Rodney had bought a writing desk, which stood in the corner, and had put up three pictures, which, though cheap, were attractive.

“Good evening, Jasper,” he said. “It is quite friendly of you to call.”

“I hadn’t anything else on hand this evening, and thought I would come round see how you were getting along.”

“Take a seat and make yourself at home.”

“Do you object to cigarettes?” asked Jasper, producing one from a case in his pocket.

“I object to smoking them myself, but I don’t want to dictate to my friends.”

“You look quite comfortable here,” continued Jasper in a patronizing tone.

“We try to be comfortable, though our room is not luxurious.”

“Who do you mean by ‘we’? Have you a room mate?”

“Yes. Mike Flynn rooms with me.”

“Who is he—a newsboy?”

“No. He is a telegraph boy.”

“You don’t seem to very particular,” said Jasper, shrugging his shoulders.

“I am very particular.”

“Yet you room with an Irish telegraph boy.”

“He is a nice boy of good habit, and a devoted friend. What could I want more?”

“Oh, well, you have a right to consult your own taste.”

“You have a nice home, no doubt.”

“I live with my uncle. Yes, he has a good house, but I am not so independent as if I had a room outide.”

“How are things going on at the store?”

“About the same as usual. Why don’t you come in some day?”

“For two reasons; I am occupied during the day, and I don’t want to go where I am considered a thief.”

“I wish I was getting your income. It is hard to get along on seven dollars a week.”

“Still you have a nice home, and I suppose you have most of your salary to yourself.”

“Yes, but there isn’t much margin in seven dollars. My uncle expects me to buy my own clothes. You were lucky to get out of the store. Old Goodnow ought to give me ten dollars.”

“Don’t let him hear you speak of him as OLD Goodnow, Jasper.”

“Oh, I’m smart enough for that. I mean to keep on the right side of the old chap. What sort of a man are you working for?”

“Mr. Sargent is a fine man.”

“He isn’t mean certainly. I should like to be in your shoes.”

“If I hear of any similar position shall I mention your name?” asked Rodney, smiling.

“No; I could not take care of a kid. I hate them.”

“Still Arthur is a nice boy.”

“You are welcome to him. What do you have to teach?”

“He is studying Latin and French, besides English branches.”

“I know about as much of Latin and French as a cow. I couldn’t be a teacher. I say, Rodney,” and Jasper cleared his throat, “I want you to do me a favor.”

“What is it?”

“I want you to lend me ten dollars.”

Rodney was not mean, but he knew very well that a loan to Jasper would be a permanent one. Had Jasper been his friend even this consideration would not have inspired a refusal, but he knew very well that Jasper had not a particle of regard for him.

“I don’t think I can oblige you, Jasper,” he said.

“Why not? You get fifteen dollars a week.”

“My expenses are considerable. Besides I am helping Mike, whose salary is very small. I pay the whole of the rent and I have paid for some clothes for him.”

“You are spending your money very foolishly,” said Jasper frowning.

“Would I spend it any less foolishly if I should lend you ten dollars?”

“There is some difference between Mike Flynn and me. I am a gentleman.”

“So is Mike.”

“A queer sort of gentleman! He is only a poor telegraph boy.”

“Still he is a gentleman.”

“I should think you might have money enough for both of us.”

“I might but I want to save something from my salary. I don’t know how long I shall be earning as much. I might lose my place.”

“So you might.”

“And I could hardly expect to get another where the pay would be as good.”

“I would pay you on installment—a dollar a week,” urged Jasper.

“I don’t see how you could, as you say your pay is too small for you now.”

“Oh, well, I could manage.”

“I am afraid I can’t oblige you, Jasper,” said Rodney in a decided tone.

“I didn’t think you were so miserly,” answered Jasper in vexation.

“You may call it so, if you like. You must remember that I am not situated like you. You have your uncle to fall back upon in case you lose your position, but I have no one. I have to hustle for myself.”

“Oh, you needn’t make any more excuses. I suppose ten dollars is rather a large sum to lend. Can you lend me five?”

“I am sorry, but I must refuse you.”

Jasper rose from the chair on which he had been sitting.

“Then I may as well go,” he said. “I am disappointed in you, Ropes. I thought you were a good, whole souled fellow, and not a miser.”

“You must think of me as you please, Jasper. I feel that I have a right to regulate my own affairs.”

“All I have to say is this, if you lose your place as you may very soon, don’t come round to the store and expect to be taken back.”

“I won’t,” answered Rodney, smiling. “I wouldn’t go back at any rate unless the charge of theft was withdrawn.”

“That will never be!”

“Let it be so, as long as I am innocent.”

Jasper left the room abruptly, not even having the politeness to bid Rodney good evening.

Rodney felt that he was quite justified in refusing to lend Jasper money. Had he been in need he would have obliged him, though he had no reason to look upon him as a friend.

No one who knew Rodney could regard him as mean or miserly. Could he have read Jasper’s thoughts as he left the house he would have felt even less regret at disappointing him.

About two days afterward when Rodney went up to meet his pupil, Mr. Sargent handed him a letter.

“Here is something that concerns you, Rodney,” he said. “It doesn’t appear to be from a friend of yours.”

With some curiosity Rodney took the letter and read it.

It ran thus:

Mr. JOHN SARGENT:

DEAR SIR—I think it my duty to write and tell you something about your son’s tutor—something that will surprise and shock you. Before he entered your house he was employed by a firm on Reade Street. He was quite a favorite with his employer, Mr. Otis Goodnow, who promoted him in a short time. All at once it was found that articles were missing from the stock. Of course it was evident that some one of the clerks was dishonest. A watch was set, and finally it was found that Rodney Ropes had taken the articles, and one—a lady’s cloak—was found in his room by a detective. He was discharged at once without a recommendation.

For a time he lived by selling papers, but at last he managed to getinto your house. I am sure you won’t regard him as fit to educateyour little son, though I have no doubt he is a good scholar. But hischaracter is bad—I don’t think he ought to have concealed this from youout of friendship for you, and because I think it is my duty, I take theliberty of writing. If you doubt this I will refer to Mr. Goodnow,or Mr. James Redwood, who had charge of the room in which Ropes wasemployed. Yours very respectfully,

A FRIEND.

“You knew all this before, Mr. Sargent,” said Rodney, as he handed back the letter.

“Yes. Have you any idea who wrote it?”

“I feel quite sure that it was a boy about two years older than myself, Jasper Redwood.”

“Is he related to the man of the same name whom he mentions?”

“Yes, he is his nephew.”

“Has he any particular reason for disliking you, Rodney?”

“Yes, sir. He came round to my room Wednesday evening, and asked me to lend him ten dollars.”

“I presume you refused.”

“Yes, sir. He is not in need. He succeeded to my place, and he has a home at the house of his uncle.”

“He appears to be a very mean boy. Anonymous letters are always cowardly, and generally malicious. This seems to be no exception to the general rule.”

“I hope it won’t affect your feelings towards me, Mr. Sargent.”

“Don’t trouble yourself about that Rodney. I am not so easily prejudiced against one of whom I have a good opinion.”

“I suppose this is Jasper’s revenge,” thought Rodney.

CHAPTER XX

RODNEY LOSES HIS PUPIL

Jasper had little doubt that his letter would lead to Rodney’s loss of position. It was certainly a mean thing to plot another’s downfall, but Jasper was quite capable of it. Had he secured the loan he asked he would have been willing to leave Rodney alone, but it would only have been the first of a series of similar applications.

It was several days before Jasper had an opportunity of learning whether his malicious plan had succeeded or not. On Sunday forenoon he met Rodney on Fifth Avenue just as the church services were over. He crossed the street and accosted the boy he had tried to injure.

“Good morning, Ropes,” he said, examining Rodney’s face curiously to see whether it indicated trouble of any kind.

“Good morning!” responded Rodney coolly.

“How are you getting along in your place?”

“Very well, thank you.”

“Shall I find you at your pupil’s house if I call there some afternoon?”

“Yes, unless I am out walking with Arthur.”

“I wonder whether he’s bluffing,” thought Jasper. “I daresay he wouldn’t tell me if he had been discharged. He takes it pretty coolly.”

“How long do you think your engagement will last?” he asked.

“I don’t know. I never had a talk with Mr. Sargent on that point.”

“Do you still give satisfaction?”

Rodney penetrated Jasper’s motives for asking all these questions, and was amused.

“I presume if I fail to satisfy Mr. Sargent he will tell me so.”

“It would be a nice thing if you could stay there three or four years.”

“Yes: but I don’t anticipate it. When Arthur get a little older he will be sent to school.”

“What will you do then?”

“I haven’t got so far as that.”

“I can’t get anything out of him,” said Jasper to himself. “I shouldn’t be a bit surprised if he were already discharged.”

They had now reached Madison Square, and Jasper left Rodney.

The latter looked after him with a smile.

“I think I have puzzled Jasper,” he said to himself. “He was anxious to know how his scheme had worked. He will have to wait a little longer.”

“If Mr. Sargent keeps Ropes after my letter he must be a fool,” Jasper decided. “I wonder if Ropes handles the mail. He might have suppressed the letter.”

But Rodney was not familiar with his handwriting, and would have no reason to suspect that the particular letter contained anything likely to injure him in the eyes of Mr. Sargent.

Later in his walk Jasper met Philip Carton. His former friend was sitting on a bench in Madison Square. He called out to Jasper as he passed.

“Come here, Jasper, I want to talk with you.”

Jasper looked at him in a manner far from friendly.

“I am in a hurry,” he said.

“What hurry can you be in? Come and sit down here. I MUST speak to you.”

Jasper did not like his tone, but it impressed him, and he did not dare to refuse.

He seated himself beside Philip, but looked at him askance. Carton was undeniably shabby. He had the look of a man who was going down hill and that rapidly.

“I shall be late for dinner,” grumbled Jasper.

“I wish I had any dinner to look forward to,” said Carton. “Do you see this money?” and he produced a nickel from his pocket.

“What is there remarkable about it?”

“It is the last money I have. It won’t buy me a dinner.”

“I am sorry, but it is none of my business,” said Jasper coolly. “You are old enough to attend to your own affairs.”

“And I once thought you were my friend,” murmured Philip bitterly.

“Yes, we were friends in a way.”

“Now you are up and I am down—Jasper, I want a dollar.”

“I dare say you do. Plenty want that.”

“I want it from you.”

“I can’t spare it.”

“You can spare it better than you can spare your situation.”

“What do you mean by that?” asked Jasper, growing nervous.

“I’ll tell you what I mean. How long do you think you would stay in the store if Mr. Goodnow knew that you were concerned in the theft from which he has suffered?”

“Was I the only one?”

“No; I am equally guilty.”

“I am glad you acknowledge it. You see you had better keep quiet for your own sake.”

“If I keep quiet I shall starve.”

“Do you want to go to prison?”

“I shouldn’t mind so much if you went along, too.”

“Are you crazy, Philip Carton?”

“No, I am not, but I am beginning to get sensible. If I go to prison I shall at least have enough to eat, and now I haven’t.”

“What do you mean by all this foolish talk?”

“I mean that if you won’t give me any money I will go to the store and tell Mr. Goodnow something that will surprise him.”

Jasper was getting thoroughly frightened.

“Come, Philip.” he said, “listen to reason. You know how poor I am.”

“No doubt. I know you have a good home and enough to eat.”

“I only get seven dollars a week.”

“And I get nothing.”

“I have already been trying to help you. I went to Ropes the other day, and asked him to lend me five dollars. I meant it for you.”

“Did he give it to you?”

“He wouldn’t give me a cent. He is mean and miserly!”

“I don’t know. He knows very well that you are no friend of his, though he doesn’t know how much harm you have done him.”

“He’s rolling in money. However, I’ve put a spoke in his wheel, I hope.”

“How?”

“I wrote an anonymous letter to Mr. Sargent telling him that Ropes was discharged from the store on suspicion of theft.”

“You are a precious scamp, Jasper.”

“What do you mean?”

“You are not content with getting Ropes discharged for something which you yourself did–”

“And you too.”

“And I too. I accept the amendment. Not content with that, you try to get him discharged from his present position.”

“Then he might have lent me the money,” said Jasper sullenly.

“It wouldn’t have been a loan. It would have been a gift. But no matter about that. I want a dollar.”

“I can’t give it to you.”

“Then I shall call at the store tomorrow morning and tell Mr. Goodnow about the stolen goods.”

Finding that Carton was in earnest Jasper finally, but with great reluctance, drew out a dollar and handed it to his companion.

“There, I hope that will satisfy you,” he said spitefully.

“It will—for the present.”

“I wish he’d get run over or something,” thought Jasper. “He seems to expect me to support him, and that on seven dollars a week.”

Fortunately for Jasper, Philip Carton obtained employment the next day which lasted for some time, and as he was paid ten dollars a week he was not under the necessity of troubling his old confederate for loans.

Now and then Jasper and Rodney met, but there were no cordial relations between them. Jasper could not forgive Rodney for refusing to lend him money, and Rodney was not likely to forget the anonymous letter by which Jasper had tried to injure him.

So three months passed. One day Mr. Sargent arrived at home before it was time for Rodney to leave.

“I am glad to see you, Rodney,” said his employer. “I have some news for you which I am afraid will not be entirely satisfactory to you.”

“What is it, sir?”

“For the last three years I have been wishing to go to Europe with my wife and Arthur. The plan has been delayed, because I could not make satisfactory business arrangements. Now, however, that difficulty has been overcome, and I propose to sail in about two weeks.”

“I hope you’ll enjoy your trip, sir.”

“Thank you. Of course it will terminate, for a time at least your engagement to teach Arthur.”

“I shall be sorry for that, sir, but I am not selfish enough to want you to stay at home on that account.”

“I thought you would feel that way. I wish I could procure you another position before I go, but that is uncertain. I shall, however, pay you a month’s salary in advance in lieu of a notice.”

“That is very liberal, sir.”

“I think it only just. I have been very well pleased with your attention to Arthur, and I know he has profited by your instructions as well as enjoyed your companionship. I hope you have been able to save something.”

“Yes, sir, I have something in the Union Dime Savings Bank.”

“That’s well. You will remain with me one week longer, but the last week Arthur will need for preparations.”

Two weeks later Rodney stood on the pier and watched the stately Etruria steam out into the river. Arthur and his father were on deck, and the little boy waved his handkerchief to his tutor as long as he could see him.

Rodney turned away sadly.

“I have lost a good situation,” he soliloquized. “When shall I get another?”

CHAPTER XXI

CONTINUED ILL LUCK

Rodney set himself to work searching for a new situation. But wherever he called he found Some one ahead of him. At length he saw an advertisement for an entry clerk in a wholesale house in Church Street. He applied and had the good fortune to please the superintendent.

“Where have you worked before?” he asked.

“At Otis Goodnow’s, on Reade Street.”

“How much were you paid there?”

“Seven dollars a week.”

“Very well, we will start you on that salary, and see if you earn it.”

Rodney was surprised and relieved to find that he was not asked for a recommendation from Mr. Goodnow, knowing that he could not obtain one. He went to work on a Monday morning, and found his duties congenial and satisfactory.