``take a seat, frank,'' said mr. wharton, pointingto a luxurious armchair on one side of the cheerfulgrate fire; ``i will take the other, and you shall tellme all about yourself.''
``thank you, sir,'' said our hero.
his confidence was won by mr. wharton's kindtone, and he briefly recounted his story.
at the conclusion, mr. wharton said:
``how old are you, frank ?''
``fourteen, sir.''
``you are a brave boy, and a good boy, and youdeserve success.''
``thank you, sir.''
``but i am bound to say that you have a hard taskbefore you.''
``i know it, sir.''
``why not let your sister go to the poorhouse for afew years, till you are older, and better able toprovide for her?''
``i should be ashamed to do it, sir,'' he said. ``ipromised my mother to take care of grace, and iwill.''
``how much do you earn as a cash-boy?''
``three dollars a week.''
``only three dollars a week! why, that won't payyour own expenses!'' said the old gentleman in surprise.
``yes, sir, it does. i pay fifty cents a week for myroom, and my meals don't cost me much.''
``but you will want clothes.''
``i have enough for the present, and i am layingup fifty cents a week to buy more when i need them.''
``you can't buy many for twenty-six dollars ayear. but that doesn't allow anything for yoursister's expenses.''
``that is what puzzles me, sir,'' said frank, fixinga troubled glance upon the fire. ``i shall have towork in the evenings for grace.''
``what can you do?''
``i could copy, but i suppose there isn't muchchance of getting copying to do.''
``then you have a good handwriting?''
``pretty fair, sir.''
``let me see a specimen. there are pen and inkon the table, and here is a sheet of paper.''
frank seated himself at the table, and wrote hisname on the paper.
``very good,'' said his host, approvingly. ``yourhand is good enough for a copyist, but you are correctin supposing that work of that kind is hardto get. are you a good reader?''
``do you mean in reading aloud, sir?''
``yes.''
``i will try, if you wish.''
``take a book from the table--any book--and letme hear you read.''
frank opened the first book that came to hand--one of irving's and read in a clear, unembarrassedvoice about half a page.
``very good indeed!'' said mr. wharton. ``youhave been well taught. where did you attendschool?''
``only in the town school, sir.''
``you have, at any rate, made good use of youradvantages.''
``but will it do me any good, sir?'' asked frank.
``people are not paid for reading, are they?''
``not in general, but we will suppose the case ofa person whose eyes are weak, and likely to be badlyaffected by evening use. then suppose such a personcould secure the services of a good, clear, distinctreader, don't you think he would be willing topay something?''
``i suppose so. do you know of any such person?''
asked frank.
``i am describing myself, frank. a year since istrained my eyes very severely, and have never daredto use them much since by gaslight. mrs. bradley,my housekeeper, has read to me some, but she hasother duties, and i don't think she enjoys it verymuch. now, why shouldn't i get you to read to mein the evening when you are not otherwise employed?''
``i wish you would, mr. wharton,'' said frank,eagerly. ``i would do my best.''
``i have no doubt of that, but there is anotherquestion--perhaps you might ask a higher salarythan i could afford to pay.''
``would a dollar a week be too much?'' askedfrank.
``i don't think i could complain of that,'' said mr.
wharton, gravely. ``very well, i will engage you asmy reader.''
``thank you, sir.''
``but about the pay; i have made up my mind topay you five dollars a week.''
``five dollars a week!'' frank repeated. ``it ismuch more than my services will be worth sir.''
``let me judge of that, frank.''
``i don't know how to thank you, sir,'' said frank,gratefully. ``i never expected to be so rich. i shallhave no trouble in paying for grace's board andclothes now. when do you want me to begin reading to you?''
``you may as well begin to-night--that is, unlessyou have some other engagement.''
``oh, no, sir, i have nothing else to do.''
``take the evening post, then, and read me theleading editorial. afterward, i will tell you what toread.''
frank had been reading about half an hour, whena knock was heard at the door.
``come in,'' said mr. wharton.
mrs. bradley entered, with a soft, quiet step.
``i thought, sir,'' she began, ``you might like meto read to you, as usual.''
``thank you, mrs. bradley, but i am going torelieve you of that portion of your labors. my youngfriend here is to come every evening and read tome.''
``indeed!'' ejaculated the housekeeper in a tone ofchilly displeasure, and a sharp glance at frank,which indicated no great amount of cordiality.
``then, as i am intruding, i will take my leave.''
there was something in her tone that made frankfeel uncomfortable.
