THE ACCUSATION, AND WHAT FOLLOWED.
A person who is entirely innocent is likely to look confused when
suddenly charged with theft. It came upon Robert so suddenly that he
could not at first summon presence of mind enough to deny it. But at
last he said indignantly, "I didn't take it. I never stole in my
life."
"That's a likely story," said the floor-walker. "It got into your
pocket itself, I suppose."
"I don't know how it got there. I only know I didn't put it there."
"Why did you come into the store--except to steal?"
"I came here to buy a necktie."
Just then in came an officer who had been summoned.
"Arrest that boy!" said the floor-walker. "He is a thief."
Robert started indignantly when the officer put his hand on his
shoulder.
"That is false!" he said.
"Come along!" said the officer.
"Is there no one here who will speak for me?" asked Robert, looking
about him on the suspicious and distrustful faces that surrounded him.
"Yes, I will do so," said a voice, and a tall, dignified looking
gentleman with white hair pressed forward toward him.
All eyes were turned upon the gentleman.
"The boy is not a thief!" he said.
"Then perhaps," said the floor-walker sarcastically, "you can tell who
is?"
"I can," returned the other calmly. "_There_ is the thief!"
He pointed to a flashily attired young man who started to go
out--protesting that it was all a mistake.
"That won't go down," said the floor-walker. "Who are you, sir, that
try to screen the boy at the expense of an innocent man?"
"I am the Rev. Dr. Blank; I am pretty well known in Chicago, I
believe."
This statement made a sensation. Some of those present recognized the
clergyman, and even the floorwalker was impressed.
"Are you sure of this, sir?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Did you see the young man steal the pocket-book?"
"No, but I saw him put it into the boy's pocket."
By this time the policeman's attention had been called to the real
thief.
"The minister is right, I make no doubt," he said. "I recognize that
man. He is a well-known thief."
"Arrest him then!" said the floor-walker sullenly, for he was really
sorry that Robert had been proven innocent.
The officer released his hold on our hero, and prepared to leave the
store in charge of the real thief, who had, of course, emptied the
pocket-book before placing it in Robert's pocket.
"Will you be present at the trial?" he asked the clergyman.
"Yes. There is my address. You can summon me."
"How can I thank you, sir?" said Robert warmly. "You have saved me
from arrest."
"Thank God for that, my boy. I am glad that word of mine should do you
such a service."
Robert walked out of the store feeling that he had had a very narrow
escape. This was a relief, but it was quickly succeeded by anxious
thoughts--for he was nearly out of money. His prospects were so
uncertain that he blamed himself for incurring the expense of a
necktie, though it had only cost him twenty-five cents.
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."