FINDING A PLACE.
We must now pass over several years, during which Captain Carleton was
very much prospered. He had become rich, and loved to share his wealth
with others.
Hatty was married to a merchant from the neighboring city; and she,
who had been so dutiful a daughter and so loving a sister, bid fair
to be an affectionate wife.
Frederick at sixteen graduated from the High School with the first
honors. For a time he had been anxious to go to sea with his father;
but, as his mother was unwilling, he concluded to be a merchant.
As Mrs. Carleton still remained in her old home, she wished her son to
obtain business, at least for the present, in the same town; so one
morning he set out to find himself a place.
All day long he went from one store to another; but nowhere was a boy
wanted. He returned home at night quite disheartened, but, after a
cheerful talk with his mother, resolved he wouldn't give up.
There were a few of the largest stores into which he had not ventured.
Now he said to himself,--"Nothing venture, nothing have." So, putting
on a resolute face, he started off to renew his efforts.
There was one immense flour and grain store down by the wharf, owned
by Long, Haynes, & Long, into which he had looked with great interest.
The vessels, loaded with grain, came up to the very door, whence the
huge bags were taken by means of the tackle into the upper stories of
the great storehouse.
"That is the kind of place I should like," he said to himself,
watching the men running to and fro. "Business seems lively. I wonder
whether any of the partners are in the counting-room? I wish somebody
would introduce me; but if I must go alone, I must. It's no use
standing here dreading it."
"I want to see 'Squire Long," he said, addressing a man who wore a
meal-bag apron.
"Go to the counting-room, then;" and the porter was gone without
another word.
He was relieved to see that the gentleman was alone, and, looking as
bold as possible, he asked,--
"Do you want a boy, sir?"
Without answering, the 'Squire peeped over the top of his glasses, but
tried in vain to make out who he was.
"I know your face, my young friend," he said; "but I can't call your
name."
"Frederick Carleton, sir."
"Oh, yes; I know now! You're the young lad who said, 'I thank you,'
when you received the book in school."
"I thank you again for it, sir. I have read it a great many times. I
have it now."
"And you want to be a flour and grain merchant?"
"Yes, sir. I should like that best of anything."
"Why don't you go to sea with your father?"
"Mother wants me to stay with her. If it were not for that, my
brother-in-law would take me into his store."
"How old are you?"
"Sixteen, last April."
"Ay! ay! And what can you do, my boy?"
"Almost anything, sir. Mother brought me up to work. Ever since I was
seven years old I have sawed and split wood. I like to work, sir, and
that made me want to come here; there seems enough to do."
'Squire Long took out his watch. "Let me see," he said to himself; "I
must be at the bank at ten. I shall be in the city till five. Well,
Frederick, you may tell your mother that I will do myself the
pleasure of calling on her after tea."
He took his pen without another word, but smiled when Fred exclaimed,
warmly,--
"Thank you, sir;" and then went on with his writing.
Exactly at seven o'clock he drove to the door.
"I told my partners," he said to the lady, "what I knew of the lad;
and, though we don't really need another hand, yet they gave up to the
whims of an old man, who has taken a fancy to a boy that says 'thank
you' so earnestly. I've had my eye on the lad for a good many years;
and he may enter the store of Long, Haynes, & Long as soon as he
pleases."
Neither Mrs. Carleton nor her son failed to express their gratitude to
the kind old gentleman for acceding so cheerfully to their wishes.
"I know what I'm about," he answered, laughing; "I believe in God's
promise to the children of those that love him, and keep his
commandments. I mean to make Frederick my confidential clerk; and I
expect to get the best part of the bargain."