CONCLUSION.
Nowhere did Gilbert receive heartier congratulations on the change in
his fortunes than from Mr. Vivian and his family. Fred only was
disturbed.
“I suppose you won’t be willing to teach me any more, now you are rich,
Gilbert,” he said.
“I don’t think it will make any difference, Fred,” said Gilbert; “but I
must consult your father about my plans.”
“What are your own views and wishes, Gilbert?” asked the merchant.
“I want to get a better education,” said Gilbert. “I should like to
carry out my original plan, and go to college. After I graduate I may
devote myself to business; but a good education won’t interfere with
that.”
“I approve your plan,” said Mr. Vivian. “Of course you will resign your
place at the broker’s.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then I shall submit a plan for your future. We all like you, and you
can be of use to Fred. Come and live with us. You can complete your
preparation for college at some first-class school in the city, and
enter next summer, if you like.”
“I hope you will come, Gilbert,” said Laura.
It might have been her voice which decided Gilbert to accept. At any
rate, he did accept gratefully; and in less than a week he was installed
at Mr. Vivian’s as a member of the family.
Mr. Sands was sorry to lose his services, but acknowledged that it was
better for him to give up his place. The day after his retirement he was
sitting in Madison Park, when John, who had once caused him to lose his
place, espied him. John had not yet succeeded in securing a place, nor
had Mr. Moore, the book-keeper.
“What brings you here at this time in the day?” asked John, in surprise.
“I am a gentleman of leisure,” answered Gilbert.
“Have you left Mr. Sands?” asked John, eagerly.
“Yes.”
“Been bounced, eh?” asked John, radiantly.
Gilbert smiled. He understood John’s feelings.
“No,” he answered. “I left of my own accord.”
“You haven’t got another place?”
“No.”
“Then it’s too thin, your leaving of your own accord.”
“It does look so, I admit,” said Gilbert, good-humoredly. “But it is
true, nevertheless.”
“Why did you leave, then? You haven’t had a fortune left you?”
“You’ve hit it, John. I no longer need my pay. I have become rich, and
shall go on preparing for college.”
“Is that really so?”
“It is quite true.”
“Some folks are lucky,” said John, enviously. “I aint one of that kind.
I wish I could get your old place.”
“I am afraid Mr. Sands wouldn’t take you back. I wish he would, and that
you would do so well that he would keep you.”
“That will do to say; but you wouldn’t help me back.”
“Yes, I would, and will. I will go down to the office now, and ask Mr.
Sands to take you back.”
“You will, after the mean way I have treated you?” exclaimed John, in
surprise.
“I don’t bear any malice, John,” said Gilbert. “Here, take my hand, and
look upon me as a friend. If I can’t get you back into my old place,
I’ll try elsewhere. Come, let us take the cars down-town, and I’ll see
what I can do for you.”
“What a good fellow you are, Gilbert!” said John, much moved. “I am
ashamed of trying to injure you.”
“You didn’t know me, then. But, John, will you try to give satisfaction,
if you are taken back?”
“Yes, I will,” said John, earnestly.
Half an hour later they entered the broker’s office. No boy had been
engaged as yet. Mr. Sands did not at first regard John’s application
with favor; though, as he understood the duties of the place, he could,
if he pleased, do better than a new boy. Finally, the broker agreed to
take him on trial.
“Remember, John,” he said, “you owe your place to Gilbert’s
intercession. But for that I wouldn’t take you back.”
“I know it, sir. I hope you won’t be sorry.”
Here it may be said that John turned over a new leaf, and succeeded in
this last trial in giving satisfaction. His cousin, Simon Moore, called
him mean-spirited for going back; but John felt that he must look out
for his own interests now, and did not regard his objection.
In his prosperity Gilbert did not forget Mr. Talbot and his little
daughter. While he continued sick our hero allowed him a weekly sum
sufficient to support father and daughter comfortably; and on his
recovery he found him employment, and a more comfortable lodging. Little
Emma was no longer obliged to go into the streets to sell bouquets, but
was put at a good day-school. From time to time Gilbert called upon
them, and was rejoiced to see the improved looks and happier faces of
Emma and her father.
In the first chapter of this story the reader will recall John Munford,
a school-friend of Gilbert, the son of a carpenter, who, on account of
his father’s poverty, was obliged to leave school, and go to work.
Gilbert, in becoming rich, did not forget his early friend. One day John
received a letter from Gilbert, in which, after speaking of his change
of fortune, he wrote:—
“Now, John, I have a large income,—much more than I can use,—and I want
to do what good I can with it. I know you want to keep at school, but
cannot, on account of your father’s circumstances. I have a proposal to
make to you. Give up work, and go back to Dr. Burton’s school. I will
allow you three hundred dollars a year till you are ready to go to
college. Then you shall come to Yale, and room with me. I will provide
for you in college. After you graduate, your education will command a
position that will make you independent. Let me know at once if you
accept, or rather write me that you do accept.”
What could John do, but to accept this generous offer with deep
gratitude to his old school-fellow? Need it be said that Gilbert
fulfilled his promise to the letter. Last year the two friends
graduated, both taking high rank; and John is now principal of a High
School in a Massachusetts town. Gilbert has decided to lead a business
life, and has entered Mr. Vivian’s establishment. He will be junior
partner at the end of three years. He may form another partnership with
a member of Mr. Vivian’s family. I cannot say positively, but I think it
quite probable.
Mr. Briggs is no longer Gilbert’s guardian. Our hero is of age, and has
assumed the charge of his own property. He is always sure of a cordial
welcome from Mrs. Briggs now, and Randolph cultivates his intimacy; but
Gilbert does not find him congenial. He is inclined to be dissipated,
and, I am afraid, will not turn out well. But his mother upholds him on
all occasions; and her ill-judged indulgence is partly the cause of her
son’s lack of promise.
Gilbert sometimes visits the old boarding-house. Mr. Ingalls is
prospering. Alphonso Jones now boasts of his intimacy with Gilbert. It
is rumored that he has offered himself to Mrs. Kinney, a young widow,
already mentioned, and been rejected. His heart is not broken, however;
and he is now a suitor for the hand of Miss Brintnall, the strong-minded
school-teacher. She is “high-toned” in one sense, at least, as he will
probably find after marriage.
* * * * *
The next volume of this series will be
WORK AND HOPE;
OR,
BEN BRADFORD’S MOTTO.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transcriber’s Notes
Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_); text in bold by
“equal” signs (=bold=).
Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected.
Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved.
Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.
The author was consistent in his spelling of “aint” throughout.
On page 75 “conderable” was replaced by “considerable”.
On page 139 an “at” was added to the sentence between “dine” and the
hour.
End of Project Gutenberg's Shifting For Himself, by Horatio Alger Jr.