ROBERT MEETS HIS EMPLOYER.
Robert Rudd had been in New York more than once, and he therefore had
no difficulty in finding out the fine hotel on Broadway known as the
St. Nicholas.
He entered it, and, walking up to the desk, inquired, "Is Mr. John
Fitzgerald staying here?"
"Yes," answered the clerk. "Do you wish to see him?"
"If you please."
"Then write your name on a card and I will send it up."
Robert did so.
"See if No. 35 is in," said the clerk, calling a hall boy, and handing
him the card.
In five minutes the hall boy came back, saying: "Mr. Fitzgerald wants
the young gentleman to come up."
Robert followed him to a room on the third floor and knocked at the
door.
"Come in," was heard from the interior.
On entering Robert looked with some curiosity at the solitary occupant
of the room, who was to be his future employer. He saw a tall,
dark-complexioned man neatly dressed in a suit which appeared to be
new, since it had not lost its first gloss.
Fitzgerald, for it was he, rose promptly, and advanced to meet Robert
with an air of great cordiality.
"I am glad to see you, Mr. Rudd," he said, extending his hand. "You
were perhaps surprised to receive my letter."
"I was still more pleased," answered Robert, politely.
"I am glad to hear it, since it gives me the assurance that you regard
my offer favorably."
"Yes sir, I could not well do otherwise. It is of a tempting character.
I am only surprised that you should make me such an offer, knowing so
little of me."
"Perhaps I know more of you than you imagine," said Fitzgerald to
himself, with a peculiar look which, however, Robert did not notice.
"I judge of persons quickly!" he said aloud, "and when first I saw you
in the ring it occurred to me that you were just the young person I
should like to have travel with me. Of course, I didn't dream then that
there was any possibility of my securing you, for I was not prepared to
pay a sum as large as you were doubtless paid at the circus. However,
when you were injured by the dastardly trick of some scoundrel, and I
subsequently learned that you would be unable to ride for the remainder
of the season, it occurred to me that perhaps you would accept my
proposal."
"I am very glad to do so, and I am very much obliged to you for giving
me such a chance. Do you think I can fulfil the duties of the post?"
"Oh, I should think so. Favor me by writing a line or two from this
newspaper. I wish to judge of your handwriting."
There were writing materials on the table, and Robert complied with the
request.
Though not a handsome writer, he wrote a plain and legible hand, and
with considerable readiness.
Fitzgerald scanned it hastily, and said, "Oh, that will suit me very
well."
"Do you think I shall be competent to do all you desire?"
"I feel sure of it. You have travelled considerably, I presume?"
"Yes, with the circus."
"Precisely. Then you know something about hotels, trains, etc. A boy
who had always lived at home would not suit me so well. Where is your
luggage?"
"I have only a gripsack—I mean valise—with me."
"That is better. Travellers should not be encumbered with too much
baggage. It is a great nuisance. Where is it?"
"I left it below."
"You can bring it up to my room. I won't hire a room for you, for I
intend to start this very night for the West by a night train from the
Grand Central depot. That won't be too sudden for you, will it?"
"O no, sir; I am entirely at your service. I have nothing to detain me
in New York."
"Go down and get your valise and bring it up here, and I will give you
my instructions."
"The boy has walked into the trap," said Fitzgerald, thoughtfully,
when Robert left him. "He is a fine boy, and seems a thorough little
gentleman in spite of the way in which he has been brought up. It is a
pity to harm him, but my interests and that scoundrel Hugo's require
it."