MR. KENYON'S PLANS FOR OLIVER.
Soon after they were seated in the cars, bound for New York, Mr. Kenyon
remarked:
"Perhaps you are surprised, Oliver, that I take you with me instead of
Roland."
Oliver admitted that he was surprised.
"The fact is," said Mr. Kenyon candidly, "I don't think Roland treats
you as well as he should."
Oliver was more and more surprised.
"I don't complain of Roland," he said. "I don't think he likes me, but
perhaps that is not his fault. We are quite different."
"Still he might treat you well."
"Don't think of that, Mr. Kenyon; Roland has never done me any serious
harm, and if he proposed to do it, I am able to take care of myself."
Oliver did not say this in an offensive tone, but with manly
independence.
"You are quite magnanimous," said Mr. Kenyon. "I am just beginning to
appreciate you. I own that I used to have a prejudice against you, and
it is possible I may have treated you harshly; but I have learned to
know you better. I find you a straightforward, manly young fellow."
"Thank you, sir," said Oliver, very much astonished. "I am afraid you
do me more than justice. I hope to retain your good opinion."
"I have no doubt you will," said Mr. Kenyon, in a quiet and paternal
tone. "You have probably noticed that my manner toward you has changed
of late?"
"Yes, sir, I have noticed the change, and been glad to see it."
"Of course, of course. Now, I have got something to tell you."
Oliver naturally felt curious.
"I want to tell you why I have brought you to New York to-day. You
probably thought it was merely for a pleasant excursion."
"Yes, sir."
"I have another object in view. Noticing as I have the dislike--well,
the incompatibility between you and Roland, I have thought it best to
make separate arrangements for you."
Now Oliver was strangely interested. What plan had Mr. Kenyon formed
for him?
"I intend you to remain in the city. How does that suit you?"
There are not many boys of Oliver's age to whom such a prospect would
not be pleasing. He answered promptly:
"I should like it very much."
"No doubt Roland will envy you," said Mr. Kenyon. "I am sure he would
prefer the city to our quiet little country village. But I cannot make
up my mind to part with him. He is my own son, and though I endeavor to
treat you both alike, of course that makes some difference," said Mr.
Kenyon, in rather an apologetic tone.
"Of course it does," said Oliver, who did not feel in the least
sensitive about his step-father's superior affection for Roland.
"Where am I to live in the city?" he asked next.
"There are two courses open to you," said Mr. Kenyon. "You might either
go to some school in the city or enter some place of business. Which
would you prefer?"
Had Oliver been an enthusiastic student, he would have decided in favor
of school. He was a good scholar for his age, but, like all boys, he
fancied a change. It seemed to him that he would like to obtain a
business position, and he said so.
His step-father anticipated this, and wished it. Had Oliver decided
otherwise, he would have exerted his influence to have him change his
plan.
"Perhaps you are right," said Mr. Kenyon meditatively. "A bright, smart
boy like you, is, of course, anxious to get to work and do something
for himself. Besides, business men tell me that it is always best to
begin young. How old are you?"
"Almost sixteen," answered Oliver.
"I was only fourteen when I commenced business. Yes, I think you are
right."
"Is it easy to get a position in the city?" asked Oliver, getting
interested.
"Not unless you have influence; but I think I have influence enough to
secure you one."
"Thank you, sir."
"In fact, I know of a party who is in want of a boy--an old
acquaintance of mine. He will take you to oblige me."
"What business is he in?"
"He has a gentlemen's furnishing store," answered Mr. Kenyon.
"Do you think that business is as good as some other kinds?" said
Oliver dubiously.
"It is a capital business," said his step-father emphatically. "Pays
splendid profits."
"Who is the gentleman you refer to?" enquired Oliver, with natural
interest.
"Well, to be frank with you, it is a nephew of my own. I set him up in
business three years ago, and he has paid back every cent of my loan
with interest out of the profits of his business. I can assure you it
is a paying business."
"I would judge so, from what you say," returned Oliver thoughtfully.
Somehow he felt disappointed to learn that the employer proposed to
him should be a relation of his step-father. This, however, was not an
objection he could very well express.
"Suppose I should not like business," he suggested, "could I give it up
and go to school?"
"Certainly," answered Mr. Kenyon. "Bear in mind, Oliver, that I
exercise no compulsion over you. I think you are old enough now to be
judge of your own affairs."
"Thank you, sir."
The conversation which we have reported took some time. After it was
over Mr. Kenyon devoted his attention to the morning papers, and Oliver
was sufficiently amused looking out of the window and examining his
fellow-passengers.
Presently they reached the city. Leaving the cars, they got into a
horse-car, for distances are great in New York.
Oliver looked out of the car windows with a lively sense of
satisfaction. How much gayer and more agreeable it would be, he
thought, to be in business in a great city like New York than to live
in a quiet little country village where nothing was going on. This
was a natural feeling, but there was another side to the question
which Oliver did not consider. How many families in the great, gay
city are compelled to live in miserable tenements, amid noise and
vicious surroundings, who, on the same income, could live comfortably
and independently in the country, breathing God's pure air, and with
nothing to repel or disgust them?
"New York is rather a lively place, Oliver," said Mr. Kenyon, who read
his young companion's thoughts. "I think you will like to live here."
"I am sure I shall," said Oliver eagerly. "I should think you would
prefer it yourself, Mr. Kenyon."
"Perhaps I may remove here some day, Oliver. I own that I have thought
of it. Roland would like it better, I am sure."
"Yes, sir, I think he would."
"Where is the store you spoke of, Mr. Kenyon?" he queried, after a
pause. "Are we going there now?"
"Yes; we will go there in the first place. We may as well get matters
settled as soon as possible. Of course, you won't have to go to work
immediately. You can take a little time to see the city--say till next
Monday."
"Thank, you, sir. I should prefer that."
"We get out here," said Mr. Kenyon after a while.
They were on the Third Avenue line of cars, and it was to a shop on
the Bowery that Mr. Kenyon directed his steps. It was by no means a
large shop, but the windows were full of articles, labelled with cheap
prices, and some even were displayed on the sidewalk. This is a very
common practice with shops on the Bowery and Third Avenue, as visitors
to New York need not be reminded. On a sign-board over the door the
name of the proprietor was conspicuously displayed thus:
EZEKIEL BOND,
Cheap Furnishing Store.
"This is the place, Oliver," said Mr. Kenyon. "Ezekiel Bond is my
nephew."
"It seems rather small," commented Oliver, feeling a little
disappointed.
"You mustn't judge of the amount of business done by the size of the
shop. My nephew's plan is to avoid a large rent, and to replenish his
stock frequently. He is a very shrewd and successful man of business.
He understands how to manage. The great thing is to make money, Oliver,
and Ezekiel knows how to do it. There are many men with large stores,
heavy stocks, and great expenses who scarcely make both ends meet. Now,
my nephew cleared ten thousand dollars last year. What do you say to
that?"
"I shouldn't think it possible to have such a large trade in such a
small place," answered Oliver, surprised.
"It is a fact, though. That's a nice income to look forward to, eh,
Oliver?"
"Yes, sir."
While this was going on they were standing in front of the window.
"Now," said Mr. Kenyon, "come in and I will introduce you to my
nephew."