VICTOR DUPONT.
As Frank was walking on Madison avenue, a little before reaching the
house of Mr. Bowen he met a boy of his own age, whom he recognized.
Victor Dupont had spent the previous summer at the hotel in the country
village where Frank had lived until he came to the city. Victor was
proud of his social position, but time hung so heavily upon his hands in
the country that he was glad to keep company with the village boys.
Frank and he had frequently gone fishing together, and had been
associated in other amusements, so that they were for the time quite
intimate. The memories of home and past pleasures thronged upon our hero
as he met Victor, and his face flushed with pleasure.
"Why, Victor," he said, eagerly, extending his hand, "how glad I am to
see you!"
Frank forgot that intimacy in the country does not necessarily lead to
intimacy in the city, and he was considerably surprised when Victor, not
appearing to notice his offered hand, said coldly, "I don't think I
remember you."
"Don't remember me!" exclaimed Frank, amazed. "Why, I am Frank Kavanagh!
Don't you remember how much we were together last summer, and what good
times we had fishing and swimming together?"
"Yes, I believe I do remember you now," drawled Victor, still not
offering his hand, or expressing any pleasure at the meeting. "When did
you come to the city?"
"I have been here two or three weeks," replied Frank.
"Oh, indeed! Are you going to remain?"
"Yes, if I can earn a living."
Victor scanned Frank's clothes with a critical, and evidently rather
contemptuous, glance.
"What are you doing?" he asked. "Are you in a store?"
"No; I am selling papers."
"A newsboy!" said Victor, with a curve of the lip.
"Yes," answered Frank, his pleasure quite chilled by Victor's manner.
"Are you doing well?" asked Victor, more from curiosity than interest.
"I am making my expenses."
"How do you happen to be in this neighborhood? I suppose you sell papers
down-town."
"Yes, but I am invited to dinner."
"Not here--on the avenue!" ejaculated Victor.
"Yes," answered Frank, enjoying the other's surprise.
"Where?"
Frank mentioned the number.
"Why, that is next to my house. Mr. Bowen lives there."
"Yes."
"Perhaps you know some of the servants," suggested Victor.
"I know one," said Frank, smiling, for he read Victor's thoughts; "but
my invitation comes from Mr. Bowen."
"Did you ever dine there before?" asked Victor, puzzled.
"Yes, last week."
"You must excuse my mentioning it, but I should hardly think you would
like to sit down at a gentleman's table in that shabby suit."
"I don't," answered Frank; "but I have no better."
"Then you ought to decline the invitation."
"I would, but for appearing impolite."
"It seems very strange that Mr. Bowen should invite a newsboy to
dinner."
"Perhaps if you'd mention what you think of it," said Frank, somewhat
nettled, "he would recall the invitation."
"Oh, it's nothing to me," said Victor; "but I thought I'd mention it, as
I know more of etiquette than you do."
"You are very considerate," said Frank, with a slight tinge of sarcasm
in his tone.
By this time he had reached the house of Mr. Bowen, and the two boys
parted.
Frank could not help thinking a little about what Victor had said. His
suit, as he looked down at it, seemed shabbier than ever. Again it
occurred to him that perhaps Mr. Bowen had forgotten the invitation, and
this would make it very awkward for him. As he waited for the door to
open he decided that, if it should appear that he was not expected, he
would give some excuse, and go away.
Susan opened the door.
"Mr. Bowen invited me to come here to dinner to-night," began Frank,
rather nervously.
"Yes, you are expected," said Susan, very much to his relief. "Wipe your
feet, and come right in."
Frank obeyed.
"You are to go upstairs and get ready for dinner," said Susan, and she
led the way to the same chamber into which our hero had been ushered the
week before.
"There won't be much getting ready," thought Frank. "However, I can stay
there till I hear the bell ring."
As he entered the room he saw a suit of clothes and some underclothing
lying on the bed.
"They are for you," said Susan, laconically.
"For me!" exclaimed Frank, in surprise.
"Yes, put them on, and when you come down to dinner Mr. Bowen will see
how they fit."
"Is it a present from him?" asked Frank, overwhelmed with surprise and
gratitude, for he could see that the clothes were very handsome.
"Well, they aint from me," said Susan, "so it's likely they come from
him. Don't be too long, for Mr. Bowen doesn't like to have any one late
to dinner."
Susan had been in the service of her present mistress fifteen years, and
was a privileged character. She liked to have her own way; but had
sterling qualities, being neat, faithful, and industrious.
"I wonder whether I am awake or dreaming," thought Frank, when he was
left alone. "I shouldn't like to wake up and find it was all a dream."
He began at once to change his shabby clothes for the new ones. He
found that the articles provided were a complete outfit, including
shirt, collar, cuffs, stockings; in fact, everything that was needful.
The coat, pants, and vest were a neat gray, and proved to be an
excellent fit. In the bosom of the shirt were neat studs, and the cuffs
were supplied with sleeve-buttons to correspond. When Frank stood before
the glass, completely attired, he hardly knew himself. He was as well
dressed as his aristocratic acquaintance, Victor Dupont, and looked more
like a city boy than a boy bred in the country.
"I never looked so well in my life," thought our young hero,
complacently. "How kind Mr. Bowen is!"
Frank did not know it; but he was indebted for this gift to Susan's
suggestion. When her master told her in the morning that Frank was
coming to dinner, she said, "It's a pity the boy hadn't some better
clothes."
"I didn't notice his clothes," said Mr. Bowen. "Are they shabby?"
"Yes; and they are almost worn out. They don't look fit for one who is
going to sit at your table."
"Bless my soul! I never thought of that. You think he needs some new
clothes."
"He needs them badly."
"I will call at Baldwin's, and order some ready-made; but I don't know
his size."
"He's about two inches shorter than you, Mr. Bowen. Tell 'em that, and
they will know. He ought to have shirts and stockings, too."
"So he shall," said the old man, quite interested. "He shall have a full
rig-out from top to toe. Where shall I go for the shirts and things?"
Susan had a nephew about Frank's age, and she was prepared to give the
necessary information. The old gentleman, who had no business to attend
to, was delighted to have something to fill up his time. He went out
directly after breakfast, or as soon as he had read the morning paper,
and made choice of the articles already described, giving strict
injunctions that they should be sent home immediately.
This was the way Frank got his new outfit.
When our hero came downstairs Mr. Bowen was waiting eagerly to see the
transformation. The result delighted him.
"Why, I shouldn't have known you!" he exclaimed, lifting both hands. "I
had no idea new clothes would change you so much."
"I don't know how to thank you, sir," said Frank, gratefully.
"I never should have thought of it if it hadn't been for Susan."
"Then I thank you, Susan," said Frank, offering his hand to the girl, as
she entered the room.
Susan was pleased. She liked to be appreciated; and she noted with
satisfaction the great improvement in Frank's appearance.
"You are quite welcome," she said; "but it was master's money that paid
for the clothes."
"It was your kindness that made him think of it," said Frank.
From that moment Susan became Frank's fast friend. We generally like
those whom we have benefited, if our services are suitably
acknowledged.