BOB HUNTER'S AMBITION.
On the following day, after the paper trade of the morning was over,
Bob and Tom, acting upon young Randolph's advice, went to the Emigrants'
Industrial Savings Bank, and deposited each five dollars. They felt very
proud as they came out into Chambers Street with their bank books.
"It's a starter any way," said Bob.
"I've been thinking over what Herbert said, and I guess between you'n
me, Tom, he is 'bout right."
"That's what I think too, Bob," replied young Flannery, for aside from
the matter of betting on horse racing and speculating, he always agreed
with Bob.
"I think we was in big luck, Tom, when we run on to Herbert Randolph."
"I think so, too, Bob; but why do you think so?"
"Why do I think so! Well, ef that ain't a queer question, Tom Flannery.
Would you a' had that bank book now, with your name, Thomas Flannery, in
plain writin' writ across it, I'd like to know, ef it hadn't been for
Vermont?"
"No, I wouldn't. That's so, Bob, I wouldn't, fer to be honest with you,
Bob, I think I'd put it on racin'."
"So you would, Tom, ef you'd had it, but you wouldn't er had it."
"Well, I never thought of that, Bob, but it's so, ain't it?"
"I should say it is, and I wouldn't er had my bank book or these new
clothes either."
"And the big supper, Bob?"
"That's so, Tom, and the big supper too. I tell you, Tom Flannery, 'twas
great luck when we struck Vermont."
[Illustration: BOB AND TOM COMING OUT OF THE BANK.]
"That's so, Bob, so it was. But say, Bob, don't you think 'twas kinder
lucky for Herbert when he fell in with you?"
"I don't know 'bout that, Tom. How do you figure it?"
"Why, I figures it in this way, Bob; ef it hadn't been fer you he would
be down in that old Gunwagner's cellar now."
"Well, that's so, Tom, but he has more than paid me up, though."
"How did he do it, Bob?" asked Tom eagerly.
"Ain't he helping me right along, I'd like to know?"
"I hain't heard much about it, Bob. What has he done for you?"
"Yes, you have heard about it, too, Tom Flannery. Didn't I tell you how
he teaches me every night?"
"Oh, yes, you told me about that, Bob, but that ain't much--'tain't like
doin' the detective business, is it?"
"Well, no, of course it hain't, but it's just as good, Tom, and a good
deal more so, I think."
"Well, I don't think no such thing, Bob."
"Well, ef I do, that's all right, ain't it? I tell you, Tom, 'tain't
every feller that can do the teachin' act."
"Nuther can every fellow do the detective business. Ef you want to know
what I think, Bob Hunter, I'll tell you."
"All right, Tom, sail in."
"Well, I think, ef I was you, I'd jest let this learnin' business go,
and I'd make myself a detective. No feller could put more style into it
than what you could, Bob."
"Tom, you're way off again. A feller can't make no kind of a detective,
nor nothin' else, neither, unless he knows somethin'. I guess I know,
and Herbert says so too."
"Well, I hain't got no learnin'," replied Tom, somewhat pompously, as if
to prove by himself that Bob's statement was untrue.
"I know it," said Bob, and stopped short.
Tom looked at him doubtfully.
"Then you might's well say right out that I won't make nothin', Bob
Hunter," said he, his manner resembling that of one not a little
indignant.
"Well, I said what I said, Tom, and if it fits you, why then am I to
blame?"
Tom made no reply.
"It's no use for you to get mad, Tom. Anybody would tell you jest the
same as what I did. Now, the thing for you to do, Tom, is ter get some
learnin'--you can do it."
"Do you think I could, Bob?" replied Tom, coming round to Bob's views,
as he almost always did.
"Why, of course you could, Tom; ain't I doin' it?"
"Well, yes, I s'pose you are, Bob, but then you can do 'most anything."
"That ain't so, Tom. You can do it jest as well as what I can, ef you
only try."
"I never thought about that before, Bob," said Tom, thoughtfully. "Who
could I get to learn me?"
"You mustn't say 'learn you,' Tom. Herbert says that hain't right."
"What is it, then, Bob?"
"He says I must say 'teach me,' because I've got to do the learning
myself."
"Well, that's too much for me, Bob; I want to start in on somethin'
easier."
At length this discussion ended by Tom falling in with Bob's opinion as
usual, and by his agreeing to commence at once attending an evening
school.