Solomon Brief
On his arrival in Montreal, Ben ascertained where Mr. Brief's office
was, but deferred going to see him. He felt very properly that he
ought to attend to the business of his employers first, and then, when
he could do so without detriment to their interests look after his
own. He was very anxious to succeed. He knew very well that
Jones & Porter had serious doubts about the expediency of
sending so young a representative to Montreal.
In calling upon different booksellers he exerted himself to the
utmost. Though but sixteen, his address was pleasing, his manner
self-possessed and he was courteous and gentlemanly, so that he
won favorable regards of those with whom he had business
relations. The result was that he received quite a number of orders,
which he at once sent forward by mail.
Thus three days were spent. On the morning of the fourth, he called
at the office of Solomon Brief.
"What do you want, boy?" asked a clerk.
"I want to see Mr. Brief."
"His time is too valuable to be taken up by boys."
"If I had a clerk like you I would soon get rid of him."
"You would, hey?" blustered the young man, advancing threateningly.
Ben didn't budge and the clerk stopped short.
"Did you say you came on business?" he inquired.
"That I will tell Mr. Brief," said Ben firmly.
"You are from the States, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"That accounts for your impudence."
"I should know you were not from the States."
"Why?"
"Because you are so uncivil."
"Look here, young fellow, you'd better clear out, if you don't want
to get kicked out."
"Who is to do the kicking?"
"I am."
"I wouldn't advise you to try it."
"Why not?"
"It wouldn't be prudent."
"Ho! ho!" laughed the clerk sarcastically.
"Once more," said Ben. "I request you to announce me to Mr. Brief.
He is executor of Mr. Baldwin's estate, I believe."
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me that was your business?"
"I couldn't see that it mattered to you."
At this moment the inner door opened, and a tall man, with reddish
hair and mutton-chop whiskers of the same hue, made his appearance.
"What's this Frederic? Who is this boy?"
"I wish to see you on business connected with Mr. Baldwin's estate
sir," said Ben; "but this young man appears to have an objection to
the interview."
"Why don't you bring him in?"
"I didn't suppose he had any business with you."
"Who constituted you a judge of that, sir? Hereafter leave me to
decide. Boy, come in."
Mr. Brief threw himself into an office chair.
"Well, who are you?" he asked.
"My name is Benjamin Bradford."
"Well?"
"You wrote a letter to my aunt, Mrs. Jane Bradford, of Milltown,
Massachusetts, not long since."
"Exactly. Do you represent her?"
"I do."
"Very well. Did you bring the three hundred dollars which she owes
to the estate of my client?"
"No, sir."
"What then?"
"I came to repeat what I have written you, that my aunt was
authorized to occupy the house rent-free."
"It was hardly worth while to come so far to say that," said Mr. Brief,
with a sneer.
"I am here in Montreal on other business, and have taken the
opportunity to see you about my own."
"Indeed! Then you are a business man?"
"I represent the firm of Jones & Porter, publishers."
"Humph! Can't they get any one but a boy to represent them?"
"That, sir, is their business," he answered emphatically. "I have not
chosen to inquire whether my uncle could not have found a better
lawyer to act as executor."
"You are impudent, young man!" exclaimed Solomon Brief, his face
being as red for the moment as his hair.
"We have neither of us been overcivil," said Ben. "Suppose we come
back to business."
"Come now, you're a cool one."
"Perhaps I am. I have always understood that coolness is desirable
in business. May I inquire of what disease my uncle died?"
"It would serve you right if I declined to answer your questions after
your impudence to me. However, I will overlook it this time. Your
uncle committed suicide."
"Good gracious!" ejaculated Ben, who was quite unprepared for this
announcement. "How did he do it?"
"He drowned himself."
"What could possibly have driven him to it?"
"Of that we are ignorant. He left a letter at his lodgings, directing
me to open and carry out the provisions of his will, which he had
deposited with me."
"May I ask what were the provisions of his will?"
"You seem to be curious."
"I have a right to be. My aunt and myself are among his nearest
relations, if not the nearest. We had a right to suppose that we
might be remembered in his will."
"You were not."
"You can understand that we wish, at all events, to know the contents
of the will. We should have been apprised of his death sooner."
As a lawyer Mr. Brief understood that Ben was in the right, and he
produced a copy of the will.
The will was brief. The entire estate of the deceased was left to John
Tremlett with this provision, that for the first year only the income
should be paid to him; afterward he was to come into full possession.
"It seems regular," said Ben.
"Of course it is regular. I helped him make the will."
"Who is Mr. Tremlett? I never heard of him."
"A second or third cousin. He was a sort of adopted son of Mr. Baldwin."
Just here the inner door opened by the clerk, who announced, "Mr.
Tremlett, sir."