JED ARRIVES IN NEW YORK.
Jed counted over his money and found he had thirty-nine dollars and
thirty-seven cents. He would have had more, but he had supplied himself
with clothes, so that he was on the whole very well provided in that
way.
He resolutely refused to borrow from Harry Bertram, though the actor
pressed a loan upon him.
"No, Harry," he said, "I have almost forty dollars, and I am sure that
will last me till I can earn some more."
"Well, perhaps so," replied the actor, "but you have no idea how fast
money melts away. What are your plans?"
"I am afraid I haven't any," answered Jed, looking perplexed. "I want to
make a living, but I don't know what I am fit for."
"Where do you mean to go?"
"I think I should like to go to New York," answered Jed. "I have never
been there."
"You will find the city very dull at this time of year. Business is very
quiet in August."
"But there must be a good many chances in a city of over a million
inhabitants."
"Well, perhaps you may as well find out for yourself. I am afraid you
will be disappointed."
Jed attached considerable importance to the opinion of his friend
Bertram, but in his own mind there was a conviction that the other
exaggerated the chances of failure. He was of a sanguine temperament
himself, and this made him hopeful.
There were two ways of reaching New York from Sea Spray. One was a
combination of cars and boat, the other took one all the way by steamer.
This, on the whole, Jed preferred.
With his modest gripsack in his hand he passed over the gang-plank and
took a seat forward. Next to him was a tall, thin man, dressed in shabby
attire, who did not appear to have shaved for several days. Though the
weather was warm, he had his coat buttoned tight across his chest,
possibly to conceal the lack of a vest.
When the boat had been perhaps fifteen minutes under way, he turned and
eyed Jed with some attention.
"Are you staying at Sea Spray this summer, young man?" he asked.
"I have spent some weeks there," answered Jed.
"I suppose you are going to New York for the day?"
"No; I am going for good. That is I hope I am going for good."
"You are going to fill a business position, perhaps?"
"I hope so, but I have none engaged."
"Are you acquainted in New York?"
"No; I have never been there. This will be my first visit."
"Indeed! This is very interesting. I should be glad to help you to a
position."
Jed thought privately that his new acquaintance must stand quite as much
in need of a place as he, but courtesy led him to say, "Thank you."
"Have you any particular choice as to the business you take up?"
"No; anything that will enable me to pay my expenses will satisfy me."
"Just so. You have heard of H. B. Claflin, probably?"
"Yes; he is a dry goods merchant."
"On a very large scale. I have a mind to give you a letter to him."
"Do you know him?" asked Jed doubtfully.
"Yes; Horace and I used to go to school together. He was older than I,
but we were pretty intimate."
"Why don't you apply for a position for yourself?"
"Dry goods are not in my line. I am an editor--that is, an editorial
writer."
"Indeed!"
Jed had read from time to time squibs and witty paragraphs touching the
poverty of editors, and this seemed to explain the shabby appearance of
his new friend.
"What paper do you write for?" he ventured to ask.
"I contribute editorially to most of the city dailies. Sometimes I get
as high as fifteen and twenty dollars a column."
Jed was rather surprised at this. He concluded that Mr. Hamilton
Barry--for this was the name the stranger had given--was not a very good
financial manager.
"That seems a high price," said Jed.
"Yes, but brain-work ought to be paid handsomely. Do you ever write for
publication yourself?"
"Oh, no," said Jed, flattered nevertheless by the question. "I haven't
education enough."
"I thought if you did I might get you something to do. But perhaps
business is more in your line?"
"I think it will be."
"Then I had better write you a note to Mr. Claflin. When we get to the
city I will run into some hotel and write you a letter of
recommendation."
"But, Mr. Barry, you don't know me. How can you recommend me?"
"My dear boy, I judge you by your appearance. Besides, I know something
of phrenology, and you have a good head--a very good head. I read in it
honesty, integrity, enterprise and fidelity. Those qualities certainly
ought to qualify you to succeed in business."
"I don't know anything about phrenology, but I hope it's true."
"My young friend you may rely implicitly on the verdict of the wonderful
science."
"I shall be glad to," said Jed smiling, "since, as you say, it is so
favorable to me."
When they reached the pier Hamilton Barry passed his arm familiarly
through Jed's, and led the way to a small public house, the office of
which seemed also to be a bar.
"Won't you take a glass of something?" asked the editor.
"I don't drink," answered Jed, rather embarrassed.
"Take a glass of sarsaparilla. It won't harm an infant."
"Thank you. I don't mind."
Upon this Mr. Barry stepped up to the bar and ordered one sarsaparilla
and one whisky straight. While Jed was solemnly drinking the first, the
editor poured down the whisky at one gulp.
Then he felt in his pockets for the fifteen cents which were due. But
somehow no silver was forthcoming.
"Upon my word," he exclaimed, "I must have left my money at home. Mr.
Gilman, can you oblige me with a quarter?"
Jed produced the required coin. Taking it, Barry paid the score, and
quietly pocketed the change.
"Now for the letter!" he said. "Where is your writing-room?"
"Haven't got any," answered the barkeeper.
"Can't you scare up a sheet of paper and an envelope?"
After some time these were produced, also a pen and a bottle of ink.
Barry sat down at one of the tables generally used for bar customers,
and in a short time produced a letter which he handed to Jed.
It ran thus:
DEAR HORACE:
This letter will be handed to you by a talented young friend, who
is in search of a business position. Mr. J. Gilman is in my
judgment possessed of superior business qualifications, and will
prove a valuable man in your store. I advise you to engage him at
once.
Your old friend,
HAMILTON BARRY.
This note was placed in an envelope directed to Horace B. Claflin. In
the corner Barry wrote: "To introduce Mr. J. Gilman."
"There," he said. "Take this letter round to Claflin and he will
undoubtedly give you a good place."
He spoke with so much confidence that Jed was led to think himself in
luck to be the recipient of such a testimonial.
"Thank you," he said. "I feel very much obliged."
"Oh don't mention it!" said Barry in an airy way. "It gives me pleasure
to assist you, Mr. Gilman, I assure you. When you have ascended round by
round until you are at the top of the ladder, I trust you will not
forget your chance acquaintance, Hamilton Barry."
"I certainly will not, Mr. Barry," said Jed warmly, grasping the hand
of the editor. "I hope some day to thank you as I wish."
"My dear boy, the sentiment does you credit. I know you are sincere."
"Certainly," said Jed.
"It is because I know this that I venture to suggest that you may do me
a favor at once."
"What is it?"
"Let me have a fiver till next Monday. I shall then call at the office
of the _Tribune_ for twenty dollars due me for two editorials published
early this week."
This request rather staggered Jed. Now that he had paid his fare to New
York he had only about thirty-seven dollars, and five dollars would cut
rather seriously into his small balance.
"I am afraid," he said awkwardly, "that I can hardly spare five dollars.
If two dollars would help you----"
"It would materially," interposed Barry. "Of course it is only a loan.
Meet me here next Monday, at six o'clock, say, after your duties are
over at Claflin's, and I will gladly repay you."
This off-hand allusion to Claflin, taking for granted his engagement
there, made Jed ashamed of his temporary distrust, and he drew from his
pocketbook a two-dollar note, which he handed to Mr. Barry.
"Thanks," said the editor, as he carelessly slipped it into his pocket.
"Be here on Monday at six o'clock sharp."
Then with a jaunty air he touched his hat and walked rapidly around the
corner.
"I think I will go around to Claflin's at once," decided Jed. "I may as
well strike while the iron is hot."