A WELCOME GIFT
When Luke and Mrs. Merton were alone, the old lady said, with a smile:
"You seemed to have some difficulty in getting into the house."
"Yes," answered Luke. "I don't think your nephew likes me."
"Probably not. Both he and his mother are afraid someone will come
between me and them. They are selfish, and cannot understand how I can
have any other friends or beneficiaries. You are surprised that I
speak so openly of such near relatives to such a comparative stranger.
However, it is my nature to be outspoken. And now, Luke, if you don't
think it will be tiresome to escort an old woman, I mean to take you
downtown with me."
"I look upon you as a kind friend, Mrs. Merton," responded Luke,
earnestly. "I want to thank you for the handsome present you made me
yesterday. I didn't expect anything like ten dollars."
"You will find it acceptable, however, I don't doubt. Seriously, Luke,
I don't think it's too much to pay for saving my life. Now, if you
will wait here five minutes, I will be ready to go out with you."
Five minutes later Mrs. Merton came into the room attired for the
street. They went downstairs together, and Luke and she got on a
street car.
They were observed by Mrs. Tracy and Harold as they left the house.
"Aunt Eliza's very easily imposed upon," remarked the latter.
"She scarcely knows anything of that boy, and she has taken him out
with her. How does she know but he is a thief?"
"He looks like one," said Harold, in an amiable tone. "If aunt is
robbed, I shan't pity her. She will deserve it."
"Very true; but you must remember that it will be our loss as well as
hers. Her property will rightfully come to us, and if she is robbed we
shall inherit so much the less."
"I have been thinking, Harold, it may be well for you to find out
something of this boy. If you can prove to Aunt Eliza that he is of
bad character, she will send him adrift."
"I'll see about it, mother."
Meanwhile Mrs. Merton and Luke were on their way to the business
portion of the city.
"I think I will stop at Adams Street, Luke," said the old lady. "I
shall have to go to the Continental Bank. Do you know where it is?"
"I believe it is on La Salle Street, corner of Adams."
"Quite right. I shall introduce you to the paying teller as in my
employ, as I may have occasion to send you there alone at times to
deposit or draw money."
"I wish Harold was more like you," she said. "His mother's suggestion
that I should take him with me as an escort would be just as
disagreeable to him as to me."
"Is he attending school?" asked Luke.
"Yes. He is preparing for college, but he is not fond of study, and I
doubt whether he ever enters. I think he must be about your age."
"I am nearly sixteen."
"Then he is probably a little older."
They entered the bank, and Mrs. Merton, going to the window of the
paying teller, presented a check for a hundred dollars.
"How will you have it, Mrs. Merton?" asked the teller.
"In fives and tens. By the way, Mr. Northrop, please take notice of
this boy with me. I shall occasionally send him by himself to attend
to my business. His name is Luke Walton."
"His face looks familiar. I think we have met before."
"I have sold you papers more than once, Mr. Northrop," said Luke. "I
stand on Clark Street, near the Sherman."
"Yes, I remember, now. We bank officials are apt to take notice of
faces."
"Here, Luke, carry this money for me," said Mrs. Merton, putting a
lady's pocketbook into the hand of her young escort. "You are less
likely to be robbed than I."
Luke was rather pleased at the full confidence his new employer seemed
to repose in him.
"I am now going up on State Street," said Mrs. Merton, as they emerged
into the street. "You know the store of Marshall Field?"
"Oh, yes; everybody in Chicago knows that," said Luke.
In a few minutes they stood before the large store, and Mrs. Merton
entered, followed by Luke.
Mrs. Merton went to that part of the establishment where woolens are
sold, and purchased a dress pattern. To Luke's surprise, the salesman
was the same one who had come to his assistance in the car the day
previous when he was charged with stealing. The recognition was
mutual.
"I believe we have met before," said the young man, with a smile.
"Yes, fortunately for me," answered Luke, gratefully.
"The two parties who were determined to find you guilty looked foolish
when they ascertained the real character of your accuser."
"What is this, Luke? You didn't tell me of it," said Mrs. Merton.
The story was related briefly.
"I should like to meet that woman," said Mrs. Merton, nodding
energetically. "I'd give her a piece of my mind. Luke, you may hand me
ten dollars."
The goods were wrapped up and the change returned.
"Where shall I send the bundle, Mrs. Merton?" asked the salesman,
deferentially.
"Luke will take it."
As they left the store Mrs. Merton said: "Did you think I was buying
this dress for myself, Luke?"
"I thought so," Luke answered.
"No, I have dresses enough to last me a lifetime, I may almost say.
This dress pattern is for your mother."
"For my mother?" repeated Luke, joyfully.
"Yes; I hope it will be welcome."
"Indeed it will. Mother hasn't had a new dress for over a year."
"Then I guessed right. Give it to her with my compliments, and tell
her I give it to her for your sake. Now, I believe I will go home."
No present made to Luke could have given him so much pleasure as this
gift to his mother, for he knew how much she stood in need of it.
When they reached the house on Prairie Avenue, they met Mrs. Tracy on
the steps. She had been out for a short call.
"Did you have a pleasant morning, Aunt Eliza?" she asked, quite
ignoring Luke.
"Yes, quite so. Luke, I won't trouble you to come in. I shall not need
you to-morrow. The next day you may call at the same hour."
Luke turned away, but was called back sharply by Mrs. Tracy.
"Boy!" she said, "you are taking away my aunt's bundle. Bring it back
directly."
"Louisa," said the old lady, "don't trouble yourself. That bundle is
meant for Luke's mother."
"Something you bought for her?"
"Yes, a dress pattern."
"Oh!" sniffed Mrs. Tracy, eying Luke with strong disapproval.