Cast Upon the Breakers | Page 6

me."
"I've thought sometimes I should like such a chance myself," said Joel.

"I've got tired of the country. I should like to live in the city where
there's theaters, and shows, and such like. Do you know what the
drivers on street cars get?"
"No, I never heard."
"I wish you'd find out and let me know. You can send the letter to Joel
Phipps, Groveton. Then find out if it's easy to get such a chance."
"I will. I shall be glad to oblige you."
"You always was obligin', Rodney. I've asked Jack Bundy to do it--you
know his folks live in the city--but he never would. He's a mighty
disagreeable boy. He never liked you."
"Didn't he?"
"No, I surmise he was jealous of you. He used to say you put on so
many airs it made him sick."
"I don't think any of the other boys would say that."
"No, but they could say it of him. Do you think his father is rich?"
"I have always heard that he was."
"I hope he's better about paying his debt than Jack. I lent him twenty
five cents a year ago and I never could get it back."
The distance from the school to the station was a mile. Joel fetched the
carriage round with a sweep and then jumped off, opened the door, and
then helped the passengers to disembark, if that word is allowable.
"How soon does the train start, Joel?" asked Rodney.
"In about five minutes."
"Then I had better purchase my ticket without delay."

"Don't forget to ask about horse car drivers!"
"No, I won't. I should like to have you come to New York. I know no
one there, and I should feel glad to see a familiar face."
The train came up in time, and Rodney was one of half a dozen
passengers who entered the cars.
He obtained a place next to a stout man dressed in a pepper and salt
suit.
"Is this seat engaged?" asked Rodney.
"Yes--to you," and his fellow passenger laughed.
Rodney laughed too, for he saw that the remark was meant to be jocose.
He put his gripsack on the floor at his feet, but held the casket in his lap.
He did not like to run any risk with that.
"Are you a drummer?" asked the stout man, with a glance at the casket.
"No, sir."
"I thought you might be, and that THAT might contain your samples."
"No, sir. That is private property."
He had thought of telling what it contained, but checked himself. He
knew nothing of his companion, and was not sure how far it might be
safe to trust a stranger.
"I used to be a drummer myself--in the jewelry line--" continued his
companion, "and I carried a box just like that."
"Ah, indeed! Then you are not in that business now?"
"No, I got tired of it. I deal in quite a different article now."

"Indeed?"
"Suburban lot."
"You don't happen to have any of them with you?"
The stout man roared with laughter, giving Rodney the impression that
he had said a very witty thing.
"That's a good one," he remarked, "the best I've heard for a long time.
No, I haven't any of the lots with me, but I've got a circular. Just cast
your eye over that," and he drew a large and showy prospectus from his
pocket.
"If you should be looking for a good investment," he continued, "you
can't do any better than buy a lot at Morton Park. It is only eighteen
miles from the city and is rapidly building up. You can buy lot on easy
installments, and I will myself pick one out for you that is almost sure
to double in value in a year or two."
"Thank you," said Rodney, "but I shall have to invest my money, if I
get any, in a different way."
"As what for instance?"
"In board and lodging."
"Good. That is even more necessary than real estate."
"How long have you been in the business, sir?"
"About six months."
"And how does it pay?"
"Very well, if you know how to talk."
"I should think you might do well, then."

"Thank you. I appreciate the compliment. What business are you going
into, that is, if you are going to the city?"
"I am going to the city, but I have no idea yet what I shall do."
"Perhaps you may like to become an agent for our lots. I shall be ready
to employ you as sub agent if you feel disposed."
"Thank you, sir. If you will give me your card, I may call upon you."
The short man drew from his card case a business card. It bore the
name
ADIN WOODS. ROYAL BUILDING. NASSAU