Horatio Alger

“ Are you a teacher, Rodney?"
"I will be your teacher if you are willing to have me."
"Yes, I should like it. And will you go to walk with me in Central Park?"
"Yes."
"Then, papa, you may as well engage him. I was afraid you would get a tiresome old man for my teacher."
"That settles it, Rodney," said Mr. Sargent, smiling. "Now, Arthur, run out and I will speak further with Rodney about you."
"All right, papa."
"As Arthur seems to like you, I will give you a trial. As he suggested, I should like to have you become his companion as well as teacher. ”

“ I live in Philadelphia, but I have a brother living in West Fifty Eighth Street. He has one little boy, Arthur, now nine years of age. Arthur is quite precocious, but his health is delicate, and my brother has thought of getting a private instructor for him. Do you like young children?"
"Very much. I always wished that I had a little brother."
"Then I think you would suit my brother better as a tutor for Arthur than a young man. Being a boy yourself, you would be not only tutor but companion." ”

“ Rodney told his story frankly. Mrs. Harvey was very sympathetic by nature, and she listened with the deepest interest, and latterly with indignation when Rodney spoke of his dismissal from Mr. Goodnow's store.
"You have been treated shamefully," she said warmly.
"I think Mr. Goodnow really believes me guilty," rejoined Rodney.
"A dishonest boy would hardly have returned a valuable box of jewelry." ”