Horatio Alger

“ It was not a pleasant discovery for a man who had prided himself for many years on his superiority as a musician. If it had been a man of established fame it would have been different, but to be compelled to yield the palm to an unknown boy, was certainly mortifying. When he heard the applause that followed Philip's performance, and remembered that none had been called forth by his own, he determined that he would not play again that evening. ”

“ Philip looked round the room, which was of good size, and contained some thirty or more guests, and he saw that the professor was right. He met several curious glances, some fair ladies expressing interest as well as curiosity, and his face flushed. “Gratifying, isn't it?” said the professor, smiling. “No, I don't think it is,” answered our hero. “Why not?” demanded Professor Riccabocca, appearing amazed. “If all were true, it might be,” replied Philip. “As it is, I feel like a humbug.” “Humbug pays in this world,” said the professor cheerfully. ”

“ Squire Pope now turned to our hero, and said: “As I was about to say, when interrupted by Nicholas, I have come to require you to give up—the Violin which, without authority and against my express command, you withheld from the auction.” “The violin is mine, Squire Pope,” said Philip firmly, “and I mean to keep it!” “You talk like an ignorant boy. As a minor, you had no claim to the possession of any article except your clothing. I judged it best that the violin should be sold at the auction, and it is presumptuous for you to set up your judgment against mine!” ”

“ Philip's cheek flushed, and he, too, began to feel angry. “He isn't as old as you are, Mr. Beck,” said Andrew Blake manfully, “but you'll find he understands his business.” “I certainly didn't expect you to get a child in my place,” said Paul Beck scornfully. “I suppose a musician may know how to play, if he isn't sixty-five,” said Miss Maria Snod-grass, who had listened indignantly to Mr. Beck's contemptuous remarks about our hero, whose cause she so enthusiastically championed. ”

“ I think there will be a little more than fifty dollars to come to each of us.” “Fifty dollars for one evening's work!” repeated Philip, his eyes sparkling. “Oh, I have done much better than that,” said the professor. “I remember once at St. Louis I made for myself alone one hundred and eighty dollars net, and in Chicago a little more.” “I didn't think it was such a money-making business,” said Philip, elated. “Yes, Mr. de Gray, the American people are willing to recognize talent, when it is genuine. You are on the threshold of a great career, my dear young friend.” ”

“ We congratulate the citizens of Wilkesville on the remarkable entertainment which they will have an opportunity of enjoying this evening at the Music Hall. Professor Lorenzo Riccabocca, whose fame as an elocutionist and dramatic reader has made his name a household word throughout Europe and America, will give some of his choice recitals and personations, assisted by Philip de Gray, the wonderful boy-musician, whose talent as a violin-player has been greeted with rapturous applause in all parts of the United States. It is universally acknowledged that no one of his age has ever equaled him. ”

“ The professor rubbed his hands in glee. “Did you see what a house we have, Mr. de Gray?” “Yes, professor.” “I think there'll be a hundred dollars over and above expenses.” “That will be splendid!” said Philip, naturally elated. “The firm of Riccaboeca and De Gray is starting swimmingly.” “So it is. I hope it will continue so.” “Here is the program, Mr. de Gray. You will observe that I appear first, in my famous soliloquy. You will follow, with the 'Carnival of Venice.' Do you feel agitated?” “Oh, no. I am so used to playing that I shall not feel at all bashful.” “That is well.” ”

“ Tucker. “Philip,” said Squire Pope pompously, “you are very young, and you don't know what is best for you. We do, and you must submit. Mr. Tucker, take him and put him in the wagon, and we'll drive over to the poorhouse.” “What! now?” asked Philip, in dismay. “Just so,” answered Joe Tucker. “When you've got your bird, don't let him go, that's what I say.” “That's the talk, dad!” said Zeke gladfully. “We'll take down his pride, I guess, when we've got him home.” Joe Tucker approached Philip, and was about to lay hold of him, when our hero started back. ”

“ Perhaps he is in the plot, and is to meet the old fraud at some place fixed upon, and divide the booty,” suggested the agent. “The boy looks honest,” said the landlord. “I like his appearance. We will see what he has to say.” So when Philip had finished his breakfast he was summoned to the parlor, where he met the creditors of the combination. “These gentlemen,” said the landlord, “have bills against you and the professor. It makes no difference whether they receive pay from you or him.” Poor Philip's heart sank within him. “I was hoping Professor Riccabocca had settled your bills,” he said. ”

“ He accordingly rose, dressed himself quietly, and, with one cautious look at Philip—who was fast asleep—descended the stairs to the office. Only the bookkeeper was in the office. “You are stirring early, professor,” he said. “Yes,” answered Riccabocca, “I generally take a morning walk, to get an appetite for breakfast.” “My appetite comes without the walk,” said the bookkeeper, smiling. “If Mr. de Gray comes downstairs, please tell him I will be back soon,” said Riccabocca. ”

“ Mr. Tucker drove up to the front door with a flourish. A hard-featured woman came out, and regarded the contents of the wagon with curiosity. “Well, Abigail, can you take another boarder!” asked Mr. Tucker, as he descended from the wagon. “Who is it?” “Well, it ain't likely to be Squire Pope!” said Joe facetiously; “and Zeke and I are regular boarders on the free list.” “Is it that boy?” “Yes; it's Phil Gray.” “Humph! boys are a trial!” remarked Mrs. Tucker, whose experience with Zeke had doubtless convinced her of this fact. “I sha'n't trouble you long, Mrs. Tucker,” said Philip. ”

“ You can't expect people will come just to hear you play. You need me to help you.” “It may be as you say, professor, but if you insist upon my speaking plainly, I don't care to travel with a man who has treated me as you have.” “I don't understand you,” said Riccabocca nervously; but it was evident, from his expression, that he did. “Then you seem very forgetful,” said Philip. “You tried to deprive me of my share of the proceeds of the entertainment at Wilkesville, and would have succeeded but for a lucky accident.” “I told you that it was all owing to neuralgia,” said Professor Riccabocca. ”

“ We must succeed!” said the professor, striking an attitude. “In the vocabulary of youth, there's no such word as 'fail'! Away with timid caution! Our watchword be success!” “Of course, you have much more experience than I,” said Philip. “Certainly I have! We must keep up appearances. Be guided by me, and all will come right.” Philip reflected that they could not very well make less than their expenses, and accordingly he acceded to the professor's plans. They entered the hotel, and Professor Riccabocca, assuming a dignified, important step, walked up to the office. ”

“ There ain't any one else dead, is there!” “I had been expecting my poor father's death for some time,” said Philip gravely. “Just so! He wa'n't very rugged. We've all got to come to it sooner or later. I expect dad'll die of apoplexy some time-he's so awful fat,” remarked Nicholas cheerfully. “If he does, it's lucky he's got me to run the business. I'm only eighteen, but I can get along as well as anybody. I'm kinder smart in business.” “I am glad you are smart in anything,” thought Philip; for he knew that Nick was a hopeless dunce in school duties. ”

“ As he turned, the farmer snatched the club from his hand, and he found himself unexpectedly unarmed and confronted by three enemies. “It's my turn now,” said Lovett. “Do you surrender?” The tramp saw that the game was up and made a dash for the open window, but Philip skillfully inserted a stick between his legs, and tripped him up, and, with the help of Mr. Lovett, held him, struggling desperately, till Frank fetched a rope, with which he was securely bound. “Confound you!” he said, scowling at the two boys. “But for you I would have succeeded and got away with my booty.” “That's true!” ”

“ The large sums which Philip had received for his playing might have dazzled a less sensible boy. He was quite conscious that he played unusually well for a boy, but when it came to selecting music as a profession, he felt it would not be wise to come to too hasty a decision. To be a commonplace performer did not seem to him very desirable, and would not have satisfied his ambition. He had told Professor Riccabocca that he intended to go to New York. ”

“ He was prepared to see a full-grown man. Philip followed Andrew Blake up to the central group. “Who is it, I say,” Mr. Beck was inquiring, “that engaged another musician to take my place?” “No one, sir,” answered Andrew Blake firmly, for Mr. Beck's unreasonableness provoked him. “I engaged a musician to play this evening, but it was not in your place, for you had sent us word that you could not appear.” “Where is he, I say?” continued Paul Beck sourly. “Here he is,” replied Blake, drawing toward our hero, who felt that he was placed in an awkward position. “Why, he's only a baby!” ”

“ In the common room, to the right, the door of which was partly open, Philip saw some old men and women sitting motionless, in a sort of weary patience. They were “paupers,” and dependent for comfort on the worthy couple, who regarded them merely as human machines, good to them for sixty cents a week each. Mr. Tucker did not stop at the first landing, but turned and began to ascend a narrower and steeper staircase leading to the next story. ”

“ Dunbar, “Squire Pope has done a very unwise thing as regards his own interests. He desires to remain in office, and the people will not be likely to reelect him if his policy is to make paupers of those who wish to maintain themselves. Voters will be apt to think that they are sufficiently taxed already for the support of those who are actually unable to maintain themselves.” “If I were a voter,” exclaimed Frank indignantly, “I wouldn't vote for Squire Pope, even for dog-catcher! ”

“ Frank Dunbar bowed, and the squire went his way. “That's a very impudent boy!” he soliloquized. “Just like the Gray boy. It wouldn't do him any harm to put him under Joe Tucker's care, too.” After the squire had passed on, Philip came out from behind the stone wall. “Did you hear what passed between your guardian and myself?” asked Frank. “Yes, I heard every word.” “He little thought that the bird had flown, Phil.” “He will make all the trouble he can. That is one more reason why I think it best to leave town.” “I wouldn't let Squire Pope drive you out of town.” ”

“ He had an honorable pride in maintaining himself, and would rather get along on one meal a day, earned by himself in honest independence, than be indebted to public charity even for a luxurious support. “Squire Pope doesn't know what he's talking about,” retorted Philip, who had to exercise some self-restraint not to express himself more forcibly “and you can tell him so when you see him. I am no more likely to go to the poorhouse than you are!” “Come, that's a good one,” chuckled Nick. “Talk of me goin' to the poorhouse, when my father pays one of the biggest taxes in town! ”

“ Fifty cents is the pitiful sum for which our citizens will have it put in their power to hear this wonderful combination of talent. This secures a reserved seat.” Philip read this notice with increasing amazement. “What do you think of that, Mr. de Gray?” asked the professor gleefully. “Won't that make Wilkesville open its eyes, eh?” “It has made me open my eyes, professor,” said Philip. “Ha, ha!” said the professor, appearing amused. “How soon are we to sail for Europe?” asked Philip, smiling. “When Queen Victoria sends our passage-money,” answered Riccabocca, laughing. ”

“ You ain't in any business, be you?” Henry was rather ashamed to mention that his business was killing Indians, though, as yet, he had not done anything in that line. He had an idea that he might be laughed at. “I am a little of a musician,” said Philip modestly. “Sho! do you make it pay?” “Pretty well, so far; but I think when I get to New York I shall try something else.” “Are you a musician as well as he?” asked the farmer of Henry. “No, sir.” “Come, father, you'd better sit down to supper, and do your talking afterward,” said the farmer's wife. ”

“ Tucker,” he said. “I will get into the wagon if Squire Pope insists upon it.” “I'm glad you're gettin' sensible,” said the squire, congratulating himself on finding Philip more tractable than he expected. “And you will go to the poorhouse peaceful, and without making a fuss?” asked Joe. “Yes, I will go there; but I won't stay there.” “You won't stay there!” ejaculated the squire. “No, sir! In treating me as a dependent on charity, you are doing what neither you nor any other man has a right to do,” said Philip firmly. ”

“ Gray,” said Riccabocca. “It would be a great advantage for you to have my assistance at this stage of your professional career.” “I don't expect to have any professional career,” answered Philip. “Don't you intend to become a professional musician?” asked the professor, surprised. “Probably not. I have only been playing because I needed money, and my violin helped me to a living.” “You can't make as much money in any other way.” “Not at present; but I want to get a chance to enter upon some kind of business. I am going to New York.” ”