Jr. Horatio Alger

“ Make the most of your talent. Become something more than a portrait painter. Become a great artist; and when all men acknowledge your talent, Miss Dearborn will be proud to accept your devotion, and to reward it. Is my advice good?"
"Mother, you put new life into me," said the young man, his face glowing with new hope. "I have always wished to become a true artist. I am a portrait painter because poverty made it necessary." ”

“ Stephen Palmer, since his discomfiture, had not visited his step-mother or Grace. He felt that he hated the whole family, but most of all Paul. A bully never forgives the one, boy or man, who humiliates him; and Stephen felt the more mortified and incensed because our hero was so much younger than himself. Paul was his equal in height, but Stephen was broader and stronger, and but for his habits of intoxication, which robbed him of his strength, would have given his young brother a good deal of trouble. ”

“ MAJOR ASHTON AT BAY.
"Well, mother, have you any news to tell me?" asked Paul, when he had received a joyful welcome from his mother and sister.
"There is one item," said Mrs. Palmer. "Of course you have not forgotten Miss Dearborn?"
"As if I would be likely to! I don't forget one who has been so kind to all of us. What about her?"
"She is to be married—a very romantic marriage too—to a young portrait painter, who is rich in talent, but has no money."
"Well, I hope he is worthy of her. Miss Dearborn has money enough for both."
"Her aunt, too—Mrs. Sheldon—is to be married." ”

“ Paul shook his head.
"We don't see much of him," he answered. "He isn't very steady, and is more likely to ask help of us than to give it."
"And he is a strong, young man!" exclaimed the young lady, indignantly. "Why, he can't have any sense of pride or honor."
"Not much. We can do better without him than with him."
"It is lucky for your mother and sister that you are different from him."
"That is true enough, miss. I should be ashamed to act like him."
"What is your little sister's name?"
"Grace."
"Why, that is my name. She is a namesake of mine." ”

“ If Miss Dearborn is what I think she is, she will not set an undue estimate upon wealth. She will understand how many vulgar and ill-bred men possess it, and will rate higher the talent, the refinement, and the culture of a gentleman, and the good heart that makes him ever a loyal and affectionate son. Such a man cannot fail to make a desirable husband."
[Pg 115] "Ah, mother," said Vernon, smiling, "you are a mother, and, like all mothers, you overrate your son. If Grace would but look upon me with your eyes, perhaps I might hope. ”

“ Really fashionable life is so exhausting—parties and engagements nearly every night in the week. However, you know all about that."
"I am not so easily fatigued, perhaps, as if I belonged to the fairer sex. Will you accept my arm for a promenade, or are you too much fatigued?"
"Oh, I am quite rested, I assure you," said the young lady, joyfully.
"I see the portrait painter is here," remarked Major Ashton, with a carelessness he did not feel.
"Yes; isn't it strange Miss Dearborn should invite him?" returned Miss Framley, eagerly. "Really almost a beggar, as you may say." ”

“ Some months after—to anticipate a little—when Vernon had become a fashionable portrait painter, Miss Simmons actually sat to him, and paid his price.
It is the way of the world. We are willing to pay any sum at the bidding of Fashion, with little regard to what we pay for.
But while Vernon's worldly success had improved, there was another consequence of his acquaintance with Grace which disquieted him. In spite of all the arguments which reason could offer, he felt that he was drifting—had already drifted—into love for the beautiful girl to whose kindness of heart he owed his new prosperity. ”

“ If you feel that your love for this young lady is deep and earnest, such a love as comes but once in a life-time, let her know of it, and give her a chance to accept or reject it."
"Mother, are you mad? Do you know that Grace Dearborn is a wealthy heiress—that she moves in the most exclusive society of Chicago—that she is admired by many who are rated as eligible matches?" ”

“ His face betrayed his surprise and annoyance.
"Is it possible that Miss Dearborn has invited this portrait painter to her party?" he asked himself.
Then his eyes dwelt critically on the refined and handsome face of the artist, and a vague feeling of jealousy sprang up within him, for he was still firmly resolved upon marrying Grace.
"But no," he thought, recovering himself; "Grace would not stoop to a fellow like that. She only wishes to patronize him." ”

“ Sheldon was sitting in her morning-room when a servant appeared and announced that Major Ashton was in the parlor.
"Major Ashton!" repeated the widow. "Did you tell him Miss Grace was out?"
"Yes'm; but he said it was of no consequence; he wanted to see you."
"I suppose he wants to inquire about his chances with Grace," thought Mrs. Sheldon. "I am sorry I can't give him any encouragement. I never knew Grace more prejudiced against a man than she is against the major. Tell him I will come down at once." This last to the servant. ”

“ Stephen tumbled out of bed and opened the door.
"Luke Denton!" he said. "Why, what on earth's the matter with you?"
Luke Denton it was, but by no means in as good trim as when we first made his acquaintance in the railroad car. There were patches of mud on his coat and pantaloons; there was a long scratch on one of his hands, and a bruise on his forehead, while his nose appeared to have been bleeding. For a man who was generally very careful of his appearance it was certainly rather a strange plight to be in.
"Have you been in a fight?" Stephen asked, not unnaturally. ”

“ Vernon," said Grace, earnestly, "I don't think you will have to paint another portrait at such a ridiculously low price."
"Not if all were as generously disposed as you," returned Vernon, gratefully.
"There may be others disposed to pay you a fair price. Indeed, I have persuaded my aunt to sit to you when my portrait is finished."
"How can I thank you for your kindness, Miss Dearborn?" ”

“ The next morning Frederic Vernon was sitting in his plain studio in a fit of despondency. He had just had a visit from Miss Framley, who had given him an order for a portrait, after beating him down to twenty dollars.
In vain he had told her that he could not afford to work so cheap. She protested that she would not pay a cent more than her friend.
Vernon was on the point of declining the commission, but he reflected with a sigh that work even at that price was better than to be idle, and he sadly consented. ”

“ The same evening, about eight o'clock, the servant entered Miss Dearborn's presence, and said:
"There is a young man at the door who wishes to see you."
"Who is it? Did he give you his card?"
"I don't believe he has any, Miss Grace," said the girl, laughing. "It's a boy about sixteen, and a little girl."
"Oh, it's my train boy!" exclaimed Grace, with animation.
Soon Paul and his little sister entered the room.
Our hero's manner was modest, but self-possessed, while Grace clung to him bashfully.
"I am glad to see you, Paul," said the young lady, with a bright smile. ”

“ No wonder my poor boy loves you. Oh, Miss Dearborn, I wish you were poor like ourselves, so that Frederic might have some hope of gaining your hand. I know of course it is useless. He is a poor artist—you a rich heiress, and a favorite in society."
Grace did not reply, but speedily made herself ready and accompanied Mrs. Vernon to her lodgings.
They were modest, but no longer humble. As the young artist prospered he took care to remove his mother from the poor home which they had been forced to occupy, and were at present in neat apartments, in a respectable part of the city. ”

“ It would take me a week to make as much as that by sewing."
"They pay mean wages for sewing, mother. I wouldn't slave at that kind of work."
"I shouldn't like to depend upon that kind of work altogether, but I can just as well earn something that way. I don't want you to support Grace and me in idleness."
"No danger of your being idle, mother. That doesn't come natural to you. Some time or other I hope to support you as a lady."
"I hope you will be prospered, Paul; but I shall never be willing to fold my hands and do nothing." ”

“ I propose to pay a good price for good work. There is my card. Be kind enough to apprise me when you are ready for me."
"Miss Dearborn," said the artist, his face lighting up with gratitude, "you have done a great favor to a struggling man. Miss Framley beat me down, while you offer to pay a price such as only an artist of established reputation would dare to charge."
"I'm only anticipating matters a little," said Grace, smiling, as she left the studio. ”

“ Manson, the book-keeper, will be somewhat disappointed, as he wanted the place for his nephew."
"I don't like to stand in the way of any other boy," said Paul, considerately.
"You will not. This nephew—Julius Clay—I happen to know is an unreliable boy, who is disobedient at home, and would not give me satisfaction. In any event I wouldn't take him."
"Won't Mr. Manson be prejudiced against me?" asked Paul.
"He has no right to be. I am under no obligations to employ a boy I have no confidence in, however nearly related he may be to Mr. Manson. ”

“ Palmer, anxiously, "that Stephen with some of his bad companions may lie in wait for you and do you some injury."
"I will try to take care of myself, mother," said Paul.
"Why should there be so many wicked people in the world?" sighed the widow. "I can't see how Stephen turned out so badly. His father was a good man, and I have heard that he had a good mother; but Mr. Palmer always had a great deal of trouble with him from a boy."
"He is lazy, and wants to get a living without work," answered Paul. ”

“ I don't choose to let him think we are social equals. American society is too promiscuous, as ma often says. Don't you think so yourself, Major Ashton?"
"No doubt your honored mother is right," answered Ashton, with a mocking smile.
"How nice it must be to live in England, and meet those dear, delightful earls, and dukes, and barons!" exclaimed Miss Framley, rapturously. "Did you ever know an earl or a duke, Major Ashton?"
"Yes, I made the acquaintance of an earl once. We were passengers on the same steamer." ”

“ So saying, he put his hand into his pocket to feel for his wallet.
Quickly an expression of alarm came over his face, and he exclaimed, loud enough to be heard by all the passengers near by:
"I have been robbed! I cannot find my wallet!"
"It may have dropped out of your pocket," suggested Paul.
"Nay, I see it. It is in thy pocket, thou young thief!" exclaimed the old man, reaching out his hand and drawing forth a large wallet from the side pocket of Paul's sack coat. "It is truly sad to see such depravity in one so young." ”

“ Miss Framley drew out her purse, and, taking a half-dollar from it, with a spiteful air handed it to our hero.
"There," she said, "take it, but don't expect me to employ your mother again."
"I don't," said Paul. "Good-evening."
"It is absolute extortion," said the economical young lady, as she went up stairs again. "It is very provoking, for Mrs. Palmer sews exquisitely. If I hold off for awhile, I may bring her to my terms. Twenty-five cents a day is a very fair price for such easy work as sewing, in my opinion." ”

“ Paul did tell the story already familiar to us.
"And this person is to be present at my party!" thought Grace, with an uncontrollable feeling of disgust. "I shall find it hard to be ordinarily polite to her."
"You must not think all ladies are as inconsiderate, Paul," she said. "Has your mother leisure to do some sewing for me?"
"She will be glad to do so, Miss Dearborn."
"Then, if you can call here to-morrow evening, I will have a bundle ready. I shall pay her double the price she charged Miss Framley."
"You are very kind, Miss Dearborn, and my mother will be overjoyed. ”

“ If there was sarcasm in his words, Miss Framley, who was not over sharp, except in money matters, did not perceive it.
"I always try to be considerate," she responded, complacently. "But, as you were saying, it is very singular Miss Dearborn should pay so much attention to a man in his sphere of life."
"I think it was you who said it, Miss Framley; however, I am disposed to agree with you."
"And then she selects him as her first escort, and lowers herself, as one may say, to his level."
"Perhaps she feels a special interest in him," suggested Major Ashton. ”

“ Bradford.
"Oh, yes, sir; I have seen you often on the train."
"I can return the compliment, my young friend," said Bradford, smiling, "but I am not familiar with your name."
"My name is not quite so well known as yours, Mr. Bradford. I am Paul Palmer, at your service!"
"Paul Palmer! The name sounds very well, my boy. Some day it may be well known, too. I was not very conspicuous myself at your age. Come, now, how much do you manage to earn in the course of a week?"
"I seldom fall short of seven dollars. Sometimes I get up as high as ten." ”