Gilbert Greyson

“ John had been sent out on an errand, but had fallen into his old way of loitering and wasting the time which belonged to his employer. When he caught sight of Gilbert he started in surprise at his young companion.
219“Hallo, Greyson!” he said, by way of opening a conversation.
“Good-morning,” said Gilbert, coldly.
“Is that your sister?” asked John, looking hard at Emma.
“No,” answered Gilbert, shortly.
“Ho, ho!” laughed John. “I understand.”
“I am glad you do.”
“You’ve got a place as a girl’s nurse. That’s good.”
“You are very witty,” said Gilbert.
“How much wages do you get?” continued John. ”

“ Briggs dismissed Gilbert from his mind, and shortly afterwards bade good-by to his wife and son.
“I sometimes think your father is actually soft,” said Mrs. Briggs to Randolph, on the way over the ferry. “What claim has that Greyson boy upon him, that he should squander six dollars a week upon him? And that isn’t all, I presume. I have no doubt the boy manages to coax extra money out of him almost every week.” ”

“ Jones,” said Gilbert, “but my own acquaintance is too limited to allow me to take such a liberty.”
“Just as you say, of course,” said Alphonso, crestfallen. “I dare say I shall soon meet them at some fashionable party.”
“So it will really not make much difference,” suggested Ingalls.
“Oh, very little,” said Mr. Jones, nonchalantly. “I thought perhaps Mr. Greyson might like the company of one who was used to society. I think, on the whole, I will call on my friends, the Montmorencys, this evening.”
“Where do they live, Mr. Jones?” asked Mr. Ingalls. ”

“ It is not a pleasant moment when for the first time we are led to suspect those in whom we have confided; and important and welcome as the intelligence otherwise was, Gilbert felt sober at the treachery of Mr. Briggs. The latter, as we have seen, had been kinder to him than his wife or son, and Gilbert had felt grateful. Even now he could not rid himself of a certain feeling of kindness to his guardian, false as he had been to his trust. ”

“ Burton’s Boarding School, at Westville.”
“I have heard of it.”
Then, lowering his voice, he said, “I see, Mr. Greyson, you are looking at the happy couple opposite.”
“They seem very happy,” said Gilbert, smiling.
“Oh, yes, they are wrapt up in each other. However, that is better than to quarrel all the time. Do 101you see that tall, thin man at the end of the table, and the lady at his side?” ”

“ Gilbert thanked her again.
“Now I must leave you. Good-morning.”
Mrs. Briggs sailed out of the room, and Gilbert, following her, let himself out into the street.
“So that’s what they call a city mansion,” he said to himself. “I’d ten times rather be in my room at Dr. Burton’s. I felt as if I was in danger of stifling in that showy parlor. I hope I am not going to live there.”
Gilbert had nowhere to go; but the city was a novelty, and he wandered about the streets, looking about him with the keen interest of a country visitor.
A short walk brought him to the Fifth Avenue Hotel. ”

“ While Gilbert was gone, Randolph said, “I am glad Gilbert has got a place, for he is poor and needs it. My father has done a great deal for him; but then he can afford it, for he is a rich man. I have no friends in this neighborhood; but I thought I would come down to see how he was getting along.”
“Gilbert ought to be very grateful,” said Mr. Ingalls, dryly.
123“I think so, too. It is not every poor boy who has a rich man to help him.”
Here Gilbert re-entered with the water, and shortly after Randolph left.
“What do you think of him, Mr. Ingalls?” asked Gilbert. ”

“ Briggs is no longer Gilbert’s guardian. Our hero is of age, and has assumed the charge of his own property. He is always sure of a cordial welcome from Mrs. Briggs now, and Randolph cultivates his intimacy; but Gilbert does not find him congenial. He is inclined to be dissipated, and, I am afraid, will not turn out well. But his mother upholds him on all occasions; and her ill-judged indulgence is partly the cause of her son’s lack of promise.
356Gilbert sometimes visits the old boarding-house. Mr. Ingalls is prospering. Alphonso Jones now boasts of his intimacy with Gilbert. ”

“ Gilbert dressed himself carefully, and at half-past seven started on his visit. The evening was pleasant, and he decided to walk. Just opposite the Hoffman House he fell in with Randolph Briggs.
“Hallo, Gilbert,” called out Randolph, “where are you bound,—to our house? I don’t believe you’ll find anybody at home.”
“I am bound elsewhere,” said Gilbert
“Where?” asked Randolph, curiously.
“To Mr. Vivian’s.”
“To call upon Laura?”
“My call will not be exclusively upon her,” said Gilbert.
“Take my advice and don’t go,” said Randolph actuated by jealousy.
129“Why not?” Gilbert asked, quietly. ”

“ GILBERT’S PLANS. Gilbert left the house of Mrs. Briggs, not cast down, but with a full understanding of his situation. Until now he had had his guardian’s assistance, and, with the income from his position as office-boy, had felt no anxiety. Now, both had failed him, for the time at least, and he must shift for himself. Disaster develops the manhood in a boy as well as a man. So Gilbert did not indulge in any gloomy anticipations of starvation or pauperism. ”

“ Say no more about this affair, and to-morrow I will make over to you bank-shares amounting to ten thousand dollars. That will give you a good start in life.”
“I only want what is my own,” said Gilbert, sturdily. “I want what my father left me.”
Mr. Briggs rose, and paced the room in silence. His good and bad angel were contending for the 343supremacy. The conflict came to an end, and his better nature triumphed. He resumed his seat, looking no longer perplexed or troubled, but as one who had thrown off a burden.
“Gilbert,” he said, “it is all true. I have tried to be a villain ”

“ Though it must be admitted that Gilbert was more fortunate than the majority of boys in his position, it is claimed that he displayed qualities which may wisely be imitated by all boys who are called upon to vishift for themselves. In the last three years many thousand American boys have been compelled, like Gilbert, to give up their cherished hopes, and exchange school-life for narrow means and hard work. ”

“ Briggs, graciously. “Randolph will be so glad of your company.”
“Thank you.”
Gilbert thought it due to his guardian to accept. He was wise enough to take the world as he found it, and return courtesy with courtesy.
“What has happened, Gilbert?” exclaimed his room-mate, when, half an hour later, Gilbert broke into the room, his face full of excitement.
“I am rich, Mr. Ingalls. I have become heir to eighty thousand dollars.”
“Good gracious!” exclaimed Alphonso Jones, who was present. “I suppose you will go to live on Fifth Avenue among the swells.” ”

“ He settled himself down to the comfortable reading of an evening paper, and had about completed its perusal when the bell rang, and Gilbert entered the room.
“Well, Gilbert, did you have a pleasant time?” asked his guardian.
“Yes, sir; unexpectedly so. I met Mr. Vivian and his daughter, and went to Delmonico’s with them.”
“You found him an agreeable man, no doubt?”
73“Yes, sir; he treated me very kindly for a stranger.”
“He has a high reputation,” said Mr. Briggs.
“Is he in business?”
“Yes; he is an importer, and is generally considered very wealthy. ”

“ There is no company—no one but ourselves.”
“Ahem!” said Mr. Briggs, clearing his throat: “there was a very small property, but it has all been spent on Gilbert’s education.”
“Who left him the property?” asked Randolph, persistently.
Gilbert was interested in the answer to this question, and he looked with eager inquiry at his guardian, hoping that he would reveal what he had so long desired to know.
“You are very curious,” said Mr. Briggs, displeased.
“There’s no reason why you shouldn’t tell me; is there, father?” ”

“ Both mother and son could see that Gilbert and Laura Vivian were conversing pleasantly, judging from the smiles on the faces of each.
“Mr. and Mrs. Vivian are not very wise in permitting such an intimacy between their daughter and a penniless boy,” said Mrs. Briggs, frowning. “Some people are very unwise.”
“I dare say he pretends he is rich, and boasts of father’s being his guardian,” suggested Randolph. ”

“ The landlady took the money with avidity, for she had considered the debt a bad one.
“Thank you, young man,” she said; adding, in an apologetic tone, “You may think me hard, but I have to be. I have to live myself.”
Gilbert listened coldly, for he was disgusted with the woman’s coarse and brutal manners.
“And I hope you’ll get well soon, sir,” she said, turning to Mr. Talbot; but he did not answer her.
“It is the way of the world,” he remarked, after 229Mrs. Flanders had gone out. “Poverty has few friends.” ”

“ Briggs,” said Gilbert, quietly, betraying no anger; 193“I expected it, for I knew you are prejudiced against me.”
“I certainly don’t believe the very extraordinary story you have told us,” retorted the lady. “You charge a book-keeper, of high standing, with entering into a conspiracy against you. It is absurd upon its face.”
“How do you know the book-keeper is of high standing?” asked Mr. Briggs.
“Because Mr. Sands would not have any other.”
“Gilbert has the same guaranty of high standing,” said her husband, smiling. “He has been employed by Mr. Sands.” ”

“ How on earth did he come to know her?”
“I can’t say,” answered Moore, coldly. “He is a very forward, pushing fellow. That may explain it.”
“I hate him,” said John.
“I don’t love him overmuch myself,” said Moore.
John and his cousin were not the only acquaintances who recognized Gilbert on that evening.
Randolph and his mother sat two rows behind the Vivians. Mr. Briggs had intended to come, but had a headache. He had suggested that the extra ticket be sent to Gilbert; but Mrs. Briggs had decisively objected.
“I don’t care about having that boy seen with us in Steinway Hall,” she said. ”

“ I will stay up and read awhile longer.”
“He’s a plucky boy,” thought the young man. “He deserves to succeed, and I believe he will.”
266 CHAPTER XXX.
GILBERT BECOMES A NEWSBOY. At an early hour the next morning Gilbert took his stand near the office of the daily “Times.” He attracted immediate attention from the members of the new profession in which he had enrolled himself without permission.
“What are you doin’ here?” asked Jim Noonan, a tall newsboy, with red hair and freckled face.
“I am selling papers,” answered Gilbert, quietly. ”

“ What made you guess his errand?”
“I supposed he wanted help,” said Mrs. Briggs. “He wants his pension restored, of course.”
345“Is that what you came for, Gilbert?” asked Randolph, uncomfortably.
Gilbert rather enjoyed the misapprehension of his two enemies, but he left Mr. Briggs to answer.
“Really, my dear, you are hardly polite to my young ward.”
“Your ward! Don’t be ridiculous, Mr. Briggs. You know he hasn’t got a cent, and has to live on charity.”
“You are quite mistaken, my dear. Gilbert has just come into a property of over eighty thousand dollars. ”

“ Ingalls squeezed Gilbert’s hand under the table, with a comic look, which proved very trying to our hero’s gravity.
Miss Brintnall received unexpected help from Mrs. McDonald.
“I agree with you entirely, Miss Brintnall,” said that lady, “and I don’t believe there are any exceptions. Men always try to domineer over women.” ”

“ Talbot?”
“I ought to know him. I was his book-keeper up to the time of his death.”
“Is it possible?” ejaculated Gilbert. “How glad I am to meet you! I know nothing of my father except what Mr. Briggs has told me.”
“One thing I do not understand,” continued the sick man. “You say you have no property; but this cannot be. Your father left seventy-five thousand dollars.”
“Seventy-five thousand dollars! Are you sure, Mr. Talbot?”
“No one can be surer. I knew all about your father’s business and the extent of his property.”
“Was this money entrusted to my guardian?” asked Gilbert, quickly. ”

“ Briggs and Randolph have returned,” 344said the merchant. “One word, Gilbert, of what has passed between us, let it only be known that you have received a large legacy, and that I am your guardian in reality as well as in name.”
“All right, sir. Perhaps I had better go. Mrs. Briggs don’t like me.”
Her husband laughed.
“She will change when she knows you are rich,” he said. “Don’t be surprised. It is the way of the world.”
He had scarcely finished when Mrs. Briggs entered, followed by Randolph. She remarked Gilbert’s presence with displeasure. ”

“ When this money is expended, Gilbert will let us know, and then we will see what else is to be done.”
“You are a dear, good boy, to offer the money,” said Laura, giving her brother an unexpected kiss; “you have got a good heart, though you don’t always keep your face and hands clean.”
233“A fellow can’t be always washing his face and hands,” said Fred. “You needn’t kiss me if you are afraid of the dirt.”
Laura laughed. “I will risk it this time,” she said.
“Won’t you play me a game of checkers, Gilbert?” asked Fred. ”

“ Even when his fortunes were at the lowest, he never failed to buy a bouquet of her daily. More than this he did not feel able to do then. But as soon as he obtained the position of Fred’s teacher, he again visited Mr. Talbot in his poor lodgings, and gave him more substantial assistance. The sick man improved steadily in health and spirits. It did him great good to feel that he had a friend, though that friend was only a boy, dependent on his earnings for support.
On the day after he had heard of Mr. Briggs’ return from Europe, Gilbert made a hurried call during his dinner-hour. ”