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Read Ebook: Sleep Walking and Moon Walking: A Medico-Literary Study by Sadger J Brink Louise Translator
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Ebook has 2356 lines and 71465 words, and 48 pages
"Yes, I have other relatives. An uncle of mine is the present mayor of Chicago. Of course, you have heard of Chicago."
"Yes; it is one of your largest cities, is it not?"
"Yes, it's a smart place, Chicago is."
"Do you live there?"
"Not at present. I have relations in New York also. They are rich; live on Fifth Avenue, or near by."
"You are fortunate in having so many relations," said Scott, with a touch of envy.
"I don't know. One of my uncles tried to cheat me out of part of my inheritance. Relations are not always the best friends."
"I hope he did not succeed," said Scott, politely, though he felt very little interest in the fortunes of his fellow voyager.
"No. That is, he defrauded me of ten thousand dollars, but there was a good deal more, so that I was not inconvenienced."
Lane spoke carelessly, and gave Scott the impression that he was a rich man.
"Then you have a home to go to," said Scott, sadly.
"No," answered Lane. "You see my father and mother are dead, and I live at the hotels or in apartments of my own. I don't care to live with relations. Have you any relations in New York?"
"None that I have seen. There is a cousin of my mother, Ezra Little, who I am told is well-to-do. But I never saw him, and I don't know how he will receive me."
"Then you will probably go to a hotel?"
"I suppose so, but I know nothing of New York."
"I hope," said Lane, in an insinuating tone, "that your father left you in easy circumstances?"
"No, I shall have to make my own way."
"Surely you have some money."
"Yes, I have twenty pounds. I am told that amounts to a hundred dollars in American currency."
"Yes," answered Lane, brightening up. "Well, that will tide you over till you get something to do. But probably your relative will provide for you."
"No," said Scott; "I shall not ask him to do so. I prefer to earn my own living."
"Just so. Well, I can be of some service to you. I will find you a reasonable place to stop, and when you get ready you can call on this Mr. Little."
"Thank you!"
Scott was disposed to accept the offer of his new acquaintance, as, of course, he himself knew absolutely nothing about New York.
THE FIRST DAY IN NEW YORK.
He was struck by the bright and bustling appearance of the great American metropolis, and, English though he was, he was fain to admit that it was more attractive than London.
Scott had but one gripsack, but in this respect Crawford Lane was no better off.
"I just took a brief trip across the water," he explained, "and I don't believe in being hampered with baggage."
"Then you were not gone long?" said Scott.
"No; I just ran across in company with an old college friend. He will be absent several months, but I could not spare the time from my business."
"Have you anything which a boy of my age could do in your office?" asked Scott, who felt that he must now be on the search for a place.
"Not at present. My business is of a peculiar nature. I travel for a large house. But I will keep my eyes open, and if I should hear of anything I will most certainly let you know."
"Do you expect anyone to meet you at the pier?"
"No, I never say much about my movements. My friends can wait till I get fairly established in a hotel."
Scott was somewhat amazed when his new acquaintance conducted him to a very plain house on the Bowery.
"I don't care for style," remarked Lane, observing Scott's surprise, "and though I could afford to go to the most expensive hotel in the city, I know that your means are limited, and I wish to select one in which you can afford to remain with me."
"Thank you, Mr. Lane; you are very considerate. I haven't much money, and I must be economical."
"I will step up to the desk and arrange about rooms," added Lane.
"Thank you."
Crawford Lane left Scott sitting in the reading room, but he returned in five minutes.
"I find," he said, "that the hotel is crowded. I have engaged a single room with two beds. Will that be agreeable?"
Scott felt that he would have preferred to room alone, but he did not know how to make objection, and acquiesced in the arrangement.
"I would like to go upstairs at once," he said, "so that I may wash and change my underclothing."
"Very well."
They were shown up by a bell boy. The room on the third floor was rather small, but contained two single beds.
The place and its furnishings looked dingy, and even dirty, but Scott was not disposed to make any unnecessary complaint.
"I will take the bed near the door, if you don't object," said Lane.
"It is immaterial to me."
"Yes."
"While you are making your toilet, I might slip down to a broker's in Wall Street, and make the exchange. What do you say?"
Scott had his share of caution, and he remembered that his knowledge of Mr. Lane was very limited. Indeed, on reflection, it occurred to him that his sole knowledge of his acquaintance was derived from that gentleman himself.
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