human
But never mind about all that now. Some day you will doubtless remember with pride that you assisted at the début of Mrs. Anderson; but let us now talk of yourself.
gpt
We might find a more interesting subject, sir,
human
It is like your modesty to say so, but I cannot agree with you. Now, my lad, I have taken a great interest in you, and I am going to do what I can to help you along in the world. What do you most need now, Mr. Allston?
gpt
Good health, sir, laughed Al;
human
Well, I am about to offer you something that you haven't got.
gpt
What is that, sir?
human
A position under the city government, a position with very little work and a good salary. It has never been held by anyone as young as you before, but I haven't the slightest doubt that you will be able to discharge its duties satisfactorily. In fact, it is almost a sinecure.
gpt
You are very kind, sir, said Al, as the mayor paused,
human
Eh? You cannot? Why not?
gpt
For two reasons, sir.
human
What are they?
gpt
One is that the position you are kind enough to offer to me is not the kind I am looking for. I am not looking for an easy berth. I want a place where there will be plenty to do.
human
Well, he said,
gpt
It is that I have a good place now, sir.
human
Ah, indeed? What is it?
gpt
Mr. Wattles has engaged me as advance agent for his company.
human
And you would rather travel with a show than have an easy, respectable position here at home?
gpt
I would, sir.
human
Well, that is a matter of taste. I should prefer the berth I have just offered you.
gpt
I hope you are not offended, Mr. Anderson?
human
Offended! No, no, my boy; but I think you are making a mistake.
gpt
The end will show, sir.
human
Yes, yes, the end will show. Well, I can't help feeling an interest in you, not only because you rescued my child, but because you seem to me to be a rather unusual lad. Do you mind answering me a few questions? Believe me, I shall not ask them out of mere idle curiosity.
gpt
Ask as many as you like, sir.
human
Do you live in Boomville?
gpt
A little way out of the town, sir.
human
Are your parents living?
gpt
Only my mother.
human
And your father--has he been dead long?
gpt
He died before I was born, sir.
human
Can it be that your father was John Allston?
gpt
That was his name, sir.
human
Why, good gracious! exclaimed the mayor, with a new interest,
gpt
I knew him. It was years ago, and we were never intimate, but I had a speaking acquaintance with him. Let me see, was there not something peculiar about the manner of his death? I remember hearing something said about it at the time, but it was so long ago that I cannot remember just what it was.
human
People said, sir, replied Al,
gpt
I remember now! interrupted Mr. Anderson.
human
His child, your sister, was stolen. Her loss was such a blow to him that he only survived the shock a few months.
gpt
Yes, sir; that is true.
human
It is a sad story. Was your sister never found?
gpt
No, sir.
human
Nor any clew to the mystery gained?
gpt
Nothing of any importance, sir. It was suspected that her nurse had something to do with the affair, and she was shadowed for a long time. But nothing was ever learned.
human
I can sympathize with your poor father and mother, my boy, said the mayor, with more emotion than Al had seen him manifest before.
gpt
I can understand his feelings. But the depth of a mother's love is something we of the grosser sex cannot ever quite comprehend. I suppose your mother has never entirely recovered from the blow.
human
She never has, Mr. Anderson; and it is in the hope that I may help her to do so that I have taken this engagement with Mr. Wattles' company.
gpt
You have taken this engagement for your mother's sake? he said.
human
I don't understand.
gpt
I didn't say that, the boy replied.
human
I took it because I believed the work was just the sort I could do well. At any rate, it was just the sort I wanted to do. But I also thought that it might give me a good chance to look for my sister. What can I ever do if I stay here in Boomville? Nothing. I will go out into the world; and who knows----
gpt
I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, my boy, Mr. Anderson said, straightening out his features,
human
But you succeeded, sir.
gpt
Yes, I succeeded, but in a far different line from that I marked out for myself. But --in a changed tone--
human
At noon.
gpt
And it is nearly eleven now. Well, my boy, let me hear from you once in a while; and be sure that you will always have a friend in John Anderson.
human
Thank you, sir. Good-morning.
gpt
Wait a moment, the mayor cried, suddenly producing a sealed envelope from his pocket.
human
I want you to take this. Open it at your leisure. I trust the contents will prove acceptable to you. And now, good-day, good-day.