CHAPTER XIV. THE TAILOR'S CUSTOMER
At the end of six weeks from the date of Robert's departure, Harry hadbeen paid eighteen dollars. Of this sum he had spent but one dollar,and kept the balance in his pocketbook. He did not care to send it homeuntil he had enough to meet Squire Green's demand, knowing that hisfather would be able to meet his ordinary expenses. Chiefly through thereports of Luke Harrison he was acquiring the reputation of meanness,though, as we know, he was far from deserving it.
"See how the fellow dresses," said Luke, contemptuously, to two of hiscompanions one evening. "His clothes are shabby enough, and he hasn'tgot an overcoat at all. He hoards his money, and is too stingy to buyone. See, there he comes, buttoned to the chin to keep warm, andI suppose he has more money in his pocketbook than the whole of ustogether. I wouldn't be as mean as he is for a hundred dollars."
"You'd rather get trusted for your clothes than do without them," saidFrank Heath, slyly; for he happened to know that Luke had run up a billwith the tailor, about which the latter was getting anxious.
"What if I do," said Luke, sharply, "as long as I am going to pay forthem?"
"Oh, nothing," said Frank. "I didn't say anything against it, did I? Isuppose you are as able to owe the tailor as anyone."
By this time, Harry had come up.
"Where are you going, Walton?" asked Luke. "You look cold."
"Yes, it's a cold day."
"Left your overcoat at home, didn't you?"
Harry colored. The fact was, he felt the need of an overcoat, but didn'tknow how to manage getting one. At the lowest calculation, it would costall the money he had saved up for one, and the purchase would defeat allhis plans. The one he had worn at home during the previous winter wastoo small for him, and had been given to his brother.
"If I only could get through the winter without one," he thought, "Ishould be all right." But a New England winter is not to be bravedwith impunity, useless protected by adequate clothing. Luke's sneer wastherefore not without effect. But he answered, quietly: "I did not leaveit at home, for I have none to leave."
"I suppose you are bound to the tailor's to order one."
"What makes you think so?" asked Harry.
"You are not such a fool as to go without one when you have money inyour pocket, are you?"
"You seem very curious about my private affairs," said Harry, ratherprovoked.
"He's only drumming up customers for the tailor," said Frank Heath. "Hegets a commission on all he brings."
"That's the way he pays his bill," said Sam Anderson.
"Quit fooling, boys," said Luke, irritated. "I ain't a drummer. I pay mybills, like a gentleman."
"By keeping the tailor waiting," said Frank.
"Quit that!"
So attention was diverted from Harry by this opportune attack uponLuke, much to our hero's relief. Nevertheless, he saw, that in order topreserve his health, he must have some outer garment, and in order thebetter to decide what to do, he concluded to step into the tailor's, andinquire his prices.
The tailor, Merrill by name, had a shop over the dry goods store, andthither Harry directed his steps. There was one other person in theshop, a young fellow but little larger than Harry, though two yearsolder, who was on a visit to an aunt in the neighborhood, but lived inBoston. He belonged to a rich family, and had command of considerablemoney. His name was Maurice Tudor. He had gone into the shop to leave acoat to be repaired.
"How are you, Walton?" he said, for he knew our hero slightly.
"Pretty well. Thank you."
"It's pretty cold for October."
"Yes, unusually so."
"Mr. Merrill," said Harry, "I should like to inquire the price of anovercoat. I may want to order one by and by."
"What sort of one do you want--pretty nice?"
"No, I can't afford anything nice--something as cheap as possible."
"This is the cheapest goods I have," said the tailor, pointing to somecoarse cloth near by.
"I can make you up a coat from that for eighteen dollars."
"Eighteen dollars!" exclaimed Harry, in dismay. "Is that the cheapestyou have?"
"The very cheapest."
After a minute's pause he added, "I might take off a dollar for cash.I've got enough of running up bills. There's Luke Harrison owes me overthirty dollars, and I don't believe he means to pay it al all."
"If I buy, I shall pay cash," said Harry, quietly.
"You can't get anything cheaper than this." said the tailor.
"Very likely not," said Harry, soberly. "I'll think about it, and letyou know if I decide to take it."
Maurice Tudor was a silent listener to this dialogue. He saw Harry'ssober expression, and he noticed the tone in which he repeated "eighteendollars," and he guessed the truth. He lingered after Harry went out,and said:
"That's a good fellow."
"Harry Walton?" repeated the tailor. "Yes, he's worth a dozen LukeHarrisons."
"Has he been in the village long?"
"No, not more than two or three months. He works for Mr. Leavitt."
"He is rather poor, I suppose."
"Yes. The boys call him mean; but Leavitt tells me he is saving up everycent to send to his father, who is a poor farmer."
"That's a good thing in him."
"Yes, I wish I could afford to give him and overcoat. He needs one, butI suppose seventeen dollars will come rather hard on him to pay. If itwas Luke Harrison, it wouldn't trouble him much."
"You mean he would get it on tick."
"Yes, if he found anybody fool enough to trust him. I've done it as longas I'm going to. He won't get a dollar more credit out of me till hepays his bill."
"You're perfectly right, there."
"So I think. He earns a good deal more than Walton, but spends what heearns on billiards, drinks and cigars."
"There he comes up the stairs, now."
In fact, Luke with his two companions directly afterwards entered theshop.
"Merrill," said he, "have you got in any new goods? I must have a newpair of pants."
"Yes, I've got some new goods. There's a piece open before you."
"It's a pretty thing, Merrill," said Luke, struck by it; "what's yourprice for a pair off of it?"
"Ten dollars."
"Isn't that rather steep?"
"No; the cloth is superior quality."
"Well, darn the expense. I like it, and must have it. Just measure me,will you?"
"Are you ready to pay the account I have against you?"
"How much is it?"
The tailor referred to his books.
"Thirty-two dollars and fifty cents," he answered.
"All right, Merrill. Wait till the pants are done, and I'll pay thewhole at once."
"Ain't my credit good?" blustered Luke.
"You can make it good," said the tailor, significantly.
"I didn't think you'd make such a fuss about a small bill."
"I didn't think you'd find is so difficult to pay a small bill,"returned the tailor.
Luke looked discomfited. He was silent a moment, and then changed histactics.
"Come, Merrill," he said, persuasively; "don't be alarmed. I'm good forit, I guess. I haven't got the money convenient to-day. I lent fiftydollars. I shall have it back next week and then I will pay you."
"I am glad to hear it," said Merrill.
"So just measure me and hurry up the pants."
"I'm sorry but I can't till you settle the bill."
"Look here, has Walton been talking against me?"
"No; what makes you think so?"
"He don't like me, because I twitted him with his meanness."
"I don't consider him mean."
"Has he ever bought anything of you?"
"No."
"I knew it. He prefers to go ragged and save his money."
"He's too honorable to run up a bill without paying it."
"Do you mean me?" demanded Luke, angrily.
"I ho
pe not. I presume you intend to pay your bills."
Luke Harrison left the shop. He saw that he exhausted his credit withMerrill. As to paying the bill, there was not much chance of that atpresent, as he had but one dollar and a half in his pocket.