CHAPTER XIX.
JASPER'S REVENGE
Rodney was considerably surprised one evening to receive a call fromJasper in his room. He was alone, as Mike had been detailed about aweek ago for night duty. The room looked more attractive than formerly.Rodney had bought a writing desk, which stood in the corner, and had putup three pictures, which, though cheap, were attractive.
"Good evening, Jasper," he said. "It is quite friendly of you to call."
"I hadn't anything else on hand this evening, and thought I would comeround see how you were getting along."
"Take a seat and make yourself at home."
"Do you object to cigarettes?" asked Jasper, producing one from a casein his pocket.
"I object to smoking them myself, but I don't want to dictate to myfriends."
"You look quite comfortable here," continued Jasper in a patronizingtone.
"We try to be comfortable, though our room is not luxurious."
"Who do you mean by 'we'? Have you a room mate?"
"Yes. Mike Flynn rooms with me."
"Who is he--a newsboy?"
"No. He is a telegraph boy."
"You don't seem to very particular," said Jasper, shrugging hisshoulders.
"I am very particular."
"Yet you room with an Irish telegraph boy."
"He is a nice boy of good habit, and a devoted friend. What could I wantmore?"
"Oh, well, you have a right to consult your own taste."
"You have a nice home, no doubt."
"I live with my uncle. Yes, he has a good house, but I am not soindependent as if I had a room outide."
"How are things going on at the store?"
"About the same as usual. Why don't you come in some day?"
"For two reasons; I am occupied during the day, and I don't want to gowhere I am considered a thief."
"I wish I was getting your income. It is hard to get along on sevendollars a week."
"Still you have a nice home, and I suppose you have most of your salaryto yourself."
"Yes, but there isn't much margin in seven dollars. My uncle expectsme to buy my own clothes. You were lucky to get out of the store. OldGoodnow ought to give me ten dollars."
"Don't let him hear you speak of him as OLD Goodnow, Jasper."
"Oh, I'm smart enough for that. I mean to keep on the right side of theold chap. What sort of a man are you working for?"
"Mr. Sargent is a fine man."
"He isn't mean certainly. I should like to be in your shoes."
"If I hear of any similar position shall I mention your name?" askedRodney, smiling.
"No; I could not take care of a kid. I hate them."
"Still Arthur is a nice boy."
"You are welcome to him. What do you have to teach?"
"He is studying Latin and French, besides English branches."
"I know about as much of Latin and French as a cow. I couldn't be ateacher. I say, Rodney," and Jasper cleared his throat, "I want you todo me a favor."
"What is it?"
"I want you to lend me ten dollars."
Rodney was not mean, but he knew very well that a loan to Jasper wouldbe a permanent one. Had Jasper been his friend even this considerationwould not have inspired a refusal, but he knew very well that Jasper hadnot a particle of regard for him.
"I don't think I can oblige you, Jasper," he said.
"Why not? You get fifteen dollars a week."
"My expenses are considerable. Besides I am helping Mike, whose salaryis very small. I pay the whole of the rent and I have paid for someclothes for him."
"You are spending your money very foolishly," said Jasper frowning.
"Would I spend it any less foolishly if I should lend you ten dollars?"
"There is some difference between Mike Flynn and me. I am a gentleman."
"So is Mike."
"A queer sort of gentleman! He is only a poor telegraph boy."
"Still he is a gentleman."
"I should think you might have money enough for both of us."
"I might but I want to save something from my salary. I don't know howlong I shall be earning as much. I might lose my place."
"So you might."
"And I could hardly expect to get another where the pay would be asgood."
"I would pay you on installment--a dollar a week," urged Jasper.
"I don't see how you could, as you say your pay is too small for younow."
"Oh, well, I could manage."
"I am afraid I can't oblige you, Jasper," said Rodney in a decided tone.
"I didn't think you were so miserly," answered Jasper in vexation.
"You may call it so, if you like. You must remember that I am notsituated like you. You have your uncle to fall back upon in case youlose your position, but I have no one. I have to hustle for myself."
"Oh, you needn't make any more excuses. I suppose ten dollars is rathera large sum to lend. Can you lend me five?"
"I am sorry, but I must refuse you."
Jasper rose from the chair on which he had been sitting.
"Then I may as well go," he said. "I am disappointed in you, Ropes. Ithought you were a good, whole souled fellow, and not a miser."
"You must think of me as you please, Jasper. I feel that I have a rightto regulate my own affairs."
"All I have to say is this, if you lose your place as you may very soon,don't come round to the store and expect to be taken back."
"I won't," answered Rodney, smiling. "I wouldn't go back at any rateunless the charge of theft was withdrawn."
"That will never be!"
"Let it be so, as long as I am innocent."
Jasper left the room abruptly, not even having the politeness to bidRodney good evening.
Rodney felt that he was quite justified in refusing to lend Jaspermoney. Had he been in need he would have obliged him, though he had noreason to look upon him as a friend.
No one who knew Rodney could regard him as mean or miserly. Could hehave read Jasper's thoughts as he left the house he would have felt evenless regret at disappointing him.
About two days afterward when Rodney went up to meet his pupil, Mr.Sargent handed him a letter.
"Here is something that concerns you, Rodney," he said. "It doesn'tappear to be from a friend of yours."
With some curiosity Rodney took the letter and read it.
It ran thus:
Mr. JOHN SARGENT:
DEAR SIR--I think it my duty to write and tell you something aboutyour son's tutor--something that will surprise and shock you. Beforehe entered your house he was employed by a firm on Reade Street. He wasquite a favorite with his employer, Mr. Otis Goodnow, who promoted himin a short time. All at once it was found that articles were missingfrom the stock. Of course it was evident that some one of the clerks wasdishonest. A watch was set, and finally it was found that Rodney Ropeshad taken the articles, and one--a lady's cloak--was found in his roomby a detective. He was discharged at once without a recommendation.
For a time he lived by selling papers, but at last he managed to getinto your house. I am sure you won't regard him as fit to educateyour little son, though I have no doubt he is a good scholar. But hischaracter is bad--I don't think he ought to have concealed this from youout of friendship for you, and because I think it is my duty, I take theliberty of writing. If you doubt this I will refer to Mr. Goodnow,or Mr. James Redwood, who had charge of the room in which Ropes wasemployed. Yours very respectfully, A FRIEND.
"You knew all this before, Mr. Sargent," said Rodney, as he handed backthe letter.
"Yes. Have you any idea who wrote it?"
"I feel quite sure that it was a boy about two years older than myself,Jasper Redwood."
"Is he related to the man of the same name whom he mentions?"
"Yes, he is his nephew."
"Has he any particular reason for disliking you, Rodney?"
"Yes, sir. He came round to my ro
om Wednesday evening, and asked me tolend him ten dollars."
"I presume you refused."
"Yes, sir. He is not in need. He succeeded to my place, and he has ahome at the house of his uncle."
"He appears to be a very mean boy. Anonymous letters are alwayscowardly, and generally malicious. This seems to be no exception to thegeneral rule."
"I hope it won't affect your feelings towards me, Mr. Sargent."
"Don't trouble yourself about that Rodney. I am not so easily prejudicedagainst one of whom I have a good opinion."
"I suppose this is Jasper's revenge," thought Rodney.