CHAPTER XX.
LEFT OUT IN THE COLD.
Of course Phil was utterly ignorant of the audacious attempt to deprivehim of his rights and keep him apart from the father who longed oncemore to meet him. There was nothing before him so far as he knew exceptto continue the up-hill struggle for a living.
He gave very little thought to the prediction of the fortune-teller whomhe had consulted, and didn't dream of any short-cut to fortune.
Do all he could, he found he could not live on his wages.
His board cost him four dollars a week, and washing and lunch twodollars more, thus compelling him to exceed his salary by a dollar eachweek.
He had, as we know, a reserve fund, on which he could draw, but itwas small, and grew constantly smaller. Then, again, his clothes werewearing out, and he saw no way of obtaining money to buy new.
Phil became uneasy, and the question came up to his mind, "Should hewrite to his step-mother and ask her for a trifling loan?" If the moneyhad been hers, he would not have done so on any condition; but she hadhad nothing of her own, and all the property in her hands came throughMr. Brent, who, as he knew, was attached to him, even though no tie ofblood united them. He certainly meant that Phil should be cared for outof the estate, and at length Phil brought himself to write the followingletter:
"NEW YORK, March 10, 18--.
"DEAR MRS. BRENT: I suppose I ought to have written you before, andhave no good excuse to offer. I hope you and Jonas are well, and willcontinue so. Let me tell you how I have succeeded thus far.
"I have been fortunate enough to obtain a place in a large mercantileestablishment, and for my services I am paid five dollars a week. Thisis more than boys generally get in the first place, and I am indebted tothe partiality of an old gentleman, the senior member of the firm, whomI had the chance to oblige, for faring so well. Still I find it hard toget along on this sum, though I am as economical as possible. My boardand washing cost me six dollars a week, and I have, besides, to buyclothing from time to time. I have nearly spent the extra money I hadwith me, and do not know how to keep myself looking respectable in theway of clothing. Under the circumstances, I shall have to apply to youfor a loan, say of twenty-five dollars. In a year or two I hope to earnenough to be entirely independent. At present I cannot expect it. As myfather--Mr. Brent--undoubtedly intended to provide for me, I don't thinkI need to apologize for making this request. Still I do it reluctantly,for I would prefer to depend entirely upon myself.
"With regards to you and Jonas, I am yours truly, PHILIP BRENT."