CHAPTER VIII.
THE NEW BOARDING-HOUSE.
It might be considered hazardous for Rufus to invest all his money in aventure which depended to so great an extent upon the honesty ofanother. But there is no profit without risk, and our hero feltconsiderable confidence in the integrity of his proposed partner. Itoccurred to him, however, that he might need some money before he shouldreceive any from the business. Accordingly, as the young man had toldhim that he had a hundred dollars, he proposed that he should contributeone half of that sum towards the purchase of the shop, while he made upthe balance,--four hundred and fifty dollars. This would leave him fiftydollars for contingent expenses, while George Black would have the same.
Our hero's street-life had made him sharp, and he determined to securehimself as far as possible. He accordingly proposed to George Black thatthey should go to a lawyer, and have articles of agreement drawn up.For this, however, he did not have time till the next morning.
One article proposed by Rufus was, that he should draw fifty dollars aquarter towards the third share of the profits, which it was agreed thathe should receive, and at the end of the year any balance that mightremain due. No objection was made by George Black, who considered thisprovision a fair one. The style of the firm,--for as most of the capitalwas furnished by Rufus, it was thought that his name should berepresented,--was "RUSHTON & BLACK."
A new sign was ordered, bearing their names, and it was arranged thatthe new proprietors should take possession of the store at thecommencement of the next week, when it would probably be ready.
Rufus hesitated about announcing his new venture to Miss Manning andRose, but finally concluded not to do so just at present. It would betime, he thought, when they had got fairly started.
Meanwhile he had transferred himself to the room at Mrs. Clayton'sboarding-house. He felt rather bashful at first about appearing at thetable. Half an hour before the time, he reached the house, and went upat once to Miss Manning's room.
"O Rufie!" said Rose, jumping up from the sofa and running to meet him,"have you come to stay?"
"Yes, Rosie," he answered, sitting down on the sofa, and taking her inhis lap.
"I am _so_ glad. You are going down to dinner, aint you?"
"Yes, I suppose so."
"We have such nice dinners,--don't we, Miss Manning?"
"Very nice, Rose."
"A great deal better than I ever had before. I wonder where you willsit, Rufie."
"He will sit next to you, Rose; I spoke to Mrs. Clayton about it. Rufuswill take care of you, and I am to look after Jennie and Carrie."
"That will be very nice."
"How do you like the little girls, Rose?" asked her brother.
"Very much. They have given me some of their dolls."
"And which knows the most,--you or they?"
"Oh, I know ever so much more," said Rose, positively.
"Is that true, Miss Manning, or is Rose boasting?" asked Rufus.
"Rose is farther advanced than either Jennie or Carrie," answered MissManning. "They have studied comparatively little yet, but I find themdocile, and I think they will soon improve."
By the time Rufus had combed his hair, and put on a clean collar, thedinner-bell rang. He followed Miss Manning down into the dining-room.
"Good-evening, Mr. Rushton," said Mrs. Clayton. "I am glad to see you."
"His name isn't Mr. Rushton," said Rose. "His name is Rufie."
"It is the first time Rose ever heard me called so," said Rufus,smiling. "She will soon get used to it."
He was rather pleased than otherwise to be called Mr. Rushton. It madehim feel more like a man.
"You may take that seat, Mr. Rushton," said the landlady. "Your littlesister will sit beside you."
Rufus took the chair indicated.
Next to him was seated a lady of thirty or more, whose hair fell injuvenile ringlets. This was Mrs. Clifton, formerly Miss Peyton, who willbe remembered by the readers of "Fame and Fortune." Rufus was introducedto her.
"I am very glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Rushton," said Mrs.Clifton, graciously. "You have a very sweet little sister."
"Yes; she is a very good little girl," said Rufus, better pleased with acompliment to Rose than he would have been with one to himself.
"I understand you are in business in Wall Street, Mr. Rushton."
"Yes," said Rufus. "I am in the office of Mr. Turner."
"I sometimes tell Mr. Clifton I wish he would go into business in WallStreet. He keeps a dry-goods store on Eighth Avenue."
"Can't remember ever hearing you mention the idea, Mrs. C----," remarkedher husband, who sat on the other side, in a pause between twomouthfuls. "There aint much money in dry goods just now, by jove! I'llopen in Wall Street, if you say the word."
Mrs. Clifton slightly frowned, and did not see fit to answer the remarkmade to her. Her husband was not very brilliant, either in business,wit, or in any other way, and she had married him, not from love, butbecause she saw no other way of escaping from being an old maid.
"Do you know, Mr. Rushton," said Mrs. Clifton, "you remind me so much ofa very intimate friend of mine, Mr. Hunter?"
"Do I?" added Rufus. "I hope he is good-looking."
"He's very handsome," said Mrs. Clifton, "and _so_ witty."
"Then I'm glad I'm like him," said Rufus.
For some reason he did not feel so bashful as he anticipated,particularly with Mrs. Clifton.
"He's soon going to be married to a very rich young lady,--Miss Greyson;perhaps you know her."
"That's where he has the advantage of me," said Rufus.
"Mr. Clifton," said his wife, "don't you think Mr. Rushton looks verymuch like Mr. Hunter?"
"Yes," said her husband; "as much as I look like the Emperor Napoleon."
"Don't make a goose of yourself, Mr. Clifton," said his wife, sharply.
"Thank you, I don't intend to. A goose is a female, and I don't care tomake such a change."
"I suppose you think that is witty," said Mrs. Clifton, a littledisdainfully.
It is unnecessary to pursue the conversation. Those who remember Mrs.Clifton when she was Miss Peyton will easily understand what was itscharacter. It had the effect, however, of putting Rufus at his ease. Onthe whole, considering that he was only used to cheap restaurants, heacquitted himself very well for the first time, and no one suspectedthat he had not always been accustomed to live as well. The dinner hefound excellent. Mrs. Clayton herself superintended the preparation ofdinner, and she was not inclined to undue economy, as is the case withmany landladies.
"I'm glad I came here," thought Rufus. "It's worth the difference inprice."
As they rose from the table, Mrs. Colman asked Miss Manning, "Is thatthe brother of your little girl?"
"Yes," answered Miss Manning.
"He has a very good appearance; I should like to have you bring him intoour room a while."
Miss Manning communicated this invitation to Rufus. He would haveexcused himself gladly, but he felt that this would have been hardlypolite; therefore he accepted it.
"I am glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Rushton," said Mrs. Colman.
"Thank you," said Rufus.
"I hear that you have come to board with us."
"Yes," he answered, wishing that he might think of something more tosay, but not succeeding.
"It is a pleasant boarding-place; I hope you will like it."
"I think I shall."
"You have a very nice little sister; my little girls like her very much.She will be a great deal of company for them."
"I think she is a very good little girl," said Rufus; "but then I amher brother, so I suppose it is natural for me to think so."
"You are in an office in Wall Street, I am told," said Mr. Colman.
"Yes, sir," said Rufus.
"Whose, may I ask?"
"Mr. Turner's."
"He is an able business-man, and stands high. You could not learnbusiness under better a
uspices."
"I like him very much," said Rufus; "but then I have not been long inhis office."
"I find Miss Manning relieves me of a great deal of care and trouble,"said Mrs. Colman (her new governess being just then out of the room). "Ifeel that I was fortunate in securing her services."
"I think you will like her," said Rufus. "She is very kind to Rose. Idon't know what I should do with little sister, if I did not have her tolook after her."
"Then your mother is not living, Mr. Rushton."
"No," said Rufus; "she has been dead for two years."
"And you are the sole guardian of your little sister?"
"Yes, ma'am."
After half an hour's call, which Rufus found less embarrassing and moreagreeable than he anticipated, he excused himself, and went upstairs.
On Tuesday of the nest week, he decided to reveal his new plans to MissManning. Accordingly, he managed to reach home about half-past four inthe afternoon, and invited her and Rose to take a walk with him.
"Where shall we walk?" she asked.
"Over to Sixth Avenue," said Rufus. "I want to show you a store there."
Miss Manning soon got ready, and the three set out.
It was not far,--scarcely ten minutes' walk. When they arrived oppositethe store, Rufus pointed over to it.
"Do you see that periodical store?" he asked.
"Yes," said Miss Manning.
"How do you like it?"
"Why do you ask?" she inquired, puzzled.
"Look at the sign," he answered.
"RUSHTON & BLACK," read Miss Manning. "Why, that is your name!"
"And I am at the head of the firm," said Rufus complacently.
"What does it all mean?" asked Miss Manning. "How can it be?"
"I'll tell you," said Rufus.
A few words made her understand.
"Now," said Rufus, "let us go over to _my_ store, and look in."
"What, is it your store, Rufie?" asked Rose.
"Yes, little sister, it's part mine."
When they entered, they found George Black behind the counter, waitingon a customer, who directly went out.
"Well, George, how's business?" asked Rufus.
"It opens well," said his partner, cheerfully. "It's a good stand, andthere's a good run of custom."
"This is my friend, Miss Manning," said Rufus, "and my little sisterRose."
"I am glad to see you, Miss Manning," said the young man. "I hope," headded, smiling, "you will give us a share of your patronage."
"We'll buy all our slate-pencils at Rufie's store, won't we, MissManning?" said Rose.
"Yes, I think so," answered Miss Manning, with a smile.
"Then," said Rufus, "we shall be certain to succeed, if there's a largeprofit on slate-pencils, George."
"Yes, if you charge high enough."
After a little more conversation they left the store.
"What do you think of my store, Miss Manning?" asked Rufus.
"It's a very neat one. I had no idea you had become so extensive abusiness-man, Rufus."
"Is Rufie an extensive man?" asked Rose.
"I hope to be some day," said Rufus, smiling.