Adventures of a Telegraph Boy; or, "Number 91"Alger, Horatio, Jr.
General
Adventures of a Telegraph Boy; or, "Number 91"
Alger, Horatio, Jr.
New York (N.Y.) -- Juvenile fiction; Orphans -- Juvenile fiction; Telegraph -- Employees -- Juvenile fiction
The same servant admitted him. This time she received him with a smile,
knowing that he stood high with her mistress.
“Come right in,” she said. “The mistress will see you in the sitting
room.”
“Have you had any more visits from burglars?” asked Paul.
“No; may be they’re waiting till night.”
“Has Mr. Cunningham got back?”
“No, but he’s expected at eight.”
Paul was glad to hear this, for he preferred not to remain over night,
as he knew that old Jerry would need him.
When Paul entered the sitting room Mrs. Cunningham received him
cordially.
“I suppose you have not seen the burglar since,” said Mrs. Cunningham,
innocently.
She little dreamed what a discovery he had made, and he did not think
it wise to enlighten her.
“He has not called upon me,” answered Paul, with justifiable evasion.
“I don’t think I want to meet him again.”
“I hope he will never present himself here,” said the lady.
“He made me a promise that he would not,” said Paul.
“I suppose he wouldn’t mind breaking it.”
“No, but he may conclude that you would be on your guard.”
“There is something in that,” said Mrs. Cunningham, looking relieved.
“My husband has telegraphed me that he will be here at eight o’clock,
but I don’t want him to run the risk of encountering such a man.”
“Then you won’t need me to remain here?”
“No; but I wish you to stay till Mr. Cunningham returns. He will wish
to see you.”
“Certainly, if you desire it,” said Paul, politely.
“My daughter will entertain you,” continued the lady. “Here she is.”
“Good evening, Paul!” said Jennie, cordially extending her hand, as she
entered the room.
“Good evening!” responded Paul, brightening up.
“Would you like to play a game of dominoes?”
“I would be very glad to do so.”
“Then we’ll play ‘muggins.’ There’s more fun in that than in the
regular game.”
So the two sat down and were soon deeply immersed in the game.
“Do you know, Paul,” said Jennie, suddenly, “I feel as if I had known
you for a long time, though it is only about twenty four hours since we
met.”
“I feel the same,” said Paul.
“I’m awfully glad they sent you here instead of some other telegraph
boy.”
“Perhaps you would have liked another one better?”
“I don’t think I should, but I ought not to say so. It may make you
vain.”
“Are boys ever vain? I thought it was only girls.”
“That’s a very impolite speech. I shall have to give you a bad mark!”
“Then I’ll take it all back!”
“You’d better,” said Jennie, with playful menace. “I hope you’ll come
up some time when you are not sent for on business!”
“I would like to very much, if your mother is willing.”
“Why shouldn’t she be willing?”
“I am only a poor telegraph boy.”
“I don’t mind that. I don’t see why a telegraph boy isn’t as good as a
boy in a store. My cousin Mark is in a store.”
It will be seen that these young people were rapidly coming to a very
good understanding. Paul was not in love, but he certainly did consider
Jennie Cunningham quite the nicest girl he had ever met.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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