Sam's Chance, and How He Improved ItAlger, Horatio, Jr.
History
Sam's Chance, and How He Improved It
Alger, Horatio, Jr.
Conduct of life -- Fiction; New York (N.Y.) -- History -- 19th century -- Fiction; Orphans -- Fiction
"I only expect you to pay me back what you owe me, Sam. The ring was
found by you, and you are entitled to the reward."
Sam looked relieved.
"Of course I'll pay you all I owe you, as soon as I get the
twenty-five dollars," he said.
"Have you got the advertisement? Can you tell the name and number of
the advertiser?"
"Yes, his name is John Chester, and his office is at No. 49 Wall
Street."
"Good. We must go down directly, or he will be gone."
The boys hurried to the office, which was on the third floor of the
building. A young man, of eighteen or nineteen, was in sole
possession. It may be remarked, by the way, that Mr. Chester was a
lawyer, and this young man had just entered the office as student.
"That can't be Mr. Chester," said Henry, in a low voice, as the young
man turned upon their entrance, and fixed his eyes inquiringly upon
them.
"I'll ask," said Sam.
"Are you Mr. Chester?" he inquired.
The youth looked flattered at being mistaken for his employer.
"Mr. Chester has gone home," he answered, consequentially; "but,
perhaps, I can do well. Do you come on business?"
"Yes," said Sam.
"Ahem! law business, I suppose," said the lawyer's assistant, looking
wise. "State your case, and I may be able to assist you. Is it a case
of trespass, or do you wish to obtain a habeas corpus, or a caveat, or
a _nisi prius?_"
"What a lot he knows!" thought Sam, respectfully. "I don't want none
of those things."
"Perhaps you want to obtain a divorce," said the budding barrister, in
a jocular tone. "I am afraid we can't manage that for you."
"We want to see Mr. Chester on particular business," said Henry
Martin.
"Well, you can't see him to-night. He's gone home."
"Where does he live?"
"He don't see clients at his house. It won't be any use going there."
"I guess he'll see us. We'll take the risk."
"What is your business about?" asked the young man, with curiosity.
"It's private," said Henry.
"Very important, no doubt," said the disappointed neophyte.
"Mr. Chester will think so," said Sam. "Where did you say he lived?"
"Did you come about the ring?" asked the young man, with a sudden
thought.
"What ring?" asked Sam, cunningly.
"Mr. Chester lost a ring in Wall Street yesterday and advertised it in
the _Herald._ I didn't know but you had found it."
"Suppose we had?" said Sam.
"Then you can give it to me, and I'll take it up to Mr. Chester."
"Thank you, but if I've found it I'll carry it up myself."
"Have you got it?"
"You can ask Mr. Chester about it to-morrow morning. Where does he
live?"
"I've a great mind not to tell you," said the law student,
resentfully.
"Then I'll find out in the 'Directory' and let Mr. Chester know you
wouldn't tell us."
Upon this Sam got the desired information.
He was told that Mr. Chester lived in West Thirty-fifth Street.
"Let us go," said Henry.
Sam followed him out.
"Shall we go up there to-night?" he asked.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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