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
"Really, I should think you must be from the country yourself, to make
such a mistake."
"I am from the city of New York, if you call that the country," said
Sam, in rather an important tone.
"I am sorry for you, but you've made a great mistake about me, my dear
young friend. My name is John Warburton, and I am a student of Harvard
College, in Cambridge. I only just came into Boston this morning. I
haven't been here before for a week."
He spoke so volubly and confidently that Sam was staggered for a
minute. Was it possible that he was mistaken, after all? Was this
really a Harvard student, whose voice happened to resemble that of
Abner Blodgett? Abner saw that he was mystified, and a gleam of
exultation appeared in his face. When Sam detected this, he felt sure
that he had got the right man, after all. Abner even ventured to ask:
"Why do you wish to see this Abner Blodgett, whom I have the honor of
resembling?"
"Because," said Sam, bluntly, "he stole my money."
"Stole your money!" repeated Abner, with mock indignation. "Do you
dare to take me for a thief--me, a Harvard student, belonging to one
of the first families! Why, it is an insult and an outrage! I have a
great mind to chastise you."
"I don't know whether you belong to one of the first or one of the
second families," answered Sam, unterrified; "and I don't believe you
are a Harvard student at all. Just give me back them ten dollars you
stole out of my pocket or I'll make it hot for you."
"You young scamp!" said Abner, now really angry; "you've insulted me
long enough. Now, clear out, or I'll kick you!"
"Kick away," said Sam; "but first give me my money."
"This is an outrage," said Abner, who noticed the approach of a
policeman; "but if you are really in want I'll give you fifty cents,
though you don't deserve it."
"I don't want your fifty cents, I want the money you stole from me,"
persisted Sam, who was not to be bought so cheap.
"For Heaven's sake, hush!" said Abner, nervously. "One of the
professors is inside, and I am afraid he'll come out and hear you.
Here's the fifty cents."
"That won't go down, Mr. Blodgett," said Sam. "How much of my money
have you got left?"
By this time the policeman was within hearing distance. Sam saw him
now, and determined to press his claim vigorously.
"I'll complain to that policeman," he said, "if you don't give up my
money."
"Hush!" said Abner. "Wait till he goes by, and we'll arrange it."
"No, we won't," said Sam, stoutly. "Do you want me to call him?"
The policeman was now passing them. He glanced casually at the pair,
rather to the discomfort of Abner, whose face was not wholly unknown
to the force.
"What do you say?" demanded Sam, in a significant tone.
"I'll lend you five dollars," said Abner, desperately. "It's all I've
got now."
"Hand it over, then," said Sam, who had not expected to get back so
much of the stolen property.
Abner drew out a bill from his pocket, and passed it over.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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