The Young Outlaw; or, Adrift in the StreetsAlger, Horatio, Jr.
History
The Young Outlaw; or, Adrift in the Streets
Alger, Horatio, Jr.
Conduct of life -- Fiction; Homeless persons -- Fiction; New York (N.Y.) -- History -- 19th century -- Fiction; Orphans -- Fiction
"You'd better learn the business, my young friend."
"I guess I will, if he'll learn me," said Sam. "It'll pay better than
standin' here, givin' away papers."
"Don't that pay?"
"Not very well," said Sam. "I only get ten cents a hundred."
"Can you pay your board out of that?"
"No, but I make commissions, besides," said Sam.
"How is that?" asked the stout gentleman, in some curiosity.
"If you'd gone upstairs, and had two corns cured, the doctor,--he'd
have given me a quarter."
"Would he really?"
"Yes, he would. Hadn't you better go?"
"I have no occasion for Dr. Graham's services, at present," said the
gentleman, laughing, "but still I don't want you to lose by me. Here's
a quarter," producing the same from his vest-pocket, and giving it to
Sam. "Isn't that just as well as if I had gone up?"
"Thank you, sir. You're a gentleman," said Sam. "Do you come by here
often?"
His new acquaintance laughed. "Every day," he answered, "but I don't
give away quarters every day. If you expect that, I am afraid I shall
have to walk on the other side of the street. Good-morning, and
success to you."
"Good-mornin'," said Sam.
"Well, here's luck," thought Sam. "I like this business pretty well.
I've made sixty cents already, and the doctor's goin to pay me ten
cents more. That'll buy me a good, square dinner, and take me to the
Old Bowery besides."
So Sam continued distributing his circulars. Some into whose hands
they were thrust did not appear to be suitably grateful; and, though
on the lookout for a customer, he did not succeed in finding any, till
by good luck the last circular was placed in the hands of a man who
was in search of just the relief which it promised.
"Where is Dr. Graham's office?" he inquired.
"Right upstairs, No. 10," said Sam, eagerly. "You just follow me, I'll
show you."
"I think I can find it without you," said the other.
"Oh, I can go up just as well as not," said Sam, who had a special
object, as we know, in serving as guide.
"Very well. Go ahead, and I will follow you."
Upstairs went Sam, the new patient following him.
"I've brought another," said Sam, as he burst into the office.
The doctor, though glad of another patient, was rather vexed at the
style of Sam's announcement.
"Very well," he said. "Sit down there, till I have leisure to attend
to you."
"All right, sir," said Sam, sitting down on the sofa in the outer
office, and taking up the morning "Herald."
In twenty minutes the patient departed, relieved.
"Now," said Dr. Graham, addressing Sam, "I have something to say to
you. When you bring in a patient again, don't break out as you did
just now: 'I've brought another.' I was very much mortified."
"What shall I say, then?" asked Sam.
"You needn't say anything, except 'This is Dr. Graham, sir.'"
"Very well," said Sam, "I'll remember. How much did you make out of
him?"
"Don't speak in that way. My charges were three dollars."
"How much are you going to give me?"
"There's thirty cents."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account