Tom, The Bootblack; or, The Road to SuccessAlger, Horatio, Jr.
General
Tom, The Bootblack; or, The Road to Success
Alger, Horatio, Jr.
Adventure and adventurers -- Juvenile fiction; Boys -- Juvenile fiction; Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction
Tom took the pen, and would have put down "Gilbert Grey," but, as we
know, his education had been neglected, and he was not at all sure as
to the proper way of spelling Gilbert. After a little reflection, he
put down:
G. GREY, New York.
The clerk wrote the number of a room opposite, and asked our hero if he
would go to his room before supper.
Tom decided that he would, and was shown into a stuffy little bedroom,
which would never have been mistaken, even by the most inexperienced,
for a room in a first-class hotel. However, our hero was not very
particular--he had never been accustomed to luxurious accommodations,
and he was perfectly satisfied with No. 12.
"You can go," said he to the servant, "I'll be down in a jiffy."
He washed his face and hands--for even in the days of his street-life
he had paid more regard to neatness than most of his class--opened his
carpet-bag and took out a clean paper collar, which he substituted for
the one he wore, and, after brushing his hair, went down stairs. He did
not have long to wait for his supper, nor was he wanting in appetite.
Though the establishment could boast of no French cook, the table was
spread with substantial dishes, which Tom attacked vigorously.
"There's nothing like a good square meal, when a fellow's hungry," he
said to himself. "It's more than old Jacob and I often got. I wonder
what the old man would say if he knew I was payin' two dollars a day
out of his money? I can't foller it up long, that's one sure thing. But
it's no use worrying before it's time. I guess I'll find something to
do in a big place like this."
Our hero knew little or nothing about geography, or the comparative
size of places. He fancied that Cincinnati was nearly as large as New
York. At any rate, it was large enough to afford a living for a young
man of pluck and industry. He was no doubt correct in this. Pluck and
industry are pretty sure to make their way in any place, whatever its
size, and these qualities Tom certainly possessed.
He took up a copy of a Cincinnati daily, and looked over its columns to
see if there was any vacant position which he could fill.
WANTED--A gentleman of experience and ability, as Principal of the
---- Grammar School. Salary, $2,500 the first year.
"The pay would suit me pretty well," said Tom, "and I guess I could
lick some of the bad boys; but I could teach 'em all I know in half a
day. Here's a coachman wanted. That won't do, either. 'Wanted.--A man
with a small capital, to enter upon a light, genteel business.' I've
got the small capital, and it's gettin' smaller every day. Perhaps I
wouldn't be genteel enough."
After awhile Tom, having exhausted the advertisements, and found
nothing to suit him, felt himself growing sleepy, and went up to bed.
CHAPTER XI.
BESSIE BENTON AT HOME.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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