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Read Ebook: Make or Break; or The Rich Man's Daughter by Optic Oliver
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Ebook has 798 lines and 28622 words, and 16 pages
"I will, sir;" and Leo thought the great man, as his first customer, was worthy of his reputation.
Just then the gentleman who had the lame boy pushed his way into the middle of the ring.
"What's the lowest price you will take for the concern?" said he.
"It is sold, sir," replied Leo, triumphantly.
"Sold!" exclaimed the tardy customer, who appeared to think that no one could be foolish enough to buy such an establishment unless he had a lame son.
"Yes, sir; I just sold it."
"What did you get?"
"Six dollars."
"I bought it," interposed Mr. Checkynshaw, bowing to the other gentleman, as though he knew him.
"I'm sorry I didn't take it, for it would have pleased my boy."
"You are too late."
"But I will get up another for you," said Leo, exhilarated by this sudden improvement of the mouse business.
"When can you do it?" asked the gentleman, who was quite disappointed to find he could not purchase the establishment at his own price, as he had expected to do at a later hour in the day, after the young man had had an opportunity to consider the vanity of worldly hopes.
"That depends upon what kind of one you want. If you wish for one like this, I can't get it done before Monday. I can give you a two-dollar house, with one pair of mice, to-morrow," replied Leo, in the most business-like tones.
"I want the best one you can get up. I want one as good or better than this."
"I will build one as good as this. I will have it at your house on Monday; but the price will be six dollars."
"Very well. I thought I should be able to buy this one for two or three dollars before night, for I didn't think any one else would want it."
Probably the example of Mr. Checkynshaw had some influence on the customer. If white mice and their habitations were really articles of merchandise, he was willing to pay the market price. Leo wrote down his name and residence, and assured the gentleman that he should have the mice on Monday; or, if he got the house done, on Saturday.
"Don't you want an establishment of this kind, Baxter?" asked Mr. Checkynshaw of a busy person who had worked his way through the crowd. "You have two or three boys."
Mr. Baxter examined the palace and its denizens, and answered that he did want one, though not till the banker informed him that he had purchased one. It is wonderful how things sell after a great man has purchased. The new customer did not want any two-dollar palaces; he desired one as good as any other person had, and he gave his order accordingly. If Mr. Checkynshaw was fool enough to pay six dollars for such an establishment, Mr. Baxter could not suffer in reputation by doing the same.
Leo was as happy as a lord. It was make, and not break.
"Leo," said the banker, "how is your father?"
"Better, sir, I thank you."
"Maggie, sir."
"Is Maggie at home?"
"Yes, sir."
"I wish to see her very much," said Mr. Checkynshaw, walking away.
What could he want to see Maggie for? was Leo's thought, as he started his team--Tom Casey--up State Street.
THE LETTER FROM MARGUERITE.
Mr. Checkynshaw walked down to No. 3 Phillimore Court. It was very plain that he had business there, for it was not his style to visit a poor man who was sick. He was admitted by Maggie, who feared that his coming related to the robbery of his safe, and that Leo might be in some manner implicated in that affair.
"How is your father, miss?" asked the stately gentleman from State Street, as he entered the house.
"He is more comfortable to-day, sir; but I don't know that he is really any better," answered Maggie.
"I am very sorry he is sick. I miss him very much. He has waited upon me at the shop for several years, and I never let any other barber shave me, if I can have him by waiting an hour," added Mr. Checkynshaw, with a degree of condescension which he rarely exhibited. "You are his daughter, I believe."
"Not his own daughter; but it is just the same."
"I think I have seen you at the shop several times."
Mr. Checkynshaw would be very glad to see Andr?, and Maggie conducted him to the front room.
"I am sorry you are sick, Andr?," said the great man.
"Thank you, sir. It is very kind of you to call upon me," replied Andr?, amazed at the gracious mien of one who had rarely spoken to him save in the tones of authority, addressing him as a menial and an inferior.
"I always feel an interest in those I see every day; but the fact that you were taken sick at my house probably brought the matter more directly to my attention. Are you comfortably provided for, Andr??" asked the rich man, glancing around the room.
"Yes, sir; thank you, sir. I have everything I need," replied Andr?, faintly; for he was not quite so sure of what he said as he wished to be, though his pride and independence revolted at any suggestion of charity.
"I saw Leo up in State Street. Your boy's name is Leo--isn't it?" asked the banker, just as though it derogated from his dignity to know the name of a poor boy like the barber's son.
"Yes, sir; his name is Leo," replied Maggie, taking up the conversation, so that the invalid might not be compelled to talk too much.
"He is driving quite a trade in white mice," laughed the great man.
"Has he met with any success, sir?" asked Maggie, who felt that everything depended upon Leo's exertions; and she hardly expected him to accomplish anything in the mouse business.
"Yes, he has been remarkably successful, I should say."
"I am so glad!"
"I bought the house he had with him for six dollars, and he has orders for two more just like it, at the same price. That will give him quite a lift, I hope."
"That is very good indeed!" said the barber. "Leo is a brave boy."
"Knowing that you had a family, Andr?, and that your wages were not very large, I thought I would inquire into the matter a little. I should be very glad to help you."
"Thank you, Mr. Checkynshaw," replied Andr?, in his feminine tones, weakened by his sickness. "I think we do not need any help--do we, Maggie?"
"I am afraid you are too proud to be very poor," said the banker, glancing at Maggie.
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