登陆注册
4710000000030

第30章

"I suppose that is the bookkeeper," said Carl.

"Yes. He has been with me three years. He understands his business well. You heard what he said about his nephew?"

"Yes, sir."

"It is his sister's son--a boy of about your own age. I think he is making a mistake in leaving the factory, and going into the office.

He will have little to do, and that not of a character to give him knowledge of business."

"Still, if he takes lessons in bookkeeping----"

Mr. Jennings smiled.

"The boy will never make a bookkeeper," he said.

"His reason for desiring the change is because he is indolent. The world has no room for lazy people."

"I wonder, sir, that you have had a chance to find him out."

"Little things betray a boy's nature, or a man's, for that matter. When I have visited the workroom I have noticed Leonard, and formed my conclusions. He is not a boy whom I would select for my service, but I have taken him as a favor to his uncle. I presume he is without means, and it is desirable that he should pay his uncle something in return for the home which he gives him."

"How much do you pay him, sir, if it is not a secret?"

"Oh, no; he receives five dollars a week to begin with.

I will pay him the same in the office. And that reminds me; how would you like to have a situation in the factory?

Would you like to take Leonard's place?"

"Yes, sir, if you think I would do."

"I feel quite sure of it. Have you ever done any manual labor?"

"No, sir."

"I suppose you have always been to school."

"Yes, sir."

"You are a gentleman's son," proceeded Mr. Jennings, eying Carl attentively. "How will it suit you to become a working boy?"

"I shall like it," answered Carl, promptly.

"Don't be too sure! You can tell better after a week in the factory. Those in my employ work ten hours a day. Leonard Craig doesn't like it."

"All I ask, Mr. Jennings, is that you give me a trial."

"That is fair," responded the little man, looking pleased. "I will tell you now that, not knowing of any vacancy in the factory, I had intended to give you the place in the office which Mr. Gibbon has asked for his nephew.

It would have been a good deal easier work."

"I shall be quite satisfied to take my place in the factory."

"Come in, then, and see your future scene of employment."

They entered a large room, occupying nearly an entire floor of the building. Part of the space was filled by machinery. The number employed Carl estimated roughly at twenty-five.

Quite near the door was a boy, who bore some personal resemblance to the bookkeeper.

Carl concluded that it must be Leonard Craig.

The boy looked round as Mr. Jennings entered, and eyed Carl sharply.

"How are you getting on, Leonard?" Mr. Jennings asked.

"Pretty well, sir; but the machinery makes my head ache."

"Your uncle tells me that your employment does not agree with you."

"No, sir; I don't think it does."

"He would like to have you in the office with him.

Would you like it, also?"

"Yes, sir," answered Leonard, eagerly.

"Very well. You may report for duty at the office to-morrow morning. This boy will take your place here."

Leonard eyed Carl curiously, not cordially.

"I hope you'll like it," he said.

"I think I shall."

"You two boys must get acquainted," said Mr. Jennings.

"Leonard, this is Carl Crawford."

"Glad to know you," said Leonard, coldly.

"I don't think I shall like that boy," thought Carl, as he followed Mr. Jennings to another part of the room.

同类推荐
  • 佛祖统纪说

    佛祖统纪说

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 唐才子传

    唐才子传

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 上清太一帝君太丹隐书解胞十二结节图诀

    上清太一帝君太丹隐书解胞十二结节图诀

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 晚眺

    晚眺

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Christ in Flanders

    Christ in Flanders

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 幸福的微尘

    幸福的微尘

    青春是什么玩意?刻骨铭心的爱?艰难的选择题?在景琼身上,青春占据了一个人人称羡的起点,十七八岁的她便拥有了自由,金钱,浪漫的爱情和真挚的友谊,毫无负担的生活,毫无压力的未来。然而这一切似乎在一个漫长的迷梦中,不知不觉的起了许多微妙的变化,她该如何抉择,家庭?爱情?还是未来?是爱到受伤的宇未闻,还是好到暖心的连城?多么轰轰烈烈的故事都会有尘埃落定的一天,那时候的你,是悲伤,还是幸福的?每一个人仿佛都是在失去之后才能学会珍惜,可青春这个东西,往往是等你明白过来的时候,那玩意已经不叫青春了……
  • 鹰扬三国

    鹰扬三国

    血与火的洗礼即将降临!战与乱的序曲已经奏响!潜伏在深渊之下的蛟龙,是为了等待时机,静候那翱翔天际的时刻!盘旋于云雾之间的雏鹰,是为了磨尖利爪,展现那雷霆一击的雄姿!一个风起云涌、英雄辈出的大时代即将来临!留给后人的,将是数不尽、道不完的评述和追忆!
  • 武王的绝世宠妃

    武王的绝世宠妃

    战国时期,龙云国向来以和平著称。姚氏一族已守卫皇家为己任,后因叛国之罪,一夜之间被胡适屠杀殆尽。只为获得长生不老之花,自幼东伏瑶就是特殊的体质。多年以来长生花早已与东伏瑶的身体融为一体,龙云国皇帝龙筝昏庸无道四处找寻当年活下来的小女孩。武亦澜是朝中大臣长子,生性冷淡多变。后于东伏瑶相恋但……
  • 魔女们的敬老院日常

    魔女们的敬老院日常

    沈时楠是一名普通的不能再普通的18岁成年少女了,而就在这个成年少女的18岁暑假中,一个敬老院改变了她整个暑假生活;“周苜蓿……!为什么你吃草莓要吐籽??”“小丫头你又凶我……明明是塔利娅告诉我这样会更好吃!”旁边一脸正经的老美人耸了耸肩“我只是跟愚蠢的苜蓿开了个玩笑,难道你不觉得吐籽会使口感会更好?”在一个个阳光又明亮的午后,在一个敬老院里,总是能听到一些暴躁的声音。
  • 亲爱的莫老板结婚吗

    亲爱的莫老板结婚吗

    “她是缠绕着大树生长的藤蔓,拼了命的往他的身上爬,而他却张牙舞爪地用树根,不休停的往她心里钻!”莫泽轩订婚了,所以和包养了四年的情妇苏筱结束关系。两人本来应该桥归桥路归路的,可是分开不到两个月,她打电话来。语气依旧那样轻佻愉快,她说:“亲爱的莫老板,我怀孕八周了,你还要结婚吗?”
  • 启发小学生智慧的寓言故事

    启发小学生智慧的寓言故事

    这本书无论从故事的结构、内容还是语言上,都是根据小学生的心理特点专门为你们量身打造的,会让你们耳目一新。这些小故事,通俗易懂又妙趣横生,有小朋友们感兴趣的,生活在神秘大森林中各种动物的故事,也有王国里国王、王子和大臣们的故事,还有许多非常贴近我们生活的,也许就是发生在你周围的故事。在这些看似短小、简单的故事里,其实蕴含着丰富的宝藏,正等着你去挖掘呢。
  • 顾太太的豪门日常

    顾太太的豪门日常

    推荐蜜儿新书《她是翟爷掌中娇》整个御城皆知,顾霆渊冰冷薄情、对新婚娇妻避之不及!而等到慕晚真的嫁给他之后……他竟然是宠妻狂魔附体,在他心里,全世界的财富都不及他心中的一个慕晚。有人问:“顾先生,像您这样集万千宠爱于一身的人,可有什么梦想?”顾霆渊:“当然有。”“那您的梦想是什么呢?”“娶慕晚。”
  • 温暖永远

    温暖永远

    《温暖永远》是一本散文集,收录了作者近五年间发表在各种报刊上的散文作品60余篇,约28万字。大部分作品是对亲情、友情等人间真情的讴歌与赞美,表达了“人世间真诚友善的感情才是人类永远的温暖”这一主题。文笔朴实,格调高雅,多侧面艺术地体现了社会主义核心价值观。
  • 恐惧发芽(No.019悬疑世界)

    恐惧发芽(No.019悬疑世界)

    本月劲爆连载。哥舒意《乔恩》、蔡骏《小夫妻搬进凶宅的那一夜》。恐惧烧脑,短小精悍:李维北《对面的人》。外国小说欣赏:【德】英格利特·诺尔《公鸡已死》。冬天已走,春天的悬疑萌芽已悄然复苏!
  • 佛说宝雨经

    佛说宝雨经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。