登陆注册
4710000000062

第62章

Carl took the afternoon train on the following day for Buffalo. His thoughts were busy with the startling discovery he had made in regard to his stepmother. Though he had never liked her, he had been far from imagining that she was under the ban of the law.

It made him angry to think that his father had been drawn into a marriage with such a woman--that the place of his idolized mother had been taken by one who had served a term at Sing Sing.

Did Peter know of his mother's past disgrace? he asked himself. Probably not, for it had come before his birth. He only wondered that the secret had never got out before. There must be many persons who had known her as a prisoner, and could identify her now. She had certainly been fortunate with the fear of discovery always haunting her. Carl could not understand how she could carry her head so high, and attempt to tyrannize over his father and himself.

What the result would be when Dr. Crawford learned the antecedents of the woman whom he called wife Carl did not for a moment doubt. His father was a man of very strict ideas on the subject of honor, and good repute, and the discovery would lead him to turn from Mrs. Crawford in abhorrence. Moreover, he was strongly opposed to divorce, and Carl had heard him argue that a divorced person should not be permitted to remarry. Yet in ignorance he had married a divorced woman, who had been convicted of theft, and served a term of imprisonment. The discovery would be a great shock to him, and it would lead to a separation and restore the cordial relations between himself and his son.

Not long after his settlement in Milford;

Carl had written as follows to his father:

"Dear Father:--Though I felt obliged to leave home for reasons which we both understand, I am sure that you will feel interested to know how I am getting along. I did not realize till I had started out how difficult it is for a boy, brought up like myself, to support himself when thrown upon his own exertions.

A newsboy can generally earn enough money to maintain himself in the style to which he is accustomed, but I have had a comfortable and even luxurious home, and could hardly bring myself to live in a tenement house, or a very cheap boarding place. Yet I would rather do either than stay in a home made unpleasant by the persistent hostility of one member.

"I will not take up your time by relating the incidents of the first two days after I left home. I came near getting into serious trouble through no fault of my own, but happily escaped. When I was nearly penniless I fell in with a prosperous manufacturer of furniture who has taken me into his employment.

He gives me a home in his own house, and pays me two dollars a week besides. This is enough to support me economically, and I shall after a while receive better pay.

"I am not in the office, but in the factory, and am learning the business practically, starting in at the bottom. I think I have a taste for it, and the superintendent tells me I am making remarkable progress. The time was when I would have hesitated to become a working boy, but I have quite got over such foolishness.

Mr. Jennings, my employer, who is considered a rich man, began as I did, and I hope some day to occupy a position similar to his.

"I trust you are quite well and happy, dear father. My only regret is, that I cannot see you occasionally. While my stepmother and Peter form part of your family, I feel that I can never live at home. They both dislike me, and I am afraid I return the feeling. If you are sick or need me, do not fail to send for me, for I can never forget that you are my father, as I am your affectionate son, Carl."

This letter was handed to Dr. Crawford at the breakfast table. He colored and looked agitated when he opened the envelope, and Mrs. Crawford, who had a large share of curiosity, did not fail to notice this.

"From whom is your letter, my dear?" she asked, in the soft tone which was habitual with her when she addressed her husband "The handwriting is Carl's," answered Dr.

Crawford, already devouring the letter eagerly.

"Oh!" she answered, in a chilly tone. "I have been expecting you would hear from him.

How much money does he send for?"

"I have not finished the letter." Dr.

Crawford continued reading. When he had finished he laid it down beside his plate.

"Well?" said his wife, interrogatively.

"What does he have to say? Does he ask leave to come home?"

"No; he is quite content where he is."

"And where is that?"

"At Milford."

"That is not far away?"

"No; not more than sixty miles."

"Does he ask for money?"

"No; he is employed."

"Where?"

"In a furniture factory."

"Oh, a factory boy."

"Yes; he is learning the business."

"He doesn't seem to be very ambitious," sneered Mrs. Crawford.

"On the contrary, he is looking forward to being in business for himself some day."

"On your money--I understand."

"Really, Mrs. Crawford, you do the boy injustice. He hints nothing of the kind. He evidently means to raise himself gradually as his employer did before him. By the way, he has a home in his employer's family. I think Mr. Jennings must have taken a fancy to Carl."

"I hope he will find him more agreeable than I did," said Mrs. Crawford, sharply.

"Are you quite sure that you always treated Carl considerately, my dear?"

"I didn't flatter or fondle him, if that is what you mean. I treated him as well as he could expect."

"Did you treat him as well as Peter, for example?"

"No. There is a great difference between the two boys. Peter is always respectful and obliging, and doesn't set up his will against mine.

He never gives me a moment's uneasiness."

"I hope you will continue to find him a comfort, my dear," said Dr. Crawford, meekly.

He looked across the table at the fat, expressionless face of his stepson, and he blamed himself because he could not entertain a warmer regard for Peter. Somehow he had a slight feeling of antipathy, which he tried to overcome.

同类推荐
  • 水族无鳞单

    水族无鳞单

    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。
  • The Story of the Treasure Seekers

    The Story of the Treasure Seekers

    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。
  • 洪杨轶闻

    洪杨轶闻

    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。
  • 经典释文

    经典释文

    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。
  • 梅

    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
  • 野处类稿

    野处类稿

    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。
  • 他给的梦幻天堂

    他给的梦幻天堂

    我永远记得那年,他双手怀胸,居高临下的望着我说:“伊一,你还知道回家?!”虽然语气很差,但是我却能感觉到他的担心,他强装冷静的面容。这些都使我映像深刻,无法忘怀!“艾熙然,遇到你到底是我的有幸还是不幸?”“艾熙然,我舍不得从来没有遇到过你?”
  • 固气还神九转琼丹论

    固气还神九转琼丹论

    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。
  • 小琉球漫志

    小琉球漫志

    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。
  • 金人铭

    金人铭

    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。
  • 我为什么还不结婚

    我为什么还不结婚

    回不到的过去,到不了的未来。胡鹏站在这座城市的天桥上,看着一幢一幢的高楼大厦,还有川流不息的人群。在这座城市来了又走,走了又来,现在的自己已经27了。不知道是自己无能,还是自己没有更好的平台,这些年在这座城市糊里糊涂的成长到了27。27岁对于农村的他来说,意味着结婚生子,家里人不是一次两次的催他了,妈妈经常说:“你看看谁谁家的小孩比你还小已经结婚了,你看看跟你同岁的小孩都会叫爸爸了”。铃铃铃,胡鹏拿出手机一看,是妈妈,不用说又是为了结婚这个事。
  • 我们是战地救护者

    我们是战地救护者

    小说根据作者亲身经历改编,这是一群胶东农民的儿女在革命战争中战斗、生活和成长的经历,农村青年小刘投笔从戎,作为一名战地卫生员,本着对革命的人道主义精神,在南征北战中救死扶伤,解放战争胜利后,又与战友们相逢在朝鲜战场,上演了一场血与火的生死考验,它从另一个角度再现了战争的历史真相,是又一部集结号!
  • 四签名(福尔摩斯探案全集)

    四签名(福尔摩斯探案全集)

    《福尔摩斯探案全集:四签名》是作者的成名作,是系列第二部长篇探案小说。作品以印度土兵叛乱的历史背景,通过人们对土王宝盒的拼死争逐,与华生和莫斯坦小姐追求纯真爱情视不义之财为阻隔来加以对照表现,揭露了人的财富欲的罪恶与虚无,把人带入纯净的境界,反映了一个深刻的人文题材,提出了令人值得深思的诸多社会问题,从侧面向读者提供了深广的人文思考空间。
  • 三国大榜单:巅峰对决的历史余味

    三国大榜单:巅峰对决的历史余味

    基于《三国志》的“史料三国杀”,以榜单的形式书写三国历史!三国英雄的榜单有着值得挖掘的深意,他们的强弱盛衰之别,总蕴含着内在的逻辑与通则。任何高等级的博弈,都是一场智与力的综合角逐。一旦有人做出误判,强弱的转换总是立竿见影,由盛到衰往往转眼之间,新的博弈也势必随之重建。对历史有浓厚兴趣的人,请不要因为一部小说而轻视了正史。此份三国群英榜帮你解读三国间的博弈与均衡,解读三国史!
  • 冷月如霜

    冷月如霜

    十六岁前,她,是首辅的掌上明珠,满门权贵。十六岁后,她,一夕之间,家破人亡。凭借帝王最后一丝悯爱,慕如霜终于站在了六宫之上。阴谋、猜忌、离间,她除去后宫朝野之中一个一个的敌人。机关算尽,却没有最后的赢家。