The Lost Kitty Part 4

"Thank G.o.d," he said, "that I see you all once more!"

"When did you come? How changed you are! I was sure I had seen your eye somewhere," exclaimed Hatty, full of joyful excitement.

"I was proud of you, my boy," said Captain Carleton, again embracing him. "I was proud of you and proud of your mother, who has trained you to such good manners. I pray G.o.d you may always honor her as you did to-day."

Mrs. Carleton, having laid aside her bonnet and shawl, rose to make preparations for supper.

"Now, ma, you sit right down," exclaimed Hatty, gently putting her back into the chair. "I can do everything. You sit and talk with pa."

"You will find a lobster in the closet," said the captain. "We can well afford to have a little feast, for the Adolphus, my new vessel, is completed, and will be ready for sea before I am, I fear."

"Good news! good news! Pa is captain again."

"Yes," added the gentleman; "the owners have been very generous. They have allowed me a sum in advance, which, with what I have made in the last voyage, will buy a share in her. I hope for a prosperous trip."

"You have returned safely; and I could be satisfied with that,"

faltered Mrs. Carleton, her eyes full of tears, though hope prevailed in her heart.

CHAPTER VII.

FINDING A PLACE.

We must now pa.s.s over several years, during which Captain Carleton was very much prospered. He had become rich, and loved to share his wealth with others.

Hatty was married to a merchant from the neighboring city; and she, who had been so dutiful a daughter and so loving a sister, bid fair to be an affectionate wife.

Frederick at sixteen graduated from the High School with the first honors. For a time he had been anxious to go to sea with his father; but, as his mother was unwilling, he concluded to be a merchant.

As Mrs. Carleton still remained in her old home, she wished her son to obtain business, at least for the present, in the same town; so one morning he set out to find himself a place.

All day long he went from one store to another; but nowhere was a boy wanted. He returned home at night quite disheartened, but, after a cheerful talk with his mother, resolved he wouldn't give up.

There were a few of the largest stores into which he had not ventured.

Now he said to himself,--"Nothing venture, nothing have." So, putting on a resolute face, he started off to renew his efforts.

There was one immense flour and grain store down by the wharf, owned by Long, Haynes, & Long, into which he had looked with great interest.

The vessels, loaded with grain, came up to the very door, whence the huge bags were taken by means of the tackle into the upper stories of the great storehouse.

"That is the kind of place I should like," he said to himself, watching the men running to and fro. "Business seems lively. I wonder whether any of the partners are in the counting-room? I wish somebody would introduce me; but if I must go alone, I must. It's no use standing here dreading it."

"I want to see 'Squire Long," he said, addressing a man who wore a meal-bag ap.r.o.n.

"Go to the counting-room, then;" and the porter was gone without another word.

He was relieved to see that the gentleman was alone, and, looking as bold as possible, he asked,--

"Do you want a boy, sir?"

Without answering, the 'Squire peeped over the top of his gla.s.ses, but tried in vain to make out who he was.

"I know your face, my young friend," he said; "but I can't call your name."

"Frederick Carleton, sir."

"Oh, yes; I know now! You're the young lad who said, 'I thank you,'

when you received the book in school."

"I thank you again for it, sir. I have read it a great many times. I have it now."

"And you want to be a flour and grain merchant?"

"Yes, sir. I should like that best of anything."

"Why don't you go to sea with your father?"

"Mother wants me to stay with her. If it were not for that, my brother-in-law would take me into his store."

"How old are you?"

"Sixteen, last April."

"Ay! ay! And what can you do, my boy?"

"Almost anything, sir. Mother brought me up to work. Ever since I was seven years old I have sawed and split wood. I like to work, sir, and that made me want to come here; there seems enough to do."

'Squire Long took out his watch. "Let me see," he said to himself; "I must be at the bank at ten. I shall be in the city till five. Well, Frederick, you may tell your mother that I will do myself the pleasure of calling on her after tea."

He took his pen without another word, but smiled when Fred exclaimed, warmly,--

"Thank you, sir;" and then went on with his writing.

Exactly at seven o'clock he drove to the door.

"I told my partners," he said to the lady, "what I knew of the lad; and, though we don't really need another hand, yet they gave up to the whims of an old man, who has taken a fancy to a boy that says 'thank you' so earnestly. I've had my eye on the lad for a good many years; and he may enter the store of Long, Haynes, & Long as soon as he pleases."

Neither Mrs. Carleton nor her son failed to express their grat.i.tude to the kind old gentleman for acceding so cheerfully to their wishes.

"I know what I'm about," he answered, laughing; "I believe in G.o.d's promise to the children of those that love him, and keep his commandments. I mean to make Frederick my confidential clerk; and I expect to get the best part of the bargain."

CHAPTER VIII.