"Sam's Chance" is a sequel to the "Young Outlaw," and is designed to illustrate the gradual steps by which that young man was induced to give up his bad habits, and deserve that prosperity which he finally attains. The writer confesses to have experienced some embarrassment in writing this story. The story writer always has at command expedients by which the frowns of fortune may be turned into sunshine, and this without violating probability, or, at any rate, possibility; for the careers of many of our most eminent and successful men attest that truth is often-times stranger than fiction. But to cure a boy of radical faults is almost as difficult in fiction as in real life. Whether the influences which led to Sam's reformation were adequate to that result, must be decided by the critical reader. The author may, at any rate, venture to congratulate Sam's friends that he is now more worthy of their interest and regard than in the years when he was known as the "Young Outlaw."
"If I'm goin' into a office I'll have to buy some new clo'es," thought Sam Barker.
He was a boy of fifteen, who, for three years, had been drifting about the streets of New York, getting his living as he could; now blacking boots, now selling papers, now carrying bundles—"everything by turns, and nothing long." He was not a model boy, as those who have read his early history, in "The Young Outlaw," are aware; but, on the other hand, he was not extremely bad. He liked fun, even if it involved mischief; and he could not be called strictly truthful nor honest. But he would not wantonly injure or tyrannize over a smaller boy, and there was nothing mean or malicious about him. Still he was hardly the sort of boy a merchant would be likely to select as an office boy, and but for a lucky chance Sam would have been compelled to remain a bootblack or newsboy. One day he found, in an uptown street, a little boy, who had strayed away from his nurse, and, ascertaining where he lived, restored him to his anxious parents. For this good deed he was rewarded by a gift of five dollars and the offer of a position as errand boy, at five dollars a week.
Sam decided that he must have some new clothes before he could enter upon his place. At present his costume consisted of a ragged shirt, and a pair of equally ragged pantaloons. Both were of unknown antiquity, and had done faithful service, not only to Sam, but to a former owner. It was quite time they were released from duty.
To buy a complete outfit with five dollars might have puzzled many an able financier. But Sam knew just where to go. Somewhere in the neighborhood of Baxter Street there was a second-hand clothing establishment, which he had patronized on previous occasions, and where he knew that the prices were low. It was to this place that he bent his steps.
A wrinkled old man—the proprietor—stood outside, scanning, with cunning eyes, the passers-by. If any one paused to examine his stock, he was immediately assailed by voluble recommendations of this or that article, and urgently entreated to "just step inside."
When Sam approached, the old man's shrewdness was at fault. He did not suspect that the ragged street boy was likely to become a customer, and merely suffered his glance to rest upon him casually.
But Sam accosted him with a business-like manner.
"Look here, old man, have you got any tiptop clo'es to sell to-day?"
"Yes, my son," answered the old man, with an air of alacrity.
"Who are you a-takin' to? I ain't your son, and I wouldn't be. My father's a member of Congress."
"Did he send you here to buy clo'es?" asked the old man, with a grin.
"Yes, he did. He said you'd let me have 'em half price."
"So I will, my—boy. This is the cheapest place in the city."
"Well, old man, trot out your best suits. I want 'em in the style, you know."
"I know that from your looks," said the old man, a grin illumining his wrinkled face, as he glanced at the rags Sam wore.
"Oh, you needn't look at these. My best clo'es is to home in the wardrobe. What have you got for shirts?"
A red-flannel article was displayed; but Sam didn't like the color.
"It ain't fashionable," he said.
"Here's a blue one," said the old man.
"That's more like, how much is it?"
"Fifty cents."
"Fifty cents! Do you want to ruin me? I won't give no fifty cents for a shirt."
"It's worth more. It cost me forty-five."
"I'll give thirty-five."
After some haggling the price was accepted, and the article was laid aside.
"Now show me some of your nice suits," said Sam. "I've got a place, and I want to look like a gentleman."
"Have you got any money?" asked the old man, with the momentary suspicion that he might be throwing his time and trouble away upon a penniless purchaser.
"Yes," said Sam. "What do you take me for?"
"How much have you got?"
"What do you want to know for?"
"I want to know what clo'es to show you."
Sam was about to answer five dollars, when a shrewd thought changed his intention.
"I've got four dollars," he said.
Even this was beyond the expectations of the dealer.
"All right, my son," he said. "I'll give you some nice clo'es for four dollars."
"You'd better if you want me to come here again. If you do well by me I'll get all my clo'es here."
A young man of fashion could not have spoken more condescendingly, or with an air of greater importance than Sam. He was right in thinking that his patronage was of importance to the old man.
"I'll dress you so fine the gals will look at you as you go along the street," he said.
"Go ahead!" said Sam. "Do your best by me, and I'll send my friends here."
Without going into details, it may be said that our hero selected everything to his satisfaction except a coat. Here he was rather particular. Finally, he espied a blue coat with brass buttons, hanging in a corner.
"Take down that coat," he said, "I guess that'll suit me."
"That costs too much. I can't give you that and the rest of the things for four dollars."
"Why can't you?"
"I'd lose too much."
Opposition confirmed Sam in his determination to own it.
"Give it to me; I'll try it on," he said.
Putting it on, he surveyed himself with satisfaction, in a small, cracked mirror. True, it was about two sizes too large, but Sam felt that in getting more cloth he was getting a better bargain.
"That's my style," he said. "Don't I look fashionable?"
"I'll have to ask you twenty-five cents more for that coat," said the old dealer.
"No, you won't."
"Yes, I must. I ought to ask more."
"Then you may keep the rest of the clo'es. I don't want 'em."
Sam made a movement as if to leave the store.
"Give me twenty cents more, my son."
"Didn't I tell you I wasn't your son? I won't give you no twenty cents, but I'll tell you what I'll do—I'll give you these clo'es I've got on."
The old man looked at them dubiously.
"They ain't worth much," he said.
"I know they ain't but they're worth twenty cents."
There was another critical inspection, and the decision was given in Sam's favor.
"You may have the clo'es," said the old man. "Now, where's your money?"
Sam produced a five-dollar bill.
"Give me a dollar back," he said.
The old man looked at him with the expression of one who had been cheated.
"You said you had only four dollars," he complained.
"No, I didn't. I said I had four. I didn't say that was all."
"These clo'es are worth five dollars."
"No, they ain't, and you won't get it from me. Do you think I'm going to give you all the money I've got?"
The old man still looked dissatisfied. "I'm losin' money on these clo'es," he muttered.
"Oh, well if you don't want to sell 'em, you needn't," said Sam, independently. "There's another place round the corner."
"Give me four fifty."
"No, I won't. I won't give you another cent. I'll give you four dollars and these clo'es I have on. A bargain's a bargain. If you're goin' to do it, say the word; and if you ain't, I'm off."
Sam carried his point, and received back a dollar in change.
"You needn't send the clo'es round to my hotel—I'll change 'em here," said our hero.
He set to work at once, and in five minutes the change was effected. The other clothes fitted him moderately well, but the blue coat—of the kind popularly called a swallow-tail—nearly trailed upon the ground. But for that Sam cared little. He surveyed himself with satisfaction, and felt that he was well dressed.
"I guess I'll do now," he said to himself, complacently, as he walked out of the shop.
"Is the boss in?"
The speaker was Sam Barker, and the young man addressed was a clerk in the office of Henry Dalton & Co. He gazed with wonder and amusement at the grotesque figure before him.
"Have you business with Mr. Dalton?" he inquired.
"I should think I had," said Sam. "Is he in?"
"Not yet. He'll be here presently."
"All right. I'll wait."
Carefully parting the tails of his coat, Sam coolly deposited himself in an office chair, and looked about him.
"Are you in business for yourself?" asked the clerk.
"I have been," said Sam, "but I'm goin' to work for Mr. Dalton now."
"Did Mr. Dalton hire you?"
"Of course he did. He's goin' to pay me five dollars a week. How much does he pay you?"
"That's a secret," said the young man, good-naturedly.
"Is it? Well, I'll excuse you."
"You're very kind. That's a stylish coat you've got on."
"Isn't it?" said Sam, proudly, and rising from the chair he turned around in order to display fully the admired garment.
"Who is your tailor?"
"I forget his name, but he hangs out on Chatham Street. I only bought this coat yesterday."
"Don't you think it's a little too long?"
"Maybe it is," said Sam, "but I don't mind it. I can cut it down if I want to. Maybe they've got another like it, if you want one."
"I'm supplied just at present," said the young man. "What do you expect to do here?"
"I'm to be the errand boy. Does the boss work you very hard?"
"Oh, no, he's reasonable. How did you happen to get in with him?"
"I brought home his little boy. The little chap was cryin' round the streets, when I met him and took him home."
"Oh! you're the boy I heard him speak of. Well, you're in luck, for Mr. Dalton is an excellent employer."
"Have you been with him long?"
"About four years."
"Do you think he'll raise me soon?"
"That will depend a good deal upon yourself. If you work faithfully, no doubt he will."
Sam made a resolution to work faithfully, but then he found it easier to make resolutions than keep them.
"There's Mr. Dalton now," said the clerk.
Sam rose and faced his employer. The latter looked at him in some surprise, not immediately recognizing under the strange dress the boy whom he had engaged.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"I'm the new boy," said Sam. "Don't you remember you told me you'd hire me at five dollars a week?"
"Oh, you are the boy, are you? Why, you look like an old man! Where did you raise that coat?"
"I bought it."
"It makes you look like your own grandfather."
"Does it?" said Sam, rather taken aback. "I thought it was stylish."
"You better exchange it. I don't want a boy in my employment to be dressed in that way. You'll be taken for an old gentleman from the country."
Sam smiled, but looked rather disturbed.
"I don't know as the man will take it back," he said.
"Go and see. I'll give you a couple of dollars. He will change it if you pay him something extra."
"I'll fix it," said Sam, accepting the money with alacrity. "Shall I go now?"
"Yes, and come back when you have made the exchange. Get something suitable for a boy of your age, and not too large."
Sam left the counting-room, and made his way to the second-hand shop where he had made the purchase. He succeeded in effecting an exchange for a coat which was less noticeable, and that without paying any bonus.
"If the boss don't say anything about the two dollars," he thought, "I'll be so much in."
Much to his joy no questions were asked as to the terms on which he made the exchange, and he felt that he could afford to go to the Old Bowery that evening.
When he came back he was called into the counting-room.
"Now, my boy, what is your name?" asked the merchant.
"Sam Barker."
"How old are you?"
"Fifteen."
"Are your parents living?"
"No, sir."
"Where do you live?"
Sam hesitated.
"I ain't got no regular place," he answered, at length.
"Where have you generally slept?"
"At the 'Newsboys' Lodge.'"
"I suppose you were a newsboy?"
"Some of the time."
"Well, it makes no difference what you have been. You are now my errand boy. I have engaged you without knowing very much about you, because you have been of service to my little boy. I hope you will serve me faithfully."
"Oh, yes, I will," said Sam, looking particularly virtuous.
"If you do your duty, I shall take an interest in you, and promote you as you deserve."
"And give me more pay?" suggested Sam.
"Yes, if I find you deserve it. I would rather pay high wages to a boy who suits me than small wages to an inefficient boy."
"Them's my sentiments," said Sam, promptly; but whether his sentiments referred to the service or the pay he did not make quite clear.
Mr. Dalton smiled.
"I am glad you agree with me," he said. "There is one other point I wish to speak of. As you are in my employment, I want you to have a regular boarding-place. I think it much better for a boy or young man. You ought to be able to get board and a decent room for four dollars a week."
"I guess I can," said Sam.
"I will let you go at three o'clock this afternoon—two hours before our usual hour of closing. That will give you time to secure a place. Now go out, and Mr. Budd will set you to work."
The clerk whom Sam had first encountered was named William Budd, and to him he went for orders.
"You may go to the post office for letters first," said Budd. "Our box is 936."
"All right," said Sam.
He rather liked this part of his duty. It seemed more like play than work to walk through the streets, and it was comfortable to think he was going to be paid for it, too.
As he turned into Nassau Street he met an old acquaintance, Pat Riley by name, with a blacking box over his shoulders.
"Hello, Sam!" said Pat.
"Hello, yourself! How's business?"
"Times is dull with me. What are you doin'?"
"I'm in an office," said Sam, with conscious pride.
"Are you? What do you get?"
"Five dollars a week."
"How did you get it?" asked Pat, enviously.
"They came to me and asked me if I would go to work," said Sam.
"Where are you goin' now?"
"To the post office, to get the letters."
"You're in luck, Sam, and no mistake. Got some new clo'es, ain't you?"
"Yes," said Sam. "How do you like 'em?"
"Bully."
"I had a tiptop coat—blue with brass buttons—but the boss made me change it. He ain't got no taste in dress."
"That's so."
"When I get money enough I'll buy it for best, to wear Sundays, he can't say nothing to that."
"In course not. Well, Sam, when you get rich you can let me black your boots."
"All right, Pat," said Sam, complacently.
"Who knows but I'll be a rich merchant some time?"
Here Pat spied a customer, and the two had to part company.
Sam continued on his way till he reached the old brick church which used to serve as the New York post office. He entered, and met with his first perplexity. He could not remember the number of the boX. — "Here's a go!" thought Sam. "What's that number, I wonder? There was a thirty-six to it, I know. I guess it was 836. Anyhow I'll ask for it."
"Is there any letters in 836?" he asked.
Four letters were handed him.
Sam looked at the address. They were all directed to Ferguson & Co.
"That ain't the name," thought Sam. "I guess I'm in a scrape, but anyhow I'll carry 'em to Mr. Dalton, so he'll know I went to the office."
"Here's the letters," said Sam, as he entered the office on his return.
"You may carry them in to Mr. Dalton," said William Budd.
"Now for it!" thought Sam, as he entered the counting-room with reluctant step.
"Here's the letters, Mr. Dalton," said our hero, looking embarrassed.
Mr. Dalton took them, and glanced at the superscription.
"What's all this?" he demanded. "This letter is for Ferguson & Co. And so are the rest. What does it mean?"
"I guess there's some mistake," said Sam, uncomfortably.
"Why did you take these letters? Did you think my name was Ferguson?" demanded Mr. Dalton.
"No, sir."
"Didn't you know they were not for me, then?"
"They gave them to me at the post office," stammered Sam.
"Did you give the number of my box?"
"Yes, sir."
"What number did you call for?"
"I don't remember," answered Sam, abashed.
"Then you don't remember the number of my box?"
"I don't remember now," Sam admitted.
"Did you call for No. 776?"
"Yes," said Sam, promptly.
"That's not the number," said the merchant, quietly. "You must return these letters instantly, and call for my mail. I will give you the number of my box on a card, and then you can't make any mistake. You have made a blunder, which must not be repeated."
"Yes, sir," said Sam, glad to get off with no sharper admonition.
He returned to the post office, and this time he did his errand correctly.
At three o'clock Sam was permitted to leave the office and look out for a boarding-place. He had managed to scrape acquaintance during the day with Henry Martin, an errand boy in the next store, and went to consult him.
"Where do you board?" he asked.
"Near St. John's Park," answered Henry.
"Is it a good place?"
"It will do."
"I want to find a place to board. Is there room where you are?"
"Yes; you can come into my room, if you like."
"What'll I have to pay?"
"I pay a dollar and seventy-five cents a week for my room, and get my meals out; but the old lady will let the two of us have it for two fifty."
"That'll make seventy-five cents for me," said Sam.
"How do you make that out?"
"You pay just the same as you do now, and I'll make it up to two fifty."
"Look here, young fellow, you're smart, but that won't go down," said the other boy.
"Why not?" asked Sam, innocently. "You won't have to pay any more, will you?"
"I would have to pay more than you, and I don't mean to do it. If we pay two fifty, that will be just one twenty-five apiece. That's better than you can do alone."
"Well, I'll try it," said Sam. "When are you goin' round?"
"As soon as I get through work—at five o'clock."
"I'll wait for you."
Sam might have gone back and finished out his afternoon's work, but it did not occur to him as desirable, and he therefore remained with his new friend, till the latter was ready to go with him.
"How much wages do you get?" asked Sam, as they were walking along.
"Five dollars a week."
"So do I."
"Haven't you just gone into your place?"
"Yes."
"I've been in mine two years. I ought to get more than you."
"Why don't you ask for more?"
"It wouldn't be any use. I have asked, and they told me to wait."
"When I've been at work two years I expect to get ten dollars a week," said Sam.
"You'll have to take it out in expecting, then."
"Will I?" asked Sam, rather crestfallen.
"The fact is, we boys don't get paid enough," said Henry.
"No, I guess not," said Sam, assenting readily. "Do you have to work pretty hard?" he inquired.
"As hard as I want to."
"It must be jolly to be a boss, and only have to read letters, and write 'em," said Sam, who had rather an inadequate notion of his employer's cares. "I'd like to be one."
"I've got a rich uncle," said Henry Martin. "I wish he'd set me up in business when I'm twenty-one."
"How much is he worth?"
"About a hundred thousand dollars; I don't know but more."
"Do you think he will set you up?" asked Sam, rather impressed.
"I don't know."
"If he does, you might take me in with you."
"So I will, if your rich uncle will give you a lot of money, too."
"I haven't got no rich uncle," said Sam. "I only wish I had."
"Mine is more ornamental than useful, so far," said Henry. "Well, here we are at my place."
They stood before a shabby, brick dwelling, which bore unmistakable marks of being a cheap lodging-house.