Chapter 29

GILBERT�S PLANS.

Gilbert left the house of Mrs. Briggs, not cast down, but with a full understanding of his situation. Until now he had had his guardian�s assistance, and, with the income from his position as office-boy, had felt no anxiety. Now, both had failed him, for the time at least, and he must shift for himself. Disaster develops the manhood in a boy as well as a man. So Gilbert did not indulge in any gloomy anticipations of starvation or pauperism. He never for a moment regretted his refusal to take money from Mrs. Briggs, offered as it had been in such a manner as to insult his self-respect.

�I�d rather live on one meal a day,� he said to himself stoutly, �than humble myself to that woman.�

When he re-entered his room he found his room-mate reading.

�Well, Gilbert,� he said, �did you have a pleasant call?�

�So pleasant that I shall not call again in a hurry,� answered Gilbert.

�Then Mrs. Briggs won�t give you any assistance?�

�Yes; but I have rejected it.�

Mr. Ingalls looked surprised.

�Did you not act unwisely?� he asked.

�Let me tell you just what passed between us, and you shall judge.�

The young man listened attentively. When Gilbert had finished his story, he said, emphatically, �You did just right. I should have done the same thing in your circumstances.�

�I am glad you approve of my action. I couldn�t stoop to take money offered as charity.�

�Then you have got to strike out for yourself, it seems?�

�Yes, and I must settle to-night what I shall do.�

�Have you made up your mind to anything?�

�I was thinking about that as I walked home. To begin with, I will borrow money of you to pay Mrs. White, if you are still willing to lend it.�

�I will lend it to you with pleasure.�

�I think I had better leave this house, obtain a cheaper room, and board at a restaurant.�

�I don�t think you can save much that way. Mrs. White is very reasonable in her charges.�

�I know that, but the probability is that I can�t pay her. I must be strictly economical. I am not sure but the best thing I can do is to go to the Newsboys� Lodge.�

Mr. Ingalls shook his head.

�It would never do,� he said. �It would not suit a boy brought up as you have been.�

�I don�t suppose it would; but I don�t expect to suit myself. That is not the question with me. I must do as I can.�

�Then stay here. If you can�t pay your whole board at the week�s end I will make up the balance. I should have to pay more, at any rate, if I occupied the room alone.�

Gilbert reflected a moment.

�You are very kind, Mr. Ingalls,� he said, �and I will accept your offer, on one condition.�

�What is that?�

�That you lend me the money, and I will repay it as soon as I am able.�

�I agree to that.�

�Then I will stay, for a week or two at least. Now I want to ask your advice. I must find something to do at once.�

�I wish there was a vacancy in our establishment.�

�I only want temporary employment. I expect Mr. Sands will take me back on his return.�

�I didn�t think of that. Have you thought of anything?�

�I am going to try my luck as a newsboy.�

�As a newsboy! What will your friends, the Vivians, say?�

�I don�t know, and I can�t afford to care. I must get a living somehow for the next few days, and I would rather sell papers than black boots. In the afternoon I shall try to get a little baggage-smashing to do.�

�I admire your pluck, Gilbert,� said his room-mate. �Not many boys, brought up as you have been, would be willing to sell papers in the streets.�

�I don�t pretend to like it,� said Gilbert; �but I would rather do it than sponge on others, or take money flung at me as alms. If you object to rooming with a common newsboy,� he added, smiling, �I suppose I must look for another boarding-place.�

�Wait till I give you notice to quit,� said Ingalls. �In the mean time I will do all I can to encourage you. I will buy a morning paper of you to-morrow morning. Where shall you stand?�

�Near the �Times� building, I think. Don�t forget your promise now. If I have one customer engaged I shall sleep more soundly.�

�You can rely upon me. Have you got money enough to start yourself in business? If not, command my purse.�

�I will borrow fifty cents, to make sure that I have enough. Now, as I must be up betimes and take an early breakfast, I think I will turn in.�

�Good-night, then. I will stay up and read awhile longer.�

�He�s a plucky boy,� thought the young man. �He deserves to succeed, and I believe he will.�