With it
fluttered out a bank bill, which fell to the ground
apparently unobserved by the owner.
Carl hurried on, and, picking up the bill,
said to the small stranger as he touched his
arm: "Here is some money you just dropped, sir."
The little man turned round and smiled pleasantly.
"Thank you. Are you sure it is mine?"
"Yes, sir; it came out with your handkerchief."
"Let me see. So it is mine. I was very
careless to put it loose in my pocket."
"You were rather careless, sir."
"Of what denomination is it?'
"It is a two-dollar note."
"If you had been a poor boy," said the
little man, eying Carl keenly, "you might have
been tempted to keep it. I might not have known."
Carl smiled.
"What makes you think I am not a poor boy?" he said.
"You are well dressed."
"That is true; but all the money I have is
a dollar and five cents."
"You know where to get more? You have a good home?"
"I had a home, but now I am thrown on my own exertions,"
said Carl, soberly.
"Dear me! That is bad! If I were better acquainted,
I might ask more particularly how this happens. Are you an orphan?"
"No, sir; my father is living."
"And your mother is dead?"
"Yes, sir."
"Is your father a poor man?"
"No, sir; he is moderately rich."
"Yet you have to fight your own way?"
"Yes, sir. I have a stepmother."
"I see. Are you sure you are not unreasonably prejudiced
against your stepmother? All stepmothers are not bad or unkind."
"I know that, sir."
"Yours is, I presume?"
"You can judge for yourself.
Pages:
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75