[Phil the Fiddler by Horatio Alger Jr.]@TWC D-Link book
Phil the Fiddler

CHAPTER VIII
6/10

I have no room for such vagabonds." "We are cold," said Phil.

"We only want to warm ourselves by the fire." "I don't want you here," said the grocer, irritably.
"Mr.Perkins," said the gentleman, sharply, "have you no humanity?
What harm can it do you to let these poor boys get warm by your fire?
It will cost you nothing; it will not diminish your personal comfort; yet you drive them out into the cold." The grocer began to perceive that he was on the wrong tack.

The gentleman who addressed him was a regular and profitable customer, and he did not like to incur his ill will, which would entail loss.
"They can stay, Mr.Pomeroy," he said, with an ill grace, "since you ask it." "I do not ask it.

I will not accept, as a personal favor, what you should have granted from a motive of humanity, more especially as, after this exhibition of your spirit, I shall not trade here any longer." By this time the grocer perceived that he had made a mistake.
"I hope you will reconsider that, Mr.Pomeroy," he said, abjectly.

"The fact is, I had no objections to the boys warming themselves, but they are mostly thieves, and I could not keep my eyes on them all the time." "I think you are mistaken.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books