[In the Days of Poor Richard by Irving Bacheller]@TWC D-Link book
In the Days of Poor Richard

CHAPTER III
4/37

Then, almost sternly and in a confidential tone, as if suddenly impressed by the peril of an immortal soul, he said: "Young man, beware! I say to you, beware!" Each stiff gray hair on his chin seemed to erect itself into an animated exclamation point.

Turning again, he whispered: "You will soon shake its dust from your feet." "Why ?" "A sinking place! Every one bankrupt or nearly so.

Display! Nothing but display! Feasting, drinking! No thought of to-morrow! Ungodly city!" In concluding his indictment, Mr.Pinhorn partly covered his mouth and whispered the one word: "Babylon!" A moment of silence followed, after which he added; "I would never build a house or risk a penny in business there." "I am going to work in Doctor Benjamin Franklin's print shop," said Jack proudly.
Mr.Pinhorn turned with a look of consternation clearly indicating that this was the last straw.

He warned in a half whisper: "Again I say beware! That is the word--beware!" He almost shuddered as he spoke, and leaning close to the boy's ear, added in a confidential tone: "The King of Babylon! A sinking business! An evil man!" He looked sternly into the eyes of the boy and whispered: "Very! Oh, very!" He sat back in his seat again, while the expression of his whole figure seemed to say, "Thank God, my conscience is clear, whatever happens to you." Jack was so taken down by all this that, for a moment, his head swam.
Mr.Pinhorn added: "Prospered, but how?
That is the question.

Took the money of a friend and spent it.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books