Chapter XIV. The Tailor's Customer

by Horatio Alger

　　At the end of six weeks from the date of Robert's departure, Harryhad been paid eighteen dollars. Of this sum he had spent but onedollar, and kept the balance in his pocketbook. He did not careto send it home until he had enough to meet Squire Green's demand,knowing that his father would be able to meet his ordinary expenses.Chiefly through the reports of Luke Harrison he was acquiring thereputation of meanness, though, as we know, he was far from deservingit."See how the fellow dresses," said Luke, contemptuously, to twoof his companions one evening." His clothes are shabby enough, andhe hasn't got an overcoat at all. He hoards his money, and is toostingy to buy one. See, there he comes, buttoned to the chin tokeep warm, and I suppose he has more money in his pocketbook thanthe whole of us together. I wouldn't be as mean as he is for ahundred dollars.""You'd rather get trusted for your clothes than do without them,"said Frank Heath, slyly; for he happened to know that Luke hadrun up a bill with the tailor, about which the latter was gettinganxious."What if I do," said Luke, sharply, "as long as I am going to payfor them?""Oh, nothing," said Frank. "I didn't say anything against it, didI? I suppose you are as able to owe the tailor as anyone."By this time, Harry had come up."Where are you going, Walton?" asked Luke. "You look cold.""Yes, it's a cold day.""Left your overcoat at home, didn't you?"Harry colored. The fact was, he felt the need of an overcoat, butdidn't know how to manage getting one. At the lowest calculation,it would cost all the money he had saved up for one, and the purchasewould defeat all his plans. The one he had worn at home during theprevious winter was too small for him, and had been given to hisbrother."If I only could get through the winter without one," he thought,"I should be all right." But a New England winter is not to bebraved with impunity, useless protected by adequate clothing. Luke'ssneer was therefore not without effect. But he answered, quietly:"I did not leave it at home, for I have none to leave.""I suppose you are bound to the tailor's to order one.""What makes you think so?" asked Harry."You are not such a fool as to go without one when you have moneyin your pocket, are you?""You seem very curious about my private affairs," said Harry, ratherprovoked."He's only drumming up customers for the tailor," said Frank Heath."He gets a commission on all he brings.""That's the way he pays his bill," said Sam Anderson."Quit fooling, boys," said Luke, irritated. "I ain't a drummer. Ipay my bills, like a gentleman.""By keeping the tailor waiting," said Frank."Quit that!"So attention was diverted from Harry by this opportune attack uponLuke, much to our hero's relief. Nevertheless, he saw, that inorder to preserve his health, he must have some outer garment, andin order the better to decide what to do, he concluded to step intothe tailor's, and inquire his prices.The tailor, Merrill by name, had a shop over the dry goods store,and thither Harry directed his steps. There was one other personin the shop, a young fellow but little larger than Harry, thoughtwo years older, who was on a visit to an aunt in the neighborhood,but lived in Boston. He belonged to a rich family, and had commandof considerable money. His name was Maurice Tudor. He had gone intothe shop to leave a coat to be repaired."How are you, Walton?" he said, for he knew our hero slightly."Pretty well. Thank you.""It's pretty cold for October.""Yes, unusually so.""Mr. Merrill," said Harry, "I should like to inquire the price ofan overcoat. I may want to order one by and by.""What sort of one do you want--pretty nice?""No, I can't afford anything nice--something as cheap as possible.""This is the cheapest goods I have," said the tailor, pointing tosome coarse cloth near by."I can make you up a coat form that for eighteen dollars.""Eighteen dollars!" exclaimed Harry, in dismay. "Is that the cheapestyou have?""The very cheapest."After a minute's pause he added, "I might take off a dollar forcash. I've got enough of running up bills. There's Luke Harrisonowes me over thirty dollars, and I don't believe he means to payit al all.""If I buy, I shall pay cash," said Harry, quietly."You can't get anything cheaper than this." said the tailor."Very likely not," said Harry, soberly. "I'll think about it, andlet you know if I decide to take it."Maurice Tudor was a silent listener to this dialogue. He saw Harry'ssober expression, and he noticed the tone in which he repeated"eighteen dollars," and he guessed the truth. He lingered afterHarry went out, and said:"That's a good fellow.""Harry Walton?" repeated the tailor. "Yes, he's worth a dozen LukeHarrisons.""Has he been in the village long?""No, not more than two or three months. He works for Mr. Leavitt.""He is rather poor, I suppose.""Yes. The boys call him mean; but Leavitt tells me he is saving upevery cent to send to his father, who is a poor farmer.""That's a good thing in him.""Yes, I wish I could afford to give him and overcoat. He needsone, but I suppose seventeen dollars will come rather hard on himto pay. If it was Luke Harrison, it wouldn't trouble him much.""You mean he would get it on tick.""Yes, if he found anybody fool enough to trust him. I've done itas long as I'm going to. He won't get a dollar more credit out ofme till he pays his bill.""You're perfectly right, there.""So I think. He earns a good deal more than Walton, but spends whathe earns on billiards, drinks and cigars.""There he comes up the stairs, now."In fact, Luke with his two companions directly afterwards enteredthe shop."Merrill," said he, "have you got in any new goods? I must have anew pair of pants.""Yes, I've got some new goods. There's a piece open before you.""It's a pretty thing, Merrill," said Luke, struck by it; "what'syour price for a pair off of it?""Ten dollars.""Isn't that rather steep?""No; the cloth is superior quality.""Well, darn the expense. I like it, and must have it. Just measureme, will you?""Are you ready to pay the account I have against you?""How much is it?"The tailor referred to his books."Thirty-two dollars and fifty cents," he answered."All right, Merrill. Wait till the pants are done, and I'll paythe whole at once.""Ain't my credit good?" blustered Luke."You can make it good," said the tailor, significantly."I didn't think you'd make such a fuss about a small bill.""I didn't think you'd find is so difficult to pay a small bill,"returned the tailor.Luke looked discomfited. He was silent a moment, and then changedhis tactics."Come, Merrill," he said, persuasively; "don't be alarmed. I'm goodfor it, I guess. I haven't got the money convenient to-day. I lentfifty dollars. I shall have it back next week and then I will payyou.""I am glad to hear it," said Merrill."So just measure me and hurry up the pants.""I'm sorry but I can't till you settle the bill.""Look here, has Walton been talking against me?""No; what makes you think so?""He don't like me, because I twitted him with his meanness.""I don't consider him mean.""Has he ever bought anything of you?""No.""I knew it. He prefers to go ragged and save his money.""He's too honorable to run up a bill without paying it.""Do you mean me?" demanded Luke, angrily."I hope not. I presume you intend to pay your bills."Luke Harrison left the shop. He saw that he exhausted his creditwith Merrill. As to paying the bill, there was not much chance ofthat at present, as he had but one dollar and a half in his pocket.