Wait and Hope Part 23

"I haven't anything to do with the prices, ma'am."

"I need some meat," said the old lady sternly, "but I won't buy any.

I won't encourage you in your shameful swindlin'. I'll bear up as well as I can till I get home, though like as not I shall be faint."

The waiter took the written order, and brought the old lady's tea and toast. Ben ordered some steak, and, finding that more was brought than he needed, offered a piece to the old lady.

"Shan't I rob you?" asked the old lady, looking at the meat covetously.

"Not at all, ma'am. I've taken all I want."

"Then I don't keer if I do take a piece. I feel kinder faint, and meat goes to the right spot; but I wasn't going to pay any of their shameful prices."

The old lady ate the meat with evident relish, and an expression satisfaction, which arose partly from the reflection that she was gratifying her appet.i.te without expense. She even regarded Emma with a softened expression, saying: "I forgive you, little gal, for what you said to me. You don't know no better. You must try to behave like the boy that's with you. He's a real polite boy."

"So he is," said Emma. "I like him ever so much."

Luckily she added nothing to kindle the old lady's resentment, and they rose from the table on good terms.

Chapter XIV

Prof. Crane, The Phrenologist

After supper Ben and his young charge took their seats in the main salon. The pa.s.sengers were grouped about the tables, many of them reading the New York evening papers. Among them Ben observed a tall man, wearing a full beard, and attired in a suit of rather rusty black, who presently sat down beside him. From his appearance Ben fancied that he might be a clergyman or a missionary.

"My young friend," said the stranger at length, "are you traveling to Boston?"

"Yes, sir."

"Ahem! Do you live in Boston?"

"No, sir; I live in Milltown, a manufacturing town."

"Did you ever have your head examined?"

Ben stared at the questioner in surprise.

"What should I have my head examined for?" he asked.

"I see you don't understand me," said the gentlemen of clerical appearance. "I am a phrenologist."

"Oh, yes, I understand," said Ben.

"I lecture on phrenology and examine heads, describing the character and prominent traits of my subjects on phrenological principles. For instance, I can readily tell by the help of my science your leading tendencies, and in what career you would be most likely to meet with success."

"I would like to know that myself," said Ben, becoming interested.

"My terms for an ordinary examination are twenty-five cents. For a written description I charge a dollar."

"If I had plenty of money," said Ben, "I wouldn't mind getting a written description."

"A dollar spent that way may save you hundreds of dollars, nay, perhaps thousands," said the phrenologist insinuatingly.

Ben shook his head.

"I haven't any money to spare," he said. "I have some money, but it was given to me to pay traveling expenses."

"Surely you can spare twenty-five cents," said the phrenologist.

"You can remember what I say and write it down yourself afterward."

"So, I can," said Ben. "I guess I can afford a quarter; but where can we go?"

"Stay here," said Prof. Crane, for this was his self-chosen designation. "It will probably bring me other customers."

"I don't know," said Ben, looking about him doubtfully. "I don't think I should like to have all these people hear about me."

"You need not be afraid. You have a very good heard. Besides, it is no more public than at my lectures."

"All right then!"

"Move your chair forward a little. There, that is right."

Prof. Crane arose, and a.s.sumed the att.i.tude of a speaker.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he commenced, after clearing his throat.

The gentlemen in the saloon looked up from their newspapers in some surprise at this unexpected interruption.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Prof. Crane, the phrenologist. I trust you will pardon the interruption if I publically examine the head of this young man, and describe his character as indicated by his phrenological development."

"Go on," said a stout gentlemen opposite. "It will help to pa.s.s the time."

"Thank you, sir. I trust that what I may say will not only help to pa.s.s the time, but lead you to reflect seriously upon the great importance of this science, and its claims upon your attention."

All eyes were turned upon Ben, who bore the ordeal very well.

"This lad has an excellent head. All the organs are well balanced, none being in great excess. His temperament is nervous-sanguine.

Hope predominates with him. He will not be easily discouraged, but when he has an object in view he will pursue it perseveringly to the end. He is not quarrelsome, but will not allow himself to be trodden upon. He has plenty of courage. He is not bashful, but respectful to his elders and superiors. He is conscientious, and more likely to do right than wrong. Of course he might yield to temptation, but it would have to be a powerful one. He has a fondness for pets, and will be kind to younger children. He will find no pleasure in ill-treating or tyrannizing over them He has not much invention, and would make a poor machinist, but is likely to succeed in general business. He will probably be steady and reliable, and faithful to the interests of his employer."

This was the substance of Prof. Crane's description of our hero.

Ben listened with satisfaction, feeling that it was a very good character indeed. He was sorry that some business man could not hear it, as it might lead him to offer him employment.

When the examination was over, Ben tendered the professor twenty-five cents in payment.

"Now," said the professor, looking around him, "is there any other lady or gentleman whose head I can examine, for the small sum of twenty-five cents? My usual terms are fifty cents, but as I am traveling, and this is out of office hours, I don't mind reducing the price for this occasion."