CHARLIE GETS NEW IDEAS WHILE IN BOSTON.
When Ben returned, he was no less concerned than Sally, and instantly proceeded to administer consolation in a more practical form, by proposing that he should take passage with his father and the boys to Boston, have the wig dressed, and procure an entire new suit, and he would pay the bills.
But the good man’s troubles were not ended yet. The barbers were accustomed, when they dressed wigs, to put them on blocks of wood, made in the form of a head. It so happened that, there being a great deal of work in the barber’s shop, all the blocks were in use. The barber, for want of a block, clapped the wig on the head of his negro apprentice to dress it. A band of music came along, and the negro, jumping up, ran out to listen. He went by a carriage-maker’s shop, when a man, who was at work painting wheels, struck with the ludicrous appearance of a negro with a snow-white wig, poured a whole paper of lampblack on his head. This finished up the wig. But Captain Rhines, after laughing till the tears ran down his cheeks, procured another.
Charlie spent every leisure moment, while in Boston, in the ship-yards and boat-builders’ shops.
Mr. Welch, who had become thoroughly acquainted with Charlie while visiting Elm Island, invited him and Fred to come with Captain Rhines to dinner. He soon wormed out of Charlie all he had in view respecting Fred, which caused him to become interested in the boy, and he gave him much good advice in respect to business, concluding his remarks by telling him he would buy all the fish he could cure, and give him the highest market prices, according to quality.
Mr. Welch invited, and insisted on, Captain Rhines coming to tea, as he had some private matters he wished to talk over with him.
“My old friend,” said the merchant, deeply moved, taking both the captain’s hands in his the moment they were alone, “my oldest son, who bears my name,—a name which I have ever striven to connect with everything good and honorable,—is little better than a drunkard. He is both indolent and vicious. His conduct has broken my heart, and is fast bringing my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.”
Captain Rhines, not knowing how to reply, remained silent; but the pressure of the hand, and the tears that gathered in his eyes, attested, beyond the power of words, his sympathy.
“He is,” continued the parent, “of large business capacity, attractive in his manners, and makes friends, though of violent temper when aroused.”