“Of course, you’re a little green,” said Sam. “I was myself, at first,” he added, in a conciliatory manner. “But you’ll soon get over it. Only don’t buy anything of importance unless I am with you. That will be your safest way for the present.”
Joshua did not reply, but he reluctantly decided that perhaps he would do better to follow Sam’s advice. Evidently, the city was full of snares and swindlers of which he had no idea, and it wouldn’t do for him to lose forty dollars very often. He felt unhappy whenever he thought of his loss. He had been in the city only twenty-four hours, yet it had cost him in the neighborhood of fifty dollars. He decided henceforth to beware of plausible strangers, especially if they professed to hail from the country.
We must now return to Stapleton, where Mr. Drummond was still nursing his indignation at the audacity of his son, whom he had never supposed daring enough to rob his strong box. Mrs. Drummond essayed to say one word in defense of Joshua.
“He is a vile, young scoundrel!” exclaimed the angry father. “Mark my words, Mrs. Drummond--he will end his days on the gallows.”
“How can you say such dreadful things, Mr. Drummond?” said the mother. “Remember, he is your son!”
“I am ashamed to own that I am the father of a thief.”
“He would not have taken the money if you had not kept him so close. Twenty-five cents a week is very small to give a boy of Joshua’s age. All of his companions get more.”
“It was more than he deserved, the idle vagabond!”
“You are very hard upon him, Mr. Drummond,” said his wife.
“I have reason to be. I suppose,” he added, with a sneer, “you justify him in robbing his father of his hard earnings?”