“I’ve had enough of it. I want you to take them back. You promised to return me twenty-five dollars.”
“Let me look at them,” said the old man, cautiously. “They’ve seen hard usage,” he said. “Look at that rip, and that spot.”
“Humbug!” answered Rudolph. “There’s nothing but what you can set straight in half an hour, and five dollars is handsome pay for that.”
But the old man stood out for seven, and finally the tramp, though grumbling much, was obliged to come to his terms.
Where have you been?” asked the old man, whose curiosity was aroused as to what prompted Rudolph to obtain the disguise.
That’s my business,” said Rudolph, who had his reasons for secrecy, as we know.
I meant no offense—I only wondered if you left the city.”
“Yes, I’ve been into New Jersey,” answered the tramp, who thought it politic to put the costumer on the wrong scent. “You see, I’ve got an old uncle—a Quaker—living there. The old man’s got plenty of money, and I thought if I could only make him think me a good Quaker, I should stand a good chance of being remembered in his will.”
“I see—a capital idea. Did it work?”
“I can’t tell yet. He gave me four dollars and his blessing for the present,” said Rudolph, carelessly.