However, as he now fancied, it was because he lacked an education that he had done so poorly. Because of thosevarious moves from city to city in his early youth, he had never been permitted to collect such a sum of practical training in any field as would permit him, so he thought, to aspire to the great worlds of which these menappeared to be a part. Yet his soul now yearned for this. The people who lived in fine houses, who stopped atgreat hotels, and had men like Mr. Squires, and the manager of the bell-hops here, to wait on them and arrangefor their comfort. And he was still a bell-hop. And close to twenty-one. At times it made him very sad. Hewished and wished that he could get into some work where he could rise and be somebody--not always remain abell- hop, as at times he feared he might.
About the time that he reached this conclusion in regard to himself and was meditating on some way to improveand safeguard his future, his uncle, Samuel Griffiths, arrived in Chicago. And having connections here whichmade a card to this club an obvious civility, he came directly to it and for several days was about the placeconferring with individuals who came to see him, or hurrying to and fro to meet people and visit concerns whomhe deemed it important to see.
And it was not an hour after he arrived before Ratterer, who had charge of the pegboard at the door by day andwho had but a moment before finished posting the name of this uncle on the board, signaled to Clyde, who cameover.
Didn't you say you had an uncle or something by the name of Griffiths in the collar business somewhere in NewYork State?""Sure," replied Clyde. "Samuel Griffiths. He has a big collar factory in Lycurgus. That's his ad you see in all thepapers and that's his fire sign over there on Michigan Avenue.""Would you know him if you saw him?""No," replied Clyde. "I never saw him in all my life.""I'll bet anything it's the same fellow," commented Ratterer, consulting a small registry slip that had been handedhim. "Looka here--Samuel Griffiths, Lycurgus, N. Y. That's probably the same guy, eh?""Surest thing you know," added Clyde, very much interested and even excited, for this was the identical uncleabout whom he had been thinking so long.
He just went through here a few minutes ago," went on Ratterer. "Devoy took his bags up to K. Swell-lookingman, too. You better keep your eye open and take a look at him when he comes down again. Maybe it's youruncle. He's only medium tall and kinda thin. Wears a small gray mustache and a pearl gray hat. Good-lookin'. I'llpoint him out to you. If it is your uncle you better shine up to him. Maybe he'll do somepin' for you--give you acollar or two," he added, laughing.
Clyde laughed too as though he very much appreciated this joke, although in reality he was flustered. His uncleSamuel! And in this club! Well, then this was his opportunity to introduce himself to his uncle. He had intendedwriting him before ever he secured this place, but now he was here in this club and might speak to him if hechose.
But hold! What would his uncle think of him, supposing he chose to introduce himself? For he was a bell-boyagain and acting in that capacity in this club. What, for instance, might be his uncle's attitude toward boys whoworked as bell-boys, particularly at his-- Clyde's--years. For he was over twenty now, and getting to be pretty oldfor a bell-boy, that is, if one ever intended to be anything else. A man of his wealth and high position might lookon bell-hopping as menial, particularly bell-boys who chanced to be related to him. He might not wish to haveanything to do with him--might not even wish him to address him in any way. It was in this state that heremained for fully twenty-four hours after he knew that his uncle had arrived at this club.
The following afternoon, however, after he had seen him at least half a dozen times and had been able toformulate the most agreeable impressions of him, since his uncle appeared to be so very quick, alert, incisive--sovery different from his father in every way, and so rich and respected by every one here--he began to wonder, tofear even at times, whether he was going to let this remarkable opportunity slip. For after all, his uncle did notlook to him to be at all unkindly--quite the reverse--very pleasant. And when, at the suggestion of Ratterer, hehad gone to his uncle's room to secure a letter which was to be sent by special messenger, his uncle had scarcelylooked at him, but instead had handed him the letter and half a dollar. "See that a boy takes that right away andkeep the money for yourself," he had remarked.
Clyde's excitement was so great at the moment that he wondered that his uncle did not guess that he was hisnephew. But plainly he did not. And he went away a little crest-fallen.
Later some half dozen letters for his uncle having been put in the key-box, Ratterer called Clyde's attention tothem. "If you want to run in on him again, here's your chance. Take those up to him. He's in his room, I think."And Clyde, after some hesitation, had finally taken the letters and gone to his uncle's suite once more.
His uncle was writing at the time and merely called: "Come!" Then Clyde, entering and smiling ratherenigmatically, observed: "Here's some mail for you, Mr. Griffiths.""Thank you very much, my son," replied his uncle and proceeded to finger his vest pocket for change. but Clyde,seizing this opportunity, exclaimed: "Oh, no, I don't want anything for that." And then before his uncle could sayanything more, although he proceeded to hold out some silver to him, he added: "I believe I'm related to you, Mr.
Griffiths. You're Mr. Samuel Griffiths of the Griffiths Collar Company of Lycurgus, aren't you?""Yes, I have a little something to do with it, I believe. Who are you?" returned his uncle, looking at him sharply.
My name's Clyde Griffiths. My father, Asa Griffiths, is your brother, I believe."At the mention of this particular brother, who, to the knowledge of all the members of this family, was distinctlynot a success materially, the face of Samuel Griffiths clouded the least trifle. For the mention of Asa broughtrather unpleasingly before him the stocky and decidedly not well-groomed figure of his younger brother, whomhe had not seen in so many years. His most recent distinct picture of him was as a young man of about Clyde'sage about his father's house near Bertwick, Vermont. But how different! Clyde's father was then short, fat andpoorly knit mentally as well as physically--oleaginous and a bit mushy, as it were. His chin was not firm, hiseyes a pale watery blue, and his hair frizzled. Whereas this son of his was neat, alert, good-looking andseemingly well-mannered and intelligent, as most bell- hops were inclined to be as he noted. And he liked him.
However, Samuel Griffiths, who along with his elder brother Allen had inherited the bulk of his father'smoderate property, and this because of Joseph Griffiths' prejudice against his youngest son, had always felt thatperhaps an injustice had been done Asa. For Asa, not having proved very practical or intelligent, his father hadfirst attempted to drive and then later ignore him, and finally had turned him out at about Clyde's age, and hadafterward left the bulk of his property, some thirty thousand dollars, to these two elder brothers, share and sharealike--willing Asa but a petty thousand.
It was this thought in connection with this younger brother that now caused him to stare at Clyde rathercuriously. For Clyde, as he could see, was in no way like the younger brother who had been harried from hisfather's home so many years before. Rather he was more like his own son, Gilbert, whom, as he now saw heresembled. Also in spite of all of Clyde's fears he was obviously impressed by the fact that he should have anykind of place in this interesting club. For to Samuel Griffiths, who was more than less confined to the limitedactivities and environment of Lycurgus, the character and standing of this particular club was to be respected.
And those young men who served the guests of such an institution as this, were, in the main, possessed ofefficient and unobtrusive manners. Therefore to see Clyde standing before him in his neat gray and blackuniform and with the air of one whose social manners at least were excellent, caused him to think favorably ofhim.
You don't tell me!" he exclaimed interestedly. "So you're Asa's son. I do declare! Well, now, this is a surprise.
You see I haven't seen or heard from your father in at least--well, say, twenty-five or six years, anyhow. The lasttime I did hear from him he was living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I think, or here. He isn't here now, Ipresume.""Oh, no, sir," replied Clyde, who was glad to be able to say this. "The family live in Denver. I'm here all alone.""Your father and mother are living, I presume.""Yes, sir. They're both alive.""Still connected with religious work, is he--your father?""Well, yes, sir," answered Clyde, a little dubiously, for he was still convinced that the form of religious work hisfather essayed was of all forms the poorest and most inconsequential socially. "Only the church he has now," hewent on, "has a lodging house connected with it. About forty rooms, I believe. He and my mother run that andthe mission too.""Oh, I see."He was so anxious to make a better impression on his uncle than the situation seemed to warrant that he wasquite willing to exaggerate a little.
Well, I'm glad they're doing so well," continued Samuel Griffiths, rather impressed with the trim and vigorousappearance of Clyde. "You like this kind of work, I suppose?""Well, not exactly. No, Mr. Griffiths, I don't," replied Clyde quickly, alive at once to the possibilities of thisquery. "It pays well enough. But I don't like the way you have to make the money you get here. It isn't my idea ofa salary at all. But I got in this because I didn't have a chance to study any particular work or get in with somecompany where there was a real chance to work up and make something of myself. My mother wanted me towrite you once and ask whether there was any chance in your company for me to begin and work up, but I wasafraid maybe that you might not like that exactly, and so I never did."He paused, smiling, and yet with an inquiring look in his eye.
His uncle looked solemnly at him for a moment, pleased by his looks and his general manner of approach in thisinstance, and then replied: "Well, that is very interesting. You should have written, if you wanted to--" Then, aswas his custom in all matters, he cautiously paused. Clyde noted that he was hesitating to encourage him.
I don't suppose there is anything in your company that you would let me do?" he ventured boldly, after amoment.
Samuel Griffiths merely stared at him thoughtfully. He liked and he did not like this direct request. However,Clyde appeared at least a very adaptable person for the purpose. He seemed bright and ambitious--so much likehis own son, and he might readily fit into some department as head or assistant under his son, once he hadacquired a knowledge of the various manufacturing processes. At any rate he might let him try it. There could beno real harm in that. Besides, there was his younger brother, to whom, perhaps, both he and his older brotherAllen owed some form of obligation, if not exactly restitution.
Well," he said, after a moment, "that is something I would have to think over a little. I wouldn't be able to say,offhand, whether there is or not. We wouldn't be able to pay you as much as you make here to begin with," hewarned.
Oh, that's all right," exclaimed Clyde, who was far more fascinated by the thought of connecting himself withhis uncle than anything else. "I wouldn't expect very much until I was able to earn it, of course.""Besides, it might be that you would find that you didn't like the collar business once you got into it, or we mightfind we didn't like you. Not every one is suited to it by a long way.""Well, all you'd have to do then would be to discharge me," assured Clyde. "I've always thought I would be,though, ever since I heard of you and your big company."This last remark pleased Samuel Griffiths. Plainly he and his achievements had stood in the nature of an ideal tothis youth.
Very well," he said. "I won't be able to give any more time to this now. But I'll be here for a day or two more,anyhow, and I'll think it over. It may be that I will be able to do something for you. I can't say now." And heturned quite abruptly to his letters.
And Clyde, feeling that he had made as good an impression as could be expected under the circumstances andthat something might come of it, thanked him profusely and beat a hasty retreat.
The next day, having thought it over and deciding that Clyde, because of his briskness and intelligence, waslikely to prove as useful as another, Samuel Griffiths, after due deliberation as to the situation at home, informedClyde that in case any small opening in the home factory occurred he would be glad to notify him. But he wouldnot even go so far as to guarantee him that an opening would immediately be forthcoming. He must wait.
Accordingly Clyde was left to speculate as to how soon, if ever, a place in his uncle's factory would be made forhim.
In the meanwhile Samuel Griffiths had returned to Lycurgus. And after a later conference with his son, hedecided that Clyde might be inducted into the very bottom of the business at least--the basement of the Griffithsplant, where the shrinking of all fabrics used in connection with the manufacture of collars was brought about,and where beginners in this industry who really desired to acquire the technique of it were placed, for it was hisidea that Clyde by degrees was to be taught the business from top to bottom. And since he must support himselfin some form not absolutely incompatible with the standing of the Griffiths family here in Lycurgus, it wasdecided to pay him the munificent sum of fifteen dollars to begin.
For while Samuel Griffiths, as well as his son Gilbert, realized that this was small pay (not for an ordinaryapprentice but for Clyde, since he was a relative) yet so inclined were both toward the practical rather than thecharitable in connection with all those who worked for them, that the nearer the beginner in this factory was tothe clear mark of necessity and compulsion, the better. Neither could tolerate the socialistic theory relative tocapitalistic exploitation. As both saw it, there had to be higher and higher social orders to which the lower socialclasses could aspire. One had to have castes. One was foolishly interfering with and disrupting necessary andunavoidable social standards when one tried to unduly favor any one--even a relative. It was necessary whendealing with the classes and intelligences below one, commercially or financially, to handle them according tothe standards to which they were accustomed. And the best of these standards were those which held these lowerindividuals to a clear realization of how difficult it was to come by money--to an understanding of how verynecessary it was for all who were engaged in what both considered the only really important constructive workof the world--that of material manufacture--to understand how very essential it was to be drilled, and that sharplyand systematically, in all the details and processes which comprise that constructive work. And so to becomeinured to a narrow and abstemious life in so doing. It was good for their characters. It informed and strengthenedthe minds and spirits of those who were destined to rise. And those who were not should be kept right where theywere.
Accordingly, about a week after that, the nature of Clyde's work having been finally decided upon, a letter wasdispatched to him to Chicago by Samuel Griffiths himself in which he set forth that if he chose he might presenthimself any time now within the next few weeks. But he must give due notice in writing of at least ten days inadvance of his appearance in order that he might be properly arranged for. And upon his arrival he was to seekout Mr. Gilbert Griffiths at the office of the mill, who would look after him.
And upon receipt of this Clyde was very much thrilled and at once wrote to his mother that he had actuallysecured a place with his uncle and was going to Lycurgus. Also that he was going to try to achieve a real success now. Whereupon she wrote him a long letter, urging him to be, oh, so careful of his conduct and associates. Badcompanionship was at the root of nearly all of the errors and failures that befell an ambitious youth such as he. Ifhe would only avoid evil-minded or foolish and headstrong boys and girls, all would be well. It was so easy for ayoung man of his looks and character to be led astray by an evil woman. He had seen what had befallen him inKansas City. But now he was still young and he was going to work for a man who was very rich and who coulddo so much for him, if he would. And he was to write her frequently as to the outcome of his efforts here.
And so, after having notified his uncle as he had requested, Clyde finally took his departure for Lycurgus. But onhis arrival there, since his original notification from his uncle had called for no special hour at which to call atthe factory, he did not go at once, but instead sought out the important hotel of Lycurgus, the Lycurgus House.
Then finding himself with ample time on his hands, and very curious about the character of this city in which hewas to work, and his uncle's position in it, he set forth to look it over, his thought being that once he reported andbegan work he might not soon have the time again. He now ambled out into Central Avenue, the very heart ofLycurgus, which in this section was crossed by several business streets, which together with Central Avenue fora few blocks on either side, appeared to constitute the business center--all there was to the life and gayety ofLycurgus.