Part 26 (1/2)
”I am sorry you leave us under such circ.u.mstances, Ropes,” he said. ”The time may come when you will be able to establish your innocence, and in that case Mr. Goodnow will probably take you back again.”
Rodney did not answer, but with his order went to the cas.h.i.+er's desk and received the four dollars due him. Then, with a heavy heart, he left the store where it had been such a satisfaction to him to work.
On Broadway he met his room mate, Mike Flynn, in the uniform of a telegraph boy.
”Where are you goin', Rodney?” asked Mike. ”You ain't let off so early, are you?”
”I am let off for good and all, Mike.”
”What's that?”
”I am discharged.”
”What for?” asked Mike in amazement.
”I will tell you when you get home tonight.”
Rodney went back to his room, and lay down sad and despondent. Some hours later Mike came in, and was told the story. The warm hearted telegraph boy was very angry.
”That boss of yours must be a stupid donkey,” he said.
”I don't know. The parcel was found in my room.”
”Anybody'd know to look at you that you wouldn't steal.”
”Some thieves look very innocent. The only way to clear me is to find out who left the bundle at the house.”
”Doesn't Mrs. McCarty know anything about it?”
”No; I asked her.”
”Some one might have got into the house without her knowing anything about it. The lock is a very common one. There are plenty of keys that will open it.”
”If we could find some one that saw a person with a bundle go up the steps, that would give us a clew.”
”That's so. We'll ask.”
But for several days no one could be found who had seen any such person.
Meanwhile Rodney was at a loss what to do. He was cut off from applying for another place, for no one would engage him if he were refused a recommendation from his late employer. Yet he must obtain some employment for he could not live on nothing.
”Do you think, Mike,” he asked doubtfully, ”that I could make anything selling papers?”
”Such business isn't for you,” answered the telegraph boy.
”But it is one of the few things open to me. I can become a newsboy without recommendations. Even your business would be closed to me if it were known that I was suspected of theft.”
”Thats so,” said Mike, scratching his head in perplexity.
”Then would you recommend my becoming a newsboy?”