Part 13 (1/2)
”No, sir. I have never traveled any to speak of before leaving home on this journey,” replied Tom.
”It will be a pleasant variety for you, then, though the scenery is tame. However, some of the river towns are pretty.”
”I am sure I shall like it, sir.”
”I wish I were going all the way with you--I mean as far as Cincinnati,”
said Mr. Waterbury.
”I wish you were, sir.”
”I have a great mind to do it,” said the gentleman musingly. ”I should have to go very soon on business, at any rate, and I can attend to it now just as well as later.”
”I shall be very glad if you can make it convenient, sir. We might occupy the same stateroom.”
”Are you not afraid that I shall follow the example of your Pittsburg roommate?” asked Mr. Waterbury.
”I have less to lose than you,” answered Tom. ”Besides, I shall have to have a roommate, as there are two berths.”
”Precisely, and I might be safer than some. I have a great mind to keep on. I shall see some one on the pier in Marietta by whom I can send word to my family. By the way, I have a son about your age, and a daughter two years younger.”
”Have you, sir?” asked Tom, with interest.
”I should like you to meet them. Perhaps you may some day.”
”I hope I may,” said Tom politely.
”I am a manufacturer,” continued Mr. Waterbury, ”and sell my goods chiefly in Pittsburg and Cincinnati. From these places they are forwarded farther east and west.”
”I suppose that's a pretty good business, sir?”
”Sometimes; but there are intervals of depression. However, I have no right to complain. I began a poor boy, and now I am moderately rich.”
”Were you as poor as I am?” inquired Tom, beginning to feel a personal interest in his companion's career.
”Quite so, I fancy. At the age of sixteen I couldn't call myself the owner of five dollars.”
”And you have become rich?” said Tom, feeling very much encouraged.
”Moderately so. I am probably worth fifty thousand dollars, and am just fifty years of age.”
”That seems to me very rich,” said Tom.
”I should have said the same thing at your age. Our views change as we get older. Still, I regard myself as very well off, and, with prudent management, I need not fear reverses.”
”I should think not,” said Tom.
”You don't know how easy it is to lose money, my boy. I am not referring to robbery, but to mismanagement.”