第96章 IN WHICH MR.STONE WASHES HIS HANDS(1)

Mr.Abner Stone,of Stone &Barker,marine outfitters and ship chandlers,with a place of business on Commercial Street in Boston,and a bank account which commanded respect throughout the city,was feeling rather irritable and out of sorts.Poor relations are always a nuisance.They are forever expecting something,either money--in Mr.Stone's case this particular expectation was usually fruitless--or employment or influence or something.Mr.Stone was rich,he had become so by his own ability and unaided effort.He was sure of that--often mentioned it,with more or less modesty,in the speeches which he delivered to his Sunday-school class and at the dinners of various societies to which he belonged.He was a self-made man and was conscious that he had done a good job.

Therefore,being self-made,he saw no particular reason why he should aid in the making of others.If people were poor they ought to get over it.Poverty was a disease and he was no doctor.He had been poor once himself,and no one had helped him.I helped myself,he was wont to say,with pride.Some of his rivals in business,repeating this remark,smiled and added that he had been helping himselfever since.

Mr.Stone had washed his handsof his cousin,Keziah Coffin,or thought he had.After her brother Solomon died she had written to him,asking him to find her a position of some kind in Boston.Idon't want money,I don't want charity,wrote Keziah.What Iwant is work.Can you get it for me,Abner?I write to you because father used to tell of what you said to him about gratitude and how you would never rest until you had done something in return for what he did for you.Captain Ben Hall's kindness was the one thing Mr.Stone forgot when he said no one had ever helped him.He disliked to be reminded of it.It was a long while ago and the captain was dead.However,being reminded,he had called upon a friend in the tailoring line and had obtained for Keziah the place of sewing woman.She decided to become housekeeper at the Trumet parsonage and so notified him.

Then he washed his hands of her.

But now he was compelled to soil them again.Keziah had appeared at his office,without warning,and demanded that he find her a position.Demandedwas the proper word.Certainly she had not begged.She seemed to feel that her demand was right and proper,and his acceding to it the least he could do.

What a fine place you've got here,Abner!she said,inspecting the office and the store.I declare it's finer than the one you had when you first went into business,afore you failed.I wish father could have lived to see it.He'd have realized that his judgment was good,even though his investment wasn't.Captain Hall had invested largely in that first business,the one which failed.Mr.Stone changed the subject.Later in the day he again sought his friend,the tailor,and Keziah was installed in the loft of the latter's Washington Street shop,beside the other women and girls who sewed and sewed from seven in the morning until six at night.Mr.Stone had left her there and come away,feeling that an unpleasant matter was disposed of.He had made some inquiries as to where she intended staying,even added a half-hearted invitation to dinner that evening at his home.But she declined.

No,thank you,Abner,she said,I'm goin'to find a boardin'

place and I'd just as soon nobody knew where I was stayin',for the present.And there's one thing I want to ask you:don't tell a soul I am here.Not a soul.If anyone should come askin'for me,don't give 'em any satisfaction.I'll tell you why some day,perhaps.I can't now.This was what troubled Mr.Stone as he sat in his office.Why should this woman wish to have her whereabouts kept a secret?

There was a reason for this,of course.Was it a respectable reason,or the other kind?If the latter,his own name might be associated with the scandal.He wished,for the fiftieth time,that there were no poor relations.

A boy came into the office.There is some one here to see you,Mr.Stone,he said.

Who is it?

I don't know,sir.Looks like a seafaring man,a sea captain,Ishould say--but he won't give his name.Says it's important and nobody but you'll do.Humph!All right.Tell him to wait.I'll be out in a minute.Sea captains and ship owners were Stone &Barker's best customers.

The senior partner emerged from the office with a smile on his face.

Ah!he said,extending his hand.Glad to see you,Captain--er--Hammond,replied the visitor.Same to you,Mr.Stone.Fine weather for this time of year.

Fine enough,Mr.Stone.

Well,Captain Hammond,what can we do for you?Going to sail soon?Not right away.Just made port,less'n a week ago.Home looks good to me,for a spell,anyhow.So?Yes,I have no doubt.Let me see--where is your home,captain?I should remember,of course,but--Don't know why you should.This is my first trip in your latitude,I guess.My home's at Trumet.Trumet?Mr.Stone's tone changed.

Yes.Trumet,down on the Cape.Ever been there?We think it's about as good a place as there is.Hu-u-m!Trumet?Well,Captain Hammond,you wished to see me,Iunderstand.

Yes.Fact is,Mr.Stone,I want to ask you where I can find Mrs.

Keziah Coffin.She's a relation of yours,I b'lieve,and she's come to Boston lately.Only yesterday or the day afore.Can you tell me where she is?Why do you wish to see her?

Oh,for reasons,personal ones.She's a friend of mine.I see.No,captain,I can't tell you where she is.Good morning.Captain Nat was greatly disappointed.

Hold on there,just a minute,he begged.This is important,you understand,Mr.Stone.I'm mighty anxious to find Kezi--Mrs.

Coffin.We thought,some of her friends and I,that most likely you'd know where she was.Can't you give us any help at all?

Hasn't she been here?