Sometimes Mr. Stetson would make him read aloud in Greek. You should hear him read The Frogs, he would maybe say, and he would almost thrust a copy of Aristophanes into Jacks not very willing hand. Jack would read a page or two in a perfunctory sort of a way, while the rector would sit smiling and tapping his finger-tips on the table beside which he sat. Thou hast the making of a fine scholar in thee, Jack, he would perhaps say, and tis a vast pity thy uncle Tipton does not send thee to school. I will have a talk with him about it when the time comes.
Several times the rector spoke to old Hezekiah about his nephew. Once he walked all the way back from church with the old merchant, and almost into the parlor. But nothing ever came of such talks. Hey! said the old man; go to school? What does he want to go to school for? Well, well! Ill see to it, and think it over by and by, and there the matter would rest.
Another friend whom Jack made was the attorney Burton. One day, as Jack was walking whistling along the street, the little lawyer came running out of his office and called after him to stop. Master Jack! Master Jack! stop a little bit, he cried out. Master Jack Ballister! I have a word or two to say to you. He had run out bareheaded, and he was half breathless with his haste and his calling. He held an open letter in his hand. Who dye think, young gentleman, said he, still panting a little, I have heard from? Why, from your uncle Sir Henry Ballister, to be sure. He hath writ to me asking about you how you are, what you are doing, and how Master Tipton is treating you. What shall I tell him?
Why, you may tell him, said Jack, that I do very well.
This was the beginning of Jacks acquaintance with the attorney Burton. Several times afterward the little lawyer told him that Sir Henry had written about him. He hath a mind, methinks, said the attorney, to be more particular as to what your uncle Tipton is doing for you. Indeed, he hath asked me very especially about what he does for you. I know what I shall tell him, for I have talked to Master Stetson about you, and he tells me what a famous scholard you are. But harkee, Master Jack, if ever you have need of advice, you come to me, for so Sir Henry advised me to say to you.
Jack stood listening to the little man with a feeling of pleased and fatuous gratification. It was very pleasant to be so remembered by his grand relation. Why, then, I take it very kind of Sir Henry, Master Burton, and of you, too, for the matter of that, said he. And if ever I do have need of your advice, why, I will come to you just as freely as you give me leave to do.
As he walked away down the street, thinking over what the attorney had said, he almost wished that he had some definite cause of complaint against his uncle Hezekiah, so that he might call upon the aid of Sir Henry and the attorney. How fine it would be to have Sir Henry take his part! He fancied to himself a talk with his uncle Hezekiah, in which he made himself perhaps say, Sir, you shall not treat me so, for I tell you plain that there are those now to take my part against you, and that it is not just a poor orphaned boy with whom you have to deal. Boys love to build up in their imagination such foolish scenes and fortunate conversations that never happen. Sometimes such fancyings seem so like the real thing that, like Jack, one almost forgets that they are not really likely to happen. But by and by the time came when Jack really did appeal to the lawyer and when he really did come to an understanding with his uncle.
That spring a young cooper named Dan Williamson had a boat that he wanted to sell. It had belonged partly to his brother, who had died during the fall before, and Dan, who was one of that sort who always had need of money, was very anxious to sell it. Jacks great desire was to possess a boat of his own. It seemed to him that Dans boat was exactly the one that would best suit him. He used to think with a keen and vivid delight of how glorious it would be to own Dans boat. And then she was so very cheap. If the boat were his he would give her a fresh coat of paint, and name her the Sea-gull. If he could only get twenty pounds from his uncle Hezekiah, he could not only buy the boat, but add a new suit of sails.
He talked so often to Dan about the boat that at last the cooper began to believe that he might be able to sell it to Jack. Shes the cheapest boat, said Dan, that was ever offered for sale in Southampton.
I dont know about that, said Jack; but I do believe that shes a good boat.
Good! said Dan. Shes the best boat in Southampton to-day, and, what is more, shes as cheap as the dirt under your feet. Youd better buy her, for youll never get such another chance as long as you live.
Jack shook his head. I do believe she is a good boat, Dan, he said; but how shall I buy a boat without money to buy it with? I have no money in hand, and am not like to have any.
Well, well, said Dan, to be sure, thats too bad; and then, after a little space, he continued: But Ill tell you what, you come down with me, and Ill take you out in her; then you may see for yourself what a fine boat she is.
Ill go out with you, said Jack; but I cant buy her, though. I wish I could.
Then they went off together down to the cooper-shops where Dan kept the boat.
Jack helped Dan step the mast. Then they pushed the boat off beyond the end of the shed. As the sail filled, Dan put down the helm, and brought the boat out under the stern of a bark lying at anchor a little distance from the shore. The watch on deck, a tipsy-looking sailor with his throat wrapped around with a woolen stocking, stood looking over the stern of the bark and down at them as they sailed by. Jack looked up at the towering hulk above him. The name of the bark the Prophet Elijah was painted in great, fat letters across the stern. At one side there was a picture of the prophets head, with his long beard. There was a rushing sound of water under the stern of the vessel. Then they were out in the wide, shining harbor, the warm air blowing mildly and softly about them.
Look, how she lies up to the wind, said Dan Williamson; why, I do believe I could sail her straight into the winds eye if I chose to. I tell ee what tis, Jack, youll never find such another chance as this to get what you want.
Maybe I wont and maybe I will, said Jack; all the same, I shant buy her, for why, I have no money to buy her with.
No money! said Dan Williamson; why, if I had as much money as belongs to you, Id give up coopering and live a gentleman all my life, I would. Why dont ye go and ask your uncle Tipton for eighteen pound straight and fair? Sure, the moneys your own, and not his. Why dont ye ask him for it?
Ask him for it? said Jack. And what good would that do? Asking wont do any good. The moneys mine, sure enough, yet I cant touch a penny of it till I am of age.
T wont do any harm to ask him, anyway, said Dan Williamson. Here, you come and take the tiller, and see for yourself how close up she sails.
Jack took the tiller, and then they sailed along for a while in silence. By and by Dan spoke again. Ill tell you what tis, Jack, if I was you Id go straight to Master Burton, I would, and Id ask him about it. What did you say t other evening down at the Golden Fish? Didnt you say that he told you to come to him if ever you wanted anything that your uncle Tipton wouldnt give you, and that he said your t other uncle thats a lord would get it for you? Well, then, why dont you go to him and ask for eighteen or twenty pound? What you said was true, wasnt it?