Chapter 26 Chapter Ten in Dublin
Dublin! ... Little tricks are coming to Dublin! ...Look at him! ... This is when actors are going to play big roles, going from small-town theaters to metropolitan theaters.
Dublin, this is not an ordinary county capital, unlike Limerick, which has only 45,000 residents, or Cork, which has only 86,000 residents.This is the capital, the capital of Ireland, with a population of 320,000.The mayor of Dublin, who is both military and administrative, is the second highest in the island nation, and he has 24 city senators, two county sheriffs and municipal councilors.Dublin is one of the metropolises of the British Isles. It is a gathering place for commodity trade, an industrial production base, a cultural center where universities and schools of various sciences are concentrated. Even so, why can't the workhouses hold the poor here, and the poor schools can't hold it? Where's the waif?
If the little trick doesn't want to turn to poor schools or workhouses, there is only one way to become a scholar, a merchant, or an industrialist, and become an annuity in the future.Lo and behold, it's easy.
Does our little hero ever regret leaving Cork?Had he been audacious in following Grip's advice?It should be noted that those exhortations were in harmony with his instinctive orientation.He had a premonition that among the crowd, the struggle for survival would be even more intense? ……No! . . . he set out with a confidence that had not diminished in the slightest along the way.
Dublin County belongs to the province of Leinster, with mountains in the south and plains and hills in the north. It is rich in flax and oats, but this is not its main wealth. 12,000 ships - as such, the Irish capital is the seventh-largest UK port.
The city sits on the inner side of Dublin Bay, with a circumference of 11 miles, comparable to the most beautiful cities in Europe, stretching south to the port of Kingston and north to the port of Howth.The Port of Dublin is formed by the Liffey Bend.The two "walls" go deep into the sea to prevent silt and ensure the smooth entry and exit of the port, allowing ships with a draft of 20 feet to go retrograde along the river to the first bridge: Carlisle Bridge.
If you want to have a panoramic view of the entire beauty of the city, you should choose a sunny day and enter the capital from the sea after the fog covering the distant sky lifts.Bob and Trickster had no such luck.They walked along the railway line from Kingston to Dublin—just 20 minutes by train—to the first few homes in the suburbs.It was dark and smoky.
Only a few street lamps showed some light in the smoke.This scene of the outer suburbs is neither glamorous nor inspiring, with Burke driving his cart through a maze of narrow alleyways, filthy houses, closed shops but open kilns.There are groups of poor homeless people everywhere, many families are crowded in slums, there are alcoholics everywhere, the most terrible thing is drinking whiskey, getting drunk, quarreling, and violent incidents...
The two children had seen this sight elsewhere, so they were not surprised or even disturbed.However, how many children of their age, bareheaded, barefoot, and disheveled, are lying on the steps in front of the door, at the foot of the stone guard at the corner, piles of rubbish!Trick and Bob pass a vaguely outlined church, one of two Protestant cathedrals—both restored thanks to millions from beer magnate Lee Guinness and Liquor magnate Rowe.The eight bells chiming in chorus at 9:00 came from the bell tower, shaking the octagonal spire of the bell tower.
The journey from Bray was long and hurried, and Bao Bo was exhausted, so he took a small car.The little trick cart, to lighten Burke's burden, he wanted to find an inn, or furnished room to rent, to spend the night and find more suitable lodgings the next day.He walked straight on.St. Patrick's Street, the main street, runs from the above-mentioned cathedral to the other cathedral of Christ.The streets are wide, and the houses on both sides used to be very comfortable, but now they are dilapidated, and there are small streets with stinky smells;It was like the dreadful re-emergence, pounding thoughts of tricks... However, this was not in a village in Donegal, but in Dublin, the capital of the Emerald Isle.He earned more gold in his trade than there were coppers in the pockets of all these rag-tag boys.Therefore, you must never find a place that is not safe, but look for a decent hotel, as long as the cost of board and lodging is acceptable.
It was a coincidence that I came across a hotel on St. Patrick's Avenue. The appearance of the hotel was quite ordinary, the equipment was quite good, and the car was also stored here.After the two children had supper, they went upstairs to a small guest room.That night, neither the chorus of the cathedral chiming nor the noise of the free-wheeling neighborhood could wake them up from their slumber.
They got up at dawn the next day.Scout the terrain, as military strategists do before going into battle.Go for Grip, that goes without saying.If the Volcano had returned and was in port, it would be too easy to see Grip.
"Shall we take Burke? . . . " asked Bob.
"Of course," answered the little trick, "it should know the streets too."
Burke was more than happy to follow.
The city of Dublin is an oval with a diameter of 3 miles. The Liffey River flows in from the west of the city and flows out from the east of the city, dividing the city into two nearly equal parts.The estuary of the city is connected to two canals around the city-the Royal Canal in the north of the city, along the inland-eastern railway; the Grand Canal in the south of the city, extending to Golfer, connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea.
St. Patrick's Street has the wealthiest residents, including Jewish junk dealers.The shabby clothes that the lower class Irish people usually wear are bought from thrift shops.There are patched shirts, torn petticoats, trousers made of various scraps of fabric, indescribable men's hats, and women's hats with flowers in them.Likewise, drunkards, men and women, take their rags to second-hand shops, sell them for pennies, and drink them all in whiskey and gin at nearby inns.These thrift stores draw attention to small tricks.
At this time of the morning, the streets are quite quiet, and the residents of Dublin city get up late. Moreover, the industrial production here is not prominent, and there are not many factories. There are a few silk stone, linen and woolen factories, especially the silk factory, which is after the abolition. It was opened by the French exiles here.Of course, the shochu industry in the beer industry is very prosperous; this is Mr. Luo's famous whiskey distillery; And hundreds of ships set sail from that pier, transporting stout to the two continents.If industrial production gradually declined, commerce, on the contrary, continued to develop, and Dublin became the number one market in the United Kingdom for the export of hogs and large livestock.The trick is to read the statistics and market research published in the newspapers when selling newspapers and pamphlets to understand these situations.
He and the uncle walked near the Liffey River and took a look at everything.Uncle Bao talked a lot, as usual.
"Ah! this church! . . . ah! this square! . . . what a building! . . . what a beautiful park!"
That building was the Bourse, and going down the Rue Notre-Dame, there was the Town Hall, and there was the Chamber of Commerce, the great hall where the merchants of the whole town meet.Going further, there is an old castle.Built on the high land of Cork-Hill, it is a bulky masonry building.The massive round tower with crenelated battlements; it was originally a fortress, but it was rebuilt by Elizabeth in a hard-to-find form, and now serves as the Governor's Palace and the administrative and military headquarters.After passing the Governor's Mansion, you can see Stefan Park again. In the park stands the bronze statue of Qiao Zhuo I galloping on horseback, and the ground is covered with emerald green lawn.There are beautiful trees in the shade, and the surrounding buildings are neat and gloomy. The most magnificent ones are the Protestant Archbishop's Palace and the Parliament Building.There is Merion Garden Street on the left side. The buildings standing on both sides include the small castle of Leinster, the Kingdom Company Hotel, and the former residence where O'Neill was born. It should be pointed out that the front of the Kingdom Company Hotel building is in Greek Corinthian style. The hall is in Doric style.
The little trick made Bob talk while he was thinking.He wants to draw practical ideas from what he sees.How to expand his small fortune?What kind of business can he double or quadruple his wealth?
The two children wandered through the poor streets next to the rich, and got lost several times.So after leaving St. Patrick's Street, I walked for an hour and still hadn't reached Liffey Strand.
"Why is there no river here?" Uncle Bao repeated.
"Why isn't there...a river leading to the port." Little Trick answered.
They continued their reconnaissance, taking many detours.After passing the old castle, I saw a large row of four-story Portland stone buildings with a frontage of 100 meters in Greek architectural style. There are four Corinthian stone columns on the lintel, and pilasters and attics on the turrets on both sides.The surrounding gardens are very large, and young people are already playing various sports.Is this a stadium? ... No, this is a university, built in the Elizabethan dynasty, officially known as Trinity College, and those young men are Irish college students, who love sports and compete with the college students of Cambridge and Oxford in courage and vitality.This kind of school cannot be compared with poor schools, and the principal should be a different kind of person, unlike Mr. Obodkin's virtue!
Babyboy and Trickster turned to the right, and before they had gone a hundred paces, the little fellow yelled:
"The mast... I see the mast..."
"It can be seen that Baobo... has a river!"
But all that was visible over the roofs of the docks were the tips of the masts.So they had to find a street leading to the Liffey, and the two of them ran in that direction, Burke running ahead, tail wagging, nose to the ground, as if in pursuit.
Thus, when they saw Christ Cathedral, they only cast a casual glance; and, oddly enough, they were really lost, since the two Cathedrals were separated only by the distance of St. Patrick's Street.This church is very distinctive. It was built in the 12th century. It is considered the oldest in Dublin. It is in the shape of a Latin cross as a whole.It doesn't matter!There is still time to visit later.
Although Dublin has two Protestant cathedrals and an Anglican archbishop, don't think the Irish capital is Reformed Protestant.No!Catholics have their own archbishop's guidance, accounting for at least two-thirds in number; many churches solemnly observe Roman ceremonies, such as the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and St. Andrew's Day; there are also Greek-style metropolitan churches, It is a Christian church, not to mention a magnificent cathedral to be built in the area of Thomas Street.
Little Trick and Bob finally reached the right bank of the Liffey.
"It's beautiful!" said one of them.
"We've never seen such a beautiful place!" echoed another.
It is true that the quay is of granite, with the Beaulieu House beside it, such a splendid view as is not to be seen in Limerick or Cork, nor on the banks of the Shannon or the Lee.On the right bank there are wharves such as Ashes, Alechenz, Lied, and Issex; on the left bank there are wharfs such as Elis, Allen, King's Hotel, and other wharves upstream.
Ships do not anchor in this section of the Liffey.Rulin's masts are more dense in the heartland of the downstream left bank.
"Is that probably the warehouse pier?..." Little Trick said.
"Go and have a look!" Uncle Bao replied, he became curious when he heard "warehouse dock".
It was easy enough to cross the Liffey.The two parts of Dublin are connected by 9 bridges, the last one in the east, the Carlisle Bridge, is the most spectacular, connecting the two most beautiful streets in the capital, Westmoreland Street and Seckville Street.
The two children did not walk up Circleville Avenue, otherwise they would be far away from the warehouse docks where the crowded ships drew them.First, however, they had to inspect the boats one by one in the river below Carlisle Bridge.Perhaps the Volcano anchored there.Among the thousands of boats they could recognize Grip's steamer.I will never forget a ship I have visited, especially the ship where Grip was the first fireman.
The Volcano is not at Liffey Quay.It is absolutely impossible not to return, and it is absolutely impossible to stop at the dock warehouse or dock for repairs.
Little Trick and Bob walked downstream along the pier on the left bank. Maybe they were so focused on the Volcano that they didn't pay attention to the Customs House. It is said that this building is quite majestic. It is a square three-dimensional crowned with a 100-foot-high dome, and the top is decorated with hope statue.As for the other, stop and watch.Wouldn't he have the goods himself, so he wants to declare here? ...Isn't it the most enviable thing to ship goods from distant countries and pay customs duties? ... When will he be able to have such a satisfied mentality? ...
They walked to the Victoria Dock warehouse.This harbor is the heart of the commercial city, and its vessels extend to the boundless ocean. Ships come and go, some loading and some unloading!
Bob called out:
"The Volcano... over there... over there!"
He was right.The Volcano is docked at the pier and is being loaded.
After a while Grip left his work on the ship to meet his two friends.
"You... finally here..." he repeated, holding his arms so tightly that they couldn't breathe.
The three of them walked up the quay again, eager for a good chat, until they came to the banks of the Royal Canal, where the Liffey diverges into the canal.
The place was almost deserted.
"Hello, when did you get to Dublin?" asked Grip, who had a child in his arm.
"It arrived last night." Little Trick replied.
"Just arrived last night?... It can be seen, brother, you hesitated for a while before deciding..."
"No, Grip, I decided to leave Cork after you left."
"Well...it's been 3 months...I went to America, sailed back and forth twice, and every time I came back to Dublin, I ran all over the city, hoping to meet you...but, there is no trace of tricks...no protection There is no trace of the little fellow, Burke, and nothing of the good dog Burke! . . . So I wrote... Didn't you get it? . . . "
"No, because we were gone when the letter reached Cork. We were on the road for two months."
"Two months!" Grip exclaimed in surprise. "It's so slow, which train did you take?"
"Which train," replied the uncle, looking slyly at the fireman. "Here! It's the train with our legs."
"Have you walked the whole distance?..."
"On foot, and even made a big detour."
"Two months of travel!" exclaimed Grip.
"It didn't cost any money at all!" Bao Bo said.
"We even made a lot of money!" added Little Trick.
So, I want to tell Grip about this fruitful journey, how Burke pulls a cart, walks through villages and farms, sells small groceries, and makes money by catching and releasing birds. Please note that this is Bao Bo A magic trick of...
Mr. Baobo's two pupils were shining like two fires.
How they met the heir of the Peyborn family, how the young earl bullied him, and what happened afterward, when they stopped at Brechet.
"At least you gave him a good beating, didn't you?" Grip asked.
"No, this bad guy Ashton, let me put my knees on the ground, is it more embarrassing than being beaten?"
"Anyway, it's the same... If it's me, I'll beat him up!" the first fireman on the Volcano said again.
Three merry men, while telling these interesting encounters, walked up the right bank of the canal.Grip was always very specific and made no secret of his admiration for the trick.How he understands business matters... What a genius, buying, selling, and reckoning... at least better than Mr. D'Obodkin! ... Finally, when the little trick revealed the total capital of his cash box: £150, Grip could not help saying:
"Hey! Boy, you're as rich as I am! . . . But what I've earned in six years, you've earned in six months! . . . I repeat what I said to you in Cork . . . You will be successful in business...you will be rich..."
"Where is it?..." Little Trick asked.
"Anywhere," Grip replied firmly. "If you stay in Dublin you can ... go somewhere else!"
"What about me?..." Bob asked.
"So do you, little one, but one thing, you must always have the idea of catching and releasing birds."
"I have an idea, Grip."
"Also, don't make up your own mind about anything without asking the boss's permission."
"Boss? ... Who is it? ..."
"Little trick! . . . Don't you think he's a boss? . . . "
"Okay!" said the boss, "let's talk about this..."
"Yes...but let's eat first," Grip replied. "I'm free for the day. I know the city as well as I know the Volcano's boiler rooms and cargo holds...I've got to show you Dublin together...you'll see what's better..."
They ate at a seamen's tavern on the quayside, and the food they ordered was very good, but without repeating the memorable meal at Cork.Grip narrated his several voyages, and Bob listened with great enjoyment, and also listened to the little tricks, but he was always thoughtful, and seemed to be intellectually beyond his years: he was very serious in thinking, and his thoughts were always active, as if he I was 20 years old when I was born, and now I am 30 years old!
Grip took the two friends towards the city centre, near the River Liffey.This is the heart of the wealthy, in stark contrast to the poorer areas, because, in the Irish capital, there is no transition and Dublin lacks a middle class.The upper-class neighborhood stretches across the river to Stefan Park.Here lives the big bourgeoisie, educated and learned, but divided on religious and political issues.
Circleville is a splendid avenue, flanked by handsome facades, luxury shops, and dwellings with wide windows.This wide avenue is full of sunshine on sunny days and fresh air when there is a strong east wind.The official name is Sackville Avenue, but the Patriots call it O'Connell Avenue.The Central Committee of the National Land League was established here, and the committee's golden brand is shining.
And yet, in this beautiful street, how many poor people in rags, lying on the pavement, squatting in the doorway, leaning on the statue seat.Although I have seen a lot of tricks, I can't help being surprised to see so many poor people.Let's be honest, what looked passable on St. Patrick's Street was pretty harsh on Circleville Street.
Another astonishing feature: there is an army of newsboys here, peddling the Dublin Gazette, Dublin Express, National News, Freeman, Catholic and Protestant organs, and many others.
"Scary," said Grip, "there are so many newspaper sellers on the street, near the train station, and on the wharf..."
"There's no way out in the business here," Little Trick pointed out.What he'd done in Cork might not have been in Dublin.
Quite right, the competition is fierce, Berkola's car is full of newspapers in the morning, and I'm afraid it will still be full in the evening.
As they went on they found splendid avenues, beautiful buildings, and a post office with a gate built on Ionic columns.Little Trick thought how many letters landed here like a flock of birds, or flew all over the world.
"The post office was built for your use, my boy," said Grip, "and you'll get a lot of letters, all addressed to you: Mr. Trickster, Merchant, Dublin!"
Our little boy couldn't help smiling when he heard such an exaggerated and enthusiastic expression from his former partner in the poor school.
Finally, they saw the four courts gathered on the first floor. The building is 63 Tuise long, and 12 windows have been dug into the big dome. Today the sun still takes care of it to give it some light.
"Really," said Grip emphatically, "I hope you don't have to deal with this building!"
"why?……"
"Because this is a boiler room like the Volcano, but instead of burning coal, customers are burned here, and judges, lawyers, prosecutors and other businessmen of the law grill customers over a simmering fire... Grilling... grilling..."
"Lawsuits are inevitable in business, Grip..."
"Anyway, it's as rare as possible to get into this kind of thing! If you win the lawsuit, you will spend money, and if you lose the lawsuit, you will go bankrupt!"
Grip shook his head in a very expert manner.However, when the three admired a circular building again, his tone changed again, and he praised this magnificent building in the style of Doric columns:
"Bank of Ireland!" he shouted, saluting. "Brother, this is the place where I want you to come and go frequently!... There is a cash box as big as a house in this building!...Baby, do you like living in such a room?"
"Are these houses all gold? . . . "
"No, but it's full of gold! . . . I hope that someday, the little trick will store the money here!"
Grip always speaks with the same exaggeration, but speaks with unwavering conviction!The little trick listened and admired this magnificent building. According to the fireman of the Volcano, a lot of wealth has been accumulated here, and millions of millions have been piled up.
Without a transition, they walked from Poor Street to Happy Street; here, most of the strollers were rich people, while there, the poor did not insist on seeking sympathy from passers-by.There are policemen everywhere, batons in hand and pistols in their belts, to keep the sister island safe.This is essential for political fanaticism! ...Irish, Brother Paddy? . . . Yes, provided there are no religious controversies or disputes about landed self-government!Once disputes arise, the blood flowing from their veins is no longer the ancient Gaelic blood, and even proves the irony of their country: spread an Irishman on a skewer, and there will always be an Irishman skewers.
How many statues Grip showed the two friends during the tour!In half a century, the statues will catch up with the population.Imagine this bronze and marble family with Wellington, O'Connell, O'Brien, Crampton, Nelson, Guillaume de Orange, and only numbered from 1 to 4 of this period George!Trick and Bob have never seen so many celebrities on pedestals!
Then, they took a tram tour and saw other buildings along the way, noting that some were majestic and some were exquisite, so they asked what Grip was, but Grip was never asked.Sometimes I come across a reformatory that confines people, and sometimes I come across a workhouse where people are forced to work for low wages.
"What about this?..." Bob asked, pointing to a huge building on Coomber Street.
"This one? . . . a poor school!" Grip replied.
How much bitterness the name conjures up of Little Trick!Although he suffered a lot in that miserable place, he also met Grip there... that was the reward.It seems that there are a lot of abandoned children surrounded by this wall!Now, of course, in their blue jackets, gray trousers, berets, and leather shoes, they looked nothing like the poor boys in Galway that Obodkin didn't care much about.This is because the sponsor of the school, the Church of Ireland Charity Society, takes pupils, feeds them, and inculcates in them the principles of the Church of England.It should be added that, fortunately, the Catholic Poor School is run by nuns, who compete fiercely with them.
Little Trick and Bob were led by a guide all the way to the end of the lower reaches of the Liffey River in the west of the city, and got off the tram at the gate of a garden.
a garden? ... It is actually a large garden, with an area of 1,750 acres, called Phoenix Garden, which is the pride of Dublin.The tall elm trees in the garden are lush with branches and leaves, the grass is green, there are cattle and sheep grazing, the low forest is deep and deep, and spores are infested in it, and the flowers in those flower beds are competing for beauty. Polo fields and football fields, what's not to have in this field preserved in the middle of the city?Not far from the central boulevard stands the Doge's Summer Palace - which necessitated the creation of a military academy and a military asylum, an artillery barracks and police barracks.
Despite this, there were murders at Phoenix Court.Grip pointed and told the children to look at the two cross shapes dug along the edge of the ditch.Nearly two months ago, on the 6th of May, it was at this very spot, almost under the Governor's eye, that the daggers of the Invincible Society fatally stabbed the Irish Secretary of State and Deputy Secretary, Mr. Burke and Frederick Mr. Sir Cavendish.
The three of them took a walk in Phoenix Garden until they reached the attached zoo, and ended their trip to the capital.It was five o'clock when the two friends parted from Grip and returned to their furnished guest room in St. Patrick's Street.They agreed that they would see each other every day if possible until the Volcano set sail.
Before breaking up, Grip also asked the little trick:
"How about it, brother, did you have any good ideas this afternoon?..."
"Good idea, Grip? . . . "
"Yeah... what are you going to do?..."
"What I'm going to do... No, Grip, I'm not going to do it, yes. It's not going to take off in Dublin with a business like Cork again... Newspapers, brochures, there's too much competition here .”
"So do I," Grip replied.
"As for pushing pickup trucks along the street... I can't say... What can I sell?... Besides, there are too many people in this business!... No! Maybe, it's better to have a foothold... Rent A small shop..."
"That's no idea, buddy!"
"To open a shop, you need to be on a street with a lot of pedestrians...not very rich people...for example, a street like 'whatever you want'..."
"There's no better idea!" replied Grip.
"But what are you selling?..." Bao Bo asked.
"Useful things," replied Little Trickster, "to sell the most necessary things in daily life..."
"Is that something to eat?" Bob said again. "Selling pastries, right? . . . "
"What a foodie!" exclaimed Grip. "Cakes, not much use..."
"Why is it useless...it's delicious..."
"Delicious food is not enough, the most important thing is necessities!" Little Trick replied. "Anyway... let's talk... I'll think about it... I'll walk down that street again... Some of the vendors seem to be doing well... I think, opening a department store..."
"Department store...yes!" exclaimed Grip, and the tricky store, with its brightly colored windows and gold lettering, had begun to loom before him.
"Let me think about it again, Grip...don't act too hastily...think carefully before making a decision..."
"Don't forget, buddy, all my money is at your disposal... I don't know how to use it... To be honest, I always carry it with me..."
"Always carry it with you?..."
"Always wear it on your body... in your belt!"
"Why don't you save it, Grip?"
"Yeah... save it here... would you like it?..."
"Let's wait and see... In the future... If our business is good... What we lack is not money, but the way to use money... Don't take too much risk, we can have benefits..."
"Don't be afraid, brother! . . . I repeat, you'll be rich! . . . I see you'll have hundreds and thousands of pounds . . . "
"When will the Volcano set sail, Grip? . . . "
"Another week."
"When will you return?"
"I can't come back within two months, because we are going to Boston, Baltimore... I don't know where else to go... Or, wherever there is goods to be loaded..."
"Bring the goods back!..." Little Trick added, and at the same time sighed enviously.
They finally broke up.Grip headed for the wharf warehouse, while Little Trick led Bob and Burke across the Liffey to St. Patrick's Street.
How many wretched men and women they met along the way, and how many people who were stumbled and stumbled after drinking whiskey or gin! ...
What was the use of Archbishop John's outrage over alcoholism at the Synod in the Irish capital in 1186?Seven hundred years have passed, and the Irish are still drinking to excess, and yet another archbishop, another synod, cannot do anything about this hereditary vice.
Chapter Eleven "Small Pocket Department Store"
Our little hero is 11 and a half years old, and Bob is 8 years old, and the two together are not even the legal age of adulthood.The little trick went into business and opened a store... Only Grip, who has blind and irrational feelings for him, believes that his business can start a successful business, gradually expand, and finally make a fortune!
But one thing is certain, two months after the two children arrived in the Irish capital, St. Patrick added a department store, which was particularly eye-catching, not only attracting attention but also attracting customers from the neighborhood.
To find this department store, don't go to one of the poor streets around St. Patrick's Street like "Follow Your Heart".Little Trick chose the location, but still prefers to be near the Liffey River, and finally decided to open a store on Bidford Street. The business in this neighborhood is good, and the things customers buy are not useless, but necessities of life.For daily necessities, as long as they are of good quality and low price, there will always be buyers.The teenage proprietor, peddling his trolley in Cork and later traveling through the counties of Munster and Leinster, learned this from the "grand practice of business."
Really, it was a store worthy of the name, guarded by Burke, who showed the faithfulness of a watchdog, no longer pulling the store tamely like a donkey.A big sign: "Little Pocket Store" - a small invitation to most, and underneath: Little Boy and Co.
Little Boy, that's the trick. And Co, that's Bob...and Burke, of course.
The building in Bidford Street was four storeys, with many suites, the second storey being occupied by the owner, Mr. O'Brien, who had made his fortune as a colonial produce merchant, and now Retired from business, he was sixty-five, a robust bachelor with a reputation of being an honest man, and living up to it.When Mr. O'Brien heard that an 11.5-year-old child wanted to rent the shop downstairs that had been vacant for several months, he couldn't help being deeply surprised.But how could he not be satisfied with the boy's sensible and practical answer?This child came to ask for rent and paid a year's rent in advance, so how could he insincerely have a good impression of him?
Don’t forget that the protagonist of this novel—don’t be confused with the protagonist of ordinary novels—is older than his actual age due to his well-developed body and broad shoulders. Isn't it still too young to play a modest sign like "small pocket store"?
In any case, Mr. O'Brien was different, and someone else might have turned him down in the first place.However, seeing that the child was wearing the whole medicine, looked quite confident, and spoke quite well, he didn't see off the guest immediately, and listened to him until the end.The experience of this homeless outcast, his struggle against poverty, his various encounters, his business of selling newspapers and pamphlets in Cork, his peddling all the way to the city, these are all told. The eloquence was pleasant and aroused Mr. O'Brien's strong interest.Mr. O'Brien recognized the important qualities of the little trick, and hearing him explain it clearly, logically, and with sound arguments, the old gentleman saw in it that his past--the past of a child of his age--was a perfect guarantee of the future, and therefore Totally blown away by this kid.The old merchant received Little Trick warmly, promising to advise him if necessary, and determined to keep a close eye on his young lodger's experiments.
The two parties signed a lease, and Little Tricky paid one year's rent in advance, and became the business tax payer of Bidford Street.
There are two big rooms on the first floor leased by Little Trick’s company, one facing the street and one facing the courtyard, the street facing the store, and the other as a bedroom.However, there is a small office and kitchen separated from it, and there is a coal-burning stove for the cook. It is only waiting for the little trick to hire one one day, but it is not right now. Meals for two do not cost much, and they can eat when they have time. To order something, we must seize the time when there are no customers.Customers come first.
The store is so well laid out, so artfully displayed, and so neat, how can customers not come and just shop?The goods are very complete.After our young boss paid the rent, he bought all the goods with the rest of the cash, and the wholesale items from wholesalers or manufacturers were placed on the tables and shelves of the small pocket department store.
First off, the thrift store on this street offered 6 chairs and a counter...yes, a counter with box for goods labels, lockable drawers, ledger table, pens and ledgers for cheap.The furniture in the other room has a large bed, a table, and a large wardrobe for clothes. In short, the most basic needs are nothing more.You know, the 150 pounds brought to Dublin is disposable funds, and two thirds have already been used. Therefore, you should keep your hands tight, don't overspend, and keep a little reserve.货物陆续卖出，就陆续补充，百货店始终保持货物齐全。
自不待言，帐目完全合乎规矩，这就必须每天登记卖出的货物，再入大帐本——小把戏的大帐本！——上面的营业额要结算出来，以使每天晚上核查钱柜的状况——小把戏的钱柜！贫民学校的那位奥包德金先生不见得能搞出更好的帐簿。
现在，在小把戏的百货店里能买到什么呢？……这个街区的日常出售的物品，这里几乎样样齐全。如果说纸店专卖纸张，五金店专卖五金制品，铁器店专卖铁制品，书店专卖书籍，那么我们的少年商人却别出心裁，将办公用品、生活器皿、所有人都能看的书籍，如年历和教科书等，全都汇聚在一店。小口袋商店这里物有定价，都写在门前的价目牌上，顾客花钱不多，什么都能买到，而且，在日用品货架旁边，还陈列一架玩具，有小船、木排、铁铲、皮球、球拍、槌球和网球，专门提供给5岁到12岁各年龄的儿童，不适合联合王国那些成年的绅士。保伯喜欢照看这个货架，把货摆好。他给这些玩具掸灰，手多痒痒，尤其想摆弄小船，几便士一只的小船。这里要赶紧补充一句：保伯特别当心，不能把他老板的货物弄旧了；老板可不开玩笑，常对他说：
“一定要正经干，保伯！你若是不正经干，就会让人相信，你一辈了也干不了正经事！”
不错，保伯快满8岁了，到这个年龄还不懂事，那就一辈子也懂不了事。
没必要逐日叙述小把戏公司如何赢得公众的钦佩和信赖。只需知道这家商店很快就火起来。奥布赖恩先生十分惊讶，他的房客安排生意十分巧妙。买进卖出固然好，而善于买进卖出则更好，关键正在于此。这也是这位老商人多年运用的方法，既十分精明又十分节省，以便积聚财富。诚然，他开始经商时已经20多岁了。而不是12岁。因此对这个少年也持厚道的格里普那种看法，认为小把戏能很快发家。
“干万别太操之过急，我的孩子！”每次谈话结尾时，他总这样叮嘱小把戏。
“不会，先生，”小把戏回答，“我一定走得慢些，多加小心，因为我的路还长着呢，我的两条腿必须悠着点儿！”
这里应当指出，小口袋商店能一举成功，有点异乎寻常，这和它的名声不翼而飞，传遍全城有关。两个孩子开设并经营一家百货店，商店老板还是上学的年龄，而合伙人还是玩弹子的年龄，这不是更能引人注目，引来顾客，一下子就时髦起来吗？还有，小把戏也没有忽视做广告，在报上按行数付款发了几条消息。但是，他一文钱没花，就有人在《都柏林报》、《自由人报》和别的报纸的头版上，发表了引起轰动的文章。不久，记者也纷纷来访，对，采访小把戏，也采访保伯本人！采访所用的时间，跟采访格莱斯顿大人的时间一样。不过，我们还不至于断言，小把戏的名望可以跟巴涅尔相提并论了，尽管社会上大谈特谈比德福特街的这个少年商人，大谈特谈他那赢得各方好感的生意。他成为时髦的英雄——这别具一种重要性：大家到他商店购物。
顾客受到多么礼貌、多么殷勤的接待，就不必赘述了。小把戏耳朵后夹一支笔，眼睛注视一切；保伯也十分精神，眼睛闪闪发光，头发打着鬈，活像鬈毛狗的脑袋，女士见了抚摸他的头，就像抚摸一只小狗。right!那是名副其实的女士：夫人小姐，来自塞克维尔大街、拉特兰区，以及上流社会所居住其他街区。这样一来，架子上的小玩具几小时就卖光了。各种小车就到公园的路上行驶，小船也都驶往水池。圣徒帕特克里啊！保伯可忙坏了。那些脸蛋红润的孩子，跟同龄的商人打交道，简直高兴极了，非要他亲手服务才行。
所谓时髦，只要能持续买卖就准能兴隆！小把戏公司这样时髦，能持续下去吗？不管怎样，小把戏兢兢业业，也毫不吝惜自己的才智。
没必要再补充说明，火山号一返回都柏林，格里普首先来看他的朋友。使用“惊异”的字眼，也不足以描摹他的心态，他钦佩到了极点，他从来未见过像比德福特街这样的商店，而且据他说，自从开设了小口袋商店，比德福特街就比得上都柏林的塞克维尔大街。伦敦的斯特兰德区、纽约的百老汇、巴黎的意大利人大街。他每次来探望，总觉得应当买一样东西，以便“促销”，其实没有他也销得很好。这天买一个皮夹子，要取代他从未有过的皮夹子。另外一天，又买了一只彩色鲜艳的双桅横帆船，要送给火山号他一位同事的孩子，而那同事根本就没有孩子。再如，他买的最贵的东西，一个海泡石的精美烟斗，镶着仿琥珀的烟嘴。
而且，他非要小把戏收下钱不可，反复对小把戏说：
“嗳！老弟，行啊！……行得很啊，比得上1百多转的螺旋桨，不对吗？……现在，你成了小口袋号的船长……你只要生火开船就行啦！……多久以前，我们俩穿着破衣烂衫，在戈尔韦街头游荡……我们在贫民学校的顶楼，又饿又冻！……对了，卡凯尔那个混蛋，他被绞死了吧？……”
“据我所知，还没有，格里普。”
“会有那么一天……会有那么一天的，你要注意收好报导行刑场面的报纸！”
继而，格里普又回到船上，火山号重又启航；再过几周，又会见到这名司炉出现在百货店，他又买东西把钱花光。
有一天，小把戏对他说：
“格里普，你一直认为我能发起来？”
“这还用问，老弟！……这就跟我确信，我们的同学卡凯尔最终要套上绞索一样！”
对他来说，这是人间所能达到的坚信程度。
“喂！你怎么样，我的好格里普，你就不想想将来吗？……”
“我？……我还想什么？……我不是有职业吗？我不会随便改行的！……”
“你干的这行挺艰苦，挣的也不多！”
“挣的不多？……每月4英镑……管吃……管住……管取暖……有时能把人烤焦！……”
“而且是在船上！”保伯也指出，他的天大幸福的事，就是能乘上他卖给贵族子弟的船航行。
“不管怎么说，格里普，”小把戏又说道，“当司炉永远也发不了财，而上帝是要让人在世上发财……”
“你这样讲，真有绝对把握吗？”格里普摇头问道。“这是他的命令吗？……”
“对，”小把戏回答。“他要人发财，不仅为自己幸福，也要给应当得到而未得到幸福的人带去幸福！”
我们的小男孩若有所思，神思已经飞远，也许他回忆往事，又看到他在悍婆破屋的伙伴西茜、他未能找到踪迹的马克卡蒂一家人，以及他的教女贞妮，他们大概都在受苦受难……然而他……
“喏，格里普，”他又说道，“你想好了再回答我！你为什么不留在陆地上呢？……”
“离开火山号船？……”
“对……离开火山号，跟我合伙干……你完全清楚Little Boyand Co是什么意思？……哎！and Co，由保伯代表也许还不够……你若是加进来……”
“唔！……我的朋友格里普！……”保伯重复道，“你加进来，我们俩会多高兴啊！……”
“我也一样，孩子们，”格里普回答，他听到这建议深受感动。“不过，你们要我直说吗？……”
“说吧，格里普。”
“好吧！我太大啦！”
“太大啦？……”
“对！……顾客若是看见我在商店里，像我这样一个瘦高个子，那就不伦不类啦！……那就不再是Lititle Boy and Co！公司合伙人，应当是小孩子，才能吸引来顾客！……我超过这个公司的标准……会给你们造成损失！……你们是小孩子，生意才做得这样好……”
“你这话也许有道理，格里普，”小把戏回答。“可是，我们也会长大的……”
“我们也会长大的！”保伯随声附和，同时踮起脚往上拨身子。
“当然了，你们还真得当心，别长得太快啦！”
“这可阻止不了！”保伯指出。
“阻当不了，对啦……因此，趁你们还是小孩子，就尽量做好生意！……见鬼！我身高5尺6寸，量得很准，一超过5尺，在你们这儿就不合适了！再说，小把戏，我不是你的合伙人，但你知道，我的钱由你支配……”
“我不需要……”
“反正随你的便，假如你想扩大生意……”
“我们两个人手不够……”
“对了！……你们为什么不雇个女人，给你们做家务呢”
“这我考虑过，格里普，奥布赖恩先生那个好人还向我提过这种建议呢。”
“奥布赖恩先生那个好人，说得对。你不认识一个你信得过的诚实的女佣人吗？……”
“不认识，格里普。”
“找一找……能找到的……”
“等一等……我想有……一个老朋友……凯特……”
这个名字引起一阵欢叫。伯尔克也插进嘴来，简直难以想象，它一听见特林戈尔堡洗衣妇的名字，接连猛跳两三下，尾巴像空转的螺旋桨那样疯摇，眼里射出奇异的光芒。
“哦！你想起来了，我的伯尔克！”小主人对它说。“凯特……对不对……善良的凯特！……”
伯尔克听到这话，就用爪子扒门，仿佛只等一声令下，就飞快跑向那座古堡。
小把戏向格里普介绍了凯特情况。没有比凯特更合适的人选了……应当让凯特来这儿……凯特是操持家务的能手……她在这里，绝不会损害小把戏公司的利益。
不过，她一直在特林戈尔堡吗？她还活在世上吗？ ...
小把戏急忙写信，赶头一班邮差。第三天他就收到回信，信上的大大的字体还好辨认。收到回信之后还不到48小时，凯特就在都柏林下火车了。
小把戏当初受她保护，分别18个月之后，多么热情地欢迎她啊！一下子就投入她的怀抱，伯尔克也蹿到她的脖子上，她简直不知道无回答哪一个……她流下眼泪，等她在厨房安顿下来，认识了保伯，眼泪又簌簌往下流。
这天，善良的凯特准备了第一顿晚餐，格里普接受邀请，和朋友一起吃饭，分享这种幸福！次日又启程远航，火山号船从来没有这样一个满意自己命运的司炉。
也许有人要问，这里管吃管住，而且食宿都由她亲爱的孩子供给，她还领工钱吗？当然领工钱了，而且比本街区任何女佣人的薪金要高，如果服务得好，还要提高工钱！在特林戈尔堡服务之后，又为小把戏服务，这绝没有降格，请相信我们的话。比如，她绝不肯再像从前那样，用“你”称呼她的主人，因为，小把戏不再是阿什顿伯爵的马夫，而是小口袋商店的老板了。保伯具有公司合伙人的身份，凯特就称为保伯先生，她只对伯尔克以“你”相称，伯尔克也无异议。况且，伯尔克和凯特，两个之间感情多么深啊！
商店添了这个厚道的女人，借了多大力啊！家务多么井井有条，房间和店铺多么整洁啊！到附近饭馆去吃饭，这就不大像老板，而像伙计了。小把戏的公司必须完整。要自己开伙。这才符合礼俗的要求。自己雇一个高明的厨娘，这既显身份，又有益于健康。而凯特愿意做好饭，也同样洗洗唰唰，缝缝补补，熨熨烫烫，收拾好衣物，总之，成为佣人的典范，难能可贵的是又非常节俭，又非常诚实……就这样一个女佣人，在特林戈尔堡还受仆役们的大肆嘲笑，不过，何必提起皮博恩那家人呢！让侯爵和侯爵夫人在虚荣的排场中醉生梦死吧，这里不值得一提了。
应当着重指出的是，1883年这一年算下来，小把戏公司获利很大。尤其最后一周，圣诞节和新年订货太多，百货店几乎应接不暇。玩具货架不知上了多少次货，且不说其他儿童用品，人们很难想象，保伯卖出多少小船、快艇、双桅纵帆船、双桅横帆船、三桅帆船，以及机动邮轮！其他货物也同样畅销。上流社会人士，到小口袋百货店已成为时尚。一件礼物，只有贴上小把戏公司标签，才算是精选的。well!孩子崇尚什么时髦，父母就得听从，这简直就是父母的天职！
小把戏离开了科克，放弃了卖报生意，如今他一点也不后悔。他还是看准了，来到爱尔兰首都，就能找到更大的市场。他十分活跃，又非常谨慎，不断增长的营业额就是明证，而且只凭自己的资金，得到奥布赖恩先生的赞许。这位老商人确实惊诧不已：这孩子执意恪守这一行动准则，绝不偏离一点。他和格里普一样，多次提出资助，小把戏每次都谢绝，仅仅十发恭敬地接受他给出的主意。
总之，第一次年终结帐——奥布赖恩先生认为帐目没有一点虚假——小把戏有理由满意：他到都柏林半年时间，资本增长了两倍。
Notes:
Notes: