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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13803 ***
+
+MAKING HIS WAY
+
+_or_
+
+Frank Courtney's Struggle Upward
+
+By HORATIO ALGER, Jr.
+
+
+Whitman Publishing Co.
+RACINE, WISCONSIN
+PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
+
+
+
+
+TABLE OF CONTENTS
+
+
+I.        Two School Friends
+II.       The Telegram
+III.      Frank's Bereavement
+IV.       Mrs. Manning's Will
+V.        Disinherited
+VI.       An Unsatisfactory Interview
+VII.      A School Friend
+VIII.     A New Plan
+IX.       The New Owner of Ajax
+X.        Mark Yields to Temptation
+XI.       Mark Gets into Trouble
+XII.      Suspended
+XIII.     Mr. Manning's New Plan
+XIV.      Good-bye
+XV.       Erastus Tarbox of Newark
+XVI.      An Unpleasant Discovery
+XVII.     The Way of the World
+XVIII.    Frank Arrives in New York
+XIX.      Frank Seeks Employment in Vain
+XX.       An Adventure in Wall Street
+XXI.      The Capture
+XXII.     The Young Tea Merchant
+XXIII.    Frank Meets Mr. Manning and Mark
+XXIV.     A Discouraging Day
+XXV.      Perplexity
+XXVI.     Frank Hears Something to His Advantage
+XXVII.    An Incident in a Street Car
+XXVIII.   Frank Makes an Evening Call
+XXIX.     Frank Is Offered a Position
+XXX.      Frank as Private Secretary
+XXXI.     A Letter from Mr. Tarbox
+XXXII.    Mr. Percival's Proposal
+XXXIII.   Preparing for a Journey
+XXXIV.    Frank Reaches Jackson
+XXXV.     Dick Hamlin
+XXXVI.    Mr. Fairfield, the Agent
+XXXVII.   Frank Receives a Letter from Mr. Percival
+XXXVIII.  The Agent Is Notified
+XXXIX.    An Important Discovery
+XL.       Jonas Barton
+XLI.      Conclusion
+
+
+
+
+MAKING HIS WAY
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+TWO SCHOOL FRIENDS
+
+
+Two boys were walking in the campus of the Bridgeville Academy. They
+were apparently of about the same age--somewhere from fifteen to
+sixteen--but there was a considerable difference in their attire.
+
+Herbert Grant was neatly but coarsely dressed, and his shoes were of
+cowhide, but his face indicated a frank, sincere nature, and was
+expressive of intelligence.
+
+His companion was dressed in a suit of fine cloth, his linen was of the
+finest, his shoes were calfskin, and he had the indefinable air of a boy
+who had been reared in luxury.
+
+He had not the broad, open face of his friend--for the two boys were
+close friends--but his features were finely chiseled, indicating a share
+of pride, and a bold, self-reliant nature.
+
+He, too, was an attractive boy, and in spite of his pride possessed a
+warm, affectionate heart and sterling qualities, likely to endear him to
+those who could read and understand him.
+
+His name was Frank Courtney, and he is the hero of my story.
+
+"Have you written your Latin exercises, Frank?" asked Herbert.
+
+"Yes; I finished them an hour ago."
+
+"I was going to ask you to write them with me. It is pleasanter to
+study in company."
+
+"Provided you have the right sort of company," rejoined Frank.
+
+"Am I the right sort of company?" inquired Herbert, with a smile.
+
+"You hardly need to ask that, Herbert. Are we not always together? If I
+did not like your company, I should not seek it so persistently. I don't
+care to boast, but I have plenty of offers of companionship which I
+don't care to accept. There is Bob Stickney, for instance, who is always
+inviting me to his room; but you know what he is--a lazy fellow, who
+cares more to have a good time than to study. Then there is James
+Cameron, a conceited, empty-headed fellow, who is very disagreeable to
+me."
+
+"You don't mention your stepbrother, Mark Manning."
+
+"For two reasons--he doesn't care for my company, and of all the boys I
+dislike him the most."
+
+"I don't like him myself. But why do you dislike him so much?"
+
+"Because he is a sneak--a crafty, deceitful fellow, always scheming for
+his own interest. He hates me, but he doesn't dare to show it. His
+father is my mother's husband, but the property is hers, and will be
+mine. He thinks he may some day be dependent on me, and he conceals his
+dislike in order to stand the better chance by and by. Heaven grant that
+it may be long before my dear mother is called away!"
+
+"How did she happen to marry again, Frank?"
+
+"I can hardly tell. It was a great grief to me. Mr. Manning was a
+penniless lawyer, who ingratiated himself with my mother, and
+persecuted her till she consented to marry him. He is very soft-spoken,
+and very plausible, and he managed to make mother--who has been an
+invalid for years--think that it would be the best thing for her to
+delegate her cares to him, and provide me with a second father."
+
+Frank did not like his stepfather, he did not trust him.
+
+"Your stepbrother, Mark Manning, enjoys the same advantages as yourself,
+does he not?" inquired Herbert.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then his father's marriage proved a good thing for him."
+
+"That is true. When he first came to the house he was poorly dressed,
+and had evidently been used to living in a poor way. He was at once
+provided with a complete outfit as good as my own, and from that time as
+much has been spent on him as on me. Don't think that I am mean enough
+to grudge him any part of the money expended upon him. If he were like
+you, I could like him, and enjoy his society; but he is just another as
+his father."
+
+Here Herbert's attention was drawn to a boy who was approaching with a
+yellow envelope in his hand.
+
+"Frank," he said, suddenly, "there's Mark Manning. He looks as if he had
+something to say to you. He has either a letter or a telegram in his
+hand."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE TELEGRAM
+
+
+Frank's heart gave a great bound at the suggestion of a telegram. A
+telegram could mean but one thing--that his mother had become suddenly
+worse.
+
+He hurried to meet his stepbrother.
+
+"Is that a telegram, Mark?" he asked, anxiously.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Is it anything about mother? Tell me quick!"
+
+"Read it for yourself, Frank."
+
+Frank drew the telegram from the envelope, and read it hastily:
+
+"My wife is very sick. I wish you and Frank to come home at once."
+
+"When does the next train start, Herbert?" asked Frank, pale with
+apprehension.
+
+"In an hour."
+
+"I shall go by that train."
+
+"I don't think I can get ready so soon," said Mark, deliberately.
+
+"Then you can come by yourself," replied Frank, impetuously. "I beg your
+pardon, Mark," he added. "I cannot expect you to feel as I do. It is not
+your mother."
+
+"It is my stepmother," said Mark.
+
+"That is quite different. But I must not linger here. I will go at once
+to Dr. Brush, and tell him of my summons home. Good-bye, Herbert, till
+we meet again."
+
+"I will go with you to the depot, Frank," said his friend,
+sympathizingly. "Don't wait for me. Go ahead, and make your preparation
+for the journey. I will be at your room in a quarter of an hour."
+
+"You won't go by the next train, Mark?" said Herbert.
+
+"No. I don't care to rush about as Frank is doing."
+
+"You would if it were your own mother who was so ill."
+
+"I am not sure. It wouldn't do any good, would it?"
+
+"You would naturally feel anxious," said Herbert.
+
+"Oh, yes, I suppose so!" answered Mark, indifferently.
+
+Mark Manning was slender and dark, with a soft voice and rather
+effeminate ways. He didn't care for the rough sports in which most boys
+delight; never played baseball or took part in athletic exercises, but
+liked to walk about, sprucely dressed, and had even been seen on the
+campus on a Saturday afternoon with his hands incased in kid gloves.
+
+For this, however, he was so ridiculed and laughed at that he had to
+draw them off and replace them in his pocket.
+
+As Frank and Herbert walked together to the railway station, the latter
+said:
+
+"It seems to me, Frank, that the telegram should have been sent to you,
+rather than to Mark Manning. You are the one who is most interested in
+the contents."
+
+"I thought of that, Herbert, but I was too much affected by the contents
+to speak of it. I am not surprised, however. It is like Mr. Manning. It
+jarred upon me to have him speak of mother as his wife. She is so, but I
+never could reconcile myself to the fact."
+
+"Do you remember your father--your own father, Frank?"
+
+"You need not have said 'your own father.' I don't recognize Mr.
+Manning as a father, at all. Yes, I remember him. I was eight years old
+when he died. He was a fine-looking man, always kind--a man to be loved
+and respected. There was not a particle of similarity between him and
+Mr. Manning. He was strong and manly."
+
+"How did it happen that he died so young?"
+
+"He was the victim of a railway accident. He had gone to New York on
+business, and was expected back on a certain day. The train on which he
+was a passenger collided with a freight train, and my poor father was
+among the passengers who were killed. The news was almost too much for
+my poor mother, although she had not yet become an invalid. It brought
+on a fit of sickness lasting for three months. She has never been
+altogether well since."
+
+"After all, Frank, the gifts of fortune, or rather Providence, are not
+so unequally distributed as at first appears. You are rich, but
+fatherless. I am poor enough but my father and mother are both spared to
+me."
+
+"I would gladly accept poverty if my father could be restored to life,
+and my mother be spared to me for twenty years to come."
+
+"I am sure you would, Frank," said Herbert. "Money is valuable, but
+there are some things far more so."
+
+They had reached the station by this time, and it was nearly the time
+for the train to start. Frank bought his ticket, and the two friends
+shook hands and bade each other good-bye.
+
+In an hour Frank was walking up the long avenue leading to the front
+door of the mansion.
+
+The door was opened by his stepfather.
+
+"How is mother?" asked Frank, anxiously.
+
+"I am grieved to say that she is very sick," said Mr. Manning, in a soft
+voice. "She had a copious hemorrhage this morning, which has weakened
+her very much."
+
+"Is she in danger?" asked Frank, anxiously.
+
+"I fear she is," said Mr. Manning.
+
+"I suppose I can see her?"
+
+"Yes; but it will be better not to make her talk much."
+
+"I will be careful, sir."
+
+Frank waited no longer, but hurried to his mother's chamber. As he
+entered, and his glance fell on the bed and its occupant, he was shocked
+by the pale and ghastly appearance of the mother whom he so dearly
+loved. The thought came to him at once:
+
+"She cannot live."
+
+He found it difficult to repress a rising sob, but he did so for his
+mother's sake. He thought that it might affect her injuriously if he
+should display emotion.
+
+His mother smiled faintly as he approached the bed.
+
+"Mother," said Frank, kneeling by the bedside, "are you very weak?"
+
+"Yes, Frank," she answered, almost in a whisper. "I think I am going to
+leave you."
+
+"Oh, don't say that, mother!" burst forth in anguish from Frank's lips.
+"Try to live for my sake."
+
+"I should like to live, my dear boy," whispered his mother; "but if it
+is God's will that I should die, I must be reconciled. I leave you in
+his care."
+
+Here Mr. Manning entered the room.
+
+"You will be kind to my boy?" said the dying mother.
+
+"Can you doubt it, my dear?" replied her husband, in the soft tones
+Frank so much disliked. "I will care for him as if he were my own."
+
+"Thank you. Then I shall die easy."
+
+"Don't speak any more, mother. It will tire you, and perhaps bring on
+another hemorrhage."
+
+"Frank is right, my dear. You had better not exert yourself any more at
+present."
+
+"Didn't Mark come with you?" asked Mr. Manning of Frank.
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"I am surprised that he should not have done so. I sent for him as well
+as you."
+
+"I believe he is coming by the next train," said Frank, indifferently.
+"He thought he could not get ready in time for my train."
+
+"He should not have left you to come at such a time."
+
+"I didn't wish him to inconvenience himself, Mr. Manning. If it had been
+his mother, it would have been different."
+
+Mr. Manning did not reply. He understood very well that there was no
+love lost between Mark and his stepson.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+FRANK'S BEREAVEMENT
+
+
+Early in the evening Mark made his appearance. Supper had been over for
+an hour, and everything was cold. In a house where there is sickness,
+the regular course of things is necessarily interrupted, and, because he
+could not have his wants attended to immediately, Mark saw fit to
+grumble and scold the servants. He was not a favorite with them, and
+they did not choose to be bullied.
+
+Deborah, who had been in the house for ten years, and so assumed the
+independence of an old servant, sharply reprimanded the spoiled boy.
+
+"You ought to be ashamed, Mr. Mark," she said, "of making such a fuss
+when my poor mistress lies upstairs at the point of death."
+
+"Do you know who you are talking to?" demanded Mark, imperiously, for he
+could, when speaking with those whom he regarded as inferiors, exchange
+his soft tones for a voice of authority.
+
+"I ought to know by this time," answered Deborah, contemptuously. "There
+is no other in the house like you, I am glad to say."
+
+"You are very impertinent. You forget that you are nothing but a
+servant."
+
+"A servant has the right to be decently treated, Mr. Mark."
+
+"If you don't look out," said Mark, in a blustering tone, "I will report
+you to my father, and have you kicked out of the house."
+
+Deborah was naturally incensed at this rude speech, but she was spared
+the trouble of replying. Frank entered the room at this moment in time
+to hear Mark's last speech.
+
+"What is this about being kicked out of the house?" he asked, looking
+from Mark to Deborah, in a tone of unconscious authority, which
+displeased his stepbrother.
+
+"That is my business," replied Mark, shortly.
+
+"Mr. Mark has threatened to have me kicked out of the house because he
+has to wait for his supper," said Deborah.
+
+"It wasn't for that. It was because you were impertinent. All the same,
+I think it is shameful that I can't get anything to eat."
+
+"I regret, Mark," said Frank, with cool sarcasm, "that you should be
+inconvenienced about your meals. Perhaps you will excuse it, as my poor
+mother is so sick that she requires extra attention from the servants.
+Deborah, if possible, don't let Mark wait much longer. It seems to be
+very important that he should have his supper."
+
+"He shall have it," assured Deborah, rather enjoying the way in which
+Mark was put down; "that is, if he don't get me kicked out of the
+house."
+
+"You had better not make any such threats in the future, Mark," said
+Frank, significantly.
+
+"Who's to hinder?" blustered Mark.
+
+"I am," answered Frank, pointedly.
+
+"You are nothing but a boy like me," retorted Mark.
+
+"My mother is mistress here, and I represent her."
+
+"Things may change soon," muttered Mark; but Frank had left the room and
+did not hear him.
+
+Mark did not trouble himself even to inquire for his stepmother, but
+went out to the stable and lounged about until bedtime. He seemed very
+much bored, and so expressed himself.
+
+Frank wished to sit up all night with his mother, but, as she had a
+professional nurse, it was thought best that he should obtain his
+regular rest, the nurse promising to call the family if any change
+should be apparent in her patient's condition.
+
+About half-past four in the morning there was a summons.
+
+"Mrs. Manning is worse," said the nurse. "I don't think she can last
+long."
+
+One last glance of love--though she could no longer speak--assured Frank
+that she knew him and loved him to the last.
+
+The memory of that look often came back to him in the years that
+followed, and he would not have parted with it for anything that earth
+could give.
+
+Just as the clock struck five, his mother breathed her last. The boy
+gazed upon the inanimate form, but he was dazed, and could not realize
+that his mother had left him, never to return.
+
+"She is gone," said Mr. Manning, softly.
+
+"Dead!" ejaculated Frank.
+
+"Yes, her sufferings are over. Let us hope she is better off. My boy, I
+think you had better return to your bed. You can do nothing for your
+mother now."
+
+"I would rather stay here," said Frank, sadly. "I can at least look at
+her, and soon I shall lose even that comfort."
+
+The thought was too much for the poor boy, and he burst into tears.
+
+"Do as you please, Frank," assented Mr. Manning. "I feel for you, and I
+share in your grief. I will go and tell Mark of our sad loss."
+
+He made his way to Mark's chamber and entered. He touched Mark, who was
+in a doze, and he started up.
+
+"What's the matter?" he asked, crossly.
+
+"Your poor mother is dead, Mark."
+
+"Well, there was no need to wake me for that," said the boy, irritably.
+"I can't help it, can I?"
+
+"I think, my son, you might speak with more feeling. Death is a solemn
+thing."
+
+"There's nobody here but me," said Mark, sneering.
+
+"I don't catch your meaning," said his father, showing some annoyance,
+for it is not pleasant to be seen through.
+
+"Why should you care so much?" continued Mark. "I suppose you will be
+well provided for. Do you know how she has left the property? How much
+of it goes to Frank?"
+
+"I can't say," said Mr. Manning. "I never asked my wife."
+
+"Do you mean to say, father, that you don't know how the property is
+left?" asked Mark, with a sharp glance at his father.
+
+"I may have my conjectures," said Mr. Manning, softly. "I don't think my
+dear wife would leave me without some evidences of her affection.
+Probably the bulk of the estate goes to your brother, and something to
+me. Doubtless we shall continue to live here, as I shall naturally be
+your brother's guardian."
+
+"Don't call him my brother," said Mark.
+
+"Why not? True, he is only your stepbrother; but you have lived under
+the same roof, and been to school together, and this ought to strengthen
+the tie between you."
+
+"I don't like Frank," said Mark. "He puts on altogether too many airs."
+
+"I had not observed that," said his father.
+
+"Well, I have. Only this evening he saw fit to speak impudently to me."
+
+"Indeed! I am really amazed to hear it," said Mr. Manning, softly.
+
+"Oh, he thinks he is the master of the house, or will be," said Mark,
+"and he presumes on that."
+
+"He is unwise," said Mr. Manning. "Even if the whole property descends
+to him, which I can hardly believe possible, I, as his guardian, will
+have the right to control him."
+
+"I hope you'll do it, father. At any rate, don't let him boss over me,
+for I won't stand it."
+
+"I don't think he will boss over you," answered his father, in a slow,
+measured voice, betraying, however, neither anger nor excitement. "Of
+course, I should not permit that."
+
+Mark regarded his father fixedly.
+
+"I guess the old man knows what's in the will," he said to himself. "He
+knows how to feather his own nest. I hope he's feathered mine, too."
+
+Mr. Manning passed from his son's chamber and went softly upstairs,
+looking thoughtful.
+
+Anyone who could read the impassive face would have read trouble in
+store for Frank.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+MRS. MANNING'S WILL
+
+
+During the preparations for the funeral Frank was left pretty much to
+himself.
+
+Mr. Manning's manner was so soft, and to him had been so deferential,
+that he did not understand the man. It didn't occur to him that it was
+assumed for a purpose.
+
+That manner was not yet laid aside. His stepfather offered to comfort
+him, but Frank listened in silence. Nothing that Mr. Manning could say
+had the power to lighten his load of grief. So far as words could
+console him, the sympathy of Deborah and the coachman, both old
+servants, whom his mother trusted, had more effect, for he knew that it
+was sincere, and that they were really attached to his mother.
+
+Of Mr. Manning he felt a profound distrust, which no words of his could
+remove.
+
+Meanwhile, Mr. Manning was looking from an upper window down the fine
+avenue, and his eye ranged from left to right over the ample estate with
+a glance of self-complacent triumph.
+
+"All mine at last!" he said to himself, exultingly. "What I have been
+working for has come to pass. Three years ago I was well-nigh penniless,
+and now I am a rich man. I shall leave Mark the master of a great
+fortune. I have played my cards well. No one will suspect anything
+wrong. My wife and I have lived in harmony. There will be little wonder
+that she has left all to me. There would be, perhaps, but for the manner
+in which I have taken care he shall be mentioned in the will--I mean, of
+course, in the will I have made for her."
+
+He paused, and, touching a spring in the wall, a small door flew open,
+revealing a shallow recess.
+
+In this recess was a folded paper, tied with a red ribbon.
+
+Mr. Manning opened it, and his eyes glanced rapidly down the page.
+
+"This is the true will," he said to himself. "I wish I could summon
+courage to burn it. It would be best out of the way. That, if found
+out, would make me amenable to the law, and I must run no risk. In this
+secret recess it will never be found. I will replace it, and the
+document which I have had prepared will take its place, and no one will
+be the wiser."
+
+On the day after the funeral, the family solicitor and a few intimate
+friends, who had been invited by Mr. Manning, assembled in the drawing
+room of the mansion to hear the will read.
+
+Mr. Manning himself notified Frank of the gathering and its object.
+
+He found our hero lying on the bed in his chamber, sad and depressed.
+
+"I don't like to intrude upon your grief, my dear boy," said his
+stepfather, softly, "but it is necessary. The last will of your dear
+mother and my beloved wife is about to be read, and your presence is
+necessary."
+
+"Couldn't it be put off?" asked Frank, sadly. "It seems too soon to
+think of such things."
+
+"Pardon me, my dear Frank, but it is quite needful that there should be
+an immediate knowledge of the contents of the will, in order that the
+right person may look after the business interests of the estate. I
+assure you that it is the invariable custom to read the will immediately
+after the funeral."
+
+"If that is the custom, and it is necessary, I have nothing to say. When
+is the will to be read?"
+
+"At three o'clock, and it is now two."
+
+"Very well, sir; I will come down in time."
+
+"Of course there can't be much doubt as to the contents of the will,"
+pursued Mr. Manning. "You are doubtless the heir, and as you are a
+minor, I am probably your guardian. Should such be the case, I hope
+that the relations between us may be altogether friendly."
+
+"I hope so," said Frank, gravely.
+
+At three o'clock the members of the family, with a few outside friends,
+gathered in the drawing room. The family solicitor, Mr, Ferret, held in
+his hand what purported to be the last will of Mrs. Manning.
+
+The widowed husband had directed the lawyer to the bureau of the
+deceased lady as likely to contain her will. It was found without
+trouble in the topmost drawer.
+
+Deborah and the coachman had speculated as to whether they would be
+invited to attend at the reading of the will.
+
+Their doubts were set at rest by an invitation from Mr. Manning himself.
+
+"You were so long in the service of my dear wife," he said, "that it is
+fitting that you be present at the reading of her will, in which it is
+quite probable that you may be personally interested."
+
+"He is uncommonly polite, I am sure," thought Deborah, disposed for the
+moment to think more favorably of the man whom she had never been able
+to like.
+
+"My friends," said the lawyer, after a preliminary cough, "you are
+assembled to listen to the will of Mrs. Manning, just deceased. The
+document which I hold in my hand I believe to be such an instrument. I
+will now open if for the first time."
+
+He untied the ribbon, and began reading the will.
+
+It commenced with the usual formula, and proceeded to a few bequests of
+trifling amount.
+
+Deborah and Richard Green were each left two hundred dollars, "as a
+slight acknowledgment of their faithful service."
+
+One or two friends of the family were remembered, but to an
+inconsiderable extent. Then came the important clause:
+
+"All the rest and residue of the property of which I may die possessed I
+leave to my beloved husband, James Manning, whose devoted affection has
+made happy the last years of my life. Having implicit confidence in his
+good judgment and kindness of heart, I request him to make proper
+provision for my dear son Frank, whose happiness I earnestly desire. I
+hope that he will consent to be guided by the wisdom and experience of
+his stepfather, who, I am sure, will study his interests and counsel him
+wisely. In my sorrow at parting with my dear son, it is an unspeakable
+comfort to me to feel that he will have such a guardian and protector."
+
+Frank listened with amazement, which was shared by all present.
+
+Practically, he was disinherited, and left wholly dependent upon his
+stepfather.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+DISINHERITED
+
+
+The contents of the will created general astonishment. There was not one
+in the room who didn't know the devotion of Mrs. Manning to her son
+Frank, yet, while speaking of him affectionately, she had treated him,
+as they considered, most cruelly. Why should she have left such a
+dangerous power in her husband's hands?
+
+And how was Mr. Manning affected?
+
+He summoned to his face an expression of bewilderment and surprise,
+and, feeling that all eyes were fixed upon, him, he turned toward the
+lawyer.
+
+"Mr. Ferret," he said, "I need hardly say that this will surprises me
+very much, as I see that it does the friends who are present. Are you
+sure that there is no codicil?"
+
+"I have been unable to discover any, Mr. Manning," said the lawyer,
+gravely, as he scanned the face of the widower keenly.
+
+Mr. Manning applied his handkerchief to his eyes, and seemed overcome by
+emotion.
+
+"I knew my dear wife's confidence in me," he said, in a tremulous voice,
+"but I was not prepared for such a striking manifestation of it."
+
+"Nor I," said Mr. Ferret, dryly.
+
+"Knowing her strong attachment to Frank," paused Mr. Manning, "I feel
+the full extent and significance of that confidence when she leaves him
+so unreservedly to my care and guidance. I hope that I may be found
+worthy of the trust."
+
+"I hope so, sir," said Mr. Ferret, who, sharp lawyer as he was, doubted
+whether all was right, and was willing that Mr. Manning should be made
+aware of his feeling. "It is certainly a remarkable proviso, considering
+the affection which your wife entertained for her son."
+
+"Precisely, Mr. Ferret. It shows how much confidence the dear departed
+felt in me."
+
+"So far as I can see, the boy is left wholly dependent upon you."
+
+"He shall not regret it!" said Mr. Manning, fervently. "I consecrate my
+life to this sacred trust."
+
+"You acquiesce in the arrangement, then, Mr. Manning?"
+
+"I cannot do otherwise, can I?"
+
+"There is nothing to prevent your settling the property, or any part of
+it, on the natural heir, Mr. Manning. You must pardon me for saying that
+it would have been wiser had your wife so stipulated by will."
+
+"I cannot consent to reverse, or in any way annul, the last wishes of my
+dear wife," said Mr. Manning, hastily. "It was her arrangement solely,
+and I hold it sacred. She has put upon me a serious responsibility, from
+which I shrink, indeed, but which I cannot decline. I will do all in my
+power to carry out the wishes of my late wife."
+
+Mr. Ferret shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"I am not surprised at your decision, sir," he said, coldly. "Few men
+would resist the temptation. My duty is discharged with the reading of
+the will, and I will bid you good-afternoon!"
+
+Mr. Manning was a crafty man. He knew that the strange will would be
+discussed, and he thought it best that the discussion should come at
+once, that it might be the sooner finished.
+
+Deborah, faithful old servant, was in a blaze of indignation.
+
+She went up quickly to Frank, and said:
+
+"It's a shame, Mr. Frank, so it is!"
+
+"If my mother made that will, it is all right," said Frank, gravely.
+
+"But she didn't, Mr. Frank! I know she would never do such a thing. She
+loved you as the apple of her eye, and she would not cheat you out of
+your rightful inheritance."
+
+"No more she would, Mr. Frank," said the coachman, chiming in.
+
+"I don't know what to think," said Frank. "It has surprised me very
+much."
+
+"Surprised you!" exclaimed Deborah. "You may well say that. You might
+have knocked me down with a feather when I heard the property left away
+from you. Depend upon it, that man knows all about it."
+
+"You mean Mr. Manning?"
+
+"To be sure I mean him! Oh, he's managed artfully! I say that for him.
+He's got it all into his own hands, and you haven't a cent."
+
+"If it was my mother's will I wouldn't complain of that, Deborah. It was
+hers to do with as she liked, and I know, at any rate, that she loved
+me."
+
+"There's one thing surprises me," said Richard Green. "If so be as the
+will isn't genuine, how does it happen that you and I come in for a
+legacy, Deborah?"
+
+"It's meant for a blind," answered Deborah. "Oh, he's the artfulest
+man!"
+
+"You may be right, Deborah. I must say the will sounded all right."
+
+"Maybe it was copied from the mistress' will."
+
+This conversation took place in one corner of the room.
+
+It ceased as Mr. Ferret advanced toward the disinherited boy.
+
+"Frank," said he, in a tone of sympathy, "I am very sorry for the
+provisions of the will."
+
+"So am I, sir," answered our hero. "It isn't pleasant to be dependent on
+Mr. Manning."
+
+"Particularly when the whole estate should be yours."
+
+"I wouldn't have minded if half had been left to him, provided I had
+been left independent of him."
+
+"I appreciate your feelings, Frank. I knew your father, and I am proud
+to say that he was my friend. I knew your mother well, and I esteemed
+her highly. I hope you will let me regard myself as your friend also."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Ferret!" said Frank. "I am likely to need a friend. I
+shall remember your kind proposal. I want to ask you one question."
+
+"Ask, and I shall answer."
+
+"Did my mother consult with you about making this will?"
+
+"No, Frank."
+
+"Did she ever say anything that would lead you to think she would leave
+the property as it is left in this will?"
+
+"Not a word."
+
+"Was there another will?"
+
+"Yes. I wrote her will at her direction more than a year ago. This will
+is dated only three months since, and, of course, takes precedence of
+it, even if the other is in existence."
+
+"Can you tell me what were the provisions of the other will?"
+
+"A legacy of ten thousand dollars was left to Mr. Manning, and the rest
+of the estate to you, except the small legacies, which were all larger
+than in the will I have read. For instance, Deborah and Richard Green
+were each put down for five hundred dollars."
+
+"So they suffer as well as I?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Have you any idea, Mr. Ferret, of the value of the estate which falls
+into Mr. Manning's hands?"
+
+"I have some idea, because I have talked with your mother on the
+subject. This estate is worth fifty thousand dollars at least, and there
+are fully fifty thousand dollars in money and bonds. The legacies do not
+altogether exceed one thousand dollars, and therefore it may be said
+that your stepfather has fallen heir to one hundred thousand dollars."
+
+"I suppose there is nothing I can do, Mr. Ferret?"
+
+"Not unless you can show that this will which I have read is not a
+genuine document. That would be difficult."
+
+"Did you notice my mother's signature?"
+
+"Yes. I am not an expert, but I cannot detect any difference greater
+than maybe existed between two signatures of the same person."
+
+"Then I suppose there is nothing to be done at present. I expect to have
+a hard time with Mr. Manning, Mr. Ferret."
+
+"How has he treated you in the past, Frank?" asked the lawyer.
+
+"I have had nothing to complain of; but then he was not master of the
+estate. Now it is difficult, and I think his treatment of me will be
+different."
+
+"You may be right. You remember what I said, Frank?"
+
+"That I should regard you as a friend? I won't forget it, Mr. Ferret."
+
+One by one the company left the house, and Frank was alone.
+
+Left alone and unsustained by sympathy, he felt more bitterly than
+before the totally unexpected change in his circumstances.
+
+Up to the last hour he had regarded himself as the heir of the estate.
+Now he was only a dependent of a man whom he heartily disliked.
+
+Could it be that this misfortune had come to him through the agency of
+his mother?
+
+"I will not believe it!" he exclaimed, energetically.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+AN UNSATISFACTORY INTERVIEW
+
+
+Frank came to a decision the next morning. A long deferred interview
+with his stepfather was necessary. Having made up his mind, he entered
+the room in which his stepfather sat. His air was manly and his bearing
+that of a boy who respects himself, but there was none of the swagger
+which some boys think it necessary to exhibit when they wish to assert
+their rights.
+
+Mr. Manning, in a flowered dressing gown, sat at a table, with a sheet
+of paper before him and a lead pencil in his hand. Short as had been the
+interval since his accession to the property, he was figuring up the
+probable income he would derive from the estate.
+
+He looked up as Frank entered the room, and surveyed him with cold and
+sarcastic eyes. His soft tones were dropped.
+
+"Mr. Manning," said Frank, "I wish to talk to you."
+
+"You may, of course," his stepfather replied mildly. "It is about the
+will," Frank advised him.
+
+"So you would complain of your poor mother, would you?" said his
+stepfather, in a tone of virtuous indignation.
+
+"I cannot believe that my mother made that will."
+
+Mr. Manning colored. He scented danger. Should Frank drop such hints
+elsewhere, he might make trouble, and lead to a legal investigation,
+which Mr. Manning had every reason to dread.
+
+"This is very foolish," he said, more mildly. "No doubt you are
+disappointed, but probably your mother has provided wisely. You will
+want for nothing, and you will be prepared for the responsibilities of
+manhood under my auspices."
+
+Mr. Manning's face assumed a look of self-complacence as he uttered
+these last words.
+
+"I have no blame to cast upon my dear mother," said Frank. "If she made
+that will, she acted under a great mistake."
+
+"What mistake, sir?"
+
+"She failed to understand you."
+
+"Do you mean to imply that I shall be false to my trust?"
+
+"Not at present, sir. I don't wish to judge of you too hastily."
+
+As the boy turned to go, he said. "I have nothing further to say, sir."
+
+"But I have," said Mr. Manning.
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+"I demand that you treat my son Mark with suitable respect, and forbear
+to infringe upon his rights."
+
+Frank looked up, and answered, with spirit: "I shall treat Mark as well
+as he treats me, sir. Is that satisfactory?"
+
+"I apprehend," said Mr. Manning, "that you may make some mistakes upon
+that point."
+
+"I will try not to do so, sir."
+
+Frank left the room, and this time was not called back.
+
+His stepfather looked after him, but his face expressed neither
+friendliness nor satisfaction.
+
+"That boy requires taming," he said to himself. "He is going to make
+trouble. I must consider what I will do with him."
+
+As Mr. Manning reviewed Frank's words, there was one thing which
+especially disturbed him--the doubt expressed by his stepson as to his
+mother's having actually made the will.
+
+He saw that it would not do for him to go too far in his persecution of
+Frank as it might drive the latter to consult a lawyer in regard to the
+validity of the will by which he had been disinherited.
+
+Frank rather gloomily made his way to the stable. As he reached it,
+Richard Green came out.
+
+"I'm sorry for you, Mr. Frank. But your mother was a saint. She was too
+good to suspect the badness of others, Mr. Frank. She thought old
+Manning was really all that he pretended to be, and that he would be as
+kind to you as she was herself. When she was alive, he was always as
+soft as--as silk."
+
+"His manner has changed now," said Frank, gravely. "Excuse me, Richard,
+for finding fault with you, but don't call him old Manning."
+
+"Why not, Mr. Frank?"
+
+"I have no liking for Mr. Manning--in fact, I dislike him--but he was
+the husband of my mother, and I prefer to speak of him respectfully."
+
+"I dare say you are right, Mr. Frank, but, all the same, he don't
+deserve it. Is Mr. Mark to ride Ajax then?"
+
+"If he asks for it, you are to saddle Ajax for him. I don't want you to
+get into any trouble with Mr. Manning on my account."
+
+"I don't care for that, Mr. Frank. I can get another place, and I don't
+much care to serve Mr. Manning."
+
+"I would rather you would stay, if you can, Richard. I don't want to see
+a new face in the stable."
+
+"I don't think he means to keep me long, Mr. Frank. Deborah and I will
+have to go, I expect, and he'll get some servants of his own here."
+
+"Has he hinted anything of this, Richard?" asked Frank, quickly.
+
+"No; but he will soon, you may depend on it. I won't lose sight of you,
+though. I've known you since you were four years old, and I won't desert
+you, if I can do any good--nor Deborah, either."
+
+"I have two friends, then, at any rate," said Frank to himself. "That is
+something."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+A SCHOOL FRIEND
+
+
+Early Monday morning it had been the custom for Frank and Mark to take
+the train for Bridgeville, to enter upon a new week at the academy.
+
+Frank felt that it would be better for him to go back without any
+further vacation, as occupation would serve to keep him from brooding
+over his loss.
+
+"Are you ready, Mark?" he asked, as he rose from the breakfast table.
+
+"Ready for what?"
+
+"To go back to school, of course."
+
+"I am not going back this morning," answered Mark.
+
+"Why not?" asked Frank, in some surprise.
+
+"I am going to stay at home to help father," said Mark, with a glance at
+Mr. Manning.
+
+"If I can be of any service to you, sir, I will stay, too," said Frank,
+politely.
+
+"Thank you, but Mark will do all I require," replied his stepfather.
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+Frank appeared at the academy with a grave face and subdued manner,
+suggestive of the great loss he had sustained. From his schoolfellows,
+with whom he was a favorite, he received many words of sympathy--from
+none more earnest or sincere than from Herbert Grant.
+
+"I know how you feel, Frank," he said, pressing the hand of his friend.
+"If I could comfort you I would, but I don't know how to do it."
+
+"I find comfort in your sympathy," said Frank. "I look upon you as my
+warmest friend here."
+
+"I am glad of that, Frank."
+
+To Herbert alone Frank spoke of his mother and her devoted affection;
+but even to him he did not like to mention the will and his
+disinheritance. He did not so much lament the loss of the property as
+that he had lost it by the direction of his mother, or, rather, because
+it would generally be supposed so.
+
+For himself, he doubted the genuineness of the will, but he felt that it
+was useless to speak of it, as he was unprepared with any proofs.
+
+So it happened that when, on Wednesday afternoon Mark Manning made his
+appearance, Frank's change of position, as respected the property, was
+neither known nor suspected by his schoolfellows. It was soon known,
+however, and of course, through Mark.
+
+The boys immediately noticed a change in Mark. He assumed an air of
+consequence, and actually strutted across the campus. Instead of being
+polite and attentive to Frank, he passed him with a careless nod, such
+as a superior might bestow on an inferior.
+
+"What has come over Mark?" asked Herbert of Frank, as the two were
+walking together from recitation.
+
+"How do you mean?"
+
+"He holds his head higher than he used to do. He looks as if he had been
+elected to some important office."
+
+"You will soon learn, Herbert," said Frank. "Make a pretext to join him,
+and let the news come from him."
+
+Herbert looked puzzled.
+
+"Do you wish me to do this?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, I have a reason for it."
+
+"Very well. I am always ready to oblige you, Frank, but I hope Mark
+won't think I have suddenly formed a liking for his society."
+
+"If he does, you can soon undeceive him."
+
+"That is true."
+
+Herbert left the side of his friend, and sauntered toward Mark.
+
+As Herbert was known as Frank's especial friend, Mark was at first
+surprised, but quickly decided that his improved position had been
+communicated by Frank, and that Herbert was influenced by it. That is to
+say, he judged Herbert to be as mean and mercenary as himself.
+
+Herbert's position was too humble to entitle him to much notice from
+Mark, but the latter was pleased with the prospect of detaching from
+Frank his favorite friend.
+
+"You came back rather late, Mark," said Herbert.
+
+"Yes," answered Mark, with an air of importance. "I remained at home a
+short time, to help my father in his accounts. You know the property is
+large, and there is a good deal to do."
+
+"I should think that was Frank's place, to help about the accounts."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"The property is his, of course!"
+
+"Did he tell you that?" asked Mark, sharply.
+
+"He has not said a word about the property."
+
+"No, I suppose not," said Mark, with a sneering laugh.
+
+"Has anything happened? Didn't his mother leave as much as was
+expected?" went on Herbert, quite in the dark.
+
+"Yes, she left a large estate, but she didn't leave it to him."
+
+"To whom, then?"
+
+"To my father!" replied Mark, with conscious pride. "Frank has nothing.
+He is entirely dependent upon father."
+
+"Did his mother leave him nothing, then?" asked Herbert, in pained
+surprise.
+
+"Nothing at all," assured Mark, complacently.
+
+"That is very strange and unjust."
+
+"I don't look upon it in that light," said Mark, nettled. "My father
+knows what is best for him. He will provide for him just as his mother
+did before."
+
+"But when Frank is of age, doesn't he come into possession of the estate
+then?"
+
+"No, of course not. Didn't I tell you it belongs to father? Frank is a
+poor boy--as poor as you," said Mark, in a tone of evident satisfaction.
+
+"Or you," added Herbert, pointedly.
+
+"You are mistaken," said Mark, quickly. "I am father's heir."
+
+"Suppose your father dies--how will the property go?"
+
+"I suppose something will be left to Frank, unless my father leaves me
+the property, with directions to provide for him."
+
+"Would you think that right and just?" demanded Herbert, indignantly.
+
+"Of course I would. My stepmother knew what she was about when she made
+her will. I see you are surprised. You won't be quite to thick with
+Frank, now, I expect."
+
+"Why shouldn't I be?"
+
+"Because he is just as poor as you are. He never can help you."
+
+"Mark Manning, I believe you are about the meanest boy I ever
+encountered, and you judge me by yourself!"
+
+"Do you mean to insult me? Mind what you say!" blustered Mark,
+unpleasantly surprised at this outburst from a boy whom he expected
+would now transfer his allegiance from Frank to himself.
+
+"I mean that you and your father have robbed Frank of his inheritance,
+and glory in it, and you think that I am mean enough to desert him
+because he is no longer rich. It makes no difference to me whether he is
+rich or poor. I think I like him all the better because he has been so
+badly treated. As for you, I despise you, and shall continue to, even if
+you get the whole of Frank's money."
+
+"You forget that you are talking to a gentleman, you low-born mechanic!"
+said Mark, angrily.
+
+"You a gentleman!" replied Herbert, contemptuously. "Then I never want
+to be one!"
+
+He walked away, leaving Mark very much incensed.
+
+"He is a fool!" muttered Mark. "When I am a rich man, he may repent
+having insulted me."
+
+Herbert went back to Frank.
+
+"Did he tell you?" asked Frank, quietly.
+
+"Yes; and he actually appeared to think I would be ready to desert you
+because you were poor, and follow him about."
+
+"I am not afraid of that, Herbert."
+
+"I don't think Mark will have that idea any more. I gave him a piece of
+my mind, and left him very angry. But what does it all mean, Frank?"
+
+"I know no more than you do, Herbert. I cannot understand it."
+
+"What could have induced your mother to make such a will?"
+
+"I cannot believe my poor mother ever made such a will; but, if she
+did, I am very sure that she was over-persuaded by my stepfather, who is
+one of the most plausible of men."
+
+"What shall you do about it?"
+
+"What can I do? I am only a boy. I have no proof, you know."
+
+"How are you likely to be treated?"
+
+"I have had a little foretaste of that."
+
+"It looks very bad for you, Frank," admitted Herbert, in a tone of
+sympathy.
+
+"I don't so much care for the loss of the property, Herbert," said
+Frank, "but I am afraid I shall have sorts of annoyances to endure from
+Mark and his father. But I won't anticipate trouble. I will do my duty,
+and trust that things will turn out better than I fear."
+
+The next afternoon a letter was placed in Frank's hands. It was in a
+brown envelope, and directed in a cramped and evidently unpracticed
+hand, with which Frank was not familiar.
+
+On opening it, a glance at the signature showed that it was from Richard
+Green, the coachman. It commenced:
+
+"Dear Mr. Frank: This comes hoping you are well. I have no good news to
+tell. Mr. Manning has sold your horse, Ajax, and he is to be taken away
+to-night. I thought you ought to know it, and that is why I take my pen
+in hand to write."
+
+There was more, but this is all that was important.
+
+Frank's face flushed with anger. He immediately went in search of Mark,
+who, he felt assured, knew of the sale.
+
+It may be said here that Ajax was one of Frank's dearest trophies, a
+gift from his mother.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A NEW PLAN
+
+
+Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
+Though decidedly plain, Mark fancied himself very good-looking, and
+spent no little time on personal adornment. In particular, he had a
+weakness for new neckties, in which he indulged himself freely.
+
+When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they
+should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to
+himself--no one caring to room with him.
+
+"Take a seat, Frank," said Mark, condescendingly. "Is there anything I
+can do for you?"
+
+"Yes," answered Frank. "I hear your father has sold Ajax, or is
+intending to do so. Will you tell me if it is true?"
+
+"I believe it is," answered Mark, indifferently.
+
+"And what right has he to sell my horse?" demanded Frank, indignantly.
+
+"You'd better ask him," said Mark, with provoking coolness.
+
+"It is an outrage," said Frank, indignantly.
+
+"As to that," said his stepbrother, "you can't expect father to be at
+the expense of feeding your horse."
+
+"With my money?"
+
+"The money is legally his," replied Mark.
+
+"Do you know to whom your father has sold Ajax?"
+
+"To Col. Vincent, I believe."
+
+"I am glad, at any rate, that he will have a good master."
+
+Frank felt that there would be no advantage in prolonging the interview,
+or carrying on further a war of words.
+
+He sought out his friend Herbert, and communicated to him this last
+infraction of his rights.
+
+"It is too bad, Frank!" said his sympathizing friend.
+
+"Yes, it is," said Frank, gravely; "but I fear it is only the beginning
+of annoyances. I don't believe I can ever live in any place with Mr.
+Manning or Mark."
+
+"Will it be necessary?"
+
+"I suppose so. I have no money, as you know. All has gone to him.
+Herbert, I tell you frankly, I envy you and your position."
+
+"Though my father is a poor man?"
+
+"Yes; for, at any rate, you have a peaceful home, and a father and
+mother who love you. I have a stepfather, who will do all he can to make
+me miserable."
+
+"Would you be willing to work for your own support, Frank?"
+
+"Yes; far rather than remain a dependent on Mr. Manning."
+
+"Suppose you should run away," suggested Herbert.
+
+Frank shook his head.
+
+"I wouldn't do that except in case of extreme necessity. I know that if
+my mother knows what goes on here, it would grieve her for me to take
+such a step."
+
+"Suppose your stepfather should consent to your leaving home?"
+
+"Then I would do so gladly. I am willing to work and I think I could
+make a living in some way."
+
+"Why not ask him?"
+
+Frank's face brightened.
+
+"Thank you for the hint, Herbert," he said. "I will think of it, and I
+may act upon it."
+
+Frank was naturally self-reliant and energetic. He was not disposed to
+shrink from the duties of life, but was ready to go forth to meet them.
+The idea which Herbert had suggested commended itself to him the more he
+thought of it.
+
+In spite, therefore, of the news which he had received about Ajax, he
+resumed his cheerfulness, considerably to the surprise of Mark, whose
+natural suspicion led him to conjecture that Frank had some plan in view
+to circumvent his father.
+
+"If he has, he'd better give it up," reflected Mark. "The old man's as
+sly as a fox. A raw boy like Frank can't get the better of him."
+
+At the close of the week, both the boys went home. They were on board
+the same train and the same car, but did not sit together. When they
+reached the house, Mr. Manning was not at home.
+
+Frank went out to the stable at once to see Richard Green, the coachman.
+
+He found him, indeed, but he also found another man, a stranger, who
+appeared to be employed in the stable.
+
+"Who is this, Richard?" asked Frank.
+
+"My successor," answered the coachman.
+
+"Are you going to leave?" asked Frank, hastily.
+
+"Come out with me, Mr. Frank, and I will tell you," said Richard. "I've
+had notice to leave," he said, "and so has Deborah. It came last
+evening. Mr. Manning got a letter from Bridgeville--I know that, because
+I brought it home from the post office--which appeared to make him
+angry. He called Deborah and me and told us that he should not need our
+services any longer."
+
+"Did he give you any reason?"
+
+"Yes; he said that he could have our places filled for a good deal less
+money, and he had no doubt we could do as well elsewhere."
+
+"He has filled your place pretty soon."
+
+"Yes. This man came this morning. I think Mr. Manning had sent for him
+already. I told you the other day we should soon be discharged."
+
+"I know it; but I can tell you what has hastened it."
+
+"What, then?"
+
+"Mark wrote his father that I had learned about the sale of Ajax, and
+that the information came from you or Deborah."
+
+"I think it likely, Mr. Frank, for the old gentleman seemed mighty cool.
+I hope you won't take it too much to heart that Ajax is sold."
+
+"I am not sure but I am glad of it," said Frank.
+
+The coachman looked at him in surprise.
+
+"I thought you would be very angry," he said.
+
+"So I was at first, but he has been sold to a man who will treat him
+well, and I shall be glad to think of that when I'm away from home."
+
+"You don't mean to run away, Mr. Frank?"
+
+"No; but I mean to get my stepfather's permission to go, if I can."
+
+"Where do you mean to go, Mr. Frank?"
+
+"Somewhere where I can earn my living, without depending upon anybody.
+You know very well, Richard, how miserable I should be to stay here in
+dependence upon Mr. Manning."
+
+"But to think that you, to whom the property rightfully belongs, should
+go away and work for a living, while that man and his boy occupy your
+place. I can't bear to think of it."
+
+"I have done a good deal of thinking within a few days, and I don't
+shrink from the prospect. I think I should rather enjoy being actively
+employed."
+
+"But you were to go to college, Mr. Frank."
+
+"I know it, Richard, but I am not sure whether it would be for the best.
+My tastes are for an active business life, and I don't care for a
+profession."
+
+"Do you think your stepfather will give you a start?"
+
+"In the way of money?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I don't know. If he won't, I have still fifty dollars in the savings
+bank, which I have saved from my pocket money. I will take that."
+
+"Mr. Frank, will you promise not to be offended at what I'm going to
+say?"
+
+"I don't think you would say anything that ought to offend me, Richard."
+
+"Then I want you to take the money that comes to me by the will--Mr.
+Manning is to pay it to me on Monday. I don't need it, and you may."
+
+Frank shook his head.
+
+"You are very kind, Richard, but I will get along with fifty dollars,
+unless Mr. Manning supplies me with more. If I really need money at any
+time, I will think of your offer."
+
+"That's something, at any rate," said Richard. partly reconciled. "You
+won't forget it now, Mr. Frank?"
+
+"No, Richard, I promise you."
+
+Frank left the stable and went thoughtfully into the house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE NEW OWNER OF AJAX
+
+
+Frank and Mark took supper alone, Mr. Manning having left word that he
+would not return till later in the evening.
+
+After supper, Frank decided to go over to call upon Col. Vincent, the
+new owner of Ajax. His estate was distant about three-quarters of a mile
+from the Cedars.
+
+As Frank started, Mark inquired:
+
+"Where are you going, Frank?"
+
+"To see Ajax," answered our hero.
+
+"Do you mean to make any fuss about him? I wouldn't advise you to."
+
+"Thank you for your advice."
+
+"I wonder what he is going to do?" thought Mark. "Of course he can't do
+anything now."
+
+He did not venture to propose to accompany Frank, knowing that his
+company would not be acceptable.
+
+"Is Col. Vincent at home?" asked Frank, at the door of a handsome house.
+
+"Yes, Mr. Courtney," replied the colored servant, pleasantly, for Frank
+was a favorite among all classes in the neighborhood. "Come right in,
+sir. De colonel am smoking a cigar on de back piazza."
+
+Frank followed the servant through the hall which intersected the house,
+and stepped out on the back piazza.
+
+A stout, elderly gentleman was taking his ease in a large rustic
+rocking chair.
+
+"Good-evening, Col. Vincent," our hero said.
+
+"Good-evening, Frank, my boy," said the colonel, heartily. "Glad to see
+you. Haven't you gone back to school?"
+
+"Yes, sir; but I came home to spend Sunday. It doesn't seem much like
+home now," he added, as his lip quivered.
+
+"You have suffered a great loss, my dear boy," said the colonel,
+feelingly.
+
+"The greatest, sir. My mother was all I had."
+
+"I suppose Mr. Manning will keep up the establishment?"
+
+"I suppose so, sir; but it is no longer home to me."
+
+"Don't take it too hard, Frank. I was sorry about the will."
+
+"So was I, sir; because it makes me dependent on a man whom I dislike."
+
+"Don't be too prejudiced, Frank. I never took any fancy to your
+stepfather myself; but then we don't need to like everybody we associate
+with."
+
+"I hear you have bought my horse, Col. Vincent," said Frank, desiring to
+change the subject.
+
+"Was Ajax your horse?"
+
+"Yes. It was given to me as a birthday present by my mother."
+
+"I had some such idea, and expressly asked Mr. Manning whether the horse
+was not yours."
+
+"What did he answer?"
+
+"That it was only nominally yours, and that he thought it best to sell
+it, as both you and Mark were absent at school, and had no time to use
+it."
+
+"I am not surprised at anything Mr. Manning may say," said Frank.
+
+"It's too bad! I'll tell you what I will do, Frank. I haven't paid for
+the horse yet. I will return it to Mr. Manning, and tell him that I
+bought it under a misapprehension of the ownership. I don't think he
+will make any fuss."
+
+"I would rather have you keep it, sir."
+
+"You would!" exclaimed the colonel, in surprise.
+
+"Yes, sir. If you should return Ajax, Mr. Manning would sell him to some
+one else, and you, I know, will treat him well."
+
+"But you will lose the use of him. No, you won't, though. Come over to
+my stable when you like, and, if he is not in use, you can take him
+out."
+
+"Thank you, sir! You are very kind. While I am in the neighborhood, I
+won't forget your kind offer. But I mean to go away."
+
+"You mean to go away! Where?"
+
+"Out into the world. Anywhere, where I can find work and make a living."
+
+"But surely this is not necessary. Your stepfather will provide for you
+without your working."
+
+"I have no reason to doubt it, Col. Vincent; but I shall be happier in
+the world outside."
+
+"Of course you will let Mr. Manning know of your intention to leave
+home?"
+
+"I shall ask his permission to go at the end of my school term. That
+comes in a couple of weeks."
+
+"Where will you go?"
+
+"A cousin of my father is at Newark, New Jersey. I think I shall go to
+him first, and ask his advice about getting a place either there or in
+New York."
+
+"You will need some money to start with. Do you think Mr. Manning will
+give you any?"
+
+"I don't know, sir! That won't prevent my going. I have fifty dollars in
+a savings bank, saved up from my allowance, and that will be all I shall
+need."
+
+"If you have any difficulty on that score, Frank, remember that I was
+your father's friend, and mean to be yours. Apply to me at any time when
+you are in a strait."
+
+"I will, sir, and thank you heartily."
+
+"That was a strange will, Frank. I don't want to put any ideas into your
+head to disturb you, but had your mother ever led you to suspect that
+she intended to leave you dependent on your stepfather?"
+
+"Never, sir!"
+
+"Don't you think she would have done so, had she had such a plan in
+view?"
+
+"I do," said Frank, quickly.
+
+The colonel's eye met his, and each knew what the other suspected.
+
+"There is nothing for me to do at present, sir," said Frank. "If Mr.
+Manning does not interfere with my plans, I shall not trouble him."
+
+"I will hint as much when I see him. It may clear the way for you."
+
+"I wish you would, sir."
+
+"Come and see me again, Frank," said the colonel, as Frank rose to go.
+
+"I certainly will, sir."
+
+"Your father's son will always be welcome at my house. When did you say
+your school term closes?"
+
+"In a fortnight."
+
+"I will see your stepfather within a few days. By the way, Frank,
+wouldn't you like a gallop on Ajax to-night?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I should enjoy it."
+
+"Come out to the stable with me, then."
+
+Ajax whinnied with delight when he saw his old, or rather his young
+master, and evinced satisfaction when Frank stroked him caressingly.
+
+"Sam," said Col. Vincent, "Frank is to ride Ajax whenever he pleases.
+Saddle him for his use whenever he asks you."
+
+"That I will, sir" answered Sam. "Often and often I've seen Mr. Frank on
+his back. Doesn't he ride well, though?"
+
+"Don't flatter me, Sam," said Frank, laughing.
+
+Five minutes later he was on the back of his favorite horse, galloping
+down the road.
+
+"I hope I shall meet Mark," thought Frank. "I would like to give him a
+sensation."
+
+Considering the manner in which Mark had treated his stepbrother, Frank
+may be excused for the wish to puzzle him a little.
+
+Finding himself lonely, Mark decided to take a walk not long after
+Frank's departure. He was sauntering along the road, when he heard the
+sound of hoofs, and, to his surprise, saw his stepbrother on the back of
+Ajax.
+
+His first thought was that Frank had gone to Col. Vincent's stable and
+brought away Ajax without permission, in defiance of Mr. Manning's will.
+He resolved to take him to task for it immediately. Frank purposely
+slackened the speed of his horse in order to give Mark the chance he
+sought.
+
+"Why are you riding Ajax?" asked Mark.
+
+"It is a pleasant evening," answered Frank, "and I thought I should
+enjoy it."
+
+"Where did you get him?"
+
+"From Col. Vincent's stable, where he never ought to have been carried,"
+answered Frank, with spirit.
+
+"You seem to think you can do anything you like, Frank Courtney," said
+Mark, provoked, deciding that his suspicions were well founded.
+
+"Is there any particular reason why I should not ride Ajax?" demanded
+Frank.
+
+"You have made yourself liable to arrest for horse stealing," said Mark.
+"It would serve you right if Col. Vincent should have you arrested and
+tried."
+
+"I don't think he will gratify your kind wishes, Mark."
+
+"Just wait and see what my father has to say to you."
+
+"I have only done what I had a perfect right to do; but I can't stop to
+dispute with you. I must finish my ride. Hey, Ajax!"
+
+As he spoke the horse dashed into a gallop, and Mark was left looking
+after him in a disturbed frame of mind.
+
+"I'll tell my father as soon as he gets home," he decided; and he kept
+his word.
+
+In consequence, Frank, by that time returned, was summoned into Mr.
+Manning's presence.
+
+"What is this I hear?" he began. "Did you ride Ajax this evening?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Where did you find him?"
+
+"In Col. Vincent's stable."
+
+"This is a high-handed proceeding, Frank Courtney. Have you any excuse
+to offer?"
+
+"None is needed sir. Col. Vincent has given me permission to ride him
+whenever I please."
+
+"It appears to me, Mark," said Mr. Manning, sharply, "that you have made
+a fool of yourself."
+
+"How should I know?" replied Mark, mortified by the collapse of his
+sensation. "Frank didn't tell me he had leave to use the horse."
+
+And he left the room, looking foolish.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+MARK YIELDS TO TEMPTATION
+
+
+There are some boys, as well as men, who cannot stand prosperity.
+
+It appeared that Mark Manning was one of these.
+
+While his stepmother was living and his father's prospects--and
+consequently his own--were uncertain, he had been circumspect in his
+behavior and indulged in nothing that could be considered seriously
+wrong.
+
+When his father came into possession of a large fortune, and his pocket
+money was doubled, Mark began to throw off some of the restraint which,
+from motives of prudence, he had put upon himself.
+
+About the middle of the week, as Frank was taking a walk after school
+hours, he was considerably surprised to see Mark come out of a
+well-known liquor saloon frequented by men and boys of intemperate
+habits.
+
+The students of Bridgeville Academy were strictly forbidden this or any
+other saloon, and I am sure that my boy readers will agree with mo that
+this rule was a very proper one.
+
+Mark Manning appeared to have been drinking. His face was flushed, and
+his breath, if one came near enough to him, was redolent of the fumes of
+alcohol. With him was James Carson, one of the poorest scholars and most
+unprincipled boys in the academy. It was rather surprising that he had
+managed for so long to retain his position in the institution, but he
+was crafty and took good care not to be caught.
+
+To go back a little, it was chiefly owing to James Carson's influence
+that Mark had entered the saloon.
+
+When he learned that Mark's worldly prospects had improved, and that he
+had a large supply of pocket money, he determined to cultivate his
+acquaintance--though privately he thought Mark a disagreeable boy--with
+the intention of obtaining for himself a portion of Mark's surplus
+means.
+
+At the first of the term he had made similar advances to Frank, but they
+were coldly received, so much so that he did not think it worth while to
+persevere in courting our hero's intimacy.
+
+He succeeded better with Mark, his crafty nature teaching him how to
+approach him.
+
+"Mark," he said, with a great show of cordiality, "I am delighted to
+hear of your good fortune. I always liked you, and I think you deserve
+to be rich."
+
+"Thank you!" said Mark, much gratified, for he liked flattery. "I am
+sure I am very much obliged to you."
+
+"Oh, not at all! I only say what I think. Shall I tell you why I am
+particularly glad?"
+
+"Yes, if you like," returned Mark, in some curiosity.
+
+"Because I like you better than that young muff, your stepbrother. I
+hope you won't be offended at my plain speaking," he added, artfully.
+
+"Certainly not!" said Mark.
+
+"I suppose," said James, "you will see a little life now that you are
+your own master and have plenty of money."
+
+"I don't know exactly what you mean, James. There isn't much life to be
+seen in Bridgeville."
+
+"That is true; but still there is some. Suppose now"--by this time they
+were in front of the saloon, which, besides a bar, contained a billiard
+and pool table--"suppose now we go in and have a game of billiards."
+
+"It's against the rules, isn't it?" asked Mark.
+
+"What do you care for the rules?" said James, contemptuously.
+
+"If the old man hears of it, we shall get into hot water."
+
+By the "old man" Mark meant the Rev. Dr. Brush, the venerable and
+respected principal of the Bridgeville Academy, but such boys as he have
+very little respect for the constituted authorities.
+
+"Why need he know it? We will slip in when no one is looking. Did you
+ever play a game of billiards?"
+
+"I never played over half a dozen games in my life."
+
+"Yon ought to know how to play. It is a splendid game. Come in."
+
+Mark did not make very strong opposition, and the two boys, first
+looking cautiously in different directions, entered the saloon.
+
+Toward the entrance was a bar, and in the roar of the saloon were two
+tables.
+
+"Won't you have a drink, Mark?" asked James.
+
+Mark hesitated.
+
+"Oh, come now, it won't hurt. Two glasses of whisky, John."
+
+"All right, Mr. Carson," said the barkeeper, to whom James was well
+known.
+
+James tossed off his glass with the air of an old drinker, but Mark
+drank his more slowly.
+
+"There, I know you feel better, Mark."
+
+"Now, John, give me the balls. We'll play a game of billiards."
+
+"All right, sir."
+
+"I'll discount you, Mark," said James, "to give you a fair chance. It is
+about the same thing as giving you half the game. Or, if you like, I
+will give you seventeen points to start with, and then you will only
+have seventeen to make, while I am making thirty-four."
+
+"I like that best."
+
+"Now shall we play for the drinks?"
+
+"We have just had a drink?"
+
+"We'll have another."
+
+"Won't that be too much? I don't want to get drunk."
+
+"Two drinks won't do you any harm. Very well. Now let us string for the
+lead."
+
+There is no need of describing the game in detail. Mark was only a
+novice, while James could really make three or four points to his one.
+He restrained himself, however, so that he only beat Mark by two points.
+
+"You did splendidly, Mark," he said. "Considering how little you have
+played, you did remarkably well. Why, you made a run of three."
+
+"Yes, I did pretty well," said Mark, flattered by his companion's
+praises.
+
+"I had hard work to beat you, I can tell you that. As it was, you came
+within two points of beating. Don't you like the game?"
+
+"Very much."
+
+"I thought you would. Shall we have another game?"
+
+"I don't mind," answered Mark.
+
+He knew that he ought to be in his room writing a composition to be
+delivered the next day, but such obligations sat easily upon Mark, and
+he did not hesitate long.
+
+That time James allowed him to score sixteen, so that Mark was only
+beaten by one point.
+
+"You see, you are improving," said James. "I played a better game that
+time than before, and still you came within one of beating me."
+
+"I think I shall become a good player in time," said Mark, complacently.
+
+"Yes, and in a very short time. Now," said James, "I have a proposal to
+make to you."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"We'll bet twenty-five cents on the next game, to give a little interest
+to it."
+
+Mark had no special scruples against betting, which is only one form of
+gambling, but he decidedly objected to losing money, so he answered,
+cautiously:
+
+"I don't know about that. You beat me both of the other games."
+
+"That's true; but you play better now than you did at first."
+
+"That may be so."
+
+"What are twenty-five cents, anyway? I expect to lose it, but it will
+increase the interest of the game."
+
+So Mark was persuaded, and the game was played.
+
+James Carson managed to let Mark beat him by five shots, and the latter
+was correspondingly elated.
+
+"You beat me after all," said James, pretending to be much disappointed,
+"and by five points. I'll tell you what I'll do--I'll give you the same
+odds, and bet a dollar on the game. I suppose it's foolish, but I'll
+risk it!"
+
+"Done!" said Mark, eagerly.
+
+His cupidity was excited, and he felt sure of winning the dollar, as he
+had the twenty-five cents. But James had no idea of playing off now, and
+he played a better game, as he was well able to do. The result was that
+Mark was beaten by three points.
+
+He looked quite crestfallen.
+
+"I had better shows than you," said James. "I couldn't do it once in
+five times. Will you play again?"
+
+Mark agreed to it with some hesitation, and he was again beaten.
+
+"You had luck against you. Another day you will succeed better. Have you
+played enough?"
+
+"Yes," answered Mark, annoyed.
+
+He had four games to pay for and two dollars in bets, and it made rather
+an expensive afternoon.
+
+"Have another drink? I'll treat," said James, who could afford to be
+liberal.
+
+Mark accepted, and then, flushed and excited, he left the saloon, just
+as Frank came up, as described in the first part of the chapter. On the
+whole, he was sorry to meet his stepbrother just at this time.
+
+Frank stopped, and his attention was drawn to Mark's flushed face.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+MARK GETS INTO TROUBLE
+
+
+Mark nodded slightly and was about to pass without a word, when Frank
+said, quietly:
+
+"I am sorry to see you coming out of such a place, Mark."
+
+"What is it to you, anyway?" returned Mark, rudely.
+
+"Not much, perhaps," replied Frank, calmly, "but I don't like to see my
+acquaintances coming out of a liquor saloon."
+
+"It won't hurt you," said Mark, irritably.
+
+"No, it won't hurt me, but if tho principal should hear of it, it would
+not be pleasant for you. You know students are strictly forbidden to
+enter any saloon?"
+
+"I suppose you mean to tell on me," said Mark, hastily, and not
+altogether without uneasiness.
+
+"You are mistaken. I am not a talebearer."
+
+"Then there is no need to say any more about it. Come along, James!"
+
+Frank's interference was well meant, but, as we shall see, it did harm
+rather than good.
+
+As Mark left the saloon, he had half decided not to enter it again. He
+was three dollars out of pocket, and this did not suit him at all.
+
+In fact, Mark was rather a mean boy, and it was with considerable
+reluctance that he had handed over to his companion the two dollars with
+which to pay for the games.
+
+Moreover, he was mortified at losing the two games of billiards, when so
+great odds had been given him.
+
+James Carson was no scholar, but he was sharp enough to perceive the
+state of Mark's feelings, and he also saw how he was affected by Frank's
+remonstrance.
+
+He decided to take advantage of this, and strengthen his hold on Mark.
+
+"Well, Mark," he said, "I suppose you'll give up playing billiards now."
+
+"Why should I?"
+
+"Because your stepbrother doesn't approve of it. You won't dare to go
+into the saloon after he has forbidden you," he continued, with a sneer.
+
+"What do you mean, James? Do you suppose I care that"--snapping his
+fingers--"for what Frank says, or even thinks, either?"
+
+"I didn't know but you might stand in fear of him."
+
+"Do you mean to insult me?" demanded Mark, hotly.
+
+"Insult you! My dear friend, what can you be thinking of? Why, I like
+you ten times as much as that muff, Frank Courtney."
+
+"Then what did you mean by what you said?" asked Mark, more calmly.
+
+"I will tell you. I got an idea, from what Frank said once, that he was
+in charge of you--well, not exactly that, but he looked after you."
+
+This was a wicked falsehood, as Frank had never intimated any such
+thing. In fact, he had generally kept quite aloof from James.
+
+Mark, however, fell into the trail, and never thought of doubting what
+his companion said.
+
+"If Frank said that, I've a great mind to whip him," said Mark, angrily.
+
+"Oh, I wouldn't notice him, if I were you!" said James. "For my part, I
+didn't believe what he said. I felt sure that a fine, spirited boy like
+you wouldn't submit to his dictation."
+
+"I should say not--the impudent follow!"
+
+"When he spoke to you just now," continued James, "one would really have
+thought he was your uncle, or guardian, and that you were a little boy."
+
+"I'll show him what I think of him and his advice. I hadn't thought of
+going to the saloon to-morrow, but now I will."
+
+"Bravo! I like your spirit!" said James, admiringly. "It is just the way
+to treat him. Shall I come round with you about the same hour as
+to-day?"
+
+"Yes, I wish you would."
+
+When the two boys parted company, James Carson smiled to himself.
+
+"What a fool Mark is!" he thought. "He thinks he is his own master, but
+I am going to twist him round my little finger. He's a sweet youth, but
+he's got money, and I mean to have some of it. Why, he tells me his
+father allows him eight dollars a week for spending money. If I manage
+well, I can get more than half away from his in bets."
+
+The next day James called for Mark, as agreed upon, and again the two
+boys went to the billiard saloon. The performance of the day before was
+repeated.
+
+James Carson, while flattering Mark's poor play, managed to beat in
+every game but one on which money was staked, and came out the richer by
+a dollar and a half.
+
+"I am very unlucky," grumbled Mark, in a tone of dissatisfaction.
+
+"So you were, Mark," admitted his sympathizing friend. "You made some
+capital shots, though, and if I hadn't been so lucky, you would have
+come out the victor in every game."
+
+"But I didn't."
+
+"No, you didn't; but you can't have such beastly luck all the time."
+
+"I guess I'd better give up billiards. In two days I have spent five
+dollars. It doesn't pay."
+
+"No doubt Frank will be gratified when he hears that you have given up
+playing. He will think it is because you are afraid of him."
+
+James had touched the right chord, and poor Mark was once more in his
+toils.
+
+"It's lucky for me that Frank spoke to him," thought James. "It makes it
+much easier for me to manage him."
+
+One thing, however, James had not taken into account. There were others
+besides Frank who were liable to interfere with his management, and who
+had the authority to make their interference effectual.
+
+On the day succeeding, as James and Mark were in the campus, Herbert
+Grant approached them.
+
+Now Herbert was the janitor of the academy. He also was employed by the
+principal to summon students who had incurred censure to his study,
+where they received a suitable reprimand.
+
+It was not a pleasant duty, but some one must do it, and Herbert always
+discharged it in a gentlemanly manner, which could not, or ought not, to
+offend the schoolfellows who were unlucky enough to receive a summons.
+
+"Boys," said he, "I am sorry to be the bearer of unpleasant news, but
+Dr. Brush would like to see you in his study."
+
+"Both of us?" asked James.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Are there any others summoned?"
+
+"No."
+
+Mark and his companion looked at each other with perturbed glances. No
+one cared to visit the principal on such an errand. Corporal punishment
+was never resorted to in the Bridgeville Academy, but the doctor's
+dignified rebuke was dreaded more than blows would have been from some
+men.
+
+"What do you think it is, James?" asked Mark, uneasily.
+
+"I think it's the saloon," answered James, in a low voice.
+
+"But how could he have found it out? No one saw us go in or come out."
+
+The billiard saloon was at some distance from the academy building, and
+for that reason the two boys had felt more secure in visiting it.
+
+"I'll tell you how it came out," said James, suddenly.
+
+"How?" asked Mark.
+
+"You remember Frank saw us coming out day before yesterday."
+
+"He said he wouldn't tell."
+
+It was not very difficult for Mark to believe anything against Frank,
+and he instantly adopted his companion's idea.
+
+"The mean sneak!" he said. "I'll come up with him! I'll tell my father
+not to give him any money for the next month. I'll---I'll get him to
+apprentice Frank to a shoemaker! Perhaps then he won't put on so many
+airs."
+
+"Good for you! I admire your pluck!" said James, slapping Mark on the
+back. "You are true grit, you are! Just teach the fellow a lesson."
+
+"See if I don't!"
+
+Mark nodded his head resolutely, and went into the presence of Dr.
+Brush, thirsting for vengeance against his stepbrother, who, he felt
+persuaded, had informed against him.
+
+If Frank had known his suspicions he would have been very much
+surprised. As it happened, however, he did not even know that his
+stepbrother had been summoned to the doctor's study. Had he met Herbert,
+the later would have told him; but after receiving his list, it so
+chanced that he and his friend did not meet.
+
+The fact was that a young man employed as tutor in mathematics in the
+academy, while taking an afternoon walk, had seen Mark and James Carson
+leaving the liquor saloon, and, as in duty bound, had reported the same
+to the principal.
+
+Mr. Triangle, however, had not been observed by either of the two boys,
+and therefore they were led off on a false scent.
+
+"What do you think the old man will say?" asked Mark, uneasily, as they
+ascended the stairs to the principal's study.
+
+"He'll give us a raking down, I suppose," said James. "He will come
+down heavy on us."
+
+"I wish I were out of it."
+
+"Oh, it's not worth minding! We haven't committed murder, have we?
+What's the harm in a game of billiards?"
+
+"Not much, perhaps; but the drinking and betting are certainly
+objectionable."
+
+The boys knocked at the door, and the full, deep voice of Dr. Brush was
+heard to say: "Come in!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+SUSPENDED
+
+
+Dr. Brush was seated at a table covered with papers, in a large
+armchair. He was an elderly man of dignified presence, not a petty
+tyrant such as is sometimes found in a similar position, but a man who
+commanded respect, without an effort.
+
+Mark Manning and James Carson entered his presence a little nervously.
+
+"Young gentlemen," said the doctor, gravely, "I am informed that you
+have violated one of the rules of the academy by frequenting a billiard
+saloon where liquor is sold."
+
+"Who told you, sir?" asked Mark.
+
+"That is not to the purpose," said the principal, gravely.
+
+"But I should like to know who informed on me," persisted Mark.
+
+"Whoever did so acted as your true friend, Manning; but there is no
+occasion for you to know who it was. Is it true?"
+
+Mark would have been glad to deny the charge, and would not have felt
+any scruples about doing so, if it would have done any good. But it was
+clear, even to him, that he would not be believed, and that denial would
+only make his position worse. So he made a virtue of necessity, and
+answered:
+
+"I have been in once or twice, sir."
+
+"Exactly how many times have you been to the saloon?"
+
+"Three times."
+
+"What did you do there?'
+
+"We played billiards."
+
+"Did you order anything at the bar?"
+
+"Yes, sir," said Mark, reluctantly.
+
+"Carson, you accompanied Manning, did you not?" said Dr. Brush, turning
+to Mark's companion.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"And I suppose you also played billiards and drank?"
+
+"Well, yes, sir, I believe I did."
+
+"You were aware, were you not, that it was against the regulations of
+the school?"
+
+"I suppose it must have slipped my mind," answered James, trying to look
+as innocent as possible.
+
+Dr. Brush frowned, for he saw clearly that this was but a subterfuge.
+
+"If this were true," he continued, "it would be no excuse. As students,
+it is your duty to make yourselves acquainted with the rules that govern
+the institution. In point of fact, I cannot believe that either of you
+is ignorant of the rule forbidding students to frequent places where
+liquor is sold. It is hardly necessary for me to defend the propriety of
+this rule. Intemperance is a fruitful source of vice and crime, and I
+cannot allow the youth under by charge to form habits of indulgence
+which may blast all their prospects, and lead to the most ruinous
+consequences."
+
+"We didn't drink much," said Mark.
+
+"I shall not inquire how much you drank. In drinking a single glass, you
+violated the rule of the school, and I cannot pass over it."
+
+"What is he going to do with us, I wonder?" thought Mark.
+
+He was not required to wonder long.
+
+"As this is your first offense, so far as I know," proceeded the
+principal, "I will not be severe. You are both suspended from the
+institution for the remainder of the term, and are required to leave
+Bridgeville by the early train to-morrow morning for your respective
+homes. I shall write to your parents, explaining the cause of your
+suspension."
+
+But a week remained of the term, and the punishment was mild, but both
+boys were mortified and left the study crestfallen.
+
+Mark was the first to recover his spirits.
+
+"It is not so bad, James," he said. "To-morrow will be Saturday, and I
+should go home, anyway. I don't mind staying at home next week."
+
+"What will your father say?"
+
+"Oh, I'll make it all right with him! I don't mind much what he says. I
+guess he got into scrapes himself when he was a boy."
+
+"My father isn't so easily managed. Just as likely as not, he'll cut off
+my allowance for a month; and that'll be no joke!"
+
+"My father won't do that," said Mark. "If he did, I would raise a fuss."
+
+"Would that do any good?"
+
+"I'll bet it would!"
+
+Frank, who was quite ignorant of Mark's trouble, was surprised when the
+latter approached him a little later with a frown and said, harshly:
+
+"You won't make anything by what you have done, Frank Courtney!"
+
+"Will you be kind enough to tell me what I have done?" asked Frank,
+calmly.
+
+"You've been to Dr. Brush and told him about our playing billiards."
+
+"You are entirely mistaken, Mark. I did not suppose he knew."
+
+"It must have been you. He told us some one had informed him, and you
+were the only one who knew. It's a mean trick, isn't it, Carson?"
+
+"Awfully mean!"
+
+"I have already told you that the information did not come from me. It
+may be the best thing for you that it has been found out, for it was
+doing you no good to frequent such places."
+
+"I don't want to hear any of your preaching, Frank Courtney. I guess I
+can manage my own affairs without any advice from you."
+
+"I don't care to intrude any advice," said Frank. "I have not much
+reason to feel interested in you."
+
+"You'd better look out how you treat me, though," said Mark, insolently.
+"I know very well you dislike me, but it won't be safe for you to show
+it while you are a dependent on my father."
+
+"I don't propose to be a dependent on him long," said Frank, quietly.
+"The truth of it is, you and your father are dependent upon property
+which of right belongs to me. The time may come when I shall be able to
+show this."
+
+"What does he mean?" thought Mark, uneasily. "Will he contest the
+will?"
+
+It was perhaps an evidence of Mark's shrewdness that he had some doubts
+about the validity of the will under which his father inherited.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+MR. MANNING'S NEW PLAN
+
+
+Mark so represented his school difficulty to his father that he incurred
+but slight censure.
+
+Indeed, Mr. Manning was so absorbed in plans for getting the greatest
+enjoyment out of the estate of which he had obtained possession by
+doubtful means that he didn't care to be disturbed about such a trifle
+as his son's suspension.
+
+He felt more disposed to blame Frank, whom Mark charged with betraying
+him.
+
+"What does Frank say about it?" asked Mr. Manning.
+
+"Of course he denies it," said Mark, "but it can't be any one else."
+
+"He is acting very unwisely," said Mr. Manning, compressing his thin
+lips.
+
+"So I told him, but he said he didn't mean to be a dependent on you
+long."
+
+"How is he going to avoid it?'
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"I have had some intimation from Col. Vincent, who appears to be in his
+confidence. He wants to leave us."
+
+"To go away?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"But you won't let him?"
+
+"I have been thinking about that, Mark, and I may give my permission.
+The fact is, he stands in the way of some plans I have formed. I am
+thinking of traveling."
+
+"Not without me?" said Mark, hastily.
+
+"No; you shall go with me, but I don't care to take Frank."
+
+"You might leave him at school."
+
+"I might, but how do I know that he might not hatch some mischief while
+we are gone?"
+
+"He might make some fuss about the property," suggested Mark.
+
+"Has he hinted anything of that kind to you?" asked his father, quickly.
+
+"Yes. Only yesterday he said that the property belonged by right to
+him."
+
+Mr. Manning looked thoughtful, and watched Mark narrowly to see if from
+his manner he could divine the boy's intentions.
+
+Later that same evening, Mark having retired early in consequence of a
+headache, Frank found himself alone with his stepfather, and took
+advantage of the opportunity to speak of the plan he had formed.
+
+"Mr. Manning," he said, "if you are at leisure, I should like to speak
+with you a few minutes."
+
+"Proceed," said his stepfather, waving his hand.
+
+"But a week remains of the school term. Did you propose that I should
+return there at the end of the vacation?"
+
+"Humph! I had not thought much on the subject."
+
+"It has all along been intended that I should go to college when
+prepared, but I don't think I care much about it."
+
+"In that case," said his stepfather, with alacrity, "you would only be
+throwing away time and money by going."
+
+He was quite ready to agree to Frank's surrender of the college plan for
+two reasons.
+
+A college course would be expensive. Again, should he turn his attention
+to the law, he might hereafter give him trouble about the estate.
+
+"I don't think I should throw away my time, for, if I went to college, I
+should go there to work faithfully; but I have a fancy for a more
+stirring life."
+
+"It might be a good plan for you to learn a trade," said Mr. Manning,
+reflectively.
+
+"Learn a trade!" exclaimed Frank, in surprise.
+
+"Yes; it would always enable you to earn a living."
+
+"Do you intend Mark to learn a trade?" asked Frank, quickly.
+
+"No; his case is very different from yours."
+
+"Why it is different?"
+
+"It is not necessary for me to explain," answered his stepfather,
+stiffly.
+
+"If there were any need of it, Mr. Manning, I would not object to learn
+a trade," said Frank. "I have no false pride on the subject. But my
+tastes are more for mercantile business."
+
+"I may be able to find you a place somewhere. I have a friend in the
+dry-goods business, who would receive you at my recommendation."
+
+"Thank you!" said Frank, hastily. "But if you will allow me, I would
+prefer to look around for myself."
+
+"What is it you want, then?"
+
+"Your permission to go out into the world, and try to make a living."
+
+"And if you don't," said Mr. Manning, "I suppose you expect me to
+defray your expenses?"
+
+"If I did have such an expectation, I think I should be justified, in
+view of the large property which my mother left," said Frank, pointedly.
+
+"She left it to me," said his stepfather.
+
+"So it appears, at any rate. But I shall not call upon you to pay my
+board. Give me your permission to go where I please, with a small sum of
+money to start me, and I shall be satisfied."
+
+"And what will the world say? That I, your stepfather, to whom you have
+a right to look for maintenance, had driven you out to earn your living!
+It would be unjust, of course, but the world is ever unjust."
+
+And Mr. Manning assumed a look of wronged innocence, which would have
+imposed on anyone who knew him but slightly.
+
+"I shall defend you from any such charge," said Frank. "I shall say that
+you were only yielding to my request."
+
+"I will think of it, my dear boy," said Mr. Manning, graciously. "I
+already feel inclined to grant it, because it is your request. I shall
+be sorry to be separated from you; but I am willing to sacrifice my own
+feelings, if it will give you pleasure."
+
+This did not impose upon Frank, who had a correct idea of the degree of
+fondness which Mr. Manning had for his society, but he was too well
+satisfied with the prospect of obtaining the permission he desired to
+imply any doubts.
+
+"Again," continued his stepfather, "whatever you may say to the
+contrary, I know that the world will censure me; but I shall have the
+approval of my own conscience, and with that I can defy the world."
+
+Mr. Manning certainly did look like a righteous man when he said this,
+and he beamed upon his stepson with a glance that was actually
+affectionate.
+
+"Go back to school," ho said, "and when you return I shall be able to
+give you a definite answer."
+
+Indeed, nothing could have suited Mr. Manning's plans better. He would
+get rid of the care and nearly the whole expense of his obnoxious
+stepson, while with his son Mark he would be spending the revenues of
+the estate which belonged to Frank.
+
+During the coming week he arranged his plans for a prolonged absence
+from the Cedars. He wrote to New York to engage passage on a steamer
+bound for Liverpool, and quietly waited for the end of Frank's school
+term to release him from a care which had grown burdensome.
+
+Frank returned to the Bridgeville Academy without Mark. As may be
+supported, however, he did not feel the loss of his society.
+
+He at once communicated to his chosen friend, Herbert Grant, his
+probable departure from school.
+
+"I am sorry to hear it, Frank," said Herbert, soberly. "Do you think you
+are acting wisely?"
+
+"I am not acting as I would have done had my mother lived," answered
+Frank; "but you must remember that my position in life has very much
+changed. I am a poor boy."
+
+"Hardly that, when there is so much property in the family."
+
+"I know Mr. Manning too well to believe that I shall derive much
+benefit from it. No, Herbert, I have my own living to make, and I want
+to make it in my own way."
+
+"It is a sad change for you, Frank."
+
+"No, I can't say that. I don't know how it is, Herbert, but I am rather
+glad to have all this thrown upon me. I enjoy feeling that I have got to
+work."
+
+"I have a chance of enjoying the same feelings," said Herbert, with a
+smile.
+
+"I wish we could start together, Herbert. Couldn't you go with me?"
+
+Herbert shook his head.
+
+"Father has a plan for me," he said. "I am to learn his trade, and shall
+commence next week. I don't particularly like it, but it is well to have
+a trade to fall back upon."
+
+"Mr. Manning wanted me to learn a trade."
+
+"There is no occasion for your doing so."
+
+"I don't know about that. If I had a particular fancy for any, I
+wouldn't mind choosing it, but I am better suited for something else."
+
+"What is your plan? What will you do first?"
+
+"My father has a cousin in the city of Newark, New Jersey, only a few
+miles from New York. Four years ago, he and his family made us a visit,
+and he was urgent then that we should return the visit. I will, first of
+all, go to him, and ask his advice. He is a business man, and he may be
+able to put me in the way of obtaining a position."
+
+"I think you will succeed, Frank, but it will be harder than you think
+for. You don't know what poverty is yet. I have never known anything
+else."
+
+"If I do succeed, Herbert, I may be able to find something for you."
+
+"I wish you might," Herbert replied; but he was not as sanguine as
+Frank.
+
+He understood, better than his friend, that for a boy to set out alone
+into the great world to earn a living is a serious undertaking.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+GOOD-BYE
+
+
+Frank had fixed upon the Tuesday morning succeeding the close of the
+academic term for his departure from home. Monday was devoted to a few
+necessary preparations and a few calls on old friends, among them Col.
+Vincent, the owner of Ajax.
+
+"My dear Frank," said the colonel, kindly, "I feel a strong interest in
+your welfare, more especially because of the wrong which I do not
+scruple to say has been done you. What does Mr. Manning say to your
+plan?"
+
+"He makes no objection," said Frank.
+
+"Suppose he had done so?"
+
+"I would not have run away. He is my stepfather and guardian, and I
+would have endured staying at home as well as I could."
+
+"There you are right, Frank. Though I have a poor opinion of Mr.
+Manning, he is not likely to treat you in a manner to justify your going
+away without his permission. From what I have heard within the last
+week, I suspect that he feels relieved to have you go."
+
+"What have you heard, sir?"
+
+"That Mr. Manning will shortly sail for Europe, taking Mark with him."
+
+Frank was surprised, having no suspicion of this.
+
+"Now are you not sorry that you have decided to go out into the world to
+earn a living when you might have seen something of the Old World?"
+
+"Mr. Manning would never have taken me along," answered Frank, quietly,
+"nor should I have enjoyed traveling with him and Mark."
+
+"Of the two, who would interfere the more with your enjoyment?"
+
+"Mark."
+
+"Then you prefer the father to the son?" said the colonel.
+
+"The father has much more agreeable manners. I don't think Mark could be
+agreeable if he tried."
+
+Col. Vincent smiled.
+
+"Perhaps you are right, Frank," he said. "Now, as your father's old
+friend, I shall exact a promise from you."
+
+"What is it, sir?"
+
+"You are going out into the world to earn your own living. Boys of your
+age are apt to think it an easy thing. I have seen more of life, and I
+am sure you will find it more difficult than you suppose. You may find
+yourself in difficulty, possibly in want. In that case, promise to let
+me know, and I will come to your assistance."
+
+"I will, sir," answered Frank.
+
+The time came for Frank to say good-bye to Mr. Manning and Mark, and the
+house which had been his home from infancy.
+
+His stepfather handed him a small pocketbook.
+
+"Frank," he said, "in this pocketbook you will find twenty-five
+dollars. It is not much, but--"
+
+"I am satisfied, sir," said Frank. "It won't be long before I am earning
+something."
+
+"I hope your anticipations may be realized, but it is possible that you
+may require help."
+
+"I think not, sir."
+
+"I will authorize my banker to pay you the same sum--twenty-five
+dollars--every three months. Of course, it is not enough to support you;
+but, as you say it is your intention to procure a place--"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"It will probably be enough to make up any deficiency that may exist in
+your income. I am aware that you do not regard me as--as I would like to
+have you; but I am resigned to be misunderstood, and I merely call your
+attention to the fact that I have given you my free permission to carry
+out your own plans and have given you more assistance than you asked
+for."
+
+"That's true, sir."
+
+"Should anyone in your hearing condemn me for what I have done, I depend
+upon your defending me."
+
+"I will state the facts, sir. I will take the entire responsibility for
+anything that may result from the step I have taken."
+
+Mr. Manning looked well pleased. Things were taking the course he
+desired, and for the paltry sum of one hundred dollars a year, he was
+getting rid of an obnoxious stepson, while appearing to confer a favor
+upon him.
+
+"Perhaps you are right, Frank," said his stepfather, disguising the
+satisfaction he felt. "If, however, you should find that you have made a
+mistake, you will do me the justice to remember that I gave you your
+choice."
+
+Knowing, as he did, that the offer was not genuine, Frank remained
+silent. He could not make up his mind to express gratitude, and
+therefore said nothing.
+
+Here the carriage drove up to the door to convey Frank to the railway
+station. Mindful of appearance, Mr. Manning accompanied him to the cars,
+and in presence of several neighbors bade him an effusively affectionate
+farewell.
+
+So Frank was fairly started on his campaign.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+ERASTUS TARBOX, OF NEWARK
+
+
+Erastus Tarbox kept a dry-goods store in the city of Newark, New Jersey.
+He was well to do, not so much because of his enterprise and skill as a
+merchant as because of his extreme poverty. Some people called it
+parsimony. He only employed two clerks to assist him in his store, and
+they, as well as the boy who carried out parcels and ran the errands,
+were paid scarcely more than two-thirds the rates paid in neighboring
+stores.
+
+Mr. Tarbox prided himself upon his relationship to the Courtneys. They
+were rich, and riches, in his eyes were a great merit. He often sighed
+to think that there was no chance for him to benefit by a share of the
+large property owned by his cousins. Without hope of personal advantage,
+however, he had always been obsequious to them, and often took occasion
+to mention them, by way of enhancing his own social credit somewhat.
+
+Mr. Tarbox had heard of Mrs. Courtney's death, but had not heard the
+particulars of the will. He took it for granted that Frank was sole
+heir, and it did cross his mind more than once how very agreeable it
+would be if he could be selected as guardian of the rich young heir. Of
+course, he knew that there was no probability of it, since the
+stepfather would undoubtedly be appointed to that position.
+
+Mr. Tarbox had just sold a calico dress pattern to a poor woman, when
+his attention was drawn to the entrance of Frank Courtney, who entered
+his store, valise in hand.
+
+Mr. Tarbox was rather short-sighted, and did not immediately recognize
+the son of his rich cousin.
+
+"What can I do for you, young man?" he asked, in his business tone.
+
+"This is Mr. Tarbox, I believe?" said Frank, who did not know his
+relatives very well.
+
+"Yes, that is my name."
+
+"I am Frank Courtney."
+
+"Bless my soul!" ejaculated Mr. Tarbox, surprised and delighted. "When
+did you arrive in Newark?"
+
+"I have only just arrived."
+
+"I do hope you are going to make us a visit," said Mr. Tarbox,
+cordially.
+
+"Thank you!" answered Frank, cheered by this warm reception. "If you are
+sure it won't inconvenience you."
+
+"Inconvenience me! We shall be delighted to have you with us."
+
+"You must come up and see Mrs. Tarbox. She will be delighted to see
+you."
+
+Mr. Tarbox lived over his store. There was a door from the street
+adjoining the shop front. Mr. Tarbox opened it with a pass-key, and
+conducted Frank upstairs, ushering him into a gloomy parlor, with stiff,
+straightbacked chairs, ranged at regular intervals along the sides of
+the room, and a marble-topped center table, with two or three books
+lying upon it. There was a framed engraving, representing Washington
+crossing the Delaware, over the mantel, and two plaster figures and
+similar ornaments on the mantelpiece. The whole aspect of the room
+chilled Frank.
+
+"Wait here, and I will call my wife," said Mr. Tarbox.
+
+Frank sat down on a hard sofa and awaited the entrance of Mrs. Tarbox.
+
+She came in, a tall, thin woman, about as handsome for a woman as her
+husband was for a man. Indeed, they were very well matched. She was
+quite as mean as he, and between them they managed to make annually a
+sensible addition to their world possessions.
+
+Mr. Tarbox privately hinted his hopes respecting Frank to his wife, and
+she instantly agreed that it would be a most eligible arrangement.
+
+"We must make him contented, my dear," said her husband. "Give him the
+best bedroom, and I think it might be well to have something a little
+extra for supper."
+
+"I did intend to put on the rest of that cold mutton," said Mrs. Tarbox,
+doubtfully.
+
+"It won't do, Martha. There is only a little of it, you know, and the
+boy has been traveling, and, of course, is hungry. What do you say, now,
+to some nice beefsteak?"
+
+"Beefsteak is high now," said Mrs. Tarbox. "Still, if we buy round
+steak--that is cheaper than sirloin or tenderloin."
+
+"And quite as good," said her economical partner. "We can tell Frank,
+however, that no sirloin was to be had so late in the day at the
+markets."
+
+Mrs. Tarbox nodded her head, approving the suggestion.
+
+This little matter being adjusted, the husband and wife entered the
+parlor where our hero was waiting patiently.
+
+"This is our young cousin, Martha," said Mr. Tarbox, smiling pleasantly.
+
+"Welcome to Newark," said Mrs. Tarbox, extending her hand. "And how did
+you leave your stepfather?"
+
+"He is well," said Prank, coolly.
+
+The two exchanged glances. It was clear that Frank did not like his
+stepfather, and this was satisfactory to them. There was the more chance
+of his leaving him and boarding with them.
+
+"The children will be so glad to see you," said Mr. Tarbox; "won't they,
+Martha?"
+
+"Delighted!" assured the lady.
+
+"Pliny must be about your age. How old are you, by the way?"
+
+"Sixteen."
+
+"Just Pliny's age. Do you remember him?"
+
+Frank remembered a tall, thin stripling who had accompanied his parents
+to the Cedars, and who appeared to have an inexhaustible appetite.
+
+"Yes, I remember him. Does he go to school?"
+
+"No; Pliny is in a store," answered Mr. Tarbox.
+
+"Your store?"
+
+"Oh, no! I thought it would be better for him to enter the employ of a
+stranger. He is in a bookstore."
+
+There was one great advantage in Pliny's entering the employ of a
+stranger. He was paid four dollars a week, whereas Mr. Tarbox paid his
+boy but two. Here, then, was a clear gain of two dollars a week.
+
+"But you must be tired," said Mrs. Tarbox. "You will see the children at
+supper. Martha, I think Frank would like to go to his room."
+
+The best bedroom was over the parlor. It was rather more cheerful,
+because lighter.
+
+"Here," said Mr. Tarbox, "you must make yourself at home. Martha, isn't
+one of the drawers in that bureau empty? I thought so. Take your clothes
+out of the valise and put them away. Now, is there anything you would
+like?"
+
+"Only a little water to wash in," said Frank. "You are both very kind."
+
+"We hope to make you comfortable. You are our relative, you know."
+
+The water was brought up by Mrs. Tarbox herself, and Frank was left
+alone, on the whole well pleased with his reception.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+AN UNPLEASANT DISCOVERY
+
+
+It never occurred to Frank that his cordial reception was wholly due to
+his supposed wealth. Had he known the Tarbox family better, he would
+have had no uncertainty on this point. As it was, the discovery was soon
+made.
+
+"All my olive branches are for you, my dear young cousin," said Mr.
+Tarbox, waving his hand. "A peaceful, happy family. Children, this is
+our esteemed relative, Frank Courtney. You remember visiting his
+delightful home, the Cedars."
+
+"Yes, pa," said Julia.
+
+Pliny said nothing, but stared at Frank, inwardly considering whether it
+would be possible to borrow some money of him.
+
+"I am glad to meet you all. I hope we shall become better acquainted,"
+said Frank politely.
+
+"No doubt you will," said Mr. Tarbox. "They are rather bashful, but they
+long to know you."
+
+"How are you?" said Pliny, in a sudden burst of sociability.
+
+"Pretty well, thank you!" answered Frank, finding it rather difficult to
+preserve his gravity.
+
+"I am in a store," said Pliny.
+
+"In your father's store?"
+
+"No. He wouldn't pay me as much as I get where I am."
+
+Mr. Tarbox looked embarrassed.
+
+"A smaller boy answered my purpose," he said, in an explanatory manner.
+"Pliny is suited for higher duties. But our supper is ready. It is
+frugal compared with yours at the Cedars, my dear Frank, but you are
+heartily welcome to it."
+
+"It looks very nice, Mr. Tarbox," said our hero, "and I have not been
+accustomed to luxurious living."
+
+This answer pleased Mr. and Mrs. Tarbox. Even if Frank should become a
+boarder on liberal terms, they didn't wish to spend too much on their
+table.
+
+"We couldn't get sirloin steak," said Mr. Tarbox; "but I hope you will
+find this good."
+
+"No doubt I shall," said Frank, politely.
+
+"Won't you have another piece of steak?" asked Mrs. Tarbox.
+
+Frank saw that there was but a small piece left, and, though his
+appetite was not wholly satisfied, he answered:
+
+"No, thank you."
+
+"I will!" said Pliny, quickly.
+
+Mrs. Tarbox frowned at her son, but did not venture to refuse in the
+presence of her guest. She cut off a small portion of the steak, and,
+with a severe look, put it on the extended plate of Pliny.
+
+"You've got a good appetite, Pliny," said Julia.
+
+"So would you have, if you had to work like me!" grumbled Pliny.
+
+After the steak came an apple pie, which was cut into seven pieces. Mrs.
+Tarbox managed to make Frank's piece a little larger than the rest.
+
+Her husband observed it with approval. He was very desirous that Frank
+should be satisfied with his fare.
+
+When Pliny rose from the table, saying that he must be getting back to
+the store, Frank rose also.
+
+"I will go with you," he said, "if you have no objection. I would like
+to take a walk."
+
+"Come along," said Pliny. "I should like to have company."
+
+"You will be a great deal of company for Pliny," observed Mr. Tarbox,
+rubbing his hands with satisfaction. "Just of an age and of congenial
+tastes."
+
+Frank hardly expected to find Pliny very congenial, but he wished to
+obtain some information, which he thought the latter could give him,
+and he also wanted to see something of Newark.
+
+"I say, your name is Frank, isn't it?" commenced Pliny:
+
+"Yes."
+
+"The old man's awful glad to see you."
+
+"I am glad of it. He has received me very kindly."
+
+"Got up an extra supper for you. We don't often get steak for supper."
+
+This was rather an embarrassing revelation, and surprised Frank
+somewhat. The supper had not seemed to him at all extra. It would do,
+but was far from luxurious.
+
+"I hope you'll stay with us a good while," continued Pliny.
+
+"Thank you."
+
+"You see we shall live better while you are with us, and the rest of us
+will be gainers."
+
+"I don't want to put your father to any unusual expense."
+
+"Oh, he can afford it! But he's stingy, father is. He doesn't spend any
+more than he can help."
+
+"It is best to be economical, I suppose."
+
+"When you don't carry it too far. I say, Frank," continued Pliny,
+lowering his voice, "you can't lend me five dollars, can you?"
+
+Frank regarded Pliny with astonishment. The proposal was very abrupt,
+especially when the shortness of their acquaintance was considered.
+
+"Are you particularly in need of money?" asked Frank.
+
+"Well, you see," said Pliny, "I want it for a particular purpose."
+
+"Why not ask your father for it?"
+
+"Oh, he'd never let me have it!"
+
+Now, in Frank's present circumstances, five dollars represented a good
+deal of money. He was the more impressed with the necessity of economy
+since he had found out how small were the wages paid in stores to boys
+of his age.
+
+He did not feel at all inclined to grant Pliny's request, especially as
+he had a strong suspicion that it would be a long time before the sum
+would be returned.
+
+"Why do you apply to me, Pliny?" he asked, seriously.
+
+"Didn't your mother die and leave you a big property? Father says you
+must be worth more than a hundred thousand dollars."
+
+"Your father probably has not heard of the will," said Frank, quietly.
+
+"What was there in the will?" asked Pliny.
+
+"The whole property was left to Mr. Manning."
+
+"Who is he?"
+
+"My stepfather."
+
+"And nothing to you?"
+
+"Nothing to me."
+
+"But he's got to take care of you, hasn't he?"
+
+"It was expected, but I am going to earn my own living, if I can."
+
+Pliny stopped short in blank amazement and whistled.
+
+"Then you haven't got a lot of money?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Won't your stepfather give you a part of the property?"
+
+"I haven't asked him, but I don't think he will."
+
+"And why did you come to Newark?"
+
+"I thought your father might give me some help about getting a place."
+
+"If this isn't the richest joke!" said Pliny, laughing uproariously.
+
+"Where is the joke? I don't see it," returned Frank, inclined to be
+angry.
+
+"The way you have taken in the old man. He thinks you are rich, and has
+treated you accordingly--got up an extra supper and all that. Oh, it's
+too good!"
+
+"I certainly didn't intend to take him in, as you call it," said Frank.
+"The sooner you tell him the better."
+
+"I'll tell him," said Pliny. "I shall enjoy seeing how provoked he'll
+be."
+
+"I think I will leave you," said Frank, shortly. "I will take a walk by
+myself.
+
+"Well, don't lose your way. Oh, I wish the store was shut! I want to
+tell the old man."
+
+And Pliny laughed again, while our hero walked off in disgust.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE WAY OF THE WORLD
+
+
+Frank felt like an impostor when he discovered that his cordial
+reception was wholly owing to the belief that he was his mother's heir.
+
+The situation was unpleasant, and he was impatient to have Mr. Tarbox
+undeceived. He was sure that Pliny would lose no time in revealing his
+true position, and decided not to return to the house of Mr. Tarbox till
+nine o'clock, when the story would have been told.
+
+He wandered about aimlessly till he heard the city clocks strike nine,
+and then rang the bell at his relation's house.
+
+The family, with the exception of the two younger children, were
+assembled in the common sitting room.
+
+As Frank entered, instead of the cordial welcome he had previously
+received, he noticed a look of coldness and constraint on the faces of
+Mr. and Mrs. Tarbox, while Pliny looked as if some stupendous joke was
+being perpetrated.
+
+"Good-evening!" said Frank, politely. "I have been taking a walk."
+
+"My son Pliny tells me," said Mr. Tarbox, "that you have not inherited
+your mother's property."
+
+Frank bowed.
+
+"And that it has gone to your stepfather."
+
+"It seems so."
+
+"I am amazed."
+
+"So was I, sir."
+
+"Your mother has practically disinherited you?"
+
+"It was not my mother, sir," said Frank, hastily. "I can't explain it,
+but I'm sure she would not will away everything from me."
+
+"Do you suspect your stepfather of anything irregular?" asked Mr.
+Tarbox, briskly.
+
+"I would rather not answer your question, sir. I don't care to make any
+charges which I cannot prove."
+
+"And so Mr. Manning has sent you out into the world to earn your own
+living, has he?"
+
+"No, sir. He has consented that I may do so. It was my own plan."
+
+Much as Frank was prejudiced against his stepfather, his natural sense
+of justice would not allow him to accuse him unjustly.
+
+"Did he suggest that you should come to me?" asked Mr. Tarbox, in a
+tone which Frank did not like.
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"So that was your idea, too," continued Mr. Tarbox, with a palpable
+sneer.
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Frank. "You are not a very near relative, but the
+nearest I know of, and I supposed you would be willing to give me some
+advice about the best means of earning my living. I remembered," he
+could not help adding, "that my mother received you all as guests for a
+considerable time, and I thought I might take the liberty."
+
+"Oh, certainly!" returned Mr. Tarbox, rather abashed. "I am, of course,
+ready to give you advice, and my first advice is to seek a lawyer and
+let him institute a suit against your stepfather, on speculation. That
+is, he gets nothing if he fails, but obtains a commission if he
+succeeds. I could myself recommend a reliable man."
+
+"Thank you, sir; but I have no present thought of contesting the will."
+
+"I think you make a mistake. Do I understand that you expect to earn
+your own living?"
+
+"I shall try to do so."
+
+"You will find it very difficult. You may expect me to take you into my
+own store, but there is no vacancy, and--"
+
+Frank hastily assured Mr. Tarbox that he had no such expectations. He
+had no wish to deprive the errand boy of the two dollars a week, which
+he probably richly earned.
+
+"Situations in Newark are not easily obtained," proceeded Mr. Tarbox. "I
+am willing that you should stay with us a day or two, but I don't think
+you will find it worth your while to stay here."
+
+Mr. Tarbox feared that his young relative might expect to find a home
+free of charge in his house, and such an arrangement did not suit his
+economical ideas. There was no profit in it, but, on the contrary, a
+positive loss. Frank read clearly the thoughts of his host, with the
+help of what Pliny had told him, and, expressing his thanks very
+briefly, announced his intention to go to New York the next morning.
+
+"It may be the best thing you can do!" said Mr. Tarbox, relieved. "New
+York opens a much wider field to a boy of enterprise than Newark, and
+probably you will pick up something to do."
+
+"It won't be my fault, if I don't," said Frank.
+
+"You have my best wishes," said Mr. Tarbox. "The demands of my family
+forbid me offering you any pecuniary assistance, but--"
+
+"I don't stand in need of it, sir. I have money enough to keep me till I
+get started in something."
+
+"Really, I am very glad to hear it!"
+
+And there is no doubt that Mr. Tarbox was sincere.
+
+"I wonder how much money he has got?" thought Pliny. "Perhaps he'd lend
+me two dollars. I'll ask him, if I have a chance."
+
+Pliny proposed to borrow, not because he needed the money, but because
+he liked to levy contributions upon any available party, with a very
+faint idea of repaying the same. The money would go to swell his deposit
+at the savings bank. It was very commendable, of course, to save his
+money, but not at the expense of others, as Pliny too frequently did.
+
+"I have moved you out of the spare room," said Mrs. Tarbox, when our
+hero asked permission to retire, "and put you in the same room with
+Pliny. I suppose you won't mind?"
+
+"Just as you please, Mrs. Tarbox," said Frank, though he would have
+preferred to have passed the night alone.
+
+"Could you make it convenient to lend me two dollars?" asked Pliny, as
+they went up to bed together.
+
+"Not just now," answered Frank. "When I get something to do I shall not
+need to be so careful of my money."
+
+"One dollar would answer," persisted Pliny.
+
+Without a word, Frank drew a dollar bill from his pocketbook and handed
+it to Pliny.
+
+"Now," he thought, "I shall not feel under any obligations to the
+family."
+
+"You're a good fellow, even if you are poor," said Pliny, in high good
+humor.
+
+Frank was tired, and it was not long before all his anxieties for future
+were lost sight of in a sound and refreshing slumber.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+FRANK ARRIVES IN NEW YORK
+
+
+The breakfast the next morning was very meager. It was no longer an
+object to gratify Frank's palate, now that he turned out to be a poor
+relation, and the family returned to their usual plain diet.
+
+"So you are resolved to go to New York this morning," said Mr. Tarbox.
+"Of course it would gratify us to have you remain longer, but I
+appreciate your anxiety to go to work."
+
+Frank was by no means deceived by this statement. He knew very well
+that Mr. Tarbox would be relieved by his departure, but of this
+knowledge he made no sign. He merely said that he thought it best to go.
+
+He took leave of his hosts, and, purchasing a ticket at the railway
+station, found himself within an hour in New York. He had been there
+before, but it was not for a long time, and he had but a vague general
+idea of the city.
+
+Frank made inquiries of a kindly man who owned a clean little store on
+one of the streets. The latter knew of places where Frank could board
+and lodge for five dollars a week or about that and directed Frank to
+them. They were all near University Place. He found the place without
+difficulty.
+
+A slipshod servant answered the bell.
+
+"Have you got any small rooms?" asked Frank.
+
+"Yes," answered the girl. "Missus is out, but I'll show you a hall
+bedroom, if you like."
+
+"I should like to see it."
+
+Frank followed the girl upstairs.
+
+He was not favorably impressed by the appearance of the interior. He did
+not so much mind its being shabby, but he was repelled by the evident
+lack of neatness.
+
+The girl threw open the door of a small hall bedroom at the head of the
+stairs, but it looked so comfortless that he felt sure he should not
+like it. He thought it best, however, to inquire the price.
+
+"Five dollars a week with board," answered the girl.
+
+"I don't think it will suit me," said our hero.
+
+"There's a larger room for seven dollars," said the servant.
+
+"No. I think I will look elsewhere."
+
+The next house was not much better, but the third was much neater and
+more attractive, and Frank agreed to take a room at five dollars per
+week.
+
+It was a small hall bedroom, but it looked clean, and the lady who
+showed him about the house was very neat in her dress.
+
+"When will you come?" asked the lady.
+
+"Now," replied Frank, promptly.
+
+"Would you mind paying the first week in advance?"
+
+"Not at all. Here is the money."
+
+And Frank drew a five-dollar bill from his portemonnaie.
+
+"Thank you!" said the boarding-house keeper. "I have lost so much by
+boarders going away owing me money that I am obliged to ask gentlemen to
+pay in advance till I am well acquainted with them."
+
+"That is quite right," said Frank. "What is your dinner hour?"
+
+"Six o'clock. We have lunch at half-past twelve for the ladies, but if
+any gentleman happens to be at home at that time, he can go in."
+
+Frank looked at his watch. It was only eleven o'clock and as so much of
+the day remained, he decided, as soon as he had unpacked his valise, to
+go downtown and look for a place without delay.
+
+"I shall not be here at lunch to-day," he said. "You may expect me at
+dinner."
+
+There was a small bureau in the room--a piece of furniture not often
+found in hall bedrooms.
+
+Frank deposited the contents of the valise in the bureau drawers, and
+then went downstairs and out into the street.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+FRANK SEEKS EMPLOYMENT IN VAIN
+
+
+It was a bright, pleasant day, and Broadway looked very lively. In spite
+of his being alone in a strange city, with uncertain prospects, Frank
+felt in good spirits.
+
+Boys of his age usually like excitement and bustle, and Frank was quick
+to notice the shifting scenes of the great panorama.
+
+"Here are thousands of people," he reflected, "all of whom make a living
+in some way. I don't see why I can't succeed as well as they."
+
+Some of the objects he saw amused him.
+
+In front of him walked an elderly man with a large placard strapped to
+his back, on which was the advertisement of a "Great Clothing Emporium."
+
+"I don't think I should fancy that kind of employment," thought our
+hero.
+
+As he was looking in at a shop window, a boy about his own age hailed
+him.
+
+"I say, Johnny, what's the price of turnips?"
+
+"Do you want to buy any?" asked Frank quietly.
+
+"Well, I might. Have you got any with you?"
+
+"I am sorry I can't supply you," said Frank, coolly. "Up our way we keep
+our cattle on turnips."
+
+"You ain't so green, after all," said the boy, laughing good-naturedly.
+
+"Thank you for the compliment!"
+
+"I suppose I look countrylike," thought Frank, "but it won't last long.
+I shall get used to city ways."
+
+Close by he saw in a window the sign:
+
+  "CASH BOY WANTED."
+
+Frank as not altogether certain about the duties of cash boys nor their
+rate of compensation, but he made up his mind not to lose sight of any
+chances, and accordingly stepped into the store.
+
+It proved to be a large dry-goods store.
+
+Near the entrance he met a tall man, with black whiskers.
+
+"Do you want any cash boys?" inquired Frank.
+
+"Are you inquiring for yourself?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You are too large. Besides, you would not be satisfied with the wages?"
+
+"How much do you pay, sir?"
+
+"Two dollars a week."
+
+"No; I don't think I should like to work for that," said Frank. "Are
+those cash boys?" he asked, pointing out some boys of apparently ten to
+twelve years, old, who were flitting about from desk to counter.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I see they are much younger than I. Excuse the trouble I have given
+you!"
+
+"None whatever," said the man, politely.
+
+Frank left the store, and continued his walk down Broadway.
+
+He began to feel a little serious. It was evident that the boys did not
+receive as large compensation for their services as he had supposed.
+
+The problem promised to be a perplexing one, but Frank was by no means
+discouraged. In fact, if he had been, he would hardly have deserved to
+be the hero of my story.
+
+Though Clinton Place is not very far uptown, it is a considerable walk
+from this point to the Astor House.
+
+There was so much to see, however, that Frank did not become tired, nor
+was he sensible of the distance. He walked a little beyond the Astor
+House, and, crossing Broadway, turned down Fulton Street.
+
+On the left side of the street his attention was drawn to a restaurant,
+and he was led by the prompting of appetite to enter.
+
+The prices he found to be reasonable, and the tables were already pretty
+well filled with clerks and business men, who were partaking of their
+midday lunch.
+
+Frank found that a plate of meat, with potato and a small supply of
+bread and butter, could be obtained for fifteen cents.
+
+He afterward found restaurants where the same could be gotten for ten
+cents, but generally there was a deficiency in quality or quantity, and
+there was less neatness in serving the articles.
+
+Seated at the same table with Frank were two young men, neither probably
+much over twenty. One appeared to be filling a regular clerkship.
+
+"What are you doing now, Jack?" he asked of the other.
+
+"I am in the tea business."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"You know the Great Pekin Tea Company, of course?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, until I can get a place, I am selling for them."
+
+"How do you make out?"
+
+"I can't tell you, for I have only just commenced," said his friend.
+
+"How do they pay--salary or commission?"
+
+"They are to pay me a commission--twenty per cent on what I sell."
+
+"That is a good commission."
+
+"Yes; it is good enough, if I can make a fair amount of sales. There is
+a good deal of uncertainty about it of course. I would much rather have
+a place like yours."
+
+Frank listened with interest. He wondered whether the Great Pekin Tea
+Company would employ him. If so, he would have a field for his energy,
+and every inducement to work hard, since his pay would depend on the
+amount of his sales. Besides, as an agent, he would occupy a
+comparatively independent position, and Frank was ambitious enough to
+enjoy this.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+AN ADVENTURE IN WALL STREET
+
+
+When the two men at his table left the restaurant, Frank followed them.
+At the door the two parted, the clerk going toward Broadway, while the
+agent walked in the direction of Nassau Street.
+
+"I beg your pardon," said Frank, overtaking him; "but may I ask you a
+question?"
+
+"Half a dozen, if you like," said the other, good-naturedly.
+
+"I overheard what you said about the Great Pekin Tea Company. Do you
+think I could get a chance to sell for them?"
+
+"Oh, yes; there'll be no trouble about that!"
+
+"I am looking for something to do," continued Frank, "and I think I
+should like to try that."
+
+"You'll find it uphill work," said the agent; "hard work and poor pay. I
+shall leave it as soon as I can get a regular position. Can't you get a
+place?"
+
+"Perhaps I can. I haven't tried very hard yet," answered Frank; "but I
+find boys are paid so little that I can't make enough to live on. If I
+were a man it would be different."
+
+"I don't believe you can make more than a boy's wages at selling tea,"
+said Frank's new acquaintance, "but you might try it."
+
+"Would you mind giving me a note to the company?" asked Frank.
+
+"I will write a line on one of my business cards," said the agent. "That
+will be all you will need."
+
+He drew out a card and wrote a line commending Frank to the attention of
+the company.
+
+Frank thanked him, and sought the direction given.
+
+Entering a large shop, not far from the Astor House, he looked about his
+inquiringly. Around him were chests of tea, inscribed with Chinese
+characters. A portly man addressed him.
+
+"Well, my boy, what can I do for you?" he asked.
+
+"Mr. Mason, one of your agents, has given me this card," said Frank. "He
+thinks you might be willing to employ me."
+
+"We are ready to employ any competent person," said the gentleman; "but
+you seem very young."
+
+"I am sixteen, sir."
+
+"That is young. Have you had any experience as an agent?"
+
+"No, sir?"
+
+The man questioned him further and finally accepted him.
+
+Frank was told that it would be well to take samples of different kinds
+of teas with their respective prices attached, and seek orders for them
+at private houses and groceries, noting down in a little book orders
+obtained. Small quantities he could himself deliver, and large
+quantities, should he be fortunate enough to obtain any, could be sent
+out from the store by their general delivery.
+
+"What commission am I to get, sir?" inquired Frank.
+
+"Twenty per cent on parcels sold to private houses and ten per cent when
+you sell to retail dealers. To the first you can charge a full price,
+but it is necessary to sell at lower rates to dealers."
+
+"I understand, sir," said Frank.
+
+"When do you want to begin?"
+
+"To-morrow morning, sir. Where do you advise me to go?"
+
+"New York has been pretty well canvassed, except perhaps the upper part,
+Harlem. It might be well to make a start in Brooklyn."
+
+"Very well, sir. I will call to-morrow and get samples."
+
+As Frank left the store, he reflected, with satisfaction:
+
+"I have only been a few hours in New York, and I have gotten employment
+already."
+
+This reflection raised his spirits, and disposed him to regard the
+future with a degree of confidence. He resolved to spend the rest of the
+afternoon in walking about in the lower part of the city, and acquiring
+a little familiarity with the streets, as this was a kind of knowledge
+he was likely to need.
+
+He strolled down Broadway, admiring the massive and stately structures
+that lined the streets on either side. Very soon he came to Trinity
+Church, and, standing in front it, looked down Wall Street. He had heard
+so much of this street that he felt inclined to turn from Broadway and
+walk down its entire length.
+
+As he sauntered along a man whom he met scrutinized him sharply, as if
+considering some plan. Apparently making up his mind, he stepped up to
+Frank, and, touching him on the shoulder, said:
+
+"Boy, would you like a job?"
+
+Now Frank, though he had engaged to work for the Great Pekin Tea Company
+was ready to accept any other proposal, and answered promptly:
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"That is right," said the man. "It is a mere trifle, but I am willing to
+pay you a dollar."
+
+"What is it, sir?"
+
+"Do you see that window?"
+
+He pointed to a basement window, in which were exposed rolls of gold,
+currency and greenbacks of different denominations, and English
+sovereigns and French gold coins.
+
+"I want you to do me a little errand in there," he said.
+
+Frank was rather surprised that the man did not do his own errand, when
+the broker's office was so near, but he had no objection to earning a
+dollar and signified his willingness.
+
+"What I want you to do," said his new acquaintance, "is to sell some
+government bonds for me."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+The man produced a large yellow envelope, already open.
+
+"In this envelope," he said, "are two five-twenty governments for a
+hundred dollars each. Take them in and sell them, and bring the proceeds
+to me."
+
+"All right, sir."
+
+Frank took the envelope, and entered the office of Jones & Robinson,
+that being the style of the firm.
+
+He advanced to the counter, and singling out a clerk, said:
+
+"I want to sell these bonds."
+
+The clerk took them and drew them out of the envelope. Then he figured a
+little on a slip of paper, and said:
+
+"They are worth two hundred and twenty-five dollars and twenty-five
+cents."
+
+"All right, sir."
+
+"Will you take a check or currency?"
+
+Frank hesitated.
+
+"Perhaps I'd better ask the man I am getting them for."
+
+"Very well. You can bring them here to-morrow."
+
+"Oh, I will let you know in a minute! The man is just outside."
+
+This answer immediately excited suspicion. Frank was too little versed
+in business ways to understand how singular it was for his principal not
+to transact his own business under the circumstances, but the brokers
+were necessarily keen, shrewd men.
+
+"Wait a minute," said the clerk; "I will speak to Mr. Jones."
+
+Mr. Jones came forward and addressed Frank.
+
+"Are you acquainted with the man who gave you these bonds to sell?" he
+asked.
+
+"No, sir. I met him in the street."
+
+"Did he offer you any pay for selling them?"
+
+"Yes, sir. He is going to give me a dollar."
+
+"Will you go out and ask him to come in here a moment?"
+
+Frank obeyed.
+
+When his employer saw him coming, he asked, eagerly:
+
+"Have you got the money?"
+
+"No," answered Frank. "They asked me if I wanted a check or currency."
+
+"Either currency or gold," answered the man, hastily. "Go back at once,
+and don't keep me waiting."
+
+"They want to see you, sir."
+
+"What for?" inquired the man, looking disturbed.
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"There is no need of my going in," said the man, angrily. "I paid you to
+sell the bonds. Now go back."
+
+"He won't come," reported Frank. "He says I can attend to the business.
+He will take either gold or currency."
+
+"No doubt," said Mr. Jones, significantly. "Thomas, go out with this
+boy, and tell the man that employed him that we do not purchase bonds
+unless we have a reasonable assurance that they belong to the person
+offering them. We will take the liberty of retaining them, giving him a
+receipt for them, and if we are satisfied, he can have his money
+to-morrow."
+
+Robinson, who had been examining some newspaper slips, here came
+forward, and said:
+
+"That is unnecessary. I find that these bonds are among those stolen
+from the house of Henry Percival, Madison Avenue, a week since. We must
+manage to delay the man while we notify the police."
+
+Frank was very much surprised to learn that he was acting as agent for a
+bond robber, and was fearful that he might himself be regarded with
+suspicion; but he need not have troubled himself on this score. Wall
+Street men are good judges of human nature, and it was at once concluded
+in the office that Frank was the dupe of a designing knave.
+
+A boy was dispatched to the nearest police office, and Frank was
+directed to tell his principal that he would not long be delayed.
+
+Naturally, however, the man outside had become suspicious.
+
+"I can't wait," he said. "Meet me on the steps of the Astor House at
+five o'clock with the money. I am obliged to hurry away now to a
+business appointment."
+
+Frank could think of no other pretext for delaying him, and was forced
+to see him hurry away.
+
+He hastened back to the office and gave the alarm.
+
+"He has taken fright," said Robinson. "I fear we have lost him. Where
+did he go?"
+
+Frank, however, was too ignorant of city streets to give any accurate
+information.
+
+The consequence was that when the policeman appeared on the scene, there
+was no occasion for his services.
+
+"At any rate," said the broker, "we have secured a little of the
+plunder. What is your name and address my boy? We may wish to
+communicate with you."
+
+Frank gave his name, and added the directions of his boarding house.
+
+"Shall I meet the man at the Astor House?" he inquired, as he was
+leaving the office.
+
+"To be sure!" said Mr. Jones. "I came near forgetting that. Officer,
+will you be on hand at the time?"
+
+"Better employ a detective, sir, as my uniform would keep the thief at a
+distance. I don't think he'll appear, at any rate."
+
+"I do," said the broker. "He won't give up the money while he thinks
+there is a chance of securing it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE CAPTURE
+
+
+At the hour named, Frank repaired to the Astor House, and took a
+position on the steps.
+
+He looked about him for his street acquaintance, but could see no one
+who bore any resemblance to him.
+
+Finally, a man dressed in a gray suit with a pair of green glasses,
+walked carelessly up to our hero and said, in a low voice:
+
+"Have you got the money?"
+
+Frank looked at him in surprise.
+
+This man had thick, black whiskers, while the man who had employed him
+had none at all, so far as he could remember. Besides, the green glasses
+altered him considerably.
+
+To make sure that he was not deceived he inquired:
+
+"What money?"
+
+"You know very well," said the man, impatiently. "You are the boy whom I
+employed to sell some bonds this morning."
+
+"You don't look like the same man," said Frank.
+
+"Because of my glasses. I have to wear them at times on account of the
+weakness of my eyes."
+
+While he was speaking, a quiet-looking man approached and listened to
+the conversation.
+
+"Then," said Frank, "you can tell me how many bonds you handed me."
+
+"They were two five-twenty government bonds of a hundred dollars each."
+
+"Correct, sir."
+
+"Then hand me the money and be quick about it, for I have no time to
+waste! You shall have the dollar I promised you."
+
+But here the quiet-looking man took a part in the conversation. Passing
+his arm through that of the man with the green glasses, he said:
+
+"I will trouble you to come with me."
+
+"How dare you touch me? Do you mean to insult me?" demanded the other,
+struggling with captor.
+
+"I will make all clear in due time. You must come with me and explain
+how you came in possession of the bonds you gave this boy."
+
+"They were put in my hands by an acquaintance. If there is anything
+wrong, I am not to blame."
+
+"In that case no harm will come to you; but now you must come along."
+
+After his experience, Frank walked to his boarding place. He was quite
+ready for six o'clock.
+
+When he entered the dining room, his hostess introduced him to all.
+
+A young man sat next to him and entered into conversation.
+
+"What do you do, Mr. Courtney?"
+
+"I have taken an agency to sell tea for the Great Pekin Tea Company. I
+am to begin to-morrow."
+
+"I am afraid you won't like it. A friend of mine tried it once and came
+near starving."
+
+This was not encouraging, but Frank was not going to despair before he
+had fairly begun his work.
+
+"I find that boys receive such small wages," Frank continued, "that I
+preferred to try an agency."
+
+"Quite true," said Mr. Preston, condescendingly. "When I started I was
+paid a paltry sum; now I am not paid what I am worth. Still, twenty-five
+dollars a week is fair."
+
+"Quite fair," responded Frank, who could not, of course, know that Mr.
+Preston did not receive one-half of this sum, though he chose to give
+that impression.
+
+After dinner, Preston was obliged to go back to the store where he was
+employed. By invitation, Frank walked with him.
+
+Turning into Sixth Avenue they passed a saloon.
+
+"Won't you have something to drink, Courtney?" said Preston.
+
+"No, thank you, I never drink," answered Frank.
+
+"It will brace you up, and make you feel jolly. Better come in!"
+
+"I don't need bracing up," answered Frank, quietly.
+
+"Well, perhaps you are right," said Mr. Peter Preston. "I don't indulge
+very often, but sometimes I feel like it."
+
+Some boys might have yielded to the temptation, but Frank had determined
+that he would abstain from liquor, and kept his resolution. A boy who
+comes to the city is exposed at every step to this peril, and needs a
+firm will to withstand it. It is the fruitful source of crime and
+misery, and does more to fill our prisons than any other cause.
+
+"This is my store," said Preston, as he pointed to a modest-looking shop
+on the west side of the avenue. "I wish I could keep you company longer,
+but business before pleasure, you know."
+
+Before returning to his boarding house, Frank sat down for a short time
+in Washington Park, and reviewed his plans and prospects. He could not
+tell how he would succeed in his tea agency; but if that failed, he was
+resolved to try something else.
+
+He didn't feel homesick, for since his mother's death he had no longer
+any home ties. Young as he was, he felt that one part of his life was
+at an end, and that a new life and a new career were before him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE YOUNG TEA MERCHANT
+
+
+The next morning, at breakfast, one of the gentlemen, who had been
+running his eyes over the morning paper, said, suddenly:
+
+"Ah! I see they have caught one of the gang who robbed the house of Mr.
+Percival, on Madison Avenue, a week ago."
+
+"Read the paragraph, Mr. Smith," said one of the boarders.
+
+Mr. Smith read as follows:
+
+"About noon yesterday a boy entered the banking house of Jones &
+Robinson, in Wall Street, and offered for sale two one-hundred-dollar
+government bonds. On inquiry, he said that the bonds belonged to a man
+in the street, whom he had never before met, and who had offered him a
+dollar to sell them. This naturally excited suspicion, and a policeman
+was sent for. Before he could arrive the man had hastily departed,
+requesting the boy to meet him at a specified hour in front of the Astor
+House and hand him the money. He came to the rendezvous, but in
+disguise, and, while talking to the boy, was arrested. It is understood
+that he has agreed to turn State's evidence, and probably the entire sum
+stolen, amounting to several thousand dollars, will be recovered."
+
+Frank listened to this paragraph with interest. He was glad that his
+name was not mentioned in the account, as he didn't care for such
+publicity. He ventured to ask a question.
+
+"Is Mr. Percival a rich man?" he asked.
+
+"Very rich," answered Mr. Smith. "He is not now in the city, but is
+expected home from Europe in three or four weeks. His house was left in
+charge of an old servant--a coachman--and his wife; but the burglars
+proved too much for them."
+
+"I am glad they are caught," said Mrs. Fletcher. "It makes my blood run
+cold to think of having the houses entered at night by burglars."
+
+"Preston," said Mr. Smith, jokingly, "I hope you have your bonds locked
+securely up."
+
+"I don't believe the sharpest burglar can find them," said Preston. "I
+only wish I could get hold of them myself."
+
+"The boy who helped to capture the burglar ought to be well rewarded,"
+said one of the boarders.
+
+"Don't you wish it had been you, Courtney?" said Mr. Preston.
+
+"It was," answered Frank, quietly.
+
+There was a great sensation upon this announcement. All eyes were turned
+upon our hero--most, it must be admitted, with an expression of
+incredulity.
+
+"Come, now, you are joking!" said Preston. "You don't really mean it?"
+
+"I do mean it," assured Frank.
+
+"Tell us all about it," said Mrs. Fletcher, who had her share of
+curiosity. "I didn't suppose we had such a hero in our house."
+
+"It didn't require much heroism," said Frank, smiling.
+
+"Tell us all about it, at any rate."
+
+Frank told the story as simply as he could, much to the satisfaction of
+the company.
+
+"You'll come in for a handsome reward, when Mr. Percival gets home,"
+suggested Mr. Smith.
+
+"I don't expect anything," said Frank. "I shall be satisfied if I get
+the dollar which was promised me. I haven't received that yet."
+
+"I wish I were in your shoes--that's all I've got to say," said Preston,
+nodding vigorously. "Will you sell out for five dollars?"
+
+"Cash down?" asked Frank, smiling.
+
+"Well, I'll give you my note at thirty days," said the Sixth Avenue
+salesman, who seldom kept five dollars in advance of his liabilities.
+
+"I won't sell what I haven't got," said Frank. "Probably I shall hear
+nothing from Mr. Percival."
+
+After breakfast Frank went downtown and sought the store of the Great
+Pekin Company.
+
+After half an hour's delay--for there were others in advance of him--he
+was fitted out with samples and started for Brooklyn.
+
+It was his first visit to that city, but he had received some directions
+which made his expedition less embarrassing.
+
+At the ferry he took a Flatbush Avenue car, and rode up Fulton Street,
+and past the City Hall, up Fulton Avenue, for nearly a mile.
+
+Here were interesting streets, lined with comfortable houses--for Frank
+had made up his mind first to try private houses. He had with him a few
+pound parcels of tea, which he thought he could perhaps succeed in
+disposing of at such places.
+
+He selected a house at random, and rang the bell.
+
+A servant answered the ring.
+
+Frank felt rather embarrassed, but there was no time to hesitate.
+
+"I have some samples of tea with me," he began, "of excellent quality
+and at reasonable prices."
+
+"It's no use," said the girl, abruptly. "We never buy of peddlers," and
+she closed the door in his face.
+
+"Not a very good beginning," thought Frank, rather mortified. "So I am a
+peddler," he said to himself, and he called to mind the agents and
+peddlers who in past years had called at the Cedars.
+
+With some compunction, he remembered that he had regarded them with some
+contempt as traveling nuisances. Now he had entered the ranks of this
+despised class, and he began to see that they might be perfectly
+respectable, and were estimable persons, animated by a praiseworthy
+desire to make an honest living.
+
+Thus thinking, he called at another door.
+
+It was opened, not by a servant, but by an elderly maiden lady, who had
+rather a weakness for bargains.
+
+"I've got some nice tea," said Frank, "which I should like to sell you.
+It is put up by the Great Pekin Company."
+
+"Are you sure it's nice?" asked the elderly lady. "We've been getting
+ours at the grocery store on the avenue, and the last wasn't very good."
+
+"You'd better try a pound of ours," said Frank.
+
+"I don't know but I will," said the lady. "How much do you charge?"
+
+"I have some at fifty cents, some at sixty and some at seventy."
+
+"I guess I'll take the sixty."
+
+Frank had a pound parcel ready, which he delivered to her, and received
+his money.
+
+"Seems to me you are pretty young for a peddler," said the lady,
+regarding Frank with curiosity.
+
+"Yes, ma'am."
+
+"How old be you?"
+
+"Sixteen."
+
+"Been long in the business?"
+
+"No, ma'am; I've only just commenced."
+
+"You don't say so! Do you make much money at it?"
+
+"I haven't made much yet. I should be glad to supply you with some more
+tea when this is gone."
+
+"Well, you can call if you are round this way. If I like it, I will try
+you again."
+
+Frank's spirits rose.
+
+His profits on the pound of tea were twelve cents. This was not much,
+certainly, but it was a beginning.
+
+At the next three houses he sold nothing, being rather rudely rebuffed
+at one. At the fourth house, the servant called her mistress, a kind,
+motherly-looking woman, who seemed to regard Frank with more interest
+than his merchandise.
+
+"I hope you are succeeding well," she said, kindly.
+
+"This is my first day," said Frank, "and I have made one sale."
+
+"I have a son who is an agent like you, but he didn't begin so young.
+He is now traveling in the West."
+
+"What is he selling?" asked Frank, with interest.
+
+"Dry goods. He travels for a wholesale house in New York."
+
+"I suppose he is a young man."
+
+"Yes; he is twenty-five, but he began at nineteen in a small way. He
+sometimes got quite discouraged at first. That is why I feel interested
+in any who are passing through the same experience."
+
+These pleasant words cheered Frank. Only at the nearest house he had
+been called a tramp, but here he found that he was regarded with
+consideration.
+
+"It is rather uphill work," said Frank.
+
+"And you seem very young."
+
+"I am sixteen."
+
+"Are you entirely dependent on what you earn?" asked the lady,
+sympathizingly.
+
+"Not entirely," answered the young merchant, "but I hope to make a
+living in this or some other way. Can I sell you any?" he asked,
+hopefully.
+
+"I believe we have some on hand. Still tea will always keep, and I would
+like to help you along."
+
+The kind-hearted lady took three pounds--two at sixty cents and one at
+seventy. This gave Frank a profit thirty-eight cents and put him in good
+spirits.
+
+He worked his way back to the avenue on the other side of the street,
+and coming to a grocery store, entered.
+
+It occurred to him that he would try to sell some at wholesale.
+
+Frank was so young that the dealer did not suppose him to be an agent,
+and asked what he would like to buy.
+
+"I came to sell, not to buy," said Frank.
+
+"What are you dealing in?" asked the grocer.
+
+"I have several samples of tea," said our hero. "If you will give me an
+order, I will have it sent to you to-morrow."
+
+The grocer found, upon examination, that his stock was getting low, and
+gave Frank an order, but he was obliged to sell below the regular price,
+and only cleared three cents a pound. Still, on a sale of twenty-five
+pounds, this gave him seventy-five cents, which was very encouraging.
+
+Adding up his profits, thus far, Frank found that his commission
+amounted to a dollar and a quarter, which exceeded his anticipations.
+
+He continued his calls, but sold only one pound besides, at fifty cents,
+netting him ten cents more.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+FRANK MEETS MR. MANNING AND MARK
+
+
+The next morning Frank resumed his tea agency. As on the day previous,
+he went to Brooklyn; but, though I should be glad to say that he was
+more successful than on the first day, truth compels me to state that
+the day was a comparative failure.
+
+It might be that he was unfortunate in the persons whom he visited, but
+at all events, at the close of his labors he found that his commissions
+amounted to less than fifty cents. He contented himself, therefore, with
+a ten-cent lunch, and crossed Fulton Ferry between three and four
+o'clock.
+
+"This will never do," thought Frank, seriously. "I shall have to be
+economical to make my earnings cover my incidental expenses, while my
+board and lodging must be defrayed out of the money I have with me."
+
+Frank was disappointed. It is easy to think of earning one's living, but
+not quite so easy to accomplish it. A boy, besides being ignorant of the
+world, is inexperienced, and so disqualified for many avenues of
+employment which are open to men. It is generally foolish for a boy to
+leave a good home and start out for himself, unless the chances are
+unusually favorable for him. If he does it, however, he should not allow
+himself to be easily discouraged.
+
+If Frank had given up the business in which he was engaged simply
+because he had met with one unsuccessful day, I should not have been
+willing to make him the hero of my story.
+
+"This will never do," thought Frank. "I must make a greater effort
+to-morrow."
+
+The next day his commission amounted to a dollar, and the fourth day to
+a dollar and twelve cents.
+
+"You are doing well," said his employer. "You are doing better than the
+majority of our agents."
+
+In one way this compliment was satisfactory. In another way it was not
+encouraging, for it limited his prospects. Frank began to think that he
+would never be able to make his entire expenses as a tea agent.
+
+I don't propose to speak in detail of Frank's daily experiences, but
+only to make mention of any incidents that play an important part in
+his history.
+
+He was returning from Jersey City on the tenth day of his agency, when
+in the gentleman's cabin he saw, directly opposite, two persons whom he
+had reason to remember.
+
+They were Mark Manning and his father.
+
+Little reason as he had to like either, they reminded him of home, and
+he felt pleased to meet them.
+
+He instantly crossed the cabin, and offered his hand to his stepfather,
+who had not yet seen him.
+
+"When did you arrive, Mr. Manning?" he asked.
+
+"Why, it is Frank!" exclaimed Mr. Manning, with an appearance of
+cordiality. "Mark, do you see Frank?"
+
+"Yes, I see him," replied Mark, coldly.
+
+"Haven't you anything to say to him?" asked his father, who was much
+more of a gentleman than his son.
+
+"How are you?" said Mark, indifferently.
+
+"Thank you for your kind inquiry," said Frank, more amused than vexed,
+for he cared very little for his stepbrother's friendship. "I am in very
+good health."
+
+"And how are you getting along?" asked his stepfather, with an
+appearance of interest. "Are you in any business?"
+
+"Yes," answered Frank.
+
+"What are you doing?' asked Mark, inspired a little by curiosity.
+
+"I am agent for a wholesale tea house in New York," Frank answered,
+briefly.
+
+"You don't say so!" exclaimed Mark, rather impressed. "What is the name
+of the firm?"
+
+"The Great Pekin Tea Company."
+
+"Does it pay well?" asked his stepbrother.
+
+"I have met with very fair success," replied Frank.
+
+"I congratulate you, Frank," said Mr. Manning. "Your energy and
+enterprise are creditable--extremely creditable. I always predicted that
+you would succeed--didn't I, Mark?'
+
+"I don't remember hearing you say so," said Mark.
+
+Mr. Manning shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Nevertheless," he said, "I have often made the remark."
+
+"Where do you live?" asked Mark.
+
+"I board in Clinton Place."
+
+"A very respectable street," said Mr. Manning.
+
+Frank now thought it was his turn to become questioner.
+
+"How long do you remain in the city, Mr. Manning?" he asked.
+
+"Not long--only a day or two," said his stepfather.
+
+"We sail for Europe on Saturday," interposed Mark, "on the Cunard
+steamer."
+
+"Indeed! I wish you a pleasant voyage."
+
+"I am sorry you won't go with us, Frank," said his stepfather,
+cautiously. "You remember I gave you the chance to do so, and you
+desired to devote yourself immediately to business."
+
+"Yes, sir. I would rather remain in New York."
+
+"It might possibly be arranged now, if you desire to go," said Mr.
+Manning, hesitatingly.
+
+"No, thank you, sir."
+
+"Well, perhaps you are right," said his stepfather, considerably
+relieved.
+
+"What parts of Europe do you expect to visit?" asked Frank.
+
+"We shall visit England, France, the Rhine, Switzerland, and perhaps
+Italy."
+
+"I hope you will enjoy it."
+
+"Thank you; I think we shall."
+
+Frank checked a sigh. It was certainly tantalizing. If he could travel
+with congenial friends, he felt that he would very much enjoy such a
+trip; but with Mark in the party there would be little pleasure for him.
+
+"We are staying at the St. Nicholas Hotel," said Mr. Manning. "I would
+invite you to come and dine with us, but I have an engagement first, and
+don't know when we shall dine."
+
+"Thank you, all the same," said Frank.
+
+They had reached the New York side, and were walking toward Broadway. It
+was necessary for Frank to go to the tea store, and he took leave of his
+stepfather and Mark, again wishing them a pleasant voyage.
+
+"I hate that boy!" said Mark, as they walked away.
+
+"You should not indulge in any such disagreeable feelings, Mark," said
+his father.
+
+"Don't you hate him?"
+
+"Certainly not."
+
+"One would think by your soft manner that you loved him," said Mark, who
+was not noted for the respect with which he treated his father.
+
+"Really, Mark, I am shocked by your strange words."
+
+"What made you invite him to go to Europe with us?"
+
+"I knew he would not go."
+
+"He might have accepted, and then we should have been in a pretty
+pickle."
+
+"Mark," said his father, rather irritated, "will you be kind enough to
+leave me to manage my own affairs? I believe I have succeeded pretty
+well so far."
+
+"Yes, you have," Mark admitted. "All the same, we'd better keep clear of
+Frank till we get safely off on the steamer."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+A DISCOURAGING DAY
+
+
+The next day was indeed a trying one and one of many experiences for
+Frank.
+
+The first lady did not buy any tea, to be sure, but seemed sorry that
+she was already supplied, and questioned Frank as to what success he was
+meeting with.
+
+When twelve o'clock came, Frank had not sold a single pound. Even if he
+earned nothing however, he had an appetite and must buy lunch.
+
+He entered a small oyster saloon, and went up to the proprietor.
+
+"Can I sell you some tea?" he asked.
+
+"No, I guess not. I get my tea in Harlem."
+
+"Take a couple of pounds," said Frank, "and I will take part of the pay
+in lunch."
+
+"That is business," said the other. "Let me look at your tea."
+
+Frank showed him his samples.
+
+"Who employs you?'
+
+"The Great Pekin Tea Company."
+
+"They have a good name. Yes, I will try a couple of pounds at fifty
+cents."
+
+This, of course, came to a dollar, and Frank's profit on the sale
+amounted to twenty cents. This was precisely the cost of the lunch which
+he ordered, so that he felt well satisfied with the arrangement.
+
+He left the saloon in better spirits, and resumed his travels from house
+to house.
+
+I am sorry to say, however, that though he certainly exerted himself to
+the utmost in the interests of the Great Pekin Tea Company and his own,
+he did not sell another pound of tea that day.
+
+About three o'clock he got on board a Third Avenue horse car, bound
+downtown and sat quietly down in a corner.
+
+"Harlem doesn't seem to be a very promising field for an agent," he said
+to himself. "Perhaps it isn't fair to judge it by the first day. Still,
+I don't think I shall have courage to come here to-morrow. I would
+rather go to Jersey City or Brooklyn."
+
+Frank got off the cars at the Bible House and walked to his boarding
+house, where a disagreeable surprise was in store for him.
+
+The night brought perplexity to Frank, but not discouragement. He was
+naturally hopeful, and, in a large city like New York, he felt that
+there are always chances of obtaining employment, provided he could
+maintain his position, as he would have been able to do if he had not
+lost the thirty-five dollars which his fellow boarder had stolen. Now,
+however, circumstances were materially changed.
+
+One thing was tolerably clear to Frank, and this was, that he must give
+up his agency. He had tried it, and been unsuccessful. That is, he had
+failed to earn money enough to support himself, and this was necessary.
+
+As to what he should take up next, Frank was quite in the dark. As a boy
+in a counting room he would be paid not more than four dollars a week,
+if he could gain such a situation, which was by no means certain.
+
+The more he thought about the matter the more perplexed he felt, and it
+was in an uncomfortable frame of mind that he came down to breakfast the
+next morning.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+PERPLEXITY
+
+
+He went out as usual after breakfast, and then walked leisurely
+downtown. He proposed to go to the shop of the Great Pekin Tea Company
+and resign his agency. He was on the watch during his walk for any
+opportunities to repair his unlucky loss:
+
+At one place he saw a notice:
+
+     "BOY WANTED."
+
+Though he felt sure the compensation would not be sufficient to allow of
+his accepting it, he thought it would do no harm to make inquiry, and
+accordingly entered.
+
+It was an extensive retail store, where a large number of clerks were
+employed.
+
+"Is a boy wanted here?" asked Frank of the nearest salesman.
+
+"Yes. You may inquire at the desk."
+
+He pointed to a desk some distance back, and Frank went up to it.
+
+"You advertise for a boy," he said to a tall, stout man, who chanced to
+be the proprietor. "Is the place filled."
+
+"No," was the answer; "but I don't think it would suit you."
+
+"Do you think I would not be competent, sir?"
+
+"No, that is not the difficulty. It would not be worth your acceptance."
+
+"May I inquire what are the duties, sir?"
+
+"We want a boy to open the door to customers, and this would not be
+worth your accepting."
+
+"No, sir. Thank you for explaining it to me."
+
+The gentleman was favorably impressed by Frank's polite and gentlemanly
+manners.
+
+"I wish I had a place for you," he said. "Have you ever had any
+experience in our line of business?"
+
+"No, sir; I have very little experience of any kind. I have acted for a
+short time as agent for a tea company."
+
+"You may leave your name if you like, and I will communicate with you if
+I have a vacancy which you can fill."
+
+Frank thanked the polite proprietor and walked out of the store.
+
+Though this is a story written for boys, it may be read by some business
+men, who will allow me to suggest that a refusal kindly and
+considerately expressed loses half its bitterness, and often inspires
+hope, instead of discouragement.
+
+Frank proceeded to the office of the tea company and formally resigned
+his agency. He was told that he could resume it whenever he pleased.
+
+Leaving the store, he walked down Broadway in the direction of Wall
+Street.
+
+He passed an elderly man, with stooping shoulders and a gait which
+showed that he was accustomed to live in the country.
+
+He was looking about him in rather an undecided way. His glance happened
+to rest on Frank, and, after a little hesitation, he addressed him.
+
+"Boy," he said, "do you live around here?"
+
+"I live in the city; sir."
+
+"Then I guess you can tell me what I want to know."
+
+"I will if I can, sir," said Frank, politely.
+
+"Whereabouts is Wall Street?"
+
+"Close by, sir. I am going that way, and will be happy to show you."
+
+Frank had no idea his compliance with the stranger's request was likely
+to have an important effect up his fortunes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+FRANK HEARS SOMETHING TO HIS ADVANTAGE
+
+
+"My name," said the stranger, "is Peters--Jonathan Peters, of
+Craneville, Onondaga County. I am a farmer, and don't know much about
+New York. I've got a few hundred dollars that I want to put into
+government bonds."
+
+"All right," said Frank, "there won't be any difficulty about it."
+
+"I've heerd there are a good many swindlers in New York," continued Mr.
+Peters. "The squire--Squire Jackson, of our village--perhaps you may
+have heard of him?"
+
+"I don't think I have, Mr. Peters."
+
+"Well, the squire told me I'd better take good keer of my money, as
+there were plenty of rascals here who would try to cheat me out of it."
+
+"That is true, Mr. Peters. Only yesterday I was robbed of thirty-five
+dollars by a man who boarded in the same house."
+
+"You don't say so?"
+
+"He opened my trunk and took out my pocketbook while I was absent on
+business."
+
+"I wouldn't dare to live in York!" said the farmer, whose apprehensions
+were increased by Frank's story.
+
+By this time they had reached the office of Jones & Robinson, with whom,
+it will be remembered, Frank had once before had dealings.
+
+"If you will come in here, Mr. Peters," said our hero, "you will be sure
+of honorable treatment. I will introduce you if you like."
+
+"I should be obleeged if you would," said the farmer. "Out in Craneville
+I am to home, but I ain't used to York business men, and don't know how
+to talk to them."
+
+It pleased Frank to find that, in spite of his inexperience, he was able
+to be of service to one more unaccustomed than himself to city scenes
+and city ways.
+
+He walked up to the counter, followed by the farmer, and said:
+
+"This gentleman wishes to buy some government bonds. I told him that he
+could transact his business here."
+
+"Thank you! Mr. Benton, you may attend to this gentleman."
+
+Frank was about to leave the office, when Mr. Robinson called him back.
+
+"You have been in the office before, have you not?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Are you not the boy who assisted in the capture of the man who robbed
+Mr. Henry Percival, of Madison Avenue?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I thought so. I have been trying to find you for the last week."
+
+Naturally Frank looked surprised.
+
+"Mr. Henry Percival was at that time in Europe," said Mr. Robinson. "On
+his return, a week since, he called on us, and expressed a desire to
+have you call upon him. We had mislaid or lost your address, and were
+unable to give him the information he desired."
+
+Frank's heart beat high with hope as the broker spoke.
+
+"Perhaps," he thought, "Mr. Percival may offer me a situation of some
+kind, and I certainly am greatly in need of one."
+
+"Did Mr. Percival recover all his bonds?" he asked.
+
+"Nearly all," answered Mr. Robinson. "He considered himself exceedingly
+fortunate, and he certainly was so."
+
+"Do you know how much he was robbed of?" asked Frank.
+
+"Rather over five thousand dollars. Of this sum all has been recovered
+except three bonds of a hundred dollars each. Mr. Percival is a rich
+man, and he won't miss that small amount."
+
+"I wish I were rich enough not to miss three hundred dollars," thought
+our hero. "If I had my rights, I could say the same."
+
+Just now, in his extremity, Frank thought regretfully of the fortune he
+had lost. Had he been so situated as to be earning enough to defray all
+his expenses, he would scarcely have given a thought of it.
+
+"You had better go up to see Mr. Percival this evening," said the
+banker, "if you have no other engagement."
+
+"Even if I had an engagement, I would put it off," said Frank. "Will you
+give me Mr. Percival's number?"
+
+"No. 265," said Mr. Robinson.
+
+Frank noted it down and left the office. By this time Mr. Peters had
+completed his business, and was ready to go out, also.
+
+"I'm much obliged to you," he said to Frank. "I was afraid I'd get into
+a place where they'd cheat me. I guess Mr. Jones and Robinson are pretty
+good folks."
+
+"I think you can depend upon them," said Frank.
+
+"If ever you come to Craneville, I should like to have you stay a few
+days with me on my farm," said Mr. Peters, hospitably. "We are plain
+folks, but will treat you about right."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Peters. If I ever come to Craneville, I shall certainly
+call upon you."
+
+Frank had something to look forward to in his approaching interview with
+Mr. Percival. He had been able to do this gentleman a service, and it
+was not unlikely that the capitalist would wish to make him some
+acknowledgment. Frank did not exaggerate his own merits in the matter.
+He felt that it was largely owing to a lucky chance that he had been the
+means of capturing the bond robber. However, it is to precisely such
+lucky chances that men are often indebted for the advancement of their
+fortunes.
+
+While he was in a state of suspense, and uncertain what Mr. Percival
+might be disposed to do for him, he decided not to exert himself to
+obtain any employment. If he should be disappointed in his hopes, it
+would be time enough to look about him the following day.
+
+What should he do in the meantime?
+
+He determined to treat himself to an excursion. From the end of the
+Battery he had often looked across to Staten Island, lying six miles
+away, and thought it would prove a pleasant excursion. Now, having
+plenty of time on his hands, he decided to go on board one of the boats
+that start hourly from the piers adjoining the Battery. The expense was
+but trifling and, low as Frank's purse was, he ventured to spend the
+amount for pleasure. He felt that he needed a little recreation after
+the weeks of patient labor he had spent in the service of the Great
+Pekin Tea Company.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+AN INCIDENT IN A STREET CAR
+
+
+When Frank returned to the city, he walked slowly up through the Battery
+to the foot of Broadway. He passed the famous house, No. 1, which, a
+hundred years ago, was successively the headquarters of Washington and
+the British generals, who occupied New York with their forces, and soon
+reached the Astor House, then the most notable structure in the lower
+part of the city.
+
+With his small means, Frank felt that it was extravagant to ride uptown,
+when he might have walked, but he felt some confidence in the success of
+his visit to Mr. Percival, and entered a Fourth Avenue horse car. It so
+chanced that he seated himself beside a pleasant-looking young married
+lady, who had with her a young boy about seven years old.
+
+Soon after the car started the conductor came around to collect the
+fares.
+
+Frank paid his, and the conductor held out his hand to the lady.
+
+She put her hand into her pocket to draw out her purse, but her
+countenance changed as her hand failed to find it.
+
+Probably no situation is more trying than to discover that you have lost
+or mislaid your purse, when you have an urgent use for it. The lady was
+evidently in that predicament. Once more she searched for her purse, but
+her search was unavailing.
+
+"I am afraid I have lost my purse," she said, apologetically, to the
+conductor.
+
+This official was an ill-mannered person, and answered, rudely:
+
+"In that case, ma'am, you will have to get off."
+
+"I will give you my card," said the lady, "and will send double the fare
+to the office."
+
+"That won't do," said the man, rudely. "I am responsible for your fare,
+if you stay on the car, and I can't afford to lose the money."
+
+"You shall not lose it, sir; but I cannot walk home."
+
+"I think you will have to, madam."
+
+Here Frank interposed. He had been trained to be polite and considerate
+to ladies, and he could not endure to see a lady treated with rudeness.
+
+"Take the lady's fare out of this," he said.
+
+"And the boy's, too?"
+
+"Of course."
+
+The lady smiled gratefully.
+
+"I accept your kindness, my young friend," she said. "You have saved me
+much annoyance."
+
+"I am very glad to have had the opportunity," said Frank, politely.
+
+"Of course, I shall insist upon reimbursing you. Will you oblige me with
+your address, that I may send you the amount when I return home?"
+
+A boy of less tact than Frank would have expostulated against repayment,
+but he knew that this would only embarrass the lady, and that he had no
+right, being a stranger, to force such a favor upon her. He answered,
+therefore:
+
+"Certainly, I will do so, but it will be perfectly convenient for me to
+call upon you."
+
+"If it will give you no trouble, I shall be glad to have you call any
+evening. I live at No. ---- Madison Avenue."
+
+Now it was Frank's turn to be surprised. The number mentioned by the
+lady was that of the house in which Mr. Henry Percival lived.
+
+"I thought Mr. Percival lived at that number?" said Frank.
+
+"So he does. He is my father. Do you know him?"
+
+"No; but I was about to call on him. This morning Mr. Robinson, a broker
+in Wall Street, told me that he wished to see me."
+
+"You are not the boy who caused the capture of the bondholder?" asked
+the lady, quickly.
+
+"Yes, I am the boy, but I am afraid I had less to do with it than has
+been represented."
+
+"What is your name?"
+
+"Frank Courtney."
+
+"My father is very desirous of meeting you, and thanking you for what
+you have done. Why have you not called before?"
+
+"I did not know till to-day that your father had returned. Besides, I
+did not like to go without an invitation."
+
+"I will invite you," said the lady, with a pleasant smile, "and I, as
+well as my father, will be glad to see you. And now let me introduce you
+to my little son. Freddie, would you like to see the boy that caught the
+robber?"
+
+"Yes, mamma."
+
+"Here he is. His name is Frank."
+
+The little boy immediately began to ask questions of Frank, and by the
+time they reached the Cooper Institute Frank and he were well
+acquainted.
+
+"Don't get out, Frank," said Freddie.
+
+"I am going home, Freddie."
+
+"You must come and see me soon," said the little boy.
+
+"Now you have three invitations," said the lady.
+
+"I will accept them all," said Frank.
+
+And, with a bow, he left the car.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+FRANK MAKES AN EVENING CALL
+
+
+After supper Frank walked slowly up to Mr. Percival's residence. Now
+that he knew two members of the family, he looked forward with pleasure
+to the call he was about to make. His prospects seemed much brighter
+than when he woke up in the morning.
+
+On reaching the house of Mr. Percival, he saw at a glance that it was
+the residence of a wealthy man, and the hall, into which he was first
+admitted, was luxurious in its appearance. But Frank had been brought up
+to the enjoyment of wealth, and he felt more at home here than in the
+rather shabby boarding house in Clinton Place.
+
+A colored servant opened the door.
+
+"Is Mr. Percival at home?" he asked.
+
+"Yas, sah."
+
+"I should like to see him."
+
+"What name, sah?"
+
+"Frank Courtney."
+
+"Step in, sah, and I will 'form Mr. Percival," said the colored servant,
+in a consequential tone that amused Frank.
+
+Frank stepped into the hall, but he was not left long without attention.
+Little Freddie ran downstairs, eagerly calling out:
+
+"Did you come to see me, Frank?"
+
+"Yes," answered Frank, smiling; "but I came to see your grandfather,
+too."
+
+"Come, and I will show you where he is," said the little boy, taking
+Frank's hand.
+
+The two went up the staircase and into a handsomely furnished room, made
+attractive by pictures and books.
+
+In a large armchair sat a pleasant-looking elderly man, of about sixty.
+
+"Grandpa," said the little boy, "this is Frank. He wants to see you."
+
+Mr. Percival smiled.
+
+"I am glad to see you, Frank," he said. "It seems, my boy, that you are
+already acquainted with my daughter and grandson."
+
+"Yes, sir. I was fortunate enough to meet them to-day."
+
+"You relieved my daughter from some embarrassment."
+
+"I am glad to have had the opportunity, sir."
+
+Frank's manner was easy and self-possessed, and it was evident that Mr.
+Percival was favorably impressed by him.
+
+"Take a seat," he said, "while I ask you a few questions."
+
+Frank bowed and obeyed.
+
+"Let me sit in your lap, Frank," said Freddie.
+
+Our hero took the little boy in his lap.
+
+With Freddie, it was certainly a case of friendship at first sight.
+
+"Won't he trouble you?" asked his grandfather.
+
+"No, sir. I like young children."
+
+Mr. Percival now proceeded to interrogate Frank.
+
+"Your name is Frank Courtney. Have you been long in the city?"
+
+"No, sir; only a few weeks."
+
+"What led you to come here?"
+
+"I wished to earn my living."
+
+"What that necessary? You do not look like a poor boy."
+
+"I was brought up to consider myself rich," said Frank.
+
+"Indeed! Did you lose your property?"
+
+"Perhaps I had better tell you how it happened, sir."
+
+"If you don't object, I should be glad to hear."
+
+Frank gave a brief statement of his position, and the circumstances that
+led him to leave his home and go out into the world.
+
+Mr. Percival listened thoughtfully.
+
+"It is a singular story," he said, after a pause. "Your stepfather's in
+Europe, then?"
+
+"Yes, sir; at least he sailed for Europe."
+
+"Have you heard from him?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Do you expect to hear?"
+
+"I think not."
+
+"He can't feel much interest in you."
+
+"I don't think he does," answered Frank. "Still, I can't say that he has
+treated me unkindly."
+
+"Do you suspect that your stepfather has wronged you in the matter of
+the property?"
+
+"I would rather not answer that question, sir. I might wrong Mr.
+Manning, and I have no proof to offer."
+
+"I understand you, and I applaud your discretion. It does you credit.
+Some time or other the mystery may be cleared up, and the wrong, if
+there is one, may be righted. I can't understand, however, how this Mr.
+Manning should be willing to leave you dependent upon your own exertions
+with such a scanty provision as twenty-five dollars a quarter."
+
+"I didn't ask for any more; and, besides, Mr. Manning offered to take me
+to Europe with his son Mark."
+
+"Do you think that he was sincere in the offer?"
+
+"I don't think he expected me to accept it, and I am sure that it would
+have been very disagreeable to Mark to have me in the party."
+
+"Have you any objections to telling me how you have succeeded in your
+efforts to make a living?" asked the old gentleman, with a keen but
+kindly glance.
+
+"I have been disappointed, sir," was the candid reply.
+
+"I am not surprised to hear it. A boy brought up as you have been cannot
+rough it like a farmer's son or a street boy."
+
+"I think I could, sir; but I should not like to."
+
+"Precisely. Now, I am not sure that you acted wisely in undertaking a
+task so difficult, since it was not necessary, and your stepfather could
+hardly have refused to support you at home. However, as you have taken
+the decisive step, we must consider what is best to do under the
+circumstances. What work have you been doing?"
+
+"I have been selling tea for the Great Pekin Tea Company."
+
+"How have you succeeded?"
+
+"I have not been able to pay expenses," Frank admitted.
+
+"How have you made up the difference?"
+
+"I brought about fifty dollars with me from home."
+
+"Is it all used up?"
+
+"I had thirty-five dollars left, sir, but a day or two since one of my
+fellow boarders opened my trunk and borrowed it without leave."
+
+"Of course you won't recover it?"
+
+"I don't think there is much chance of it, sir."
+
+"Then probably your money is nearly exhausted?"
+
+Frank did not like to admit his poverty, but owned up that he had less
+than two dollars.
+
+"And yet you paid the car fares of this little boy and his mother?"
+
+"I hope, sir, I would not refuse to assist a lady when in trouble."
+
+Mr. Percival nodded two or three times, smiling as he did so. He was
+becoming more and more favorably impressed without young hero.
+
+"Do you mean to continue this tea agency?" he asked.
+
+"No, sir; I have already notified my employers that I do not care to
+continue it."
+
+"Have you anything else in view?"
+
+Frank felt that now was the time to speak.
+
+"I came here this evening," he said, "intending to ask you if you knew
+of any situation I could fill, or could recommend me to employment of
+any kind by which I might make a living."
+
+"I must consider that. Have you thought of any particular employment
+which you would like?"
+
+"No, sir; I cannot afford to be particular. I will do anything that is
+honest, and at all suitable for me."
+
+"What would you consider unsuitable?"
+
+"I should not wish to black boots, for instance, sir. It is honest work,
+but I ought to be suited to something better."
+
+"Of course; What education have you had? Good, I suppose?"
+
+"I am nearly ready for college."
+
+"Then you are already fairly well educated. I will put you to a test.
+Sit up to the table, and take paper and pen. I will dictate to you a
+paragraph from the evening paper, which I should like to have you write
+down."
+
+Frank obeyed, though, in doing so, he was obliged to set Freddie down,
+rather to the little fellow's dissatisfaction.
+
+Mr. Percival selected a short letter, written by some public man, which
+chanced to have found a place in the evening journal.
+
+Frank wrote rapidly, and when his copy was finished submitted it to Mr.
+Percival.
+
+The old gentleman took it, and, running his eye over it, noticed that it
+was plainly written, correctly spelled and properly punctuated. This
+discovery evidently gave him satisfaction.
+
+"Very creditably written," he said. "I have known boys nearly ready for
+college who could not copy such a letter without blundering. I am glad
+that your English education has not been neglected while you have been
+studying the classics."
+
+Frank was gratified by Mr. Percival's commendation, though he could not
+see in what manner his education was likely to bring him employment. It
+was desirable, however, to produce a favorable impression on Mr.
+Percival, and he could not help hoping something would result to his
+advantage.
+
+At this moment Freddie's mother entered the room, and greeted Frank with
+a cordial smile.
+
+"Freddie," she said, "it is time for you to go to bed."
+
+"I don't want to leave Frank," said Freddie.
+
+"Frank will come and see you again."
+
+"Will you, Frank?"
+
+Frank made the promise, and Mrs. Gordon--for that was her name--left the
+room, promising to return before Frank went away.
+
+He was now left alone with the old gentleman.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+FRANK IS OFFERED A POSITION
+
+
+Mr. Percival engaged Frank in conversation on general topics while Mrs.
+Gordon was out of the room. His young visitor had been an extensive
+reader, and displayed a good deal of general information. Moreover, he
+expressed himself intelligently and modestly, and deepened the favorable
+impression which he had already succeeded in making.
+
+I should like to call the attention of my young readers to the fact that
+Frank was now reaping the advantage of the time he had devoted to study
+and the cultivation of his mind.
+
+A boy who starts in life with a fair education always stands a better
+chance than one who is poorly provided in that respect.
+
+It is true that many of our prominent public men have started with a
+very scanty supply of book-learning, but in most cases it has only
+transferred the labor of study to their maturer years.
+
+President Andrew Johnson did not learn to read and write until after he
+had attained his majority, but he made up his early deficiencies later.
+
+Abraham Lincoln, when nearly thirty, devoted his leisure hours to
+mastering the problems in Euclid, and thus trained and strengthened his
+mental faculties so that he was enabled to grapple with the difficult
+problems of statesmanship in after years.
+
+Henry Wilson commenced attending an academy after he had reached the age
+of twenty-one.
+
+The fact is, no boy or man can be too well equipped for his life-work.
+
+I hope my boy readers will not skip the paragraphs above, for they can
+learn from them a useful lesson.
+
+When Mrs. Gordon returned, she placed in Frank's hands a small sum of
+money, saying:
+
+"Allow me to repay my debt, with many thanks."
+
+"You are quite welcome," answered our hero.
+
+He had too much tact to refuse the money, but quietly put it into his
+pocket.
+
+"Helen," said Mr. Percival, "I would like a word with you. We will leave
+our young friend here alone for five minutes."
+
+"Certainly, father."
+
+The two went into an adjoining room, and Mr. Percival commenced by
+asking:
+
+"How do you like this boy, Helen?"
+
+"Very much. He seems to have been brought up as a gentleman."
+
+"He has. Till a short time since he supposed himself the heir to a
+fortune."
+
+"Indeed!" said Mrs. Gordon, with curiosity.
+
+Briefly, Mr. Percival rehearsed the story which Frank had told him.
+
+"What a shame!" exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, indignantly. "His stepfather
+ought to be punished:"
+
+"That may come in time. Wickedness does not always prosper. But as
+regards our young friend, I have a plan in view."
+
+"What is it, father?"
+
+"I find he has an excellent education, having been nearly ready for
+college when the crisis in his fortunes came. I have been thinking
+whether we could not find a place for him in this house. My eyes, you
+know, are so weak that they are often strained by attention to my
+correspondence and reading. I have an idea of engaging Frank Courtney as
+a sort of private secretary, upon whom I can at any time call. Of
+course, he would have his home in the house."
+
+"There will be no difficulty about that. Our family is small, and we
+have plenty of vacant rooms. But, father, will he be qualified to
+undertake the duties you have designed for him? He is very young."
+
+"That is true, my dear; but he is remarkably well educated. I have
+tested his capacity by dictating a letter for him to copy."
+
+"Did he do the work satisfactorily?" asked Mrs. Gordon.
+
+"Without a single mistake."
+
+"Then, father, I would not hesitate to engage him. Freddie likes him,
+and will be delighted to have him in the house."
+
+"Another idea, Helen. It is time Freddie began to study. Suppose we make
+him Freddie's private tutor--say for an hour daily?"
+
+"That is really an excellent idea, father," said Mrs. Gordon, in a tone
+of satisfaction. "It will please and benefit Freddie, and be a relief to
+me. Do you think Frank will have patience enough?"
+
+"I watched him with the little fellow, and I could see that he liked
+children. I am sure he will succeed in this as well as in the duties
+which he will undertake for me."
+
+"I suppose he will have no objection to the plan?"
+
+"I think he will accept gladly. He has had a hard struggle thus far in
+maintaining himself, and I can relieve him from all anxiety on that
+score. I am indebted to him for helping me to recover my bonds, and
+this will be an excuse for offering him a larger salary than the
+services of so young a secretary could be expected to command."
+
+"Very well, father. Your plan pleases me very much, and I shall be glad
+to have Frank commence to-morrow, if he chooses. Now let us return to
+the library."
+
+While father and daughter were absent Frank had taken from the table a
+volume of "Macaulay's History," and had become interested in it.
+
+He laid it down upon their return.
+
+Mr. Percival resumed his easy-chair, and said, with a smile.
+
+"My daughter and I have been consulting about you."
+
+Frank bowed, and his hopes rose.
+
+"I suppose you are open to an offer of employment?"
+
+"I am not only open to it, Mr. Percival, but I shall be grateful for
+it."
+
+He could not help wondering what sort of employment Mr. Percival was
+about to offer him. He concluded that it might be a place in some
+business house.
+
+"The fact is," said the old gentleman, "I have a great mind to offer you
+the situation of my private secretary."
+
+Frank was astonished. This was something he had not thought of.
+
+"Do you think I am qualified to fill such a position, Mr. Percival?" he
+asked, hesitatingly.
+
+"The duties would not be difficult," returned the old gentleman. "Though
+not in active business, the care of my property, and looking after my
+scattered investments, involves me in considerable correspondence. My
+eyes are not as strong as they once were, and I find them at times taxed
+by letter-writing, not to mention reading. You can relieve me very
+materially."
+
+"I shall be very glad to do so, sir. The duties will be very agreeable
+to me."
+
+"But that is not all. My daughter proposes to employ you as private
+tutor for Freddie."
+
+Frank smiled.
+
+"I think my scholarship will be sufficient for that," he said.
+
+Frank was to receive $50 a month and board. This was wonderful news to
+him. Mr. Percival with great forethought paid him a month's salary in
+advance. Frank went home happy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+FRANK AS PRIVATE SECRETARY
+
+
+The next day Frank transferred his residence to Madison Avenue. He was
+assigned to a pleasant room, decidedly superior, it need hardly be said,
+to his room at Clinton Place. It seemed agreeable to him once more to
+enjoy the comforts of a liberal home.
+
+Frank had had some doubts as to how he would satisfy Mr. Percival in his
+capacity of private secretary.
+
+He was determined to do his best, but thought it possible that the old
+gentleman might require more than he could do well. He looked forward,
+therefore, with some apprehension to his first morning's work.
+
+Mr. Percival, though not engaged in active business, was a wealthy man,
+and his capital was invested in a great variety of enterprises.
+Naturally, therefore, he received a large number of business letters,
+which required to be answered.
+
+The first day he dictated several replies, which Frank put upon paper.
+He wished, however, to put Frank's ability to a severe test.
+
+"Here are two letters," he said, "which you may answer. I have noted on
+each instructions which you will follow. The wording of the letters I
+leave to you."
+
+"I will try to satisfy you sir," said Frank.
+
+Our hero was a good writer for his age. Moreover, he had been well
+trained at school and did not shrink from the task assigned him.
+
+He read carefully the instruction of his employer, and composed the
+letters in strict accordance with them.
+
+Mr. Percival awaited with some interest the result of his experiment. If
+Frank proved competent to the task assigned him, his own daily labor
+would be considerably abridged.
+
+"Here are the letters, sir," said our hero, passing the drafts to Mr.
+Percival.
+
+The old gentleman examined them carefully. As he did so, his face
+expressed his satisfaction.
+
+"Upon my word, Frank," he said, familiarly, "you have done your work
+exceedingly well. They are brief, concise and yet comprehensive. I
+feared that you would use too many words."
+
+"I am glad you are pleased, sir. Dr. Brush trained us to write letters,
+and he cut down our essays when they were too diffuse."
+
+"Then I feel indebted to Dr. Brush for providing me with so competent a
+young secretary. You will be able to assist me even more than I
+anticipated. I shall, of course, read over your letters before they are
+sent, to make sure that you have fully comprehended and carried out my
+instructions, but I don't expect they will need much correction."
+
+Frank was much gratified by these words. This was the only point on
+which he had felt at all doubtful as to his ability to please his
+employer.
+
+Sometimes, when his eyes pained him more than usual, Mr. Percival also
+employed him to read to him from the daily papers, or from some book in
+which he was interested, but this did not occur regularly.
+
+Every day, however, Frank was occupied with Freddie. The little boy knew
+his alphabet, but nothing more, so that his young teacher had to begin
+with him at the beginning of the primer.
+
+He succeeded in interesting his little pupil, and did not protract his
+term of study so as to weary him.
+
+Finding that the little fellow was fond of hearing stories, he read to
+him every day a story or two from Hans Christian Andersen, or from a
+collection of German fairy stories, and sometimes went out to walk with
+him.
+
+Freddie was delighted with his teacher, and freely expressed his
+approval to his mother and grandfather.
+
+"Really, Frank," said Mrs. Gordon, "I shall begin to be jealous of your
+hold upon Freddie. I am not sure but he likes your company better than
+mine."
+
+"I don't think Freddie will prefer anyone to his mother," said Frank;
+"but I am glad he likes to be with me."
+
+"You have certainly proved very successful as a private tutor, Frank,"
+said Mrs. Gordon, "and my father tells me you succeeded equally well as
+a secretary."
+
+"It is partly because you both treat me so indulgently," answered Frank,
+gracefully.
+
+This answer pleased Mr. Percival and Mrs. Gordon, who more than ever
+congratulated themselves upon the lucky chance that had thrown Frank in
+their way.
+
+Assuredly he made himself very useful in the small household,
+contributing to the comfort and pleasure of Freddie, his mother and
+grandfather in nearly equal measure.
+
+While Frank's monthly salary was of great value and importance to him,
+it was nothing to Mr. Percival in comparison with the pleasure and
+relief afforded by his presence in the house.
+
+It must not be supposed, however, that Frank's time was wholly occupied
+by the duties of his two positions. Usually he had several hours daily
+at his disposal, and these he was allowed to spend as he pleased.
+
+Part of this he occupied in visiting different localities of the city
+and points of interest in the neighborhood, and part in reading and
+study.
+
+Mr. Percival had a large and well-selected library, which, to a boy of
+Frank's studious tastes, was a great attraction.
+
+He entered upon a course of solid reading, embracing some of the
+standard histories, and devoted some hours every week to keeping up his
+acquaintance with the Greek and Latin authors which he had read at
+school.
+
+In this way his time was well and usefully employed, and the weeks
+slipped by till almost before he was aware six months had passed.
+
+One afternoon Frank walked down Broadway enjoying the bright sunshine.
+Just in front of the St. Nicholas Hotel he heard his name called and
+looking up he recognized with some surprise, Pliny Tarbox, his cousin
+from Newark.
+
+Pliny asked many questions as to what Frank was doing and how much money
+he was making. Frank told him of his good fortune in obtaining the
+position he held with Mr. Percival and the two parted--Frank the much
+happier of the two.
+
+Pliny urgently invited Frank to visit them but Frank would rather remain
+in New York.
+
+"I hope I shall never think so much of money as Pliny and his father,"
+thought Frank. "Money is a good thing to have but there are some things
+that are better."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+A LETTER FROM MR. TARBOX
+
+
+Frank did not speak to Mr. Percival's family of his meeting with Pliny.
+It was not pleasant to him to think that he was valued only for his good
+fortune. He had seen but little of the Tarbox family, but he understood
+very well what their professions of friendship amounted to, and that
+they were not to be relied upon in an emergency.
+
+He was not much surprised on Monday afternoon to receive the following
+letter from Erastus Tarbox:
+
+"My Dear Young Cousin:--We have been wondering what has become of you,
+and Mrs. T. and myself have often wished to invite you to pass a Sabbath
+at our humble home. Not knowing your address, I could not write to you,
+or I should have done so. You can imagine, therefore, the pleasure we
+felt when Pliny told us that he had met you, and gave us tidings of your
+remarkable success, which I am sure does you great credit.
+
+"He tells me that you fill a very responsible position, and receive a
+very liberal salary. I could wish that Pliny might be equally fortunate,
+and shall esteem it a great favor if you will mention him to your
+respected employer, and recommend him for any lucrative position which
+he may bestow upon him. Pliny is a very capable boy, and has been
+carefully trained to habits of frugality and industry.
+
+"Can you not soon come out and pass a Sabbath with us? The esteem which
+we have for your late lamented mother alone would secure you a cordial
+welcome, not to speak of the friendship for yourself. Pliny often says
+that you seem to him like a brother, and he would truly enjoy your
+companionship.
+
+  "Your sincere friend and cousin,
+      Erastus Tarbox."
+
+The time was when Frank would have put confidence in the friendly
+expressions used by Mr. Tarbox, but his eyes had been opened, and he
+understood that if misfortune should come to him, it would not do to
+lean upon his cousins at Newark.
+
+Frank wrote a civil reply to Mr. Tarbox, thanking him for his
+invitation, but saying that at present it would not be convenient for
+him to accept it. He added that should an opportunity offer he would be
+glad to assist Pliny to a better position than he now held.
+
+In spite of his wish to be cordial, his letter was felt by the Tarbox
+family to be cold, and they regretted that they had not treated him
+better during his brief visit to them.
+
+But then how could they suppose he would be so successful? If the time
+should ever come when he recovered his property, they would be prepared
+to make a determined effort to convince him that they had always been
+his affectionate friends.
+
+About this time Frank received another letter, which afforded him
+greater satisfaction than the one from Newark.
+
+This letter was from Col. Vincent, who, it will be remembered, had
+purchased Ajax when Mr. Manning persisted in selling him. It was as
+follows:
+
+"My Dear Frank: I learned incidentally from one of our townsmen, who
+recently met you in New York, that you have been very successful in
+obtaining employment, and that of an honorable and responsible
+character. It relieved my mind, for, knowing how hard it is for a boy to
+make his own way in a large city, I feared that you might be suffering
+privation, or living poorly. I hope, however, you would in that case
+have applied to me for such help as your father's old friend would have
+been glad to offer.
+
+"Your stepfather has not been heard from directly. I learn, however,
+from some friends who have met him abroad that he is having trouble with
+Mark, who is proving difficult to manage, and has contracted a dangerous
+taste for gaming. Mr. Manning was obliged to leave Baden-Baden on
+account of this unfortunate tendency, and is even thinking of returning
+to the Cedars, where his son will be removed from temptation. To this,
+however, Mark will be likely to make strenuous opposition. He will find
+it dull to settle down here after having tasted the gayety of Europe."
+
+Here followed a little local gossip, which the writer thought might
+prove interesting to Frank, and the letter concluded with a cordial
+invitation to our hero to spend a Sunday with him, or a longer time, if
+he could be spared from his duties.
+
+Frank was disposed to accept the invitation, but his acceptance was
+postponed by an unusual service which he was called upon to render to
+Mr. Percival.
+
+Of this the reader will hear everything in the next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+
+MR. PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL
+
+
+One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young
+secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
+
+The old gentleman answered thoughtfully:
+
+"I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
+
+"I shall be very glad to serve you in any way, Mr. Percival," said
+Frank, promptly.
+
+"I have no doubt of it," said the old gentleman, kindly. "I have
+observed your willingness to undertake any duty, and, still more, your
+disposition to perform it thoroughly. In this particular case, however,
+I have been considering whether a boy of your age would be competent to
+do what I desire."
+
+Frank was not self-distrustful, neither was he over-confident. He was
+naturally energetic and ambitious to distinguish himself, and not
+afraid to undertake any difficult task.
+
+"Will you try me, Mr. Percival?" he said. "I will do my best to
+succeed."
+
+"I am quite inclined to try you, Frank," said Mr. Percival; "the more so
+because I know of no one else in whom I could confide. But I must give
+you an idea of what I have in view. It would require you to make a
+journey."
+
+Frank listened to this gladly. To a boy of his age, who had seen but
+little of the world, a journey offered attractions.
+
+"I should like to travel," he said.
+
+"I have no doubt about that," said Mr. Percival, smiling. "At your age I
+am sure I should have been equally willing to see something of the
+world, though traveling involved at that time far more hardships than at
+present. Now, however, I like best to stay by the fireside, and should
+dread very much a journey to Minnesota."
+
+"To Minnesota!" exclaimed Frank, with sparkling eyes.
+
+He had not thought of a journey so extended.
+
+"Yes; it would be necessary for you to go out to Minnesota. Ordinarily,
+a man can best look after his own affairs; but in the present instance,
+I suspect that you could do better than myself. I don't mean this as a
+compliment, but a boy like you would not be suspected, and so could
+discover more than I, from whom facts would be studiously concealed.
+But, of course, you don't understand my meaning. I will explain, and
+then you can comprehend me."
+
+Frank was all attention.
+
+"You must know that I own a good deal of property in a certain township
+in Southern Minnesota. When a young man, I bought three hundred and
+twenty acres of land in the township of Jackson, obtaining it at a
+slight advance on government rates.
+
+"Some improvements had been made, and I was induced to visit the place.
+I found but three families in residence, but I saw also that the place
+had large natural advantages, water-power, etc., and presented an
+unusually favorable site for a village. I had considerable means, and
+started the village by erecting a dozen houses, a store, a sawmill,
+gristmill, and so on.
+
+"This formed a nucleus, and soon quite a village sprang up. The sawmill
+and gristmill proved profitable, all my houses were tenanted, and I
+erected more, securing also additional land. In course of time I was
+induced to sell some of my houses, but I still own two stores, a dozen
+houses, the saw and gristmills, besides two outlying farms.
+
+"Living so far away, I could not attend personally to the business
+connected with my investment, and was compelled to appoint an agent. Up
+to four years since, I was fortunate enough to possess the services of a
+capable and trustworthy man, named Sampson. He died after a few weeks'
+illness, and I was compelled to look out for a successor.
+
+"Now, I had a distant cousin, who had never succeeded very well in life,
+and was at that time seeking for employment of some kind. He heard of
+the vacancy, and importuned me to appoint him as my agent in Jackson. I
+had no reason to doubt his honesty, though his repeated failures might
+well have led me to suspect his capacity. I was weak enough, as I now
+consider it, to yield to his importunities and give him the post he
+sought.
+
+"The result was that during the first year of his incumbency the amount
+turned over to me was only three-fourths as much as in the last year of
+his predecessor. The second year there was a further falling off. The
+same happened the third year, until at the present time my rents amount
+to less than half what they were in Mr. Sampson's time.
+
+"Of course, my suspicions that my cousin was at least inefficient were
+aroused long since. I have repeatedly asked an explanation of the
+diminished revenues, and plenty of excuses have been made, but they do
+not seem to me satisfactory.
+
+"Moreover, I have heard a rumor that Mr. Fairfield is intemperate in his
+habits, and I have considerable reason to believe that the story is
+correct. I have made up my mind that something must be done. A regard
+for my own interests requires that if my agent is unfaithful he should
+be displaced, and I wish to find out from some reliable source the true
+state of the case.
+
+"Now I will tell you what I have in view. I propose to send you out to
+Jackson to investigate and report to me your impressions of the manner
+in which Mr. Fairfield discharges his duties, and whether you think a
+change should be made in the agency."
+
+Frank listened to Mr. Percival with a flushed face and a feeling of
+gratification and pride that he should be thought of in connection with
+a responsible duty.
+
+"I am very much obliged to you, Mr. Percival," he said, "for thinking of
+me in such a connection. You may feel that I am presumptuous for
+thinking I have any chance of successfully accomplishing what you
+desire, but if you are willing to trust me, I am willing to undertake
+it, and by following your instructions closely, and doing my best, I
+think I can succeed."
+
+"I am willing to trust you, Frank," said Mr. Percival. "You are a boy,
+to be sure, but you have unusually good judgment, and I know you will be
+faithful to my interests. I understand, then, that you are willing to go
+out as my accredited representative?"
+
+"Yes, sir. When do you want me to start?" said Frank, promptly.
+
+"As soon as you can get ready."
+
+"I will start to-morrow, if you desire it, sir."
+
+"Let it be to-morrow, then. We will now discuss some of the details
+connected with the mission."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII
+
+PREPARING FOR A JOURNEY
+
+
+After receiving certain instructions from Mr. Percival in regard to the
+manner of carrying on his inquiries, Frank said:
+
+"There is one thing I have thought of, Mr. Percival, that may interfere
+with my success."
+
+"What is it, Frank? I shall be glad to receive any suggestion from you."
+
+"I have been thinking, sir, that it may excite surprise that I should
+come to Jackson, and remain there without any apparent motive. Perhaps
+Mr. Fairfield might suspect that I came from you."
+
+"I hardly think so, Frank. He would not suppose that I would select so
+young a messenger. Still, it will be well to think of some pretext for
+your stay. Can you help me?"
+
+"I have been thinking, sir, that I might fit myself out as an agent, or
+peddler, or something of the kind. It would not only give me an excuse
+for my journey, but enable me to call from house to house and pick up
+information about Mr. Fairfield."
+
+"A capital idea, Frank. I see that you are better fitted for the task
+than I supposed. I give you authority to fit yourself out in any way you
+choose. I shall have to leave a great deal to your own judgment."
+
+"Then, sir, I think I might lay in a stock of stationery, pens and
+articles of that nature. Probably this is so common that I would be
+thought to be nothing more than I seemed."
+
+"That strikes me rather favorably, Frank."
+
+"I could fit myself out in the city, and take the articles along with me
+in an extra valise or carpetbag."
+
+"Let me suggest an amendment to your plan," said Mr. Percival. "Wait
+till you get to Chicago, and lay in your stock there. The advantage of
+that arrangement will be that you will be saved the care of your
+merchandise up to that point, and, as you may be asked where you
+obtained your stock, it will create less surprise if you mention Chicago
+than New York. It would be considered hardly worth while for a New York
+boy to go so far on such a business--"
+
+This seemed to Frank an excellent suggestion and he instantly adopted
+it.
+
+The next day Frank started on his long journey. He carried with him a
+supply of money provided by Mr. Percival, and he was authorized to draw
+for more if he should require it.
+
+He divided this money into two portions, keeping a small sum in his
+pocketbook, but the greater part of it in an inside vest pocket, where
+it would not be likely to be looked for by pickpockets.
+
+This arrangement was suggested by Mr. Percival.
+
+"I once experienced," he said, "the disadvantage of carrying all my
+money in one pocket. I was in a Southern city, or, rather, on my way to
+it, when an adroit pickpocket on the car relieved me of my wallet
+containing all my available funds. I did not find out my loss till I had
+arrived at the hotel and registered my name. You can imagine my
+embarrassment. It was my first visit to that particular city, and I had
+no acquaintances there, so far as I was aware. Had I mentioned my
+position to the landlord, he might very probably have taken me for an
+adventurer, traveling on false pretenses."
+
+"What did you do, sir?" asked Frank, interested.
+
+"I took a walk about the city, my thoughts occupied in devising a way
+out of my trouble. To my great relief, I had the good fortune, during
+the walk, to meet a New York acquaintance, who knew very well my
+financial standing. I told him of my difficulty, and he immediately
+introduced me at a bank, where I raised money on a New York draft. I
+resolved, however, at that time, never again to carry all my money in
+one pocketbook, as boats and railroad trains on the long routes are
+generally infested by pickpockets and sharpers."
+
+Frank at once set about preparing for his journey.
+
+He bought a ready-made suit of blue cloth, not unlike that worn by the
+district telegraph boys of to-day, which he judged would look more
+suitable than his ordinary attire for the character he was about to
+assume of a traveling peddler.
+
+He bought a through ticket to the railroad point nearest Jackson, and
+then, bidding good-bye to Mr. Percival and his family, started on his
+trip.
+
+Little Freddie made strenuous opposition to parting with his favorite,
+but Frank promised to bring him home a present, and this diverted the
+little fellow's thoughts.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV
+
+FRANK REACHES JACKSON
+
+
+It was four o'clock in the afternoon when Frank Courtney left the cars
+and set foot on the platform before the station at Prescott, five miles
+distant from the town of Jackson, in Southern Minnesota.
+
+He looked about him, but could see no village.
+
+Prescott was a stopping place for the cars, but there was no settlement
+of any account there, as he afterward found.
+
+He had supposed he would find a stage in waiting to convey him to
+Jackson, but it was clear that the business was not large enough to
+warrant such a conveyance.
+
+Looking about him, Frank saw a farm wagon, the driver of which had
+evidently come to receive some freight which had come by rail.
+
+Approaching the driver, who seemed to be--though roughly dressed--an
+intelligent man, Frank inquired:
+
+"How far is Jackson from here, sir?"
+
+"Five miles," was the answer.
+
+"Is there any stage running there from this depot?"
+
+"Oh, no! If there were, it wouldn't average two passengers a day."
+
+"Then I suppose I must walk," said Frank, looking rather doubtfully at
+the two heavy valises which constituted his baggage.
+
+"Then you are going to Jackson?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I come from Jackson myself, and in fifteen minutes shall start on my
+way back. You may ride and welcome."
+
+"Thank you, sir!" said our hero, quite relieved. "I hope you will allow
+me to pay you as much as I should have to pay in a stage."
+
+"No, no, my lad," said the farmer, heartily. "The horse can draw you as
+well as not, and I shall be glad to have your company."
+
+"Thank you, sir!"
+
+"Just climb up here, then. I'll take your baggage and put it on the
+wagon behind."
+
+When the farmer had loaded up, he started up the team. Then, finding
+himself at leisure, he proceeded to satisfy his curiosity by
+cross-examining his young passenger.
+
+"Do you come from the East?" he asked.
+
+"I am last from Chicago," answered Frank, cautiously.
+
+"I suppose you've got some friend in Jackson?" ventured the farmer,
+interrogatively.
+
+Frank smiled.
+
+"You are the only man living in Jackson that I ever met," he said.
+
+"Indeed!" said the driver, puzzled. "Are you calculating to make a long
+stay in our village?" he asked again, after a minute's pause.
+
+"That depends on business," answered the young traveler.
+
+"Are you in business?"
+
+"I have a stock of stationery which I shall offer for sale in Jackson,"
+answered Frank.
+
+"I am afraid you'll find it rather a poor market. If that's all you have
+to depend upon, I am afraid you'll get discouraged."
+
+"I am also agent for an illustrated book," said Frank. "I may be able to
+dispose of a few."
+
+"Perhaps so," answered the farmer, dubiously. "But our people haven't
+much money to spend on articles of luxury, and books are a luxury with
+us."
+
+"I always heard that Jackson was a flourishing place," said Frank, who
+felt that now was his time to obtain a little information.
+
+"It ought to be," said the farmer; "but there's one thing prevents."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"A good deal of our village is owned by a New York man, to whom we have
+to pay rent. He has a rascally agent--a Mr. Fairfield--who grinds us
+down by his exactions, and does what he can to keep, us in debt."
+
+"Has he always been agent?"
+
+"No. Before he came there was an excellent man--a Mr. Sampson--who
+treated us fairly, contented himself with exacting rents which we could
+pay, and if a man were unlucky, would wait a reasonable time for him to
+pay. Then we got along comfortably. But he died, and this man was sent
+out in his place. Then commenced a new state of things. He immediately
+raised the rents; demanded that they should be paid on the day they were
+due, and made himself harsh and tyrannical."
+
+"Do you think the man who employs him knows how he is conducting his
+agency?" Frank inquired.
+
+"No; there is no one to tell him. I suppose Mr. Fairfield tells him a
+smooth story, and he believes it. I am afraid we can hope for no
+relief."
+
+"What would he say," thought Frank, "if he knew I were a messenger from
+Mr. Percival?"
+
+"What sort of a man is this Mr. Fairfield in private life?" he asked.
+
+"He drinks like a fish," was the unexpected reply. "Frequently he
+appears on the street under the influence of liquor. He spends a good
+deal of money, lives in a large house, and his wife dresses expensively.
+He must get a much larger salary than Mr. Sampson did, or he could not
+spend money as he does."
+
+Though Frank had not much worldly experience, he could not help coming
+to the conclusion that Mr. Fairfield was acting dishonestly. He put
+together the two circumstances that this new agent had increased the
+rents, and yet that he had returned to Mr. Percival only about half as
+much as his predecessor had done. Clearly, he must retain in his own
+hands much more than he had a right to do.
+
+"I shall have to report unfavorably on this man," he thought.
+
+One point must be considered--where he was to find a boarding place on
+his arrival in Jackson.
+
+"Is there a hotel in Jackson?" he asked.
+
+"There is a tavern, but it's a low place," answered the farmer. "A good
+deal of liquor is sold there, and Mr. Fairfield, our agent, is one of
+the most constant patrons of the bar."
+
+"I don't think I should like to stop there," said Frank. "Isn't there
+any private family where I can get board for a week or two?"
+
+"If you don't object to plain fare," said the farmer, "I might agree to
+board you myself."
+
+This was precisely what Frank wanted, and he replied that nothing would
+suit him better.
+
+"We live humbly," continued Mr. Hamlin--for this, Frank learned, was his
+driver's name--"but we will try to make you comfortable."
+
+"I feel sure of that, sir, and I am much obliged to you for receiving
+me."
+
+"As to terms, you can pay whatever you can afford. My wife and children
+will be glad to see you. It's pretty quiet out here, and it breaks the
+monotony to meet any person from the East."
+
+"How long have you lived in Jackson, Mr. Hamlin?"
+
+"About eight years. I was not brought up as a farmer, but became one
+from necessity. I was a bookkeeper in Chicago for a good many years,
+until I found the confinement and close work were injuring my health.
+Then I came here and set up as a farmer. I got along pretty well, at
+first; at any rate, I made a living for my family; but when Mr.
+Fairfield became agent, he raised my rent, and, in other ways, made it
+hard for me. Now I have a hard struggle."
+
+"I thought you were not always a farmer," said Frank.
+
+"What made you think so?"
+
+"You don't talk like a farmer. You have the appearance of a man who has
+lived in cities."
+
+"Seems to me you are a close observer, for a boy of your years," said
+Mr. Hamlin, shrewdly.
+
+Frank smiled.
+
+"I should be glad if your compliment were deserved," he answered. "It's
+a pity you were not agent, instead of Mr. Fairfield," suggested Frank,
+pointedly.
+
+"I wish I were," answered Hamlin. "I believe I should make a good one,
+though I might not turn over as much money to my employer. I should,
+first of all, lower the rents and make it as easy for the tenants as I
+could in justice to my New York principal."
+
+"Do you know how much Mr. Fairfield receives--how large a salary, I
+mean?"
+
+"I know what Mr. Sampson got--twelve hundred dollars a year; but Mr.
+Fairfield lives at the rate of more than twice that sum, if I can judge
+from appearances."
+
+"I suppose you would be contented with the salary which Mr. Sampson
+received?"
+
+"Contented! I should feel like a rich man. It would not interfere with
+my carrying on my farm, and I should be able to make something from
+that. Why, it is as much as I received as a bookkeeper, and here the
+expenses of living are small, compared with what they were in Chicago. I
+could save money and educate my children, as I cannot do now. I have a
+boy who wants a classical education, but of course there are no schools
+here which can afford it, and I am too poor to send him away from home.
+I suppose I shall have to bring him up as a farmer, though it is a great
+pity, for he is not fitted for it."
+
+Mr. Hamlin sighed, but Frank felt in unusually good spirits. He saw his
+way clear already, not only to recommend Mr. Fairfield's displacement,
+but to urge Mr. Hamlin's appointment in his stead; that is, if his
+favorable impressions were confirmed on further acquaintance.
+
+"It seems to me," said the driver, changing the subject, "you might find
+something better to do than to peddle stationery."
+
+"I don't mean to follow the business long," answered Frank.
+
+"It can't pay much."
+
+"I am not wholly dependent upon it," said our hero. "There is one
+advantage about it. It enables me to travel about and pay my expenses,
+and you know traveling is agreeable to a boy of my age."
+
+"That is true. Well, your expenses won't amount to much while you are in
+Jackson. I shall only charge you just enough to cover expenses--say
+three dollars a week."
+
+Frank was about to insist on paying a larger sum, but it occurred to him
+that he must keep up appearances, and he therefore only thanked his kind
+acquaintance.
+
+By this time they had entered the village of Jackson.
+
+"There's Mr. Fairfield now!" said Mr. Hamlin, suddenly, pointing with
+his whip to a rather tall, stout man, with a red nose and inflamed
+countenance, who was walking unsteadily along the sidewalk.
+
+Frank carefully scrutinized the agent, and mentally decided that such a
+man was unfit for the responsible position he held.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV
+
+DICK HAMLIN
+
+
+Mr. Hamlin stopped his horse a quarter of a mile from the village in
+front of a plain farmhouse.
+
+An intelligent-looking boy, of perhaps fifteen, coarsely but neatly
+dressed, approached and greeted his father, not without a glance of
+surprise and curiosity at Frank.
+
+"You may unharness the horses, Dick," said Mr. Hamlin. "When you come
+back, I will introduce you to a boy friend who will stay with us a
+while."
+
+Dick obeyed, and Frank followed his host into the house.
+
+Here he was introduced to Mrs. Hamlin, a motherly-looking woman, and
+Annie and Grace, younger sisters of Dick.
+
+"I am glad to see you," said Mrs. Hamlin, to our hero, after a brief
+explanation from her husband. "We will try to make you comfortable."
+
+"Thank you!" said Frank. "I am sure I shall feel at home."
+
+The house was better furnished than might have been anticipated. When
+Mr. Hamlin left Chicago, he had some money saved up, and he furnished
+his house in a comfortable manner.
+
+It was not, however, the furniture that attracted Frank's attention so
+much as the books, papers and pictures that gave the rooms a homelike
+appearance.
+
+"I shall be much better off here than I would have been at the tavern,"
+he thought. "This seems like home."
+
+"I see," said Mr. Hamlin, "that you are surprised to see so many books
+and pictures. I admit that my house does not look like the house of a
+poor man, who has to struggle for the mere necessaries of life. But
+books and periodicals we have always classed among the necessities, and
+I am sure we would all rather limit ourselves to dry bread for two out
+of the three meals than to give up this food for the mind."
+
+"I think you are a very sensible man, Mr. Hamlin," said Frank. "I
+couldn't get along without something to read."
+
+"Not in this out-of-the-way place, at any rate," said Mr. Hamlin.
+"Nothing can be more dismal than the homes of some of my neighbors, who
+spend as much, or more, than I do every year. Yet, they consider me
+extravagant because I buy books and subscribe for periodicals."
+
+By this time, Dick came in from the barn.
+
+"Dick," said his father, "this is Frank Courtney, who comes from Chicago
+on a business errand. He is a traveling merchant--"
+
+"In other words, a peddler," said Frank, with a smile, "ready to give
+the good people in Jackson a chance to buy stationery at reasonable
+prices."
+
+"He will board with us while he is canvassing the neighborhood, and I
+expect you and he will become great friends."
+
+"I think we shall," said Frank.
+
+Dick was a little shy, but a few minutes set him quite at ease with his
+new acquaintance.
+
+After supper, Frank said:
+
+"Dick, if you are at leisure, I wish you would take a walk about the
+village with me. I want to see how it looks."
+
+"All right," said Dick.
+
+When the two left the house, the country boy began to ask questions.
+
+"How do you like your business?" he asked.
+
+"Not very well," answered Frank. "I do not think I shall stay in it very
+long."
+
+"Do you sell enough to make your expenses?" asked Dick.
+
+"No; but I am not wholly dependent on my sales. I have a little
+income--a hundred dollars a year--paid me by my stepfather."
+
+"I wish I had as much. It seems a good deal to me."
+
+"It doesn't go very far. What are you intending to be, Dick?"
+
+"I suppose I shall have to be a farmer, though I don't like it."
+
+"What would you like to be?"
+
+"I should like to get an education," said Dick, his eyes lighting up. "I
+should like to study Latin and Greek, and go to college. Then I could be
+a teacher or a lawyer. But there is no chance of that," he added, his
+voice falling.
+
+"Don't be too sure of that, Dick," said Frank Frank, hopefully.
+"Something may turn up in your favor."
+
+"Nothing ever does turn up in Jackson," said the boy, in a tone of
+discouragement. "Father is a poor man, and has hard work to get along.
+He can give me no help."
+
+"Isn't the farm productive?"
+
+"There is no trouble about that, but he has to pay too high a rent. It's
+all the fault of Fairfield."
+
+"The agent?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Your father was telling me about him. Now, if your father were in his
+place, I suppose he could give you the advantages you wish."
+
+"Oh, yes! There would be no trouble then. I am sure he would make a
+better and more popular agent than Mr. Fairfield; but there is no use
+thinking about that."
+
+"I expected myself to go to college," said Frank. "In fact, I have
+studied Latin and Greek, and in less than a year I could be ready to
+enter."
+
+"Why don't you?" asked Dick.
+
+"You forget that I am a poor peddler."
+
+"Then how were you able to get so good an education?" asked Dick, in
+surprise.
+
+"Because I was once better off than I am now. The fact is, Dick," he
+added, "I have seen better days. But when I was reduced to poverty, I
+gave up hopes of college education and became what I am."
+
+"Wasn't it hard?"
+
+"Not so much as you might suppose. My home was not happy. I have a
+stepfather and stepbrother, neither of whom I like. In fact, there is no
+love lost between us. I was not obliged to leave home, but under the
+circumstances I preferred to."
+
+"Where are your stepfather and your stepbrother now?"
+
+"They are traveling in Europe."
+
+"While you are working hard for a living! That does not seem to be
+just."
+
+"We must make the best of circumstances, Dick. Whose is that large house
+on the left?"
+
+"That belongs to Mr. Fairfield.
+
+"He seems to live nicely."
+
+"Yes, he has improved and enlarged the house a good deal since he moved
+into it--at Mrs. Percival's expense, I suppose."
+
+"He seems to have pretty much his own way here," said Frank.
+
+"Yes. Mr. Percival never comes to Jackson, and I suppose he believes all
+that the agent tells him."
+
+"He may get found out some time."
+
+"I wish he might. It would be a great blessing to Jackson if he were
+removed and a good man were put in his place."
+
+"That may happen some day."
+
+"Not very likely, I am afraid."
+
+At this moment Mr. Fairfield himself came out of his front gate.
+
+"Hello, Hamlin!" he said, roughly, to Dick. "Is your father at home?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I have something to say to him. I think I will call round."
+
+"You will find him at home, sir."
+
+"Dick," said Frank, when the agent had passed on, "do you mind going
+back? What you tell me makes me rather curious about Mr. Fairfield. At
+your house I may get a chance to see something of him."
+
+"Let us go back, then," said Dick; "but I don't think, Frank, that you
+will care much about keeping up the acquaintance."
+
+"Perhaps not; but I shall gratify my curiosity."
+
+The two boys turned and followed the agent closely. They reached the
+house about five minutes after Mr. Fairfield.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI
+
+MR. FAIRFIELD, THE AGENT
+
+
+The two boys found Mr. Fairfield already seated in the most comfortable
+chair in the sitting room.
+
+He looked inquiringly at Frank when he entered with Dick.
+
+"Who is that boy, Hamlin?" inquired the agent. "Nephew of yours?"
+
+"No, sir. It is a young man who has come to Jackson on business."
+
+"What kind of business?'
+
+"I sell stationery," Frank answered for himself.
+
+"Oh, a peddler!" said the agent, contemptuously.
+
+"Many of our most successful men began in that way," said Mr. Hamlin,
+fearing lest Frank's feelings might be hurt.
+
+"I never encourage peddlers myself," said Mr. Fairfield, pompously.
+
+"Then I suppose it will be of no use for me to call at your door," said
+Frank, who, in place of being mortified, was amused by the agent's
+arrogance.
+
+"I should say not, unless your back is proof against a broomstick,"
+answered Fairfield, coarsely. "I tell my servant to treat all who call
+in that way."
+
+"I won't put her to the trouble of using it," said Frank, disgusted at
+the man's ill manners.
+
+"That's where you are wise--yes, wise and prudent--young man."
+
+"And now, Hamlin," said the agent, "I may as well come to business."
+
+"To business!" repeated the farmer, rather surprised, for there was no
+rent due for a month.
+
+"Yes, to business," said Fairfield. "I came to give you notice that
+after the next payment I shall feel obliged to raise your rent."
+
+"Raise my rent!" exclaimed the farmer, in genuine dismay. "I am already
+paying a considerably higher rent than I paid to your predecessor."
+
+"Can't help it. Old Sampson was a slow-going old fogy. He didn't do his
+duty by his employer. When I came in, I turned over a new leaf."
+
+"I certainly got along better in his time."
+
+"No doubt. He was a great deal too easy with you. Didn't do his duty,
+sir. Wasn't sharp enough. That's all."
+
+"You certainly cannot be in earnest in raising my rent, Mr. Fairfield,"
+said the farmer, uneasily.
+
+"I certainly am."
+
+"I can't live at all if you increase my rent, which is already larger
+than I can afford to pay, Mr. Fairfield."
+
+"Then I must find a tenant who can and will," said the agent,
+emphatically.
+
+"I am sure Mr. Percival can't understand the true state of the case, or
+the circumstances of his tenants. Will you give me his address, and I
+will take the liberty of writing to him and respectfully remonstrate
+against any increase?"
+
+Mr. Fairfield looked uneasy.
+
+This appeal would not at all suit him. Yet how could he object without
+leading to the suspicion that he was acting in this matter wholly on his
+own responsibility, and not by the express orders of his principal? How
+could he refuse to furnish Mr. Percival's address?
+
+A middle course occurred to him.
+
+"You may write your appeal, if you like, Hamlin," he said, "and hand it
+to me. I will forward it; though I don't believe it will do any good.
+The fact is that Mr. Percival has made up his mind to have more income
+from his property in Jackson."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII
+
+FRANK RECEIVES A LETTER FROM MR. PERCIVAL
+
+
+While Frank was waiting for an answer to a letter to Mr. Percival he
+devoted part of his time to the business which was supposed to be his
+only reason for remaining in Jackson.
+
+I am bound to say that as regards this business his trip might be
+pronounced a failure. There was little ready money in Jackson. Many of
+the people were tenants of Mr. Percival, and found it difficult to pay
+the excessive rents demanded by his agent. Of course, they had no money
+to spare for extras. Even if they had been better off, there was little
+demand for stationery in the village. The people were chiefly farmers,
+and did not indulge in much correspondence.
+
+When Frank returned to his boarding place on the afternoon of the first
+day, Mr. Hamlin asked him, not without solicitude, with what luck he had
+met.
+
+"I have sold twenty-five cents' worth of note paper," answered Frank,
+with a smile.
+
+Mr. Hamlin looked troubled.
+
+"How many places did you call at?" he inquired.
+
+"About a dozen."
+
+"I am afraid you will get discouraged."
+
+"If you don't do better, you won't begin to pay expenses."
+
+"That is true."
+
+"But perhaps you may do better to-morrow."
+
+"I hope so."
+
+"I wish you could find something in Jackson that would induce you to
+remain here permanently, and make your home with us. I would charge you
+only the bare cost of board."
+
+"Thank you very much, Mr. Hamlin. I should enjoy being with you, but I
+don't believe I shall find any opening here. Besides, I like a more
+stirring life."
+
+"No doubt--no doubt! Boys like a lively place. Well, I am glad you feel
+independent of your business."
+
+"For a little time. I am afraid it wouldn't do for me to earn so little
+for any length of time."
+
+Frank enjoyed the society of Dick Hamlin. Together they went fishing and
+hunting, and a mutual liking sprang up between them.
+
+"I wish you were going to stay longer, Frank," said Dick. "I shall feel
+very lonely when you are gone."
+
+"We may meet again under different circumstances," said Frank. "While I
+am here, we will enjoy ourselves as well as we can."
+
+So the days passed, and at length a letter came from Mr. Percival. I
+append the most important passages:
+
+"Your report is clear, and I have perfect confidence in your statement.
+Mr. Fairfield has abused my confidence and oppressed my tenants, and I
+shall dismiss him. I am glad you have found in Jackson a man who is
+capable of succeeding him. Solely upon your recommendation, I shall
+appoint Mr. Hamlin my resident agent and representative for the term of
+six months. Should he acquit himself to my satisfaction, he will be
+continued in the position. I am prepared to offer him one hundred
+dollars a month, if that will content him.
+
+"Upon receipt of this letter, and the accompanying legal authority, you
+may call upon Mr. Fairfield and require him to transfer his office, and
+the papers and accounts connected with it, to Mr. Hamlin. I inclose a
+check for three hundred dollars, payable to your order, which you may
+make payable to him, in lieu of three months' notice, provided he
+immediately surrenders his office. Should he not, I shall dismiss him
+summarily, and proceed against him for the moneys he has misappropriated
+to his own use, and you may so inform him."
+
+With this letter was a letter to Mr. Fairfield, of the same purport, and
+a paper appointing Mr. Hamlin agent.
+
+When this letter was received, Frank was overjoyed, knowing how much
+pleasure he was about to give his new friends.
+
+With this appointment and salary, Mr. Hamlin would consider himself a
+rich man, and Dick's hope for a liberal education might be realized.
+
+The letter came just before supper, and, at the close of the evening
+meal, Frank determined to inform his friends of their good fortune.
+
+"Mr. Hamlin," said he, "I have some good news for you."
+
+"Indeed!" said the farmer, surprised.
+
+"Your rent will not be increased."
+
+"But how do you know this! Has Mr. Fairfield told you so?"
+
+"No," answered Frank. "I have a question to ask. Would you be willing to
+take Mr. Fairfield's place at a hundred dollars a month?"
+
+"Willing? I should be delighted to do so. But why do you say this?"
+
+"Because," answered Frank, quietly, "I am authorized to offer it to you
+at that salary."
+
+The whole family looked at Frank in bewildered surprise. It occurred to
+them that he might have become crazy.
+
+"You!" exclaimed the farmer. "What can you have to do with the agency?"
+
+Frank explained to a very happy family group and then he and Mr. Hamlin
+set out for the house of the agent.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII
+
+THE AGENT IS NOTIFIED
+
+
+It was still early in the evening when Frank and Mr. Hamlin reached the
+house of the agent. Had they come five minutes later, they would have
+found him absent. Usually, soon after supper, he made his way to the
+tavern, where he spent his time and money in a very unprofitable way.
+
+The agent was surprised when his two visitors made their appearance.
+
+"What brings you here, Hamlin?" he asked, with scant ceremony.
+
+"I come on a little matter of business," answered Mr. Hamlin, gravely.
+
+Mr. Fairfield concluded that the farmer had come to make an appeal to
+have his rent continued at the old rates, and answered, impatiently:
+
+"I don't think it will be of much use. My mind is made up. Have you come
+on business, also?" he asked, turning to Frank, with a sneer.
+
+"Yes, sir," answered our hero, quietly.
+
+"That will be of no use, either," said the agent. "I am not in want of
+stationery, and, if I were, I should not buy of a peddler."
+
+"I have not come here to sell stationery, Mr. Fairfield," said Frank.
+
+"Then, may I take the liberty of asking what is your business here?"
+
+"I come on the same business as Mr. Hamlin," answered Frank, who
+preferred that his companion should introduce the subject.
+
+"Look here, I have no time for trifling," said Mr. Fairfield, angrily.
+"I am going out and can only spare you five minutes."
+
+"Mr. Fairfield, I would advise you not to go out till you have heard
+what I have to say," said the farmer in a meaning tone.
+
+"I certainly shall. You can call some other time."
+
+"Another time will not do."
+
+"Look here, sir! Do you know to whom you are talking? How dare you use
+such a tone to Mr. Percival's representative?"
+
+"I suppose you don't always expect to be Mr. Percival's representative?"
+
+"I suppose I shall die sometime, if that's what you mean; but I am not
+dead yet, as you will find. To pay you for your impertinence, I shall
+increase your rent more than I intended. I'll drive you out of
+town--that's what I'll do."
+
+This was accompanied by an angry stamp of the foot, which, however, did
+not frighten Mr. Hamlin much.
+
+"I shall not pay a dollar more rent, nor shall I leave the farm I
+occupy," returned Mr. Hamlin, whose patience was exhausted by the rough
+insolence of the man before him.
+
+"So you defy me, do you?" demanded Fairfield, furiously.
+
+"I shall resist your injustice, sir, or rather I would do so if you were
+able to carry out your threat. Luckily you have not the power."
+
+"Have not the power? You will see if I have not the power!" roared the
+angry agent. "I give you notice that at the end of the quarter you must
+go, at any rate. After your insolence, I won't let you stay on any
+terms. I wouldn't let you stay if you would pay double the rent. Do you
+hear me, Hamlin?"
+
+"Yes, I hear you."
+
+Mr. Fairfield looked at the farmer in surprise. The latter seemed
+perfectly calm and undisturbed by his threat, though it was of the most
+serious nature. He had expected to see him humbled, and to hear him
+entreat a reversal of the sentence; but his tenant was thoroughly
+self-possessed, and appeared to care nothing for the agent's threats.
+
+"You need not expect that I will change my mind," he added. "Out of
+Jackson you must go. I know there is no other farm which you can hire,
+and while I am Mr. Percival's agent, you need expect no favors from me."
+
+"I don't expect any while you are Mr. Percival's agent," said Mr.
+Hamlin.
+
+There was something in the farmer's tone that arrested the agent's
+attention and excited his curiosity, though it did not awaken his alarm,
+and he could not help saying:
+
+"Then what do you expect? Do you think I am going to die?"
+
+"I don't expect that you will die or resign, Mr. Fairfield. You may be
+removed."
+
+"Have you been writing to Mr. Percival?" exclaimed Fairfield, in mingled
+anger and apprehension.
+
+"No, sir; I have not communicated with him in any way. You would not
+give me his address."
+
+"Of course I would not," said the agent, feeling relieved. "It would be
+mere impertinence for you to write to him."
+
+"Fortunately there is no immediate occasion for me to do so, as he has
+sent a representative here to investigate your official conduct."
+
+"A representative!" exclaimed Fairfield, now thoroughly startled. "Where
+is he? I have not seen him."
+
+"He is present," said Mr. Hamlin, indicating Frank.
+
+The agent broke into a scornful laugh.
+
+"You? Why, you are a peddler!"
+
+"Only in appearance, Mr. Fairfield. I assumed that business in order not
+to attract attention or excite suspicion. I am really Mr. Percival's
+private secretary, as I can prove to your satisfaction."
+
+"Is this true?" he asked, in a changed voice.
+
+"Yes, sir; quite true."
+
+"Have you written to Mr. Percival?"
+
+"Yes, sir; and this afternoon I received a letter from him."
+
+"What did he write?" asked Fairfield, in a husky voice; for he was
+convinced now that Frank spoke the truth.
+
+"He removes you, inclosing a check of three hundred dollars in place of
+notice, and appoints Mr. Hamlin in your place."
+
+"Will you read this letter, sir?"
+
+It was enough. Fairfield knew that his management would not stand
+investigation, and he yielded with a bad grace.
+
+Mr. Hamlin, the next day, to the great joy of the villagers, made known
+his appointment.
+
+Fairfield left town and drifted to California, where he became an
+adventurer, living in a miserable and precarious manner. Mr. Hamlin
+moved into his fine house, and Dick was sent to a school to prepare for
+college.
+
+The next day Frank started on his return to New York.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX
+
+AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY
+
+
+On his return to New York, Frank had no reason to be dissatisfied with
+his reception. From Mr. Percival to Freddie, all the family seemed
+delighted to see him.
+
+"You mustn't go away again, Frank," said little Freddie. "I wanted to
+see you ever so much."
+
+"And I wanted to see you, Freddie," said our hero, his heart warming to
+the little boy.
+
+"You won't go away again, will you, Frank?"
+
+"Not if I can help it, Freddie."
+
+"We are all glad to see you back Frank," said his employer. "But you
+have justified my opinion of you by your success. Some of my friends
+ridiculed me for sending a boy on such an important mission, but I don't
+believe any of them would have succeeded any better than you, if as
+well."
+
+"I am glad you are satisfied with me, sir," said Frank, very much
+gratified by the commendation of his employer.
+
+"I feel that you have done a great service, and indeed I don't know whom
+I could have sent in your place. However, I am glad to see you back
+again. I have missed you about my letters, and have postponed answering
+some till my young secretary returned."
+
+Frank resumed his regular employment, and three months passed without
+anything that needs to be recorded.
+
+At the end of that time, Frank received an important letter from Col.
+Vincent, which gave him much food for thought.
+
+The letter was as follows:
+
+"Dear Frank: For some time past I have been intending to write to you,
+but I have delayed for no good reason. Now, however, I am led to write
+by a surprising discovery which has just been made in your old home,
+which may be of material importance to you.
+
+"When your stepfather went away, he requested me to have an eye to the
+estate, and order whatever I might think necessary to be done. I am not,
+as you know, a very cordial friend of Mr. Manning's, but I have always
+regarded the property as of right belonging to you--that is, since your
+mother's death--and so accepted the commission.
+
+"A few days since I went over the house and found that it was quite
+dirty. Where the dirt could come from in an unoccupied house I can't
+tell, but, at all events, I felt justified in engaging a woman to clean
+the paint, so, if any of you should return unexpectedly, you would find
+the house fit to receive you. This was a very simple matter, you will
+think, and scarcely needs mentioning. But, my dear Frank, events of
+importance often hinge on trifles, and so it has proved in the present
+instance.
+
+"On the evening of the second day I received a call from Mrs. Noonan,
+whom I had employed to scrub the house. She had in her hand a folded
+paper, which she gave to me.
+
+"'Here is something I found, sir, while I was scrubbing,' she said.
+
+"I opened it indifferently, but conceive of my amazement when I found it
+to be your mother's will, properly signed, sealed and witnessed.
+
+"Of course it was not the will which Mr. Manning presented for probate.
+This will gave Mr. Manning ten thousand dollars, and the residue of the
+property to you, except a small amount bestowed upon Richard Green, the
+coachman, and Deborah--sums larger, by the way, than those mentioned in
+the will which was read after your mother's death."
+
+There was more to Colonel Vincent's letter.
+
+Frank showed it to Mr. Percival, and readily obtained permission to take
+a few days vacation.
+
+"I hope you will get back the estate, Frank," said Mr. Percival, "though
+I don't know what I shall do without my secretary."
+
+"That need not separate us, Mr. Percival," said our hero. "I have no
+home but this."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XL
+
+JONAS BARTON
+
+
+Frank started for his old home on Saturday afternoon. He would arrive in
+time for supper, at the house of his father's friend. The train was well
+filled, and he was obliged to share his seat with a shabbily dressed
+young man with whom, a single glance showed him, he was not likely to
+sympathize.
+
+The shabby suit did not repel him at all--he was too sensible for that;
+but there was a furtive look in the man's face, which seemed to indicate
+that he was not frank and straightforward, but had something to conceal.
+
+Half the journey passed without a word between the two. Then his
+companion, glancing at Frank, opened a conversation by remarking that it
+was a fine day.
+
+"Very," answered Frank, laconically.
+
+"A pleasant day to travel."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Do you go far?"
+
+Frank mentioned his destination. His companion seemed to have his
+interest awakened.
+
+"Do you know a Mr. Manning, living in your town?" he asked.
+
+"He is my stepfather," said Frank.
+
+"Then you are Frank Courtney?" said his new acquaintance, quickly.
+
+"I am."
+
+"Pardon me, but I think your mother died recently?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And the property was left chiefly to Mr. Manning?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Of course, you were surprised, and probably very disappointed?"
+
+"Excuse me," said Frank, coldly; "but I am not in the habit of
+discussing my affairs with strangers."
+
+"Quite right, but I think you will find it for your interest to discuss
+them with me. Not in a public car, of course; but I have something of
+importance to communicate. Where can I have a private interview with
+you?"
+
+It at once occurred to Frank that there was an opportunity, perhaps, to
+solve the mystery concerning the will. This man might know nothing about
+it; but, on the other hand, he might know everything. It would be
+foolish to repulse him.
+
+"If you have anything important to tell me, I shall be glad to hear it,"
+he said. "I am going to the house of my friend, Col. Vincent, to pass a
+few days. Do you know where he lives?"
+
+"Yes, I know."
+
+"If you will call this evening, after supper, I shall be glad to see
+you."
+
+"I will do so. I will be there at eight o'clock, sharp."
+
+On arriving at his destination, Frank found the colonel's carriage
+waiting for him at the station.
+
+Col. Vincent was inside.
+
+"Welcome, Frank!" he said, grasping heartily the hand of our young hero.
+"I am delighted to see you. You are looking well, and, bless me, how you
+have grown!"
+
+"Thank you, Col. Vincent. Do you expect me to return the compliment?"
+
+"About having grown? No, Frank, I hope not. I am six feet one, and don't
+care to grow any taller. Well, what do you think of the news?"
+
+"I have some for you, colonel;" and Frank mentioned what his new
+acquaintance had told him.
+
+"The missing link!" exclaimed the colonel, excited. "Do you know what I
+think?"
+
+"What?"
+
+"That this man either forged the will which gives the property to your
+stepfather, or is cognizant of it!"
+
+"I thought of that."
+
+"I shall be impatient to see him."
+
+At eight o'clock the man called and gave his name as Jonas Barton.
+Whether it was the right name might be a question; but this did not
+matter.
+
+"I understand," said Col. Vincent, "that you have some information to
+give us."
+
+"I have; and that of a very important nature."
+
+"Is it of a nature to restore to my young friend here his property now
+in the possession of Mr. Manning?"
+
+"If it were," said Jonas Barton with a cunning glance of his left eye
+"how much would it be worth?"
+
+"I supposed it was for sale," said the colonel, quietly. "What is your
+own idea?"
+
+"I will take two thousand dollars."
+
+"Suppose we say one thousand?"
+
+"It is not enough."
+
+"Were you aware that the genuine will had been found?" asked the
+colonel, quietly.
+
+Jonas Barton started.
+
+"I thought Mr. Manning destroyed it," he said, hastily.
+
+"No; he concealed it."
+
+"Is this true?"
+
+"Yes. You see that a part of your information has been forestalled."
+
+"He was a fool, then, and still more a fool to refuse my last demand for
+money. I accept your offer of a thousand dollars, and will tell all."
+
+"Go on."
+
+"I wrote the will which Mr. Manning presented for probate. It was copied
+in part from the genuine will."
+
+"Good! And you betray him because he will not pay what you consider the
+service worth?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+Jonas Barton here gave a full account of Mr. Manning, whom he had
+formerly known in New York, seeking him out and proposing to him a job
+for which he was willing to pay five hundred dollars. Barton was not
+scrupulous, and readily agreed to do the work. He was skillful with the
+pen, and did his work so well that all were deceived.
+
+"You will be willing to swear to this in court?"
+
+"Yes, sir, if you will guarantee the sum you proposed."
+
+"I will. I shall wish you to find a boarding place in the village, and
+remain here for the present, so as to be ready when needed. I will be
+responsible for your board."
+
+As Jonas Barton was leaving the house, one of the servants came in with
+important news, in which Frank was strongly interested.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLI
+
+CONCLUSION
+
+
+The news was that Mr. Manning and Mark had just arrived at the Cedars.
+They had come by the last evening train. Why they had come back so
+unexpectedly no one knew, but the servant had heard that Mark was in
+poor health. This was true.
+
+Mark, in Europe, had proved uncontrollable. He had given way to his
+natural love of drink, had kept late hours, and had seriously injured
+his constitution. In consequence of these excesses, he had contracted a
+fever, which alarmed him father and induced him to take the first
+steamer home.
+
+"We won't call upon your stepfather this evening, Frank," said Col.
+Vincent; "but early Monday morning we will bring matters to a crisis."
+
+Mr. Manning did not hear of Frank's presence in the village. He was
+fatigued with his rapid travel and kept at home. Besides, Mark was
+prostrated by his journey and didn't wish to be left alone.
+
+It was, therefore, a surprise to Mr. Manning when on Monday morning,
+Col. Vincent was ushered into his presence, accompanied by Frank.
+
+"Really, colonel," he said, recovering his composure, "you are very kind
+to call so soon. I hope you are well, Frank? Are you staying with the
+colonel? You must come back to your old home."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Manning, but I am living in New York. I am only passing
+a day or two with the colonel."
+
+"It is very friendly in you to call, Col. Vincent."
+
+"Mr. Manning," said Col. Vincent, gravely, "I am not willing to receive
+undeserved credit. Let me say, therefore, that this is a business, not a
+friendly, call."
+
+"Indeed," said Manning, uneasily.
+
+"The business is connected with my young friend Frank."
+
+"I am ready to listen," said Mr. Manning. "If Frank wants a larger
+allowance, I am ready to give it."
+
+"I venture to say for him that he will not be satisfied with that. Let
+me come to the point at once, Mr. Manning. Mrs. Manning's will has been
+found."
+
+Mr. Manning started perceptibly, and his glance involuntarily wandered
+to that part of the wall behind which the will was discovered, for they
+were sitting in the very apartment where Mrs. Noonan had stumbled upon
+it.
+
+"What do you mean, sir?"
+
+"A will has been found, leaving the bulk of the property to Frank."
+
+"Indeed! I am surprised. Is it a later will than the one which
+bequeathed the estate to me?" asked Mr. Manning, pointedly.
+
+"It is Mrs. Manning's latest genuine will," said Col. Vincent,
+emphatically.
+
+Mr. Manning started to his feet. He could not help understanding the
+colonel's meaning. It would have been idle to pretend it.
+
+"What do you mean, Col. Vincent?" he asked, in a tone which he tried to
+make one of dignified resentment.
+
+"I mean that Mrs. Manning made but one will, and that this bequeaths the
+property to Frank."
+
+"How, then, do you account for the later will which was admitted to
+probate?"
+
+"In this way. It was not what it purported to be."
+
+Mr. Manning's sallow face flushed.
+
+"What do you mean to insinuate?" he asked.
+
+"That the last will was forged!" said Col. Vincent, bluntly.
+
+"This is a very serious charge," said Mr. Manning, unable to repress his
+agitation. "You must allow me to say that I shall pay no attention to
+it. When you furnish proof of what you assert, it will be time enough to
+meet it. And now, gentlemen, if you have nothing further to say, I will
+bid you good-morning."
+
+"I think you will find it best not to be in a hurry, Mr. Manning," said
+Col. Vincent. "The charge must be met here and now. I charge you with
+instigating and being cognizant of the fraud that has been perpetrated!"
+
+"On what grounds, sir? Do you know I can sue you for libel?"
+
+"You are welcome to do so, Mr. Manning. I have a witness who will clear
+me."
+
+"Who is he?"
+
+"Jonas Barton!"
+
+If a bombshell had exploded in the room, Mr. Manning could not have
+looked paler or more thoroughly dismayed. Yet he tried to keep up a
+little longer.
+
+"I don't know any man of that name," he answered, faintly.
+
+"Your looks show that you do. I may as well tell you, Mr. Manning, that
+resistance is useless. We can overwhelm you with proof if we take the
+matter before the courts. But we do not care to do so. We have something
+to propose."
+
+"What is it?" said Mr. Manning, faintly.
+
+"The genuine will must be substituted for the fraudulent one. By it you
+will receive ten thousand dollars, and Frank will consent that you shall
+receive it. He will not ask you to account for the sums you have
+wrongfully spent during the last year, and will promise not to prosecute
+you, provided you leave this neighborhood and never return to it, or in
+any way interfere with him. To insure this, we shall have Jonas Barton's
+written confession, attested before a justice of the peace, ready for
+use, if needful. Do you accept?"
+
+"I must," said Mr. Manning, despondently. "But I shall be a poor man."
+
+"No man who has health and the use of his facilities is poor with ten
+thousand dollars," answered the colonel.
+
+"Mark alone will spend more than the interest of this sum."
+
+"Then you must prevent him. He will be better off if he has to earn his
+living, as Frank has done for the last year."
+
+In less than a week the transfer was made, and Frank recovered his
+patrimony.
+
+Mr. Manning and Mark went to Chicago, and perhaps further West; but
+nothing has been heard from them for years.
+
+Frank didn't return to the Cedars. The place was let until he should
+wish to return to it.
+
+By the advice of Col. Vincent, he resumed his preparation for college,
+and, graduating in due time, commenced the study of law.
+
+Though rich enough to do without a profession, he felt that he should
+not be content to lead an aimless life.
+
+He obtained for his school friend, Herbert Grant, the post of private
+secretary to Mr. Percival, and Herbert became nearly as great a favorite
+as himself.
+
+Through Mr. Percival's kindness, Herbert was enabled, while still living
+at his house and attending to his duties as secretary, to enter Columbia
+College, and complete his course there, graduating with honor.
+
+Herbert selected the medical profession, and, when he has completed his
+studies, will go abroad for a year with Frank, at the latter's expense,
+and, returning, open an office in New York.
+
+While he is waiting for the patients and Frank for clients, the two
+will live together, and their common expenses will be defrayed by Frank.
+
+"If I didn't like you so well, Frank," said Herbert, "I would not accept
+this great favor at your hands--"
+
+"But since we are dear friends," interrupts Frank, with a smile.
+
+"I know that you enjoy giving even more than I do the receiving."
+
+"Enough, Herbert. We understand each other. I have no brother, Herbert,
+and if I had, I could not care more for him than I do for you. Without
+you, I should feel alone in the world."
+
+Frank does not regret the year in which he was thrown upon his own
+resources. It gave him strength and self-reliance; and however long he
+may live, he will not cease to remember with pleasure the year in which
+he was "Making His Way."
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Making His Way, by Horatio Alger, Jr.
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13803 ***
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+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13803 ***</div>
+
+<h1>MAKING HIS WAY</h1>
+
+<h4><i>or</i></h4>
+
+<h2>Frank Courtney's Struggle Upward</h2>
+
+<h2>By HORATIO ALGER, Jr.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<h4>Whitman Publishing Co.</h4>
+<h4>RACINE, WISCONSIN</h4>
+<h4>PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</h4>
+
+<br />
+
+<a name="TABLE_OF_CONTENTS"></a><h2>TABLE OF CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_I">I.        Two School Friends</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_II">II.       The Telegram</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_III">III.      Frank's Bereavement</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">IV.       Mrs. Manning's Will</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_V">V.        Disinherited</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">VI.       An Unsatisfactory Interview</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">VII.      A School Friend</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">VIII.     A New Plan</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">IX.       The New Owner of Ajax</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_X">X.        Mark Yields to Temptation</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">XI.       Mark Gets into Trouble</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">XII.      Suspended</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">XIII.     Mr. Manning's New Plan</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">XIV.      Good-bye</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">XV.       Erastus Tarbox of Newark</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">XVI.      An Unpleasant Discovery</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">XVII.     The Way of the World</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">XVIII.    Frank Arrives in New York</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">XIX.      Frank Seeks Employment in Vain</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">XX.       An Adventure in Wall Street</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">XXI.      The Capture</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">XXII.     The Young Tea Merchant</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">XXIII.    Frank Meets Mr. Manning and Mark</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">XXIV.     A Discouraging Day</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">XXV.      Perplexity</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">XXVI.     Frank Hears Something to His Advantage</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">XXVII.    An Incident in a Street Car</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">XXVIII.   Frank Makes an Evening Call</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">XXIX.     Frank Is Offered a Position</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">XXX.      Frank as Private Secretary</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">XXXI.     A Letter from Mr. Tarbox</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">XXXII.    Mr. Percival's Proposal</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">XXXIII.   Preparing for a Journey</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">XXXIV.    Frank Reaches Jackson</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV">XXXV.     Dick Hamlin</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">XXXVI.    Mr. Fairfield, the Agent</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVII">XXXVII.   Frank Receives a Letter from Mr. Percival</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVIII">XXXVIII.  The Agent Is Notified</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIX">XXXIX.    An Important Discovery</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XL">XL.       Jonas Barton</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XLI">XLI.      Conclusion</a></center>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="MAKING_HIS_WAY"></a><h2>MAKING HIS WAY</h2>
+<br />
+
+<a name="CHAPTER_I"></a><h2>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+<h3>TWO SCHOOL FRIENDS</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Two boys were walking in the campus of the Bridgeville Academy. They
+were apparently of about the same age&mdash;somewhere from fifteen to
+sixteen&mdash;but there was a considerable difference in their attire.</p>
+
+<p>Herbert Grant was neatly but coarsely dressed, and his shoes were of
+cowhide, but his face indicated a frank, sincere nature, and was
+expressive of intelligence.</p>
+
+<p>His companion was dressed in a suit of fine cloth, his linen was of the
+finest, his shoes were calfskin, and he had the indefinable air of a boy
+who had been reared in luxury.</p>
+
+<p>He had not the broad, open face of his friend&mdash;for the two boys were
+close friends&mdash;but his features were finely chiseled, indicating a share
+of pride, and a bold, self-reliant nature.</p>
+
+<p>He, too, was an attractive boy, and in spite of his pride possessed a
+warm, affectionate heart and sterling qualities, likely to endear him to
+those who could read and understand him.</p>
+
+<p>His name was Frank Courtney, and he is the hero of my story.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you written your Latin exercises, Frank?&quot; asked Herbert.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; I finished them an hour ago.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I was going to ask you to write them with me. It is pleasanter to
+study in company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Provided you have the right sort of company,&quot; rejoined Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Am I the right sort of company?&quot; inquired Herbert, with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You hardly need to ask that, Herbert. Are we not always together? If I
+did not like your company, I should not seek it so persistently. I don't
+care to boast, but I have plenty of offers of companionship which I
+don't care to accept. There is Bob Stickney, for instance, who is always
+inviting me to his room; but you know what he is&mdash;a lazy fellow, who
+cares more to have a good time than to study. Then there is James
+Cameron, a conceited, empty-headed fellow, who is very disagreeable to
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You don't mention your stepbrother, Mark Manning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;For two reasons&mdash;he doesn't care for my company, and of all the boys I
+dislike him the most.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't like him myself. But why do you dislike him so much?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Because he is a sneak&mdash;a crafty, deceitful fellow, always scheming for
+his own interest. He hates me, but he doesn't dare to show it. His
+father is my mother's husband, but the property is hers, and will be
+mine. He thinks he may some day be dependent on me, and he conceals his
+dislike in order to stand the better chance by and by. Heaven grant that
+it may be long before my dear mother is called away!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How did she happen to marry again, Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I can hardly tell. It was a great grief to me. Mr. Manning was a
+penniless lawyer, who ingratiated himself with my mother, and
+persecuted her till she consented to marry him. He is very soft-spoken,
+and very plausible, and he managed to make mother&mdash;who has been an
+invalid for years&mdash;think that it would be the best thing for her to
+delegate her cares to him, and provide me with a second father.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank did not like his stepfather, he did not trust him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your stepbrother, Mark Manning, enjoys the same advantages as yourself,
+does he not?&quot; inquired Herbert.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then his father's marriage proved a good thing for him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is true. When he first came to the house he was poorly dressed,
+and had evidently been used to living in a poor way. He was at once
+provided with a complete outfit as good as my own, and from that time as
+much has been spent on him as on me. Don't think that I am mean enough
+to grudge him any part of the money expended upon him. If he were like
+you, I could like him, and enjoy his society; but he is just another as
+his father.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Here Herbert's attention was drawn to a boy who was approaching with a
+yellow envelope in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Frank,&quot; he said, suddenly, &quot;there's Mark Manning. He looks as if he had
+something to say to you. He has either a letter or a telegram in his
+hand.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_II"></a><h2>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+<h3>THE TELEGRAM</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Frank's heart gave a great bound at the suggestion of a telegram. A
+telegram could mean but one thing&mdash;that his mother had become suddenly
+worse.</p>
+
+<p>He hurried to meet his stepbrother.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is that a telegram, Mark?&quot; he asked, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is it anything about mother? Tell me quick!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Read it for yourself, Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank drew the telegram from the envelope, and read it hastily:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My wife is very sick. I wish you and Frank to come home at once.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;When does the next train start, Herbert?&quot; asked Frank, pale with
+apprehension.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In an hour.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall go by that train.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think I can get ready so soon,&quot; said Mark, deliberately.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then you can come by yourself,&quot; replied Frank, impetuously. &quot;I beg your
+pardon, Mark,&quot; he added. &quot;I cannot expect you to feel as I do. It is not
+your mother.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is my stepmother,&quot; said Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is quite different. But I must not linger here. I will go at once
+to Dr. Brush, and tell him of my summons home. Good-bye, Herbert, till
+we meet again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will go with you to the depot, Frank,&quot; said his friend,
+sympathizingly. &quot;Don't wait for me. Go ahead, and make your preparation
+for the journey. I will be at your room in a quarter of an hour.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You won't go by the next train, Mark?&quot; said Herbert.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No. I don't care to rush about as Frank is doing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You would if it were your own mother who was so ill.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not sure. It wouldn't do any good, would it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You would naturally feel anxious,&quot; said Herbert.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, yes, I suppose so!&quot; answered Mark, indifferently.</p>
+
+<p>Mark Manning was slender and dark, with a soft voice and rather
+effeminate ways. He didn't care for the rough sports in which most boys
+delight; never played baseball or took part in athletic exercises, but
+liked to walk about, sprucely dressed, and had even been seen on the
+campus on a Saturday afternoon with his hands incased in kid gloves.</p>
+
+<p>For this, however, he was so ridiculed and laughed at that he had to
+draw them off and replace them in his pocket.</p>
+
+<p>As Frank and Herbert walked together to the railway station, the latter
+said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It seems to me, Frank, that the telegram should have been sent to you,
+rather than to Mark Manning. You are the one who is most interested in
+the contents.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought of that, Herbert, but I was too much affected by the contents
+to speak of it. I am not surprised, however. It is like Mr. Manning. It
+jarred upon me to have him speak of mother as his wife. She is so, but I
+never could reconcile myself to the fact.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you remember your father&mdash;your own father, Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You need not have said 'your own father.' I don't recognize Mr.
+Manning as a father, at all. Yes, I remember him. I was eight years old
+when he died. He was a fine-looking man, always kind&mdash;a man to be loved
+and respected. There was not a particle of similarity between him and
+Mr. Manning. He was strong and manly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How did it happen that he died so young?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He was the victim of a railway accident. He had gone to New York on
+business, and was expected back on a certain day. The train on which he
+was a passenger collided with a freight train, and my poor father was
+among the passengers who were killed. The news was almost too much for
+my poor mother, although she had not yet become an invalid. It brought
+on a fit of sickness lasting for three months. She has never been
+altogether well since.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;After all, Frank, the gifts of fortune, or rather Providence, are not
+so unequally distributed as at first appears. You are rich, but
+fatherless. I am poor enough but my father and mother are both spared to
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I would gladly accept poverty if my father could be restored to life,
+and my mother be spared to me for twenty years to come.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am sure you would, Frank,&quot; said Herbert. &quot;Money is valuable, but
+there are some things far more so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They had reached the station by this time, and it was nearly the time
+for the train to start. Frank bought his ticket, and the two friends
+shook hands and bade each other good-bye.</p>
+
+<p>In an hour Frank was walking up the long avenue leading to the front
+door of the mansion.</p>
+
+<p>The door was opened by his stepfather.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How is mother?&quot; asked Frank, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am grieved to say that she is very sick,&quot; said Mr. Manning, in a soft
+voice. &quot;She had a copious hemorrhage this morning, which has weakened
+her very much.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is she in danger?&quot; asked Frank, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I fear she is,&quot; said Mr. Manning.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose I can see her?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; but it will be better not to make her talk much.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will be careful, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank waited no longer, but hurried to his mother's chamber. As he
+entered, and his glance fell on the bed and its occupant, he was shocked
+by the pale and ghastly appearance of the mother whom he so dearly
+loved. The thought came to him at once:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;She cannot live.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He found it difficult to repress a rising sob, but he did so for his
+mother's sake. He thought that it might affect her injuriously if he
+should display emotion.</p>
+
+<p>His mother smiled faintly as he approached the bed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mother,&quot; said Frank, kneeling by the bedside, &quot;are you very weak?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, Frank,&quot; she answered, almost in a whisper. &quot;I think I am going to
+leave you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, don't say that, mother!&quot; burst forth in anguish from Frank's lips.
+&quot;Try to live for my sake.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should like to live, my dear boy,&quot; whispered his mother; &quot;but if it
+is God's will that I should die, I must be reconciled. I leave you in
+his care.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Here Mr. Manning entered the room.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You will be kind to my boy?&quot; said the dying mother.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Can you doubt it, my dear?&quot; replied her husband, in the soft tones
+Frank so much disliked. &quot;I will care for him as if he were my own.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you. Then I shall die easy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't speak any more, mother. It will tire you, and perhaps bring on
+another hemorrhage.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Frank is right, my dear. You had better not exert yourself any more at
+present.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Didn't Mark come with you?&quot; asked Mr. Manning of Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am surprised that he should not have done so. I sent for him as well
+as you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I believe he is coming by the next train,&quot; said Frank, indifferently.
+&quot;He thought he could not get ready in time for my train.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He should not have left you to come at such a time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I didn't wish him to inconvenience himself, Mr. Manning. If it had been
+his mother, it would have been different.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning did not reply. He understood very well that there was no
+love lost between Mark and his stepson.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_III"></a><h2>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK'S BEREAVEMENT</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Early in the evening Mark made his appearance. Supper had been over for
+an hour, and everything was cold. In a house where there is sickness,
+the regular course of things is necessarily interrupted, and, because he
+could not have his wants attended to immediately, Mark saw fit to
+grumble and scold the servants. He was not a favorite with them, and
+they did not choose to be bullied.</p>
+
+<p>Deborah, who had been in the house for ten years, and so assumed the
+independence of an old servant, sharply reprimanded the spoiled boy.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You ought to be ashamed, Mr. Mark,&quot; she said, &quot;of making such a fuss
+when my poor mistress lies upstairs at the point of death.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you know who you are talking to?&quot; demanded Mark, imperiously, for he
+could, when speaking with those whom he regarded as inferiors, exchange
+his soft tones for a voice of authority.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I ought to know by this time,&quot; answered Deborah, contemptuously. &quot;There
+is no other in the house like you, I am glad to say.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are very impertinent. You forget that you are nothing but a
+servant.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A servant has the right to be decently treated, Mr. Mark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If you don't look out,&quot; said Mark, in a blustering tone, &quot;I will report
+you to my father, and have you kicked out of the house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Deborah was naturally incensed at this rude speech, but she was spared
+the trouble of replying. Frank entered the room at this moment in time
+to hear Mark's last speech.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is this about being kicked out of the house?&quot; he asked, looking
+from Mark to Deborah, in a tone of unconscious authority, which
+displeased his stepbrother.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is my business,&quot; replied Mark, shortly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Mark has threatened to have me kicked out of the house because he
+has to wait for his supper,&quot; said Deborah.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It wasn't for that. It was because you were impertinent. All the same,
+I think it is shameful that I can't get anything to eat.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I regret, Mark,&quot; said Frank, with cool sarcasm, &quot;that you should be
+inconvenienced about your meals. Perhaps you will excuse it, as my poor
+mother is so sick that she requires extra attention from the servants.
+Deborah, if possible, don't let Mark wait much longer. It seems to be
+very important that he should have his supper.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He shall have it,&quot; assured Deborah, rather enjoying the way in which
+Mark was put down; &quot;that is, if he don't get me kicked out of the
+house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You had better not make any such threats in the future, Mark,&quot; said
+Frank, significantly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who's to hinder?&quot; blustered Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am,&quot; answered Frank, pointedly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are nothing but a boy like me,&quot; retorted Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My mother is mistress here, and I represent her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Things may change soon,&quot; muttered Mark; but Frank had left the room and
+did not hear him.</p>
+
+<p>Mark did not trouble himself even to inquire for his stepmother, but
+went out to the stable and lounged about until bedtime. He seemed very
+much bored, and so expressed himself.</p>
+
+<p>Frank wished to sit up all night with his mother, but, as she had a
+professional nurse, it was thought best that he should obtain his
+regular rest, the nurse promising to call the family if any change
+should be apparent in her patient's condition.</p>
+
+<p>About half-past four in the morning there was a summons.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mrs. Manning is worse,&quot; said the nurse. &quot;I don't think she can last
+long.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>One last glance of love&mdash;though she could no longer speak&mdash;assured Frank
+that she knew him and loved him to the last.</p>
+
+<p>The memory of that look often came back to him in the years that
+followed, and he would not have parted with it for anything that earth
+could give.</p>
+
+<p>Just as the clock struck five, his mother breathed her last. The boy
+gazed upon the inanimate form, but he was dazed, and could not realize
+that his mother had left him, never to return.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;She is gone,&quot; said Mr. Manning, softly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Dead!&quot; ejaculated Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, her sufferings are over. Let us hope she is better off. My boy, I
+think you had better return to your bed. You can do nothing for your
+mother now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I would rather stay here,&quot; said Frank, sadly. &quot;I can at least look at
+her, and soon I shall lose even that comfort.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The thought was too much for the poor boy, and he burst into tears.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do as you please, Frank,&quot; assented Mr. Manning. &quot;I feel for you, and I
+share in your grief. I will go and tell Mark of our sad loss.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He made his way to Mark's chamber and entered. He touched Mark, who was
+in a doze, and he started up.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What's the matter?&quot; he asked, crossly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your poor mother is dead, Mark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, there was no need to wake me for that,&quot; said the boy, irritably.
+&quot;I can't help it, can I?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think, my son, you might speak with more feeling. Death is a solemn
+thing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There's nobody here but me,&quot; said Mark, sneering.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't catch your meaning,&quot; said his father, showing some annoyance,
+for it is not pleasant to be seen through.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why should you care so much?&quot; continued Mark. &quot;I suppose you will be
+well provided for. Do you know how she has left the property? How much
+of it goes to Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I can't say,&quot; said Mr. Manning. &quot;I never asked my wife.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you mean to say, father, that you don't know how the property is
+left?&quot; asked Mark, with a sharp glance at his father.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I may have my conjectures,&quot; said Mr. Manning, softly. &quot;I don't think my
+dear wife would leave me without some evidences of her affection.
+Probably the bulk of the estate goes to your brother, and something to
+me. Doubtless we shall continue to live here, as I shall naturally be
+your brother's guardian.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't call him my brother,&quot; said Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why not? True, he is only your stepbrother; but you have lived under
+the same roof, and been to school together, and this ought to strengthen
+the tie between you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't like Frank,&quot; said Mark. &quot;He puts on altogether too many airs.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I had not observed that,&quot; said his father.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, I have. Only this evening he saw fit to speak impudently to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Indeed! I am really amazed to hear it,&quot; said Mr. Manning, softly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, he thinks he is the master of the house, or will be,&quot; said Mark,
+&quot;and he presumes on that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He is unwise,&quot; said Mr. Manning. &quot;Even if the whole property descends
+to him, which I can hardly believe possible, I, as his guardian, will
+have the right to control him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope you'll do it, father. At any rate, don't let him boss over me,
+for I won't stand it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think he will boss over you,&quot; answered his father, in a slow,
+measured voice, betraying, however, neither anger nor excitement. &quot;Of
+course, I should not permit that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mark regarded his father fixedly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I guess the old man knows what's in the will,&quot; he said to himself. &quot;He
+knows how to feather his own nest. I hope he's feathered mine, too.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning passed from his son's chamber and went softly upstairs,
+looking thoughtful.</p>
+
+<p>Anyone who could read the impassive face would have read trouble in
+store for Frank.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_IV"></a><h2>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+<h3>MRS. MANNING'S WILL</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>During the preparations for the funeral Frank was left pretty much to
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning's manner was so soft, and to him had been so deferential,
+that he did not understand the man. It didn't occur to him that it was
+assumed for a purpose.</p>
+
+<p>That manner was not yet laid aside. His stepfather offered to comfort
+him, but Frank listened in silence. Nothing that Mr. Manning could say
+had the power to lighten his load of grief. So far as words could
+console him, the sympathy of Deborah and the coachman, both old
+servants, whom his mother trusted, had more effect, for he knew that it
+was sincere, and that they were really attached to his mother.</p>
+
+<p>Of Mr. Manning he felt a profound distrust, which no words of his could
+remove.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Mr. Manning was looking from an upper window down the fine
+avenue, and his eye ranged from left to right over the ample estate with
+a glance of self-complacent triumph.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All mine at last!&quot; he said to himself, exultingly. &quot;What I have been
+working for has come to pass. Three years ago I was well-nigh penniless,
+and now I am a rich man. I shall leave Mark the master of a great
+fortune. I have played my cards well. No one will suspect anything
+wrong. My wife and I have lived in harmony. There will be little wonder
+that she has left all to me. There would be, perhaps, but for the manner
+in which I have taken care he shall be mentioned in the will&mdash;I mean, of
+course, in the will I have made for her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He paused, and, touching a spring in the wall, a small door flew open,
+revealing a shallow recess.</p>
+
+<p>In this recess was a folded paper, tied with a red ribbon.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning opened it, and his eyes glanced rapidly down the page.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This is the true will,&quot; he said to himself. &quot;I wish I could summon
+courage to burn it. It would be best out of the way. That, if found
+out, would make me amenable to the law, and I must run no risk. In this
+secret recess it will never be found. I will replace it, and the
+document which I have had prepared will take its place, and no one will
+be the wiser.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>On the day after the funeral, the family solicitor and a few intimate
+friends, who had been invited by Mr. Manning, assembled in the drawing
+room of the mansion to hear the will read.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning himself notified Frank of the gathering and its object.</p>
+
+<p>He found our hero lying on the bed in his chamber, sad and depressed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't like to intrude upon your grief, my dear boy,&quot; said his
+stepfather, softly, &quot;but it is necessary. The last will of your dear
+mother and my beloved wife is about to be read, and your presence is
+necessary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Couldn't it be put off?&quot; asked Frank, sadly. &quot;It seems too soon to
+think of such things.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Pardon me, my dear Frank, but it is quite needful that there should be
+an immediate knowledge of the contents of the will, in order that the
+right person may look after the business interests of the estate. I
+assure you that it is the invariable custom to read the will immediately
+after the funeral.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If that is the custom, and it is necessary, I have nothing to say. When
+is the will to be read?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;At three o'clock, and it is now two.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very well, sir; I will come down in time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course there can't be much doubt as to the contents of the will,&quot;
+pursued Mr. Manning. &quot;You are doubtless the heir, and as you are a
+minor, I am probably your guardian. Should such be the case, I hope
+that the relations between us may be altogether friendly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope so,&quot; said Frank, gravely.</p>
+
+<p>At three o'clock the members of the family, with a few outside friends,
+gathered in the drawing room. The family solicitor, Mr, Ferret, held in
+his hand what purported to be the last will of Mrs. Manning.</p>
+
+<p>The widowed husband had directed the lawyer to the bureau of the
+deceased lady as likely to contain her will. It was found without
+trouble in the topmost drawer.</p>
+
+<p>Deborah and the coachman had speculated as to whether they would be
+invited to attend at the reading of the will.</p>
+
+<p>Their doubts were set at rest by an invitation from Mr. Manning himself.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You were so long in the service of my dear wife,&quot; he said, &quot;that it is
+fitting that you be present at the reading of her will, in which it is
+quite probable that you may be personally interested.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He is uncommonly polite, I am sure,&quot; thought Deborah, disposed for the
+moment to think more favorably of the man whom she had never been able
+to like.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My friends,&quot; said the lawyer, after a preliminary cough, &quot;you are
+assembled to listen to the will of Mrs. Manning, just deceased. The
+document which I hold in my hand I believe to be such an instrument. I
+will now open if for the first time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He untied the ribbon, and began reading the will.</p>
+
+<p>It commenced with the usual formula, and proceeded to a few bequests of
+trifling amount.</p>
+
+<p>Deborah and Richard Green were each left two hundred dollars, &quot;as a
+slight acknowledgment of their faithful service.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>One or two friends of the family were remembered, but to an
+inconsiderable extent. Then came the important clause:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All the rest and residue of the property of which I may die possessed I
+leave to my beloved husband, James Manning, whose devoted affection has
+made happy the last years of my life. Having implicit confidence in his
+good judgment and kindness of heart, I request him to make proper
+provision for my dear son Frank, whose happiness I earnestly desire. I
+hope that he will consent to be guided by the wisdom and experience of
+his stepfather, who, I am sure, will study his interests and counsel him
+wisely. In my sorrow at parting with my dear son, it is an unspeakable
+comfort to me to feel that he will have such a guardian and protector.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank listened with amazement, which was shared by all present.</p>
+
+<p>Practically, he was disinherited, and left wholly dependent upon his
+stepfather.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_V"></a><h2>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+<h3>DISINHERITED</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The contents of the will created general astonishment. There was not one
+in the room who didn't know the devotion of Mrs. Manning to her son
+Frank, yet, while speaking of him affectionately, she had treated him,
+as they considered, most cruelly. Why should she have left such a
+dangerous power in her husband's hands?</p>
+
+<p>And how was Mr. Manning affected?</p>
+
+<p>He summoned to his face an expression of bewilderment and surprise,
+and, feeling that all eyes were fixed upon, him, he turned toward the
+lawyer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Ferret,&quot; he said, &quot;I need hardly say that this will surprises me
+very much, as I see that it does the friends who are present. Are you
+sure that there is no codicil?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have been unable to discover any, Mr. Manning,&quot; said the lawyer,
+gravely, as he scanned the face of the widower keenly.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning applied his handkerchief to his eyes, and seemed overcome by
+emotion.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I knew my dear wife's confidence in me,&quot; he said, in a tremulous voice,
+&quot;but I was not prepared for such a striking manifestation of it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nor I,&quot; said Mr. Ferret, dryly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Knowing her strong attachment to Frank,&quot; paused Mr. Manning, &quot;I feel
+the full extent and significance of that confidence when she leaves him
+so unreservedly to my care and guidance. I hope that I may be found
+worthy of the trust.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope so, sir,&quot; said Mr. Ferret, who, sharp lawyer as he was, doubted
+whether all was right, and was willing that Mr. Manning should be made
+aware of his feeling. &quot;It is certainly a remarkable proviso, considering
+the affection which your wife entertained for her son.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Precisely, Mr. Ferret. It shows how much confidence the dear departed
+felt in me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So far as I can see, the boy is left wholly dependent upon you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He shall not regret it!&quot; said Mr. Manning, fervently. &quot;I consecrate my
+life to this sacred trust.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You acquiesce in the arrangement, then, Mr. Manning?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I cannot do otherwise, can I?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There is nothing to prevent your settling the property, or any part of
+it, on the natural heir, Mr. Manning. You must pardon me for saying that
+it would have been wiser had your wife so stipulated by will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I cannot consent to reverse, or in any way annul, the last wishes of my
+dear wife,&quot; said Mr. Manning, hastily. &quot;It was her arrangement solely,
+and I hold it sacred. She has put upon me a serious responsibility, from
+which I shrink, indeed, but which I cannot decline. I will do all in my
+power to carry out the wishes of my late wife.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Ferret shrugged his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not surprised at your decision, sir,&quot; he said, coldly. &quot;Few men
+would resist the temptation. My duty is discharged with the reading of
+the will, and I will bid you good-afternoon!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning was a crafty man. He knew that the strange will would be
+discussed, and he thought it best that the discussion should come at
+once, that it might be the sooner finished.</p>
+
+<p>Deborah, faithful old servant, was in a blaze of indignation.</p>
+
+<p>She went up quickly to Frank, and said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It's a shame, Mr. Frank, so it is!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If my mother made that will, it is all right,&quot; said Frank, gravely.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But she didn't, Mr. Frank! I know she would never do such a thing. She
+loved you as the apple of her eye, and she would not cheat you out of
+your rightful inheritance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No more she would, Mr. Frank,&quot; said the coachman, chiming in.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know what to think,&quot; said Frank. &quot;It has surprised me very
+much.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Surprised you!&quot; exclaimed Deborah. &quot;You may well say that. You might
+have knocked me down with a feather when I heard the property left away
+from you. Depend upon it, that man knows all about it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You mean Mr. Manning?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To be sure I mean him! Oh, he's managed artfully! I say that for him.
+He's got it all into his own hands, and you haven't a cent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If it was my mother's will I wouldn't complain of that, Deborah. It was
+hers to do with as she liked, and I know, at any rate, that she loved
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There's one thing surprises me,&quot; said Richard Green. &quot;If so be as the
+will isn't genuine, how does it happen that you and I come in for a
+legacy, Deborah?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It's meant for a blind,&quot; answered Deborah. &quot;Oh, he's the artfulest
+man!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You may be right, Deborah. I must say the will sounded all right.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Maybe it was copied from the mistress' will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This conversation took place in one corner of the room.</p>
+
+<p>It ceased as Mr. Ferret advanced toward the disinherited boy.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Frank,&quot; said he, in a tone of sympathy, &quot;I am very sorry for the
+provisions of the will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So am I, sir,&quot; answered our hero. &quot;It isn't pleasant to be dependent on
+Mr. Manning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Particularly when the whole estate should be yours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wouldn't have minded if half had been left to him, provided I had
+been left independent of him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I appreciate your feelings, Frank. I knew your father, and I am proud
+to say that he was my friend. I knew your mother well, and I esteemed
+her highly. I hope you will let me regard myself as your friend also.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, Mr. Ferret!&quot; said Frank. &quot;I am likely to need a friend. I
+shall remember your kind proposal. I want to ask you one question.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ask, and I shall answer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did my mother consult with you about making this will?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did she ever say anything that would lead you to think she would leave
+the property as it is left in this will?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not a word.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Was there another will?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes. I wrote her will at her direction more than a year ago. This will
+is dated only three months since, and, of course, takes precedence of
+it, even if the other is in existence.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Can you tell me what were the provisions of the other will?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A legacy of ten thousand dollars was left to Mr. Manning, and the rest
+of the estate to you, except the small legacies, which were all larger
+than in the will I have read. For instance, Deborah and Richard Green
+were each put down for five hundred dollars.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So they suffer as well as I?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you any idea, Mr. Ferret, of the value of the estate which falls
+into Mr. Manning's hands?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have some idea, because I have talked with your mother on the
+subject. This estate is worth fifty thousand dollars at least, and there
+are fully fifty thousand dollars in money and bonds. The legacies do not
+altogether exceed one thousand dollars, and therefore it may be said
+that your stepfather has fallen heir to one hundred thousand dollars.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose there is nothing I can do, Mr. Ferret?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not unless you can show that this will which I have read is not a
+genuine document. That would be difficult.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did you notice my mother's signature?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes. I am not an expert, but I cannot detect any difference greater
+than maybe existed between two signatures of the same person.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then I suppose there is nothing to be done at present. I expect to have
+a hard time with Mr. Manning, Mr. Ferret.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How has he treated you in the past, Frank?&quot; asked the lawyer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have had nothing to complain of; but then he was not master of the
+estate. Now it is difficult, and I think his treatment of me will be
+different.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You may be right. You remember what I said, Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That I should regard you as a friend? I won't forget it, Mr. Ferret.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>One by one the company left the house, and Frank was alone.</p>
+
+<p>Left alone and unsustained by sympathy, he felt more bitterly than
+before the totally unexpected change in his circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>Up to the last hour he had regarded himself as the heir of the estate.
+Now he was only a dependent of a man whom he heartily disliked.</p>
+
+<p>Could it be that this misfortune had come to him through the agency of
+his mother?</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will not believe it!&quot; he exclaimed, energetically.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_VI"></a><h2>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+<h3>AN UNSATISFACTORY INTERVIEW</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Frank came to a decision the next morning. A long deferred interview
+with his stepfather was necessary. Having made up his mind, he entered
+the room in which his stepfather sat. His air was manly and his bearing
+that of a boy who respects himself, but there was none of the swagger
+which some boys think it necessary to exhibit when they wish to assert
+their rights.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning, in a flowered dressing gown, sat at a table, with a sheet
+of paper before him and a lead pencil in his hand. Short as had been the
+interval since his accession to the property, he was figuring up the
+probable income he would derive from the estate.</p>
+
+<p>He looked up as Frank entered the room, and surveyed him with cold and
+sarcastic eyes. His soft tones were dropped.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Manning,&quot; said Frank, &quot;I wish to talk to you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You may, of course,&quot; his stepfather replied mildly. &quot;It is about the
+will,&quot; Frank advised him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So you would complain of your poor mother, would you?&quot; said his
+stepfather, in a tone of virtuous indignation.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I cannot believe that my mother made that will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning colored. He scented danger. Should Frank drop such hints
+elsewhere, he might make trouble, and lead to a legal investigation,
+which Mr. Manning had every reason to dread.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This is very foolish,&quot; he said, more mildly. &quot;No doubt you are
+disappointed, but probably your mother has provided wisely. You will
+want for nothing, and you will be prepared for the responsibilities of
+manhood under my auspices.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning's face assumed a look of self-complacence as he uttered
+these last words.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have no blame to cast upon my dear mother,&quot; said Frank. &quot;If she made
+that will, she acted under a great mistake.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What mistake, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;She failed to understand you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you mean to imply that I shall be false to my trust?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not at present, sir. I don't wish to judge of you too hastily.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As the boy turned to go, he said. &quot;I have nothing further to say, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But I have,&quot; said Mr. Manning.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very well, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I demand that you treat my son Mark with suitable respect, and forbear
+to infringe upon his rights.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked up, and answered, with spirit: &quot;I shall treat Mark as well
+as he treats me, sir. Is that satisfactory?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I apprehend,&quot; said Mr. Manning, &quot;that you may make some mistakes upon
+that point.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will try not to do so, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank left the room, and this time was not called back.</p>
+
+<p>His stepfather looked after him, but his face expressed neither
+friendliness nor satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That boy requires taming,&quot; he said to himself. &quot;He is going to make
+trouble. I must consider what I will do with him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As Mr. Manning reviewed Frank's words, there was one thing which
+especially disturbed him&mdash;the doubt expressed by his stepson as to his
+mother's having actually made the will.</p>
+
+<p>He saw that it would not do for him to go too far in his persecution of
+Frank as it might drive the latter to consult a lawyer in regard to the
+validity of the will by which he had been disinherited.</p>
+
+<p>Frank rather gloomily made his way to the stable. As he reached it,
+Richard Green came out.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'm sorry for you, Mr. Frank. But your mother was a saint. She was too
+good to suspect the badness of others, Mr. Frank. She thought old
+Manning was really all that he pretended to be, and that he would be as
+kind to you as she was herself. When she was alive, he was always as
+soft as&mdash;as silk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;His manner has changed now,&quot; said Frank, gravely. &quot;Excuse me, Richard,
+for finding fault with you, but don't call him old Manning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why not, Mr. Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have no liking for Mr. Manning&mdash;in fact, I dislike him&mdash;but he was
+the husband of my mother, and I prefer to speak of him respectfully.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I dare say you are right, Mr. Frank, but, all the same, he don't
+deserve it. Is Mr. Mark to ride Ajax then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If he asks for it, you are to saddle Ajax for him. I don't want you to
+get into any trouble with Mr. Manning on my account.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't care for that, Mr. Frank. I can get another place, and I don't
+much care to serve Mr. Manning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I would rather you would stay, if you can, Richard. I don't want to see
+a new face in the stable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think he means to keep me long, Mr. Frank. Deborah and I will
+have to go, I expect, and he'll get some servants of his own here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Has he hinted anything of this, Richard?&quot; asked Frank, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; but he will soon, you may depend on it. I won't lose sight of you,
+though. I've known you since you were four years old, and I won't desert
+you, if I can do any good&mdash;nor Deborah, either.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have two friends, then, at any rate,&quot; said Frank to himself. &quot;That is
+something.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_VII"></a><h2>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+<h3>A SCHOOL FRIEND</h3>
+
+<br />
+
+<p>Early Monday morning it had been the custom for Frank and Mark to take
+the train for Bridgeville, to enter upon a new week at the academy.</p>
+
+<p>Frank felt that it would be better for him to go back without any
+further vacation, as occupation would serve to keep him from brooding
+over his loss.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are you ready, Mark?&quot; he asked, as he rose from the breakfast table.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ready for what?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To go back to school, of course.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not going back this morning,&quot; answered Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why not?&quot; asked Frank, in some surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am going to stay at home to help father,&quot; said Mark, with a glance at
+Mr. Manning.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If I can be of any service to you, sir, I will stay, too,&quot; said Frank,
+politely.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, but Mark will do all I require,&quot; replied his stepfather.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very well, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank appeared at the academy with a grave face and subdued manner,
+suggestive of the great loss he had sustained. From his schoolfellows,
+with whom he was a favorite, he received many words of sympathy&mdash;from
+none more earnest or sincere than from Herbert Grant.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know how you feel, Frank,&quot; he said, pressing the hand of his friend.
+&quot;If I could comfort you I would, but I don't know how to do it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I find comfort in your sympathy,&quot; said Frank. &quot;I look upon you as my
+warmest friend here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad of that, Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>To Herbert alone Frank spoke of his mother and her devoted affection;
+but even to him he did not like to mention the will and his
+disinheritance. He did not so much lament the loss of the property as
+that he had lost it by the direction of his mother, or, rather, because
+it would generally be supposed so.</p>
+
+<p>For himself, he doubted the genuineness of the will, but he felt that it
+was useless to speak of it, as he was unprepared with any proofs.</p>
+
+<p>So it happened that when, on Wednesday afternoon Mark Manning made his
+appearance, Frank's change of position, as respected the property, was
+neither known nor suspected by his schoolfellows. It was soon known,
+however, and of course, through Mark.</p>
+
+<p>The boys immediately noticed a change in Mark. He assumed an air of
+consequence, and actually strutted across the campus. Instead of being
+polite and attentive to Frank, he passed him with a careless nod, such
+as a superior might bestow on an inferior.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What has come over Mark?&quot; asked Herbert of Frank, as the two were
+walking together from recitation.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How do you mean?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He holds his head higher than he used to do. He looks as if he had been
+elected to some important office.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You will soon learn, Herbert,&quot; said Frank. &quot;Make a pretext to join him,
+and let the news come from him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Herbert looked puzzled.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you wish me to do this?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, I have a reason for it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very well. I am always ready to oblige you, Frank, but I hope Mark
+won't think I have suddenly formed a liking for his society.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If he does, you can soon undeceive him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is true.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Herbert left the side of his friend, and sauntered toward Mark.</p>
+
+<p>As Herbert was known as Frank's especial friend, Mark was at first
+surprised, but quickly decided that his improved position had been
+communicated by Frank, and that Herbert was influenced by it. That is to
+say, he judged Herbert to be as mean and mercenary as himself.</p>
+
+<p>Herbert's position was too humble to entitle him to much notice from
+Mark, but the latter was pleased with the prospect of detaching from
+Frank his favorite friend.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You came back rather late, Mark,&quot; said Herbert.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes,&quot; answered Mark, with an air of importance. &quot;I remained at home a
+short time, to help my father in his accounts. You know the property is
+large, and there is a good deal to do.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should think that was Frank's place, to help about the accounts.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The property is his, of course!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did he tell you that?&quot; asked Mark, sharply.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He has not said a word about the property.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, I suppose not,&quot; said Mark, with a sneering laugh.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Has anything happened? Didn't his mother leave as much as was
+expected?&quot; went on Herbert, quite in the dark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, she left a large estate, but she didn't leave it to him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To whom, then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To my father!&quot; replied Mark, with conscious pride. &quot;Frank has nothing.
+He is entirely dependent upon father.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did his mother leave him nothing, then?&quot; asked Herbert, in pained
+surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nothing at all,&quot; assured Mark, complacently.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is very strange and unjust.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't look upon it in that light,&quot; said Mark, nettled. &quot;My father
+knows what is best for him. He will provide for him just as his mother
+did before.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But when Frank is of age, doesn't he come into possession of the estate
+then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, of course not. Didn't I tell you it belongs to father? Frank is a
+poor boy&mdash;as poor as you,&quot; said Mark, in a tone of evident satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Or you,&quot; added Herbert, pointedly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are mistaken,&quot; said Mark, quickly. &quot;I am father's heir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Suppose your father dies&mdash;how will the property go?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose something will be left to Frank, unless my father leaves me
+the property, with directions to provide for him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Would you think that right and just?&quot; demanded Herbert, indignantly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course I would. My stepmother knew what she was about when she made
+her will. I see you are surprised. You won't be quite to thick with
+Frank, now, I expect.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why shouldn't I be?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Because he is just as poor as you are. He never can help you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mark Manning, I believe you are about the meanest boy I ever
+encountered, and you judge me by yourself!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you mean to insult me? Mind what you say!&quot; blustered Mark,
+unpleasantly surprised at this outburst from a boy whom he expected
+would now transfer his allegiance from Frank to himself.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I mean that you and your father have robbed Frank of his inheritance,
+and glory in it, and you think that I am mean enough to desert him
+because he is no longer rich. It makes no difference to me whether he is
+rich or poor. I think I like him all the better because he has been so
+badly treated. As for you, I despise you, and shall continue to, even if
+you get the whole of Frank's money.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You forget that you are talking to a gentleman, you low-born mechanic!&quot;
+said Mark, angrily.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You a gentleman!&quot; replied Herbert, contemptuously. &quot;Then I never want
+to be one!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He walked away, leaving Mark very much incensed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He is a fool!&quot; muttered Mark. &quot;When I am a rich man, he may repent
+having insulted me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Herbert went back to Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did he tell you?&quot; asked Frank, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; and he actually appeared to think I would be ready to desert you
+because you were poor, and follow him about.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not afraid of that, Herbert.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think Mark will have that idea any more. I gave him a piece of
+my mind, and left him very angry. But what does it all mean, Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know no more than you do, Herbert. I cannot understand it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What could have induced your mother to make such a will?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I cannot believe my poor mother ever made such a will; but, if she
+did, I am very sure that she was over-persuaded by my stepfather, who is
+one of the most plausible of men.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What shall you do about it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What can I do? I am only a boy. I have no proof, you know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How are you likely to be treated?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have had a little foretaste of that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It looks very bad for you, Frank,&quot; admitted Herbert, in a tone of
+sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't so much care for the loss of the property, Herbert,&quot; said
+Frank, &quot;but I am afraid I shall have sorts of annoyances to endure from
+Mark and his father. But I won't anticipate trouble. I will do my duty,
+and trust that things will turn out better than I fear.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The next afternoon a letter was placed in Frank's hands. It was in a
+brown envelope, and directed in a cramped and evidently unpracticed
+hand, with which Frank was not familiar.</p>
+
+<p>On opening it, a glance at the signature showed that it was from Richard
+Green, the coachman. It commenced:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Dear Mr. Frank: This comes hoping you are well. I have no good news to
+tell. Mr. Manning has sold your horse, Ajax, and he is to be taken away
+to-night. I thought you ought to know it, and that is why I take my pen
+in hand to write.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>There was more, but this is all that was important.</p>
+
+<p>Frank's face flushed with anger. He immediately went in search of Mark,
+who, he felt assured, knew of the sale.</p>
+
+<p>It may be said here that Ajax was one of Frank's dearest trophies, a
+gift from his mother.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_VIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+
+<h3>A NEW PLAN</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
+Though decidedly plain, Mark fancied himself very good-looking, and
+spent no little time on personal adornment. In particular, he had a
+weakness for new neckties, in which he indulged himself freely.</p>
+
+<p>When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they
+should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to
+himself&mdash;no one caring to room with him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Take a seat, Frank,&quot; said Mark, condescendingly. &quot;Is there anything I
+can do for you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes,&quot; answered Frank. &quot;I hear your father has sold Ajax, or is
+intending to do so. Will you tell me if it is true?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I believe it is,&quot; answered Mark, indifferently.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And what right has he to sell my horse?&quot; demanded Frank, indignantly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You'd better ask him,&quot; said Mark, with provoking coolness.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is an outrage,&quot; said Frank, indignantly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As to that,&quot; said his stepbrother, &quot;you can't expect father to be at
+the expense of feeding your horse.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;With my money?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The money is legally his,&quot; replied Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you know to whom your father has sold Ajax?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To Col. Vincent, I believe.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad, at any rate, that he will have a good master.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank felt that there would be no advantage in prolonging the interview,
+or carrying on further a war of words.</p>
+
+<p>He sought out his friend Herbert, and communicated to him this last
+infraction of his rights.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is too bad, Frank!&quot; said his sympathizing friend.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, it is,&quot; said Frank, gravely; &quot;but I fear it is only the beginning
+of annoyances. I don't believe I can ever live in any place with Mr.
+Manning or Mark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Will it be necessary?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose so. I have no money, as you know. All has gone to him.
+Herbert, I tell you frankly, I envy you and your position.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Though my father is a poor man?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; for, at any rate, you have a peaceful home, and a father and
+mother who love you. I have a stepfather, who will do all he can to make
+me miserable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Would you be willing to work for your own support, Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; far rather than remain a dependent on Mr. Manning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Suppose you should run away,&quot; suggested Herbert.</p>
+
+<p>Frank shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wouldn't do that except in case of extreme necessity. I know that if
+my mother knows what goes on here, it would grieve her for me to take
+such a step.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Suppose your stepfather should consent to your leaving home?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then I would do so gladly. I am willing to work and I think I could
+make a living in some way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why not ask him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank's face brightened.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you for the hint, Herbert,&quot; he said. &quot;I will think of it, and I
+may act upon it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was naturally self-reliant and energetic. He was not disposed to
+shrink from the duties of life, but was ready to go forth to meet them.
+The idea which Herbert had suggested commended itself to him the more he
+thought of it.</p>
+
+<p>In spite, therefore, of the news which he had received about Ajax, he
+resumed his cheerfulness, considerably to the surprise of Mark, whose
+natural suspicion led him to conjecture that Frank had some plan in view
+to circumvent his father.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If he has, he'd better give it up,&quot; reflected Mark. &quot;The old man's as
+sly as a fox. A raw boy like Frank can't get the better of him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>At the close of the week, both the boys went home. They were on board
+the same train and the same car, but did not sit together. When they
+reached the house, Mr. Manning was not at home.</p>
+
+<p>Frank went out to the stable at once to see Richard Green, the coachman.</p>
+
+<p>He found him, indeed, but he also found another man, a stranger, who
+appeared to be employed in the stable.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who is this, Richard?&quot; asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My successor,&quot; answered the coachman.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are you going to leave?&quot; asked Frank, hastily.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Come out with me, Mr. Frank, and I will tell you,&quot; said Richard. &quot;I've
+had notice to leave,&quot; he said, &quot;and so has Deborah. It came last
+evening. Mr. Manning got a letter from Bridgeville&mdash;I know that, because
+I brought it home from the post office&mdash;which appeared to make him
+angry. He called Deborah and me and told us that he should not need our
+services any longer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did he give you any reason?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; he said that he could have our places filled for a good deal less
+money, and he had no doubt we could do as well elsewhere.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He has filled your place pretty soon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes. This man came this morning. I think Mr. Manning had sent for him
+already. I told you the other day we should soon be discharged.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know it; but I can tell you what has hastened it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What, then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mark wrote his father that I had learned about the sale of Ajax, and
+that the information came from you or Deborah.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think it likely, Mr. Frank, for the old gentleman seemed mighty cool.
+I hope you won't take it too much to heart that Ajax is sold.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not sure but I am glad of it,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>The coachman looked at him in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought you would be very angry,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So I was at first, but he has been sold to a man who will treat him
+well, and I shall be glad to think of that when I'm away from home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You don't mean to run away, Mr. Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; but I mean to get my stepfather's permission to go, if I can.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where do you mean to go, Mr. Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Somewhere where I can earn my living, without depending upon anybody.
+You know very well, Richard, how miserable I should be to stay here in
+dependence upon Mr. Manning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But to think that you, to whom the property rightfully belongs, should
+go away and work for a living, while that man and his boy occupy your
+place. I can't bear to think of it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have done a good deal of thinking within a few days, and I don't
+shrink from the prospect. I think I should rather enjoy being actively
+employed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But you were to go to college, Mr. Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know it, Richard, but I am not sure whether it would be for the best.
+My tastes are for an active business life, and I don't care for a
+profession.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you think your stepfather will give you a start?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In the way of money?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know. If he won't, I have still fifty dollars in the savings
+bank, which I have saved from my pocket money. I will take that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Frank, will you promise not to be offended at what I'm going to
+say?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think you would say anything that ought to offend me, Richard.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then I want you to take the money that comes to me by the will&mdash;Mr.
+Manning is to pay it to me on Monday. I don't need it, and you may.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are very kind, Richard, but I will get along with fifty dollars,
+unless Mr. Manning supplies me with more. If I really need money at any
+time, I will think of your offer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That's something, at any rate,&quot; said Richard. partly reconciled. &quot;You
+won't forget it now, Mr. Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, Richard, I promise you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank left the stable and went thoughtfully into the house.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_IX"></a><h2>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+
+<h3>THE NEW OWNER OF AJAX</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Frank and Mark took supper alone, Mr. Manning having left word that he
+would not return till later in the evening.</p>
+
+<p>After supper, Frank decided to go over to call upon Col. Vincent, the
+new owner of Ajax. His estate was distant about three-quarters of a mile
+from the Cedars.</p>
+
+<p>As Frank started, Mark inquired:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where are you going, Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To see Ajax,&quot; answered our hero.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you mean to make any fuss about him? I wouldn't advise you to.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you for your advice.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wonder what he is going to do?&quot; thought Mark. &quot;Of course he can't do
+anything now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He did not venture to propose to accompany Frank, knowing that his
+company would not be acceptable.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is Col. Vincent at home?&quot; asked Frank, at the door of a handsome house.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, Mr. Courtney,&quot; replied the colored servant, pleasantly, for Frank
+was a favorite among all classes in the neighborhood. &quot;Come right in,
+sir. De colonel am smoking a cigar on de back piazza.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank followed the servant through the hall which intersected the house,
+and stepped out on the back piazza.</p>
+
+<p>A stout, elderly gentleman was taking his ease in a large rustic
+rocking chair.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good-evening, Col. Vincent,&quot; our hero said.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good-evening, Frank, my boy,&quot; said the colonel, heartily. &quot;Glad to see
+you. Haven't you gone back to school?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir; but I came home to spend Sunday. It doesn't seem much like
+home now,&quot; he added, as his lip quivered.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You have suffered a great loss, my dear boy,&quot; said the colonel,
+feelingly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The greatest, sir. My mother was all I had.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose Mr. Manning will keep up the establishment?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose so, sir; but it is no longer home to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't take it too hard, Frank. I was sorry about the will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So was I, sir; because it makes me dependent on a man whom I dislike.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't be too prejudiced, Frank. I never took any fancy to your
+stepfather myself; but then we don't need to like everybody we associate
+with.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hear you have bought my horse, Col. Vincent,&quot; said Frank, desiring to
+change the subject.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Was Ajax your horse?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes. It was given to me as a birthday present by my mother.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I had some such idea, and expressly asked Mr. Manning whether the horse
+was not yours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What did he answer?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That it was only nominally yours, and that he thought it best to sell
+it, as both you and Mark were absent at school, and had no time to use
+it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not surprised at anything Mr. Manning may say,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It's too bad! I'll tell you what I will do, Frank. I haven't paid for
+the horse yet. I will return it to Mr. Manning, and tell him that I
+bought it under a misapprehension of the ownership. I don't think he
+will make any fuss.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I would rather have you keep it, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You would!&quot; exclaimed the colonel, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir. If you should return Ajax, Mr. Manning would sell him to some
+one else, and you, I know, will treat him well.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But you will lose the use of him. No, you won't, though. Come over to
+my stable when you like, and, if he is not in use, you can take him
+out.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, sir! You are very kind. While I am in the neighborhood, I
+won't forget your kind offer. But I mean to go away.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You mean to go away! Where?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Out into the world. Anywhere, where I can find work and make a living.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But surely this is not necessary. Your stepfather will provide for you
+without your working.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have no reason to doubt it, Col. Vincent; but I shall be happier in
+the world outside.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course you will let Mr. Manning know of your intention to leave
+home?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall ask his permission to go at the end of my school term. That
+comes in a couple of weeks.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where will you go?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A cousin of my father is at Newark, New Jersey. I think I shall go to
+him first, and ask his advice about getting a place either there or in
+New York.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You will need some money to start with. Do you think Mr. Manning will
+give you any?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know, sir! That won't prevent my going. I have fifty dollars in
+a savings bank, saved up from my allowance, and that will be all I shall
+need.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If you have any difficulty on that score, Frank, remember that I was
+your father's friend, and mean to be yours. Apply to me at any time when
+you are in a strait.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will, sir, and thank you heartily.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That was a strange will, Frank. I don't want to put any ideas into your
+head to disturb you, but had your mother ever led you to suspect that
+she intended to leave you dependent on your stepfather?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Never, sir!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't you think she would have done so, had she had such a plan in
+view?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I do,&quot; said Frank, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>The colonel's eye met his, and each knew what the other suspected.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There is nothing for me to do at present, sir,&quot; said Frank. &quot;If Mr.
+Manning does not interfere with my plans, I shall not trouble him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will hint as much when I see him. It may clear the way for you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish you would, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Come and see me again, Frank,&quot; said the colonel, as Frank rose to go.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I certainly will, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your father's son will always be welcome at my house. When did you say
+your school term closes?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In a fortnight.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will see your stepfather within a few days. By the way, Frank,
+wouldn't you like a gallop on Ajax to-night?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir; I should enjoy it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Come out to the stable with me, then.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Ajax whinnied with delight when he saw his old, or rather his young
+master, and evinced satisfaction when Frank stroked him caressingly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Sam,&quot; said Col. Vincent, &quot;Frank is to ride Ajax whenever he pleases.
+Saddle him for his use whenever he asks you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That I will, sir&quot; answered Sam. &quot;Often and often I've seen Mr. Frank on
+his back. Doesn't he ride well, though?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't flatter me, Sam,&quot; said Frank, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>Five minutes later he was on the back of his favorite horse, galloping
+down the road.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope I shall meet Mark,&quot; thought Frank. &quot;I would like to give him a
+sensation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Considering the manner in which Mark had treated his stepbrother, Frank
+may be excused for the wish to puzzle him a little.</p>
+
+<p>Finding himself lonely, Mark decided to take a walk not long after
+Frank's departure. He was sauntering along the road, when he heard the
+sound of hoofs, and, to his surprise, saw his stepbrother on the back of
+Ajax.</p>
+
+<p>His first thought was that Frank had gone to Col. Vincent's stable and
+brought away Ajax without permission, in defiance of Mr. Manning's will.
+He resolved to take him to task for it immediately. Frank purposely
+slackened the speed of his horse in order to give Mark the chance he
+sought.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why are you riding Ajax?&quot; asked Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is a pleasant evening,&quot; answered Frank, &quot;and I thought I should
+enjoy it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where did you get him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;From Col. Vincent's stable, where he never ought to have been carried,&quot;
+answered Frank, with spirit.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You seem to think you can do anything you like, Frank Courtney,&quot; said
+Mark, provoked, deciding that his suspicions were well founded.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is there any particular reason why I should not ride Ajax?&quot; demanded
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You have made yourself liable to arrest for horse stealing,&quot; said Mark.
+&quot;It would serve you right if Col. Vincent should have you arrested and
+tried.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think he will gratify your kind wishes, Mark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Just wait and see what my father has to say to you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have only done what I had a perfect right to do; but I can't stop to
+dispute with you. I must finish my ride. Hey, Ajax!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke the horse dashed into a gallop, and Mark was left looking
+after him in a disturbed frame of mind.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'll tell my father as soon as he gets home,&quot; he decided; and he kept
+his word.</p>
+
+<p>In consequence, Frank, by that time returned, was summoned into Mr.
+Manning's presence.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is this I hear?&quot; he began. &quot;Did you ride Ajax this evening?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where did you find him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In Col. Vincent's stable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This is a high-handed proceeding, Frank Courtney. Have you any excuse
+to offer?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;None is needed sir. Col. Vincent has given me permission to ride him
+whenever I please.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It appears to me, Mark,&quot; said Mr. Manning, sharply, &quot;that you have made
+a fool of yourself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How should I know?&quot; replied Mark, mortified by the collapse of his
+sensation. &quot;Frank didn't tell me he had leave to use the horse.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And he left the room, looking foolish.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_X"></a><h2>CHAPTER X</h2>
+
+<h3>MARK YIELDS TO TEMPTATION</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>There are some boys, as well as men, who cannot stand prosperity.</p>
+
+<p>It appeared that Mark Manning was one of these.</p>
+
+<p>While his stepmother was living and his father's prospects&mdash;and
+consequently his own&mdash;were uncertain, he had been circumspect in his
+behavior and indulged in nothing that could be considered seriously
+wrong.</p>
+
+<p>When his father came into possession of a large fortune, and his pocket
+money was doubled, Mark began to throw off some of the restraint which,
+from motives of prudence, he had put upon himself.</p>
+
+<p>About the middle of the week, as Frank was taking a walk after school
+hours, he was considerably surprised to see Mark come out of a
+well-known liquor saloon frequented by men and boys of intemperate
+habits.</p>
+
+<p>The students of Bridgeville Academy were strictly forbidden this or any
+other saloon, and I am sure that my boy readers will agree with mo that
+this rule was a very proper one.</p>
+
+<p>Mark Manning appeared to have been drinking. His face was flushed, and
+his breath, if one came near enough to him, was redolent of the fumes of
+alcohol. With him was James Carson, one of the poorest scholars and most
+unprincipled boys in the academy. It was rather surprising that he had
+managed for so long to retain his position in the institution, but he
+was crafty and took good care not to be caught.</p>
+
+<p>To go back a little, it was chiefly owing to James Carson's influence
+that Mark had entered the saloon.</p>
+
+<p>When he learned that Mark's worldly prospects had improved, and that he
+had a large supply of pocket money, he determined to cultivate his
+acquaintance&mdash;though privately he thought Mark a disagreeable boy&mdash;with
+the intention of obtaining for himself a portion of Mark's surplus
+means.</p>
+
+<p>At the first of the term he had made similar advances to Frank, but they
+were coldly received, so much so that he did not think it worth while to
+persevere in courting our hero's intimacy.</p>
+
+<p>He succeeded better with Mark, his crafty nature teaching him how to
+approach him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mark,&quot; he said, with a great show of cordiality, &quot;I am delighted to
+hear of your good fortune. I always liked you, and I think you deserve
+to be rich.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you!&quot; said Mark, much gratified, for he liked flattery. &quot;I am
+sure I am very much obliged to you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, not at all! I only say what I think. Shall I tell you why I am
+particularly glad?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, if you like,&quot; returned Mark, in some curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Because I like you better than that young muff, your stepbrother. I
+hope you won't be offended at my plain speaking,&quot; he added, artfully.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Certainly not!&quot; said Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose,&quot; said James, &quot;you will see a little life now that you are
+your own master and have plenty of money.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know exactly what you mean, James. There isn't much life to be
+seen in Bridgeville.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is true; but still there is some. Suppose now&quot;&mdash;by this time they
+were in front of the saloon, which, besides a bar, contained a billiard
+and pool table&mdash;&quot;suppose now we go in and have a game of billiards.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It's against the rules, isn't it?&quot; asked Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What do you care for the rules?&quot; said James, contemptuously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If the old man hears of it, we shall get into hot water.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>By the &quot;old man&quot; Mark meant the Rev. Dr. Brush, the venerable and
+respected principal of the Bridgeville Academy, but such boys as he have
+very little respect for the constituted authorities.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why need he know it? We will slip in when no one is looking. Did you
+ever play a game of billiards?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I never played over half a dozen games in my life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yon ought to know how to play. It is a splendid game. Come in.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mark did not make very strong opposition, and the two boys, first
+looking cautiously in different directions, entered the saloon.</p>
+
+<p>Toward the entrance was a bar, and in the roar of the saloon were two
+tables.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Won't you have a drink, Mark?&quot; asked James.</p>
+
+<p>Mark hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, come now, it won't hurt. Two glasses of whisky, John.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All right, Mr. Carson,&quot; said the barkeeper, to whom James was well
+known.</p>
+
+<p>James tossed off his glass with the air of an old drinker, but Mark
+drank his more slowly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There, I know you feel better, Mark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now, John, give me the balls. We'll play a game of billiards.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All right, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'll discount you, Mark,&quot; said James, &quot;to give you a fair chance. It is
+about the same thing as giving you half the game. Or, if you like, I
+will give you seventeen points to start with, and then you will only
+have seventeen to make, while I am making thirty-four.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I like that best.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now shall we play for the drinks?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We have just had a drink?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We'll have another.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Won't that be too much? I don't want to get drunk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Two drinks won't do you any harm. Very well. Now let us string for the
+lead.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>There is no need of describing the game in detail. Mark was only a
+novice, while James could really make three or four points to his one.
+He restrained himself, however, so that he only beat Mark by two points.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You did splendidly, Mark,&quot; he said. &quot;Considering how little you have
+played, you did remarkably well. Why, you made a run of three.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, I did pretty well,&quot; said Mark, flattered by his companion's
+praises.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I had hard work to beat you, I can tell you that. As it was, you came
+within two points of beating. Don't you like the game?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very much.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought you would. Shall we have another game?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't mind,&quot; answered Mark.</p>
+
+<p>He knew that he ought to be in his room writing a composition to be
+delivered the next day, but such obligations sat easily upon Mark, and
+he did not hesitate long.</p>
+
+<p>That time James allowed him to score sixteen, so that Mark was only
+beaten by one point.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You see, you are improving,&quot; said James. &quot;I played a better game that
+time than before, and still you came within one of beating me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think I shall become a good player in time,&quot; said Mark, complacently.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, and in a very short time. Now,&quot; said James, &quot;I have a proposal to
+make to you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We'll bet twenty-five cents on the next game, to give a little interest
+to it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mark had no special scruples against betting, which is only one form of
+gambling, but he decidedly objected to losing money, so he answered,
+cautiously:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know about that. You beat me both of the other games.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That's true; but you play better now than you did at first.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That may be so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What are twenty-five cents, anyway? I expect to lose it, but it will
+increase the interest of the game.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So Mark was persuaded, and the game was played.</p>
+
+<p>James Carson managed to let Mark beat him by five shots, and the latter
+was correspondingly elated.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You beat me after all,&quot; said James, pretending to be much disappointed,
+&quot;and by five points. I'll tell you what I'll do&mdash;I'll give you the same
+odds, and bet a dollar on the game. I suppose it's foolish, but I'll
+risk it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Done!&quot; said Mark, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>His cupidity was excited, and he felt sure of winning the dollar, as he
+had the twenty-five cents. But James had no idea of playing off now, and
+he played a better game, as he was well able to do. The result was that
+Mark was beaten by three points.</p>
+
+<p>He looked quite crestfallen.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I had better shows than you,&quot; said James. &quot;I couldn't do it once in
+five times. Will you play again?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mark agreed to it with some hesitation, and he was again beaten.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You had luck against you. Another day you will succeed better. Have you
+played enough?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes,&quot; answered Mark, annoyed.</p>
+
+<p>He had four games to pay for and two dollars in bets, and it made rather
+an expensive afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have another drink? I'll treat,&quot; said James, who could afford to be
+liberal.</p>
+
+<p>Mark accepted, and then, flushed and excited, he left the saloon, just
+as Frank came up, as described in the first part of the chapter. On the
+whole, he was sorry to meet his stepbrother just at this time.</p>
+
+<p>Frank stopped, and his attention was drawn to Mark's flushed face.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+
+<h3>MARK GETS INTO TROUBLE</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Mark nodded slightly and was about to pass without a word, when Frank
+said, quietly:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am sorry to see you coming out of such a place, Mark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is it to you, anyway?&quot; returned Mark, rudely.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not much, perhaps,&quot; replied Frank, calmly, &quot;but I don't like to see my
+acquaintances coming out of a liquor saloon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It won't hurt you,&quot; said Mark, irritably.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, it won't hurt me, but if tho principal should hear of it, it would
+not be pleasant for you. You know students are strictly forbidden to
+enter any saloon?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose you mean to tell on me,&quot; said Mark, hastily, and not
+altogether without uneasiness.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are mistaken. I am not a talebearer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then there is no need to say any more about it. Come along, James!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank's interference was well meant, but, as we shall see, it did harm
+rather than good.</p>
+
+<p>As Mark left the saloon, he had half decided not to enter it again. He
+was three dollars out of pocket, and this did not suit him at all.</p>
+
+<p>In fact, Mark was rather a mean boy, and it was with considerable
+reluctance that he had handed over to his companion the two dollars with
+which to pay for the games.</p>
+
+<p>Moreover, he was mortified at losing the two games of billiards, when so
+great odds had been given him.</p>
+
+<p>James Carson was no scholar, but he was sharp enough to perceive the
+state of Mark's feelings, and he also saw how he was affected by Frank's
+remonstrance.</p>
+
+<p>He decided to take advantage of this, and strengthen his hold on Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, Mark,&quot; he said, &quot;I suppose you'll give up playing billiards now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why should I?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Because your stepbrother doesn't approve of it. You won't dare to go
+into the saloon after he has forbidden you,&quot; he continued, with a sneer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What do you mean, James? Do you suppose I care that&quot;&mdash;snapping his
+fingers&mdash;&quot;for what Frank says, or even thinks, either?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I didn't know but you might stand in fear of him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you mean to insult me?&quot; demanded Mark, hotly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Insult you! My dear friend, what can you be thinking of? Why, I like
+you ten times as much as that muff, Frank Courtney.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then what did you mean by what you said?&quot; asked Mark, more calmly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will tell you. I got an idea, from what Frank said once, that he was
+in charge of you&mdash;well, not exactly that, but he looked after you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This was a wicked falsehood, as Frank had never intimated any such
+thing. In fact, he had generally kept quite aloof from James.</p>
+
+<p>Mark, however, fell into the trail, and never thought of doubting what
+his companion said.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If Frank said that, I've a great mind to whip him,&quot; said Mark, angrily.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, I wouldn't notice him, if I were you!&quot; said James. &quot;For my part, I
+didn't believe what he said. I felt sure that a fine, spirited boy like
+you wouldn't submit to his dictation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should say not&mdash;the impudent follow!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;When he spoke to you just now,&quot; continued James, &quot;one would really have
+thought he was your uncle, or guardian, and that you were a little boy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'll show him what I think of him and his advice. I hadn't thought of
+going to the saloon to-morrow, but now I will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Bravo! I like your spirit!&quot; said James, admiringly. &quot;It is just the way
+to treat him. Shall I come round with you about the same hour as
+to-day?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, I wish you would.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>When the two boys parted company, James Carson smiled to himself.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What a fool Mark is!&quot; he thought. &quot;He thinks he is his own master, but
+I am going to twist him round my little finger. He's a sweet youth, but
+he's got money, and I mean to have some of it. Why, he tells me his
+father allows him eight dollars a week for spending money. If I manage
+well, I can get more than half away from his in bets.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The next day James called for Mark, as agreed upon, and again the two
+boys went to the billiard saloon. The performance of the day before was
+repeated.</p>
+
+<p>James Carson, while flattering Mark's poor play, managed to beat in
+every game but one on which money was staked, and came out the richer by
+a dollar and a half.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am very unlucky,&quot; grumbled Mark, in a tone of dissatisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So you were, Mark,&quot; admitted his sympathizing friend. &quot;You made some
+capital shots, though, and if I hadn't been so lucky, you would have
+come out the victor in every game.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But I didn't.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, you didn't; but you can't have such beastly luck all the time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I guess I'd better give up billiards. In two days I have spent five
+dollars. It doesn't pay.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No doubt Frank will be gratified when he hears that you have given up
+playing. He will think it is because you are afraid of him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>James had touched the right chord, and poor Mark was once more in his
+toils.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It's lucky for me that Frank spoke to him,&quot; thought James. &quot;It makes it
+much easier for me to manage him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>One thing, however, James had not taken into account. There were others
+besides Frank who were liable to interfere with his management, and who
+had the authority to make their interference effectual.</p>
+
+<p>On the day succeeding, as James and Mark were in the campus, Herbert
+Grant approached them.</p>
+
+<p>Now Herbert was the janitor of the academy. He also was employed by the
+principal to summon students who had incurred censure to his study,
+where they received a suitable reprimand.</p>
+
+<p>It was not a pleasant duty, but some one must do it, and Herbert always
+discharged it in a gentlemanly manner, which could not, or ought not, to
+offend the schoolfellows who were unlucky enough to receive a summons.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Boys,&quot; said he, &quot;I am sorry to be the bearer of unpleasant news, but
+Dr. Brush would like to see you in his study.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Both of us?&quot; asked James.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are there any others summoned?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mark and his companion looked at each other with perturbed glances. No
+one cared to visit the principal on such an errand. Corporal punishment
+was never resorted to in the Bridgeville Academy, but the doctor's
+dignified rebuke was dreaded more than blows would have been from some
+men.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What do you think it is, James?&quot; asked Mark, uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think it's the saloon,&quot; answered James, in a low voice.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But how could he have found it out? No one saw us go in or come out.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The billiard saloon was at some distance from the academy building, and
+for that reason the two boys had felt more secure in visiting it.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'll tell you how it came out,&quot; said James, suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How?&quot; asked Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You remember Frank saw us coming out day before yesterday.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He said he wouldn't tell.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>It was not very difficult for Mark to believe anything against Frank,
+and he instantly adopted his companion's idea.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The mean sneak!&quot; he said. &quot;I'll come up with him! I'll tell my father
+not to give him any money for the next month. I'll&mdash;-I'll get him to
+apprentice Frank to a shoemaker! Perhaps then he won't put on so many
+airs.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good for you! I admire your pluck!&quot; said James, slapping Mark on the
+back. &quot;You are true grit, you are! Just teach the fellow a lesson.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;See if I don't!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mark nodded his head resolutely, and went into the presence of Dr.
+Brush, thirsting for vengeance against his stepbrother, who, he felt
+persuaded, had informed against him.</p>
+
+<p>If Frank had known his suspicions he would have been very much
+surprised. As it happened, however, he did not even know that his
+stepbrother had been summoned to the doctor's study. Had he met Herbert,
+the later would have told him; but after receiving his list, it so
+chanced that he and his friend did not meet.</p>
+
+<p>The fact was that a young man employed as tutor in mathematics in the
+academy, while taking an afternoon walk, had seen Mark and James Carson
+leaving the liquor saloon, and, as in duty bound, had reported the same
+to the principal.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Triangle, however, had not been observed by either of the two boys,
+and therefore they were led off on a false scent.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What do you think the old man will say?&quot; asked Mark, uneasily, as they
+ascended the stairs to the principal's study.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He'll give us a raking down, I suppose,&quot; said James. &quot;He will come
+down heavy on us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish I were out of it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, it's not worth minding! We haven't committed murder, have we?
+What's the harm in a game of billiards?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not much, perhaps; but the drinking and betting are certainly
+objectionable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The boys knocked at the door, and the full, deep voice of Dr. Brush was
+heard to say: &quot;Come in!&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+
+<h3>SUSPENDED</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Dr. Brush was seated at a table covered with papers, in a large
+armchair. He was an elderly man of dignified presence, not a petty
+tyrant such as is sometimes found in a similar position, but a man who
+commanded respect, without an effort.</p>
+
+<p>Mark Manning and James Carson entered his presence a little nervously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Young gentlemen,&quot; said the doctor, gravely, &quot;I am informed that you
+have violated one of the rules of the academy by frequenting a billiard
+saloon where liquor is sold.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who told you, sir?&quot; asked Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is not to the purpose,&quot; said the principal, gravely.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But I should like to know who informed on me,&quot; persisted Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Whoever did so acted as your true friend, Manning; but there is no
+occasion for you to know who it was. Is it true?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mark would have been glad to deny the charge, and would not have felt
+any scruples about doing so, if it would have done any good. But it was
+clear, even to him, that he would not be believed, and that denial would
+only make his position worse. So he made a virtue of necessity, and
+answered:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have been in once or twice, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Exactly how many times have you been to the saloon?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Three times.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What did you do there?'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We played billiards.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did you order anything at the bar?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir,&quot; said Mark, reluctantly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Carson, you accompanied Manning, did you not?&quot; said Dr. Brush, turning
+to Mark's companion.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And I suppose you also played billiards and drank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, yes, sir, I believe I did.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You were aware, were you not, that it was against the regulations of
+the school?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose it must have slipped my mind,&quot; answered James, trying to look
+as innocent as possible.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Brush frowned, for he saw clearly that this was but a subterfuge.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If this were true,&quot; he continued, &quot;it would be no excuse. As students,
+it is your duty to make yourselves acquainted with the rules that govern
+the institution. In point of fact, I cannot believe that either of you
+is ignorant of the rule forbidding students to frequent places where
+liquor is sold. It is hardly necessary for me to defend the propriety of
+this rule. Intemperance is a fruitful source of vice and crime, and I
+cannot allow the youth under by charge to form habits of indulgence
+which may blast all their prospects, and lead to the most ruinous
+consequences.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We didn't drink much,&quot; said Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall not inquire how much you drank. In drinking a single glass, you
+violated the rule of the school, and I cannot pass over it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is he going to do with us, I wonder?&quot; thought Mark.</p>
+
+<p>He was not required to wonder long.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As this is your first offense, so far as I know,&quot; proceeded the
+principal, &quot;I will not be severe. You are both suspended from the
+institution for the remainder of the term, and are required to leave
+Bridgeville by the early train to-morrow morning for your respective
+homes. I shall write to your parents, explaining the cause of your
+suspension.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>But a week remained of the term, and the punishment was mild, but both
+boys were mortified and left the study crestfallen.</p>
+
+<p>Mark was the first to recover his spirits.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is not so bad, James,&quot; he said. &quot;To-morrow will be Saturday, and I
+should go home, anyway. I don't mind staying at home next week.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What will your father say?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, I'll make it all right with him! I don't mind much what he says. I
+guess he got into scrapes himself when he was a boy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My father isn't so easily managed. Just as likely as not, he'll cut off
+my allowance for a month; and that'll be no joke!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My father won't do that,&quot; said Mark. &quot;If he did, I would raise a fuss.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Would that do any good?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'll bet it would!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank, who was quite ignorant of Mark's trouble, was surprised when the
+latter approached him a little later with a frown and said, harshly:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You won't make anything by what you have done, Frank Courtney!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Will you be kind enough to tell me what I have done?&quot; asked Frank,
+calmly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You've been to Dr. Brush and told him about our playing billiards.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are entirely mistaken, Mark. I did not suppose he knew.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It must have been you. He told us some one had informed him, and you
+were the only one who knew. It's a mean trick, isn't it, Carson?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Awfully mean!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have already told you that the information did not come from me. It
+may be the best thing for you that it has been found out, for it was
+doing you no good to frequent such places.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't want to hear any of your preaching, Frank Courtney. I guess I
+can manage my own affairs without any advice from you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't care to intrude any advice,&quot; said Frank. &quot;I have not much
+reason to feel interested in you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You'd better look out how you treat me, though,&quot; said Mark, insolently.
+&quot;I know very well you dislike me, but it won't be safe for you to show
+it while you are a dependent on my father.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't propose to be a dependent on him long,&quot; said Frank, quietly.
+&quot;The truth of it is, you and your father are dependent upon property
+which of right belongs to me. The time may come when I shall be able to
+show this.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What does he mean?&quot; thought Mark, uneasily. &quot;Will he contest the
+will?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>It was perhaps an evidence of Mark's shrewdness that he had some doubts
+about the validity of the will under which his father inherited.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+
+<h3>MR. MANNING'S NEW PLAN</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Mark so represented his school difficulty to his father that he incurred
+but slight censure.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, Mr. Manning was so absorbed in plans for getting the greatest
+enjoyment out of the estate of which he had obtained possession by
+doubtful means that he didn't care to be disturbed about such a trifle
+as his son's suspension.</p>
+
+<p>He felt more disposed to blame Frank, whom Mark charged with betraying
+him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What does Frank say about it?&quot; asked Mr. Manning.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course he denies it,&quot; said Mark, &quot;but it can't be any one else.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He is acting very unwisely,&quot; said Mr. Manning, compressing his thin
+lips.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So I told him, but he said he didn't mean to be a dependent on you
+long.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How is he going to avoid it?'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have had some intimation from Col. Vincent, who appears to be in his
+confidence. He wants to leave us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To go away?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But you won't let him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have been thinking about that, Mark, and I may give my permission.
+The fact is, he stands in the way of some plans I have formed. I am
+thinking of traveling.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not without me?&quot; said Mark, hastily.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; you shall go with me, but I don't care to take Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You might leave him at school.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I might, but how do I know that he might not hatch some mischief while
+we are gone?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He might make some fuss about the property,&quot; suggested Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Has he hinted anything of that kind to you?&quot; asked his father, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes. Only yesterday he said that the property belonged by right to
+him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning looked thoughtful, and watched Mark narrowly to see if from
+his manner he could divine the boy's intentions.</p>
+
+<p>Later that same evening, Mark having retired early in consequence of a
+headache, Frank found himself alone with his stepfather, and took
+advantage of the opportunity to speak of the plan he had formed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Manning,&quot; he said, &quot;if you are at leisure, I should like to speak
+with you a few minutes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Proceed,&quot; said his stepfather, waving his hand.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But a week remains of the school term. Did you propose that I should
+return there at the end of the vacation?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Humph! I had not thought much on the subject.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It has all along been intended that I should go to college when
+prepared, but I don't think I care much about it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In that case,&quot; said his stepfather, with alacrity, &quot;you would only be
+throwing away time and money by going.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He was quite ready to agree to Frank's surrender of the college plan for
+two reasons.</p>
+
+<p>A college course would be expensive. Again, should he turn his attention
+to the law, he might hereafter give him trouble about the estate.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think I should throw away my time, for, if I went to college, I
+should go there to work faithfully; but I have a fancy for a more
+stirring life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It might be a good plan for you to learn a trade,&quot; said Mr. Manning,
+reflectively.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Learn a trade!&quot; exclaimed Frank, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; it would always enable you to earn a living.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you intend Mark to learn a trade?&quot; asked Frank, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; his case is very different from yours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why it is different?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is not necessary for me to explain,&quot; answered his stepfather,
+stiffly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If there were any need of it, Mr. Manning, I would not object to learn
+a trade,&quot; said Frank. &quot;I have no false pride on the subject. But my
+tastes are more for mercantile business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I may be able to find you a place somewhere. I have a friend in the
+dry-goods business, who would receive you at my recommendation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you!&quot; said Frank, hastily. &quot;But if you will allow me, I would
+prefer to look around for myself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is it you want, then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your permission to go out into the world, and try to make a living.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And if you don't,&quot; said Mr. Manning, &quot;I suppose you expect me to
+defray your expenses?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If I did have such an expectation, I think I should be justified, in
+view of the large property which my mother left,&quot; said Frank, pointedly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;She left it to me,&quot; said his stepfather.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So it appears, at any rate. But I shall not call upon you to pay my
+board. Give me your permission to go where I please, with a small sum of
+money to start me, and I shall be satisfied.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And what will the world say? That I, your stepfather, to whom you have
+a right to look for maintenance, had driven you out to earn your living!
+It would be unjust, of course, but the world is ever unjust.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And Mr. Manning assumed a look of wronged innocence, which would have
+imposed on anyone who knew him but slightly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall defend you from any such charge,&quot; said Frank. &quot;I shall say that
+you were only yielding to my request.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will think of it, my dear boy,&quot; said Mr. Manning, graciously. &quot;I
+already feel inclined to grant it, because it is your request. I shall
+be sorry to be separated from you; but I am willing to sacrifice my own
+feelings, if it will give you pleasure.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This did not impose upon Frank, who had a correct idea of the degree of
+fondness which Mr. Manning had for his society, but he was too well
+satisfied with the prospect of obtaining the permission he desired to
+imply any doubts.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Again,&quot; continued his stepfather, &quot;whatever you may say to the
+contrary, I know that the world will censure me; but I shall have the
+approval of my own conscience, and with that I can defy the world.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning certainly did look like a righteous man when he said this,
+and he beamed upon his stepson with a glance that was actually
+affectionate.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Go back to school,&quot; ho said, &quot;and when you return I shall be able to
+give you a definite answer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, nothing could have suited Mr. Manning's plans better. He would
+get rid of the care and nearly the whole expense of his obnoxious
+stepson, while with his son Mark he would be spending the revenues of
+the estate which belonged to Frank.</p>
+
+<p>During the coming week he arranged his plans for a prolonged absence
+from the Cedars. He wrote to New York to engage passage on a steamer
+bound for Liverpool, and quietly waited for the end of Frank's school
+term to release him from a care which had grown burdensome.</p>
+
+<p>Frank returned to the Bridgeville Academy without Mark. As may be
+supported, however, he did not feel the loss of his society.</p>
+
+<p>He at once communicated to his chosen friend, Herbert Grant, his
+probable departure from school.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am sorry to hear it, Frank,&quot; said Herbert, soberly. &quot;Do you think you
+are acting wisely?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not acting as I would have done had my mother lived,&quot; answered
+Frank; &quot;but you must remember that my position in life has very much
+changed. I am a poor boy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Hardly that, when there is so much property in the family.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know Mr. Manning too well to believe that I shall derive much
+benefit from it. No, Herbert, I have my own living to make, and I want
+to make it in my own way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is a sad change for you, Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, I can't say that. I don't know how it is, Herbert, but I am rather
+glad to have all this thrown upon me. I enjoy feeling that I have got to
+work.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have a chance of enjoying the same feelings,&quot; said Herbert, with a
+smile.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish we could start together, Herbert. Couldn't you go with me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Herbert shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Father has a plan for me,&quot; he said. &quot;I am to learn his trade, and shall
+commence next week. I don't particularly like it, but it is well to have
+a trade to fall back upon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Manning wanted me to learn a trade.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There is no occasion for your doing so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know about that. If I had a particular fancy for any, I
+wouldn't mind choosing it, but I am better suited for something else.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is your plan? What will you do first?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My father has a cousin in the city of Newark, New Jersey, only a few
+miles from New York. Four years ago, he and his family made us a visit,
+and he was urgent then that we should return the visit. I will, first of
+all, go to him, and ask his advice. He is a business man, and he may be
+able to put me in the way of obtaining a position.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think you will succeed, Frank, but it will be harder than you think
+for. You don't know what poverty is yet. I have never known anything
+else.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If I do succeed, Herbert, I may be able to find something for you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish you might,&quot; Herbert replied; but he was not as sanguine as
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>He understood, better than his friend, that for a boy to set out alone
+into the great world to earn a living is a serious undertaking.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XIV"></a><h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+
+<h3>GOOD-BYE</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Frank had fixed upon the Tuesday morning succeeding the close of the
+academic term for his departure from home. Monday was devoted to a few
+necessary preparations and a few calls on old friends, among them Col.
+Vincent, the owner of Ajax.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My dear Frank,&quot; said the colonel, kindly, &quot;I feel a strong interest in
+your welfare, more especially because of the wrong which I do not
+scruple to say has been done you. What does Mr. Manning say to your
+plan?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He makes no objection,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Suppose he had done so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I would not have run away. He is my stepfather and guardian, and I
+would have endured staying at home as well as I could.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There you are right, Frank. Though I have a poor opinion of Mr.
+Manning, he is not likely to treat you in a manner to justify your going
+away without his permission. From what I have heard within the last
+week, I suspect that he feels relieved to have you go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What have you heard, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That Mr. Manning will shortly sail for Europe, taking Mark with him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was surprised, having no suspicion of this.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now are you not sorry that you have decided to go out into the world to
+earn a living when you might have seen something of the Old World?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Manning would never have taken me along,&quot; answered Frank, quietly,
+&quot;nor should I have enjoyed traveling with him and Mark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of the two, who would interfere the more with your enjoyment?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then you prefer the father to the son?&quot; said the colonel.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The father has much more agreeable manners. I don't think Mark could be
+agreeable if he tried.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Col. Vincent smiled.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps you are right, Frank,&quot; he said. &quot;Now, as your father's old
+friend, I shall exact a promise from you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is it, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are going out into the world to earn your own living. Boys of your
+age are apt to think it an easy thing. I have seen more of life, and I
+am sure you will find it more difficult than you suppose. You may find
+yourself in difficulty, possibly in want. In that case, promise to let
+me know, and I will come to your assistance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will, sir,&quot; answered Frank.</p>
+
+<p>The time came for Frank to say good-bye to Mr. Manning and Mark, and the
+house which had been his home from infancy.</p>
+
+<p>His stepfather handed him a small pocketbook.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Frank,&quot; he said, &quot;in this pocketbook you will find twenty-five
+dollars. It is not much, but&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am satisfied, sir,&quot; said Frank. &quot;It won't be long before I am earning
+something.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope your anticipations may be realized, but it is possible that you
+may require help.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think not, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will authorize my banker to pay you the same sum&mdash;twenty-five
+dollars&mdash;every three months. Of course, it is not enough to support you;
+but, as you say it is your intention to procure a place&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It will probably be enough to make up any deficiency that may exist in
+your income. I am aware that you do not regard me as&mdash;as I would like to
+have you; but I am resigned to be misunderstood, and I merely call your
+attention to the fact that I have given you my free permission to carry
+out your own plans and have given you more assistance than you asked
+for.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That's true, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Should anyone in your hearing condemn me for what I have done, I depend
+upon your defending me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will state the facts, sir. I will take the entire responsibility for
+anything that may result from the step I have taken.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning looked well pleased. Things were taking the course he
+desired, and for the paltry sum of one hundred dollars a year, he was
+getting rid of an obnoxious stepson, while appearing to confer a favor
+upon him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps you are right, Frank,&quot; said his stepfather, disguising the
+satisfaction he felt. &quot;If, however, you should find that you have made a
+mistake, you will do me the justice to remember that I gave you your
+choice.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Knowing, as he did, that the offer was not genuine, Frank remained
+silent. He could not make up his mind to express gratitude, and
+therefore said nothing.</p>
+
+<p>Here the carriage drove up to the door to convey Frank to the railway
+station. Mindful of appearance, Mr. Manning accompanied him to the cars,
+and in presence of several neighbors bade him an effusively affectionate
+farewell.</p>
+
+<p>So Frank was fairly started on his campaign.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XV"></a><h2>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+
+<h3>ERASTUS TARBOX, OF NEWARK</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Erastus Tarbox kept a dry-goods store in the city of Newark, New Jersey.
+He was well to do, not so much because of his enterprise and skill as a
+merchant as because of his extreme poverty. Some people called it
+parsimony. He only employed two clerks to assist him in his store, and
+they, as well as the boy who carried out parcels and ran the errands,
+were paid scarcely more than two-thirds the rates paid in neighboring
+stores.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Tarbox prided himself upon his relationship to the Courtneys. They
+were rich, and riches, in his eyes were a great merit. He often sighed
+to think that there was no chance for him to benefit by a share of the
+large property owned by his cousins. Without hope of personal advantage,
+however, he had always been obsequious to them, and often took occasion
+to mention them, by way of enhancing his own social credit somewhat.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Tarbox had heard of Mrs. Courtney's death, but had not heard the
+particulars of the will. He took it for granted that Frank was sole
+heir, and it did cross his mind more than once how very agreeable it
+would be if he could be selected as guardian of the rich young heir. Of
+course, he knew that there was no probability of it, since the
+stepfather would undoubtedly be appointed to that position.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Tarbox had just sold a calico dress pattern to a poor woman, when
+his attention was drawn to the entrance of Frank Courtney, who entered
+his store, valise in hand.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Tarbox was rather short-sighted, and did not immediately recognize
+the son of his rich cousin.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What can I do for you, young man?&quot; he asked, in his business tone.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This is Mr. Tarbox, I believe?&quot; said Frank, who did not know his
+relatives very well.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, that is my name.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am Frank Courtney.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Bless my soul!&quot; ejaculated Mr. Tarbox, surprised and delighted. &quot;When
+did you arrive in Newark?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have only just arrived.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I do hope you are going to make us a visit,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox,
+cordially.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you!&quot; answered Frank, cheered by this warm reception. &quot;If you are
+sure it won't inconvenience you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Inconvenience me! We shall be delighted to have you with us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You must come up and see Mrs. Tarbox. She will be delighted to see
+you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Tarbox lived over his store. There was a door from the street
+adjoining the shop front. Mr. Tarbox opened it with a pass-key, and
+conducted Frank upstairs, ushering him into a gloomy parlor, with stiff,
+straightbacked chairs, ranged at regular intervals along the sides of
+the room, and a marble-topped center table, with two or three books
+lying upon it. There was a framed engraving, representing Washington
+crossing the Delaware, over the mantel, and two plaster figures and
+similar ornaments on the mantelpiece. The whole aspect of the room
+chilled Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wait here, and I will call my wife,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox.</p>
+
+<p>Frank sat down on a hard sofa and awaited the entrance of Mrs. Tarbox.</p>
+
+<p>She came in, a tall, thin woman, about as handsome for a woman as her
+husband was for a man. Indeed, they were very well matched. She was
+quite as mean as he, and between them they managed to make annually a
+sensible addition to their world possessions.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Tarbox privately hinted his hopes respecting Frank to his wife, and
+she instantly agreed that it would be a most eligible arrangement.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We must make him contented, my dear,&quot; said her husband. &quot;Give him the
+best bedroom, and I think it might be well to have something a little
+extra for supper.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I did intend to put on the rest of that cold mutton,&quot; said Mrs. Tarbox,
+doubtfully.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It won't do, Martha. There is only a little of it, you know, and the
+boy has been traveling, and, of course, is hungry. What do you say, now,
+to some nice beefsteak?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Beefsteak is high now,&quot; said Mrs. Tarbox. &quot;Still, if we buy round
+steak&mdash;that is cheaper than sirloin or tenderloin.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And quite as good,&quot; said her economical partner. &quot;We can tell Frank,
+however, that no sirloin was to be had so late in the day at the
+markets.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Tarbox nodded her head, approving the suggestion.</p>
+
+<p>This little matter being adjusted, the husband and wife entered the
+parlor where our hero was waiting patiently.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This is our young cousin, Martha,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox, smiling pleasantly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Welcome to Newark,&quot; said Mrs. Tarbox, extending her hand. &quot;And how did
+you leave your stepfather?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He is well,&quot; said Prank, coolly.</p>
+
+<p>The two exchanged glances. It was clear that Frank did not like his
+stepfather, and this was satisfactory to them. There was the more chance
+of his leaving him and boarding with them.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The children will be so glad to see you,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox; &quot;won't they,
+Martha?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Delighted!&quot; assured the lady.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Pliny must be about your age. How old are you, by the way?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Sixteen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Just Pliny's age. Do you remember him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank remembered a tall, thin stripling who had accompanied his parents
+to the Cedars, and who appeared to have an inexhaustible appetite.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, I remember him. Does he go to school?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; Pliny is in a store,&quot; answered Mr. Tarbox.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your store?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, no! I thought it would be better for him to enter the employ of a
+stranger. He is in a bookstore.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>There was one great advantage in Pliny's entering the employ of a
+stranger. He was paid four dollars a week, whereas Mr. Tarbox paid his
+boy but two. Here, then, was a clear gain of two dollars a week.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But you must be tired,&quot; said Mrs. Tarbox. &quot;You will see the children at
+supper. Martha, I think Frank would like to go to his room.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The best bedroom was over the parlor. It was rather more cheerful,
+because lighter.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Here,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox, &quot;you must make yourself at home. Martha, isn't
+one of the drawers in that bureau empty? I thought so. Take your clothes
+out of the valise and put them away. Now, is there anything you would
+like?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Only a little water to wash in,&quot; said Frank. &quot;You are both very kind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We hope to make you comfortable. You are our relative, you know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The water was brought up by Mrs. Tarbox herself, and Frank was left
+alone, on the whole well pleased with his reception.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XVI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+
+<h3>AN UNPLEASANT DISCOVERY</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>It never occurred to Frank that his cordial reception was wholly due to
+his supposed wealth. Had he known the Tarbox family better, he would
+have had no uncertainty on this point. As it was, the discovery was soon
+made.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All my olive branches are for you, my dear young cousin,&quot; said Mr.
+Tarbox, waving his hand. &quot;A peaceful, happy family. Children, this is
+our esteemed relative, Frank Courtney. You remember visiting his
+delightful home, the Cedars.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, pa,&quot; said Julia.</p>
+
+<p>Pliny said nothing, but stared at Frank, inwardly considering whether it
+would be possible to borrow some money of him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad to meet you all. I hope we shall become better acquainted,&quot;
+said Frank politely.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No doubt you will,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox. &quot;They are rather bashful, but they
+long to know you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How are you?&quot; said Pliny, in a sudden burst of sociability.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Pretty well, thank you!&quot; answered Frank, finding it rather difficult to
+preserve his gravity.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am in a store,&quot; said Pliny.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In your father's store?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No. He wouldn't pay me as much as I get where I am.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Tarbox looked embarrassed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A smaller boy answered my purpose,&quot; he said, in an explanatory manner.
+&quot;Pliny is suited for higher duties. But our supper is ready. It is
+frugal compared with yours at the Cedars, my dear Frank, but you are
+heartily welcome to it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It looks very nice, Mr. Tarbox,&quot; said our hero, &quot;and I have not been
+accustomed to luxurious living.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This answer pleased Mr. and Mrs. Tarbox. Even if Frank should become a
+boarder on liberal terms, they didn't wish to spend too much on their
+table.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We couldn't get sirloin steak,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox; &quot;but I hope you will
+find this good.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No doubt I shall,&quot; said Frank, politely.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Won't you have another piece of steak?&quot; asked Mrs. Tarbox.</p>
+
+<p>Frank saw that there was but a small piece left, and, though his
+appetite was not wholly satisfied, he answered:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, thank you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will!&quot; said Pliny, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Tarbox frowned at her son, but did not venture to refuse in the
+presence of her guest. She cut off a small portion of the steak, and,
+with a severe look, put it on the extended plate of Pliny.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You've got a good appetite, Pliny,&quot; said Julia.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So would you have, if you had to work like me!&quot; grumbled Pliny.</p>
+
+<p>After the steak came an apple pie, which was cut into seven pieces. Mrs.
+Tarbox managed to make Frank's piece a little larger than the rest.</p>
+
+<p>Her husband observed it with approval. He was very desirous that Frank
+should be satisfied with his fare.</p>
+
+<p>When Pliny rose from the table, saying that he must be getting back to
+the store, Frank rose also.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will go with you,&quot; he said, &quot;if you have no objection. I would like
+to take a walk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Come along,&quot; said Pliny. &quot;I should like to have company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You will be a great deal of company for Pliny,&quot; observed Mr. Tarbox,
+rubbing his hands with satisfaction. &quot;Just of an age and of congenial
+tastes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank hardly expected to find Pliny very congenial, but he wished to
+obtain some information, which he thought the latter could give him,
+and he also wanted to see something of Newark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I say, your name is Frank, isn't it?&quot; commenced Pliny:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The old man's awful glad to see you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad of it. He has received me very kindly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Got up an extra supper for you. We don't often get steak for supper.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This was rather an embarrassing revelation, and surprised Frank
+somewhat. The supper had not seemed to him at all extra. It would do,
+but was far from luxurious.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope you'll stay with us a good while,&quot; continued Pliny.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You see we shall live better while you are with us, and the rest of us
+will be gainers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't want to put your father to any unusual expense.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, he can afford it! But he's stingy, father is. He doesn't spend any
+more than he can help.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is best to be economical, I suppose.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;When you don't carry it too far. I say, Frank,&quot; continued Pliny,
+lowering his voice, &quot;you can't lend me five dollars, can you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank regarded Pliny with astonishment. The proposal was very abrupt,
+especially when the shortness of their acquaintance was considered.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are you particularly in need of money?&quot; asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, you see,&quot; said Pliny, &quot;I want it for a particular purpose.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why not ask your father for it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, he'd never let me have it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now, in Frank's present circumstances, five dollars represented a good
+deal of money. He was the more impressed with the necessity of economy
+since he had found out how small were the wages paid in stores to boys
+of his age.</p>
+
+<p>He did not feel at all inclined to grant Pliny's request, especially as
+he had a strong suspicion that it would be a long time before the sum
+would be returned.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why do you apply to me, Pliny?&quot; he asked, seriously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Didn't your mother die and leave you a big property? Father says you
+must be worth more than a hundred thousand dollars.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your father probably has not heard of the will,&quot; said Frank, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What was there in the will?&quot; asked Pliny.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The whole property was left to Mr. Manning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who is he?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My stepfather.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And nothing to you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nothing to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But he's got to take care of you, hasn't he?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It was expected, but I am going to earn my own living, if I can.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Pliny stopped short in blank amazement and whistled.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then you haven't got a lot of money?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Won't your stepfather give you a part of the property?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I haven't asked him, but I don't think he will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And why did you come to Newark?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought your father might give me some help about getting a place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If this isn't the richest joke!&quot; said Pliny, laughing uproariously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where is the joke? I don't see it,&quot; returned Frank, inclined to be
+angry.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The way you have taken in the old man. He thinks you are rich, and has
+treated you accordingly&mdash;got up an extra supper and all that. Oh, it's
+too good!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I certainly didn't intend to take him in, as you call it,&quot; said Frank.
+&quot;The sooner you tell him the better.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'll tell him,&quot; said Pliny. &quot;I shall enjoy seeing how provoked he'll
+be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think I will leave you,&quot; said Frank, shortly. &quot;I will take a walk by
+myself.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, don't lose your way. Oh, I wish the store was shut! I want to
+tell the old man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And Pliny laughed again, while our hero walked off in disgust.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XVII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+
+<h3>THE WAY OF THE WORLD</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Frank felt like an impostor when he discovered that his cordial
+reception was wholly owing to the belief that he was his mother's heir.</p>
+
+<p>The situation was unpleasant, and he was impatient to have Mr. Tarbox
+undeceived. He was sure that Pliny would lose no time in revealing his
+true position, and decided not to return to the house of Mr. Tarbox till
+nine o'clock, when the story would have been told.</p>
+
+<p>He wandered about aimlessly till he heard the city clocks strike nine,
+and then rang the bell at his relation's house.</p>
+
+<p>The family, with the exception of the two younger children, were
+assembled in the common sitting room.</p>
+
+<p>As Frank entered, instead of the cordial welcome he had previously
+received, he noticed a look of coldness and constraint on the faces of
+Mr. and Mrs. Tarbox, while Pliny looked as if some stupendous joke was
+being perpetrated.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good-evening!&quot; said Frank, politely. &quot;I have been taking a walk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My son Pliny tells me,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox, &quot;that you have not inherited
+your mother's property.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank bowed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And that it has gone to your stepfather.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It seems so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am amazed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So was I, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your mother has practically disinherited you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It was not my mother, sir,&quot; said Frank, hastily. &quot;I can't explain it,
+but I'm sure she would not will away everything from me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you suspect your stepfather of anything irregular?&quot; asked Mr.
+Tarbox, briskly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I would rather not answer your question, sir. I don't care to make any
+charges which I cannot prove.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And so Mr. Manning has sent you out into the world to earn your own
+living, has he?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir. He has consented that I may do so. It was my own plan.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Much as Frank was prejudiced against his stepfather, his natural sense
+of justice would not allow him to accuse him unjustly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did he suggest that you should come to me?&quot; asked Mr. Tarbox, in a
+tone which Frank did not like.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So that was your idea, too,&quot; continued Mr. Tarbox, with a palpable
+sneer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir,&quot; answered Frank. &quot;You are not a very near relative, but the
+nearest I know of, and I supposed you would be willing to give me some
+advice about the best means of earning my living. I remembered,&quot; he
+could not help adding, &quot;that my mother received you all as guests for a
+considerable time, and I thought I might take the liberty.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, certainly!&quot; returned Mr. Tarbox, rather abashed. &quot;I am, of course,
+ready to give you advice, and my first advice is to seek a lawyer and
+let him institute a suit against your stepfather, on speculation. That
+is, he gets nothing if he fails, but obtains a commission if he
+succeeds. I could myself recommend a reliable man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, sir; but I have no present thought of contesting the will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think you make a mistake. Do I understand that you expect to earn
+your own living?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall try to do so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You will find it very difficult. You may expect me to take you into my
+own store, but there is no vacancy, and&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank hastily assured Mr. Tarbox that he had no such expectations. He
+had no wish to deprive the errand boy of the two dollars a week, which
+he probably richly earned.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Situations in Newark are not easily obtained,&quot; proceeded Mr. Tarbox. &quot;I
+am willing that you should stay with us a day or two, but I don't think
+you will find it worth your while to stay here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Tarbox feared that his young relative might expect to find a home
+free of charge in his house, and such an arrangement did not suit his
+economical ideas. There was no profit in it, but, on the contrary, a
+positive loss. Frank read clearly the thoughts of his host, with the
+help of what Pliny had told him, and, expressing his thanks very
+briefly, announced his intention to go to New York the next morning.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It may be the best thing you can do!&quot; said Mr. Tarbox, relieved. &quot;New
+York opens a much wider field to a boy of enterprise than Newark, and
+probably you will pick up something to do.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It won't be my fault, if I don't,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You have my best wishes,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox. &quot;The demands of my family
+forbid me offering you any pecuniary assistance, but&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't stand in need of it, sir. I have money enough to keep me till I
+get started in something.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Really, I am very glad to hear it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And there is no doubt that Mr. Tarbox was sincere.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wonder how much money he has got?&quot; thought Pliny. &quot;Perhaps he'd lend
+me two dollars. I'll ask him, if I have a chance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Pliny proposed to borrow, not because he needed the money, but because
+he liked to levy contributions upon any available party, with a very
+faint idea of repaying the same. The money would go to swell his deposit
+at the savings bank. It was very commendable, of course, to save his
+money, but not at the expense of others, as Pliny too frequently did.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have moved you out of the spare room,&quot; said Mrs. Tarbox, when our
+hero asked permission to retire, &quot;and put you in the same room with
+Pliny. I suppose you won't mind?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Just as you please, Mrs. Tarbox,&quot; said Frank, though he would have
+preferred to have passed the night alone.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Could you make it convenient to lend me two dollars?&quot; asked Pliny, as
+they went up to bed together.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not just now,&quot; answered Frank. &quot;When I get something to do I shall not
+need to be so careful of my money.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;One dollar would answer,&quot; persisted Pliny.</p>
+
+<p>Without a word, Frank drew a dollar bill from his pocketbook and handed
+it to Pliny.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now,&quot; he thought, &quot;I shall not feel under any obligations to the
+family.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You're a good fellow, even if you are poor,&quot; said Pliny, in high good
+humor.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was tired, and it was not long before all his anxieties for future
+were lost sight of in a sound and refreshing slumber.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK ARRIVES IN NEW YORK</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The breakfast the next morning was very meager. It was no longer an
+object to gratify Frank's palate, now that he turned out to be a poor
+relation, and the family returned to their usual plain diet.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So you are resolved to go to New York this morning,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox.
+&quot;Of course it would gratify us to have you remain longer, but I
+appreciate your anxiety to go to work.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was by no means deceived by this statement. He knew very well
+that Mr. Tarbox would be relieved by his departure, but of this
+knowledge he made no sign. He merely said that he thought it best to go.</p>
+
+<p>He took leave of his hosts, and, purchasing a ticket at the railway
+station, found himself within an hour in New York. He had been there
+before, but it was not for a long time, and he had but a vague general
+idea of the city.</p>
+
+<p>Frank made inquiries of a kindly man who owned a clean little store on
+one of the streets. The latter knew of places where Frank could board
+and lodge for five dollars a week or about that and directed Frank to
+them. They were all near University Place. He found the place without
+difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>A slipshod servant answered the bell.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you got any small rooms?&quot; asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes,&quot; answered the girl. &quot;Missus is out, but I'll show you a hall
+bedroom, if you like.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should like to see it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank followed the girl upstairs.</p>
+
+<p>He was not favorably impressed by the appearance of the interior. He did
+not so much mind its being shabby, but he was repelled by the evident
+lack of neatness.</p>
+
+<p>The girl threw open the door of a small hall bedroom at the head of the
+stairs, but it looked so comfortless that he felt sure he should not
+like it. He thought it best, however, to inquire the price.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Five dollars a week with board,&quot; answered the girl.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think it will suit me,&quot; said our hero.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There's a larger room for seven dollars,&quot; said the servant.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No. I think I will look elsewhere.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The next house was not much better, but the third was much neater and
+more attractive, and Frank agreed to take a room at five dollars per
+week.</p>
+
+<p>It was a small hall bedroom, but it looked clean, and the lady who
+showed him about the house was very neat in her dress.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;When will you come?&quot; asked the lady.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now,&quot; replied Frank, promptly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Would you mind paying the first week in advance?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not at all. Here is the money.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And Frank drew a five-dollar bill from his portemonnaie.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you!&quot; said the boarding-house keeper. &quot;I have lost so much by
+boarders going away owing me money that I am obliged to ask gentlemen to
+pay in advance till I am well acquainted with them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is quite right,&quot; said Frank. &quot;What is your dinner hour?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Six o'clock. We have lunch at half-past twelve for the ladies, but if
+any gentleman happens to be at home at that time, he can go in.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked at his watch. It was only eleven o'clock and as so much of
+the day remained, he decided, as soon as he had unpacked his valise, to
+go downtown and look for a place without delay.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall not be here at lunch to-day,&quot; he said. &quot;You may expect me at
+dinner.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>There was a small bureau in the room&mdash;a piece of furniture not often
+found in hall bedrooms.</p>
+
+<p>Frank deposited the contents of the valise in the bureau drawers, and
+then went downstairs and out into the street.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XIX"></a><h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK SEEKS EMPLOYMENT IN VAIN</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>It was a bright, pleasant day, and Broadway looked very lively. In spite
+of his being alone in a strange city, with uncertain prospects, Frank
+felt in good spirits.</p>
+
+<p>Boys of his age usually like excitement and bustle, and Frank was quick
+to notice the shifting scenes of the great panorama.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Here are thousands of people,&quot; he reflected, &quot;all of whom make a living
+in some way. I don't see why I can't succeed as well as they.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Some of the objects he saw amused him.</p>
+
+<p>In front of him walked an elderly man with a large placard strapped to
+his back, on which was the advertisement of a &quot;Great Clothing Emporium.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think I should fancy that kind of employment,&quot; thought our
+hero.</p>
+
+<p>As he was looking in at a shop window, a boy about his own age hailed
+him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I say, Johnny, what's the price of turnips?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you want to buy any?&quot; asked Frank quietly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, I might. Have you got any with you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am sorry I can't supply you,&quot; said Frank, coolly. &quot;Up our way we keep
+our cattle on turnips.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You ain't so green, after all,&quot; said the boy, laughing good-naturedly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you for the compliment!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose I look countrylike,&quot; thought Frank, &quot;but it won't last long.
+I shall get used to city ways.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Close by he saw in a window the sign:</p>
+
+<center>&quot;CASH BOY WANTED.&quot;</center>
+
+<p>Frank as not altogether certain about the duties of cash boys nor their
+rate of compensation, but he made up his mind not to lose sight of any
+chances, and accordingly stepped into the store.</p>
+
+<p>It proved to be a large dry-goods store.</p>
+
+<p>Near the entrance he met a tall man, with black whiskers.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you want any cash boys?&quot; inquired Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are you inquiring for yourself?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are too large. Besides, you would not be satisfied with the wages?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How much do you pay, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Two dollars a week.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; I don't think I should like to work for that,&quot; said Frank. &quot;Are
+those cash boys?&quot; he asked, pointing out some boys of apparently ten to
+twelve years, old, who were flitting about from desk to counter.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I see they are much younger than I. Excuse the trouble I have given
+you!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;None whatever,&quot; said the man, politely.</p>
+
+<p>Frank left the store, and continued his walk down Broadway.</p>
+
+<p>He began to feel a little serious. It was evident that the boys did not
+receive as large compensation for their services as he had supposed.</p>
+
+<p>The problem promised to be a perplexing one, but Frank was by no means
+discouraged. In fact, if he had been, he would hardly have deserved to
+be the hero of my story.</p>
+
+<p>Though Clinton Place is not very far uptown, it is a considerable walk
+from this point to the Astor House.</p>
+
+<p>There was so much to see, however, that Frank did not become tired, nor
+was he sensible of the distance. He walked a little beyond the Astor
+House, and, crossing Broadway, turned down Fulton Street.</p>
+
+<p>On the left side of the street his attention was drawn to a restaurant,
+and he was led by the prompting of appetite to enter.</p>
+
+<p>The prices he found to be reasonable, and the tables were already pretty
+well filled with clerks and business men, who were partaking of their
+midday lunch.</p>
+
+<p>Frank found that a plate of meat, with potato and a small supply of
+bread and butter, could be obtained for fifteen cents.</p>
+
+<p>He afterward found restaurants where the same could be gotten for ten
+cents, but generally there was a deficiency in quality or quantity, and
+there was less neatness in serving the articles.</p>
+
+<p>Seated at the same table with Frank were two young men, neither probably
+much over twenty. One appeared to be filling a regular clerkship.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What are you doing now, Jack?&quot; he asked of the other.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am in the tea business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How is that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You know the Great Pekin Tea Company, of course?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, until I can get a place, I am selling for them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How do you make out?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I can't tell you, for I have only just commenced,&quot; said his friend.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How do they pay&mdash;salary or commission?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;They are to pay me a commission&mdash;twenty per cent on what I sell.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is a good commission.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; it is good enough, if I can make a fair amount of sales. There is
+a good deal of uncertainty about it of course. I would much rather have
+a place like yours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank listened with interest. He wondered whether the Great Pekin Tea
+Company would employ him. If so, he would have a field for his energy,
+and every inducement to work hard, since his pay would depend on the
+amount of his sales. Besides, as an agent, he would occupy a
+comparatively independent position, and Frank was ambitious enough to
+enjoy this.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XX"></a><h2>CHAPTER XX</h2>
+
+<h3>AN ADVENTURE IN WALL STREET</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>When the two men at his table left the restaurant, Frank followed them.
+At the door the two parted, the clerk going toward Broadway, while the
+agent walked in the direction of Nassau Street.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I beg your pardon,&quot; said Frank, overtaking him; &quot;but may I ask you a
+question?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Half a dozen, if you like,&quot; said the other, good-naturedly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I overheard what you said about the Great Pekin Tea Company. Do you
+think I could get a chance to sell for them?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, yes; there'll be no trouble about that!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am looking for something to do,&quot; continued Frank, &quot;and I think I
+should like to try that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You'll find it uphill work,&quot; said the agent; &quot;hard work and poor pay. I
+shall leave it as soon as I can get a regular position. Can't you get a
+place?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps I can. I haven't tried very hard yet,&quot; answered Frank; &quot;but I
+find boys are paid so little that I can't make enough to live on. If I
+were a man it would be different.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't believe you can make more than a boy's wages at selling tea,&quot;
+said Frank's new acquaintance, &quot;but you might try it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Would you mind giving me a note to the company?&quot; asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will write a line on one of my business cards,&quot; said the agent. &quot;That
+will be all you will need.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He drew out a card and wrote a line commending Frank to the attention of
+the company.</p>
+
+<p>Frank thanked him, and sought the direction given.</p>
+
+<p>Entering a large shop, not far from the Astor House, he looked about his
+inquiringly. Around him were chests of tea, inscribed with Chinese
+characters. A portly man addressed him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, my boy, what can I do for you?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Mason, one of your agents, has given me this card,&quot; said Frank. &quot;He
+thinks you might be willing to employ me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We are ready to employ any competent person,&quot; said the gentleman; &quot;but
+you seem very young.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am sixteen, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is young. Have you had any experience as an agent?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The man questioned him further and finally accepted him.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was told that it would be well to take samples of different kinds
+of teas with their respective prices attached, and seek orders for them
+at private houses and groceries, noting down in a little book orders
+obtained. Small quantities he could himself deliver, and large
+quantities, should he be fortunate enough to obtain any, could be sent
+out from the store by their general delivery.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What commission am I to get, sir?&quot; inquired Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Twenty per cent on parcels sold to private houses and ten per cent when
+you sell to retail dealers. To the first you can charge a full price,
+but it is necessary to sell at lower rates to dealers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I understand, sir,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;When do you want to begin?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To-morrow morning, sir. Where do you advise me to go?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;New York has been pretty well canvassed, except perhaps the upper part,
+Harlem. It might be well to make a start in Brooklyn.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very well, sir. I will call to-morrow and get samples.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As Frank left the store, he reflected, with satisfaction:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have only been a few hours in New York, and I have gotten employment
+already.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This reflection raised his spirits, and disposed him to regard the
+future with a degree of confidence. He resolved to spend the rest of the
+afternoon in walking about in the lower part of the city, and acquiring
+a little familiarity with the streets, as this was a kind of knowledge
+he was likely to need.</p>
+
+<p>He strolled down Broadway, admiring the massive and stately structures
+that lined the streets on either side. Very soon he came to Trinity
+Church, and, standing in front it, looked down Wall Street. He had heard
+so much of this street that he felt inclined to turn from Broadway and
+walk down its entire length.</p>
+
+<p>As he sauntered along a man whom he met scrutinized him sharply, as if
+considering some plan. Apparently making up his mind, he stepped up to
+Frank, and, touching him on the shoulder, said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Boy, would you like a job?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Frank, though he had engaged to work for the Great Pekin Tea Company
+was ready to accept any other proposal, and answered promptly:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is right,&quot; said the man. &quot;It is a mere trifle, but I am willing to
+pay you a dollar.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is it, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you see that window?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He pointed to a basement window, in which were exposed rolls of gold,
+currency and greenbacks of different denominations, and English
+sovereigns and French gold coins.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I want you to do me a little errand in there,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was rather surprised that the man did not do his own errand, when
+the broker's office was so near, but he had no objection to earning a
+dollar and signified his willingness.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What I want you to do,&quot; said his new acquaintance, &quot;is to sell some
+government bonds for me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very well, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The man produced a large yellow envelope, already open.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In this envelope,&quot; he said, &quot;are two five-twenty governments for a
+hundred dollars each. Take them in and sell them, and bring the proceeds
+to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All right, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank took the envelope, and entered the office of Jones &amp; Robinson,
+that being the style of the firm.</p>
+
+<p>He advanced to the counter, and singling out a clerk, said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I want to sell these bonds.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The clerk took them and drew them out of the envelope. Then he figured a
+little on a slip of paper, and said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;They are worth two hundred and twenty-five dollars and twenty-five
+cents.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All right, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Will you take a check or currency?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps I'd better ask the man I am getting them for.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very well. You can bring them here to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, I will let you know in a minute! The man is just outside.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This answer immediately excited suspicion. Frank was too little versed
+in business ways to understand how singular it was for his principal not
+to transact his own business under the circumstances, but the brokers
+were necessarily keen, shrewd men.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wait a minute,&quot; said the clerk; &quot;I will speak to Mr. Jones.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jones came forward and addressed Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are you acquainted with the man who gave you these bonds to sell?&quot; he
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir. I met him in the street.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did he offer you any pay for selling them?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir. He is going to give me a dollar.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Will you go out and ask him to come in here a moment?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank obeyed.</p>
+
+<p>When his employer saw him coming, he asked, eagerly:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you got the money?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No,&quot; answered Frank. &quot;They asked me if I wanted a check or currency.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Either currency or gold,&quot; answered the man, hastily. &quot;Go back at once,
+and don't keep me waiting.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;They want to see you, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What for?&quot; inquired the man, looking disturbed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There is no need of my going in,&quot; said the man, angrily. &quot;I paid you to
+sell the bonds. Now go back.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He won't come,&quot; reported Frank. &quot;He says I can attend to the business.
+He will take either gold or currency.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No doubt,&quot; said Mr. Jones, significantly. &quot;Thomas, go out with this
+boy, and tell the man that employed him that we do not purchase bonds
+unless we have a reasonable assurance that they belong to the person
+offering them. We will take the liberty of retaining them, giving him a
+receipt for them, and if we are satisfied, he can have his money
+to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Robinson, who had been examining some newspaper slips, here came
+forward, and said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is unnecessary. I find that these bonds are among those stolen
+from the house of Henry Percival, Madison Avenue, a week since. We must
+manage to delay the man while we notify the police.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was very much surprised to learn that he was acting as agent for a
+bond robber, and was fearful that he might himself be regarded with
+suspicion; but he need not have troubled himself on this score. Wall
+Street men are good judges of human nature, and it was at once concluded
+in the office that Frank was the dupe of a designing knave.</p>
+
+<p>A boy was dispatched to the nearest police office, and Frank was
+directed to tell his principal that he would not long be delayed.</p>
+
+<p>Naturally, however, the man outside had become suspicious.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I can't wait,&quot; he said. &quot;Meet me on the steps of the Astor House at
+five o'clock with the money. I am obliged to hurry away now to a
+business appointment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank could think of no other pretext for delaying him, and was forced
+to see him hurry away.</p>
+
+<p>He hastened back to the office and gave the alarm.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He has taken fright,&quot; said Robinson. &quot;I fear we have lost him. Where
+did he go?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank, however, was too ignorant of city streets to give any accurate
+information.</p>
+
+<p>The consequence was that when the policeman appeared on the scene, there
+was no occasion for his services.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;At any rate,&quot; said the broker, &quot;we have secured a little of the
+plunder. What is your name and address my boy? We may wish to
+communicate with you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank gave his name, and added the directions of his boarding house.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Shall I meet the man at the Astor House?&quot; he inquired, as he was
+leaving the office.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To be sure!&quot; said Mr. Jones. &quot;I came near forgetting that. Officer,
+will you be on hand at the time?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Better employ a detective, sir, as my uniform would keep the thief at a
+distance. I don't think he'll appear, at any rate.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I do,&quot; said the broker. &quot;He won't give up the money while he thinks
+there is a chance of securing it.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2>
+
+<h3>THE CAPTURE</h3>
+
+<br />
+
+<p>At the hour named, Frank repaired to the Astor House, and took a
+position on the steps.</p>
+
+<p>He looked about him for his street acquaintance, but could see no one
+who bore any resemblance to him.</p>
+
+<p>Finally, a man dressed in a gray suit with a pair of green glasses,
+walked carelessly up to our hero and said, in a low voice:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you got the money?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked at him in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>This man had thick, black whiskers, while the man who had employed him
+had none at all, so far as he could remember. Besides, the green glasses
+altered him considerably.</p>
+
+<p>To make sure that he was not deceived he inquired:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What money?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You know very well,&quot; said the man, impatiently. &quot;You are the boy whom I
+employed to sell some bonds this morning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You don't look like the same man,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Because of my glasses. I have to wear them at times on account of the
+weakness of my eyes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>While he was speaking, a quiet-looking man approached and listened to
+the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then,&quot; said Frank, &quot;you can tell me how many bonds you handed me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;They were two five-twenty government bonds of a hundred dollars each.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Correct, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then hand me the money and be quick about it, for I have no time to
+waste! You shall have the dollar I promised you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>But here the quiet-looking man took a part in the conversation. Passing
+his arm through that of the man with the green glasses, he said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will trouble you to come with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How dare you touch me? Do you mean to insult me?&quot; demanded the other,
+struggling with captor.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will make all clear in due time. You must come with me and explain
+how you came in possession of the bonds you gave this boy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;They were put in my hands by an acquaintance. If there is anything
+wrong, I am not to blame.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In that case no harm will come to you; but now you must come along.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>After his experience, Frank walked to his boarding place. He was quite
+ready for six o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>When he entered the dining room, his hostess introduced him to all.</p>
+
+<p>A young man sat next to him and entered into conversation.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What do you do, Mr. Courtney?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have taken an agency to sell tea for the Great Pekin Tea Company. I
+am to begin to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am afraid you won't like it. A friend of mine tried it once and came
+near starving.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This was not encouraging, but Frank was not going to despair before he
+had fairly begun his work.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I find that boys receive such small wages,&quot; Frank continued, &quot;that I
+preferred to try an agency.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Quite true,&quot; said Mr. Preston, condescendingly. &quot;When I started I was
+paid a paltry sum; now I am not paid what I am worth. Still, twenty-five
+dollars a week is fair.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Quite fair,&quot; responded Frank, who could not, of course, know that Mr.
+Preston did not receive one-half of this sum, though he chose to give
+that impression.</p>
+
+<p>After dinner, Preston was obliged to go back to the store where he was
+employed. By invitation, Frank walked with him.</p>
+
+<p>Turning into Sixth Avenue they passed a saloon.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Won't you have something to drink, Courtney?&quot; said Preston.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, thank you, I never drink,&quot; answered Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It will brace you up, and make you feel jolly. Better come in!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't need bracing up,&quot; answered Frank, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, perhaps you are right,&quot; said Mr. Peter Preston. &quot;I don't indulge
+very often, but sometimes I feel like it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Some boys might have yielded to the temptation, but Frank had determined
+that he would abstain from liquor, and kept his resolution. A boy who
+comes to the city is exposed at every step to this peril, and needs a
+firm will to withstand it. It is the fruitful source of crime and
+misery, and does more to fill our prisons than any other cause.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This is my store,&quot; said Preston, as he pointed to a modest-looking shop
+on the west side of the avenue. &quot;I wish I could keep you company longer,
+but business before pleasure, you know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Before returning to his boarding house, Frank sat down for a short time
+in Washington Park, and reviewed his plans and prospects. He could not
+tell how he would succeed in his tea agency; but if that failed, he was
+resolved to try something else.</p>
+
+<p>He didn't feel homesick, for since his mother's death he had no longer
+any home ties. Young as he was, he felt that one part of his life was
+at an end, and that a new life and a new career were before him.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2>
+
+<h3>THE YOUNG TEA MERCHANT</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The next morning, at breakfast, one of the gentlemen, who had been
+running his eyes over the morning paper, said, suddenly:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ah! I see they have caught one of the gang who robbed the house of Mr.
+Percival, on Madison Avenue, a week ago.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Read the paragraph, Mr. Smith,&quot; said one of the boarders.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Smith read as follows:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;About noon yesterday a boy entered the banking house of Jones &amp;
+Robinson, in Wall Street, and offered for sale two one-hundred-dollar
+government bonds. On inquiry, he said that the bonds belonged to a man
+in the street, whom he had never before met, and who had offered him a
+dollar to sell them. This naturally excited suspicion, and a policeman
+was sent for. Before he could arrive the man had hastily departed,
+requesting the boy to meet him at a specified hour in front of the Astor
+House and hand him the money. He came to the rendezvous, but in
+disguise, and, while talking to the boy, was arrested. It is understood
+that he has agreed to turn State's evidence, and probably the entire sum
+stolen, amounting to several thousand dollars, will be recovered.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank listened to this paragraph with interest. He was glad that his
+name was not mentioned in the account, as he didn't care for such
+publicity. He ventured to ask a question.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is Mr. Percival a rich man?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very rich,&quot; answered Mr. Smith. &quot;He is not now in the city, but is
+expected home from Europe in three or four weeks. His house was left in
+charge of an old servant&mdash;a coachman&mdash;and his wife; but the burglars
+proved too much for them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad they are caught,&quot; said Mrs. Fletcher. &quot;It makes my blood run
+cold to think of having the houses entered at night by burglars.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Preston,&quot; said Mr. Smith, jokingly, &quot;I hope you have your bonds locked
+securely up.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't believe the sharpest burglar can find them,&quot; said Preston. &quot;I
+only wish I could get hold of them myself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The boy who helped to capture the burglar ought to be well rewarded,&quot;
+said one of the boarders.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't you wish it had been you, Courtney?&quot; said Mr. Preston.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It was,&quot; answered Frank, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>There was a great sensation upon this announcement. All eyes were turned
+upon our hero&mdash;most, it must be admitted, with an expression of
+incredulity.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Come, now, you are joking!&quot; said Preston. &quot;You don't really mean it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I do mean it,&quot; assured Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Tell us all about it,&quot; said Mrs. Fletcher, who had her share of
+curiosity. &quot;I didn't suppose we had such a hero in our house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It didn't require much heroism,&quot; said Frank, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Tell us all about it, at any rate.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank told the story as simply as he could, much to the satisfaction of
+the company.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You'll come in for a handsome reward, when Mr. Percival gets home,&quot;
+suggested Mr. Smith.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't expect anything,&quot; said Frank. &quot;I shall be satisfied if I get
+the dollar which was promised me. I haven't received that yet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish I were in your shoes&mdash;that's all I've got to say,&quot; said Preston,
+nodding vigorously. &quot;Will you sell out for five dollars?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Cash down?&quot; asked Frank, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, I'll give you my note at thirty days,&quot; said the Sixth Avenue
+salesman, who seldom kept five dollars in advance of his liabilities.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I won't sell what I haven't got,&quot; said Frank. &quot;Probably I shall hear
+nothing from Mr. Percival.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>After breakfast Frank went downtown and sought the store of the Great
+Pekin Company.</p>
+
+<p>After half an hour's delay&mdash;for there were others in advance of him&mdash;he
+was fitted out with samples and started for Brooklyn.</p>
+
+<p>It was his first visit to that city, but he had received some directions
+which made his expedition less embarrassing.</p>
+
+<p>At the ferry he took a Flatbush Avenue car, and rode up Fulton Street,
+and past the City Hall, up Fulton Avenue, for nearly a mile.</p>
+
+<p>Here were interesting streets, lined with comfortable houses&mdash;for Frank
+had made up his mind first to try private houses. He had with him a few
+pound parcels of tea, which he thought he could perhaps succeed in
+disposing of at such places.</p>
+
+<p>He selected a house at random, and rang the bell.</p>
+
+<p>A servant answered the ring.</p>
+
+<p>Frank felt rather embarrassed, but there was no time to hesitate.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have some samples of tea with me,&quot; he began, &quot;of excellent quality
+and at reasonable prices.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It's no use,&quot; said the girl, abruptly. &quot;We never buy of peddlers,&quot; and
+she closed the door in his face.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not a very good beginning,&quot; thought Frank, rather mortified. &quot;So I am a
+peddler,&quot; he said to himself, and he called to mind the agents and
+peddlers who in past years had called at the Cedars.</p>
+
+<p>With some compunction, he remembered that he had regarded them with some
+contempt as traveling nuisances. Now he had entered the ranks of this
+despised class, and he began to see that they might be perfectly
+respectable, and were estimable persons, animated by a praiseworthy
+desire to make an honest living.</p>
+
+<p>Thus thinking, he called at another door.</p>
+
+<p>It was opened, not by a servant, but by an elderly maiden lady, who had
+rather a weakness for bargains.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I've got some nice tea,&quot; said Frank, &quot;which I should like to sell you.
+It is put up by the Great Pekin Company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are you sure it's nice?&quot; asked the elderly lady. &quot;We've been getting
+ours at the grocery store on the avenue, and the last wasn't very good.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You'd better try a pound of ours,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know but I will,&quot; said the lady. &quot;How much do you charge?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have some at fifty cents, some at sixty and some at seventy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I guess I'll take the sixty.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank had a pound parcel ready, which he delivered to her, and received
+his money.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Seems to me you are pretty young for a peddler,&quot; said the lady,
+regarding Frank with curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, ma'am.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How old be you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Sixteen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Been long in the business?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, ma'am; I've only just commenced.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You don't say so! Do you make much money at it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I haven't made much yet. I should be glad to supply you with some more
+tea when this is gone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, you can call if you are round this way. If I like it, I will try
+you again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank's spirits rose.</p>
+
+<p>His profits on the pound of tea were twelve cents. This was not much,
+certainly, but it was a beginning.</p>
+
+<p>At the next three houses he sold nothing, being rather rudely rebuffed
+at one. At the fourth house, the servant called her mistress, a kind,
+motherly-looking woman, who seemed to regard Frank with more interest
+than his merchandise.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope you are succeeding well,&quot; she said, kindly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This is my first day,&quot; said Frank, &quot;and I have made one sale.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have a son who is an agent like you, but he didn't begin so young.
+He is now traveling in the West.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is he selling?&quot; asked Frank, with interest.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Dry goods. He travels for a wholesale house in New York.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose he is a young man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; he is twenty-five, but he began at nineteen in a small way. He
+sometimes got quite discouraged at first. That is why I feel interested
+in any who are passing through the same experience.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>These pleasant words cheered Frank. Only at the nearest house he had
+been called a tramp, but here he found that he was regarded with
+consideration.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is rather uphill work,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And you seem very young.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am sixteen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are you entirely dependent on what you earn?&quot; asked the lady,
+sympathizingly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not entirely,&quot; answered the young merchant, &quot;but I hope to make a
+living in this or some other way. Can I sell you any?&quot; he asked,
+hopefully.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I believe we have some on hand. Still tea will always keep, and I would
+like to help you along.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The kind-hearted lady took three pounds&mdash;two at sixty cents and one at
+seventy. This gave Frank a profit thirty-eight cents and put him in good
+spirits.</p>
+
+<p>He worked his way back to the avenue on the other side of the street,
+and coming to a grocery store, entered.</p>
+
+<p>It occurred to him that he would try to sell some at wholesale.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was so young that the dealer did not suppose him to be an agent,
+and asked what he would like to buy.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I came to sell, not to buy,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What are you dealing in?&quot; asked the grocer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have several samples of tea,&quot; said our hero. &quot;If you will give me an
+order, I will have it sent to you to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The grocer found, upon examination, that his stock was getting low, and
+gave Frank an order, but he was obliged to sell below the regular price,
+and only cleared three cents a pound. Still, on a sale of twenty-five
+pounds, this gave him seventy-five cents, which was very encouraging.</p>
+
+<p>Adding up his profits, thus far, Frank found that his commission
+amounted to a dollar and a quarter, which exceeded his anticipations.</p>
+
+<p>He continued his calls, but sold only one pound besides, at fifty cents,
+netting him ten cents more.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK MEETS MR. MANNING AND MARK</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The next morning Frank resumed his tea agency. As on the day previous,
+he went to Brooklyn; but, though I should be glad to say that he was
+more successful than on the first day, truth compels me to state that
+the day was a comparative failure.</p>
+
+<p>It might be that he was unfortunate in the persons whom he visited, but
+at all events, at the close of his labors he found that his commissions
+amounted to less than fifty cents. He contented himself, therefore, with
+a ten-cent lunch, and crossed Fulton Ferry between three and four
+o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This will never do,&quot; thought Frank, seriously. &quot;I shall have to be
+economical to make my earnings cover my incidental expenses, while my
+board and lodging must be defrayed out of the money I have with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was disappointed. It is easy to think of earning one's living, but
+not quite so easy to accomplish it. A boy, besides being ignorant of the
+world, is inexperienced, and so disqualified for many avenues of
+employment which are open to men. It is generally foolish for a boy to
+leave a good home and start out for himself, unless the chances are
+unusually favorable for him. If he does it, however, he should not allow
+himself to be easily discouraged.</p>
+
+<p>If Frank had given up the business in which he was engaged simply
+because he had met with one unsuccessful day, I should not have been
+willing to make him the hero of my story.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This will never do,&quot; thought Frank. &quot;I must make a greater effort
+to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The next day his commission amounted to a dollar, and the fourth day to
+a dollar and twelve cents.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are doing well,&quot; said his employer. &quot;You are doing better than the
+majority of our agents.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>In one way this compliment was satisfactory. In another way it was not
+encouraging, for it limited his prospects. Frank began to think that he
+would never be able to make his entire expenses as a tea agent.</p>
+
+<p>I don't propose to speak in detail of Frank's daily experiences, but
+only to make mention of any incidents that play an important part in
+his history.</p>
+
+<p>He was returning from Jersey City on the tenth day of his agency, when
+in the gentleman's cabin he saw, directly opposite, two persons whom he
+had reason to remember.</p>
+
+<p>They were Mark Manning and his father.</p>
+
+<p>Little reason as he had to like either, they reminded him of home, and
+he felt pleased to meet them.</p>
+
+<p>He instantly crossed the cabin, and offered his hand to his stepfather,
+who had not yet seen him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;When did you arrive, Mr. Manning?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, it is Frank!&quot; exclaimed Mr. Manning, with an appearance of
+cordiality. &quot;Mark, do you see Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, I see him,&quot; replied Mark, coldly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Haven't you anything to say to him?&quot; asked his father, who was much
+more of a gentleman than his son.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How are you?&quot; said Mark, indifferently.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you for your kind inquiry,&quot; said Frank, more amused than vexed,
+for he cared very little for his stepbrother's friendship. &quot;I am in very
+good health.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And how are you getting along?&quot; asked his stepfather, with an
+appearance of interest. &quot;Are you in any business?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes,&quot; answered Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What are you doing?' asked Mark, inspired a little by curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am agent for a wholesale tea house in New York,&quot; Frank answered,
+briefly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You don't say so!&quot; exclaimed Mark, rather impressed. &quot;What is the name
+of the firm?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The Great Pekin Tea Company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Does it pay well?&quot; asked his stepbrother.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have met with very fair success,&quot; replied Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I congratulate you, Frank,&quot; said Mr. Manning. &quot;Your energy and
+enterprise are creditable&mdash;extremely creditable. I always predicted that
+you would succeed&mdash;didn't I, Mark?'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't remember hearing you say so,&quot; said Mark.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning shrugged his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nevertheless,&quot; he said, &quot;I have often made the remark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where do you live?&quot; asked Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I board in Clinton Place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A very respectable street,&quot; said Mr. Manning.</p>
+
+<p>Frank now thought it was his turn to become questioner.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How long do you remain in the city, Mr. Manning?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not long&mdash;only a day or two,&quot; said his stepfather.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We sail for Europe on Saturday,&quot; interposed Mark, &quot;on the Cunard
+steamer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Indeed! I wish you a pleasant voyage.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am sorry you won't go with us, Frank,&quot; said his stepfather,
+cautiously. &quot;You remember I gave you the chance to do so, and you
+desired to devote yourself immediately to business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir. I would rather remain in New York.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It might possibly be arranged now, if you desire to go,&quot; said Mr.
+Manning, hesitatingly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, thank you, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, perhaps you are right,&quot; said his stepfather, considerably
+relieved.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What parts of Europe do you expect to visit?&quot; asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We shall visit England, France, the Rhine, Switzerland, and perhaps
+Italy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope you will enjoy it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you; I think we shall.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank checked a sigh. It was certainly tantalizing. If he could travel
+with congenial friends, he felt that he would very much enjoy such a
+trip; but with Mark in the party there would be little pleasure for him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We are staying at the St. Nicholas Hotel,&quot; said Mr. Manning. &quot;I would
+invite you to come and dine with us, but I have an engagement first, and
+don't know when we shall dine.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, all the same,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>They had reached the New York side, and were walking toward Broadway. It
+was necessary for Frank to go to the tea store, and he took leave of his
+stepfather and Mark, again wishing them a pleasant voyage.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hate that boy!&quot; said Mark, as they walked away.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You should not indulge in any such disagreeable feelings, Mark,&quot; said
+his father.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't you hate him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Certainly not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;One would think by your soft manner that you loved him,&quot; said Mark, who
+was not noted for the respect with which he treated his father.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Really, Mark, I am shocked by your strange words.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What made you invite him to go to Europe with us?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I knew he would not go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He might have accepted, and then we should have been in a pretty
+pickle.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mark,&quot; said his father, rather irritated, &quot;will you be kind enough to
+leave me to manage my own affairs? I believe I have succeeded pretty
+well so far.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, you have,&quot; Mark admitted. &quot;All the same, we'd better keep clear of
+Frank till we get safely off on the steamer.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2>
+
+<h3>A DISCOURAGING DAY</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The next day was indeed a trying one and one of many experiences for
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>The first lady did not buy any tea, to be sure, but seemed sorry that
+she was already supplied, and questioned Frank as to what success he was
+meeting with.</p>
+
+<p>When twelve o'clock came, Frank had not sold a single pound. Even if he
+earned nothing however, he had an appetite and must buy lunch.</p>
+
+<p>He entered a small oyster saloon, and went up to the proprietor.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Can I sell you some tea?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, I guess not. I get my tea in Harlem.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Take a couple of pounds,&quot; said Frank, &quot;and I will take part of the pay
+in lunch.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is business,&quot; said the other. &quot;Let me look at your tea.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank showed him his samples.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who employs you?'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The Great Pekin Tea Company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;They have a good name. Yes, I will try a couple of pounds at fifty
+cents.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This, of course, came to a dollar, and Frank's profit on the sale
+amounted to twenty cents. This was precisely the cost of the lunch which
+he ordered, so that he felt well satisfied with the arrangement.</p>
+
+<p>He left the saloon in better spirits, and resumed his travels from house
+to house.</p>
+
+<p>I am sorry to say, however, that though he certainly exerted himself to
+the utmost in the interests of the Great Pekin Tea Company and his own,
+he did not sell another pound of tea that day.</p>
+
+<p>About three o'clock he got on board a Third Avenue horse car, bound
+downtown and sat quietly down in a corner.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Harlem doesn't seem to be a very promising field for an agent,&quot; he said
+to himself. &quot;Perhaps it isn't fair to judge it by the first day. Still,
+I don't think I shall have courage to come here to-morrow. I would
+rather go to Jersey City or Brooklyn.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank got off the cars at the Bible House and walked to his boarding
+house, where a disagreeable surprise was in store for him.</p>
+
+<p>The night brought perplexity to Frank, but not discouragement. He was
+naturally hopeful, and, in a large city like New York, he felt that
+there are always chances of obtaining employment, provided he could
+maintain his position, as he would have been able to do if he had not
+lost the thirty-five dollars which his fellow boarder had stolen. Now,
+however, circumstances were materially changed.</p>
+
+<p>One thing was tolerably clear to Frank, and this was, that he must give
+up his agency. He had tried it, and been unsuccessful. That is, he had
+failed to earn money enough to support himself, and this was necessary.</p>
+
+<p>As to what he should take up next, Frank was quite in the dark. As a boy
+in a counting room he would be paid not more than four dollars a week,
+if he could gain such a situation, which was by no means certain.</p>
+
+<p>The more he thought about the matter the more perplexed he felt, and it
+was in an uncomfortable frame of mind that he came down to breakfast the
+next morning.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXV"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2>
+
+<h3>PERPLEXITY</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>He went out as usual after breakfast, and then walked leisurely
+downtown. He proposed to go to the shop of the Great Pekin Tea Company
+and resign his agency. He was on the watch during his walk for any
+opportunities to repair his unlucky loss:</p>
+
+<p>At one place he saw a notice:</p>
+
+<center>&quot;BOY WANTED.&quot;</center>
+
+<p>Though he felt sure the compensation would not be sufficient to allow of
+his accepting it, he thought it would do no harm to make inquiry, and
+accordingly entered.</p>
+
+<p>It was an extensive retail store, where a large number of clerks were
+employed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is a boy wanted here?&quot; asked Frank of the nearest salesman.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes. You may inquire at the desk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He pointed to a desk some distance back, and Frank went up to it.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You advertise for a boy,&quot; he said to a tall, stout man, who chanced to
+be the proprietor. &quot;Is the place filled.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No,&quot; was the answer; &quot;but I don't think it would suit you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you think I would not be competent, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, that is not the difficulty. It would not be worth your acceptance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;May I inquire what are the duties, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We want a boy to open the door to customers, and this would not be
+worth your accepting.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir. Thank you for explaining it to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The gentleman was favorably impressed by Frank's polite and gentlemanly
+manners.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish I had a place for you,&quot; he said. &quot;Have you ever had any
+experience in our line of business?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir; I have very little experience of any kind. I have acted for a
+short time as agent for a tea company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You may leave your name if you like, and I will communicate with you if
+I have a vacancy which you can fill.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank thanked the polite proprietor and walked out of the store.</p>
+
+<p>Though this is a story written for boys, it may be read by some business
+men, who will allow me to suggest that a refusal kindly and
+considerately expressed loses half its bitterness, and often inspires
+hope, instead of discouragement.</p>
+
+<p>Frank proceeded to the office of the tea company and formally resigned
+his agency. He was told that he could resume it whenever he pleased.</p>
+
+<p>Leaving the store, he walked down Broadway in the direction of Wall
+Street.</p>
+
+<p>He passed an elderly man, with stooping shoulders and a gait which
+showed that he was accustomed to live in the country.</p>
+
+<p>He was looking about him in rather an undecided way. His glance happened
+to rest on Frank, and, after a little hesitation, he addressed him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Boy,&quot; he said, &quot;do you live around here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I live in the city; sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then I guess you can tell me what I want to know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will if I can, sir,&quot; said Frank, politely.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Whereabouts is Wall Street?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Close by, sir. I am going that way, and will be happy to show you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank had no idea his compliance with the stranger's request was likely
+to have an important effect up his fortunes.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK HEARS SOMETHING TO HIS ADVANTAGE</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>&quot;My name,&quot; said the stranger, &quot;is Peters&mdash;Jonathan Peters, of
+Craneville, Onondaga County. I am a farmer, and don't know much about
+New York. I've got a few hundred dollars that I want to put into
+government bonds.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All right,&quot; said Frank, &quot;there won't be any difficulty about it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I've heerd there are a good many swindlers in New York,&quot; continued Mr.
+Peters. &quot;The squire&mdash;Squire Jackson, of our village&mdash;perhaps you may
+have heard of him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think I have, Mr. Peters.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, the squire told me I'd better take good keer of my money, as
+there were plenty of rascals here who would try to cheat me out of it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is true, Mr. Peters. Only yesterday I was robbed of thirty-five
+dollars by a man who boarded in the same house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You don't say so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He opened my trunk and took out my pocketbook while I was absent on
+business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wouldn't dare to live in York!&quot; said the farmer, whose apprehensions
+were increased by Frank's story.</p>
+
+<p>By this time they had reached the office of Jones &amp; Robinson, with whom,
+it will be remembered, Frank had once before had dealings.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If you will come in here, Mr. Peters,&quot; said our hero, &quot;you will be sure
+of honorable treatment. I will introduce you if you like.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should be obleeged if you would,&quot; said the farmer. &quot;Out in Craneville
+I am to home, but I ain't used to York business men, and don't know how
+to talk to them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>It pleased Frank to find that, in spite of his inexperience, he was able
+to be of service to one more unaccustomed than himself to city scenes
+and city ways.</p>
+
+<p>He walked up to the counter, followed by the farmer, and said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This gentleman wishes to buy some government bonds. I told him that he
+could transact his business here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you! Mr. Benton, you may attend to this gentleman.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was about to leave the office, when Mr. Robinson called him back.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You have been in the office before, have you not?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are you not the boy who assisted in the capture of the man who robbed
+Mr. Henry Percival, of Madison Avenue?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought so. I have been trying to find you for the last week.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Naturally Frank looked surprised.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Henry Percival was at that time in Europe,&quot; said Mr. Robinson. &quot;On
+his return, a week since, he called on us, and expressed a desire to
+have you call upon him. We had mislaid or lost your address, and were
+unable to give him the information he desired.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank's heart beat high with hope as the broker spoke.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps,&quot; he thought, &quot;Mr. Percival may offer me a situation of some
+kind, and I certainly am greatly in need of one.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did Mr. Percival recover all his bonds?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nearly all,&quot; answered Mr. Robinson. &quot;He considered himself exceedingly
+fortunate, and he certainly was so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you know how much he was robbed of?&quot; asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Rather over five thousand dollars. Of this sum all has been recovered
+except three bonds of a hundred dollars each. Mr. Percival is a rich
+man, and he won't miss that small amount.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish I were rich enough not to miss three hundred dollars,&quot; thought
+our hero. &quot;If I had my rights, I could say the same.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Just now, in his extremity, Frank thought regretfully of the fortune he
+had lost. Had he been so situated as to be earning enough to defray all
+his expenses, he would scarcely have given a thought of it.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You had better go up to see Mr. Percival this evening,&quot; said the
+banker, &quot;if you have no other engagement.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Even if I had an engagement, I would put it off,&quot; said Frank. &quot;Will you
+give me Mr. Percival's number?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No. 265,&quot; said Mr. Robinson.</p>
+
+<p>Frank noted it down and left the office. By this time Mr. Peters had
+completed his business, and was ready to go out, also.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'm much obliged to you,&quot; he said to Frank. &quot;I was afraid I'd get into
+a place where they'd cheat me. I guess Mr. Jones and Robinson are pretty
+good folks.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think you can depend upon them,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If ever you come to Craneville, I should like to have you stay a few
+days with me on my farm,&quot; said Mr. Peters, hospitably. &quot;We are plain
+folks, but will treat you about right.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, Mr. Peters. If I ever come to Craneville, I shall certainly
+call upon you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank had something to look forward to in his approaching interview with
+Mr. Percival. He had been able to do this gentleman a service, and it
+was not unlikely that the capitalist would wish to make him some
+acknowledgment. Frank did not exaggerate his own merits in the matter.
+He felt that it was largely owing to a lucky chance that he had been the
+means of capturing the bond robber. However, it is to precisely such
+lucky chances that men are often indebted for the advancement of their
+fortunes.</p>
+
+<p>While he was in a state of suspense, and uncertain what Mr. Percival
+might be disposed to do for him, he decided not to exert himself to
+obtain any employment. If he should be disappointed in his hopes, it
+would be time enough to look about him the following day.</p>
+
+<p>What should he do in the meantime?</p>
+
+<p>He determined to treat himself to an excursion. From the end of the
+Battery he had often looked across to Staten Island, lying six miles
+away, and thought it would prove a pleasant excursion. Now, having
+plenty of time on his hands, he decided to go on board one of the boats
+that start hourly from the piers adjoining the Battery. The expense was
+but trifling and, low as Frank's purse was, he ventured to spend the
+amount for pleasure. He felt that he needed a little recreation after
+the weeks of patient labor he had spent in the service of the Great
+Pekin Tea Company.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXVII</h2>
+
+<h3>AN INCIDENT IN A STREET CAR</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>When Frank returned to the city, he walked slowly up through the Battery
+to the foot of Broadway. He passed the famous house, No. 1, which, a
+hundred years ago, was successively the headquarters of Washington and
+the British generals, who occupied New York with their forces, and soon
+reached the Astor House, then the most notable structure in the lower
+part of the city.</p>
+
+<p>With his small means, Frank felt that it was extravagant to ride uptown,
+when he might have walked, but he felt some confidence in the success of
+his visit to Mr. Percival, and entered a Fourth Avenue horse car. It so
+chanced that he seated himself beside a pleasant-looking young married
+lady, who had with her a young boy about seven years old.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after the car started the conductor came around to collect the
+fares.</p>
+
+<p>Frank paid his, and the conductor held out his hand to the lady.</p>
+
+<p>She put her hand into her pocket to draw out her purse, but her
+countenance changed as her hand failed to find it.</p>
+
+<p>Probably no situation is more trying than to discover that you have lost
+or mislaid your purse, when you have an urgent use for it. The lady was
+evidently in that predicament. Once more she searched for her purse, but
+her search was unavailing.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am afraid I have lost my purse,&quot; she said, apologetically, to the
+conductor.</p>
+
+<p>This official was an ill-mannered person, and answered, rudely:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In that case, ma'am, you will have to get off.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will give you my card,&quot; said the lady, &quot;and will send double the fare
+to the office.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That won't do,&quot; said the man, rudely. &quot;I am responsible for your fare,
+if you stay on the car, and I can't afford to lose the money.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You shall not lose it, sir; but I cannot walk home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think you will have to, madam.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Here Frank interposed. He had been trained to be polite and considerate
+to ladies, and he could not endure to see a lady treated with rudeness.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Take the lady's fare out of this,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And the boy's, too?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The lady smiled gratefully.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I accept your kindness, my young friend,&quot; she said. &quot;You have saved me
+much annoyance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am very glad to have had the opportunity,&quot; said Frank, politely.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course, I shall insist upon reimbursing you. Will you oblige me with
+your address, that I may send you the amount when I return home?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>A boy of less tact than Frank would have expostulated against repayment,
+but he knew that this would only embarrass the lady, and that he had no
+right, being a stranger, to force such a favor upon her. He answered,
+therefore:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Certainly, I will do so, but it will be perfectly convenient for me to
+call upon you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If it will give you no trouble, I shall be glad to have you call any
+evening. I live at No. &mdash;&mdash; Madison Avenue.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now it was Frank's turn to be surprised. The number mentioned by the
+lady was that of the house in which Mr. Henry Percival lived.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought Mr. Percival lived at that number?&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So he does. He is my father. Do you know him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; but I was about to call on him. This morning Mr. Robinson, a broker
+in Wall Street, told me that he wished to see me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are not the boy who caused the capture of the bondholder?&quot; asked
+the lady, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, I am the boy, but I am afraid I had less to do with it than has
+been represented.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is your name?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Frank Courtney.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My father is very desirous of meeting you, and thanking you for what
+you have done. Why have you not called before?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I did not know till to-day that your father had returned. Besides, I
+did not like to go without an invitation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will invite you,&quot; said the lady, with a pleasant smile, &quot;and I, as
+well as my father, will be glad to see you. And now let me introduce you
+to my little son. Freddie, would you like to see the boy that caught the
+robber?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, mamma.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Here he is. His name is Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The little boy immediately began to ask questions of Frank, and by the
+time they reached the Cooper Institute Frank and he were well
+acquainted.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't get out, Frank,&quot; said Freddie.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am going home, Freddie.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You must come and see me soon,&quot; said the little boy.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now you have three invitations,&quot; said the lady.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will accept them all,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>And, with a bow, he left the car.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK MAKES AN EVENING CALL</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>After supper Frank walked slowly up to Mr. Percival's residence. Now
+that he knew two members of the family, he looked forward with pleasure
+to the call he was about to make. His prospects seemed much brighter
+than when he woke up in the morning.</p>
+
+<p>On reaching the house of Mr. Percival, he saw at a glance that it was
+the residence of a wealthy man, and the hall, into which he was first
+admitted, was luxurious in its appearance. But Frank had been brought up
+to the enjoyment of wealth, and he felt more at home here than in the
+rather shabby boarding house in Clinton Place.</p>
+
+<p>A colored servant opened the door.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is Mr. Percival at home?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yas, sah.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should like to see him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What name, sah?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Frank Courtney.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Step in, sah, and I will 'form Mr. Percival,&quot; said the colored servant,
+in a consequential tone that amused Frank.</p>
+
+<p>Frank stepped into the hall, but he was not left long without attention.
+Little Freddie ran downstairs, eagerly calling out:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did you come to see me, Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes,&quot; answered Frank, smiling; &quot;but I came to see your grandfather,
+too.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Come, and I will show you where he is,&quot; said the little boy, taking
+Frank's hand.</p>
+
+<p>The two went up the staircase and into a handsomely furnished room, made
+attractive by pictures and books.</p>
+
+<p>In a large armchair sat a pleasant-looking elderly man, of about sixty.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Grandpa,&quot; said the little boy, &quot;this is Frank. He wants to see you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Percival smiled.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad to see you, Frank,&quot; he said. &quot;It seems, my boy, that you are
+already acquainted with my daughter and grandson.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir. I was fortunate enough to meet them to-day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You relieved my daughter from some embarrassment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad to have had the opportunity, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank's manner was easy and self-possessed, and it was evident that Mr.
+Percival was favorably impressed by him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Take a seat,&quot; he said, &quot;while I ask you a few questions.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank bowed and obeyed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Let me sit in your lap, Frank,&quot; said Freddie.</p>
+
+<p>Our hero took the little boy in his lap.</p>
+
+<p>With Freddie, it was certainly a case of friendship at first sight.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Won't he trouble you?&quot; asked his grandfather.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir. I like young children.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Percival now proceeded to interrogate Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your name is Frank Courtney. Have you been long in the city?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir; only a few weeks.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What led you to come here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wished to earn my living.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What that necessary? You do not look like a poor boy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I was brought up to consider myself rich,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Indeed! Did you lose your property?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps I had better tell you how it happened, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If you don't object, I should be glad to hear.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank gave a brief statement of his position, and the circumstances that
+led him to leave his home and go out into the world.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Percival listened thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is a singular story,&quot; he said, after a pause. &quot;Your stepfather's in
+Europe, then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir; at least he sailed for Europe.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you heard from him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you expect to hear?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He can't feel much interest in you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think he does,&quot; answered Frank. &quot;Still, I can't say that he has
+treated me unkindly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you suspect that your stepfather has wronged you in the matter of
+the property?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I would rather not answer that question, sir. I might wrong Mr.
+Manning, and I have no proof to offer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I understand you, and I applaud your discretion. It does you credit.
+Some time or other the mystery may be cleared up, and the wrong, if
+there is one, may be righted. I can't understand, however, how this Mr.
+Manning should be willing to leave you dependent upon your own exertions
+with such a scanty provision as twenty-five dollars a quarter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I didn't ask for any more; and, besides, Mr. Manning offered to take me
+to Europe with his son Mark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you think that he was sincere in the offer?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think he expected me to accept it, and I am sure that it would
+have been very disagreeable to Mark to have me in the party.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you any objections to telling me how you have succeeded in your
+efforts to make a living?&quot; asked the old gentleman, with a keen but
+kindly glance.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have been disappointed, sir,&quot; was the candid reply.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not surprised to hear it. A boy brought up as you have been cannot
+rough it like a farmer's son or a street boy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think I could, sir; but I should not like to.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Precisely. Now, I am not sure that you acted wisely in undertaking a
+task so difficult, since it was not necessary, and your stepfather could
+hardly have refused to support you at home. However, as you have taken
+the decisive step, we must consider what is best to do under the
+circumstances. What work have you been doing?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have been selling tea for the Great Pekin Tea Company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How have you succeeded?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have not been able to pay expenses,&quot; Frank admitted.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How have you made up the difference?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I brought about fifty dollars with me from home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is it all used up?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I had thirty-five dollars left, sir, but a day or two since one of my
+fellow boarders opened my trunk and borrowed it without leave.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course you won't recover it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think there is much chance of it, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then probably your money is nearly exhausted?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank did not like to admit his poverty, but owned up that he had less
+than two dollars.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And yet you paid the car fares of this little boy and his mother?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope, sir, I would not refuse to assist a lady when in trouble.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Percival nodded two or three times, smiling as he did so. He was
+becoming more and more favorably impressed without young hero.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you mean to continue this tea agency?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir; I have already notified my employers that I do not care to
+continue it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you anything else in view?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank felt that now was the time to speak.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I came here this evening,&quot; he said, &quot;intending to ask you if you knew
+of any situation I could fill, or could recommend me to employment of
+any kind by which I might make a living.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I must consider that. Have you thought of any particular employment
+which you would like?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir; I cannot afford to be particular. I will do anything that is
+honest, and at all suitable for me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What would you consider unsuitable?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should not wish to black boots, for instance, sir. It is honest work,
+but I ought to be suited to something better.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course; What education have you had? Good, I suppose?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am nearly ready for college.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then you are already fairly well educated. I will put you to a test.
+Sit up to the table, and take paper and pen. I will dictate to you a
+paragraph from the evening paper, which I should like to have you write
+down.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank obeyed, though, in doing so, he was obliged to set Freddie down,
+rather to the little fellow's dissatisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Percival selected a short letter, written by some public man, which
+chanced to have found a place in the evening journal.</p>
+
+<p>Frank wrote rapidly, and when his copy was finished submitted it to Mr.
+Percival.</p>
+
+<p>The old gentleman took it, and, running his eye over it, noticed that it
+was plainly written, correctly spelled and properly punctuated. This
+discovery evidently gave him satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very creditably written,&quot; he said. &quot;I have known boys nearly ready for
+college who could not copy such a letter without blundering. I am glad
+that your English education has not been neglected while you have been
+studying the classics.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was gratified by Mr. Percival's commendation, though he could not
+see in what manner his education was likely to bring him employment. It
+was desirable, however, to produce a favorable impression on Mr.
+Percival, and he could not help hoping something would result to his
+advantage.</p>
+
+<p>At this moment Freddie's mother entered the room, and greeted Frank with
+a cordial smile.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Freddie,&quot; she said, &quot;it is time for you to go to bed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't want to leave Frank,&quot; said Freddie.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Frank will come and see you again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Will you, Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank made the promise, and Mrs. Gordon&mdash;for that was her name&mdash;left the
+room, promising to return before Frank went away.</p>
+
+<p>He was now left alone with the old gentleman.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXIX</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK IS OFFERED A POSITION</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Mr. Percival engaged Frank in conversation on general topics while Mrs.
+Gordon was out of the room. His young visitor had been an extensive
+reader, and displayed a good deal of general information. Moreover, he
+expressed himself intelligently and modestly, and deepened the favorable
+impression which he had already succeeded in making.</p>
+
+<p>I should like to call the attention of my young readers to the fact that
+Frank was now reaping the advantage of the time he had devoted to study
+and the cultivation of his mind.</p>
+
+<p>A boy who starts in life with a fair education always stands a better
+chance than one who is poorly provided in that respect.</p>
+
+<p>It is true that many of our prominent public men have started with a
+very scanty supply of book-learning, but in most cases it has only
+transferred the labor of study to their maturer years.</p>
+
+<p>President Andrew Johnson did not learn to read and write until after he
+had attained his majority, but he made up his early deficiencies later.</p>
+
+<p>Abraham Lincoln, when nearly thirty, devoted his leisure hours to
+mastering the problems in Euclid, and thus trained and strengthened his
+mental faculties so that he was enabled to grapple with the difficult
+problems of statesmanship in after years.</p>
+
+<p>Henry Wilson commenced attending an academy after he had reached the age
+of twenty-one.</p>
+
+<p>The fact is, no boy or man can be too well equipped for his life-work.</p>
+
+<p>I hope my boy readers will not skip the paragraphs above, for they can
+learn from them a useful lesson.</p>
+
+<p>When Mrs. Gordon returned, she placed in Frank's hands a small sum of
+money, saying:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Allow me to repay my debt, with many thanks.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are quite welcome,&quot; answered our hero.</p>
+
+<p>He had too much tact to refuse the money, but quietly put it into his
+pocket.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Helen,&quot; said Mr. Percival, &quot;I would like a word with you. We will leave
+our young friend here alone for five minutes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Certainly, father.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The two went into an adjoining room, and Mr. Percival commenced by
+asking:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How do you like this boy, Helen?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very much. He seems to have been brought up as a gentleman.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He has. Till a short time since he supposed himself the heir to a
+fortune.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Indeed!&quot; said Mrs. Gordon, with curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>Briefly, Mr. Percival rehearsed the story which Frank had told him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What a shame!&quot; exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, indignantly. &quot;His stepfather
+ought to be punished:&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That may come in time. Wickedness does not always prosper. But as
+regards our young friend, I have a plan in view.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is it, father?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I find he has an excellent education, having been nearly ready for
+college when the crisis in his fortunes came. I have been thinking
+whether we could not find a place for him in this house. My eyes, you
+know, are so weak that they are often strained by attention to my
+correspondence and reading. I have an idea of engaging Frank Courtney as
+a sort of private secretary, upon whom I can at any time call. Of
+course, he would have his home in the house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There will be no difficulty about that. Our family is small, and we
+have plenty of vacant rooms. But, father, will he be qualified to
+undertake the duties you have designed for him? He is very young.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is true, my dear; but he is remarkably well educated. I have
+tested his capacity by dictating a letter for him to copy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did he do the work satisfactorily?&quot; asked Mrs. Gordon.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Without a single mistake.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then, father, I would not hesitate to engage him. Freddie likes him,
+and will be delighted to have him in the house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Another idea, Helen. It is time Freddie began to study. Suppose we make
+him Freddie's private tutor&mdash;say for an hour daily?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is really an excellent idea, father,&quot; said Mrs. Gordon, in a tone
+of satisfaction. &quot;It will please and benefit Freddie, and be a relief to
+me. Do you think Frank will have patience enough?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I watched him with the little fellow, and I could see that he liked
+children. I am sure he will succeed in this as well as in the duties
+which he will undertake for me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose he will have no objection to the plan?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think he will accept gladly. He has had a hard struggle thus far in
+maintaining himself, and I can relieve him from all anxiety on that
+score. I am indebted to him for helping me to recover my bonds, and
+this will be an excuse for offering him a larger salary than the
+services of so young a secretary could be expected to command.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very well, father. Your plan pleases me very much, and I shall be glad
+to have Frank commence to-morrow, if he chooses. Now let us return to
+the library.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>While father and daughter were absent Frank had taken from the table a
+volume of &quot;Macaulay's History,&quot; and had become interested in it.</p>
+
+<p>He laid it down upon their return.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Percival resumed his easy-chair, and said, with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My daughter and I have been consulting about you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank bowed, and his hopes rose.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose you are open to an offer of employment?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not only open to it, Mr. Percival, but I shall be grateful for
+it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He could not help wondering what sort of employment Mr. Percival was
+about to offer him. He concluded that it might be a place in some
+business house.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The fact is,&quot; said the old gentleman, &quot;I have a great mind to offer you
+the situation of my private secretary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was astonished. This was something he had not thought of.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you think I am qualified to fill such a position, Mr. Percival?&quot; he
+asked, hesitatingly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The duties would not be difficult,&quot; returned the old gentleman. &quot;Though
+not in active business, the care of my property, and looking after my
+scattered investments, involves me in considerable correspondence. My
+eyes are not as strong as they once were, and I find them at times taxed
+by letter-writing, not to mention reading. You can relieve me very
+materially.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall be very glad to do so, sir. The duties will be very agreeable
+to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But that is not all. My daughter proposes to employ you as private
+tutor for Freddie.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank smiled.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think my scholarship will be sufficient for that,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was to receive $50 a month and board. This was wonderful news to
+him. Mr. Percival with great forethought paid him a month's salary in
+advance. Frank went home happy.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXX"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXX</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK AS PRIVATE SECRETARY</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The next day Frank transferred his residence to Madison Avenue. He was
+assigned to a pleasant room, decidedly superior, it need hardly be said,
+to his room at Clinton Place. It seemed agreeable to him once more to
+enjoy the comforts of a liberal home.</p>
+
+<p>Frank had had some doubts as to how he would satisfy Mr. Percival in his
+capacity of private secretary.</p>
+
+<p>He was determined to do his best, but thought it possible that the old
+gentleman might require more than he could do well. He looked forward,
+therefore, with some apprehension to his first morning's work.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Percival, though not engaged in active business, was a wealthy man,
+and his capital was invested in a great variety of enterprises.
+Naturally, therefore, he received a large number of business letters,
+which required to be answered.</p>
+
+<p>The first day he dictated several replies, which Frank put upon paper.
+He wished, however, to put Frank's ability to a severe test.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Here are two letters,&quot; he said, &quot;which you may answer. I have noted on
+each instructions which you will follow. The wording of the letters I
+leave to you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will try to satisfy you sir,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>Our hero was a good writer for his age. Moreover, he had been well
+trained at school and did not shrink from the task assigned him.</p>
+
+<p>He read carefully the instruction of his employer, and composed the
+letters in strict accordance with them.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Percival awaited with some interest the result of his experiment. If
+Frank proved competent to the task assigned him, his own daily labor
+would be considerably abridged.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Here are the letters, sir,&quot; said our hero, passing the drafts to Mr.
+Percival.</p>
+
+<p>The old gentleman examined them carefully. As he did so, his face
+expressed his satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Upon my word, Frank,&quot; he said, familiarly, &quot;you have done your work
+exceedingly well. They are brief, concise and yet comprehensive. I
+feared that you would use too many words.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad you are pleased, sir. Dr. Brush trained us to write letters,
+and he cut down our essays when they were too diffuse.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then I feel indebted to Dr. Brush for providing me with so competent a
+young secretary. You will be able to assist me even more than I
+anticipated. I shall, of course, read over your letters before they are
+sent, to make sure that you have fully comprehended and carried out my
+instructions, but I don't expect they will need much correction.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was much gratified by these words. This was the only point on
+which he had felt at all doubtful as to his ability to please his
+employer.</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes, when his eyes pained him more than usual, Mr. Percival also
+employed him to read to him from the daily papers, or from some book in
+which he was interested, but this did not occur regularly.</p>
+
+<p>Every day, however, Frank was occupied with Freddie. The little boy knew
+his alphabet, but nothing more, so that his young teacher had to begin
+with him at the beginning of the primer.</p>
+
+<p>He succeeded in interesting his little pupil, and did not protract his
+term of study so as to weary him.</p>
+
+<p>Finding that the little fellow was fond of hearing stories, he read to
+him every day a story or two from Hans Christian Andersen, or from a
+collection of German fairy stories, and sometimes went out to walk with
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Freddie was delighted with his teacher, and freely expressed his
+approval to his mother and grandfather.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Really, Frank,&quot; said Mrs. Gordon, &quot;I shall begin to be jealous of your
+hold upon Freddie. I am not sure but he likes your company better than
+mine.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think Freddie will prefer anyone to his mother,&quot; said Frank;
+&quot;but I am glad he likes to be with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You have certainly proved very successful as a private tutor, Frank,&quot;
+said Mrs. Gordon, &quot;and my father tells me you succeeded equally well as
+a secretary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is partly because you both treat me so indulgently,&quot; answered Frank,
+gracefully.</p>
+
+<p>This answer pleased Mr. Percival and Mrs. Gordon, who more than ever
+congratulated themselves upon the lucky chance that had thrown Frank in
+their way.</p>
+
+<p>Assuredly he made himself very useful in the small household,
+contributing to the comfort and pleasure of Freddie, his mother and
+grandfather in nearly equal measure.</p>
+
+<p>While Frank's monthly salary was of great value and importance to him,
+it was nothing to Mr. Percival in comparison with the pleasure and
+relief afforded by his presence in the house.</p>
+
+<p>It must not be supposed, however, that Frank's time was wholly occupied
+by the duties of his two positions. Usually he had several hours daily
+at his disposal, and these he was allowed to spend as he pleased.</p>
+
+<p>Part of this he occupied in visiting different localities of the city
+and points of interest in the neighborhood, and part in reading and
+study.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Percival had a large and well-selected library, which, to a boy of
+Frank's studious tastes, was a great attraction.</p>
+
+<p>He entered upon a course of solid reading, embracing some of the
+standard histories, and devoted some hours every week to keeping up his
+acquaintance with the Greek and Latin authors which he had read at
+school.</p>
+
+<p>In this way his time was well and usefully employed, and the weeks
+slipped by till almost before he was aware six months had passed.</p>
+
+<p>One afternoon Frank walked down Broadway enjoying the bright sunshine.
+Just in front of the St. Nicholas Hotel he heard his name called and
+looking up he recognized with some surprise, Pliny Tarbox, his cousin
+from Newark.</p>
+
+<p>Pliny asked many questions as to what Frank was doing and how much money
+he was making. Frank told him of his good fortune in obtaining the
+position he held with Mr. Percival and the two parted&mdash;Frank the much
+happier of the two.</p>
+
+<p>Pliny urgently invited Frank to visit them but Frank would rather remain
+in New York.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope I shall never think so much of money as Pliny and his father,&quot;
+thought Frank. &quot;Money is a good thing to have but there are some things
+that are better.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXI</h2>
+
+<h3>A LETTER FROM MR. TARBOX</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Frank did not speak to Mr. Percival's family of his meeting with Pliny.
+It was not pleasant to him to think that he was valued only for his good
+fortune. He had seen but little of the Tarbox family, but he understood
+very well what their professions of friendship amounted to, and that
+they were not to be relied upon in an emergency.</p>
+
+<p>He was not much surprised on Monday afternoon to receive the following
+letter from Erastus Tarbox:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My Dear Young Cousin:&mdash;We have been wondering what has become of you,
+and Mrs. T. and myself have often wished to invite you to pass a Sabbath
+at our humble home. Not knowing your address, I could not write to you,
+or I should have done so. You can imagine, therefore, the pleasure we
+felt when Pliny told us that he had met you, and gave us tidings of your
+remarkable success, which I am sure does you great credit.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He tells me that you fill a very responsible position, and receive a
+very liberal salary. I could wish that Pliny might be equally fortunate,
+and shall esteem it a great favor if you will mention him to your
+respected employer, and recommend him for any lucrative position which
+he may bestow upon him. Pliny is a very capable boy, and has been
+carefully trained to habits of frugality and industry.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Can you not soon come out and pass a Sabbath with us? The esteem which
+we have for your late lamented mother alone would secure you a cordial
+welcome, not to speak of the friendship for yourself. Pliny often says
+that you seem to him like a brother, and he would truly enjoy your
+companionship.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Your sincere friend and cousin,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Erastus Tarbox.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>The time was when Frank would have put confidence in the friendly
+expressions used by Mr. Tarbox, but his eyes had been opened, and he
+understood that if misfortune should come to him, it would not do to
+lean upon his cousins at Newark.</p>
+
+<p>Frank wrote a civil reply to Mr. Tarbox, thanking him for his
+invitation, but saying that at present it would not be convenient for
+him to accept it. He added that should an opportunity offer he would be
+glad to assist Pliny to a better position than he now held.</p>
+
+<p>In spite of his wish to be cordial, his letter was felt by the Tarbox
+family to be cold, and they regretted that they had not treated him
+better during his brief visit to them.</p>
+
+<p>But then how could they suppose he would be so successful? If the time
+should ever come when he recovered his property, they would be prepared
+to make a determined effort to convince him that they had always been
+his affectionate friends.</p>
+
+<p>About this time Frank received another letter, which afforded him
+greater satisfaction than the one from Newark.</p>
+
+<p>This letter was from Col. Vincent, who, it will be remembered, had
+purchased Ajax when Mr. Manning persisted in selling him. It was as
+follows:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My Dear Frank: I learned incidentally from one of our townsmen, who
+recently met you in New York, that you have been very successful in
+obtaining employment, and that of an honorable and responsible
+character. It relieved my mind, for, knowing how hard it is for a boy to
+make his own way in a large city, I feared that you might be suffering
+privation, or living poorly. I hope, however, you would in that case
+have applied to me for such help as your father's old friend would have
+been glad to offer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your stepfather has not been heard from directly. I learn, however,
+from some friends who have met him abroad that he is having trouble with
+Mark, who is proving difficult to manage, and has contracted a dangerous
+taste for gaming. Mr. Manning was obliged to leave Baden-Baden on
+account of this unfortunate tendency, and is even thinking of returning
+to the Cedars, where his son will be removed from temptation. To this,
+however, Mark will be likely to make strenuous opposition. He will find
+it dull to settle down here after having tasted the gayety of Europe.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Here followed a little local gossip, which the writer thought might
+prove interesting to Frank, and the letter concluded with a cordial
+invitation to our hero to spend a Sunday with him, or a longer time, if
+he could be spared from his duties.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was disposed to accept the invitation, but his acceptance was
+postponed by an unusual service which he was called upon to render to
+Mr. Percival.</p>
+
+<p>Of this the reader will hear everything in the next chapter.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXII</h2>
+
+<h3>MR. PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young
+secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.</p>
+
+<p>The old gentleman answered thoughtfully:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall be very glad to serve you in any way, Mr. Percival,&quot; said
+Frank, promptly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have no doubt of it,&quot; said the old gentleman, kindly. &quot;I have
+observed your willingness to undertake any duty, and, still more, your
+disposition to perform it thoroughly. In this particular case, however,
+I have been considering whether a boy of your age would be competent to
+do what I desire.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was not self-distrustful, neither was he over-confident. He was
+naturally energetic and ambitious to distinguish himself, and not
+afraid to undertake any difficult task.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Will you try me, Mr. Percival?&quot; he said. &quot;I will do my best to
+succeed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am quite inclined to try you, Frank,&quot; said Mr. Percival; &quot;the more so
+because I know of no one else in whom I could confide. But I must give
+you an idea of what I have in view. It would require you to make a
+journey.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank listened to this gladly. To a boy of his age, who had seen but
+little of the world, a journey offered attractions.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should like to travel,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have no doubt about that,&quot; said Mr. Percival, smiling. &quot;At your age I
+am sure I should have been equally willing to see something of the
+world, though traveling involved at that time far more hardships than at
+present. Now, however, I like best to stay by the fireside, and should
+dread very much a journey to Minnesota.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To Minnesota!&quot; exclaimed Frank, with sparkling eyes.</p>
+
+<p>He had not thought of a journey so extended.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; it would be necessary for you to go out to Minnesota. Ordinarily,
+a man can best look after his own affairs; but in the present instance,
+I suspect that you could do better than myself. I don't mean this as a
+compliment, but a boy like you would not be suspected, and so could
+discover more than I, from whom facts would be studiously concealed.
+But, of course, you don't understand my meaning. I will explain, and
+then you can comprehend me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was all attention.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You must know that I own a good deal of property in a certain township
+in Southern Minnesota. When a young man, I bought three hundred and
+twenty acres of land in the township of Jackson, obtaining it at a
+slight advance on government rates.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Some improvements had been made, and I was induced to visit the place.
+I found but three families in residence, but I saw also that the place
+had large natural advantages, water-power, etc., and presented an
+unusually favorable site for a village. I had considerable means, and
+started the village by erecting a dozen houses, a store, a sawmill,
+gristmill, and so on.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This formed a nucleus, and soon quite a village sprang up. The sawmill
+and gristmill proved profitable, all my houses were tenanted, and I
+erected more, securing also additional land. In course of time I was
+induced to sell some of my houses, but I still own two stores, a dozen
+houses, the saw and gristmills, besides two outlying farms.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Living so far away, I could not attend personally to the business
+connected with my investment, and was compelled to appoint an agent. Up
+to four years since, I was fortunate enough to possess the services of a
+capable and trustworthy man, named Sampson. He died after a few weeks'
+illness, and I was compelled to look out for a successor.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now, I had a distant cousin, who had never succeeded very well in life,
+and was at that time seeking for employment of some kind. He heard of
+the vacancy, and importuned me to appoint him as my agent in Jackson. I
+had no reason to doubt his honesty, though his repeated failures might
+well have led me to suspect his capacity. I was weak enough, as I now
+consider it, to yield to his importunities and give him the post he
+sought.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The result was that during the first year of his incumbency the amount
+turned over to me was only three-fourths as much as in the last year of
+his predecessor. The second year there was a further falling off. The
+same happened the third year, until at the present time my rents amount
+to less than half what they were in Mr. Sampson's time.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course, my suspicions that my cousin was at least inefficient were
+aroused long since. I have repeatedly asked an explanation of the
+diminished revenues, and plenty of excuses have been made, but they do
+not seem to me satisfactory.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Moreover, I have heard a rumor that Mr. Fairfield is intemperate in his
+habits, and I have considerable reason to believe that the story is
+correct. I have made up my mind that something must be done. A regard
+for my own interests requires that if my agent is unfaithful he should
+be displaced, and I wish to find out from some reliable source the true
+state of the case.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now I will tell you what I have in view. I propose to send you out to
+Jackson to investigate and report to me your impressions of the manner
+in which Mr. Fairfield discharges his duties, and whether you think a
+change should be made in the agency.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank listened to Mr. Percival with a flushed face and a feeling of
+gratification and pride that he should be thought of in connection with
+a responsible duty.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am very much obliged to you, Mr. Percival,&quot; he said, &quot;for thinking of
+me in such a connection. You may feel that I am presumptuous for
+thinking I have any chance of successfully accomplishing what you
+desire, but if you are willing to trust me, I am willing to undertake
+it, and by following your instructions closely, and doing my best, I
+think I can succeed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am willing to trust you, Frank,&quot; said Mr. Percival. &quot;You are a boy,
+to be sure, but you have unusually good judgment, and I know you will be
+faithful to my interests. I understand, then, that you are willing to go
+out as my accredited representative?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir. When do you want me to start?&quot; said Frank, promptly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As soon as you can get ready.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will start to-morrow, if you desire it, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Let it be to-morrow, then. We will now discuss some of the details
+connected with the mission.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXIII</h2>
+
+<h3>PREPARING FOR A JOURNEY</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>After receiving certain instructions from Mr. Percival in regard to the
+manner of carrying on his inquiries, Frank said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There is one thing I have thought of, Mr. Percival, that may interfere
+with my success.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is it, Frank? I shall be glad to receive any suggestion from you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have been thinking, sir, that it may excite surprise that I should
+come to Jackson, and remain there without any apparent motive. Perhaps
+Mr. Fairfield might suspect that I came from you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hardly think so, Frank. He would not suppose that I would select so
+young a messenger. Still, it will be well to think of some pretext for
+your stay. Can you help me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have been thinking, sir, that I might fit myself out as an agent, or
+peddler, or something of the kind. It would not only give me an excuse
+for my journey, but enable me to call from house to house and pick up
+information about Mr. Fairfield.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A capital idea, Frank. I see that you are better fitted for the task
+than I supposed. I give you authority to fit yourself out in any way you
+choose. I shall have to leave a great deal to your own judgment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then, sir, I think I might lay in a stock of stationery, pens and
+articles of that nature. Probably this is so common that I would be
+thought to be nothing more than I seemed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That strikes me rather favorably, Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I could fit myself out in the city, and take the articles along with me
+in an extra valise or carpetbag.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Let me suggest an amendment to your plan,&quot; said Mr. Percival. &quot;Wait
+till you get to Chicago, and lay in your stock there. The advantage of
+that arrangement will be that you will be saved the care of your
+merchandise up to that point, and, as you may be asked where you
+obtained your stock, it will create less surprise if you mention Chicago
+than New York. It would be considered hardly worth while for a New York
+boy to go so far on such a business&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This seemed to Frank an excellent suggestion and he instantly adopted
+it.</p>
+
+<p>The next day Frank started on his long journey. He carried with him a
+supply of money provided by Mr. Percival, and he was authorized to draw
+for more if he should require it.</p>
+
+<p>He divided this money into two portions, keeping a small sum in his
+pocketbook, but the greater part of it in an inside vest pocket, where
+it would not be likely to be looked for by pickpockets.</p>
+
+<p>This arrangement was suggested by Mr. Percival.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I once experienced,&quot; he said, &quot;the disadvantage of carrying all my
+money in one pocket. I was in a Southern city, or, rather, on my way to
+it, when an adroit pickpocket on the car relieved me of my wallet
+containing all my available funds. I did not find out my loss till I had
+arrived at the hotel and registered my name. You can imagine my
+embarrassment. It was my first visit to that particular city, and I had
+no acquaintances there, so far as I was aware. Had I mentioned my
+position to the landlord, he might very probably have taken me for an
+adventurer, traveling on false pretenses.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What did you do, sir?&quot; asked Frank, interested.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I took a walk about the city, my thoughts occupied in devising a way
+out of my trouble. To my great relief, I had the good fortune, during
+the walk, to meet a New York acquaintance, who knew very well my
+financial standing. I told him of my difficulty, and he immediately
+introduced me at a bank, where I raised money on a New York draft. I
+resolved, however, at that time, never again to carry all my money in
+one pocketbook, as boats and railroad trains on the long routes are
+generally infested by pickpockets and sharpers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank at once set about preparing for his journey.</p>
+
+<p>He bought a ready-made suit of blue cloth, not unlike that worn by the
+district telegraph boys of to-day, which he judged would look more
+suitable than his ordinary attire for the character he was about to
+assume of a traveling peddler.</p>
+
+<p>He bought a through ticket to the railroad point nearest Jackson, and
+then, bidding good-bye to Mr. Percival and his family, started on his
+trip.</p>
+
+<p>Little Freddie made strenuous opposition to parting with his favorite,
+but Frank promised to bring him home a present, and this diverted the
+little fellow's thoughts.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXIV</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK REACHES JACKSON</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>It was four o'clock in the afternoon when Frank Courtney left the cars
+and set foot on the platform before the station at Prescott, five miles
+distant from the town of Jackson, in Southern Minnesota.</p>
+
+<p>He looked about him, but could see no village.</p>
+
+<p>Prescott was a stopping place for the cars, but there was no settlement
+of any account there, as he afterward found.</p>
+
+<p>He had supposed he would find a stage in waiting to convey him to
+Jackson, but it was clear that the business was not large enough to
+warrant such a conveyance.</p>
+
+<p>Looking about him, Frank saw a farm wagon, the driver of which had
+evidently come to receive some freight which had come by rail.</p>
+
+<p>Approaching the driver, who seemed to be&mdash;though roughly dressed&mdash;an
+intelligent man, Frank inquired:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How far is Jackson from here, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Five miles,&quot; was the answer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is there any stage running there from this depot?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, no! If there were, it wouldn't average two passengers a day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then I suppose I must walk,&quot; said Frank, looking rather doubtfully at
+the two heavy valises which constituted his baggage.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then you are going to Jackson?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I come from Jackson myself, and in fifteen minutes shall start on my
+way back. You may ride and welcome.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, sir!&quot; said our hero, quite relieved. &quot;I hope you will allow
+me to pay you as much as I should have to pay in a stage.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, no, my lad,&quot; said the farmer, heartily. &quot;The horse can draw you as
+well as not, and I shall be glad to have your company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, sir!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Just climb up here, then. I'll take your baggage and put it on the
+wagon behind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>When the farmer had loaded up, he started up the team. Then, finding
+himself at leisure, he proceeded to satisfy his curiosity by
+cross-examining his young passenger.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you come from the East?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am last from Chicago,&quot; answered Frank, cautiously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose you've got some friend in Jackson?&quot; ventured the farmer,
+interrogatively.</p>
+
+<p>Frank smiled.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are the only man living in Jackson that I ever met,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Indeed!&quot; said the driver, puzzled. &quot;Are you calculating to make a long
+stay in our village?&quot; he asked again, after a minute's pause.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That depends on business,&quot; answered the young traveler.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are you in business?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have a stock of stationery which I shall offer for sale in Jackson,&quot;
+answered Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am afraid you'll find it rather a poor market. If that's all you have
+to depend upon, I am afraid you'll get discouraged.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am also agent for an illustrated book,&quot; said Frank. &quot;I may be able to
+dispose of a few.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps so,&quot; answered the farmer, dubiously. &quot;But our people haven't
+much money to spend on articles of luxury, and books are a luxury with
+us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I always heard that Jackson was a flourishing place,&quot; said Frank, who
+felt that now was his time to obtain a little information.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It ought to be,&quot; said the farmer; &quot;but there's one thing prevents.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A good deal of our village is owned by a New York man, to whom we have
+to pay rent. He has a rascally agent&mdash;a Mr. Fairfield&mdash;who grinds us
+down by his exactions, and does what he can to keep, us in debt.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Has he always been agent?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No. Before he came there was an excellent man&mdash;a Mr. Sampson&mdash;who
+treated us fairly, contented himself with exacting rents which we could
+pay, and if a man were unlucky, would wait a reasonable time for him to
+pay. Then we got along comfortably. But he died, and this man was sent
+out in his place. Then commenced a new state of things. He immediately
+raised the rents; demanded that they should be paid on the day they were
+due, and made himself harsh and tyrannical.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you think the man who employs him knows how he is conducting his
+agency?&quot; Frank inquired.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; there is no one to tell him. I suppose Mr. Fairfield tells him a
+smooth story, and he believes it. I am afraid we can hope for no
+relief.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What would he say,&quot; thought Frank, &quot;if he knew I were a messenger from
+Mr. Percival?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What sort of a man is this Mr. Fairfield in private life?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He drinks like a fish,&quot; was the unexpected reply. &quot;Frequently he
+appears on the street under the influence of liquor. He spends a good
+deal of money, lives in a large house, and his wife dresses expensively.
+He must get a much larger salary than Mr. Sampson did, or he could not
+spend money as he does.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Though Frank had not much worldly experience, he could not help coming
+to the conclusion that Mr. Fairfield was acting dishonestly. He put
+together the two circumstances that this new agent had increased the
+rents, and yet that he had returned to Mr. Percival only about half as
+much as his predecessor had done. Clearly, he must retain in his own
+hands much more than he had a right to do.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall have to report unfavorably on this man,&quot; he thought.</p>
+
+<p>One point must be considered&mdash;where he was to find a boarding place on
+his arrival in Jackson.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is there a hotel in Jackson?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There is a tavern, but it's a low place,&quot; answered the farmer. &quot;A good
+deal of liquor is sold there, and Mr. Fairfield, our agent, is one of
+the most constant patrons of the bar.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think I should like to stop there,&quot; said Frank. &quot;Isn't there
+any private family where I can get board for a week or two?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If you don't object to plain fare,&quot; said the farmer, &quot;I might agree to
+board you myself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This was precisely what Frank wanted, and he replied that nothing would
+suit him better.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We live humbly,&quot; continued Mr. Hamlin&mdash;for this, Frank learned, was his
+driver's name&mdash;&quot;but we will try to make you comfortable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I feel sure of that, sir, and I am much obliged to you for receiving
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As to terms, you can pay whatever you can afford. My wife and children
+will be glad to see you. It's pretty quiet out here, and it breaks the
+monotony to meet any person from the East.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How long have you lived in Jackson, Mr. Hamlin?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;About eight years. I was not brought up as a farmer, but became one
+from necessity. I was a bookkeeper in Chicago for a good many years,
+until I found the confinement and close work were injuring my health.
+Then I came here and set up as a farmer. I got along pretty well, at
+first; at any rate, I made a living for my family; but when Mr.
+Fairfield became agent, he raised my rent, and, in other ways, made it
+hard for me. Now I have a hard struggle.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought you were not always a farmer,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What made you think so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You don't talk like a farmer. You have the appearance of a man who has
+lived in cities.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Seems to me you are a close observer, for a boy of your years,&quot; said
+Mr. Hamlin, shrewdly.</p>
+
+<p>Frank smiled.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should be glad if your compliment were deserved,&quot; he answered. &quot;It's
+a pity you were not agent, instead of Mr. Fairfield,&quot; suggested Frank,
+pointedly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish I were,&quot; answered Hamlin. &quot;I believe I should make a good one,
+though I might not turn over as much money to my employer. I should,
+first of all, lower the rents and make it as easy for the tenants as I
+could in justice to my New York principal.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you know how much Mr. Fairfield receives&mdash;how large a salary, I
+mean?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know what Mr. Sampson got&mdash;twelve hundred dollars a year; but Mr.
+Fairfield lives at the rate of more than twice that sum, if I can judge
+from appearances.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose you would be contented with the salary which Mr. Sampson
+received?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Contented! I should feel like a rich man. It would not interfere with
+my carrying on my farm, and I should be able to make something from
+that. Why, it is as much as I received as a bookkeeper, and here the
+expenses of living are small, compared with what they were in Chicago. I
+could save money and educate my children, as I cannot do now. I have a
+boy who wants a classical education, but of course there are no schools
+here which can afford it, and I am too poor to send him away from home.
+I suppose I shall have to bring him up as a farmer, though it is a great
+pity, for he is not fitted for it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Hamlin sighed, but Frank felt in unusually good spirits. He saw his
+way clear already, not only to recommend Mr. Fairfield's displacement,
+but to urge Mr. Hamlin's appointment in his stead; that is, if his
+favorable impressions were confirmed on further acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It seems to me,&quot; said the driver, changing the subject, &quot;you might find
+something better to do than to peddle stationery.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't mean to follow the business long,&quot; answered Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It can't pay much.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not wholly dependent upon it,&quot; said our hero. &quot;There is one
+advantage about it. It enables me to travel about and pay my expenses,
+and you know traveling is agreeable to a boy of my age.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is true. Well, your expenses won't amount to much while you are in
+Jackson. I shall only charge you just enough to cover expenses&mdash;say
+three dollars a week.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was about to insist on paying a larger sum, but it occurred to him
+that he must keep up appearances, and he therefore only thanked his kind
+acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>By this time they had entered the village of Jackson.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There's Mr. Fairfield now!&quot; said Mr. Hamlin, suddenly, pointing with
+his whip to a rather tall, stout man, with a red nose and inflamed
+countenance, who was walking unsteadily along the sidewalk.</p>
+
+<p>Frank carefully scrutinized the agent, and mentally decided that such a
+man was unfit for the responsible position he held.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXXV"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXV</h2>
+
+<h3>DICK HAMLIN</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Mr. Hamlin stopped his horse a quarter of a mile from the village in
+front of a plain farmhouse.</p>
+
+<p>An intelligent-looking boy, of perhaps fifteen, coarsely but neatly
+dressed, approached and greeted his father, not without a glance of
+surprise and curiosity at Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You may unharness the horses, Dick,&quot; said Mr. Hamlin. &quot;When you come
+back, I will introduce you to a boy friend who will stay with us a
+while.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Dick obeyed, and Frank followed his host into the house.</p>
+
+<p>Here he was introduced to Mrs. Hamlin, a motherly-looking woman, and
+Annie and Grace, younger sisters of Dick.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad to see you,&quot; said Mrs. Hamlin, to our hero, after a brief
+explanation from her husband. &quot;We will try to make you comfortable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you!&quot; said Frank. &quot;I am sure I shall feel at home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The house was better furnished than might have been anticipated. When
+Mr. Hamlin left Chicago, he had some money saved up, and he furnished
+his house in a comfortable manner.</p>
+
+<p>It was not, however, the furniture that attracted Frank's attention so
+much as the books, papers and pictures that gave the rooms a homelike
+appearance.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall be much better off here than I would have been at the tavern,&quot;
+he thought. &quot;This seems like home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I see,&quot; said Mr. Hamlin, &quot;that you are surprised to see so many books
+and pictures. I admit that my house does not look like the house of a
+poor man, who has to struggle for the mere necessaries of life. But
+books and periodicals we have always classed among the necessities, and
+I am sure we would all rather limit ourselves to dry bread for two out
+of the three meals than to give up this food for the mind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think you are a very sensible man, Mr. Hamlin,&quot; said Frank. &quot;I
+couldn't get along without something to read.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not in this out-of-the-way place, at any rate,&quot; said Mr. Hamlin.
+&quot;Nothing can be more dismal than the homes of some of my neighbors, who
+spend as much, or more, than I do every year. Yet, they consider me
+extravagant because I buy books and subscribe for periodicals.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>By this time, Dick came in from the barn.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Dick,&quot; said his father, &quot;this is Frank Courtney, who comes from Chicago
+on a business errand. He is a traveling merchant&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In other words, a peddler,&quot; said Frank, with a smile, &quot;ready to give
+the good people in Jackson a chance to buy stationery at reasonable
+prices.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He will board with us while he is canvassing the neighborhood, and I
+expect you and he will become great friends.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think we shall,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>Dick was a little shy, but a few minutes set him quite at ease with his
+new acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>After supper, Frank said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Dick, if you are at leisure, I wish you would take a walk about the
+village with me. I want to see how it looks.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All right,&quot; said Dick.</p>
+
+<p>When the two left the house, the country boy began to ask questions.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How do you like your business?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not very well,&quot; answered Frank. &quot;I do not think I shall stay in it very
+long.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you sell enough to make your expenses?&quot; asked Dick.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; but I am not wholly dependent on my sales. I have a little
+income&mdash;a hundred dollars a year&mdash;paid me by my stepfather.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish I had as much. It seems a good deal to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It doesn't go very far. What are you intending to be, Dick?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose I shall have to be a farmer, though I don't like it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What would you like to be?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should like to get an education,&quot; said Dick, his eyes lighting up. &quot;I
+should like to study Latin and Greek, and go to college. Then I could be
+a teacher or a lawyer. But there is no chance of that,&quot; he added, his
+voice falling.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't be too sure of that, Dick,&quot; said Frank Frank, hopefully.
+&quot;Something may turn up in your favor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nothing ever does turn up in Jackson,&quot; said the boy, in a tone of
+discouragement. &quot;Father is a poor man, and has hard work to get along.
+He can give me no help.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Isn't the farm productive?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There is no trouble about that, but he has to pay too high a rent. It's
+all the fault of Fairfield.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The agent?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your father was telling me about him. Now, if your father were in his
+place, I suppose he could give you the advantages you wish.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, yes! There would be no trouble then. I am sure he would make a
+better and more popular agent than Mr. Fairfield; but there is no use
+thinking about that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I expected myself to go to college,&quot; said Frank. &quot;In fact, I have
+studied Latin and Greek, and in less than a year I could be ready to
+enter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why don't you?&quot; asked Dick.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You forget that I am a poor peddler.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then how were you able to get so good an education?&quot; asked Dick, in
+surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Because I was once better off than I am now. The fact is, Dick,&quot; he
+added, &quot;I have seen better days. But when I was reduced to poverty, I
+gave up hopes of college education and became what I am.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wasn't it hard?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not so much as you might suppose. My home was not happy. I have a
+stepfather and stepbrother, neither of whom I like. In fact, there is no
+love lost between us. I was not obliged to leave home, but under the
+circumstances I preferred to.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where are your stepfather and your stepbrother now?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;They are traveling in Europe.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;While you are working hard for a living! That does not seem to be
+just.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We must make the best of circumstances, Dick. Whose is that large house
+on the left?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That belongs to Mr. Fairfield.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He seems to live nicely.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, he has improved and enlarged the house a good deal since he moved
+into it&mdash;at Mrs. Percival's expense, I suppose.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He seems to have pretty much his own way here,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes. Mr. Percival never comes to Jackson, and I suppose he believes all
+that the agent tells him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He may get found out some time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish he might. It would be a great blessing to Jackson if he were
+removed and a good man were put in his place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That may happen some day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not very likely, I am afraid.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>At this moment Mr. Fairfield himself came out of his front gate.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Hello, Hamlin!&quot; he said, roughly, to Dick. &quot;Is your father at home?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have something to say to him. I think I will call round.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You will find him at home, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Dick,&quot; said Frank, when the agent had passed on, &quot;do you mind going
+back? What you tell me makes me rather curious about Mr. Fairfield. At
+your house I may get a chance to see something of him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Let us go back, then,&quot; said Dick; &quot;but I don't think, Frank, that you
+will care much about keeping up the acquaintance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps not; but I shall gratify my curiosity.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The two boys turned and followed the agent closely. They reached the
+house about five minutes after Mr. Fairfield.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXXVI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXVI</h2>
+
+<h3>MR. FAIRFIELD, THE AGENT</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The two boys found Mr. Fairfield already seated in the most comfortable
+chair in the sitting room.</p>
+
+<p>He looked inquiringly at Frank when he entered with Dick.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who is that boy, Hamlin?&quot; inquired the agent. &quot;Nephew of yours?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir. It is a young man who has come to Jackson on business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What kind of business?'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I sell stationery,&quot; Frank answered for himself.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, a peddler!&quot; said the agent, contemptuously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Many of our most successful men began in that way,&quot; said Mr. Hamlin,
+fearing lest Frank's feelings might be hurt.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I never encourage peddlers myself,&quot; said Mr. Fairfield, pompously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then I suppose it will be of no use for me to call at your door,&quot; said
+Frank, who, in place of being mortified, was amused by the agent's
+arrogance.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should say not, unless your back is proof against a broomstick,&quot;
+answered Fairfield, coarsely. &quot;I tell my servant to treat all who call
+in that way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I won't put her to the trouble of using it,&quot; said Frank, disgusted at
+the man's ill manners.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That's where you are wise&mdash;yes, wise and prudent&mdash;young man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And now, Hamlin,&quot; said the agent, &quot;I may as well come to business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To business!&quot; repeated the farmer, rather surprised, for there was no
+rent due for a month.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, to business,&quot; said Fairfield. &quot;I came to give you notice that
+after the next payment I shall feel obliged to raise your rent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Raise my rent!&quot; exclaimed the farmer, in genuine dismay. &quot;I am already
+paying a considerably higher rent than I paid to your predecessor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Can't help it. Old Sampson was a slow-going old fogy. He didn't do his
+duty by his employer. When I came in, I turned over a new leaf.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I certainly got along better in his time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No doubt. He was a great deal too easy with you. Didn't do his duty,
+sir. Wasn't sharp enough. That's all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You certainly cannot be in earnest in raising my rent, Mr. Fairfield,&quot;
+said the farmer, uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I certainly am.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I can't live at all if you increase my rent, which is already larger
+than I can afford to pay, Mr. Fairfield.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then I must find a tenant who can and will,&quot; said the agent,
+emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am sure Mr. Percival can't understand the true state of the case, or
+the circumstances of his tenants. Will you give me his address, and I
+will take the liberty of writing to him and respectfully remonstrate
+against any increase?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Fairfield looked uneasy.</p>
+
+<p>This appeal would not at all suit him. Yet how could he object without
+leading to the suspicion that he was acting in this matter wholly on his
+own responsibility, and not by the express orders of his principal? How
+could he refuse to furnish Mr. Percival's address?</p>
+
+<p>A middle course occurred to him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You may write your appeal, if you like, Hamlin,&quot; he said, &quot;and hand it
+to me. I will forward it; though I don't believe it will do any good.
+The fact is that Mr. Percival has made up his mind to have more income
+from his property in Jackson.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXXVII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXVII</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK RECEIVES A LETTER FROM MR. PERCIVAL</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>While Frank was waiting for an answer to a letter to Mr. Percival he
+devoted part of his time to the business which was supposed to be his
+only reason for remaining in Jackson.</p>
+
+<p>I am bound to say that as regards this business his trip might be
+pronounced a failure. There was little ready money in Jackson. Many of
+the people were tenants of Mr. Percival, and found it difficult to pay
+the excessive rents demanded by his agent. Of course, they had no money
+to spare for extras. Even if they had been better off, there was little
+demand for stationery in the village. The people were chiefly farmers,
+and did not indulge in much correspondence.</p>
+
+<p>When Frank returned to his boarding place on the afternoon of the first
+day, Mr. Hamlin asked him, not without solicitude, with what luck he had
+met.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have sold twenty-five cents' worth of note paper,&quot; answered Frank,
+with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Hamlin looked troubled.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How many places did you call at?&quot; he inquired.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;About a dozen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am afraid you will get discouraged.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If you don't do better, you won't begin to pay expenses.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is true.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But perhaps you may do better to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish you could find something in Jackson that would induce you to
+remain here permanently, and make your home with us. I would charge you
+only the bare cost of board.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you very much, Mr. Hamlin. I should enjoy being with you, but I
+don't believe I shall find any opening here. Besides, I like a more
+stirring life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No doubt&mdash;no doubt! Boys like a lively place. Well, I am glad you feel
+independent of your business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;For a little time. I am afraid it wouldn't do for me to earn so little
+for any length of time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank enjoyed the society of Dick Hamlin. Together they went fishing and
+hunting, and a mutual liking sprang up between them.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish you were going to stay longer, Frank,&quot; said Dick. &quot;I shall feel
+very lonely when you are gone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We may meet again under different circumstances,&quot; said Frank. &quot;While I
+am here, we will enjoy ourselves as well as we can.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So the days passed, and at length a letter came from Mr. Percival. I
+append the most important passages:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your report is clear, and I have perfect confidence in your statement.
+Mr. Fairfield has abused my confidence and oppressed my tenants, and I
+shall dismiss him. I am glad you have found in Jackson a man who is
+capable of succeeding him. Solely upon your recommendation, I shall
+appoint Mr. Hamlin my resident agent and representative for the term of
+six months. Should he acquit himself to my satisfaction, he will be
+continued in the position. I am prepared to offer him one hundred
+dollars a month, if that will content him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Upon receipt of this letter, and the accompanying legal authority, you
+may call upon Mr. Fairfield and require him to transfer his office, and
+the papers and accounts connected with it, to Mr. Hamlin. I inclose a
+check for three hundred dollars, payable to your order, which you may
+make payable to him, in lieu of three months' notice, provided he
+immediately surrenders his office. Should he not, I shall dismiss him
+summarily, and proceed against him for the moneys he has misappropriated
+to his own use, and you may so inform him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>With this letter was a letter to Mr. Fairfield, of the same purport, and
+a paper appointing Mr. Hamlin agent.</p>
+
+<p>When this letter was received, Frank was overjoyed, knowing how much
+pleasure he was about to give his new friends.</p>
+
+<p>With this appointment and salary, Mr. Hamlin would consider himself a
+rich man, and Dick's hope for a liberal education might be realized.</p>
+
+<p>The letter came just before supper, and, at the close of the evening
+meal, Frank determined to inform his friends of their good fortune.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Hamlin,&quot; said he, &quot;I have some good news for you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Indeed!&quot; said the farmer, surprised.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your rent will not be increased.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But how do you know this! Has Mr. Fairfield told you so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No,&quot; answered Frank. &quot;I have a question to ask. Would you be willing to
+take Mr. Fairfield's place at a hundred dollars a month?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Willing? I should be delighted to do so. But why do you say this?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Because,&quot; answered Frank, quietly, &quot;I am authorized to offer it to you
+at that salary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The whole family looked at Frank in bewildered surprise. It occurred to
+them that he might have become crazy.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You!&quot; exclaimed the farmer. &quot;What can you have to do with the agency?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank explained to a very happy family group and then he and Mr. Hamlin
+set out for the house of the agent.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXXVIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXVIII</h2>
+
+<h3>THE AGENT IS NOTIFIED</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>It was still early in the evening when Frank and Mr. Hamlin reached the
+house of the agent. Had they come five minutes later, they would have
+found him absent. Usually, soon after supper, he made his way to the
+tavern, where he spent his time and money in a very unprofitable way.</p>
+
+<p>The agent was surprised when his two visitors made their appearance.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What brings you here, Hamlin?&quot; he asked, with scant ceremony.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I come on a little matter of business,&quot; answered Mr. Hamlin, gravely.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Fairfield concluded that the farmer had come to make an appeal to
+have his rent continued at the old rates, and answered, impatiently:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think it will be of much use. My mind is made up. Have you come
+on business, also?&quot; he asked, turning to Frank, with a sneer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir,&quot; answered our hero, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That will be of no use, either,&quot; said the agent. &quot;I am not in want of
+stationery, and, if I were, I should not buy of a peddler.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have not come here to sell stationery, Mr. Fairfield,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then, may I take the liberty of asking what is your business here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I come on the same business as Mr. Hamlin,&quot; answered Frank, who
+preferred that his companion should introduce the subject.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Look here, I have no time for trifling,&quot; said Mr. Fairfield, angrily.
+&quot;I am going out and can only spare you five minutes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Fairfield, I would advise you not to go out till you have heard
+what I have to say,&quot; said the farmer in a meaning tone.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I certainly shall. You can call some other time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Another time will not do.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Look here, sir! Do you know to whom you are talking? How dare you use
+such a tone to Mr. Percival's representative?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose you don't always expect to be Mr. Percival's representative?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose I shall die sometime, if that's what you mean; but I am not
+dead yet, as you will find. To pay you for your impertinence, I shall
+increase your rent more than I intended. I'll drive you out of
+town&mdash;that's what I'll do.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This was accompanied by an angry stamp of the foot, which, however, did
+not frighten Mr. Hamlin much.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall not pay a dollar more rent, nor shall I leave the farm I
+occupy,&quot; returned Mr. Hamlin, whose patience was exhausted by the rough
+insolence of the man before him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So you defy me, do you?&quot; demanded Fairfield, furiously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall resist your injustice, sir, or rather I would do so if you were
+able to carry out your threat. Luckily you have not the power.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have not the power? You will see if I have not the power!&quot; roared the
+angry agent. &quot;I give you notice that at the end of the quarter you must
+go, at any rate. After your insolence, I won't let you stay on any
+terms. I wouldn't let you stay if you would pay double the rent. Do you
+hear me, Hamlin?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, I hear you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Fairfield looked at the farmer in surprise. The latter seemed
+perfectly calm and undisturbed by his threat, though it was of the most
+serious nature. He had expected to see him humbled, and to hear him
+entreat a reversal of the sentence; but his tenant was thoroughly
+self-possessed, and appeared to care nothing for the agent's threats.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You need not expect that I will change my mind,&quot; he added. &quot;Out of
+Jackson you must go. I know there is no other farm which you can hire,
+and while I am Mr. Percival's agent, you need expect no favors from me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't expect any while you are Mr. Percival's agent,&quot; said Mr.
+Hamlin.</p>
+
+<p>There was something in the farmer's tone that arrested the agent's
+attention and excited his curiosity, though it did not awaken his alarm,
+and he could not help saying:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then what do you expect? Do you think I am going to die?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't expect that you will die or resign, Mr. Fairfield. You may be
+removed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you been writing to Mr. Percival?&quot; exclaimed Fairfield, in mingled
+anger and apprehension.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir; I have not communicated with him in any way. You would not
+give me his address.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course I would not,&quot; said the agent, feeling relieved. &quot;It would be
+mere impertinence for you to write to him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Fortunately there is no immediate occasion for me to do so, as he has
+sent a representative here to investigate your official conduct.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A representative!&quot; exclaimed Fairfield, now thoroughly startled. &quot;Where
+is he? I have not seen him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He is present,&quot; said Mr. Hamlin, indicating Frank.</p>
+
+<p>The agent broke into a scornful laugh.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You? Why, you are a peddler!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Only in appearance, Mr. Fairfield. I assumed that business in order not
+to attract attention or excite suspicion. I am really Mr. Percival's
+private secretary, as I can prove to your satisfaction.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is this true?&quot; he asked, in a changed voice.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir; quite true.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you written to Mr. Percival?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir; and this afternoon I received a letter from him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What did he write?&quot; asked Fairfield, in a husky voice; for he was
+convinced now that Frank spoke the truth.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He removes you, inclosing a check of three hundred dollars in place of
+notice, and appoints Mr. Hamlin in your place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Will you read this letter, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>It was enough. Fairfield knew that his management would not stand
+investigation, and he yielded with a bad grace.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Hamlin, the next day, to the great joy of the villagers, made known
+his appointment.</p>
+
+<p>Fairfield left town and drifted to California, where he became an
+adventurer, living in a miserable and precarious manner. Mr. Hamlin
+moved into his fine house, and Dick was sent to a school to prepare for
+college.</p>
+
+<p>The next day Frank started on his return to New York.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXXIX"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXIX</h2>
+
+<h3>AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>On his return to New York, Frank had no reason to be dissatisfied with
+his reception. From Mr. Percival to Freddie, all the family seemed
+delighted to see him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You mustn't go away again, Frank,&quot; said little Freddie. &quot;I wanted to
+see you ever so much.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And I wanted to see you, Freddie,&quot; said our hero, his heart warming to
+the little boy.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You won't go away again, will you, Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not if I can help it, Freddie.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We are all glad to see you back Frank,&quot; said his employer. &quot;But you
+have justified my opinion of you by your success. Some of my friends
+ridiculed me for sending a boy on such an important mission, but I don't
+believe any of them would have succeeded any better than you, if as
+well.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad you are satisfied with me, sir,&quot; said Frank, very much
+gratified by the commendation of his employer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I feel that you have done a great service, and indeed I don't know whom
+I could have sent in your place. However, I am glad to see you back
+again. I have missed you about my letters, and have postponed answering
+some till my young secretary returned.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank resumed his regular employment, and three months passed without
+anything that needs to be recorded.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of that time, Frank received an important letter from Col.
+Vincent, which gave him much food for thought.</p>
+
+<p>The letter was as follows:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Dear Frank: For some time past I have been intending to write to you,
+but I have delayed for no good reason. Now, however, I am led to write
+by a surprising discovery which has just been made in your old home,
+which may be of material importance to you.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;When your stepfather went away, he requested me to have an eye to the
+estate, and order whatever I might think necessary to be done. I am not,
+as you know, a very cordial friend of Mr. Manning's, but I have always
+regarded the property as of right belonging to you&mdash;that is, since your
+mother's death&mdash;and so accepted the commission.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A few days since I went over the house and found that it was quite
+dirty. Where the dirt could come from in an unoccupied house I can't
+tell, but, at all events, I felt justified in engaging a woman to clean
+the paint, so, if any of you should return unexpectedly, you would find
+the house fit to receive you. This was a very simple matter, you will
+think, and scarcely needs mentioning. But, my dear Frank, events of
+importance often hinge on trifles, and so it has proved in the present
+instance.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;On the evening of the second day I received a call from Mrs. Noonan,
+whom I had employed to scrub the house. She had in her hand a folded
+paper, which she gave to me.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'Here is something I found, sir, while I was scrubbing,' she said.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I opened it indifferently, but conceive of my amazement when I found it
+to be your mother's will, properly signed, sealed and witnessed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course it was not the will which Mr. Manning presented for probate.
+This will gave Mr. Manning ten thousand dollars, and the residue of the
+property to you, except a small amount bestowed upon Richard Green, the
+coachman, and Deborah&mdash;sums larger, by the way, than those mentioned in
+the will which was read after your mother's death.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>There was more to Colonel Vincent's letter.</p>
+
+<p>Frank showed it to Mr. Percival, and readily obtained permission to take
+a few days vacation.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope you will get back the estate, Frank,&quot; said Mr. Percival, &quot;though
+I don't know what I shall do without my secretary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That need not separate us, Mr. Percival,&quot; said our hero. &quot;I have no
+home but this.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XL"></a><h2>CHAPTER XL</h2>
+
+<h3>JONAS BARTON</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Frank started for his old home on Saturday afternoon. He would arrive in
+time for supper, at the house of his father's friend. The train was well
+filled, and he was obliged to share his seat with a shabbily dressed
+young man with whom, a single glance showed him, he was not likely to
+sympathize.</p>
+
+<p>The shabby suit did not repel him at all&mdash;he was too sensible for that;
+but there was a furtive look in the man's face, which seemed to indicate
+that he was not frank and straightforward, but had something to conceal.</p>
+
+<p>Half the journey passed without a word between the two. Then his
+companion, glancing at Frank, opened a conversation by remarking that it
+was a fine day.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very,&quot; answered Frank, laconically.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A pleasant day to travel.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you go far?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank mentioned his destination. His companion seemed to have his
+interest awakened.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you know a Mr. Manning, living in your town?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He is my stepfather,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then you are Frank Courtney?&quot; said his new acquaintance, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Pardon me, but I think your mother died recently?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And the property was left chiefly to Mr. Manning?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course, you were surprised, and probably very disappointed?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Excuse me,&quot; said Frank, coldly; &quot;but I am not in the habit of
+discussing my affairs with strangers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Quite right, but I think you will find it for your interest to discuss
+them with me. Not in a public car, of course; but I have something of
+importance to communicate. Where can I have a private interview with
+you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>It at once occurred to Frank that there was an opportunity, perhaps, to
+solve the mystery concerning the will. This man might know nothing about
+it; but, on the other hand, he might know everything. It would be
+foolish to repulse him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If you have anything important to tell me, I shall be glad to hear it,&quot;
+he said. &quot;I am going to the house of my friend, Col. Vincent, to pass a
+few days. Do you know where he lives?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, I know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If you will call this evening, after supper, I shall be glad to see
+you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will do so. I will be there at eight o'clock, sharp.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>On arriving at his destination, Frank found the colonel's carriage
+waiting for him at the station.</p>
+
+<p>Col. Vincent was inside.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Welcome, Frank!&quot; he said, grasping heartily the hand of our young hero.
+&quot;I am delighted to see you. You are looking well, and, bless me, how you
+have grown!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, Col. Vincent. Do you expect me to return the compliment?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;About having grown? No, Frank, I hope not. I am six feet one, and don't
+care to grow any taller. Well, what do you think of the news?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have some for you, colonel;&quot; and Frank mentioned what his new
+acquaintance had told him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The missing link!&quot; exclaimed the colonel, excited. &quot;Do you know what I
+think?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That this man either forged the will which gives the property to your
+stepfather, or is cognizant of it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought of that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall be impatient to see him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>At eight o'clock the man called and gave his name as Jonas Barton.
+Whether it was the right name might be a question; but this did not
+matter.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I understand,&quot; said Col. Vincent, &quot;that you have some information to
+give us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have; and that of a very important nature.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is it of a nature to restore to my young friend here his property now
+in the possession of Mr. Manning?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If it were,&quot; said Jonas Barton with a cunning glance of his left eye
+&quot;how much would it be worth?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I supposed it was for sale,&quot; said the colonel, quietly. &quot;What is your
+own idea?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will take two thousand dollars.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Suppose we say one thousand?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is not enough.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Were you aware that the genuine will had been found?&quot; asked the
+colonel, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>Jonas Barton started.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought Mr. Manning destroyed it,&quot; he said, hastily.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; he concealed it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is this true?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes. You see that a part of your information has been forestalled.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He was a fool, then, and still more a fool to refuse my last demand for
+money. I accept your offer of a thousand dollars, and will tell all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Go on.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wrote the will which Mr. Manning presented for probate. It was copied
+in part from the genuine will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good! And you betray him because he will not pay what you consider the
+service worth?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Jonas Barton here gave a full account of Mr. Manning, whom he had
+formerly known in New York, seeking him out and proposing to him a job
+for which he was willing to pay five hundred dollars. Barton was not
+scrupulous, and readily agreed to do the work. He was skillful with the
+pen, and did his work so well that all were deceived.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You will be willing to swear to this in court?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir, if you will guarantee the sum you proposed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will. I shall wish you to find a boarding place in the village, and
+remain here for the present, so as to be ready when needed. I will be
+responsible for your board.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As Jonas Barton was leaving the house, one of the servants came in with
+important news, in which Frank was strongly interested.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XLI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XLI</h2>
+
+<h3>CONCLUSION</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The news was that Mr. Manning and Mark had just arrived at the Cedars.
+They had come by the last evening train. Why they had come back so
+unexpectedly no one knew, but the servant had heard that Mark was in
+poor health. This was true.</p>
+
+<p>Mark, in Europe, had proved uncontrollable. He had given way to his
+natural love of drink, had kept late hours, and had seriously injured
+his constitution. In consequence of these excesses, he had contracted a
+fever, which alarmed him father and induced him to take the first
+steamer home.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We won't call upon your stepfather this evening, Frank,&quot; said Col.
+Vincent; &quot;but early Monday morning we will bring matters to a crisis.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning did not hear of Frank's presence in the village. He was
+fatigued with his rapid travel and kept at home. Besides, Mark was
+prostrated by his journey and didn't wish to be left alone.</p>
+
+<p>It was, therefore, a surprise to Mr. Manning when on Monday morning,
+Col. Vincent was ushered into his presence, accompanied by Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Really, colonel,&quot; he said, recovering his composure, &quot;you are very kind
+to call so soon. I hope you are well, Frank? Are you staying with the
+colonel? You must come back to your old home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, Mr. Manning, but I am living in New York. I am only passing
+a day or two with the colonel.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is very friendly in you to call, Col. Vincent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Manning,&quot; said Col. Vincent, gravely, &quot;I am not willing to receive
+undeserved credit. Let me say, therefore, that this is a business, not a
+friendly, call.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Indeed,&quot; said Manning, uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The business is connected with my young friend Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am ready to listen,&quot; said Mr. Manning. &quot;If Frank wants a larger
+allowance, I am ready to give it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I venture to say for him that he will not be satisfied with that. Let
+me come to the point at once, Mr. Manning. Mrs. Manning's will has been
+found.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning started perceptibly, and his glance involuntarily wandered
+to that part of the wall behind which the will was discovered, for they
+were sitting in the very apartment where Mrs. Noonan had stumbled upon
+it.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What do you mean, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A will has been found, leaving the bulk of the property to Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Indeed! I am surprised. Is it a later will than the one which
+bequeathed the estate to me?&quot; asked Mr. Manning, pointedly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is Mrs. Manning's latest genuine will,&quot; said Col. Vincent,
+emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning started to his feet. He could not help understanding the
+colonel's meaning. It would have been idle to pretend it.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What do you mean, Col. Vincent?&quot; he asked, in a tone which he tried to
+make one of dignified resentment.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I mean that Mrs. Manning made but one will, and that this bequeaths the
+property to Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How, then, do you account for the later will which was admitted to
+probate?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In this way. It was not what it purported to be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning's sallow face flushed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What do you mean to insinuate?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That the last will was forged!&quot; said Col. Vincent, bluntly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This is a very serious charge,&quot; said Mr. Manning, unable to repress his
+agitation. &quot;You must allow me to say that I shall pay no attention to
+it. When you furnish proof of what you assert, it will be time enough to
+meet it. And now, gentlemen, if you have nothing further to say, I will
+bid you good-morning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think you will find it best not to be in a hurry, Mr. Manning,&quot; said
+Col. Vincent. &quot;The charge must be met here and now. I charge you with
+instigating and being cognizant of the fraud that has been perpetrated!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;On what grounds, sir? Do you know I can sue you for libel?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are welcome to do so, Mr. Manning. I have a witness who will clear
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who is he?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Jonas Barton!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>If a bombshell had exploded in the room, Mr. Manning could not have
+looked paler or more thoroughly dismayed. Yet he tried to keep up a
+little longer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know any man of that name,&quot; he answered, faintly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your looks show that you do. I may as well tell you, Mr. Manning, that
+resistance is useless. We can overwhelm you with proof if we take the
+matter before the courts. But we do not care to do so. We have something
+to propose.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is it?&quot; said Mr. Manning, faintly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The genuine will must be substituted for the fraudulent one. By it you
+will receive ten thousand dollars, and Frank will consent that you shall
+receive it. He will not ask you to account for the sums you have
+wrongfully spent during the last year, and will promise not to prosecute
+you, provided you leave this neighborhood and never return to it, or in
+any way interfere with him. To insure this, we shall have Jonas Barton's
+written confession, attested before a justice of the peace, ready for
+use, if needful. Do you accept?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I must,&quot; said Mr. Manning, despondently. &quot;But I shall be a poor man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No man who has health and the use of his facilities is poor with ten
+thousand dollars,&quot; answered the colonel.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mark alone will spend more than the interest of this sum.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then you must prevent him. He will be better off if he has to earn his
+living, as Frank has done for the last year.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>In less than a week the transfer was made, and Frank recovered his
+patrimony.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning and Mark went to Chicago, and perhaps further West; but
+nothing has been heard from them for years.</p>
+
+<p>Frank didn't return to the Cedars. The place was let until he should
+wish to return to it.</p>
+
+<p>By the advice of Col. Vincent, he resumed his preparation for college,
+and, graduating in due time, commenced the study of law.</p>
+
+<p>Though rich enough to do without a profession, he felt that he should
+not be content to lead an aimless life.</p>
+
+<p>He obtained for his school friend, Herbert Grant, the post of private
+secretary to Mr. Percival, and Herbert became nearly as great a favorite
+as himself.</p>
+
+<p>Through Mr. Percival's kindness, Herbert was enabled, while still living
+at his house and attending to his duties as secretary, to enter Columbia
+College, and complete his course there, graduating with honor.</p>
+
+<p>Herbert selected the medical profession, and, when he has completed his
+studies, will go abroad for a year with Frank, at the latter's expense,
+and, returning, open an office in New York.</p>
+
+<p>While he is waiting for the patients and Frank for clients, the two
+will live together, and their common expenses will be defrayed by Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If I didn't like you so well, Frank,&quot; said Herbert, &quot;I would not accept
+this great favor at your hands&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But since we are dear friends,&quot; interrupts Frank, with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know that you enjoy giving even more than I do the receiving.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Enough, Herbert. We understand each other. I have no brother, Herbert,
+and if I had, I could not care more for him than I do for you. Without
+you, I should feel alone in the world.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank does not regret the year in which he was thrown upon his own
+resources. It gave him strength and self-reliance; and however long he
+may live, he will not cease to remember with pleasure the year in which
+he was &quot;Making His Way.&quot;</p>
+<br />
+
+<h4>THE END</h4>
+
+<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13803 ***</div>
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+</html>
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Making His Way, by Horatio Alger, Jr.
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Making His Way
+       Frank Courtney's Struggle Upward
+
+Author: Horatio Alger, Jr.
+
+Release Date: October 20, 2004 [EBook #13803]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MAKING HIS WAY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Steven desJardins and PG Distributed Proofreaders.
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<h1>MAKING HIS WAY</h1>
+
+<h4><i>or</i></h4>
+
+<h2>Frank Courtney's Struggle Upward</h2>
+
+<h2>By HORATIO ALGER, Jr.</h2>
+<br />
+
+<h4>Whitman Publishing Co.</h4>
+<h4>RACINE, WISCONSIN</h4>
+<h4>PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</h4>
+
+<br />
+
+<a name="TABLE_OF_CONTENTS"></a><h2>TABLE OF CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_I">I.        Two School Friends</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_II">II.       The Telegram</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_III">III.      Frank's Bereavement</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">IV.       Mrs. Manning's Will</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_V">V.        Disinherited</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">VI.       An Unsatisfactory Interview</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">VII.      A School Friend</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">VIII.     A New Plan</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">IX.       The New Owner of Ajax</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_X">X.        Mark Yields to Temptation</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">XI.       Mark Gets into Trouble</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">XII.      Suspended</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">XIII.     Mr. Manning's New Plan</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">XIV.      Good-bye</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">XV.       Erastus Tarbox of Newark</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">XVI.      An Unpleasant Discovery</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">XVII.     The Way of the World</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">XVIII.    Frank Arrives in New York</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">XIX.      Frank Seeks Employment in Vain</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">XX.       An Adventure in Wall Street</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">XXI.      The Capture</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">XXII.     The Young Tea Merchant</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">XXIII.    Frank Meets Mr. Manning and Mark</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">XXIV.     A Discouraging Day</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">XXV.      Perplexity</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">XXVI.     Frank Hears Something to His Advantage</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">XXVII.    An Incident in a Street Car</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">XXVIII.   Frank Makes an Evening Call</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">XXIX.     Frank Is Offered a Position</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">XXX.      Frank as Private Secretary</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">XXXI.     A Letter from Mr. Tarbox</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">XXXII.    Mr. Percival's Proposal</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">XXXIII.   Preparing for a Journey</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">XXXIV.    Frank Reaches Jackson</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV">XXXV.     Dick Hamlin</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">XXXVI.    Mr. Fairfield, the Agent</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVII">XXXVII.   Frank Receives a Letter from Mr. Percival</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVIII">XXXVIII.  The Agent Is Notified</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIX">XXXIX.    An Important Discovery</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XL">XL.       Jonas Barton</a></center>
+<center><a href="#CHAPTER_XLI">XLI.      Conclusion</a></center>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="MAKING_HIS_WAY"></a><h2>MAKING HIS WAY</h2>
+<br />
+
+<a name="CHAPTER_I"></a><h2>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+<h3>TWO SCHOOL FRIENDS</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Two boys were walking in the campus of the Bridgeville Academy. They
+were apparently of about the same age&mdash;somewhere from fifteen to
+sixteen&mdash;but there was a considerable difference in their attire.</p>
+
+<p>Herbert Grant was neatly but coarsely dressed, and his shoes were of
+cowhide, but his face indicated a frank, sincere nature, and was
+expressive of intelligence.</p>
+
+<p>His companion was dressed in a suit of fine cloth, his linen was of the
+finest, his shoes were calfskin, and he had the indefinable air of a boy
+who had been reared in luxury.</p>
+
+<p>He had not the broad, open face of his friend&mdash;for the two boys were
+close friends&mdash;but his features were finely chiseled, indicating a share
+of pride, and a bold, self-reliant nature.</p>
+
+<p>He, too, was an attractive boy, and in spite of his pride possessed a
+warm, affectionate heart and sterling qualities, likely to endear him to
+those who could read and understand him.</p>
+
+<p>His name was Frank Courtney, and he is the hero of my story.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you written your Latin exercises, Frank?&quot; asked Herbert.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; I finished them an hour ago.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I was going to ask you to write them with me. It is pleasanter to
+study in company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Provided you have the right sort of company,&quot; rejoined Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Am I the right sort of company?&quot; inquired Herbert, with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You hardly need to ask that, Herbert. Are we not always together? If I
+did not like your company, I should not seek it so persistently. I don't
+care to boast, but I have plenty of offers of companionship which I
+don't care to accept. There is Bob Stickney, for instance, who is always
+inviting me to his room; but you know what he is&mdash;a lazy fellow, who
+cares more to have a good time than to study. Then there is James
+Cameron, a conceited, empty-headed fellow, who is very disagreeable to
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You don't mention your stepbrother, Mark Manning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;For two reasons&mdash;he doesn't care for my company, and of all the boys I
+dislike him the most.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't like him myself. But why do you dislike him so much?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Because he is a sneak&mdash;a crafty, deceitful fellow, always scheming for
+his own interest. He hates me, but he doesn't dare to show it. His
+father is my mother's husband, but the property is hers, and will be
+mine. He thinks he may some day be dependent on me, and he conceals his
+dislike in order to stand the better chance by and by. Heaven grant that
+it may be long before my dear mother is called away!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How did she happen to marry again, Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I can hardly tell. It was a great grief to me. Mr. Manning was a
+penniless lawyer, who ingratiated himself with my mother, and
+persecuted her till she consented to marry him. He is very soft-spoken,
+and very plausible, and he managed to make mother&mdash;who has been an
+invalid for years&mdash;think that it would be the best thing for her to
+delegate her cares to him, and provide me with a second father.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank did not like his stepfather, he did not trust him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your stepbrother, Mark Manning, enjoys the same advantages as yourself,
+does he not?&quot; inquired Herbert.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then his father's marriage proved a good thing for him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is true. When he first came to the house he was poorly dressed,
+and had evidently been used to living in a poor way. He was at once
+provided with a complete outfit as good as my own, and from that time as
+much has been spent on him as on me. Don't think that I am mean enough
+to grudge him any part of the money expended upon him. If he were like
+you, I could like him, and enjoy his society; but he is just another as
+his father.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Here Herbert's attention was drawn to a boy who was approaching with a
+yellow envelope in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Frank,&quot; he said, suddenly, &quot;there's Mark Manning. He looks as if he had
+something to say to you. He has either a letter or a telegram in his
+hand.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_II"></a><h2>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+<h3>THE TELEGRAM</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Frank's heart gave a great bound at the suggestion of a telegram. A
+telegram could mean but one thing&mdash;that his mother had become suddenly
+worse.</p>
+
+<p>He hurried to meet his stepbrother.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is that a telegram, Mark?&quot; he asked, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is it anything about mother? Tell me quick!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Read it for yourself, Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank drew the telegram from the envelope, and read it hastily:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My wife is very sick. I wish you and Frank to come home at once.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;When does the next train start, Herbert?&quot; asked Frank, pale with
+apprehension.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In an hour.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall go by that train.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think I can get ready so soon,&quot; said Mark, deliberately.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then you can come by yourself,&quot; replied Frank, impetuously. &quot;I beg your
+pardon, Mark,&quot; he added. &quot;I cannot expect you to feel as I do. It is not
+your mother.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is my stepmother,&quot; said Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is quite different. But I must not linger here. I will go at once
+to Dr. Brush, and tell him of my summons home. Good-bye, Herbert, till
+we meet again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will go with you to the depot, Frank,&quot; said his friend,
+sympathizingly. &quot;Don't wait for me. Go ahead, and make your preparation
+for the journey. I will be at your room in a quarter of an hour.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You won't go by the next train, Mark?&quot; said Herbert.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No. I don't care to rush about as Frank is doing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You would if it were your own mother who was so ill.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not sure. It wouldn't do any good, would it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You would naturally feel anxious,&quot; said Herbert.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, yes, I suppose so!&quot; answered Mark, indifferently.</p>
+
+<p>Mark Manning was slender and dark, with a soft voice and rather
+effeminate ways. He didn't care for the rough sports in which most boys
+delight; never played baseball or took part in athletic exercises, but
+liked to walk about, sprucely dressed, and had even been seen on the
+campus on a Saturday afternoon with his hands incased in kid gloves.</p>
+
+<p>For this, however, he was so ridiculed and laughed at that he had to
+draw them off and replace them in his pocket.</p>
+
+<p>As Frank and Herbert walked together to the railway station, the latter
+said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It seems to me, Frank, that the telegram should have been sent to you,
+rather than to Mark Manning. You are the one who is most interested in
+the contents.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought of that, Herbert, but I was too much affected by the contents
+to speak of it. I am not surprised, however. It is like Mr. Manning. It
+jarred upon me to have him speak of mother as his wife. She is so, but I
+never could reconcile myself to the fact.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you remember your father&mdash;your own father, Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You need not have said 'your own father.' I don't recognize Mr.
+Manning as a father, at all. Yes, I remember him. I was eight years old
+when he died. He was a fine-looking man, always kind&mdash;a man to be loved
+and respected. There was not a particle of similarity between him and
+Mr. Manning. He was strong and manly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How did it happen that he died so young?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He was the victim of a railway accident. He had gone to New York on
+business, and was expected back on a certain day. The train on which he
+was a passenger collided with a freight train, and my poor father was
+among the passengers who were killed. The news was almost too much for
+my poor mother, although she had not yet become an invalid. It brought
+on a fit of sickness lasting for three months. She has never been
+altogether well since.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;After all, Frank, the gifts of fortune, or rather Providence, are not
+so unequally distributed as at first appears. You are rich, but
+fatherless. I am poor enough but my father and mother are both spared to
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I would gladly accept poverty if my father could be restored to life,
+and my mother be spared to me for twenty years to come.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am sure you would, Frank,&quot; said Herbert. &quot;Money is valuable, but
+there are some things far more so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>They had reached the station by this time, and it was nearly the time
+for the train to start. Frank bought his ticket, and the two friends
+shook hands and bade each other good-bye.</p>
+
+<p>In an hour Frank was walking up the long avenue leading to the front
+door of the mansion.</p>
+
+<p>The door was opened by his stepfather.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How is mother?&quot; asked Frank, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am grieved to say that she is very sick,&quot; said Mr. Manning, in a soft
+voice. &quot;She had a copious hemorrhage this morning, which has weakened
+her very much.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is she in danger?&quot; asked Frank, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I fear she is,&quot; said Mr. Manning.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose I can see her?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; but it will be better not to make her talk much.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will be careful, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank waited no longer, but hurried to his mother's chamber. As he
+entered, and his glance fell on the bed and its occupant, he was shocked
+by the pale and ghastly appearance of the mother whom he so dearly
+loved. The thought came to him at once:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;She cannot live.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He found it difficult to repress a rising sob, but he did so for his
+mother's sake. He thought that it might affect her injuriously if he
+should display emotion.</p>
+
+<p>His mother smiled faintly as he approached the bed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mother,&quot; said Frank, kneeling by the bedside, &quot;are you very weak?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, Frank,&quot; she answered, almost in a whisper. &quot;I think I am going to
+leave you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, don't say that, mother!&quot; burst forth in anguish from Frank's lips.
+&quot;Try to live for my sake.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should like to live, my dear boy,&quot; whispered his mother; &quot;but if it
+is God's will that I should die, I must be reconciled. I leave you in
+his care.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Here Mr. Manning entered the room.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You will be kind to my boy?&quot; said the dying mother.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Can you doubt it, my dear?&quot; replied her husband, in the soft tones
+Frank so much disliked. &quot;I will care for him as if he were my own.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you. Then I shall die easy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't speak any more, mother. It will tire you, and perhaps bring on
+another hemorrhage.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Frank is right, my dear. You had better not exert yourself any more at
+present.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Didn't Mark come with you?&quot; asked Mr. Manning of Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am surprised that he should not have done so. I sent for him as well
+as you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I believe he is coming by the next train,&quot; said Frank, indifferently.
+&quot;He thought he could not get ready in time for my train.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He should not have left you to come at such a time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I didn't wish him to inconvenience himself, Mr. Manning. If it had been
+his mother, it would have been different.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning did not reply. He understood very well that there was no
+love lost between Mark and his stepson.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_III"></a><h2>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK'S BEREAVEMENT</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Early in the evening Mark made his appearance. Supper had been over for
+an hour, and everything was cold. In a house where there is sickness,
+the regular course of things is necessarily interrupted, and, because he
+could not have his wants attended to immediately, Mark saw fit to
+grumble and scold the servants. He was not a favorite with them, and
+they did not choose to be bullied.</p>
+
+<p>Deborah, who had been in the house for ten years, and so assumed the
+independence of an old servant, sharply reprimanded the spoiled boy.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You ought to be ashamed, Mr. Mark,&quot; she said, &quot;of making such a fuss
+when my poor mistress lies upstairs at the point of death.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you know who you are talking to?&quot; demanded Mark, imperiously, for he
+could, when speaking with those whom he regarded as inferiors, exchange
+his soft tones for a voice of authority.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I ought to know by this time,&quot; answered Deborah, contemptuously. &quot;There
+is no other in the house like you, I am glad to say.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are very impertinent. You forget that you are nothing but a
+servant.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A servant has the right to be decently treated, Mr. Mark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If you don't look out,&quot; said Mark, in a blustering tone, &quot;I will report
+you to my father, and have you kicked out of the house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Deborah was naturally incensed at this rude speech, but she was spared
+the trouble of replying. Frank entered the room at this moment in time
+to hear Mark's last speech.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is this about being kicked out of the house?&quot; he asked, looking
+from Mark to Deborah, in a tone of unconscious authority, which
+displeased his stepbrother.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is my business,&quot; replied Mark, shortly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Mark has threatened to have me kicked out of the house because he
+has to wait for his supper,&quot; said Deborah.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It wasn't for that. It was because you were impertinent. All the same,
+I think it is shameful that I can't get anything to eat.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I regret, Mark,&quot; said Frank, with cool sarcasm, &quot;that you should be
+inconvenienced about your meals. Perhaps you will excuse it, as my poor
+mother is so sick that she requires extra attention from the servants.
+Deborah, if possible, don't let Mark wait much longer. It seems to be
+very important that he should have his supper.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He shall have it,&quot; assured Deborah, rather enjoying the way in which
+Mark was put down; &quot;that is, if he don't get me kicked out of the
+house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You had better not make any such threats in the future, Mark,&quot; said
+Frank, significantly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who's to hinder?&quot; blustered Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am,&quot; answered Frank, pointedly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are nothing but a boy like me,&quot; retorted Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My mother is mistress here, and I represent her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Things may change soon,&quot; muttered Mark; but Frank had left the room and
+did not hear him.</p>
+
+<p>Mark did not trouble himself even to inquire for his stepmother, but
+went out to the stable and lounged about until bedtime. He seemed very
+much bored, and so expressed himself.</p>
+
+<p>Frank wished to sit up all night with his mother, but, as she had a
+professional nurse, it was thought best that he should obtain his
+regular rest, the nurse promising to call the family if any change
+should be apparent in her patient's condition.</p>
+
+<p>About half-past four in the morning there was a summons.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mrs. Manning is worse,&quot; said the nurse. &quot;I don't think she can last
+long.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>One last glance of love&mdash;though she could no longer speak&mdash;assured Frank
+that she knew him and loved him to the last.</p>
+
+<p>The memory of that look often came back to him in the years that
+followed, and he would not have parted with it for anything that earth
+could give.</p>
+
+<p>Just as the clock struck five, his mother breathed her last. The boy
+gazed upon the inanimate form, but he was dazed, and could not realize
+that his mother had left him, never to return.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;She is gone,&quot; said Mr. Manning, softly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Dead!&quot; ejaculated Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, her sufferings are over. Let us hope she is better off. My boy, I
+think you had better return to your bed. You can do nothing for your
+mother now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I would rather stay here,&quot; said Frank, sadly. &quot;I can at least look at
+her, and soon I shall lose even that comfort.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The thought was too much for the poor boy, and he burst into tears.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do as you please, Frank,&quot; assented Mr. Manning. &quot;I feel for you, and I
+share in your grief. I will go and tell Mark of our sad loss.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He made his way to Mark's chamber and entered. He touched Mark, who was
+in a doze, and he started up.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What's the matter?&quot; he asked, crossly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your poor mother is dead, Mark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, there was no need to wake me for that,&quot; said the boy, irritably.
+&quot;I can't help it, can I?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think, my son, you might speak with more feeling. Death is a solemn
+thing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There's nobody here but me,&quot; said Mark, sneering.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't catch your meaning,&quot; said his father, showing some annoyance,
+for it is not pleasant to be seen through.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why should you care so much?&quot; continued Mark. &quot;I suppose you will be
+well provided for. Do you know how she has left the property? How much
+of it goes to Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I can't say,&quot; said Mr. Manning. &quot;I never asked my wife.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you mean to say, father, that you don't know how the property is
+left?&quot; asked Mark, with a sharp glance at his father.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I may have my conjectures,&quot; said Mr. Manning, softly. &quot;I don't think my
+dear wife would leave me without some evidences of her affection.
+Probably the bulk of the estate goes to your brother, and something to
+me. Doubtless we shall continue to live here, as I shall naturally be
+your brother's guardian.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't call him my brother,&quot; said Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why not? True, he is only your stepbrother; but you have lived under
+the same roof, and been to school together, and this ought to strengthen
+the tie between you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't like Frank,&quot; said Mark. &quot;He puts on altogether too many airs.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I had not observed that,&quot; said his father.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, I have. Only this evening he saw fit to speak impudently to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Indeed! I am really amazed to hear it,&quot; said Mr. Manning, softly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, he thinks he is the master of the house, or will be,&quot; said Mark,
+&quot;and he presumes on that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He is unwise,&quot; said Mr. Manning. &quot;Even if the whole property descends
+to him, which I can hardly believe possible, I, as his guardian, will
+have the right to control him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope you'll do it, father. At any rate, don't let him boss over me,
+for I won't stand it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think he will boss over you,&quot; answered his father, in a slow,
+measured voice, betraying, however, neither anger nor excitement. &quot;Of
+course, I should not permit that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mark regarded his father fixedly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I guess the old man knows what's in the will,&quot; he said to himself. &quot;He
+knows how to feather his own nest. I hope he's feathered mine, too.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning passed from his son's chamber and went softly upstairs,
+looking thoughtful.</p>
+
+<p>Anyone who could read the impassive face would have read trouble in
+store for Frank.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_IV"></a><h2>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+<h3>MRS. MANNING'S WILL</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>During the preparations for the funeral Frank was left pretty much to
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning's manner was so soft, and to him had been so deferential,
+that he did not understand the man. It didn't occur to him that it was
+assumed for a purpose.</p>
+
+<p>That manner was not yet laid aside. His stepfather offered to comfort
+him, but Frank listened in silence. Nothing that Mr. Manning could say
+had the power to lighten his load of grief. So far as words could
+console him, the sympathy of Deborah and the coachman, both old
+servants, whom his mother trusted, had more effect, for he knew that it
+was sincere, and that they were really attached to his mother.</p>
+
+<p>Of Mr. Manning he felt a profound distrust, which no words of his could
+remove.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Mr. Manning was looking from an upper window down the fine
+avenue, and his eye ranged from left to right over the ample estate with
+a glance of self-complacent triumph.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All mine at last!&quot; he said to himself, exultingly. &quot;What I have been
+working for has come to pass. Three years ago I was well-nigh penniless,
+and now I am a rich man. I shall leave Mark the master of a great
+fortune. I have played my cards well. No one will suspect anything
+wrong. My wife and I have lived in harmony. There will be little wonder
+that she has left all to me. There would be, perhaps, but for the manner
+in which I have taken care he shall be mentioned in the will&mdash;I mean, of
+course, in the will I have made for her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He paused, and, touching a spring in the wall, a small door flew open,
+revealing a shallow recess.</p>
+
+<p>In this recess was a folded paper, tied with a red ribbon.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning opened it, and his eyes glanced rapidly down the page.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This is the true will,&quot; he said to himself. &quot;I wish I could summon
+courage to burn it. It would be best out of the way. That, if found
+out, would make me amenable to the law, and I must run no risk. In this
+secret recess it will never be found. I will replace it, and the
+document which I have had prepared will take its place, and no one will
+be the wiser.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>On the day after the funeral, the family solicitor and a few intimate
+friends, who had been invited by Mr. Manning, assembled in the drawing
+room of the mansion to hear the will read.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning himself notified Frank of the gathering and its object.</p>
+
+<p>He found our hero lying on the bed in his chamber, sad and depressed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't like to intrude upon your grief, my dear boy,&quot; said his
+stepfather, softly, &quot;but it is necessary. The last will of your dear
+mother and my beloved wife is about to be read, and your presence is
+necessary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Couldn't it be put off?&quot; asked Frank, sadly. &quot;It seems too soon to
+think of such things.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Pardon me, my dear Frank, but it is quite needful that there should be
+an immediate knowledge of the contents of the will, in order that the
+right person may look after the business interests of the estate. I
+assure you that it is the invariable custom to read the will immediately
+after the funeral.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If that is the custom, and it is necessary, I have nothing to say. When
+is the will to be read?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;At three o'clock, and it is now two.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very well, sir; I will come down in time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course there can't be much doubt as to the contents of the will,&quot;
+pursued Mr. Manning. &quot;You are doubtless the heir, and as you are a
+minor, I am probably your guardian. Should such be the case, I hope
+that the relations between us may be altogether friendly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope so,&quot; said Frank, gravely.</p>
+
+<p>At three o'clock the members of the family, with a few outside friends,
+gathered in the drawing room. The family solicitor, Mr, Ferret, held in
+his hand what purported to be the last will of Mrs. Manning.</p>
+
+<p>The widowed husband had directed the lawyer to the bureau of the
+deceased lady as likely to contain her will. It was found without
+trouble in the topmost drawer.</p>
+
+<p>Deborah and the coachman had speculated as to whether they would be
+invited to attend at the reading of the will.</p>
+
+<p>Their doubts were set at rest by an invitation from Mr. Manning himself.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You were so long in the service of my dear wife,&quot; he said, &quot;that it is
+fitting that you be present at the reading of her will, in which it is
+quite probable that you may be personally interested.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He is uncommonly polite, I am sure,&quot; thought Deborah, disposed for the
+moment to think more favorably of the man whom she had never been able
+to like.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My friends,&quot; said the lawyer, after a preliminary cough, &quot;you are
+assembled to listen to the will of Mrs. Manning, just deceased. The
+document which I hold in my hand I believe to be such an instrument. I
+will now open if for the first time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He untied the ribbon, and began reading the will.</p>
+
+<p>It commenced with the usual formula, and proceeded to a few bequests of
+trifling amount.</p>
+
+<p>Deborah and Richard Green were each left two hundred dollars, &quot;as a
+slight acknowledgment of their faithful service.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>One or two friends of the family were remembered, but to an
+inconsiderable extent. Then came the important clause:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All the rest and residue of the property of which I may die possessed I
+leave to my beloved husband, James Manning, whose devoted affection has
+made happy the last years of my life. Having implicit confidence in his
+good judgment and kindness of heart, I request him to make proper
+provision for my dear son Frank, whose happiness I earnestly desire. I
+hope that he will consent to be guided by the wisdom and experience of
+his stepfather, who, I am sure, will study his interests and counsel him
+wisely. In my sorrow at parting with my dear son, it is an unspeakable
+comfort to me to feel that he will have such a guardian and protector.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank listened with amazement, which was shared by all present.</p>
+
+<p>Practically, he was disinherited, and left wholly dependent upon his
+stepfather.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_V"></a><h2>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+<h3>DISINHERITED</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The contents of the will created general astonishment. There was not one
+in the room who didn't know the devotion of Mrs. Manning to her son
+Frank, yet, while speaking of him affectionately, she had treated him,
+as they considered, most cruelly. Why should she have left such a
+dangerous power in her husband's hands?</p>
+
+<p>And how was Mr. Manning affected?</p>
+
+<p>He summoned to his face an expression of bewilderment and surprise,
+and, feeling that all eyes were fixed upon, him, he turned toward the
+lawyer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Ferret,&quot; he said, &quot;I need hardly say that this will surprises me
+very much, as I see that it does the friends who are present. Are you
+sure that there is no codicil?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have been unable to discover any, Mr. Manning,&quot; said the lawyer,
+gravely, as he scanned the face of the widower keenly.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning applied his handkerchief to his eyes, and seemed overcome by
+emotion.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I knew my dear wife's confidence in me,&quot; he said, in a tremulous voice,
+&quot;but I was not prepared for such a striking manifestation of it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nor I,&quot; said Mr. Ferret, dryly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Knowing her strong attachment to Frank,&quot; paused Mr. Manning, &quot;I feel
+the full extent and significance of that confidence when she leaves him
+so unreservedly to my care and guidance. I hope that I may be found
+worthy of the trust.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope so, sir,&quot; said Mr. Ferret, who, sharp lawyer as he was, doubted
+whether all was right, and was willing that Mr. Manning should be made
+aware of his feeling. &quot;It is certainly a remarkable proviso, considering
+the affection which your wife entertained for her son.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Precisely, Mr. Ferret. It shows how much confidence the dear departed
+felt in me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So far as I can see, the boy is left wholly dependent upon you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He shall not regret it!&quot; said Mr. Manning, fervently. &quot;I consecrate my
+life to this sacred trust.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You acquiesce in the arrangement, then, Mr. Manning?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I cannot do otherwise, can I?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There is nothing to prevent your settling the property, or any part of
+it, on the natural heir, Mr. Manning. You must pardon me for saying that
+it would have been wiser had your wife so stipulated by will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I cannot consent to reverse, or in any way annul, the last wishes of my
+dear wife,&quot; said Mr. Manning, hastily. &quot;It was her arrangement solely,
+and I hold it sacred. She has put upon me a serious responsibility, from
+which I shrink, indeed, but which I cannot decline. I will do all in my
+power to carry out the wishes of my late wife.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Ferret shrugged his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not surprised at your decision, sir,&quot; he said, coldly. &quot;Few men
+would resist the temptation. My duty is discharged with the reading of
+the will, and I will bid you good-afternoon!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning was a crafty man. He knew that the strange will would be
+discussed, and he thought it best that the discussion should come at
+once, that it might be the sooner finished.</p>
+
+<p>Deborah, faithful old servant, was in a blaze of indignation.</p>
+
+<p>She went up quickly to Frank, and said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It's a shame, Mr. Frank, so it is!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If my mother made that will, it is all right,&quot; said Frank, gravely.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But she didn't, Mr. Frank! I know she would never do such a thing. She
+loved you as the apple of her eye, and she would not cheat you out of
+your rightful inheritance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No more she would, Mr. Frank,&quot; said the coachman, chiming in.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know what to think,&quot; said Frank. &quot;It has surprised me very
+much.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Surprised you!&quot; exclaimed Deborah. &quot;You may well say that. You might
+have knocked me down with a feather when I heard the property left away
+from you. Depend upon it, that man knows all about it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You mean Mr. Manning?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To be sure I mean him! Oh, he's managed artfully! I say that for him.
+He's got it all into his own hands, and you haven't a cent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If it was my mother's will I wouldn't complain of that, Deborah. It was
+hers to do with as she liked, and I know, at any rate, that she loved
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There's one thing surprises me,&quot; said Richard Green. &quot;If so be as the
+will isn't genuine, how does it happen that you and I come in for a
+legacy, Deborah?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It's meant for a blind,&quot; answered Deborah. &quot;Oh, he's the artfulest
+man!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You may be right, Deborah. I must say the will sounded all right.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Maybe it was copied from the mistress' will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This conversation took place in one corner of the room.</p>
+
+<p>It ceased as Mr. Ferret advanced toward the disinherited boy.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Frank,&quot; said he, in a tone of sympathy, &quot;I am very sorry for the
+provisions of the will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So am I, sir,&quot; answered our hero. &quot;It isn't pleasant to be dependent on
+Mr. Manning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Particularly when the whole estate should be yours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wouldn't have minded if half had been left to him, provided I had
+been left independent of him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I appreciate your feelings, Frank. I knew your father, and I am proud
+to say that he was my friend. I knew your mother well, and I esteemed
+her highly. I hope you will let me regard myself as your friend also.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, Mr. Ferret!&quot; said Frank. &quot;I am likely to need a friend. I
+shall remember your kind proposal. I want to ask you one question.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ask, and I shall answer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did my mother consult with you about making this will?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did she ever say anything that would lead you to think she would leave
+the property as it is left in this will?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not a word.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Was there another will?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes. I wrote her will at her direction more than a year ago. This will
+is dated only three months since, and, of course, takes precedence of
+it, even if the other is in existence.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Can you tell me what were the provisions of the other will?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A legacy of ten thousand dollars was left to Mr. Manning, and the rest
+of the estate to you, except the small legacies, which were all larger
+than in the will I have read. For instance, Deborah and Richard Green
+were each put down for five hundred dollars.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So they suffer as well as I?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you any idea, Mr. Ferret, of the value of the estate which falls
+into Mr. Manning's hands?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have some idea, because I have talked with your mother on the
+subject. This estate is worth fifty thousand dollars at least, and there
+are fully fifty thousand dollars in money and bonds. The legacies do not
+altogether exceed one thousand dollars, and therefore it may be said
+that your stepfather has fallen heir to one hundred thousand dollars.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose there is nothing I can do, Mr. Ferret?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not unless you can show that this will which I have read is not a
+genuine document. That would be difficult.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did you notice my mother's signature?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes. I am not an expert, but I cannot detect any difference greater
+than maybe existed between two signatures of the same person.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then I suppose there is nothing to be done at present. I expect to have
+a hard time with Mr. Manning, Mr. Ferret.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How has he treated you in the past, Frank?&quot; asked the lawyer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have had nothing to complain of; but then he was not master of the
+estate. Now it is difficult, and I think his treatment of me will be
+different.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You may be right. You remember what I said, Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That I should regard you as a friend? I won't forget it, Mr. Ferret.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>One by one the company left the house, and Frank was alone.</p>
+
+<p>Left alone and unsustained by sympathy, he felt more bitterly than
+before the totally unexpected change in his circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>Up to the last hour he had regarded himself as the heir of the estate.
+Now he was only a dependent of a man whom he heartily disliked.</p>
+
+<p>Could it be that this misfortune had come to him through the agency of
+his mother?</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will not believe it!&quot; he exclaimed, energetically.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_VI"></a><h2>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+<h3>AN UNSATISFACTORY INTERVIEW</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Frank came to a decision the next morning. A long deferred interview
+with his stepfather was necessary. Having made up his mind, he entered
+the room in which his stepfather sat. His air was manly and his bearing
+that of a boy who respects himself, but there was none of the swagger
+which some boys think it necessary to exhibit when they wish to assert
+their rights.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning, in a flowered dressing gown, sat at a table, with a sheet
+of paper before him and a lead pencil in his hand. Short as had been the
+interval since his accession to the property, he was figuring up the
+probable income he would derive from the estate.</p>
+
+<p>He looked up as Frank entered the room, and surveyed him with cold and
+sarcastic eyes. His soft tones were dropped.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Manning,&quot; said Frank, &quot;I wish to talk to you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You may, of course,&quot; his stepfather replied mildly. &quot;It is about the
+will,&quot; Frank advised him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So you would complain of your poor mother, would you?&quot; said his
+stepfather, in a tone of virtuous indignation.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I cannot believe that my mother made that will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning colored. He scented danger. Should Frank drop such hints
+elsewhere, he might make trouble, and lead to a legal investigation,
+which Mr. Manning had every reason to dread.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This is very foolish,&quot; he said, more mildly. &quot;No doubt you are
+disappointed, but probably your mother has provided wisely. You will
+want for nothing, and you will be prepared for the responsibilities of
+manhood under my auspices.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning's face assumed a look of self-complacence as he uttered
+these last words.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have no blame to cast upon my dear mother,&quot; said Frank. &quot;If she made
+that will, she acted under a great mistake.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What mistake, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;She failed to understand you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you mean to imply that I shall be false to my trust?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not at present, sir. I don't wish to judge of you too hastily.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As the boy turned to go, he said. &quot;I have nothing further to say, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But I have,&quot; said Mr. Manning.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very well, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I demand that you treat my son Mark with suitable respect, and forbear
+to infringe upon his rights.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked up, and answered, with spirit: &quot;I shall treat Mark as well
+as he treats me, sir. Is that satisfactory?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I apprehend,&quot; said Mr. Manning, &quot;that you may make some mistakes upon
+that point.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will try not to do so, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank left the room, and this time was not called back.</p>
+
+<p>His stepfather looked after him, but his face expressed neither
+friendliness nor satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That boy requires taming,&quot; he said to himself. &quot;He is going to make
+trouble. I must consider what I will do with him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As Mr. Manning reviewed Frank's words, there was one thing which
+especially disturbed him&mdash;the doubt expressed by his stepson as to his
+mother's having actually made the will.</p>
+
+<p>He saw that it would not do for him to go too far in his persecution of
+Frank as it might drive the latter to consult a lawyer in regard to the
+validity of the will by which he had been disinherited.</p>
+
+<p>Frank rather gloomily made his way to the stable. As he reached it,
+Richard Green came out.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'm sorry for you, Mr. Frank. But your mother was a saint. She was too
+good to suspect the badness of others, Mr. Frank. She thought old
+Manning was really all that he pretended to be, and that he would be as
+kind to you as she was herself. When she was alive, he was always as
+soft as&mdash;as silk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;His manner has changed now,&quot; said Frank, gravely. &quot;Excuse me, Richard,
+for finding fault with you, but don't call him old Manning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why not, Mr. Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have no liking for Mr. Manning&mdash;in fact, I dislike him&mdash;but he was
+the husband of my mother, and I prefer to speak of him respectfully.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I dare say you are right, Mr. Frank, but, all the same, he don't
+deserve it. Is Mr. Mark to ride Ajax then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If he asks for it, you are to saddle Ajax for him. I don't want you to
+get into any trouble with Mr. Manning on my account.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't care for that, Mr. Frank. I can get another place, and I don't
+much care to serve Mr. Manning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I would rather you would stay, if you can, Richard. I don't want to see
+a new face in the stable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think he means to keep me long, Mr. Frank. Deborah and I will
+have to go, I expect, and he'll get some servants of his own here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Has he hinted anything of this, Richard?&quot; asked Frank, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; but he will soon, you may depend on it. I won't lose sight of you,
+though. I've known you since you were four years old, and I won't desert
+you, if I can do any good&mdash;nor Deborah, either.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have two friends, then, at any rate,&quot; said Frank to himself. &quot;That is
+something.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_VII"></a><h2>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+<h3>A SCHOOL FRIEND</h3>
+
+<br />
+
+<p>Early Monday morning it had been the custom for Frank and Mark to take
+the train for Bridgeville, to enter upon a new week at the academy.</p>
+
+<p>Frank felt that it would be better for him to go back without any
+further vacation, as occupation would serve to keep him from brooding
+over his loss.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are you ready, Mark?&quot; he asked, as he rose from the breakfast table.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ready for what?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To go back to school, of course.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not going back this morning,&quot; answered Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why not?&quot; asked Frank, in some surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am going to stay at home to help father,&quot; said Mark, with a glance at
+Mr. Manning.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If I can be of any service to you, sir, I will stay, too,&quot; said Frank,
+politely.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, but Mark will do all I require,&quot; replied his stepfather.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very well, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank appeared at the academy with a grave face and subdued manner,
+suggestive of the great loss he had sustained. From his schoolfellows,
+with whom he was a favorite, he received many words of sympathy&mdash;from
+none more earnest or sincere than from Herbert Grant.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know how you feel, Frank,&quot; he said, pressing the hand of his friend.
+&quot;If I could comfort you I would, but I don't know how to do it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I find comfort in your sympathy,&quot; said Frank. &quot;I look upon you as my
+warmest friend here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad of that, Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>To Herbert alone Frank spoke of his mother and her devoted affection;
+but even to him he did not like to mention the will and his
+disinheritance. He did not so much lament the loss of the property as
+that he had lost it by the direction of his mother, or, rather, because
+it would generally be supposed so.</p>
+
+<p>For himself, he doubted the genuineness of the will, but he felt that it
+was useless to speak of it, as he was unprepared with any proofs.</p>
+
+<p>So it happened that when, on Wednesday afternoon Mark Manning made his
+appearance, Frank's change of position, as respected the property, was
+neither known nor suspected by his schoolfellows. It was soon known,
+however, and of course, through Mark.</p>
+
+<p>The boys immediately noticed a change in Mark. He assumed an air of
+consequence, and actually strutted across the campus. Instead of being
+polite and attentive to Frank, he passed him with a careless nod, such
+as a superior might bestow on an inferior.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What has come over Mark?&quot; asked Herbert of Frank, as the two were
+walking together from recitation.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How do you mean?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He holds his head higher than he used to do. He looks as if he had been
+elected to some important office.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You will soon learn, Herbert,&quot; said Frank. &quot;Make a pretext to join him,
+and let the news come from him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Herbert looked puzzled.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you wish me to do this?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, I have a reason for it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very well. I am always ready to oblige you, Frank, but I hope Mark
+won't think I have suddenly formed a liking for his society.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If he does, you can soon undeceive him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is true.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Herbert left the side of his friend, and sauntered toward Mark.</p>
+
+<p>As Herbert was known as Frank's especial friend, Mark was at first
+surprised, but quickly decided that his improved position had been
+communicated by Frank, and that Herbert was influenced by it. That is to
+say, he judged Herbert to be as mean and mercenary as himself.</p>
+
+<p>Herbert's position was too humble to entitle him to much notice from
+Mark, but the latter was pleased with the prospect of detaching from
+Frank his favorite friend.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You came back rather late, Mark,&quot; said Herbert.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes,&quot; answered Mark, with an air of importance. &quot;I remained at home a
+short time, to help my father in his accounts. You know the property is
+large, and there is a good deal to do.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should think that was Frank's place, to help about the accounts.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The property is his, of course!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did he tell you that?&quot; asked Mark, sharply.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He has not said a word about the property.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, I suppose not,&quot; said Mark, with a sneering laugh.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Has anything happened? Didn't his mother leave as much as was
+expected?&quot; went on Herbert, quite in the dark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, she left a large estate, but she didn't leave it to him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To whom, then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To my father!&quot; replied Mark, with conscious pride. &quot;Frank has nothing.
+He is entirely dependent upon father.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did his mother leave him nothing, then?&quot; asked Herbert, in pained
+surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nothing at all,&quot; assured Mark, complacently.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is very strange and unjust.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't look upon it in that light,&quot; said Mark, nettled. &quot;My father
+knows what is best for him. He will provide for him just as his mother
+did before.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But when Frank is of age, doesn't he come into possession of the estate
+then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, of course not. Didn't I tell you it belongs to father? Frank is a
+poor boy&mdash;as poor as you,&quot; said Mark, in a tone of evident satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Or you,&quot; added Herbert, pointedly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are mistaken,&quot; said Mark, quickly. &quot;I am father's heir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Suppose your father dies&mdash;how will the property go?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose something will be left to Frank, unless my father leaves me
+the property, with directions to provide for him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Would you think that right and just?&quot; demanded Herbert, indignantly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course I would. My stepmother knew what she was about when she made
+her will. I see you are surprised. You won't be quite to thick with
+Frank, now, I expect.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why shouldn't I be?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Because he is just as poor as you are. He never can help you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mark Manning, I believe you are about the meanest boy I ever
+encountered, and you judge me by yourself!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you mean to insult me? Mind what you say!&quot; blustered Mark,
+unpleasantly surprised at this outburst from a boy whom he expected
+would now transfer his allegiance from Frank to himself.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I mean that you and your father have robbed Frank of his inheritance,
+and glory in it, and you think that I am mean enough to desert him
+because he is no longer rich. It makes no difference to me whether he is
+rich or poor. I think I like him all the better because he has been so
+badly treated. As for you, I despise you, and shall continue to, even if
+you get the whole of Frank's money.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You forget that you are talking to a gentleman, you low-born mechanic!&quot;
+said Mark, angrily.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You a gentleman!&quot; replied Herbert, contemptuously. &quot;Then I never want
+to be one!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He walked away, leaving Mark very much incensed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He is a fool!&quot; muttered Mark. &quot;When I am a rich man, he may repent
+having insulted me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Herbert went back to Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did he tell you?&quot; asked Frank, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; and he actually appeared to think I would be ready to desert you
+because you were poor, and follow him about.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not afraid of that, Herbert.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think Mark will have that idea any more. I gave him a piece of
+my mind, and left him very angry. But what does it all mean, Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know no more than you do, Herbert. I cannot understand it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What could have induced your mother to make such a will?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I cannot believe my poor mother ever made such a will; but, if she
+did, I am very sure that she was over-persuaded by my stepfather, who is
+one of the most plausible of men.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What shall you do about it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What can I do? I am only a boy. I have no proof, you know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How are you likely to be treated?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have had a little foretaste of that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It looks very bad for you, Frank,&quot; admitted Herbert, in a tone of
+sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't so much care for the loss of the property, Herbert,&quot; said
+Frank, &quot;but I am afraid I shall have sorts of annoyances to endure from
+Mark and his father. But I won't anticipate trouble. I will do my duty,
+and trust that things will turn out better than I fear.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The next afternoon a letter was placed in Frank's hands. It was in a
+brown envelope, and directed in a cramped and evidently unpracticed
+hand, with which Frank was not familiar.</p>
+
+<p>On opening it, a glance at the signature showed that it was from Richard
+Green, the coachman. It commenced:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Dear Mr. Frank: This comes hoping you are well. I have no good news to
+tell. Mr. Manning has sold your horse, Ajax, and he is to be taken away
+to-night. I thought you ought to know it, and that is why I take my pen
+in hand to write.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>There was more, but this is all that was important.</p>
+
+<p>Frank's face flushed with anger. He immediately went in search of Mark,
+who, he felt assured, knew of the sale.</p>
+
+<p>It may be said here that Ajax was one of Frank's dearest trophies, a
+gift from his mother.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_VIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+
+<h3>A NEW PLAN</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
+Though decidedly plain, Mark fancied himself very good-looking, and
+spent no little time on personal adornment. In particular, he had a
+weakness for new neckties, in which he indulged himself freely.</p>
+
+<p>When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they
+should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to
+himself&mdash;no one caring to room with him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Take a seat, Frank,&quot; said Mark, condescendingly. &quot;Is there anything I
+can do for you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes,&quot; answered Frank. &quot;I hear your father has sold Ajax, or is
+intending to do so. Will you tell me if it is true?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I believe it is,&quot; answered Mark, indifferently.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And what right has he to sell my horse?&quot; demanded Frank, indignantly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You'd better ask him,&quot; said Mark, with provoking coolness.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is an outrage,&quot; said Frank, indignantly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As to that,&quot; said his stepbrother, &quot;you can't expect father to be at
+the expense of feeding your horse.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;With my money?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The money is legally his,&quot; replied Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you know to whom your father has sold Ajax?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To Col. Vincent, I believe.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad, at any rate, that he will have a good master.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank felt that there would be no advantage in prolonging the interview,
+or carrying on further a war of words.</p>
+
+<p>He sought out his friend Herbert, and communicated to him this last
+infraction of his rights.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is too bad, Frank!&quot; said his sympathizing friend.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, it is,&quot; said Frank, gravely; &quot;but I fear it is only the beginning
+of annoyances. I don't believe I can ever live in any place with Mr.
+Manning or Mark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Will it be necessary?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose so. I have no money, as you know. All has gone to him.
+Herbert, I tell you frankly, I envy you and your position.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Though my father is a poor man?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; for, at any rate, you have a peaceful home, and a father and
+mother who love you. I have a stepfather, who will do all he can to make
+me miserable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Would you be willing to work for your own support, Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; far rather than remain a dependent on Mr. Manning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Suppose you should run away,&quot; suggested Herbert.</p>
+
+<p>Frank shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wouldn't do that except in case of extreme necessity. I know that if
+my mother knows what goes on here, it would grieve her for me to take
+such a step.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Suppose your stepfather should consent to your leaving home?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then I would do so gladly. I am willing to work and I think I could
+make a living in some way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why not ask him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank's face brightened.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you for the hint, Herbert,&quot; he said. &quot;I will think of it, and I
+may act upon it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was naturally self-reliant and energetic. He was not disposed to
+shrink from the duties of life, but was ready to go forth to meet them.
+The idea which Herbert had suggested commended itself to him the more he
+thought of it.</p>
+
+<p>In spite, therefore, of the news which he had received about Ajax, he
+resumed his cheerfulness, considerably to the surprise of Mark, whose
+natural suspicion led him to conjecture that Frank had some plan in view
+to circumvent his father.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If he has, he'd better give it up,&quot; reflected Mark. &quot;The old man's as
+sly as a fox. A raw boy like Frank can't get the better of him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>At the close of the week, both the boys went home. They were on board
+the same train and the same car, but did not sit together. When they
+reached the house, Mr. Manning was not at home.</p>
+
+<p>Frank went out to the stable at once to see Richard Green, the coachman.</p>
+
+<p>He found him, indeed, but he also found another man, a stranger, who
+appeared to be employed in the stable.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who is this, Richard?&quot; asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My successor,&quot; answered the coachman.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are you going to leave?&quot; asked Frank, hastily.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Come out with me, Mr. Frank, and I will tell you,&quot; said Richard. &quot;I've
+had notice to leave,&quot; he said, &quot;and so has Deborah. It came last
+evening. Mr. Manning got a letter from Bridgeville&mdash;I know that, because
+I brought it home from the post office&mdash;which appeared to make him
+angry. He called Deborah and me and told us that he should not need our
+services any longer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did he give you any reason?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; he said that he could have our places filled for a good deal less
+money, and he had no doubt we could do as well elsewhere.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He has filled your place pretty soon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes. This man came this morning. I think Mr. Manning had sent for him
+already. I told you the other day we should soon be discharged.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know it; but I can tell you what has hastened it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What, then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mark wrote his father that I had learned about the sale of Ajax, and
+that the information came from you or Deborah.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think it likely, Mr. Frank, for the old gentleman seemed mighty cool.
+I hope you won't take it too much to heart that Ajax is sold.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not sure but I am glad of it,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>The coachman looked at him in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought you would be very angry,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So I was at first, but he has been sold to a man who will treat him
+well, and I shall be glad to think of that when I'm away from home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You don't mean to run away, Mr. Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; but I mean to get my stepfather's permission to go, if I can.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where do you mean to go, Mr. Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Somewhere where I can earn my living, without depending upon anybody.
+You know very well, Richard, how miserable I should be to stay here in
+dependence upon Mr. Manning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But to think that you, to whom the property rightfully belongs, should
+go away and work for a living, while that man and his boy occupy your
+place. I can't bear to think of it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have done a good deal of thinking within a few days, and I don't
+shrink from the prospect. I think I should rather enjoy being actively
+employed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But you were to go to college, Mr. Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know it, Richard, but I am not sure whether it would be for the best.
+My tastes are for an active business life, and I don't care for a
+profession.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you think your stepfather will give you a start?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In the way of money?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know. If he won't, I have still fifty dollars in the savings
+bank, which I have saved from my pocket money. I will take that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Frank, will you promise not to be offended at what I'm going to
+say?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think you would say anything that ought to offend me, Richard.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then I want you to take the money that comes to me by the will&mdash;Mr.
+Manning is to pay it to me on Monday. I don't need it, and you may.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are very kind, Richard, but I will get along with fifty dollars,
+unless Mr. Manning supplies me with more. If I really need money at any
+time, I will think of your offer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That's something, at any rate,&quot; said Richard. partly reconciled. &quot;You
+won't forget it now, Mr. Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, Richard, I promise you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank left the stable and went thoughtfully into the house.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_IX"></a><h2>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+
+<h3>THE NEW OWNER OF AJAX</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Frank and Mark took supper alone, Mr. Manning having left word that he
+would not return till later in the evening.</p>
+
+<p>After supper, Frank decided to go over to call upon Col. Vincent, the
+new owner of Ajax. His estate was distant about three-quarters of a mile
+from the Cedars.</p>
+
+<p>As Frank started, Mark inquired:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where are you going, Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To see Ajax,&quot; answered our hero.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you mean to make any fuss about him? I wouldn't advise you to.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you for your advice.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wonder what he is going to do?&quot; thought Mark. &quot;Of course he can't do
+anything now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He did not venture to propose to accompany Frank, knowing that his
+company would not be acceptable.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is Col. Vincent at home?&quot; asked Frank, at the door of a handsome house.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, Mr. Courtney,&quot; replied the colored servant, pleasantly, for Frank
+was a favorite among all classes in the neighborhood. &quot;Come right in,
+sir. De colonel am smoking a cigar on de back piazza.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank followed the servant through the hall which intersected the house,
+and stepped out on the back piazza.</p>
+
+<p>A stout, elderly gentleman was taking his ease in a large rustic
+rocking chair.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good-evening, Col. Vincent,&quot; our hero said.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good-evening, Frank, my boy,&quot; said the colonel, heartily. &quot;Glad to see
+you. Haven't you gone back to school?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir; but I came home to spend Sunday. It doesn't seem much like
+home now,&quot; he added, as his lip quivered.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You have suffered a great loss, my dear boy,&quot; said the colonel,
+feelingly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The greatest, sir. My mother was all I had.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose Mr. Manning will keep up the establishment?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose so, sir; but it is no longer home to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't take it too hard, Frank. I was sorry about the will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So was I, sir; because it makes me dependent on a man whom I dislike.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't be too prejudiced, Frank. I never took any fancy to your
+stepfather myself; but then we don't need to like everybody we associate
+with.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hear you have bought my horse, Col. Vincent,&quot; said Frank, desiring to
+change the subject.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Was Ajax your horse?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes. It was given to me as a birthday present by my mother.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I had some such idea, and expressly asked Mr. Manning whether the horse
+was not yours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What did he answer?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That it was only nominally yours, and that he thought it best to sell
+it, as both you and Mark were absent at school, and had no time to use
+it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not surprised at anything Mr. Manning may say,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It's too bad! I'll tell you what I will do, Frank. I haven't paid for
+the horse yet. I will return it to Mr. Manning, and tell him that I
+bought it under a misapprehension of the ownership. I don't think he
+will make any fuss.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I would rather have you keep it, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You would!&quot; exclaimed the colonel, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir. If you should return Ajax, Mr. Manning would sell him to some
+one else, and you, I know, will treat him well.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But you will lose the use of him. No, you won't, though. Come over to
+my stable when you like, and, if he is not in use, you can take him
+out.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, sir! You are very kind. While I am in the neighborhood, I
+won't forget your kind offer. But I mean to go away.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You mean to go away! Where?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Out into the world. Anywhere, where I can find work and make a living.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But surely this is not necessary. Your stepfather will provide for you
+without your working.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have no reason to doubt it, Col. Vincent; but I shall be happier in
+the world outside.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course you will let Mr. Manning know of your intention to leave
+home?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall ask his permission to go at the end of my school term. That
+comes in a couple of weeks.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where will you go?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A cousin of my father is at Newark, New Jersey. I think I shall go to
+him first, and ask his advice about getting a place either there or in
+New York.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You will need some money to start with. Do you think Mr. Manning will
+give you any?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know, sir! That won't prevent my going. I have fifty dollars in
+a savings bank, saved up from my allowance, and that will be all I shall
+need.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If you have any difficulty on that score, Frank, remember that I was
+your father's friend, and mean to be yours. Apply to me at any time when
+you are in a strait.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will, sir, and thank you heartily.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That was a strange will, Frank. I don't want to put any ideas into your
+head to disturb you, but had your mother ever led you to suspect that
+she intended to leave you dependent on your stepfather?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Never, sir!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't you think she would have done so, had she had such a plan in
+view?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I do,&quot; said Frank, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>The colonel's eye met his, and each knew what the other suspected.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There is nothing for me to do at present, sir,&quot; said Frank. &quot;If Mr.
+Manning does not interfere with my plans, I shall not trouble him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will hint as much when I see him. It may clear the way for you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish you would, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Come and see me again, Frank,&quot; said the colonel, as Frank rose to go.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I certainly will, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your father's son will always be welcome at my house. When did you say
+your school term closes?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In a fortnight.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will see your stepfather within a few days. By the way, Frank,
+wouldn't you like a gallop on Ajax to-night?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir; I should enjoy it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Come out to the stable with me, then.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Ajax whinnied with delight when he saw his old, or rather his young
+master, and evinced satisfaction when Frank stroked him caressingly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Sam,&quot; said Col. Vincent, &quot;Frank is to ride Ajax whenever he pleases.
+Saddle him for his use whenever he asks you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That I will, sir&quot; answered Sam. &quot;Often and often I've seen Mr. Frank on
+his back. Doesn't he ride well, though?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't flatter me, Sam,&quot; said Frank, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>Five minutes later he was on the back of his favorite horse, galloping
+down the road.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope I shall meet Mark,&quot; thought Frank. &quot;I would like to give him a
+sensation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Considering the manner in which Mark had treated his stepbrother, Frank
+may be excused for the wish to puzzle him a little.</p>
+
+<p>Finding himself lonely, Mark decided to take a walk not long after
+Frank's departure. He was sauntering along the road, when he heard the
+sound of hoofs, and, to his surprise, saw his stepbrother on the back of
+Ajax.</p>
+
+<p>His first thought was that Frank had gone to Col. Vincent's stable and
+brought away Ajax without permission, in defiance of Mr. Manning's will.
+He resolved to take him to task for it immediately. Frank purposely
+slackened the speed of his horse in order to give Mark the chance he
+sought.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why are you riding Ajax?&quot; asked Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is a pleasant evening,&quot; answered Frank, &quot;and I thought I should
+enjoy it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where did you get him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;From Col. Vincent's stable, where he never ought to have been carried,&quot;
+answered Frank, with spirit.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You seem to think you can do anything you like, Frank Courtney,&quot; said
+Mark, provoked, deciding that his suspicions were well founded.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is there any particular reason why I should not ride Ajax?&quot; demanded
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You have made yourself liable to arrest for horse stealing,&quot; said Mark.
+&quot;It would serve you right if Col. Vincent should have you arrested and
+tried.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think he will gratify your kind wishes, Mark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Just wait and see what my father has to say to you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have only done what I had a perfect right to do; but I can't stop to
+dispute with you. I must finish my ride. Hey, Ajax!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke the horse dashed into a gallop, and Mark was left looking
+after him in a disturbed frame of mind.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'll tell my father as soon as he gets home,&quot; he decided; and he kept
+his word.</p>
+
+<p>In consequence, Frank, by that time returned, was summoned into Mr.
+Manning's presence.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is this I hear?&quot; he began. &quot;Did you ride Ajax this evening?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where did you find him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In Col. Vincent's stable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This is a high-handed proceeding, Frank Courtney. Have you any excuse
+to offer?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;None is needed sir. Col. Vincent has given me permission to ride him
+whenever I please.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It appears to me, Mark,&quot; said Mr. Manning, sharply, &quot;that you have made
+a fool of yourself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How should I know?&quot; replied Mark, mortified by the collapse of his
+sensation. &quot;Frank didn't tell me he had leave to use the horse.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And he left the room, looking foolish.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_X"></a><h2>CHAPTER X</h2>
+
+<h3>MARK YIELDS TO TEMPTATION</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>There are some boys, as well as men, who cannot stand prosperity.</p>
+
+<p>It appeared that Mark Manning was one of these.</p>
+
+<p>While his stepmother was living and his father's prospects&mdash;and
+consequently his own&mdash;were uncertain, he had been circumspect in his
+behavior and indulged in nothing that could be considered seriously
+wrong.</p>
+
+<p>When his father came into possession of a large fortune, and his pocket
+money was doubled, Mark began to throw off some of the restraint which,
+from motives of prudence, he had put upon himself.</p>
+
+<p>About the middle of the week, as Frank was taking a walk after school
+hours, he was considerably surprised to see Mark come out of a
+well-known liquor saloon frequented by men and boys of intemperate
+habits.</p>
+
+<p>The students of Bridgeville Academy were strictly forbidden this or any
+other saloon, and I am sure that my boy readers will agree with mo that
+this rule was a very proper one.</p>
+
+<p>Mark Manning appeared to have been drinking. His face was flushed, and
+his breath, if one came near enough to him, was redolent of the fumes of
+alcohol. With him was James Carson, one of the poorest scholars and most
+unprincipled boys in the academy. It was rather surprising that he had
+managed for so long to retain his position in the institution, but he
+was crafty and took good care not to be caught.</p>
+
+<p>To go back a little, it was chiefly owing to James Carson's influence
+that Mark had entered the saloon.</p>
+
+<p>When he learned that Mark's worldly prospects had improved, and that he
+had a large supply of pocket money, he determined to cultivate his
+acquaintance&mdash;though privately he thought Mark a disagreeable boy&mdash;with
+the intention of obtaining for himself a portion of Mark's surplus
+means.</p>
+
+<p>At the first of the term he had made similar advances to Frank, but they
+were coldly received, so much so that he did not think it worth while to
+persevere in courting our hero's intimacy.</p>
+
+<p>He succeeded better with Mark, his crafty nature teaching him how to
+approach him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mark,&quot; he said, with a great show of cordiality, &quot;I am delighted to
+hear of your good fortune. I always liked you, and I think you deserve
+to be rich.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you!&quot; said Mark, much gratified, for he liked flattery. &quot;I am
+sure I am very much obliged to you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, not at all! I only say what I think. Shall I tell you why I am
+particularly glad?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, if you like,&quot; returned Mark, in some curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Because I like you better than that young muff, your stepbrother. I
+hope you won't be offended at my plain speaking,&quot; he added, artfully.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Certainly not!&quot; said Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose,&quot; said James, &quot;you will see a little life now that you are
+your own master and have plenty of money.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know exactly what you mean, James. There isn't much life to be
+seen in Bridgeville.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is true; but still there is some. Suppose now&quot;&mdash;by this time they
+were in front of the saloon, which, besides a bar, contained a billiard
+and pool table&mdash;&quot;suppose now we go in and have a game of billiards.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It's against the rules, isn't it?&quot; asked Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What do you care for the rules?&quot; said James, contemptuously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If the old man hears of it, we shall get into hot water.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>By the &quot;old man&quot; Mark meant the Rev. Dr. Brush, the venerable and
+respected principal of the Bridgeville Academy, but such boys as he have
+very little respect for the constituted authorities.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why need he know it? We will slip in when no one is looking. Did you
+ever play a game of billiards?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I never played over half a dozen games in my life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yon ought to know how to play. It is a splendid game. Come in.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mark did not make very strong opposition, and the two boys, first
+looking cautiously in different directions, entered the saloon.</p>
+
+<p>Toward the entrance was a bar, and in the roar of the saloon were two
+tables.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Won't you have a drink, Mark?&quot; asked James.</p>
+
+<p>Mark hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, come now, it won't hurt. Two glasses of whisky, John.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All right, Mr. Carson,&quot; said the barkeeper, to whom James was well
+known.</p>
+
+<p>James tossed off his glass with the air of an old drinker, but Mark
+drank his more slowly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There, I know you feel better, Mark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now, John, give me the balls. We'll play a game of billiards.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All right, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'll discount you, Mark,&quot; said James, &quot;to give you a fair chance. It is
+about the same thing as giving you half the game. Or, if you like, I
+will give you seventeen points to start with, and then you will only
+have seventeen to make, while I am making thirty-four.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I like that best.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now shall we play for the drinks?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We have just had a drink?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We'll have another.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Won't that be too much? I don't want to get drunk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Two drinks won't do you any harm. Very well. Now let us string for the
+lead.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>There is no need of describing the game in detail. Mark was only a
+novice, while James could really make three or four points to his one.
+He restrained himself, however, so that he only beat Mark by two points.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You did splendidly, Mark,&quot; he said. &quot;Considering how little you have
+played, you did remarkably well. Why, you made a run of three.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, I did pretty well,&quot; said Mark, flattered by his companion's
+praises.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I had hard work to beat you, I can tell you that. As it was, you came
+within two points of beating. Don't you like the game?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very much.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought you would. Shall we have another game?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't mind,&quot; answered Mark.</p>
+
+<p>He knew that he ought to be in his room writing a composition to be
+delivered the next day, but such obligations sat easily upon Mark, and
+he did not hesitate long.</p>
+
+<p>That time James allowed him to score sixteen, so that Mark was only
+beaten by one point.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You see, you are improving,&quot; said James. &quot;I played a better game that
+time than before, and still you came within one of beating me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think I shall become a good player in time,&quot; said Mark, complacently.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, and in a very short time. Now,&quot; said James, &quot;I have a proposal to
+make to you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We'll bet twenty-five cents on the next game, to give a little interest
+to it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mark had no special scruples against betting, which is only one form of
+gambling, but he decidedly objected to losing money, so he answered,
+cautiously:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know about that. You beat me both of the other games.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That's true; but you play better now than you did at first.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That may be so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What are twenty-five cents, anyway? I expect to lose it, but it will
+increase the interest of the game.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So Mark was persuaded, and the game was played.</p>
+
+<p>James Carson managed to let Mark beat him by five shots, and the latter
+was correspondingly elated.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You beat me after all,&quot; said James, pretending to be much disappointed,
+&quot;and by five points. I'll tell you what I'll do&mdash;I'll give you the same
+odds, and bet a dollar on the game. I suppose it's foolish, but I'll
+risk it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Done!&quot; said Mark, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>His cupidity was excited, and he felt sure of winning the dollar, as he
+had the twenty-five cents. But James had no idea of playing off now, and
+he played a better game, as he was well able to do. The result was that
+Mark was beaten by three points.</p>
+
+<p>He looked quite crestfallen.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I had better shows than you,&quot; said James. &quot;I couldn't do it once in
+five times. Will you play again?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mark agreed to it with some hesitation, and he was again beaten.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You had luck against you. Another day you will succeed better. Have you
+played enough?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes,&quot; answered Mark, annoyed.</p>
+
+<p>He had four games to pay for and two dollars in bets, and it made rather
+an expensive afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have another drink? I'll treat,&quot; said James, who could afford to be
+liberal.</p>
+
+<p>Mark accepted, and then, flushed and excited, he left the saloon, just
+as Frank came up, as described in the first part of the chapter. On the
+whole, he was sorry to meet his stepbrother just at this time.</p>
+
+<p>Frank stopped, and his attention was drawn to Mark's flushed face.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+
+<h3>MARK GETS INTO TROUBLE</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Mark nodded slightly and was about to pass without a word, when Frank
+said, quietly:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am sorry to see you coming out of such a place, Mark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is it to you, anyway?&quot; returned Mark, rudely.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not much, perhaps,&quot; replied Frank, calmly, &quot;but I don't like to see my
+acquaintances coming out of a liquor saloon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It won't hurt you,&quot; said Mark, irritably.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, it won't hurt me, but if tho principal should hear of it, it would
+not be pleasant for you. You know students are strictly forbidden to
+enter any saloon?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose you mean to tell on me,&quot; said Mark, hastily, and not
+altogether without uneasiness.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are mistaken. I am not a talebearer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then there is no need to say any more about it. Come along, James!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank's interference was well meant, but, as we shall see, it did harm
+rather than good.</p>
+
+<p>As Mark left the saloon, he had half decided not to enter it again. He
+was three dollars out of pocket, and this did not suit him at all.</p>
+
+<p>In fact, Mark was rather a mean boy, and it was with considerable
+reluctance that he had handed over to his companion the two dollars with
+which to pay for the games.</p>
+
+<p>Moreover, he was mortified at losing the two games of billiards, when so
+great odds had been given him.</p>
+
+<p>James Carson was no scholar, but he was sharp enough to perceive the
+state of Mark's feelings, and he also saw how he was affected by Frank's
+remonstrance.</p>
+
+<p>He decided to take advantage of this, and strengthen his hold on Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, Mark,&quot; he said, &quot;I suppose you'll give up playing billiards now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why should I?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Because your stepbrother doesn't approve of it. You won't dare to go
+into the saloon after he has forbidden you,&quot; he continued, with a sneer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What do you mean, James? Do you suppose I care that&quot;&mdash;snapping his
+fingers&mdash;&quot;for what Frank says, or even thinks, either?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I didn't know but you might stand in fear of him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you mean to insult me?&quot; demanded Mark, hotly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Insult you! My dear friend, what can you be thinking of? Why, I like
+you ten times as much as that muff, Frank Courtney.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then what did you mean by what you said?&quot; asked Mark, more calmly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will tell you. I got an idea, from what Frank said once, that he was
+in charge of you&mdash;well, not exactly that, but he looked after you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This was a wicked falsehood, as Frank had never intimated any such
+thing. In fact, he had generally kept quite aloof from James.</p>
+
+<p>Mark, however, fell into the trail, and never thought of doubting what
+his companion said.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If Frank said that, I've a great mind to whip him,&quot; said Mark, angrily.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, I wouldn't notice him, if I were you!&quot; said James. &quot;For my part, I
+didn't believe what he said. I felt sure that a fine, spirited boy like
+you wouldn't submit to his dictation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should say not&mdash;the impudent follow!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;When he spoke to you just now,&quot; continued James, &quot;one would really have
+thought he was your uncle, or guardian, and that you were a little boy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'll show him what I think of him and his advice. I hadn't thought of
+going to the saloon to-morrow, but now I will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Bravo! I like your spirit!&quot; said James, admiringly. &quot;It is just the way
+to treat him. Shall I come round with you about the same hour as
+to-day?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, I wish you would.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>When the two boys parted company, James Carson smiled to himself.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What a fool Mark is!&quot; he thought. &quot;He thinks he is his own master, but
+I am going to twist him round my little finger. He's a sweet youth, but
+he's got money, and I mean to have some of it. Why, he tells me his
+father allows him eight dollars a week for spending money. If I manage
+well, I can get more than half away from his in bets.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The next day James called for Mark, as agreed upon, and again the two
+boys went to the billiard saloon. The performance of the day before was
+repeated.</p>
+
+<p>James Carson, while flattering Mark's poor play, managed to beat in
+every game but one on which money was staked, and came out the richer by
+a dollar and a half.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am very unlucky,&quot; grumbled Mark, in a tone of dissatisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So you were, Mark,&quot; admitted his sympathizing friend. &quot;You made some
+capital shots, though, and if I hadn't been so lucky, you would have
+come out the victor in every game.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But I didn't.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, you didn't; but you can't have such beastly luck all the time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I guess I'd better give up billiards. In two days I have spent five
+dollars. It doesn't pay.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No doubt Frank will be gratified when he hears that you have given up
+playing. He will think it is because you are afraid of him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>James had touched the right chord, and poor Mark was once more in his
+toils.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It's lucky for me that Frank spoke to him,&quot; thought James. &quot;It makes it
+much easier for me to manage him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>One thing, however, James had not taken into account. There were others
+besides Frank who were liable to interfere with his management, and who
+had the authority to make their interference effectual.</p>
+
+<p>On the day succeeding, as James and Mark were in the campus, Herbert
+Grant approached them.</p>
+
+<p>Now Herbert was the janitor of the academy. He also was employed by the
+principal to summon students who had incurred censure to his study,
+where they received a suitable reprimand.</p>
+
+<p>It was not a pleasant duty, but some one must do it, and Herbert always
+discharged it in a gentlemanly manner, which could not, or ought not, to
+offend the schoolfellows who were unlucky enough to receive a summons.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Boys,&quot; said he, &quot;I am sorry to be the bearer of unpleasant news, but
+Dr. Brush would like to see you in his study.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Both of us?&quot; asked James.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are there any others summoned?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mark and his companion looked at each other with perturbed glances. No
+one cared to visit the principal on such an errand. Corporal punishment
+was never resorted to in the Bridgeville Academy, but the doctor's
+dignified rebuke was dreaded more than blows would have been from some
+men.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What do you think it is, James?&quot; asked Mark, uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think it's the saloon,&quot; answered James, in a low voice.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But how could he have found it out? No one saw us go in or come out.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The billiard saloon was at some distance from the academy building, and
+for that reason the two boys had felt more secure in visiting it.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'll tell you how it came out,&quot; said James, suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How?&quot; asked Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You remember Frank saw us coming out day before yesterday.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He said he wouldn't tell.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>It was not very difficult for Mark to believe anything against Frank,
+and he instantly adopted his companion's idea.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The mean sneak!&quot; he said. &quot;I'll come up with him! I'll tell my father
+not to give him any money for the next month. I'll&mdash;-I'll get him to
+apprentice Frank to a shoemaker! Perhaps then he won't put on so many
+airs.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good for you! I admire your pluck!&quot; said James, slapping Mark on the
+back. &quot;You are true grit, you are! Just teach the fellow a lesson.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;See if I don't!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mark nodded his head resolutely, and went into the presence of Dr.
+Brush, thirsting for vengeance against his stepbrother, who, he felt
+persuaded, had informed against him.</p>
+
+<p>If Frank had known his suspicions he would have been very much
+surprised. As it happened, however, he did not even know that his
+stepbrother had been summoned to the doctor's study. Had he met Herbert,
+the later would have told him; but after receiving his list, it so
+chanced that he and his friend did not meet.</p>
+
+<p>The fact was that a young man employed as tutor in mathematics in the
+academy, while taking an afternoon walk, had seen Mark and James Carson
+leaving the liquor saloon, and, as in duty bound, had reported the same
+to the principal.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Triangle, however, had not been observed by either of the two boys,
+and therefore they were led off on a false scent.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What do you think the old man will say?&quot; asked Mark, uneasily, as they
+ascended the stairs to the principal's study.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He'll give us a raking down, I suppose,&quot; said James. &quot;He will come
+down heavy on us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish I were out of it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, it's not worth minding! We haven't committed murder, have we?
+What's the harm in a game of billiards?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not much, perhaps; but the drinking and betting are certainly
+objectionable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The boys knocked at the door, and the full, deep voice of Dr. Brush was
+heard to say: &quot;Come in!&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+
+<h3>SUSPENDED</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Dr. Brush was seated at a table covered with papers, in a large
+armchair. He was an elderly man of dignified presence, not a petty
+tyrant such as is sometimes found in a similar position, but a man who
+commanded respect, without an effort.</p>
+
+<p>Mark Manning and James Carson entered his presence a little nervously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Young gentlemen,&quot; said the doctor, gravely, &quot;I am informed that you
+have violated one of the rules of the academy by frequenting a billiard
+saloon where liquor is sold.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who told you, sir?&quot; asked Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is not to the purpose,&quot; said the principal, gravely.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But I should like to know who informed on me,&quot; persisted Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Whoever did so acted as your true friend, Manning; but there is no
+occasion for you to know who it was. Is it true?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mark would have been glad to deny the charge, and would not have felt
+any scruples about doing so, if it would have done any good. But it was
+clear, even to him, that he would not be believed, and that denial would
+only make his position worse. So he made a virtue of necessity, and
+answered:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have been in once or twice, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Exactly how many times have you been to the saloon?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Three times.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What did you do there?'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We played billiards.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did you order anything at the bar?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir,&quot; said Mark, reluctantly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Carson, you accompanied Manning, did you not?&quot; said Dr. Brush, turning
+to Mark's companion.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And I suppose you also played billiards and drank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, yes, sir, I believe I did.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You were aware, were you not, that it was against the regulations of
+the school?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose it must have slipped my mind,&quot; answered James, trying to look
+as innocent as possible.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. Brush frowned, for he saw clearly that this was but a subterfuge.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If this were true,&quot; he continued, &quot;it would be no excuse. As students,
+it is your duty to make yourselves acquainted with the rules that govern
+the institution. In point of fact, I cannot believe that either of you
+is ignorant of the rule forbidding students to frequent places where
+liquor is sold. It is hardly necessary for me to defend the propriety of
+this rule. Intemperance is a fruitful source of vice and crime, and I
+cannot allow the youth under by charge to form habits of indulgence
+which may blast all their prospects, and lead to the most ruinous
+consequences.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We didn't drink much,&quot; said Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall not inquire how much you drank. In drinking a single glass, you
+violated the rule of the school, and I cannot pass over it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is he going to do with us, I wonder?&quot; thought Mark.</p>
+
+<p>He was not required to wonder long.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As this is your first offense, so far as I know,&quot; proceeded the
+principal, &quot;I will not be severe. You are both suspended from the
+institution for the remainder of the term, and are required to leave
+Bridgeville by the early train to-morrow morning for your respective
+homes. I shall write to your parents, explaining the cause of your
+suspension.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>But a week remained of the term, and the punishment was mild, but both
+boys were mortified and left the study crestfallen.</p>
+
+<p>Mark was the first to recover his spirits.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is not so bad, James,&quot; he said. &quot;To-morrow will be Saturday, and I
+should go home, anyway. I don't mind staying at home next week.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What will your father say?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, I'll make it all right with him! I don't mind much what he says. I
+guess he got into scrapes himself when he was a boy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My father isn't so easily managed. Just as likely as not, he'll cut off
+my allowance for a month; and that'll be no joke!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My father won't do that,&quot; said Mark. &quot;If he did, I would raise a fuss.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Would that do any good?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'll bet it would!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank, who was quite ignorant of Mark's trouble, was surprised when the
+latter approached him a little later with a frown and said, harshly:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You won't make anything by what you have done, Frank Courtney!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Will you be kind enough to tell me what I have done?&quot; asked Frank,
+calmly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You've been to Dr. Brush and told him about our playing billiards.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are entirely mistaken, Mark. I did not suppose he knew.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It must have been you. He told us some one had informed him, and you
+were the only one who knew. It's a mean trick, isn't it, Carson?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Awfully mean!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have already told you that the information did not come from me. It
+may be the best thing for you that it has been found out, for it was
+doing you no good to frequent such places.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't want to hear any of your preaching, Frank Courtney. I guess I
+can manage my own affairs without any advice from you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't care to intrude any advice,&quot; said Frank. &quot;I have not much
+reason to feel interested in you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You'd better look out how you treat me, though,&quot; said Mark, insolently.
+&quot;I know very well you dislike me, but it won't be safe for you to show
+it while you are a dependent on my father.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't propose to be a dependent on him long,&quot; said Frank, quietly.
+&quot;The truth of it is, you and your father are dependent upon property
+which of right belongs to me. The time may come when I shall be able to
+show this.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What does he mean?&quot; thought Mark, uneasily. &quot;Will he contest the
+will?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>It was perhaps an evidence of Mark's shrewdness that he had some doubts
+about the validity of the will under which his father inherited.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+
+<h3>MR. MANNING'S NEW PLAN</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Mark so represented his school difficulty to his father that he incurred
+but slight censure.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, Mr. Manning was so absorbed in plans for getting the greatest
+enjoyment out of the estate of which he had obtained possession by
+doubtful means that he didn't care to be disturbed about such a trifle
+as his son's suspension.</p>
+
+<p>He felt more disposed to blame Frank, whom Mark charged with betraying
+him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What does Frank say about it?&quot; asked Mr. Manning.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course he denies it,&quot; said Mark, &quot;but it can't be any one else.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He is acting very unwisely,&quot; said Mr. Manning, compressing his thin
+lips.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So I told him, but he said he didn't mean to be a dependent on you
+long.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How is he going to avoid it?'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have had some intimation from Col. Vincent, who appears to be in his
+confidence. He wants to leave us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To go away?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But you won't let him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have been thinking about that, Mark, and I may give my permission.
+The fact is, he stands in the way of some plans I have formed. I am
+thinking of traveling.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not without me?&quot; said Mark, hastily.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; you shall go with me, but I don't care to take Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You might leave him at school.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I might, but how do I know that he might not hatch some mischief while
+we are gone?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He might make some fuss about the property,&quot; suggested Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Has he hinted anything of that kind to you?&quot; asked his father, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes. Only yesterday he said that the property belonged by right to
+him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning looked thoughtful, and watched Mark narrowly to see if from
+his manner he could divine the boy's intentions.</p>
+
+<p>Later that same evening, Mark having retired early in consequence of a
+headache, Frank found himself alone with his stepfather, and took
+advantage of the opportunity to speak of the plan he had formed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Manning,&quot; he said, &quot;if you are at leisure, I should like to speak
+with you a few minutes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Proceed,&quot; said his stepfather, waving his hand.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But a week remains of the school term. Did you propose that I should
+return there at the end of the vacation?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Humph! I had not thought much on the subject.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It has all along been intended that I should go to college when
+prepared, but I don't think I care much about it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In that case,&quot; said his stepfather, with alacrity, &quot;you would only be
+throwing away time and money by going.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He was quite ready to agree to Frank's surrender of the college plan for
+two reasons.</p>
+
+<p>A college course would be expensive. Again, should he turn his attention
+to the law, he might hereafter give him trouble about the estate.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think I should throw away my time, for, if I went to college, I
+should go there to work faithfully; but I have a fancy for a more
+stirring life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It might be a good plan for you to learn a trade,&quot; said Mr. Manning,
+reflectively.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Learn a trade!&quot; exclaimed Frank, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; it would always enable you to earn a living.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you intend Mark to learn a trade?&quot; asked Frank, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; his case is very different from yours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why it is different?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is not necessary for me to explain,&quot; answered his stepfather,
+stiffly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If there were any need of it, Mr. Manning, I would not object to learn
+a trade,&quot; said Frank. &quot;I have no false pride on the subject. But my
+tastes are more for mercantile business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I may be able to find you a place somewhere. I have a friend in the
+dry-goods business, who would receive you at my recommendation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you!&quot; said Frank, hastily. &quot;But if you will allow me, I would
+prefer to look around for myself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is it you want, then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your permission to go out into the world, and try to make a living.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And if you don't,&quot; said Mr. Manning, &quot;I suppose you expect me to
+defray your expenses?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If I did have such an expectation, I think I should be justified, in
+view of the large property which my mother left,&quot; said Frank, pointedly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;She left it to me,&quot; said his stepfather.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So it appears, at any rate. But I shall not call upon you to pay my
+board. Give me your permission to go where I please, with a small sum of
+money to start me, and I shall be satisfied.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And what will the world say? That I, your stepfather, to whom you have
+a right to look for maintenance, had driven you out to earn your living!
+It would be unjust, of course, but the world is ever unjust.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And Mr. Manning assumed a look of wronged innocence, which would have
+imposed on anyone who knew him but slightly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall defend you from any such charge,&quot; said Frank. &quot;I shall say that
+you were only yielding to my request.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will think of it, my dear boy,&quot; said Mr. Manning, graciously. &quot;I
+already feel inclined to grant it, because it is your request. I shall
+be sorry to be separated from you; but I am willing to sacrifice my own
+feelings, if it will give you pleasure.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This did not impose upon Frank, who had a correct idea of the degree of
+fondness which Mr. Manning had for his society, but he was too well
+satisfied with the prospect of obtaining the permission he desired to
+imply any doubts.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Again,&quot; continued his stepfather, &quot;whatever you may say to the
+contrary, I know that the world will censure me; but I shall have the
+approval of my own conscience, and with that I can defy the world.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning certainly did look like a righteous man when he said this,
+and he beamed upon his stepson with a glance that was actually
+affectionate.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Go back to school,&quot; ho said, &quot;and when you return I shall be able to
+give you a definite answer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, nothing could have suited Mr. Manning's plans better. He would
+get rid of the care and nearly the whole expense of his obnoxious
+stepson, while with his son Mark he would be spending the revenues of
+the estate which belonged to Frank.</p>
+
+<p>During the coming week he arranged his plans for a prolonged absence
+from the Cedars. He wrote to New York to engage passage on a steamer
+bound for Liverpool, and quietly waited for the end of Frank's school
+term to release him from a care which had grown burdensome.</p>
+
+<p>Frank returned to the Bridgeville Academy without Mark. As may be
+supported, however, he did not feel the loss of his society.</p>
+
+<p>He at once communicated to his chosen friend, Herbert Grant, his
+probable departure from school.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am sorry to hear it, Frank,&quot; said Herbert, soberly. &quot;Do you think you
+are acting wisely?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not acting as I would have done had my mother lived,&quot; answered
+Frank; &quot;but you must remember that my position in life has very much
+changed. I am a poor boy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Hardly that, when there is so much property in the family.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know Mr. Manning too well to believe that I shall derive much
+benefit from it. No, Herbert, I have my own living to make, and I want
+to make it in my own way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is a sad change for you, Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, I can't say that. I don't know how it is, Herbert, but I am rather
+glad to have all this thrown upon me. I enjoy feeling that I have got to
+work.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have a chance of enjoying the same feelings,&quot; said Herbert, with a
+smile.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish we could start together, Herbert. Couldn't you go with me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Herbert shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Father has a plan for me,&quot; he said. &quot;I am to learn his trade, and shall
+commence next week. I don't particularly like it, but it is well to have
+a trade to fall back upon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Manning wanted me to learn a trade.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There is no occasion for your doing so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know about that. If I had a particular fancy for any, I
+wouldn't mind choosing it, but I am better suited for something else.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is your plan? What will you do first?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My father has a cousin in the city of Newark, New Jersey, only a few
+miles from New York. Four years ago, he and his family made us a visit,
+and he was urgent then that we should return the visit. I will, first of
+all, go to him, and ask his advice. He is a business man, and he may be
+able to put me in the way of obtaining a position.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think you will succeed, Frank, but it will be harder than you think
+for. You don't know what poverty is yet. I have never known anything
+else.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If I do succeed, Herbert, I may be able to find something for you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish you might,&quot; Herbert replied; but he was not as sanguine as
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>He understood, better than his friend, that for a boy to set out alone
+into the great world to earn a living is a serious undertaking.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XIV"></a><h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+
+<h3>GOOD-BYE</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Frank had fixed upon the Tuesday morning succeeding the close of the
+academic term for his departure from home. Monday was devoted to a few
+necessary preparations and a few calls on old friends, among them Col.
+Vincent, the owner of Ajax.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My dear Frank,&quot; said the colonel, kindly, &quot;I feel a strong interest in
+your welfare, more especially because of the wrong which I do not
+scruple to say has been done you. What does Mr. Manning say to your
+plan?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He makes no objection,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Suppose he had done so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I would not have run away. He is my stepfather and guardian, and I
+would have endured staying at home as well as I could.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There you are right, Frank. Though I have a poor opinion of Mr.
+Manning, he is not likely to treat you in a manner to justify your going
+away without his permission. From what I have heard within the last
+week, I suspect that he feels relieved to have you go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What have you heard, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That Mr. Manning will shortly sail for Europe, taking Mark with him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was surprised, having no suspicion of this.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now are you not sorry that you have decided to go out into the world to
+earn a living when you might have seen something of the Old World?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Manning would never have taken me along,&quot; answered Frank, quietly,
+&quot;nor should I have enjoyed traveling with him and Mark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of the two, who would interfere the more with your enjoyment?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then you prefer the father to the son?&quot; said the colonel.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The father has much more agreeable manners. I don't think Mark could be
+agreeable if he tried.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Col. Vincent smiled.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps you are right, Frank,&quot; he said. &quot;Now, as your father's old
+friend, I shall exact a promise from you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is it, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are going out into the world to earn your own living. Boys of your
+age are apt to think it an easy thing. I have seen more of life, and I
+am sure you will find it more difficult than you suppose. You may find
+yourself in difficulty, possibly in want. In that case, promise to let
+me know, and I will come to your assistance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will, sir,&quot; answered Frank.</p>
+
+<p>The time came for Frank to say good-bye to Mr. Manning and Mark, and the
+house which had been his home from infancy.</p>
+
+<p>His stepfather handed him a small pocketbook.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Frank,&quot; he said, &quot;in this pocketbook you will find twenty-five
+dollars. It is not much, but&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am satisfied, sir,&quot; said Frank. &quot;It won't be long before I am earning
+something.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope your anticipations may be realized, but it is possible that you
+may require help.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think not, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will authorize my banker to pay you the same sum&mdash;twenty-five
+dollars&mdash;every three months. Of course, it is not enough to support you;
+but, as you say it is your intention to procure a place&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It will probably be enough to make up any deficiency that may exist in
+your income. I am aware that you do not regard me as&mdash;as I would like to
+have you; but I am resigned to be misunderstood, and I merely call your
+attention to the fact that I have given you my free permission to carry
+out your own plans and have given you more assistance than you asked
+for.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That's true, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Should anyone in your hearing condemn me for what I have done, I depend
+upon your defending me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will state the facts, sir. I will take the entire responsibility for
+anything that may result from the step I have taken.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning looked well pleased. Things were taking the course he
+desired, and for the paltry sum of one hundred dollars a year, he was
+getting rid of an obnoxious stepson, while appearing to confer a favor
+upon him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps you are right, Frank,&quot; said his stepfather, disguising the
+satisfaction he felt. &quot;If, however, you should find that you have made a
+mistake, you will do me the justice to remember that I gave you your
+choice.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Knowing, as he did, that the offer was not genuine, Frank remained
+silent. He could not make up his mind to express gratitude, and
+therefore said nothing.</p>
+
+<p>Here the carriage drove up to the door to convey Frank to the railway
+station. Mindful of appearance, Mr. Manning accompanied him to the cars,
+and in presence of several neighbors bade him an effusively affectionate
+farewell.</p>
+
+<p>So Frank was fairly started on his campaign.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XV"></a><h2>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+
+<h3>ERASTUS TARBOX, OF NEWARK</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Erastus Tarbox kept a dry-goods store in the city of Newark, New Jersey.
+He was well to do, not so much because of his enterprise and skill as a
+merchant as because of his extreme poverty. Some people called it
+parsimony. He only employed two clerks to assist him in his store, and
+they, as well as the boy who carried out parcels and ran the errands,
+were paid scarcely more than two-thirds the rates paid in neighboring
+stores.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Tarbox prided himself upon his relationship to the Courtneys. They
+were rich, and riches, in his eyes were a great merit. He often sighed
+to think that there was no chance for him to benefit by a share of the
+large property owned by his cousins. Without hope of personal advantage,
+however, he had always been obsequious to them, and often took occasion
+to mention them, by way of enhancing his own social credit somewhat.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Tarbox had heard of Mrs. Courtney's death, but had not heard the
+particulars of the will. He took it for granted that Frank was sole
+heir, and it did cross his mind more than once how very agreeable it
+would be if he could be selected as guardian of the rich young heir. Of
+course, he knew that there was no probability of it, since the
+stepfather would undoubtedly be appointed to that position.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Tarbox had just sold a calico dress pattern to a poor woman, when
+his attention was drawn to the entrance of Frank Courtney, who entered
+his store, valise in hand.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Tarbox was rather short-sighted, and did not immediately recognize
+the son of his rich cousin.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What can I do for you, young man?&quot; he asked, in his business tone.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This is Mr. Tarbox, I believe?&quot; said Frank, who did not know his
+relatives very well.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, that is my name.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am Frank Courtney.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Bless my soul!&quot; ejaculated Mr. Tarbox, surprised and delighted. &quot;When
+did you arrive in Newark?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have only just arrived.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I do hope you are going to make us a visit,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox,
+cordially.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you!&quot; answered Frank, cheered by this warm reception. &quot;If you are
+sure it won't inconvenience you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Inconvenience me! We shall be delighted to have you with us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You must come up and see Mrs. Tarbox. She will be delighted to see
+you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Tarbox lived over his store. There was a door from the street
+adjoining the shop front. Mr. Tarbox opened it with a pass-key, and
+conducted Frank upstairs, ushering him into a gloomy parlor, with stiff,
+straightbacked chairs, ranged at regular intervals along the sides of
+the room, and a marble-topped center table, with two or three books
+lying upon it. There was a framed engraving, representing Washington
+crossing the Delaware, over the mantel, and two plaster figures and
+similar ornaments on the mantelpiece. The whole aspect of the room
+chilled Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wait here, and I will call my wife,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox.</p>
+
+<p>Frank sat down on a hard sofa and awaited the entrance of Mrs. Tarbox.</p>
+
+<p>She came in, a tall, thin woman, about as handsome for a woman as her
+husband was for a man. Indeed, they were very well matched. She was
+quite as mean as he, and between them they managed to make annually a
+sensible addition to their world possessions.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Tarbox privately hinted his hopes respecting Frank to his wife, and
+she instantly agreed that it would be a most eligible arrangement.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We must make him contented, my dear,&quot; said her husband. &quot;Give him the
+best bedroom, and I think it might be well to have something a little
+extra for supper.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I did intend to put on the rest of that cold mutton,&quot; said Mrs. Tarbox,
+doubtfully.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It won't do, Martha. There is only a little of it, you know, and the
+boy has been traveling, and, of course, is hungry. What do you say, now,
+to some nice beefsteak?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Beefsteak is high now,&quot; said Mrs. Tarbox. &quot;Still, if we buy round
+steak&mdash;that is cheaper than sirloin or tenderloin.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And quite as good,&quot; said her economical partner. &quot;We can tell Frank,
+however, that no sirloin was to be had so late in the day at the
+markets.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Tarbox nodded her head, approving the suggestion.</p>
+
+<p>This little matter being adjusted, the husband and wife entered the
+parlor where our hero was waiting patiently.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This is our young cousin, Martha,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox, smiling pleasantly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Welcome to Newark,&quot; said Mrs. Tarbox, extending her hand. &quot;And how did
+you leave your stepfather?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He is well,&quot; said Prank, coolly.</p>
+
+<p>The two exchanged glances. It was clear that Frank did not like his
+stepfather, and this was satisfactory to them. There was the more chance
+of his leaving him and boarding with them.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The children will be so glad to see you,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox; &quot;won't they,
+Martha?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Delighted!&quot; assured the lady.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Pliny must be about your age. How old are you, by the way?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Sixteen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Just Pliny's age. Do you remember him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank remembered a tall, thin stripling who had accompanied his parents
+to the Cedars, and who appeared to have an inexhaustible appetite.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, I remember him. Does he go to school?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; Pliny is in a store,&quot; answered Mr. Tarbox.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your store?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, no! I thought it would be better for him to enter the employ of a
+stranger. He is in a bookstore.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>There was one great advantage in Pliny's entering the employ of a
+stranger. He was paid four dollars a week, whereas Mr. Tarbox paid his
+boy but two. Here, then, was a clear gain of two dollars a week.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But you must be tired,&quot; said Mrs. Tarbox. &quot;You will see the children at
+supper. Martha, I think Frank would like to go to his room.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The best bedroom was over the parlor. It was rather more cheerful,
+because lighter.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Here,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox, &quot;you must make yourself at home. Martha, isn't
+one of the drawers in that bureau empty? I thought so. Take your clothes
+out of the valise and put them away. Now, is there anything you would
+like?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Only a little water to wash in,&quot; said Frank. &quot;You are both very kind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We hope to make you comfortable. You are our relative, you know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The water was brought up by Mrs. Tarbox herself, and Frank was left
+alone, on the whole well pleased with his reception.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XVI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+
+<h3>AN UNPLEASANT DISCOVERY</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>It never occurred to Frank that his cordial reception was wholly due to
+his supposed wealth. Had he known the Tarbox family better, he would
+have had no uncertainty on this point. As it was, the discovery was soon
+made.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All my olive branches are for you, my dear young cousin,&quot; said Mr.
+Tarbox, waving his hand. &quot;A peaceful, happy family. Children, this is
+our esteemed relative, Frank Courtney. You remember visiting his
+delightful home, the Cedars.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, pa,&quot; said Julia.</p>
+
+<p>Pliny said nothing, but stared at Frank, inwardly considering whether it
+would be possible to borrow some money of him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad to meet you all. I hope we shall become better acquainted,&quot;
+said Frank politely.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No doubt you will,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox. &quot;They are rather bashful, but they
+long to know you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How are you?&quot; said Pliny, in a sudden burst of sociability.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Pretty well, thank you!&quot; answered Frank, finding it rather difficult to
+preserve his gravity.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am in a store,&quot; said Pliny.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In your father's store?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No. He wouldn't pay me as much as I get where I am.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Tarbox looked embarrassed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A smaller boy answered my purpose,&quot; he said, in an explanatory manner.
+&quot;Pliny is suited for higher duties. But our supper is ready. It is
+frugal compared with yours at the Cedars, my dear Frank, but you are
+heartily welcome to it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It looks very nice, Mr. Tarbox,&quot; said our hero, &quot;and I have not been
+accustomed to luxurious living.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This answer pleased Mr. and Mrs. Tarbox. Even if Frank should become a
+boarder on liberal terms, they didn't wish to spend too much on their
+table.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We couldn't get sirloin steak,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox; &quot;but I hope you will
+find this good.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No doubt I shall,&quot; said Frank, politely.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Won't you have another piece of steak?&quot; asked Mrs. Tarbox.</p>
+
+<p>Frank saw that there was but a small piece left, and, though his
+appetite was not wholly satisfied, he answered:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, thank you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will!&quot; said Pliny, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Tarbox frowned at her son, but did not venture to refuse in the
+presence of her guest. She cut off a small portion of the steak, and,
+with a severe look, put it on the extended plate of Pliny.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You've got a good appetite, Pliny,&quot; said Julia.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So would you have, if you had to work like me!&quot; grumbled Pliny.</p>
+
+<p>After the steak came an apple pie, which was cut into seven pieces. Mrs.
+Tarbox managed to make Frank's piece a little larger than the rest.</p>
+
+<p>Her husband observed it with approval. He was very desirous that Frank
+should be satisfied with his fare.</p>
+
+<p>When Pliny rose from the table, saying that he must be getting back to
+the store, Frank rose also.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will go with you,&quot; he said, &quot;if you have no objection. I would like
+to take a walk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Come along,&quot; said Pliny. &quot;I should like to have company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You will be a great deal of company for Pliny,&quot; observed Mr. Tarbox,
+rubbing his hands with satisfaction. &quot;Just of an age and of congenial
+tastes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank hardly expected to find Pliny very congenial, but he wished to
+obtain some information, which he thought the latter could give him,
+and he also wanted to see something of Newark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I say, your name is Frank, isn't it?&quot; commenced Pliny:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The old man's awful glad to see you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad of it. He has received me very kindly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Got up an extra supper for you. We don't often get steak for supper.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This was rather an embarrassing revelation, and surprised Frank
+somewhat. The supper had not seemed to him at all extra. It would do,
+but was far from luxurious.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope you'll stay with us a good while,&quot; continued Pliny.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You see we shall live better while you are with us, and the rest of us
+will be gainers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't want to put your father to any unusual expense.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, he can afford it! But he's stingy, father is. He doesn't spend any
+more than he can help.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is best to be economical, I suppose.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;When you don't carry it too far. I say, Frank,&quot; continued Pliny,
+lowering his voice, &quot;you can't lend me five dollars, can you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank regarded Pliny with astonishment. The proposal was very abrupt,
+especially when the shortness of their acquaintance was considered.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are you particularly in need of money?&quot; asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, you see,&quot; said Pliny, &quot;I want it for a particular purpose.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why not ask your father for it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, he'd never let me have it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now, in Frank's present circumstances, five dollars represented a good
+deal of money. He was the more impressed with the necessity of economy
+since he had found out how small were the wages paid in stores to boys
+of his age.</p>
+
+<p>He did not feel at all inclined to grant Pliny's request, especially as
+he had a strong suspicion that it would be a long time before the sum
+would be returned.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why do you apply to me, Pliny?&quot; he asked, seriously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Didn't your mother die and leave you a big property? Father says you
+must be worth more than a hundred thousand dollars.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your father probably has not heard of the will,&quot; said Frank, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What was there in the will?&quot; asked Pliny.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The whole property was left to Mr. Manning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who is he?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My stepfather.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And nothing to you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nothing to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But he's got to take care of you, hasn't he?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It was expected, but I am going to earn my own living, if I can.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Pliny stopped short in blank amazement and whistled.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then you haven't got a lot of money?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Won't your stepfather give you a part of the property?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I haven't asked him, but I don't think he will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And why did you come to Newark?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought your father might give me some help about getting a place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If this isn't the richest joke!&quot; said Pliny, laughing uproariously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where is the joke? I don't see it,&quot; returned Frank, inclined to be
+angry.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The way you have taken in the old man. He thinks you are rich, and has
+treated you accordingly&mdash;got up an extra supper and all that. Oh, it's
+too good!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I certainly didn't intend to take him in, as you call it,&quot; said Frank.
+&quot;The sooner you tell him the better.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'll tell him,&quot; said Pliny. &quot;I shall enjoy seeing how provoked he'll
+be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think I will leave you,&quot; said Frank, shortly. &quot;I will take a walk by
+myself.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, don't lose your way. Oh, I wish the store was shut! I want to
+tell the old man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And Pliny laughed again, while our hero walked off in disgust.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XVII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+
+<h3>THE WAY OF THE WORLD</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Frank felt like an impostor when he discovered that his cordial
+reception was wholly owing to the belief that he was his mother's heir.</p>
+
+<p>The situation was unpleasant, and he was impatient to have Mr. Tarbox
+undeceived. He was sure that Pliny would lose no time in revealing his
+true position, and decided not to return to the house of Mr. Tarbox till
+nine o'clock, when the story would have been told.</p>
+
+<p>He wandered about aimlessly till he heard the city clocks strike nine,
+and then rang the bell at his relation's house.</p>
+
+<p>The family, with the exception of the two younger children, were
+assembled in the common sitting room.</p>
+
+<p>As Frank entered, instead of the cordial welcome he had previously
+received, he noticed a look of coldness and constraint on the faces of
+Mr. and Mrs. Tarbox, while Pliny looked as if some stupendous joke was
+being perpetrated.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good-evening!&quot; said Frank, politely. &quot;I have been taking a walk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My son Pliny tells me,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox, &quot;that you have not inherited
+your mother's property.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank bowed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And that it has gone to your stepfather.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It seems so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am amazed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So was I, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your mother has practically disinherited you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It was not my mother, sir,&quot; said Frank, hastily. &quot;I can't explain it,
+but I'm sure she would not will away everything from me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you suspect your stepfather of anything irregular?&quot; asked Mr.
+Tarbox, briskly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I would rather not answer your question, sir. I don't care to make any
+charges which I cannot prove.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And so Mr. Manning has sent you out into the world to earn your own
+living, has he?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir. He has consented that I may do so. It was my own plan.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Much as Frank was prejudiced against his stepfather, his natural sense
+of justice would not allow him to accuse him unjustly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did he suggest that you should come to me?&quot; asked Mr. Tarbox, in a
+tone which Frank did not like.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So that was your idea, too,&quot; continued Mr. Tarbox, with a palpable
+sneer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir,&quot; answered Frank. &quot;You are not a very near relative, but the
+nearest I know of, and I supposed you would be willing to give me some
+advice about the best means of earning my living. I remembered,&quot; he
+could not help adding, &quot;that my mother received you all as guests for a
+considerable time, and I thought I might take the liberty.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, certainly!&quot; returned Mr. Tarbox, rather abashed. &quot;I am, of course,
+ready to give you advice, and my first advice is to seek a lawyer and
+let him institute a suit against your stepfather, on speculation. That
+is, he gets nothing if he fails, but obtains a commission if he
+succeeds. I could myself recommend a reliable man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, sir; but I have no present thought of contesting the will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think you make a mistake. Do I understand that you expect to earn
+your own living?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall try to do so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You will find it very difficult. You may expect me to take you into my
+own store, but there is no vacancy, and&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank hastily assured Mr. Tarbox that he had no such expectations. He
+had no wish to deprive the errand boy of the two dollars a week, which
+he probably richly earned.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Situations in Newark are not easily obtained,&quot; proceeded Mr. Tarbox. &quot;I
+am willing that you should stay with us a day or two, but I don't think
+you will find it worth your while to stay here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Tarbox feared that his young relative might expect to find a home
+free of charge in his house, and such an arrangement did not suit his
+economical ideas. There was no profit in it, but, on the contrary, a
+positive loss. Frank read clearly the thoughts of his host, with the
+help of what Pliny had told him, and, expressing his thanks very
+briefly, announced his intention to go to New York the next morning.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It may be the best thing you can do!&quot; said Mr. Tarbox, relieved. &quot;New
+York opens a much wider field to a boy of enterprise than Newark, and
+probably you will pick up something to do.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It won't be my fault, if I don't,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You have my best wishes,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox. &quot;The demands of my family
+forbid me offering you any pecuniary assistance, but&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't stand in need of it, sir. I have money enough to keep me till I
+get started in something.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Really, I am very glad to hear it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And there is no doubt that Mr. Tarbox was sincere.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wonder how much money he has got?&quot; thought Pliny. &quot;Perhaps he'd lend
+me two dollars. I'll ask him, if I have a chance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Pliny proposed to borrow, not because he needed the money, but because
+he liked to levy contributions upon any available party, with a very
+faint idea of repaying the same. The money would go to swell his deposit
+at the savings bank. It was very commendable, of course, to save his
+money, but not at the expense of others, as Pliny too frequently did.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have moved you out of the spare room,&quot; said Mrs. Tarbox, when our
+hero asked permission to retire, &quot;and put you in the same room with
+Pliny. I suppose you won't mind?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Just as you please, Mrs. Tarbox,&quot; said Frank, though he would have
+preferred to have passed the night alone.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Could you make it convenient to lend me two dollars?&quot; asked Pliny, as
+they went up to bed together.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not just now,&quot; answered Frank. &quot;When I get something to do I shall not
+need to be so careful of my money.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;One dollar would answer,&quot; persisted Pliny.</p>
+
+<p>Without a word, Frank drew a dollar bill from his pocketbook and handed
+it to Pliny.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now,&quot; he thought, &quot;I shall not feel under any obligations to the
+family.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You're a good fellow, even if you are poor,&quot; said Pliny, in high good
+humor.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was tired, and it was not long before all his anxieties for future
+were lost sight of in a sound and refreshing slumber.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK ARRIVES IN NEW YORK</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The breakfast the next morning was very meager. It was no longer an
+object to gratify Frank's palate, now that he turned out to be a poor
+relation, and the family returned to their usual plain diet.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So you are resolved to go to New York this morning,&quot; said Mr. Tarbox.
+&quot;Of course it would gratify us to have you remain longer, but I
+appreciate your anxiety to go to work.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was by no means deceived by this statement. He knew very well
+that Mr. Tarbox would be relieved by his departure, but of this
+knowledge he made no sign. He merely said that he thought it best to go.</p>
+
+<p>He took leave of his hosts, and, purchasing a ticket at the railway
+station, found himself within an hour in New York. He had been there
+before, but it was not for a long time, and he had but a vague general
+idea of the city.</p>
+
+<p>Frank made inquiries of a kindly man who owned a clean little store on
+one of the streets. The latter knew of places where Frank could board
+and lodge for five dollars a week or about that and directed Frank to
+them. They were all near University Place. He found the place without
+difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>A slipshod servant answered the bell.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you got any small rooms?&quot; asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes,&quot; answered the girl. &quot;Missus is out, but I'll show you a hall
+bedroom, if you like.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should like to see it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank followed the girl upstairs.</p>
+
+<p>He was not favorably impressed by the appearance of the interior. He did
+not so much mind its being shabby, but he was repelled by the evident
+lack of neatness.</p>
+
+<p>The girl threw open the door of a small hall bedroom at the head of the
+stairs, but it looked so comfortless that he felt sure he should not
+like it. He thought it best, however, to inquire the price.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Five dollars a week with board,&quot; answered the girl.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think it will suit me,&quot; said our hero.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There's a larger room for seven dollars,&quot; said the servant.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No. I think I will look elsewhere.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The next house was not much better, but the third was much neater and
+more attractive, and Frank agreed to take a room at five dollars per
+week.</p>
+
+<p>It was a small hall bedroom, but it looked clean, and the lady who
+showed him about the house was very neat in her dress.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;When will you come?&quot; asked the lady.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now,&quot; replied Frank, promptly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Would you mind paying the first week in advance?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not at all. Here is the money.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And Frank drew a five-dollar bill from his portemonnaie.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you!&quot; said the boarding-house keeper. &quot;I have lost so much by
+boarders going away owing me money that I am obliged to ask gentlemen to
+pay in advance till I am well acquainted with them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is quite right,&quot; said Frank. &quot;What is your dinner hour?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Six o'clock. We have lunch at half-past twelve for the ladies, but if
+any gentleman happens to be at home at that time, he can go in.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked at his watch. It was only eleven o'clock and as so much of
+the day remained, he decided, as soon as he had unpacked his valise, to
+go downtown and look for a place without delay.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall not be here at lunch to-day,&quot; he said. &quot;You may expect me at
+dinner.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>There was a small bureau in the room&mdash;a piece of furniture not often
+found in hall bedrooms.</p>
+
+<p>Frank deposited the contents of the valise in the bureau drawers, and
+then went downstairs and out into the street.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XIX"></a><h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK SEEKS EMPLOYMENT IN VAIN</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>It was a bright, pleasant day, and Broadway looked very lively. In spite
+of his being alone in a strange city, with uncertain prospects, Frank
+felt in good spirits.</p>
+
+<p>Boys of his age usually like excitement and bustle, and Frank was quick
+to notice the shifting scenes of the great panorama.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Here are thousands of people,&quot; he reflected, &quot;all of whom make a living
+in some way. I don't see why I can't succeed as well as they.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Some of the objects he saw amused him.</p>
+
+<p>In front of him walked an elderly man with a large placard strapped to
+his back, on which was the advertisement of a &quot;Great Clothing Emporium.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think I should fancy that kind of employment,&quot; thought our
+hero.</p>
+
+<p>As he was looking in at a shop window, a boy about his own age hailed
+him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I say, Johnny, what's the price of turnips?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you want to buy any?&quot; asked Frank quietly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, I might. Have you got any with you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am sorry I can't supply you,&quot; said Frank, coolly. &quot;Up our way we keep
+our cattle on turnips.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You ain't so green, after all,&quot; said the boy, laughing good-naturedly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you for the compliment!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose I look countrylike,&quot; thought Frank, &quot;but it won't last long.
+I shall get used to city ways.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Close by he saw in a window the sign:</p>
+
+<center>&quot;CASH BOY WANTED.&quot;</center>
+
+<p>Frank as not altogether certain about the duties of cash boys nor their
+rate of compensation, but he made up his mind not to lose sight of any
+chances, and accordingly stepped into the store.</p>
+
+<p>It proved to be a large dry-goods store.</p>
+
+<p>Near the entrance he met a tall man, with black whiskers.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you want any cash boys?&quot; inquired Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are you inquiring for yourself?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are too large. Besides, you would not be satisfied with the wages?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How much do you pay, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Two dollars a week.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; I don't think I should like to work for that,&quot; said Frank. &quot;Are
+those cash boys?&quot; he asked, pointing out some boys of apparently ten to
+twelve years, old, who were flitting about from desk to counter.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I see they are much younger than I. Excuse the trouble I have given
+you!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;None whatever,&quot; said the man, politely.</p>
+
+<p>Frank left the store, and continued his walk down Broadway.</p>
+
+<p>He began to feel a little serious. It was evident that the boys did not
+receive as large compensation for their services as he had supposed.</p>
+
+<p>The problem promised to be a perplexing one, but Frank was by no means
+discouraged. In fact, if he had been, he would hardly have deserved to
+be the hero of my story.</p>
+
+<p>Though Clinton Place is not very far uptown, it is a considerable walk
+from this point to the Astor House.</p>
+
+<p>There was so much to see, however, that Frank did not become tired, nor
+was he sensible of the distance. He walked a little beyond the Astor
+House, and, crossing Broadway, turned down Fulton Street.</p>
+
+<p>On the left side of the street his attention was drawn to a restaurant,
+and he was led by the prompting of appetite to enter.</p>
+
+<p>The prices he found to be reasonable, and the tables were already pretty
+well filled with clerks and business men, who were partaking of their
+midday lunch.</p>
+
+<p>Frank found that a plate of meat, with potato and a small supply of
+bread and butter, could be obtained for fifteen cents.</p>
+
+<p>He afterward found restaurants where the same could be gotten for ten
+cents, but generally there was a deficiency in quality or quantity, and
+there was less neatness in serving the articles.</p>
+
+<p>Seated at the same table with Frank were two young men, neither probably
+much over twenty. One appeared to be filling a regular clerkship.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What are you doing now, Jack?&quot; he asked of the other.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am in the tea business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How is that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You know the Great Pekin Tea Company, of course?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, until I can get a place, I am selling for them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How do you make out?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I can't tell you, for I have only just commenced,&quot; said his friend.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How do they pay&mdash;salary or commission?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;They are to pay me a commission&mdash;twenty per cent on what I sell.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is a good commission.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; it is good enough, if I can make a fair amount of sales. There is
+a good deal of uncertainty about it of course. I would much rather have
+a place like yours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank listened with interest. He wondered whether the Great Pekin Tea
+Company would employ him. If so, he would have a field for his energy,
+and every inducement to work hard, since his pay would depend on the
+amount of his sales. Besides, as an agent, he would occupy a
+comparatively independent position, and Frank was ambitious enough to
+enjoy this.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XX"></a><h2>CHAPTER XX</h2>
+
+<h3>AN ADVENTURE IN WALL STREET</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>When the two men at his table left the restaurant, Frank followed them.
+At the door the two parted, the clerk going toward Broadway, while the
+agent walked in the direction of Nassau Street.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I beg your pardon,&quot; said Frank, overtaking him; &quot;but may I ask you a
+question?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Half a dozen, if you like,&quot; said the other, good-naturedly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I overheard what you said about the Great Pekin Tea Company. Do you
+think I could get a chance to sell for them?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, yes; there'll be no trouble about that!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am looking for something to do,&quot; continued Frank, &quot;and I think I
+should like to try that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You'll find it uphill work,&quot; said the agent; &quot;hard work and poor pay. I
+shall leave it as soon as I can get a regular position. Can't you get a
+place?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps I can. I haven't tried very hard yet,&quot; answered Frank; &quot;but I
+find boys are paid so little that I can't make enough to live on. If I
+were a man it would be different.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't believe you can make more than a boy's wages at selling tea,&quot;
+said Frank's new acquaintance, &quot;but you might try it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Would you mind giving me a note to the company?&quot; asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will write a line on one of my business cards,&quot; said the agent. &quot;That
+will be all you will need.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He drew out a card and wrote a line commending Frank to the attention of
+the company.</p>
+
+<p>Frank thanked him, and sought the direction given.</p>
+
+<p>Entering a large shop, not far from the Astor House, he looked about his
+inquiringly. Around him were chests of tea, inscribed with Chinese
+characters. A portly man addressed him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, my boy, what can I do for you?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Mason, one of your agents, has given me this card,&quot; said Frank. &quot;He
+thinks you might be willing to employ me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We are ready to employ any competent person,&quot; said the gentleman; &quot;but
+you seem very young.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am sixteen, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is young. Have you had any experience as an agent?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The man questioned him further and finally accepted him.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was told that it would be well to take samples of different kinds
+of teas with their respective prices attached, and seek orders for them
+at private houses and groceries, noting down in a little book orders
+obtained. Small quantities he could himself deliver, and large
+quantities, should he be fortunate enough to obtain any, could be sent
+out from the store by their general delivery.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What commission am I to get, sir?&quot; inquired Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Twenty per cent on parcels sold to private houses and ten per cent when
+you sell to retail dealers. To the first you can charge a full price,
+but it is necessary to sell at lower rates to dealers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I understand, sir,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;When do you want to begin?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To-morrow morning, sir. Where do you advise me to go?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;New York has been pretty well canvassed, except perhaps the upper part,
+Harlem. It might be well to make a start in Brooklyn.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very well, sir. I will call to-morrow and get samples.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As Frank left the store, he reflected, with satisfaction:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have only been a few hours in New York, and I have gotten employment
+already.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This reflection raised his spirits, and disposed him to regard the
+future with a degree of confidence. He resolved to spend the rest of the
+afternoon in walking about in the lower part of the city, and acquiring
+a little familiarity with the streets, as this was a kind of knowledge
+he was likely to need.</p>
+
+<p>He strolled down Broadway, admiring the massive and stately structures
+that lined the streets on either side. Very soon he came to Trinity
+Church, and, standing in front it, looked down Wall Street. He had heard
+so much of this street that he felt inclined to turn from Broadway and
+walk down its entire length.</p>
+
+<p>As he sauntered along a man whom he met scrutinized him sharply, as if
+considering some plan. Apparently making up his mind, he stepped up to
+Frank, and, touching him on the shoulder, said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Boy, would you like a job?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now Frank, though he had engaged to work for the Great Pekin Tea Company
+was ready to accept any other proposal, and answered promptly:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is right,&quot; said the man. &quot;It is a mere trifle, but I am willing to
+pay you a dollar.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is it, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you see that window?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He pointed to a basement window, in which were exposed rolls of gold,
+currency and greenbacks of different denominations, and English
+sovereigns and French gold coins.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I want you to do me a little errand in there,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was rather surprised that the man did not do his own errand, when
+the broker's office was so near, but he had no objection to earning a
+dollar and signified his willingness.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What I want you to do,&quot; said his new acquaintance, &quot;is to sell some
+government bonds for me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very well, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The man produced a large yellow envelope, already open.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In this envelope,&quot; he said, &quot;are two five-twenty governments for a
+hundred dollars each. Take them in and sell them, and bring the proceeds
+to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All right, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank took the envelope, and entered the office of Jones &amp; Robinson,
+that being the style of the firm.</p>
+
+<p>He advanced to the counter, and singling out a clerk, said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I want to sell these bonds.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The clerk took them and drew them out of the envelope. Then he figured a
+little on a slip of paper, and said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;They are worth two hundred and twenty-five dollars and twenty-five
+cents.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All right, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Will you take a check or currency?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps I'd better ask the man I am getting them for.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very well. You can bring them here to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, I will let you know in a minute! The man is just outside.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This answer immediately excited suspicion. Frank was too little versed
+in business ways to understand how singular it was for his principal not
+to transact his own business under the circumstances, but the brokers
+were necessarily keen, shrewd men.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wait a minute,&quot; said the clerk; &quot;I will speak to Mr. Jones.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jones came forward and addressed Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are you acquainted with the man who gave you these bonds to sell?&quot; he
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir. I met him in the street.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did he offer you any pay for selling them?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir. He is going to give me a dollar.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Will you go out and ask him to come in here a moment?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank obeyed.</p>
+
+<p>When his employer saw him coming, he asked, eagerly:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you got the money?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No,&quot; answered Frank. &quot;They asked me if I wanted a check or currency.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Either currency or gold,&quot; answered the man, hastily. &quot;Go back at once,
+and don't keep me waiting.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;They want to see you, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What for?&quot; inquired the man, looking disturbed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There is no need of my going in,&quot; said the man, angrily. &quot;I paid you to
+sell the bonds. Now go back.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He won't come,&quot; reported Frank. &quot;He says I can attend to the business.
+He will take either gold or currency.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No doubt,&quot; said Mr. Jones, significantly. &quot;Thomas, go out with this
+boy, and tell the man that employed him that we do not purchase bonds
+unless we have a reasonable assurance that they belong to the person
+offering them. We will take the liberty of retaining them, giving him a
+receipt for them, and if we are satisfied, he can have his money
+to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Robinson, who had been examining some newspaper slips, here came
+forward, and said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is unnecessary. I find that these bonds are among those stolen
+from the house of Henry Percival, Madison Avenue, a week since. We must
+manage to delay the man while we notify the police.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was very much surprised to learn that he was acting as agent for a
+bond robber, and was fearful that he might himself be regarded with
+suspicion; but he need not have troubled himself on this score. Wall
+Street men are good judges of human nature, and it was at once concluded
+in the office that Frank was the dupe of a designing knave.</p>
+
+<p>A boy was dispatched to the nearest police office, and Frank was
+directed to tell his principal that he would not long be delayed.</p>
+
+<p>Naturally, however, the man outside had become suspicious.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I can't wait,&quot; he said. &quot;Meet me on the steps of the Astor House at
+five o'clock with the money. I am obliged to hurry away now to a
+business appointment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank could think of no other pretext for delaying him, and was forced
+to see him hurry away.</p>
+
+<p>He hastened back to the office and gave the alarm.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He has taken fright,&quot; said Robinson. &quot;I fear we have lost him. Where
+did he go?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank, however, was too ignorant of city streets to give any accurate
+information.</p>
+
+<p>The consequence was that when the policeman appeared on the scene, there
+was no occasion for his services.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;At any rate,&quot; said the broker, &quot;we have secured a little of the
+plunder. What is your name and address my boy? We may wish to
+communicate with you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank gave his name, and added the directions of his boarding house.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Shall I meet the man at the Astor House?&quot; he inquired, as he was
+leaving the office.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To be sure!&quot; said Mr. Jones. &quot;I came near forgetting that. Officer,
+will you be on hand at the time?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Better employ a detective, sir, as my uniform would keep the thief at a
+distance. I don't think he'll appear, at any rate.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I do,&quot; said the broker. &quot;He won't give up the money while he thinks
+there is a chance of securing it.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2>
+
+<h3>THE CAPTURE</h3>
+
+<br />
+
+<p>At the hour named, Frank repaired to the Astor House, and took a
+position on the steps.</p>
+
+<p>He looked about him for his street acquaintance, but could see no one
+who bore any resemblance to him.</p>
+
+<p>Finally, a man dressed in a gray suit with a pair of green glasses,
+walked carelessly up to our hero and said, in a low voice:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you got the money?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank looked at him in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>This man had thick, black whiskers, while the man who had employed him
+had none at all, so far as he could remember. Besides, the green glasses
+altered him considerably.</p>
+
+<p>To make sure that he was not deceived he inquired:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What money?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You know very well,&quot; said the man, impatiently. &quot;You are the boy whom I
+employed to sell some bonds this morning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You don't look like the same man,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Because of my glasses. I have to wear them at times on account of the
+weakness of my eyes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>While he was speaking, a quiet-looking man approached and listened to
+the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then,&quot; said Frank, &quot;you can tell me how many bonds you handed me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;They were two five-twenty government bonds of a hundred dollars each.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Correct, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then hand me the money and be quick about it, for I have no time to
+waste! You shall have the dollar I promised you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>But here the quiet-looking man took a part in the conversation. Passing
+his arm through that of the man with the green glasses, he said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will trouble you to come with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How dare you touch me? Do you mean to insult me?&quot; demanded the other,
+struggling with captor.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will make all clear in due time. You must come with me and explain
+how you came in possession of the bonds you gave this boy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;They were put in my hands by an acquaintance. If there is anything
+wrong, I am not to blame.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In that case no harm will come to you; but now you must come along.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>After his experience, Frank walked to his boarding place. He was quite
+ready for six o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>When he entered the dining room, his hostess introduced him to all.</p>
+
+<p>A young man sat next to him and entered into conversation.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What do you do, Mr. Courtney?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have taken an agency to sell tea for the Great Pekin Tea Company. I
+am to begin to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am afraid you won't like it. A friend of mine tried it once and came
+near starving.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This was not encouraging, but Frank was not going to despair before he
+had fairly begun his work.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I find that boys receive such small wages,&quot; Frank continued, &quot;that I
+preferred to try an agency.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Quite true,&quot; said Mr. Preston, condescendingly. &quot;When I started I was
+paid a paltry sum; now I am not paid what I am worth. Still, twenty-five
+dollars a week is fair.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Quite fair,&quot; responded Frank, who could not, of course, know that Mr.
+Preston did not receive one-half of this sum, though he chose to give
+that impression.</p>
+
+<p>After dinner, Preston was obliged to go back to the store where he was
+employed. By invitation, Frank walked with him.</p>
+
+<p>Turning into Sixth Avenue they passed a saloon.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Won't you have something to drink, Courtney?&quot; said Preston.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, thank you, I never drink,&quot; answered Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It will brace you up, and make you feel jolly. Better come in!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't need bracing up,&quot; answered Frank, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, perhaps you are right,&quot; said Mr. Peter Preston. &quot;I don't indulge
+very often, but sometimes I feel like it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Some boys might have yielded to the temptation, but Frank had determined
+that he would abstain from liquor, and kept his resolution. A boy who
+comes to the city is exposed at every step to this peril, and needs a
+firm will to withstand it. It is the fruitful source of crime and
+misery, and does more to fill our prisons than any other cause.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This is my store,&quot; said Preston, as he pointed to a modest-looking shop
+on the west side of the avenue. &quot;I wish I could keep you company longer,
+but business before pleasure, you know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Before returning to his boarding house, Frank sat down for a short time
+in Washington Park, and reviewed his plans and prospects. He could not
+tell how he would succeed in his tea agency; but if that failed, he was
+resolved to try something else.</p>
+
+<p>He didn't feel homesick, for since his mother's death he had no longer
+any home ties. Young as he was, he felt that one part of his life was
+at an end, and that a new life and a new career were before him.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2>
+
+<h3>THE YOUNG TEA MERCHANT</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The next morning, at breakfast, one of the gentlemen, who had been
+running his eyes over the morning paper, said, suddenly:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ah! I see they have caught one of the gang who robbed the house of Mr.
+Percival, on Madison Avenue, a week ago.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Read the paragraph, Mr. Smith,&quot; said one of the boarders.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Smith read as follows:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;About noon yesterday a boy entered the banking house of Jones &amp;
+Robinson, in Wall Street, and offered for sale two one-hundred-dollar
+government bonds. On inquiry, he said that the bonds belonged to a man
+in the street, whom he had never before met, and who had offered him a
+dollar to sell them. This naturally excited suspicion, and a policeman
+was sent for. Before he could arrive the man had hastily departed,
+requesting the boy to meet him at a specified hour in front of the Astor
+House and hand him the money. He came to the rendezvous, but in
+disguise, and, while talking to the boy, was arrested. It is understood
+that he has agreed to turn State's evidence, and probably the entire sum
+stolen, amounting to several thousand dollars, will be recovered.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank listened to this paragraph with interest. He was glad that his
+name was not mentioned in the account, as he didn't care for such
+publicity. He ventured to ask a question.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is Mr. Percival a rich man?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very rich,&quot; answered Mr. Smith. &quot;He is not now in the city, but is
+expected home from Europe in three or four weeks. His house was left in
+charge of an old servant&mdash;a coachman&mdash;and his wife; but the burglars
+proved too much for them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad they are caught,&quot; said Mrs. Fletcher. &quot;It makes my blood run
+cold to think of having the houses entered at night by burglars.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Preston,&quot; said Mr. Smith, jokingly, &quot;I hope you have your bonds locked
+securely up.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't believe the sharpest burglar can find them,&quot; said Preston. &quot;I
+only wish I could get hold of them myself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The boy who helped to capture the burglar ought to be well rewarded,&quot;
+said one of the boarders.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't you wish it had been you, Courtney?&quot; said Mr. Preston.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It was,&quot; answered Frank, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>There was a great sensation upon this announcement. All eyes were turned
+upon our hero&mdash;most, it must be admitted, with an expression of
+incredulity.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Come, now, you are joking!&quot; said Preston. &quot;You don't really mean it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I do mean it,&quot; assured Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Tell us all about it,&quot; said Mrs. Fletcher, who had her share of
+curiosity. &quot;I didn't suppose we had such a hero in our house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It didn't require much heroism,&quot; said Frank, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Tell us all about it, at any rate.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank told the story as simply as he could, much to the satisfaction of
+the company.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You'll come in for a handsome reward, when Mr. Percival gets home,&quot;
+suggested Mr. Smith.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't expect anything,&quot; said Frank. &quot;I shall be satisfied if I get
+the dollar which was promised me. I haven't received that yet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish I were in your shoes&mdash;that's all I've got to say,&quot; said Preston,
+nodding vigorously. &quot;Will you sell out for five dollars?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Cash down?&quot; asked Frank, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, I'll give you my note at thirty days,&quot; said the Sixth Avenue
+salesman, who seldom kept five dollars in advance of his liabilities.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I won't sell what I haven't got,&quot; said Frank. &quot;Probably I shall hear
+nothing from Mr. Percival.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>After breakfast Frank went downtown and sought the store of the Great
+Pekin Company.</p>
+
+<p>After half an hour's delay&mdash;for there were others in advance of him&mdash;he
+was fitted out with samples and started for Brooklyn.</p>
+
+<p>It was his first visit to that city, but he had received some directions
+which made his expedition less embarrassing.</p>
+
+<p>At the ferry he took a Flatbush Avenue car, and rode up Fulton Street,
+and past the City Hall, up Fulton Avenue, for nearly a mile.</p>
+
+<p>Here were interesting streets, lined with comfortable houses&mdash;for Frank
+had made up his mind first to try private houses. He had with him a few
+pound parcels of tea, which he thought he could perhaps succeed in
+disposing of at such places.</p>
+
+<p>He selected a house at random, and rang the bell.</p>
+
+<p>A servant answered the ring.</p>
+
+<p>Frank felt rather embarrassed, but there was no time to hesitate.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have some samples of tea with me,&quot; he began, &quot;of excellent quality
+and at reasonable prices.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It's no use,&quot; said the girl, abruptly. &quot;We never buy of peddlers,&quot; and
+she closed the door in his face.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not a very good beginning,&quot; thought Frank, rather mortified. &quot;So I am a
+peddler,&quot; he said to himself, and he called to mind the agents and
+peddlers who in past years had called at the Cedars.</p>
+
+<p>With some compunction, he remembered that he had regarded them with some
+contempt as traveling nuisances. Now he had entered the ranks of this
+despised class, and he began to see that they might be perfectly
+respectable, and were estimable persons, animated by a praiseworthy
+desire to make an honest living.</p>
+
+<p>Thus thinking, he called at another door.</p>
+
+<p>It was opened, not by a servant, but by an elderly maiden lady, who had
+rather a weakness for bargains.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I've got some nice tea,&quot; said Frank, &quot;which I should like to sell you.
+It is put up by the Great Pekin Company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are you sure it's nice?&quot; asked the elderly lady. &quot;We've been getting
+ours at the grocery store on the avenue, and the last wasn't very good.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You'd better try a pound of ours,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know but I will,&quot; said the lady. &quot;How much do you charge?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have some at fifty cents, some at sixty and some at seventy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I guess I'll take the sixty.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank had a pound parcel ready, which he delivered to her, and received
+his money.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Seems to me you are pretty young for a peddler,&quot; said the lady,
+regarding Frank with curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, ma'am.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How old be you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Sixteen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Been long in the business?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, ma'am; I've only just commenced.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You don't say so! Do you make much money at it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I haven't made much yet. I should be glad to supply you with some more
+tea when this is gone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, you can call if you are round this way. If I like it, I will try
+you again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank's spirits rose.</p>
+
+<p>His profits on the pound of tea were twelve cents. This was not much,
+certainly, but it was a beginning.</p>
+
+<p>At the next three houses he sold nothing, being rather rudely rebuffed
+at one. At the fourth house, the servant called her mistress, a kind,
+motherly-looking woman, who seemed to regard Frank with more interest
+than his merchandise.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope you are succeeding well,&quot; she said, kindly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This is my first day,&quot; said Frank, &quot;and I have made one sale.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have a son who is an agent like you, but he didn't begin so young.
+He is now traveling in the West.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is he selling?&quot; asked Frank, with interest.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Dry goods. He travels for a wholesale house in New York.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose he is a young man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; he is twenty-five, but he began at nineteen in a small way. He
+sometimes got quite discouraged at first. That is why I feel interested
+in any who are passing through the same experience.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>These pleasant words cheered Frank. Only at the nearest house he had
+been called a tramp, but here he found that he was regarded with
+consideration.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is rather uphill work,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And you seem very young.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am sixteen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are you entirely dependent on what you earn?&quot; asked the lady,
+sympathizingly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not entirely,&quot; answered the young merchant, &quot;but I hope to make a
+living in this or some other way. Can I sell you any?&quot; he asked,
+hopefully.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I believe we have some on hand. Still tea will always keep, and I would
+like to help you along.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The kind-hearted lady took three pounds&mdash;two at sixty cents and one at
+seventy. This gave Frank a profit thirty-eight cents and put him in good
+spirits.</p>
+
+<p>He worked his way back to the avenue on the other side of the street,
+and coming to a grocery store, entered.</p>
+
+<p>It occurred to him that he would try to sell some at wholesale.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was so young that the dealer did not suppose him to be an agent,
+and asked what he would like to buy.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I came to sell, not to buy,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What are you dealing in?&quot; asked the grocer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have several samples of tea,&quot; said our hero. &quot;If you will give me an
+order, I will have it sent to you to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The grocer found, upon examination, that his stock was getting low, and
+gave Frank an order, but he was obliged to sell below the regular price,
+and only cleared three cents a pound. Still, on a sale of twenty-five
+pounds, this gave him seventy-five cents, which was very encouraging.</p>
+
+<p>Adding up his profits, thus far, Frank found that his commission
+amounted to a dollar and a quarter, which exceeded his anticipations.</p>
+
+<p>He continued his calls, but sold only one pound besides, at fifty cents,
+netting him ten cents more.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK MEETS MR. MANNING AND MARK</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The next morning Frank resumed his tea agency. As on the day previous,
+he went to Brooklyn; but, though I should be glad to say that he was
+more successful than on the first day, truth compels me to state that
+the day was a comparative failure.</p>
+
+<p>It might be that he was unfortunate in the persons whom he visited, but
+at all events, at the close of his labors he found that his commissions
+amounted to less than fifty cents. He contented himself, therefore, with
+a ten-cent lunch, and crossed Fulton Ferry between three and four
+o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This will never do,&quot; thought Frank, seriously. &quot;I shall have to be
+economical to make my earnings cover my incidental expenses, while my
+board and lodging must be defrayed out of the money I have with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was disappointed. It is easy to think of earning one's living, but
+not quite so easy to accomplish it. A boy, besides being ignorant of the
+world, is inexperienced, and so disqualified for many avenues of
+employment which are open to men. It is generally foolish for a boy to
+leave a good home and start out for himself, unless the chances are
+unusually favorable for him. If he does it, however, he should not allow
+himself to be easily discouraged.</p>
+
+<p>If Frank had given up the business in which he was engaged simply
+because he had met with one unsuccessful day, I should not have been
+willing to make him the hero of my story.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This will never do,&quot; thought Frank. &quot;I must make a greater effort
+to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The next day his commission amounted to a dollar, and the fourth day to
+a dollar and twelve cents.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are doing well,&quot; said his employer. &quot;You are doing better than the
+majority of our agents.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>In one way this compliment was satisfactory. In another way it was not
+encouraging, for it limited his prospects. Frank began to think that he
+would never be able to make his entire expenses as a tea agent.</p>
+
+<p>I don't propose to speak in detail of Frank's daily experiences, but
+only to make mention of any incidents that play an important part in
+his history.</p>
+
+<p>He was returning from Jersey City on the tenth day of his agency, when
+in the gentleman's cabin he saw, directly opposite, two persons whom he
+had reason to remember.</p>
+
+<p>They were Mark Manning and his father.</p>
+
+<p>Little reason as he had to like either, they reminded him of home, and
+he felt pleased to meet them.</p>
+
+<p>He instantly crossed the cabin, and offered his hand to his stepfather,
+who had not yet seen him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;When did you arrive, Mr. Manning?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, it is Frank!&quot; exclaimed Mr. Manning, with an appearance of
+cordiality. &quot;Mark, do you see Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, I see him,&quot; replied Mark, coldly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Haven't you anything to say to him?&quot; asked his father, who was much
+more of a gentleman than his son.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How are you?&quot; said Mark, indifferently.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you for your kind inquiry,&quot; said Frank, more amused than vexed,
+for he cared very little for his stepbrother's friendship. &quot;I am in very
+good health.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And how are you getting along?&quot; asked his stepfather, with an
+appearance of interest. &quot;Are you in any business?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes,&quot; answered Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What are you doing?' asked Mark, inspired a little by curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am agent for a wholesale tea house in New York,&quot; Frank answered,
+briefly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You don't say so!&quot; exclaimed Mark, rather impressed. &quot;What is the name
+of the firm?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The Great Pekin Tea Company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Does it pay well?&quot; asked his stepbrother.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have met with very fair success,&quot; replied Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I congratulate you, Frank,&quot; said Mr. Manning. &quot;Your energy and
+enterprise are creditable&mdash;extremely creditable. I always predicted that
+you would succeed&mdash;didn't I, Mark?'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't remember hearing you say so,&quot; said Mark.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning shrugged his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nevertheless,&quot; he said, &quot;I have often made the remark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where do you live?&quot; asked Mark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I board in Clinton Place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A very respectable street,&quot; said Mr. Manning.</p>
+
+<p>Frank now thought it was his turn to become questioner.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How long do you remain in the city, Mr. Manning?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not long&mdash;only a day or two,&quot; said his stepfather.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We sail for Europe on Saturday,&quot; interposed Mark, &quot;on the Cunard
+steamer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Indeed! I wish you a pleasant voyage.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am sorry you won't go with us, Frank,&quot; said his stepfather,
+cautiously. &quot;You remember I gave you the chance to do so, and you
+desired to devote yourself immediately to business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir. I would rather remain in New York.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It might possibly be arranged now, if you desire to go,&quot; said Mr.
+Manning, hesitatingly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, thank you, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, perhaps you are right,&quot; said his stepfather, considerably
+relieved.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What parts of Europe do you expect to visit?&quot; asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We shall visit England, France, the Rhine, Switzerland, and perhaps
+Italy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope you will enjoy it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you; I think we shall.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank checked a sigh. It was certainly tantalizing. If he could travel
+with congenial friends, he felt that he would very much enjoy such a
+trip; but with Mark in the party there would be little pleasure for him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We are staying at the St. Nicholas Hotel,&quot; said Mr. Manning. &quot;I would
+invite you to come and dine with us, but I have an engagement first, and
+don't know when we shall dine.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, all the same,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>They had reached the New York side, and were walking toward Broadway. It
+was necessary for Frank to go to the tea store, and he took leave of his
+stepfather and Mark, again wishing them a pleasant voyage.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hate that boy!&quot; said Mark, as they walked away.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You should not indulge in any such disagreeable feelings, Mark,&quot; said
+his father.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't you hate him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Certainly not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;One would think by your soft manner that you loved him,&quot; said Mark, who
+was not noted for the respect with which he treated his father.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Really, Mark, I am shocked by your strange words.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What made you invite him to go to Europe with us?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I knew he would not go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He might have accepted, and then we should have been in a pretty
+pickle.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mark,&quot; said his father, rather irritated, &quot;will you be kind enough to
+leave me to manage my own affairs? I believe I have succeeded pretty
+well so far.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, you have,&quot; Mark admitted. &quot;All the same, we'd better keep clear of
+Frank till we get safely off on the steamer.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2>
+
+<h3>A DISCOURAGING DAY</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The next day was indeed a trying one and one of many experiences for
+Frank.</p>
+
+<p>The first lady did not buy any tea, to be sure, but seemed sorry that
+she was already supplied, and questioned Frank as to what success he was
+meeting with.</p>
+
+<p>When twelve o'clock came, Frank had not sold a single pound. Even if he
+earned nothing however, he had an appetite and must buy lunch.</p>
+
+<p>He entered a small oyster saloon, and went up to the proprietor.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Can I sell you some tea?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, I guess not. I get my tea in Harlem.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Take a couple of pounds,&quot; said Frank, &quot;and I will take part of the pay
+in lunch.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is business,&quot; said the other. &quot;Let me look at your tea.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank showed him his samples.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who employs you?'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The Great Pekin Tea Company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;They have a good name. Yes, I will try a couple of pounds at fifty
+cents.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This, of course, came to a dollar, and Frank's profit on the sale
+amounted to twenty cents. This was precisely the cost of the lunch which
+he ordered, so that he felt well satisfied with the arrangement.</p>
+
+<p>He left the saloon in better spirits, and resumed his travels from house
+to house.</p>
+
+<p>I am sorry to say, however, that though he certainly exerted himself to
+the utmost in the interests of the Great Pekin Tea Company and his own,
+he did not sell another pound of tea that day.</p>
+
+<p>About three o'clock he got on board a Third Avenue horse car, bound
+downtown and sat quietly down in a corner.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Harlem doesn't seem to be a very promising field for an agent,&quot; he said
+to himself. &quot;Perhaps it isn't fair to judge it by the first day. Still,
+I don't think I shall have courage to come here to-morrow. I would
+rather go to Jersey City or Brooklyn.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank got off the cars at the Bible House and walked to his boarding
+house, where a disagreeable surprise was in store for him.</p>
+
+<p>The night brought perplexity to Frank, but not discouragement. He was
+naturally hopeful, and, in a large city like New York, he felt that
+there are always chances of obtaining employment, provided he could
+maintain his position, as he would have been able to do if he had not
+lost the thirty-five dollars which his fellow boarder had stolen. Now,
+however, circumstances were materially changed.</p>
+
+<p>One thing was tolerably clear to Frank, and this was, that he must give
+up his agency. He had tried it, and been unsuccessful. That is, he had
+failed to earn money enough to support himself, and this was necessary.</p>
+
+<p>As to what he should take up next, Frank was quite in the dark. As a boy
+in a counting room he would be paid not more than four dollars a week,
+if he could gain such a situation, which was by no means certain.</p>
+
+<p>The more he thought about the matter the more perplexed he felt, and it
+was in an uncomfortable frame of mind that he came down to breakfast the
+next morning.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXV"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2>
+
+<h3>PERPLEXITY</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>He went out as usual after breakfast, and then walked leisurely
+downtown. He proposed to go to the shop of the Great Pekin Tea Company
+and resign his agency. He was on the watch during his walk for any
+opportunities to repair his unlucky loss:</p>
+
+<p>At one place he saw a notice:</p>
+
+<center>&quot;BOY WANTED.&quot;</center>
+
+<p>Though he felt sure the compensation would not be sufficient to allow of
+his accepting it, he thought it would do no harm to make inquiry, and
+accordingly entered.</p>
+
+<p>It was an extensive retail store, where a large number of clerks were
+employed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is a boy wanted here?&quot; asked Frank of the nearest salesman.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes. You may inquire at the desk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He pointed to a desk some distance back, and Frank went up to it.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You advertise for a boy,&quot; he said to a tall, stout man, who chanced to
+be the proprietor. &quot;Is the place filled.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No,&quot; was the answer; &quot;but I don't think it would suit you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you think I would not be competent, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, that is not the difficulty. It would not be worth your acceptance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;May I inquire what are the duties, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We want a boy to open the door to customers, and this would not be
+worth your accepting.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir. Thank you for explaining it to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The gentleman was favorably impressed by Frank's polite and gentlemanly
+manners.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish I had a place for you,&quot; he said. &quot;Have you ever had any
+experience in our line of business?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir; I have very little experience of any kind. I have acted for a
+short time as agent for a tea company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You may leave your name if you like, and I will communicate with you if
+I have a vacancy which you can fill.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank thanked the polite proprietor and walked out of the store.</p>
+
+<p>Though this is a story written for boys, it may be read by some business
+men, who will allow me to suggest that a refusal kindly and
+considerately expressed loses half its bitterness, and often inspires
+hope, instead of discouragement.</p>
+
+<p>Frank proceeded to the office of the tea company and formally resigned
+his agency. He was told that he could resume it whenever he pleased.</p>
+
+<p>Leaving the store, he walked down Broadway in the direction of Wall
+Street.</p>
+
+<p>He passed an elderly man, with stooping shoulders and a gait which
+showed that he was accustomed to live in the country.</p>
+
+<p>He was looking about him in rather an undecided way. His glance happened
+to rest on Frank, and, after a little hesitation, he addressed him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Boy,&quot; he said, &quot;do you live around here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I live in the city; sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then I guess you can tell me what I want to know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will if I can, sir,&quot; said Frank, politely.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Whereabouts is Wall Street?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Close by, sir. I am going that way, and will be happy to show you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank had no idea his compliance with the stranger's request was likely
+to have an important effect up his fortunes.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK HEARS SOMETHING TO HIS ADVANTAGE</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>&quot;My name,&quot; said the stranger, &quot;is Peters&mdash;Jonathan Peters, of
+Craneville, Onondaga County. I am a farmer, and don't know much about
+New York. I've got a few hundred dollars that I want to put into
+government bonds.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All right,&quot; said Frank, &quot;there won't be any difficulty about it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I've heerd there are a good many swindlers in New York,&quot; continued Mr.
+Peters. &quot;The squire&mdash;Squire Jackson, of our village&mdash;perhaps you may
+have heard of him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think I have, Mr. Peters.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, the squire told me I'd better take good keer of my money, as
+there were plenty of rascals here who would try to cheat me out of it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is true, Mr. Peters. Only yesterday I was robbed of thirty-five
+dollars by a man who boarded in the same house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You don't say so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He opened my trunk and took out my pocketbook while I was absent on
+business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wouldn't dare to live in York!&quot; said the farmer, whose apprehensions
+were increased by Frank's story.</p>
+
+<p>By this time they had reached the office of Jones &amp; Robinson, with whom,
+it will be remembered, Frank had once before had dealings.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If you will come in here, Mr. Peters,&quot; said our hero, &quot;you will be sure
+of honorable treatment. I will introduce you if you like.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should be obleeged if you would,&quot; said the farmer. &quot;Out in Craneville
+I am to home, but I ain't used to York business men, and don't know how
+to talk to them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>It pleased Frank to find that, in spite of his inexperience, he was able
+to be of service to one more unaccustomed than himself to city scenes
+and city ways.</p>
+
+<p>He walked up to the counter, followed by the farmer, and said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This gentleman wishes to buy some government bonds. I told him that he
+could transact his business here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you! Mr. Benton, you may attend to this gentleman.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was about to leave the office, when Mr. Robinson called him back.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You have been in the office before, have you not?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are you not the boy who assisted in the capture of the man who robbed
+Mr. Henry Percival, of Madison Avenue?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought so. I have been trying to find you for the last week.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Naturally Frank looked surprised.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Henry Percival was at that time in Europe,&quot; said Mr. Robinson. &quot;On
+his return, a week since, he called on us, and expressed a desire to
+have you call upon him. We had mislaid or lost your address, and were
+unable to give him the information he desired.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank's heart beat high with hope as the broker spoke.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps,&quot; he thought, &quot;Mr. Percival may offer me a situation of some
+kind, and I certainly am greatly in need of one.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did Mr. Percival recover all his bonds?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nearly all,&quot; answered Mr. Robinson. &quot;He considered himself exceedingly
+fortunate, and he certainly was so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you know how much he was robbed of?&quot; asked Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Rather over five thousand dollars. Of this sum all has been recovered
+except three bonds of a hundred dollars each. Mr. Percival is a rich
+man, and he won't miss that small amount.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish I were rich enough not to miss three hundred dollars,&quot; thought
+our hero. &quot;If I had my rights, I could say the same.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Just now, in his extremity, Frank thought regretfully of the fortune he
+had lost. Had he been so situated as to be earning enough to defray all
+his expenses, he would scarcely have given a thought of it.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You had better go up to see Mr. Percival this evening,&quot; said the
+banker, &quot;if you have no other engagement.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Even if I had an engagement, I would put it off,&quot; said Frank. &quot;Will you
+give me Mr. Percival's number?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No. 265,&quot; said Mr. Robinson.</p>
+
+<p>Frank noted it down and left the office. By this time Mr. Peters had
+completed his business, and was ready to go out, also.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'm much obliged to you,&quot; he said to Frank. &quot;I was afraid I'd get into
+a place where they'd cheat me. I guess Mr. Jones and Robinson are pretty
+good folks.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think you can depend upon them,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If ever you come to Craneville, I should like to have you stay a few
+days with me on my farm,&quot; said Mr. Peters, hospitably. &quot;We are plain
+folks, but will treat you about right.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, Mr. Peters. If I ever come to Craneville, I shall certainly
+call upon you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank had something to look forward to in his approaching interview with
+Mr. Percival. He had been able to do this gentleman a service, and it
+was not unlikely that the capitalist would wish to make him some
+acknowledgment. Frank did not exaggerate his own merits in the matter.
+He felt that it was largely owing to a lucky chance that he had been the
+means of capturing the bond robber. However, it is to precisely such
+lucky chances that men are often indebted for the advancement of their
+fortunes.</p>
+
+<p>While he was in a state of suspense, and uncertain what Mr. Percival
+might be disposed to do for him, he decided not to exert himself to
+obtain any employment. If he should be disappointed in his hopes, it
+would be time enough to look about him the following day.</p>
+
+<p>What should he do in the meantime?</p>
+
+<p>He determined to treat himself to an excursion. From the end of the
+Battery he had often looked across to Staten Island, lying six miles
+away, and thought it would prove a pleasant excursion. Now, having
+plenty of time on his hands, he decided to go on board one of the boats
+that start hourly from the piers adjoining the Battery. The expense was
+but trifling and, low as Frank's purse was, he ventured to spend the
+amount for pleasure. He felt that he needed a little recreation after
+the weeks of patient labor he had spent in the service of the Great
+Pekin Tea Company.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXVII</h2>
+
+<h3>AN INCIDENT IN A STREET CAR</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>When Frank returned to the city, he walked slowly up through the Battery
+to the foot of Broadway. He passed the famous house, No. 1, which, a
+hundred years ago, was successively the headquarters of Washington and
+the British generals, who occupied New York with their forces, and soon
+reached the Astor House, then the most notable structure in the lower
+part of the city.</p>
+
+<p>With his small means, Frank felt that it was extravagant to ride uptown,
+when he might have walked, but he felt some confidence in the success of
+his visit to Mr. Percival, and entered a Fourth Avenue horse car. It so
+chanced that he seated himself beside a pleasant-looking young married
+lady, who had with her a young boy about seven years old.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after the car started the conductor came around to collect the
+fares.</p>
+
+<p>Frank paid his, and the conductor held out his hand to the lady.</p>
+
+<p>She put her hand into her pocket to draw out her purse, but her
+countenance changed as her hand failed to find it.</p>
+
+<p>Probably no situation is more trying than to discover that you have lost
+or mislaid your purse, when you have an urgent use for it. The lady was
+evidently in that predicament. Once more she searched for her purse, but
+her search was unavailing.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am afraid I have lost my purse,&quot; she said, apologetically, to the
+conductor.</p>
+
+<p>This official was an ill-mannered person, and answered, rudely:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In that case, ma'am, you will have to get off.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will give you my card,&quot; said the lady, &quot;and will send double the fare
+to the office.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That won't do,&quot; said the man, rudely. &quot;I am responsible for your fare,
+if you stay on the car, and I can't afford to lose the money.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You shall not lose it, sir; but I cannot walk home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think you will have to, madam.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Here Frank interposed. He had been trained to be polite and considerate
+to ladies, and he could not endure to see a lady treated with rudeness.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Take the lady's fare out of this,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And the boy's, too?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The lady smiled gratefully.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I accept your kindness, my young friend,&quot; she said. &quot;You have saved me
+much annoyance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am very glad to have had the opportunity,&quot; said Frank, politely.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course, I shall insist upon reimbursing you. Will you oblige me with
+your address, that I may send you the amount when I return home?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>A boy of less tact than Frank would have expostulated against repayment,
+but he knew that this would only embarrass the lady, and that he had no
+right, being a stranger, to force such a favor upon her. He answered,
+therefore:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Certainly, I will do so, but it will be perfectly convenient for me to
+call upon you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If it will give you no trouble, I shall be glad to have you call any
+evening. I live at No. &mdash;&mdash; Madison Avenue.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Now it was Frank's turn to be surprised. The number mentioned by the
+lady was that of the house in which Mr. Henry Percival lived.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought Mr. Percival lived at that number?&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So he does. He is my father. Do you know him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; but I was about to call on him. This morning Mr. Robinson, a broker
+in Wall Street, told me that he wished to see me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are not the boy who caused the capture of the bondholder?&quot; asked
+the lady, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, I am the boy, but I am afraid I had less to do with it than has
+been represented.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is your name?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Frank Courtney.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My father is very desirous of meeting you, and thanking you for what
+you have done. Why have you not called before?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I did not know till to-day that your father had returned. Besides, I
+did not like to go without an invitation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will invite you,&quot; said the lady, with a pleasant smile, &quot;and I, as
+well as my father, will be glad to see you. And now let me introduce you
+to my little son. Freddie, would you like to see the boy that caught the
+robber?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, mamma.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Here he is. His name is Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The little boy immediately began to ask questions of Frank, and by the
+time they reached the Cooper Institute Frank and he were well
+acquainted.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't get out, Frank,&quot; said Freddie.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am going home, Freddie.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You must come and see me soon,&quot; said the little boy.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now you have three invitations,&quot; said the lady.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will accept them all,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>And, with a bow, he left the car.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK MAKES AN EVENING CALL</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>After supper Frank walked slowly up to Mr. Percival's residence. Now
+that he knew two members of the family, he looked forward with pleasure
+to the call he was about to make. His prospects seemed much brighter
+than when he woke up in the morning.</p>
+
+<p>On reaching the house of Mr. Percival, he saw at a glance that it was
+the residence of a wealthy man, and the hall, into which he was first
+admitted, was luxurious in its appearance. But Frank had been brought up
+to the enjoyment of wealth, and he felt more at home here than in the
+rather shabby boarding house in Clinton Place.</p>
+
+<p>A colored servant opened the door.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is Mr. Percival at home?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yas, sah.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should like to see him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What name, sah?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Frank Courtney.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Step in, sah, and I will 'form Mr. Percival,&quot; said the colored servant,
+in a consequential tone that amused Frank.</p>
+
+<p>Frank stepped into the hall, but he was not left long without attention.
+Little Freddie ran downstairs, eagerly calling out:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did you come to see me, Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes,&quot; answered Frank, smiling; &quot;but I came to see your grandfather,
+too.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Come, and I will show you where he is,&quot; said the little boy, taking
+Frank's hand.</p>
+
+<p>The two went up the staircase and into a handsomely furnished room, made
+attractive by pictures and books.</p>
+
+<p>In a large armchair sat a pleasant-looking elderly man, of about sixty.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Grandpa,&quot; said the little boy, &quot;this is Frank. He wants to see you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Percival smiled.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad to see you, Frank,&quot; he said. &quot;It seems, my boy, that you are
+already acquainted with my daughter and grandson.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir. I was fortunate enough to meet them to-day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You relieved my daughter from some embarrassment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad to have had the opportunity, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank's manner was easy and self-possessed, and it was evident that Mr.
+Percival was favorably impressed by him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Take a seat,&quot; he said, &quot;while I ask you a few questions.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank bowed and obeyed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Let me sit in your lap, Frank,&quot; said Freddie.</p>
+
+<p>Our hero took the little boy in his lap.</p>
+
+<p>With Freddie, it was certainly a case of friendship at first sight.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Won't he trouble you?&quot; asked his grandfather.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir. I like young children.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Percival now proceeded to interrogate Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your name is Frank Courtney. Have you been long in the city?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir; only a few weeks.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What led you to come here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wished to earn my living.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What that necessary? You do not look like a poor boy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I was brought up to consider myself rich,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Indeed! Did you lose your property?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps I had better tell you how it happened, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If you don't object, I should be glad to hear.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank gave a brief statement of his position, and the circumstances that
+led him to leave his home and go out into the world.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Percival listened thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is a singular story,&quot; he said, after a pause. &quot;Your stepfather's in
+Europe, then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir; at least he sailed for Europe.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you heard from him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you expect to hear?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He can't feel much interest in you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think he does,&quot; answered Frank. &quot;Still, I can't say that he has
+treated me unkindly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you suspect that your stepfather has wronged you in the matter of
+the property?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I would rather not answer that question, sir. I might wrong Mr.
+Manning, and I have no proof to offer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I understand you, and I applaud your discretion. It does you credit.
+Some time or other the mystery may be cleared up, and the wrong, if
+there is one, may be righted. I can't understand, however, how this Mr.
+Manning should be willing to leave you dependent upon your own exertions
+with such a scanty provision as twenty-five dollars a quarter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I didn't ask for any more; and, besides, Mr. Manning offered to take me
+to Europe with his son Mark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you think that he was sincere in the offer?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think he expected me to accept it, and I am sure that it would
+have been very disagreeable to Mark to have me in the party.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you any objections to telling me how you have succeeded in your
+efforts to make a living?&quot; asked the old gentleman, with a keen but
+kindly glance.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have been disappointed, sir,&quot; was the candid reply.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not surprised to hear it. A boy brought up as you have been cannot
+rough it like a farmer's son or a street boy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think I could, sir; but I should not like to.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Precisely. Now, I am not sure that you acted wisely in undertaking a
+task so difficult, since it was not necessary, and your stepfather could
+hardly have refused to support you at home. However, as you have taken
+the decisive step, we must consider what is best to do under the
+circumstances. What work have you been doing?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have been selling tea for the Great Pekin Tea Company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How have you succeeded?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have not been able to pay expenses,&quot; Frank admitted.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How have you made up the difference?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I brought about fifty dollars with me from home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is it all used up?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I had thirty-five dollars left, sir, but a day or two since one of my
+fellow boarders opened my trunk and borrowed it without leave.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course you won't recover it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think there is much chance of it, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then probably your money is nearly exhausted?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank did not like to admit his poverty, but owned up that he had less
+than two dollars.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And yet you paid the car fares of this little boy and his mother?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope, sir, I would not refuse to assist a lady when in trouble.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Percival nodded two or three times, smiling as he did so. He was
+becoming more and more favorably impressed without young hero.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you mean to continue this tea agency?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir; I have already notified my employers that I do not care to
+continue it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you anything else in view?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank felt that now was the time to speak.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I came here this evening,&quot; he said, &quot;intending to ask you if you knew
+of any situation I could fill, or could recommend me to employment of
+any kind by which I might make a living.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I must consider that. Have you thought of any particular employment
+which you would like?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir; I cannot afford to be particular. I will do anything that is
+honest, and at all suitable for me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What would you consider unsuitable?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should not wish to black boots, for instance, sir. It is honest work,
+but I ought to be suited to something better.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course; What education have you had? Good, I suppose?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am nearly ready for college.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then you are already fairly well educated. I will put you to a test.
+Sit up to the table, and take paper and pen. I will dictate to you a
+paragraph from the evening paper, which I should like to have you write
+down.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank obeyed, though, in doing so, he was obliged to set Freddie down,
+rather to the little fellow's dissatisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Percival selected a short letter, written by some public man, which
+chanced to have found a place in the evening journal.</p>
+
+<p>Frank wrote rapidly, and when his copy was finished submitted it to Mr.
+Percival.</p>
+
+<p>The old gentleman took it, and, running his eye over it, noticed that it
+was plainly written, correctly spelled and properly punctuated. This
+discovery evidently gave him satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very creditably written,&quot; he said. &quot;I have known boys nearly ready for
+college who could not copy such a letter without blundering. I am glad
+that your English education has not been neglected while you have been
+studying the classics.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was gratified by Mr. Percival's commendation, though he could not
+see in what manner his education was likely to bring him employment. It
+was desirable, however, to produce a favorable impression on Mr.
+Percival, and he could not help hoping something would result to his
+advantage.</p>
+
+<p>At this moment Freddie's mother entered the room, and greeted Frank with
+a cordial smile.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Freddie,&quot; she said, &quot;it is time for you to go to bed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't want to leave Frank,&quot; said Freddie.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Frank will come and see you again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Will you, Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank made the promise, and Mrs. Gordon&mdash;for that was her name&mdash;left the
+room, promising to return before Frank went away.</p>
+
+<p>He was now left alone with the old gentleman.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXIX</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK IS OFFERED A POSITION</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Mr. Percival engaged Frank in conversation on general topics while Mrs.
+Gordon was out of the room. His young visitor had been an extensive
+reader, and displayed a good deal of general information. Moreover, he
+expressed himself intelligently and modestly, and deepened the favorable
+impression which he had already succeeded in making.</p>
+
+<p>I should like to call the attention of my young readers to the fact that
+Frank was now reaping the advantage of the time he had devoted to study
+and the cultivation of his mind.</p>
+
+<p>A boy who starts in life with a fair education always stands a better
+chance than one who is poorly provided in that respect.</p>
+
+<p>It is true that many of our prominent public men have started with a
+very scanty supply of book-learning, but in most cases it has only
+transferred the labor of study to their maturer years.</p>
+
+<p>President Andrew Johnson did not learn to read and write until after he
+had attained his majority, but he made up his early deficiencies later.</p>
+
+<p>Abraham Lincoln, when nearly thirty, devoted his leisure hours to
+mastering the problems in Euclid, and thus trained and strengthened his
+mental faculties so that he was enabled to grapple with the difficult
+problems of statesmanship in after years.</p>
+
+<p>Henry Wilson commenced attending an academy after he had reached the age
+of twenty-one.</p>
+
+<p>The fact is, no boy or man can be too well equipped for his life-work.</p>
+
+<p>I hope my boy readers will not skip the paragraphs above, for they can
+learn from them a useful lesson.</p>
+
+<p>When Mrs. Gordon returned, she placed in Frank's hands a small sum of
+money, saying:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Allow me to repay my debt, with many thanks.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are quite welcome,&quot; answered our hero.</p>
+
+<p>He had too much tact to refuse the money, but quietly put it into his
+pocket.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Helen,&quot; said Mr. Percival, &quot;I would like a word with you. We will leave
+our young friend here alone for five minutes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Certainly, father.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The two went into an adjoining room, and Mr. Percival commenced by
+asking:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How do you like this boy, Helen?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very much. He seems to have been brought up as a gentleman.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He has. Till a short time since he supposed himself the heir to a
+fortune.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Indeed!&quot; said Mrs. Gordon, with curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>Briefly, Mr. Percival rehearsed the story which Frank had told him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What a shame!&quot; exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, indignantly. &quot;His stepfather
+ought to be punished:&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That may come in time. Wickedness does not always prosper. But as
+regards our young friend, I have a plan in view.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is it, father?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I find he has an excellent education, having been nearly ready for
+college when the crisis in his fortunes came. I have been thinking
+whether we could not find a place for him in this house. My eyes, you
+know, are so weak that they are often strained by attention to my
+correspondence and reading. I have an idea of engaging Frank Courtney as
+a sort of private secretary, upon whom I can at any time call. Of
+course, he would have his home in the house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There will be no difficulty about that. Our family is small, and we
+have plenty of vacant rooms. But, father, will he be qualified to
+undertake the duties you have designed for him? He is very young.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is true, my dear; but he is remarkably well educated. I have
+tested his capacity by dictating a letter for him to copy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did he do the work satisfactorily?&quot; asked Mrs. Gordon.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Without a single mistake.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then, father, I would not hesitate to engage him. Freddie likes him,
+and will be delighted to have him in the house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Another idea, Helen. It is time Freddie began to study. Suppose we make
+him Freddie's private tutor&mdash;say for an hour daily?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is really an excellent idea, father,&quot; said Mrs. Gordon, in a tone
+of satisfaction. &quot;It will please and benefit Freddie, and be a relief to
+me. Do you think Frank will have patience enough?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I watched him with the little fellow, and I could see that he liked
+children. I am sure he will succeed in this as well as in the duties
+which he will undertake for me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose he will have no objection to the plan?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think he will accept gladly. He has had a hard struggle thus far in
+maintaining himself, and I can relieve him from all anxiety on that
+score. I am indebted to him for helping me to recover my bonds, and
+this will be an excuse for offering him a larger salary than the
+services of so young a secretary could be expected to command.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very well, father. Your plan pleases me very much, and I shall be glad
+to have Frank commence to-morrow, if he chooses. Now let us return to
+the library.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>While father and daughter were absent Frank had taken from the table a
+volume of &quot;Macaulay's History,&quot; and had become interested in it.</p>
+
+<p>He laid it down upon their return.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Percival resumed his easy-chair, and said, with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My daughter and I have been consulting about you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank bowed, and his hopes rose.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose you are open to an offer of employment?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not only open to it, Mr. Percival, but I shall be grateful for
+it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He could not help wondering what sort of employment Mr. Percival was
+about to offer him. He concluded that it might be a place in some
+business house.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The fact is,&quot; said the old gentleman, &quot;I have a great mind to offer you
+the situation of my private secretary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was astonished. This was something he had not thought of.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you think I am qualified to fill such a position, Mr. Percival?&quot; he
+asked, hesitatingly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The duties would not be difficult,&quot; returned the old gentleman. &quot;Though
+not in active business, the care of my property, and looking after my
+scattered investments, involves me in considerable correspondence. My
+eyes are not as strong as they once were, and I find them at times taxed
+by letter-writing, not to mention reading. You can relieve me very
+materially.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall be very glad to do so, sir. The duties will be very agreeable
+to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But that is not all. My daughter proposes to employ you as private
+tutor for Freddie.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank smiled.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think my scholarship will be sufficient for that,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was to receive $50 a month and board. This was wonderful news to
+him. Mr. Percival with great forethought paid him a month's salary in
+advance. Frank went home happy.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXX"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXX</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK AS PRIVATE SECRETARY</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The next day Frank transferred his residence to Madison Avenue. He was
+assigned to a pleasant room, decidedly superior, it need hardly be said,
+to his room at Clinton Place. It seemed agreeable to him once more to
+enjoy the comforts of a liberal home.</p>
+
+<p>Frank had had some doubts as to how he would satisfy Mr. Percival in his
+capacity of private secretary.</p>
+
+<p>He was determined to do his best, but thought it possible that the old
+gentleman might require more than he could do well. He looked forward,
+therefore, with some apprehension to his first morning's work.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Percival, though not engaged in active business, was a wealthy man,
+and his capital was invested in a great variety of enterprises.
+Naturally, therefore, he received a large number of business letters,
+which required to be answered.</p>
+
+<p>The first day he dictated several replies, which Frank put upon paper.
+He wished, however, to put Frank's ability to a severe test.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Here are two letters,&quot; he said, &quot;which you may answer. I have noted on
+each instructions which you will follow. The wording of the letters I
+leave to you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will try to satisfy you sir,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>Our hero was a good writer for his age. Moreover, he had been well
+trained at school and did not shrink from the task assigned him.</p>
+
+<p>He read carefully the instruction of his employer, and composed the
+letters in strict accordance with them.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Percival awaited with some interest the result of his experiment. If
+Frank proved competent to the task assigned him, his own daily labor
+would be considerably abridged.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Here are the letters, sir,&quot; said our hero, passing the drafts to Mr.
+Percival.</p>
+
+<p>The old gentleman examined them carefully. As he did so, his face
+expressed his satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Upon my word, Frank,&quot; he said, familiarly, &quot;you have done your work
+exceedingly well. They are brief, concise and yet comprehensive. I
+feared that you would use too many words.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad you are pleased, sir. Dr. Brush trained us to write letters,
+and he cut down our essays when they were too diffuse.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then I feel indebted to Dr. Brush for providing me with so competent a
+young secretary. You will be able to assist me even more than I
+anticipated. I shall, of course, read over your letters before they are
+sent, to make sure that you have fully comprehended and carried out my
+instructions, but I don't expect they will need much correction.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was much gratified by these words. This was the only point on
+which he had felt at all doubtful as to his ability to please his
+employer.</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes, when his eyes pained him more than usual, Mr. Percival also
+employed him to read to him from the daily papers, or from some book in
+which he was interested, but this did not occur regularly.</p>
+
+<p>Every day, however, Frank was occupied with Freddie. The little boy knew
+his alphabet, but nothing more, so that his young teacher had to begin
+with him at the beginning of the primer.</p>
+
+<p>He succeeded in interesting his little pupil, and did not protract his
+term of study so as to weary him.</p>
+
+<p>Finding that the little fellow was fond of hearing stories, he read to
+him every day a story or two from Hans Christian Andersen, or from a
+collection of German fairy stories, and sometimes went out to walk with
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Freddie was delighted with his teacher, and freely expressed his
+approval to his mother and grandfather.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Really, Frank,&quot; said Mrs. Gordon, &quot;I shall begin to be jealous of your
+hold upon Freddie. I am not sure but he likes your company better than
+mine.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think Freddie will prefer anyone to his mother,&quot; said Frank;
+&quot;but I am glad he likes to be with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You have certainly proved very successful as a private tutor, Frank,&quot;
+said Mrs. Gordon, &quot;and my father tells me you succeeded equally well as
+a secretary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is partly because you both treat me so indulgently,&quot; answered Frank,
+gracefully.</p>
+
+<p>This answer pleased Mr. Percival and Mrs. Gordon, who more than ever
+congratulated themselves upon the lucky chance that had thrown Frank in
+their way.</p>
+
+<p>Assuredly he made himself very useful in the small household,
+contributing to the comfort and pleasure of Freddie, his mother and
+grandfather in nearly equal measure.</p>
+
+<p>While Frank's monthly salary was of great value and importance to him,
+it was nothing to Mr. Percival in comparison with the pleasure and
+relief afforded by his presence in the house.</p>
+
+<p>It must not be supposed, however, that Frank's time was wholly occupied
+by the duties of his two positions. Usually he had several hours daily
+at his disposal, and these he was allowed to spend as he pleased.</p>
+
+<p>Part of this he occupied in visiting different localities of the city
+and points of interest in the neighborhood, and part in reading and
+study.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Percival had a large and well-selected library, which, to a boy of
+Frank's studious tastes, was a great attraction.</p>
+
+<p>He entered upon a course of solid reading, embracing some of the
+standard histories, and devoted some hours every week to keeping up his
+acquaintance with the Greek and Latin authors which he had read at
+school.</p>
+
+<p>In this way his time was well and usefully employed, and the weeks
+slipped by till almost before he was aware six months had passed.</p>
+
+<p>One afternoon Frank walked down Broadway enjoying the bright sunshine.
+Just in front of the St. Nicholas Hotel he heard his name called and
+looking up he recognized with some surprise, Pliny Tarbox, his cousin
+from Newark.</p>
+
+<p>Pliny asked many questions as to what Frank was doing and how much money
+he was making. Frank told him of his good fortune in obtaining the
+position he held with Mr. Percival and the two parted&mdash;Frank the much
+happier of the two.</p>
+
+<p>Pliny urgently invited Frank to visit them but Frank would rather remain
+in New York.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope I shall never think so much of money as Pliny and his father,&quot;
+thought Frank. &quot;Money is a good thing to have but there are some things
+that are better.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXI</h2>
+
+<h3>A LETTER FROM MR. TARBOX</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Frank did not speak to Mr. Percival's family of his meeting with Pliny.
+It was not pleasant to him to think that he was valued only for his good
+fortune. He had seen but little of the Tarbox family, but he understood
+very well what their professions of friendship amounted to, and that
+they were not to be relied upon in an emergency.</p>
+
+<p>He was not much surprised on Monday afternoon to receive the following
+letter from Erastus Tarbox:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My Dear Young Cousin:&mdash;We have been wondering what has become of you,
+and Mrs. T. and myself have often wished to invite you to pass a Sabbath
+at our humble home. Not knowing your address, I could not write to you,
+or I should have done so. You can imagine, therefore, the pleasure we
+felt when Pliny told us that he had met you, and gave us tidings of your
+remarkable success, which I am sure does you great credit.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He tells me that you fill a very responsible position, and receive a
+very liberal salary. I could wish that Pliny might be equally fortunate,
+and shall esteem it a great favor if you will mention him to your
+respected employer, and recommend him for any lucrative position which
+he may bestow upon him. Pliny is a very capable boy, and has been
+carefully trained to habits of frugality and industry.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Can you not soon come out and pass a Sabbath with us? The esteem which
+we have for your late lamented mother alone would secure you a cordial
+welcome, not to speak of the friendship for yourself. Pliny often says
+that you seem to him like a brother, and he would truly enjoy your
+companionship.</p>
+
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">&quot;Your sincere friend and cousin,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Erastus Tarbox.&quot;</span><br />
+
+<p>The time was when Frank would have put confidence in the friendly
+expressions used by Mr. Tarbox, but his eyes had been opened, and he
+understood that if misfortune should come to him, it would not do to
+lean upon his cousins at Newark.</p>
+
+<p>Frank wrote a civil reply to Mr. Tarbox, thanking him for his
+invitation, but saying that at present it would not be convenient for
+him to accept it. He added that should an opportunity offer he would be
+glad to assist Pliny to a better position than he now held.</p>
+
+<p>In spite of his wish to be cordial, his letter was felt by the Tarbox
+family to be cold, and they regretted that they had not treated him
+better during his brief visit to them.</p>
+
+<p>But then how could they suppose he would be so successful? If the time
+should ever come when he recovered his property, they would be prepared
+to make a determined effort to convince him that they had always been
+his affectionate friends.</p>
+
+<p>About this time Frank received another letter, which afforded him
+greater satisfaction than the one from Newark.</p>
+
+<p>This letter was from Col. Vincent, who, it will be remembered, had
+purchased Ajax when Mr. Manning persisted in selling him. It was as
+follows:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My Dear Frank: I learned incidentally from one of our townsmen, who
+recently met you in New York, that you have been very successful in
+obtaining employment, and that of an honorable and responsible
+character. It relieved my mind, for, knowing how hard it is for a boy to
+make his own way in a large city, I feared that you might be suffering
+privation, or living poorly. I hope, however, you would in that case
+have applied to me for such help as your father's old friend would have
+been glad to offer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your stepfather has not been heard from directly. I learn, however,
+from some friends who have met him abroad that he is having trouble with
+Mark, who is proving difficult to manage, and has contracted a dangerous
+taste for gaming. Mr. Manning was obliged to leave Baden-Baden on
+account of this unfortunate tendency, and is even thinking of returning
+to the Cedars, where his son will be removed from temptation. To this,
+however, Mark will be likely to make strenuous opposition. He will find
+it dull to settle down here after having tasted the gayety of Europe.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Here followed a little local gossip, which the writer thought might
+prove interesting to Frank, and the letter concluded with a cordial
+invitation to our hero to spend a Sunday with him, or a longer time, if
+he could be spared from his duties.</p>
+
+<p>Frank was disposed to accept the invitation, but his acceptance was
+postponed by an unusual service which he was called upon to render to
+Mr. Percival.</p>
+
+<p>Of this the reader will hear everything in the next chapter.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXII</h2>
+
+<h3>MR. PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young
+secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.</p>
+
+<p>The old gentleman answered thoughtfully:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall be very glad to serve you in any way, Mr. Percival,&quot; said
+Frank, promptly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have no doubt of it,&quot; said the old gentleman, kindly. &quot;I have
+observed your willingness to undertake any duty, and, still more, your
+disposition to perform it thoroughly. In this particular case, however,
+I have been considering whether a boy of your age would be competent to
+do what I desire.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was not self-distrustful, neither was he over-confident. He was
+naturally energetic and ambitious to distinguish himself, and not
+afraid to undertake any difficult task.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Will you try me, Mr. Percival?&quot; he said. &quot;I will do my best to
+succeed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am quite inclined to try you, Frank,&quot; said Mr. Percival; &quot;the more so
+because I know of no one else in whom I could confide. But I must give
+you an idea of what I have in view. It would require you to make a
+journey.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank listened to this gladly. To a boy of his age, who had seen but
+little of the world, a journey offered attractions.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should like to travel,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have no doubt about that,&quot; said Mr. Percival, smiling. &quot;At your age I
+am sure I should have been equally willing to see something of the
+world, though traveling involved at that time far more hardships than at
+present. Now, however, I like best to stay by the fireside, and should
+dread very much a journey to Minnesota.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To Minnesota!&quot; exclaimed Frank, with sparkling eyes.</p>
+
+<p>He had not thought of a journey so extended.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes; it would be necessary for you to go out to Minnesota. Ordinarily,
+a man can best look after his own affairs; but in the present instance,
+I suspect that you could do better than myself. I don't mean this as a
+compliment, but a boy like you would not be suspected, and so could
+discover more than I, from whom facts would be studiously concealed.
+But, of course, you don't understand my meaning. I will explain, and
+then you can comprehend me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was all attention.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You must know that I own a good deal of property in a certain township
+in Southern Minnesota. When a young man, I bought three hundred and
+twenty acres of land in the township of Jackson, obtaining it at a
+slight advance on government rates.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Some improvements had been made, and I was induced to visit the place.
+I found but three families in residence, but I saw also that the place
+had large natural advantages, water-power, etc., and presented an
+unusually favorable site for a village. I had considerable means, and
+started the village by erecting a dozen houses, a store, a sawmill,
+gristmill, and so on.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This formed a nucleus, and soon quite a village sprang up. The sawmill
+and gristmill proved profitable, all my houses were tenanted, and I
+erected more, securing also additional land. In course of time I was
+induced to sell some of my houses, but I still own two stores, a dozen
+houses, the saw and gristmills, besides two outlying farms.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Living so far away, I could not attend personally to the business
+connected with my investment, and was compelled to appoint an agent. Up
+to four years since, I was fortunate enough to possess the services of a
+capable and trustworthy man, named Sampson. He died after a few weeks'
+illness, and I was compelled to look out for a successor.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now, I had a distant cousin, who had never succeeded very well in life,
+and was at that time seeking for employment of some kind. He heard of
+the vacancy, and importuned me to appoint him as my agent in Jackson. I
+had no reason to doubt his honesty, though his repeated failures might
+well have led me to suspect his capacity. I was weak enough, as I now
+consider it, to yield to his importunities and give him the post he
+sought.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The result was that during the first year of his incumbency the amount
+turned over to me was only three-fourths as much as in the last year of
+his predecessor. The second year there was a further falling off. The
+same happened the third year, until at the present time my rents amount
+to less than half what they were in Mr. Sampson's time.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course, my suspicions that my cousin was at least inefficient were
+aroused long since. I have repeatedly asked an explanation of the
+diminished revenues, and plenty of excuses have been made, but they do
+not seem to me satisfactory.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Moreover, I have heard a rumor that Mr. Fairfield is intemperate in his
+habits, and I have considerable reason to believe that the story is
+correct. I have made up my mind that something must be done. A regard
+for my own interests requires that if my agent is unfaithful he should
+be displaced, and I wish to find out from some reliable source the true
+state of the case.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now I will tell you what I have in view. I propose to send you out to
+Jackson to investigate and report to me your impressions of the manner
+in which Mr. Fairfield discharges his duties, and whether you think a
+change should be made in the agency.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank listened to Mr. Percival with a flushed face and a feeling of
+gratification and pride that he should be thought of in connection with
+a responsible duty.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am very much obliged to you, Mr. Percival,&quot; he said, &quot;for thinking of
+me in such a connection. You may feel that I am presumptuous for
+thinking I have any chance of successfully accomplishing what you
+desire, but if you are willing to trust me, I am willing to undertake
+it, and by following your instructions closely, and doing my best, I
+think I can succeed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am willing to trust you, Frank,&quot; said Mr. Percival. &quot;You are a boy,
+to be sure, but you have unusually good judgment, and I know you will be
+faithful to my interests. I understand, then, that you are willing to go
+out as my accredited representative?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir. When do you want me to start?&quot; said Frank, promptly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As soon as you can get ready.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will start to-morrow, if you desire it, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Let it be to-morrow, then. We will now discuss some of the details
+connected with the mission.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXIII</h2>
+
+<h3>PREPARING FOR A JOURNEY</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>After receiving certain instructions from Mr. Percival in regard to the
+manner of carrying on his inquiries, Frank said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There is one thing I have thought of, Mr. Percival, that may interfere
+with my success.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is it, Frank? I shall be glad to receive any suggestion from you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have been thinking, sir, that it may excite surprise that I should
+come to Jackson, and remain there without any apparent motive. Perhaps
+Mr. Fairfield might suspect that I came from you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hardly think so, Frank. He would not suppose that I would select so
+young a messenger. Still, it will be well to think of some pretext for
+your stay. Can you help me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have been thinking, sir, that I might fit myself out as an agent, or
+peddler, or something of the kind. It would not only give me an excuse
+for my journey, but enable me to call from house to house and pick up
+information about Mr. Fairfield.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A capital idea, Frank. I see that you are better fitted for the task
+than I supposed. I give you authority to fit yourself out in any way you
+choose. I shall have to leave a great deal to your own judgment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then, sir, I think I might lay in a stock of stationery, pens and
+articles of that nature. Probably this is so common that I would be
+thought to be nothing more than I seemed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That strikes me rather favorably, Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I could fit myself out in the city, and take the articles along with me
+in an extra valise or carpetbag.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Let me suggest an amendment to your plan,&quot; said Mr. Percival. &quot;Wait
+till you get to Chicago, and lay in your stock there. The advantage of
+that arrangement will be that you will be saved the care of your
+merchandise up to that point, and, as you may be asked where you
+obtained your stock, it will create less surprise if you mention Chicago
+than New York. It would be considered hardly worth while for a New York
+boy to go so far on such a business&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This seemed to Frank an excellent suggestion and he instantly adopted
+it.</p>
+
+<p>The next day Frank started on his long journey. He carried with him a
+supply of money provided by Mr. Percival, and he was authorized to draw
+for more if he should require it.</p>
+
+<p>He divided this money into two portions, keeping a small sum in his
+pocketbook, but the greater part of it in an inside vest pocket, where
+it would not be likely to be looked for by pickpockets.</p>
+
+<p>This arrangement was suggested by Mr. Percival.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I once experienced,&quot; he said, &quot;the disadvantage of carrying all my
+money in one pocket. I was in a Southern city, or, rather, on my way to
+it, when an adroit pickpocket on the car relieved me of my wallet
+containing all my available funds. I did not find out my loss till I had
+arrived at the hotel and registered my name. You can imagine my
+embarrassment. It was my first visit to that particular city, and I had
+no acquaintances there, so far as I was aware. Had I mentioned my
+position to the landlord, he might very probably have taken me for an
+adventurer, traveling on false pretenses.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What did you do, sir?&quot; asked Frank, interested.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I took a walk about the city, my thoughts occupied in devising a way
+out of my trouble. To my great relief, I had the good fortune, during
+the walk, to meet a New York acquaintance, who knew very well my
+financial standing. I told him of my difficulty, and he immediately
+introduced me at a bank, where I raised money on a New York draft. I
+resolved, however, at that time, never again to carry all my money in
+one pocketbook, as boats and railroad trains on the long routes are
+generally infested by pickpockets and sharpers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank at once set about preparing for his journey.</p>
+
+<p>He bought a ready-made suit of blue cloth, not unlike that worn by the
+district telegraph boys of to-day, which he judged would look more
+suitable than his ordinary attire for the character he was about to
+assume of a traveling peddler.</p>
+
+<p>He bought a through ticket to the railroad point nearest Jackson, and
+then, bidding good-bye to Mr. Percival and his family, started on his
+trip.</p>
+
+<p>Little Freddie made strenuous opposition to parting with his favorite,
+but Frank promised to bring him home a present, and this diverted the
+little fellow's thoughts.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXIV</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK REACHES JACKSON</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>It was four o'clock in the afternoon when Frank Courtney left the cars
+and set foot on the platform before the station at Prescott, five miles
+distant from the town of Jackson, in Southern Minnesota.</p>
+
+<p>He looked about him, but could see no village.</p>
+
+<p>Prescott was a stopping place for the cars, but there was no settlement
+of any account there, as he afterward found.</p>
+
+<p>He had supposed he would find a stage in waiting to convey him to
+Jackson, but it was clear that the business was not large enough to
+warrant such a conveyance.</p>
+
+<p>Looking about him, Frank saw a farm wagon, the driver of which had
+evidently come to receive some freight which had come by rail.</p>
+
+<p>Approaching the driver, who seemed to be&mdash;though roughly dressed&mdash;an
+intelligent man, Frank inquired:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How far is Jackson from here, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Five miles,&quot; was the answer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is there any stage running there from this depot?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, no! If there were, it wouldn't average two passengers a day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then I suppose I must walk,&quot; said Frank, looking rather doubtfully at
+the two heavy valises which constituted his baggage.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then you are going to Jackson?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I come from Jackson myself, and in fifteen minutes shall start on my
+way back. You may ride and welcome.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, sir!&quot; said our hero, quite relieved. &quot;I hope you will allow
+me to pay you as much as I should have to pay in a stage.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, no, my lad,&quot; said the farmer, heartily. &quot;The horse can draw you as
+well as not, and I shall be glad to have your company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, sir!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Just climb up here, then. I'll take your baggage and put it on the
+wagon behind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>When the farmer had loaded up, he started up the team. Then, finding
+himself at leisure, he proceeded to satisfy his curiosity by
+cross-examining his young passenger.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you come from the East?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am last from Chicago,&quot; answered Frank, cautiously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose you've got some friend in Jackson?&quot; ventured the farmer,
+interrogatively.</p>
+
+<p>Frank smiled.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are the only man living in Jackson that I ever met,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Indeed!&quot; said the driver, puzzled. &quot;Are you calculating to make a long
+stay in our village?&quot; he asked again, after a minute's pause.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That depends on business,&quot; answered the young traveler.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are you in business?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have a stock of stationery which I shall offer for sale in Jackson,&quot;
+answered Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am afraid you'll find it rather a poor market. If that's all you have
+to depend upon, I am afraid you'll get discouraged.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am also agent for an illustrated book,&quot; said Frank. &quot;I may be able to
+dispose of a few.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps so,&quot; answered the farmer, dubiously. &quot;But our people haven't
+much money to spend on articles of luxury, and books are a luxury with
+us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I always heard that Jackson was a flourishing place,&quot; said Frank, who
+felt that now was his time to obtain a little information.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It ought to be,&quot; said the farmer; &quot;but there's one thing prevents.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A good deal of our village is owned by a New York man, to whom we have
+to pay rent. He has a rascally agent&mdash;a Mr. Fairfield&mdash;who grinds us
+down by his exactions, and does what he can to keep, us in debt.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Has he always been agent?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No. Before he came there was an excellent man&mdash;a Mr. Sampson&mdash;who
+treated us fairly, contented himself with exacting rents which we could
+pay, and if a man were unlucky, would wait a reasonable time for him to
+pay. Then we got along comfortably. But he died, and this man was sent
+out in his place. Then commenced a new state of things. He immediately
+raised the rents; demanded that they should be paid on the day they were
+due, and made himself harsh and tyrannical.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you think the man who employs him knows how he is conducting his
+agency?&quot; Frank inquired.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; there is no one to tell him. I suppose Mr. Fairfield tells him a
+smooth story, and he believes it. I am afraid we can hope for no
+relief.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What would he say,&quot; thought Frank, &quot;if he knew I were a messenger from
+Mr. Percival?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What sort of a man is this Mr. Fairfield in private life?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He drinks like a fish,&quot; was the unexpected reply. &quot;Frequently he
+appears on the street under the influence of liquor. He spends a good
+deal of money, lives in a large house, and his wife dresses expensively.
+He must get a much larger salary than Mr. Sampson did, or he could not
+spend money as he does.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Though Frank had not much worldly experience, he could not help coming
+to the conclusion that Mr. Fairfield was acting dishonestly. He put
+together the two circumstances that this new agent had increased the
+rents, and yet that he had returned to Mr. Percival only about half as
+much as his predecessor had done. Clearly, he must retain in his own
+hands much more than he had a right to do.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall have to report unfavorably on this man,&quot; he thought.</p>
+
+<p>One point must be considered&mdash;where he was to find a boarding place on
+his arrival in Jackson.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is there a hotel in Jackson?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There is a tavern, but it's a low place,&quot; answered the farmer. &quot;A good
+deal of liquor is sold there, and Mr. Fairfield, our agent, is one of
+the most constant patrons of the bar.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think I should like to stop there,&quot; said Frank. &quot;Isn't there
+any private family where I can get board for a week or two?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If you don't object to plain fare,&quot; said the farmer, &quot;I might agree to
+board you myself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This was precisely what Frank wanted, and he replied that nothing would
+suit him better.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We live humbly,&quot; continued Mr. Hamlin&mdash;for this, Frank learned, was his
+driver's name&mdash;&quot;but we will try to make you comfortable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I feel sure of that, sir, and I am much obliged to you for receiving
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As to terms, you can pay whatever you can afford. My wife and children
+will be glad to see you. It's pretty quiet out here, and it breaks the
+monotony to meet any person from the East.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How long have you lived in Jackson, Mr. Hamlin?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;About eight years. I was not brought up as a farmer, but became one
+from necessity. I was a bookkeeper in Chicago for a good many years,
+until I found the confinement and close work were injuring my health.
+Then I came here and set up as a farmer. I got along pretty well, at
+first; at any rate, I made a living for my family; but when Mr.
+Fairfield became agent, he raised my rent, and, in other ways, made it
+hard for me. Now I have a hard struggle.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought you were not always a farmer,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What made you think so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You don't talk like a farmer. You have the appearance of a man who has
+lived in cities.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Seems to me you are a close observer, for a boy of your years,&quot; said
+Mr. Hamlin, shrewdly.</p>
+
+<p>Frank smiled.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should be glad if your compliment were deserved,&quot; he answered. &quot;It's
+a pity you were not agent, instead of Mr. Fairfield,&quot; suggested Frank,
+pointedly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish I were,&quot; answered Hamlin. &quot;I believe I should make a good one,
+though I might not turn over as much money to my employer. I should,
+first of all, lower the rents and make it as easy for the tenants as I
+could in justice to my New York principal.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you know how much Mr. Fairfield receives&mdash;how large a salary, I
+mean?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know what Mr. Sampson got&mdash;twelve hundred dollars a year; but Mr.
+Fairfield lives at the rate of more than twice that sum, if I can judge
+from appearances.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose you would be contented with the salary which Mr. Sampson
+received?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Contented! I should feel like a rich man. It would not interfere with
+my carrying on my farm, and I should be able to make something from
+that. Why, it is as much as I received as a bookkeeper, and here the
+expenses of living are small, compared with what they were in Chicago. I
+could save money and educate my children, as I cannot do now. I have a
+boy who wants a classical education, but of course there are no schools
+here which can afford it, and I am too poor to send him away from home.
+I suppose I shall have to bring him up as a farmer, though it is a great
+pity, for he is not fitted for it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Hamlin sighed, but Frank felt in unusually good spirits. He saw his
+way clear already, not only to recommend Mr. Fairfield's displacement,
+but to urge Mr. Hamlin's appointment in his stead; that is, if his
+favorable impressions were confirmed on further acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It seems to me,&quot; said the driver, changing the subject, &quot;you might find
+something better to do than to peddle stationery.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't mean to follow the business long,&quot; answered Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It can't pay much.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not wholly dependent upon it,&quot; said our hero. &quot;There is one
+advantage about it. It enables me to travel about and pay my expenses,
+and you know traveling is agreeable to a boy of my age.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is true. Well, your expenses won't amount to much while you are in
+Jackson. I shall only charge you just enough to cover expenses&mdash;say
+three dollars a week.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank was about to insist on paying a larger sum, but it occurred to him
+that he must keep up appearances, and he therefore only thanked his kind
+acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>By this time they had entered the village of Jackson.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There's Mr. Fairfield now!&quot; said Mr. Hamlin, suddenly, pointing with
+his whip to a rather tall, stout man, with a red nose and inflamed
+countenance, who was walking unsteadily along the sidewalk.</p>
+
+<p>Frank carefully scrutinized the agent, and mentally decided that such a
+man was unfit for the responsible position he held.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXXV"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXV</h2>
+
+<h3>DICK HAMLIN</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Mr. Hamlin stopped his horse a quarter of a mile from the village in
+front of a plain farmhouse.</p>
+
+<p>An intelligent-looking boy, of perhaps fifteen, coarsely but neatly
+dressed, approached and greeted his father, not without a glance of
+surprise and curiosity at Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You may unharness the horses, Dick,&quot; said Mr. Hamlin. &quot;When you come
+back, I will introduce you to a boy friend who will stay with us a
+while.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Dick obeyed, and Frank followed his host into the house.</p>
+
+<p>Here he was introduced to Mrs. Hamlin, a motherly-looking woman, and
+Annie and Grace, younger sisters of Dick.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad to see you,&quot; said Mrs. Hamlin, to our hero, after a brief
+explanation from her husband. &quot;We will try to make you comfortable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you!&quot; said Frank. &quot;I am sure I shall feel at home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The house was better furnished than might have been anticipated. When
+Mr. Hamlin left Chicago, he had some money saved up, and he furnished
+his house in a comfortable manner.</p>
+
+<p>It was not, however, the furniture that attracted Frank's attention so
+much as the books, papers and pictures that gave the rooms a homelike
+appearance.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall be much better off here than I would have been at the tavern,&quot;
+he thought. &quot;This seems like home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I see,&quot; said Mr. Hamlin, &quot;that you are surprised to see so many books
+and pictures. I admit that my house does not look like the house of a
+poor man, who has to struggle for the mere necessaries of life. But
+books and periodicals we have always classed among the necessities, and
+I am sure we would all rather limit ourselves to dry bread for two out
+of the three meals than to give up this food for the mind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think you are a very sensible man, Mr. Hamlin,&quot; said Frank. &quot;I
+couldn't get along without something to read.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not in this out-of-the-way place, at any rate,&quot; said Mr. Hamlin.
+&quot;Nothing can be more dismal than the homes of some of my neighbors, who
+spend as much, or more, than I do every year. Yet, they consider me
+extravagant because I buy books and subscribe for periodicals.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>By this time, Dick came in from the barn.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Dick,&quot; said his father, &quot;this is Frank Courtney, who comes from Chicago
+on a business errand. He is a traveling merchant&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In other words, a peddler,&quot; said Frank, with a smile, &quot;ready to give
+the good people in Jackson a chance to buy stationery at reasonable
+prices.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He will board with us while he is canvassing the neighborhood, and I
+expect you and he will become great friends.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think we shall,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>Dick was a little shy, but a few minutes set him quite at ease with his
+new acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p>After supper, Frank said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Dick, if you are at leisure, I wish you would take a walk about the
+village with me. I want to see how it looks.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All right,&quot; said Dick.</p>
+
+<p>When the two left the house, the country boy began to ask questions.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How do you like your business?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not very well,&quot; answered Frank. &quot;I do not think I shall stay in it very
+long.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you sell enough to make your expenses?&quot; asked Dick.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; but I am not wholly dependent on my sales. I have a little
+income&mdash;a hundred dollars a year&mdash;paid me by my stepfather.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish I had as much. It seems a good deal to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It doesn't go very far. What are you intending to be, Dick?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose I shall have to be a farmer, though I don't like it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What would you like to be?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should like to get an education,&quot; said Dick, his eyes lighting up. &quot;I
+should like to study Latin and Greek, and go to college. Then I could be
+a teacher or a lawyer. But there is no chance of that,&quot; he added, his
+voice falling.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't be too sure of that, Dick,&quot; said Frank Frank, hopefully.
+&quot;Something may turn up in your favor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nothing ever does turn up in Jackson,&quot; said the boy, in a tone of
+discouragement. &quot;Father is a poor man, and has hard work to get along.
+He can give me no help.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Isn't the farm productive?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There is no trouble about that, but he has to pay too high a rent. It's
+all the fault of Fairfield.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The agent?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your father was telling me about him. Now, if your father were in his
+place, I suppose he could give you the advantages you wish.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, yes! There would be no trouble then. I am sure he would make a
+better and more popular agent than Mr. Fairfield; but there is no use
+thinking about that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I expected myself to go to college,&quot; said Frank. &quot;In fact, I have
+studied Latin and Greek, and in less than a year I could be ready to
+enter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why don't you?&quot; asked Dick.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You forget that I am a poor peddler.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then how were you able to get so good an education?&quot; asked Dick, in
+surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Because I was once better off than I am now. The fact is, Dick,&quot; he
+added, &quot;I have seen better days. But when I was reduced to poverty, I
+gave up hopes of college education and became what I am.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wasn't it hard?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not so much as you might suppose. My home was not happy. I have a
+stepfather and stepbrother, neither of whom I like. In fact, there is no
+love lost between us. I was not obliged to leave home, but under the
+circumstances I preferred to.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where are your stepfather and your stepbrother now?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;They are traveling in Europe.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;While you are working hard for a living! That does not seem to be
+just.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We must make the best of circumstances, Dick. Whose is that large house
+on the left?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That belongs to Mr. Fairfield.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He seems to live nicely.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, he has improved and enlarged the house a good deal since he moved
+into it&mdash;at Mrs. Percival's expense, I suppose.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He seems to have pretty much his own way here,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes. Mr. Percival never comes to Jackson, and I suppose he believes all
+that the agent tells him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He may get found out some time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish he might. It would be a great blessing to Jackson if he were
+removed and a good man were put in his place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That may happen some day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not very likely, I am afraid.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>At this moment Mr. Fairfield himself came out of his front gate.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Hello, Hamlin!&quot; he said, roughly, to Dick. &quot;Is your father at home?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have something to say to him. I think I will call round.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You will find him at home, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Dick,&quot; said Frank, when the agent had passed on, &quot;do you mind going
+back? What you tell me makes me rather curious about Mr. Fairfield. At
+your house I may get a chance to see something of him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Let us go back, then,&quot; said Dick; &quot;but I don't think, Frank, that you
+will care much about keeping up the acquaintance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps not; but I shall gratify my curiosity.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The two boys turned and followed the agent closely. They reached the
+house about five minutes after Mr. Fairfield.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXXVI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXVI</h2>
+
+<h3>MR. FAIRFIELD, THE AGENT</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The two boys found Mr. Fairfield already seated in the most comfortable
+chair in the sitting room.</p>
+
+<p>He looked inquiringly at Frank when he entered with Dick.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who is that boy, Hamlin?&quot; inquired the agent. &quot;Nephew of yours?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir. It is a young man who has come to Jackson on business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What kind of business?'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I sell stationery,&quot; Frank answered for himself.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, a peddler!&quot; said the agent, contemptuously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Many of our most successful men began in that way,&quot; said Mr. Hamlin,
+fearing lest Frank's feelings might be hurt.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I never encourage peddlers myself,&quot; said Mr. Fairfield, pompously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then I suppose it will be of no use for me to call at your door,&quot; said
+Frank, who, in place of being mortified, was amused by the agent's
+arrogance.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I should say not, unless your back is proof against a broomstick,&quot;
+answered Fairfield, coarsely. &quot;I tell my servant to treat all who call
+in that way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I won't put her to the trouble of using it,&quot; said Frank, disgusted at
+the man's ill manners.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That's where you are wise&mdash;yes, wise and prudent&mdash;young man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And now, Hamlin,&quot; said the agent, &quot;I may as well come to business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To business!&quot; repeated the farmer, rather surprised, for there was no
+rent due for a month.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, to business,&quot; said Fairfield. &quot;I came to give you notice that
+after the next payment I shall feel obliged to raise your rent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Raise my rent!&quot; exclaimed the farmer, in genuine dismay. &quot;I am already
+paying a considerably higher rent than I paid to your predecessor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Can't help it. Old Sampson was a slow-going old fogy. He didn't do his
+duty by his employer. When I came in, I turned over a new leaf.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I certainly got along better in his time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No doubt. He was a great deal too easy with you. Didn't do his duty,
+sir. Wasn't sharp enough. That's all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You certainly cannot be in earnest in raising my rent, Mr. Fairfield,&quot;
+said the farmer, uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I certainly am.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I can't live at all if you increase my rent, which is already larger
+than I can afford to pay, Mr. Fairfield.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then I must find a tenant who can and will,&quot; said the agent,
+emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am sure Mr. Percival can't understand the true state of the case, or
+the circumstances of his tenants. Will you give me his address, and I
+will take the liberty of writing to him and respectfully remonstrate
+against any increase?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Fairfield looked uneasy.</p>
+
+<p>This appeal would not at all suit him. Yet how could he object without
+leading to the suspicion that he was acting in this matter wholly on his
+own responsibility, and not by the express orders of his principal? How
+could he refuse to furnish Mr. Percival's address?</p>
+
+<p>A middle course occurred to him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You may write your appeal, if you like, Hamlin,&quot; he said, &quot;and hand it
+to me. I will forward it; though I don't believe it will do any good.
+The fact is that Mr. Percival has made up his mind to have more income
+from his property in Jackson.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXXVII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXVII</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANK RECEIVES A LETTER FROM MR. PERCIVAL</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>While Frank was waiting for an answer to a letter to Mr. Percival he
+devoted part of his time to the business which was supposed to be his
+only reason for remaining in Jackson.</p>
+
+<p>I am bound to say that as regards this business his trip might be
+pronounced a failure. There was little ready money in Jackson. Many of
+the people were tenants of Mr. Percival, and found it difficult to pay
+the excessive rents demanded by his agent. Of course, they had no money
+to spare for extras. Even if they had been better off, there was little
+demand for stationery in the village. The people were chiefly farmers,
+and did not indulge in much correspondence.</p>
+
+<p>When Frank returned to his boarding place on the afternoon of the first
+day, Mr. Hamlin asked him, not without solicitude, with what luck he had
+met.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have sold twenty-five cents' worth of note paper,&quot; answered Frank,
+with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Hamlin looked troubled.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How many places did you call at?&quot; he inquired.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;About a dozen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am afraid you will get discouraged.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If you don't do better, you won't begin to pay expenses.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That is true.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But perhaps you may do better to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish you could find something in Jackson that would induce you to
+remain here permanently, and make your home with us. I would charge you
+only the bare cost of board.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you very much, Mr. Hamlin. I should enjoy being with you, but I
+don't believe I shall find any opening here. Besides, I like a more
+stirring life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No doubt&mdash;no doubt! Boys like a lively place. Well, I am glad you feel
+independent of your business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;For a little time. I am afraid it wouldn't do for me to earn so little
+for any length of time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank enjoyed the society of Dick Hamlin. Together they went fishing and
+hunting, and a mutual liking sprang up between them.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wish you were going to stay longer, Frank,&quot; said Dick. &quot;I shall feel
+very lonely when you are gone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We may meet again under different circumstances,&quot; said Frank. &quot;While I
+am here, we will enjoy ourselves as well as we can.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So the days passed, and at length a letter came from Mr. Percival. I
+append the most important passages:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your report is clear, and I have perfect confidence in your statement.
+Mr. Fairfield has abused my confidence and oppressed my tenants, and I
+shall dismiss him. I am glad you have found in Jackson a man who is
+capable of succeeding him. Solely upon your recommendation, I shall
+appoint Mr. Hamlin my resident agent and representative for the term of
+six months. Should he acquit himself to my satisfaction, he will be
+continued in the position. I am prepared to offer him one hundred
+dollars a month, if that will content him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Upon receipt of this letter, and the accompanying legal authority, you
+may call upon Mr. Fairfield and require him to transfer his office, and
+the papers and accounts connected with it, to Mr. Hamlin. I inclose a
+check for three hundred dollars, payable to your order, which you may
+make payable to him, in lieu of three months' notice, provided he
+immediately surrenders his office. Should he not, I shall dismiss him
+summarily, and proceed against him for the moneys he has misappropriated
+to his own use, and you may so inform him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>With this letter was a letter to Mr. Fairfield, of the same purport, and
+a paper appointing Mr. Hamlin agent.</p>
+
+<p>When this letter was received, Frank was overjoyed, knowing how much
+pleasure he was about to give his new friends.</p>
+
+<p>With this appointment and salary, Mr. Hamlin would consider himself a
+rich man, and Dick's hope for a liberal education might be realized.</p>
+
+<p>The letter came just before supper, and, at the close of the evening
+meal, Frank determined to inform his friends of their good fortune.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Hamlin,&quot; said he, &quot;I have some good news for you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Indeed!&quot; said the farmer, surprised.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your rent will not be increased.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But how do you know this! Has Mr. Fairfield told you so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No,&quot; answered Frank. &quot;I have a question to ask. Would you be willing to
+take Mr. Fairfield's place at a hundred dollars a month?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Willing? I should be delighted to do so. But why do you say this?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Because,&quot; answered Frank, quietly, &quot;I am authorized to offer it to you
+at that salary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The whole family looked at Frank in bewildered surprise. It occurred to
+them that he might have become crazy.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You!&quot; exclaimed the farmer. &quot;What can you have to do with the agency?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank explained to a very happy family group and then he and Mr. Hamlin
+set out for the house of the agent.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXXVIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXVIII</h2>
+
+<h3>THE AGENT IS NOTIFIED</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>It was still early in the evening when Frank and Mr. Hamlin reached the
+house of the agent. Had they come five minutes later, they would have
+found him absent. Usually, soon after supper, he made his way to the
+tavern, where he spent his time and money in a very unprofitable way.</p>
+
+<p>The agent was surprised when his two visitors made their appearance.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What brings you here, Hamlin?&quot; he asked, with scant ceremony.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I come on a little matter of business,&quot; answered Mr. Hamlin, gravely.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Fairfield concluded that the farmer had come to make an appeal to
+have his rent continued at the old rates, and answered, impatiently:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't think it will be of much use. My mind is made up. Have you come
+on business, also?&quot; he asked, turning to Frank, with a sneer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir,&quot; answered our hero, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That will be of no use, either,&quot; said the agent. &quot;I am not in want of
+stationery, and, if I were, I should not buy of a peddler.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have not come here to sell stationery, Mr. Fairfield,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then, may I take the liberty of asking what is your business here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I come on the same business as Mr. Hamlin,&quot; answered Frank, who
+preferred that his companion should introduce the subject.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Look here, I have no time for trifling,&quot; said Mr. Fairfield, angrily.
+&quot;I am going out and can only spare you five minutes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Fairfield, I would advise you not to go out till you have heard
+what I have to say,&quot; said the farmer in a meaning tone.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I certainly shall. You can call some other time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Another time will not do.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Look here, sir! Do you know to whom you are talking? How dare you use
+such a tone to Mr. Percival's representative?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose you don't always expect to be Mr. Percival's representative?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose I shall die sometime, if that's what you mean; but I am not
+dead yet, as you will find. To pay you for your impertinence, I shall
+increase your rent more than I intended. I'll drive you out of
+town&mdash;that's what I'll do.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This was accompanied by an angry stamp of the foot, which, however, did
+not frighten Mr. Hamlin much.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall not pay a dollar more rent, nor shall I leave the farm I
+occupy,&quot; returned Mr. Hamlin, whose patience was exhausted by the rough
+insolence of the man before him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So you defy me, do you?&quot; demanded Fairfield, furiously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall resist your injustice, sir, or rather I would do so if you were
+able to carry out your threat. Luckily you have not the power.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have not the power? You will see if I have not the power!&quot; roared the
+angry agent. &quot;I give you notice that at the end of the quarter you must
+go, at any rate. After your insolence, I won't let you stay on any
+terms. I wouldn't let you stay if you would pay double the rent. Do you
+hear me, Hamlin?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, I hear you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Fairfield looked at the farmer in surprise. The latter seemed
+perfectly calm and undisturbed by his threat, though it was of the most
+serious nature. He had expected to see him humbled, and to hear him
+entreat a reversal of the sentence; but his tenant was thoroughly
+self-possessed, and appeared to care nothing for the agent's threats.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You need not expect that I will change my mind,&quot; he added. &quot;Out of
+Jackson you must go. I know there is no other farm which you can hire,
+and while I am Mr. Percival's agent, you need expect no favors from me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't expect any while you are Mr. Percival's agent,&quot; said Mr.
+Hamlin.</p>
+
+<p>There was something in the farmer's tone that arrested the agent's
+attention and excited his curiosity, though it did not awaken his alarm,
+and he could not help saying:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then what do you expect? Do you think I am going to die?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't expect that you will die or resign, Mr. Fairfield. You may be
+removed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you been writing to Mr. Percival?&quot; exclaimed Fairfield, in mingled
+anger and apprehension.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, sir; I have not communicated with him in any way. You would not
+give me his address.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course I would not,&quot; said the agent, feeling relieved. &quot;It would be
+mere impertinence for you to write to him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Fortunately there is no immediate occasion for me to do so, as he has
+sent a representative here to investigate your official conduct.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A representative!&quot; exclaimed Fairfield, now thoroughly startled. &quot;Where
+is he? I have not seen him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He is present,&quot; said Mr. Hamlin, indicating Frank.</p>
+
+<p>The agent broke into a scornful laugh.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You? Why, you are a peddler!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Only in appearance, Mr. Fairfield. I assumed that business in order not
+to attract attention or excite suspicion. I am really Mr. Percival's
+private secretary, as I can prove to your satisfaction.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is this true?&quot; he asked, in a changed voice.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir; quite true.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you written to Mr. Percival?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir; and this afternoon I received a letter from him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What did he write?&quot; asked Fairfield, in a husky voice; for he was
+convinced now that Frank spoke the truth.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He removes you, inclosing a check of three hundred dollars in place of
+notice, and appoints Mr. Hamlin in your place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Will you read this letter, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>It was enough. Fairfield knew that his management would not stand
+investigation, and he yielded with a bad grace.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Hamlin, the next day, to the great joy of the villagers, made known
+his appointment.</p>
+
+<p>Fairfield left town and drifted to California, where he became an
+adventurer, living in a miserable and precarious manner. Mr. Hamlin
+moved into his fine house, and Dick was sent to a school to prepare for
+college.</p>
+
+<p>The next day Frank started on his return to New York.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XXXIX"></a><h2>CHAPTER XXXIX</h2>
+
+<h3>AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>On his return to New York, Frank had no reason to be dissatisfied with
+his reception. From Mr. Percival to Freddie, all the family seemed
+delighted to see him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You mustn't go away again, Frank,&quot; said little Freddie. &quot;I wanted to
+see you ever so much.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And I wanted to see you, Freddie,&quot; said our hero, his heart warming to
+the little boy.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You won't go away again, will you, Frank?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not if I can help it, Freddie.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We are all glad to see you back Frank,&quot; said his employer. &quot;But you
+have justified my opinion of you by your success. Some of my friends
+ridiculed me for sending a boy on such an important mission, but I don't
+believe any of them would have succeeded any better than you, if as
+well.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am glad you are satisfied with me, sir,&quot; said Frank, very much
+gratified by the commendation of his employer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I feel that you have done a great service, and indeed I don't know whom
+I could have sent in your place. However, I am glad to see you back
+again. I have missed you about my letters, and have postponed answering
+some till my young secretary returned.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank resumed his regular employment, and three months passed without
+anything that needs to be recorded.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of that time, Frank received an important letter from Col.
+Vincent, which gave him much food for thought.</p>
+
+<p>The letter was as follows:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Dear Frank: For some time past I have been intending to write to you,
+but I have delayed for no good reason. Now, however, I am led to write
+by a surprising discovery which has just been made in your old home,
+which may be of material importance to you.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;When your stepfather went away, he requested me to have an eye to the
+estate, and order whatever I might think necessary to be done. I am not,
+as you know, a very cordial friend of Mr. Manning's, but I have always
+regarded the property as of right belonging to you&mdash;that is, since your
+mother's death&mdash;and so accepted the commission.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A few days since I went over the house and found that it was quite
+dirty. Where the dirt could come from in an unoccupied house I can't
+tell, but, at all events, I felt justified in engaging a woman to clean
+the paint, so, if any of you should return unexpectedly, you would find
+the house fit to receive you. This was a very simple matter, you will
+think, and scarcely needs mentioning. But, my dear Frank, events of
+importance often hinge on trifles, and so it has proved in the present
+instance.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;On the evening of the second day I received a call from Mrs. Noonan,
+whom I had employed to scrub the house. She had in her hand a folded
+paper, which she gave to me.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'Here is something I found, sir, while I was scrubbing,' she said.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I opened it indifferently, but conceive of my amazement when I found it
+to be your mother's will, properly signed, sealed and witnessed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course it was not the will which Mr. Manning presented for probate.
+This will gave Mr. Manning ten thousand dollars, and the residue of the
+property to you, except a small amount bestowed upon Richard Green, the
+coachman, and Deborah&mdash;sums larger, by the way, than those mentioned in
+the will which was read after your mother's death.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>There was more to Colonel Vincent's letter.</p>
+
+<p>Frank showed it to Mr. Percival, and readily obtained permission to take
+a few days vacation.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope you will get back the estate, Frank,&quot; said Mr. Percival, &quot;though
+I don't know what I shall do without my secretary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That need not separate us, Mr. Percival,&quot; said our hero. &quot;I have no
+home but this.&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XL"></a><h2>CHAPTER XL</h2>
+
+<h3>JONAS BARTON</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Frank started for his old home on Saturday afternoon. He would arrive in
+time for supper, at the house of his father's friend. The train was well
+filled, and he was obliged to share his seat with a shabbily dressed
+young man with whom, a single glance showed him, he was not likely to
+sympathize.</p>
+
+<p>The shabby suit did not repel him at all&mdash;he was too sensible for that;
+but there was a furtive look in the man's face, which seemed to indicate
+that he was not frank and straightforward, but had something to conceal.</p>
+
+<p>Half the journey passed without a word between the two. Then his
+companion, glancing at Frank, opened a conversation by remarking that it
+was a fine day.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Very,&quot; answered Frank, laconically.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A pleasant day to travel.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you go far?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank mentioned his destination. His companion seemed to have his
+interest awakened.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you know a Mr. Manning, living in your town?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He is my stepfather,&quot; said Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then you are Frank Courtney?&quot; said his new acquaintance, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Pardon me, but I think your mother died recently?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And the property was left chiefly to Mr. Manning?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Of course, you were surprised, and probably very disappointed?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Excuse me,&quot; said Frank, coldly; &quot;but I am not in the habit of
+discussing my affairs with strangers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Quite right, but I think you will find it for your interest to discuss
+them with me. Not in a public car, of course; but I have something of
+importance to communicate. Where can I have a private interview with
+you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>It at once occurred to Frank that there was an opportunity, perhaps, to
+solve the mystery concerning the will. This man might know nothing about
+it; but, on the other hand, he might know everything. It would be
+foolish to repulse him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If you have anything important to tell me, I shall be glad to hear it,&quot;
+he said. &quot;I am going to the house of my friend, Col. Vincent, to pass a
+few days. Do you know where he lives?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, I know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If you will call this evening, after supper, I shall be glad to see
+you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will do so. I will be there at eight o'clock, sharp.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>On arriving at his destination, Frank found the colonel's carriage
+waiting for him at the station.</p>
+
+<p>Col. Vincent was inside.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Welcome, Frank!&quot; he said, grasping heartily the hand of our young hero.
+&quot;I am delighted to see you. You are looking well, and, bless me, how you
+have grown!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, Col. Vincent. Do you expect me to return the compliment?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;About having grown? No, Frank, I hope not. I am six feet one, and don't
+care to grow any taller. Well, what do you think of the news?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have some for you, colonel;&quot; and Frank mentioned what his new
+acquaintance had told him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The missing link!&quot; exclaimed the colonel, excited. &quot;Do you know what I
+think?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That this man either forged the will which gives the property to your
+stepfather, or is cognizant of it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought of that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall be impatient to see him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>At eight o'clock the man called and gave his name as Jonas Barton.
+Whether it was the right name might be a question; but this did not
+matter.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I understand,&quot; said Col. Vincent, &quot;that you have some information to
+give us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have; and that of a very important nature.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is it of a nature to restore to my young friend here his property now
+in the possession of Mr. Manning?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If it were,&quot; said Jonas Barton with a cunning glance of his left eye
+&quot;how much would it be worth?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I supposed it was for sale,&quot; said the colonel, quietly. &quot;What is your
+own idea?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will take two thousand dollars.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Suppose we say one thousand?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is not enough.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Were you aware that the genuine will had been found?&quot; asked the
+colonel, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>Jonas Barton started.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought Mr. Manning destroyed it,&quot; he said, hastily.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No; he concealed it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is this true?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes. You see that a part of your information has been forestalled.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He was a fool, then, and still more a fool to refuse my last demand for
+money. I accept your offer of a thousand dollars, and will tell all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Go on.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I wrote the will which Mr. Manning presented for probate. It was copied
+in part from the genuine will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good! And you betray him because he will not pay what you consider the
+service worth?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Jonas Barton here gave a full account of Mr. Manning, whom he had
+formerly known in New York, seeking him out and proposing to him a job
+for which he was willing to pay five hundred dollars. Barton was not
+scrupulous, and readily agreed to do the work. He was skillful with the
+pen, and did his work so well that all were deceived.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You will be willing to swear to this in court?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, sir, if you will guarantee the sum you proposed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will. I shall wish you to find a boarding place in the village, and
+remain here for the present, so as to be ready when needed. I will be
+responsible for your board.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As Jonas Barton was leaving the house, one of the servants came in with
+important news, in which Frank was strongly interested.</p>
+
+
+
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<br />
+<a name="CHAPTER_XLI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XLI</h2>
+
+<h3>CONCLUSION</h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The news was that Mr. Manning and Mark had just arrived at the Cedars.
+They had come by the last evening train. Why they had come back so
+unexpectedly no one knew, but the servant had heard that Mark was in
+poor health. This was true.</p>
+
+<p>Mark, in Europe, had proved uncontrollable. He had given way to his
+natural love of drink, had kept late hours, and had seriously injured
+his constitution. In consequence of these excesses, he had contracted a
+fever, which alarmed him father and induced him to take the first
+steamer home.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We won't call upon your stepfather this evening, Frank,&quot; said Col.
+Vincent; &quot;but early Monday morning we will bring matters to a crisis.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning did not hear of Frank's presence in the village. He was
+fatigued with his rapid travel and kept at home. Besides, Mark was
+prostrated by his journey and didn't wish to be left alone.</p>
+
+<p>It was, therefore, a surprise to Mr. Manning when on Monday morning,
+Col. Vincent was ushered into his presence, accompanied by Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Really, colonel,&quot; he said, recovering his composure, &quot;you are very kind
+to call so soon. I hope you are well, Frank? Are you staying with the
+colonel? You must come back to your old home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, Mr. Manning, but I am living in New York. I am only passing
+a day or two with the colonel.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is very friendly in you to call, Col. Vincent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Manning,&quot; said Col. Vincent, gravely, &quot;I am not willing to receive
+undeserved credit. Let me say, therefore, that this is a business, not a
+friendly, call.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Indeed,&quot; said Manning, uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The business is connected with my young friend Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am ready to listen,&quot; said Mr. Manning. &quot;If Frank wants a larger
+allowance, I am ready to give it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I venture to say for him that he will not be satisfied with that. Let
+me come to the point at once, Mr. Manning. Mrs. Manning's will has been
+found.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning started perceptibly, and his glance involuntarily wandered
+to that part of the wall behind which the will was discovered, for they
+were sitting in the very apartment where Mrs. Noonan had stumbled upon
+it.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What do you mean, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A will has been found, leaving the bulk of the property to Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Indeed! I am surprised. Is it a later will than the one which
+bequeathed the estate to me?&quot; asked Mr. Manning, pointedly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is Mrs. Manning's latest genuine will,&quot; said Col. Vincent,
+emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning started to his feet. He could not help understanding the
+colonel's meaning. It would have been idle to pretend it.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What do you mean, Col. Vincent?&quot; he asked, in a tone which he tried to
+make one of dignified resentment.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I mean that Mrs. Manning made but one will, and that this bequeaths the
+property to Frank.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How, then, do you account for the later will which was admitted to
+probate?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In this way. It was not what it purported to be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning's sallow face flushed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What do you mean to insinuate?&quot; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That the last will was forged!&quot; said Col. Vincent, bluntly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This is a very serious charge,&quot; said Mr. Manning, unable to repress his
+agitation. &quot;You must allow me to say that I shall pay no attention to
+it. When you furnish proof of what you assert, it will be time enough to
+meet it. And now, gentlemen, if you have nothing further to say, I will
+bid you good-morning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I think you will find it best not to be in a hurry, Mr. Manning,&quot; said
+Col. Vincent. &quot;The charge must be met here and now. I charge you with
+instigating and being cognizant of the fraud that has been perpetrated!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;On what grounds, sir? Do you know I can sue you for libel?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are welcome to do so, Mr. Manning. I have a witness who will clear
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who is he?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Jonas Barton!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>If a bombshell had exploded in the room, Mr. Manning could not have
+looked paler or more thoroughly dismayed. Yet he tried to keep up a
+little longer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know any man of that name,&quot; he answered, faintly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your looks show that you do. I may as well tell you, Mr. Manning, that
+resistance is useless. We can overwhelm you with proof if we take the
+matter before the courts. But we do not care to do so. We have something
+to propose.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is it?&quot; said Mr. Manning, faintly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The genuine will must be substituted for the fraudulent one. By it you
+will receive ten thousand dollars, and Frank will consent that you shall
+receive it. He will not ask you to account for the sums you have
+wrongfully spent during the last year, and will promise not to prosecute
+you, provided you leave this neighborhood and never return to it, or in
+any way interfere with him. To insure this, we shall have Jonas Barton's
+written confession, attested before a justice of the peace, ready for
+use, if needful. Do you accept?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I must,&quot; said Mr. Manning, despondently. &quot;But I shall be a poor man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No man who has health and the use of his facilities is poor with ten
+thousand dollars,&quot; answered the colonel.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mark alone will spend more than the interest of this sum.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then you must prevent him. He will be better off if he has to earn his
+living, as Frank has done for the last year.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>In less than a week the transfer was made, and Frank recovered his
+patrimony.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Manning and Mark went to Chicago, and perhaps further West; but
+nothing has been heard from them for years.</p>
+
+<p>Frank didn't return to the Cedars. The place was let until he should
+wish to return to it.</p>
+
+<p>By the advice of Col. Vincent, he resumed his preparation for college,
+and, graduating in due time, commenced the study of law.</p>
+
+<p>Though rich enough to do without a profession, he felt that he should
+not be content to lead an aimless life.</p>
+
+<p>He obtained for his school friend, Herbert Grant, the post of private
+secretary to Mr. Percival, and Herbert became nearly as great a favorite
+as himself.</p>
+
+<p>Through Mr. Percival's kindness, Herbert was enabled, while still living
+at his house and attending to his duties as secretary, to enter Columbia
+College, and complete his course there, graduating with honor.</p>
+
+<p>Herbert selected the medical profession, and, when he has completed his
+studies, will go abroad for a year with Frank, at the latter's expense,
+and, returning, open an office in New York.</p>
+
+<p>While he is waiting for the patients and Frank for clients, the two
+will live together, and their common expenses will be defrayed by Frank.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;If I didn't like you so well, Frank,&quot; said Herbert, &quot;I would not accept
+this great favor at your hands&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But since we are dear friends,&quot; interrupts Frank, with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know that you enjoy giving even more than I do the receiving.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Enough, Herbert. We understand each other. I have no brother, Herbert,
+and if I had, I could not care more for him than I do for you. Without
+you, I should feel alone in the world.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Frank does not regret the year in which he was thrown upon his own
+resources. It gave him strength and self-reliance; and however long he
+may live, he will not cease to remember with pleasure the year in which
+he was &quot;Making His Way.&quot;</p>
+<br />
+
+<h4>THE END</h4>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Making His Way, by Horatio Alger, Jr.
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Making His Way, by Horatio Alger, Jr.
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Making His Way
+       Frank Courtney's Struggle Upward
+
+Author: Horatio Alger, Jr.
+
+Release Date: October 20, 2004 [EBook #13803]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MAKING HIS WAY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Steven desJardins and PG Distributed Proofreaders.
+
+
+
+
+
+MAKING HIS WAY
+
+_or_
+
+Frank Courtney's Struggle Upward
+
+By HORATIO ALGER, Jr.
+
+
+Whitman Publishing Co.
+RACINE, WISCONSIN
+PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
+
+
+
+
+TABLE OF CONTENTS
+
+
+I.        Two School Friends
+II.       The Telegram
+III.      Frank's Bereavement
+IV.       Mrs. Manning's Will
+V.        Disinherited
+VI.       An Unsatisfactory Interview
+VII.      A School Friend
+VIII.     A New Plan
+IX.       The New Owner of Ajax
+X.        Mark Yields to Temptation
+XI.       Mark Gets into Trouble
+XII.      Suspended
+XIII.     Mr. Manning's New Plan
+XIV.      Good-bye
+XV.       Erastus Tarbox of Newark
+XVI.      An Unpleasant Discovery
+XVII.     The Way of the World
+XVIII.    Frank Arrives in New York
+XIX.      Frank Seeks Employment in Vain
+XX.       An Adventure in Wall Street
+XXI.      The Capture
+XXII.     The Young Tea Merchant
+XXIII.    Frank Meets Mr. Manning and Mark
+XXIV.     A Discouraging Day
+XXV.      Perplexity
+XXVI.     Frank Hears Something to His Advantage
+XXVII.    An Incident in a Street Car
+XXVIII.   Frank Makes an Evening Call
+XXIX.     Frank Is Offered a Position
+XXX.      Frank as Private Secretary
+XXXI.     A Letter from Mr. Tarbox
+XXXII.    Mr. Percival's Proposal
+XXXIII.   Preparing for a Journey
+XXXIV.    Frank Reaches Jackson
+XXXV.     Dick Hamlin
+XXXVI.    Mr. Fairfield, the Agent
+XXXVII.   Frank Receives a Letter from Mr. Percival
+XXXVIII.  The Agent Is Notified
+XXXIX.    An Important Discovery
+XL.       Jonas Barton
+XLI.      Conclusion
+
+
+
+
+MAKING HIS WAY
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+TWO SCHOOL FRIENDS
+
+
+Two boys were walking in the campus of the Bridgeville Academy. They
+were apparently of about the same age--somewhere from fifteen to
+sixteen--but there was a considerable difference in their attire.
+
+Herbert Grant was neatly but coarsely dressed, and his shoes were of
+cowhide, but his face indicated a frank, sincere nature, and was
+expressive of intelligence.
+
+His companion was dressed in a suit of fine cloth, his linen was of the
+finest, his shoes were calfskin, and he had the indefinable air of a boy
+who had been reared in luxury.
+
+He had not the broad, open face of his friend--for the two boys were
+close friends--but his features were finely chiseled, indicating a share
+of pride, and a bold, self-reliant nature.
+
+He, too, was an attractive boy, and in spite of his pride possessed a
+warm, affectionate heart and sterling qualities, likely to endear him to
+those who could read and understand him.
+
+His name was Frank Courtney, and he is the hero of my story.
+
+"Have you written your Latin exercises, Frank?" asked Herbert.
+
+"Yes; I finished them an hour ago."
+
+"I was going to ask you to write them with me. It is pleasanter to
+study in company."
+
+"Provided you have the right sort of company," rejoined Frank.
+
+"Am I the right sort of company?" inquired Herbert, with a smile.
+
+"You hardly need to ask that, Herbert. Are we not always together? If I
+did not like your company, I should not seek it so persistently. I don't
+care to boast, but I have plenty of offers of companionship which I
+don't care to accept. There is Bob Stickney, for instance, who is always
+inviting me to his room; but you know what he is--a lazy fellow, who
+cares more to have a good time than to study. Then there is James
+Cameron, a conceited, empty-headed fellow, who is very disagreeable to
+me."
+
+"You don't mention your stepbrother, Mark Manning."
+
+"For two reasons--he doesn't care for my company, and of all the boys I
+dislike him the most."
+
+"I don't like him myself. But why do you dislike him so much?"
+
+"Because he is a sneak--a crafty, deceitful fellow, always scheming for
+his own interest. He hates me, but he doesn't dare to show it. His
+father is my mother's husband, but the property is hers, and will be
+mine. He thinks he may some day be dependent on me, and he conceals his
+dislike in order to stand the better chance by and by. Heaven grant that
+it may be long before my dear mother is called away!"
+
+"How did she happen to marry again, Frank?"
+
+"I can hardly tell. It was a great grief to me. Mr. Manning was a
+penniless lawyer, who ingratiated himself with my mother, and
+persecuted her till she consented to marry him. He is very soft-spoken,
+and very plausible, and he managed to make mother--who has been an
+invalid for years--think that it would be the best thing for her to
+delegate her cares to him, and provide me with a second father."
+
+Frank did not like his stepfather, he did not trust him.
+
+"Your stepbrother, Mark Manning, enjoys the same advantages as yourself,
+does he not?" inquired Herbert.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then his father's marriage proved a good thing for him."
+
+"That is true. When he first came to the house he was poorly dressed,
+and had evidently been used to living in a poor way. He was at once
+provided with a complete outfit as good as my own, and from that time as
+much has been spent on him as on me. Don't think that I am mean enough
+to grudge him any part of the money expended upon him. If he were like
+you, I could like him, and enjoy his society; but he is just another as
+his father."
+
+Here Herbert's attention was drawn to a boy who was approaching with a
+yellow envelope in his hand.
+
+"Frank," he said, suddenly, "there's Mark Manning. He looks as if he had
+something to say to you. He has either a letter or a telegram in his
+hand."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE TELEGRAM
+
+
+Frank's heart gave a great bound at the suggestion of a telegram. A
+telegram could mean but one thing--that his mother had become suddenly
+worse.
+
+He hurried to meet his stepbrother.
+
+"Is that a telegram, Mark?" he asked, anxiously.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Is it anything about mother? Tell me quick!"
+
+"Read it for yourself, Frank."
+
+Frank drew the telegram from the envelope, and read it hastily:
+
+"My wife is very sick. I wish you and Frank to come home at once."
+
+"When does the next train start, Herbert?" asked Frank, pale with
+apprehension.
+
+"In an hour."
+
+"I shall go by that train."
+
+"I don't think I can get ready so soon," said Mark, deliberately.
+
+"Then you can come by yourself," replied Frank, impetuously. "I beg your
+pardon, Mark," he added. "I cannot expect you to feel as I do. It is not
+your mother."
+
+"It is my stepmother," said Mark.
+
+"That is quite different. But I must not linger here. I will go at once
+to Dr. Brush, and tell him of my summons home. Good-bye, Herbert, till
+we meet again."
+
+"I will go with you to the depot, Frank," said his friend,
+sympathizingly. "Don't wait for me. Go ahead, and make your preparation
+for the journey. I will be at your room in a quarter of an hour."
+
+"You won't go by the next train, Mark?" said Herbert.
+
+"No. I don't care to rush about as Frank is doing."
+
+"You would if it were your own mother who was so ill."
+
+"I am not sure. It wouldn't do any good, would it?"
+
+"You would naturally feel anxious," said Herbert.
+
+"Oh, yes, I suppose so!" answered Mark, indifferently.
+
+Mark Manning was slender and dark, with a soft voice and rather
+effeminate ways. He didn't care for the rough sports in which most boys
+delight; never played baseball or took part in athletic exercises, but
+liked to walk about, sprucely dressed, and had even been seen on the
+campus on a Saturday afternoon with his hands incased in kid gloves.
+
+For this, however, he was so ridiculed and laughed at that he had to
+draw them off and replace them in his pocket.
+
+As Frank and Herbert walked together to the railway station, the latter
+said:
+
+"It seems to me, Frank, that the telegram should have been sent to you,
+rather than to Mark Manning. You are the one who is most interested in
+the contents."
+
+"I thought of that, Herbert, but I was too much affected by the contents
+to speak of it. I am not surprised, however. It is like Mr. Manning. It
+jarred upon me to have him speak of mother as his wife. She is so, but I
+never could reconcile myself to the fact."
+
+"Do you remember your father--your own father, Frank?"
+
+"You need not have said 'your own father.' I don't recognize Mr.
+Manning as a father, at all. Yes, I remember him. I was eight years old
+when he died. He was a fine-looking man, always kind--a man to be loved
+and respected. There was not a particle of similarity between him and
+Mr. Manning. He was strong and manly."
+
+"How did it happen that he died so young?"
+
+"He was the victim of a railway accident. He had gone to New York on
+business, and was expected back on a certain day. The train on which he
+was a passenger collided with a freight train, and my poor father was
+among the passengers who were killed. The news was almost too much for
+my poor mother, although she had not yet become an invalid. It brought
+on a fit of sickness lasting for three months. She has never been
+altogether well since."
+
+"After all, Frank, the gifts of fortune, or rather Providence, are not
+so unequally distributed as at first appears. You are rich, but
+fatherless. I am poor enough but my father and mother are both spared to
+me."
+
+"I would gladly accept poverty if my father could be restored to life,
+and my mother be spared to me for twenty years to come."
+
+"I am sure you would, Frank," said Herbert. "Money is valuable, but
+there are some things far more so."
+
+They had reached the station by this time, and it was nearly the time
+for the train to start. Frank bought his ticket, and the two friends
+shook hands and bade each other good-bye.
+
+In an hour Frank was walking up the long avenue leading to the front
+door of the mansion.
+
+The door was opened by his stepfather.
+
+"How is mother?" asked Frank, anxiously.
+
+"I am grieved to say that she is very sick," said Mr. Manning, in a soft
+voice. "She had a copious hemorrhage this morning, which has weakened
+her very much."
+
+"Is she in danger?" asked Frank, anxiously.
+
+"I fear she is," said Mr. Manning.
+
+"I suppose I can see her?"
+
+"Yes; but it will be better not to make her talk much."
+
+"I will be careful, sir."
+
+Frank waited no longer, but hurried to his mother's chamber. As he
+entered, and his glance fell on the bed and its occupant, he was shocked
+by the pale and ghastly appearance of the mother whom he so dearly
+loved. The thought came to him at once:
+
+"She cannot live."
+
+He found it difficult to repress a rising sob, but he did so for his
+mother's sake. He thought that it might affect her injuriously if he
+should display emotion.
+
+His mother smiled faintly as he approached the bed.
+
+"Mother," said Frank, kneeling by the bedside, "are you very weak?"
+
+"Yes, Frank," she answered, almost in a whisper. "I think I am going to
+leave you."
+
+"Oh, don't say that, mother!" burst forth in anguish from Frank's lips.
+"Try to live for my sake."
+
+"I should like to live, my dear boy," whispered his mother; "but if it
+is God's will that I should die, I must be reconciled. I leave you in
+his care."
+
+Here Mr. Manning entered the room.
+
+"You will be kind to my boy?" said the dying mother.
+
+"Can you doubt it, my dear?" replied her husband, in the soft tones
+Frank so much disliked. "I will care for him as if he were my own."
+
+"Thank you. Then I shall die easy."
+
+"Don't speak any more, mother. It will tire you, and perhaps bring on
+another hemorrhage."
+
+"Frank is right, my dear. You had better not exert yourself any more at
+present."
+
+"Didn't Mark come with you?" asked Mr. Manning of Frank.
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"I am surprised that he should not have done so. I sent for him as well
+as you."
+
+"I believe he is coming by the next train," said Frank, indifferently.
+"He thought he could not get ready in time for my train."
+
+"He should not have left you to come at such a time."
+
+"I didn't wish him to inconvenience himself, Mr. Manning. If it had been
+his mother, it would have been different."
+
+Mr. Manning did not reply. He understood very well that there was no
+love lost between Mark and his stepson.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+FRANK'S BEREAVEMENT
+
+
+Early in the evening Mark made his appearance. Supper had been over for
+an hour, and everything was cold. In a house where there is sickness,
+the regular course of things is necessarily interrupted, and, because he
+could not have his wants attended to immediately, Mark saw fit to
+grumble and scold the servants. He was not a favorite with them, and
+they did not choose to be bullied.
+
+Deborah, who had been in the house for ten years, and so assumed the
+independence of an old servant, sharply reprimanded the spoiled boy.
+
+"You ought to be ashamed, Mr. Mark," she said, "of making such a fuss
+when my poor mistress lies upstairs at the point of death."
+
+"Do you know who you are talking to?" demanded Mark, imperiously, for he
+could, when speaking with those whom he regarded as inferiors, exchange
+his soft tones for a voice of authority.
+
+"I ought to know by this time," answered Deborah, contemptuously. "There
+is no other in the house like you, I am glad to say."
+
+"You are very impertinent. You forget that you are nothing but a
+servant."
+
+"A servant has the right to be decently treated, Mr. Mark."
+
+"If you don't look out," said Mark, in a blustering tone, "I will report
+you to my father, and have you kicked out of the house."
+
+Deborah was naturally incensed at this rude speech, but she was spared
+the trouble of replying. Frank entered the room at this moment in time
+to hear Mark's last speech.
+
+"What is this about being kicked out of the house?" he asked, looking
+from Mark to Deborah, in a tone of unconscious authority, which
+displeased his stepbrother.
+
+"That is my business," replied Mark, shortly.
+
+"Mr. Mark has threatened to have me kicked out of the house because he
+has to wait for his supper," said Deborah.
+
+"It wasn't for that. It was because you were impertinent. All the same,
+I think it is shameful that I can't get anything to eat."
+
+"I regret, Mark," said Frank, with cool sarcasm, "that you should be
+inconvenienced about your meals. Perhaps you will excuse it, as my poor
+mother is so sick that she requires extra attention from the servants.
+Deborah, if possible, don't let Mark wait much longer. It seems to be
+very important that he should have his supper."
+
+"He shall have it," assured Deborah, rather enjoying the way in which
+Mark was put down; "that is, if he don't get me kicked out of the
+house."
+
+"You had better not make any such threats in the future, Mark," said
+Frank, significantly.
+
+"Who's to hinder?" blustered Mark.
+
+"I am," answered Frank, pointedly.
+
+"You are nothing but a boy like me," retorted Mark.
+
+"My mother is mistress here, and I represent her."
+
+"Things may change soon," muttered Mark; but Frank had left the room and
+did not hear him.
+
+Mark did not trouble himself even to inquire for his stepmother, but
+went out to the stable and lounged about until bedtime. He seemed very
+much bored, and so expressed himself.
+
+Frank wished to sit up all night with his mother, but, as she had a
+professional nurse, it was thought best that he should obtain his
+regular rest, the nurse promising to call the family if any change
+should be apparent in her patient's condition.
+
+About half-past four in the morning there was a summons.
+
+"Mrs. Manning is worse," said the nurse. "I don't think she can last
+long."
+
+One last glance of love--though she could no longer speak--assured Frank
+that she knew him and loved him to the last.
+
+The memory of that look often came back to him in the years that
+followed, and he would not have parted with it for anything that earth
+could give.
+
+Just as the clock struck five, his mother breathed her last. The boy
+gazed upon the inanimate form, but he was dazed, and could not realize
+that his mother had left him, never to return.
+
+"She is gone," said Mr. Manning, softly.
+
+"Dead!" ejaculated Frank.
+
+"Yes, her sufferings are over. Let us hope she is better off. My boy, I
+think you had better return to your bed. You can do nothing for your
+mother now."
+
+"I would rather stay here," said Frank, sadly. "I can at least look at
+her, and soon I shall lose even that comfort."
+
+The thought was too much for the poor boy, and he burst into tears.
+
+"Do as you please, Frank," assented Mr. Manning. "I feel for you, and I
+share in your grief. I will go and tell Mark of our sad loss."
+
+He made his way to Mark's chamber and entered. He touched Mark, who was
+in a doze, and he started up.
+
+"What's the matter?" he asked, crossly.
+
+"Your poor mother is dead, Mark."
+
+"Well, there was no need to wake me for that," said the boy, irritably.
+"I can't help it, can I?"
+
+"I think, my son, you might speak with more feeling. Death is a solemn
+thing."
+
+"There's nobody here but me," said Mark, sneering.
+
+"I don't catch your meaning," said his father, showing some annoyance,
+for it is not pleasant to be seen through.
+
+"Why should you care so much?" continued Mark. "I suppose you will be
+well provided for. Do you know how she has left the property? How much
+of it goes to Frank?"
+
+"I can't say," said Mr. Manning. "I never asked my wife."
+
+"Do you mean to say, father, that you don't know how the property is
+left?" asked Mark, with a sharp glance at his father.
+
+"I may have my conjectures," said Mr. Manning, softly. "I don't think my
+dear wife would leave me without some evidences of her affection.
+Probably the bulk of the estate goes to your brother, and something to
+me. Doubtless we shall continue to live here, as I shall naturally be
+your brother's guardian."
+
+"Don't call him my brother," said Mark.
+
+"Why not? True, he is only your stepbrother; but you have lived under
+the same roof, and been to school together, and this ought to strengthen
+the tie between you."
+
+"I don't like Frank," said Mark. "He puts on altogether too many airs."
+
+"I had not observed that," said his father.
+
+"Well, I have. Only this evening he saw fit to speak impudently to me."
+
+"Indeed! I am really amazed to hear it," said Mr. Manning, softly.
+
+"Oh, he thinks he is the master of the house, or will be," said Mark,
+"and he presumes on that."
+
+"He is unwise," said Mr. Manning. "Even if the whole property descends
+to him, which I can hardly believe possible, I, as his guardian, will
+have the right to control him."
+
+"I hope you'll do it, father. At any rate, don't let him boss over me,
+for I won't stand it."
+
+"I don't think he will boss over you," answered his father, in a slow,
+measured voice, betraying, however, neither anger nor excitement. "Of
+course, I should not permit that."
+
+Mark regarded his father fixedly.
+
+"I guess the old man knows what's in the will," he said to himself. "He
+knows how to feather his own nest. I hope he's feathered mine, too."
+
+Mr. Manning passed from his son's chamber and went softly upstairs,
+looking thoughtful.
+
+Anyone who could read the impassive face would have read trouble in
+store for Frank.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+MRS. MANNING'S WILL
+
+
+During the preparations for the funeral Frank was left pretty much to
+himself.
+
+Mr. Manning's manner was so soft, and to him had been so deferential,
+that he did not understand the man. It didn't occur to him that it was
+assumed for a purpose.
+
+That manner was not yet laid aside. His stepfather offered to comfort
+him, but Frank listened in silence. Nothing that Mr. Manning could say
+had the power to lighten his load of grief. So far as words could
+console him, the sympathy of Deborah and the coachman, both old
+servants, whom his mother trusted, had more effect, for he knew that it
+was sincere, and that they were really attached to his mother.
+
+Of Mr. Manning he felt a profound distrust, which no words of his could
+remove.
+
+Meanwhile, Mr. Manning was looking from an upper window down the fine
+avenue, and his eye ranged from left to right over the ample estate with
+a glance of self-complacent triumph.
+
+"All mine at last!" he said to himself, exultingly. "What I have been
+working for has come to pass. Three years ago I was well-nigh penniless,
+and now I am a rich man. I shall leave Mark the master of a great
+fortune. I have played my cards well. No one will suspect anything
+wrong. My wife and I have lived in harmony. There will be little wonder
+that she has left all to me. There would be, perhaps, but for the manner
+in which I have taken care he shall be mentioned in the will--I mean, of
+course, in the will I have made for her."
+
+He paused, and, touching a spring in the wall, a small door flew open,
+revealing a shallow recess.
+
+In this recess was a folded paper, tied with a red ribbon.
+
+Mr. Manning opened it, and his eyes glanced rapidly down the page.
+
+"This is the true will," he said to himself. "I wish I could summon
+courage to burn it. It would be best out of the way. That, if found
+out, would make me amenable to the law, and I must run no risk. In this
+secret recess it will never be found. I will replace it, and the
+document which I have had prepared will take its place, and no one will
+be the wiser."
+
+On the day after the funeral, the family solicitor and a few intimate
+friends, who had been invited by Mr. Manning, assembled in the drawing
+room of the mansion to hear the will read.
+
+Mr. Manning himself notified Frank of the gathering and its object.
+
+He found our hero lying on the bed in his chamber, sad and depressed.
+
+"I don't like to intrude upon your grief, my dear boy," said his
+stepfather, softly, "but it is necessary. The last will of your dear
+mother and my beloved wife is about to be read, and your presence is
+necessary."
+
+"Couldn't it be put off?" asked Frank, sadly. "It seems too soon to
+think of such things."
+
+"Pardon me, my dear Frank, but it is quite needful that there should be
+an immediate knowledge of the contents of the will, in order that the
+right person may look after the business interests of the estate. I
+assure you that it is the invariable custom to read the will immediately
+after the funeral."
+
+"If that is the custom, and it is necessary, I have nothing to say. When
+is the will to be read?"
+
+"At three o'clock, and it is now two."
+
+"Very well, sir; I will come down in time."
+
+"Of course there can't be much doubt as to the contents of the will,"
+pursued Mr. Manning. "You are doubtless the heir, and as you are a
+minor, I am probably your guardian. Should such be the case, I hope
+that the relations between us may be altogether friendly."
+
+"I hope so," said Frank, gravely.
+
+At three o'clock the members of the family, with a few outside friends,
+gathered in the drawing room. The family solicitor, Mr, Ferret, held in
+his hand what purported to be the last will of Mrs. Manning.
+
+The widowed husband had directed the lawyer to the bureau of the
+deceased lady as likely to contain her will. It was found without
+trouble in the topmost drawer.
+
+Deborah and the coachman had speculated as to whether they would be
+invited to attend at the reading of the will.
+
+Their doubts were set at rest by an invitation from Mr. Manning himself.
+
+"You were so long in the service of my dear wife," he said, "that it is
+fitting that you be present at the reading of her will, in which it is
+quite probable that you may be personally interested."
+
+"He is uncommonly polite, I am sure," thought Deborah, disposed for the
+moment to think more favorably of the man whom she had never been able
+to like.
+
+"My friends," said the lawyer, after a preliminary cough, "you are
+assembled to listen to the will of Mrs. Manning, just deceased. The
+document which I hold in my hand I believe to be such an instrument. I
+will now open if for the first time."
+
+He untied the ribbon, and began reading the will.
+
+It commenced with the usual formula, and proceeded to a few bequests of
+trifling amount.
+
+Deborah and Richard Green were each left two hundred dollars, "as a
+slight acknowledgment of their faithful service."
+
+One or two friends of the family were remembered, but to an
+inconsiderable extent. Then came the important clause:
+
+"All the rest and residue of the property of which I may die possessed I
+leave to my beloved husband, James Manning, whose devoted affection has
+made happy the last years of my life. Having implicit confidence in his
+good judgment and kindness of heart, I request him to make proper
+provision for my dear son Frank, whose happiness I earnestly desire. I
+hope that he will consent to be guided by the wisdom and experience of
+his stepfather, who, I am sure, will study his interests and counsel him
+wisely. In my sorrow at parting with my dear son, it is an unspeakable
+comfort to me to feel that he will have such a guardian and protector."
+
+Frank listened with amazement, which was shared by all present.
+
+Practically, he was disinherited, and left wholly dependent upon his
+stepfather.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+DISINHERITED
+
+
+The contents of the will created general astonishment. There was not one
+in the room who didn't know the devotion of Mrs. Manning to her son
+Frank, yet, while speaking of him affectionately, she had treated him,
+as they considered, most cruelly. Why should she have left such a
+dangerous power in her husband's hands?
+
+And how was Mr. Manning affected?
+
+He summoned to his face an expression of bewilderment and surprise,
+and, feeling that all eyes were fixed upon, him, he turned toward the
+lawyer.
+
+"Mr. Ferret," he said, "I need hardly say that this will surprises me
+very much, as I see that it does the friends who are present. Are you
+sure that there is no codicil?"
+
+"I have been unable to discover any, Mr. Manning," said the lawyer,
+gravely, as he scanned the face of the widower keenly.
+
+Mr. Manning applied his handkerchief to his eyes, and seemed overcome by
+emotion.
+
+"I knew my dear wife's confidence in me," he said, in a tremulous voice,
+"but I was not prepared for such a striking manifestation of it."
+
+"Nor I," said Mr. Ferret, dryly.
+
+"Knowing her strong attachment to Frank," paused Mr. Manning, "I feel
+the full extent and significance of that confidence when she leaves him
+so unreservedly to my care and guidance. I hope that I may be found
+worthy of the trust."
+
+"I hope so, sir," said Mr. Ferret, who, sharp lawyer as he was, doubted
+whether all was right, and was willing that Mr. Manning should be made
+aware of his feeling. "It is certainly a remarkable proviso, considering
+the affection which your wife entertained for her son."
+
+"Precisely, Mr. Ferret. It shows how much confidence the dear departed
+felt in me."
+
+"So far as I can see, the boy is left wholly dependent upon you."
+
+"He shall not regret it!" said Mr. Manning, fervently. "I consecrate my
+life to this sacred trust."
+
+"You acquiesce in the arrangement, then, Mr. Manning?"
+
+"I cannot do otherwise, can I?"
+
+"There is nothing to prevent your settling the property, or any part of
+it, on the natural heir, Mr. Manning. You must pardon me for saying that
+it would have been wiser had your wife so stipulated by will."
+
+"I cannot consent to reverse, or in any way annul, the last wishes of my
+dear wife," said Mr. Manning, hastily. "It was her arrangement solely,
+and I hold it sacred. She has put upon me a serious responsibility, from
+which I shrink, indeed, but which I cannot decline. I will do all in my
+power to carry out the wishes of my late wife."
+
+Mr. Ferret shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"I am not surprised at your decision, sir," he said, coldly. "Few men
+would resist the temptation. My duty is discharged with the reading of
+the will, and I will bid you good-afternoon!"
+
+Mr. Manning was a crafty man. He knew that the strange will would be
+discussed, and he thought it best that the discussion should come at
+once, that it might be the sooner finished.
+
+Deborah, faithful old servant, was in a blaze of indignation.
+
+She went up quickly to Frank, and said:
+
+"It's a shame, Mr. Frank, so it is!"
+
+"If my mother made that will, it is all right," said Frank, gravely.
+
+"But she didn't, Mr. Frank! I know she would never do such a thing. She
+loved you as the apple of her eye, and she would not cheat you out of
+your rightful inheritance."
+
+"No more she would, Mr. Frank," said the coachman, chiming in.
+
+"I don't know what to think," said Frank. "It has surprised me very
+much."
+
+"Surprised you!" exclaimed Deborah. "You may well say that. You might
+have knocked me down with a feather when I heard the property left away
+from you. Depend upon it, that man knows all about it."
+
+"You mean Mr. Manning?"
+
+"To be sure I mean him! Oh, he's managed artfully! I say that for him.
+He's got it all into his own hands, and you haven't a cent."
+
+"If it was my mother's will I wouldn't complain of that, Deborah. It was
+hers to do with as she liked, and I know, at any rate, that she loved
+me."
+
+"There's one thing surprises me," said Richard Green. "If so be as the
+will isn't genuine, how does it happen that you and I come in for a
+legacy, Deborah?"
+
+"It's meant for a blind," answered Deborah. "Oh, he's the artfulest
+man!"
+
+"You may be right, Deborah. I must say the will sounded all right."
+
+"Maybe it was copied from the mistress' will."
+
+This conversation took place in one corner of the room.
+
+It ceased as Mr. Ferret advanced toward the disinherited boy.
+
+"Frank," said he, in a tone of sympathy, "I am very sorry for the
+provisions of the will."
+
+"So am I, sir," answered our hero. "It isn't pleasant to be dependent on
+Mr. Manning."
+
+"Particularly when the whole estate should be yours."
+
+"I wouldn't have minded if half had been left to him, provided I had
+been left independent of him."
+
+"I appreciate your feelings, Frank. I knew your father, and I am proud
+to say that he was my friend. I knew your mother well, and I esteemed
+her highly. I hope you will let me regard myself as your friend also."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Ferret!" said Frank. "I am likely to need a friend. I
+shall remember your kind proposal. I want to ask you one question."
+
+"Ask, and I shall answer."
+
+"Did my mother consult with you about making this will?"
+
+"No, Frank."
+
+"Did she ever say anything that would lead you to think she would leave
+the property as it is left in this will?"
+
+"Not a word."
+
+"Was there another will?"
+
+"Yes. I wrote her will at her direction more than a year ago. This will
+is dated only three months since, and, of course, takes precedence of
+it, even if the other is in existence."
+
+"Can you tell me what were the provisions of the other will?"
+
+"A legacy of ten thousand dollars was left to Mr. Manning, and the rest
+of the estate to you, except the small legacies, which were all larger
+than in the will I have read. For instance, Deborah and Richard Green
+were each put down for five hundred dollars."
+
+"So they suffer as well as I?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Have you any idea, Mr. Ferret, of the value of the estate which falls
+into Mr. Manning's hands?"
+
+"I have some idea, because I have talked with your mother on the
+subject. This estate is worth fifty thousand dollars at least, and there
+are fully fifty thousand dollars in money and bonds. The legacies do not
+altogether exceed one thousand dollars, and therefore it may be said
+that your stepfather has fallen heir to one hundred thousand dollars."
+
+"I suppose there is nothing I can do, Mr. Ferret?"
+
+"Not unless you can show that this will which I have read is not a
+genuine document. That would be difficult."
+
+"Did you notice my mother's signature?"
+
+"Yes. I am not an expert, but I cannot detect any difference greater
+than maybe existed between two signatures of the same person."
+
+"Then I suppose there is nothing to be done at present. I expect to have
+a hard time with Mr. Manning, Mr. Ferret."
+
+"How has he treated you in the past, Frank?" asked the lawyer.
+
+"I have had nothing to complain of; but then he was not master of the
+estate. Now it is difficult, and I think his treatment of me will be
+different."
+
+"You may be right. You remember what I said, Frank?"
+
+"That I should regard you as a friend? I won't forget it, Mr. Ferret."
+
+One by one the company left the house, and Frank was alone.
+
+Left alone and unsustained by sympathy, he felt more bitterly than
+before the totally unexpected change in his circumstances.
+
+Up to the last hour he had regarded himself as the heir of the estate.
+Now he was only a dependent of a man whom he heartily disliked.
+
+Could it be that this misfortune had come to him through the agency of
+his mother?
+
+"I will not believe it!" he exclaimed, energetically.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+AN UNSATISFACTORY INTERVIEW
+
+
+Frank came to a decision the next morning. A long deferred interview
+with his stepfather was necessary. Having made up his mind, he entered
+the room in which his stepfather sat. His air was manly and his bearing
+that of a boy who respects himself, but there was none of the swagger
+which some boys think it necessary to exhibit when they wish to assert
+their rights.
+
+Mr. Manning, in a flowered dressing gown, sat at a table, with a sheet
+of paper before him and a lead pencil in his hand. Short as had been the
+interval since his accession to the property, he was figuring up the
+probable income he would derive from the estate.
+
+He looked up as Frank entered the room, and surveyed him with cold and
+sarcastic eyes. His soft tones were dropped.
+
+"Mr. Manning," said Frank, "I wish to talk to you."
+
+"You may, of course," his stepfather replied mildly. "It is about the
+will," Frank advised him.
+
+"So you would complain of your poor mother, would you?" said his
+stepfather, in a tone of virtuous indignation.
+
+"I cannot believe that my mother made that will."
+
+Mr. Manning colored. He scented danger. Should Frank drop such hints
+elsewhere, he might make trouble, and lead to a legal investigation,
+which Mr. Manning had every reason to dread.
+
+"This is very foolish," he said, more mildly. "No doubt you are
+disappointed, but probably your mother has provided wisely. You will
+want for nothing, and you will be prepared for the responsibilities of
+manhood under my auspices."
+
+Mr. Manning's face assumed a look of self-complacence as he uttered
+these last words.
+
+"I have no blame to cast upon my dear mother," said Frank. "If she made
+that will, she acted under a great mistake."
+
+"What mistake, sir?"
+
+"She failed to understand you."
+
+"Do you mean to imply that I shall be false to my trust?"
+
+"Not at present, sir. I don't wish to judge of you too hastily."
+
+As the boy turned to go, he said. "I have nothing further to say, sir."
+
+"But I have," said Mr. Manning.
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+"I demand that you treat my son Mark with suitable respect, and forbear
+to infringe upon his rights."
+
+Frank looked up, and answered, with spirit: "I shall treat Mark as well
+as he treats me, sir. Is that satisfactory?"
+
+"I apprehend," said Mr. Manning, "that you may make some mistakes upon
+that point."
+
+"I will try not to do so, sir."
+
+Frank left the room, and this time was not called back.
+
+His stepfather looked after him, but his face expressed neither
+friendliness nor satisfaction.
+
+"That boy requires taming," he said to himself. "He is going to make
+trouble. I must consider what I will do with him."
+
+As Mr. Manning reviewed Frank's words, there was one thing which
+especially disturbed him--the doubt expressed by his stepson as to his
+mother's having actually made the will.
+
+He saw that it would not do for him to go too far in his persecution of
+Frank as it might drive the latter to consult a lawyer in regard to the
+validity of the will by which he had been disinherited.
+
+Frank rather gloomily made his way to the stable. As he reached it,
+Richard Green came out.
+
+"I'm sorry for you, Mr. Frank. But your mother was a saint. She was too
+good to suspect the badness of others, Mr. Frank. She thought old
+Manning was really all that he pretended to be, and that he would be as
+kind to you as she was herself. When she was alive, he was always as
+soft as--as silk."
+
+"His manner has changed now," said Frank, gravely. "Excuse me, Richard,
+for finding fault with you, but don't call him old Manning."
+
+"Why not, Mr. Frank?"
+
+"I have no liking for Mr. Manning--in fact, I dislike him--but he was
+the husband of my mother, and I prefer to speak of him respectfully."
+
+"I dare say you are right, Mr. Frank, but, all the same, he don't
+deserve it. Is Mr. Mark to ride Ajax then?"
+
+"If he asks for it, you are to saddle Ajax for him. I don't want you to
+get into any trouble with Mr. Manning on my account."
+
+"I don't care for that, Mr. Frank. I can get another place, and I don't
+much care to serve Mr. Manning."
+
+"I would rather you would stay, if you can, Richard. I don't want to see
+a new face in the stable."
+
+"I don't think he means to keep me long, Mr. Frank. Deborah and I will
+have to go, I expect, and he'll get some servants of his own here."
+
+"Has he hinted anything of this, Richard?" asked Frank, quickly.
+
+"No; but he will soon, you may depend on it. I won't lose sight of you,
+though. I've known you since you were four years old, and I won't desert
+you, if I can do any good--nor Deborah, either."
+
+"I have two friends, then, at any rate," said Frank to himself. "That is
+something."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+A SCHOOL FRIEND
+
+
+Early Monday morning it had been the custom for Frank and Mark to take
+the train for Bridgeville, to enter upon a new week at the academy.
+
+Frank felt that it would be better for him to go back without any
+further vacation, as occupation would serve to keep him from brooding
+over his loss.
+
+"Are you ready, Mark?" he asked, as he rose from the breakfast table.
+
+"Ready for what?"
+
+"To go back to school, of course."
+
+"I am not going back this morning," answered Mark.
+
+"Why not?" asked Frank, in some surprise.
+
+"I am going to stay at home to help father," said Mark, with a glance at
+Mr. Manning.
+
+"If I can be of any service to you, sir, I will stay, too," said Frank,
+politely.
+
+"Thank you, but Mark will do all I require," replied his stepfather.
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+Frank appeared at the academy with a grave face and subdued manner,
+suggestive of the great loss he had sustained. From his schoolfellows,
+with whom he was a favorite, he received many words of sympathy--from
+none more earnest or sincere than from Herbert Grant.
+
+"I know how you feel, Frank," he said, pressing the hand of his friend.
+"If I could comfort you I would, but I don't know how to do it."
+
+"I find comfort in your sympathy," said Frank. "I look upon you as my
+warmest friend here."
+
+"I am glad of that, Frank."
+
+To Herbert alone Frank spoke of his mother and her devoted affection;
+but even to him he did not like to mention the will and his
+disinheritance. He did not so much lament the loss of the property as
+that he had lost it by the direction of his mother, or, rather, because
+it would generally be supposed so.
+
+For himself, he doubted the genuineness of the will, but he felt that it
+was useless to speak of it, as he was unprepared with any proofs.
+
+So it happened that when, on Wednesday afternoon Mark Manning made his
+appearance, Frank's change of position, as respected the property, was
+neither known nor suspected by his schoolfellows. It was soon known,
+however, and of course, through Mark.
+
+The boys immediately noticed a change in Mark. He assumed an air of
+consequence, and actually strutted across the campus. Instead of being
+polite and attentive to Frank, he passed him with a careless nod, such
+as a superior might bestow on an inferior.
+
+"What has come over Mark?" asked Herbert of Frank, as the two were
+walking together from recitation.
+
+"How do you mean?"
+
+"He holds his head higher than he used to do. He looks as if he had been
+elected to some important office."
+
+"You will soon learn, Herbert," said Frank. "Make a pretext to join him,
+and let the news come from him."
+
+Herbert looked puzzled.
+
+"Do you wish me to do this?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, I have a reason for it."
+
+"Very well. I am always ready to oblige you, Frank, but I hope Mark
+won't think I have suddenly formed a liking for his society."
+
+"If he does, you can soon undeceive him."
+
+"That is true."
+
+Herbert left the side of his friend, and sauntered toward Mark.
+
+As Herbert was known as Frank's especial friend, Mark was at first
+surprised, but quickly decided that his improved position had been
+communicated by Frank, and that Herbert was influenced by it. That is to
+say, he judged Herbert to be as mean and mercenary as himself.
+
+Herbert's position was too humble to entitle him to much notice from
+Mark, but the latter was pleased with the prospect of detaching from
+Frank his favorite friend.
+
+"You came back rather late, Mark," said Herbert.
+
+"Yes," answered Mark, with an air of importance. "I remained at home a
+short time, to help my father in his accounts. You know the property is
+large, and there is a good deal to do."
+
+"I should think that was Frank's place, to help about the accounts."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"The property is his, of course!"
+
+"Did he tell you that?" asked Mark, sharply.
+
+"He has not said a word about the property."
+
+"No, I suppose not," said Mark, with a sneering laugh.
+
+"Has anything happened? Didn't his mother leave as much as was
+expected?" went on Herbert, quite in the dark.
+
+"Yes, she left a large estate, but she didn't leave it to him."
+
+"To whom, then?"
+
+"To my father!" replied Mark, with conscious pride. "Frank has nothing.
+He is entirely dependent upon father."
+
+"Did his mother leave him nothing, then?" asked Herbert, in pained
+surprise.
+
+"Nothing at all," assured Mark, complacently.
+
+"That is very strange and unjust."
+
+"I don't look upon it in that light," said Mark, nettled. "My father
+knows what is best for him. He will provide for him just as his mother
+did before."
+
+"But when Frank is of age, doesn't he come into possession of the estate
+then?"
+
+"No, of course not. Didn't I tell you it belongs to father? Frank is a
+poor boy--as poor as you," said Mark, in a tone of evident satisfaction.
+
+"Or you," added Herbert, pointedly.
+
+"You are mistaken," said Mark, quickly. "I am father's heir."
+
+"Suppose your father dies--how will the property go?"
+
+"I suppose something will be left to Frank, unless my father leaves me
+the property, with directions to provide for him."
+
+"Would you think that right and just?" demanded Herbert, indignantly.
+
+"Of course I would. My stepmother knew what she was about when she made
+her will. I see you are surprised. You won't be quite to thick with
+Frank, now, I expect."
+
+"Why shouldn't I be?"
+
+"Because he is just as poor as you are. He never can help you."
+
+"Mark Manning, I believe you are about the meanest boy I ever
+encountered, and you judge me by yourself!"
+
+"Do you mean to insult me? Mind what you say!" blustered Mark,
+unpleasantly surprised at this outburst from a boy whom he expected
+would now transfer his allegiance from Frank to himself.
+
+"I mean that you and your father have robbed Frank of his inheritance,
+and glory in it, and you think that I am mean enough to desert him
+because he is no longer rich. It makes no difference to me whether he is
+rich or poor. I think I like him all the better because he has been so
+badly treated. As for you, I despise you, and shall continue to, even if
+you get the whole of Frank's money."
+
+"You forget that you are talking to a gentleman, you low-born mechanic!"
+said Mark, angrily.
+
+"You a gentleman!" replied Herbert, contemptuously. "Then I never want
+to be one!"
+
+He walked away, leaving Mark very much incensed.
+
+"He is a fool!" muttered Mark. "When I am a rich man, he may repent
+having insulted me."
+
+Herbert went back to Frank.
+
+"Did he tell you?" asked Frank, quietly.
+
+"Yes; and he actually appeared to think I would be ready to desert you
+because you were poor, and follow him about."
+
+"I am not afraid of that, Herbert."
+
+"I don't think Mark will have that idea any more. I gave him a piece of
+my mind, and left him very angry. But what does it all mean, Frank?"
+
+"I know no more than you do, Herbert. I cannot understand it."
+
+"What could have induced your mother to make such a will?"
+
+"I cannot believe my poor mother ever made such a will; but, if she
+did, I am very sure that she was over-persuaded by my stepfather, who is
+one of the most plausible of men."
+
+"What shall you do about it?"
+
+"What can I do? I am only a boy. I have no proof, you know."
+
+"How are you likely to be treated?"
+
+"I have had a little foretaste of that."
+
+"It looks very bad for you, Frank," admitted Herbert, in a tone of
+sympathy.
+
+"I don't so much care for the loss of the property, Herbert," said
+Frank, "but I am afraid I shall have sorts of annoyances to endure from
+Mark and his father. But I won't anticipate trouble. I will do my duty,
+and trust that things will turn out better than I fear."
+
+The next afternoon a letter was placed in Frank's hands. It was in a
+brown envelope, and directed in a cramped and evidently unpracticed
+hand, with which Frank was not familiar.
+
+On opening it, a glance at the signature showed that it was from Richard
+Green, the coachman. It commenced:
+
+"Dear Mr. Frank: This comes hoping you are well. I have no good news to
+tell. Mr. Manning has sold your horse, Ajax, and he is to be taken away
+to-night. I thought you ought to know it, and that is why I take my pen
+in hand to write."
+
+There was more, but this is all that was important.
+
+Frank's face flushed with anger. He immediately went in search of Mark,
+who, he felt assured, knew of the sale.
+
+It may be said here that Ajax was one of Frank's dearest trophies, a
+gift from his mother.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A NEW PLAN
+
+
+Mark was in his room, where Frank found him trying on a new necktie.
+Though decidedly plain, Mark fancied himself very good-looking, and
+spent no little time on personal adornment. In particular, he had a
+weakness for new neckties, in which he indulged himself freely.
+
+When the boys came to the academy, the principal proposed that they
+should room together; but both objected, and Mark had a room to
+himself--no one caring to room with him.
+
+"Take a seat, Frank," said Mark, condescendingly. "Is there anything I
+can do for you?"
+
+"Yes," answered Frank. "I hear your father has sold Ajax, or is
+intending to do so. Will you tell me if it is true?"
+
+"I believe it is," answered Mark, indifferently.
+
+"And what right has he to sell my horse?" demanded Frank, indignantly.
+
+"You'd better ask him," said Mark, with provoking coolness.
+
+"It is an outrage," said Frank, indignantly.
+
+"As to that," said his stepbrother, "you can't expect father to be at
+the expense of feeding your horse."
+
+"With my money?"
+
+"The money is legally his," replied Mark.
+
+"Do you know to whom your father has sold Ajax?"
+
+"To Col. Vincent, I believe."
+
+"I am glad, at any rate, that he will have a good master."
+
+Frank felt that there would be no advantage in prolonging the interview,
+or carrying on further a war of words.
+
+He sought out his friend Herbert, and communicated to him this last
+infraction of his rights.
+
+"It is too bad, Frank!" said his sympathizing friend.
+
+"Yes, it is," said Frank, gravely; "but I fear it is only the beginning
+of annoyances. I don't believe I can ever live in any place with Mr.
+Manning or Mark."
+
+"Will it be necessary?"
+
+"I suppose so. I have no money, as you know. All has gone to him.
+Herbert, I tell you frankly, I envy you and your position."
+
+"Though my father is a poor man?"
+
+"Yes; for, at any rate, you have a peaceful home, and a father and
+mother who love you. I have a stepfather, who will do all he can to make
+me miserable."
+
+"Would you be willing to work for your own support, Frank?"
+
+"Yes; far rather than remain a dependent on Mr. Manning."
+
+"Suppose you should run away," suggested Herbert.
+
+Frank shook his head.
+
+"I wouldn't do that except in case of extreme necessity. I know that if
+my mother knows what goes on here, it would grieve her for me to take
+such a step."
+
+"Suppose your stepfather should consent to your leaving home?"
+
+"Then I would do so gladly. I am willing to work and I think I could
+make a living in some way."
+
+"Why not ask him?"
+
+Frank's face brightened.
+
+"Thank you for the hint, Herbert," he said. "I will think of it, and I
+may act upon it."
+
+Frank was naturally self-reliant and energetic. He was not disposed to
+shrink from the duties of life, but was ready to go forth to meet them.
+The idea which Herbert had suggested commended itself to him the more he
+thought of it.
+
+In spite, therefore, of the news which he had received about Ajax, he
+resumed his cheerfulness, considerably to the surprise of Mark, whose
+natural suspicion led him to conjecture that Frank had some plan in view
+to circumvent his father.
+
+"If he has, he'd better give it up," reflected Mark. "The old man's as
+sly as a fox. A raw boy like Frank can't get the better of him."
+
+At the close of the week, both the boys went home. They were on board
+the same train and the same car, but did not sit together. When they
+reached the house, Mr. Manning was not at home.
+
+Frank went out to the stable at once to see Richard Green, the coachman.
+
+He found him, indeed, but he also found another man, a stranger, who
+appeared to be employed in the stable.
+
+"Who is this, Richard?" asked Frank.
+
+"My successor," answered the coachman.
+
+"Are you going to leave?" asked Frank, hastily.
+
+"Come out with me, Mr. Frank, and I will tell you," said Richard. "I've
+had notice to leave," he said, "and so has Deborah. It came last
+evening. Mr. Manning got a letter from Bridgeville--I know that, because
+I brought it home from the post office--which appeared to make him
+angry. He called Deborah and me and told us that he should not need our
+services any longer."
+
+"Did he give you any reason?"
+
+"Yes; he said that he could have our places filled for a good deal less
+money, and he had no doubt we could do as well elsewhere."
+
+"He has filled your place pretty soon."
+
+"Yes. This man came this morning. I think Mr. Manning had sent for him
+already. I told you the other day we should soon be discharged."
+
+"I know it; but I can tell you what has hastened it."
+
+"What, then?"
+
+"Mark wrote his father that I had learned about the sale of Ajax, and
+that the information came from you or Deborah."
+
+"I think it likely, Mr. Frank, for the old gentleman seemed mighty cool.
+I hope you won't take it too much to heart that Ajax is sold."
+
+"I am not sure but I am glad of it," said Frank.
+
+The coachman looked at him in surprise.
+
+"I thought you would be very angry," he said.
+
+"So I was at first, but he has been sold to a man who will treat him
+well, and I shall be glad to think of that when I'm away from home."
+
+"You don't mean to run away, Mr. Frank?"
+
+"No; but I mean to get my stepfather's permission to go, if I can."
+
+"Where do you mean to go, Mr. Frank?"
+
+"Somewhere where I can earn my living, without depending upon anybody.
+You know very well, Richard, how miserable I should be to stay here in
+dependence upon Mr. Manning."
+
+"But to think that you, to whom the property rightfully belongs, should
+go away and work for a living, while that man and his boy occupy your
+place. I can't bear to think of it."
+
+"I have done a good deal of thinking within a few days, and I don't
+shrink from the prospect. I think I should rather enjoy being actively
+employed."
+
+"But you were to go to college, Mr. Frank."
+
+"I know it, Richard, but I am not sure whether it would be for the best.
+My tastes are for an active business life, and I don't care for a
+profession."
+
+"Do you think your stepfather will give you a start?"
+
+"In the way of money?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I don't know. If he won't, I have still fifty dollars in the savings
+bank, which I have saved from my pocket money. I will take that."
+
+"Mr. Frank, will you promise not to be offended at what I'm going to
+say?"
+
+"I don't think you would say anything that ought to offend me, Richard."
+
+"Then I want you to take the money that comes to me by the will--Mr.
+Manning is to pay it to me on Monday. I don't need it, and you may."
+
+Frank shook his head.
+
+"You are very kind, Richard, but I will get along with fifty dollars,
+unless Mr. Manning supplies me with more. If I really need money at any
+time, I will think of your offer."
+
+"That's something, at any rate," said Richard. partly reconciled. "You
+won't forget it now, Mr. Frank?"
+
+"No, Richard, I promise you."
+
+Frank left the stable and went thoughtfully into the house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE NEW OWNER OF AJAX
+
+
+Frank and Mark took supper alone, Mr. Manning having left word that he
+would not return till later in the evening.
+
+After supper, Frank decided to go over to call upon Col. Vincent, the
+new owner of Ajax. His estate was distant about three-quarters of a mile
+from the Cedars.
+
+As Frank started, Mark inquired:
+
+"Where are you going, Frank?"
+
+"To see Ajax," answered our hero.
+
+"Do you mean to make any fuss about him? I wouldn't advise you to."
+
+"Thank you for your advice."
+
+"I wonder what he is going to do?" thought Mark. "Of course he can't do
+anything now."
+
+He did not venture to propose to accompany Frank, knowing that his
+company would not be acceptable.
+
+"Is Col. Vincent at home?" asked Frank, at the door of a handsome house.
+
+"Yes, Mr. Courtney," replied the colored servant, pleasantly, for Frank
+was a favorite among all classes in the neighborhood. "Come right in,
+sir. De colonel am smoking a cigar on de back piazza."
+
+Frank followed the servant through the hall which intersected the house,
+and stepped out on the back piazza.
+
+A stout, elderly gentleman was taking his ease in a large rustic
+rocking chair.
+
+"Good-evening, Col. Vincent," our hero said.
+
+"Good-evening, Frank, my boy," said the colonel, heartily. "Glad to see
+you. Haven't you gone back to school?"
+
+"Yes, sir; but I came home to spend Sunday. It doesn't seem much like
+home now," he added, as his lip quivered.
+
+"You have suffered a great loss, my dear boy," said the colonel,
+feelingly.
+
+"The greatest, sir. My mother was all I had."
+
+"I suppose Mr. Manning will keep up the establishment?"
+
+"I suppose so, sir; but it is no longer home to me."
+
+"Don't take it too hard, Frank. I was sorry about the will."
+
+"So was I, sir; because it makes me dependent on a man whom I dislike."
+
+"Don't be too prejudiced, Frank. I never took any fancy to your
+stepfather myself; but then we don't need to like everybody we associate
+with."
+
+"I hear you have bought my horse, Col. Vincent," said Frank, desiring to
+change the subject.
+
+"Was Ajax your horse?"
+
+"Yes. It was given to me as a birthday present by my mother."
+
+"I had some such idea, and expressly asked Mr. Manning whether the horse
+was not yours."
+
+"What did he answer?"
+
+"That it was only nominally yours, and that he thought it best to sell
+it, as both you and Mark were absent at school, and had no time to use
+it."
+
+"I am not surprised at anything Mr. Manning may say," said Frank.
+
+"It's too bad! I'll tell you what I will do, Frank. I haven't paid for
+the horse yet. I will return it to Mr. Manning, and tell him that I
+bought it under a misapprehension of the ownership. I don't think he
+will make any fuss."
+
+"I would rather have you keep it, sir."
+
+"You would!" exclaimed the colonel, in surprise.
+
+"Yes, sir. If you should return Ajax, Mr. Manning would sell him to some
+one else, and you, I know, will treat him well."
+
+"But you will lose the use of him. No, you won't, though. Come over to
+my stable when you like, and, if he is not in use, you can take him
+out."
+
+"Thank you, sir! You are very kind. While I am in the neighborhood, I
+won't forget your kind offer. But I mean to go away."
+
+"You mean to go away! Where?"
+
+"Out into the world. Anywhere, where I can find work and make a living."
+
+"But surely this is not necessary. Your stepfather will provide for you
+without your working."
+
+"I have no reason to doubt it, Col. Vincent; but I shall be happier in
+the world outside."
+
+"Of course you will let Mr. Manning know of your intention to leave
+home?"
+
+"I shall ask his permission to go at the end of my school term. That
+comes in a couple of weeks."
+
+"Where will you go?"
+
+"A cousin of my father is at Newark, New Jersey. I think I shall go to
+him first, and ask his advice about getting a place either there or in
+New York."
+
+"You will need some money to start with. Do you think Mr. Manning will
+give you any?"
+
+"I don't know, sir! That won't prevent my going. I have fifty dollars in
+a savings bank, saved up from my allowance, and that will be all I shall
+need."
+
+"If you have any difficulty on that score, Frank, remember that I was
+your father's friend, and mean to be yours. Apply to me at any time when
+you are in a strait."
+
+"I will, sir, and thank you heartily."
+
+"That was a strange will, Frank. I don't want to put any ideas into your
+head to disturb you, but had your mother ever led you to suspect that
+she intended to leave you dependent on your stepfather?"
+
+"Never, sir!"
+
+"Don't you think she would have done so, had she had such a plan in
+view?"
+
+"I do," said Frank, quickly.
+
+The colonel's eye met his, and each knew what the other suspected.
+
+"There is nothing for me to do at present, sir," said Frank. "If Mr.
+Manning does not interfere with my plans, I shall not trouble him."
+
+"I will hint as much when I see him. It may clear the way for you."
+
+"I wish you would, sir."
+
+"Come and see me again, Frank," said the colonel, as Frank rose to go.
+
+"I certainly will, sir."
+
+"Your father's son will always be welcome at my house. When did you say
+your school term closes?"
+
+"In a fortnight."
+
+"I will see your stepfather within a few days. By the way, Frank,
+wouldn't you like a gallop on Ajax to-night?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I should enjoy it."
+
+"Come out to the stable with me, then."
+
+Ajax whinnied with delight when he saw his old, or rather his young
+master, and evinced satisfaction when Frank stroked him caressingly.
+
+"Sam," said Col. Vincent, "Frank is to ride Ajax whenever he pleases.
+Saddle him for his use whenever he asks you."
+
+"That I will, sir" answered Sam. "Often and often I've seen Mr. Frank on
+his back. Doesn't he ride well, though?"
+
+"Don't flatter me, Sam," said Frank, laughing.
+
+Five minutes later he was on the back of his favorite horse, galloping
+down the road.
+
+"I hope I shall meet Mark," thought Frank. "I would like to give him a
+sensation."
+
+Considering the manner in which Mark had treated his stepbrother, Frank
+may be excused for the wish to puzzle him a little.
+
+Finding himself lonely, Mark decided to take a walk not long after
+Frank's departure. He was sauntering along the road, when he heard the
+sound of hoofs, and, to his surprise, saw his stepbrother on the back of
+Ajax.
+
+His first thought was that Frank had gone to Col. Vincent's stable and
+brought away Ajax without permission, in defiance of Mr. Manning's will.
+He resolved to take him to task for it immediately. Frank purposely
+slackened the speed of his horse in order to give Mark the chance he
+sought.
+
+"Why are you riding Ajax?" asked Mark.
+
+"It is a pleasant evening," answered Frank, "and I thought I should
+enjoy it."
+
+"Where did you get him?"
+
+"From Col. Vincent's stable, where he never ought to have been carried,"
+answered Frank, with spirit.
+
+"You seem to think you can do anything you like, Frank Courtney," said
+Mark, provoked, deciding that his suspicions were well founded.
+
+"Is there any particular reason why I should not ride Ajax?" demanded
+Frank.
+
+"You have made yourself liable to arrest for horse stealing," said Mark.
+"It would serve you right if Col. Vincent should have you arrested and
+tried."
+
+"I don't think he will gratify your kind wishes, Mark."
+
+"Just wait and see what my father has to say to you."
+
+"I have only done what I had a perfect right to do; but I can't stop to
+dispute with you. I must finish my ride. Hey, Ajax!"
+
+As he spoke the horse dashed into a gallop, and Mark was left looking
+after him in a disturbed frame of mind.
+
+"I'll tell my father as soon as he gets home," he decided; and he kept
+his word.
+
+In consequence, Frank, by that time returned, was summoned into Mr.
+Manning's presence.
+
+"What is this I hear?" he began. "Did you ride Ajax this evening?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Where did you find him?"
+
+"In Col. Vincent's stable."
+
+"This is a high-handed proceeding, Frank Courtney. Have you any excuse
+to offer?"
+
+"None is needed sir. Col. Vincent has given me permission to ride him
+whenever I please."
+
+"It appears to me, Mark," said Mr. Manning, sharply, "that you have made
+a fool of yourself."
+
+"How should I know?" replied Mark, mortified by the collapse of his
+sensation. "Frank didn't tell me he had leave to use the horse."
+
+And he left the room, looking foolish.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+MARK YIELDS TO TEMPTATION
+
+
+There are some boys, as well as men, who cannot stand prosperity.
+
+It appeared that Mark Manning was one of these.
+
+While his stepmother was living and his father's prospects--and
+consequently his own--were uncertain, he had been circumspect in his
+behavior and indulged in nothing that could be considered seriously
+wrong.
+
+When his father came into possession of a large fortune, and his pocket
+money was doubled, Mark began to throw off some of the restraint which,
+from motives of prudence, he had put upon himself.
+
+About the middle of the week, as Frank was taking a walk after school
+hours, he was considerably surprised to see Mark come out of a
+well-known liquor saloon frequented by men and boys of intemperate
+habits.
+
+The students of Bridgeville Academy were strictly forbidden this or any
+other saloon, and I am sure that my boy readers will agree with mo that
+this rule was a very proper one.
+
+Mark Manning appeared to have been drinking. His face was flushed, and
+his breath, if one came near enough to him, was redolent of the fumes of
+alcohol. With him was James Carson, one of the poorest scholars and most
+unprincipled boys in the academy. It was rather surprising that he had
+managed for so long to retain his position in the institution, but he
+was crafty and took good care not to be caught.
+
+To go back a little, it was chiefly owing to James Carson's influence
+that Mark had entered the saloon.
+
+When he learned that Mark's worldly prospects had improved, and that he
+had a large supply of pocket money, he determined to cultivate his
+acquaintance--though privately he thought Mark a disagreeable boy--with
+the intention of obtaining for himself a portion of Mark's surplus
+means.
+
+At the first of the term he had made similar advances to Frank, but they
+were coldly received, so much so that he did not think it worth while to
+persevere in courting our hero's intimacy.
+
+He succeeded better with Mark, his crafty nature teaching him how to
+approach him.
+
+"Mark," he said, with a great show of cordiality, "I am delighted to
+hear of your good fortune. I always liked you, and I think you deserve
+to be rich."
+
+"Thank you!" said Mark, much gratified, for he liked flattery. "I am
+sure I am very much obliged to you."
+
+"Oh, not at all! I only say what I think. Shall I tell you why I am
+particularly glad?"
+
+"Yes, if you like," returned Mark, in some curiosity.
+
+"Because I like you better than that young muff, your stepbrother. I
+hope you won't be offended at my plain speaking," he added, artfully.
+
+"Certainly not!" said Mark.
+
+"I suppose," said James, "you will see a little life now that you are
+your own master and have plenty of money."
+
+"I don't know exactly what you mean, James. There isn't much life to be
+seen in Bridgeville."
+
+"That is true; but still there is some. Suppose now"--by this time they
+were in front of the saloon, which, besides a bar, contained a billiard
+and pool table--"suppose now we go in and have a game of billiards."
+
+"It's against the rules, isn't it?" asked Mark.
+
+"What do you care for the rules?" said James, contemptuously.
+
+"If the old man hears of it, we shall get into hot water."
+
+By the "old man" Mark meant the Rev. Dr. Brush, the venerable and
+respected principal of the Bridgeville Academy, but such boys as he have
+very little respect for the constituted authorities.
+
+"Why need he know it? We will slip in when no one is looking. Did you
+ever play a game of billiards?"
+
+"I never played over half a dozen games in my life."
+
+"Yon ought to know how to play. It is a splendid game. Come in."
+
+Mark did not make very strong opposition, and the two boys, first
+looking cautiously in different directions, entered the saloon.
+
+Toward the entrance was a bar, and in the roar of the saloon were two
+tables.
+
+"Won't you have a drink, Mark?" asked James.
+
+Mark hesitated.
+
+"Oh, come now, it won't hurt. Two glasses of whisky, John."
+
+"All right, Mr. Carson," said the barkeeper, to whom James was well
+known.
+
+James tossed off his glass with the air of an old drinker, but Mark
+drank his more slowly.
+
+"There, I know you feel better, Mark."
+
+"Now, John, give me the balls. We'll play a game of billiards."
+
+"All right, sir."
+
+"I'll discount you, Mark," said James, "to give you a fair chance. It is
+about the same thing as giving you half the game. Or, if you like, I
+will give you seventeen points to start with, and then you will only
+have seventeen to make, while I am making thirty-four."
+
+"I like that best."
+
+"Now shall we play for the drinks?"
+
+"We have just had a drink?"
+
+"We'll have another."
+
+"Won't that be too much? I don't want to get drunk."
+
+"Two drinks won't do you any harm. Very well. Now let us string for the
+lead."
+
+There is no need of describing the game in detail. Mark was only a
+novice, while James could really make three or four points to his one.
+He restrained himself, however, so that he only beat Mark by two points.
+
+"You did splendidly, Mark," he said. "Considering how little you have
+played, you did remarkably well. Why, you made a run of three."
+
+"Yes, I did pretty well," said Mark, flattered by his companion's
+praises.
+
+"I had hard work to beat you, I can tell you that. As it was, you came
+within two points of beating. Don't you like the game?"
+
+"Very much."
+
+"I thought you would. Shall we have another game?"
+
+"I don't mind," answered Mark.
+
+He knew that he ought to be in his room writing a composition to be
+delivered the next day, but such obligations sat easily upon Mark, and
+he did not hesitate long.
+
+That time James allowed him to score sixteen, so that Mark was only
+beaten by one point.
+
+"You see, you are improving," said James. "I played a better game that
+time than before, and still you came within one of beating me."
+
+"I think I shall become a good player in time," said Mark, complacently.
+
+"Yes, and in a very short time. Now," said James, "I have a proposal to
+make to you."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"We'll bet twenty-five cents on the next game, to give a little interest
+to it."
+
+Mark had no special scruples against betting, which is only one form of
+gambling, but he decidedly objected to losing money, so he answered,
+cautiously:
+
+"I don't know about that. You beat me both of the other games."
+
+"That's true; but you play better now than you did at first."
+
+"That may be so."
+
+"What are twenty-five cents, anyway? I expect to lose it, but it will
+increase the interest of the game."
+
+So Mark was persuaded, and the game was played.
+
+James Carson managed to let Mark beat him by five shots, and the latter
+was correspondingly elated.
+
+"You beat me after all," said James, pretending to be much disappointed,
+"and by five points. I'll tell you what I'll do--I'll give you the same
+odds, and bet a dollar on the game. I suppose it's foolish, but I'll
+risk it!"
+
+"Done!" said Mark, eagerly.
+
+His cupidity was excited, and he felt sure of winning the dollar, as he
+had the twenty-five cents. But James had no idea of playing off now, and
+he played a better game, as he was well able to do. The result was that
+Mark was beaten by three points.
+
+He looked quite crestfallen.
+
+"I had better shows than you," said James. "I couldn't do it once in
+five times. Will you play again?"
+
+Mark agreed to it with some hesitation, and he was again beaten.
+
+"You had luck against you. Another day you will succeed better. Have you
+played enough?"
+
+"Yes," answered Mark, annoyed.
+
+He had four games to pay for and two dollars in bets, and it made rather
+an expensive afternoon.
+
+"Have another drink? I'll treat," said James, who could afford to be
+liberal.
+
+Mark accepted, and then, flushed and excited, he left the saloon, just
+as Frank came up, as described in the first part of the chapter. On the
+whole, he was sorry to meet his stepbrother just at this time.
+
+Frank stopped, and his attention was drawn to Mark's flushed face.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+MARK GETS INTO TROUBLE
+
+
+Mark nodded slightly and was about to pass without a word, when Frank
+said, quietly:
+
+"I am sorry to see you coming out of such a place, Mark."
+
+"What is it to you, anyway?" returned Mark, rudely.
+
+"Not much, perhaps," replied Frank, calmly, "but I don't like to see my
+acquaintances coming out of a liquor saloon."
+
+"It won't hurt you," said Mark, irritably.
+
+"No, it won't hurt me, but if tho principal should hear of it, it would
+not be pleasant for you. You know students are strictly forbidden to
+enter any saloon?"
+
+"I suppose you mean to tell on me," said Mark, hastily, and not
+altogether without uneasiness.
+
+"You are mistaken. I am not a talebearer."
+
+"Then there is no need to say any more about it. Come along, James!"
+
+Frank's interference was well meant, but, as we shall see, it did harm
+rather than good.
+
+As Mark left the saloon, he had half decided not to enter it again. He
+was three dollars out of pocket, and this did not suit him at all.
+
+In fact, Mark was rather a mean boy, and it was with considerable
+reluctance that he had handed over to his companion the two dollars with
+which to pay for the games.
+
+Moreover, he was mortified at losing the two games of billiards, when so
+great odds had been given him.
+
+James Carson was no scholar, but he was sharp enough to perceive the
+state of Mark's feelings, and he also saw how he was affected by Frank's
+remonstrance.
+
+He decided to take advantage of this, and strengthen his hold on Mark.
+
+"Well, Mark," he said, "I suppose you'll give up playing billiards now."
+
+"Why should I?"
+
+"Because your stepbrother doesn't approve of it. You won't dare to go
+into the saloon after he has forbidden you," he continued, with a sneer.
+
+"What do you mean, James? Do you suppose I care that"--snapping his
+fingers--"for what Frank says, or even thinks, either?"
+
+"I didn't know but you might stand in fear of him."
+
+"Do you mean to insult me?" demanded Mark, hotly.
+
+"Insult you! My dear friend, what can you be thinking of? Why, I like
+you ten times as much as that muff, Frank Courtney."
+
+"Then what did you mean by what you said?" asked Mark, more calmly.
+
+"I will tell you. I got an idea, from what Frank said once, that he was
+in charge of you--well, not exactly that, but he looked after you."
+
+This was a wicked falsehood, as Frank had never intimated any such
+thing. In fact, he had generally kept quite aloof from James.
+
+Mark, however, fell into the trail, and never thought of doubting what
+his companion said.
+
+"If Frank said that, I've a great mind to whip him," said Mark, angrily.
+
+"Oh, I wouldn't notice him, if I were you!" said James. "For my part, I
+didn't believe what he said. I felt sure that a fine, spirited boy like
+you wouldn't submit to his dictation."
+
+"I should say not--the impudent follow!"
+
+"When he spoke to you just now," continued James, "one would really have
+thought he was your uncle, or guardian, and that you were a little boy."
+
+"I'll show him what I think of him and his advice. I hadn't thought of
+going to the saloon to-morrow, but now I will."
+
+"Bravo! I like your spirit!" said James, admiringly. "It is just the way
+to treat him. Shall I come round with you about the same hour as
+to-day?"
+
+"Yes, I wish you would."
+
+When the two boys parted company, James Carson smiled to himself.
+
+"What a fool Mark is!" he thought. "He thinks he is his own master, but
+I am going to twist him round my little finger. He's a sweet youth, but
+he's got money, and I mean to have some of it. Why, he tells me his
+father allows him eight dollars a week for spending money. If I manage
+well, I can get more than half away from his in bets."
+
+The next day James called for Mark, as agreed upon, and again the two
+boys went to the billiard saloon. The performance of the day before was
+repeated.
+
+James Carson, while flattering Mark's poor play, managed to beat in
+every game but one on which money was staked, and came out the richer by
+a dollar and a half.
+
+"I am very unlucky," grumbled Mark, in a tone of dissatisfaction.
+
+"So you were, Mark," admitted his sympathizing friend. "You made some
+capital shots, though, and if I hadn't been so lucky, you would have
+come out the victor in every game."
+
+"But I didn't."
+
+"No, you didn't; but you can't have such beastly luck all the time."
+
+"I guess I'd better give up billiards. In two days I have spent five
+dollars. It doesn't pay."
+
+"No doubt Frank will be gratified when he hears that you have given up
+playing. He will think it is because you are afraid of him."
+
+James had touched the right chord, and poor Mark was once more in his
+toils.
+
+"It's lucky for me that Frank spoke to him," thought James. "It makes it
+much easier for me to manage him."
+
+One thing, however, James had not taken into account. There were others
+besides Frank who were liable to interfere with his management, and who
+had the authority to make their interference effectual.
+
+On the day succeeding, as James and Mark were in the campus, Herbert
+Grant approached them.
+
+Now Herbert was the janitor of the academy. He also was employed by the
+principal to summon students who had incurred censure to his study,
+where they received a suitable reprimand.
+
+It was not a pleasant duty, but some one must do it, and Herbert always
+discharged it in a gentlemanly manner, which could not, or ought not, to
+offend the schoolfellows who were unlucky enough to receive a summons.
+
+"Boys," said he, "I am sorry to be the bearer of unpleasant news, but
+Dr. Brush would like to see you in his study."
+
+"Both of us?" asked James.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Are there any others summoned?"
+
+"No."
+
+Mark and his companion looked at each other with perturbed glances. No
+one cared to visit the principal on such an errand. Corporal punishment
+was never resorted to in the Bridgeville Academy, but the doctor's
+dignified rebuke was dreaded more than blows would have been from some
+men.
+
+"What do you think it is, James?" asked Mark, uneasily.
+
+"I think it's the saloon," answered James, in a low voice.
+
+"But how could he have found it out? No one saw us go in or come out."
+
+The billiard saloon was at some distance from the academy building, and
+for that reason the two boys had felt more secure in visiting it.
+
+"I'll tell you how it came out," said James, suddenly.
+
+"How?" asked Mark.
+
+"You remember Frank saw us coming out day before yesterday."
+
+"He said he wouldn't tell."
+
+It was not very difficult for Mark to believe anything against Frank,
+and he instantly adopted his companion's idea.
+
+"The mean sneak!" he said. "I'll come up with him! I'll tell my father
+not to give him any money for the next month. I'll---I'll get him to
+apprentice Frank to a shoemaker! Perhaps then he won't put on so many
+airs."
+
+"Good for you! I admire your pluck!" said James, slapping Mark on the
+back. "You are true grit, you are! Just teach the fellow a lesson."
+
+"See if I don't!"
+
+Mark nodded his head resolutely, and went into the presence of Dr.
+Brush, thirsting for vengeance against his stepbrother, who, he felt
+persuaded, had informed against him.
+
+If Frank had known his suspicions he would have been very much
+surprised. As it happened, however, he did not even know that his
+stepbrother had been summoned to the doctor's study. Had he met Herbert,
+the later would have told him; but after receiving his list, it so
+chanced that he and his friend did not meet.
+
+The fact was that a young man employed as tutor in mathematics in the
+academy, while taking an afternoon walk, had seen Mark and James Carson
+leaving the liquor saloon, and, as in duty bound, had reported the same
+to the principal.
+
+Mr. Triangle, however, had not been observed by either of the two boys,
+and therefore they were led off on a false scent.
+
+"What do you think the old man will say?" asked Mark, uneasily, as they
+ascended the stairs to the principal's study.
+
+"He'll give us a raking down, I suppose," said James. "He will come
+down heavy on us."
+
+"I wish I were out of it."
+
+"Oh, it's not worth minding! We haven't committed murder, have we?
+What's the harm in a game of billiards?"
+
+"Not much, perhaps; but the drinking and betting are certainly
+objectionable."
+
+The boys knocked at the door, and the full, deep voice of Dr. Brush was
+heard to say: "Come in!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+SUSPENDED
+
+
+Dr. Brush was seated at a table covered with papers, in a large
+armchair. He was an elderly man of dignified presence, not a petty
+tyrant such as is sometimes found in a similar position, but a man who
+commanded respect, without an effort.
+
+Mark Manning and James Carson entered his presence a little nervously.
+
+"Young gentlemen," said the doctor, gravely, "I am informed that you
+have violated one of the rules of the academy by frequenting a billiard
+saloon where liquor is sold."
+
+"Who told you, sir?" asked Mark.
+
+"That is not to the purpose," said the principal, gravely.
+
+"But I should like to know who informed on me," persisted Mark.
+
+"Whoever did so acted as your true friend, Manning; but there is no
+occasion for you to know who it was. Is it true?"
+
+Mark would have been glad to deny the charge, and would not have felt
+any scruples about doing so, if it would have done any good. But it was
+clear, even to him, that he would not be believed, and that denial would
+only make his position worse. So he made a virtue of necessity, and
+answered:
+
+"I have been in once or twice, sir."
+
+"Exactly how many times have you been to the saloon?"
+
+"Three times."
+
+"What did you do there?'
+
+"We played billiards."
+
+"Did you order anything at the bar?"
+
+"Yes, sir," said Mark, reluctantly.
+
+"Carson, you accompanied Manning, did you not?" said Dr. Brush, turning
+to Mark's companion.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"And I suppose you also played billiards and drank?"
+
+"Well, yes, sir, I believe I did."
+
+"You were aware, were you not, that it was against the regulations of
+the school?"
+
+"I suppose it must have slipped my mind," answered James, trying to look
+as innocent as possible.
+
+Dr. Brush frowned, for he saw clearly that this was but a subterfuge.
+
+"If this were true," he continued, "it would be no excuse. As students,
+it is your duty to make yourselves acquainted with the rules that govern
+the institution. In point of fact, I cannot believe that either of you
+is ignorant of the rule forbidding students to frequent places where
+liquor is sold. It is hardly necessary for me to defend the propriety of
+this rule. Intemperance is a fruitful source of vice and crime, and I
+cannot allow the youth under by charge to form habits of indulgence
+which may blast all their prospects, and lead to the most ruinous
+consequences."
+
+"We didn't drink much," said Mark.
+
+"I shall not inquire how much you drank. In drinking a single glass, you
+violated the rule of the school, and I cannot pass over it."
+
+"What is he going to do with us, I wonder?" thought Mark.
+
+He was not required to wonder long.
+
+"As this is your first offense, so far as I know," proceeded the
+principal, "I will not be severe. You are both suspended from the
+institution for the remainder of the term, and are required to leave
+Bridgeville by the early train to-morrow morning for your respective
+homes. I shall write to your parents, explaining the cause of your
+suspension."
+
+But a week remained of the term, and the punishment was mild, but both
+boys were mortified and left the study crestfallen.
+
+Mark was the first to recover his spirits.
+
+"It is not so bad, James," he said. "To-morrow will be Saturday, and I
+should go home, anyway. I don't mind staying at home next week."
+
+"What will your father say?"
+
+"Oh, I'll make it all right with him! I don't mind much what he says. I
+guess he got into scrapes himself when he was a boy."
+
+"My father isn't so easily managed. Just as likely as not, he'll cut off
+my allowance for a month; and that'll be no joke!"
+
+"My father won't do that," said Mark. "If he did, I would raise a fuss."
+
+"Would that do any good?"
+
+"I'll bet it would!"
+
+Frank, who was quite ignorant of Mark's trouble, was surprised when the
+latter approached him a little later with a frown and said, harshly:
+
+"You won't make anything by what you have done, Frank Courtney!"
+
+"Will you be kind enough to tell me what I have done?" asked Frank,
+calmly.
+
+"You've been to Dr. Brush and told him about our playing billiards."
+
+"You are entirely mistaken, Mark. I did not suppose he knew."
+
+"It must have been you. He told us some one had informed him, and you
+were the only one who knew. It's a mean trick, isn't it, Carson?"
+
+"Awfully mean!"
+
+"I have already told you that the information did not come from me. It
+may be the best thing for you that it has been found out, for it was
+doing you no good to frequent such places."
+
+"I don't want to hear any of your preaching, Frank Courtney. I guess I
+can manage my own affairs without any advice from you."
+
+"I don't care to intrude any advice," said Frank. "I have not much
+reason to feel interested in you."
+
+"You'd better look out how you treat me, though," said Mark, insolently.
+"I know very well you dislike me, but it won't be safe for you to show
+it while you are a dependent on my father."
+
+"I don't propose to be a dependent on him long," said Frank, quietly.
+"The truth of it is, you and your father are dependent upon property
+which of right belongs to me. The time may come when I shall be able to
+show this."
+
+"What does he mean?" thought Mark, uneasily. "Will he contest the
+will?"
+
+It was perhaps an evidence of Mark's shrewdness that he had some doubts
+about the validity of the will under which his father inherited.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+MR. MANNING'S NEW PLAN
+
+
+Mark so represented his school difficulty to his father that he incurred
+but slight censure.
+
+Indeed, Mr. Manning was so absorbed in plans for getting the greatest
+enjoyment out of the estate of which he had obtained possession by
+doubtful means that he didn't care to be disturbed about such a trifle
+as his son's suspension.
+
+He felt more disposed to blame Frank, whom Mark charged with betraying
+him.
+
+"What does Frank say about it?" asked Mr. Manning.
+
+"Of course he denies it," said Mark, "but it can't be any one else."
+
+"He is acting very unwisely," said Mr. Manning, compressing his thin
+lips.
+
+"So I told him, but he said he didn't mean to be a dependent on you
+long."
+
+"How is he going to avoid it?'
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"I have had some intimation from Col. Vincent, who appears to be in his
+confidence. He wants to leave us."
+
+"To go away?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"But you won't let him?"
+
+"I have been thinking about that, Mark, and I may give my permission.
+The fact is, he stands in the way of some plans I have formed. I am
+thinking of traveling."
+
+"Not without me?" said Mark, hastily.
+
+"No; you shall go with me, but I don't care to take Frank."
+
+"You might leave him at school."
+
+"I might, but how do I know that he might not hatch some mischief while
+we are gone?"
+
+"He might make some fuss about the property," suggested Mark.
+
+"Has he hinted anything of that kind to you?" asked his father, quickly.
+
+"Yes. Only yesterday he said that the property belonged by right to
+him."
+
+Mr. Manning looked thoughtful, and watched Mark narrowly to see if from
+his manner he could divine the boy's intentions.
+
+Later that same evening, Mark having retired early in consequence of a
+headache, Frank found himself alone with his stepfather, and took
+advantage of the opportunity to speak of the plan he had formed.
+
+"Mr. Manning," he said, "if you are at leisure, I should like to speak
+with you a few minutes."
+
+"Proceed," said his stepfather, waving his hand.
+
+"But a week remains of the school term. Did you propose that I should
+return there at the end of the vacation?"
+
+"Humph! I had not thought much on the subject."
+
+"It has all along been intended that I should go to college when
+prepared, but I don't think I care much about it."
+
+"In that case," said his stepfather, with alacrity, "you would only be
+throwing away time and money by going."
+
+He was quite ready to agree to Frank's surrender of the college plan for
+two reasons.
+
+A college course would be expensive. Again, should he turn his attention
+to the law, he might hereafter give him trouble about the estate.
+
+"I don't think I should throw away my time, for, if I went to college, I
+should go there to work faithfully; but I have a fancy for a more
+stirring life."
+
+"It might be a good plan for you to learn a trade," said Mr. Manning,
+reflectively.
+
+"Learn a trade!" exclaimed Frank, in surprise.
+
+"Yes; it would always enable you to earn a living."
+
+"Do you intend Mark to learn a trade?" asked Frank, quickly.
+
+"No; his case is very different from yours."
+
+"Why it is different?"
+
+"It is not necessary for me to explain," answered his stepfather,
+stiffly.
+
+"If there were any need of it, Mr. Manning, I would not object to learn
+a trade," said Frank. "I have no false pride on the subject. But my
+tastes are more for mercantile business."
+
+"I may be able to find you a place somewhere. I have a friend in the
+dry-goods business, who would receive you at my recommendation."
+
+"Thank you!" said Frank, hastily. "But if you will allow me, I would
+prefer to look around for myself."
+
+"What is it you want, then?"
+
+"Your permission to go out into the world, and try to make a living."
+
+"And if you don't," said Mr. Manning, "I suppose you expect me to
+defray your expenses?"
+
+"If I did have such an expectation, I think I should be justified, in
+view of the large property which my mother left," said Frank, pointedly.
+
+"She left it to me," said his stepfather.
+
+"So it appears, at any rate. But I shall not call upon you to pay my
+board. Give me your permission to go where I please, with a small sum of
+money to start me, and I shall be satisfied."
+
+"And what will the world say? That I, your stepfather, to whom you have
+a right to look for maintenance, had driven you out to earn your living!
+It would be unjust, of course, but the world is ever unjust."
+
+And Mr. Manning assumed a look of wronged innocence, which would have
+imposed on anyone who knew him but slightly.
+
+"I shall defend you from any such charge," said Frank. "I shall say that
+you were only yielding to my request."
+
+"I will think of it, my dear boy," said Mr. Manning, graciously. "I
+already feel inclined to grant it, because it is your request. I shall
+be sorry to be separated from you; but I am willing to sacrifice my own
+feelings, if it will give you pleasure."
+
+This did not impose upon Frank, who had a correct idea of the degree of
+fondness which Mr. Manning had for his society, but he was too well
+satisfied with the prospect of obtaining the permission he desired to
+imply any doubts.
+
+"Again," continued his stepfather, "whatever you may say to the
+contrary, I know that the world will censure me; but I shall have the
+approval of my own conscience, and with that I can defy the world."
+
+Mr. Manning certainly did look like a righteous man when he said this,
+and he beamed upon his stepson with a glance that was actually
+affectionate.
+
+"Go back to school," ho said, "and when you return I shall be able to
+give you a definite answer."
+
+Indeed, nothing could have suited Mr. Manning's plans better. He would
+get rid of the care and nearly the whole expense of his obnoxious
+stepson, while with his son Mark he would be spending the revenues of
+the estate which belonged to Frank.
+
+During the coming week he arranged his plans for a prolonged absence
+from the Cedars. He wrote to New York to engage passage on a steamer
+bound for Liverpool, and quietly waited for the end of Frank's school
+term to release him from a care which had grown burdensome.
+
+Frank returned to the Bridgeville Academy without Mark. As may be
+supported, however, he did not feel the loss of his society.
+
+He at once communicated to his chosen friend, Herbert Grant, his
+probable departure from school.
+
+"I am sorry to hear it, Frank," said Herbert, soberly. "Do you think you
+are acting wisely?"
+
+"I am not acting as I would have done had my mother lived," answered
+Frank; "but you must remember that my position in life has very much
+changed. I am a poor boy."
+
+"Hardly that, when there is so much property in the family."
+
+"I know Mr. Manning too well to believe that I shall derive much
+benefit from it. No, Herbert, I have my own living to make, and I want
+to make it in my own way."
+
+"It is a sad change for you, Frank."
+
+"No, I can't say that. I don't know how it is, Herbert, but I am rather
+glad to have all this thrown upon me. I enjoy feeling that I have got to
+work."
+
+"I have a chance of enjoying the same feelings," said Herbert, with a
+smile.
+
+"I wish we could start together, Herbert. Couldn't you go with me?"
+
+Herbert shook his head.
+
+"Father has a plan for me," he said. "I am to learn his trade, and shall
+commence next week. I don't particularly like it, but it is well to have
+a trade to fall back upon."
+
+"Mr. Manning wanted me to learn a trade."
+
+"There is no occasion for your doing so."
+
+"I don't know about that. If I had a particular fancy for any, I
+wouldn't mind choosing it, but I am better suited for something else."
+
+"What is your plan? What will you do first?"
+
+"My father has a cousin in the city of Newark, New Jersey, only a few
+miles from New York. Four years ago, he and his family made us a visit,
+and he was urgent then that we should return the visit. I will, first of
+all, go to him, and ask his advice. He is a business man, and he may be
+able to put me in the way of obtaining a position."
+
+"I think you will succeed, Frank, but it will be harder than you think
+for. You don't know what poverty is yet. I have never known anything
+else."
+
+"If I do succeed, Herbert, I may be able to find something for you."
+
+"I wish you might," Herbert replied; but he was not as sanguine as
+Frank.
+
+He understood, better than his friend, that for a boy to set out alone
+into the great world to earn a living is a serious undertaking.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+GOOD-BYE
+
+
+Frank had fixed upon the Tuesday morning succeeding the close of the
+academic term for his departure from home. Monday was devoted to a few
+necessary preparations and a few calls on old friends, among them Col.
+Vincent, the owner of Ajax.
+
+"My dear Frank," said the colonel, kindly, "I feel a strong interest in
+your welfare, more especially because of the wrong which I do not
+scruple to say has been done you. What does Mr. Manning say to your
+plan?"
+
+"He makes no objection," said Frank.
+
+"Suppose he had done so?"
+
+"I would not have run away. He is my stepfather and guardian, and I
+would have endured staying at home as well as I could."
+
+"There you are right, Frank. Though I have a poor opinion of Mr.
+Manning, he is not likely to treat you in a manner to justify your going
+away without his permission. From what I have heard within the last
+week, I suspect that he feels relieved to have you go."
+
+"What have you heard, sir?"
+
+"That Mr. Manning will shortly sail for Europe, taking Mark with him."
+
+Frank was surprised, having no suspicion of this.
+
+"Now are you not sorry that you have decided to go out into the world to
+earn a living when you might have seen something of the Old World?"
+
+"Mr. Manning would never have taken me along," answered Frank, quietly,
+"nor should I have enjoyed traveling with him and Mark."
+
+"Of the two, who would interfere the more with your enjoyment?"
+
+"Mark."
+
+"Then you prefer the father to the son?" said the colonel.
+
+"The father has much more agreeable manners. I don't think Mark could be
+agreeable if he tried."
+
+Col. Vincent smiled.
+
+"Perhaps you are right, Frank," he said. "Now, as your father's old
+friend, I shall exact a promise from you."
+
+"What is it, sir?"
+
+"You are going out into the world to earn your own living. Boys of your
+age are apt to think it an easy thing. I have seen more of life, and I
+am sure you will find it more difficult than you suppose. You may find
+yourself in difficulty, possibly in want. In that case, promise to let
+me know, and I will come to your assistance."
+
+"I will, sir," answered Frank.
+
+The time came for Frank to say good-bye to Mr. Manning and Mark, and the
+house which had been his home from infancy.
+
+His stepfather handed him a small pocketbook.
+
+"Frank," he said, "in this pocketbook you will find twenty-five
+dollars. It is not much, but--"
+
+"I am satisfied, sir," said Frank. "It won't be long before I am earning
+something."
+
+"I hope your anticipations may be realized, but it is possible that you
+may require help."
+
+"I think not, sir."
+
+"I will authorize my banker to pay you the same sum--twenty-five
+dollars--every three months. Of course, it is not enough to support you;
+but, as you say it is your intention to procure a place--"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"It will probably be enough to make up any deficiency that may exist in
+your income. I am aware that you do not regard me as--as I would like to
+have you; but I am resigned to be misunderstood, and I merely call your
+attention to the fact that I have given you my free permission to carry
+out your own plans and have given you more assistance than you asked
+for."
+
+"That's true, sir."
+
+"Should anyone in your hearing condemn me for what I have done, I depend
+upon your defending me."
+
+"I will state the facts, sir. I will take the entire responsibility for
+anything that may result from the step I have taken."
+
+Mr. Manning looked well pleased. Things were taking the course he
+desired, and for the paltry sum of one hundred dollars a year, he was
+getting rid of an obnoxious stepson, while appearing to confer a favor
+upon him.
+
+"Perhaps you are right, Frank," said his stepfather, disguising the
+satisfaction he felt. "If, however, you should find that you have made a
+mistake, you will do me the justice to remember that I gave you your
+choice."
+
+Knowing, as he did, that the offer was not genuine, Frank remained
+silent. He could not make up his mind to express gratitude, and
+therefore said nothing.
+
+Here the carriage drove up to the door to convey Frank to the railway
+station. Mindful of appearance, Mr. Manning accompanied him to the cars,
+and in presence of several neighbors bade him an effusively affectionate
+farewell.
+
+So Frank was fairly started on his campaign.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+ERASTUS TARBOX, OF NEWARK
+
+
+Erastus Tarbox kept a dry-goods store in the city of Newark, New Jersey.
+He was well to do, not so much because of his enterprise and skill as a
+merchant as because of his extreme poverty. Some people called it
+parsimony. He only employed two clerks to assist him in his store, and
+they, as well as the boy who carried out parcels and ran the errands,
+were paid scarcely more than two-thirds the rates paid in neighboring
+stores.
+
+Mr. Tarbox prided himself upon his relationship to the Courtneys. They
+were rich, and riches, in his eyes were a great merit. He often sighed
+to think that there was no chance for him to benefit by a share of the
+large property owned by his cousins. Without hope of personal advantage,
+however, he had always been obsequious to them, and often took occasion
+to mention them, by way of enhancing his own social credit somewhat.
+
+Mr. Tarbox had heard of Mrs. Courtney's death, but had not heard the
+particulars of the will. He took it for granted that Frank was sole
+heir, and it did cross his mind more than once how very agreeable it
+would be if he could be selected as guardian of the rich young heir. Of
+course, he knew that there was no probability of it, since the
+stepfather would undoubtedly be appointed to that position.
+
+Mr. Tarbox had just sold a calico dress pattern to a poor woman, when
+his attention was drawn to the entrance of Frank Courtney, who entered
+his store, valise in hand.
+
+Mr. Tarbox was rather short-sighted, and did not immediately recognize
+the son of his rich cousin.
+
+"What can I do for you, young man?" he asked, in his business tone.
+
+"This is Mr. Tarbox, I believe?" said Frank, who did not know his
+relatives very well.
+
+"Yes, that is my name."
+
+"I am Frank Courtney."
+
+"Bless my soul!" ejaculated Mr. Tarbox, surprised and delighted. "When
+did you arrive in Newark?"
+
+"I have only just arrived."
+
+"I do hope you are going to make us a visit," said Mr. Tarbox,
+cordially.
+
+"Thank you!" answered Frank, cheered by this warm reception. "If you are
+sure it won't inconvenience you."
+
+"Inconvenience me! We shall be delighted to have you with us."
+
+"You must come up and see Mrs. Tarbox. She will be delighted to see
+you."
+
+Mr. Tarbox lived over his store. There was a door from the street
+adjoining the shop front. Mr. Tarbox opened it with a pass-key, and
+conducted Frank upstairs, ushering him into a gloomy parlor, with stiff,
+straightbacked chairs, ranged at regular intervals along the sides of
+the room, and a marble-topped center table, with two or three books
+lying upon it. There was a framed engraving, representing Washington
+crossing the Delaware, over the mantel, and two plaster figures and
+similar ornaments on the mantelpiece. The whole aspect of the room
+chilled Frank.
+
+"Wait here, and I will call my wife," said Mr. Tarbox.
+
+Frank sat down on a hard sofa and awaited the entrance of Mrs. Tarbox.
+
+She came in, a tall, thin woman, about as handsome for a woman as her
+husband was for a man. Indeed, they were very well matched. She was
+quite as mean as he, and between them they managed to make annually a
+sensible addition to their world possessions.
+
+Mr. Tarbox privately hinted his hopes respecting Frank to his wife, and
+she instantly agreed that it would be a most eligible arrangement.
+
+"We must make him contented, my dear," said her husband. "Give him the
+best bedroom, and I think it might be well to have something a little
+extra for supper."
+
+"I did intend to put on the rest of that cold mutton," said Mrs. Tarbox,
+doubtfully.
+
+"It won't do, Martha. There is only a little of it, you know, and the
+boy has been traveling, and, of course, is hungry. What do you say, now,
+to some nice beefsteak?"
+
+"Beefsteak is high now," said Mrs. Tarbox. "Still, if we buy round
+steak--that is cheaper than sirloin or tenderloin."
+
+"And quite as good," said her economical partner. "We can tell Frank,
+however, that no sirloin was to be had so late in the day at the
+markets."
+
+Mrs. Tarbox nodded her head, approving the suggestion.
+
+This little matter being adjusted, the husband and wife entered the
+parlor where our hero was waiting patiently.
+
+"This is our young cousin, Martha," said Mr. Tarbox, smiling pleasantly.
+
+"Welcome to Newark," said Mrs. Tarbox, extending her hand. "And how did
+you leave your stepfather?"
+
+"He is well," said Prank, coolly.
+
+The two exchanged glances. It was clear that Frank did not like his
+stepfather, and this was satisfactory to them. There was the more chance
+of his leaving him and boarding with them.
+
+"The children will be so glad to see you," said Mr. Tarbox; "won't they,
+Martha?"
+
+"Delighted!" assured the lady.
+
+"Pliny must be about your age. How old are you, by the way?"
+
+"Sixteen."
+
+"Just Pliny's age. Do you remember him?"
+
+Frank remembered a tall, thin stripling who had accompanied his parents
+to the Cedars, and who appeared to have an inexhaustible appetite.
+
+"Yes, I remember him. Does he go to school?"
+
+"No; Pliny is in a store," answered Mr. Tarbox.
+
+"Your store?"
+
+"Oh, no! I thought it would be better for him to enter the employ of a
+stranger. He is in a bookstore."
+
+There was one great advantage in Pliny's entering the employ of a
+stranger. He was paid four dollars a week, whereas Mr. Tarbox paid his
+boy but two. Here, then, was a clear gain of two dollars a week.
+
+"But you must be tired," said Mrs. Tarbox. "You will see the children at
+supper. Martha, I think Frank would like to go to his room."
+
+The best bedroom was over the parlor. It was rather more cheerful,
+because lighter.
+
+"Here," said Mr. Tarbox, "you must make yourself at home. Martha, isn't
+one of the drawers in that bureau empty? I thought so. Take your clothes
+out of the valise and put them away. Now, is there anything you would
+like?"
+
+"Only a little water to wash in," said Frank. "You are both very kind."
+
+"We hope to make you comfortable. You are our relative, you know."
+
+The water was brought up by Mrs. Tarbox herself, and Frank was left
+alone, on the whole well pleased with his reception.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+AN UNPLEASANT DISCOVERY
+
+
+It never occurred to Frank that his cordial reception was wholly due to
+his supposed wealth. Had he known the Tarbox family better, he would
+have had no uncertainty on this point. As it was, the discovery was soon
+made.
+
+"All my olive branches are for you, my dear young cousin," said Mr.
+Tarbox, waving his hand. "A peaceful, happy family. Children, this is
+our esteemed relative, Frank Courtney. You remember visiting his
+delightful home, the Cedars."
+
+"Yes, pa," said Julia.
+
+Pliny said nothing, but stared at Frank, inwardly considering whether it
+would be possible to borrow some money of him.
+
+"I am glad to meet you all. I hope we shall become better acquainted,"
+said Frank politely.
+
+"No doubt you will," said Mr. Tarbox. "They are rather bashful, but they
+long to know you."
+
+"How are you?" said Pliny, in a sudden burst of sociability.
+
+"Pretty well, thank you!" answered Frank, finding it rather difficult to
+preserve his gravity.
+
+"I am in a store," said Pliny.
+
+"In your father's store?"
+
+"No. He wouldn't pay me as much as I get where I am."
+
+Mr. Tarbox looked embarrassed.
+
+"A smaller boy answered my purpose," he said, in an explanatory manner.
+"Pliny is suited for higher duties. But our supper is ready. It is
+frugal compared with yours at the Cedars, my dear Frank, but you are
+heartily welcome to it."
+
+"It looks very nice, Mr. Tarbox," said our hero, "and I have not been
+accustomed to luxurious living."
+
+This answer pleased Mr. and Mrs. Tarbox. Even if Frank should become a
+boarder on liberal terms, they didn't wish to spend too much on their
+table.
+
+"We couldn't get sirloin steak," said Mr. Tarbox; "but I hope you will
+find this good."
+
+"No doubt I shall," said Frank, politely.
+
+"Won't you have another piece of steak?" asked Mrs. Tarbox.
+
+Frank saw that there was but a small piece left, and, though his
+appetite was not wholly satisfied, he answered:
+
+"No, thank you."
+
+"I will!" said Pliny, quickly.
+
+Mrs. Tarbox frowned at her son, but did not venture to refuse in the
+presence of her guest. She cut off a small portion of the steak, and,
+with a severe look, put it on the extended plate of Pliny.
+
+"You've got a good appetite, Pliny," said Julia.
+
+"So would you have, if you had to work like me!" grumbled Pliny.
+
+After the steak came an apple pie, which was cut into seven pieces. Mrs.
+Tarbox managed to make Frank's piece a little larger than the rest.
+
+Her husband observed it with approval. He was very desirous that Frank
+should be satisfied with his fare.
+
+When Pliny rose from the table, saying that he must be getting back to
+the store, Frank rose also.
+
+"I will go with you," he said, "if you have no objection. I would like
+to take a walk."
+
+"Come along," said Pliny. "I should like to have company."
+
+"You will be a great deal of company for Pliny," observed Mr. Tarbox,
+rubbing his hands with satisfaction. "Just of an age and of congenial
+tastes."
+
+Frank hardly expected to find Pliny very congenial, but he wished to
+obtain some information, which he thought the latter could give him,
+and he also wanted to see something of Newark.
+
+"I say, your name is Frank, isn't it?" commenced Pliny:
+
+"Yes."
+
+"The old man's awful glad to see you."
+
+"I am glad of it. He has received me very kindly."
+
+"Got up an extra supper for you. We don't often get steak for supper."
+
+This was rather an embarrassing revelation, and surprised Frank
+somewhat. The supper had not seemed to him at all extra. It would do,
+but was far from luxurious.
+
+"I hope you'll stay with us a good while," continued Pliny.
+
+"Thank you."
+
+"You see we shall live better while you are with us, and the rest of us
+will be gainers."
+
+"I don't want to put your father to any unusual expense."
+
+"Oh, he can afford it! But he's stingy, father is. He doesn't spend any
+more than he can help."
+
+"It is best to be economical, I suppose."
+
+"When you don't carry it too far. I say, Frank," continued Pliny,
+lowering his voice, "you can't lend me five dollars, can you?"
+
+Frank regarded Pliny with astonishment. The proposal was very abrupt,
+especially when the shortness of their acquaintance was considered.
+
+"Are you particularly in need of money?" asked Frank.
+
+"Well, you see," said Pliny, "I want it for a particular purpose."
+
+"Why not ask your father for it?"
+
+"Oh, he'd never let me have it!"
+
+Now, in Frank's present circumstances, five dollars represented a good
+deal of money. He was the more impressed with the necessity of economy
+since he had found out how small were the wages paid in stores to boys
+of his age.
+
+He did not feel at all inclined to grant Pliny's request, especially as
+he had a strong suspicion that it would be a long time before the sum
+would be returned.
+
+"Why do you apply to me, Pliny?" he asked, seriously.
+
+"Didn't your mother die and leave you a big property? Father says you
+must be worth more than a hundred thousand dollars."
+
+"Your father probably has not heard of the will," said Frank, quietly.
+
+"What was there in the will?" asked Pliny.
+
+"The whole property was left to Mr. Manning."
+
+"Who is he?"
+
+"My stepfather."
+
+"And nothing to you?"
+
+"Nothing to me."
+
+"But he's got to take care of you, hasn't he?"
+
+"It was expected, but I am going to earn my own living, if I can."
+
+Pliny stopped short in blank amazement and whistled.
+
+"Then you haven't got a lot of money?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Won't your stepfather give you a part of the property?"
+
+"I haven't asked him, but I don't think he will."
+
+"And why did you come to Newark?"
+
+"I thought your father might give me some help about getting a place."
+
+"If this isn't the richest joke!" said Pliny, laughing uproariously.
+
+"Where is the joke? I don't see it," returned Frank, inclined to be
+angry.
+
+"The way you have taken in the old man. He thinks you are rich, and has
+treated you accordingly--got up an extra supper and all that. Oh, it's
+too good!"
+
+"I certainly didn't intend to take him in, as you call it," said Frank.
+"The sooner you tell him the better."
+
+"I'll tell him," said Pliny. "I shall enjoy seeing how provoked he'll
+be."
+
+"I think I will leave you," said Frank, shortly. "I will take a walk by
+myself.
+
+"Well, don't lose your way. Oh, I wish the store was shut! I want to
+tell the old man."
+
+And Pliny laughed again, while our hero walked off in disgust.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE WAY OF THE WORLD
+
+
+Frank felt like an impostor when he discovered that his cordial
+reception was wholly owing to the belief that he was his mother's heir.
+
+The situation was unpleasant, and he was impatient to have Mr. Tarbox
+undeceived. He was sure that Pliny would lose no time in revealing his
+true position, and decided not to return to the house of Mr. Tarbox till
+nine o'clock, when the story would have been told.
+
+He wandered about aimlessly till he heard the city clocks strike nine,
+and then rang the bell at his relation's house.
+
+The family, with the exception of the two younger children, were
+assembled in the common sitting room.
+
+As Frank entered, instead of the cordial welcome he had previously
+received, he noticed a look of coldness and constraint on the faces of
+Mr. and Mrs. Tarbox, while Pliny looked as if some stupendous joke was
+being perpetrated.
+
+"Good-evening!" said Frank, politely. "I have been taking a walk."
+
+"My son Pliny tells me," said Mr. Tarbox, "that you have not inherited
+your mother's property."
+
+Frank bowed.
+
+"And that it has gone to your stepfather."
+
+"It seems so."
+
+"I am amazed."
+
+"So was I, sir."
+
+"Your mother has practically disinherited you?"
+
+"It was not my mother, sir," said Frank, hastily. "I can't explain it,
+but I'm sure she would not will away everything from me."
+
+"Do you suspect your stepfather of anything irregular?" asked Mr.
+Tarbox, briskly.
+
+"I would rather not answer your question, sir. I don't care to make any
+charges which I cannot prove."
+
+"And so Mr. Manning has sent you out into the world to earn your own
+living, has he?"
+
+"No, sir. He has consented that I may do so. It was my own plan."
+
+Much as Frank was prejudiced against his stepfather, his natural sense
+of justice would not allow him to accuse him unjustly.
+
+"Did he suggest that you should come to me?" asked Mr. Tarbox, in a
+tone which Frank did not like.
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"So that was your idea, too," continued Mr. Tarbox, with a palpable
+sneer.
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Frank. "You are not a very near relative, but the
+nearest I know of, and I supposed you would be willing to give me some
+advice about the best means of earning my living. I remembered," he
+could not help adding, "that my mother received you all as guests for a
+considerable time, and I thought I might take the liberty."
+
+"Oh, certainly!" returned Mr. Tarbox, rather abashed. "I am, of course,
+ready to give you advice, and my first advice is to seek a lawyer and
+let him institute a suit against your stepfather, on speculation. That
+is, he gets nothing if he fails, but obtains a commission if he
+succeeds. I could myself recommend a reliable man."
+
+"Thank you, sir; but I have no present thought of contesting the will."
+
+"I think you make a mistake. Do I understand that you expect to earn
+your own living?"
+
+"I shall try to do so."
+
+"You will find it very difficult. You may expect me to take you into my
+own store, but there is no vacancy, and--"
+
+Frank hastily assured Mr. Tarbox that he had no such expectations. He
+had no wish to deprive the errand boy of the two dollars a week, which
+he probably richly earned.
+
+"Situations in Newark are not easily obtained," proceeded Mr. Tarbox. "I
+am willing that you should stay with us a day or two, but I don't think
+you will find it worth your while to stay here."
+
+Mr. Tarbox feared that his young relative might expect to find a home
+free of charge in his house, and such an arrangement did not suit his
+economical ideas. There was no profit in it, but, on the contrary, a
+positive loss. Frank read clearly the thoughts of his host, with the
+help of what Pliny had told him, and, expressing his thanks very
+briefly, announced his intention to go to New York the next morning.
+
+"It may be the best thing you can do!" said Mr. Tarbox, relieved. "New
+York opens a much wider field to a boy of enterprise than Newark, and
+probably you will pick up something to do."
+
+"It won't be my fault, if I don't," said Frank.
+
+"You have my best wishes," said Mr. Tarbox. "The demands of my family
+forbid me offering you any pecuniary assistance, but--"
+
+"I don't stand in need of it, sir. I have money enough to keep me till I
+get started in something."
+
+"Really, I am very glad to hear it!"
+
+And there is no doubt that Mr. Tarbox was sincere.
+
+"I wonder how much money he has got?" thought Pliny. "Perhaps he'd lend
+me two dollars. I'll ask him, if I have a chance."
+
+Pliny proposed to borrow, not because he needed the money, but because
+he liked to levy contributions upon any available party, with a very
+faint idea of repaying the same. The money would go to swell his deposit
+at the savings bank. It was very commendable, of course, to save his
+money, but not at the expense of others, as Pliny too frequently did.
+
+"I have moved you out of the spare room," said Mrs. Tarbox, when our
+hero asked permission to retire, "and put you in the same room with
+Pliny. I suppose you won't mind?"
+
+"Just as you please, Mrs. Tarbox," said Frank, though he would have
+preferred to have passed the night alone.
+
+"Could you make it convenient to lend me two dollars?" asked Pliny, as
+they went up to bed together.
+
+"Not just now," answered Frank. "When I get something to do I shall not
+need to be so careful of my money."
+
+"One dollar would answer," persisted Pliny.
+
+Without a word, Frank drew a dollar bill from his pocketbook and handed
+it to Pliny.
+
+"Now," he thought, "I shall not feel under any obligations to the
+family."
+
+"You're a good fellow, even if you are poor," said Pliny, in high good
+humor.
+
+Frank was tired, and it was not long before all his anxieties for future
+were lost sight of in a sound and refreshing slumber.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+FRANK ARRIVES IN NEW YORK
+
+
+The breakfast the next morning was very meager. It was no longer an
+object to gratify Frank's palate, now that he turned out to be a poor
+relation, and the family returned to their usual plain diet.
+
+"So you are resolved to go to New York this morning," said Mr. Tarbox.
+"Of course it would gratify us to have you remain longer, but I
+appreciate your anxiety to go to work."
+
+Frank was by no means deceived by this statement. He knew very well
+that Mr. Tarbox would be relieved by his departure, but of this
+knowledge he made no sign. He merely said that he thought it best to go.
+
+He took leave of his hosts, and, purchasing a ticket at the railway
+station, found himself within an hour in New York. He had been there
+before, but it was not for a long time, and he had but a vague general
+idea of the city.
+
+Frank made inquiries of a kindly man who owned a clean little store on
+one of the streets. The latter knew of places where Frank could board
+and lodge for five dollars a week or about that and directed Frank to
+them. They were all near University Place. He found the place without
+difficulty.
+
+A slipshod servant answered the bell.
+
+"Have you got any small rooms?" asked Frank.
+
+"Yes," answered the girl. "Missus is out, but I'll show you a hall
+bedroom, if you like."
+
+"I should like to see it."
+
+Frank followed the girl upstairs.
+
+He was not favorably impressed by the appearance of the interior. He did
+not so much mind its being shabby, but he was repelled by the evident
+lack of neatness.
+
+The girl threw open the door of a small hall bedroom at the head of the
+stairs, but it looked so comfortless that he felt sure he should not
+like it. He thought it best, however, to inquire the price.
+
+"Five dollars a week with board," answered the girl.
+
+"I don't think it will suit me," said our hero.
+
+"There's a larger room for seven dollars," said the servant.
+
+"No. I think I will look elsewhere."
+
+The next house was not much better, but the third was much neater and
+more attractive, and Frank agreed to take a room at five dollars per
+week.
+
+It was a small hall bedroom, but it looked clean, and the lady who
+showed him about the house was very neat in her dress.
+
+"When will you come?" asked the lady.
+
+"Now," replied Frank, promptly.
+
+"Would you mind paying the first week in advance?"
+
+"Not at all. Here is the money."
+
+And Frank drew a five-dollar bill from his portemonnaie.
+
+"Thank you!" said the boarding-house keeper. "I have lost so much by
+boarders going away owing me money that I am obliged to ask gentlemen to
+pay in advance till I am well acquainted with them."
+
+"That is quite right," said Frank. "What is your dinner hour?"
+
+"Six o'clock. We have lunch at half-past twelve for the ladies, but if
+any gentleman happens to be at home at that time, he can go in."
+
+Frank looked at his watch. It was only eleven o'clock and as so much of
+the day remained, he decided, as soon as he had unpacked his valise, to
+go downtown and look for a place without delay.
+
+"I shall not be here at lunch to-day," he said. "You may expect me at
+dinner."
+
+There was a small bureau in the room--a piece of furniture not often
+found in hall bedrooms.
+
+Frank deposited the contents of the valise in the bureau drawers, and
+then went downstairs and out into the street.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+FRANK SEEKS EMPLOYMENT IN VAIN
+
+
+It was a bright, pleasant day, and Broadway looked very lively. In spite
+of his being alone in a strange city, with uncertain prospects, Frank
+felt in good spirits.
+
+Boys of his age usually like excitement and bustle, and Frank was quick
+to notice the shifting scenes of the great panorama.
+
+"Here are thousands of people," he reflected, "all of whom make a living
+in some way. I don't see why I can't succeed as well as they."
+
+Some of the objects he saw amused him.
+
+In front of him walked an elderly man with a large placard strapped to
+his back, on which was the advertisement of a "Great Clothing Emporium."
+
+"I don't think I should fancy that kind of employment," thought our
+hero.
+
+As he was looking in at a shop window, a boy about his own age hailed
+him.
+
+"I say, Johnny, what's the price of turnips?"
+
+"Do you want to buy any?" asked Frank quietly.
+
+"Well, I might. Have you got any with you?"
+
+"I am sorry I can't supply you," said Frank, coolly. "Up our way we keep
+our cattle on turnips."
+
+"You ain't so green, after all," said the boy, laughing good-naturedly.
+
+"Thank you for the compliment!"
+
+"I suppose I look countrylike," thought Frank, "but it won't last long.
+I shall get used to city ways."
+
+Close by he saw in a window the sign:
+
+  "CASH BOY WANTED."
+
+Frank as not altogether certain about the duties of cash boys nor their
+rate of compensation, but he made up his mind not to lose sight of any
+chances, and accordingly stepped into the store.
+
+It proved to be a large dry-goods store.
+
+Near the entrance he met a tall man, with black whiskers.
+
+"Do you want any cash boys?" inquired Frank.
+
+"Are you inquiring for yourself?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You are too large. Besides, you would not be satisfied with the wages?"
+
+"How much do you pay, sir?"
+
+"Two dollars a week."
+
+"No; I don't think I should like to work for that," said Frank. "Are
+those cash boys?" he asked, pointing out some boys of apparently ten to
+twelve years, old, who were flitting about from desk to counter.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I see they are much younger than I. Excuse the trouble I have given
+you!"
+
+"None whatever," said the man, politely.
+
+Frank left the store, and continued his walk down Broadway.
+
+He began to feel a little serious. It was evident that the boys did not
+receive as large compensation for their services as he had supposed.
+
+The problem promised to be a perplexing one, but Frank was by no means
+discouraged. In fact, if he had been, he would hardly have deserved to
+be the hero of my story.
+
+Though Clinton Place is not very far uptown, it is a considerable walk
+from this point to the Astor House.
+
+There was so much to see, however, that Frank did not become tired, nor
+was he sensible of the distance. He walked a little beyond the Astor
+House, and, crossing Broadway, turned down Fulton Street.
+
+On the left side of the street his attention was drawn to a restaurant,
+and he was led by the prompting of appetite to enter.
+
+The prices he found to be reasonable, and the tables were already pretty
+well filled with clerks and business men, who were partaking of their
+midday lunch.
+
+Frank found that a plate of meat, with potato and a small supply of
+bread and butter, could be obtained for fifteen cents.
+
+He afterward found restaurants where the same could be gotten for ten
+cents, but generally there was a deficiency in quality or quantity, and
+there was less neatness in serving the articles.
+
+Seated at the same table with Frank were two young men, neither probably
+much over twenty. One appeared to be filling a regular clerkship.
+
+"What are you doing now, Jack?" he asked of the other.
+
+"I am in the tea business."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"You know the Great Pekin Tea Company, of course?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, until I can get a place, I am selling for them."
+
+"How do you make out?"
+
+"I can't tell you, for I have only just commenced," said his friend.
+
+"How do they pay--salary or commission?"
+
+"They are to pay me a commission--twenty per cent on what I sell."
+
+"That is a good commission."
+
+"Yes; it is good enough, if I can make a fair amount of sales. There is
+a good deal of uncertainty about it of course. I would much rather have
+a place like yours."
+
+Frank listened with interest. He wondered whether the Great Pekin Tea
+Company would employ him. If so, he would have a field for his energy,
+and every inducement to work hard, since his pay would depend on the
+amount of his sales. Besides, as an agent, he would occupy a
+comparatively independent position, and Frank was ambitious enough to
+enjoy this.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+AN ADVENTURE IN WALL STREET
+
+
+When the two men at his table left the restaurant, Frank followed them.
+At the door the two parted, the clerk going toward Broadway, while the
+agent walked in the direction of Nassau Street.
+
+"I beg your pardon," said Frank, overtaking him; "but may I ask you a
+question?"
+
+"Half a dozen, if you like," said the other, good-naturedly.
+
+"I overheard what you said about the Great Pekin Tea Company. Do you
+think I could get a chance to sell for them?"
+
+"Oh, yes; there'll be no trouble about that!"
+
+"I am looking for something to do," continued Frank, "and I think I
+should like to try that."
+
+"You'll find it uphill work," said the agent; "hard work and poor pay. I
+shall leave it as soon as I can get a regular position. Can't you get a
+place?"
+
+"Perhaps I can. I haven't tried very hard yet," answered Frank; "but I
+find boys are paid so little that I can't make enough to live on. If I
+were a man it would be different."
+
+"I don't believe you can make more than a boy's wages at selling tea,"
+said Frank's new acquaintance, "but you might try it."
+
+"Would you mind giving me a note to the company?" asked Frank.
+
+"I will write a line on one of my business cards," said the agent. "That
+will be all you will need."
+
+He drew out a card and wrote a line commending Frank to the attention of
+the company.
+
+Frank thanked him, and sought the direction given.
+
+Entering a large shop, not far from the Astor House, he looked about his
+inquiringly. Around him were chests of tea, inscribed with Chinese
+characters. A portly man addressed him.
+
+"Well, my boy, what can I do for you?" he asked.
+
+"Mr. Mason, one of your agents, has given me this card," said Frank. "He
+thinks you might be willing to employ me."
+
+"We are ready to employ any competent person," said the gentleman; "but
+you seem very young."
+
+"I am sixteen, sir."
+
+"That is young. Have you had any experience as an agent?"
+
+"No, sir?"
+
+The man questioned him further and finally accepted him.
+
+Frank was told that it would be well to take samples of different kinds
+of teas with their respective prices attached, and seek orders for them
+at private houses and groceries, noting down in a little book orders
+obtained. Small quantities he could himself deliver, and large
+quantities, should he be fortunate enough to obtain any, could be sent
+out from the store by their general delivery.
+
+"What commission am I to get, sir?" inquired Frank.
+
+"Twenty per cent on parcels sold to private houses and ten per cent when
+you sell to retail dealers. To the first you can charge a full price,
+but it is necessary to sell at lower rates to dealers."
+
+"I understand, sir," said Frank.
+
+"When do you want to begin?"
+
+"To-morrow morning, sir. Where do you advise me to go?"
+
+"New York has been pretty well canvassed, except perhaps the upper part,
+Harlem. It might be well to make a start in Brooklyn."
+
+"Very well, sir. I will call to-morrow and get samples."
+
+As Frank left the store, he reflected, with satisfaction:
+
+"I have only been a few hours in New York, and I have gotten employment
+already."
+
+This reflection raised his spirits, and disposed him to regard the
+future with a degree of confidence. He resolved to spend the rest of the
+afternoon in walking about in the lower part of the city, and acquiring
+a little familiarity with the streets, as this was a kind of knowledge
+he was likely to need.
+
+He strolled down Broadway, admiring the massive and stately structures
+that lined the streets on either side. Very soon he came to Trinity
+Church, and, standing in front it, looked down Wall Street. He had heard
+so much of this street that he felt inclined to turn from Broadway and
+walk down its entire length.
+
+As he sauntered along a man whom he met scrutinized him sharply, as if
+considering some plan. Apparently making up his mind, he stepped up to
+Frank, and, touching him on the shoulder, said:
+
+"Boy, would you like a job?"
+
+Now Frank, though he had engaged to work for the Great Pekin Tea Company
+was ready to accept any other proposal, and answered promptly:
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"That is right," said the man. "It is a mere trifle, but I am willing to
+pay you a dollar."
+
+"What is it, sir?"
+
+"Do you see that window?"
+
+He pointed to a basement window, in which were exposed rolls of gold,
+currency and greenbacks of different denominations, and English
+sovereigns and French gold coins.
+
+"I want you to do me a little errand in there," he said.
+
+Frank was rather surprised that the man did not do his own errand, when
+the broker's office was so near, but he had no objection to earning a
+dollar and signified his willingness.
+
+"What I want you to do," said his new acquaintance, "is to sell some
+government bonds for me."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+The man produced a large yellow envelope, already open.
+
+"In this envelope," he said, "are two five-twenty governments for a
+hundred dollars each. Take them in and sell them, and bring the proceeds
+to me."
+
+"All right, sir."
+
+Frank took the envelope, and entered the office of Jones & Robinson,
+that being the style of the firm.
+
+He advanced to the counter, and singling out a clerk, said:
+
+"I want to sell these bonds."
+
+The clerk took them and drew them out of the envelope. Then he figured a
+little on a slip of paper, and said:
+
+"They are worth two hundred and twenty-five dollars and twenty-five
+cents."
+
+"All right, sir."
+
+"Will you take a check or currency?"
+
+Frank hesitated.
+
+"Perhaps I'd better ask the man I am getting them for."
+
+"Very well. You can bring them here to-morrow."
+
+"Oh, I will let you know in a minute! The man is just outside."
+
+This answer immediately excited suspicion. Frank was too little versed
+in business ways to understand how singular it was for his principal not
+to transact his own business under the circumstances, but the brokers
+were necessarily keen, shrewd men.
+
+"Wait a minute," said the clerk; "I will speak to Mr. Jones."
+
+Mr. Jones came forward and addressed Frank.
+
+"Are you acquainted with the man who gave you these bonds to sell?" he
+asked.
+
+"No, sir. I met him in the street."
+
+"Did he offer you any pay for selling them?"
+
+"Yes, sir. He is going to give me a dollar."
+
+"Will you go out and ask him to come in here a moment?"
+
+Frank obeyed.
+
+When his employer saw him coming, he asked, eagerly:
+
+"Have you got the money?"
+
+"No," answered Frank. "They asked me if I wanted a check or currency."
+
+"Either currency or gold," answered the man, hastily. "Go back at once,
+and don't keep me waiting."
+
+"They want to see you, sir."
+
+"What for?" inquired the man, looking disturbed.
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"There is no need of my going in," said the man, angrily. "I paid you to
+sell the bonds. Now go back."
+
+"He won't come," reported Frank. "He says I can attend to the business.
+He will take either gold or currency."
+
+"No doubt," said Mr. Jones, significantly. "Thomas, go out with this
+boy, and tell the man that employed him that we do not purchase bonds
+unless we have a reasonable assurance that they belong to the person
+offering them. We will take the liberty of retaining them, giving him a
+receipt for them, and if we are satisfied, he can have his money
+to-morrow."
+
+Robinson, who had been examining some newspaper slips, here came
+forward, and said:
+
+"That is unnecessary. I find that these bonds are among those stolen
+from the house of Henry Percival, Madison Avenue, a week since. We must
+manage to delay the man while we notify the police."
+
+Frank was very much surprised to learn that he was acting as agent for a
+bond robber, and was fearful that he might himself be regarded with
+suspicion; but he need not have troubled himself on this score. Wall
+Street men are good judges of human nature, and it was at once concluded
+in the office that Frank was the dupe of a designing knave.
+
+A boy was dispatched to the nearest police office, and Frank was
+directed to tell his principal that he would not long be delayed.
+
+Naturally, however, the man outside had become suspicious.
+
+"I can't wait," he said. "Meet me on the steps of the Astor House at
+five o'clock with the money. I am obliged to hurry away now to a
+business appointment."
+
+Frank could think of no other pretext for delaying him, and was forced
+to see him hurry away.
+
+He hastened back to the office and gave the alarm.
+
+"He has taken fright," said Robinson. "I fear we have lost him. Where
+did he go?"
+
+Frank, however, was too ignorant of city streets to give any accurate
+information.
+
+The consequence was that when the policeman appeared on the scene, there
+was no occasion for his services.
+
+"At any rate," said the broker, "we have secured a little of the
+plunder. What is your name and address my boy? We may wish to
+communicate with you."
+
+Frank gave his name, and added the directions of his boarding house.
+
+"Shall I meet the man at the Astor House?" he inquired, as he was
+leaving the office.
+
+"To be sure!" said Mr. Jones. "I came near forgetting that. Officer,
+will you be on hand at the time?"
+
+"Better employ a detective, sir, as my uniform would keep the thief at a
+distance. I don't think he'll appear, at any rate."
+
+"I do," said the broker. "He won't give up the money while he thinks
+there is a chance of securing it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE CAPTURE
+
+
+At the hour named, Frank repaired to the Astor House, and took a
+position on the steps.
+
+He looked about him for his street acquaintance, but could see no one
+who bore any resemblance to him.
+
+Finally, a man dressed in a gray suit with a pair of green glasses,
+walked carelessly up to our hero and said, in a low voice:
+
+"Have you got the money?"
+
+Frank looked at him in surprise.
+
+This man had thick, black whiskers, while the man who had employed him
+had none at all, so far as he could remember. Besides, the green glasses
+altered him considerably.
+
+To make sure that he was not deceived he inquired:
+
+"What money?"
+
+"You know very well," said the man, impatiently. "You are the boy whom I
+employed to sell some bonds this morning."
+
+"You don't look like the same man," said Frank.
+
+"Because of my glasses. I have to wear them at times on account of the
+weakness of my eyes."
+
+While he was speaking, a quiet-looking man approached and listened to
+the conversation.
+
+"Then," said Frank, "you can tell me how many bonds you handed me."
+
+"They were two five-twenty government bonds of a hundred dollars each."
+
+"Correct, sir."
+
+"Then hand me the money and be quick about it, for I have no time to
+waste! You shall have the dollar I promised you."
+
+But here the quiet-looking man took a part in the conversation. Passing
+his arm through that of the man with the green glasses, he said:
+
+"I will trouble you to come with me."
+
+"How dare you touch me? Do you mean to insult me?" demanded the other,
+struggling with captor.
+
+"I will make all clear in due time. You must come with me and explain
+how you came in possession of the bonds you gave this boy."
+
+"They were put in my hands by an acquaintance. If there is anything
+wrong, I am not to blame."
+
+"In that case no harm will come to you; but now you must come along."
+
+After his experience, Frank walked to his boarding place. He was quite
+ready for six o'clock.
+
+When he entered the dining room, his hostess introduced him to all.
+
+A young man sat next to him and entered into conversation.
+
+"What do you do, Mr. Courtney?"
+
+"I have taken an agency to sell tea for the Great Pekin Tea Company. I
+am to begin to-morrow."
+
+"I am afraid you won't like it. A friend of mine tried it once and came
+near starving."
+
+This was not encouraging, but Frank was not going to despair before he
+had fairly begun his work.
+
+"I find that boys receive such small wages," Frank continued, "that I
+preferred to try an agency."
+
+"Quite true," said Mr. Preston, condescendingly. "When I started I was
+paid a paltry sum; now I am not paid what I am worth. Still, twenty-five
+dollars a week is fair."
+
+"Quite fair," responded Frank, who could not, of course, know that Mr.
+Preston did not receive one-half of this sum, though he chose to give
+that impression.
+
+After dinner, Preston was obliged to go back to the store where he was
+employed. By invitation, Frank walked with him.
+
+Turning into Sixth Avenue they passed a saloon.
+
+"Won't you have something to drink, Courtney?" said Preston.
+
+"No, thank you, I never drink," answered Frank.
+
+"It will brace you up, and make you feel jolly. Better come in!"
+
+"I don't need bracing up," answered Frank, quietly.
+
+"Well, perhaps you are right," said Mr. Peter Preston. "I don't indulge
+very often, but sometimes I feel like it."
+
+Some boys might have yielded to the temptation, but Frank had determined
+that he would abstain from liquor, and kept his resolution. A boy who
+comes to the city is exposed at every step to this peril, and needs a
+firm will to withstand it. It is the fruitful source of crime and
+misery, and does more to fill our prisons than any other cause.
+
+"This is my store," said Preston, as he pointed to a modest-looking shop
+on the west side of the avenue. "I wish I could keep you company longer,
+but business before pleasure, you know."
+
+Before returning to his boarding house, Frank sat down for a short time
+in Washington Park, and reviewed his plans and prospects. He could not
+tell how he would succeed in his tea agency; but if that failed, he was
+resolved to try something else.
+
+He didn't feel homesick, for since his mother's death he had no longer
+any home ties. Young as he was, he felt that one part of his life was
+at an end, and that a new life and a new career were before him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE YOUNG TEA MERCHANT
+
+
+The next morning, at breakfast, one of the gentlemen, who had been
+running his eyes over the morning paper, said, suddenly:
+
+"Ah! I see they have caught one of the gang who robbed the house of Mr.
+Percival, on Madison Avenue, a week ago."
+
+"Read the paragraph, Mr. Smith," said one of the boarders.
+
+Mr. Smith read as follows:
+
+"About noon yesterday a boy entered the banking house of Jones &
+Robinson, in Wall Street, and offered for sale two one-hundred-dollar
+government bonds. On inquiry, he said that the bonds belonged to a man
+in the street, whom he had never before met, and who had offered him a
+dollar to sell them. This naturally excited suspicion, and a policeman
+was sent for. Before he could arrive the man had hastily departed,
+requesting the boy to meet him at a specified hour in front of the Astor
+House and hand him the money. He came to the rendezvous, but in
+disguise, and, while talking to the boy, was arrested. It is understood
+that he has agreed to turn State's evidence, and probably the entire sum
+stolen, amounting to several thousand dollars, will be recovered."
+
+Frank listened to this paragraph with interest. He was glad that his
+name was not mentioned in the account, as he didn't care for such
+publicity. He ventured to ask a question.
+
+"Is Mr. Percival a rich man?" he asked.
+
+"Very rich," answered Mr. Smith. "He is not now in the city, but is
+expected home from Europe in three or four weeks. His house was left in
+charge of an old servant--a coachman--and his wife; but the burglars
+proved too much for them."
+
+"I am glad they are caught," said Mrs. Fletcher. "It makes my blood run
+cold to think of having the houses entered at night by burglars."
+
+"Preston," said Mr. Smith, jokingly, "I hope you have your bonds locked
+securely up."
+
+"I don't believe the sharpest burglar can find them," said Preston. "I
+only wish I could get hold of them myself."
+
+"The boy who helped to capture the burglar ought to be well rewarded,"
+said one of the boarders.
+
+"Don't you wish it had been you, Courtney?" said Mr. Preston.
+
+"It was," answered Frank, quietly.
+
+There was a great sensation upon this announcement. All eyes were turned
+upon our hero--most, it must be admitted, with an expression of
+incredulity.
+
+"Come, now, you are joking!" said Preston. "You don't really mean it?"
+
+"I do mean it," assured Frank.
+
+"Tell us all about it," said Mrs. Fletcher, who had her share of
+curiosity. "I didn't suppose we had such a hero in our house."
+
+"It didn't require much heroism," said Frank, smiling.
+
+"Tell us all about it, at any rate."
+
+Frank told the story as simply as he could, much to the satisfaction of
+the company.
+
+"You'll come in for a handsome reward, when Mr. Percival gets home,"
+suggested Mr. Smith.
+
+"I don't expect anything," said Frank. "I shall be satisfied if I get
+the dollar which was promised me. I haven't received that yet."
+
+"I wish I were in your shoes--that's all I've got to say," said Preston,
+nodding vigorously. "Will you sell out for five dollars?"
+
+"Cash down?" asked Frank, smiling.
+
+"Well, I'll give you my note at thirty days," said the Sixth Avenue
+salesman, who seldom kept five dollars in advance of his liabilities.
+
+"I won't sell what I haven't got," said Frank. "Probably I shall hear
+nothing from Mr. Percival."
+
+After breakfast Frank went downtown and sought the store of the Great
+Pekin Company.
+
+After half an hour's delay--for there were others in advance of him--he
+was fitted out with samples and started for Brooklyn.
+
+It was his first visit to that city, but he had received some directions
+which made his expedition less embarrassing.
+
+At the ferry he took a Flatbush Avenue car, and rode up Fulton Street,
+and past the City Hall, up Fulton Avenue, for nearly a mile.
+
+Here were interesting streets, lined with comfortable houses--for Frank
+had made up his mind first to try private houses. He had with him a few
+pound parcels of tea, which he thought he could perhaps succeed in
+disposing of at such places.
+
+He selected a house at random, and rang the bell.
+
+A servant answered the ring.
+
+Frank felt rather embarrassed, but there was no time to hesitate.
+
+"I have some samples of tea with me," he began, "of excellent quality
+and at reasonable prices."
+
+"It's no use," said the girl, abruptly. "We never buy of peddlers," and
+she closed the door in his face.
+
+"Not a very good beginning," thought Frank, rather mortified. "So I am a
+peddler," he said to himself, and he called to mind the agents and
+peddlers who in past years had called at the Cedars.
+
+With some compunction, he remembered that he had regarded them with some
+contempt as traveling nuisances. Now he had entered the ranks of this
+despised class, and he began to see that they might be perfectly
+respectable, and were estimable persons, animated by a praiseworthy
+desire to make an honest living.
+
+Thus thinking, he called at another door.
+
+It was opened, not by a servant, but by an elderly maiden lady, who had
+rather a weakness for bargains.
+
+"I've got some nice tea," said Frank, "which I should like to sell you.
+It is put up by the Great Pekin Company."
+
+"Are you sure it's nice?" asked the elderly lady. "We've been getting
+ours at the grocery store on the avenue, and the last wasn't very good."
+
+"You'd better try a pound of ours," said Frank.
+
+"I don't know but I will," said the lady. "How much do you charge?"
+
+"I have some at fifty cents, some at sixty and some at seventy."
+
+"I guess I'll take the sixty."
+
+Frank had a pound parcel ready, which he delivered to her, and received
+his money.
+
+"Seems to me you are pretty young for a peddler," said the lady,
+regarding Frank with curiosity.
+
+"Yes, ma'am."
+
+"How old be you?"
+
+"Sixteen."
+
+"Been long in the business?"
+
+"No, ma'am; I've only just commenced."
+
+"You don't say so! Do you make much money at it?"
+
+"I haven't made much yet. I should be glad to supply you with some more
+tea when this is gone."
+
+"Well, you can call if you are round this way. If I like it, I will try
+you again."
+
+Frank's spirits rose.
+
+His profits on the pound of tea were twelve cents. This was not much,
+certainly, but it was a beginning.
+
+At the next three houses he sold nothing, being rather rudely rebuffed
+at one. At the fourth house, the servant called her mistress, a kind,
+motherly-looking woman, who seemed to regard Frank with more interest
+than his merchandise.
+
+"I hope you are succeeding well," she said, kindly.
+
+"This is my first day," said Frank, "and I have made one sale."
+
+"I have a son who is an agent like you, but he didn't begin so young.
+He is now traveling in the West."
+
+"What is he selling?" asked Frank, with interest.
+
+"Dry goods. He travels for a wholesale house in New York."
+
+"I suppose he is a young man."
+
+"Yes; he is twenty-five, but he began at nineteen in a small way. He
+sometimes got quite discouraged at first. That is why I feel interested
+in any who are passing through the same experience."
+
+These pleasant words cheered Frank. Only at the nearest house he had
+been called a tramp, but here he found that he was regarded with
+consideration.
+
+"It is rather uphill work," said Frank.
+
+"And you seem very young."
+
+"I am sixteen."
+
+"Are you entirely dependent on what you earn?" asked the lady,
+sympathizingly.
+
+"Not entirely," answered the young merchant, "but I hope to make a
+living in this or some other way. Can I sell you any?" he asked,
+hopefully.
+
+"I believe we have some on hand. Still tea will always keep, and I would
+like to help you along."
+
+The kind-hearted lady took three pounds--two at sixty cents and one at
+seventy. This gave Frank a profit thirty-eight cents and put him in good
+spirits.
+
+He worked his way back to the avenue on the other side of the street,
+and coming to a grocery store, entered.
+
+It occurred to him that he would try to sell some at wholesale.
+
+Frank was so young that the dealer did not suppose him to be an agent,
+and asked what he would like to buy.
+
+"I came to sell, not to buy," said Frank.
+
+"What are you dealing in?" asked the grocer.
+
+"I have several samples of tea," said our hero. "If you will give me an
+order, I will have it sent to you to-morrow."
+
+The grocer found, upon examination, that his stock was getting low, and
+gave Frank an order, but he was obliged to sell below the regular price,
+and only cleared three cents a pound. Still, on a sale of twenty-five
+pounds, this gave him seventy-five cents, which was very encouraging.
+
+Adding up his profits, thus far, Frank found that his commission
+amounted to a dollar and a quarter, which exceeded his anticipations.
+
+He continued his calls, but sold only one pound besides, at fifty cents,
+netting him ten cents more.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+FRANK MEETS MR. MANNING AND MARK
+
+
+The next morning Frank resumed his tea agency. As on the day previous,
+he went to Brooklyn; but, though I should be glad to say that he was
+more successful than on the first day, truth compels me to state that
+the day was a comparative failure.
+
+It might be that he was unfortunate in the persons whom he visited, but
+at all events, at the close of his labors he found that his commissions
+amounted to less than fifty cents. He contented himself, therefore, with
+a ten-cent lunch, and crossed Fulton Ferry between three and four
+o'clock.
+
+"This will never do," thought Frank, seriously. "I shall have to be
+economical to make my earnings cover my incidental expenses, while my
+board and lodging must be defrayed out of the money I have with me."
+
+Frank was disappointed. It is easy to think of earning one's living, but
+not quite so easy to accomplish it. A boy, besides being ignorant of the
+world, is inexperienced, and so disqualified for many avenues of
+employment which are open to men. It is generally foolish for a boy to
+leave a good home and start out for himself, unless the chances are
+unusually favorable for him. If he does it, however, he should not allow
+himself to be easily discouraged.
+
+If Frank had given up the business in which he was engaged simply
+because he had met with one unsuccessful day, I should not have been
+willing to make him the hero of my story.
+
+"This will never do," thought Frank. "I must make a greater effort
+to-morrow."
+
+The next day his commission amounted to a dollar, and the fourth day to
+a dollar and twelve cents.
+
+"You are doing well," said his employer. "You are doing better than the
+majority of our agents."
+
+In one way this compliment was satisfactory. In another way it was not
+encouraging, for it limited his prospects. Frank began to think that he
+would never be able to make his entire expenses as a tea agent.
+
+I don't propose to speak in detail of Frank's daily experiences, but
+only to make mention of any incidents that play an important part in
+his history.
+
+He was returning from Jersey City on the tenth day of his agency, when
+in the gentleman's cabin he saw, directly opposite, two persons whom he
+had reason to remember.
+
+They were Mark Manning and his father.
+
+Little reason as he had to like either, they reminded him of home, and
+he felt pleased to meet them.
+
+He instantly crossed the cabin, and offered his hand to his stepfather,
+who had not yet seen him.
+
+"When did you arrive, Mr. Manning?" he asked.
+
+"Why, it is Frank!" exclaimed Mr. Manning, with an appearance of
+cordiality. "Mark, do you see Frank?"
+
+"Yes, I see him," replied Mark, coldly.
+
+"Haven't you anything to say to him?" asked his father, who was much
+more of a gentleman than his son.
+
+"How are you?" said Mark, indifferently.
+
+"Thank you for your kind inquiry," said Frank, more amused than vexed,
+for he cared very little for his stepbrother's friendship. "I am in very
+good health."
+
+"And how are you getting along?" asked his stepfather, with an
+appearance of interest. "Are you in any business?"
+
+"Yes," answered Frank.
+
+"What are you doing?' asked Mark, inspired a little by curiosity.
+
+"I am agent for a wholesale tea house in New York," Frank answered,
+briefly.
+
+"You don't say so!" exclaimed Mark, rather impressed. "What is the name
+of the firm?"
+
+"The Great Pekin Tea Company."
+
+"Does it pay well?" asked his stepbrother.
+
+"I have met with very fair success," replied Frank.
+
+"I congratulate you, Frank," said Mr. Manning. "Your energy and
+enterprise are creditable--extremely creditable. I always predicted that
+you would succeed--didn't I, Mark?'
+
+"I don't remember hearing you say so," said Mark.
+
+Mr. Manning shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Nevertheless," he said, "I have often made the remark."
+
+"Where do you live?" asked Mark.
+
+"I board in Clinton Place."
+
+"A very respectable street," said Mr. Manning.
+
+Frank now thought it was his turn to become questioner.
+
+"How long do you remain in the city, Mr. Manning?" he asked.
+
+"Not long--only a day or two," said his stepfather.
+
+"We sail for Europe on Saturday," interposed Mark, "on the Cunard
+steamer."
+
+"Indeed! I wish you a pleasant voyage."
+
+"I am sorry you won't go with us, Frank," said his stepfather,
+cautiously. "You remember I gave you the chance to do so, and you
+desired to devote yourself immediately to business."
+
+"Yes, sir. I would rather remain in New York."
+
+"It might possibly be arranged now, if you desire to go," said Mr.
+Manning, hesitatingly.
+
+"No, thank you, sir."
+
+"Well, perhaps you are right," said his stepfather, considerably
+relieved.
+
+"What parts of Europe do you expect to visit?" asked Frank.
+
+"We shall visit England, France, the Rhine, Switzerland, and perhaps
+Italy."
+
+"I hope you will enjoy it."
+
+"Thank you; I think we shall."
+
+Frank checked a sigh. It was certainly tantalizing. If he could travel
+with congenial friends, he felt that he would very much enjoy such a
+trip; but with Mark in the party there would be little pleasure for him.
+
+"We are staying at the St. Nicholas Hotel," said Mr. Manning. "I would
+invite you to come and dine with us, but I have an engagement first, and
+don't know when we shall dine."
+
+"Thank you, all the same," said Frank.
+
+They had reached the New York side, and were walking toward Broadway. It
+was necessary for Frank to go to the tea store, and he took leave of his
+stepfather and Mark, again wishing them a pleasant voyage.
+
+"I hate that boy!" said Mark, as they walked away.
+
+"You should not indulge in any such disagreeable feelings, Mark," said
+his father.
+
+"Don't you hate him?"
+
+"Certainly not."
+
+"One would think by your soft manner that you loved him," said Mark, who
+was not noted for the respect with which he treated his father.
+
+"Really, Mark, I am shocked by your strange words."
+
+"What made you invite him to go to Europe with us?"
+
+"I knew he would not go."
+
+"He might have accepted, and then we should have been in a pretty
+pickle."
+
+"Mark," said his father, rather irritated, "will you be kind enough to
+leave me to manage my own affairs? I believe I have succeeded pretty
+well so far."
+
+"Yes, you have," Mark admitted. "All the same, we'd better keep clear of
+Frank till we get safely off on the steamer."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+A DISCOURAGING DAY
+
+
+The next day was indeed a trying one and one of many experiences for
+Frank.
+
+The first lady did not buy any tea, to be sure, but seemed sorry that
+she was already supplied, and questioned Frank as to what success he was
+meeting with.
+
+When twelve o'clock came, Frank had not sold a single pound. Even if he
+earned nothing however, he had an appetite and must buy lunch.
+
+He entered a small oyster saloon, and went up to the proprietor.
+
+"Can I sell you some tea?" he asked.
+
+"No, I guess not. I get my tea in Harlem."
+
+"Take a couple of pounds," said Frank, "and I will take part of the pay
+in lunch."
+
+"That is business," said the other. "Let me look at your tea."
+
+Frank showed him his samples.
+
+"Who employs you?'
+
+"The Great Pekin Tea Company."
+
+"They have a good name. Yes, I will try a couple of pounds at fifty
+cents."
+
+This, of course, came to a dollar, and Frank's profit on the sale
+amounted to twenty cents. This was precisely the cost of the lunch which
+he ordered, so that he felt well satisfied with the arrangement.
+
+He left the saloon in better spirits, and resumed his travels from house
+to house.
+
+I am sorry to say, however, that though he certainly exerted himself to
+the utmost in the interests of the Great Pekin Tea Company and his own,
+he did not sell another pound of tea that day.
+
+About three o'clock he got on board a Third Avenue horse car, bound
+downtown and sat quietly down in a corner.
+
+"Harlem doesn't seem to be a very promising field for an agent," he said
+to himself. "Perhaps it isn't fair to judge it by the first day. Still,
+I don't think I shall have courage to come here to-morrow. I would
+rather go to Jersey City or Brooklyn."
+
+Frank got off the cars at the Bible House and walked to his boarding
+house, where a disagreeable surprise was in store for him.
+
+The night brought perplexity to Frank, but not discouragement. He was
+naturally hopeful, and, in a large city like New York, he felt that
+there are always chances of obtaining employment, provided he could
+maintain his position, as he would have been able to do if he had not
+lost the thirty-five dollars which his fellow boarder had stolen. Now,
+however, circumstances were materially changed.
+
+One thing was tolerably clear to Frank, and this was, that he must give
+up his agency. He had tried it, and been unsuccessful. That is, he had
+failed to earn money enough to support himself, and this was necessary.
+
+As to what he should take up next, Frank was quite in the dark. As a boy
+in a counting room he would be paid not more than four dollars a week,
+if he could gain such a situation, which was by no means certain.
+
+The more he thought about the matter the more perplexed he felt, and it
+was in an uncomfortable frame of mind that he came down to breakfast the
+next morning.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+PERPLEXITY
+
+
+He went out as usual after breakfast, and then walked leisurely
+downtown. He proposed to go to the shop of the Great Pekin Tea Company
+and resign his agency. He was on the watch during his walk for any
+opportunities to repair his unlucky loss:
+
+At one place he saw a notice:
+
+     "BOY WANTED."
+
+Though he felt sure the compensation would not be sufficient to allow of
+his accepting it, he thought it would do no harm to make inquiry, and
+accordingly entered.
+
+It was an extensive retail store, where a large number of clerks were
+employed.
+
+"Is a boy wanted here?" asked Frank of the nearest salesman.
+
+"Yes. You may inquire at the desk."
+
+He pointed to a desk some distance back, and Frank went up to it.
+
+"You advertise for a boy," he said to a tall, stout man, who chanced to
+be the proprietor. "Is the place filled."
+
+"No," was the answer; "but I don't think it would suit you."
+
+"Do you think I would not be competent, sir?"
+
+"No, that is not the difficulty. It would not be worth your acceptance."
+
+"May I inquire what are the duties, sir?"
+
+"We want a boy to open the door to customers, and this would not be
+worth your accepting."
+
+"No, sir. Thank you for explaining it to me."
+
+The gentleman was favorably impressed by Frank's polite and gentlemanly
+manners.
+
+"I wish I had a place for you," he said. "Have you ever had any
+experience in our line of business?"
+
+"No, sir; I have very little experience of any kind. I have acted for a
+short time as agent for a tea company."
+
+"You may leave your name if you like, and I will communicate with you if
+I have a vacancy which you can fill."
+
+Frank thanked the polite proprietor and walked out of the store.
+
+Though this is a story written for boys, it may be read by some business
+men, who will allow me to suggest that a refusal kindly and
+considerately expressed loses half its bitterness, and often inspires
+hope, instead of discouragement.
+
+Frank proceeded to the office of the tea company and formally resigned
+his agency. He was told that he could resume it whenever he pleased.
+
+Leaving the store, he walked down Broadway in the direction of Wall
+Street.
+
+He passed an elderly man, with stooping shoulders and a gait which
+showed that he was accustomed to live in the country.
+
+He was looking about him in rather an undecided way. His glance happened
+to rest on Frank, and, after a little hesitation, he addressed him.
+
+"Boy," he said, "do you live around here?"
+
+"I live in the city; sir."
+
+"Then I guess you can tell me what I want to know."
+
+"I will if I can, sir," said Frank, politely.
+
+"Whereabouts is Wall Street?"
+
+"Close by, sir. I am going that way, and will be happy to show you."
+
+Frank had no idea his compliance with the stranger's request was likely
+to have an important effect up his fortunes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+FRANK HEARS SOMETHING TO HIS ADVANTAGE
+
+
+"My name," said the stranger, "is Peters--Jonathan Peters, of
+Craneville, Onondaga County. I am a farmer, and don't know much about
+New York. I've got a few hundred dollars that I want to put into
+government bonds."
+
+"All right," said Frank, "there won't be any difficulty about it."
+
+"I've heerd there are a good many swindlers in New York," continued Mr.
+Peters. "The squire--Squire Jackson, of our village--perhaps you may
+have heard of him?"
+
+"I don't think I have, Mr. Peters."
+
+"Well, the squire told me I'd better take good keer of my money, as
+there were plenty of rascals here who would try to cheat me out of it."
+
+"That is true, Mr. Peters. Only yesterday I was robbed of thirty-five
+dollars by a man who boarded in the same house."
+
+"You don't say so?"
+
+"He opened my trunk and took out my pocketbook while I was absent on
+business."
+
+"I wouldn't dare to live in York!" said the farmer, whose apprehensions
+were increased by Frank's story.
+
+By this time they had reached the office of Jones & Robinson, with whom,
+it will be remembered, Frank had once before had dealings.
+
+"If you will come in here, Mr. Peters," said our hero, "you will be sure
+of honorable treatment. I will introduce you if you like."
+
+"I should be obleeged if you would," said the farmer. "Out in Craneville
+I am to home, but I ain't used to York business men, and don't know how
+to talk to them."
+
+It pleased Frank to find that, in spite of his inexperience, he was able
+to be of service to one more unaccustomed than himself to city scenes
+and city ways.
+
+He walked up to the counter, followed by the farmer, and said:
+
+"This gentleman wishes to buy some government bonds. I told him that he
+could transact his business here."
+
+"Thank you! Mr. Benton, you may attend to this gentleman."
+
+Frank was about to leave the office, when Mr. Robinson called him back.
+
+"You have been in the office before, have you not?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Are you not the boy who assisted in the capture of the man who robbed
+Mr. Henry Percival, of Madison Avenue?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I thought so. I have been trying to find you for the last week."
+
+Naturally Frank looked surprised.
+
+"Mr. Henry Percival was at that time in Europe," said Mr. Robinson. "On
+his return, a week since, he called on us, and expressed a desire to
+have you call upon him. We had mislaid or lost your address, and were
+unable to give him the information he desired."
+
+Frank's heart beat high with hope as the broker spoke.
+
+"Perhaps," he thought, "Mr. Percival may offer me a situation of some
+kind, and I certainly am greatly in need of one."
+
+"Did Mr. Percival recover all his bonds?" he asked.
+
+"Nearly all," answered Mr. Robinson. "He considered himself exceedingly
+fortunate, and he certainly was so."
+
+"Do you know how much he was robbed of?" asked Frank.
+
+"Rather over five thousand dollars. Of this sum all has been recovered
+except three bonds of a hundred dollars each. Mr. Percival is a rich
+man, and he won't miss that small amount."
+
+"I wish I were rich enough not to miss three hundred dollars," thought
+our hero. "If I had my rights, I could say the same."
+
+Just now, in his extremity, Frank thought regretfully of the fortune he
+had lost. Had he been so situated as to be earning enough to defray all
+his expenses, he would scarcely have given a thought of it.
+
+"You had better go up to see Mr. Percival this evening," said the
+banker, "if you have no other engagement."
+
+"Even if I had an engagement, I would put it off," said Frank. "Will you
+give me Mr. Percival's number?"
+
+"No. 265," said Mr. Robinson.
+
+Frank noted it down and left the office. By this time Mr. Peters had
+completed his business, and was ready to go out, also.
+
+"I'm much obliged to you," he said to Frank. "I was afraid I'd get into
+a place where they'd cheat me. I guess Mr. Jones and Robinson are pretty
+good folks."
+
+"I think you can depend upon them," said Frank.
+
+"If ever you come to Craneville, I should like to have you stay a few
+days with me on my farm," said Mr. Peters, hospitably. "We are plain
+folks, but will treat you about right."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Peters. If I ever come to Craneville, I shall certainly
+call upon you."
+
+Frank had something to look forward to in his approaching interview with
+Mr. Percival. He had been able to do this gentleman a service, and it
+was not unlikely that the capitalist would wish to make him some
+acknowledgment. Frank did not exaggerate his own merits in the matter.
+He felt that it was largely owing to a lucky chance that he had been the
+means of capturing the bond robber. However, it is to precisely such
+lucky chances that men are often indebted for the advancement of their
+fortunes.
+
+While he was in a state of suspense, and uncertain what Mr. Percival
+might be disposed to do for him, he decided not to exert himself to
+obtain any employment. If he should be disappointed in his hopes, it
+would be time enough to look about him the following day.
+
+What should he do in the meantime?
+
+He determined to treat himself to an excursion. From the end of the
+Battery he had often looked across to Staten Island, lying six miles
+away, and thought it would prove a pleasant excursion. Now, having
+plenty of time on his hands, he decided to go on board one of the boats
+that start hourly from the piers adjoining the Battery. The expense was
+but trifling and, low as Frank's purse was, he ventured to spend the
+amount for pleasure. He felt that he needed a little recreation after
+the weeks of patient labor he had spent in the service of the Great
+Pekin Tea Company.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+AN INCIDENT IN A STREET CAR
+
+
+When Frank returned to the city, he walked slowly up through the Battery
+to the foot of Broadway. He passed the famous house, No. 1, which, a
+hundred years ago, was successively the headquarters of Washington and
+the British generals, who occupied New York with their forces, and soon
+reached the Astor House, then the most notable structure in the lower
+part of the city.
+
+With his small means, Frank felt that it was extravagant to ride uptown,
+when he might have walked, but he felt some confidence in the success of
+his visit to Mr. Percival, and entered a Fourth Avenue horse car. It so
+chanced that he seated himself beside a pleasant-looking young married
+lady, who had with her a young boy about seven years old.
+
+Soon after the car started the conductor came around to collect the
+fares.
+
+Frank paid his, and the conductor held out his hand to the lady.
+
+She put her hand into her pocket to draw out her purse, but her
+countenance changed as her hand failed to find it.
+
+Probably no situation is more trying than to discover that you have lost
+or mislaid your purse, when you have an urgent use for it. The lady was
+evidently in that predicament. Once more she searched for her purse, but
+her search was unavailing.
+
+"I am afraid I have lost my purse," she said, apologetically, to the
+conductor.
+
+This official was an ill-mannered person, and answered, rudely:
+
+"In that case, ma'am, you will have to get off."
+
+"I will give you my card," said the lady, "and will send double the fare
+to the office."
+
+"That won't do," said the man, rudely. "I am responsible for your fare,
+if you stay on the car, and I can't afford to lose the money."
+
+"You shall not lose it, sir; but I cannot walk home."
+
+"I think you will have to, madam."
+
+Here Frank interposed. He had been trained to be polite and considerate
+to ladies, and he could not endure to see a lady treated with rudeness.
+
+"Take the lady's fare out of this," he said.
+
+"And the boy's, too?"
+
+"Of course."
+
+The lady smiled gratefully.
+
+"I accept your kindness, my young friend," she said. "You have saved me
+much annoyance."
+
+"I am very glad to have had the opportunity," said Frank, politely.
+
+"Of course, I shall insist upon reimbursing you. Will you oblige me with
+your address, that I may send you the amount when I return home?"
+
+A boy of less tact than Frank would have expostulated against repayment,
+but he knew that this would only embarrass the lady, and that he had no
+right, being a stranger, to force such a favor upon her. He answered,
+therefore:
+
+"Certainly, I will do so, but it will be perfectly convenient for me to
+call upon you."
+
+"If it will give you no trouble, I shall be glad to have you call any
+evening. I live at No. ---- Madison Avenue."
+
+Now it was Frank's turn to be surprised. The number mentioned by the
+lady was that of the house in which Mr. Henry Percival lived.
+
+"I thought Mr. Percival lived at that number?" said Frank.
+
+"So he does. He is my father. Do you know him?"
+
+"No; but I was about to call on him. This morning Mr. Robinson, a broker
+in Wall Street, told me that he wished to see me."
+
+"You are not the boy who caused the capture of the bondholder?" asked
+the lady, quickly.
+
+"Yes, I am the boy, but I am afraid I had less to do with it than has
+been represented."
+
+"What is your name?"
+
+"Frank Courtney."
+
+"My father is very desirous of meeting you, and thanking you for what
+you have done. Why have you not called before?"
+
+"I did not know till to-day that your father had returned. Besides, I
+did not like to go without an invitation."
+
+"I will invite you," said the lady, with a pleasant smile, "and I, as
+well as my father, will be glad to see you. And now let me introduce you
+to my little son. Freddie, would you like to see the boy that caught the
+robber?"
+
+"Yes, mamma."
+
+"Here he is. His name is Frank."
+
+The little boy immediately began to ask questions of Frank, and by the
+time they reached the Cooper Institute Frank and he were well
+acquainted.
+
+"Don't get out, Frank," said Freddie.
+
+"I am going home, Freddie."
+
+"You must come and see me soon," said the little boy.
+
+"Now you have three invitations," said the lady.
+
+"I will accept them all," said Frank.
+
+And, with a bow, he left the car.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+FRANK MAKES AN EVENING CALL
+
+
+After supper Frank walked slowly up to Mr. Percival's residence. Now
+that he knew two members of the family, he looked forward with pleasure
+to the call he was about to make. His prospects seemed much brighter
+than when he woke up in the morning.
+
+On reaching the house of Mr. Percival, he saw at a glance that it was
+the residence of a wealthy man, and the hall, into which he was first
+admitted, was luxurious in its appearance. But Frank had been brought up
+to the enjoyment of wealth, and he felt more at home here than in the
+rather shabby boarding house in Clinton Place.
+
+A colored servant opened the door.
+
+"Is Mr. Percival at home?" he asked.
+
+"Yas, sah."
+
+"I should like to see him."
+
+"What name, sah?"
+
+"Frank Courtney."
+
+"Step in, sah, and I will 'form Mr. Percival," said the colored servant,
+in a consequential tone that amused Frank.
+
+Frank stepped into the hall, but he was not left long without attention.
+Little Freddie ran downstairs, eagerly calling out:
+
+"Did you come to see me, Frank?"
+
+"Yes," answered Frank, smiling; "but I came to see your grandfather,
+too."
+
+"Come, and I will show you where he is," said the little boy, taking
+Frank's hand.
+
+The two went up the staircase and into a handsomely furnished room, made
+attractive by pictures and books.
+
+In a large armchair sat a pleasant-looking elderly man, of about sixty.
+
+"Grandpa," said the little boy, "this is Frank. He wants to see you."
+
+Mr. Percival smiled.
+
+"I am glad to see you, Frank," he said. "It seems, my boy, that you are
+already acquainted with my daughter and grandson."
+
+"Yes, sir. I was fortunate enough to meet them to-day."
+
+"You relieved my daughter from some embarrassment."
+
+"I am glad to have had the opportunity, sir."
+
+Frank's manner was easy and self-possessed, and it was evident that Mr.
+Percival was favorably impressed by him.
+
+"Take a seat," he said, "while I ask you a few questions."
+
+Frank bowed and obeyed.
+
+"Let me sit in your lap, Frank," said Freddie.
+
+Our hero took the little boy in his lap.
+
+With Freddie, it was certainly a case of friendship at first sight.
+
+"Won't he trouble you?" asked his grandfather.
+
+"No, sir. I like young children."
+
+Mr. Percival now proceeded to interrogate Frank.
+
+"Your name is Frank Courtney. Have you been long in the city?"
+
+"No, sir; only a few weeks."
+
+"What led you to come here?"
+
+"I wished to earn my living."
+
+"What that necessary? You do not look like a poor boy."
+
+"I was brought up to consider myself rich," said Frank.
+
+"Indeed! Did you lose your property?"
+
+"Perhaps I had better tell you how it happened, sir."
+
+"If you don't object, I should be glad to hear."
+
+Frank gave a brief statement of his position, and the circumstances that
+led him to leave his home and go out into the world.
+
+Mr. Percival listened thoughtfully.
+
+"It is a singular story," he said, after a pause. "Your stepfather's in
+Europe, then?"
+
+"Yes, sir; at least he sailed for Europe."
+
+"Have you heard from him?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Do you expect to hear?"
+
+"I think not."
+
+"He can't feel much interest in you."
+
+"I don't think he does," answered Frank. "Still, I can't say that he has
+treated me unkindly."
+
+"Do you suspect that your stepfather has wronged you in the matter of
+the property?"
+
+"I would rather not answer that question, sir. I might wrong Mr.
+Manning, and I have no proof to offer."
+
+"I understand you, and I applaud your discretion. It does you credit.
+Some time or other the mystery may be cleared up, and the wrong, if
+there is one, may be righted. I can't understand, however, how this Mr.
+Manning should be willing to leave you dependent upon your own exertions
+with such a scanty provision as twenty-five dollars a quarter."
+
+"I didn't ask for any more; and, besides, Mr. Manning offered to take me
+to Europe with his son Mark."
+
+"Do you think that he was sincere in the offer?"
+
+"I don't think he expected me to accept it, and I am sure that it would
+have been very disagreeable to Mark to have me in the party."
+
+"Have you any objections to telling me how you have succeeded in your
+efforts to make a living?" asked the old gentleman, with a keen but
+kindly glance.
+
+"I have been disappointed, sir," was the candid reply.
+
+"I am not surprised to hear it. A boy brought up as you have been cannot
+rough it like a farmer's son or a street boy."
+
+"I think I could, sir; but I should not like to."
+
+"Precisely. Now, I am not sure that you acted wisely in undertaking a
+task so difficult, since it was not necessary, and your stepfather could
+hardly have refused to support you at home. However, as you have taken
+the decisive step, we must consider what is best to do under the
+circumstances. What work have you been doing?"
+
+"I have been selling tea for the Great Pekin Tea Company."
+
+"How have you succeeded?"
+
+"I have not been able to pay expenses," Frank admitted.
+
+"How have you made up the difference?"
+
+"I brought about fifty dollars with me from home."
+
+"Is it all used up?"
+
+"I had thirty-five dollars left, sir, but a day or two since one of my
+fellow boarders opened my trunk and borrowed it without leave."
+
+"Of course you won't recover it?"
+
+"I don't think there is much chance of it, sir."
+
+"Then probably your money is nearly exhausted?"
+
+Frank did not like to admit his poverty, but owned up that he had less
+than two dollars.
+
+"And yet you paid the car fares of this little boy and his mother?"
+
+"I hope, sir, I would not refuse to assist a lady when in trouble."
+
+Mr. Percival nodded two or three times, smiling as he did so. He was
+becoming more and more favorably impressed without young hero.
+
+"Do you mean to continue this tea agency?" he asked.
+
+"No, sir; I have already notified my employers that I do not care to
+continue it."
+
+"Have you anything else in view?"
+
+Frank felt that now was the time to speak.
+
+"I came here this evening," he said, "intending to ask you if you knew
+of any situation I could fill, or could recommend me to employment of
+any kind by which I might make a living."
+
+"I must consider that. Have you thought of any particular employment
+which you would like?"
+
+"No, sir; I cannot afford to be particular. I will do anything that is
+honest, and at all suitable for me."
+
+"What would you consider unsuitable?"
+
+"I should not wish to black boots, for instance, sir. It is honest work,
+but I ought to be suited to something better."
+
+"Of course; What education have you had? Good, I suppose?"
+
+"I am nearly ready for college."
+
+"Then you are already fairly well educated. I will put you to a test.
+Sit up to the table, and take paper and pen. I will dictate to you a
+paragraph from the evening paper, which I should like to have you write
+down."
+
+Frank obeyed, though, in doing so, he was obliged to set Freddie down,
+rather to the little fellow's dissatisfaction.
+
+Mr. Percival selected a short letter, written by some public man, which
+chanced to have found a place in the evening journal.
+
+Frank wrote rapidly, and when his copy was finished submitted it to Mr.
+Percival.
+
+The old gentleman took it, and, running his eye over it, noticed that it
+was plainly written, correctly spelled and properly punctuated. This
+discovery evidently gave him satisfaction.
+
+"Very creditably written," he said. "I have known boys nearly ready for
+college who could not copy such a letter without blundering. I am glad
+that your English education has not been neglected while you have been
+studying the classics."
+
+Frank was gratified by Mr. Percival's commendation, though he could not
+see in what manner his education was likely to bring him employment. It
+was desirable, however, to produce a favorable impression on Mr.
+Percival, and he could not help hoping something would result to his
+advantage.
+
+At this moment Freddie's mother entered the room, and greeted Frank with
+a cordial smile.
+
+"Freddie," she said, "it is time for you to go to bed."
+
+"I don't want to leave Frank," said Freddie.
+
+"Frank will come and see you again."
+
+"Will you, Frank?"
+
+Frank made the promise, and Mrs. Gordon--for that was her name--left the
+room, promising to return before Frank went away.
+
+He was now left alone with the old gentleman.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+FRANK IS OFFERED A POSITION
+
+
+Mr. Percival engaged Frank in conversation on general topics while Mrs.
+Gordon was out of the room. His young visitor had been an extensive
+reader, and displayed a good deal of general information. Moreover, he
+expressed himself intelligently and modestly, and deepened the favorable
+impression which he had already succeeded in making.
+
+I should like to call the attention of my young readers to the fact that
+Frank was now reaping the advantage of the time he had devoted to study
+and the cultivation of his mind.
+
+A boy who starts in life with a fair education always stands a better
+chance than one who is poorly provided in that respect.
+
+It is true that many of our prominent public men have started with a
+very scanty supply of book-learning, but in most cases it has only
+transferred the labor of study to their maturer years.
+
+President Andrew Johnson did not learn to read and write until after he
+had attained his majority, but he made up his early deficiencies later.
+
+Abraham Lincoln, when nearly thirty, devoted his leisure hours to
+mastering the problems in Euclid, and thus trained and strengthened his
+mental faculties so that he was enabled to grapple with the difficult
+problems of statesmanship in after years.
+
+Henry Wilson commenced attending an academy after he had reached the age
+of twenty-one.
+
+The fact is, no boy or man can be too well equipped for his life-work.
+
+I hope my boy readers will not skip the paragraphs above, for they can
+learn from them a useful lesson.
+
+When Mrs. Gordon returned, she placed in Frank's hands a small sum of
+money, saying:
+
+"Allow me to repay my debt, with many thanks."
+
+"You are quite welcome," answered our hero.
+
+He had too much tact to refuse the money, but quietly put it into his
+pocket.
+
+"Helen," said Mr. Percival, "I would like a word with you. We will leave
+our young friend here alone for five minutes."
+
+"Certainly, father."
+
+The two went into an adjoining room, and Mr. Percival commenced by
+asking:
+
+"How do you like this boy, Helen?"
+
+"Very much. He seems to have been brought up as a gentleman."
+
+"He has. Till a short time since he supposed himself the heir to a
+fortune."
+
+"Indeed!" said Mrs. Gordon, with curiosity.
+
+Briefly, Mr. Percival rehearsed the story which Frank had told him.
+
+"What a shame!" exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, indignantly. "His stepfather
+ought to be punished:"
+
+"That may come in time. Wickedness does not always prosper. But as
+regards our young friend, I have a plan in view."
+
+"What is it, father?"
+
+"I find he has an excellent education, having been nearly ready for
+college when the crisis in his fortunes came. I have been thinking
+whether we could not find a place for him in this house. My eyes, you
+know, are so weak that they are often strained by attention to my
+correspondence and reading. I have an idea of engaging Frank Courtney as
+a sort of private secretary, upon whom I can at any time call. Of
+course, he would have his home in the house."
+
+"There will be no difficulty about that. Our family is small, and we
+have plenty of vacant rooms. But, father, will he be qualified to
+undertake the duties you have designed for him? He is very young."
+
+"That is true, my dear; but he is remarkably well educated. I have
+tested his capacity by dictating a letter for him to copy."
+
+"Did he do the work satisfactorily?" asked Mrs. Gordon.
+
+"Without a single mistake."
+
+"Then, father, I would not hesitate to engage him. Freddie likes him,
+and will be delighted to have him in the house."
+
+"Another idea, Helen. It is time Freddie began to study. Suppose we make
+him Freddie's private tutor--say for an hour daily?"
+
+"That is really an excellent idea, father," said Mrs. Gordon, in a tone
+of satisfaction. "It will please and benefit Freddie, and be a relief to
+me. Do you think Frank will have patience enough?"
+
+"I watched him with the little fellow, and I could see that he liked
+children. I am sure he will succeed in this as well as in the duties
+which he will undertake for me."
+
+"I suppose he will have no objection to the plan?"
+
+"I think he will accept gladly. He has had a hard struggle thus far in
+maintaining himself, and I can relieve him from all anxiety on that
+score. I am indebted to him for helping me to recover my bonds, and
+this will be an excuse for offering him a larger salary than the
+services of so young a secretary could be expected to command."
+
+"Very well, father. Your plan pleases me very much, and I shall be glad
+to have Frank commence to-morrow, if he chooses. Now let us return to
+the library."
+
+While father and daughter were absent Frank had taken from the table a
+volume of "Macaulay's History," and had become interested in it.
+
+He laid it down upon their return.
+
+Mr. Percival resumed his easy-chair, and said, with a smile.
+
+"My daughter and I have been consulting about you."
+
+Frank bowed, and his hopes rose.
+
+"I suppose you are open to an offer of employment?"
+
+"I am not only open to it, Mr. Percival, but I shall be grateful for
+it."
+
+He could not help wondering what sort of employment Mr. Percival was
+about to offer him. He concluded that it might be a place in some
+business house.
+
+"The fact is," said the old gentleman, "I have a great mind to offer you
+the situation of my private secretary."
+
+Frank was astonished. This was something he had not thought of.
+
+"Do you think I am qualified to fill such a position, Mr. Percival?" he
+asked, hesitatingly.
+
+"The duties would not be difficult," returned the old gentleman. "Though
+not in active business, the care of my property, and looking after my
+scattered investments, involves me in considerable correspondence. My
+eyes are not as strong as they once were, and I find them at times taxed
+by letter-writing, not to mention reading. You can relieve me very
+materially."
+
+"I shall be very glad to do so, sir. The duties will be very agreeable
+to me."
+
+"But that is not all. My daughter proposes to employ you as private
+tutor for Freddie."
+
+Frank smiled.
+
+"I think my scholarship will be sufficient for that," he said.
+
+Frank was to receive $50 a month and board. This was wonderful news to
+him. Mr. Percival with great forethought paid him a month's salary in
+advance. Frank went home happy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+FRANK AS PRIVATE SECRETARY
+
+
+The next day Frank transferred his residence to Madison Avenue. He was
+assigned to a pleasant room, decidedly superior, it need hardly be said,
+to his room at Clinton Place. It seemed agreeable to him once more to
+enjoy the comforts of a liberal home.
+
+Frank had had some doubts as to how he would satisfy Mr. Percival in his
+capacity of private secretary.
+
+He was determined to do his best, but thought it possible that the old
+gentleman might require more than he could do well. He looked forward,
+therefore, with some apprehension to his first morning's work.
+
+Mr. Percival, though not engaged in active business, was a wealthy man,
+and his capital was invested in a great variety of enterprises.
+Naturally, therefore, he received a large number of business letters,
+which required to be answered.
+
+The first day he dictated several replies, which Frank put upon paper.
+He wished, however, to put Frank's ability to a severe test.
+
+"Here are two letters," he said, "which you may answer. I have noted on
+each instructions which you will follow. The wording of the letters I
+leave to you."
+
+"I will try to satisfy you sir," said Frank.
+
+Our hero was a good writer for his age. Moreover, he had been well
+trained at school and did not shrink from the task assigned him.
+
+He read carefully the instruction of his employer, and composed the
+letters in strict accordance with them.
+
+Mr. Percival awaited with some interest the result of his experiment. If
+Frank proved competent to the task assigned him, his own daily labor
+would be considerably abridged.
+
+"Here are the letters, sir," said our hero, passing the drafts to Mr.
+Percival.
+
+The old gentleman examined them carefully. As he did so, his face
+expressed his satisfaction.
+
+"Upon my word, Frank," he said, familiarly, "you have done your work
+exceedingly well. They are brief, concise and yet comprehensive. I
+feared that you would use too many words."
+
+"I am glad you are pleased, sir. Dr. Brush trained us to write letters,
+and he cut down our essays when they were too diffuse."
+
+"Then I feel indebted to Dr. Brush for providing me with so competent a
+young secretary. You will be able to assist me even more than I
+anticipated. I shall, of course, read over your letters before they are
+sent, to make sure that you have fully comprehended and carried out my
+instructions, but I don't expect they will need much correction."
+
+Frank was much gratified by these words. This was the only point on
+which he had felt at all doubtful as to his ability to please his
+employer.
+
+Sometimes, when his eyes pained him more than usual, Mr. Percival also
+employed him to read to him from the daily papers, or from some book in
+which he was interested, but this did not occur regularly.
+
+Every day, however, Frank was occupied with Freddie. The little boy knew
+his alphabet, but nothing more, so that his young teacher had to begin
+with him at the beginning of the primer.
+
+He succeeded in interesting his little pupil, and did not protract his
+term of study so as to weary him.
+
+Finding that the little fellow was fond of hearing stories, he read to
+him every day a story or two from Hans Christian Andersen, or from a
+collection of German fairy stories, and sometimes went out to walk with
+him.
+
+Freddie was delighted with his teacher, and freely expressed his
+approval to his mother and grandfather.
+
+"Really, Frank," said Mrs. Gordon, "I shall begin to be jealous of your
+hold upon Freddie. I am not sure but he likes your company better than
+mine."
+
+"I don't think Freddie will prefer anyone to his mother," said Frank;
+"but I am glad he likes to be with me."
+
+"You have certainly proved very successful as a private tutor, Frank,"
+said Mrs. Gordon, "and my father tells me you succeeded equally well as
+a secretary."
+
+"It is partly because you both treat me so indulgently," answered Frank,
+gracefully.
+
+This answer pleased Mr. Percival and Mrs. Gordon, who more than ever
+congratulated themselves upon the lucky chance that had thrown Frank in
+their way.
+
+Assuredly he made himself very useful in the small household,
+contributing to the comfort and pleasure of Freddie, his mother and
+grandfather in nearly equal measure.
+
+While Frank's monthly salary was of great value and importance to him,
+it was nothing to Mr. Percival in comparison with the pleasure and
+relief afforded by his presence in the house.
+
+It must not be supposed, however, that Frank's time was wholly occupied
+by the duties of his two positions. Usually he had several hours daily
+at his disposal, and these he was allowed to spend as he pleased.
+
+Part of this he occupied in visiting different localities of the city
+and points of interest in the neighborhood, and part in reading and
+study.
+
+Mr. Percival had a large and well-selected library, which, to a boy of
+Frank's studious tastes, was a great attraction.
+
+He entered upon a course of solid reading, embracing some of the
+standard histories, and devoted some hours every week to keeping up his
+acquaintance with the Greek and Latin authors which he had read at
+school.
+
+In this way his time was well and usefully employed, and the weeks
+slipped by till almost before he was aware six months had passed.
+
+One afternoon Frank walked down Broadway enjoying the bright sunshine.
+Just in front of the St. Nicholas Hotel he heard his name called and
+looking up he recognized with some surprise, Pliny Tarbox, his cousin
+from Newark.
+
+Pliny asked many questions as to what Frank was doing and how much money
+he was making. Frank told him of his good fortune in obtaining the
+position he held with Mr. Percival and the two parted--Frank the much
+happier of the two.
+
+Pliny urgently invited Frank to visit them but Frank would rather remain
+in New York.
+
+"I hope I shall never think so much of money as Pliny and his father,"
+thought Frank. "Money is a good thing to have but there are some things
+that are better."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+A LETTER FROM MR. TARBOX
+
+
+Frank did not speak to Mr. Percival's family of his meeting with Pliny.
+It was not pleasant to him to think that he was valued only for his good
+fortune. He had seen but little of the Tarbox family, but he understood
+very well what their professions of friendship amounted to, and that
+they were not to be relied upon in an emergency.
+
+He was not much surprised on Monday afternoon to receive the following
+letter from Erastus Tarbox:
+
+"My Dear Young Cousin:--We have been wondering what has become of you,
+and Mrs. T. and myself have often wished to invite you to pass a Sabbath
+at our humble home. Not knowing your address, I could not write to you,
+or I should have done so. You can imagine, therefore, the pleasure we
+felt when Pliny told us that he had met you, and gave us tidings of your
+remarkable success, which I am sure does you great credit.
+
+"He tells me that you fill a very responsible position, and receive a
+very liberal salary. I could wish that Pliny might be equally fortunate,
+and shall esteem it a great favor if you will mention him to your
+respected employer, and recommend him for any lucrative position which
+he may bestow upon him. Pliny is a very capable boy, and has been
+carefully trained to habits of frugality and industry.
+
+"Can you not soon come out and pass a Sabbath with us? The esteem which
+we have for your late lamented mother alone would secure you a cordial
+welcome, not to speak of the friendship for yourself. Pliny often says
+that you seem to him like a brother, and he would truly enjoy your
+companionship.
+
+  "Your sincere friend and cousin,
+      Erastus Tarbox."
+
+The time was when Frank would have put confidence in the friendly
+expressions used by Mr. Tarbox, but his eyes had been opened, and he
+understood that if misfortune should come to him, it would not do to
+lean upon his cousins at Newark.
+
+Frank wrote a civil reply to Mr. Tarbox, thanking him for his
+invitation, but saying that at present it would not be convenient for
+him to accept it. He added that should an opportunity offer he would be
+glad to assist Pliny to a better position than he now held.
+
+In spite of his wish to be cordial, his letter was felt by the Tarbox
+family to be cold, and they regretted that they had not treated him
+better during his brief visit to them.
+
+But then how could they suppose he would be so successful? If the time
+should ever come when he recovered his property, they would be prepared
+to make a determined effort to convince him that they had always been
+his affectionate friends.
+
+About this time Frank received another letter, which afforded him
+greater satisfaction than the one from Newark.
+
+This letter was from Col. Vincent, who, it will be remembered, had
+purchased Ajax when Mr. Manning persisted in selling him. It was as
+follows:
+
+"My Dear Frank: I learned incidentally from one of our townsmen, who
+recently met you in New York, that you have been very successful in
+obtaining employment, and that of an honorable and responsible
+character. It relieved my mind, for, knowing how hard it is for a boy to
+make his own way in a large city, I feared that you might be suffering
+privation, or living poorly. I hope, however, you would in that case
+have applied to me for such help as your father's old friend would have
+been glad to offer.
+
+"Your stepfather has not been heard from directly. I learn, however,
+from some friends who have met him abroad that he is having trouble with
+Mark, who is proving difficult to manage, and has contracted a dangerous
+taste for gaming. Mr. Manning was obliged to leave Baden-Baden on
+account of this unfortunate tendency, and is even thinking of returning
+to the Cedars, where his son will be removed from temptation. To this,
+however, Mark will be likely to make strenuous opposition. He will find
+it dull to settle down here after having tasted the gayety of Europe."
+
+Here followed a little local gossip, which the writer thought might
+prove interesting to Frank, and the letter concluded with a cordial
+invitation to our hero to spend a Sunday with him, or a longer time, if
+he could be spared from his duties.
+
+Frank was disposed to accept the invitation, but his acceptance was
+postponed by an unusual service which he was called upon to render to
+Mr. Percival.
+
+Of this the reader will hear everything in the next chapter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+
+MR. PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL
+
+
+One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young
+secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
+
+The old gentleman answered thoughtfully:
+
+"I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
+
+"I shall be very glad to serve you in any way, Mr. Percival," said
+Frank, promptly.
+
+"I have no doubt of it," said the old gentleman, kindly. "I have
+observed your willingness to undertake any duty, and, still more, your
+disposition to perform it thoroughly. In this particular case, however,
+I have been considering whether a boy of your age would be competent to
+do what I desire."
+
+Frank was not self-distrustful, neither was he over-confident. He was
+naturally energetic and ambitious to distinguish himself, and not
+afraid to undertake any difficult task.
+
+"Will you try me, Mr. Percival?" he said. "I will do my best to
+succeed."
+
+"I am quite inclined to try you, Frank," said Mr. Percival; "the more so
+because I know of no one else in whom I could confide. But I must give
+you an idea of what I have in view. It would require you to make a
+journey."
+
+Frank listened to this gladly. To a boy of his age, who had seen but
+little of the world, a journey offered attractions.
+
+"I should like to travel," he said.
+
+"I have no doubt about that," said Mr. Percival, smiling. "At your age I
+am sure I should have been equally willing to see something of the
+world, though traveling involved at that time far more hardships than at
+present. Now, however, I like best to stay by the fireside, and should
+dread very much a journey to Minnesota."
+
+"To Minnesota!" exclaimed Frank, with sparkling eyes.
+
+He had not thought of a journey so extended.
+
+"Yes; it would be necessary for you to go out to Minnesota. Ordinarily,
+a man can best look after his own affairs; but in the present instance,
+I suspect that you could do better than myself. I don't mean this as a
+compliment, but a boy like you would not be suspected, and so could
+discover more than I, from whom facts would be studiously concealed.
+But, of course, you don't understand my meaning. I will explain, and
+then you can comprehend me."
+
+Frank was all attention.
+
+"You must know that I own a good deal of property in a certain township
+in Southern Minnesota. When a young man, I bought three hundred and
+twenty acres of land in the township of Jackson, obtaining it at a
+slight advance on government rates.
+
+"Some improvements had been made, and I was induced to visit the place.
+I found but three families in residence, but I saw also that the place
+had large natural advantages, water-power, etc., and presented an
+unusually favorable site for a village. I had considerable means, and
+started the village by erecting a dozen houses, a store, a sawmill,
+gristmill, and so on.
+
+"This formed a nucleus, and soon quite a village sprang up. The sawmill
+and gristmill proved profitable, all my houses were tenanted, and I
+erected more, securing also additional land. In course of time I was
+induced to sell some of my houses, but I still own two stores, a dozen
+houses, the saw and gristmills, besides two outlying farms.
+
+"Living so far away, I could not attend personally to the business
+connected with my investment, and was compelled to appoint an agent. Up
+to four years since, I was fortunate enough to possess the services of a
+capable and trustworthy man, named Sampson. He died after a few weeks'
+illness, and I was compelled to look out for a successor.
+
+"Now, I had a distant cousin, who had never succeeded very well in life,
+and was at that time seeking for employment of some kind. He heard of
+the vacancy, and importuned me to appoint him as my agent in Jackson. I
+had no reason to doubt his honesty, though his repeated failures might
+well have led me to suspect his capacity. I was weak enough, as I now
+consider it, to yield to his importunities and give him the post he
+sought.
+
+"The result was that during the first year of his incumbency the amount
+turned over to me was only three-fourths as much as in the last year of
+his predecessor. The second year there was a further falling off. The
+same happened the third year, until at the present time my rents amount
+to less than half what they were in Mr. Sampson's time.
+
+"Of course, my suspicions that my cousin was at least inefficient were
+aroused long since. I have repeatedly asked an explanation of the
+diminished revenues, and plenty of excuses have been made, but they do
+not seem to me satisfactory.
+
+"Moreover, I have heard a rumor that Mr. Fairfield is intemperate in his
+habits, and I have considerable reason to believe that the story is
+correct. I have made up my mind that something must be done. A regard
+for my own interests requires that if my agent is unfaithful he should
+be displaced, and I wish to find out from some reliable source the true
+state of the case.
+
+"Now I will tell you what I have in view. I propose to send you out to
+Jackson to investigate and report to me your impressions of the manner
+in which Mr. Fairfield discharges his duties, and whether you think a
+change should be made in the agency."
+
+Frank listened to Mr. Percival with a flushed face and a feeling of
+gratification and pride that he should be thought of in connection with
+a responsible duty.
+
+"I am very much obliged to you, Mr. Percival," he said, "for thinking of
+me in such a connection. You may feel that I am presumptuous for
+thinking I have any chance of successfully accomplishing what you
+desire, but if you are willing to trust me, I am willing to undertake
+it, and by following your instructions closely, and doing my best, I
+think I can succeed."
+
+"I am willing to trust you, Frank," said Mr. Percival. "You are a boy,
+to be sure, but you have unusually good judgment, and I know you will be
+faithful to my interests. I understand, then, that you are willing to go
+out as my accredited representative?"
+
+"Yes, sir. When do you want me to start?" said Frank, promptly.
+
+"As soon as you can get ready."
+
+"I will start to-morrow, if you desire it, sir."
+
+"Let it be to-morrow, then. We will now discuss some of the details
+connected with the mission."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII
+
+PREPARING FOR A JOURNEY
+
+
+After receiving certain instructions from Mr. Percival in regard to the
+manner of carrying on his inquiries, Frank said:
+
+"There is one thing I have thought of, Mr. Percival, that may interfere
+with my success."
+
+"What is it, Frank? I shall be glad to receive any suggestion from you."
+
+"I have been thinking, sir, that it may excite surprise that I should
+come to Jackson, and remain there without any apparent motive. Perhaps
+Mr. Fairfield might suspect that I came from you."
+
+"I hardly think so, Frank. He would not suppose that I would select so
+young a messenger. Still, it will be well to think of some pretext for
+your stay. Can you help me?"
+
+"I have been thinking, sir, that I might fit myself out as an agent, or
+peddler, or something of the kind. It would not only give me an excuse
+for my journey, but enable me to call from house to house and pick up
+information about Mr. Fairfield."
+
+"A capital idea, Frank. I see that you are better fitted for the task
+than I supposed. I give you authority to fit yourself out in any way you
+choose. I shall have to leave a great deal to your own judgment."
+
+"Then, sir, I think I might lay in a stock of stationery, pens and
+articles of that nature. Probably this is so common that I would be
+thought to be nothing more than I seemed."
+
+"That strikes me rather favorably, Frank."
+
+"I could fit myself out in the city, and take the articles along with me
+in an extra valise or carpetbag."
+
+"Let me suggest an amendment to your plan," said Mr. Percival. "Wait
+till you get to Chicago, and lay in your stock there. The advantage of
+that arrangement will be that you will be saved the care of your
+merchandise up to that point, and, as you may be asked where you
+obtained your stock, it will create less surprise if you mention Chicago
+than New York. It would be considered hardly worth while for a New York
+boy to go so far on such a business--"
+
+This seemed to Frank an excellent suggestion and he instantly adopted
+it.
+
+The next day Frank started on his long journey. He carried with him a
+supply of money provided by Mr. Percival, and he was authorized to draw
+for more if he should require it.
+
+He divided this money into two portions, keeping a small sum in his
+pocketbook, but the greater part of it in an inside vest pocket, where
+it would not be likely to be looked for by pickpockets.
+
+This arrangement was suggested by Mr. Percival.
+
+"I once experienced," he said, "the disadvantage of carrying all my
+money in one pocket. I was in a Southern city, or, rather, on my way to
+it, when an adroit pickpocket on the car relieved me of my wallet
+containing all my available funds. I did not find out my loss till I had
+arrived at the hotel and registered my name. You can imagine my
+embarrassment. It was my first visit to that particular city, and I had
+no acquaintances there, so far as I was aware. Had I mentioned my
+position to the landlord, he might very probably have taken me for an
+adventurer, traveling on false pretenses."
+
+"What did you do, sir?" asked Frank, interested.
+
+"I took a walk about the city, my thoughts occupied in devising a way
+out of my trouble. To my great relief, I had the good fortune, during
+the walk, to meet a New York acquaintance, who knew very well my
+financial standing. I told him of my difficulty, and he immediately
+introduced me at a bank, where I raised money on a New York draft. I
+resolved, however, at that time, never again to carry all my money in
+one pocketbook, as boats and railroad trains on the long routes are
+generally infested by pickpockets and sharpers."
+
+Frank at once set about preparing for his journey.
+
+He bought a ready-made suit of blue cloth, not unlike that worn by the
+district telegraph boys of to-day, which he judged would look more
+suitable than his ordinary attire for the character he was about to
+assume of a traveling peddler.
+
+He bought a through ticket to the railroad point nearest Jackson, and
+then, bidding good-bye to Mr. Percival and his family, started on his
+trip.
+
+Little Freddie made strenuous opposition to parting with his favorite,
+but Frank promised to bring him home a present, and this diverted the
+little fellow's thoughts.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV
+
+FRANK REACHES JACKSON
+
+
+It was four o'clock in the afternoon when Frank Courtney left the cars
+and set foot on the platform before the station at Prescott, five miles
+distant from the town of Jackson, in Southern Minnesota.
+
+He looked about him, but could see no village.
+
+Prescott was a stopping place for the cars, but there was no settlement
+of any account there, as he afterward found.
+
+He had supposed he would find a stage in waiting to convey him to
+Jackson, but it was clear that the business was not large enough to
+warrant such a conveyance.
+
+Looking about him, Frank saw a farm wagon, the driver of which had
+evidently come to receive some freight which had come by rail.
+
+Approaching the driver, who seemed to be--though roughly dressed--an
+intelligent man, Frank inquired:
+
+"How far is Jackson from here, sir?"
+
+"Five miles," was the answer.
+
+"Is there any stage running there from this depot?"
+
+"Oh, no! If there were, it wouldn't average two passengers a day."
+
+"Then I suppose I must walk," said Frank, looking rather doubtfully at
+the two heavy valises which constituted his baggage.
+
+"Then you are going to Jackson?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I come from Jackson myself, and in fifteen minutes shall start on my
+way back. You may ride and welcome."
+
+"Thank you, sir!" said our hero, quite relieved. "I hope you will allow
+me to pay you as much as I should have to pay in a stage."
+
+"No, no, my lad," said the farmer, heartily. "The horse can draw you as
+well as not, and I shall be glad to have your company."
+
+"Thank you, sir!"
+
+"Just climb up here, then. I'll take your baggage and put it on the
+wagon behind."
+
+When the farmer had loaded up, he started up the team. Then, finding
+himself at leisure, he proceeded to satisfy his curiosity by
+cross-examining his young passenger.
+
+"Do you come from the East?" he asked.
+
+"I am last from Chicago," answered Frank, cautiously.
+
+"I suppose you've got some friend in Jackson?" ventured the farmer,
+interrogatively.
+
+Frank smiled.
+
+"You are the only man living in Jackson that I ever met," he said.
+
+"Indeed!" said the driver, puzzled. "Are you calculating to make a long
+stay in our village?" he asked again, after a minute's pause.
+
+"That depends on business," answered the young traveler.
+
+"Are you in business?"
+
+"I have a stock of stationery which I shall offer for sale in Jackson,"
+answered Frank.
+
+"I am afraid you'll find it rather a poor market. If that's all you have
+to depend upon, I am afraid you'll get discouraged."
+
+"I am also agent for an illustrated book," said Frank. "I may be able to
+dispose of a few."
+
+"Perhaps so," answered the farmer, dubiously. "But our people haven't
+much money to spend on articles of luxury, and books are a luxury with
+us."
+
+"I always heard that Jackson was a flourishing place," said Frank, who
+felt that now was his time to obtain a little information.
+
+"It ought to be," said the farmer; "but there's one thing prevents."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"A good deal of our village is owned by a New York man, to whom we have
+to pay rent. He has a rascally agent--a Mr. Fairfield--who grinds us
+down by his exactions, and does what he can to keep, us in debt."
+
+"Has he always been agent?"
+
+"No. Before he came there was an excellent man--a Mr. Sampson--who
+treated us fairly, contented himself with exacting rents which we could
+pay, and if a man were unlucky, would wait a reasonable time for him to
+pay. Then we got along comfortably. But he died, and this man was sent
+out in his place. Then commenced a new state of things. He immediately
+raised the rents; demanded that they should be paid on the day they were
+due, and made himself harsh and tyrannical."
+
+"Do you think the man who employs him knows how he is conducting his
+agency?" Frank inquired.
+
+"No; there is no one to tell him. I suppose Mr. Fairfield tells him a
+smooth story, and he believes it. I am afraid we can hope for no
+relief."
+
+"What would he say," thought Frank, "if he knew I were a messenger from
+Mr. Percival?"
+
+"What sort of a man is this Mr. Fairfield in private life?" he asked.
+
+"He drinks like a fish," was the unexpected reply. "Frequently he
+appears on the street under the influence of liquor. He spends a good
+deal of money, lives in a large house, and his wife dresses expensively.
+He must get a much larger salary than Mr. Sampson did, or he could not
+spend money as he does."
+
+Though Frank had not much worldly experience, he could not help coming
+to the conclusion that Mr. Fairfield was acting dishonestly. He put
+together the two circumstances that this new agent had increased the
+rents, and yet that he had returned to Mr. Percival only about half as
+much as his predecessor had done. Clearly, he must retain in his own
+hands much more than he had a right to do.
+
+"I shall have to report unfavorably on this man," he thought.
+
+One point must be considered--where he was to find a boarding place on
+his arrival in Jackson.
+
+"Is there a hotel in Jackson?" he asked.
+
+"There is a tavern, but it's a low place," answered the farmer. "A good
+deal of liquor is sold there, and Mr. Fairfield, our agent, is one of
+the most constant patrons of the bar."
+
+"I don't think I should like to stop there," said Frank. "Isn't there
+any private family where I can get board for a week or two?"
+
+"If you don't object to plain fare," said the farmer, "I might agree to
+board you myself."
+
+This was precisely what Frank wanted, and he replied that nothing would
+suit him better.
+
+"We live humbly," continued Mr. Hamlin--for this, Frank learned, was his
+driver's name--"but we will try to make you comfortable."
+
+"I feel sure of that, sir, and I am much obliged to you for receiving
+me."
+
+"As to terms, you can pay whatever you can afford. My wife and children
+will be glad to see you. It's pretty quiet out here, and it breaks the
+monotony to meet any person from the East."
+
+"How long have you lived in Jackson, Mr. Hamlin?"
+
+"About eight years. I was not brought up as a farmer, but became one
+from necessity. I was a bookkeeper in Chicago for a good many years,
+until I found the confinement and close work were injuring my health.
+Then I came here and set up as a farmer. I got along pretty well, at
+first; at any rate, I made a living for my family; but when Mr.
+Fairfield became agent, he raised my rent, and, in other ways, made it
+hard for me. Now I have a hard struggle."
+
+"I thought you were not always a farmer," said Frank.
+
+"What made you think so?"
+
+"You don't talk like a farmer. You have the appearance of a man who has
+lived in cities."
+
+"Seems to me you are a close observer, for a boy of your years," said
+Mr. Hamlin, shrewdly.
+
+Frank smiled.
+
+"I should be glad if your compliment were deserved," he answered. "It's
+a pity you were not agent, instead of Mr. Fairfield," suggested Frank,
+pointedly.
+
+"I wish I were," answered Hamlin. "I believe I should make a good one,
+though I might not turn over as much money to my employer. I should,
+first of all, lower the rents and make it as easy for the tenants as I
+could in justice to my New York principal."
+
+"Do you know how much Mr. Fairfield receives--how large a salary, I
+mean?"
+
+"I know what Mr. Sampson got--twelve hundred dollars a year; but Mr.
+Fairfield lives at the rate of more than twice that sum, if I can judge
+from appearances."
+
+"I suppose you would be contented with the salary which Mr. Sampson
+received?"
+
+"Contented! I should feel like a rich man. It would not interfere with
+my carrying on my farm, and I should be able to make something from
+that. Why, it is as much as I received as a bookkeeper, and here the
+expenses of living are small, compared with what they were in Chicago. I
+could save money and educate my children, as I cannot do now. I have a
+boy who wants a classical education, but of course there are no schools
+here which can afford it, and I am too poor to send him away from home.
+I suppose I shall have to bring him up as a farmer, though it is a great
+pity, for he is not fitted for it."
+
+Mr. Hamlin sighed, but Frank felt in unusually good spirits. He saw his
+way clear already, not only to recommend Mr. Fairfield's displacement,
+but to urge Mr. Hamlin's appointment in his stead; that is, if his
+favorable impressions were confirmed on further acquaintance.
+
+"It seems to me," said the driver, changing the subject, "you might find
+something better to do than to peddle stationery."
+
+"I don't mean to follow the business long," answered Frank.
+
+"It can't pay much."
+
+"I am not wholly dependent upon it," said our hero. "There is one
+advantage about it. It enables me to travel about and pay my expenses,
+and you know traveling is agreeable to a boy of my age."
+
+"That is true. Well, your expenses won't amount to much while you are in
+Jackson. I shall only charge you just enough to cover expenses--say
+three dollars a week."
+
+Frank was about to insist on paying a larger sum, but it occurred to him
+that he must keep up appearances, and he therefore only thanked his kind
+acquaintance.
+
+By this time they had entered the village of Jackson.
+
+"There's Mr. Fairfield now!" said Mr. Hamlin, suddenly, pointing with
+his whip to a rather tall, stout man, with a red nose and inflamed
+countenance, who was walking unsteadily along the sidewalk.
+
+Frank carefully scrutinized the agent, and mentally decided that such a
+man was unfit for the responsible position he held.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV
+
+DICK HAMLIN
+
+
+Mr. Hamlin stopped his horse a quarter of a mile from the village in
+front of a plain farmhouse.
+
+An intelligent-looking boy, of perhaps fifteen, coarsely but neatly
+dressed, approached and greeted his father, not without a glance of
+surprise and curiosity at Frank.
+
+"You may unharness the horses, Dick," said Mr. Hamlin. "When you come
+back, I will introduce you to a boy friend who will stay with us a
+while."
+
+Dick obeyed, and Frank followed his host into the house.
+
+Here he was introduced to Mrs. Hamlin, a motherly-looking woman, and
+Annie and Grace, younger sisters of Dick.
+
+"I am glad to see you," said Mrs. Hamlin, to our hero, after a brief
+explanation from her husband. "We will try to make you comfortable."
+
+"Thank you!" said Frank. "I am sure I shall feel at home."
+
+The house was better furnished than might have been anticipated. When
+Mr. Hamlin left Chicago, he had some money saved up, and he furnished
+his house in a comfortable manner.
+
+It was not, however, the furniture that attracted Frank's attention so
+much as the books, papers and pictures that gave the rooms a homelike
+appearance.
+
+"I shall be much better off here than I would have been at the tavern,"
+he thought. "This seems like home."
+
+"I see," said Mr. Hamlin, "that you are surprised to see so many books
+and pictures. I admit that my house does not look like the house of a
+poor man, who has to struggle for the mere necessaries of life. But
+books and periodicals we have always classed among the necessities, and
+I am sure we would all rather limit ourselves to dry bread for two out
+of the three meals than to give up this food for the mind."
+
+"I think you are a very sensible man, Mr. Hamlin," said Frank. "I
+couldn't get along without something to read."
+
+"Not in this out-of-the-way place, at any rate," said Mr. Hamlin.
+"Nothing can be more dismal than the homes of some of my neighbors, who
+spend as much, or more, than I do every year. Yet, they consider me
+extravagant because I buy books and subscribe for periodicals."
+
+By this time, Dick came in from the barn.
+
+"Dick," said his father, "this is Frank Courtney, who comes from Chicago
+on a business errand. He is a traveling merchant--"
+
+"In other words, a peddler," said Frank, with a smile, "ready to give
+the good people in Jackson a chance to buy stationery at reasonable
+prices."
+
+"He will board with us while he is canvassing the neighborhood, and I
+expect you and he will become great friends."
+
+"I think we shall," said Frank.
+
+Dick was a little shy, but a few minutes set him quite at ease with his
+new acquaintance.
+
+After supper, Frank said:
+
+"Dick, if you are at leisure, I wish you would take a walk about the
+village with me. I want to see how it looks."
+
+"All right," said Dick.
+
+When the two left the house, the country boy began to ask questions.
+
+"How do you like your business?" he asked.
+
+"Not very well," answered Frank. "I do not think I shall stay in it very
+long."
+
+"Do you sell enough to make your expenses?" asked Dick.
+
+"No; but I am not wholly dependent on my sales. I have a little
+income--a hundred dollars a year--paid me by my stepfather."
+
+"I wish I had as much. It seems a good deal to me."
+
+"It doesn't go very far. What are you intending to be, Dick?"
+
+"I suppose I shall have to be a farmer, though I don't like it."
+
+"What would you like to be?"
+
+"I should like to get an education," said Dick, his eyes lighting up. "I
+should like to study Latin and Greek, and go to college. Then I could be
+a teacher or a lawyer. But there is no chance of that," he added, his
+voice falling.
+
+"Don't be too sure of that, Dick," said Frank Frank, hopefully.
+"Something may turn up in your favor."
+
+"Nothing ever does turn up in Jackson," said the boy, in a tone of
+discouragement. "Father is a poor man, and has hard work to get along.
+He can give me no help."
+
+"Isn't the farm productive?"
+
+"There is no trouble about that, but he has to pay too high a rent. It's
+all the fault of Fairfield."
+
+"The agent?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Your father was telling me about him. Now, if your father were in his
+place, I suppose he could give you the advantages you wish."
+
+"Oh, yes! There would be no trouble then. I am sure he would make a
+better and more popular agent than Mr. Fairfield; but there is no use
+thinking about that."
+
+"I expected myself to go to college," said Frank. "In fact, I have
+studied Latin and Greek, and in less than a year I could be ready to
+enter."
+
+"Why don't you?" asked Dick.
+
+"You forget that I am a poor peddler."
+
+"Then how were you able to get so good an education?" asked Dick, in
+surprise.
+
+"Because I was once better off than I am now. The fact is, Dick," he
+added, "I have seen better days. But when I was reduced to poverty, I
+gave up hopes of college education and became what I am."
+
+"Wasn't it hard?"
+
+"Not so much as you might suppose. My home was not happy. I have a
+stepfather and stepbrother, neither of whom I like. In fact, there is no
+love lost between us. I was not obliged to leave home, but under the
+circumstances I preferred to."
+
+"Where are your stepfather and your stepbrother now?"
+
+"They are traveling in Europe."
+
+"While you are working hard for a living! That does not seem to be
+just."
+
+"We must make the best of circumstances, Dick. Whose is that large house
+on the left?"
+
+"That belongs to Mr. Fairfield.
+
+"He seems to live nicely."
+
+"Yes, he has improved and enlarged the house a good deal since he moved
+into it--at Mrs. Percival's expense, I suppose."
+
+"He seems to have pretty much his own way here," said Frank.
+
+"Yes. Mr. Percival never comes to Jackson, and I suppose he believes all
+that the agent tells him."
+
+"He may get found out some time."
+
+"I wish he might. It would be a great blessing to Jackson if he were
+removed and a good man were put in his place."
+
+"That may happen some day."
+
+"Not very likely, I am afraid."
+
+At this moment Mr. Fairfield himself came out of his front gate.
+
+"Hello, Hamlin!" he said, roughly, to Dick. "Is your father at home?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I have something to say to him. I think I will call round."
+
+"You will find him at home, sir."
+
+"Dick," said Frank, when the agent had passed on, "do you mind going
+back? What you tell me makes me rather curious about Mr. Fairfield. At
+your house I may get a chance to see something of him."
+
+"Let us go back, then," said Dick; "but I don't think, Frank, that you
+will care much about keeping up the acquaintance."
+
+"Perhaps not; but I shall gratify my curiosity."
+
+The two boys turned and followed the agent closely. They reached the
+house about five minutes after Mr. Fairfield.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI
+
+MR. FAIRFIELD, THE AGENT
+
+
+The two boys found Mr. Fairfield already seated in the most comfortable
+chair in the sitting room.
+
+He looked inquiringly at Frank when he entered with Dick.
+
+"Who is that boy, Hamlin?" inquired the agent. "Nephew of yours?"
+
+"No, sir. It is a young man who has come to Jackson on business."
+
+"What kind of business?'
+
+"I sell stationery," Frank answered for himself.
+
+"Oh, a peddler!" said the agent, contemptuously.
+
+"Many of our most successful men began in that way," said Mr. Hamlin,
+fearing lest Frank's feelings might be hurt.
+
+"I never encourage peddlers myself," said Mr. Fairfield, pompously.
+
+"Then I suppose it will be of no use for me to call at your door," said
+Frank, who, in place of being mortified, was amused by the agent's
+arrogance.
+
+"I should say not, unless your back is proof against a broomstick,"
+answered Fairfield, coarsely. "I tell my servant to treat all who call
+in that way."
+
+"I won't put her to the trouble of using it," said Frank, disgusted at
+the man's ill manners.
+
+"That's where you are wise--yes, wise and prudent--young man."
+
+"And now, Hamlin," said the agent, "I may as well come to business."
+
+"To business!" repeated the farmer, rather surprised, for there was no
+rent due for a month.
+
+"Yes, to business," said Fairfield. "I came to give you notice that
+after the next payment I shall feel obliged to raise your rent."
+
+"Raise my rent!" exclaimed the farmer, in genuine dismay. "I am already
+paying a considerably higher rent than I paid to your predecessor."
+
+"Can't help it. Old Sampson was a slow-going old fogy. He didn't do his
+duty by his employer. When I came in, I turned over a new leaf."
+
+"I certainly got along better in his time."
+
+"No doubt. He was a great deal too easy with you. Didn't do his duty,
+sir. Wasn't sharp enough. That's all."
+
+"You certainly cannot be in earnest in raising my rent, Mr. Fairfield,"
+said the farmer, uneasily.
+
+"I certainly am."
+
+"I can't live at all if you increase my rent, which is already larger
+than I can afford to pay, Mr. Fairfield."
+
+"Then I must find a tenant who can and will," said the agent,
+emphatically.
+
+"I am sure Mr. Percival can't understand the true state of the case, or
+the circumstances of his tenants. Will you give me his address, and I
+will take the liberty of writing to him and respectfully remonstrate
+against any increase?"
+
+Mr. Fairfield looked uneasy.
+
+This appeal would not at all suit him. Yet how could he object without
+leading to the suspicion that he was acting in this matter wholly on his
+own responsibility, and not by the express orders of his principal? How
+could he refuse to furnish Mr. Percival's address?
+
+A middle course occurred to him.
+
+"You may write your appeal, if you like, Hamlin," he said, "and hand it
+to me. I will forward it; though I don't believe it will do any good.
+The fact is that Mr. Percival has made up his mind to have more income
+from his property in Jackson."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII
+
+FRANK RECEIVES A LETTER FROM MR. PERCIVAL
+
+
+While Frank was waiting for an answer to a letter to Mr. Percival he
+devoted part of his time to the business which was supposed to be his
+only reason for remaining in Jackson.
+
+I am bound to say that as regards this business his trip might be
+pronounced a failure. There was little ready money in Jackson. Many of
+the people were tenants of Mr. Percival, and found it difficult to pay
+the excessive rents demanded by his agent. Of course, they had no money
+to spare for extras. Even if they had been better off, there was little
+demand for stationery in the village. The people were chiefly farmers,
+and did not indulge in much correspondence.
+
+When Frank returned to his boarding place on the afternoon of the first
+day, Mr. Hamlin asked him, not without solicitude, with what luck he had
+met.
+
+"I have sold twenty-five cents' worth of note paper," answered Frank,
+with a smile.
+
+Mr. Hamlin looked troubled.
+
+"How many places did you call at?" he inquired.
+
+"About a dozen."
+
+"I am afraid you will get discouraged."
+
+"If you don't do better, you won't begin to pay expenses."
+
+"That is true."
+
+"But perhaps you may do better to-morrow."
+
+"I hope so."
+
+"I wish you could find something in Jackson that would induce you to
+remain here permanently, and make your home with us. I would charge you
+only the bare cost of board."
+
+"Thank you very much, Mr. Hamlin. I should enjoy being with you, but I
+don't believe I shall find any opening here. Besides, I like a more
+stirring life."
+
+"No doubt--no doubt! Boys like a lively place. Well, I am glad you feel
+independent of your business."
+
+"For a little time. I am afraid it wouldn't do for me to earn so little
+for any length of time."
+
+Frank enjoyed the society of Dick Hamlin. Together they went fishing and
+hunting, and a mutual liking sprang up between them.
+
+"I wish you were going to stay longer, Frank," said Dick. "I shall feel
+very lonely when you are gone."
+
+"We may meet again under different circumstances," said Frank. "While I
+am here, we will enjoy ourselves as well as we can."
+
+So the days passed, and at length a letter came from Mr. Percival. I
+append the most important passages:
+
+"Your report is clear, and I have perfect confidence in your statement.
+Mr. Fairfield has abused my confidence and oppressed my tenants, and I
+shall dismiss him. I am glad you have found in Jackson a man who is
+capable of succeeding him. Solely upon your recommendation, I shall
+appoint Mr. Hamlin my resident agent and representative for the term of
+six months. Should he acquit himself to my satisfaction, he will be
+continued in the position. I am prepared to offer him one hundred
+dollars a month, if that will content him.
+
+"Upon receipt of this letter, and the accompanying legal authority, you
+may call upon Mr. Fairfield and require him to transfer his office, and
+the papers and accounts connected with it, to Mr. Hamlin. I inclose a
+check for three hundred dollars, payable to your order, which you may
+make payable to him, in lieu of three months' notice, provided he
+immediately surrenders his office. Should he not, I shall dismiss him
+summarily, and proceed against him for the moneys he has misappropriated
+to his own use, and you may so inform him."
+
+With this letter was a letter to Mr. Fairfield, of the same purport, and
+a paper appointing Mr. Hamlin agent.
+
+When this letter was received, Frank was overjoyed, knowing how much
+pleasure he was about to give his new friends.
+
+With this appointment and salary, Mr. Hamlin would consider himself a
+rich man, and Dick's hope for a liberal education might be realized.
+
+The letter came just before supper, and, at the close of the evening
+meal, Frank determined to inform his friends of their good fortune.
+
+"Mr. Hamlin," said he, "I have some good news for you."
+
+"Indeed!" said the farmer, surprised.
+
+"Your rent will not be increased."
+
+"But how do you know this! Has Mr. Fairfield told you so?"
+
+"No," answered Frank. "I have a question to ask. Would you be willing to
+take Mr. Fairfield's place at a hundred dollars a month?"
+
+"Willing? I should be delighted to do so. But why do you say this?"
+
+"Because," answered Frank, quietly, "I am authorized to offer it to you
+at that salary."
+
+The whole family looked at Frank in bewildered surprise. It occurred to
+them that he might have become crazy.
+
+"You!" exclaimed the farmer. "What can you have to do with the agency?"
+
+Frank explained to a very happy family group and then he and Mr. Hamlin
+set out for the house of the agent.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII
+
+THE AGENT IS NOTIFIED
+
+
+It was still early in the evening when Frank and Mr. Hamlin reached the
+house of the agent. Had they come five minutes later, they would have
+found him absent. Usually, soon after supper, he made his way to the
+tavern, where he spent his time and money in a very unprofitable way.
+
+The agent was surprised when his two visitors made their appearance.
+
+"What brings you here, Hamlin?" he asked, with scant ceremony.
+
+"I come on a little matter of business," answered Mr. Hamlin, gravely.
+
+Mr. Fairfield concluded that the farmer had come to make an appeal to
+have his rent continued at the old rates, and answered, impatiently:
+
+"I don't think it will be of much use. My mind is made up. Have you come
+on business, also?" he asked, turning to Frank, with a sneer.
+
+"Yes, sir," answered our hero, quietly.
+
+"That will be of no use, either," said the agent. "I am not in want of
+stationery, and, if I were, I should not buy of a peddler."
+
+"I have not come here to sell stationery, Mr. Fairfield," said Frank.
+
+"Then, may I take the liberty of asking what is your business here?"
+
+"I come on the same business as Mr. Hamlin," answered Frank, who
+preferred that his companion should introduce the subject.
+
+"Look here, I have no time for trifling," said Mr. Fairfield, angrily.
+"I am going out and can only spare you five minutes."
+
+"Mr. Fairfield, I would advise you not to go out till you have heard
+what I have to say," said the farmer in a meaning tone.
+
+"I certainly shall. You can call some other time."
+
+"Another time will not do."
+
+"Look here, sir! Do you know to whom you are talking? How dare you use
+such a tone to Mr. Percival's representative?"
+
+"I suppose you don't always expect to be Mr. Percival's representative?"
+
+"I suppose I shall die sometime, if that's what you mean; but I am not
+dead yet, as you will find. To pay you for your impertinence, I shall
+increase your rent more than I intended. I'll drive you out of
+town--that's what I'll do."
+
+This was accompanied by an angry stamp of the foot, which, however, did
+not frighten Mr. Hamlin much.
+
+"I shall not pay a dollar more rent, nor shall I leave the farm I
+occupy," returned Mr. Hamlin, whose patience was exhausted by the rough
+insolence of the man before him.
+
+"So you defy me, do you?" demanded Fairfield, furiously.
+
+"I shall resist your injustice, sir, or rather I would do so if you were
+able to carry out your threat. Luckily you have not the power."
+
+"Have not the power? You will see if I have not the power!" roared the
+angry agent. "I give you notice that at the end of the quarter you must
+go, at any rate. After your insolence, I won't let you stay on any
+terms. I wouldn't let you stay if you would pay double the rent. Do you
+hear me, Hamlin?"
+
+"Yes, I hear you."
+
+Mr. Fairfield looked at the farmer in surprise. The latter seemed
+perfectly calm and undisturbed by his threat, though it was of the most
+serious nature. He had expected to see him humbled, and to hear him
+entreat a reversal of the sentence; but his tenant was thoroughly
+self-possessed, and appeared to care nothing for the agent's threats.
+
+"You need not expect that I will change my mind," he added. "Out of
+Jackson you must go. I know there is no other farm which you can hire,
+and while I am Mr. Percival's agent, you need expect no favors from me."
+
+"I don't expect any while you are Mr. Percival's agent," said Mr.
+Hamlin.
+
+There was something in the farmer's tone that arrested the agent's
+attention and excited his curiosity, though it did not awaken his alarm,
+and he could not help saying:
+
+"Then what do you expect? Do you think I am going to die?"
+
+"I don't expect that you will die or resign, Mr. Fairfield. You may be
+removed."
+
+"Have you been writing to Mr. Percival?" exclaimed Fairfield, in mingled
+anger and apprehension.
+
+"No, sir; I have not communicated with him in any way. You would not
+give me his address."
+
+"Of course I would not," said the agent, feeling relieved. "It would be
+mere impertinence for you to write to him."
+
+"Fortunately there is no immediate occasion for me to do so, as he has
+sent a representative here to investigate your official conduct."
+
+"A representative!" exclaimed Fairfield, now thoroughly startled. "Where
+is he? I have not seen him."
+
+"He is present," said Mr. Hamlin, indicating Frank.
+
+The agent broke into a scornful laugh.
+
+"You? Why, you are a peddler!"
+
+"Only in appearance, Mr. Fairfield. I assumed that business in order not
+to attract attention or excite suspicion. I am really Mr. Percival's
+private secretary, as I can prove to your satisfaction."
+
+"Is this true?" he asked, in a changed voice.
+
+"Yes, sir; quite true."
+
+"Have you written to Mr. Percival?"
+
+"Yes, sir; and this afternoon I received a letter from him."
+
+"What did he write?" asked Fairfield, in a husky voice; for he was
+convinced now that Frank spoke the truth.
+
+"He removes you, inclosing a check of three hundred dollars in place of
+notice, and appoints Mr. Hamlin in your place."
+
+"Will you read this letter, sir?"
+
+It was enough. Fairfield knew that his management would not stand
+investigation, and he yielded with a bad grace.
+
+Mr. Hamlin, the next day, to the great joy of the villagers, made known
+his appointment.
+
+Fairfield left town and drifted to California, where he became an
+adventurer, living in a miserable and precarious manner. Mr. Hamlin
+moved into his fine house, and Dick was sent to a school to prepare for
+college.
+
+The next day Frank started on his return to New York.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX
+
+AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY
+
+
+On his return to New York, Frank had no reason to be dissatisfied with
+his reception. From Mr. Percival to Freddie, all the family seemed
+delighted to see him.
+
+"You mustn't go away again, Frank," said little Freddie. "I wanted to
+see you ever so much."
+
+"And I wanted to see you, Freddie," said our hero, his heart warming to
+the little boy.
+
+"You won't go away again, will you, Frank?"
+
+"Not if I can help it, Freddie."
+
+"We are all glad to see you back Frank," said his employer. "But you
+have justified my opinion of you by your success. Some of my friends
+ridiculed me for sending a boy on such an important mission, but I don't
+believe any of them would have succeeded any better than you, if as
+well."
+
+"I am glad you are satisfied with me, sir," said Frank, very much
+gratified by the commendation of his employer.
+
+"I feel that you have done a great service, and indeed I don't know whom
+I could have sent in your place. However, I am glad to see you back
+again. I have missed you about my letters, and have postponed answering
+some till my young secretary returned."
+
+Frank resumed his regular employment, and three months passed without
+anything that needs to be recorded.
+
+At the end of that time, Frank received an important letter from Col.
+Vincent, which gave him much food for thought.
+
+The letter was as follows:
+
+"Dear Frank: For some time past I have been intending to write to you,
+but I have delayed for no good reason. Now, however, I am led to write
+by a surprising discovery which has just been made in your old home,
+which may be of material importance to you.
+
+"When your stepfather went away, he requested me to have an eye to the
+estate, and order whatever I might think necessary to be done. I am not,
+as you know, a very cordial friend of Mr. Manning's, but I have always
+regarded the property as of right belonging to you--that is, since your
+mother's death--and so accepted the commission.
+
+"A few days since I went over the house and found that it was quite
+dirty. Where the dirt could come from in an unoccupied house I can't
+tell, but, at all events, I felt justified in engaging a woman to clean
+the paint, so, if any of you should return unexpectedly, you would find
+the house fit to receive you. This was a very simple matter, you will
+think, and scarcely needs mentioning. But, my dear Frank, events of
+importance often hinge on trifles, and so it has proved in the present
+instance.
+
+"On the evening of the second day I received a call from Mrs. Noonan,
+whom I had employed to scrub the house. She had in her hand a folded
+paper, which she gave to me.
+
+"'Here is something I found, sir, while I was scrubbing,' she said.
+
+"I opened it indifferently, but conceive of my amazement when I found it
+to be your mother's will, properly signed, sealed and witnessed.
+
+"Of course it was not the will which Mr. Manning presented for probate.
+This will gave Mr. Manning ten thousand dollars, and the residue of the
+property to you, except a small amount bestowed upon Richard Green, the
+coachman, and Deborah--sums larger, by the way, than those mentioned in
+the will which was read after your mother's death."
+
+There was more to Colonel Vincent's letter.
+
+Frank showed it to Mr. Percival, and readily obtained permission to take
+a few days vacation.
+
+"I hope you will get back the estate, Frank," said Mr. Percival, "though
+I don't know what I shall do without my secretary."
+
+"That need not separate us, Mr. Percival," said our hero. "I have no
+home but this."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XL
+
+JONAS BARTON
+
+
+Frank started for his old home on Saturday afternoon. He would arrive in
+time for supper, at the house of his father's friend. The train was well
+filled, and he was obliged to share his seat with a shabbily dressed
+young man with whom, a single glance showed him, he was not likely to
+sympathize.
+
+The shabby suit did not repel him at all--he was too sensible for that;
+but there was a furtive look in the man's face, which seemed to indicate
+that he was not frank and straightforward, but had something to conceal.
+
+Half the journey passed without a word between the two. Then his
+companion, glancing at Frank, opened a conversation by remarking that it
+was a fine day.
+
+"Very," answered Frank, laconically.
+
+"A pleasant day to travel."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Do you go far?"
+
+Frank mentioned his destination. His companion seemed to have his
+interest awakened.
+
+"Do you know a Mr. Manning, living in your town?" he asked.
+
+"He is my stepfather," said Frank.
+
+"Then you are Frank Courtney?" said his new acquaintance, quickly.
+
+"I am."
+
+"Pardon me, but I think your mother died recently?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And the property was left chiefly to Mr. Manning?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Of course, you were surprised, and probably very disappointed?"
+
+"Excuse me," said Frank, coldly; "but I am not in the habit of
+discussing my affairs with strangers."
+
+"Quite right, but I think you will find it for your interest to discuss
+them with me. Not in a public car, of course; but I have something of
+importance to communicate. Where can I have a private interview with
+you?"
+
+It at once occurred to Frank that there was an opportunity, perhaps, to
+solve the mystery concerning the will. This man might know nothing about
+it; but, on the other hand, he might know everything. It would be
+foolish to repulse him.
+
+"If you have anything important to tell me, I shall be glad to hear it,"
+he said. "I am going to the house of my friend, Col. Vincent, to pass a
+few days. Do you know where he lives?"
+
+"Yes, I know."
+
+"If you will call this evening, after supper, I shall be glad to see
+you."
+
+"I will do so. I will be there at eight o'clock, sharp."
+
+On arriving at his destination, Frank found the colonel's carriage
+waiting for him at the station.
+
+Col. Vincent was inside.
+
+"Welcome, Frank!" he said, grasping heartily the hand of our young hero.
+"I am delighted to see you. You are looking well, and, bless me, how you
+have grown!"
+
+"Thank you, Col. Vincent. Do you expect me to return the compliment?"
+
+"About having grown? No, Frank, I hope not. I am six feet one, and don't
+care to grow any taller. Well, what do you think of the news?"
+
+"I have some for you, colonel;" and Frank mentioned what his new
+acquaintance had told him.
+
+"The missing link!" exclaimed the colonel, excited. "Do you know what I
+think?"
+
+"What?"
+
+"That this man either forged the will which gives the property to your
+stepfather, or is cognizant of it!"
+
+"I thought of that."
+
+"I shall be impatient to see him."
+
+At eight o'clock the man called and gave his name as Jonas Barton.
+Whether it was the right name might be a question; but this did not
+matter.
+
+"I understand," said Col. Vincent, "that you have some information to
+give us."
+
+"I have; and that of a very important nature."
+
+"Is it of a nature to restore to my young friend here his property now
+in the possession of Mr. Manning?"
+
+"If it were," said Jonas Barton with a cunning glance of his left eye
+"how much would it be worth?"
+
+"I supposed it was for sale," said the colonel, quietly. "What is your
+own idea?"
+
+"I will take two thousand dollars."
+
+"Suppose we say one thousand?"
+
+"It is not enough."
+
+"Were you aware that the genuine will had been found?" asked the
+colonel, quietly.
+
+Jonas Barton started.
+
+"I thought Mr. Manning destroyed it," he said, hastily.
+
+"No; he concealed it."
+
+"Is this true?"
+
+"Yes. You see that a part of your information has been forestalled."
+
+"He was a fool, then, and still more a fool to refuse my last demand for
+money. I accept your offer of a thousand dollars, and will tell all."
+
+"Go on."
+
+"I wrote the will which Mr. Manning presented for probate. It was copied
+in part from the genuine will."
+
+"Good! And you betray him because he will not pay what you consider the
+service worth?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+Jonas Barton here gave a full account of Mr. Manning, whom he had
+formerly known in New York, seeking him out and proposing to him a job
+for which he was willing to pay five hundred dollars. Barton was not
+scrupulous, and readily agreed to do the work. He was skillful with the
+pen, and did his work so well that all were deceived.
+
+"You will be willing to swear to this in court?"
+
+"Yes, sir, if you will guarantee the sum you proposed."
+
+"I will. I shall wish you to find a boarding place in the village, and
+remain here for the present, so as to be ready when needed. I will be
+responsible for your board."
+
+As Jonas Barton was leaving the house, one of the servants came in with
+important news, in which Frank was strongly interested.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLI
+
+CONCLUSION
+
+
+The news was that Mr. Manning and Mark had just arrived at the Cedars.
+They had come by the last evening train. Why they had come back so
+unexpectedly no one knew, but the servant had heard that Mark was in
+poor health. This was true.
+
+Mark, in Europe, had proved uncontrollable. He had given way to his
+natural love of drink, had kept late hours, and had seriously injured
+his constitution. In consequence of these excesses, he had contracted a
+fever, which alarmed him father and induced him to take the first
+steamer home.
+
+"We won't call upon your stepfather this evening, Frank," said Col.
+Vincent; "but early Monday morning we will bring matters to a crisis."
+
+Mr. Manning did not hear of Frank's presence in the village. He was
+fatigued with his rapid travel and kept at home. Besides, Mark was
+prostrated by his journey and didn't wish to be left alone.
+
+It was, therefore, a surprise to Mr. Manning when on Monday morning,
+Col. Vincent was ushered into his presence, accompanied by Frank.
+
+"Really, colonel," he said, recovering his composure, "you are very kind
+to call so soon. I hope you are well, Frank? Are you staying with the
+colonel? You must come back to your old home."
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Manning, but I am living in New York. I am only passing
+a day or two with the colonel."
+
+"It is very friendly in you to call, Col. Vincent."
+
+"Mr. Manning," said Col. Vincent, gravely, "I am not willing to receive
+undeserved credit. Let me say, therefore, that this is a business, not a
+friendly, call."
+
+"Indeed," said Manning, uneasily.
+
+"The business is connected with my young friend Frank."
+
+"I am ready to listen," said Mr. Manning. "If Frank wants a larger
+allowance, I am ready to give it."
+
+"I venture to say for him that he will not be satisfied with that. Let
+me come to the point at once, Mr. Manning. Mrs. Manning's will has been
+found."
+
+Mr. Manning started perceptibly, and his glance involuntarily wandered
+to that part of the wall behind which the will was discovered, for they
+were sitting in the very apartment where Mrs. Noonan had stumbled upon
+it.
+
+"What do you mean, sir?"
+
+"A will has been found, leaving the bulk of the property to Frank."
+
+"Indeed! I am surprised. Is it a later will than the one which
+bequeathed the estate to me?" asked Mr. Manning, pointedly.
+
+"It is Mrs. Manning's latest genuine will," said Col. Vincent,
+emphatically.
+
+Mr. Manning started to his feet. He could not help understanding the
+colonel's meaning. It would have been idle to pretend it.
+
+"What do you mean, Col. Vincent?" he asked, in a tone which he tried to
+make one of dignified resentment.
+
+"I mean that Mrs. Manning made but one will, and that this bequeaths the
+property to Frank."
+
+"How, then, do you account for the later will which was admitted to
+probate?"
+
+"In this way. It was not what it purported to be."
+
+Mr. Manning's sallow face flushed.
+
+"What do you mean to insinuate?" he asked.
+
+"That the last will was forged!" said Col. Vincent, bluntly.
+
+"This is a very serious charge," said Mr. Manning, unable to repress his
+agitation. "You must allow me to say that I shall pay no attention to
+it. When you furnish proof of what you assert, it will be time enough to
+meet it. And now, gentlemen, if you have nothing further to say, I will
+bid you good-morning."
+
+"I think you will find it best not to be in a hurry, Mr. Manning," said
+Col. Vincent. "The charge must be met here and now. I charge you with
+instigating and being cognizant of the fraud that has been perpetrated!"
+
+"On what grounds, sir? Do you know I can sue you for libel?"
+
+"You are welcome to do so, Mr. Manning. I have a witness who will clear
+me."
+
+"Who is he?"
+
+"Jonas Barton!"
+
+If a bombshell had exploded in the room, Mr. Manning could not have
+looked paler or more thoroughly dismayed. Yet he tried to keep up a
+little longer.
+
+"I don't know any man of that name," he answered, faintly.
+
+"Your looks show that you do. I may as well tell you, Mr. Manning, that
+resistance is useless. We can overwhelm you with proof if we take the
+matter before the courts. But we do not care to do so. We have something
+to propose."
+
+"What is it?" said Mr. Manning, faintly.
+
+"The genuine will must be substituted for the fraudulent one. By it you
+will receive ten thousand dollars, and Frank will consent that you shall
+receive it. He will not ask you to account for the sums you have
+wrongfully spent during the last year, and will promise not to prosecute
+you, provided you leave this neighborhood and never return to it, or in
+any way interfere with him. To insure this, we shall have Jonas Barton's
+written confession, attested before a justice of the peace, ready for
+use, if needful. Do you accept?"
+
+"I must," said Mr. Manning, despondently. "But I shall be a poor man."
+
+"No man who has health and the use of his facilities is poor with ten
+thousand dollars," answered the colonel.
+
+"Mark alone will spend more than the interest of this sum."
+
+"Then you must prevent him. He will be better off if he has to earn his
+living, as Frank has done for the last year."
+
+In less than a week the transfer was made, and Frank recovered his
+patrimony.
+
+Mr. Manning and Mark went to Chicago, and perhaps further West; but
+nothing has been heard from them for years.
+
+Frank didn't return to the Cedars. The place was let until he should
+wish to return to it.
+
+By the advice of Col. Vincent, he resumed his preparation for college,
+and, graduating in due time, commenced the study of law.
+
+Though rich enough to do without a profession, he felt that he should
+not be content to lead an aimless life.
+
+He obtained for his school friend, Herbert Grant, the post of private
+secretary to Mr. Percival, and Herbert became nearly as great a favorite
+as himself.
+
+Through Mr. Percival's kindness, Herbert was enabled, while still living
+at his house and attending to his duties as secretary, to enter Columbia
+College, and complete his course there, graduating with honor.
+
+Herbert selected the medical profession, and, when he has completed his
+studies, will go abroad for a year with Frank, at the latter's expense,
+and, returning, open an office in New York.
+
+While he is waiting for the patients and Frank for clients, the two
+will live together, and their common expenses will be defrayed by Frank.
+
+"If I didn't like you so well, Frank," said Herbert, "I would not accept
+this great favor at your hands--"
+
+"But since we are dear friends," interrupts Frank, with a smile.
+
+"I know that you enjoy giving even more than I do the receiving."
+
+"Enough, Herbert. We understand each other. I have no brother, Herbert,
+and if I had, I could not care more for him than I do for you. Without
+you, I should feel alone in the world."
+
+Frank does not regret the year in which he was thrown upon his own
+resources. It gave him strength and self-reliance; and however long he
+may live, he will not cease to remember with pleasure the year in which
+he was "Making His Way."
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Making His Way, by Horatio Alger, Jr.
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