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+Project Gutenberg's The Telegraph Messenger Boy, by Edward S. Ellis
+
+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: The Telegraph Messenger Boy
+       The Straight Road to Success
+
+Author: Edward S. Ellis
+
+Release Date: June 20, 2008 [EBook #25859]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TELEGRAPH MESSENGER BOY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: BEN SWUNG HIS HAT AND SHOUTED, AND AT LAST CAUGHT THE
+NOTICE OF THE PEOPLE ON THE BANK.--P. 51.]
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE TELEGRAPH MESSENGER BOY
+Or
+The Straight Road to Success
+
+By
+EDWARD S. ELLIS
+
+Author of "Down the Mississippi," "Life of Kit
+Carson," "Lost in the Wilds," "Red Plume," Etc.
+
+CHATTERTON-PECK COMPANY
+NEW YORK, N. Y.
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Copyright, 1889, by
+N. L. MUNRO
+
+Copyright, 1904, by
+THE MERSHON COMPANY
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER                                PAGE
+     I.  On a Log                         1
+    II.  The Collision                    8
+   III.  The Office Boy                  16
+    IV.  A Message in the Night          22
+     V.  In Storm and Darkness           29
+    VI.  "Tell Mother I Am All Right"    36
+   VII.  A Thrilling Voyage              43
+  VIII.  The Cipher Telegram             50
+    IX.  The Translation                 57
+     X.  Farmer Jones                    64
+    XI.  The Value of Courtesy           71
+   XII.  A Call                          78
+  XIII.  At the Grandin Mansion          85
+   XIV.  The Conspiracy                  93
+    XV.  An Affray at Night              99
+   XVI.  The Third Telegram             106
+  XVII.  Decidedly Mixed                113
+ XVIII.  Between Two Fires              120
+   XIX.  Baffled!                       127
+    XX.  Watching and Waiting           134
+   XXI.  "Lay Low!"                     141
+  XXII.  The Battle of Life             148
+ XXIII.  Face to Face                   155
+  XXIV.  Startling Discoveries          160
+   XXV.  In the Nick of Time            169
+  XXVI.  Conclusion                     176
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
+
+THE TELEGRAPH MESSENGER BOY
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+ON A LOG
+
+
+I made the acquaintance of Ben Mayberry under peculiar circumstances. I
+had charge of the Western Union's telegraph office in Damietta, where my
+duties were of the most exacting nature. I was kept hard at work through
+the winter months, and more of it crowded on me during the spring than I
+could manage with comfort.
+
+I strolled to the river bank one summer afternoon, and was sauntering
+lazily along when I noticed a young urchin, who was floating down-stream
+on a log, which had probably drifted thither from the lumber regions
+above. The boy was standing upright, with a grin of delight on his face,
+and he probably found more real enjoyment in floating down-stream in this
+style than any excursionist could obtain in a long voyage on a palace
+steamer.
+
+He had on an old straw hat, through the crown of which his brown hair
+protruded in several directions; his pantaloons were held up by a single
+suspender, skewered through them in front by a tenpenny nail--an
+arrangement which caused the garments to hang in a lopsided fashion to
+his shoulders. He was barefooted, and his trousers were rolled up to his
+knees. He wore no coat nor vest, and his shirt was of the coarsest
+muslin, but it was quite clean.
+
+This boy was Ben Mayberry, then ten years old, and he was a remarkable
+fellow in more than one respect. His round face was not only the picture
+of absolutely perfect health, but it showed unusual intelligence and
+brightness. His figure was beautiful in its boyish symmetry, and no one
+could look upon the lad without admiring his grace, of which he was
+entirely unconscious.
+
+In addition to this, Ben Mayberry was known to possess two accomplishments,
+as they may be called, to an extraordinary degree--he was very swift of
+foot and could throw with astonishing accuracy. Both of these attainments
+are held in high esteem by all boys.
+
+I had met Ben at intervals during the year past, but could hardly claim
+to be acquainted with him. I usually bought my morning paper of him
+during the cold weather, and I knew that his father was killed by a
+blasting accident some years before. Ben was the only child of his
+widowed mother, who managed to eke out a subsistence somehow with the aid
+of the little fellow, who was ever ready and cheerful with his work.
+
+While I stood looking at Ben, drifting slowly down-stream, and reflected
+that the water was fully two fathoms deep at that point, three other boys
+stopped on the bank below me to view him. They were strangers to me, but
+I observed they were unusually well dressed. They had that effeminate,
+exquisite appearance which satisfied me they were visitors from Boston,
+sauntering along the river in order to learn whether there was anything
+in our town worthy of their attention. They were apparently of nearly the
+same age, and each was certainly one or two years older than Ben
+Mayberry.
+
+"Hello," exclaimed one, as the three came to an abrupt halt, "look at
+that country boy out on that log over there; he thinks he's smart."
+
+"He's trying to show off, Rutherford," said another.
+
+"I say, boys, let's stone him," suggested the third, in a voice so
+guarded that I was barely able to catch the words.
+
+The proposition was received with favor, but one of them looked furtively
+around and noticed me. His manner showed that he was in fear of my
+stopping their cruel sport.
+
+"Who cares for him?" said one of the party, in a blustering voice that it
+was meant I should hear; "he's nobody. I'll tell him my father is one of
+the richest men in Boston and is going to be governor some day."
+
+"And I'll let him know that my father has taken me and our folks all over
+Yurrup. Pooh! he daresn't say anything."
+
+Soothed by this conclusion, the three began throwing stones at Ben.
+
+Ben was close at hand, and the first boy who flung a missile poised and
+aimed with such deliberation that I was sure Ben would be hit; but the
+stone missed him by fully ten feet. It was not until two more had been
+thrown that Ben awoke to the fact that he was serving as a target for the
+city youth.
+
+"What are you fellers doing?" he demanded, looking angrily toward them.
+"Who you trying to hit?"
+
+They laughed, and the tallest answered, as he flung another missile with
+great energy but poor aim:
+
+"We're going to knock you off that log, Country! What are you going to do
+about it?"
+
+"I'll show you mighty soon," answered the sturdy lad, who straightway
+pushed the long pole in his hand against the bottom of the river, so as
+to drive the log in toward the shore where his persecutors stood pelting
+him.
+
+There was something so plucky in all this that several others stopped to
+watch the result. I secretly resolved that if Ben got the worst of it (as
+seemed inevitable against three boys), I would interfere at the critical
+moment.
+
+"He's coming ashore to whip us!" exclaimed the tallest lad, almost
+dropping to the ground with laughter. "I hope he will; I've been taking
+sparring lessons of Professor Sullivan for a year, and I would like the
+fun of knocking him out of time. I can do it in three rounds, and I want
+you boys to stand back and leave him to me. I'll paralyze him!"
+
+The others were reluctant, each claiming the happiness of demolishing the
+countryman; but the tallest, who was called Rutherford, at last secured
+their pledge that they would keep their hands off and allow him to have
+all the fun to himself.
+
+"I'll try the cross-counter on him, the upper cut, and then I'll land a
+left-hander on his jug'lar that'll knock him stiff. Oh, how I ache to get
+him within reach!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE COLLISION
+
+
+Meanwhile Ben Mayberry was vigorously working the log in toward shore. It
+moved slowly, but the current was sluggish, the space brief, and he was
+certain to land in a few minutes.
+
+One of the stones struck Ben on the shoulder. It must have angered him,
+for instead of trying to dodge the rest, he used his pushing-pole with
+more energy than before and paid no heed to the missiles, several of
+which were stopped by his body.
+
+It was plain that the valorous little fellow meant to attack the three
+city lads, who were pestering him not only with stones, but with taunts
+that were far more exasperating.
+
+"Wonder who blacked his shoes?"
+
+"Ain't that hat a beauty? He can comb his hair without taking it off."
+
+"That one suspender must have cost him a good deal."
+
+"By gracious, he's going to chew us up," laughed the tallest, as the log
+approached land; "stand back, boys, you promised him to me, and I don't
+want either of you to say you helped me to knock him out in the third
+round."
+
+The next minute the log was so close that the nimble-footed Ben leaped
+ashore and strode straight for the valiant Rutherford, who immediately
+threw himself in "position." His attitude was certainly artistic, with
+his left foot thrown forward, his right fist clinched and held across his
+breast, and his left extended ready to be shot forward into the first
+opening that his enemy presented.
+
+But it is one thing to assume the proper pugilistic attitude; it is
+altogether another to act the part of a trained pugilist.
+
+"Come on, Country!" called out the exultant Rutherford; "but I hope
+you've bid your friends farewell."
+
+The other boys stood back and watched the singular contest. I carefully
+approached so as to be ready to protect Ben when it should become
+necessary.
+
+The brave fellow never hesitated, but the instant he landed lightly on
+the shore he went straight for Rutherford, who, it was plain, was
+slightly surprised and disconcerted by his unscientific conduct. But the
+city youth kept his guard well up, and the moment Ben was within reach he
+struck a violent blow intended for the face.
+
+But Ben dodged it easily, dropping his head and running with cat-like
+agility directly under the guard of his antagonist, who, before he could
+understand precisely what it meant, found himself clasped around the
+waist and thrown on his back with such violence that a loud grunt was
+forced from him, and his handsome new hat rolled rapidly down into the
+water.
+
+And I am free to confess that I was delighted when I saw Ben give him
+several of his "best licks," which made the tall boy roar for mercy.
+
+"Take him off, boys! he's killing me! Quick! I can't live much longer."
+
+The others were terrified at the hurricane-like style in which the boy
+had turned the tables on the scientific Rutherford, but they could not
+stand by and see their companion massacred without raising a finger to
+help him.
+
+"Pull him off!" yelled the victim, twisting his body and banging his legs
+in the soft earth in his vain effort to free himself from Ben, who was
+pegging away at him. "Pull him off! Put me on top, and I'll settle him!"
+
+One of the boys ran forward and reached out his hand, intending to catch
+Ben by the shoulder and fling him to the ground; but, to my intense
+amazement and equally intense delight, Ben caught his arm, jerked him
+forward across the body of Rutherford, and belabored both of them. It was
+one of the neatest feats I ever saw performed, and, under the
+circumstances, I would have pronounced it impossible had it not been done
+before my own eyes.
+
+Both the hats of the Boston youths were floating down the river, and they
+were so close to the water's edge that they were covered with mud. The
+vigor of the assault on the two was increased rather than diminished, and
+we spectators were cruel enough to laugh heartily over the exhibition,
+accompanied as it was by the frenzied yells of the two lads who were
+receiving the wrathful attentions of Ben Mayberry.
+
+The third boy could not stand it. He must have thought they had come in
+collision with a gorilla or some sort of wild animal, for he started up
+the river bank, shouting "Murder!" at the top of his voice. Ben, having
+got through with the two under him, sprang off and allowed them to rise,
+standing ready to renew the fight should they show any desire to do so.
+
+[Illustration: BEN CAUGHT HIS ARM, JERKED HIM ACROSS THE BODY OF
+RUTHERFORD, AND BELABORED BOTH OF THEM.--P. 12.]
+
+But they were too thoroughly vanquished. Their plight was laughable, and
+yet pitiable. They were coated with mud from head to foot, and their
+pretty hats, with their polka-dot bands, were gone too far down the river
+to be recovered.
+
+They seemed dazed for a minute or so, but as soon as they realized they
+were on their feet they started off after their flying companion, never
+pausing to look behind them, but running as though a Bengal tiger was at
+their heels.
+
+"Ben," said I, walking forward as soon as I could assume a serious
+expression of countenance, "do you not know it is very wrong to fight?"
+
+"That's what I was tryin' to teach them city chaps. I guess they'll think
+so after this."
+
+"You certainly did your best to convince them it isn't wise to attack
+you; but, Ben, what have you been doing lately?"
+
+"My last job was whipping them," replied the urchin, with a roguish
+twinkle of his blue eyes; "but that was fun, and if you mean work, I
+hain't had anything but selling papers since last summer, but sometimes I
+run errands."
+
+"Do you go to school?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Would you like a job?"
+
+"Indeed I would, sir, for mother finds it hard work to get along, and
+sometimes there isn't anything to eat in the house. Once, when I was a
+little fellow, when I saw mother crying, and there was no bread, I
+slipped out at night and stole a loaf, but mother would not touch it when
+I brought it home, and made me take it back. She told me I must starve
+before I did wrong, and so I will. I have been trying to get a job all
+summer, but everybody says I am too young and small. I take all the
+exercise I can, so as to make me grow, and that's one reason why I
+pitched into them city chaps and laid 'em out."
+
+"Well, Ben, you know where the office of the Western Union is; come
+around there to-morrow morning, at eight o'clock, and I will give you
+something to do."
+
+"Oh, I'm very thankful to you, sir, and this will make my mother the
+happiest woman in Damietta."
+
+I saw tears in the bright eyes, as Ben ran home to carry the good news to
+his mother.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE OFFICE BOY
+
+
+When I approached the office the next morning, little Ben Mayberry was
+standing outside, smiling and expectant.
+
+My heart was touched when I saw what pains his mother had taken to put
+her boy in presentable shape. He had on a pair of coarse shoes, carefully
+blacked, and a new, cheap hat replaced the dilapidated one of the day
+before. He wore a short coat and a vest, which must have served him as
+his Sunday suit for a long time, as they were much too small for him.
+
+But there was a cleanly, neat look about him which attracted me at once.
+His face was as rosy as an apple, and his large, white teeth were as
+sound as new silver dollars. His dark hair, which was inclined to be
+curly, was cut short, and the ill-fitting clothes could not conceal the
+symmetry of his growing figure.
+
+"Well, Ben," said I cheerily, as I shook his hand, "I am glad to see you
+are here on time. You are young, you know, but are old enough to make a
+start. As I expect you to reach the top of the ladder, I mean that you
+shall begin at the bottom round."
+
+I am not sure he understood this figurative language, but I made it clear
+to him the next minute.
+
+"You are to be here every morning before seven o'clock, to sweep out the
+office and make it ready for business. You must see that all the
+spittoons are cleaned, that the ink wells at the desk are provided with
+ink, that the pens are good enough for use (I never yet have seen a
+public office where the writing facilities were not wretched), abundance
+of blanks on hand, and that everything is tidied up. In summer, you must
+wash off the ice and place it in the cooler, and in winter, see that the
+fires are going and the office comfortable at the time we go there for
+business. Can you do it, Ben?"
+
+"Yes, sir, and glad to have the chance."
+
+"This will give you some opportunity to attend the public school, which,
+of course, you will take advantage of. Then, when you can, you will begin
+to study telegraphy. I will see that you have every chance, and, at the
+same time, I will give you a lift now and then in your studies. This is
+the first step, Ben; in this country anything is possible to the boy who
+has brains, pluck, and application. Everything now depends on yourself;
+with the help of Heaven you will succeed; if you fail, it will be your
+own fault. To-day you start on your career, which will lead to success
+and happiness or to failure and misery."
+
+Ben listened respectfully to what I said, and seemed impressed by my
+words. I took him inside the office, explained to him more particularly
+his duties, gave him a key with which to enter in the morning, and told
+him to be on hand at six o'clock on the morrow, until which time he was
+excused. His wages were to be two dollars a week, to begin from the day
+on which I engaged him. Ben raised his hat, bade me good-day, and went
+home, and I am sure there was no happier boy in Damietta than he.
+
+It goes without saying that he attended to his duties faithfully from the
+very first. He went to the public school when he could gain the chance. I
+learned that he was a favorite there, on account of his manliness and
+excellent scholarship. In conjunction with the principal we arranged to
+give him private instruction at night, so that during the day he could
+devote his energies to learning telegraphy, in which he displayed great
+aptitude.
+
+As I was manager of the office, it was in my power to advance Ben as
+rapidly as circumstances warranted. He was given to understand from the
+first that he would be assisted to the extent to which he proved himself
+deserving, and no further. I did not intend to spoil him by undue favors,
+nor did I allow him to see how much I really thought of him. One of the
+surest means of ruining a boy is by partiality and too rapid advancement;
+but I gave him an encouraging word now and then, and took pains to let
+his mother know that he was meeting my high expectations, and that he was
+fully worthy of the hopes she entertained of him.
+
+I shall never forget the glow which came into the pinched face when I
+addressed her thus, nor the devout expression which overspread her
+countenance at my liberal praise of her child.
+
+"Ben has always been obedient to his father and mother. I have never
+known him to swear or tell an untruth, and he never took anything that
+was not his own--that is," the poor lady hastened to add when she
+recalled the painful circumstance, "he never forgot himself but once."
+
+"He told me about it; few could blame him for that misstep; I cannot
+think the distressing necessity will ever arise again. Should Heaven
+spare his life he will become your staff, upon which you can soon lean
+your whole weight."
+
+She gave a faint sigh of happiness.
+
+"My boy Ben has never brought a pang to his mother's heart."
+
+Ah, my young friend, can your mother say that? When that dear head is
+laid low, when those loving eyes shall be closed forever, and the sweet
+voice is hushed in the tomb, will you be able to say through your
+blinding tears:
+
+"I never brought a pang to her heart!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+A MESSAGE IN THE NIGHT
+
+
+At the end of a month Ben Mayberry was made a messenger boy of the office
+under my charge. This cannot be called a very momentous promotion,
+inasmuch as many of our telegraphists begin there; but it doubled Ben's
+wages at once, and led to his appearance in the attractive blue uniform
+which the boys of the Western Union wear. In his case it seemed to add
+two inches to his stature at once.
+
+Ben was our best messenger from the first. He was acquainted with the
+city of Damietta from one end to the other, and his superior fleetness of
+foot enabled him to outstrip the others, while his cheerful, intelligent
+manner added to his popularity with our customers.
+
+As he was so young, I determined to keep him messenger for a longer time
+than was really necessary, affording him all the opportunity he could ask
+in which to learn telegraphy. He picked it up rapidly, and I was
+surprised when I found him reading messages over the wires by sound. As
+everyone knows, it takes a skillful operator, or rather one of
+experience, to do this, a proof that Ben was applying himself to learning
+the business with all the power at his command.
+
+In more than one instance, those who knew the high estimation in which
+the boy was held exerted themselves to put annoyances and obstructions in
+his way. All manner of pretexts were made for detaining him, and he
+showed no little originality and ingenuity in outwitting his very
+attentive friends.
+
+He continued to apply himself evenings, when not on duty at the office,
+and his progress was excellent in every respect. The kind principal
+showed great interest in him, and at the age of twelve Ben Mayberry
+possessed what may be called a good elementary English education.
+
+Before, however, these two years had passed he could receive and send
+messages in a very acceptable manner. His wages had been advanced, and he
+now had his mother in comfortable quarters, dressed tastefully himself,
+and was developing into a handsome youth, whose brilliant work had
+already attracted the notice of the general superintendent.
+
+Ben had been an operator a little less than a year when he met with a
+most extraordinary experience, which to-day is a theme of never-ending
+wonder to those who were living in Damietta at the time.
+
+One evening a rough-bearded man entered the office, and stepping to the
+counter, said to me:
+
+"My name is Burkhill--G. R. Burkhill--and I am staying at the hotel in
+Moorestown. I am expecting a very important dispatch to-night, but I
+cannot wait for it. If it reaches this office before ten o'clock, I wish
+to have it delivered to the hotel."
+
+Moorestown lay directly across the river, and was reached by the long,
+covered bridge which spanned the stream. It was beyond our "jurisdiction,"
+that is, outside the circle of free delivery, which Mr. Burkhill
+understood, as he remarked that he would pay well for the trouble.
+
+I assured him that I would see that the telegram reached him that night,
+if received before ten o'clock. Thanking me, he said good-evening, passed
+out, mounted his horse, and galloped away in the wintry darkness.
+
+It was in the month of February, but the weather was mild for that
+season, and there had been a plentiful fall of rain. Ben was on duty
+until ten, and he was in the very act of rising from his seat when he
+called out:
+
+"Helloa! here comes the message for Mr. Burkhill."
+
+It was quite brief and Ben wrote it out rapidly, took a hasty impression,
+thrust it into the damp yellow envelope, and whistled for a messenger
+boy. There was only one present, and he was a pale, delicate lad, who had
+gone on duty that day after a week's illness.
+
+"Helloa, Tim; do you want to earn a half dollar extra?" asked Ben, as the
+boy stood expectantly before him.
+
+"I would like to, if it isn't too hard for me."
+
+Ben looked sharply at him and saw that the boy was in too weak a state to
+undertake the task. There was no other messenger within call, and Mr.
+Burkhill was doubtless impatient for the message whose delivery I had
+guaranteed.
+
+"It won't do for you to cross the river to-night," said Ben decisively;
+"the air is damp and raw, and I think it is going to rain again. I'll do
+it for you, and whatever extra I collect from Mr. Burkhill you shall
+have, Tim; now go home and go to bed."
+
+And waving me a good-night, Ben hurried out of the door and vanished down
+the street.
+
+"It's just like him," I muttered, as I prepared to go home; for except on
+special occasions we closed our office at ten, or shortly after. "That
+isn't the first kindness he has done that boy, and everyone in the office
+is bound by gratitude to him."
+
+As I stepped out on the street I observed that the fine mist was turning
+into rain, and another of those dismal nights, which are often
+experienced in the Middle States during the latter part of winter, was
+upon the city.
+
+I did not feel sleepy after reaching home. My wife and two children had
+retired and were sound asleep. There was no one astir but myself, and
+drawing my chair to the fire, I began reading the evening paper.
+
+Fully an hour had passed in this manner and I was in the act of rising
+from my chair, with the purpose of going to bed, when a sharp ring of the
+bell startled me as though I had heard burglars in the house. I felt
+instinctively that something serious had happened as I hurried to the
+door.
+
+"Did Ben Mayberry take a telegraphic message across the river to-night?"
+asked the man, whom I recognized as a policeman.
+
+"He started to do so," I answered tremblingly. "What's wrong."
+
+"It's the last message he'll ever deliver; he has probably been killed!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+IN STORM AND DARKNESS
+
+
+"Yes, it's the last message he'll ever deliver," repeated the policeman;
+"Ben Mayberry has probably been killed!"
+
+These were the terrible words spoken by the man who had rung my bell in
+the middle of the night, and startled me almost out of my senses. I
+swallowed the lump in my throat, and with a voice tremulous with emotion,
+said:
+
+"No, no! it cannot be. Who would kill him?"
+
+"I don't mean he was murdered," the officer hastened to add, seeing my
+mistake. "He was on the middle span of the bridge when it was carried
+away by the flood, and that's the last of him!"
+
+I drew a great sigh of relief. There was something unspeakably dreadful
+in the thought of noble Ben Mayberry being killed by anyone, and it
+lifted a vast burden from my shoulders to be told that no such awful fate
+had overtaken him.
+
+But instantly came the staggering terror that the boy had gone down in
+the wreck and ruin, and at that moment was floating among the great
+masses of ice and debris that were sweeping swiftly down the river
+toward the sea.
+
+"How was it?" I asked, after the officer had refused my invitation to
+enter.
+
+"The river began rising very fast at dark, but the bridge has stood so
+many freshets we were hopeful of this. The water was at the top of the
+abutments at nine o'clock and was still creeping up. Jack Sprall, who is
+off duty to-night, was down by the bridge watching things. A little after
+ten o'clock, Ben Mayberry came along and said he had a message which he
+had promised to deliver to a gentleman at the hotel in Moorestown. Jack
+told him the bridge was unsafe, but Ben said he knew how to swim, and
+started across, whistling and jolly as usual. Jack said at the same time
+he heard the sound of wheels, which showed that a wagon or carriage had
+driven on from the other side, which never ought to have been allowed
+when things were looking so shaky. Ben had just about time to reach the
+middle of the bridge when the crash came, and the big span was wiped out,
+as though it was a chalk mark on a blackboard."
+
+"How do you know of a surety that Ben Mayberry did not save himself?"
+
+"He is very active and strong, I know, which made Jack hope he had pulled
+through. In spite of the danger of the rest of the bridge going, Jack
+crept out over it to the abutment, and shouted to Ben.
+
+"It seemed that a couple of men had done the same from Moorestown, and
+they stood on the other abutment, with the middle of the river sweeping
+between and threatening to take away the rest of the tottering bridge
+every minute.
+
+"When Jack called, they answered, though it was too dark to see each
+other, and they asked Jack whom he was looking for. He told them that Ben
+Mayberry had gone on the bridge a few minutes before from this side, and
+he was afraid he had been swept away. They said there could be no doubt
+of it, as he had not reached the span on which they were standing. They
+then asked Jack whether he had seen anything of a horse and carriage,
+which drove on the bridge from the Moorestown side, and which they had
+come out to see about. Of course Jack could only make the same answer,
+and when they explained, it was learned that the carriage contained a
+lady and small child--so three lives have been lost from people not doing
+their duty in keeping folks out of danger."
+
+"Does the mother of Ben know anything about this?" I asked, with a
+shudder at the thought of her terrible grief.
+
+"Yes; I went up to her house and told her first, as I thought it my duty
+to do."
+
+"Poor woman! she must have been overcome."
+
+"She was at first, and then when she asked me to tell her all about it,
+and I had done so, she said very quietly that she didn't believe her boy
+was drowned."
+
+"Nor do I believe it!" I exclaimed, with a sudden thrill of hope. "Ben
+Mayberry is one of the best swimmers I ever saw; he went down with the
+lumber of the central span, and even if he could not swim, he had a good
+chance to float himself on some of the timbers or blocks of ice which are
+buoyant enough to support a dozen men."
+
+"All that is very true," replied the policeman, who seemed to have
+thought of everything; "and I don't deny that there is just the barest
+possibility in the world that you're right. But you mustn't forget that
+the roof of the bridge was over him, and has shut out the chance of his
+helping himself. Don't you believe that, if he was alive, he would have
+answered the calls that Jack made to him? Jack has a voice like a
+fog-horn, and Ben would have heard him if he was able to hear anything."
+
+This view of the case staggered me, and I hardly knew what to say, except
+to suggest that possibly Ben had answered the call, and was unheard in
+the rushing waters; but the officer shook his head, and I confess I
+shared his doubts.
+
+"Just as the splintering timbers went down, Jack did hear the shout of
+Ben; he heard, too, the scream of a woman, and that awful cry which a
+horse sometimes makes when in the very extremity of peril, but that was
+all."
+
+I could not sleep after such horrifying tidings, when the policeman had
+gone; I went into the house and donned my overshoes and rubber coat.
+Fortunately my family had not been awakened by the ringing of the bell,
+and I did not disturb them; but, carefully closing and locking the door
+after me, I went out in the storm and darkness, oppressed by a grief
+which I had not known for years, for Ben Mayberry was as dear to me as my
+own son, and my heart bled for the stricken mother who, when she most
+needed a staff to lean upon during her declining years, found it cruelly
+snatched from her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+"TELL MOTHER I AM ALL RIGHT"
+
+
+There is a fascination in the presence of danger which we all feel. The
+news of the dreadful disaster spread with astonishing rapidity, and when
+I reached the river-side it seemed as if all Damietta were there.
+
+The lamps twinkled in the hands of innumerable men moving hither and
+thither in that restless manner which showed how deep their feelings
+were. People were talking in guarded voices, as if the shadow of an awful
+danger impended over them, and the wildest rumors, as is the case at such
+times, were afloat. It was said that six, eight, and a dozen persons had
+gone down with the bridge and were irrecoverably lost. Other structures
+above us were carried away (though no one stopped to explain how the
+tidings had reached ahead of the flood itself), and it was asserted that
+not a span would be left on the stream at daybreak.
+
+The flickering lanterns gave a glimpse of the scene which rendered it
+more impressive than if viewed under the glare of midday. Some daring
+ones ventured out to the first abutment despite the danger, and we saw
+the glare of their lanterns on the rushing, muddy water and the immense
+blocks of ice. Some of the latter would impinge against the stone
+abutment with a prodigious grinding crash, spin around several times, and
+then mount up from the water, crowded by others behind, as though it was
+about to climb over the massive stone. Then it would tumble back with a
+splash and swiftly sweep out of sight in the darkness.
+
+Again, trees, with their bushy tops tossing above the surface, glided by
+as if caught in a rushing mill-race, and a grotesque character was given
+to the whole scene by the sudden crowing of some cocks, which must have
+been frightened by the twinkling lights so near them.
+
+Few in Damietta went to bed that night. There was a continual walking to
+and fro, as people are seen to do when some great calamity is about to
+break upon them. Several mounted horses and rode down the river-bank for
+miles, in the weak hope of picking up tidings of the lost ones. No one
+could be found who knew the lady and child in the carriage which came
+upon the bridge from the other side. There were innumerable guesses as to
+their identity, but they were guesses and nothing more. No doubt was
+entertained that when communication could be opened with Moorestown on
+the morrow, we would learn who they were.
+
+I stayed at the river-side for an hour, weighed down by the greatest
+grief of my life. I was anxious to do something, but there was absolutely
+nothing for me to do. Ben was gone, and his friends could not begin an
+intelligent search for him before the morrow.
+
+I turned on my heel to go home, when a shout went up that the span on the
+other side of the center was going. There could be no doubt that the
+splintering crash and the grinding swirl of waters and ice were caused by
+the destruction of that span which dissolved into nothingness almost in a
+moment.
+
+This started the cry that the timbers nearest us were breaking up.
+
+Those who were on it made a rush for shore, which was not reached a
+minute too soon. The entire span suddenly lifted up and was "snuffed out"
+so promptly that the wonder was how it had withstood the flood so long.
+
+This occurrence struck me as decisive of the fate of my young friend Ben
+Mayberry. It gave me an appreciation of the tremendous irresistibility of
+the freshet, which must have ended the lives of the hapless party almost
+on the instant. The bravest swimmer would be absolutely helpless in the
+grasp of such a terrific current, and in a night of pitchy darkness would
+be unable to make the first intelligent effort to save himself.
+
+At last I went home through the drizzling rain, as miserable a mortal as
+one could imagine. When I reached the house I was glad to find that my
+family were still asleep. It would be time enough for them to learn of my
+affliction and the public disaster on the coming morrow.
+
+The pattering of the rain on the roof accorded with my feeling of
+desolation, and I lay awake until almost daylight, listening, wretched,
+dismal, and utterly despairing.
+
+I slept unusually late, and I was glad, when I went down to my breakfast,
+to learn that some kind neighbor had told my family all I knew, and
+indeed, a little more. The river rose steadily until daylight, by which
+time it was two feet above the abutments, and not a vestige of the bridge
+remained.
+
+But the water had reached its highest point, for, after remaining
+stationary an hour, it had begun to fall, and was now a couple of inches
+lower than "high-water mark."
+
+There were two things which I dreaded--the sight of the furious river,
+and to meet the sad, white face of Ben Mayberry's mother. I felt that I
+could give her no word of comfort, for I needed it almost as much as did
+she. She must have abandoned all hope by this time, and her loss was
+enough to crush life itself from her.
+
+When walking along the street I found that everyone was talking about the
+unexampled flood. It had overflowed the lower part of the city, and
+people were making their way through the streets in boats. Scores of
+families were made homeless, and the sights were curious enough to draw
+multitudes thither.
+
+I kept away from every point where I could catch so much as a glimpse of
+the freshet.
+
+"You have robbed me of the brightest and best boy I ever knew," I
+muttered, in bitterness of spirit; "he was one whom I loved as if he were
+a son."
+
+The shadow of death seemed to rest on the office when I reached it. The
+loss of Ben Mayberry was a personal affliction to everyone there. Only
+the most necessary words were spoken, and the sighing, which could be
+heard at all times, came from the heart.
+
+I went to my desk in a mechanical way, and had just placed my hand on the
+instrument, when I was thrilled by a call which I would have recognized
+among a thousand. Others heard and identified it also, and held their
+breath. The next instant this message reached me:
+
+     "Dear Mr. Melville--Tell mother I am all right, but in
+     need of dry clothing.
+
+                                               "Ben Mayberry."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+A THRILLING VOYAGE
+
+
+On the night that Ben Mayberry started across the bridge to deliver the
+cipher message to Mr. Burkhill in Moorestown, he had reached the center
+span before he felt he was in personal danger. The few lamps which
+twinkled at long distances from each other were barely enough for him to
+see where he was going, and they did little more than make the darkness
+visible.
+
+By the faint light he observed a carriage and single horse approaching.
+The animal lifted his feet high, walked slowly, and snuffed the air as he
+turned his head from side to side, like an intelligent creature which
+feels he is approaching danger. The rattling of the narrow planks under
+his hoofs and the carriage wheels could be heard above the roar and sweep
+of the angry river beneath.
+
+Suddenly the bridge trembled under a blow received from a gigantic piece
+of ice, which went grinding and splashing with such violence that its
+course could be followed by the bulging upward of the planks between Ben
+and the horse.
+
+"My gracious! this won't do," exclaimed the boy, more alarmed for the
+vehicle and its occupants than for himself.
+
+He ran forward to grasp the bridle of the horse with the purpose of
+turning him back, when he saw that he had stopped of his own accord, and
+was snorting with terror. Ben reached up to seize the bit, when he was
+made dizzy by the abrupt lifting of the planking underneath, and was
+thrown violently forward on his face.
+
+The brave boy knew what it meant, and kept his senses about him. It was
+utterly dark, and he was in the icy water with a terrified horse
+struggling fiercely, and in danger of beating out the boy's brains with
+his hoofs, while the shriek of the agonized mother rose above the horrid
+din:
+
+"Save my child--save my child!"
+
+Fortunately for Ben Mayberry the bridge broke up in a very unusual
+manner. Instead of the roof coming down upon him, it seemed to fall
+apart, as did the narrow planking. Thus his movements were not interfered
+with by the structure, and realizing what a desperate struggle for life
+was before him, he drew off his cumbersome overcoat with great deftness,
+and then swam as only a strong swimmer can do in the very extremity of
+peril.
+
+He heard nothing more of the horse, which had doubtless perished after a
+struggle as brief as it was fierce; but, unable to see anything at all,
+Ben struck out toward the point whence came the cry of the mother, and
+which was close at hand.
+
+He had scarcely made three strokes when he came in violent collision with
+a huge block of ice in his path. Without attempting to go around it, he
+grasped the edge, and, by a determined effort, drew himself upon it.
+Fragments of the bridge were all around, and he felt some of the timber
+upon the support.
+
+While crawling carefully toward the other side, he shouted:
+
+"Helloa! where are you? Answer, and I'll help you."
+
+A faint cry made itself heard amid the rushing waters and the
+impenetrable darkness. It was just ahead, and the next instant Ben had
+reached the other side of the ice raft, where, steadying himself with one
+hand, he groped about with the other, uttering encouraging words as he
+did so.
+
+Suddenly he caught hold of a delicate arm, and with another cheery shout,
+he began drawing with all his strength.
+
+It was a hard task, under the circumstances, but he quickly succeeded,
+and was not a little amazed to find that instead of a lady he had helped
+out a small girl.
+
+But it was the cry of a mother that had reached his ears, and he did his
+utmost (which unfortunately was little) to help her. He called again and
+again, but there was no answer. He asked of the child the whereabouts of
+her parents, but the little one was almost senseless with bewilderment,
+cold, and terror, and could give no intelligible answer.
+
+"She must be drowned," was the sorrowful conclusion of Ben, who was
+forced to cease his efforts; and I may as well add at this point, that he
+was right; the mother's body being carried out to sea, where it was never
+found.
+
+For the time, Ben and the little girl were safe, but it will be seen that
+their condition was pitiable. It was a wintry night, the water was of an
+arctic temperature, and their clothing was saturated. The icy floor on
+which they were supported would have added to their terrible discomfort,
+had he not been able to gather together several of the planks within
+reach, with which he made a partition between them and the freezing
+surface.
+
+Ben shouted at the top of his voice, but he was so far below the place
+where the bridge had stood that no one heard him, and he finally gave it
+up, knowing that even if he made himself known to friends, they would be
+powerless to help him so long as the darkness lasted.
+
+The child, so far as he could judge, was no more than nine or ten years
+old, but she was richly clad, as he learned from the abundance of furs,
+silks, and velvet. She had luxuriant hair, which streamed about her
+shoulders, and he was sure she must be very beautiful.
+
+She was alive, but faint and suffering. She did not wish to talk and Ben
+did not urge her, although he was curious to know her identity.
+
+"I will learn all in the morning," he said to himself; "that is, if we
+are spared until then."
+
+He was too excited and terrified to fall asleep, even had his discomfort
+not been too great to permit it, and he found he needed his wits about
+him.
+
+Now and then the cake of ice which supported them was crowded by others,
+until it seemed on the point of being overturned, in which event another
+terrible struggle would be necessary to save himself and the little girl.
+
+Then again, there seemed to be eddies and whirlpools in the current,
+which threatened to dislodge them or to break up the miniature iceberg
+into fragments, as the bridge itself was destroyed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE CIPHER TELEGRAM
+
+
+The almost interminable night came to an end at last and the dull gray of
+morning appeared in the east.
+
+Ben Mayberry chafed the arms of the little stranger, and even slapped her
+vigorously to prevent her succumbing to the cold. He was forced to rise
+to his feet himself at intervals and swing his arms and kick out his
+legs, to fight off the chilliness which seemed to penetrate to his very
+bones.
+
+As soon as the boy could make use of his eyes he found himself drifting
+through the open country, where the river was fully double the width at
+Damietta. This gave the masses of ice much more "elbow room," and
+decreased the danger of capsizing.
+
+Houses and villages were seen at intervals, and multitudes of people were
+along the bank gathering driftwood and "loot," and watching the
+unparalleled flood of waters.
+
+Ben swung his hat and shouted, and at last caught the notice of the
+people on the bank. Two sturdy watermen sprang into a boat and began
+fighting their way out to the helpless ones. It was a hard task, but they
+succeeded, and Ben and little Dolly Willard (as she had given her name)
+were safely taken off. A crowd waited to welcome them and they received
+every possible attention. Both were taken to the nearest farmhouse, where
+a kind-hearted mother took Dolly in charge, for the little one needed it
+sadly enough.
+
+They were within half a mile of a village which was connected with
+Damietta by telegraph, and before Ben would do anything more than swallow
+a cup of hot coffee, and change his clothing, he was driven to the
+office, where he sent the message which was the first word we received in
+Damietta to tell us that he was alive.
+
+I lost no time in hurrying to the humble dwelling of Mrs. Mayberry, where
+I made known the joyful tidings. I shall never forget the holy light
+which illumined the thin face as she clasped her hands in thankfulness
+and said:
+
+"I had not given up all hope, but I was very near doing so."
+
+Ben was driven into Damietta late that afternoon, where a royal welcome
+awaited him. He was cheered, shaken by the hand, and congratulated over
+and over again, and for a time it looked as though he would be pulled
+asunder. When he finally tore himself loose and rushed into our office,
+the operators and messenger boys were equally demonstrative, but he did
+not mind them.
+
+I stood at my desk with a swelling heart, waiting for him. Suddenly he
+turned and caught my hand.
+
+"He that is born to be hanged will never be drowned----"
+
+He was laughing when he spoke the jest, but his voice trembled, and all
+at once he broke down. Quickly withdrawing both hands, he put them over
+his face and cried like a heartbroken child. He had stood it like a hero
+to this point, but now, with the crowd outside peering into the windows,
+he sobbed with uncontrollable emotion, while my own heart was too full to
+speak.
+
+As soon as he could master himself he said:
+
+"I must not wait any longer; mother expects me."
+
+He was out of the door in a twinkling, and in a few minutes the mother
+and son were in each other's arms.
+
+The reader may think that the most remarkable part of Ben Mayberry's
+adventure on the night of the flood has already been told, but it proved
+to be the beginning of a train of incidents of such an extraordinary
+nature that I hasten to make them known. There was a direct connection
+between his experience on that terrible night in February and the
+wonderful mystery in which he became involved, and which exercised such a
+marked influence on his after-life.
+
+Fortunately, little Dolly Willard suffered no serious consequences from
+her frightful shock and exposure. She received such excellent care that
+she speedily recovered, and as soon as we could re-establish
+communication with Moorestown and engage her in conversation, we learned
+something of her history.
+
+She lived in New York City and had come to Moorestown on a visit with her
+mother and Uncle George. He was the G. R. Burkhill who failed to receive
+the cipher dispatch which Ben Mayberry undertook to deliver to him on
+that eventful night.
+
+Dolly said her father was dead, or had been gone from home a very long
+time. Uncle George claimed and took her to the city, first sending a
+cipher dispatch to a party in the metropolis, and directing me, in case
+of an answer, to hold it until he called or sent for it.
+
+Two days later an answer arrived in the same mystic characters as before.
+As it has much to do with the incidents which follow, I give this
+remarkable telegram in full:
+
+                                 "New York, February 28th,----
+
+"George R. Burkhill, Moorestown:
+
+     "Nvtu vzhs ujmm ezkk tbn gzr b adssdg dizodf rntsg zpvs azmj
+     xjmm jddo.
+
+                                                        "Tom."
+
+Cipher telegrams are sent every day in the week, and we did not concern
+ourselves with this particular one, which would have received no further
+thought, but for an odd circumstance.
+
+On the day Mr. Burkhill sent his message to New York, he was followed
+into our office by a man who was shabbily dressed, and who impressed me
+as what is commonly called a "beat." He spoiled several blanks without
+sending a message and then abruptly tore them up, put the pieces in his
+pocket, and walked out after Mr. Burkhill.
+
+He was in the office several times the succeeding two days, made some
+inquiries, and sent off a couple of messages. Just after Ben Mayberry had
+received the cipher telegram given above, I happened to look across my
+desk and observed that the fellow had taken every letter, marking it
+down, as he easily interpreted it by sound.
+
+It was only by accident that I made this discovery, for the man acted
+precisely as if he were preparing a message to send away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE TRANSLATION
+
+
+Mr. G. R. Burkhill overwhelmed Ben Mayberry with thanks for the heroic
+manner in which he saved his niece and strove to save his sister. He
+offered the boy a handsome reward, but I am glad to say Ben refused to
+accept it. He promised to write the boy concerning the little one, but he
+must have forgotten his promise, as a long time passed without anything
+being heard from him.
+
+When I discovered that the seedy lounger about our office had carefully
+taken down the cipher telegram addressed to Burkhill, I was indignant,
+for it was well known that one of the most important duties which the
+telegraph companies insist upon is the inviolability of the messages
+intrusted to their wires. Nothing less than a peremptory order from the
+court is sufficient to produce the telegrams placed in our care.
+
+I was on the point of leaving my desk and compelling the impudent
+stranger to surrender the cipher he had surreptitiously secured, but I
+restrained myself and allowed him to go without suspecting my knowledge
+of his act.
+
+"Ben," said I, addressing my young friend, whom I trusted beyond any of
+the older operators, "did you notice that fellow who just went out?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I have seen him before. He followed me home last night, and
+after I went in the house, he walked up and down the pavement for more
+than half an hour. He was very careful, but I saw him through the
+blinds."
+
+"Has he ever said anything to you?"
+
+"Nothing, except in the office."
+
+"He took down every letter of that cipher telegram you just received for
+Mr. Burkhill."
+
+The boy was surprised and sat a minute in deep thought.
+
+"Mr. Melville," he said, "if you have no objection, I shall study out
+that cipher."
+
+"That I think is impossible; it has been prepared with care, and it will
+take a greater expert than you to unravel it."
+
+Ben smiled in his pleasing way as he answered:
+
+"I am fond of unraveling puzzles, and I believe I can take this apart."
+
+"I will be surprised if you succeed; but if you do, keep it a secret from
+everyone but myself."
+
+"You may depend on that."
+
+The odd times which Ben could secure through the day were spent in
+studying the mysterious letters; but when he placed it in his pocket at
+night and started for home, he had not caught the first glimmer of its
+meaning.
+
+But he was hopeful and said he would never give it up until he made it as
+clear as noonday, and I knew that if it was within the range of
+accomplishment, he would keep his word. I have told enough to show my
+readers he was unusually intelligent and quick-witted, but I am free to
+confess that I had scarcely a hope of his success.
+
+"I've got it!"
+
+That was the whispered exclamation with which Ben Mayberry greeted me the
+next morning when he entered the office.
+
+"No! You're jesting," I answered, convinced, at the same time, that he
+was in earnest.
+
+"I'll soon show you," was his exultant response.
+
+"How was it you struck the key?"
+
+"That is hard to tell, more than you can explain how it is, after you
+have puzzled your brain for a long time over an arithmetical problem, it
+suddenly becomes clear to you."
+
+He sat down by my desk.
+
+"I figured and studied, and tried those letters every way I could think
+of until midnight, and was on the point of going to bed, when the whole
+thing flashed upon me. You know, Mr. Melville, that in trying to unravel
+a cipher, the first thing necessary is to find the key-word, for it must
+be there somewhere; and if you look sharp enough it will reveal itself.
+One single letter gave it to me."
+
+"How was that?"
+
+"If you will look at the telegram," said Ben, spreading it out before me,
+"you will notice that in one instance only is a single letter seen
+standing by itself. That is the letter 'b,' which I concluded must stand
+for the article 'a,' for I know of no other, unless it is 'I.' Now, the
+letter 'b' is the second one in the alphabet, and stands next in order to
+'a.' If this system is followed throughout the cipher, we have only to
+take, instead of the letters as written, the next in order as they occur
+in the alphabet. But when I tried it on the following word, it failed
+entirely. Luckily I tested the second in the same manner, and I was
+surprised to find it made a perfect word, viz.: 'chance.' The third came
+to naught, but the fourth developed into 'your.' That proved that every
+other word of the message was constructed in this manner, and it did not
+take me long to bring them out into good English. This was a big help, I
+can tell you, and it was not long before I discovered that in the
+alternate words the system reversed; that is, instead of taking the
+letter immediately succeeding, the writer had used that which immediately
+precedes it in the alphabet. Applying this key to the telegram, it read
+thus:
+
+"'Must wait till fall; Sam has a better chance south. Your bank will
+keep.'"
+
+"Now," added Ben, who was warranted in feeling jubilant over his success,
+"that is a very ordinary cipher--one which hundreds would make out
+without trouble. Had the writer run his letters all together--that is,
+without any break between the words--I would have been stumped. Besides,
+he uses no blind words, as he ought to have done; and it looks very much
+as if he calls everything by its right name, something which I should
+think no person anxious to keep such a secret would do. If he means
+'bank,' he might as well have called it by another name altogether."
+
+"I think ordinarily he would have been safe in writing his cipher as he
+has done; but, be that as it may, I am confident you have made a most
+important discovery."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+FARMER JONES
+
+
+The conclusion which I formed respecting the cipher telegram, so cleverly
+translated by Ben Mayberry, was that it concerned an intended robbery of
+one of the banks in Damietta, and that the crime, for the reason hinted
+in the dispatch, was postponed until the succeeding autumn.
+
+Under such circumstances it will be seen that it was my duty to
+communicate with the general manager of the company, which I proceeded to
+do without delay. In reply, he instructed me to place myself in
+communication with the mayor of the city, whose province it was to make
+provision against what certainly looked like a contemplated crime.
+
+This instruction was carried out, and the mayor promptly took every means
+at his command to checkmate any movement of the suspected party. He
+arranged to shadow him by one of the best detectives in the country,
+while I agreed to notify him of the contents of any more suspicious
+telegrams passing over the wires.
+
+It need hardly be said that the friends of Ben Mayberry and myself took
+care that his exploit on the memorable winter night should not pass by
+unnoticed. The single daily paper published in Damietta gave a thrilling
+account of the carrying away of the bridge, and the terrible struggle of
+the boy in the raging river--an account which was so magnified that we
+laughed, and Ben was angry and disgusted. One of the best traits of the
+boy was his modesty, and it was manifest to everyone that this continued
+laudation was distasteful to him in the highest degree.
+
+The cap-sheaf came when one of the metropolitan weeklies published an
+illustration of the scene, in which Ben was pictured as saving not only
+the mother and daughter, but the horse as well, by drawing them by main
+force upon an enormous block of ice! There was not the slightest
+resemblance to the actual occurrence, and the picture of our young hero
+looked as much like me as it did like Ben, who would have cried with
+vexation had not the whole thing been such a caricature that he was
+compelled to laugh instead.
+
+But the general manager received a truthful account from me, together
+with the statement that Ben Mayberry alone deserved the credit for
+deciphering the telegram which foreshadowed an intended crime.
+Corporations, as a rule, are not given to lavish rewards, but the letter
+which the manager sent to Ben was more highly prized than if it had been
+a gold watch studded with diamonds, or a deed for the best house in
+Diamietta. His heart throbbed when he read the warm words of praise from
+the highest officer in the company, who told him to continue faithfully
+in the path on which he had started, and his reward was certain. That
+letter Ben to-day counts among his most precious prizes, and nothing
+would induce him to part with it.
+
+The best thing about this whole business was the fact that Ben never lost
+his head through the profusion of compliments from those in authority. He
+realized that the straight road to success lay not through accidental
+occurrences, which may have befriended him, but it was only by hard,
+painstaking, and long-continued application that substantial and enduring
+success is attained.
+
+Ben was always punctual at the office, and never tried to avoid work
+which he might have contended, and with good reason, did not belong to
+him. His obliging disposition was shown by his volunteering to deliver
+the message which nearly cost him his life. The duty of the telegraphist
+is very confining, and so exacting that the most rugged health often
+gives way under it, and persons take to other business before completely
+broken up. But this debility is often the fault of the operators
+themselves, who sit bent over their desks, smoking villainous cigarettes
+or strong tobacco, who ride in street cars when they should gladly seize
+the chance to walk briskly, and who, I am sorry to say, drink
+intoxicating liquors, which appear to tempt sedentary persons with
+peculiar power.
+
+Ben Mayberry had none of these baneful habits. He lived a long distance
+from the office, and although the street cars passed within a block of
+his home, I never knew him to ride on one, no matter how severe the
+weather might be.
+
+Besides this, he belonged to a baseball club, and, in good weather, when
+we were not pushed, managed to get away several times a week during which
+he gained enough vitality and renewed vigor to last him for days.
+
+One particularly busy afternoon, just as Ben had finished sending off a
+lengthy dispatch, someone rapped sharply on the counter behind him, and
+turning, he saw an honest-looking farmer, who had been writing and
+groaning for fully twenty minutes before he was ready to send his
+telegram.
+
+"Can you send that to Makeville, young man?"
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Ben, springing to his feet, and taking the smeared
+and blotted paper from his hand.
+
+"Jist let me know how much it is; I s'pose it ain't more than twenty or
+thirty cents. There ain't much use in sending it, but Sally Jane, that's
+my daughter, was anxious for me to send her a telegraphic dispatch,
+'cause she never got one, and she'll feel proud to see how the neighbors
+will stare."
+
+Ben had started to count the words, but he paused, and repressing a smile
+over the simplicity of the man, said:
+
+"It is very expensive to send messages by telegraph, and it will cost you
+several dollars to send this----"
+
+"Thunderation!" broke in the indignant old man, growing red in the face.
+"I won't patronize any sich frauds."
+
+He started to go out, when Ben checked him pleasantly.
+
+"It will be too bad to disappoint your daughter, and we can arrange to
+send her a message with very little expense. There are many words here
+which can be left out without affecting the sense. Please run your pen
+through these, and let me look at it again."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE VALUE OF COURTESY
+
+
+The following is the message as first written out by the old farmer:
+
+     "Sally Jane Jones, Makeville,--I take my pen in hand to
+     inform you that I arrived safely in Damietta this morning.
+     I have seen Jim, your brother. His baby is dead in love
+     with me, and they all join in sending their love to you. I
+     expect to eat my supper with Cousin Maria and sleep in
+     their house by the river. I will be home to-morrow
+     afternoon. Meet me at the station with the roan mare, if
+     she ain't too tired to draw the buggy.
+
+                            "Your affectionate father,
+                                            "Josiah A. Jones."
+
+When Ben Mayberry had explained how much could be saved by crossing out
+the superfluous words in this message, while its main points would be
+left, the farmer's anger turned to pleasure. He took his pen, nodded
+several times, and turned smilingly to the desk, where he stood for fully
+a quarter of an hour, groaning, writing, and crossing out words. He
+labored as hard as before, and finally held the paper off at arm's length
+and contemplated it admiringly through his silver spectacles.
+
+"Yes; that'll do," he said, nodding his head several times in a pleased
+way; "that reads just the same--little abrupt, maybe, but they'll git the
+hang of it, and it'll please Sally Jane, who is a good darter. Here,
+young man, jist figger onto that, will you, and let me know how much the
+expense is."
+
+Ben took the paper, and under the labored manipulation of the old farmer,
+he found it was changed in this amazing fashion:
+
+     "I take my hand--Damietta. Jim, your brother--the baby is
+     dead--I expect to eat Cousin Maria, and sleep in the river
+     to-morrow afternoon--with the roan--if she ain't too
+     buggy. Your affectionate father,
+
+                                            "Josiah A. Jones."
+
+It was hard for Ben to suppress his laughter, but the farmer was looking
+straight at him, and the boy would not hurt his feelings. He surveyed the
+message a minute, and then said:
+
+"Perhaps I can help you a little on this."
+
+"You can try if you want to," grunted the old man; "but I don't think you
+can improve much on that."
+
+Under the skillful magic of the boy's pencil the telegram was speedily
+boiled into this shape:
+
+     "Met Jim--all well--meet me with roan to-morrow afternoon.
+
+                                                 J. A. Jones."
+
+"There are ten words," explained Ben, "and that will cost you twenty-five
+cents. Besides, it tells all that is necessary, and will please your
+daughter just as much as if it were five times as long."
+
+Mr. Jones took it up again, held it up at arm's length and then brought
+it closer to him, while he thoughtfully rubbed his chin with the other
+hand.
+
+"I s'pose that's right," he finally said, "but don't you think you orter
+tell her I have arrived in Damietta?"
+
+"She must know you have arrived here, or you couldn't send the telegram
+to her."
+
+"Umph! That's so; but hadn't I orter explain to her that the Jim I met
+was her brother?"
+
+"Is there any Jim you expect to see except your son?"
+
+"No, that's so. I swan to gracious! But I thought it wasn't more'n
+perlite ter tell her that Cousin Maria's baby is dead in love with me."
+
+"I am sure that every baby which sees you will fall in love with you, and
+your daughter must be aware of that."
+
+At this rather pointed compliment the farmer's face glowed like a cider
+apple, and his smile seemed almost to reach to his ears.
+
+"I swan; but you're a peart chap. What wages do you git?"
+
+"Forty-five dollars a month."
+
+"Well, you airn it, you jist bet; but I was goin' to say that I orter
+speak of the roan mare, don't you think?"
+
+"Have you more than one horse that is of a roan color?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Then when you speak of the roan, they must know that you can only mean
+the roan mare."
+
+The old gentleman fairly beamed with pleasure, and reaching solemnly down
+in his pockets, he fished out another silver quarter, which he handed to
+Ben, saying:
+
+"I like you; take it to please me."
+
+"I thank you; I have been paid," replied Ben, pushing the coin back from
+him.
+
+"Confound it! Take this, then; won't you?"
+
+As he spoke he banged down a large, red apple on the counter, and looked
+almost savagely at Ben, as if daring him to refuse it.
+
+The boy did not decline, but picking it up, said:
+
+"Thank you; I am very fond of apples. I will take this home and share it
+with my mother."
+
+"The next time I come to town I'll bring you a peck," and with this
+hearty response the farmer stumped out of the door.
+
+I had been much amused over this scene, especially when Ben showed me the
+astonishing message the farmer had prepared to send his daughter.
+
+Ben laughed, too, after the old gentleman was beyond hearing.
+
+"It's a pleasure to do a slight favor like that. I think I feel better
+over it than Mr. Jones does himself."
+
+"I think not," said I; "for it so happens that instead of that gentleman
+being Farmer Jones, he is Mr. Musgrave, the district superintendent, who
+took a fancy to find out whether his operators are as kind and obliging
+as they should be, I am quite sure you lost nothing that time by your
+courtesy and accommodating spirit."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+A CALL
+
+
+I have spoken of Ben Mayberry's fondness for athletic sports, and the
+great benefit he gained from the exercise thus obtained. When business
+permitted, I visited the ball grounds, where his skill made him the
+favorite of the enthusiastic crowd which always assembled there. He
+played shortstop, and his activity in picking up hot grounders and his
+wonderful accuracy in throwing to first base were the chief attractions
+which brought many to the place. He was equally successful at the bat,
+and, when only fourteen years old, repeatedly lifted the ball over the
+left-field fence--a feat which was only accomplished very rarely by the
+heaviest batsmen of the visiting nines.
+
+There were many, including myself, who particularly admired Ben's
+throwing. How any living person can acquire such skill is beyond my
+comprehension. Ben was the superior of all his companions when a small
+urchin, and his wonderful accuracy improved as he grew older.
+
+To please a number of spectators, Ben used to place himself on third
+base, and then "bore in" the ball to first. In its arrowy passage it
+seemed scarcely to rise more than two or three feet above the horizontal,
+and shot through the air with such unerring aim that I really believe he
+could have struck a breast-pin on a player's front nine times out of ten.
+I never saw him make a wild throw, and some of his double plays were
+executed with such brilliancy that a veteran player took his hand one day
+as he ran from the field, and said:
+
+"Ben, you'll be on a professional nine in a couple of years. Harry Wright
+and the different managers are always on the lookout for talent, and
+they'll scoop you in."
+
+"I think not," said the modest Ben, panting slightly from a terrific run.
+"I am a little lucky, that's all; but though I'm very fond of playing
+ball I never will take it up as a means of living."
+
+"There's where your head ain't level, sonny. Why, you'll get more money
+for one summer's play than you will make in two or three years nursing a
+telegraph machine. Besides that, think of the fun you will have."
+
+"That's all very good, and I can understand why baseball is so tempting
+to so many young men. But it lasts a short time, and then the player
+finds himself without any regular business. His fingers are banged out of
+shape; he has exercised so violently that more than likely his health is
+injured, and he is compelled to work like a common laborer to get a
+living. Ten years from now there will hardly be one of the present
+professionals in the business, I'm sure."
+
+"I guess you ain't far from the fact, but for all that, if I had the
+chance that you have, I would be mighty glad to take in all the baseball
+sport I could."
+
+But Ben was sensible in this respect, and steadily refused to look upon
+himself as training for the professional ball field. In looking back to
+that time, I am rejoiced that such is the fact. There are many of my
+readers who recall the popular players of years ago--McBride, Wright,
+Fisler, Sensenderfer, McMullen, Start, Brainard, Gould, Leonard, Dean,
+Spalding, Sweeney, Radcliffe, McDonald, Addy, Pierce, and a score of
+others. Among them all I recall none still in the field. Some are dead,
+and the rest are so "used up" that they would make a sorry exhibition if
+placed on the ball field to-day.
+
+Ben Mayberry was a swift and skillful skater, and in running there was
+not a boy in Damietta who could equal him. It was by giving heed to these
+forms of healthful exercise, and by avoiding liquor and tobacco, that he
+preserved his rosy cheeks, his clear eye, his vigorous brain, and his
+bounding health.
+
+"Why, how do you do, Ben?"
+
+The lad looked up from his desk in the office, one clear, autumn day, as
+he heard these words, and I did the same. There stood one of the
+loveliest little girls I ever looked upon. She seemed to be ten or eleven
+years of age, was richly dressed, with an exuberant mass of yellow hair
+falling over her shoulders. Her large, lustrous eyes were of a deep blue,
+her complexion as rich and pink as the lining of a sea shell, and her
+features as winsome as any that Phidias himself ever carved from Parian
+marble.
+
+Ben rose in a hesitating way and walked toward her, uncertain, though he
+suspected her identity.
+
+"Is this--no, it cannot be----"
+
+"Yes; I am Dolly Willard, that you saved from drowning with my poor mamma
+last winter. I wrote you a letter soon after I got home, but you felt too
+important to notice it, I suppose."
+
+And the laughing girl reached her hand over the counter, while Ben shook
+it warmly, and said:
+
+"You wrote to me? Surely there was some mistake, for I never got the
+letter; I would have only been too glad to answer it. Maybe you forgot to
+drop it in the office."
+
+"I gave it to Uncle George, and told him to be careful and put it in the
+mail, and he said he did so when he came home, so it was not my fault. But
+I am visiting at my cousin's in Commerce Street, at Mr. Grandin's----"
+
+"I know the place."
+
+"They are going to have a grand party there to-night, and I've come down
+to ask you to be sure and be there."
+
+"I am delighted to receive your invitation, but----"
+
+"You can go," said I, as Ben looked appealingly toward me.
+
+"Thank you, sir. Yes, Miss Dolly, I count upon great pleasure in being
+present."
+
+"If you don't come, I'll never speak to you again," called the pretty
+little miss as she passed out of the door.
+
+"I am sorry and troubled about one thing," said Ben to me, when we stood
+together. "This Uncle George of Dolly's is the G. R. Burkhill who
+received that cipher dispatch. I am satisfied he is a villain, and
+there's trouble close at hand."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+AT THE GRANDIN MANSION
+
+
+Ben Mayberry was born in Damietta, and his parents, as I have shown, were
+extremely poor. He had been a barefooted urchin, who was ready to fight
+or engage in any reckless undertaking. As he grew older and became more
+thoughtful, he assumed better clothing, grew more studious, and, helped
+by his fine ability and prepossessing looks, became popular.
+
+In addition, his remarkable skill in athletic sports made him well liked
+among the rougher element, who would have been glad had he consented to
+"train with their crowd."
+
+In spite of all this, Ben failed to secure the social recognition to
+which he was entitled. Many who would greet him most cordially on the
+street never thought of inviting him to their homes. Damietta had been a
+city long enough to develop social caste, which lay in such distinct
+strata that there seemed no possibility of their ever mingling together.
+
+I was glad, therefore, when Dolly Willard called at the office and
+personally invited Ben to attend the party at Mr. Grandin's, which was
+one of the most aristocratic families in Damietta. They were originally
+from the South, but had lived in the city a long time.
+
+My young friend was somewhat dubious about going, as he had never before
+been invited to cross the threshold; but there was no refusing the warm
+invitation of Dolly, who had walked all the way to the office on purpose
+to secure his presence at the gathering that evening.
+
+Ben Mayberry was proud of Dolly; that is, proud that it had fallen to his
+lot to befriend such a splendid girl, but there were several things that
+made him thoughtful.
+
+In the first place, my reader will recall that the cipher telegram which
+was of such a compromising character was addressed to her uncle. Ben had
+hunted out from the files in the office the first disguised message, and
+it clearly referred to a contemplated robbery of one of the banks in
+Damietta. This G. R. Burkhill was a criminal who was playing a desperate
+game, in which he was likely to lose.
+
+It was unfortunate that he was connected by relationship with Dolly
+Willard, who was the cousin of the Grandins; but it was certainly
+impossible that either Dolly, the Grandins, or Mrs. Willard herself, knew
+the character of the man. Such was the view Ben took of the matter,
+adding to himself:
+
+"I hope he will keep away, and that nothing more of the intended robbery
+will be heard. It is now the fall of the year, and they seemed to agree
+that it was the time when the crime was to be attempted."
+
+It was one of the grandest children's parties ever given in Damietta.
+Little Dolly Willard had mourned her mother's loss as deeply as could any
+child, but those of her years soon rally from affliction, and she was
+among the happiest of the three-score boys and girls who gathered in the
+roomy parlors of the Grandin mansion that beautiful night in October.
+
+The wages which Ben Mayberry received enabled him to dress with excellent
+taste, and, poor as he was, there was none of the sons of the wealthiest
+merchants in Damietta who was more faultlessly attired that evening.
+True, some of them sported handsome gold watches, and one or two
+displayed diamonds, of which Ben had none, but otherwise a spectator
+would have placed the young telegraphist on the same social footing with
+the aristocratic youths around him.
+
+Among the numerous misses present were many dressed with great elegance,
+and possessing much personal beauty; but Dolly Willard, by common
+consent, surpassed them all in personal loveliness, while the rich and
+severe simplicity of her attire showed either the exquisite taste of
+herself or of someone who had the care of her.
+
+Among such an assemblage of misses and youths there are as many
+heart-burnings as among their elder brothers and sisters. Dolly was
+decidedly the belle of the evening. Some of the other girls were so
+envious over her superior attractions that they openly sneered at her,
+but the aspiring youth were dazzled by the sprightly girl, who attracted
+them as though she were a magnet and they had a big supply of steel about
+their persons.
+
+When Ben Mayberry entered the parlor a little late, Dolly was standing
+among a group of lads who were smiling and bowing, and making desperate
+attempts to be funny with a view of drawing her attention especially to
+them. It was natural that she should be somewhat coquettish, but the
+instant she caught sight of Ben Mayberry she almost ran to him.
+
+"I was afraid you wouldn't come," she exclaimed, taking both his hands in
+hers; "and if you hadn't, I never, never, never would have spoken to you
+again."
+
+Ben unquestionably was a handsome lad. His bright eyes, his white, even
+teeth, his slightly Roman nose, his well-shaped head, his clear, bright
+eye, and his rosy cheeks flushed with excitement, rendered him an
+attractive figure among the bright faces and well-dressed figures. His
+superb physical poise lent a grace to all his movements, while he was
+self-possessed at the most trying times.
+
+He made a laughing reply to Dolly, who at once seated herself beside him
+and began chatting in her liveliest style, which was very lively indeed.
+To those who approached, she introduced him as the young man who had
+saved her life the preceding winter, until Ben begged her to make no
+further reference to it. Many of the other girls gathered around, and
+showed their admiration of Ben in a most marked manner. These were mostly
+from Boston or New York, who had heard of the young hero, but had never
+looked upon him before.
+
+Dolly was talking away with lightning speed to Ben, who managed to edge
+in a word now and then, when a dapper young man of sixteen years spruced
+forward.
+
+"They are going to form for the lancers, Miss Dolly; I believe I have
+your promise for my partner."
+
+"I thank you, Rutherford, but I have changed my mind, and will dance with
+Master Ben."
+
+This was a daring and almost unwarranted act on the part of the little
+empress, for Ben had not yet spoken to her on the matter. But he was
+quick to seize the advantage, and, instantly rising to his feet, offered
+his arm to Dolly, and started toward the dancing-room, as though the
+whole thing had been prearranged before the other party presented
+himself.
+
+This act brought him face to face with the disappointed young man, whose
+countenance flushed with anger.
+
+"Rutherford, this is he who saved my life last winter, Master Ben
+Mayberry; my friend, Rutherford Richmond."
+
+The two saluted each other somewhat distantly; and with feelings which it
+would be hard to describe, Ben recognized the tall, rather callow youth
+as the Rutherford who stoned him several years before, when he was
+floating down the river on a log, and to whom Ben in turn had given a
+most thorough castigation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE CONSPIRACY
+
+
+Rutherford Richmond recognized Ben Mayberry at the same instant that the
+latter identified him. But neither gave any evidence of the fact that
+could be understood by other parties.
+
+Ben took his position with Dolly by his side, and they were without doubt
+the handsomest couple on the floor that evening. Their mutual interest
+was so marked that everyone present noticed it, and it caused comment
+without end.
+
+"Yes, I believe he sweeps out the office for a telegraph company. He
+manages to save up enough money in the course of a year to buy a decent
+suit of clothes."
+
+Ben Mayberry was sitting down at the end of one of the dances, when he
+overheard these words, which he knew referred to him. Dolly had excused
+herself for a few minutes, and he was alone, sniffing at a fragrant
+bouquet which he was protecting from all damage for her benefit.
+
+He knew, further, that the remark was intended for his ears, but he
+affected not to know it, while he furtively glanced behind him. There
+stood Master Rutherford Richmond, with three or four lads. They were all
+jealous of Ben, and were discussing his merits for his own especial
+benefit.
+
+"I understand he gets fifty cents a week for his work," observed another,
+making sure his voice was elevated enough to be heard half across the
+room, "which is a big sum for him."
+
+"I don't understand why Miss Jennie" (referring to Jennie Grandin, who
+gave the party) "allows such cattle here," struck in a third, in the same
+off-hand manner.
+
+Rutherford Richmond took upon himself to give the reason.
+
+"It was all on account of Dolly. You know she is kind-hearted, and I
+understand this booby went to her and begged that she would give him a
+chance to see how a party of high-toned people looked. She couldn't very
+well refuse, and now she is trotting him around for the rest of us to
+laugh at."
+
+Ben Mayberry's cheeks burned, for none of these words escaped him. He
+would have given a good deal to have been outside alone for a few minutes
+with Master Rutherford Richmond. But he could not call him to account
+under the circumstances, and he still sniffed at the bouquet in his hand,
+and affected to be very much interested in the action of a couple of
+misses on the opposite side of the room.
+
+"If Miss Jennie permits anything of this kind again," volunteered
+Rutherford, "it will cause trouble. A good many will want to know, before
+they allow their children to come, whether they are liable to meet the
+telegraph office boy and the great ball player here; if there's danger
+they will stay at home."
+
+"I think the scum of society should be kept in its place," observed
+another, scarcely less bitter than young Richmond in his jealousy of the
+lad who claimed so much of the attention of the little belle of the
+evening.
+
+This kind of talk was going on when, to Ben's great relief, Dolly came
+tripping to him. He added gall to the cup of the envious youths by
+rising, giving her his arm, and then glancing triumphantly back at them,
+as he escorted her to the dining room.
+
+They knew the meaning of the glance, and they were fierce enough to
+assault him had they dared to do so.
+
+The party came to an end before midnight. Ben Mayberry had saluted his
+friends, and was in the hall preparatory to going home, when someone
+slyly pulled his arm. Turning, he saw that it was Ned Deering, a little
+fellow whose father was the leading physician in Damietta. Ned was a
+great admirer of Ben, and he now seized the occasion to say:
+
+"Look out, Ben, when you get down by the bridge over the creek; they're
+going for you."
+
+"Whom do you mean?"
+
+"That Rutherford Richmond and another fellow mean to hide in Carter's
+Alley, and when you come along will pounce down on you. They wanted me to
+go with 'em, but I begged off without letting 'em know I meant to tell
+you."
+
+"Where are they?" asked Ben, glancing furtively about him.
+
+"They slipped out ahead, and are hurrying down there. You had better take
+another way home. They are awful mad, and will knock the stuffing out of
+you."
+
+Ben Mayberry smiled over the earnest words and manner of the boy, and
+thanked him for his information.
+
+"Don't let 'em know I told you," added the timid fellow, as Ben moved out
+the door; "for if they find out that it was me that was the cause of your
+going the other way home, why, they'd punch my head for me. That
+Richmond, they say, is a reg'lar fighter--has science, and can lay out
+anybody of his size."
+
+"They will never know you said anything to me, Ned, for I shall take the
+usual way, and will be slow, so as to give them plenty of time to get
+there ahead of me."
+
+The little fellow looked wonderingly at Ben as he walked away, unable to
+comprehend how anyone should step into a yawning chasm after being warned
+of his peril.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+AN AFFRAY AT NIGHT
+
+
+Ben Mayberry was so desirous that Rutherford Richmond and his brother
+conspirator should be given all the time they needed to complete their
+scheme for waylaying and assaulting him, that he lingered on the road
+longer than was really necessary.
+
+Finally he turned down the street, which crossed by the creek that ran
+through the center of Damietta. It was a clear moonlight night, and,
+except in the shadow, objects could be seen distinctly for a considerable
+distance. He advanced with great care, and with all his wits at command,
+for he was confident the warning given him by Ned Deering was well
+founded.
+
+When within a block of the bridge he saw someone peep out of Carter's
+Alley and instantly draw back his head, as though fearful of being
+observed. A moment later, a second person did the same. Rutherford
+Richmond and his confederate were on hand.
+
+They did not look like the two boys as seen in the glare of Mr. Grandin's
+parlors, for they had disguised themselves, so far as possible, with a
+view of preventing their recognition by the boy whom they meant to
+assault. They knew they were liable to get themselves into trouble by
+such an outrageous violation of law, and they meant to take all the
+precautions necessary.
+
+Each had donned a long flapping overcoat, which must have belonged to
+some of the older members of the families, as it dangled about his heels.
+They also wore slouch hats like a couple of brigands, which they pulled
+down over their eyes, so as to hide their features. They had no weapons,
+for it was calculated that by springing upon Ben unawares they would
+easily bear him to the pavement, when both would give him a beating which
+he would remember for a lifetime.
+
+Ben was whistling softly to himself, and he was glad that at the late
+hour no one else was seen in the immediate neighborhood, for all he asked
+was a clear field and no favor.
+
+As he walked by the open end of Carter's Alley, he dimly discerned two
+figures, which seemed plastered against the wall in the dense shadow,
+where they were invisible to all passers-by, unless their suspicion was
+directed to the spot.
+
+Ben gave no evidence that he noticed them, and moved along in his
+deliberate fashion, changing his whistling to a low humming of no
+particular tune; but he used his keen eyesight and hearing for all they
+were worth.
+
+He had gone no more than a dozen feet beyond, when he heard a rapid but
+cautious footstep behind him. It increased in swiftness, and was
+instantly followed by a second. The two boys were approaching him
+stealthily from the rear.
+
+Still Ben walked quietly forward, humming to himself, and with no
+apparent thought of what was coming. Suddenly, when Richmond was in the
+very act of making a leap upon his shoulders, Ben turned like a flash,
+and planted a stunning blow directly in the face of the exultant coward,
+who was knocked on his back as if kicked by a vigorous mule.
+
+His companion was at the elbow of Richmond when struck in this emphatic
+fashion, and for the instant was bewildered by the unexpected
+catastrophe. Before he could recover he imagined the comet which was
+expected at that season had caught him directly between the eyes, and he
+went backward over Richmond, with his two legs pointing upward, like a
+pair of dividers, toward the stars.
+
+Ben's blood was up, and he waited for the two to rise, intending to "lay
+them out" more emphatically than before. The lad whose name he did not
+know lay still, but Rutherford recovered with remarkable quickness, and
+began struggling to his feet, without paying heed to his hat, which had
+rolled into the gutter.
+
+"That ain't fair to strike a fellow that way, when he ain't expecting
+it," growled the assassin. "Why didn't you stand still like a man and not
+hit below the belt?"
+
+"All right; I give you notice then, friend Rutherford, that I am going
+for you again, and this time above the belt."
+
+Richmond, finding he must fight, threw up his hands and did his best to
+guard against the blows whose force he knew so well. He did possess some
+knowledge of sparring, but so did Ben, who was much the stronger and more
+active of the two. He advanced straight upon Richmond, made several
+feints, and then landed a blow straight from the shoulder, at the same
+time parrying the cross-counter which the lad came near getting in on the
+face.
+
+It so happened that, at that moment, the other young scamp was in the act
+of rising, and had got upon his hands and knees. As Richmond was sent
+spinning backward he came in collision with him, and turned a complete
+somersault, the air seeming to be full of legs, long hair, hats, and
+flapping overcoats.
+
+"Murder! help! help! police! police!"
+
+These startling cries were shouted at the top of their voices by the
+discomfited poltroons, and were heard a long distance on the still night.
+Suddenly the rattle of running feet sounded on the planks of the bridge,
+and Ben caught sight of a policeman running toward the spot.
+
+"What does this mean?" he demanded, when he came face to face with Ben,
+whom he motioned to stop.
+
+"Those two fellows attacked me when I was passing Carter's Alley, and
+I--well, I defended myself as best I could."
+
+"Oh, Ben, that is you; I didn't know you at first," said the policeman.
+"This is rather serious business; I'll run 'em in."
+
+Advancing to where the boys were once more climbing to their feet, he
+grasped each by the collar.
+
+"I'll take you along with me, young gents; this is serious business for
+you."
+
+They begged piteously to be let off, declaring that it was only a joke,
+but the officer was inexorable, and marched them to the station house,
+where they spent the rest of the night, Ben Mayberry having been notified
+to be on hand at nine o'clock the next morning, when the police justice
+would make an investigation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE THIRD TELEGRAM
+
+
+When the father of Rutherford Richmond's friend, at whose house the young
+Bostonian was visiting, learned the facts, he was indignant beyond
+description. He declared that Ben Mayberry had served the young
+scapegraces right, except he ought to have punished both more severely,
+which was rather severe, as was shown by the blackened eyes and bruised
+faces.
+
+Ben declined to push the matter on the morrow, as the boys had been
+punished, and he had proved he was able to take care of himself, as
+against them, at any time. But the gentleman insisted that he would not
+permit the matter to drop, unless his son and Rutherford agreed to go to
+the telegraph office and beg the pardon of the boy whom he learned they
+had insulted under Mr. Grandin's roof. Rutherford and his friend
+consented, and they humiliated themselves to that extent. The succeeding
+day Rutherford went home to Boston, and did not reappear in Damietta
+until long afterward, when he hoped the disgraceful episode was
+forgotten.
+
+On the following week Dolly Willard returned to New York, and Ben, for
+the first time in his life, began to feel as though his native city had
+lost a good deal of the sunshine to which it was entitled.
+
+"She will visit Damietta again," he said to himself, with just the
+faintest sigh, "and she promised to write me; I hope she won't forget her
+promise."
+
+And, indeed, the sprightly little miss did not lose sight of her pledge.
+It may be suspected that she took as much pleasure in expressing on paper
+her warm friendship for Ben, as he did in reading the pure, honest
+sentiments, and in answering her missives, which he did with great
+promptness.
+
+It was just one week after the memorable night of the party, while I was
+sitting at my desk, that the following cipher dispatch came over the
+wires, addressed to G. R. Burkhill, Moorestown:
+
+     "Fwfszuijoh hr pl nm ujnf Sgtqdezw bu bnqmdq. Tom."
+
+I passed the message to Ben, whose eyes sparkled as he took it in hand.
+It required but a few minutes for him to translate it by the method which
+has already been made known, and the following rather startling words
+came to light:
+
+     "Everything is O. K. On time Thursday at corner."
+
+This unquestionably referred to the same unlawful project outlined in the
+former dispatches. Mr. Burkhill had not been in the office for months. As
+yet, of the three telegrams sent him, he had not received one. The first
+was lost in the river, the second had been on file more than half a year,
+and we now had the third.
+
+But the latter did not lie uncalled for even for an hour. Remembering the
+instruction received from the manager, I took a copy of the message, with
+the translation written out by Ben, to the office of the mayor, where I
+laid the facts before him. This was on Wednesday, and the contemplated
+robbery was fixed for the following night. By his direction I sent a
+dispatch at once to the address of the detective in New York, who, it had
+been arranged, was to look after the matter.
+
+The reply to this message was the rather surprising information that
+Detective Maxx had been in Damietta several days, and knew of the
+contemplated robbery. He was shadowing the suspected party, and if he
+deemed it necessary, he would call on the mayor for assistance.
+
+While I was absent from the office, who should walk in but Mr. G. R.
+Burkhill. He greeted Ben with much effusion, shaking him warmly by the
+hand, inquiring how he got along, and telling him that his niece sent her
+special regards to him.
+
+"I have been on a trip to New Orleans," he added, "or I would have been
+down in Damietta sooner, for I like the place."
+
+"The summer isn't generally considered a good time to go so far south,"
+ventured Ben.
+
+"That is true, as relates to Northerners, but I was born in the Crescent
+City, and have no fear of Yellow Jack; fact is, I have had the confounded
+disease myself. By the way, have you a message for me?"
+
+"We have two, in fact I may say three, for the copy of the first one that
+went down the river with me has never been handed you, and one came a day
+or two after you left."
+
+"I know what they are, so you needn't mind about them. I will take the
+last, if you please."
+
+"It arrived within the last half hour," explained Ben, as he handed the
+damp sheet to him.
+
+The boy watched his countenance while Burkhill was reading it. It took
+several minutes for him to study out its meaning, but he did so without
+the aid of pencil or paper. A strange glitter came into his gray eyes as
+the meaning broke upon him, and he muttered something to himself which
+the lad did not quite catch.
+
+Then he turned to the desk, and was engaged only a minute or two when he
+handed a return message to Ben, paying for it as the man had done who
+forwarded the other to him. It was this:
+
+     "Uibu rthsr fybdumz Vhkk cf qdzex.
+
+                                             "G. R. Burkhill."
+
+Applying his rule (which compelled him to go to the end of the alphabet,
+when, for instance, the letter "a" demanded to be represented by a
+preceding letter), Ben Mayberry very readily translated the cipher as
+follows:
+
+     "That suits exactly. Will be ready.
+
+                                             "G. R. Burkhill."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+DECIDEDLY MIXED
+
+
+During the summer succeeding the carrying away of the bridge which
+connected Damietta with Moorestown, it was built in a more substantial
+manner than before. It was an easy matter, therefore, to cross from one
+place to another, and carriages and pedestrians went back and forth
+between the two States at almost every hour of the day. Damietta was a
+large city, while Moorestown was only a small town; but the latter was
+pleasantly located and had a large and excellent hotel, where quite a
+number of guests spent the most sultry months of summer.
+
+In Damietta were three banks, and the cipher telegrams which I have laid
+before the reader, beyond a doubt referred to one of them, but it was
+impossible to fix with certainty upon the right one. As a matter of
+prudence, therefore, it was determined to keep the three under
+surveillance. The Mechanics' Bank, as it was called before it adopted the
+national system, stood on the corner, and the general impression
+prevailed that this was the institution referred to, as it will be
+remembered that the word "corner" occurred in one of the telegrams.
+
+A few minutes' reflection convinced me that it was utterly out of the
+question for the intended robbery to succeed. Such desperate projects
+depend mainly on their secrecy for success. The watchmen in all the banks
+were instructed to be unusually vigilant, the policemen were apprised of
+what was suspected, a number of officers were to lounge upon the streets
+near at hand in citizens' clothes, and Aristides Maxx, one of the most
+skillful detectives in the metropolis, was engaged upon the case.
+
+The general belief was that the burglars, discovering what thorough
+preparations were on foot, would not make the attempt. That sort of
+gentry are not the ones to walk into any trap with their eyes open.
+
+Respecting Detective Maxx, there was much wonderment, and the mayor was
+vexed that he did not show up. Some doubted his presence in Damietta, but
+the superior officer of the city felt that courtesy demanded that Maxx
+should report to him before trying to follow up any trail of his own. If
+he was with us, he was so effectually disguised that no one suspected his
+identity.
+
+"I wonder whether that seedy, tramp-like fellow who stole the cipher
+dispatch, can be Detective Maxx?" said Ben to me on Wednesday night
+before he started for home.
+
+"It is not impossible," I answered, "for detectives are forced to assume
+all manner of disguises. He may have chosen to stroll about the city in
+that make-up."
+
+"But if it is the detective, why did he go to all the trouble of copying
+off the telegram by sound when he could have got it from us with the
+translation merely by making himself known?"
+
+"I admit that, if he is a detective, he acts, in my judgment, in a very
+unprofessional way. He was so persistent in his attentions that he must
+have known he was sure to draw unpleasant, if not dangerous suspicion, to
+himself."
+
+"Do you know," said Ben, with a meaning smile, "that I half believe this
+stranger and Burkhill are partners? They have been here at the same time,
+they show interest in the same thing, and like enough are working out the
+same scheme of robbery."
+
+This had never occurred to me, and I was struck with its reasonableness,
+when I came to think it over. The ill-favored individual signed the name
+"John Browning" to the dispatch which he sent some months before, as a
+pretext for visiting our office so much--but that was clearly an alias.
+
+"Well," said I, "it is all conjecture any way. With the ample warning the
+authorities have received, I do not believe there is the slightest
+prospect of a robbery being committed. I intend to retire to-morrow night
+at my usual hour with little fear of my slumbers being disturbed."
+
+A few minutes after, we bade each other good-night, and wended our way
+quietly homeward.
+
+My experience was singular, after parting with my young friend--not
+meaning to imply that anything unusual occurred to me; but the mental
+processes to which I was subjected that evening, in the light of
+subsequent events, were very peculiar, to say the least.
+
+I am convinced that the inciting cause was the remark made by Ben
+Mayberry to the effect that he believed the seedy individual was a
+confederate of Burkhill, and that the two were perfecting a scheme for
+robbing one of the banks--most likely the Mechanics'.
+
+"Ben is right," I said to myself. "His bright mind has enabled him to
+grasp the truth by intuition, as a woman sometimes does when a man has
+been laboring for hours to reach the same point."
+
+But before I could satisfy myself that the boy was right, a still
+stronger conviction came to me that he was wrong. The men were not
+pals--as they are called among the criminal classes--and they were not
+arranging some plan of robbery.
+
+While I was clear on this point, I was totally unable to form any theory
+to take the place of the one I had demolished.
+
+Who was the pretended John Browning, and what was the dark scheme that
+was being hatched "in our midst," as the expression goes?
+
+These were the questions which presented themselves to me, and which I
+could not answer in a manner thoroughly satisfactory to myself.
+
+"They are all wrong--everybody is wrong!" I exclaimed to myself;
+"whatever it is that is in the wind, no one but the parties themselves
+knows its nature."
+
+This was the conclusion which fastened itself in my mind more firmly the
+longer I thought.
+
+"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, and it is the only thing
+which will protect us in this case--helloa!"
+
+So rapt was I in my meditation that I had walked three squares beyond my
+house before I awoke to the fact. It was something which I had never done
+before in all my life.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+BETWEEN TWO FIRES
+
+
+In the meantime, Ben Mayberry underwent an experience more peculiar than
+mine.
+
+I cannot speak of the mental problems with which he wrestled, but, as he
+explained to me afterward, he had settled down to the belief that the
+Mechanics' Bank was the one against which the burglars were perfecting
+their plans. He was hopeful that the only outcome of the conspiracy would
+be the capture of the criminals, though he felt more than one pang when
+he reflected that the principal one was a relative of Dolly Willard, who
+was the personification of innocence and goodness to him.
+
+Ben had acquired the excellent habit of always being wide awake,
+excepting, of course, when he lay down for real slumber. Thus it was that
+he had gone but a little distance on his way home when he became aware
+that someone was following him.
+
+I doubt whether there is a more uncomfortable feeling than that caused by
+such a discovery. The certainty that some unknown person, with no motive
+but a sinister one, is dodging at your heels, as the mountain wolf slinks
+along behind the belated traveler, awaiting the moment when he can spring
+upon him unawares, is enough to cause the bravest man to shiver with
+dread.
+
+The night was very dark. The day had been cloudy, and there was no moon;
+but Ben was in a large city, with an efficient police system (that is,
+equal to the average), there were street lamps, the hour was not
+unusually late, and there were other persons beside himself abroad. And
+yet, in the heart of the metropolis, at the same hour, crimes have been
+perpetrated whose mystery has never been unraveled to this day.
+
+Ben Mayberry may have felt somewhat uneasy, but there was not so much
+fear as there was curiosity to know what earthly reason any living man
+could have for following him in that stealthy fashion.
+
+Surely no one could suspect him of being burdened with wealth. The only
+article of any account about his person was a silver watch, which had
+cost him sixteen dollars. He never carried a pistol, for he saw no
+necessity for doing so. If he should find himself beset by enemies who
+were too strong to be resisted, he could run as rapidly as any person in
+the city, and a short run in Damietta was enough to take him to a place
+of safety inaccessible to his assailants.
+
+When he turned into the narrow street which led across the bridge where
+he had his affray with Rutherford Richmond and his companion, he
+reflected that it was perhaps the most dangerous spot in the
+neighborhood. There was a single lamp just before stepping on the bridge,
+where one might run against another before seeing him.
+
+He hesitated a minute as he made the turn. It was easy enough to reach
+his home by a different route, which was somewhat longer, but which was
+well lighted all the way, and there could be little risk in taking it.
+
+"I'll stick to the usual way," muttered Ben, striding resolutely forward;
+"I don't believe anything like murder is contemplated."
+
+At that moment he would have felt much more comfortable had he possessed
+a pistol, or some kind of weapon, but he did not hesitate, now that he
+had "put his hand to the plow."
+
+A minute later he stepped on the bridge, where the gas lamp shone upon
+him, and, with his usual deliberate tread, passed off in the gloom of the
+other side. The instant he believed himself beyond sight of his pursuer,
+he quickened his gait but continually looked back in the hope of gaining
+a view of the man, for the boy was naturally eager to learn who it was
+that was playing such a sinister trick on him.
+
+Just beyond, on the limit of his field of vision, Ben saw a shadowy
+figure cross quickly, to the other side of the street. The stranger did
+this before coming within the glare of the lamp, which would have
+revealed him too plainly to those who might be curious to secure a
+glimpse of his features.
+
+An instant later his footfall was heard on the bridge, and he was walking
+rapidly toward Ben, crossing again to the same side of the street, as
+soon as over the stream. The boy stepped lightly but briskly forward
+until he reached Carter's Alley, into which he entered a couple of yards,
+and then came to a sudden halt.
+
+At the moment of doing so, his foot struck something hard. He knew what
+it was, and, stooping down, picked up a large stone, which he held
+tightly grasped in his hand. Such a weapon was very formidable in the
+grip of a vigorous boy, who could throw with the skill and accuracy of
+Ben Mayberry.
+
+The lad had scarcely halted when he caught the tip, tip of his pursuer,
+who was evidently determined to overtake him before he reached the
+lighted regions beyond. Ben was astonished just then, to note that a
+second person was just approaching from the opposite direction in the
+same guarded fashion.
+
+"It must be there are two of them," was the sensible conclusion of the
+boy; "they have agreed to meet here, where I wouldn't have much show
+against them."
+
+It followed that the party of the second part was waiting for the coming
+of young Mayberry, doubtless with the understanding that his partner in
+crime should follow him to a certain point near at hand, when the two
+would close in on him.
+
+Ben had never suspected any such conspiracy as this, and, had he gone a
+little further, he would have walked directly into the arms of the second
+ruffian, while peering behind him at the shadowy villain who "still
+pursued him."
+
+But the lad had stopped short and disconcerted the plans of the
+conspirators by so doing. The one who was lying in wait was quick to miss
+the boy whom he had seen cross the bridge, and, suspecting something was
+wrong, he hastened stealthily toward the creek to learn the explanation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+BAFFLED!
+
+
+It so happened that the two men stopped directly at the mouth of the
+alley, within a few feet of Ben Mayberry, who could hear their guarded
+words, though he could not catch the first glimpse of their figures.
+
+A whistled signal or two first made them certain of each other's
+identity, and then the one who had crossed the bridge gave utterance to
+an oath, expressive of his anger, as he demanded:
+
+"Where has he gone?"
+
+"How should I know?" growled the other. "I waited where you told me to
+wait, and finding he didn't come, I moved down to meet him, but he don't
+show up."
+
+"'Sh! Not so loud. He can't be far off."
+
+"I don't know how that is, but he's given us the slip. There's an alley
+right here, and he has turned into that."
+
+"I don't hear him."
+
+"Of course not. Because he's standing still and listening to us."
+
+"Flash your bull's-eye into the alley."
+
+When Ben Mayberry heard this order he trembled, as well he might, for he
+was so close to the scoundrels that the first rays of the lantern would
+reveal him to them. Indeed he dare not move, lest the noise, slight as it
+was, would bring them down on him.
+
+He grasped the ragged stone in his hand and braced himself for the
+explosion that he was sure was at hand.
+
+But fortunately, and most unexpectedly, the crisis passed. The other
+villain growled in return:
+
+"What do you mean by talking about a bull's-eye? I doused the glim long
+ago."
+
+"Why did you do that?"
+
+"The cops are watching us too close. I had hard work to dodge one of 'em
+to-night. Do you s'pose I meant to have him find any of the tools on me?
+Not much."
+
+The other emitted another sulphurous expression, and added the sensible
+remark:
+
+"Then there's no use of our hanging around here. He's smelt a mice and
+dodged off, and we won't get another such a chance to neck him."
+
+These words sounded very strange to Ben Mayberry. Well might he ask
+himself what earthly purpose these scamps could have in wishing to waylay
+him in such a dark place, where he was not likely to secure help. The
+latter part of their conversation proved they contemplated violence.
+
+"There's one thing certain," Ben said to himself, "if I manage to get out
+undiscovered, I will see that I am prepared for such gentlemen
+hereafter."
+
+The couple suddenly stopped talking, for the sound of approaching
+footsteps were heard. The two moved into the alley, and a minute after a
+heavy man came ponderously along with a rolling tread. He was puffing at
+a cigar, whose end glowed so brightly that the tip of his nose and his
+mustache were seen by the three standing so near him. Ben believed the
+wretches intended to assault and rob the citizen, and doubtless they were
+none too good to do so. In case the attempt was made, Ben meant to hurl
+the stone in his hand at the spot where he was sure they were, and then
+yell for the police.
+
+Policy alone prevented the commission of the crime.
+
+"We could have managed it easily," whispered one, as the portly citizen
+stepped on the bridge and came in sight under the lamp-light, "but I
+guess it was as well we didn't."
+
+"No; it wouldn't have paid as matters stand. We might have made a good
+haul, but the excitement to-morrow would have been such that we wouldn't
+have had a show to-morrow night."
+
+The heart of the listening Bob gave a quick throb, for this was another
+proof of the intended crime on Thursday evening.
+
+"Well," added one, "that telegraph fellow was too smart for us this time,
+and has given us the slip. We may as well go home, for there's nothing
+more to do."
+
+Thereupon they began walking toward the creek, with the deliberate tread
+of law-abiding citizens, who, if encountered anywhere on the street at
+any hour, would not have been suspected of being "crooked."
+
+Ben Mayberry had good cause for feeling indignant toward these ruffians,
+who clearly intended personal violence toward him, and who were, in all
+probability, desperadoes from the metropolis, brought into Damietta for
+the most unlawful purposes.
+
+When they had gone a short distance, Ben stepped out of the alley upon
+the main street, and stood looking toward the bridge. This was slightly
+elevated, so that in approaching from either side, one had to walk
+up-hill. The illumination from the lamp, of which I have made mention,
+gave a full view of the structure itself and all who might be upon it.
+Ben saw his pursuer, in the first place, when he stepped on the planks,
+but the light was at his back, and he shrouded his face so skillfully
+that not a glimpse was obtained of his features.
+
+In a few minutes the conspirators slowly advanced out of the gloom and
+began walking up the slight ascent toward the bridge, becoming more
+distinct each second. When they reached the middle of the structure, they
+were in plain sight, but their backs were toward Ben, who, however, had
+them where he wanted them.
+
+"I think I can plug one of them," muttered the shortstop of the Damietta
+club, as he carefully drew back his arm and fixed his eye on the fellows.
+"At least, here goes."
+
+Gathering all his strength and skill, he hurled the stone at the one who,
+he believed, had been lying in wait for him. The whizzing missile shot
+through the air like a cannon-ball, and landed precisely where the
+thrower intended, directly between the shoulders of the unsuspecting
+villain, who was thrown forward several paces by the force of the shock,
+and who must have been as much jarred as though an avalanche had fallen
+on him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+WATCHING AND WAITING
+
+
+What imaginings were driven into the head of the ruffian by the
+well-directed missile it would be impossible to say, but it is safe to
+conclude he was startled.
+
+His hat fell off, and, without stopping to pick it up, he broke into a
+frantic run, closely followed by his companion, neither of them making
+the least outcry, but doubtless doing a great deal of thinking.
+
+Ben Mayberry laughed until his sides ached, for the tables had been
+turned most completely on his enemies; but he became serious again when
+he wended his way homeward, for there was much in the incidents of the
+day to mystify and trouble him.
+
+His mother had retired when he reached his house, but there was a "light
+in the window" for him. The fond parent had such faith in her son that
+she did not feel alarmed when he was belated in coming home.
+
+Ben made a confidante of her in many things, but the truth was he was
+outgrowing her. She was a good, devout lady, but neither mentally nor
+physically could she begin to compare with her boy.
+
+Had he made known to her the contemplated robbery, or his own narrow
+escape from assault, she would have become nervous and alarmed.
+
+Ben did not tell her about the affray with Rutherford Richmond and his
+companion, for it would only have distressed her without accomplishing
+any good.
+
+He saw that his terrible adventure the preceding winter, on the wrecked
+bridge, had shocked her more than many supposed, and more than she
+suspected herself. The consequences became apparent months afterward, and
+caused Ben to do his utmost to keep everything of a disquieting nature
+from his beloved mother.
+
+On the morrow Ben told me the whole particulars of his adventures on the
+way home, and asked me what I made of it.
+
+"I give it up," I answered. "It's beyond my comprehension."
+
+"Do I look like a wealthy youth?" he asked, with a laugh.
+
+"It is not that; they have some other purpose."
+
+"Do they imagine I carry the combination to some safe in the city, and do
+they mean to force it from me?"
+
+"Nothing of that sort, as you very well know. It looks as if they really
+meditated doing you harm."
+
+"There is no room for doubt; and it was a lucky thing, after all, that
+the night was so dark, and the city don't furnish many lamps in that part
+of the town. Do you think I ought to tell the mayor or some officer about
+this?"
+
+"Could you identify either of the men if you should meet him on the
+street?"
+
+"I could not, unless I was allowed to examine his back, where the stone
+landed."
+
+"Then there's no use of telling anyone else, for no one could help you.
+You had better carry a pistol, and take a safer route home after this.
+One of these days, perhaps, the whole thing will be explained, but I own
+that it is altogether too much for any fellow to find out just now."
+
+It was natural that I should feel nervous the entire day, for there was
+every reason to believe we were close upon exciting incidents, in which
+fate had ordered that Ben Mayberry and myself would have to make the
+initial movements.
+
+Neither Burkhill, the tramp-like looking individual, nor any character to
+whom the least suspicion could attach, put in an appearance at the
+telegraph office during the day; this was another disappointment to Ben
+and myself.
+
+The mayor also was disposed to be uncommunicative, for when I dropped in
+on him during the afternoon, he was short in his answers, barely
+intimating that everything was in a satisfactory shape. When asked
+whether Detective Maxx had revealed himself, he said:
+
+"I have seen nothing of him, and do not care to see him. His help is not
+needed."
+
+I am convinced that the action of the famous detective had a great deal
+to do with the ill-humor of the mayor, who was generally one of the most
+affable of men.
+
+I was pretty well used up, and at eleven o'clock I closed the office and
+went home, separating as usual from Ben Mayberry, who, I was satisfied,
+intended to know whether anything was amiss before he lay down to
+slumber.
+
+Although the impression was general that it was the Mechanics' Bank which
+was the objective point of the conspirators, yet the chief of police, as
+I have intimated, had stationed his men so as to be ready for instant
+use, should it prove to be any one of the moneyed institutions.
+
+Ben Mayberry was so well satisfied that it was the Mechanics' that, after
+leaving me, he went in that direction, anxious to see a first-class
+burglary attempted and foiled.
+
+The institution, it will be remembered, stood on the corner of one of the
+main streets, and a lamp was burning directly opposite. The cashier
+reported that two suspicious characters had called during the day and
+made some inquiries about drafts on New York, and the officers, who had
+spent much time in the neighborhood, were convinced that they had seen
+the same individuals stealthily viewing the bank from the outside.
+
+When Ben reached the vicinity he saw no person, although he well knew
+that in almost every dark nook and hiding place, a guardian of the law
+was stationed, quietly awaiting the moment when the lawbreakers would
+dare show themselves. Ben knew, too, that more than one pair of eyes
+carefully scrutinized him as they did every pedestrian who passed.
+
+He continued along until he reached a point where he could stand without
+being noticed by anyone. Then he stopped, and, wide awake as ever,
+resolved that he would see the thing out if he was forced to stand where
+he was until the rising of the sun on the morrow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+"LAY LOW!"
+
+
+The clock in the tower of the City Hall solemnly boomed the hour of
+midnight. Damietta lay wrapped in slumber--that is, so far as the
+majority of her citizens were concerned. Her guardians of the peace, as a
+rule, were wide awake, and the dozens stationed within the vicinity of
+her three national banks were particularly so.
+
+Ben Mayberry counted the strokes of the iron tongue, and reflected that
+Thursday was gone, and Friday had begun. As yet nothing had been seen or
+heard to indicate that anything unlawful was contemplated in this
+immediate neighborhood. More than once he was so well convinced that my
+view of the case was correct, that he was on the point of starting
+homeward, but he checked himself and stayed.
+
+At such a time the minutes drag with exceeding slowness, and it seemed to
+Ben that fully a couple of hours had gone by, when the huge clock struck
+one. During the interval a number of pedestrians had passed, and a party
+of roystering youths rode by in a carriage, each one singing
+independently of the other, and in a loud, unsteady voice, but nothing
+yet had occurred on which to hang a suspicion.
+
+The peculiar, ringing, wave-like tones, which are heard a few minutes
+after the striking of a large bell, were still lingering in the air and
+gradually dying out, when one of the policemen gave a guarded whistle,
+which was a signal for the others to "lay low," or in better English, to
+keep themselves unusually wide awake.
+
+A minute after two men were heard approaching, and became dimly visible
+in the partial illumination of the street. It so happened that they
+walked directly by where Ben was standing. They did not notice him,
+though he plainly saw them. They were of large frame, and walked with a
+slight unsteadiness, as though under the influence of liquor.
+
+"There's the bank," said one, in an undertone, as though he was imparting
+a momentous secret to the other.
+
+"That's so; if we could only get in, knock the watchman on the head, and
+kick in the door of the safe, we would make a good haul."
+
+"Suppose we try it, Jack----"
+
+For more than two hours a burly watchman had been hidden close at hand,
+without Ben suspecting his presence. The last sentence was in the mouth
+of the speaker when this policeman sprang upon the amazed strangers, who
+were discussing the burglary of the bank.
+
+He must have been surcharged with faithfulness, for, instead of waiting
+until an overt act was committed, as all had been instructed to do, he
+rushed upon the men in a burst of enthusiasm which knew no restraint and
+passed all bounds.
+
+"Yes, you'll rob the bank, will you?" he shouted, swinging his club aloft
+and bringing it down on the heads of the others. "I'll show you--we've
+been watching you. We know you. You're a fine set of cracksmen. You think
+Damietta is a country town, but you'll learn different----"
+
+These vigorous observations were punctuated with equally vigorous whacks
+of the club, which it seemed must crack the skulls of the men, and in all
+probability would have done so had they not risen to the exigencies of
+the case and turned upon the policeman with remarkable promptitude.
+
+Both of them were powerful, and finding themselves assailed in this
+fashion, one knocked the officer half-way across the street, wrenched his
+club from his grasp, and began laying it over his head. The stricken
+guardian of the peace shouted for help, and tried desperately to draw his
+revolver. Finally he got it out, but before he could use it that also was
+taken from him, and it looked as though little would be left of him.
+
+[Illustration: THE POLICEMAN BROUGHT HIS CLUB DOWN ON THE HEADS OF THE
+OTHERS.--P. 144.]
+
+But the other policemen came running up, and took a hand in the fracas.
+While some went for the one who was belaboring the representative of the
+law, others made for the second burglar. But he was more muscular, if
+possible, than his friend, and he laid about him with such vigor that
+three officers were prostrated before he could be secured. Calling to his
+friend, the two gave themselves up, demanding to know why peaceable
+citizens should be clubbed when quietly walking along the street.
+
+"We had not uttered a disrespectful word," said the first, "but were
+joking together, when that brass-buttoned idiot pounced upon us. We
+simply defended ourselves, as every man has a right to do, and we don't
+propose to let the matter rest here."
+
+"He lies!" shouted the officer who had fared so ill, as he came forward,
+his hat off, and his clothing covered with dust; "he was arranging to rob
+the bank; they are the burglars that we've been watching for days; I know
+'em all right."
+
+"We shall have to take you along," said the chief, who saw that matters
+were considerably mixed.
+
+At this point Ben thought it was his duty to interfere.
+
+"If you will permit me, I am satisfied that some mistake has been made.
+These gentlemen did nothing----"
+
+"He's one of 'em," broke in the first officer, whose wrath could not be
+appeased; "he's been their dummy; he was on the lookout to give 'em
+warning; run him in, too."
+
+Despite Ben Mayberry's protests, he was forced to go with the prisoners;
+but on the way to the lock-up he was recognized by several officers,
+including the chief, who ordered his release, Ben promising to appear in
+the morning at the hearing.
+
+On the morrow several important facts came to light. The two individuals
+who had been so roughly used were honest countrymen, whose references to
+the robbery of the bank were purely in jest--such a project as burglary
+never entering their thoughts.
+
+The policeman who assailed them made a humble apology, and they agreed to
+let the matter drop.
+
+Another fact that was established was that the policemen of Damietta were
+very much like those of other cities.
+
+The third truth was, that no burglary took place on Thursday night or
+Friday morning, and everything was as quiet as the surface of a summer
+mill-pond, with the single exception of the incident just narrated.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+THE BATTLE OF LIFE
+
+
+After all the elaborate preparations for the capture of the burglars, the
+whole business had fallen so flat that the officers of the law themselves
+laughed at the farcical termination. Nothing criminal was attempted, and
+Damietta never was more peaceful in all its history than it was during
+the many weeks and months which followed.
+
+And yet, in spite of all this, there could be no question that such a
+burglarious scheme at one time was contemplated. The cipher telegrams,
+and the surveillance to which Ben Mayberry was subjected, together with
+the attempted assault upon him, made this too manifest to be disputed.
+
+"They simply discovered the preparations made by the authorities," I said
+to Ben, "and they had prudence enough to withdraw."
+
+"Do you believe they have given it up altogether?"
+
+"I doubt it. They have simply deferred the execution until some safer
+time. We must continue to be on the lookout for telegrams in cipher.
+These gentry have evil designs upon Damietta, as will be proven before we
+are many years older."
+
+When Ben Mayberry reached the age of fifteen, he attained an important
+epoch in his life. He had long been one of the most skillful operators in
+the district, being remarkably quick and accurate.
+
+I have told enough to prove his courteous disposition toward all who
+entered our office. The pretended Mr. Jones, who acted the part of the
+ignorant farmer, was, as I have stated, a high official of the company,
+who took odd means to test the character and skill of our employees. The
+test in the case of young Mayberry proved most satisfactory in every
+respect.
+
+At my request, I was transferred to one of the cities in the Eastern
+States, where the climate agreed better with me. I was given charge of an
+important office, an advance made in my wages, and everything was done to
+make the change agreeable. Such being the fact, it is no assumption on my
+part to say that my administration of the exacting duties in Damietta had
+been fully appreciated by my superior officers.
+
+Ben Mayberry was made manager of the office in his native city at a
+salary of seventy-five dollars per month. This statement the reader may
+doubt, for I am quite certain that no telegraphist of his age was ever
+given such an important charge, nor is anyone so young paid such a
+liberal salary; but, did I feel at liberty to do so, I could locate Ben
+Mayberry so closely that all skeptics could ascertain the facts, in a
+brief time, precisely as I have given them.
+
+We have many office managers, in different parts of the country, who lack
+several years of their majority; but, as a rule, their stations are not
+very important, and their pay is nothing like what Ben received. There
+were exceptional circumstances in his case. He was unusually bright, he
+was very attentive, he was courteous, cheerful, and never shirked work.
+He was popular with our patrons, and much of the increase in the business
+of the Damietta office was due to Ben alone. This became known to those
+above him, and they felt that an unusual promotion on his part would not
+only be a just recognition of his ability and devotion, but would do much
+to stimulate others to imitate the good example set by the boy.
+
+In addition to all this, it cannot be denied that fortune favored Ben in
+a marked degree. The fact that he was swept down the river in the
+darkness and tempest, while trying to deliver a telegram for a messenger
+who was ill, and that he saved the life of a little girl, could not fail
+to operate strongly to his benefit. But he would have reached the end all
+the same, without these aids, just as you, my young friend, may attain
+the topmost round by climbing up, up, up, step after step, step after
+step.
+
+There is no cup in this life without some drops of bitterness, and,
+despite the promotion of Ben, which he fully appreciated, he was cast
+down by another circumstance, which troubled him more than he would admit
+to his closest friends.
+
+He had not seen sweet Dolly Willard since the grand children's party at
+Mr. Grandin's, more than two years previous. She had written him
+regularly every week for months, and he had been equally prompt in
+answering. Ben wrote a beautiful hand, and his missives to Dolly were
+long and affectionate. She would have visited her cousins in Damietta,
+had they not made a visit to Europe, which shut off the possibility of
+her doing so for some time to come.
+
+Ben felt that under the circumstances it was hardly the thing for him to
+make a call upon Dolly in New York, though she invited him to do so.
+
+But during the very week that Ben was given charge of the Damietta
+office, the mail failed to bring the usual letter from Dolly. He waited
+impatiently for several days and then wrote to her. There was no response
+to this, and he felt resentful. He held out for a fortnight, and then was
+so worried that he was forced to write again. But this was equally
+fruitless of results, and he became angry.
+
+"She is getting to be quite a large girl; her folks are wealthy, and she
+has begun to realize that I am nothing but a poor telegraphist. Her folks
+have told her she must look higher, and she has come to that same mind
+herself. Ah, well; let it be so!"
+
+That was expressive of his feelings. Sometimes Ben felt like rebelling
+against his fate. He had applied himself hard for years; he possessed an
+excellent education; he held a prominent position in the greatest
+telegraph company of the country, with a prospect of further advancement
+before him, and yet, because he was poor, he was looked down upon by
+those who were his inferiors in everything except the single one of
+wealth.
+
+"It is a great disappointment," he sometimes murmured, "but I am young;
+most folks would laugh that one of my age should take such a fancy to a
+little girl like Dolly, and they would say I am certain to get over it
+very soon. And just there is where they would all make a great mistake."
+
+And Ben Mayberry was right on that point.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+FACE TO FACE
+
+
+Ben Mayberry was sitting at his desk in the Damietta office, one
+beautiful day in Indian summer, attentive as ever to his duties, when a
+carriage drove up to the door containing a young gentleman and a lady.
+The former sprang lightly out and ran into the office, after the manner
+of one who was in a hurry to send an important telegram.
+
+Suddenly, while Ben was looking at the youth he recognized him as
+Rutherford Richmond, with whom he had had several important meetings.
+
+"Why, Rutherford, you have grown so much I didn't recognize you; I am
+glad to see you; how have you been?"
+
+Ben reached his hand over the counter as he greeted the young man, but
+the latter affected not to hear him. Turning to the desk, he wrote out a
+message with great rapidity, wheeled about, and, without the slightest
+evidence of ever having seen Ben, handed him the paper and ordered the
+dispatch to be sent to New York.
+
+This was the telegram:
+
+                     "Richard Willard, No.-- Avenue, New York:
+
+     "Dolly and I reached here safe. Big party at Grandin's
+     to-morrow; sure of grand time. Will take good care of
+     Dolly.
+
+                                        "Rutherford Richmond."
+
+As the writer hurried out the door, Ben followed him with his eyes.
+There, in a handsome, single-seated carriage, sat a beautiful miss of
+thirteen or fourteen, elegantly dressed and looking straight toward him.
+It was Dolly Willard, more enchanting than ever, her eyes luminous with
+health and her cheeks as pink and rosy as the delicate tint of the coral.
+
+Ben was too shocked to salute her, and probably it was as well he did not
+do so, for she simply stared with scarcely less directness than did her
+companion.
+
+Only by the most supreme exertion was the youth enabled to choke down his
+rebellious emotions, so that none in the office noticed his excitement.
+
+It was the same on the morrow, and, as if the fates had combined to crush
+him in absolute wretchedness, he encountered Rutherford and Dolly riding
+out as he was making his way homeward. He affected not to see them, but
+he could not avoid furtively watching Dolly, who certainly was the most
+winsome-looking young miss he had ever seen.
+
+"To-night another party is given by the Grandins. Their girls are ladies,
+and they treated me well when I was there more than two years ago, but in
+this matter Dolly has had all to say--that is, she and Rutherford. Well,
+if she is that sort of girl, I don't want anything to do with her."
+
+That night, in spite of himself, Ben could not stay at home; he strolled
+along, a prey to his bitter thoughts, and mechanically walked in the
+direction of the splendid grounds of the wealthy jeweler, Mr. Grandin.
+The sound of music from within aroused him.
+
+He saw the lights glimmering through the beautiful shade trees, and could
+catch sight of the gayly-dressed figures flitting by the open windows.
+
+"I can't feel any worse," muttered Ben, walking through the open gate,
+confident that he would attract no special attention.
+
+He sauntered up the graveled walk, turning off to the right and moving
+slowly along, with his gaze fixed upon the gay lads and lasses within,
+who seemed to be in the very height of enjoyment.
+
+At that instant someone caught his arm, and Ben turned with an apology
+for his forgetfulness.
+
+"I beg pardon, but I was so interested in the scene that I did not notice
+where I stepped----"
+
+He paused, fairly gasping for breath, for there stood Dolly Willard at
+his side, with her hand upon his arm. The light streaming from the
+windows fell upon her charming face, on which there was an expression
+that young Mayberry did not understand.
+
+"Ben," said she, in a voice that sounded unnatural, "I've got something I
+want to say to you."
+
+"And I have a good deal that I would like to say to you," he retorted,
+firing up, now that the little empress stood before him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+STARTLING DISCOVERIES
+
+
+"You say you have something to speak about," added the boy, looking into
+the enchanting face, as it reflected the light from the windows near at
+hand; "I have only to suggest that it took you a good time to find it
+out."
+
+"It is not I, but you who are to blame."
+
+"Possibly I am to be blamed for being born poor while you are rich; but I
+have paid for my mistake, and it is now too late to correct it."
+
+The conversation had reached this point when the two seemed to conclude
+it was altogether too public to be in good taste. Several persons,
+standing near, stepped a little closer, so as to catch every word.
+
+"It is so warm in there," said Dolly; "even with the windows open, that I
+came outdoors to get the fresh air. Aunt Maggie put my shawl about my
+shoulders so that I wouldn't take cold. Now, Ben, if you will walk with
+me to the summer-house yonder, we can sit down by ourselves, finish our
+talk, and then part forever."
+
+The last expression sent a pang to the boy's heart, but he did not allow
+her to see it. He followed her a short distance to one of the romantic
+little lattice-work structures which Mr. Grandin had placed on his
+grounds.
+
+A few rays of silvery moonlight penetrated the leafy shelter, so the two
+were not in complete darkness when they sat down on the rustic seat.
+
+"I am ready to listen to you," said Ben in his most frigid voice, the two
+being separated by a space of several feet.
+
+"In the first place, if you thought so lightly of me, you never should
+have told me different nor asked me to correspond with you."
+
+"I do not understand you."
+
+"How can you help understanding me?"
+
+"Because I see no reason for your words. I thought all the world of you;
+the greatest pleasure of my life was to write to you and to receive your
+letters in return. All at once you stopped writing; I sent you three
+letters, and you paid no attention----"
+
+"Ben, how dare you! It was you who laughed at my letters, and took no
+notice of them, except to show them to your friends and ridicule what I
+put on paper."
+
+Ben Mayberry sprang to his feet. Like a flash it came upon him that some
+dreadful misunderstanding had been brought about by other parties, for
+which Dolly was not to blame.
+
+"Tell me the whole story, Dolly," he said in a kinder voice than he had
+used since they met, as he resumed his seat.
+
+"Well," said she, beginning to feel the same suspicion that thrilled her
+companion, "there is a good deal to say, but I will make it short. You
+know my father and Mr. Grandin are cousins, so the girls are really my
+second cousins. Rutherford Richmond is the son of an old friend of
+father, who lives in Boston. Father has a large insurance office, and he
+agreed to take Rutherford until he learned the business, so as to take
+charge of the same kind of office in Boston, which his father is going to
+fix up for him. That's how it is Rutherford has been living with us for
+some months.
+
+"Well, a good while ago, I wrote you a letter, begging you to come and
+visit me; father said I might do so. You didn't accept the invitation. I
+wrote you again and got no answer to it; I was frightened, and thought
+maybe you were ill, and wrote once more, but there was no answer to it. I
+would have sent a letter to Cousin Jane to find out about you, but she
+was in Europe. After a while I sent a fourth letter, very long, and full
+of things which I wouldn't have anyone else know for the world. I
+sent----"
+
+"Who by?"
+
+"Rutherford took it and several other letters, and placed them in the
+mail-box at father's office, so they were sure to go. But there was no
+answer to the last, and then I gave up. I felt awful bad; but I was
+nearly wild when Rutherford came to me one day and said he had something
+which he thought he ought to tell me. When he said it was about you, I
+was dreadfully excited. He told me that he had made the acquaintance of a
+young man from Damietta, who was a close friend of yours. That young
+person, whose name Rutherford would not give, said that you showed all my
+letters to him and several others, and made fun of them. I wouldn't have
+believed it if he hadn't proved what he said?"
+
+"How did he prove it?"
+
+"By repeating what I had written; he gave me half of what was in that
+last letter, which he said was repeated to him by the person you told. He
+had them so exactly that my face burned like fire, and I was never so
+angry in all my life. I knew you must have done what Rutherford said, for
+how could he know what I had written you?"
+
+"He knew it by opening your letter, reading the contents, and then
+destroying it. That letter, Dolly, I never saw, nor did I see the three
+which preceded it. I also sent you three letters, of which I never
+heard."
+
+Now that the way was opened, full explanations quickly followed. There
+could be no earthly doubt that the last three letters sent by Ben
+Mayberry to Dolly Willard had been intercepted by Rutherford Richmond,
+who had not hesitated to do the same with those sent by Dolly, though
+most probably he had simply destroyed the three, and read only the last.
+
+"You risked your life to save mine and that of my mother," she said in a
+tremulous voice, "and it was an awful thing for you to believe I could
+ever fail to think more of you than of anyone else in the world."
+
+"I guess I shall have to own up," laughed the happy Ben; "but we were
+both placed in a false position."
+
+"But we shall never be again----"
+
+"Dolly, Dolly! Where are you?"
+
+The cries came from a gay party of misses who came trooping forth to look
+for the belle, whose absence so long from her friends had attracted
+inquiry.
+
+She sprang up.
+
+"Good-by, Ben; I must go."
+
+She caught his hand and returned the pressure, then hurried out and met
+her young friends, who escorted her back to the house, while Ben quietly
+departed without attracting attention.
+
+It was past midnight, but Ben thought nothing of time. He had turned off
+from the street and entered the main business avenue of Damietta.
+
+Just as he came opposite the large jewelry establishment of Mr. Grandin
+he glanced through the plate-glass window. A light was burning dimly in
+the rear of the store, as was the custom with many of the merchants in
+the city, but at the instant of looking Ben saw something like a shadow
+flit by the light. He looked again, and was certain that another movement
+had taken place, though he could not define its character.
+
+He paused only an instant, when he walked on again; but in that instant
+he became convinced that burglars were operating in the jewelry
+establishment of Mr. Grandin.
+
+He walked slowly forward, humming to himself, as was his custom, but wide
+awake and alert. Fifty feet further, he detected the shadowy figure of a
+man standing in one of the adjoining doorways. Ben pretended not to see
+him, and continued humming gayly to himself.
+
+Ben sauntered along in the same aimless fashion until sure he was not
+watched, when he turned and made his way directly to the police office.
+The chief was there and Ben quickly told him everything he knew.
+
+"Those are the parties who arranged to rob the bank year before last,"
+said the chief, "but found out they were suspected."
+
+"They certainly managed it well this time; that is, so far, for there
+hasn't a single cipher telegram passed through our office since."
+
+"Well, we are ready to move," said the chief, as he observed that four of
+his best officers were awaiting his orders.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+IN THE NICK OF TIME
+
+
+Ben would have liked to accompany the officers, but that would have been
+unprofessional on their part, and he did not make the request. He waited
+until they had been gone several minutes, when he slipped out and passed
+down the street, determined to see what was to be seen.
+
+The chief managed the delicate and dangerous business with great skill.
+
+The first notice the burglars had of danger was from the rear. They were
+down behind a screen of dark muslin they had put up, carefully working at
+the safe, which contained diamonds and jewelry of immense value. They had
+already drilled a considerable distance into the chilled iron, when the
+"Philistines descended upon them."
+
+The burglars sprang up like tigers, but they were caught so fairly that
+they were borne to the floor and handcuffs clicked around their wrists in
+a twinkling. There were only two, and the three policemen mastered them
+without difficulty.
+
+But there were two others on the street outside, and they were quick to
+discover what was going on within. One of these was Dandy Sam, who ran
+forward and peered through the front window. His companion was at his
+elbow, and they instantly saw that something was wrong.
+
+They turned to flee, when they found themselves face to face with the
+chief and his aid.
+
+"Hold up your hands!" commanded the chief, leveling his pistol at the
+villains.
+
+One of them complied, but Dandy Sam fired point-blank at the chief,
+whirled on his heel, and ran like a deer down the street. The chief was
+not touched, and pistol in hand he started after the criminal, leaving
+his aid to attend to the second one.
+
+Dandy Sam was fleet of foot and was gaining on his pursuer, when he came
+face to face with Ben Mayberry, who was hurrying toward the scene of the
+burglary with a view of seeing how it terminated.
+
+The two encountered where the lamp-light showed the face of each. Ben
+knew the scamp on the instant, from the description given him, and the
+sight of the flying rascal told him the truth.
+
+Ben had his pistol in his pocket, but he could not bear the thought of
+shooting a person, especially when there was a possible doubt of the
+necessity.
+
+Ben compromised matters by darting into the road, where he caught up a
+stone weighing fully a pound.
+
+The chief was some distance away shouting "Stop thief!" and firing his
+pistol over his head, so there could be no doubt that Dandy Sam was
+"wanted."
+
+Ben Mayberry stood about as far from the fugitive as the space between
+first and second base--thirty yards--when the stone left his hand like a
+thunderbolt. As before, it sped true to its aim, but struck higher than
+then, sending the scoundrel forward on his face, and stunning him; only
+for a minute or so, but this was sufficient.
+
+While he was in the act of climbing to his feet again, the chief dropped
+upon him; there was a click, and Dandy Sam was at the end of his career
+of crime, at least for a considerable time to come.
+
+The chief started for the station-house with his man, whom he watched
+closely despite the stunning blow he had received.
+
+A few minutes later the other three officers came in with their
+prisoners, who were caught in the very act of committing burglary.
+
+The aid was absent so long that the chief felt uneasy, and started out in
+quest of him, but at that moment he appeared with his man.
+
+"He went peaceably enough for a while," explained the aid, "and then he
+tried to bribe me to let him go. When he found that wouldn't work he
+became ugly, and I had to use my club, but he ain't hurt much."
+
+His face was bleeding, but Ben Mayberry, with a shock, recognized the
+prisoner as G. R. Burkhill, the uncle of Dolly Willard.
+
+The capture of the burglars made great excitement in Damietta, and the
+part taken by Ben Mayberry once more placed his name in everyone's mouth.
+It was he who discovered the criminals, and was the direct means of
+securing the desperado, Dandy Sam, the leader of the notorious gang.
+
+It was a great shock to all, except a few, to find that Burkhill, the
+brother-in-law of Dolly Willard's father, was also one of the guilty
+ones. But there were others (and among them Mr. Willard and Mr. Grandin)
+who were not surprised in the least. The facts in this singular affair,
+as they ultimately came to light, were as follows:
+
+George R. Burkhill was the black sheep in a most estimable family, of
+which Mrs. Willard, the mother of Dolly, was a member. She was the sister
+of Burkhill, and the only one who clung to the bad brother, pronounced
+incorrigible by everyone else, even when a small boy. She believed there
+was some good in him, and, in the face of protests, she labored to bring
+him to a sense of right. It was through her influence that he was saved
+from condign punishment for more than one serious offense.
+
+All four of the burglars were duly tried, found guilty, and sentenced to
+the penitentiary for ten years. Rather curiously, both Dandy Sam and
+Burkhill died during the third year of their imprisonment, and it is safe
+to say the world was the gainer thereby.
+
+Some few days after the capture of the burglars, came a glowing letter
+from Dolly, who had gone home to New York, in which she said that her
+father insisted that Ben should come and make them a visit, and would
+accept no excuse for refusing.
+
+"I'll go this time!" exclaimed Ben, knowing he would have no trouble in
+obtaining permission to take a brief vacation.
+
+And go he did.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+CONCLUSION
+
+
+In closing the history of Ben Mayberry, the telegraph messenger boy, it
+seems to me I can do no better than by using the words of the hero
+himself. The following letter I received only a few days since. It is the
+last which has come to hand from Ben, who writes me regularly, as he has
+done ever since I was transferred from the office in Damietta. I should
+add that the date of the letter is nine years subsequent to that of his
+visit to the metropolis as the guest of Mr. James Willard:
+
+     "My Dear Mr. Melville,--I am now in my twenty-fifth year.
+     In looking back it seems only a few years ago that you
+     called me to you, on the street of my native city, and
+     offered to make me general utility boy in the telegraph
+     office of Damietta. My mother and I were nearly starving
+     at the time, and no kindness could have been more
+     appropriate than yours, nor could anyone have shown
+     greater tact and wisdom in cultivating the good instincts
+     of a ragged urchin, who, otherwise, was likely to go to
+     ruin.
+
+     "You awakened my ambition and incited me to study; you
+     impressed upon me the beauty and truth of the declaration
+     that there is no royal road to learning; that if I
+     expected to attain success in any walk of life it could
+     only be done by hard, unremitting, patient work. There are
+     many rounds to the ladder, and each must climb them one by
+     one.
+
+     "Good fortune attended me in every respect. It was the
+     providence of God which saved me and enabled me to help
+     save sweet Dolly when the bridge went down in the storm
+     and darkness, and her mother was lost; yet, but for my
+     determination to do my best at all times, and never to
+     give up so long as I could struggle, I must have
+     succumbed.
+
+     "It was extremely fortunate that I saw the burglars at
+     work in the jewelry establishment of Mr. Grandin on that
+     memorable night in Damietta. The same stroke of fortune
+     might have fallen to any boy, but it was incomplete until
+     I was able to bring the leader to the ground with the
+     stone which I hurled at him.
+
+     "It may be said that all these are but mere incidents of
+     my history, and possibly I may have magnified their
+     importance; but, though my progress was rapid, it never
+     could have carried me successfully along without the
+     regular, systematic, hard work with which I employed my
+     spare hours, when not devoted to exercise. In this world
+     that which wins, is work, work, work!
+
+     "When I was fifteen years old, I was made the manager of
+     the office in Damietta, with a larger salary than I was
+     entitled to. Three years later, the partiality of Mr.
+     Musgrave made me assistant superintendent, and now I have
+     been general superintendent of the district for more than
+     two years, with a handsome salary, which enables me to
+     give my dear mother comforts and elegances of which the
+     good lady never dreamed.
+
+     "I married Dolly shortly after my promotion to the office
+     of general superintendent, and the little fellow that is
+     learning to lisp 'papa,' you know, has been named after
+     you, my old, true, and invaluable friend, to whose counsel
+     and kindness I feel I am so much indebted.
+
+     "Dolly sits at my elbow and continually reminds me that I
+     must insist that you come down and spend Christmas with
+     us. A chair and plate will be placed at the table for you,
+     and you must allow nothing less than Providence itself to
+     keep you away.
+
+                      "As ever,
+                                 "Your devoted friend,
+                                                        "Ben."
+
+THE END
+
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE FRONTIER BOYS
+By Capt. Wyn. Roosevelt.
+
+This noted scout and author, known to every plainsman, has lived a life
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+revolution at Hawaii and was captured in turn by pirates and cannibals.
+He writes in a way sure to win the heart of every boy.
+
+Frontier boys on the overland trail.
+Frontier boys in Colorado, or captured by Indians.
+Frontier boys in the Grand Canyon, or a search for treasure.
+Frontier boys in Mexico, or Mystery Mountain.
+
+Finely illustrated. Cloth, 12mo. Attractive cover design. Price 60c per
+volume.
+
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+start to finish. Cloth, 12mo. Finely illustrated; special cover design.
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+
+Ralph Victor is probably the best equipped writer of up-to-date boy's
+stories of the present day. He has traveled or lived in every land, has
+shot big game with Sears in India, has voyaged with Jack London, and was
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+
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+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Telegraph Messenger Boy, by Edward S. Ellis
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