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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Cast Upon the Breakers, by Horatio Alger
+
+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: Cast Upon the Breakers
+
+Author: Horatio Alger
+
+Release Date: January 16, 2006 [EBook #399]
+Last Updated: September 7, 2016
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAST UPON THE BREAKERS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Keller and David Widger
+
+
+
+
+
+CAST UPON THE BREAKERS
+
+by Horatio Alger, Jr.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+A FAITHLESS GUARDIAN.
+
+
+“Well, good by, Rodney! I leave school tomorrow. I am going to learn a
+trade.”
+
+“I am sorry to part with you, David. Couldn’t you stay another term?”
+
+“No: my uncle says I must be earning my living, and I have a chance to
+learn the carpenter’s trade.”
+
+“Where are you going?”
+
+“To Duffield, some twenty miles away. I wish I were in your shoes. You
+have no money cares, and can go on quietly and complete your education.”
+
+“I don’t know how I am situated, David. I only know that my guardian
+pays my expenses at this boarding school.”
+
+“Yes, you are a star boarder, and have the nicest room in the
+institution. I am only a poor day scholar. Still I feel thankful that I
+have been allowed to remain as long as I have. Who is your guardian?”
+
+“A Mr. Benjamin Fielding, of New York.”
+
+“Is he a business man?”
+
+“I believe so.”
+
+“Do you know how much you will inherit when you come of age?” asked
+David, after a short pause.
+
+“I haven’t an idea.”
+
+“It seems to me your guardian ought to have told you.”
+
+“I scarcely know my guardian. Five years ago I spent a week at his home.
+I don’t remember much about it except that he lives in a handsome house,
+and has plenty of servants. Since then, as you know, I have passed most
+of my time here, except that in the summer I was allowed to board at the
+Catskills or any country place I might select.”
+
+“Yes, and I remember one year you took me with you and paid all my
+expenses. I shall never forget your kindness, and how much I enjoyed
+that summer.”
+
+Rodney Ropes smiled, and his smile made his usually grave face look very
+attractive.
+
+“My dear David,” he said, “it was all selfishness on my part. I knew I
+should enjoy myself much better with a companion.”
+
+“You may call that selfishness, Rodney, but it is a kind of selfishness
+that makes me your devoted friend. How long do you think you shall
+remain at school?”
+
+“I don’t know. My guardian has never told me his plans for me. I wish he
+would.”
+
+“I shall miss you, Rodney, but we will correspond, won’t we?”
+
+“Surely. You know I shall always feel interested in you and your
+welfare.”
+
+David was a plain boy of humble parentage, and would probably be a hard
+working mechanic. In fact he was looking for nothing better.
+
+But Rodney Ropes looked to be of genteel blood, and had the air of
+one who had been brought up a gentleman. But different as they were in
+social position the two boys had always been devoted friends.
+
+The boarding school of which Rodney was, as his friend expressed
+himself, a star pupil, was situated about fifty miles from the city of
+New York. It was under the charge of Dr. Sampson, a tall, thin man
+of fair scholarship, keenly alive to his own interest, who showed
+partiality for his richer pupils, and whenever he had occasion to
+censure bore most heavily upon boys like David Hull, who was poor.
+
+Rodney occupied alone the finest room in the school. There was a great
+contrast between his comfortable quarters and the extremely plain
+dormitories occupied by less favored pupils.
+
+In the case of some boys the favoritism of the teacher would have led
+them to put on airs, and made them unpopular with their school
+fellows. But Rodney had too noble a nature to be influenced by such
+considerations. He enjoyed his comfortable room, but treated his school
+fellows with a frank cordiality that made him a general favorite.
+
+After David left his room Rodney sat down to prepare a lesson in Cicero,
+when he was interrupted by the entrance through the half open door of a
+younger boy.
+
+“Rodney,” he said, “the doctor would like to see you in his office.”
+
+“Very well, Brauner, I will go down at once.”
+
+He put aside his book and went down to the office of Dr. Sampson on the
+first floor.
+
+The doctor was sitting at his desk. He turned slightly as Rodney
+entered.
+
+“Take a seat, Ropes,” he said curtly.
+
+His tone was so different from his usual cordiality that Rodney was
+somewhat surprised.
+
+“Am I in disgrace?” he asked himself. “Dr. Sampson doesn’t seem as
+friendly as usual.”
+
+After a brief interval Dr. Sampson wheeled round in his office chair.
+
+“I have a letter for you from your guardian, Ropes,” he said. “Here it
+is. Do me the favor to read it here.”
+
+With some wonder Rodney took the letter and read as follows:
+
+
+DEAR RODNEY--I have bad news to communicate. As you know, I was left by
+your father in charge of you and your fortune. I have never told you
+the amount, but I will say now that it was about fifty thousand dollars.
+Until two years since I kept it intact but then began a series of
+reverses in which my own fortune was swallowed up. In the hope of
+relieving myself I regret to say that I was tempted to use your money.
+That went also, and now of the whole sum there remains but enough to
+pay the balance of your school bills, leaving you penniless. How much I
+regret this I cannot tell you. I shall leave New York at once. I do not
+care at present to say where I shall go, but I shall try to make good
+the loss, and eventually restore to you your lost fortune. I may be
+successful or I may not. I shall do my best and I hope in time to have
+better news to communicate.
+
+One thing I am glad to say. I have a casket containing your mother’s
+jewels. These are intact. I shall send you the casket by express,
+knowing that you will wish to keep them out of regard for your mother’s
+memory. In case you are reduced to the necessity of pawning or selling
+them, I am sure that your mother, could she be consulted, would advise
+you to do so. This would be better than to have you suffer from want.
+
+There is nothing further for me to write except to repeat my regret, and
+renew my promise to make up your lost fortune if I shall ever to able to
+do so. Your Guardian, BENJAMIN FIELDING.
+
+
+Rodney read this like one dazed. In an instant he was reduced from the
+position of a favorite of fortune to a needy boy, with his living to
+make.
+
+He could not help recalling what had passed between his friend David and
+himself earlier in the day. Now he was as poor as David--poorer, in fact
+for David had a chance to learn a trade that would yield him a living,
+while he was utterly without resources, except in having an unusually
+good education.
+
+“Well,” said Dr. Sampson, “have you read your letter?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“Your guardian wrote to me also. This is his letter,” and he placed the
+brief epistle in Rodney’s hands.
+
+
+DR. SAMPSON--I have written my ward, Rodney Ropes, an important
+letter which he will show you. The news which it contains will make it
+necessary for him to leave school. I inclose a check for one hundred and
+twenty five dollars. Keep whatever is due you, and give him the balance.
+BENJAMIN FIELDING.
+
+
+“I have read the letter, but I don’t know what it means,” said Dr.
+Sampson. “Can you throw any light upon it?”
+
+“Here is my letter, doctor. You can read it for yourself.”
+
+Dr. Sampson’s face changed as he read Rodney’s letter. It changed and
+hardened, and his expression became quite different from that to which
+Rodney had been accustomed.
+
+“This is a bad business, Ropes,” said the doctor in a hard tone.
+
+He had always said Rodney before.
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“That was a handsome fortune which your father left you.”
+
+“Yes, sir. I never knew before how much it amounted to.”
+
+“You only learn when you have lost it. Mr. Fielding has treated you
+shamefully.”
+
+“Yes, sir, I suppose he has, but he says he will try to make it up to me
+in the future.”
+
+“Pish! that is all humbug. Even if he is favored by fortune you will
+never get back a cent.”
+
+“I think I shall, sir.”
+
+“You are young. You do not know the iniquities of business men. I do.”
+
+“I prefer to hope for the best.”
+
+“Just as you please.”
+
+“Have you anything more to say to me?”
+
+“Only that I will figure up your account and see how much money is to
+come to you out of the check your guardian has sent. You can stay here
+till Monday; then you will find it best to make new arrangements.”
+
+“Very well, sir.”
+
+Rodney left the room, realizing that Dr. Sampson’s feelings had been
+changed by his pupil’s reverse of fortune.
+
+It was the way of the world, but it was not a pleasant way, and Rodney
+felt depressed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+THE CASKET OF JEWELS.
+
+
+It was not till the latter part of the afternoon that the casket
+arrived. Rodney was occupied with a recitation, and it was only in
+the evening that he got an opportunity to open it. There was a pearl
+necklace, very handsome, a pair of bracelets, two gold chains, some
+minor articles of jewelry and a gold ring.
+
+A locket attracted Rodney’s notice, and he opened it. It contained the
+pictures of his father and mother.
+
+His father he could barely remember, his mother died before he was old
+enough to have her image impressed upon his memory. He examined the
+locket and his heart was saddened. He felt how different his life would
+have been had his parents lived.
+
+He had never before realized the sorrow of being alone in the world.
+Misfortune had come upon him, and so far as he knew he had not a friend.
+Even Dr. Sampson, who had been paid so much money on his account, and
+who had always professed so great friendship for him, had turned cold.
+
+As he was standing with the locket in his hand there was a knock at the
+door.
+
+“Come in!” he called out.
+
+The door opened and a stout, coarse looking boy, dressed in an expensive
+manner, entered.
+
+“Good evening, John,” said Rodney, but not cordially.
+
+Next to himself, John Bundy, who was the son of a wealthy saloon keeper
+in the city of New York, had been a favorite with Dr. Sampson.
+
+If there was anything Dr. Sampson bowed down to and respected it was
+wealth, and Mr. Bundy, senior, was reputed to be worth a considerable
+fortune.
+
+In Rodney’s mood John Bundy was about the last person whom he wanted to
+see.
+
+“Ha!” said John, espying the open casket, “where did you get all that
+jewelry?”
+
+“It contains my mother’s jewels,” said Rodney gravely.
+
+“You never showed it to me before.”
+
+“I never had it before. It came to me by express this afternoon.”
+
+“It must be worth a good pile of money,” said John, his eyes gleaming
+with cupidity.
+
+“I suppose it is.”
+
+“Have you any idea what it is worth?”
+
+“I have no thought about it.”
+
+“What are you going to do with it? It won’t be of use to you, especially
+the diamond earrings,” he added, with a coarse laugh.
+
+“No,” answered Rodney shortly.
+
+“My eyes, wouldn’t my mother like to own all this jewelry. She’s fond of
+ornament, but pa won’t buy them for her.”
+
+Rodney did not answer.
+
+“I say, Ropes, I mustn’t forget my errand. Will you do me a favor?”
+
+“What is it?”
+
+“Lend me five dollars till the first of next month. My allowance comes
+due then. Now I haven’t but a quarter left.”
+
+“What makes you apply to me, Bundy?”
+
+“Because you always have money. I don’t suppose you are worth as much as
+my father, but you have more money for yourself than I have.”
+
+“I have had, perhaps, but I haven’t now.”
+
+“Why, what’s up? What has happened?”
+
+“I have lost my fortune.”
+
+John whistled. This was his way of expressing amazement.
+
+“Why, what have you been doing? How could you lose your fortune?”
+
+“My guardian has lost it for me. That amount to the same thing.”
+
+“When did you hear that?”
+
+“This morning.”
+
+“Is that true? Are you really a poor boy?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+John Bundy was astonished, but on the whole he was not saddened. In the
+estimation of the school Rodney had always ranked higher than he, and
+been looked upon as the star pupil in point of wealth.
+
+Now that he was dethroned John himself would take his place. This would
+be gratifying, though just at present, and till the beginning of the
+next month, he would be distressed for ready money.
+
+“Well, that’s a stunner!” he said. “How do you feel about it? Shall you
+stay in school?”
+
+“No; I can’t afford it. I must get to work.”
+
+“Isn’t there anything left--not a cent?”
+
+“There may be a few dollars.”
+
+“And then,” said Bundy with a sudden thought, “there is this casket of
+jewelry. You can sell it for a good deal of money.”
+
+“I don’t mean to sell it.”
+
+“Then you’re a fool; that’s all I’ve got to say.”
+
+“I don’t suppose you will understand my feeling in the matter, but these
+articles belonged to my mother. They are all I have to remind me of her.
+I do not mean to sell them unless it is absolutely necessary.”
+
+“I would sell them quicker’n a wink,” said Bundy. “What’s the good of
+keeping them?”
+
+“We won’t discuss the matter,” said Rodney coldly.
+
+“Do you mind my telling the other boys about your losing your money?”
+
+“No; it will be known tomorrow at any rate; there is no advantage in
+concealing it.”
+
+A heavy step was heard outside. It stopped before the door.
+
+“I must be getting,” said Bundy, “or I’ll get into trouble.”
+
+It was against the rule at the school for boys to make calls upon each
+other in the evening unless permission were given.
+
+John Bundy opened the door suddenly, and to his dismay found himself
+facing the rigid figure of Dr. Sampson, the principal.
+
+“How do you happen to be here, Bundy?” asked the doctor sternly.
+
+“Please, sir, I was sympathizing with Ropes on his losing his money,”
+ said Bundy with ready wit.
+
+“Very well! I will excuse you this time.”
+
+“I’m awful sorry for you, Ropes,” said Bundy effusively.
+
+“Thank you,” responded Rodney.
+
+“You can go now,” said the principal. “I have a little business with
+Master Ropes.”
+
+“All right, sir. Good night.”
+
+“Good night.”
+
+“Won’t you sit down, Dr. Sampson?” said Rodney politely, and he took the
+casket from the chair.
+
+“Yes, I wish to have five minutes’ conversation with you. So these are
+the jewels, are they?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“They seem to be quite valuable,” went on the doctor, lifting the pearl
+necklace and poising it in his fingers. “It will be well for you to have
+them appraised by a jeweler.”
+
+“It would, sir, if I wished to sell them, but I mean to keep them as
+they are.”
+
+“I would hardly advise it. You will need the money. Probably you do not
+know how near penniless you are.”
+
+“No, sir; I don’t know.”
+
+“Your guardian, as you are aware, sent me a check for one hundred and
+twenty five dollars. I have figured up how much of this sum is due to
+me, and I find it to be one hundred and thirteen dollars and thirty
+seven cents.”
+
+“Yes, sir,” said Rodney indifferently.
+
+“This leaves for you only eleven dollars and sixty three cents. You
+follow me, do you not?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“Have you any money saved up from your allowance?”
+
+“A few dollars only, sir.”
+
+“Ahem! that is a pity. You will need all you can raise. But of course
+you did not anticipate what has occurred?”
+
+“No, sir.”
+
+“I will throw off the thirty seven cents,” said the principal
+magnanimously, “and give you back twelve dollars.”
+
+“I would rather pay you the whole amount of your bill,” said Rodney.
+
+“Ahem! Well perhaps that would be more business-like. So you don’t wish
+to part with any of the jewelry, Ropes?”
+
+“No, sir.”
+
+“I thought, perhaps, by way of helping you, I would take the earrings,
+and perhaps the necklace, off your hands and present them to Mrs.
+Sampson.”
+
+Rodney shuddered with aversion at the idea of these precious articles,
+which had once belonged to his mother, being transferred to the stout
+and coarse featured consort of the principal.
+
+“I think I would rather keep them,” he replied.
+
+“Oh well, just as you please,” said Dr. Sampson with a shade of
+disappointment for he had no idea of paying more than half what the
+articles were worth. “If the time comes when you wish to dispose of them
+let me know.”
+
+Rodney nodded, but did not answer in words.
+
+“Of course, Ropes,” went on the doctor in a perfunctory way, “I am very
+sorry for you. I shall miss you, and, if I could afford it, I would tell
+you to stay without charge. But I am a poor man.”
+
+“Yes,” said Rodney hastily, “I understand. I thank you for your words
+but would not under any circumstances accept such a favor at your
+hands.”
+
+“I am afraid you are proud, Ropes. Pride is--ahem--a wrong feeling.”
+
+“Perhaps so, Dr. Sampson, but I wish to earn my own living without being
+indebted to any one.”
+
+“Perhaps you are right, Ropes. I dare say I should feel so myself. When
+do you propose leaving us?”
+
+“Some time tomorrow, sir.”
+
+“I shall feel sad to have you go. You have been here so long that
+you seem to me like a son. But we must submit to the dispensations of
+Providence--” and Dr. Sampson blew a vigorous blast upon his red silk
+handkerchief. “I will give you the balance due in the morning.”
+
+“Very well, sir.”
+
+Rodney was glad to be left alone. He had no faith in Dr. Sampson’s
+sympathy. The doctor had the reputation of being worth from thirty to
+forty thousand dollars, and his assumption of being a poor man Rodney
+knew to be a sham.
+
+He went to bed early, for tomorrow was to be the beginning of a new life
+for him.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE.
+
+
+When it was generally known in the school that Rodney was to leave
+because he had lost his property much sympathy was felt and expressed
+for him.
+
+Though he had received more than ordinary attention from the principal
+on account of his pecuniary position and expectations, this had not
+impaired his popularity. He never put on any airs and was on as cordial
+relations with the poorest student as with the richest.
+
+“I’m awfully sorry you’re going, Rodney,” said more than one. “Is it
+really true that you have lost your property?”
+
+“Yes, it is true.”
+
+“Do you feel bad about it?”
+
+“I feel sorry, but not discouraged.”
+
+“I say, Rodney,” said Ernest Rayner, in a low voice, calling Rodney
+aside, “are you very short of money?”
+
+“I haven’t much left, Ernest.”
+
+“Because I received five dollars last week as a birthday present. I
+haven’t spent any of it. You can have it as well as not.”
+
+Rodney was much moved. “My dear Ernest,” he said, putting his arm
+caressingly around the neck of the smaller boy, “you are a true friend.
+I won’t forget your generous offer, though I don’t need to accept it.”
+
+“But are you sure you have money enough?” asked Ernest.
+
+“Yes, I have enough for the present. By the time I need more I shall
+have earned it.”
+
+There was one boy, already introduced, John Bundy, who did not share in
+the general feeling of sympathy for Rodney. This was John Bundy.
+
+He felt that Rodney’s departure would leave him the star pupil and give
+him the chief social position in school. As to scholarship he was not
+ambitious to stand high in that.
+
+“I say, Ropes,” he said complacently, “I’m to have your room after
+you’re gone.”
+
+“I congratulate you,” returned Rodney. “It is an excellent room.”
+
+“Yes, I s’pose it’ll make you feel bad. Where are you going?”
+
+“I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have done.”
+
+“Oh yes, I guess there’s no doubt of that. I’m going to get pa to send
+me some nice pictures to hang on the wall. When you come back here on a
+visit you’ll see how nice it looks.”
+
+“I think it will be a good while before I come here on a visit.”
+
+“Yes. I s’pose it’ll make you feel bad. Where are you going?”
+
+“To the City of New York.”
+
+“You’ll have to live in a small hall bedroom there.”
+
+“Why will I?”
+
+“Because you are poor, and it costs a good deal of money to live in New
+York. It’ll be a great come down.”
+
+“It will indeed, but if I can earn enough to support me in plain style
+I won’t complain. I suppose you’ll call and see me when you come to New
+York?”
+
+“Perhaps so, if you don’t live in a tenement house. Pa objects to my
+going to tenement houses. There’s no knowing what disease there may be
+in them.”
+
+“It is well to be prudent,” said Rodney, smiling.
+
+It did not trouble him much to think he was not likely to receive a call
+from his quondan schoolmate.
+
+“Here is the balance of your money, Ropes,” said Dr. Sampson, drawing
+a small roll of bills from his pocket, later in the day. “I am quite
+willing to give you the odd thirty seven cents.”
+
+“Thank you, doctor, but I shan’t need it.”
+
+“You are poorly provided. Now I would pay you a good sum for some of
+your mother’s jewelry, as I told you last evening.”
+
+“Thank you,” said Rodney hastily, “but I don’t care to sell at present.”
+
+“Let me know when you are ready to dispose of the necklace.”
+
+Here the depot carriage appeared in the street outside and Rodney with
+his gripsack in one hand and the precious casket in the other, climbed
+to a seat beside the driver.
+
+His trunk he left behind, promising to send for it when he had found a
+new boarding place.
+
+There was a chorus of good byes. Rodney waved his handkerchief in
+general farewell, and the carriage started for the depot.
+
+“Be you goin’ for good?” asked Joel, the driver, who knew Rodney well
+and felt friendly to him.
+
+“Yes, Joel.”
+
+“It’s kind of sudden, isn’t it?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“What makes you go?”
+
+“Bad news, Joel.”
+
+“Be any of your folks dead?”
+
+“It is not death. I haven’t any ‘folks.’ I’m alone in the world.
+It’s because I’ve lost my property and am too poor to remain in school.”
+
+“That’s too bad,” said the driver in a tone of sympathy. “Where are you
+goin’?”
+
+“To the city.”
+
+“Are you goin’ to work?”
+
+“Yes, I shall have to.”
+
+“If you was a little older you might get a chance to drive a street car,
+but I s’pose you’re too young.”
+
+“Yes, I don’t think they would take me.”
+
+“I’ve thought sometimes I should like such a chance myself,” said Joel.
+“I’ve got tired of the country. I should like to live in the city where
+there’s theaters, and shows, and such like. Do you know what the drivers
+on street cars get?”
+
+“No, I never heard.”
+
+“I wish you’d find out and let me know. You can send the letter to Joel
+Phipps, Groveton. Then find out if it’s easy to get such a chance.”
+
+“I will. I shall be glad to oblige you.”
+
+“You always was obligin’, Rodney. I’ve asked Jack Bundy to do it--you
+know his folks live in the city--but he never would. He’s a mighty
+disagreeable boy. He never liked you.”
+
+“Didn’t he?”
+
+“No, I surmise he was jealous of you. He used to say you put on so many
+airs it made him sick.”
+
+“I don’t think any of the other boys would say that.”
+
+“No, but they could say it of him. Do you think his father is rich?”
+
+“I have always heard that he was.”
+
+“I hope he’s better about paying his debt than Jack. I lent him twenty
+five cents a year ago and I never could get it back.”
+
+The distance from the school to the station was a mile. Joel fetched the
+carriage round with a sweep and then jumped off, opened the door, and
+then helped the passengers to disembark, if that word is allowable.
+
+“How soon does the train start, Joel?” asked Rodney.
+
+“In about five minutes.”
+
+“Then I had better purchase my ticket without delay.”
+
+“Don’t forget to ask about horse car drivers!”
+
+“No, I won’t. I should like to have you come to New York. I know no one
+there, and I should feel glad to see a familiar face.”
+
+The train came up in time, and Rodney was one of half a dozen passengers
+who entered the cars.
+
+He obtained a place next to a stout man dressed in a pepper and salt
+suit.
+
+“Is this seat engaged?” asked Rodney.
+
+“Yes--to you,” and his fellow passenger laughed.
+
+Rodney laughed too, for he saw that the remark was meant to be jocose.
+
+He put his gripsack on the floor at his feet, but held the casket in his
+lap. He did not like to run any risk with that.
+
+“Are you a drummer?” asked the stout man, with a glance at the casket.
+
+“No, sir.”
+
+“I thought you might be, and that THAT might contain your samples.”
+
+“No, sir. That is private property.”
+
+He had thought of telling what it contained, but checked himself. He
+knew nothing of his companion, and was not sure how far it might be safe
+to trust a stranger.
+
+“I used to be a drummer myself--in the jewelry line--” continued his
+companion, “and I carried a box just like that.”
+
+“Ah, indeed! Then you are not in that business now?”
+
+“No, I got tired of it. I deal in quite a different article now.”
+
+“Indeed?”
+
+“Suburban lot.”
+
+“You don’t happen to have any of them with you?”
+
+The stout man roared with laughter, giving Rodney the impression that he
+had said a very witty thing.
+
+“That’s a good one,” he remarked, “the best I’ve heard for a long time.
+No, I haven’t any of the lots with me, but I’ve got a circular. Just
+cast your eye over that,” and he drew a large and showy prospectus from
+his pocket.
+
+“If you should be looking for a good investment,” he continued, “you
+can’t do any better than buy a lot at Morton Park. It is only eighteen
+miles from the city and is rapidly building up. You can buy lot on easy
+installments, and I will myself pick one out for you that is almost sure
+to double in value in a year or two.”
+
+“Thank you,” said Rodney, “but I shall have to invest my money, if I get
+any, in a different way.”
+
+“As what for instance?”
+
+“In board and lodging.”
+
+“Good. That is even more necessary than real estate.”
+
+“How long have you been in the business, sir?”
+
+“About six months.”
+
+“And how does it pay?”
+
+“Very well, if you know how to talk.”
+
+“I should think you might do well, then.”
+
+“Thank you. I appreciate the compliment. What business are you going
+into, that is, if you are going to the city?”
+
+“I am going to the city, but I have no idea yet what I shall do.”
+
+“Perhaps you may like to become an agent for our lots. I shall be ready
+to employ you as sub agent if you feel disposed.”
+
+“Thank you, sir. If you will give me your card, I may call upon you.”
+
+The short man drew from his card case a business card. It bore the name
+
+
+ADIN WOODS. ROYAL BUILDING. NASSAU ST. Morton Park Lots.
+
+
+“Come to see me at any time,” he said, “and we will talk the matter
+over.”
+
+Here the train boy came along and Rodney bought a copy of Puck, while
+the agent resumed the perusal of a copy of a magazine. For an hour
+the cars ran smoothly. Then there was a sudden shock causing all the
+passengers to start to their feet.
+
+“We’re off the track!” shouted an excitable person in front of Rodney.
+
+The instinct of self preservation is perhaps stronger than any other.
+Rodney and his seat mate both jumped to their feet and hurried to the
+door of the car, not knowing what was in store for them.
+
+But fortunately the train had not been going rapidly. It was approaching
+a station and was “slowing up.” So, though it had really run off the
+track, there was not likely to be any injury to the passengers.
+
+“We are safe,” said Adin Woods. “The only harm done is the delay. I hope
+that won’t be long. Suppose we go back to our seat.” They returned to
+the seat which they had jointly occupied.
+
+Then Rodney made an alarming discovery. “My casket!” he exclaimed.
+“Where is it?”
+
+“What did you do with it?”
+
+“Left it on the seat.”
+
+“It may have fallen to the floor.”
+
+Rodney searched for it in feverish excitement, but his search was vain.
+THE CASKET HAD DISAPPEARED!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+IN PURSUIT OF A THIEF.
+
+
+“Were the contents of the casket valuable?” asked the land agent.
+
+“Yes; it contained my mother’s jewels, all the more valuable because she
+is dead,” replied Rodney.
+
+“Were they of much intrinsic worth?”
+
+“They must be worth several hundred dollars at least.”
+
+“Then they must be found,” said Adin Woods energetically. “They have
+evidently been taken by some passenger during the five minutes we were
+away from our seat.”
+
+“Were you inquiring about the casket?” asked a lady sitting opposite.
+
+“Yes, madam. Can you give any information about it?”
+
+“Just after you left your seat the man that sat behind you rose and
+reaching over for it went to the rear end of the car and got out.”
+
+“I wish you had stopped him, madam.”
+
+“He was so cool about it that I thought he might be a friend of the
+young gentleman.”
+
+“I didn’t know him. He must have been a thief.”
+
+“What was his appearance, madam?” asked the lot agent.
+
+“He was a thin, dark complexioned man, with side whiskers coming half
+way down his cheeks.”
+
+“And you say he got out of the rear end of the car?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“He won’t get on the train again,” said the agent turning to Rodney. “He
+thinks the casket valuable enough to pay him for the interruption of his
+journey.”
+
+“What shall I do then?” asked Rodney, feeling helpless and at a loss
+which way to turn.
+
+“Follow him,” said the agent briefly. “He will probably stop over in the
+village a day and resume his journey tomorrow.”
+
+“Even if I found him I am afraid I shouldn’t know how to deal with him.”
+
+“Then I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll stop over with you and help you
+make it hot for him. I’ve had a spite against thieves ever since I had a
+valuable overcoat stolen in one of my journeys.”
+
+“I shall feel very much obliged to you, Mr. Woods, but won’t it
+interfere with your business?”
+
+“Not materially. If we succeed in overhauling the rascal I shall feel
+sufficiently repaid for the small interruption. But come on, we can’t
+afford to linger here while he is carrying off the plunder.”
+
+“I don’t know how I can repay you, Mr. Woods,” said Rodney gratefully.
+
+“You can buy a lot of me when you get rich enough.”
+
+“I will certainly do so, though I am afraid it will be a long time
+first.”
+
+“You don’t know what good fortune may be in store for you. Did you
+notice, madam, in which direction the thief went?”
+
+“Yes, I was looking out of the window. He went over the road to the
+left.”
+
+“That leads to the village. You will see, Mr. Ropes, that I was right
+about his plans.”
+
+“Don’t call me Mr. Ropes. Call me Rodney.”
+
+“I will. It don’t seem natural to dub a boy Mr. Now, Rodney, follow me.”
+
+The two passengers set out on the road that led to the village. They
+could see the latter easily, for it was not more than a mile away.
+
+“He will be surprised to think we have ‘struck his trail’ so quick,”
+ said the agent.
+
+“Where shall we go first?”
+
+“To the hotel if there is one.”
+
+“The village seems small.”
+
+“Yes, there are only a few hundred inhabitant probably. It is not a
+place where a traveler would be likely to interrupt his journey unless
+he had a special object in doing so, like our dishonest friend. However,
+I think we shall be able to balk his little game.”
+
+Ten minutes’ walk brought them to the village. Looking about they saw a
+small hotel just across the way from a neat white chapel.
+
+“Follow me,” said the agent.
+
+They went into the public room in which there was a small office.
+
+The book of arrivals was open, and Adin Woods went forward and examined
+it. Silently he pointed to a name evidently just written, for the ink
+was scarcely dry. This was the name: Louis Wheeler, Philadelphia.
+
+“This may or may not be his real name,” said Mr. Woods in a low voice.
+
+“Do you wish to register, gentlemen?” asked the clerk.
+
+“We will take dinner, and if we decide to stay will register later. By
+the way, I recognize this name, but it may not be the man I suppose.”
+
+“Yes, the gentleman just registered.”
+
+“Would you mind describing him?”
+
+“He was a tall, dark man as near as I can remember.”
+
+“And he carried a small casket in his hand?”
+
+“Yes, and a gripsack.”
+
+“Oh yes,” said the agent his face lighting up with satisfaction. “It is
+the man I mean--where is he now?”
+
+“In his room.”
+
+“Did he say how long he intended to stay?”
+
+“No, sir. He said nothing about his plans.”
+
+“Did he seem specially careful about the casket?”
+
+“Yes, sir. He carried that in his hands, but let the servant carry up
+the gripsack.”
+
+“My friend,” said the agent in an impressive tone, “I am going to
+surprise you.”
+
+The country clerk looked all curiosity.
+
+“Is it about Mr. Wheeler?” he asked.
+
+“Yes, the man is a thief. He stole the casket, which contains valuable
+jewelry, from my young friend here. We are here to demand a return of
+the property or to arrest him. Is there a policeman within call?”
+
+“I can summon a constable.”
+
+“Do so, but don’t breathe a word of what I have told you.”
+
+The clerk called a boy in from the street and gave him instructions in
+a low voice. He went at once on his errand, and in ten minutes a stout
+broad shouldered man made his appearance.
+
+“This gentleman sent for you, Mr. Barlow,” said the clerk.
+
+“What can I do for you?” asked the constable.
+
+“Help me to recover stolen property.”
+
+“That I will do with pleasure if you will tell me what you want me to
+do.”
+
+Adin Woods held a brief conference with the constable, then he led the
+way up stairs, followed immediately by Rodney, while the constable kept
+a little behind.
+
+“His room is No. 9,” said the bell boy.
+
+The agent paused before the door of No. 9, and knocked.
+
+“Come in!” said a voice.
+
+The agent opened the door, and entered, accompanied by Rodney. A glance
+showed that the occupant answered the description given by the lady in
+the car.
+
+Louis Wheeler changed color, for he recognized both the agent and
+Rodney.
+
+“What is your business?” he asked in a tone which he tried to make
+indifferent.
+
+“That,” answered Woods, pointing to the jewel casket on the bureau.
+
+It looked to him as if Wheeler, if that was his name, had been trying to
+open it.
+
+“I don’t understand.”
+
+“Then I will try to make things clear to you. You have, doubtless by
+accident” he emphasized the last word, “taken from the car a casket
+belonging to my young friend here.”
+
+“You are mistaken, sir,” said Wheeler with brazen hardihood. “That
+casket belongs to me.”
+
+“Indeed. What does it contain?”
+
+“I fail to see how that is any of your business,” returned Wheeler,
+determined, if possible, to bluff off his visitors.
+
+“I admire your cheek, sir. I really do. But I am too old a traveler to
+be taken in by such tricks. I propose to have that casket.”
+
+“Well, sir, you are the most impudent thief and burglar I ever met. You
+break into a gentleman’s room, and undertake to carry off his private
+property. Unless you go out at once, I will have you arrested.”
+
+“That you can do very readily, for I have an officer within call.”
+
+Louis Wheeler changed color. He began to see that the situation was
+getting serious.
+
+“There is a great mistake here,” he said.
+
+“I agree with you.”
+
+The agent went to the door, and called “Constable Barlow.”
+
+The constable promptly presented himself.
+
+“Do you want me, sir?” he asked.
+
+“That depends on this gentleman here. If he will peacefully restore to
+my young friend here yonder jewel casket I am willing to let him go.
+Otherwise--” and he glanced at Wheeler significantly.
+
+“Perhaps I have made a mistake,” admitted the thief. “I had a casket
+exactly like this. Possibly I have taken the wrong one.”
+
+“I have the key to the casket here,” said Rodney, “and I can tell you
+without opening it what it contains.”
+
+“What did yours contain?” asked the agent.
+
+“Jewelry,” answered Wheeler shortly.
+
+“What articles?”
+
+“Never mind. I am inclined to think this casket belongs to the boy.”
+
+“Rodney, you can take it and Mr. Wheeler will probably find his where he
+left it.”
+
+No objection was made, and the discomfited thief was left a prey to
+mortification and disappointment.
+
+Rodney handed a dollar to the constable which that worthy official
+received with thanks, and he and the agent resumed their journey by an
+afternoon train. They saw nothing further of Louis Wheeler who sent for
+dinner to be served in his room.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+A YOUNG FINANCIAL WRECK.
+
+
+“You have been very fortunate in recovering your jewels,” said the
+agent.
+
+“I owe it to you,” replied Rodney gratefully.
+
+“Well, perhaps so. If I have rendered you a service I am very glad.”
+
+“And I am very glad to have found so good a friend. I hope you will let
+me pay for your ticket to New York.”
+
+“It won’t be necessary. The interruption of our journey won’t invalidate
+the ticket we have.”
+
+An hour later they reached New York.
+
+“What are your plans, Rodney?” asked Adin Woods, who by this time had
+become quite intimate with his young companion.
+
+“I shall call on my guardian, and perhaps he may give me some advice as
+to what I do. Where would you advise me to go--to a hotel?”
+
+“No; it will be too expensive. I know of a plain boarding house on West
+Fourteenth Street where you can be accommodated with lodging and two
+meals--breakfast and supper, or dinner as we call it here--for a dollar
+a day.”
+
+“I shall be glad to go there, for the present, at least. I haven’t much
+money, and must find something to do as soon as possible.”
+
+“We will both go there, and if you don’t object we will take a room
+together. That will give us a larger apartment. Mrs. Marcy is an old
+acquaintance of mine, and will give you a welcome.”
+
+Rodney was glad to accept his companion’s proposal. They proceeded at
+once to the boarding house, and fortunately found a good room vacant on
+the third floor. Mr. Woods went out in the evening to make a call, but
+Rodney was glad to go to bed at nine o’clock.
+
+The next morning after breakfast Rodney consulted his companion as to
+what he should do with the casket.
+
+“Do you want to raise money on it?” asked the agent.
+
+“No; I shall not do this unless I am obliged to.”
+
+“Have you any idea as to the value of the jewels?”
+
+“No.”
+
+“Then I will take you first to a jeweler in Maiden Lane, a friend of
+mine, who will appraise them. Afterwards I advise you to deposit the
+casket at a storage warehouse, or get Tiffany to keep it for you.”
+
+“I will do as you suggest.”
+
+Maiden Lane is a street largely devoted to jewelers, wholesale and
+retail. Rodney followed Mr. Woods into a store about midway between
+Broadway and Nassau Street. A pleasant looking man of middle age greeted
+the agent cordially.
+
+“What can I do for you?” he asked. “Do you wish to buy a diamond ring
+for the future Mrs. Woods?”
+
+“Not much. I would like to have you appraise some jewelry belonging to
+my young friend here.”
+
+The casket was opened, and the jeweler examined the contents admiringly.
+
+“This is choice jewelry,” he said. “Does your friend wish to sell?”
+
+“Not at present,” answered Rodney.
+
+“When you do give me a call. I will treat you fairly. You wish me to
+appraise these articles?”
+
+“Yes, sir, if you will.”
+
+“It will take me perhaps fifteen minutes.”
+
+The jeweler retired to the back part of the store with the casket.
+
+In about a quarter of an hour he returned.
+
+“Of course I can’t give exact figures,” he said, “but I value the
+jewelry at about twelve hundred dollars.”
+
+Rodney looked surprised.
+
+“I didn’t think it so valuable,” he said.
+
+“I don’t mean that you could sell it for so much, but if you wish to
+dispose of it I will venture to give you eleven hundred.”
+
+“Thank you. If I decide to sell I will certainly come to you.”
+
+“Now,” said the agent, “I advise you on the whole to store the casket
+with Tiffany.”
+
+“Shall I have to pay storage in advance?” asked Rodney anxiously.
+
+“I think not. The value of the jewels will be a sufficient guarantee
+that storage will be paid.”
+
+Rodney accompanied Adin Woods to the great jewelry store on the corner
+of Fifteenth Street and Union Square, and soon transacted his business.
+
+“Now, you won’t have any anxiety as to the safety of the casket,” said
+the agent. “Your friend of the train will find it difficult to get hold
+of the jewels. Now I shall have to leave you, as I have some business to
+attend to. We will meet at supper.”
+
+Rodney decided to call at the office of his late guardian, Benjamin
+Fielding. It was in the lower part of the city.
+
+On his way down town he purchased a copy of a morning paper. Almost the
+first article he glanced at proved to be of especial interest to him. It
+was headed--
+
+
+SKIPPED TO CANADA
+
+Rumors have been rife for some time affecting the business standing of
+Mr. Benjamin Fielding, the well known commission merchant. Yesterday
+it was discovered that he had left the city, but where he has gone is
+unknown. It is believed that he is very deeply involved, and seeing no
+way out of his embarrassment has skipped to Canada, or perhaps taken
+passage to Europe. Probably his creditors will appoint a committee to
+look into his affairs and report what can be done.
+
+LATER--An open letter has been found in Mr. Fielding’s desk, addressed
+to his creditors. It expresses regret for their losses, and promises,
+if his life is spared, and fortune favors him, to do all in his power to
+make them good. No one doubts Mr. Fielding’s integrity, and regrets are
+expressed that he did not remain in the city and help unravel the tangle
+in which his affairs are involved. He is a man of ability, and as he is
+still in the prime of life, it may be that he will be able to redeem his
+promises and pay his debts in full, if sufficient time is given him.
+
+
+“I can get no help or advice from Mr. Fielding,” thought Rodney. “I am
+thrown upon my own resources, and must fight the battle of life as well
+as I can alone.”
+
+He got out in front of the Astor House. As he left the car he soiled his
+shoes with the mud so characteristic of New York streets.
+
+“Shine your boots?” asked a young Arab, glancing with a business eye at
+Rodney’s spattered shoes.
+
+Rodney accepted his offer, not so much because he thought the blacking
+would last, as for the opportunity of questioning the free and
+independent young citizen who was doing, what he hoped to do, that is,
+making a living for himself.
+
+“Is business good with you?” asked Rodney. “It ought to be with the
+street in this condition.”
+
+“Yes; me and de Street Commissioner is in league together. He makes
+business good for me.”
+
+“And do you pay him a commission?” asked Rodney smiling.
+
+“I can’t tell no official secrets. It might be bad for me.”
+
+“You are an original genius.”
+
+“Am I? I hope you ain’t callin’ me names.”
+
+“Oh no. I am only paying you a compliment. What is your name?”
+
+“Mike Flynn.”
+
+“Were do you live, Mike?”
+
+“At the Lodge.”
+
+“I suppose you mean at the Newsboys’ ‘Lodge?’”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“How much do you have to pay there?”
+
+“Six cents for lodgin’, and six cents for supper and breakfast.”
+
+“That is, six cents for each.”
+
+“Yes; you ain’t comin’ to live there, are you?” asked Mike.
+
+“I don’t know--I may have to.”
+
+“You’re jokin’.”
+
+“What makes you think I am joking?”
+
+“Because you’re a swell. Look at them clo’es!”
+
+“I have a good suit of clothes, to be sure, but I haven’t much money.
+You are better off than I am.”
+
+“How’s that?” asked Mike incredulously.
+
+“You’ve got work to do, and I am earning nothing.”
+
+“If you’ve got money enough to buy a box and brush, you can go in with
+me.”
+
+“I don’t think I should like it, Mike. It would spoil my clothes, and I
+am afraid I wouldn’t have money enough to buy others.”
+
+“I keep my dress suit at home--the one I wear to parties.”
+
+“Haven’t you got any father or mother, Mike? How does it happen that you
+are living in New York alone?”
+
+“My farder is dead, and me mudder, she married a man wot ain’t no good.
+He’d bate me till I couldn’t stand it. So I just run away.”
+
+“Where does your mother live?”
+
+“In Albany.”
+
+“Some time when you earn money enough you can ask her to come here and
+live with you.”
+
+“They don’t take women at the Lodge.”
+
+“No, I suppose not,” said Rodney, smiling.
+
+“Besides she’s got two little girls by her new husband, and she wouldn’t
+want to leave them.”
+
+By this time the shine was completed, and Rodney paid Mike.
+
+“If I ever come to the Lodge, I’ll ask for you,” he said.
+
+“Where do you live now?”
+
+“I’m just staying at a place on Fourteenth Street, but I can’t afford to
+stay there long, for they charge a dollar a day.”
+
+“Geewholliker, that would bust me, and make me a financial wreck as the
+papers say.”
+
+“How did you lose your fortune and get reduced to blacking boots?” asked
+Rodney jocosely.
+
+“I got scooped out of it in Wall Street,” answered Mike. “Jay Gould
+cleaned me out.”
+
+“And I suppose now he has added your fortune to his.”
+
+“You’ve hit it boss.”
+
+“Well, good day, Mike, I’ll see you again some day----”
+
+“All right! I’m in my office all de mornin’.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+AN IMPUDENT ADVENTURER.
+
+
+While Rodney was talking with Mike Flynn he was an object of attention
+to a man who stood near the corner of Barclay Street, and was ostensibly
+looking in at the window of the drug store. As Rodney turned away he
+recognized him at once as his enterprising fellow traveler who had taken
+possession of the casket of jewels.
+
+He did not care to keep up an acquaintance with him, and started to
+cross the street. But the other came forward smiling, and with a nod
+said: “I believe you are the young man I met yesterday in the cars and
+afterwards at Kentville?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“I just wanted to tell you that I had got back my jewel box, the one for
+which I mistook yours.”
+
+“Indeed!” said Rodney, who did not believe a word the fellow said.
+
+“Quite an amusing mistake, I made.”
+
+“It might have proved serious to me.”
+
+“Very true, as I shouldn’t have known where to find you to restore your
+property.”
+
+“I don’t think that would have troubled you much,” thought Rodney.
+“Where did you find your box?” he asked.
+
+“In the car. That is, the conductor picked it up and left it at the
+depot for me. Where are you staying here in the city? At the Astor
+House?”
+
+“No, I have found a boarding house on West Fourteenth Street.”
+
+“If it is a good place, I should like to go there. What is the number?”
+
+“I can’t recall it, though I could find it,” answered Rodney with
+reserve, for he had no wish to have his railroad acquaintance in the
+house.
+
+“Is the gentleman who was traveling with you there also?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“He is a very pleasant gentleman, though he misjudged me. Ha, ha! my
+friends will be very much amused when I tell them that I was taken for a
+thief. Why, I venture to say that my box is more valuable than yours.”
+
+“Very likely,” said Rodney coldly. “Good morning.”
+
+“Good morning. I hope we may meet again.”
+
+Rodney nodded, but he could not in sincerity echo the wish.
+
+He was now confronted by a serious problem. He had less than ten dollars
+in his pocketbook, and this would soon be swallowed up by the necessary
+expenses of life in a large city. What would he do when that was gone?
+
+It was clear that he must go to work as soon as possible. If his
+guardian had remained in the city, probably through his influence a
+situation might have been secured. Now nothing was to be looked for in
+that quarter.
+
+He bought a morning paper and looked over the Want Column. He found two
+places within a short distance of the Astor House, and called at each.
+One was in a railroad office.
+
+“My boy,” said the manager, a pleasant looking man, “the place was taken
+hours since. You don’t seem to get up very early in the morning.”
+
+“I could get up at any hour that was necessary,” replied Rodney, “but I
+have only just made up my mind to apply for a position.”
+
+“You won’t meet with any luck today. It is too late. Get up bright and
+early tomorrow morning, buy a paper, and make early application for any
+place that strikes you as desirable.”
+
+“Thank you, sir. I am sure your advice is good.”
+
+“If you had been the first to call here, I should have taken you. I like
+your appearance better than that of the boy I have selected.”
+
+“Thank you, sir.”
+
+“This boy may not prove satisfactory. Call in six days, just before
+his week expires, and if there is likely to be a vacancy I will let you
+know.”
+
+“Thank you, sir. You are very kind.”
+
+“I always sympathize with boys. I have two boys of my own.”
+
+This conversation quite encouraged Rodney. It seemed to promise success
+in the future. If he had probably impressed one man, he might be equally
+fortunate with another.
+
+It was about half past twelve when he passed through Nassau Street.
+
+All at once his arm was grasped, and a cheery voice said, “Where are you
+going, Rodney?”
+
+“Mr. Woods!” he exclaimed, with pleased recognition.
+
+“Yes, it’s your old friend Woods.”
+
+“You are not the only railroad friend I have met this morning.”
+
+“Who was the other?”
+
+“The gentleman who obligingly took care of my jewel box for a short
+time.”
+
+“You don’t mean to say you have met him? Where did you come across him?”
+
+“In front of the Astor House, almost two hours since.”
+
+“Did you speak to him?”
+
+“He spoke to me. You will be glad to hear that he has recovered his own
+casket of jewels.”
+
+Adin Woods smiled.
+
+“He must think you are easily imposed upon,” he said, “to believe any
+such story. Anything more?”
+
+“He said his friends would be very much surprised to hear that he had
+been suspected of theft.”
+
+“So he wanted to clear himself with you?”
+
+“Yes; he asked where I was staying.”
+
+“I hope you didn’t tell him.”
+
+“I only said I was at a boarding house on West Fourteenth Street, but
+didn’t mention the number.”
+
+“He thinks you have the casket with you, and that he may get possession
+of it. It is well that you stored it at Tiffany’s.”
+
+“I think so. Now I have no anxiety about it. Do you think he will find
+out where we live?”
+
+“Probably, as you gave him a clew. But, Rodney, it is about lunch time,
+and I confess I have an appetite. Come and lunch with me.”
+
+“But I am afraid, Mr. Woods, I shall not be able to return the
+compliment.”
+
+“There is no occasion for it. I feel in good humor this morning. I have
+sold one lot, and have hopes of disposing of another. The one lot pays
+me a commission of twenty dollars.”
+
+“I wish I could make twenty dollars in a week.”
+
+“Sometimes I only sell one lot in a week. It isn’t like a regular
+business. It is precarious. Still, take the year through and I make a
+pretty good income. Come in here. We can get a good lunch here,” and he
+led the way into a modest restaurant, not far from the site of the old
+post office, which will be remembered by those whose residence in New
+York dates back twenty years or more.
+
+“Now we will have a nice lunch,” said the agent. “I hope you can do
+justice to it.”
+
+“I generally can,” responded Rodney, smiling. “I am seldom troubled with
+a poor appetite.”
+
+“Ditto for me. Now what have you been doing this morning?”
+
+“Looking for a place.”
+
+“With what success?”
+
+“Pretty good if I had only been earlier.”
+
+Rodney told the story of his application to the manager of the railroad
+office.
+
+“You will know better next time. I think you’ll succeed. I did. When I
+came to New York at the age of twenty two I had only fifty dollars. That
+small sum had to last me twelve weeks. You can judge that I didn’t
+live on the fat of the land during that time. I couldn’t often eat at
+Delmonico’s. Even Beefsteak John’s would have been too expensive for me.
+However, those old days are over.”
+
+The next day and the two following Rodney went about the city making
+application for positions, but every place seemed full.
+
+On the third day Mr. Woods said, “I shall have to leave you for a week
+or more, Rodney.”
+
+“Where are you going?”
+
+“To Philadelphia. There’s a man there who is a capitalist and likes land
+investments. I am going to visit him, and hope to sell him several lots.
+He once lived in this city, so he won’t object to New York investments.”
+
+“I hope you will succeed, Mr. Woods. I think if you are going away I had
+better give up the room, and find cheaper accommodations. I am getting
+near the end of my money.”
+
+“You are right. It is best to be prudent.”
+
+That evening Rodney found a room which he could rent for two dollars a
+week. He estimated that by economy he could get along for fifty cents a
+day for his eating, and that would be a decided saving.
+
+He was just leaving the house the next morning, gripsack in hand, when
+on the steps he met Louis Wheeler, his acquaintance of the train.
+
+“Where are you going?” asked Wheeler.
+
+“I am leaving this house. I have hired a room elsewhere.”
+
+Wheeler’s countenance fell, and he looked dismayed.
+
+“Why, I have just taken a room here for a week,” he said.
+
+“You will find it a good place.”
+
+“But--I wouldn’t have come here if I hadn’t thought I should have
+company.”
+
+“I ought to feel complimented.”
+
+Rodney was convinced that Wheeler had come in the hopes of stealing
+the casket of jewels a second time, and he felt amused at the fellow’s
+discomfiture.
+
+“You haven’t got your jewel box with you?”
+
+“No, I can take that another time.”
+
+“Then it’s still in the house,” thought Wheeler with satisfaction. “It
+won’t be my fault if I don’t get it in my hands. Well, good morning,” he
+said. “Come around and call on me.”
+
+“Thank you!”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+AT THE NEWSBOY’S LODGING HOUSE.
+
+
+Within a week Rodney had spent all his money, with the exception of
+about fifty cents. He had made every effort to obtain a place, but
+without success.
+
+Boys born and bred in New York have within my observation tried for
+months to secure a position in vain, so it is not surprising that Rodney
+who was a stranger proved equally unsuccessful.
+
+Though naturally hopeful Rodney became despondent.
+
+“There seems to be no place for me,” he said to himself. “When I was at
+boarding school I had no idea how difficult it is for a boy to earn a
+living.”
+
+He had one resource. He could withdraw the box of jewels from Tiffany’s,
+and sell some article that it contained. But this he had a great
+objection to doing. One thing was evident however, he must do something.
+
+His friend, the lot agent, was out of town, and he hardly knew whom
+to advise with. At last Mike Flynn, the friendly bootblack, whose
+acquaintance he had made in front of the Astor House, occurred to him.
+
+Mike, humble as he was, was better off than himself. Moreover he was
+a New York boy, and knew more about “hustling” than Rodney did. So he
+sought out Mike in his “office.”
+
+“Good morning, Mike,” said Rodney, as the bootblack was brushing off a
+customer.
+
+“Oh, its you, Rodney,” said Mike smiling with evident pleasure. “How
+you’re gettin’ on?”
+
+“Not at all.”
+
+“That’s bad. Can I help you? Just say the word, and I’ll draw a check
+for you on the Park Bank.”
+
+“Is that where you keep your money?”
+
+“It’s one of my banks. You don’t think I’d put all my spondulics in one
+bank, do you?”
+
+“I won’t trouble you to draw a check this morning. I only want to ask
+some advice.”
+
+“I’ve got plenty of that.”
+
+“I haven’t been able to get anything to do, and I have only fifty cents
+left. I can’t go on like that.”
+
+“That’s so.”
+
+“I’ve got to give up my room on Fourteenth Street. I can’t pay for it
+any longer. Do you think I could get in at the Lodge?”
+
+“Yes. I’ll introduce you to Mr. O’Connor.”
+
+“When shall I meet you?”
+
+“At five o’clock. We’ll be in time for supper.”
+
+“All right.”
+
+At five o’clock Mike accompanied Rodney to the large Newsboys’ Lodging
+House on New Chambers Street. Mr. O’Connor, the popular and efficient
+superintendent, now dead, looked in surprise at Mike’s companion. He was
+a stout man with a kindly face, and Rodney felt that he would prove to
+be a friend.
+
+“Mr. O’Connor, let me introduce me friend, Mr. Rodney Ropes,” said Mike.
+
+“Could you give me a lodging?” asked Rodney in an embarrassed tone.
+
+“Yes; but I am surprised to see a boy of your appearance here.”
+
+“I am surprised to be here myself,” admitted Rodney.
+
+The superintendent fixed upon him a shrewd, but kindly glance.
+
+“Have you run away from home?” he asked.
+
+“No, sir. It is my home that has run away from me.”
+
+“Have you parents?”
+
+“No, sir.”
+
+“Do you come from the country?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“Where have you been living?”
+
+“At a boarding school a few hours from New York.”
+
+“Why did you leave it?”
+
+“Because my guardian sent me word that he had lost my fortune, and could
+no longer pay my bills.”
+
+“You have been unfortunate truly. What do you propose to do now?”
+
+“Earn my living if I can. I have been in the city for about two weeks,
+and have applied at a good many places but in vain.”
+
+“Then you were right in coming here. Supper is ready, and although it
+is not what you are used to, it will satisfy hunger. Mike, you can take
+Rodney with you.”
+
+Within five minutes Rodney was standing at a long table with a bowl
+of coffee and a segment of bread before him. It wouldn’t have been
+attractive to one brought up to good living, as was the case with him,
+but he was hungry.
+
+He had eaten nothing since morning except an apple which he had bought
+at a street stand for a penny, and his stomach urgently craved a fresh
+supply of food.
+
+Mike stood next to him. The young bootblack, who was used to nothing
+better, ate his portion with zest, and glanced askance at Rodney to
+see how he relished his supper. He was surprised to see that his more
+aristocratic companion seemed to enjoy it quite as much as himself.
+
+“I didn’t think you’d like it,” he said.
+
+“Anything tastes good when you’re hungry, Mike.”
+
+“That’s so.”
+
+“And I haven’t eaten anything except an apple, since morning.”
+
+“Is dat so? Why didn’t you tell me? I’d have stood treat at de Boss
+Tweed eatin’ house.”
+
+“I had money, but I didn’t dare to spend it. I was afraid of having
+nothing left.”
+
+When Rodney had eaten his supper he felt that he could have eaten more,
+but the craving was satisfied and he felt relieved.
+
+He looked around him with some curiosity, for he had never been in such
+a motley gathering before. There were perhaps one hundred and fifty boys
+recruited from the street, to about all of whom except himself the term
+street Arab might be applied.
+
+The majority of them had the shrewd and good humored Celtic face. Many
+of them were fun loving and even mischievous, but scarcely any were
+really bad.
+
+Naturally Rodney, with his good clothes, attracted attention. The boys
+felt that he was not one of them, and they had a suspicion that he felt
+above them.
+
+“Get on to de dude!” remarked one boy, who was loosely attired in a
+ragged shirt and tattered trousers.
+
+“He means me, Mike,” said Rodney with a smile.
+
+“I say, Patsy Glenn, what do you mean by callin’ me friend Rodney a
+dude?” demanded Mike angrily.
+
+“Coz he’s got a dandy suit on.”
+
+“What if he has? Wouldn’t you wear one like it if you could!”
+
+“You bet!”
+
+“Then just let him alone! He’s just got back from de inauguration.”
+
+“Where’d you pick him up, Mike?”
+
+“Never mind! He’s one of us. How much money have you got in your pocket
+Rodney?”
+
+“Thirty two cents.”
+
+“He can’t put on no frills wid dat money.”
+
+“That’s so. I take it all back,” and Patsy offered a begrimed hand to
+Rodney, which the latter shook heartily with a pleasant smile.
+
+That turned the tide in favor of Rodney, the boys gathered around him
+and he told his story in a few words.
+
+“I used to be rich, boys,” he said, “but my guardian spent all my money,
+and now I am as poor as any of you.”
+
+“You’d ought to have had me for your guardian, Rodney,” observed Mike.
+
+“I wish you had. You wouldn’t have lost my money for me.”
+
+“True for you! I say so, boys, if we can find Rodney’s guardian, what’ll
+we do to him?”
+
+“Give him de grand bounce,” suggested Patsy.
+
+“Drop him out of a high winder,” said another.
+
+“What’s his name?”
+
+“I don’t care to tell you, boys. He’s written me a letter, saying he
+will try to pay me back some day. I think he will. He isn’t a bad man,
+but he has been unlucky.”
+
+Mike, at the request of Mr. O’Connor, showed Rodney a locker in which he
+could store such articles of clothing as he had with him. After that he
+felt more at home, and as if he were staying at a hotel though an humble
+one.
+
+At eight o’clock some of the boys had already gone to bed, but Mike
+and Rodney were among those who remained up. Rodney noticed with what
+kindness yet fairness the superintendent managed his unruly flock.
+Unruly they might have been with a different man, but he had no trouble
+in keeping them within bounds.
+
+It was at this time that two strangers were announced, one a New
+York merchant named Goodnow, the other a tall, slender man with sandy
+whiskers of the mutton chop pattern.
+
+“Good evening, Mr. Goodnow,” said the superintendent, who recognized the
+merchant as a friend of the society.
+
+“Good evening, Mr. O’Connor. I have brought my friend and correspondent
+Mr. Mulgrave, of London, to see some of your young Arabs.”
+
+“I shall be glad to give him all the opportunity he desires.”
+
+The Englishman looked curiously at the faces of the boys who in turn
+were examining him with equal interest.
+
+“They are not unlike our boys of a similar grade, but seem sharper and
+more intelligent,” he said. “But surely,” pointing to Rodney, “that boy
+is not one of the--Arabs. Why, he looks like a young gentleman.”
+
+“He is a new comer. He only appeared tonight.”
+
+“He must have a history. May I speak with him?”
+
+“By all means. Rodney, this gentleman would like to talk with you.”
+
+Rodney came forward with the ease of a boy who was accustomed to good
+society, and said: “I shall be very happy to speak with him.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+RODNEY FINDS A PLACE.
+
+
+“Surely,” said the Englishman, “you were not brought up in the street?”
+
+“Oh, no,” answered Rodney, “I was more fortunate.”
+
+“Then how does it happen that I find you here--among the needy boys of
+the city?”
+
+“Because I am needy, too.”
+
+“But you were not always poor?”
+
+“No; I inherited a moderate fortune from my father. It was only within a
+short time that I learned from my guardian that it was lost. I left the
+boarding school where I was being educated, and came to the city to try
+to make a living.”
+
+“But surely your guardian would try to provide for you?”
+
+“He is no longer in the city.”
+
+“Who was he?” asked Otis Goodnow.
+
+“Mr. Benjamin Fielding.”
+
+“Is it possible? Why, I lost three thousand dollars by him. He has
+treated you shamefully.”
+
+“It was not intentional, I am sure,” said Rodney. “He was probably drawn
+into using my money by the hope of retrieving himself. He wrote me that
+he hoped at some time to make restitution.”
+
+“You speak of him generously, my lad,” said Mr. Mulgrave. “Yet he has
+brought you to absolute poverty.”
+
+“Yes, sir, and I won’t pretend that it is not a hard trial to me, but if
+I can get a chance to earn my own living, I will not complain.”
+
+“Goodnow, a word with you,” said the Englishman, and he drew his friend
+aside. “Can’t you make room for this boy in your establishment?”
+
+Otis Goodnow hesitated. “At present there is no vacancy,” he said.
+
+“Make room for him, and draw upon me for his wages for the first six
+months.”
+
+“I will do so, but before the end of that time I am sure he will justify
+my paying him out of my own pocket.”
+
+There was a little further conference, and then the two gentlemen came
+up to where Rodney was standing with Mr. O’Connor.
+
+“My boy,” said Mr. Mulgrave, “my friend here will give you a place at
+five dollars a week. Will that satisfy you?”
+
+Rodney’s face flushed with pleasure.
+
+“It will make me very happy,” he said.
+
+“Come round to my warehouse--here is my business card--tomorrow
+morning,” said the merchant. “Ask to see me.”
+
+“At what time shall I call, sir?”
+
+“At half past nine o’clock. That is for the first morning. When you get
+to work you will have to be there at eight.”
+
+“There will be no trouble about that, sir.”
+
+“Now it is my turn,” said the Englishman. “Here are five dollars to keep
+you till your first week’s wages come due. I dare say you will find them
+useful.”
+
+“Thank you very much, sir. I was almost out of money.”
+
+After the two gentlemen left the Lodging House Rodney looked at the card
+and found that his new place of employment was situated on Reade Street
+not far from Broadway.
+
+“It’s you that’s in luck, Rodney,” said his friend Mike. “Who’d think
+that a gentleman would come to the Lodging House to give you a place?”
+
+“Yes, I am in luck, Mike, and now I’m going to make you a proposal.”
+
+“What is it?”
+
+“Why can’t we take a room together? It will be better than living here.”
+
+“Sure you wouldn’t room with a poor boy like me?”
+
+“Why shouldn’t I? You are a good friend, and I should like your company.
+Besides I mean to help you get an education. I suppose you’re not a
+first class scholar, Mike?”
+
+“About fourth class, I guess, Rodney.”
+
+“Then you shall study with me. Then when you know a little more you may
+get a chance to get out of your present business, and get into a store.”
+
+“That will be bully!” said Mike with pleasure.
+
+“Now we’d better go to bed; I must be up bright and early in the
+morning. We’ll engage a room before I go to work.”
+
+There was no difficulty about rising early. It is one of the rules
+of the Lodging House for the boys to rise at six o’clock, and after
+a frugal breakfast of coffee and rolls they are expected to go out to
+their business whatever it may be. Mike and Rodney dispensed with the
+regulation breakfast and went out to a restaurant on Park Row where they
+fared better.
+
+“Now where shall we go for a room?” asked Rodney.
+
+“There’s a feller I know has a good room on Bleecker Street,” said Mike.
+
+“How far is that?”
+
+“A little more’n a mile.”
+
+“All right! Let us go and see.”
+
+Bleecker Street once stood in better repute than at present. It is said
+that A. T. Stewart once made his home there. Now it is given over to
+shops and cheap lodging houses.
+
+Finally the boys found a room decently furnished, about ten feet square,
+of which the rental was two dollars and a half per week. Mike succeeded
+in beating down the lodging house keeper to two dollars, and at that
+figure they engaged it.
+
+“When will you come?” asked Mrs. McCarty.
+
+“Right off,” said Mike.
+
+“I’ll need a little time to put it in order.”
+
+“Me and my partner will be at our business till six o’clock,” returned
+Mike.
+
+“You can send in your trunks during the day if you like.”
+
+“My trunk is at the Windsor Hotel,” said Mike. “I’ve lent it to a friend
+for a few days.”
+
+Mrs. McCarty looked at Mike with a puzzled expression. She was one of
+those women who are slow to comprehend a joke, and she could not quite
+make it seem natural that her new lodger, who was in rather neglige
+costume, should be a guest at a fashionable hotel.
+
+“I will leave my valise,” said Rodney, “and will send for my trunk. It
+is in the country.”
+
+Mike looked at him, not feeling quite certain whether he was in earnest,
+but Rodney was perfectly serious.
+
+“You’re better off than me,” said Mike, when they reached the street.
+“If I had a trunk I wouldn’t have anything to put into it.”
+
+“I’ll see if I can’t rig you out, Mike. I’ve got a good many clothes,
+bought when I was rich. You and I are about the same size. I’ll give you
+a suit of clothes to wear on Sundays.”
+
+“Will you?” exclaimed Mike, his face showing pleasure. “I’d like to see
+how I look in good clo’es. I never wore any yet. It wouldn’t do no good
+in my business.”
+
+“You won’t want to wear them when at work. But wouldn’t you like to
+change your business?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Have you ever tried?”
+
+“What’d be the use of tryin’? They’d know I was a bootblack in these
+clo’es.”
+
+“When you wear a better suit you can go round and try your luck.”
+
+“I’d like to,” said Mike wistfully. “I don’t want you to tell at the
+store that you room with a bootblack.”
+
+“It isn’t that I think of, Mike. I want you to do better. I’m going to
+make a man of you.”
+
+“I hope you are. Sometimes I’ve thought I’d have to be a bootblack
+always. When do you think you’ll get the clo’es?”
+
+“I shall write to the principal of the boarding school at once, asking
+him to forward my trunk by express. I want to economize a little this
+week, and shall have to pay the express charges.”
+
+“I’ll pay up my part of the rent, Rodney, a quarter a day.”
+
+Rodney had advanced the whole sum, as Mike was not in funds.
+
+“If you can’t pay a dollar a week I will pay a little more than half.”
+
+“There ain’t no need. I’ll pay my half and be glad to have a nice room.”
+
+“I’ve got three or four pictures at the school, and some books. I’ll
+send for them later on, and we’ll fix up the room.”
+
+“Will you? We’ll have a reg’lar bang up place. I tell you that’ll be
+better than livin’ at the Lodge.”
+
+“Still that seems a very neat place. It is lucky for poor boys that they
+can get lodging so cheap.”
+
+“But it isn’t like havin’ a room of your own, Rodney. I say, when we’re
+all fixed I’ll ask some of me friends to come in some evenin’ and take a
+look at us. They’ll be s’prised.”
+
+“Certainly, Mike. I shall be glad to see any of your friends.”
+
+It may seem strange that Rodney, carefully as he had been brought up,
+should have made a companion of Mike, but he recognized in the warm
+hearted Irish boy, illiterate as he was, sterling qualities, and he felt
+desirous of helping to educate him. He knew that he could always depend
+on his devoted friendship, and looked forward with pleasure to their
+more intimate companionship.
+
+After selecting their room and making arrangements to take possession of
+it, the boys went down town. Rodney stepped into the reading room at the
+Astor House and wrote the following letter to Dr. Sampson:
+
+
+DR. PLINY SAMPSON:
+
+DEAR SIR--Will you be kind enough to send my trunk by express to No. 312
+Bleecker Street? I have taken a room there, and that will be my home for
+the present. I have obtained a position in a wholesale house on Reade
+Street, and hope I may give satisfaction. Will you remember me with best
+wishes to all the boys? I don’t expect to have so easy or pleasant a
+time as I had at school, but I hope to get on, and some time--perhaps in
+the summer--to make you a short visit.
+
+Yours truly, RODNEY ROPES.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE FIRST DAY AT WORK.
+
+
+A little before half past nine Rodney paused in front of a large five
+story building on Reade Street occupied by Otis Goodnow.
+
+He entered and found the first floor occupied by quite a large number of
+clerks and salesmen, and well filled with goods.
+
+“Well, young fellow, what can I do for you?” asked a dapper looking
+clerk.
+
+“I would like to see Mr. Goodnow.”
+
+“He’s reading his letters. He won’t see you.”
+
+Rodney was provoked.
+
+“Do you decide who is to see him?” he asked.
+
+“You’re impudent, young feller.”
+
+“Am I? Perhaps you will allow Mr. Goodnow to see me, as long as he told
+me to call here this morning.”
+
+“That’s a different thing,” returned the other in a different tone. “If
+you’re sure about that you can go to the office in the back part of the
+room.”
+
+Rodney followed directions and found himself at the entrance of a room
+which had been partitioned off for the use of the head of the firm.
+
+Mr. Goodnow was seated at a desk with his back to him, and was employed
+in opening letters. Without turning round he said, “Sit down and I will
+attend to you in a few minutes.”
+
+Rodney seated himself on a chair near the door. In about ten minutes Mr.
+Goodnow turned around.
+
+“Who is it?” he asked.
+
+“Perhaps you remember telling me to call at half past nine. You saw me
+at the Newsboys’ Lodging House.”
+
+“Ah, yes, I remember. I promised my friend Mulgrave that I would give
+you a place. What can you do? Are you a good writer?”
+
+“Shall I give you a specimen of my handwriting?”
+
+“Yes; sit down at that desk.”
+
+It was a desk adjoining his own.
+
+Rodney seated himself and wrote in a firm, clear, neat hand:
+
+“I will endeavor to give satisfaction, if you are kind enough to give me
+a place in your establishment.”
+
+Then he passed over the paper to the merchant.
+
+“Ah, very good!” said Mr. Goodnow approvingly. “You won’t be expected
+to do any writing yet but I like to take into my store those who are
+qualified for promotion.”
+
+He rang a little bell on his desk.
+
+A boy about two years older than Rodney answered the summons.
+
+“Send Mr. James here,” said the merchant.
+
+Mr. James, a sandy complexioned man, partially bald, made his
+appearance.
+
+“Mr. James,” said the merchant, “I have taken this boy into my employ.
+I don’t know if one is needed, but it is at the request of a friend. You
+can send him on errands, or employ him in any other way.”
+
+“Very well, sir. I can find something for him to do today at any rate,
+as young Johnson hasn’t shown up.”
+
+“Very well. Whats your name, my lad?”
+
+“Rodney Ropes.”
+
+“Make a note of his name, Mr. James, and enter it in the books. You may
+go with Mr. James, and put yourself at his disposal.”
+
+Rodney followed the subordinate, who was the head of one of the
+departments, to the second floor. Here Mr. James had a desk.
+
+“Wait a minute,” he said, “and I will give you a memorandum of places to
+call at.”
+
+In five minutes a memorandum containing a list of three places was given
+to Rodney, with brief instructions as to what he was to do at each. They
+were places not far away, and fortunately Rodney had a general idea as
+to where they were.
+
+In his search for positions he had made a study of the lower part of the
+city which now stood him in good stead.
+
+As he walked towards the door he attracted the attention of the young
+clerk with whom he had just spoken.
+
+“Well, did you see Mr. Goodnow?” asked the young man, stroking a sickly
+looking mustache.
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Has he taken you into the firm?”
+
+“Not yet, but he has given me a place.”
+
+The clerk whistled.
+
+“So you are one of us?” he said.
+
+“Yes,” answered Rodney with a smile.
+
+“Then you ought to know the rules of the house.”
+
+“You can tell me later on, but now I am going out on an errand.”
+
+In about an hour Rodney returned. He had been detained at two of the
+places where he called.
+
+“Do you remember what I said?” asked the young clerk as he passed.
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“The first rule of the establishment is for a new hand to treat ME on
+his first day.”
+
+“That’s pretty good for you,” said Rodney, laughing; “I shall have to
+wait till my pay is raised.”
+
+About the middle of the afternoon, as Rodney was helping to unpack a
+crate of goods, the older boy whom he had already seen in the office
+below, walked up to him and said, “Is your name Ropes?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“You are wanted in Mr. Goodnow’s office.”
+
+Rodney went down stairs, feeling a little nervous. Had he done wrong,
+and was he to be reprimanded?
+
+He could think of nothing deserving censure. So far as he knew he had
+attended faithfully to all the duties required of him.
+
+As he entered the office, he saw that Mr. Goodnow had a visitor, whose
+face looked familiar to him. He recalled it immediately as the face of
+the English gentleman who had visited the Lodging House the day previous
+with his employer.
+
+“So I find you at work?” he said, offering his hand with a smile.
+
+“Yes, sir,” answered Rodney gratefully, “thanks to you.”
+
+“How do you think you will like it?”
+
+“Very much, sir. It is so much better than going around the street with
+nothing to do.”
+
+“I hope you will try to give satisfaction to my friend, Mr. Goodnow.”
+
+“I shall try to do so, sir.”
+
+“You mustn’t expect to rise to be head salesman in a year. Festina
+lente, as the Latin poet has it.”
+
+“I shall be satisfied with hastening slowly, sir.”
+
+“What! you understand Latin?”
+
+“Pretty well, sir.”
+
+“Upon my word, I didn’t expect to find a boy in the News boys’ Lodging
+House with classical attainments. Perhaps you know something of Greek
+also!” he said doubtfully.
+
+In reply Rodney repeated the first line of the Iliad.
+
+“Astonishing!” exclaimed Mr. Mulgrave, putting up his eyeglass, and
+surveying Rodney as if he were a curious specimen. “You don’t happen to
+know anything of Sanscrit, do you?”
+
+“No, sir; I confess my ignorance.”
+
+“I apprehend you won’t require it in my friend Goodnow’s establishment.”
+
+“If I do, I will learn it,” said Rodney, rather enjoying the joke.
+
+“If I write a book about America, I shall certainly put in a paragraph
+about a learned office boy. I think you are entitled to something for
+your knowledge of Greek and Latin--say five dollars apiece,” and Mr.
+Mulgrave drew from his pocket two gold pieces and handed them to Rodney.
+
+“Thank you very much, sir,” said Rodney. “I shall find this money very
+useful, as I have taken a room, and am setting up housekeeping.”
+
+“Then you have left the Lodging House?”
+
+“Yes, sir; I only spent one night there.”
+
+“You are right. It is no doubt a great blessing to the needy street
+boys, but you belong to a different class.”
+
+“It is very fortunate I went there last evening, or I should not have
+met you and Mr. Goodnow.”
+
+“I am glad to have been the means of doing you a service,” said the
+Englishman kindly, shaking hands with Rodney, who bowed and went back to
+his work.
+
+“I am not sure but you are taking too much notice of that boy,
+Mulgrave,” said the merchant.
+
+“No fear! He is not a common boy. You won’t regret employing him.”
+
+“I hope not.”
+
+Then they talked of other matters, for Mr. Mulgrave was to start on his
+return to England the following day.
+
+At five o’clock Rodney’s day was over, and he went back to Bleecker
+Street. He found Mike already there, working hard to get his hands
+clean, soiled as they were by the stains of blacking.
+
+“Did you have a good day, Mike?” asked Rodney.
+
+“Yes; I made a dollar and ten cents. Here’s a quarter towards the rent.”
+
+“All right! I see you are prompt in money matters.”
+
+“I try to be. Do you know, Rodney, I worked better for feelin’ that I
+had a room of my own to go to after I got through. I hope I’ll soon be
+able to get into a different business.”
+
+“I hope so, too.”
+
+Two days later Rodney’s trunk arrived. In the evening he opened it.
+He took out a dark mixed suit about half worn, and said, “Try that on,
+Mike.”
+
+Mike did so. It fitted as if it were made for him.
+
+“You can have it, Mike,” said Rodney.
+
+“You don’t mean it?” exclaimed Mike, delighted.
+
+“Yes, I do. I have plenty of others.”
+
+Rodney supplemented his gift by a present of underclothing, and on the
+following Sunday the two boys went to Central Park in the afternoon,
+Mike so transformed that some of his street friends passed him without
+recognition, much to Mike’s delight.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+MIKE PUTS ON A UNIFORM.
+
+
+A wonderful change came over Mike Flynn. Until he met Rodney he seemed
+quite destitute of ambition. The ragged and dirty suit which he wore as
+bootblack were the best he had. His face and hands generally bore the
+marks of his business, and as long as he made enough to buy three meals
+a day, two taken at the Lodging House, with something over for lodging,
+and an occasional visit to a cheap theater, he was satisfied.
+
+He was fifteen, and had never given a thought to what he would do when
+he was older. But after meeting Rodney, and especially after taking
+a room with him, he looked at life with different eyes. He began to
+understand that his business, though honorable because honest, was not
+a desirable one. He felt, too, that he ought to change it out of regard
+for Rodney, who was now his close companion.
+
+“If I had ten dollars ahead,” he said one day, “I’d give up blackin’
+boots.”
+
+“What else would you do?”
+
+“I’d be a telegraph boy. That’s more respectable than blackin’ boots,
+and it ‘ould be cleaner.”
+
+“That is true. Do you need money to join?”
+
+“I would get paid once in two weeks, and I’d have to live till I got my
+first salary.”
+
+“I guess I can see you through, Mike.”
+
+“No; you need all your money, Rodney. I’ll wait and see if I can’t save
+it myself.”
+
+This, however, would have taken a long time, if Mike had not been
+favored by circumstances. He was standing near the ladies’ entrance to
+the Astor House one day, when casting his eyes downward he espied a
+neat pocketbook of Russia leather. He picked it up, and from the feeling
+judged that it must be well filled.
+
+Now I must admit that it did occur to Mike that he could divert to his
+own use the contents without detection, as no one had seen him pick it
+up. But Mike was by instinct an honest boy, and he decided that this
+would not be right. He thrust it into his pocket, however, as he had no
+objection to receiving a reward if one was offered.
+
+While he was standing near the entrance, a tall lady, dressed in brown
+silk and wearing glasses, walked up from the direction of Broadway. She
+began to peer about like one who was looking for something.
+
+“I guess its hers,” thought Mike.
+
+“Are you looking for anything, ma’am?” he asked.
+
+She turned and glanced at Mike.
+
+“I think I must have dropped my pocketbook,” she said. “I had it in my
+hand when I left the hotel, but I had something on my mind and I think
+I must have dropped it without noticing. Won’t you help me look for it,
+for I am short sighted?”
+
+“Is this it?” asked Mike, producing the pocketbook.
+
+“Oh yes!” exclaimed the lady joyfully. “Where did you find it?”
+
+“Just here,” answered Mike, indicating a place on the sidewalk.
+
+“I suppose there is a good deal of money in it?” said Mike, with
+pardonable curiosity.
+
+“Then you didn’t open it?”
+
+“No, ma’am, I didn’t have a chance. I just found it.”
+
+“There may be forty or fifty dollars, but it isn’t on that account I
+should have regretted losing it. It contained a receipt for a thousand
+dollars which I am to use in a law suit. That is very important for it
+will defeat a dishonest claim for money that I have already paid.”
+
+“Then I’m glad I found it.”
+
+“You are an honest boy. You seem to be a poor boy also.”
+
+“That’s true, ma’am. If I was rich I wouldn’t black boots for a livin’.”
+
+“Dear me, you are one of the young street Arabs I’ve read about,” and
+the lady looked curiously at Mike through her glasses.
+
+“I expect I am.”
+
+“And I suppose you haven’t much money.”
+
+“My bank account is very low, ma’am.”
+
+“I’ve read a book about a boy named ‘Ragged Dick.’ I think he was a
+bootblack, too. Do you know him?”
+
+“He’s my cousin, ma’am,” answered Mike promptly.
+
+It will be observed that I don’t represent Mike as possessed of all the
+virtues.
+
+“Dear me, how interesting. I bought the book for my little nephew. Now I
+can tell him I have seen ‘Ragged Dick’s’ cousin. Where is Dick now?”
+
+“He’s reformed, ma’am.”
+
+“Reformed?”
+
+“Yes, from blackin’ boots. He’s in better business now.”
+
+“If I should give you some of the money in this pocketbook, you wouldn’t
+spend it on drinking and gambling, would you?”
+
+“No, ma’am. I’d reform like my cousin, Ragged Dick.”
+
+“You look like a good truthful boy. Here are ten dollars for you.”
+
+“Oh, thank you, ma’am! you’re a gentleman,” said Mike overjoyed. “No, I
+don’t mean that but I hope you’ll soon get a handsome husband.”
+
+“My young friend, I don’t care to marry, though I appreciate your good
+wishes. I am an old maid from principle. I am an officer of the Female
+Suffrage Association.”
+
+“Is it a good payin’ office, ma’am?” asked Mike, visibly impressed.
+
+“No, but it is a position of responsibility. Please tell me your name
+that I may make a note of it.”
+
+“My name is Michael Flynn.”
+
+“I see. You are of Celtic extraction.”
+
+“I don’t know, ma’am. I never heard that I was. It isn’t anything bad,
+is it?”
+
+“Not at all. I have some Celtic blood in my own veins. If you ever come
+to Boston you can inquire for Miss Pauline Peabody.”
+
+“Thank you, ma’am,” said Mike, who thought the lady rather a “queer
+lot.”
+
+“Now I must call upon my lawyer, and leave the receipt which I came so
+near losing.”
+
+“Well, I’m in luck,” thought Mike. “I’ll go home and dress up, and apply
+for a position as telegraph boy.”
+
+When Rodney came home at supper time he found Mike, dressed in his
+Sunday suit.
+
+“What’s up now, Mike?” he asked. “Have you retired from business?”
+
+“Yes, from the bootblack business. Tomorrow I shall be a telegraph boy.”
+
+“That is good. You haven’t saved up ten dollars, have you?”
+
+“I saved up two, and a lady gave me ten dollars for findin’ her
+pocketbook.”
+
+“That’s fine, Mike.”
+
+There chanced to be a special demand for telegraph boys at that time,
+and Mike, who was a sharp lad, on passing the necessary examination, was
+at once set to work.
+
+He was immensely fond of his blue uniform when he first put it on, and
+felt that he had risen in the social scale. True, his earnings did not
+average as much, but he was content with smaller pay, since the duties
+were more agreeable.
+
+In the evenings under Rodney’s instruction he devoted an hour and
+sometimes two to the task of making up the deficiencies in his early
+education. These were extensive, but Mike was naturally a smart boy, and
+after a while began to improve rapidly.
+
+So three months passed. Rodney stood well in with Mr. Goodnow, and
+was promoted to stock clerk. The discipline which he had revived as
+a student stood him in good stead, and enabled him to make more rapid
+advancement than some who had been longer in the employ of the firm. In
+particular he was promoted over the head of Jasper Redwood, a boy two
+years older than himself, who was the nephew of an old employee who had
+been for fifteen years in the house.
+
+Jasper’s jealousy was aroused, and he conceived a great dislike for
+Rodney, of which Rodney was only partially aware.
+
+For this dislike there was really no cause. Rodney stood in his way only
+because Jasper neglected his duties, and failed to inspire confidence.
+He was a boy who liked to spend money and found his salary insufficient,
+though he lived with his uncle and paid but two dollars a week for his
+board.
+
+“Uncle James,” he said one day, “when do you think I will get a raise?”
+
+“You might get one now if it were not for the new boy.”
+
+“You mean Ropes.”
+
+“Yes, he has just been promoted to a place which I hoped to get for
+you.”
+
+“It is mean,” grumbled Jasper. “I have been here longer than he.”
+
+“True, but he seems to be Mr. Goodnow’s pet. It was an unlucky day for
+you when he got a place in the establishment.”
+
+“Did you ask Mr. Goodnow to promote me?”
+
+“Yes, but he said he had decided to give Archer’s place to Ropes.”
+
+Archer was a young clerk who was obliged, on account of pulmonary
+weakness, to leave New York and go to Southern California.
+
+“How much does Ropes get now?”
+
+“Seven dollars a week.”
+
+“And I only get five, and I am two years older. They ought to have more
+regard for you, Uncle James, or I, as your nephew, would get promoted.”
+
+“I will see what we can do about it.”
+
+“I wish Ropes would get into some scrape and get discharged.”
+
+It was a new idea, but Jasper dwelt upon it, and out of it grew trouble
+for Rodney.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+MISSING GOODS.
+
+
+James Redwood was summoned one morning to the counting room of his
+employer.
+
+“Mr. Redwood,” said the merchant “I have reason to think that one of my
+clerks is dishonest.”
+
+“Who, sir?”
+
+“That is what I want you to find out.”
+
+“What reason have you for suspecting any one?”
+
+“Some ladies’ cloaks and some dress patterns are missing.”
+
+“Are you sure they were not sold?”
+
+“Yes: the record of sales has been examined, and they are not included.”
+
+“That is strange, Mr. Goodnow,” said Redwood thoughtfully. “I hope I am
+not under suspicion.”
+
+“Oh, not at all.”
+
+“The losses seem to have taken place in my department.”
+
+“True, but that doesn’t involve you.”
+
+“What do you want me to do?”
+
+“Watch those under you. Let nothing in your manner, however, suggest
+that you are suspicious. I don’t want you to put any one on his guard.”
+
+“All right, sir. I will be guided by your instructions. Have you any
+idea how long this has been going on?”
+
+“Only a few weeks.”
+
+Mr. Redwood turned to go back to his room, but Mr. Goodnow called him
+back.
+
+“I needn’t suggest to you,” he said, “that you keep this to yourself.
+Don’t let any clerk into the secret.”
+
+“Very well, sir.”
+
+James Redwood, however, did not keep his promise. After supper he called
+back Jasper as he was about putting on his hat to go out, and said,
+“Jasper, I wish to speak with you for five minutes.”
+
+“Won’t it do tomorrow morning? I have an engagement.”
+
+“Put it off, then. This is a matter of importance.”
+
+“Very well, sir,” and Jasper, albeit reluctantly, laid down his hat and
+sat down.
+
+“Jasper,” said his uncle, “there’s a thief in our establishment.”
+
+Jasper started, and his sallow complexion turned yellower than usual.
+
+“What do you mean, uncle?” he asked nervously.
+
+“What I say. Some articles are missing that have not been sold.”
+
+“Such as what?”
+
+“Ladies’ cloaks and dress patterns.”
+
+“Who told you?” asked Jasper in a low tone.
+
+“Mr. Goodnow.”
+
+“What the boss?”
+
+“Certainly.”
+
+“How should he know?”
+
+“I didn’t inquire, and if I had he probably wouldn’t have told me. The
+main thing is that he does know.”
+
+“He may not be sure.”
+
+“He is not a man to speak unless he feels pretty sure.”
+
+“I don’t see how any one could steal the articles without being
+detected.”
+
+“It seems they are detected.”
+
+“Did--did Mr. Goodnow mention any names?”
+
+“No. He wants to watch and find out the thief. I wish you to help me,
+though I am acting against instructions. Mr. Goodnow asked me to take
+no one into my confidence. You will see, therefore, that it will be
+necessary for you to say nothing.”
+
+“I won’t breathe a word,” said Jasper, who seemed to feel more at ease.
+
+“Now that I have told you so much, can you suggest any person who would
+be likely to commit the theft?”
+
+Jasper remained silent for a moment, then with a smile of malicious
+satisfaction said, “Yes, I can suggest a person.”
+
+“Who is it?”
+
+“The new boy, Rodney Ropes.”
+
+James Redwood shook his head.
+
+“I can’t believe that it is he. I am not in love with the young fellow,
+who seems to stand in the way of your advancement but he seems straight
+enough, and I don’t think it at all likely that he should be the guilty
+person.”
+
+“Yes, Uncle James, he SEEMS straight but you know that still waters run
+deep.”
+
+“Have you seen anything that would indicate guilt on his part?”
+
+“I have noticed this, that, he is very well dressed for a boy of his
+small salary, and seems always to have money to spend.”
+
+“That will count for something. Still he might have some outide means.
+Have you noticed anything else?”
+
+Jasper hesitated.
+
+“I noticed one evening when he left the store that he had a sizable
+parcel under his arm.”
+
+“And you think it might have contained some article stolen from the
+stock?”
+
+“That’s just what I think now. Nothing of the kind occurred to me at
+that time, for I didn’t know any articles were missing.”
+
+“That seems important. When was it that you noticed this?”
+
+“One day last week,” answered Jasper hesitatingly.
+
+“Can you remember the day?”
+
+“No.”
+
+“Couldn’t you fix it some way?”
+
+“No. You see, I didn’t attach any particular importance to it at the
+time, and probably it would not have occurred to me again, but for your
+mentioning that articles were missing.”
+
+“There may be something in what you say,” said his uncle thoughtfully.
+“I will take special notice of young Ropes after this.”
+
+“So will I.”
+
+“Don’t let him observe that he is watched. It would defeat our chances
+of detecting the thief.”
+
+“I’ll be careful. Do you want to say anything more, uncle?”
+
+“No. By the way, where were you going this evening?”
+
+“I was going to meet a friend, and perhaps go to the theater. You
+couldn’t lend me a dollar, could you, Uncle James?”
+
+“Yes, I could, but you are not quite able to pay for your own pleasures.
+It costs all my salary to live, and its going to be worse next year, for
+I shall have to pay a higher rent.”
+
+“When I have my pay raised, I can get along better.”
+
+“If Ropes loses his place, you will probably step into it.”
+
+“Then I hope he’ll go, and that soon.”
+
+When Jasper passed through the front door and stood on the sidewalk, he
+breathed a sigh of relief.
+
+“So, they are on to us,” he said to himself. “But how was it found
+out? That’s what I’d like to know. I have been very careful. I must see
+Carton at once.”
+
+A short walk took him to a billiard room not far from Broadway. A young
+man of twenty five, with a slight mustache, and a thin, dark face, was
+selecting a cue.
+
+“Ah, Jasper!” he said. “Come at last. Let us have a game of pool.”
+
+“Not just yet. Come outide. I want to speak to you.”
+
+Jasper looked serious, and Philip Carton, observing it, made no
+remonstrance, but taking his hat, followed him out.
+
+“Well, what is it?” he asked.
+
+“Something serious. It is discovered at the store that goods are
+missing.”
+
+“You don’t mean it? Are we suspected?”
+
+“No one is suspected--yet.”
+
+“But how do you know?”
+
+“My uncle spoke to me about it this evening--just after supper.”
+
+“He doesn’t think you are in it.”
+
+“No.”
+
+“How did he find out?”
+
+“Through the boss. Goodnow spoke to him about it today.”
+
+“But how should Goodnow know anything about it?”
+
+“That no one can tell but himself. He asked Uncle James to watch the
+clerks, and see if he could fasten the theft on any of them.”
+
+“That is pleasant for us. It is well we are informed so that we can be
+on our guard. I am afraid our game is up.”
+
+“For the present at any rate we must suspend operations. Now, have you
+some money for me?”
+
+“Well, a little.”
+
+“A little? Why there are two cloaks and a silk dress pattern to be
+accounted for.”
+
+“True, but I have to be very careful. I have to submit to a big discount
+for the parties I sell to undoubtedly suspect that the articles are
+stolen.”
+
+“Wouldn’t it be better to pawn them?”
+
+“It would be more dangerous. Besides you know how liberal pawnbrokers
+are. I’ll tell you what would be better. If I had a sufficient number of
+articles to warrant it, I could take them on to Boston or Philadelphia,
+and there would be less risk selling them there.”
+
+“That is true. I wish we had thought of that before. Now we shall have
+to give up the business for a time. How much money have you got for me?”
+
+“Seven dollars.”
+
+“Seven dollars!” exclaimed Jasper in disgust. “Why, that is ridiculous.
+The articles must have been worth at retail a hundred dollars.”
+
+“Perhaps so, but I only got fourteen for them. If you think you can do
+any better you may sell them yourself next time.”
+
+“I thought I should assuredly get fifteen dollars out of it,” said
+Jasper, looking deeply disappointed. “I had a use for the money too.”
+
+“Very likely. So had I.”
+
+“Well, I suppose I must make it do. Listen and I will tell you how I
+think I can turn this thing to my advantage.”
+
+“Go ahead!”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+WHAT WAS FOUND IN RODNEY’S ROOM.
+
+
+“There is a boy who stands between me and promotion,” continued Jasper,
+speaking in a low tone.
+
+“The boy you mentioned the other day?”
+
+“Yes, Rodney Ropes. Mr. Goodnow got him from I don’t know where, and has
+taken a ridiculous fancy to him. He has been put over my head and his
+pay raised, though I have been in the store longer than he. My idea is
+to connect him with the thefts and get him discharged.”
+
+“Do you mean that we are to make him a confederate?”
+
+“No,” answered Jasper impatiently. “He would be just the fellow to peach
+and get us all into trouble.”
+
+“Then what do you mean?”
+
+“To direct suspicion towards him. We won’t do it immediately, but within
+a week or two. It would do me good to have him turned out of the store.”
+
+Jasper proceeded to explain his idea more fully, and his companion
+pronounced it very clever.
+
+Meanwhile Rodney, not suspecting the conspiracy to deprive him of his
+place and his good name, worked zealously, encouraged by his promotion,
+and resolved to make a place for himself which should insure him a
+permanent connection with the firm.
+
+Ten days passed, and Mr. Redwood again received a summons from the
+office.
+
+Entering, he found Mr. Goodnow with a letter in his hand.
+
+“Well, Mr. Redwood,” he began, “have you got any clew to the party who
+has stolen our goods?”
+
+“No, sir.”
+
+“Has any thing been taken since I spoke with you on the subject?”
+
+“Not that I am aware of.”
+
+“Has any one of the clerks attracted your attention by suspicious
+conduct?”
+
+“No, sir,” answered Redwood, puzzled.
+
+“Humph! Cast your eye over this letter.”
+
+James Redwood took the letter, which was written in a fine hand, and
+read as follow:
+
+
+MR. GOODNOW:
+
+DEAR SIR,--I don’t know whether you are aware that articles have been
+taken from your stock, say, ladies’ cloaks and silk dress patterns,
+and disposed of outside. I will not tell you how it has come to my
+knowledge, for I do not want to get any one’s ill will, but I will say,
+to begin with, that they were taken by one of your employees, and the
+one, perhaps, that you would least suspect, for I am told that he is
+a favorite of yours. I may as well say that it is Rodney Ropes. I live
+near him, and last evening I saw him carry a bundle to his room when he
+went back from the store. I think if you would send round today when he
+is out, you would find in his room one or more of the stolen articles. I
+don’t want to get him into trouble, but I don’t like to see you robbed,
+and so I tell you what I know. A FRIEND.
+
+
+Mr. Redwood read this letter attentively, arching his brows, perhaps to
+indicate his surprise. Then he read it again carefully.
+
+“What do you think of it?” asked the merchant.
+
+“I don’t know,” answered Redwood slowly.
+
+“Have you ever seen anything suspicious in the conduct of young Ropes?”
+
+“I can’t say I have. On the contrary, he seems to be a very diligent and
+industrious clerk.”
+
+“But about his honesty.”
+
+“I fancied him the soul of honesty.”
+
+“So did I, but of course we are liable to be deceived. It wouldn’t
+be the first case where seeming honesty has been a cover for flagrant
+dishonesty.”
+
+“What do you wish me to do, Mr. Goodnow? Shall I send Ropes down to
+you?”
+
+“No; it would only give him a chance, if guilty, to cover up his
+dishonesty.”
+
+“I am ready to follow your instructions.”
+
+“Do you know where he lodges?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“Then I will ask you to go around there, and by some means gain
+admission to his room. If he has any of our goods secreted take
+possession of them and report to me.”
+
+“Very well, sir.” Half an hour later Mrs. McCarty, Rodney’s landlady, in
+response to a ring admitted Mr. James Redwood.
+
+“Does a young man named Ropes lodge here?” he asked.
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“I come from the house where he is employed. He has inadvertently left
+in his room a parcel belonging to us, and I should be glad if you would
+allow me to go up to his room and take it.”
+
+“You see, sir,” said Mrs. McCarty in a tone of hesitation, “while you
+look like a perfect gentleman, I don’t know you, and I am not sure
+whether, in justice to Mr. Ropes, I ought to admit you to his room.”
+
+“You are quite right my good lady; I am sure. It is just what I should
+wish my own landlady to do. I will therefore ask you to go up to the
+room with me to see that all is right.”
+
+“That seems all right, sir. In that case I don’t object. Follow me, if
+you please.”
+
+As they entered Rodney’s room Mr. Redwood looked about him
+inquisitively. One article at once fixed his attention. It was a parcel
+wrapped in brown paper lying on the bed.
+
+“This is the parcel, I think,” he said. “If you will allow me I will
+open it, to make sure.”
+
+Mrs. McCarty looked undecided, but as she said nothing in opposition Mr.
+Redwood unfastened the strings and unrolled the bundle. His eyes lighted
+up with satisfaction as he disclosed the contents--a lady’s cloak.
+
+Mrs. McCarty looked surprised.
+
+“Why, it’s a lady’s cloak,” she said, “and a very handsome one. What
+would Mr. Ropes want of such a thing as that?”
+
+“Perhaps he intended to make you a present of it.”
+
+“No, he can’t afford to make such present.”
+
+“The explanation is simple. It belongs to the store. Perhaps Mr. Ropes
+left it here inadvertently.”
+
+“But he hasn’t been here since morning.”
+
+“He has a pass key to the front door?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“Then he may have been here. Would you object to my taking it?”
+
+“Yes, sir, you see I don’t know you.”
+
+“Your objection is a proper one. Then I will trouble you to take a look
+at the cloak, so that you would know it again.”
+
+“Certainly, sir. I shall remember it!”
+
+“That is all, Mrs. ----?”
+
+“McCarty, sir.”
+
+“Mrs. McCarty, I won’t take up any more of your time,” and Mr. Redwood
+started to go down stairs.
+
+“Who shall I tell Mr. Ropes called to see him.”
+
+“You needn’t say. I will mention the matter to him myself. I am employed
+in the same store.”
+
+“All right sir. Where is the store? I never thought to ask Mr. Ropes.”
+
+“Reade Street, near Broadway. You know where Reade Street is?”
+
+“Yes, sir. My husband used to work in Chambers Street. That is the first
+street south.”
+
+“Precisely. Well, I can’t stay longer, so I will leave, apologizing for
+having taken up so much of your time.”
+
+“Oh, it’s of no consequence, sir.”
+
+“He is a perfect gentleman,” she said to herself, as Mr. Redwood closed
+the front door, and went out on the street. “I wonder whether he’s a
+widower.”
+
+Being a widow this was quite a natural thought for Mrs. McCarty to
+indulge in, particularly as Mr. Redwood looked to be a substantial man
+with a snug income.
+
+Mr. Redwood went back to the store, and went at once to the office.
+
+“Well, Redwood,” said Mr. Goodnow, “did you learn anything?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“Go on.”
+
+“I went to the lodging of young Ropes, and was admitted to his room.”
+
+“Well?”
+
+“And there, wrapped in a brown paper, I found one of our missing cloaks
+lying on his bed.”
+
+“Is it possible?”
+
+“I am afraid he is not what we supposed him to be, Mr. Goodnow.”
+
+“It looks like it. I am surprised and sorry. Do you think he took the
+other articles that are missing?”
+
+“Of course I can’t say, sir, but it is fair to presume that he did.”
+
+“I am exceedingly sorry. I don’t mind saying, Redwood, that I took an
+especial interest in that boy. I have already told you the circumstances
+of my meeting him, and the fancy taken to him by my friend Mulgrave.”
+
+“Yes, sir, I have heard you say that.”
+
+“I don’t think I am easily taken in, and that boy impressed me as
+thoroughly honest. But of course I don’t pretend to be infallible and it
+appears that I have been mistaken in him.”
+
+The merchant looked troubled, for he had come to feel a sincere regard
+for Rodney. He confessed to himself that he would rather have found any
+of the other clerks dishonest.
+
+“You may send Ropes to me,” he said, “Mr. Redwood, and you will please
+come with him. We will investigate this matter at once.”
+
+“Very well, sir.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+CHARGED WITH THEFT.
+
+
+Rodney entered Mr. Goodnow’s office without a suspicion of the serious
+accusation which had been made against him. The first hint that there
+was anything wrong came to him when he saw the stern look in the
+merchants eyes.
+
+“Perhaps,” said Mr. Goodnow, as he leaned back in his chair and fixed
+his gaze on the young clerk, “you may have an idea why I have sent for
+you.”
+
+“No, sir,” answered Rodney, looking puzzled.
+
+“You can’t think of any reason I may have for wishing to see you?”
+
+“No, sir,” and Rodney returned Mr. Goodnow’s gaze with honest
+unfaltering eyes.
+
+“Possibly you are not aware that within a few weeks some articles have
+been missed from our stock.”
+
+“I have not heard of it. What kind of articles?”
+
+“The boy is more artful than I thought!” soliloquized the merchant.
+
+“All the articles missed,” he proceeded, “have been from the room
+in charge of Mr. Redwood, the room in which you, among others, are
+employed.”
+
+Something in Mr. Goodnow’s tone gave Rodney the hint of the truth. If he
+had been guilty he would have flushed and showed signs of confusion.
+As it was, he only wished to learn the truth and he in turn became the
+questioner.
+
+“Is it supposed,” he asked, “that any one in your employ is responsible
+for these thefts?”
+
+“It is.”
+
+“Is any one in particular suspected?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Will you tell me who, that is if you think I ought to know?”
+
+“Certainly you ought to know, for it is you who are suspected.”
+
+Then Rodney became indignant.
+
+“I can only deny the charge in the most emphatic terms,” he said. “If
+any one has brought such a charge against me, it is a lie.”
+
+“You can say that to Mr. Redwood, for it is he who accuses you.”
+
+“What does this mean, Mr. Redwood?” demanded Rodney quickly. “What have
+you seen in me that leads you to accuse me of theft.”
+
+“To tell the truth, Ropes, you are about the last clerk in my room
+whom I would have suspected. But early this morning this letter was
+received,” and he placed in Rodney’s hands the letter given in a
+preceding chapter.
+
+Rodney read it through and handed it back scornfully.
+
+“I should like to see the person who wrote this letter,” he said. “It is
+a base lie from beginning to end.”
+
+“I thought it might be when Mr. Goodnow showed it to me,” said Redwood
+in an even tone, “but Mr. Goodnow and I agreed that it would be well to
+investigate. Therefore I went to your room.”
+
+“When, sir?”
+
+“This morning.”
+
+“Then it is all right, for I am sure you found nothing.”
+
+“On the contrary, Ropes, I found that the statement made in the letter
+was true. On your bed was a bundle containing one of the cloaks taken
+from our stock.”
+
+Rodney’s face was the picture of amazement.
+
+“Is this true?” he said.
+
+“It certainly is. I hope you don’t doubt my word.”
+
+“Did you bring it back with you?”
+
+“No; your worthy landlady was not quite sure whether I was what I
+represented, and I left the parcel there. However I opened it in her
+presence so that she can testify what I found.”
+
+“This is very strange,” said Rodney, looking at his accuser with puzzled
+eyes. “I know nothing whatever of the cloak and can’t imagine how it got
+into my room.”
+
+“Perhaps it walked there,” said Mr. Goodnow satirically.
+
+Rodney colored, for he understood that his employer did not believe him.
+
+“May I go to my room,” he asked, “and bring back the bundle with me?”
+
+Observing that Mr. Goodnow hesitated he added, “You can send Some one
+with me to see that I don’t spirit away the parcel, and come back with
+it.”
+
+“On these conditions you may go. Redwood, send some one with Ropes.”
+
+Rodney followed the chief of his department back to the cloak room, and
+the latter, after a moments thought, summoned Jasper.
+
+“Jasper,” he said, “Ropes is going to his room to get a parcel which
+belongs to the store. You may go with him.”
+
+There was a flash of satisfaction in Jasper’s eyes as he answered with
+seeming indifference, “All right! I will go. I shall be glad to have a
+walk.”
+
+As the two boys passed out of the store, Jasper asked, “What does it
+mean, Ropes?”
+
+“I don’t know myself. I only know that there is said to be a parcel
+containing a cloak in my room. This cloak came from the store, and I am
+suspected of having stolen it.”
+
+“Whew! that’s a serious matter. Of course it is all a mistake?”
+
+“Yes, it is all a mistake.”
+
+“But how could it get to your room unless you carried it there?”
+
+Rodney gave Jasper a sharp look.
+
+“Some one must have taken it there,” he said.
+
+“How on earth did Uncle James find out?”
+
+“An anonymous letter was sent to Mr. Goodnow charging me with theft. Did
+you hear that articles have been missed for some time from the stock?”
+
+“Never heard a word of it,” said Jasper with ready falsehood.
+
+“It seems the articles are missing from our room, and some one in the
+room is suspected of being the thief.”
+
+“Good gracious! I hope no one will suspect me,” said Jasper in pretended
+alarm.
+
+“It seems I am suspected. I hope no other innocent person will have a
+like misfortune.”
+
+Presently they reached Rodney’s lodgings. Mrs. McCarty was coming up the
+basement stairs as they entered.
+
+“La, Mr. Ropes!” she said, “what brings you here in the middle of the
+day?”
+
+“I hear there is a parcel in my room.”
+
+“Yes; it contains such a lovely cloak. The gentleman from your store who
+called a little while ago thought you might have meant it as a present
+for me.”
+
+“I am afraid it will be some time before I can afford to make such
+present. Do you know if any one called and left the cloak here?”
+
+“No; I didn’t let in no one at the door.”
+
+“Was the parcel there when you made the bed?”
+
+“Well, no, it wasn’t. That is curious.”
+
+“It shows that the parcel has been left here since. Now I certainly
+couldn’t have left it, for I have been at work all the morning. Come up
+stairs, Jasper.”
+
+The two boys went up the stairs, and, entering Rodney’s room, found the
+parcel, still on the bed.
+
+Rodney opened it and identified the cloak as exactly like those which
+they carried in stock.
+
+He examined the paper in which it was inclosed, but it seemed to differ
+from the wrapping paper used at the store. He called Jasper’s attention
+to this.
+
+“I have nothing to say,” remarked Jasper, shrugging his shoulders. “I
+don’t understand the matter at all. I suppose you are expected to carry
+the cloak back to the store.”
+
+“Yes, that is the only thing to do.”
+
+“I say, Ropes, it looks pretty bad for you.”
+
+Jasper said this, but Rodney observed that his words were not
+accompanied by any expressions of sympathy, or any words that indicated
+his disbelief of Rodney’s guilt.
+
+“Do you think I took this cloak from the store?” he demanded, facing
+round upon Jasper.
+
+“Really, I don’t know. It looks bad, finding it in your room.”
+
+“I needn’t ask any further. I can see what you think.”
+
+“You wouldn’t have me tell a lie, would you, Ropes? Of course such
+things have been done before, and your salary is small.”
+
+“You insult me by your words,” said Rodney, flaming up.
+
+“Then I had better not speak, but you asked me, you know.”
+
+“Yes, I did. Things may look against me, but I am absolutely innocent.”
+
+“If you can make Mr. Goodnow think so,” said Jasper with provoking
+coolness, “it will be all right. Perhaps he will forgive you.”
+
+“I don’t want his forgiveness. I want him to think me honest.”
+
+“Well, I hope you are, I am sure, but it won’t do any good our
+discussing it, and it doesn’t make any difference what I think any way.”
+
+By this time they had reached the store.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+RODNEY IS DISCHARGED.
+
+
+Rodney reported his return to Mr. Redwood, and in his company went down
+stairs to the office, with the package under his arm.
+
+“Well?” said Mr. Goodnow inquiringly.
+
+“This is the package, sir.”
+
+“And it was found in your room?”
+
+“Yes, sir, I found it on my bed.”
+
+“Can’t you account for it being there?” asked the merchant searchingly.
+
+“No, sir.”
+
+“You must admit that its presence in your room looks bad for you.”
+
+“I admit it sir; but I had nothing to do with it being there.”
+
+“Have you any theory to account for it?”
+
+“Only this, that some one must have carried it to my room and placed it
+where it was found.”
+
+“Did you question your landlady as to whether she had admitted any one
+during the morning?”
+
+“Yes, sir. She had not.”
+
+“This is very unfavorable to you.”
+
+“In what way, sir?”
+
+“It makes it probable that you carried in the parcel yourself.”
+
+“That I deny,” said Rodney boldly.
+
+“I expected you to deny it,” said the merchant coldly. “If this cloak
+were the only one that had been taken I would drop the matter. But
+this is by no means the case. Mr. Redwood, can you give any idea of the
+extent to which we have been robbed?”
+
+“So far as I can estimate we have lost a dozen cloaks and about half a
+dozen dress patterns.”
+
+“This is a serious loss, Ropes,” said Mr. Goodnow. “I should think it
+would foot up several hundred dollars. If you can throw any light upon
+the thefts, or give me information by which I can get back the goods
+even at considerable expense, I will be as considerate with you as I
+can.”
+
+“Mr. Goodnow,” returned Rodney hotly, “I know no more about the matter
+than you do. I hope you will investigate, and if you can prove that I
+took any of the missing articles I want no consideration. I shall expect
+you to have me arrested, and, if convicted, punished.”
+
+“These are brave words, Ropes,” said Mr. Goodnow coldly, “but they are
+only words. The parcel found in your room affords strong ground for
+suspicion that you are responsible for at least a part of the thefts.
+Under the circumstances there is only one thing for me to do, and that
+is to discharge you.”
+
+“Very well, sir.”
+
+“You may go to the cashier and he will pay you to the end of the week,
+but your connection with the store will end at once.”
+
+“I don’t care to be paid to the end of the week, sir. If you will give
+me an order for payment up to tonight, that will be sufficient.”
+
+“It shall be as you say.”
+
+Mr. Goodnow wrote a few words on a slip of paper and handed it to
+Rodney.
+
+“I will leave my address, sir, and if I change it I will notify you. If
+you should hear anything as to the real robber I will ask you as a favor
+to communicate with me.”
+
+“Mr. Redwood, you have heard the request of Ropes, I will look to you to
+comply with it.”
+
+“Very well, sir.”
+
+The merchant turned back to his letters, and Rodney left the office,
+with what feelings of sorrow and humiliation may be imagined.
+
+“I am sorry for this occurrence, Ropes,” said Mr. Redwood, with a touch
+of sympathy in his voice.
+
+“Do you believe me guilty, Mr. Redwood?”
+
+“I cannot do otherwise. I hope you are innocent, and, if so, that the
+really guilty party will be discovered sooner or later.”
+
+“Thank you, sir.”
+
+When they entered the room in which Rodney had been employed Jasper came
+up, his face alive with curiosity.
+
+“Well,” he said, “how did you come out?”
+
+“I am discharged,” said Rodney bitterly.
+
+“Well, you couldn’t complain of that. Things looked pretty dark for
+you.”
+
+“If I had committed the theft, I would not complain. Indeed, I would
+submit to punishment without a murmur. But it is hard to suffer while
+innocent.”
+
+“Uncle James,” said Jasper, “if Ropes is going will you ask Mr. Goodnow
+to put me in his place?”
+
+Even Mr. Redwood was disgusted by this untimely request.
+
+“It would be more becoming,” he said sharply, “if you would wait till
+Ropes was fairly out of the store before applying for his position.”
+
+“I want to be in time. I don’t want any one to get ahead of me.”
+
+James Redwood did not deign a reply.
+
+“I am sorry you leave us under such circumstances, Ropes,” he said. “The
+time may come when you will be able to establish your innocence, and in
+that case Mr. Goodnow will probably take you back again.”
+
+Rodney did not answer, but with his order went to the cashier’s desk and
+received the four dollars due him. Then, with a heavy heart, he left the
+store where it had been such a satisfaction to him to work.
+
+On Broadway he met his room mate, Mike Flynn, in the uniform of a
+telegraph boy.
+
+“Where are you goin’, Rodney?” asked Mike. “You ain’t let off so early,
+are you?”
+
+“I am let off for good and all, Mike.”
+
+“What’s that?”
+
+“I am discharged.”
+
+“What for?” asked Mike in amazement.
+
+“I will tell you when you get home tonight.”
+
+Rodney went back to his room, and lay down sad and despondent. Some
+hours later Mike came in, and was told the story. The warm hearted
+telegraph boy was very angry.
+
+“That boss of yours must be a stupid donkey,” he said.
+
+“I don’t know. The parcel was found in my room.”
+
+“Anybody’d know to look at you that you wouldn’t steal.”
+
+“Some thieves look very innocent. The only way to clear me is to find
+out who left the bundle at the house.”
+
+“Doesn’t Mrs. McCarty know anything about it?”
+
+“No; I asked her.”
+
+“Some one might have got into the house without her knowing anything
+about it. The lock is a very common one. There are plenty of keys that
+will open it.”
+
+“If we could find some one that saw a person with a bundle go up the
+steps, that would give us a clew.”
+
+“That’s so. We’ll ask.”
+
+But for several days no one could be found who had seen any such person.
+
+Meanwhile Rodney was at a loss what to do. He was cut off from applying
+for another place, for no one would engage him if he were refused
+a recommendation from his late employer. Yet he must obtain some
+employment for he could not live on nothing.
+
+“Do you think, Mike,” he asked doubtfully, “that I could make anything
+selling papers?”
+
+“Such business isn’t for you,” answered the telegraph boy.
+
+“But it is one of the few things open to me. I can become a newsboy
+without recommendations. Even your business would be closed to me if it
+were known that I was suspected of theft.”
+
+“Thats so,” said Mike, scratching his head in perplexity.
+
+“Then would you recommend my becoming a newsboy?”
+
+“I don’t know. You couldn’t make more’n fifty or sixty cent a day.”
+
+“That will be better than nothing.”
+
+“And I can pay the rent, or most of it, as I’ll be doin’ better than
+you.”
+
+“We will wait and see how much I make.”
+
+So Rodney swallowed his pride, and procuring a supply of afternoon
+papers set about selling them. He knew that it was an honest business,
+and there was no disgrace in following it.
+
+But one day he was subjected to keen mortification. Jasper Redwood and
+a friend--it was Philip Carton, his confederate--were walking along
+Broadway, and their glances fell on Rodney.
+
+“I say, Jasper,” said the elder of the two, “isn’t that the boy who was
+in the same store with you?”
+
+Jasper looked, and his eyes lighted up with malicious satisfaction.
+
+“Oho!” he said. “Well, this is rich!”
+
+“Give me a paper, boy,” he said, pretending not to recognize Rodney at
+first. “Why, it’s Ropes.”
+
+“Yes,” answered Rodney, his cheek flushing. “You see what I am reduced
+to. What paper will you buy?”
+
+“The Mail and Express.”
+
+“Here it is.”
+
+“Can’t you get another place?” asked Jasper curiously.
+
+“I might if I could get a recommendation, but probably Mr. Goodnow
+wouldn’t give me one.”
+
+“No, I guess not.”
+
+“So I must take what I can get.”
+
+“Do you make much selling papers?”
+
+“Very little.”
+
+“You can’t make as much as you did in the store?”
+
+“Not much more than half as much.”
+
+“Do you live in the same place?”
+
+“Yes, for the present.”
+
+“Oh, by the way, Ropes, I’ve got your old place,” said Jasper in
+exultation.
+
+“I thought you would get it,” answered Rodney, not without a pang.
+
+“Come into the store some day, Ropes. It will seem like old times.”
+
+“I shall not enter the store till I am able to clear myself of the
+charge made against me.”
+
+“Then probably you will stay away a long time.”
+
+“I am afraid so.”
+
+“Well, ta, ta! Come along, Philip.”
+
+As Rodney followed with his eye the figure of his complacent successor
+he felt that his fate was indeed a hard one.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+A RICH FIND.
+
+
+As Jasper and his companion moved away, Carton said, “I’m sorry for that
+poor duffer, Jasper.”
+
+“Why should you be sorry?” asked Jasper, frowning.
+
+“Because he has lost a good place and good prospects, and all for no
+fault of his own.”
+
+“You are getting sentimental, Philip,” sneered Jasper.
+
+“No, but I am showing a little humanity. He has lost all this through
+you----”
+
+“Through us, you mean.”
+
+“Well, through us. We have made him the scapegoat for our sins.”
+
+“Oh well, he is making a living.”
+
+“A pretty poor one. I don’t think you would like to be reduced to
+selling papers.”
+
+“His case and mine are different.”
+
+“I begin to think also that we have made a mistake in getting him
+discharged so soon.”
+
+“We can’t take anything more.”
+
+“Why not?”
+
+“Because there will be no one to lay the blame upon. He is out of the
+store.”
+
+“That is true. I didn’t think of that. But I invited him to come around
+and call. If he should, and something else should be missing it would be
+laid to him.”
+
+“I don’t believe he will call. I am terribly hard up, and our source of
+income has failed us. Haven’t you got a dollar or two to spare?”
+
+“No,” answered Jasper coldly. “I only get seven dollars a week.”
+
+“But you have nearly all that. You only have to hand in two dollars a
+week to your uncle.”
+
+“Look here, Philip Carton, I hope you don’t expect to live off me. I
+have all I can do to take care of myself.”
+
+Carton looked at Jasper in anger and mortification.
+
+“I begin to understand how good a friend you are,” he said.
+
+“I am not fool enough to pinch myself to keep you,” said Jasper bluntly.
+“You are a man of twenty five and I am only a boy. You ought to be able
+to take care of yourself.”
+
+“Just give me a dollar, or lend it Jasper, and I will risk it at play.
+I may rise from the table with a hundred. If I do I will pay you
+handsomely for the loan.”
+
+“I couldn’t do it, Mr. Carton. I have only two dollars in my pocket, and
+I have none to spare.”
+
+“Humph! what is that?”
+
+Philip Carton’s eyes were fixed upon the sidewalk. There was a flimsy
+piece of paper fluttering about impelled by the wind. He stooped and
+picked it up.
+
+“It is a five dollar bill,” he exclaimed in exultation. “My luck has
+come back.”
+
+Jasper changed his tone at once. Now Philip was the better off of the
+two.
+
+“That is luck!” he said. “Shall we go into Delmonico’s, and have an
+ice?”
+
+“If it is at your expense, yes.”
+
+“That wouldn’t be fair. You have more money than I.”
+
+“Yes, and I mean to keep it myself. You have set me the example.”
+
+“Come, Philip, you are not angry at my refusing you a loan?”
+
+“No; I think you were sensible. I shall follow your example. I will bid
+you good night. I seem to be in luck, and will try my fortune at the
+gaming table.”
+
+“I will go with you.”
+
+“No; I would prefer to go alone.”
+
+“That fellow is unreasonable,” muttered Jasper, as he strode off,
+discontented. “Did he expect I would divide my salary with him?”
+
+Philip Carton, after he parted company with Jasper, walked back to where
+Rodney was still selling papers.
+
+“Give me a paper,” he said.
+
+“Which will you have?”
+
+“I am not particular. Give me the first that comes handy. Ah, the
+Evening Sun will do.”
+
+He took the paper and put a quarter into Rodney’s hand.
+
+As he was walking away Rodney called out, “Stop, here’s your change,”
+
+“Never mind,” said Philip with a wave of the hand.
+
+“Thank you,” said Rodney gratefully, for twenty five cents was no trifle
+to him at this time.
+
+“That ought to bring me luck,” soliloquized Philip Carton as he walked
+on. “It isn’t often I do a good deed. It was all the money I had besides
+the five dollar bill, and I am sure the news boy will make better use of
+it than I would.”
+
+“That was the young man that was walking with Jasper,” reflected Rodney.
+“Well, he is certainly a better fellow than he. Thanks to this quarter,
+I shall have made eighty cents today, and still have half a dozen
+papers. That is encouraging.”
+
+Several days passed that could not be considered lucky. Rodney’s average
+profits were only about fifty cent a day, and that was barely sufficient
+to buy his meals. It left him nothing to put towards paying room rent.
+
+He began to consider whether he would not be compelled to pawn some
+article from his wardrobe, for he was well supplied with clothing, when
+he had a stroke of luck.
+
+On Fifteenth Street, by the side of Tiffany’s great jewelry store, he
+picked up a square box neatly done up in thin paper. Opening it, he was
+dazzled by the gleam of diamonds.
+
+The contents were a diamond necklace and pin, which, even to Rodney’s
+inexperienced eyes, seemed to be of great value.
+
+“Some one must have dropped them in coming from the jewelry store,” he
+reflected. “Who can it be?”
+
+He had not far to seek. There was a card inside on which was engraved:
+
+
+MRS. ELIZA HARVEY,
+
+with an address on Fifth Avenue.
+
+
+Passing through to Fifth Avenue Rodney began to scan the numbers on
+the nearest houses. He judged that Mrs. Harvey must live considerably
+farther up the Avenue, in the direction of Central Park.
+
+“I will go there at once,” Rodney decided. “No doubt Mrs. Harvey is very
+much distressed by her loss. I shall carry her good news.”
+
+The house he found to be between Fortieth and Fiftieth Street. Ascending
+the steps he rang the bell. The door was opened by a man servant.
+
+“Does Mrs. Harvey live here?” asked Rodney.
+
+“What do you want with her, young man?” demanded the servant in a tone
+of importance.
+
+“That I will tell her.”
+
+“What’s your name?”
+
+“I can give you my name, but she won’t recognize it.”
+
+“Then you don’t know her.”
+
+“No.”
+
+“If it’s money you want, she don’t give to beggars.”
+
+“You are impudent,” said Rodney hotly. “If you don’t give my message you
+will get into trouble.”
+
+The servant opened his eyes. He seemed somewhat impressed by Rodney’s
+confident tone.
+
+“Mrs. Harvey doesn’t live here,” he said.
+
+“Is she in the house?”
+
+“Well, yes, she’s visiting here.”
+
+“Then why do you waste your time?” said Rodney impatiently. He forgot
+for the time that he was no longer being educated at an expensive
+boarding school, and spoke in the tone he would have used before his
+circumstances had changed.
+
+“I’ll go and ask if she’ll see you,” said the flunky unwillingly.
+
+Five minutes later a pleasant looking woman of middle age descended the
+staircase.
+
+“Are you the boy that wished to see me?” she asked.
+
+“Yes, if you are Mrs. Harvey.”
+
+“I am. But come in! Thomas, why didn’t you invite this young gentleman
+into the parlor?”
+
+Thomas opened his eyes wide. So the boy whom he had treated so
+cavalierly was a young gentleman.
+
+He privately put down Mrs. Harvey in his own mind as eccentric.
+
+“Excuse me, ma’am,” he said. “I didn’t know as he was parlor company.”
+
+“Well, he is,” said Mrs. Harvey with a cordial smile that won Rodney’s
+heart.
+
+“Follow me!” said the lady.
+
+Rodney followed her into a handsome apartment and at a signal seated
+himself on a sofa.
+
+“Now,” she said, “I am ready to listen to your message.”
+
+“Have you lost anything?” asked Rodney abruptly.
+
+“Oh, have you found it?” exclaimed Mrs. Harvey, clasping her hands.
+
+“That depends on what you have lost,” answered Rodney, who felt that it
+was necessary to be cautious.
+
+“Certainly, you are quite right. I have lost a box containing jewelry
+bought this morning at Tiffany’s.”
+
+“What were the articles?”
+
+“A diamond necklace and pin. They are intended as a present for my
+daughter who is to be married. Tell me quick have you found them?”
+
+“Is this the box?” asked Rodney.
+
+“Oh yes, yes! How delightful to recover it. I thought I should never see
+it again. Where did you find it?”
+
+“On Fifteenth Street beside Tiffany’s store.”
+
+“And you brought it directly to me?”
+
+“Yes, madam.”
+
+“Have you any idea of the value of the articles?”
+
+“Perhaps they may be worth five hundred dollars.”
+
+“They are worth over a thousand. Are you poor?”
+
+“Yes, madam. I am trying to make a living by selling papers, but find it
+hard work.”
+
+“But you don’t look like a newsboy.”
+
+“Till a short time since I thought myself moderately rich.”
+
+“That is strange. Tell me your story.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+A SURPRISING TURN OF FORTUNE.
+
+
+Rodney told his story frankly. Mrs. Harvey was very sympathetic by
+nature, and she listened with the deepest interest, and latterly with
+indignation when Rodney spoke of his dismissal from Mr. Goodnow’s store.
+
+“You have been treated shamefully,” she said warmly.
+
+“I think Mr. Goodnow really believes me guilty,” rejoined Rodney.
+
+“A dishonest boy would hardly have returned a valuable box of jewelry.”
+
+“Still Mr. Goodnow didn’t know that I would do it.”
+
+“I see you are disposed to apologize for your late employer.”
+
+“I do not forget that he treated me kindly till this last occurrence.”
+
+“Your consideration does you credit. So you have really been reduced to
+earn your living as a newsboy?”
+
+“Yes, madam.”
+
+“I must think what I can do for you. I might give you money, but when
+that was gone you would be no better off.”
+
+“I would much rather have help in getting a place.”
+
+Mrs. Harvey leaned her head on her hand and looked thoughtful.
+
+“You are right,” she said. “Let me think.”
+
+Rodney waited, hoping that the lady would be able to think of something
+to his advantage.
+
+Finally she spoke.
+
+“I think you said you understood Latin and Greek?”
+
+“I have studied both languages and French also. I should have been ready
+to enter college next summer.”
+
+“Then perhaps I shall be able to do something for you. I live in
+Philadelphia, but I have a brother living in West Fifty Eighth Street.
+He has one little boy, Arthur, now nine years of age. Arthur is quite
+precocious, but his health is delicate, and my brother has thought of
+getting a private instructor for him. Do you like young children?”
+
+“Very much. I always wished that I had a little brother.”
+
+“Then I think you would suit my brother better as a tutor for Arthur
+than a young man. Being a boy yourself, you would be not only tutor but
+companion.”
+
+“I should like such a position very much.”
+
+“Then wait here a moment, and I will write you a letter of
+introduction.”
+
+She went up stairs, but soon returned.
+
+She put a small perfumed billet into Rodney’s hands. It was directed to
+John Sargent with an address on West Fifty Eighth Street.
+
+“Call this evening,” she said, “about half past seven o’clock. My
+brother will be through dinner, and will not have gone out at that
+hour.”
+
+“Thank you,” said Rodney gratefully.
+
+“Here is another envelope which you can open at your leisure. I cannot
+part from you without thanking you once more for returning my jewelry.”
+
+“You have thanked me in a very practical way, Mrs. Harvey.”
+
+“I hope my letter may lead to pleasant results for you. If you ever come
+to Philadelphia call upon me at No. 1492 Walnut Street.”
+
+“Thank you.”
+
+As Rodney left the house he felt that his ill fortune had turned,
+and that a new prospect was opened up before him. He stepped into the
+Windsor Hotel, and opened the envelope last given him. It contained five
+five dollar bills.
+
+To one of them was pinned a scrap of paper containing these words: “I
+hope this money will be useful to you. It is less than the reward I
+should have offered for the recovery of the jewels.”
+
+Under the circumstances Rodney felt that he need not scruple to use the
+money. He knew that he had rendered Mrs. Harvey a great service, and
+that she could well afford to pay him the sum which the envelopes
+contained.
+
+He began to be sensible that he was hungry, not having eaten for some
+time. He went into a restaurant on Sixth Avenue, and ordered a sirloin
+steak. It was some time since he had indulged in anything beyond a
+common steak, and he greatly enjoyed the more luxurious meal. He
+didn’t go back to selling papers, for he felt that it would hardly be
+consistent with the position of a classical teacher--the post for which
+he was about to apply.
+
+Half past seven found him at the door of Mr. John Sargent. The house was
+of brown stone, high stoop, and four stories in height. It was such a
+house as only a rich man could occupy.
+
+He was ushered into the parlor and presently Mr. Sargent came in from
+the dining room.
+
+“Are you Mr. Ropes?” he asked, looking at Rodney’s card.
+
+It is not usual for newsboys to carry cards, but Rodney had some left
+over from his more prosperous days.
+
+“Yes, sir. I bring you a note of introduction from Mrs. Harvey.”
+
+“Ah yes, my sister. Let me see it.”
+
+The note was of some length. That is, it covered three pages of note
+paper. Mr. Sargent read it attentively.
+
+“My sister recommends you as tutor for my little son, Arthur,” he said,
+as he folded up the letter.
+
+“Yes, sir; she suggested that I might perhaps suit you in that
+capacity.”
+
+“She also says that you found and restored to her a valuable box of
+jewelry which she was careless enough to drop near Tiffany’s.”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“I have a good deal of confidence in my sister’s good judgment. She
+evidently regards you very favorably.”
+
+“I am glad of that sir,”
+
+“Will you tell me something of your qualifications? Arthur is about to
+commence Latin. He is not old enough for Greek.”
+
+“I could teach either, sir.”
+
+“And of course you are well up in English branches?”
+
+“I think I am.”
+
+“My sister hints that you are poor, and obliged to earn your own living.
+How, then, have you been able to secure so good an education?”
+
+“I have only been poor for a short time. My father left me fifty
+thousand dollars, but it was lost by my guardian.”
+
+“Who was your guardian?”
+
+“Mr. Benjamin Fielding.”
+
+“I knew him well. I don’t think he was an unprincipled man, but he was
+certainly imprudent, and was led into acts that were reprehensible. Did
+he lose all your money for you?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“What did you do?”
+
+“Left the boarding school where I was being educated, and came to this
+city.”
+
+“Did you obtain any employment?”
+
+“Yes, sir; I have been employed for a short time by Otis Goodnow, a
+merchant of Reade Street.”
+
+“And why did you leave?”
+
+“Because Mr. Goodnow missed some articles from his stock, and I was
+charged with taking them.”
+
+Rodney was fearful of the effect of his frank confession upon Mr.
+Sargent, but the latter soon reassured him.
+
+“Your honesty in restoring my sister’s jewelry is sufficient proof that
+the charge was unfounded. I shall not let it influence me.”
+
+“Thank you, sir.”
+
+“Now as to the position of teacher, though very young, I don’t see why
+you should not fill it satisfactorily. I will call Arthur.”
+
+He went to the door and called “Arthur.”
+
+A delicate looking boy with a sweet, intelligent face, came running into
+the room.
+
+“Do you want me, papa?”
+
+“Yes, Arthur. I have a new friend for you. Will you shake hands with
+him?”
+
+Arthur, who was not a shy boy, went up at once to Rodney and offered his
+hand.
+
+“I am glad to see you,” he said.
+
+Rodney smiled. He was quite taken with the young boy.
+
+“What’s your name?” the latter asked.
+
+“Rodney Ropes.”
+
+“Are you going to stay and make us a visit?”
+
+Mr. Sargent answered this question.
+
+“Would you like to have Rodney stay?” he asked.
+
+“Oh yes.”
+
+“How would you like to have him give you lessons in Latin and other
+studies?”
+
+“I should like it. I am sure he wouldn’t be cross. Are you a teacher,
+Rodney?”
+
+“I will be your teacher if you are willing to have me.”
+
+“Yes, I should like it. And will you go to walk with me in Central
+Park?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Then, papa, you may as well engage him. I was afraid you would get a
+tiresome old man for my teacher.”
+
+“That settles it, Rodney,” said Mr. Sargent, smiling. “Now, Arthur, run
+out and I will speak further with Rodney about you.”
+
+“All right, papa.”
+
+“As Arthur seems to like you, I will give you a trial. As he suggested,
+I should like to have you become his companion as well as teacher.
+You will come here at nine o’clock in the morning, and stay till four,
+taking lunch with your pupil. About the compensation, will you tell me
+what will be satisfactory to you?”
+
+“I prefer to leave that to you, sir.”
+
+“Then we will say fifteen dollars a week--today is Thursday. Will you
+present yourself here next Monday morning?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“If you would like an advance of salary, you need only say so.”
+
+“Thank you, sir, but I am fairly provided with money for the present.”
+
+“Then nothing more need be said. As I am to meet a gentleman at the
+Union League Club tonight, I will bid you good evening, and expect to
+see you on Monday.”
+
+Rodney rose and Mr. Sargent accompanied him to the door, shaking hands
+with him courteously by way of farewell.
+
+Rodney emerged into the street in a state of joyous excitement. Twenty
+five dollars in his pocket, and fifteen dollars a week! He could hardly
+credit his good fortune.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+JASPER’S PERPLEXITY.
+
+
+Mike Flynn was overjoyed to hear of Rodney’s good fortune.
+
+“Fifteen dollars a week!” he repeated. “Why you will be rich.”
+
+“Not exactly that, Mike, but it will make me comfortable. By the way,
+as I have so much more than you, it will only be fair for me to pay the
+whole rent.”
+
+“No, Rodney, you mustn’t do that.”
+
+“I shall insist upon it, Mike. You would do the same in my place.”
+
+“Yes I would.”
+
+“So you can’t object to my doing it.”
+
+“You are very kind to me, Rodney,” said Mike, who had the warm heart of
+his race. “It isn’t every boy brought up like you who would be willing
+to room with a bootblack.”
+
+“But you are not a bootblack now. You are a telegraph boy.”
+
+“There are plenty that mind me when I blacked boots down in front of the
+Astor House.”
+
+“You are just as good a boy for all that. How much did you make last
+week?”
+
+“Four dollars salary, and a dollar and a half in extra tips.”
+
+“Hereafter you must save your rent money for clothes. We must have you
+looking respectable.”
+
+“Won’t you adopt me, Rodney?” asked Mike with a laughing face.
+
+“That’s a good idea. Perhaps I will. In that case you must obey all
+my orders. In the first place, what are you most in want in the way of
+clothing?”
+
+“I haven’t got but two shirts.”
+
+“That is hardly enough for a gentleman of your social position. Anything
+else.”
+
+“I’m short on collars and socks.”
+
+“Then we’ll go out shopping. I’ll buy you a supply of each.”
+
+“But you haven’t begun to work yet.”
+
+“No, but Mrs. Harvey made me a present of twenty five dollars. We’ll go
+to some of the big stores on Sixth Avenue where we can get furnishing
+goods cheap.”
+
+Rodney carried out his purpose, and at the cost of four dollars supplied
+his room mate with all he needed for the present.
+
+“See what it is to be rich, Mike,” he said. “It seems odd for me to be
+buying clothes for my adopted son.”
+
+“You’re in luck, Rodney, and so am I. I hope some time I can do you a
+favor.”
+
+“Perhaps you can, Mike. If I should get sick, you might take my place as
+tutor.”
+
+“You must know an awful lot, Rodney,” said Mike, regarding his companion
+with new respect.
+
+“Thank you for the compliment, Mike. I hope Mr. Sargent will have the
+same opinion.”
+
+The next day it is needless to say that Rodney did not resume the
+business of newsboy. He was very glad to give it up. He dressed with
+unusual care and took a walk down town.
+
+As he passed Reade Street by chance Jasper was coming around the
+corner. His face lighted up first with pleasure at seeing Rodney, for
+it gratified his mean nature to triumph over the boy whom he had ousted
+from his position, and next with surprise at his unusually neat and
+well dressed appearance. Rodney looked far from needing help. He might
+readily have been taken for a boy of aristocratic lineage.
+
+“Hallo!” said Jasper, surveying Rodney curiously.
+
+“How are you this morning, Jasper?” returned Rodney quietly.
+
+“Why ain’t you selling papers?”
+
+“I don’t like the business.”
+
+“But you’ve got to make a living.”
+
+“Quite true.”
+
+“Are you going to black boots?”
+
+“Why should I? Is it a desirable business?”
+
+“How should I know?” asked Jasper, coloring.
+
+“I didn’t know but you might have had some experience at it. I haven’t.”
+
+“Do you mean to insult me?” demanded Jasper hotly.
+
+“I never insult anybody. I will only say that you are as likely to take
+up the business as I.”
+
+“I’ve got a place.”
+
+“How do you know but I have?”
+
+“Because you were selling papers yesterday and are walking the street
+today.”
+
+“That is true. But I have a place engaged for all that. I shall go to
+work on Monday.”
+
+Jasper pricked up his ears.
+
+“Where is it?” he asked.
+
+“I don’t care to tell at present.”
+
+“Is it true? Have you got a place?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“I don’t see how you could. Mr. Goodnow wouldn’t give you a
+recommendation.”
+
+“There is no reason why he should not.”
+
+“What, after your taking cloaks and dress patterns from the store?”
+
+“I did nothing of the kind. Sooner or later Mr. Goodnow will find out
+his mistake. Probably the real thief is still in his employ.”
+
+Jasper turned pale and regarded Rodney searchingly, but there was
+nothing in his manner or expression to indicate that his remark had been
+personal. He thought it best to turn the conversation.
+
+“How much pay do you get--four dollars?”
+
+“More than that.”
+
+“You don’t get as much as you did at our store?”
+
+“Yes; I get more.”
+
+Now it was Jasper’s turn to show surprise. He did not know whether
+to believe Rodney or not, but there was something in his face which
+commanded belief.
+
+“How much do you get?” he asked.
+
+“You would not believe me if I told you.”
+
+“Try me,” returned Jasper, whose curiosity was aroused.
+
+“I am to get fifteen dollars a week.”
+
+Jasper would not have looked more surprised if Rodney had informed him
+that he was to become a Cabinet minister.
+
+“You’re joking!” he ejaculated.
+
+“Not at all.”
+
+“How could you have the face to ask such a price. Did you pass yourself
+off as an experienced salesman?”
+
+“No.”
+
+“I don’t understand it at all, that is, if you are telling the truth.”
+
+“I have told you the truth, Jasper. I have no object in deceiving you.
+The salary was fixed by my employer.”
+
+“Who did you say it was?”
+
+“I didn’t say.”
+
+Jasper’s cunning scheme was defeated. He felt disturbed to hear of
+Rodney’s good fortune, but he had a shot in reserve.
+
+“I don’t think you will keep your place long,” he said in a malicious
+tone.
+
+“Why not?”
+
+“Your employer will hear under what circumstances you left our store,
+and then of course he will discharge you.”
+
+“You will be sorry for that won’t you?” asked Rodney pointedly.
+
+“Why of course I don’t want you to have bad luck.”
+
+“Thank you. You are very considerate.”
+
+“Suppose you lose your place, shall you go back to selling papers?”
+
+“I hope to find something better to do.”
+
+“Where are you going now?”
+
+“To get some lunch.”
+
+“So am I. Suppose we go together.”
+
+“Very well, providing you will lunch with me.”
+
+“I don’t want to impose upon you.”
+
+“You won’t. We may not meet again for some time, and we shall have this
+meal to remind us of each other.”
+
+They went to a well known restaurant on Park Row. Rodney ordered a
+liberal dinner for himself, and Jasper followed his example nothing
+loath. He was always ready to dine at the expense of others, but even as
+he ate he could not help wondering at the strange chance that had made
+him the guest of a boy who was selling papers the day before.
+
+He had nearly finished eating when a disturbing thought occurred to him.
+Suppose Rodney didn’t have money enough to settle the bill, and threw it
+upon him.
+
+When Rodney took the checks and walked up to the cashier’s desk he
+followed him with some anxiety. But his companion quietly took out a
+five dollar bill, from his pocket and tendered it to the cashier. The
+latter gave him back the right change and the two boys went out into the
+street.
+
+“You seem to have plenty of money,” said Jasper.
+
+“There are very few who would admit having that,” smiled Rodney.
+
+“I don’t see why you sold papers if you have five dollar bills in your
+pocket.”
+
+“I don’t want to be idle.”
+
+“May I tell my uncle and Mr. Goodnow that you have got a place?”
+
+“If you like.”
+
+“Well, good by, I must be hurrying back to the store.”
+
+Rodney smiled. He rather enjoyed Jasper’s surprise and perplexity.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+RODNEY’S SECRET IS DISCOVERED.
+
+
+Jasper lost no time in acquainting his uncle with Rodney’s extraordinary
+good fortune. James Redwood was surprised, but not all together
+incredulous.
+
+“I don’t understand it,” he said, “but Ropes appears to be a boy of
+truth. Perhaps he may have exaggerated the amount of his salary.”
+
+“I hardly think so, uncle. He gave me a tip top dinner down on Park
+Row.”
+
+“He may have been in funds from selling the articles taken from the
+store.”
+
+“That’s so!” assented Jasper, who had the best possible reason for
+knowing that it was not so.
+
+“I wish the boy well,” said his uncle. “He always treated me
+respectfully, and I never had anything against him except the loss of
+stock, and it is not certain that he is the thief.”
+
+“I guess there isn’t any doubt about that.”
+
+“Yet, believing him to be a thief, you did not hesitate to accept a
+dinner from him.”
+
+“I didn’t want to hurt his feelings,” replied Jasper, rather sheepishly.
+
+“Do you know what sort of a place he has got, or with what house?”
+
+“No; he wouldn’t tell me.”
+
+“He thought perhaps you would inform the new firm of the circumstances
+under which he left us. I don’t blame him, but I am surprised that he
+should have been engaged without a recommendation.”
+
+“Shall you tell Mr. Goodnow?”
+
+“Not unless he asks about Ropes. I don’t want to interfere with the boy
+in any way.”
+
+In the store, as has already been stated, Jasper succeeded to Rodney’s
+place, and in consequence his pay was raised to seven dollars a week.
+Still it was not equal to what it had been when he was receiving
+additional money from the sale of the articles stolen by Philip Carton
+and himself.
+
+The way in which they had operated was this: Philip would come in and
+buy a cloak or a dress pattern from Jasper, and the young salesman would
+pack up two or three instead of one. There was a drawback to the profit
+in those cases, as Carton would be obliged to sell both at a reduced
+price. Still they had made a considerable sum from these transactions,
+though not nearly as much as Mr. Goodnow had lost.
+
+After the discovery of the theft and the discharge of Rodney, the two
+confederates felt that it would be imprudent to do any more in that
+line. This suspension entailed heavier loss on Carton than on Jasper.
+The latter had a fixed income and a home at his uncle’s house, while
+Philip had no regular income, though he occasionally secured a little
+temporary employment.
+
+In the meantime Rodney had commenced his tutorship. His young pupil
+became very fond of him, and being a studious boy, made rapid progress
+in his lessons.
+
+Mr. Sargent felt that his experiment, rash as it might be considered,
+vindicated his wisdom by its success. At the end of a month he
+voluntarily raised Rodney’s salary to twenty dollars a week.
+
+“I am afraid you are overpaying me, Mr. Sargent,” said Rodney.
+
+“That’s my lookout. Good service is worth a good salary, and I am
+perfectly satisfied with you.”
+
+“Thank you, sir. I prize that even more than the higher salary.”
+
+Only a portion of Rodney’s time was spent in teaching. In the afternoon
+he and his charge went on little excursions, generally to Central Park.
+
+One holiday, about four months after the commencement of Rodney’s
+engagement, he was walking in the Park when he fell in with Jasper.
+Jasper’s attention was at once drawn to the little boy, whose dress and
+general appearance indicated that he belonged to a wealthy family. This
+excited Jasper’s curiosity.
+
+“How are you, Rodney?” said Jasper adroitly. “It is a good while since I
+met you.”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Who is the little boy with you?”
+
+“His name is Arthur Sargent.”
+
+Rodney gave this information unwillingly, for he saw that his secret was
+likely to be discovered.
+
+“How do you do, Arthur?” asked Jasper, with unwonted affability, for he
+did not care for children.
+
+“Pretty well,” answered Arthur politely.
+
+“Have you known Rodney long?”
+
+“Why, he is my teacher,” answered Arthur in some surprise.
+
+Jasper’s eyes gleamed with sudden intelligence. So this was Rodney’s
+secret, and this was the position for which he was so well paid.
+
+Rodney bit his lip in vexation, but made no remark.
+
+“Does he ever punish you for not getting your lessons?” asked Jasper
+without much tact.
+
+“Of course not,” answered Arthur indignantly.
+
+“Arthur always does get his lessons,” said Rodney. “I suppose you have a
+holiday from work today, Jasper.”
+
+“Yes; I am glad to get away now and then.”
+
+“I must bid you good morning now.”
+
+“Won’t you let me call on you? Where do you live, Arthur?”
+
+The boy gave the number of his house.
+
+Jasper asked Arthur, thinking rightly that he would be more likely to
+get an answer from him than from Rodney. He walked away triumphantly,
+feeling that he had made a discovery that might prove of advantage to
+him.
+
+“Is that a friend of yours, Rodney?” asked little Arthur.
+
+“I have known him for some time.”
+
+“I don’t like him very much.”
+
+“Why?” asked Rodney with some curiosity.
+
+“I don’t know,” answered the little boy slowly. “I can’t like
+everybody.”
+
+“Quite true, Arthur. Jasper is not a special friend of mine, and I am
+not particular about your liking him. I hope you like me.”
+
+“You know I do, Rodney,” and he gave Rodney’s hand an assuring pressure.
+
+Ten minutes after he left Rodney, Jasper fell in with Carton. The
+intimacy between them had perceptibly fallen off. It had grown out of
+business considerations.
+
+Now that it was no longer safe to abstract articles from the store,
+Jasper felt that he had no more use for his late confederate. When they
+met he treated him with marked coldness.
+
+On this particular day Carton was looking quite shabby. In fact, his
+best suit was in pawn, and he had fallen back on one half worn and
+soiled.
+
+“Hello!” exclaimed Jasper, and was about to pass on with a cool nod.
+
+“Stop!” said Philip, looking offended.
+
+“I am in a hurry,” returned Jasper. “I can’t stop today.”
+
+“You are in a hurry, and on a holiday?”
+
+“Yes; I am to meet a friend near the lake.”
+
+“I’ll go along with you.”
+
+Jasper had to submit though with an ill grace.
+
+“Wouldn’t another day do?”
+
+“No; the fact is, Jasper, I am in trouble,”
+
+“You usually are,” sneered Jasper.
+
+“That is so. I have been out of luck lately.”
+
+“I am sorry, but I can’t help it as I see.”
+
+“How much money do you think I have in my pocket?”
+
+“I don’t know, I am sure. I am not good at guessing conundrums.”
+
+“Just ten cents.”
+
+“That isn’t much,” said Jasper, indifferently.
+
+“Let me have a dollar, thats a good fellow!”
+
+“You seem to think I am made of money,” said Jasper sharply. “I haven’t
+got much more myself.”
+
+“Then you might have. You get a good salary.”
+
+“Only seven dollars.”
+
+“You are able to keep most of it for yourself.”
+
+“Suppose I am? You seem to know a good deal of my affairs.”
+
+“Haven’t you any pity for an old friend?”
+
+“Yes, I’ll give you all the pity you want, but when it comes to money
+it’s a different matter. Here you are, a man of twenty six, ten years
+older than me, and yet you expect me to help support you.”
+
+“You didn’t use to talk to me like that.”
+
+“Well, I do now. You didn’t use to try to get money out of me.”
+
+“Look here, Jasper! I am poor, but I don’t want you to talk to me as you
+are doing.”
+
+“Indeed!” sneered Jasper.
+
+“And I won’t have it,” said Carton firmly. “Listen to me, and I will
+propose a plan that will help us both.”
+
+“What is it?”
+
+“You can easily secrete articles, if you are cautious, without
+attracting notice, and I will dispose of them and share the money with
+you.”
+
+Jasper shook his head.
+
+“I wouldn’t dare to do it,” he said. “Somebody might spy on me.”
+
+“Not if you are careful.”
+
+“If it were found out I would be bounced like Ropes.”
+
+“What is he doing? Have you seen him lately?”
+
+“He is getting on finely. He is earning fifteen dollars a week.”
+
+“You don’t mean it?”
+
+“Yes I do.”
+
+“What firm is he working for?”
+
+“For none at all. He is tutor to a young kid.”
+
+“I didn’t know he was scholar enough.”
+
+“Oh yes, he knows Greek and Latin and a lot of other stuff.”
+
+“Who is the boy?”
+
+“I don’t feel at liberty to tell. I don’t think he would care to have
+you know.”
+
+“I’ll tell you what you can do. Borrow five dollars of him for me.”
+
+“I don’t know about that. If I were to borrow it would be for myself.”
+
+“You can do as you please. If you don’t do something for me I will write
+to Mr. Goodnow that you are the thief who stole the cloaks and dress
+patterns.”
+
+“You wouldn’t do that?” exclaimed Jasper in consternation.
+
+“Wouldn’t I? I am desperate enough to do anything.”
+
+After a little further conference Jasper agreed to do what was asked of
+him. He did not dare to refuse.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+JASPER’S REVENGE
+
+
+Rodney was considerably surprised one evening to receive a call from
+Jasper in his room. He was alone, as Mike had been detailed about a
+week ago for night duty. The room looked more attractive than formerly.
+Rodney had bought a writing desk, which stood in the corner, and had put
+up three pictures, which, though cheap, were attractive.
+
+“Good evening, Jasper,” he said. “It is quite friendly of you to call.”
+
+“I hadn’t anything else on hand this evening, and thought I would come
+round see how you were getting along.”
+
+“Take a seat and make yourself at home.”
+
+“Do you object to cigarettes?” asked Jasper, producing one from a case
+in his pocket.
+
+“I object to smoking them myself, but I don’t want to dictate to my
+friends.”
+
+“You look quite comfortable here,” continued Jasper in a patronizing
+tone.
+
+“We try to be comfortable, though our room is not luxurious.”
+
+“Who do you mean by ‘we’? Have you a room mate?”
+
+“Yes. Mike Flynn rooms with me.”
+
+“Who is he--a newsboy?”
+
+“No. He is a telegraph boy.”
+
+“You don’t seem to very particular,” said Jasper, shrugging his
+shoulders.
+
+“I am very particular.”
+
+“Yet you room with an Irish telegraph boy.”
+
+“He is a nice boy of good habit, and a devoted friend. What could I want
+more?”
+
+“Oh, well, you have a right to consult your own taste.”
+
+“You have a nice home, no doubt.”
+
+“I live with my uncle. Yes, he has a good house, but I am not so
+independent as if I had a room outide.”
+
+“How are things going on at the store?”
+
+“About the same as usual. Why don’t you come in some day?”
+
+“For two reasons; I am occupied during the day, and I don’t want to go
+where I am considered a thief.”
+
+“I wish I was getting your income. It is hard to get along on seven
+dollars a week.”
+
+“Still you have a nice home, and I suppose you have most of your salary
+to yourself.”
+
+“Yes, but there isn’t much margin in seven dollars. My uncle expects
+me to buy my own clothes. You were lucky to get out of the store. Old
+Goodnow ought to give me ten dollars.”
+
+“Don’t let him hear you speak of him as OLD Goodnow, Jasper.”
+
+“Oh, I’m smart enough for that. I mean to keep on the right side of the
+old chap. What sort of a man are you working for?”
+
+“Mr. Sargent is a fine man.”
+
+“He isn’t mean certainly. I should like to be in your shoes.”
+
+“If I hear of any similar position shall I mention your name?” asked
+Rodney, smiling.
+
+“No; I could not take care of a kid. I hate them.”
+
+“Still Arthur is a nice boy.”
+
+“You are welcome to him. What do you have to teach?”
+
+“He is studying Latin and French, besides English branches.”
+
+“I know about as much of Latin and French as a cow. I couldn’t be a
+teacher. I say, Rodney,” and Jasper cleared his throat, “I want you to
+do me a favor.”
+
+“What is it?”
+
+“I want you to lend me ten dollars.”
+
+Rodney was not mean, but he knew very well that a loan to Jasper would
+be a permanent one. Had Jasper been his friend even this consideration
+would not have inspired a refusal, but he knew very well that Jasper had
+not a particle of regard for him.
+
+“I don’t think I can oblige you, Jasper,” he said.
+
+“Why not? You get fifteen dollars a week.”
+
+“My expenses are considerable. Besides I am helping Mike, whose salary
+is very small. I pay the whole of the rent and I have paid for some
+clothes for him.”
+
+“You are spending your money very foolishly,” said Jasper frowning.
+
+“Would I spend it any less foolishly if I should lend you ten dollars?”
+
+“There is some difference between Mike Flynn and me. I am a gentleman.”
+
+“So is Mike.”
+
+“A queer sort of gentleman! He is only a poor telegraph boy.”
+
+“Still he is a gentleman.”
+
+“I should think you might have money enough for both of us.”
+
+“I might but I want to save something from my salary. I don’t know how
+long I shall be earning as much. I might lose my place.”
+
+“So you might.”
+
+“And I could hardly expect to get another where the pay would be as
+good.”
+
+“I would pay you on installment--a dollar a week,” urged Jasper.
+
+“I don’t see how you could, as you say your pay is too small for you
+now.”
+
+“Oh, well, I could manage.”
+
+“I am afraid I can’t oblige you, Jasper,” said Rodney in a decided tone.
+
+“I didn’t think you were so miserly,” answered Jasper in vexation.
+
+“You may call it so, if you like. You must remember that I am not
+situated like you. You have your uncle to fall back upon in case you
+lose your position, but I have no one. I have to hustle for myself.”
+
+“Oh, you needn’t make any more excuses. I suppose ten dollars is rather
+a large sum to lend. Can you lend me five?”
+
+“I am sorry, but I must refuse you.”
+
+Jasper rose from the chair on which he had been sitting.
+
+“Then I may as well go,” he said. “I am disappointed in you, Ropes. I
+thought you were a good, whole souled fellow, and not a miser.”
+
+“You must think of me as you please, Jasper. I feel that I have a right
+to regulate my own affairs.”
+
+“All I have to say is this, if you lose your place as you may very soon,
+don’t come round to the store and expect to be taken back.”
+
+“I won’t,” answered Rodney, smiling. “I wouldn’t go back at any rate
+unless the charge of theft was withdrawn.”
+
+“That will never be!”
+
+“Let it be so, as long as I am innocent.”
+
+Jasper left the room abruptly, not even having the politeness to bid
+Rodney good evening.
+
+Rodney felt that he was quite justified in refusing to lend Jasper
+money. Had he been in need he would have obliged him, though he had no
+reason to look upon him as a friend.
+
+No one who knew Rodney could regard him as mean or miserly. Could he
+have read Jasper’s thoughts as he left the house he would have felt even
+less regret at disappointing him.
+
+About two days afterward when Rodney went up to meet his pupil, Mr.
+Sargent handed him a letter.
+
+“Here is something that concerns you, Rodney,” he said. “It doesn’t
+appear to be from a friend of yours.”
+
+With some curiosity Rodney took the letter and read it.
+
+It ran thus:
+
+
+Mr. JOHN SARGENT:
+
+DEAR SIR--I think it my duty to write and tell you something about
+your son’s tutor--something that will surprise and shock you. Before
+he entered your house he was employed by a firm on Reade Street. He was
+quite a favorite with his employer, Mr. Otis Goodnow, who promoted him
+in a short time. All at once it was found that articles were missing
+from the stock. Of course it was evident that some one of the clerks was
+dishonest. A watch was set, and finally it was found that Rodney Ropes
+had taken the articles, and one--a lady’s cloak--was found in his room
+by a detective. He was discharged at once without a recommendation.
+
+For a time he lived by selling papers, but at last he managed to get
+into your house. I am sure you won’t regard him as fit to educate
+your little son, though I have no doubt he is a good scholar. But his
+character is bad--I don’t think he ought to have concealed this from you
+out of friendship for you, and because I think it is my duty, I take the
+liberty of writing. If you doubt this I will refer to Mr. Goodnow,
+or Mr. James Redwood, who had charge of the room in which Ropes was
+employed. Yours very respectfully,
+                                        A FRIEND.
+
+
+“You knew all this before, Mr. Sargent,” said Rodney, as he handed back
+the letter.
+
+“Yes. Have you any idea who wrote it?”
+
+“I feel quite sure that it was a boy about two years older than myself,
+Jasper Redwood.”
+
+“Is he related to the man of the same name whom he mentions?”
+
+“Yes, he is his nephew.”
+
+“Has he any particular reason for disliking you, Rodney?”
+
+“Yes, sir. He came round to my room Wednesday evening, and asked me to
+lend him ten dollars.”
+
+“I presume you refused.”
+
+“Yes, sir. He is not in need. He succeeded to my place, and he has a
+home at the house of his uncle.”
+
+“He appears to be a very mean boy. Anonymous letters are always
+cowardly, and generally malicious. This seems to be no exception to the
+general rule.”
+
+“I hope it won’t affect your feelings towards me, Mr. Sargent.”
+
+“Don’t trouble yourself about that Rodney. I am not so easily prejudiced
+against one of whom I have a good opinion.”
+
+“I suppose this is Jasper’s revenge,” thought Rodney.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+RODNEY LOSES HIS PUPIL.
+
+
+Jasper had little doubt that his letter would lead to Rodney’s loss of
+position. It was certainly a mean thing to plot another’s downfall,
+but Jasper was quite capable of it. Had he secured the loan he asked he
+would have been willing to leave Rodney alone, but it would only have
+been the first of a series of similar applications.
+
+It was several days before Jasper had an opportunity of learning whether
+his malicious plan had succeeded or not. On Sunday forenoon he met
+Rodney on Fifth Avenue just as the church services were over. He crossed
+the street and accosted the boy he had tried to injure.
+
+“Good morning, Ropes,” he said, examining Rodney’s face curiously to see
+whether it indicated trouble of any kind.
+
+“Good morning!” responded Rodney coolly.
+
+“How are you getting along in your place?”
+
+“Very well, thank you.”
+
+“Shall I find you at your pupil’s house if I call there some afternoon?”
+
+“Yes, unless I am out walking with Arthur.”
+
+“I wonder whether he’s bluffing,” thought Jasper. “I daresay he wouldn’t
+tell me if he had been discharged. He takes it pretty coolly.”
+
+“How long do you think your engagement will last?” he asked.
+
+“I don’t know. I never had a talk with Mr. Sargent on that point.”
+
+“Do you still give satisfaction?”
+
+Rodney penetrated Jasper’s motives for asking all these questions, and
+was amused.
+
+“I presume if I fail to satisfy Mr. Sargent he will tell me so.”
+
+“It would be a nice thing if you could stay there three or four years.”
+
+“Yes: but I don’t anticipate it. When Arthur get a little older he will
+be sent to school.”
+
+“What will you do then?”
+
+“I haven’t got so far as that.”
+
+“I can’t get anything out of him,” said Jasper to himself. “I shouldn’t
+be a bit surprised if he were already discharged.”
+
+They had now reached Madison Square, and Jasper left Rodney.
+
+The latter looked after him with a smile.
+
+“I think I have puzzled Jasper,” he said to himself. “He was anxious to
+know how his scheme had worked. He will have to wait a little longer.”
+
+“If Mr. Sargent keeps Ropes after my letter he must be a fool,” Jasper
+decided. “I wonder if Ropes handles the mail. He might have suppressed
+the letter.”
+
+But Rodney was not familiar with his handwriting, and would have no
+reason to suspect that the particular letter contained anything likely
+to injure him in the eyes of Mr. Sargent.
+
+Later in his walk Jasper met Philip Carton. His former friend was
+sitting on a bench in Madison Square. He called out to Jasper as he
+passed.
+
+“Come here, Jasper, I want to talk with you.”
+
+Jasper looked at him in a manner far from friendly.
+
+“I am in a hurry,” he said.
+
+“What hurry can you be in? Come and sit down here. I MUST speak to you.”
+
+Jasper did not like his tone, but it impressed him, and he did not dare
+to refuse.
+
+He seated himself beside Philip, but looked at him askance. Carton was
+undeniably shabby. He had the look of a man who was going down hill and
+that rapidly.
+
+“I shall be late for dinner,” grumbled Jasper.
+
+“I wish I had any dinner to look forward to,” said Carton. “Do you see
+this money?” and he produced a nickel from his pocket.
+
+“What is there remarkable about it?”
+
+“It is the last money I have. It won’t buy me a dinner.”
+
+“I am sorry, but it is none of my business,” said Jasper coolly. “You
+are old enough to attend to your own affairs.”
+
+“And I once thought you were my friend,” murmured Philip bitterly.
+
+“Yes, we were friends in a way.”
+
+“Now you are up and I am down--Jasper, I want a dollar.”
+
+“I dare say you do. Plenty want that.”
+
+“I want it from you.”
+
+“I can’t spare it.”
+
+“You can spare it better than you can spare your situation.”
+
+“What do you mean by that?” asked Jasper, growing nervous.
+
+“I’ll tell you what I mean. How long do you think you would stay in
+the store if Mr. Goodnow knew that you were concerned in the theft from
+which he has suffered?”
+
+“Was I the only one?”
+
+“No; I am equally guilty.”
+
+“I am glad you acknowledge it. You see you had better keep quiet for
+your own sake.”
+
+“If I keep quiet I shall starve.”
+
+“Do you want to go to prison?”
+
+“I shouldn’t mind so much if you went along, too.”
+
+“Are you crazy, Philip Carton?”
+
+“No, I am not, but I am beginning to get sensible. If I go to prison I
+shall at least have enough to eat, and now I haven’t.”
+
+“What do you mean by all this foolish talk?”
+
+“I mean that if you won’t give me any money I will go to the store and
+tell Mr. Goodnow something that will surprise him.”
+
+Jasper was getting thoroughly frightened.
+
+“Come, Philip.” he said, “listen to reason. You know how poor I am.”
+
+“No doubt. I know you have a good home and enough to eat.”
+
+“I only get seven dollars a week.”
+
+“And I get nothing.”
+
+“I have already been trying to help you. I went to Ropes the other day,
+and asked him to lend me five dollars. I meant it for you.”
+
+“Did he give it to you?”
+
+“He wouldn’t give me a cent. He is mean and miserly!”
+
+“I don’t know. He knows very well that you are no friend of his, though
+he doesn’t know how much harm you have done him.”
+
+“He’s rolling in money. However, I’ve put a spoke in his wheel, I hope.”
+
+“How?”
+
+“I wrote an anonymous letter to Mr. Sargent telling him that Ropes was
+discharged from the store on suspicion of theft.”
+
+“You are a precious scamp, Jasper.”
+
+“What do you mean?”
+
+“You are not content with getting Ropes discharged for something which
+you yourself did----”
+
+“And you too.”
+
+“And I too. I accept the amendment. Not content with that, you try to
+get him discharged from his present position.”
+
+“Then he might have lent me the money,” said Jasper sullenly.
+
+“It wouldn’t have been a loan. It would have been a gift. But no matter
+about that. I want a dollar.”
+
+“I can’t give it to you.”
+
+“Then I shall call at the store tomorrow morning and tell Mr. Goodnow
+about the stolen goods.”
+
+Finding that Carton was in earnest Jasper finally, but with great
+reluctance, drew out a dollar and handed it to his companion.
+
+“There, I hope that will satisfy you,” he said spitefully.
+
+“It will--for the present.”
+
+“I wish he’d get run over or something,” thought Jasper. “He seems to
+expect me to support him, and that on seven dollars a week.”
+
+Fortunately for Jasper, Philip Carton obtained employment the next day
+which lasted for some time, and as he was paid ten dollars a week he was
+not under the necessity of troubling his old confederate for loans.
+
+Now and then Jasper and Rodney met, but there were no cordial relations
+between them. Jasper could not forgive Rodney for refusing to lend him
+money, and Rodney was not likely to forget the anonymous letter by which
+Jasper had tried to injure him.
+
+So three months passed. One day Mr. Sargent arrived at home before it
+was time for Rodney to leave.
+
+“I am glad to see you, Rodney,” said his employer. “I have some news for
+you which I am afraid will not be entirely satisfactory to you.”
+
+“What is it, sir?”
+
+“For the last three years I have been wishing to go to Europe with my
+wife and Arthur. The plan has been delayed, because I could not make
+satisfactory business arrangements. Now, however, that difficulty has
+been overcome, and I propose to sail in about two weeks.”
+
+“I hope you’ll enjoy your trip, sir.”
+
+“Thank you. Of course it will terminate, for a time at least your
+engagement to teach Arthur.”
+
+“I shall be sorry for that, sir, but I am not selfish enough to want you
+to stay at home on that account.”
+
+“I thought you would feel that way. I wish I could procure you another
+position before I go, but that is uncertain. I shall, however, pay you a
+month’s salary in advance in lieu of a notice.”
+
+“That is very liberal, sir.”
+
+“I think it only just. I have been very well pleased with your attention
+to Arthur, and I know he has profited by your instructions as well
+as enjoyed your companionship. I hope you have been able to save
+something.”
+
+“Yes, sir, I have something in the Union Dime Savings Bank.”
+
+“That’s well. You will remain with me one week longer, but the last week
+Arthur will need for preparations.”
+
+Two weeks later Rodney stood on the pier and watched the stately Etruria
+steam out into the river. Arthur and his father were on deck, and the
+little boy waved his handkerchief to his tutor as long as he could see
+him.
+
+Rodney turned away sadly.
+
+“I have lost a good situation,” he soliloquized. “When shall I get
+another?”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+CONTINUED ILL LUCK.
+
+
+Rodney set himself to work searching for a new situation. But
+wherever he called he found Some one ahead of him. At length he saw an
+advertisement for an entry clerk in a wholesale house in Church Street.
+He applied and had the good fortune to please the superintendent.
+
+“Where have you worked before?” he asked.
+
+“At Otis Goodnow’s, on Reade Street.”
+
+“How much were you paid there?”
+
+“Seven dollars a week.”
+
+“Very well, we will start you on that salary, and see if you earn it.”
+
+Rodney was surprised and relieved to find that he was not asked for a
+recommendation from Mr. Goodnow, knowing that he could not obtain one.
+He went to work on a Monday morning, and found his duties congenial and
+satisfactory.
+
+Seven dollars a week was small, compared with what he had received as a
+tutor, but he had about two hundred and fifty dollars in the Union Dime
+Savings Bank and drew three dollars from this fund every week in order
+that he might still assist Mike, whose earnings were small.
+
+One of his new acquaintances in the store was James Hicks, a boy about a
+year older than himself.
+
+“Didn’t you use to work at Otis Goodnow’s?” asked James one day when
+they were going to lunch.
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“I know a boy employed there. He is older than either of us.”
+
+“Who is it?”
+
+“Jasper Redwood. Of course you know him.”
+
+“Yes,” answered Rodney with a presentiment of evil.
+
+He felt that it would be dangerous to have Jasper know of his present
+position, but did not venture to give a hint of this to James.
+
+His fears were not groundless. Only the day after James met Jasper on
+the street.
+
+“Anything new?” asked Jasper.
+
+“Yes; we’ve got one of your old friends in our store.”
+
+“Who is it?”
+
+“Rodney Ropes.”
+
+Jasper stopped short, and whistled. He was excessively surprised, as he
+supposed Rodney still to be Arthur Sargent’s tutor.
+
+“You don’t mean it?” he ejaculated.
+
+“Why not? Is there anything so strange about it?”
+
+“Yes. Did Ropes bring a recommendation from Mr. Goodnow?”
+
+“I suppose so. I don’t know.”
+
+“If he did, it’s forged.”
+
+“Why should it be?”
+
+“Goodnow wouldn’t give him a recommendation.”
+
+“Why wouldn’t he?”
+
+“Because he discharged Ropes. Do you want to know why?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“For stealing articles from the store.”
+
+It was the turn of James Hicks to be surprised.
+
+“I can’t believe it,” he said.
+
+“Its true. Just mention the matter to Ropes, and you’ll see he won’t
+deny it.”
+
+“I think there must be some mistake about it. Rodney doesn’t look like a
+fellow that would steal.”
+
+“Oh, you can’t tell from appearances--Rogues are always plausible.”
+
+“Still mistakes are sometimes made. I’d trust Rodney Ropes sooner than
+any boy I know.”
+
+“You don’t know him as well as I do.”
+
+“You don’t like him?” said James shrewdly.
+
+“No I don’t. I can’t like a thief.”
+
+“You talk as if you had a grudge against him.”
+
+“Nothing but his being a thief. Well, what are you going to do about
+it?”
+
+“About what?”
+
+“What I have just told you.”
+
+“I don’t feel that I have any call to do anything.”
+
+“You ought to tell your employer.”
+
+“I am no telltale,” said James scornfully.
+
+“Then you will let him stay in the store, knowing him to be a thief?”
+
+“I don’t know him to be a thief. If he steals anything it will probably
+be found out.”
+
+Jasper urged James to give information about Rodney, but he steadily
+refused.
+
+“I leave others to do such dirty work,” he said, “and I don’t think any
+better of you, let me tell you, for your eagerness to turn the boy out
+of his position.”
+
+“You are a queer boy.”
+
+“Think so if you like,” retorted Hicks. “I might give my opinion of
+you.”
+
+At this point Jasper thought it best to let the conversation drop. He
+was much pleased to learn that Rodney had lost his fine position as
+tutor, and was now in a place from which he might more easily be ousted.
+
+As he could not prevail upon James Hicks to betray Rodney he decided to
+write an anonymous letter to the firm that employed him.
+
+The result was that the next afternoon Rodney was summoned to the
+office.
+
+“Sit down Ropes,” said the superintendent. “For what store did you work
+before you came into our house?”
+
+“Otis Goodnow’s.”
+
+“Under what circumstances did you leave?”
+
+“I was accused of theft.”
+
+“You did not mention this matter when you applied for a situation here.”
+
+“No, sir. I ought perhaps to have done so, but I presumed in that case
+you would not have given me a place.”
+
+“You are right he would not.”
+
+“Nor would I have applied had the charge been a true one. Articles were
+certainly missing from Mr. Goodnow’s stock, but in accusing me they did
+me a great injustice.”
+
+“How long since you left Mr. Goodnow’s?”
+
+“Four months.”
+
+“What have you been doing since?”
+
+“I was acting as tutor to the son of Mr. Sargent, of West Fifty Eighth
+Street.”
+
+“A well known citizen. Then you are a scholar?”
+
+“Yes, sir, I am nearly prepared for college.”
+
+“Of course he did not know you were suspected of dishonesty.”
+
+“On the contrary he did know it. I told him, and later he received an
+anonymous letter, notifying him of the fact.”
+
+“We also have received an anonymous letter. Here it is. Do you recognize
+the hand writing?”
+
+“Yes,” answered Rodney after examining the letter. “It was written by
+Jasper Redwood.”
+
+“Who is he?”
+
+“A boy employed by Mr. Goodnow. For some reason he seems to have a spite
+against me.”
+
+“I admit that it is pretty small business to write an anonymous letter
+calculated to injure another. Still we shall have to take notice of
+this.”
+
+“Yes, sir, I suppose so.”
+
+“I shall have to bring it to the notice of the firm. What they may do I
+don’t know. If the matter was to be decided by me I would let you stay.”
+
+“Thank you, sir,” said Rodney gratefully.
+
+“But I am not Mr. Hall. You can go now and I will see you again.”
+
+Rodney left the office fully persuaded that his engagement would
+speedily terminate. He was right; the next day he was sent for again.
+
+“I am sorry to tell you, Ropes,” said the superintendent kindly “that
+Mr. Hall insists upon your being discharged. He is a nervous man and
+rather suspicious. I spoke in your favor but I could not turn him.”
+
+“At any rate I am grateful to you for your friendly effort.”
+
+The superintendent hesitated a moment, and then said: “Will this
+discharge seriously embarrass you? Are you short of money?”
+
+“No, sir. I was very liberally paid by Mr. Sargent, and I saved money.
+I have enough in the savings bank to last me several months, should I be
+idle so long.”
+
+“I am glad of it. I hope you will remember, my boy, that this is none of
+my doing. I would gladly retain you. I will say one thing more, should
+Jasper Redwood ever apply for a situation here, his name will not be
+considered.”
+
+So Rodney found himself again without a position. It seemed hard in view
+of his innocence, but he had confidence to believe that something would
+turn up for him as before. At any rate he had enough money to live on
+for some time.
+
+When Mike Flynn learned the circumstances of his discharge he was very
+angry.
+
+“I’d like to meet Jasper Redwood,” he said, his eyes flashing. “If I
+didn’t give him a laying out then my name isn’t Mike Flynn.”
+
+“I think he will get his desert some time, Mickey, without any help from
+you or me.”
+
+“Should hope he will. And what’ll you do now, Rodney?”
+
+“I don’t know. Sometimes I think it would be well to go to some other
+city, Boston or Philadelphia, where Jasper can’t get on my track.”
+
+“Should hope you won’t do it. I can’t get along widout you.”
+
+“I will stay here for a few weeks, Mike, and see if anything turns up.”
+
+“I might get you in as a telegraph boy.”
+
+“That wouldn’t suit me. It doesn’t pay enough.”
+
+Rodney began to hunt for a situation again, but four weeks passed and
+brought him no success. One afternoon about four o’clock he was walking
+up Broadway when, feeling tired, he stepped into the Continental Hotel
+at the corner of Twentieth Street.
+
+He took a seat at some distance back from the door, and in a desultory
+way began to look about him. All at once he started in surprise, for
+in a man sitting in one of the front row of chairs he recognized Louis
+Wheeler, the railroad thief who had stolen his box of jewelry.
+
+Wheeler was conversing with a man with a large flapping sombrero, and
+whose dress and general appearance indicated that he was a Westerner.
+
+Rodney left his seat and going forward sat down in the chair behind
+Wheeler. He suspected that the Western man was in danger of being
+victimized.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+
+AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE TURNS UP.
+
+
+In his new position Rodney could easily hear the conversation which took
+place between the Western man and his old railroad acquaintance.
+
+“I am quite a man of leisure,” said Wheeler, “and it will give me great
+pleasure to go about with you and show you our city.”
+
+“You are very obliging.”
+
+“Oh, don’t mention it. I shall really be glad to have my time occupied.
+You see I am a man of means--my father left me a fortune--and so I am
+not engaged in any business.”
+
+“You are in luck. I was brought up on a farm in Vermont, and had to
+borrow money to take me to Montana four years ago.”
+
+“I hope you prospered in your new home?”
+
+“I did. I picked up twenty five thousand dollars at the mines, and
+doubled it by investment in lots in Helena.”
+
+“Very neat, indeed. I inherited a fortune from my father--a hundred and
+twenty five thousand dollars--but I never made a cent myself. I don’t
+know whether I am smart enough.”
+
+“Come out to Montana and I’ll put you in a way of making some money.”
+
+“Really, now, that suggestion strikes me favorably. I believe I will
+follow your advice. When shall you return to your Western home?”
+
+“In about a fortnight I think.”
+
+“You must go to the theater tonight. There is a good play on at the
+Madison Square.”
+
+“I don’t mind. When can I get ticket?”
+
+“I’ll go and secure some. It is only a few blocks away.”
+
+“Do so. How much are the tickets?”
+
+“A dollar and a half or two dollars each.”
+
+“Here are five dollars, if it won’t trouble you too much.”
+
+“My dear friend, I meant to pay for the tickets. However, I will pay
+next time. If you will remain here I will be back in twenty minutes.”
+
+Louis Wheeler left the hotel with the five dollars tucked away in his
+vest pocket.
+
+He had no sooner disappeared than Rodney went forward and occupied his
+seat.
+
+“Excuse me, sir,” he said to the miner, “but do you know much of the man
+who has just left you?”
+
+“I only met him here. He seems a good natured fellow. What of him?”
+
+“He said he was a man of independent means.”
+
+“Isn’t he?”
+
+“He is a thief and an adventurer.”
+
+The miner was instantly on the alert.
+
+“How do you know this?” he asked.
+
+“Because he stole a box of jewelry from me in the cars some months ago.”
+
+“Did you get it again?”
+
+“Yes; he left the train, but I followed him up and reclaimed the
+jewelry.”
+
+“Was it of much value?”
+
+“They were family jewels, and were worth over a thousand dollars.”
+
+“Do you think he wants to bunco me?”
+
+“I have no doubt of it.”
+
+“I have given him money to buy theater tickets. Do you think he will
+come back?”
+
+“Yes. He wouldn’t be satisfied with that small sum.”
+
+“Tell me about your adventure with him.”
+
+“I will do it later. The theater is so near that he might come back and
+surprise us together. I think he would recognize me.”
+
+“Do you advise me to go to the theater?”
+
+“Yes, but be on your guard.”
+
+“Where can I see you again?”
+
+“Are you staying at this hotel?”
+
+“Yes. Here is my card.”
+
+Rodney read this name on the card:
+
+
+JEFFERSON PETTRIGREW.
+
+
+“I wish you were going to the theater with us.”
+
+“It wouldn’t do. Mr. Wheeler would remember me.”
+
+“Then come round and breakfast with me tomorrow--at eight o’clock,
+sharp.”
+
+“I will, sir. Now I will take a back seat, and leave you to receive your
+friend.”
+
+“Don’t call him my friend. He seems to be a mean scoundrel.”
+
+“Don’t let him suspect anything from your manner.”
+
+“I won’t. I want to see him expose his plans.” Five minutes afterwards
+Louis Wheeler entered the hotel.
+
+“I’ve got the tickets,” he said, “but I had to buy them of a speculator,
+and they cost me more than I expected.”
+
+“How much?”
+
+“Two and a half apiece. So there is no change coming back to you.”
+
+“Never mind! As long as you had enough money to pay for them it is all
+right.”
+
+As a matter of fact Wheeler bought the tickets at the box office at one
+dollar and fifty cent each, which left him a profit of two dollars.
+When he saw how easily the Western man took it he regretted not having
+represented that the tickets cost three dollars each.
+
+However, he decided that there would be other ways of plundering his new
+acquaintance. He took his seat again next to the miner.
+
+“It is not very late,” he said. “Would you like a run out to Central
+Park or to Grant’s Tomb?”
+
+“Not today. I feel rather tired. By the way, you did not mention your
+name.”
+
+“I haven’t a card with me, but my name is Louis Wheeler.”
+
+“Where do you live, Mr. Wheeler?”
+
+“I am staying with an aunt on Fifth Avenue, but I think of taking board
+at the Windsor Hotel. It is a very high toned house, and quite a number
+of my friends board there.”
+
+“Is it an expensive hotel?”
+
+“Oh, yes, but my income is large and----”
+
+“I understand. Now, Mr. Wheeler, I must excuse myself, as I feel tired.
+Come at half past seven and we can start for the theater together.”
+
+“Very well.”
+
+Wheeler rose reluctantly, for he had intended to secure a dinner from
+his new acquaintance, but he was wise enough to take the hint.
+
+After he left the room Rodney again joined Mr. Pettigrew.
+
+“He didn’t give me back any change,” said the Western man. “He said he
+bought the tickets of a speculator at two dollars and a half each.”
+
+“Then he made two dollars out of you.”
+
+“I suppose that is the beginning. Well, that doesn’t worry me. But I
+should like to know how he expects to get more money out of me. I don’t
+understand the ways of this gentry.”
+
+“Nor I very well. If you are on your guard I think you won’t be in any
+danger.”
+
+“I will remember what you say. You seem young to act as adviser to a man
+like me. Are you in business?”
+
+“At present I am out of work, but I have money enough to last me three
+months.”
+
+“Are you, like my new acquaintance, possessed of independent means?”
+
+“Not now, but I was six months ago.”
+
+“How did you lose your money?”
+
+“I did not lose it. My guardian lost it for me.”
+
+“What is your name?”
+
+“Rodney Ropes.”
+
+“You’ve had some pretty bad luck. Come up to my room and tell me about
+it.”
+
+“I shall be glad to do so, sir.”
+
+Mr. Pettigrew called for his key and led the way up to a plain room on
+the third floor.
+
+“Come in,” he said. “The room is small, but I guess it will hold us
+both. Now go ahead with your story.”
+
+In a short time Rodney had told his story in full to his new
+acquaintance, encouraged to do so by his sympathetic manner. Mr.
+Pettigrew was quite indignant, when told of Jasper’s mean and
+treacherous conduct.
+
+“That boy Jasper is a snake in the grass,” he said. “I’d like to give
+him a good thrashing.”
+
+“There isn’t any love lost between us, Mr. Pettigrew, but I think it
+will turn out right in the end. Still I find it hard to get a place in
+New York with him circulating stories about me.”
+
+“Then why do you stay in New York?”
+
+“I have thought it might be better to go to Philadelphia or Boston.”
+
+“I can tell you of a better place than either.”
+
+“What is that?”
+
+“Montana.”
+
+“Do you really think it would be wise for me to go there?”
+
+“Think? I haven’t a doubt about it.”
+
+“I have money enough to get there, but not much more. I should soon have
+to find work, or I might get stranded.”
+
+“Come back with me, and I’ll see you through. I’ll make a bargain with
+you. Go round with me here, and I’ll pay your fare out to Montana.”
+
+“If you are really in earnest I will do so, and thank you for the
+offer.”
+
+“Jefferson Pettigrew means what he says. I’ll see you through, Rodney.”
+
+“But I may be interfering with your other friend, Louis Wheeler.”
+
+“I shall soon be through with him. You needn’t worry yourself about
+that.”
+
+Mr. Pettigrew insisted upon Rodney’s taking supper with him. Fifteen
+minutes after Rodney left him Mr. Wheeler made his appearance.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+
+MR. WHEELER HAS A SET BACK.
+
+
+Louis Wheeler had not seen Rodney in the hotel office, and probably
+would not have recognized him if he had, as Rodney was quite differently
+dressed from the time of their first meeting. He had no reason to
+suppose, therefore, that Mr. Pettigrew had been enlightened as to his
+real character.
+
+It was therefore with his usual confidence that he accosted his
+acquaintance from Montana after supper.
+
+“It is time to go to the theater, Mr. Pettigrew,” he said.
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew scanned his new acquaintance with interest. He
+had never before met a man of his type and he looked upon him as a
+curiosity.
+
+He was shrewd, however, and did not propose to let Wheeler know that he
+understood his character. He resolved for the present to play the part
+of the bluff and unsuspecting country visitor.
+
+“You are very kind, Mr. Wheeler,” he said, “to take so much trouble for
+a stranger.”
+
+“My dear sir,” said Wheeler effusively, “I wouldn’t do it for many
+persons, but I have taken a fancy to you.”
+
+“You don’t mean so?” said Pettigrew, appearing pleased?
+
+“Yes, I do, on my honor.”
+
+“But I don’t see why you should. You are a polished city gentleman and I
+am an ignorant miner from Montana.”
+
+Louis Wheeler looked complacent when he was referred to as a polished
+city gentleman.
+
+“You do yourself injustice, my dear Pettigrew,” he said in a patronizing
+manner. “You do indeed. You may not be polished, but you are certainly
+smart, as you have shown by accumulating a fortune.”
+
+“But I am not as rich as you.”
+
+“Perhaps not, but if I should lose my money, I could not make another
+fortune, while I am sure you could. Don’t you think it would be a good
+plan for us to start a business together in New York?”
+
+“Would you really be willing to go into business with me?”
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew asked this question with so much apparent sincerity
+that Wheeler was completely deceived.
+
+“I’ve got him dead!” he soliloquized complacently.
+
+He hooked his arm affectionately in the Montana miner’s and said,
+“My dear friend, I have never met a man with whom I would rather
+be associated in business than with you. How much capital could you
+contribute?”
+
+“I will think it over, Mr. Wheeler. By the way what business do you
+propose that we shall go into?”
+
+“I will think it over and report to you.”
+
+By this time they had reached the theater. The play soon commenced. Mr.
+Pettigrew enjoyed it highly, for he had not had much opportunity at the
+West of attending a high class theatrical performance.
+
+When the play ended, Louis Wheeler said, “Suppose we go to Delmonico’s
+and have a little refreshment.”
+
+“Very well.”
+
+They adjourned to the well known restaurant, and Mr. Pettigrew ordered
+an ice and some cakes, but his companion made a hearty supper. When the
+bill came, Louis Wheeler let it lie on the table, but Mr. Pettigrew did
+not appear to see it.
+
+“I wonder if he expects me to pay for it,” Wheeler asked himself
+anxiously.
+
+“Thank you for this pleasant little supper,” said Pettigrew
+mischievously. “Delmonico’s is certainly a fine place.”
+
+Wheeler changed color. He glanced at the check. It was for two dollars
+and seventy five cents, and this represented a larger sum than he
+possessed.
+
+He took the check and led the way to the cashier’s desk. Then he
+examined his pockets.
+
+“By Jove,” he said, “I left my wallet in my other coat. May I borrow
+five dollars till tomorrow?”
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew eyed him shrewdly. “Never mind,” he said, “I will
+pay the check.”
+
+“I am very much ashamed of having put you to this expense.”
+
+“If that is all you have to be ashamed of Mr. Wheeler,” said the miner
+pointedly, “you can rest easy.”
+
+“What do you mean?” stammered Wheeler.
+
+“Wait till we get into the street, and I will tell you.”
+
+They went out at the Broadway entrance, and then Mr. Pettigrew turned to
+his new acquaintance.
+
+“I think I will bid you good night and good by at the same time, Mr.
+Wheeler,” he said.
+
+“My dear sir, I hoped you won’t misjudge me on account of my
+unfortunately leaving my money at home.”
+
+“I only wish to tell you that I have not been taken in by your plausible
+statement, Mr. Wheeler, if that is really your name. Before we started
+for the theater I had gauged you and taken your measure.”
+
+“Sir, I hope you don’t mean to insult me!” blustered Wheeler.
+
+“Not at all. You have been mistaken in me, but I am not mistaken in you.
+I judge you to be a gentlemanly adventurer, ready to take advantage of
+any who have money and are foolish enough to be gulled by your tricks.
+You are welcome to the profit you made out of the theater tickets, also
+to the little supper to which you have done so much justice. I must
+request you, now, however, to devote yourself to some one else, as I do
+not care to meet you again.”
+
+Louis Wheeler slunk away, deciding that he had made a great mistake in
+setting down his Montana acquaintance as an easy victim.
+
+“I didn’t think he’d get on to my little game so quick,” he reflected.
+“He’s sharper than he looks.”
+
+Rodney took breakfast with Mr. Pettigrew the next morning. When
+breakfast was over, the Montana man said:
+
+“I’m going to make a proposal to you, Rodney. How much pay did you get
+at your last place?”
+
+“Seven dollars a week.”
+
+“I’ll pay you that and give you your meals. In return I want you to keep
+me company and go about with me.”
+
+“I shall not be apt to refuse such an offer as that, Mr. Pettigrew, but
+are you sure you prefer me to Mr. Wheeler?” laughed Rodney.
+
+“Wheeler be--blessed!” returned the miner.
+
+“How long are you going to stay in New York?”
+
+“About two weeks. Then I shall go back to Montana and take you with me.”
+
+“Thank you. There is nothing I should like better.”
+
+Two days later, as the two were walking along Broadway, they met Mr.
+Wheeler. The latter instantly recognized his friend from Montana, and
+scrutinized closely his young companion.
+
+Rodney’s face looked strangely familiar to him, but somehow he could not
+recollect when or under what circumstances he had met him. He did not,
+however, like to give up his intended victim, but had the effrontery to
+address the man from Montana.
+
+“I hope you are well, Mr. Pettigrew.”
+
+“Thank you, I am very well.”
+
+“I hope you are enjoying yourself. I should be glad to show you the
+sights. Have you been to Grants Tomb?”
+
+“Not yet.”
+
+“I should like to take you there.”
+
+“Thank you, but I have a competent guide.”
+
+“Won’t you introduce me to the young gentleman?”
+
+“I don’t require any introduction to you, Mr. Wheeler,” said Rodney.
+
+“Where have I met you before?” asked Wheeler abruptly.
+
+“In the cars. I had a box of jewelry with me,” answered Rodney
+significantly.
+
+Louis Wheeler changed color. Now he remembered Rodney, and he was
+satisfied that he owed to him the coolness with which the Western man
+had treated him.
+
+“I remember you had,” he said spitefully, “but I don’t know how you came
+by it.”
+
+“It isn’t necessary that you should know. I remember I had considerable
+difficulty in getting it out of your hands.”
+
+“Mr. Pettigrew,” said Wheeler angrily, “I feel interested in you, and
+I want to warn you against the boy who is with you. He is a dangerous
+companion.”
+
+“I dare say you are right,” said Pettigrew in a quizzical tone. “I shall
+look after him sharply, and I thank you for your kind and considerate
+warning. I don’t care to take up any more of your valuable time. Rodney,
+let us be going.”
+
+“It must have been the kid that exposed me,” muttered Wheeler, as he
+watched the two go down the street. “I will get even with him some time.
+That man would have been good for a thousand dollars to me if I had not
+been interfered with.”
+
+“You have been warned against me, Mr. Pettigrew,” said Rodney, laughing.
+“Mr. Wheeler has really been very unkind in interfering with my plans.”
+
+“I shan’t borrow any trouble, or lie awake nights thinking about it,
+Rodney. I don’t care to see or think of that rascal again.”
+
+The week passed, and the arrangement between Mr. Pettigrew and Rodney
+continued to their mutual satisfaction. One morning, when Rodney came to
+the Continental as usual, his new friend said: “I received a letter last
+evening from my old home in Vermont.”
+
+“I hope it contained good news.”
+
+“On the contrary it contained bad news. My parents are dead, but I have
+an old uncle and aunt living. When I left Burton he was comfortably
+fixed, with a small farm of his own, and two thousand dollars in bank.
+Now I hear that he is in trouble. He has lost money, and a knavish
+neighbor has threatened to foreclose a mortgage on the farm and turn out
+the old people to die or go to the poorhouse.”
+
+“Is the mortgage a large one?”
+
+“It is much less than the value of the farm, but ready money is scarce
+in the town, and that old Sheldon calculates upon. Now I think of going
+to Burton to look up the matter.”
+
+“You must save your uncle, if you can, Mr. Pettigrew.”
+
+“I can and I will. I shall start for Boston this afternoon by the Fall
+River boat and I want you to go with me.”
+
+“I should enjoy the journey, Mr. Pettigrew.”
+
+“Then it is settled. Go home and pack your gripsack. You may be gone
+three or four days.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+
+A CHANGE OF SCENE.
+
+
+“Now,” said Mr. Pettigrew, when they were sitting side by side on the
+upper deck of the Puritan, the magnificent steamer on the Fall River
+line. “I want you to consent to a little plan that will mystify my old
+friends and neighbors.”
+
+“What is it, Mr. Pettigrew?”
+
+“I have never written home about my good fortune; so far as they know I
+am no better off than when I went away.”
+
+“I don’t think I could have concealed my success.”
+
+“It may seem strange, but I’ll explain--I want to learn who are my
+friends and who are not. I am afraid I wasn’t very highly thought of
+when I left Burton. I was considered rather shiftless.
+
+“I was always in for a good time, and never saved a cent. Everybody
+predicted that I would fail, and I expect most wanted me to fail. There
+were two or three, including my uncle, aunt and the friend who lent me
+money, who wished me well.
+
+“I mustn’t forget to mention the old minister who baptized me when I was
+an infant. The good old man has been preaching thirty or forty years
+on a salary of four hundred dollars, and has had to run a small farm to
+make both ends meet. He believed in me and gave me good advice. Outside
+of these I don’t remember any one who felt an interest in Jefferson
+Pettigrew.”
+
+“You will have the satisfaction of letting them see that they did not do
+you justice.”
+
+“Yes, but I may not tell them--that is none except my true friends. If
+I did, they would hover round me and want to borrow money, or get me to
+take them out West with me. So I have hit upon a plan. I shall want to
+use money, but I will pretend it is yours.”
+
+Rodney opened his eyes in surprise.
+
+“I will pass you off as a rich friend from New York, who feels an
+interest in me and is willing to help me.”
+
+Rodney smiled.
+
+“I don’t know if I can look the character,” he said.
+
+“Oh yes you can. You are nicely dressed, while I am hardly any better
+dressed than when I left Burton.”
+
+“I have wondered why you didn’t buy some new clothes when you were able
+to afford it.”
+
+“You see we Western miners don’t care much for style, perhaps not
+enough. Still I probably shall buy a suit or two, but not till I have
+made my visit home. I want to see how people will receive me, when they
+think I haven’t got much money. I shall own up to about five hundred
+dollars, but that isn’t enough to dazzle people even in a small country
+village.”
+
+“I am wiling to help you in any way you wish, Mr. Pettigrew.”
+
+“Then I think we shall get some amusement out of it. I shall represent
+you as worth about a hundred thousand dollars.”
+
+“I wish I were.”
+
+“Very likely you will be some time if you go out to Montana with me.”
+
+“How large a place is Burton?”
+
+“It has not quite a thousand inhabitants. It is set among the hills,
+and has but one rich man, Lemuel Sheldon, who is worth perhaps fifty
+thousand dollars, but put on the airs of a millionaire.”
+
+“You are as rich as he, then.”
+
+“Yes, and shall soon be richer. However, I don’t want him to know it. It
+is he who holds the mortgage on my uncle’s farm.”
+
+“Do you know how large the mortgage is?”
+
+“It is twelve hundred dollars. I shall borrow the money of you to pay
+it.”
+
+“I understand,” said Rodney, smiling.
+
+“I shall enjoy the way the old man will look down upon me very much as a
+millionaire looks down upon a town pauper.”
+
+“How will he look upon me?”
+
+“He will be very polite to you, for he will think you richer than
+himself.”
+
+“On the whole, we are going to act a comedy, Mr. Pettigrew. What is the
+name of the man who lent you money to go to Montana?”
+
+“A young carpenter, Frank Dobson. He lent me a hundred dollars, which
+was about all the money he had saved up.”
+
+“He was a true friend.”
+
+“You are right. He was. Everybody told Frank that he would never see his
+money again, but he did. As soon as I could get together enough to
+repay him I sent it on, though I remember it left me with less than ten
+dollars in my pocket.
+
+“I couldn’t bear to think that Frank would lose anything by me. You see
+we were chums at school and always stood by each other. He is married
+and has two children.”
+
+“While you are an old bachelor.”
+
+“Yes; I ain’t in a hurry to travel in double harness. I’ll wait till
+I am ready to leave Montana, with money enough to live handsomely at
+home.”
+
+“You have got enough now.”
+
+“But I may as well get more. I am only thirty years old, and I can
+afford to work a few years longer.”
+
+“I wish I could be sure of being worth fifty thousand dollars when I am
+your age.”
+
+“You have been worth that, you tell me.”
+
+“Yes, but I should value more money that I had made myself.”
+
+Above five o’clock on Monday afternoon Mr. Pettigrew and Rodney reached
+Burton. It was a small village about four miles from the nearest railway
+station. An old fashioned Concord stage connected Burton with the
+railway. The driver was on the platform looking out for passengers when
+Jefferson Pettigrew stepped out of the car.
+
+“How are you, Hector?” said the miner, in an off hand way.
+
+“Why, bless my soul if it isn’t Jeff!” exclaimed the driver, who had
+been an old schoolmate of Mr. Pettigrew’s.
+
+“I reckon it is,” said the miner, his face lighting up with the
+satisfaction he felt at seeing a home face.
+
+“Why, you ain’t changed a mite, Jeff. You look just as you did when you
+went away. How long have you been gone?”
+
+“Four years!”
+
+“Made a fortune? But you don’t look like it. That’s the same suit you
+wore when you went away, isn’t it?”
+
+Mr. Pettigrew laughed.
+
+“Well no, it isn’t the same, but it’s one of the same kind.”
+
+“I thought maybe you’d come home in a dress suit.”
+
+“It isn’t so easy to make a fortune, Hector.”
+
+“But you have made something, ain’t you?”
+
+“Oh, yes, when I went away I hadn’t a cent except what I borrowed. Now
+I’ve got five hundred dollars.”
+
+“That ain’t much.”
+
+“No, but it’s better than nothing. How much more have you got, Hector?”
+
+“Well, you see I married last year. I haven’t had a chance to lay by.”
+
+“So you see I did as well as if I had stayed at home.”
+
+“Are you going to stay home now?”
+
+“For a little while. I may go back to Montana after a bit.”
+
+“Is it a good place to make money?”
+
+“I made five hundred dollars.”
+
+“Thats only a little more than a hundred dollars a year. Frank Dobson
+has saved as much as that and he’s stayed right here in Burton.”
+
+“I’m glad of that,” said Pettigrew heartily. “Frank is a rousing good
+fellow. If it hadn’t been for him I couldn’t have gone to Montana.”
+
+“It doesn’t seem to have done you much good, as I can see.”
+
+“Oh, well, I am satisfied. Let me introduce my friend, Mr. Rodney Ropes
+of New York.”
+
+“Glad to meet you,” said Hector with a jerk of the head.
+
+“Rodney, won’t you sit inside? I want to sit outide with Hector.”
+
+“All right, Mr. Pettigrew.”
+
+“Who is that boy?” asked Hector with characteristic Yankee curiosity, as
+he seized the lines and started the horses.
+
+“A rich young fellow from New York. I got acquainted with him there.”
+
+“Rich is he?” Jefferson Pettigrew nodded.
+
+“How rich do you think?”
+
+“Shouldn’t wonder if he might be worth a hundred thousand.”
+
+“You don’t say! Why, he beat Squire Sheldon.”
+
+“Oh, yes, Squire Sheldon wouldn’t be considered rich in New York.”
+
+“How did he get his money?”
+
+“His father left him a fortune.”
+
+“Is that so? I wish my father had left me a fortune.”
+
+“He did, didn’t he?”
+
+“Yes, he did! When his estate was settled I got seventy five dollars, if
+you call that a fortune. But I say, what brings the boy to Burton?”
+
+“His friendship for me, I expect. Besides he may invest in a place.”
+
+“There’s the old Morse place for sale. Do you think he’d buy that?”
+
+“It wouldn’t be nice enough for him. I don’t know any place that would
+be good enough except the squire’s.”
+
+“The squire wouldn’t sell.”
+
+“Oh, well, I don’t know as Rodney would care to locate in Burton.”
+
+“You’re in luck to get such a friend. Say, do you think he would lend
+you a hundred dollars if you were hard up?”
+
+“I know he would. By the way, Hector, is there any news? How is my
+uncle?”
+
+“I think the old man is worrying on account of his mortgage.”
+
+“Who holds it?”
+
+“The squire. They do say he is goin’ to foreclose. That’ll be bad for
+the old man. It’ll nigh about break his heart I expect.”
+
+“Can’t uncle raise the money to pay him?”
+
+“Who is there round here who has got any money except the squire?”
+
+“That’s so.”
+
+“Where are you goin’ to stop, Jeff?”
+
+“I guess I’ll stop at the tavern tonight, but I’ll go over and call on
+uncle this evening.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+
+JEFFERSON PETTIGREW’S HOME.
+
+
+News spreads fast in a country village. Scarcely an hour had passed
+when it was generally known that Jefferson Pettigrew had come home from
+Montana with a few hundred dollars in money, bringing with him a rich
+boy who could buy out all Burton. At least that is the way the report
+ran.
+
+When the two new arrivals had finished supper and come out on the hotel
+veranda there were a dozen of Jefferson Pettigrew’s friends ready to
+welcome him.
+
+“How are you, Jefferson, old boy?” said one and another.
+
+“Pretty well, thank you. It seems good to be home.”
+
+“I hear you’ve brought back some money.”
+
+“Yes, a few hundred dollars.”
+
+“That’s better than nothing. I reckon you’ll stay home now.”
+
+“I can’t afford it, boys.”
+
+“Are ye goin’ back to Montany?”
+
+“Yes. I know the country, and I can make a middlin’ good livin’ there.”
+
+“I say, is that boy thats with you as rich as they say?”
+
+“I don’t know what they say.”
+
+“They say he’s worth a million.”
+
+“Oh no, not so much as that. He’s pretty well fixed.”
+
+“Hasn’t he got a father livin’?”
+
+“No, it’s his father that left the money.”
+
+“How did you happen to get in with him?”
+
+“Oh, we met promiscuous. He took a sort of fancy to me, and that’s the
+way of it.”
+
+“Do you expect to keep him with you?”
+
+“He talks of goin’ back to Montana with me. I’ll be sort of guardian to
+him.”
+
+“You’re in luck, Jeff.”
+
+“Yes, I’m in luck to have pleasant company. Maybe we’ll join together
+and buy a mine.”
+
+“Would you mind introducin’ him?”
+
+“Not at all,” and thus Rodney became acquainted with quite a number
+of the Burton young men. He was amused to see with what deference they
+treated him, but preserved a sober face and treated all cordially, so
+that he made a favorable impression on those he met.
+
+Among those who made it in their way to call on the two travelers was
+Lemuel Sheldon, the rich man of the village.
+
+“How do you do, Jefferson?” he said condescendingly.
+
+“Very well, sir.”
+
+“You have been quite a traveler.”
+
+“Yes, sir; I have been to the far West.”
+
+“And met with some success, I am told.”
+
+“Yes, sir; I raised money enough to get home.”
+
+“I hear you brought home a few hundred dollars.”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“Oh, well,” said the squire patronizingly, “that’s good beginning.”
+
+“It must seem very little to a rich man like you, squire.”
+
+“Oh, no!” said the squire patronizingly. “You are a young man. I
+shouldn’t wonder if by the time you get as old as I am you might be
+worth five thousand dollars.”
+
+“I hope so,” answered Mr. Pettigrew demurely.
+
+“By the way, you have brought a young man with you, I am told.”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“I should like to make his acquaintance. He is rich, is he not?”
+
+“I wish I was as rich.”
+
+“You don’t say so! About how much do you estimate he is worth?”
+
+“I don’t think it amounts to quite as much as a quarter of a million.
+Still, you know it is not always easy to tell how much a person is
+worth.”
+
+“He is certainly a VERY fortunate young man,” said the squire,
+impressed. “What is his name?”
+
+“Rodney Ropes.”
+
+“The name sounds aristocratic. I shall be glad to know him.”
+
+“Rodney,” said Mr. Pettigrew. “I want to introduce you to Squire
+Sheldon, our richest and most prominent citizen.”
+
+“I am glad to meet you, Squire Sheldon,” said Rodney, offering his hand.
+
+“I quite reciprocate the feeling, Mr. Ropes, but Mr. Pettigrew should
+not call me a rich man. I am worth something, to be sure.”
+
+“I should say you were, squire,” said Jefferson. “Rodney, he is as rich
+as you are.”
+
+“Oh no,” returned the squire, modestly, “not as rich as that. Indeed, I
+hardly know how much I am worth. As Mr. Pettigrew very justly observed
+it is not easy to gauge a man’s possessions. But there is one difference
+between us. You, Mr. Ropes, I take it, are not over eighteen.”
+
+“Only sixteen, sir.”
+
+“And yet you are wealthy. I am rising fifty. When you come to my age you
+will be worth much more.”
+
+“Perhaps I may have lost all I now possess,” said Rodney. “Within a year
+I have lost fifty thousand dollars.”
+
+“You don’t say so.”
+
+“Yes; it was through a man who had charge of my property. I think now I
+shall manage my money matters myself.”
+
+“Doubtless you are right. That was certainly a heavy loss. I shouldn’t
+like to lose so much. I suppose, however, you had something left?”
+
+“Oh yes,” answered Rodney in an indifferent tone.
+
+“He must be rich to make so little account of fifty thousand dollars,”
+ thought the squire.
+
+“How long do you propose to stay in town, Mr. Pettigrew?” he asked.
+
+“I can’t tell, sir, but I don’t think I can spare more than three or
+four days.”
+
+“May I hope that you and Mr. Ropes will take supper with me tomorrow
+evening?”
+
+“Say the next day and we’ll come. Tomorrow I must go to my uncle’s.”
+
+“Oh very well!”
+
+Squire Sheldon privately resolved to pump Rodney as to the investment of
+his property. He was curious to learn first how much the boy was worth,
+for if there was anything that the squire worshiped it was wealth. He
+was glad to find that Mr. Pettigrew had only brought home five hundred
+dollars, as it was not enough to lift the mortgage on his uncle’s farm.
+
+After they were left alone Jefferson Pettigrew turned to Rodney and
+said, “Do you mind my leaving you a short time and calling at my
+uncle’s?”
+
+“Not at all, Mr. Pettigrew. I can pass my time very well.”
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew directed his steps to an old fashioned farmhouse
+about half a mile from the village. In the rear the roof sloped down so
+that the eaves were only five feet from the ground. The house was large
+though the rooms were few in number.
+
+In the sitting room sat an old man and his wife, who was nearly as
+old. It was not a picture of cheerful old age, for each looked sad.
+The sadness of old age is pathetic for there is an absence of hope,
+and courage, such as younger people are apt to feel even when they are
+weighed down by trouble.
+
+Cyrus Hooper was seventy one, his wife two years younger. During the
+greater part of their lives they had been well to do, if not prosperous,
+but now their money was gone, and there was a mortgage on the old home
+which they could not pay.
+
+“I don’t know whats goin’ to become of us, Nancy,” said Cyrus Hooper.
+“We’ll have to leave the old home, and when the farm’s been sold there
+won’t be much left over and above the mortgage which Louis Sheldon
+holds.”
+
+“Don’t you think the squire will give you a little more time, Cyrus?”
+
+“No; I saw him yesterday, and he’s sot on buyin’ in the farm for
+himself. He reckons it won’t fetch more’n eighteen hundred dollars.”
+
+“Thats only six hundred over the mortgage.”
+
+“It isn’t that Nancy. There’s about a hundred dollars due in interest.
+We won’t get more’n five hundred dollars.”
+
+“Surely, Cyrus, the farm is worth three thousand dollars.”
+
+“So it is, Nancy, but that won’t do us any good, as long as no one wants
+it more’n the squire.”
+
+“I wish Jefferson were at home.”
+
+“What good would it do? I surmise he hasn’t made any money. He never did
+have much enterprise, that boy.”
+
+“He was allus a good boy, Cyrus.”
+
+“That’s so, Nancy, but he didn’t seem cut out for makin’ money. Still
+it would do me good to see him. Maybe we might have a home together, and
+manage to live.”
+
+Just then a neighbor entered.
+
+“Have you heard the news?” she asked.
+
+“No; what is it?”
+
+“Your nephew Jefferson Pettigrew has got back.”
+
+“You don’t mean so. There, Jefferson, that’s one comfort.”
+
+“And they say he has brought home five hundred dollars.”
+
+“That’s more’n I thought he’d bring. Where is he?”
+
+“Over at the tavern. He’s brought a young man with him, leastways a boy,
+that’s got a lot of money.”
+
+“The boy?”
+
+“Yes; he’s from New York, and is a friend of Jefferson’s.”
+
+“Well, I’m glad he’s back. Why didn’t he come here?”
+
+“It’s likely he would if the boy wasn’t with him.”
+
+“Perhaps he heard of my misfortune.”
+
+“I hope it’ll all come right, Mr. Hooper. My, if there ain’t Jefferson
+comin’ to see you now. I see him through the winder. I guess I’ll be
+goin’. You’ll want to see him alone.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+
+THE BOY CAPITALIST.
+
+
+“How are you, Uncle Cyrus?” said Jefferson Pettigrew heartily, as he
+clasped his uncle’s toil worn hand. “And Aunt Nancy, too! It pays me for
+coming all the way from Montana just to see you.”
+
+“I’m glad to see you, Jefferson,” said his uncle. “It seems a long time
+since you went away. I hope you’ve prospered.”
+
+“Well, uncle, I’ve brought myself back well and hearty, and I’ve got a
+few hundred dollars.”
+
+“I’m glad to hear it, Jefferson. You’re better off than when you went
+away.”
+
+“Yes, uncle. I couldn’t be much worse off. Then I hadn’t a cent that I
+could call my own. But how are you and Aunt Nancy?”
+
+“We’re gettin’ old, Jefferson, and misfortune has come to us. Squire
+Sheldon has got a mortgage on the farm and it’s likely we’ll be turned
+out. You’ve come just in time to see it.”
+
+“Is it so bad as that, Uncle Cyrus? Why, when I went away you were
+prosperous.”
+
+“Yes, Jefferson, I owned the farm clear, and I had money in the bank,
+but now the money’s gone and there’s a twelve hundred dollar mortgage on
+the old place,” and the old man sighed.
+
+“But how did it come about uncle? You and Aunt Nancy haven’t lived
+extravagantly, have you? Aunt Nancy, you haven’t run up a big bill at
+the milliner’s and dressmaker’s?”
+
+“You was always for jokin’, Jefferson,” said the old lady, smiling
+faintly; “but that is not the way our losses came.”
+
+“How then?”
+
+“You see I indorsed notes for Sam Sherman over at Canton, and he failed,
+and I had to pay, then I bought some wild cat minin’ stock on Sam’s
+recommendation, and that went down to nothin’. So between the two I lost
+about three thousand dollars. I’ve been a fool, Jefferson, and it would
+have been money in my pocket if I’d had a guardeen.”
+
+“So you mortgaged the place to Squire Sheldon, uncle?”
+
+“Yes; I had to. I was obliged to meet my notes.”
+
+“But surely the squire will extend the mortgage.”
+
+“No, he won’t. I’ve asked him. He says he must call in the money, and so
+the old place will have to be sold, and Nancy and I must turn out in our
+old age.”
+
+Again the old man sighed, and tears came into Nancy Hooper’s eyes.
+
+“There’ll be something left, won’t there, Uncle Cyrus?”
+
+“Yes, the place should bring six hundred dollars over and above the
+mortgage. That’s little enough, for it’s worth three thousand.”
+
+“So it is, Uncle Cyrus. But what can you do with six hundred dollars? It
+won’t support you and Aunt Nancy?”
+
+“I thought mebbe, Jefferson, I could hire a small house and you could
+board with us, so that we could still have a home together.”
+
+“I’ll think it over, uncle, if there is no other way. But are you sure
+Squire Sheldon won’t give you more time?”
+
+“No, Jefferson. I surmise he wants the place himself. There’s talk of a
+railroad from Sherborn, and that’ll raise the price of land right around
+here. It’ll probably go right through the farm just south of the three
+acre lot.”
+
+“I see, Uncle Cyrus. You ought to have the benefit of the rise in
+value.”
+
+“Yes, Jefferson, it would probably rise enough to pay off the mortgage,
+but its no use thinkin’ of it. The old farm has got to go.”
+
+“I don’t know about that, Uncle Cyrus.”
+
+“Why, Jefferson, you haven’t money enough to lift the mortgage!” said
+the old man, with faint hope.
+
+“If I haven’t I may get it for you. Tell me just how much money is
+required.”
+
+“Thirteen hundred dollars, includin’ interest.”
+
+“Perhaps you have heard that I have a boy with me--a boy from New York,
+named Rodney Ropes. He has money, and perhaps I might get him to advance
+the sum you want.”
+
+“Oh, Jefferson, if you only could!” exclaimed Aunt Nancy, clasping her
+thin hands. “It would make us very happy.”
+
+“I’ll see Rodney tonight and come over tomorrow morning and tell you
+what he says. On account of the railroad I shall tell him that it is a
+good investment. I suppose you will be willing to mortgage the farm to
+him for the same money that he pays to lift the present mortgage?”
+
+“Yes, Jefferson, I’ll be willin’ and glad. It’ll lift a great burden
+from my shoulders. I’ve been worryin’ at the sorrow I’ve brought upon
+poor Nancy, for she had nothing to do with my foolish actions. I was old
+enough to know better, Jefferson, and I’m ashamed of what I did.”
+
+“Well, Uncle Cyrus, I’ll do what I can for you. Now let us forget all
+about your troubles and talk over the village news. You know I’ve been
+away for four years, and I haven’t had any stiddy correspondence, so a
+good deal must have happened that I don’t know anything about. I hear
+Frank Dobson has prospered?”
+
+“Yes, Frank’s pretty forehanded. He’s got a good economical wife, and
+they’ve laid away five or six hundred dollars in the savings bank.”
+
+“I am glad of it. Frank is a good fellow. If it hadn’t been for him I
+couldn’t have gone to Montana. When he lent me the money everybody said
+he’d lose it, but I was bound to pay it if I had to live on one meal a
+day. He was the only man in town who believed in me at that time.”
+
+“You was a littless shif’less, Jefferson. You can’t blame people. I
+wasn’t quite sure myself how you’d get along.”
+
+“No doubt you are right, Uncle Cyrus. It did me good to leave town. I
+didn’t drink, but I had no ambition. When a man goes to a new country
+it’s apt to make a new man of him. That was the case with me.”
+
+“Are you goin’ back again, Jefferson?”
+
+“Yes, uncle. I’m going to stay round here long enough to fix up your
+affairs and get you out of your trouble. Then I’ll go back to the West.
+I have a little mining interest there and I can make more money there
+than I can here.”
+
+“If you can get me out of my trouble, Jefferson, I’ll never forget it.
+Nancy and I have been so worried that we couldn’t sleep nights, but now
+I’m beginnin’ to be a little more cheerful.”
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew spent another hour at his uncle’s house, and then
+went back to the tavern, where he found Rodney waiting for him. He
+explained briefly the part he wished his boy friend to take in his plan
+for relieving his uncle.
+
+“I shall be receiving credit to which I am not entitled,” said Rodney.
+“Still, if it will oblige you I am willing to play the part of the boy
+capitalist.”
+
+The next morning after breakfast the two friends walked over to the
+house of Cyrus Hooper. Aunt Nancy came to the door and gave them a
+cordial welcome.
+
+“Cyrus is over at the barn, Jefferson,” she said. “I’ll ring the bell
+and he’ll come in.”
+
+“No, Aunt Nancy, I’ll go out and let him know I am here.”
+
+Presently Cyrus Hooper came in, accompanied by Jefferson.
+
+“Uncle Cyrus,” said the miner, “let me introduce you to my friend Rodney
+Ropes, of New York.”
+
+“I’m glad to see you,” said Cyrus heartily. “I’m glad to see any friend
+of Jefferson’s.”
+
+“Thank you, sir. I am pleased to meet you.”
+
+“Jefferson says you are goin’ to Montany with him.”
+
+“I hope to do so. I am sure I shall enjoy myself in his company.”
+
+“How far is Montany, Jefferson?”
+
+“It is over two thousand miles away, Uncle Cyrus.”
+
+“It must be almost at the end of the world. I don’t see how you can feel
+at home so far away from Vermont.”
+
+Jefferson smiled.
+
+“I can content myself wherever I can make a good living,” he said.
+“Wouldn’t you like to go out and make me a visit?”
+
+“No, Jefferson, I should feel that it was temptin’ Providence to go so
+far at my age.”
+
+“You never were very far from Burton, Uncle Cyrus?”
+
+“I went to Montpelier once,” answered the old man with evident pride.
+“It is a nice sizable place. I stopped at the tavern, and had a good
+time.”
+
+It was the only journey the old man had ever made, and he would never
+forget it.
+
+“Uncle Cyrus,” said Jefferson, “this is the young man who I thought
+might advance you money on a new mortgage. Suppose we invite him to go
+over the farm, and take a look at it so as to see what he thinks of the
+investment.”
+
+“Sartain, Jefferson, sartain! I do hope Mr. Ropes you’ll look favorable
+on the investment. It is Jefferson’s idea, but it would be doin’ me a
+great favor.”
+
+“Mr. Pettigrew will explain the advantages of the farm as we go along,”
+ said Rodney.
+
+So they walked from field to field, Jefferson expatiating to his young
+friend upon the merits of the investment, Rodney asking questions now
+and then to carry out his part of the shrewd and careful boy capitalist.
+
+When they had made a tour of the farm Jefferson said: “Well, Rodney,
+what do you think of the investment?”
+
+“I am satisfied with it,” answered Rodney. “Mr. Hooper, I will advance
+you the money on the conditions mentioned by my friend, Mr. Pettigrew.”
+
+Tears of joy came into the eyes of Cyrus Hooper and his worn face showed
+relief.
+
+“I am very grateful, young man,” he said. “I will see that you don’t
+regret your kindness.”
+
+“When will Squire Sheldon be over to settle matters, Uncle Cyrus?” asked
+Jefferson.
+
+“He is comin’ this afternoon at two o’clock.”
+
+“Then Rodney and I will be over to take part in the business.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+
+THE FAILURE OF SQUIRE SHELDON’S PLOT.
+
+
+On the morning of the same day Squire Sheldon sat in his study when the
+servant came in and brought a card.
+
+“It’s a gentleman thats come to see you, sir,” she said.
+
+Lemuel Sheldon’s eye brightened when he saw the name, for it was that of
+a railroad man who was interested in the proposed road from Sherborn.
+
+“I am glad to see you, Mr. Caldwell,” he said cordially, rising to
+receive his guest. “What is the prospect as regards the railroad?”
+
+“I look upon it as a certainty,” answered Enoch Caldwell, a grave,
+portly man of fifty.
+
+“And it is sure to pass through our town?”
+
+“Yes, I look upon that as definitely decided.”
+
+“The next question is as to the route it will take,” went on the squire.
+“Upon that point I should like to offer a few suggestions.”
+
+“I shall be glad to receive them. In fact, I may say that my report will
+probably be accepted, and I shall be glad to consult you.”
+
+“Thank you. I appreciate the compliment you pay me, and, though I say
+it, I don’t think you could find any one more thoroughly conversant with
+the lay of the land and the most advisable route to follow. If you will
+put on your hat we will go out together and I will give you my views.”
+
+“I shall be glad to do so.”
+
+The two gentlemen took a leisurely walk through the village, going by
+Cyrus Hooper’s house on the way.
+
+“In my view,” said the squire, “the road should go directly through this
+farm a little to the north of the house.”
+
+The squire proceeded to explain his reasons for the route he
+recommended.
+
+“To whom does the farm belong?” asked Caldwell, with a shrewd glance at
+the squire.
+
+“To an old man named Cyrus Hooper.”
+
+“Ahem! Perhaps he would be opposed to the road passing so near his
+house.”
+
+“I apprehend that he will not have to be consulted,” said the squire
+with a crafty smile.
+
+“Why not?”
+
+“Because I hold a mortgage on the farm which I propose to foreclose this
+afternoon.”
+
+“I see. So that you will be considerably benefited by the road.”
+
+“Yes, to a moderate extent.”
+
+“But if a different course should be selected, how then?”
+
+“If the road goes through the farm I would be willing to give a quarter
+of the damages awarded to me to--you understand?”
+
+“I think I do. After all it seems the most natural route.”
+
+“I think there can be no doubt on that point. Of course the corporation
+will be willing to pay a reasonable sum for land taken.”
+
+“I think I can promise that, as I shall have an important voice in the
+matter.”
+
+“I see you are a thorough business man,” said the squire. “I hold that
+it is always best to pursue a liberal policy.”
+
+“Quite so. You have no doubt of obtaining the farm?”
+
+“Not the slightest.”
+
+“But suppose the present owner meets the mortgage?”
+
+“He can’t. He is a poor man, and he has no moneyed friends. I confess
+I was a little afraid that a nephew of his just returned from Montana
+might be able to help him, but I learn that he has only brought home
+five hundred dollars while the mortgage, including interest, calls for
+thirteen hundred.”
+
+“Then you appear to be safe. When did you say the matter would be
+settled?”
+
+“This afternoon at two o’clock. You had better stay over and take supper
+with me. I shall be prepared to talk with you at that time.”
+
+“Very well.”
+
+From a window of the farmhouse Cyrus Hooper saw Squire Sheldon and his
+guest walking by the farm, and noticed the interest which they seemed to
+feel in it. But for the assurance which he had received of help to pay
+the mortgage he would have felt despondent, for he guessed the subject
+of their conversation. As it was, he felt an excusable satisfaction in
+the certain defeat of the squire’s hopes of gain.
+
+“It seems that the more a man has the more he wants, Jefferson,” he said
+to his nephew. “The squire is a rich man--the richest man in Burton--but
+he wants to take from me the little property that I have.”
+
+“It’s the way of the world, Uncle Cyrus. In this case the squire is safe
+to be disappointed, thanks to my young friend, Rodney.”
+
+“Its lucky for me, Jefferson, that you came home just the time you did.
+If you had come a week later it would have been too late.”
+
+“Then you don’t think the squire would have relented?”
+
+“I know he wouldn’t. I went over a short time since and had a talk with
+him on the subject. I found he was sot on gettin’ the farm into his own
+hands.”
+
+“If he were willing to pay a fair value it wouldn’t be so bad.”
+
+“He wasn’t. He wanted to get it as cheap as he could.”
+
+“I wonder,” said Jefferson Pettigrew reflectively, “whether I shall be
+as hard and selfish if ever I get rich.”
+
+“I don’t believe you will, Jefferson. I don’t believe you will. It
+doesn’t run in the blood.”
+
+“I hope not Uncle Cyrus. How long have you known the squire?”
+
+“Forty years, Jefferson. He is about ten years younger than I am. I was
+a young man when he was a boy.”
+
+“And you attend the same church?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“And still he is willing to take advantage of you and reduce you to
+poverty. I don’t see much religion in that.”
+
+“When a man’s interest is concerned religion has to stand to one side
+with some people.”
+
+It was in a pleasant frame of mind that Squire Sheldon left his house
+and walked over to the farmhouse which he hoped to own. He had decided
+to offer eighteen hundred dollars for the farm, which would be five
+hundred over and above the face of the mortgage with the interest added.
+
+This of itelf would give him an excellent profit, but he expected also,
+as we know, to drive a stiff bargain with the new railroad company, for
+such land as they would require to use.
+
+“Stay here till I come back, Mr. Caldwell,” he said. “I apprehend it
+won’t take me long to get through my business.”
+
+Squire Sheldon knocked at the door of the farmhouse, which was opened to
+him by Nancy Hooper.
+
+“Walk in, squire,” she said.
+
+“Is your husband at home, Mrs. Hooper?”
+
+“Yes; he is waiting for you.”
+
+Mrs. Hooper led the way into the sitting room, where her husband was
+sitting in a rocking chair.
+
+“Good afternoon, Mr. Hooper,” said the squire. “I hope I see you well.”
+
+“As well as I expect to be. I’m gettin’ to be an old man.”
+
+“We must all grow old,” said the squire vaguely.
+
+“And sometimes a man’s latter years are his most sorrowful years.”
+
+“That means that he can’t pay the mortgage,” thought Squire Sheldon.
+
+“Well, ahem! Yes, it does sometimes happen so,” he said aloud.
+
+“Still if a man’s friends stand by him, that brings him some comfort.”
+
+“I suppose you know what I’ve come about, Mr. Hooper,” said the squire,
+anxious to bring his business to a conclusion.
+
+“I suppose it’s about the mortgage.”
+
+“Yes, its about the mortgage.”
+
+“Will you be willing to extend it another year?”
+
+“I thought,” said the squire, frowning, “I had given you to understand
+that I cannot do this. You owe me a large sum in accrued interest.”
+
+“But if I make shift to pay this?”
+
+“I should say the same. It may as well come first as last. You can’t
+hold the place, and there is no chance of your being better off by
+waiting.”
+
+“I understand that the new railroad might go through my farm. That would
+put me on my feet.”
+
+“There is no certainty that the road will ever be built. Even if it
+were, it would not be likely to cross your farm.”
+
+“I see, Squire Sheldon, you are bound to have the place.”
+
+“There is no need to put it that way, Mr. Hooper. I lent you money
+on mortgage. You can’t pay the mortgage, and of course I foreclose.
+However, I will buy the farm and allow you eighteen hundred dollars for
+it. That will give you five hundred dollars over and above the money you
+owe me.”
+
+“The farm is worth three thousand dollars.”
+
+“Nonsense, Mr. Hooper. Still if you get an offer of that sum TODAY I
+will advise you to sell.”
+
+“I certainly won’t take eighteen hundred.”
+
+“You won’t? Then I shall foreclose, and you may have to take less.”
+
+“Then there is only one thing to do.”
+
+“As you say, there is only one thing to do.”
+
+“And that is, to pay off the mortgage and clear the farm.”
+
+“You can’t do it!” exclaimed the squire uneasily.
+
+Cyrus Hooper’s only answer was to call “Jefferson.”
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew entered the room, followed by Rodney.
+
+“What does this mean?” asked the squire.
+
+“It means, Squire Sheldon,” said Mr. Pettigrew, “that you won’t turn
+my uncle out of his farm this time. My young friend, Rodney Ropes, has
+advanced Uncle Cyrus money enough to pay off the mortgage.”
+
+“I won’t take a check,” said the squire hastily.
+
+“You would have to if we insisted upon it, but I have the money here in
+bills. Give me a release and surrender the mortgage, and you shall have
+your money.”
+
+It was with a crestfallen look that Squire Sheldon left the farmhouse,
+though his pockets were full of money.
+
+“It’s all up,” he said to his friend Caldwell in a hollow voice. “They
+have paid the mortgage.”
+
+After all the railway did cross the farm, and Uncle Cyrus was paid two
+thousand dollars for the right of way, much to the disappointment of
+his disinterested friend Lemuel Sheldon, who felt that this sum ought to
+have gone into his own pocket.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+
+A MINISTER’S GOOD FORTUNE.
+
+
+“I have another call to make, Rodney,” said Mr. Pettigrew, as they were
+on their way back to the hotel, “and I want you to go with me.”
+
+“I shall be glad to accompany you anywhere, Mr. Pettigrew.”
+
+“You remember I told you of the old minister whose church I attended as
+a boy. He has never received but four hundred dollars a year, yet he
+has managed to rear a family, but has been obliged to use the strictest
+economy.”
+
+“Yes, I remember.”
+
+“I am going to call on him, and I shall take the opportunity to make
+him a handsome present. It will surprise him, and I think it will be the
+first present of any size that he has received in his pastorate of over
+forty years.
+
+“There he lives!” continued Jefferson, pointing out a very modest
+cottage on the left hand side of the road.
+
+It needed painting badly, but it looked quite as well as the minister
+who came to the door in a ragged dressing gown. He was venerable
+looking, for his hair was quite white, though he was only sixty five
+years old. But worldly cares which had come upon him from the difficulty
+of getting along on his scanty salary had whitened his hair and deepened
+the wrinkles on his kindly face.
+
+“I am glad to see you, Jefferson,” he said, his face lighting up with
+pleasure. “I heard you were in town and I hoped you wouldn’t fail to
+call upon me.”
+
+“I was sure to call, for you were always a good friend to me as well as
+many others.”
+
+“I always looked upon you as one of my boys, Jefferson. I hear that you
+have been doing well.”
+
+“Yes, Mr. Canfield. I have done better than I have let people know.”
+
+“Have you been to see your uncle? Poor man, he is in trouble.”
+
+“He is no longer in trouble. The mortgage is paid off, and as far as
+Squire Sheldon is concerned he is independent.”
+
+“Indeed, that is good news,” said the old minister with beaming face.
+“You must surely have done well if you could furnish money enough to
+clear the farm. It was over a thousand dollars, wasn’t it?”
+
+“Yes, thirteen hundred. My young friend, Rodney Ropes, and myself
+managed it between us.”
+
+“I am glad to see you, Mr. Ropes. Come in both of you. Mrs. Canfield
+will be glad to welcome you.”
+
+They followed him into the sitting room, the floor of which was
+covered by an old and faded carpet. The furniture was of the plainest
+description. But it looked pleasant and homelike, and the papers and
+books that were scattered about made it more attractive to a visitor
+than many showy city drawing rooms.
+
+“And how are all your children, Mr. Canfield?” asked Jefferson.
+
+“Maria is married to a worthy young man in the next town. Benjamin is
+employed in a book store, and Austin wants to go to college, but I don’t
+see any way to send him, poor boy!” and the minister sighed softly.
+
+“Does it cost much to keep a boy in college?”
+
+“Not so much as might be supposed. There are beneficiary funds for
+deserving students, and then there is teaching to eke out a poor young
+man’s income, so that I don’t think it would cost over a hundred and
+fifty dollars a year.”
+
+“That isn’t a large sum.”
+
+“Not in itelf, but you know, Jefferson, my salary is only four hundred
+dollars a year. It would take nearly half my income, so I think Austin
+will have to give up his hopes of going to college and follow in his
+brother’s steps.”
+
+“How old is Austin now?”
+
+“He is eighteen.”
+
+“Is he ready for college?”
+
+“Yes, he could enter at the next commencement but for the financial
+problem.”
+
+“I never had any taste for college, or study, as you know, Mr. Canfield.
+It is different with my friend Rodney, who is a Latin and Greek
+scholar.”
+
+The minister regarded Rodney with new interest.
+
+“Do you think of going to college, Mr. Ropes?” he asked.
+
+“Not at present. I am going back to Montana with Mr. Pettigrew. Perhaps
+he and I will both go to college next year.”
+
+“Excuse me,” said Jefferson Pettigrew. “Latin and Greek ain’t in my
+line. I should make a good deal better miner than minister.”
+
+“It is not desirable that all should become ministers or go to college,”
+ said Mr. Canfield. “I suspect from what I know of you, Jefferson, that
+you judge yourself correctly. How long shall you stay in Burton?”
+
+“I expect to go away tomorrow.”
+
+“Your visit is a brief one.”
+
+“Yes, I intended to stay longer, but I begin to be homesick after the
+West.”
+
+“Do you expect to make your permanent home there?”
+
+“I can’t tell as to that. For the present I can do better there than
+here.”
+
+The conversation lasted for some time. Then Jefferson Pettigrew rose to
+go.
+
+“Won’t you call again, Jefferson?” asked the minister hospitably.
+
+“I shall not have time, but before I go I want to make you a small
+present,” and he put into the hands of the astonished minister four fifty
+dollar bills.
+
+“Two hundred dollars!” ejaculated the minister. “Why, I heard you only
+brought home a few hundred.”
+
+“I prefer to leave that impression. To you I will say that I am worth a
+great deal more than that.”
+
+“But you mustn’t give me so much. I am sure you are too generous for
+your own interest. Why, it’s munificent, princely.”
+
+“Don’t be troubled about me. I can spare it. Send your boy to college,
+and next year I will send you another sum equally large.”
+
+“How can I thank you, Jefferson?” said Mr. Canfield, the tears coming
+into his eyes. “Never in forty years have I had such a gift.”
+
+“Not even from Squire Sheldon?”
+
+“The squire is not in the habit of bestowing gifts, but he pays a large
+parish tax. May I--am I at liberty to say from whom I received this
+liberal donation?”
+
+“Please don’t! You can say that you have had a gift from a friend.”
+
+“You have made me very happy, Jefferson. Your own conscience will reward
+you.”
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew changed the subject, for it embarrassed him to be
+thanked.
+
+“That pays me for hard work and privation,” he said to Rodney as they
+walked back to the tavern. “After all there is a great pleasure in
+making others happy.”
+
+“Squire Sheldon hadn’t found that out.”
+
+“And he never will.”
+
+On the way they met the gentleman of whom they had been speaking. He
+bowed stiffly, for he could not feel cordial to those whom had snatched
+from him the house for which he had been scheming so long.
+
+“Squire Sheldon,” said Jefferson, “you were kind enough to invite
+Rodney and myself to supper some evening. I am sorry to say that we must
+decline, as we leave Burton tomorrow.”
+
+“Use your own pleasure, Mr. Pettigrew,” said the squire coldly.
+
+“It doesn’t seem to disappoint the squire very much,” remarked
+Jefferson, laughing, when the great man of the village had passed on.
+
+“It certainly is no disappointment to me.”
+
+“Nor to me. The little time I have left I can use more pleasantly than
+in going to see the squire. I have promised to supper at my uncle’s
+tonight--that is, I have promised for both of us.”
+
+Returning to New York, Jefferson and Rodney set about getting ready for
+their Western journey. Rodney gave some of his wardrobe to Mike Flynn,
+and bought some plain suits suitable for his new home.
+
+While walking on Broadway the day before the one fixed for his departure
+he fell in with Jasper Redwood.
+
+“Have you got a place yet Ropes?” asked Jasper.
+
+“I am not looking for any.”
+
+“How is that?” asked Jasper in some surprise.
+
+“I am going to leave the city.”
+
+“That is a good idea. All cannot succeed in the city. You may find a
+chance to work on a farm in the country.”
+
+“I didn’t say I was going to the country.”
+
+“Where are you going, then?”
+
+“To Montana.”
+
+“Isn’t that a good way off?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“What are you going to do there?”
+
+“I may go to mining.”
+
+“But how can you afford to go so far?”
+
+“Really, Jasper, you show considerable curiosity about my affairs. I
+have money enough to buy my ticket, and I think I can find work when I
+get out there.”
+
+“It seems to me a crazy idea.”
+
+“It might be--for you.”
+
+“And why for me?” asked Jasper suspiciously.
+
+“Because you might not be willing to rough it as I am prepared to do.”
+
+“I guess you are right. I have always been used to living like a
+gentleman.”
+
+“I hope you will always be able to do so. Now I must bid you good by, as
+I am busy getting ready for my journey.”
+
+Jasper looked after Rodney, not without perplexity.
+
+“I can’t make out that boy,” he said. “So he is going to be a common
+miner! Well, that may suit him, but it wouldn’t suit me. There is no
+chance now of his interfering with me, so I am glad he is going to leave
+the city.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+
+A MINING TOWN IN MONTANA.
+
+
+The scene changes.
+
+Three weeks later among the miners who were sitting on the narrow
+veranda of the “Miners’ Rest” in Oreville in Montana we recognize two
+familiar faces and figures--those of Jefferson Pettigrew and Rodney
+Ropes. Both were roughly clad, and if Jasper could have seen Rodney he
+would have turned up his nose in scorn, for Rodney had all the look of a
+common miner.
+
+It was in Oreville that Mr. Pettigrew had a valuable mining property, on
+which he employed quite a number of men who preferred certain wages to a
+compensation depending on the fluctuations of fortune. Rodney was among
+those employed, but although he was well paid he could not get to like
+the work. Of this, however, he said nothing to Mr. Pettigrew whose
+company he enjoyed, and whom he held in high esteem.
+
+On the evening in question Jefferson rose from his seat and signed to
+Rodney to follow him.
+
+“Well, Rodney, how do you like Montana?” he asked.
+
+“Well enough to be glad I came here,” answered Rodney.
+
+“Still you are not partial to the work of a miner!”
+
+“I can think of other things I would prefer to do.”
+
+“How would you like keeping a hotel?”
+
+“Is there any hotel in search of a manager?” asked Rodney smiling.
+
+“I will explain. Yesterday I bought the ‘Miners’ Rest.’”
+
+“What--the hotel where we board?”
+
+“Exactly. I found that Mr. Bailey, who has made a comfortable sum of
+money, wants to leave Montana and go East and I bought the hotel.”
+
+“So that hereafter I shall board with you?”
+
+“Not exactly. I propose to put you in charge, and pay you a salary. I
+can oversee, and give you instructions. How will that suit you?”
+
+“So you think I am competent, Mr. Pettigrew?”
+
+“Yes, I think so. There is a good man cook, and two waiters. The cook
+will also order supplies and act as steward under you.”
+
+“What then will be my duties?”
+
+“You will act as clerk and cashier, and pay the bills. You will have to
+look after all the details of management. If there is anything you don’t
+understand you will have me to back you up, and advise you. What do you
+say?”
+
+“That I shall like it much better than mining. My only doubt is as to
+whether I shall suit you.”
+
+“It is true that it takes a smart man to run a hotel, but I think we can
+do it between us. Now what will you consider a fair salary?”
+
+“I leave that to you, Mr. Pettigrew.”
+
+“Then we will call it a hundred and fifty dollars a month and board.”
+
+“But, Mr. Pettigrew,” said Rodney in surprise, “how can I possibly earn
+that much?”
+
+“You know we charge big prices, and have about fifty steady boarders.
+I expect to make considerable money after deducting all the expenses of
+management.”
+
+“My friend Jasper would be very much surprised if he could know the
+salary I am to receive. In the store I was only paid seven dollars a
+week.”
+
+“The duties were different. Almost any boy could discharge the duties of
+an entry clerk while it takes peculiar qualities to run a hotel.”
+
+“I was certainly very fortunate to fall in with you, Mr. Pettigrew.”
+
+“I expect it will turn out fortunate for me too, Rodney.”
+
+“When do you want me to start in?”
+
+“Next Monday morning. It is now Thursday evening. Mr. Bailey will turn
+over the hotel to me on Saturday night. You needn’t go to the mines
+tomorrow, but may remain in the hotel, and he will instruct you in the
+details of management.”
+
+“That will be quite a help to me, and I am at present quite ignorant on
+the subject.”
+
+Rodney looked forward with pleasure to his new employment. He had good
+executive talent, though thus far he had had no occasion to exercise it.
+It was with unusual interest that he set about qualifying himself for
+his new position.
+
+“Young man,” said the veteran landlord, “I think you’ll do. I thought
+at first that Jefferson was foolish to put a young boy in my place, but
+you’ve got a head on your shoulders, you have! I guess you’ll fill the
+bill.”
+
+“I hope to do so, Mr. Bailey.”
+
+“Jefferson tells me that you understand Latin and Greek?”
+
+“I know something of them.”
+
+“Thats what prejudiced me against you. I hired a college boy once as a
+clerk and he was the worst failure I ever came across. He seemed to have
+all kinds of sense except common sense. I reckon he was a smart scholar,
+and he could have made out the bills for the boarders in Latin or Greek
+if it had been necessary, but he was that soft that any one could cheat
+him. Things got so mixed up in the department that I had to turn him
+adrift in a couple of weeks. I surmised you might be the same sort of a
+chap. If you were it would be a bad lookout for Jefferson.”
+
+In Oreville Mr. Pettigrew was so well known that nearly everyone called
+him by his first name. Mr. Pettigrew did not care about this as he had
+no false pride or artificial dignity.
+
+“Do you consider this hotel a good property, Mr. Bailey?”
+
+“I’ll tell you this much. I started here four years ago, and I’ve
+made fifty thousand dollars which I shall take back with me to New
+Hampshire.”
+
+“That certainly is satisfactory.”
+
+“I shouldn’t wonder if you could improve upon it.”
+
+“How does it happen that you sell out such a valuable property, Mr.
+Bailey? Are you tired of making money?”
+
+“No, but I must tell you that there’s a girl waiting for me at home, an
+old schoolmate, who will become Mrs. Bailey as soon as possible after
+I get back. If she would come out here I wouldn’t sell, but she has a
+mother that she wouldn’t leave, and so I must go to her.”
+
+“That is a good reason, Mr. Bailey.”
+
+“Besides with fifty thousand dollars I can live as well as I want to
+in New Hampshire, and hold up my head with the best. You will follow my
+example some day.”
+
+“It will be a long day first, Mr. Bailey, for I am only sixteen.”
+
+On Monday morning the old landlord started for his Eastern home and
+Rodney took his place. It took him some little time to become familiar
+with all the details of hotel management, but he spared no pains to
+insure success. He had some trouble at first with the cook who presumed
+upon his position and Rodney’s supposed ignorance to run things as he
+chose.
+
+Rodney complained to Mr. Pettigrew.
+
+“I think I can fix things, Rodney,” he said. “There’s a man working for
+me who used to be cook in a restaurant in New York. I found out about
+him quietly, for I wanted to be prepared for emergencies. The next time
+Gordon act contrary and threatens to leave, tell him he can do as he
+pleases. Then report to me.”
+
+The next day there came another conflict of authority.
+
+“If you don’t like the way I manage you can get somebody else,” said
+the cook triumphantly. “Perhaps you’d like to cook the dinner yourself.
+You’re nothing but a boy, and I don’t see what Jefferson was thinking of
+to put you in charge.”
+
+“That is his business, Mr. Gordon.”
+
+“I advise you not to interfere with me, for I won’t stand it.”
+
+“Why didn’t you talk in this way to Mr. Bailey?”
+
+“That’s neither here nor there. He wasn’t a boy for one thing.”
+
+“Then you propose to have your own way, Mr. Gordon?”
+
+“Yes, I do.”
+
+“Very well, then you can leave me at the end of this week.”
+
+“What!” exclaimed the cook in profound astonishment. “Are you going
+crazy?”
+
+“No, I know what I am about.”
+
+“Perhaps you intend to cook yourself.”
+
+“No, I don’t. That would close up the hotel.”
+
+“Look here, young feller, you’re gettin’ too independent! I’ve a great
+mind to leave you tonight.”
+
+“You can do so if you want to,” said Rodney indifferently.
+
+“Then I will!” retorted Gordon angrily, bringing down his fist upon the
+table in vigorous emphasis.
+
+Oreville was fifty miles from Helena, and that was the nearest point, as
+he supposed, where a new cook could be obtained.
+
+After supper Rodney told Jefferson Pettigrew what had happened.
+
+“Have I done right?” he asked.
+
+“Yes; we can’t have any insubordination here. There can’t be two heads
+of one establishment. Send Gordon to me.”
+
+The cook with a defiant look answered the summons.
+
+“I understand you want to leave, Gordon,” said Jefferson Pettigrew.
+
+“That depends. I ain’t goin’ to have no boy dictatin’ to me.”
+
+“Then you insist upon having your own way without interference.”
+
+“Yes, I do.”
+
+“Very well, I accept your resignation. Do you wish to wait till the end
+of the week, or to leave tonight?”
+
+“I want to give it up tonight.”
+
+“Very well, go to Rodney and he will pay you what is due you.”
+
+“Are you goin’ to get along without a cook?” inquired Gordon in
+surprise.
+
+“No.”
+
+“What are you going to do, then?”
+
+“I shall employ Parker in your place.”
+
+“What does he know about cookin’?”
+
+“He ran a restaurant in New York for five years, the first part of the
+time having charge of the cooking. We shan’t suffer even if you do leave
+us.”
+
+“I think I will stay,” said Gordon in a submissive tone.
+
+“It is too late. You have discharged yourself. You can’t stay here on
+any terms.”
+
+Gordon left Oreville the next day a sorely disappointed man, for he had
+received more liberal pay than he was likely to command elsewhere. The
+young landlord had triumphed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+
+THE MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY.
+
+
+At the end of a month Jefferson Pettigrew said: “I’ve been looking over
+the books, Rodney, and I find the business is better than I expected.
+How much did I agree to pay you?”
+
+“A hundred and fifty dollars a month, but if you think that it is too
+much----”
+
+“Too much? Why I am going to advance you to two hundred and fifty.”
+
+“You can’t be in earnest, Mr. Pettigrew?”
+
+“I am entirely so.”
+
+“That is at the rate of three thousand dollars a year!”
+
+“Yes, but you are earning it.”
+
+“You know I am only a boy.”
+
+“That doesn’t make any difference as long as you understand your
+business.”
+
+“I am very grateful to you, Mr. Pettigrew. My, I can save two hundred
+dollars a month.”
+
+“Do so, and I will find you a paying investment for the money.”
+
+“What would Jasper say to my luck?” thought Rodney.
+
+Three months passed without any incident worth recording. One afternoon
+a tall man wearing a high hat and a Prince Albert coat with a paste
+diamond of large size in his shirt bosom entered the public room of the
+Miners’ Rest and walking up to the bar prepared to register his name.
+As he stood with his pen in his hand Rodney recognized him not without
+amazement.
+
+It was Louis Wheeler--the railroad thief, whom he had last seen in New
+York.
+
+As for Wheeler he had not taken any notice of the young clerk, not
+suspecting that it was an old acquaintance who was familiar with his
+real character.
+
+“Have you just arrived in Montana, Mr. Wheeler?” asked Rodney quietly.
+
+As Rodney had not had an opportunity to examine his signature in the
+register Wheeler looked up in quiet surprise.
+
+“Do you know me?” he asked.
+
+“Yes; don’t you know me?”
+
+“I’ll be blowed if it isn’t the kid,” ejaculated Wheeler.
+
+“As I run this hotel, I don’t care to be called a kid.”
+
+“All right Mr.----”
+
+“Ropes.”
+
+“Mr. Ropes, you are the most extraordinary boy I ever met.”
+
+“Am I?”
+
+“Who would have thought of your turning up as a Montana landlord.”
+
+“I wouldn’t have thought of it myself four months ago. But what brings
+you out here?”
+
+“Business,” answered Wheeler in an important tone.
+
+“Are you going to become a miner?”
+
+“I may buy a mine if I find one to suit me.”
+
+“I am glad you seem to be prospering.”
+
+“Can you give me a good room?”
+
+“Yes, but I must ask a week’s advance payment.”
+
+“How much?”
+
+“Twenty five dollars.”
+
+“All right. Here’s the money.”
+
+Louis Wheeler pulled out a well filled wallet and handed over two ten
+dollar bills and a five.
+
+“Is that satisfactory?” he asked.
+
+“Quite so. You seem better provided with money than when I saw you
+last.”
+
+“True. I was then in temporary difficulty. But I made a good turn in
+stocks and I am on my feet again.”
+
+Rodney did not believe a word of this, but as long as Wheeler was able
+to pay his board he had no good excuse for refusing him accommodation.
+
+“That rascal here!” exclaimed Jefferson, when Rodney informed him of
+Wheeler’s arrival. “Well, thats beat all! What has brought him out
+here?”
+
+“Business, he says.”
+
+“It may be the same kind of business that he had with me. He will bear
+watching.”
+
+“I agree with you, Mr. Pettigrew.”
+
+Louis Wheeler laid himself out to be social and agreeable, and made
+himself quite popular with the other boarders at the hotel. As Jefferson
+and Rodney said nothing about him, he was taken at his own valuation,
+and it was reported that he was a heavy capitalist from Chicago who had
+come to Montana to buy a mine. This theory received confirmation both
+from his speech and actions.
+
+On the following day he went about in Oreville and examined the mines.
+He expressed his opinion freely in regard to what he saw, and priced one
+that was for sale at fifty thousand dollars.
+
+“I like this mine,” he said, “but I don’t know enough about it to make
+an offer. If it comes up to my expectations I will try it.”
+
+“He must have been robbing a bank,” observed Jefferson Pettigrew.
+
+Nothing could exceed the cool assurance with which Wheeler greeted
+Jefferson and recalled their meeting in New York.
+
+“You misjudged me then, Mr. Pettigrew,” he said. “I believe upon my soul
+you looked upon me as an adventurer--a confidence man.”
+
+“You are not far from the truth, Mr. Wheeler,” answered Jefferson
+bluntly.
+
+“Well, I forgive you. Our acquaintance was brief and you judged from
+superficial impressions.”
+
+“Perhaps so, Mr. Wheeler. Have you ever been West before?”
+
+“No.”
+
+“When you came to Oreville had you any idea that I was here?”
+
+“No; if I had probably I should not have struck the town, as I knew that
+you didn’t have a favorable opinion of me.”
+
+“I can’t make out much of that fellow, Rodney,” said Jefferson. “I can’t
+understand his object in coming here.”
+
+“He says he wants to buy a mine.”
+
+“That’s all a pretext. He hasn’t money enough to buy a mine or a tenth
+part of it.”
+
+“He seems to have money.”
+
+“Yes; he may have a few hundred dollars, but mark my words, he hasn’t
+the slightest intention of buying a mine.”
+
+“He has some object in view.”
+
+“No doubt! What it is is what I want to find out.”
+
+There was another way in which Louis Wheeler made himself popular among
+the miners of Oreville. He had a violin with him, and in the evening he
+seated himself on the veranda and played popular tunes.
+
+He had only a smattering in the way of musical training, but the airs he
+played took better than classical music would have done. Even Jefferson
+Pettigrew enjoyed listening to “Home, Sweet Home” and “The Last Rose of
+Summer,” while the miners were captivated by merry dance tunes, which
+served to enliven them after a long day’s work at the mines.
+
+One day there was a sensation. A man named John O’Donnell came down
+stairs from his room looking pale and agitated.
+
+“Boys,” he said, “I have been robbed.”
+
+Instantly all eyes were turned upon him.
+
+“Of what have you been robbed, O’Donnell?” asked Jefferson.
+
+“Of two hundred dollars in gold. I was going to send it home to my wife
+in Connecticut next week.”
+
+“When did you miss it?”
+
+“Just now.”
+
+“Where did you keep it?”
+
+“In a box under my bed.”
+
+“When do you think it was taken?”
+
+“Last night.”
+
+“What makes you think so?”
+
+“I am a sound sleeper, and last night you know was very dark. I awoke
+with a start, and seemed to hear footsteps. I looked towards the door,
+and saw a form gliding from the room.”
+
+“Why didn’t you jump out of bed and seize the intruder whoever he was?”
+
+“Because I was not sure but it was all a dream. I think now it was some
+thief who had just robbed me.”
+
+“I think so too. Could you make out anything of his appearance?”
+
+“I could only see the outlines of his figure. He was a tall man. He must
+have taken the money from under my bed.”
+
+“Did any one know that you had money concealed there?”
+
+“I don’t think I ever mentioned it.”
+
+“It seems we have a thief among us,” said Jefferson, and almost
+unconsciously his glance rested on Louis Wheeler who was seated near
+John O’Donnell, “what do you think, Mr. Wheeler?”
+
+“I think you are right, Mr. Pettigrew.”
+
+“Have you any suggestion to make?” asked Jefferson. “Have you by chance
+lost anything?”
+
+“Not that I am aware of.”
+
+“Is there any one else here who has been robbed?”
+
+No one spoke.
+
+“You asked me if I had any suggestions to make, Mr. Pettigrew,” said
+Louis Wheeler after a pause. “I have.
+
+“Our worthy friend Mr. O’Donnell has met with a serious loss. I move
+that we who are his friends make it up to him. Here is my contribution,”
+ and he laid a five dollar bill on the table.
+
+It was a happy suggestion and proved popular. Every one present came
+forward, and tendered his contributions including Jefferson, who put
+down twenty five dollars.
+
+Mr. Wheeler gathered up the notes and gold and sweeping them to his hat
+went forward and tendered them to John O’Donnell.
+
+“Take this money, Mr. O’Donnell,” he said. “It is the free will offering
+of your friends. I am sure I may say for them, as for myself, that it
+gives us all pleasure to help a comrade in trouble.”
+
+Louis Wheeler could have done nothing that would have so lifted him in
+the estimation of the miners.
+
+“And now,” he said, “as our friend is out of his trouble I will play you
+a few tunes on my violin, and will end the day happily.”
+
+“I can’t make out that fellow, Rodney,” said Jefferson when they were
+alone. “I believe he is the thief, but he has an immense amount of
+nerve.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+
+MR. WHEELER EXPLAINS.
+
+
+Probably there was no one at the hotel who suspected Louis Wheeler of
+being a thief except Rodney and Mr. Pettigrew. His action in starting
+a contribution for John O’Donnell helped to make him popular. He
+was establishing a reputation quite new to him, and it was this fact
+probably that made him less prudent than he would otherwise have been.
+
+As the loss had been made up, the boarders at the Miners’ Rest ceased to
+talk of it. But Jefferson and his young assistant did not forget it.
+
+“I am sure Wheeler is the thief, but I don’t know how to bring it home
+to him,” said Jefferson one day, when alone with Rodney.
+
+“You might search him.”
+
+“Yes, but what good would that do? It might be found that he had money,
+but one gold coin is like another and it would be impossible to identify
+it as the stolen property. If O’Donnell had lost anything else except
+money it would be different. I wish he would come to my chamber.”
+
+“Perhaps he would if he thought you were a sound sleeper.”
+
+“That is an idea. I think I can make use of it.”.
+
+That evening when Wheeler was present Mr. Pettigrew managed to turn the
+conversation to the subject of sleeping.
+
+“I am a very sound sleeper,” he said. “I remember when I was at home
+sleeping many a time through a severe thunder storm.”
+
+“Don’t you sometimes wake up in the middle of the night?” asked Rodney.
+
+“Very seldom, if I am in good health.”
+
+“Its different with me,” said another of the company. “A step on the
+floor or the opening of the door will wake me up at any time.”
+
+“I am glad I am not so easily roused.”
+
+“If I had a fish horn,” said Rodney, laughing, “I should be tempted to
+come up in the night and give it a blast before your door.”
+
+“That might wake me up,” said Mr. Pettigrew. “I wouldn’t advise you to
+try it or the other boarders might get up an indignation meeting.”
+
+The same evening Jefferson Pettigrew took out a bag of gold and
+carelessly displayed it.
+
+“Are you not afraid of being robbed, Mr. Pettigrew?” asked Rodney.
+
+“Oh no. I never was robbed in my life.”
+
+“How much money have you there?”
+
+“I don’t know exactly. Perhaps six hundred dollars,” said Pettigrew in
+an indifferent tone.
+
+Among those who listened to this conversation with interest was Louis
+Wheeler. Rodney did not fail to see the covetous gleam of his eyes when
+the gold was displayed.
+
+The fact was, that Wheeler was getting short of cash and at the time
+he took John O’Donnell’s money--for he was the thief--he had but about
+twenty dollars left, and of this he contributed five to the relief of
+the man he had robbed.
+
+His theft realized him two hundred dollars, but this would not last him
+long, as the expenses of living at the Miners’ Rest were considerable.
+He was getting tired of Oreville, but wanted to secure some additional
+money before he left it. The problem was whom to make his second victim.
+
+It would not have occurred to him to rob Jefferson Pettigrew, of whom he
+stood in wholesome fear, but for the admission that he was an unusually
+sound sleeper; even then he would have felt uncertain whether it would
+pay. But the display of the bag of money, and the statement that it
+contained six hundred dollars in gold proved a tempting bait.
+
+“If I can capture that bag of gold,” thought Wheeler, “I shall have
+enough money to set me up in some new place. There won’t be much risk
+about it, for Pettigrew sleeps like a top. I will venture it.”
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew’s chamber was on the same floor as his own. It was
+the third room from No. 17 which Mr. Wheeler occupied.
+
+As a general thing the occupants of the Miners’ Rest went to bed early.
+Mining is a fatiguing business, and those who follow it have little
+difficulty in dropping off to sleep. The only persons who were not
+engaged in this business were Louis Wheeler and Rodney Ropes. As a rule
+the hotel was closed at half past ten and before this all were in bed
+and sleeping soundly.
+
+When Wheeler went to bed he said to himself, “This will probably be my
+last night in this tavern. I will go from here to Helena, and if things
+turn out right I may be able to make my stay there profitable. I shan’t
+dare to stay here long after relieving Pettigrew of his bag of gold.”
+
+Unlike Jefferson Pettigrew, Wheeler was a light sleeper. He had done
+nothing to induce fatigue, and had no difficulty in keeping awake till
+half past eleven. Then lighting a candle, he examined his watch, and
+ascertained the time.
+
+“It will be safe enough now,” he said to himself.
+
+He rose from his bed, and drew on his trousers. Then in his stocking
+feet he walked along the corridor till he stood in front of Jefferson
+Pettigrew’s door. He was in doubt as to whether he would not be obliged
+to pick the lock, but on trying the door he found that it was not
+fastened. He opened it and stood within the chamber.
+
+Cautiously he glanced at the bed. Mr. Pettigrew appeared to be sleeping
+soundly.
+
+“It’s all right,” thought Louis Wheeler. “Now where is the bag of gold?”
+
+It was not in open view, but a little search showed that the owner had
+put it under the bed.
+
+“He isn’t very sharp,” thought Wheeler. “He is playing right into my
+hands. Door unlocked, and bag of gold under the bed. He certainly is a
+very unsuspicious man. However, that is all the better for me. Really
+there isn’t much credit in stealing where all is made easy for you.”
+
+There seemed to be nothing to do but to take the gold from its place of
+deposit and carry it back to his own room. While there were a good many
+lodgers in the hotel, there seemed to be little risk about this, as
+every one was asleep.
+
+Of course should the bag be found in his room that would betray him,
+but Mr. Wheeler proposed to empty the gold coins into his gripsack, and
+throw the bag out of the window into the back yard.
+
+“Well, here goes!” said Wheeler cheerfully, as he lifted the bag, and
+prepared to leave the chamber. But at this critical moment an unexpected
+sound struck terror into his soul. It was the sound of a key being
+turned in the lock.
+
+Nervously Wheeler hastened to the door and tried it. It would not open.
+Evidently it had been locked from the outside. What could it mean?
+
+At the same time there was a series of knocks on the outside of the
+door. It was the signal that had been agreed upon between Mr. Pettigrew
+and Rodney. Jefferson had given his key to Rodney, who had remained up
+and on the watch for Mr. Wheeler’s expected visit. He, too, was in his
+stocking feet.
+
+As soon as he saw Wheeler enter his friend’s chamber he stole up and
+locked the door on the outide. Then when he heard the thief trying to
+open the door he rained a shower of knocks on the panel.
+
+Instantly Jefferson Pettigrew sprang out of bed and proceeded to act.
+
+“What are you doing here?” he demanded, seizing Wheeler in his powerful
+grasp.
+
+“Where am I?” asked Wheeler in a tone of apparent bewilderment.
+
+“Oh, it’s you, Mr. Wheeler?” said Jefferson. “Don’t you know where you
+are?”
+
+“Oh, it is my friend, Mr. Pettigrew. Is it possible I am in your room?”
+
+“It is very possible. Now tell me why you are here?”
+
+“I am really ashamed to find myself in this strange position. It is not
+the first time that I have got into trouble from walking in my sleep.”
+
+“Oh, you were walking in your sleep!”
+
+“Yes, friend Petttigrew. It has been a habit of mine since I was a boy.
+But it seems very strange that I should have been led to your room. How
+could I get in? Wasn’t the door locked?”
+
+“It is locked now?”
+
+“It is strange! I don’t understand it,” said Wheeler, passing his hand
+over his forehead.
+
+“Perhaps you understand why you have that bag of gold in your hand.”
+
+“Can it be possible?” ejaculated Wheeler in well counterfeited surprise.
+“I don’t know how to account for it.”
+
+“I think I can. Rodney, unlock the door and come in.”
+
+The key was turned in the lock, and Rodney entered with a lighted candle
+in his hand.
+
+“You see, Rodney, that I have a late visitor. You will notice also that
+my bag of gold seems to have had an attraction for him.”
+
+“I am ashamed. I don’t really know how to explain it except in this way.
+When you displayed the gold last night it drew my attention and I must
+have dreamed of it. It was this which drew me unconsciously to your
+door. It is certainly an interesting fact in mental science.”
+
+“It would have been a still more interesting fact if you had carried off
+the gold.”
+
+“I might even have done that in my unconsciousness, but of course I
+should have discovered it tomorrow morning and would have returned it to
+you.”
+
+“I don’t feel by any means sure of that. Look here, Mr. Wheeler, if that
+is your name, you can’t pull the wool over my eyes. You are a thief,
+neither more nor less.”
+
+“How can you misjudge me so, Mr. Pettigrew?”
+
+“Because I know something of your past history. It is clear to me now
+that you were the person that stole John O’Donnell’s money.”
+
+“Indeed, Mr. Pettigrew.”
+
+“It is useless to protest. How much of it have you left?”
+
+Louis Wheeler was compelled to acknowledge the theft, and returned one
+hundred dollars to Jefferson Pettigrew.
+
+“Now,” said Jefferson, “I advise you to leave the hotel at once. If
+the boys find out that you are a thief you will stand a chance of being
+lynched. Get out!”
+
+The next morning Jefferson Pettigrew told the other boarders that Louis
+Wheeler had had a sudden call East, and it was not for a week that he
+revealed to them the real reason of Wheeler’s departure.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+
+RODNEY FALLS INTO A TRAP.
+
+
+Rodney had reason to be satisfied with his position as landlord of the
+Miners’ Rest. His pay was large, and enabled him to put away a good sum
+every month, but his hours were long and he was too closely confined
+for a boy of his age. At the end of three months he showed this in his
+appearance. His good friend Pettigrew saw it and said one day, “Rodney,
+you are looking fagged out. You need a change.”
+
+“Does that mean that you are going to discharge me?” asked Rodney, with
+a smile.
+
+“It means that I am going to give you a vacation.”
+
+“But what can I do if I take a vacation? I should not like lounging
+around Oreville with nothing to do.”
+
+“Such a vacation would do you no good. I’ll tell you the plan I have for
+you. I own a small mine in Babcock, about fifty miles north of Oreville.
+I will send you up to examine it, and make a report to me. Can you ride
+on horseback?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“That is well, for you will have to make your trip in that way. There
+are no railroads in that direction, nor any other way of travel except
+on foot or on horseback. A long ride like that with hours daily in the
+open air, will do you good. What do you say to it?”
+
+“I should like nothing better,” replied Rodney, with his eyes sparkling.
+“Only, how will you get along without me?”
+
+“I have a man in my employ at the mines who will do part of your work,
+and I will have a general oversight of things. So you need not borrow
+any trouble on that account. Do you think you can find your way?”
+
+“Give me the general direction, and I will guarantee to do so. When
+shall I start?”
+
+“Day after tomorrow. That will give me one day for making arrangements.”
+
+At nine the appointed morning Mr. Pettigrew’s own horse stood saddled
+at the door, and Rodney in traveling costume with a small satchel in his
+hand, mounted and rode away, waving a smiling farewell to his friend and
+employer.
+
+Rodney did not hurry, and so consumed two days and a half in reaching
+Babcock. Here he was cordially received by the superintendent whom
+Jefferson Pettigrew had placed in charge of the mine. Every facility was
+afforded him to examine into the management of things and he found all
+satisfactory.
+
+This part of his journey, therefore, may be passed over. But his return
+trip was destined to be more exciting.
+
+Riding at an easy jog Rodney had got within fifteen miles of Oreville,
+when there was an unexpected interruption. Two men started out from the
+roadside, or rather from one side of the bridle path for there was no
+road, and advanced to meet him with drawn revolvers.
+
+“Halt there!” one of them exclaimed in a commanding tone.
+
+Rodney drew bridle, and gazed at the two men in surprise.
+
+“What do you want of me?” he asked.
+
+“Dismount instantly!”
+
+“Why should I? What right have you to interfere with my journey?”
+
+“Might gives right,” said one of the men sententiously. “It will be best
+for you to do as we bid you without too much back talk.”
+
+“What are you--highwaymen?” asked Rodney.
+
+“You’d better not talk too much. Get off that horse!”
+
+Rodney saw that remonstrance was useless, and obeyed the order.
+
+One of the men seized the horse by the bridle, and led him.
+
+“Walk in front!” he said.
+
+“Where are you going to take me?” asked Rodney.
+
+“You will know in due time.”
+
+“I hope you will let me go,” urged Rodney, beginning to be uneasy. “I am
+expected home this evening, or at all event I want to get there.”
+
+“No doubt you do, but the Miners’ Rest will have to get along without
+you for a while.”
+
+“Do you know me then?”
+
+“Yes; you are the boy clerk at the Miners’ Rest.”
+
+“You both put up there about two weeks since,” said Rodney, examining
+closely the faces of the two men.
+
+“Right you are, kid!”
+
+“What can you possibly want of me?”
+
+“Don’t be too curious. You will know in good time.”
+
+Rodney remembered that the two men had remained at the hotel for a day
+and night. They spent the day in wandering around Oreville.
+
+He had supposed when they came that they were in search of employment,
+but they had not applied for work and only seemed actuated by curiosity.
+What could be their object in stopping him now he could not understand.
+
+It would have been natural to suppose they wanted money, but they had
+not asked for any as yet. He had about fifty dollars in his pocketbook
+and he would gladly have given them this if it would have insured his
+release. But not a word had been said about money.
+
+They kept on their journey. Montana is a mountainous State, and they
+were now in the hilly regions. They kept on for perhaps half an hour,
+gradually getting upon higher ground, until they reached a precipitous
+hill composed largely of rock.
+
+Here the two men stopped as if they had reached their journey’s end.
+
+One of them advanced to the side of the hill and unlocked a thick wooden
+door which at first had failed to attract Rodney’s attention. The door
+swung open, revealing a dark passage, cut partly through stone and
+partly through earth. Inside on the floor was a bell of good size.
+
+One of the men lifted the bell and rang it loudly.
+
+“What does that mean?” thought Rodney, who felt more curious than
+apprehensive.
+
+He soon learned.
+
+A curious looking negro, stunted in growth, for he was no taller than a
+boy of ten, came out from the interior and stood at the entrance of the
+cave, if such it was. His face was large and hideous, there was a hump
+on his back, and his legs were not a match, one being shorter than the
+other, so that as he walked, his motion was a curious one. He bent a
+scrutinizing glance on Rodney.
+
+“Well, Caesar, is dinner ready?” asked one of the men.
+
+“No, massa, not yet.”
+
+“Let it be ready then as soon as possible. But first lead the way. We
+are coming in.”
+
+He started ahead, leading the horse, for the entrance was high enough to
+admit the passage of the animal.
+
+“Push on!” said the other, signing to Rodney to precede him.
+
+Rodney did so, knowing remonstrance to be useless. His curiosity was
+excited. He wondered how long the passage was and whither it led.
+
+The way was dark, but here and there in niches was a kerosene lamp that
+faintly relieved the otherwise intense blackness.
+
+“I have read about such places,” thought Rodney, “but I never expected
+to get into one. The wonder is, that they should bring me here. I can’t
+understand their object.”
+
+Rodney followed his guide for perhaps two hundred and fifty feet when
+they emerged into a large chamber of irregular shape, lighted by four
+large lamps set on a square wooden table. There were two rude cots in
+one corner, and it was here apparently that his guides made their home.
+
+There was a large cooking stove in one part of the room, and an
+appetizing odor showed that Caesar had the dinner under way.
+
+Rodney looked about him in curiosity. He could not decide whether the
+cave was natural or artificial. Probably it was a natural cave which had
+been enlarged by the hand of man.
+
+“Now hurry up the dinner, Caesar,” said one of the guides. “We are all
+hungry.”
+
+“Yes, massa,” responded the obedient black.
+
+Rodney felt hungry also, and hoped that he would have a share of the
+dinner. Later he trusted to find out the object of his new acquaintances
+in kidnaping him.
+
+Dinner was soon ready. It was simple, but Rodney thoroughly enjoyed it.
+
+During the meal silence prevailed. After it his new acquaintances
+produced pipes and began to smoke. They offered Rodney a cigarette, but
+he declined it.
+
+“I don’t smoke,” he said.
+
+“Are you a Sunday school kid?” asked one in a sneering tone.
+
+“Well, perhaps so.”
+
+“How long have you lived at Oreville?”
+
+“About four months.”
+
+“Who is the head of the settlement there?”
+
+“Jefferson Pettigrew.”
+
+“He is the moneyed man, is he?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Is he a friend of yours?”
+
+“He is my best friend,” answered Rodney warmly.
+
+“He thinks a good deal of you, then?”
+
+“I think he does.”
+
+“Where have you been--on a journey?”
+
+“Yes, to the town of Babcock.”
+
+“Did he send you?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“What interest has he there?”
+
+“He is chief owner of a mine there.”
+
+“Humph! I suppose you would like to know why we brought you here.”
+
+“I would very much.”
+
+“We propose to hold you for ransom.”
+
+“But why should you? I am only a poor boy.”
+
+“You are the friend of Jefferson Pettigrew. He is a rich man. If he
+wants you back he must pay a round sum.”
+
+It was all out now! These men were emulating a class of outlaws to be
+found in large numbers in Italy and Sicily, and were trading upon human
+sympathy and levying a tax upon human friendship.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+
+UNDERGROUND.
+
+
+Rodney realized his position. The alternative was not a pleasant one.
+Either he must remain in the power of these men, or cost his friend Mr.
+Pettigrew a large sum as ransom. There was little hope of changing the
+determination of his captors, but he resolved to try what he could do.
+
+“Mr. Pettigrew is under no obligations to pay money out for me,” he
+said. “I am not related to him, and have not yet known him six months.”
+
+“That makes no difference. You are his friend, and he likes you.”
+
+“That is the very reason why I should not wish him to lose money on my
+account.”
+
+“Oh, very well! It will be bad for you is he doesn’t come to your help.”
+
+“Why? What do you propose to do to me?” asked Rodney boldly.
+
+“Better not ask!” was the significant reply.
+
+“But I want to know. I want to realize my position.”
+
+“The least that will happen to you is imprisonment in this cave for a
+term of years.”
+
+“I don’t think I should like it but you would get tired of standing
+guard over me.”
+
+“We might, and in that case there is the other thing.”
+
+“What other thing?”
+
+“If we get tired of keeping you here, we shall make short work with
+you.”
+
+“Would you murder me?” asked Rodney, horror struck, as he might well be,
+for death seems terrible to a boy just on the threshold of life.
+
+“We might be obliged to do so.”
+
+Rodney looked in the faces of his captors, and he saw nothing to
+encourage him. They looked like desperate men, who would stick at
+nothing to carry out their designs.
+
+“I don’t see why you should get hold of me,” he said. “If you had
+captured Mr. Pettigrew himself you would stand a better chance of making
+it pay.”
+
+“There is no chance of capturing Pettigrew. If there were we would
+prefer him to you. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
+
+“How much ransom do you propose to ask?”
+
+This Rodney said, thinking that if it were a thousand dollars he might
+be able to make it good to his friend Jefferson. But he was destined to
+be disappointed.
+
+“Five thousand dollars,” answered the chief speaker.
+
+“Five thousand dollars!” ejaculated Rodney in dismay. “Five thousand
+dollars for a boy like me!”
+
+“That is the sum we want.”
+
+“If it were one thousand I think you might get it.”
+
+“One thousand!” repeated the other scornfully. “That wouldn’t half pay
+us.”
+
+“Then suppose you call it two thousand?”
+
+“It won’t do.”
+
+“Then I suppose I must make up my mind to remain a prisoner.”
+
+“Five thousand dollars wouldn’t be much to a rich man like Pettigrew.
+We have inquired, and found out that he is worth at least a hundred
+thousand dollars. Five thousand is only a twentieth part of this sum.”
+
+“You can do as you please, but you had better ask a reasonable amount if
+you expect to get it.”
+
+“We don’t want advice. We shall manage things in our own way.”
+
+Convinced that further discussion would be unavailing, Rodney relapsed
+into silence, but now his captors proceeded to unfold their plans.
+
+One of them procured a bottle of ink, some paper and a pen, and set them
+on the table.
+
+“Come up here, boy, and write to Mr. Pettigrew,” he said in a tone of
+authority.
+
+“What shall I write?”
+
+“Tell him that you are a prisoner, and that you will not be released
+unless he pays five thousand dollars.”
+
+“I don’t want to write that. It will be the same as asking him to pay it
+for me.”
+
+“That is what we mean him to understand.”
+
+“I won’t write it.”
+
+Rodney knew his danger, but he looked resolutely into the eyes of the
+men who held his life in their hands. His voice did not waver, for he
+was a manly and courageous boy.
+
+“The boy’s got grit!” said one of the men to the other.
+
+“Yes, but it won’t save him. Boy, are you going to write what I told
+you?”
+
+“No.”
+
+“Are you not afraid that we will kill you?”
+
+“You have power to do it.”
+
+“Don’t you want to live?”
+
+“Yes. Life is sweet to a boy of sixteen.”
+
+“Then why don’t you write?”
+
+“Because I think it would be taking a mean advantage of Mr. Pettigrew.”
+
+“You are a fool. Roderick, what shall we do with him?”
+
+“Tell him simply to write that he is in our hands.”
+
+“Well thought of. Boy, will you do that?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+Rodney gave his consent for he was anxious that Mr. Pettigrew should
+know what had prevented him from coming home when he was expected.
+
+“Very well, write! You will know what to say.”
+
+Rodney drew the paper to him, and wrote as follows:
+
+
+DEAR MR. PETTIGREW,
+
+On my way home I was stopped by two men who have confined me in a cave,
+and won’t let me go unless a sum of money is paid for my ransom. I don’t
+know what to do. You will know better than I. RODNEY ROPES.
+
+
+His chief captor took the note and read it aloud.
+
+“That will do,” he said. “Now he will believe us when we say that you
+are in our hands.”
+
+He signed to Rodney to rise from the table and took his place. Drawing a
+pile of paper to him, he penned the following note:
+
+
+Rodney Ropes is in our hands. He wants his liberty and we want money.
+Send us five thousand dollars, or arrange a meeting at which it can be
+delivered to us, and he shall go free. Otherwise his death be on your
+hands. HIS CAPTORS.
+
+
+Rodney noticed that this missive was written in a handsome business
+hand.
+
+“You write a handsome hand,” he said.
+
+“I ought to,” was the reply. “I was once bookkeeper in a large business
+house.”
+
+“And what--” here Rodney hesitated.
+
+“What made me an outlaw you mean to ask?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“My nature, I suppose. I wasn’t cut out for sober, humdrum life.”
+
+“Don’t you think you would have been happier?”
+
+“No preaching, kid! I had enough of that when I used to go to church in
+my old home in Missouri. Here, Caesar!”
+
+“Yes, massa.”
+
+“You know Oreville?”
+
+“Yes, massa.”
+
+“Go over there and take this letter with you. Ask for Jefferson
+Pettigrew, and mind you don’t tell him where we live. Only if he asks
+about me and my pal say we are desperate men, have each killed a round
+dozen of fellows that stood in our way and will stick at nothing.”
+
+“All right, massa,” said Caesar with an appreciative grin. “How shall I
+go, massa?”
+
+“You can take the kid’s horse. Ride to within a mile of Oreville, then
+tether the horse where he won’t easily be found, and walk over to the
+mines. Do you understand?”
+
+“Yes, massa.”
+
+“He won’t probably give you any money, but he may give you a letter.
+Bring it safely to me.”
+
+Caesar nodded and vanished.
+
+For an hour the two men smoked their pipes and chatted. Then they rose,
+and the elder said: “We are going out, kid, for a couple of hours. Are
+you afraid to stay alone?”
+
+“Why should I be?”
+
+“That’s the way to talk. I won’t caution you not to escape, for it would
+take a smarter lad then you to do it. If you are tired you can lie down
+on the bed and rest.”
+
+“All right!”
+
+“I am sorry we haven’t got the morning paper for you to look over,” said
+his captor with a smile. “The carrier didn’t leave it this morning.”
+
+“I can get along without it. I don’t feel much like reading.”
+
+“You needn’t feel worried. You’ll be out of this tomorrow if Jefferson
+Pettigrew is as much your friend as you think he is.”
+
+“The only thing that troubles me is the big price you charge at your
+hotel.”
+
+“Good! The kid has a good wit of his own. After all, we wouldn’t
+mind keeping you with us. It might pay you better than working for
+Pettigrew.”
+
+“I hope you’ll excuse my saying it, but I don’t like the business.”
+
+“You may change your mind. At your age we wouldn’t either of us like the
+sort of life we are leading. Come, John.”
+
+The two men went out but did not allow Rodney to accompany them to the
+place of exit.
+
+Left to himself, Rodney could think soberly of his plight. He could not
+foresee whether his captivity would be brief or prolonged.
+
+After a time the spirit of curiosity seized him. He felt tempted
+to explore the cavern in which he was confined. He took a lamp, and
+followed in a direction opposite to that taken by his captors.
+
+The cave he found was divided into several irregularly shaped chambers.
+He walked slowly, holding up the lamp to examine the walls of the
+cavern. In one passage he stopped short, for something attracted his
+attention--something the sight of which made his heart beat quicker and
+filled him with excitement.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV.
+
+
+RODNEY’S DISCOVERY.
+
+
+There was a good reason for Rodney’s excitement. The walls of the
+subterranean passage revealed distinct and rich indications of gold.
+There was a time, and that not long before, when they would have
+revealed nothing to Rodney, but since his residence at Oreville he had
+more than once visited the mines and made himself familiar with surface
+indications of mineral deposit.
+
+He stopped short and scanned attentively the walls of the passage.
+
+“If I am not mistaken,” he said to himself, “this will make one of the
+richest mines in Montana. But after all what good will it do me? Here am
+I a prisoner, unable to leave the cave, or communicate with my friends.
+If Mr. Pettigrew knew what I do he would feel justified in paying the
+ransom these men want.”
+
+Rodney wondered how these rich deposits had failed to attract the
+attention of his captors, but he soon settled upon the conclusion that
+they had no knowledge of mines or mining, and were ignorant of the
+riches that were almost in their grasp.
+
+“Shall I enlighten them?” he asked himself.
+
+It was a question which he could not immediately answer. He resolved to
+be guided by circumstances.
+
+In order not to excite suspicion he retraced his steps to the apartment
+used by his captors as a common sitting room--carefully fixing in his
+mind the location of the gold ore.
+
+We must now follow the messenger who had gone to Oreville with a letter
+from Rodney’s captors.
+
+As instructed, he left his horse, or rather Rodney’s, tethered at some
+distance from the settlement and proceeded on foot to the Miners’ Rest.
+His strange appearance excited attention and curiosity. Both these
+feelings would have been magnified had it been known on what errand he
+came.
+
+“Where can I find Mr. Jefferson Pettigrew?” he asked of a man whom he
+saw on the veranda.
+
+“At the Griffin Mine,” answered the other, removing the pipe from his
+mouth.
+
+“Where is that?”
+
+“Over yonder. Are you a miner?”
+
+“No. I know nothing about mines.”
+
+“Then why do you want to see Jefferson? I thought you might want a
+chance to work in the mine.”
+
+“No; I have other business with him--business of importance,” added the
+black dwarf emphatically.
+
+“If that is the case I’ll take you to him. I am always glad to be of
+service to Jefferson.”
+
+“Thank you. He will thank you, too.”
+
+The man walked along with a long, swinging gait which made it difficult
+for Caesar to keep up with him.
+
+“So you have business with Jefferson?” said the man with the pipe, whose
+curiosity had been excited.
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Of what sort?”
+
+“I will tell him,” answered Caesar shortly.
+
+“So its private, is it?”
+
+“Yes. If he wants to tell you he will.”
+
+“That’s fair. Well, come along! Am I walking too fast for you?”
+
+“Your legs are much longer than mine.”
+
+“That’s so. You are a little shrimp. I declare.”
+
+A walk of twenty minutes brought them to the Griffin Mine. Jefferson
+Pettigrew was standing near, giving directions to a party of miners.
+
+“Jefferson,” said the man with the pipe, “here’s a chap that wants to
+see you on business of importance. That is, he says it is.”
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew wheeled round and looked at Caesar.
+
+“Well,” he said, “what is it?”
+
+“I have a letter for you, massa.”
+
+“Give it to me.”
+
+Jefferson took the letter and cast his eye over it. As he read it his
+countenance changed and became stern and severe.
+
+“Do you know what is in this letter?” he asked.
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Come with me.”
+
+He led Caesar to a place out of earshot.
+
+“What fiend’s game is this?” he demanded sternly.
+
+“I can’t tell you, massa; I’m not in it.”
+
+“Who are those men that have written to me?”
+
+“I don’t know their right names. I calls ‘em Massa John and Massa Dick.”
+
+“It seems they have trapped a boy friend of mine, Rodney Ropes. Did you
+see him?”
+
+“Yes; I gave him a good dinner.”
+
+“That is well. If they should harm a hair of his head I wouldn’t
+rest till I had called them to account. Where have they got the boy
+concealed?”
+
+“I couldn’t tell you, massa.”
+
+“You mean, you won’t tell me.”
+
+“Yes. It would be as much as my life is worth.”
+
+“Humph, well! I suppose you must be faithful to your employer. Do you
+know that these men want me to pay five thousand dollars for the return
+of the boy?”
+
+“Yes, I heard them talking about it.”
+
+“That is a new kind of rascality. Do they expect you to bring back an
+answer?”
+
+“Yes, massa.”
+
+“I must think. What will they do to the boy if I don’t give them the
+money?”
+
+“They might kill him.”
+
+“If they do--but I must have time to think the matter over. Are you
+expected to go back this afternoon?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Can you get back? It must be a good distance.”
+
+“I can get back.”
+
+“Stay here. I will consult some of my friends and see if I can raise the
+money.”
+
+“Very well, massa.” One of those whom Jefferson called into consultation
+was the person who had guided Caesar to the Griffin Mine.
+
+Quickly the proprietor of the Miners’ Rest unfolded the situation.
+
+“Now,” he said, “I want two of you to follow this misshapen dwarf, and
+find out where he comes from. I want to get hold of the scoundrels who
+sent him to me.”
+
+“I will be one,” said the man with the pipe.
+
+“Very well, Fred.”
+
+“And I will go with Fred,” said a long limbed fellow who had been a
+Kansas cowboy.
+
+“I accept you, Otto. Go armed, and don’t lose sight of him.”
+
+“Shall you send the money?”
+
+“Not I. I will send a letter that will encourage them to hope for it. I
+want to gain time.”
+
+“Any instructions, Jefferson?”
+
+“Only this, if you see these men, capture or kill them.”
+
+“All right.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV.
+
+
+A BLOODY CONFLICT.
+
+
+This was the letter that was handed to Caesar:
+
+
+I have received your note. I must have time to think, and time perhaps
+to get hold of the gold. Don’t harm a hair of the boy’s head. If so, I
+will hunt you to death.
+
+JEFFERSON PETTIGREW.
+
+
+P.S.--Meet me tomorrow morning at the rocky gorge at the foot of Black
+Mountain. Ten o’clock.
+
+
+Caesar took the letter, and bent his steps in the direction of the place
+where he had tethered his horse. He did not observe that he was
+followed by two men, who carefully kept him in sight, without attracting
+attention to themselves.
+
+When Caesar reached the place where he had tethered the horse, he was
+grievously disappointed at not finding him. One of the miners in
+roaming about had come upon the animal, and knowing him to be Jefferson
+Pettigrew’s property, untied him and rode him back to Oreville.
+
+The dwarf threw up his hands in dismay.
+
+“The horse is gone!” he said in his deep bass voice, “and now I must
+walk back, ten long miles, and get a flogging at the end for losing
+time. It’s hard luck,” he groaned.
+
+The loss was fortunate for Fred and Otto who would otherwise have found
+it hard to keep up with the dwarf.
+
+Caesar breathed a deep sigh, and then started on his wearisome journey.
+Had the ground been even it would have troubled him less, but there was
+a steep upward grade, and his short legs were soon weary. Not so with
+his pursuers, both of whom were long limbed and athletic.
+
+We will go back now to the cave and the captors of Rodney. They waited
+long and impatiently for the return of their messenger. Having no
+knowledge of the loss of the horse, they could not understand what
+detained Caesar.
+
+“Do you think the rascal has played us false?” said Roderick.
+
+“He would be afraid to.”
+
+“This man Pettigrew might try to bribe him. It would be cheaper than to
+pay five thousand dollars.”
+
+“He wouldn’t dare. He knows what would happen to him,” said John grimly.
+
+“Then why should he be so long?”
+
+“That I can’t tell.”
+
+“Suppose we go out to meet him. I begin to feel anxious lest we have
+trusted him too far.”
+
+“I am with you!”
+
+The two outlaws took the path which led to Oreville, and walked two
+miles before they discovered Caesar coming towards them at a slow and
+melancholy gait.
+
+“There he is, and on foot! What does it mean?”
+
+“He will tell us.”
+
+“Here now, you black imp! where is the horse?” demanded Roderick.
+
+“I done lost him, massa.”
+
+“Lost him? You’ll get a flogging for this, unless you bring good news.
+Did you see Jefferson Pettigrew?”
+
+“Yes, massa.”
+
+“Did he give you any money?”
+
+“No; he gave me this letter.”
+
+Roderick snatched it from his hand, and showed it to John.
+
+“It seems satisfactory,” he said. “Now how did you lose the horse?”
+
+Caesar told him.
+
+“You didn’t fasten him tight.”
+
+“Beg your pardon, massa, but I took good care of that.”
+
+“Well, he’s gone; was probably stolen. That is unfortunate; however you
+may not have been to blame.”
+
+Luckily for Caesar the letter which he brought was considered
+satisfactory, and this palliated his fault in losing the horse.
+
+The country was so uneven that the two outlaws did not observe that they
+were followed, until they came to the entrance of the cave. Then, before
+opening the door, John looked round and caught sight of Fred and Otto
+eying them from a little distance.
+
+He instantly took alarm.
+
+“Look,” he said, “we are followed. Look behind you!”
+
+His brother turned and came to the same conclusion.
+
+“Caesar,” said Roderick, “did you ever see those men before?”
+
+“No, massa.”
+
+“They must have followed you from Oreville. Hello, you two!” he added
+striding towards the miners. “What do you want here?”
+
+Fred and Otto had accomplished their object in ascertaining the place
+where Rodney was confined, and no longer cared for concealment.
+
+“None of your business!” retorted Fred independently. “The place is as
+free to us as to you.”
+
+“Are you spies?”
+
+“I don’t intend to answer any of your questions.”
+
+“Clear out of here!” commanded Roderick in a tone of authority.
+
+“Suppose we don’t?”
+
+Roderick was a man of quick temper, and had never been in the habit of
+curbing it. He was provoked by the independent tone of the speaker, and
+without pausing to think of the imprudence of his actions, he raised his
+rifle and pointing at Fred shot him in the left arm.
+
+The two miners were both armed, and were not slow in accepting the
+challenge. Simultaneously they raised their rifles and fired at the two
+men. The result was that both fell seriously wounded and Caesar set up a
+howl of dismay, not so much for his masters as from alarm for himself.
+
+Fred and Otto came forward, and stood looking down upon the outlaws, who
+were in the agonies of death.
+
+“It was our lives or theirs,” said Fred coolly, for he had been long
+enough in Montana to become used to scenes of bloodshed.
+
+“Yes,” answered Otto. “I think these two men are the notorious Dixon
+brothers who are credited with a large number of murders. The country
+will be well rid of them.”
+
+Roderick turned his glazing eyes upon the tall miner. “I wish I had
+killed you,” he muttered.
+
+“No doubt you do. It wouldn’t have been your first murder.”
+
+“Don’t kill me, massa!” pleaded Caesar in tones of piteous entreaty.
+
+“I don’t know,” answered Fred. “That depends on yourself. If you obey us
+strictly we will spare you.”
+
+“Try me, massa!”
+
+“You black hound!” said Roderick hoarsely. “If I were not disabled I’d
+kill you myself.”
+
+Here was a new danger for poor Caesar, for he knew Roderick’s fierce
+temper.
+
+“Don’t let him kill me!” he exclaimed, affrighted.
+
+“He shall do you no harm. Will you obey me?”
+
+“Tell me what you want, massa.”
+
+“Is the boy these men captured inside?”
+
+“Yes, massa.”
+
+“Open the cave, then. We want him.”
+
+“Don’t do it,” said Roderick, but Caesar saw at a glance that his old
+master, of whom he stood in wholesome fear, was unable to harm him, and
+he proceeded to unlock the door.
+
+“Go and call the boy!” said Fred.
+
+Caesar disappeared within the cavern, and soon emerged with Rodney
+following him.
+
+“Are you unhurt?” asked Fred anxiously.
+
+“Yes, and overjoyed to see you. How came you here?”
+
+“We followed the nigger from Oreville.”
+
+What happened afterwards Rodney did not need to inquire, for the two
+outstretched figures, stiffening in death, revealed it to him.
+
+“They are the Dixon brothers, are they not?” asked Fred, turning to
+Caesar.
+
+“Yes, massa.”
+
+“Then we are entitled to a thousand dollars each for their capture. I
+have never before shed blood, but I don’t regret ending the career of
+these scoundrels.”
+
+Half an hour later the two outlaws were dead and Rodney and his friends
+were on their way back to Oreville.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI.
+
+
+THE RODNEY MINE.
+
+
+Rodney was received by Jefferson Pettigrew with open arms.
+
+“Welcome home, boy!” he said. “I was very much worried about you.”
+
+“I was rather uneasy about myself,” returned Rodney.
+
+“Well, it’s all over, and all’s well that ends well. You are free and
+there has been no money paid out. Fred and Otto have done a good thing
+in ridding the world of the notorious Dixon brothers. They will be
+well paid, for I understand there is a standing reward of one thousand
+dollars for each of them dead or alive. I don’t know but you ought
+to have a share of this, for it was through you that the outlaws were
+trapped.”
+
+“No, Mr. Pettigrew, they are welcome to the reward. If I am not mistaken
+I shall make a good deal more out of it than they.”
+
+“What do you mean?”
+
+Upon this Rodney told the story of what he had seen in the cavern.
+
+“When I said I, I meant we, Mr. Pettigrew. I think if the gold there is
+as plentiful as I think it is we shall do well to commence working it.”
+
+“It is yours, Rodney, by right of first discovery.”
+
+“I prefer that you should share it with me.”
+
+“We will go over tomorrow and make an examination. Was there any one
+else who seemed to have a claim to the cave except the Dixons?”
+
+“No. The negro, Caesar, will still be there, perhaps.”
+
+“We can easily get rid of him.”
+
+The next day the two friends went over to the cavern. Caesar was still
+there, but he had an unsettled, restless look, and seemed undecided what
+to do.
+
+“What are you going to do, Caesar?” asked Pettigrew. “Are you going to
+stay here?”
+
+“I don’t know, massa. I don’t want to lib here. I’m afraid I’ll see the
+ghostes of my old massas. But I haven’t got no money.”
+
+“If you had money where would you go?”
+
+“I’d go to Chicago. I used to be a whitewasher, and I reckon I’d get
+work at my old trade.”
+
+“That’s where you are sensible, Caesar. This is no place for you. Now
+I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll give you a hundred dollars, and you can
+go where you like. But I shall want you to go away at once.”
+
+“I’ll go right off, massa,” said Caesar, overjoyed. “I don’t want to
+come here no more.”
+
+“Have you got anything belonging to you in the cave?”
+
+“No, massa, only a little kit of clothes.”
+
+“Take them and go.”
+
+In fifteen minutes Caesar had bidden farewell to his home, and Rodney
+and Jefferson were left in sole possession of the cavern.
+
+“Now, Mr. Pettigrew, come and let me show you what I saw. I hope I have
+made no mistake.”
+
+Rodney led the way to the narrow passage already described. By the light
+of a lantern Mr. Pettigrew examined the walls. For five minutes not a
+word was said.
+
+“Well, what do you think of it?” asked Rodney anxiously.
+
+“Only this: that you have hit upon the richest gold deposits in Montana.
+Here is a mining prospect that will make us both rich.”
+
+“I am glad I was not mistaken,” said Rodney simply.
+
+“Your capture by the Dixon brothers will prove to have been the luckiest
+event in your life. I shall lose no time in taking possession in our
+joint name.”
+
+There was great excitement when the discovery of the gold deposit was
+made known. In connection with the killing of the outlaws, it was noised
+far and wide. The consequence was that there was an influx of mining
+men, and within a week Rodney and Jefferson were offered a hundred
+thousand dollars for a half interest in the mine by a Chicago syndicate.
+
+“Say a hundred and fifty thousand, and we accept the offer,” said
+Jefferson Pettigrew.
+
+After a little haggling this offer was accepted, and Rodney found
+himself the possessor of seventy five thousand dollars in cash.
+
+“It was fortunate for me when I fell in with you, Mr. Pettigrew,” he
+said.
+
+“And no less fortunate for me, Rodney. This mine will bring us in a rich
+sum for our share, besides the cash we already have in hand.”
+
+“If you don’t object, Mr. Pettigrew, I should like to go to New York and
+continue my education. You can look after my interest here, and I shall
+be willing to pay you anything you like for doing so.”
+
+“There won’t be any trouble about that, Rodney. I don’t blame you for
+wanting to obtain an education. It isn’t in my line. You can come out
+once a year, and see what progress we are making. The mine will be
+called the Rodney Mine after you.”
+
+The Miners’ Rest was sold to the steward, as Mr. Pettigrew was too busy
+to attend to it, and in a week Rodney was on his way to New York.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII.
+
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+
+Otis Goodnow arrived at his place of business a little earlier than
+usual, and set himself to looking over his mail. Among other letters was
+one written on paper bearing the name of the Fifth Avenue Hotel. He came
+to this after a time and read it.
+
+It ran thus:
+
+
+DEAR SIR:
+
+I was once in your employ, though you may not remember my name. I was in
+the department of Mr. Redwood, and there I became acquainted with Jasper
+Redwood, his nephew. I was discharged, it is needless to recall why. I
+had saved nothing, and of course I was greatly embarrassed. I could not
+readily obtain another place, and in order to secure money to pay living
+expenses I entered into an arrangement with Jasper Redwood to sell me
+articles, putting in more than I paid for. These I was enabled to sell
+at a profit to smaller stores. This was not as profitable as it might
+have been to me, as I was obliged to pay Jasper a commission for
+his agency. Well, after a time it was ascertained that articles were
+missing, and search was made for the thief. Through a cunningly devised
+scheme of Jasper’s the theft was ascribed to Rodney Ropes, a younger
+clerk, and he was discharged. Ropes was a fine young fellow, and I have
+always been sorry that he got into trouble through our agency, but there
+seemed no help for it. It must rest on him or us. He protested
+his innocence, but was not believed. I wish to say now that he was
+absolutely innocent, and only Jasper and myself were to blame. If you
+doubt my statement I will call today, and you may confront me with
+Jasper. I desire that justice should be done.
+                                            PHILIP CARTON.
+
+
+“Call Mr. Redwood,” said the merchant, summoning a boy.
+
+In five minutes Mr. Redwood entered the office of his employer.
+
+“You sent for me, sir?”
+
+“Yes, Mr. Redwood; cast your eye over this letter.”
+
+James Redwood read the letter, and his face showed the agitation he
+felt.
+
+“I don’t know anything about this, Mr. Goodnow,” he said at last.
+
+“It ought to be inquired into.”
+
+“I agree with you. If my nephew is guilty I want to know it.”
+
+“We will wait till the writer of this letter calls. Do you remember
+him?”
+
+“Yes, sir; he was discharged for intemperance.”
+
+At twelve o’clock Philip Carton made his appearance, and asked to be
+conducted to Mr. Goodnow’s private office.
+
+“You are the writer of this letter?” asked the merchant.
+
+“Yes sir.”
+
+“And you stand by the statement it contains?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“Why, at this late day, have you made a confession?”
+
+“Because I wish to do justice to Rodney Ropes, who has been unjustly
+accused, and also because I have been meanly treated by Jasper Redwood,
+who has thrown me over now that he has no further use for me.”
+
+“Are you willing to repeat your statement before him?”
+
+“I wish to do so.”
+
+“Call Jasper Redwood, Sherman,” said the merchant, addressing himself to
+Sherman White, a boy recently taken into his employ.
+
+Jasper entered the office, rather surprised at the summons. When he saw
+his accomplice, he changed color, and looked confused.
+
+“Jasper,” said the merchant, “read this letter and tell me what you have
+to say in reply.”
+
+Jasper ran his eye over the letter, while his color came and went.
+
+“Well?”
+
+“It’s a lie,” said Jasper hoarsely.
+
+“Do you still insist that the articles taken from my stock were taken by
+Rodney Ropes?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“What do you say, Mr. Carton?”
+
+“Not one was taken by Rodney Ropes. Jasper and I are responsible for
+them all.”
+
+“What proof can you bring?”
+
+“Mr. James Redwood will recall the purchase I made at the time of the
+thefts. He will recall that I always purchased of Jasper.”
+
+“That is true,” said Mr. Redwood in a troubled voice.
+
+“Do you confess, Jasper Redwood?”
+
+“No, sir.”
+
+“If you will tell the truth, I will see that no harm comes to you. I
+want to clear this matter up.”
+
+Jasper thought the matter over. He saw that the game was up--and decided
+rapidly that confession was the best policy.
+
+“Very well, sir, if I must I will do so, but that man put me up to it.”
+
+“You did not need any putting up to it. I wish young Ropes were here,
+that I might clear him.”
+
+As if in answer to the wish a bronzed and manly figure appeared at the
+office door. It was Rodney, but taller and more robust than when he left
+the store nearly a year before.
+
+“Rodney Ropes!” ejaculated Jasper in great surprise.
+
+“Yes, Jasper, I came here to see you, and beg you to free me from the
+false charge which was brought against me when I was discharged from
+this store. I didn’t find you in your usual places, and was directed
+here.”
+
+“Ropes,” said Mr. Goodnow, “your innocence has been established. This
+man,” indicating Philip Carton, “has confessed that it was he and Jasper
+who stole the missing articles.”
+
+“I am thankful that my character has been cleared.”
+
+“I am ready to take you back into my employ.”
+
+“Thank you, sir, but I have now no need of a position. I shall be glad
+if you will retain Jasper.”
+
+“You are very generous to one who has done so much to injure you.”
+
+“Indirectly he put me in the way of making a fortune. If you will retain
+him, Mr. Goodnow, I will guarantee to make up any losses you may incur
+from him.”
+
+“How is this? Are you able to make this guarantee?”
+
+“I am worth seventy five thousand dollars in money, besides being owner
+of a large mining property in Montana.”
+
+“This is truly wonderful! And you have accumulated all this since you
+left my store?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“Rodney,” said Jasper, going up to his old rival, and offering his hand.
+“I am sorry I tried to injure you. It was to save myself, but I see now
+how meanly I acted.”
+
+“That speech has saved you,” said the merchant. “Go back to your work. I
+will give you another chance.”
+
+“Will you take me back also, Mr. Goodnow?” asked Philip Carton.
+
+The merchant hesitated.
+
+“No, Mr. Carton,” said Rodney. “I will look out for you. I will send
+you to Montana with a letter to my partner. You can do better there than
+here.”
+
+Tears came into the eyes of the ex-clerk.
+
+“Thank you,” he said gratefully. “I should prefer it. I will promise to
+turn over a new leaf; and justify your recommendation.”
+
+“Come to see me this evening at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and I will
+arrange matters.”
+
+“Shall you stay in the city long, Ropes?” asked the merchant.
+
+“About a week.”
+
+“Come and dine with me on Tuesday evening.”
+
+“Thank you, sir.”
+
+
+Later in the day Rodney sought out his old room mate Mike Flynn. He
+found Mike in a bad case. He had a bad cold, but did not dare to give up
+work, because he wouldn’t be able to meet his bills. He was still in the
+employ of the District Telegraph Company.
+
+“Give the company notice, Mike,” said Rodney. “Henceforth I will take
+care of you. You can look upon me as your rich uncle,” he added with a
+smile.
+
+“I will be your servant, Rodney.”
+
+“Not a bit of it. You will be my friend. But you must obey me
+implicitly. I am going to send you to school, and give you a chance
+to learn something. Next week I shall return to Dr. Sampson’s boarding
+school and you will go with me as my friend and room mate.”
+
+“But, Rodney, you will be ashamed of me. I am awfully shabby.”
+
+“You won’t be long. You shall be as well dressed as I am.”
+
+A week later the two boys reached the school. It would have been hard
+for any of Mike’s old friends to recognize him in the handsomely dressed
+boy who accompanied Rodney.
+
+“Really, Mike, you are quite good looking, now that you are well
+dressed,” said Rodney.
+
+“Oh, go away with you, Rodney? It’s fooling me you are!”
+
+“Not a bit of it. Now I want you to improve your time and learn as fast
+as you can.”
+
+“I will, Rodney.”
+
+A year later Rodney left school, but he kept Mike there two years
+longer. There had been a great change in the telegraph boy, who was
+quick to learn. He expects, when he leaves school, to join Rodney in
+Montana.
+
+I will not attempt to estimate Rodney’s present wealth, but he is
+already prominent in financial circles in his adopted State. Philip
+Carton is prospering, and is respected by his new friends, who know
+nothing of his earlier life.
+
+As I write, Rodney has received a letter from his old guardian, Benjamin
+Fielding. The letter came from Montreal.
+
+“My dear Rodney,” he wrote. “I have worked hard to redeem the past, and
+restore to you your fortune. I have just succeeded, and send you the
+amount with interest. It leaves me little or nothing, but my mind is
+relieved. I hope you have not had to suffer severely from my criminal
+carelessness, and that you will live long to enjoy what rightfully
+belongs to you.”
+
+In reply Rodney wrote: “Please draw on me for fifty thousand dollars.
+I do not need it, and you do. Five years from now, if you can spare the
+money you may send it to me. Till then use it without interest. I am
+worth much more than the sum my father intrusted to you for me.”
+
+This offer was gratefully accepted, and Mr. Fielding is now in New York,
+where he is likely to experience a return of his former prosperity.
+
+As for Rodney, his trials are over. They made a man of him, and proved a
+blessing in disguise.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Cast Upon the Breakers, by Horatio Alger
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diff --git a/399-0.zip b/399-0.zip
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+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+
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+   "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" >
+
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en">
+  <head>
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" />
+    <title>
+      Cast Upon the Breakers, by Horatio Alger, Jr.
+    </title>
+    <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve">
+
+    body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify}
+    P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; }
+    H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; }
+    hr  { width: 50%; text-align: center;}
+    .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; }
+    blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;}
+    .mynote    {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;}
+    .toc       { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;}
+    .toc2      { margin-left: 20%;}
+    div.fig    { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; }
+    div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; }
+    .figleft   {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;}
+    .figright  {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;}
+    .pagenum   {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal;
+               margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%;
+               text-align: right;}
+    pre        { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;}
+
+</style>
+  </head>
+  <body>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Cast Upon the Breakers, by Horatio Alger
+
+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: Cast Upon the Breakers
+
+Author: Horatio Alger
+
+Release Date: January 16, 2006 [EBook #399]
+Last Updated: January 9, 2019
+
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAST UPON THE BREAKERS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Keller and David Widger
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <h1>
+      CAST UPON THE BREAKERS
+    </h1>
+    <h2>
+      by Horatio Alger, Jr.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <hr />
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <blockquote>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big>
+      </p>
+      <p>
+        <br />
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. -- A FAITHLESS GUARDIAN. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. -- THE CASKET OF JEWELS. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. -- A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. -- IN PURSUIT OF A THIEF. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. -- A YOUNG FINANCIAL WRECK. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. -- AN IMPUDENT ADVENTURER. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. -- AT THE NEWSBOY’S LODGING HOUSE. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. -- RODNEY FINDS A PLACE. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. -- THE FIRST DAY AT WORK. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. -- MIKE PUTS ON A UNIFORM. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. -- MISSING GOODS. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. -- WHAT WAS FOUND IN RODNEY’S ROOM. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. -- CHARGED WITH THEFT. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. -- RODNEY IS DISCHARGED. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. -- A RICH FIND. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. -- A SURPRISING TURN OF FORTUNE. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. -- JASPER’S PERPLEXITY. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. -- RODNEY’S SECRET IS DISCOVERED. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. -- JASPER’S REVENGE. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. -- RODNEY LOSES HIS PUPIL. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. -- CONTINUED ILL LUCK. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. -- AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE TURNS UP. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII. -- MR. WHEELER HAS A SET BACK. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. -- A CHANGE OF SCENE. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV. -- JEFFERSON PETTIGREW’S HOME. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI. -- THE BOY CAPITALIST. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII. -- THE FAILURE OF SQUIRE SHELDON’S PLOT. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII. -- A MINISTER’S GOOD FORTUNE. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX. -- A MINING TOWN IN MONTANA. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XXX. -- THE MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XXXI. -- MR. WHEELER EXPLAINS. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER XXXII. -- RODNEY FALLS INTO A TRAP. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0033"> CHAPTER XXXIII. -- UNDERGROUND. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0034"> CHAPTER XXXIV. -- RODNEY’S DISCOVERY. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0035"> CHAPTER XXXV. -- A BLOODY CONFLICT. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0036"> CHAPTER XXXVI. -- THE RODNEY MINE. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0037"> CHAPTER XXXVII. -- CONCLUSION. </a>
+      </p>
+
+      <p>
+        <br /> <br />
+      </p>
+    </blockquote>
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <hr />
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER I.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A FAITHLESS GUARDIAN.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, good by, Rodney! I leave school tomorrow. I am going to learn a
+      trade.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry to part with you, David. Couldn&rsquo;t you stay another term?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No: my uncle says I must be earning my living, and I have a chance to
+      learn the carpenter&rsquo;s trade.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are you going?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To Duffield, some twenty miles away. I wish I were in your shoes. You
+      have no money cares, and can go on quietly and complete your education.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know how I am situated, David. I only know that my guardian pays
+      my expenses at this boarding school.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, you are a star boarder, and have the nicest room in the institution.
+      I am only a poor day scholar. Still I feel thankful that I have been
+      allowed to remain as long as I have. Who is your guardian?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A Mr. Benjamin Fielding, of New York.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is he a business man?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I believe so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know how much you will inherit when you come of age?&rdquo; asked David,
+      after a short pause.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t an idea.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems to me your guardian ought to have told you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I scarcely know my guardian. Five years ago I spent a week at his home. I
+      don&rsquo;t remember much about it except that he lives in a handsome house, and
+      has plenty of servants. Since then, as you know, I have passed most of my
+      time here, except that in the summer I was allowed to board at the
+      Catskills or any country place I might select.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, and I remember one year you took me with you and paid all my
+      expenses. I shall never forget your kindness, and how much I enjoyed that
+      summer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney Ropes smiled, and his smile made his usually grave face look very
+      attractive.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My dear David,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;it was all selfishness on my part. I knew I
+      should enjoy myself much better with a companion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may call that selfishness, Rodney, but it is a kind of selfishness
+      that makes me your devoted friend. How long do you think you shall remain
+      at school?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. My guardian has never told me his plans for me. I wish he
+      would.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall miss you, Rodney, but we will correspond, won&rsquo;t we?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Surely. You know I shall always feel interested in you and your welfare.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      David was a plain boy of humble parentage, and would probably be a hard
+      working mechanic. In fact he was looking for nothing better.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But Rodney Ropes looked to be of genteel blood, and had the air of one who
+      had been brought up a gentleman. But different as they were in social
+      position the two boys had always been devoted friends.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The boarding school of which Rodney was, as his friend expressed himself,
+      a star pupil, was situated about fifty miles from the city of New York. It
+      was under the charge of Dr. Sampson, a tall, thin man of fair scholarship,
+      keenly alive to his own interest, who showed partiality for his richer
+      pupils, and whenever he had occasion to censure bore most heavily upon
+      boys like David Hull, who was poor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney occupied alone the finest room in the school. There was a great
+      contrast between his comfortable quarters and the extremely plain
+      dormitories occupied by less favored pupils.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the case of some boys the favoritism of the teacher would have led them
+      to put on airs, and made them unpopular with their school fellows. But
+      Rodney had too noble a nature to be influenced by such considerations. He
+      enjoyed his comfortable room, but treated his school fellows with a frank
+      cordiality that made him a general favorite.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After David left his room Rodney sat down to prepare a lesson in Cicero,
+      when he was interrupted by the entrance through the half open door of a
+      younger boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;the doctor would like to see you in his office.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, Brauner, I will go down at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He put aside his book and went down to the office of Dr. Sampson on the
+      first floor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The doctor was sitting at his desk. He turned slightly as Rodney entered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Take a seat, Ropes,&rdquo; he said curtly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His tone was so different from his usual cordiality that Rodney was
+      somewhat surprised.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Am I in disgrace?&rdquo; he asked himself. &ldquo;Dr. Sampson doesn&rsquo;t seem as
+      friendly as usual.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      After a brief interval Dr. Sampson wheeled round in his office chair.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have a letter for you from your guardian, Ropes,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Here it is.
+      Do me the favor to read it here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      With some wonder Rodney took the letter and read as follows:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      DEAR RODNEY&mdash;I have bad news to communicate. As you know, I was left
+      by your father in charge of you and your fortune. I have never told you
+      the amount, but I will say now that it was about fifty thousand dollars.
+      Until two years since I kept it intact but then began a series of reverses
+      in which my own fortune was swallowed up. In the hope of relieving myself
+      I regret to say that I was tempted to use your money. That went also, and
+      now of the whole sum there remains but enough to pay the balance of your
+      school bills, leaving you penniless. How much I regret this I cannot tell
+      you. I shall leave New York at once. I do not care at present to say where
+      I shall go, but I shall try to make good the loss, and eventually restore
+      to you your lost fortune. I may be successful or I may not. I shall do my
+      best and I hope in time to have better news to communicate.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One thing I am glad to say. I have a casket containing your mother&rsquo;s
+      jewels. These are intact. I shall send you the casket by express, knowing
+      that you will wish to keep them out of regard for your mother&rsquo;s memory. In
+      case you are reduced to the necessity of pawning or selling them, I am
+      sure that your mother, could she be consulted, would advise you to do so.
+      This would be better than to have you suffer from want.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There is nothing further for me to write except to repeat my regret, and
+      renew my promise to make up your lost fortune if I shall ever to able to
+      do so. Your Guardian, BENJAMIN FIELDING.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney read this like one dazed. In an instant he was reduced from the
+      position of a favorite of fortune to a needy boy, with his living to make.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He could not help recalling what had passed between his friend David and
+      himself earlier in the day. Now he was as poor as David&mdash;poorer, in
+      fact for David had a chance to learn a trade that would yield him a
+      living, while he was utterly without resources, except in having an
+      unusually good education.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Dr. Sampson, &ldquo;have you read your letter?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your guardian wrote to me also. This is his letter,&rdquo; and he placed the
+      brief epistle in Rodney&rsquo;s hands.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      DR. SAMPSON&mdash;I have written my ward, Rodney Ropes, an important
+      letter which he will show you. The news which it contains will make it
+      necessary for him to leave school. I inclose a check for one hundred and
+      twenty five dollars. Keep whatever is due you, and give him the balance.
+      BENJAMIN FIELDING.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have read the letter, but I don&rsquo;t know what it means,&rdquo; said Dr.
+      Sampson. &ldquo;Can you throw any light upon it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here is my letter, doctor. You can read it for yourself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Dr. Sampson&rsquo;s face changed as he read Rodney&rsquo;s letter. It changed and
+      hardened, and his expression became quite different from that to which
+      Rodney had been accustomed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is a bad business, Ropes,&rdquo; said the doctor in a hard tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He had always said Rodney before.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That was a handsome fortune which your father left you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir. I never knew before how much it amounted to.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You only learn when you have lost it. Mr. Fielding has treated you
+      shamefully.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, I suppose he has, but he says he will try to make it up to me
+      in the future.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Pish! that is all humbug. Even if he is favored by fortune you will never
+      get back a cent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I shall, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are young. You do not know the iniquities of business men. I do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I prefer to hope for the best.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just as you please.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you anything more to say to me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Only that I will figure up your account and see how much money is to come
+      to you out of the check your guardian has sent. You can stay here till
+      Monday; then you will find it best to make new arrangements.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney left the room, realizing that Dr. Sampson&rsquo;s feelings had been
+      changed by his pupil&rsquo;s reverse of fortune.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was the way of the world, but it was not a pleasant way, and Rodney
+      felt depressed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER II.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      THE CASKET OF JEWELS.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was not till the latter part of the afternoon that the casket arrived.
+      Rodney was occupied with a recitation, and it was only in the evening that
+      he got an opportunity to open it. There was a pearl necklace, very
+      handsome, a pair of bracelets, two gold chains, some minor articles of
+      jewelry and a gold ring.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A locket attracted Rodney&rsquo;s notice, and he opened it. It contained the
+      pictures of his father and mother.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His father he could barely remember, his mother died before he was old
+      enough to have her image impressed upon his memory. He examined the locket
+      and his heart was saddened. He felt how different his life would have been
+      had his parents lived.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He had never before realized the sorrow of being alone in the world.
+      Misfortune had come upon him, and so far as he knew he had not a friend.
+      Even Dr. Sampson, who had been paid so much money on his account, and who
+      had always professed so great friendship for him, had turned cold.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As he was standing with the locket in his hand there was a knock at the
+      door.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come in!&rdquo; he called out.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The door opened and a stout, coarse looking boy, dressed in an expensive
+      manner, entered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good evening, John,&rdquo; said Rodney, but not cordially.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Next to himself, John Bundy, who was the son of a wealthy saloon keeper in
+      the city of New York, had been a favorite with Dr. Sampson.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      If there was anything Dr. Sampson bowed down to and respected it was
+      wealth, and Mr. Bundy, senior, was reputed to be worth a considerable
+      fortune.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In Rodney&rsquo;s mood John Bundy was about the last person whom he wanted to
+      see.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ha!&rdquo; said John, espying the open casket, &ldquo;where did you get all that
+      jewelry?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It contains my mother&rsquo;s jewels,&rdquo; said Rodney gravely.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You never showed it to me before.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I never had it before. It came to me by express this afternoon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It must be worth a good pile of money,&rdquo; said John, his eyes gleaming with
+      cupidity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose it is.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you any idea what it is worth?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have no thought about it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What are you going to do with it? It won&rsquo;t be of use to you, especially
+      the diamond earrings,&rdquo; he added, with a coarse laugh.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; answered Rodney shortly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My eyes, wouldn&rsquo;t my mother like to own all this jewelry. She&rsquo;s fond of
+      ornament, but pa won&rsquo;t buy them for her.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney did not answer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I say, Ropes, I mustn&rsquo;t forget my errand. Will you do me a favor?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Lend me five dollars till the first of next month. My allowance comes due
+      then. Now I haven&rsquo;t but a quarter left.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What makes you apply to me, Bundy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because you always have money. I don&rsquo;t suppose you are worth as much as
+      my father, but you have more money for yourself than I have.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have had, perhaps, but I haven&rsquo;t now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, what&rsquo;s up? What has happened?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have lost my fortune.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      John whistled. This was his way of expressing amazement.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, what have you been doing? How could you lose your fortune?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My guardian has lost it for me. That amount to the same thing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When did you hear that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is that true? Are you really a poor boy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      John Bundy was astonished, but on the whole he was not saddened. In the
+      estimation of the school Rodney had always ranked higher than he, and been
+      looked upon as the star pupil in point of wealth.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Now that he was dethroned John himself would take his place. This would be
+      gratifying, though just at present, and till the beginning of the next
+      month, he would be distressed for ready money.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, that&rsquo;s a stunner!&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;How do you feel about it? Shall you
+      stay in school?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I can&rsquo;t afford it. I must get to work.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Isn&rsquo;t there anything left&mdash;not a cent?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There may be a few dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And then,&rdquo; said Bundy with a sudden thought, &ldquo;there is this casket of
+      jewelry. You can sell it for a good deal of money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t mean to sell it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you&rsquo;re a fool; that&rsquo;s all I&rsquo;ve got to say.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t suppose you will understand my feeling in the matter, but these
+      articles belonged to my mother. They are all I have to remind me of her. I
+      do not mean to sell them unless it is absolutely necessary.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would sell them quicker&rsquo;n a wink,&rdquo; said Bundy. &ldquo;What&rsquo;s the good of
+      keeping them?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We won&rsquo;t discuss the matter,&rdquo; said Rodney coldly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you mind my telling the other boys about your losing your money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; it will be known tomorrow at any rate; there is no advantage in
+      concealing it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A heavy step was heard outside. It stopped before the door.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I must be getting,&rdquo; said Bundy, &ldquo;or I&rsquo;ll get into trouble.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was against the rule at the school for boys to make calls upon each
+      other in the evening unless permission were given.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      John Bundy opened the door suddenly, and to his dismay found himself
+      facing the rigid figure of Dr. Sampson, the principal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How do you happen to be here, Bundy?&rdquo; asked the doctor sternly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Please, sir, I was sympathizing with Ropes on his losing his money,&rdquo; said
+      Bundy with ready wit.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well! I will excuse you this time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;m awful sorry for you, Ropes,&rdquo; said Bundy effusively.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; responded Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can go now,&rdquo; said the principal. &ldquo;I have a little business with
+      Master Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right, sir. Good night.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good night.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Won&rsquo;t you sit down, Dr. Sampson?&rdquo; said Rodney politely, and he took the
+      casket from the chair.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I wish to have five minutes&rsquo; conversation with you. So these are the
+      jewels, are they?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They seem to be quite valuable,&rdquo; went on the doctor, lifting the pearl
+      necklace and poising it in his fingers. &ldquo;It will be well for you to have
+      them appraised by a jeweler.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would, sir, if I wished to sell them, but I mean to keep them as they
+      are.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would hardly advise it. You will need the money. Probably you do not
+      know how near penniless you are.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir; I don&rsquo;t know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your guardian, as you are aware, sent me a check for one hundred and
+      twenty five dollars. I have figured up how much of this sum is due to me,
+      and I find it to be one hundred and thirteen dollars and thirty seven
+      cents.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir,&rdquo; said Rodney indifferently.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This leaves for you only eleven dollars and sixty three cents. You follow
+      me, do you not?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you any money saved up from your allowance?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A few dollars only, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ahem! that is a pity. You will need all you can raise. But of course you
+      did not anticipate what has occurred?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will throw off the thirty seven cents,&rdquo; said the principal
+      magnanimously, &ldquo;and give you back twelve dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would rather pay you the whole amount of your bill,&rdquo; said Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ahem! Well perhaps that would be more business-like. So you don&rsquo;t wish to
+      part with any of the jewelry, Ropes?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought, perhaps, by way of helping you, I would take the earrings, and
+      perhaps the necklace, off your hands and present them to Mrs. Sampson.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney shuddered with aversion at the idea of these precious articles,
+      which had once belonged to his mother, being transferred to the stout and
+      coarse featured consort of the principal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I would rather keep them,&rdquo; he replied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh well, just as you please,&rdquo; said Dr. Sampson with a shade of
+      disappointment for he had no idea of paying more than half what the
+      articles were worth. &ldquo;If the time comes when you wish to dispose of them
+      let me know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney nodded, but did not answer in words.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course, Ropes,&rdquo; went on the doctor in a perfunctory way, &ldquo;I am very
+      sorry for you. I shall miss you, and, if I could afford it, I would tell
+      you to stay without charge. But I am a poor man.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Rodney hastily, &ldquo;I understand. I thank you for your words but
+      would not under any circumstances accept such a favor at your hands.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am afraid you are proud, Ropes. Pride is&mdash;ahem&mdash;a wrong
+      feeling.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps so, Dr. Sampson, but I wish to earn my own living without being
+      indebted to any one.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps you are right, Ropes. I dare say I should feel so myself. When do
+      you propose leaving us?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Some time tomorrow, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall feel sad to have you go. You have been here so long that you seem
+      to me like a son. But we must submit to the dispensations of Providence&mdash;&rdquo;
+       and Dr. Sampson blew a vigorous blast upon his red silk handkerchief. &ldquo;I
+      will give you the balance due in the morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was glad to be left alone. He had no faith in Dr. Sampson&rsquo;s
+      sympathy. The doctor had the reputation of being worth from thirty to
+      forty thousand dollars, and his assumption of being a poor man Rodney knew
+      to be a sham.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He went to bed early, for tomorrow was to be the beginning of a new life
+      for him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER III.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When it was generally known in the school that Rodney was to leave because
+      he had lost his property much sympathy was felt and expressed for him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Though he had received more than ordinary attention from the principal on
+      account of his pecuniary position and expectations, this had not impaired
+      his popularity. He never put on any airs and was on as cordial relations
+      with the poorest student as with the richest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;m awfully sorry you&rsquo;re going, Rodney,&rdquo; said more than one. &ldquo;Is it
+      really true that you have lost your property?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, it is true.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you feel bad about it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I feel sorry, but not discouraged.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I say, Rodney,&rdquo; said Ernest Rayner, in a low voice, calling Rodney aside,
+      &ldquo;are you very short of money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t much left, Ernest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because I received five dollars last week as a birthday present. I
+      haven&rsquo;t spent any of it. You can have it as well as not.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was much moved. &ldquo;My dear Ernest,&rdquo; he said, putting his arm
+      caressingly around the neck of the smaller boy, &ldquo;you are a true friend. I
+      won&rsquo;t forget your generous offer, though I don&rsquo;t need to accept it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But are you sure you have money enough?&rdquo; asked Ernest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I have enough for the present. By the time I need more I shall have
+      earned it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was one boy, already introduced, John Bundy, who did not share in
+      the general feeling of sympathy for Rodney. This was John Bundy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He felt that Rodney&rsquo;s departure would leave him the star pupil and give
+      him the chief social position in school. As to scholarship he was not
+      ambitious to stand high in that.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I say, Ropes,&rdquo; he said complacently, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m to have your room after you&rsquo;re
+      gone.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I congratulate you,&rdquo; returned Rodney. &ldquo;It is an excellent room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I s&rsquo;pose it&rsquo;ll make you feel bad. Where are you going?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have done.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh yes, I guess there&rsquo;s no doubt of that. I&rsquo;m going to get pa to send me
+      some nice pictures to hang on the wall. When you come back here on a visit
+      you&rsquo;ll see how nice it looks.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think it will be a good while before I come here on a visit.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. I s&rsquo;pose it&rsquo;ll make you feel bad. Where are you going?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To the City of New York.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;ll have to live in a small hall bedroom there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why will I?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because you are poor, and it costs a good deal of money to live in New
+      York. It&rsquo;ll be a great come down.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It will indeed, but if I can earn enough to support me in plain style I
+      won&rsquo;t complain. I suppose you&rsquo;ll call and see me when you come to New
+      York?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps so, if you don&rsquo;t live in a tenement house. Pa objects to my going
+      to tenement houses. There&rsquo;s no knowing what disease there may be in them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is well to be prudent,&rdquo; said Rodney, smiling.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It did not trouble him much to think he was not likely to receive a call
+      from his quondan schoolmate.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here is the balance of your money, Ropes,&rdquo; said Dr. Sampson, drawing a
+      small roll of bills from his pocket, later in the day. &ldquo;I am quite willing
+      to give you the odd thirty seven cents.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, doctor, but I shan&rsquo;t need it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are poorly provided. Now I would pay you a good sum for some of your
+      mother&rsquo;s jewelry, as I told you last evening.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; said Rodney hastily, &ldquo;but I don&rsquo;t care to sell at present.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let me know when you are ready to dispose of the necklace.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Here the depot carriage appeared in the street outside and Rodney with his
+      gripsack in one hand and the precious casket in the other, climbed to a
+      seat beside the driver.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His trunk he left behind, promising to send for it when he had found a new
+      boarding place.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a chorus of good byes. Rodney waved his handkerchief in general
+      farewell, and the carriage started for the depot.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Be you goin&rsquo; for good?&rdquo; asked Joel, the driver, who knew Rodney well and
+      felt friendly to him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Joel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It&rsquo;s kind of sudden, isn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What makes you go?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Bad news, Joel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Be any of your folks dead?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is not death. I haven&rsquo;t any &lsquo;folks.&rsquo; I&rsquo;m alone in the world. It&rsquo;s
+      because I&rsquo;ve lost my property and am too poor to remain in school.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s too bad,&rdquo; said the driver in a tone of sympathy. &ldquo;Where are you
+      goin&rsquo;?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To the city.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you goin&rsquo; to work?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I shall have to.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you was a little older you might get a chance to drive a street car,
+      but I s&rsquo;pose you&rsquo;re too young.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I don&rsquo;t think they would take me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve thought sometimes I should like such a chance myself,&rdquo; said Joel.
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got tired of the country. I should like to live in the city where
+      there&rsquo;s theaters, and shows, and such like. Do you know what the drivers
+      on street cars get?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I never heard.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish you&rsquo;d find out and let me know. You can send the letter to Joel
+      Phipps, Groveton. Then find out if it&rsquo;s easy to get such a chance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will. I shall be glad to oblige you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You always was obligin&rsquo;, Rodney. I&rsquo;ve asked Jack Bundy to do it&mdash;you
+      know his folks live in the city&mdash;but he never would. He&rsquo;s a mighty
+      disagreeable boy. He never liked you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Didn&rsquo;t he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I surmise he was jealous of you. He used to say you put on so many
+      airs it made him sick.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think any of the other boys would say that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, but they could say it of him. Do you think his father is rich?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have always heard that he was.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope he&rsquo;s better about paying his debt than Jack. I lent him twenty
+      five cents a year ago and I never could get it back.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The distance from the school to the station was a mile. Joel fetched the
+      carriage round with a sweep and then jumped off, opened the door, and then
+      helped the passengers to disembark, if that word is allowable.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How soon does the train start, Joel?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In about five minutes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I had better purchase my ticket without delay.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t forget to ask about horse car drivers!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I won&rsquo;t. I should like to have you come to New York. I know no one
+      there, and I should feel glad to see a familiar face.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The train came up in time, and Rodney was one of half a dozen passengers
+      who entered the cars.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He obtained a place next to a stout man dressed in a pepper and salt suit.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is this seat engaged?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes&mdash;to you,&rdquo; and his fellow passenger laughed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney laughed too, for he saw that the remark was meant to be jocose.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He put his gripsack on the floor at his feet, but held the casket in his
+      lap. He did not like to run any risk with that.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you a drummer?&rdquo; asked the stout man, with a glance at the casket.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought you might be, and that THAT might contain your samples.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir. That is private property.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He had thought of telling what it contained, but checked himself. He knew
+      nothing of his companion, and was not sure how far it might be safe to
+      trust a stranger.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I used to be a drummer myself&mdash;in the jewelry line&mdash;&rdquo; continued
+      his companion, &ldquo;and I carried a box just like that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, indeed! Then you are not in that business now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I got tired of it. I deal in quite a different article now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Indeed?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Suburban lot.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t happen to have any of them with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The stout man roared with laughter, giving Rodney the impression that he
+      had said a very witty thing.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s a good one,&rdquo; he remarked, &ldquo;the best I&rsquo;ve heard for a long time.
+      No, I haven&rsquo;t any of the lots with me, but I&rsquo;ve got a circular. Just cast
+      your eye over that,&rdquo; and he drew a large and showy prospectus from his
+      pocket.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you should be looking for a good investment,&rdquo; he continued, &ldquo;you can&rsquo;t
+      do any better than buy a lot at Morton Park. It is only eighteen miles
+      from the city and is rapidly building up. You can buy lot on easy
+      installments, and I will myself pick one out for you that is almost sure
+      to double in value in a year or two.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; said Rodney, &ldquo;but I shall have to invest my money, if I get
+      any, in a different way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;As what for instance?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In board and lodging.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good. That is even more necessary than real estate.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How long have you been in the business, sir?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;About six months.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And how does it pay?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, if you know how to talk.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should think you might do well, then.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you. I appreciate the compliment. What business are you going into,
+      that is, if you are going to the city?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am going to the city, but I have no idea yet what I shall do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps you may like to become an agent for our lots. I shall be ready to
+      employ you as sub agent if you feel disposed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir. If you will give me your card, I may call upon you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The short man drew from his card case a business card. It bore the name
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      ADIN WOODS. ROYAL BUILDING. NASSAU ST. Morton Park Lots.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come to see me at any time,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and we will talk the matter over.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Here the train boy came along and Rodney bought a copy of Puck, while the
+      agent resumed the perusal of a copy of a magazine. For an hour the cars
+      ran smoothly. Then there was a sudden shock causing all the passengers to
+      start to their feet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We&rsquo;re off the track!&rdquo; shouted an excitable person in front of Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The instinct of self preservation is perhaps stronger than any other.
+      Rodney and his seat mate both jumped to their feet and hurried to the door
+      of the car, not knowing what was in store for them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But fortunately the train had not been going rapidly. It was approaching a
+      station and was &ldquo;slowing up.&rdquo; So, though it had really run off the track,
+      there was not likely to be any injury to the passengers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We are safe,&rdquo; said Adin Woods. &ldquo;The only harm done is the delay. I hope
+      that won&rsquo;t be long. Suppose we go back to our seat.&rdquo; They returned to the
+      seat which they had jointly occupied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Then Rodney made an alarming discovery. &ldquo;My casket!&rdquo; he exclaimed. &ldquo;Where
+      is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What did you do with it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Left it on the seat.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It may have fallen to the floor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney searched for it in feverish excitement, but his search was vain.
+      THE CASKET HAD DISAPPEARED!
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER IV.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      IN PURSUIT OF A THIEF.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Were the contents of the casket valuable?&rdquo; asked the land agent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; it contained my mother&rsquo;s jewels, all the more valuable because she
+      is dead,&rdquo; replied Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Were they of much intrinsic worth?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They must be worth several hundred dollars at least.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then they must be found,&rdquo; said Adin Woods energetically. &ldquo;They have
+      evidently been taken by some passenger during the five minutes we were
+      away from our seat.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Were you inquiring about the casket?&rdquo; asked a lady sitting opposite.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, madam. Can you give any information about it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just after you left your seat the man that sat behind you rose and
+      reaching over for it went to the rear end of the car and got out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish you had stopped him, madam.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He was so cool about it that I thought he might be a friend of the young
+      gentleman.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know him. He must have been a thief.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What was his appearance, madam?&rdquo; asked the lot agent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He was a thin, dark complexioned man, with side whiskers coming half way
+      down his cheeks.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you say he got out of the rear end of the car?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He won&rsquo;t get on the train again,&rdquo; said the agent turning to Rodney. &ldquo;He
+      thinks the casket valuable enough to pay him for the interruption of his
+      journey.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What shall I do then?&rdquo; asked Rodney, feeling helpless and at a loss which
+      way to turn.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Follow him,&rdquo; said the agent briefly. &ldquo;He will probably stop over in the
+      village a day and resume his journey tomorrow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Even if I found him I am afraid I shouldn&rsquo;t know how to deal with him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I&rsquo;ll tell you what I&rsquo;ll do. I&rsquo;ll stop over with you and help you
+      make it hot for him. I&rsquo;ve had a spite against thieves ever since I had a
+      valuable overcoat stolen in one of my journeys.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall feel very much obliged to you, Mr. Woods, but won&rsquo;t it interfere
+      with your business?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not materially. If we succeed in overhauling the rascal I shall feel
+      sufficiently repaid for the small interruption. But come on, we can&rsquo;t
+      afford to linger here while he is carrying off the plunder.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know how I can repay you, Mr. Woods,&rdquo; said Rodney gratefully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can buy a lot of me when you get rich enough.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will certainly do so, though I am afraid it will be a long time first.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t know what good fortune may be in store for you. Did you notice,
+      madam, in which direction the thief went?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I was looking out of the window. He went over the road to the left.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That leads to the village. You will see, Mr. Ropes, that I was right
+      about his plans.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t call me Mr. Ropes. Call me Rodney.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will. It don&rsquo;t seem natural to dub a boy Mr. Now, Rodney, follow me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The two passengers set out on the road that led to the village. They could
+      see the latter easily, for it was not more than a mile away.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He will be surprised to think we have &lsquo;struck his trail&rsquo; so quick,&rdquo; said
+      the agent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where shall we go first?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To the hotel if there is one.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The village seems small.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, there are only a few hundred inhabitant probably. It is not a place
+      where a traveler would be likely to interrupt his journey unless he had a
+      special object in doing so, like our dishonest friend. However, I think we
+      shall be able to balk his little game.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Ten minutes&rsquo; walk brought them to the village. Looking about they saw a
+      small hotel just across the way from a neat white chapel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Follow me,&rdquo; said the agent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They went into the public room in which there was a small office.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The book of arrivals was open, and Adin Woods went forward and examined
+      it. Silently he pointed to a name evidently just written, for the ink was
+      scarcely dry. This was the name: Louis Wheeler, Philadelphia.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This may or may not be his real name,&rdquo; said Mr. Woods in a low voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you wish to register, gentlemen?&rdquo; asked the clerk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We will take dinner, and if we decide to stay will register later. By the
+      way, I recognize this name, but it may not be the man I suppose.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, the gentleman just registered.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Would you mind describing him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He was a tall, dark man as near as I can remember.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And he carried a small casket in his hand?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, and a gripsack.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh yes,&rdquo; said the agent his face lighting up with satisfaction. &ldquo;It is
+      the man I mean&mdash;where is he now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In his room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did he say how long he intended to stay?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir. He said nothing about his plans.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did he seem specially careful about the casket?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir. He carried that in his hands, but let the servant carry up the
+      gripsack.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My friend,&rdquo; said the agent in an impressive tone, &ldquo;I am going to surprise
+      you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The country clerk looked all curiosity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is it about Mr. Wheeler?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, the man is a thief. He stole the casket, which contains valuable
+      jewelry, from my young friend here. We are here to demand a return of the
+      property or to arrest him. Is there a policeman within call?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can summon a constable.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do so, but don&rsquo;t breathe a word of what I have told you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The clerk called a boy in from the street and gave him instructions in a
+      low voice. He went at once on his errand, and in ten minutes a stout broad
+      shouldered man made his appearance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This gentleman sent for you, Mr. Barlow,&rdquo; said the clerk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What can I do for you?&rdquo; asked the constable.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Help me to recover stolen property.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That I will do with pleasure if you will tell me what you want me to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Adin Woods held a brief conference with the constable, then he led the way
+      up stairs, followed immediately by Rodney, while the constable kept a
+      little behind.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;His room is No. 9,&rdquo; said the bell boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The agent paused before the door of No. 9, and knocked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come in!&rdquo; said a voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The agent opened the door, and entered, accompanied by Rodney. A glance
+      showed that the occupant answered the description given by the lady in the
+      car.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler changed color, for he recognized both the agent and Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is your business?&rdquo; he asked in a tone which he tried to make
+      indifferent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That,&rdquo; answered Woods, pointing to the jewel casket on the bureau.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It looked to him as if Wheeler, if that was his name, had been trying to
+      open it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t understand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I will try to make things clear to you. You have, doubtless by
+      accident&rdquo; he emphasized the last word, &ldquo;taken from the car a casket
+      belonging to my young friend here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are mistaken, sir,&rdquo; said Wheeler with brazen hardihood. &ldquo;That casket
+      belongs to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Indeed. What does it contain?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I fail to see how that is any of your business,&rdquo; returned Wheeler,
+      determined, if possible, to bluff off his visitors.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I admire your cheek, sir. I really do. But I am too old a traveler to be
+      taken in by such tricks. I propose to have that casket.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, sir, you are the most impudent thief and burglar I ever met. You
+      break into a gentleman&rsquo;s room, and undertake to carry off his private
+      property. Unless you go out at once, I will have you arrested.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That you can do very readily, for I have an officer within call.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler changed color. He began to see that the situation was
+      getting serious.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is a great mistake here,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I agree with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The agent went to the door, and called &ldquo;Constable Barlow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The constable promptly presented himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you want me, sir?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That depends on this gentleman here. If he will peacefully restore to my
+      young friend here yonder jewel casket I am willing to let him go.
+      Otherwise&mdash;&rdquo; and he glanced at Wheeler significantly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps I have made a mistake,&rdquo; admitted the thief. &ldquo;I had a casket
+      exactly like this. Possibly I have taken the wrong one.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have the key to the casket here,&rdquo; said Rodney, &ldquo;and I can tell you
+      without opening it what it contains.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What did yours contain?&rdquo; asked the agent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jewelry,&rdquo; answered Wheeler shortly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What articles?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Never mind. I am inclined to think this casket belongs to the boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney, you can take it and Mr. Wheeler will probably find his where he
+      left it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      No objection was made, and the discomfited thief was left a prey to
+      mortification and disappointment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney handed a dollar to the constable which that worthy official
+      received with thanks, and he and the agent resumed their journey by an
+      afternoon train. They saw nothing further of Louis Wheeler who sent for
+      dinner to be served in his room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER V.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A YOUNG FINANCIAL WRECK.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have been very fortunate in recovering your jewels,&rdquo; said the agent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I owe it to you,&rdquo; replied Rodney gratefully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, perhaps so. If I have rendered you a service I am very glad.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I am very glad to have found so good a friend. I hope you will let me
+      pay for your ticket to New York.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It won&rsquo;t be necessary. The interruption of our journey won&rsquo;t invalidate
+      the ticket we have.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      An hour later they reached New York.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What are your plans, Rodney?&rdquo; asked Adin Woods, who by this time had
+      become quite intimate with his young companion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall call on my guardian, and perhaps he may give me some advice as to
+      what I do. Where would you advise me to go&mdash;to a hotel?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; it will be too expensive. I know of a plain boarding house on West
+      Fourteenth Street where you can be accommodated with lodging and two meals&mdash;breakfast
+      and supper, or dinner as we call it here&mdash;for a dollar a day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be glad to go there, for the present, at least. I haven&rsquo;t much
+      money, and must find something to do as soon as possible.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We will both go there, and if you don&rsquo;t object we will take a room
+      together. That will give us a larger apartment. Mrs. Marcy is an old
+      acquaintance of mine, and will give you a welcome.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was glad to accept his companion&rsquo;s proposal. They proceeded at once
+      to the boarding house, and fortunately found a good room vacant on the
+      third floor. Mr. Woods went out in the evening to make a call, but Rodney
+      was glad to go to bed at nine o&rsquo;clock.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The next morning after breakfast Rodney consulted his companion as to what
+      he should do with the casket.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you want to raise money on it?&rdquo; asked the agent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I shall not do this unless I am obliged to.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you any idea as to the value of the jewels?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I will take you first to a jeweler in Maiden Lane, a friend of mine,
+      who will appraise them. Afterwards I advise you to deposit the casket at a
+      storage warehouse, or get Tiffany to keep it for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will do as you suggest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Maiden Lane is a street largely devoted to jewelers, wholesale and retail.
+      Rodney followed Mr. Woods into a store about midway between Broadway and
+      Nassau Street. A pleasant looking man of middle age greeted the agent
+      cordially.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What can I do for you?&rdquo; he asked. &ldquo;Do you wish to buy a diamond ring for
+      the future Mrs. Woods?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not much. I would like to have you appraise some jewelry belonging to my
+      young friend here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The casket was opened, and the jeweler examined the contents admiringly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is choice jewelry,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Does your friend wish to sell?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at present,&rdquo; answered Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When you do give me a call. I will treat you fairly. You wish me to
+      appraise these articles?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, if you will.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It will take me perhaps fifteen minutes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The jeweler retired to the back part of the store with the casket.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In about a quarter of an hour he returned.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course I can&rsquo;t give exact figures,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but I value the jewelry
+      at about twelve hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney looked surprised.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t think it so valuable,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t mean that you could sell it for so much, but if you wish to
+      dispose of it I will venture to give you eleven hundred.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you. If I decide to sell I will certainly come to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now,&rdquo; said the agent, &ldquo;I advise you on the whole to store the casket with
+      Tiffany.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall I have to pay storage in advance?&rdquo; asked Rodney anxiously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think not. The value of the jewels will be a sufficient guarantee that
+      storage will be paid.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney accompanied Adin Woods to the great jewelry store on the corner of
+      Fifteenth Street and Union Square, and soon transacted his business.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, you won&rsquo;t have any anxiety as to the safety of the casket,&rdquo; said the
+      agent. &ldquo;Your friend of the train will find it difficult to get hold of the
+      jewels. Now I shall have to leave you, as I have some business to attend
+      to. We will meet at supper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney decided to call at the office of his late guardian, Benjamin
+      Fielding. It was in the lower part of the city.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On his way down town he purchased a copy of a morning paper. Almost the
+      first article he glanced at proved to be of especial interest to him. It
+      was headed&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      SKIPPED TO CANADA
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rumors have been rife for some time affecting the business standing of Mr.
+      Benjamin Fielding, the well known commission merchant. Yesterday it was
+      discovered that he had left the city, but where he has gone is unknown. It
+      is believed that he is very deeply involved, and seeing no way out of his
+      embarrassment has skipped to Canada, or perhaps taken passage to Europe.
+      Probably his creditors will appoint a committee to look into his affairs
+      and report what can be done.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      LATER&mdash;An open letter has been found in Mr. Fielding&rsquo;s desk,
+      addressed to his creditors. It expresses regret for their losses, and
+      promises, if his life is spared, and fortune favors him, to do all in his
+      power to make them good. No one doubts Mr. Fielding&rsquo;s integrity, and
+      regrets are expressed that he did not remain in the city and help unravel
+      the tangle in which his affairs are involved. He is a man of ability, and
+      as he is still in the prime of life, it may be that he will be able to
+      redeem his promises and pay his debts in full, if sufficient time is given
+      him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can get no help or advice from Mr. Fielding,&rdquo; thought Rodney. &ldquo;I am
+      thrown upon my own resources, and must fight the battle of life as well as
+      I can alone.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He got out in front of the Astor House. As he left the car he soiled his
+      shoes with the mud so characteristic of New York streets.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shine your boots?&rdquo; asked a young Arab, glancing with a business eye at
+      Rodney&rsquo;s spattered shoes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney accepted his offer, not so much because he thought the blacking
+      would last, as for the opportunity of questioning the free and independent
+      young citizen who was doing, what he hoped to do, that is, making a living
+      for himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is business good with you?&rdquo; asked Rodney. &ldquo;It ought to be with the street
+      in this condition.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; me and de Street Commissioner is in league together. He makes
+      business good for me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And do you pay him a commission?&rdquo; asked Rodney smiling.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t tell no official secrets. It might be bad for me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are an original genius.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Am I? I hope you ain&rsquo;t callin&rsquo; me names.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh no. I am only paying you a compliment. What is your name?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mike Flynn.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Were do you live, Mike?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At the Lodge.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose you mean at the Newsboys&rsquo; &lsquo;Lodge?&rsquo;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much do you have to pay there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Six cents for lodgin&rsquo;, and six cents for supper and breakfast.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is, six cents for each.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; you ain&rsquo;t comin&rsquo; to live there, are you?&rdquo; asked Mike.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know&mdash;I may have to.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;re jokin&rsquo;.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What makes you think I am joking?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because you&rsquo;re a swell. Look at them clo&rsquo;es!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have a good suit of clothes, to be sure, but I haven&rsquo;t much money. You
+      are better off than I am.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How&rsquo;s that?&rdquo; asked Mike incredulously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;ve got work to do, and I am earning nothing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you&rsquo;ve got money enough to buy a box and brush, you can go in with
+      me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think I should like it, Mike. It would spoil my clothes, and I am
+      afraid I wouldn&rsquo;t have money enough to buy others.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I keep my dress suit at home&mdash;the one I wear to parties.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Haven&rsquo;t you got any father or mother, Mike? How does it happen that you
+      are living in New York alone?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My farder is dead, and me mudder, she married a man wot ain&rsquo;t no good.
+      He&rsquo;d bate me till I couldn&rsquo;t stand it. So I just run away.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where does your mother live?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In Albany.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Some time when you earn money enough you can ask her to come here and
+      live with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They don&rsquo;t take women at the Lodge.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I suppose not,&rdquo; said Rodney, smiling.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Besides she&rsquo;s got two little girls by her new husband, and she wouldn&rsquo;t
+      want to leave them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      By this time the shine was completed, and Rodney paid Mike.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I ever come to the Lodge, I&rsquo;ll ask for you,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where do you live now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;m just staying at a place on Fourteenth Street, but I can&rsquo;t afford to
+      stay there long, for they charge a dollar a day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Geewholliker, that would bust me, and make me a financial wreck as the
+      papers say.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How did you lose your fortune and get reduced to blacking boots?&rdquo; asked
+      Rodney jocosely.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I got scooped out of it in Wall Street,&rdquo; answered Mike. &ldquo;Jay Gould
+      cleaned me out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I suppose now he has added your fortune to his.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;ve hit it boss.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, good day, Mike, I&rsquo;ll see you again some day&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right! I&rsquo;m in my office all de mornin&rsquo;.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER VI.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      AN IMPUDENT ADVENTURER.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While Rodney was talking with Mike Flynn he was an object of attention to
+      a man who stood near the corner of Barclay Street, and was ostensibly
+      looking in at the window of the drug store. As Rodney turned away he
+      recognized him at once as his enterprising fellow traveler who had taken
+      possession of the casket of jewels.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He did not care to keep up an acquaintance with him, and started to cross
+      the street. But the other came forward smiling, and with a nod said: &ldquo;I
+      believe you are the young man I met yesterday in the cars and afterwards
+      at Kentville?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I just wanted to tell you that I had got back my jewel box, the one for
+      which I mistook yours.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Indeed!&rdquo; said Rodney, who did not believe a word the fellow said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Quite an amusing mistake, I made.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It might have proved serious to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very true, as I shouldn&rsquo;t have known where to find you to restore your
+      property.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think that would have troubled you much,&rdquo; thought Rodney. &ldquo;Where
+      did you find your box?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In the car. That is, the conductor picked it up and left it at the depot
+      for me. Where are you staying here in the city? At the Astor House?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I have found a boarding house on West Fourteenth Street.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If it is a good place, I should like to go there. What is the number?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t recall it, though I could find it,&rdquo; answered Rodney with reserve,
+      for he had no wish to have his railroad acquaintance in the house.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is the gentleman who was traveling with you there also?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is a very pleasant gentleman, though he misjudged me. Ha, ha! my
+      friends will be very much amused when I tell them that I was taken for a
+      thief. Why, I venture to say that my box is more valuable than yours.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very likely,&rdquo; said Rodney coldly. &ldquo;Good morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good morning. I hope we may meet again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney nodded, but he could not in sincerity echo the wish.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was now confronted by a serious problem. He had less than ten dollars
+      in his pocketbook, and this would soon be swallowed up by the necessary
+      expenses of life in a large city. What would he do when that was gone?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was clear that he must go to work as soon as possible. If his guardian
+      had remained in the city, probably through his influence a situation might
+      have been secured. Now nothing was to be looked for in that quarter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He bought a morning paper and looked over the Want Column. He found two
+      places within a short distance of the Astor House, and called at each. One
+      was in a railroad office.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My boy,&rdquo; said the manager, a pleasant looking man, &ldquo;the place was taken
+      hours since. You don&rsquo;t seem to get up very early in the morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I could get up at any hour that was necessary,&rdquo; replied Rodney, &ldquo;but I
+      have only just made up my mind to apply for a position.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You won&rsquo;t meet with any luck today. It is too late. Get up bright and
+      early tomorrow morning, buy a paper, and make early application for any
+      place that strikes you as desirable.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir. I am sure your advice is good.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you had been the first to call here, I should have taken you. I like
+      your appearance better than that of the boy I have selected.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This boy may not prove satisfactory. Call in six days, just before his
+      week expires, and if there is likely to be a vacancy I will let you know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir. You are very kind.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I always sympathize with boys. I have two boys of my own.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      This conversation quite encouraged Rodney. It seemed to promise success in
+      the future. If he had probably impressed one man, he might be equally
+      fortunate with another.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was about half past twelve when he passed through Nassau Street.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      All at once his arm was grasped, and a cheery voice said, &ldquo;Where are you
+      going, Rodney?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Woods!&rdquo; he exclaimed, with pleased recognition.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, it&rsquo;s your old friend Woods.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are not the only railroad friend I have met this morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who was the other?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The gentleman who obligingly took care of my jewel box for a short time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t mean to say you have met him? Where did you come across him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In front of the Astor House, almost two hours since.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you speak to him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He spoke to me. You will be glad to hear that he has recovered his own
+      casket of jewels.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Adin Woods smiled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He must think you are easily imposed upon,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;to believe any such
+      story. Anything more?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He said his friends would be very much surprised to hear that he had been
+      suspected of theft.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So he wanted to clear himself with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; he asked where I was staying.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you didn&rsquo;t tell him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I only said I was at a boarding house on West Fourteenth Street, but
+      didn&rsquo;t mention the number.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He thinks you have the casket with you, and that he may get possession of
+      it. It is well that you stored it at Tiffany&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think so. Now I have no anxiety about it. Do you think he will find out
+      where we live?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Probably, as you gave him a clew. But, Rodney, it is about lunch time,
+      and I confess I have an appetite. Come and lunch with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I am afraid, Mr. Woods, I shall not be able to return the
+      compliment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is no occasion for it. I feel in good humor this morning. I have
+      sold one lot, and have hopes of disposing of another. The one lot pays me
+      a commission of twenty dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish I could make twenty dollars in a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sometimes I only sell one lot in a week. It isn&rsquo;t like a regular
+      business. It is precarious. Still, take the year through and I make a
+      pretty good income. Come in here. We can get a good lunch here,&rdquo; and he
+      led the way into a modest restaurant, not far from the site of the old
+      post office, which will be remembered by those whose residence in New York
+      dates back twenty years or more.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now we will have a nice lunch,&rdquo; said the agent. &ldquo;I hope you can do
+      justice to it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I generally can,&rdquo; responded Rodney, smiling. &ldquo;I am seldom troubled with a
+      poor appetite.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ditto for me. Now what have you been doing this morning?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Looking for a place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;With what success?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Pretty good if I had only been earlier.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney told the story of his application to the manager of the railroad
+      office.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will know better next time. I think you&rsquo;ll succeed. I did. When I
+      came to New York at the age of twenty two I had only fifty dollars. That
+      small sum had to last me twelve weeks. You can judge that I didn&rsquo;t live on
+      the fat of the land during that time. I couldn&rsquo;t often eat at Delmonico&rsquo;s.
+      Even Beefsteak John&rsquo;s would have been too expensive for me. However, those
+      old days are over.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next day and the two following Rodney went about the city making
+      application for positions, but every place seemed full.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On the third day Mr. Woods said, &ldquo;I shall have to leave you for a week or
+      more, Rodney.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are you going?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To Philadelphia. There&rsquo;s a man there who is a capitalist and likes land
+      investments. I am going to visit him, and hope to sell him several lots.
+      He once lived in this city, so he won&rsquo;t object to New York investments.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you will succeed, Mr. Woods. I think if you are going away I had
+      better give up the room, and find cheaper accommodations. I am getting
+      near the end of my money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are right. It is best to be prudent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      That evening Rodney found a room which he could rent for two dollars a
+      week. He estimated that by economy he could get along for fifty cents a
+      day for his eating, and that would be a decided saving.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was just leaving the house the next morning, gripsack in hand, when on
+      the steps he met Louis Wheeler, his acquaintance of the train.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are you going?&rdquo; asked Wheeler.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am leaving this house. I have hired a room elsewhere.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Wheeler&rsquo;s countenance fell, and he looked dismayed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, I have just taken a room here for a week,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will find it a good place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But&mdash;I wouldn&rsquo;t have come here if I hadn&rsquo;t thought I should have
+      company.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I ought to feel complimented.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was convinced that Wheeler had come in the hopes of stealing the
+      casket of jewels a second time, and he felt amused at the fellow&rsquo;s
+      discomfiture.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You haven&rsquo;t got your jewel box with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I can take that another time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then it&rsquo;s still in the house,&rdquo; thought Wheeler with satisfaction. &ldquo;It
+      won&rsquo;t be my fault if I don&rsquo;t get it in my hands. Well, good morning,&rdquo; he
+      said. &ldquo;Come around and call on me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER VII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      AT THE NEWSBOY&rsquo;S LODGING HOUSE.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Within a week Rodney had spent all his money, with the exception of about
+      fifty cents. He had made every effort to obtain a place, but without
+      success.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Boys born and bred in New York have within my observation tried for months
+      to secure a position in vain, so it is not surprising that Rodney who was
+      a stranger proved equally unsuccessful.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Though naturally hopeful Rodney became despondent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There seems to be no place for me,&rdquo; he said to himself. &ldquo;When I was at
+      boarding school I had no idea how difficult it is for a boy to earn a
+      living.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He had one resource. He could withdraw the box of jewels from Tiffany&rsquo;s,
+      and sell some article that it contained. But this he had a great objection
+      to doing. One thing was evident however, he must do something.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His friend, the lot agent, was out of town, and he hardly knew whom to
+      advise with. At last Mike Flynn, the friendly bootblack, whose
+      acquaintance he had made in front of the Astor House, occurred to him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mike, humble as he was, was better off than himself. Moreover he was a New
+      York boy, and knew more about &ldquo;hustling&rdquo; than Rodney did. So he sought out
+      Mike in his &ldquo;office.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good morning, Mike,&rdquo; said Rodney, as the bootblack was brushing off a
+      customer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, its you, Rodney,&rdquo; said Mike smiling with evident pleasure. &ldquo;How
+      you&rsquo;re gettin&rsquo; on?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s bad. Can I help you? Just say the word, and I&rsquo;ll draw a check for
+      you on the Park Bank.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is that where you keep your money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It&rsquo;s one of my banks. You don&rsquo;t think I&rsquo;d put all my spondulics in one
+      bank, do you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I won&rsquo;t trouble you to draw a check this morning. I only want to ask some
+      advice.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got plenty of that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t been able to get anything to do, and I have only fifty cents
+      left. I can&rsquo;t go on like that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got to give up my room on Fourteenth Street. I can&rsquo;t pay for it any
+      longer. Do you think I could get in at the Lodge?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. I&rsquo;ll introduce you to Mr. O&rsquo;Connor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When shall I meet you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At five o&rsquo;clock. We&rsquo;ll be in time for supper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At five o&rsquo;clock Mike accompanied Rodney to the large Newsboys&rsquo; Lodging
+      House on New Chambers Street. Mr. O&rsquo;Connor, the popular and efficient
+      superintendent, now dead, looked in surprise at Mike&rsquo;s companion. He was a
+      stout man with a kindly face, and Rodney felt that he would prove to be a
+      friend.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. O&rsquo;Connor, let me introduce me friend, Mr. Rodney Ropes,&rdquo; said Mike.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Could you give me a lodging?&rdquo; asked Rodney in an embarrassed tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; but I am surprised to see a boy of your appearance here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am surprised to be here myself,&rdquo; admitted Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The superintendent fixed upon him a shrewd, but kindly glance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you run away from home?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir. It is my home that has run away from me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you parents?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you come from the country?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where have you been living?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At a boarding school a few hours from New York.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why did you leave it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because my guardian sent me word that he had lost my fortune, and could
+      no longer pay my bills.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have been unfortunate truly. What do you propose to do now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Earn my living if I can. I have been in the city for about two weeks, and
+      have applied at a good many places but in vain.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you were right in coming here. Supper is ready, and although it is
+      not what you are used to, it will satisfy hunger. Mike, you can take
+      Rodney with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Within five minutes Rodney was standing at a long table with a bowl of
+      coffee and a segment of bread before him. It wouldn&rsquo;t have been attractive
+      to one brought up to good living, as was the case with him, but he was
+      hungry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He had eaten nothing since morning except an apple which he had bought at
+      a street stand for a penny, and his stomach urgently craved a fresh supply
+      of food.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mike stood next to him. The young bootblack, who was used to nothing
+      better, ate his portion with zest, and glanced askance at Rodney to see
+      how he relished his supper. He was surprised to see that his more
+      aristocratic companion seemed to enjoy it quite as much as himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t think you&rsquo;d like it,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Anything tastes good when you&rsquo;re hungry, Mike.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I haven&rsquo;t eaten anything except an apple, since morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is dat so? Why didn&rsquo;t you tell me? I&rsquo;d have stood treat at de Boss Tweed
+      eatin&rsquo; house.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I had money, but I didn&rsquo;t dare to spend it. I was afraid of having
+      nothing left.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      When Rodney had eaten his supper he felt that he could have eaten more,
+      but the craving was satisfied and he felt relieved.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He looked around him with some curiosity, for he had never been in such a
+      motley gathering before. There were perhaps one hundred and fifty boys
+      recruited from the street, to about all of whom except himself the term
+      street Arab might be applied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The majority of them had the shrewd and good humored Celtic face. Many of
+      them were fun loving and even mischievous, but scarcely any were really
+      bad.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Naturally Rodney, with his good clothes, attracted attention. The boys
+      felt that he was not one of them, and they had a suspicion that he felt
+      above them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Get on to de dude!&rdquo; remarked one boy, who was loosely attired in a ragged
+      shirt and tattered trousers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He means me, Mike,&rdquo; said Rodney with a smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I say, Patsy Glenn, what do you mean by callin&rsquo; me friend Rodney a dude?&rdquo;
+       demanded Mike angrily.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Coz he&rsquo;s got a dandy suit on.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What if he has? Wouldn&rsquo;t you wear one like it if you could!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You bet!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then just let him alone! He&rsquo;s just got back from de inauguration.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where&rsquo;d you pick him up, Mike?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Never mind! He&rsquo;s one of us. How much money have you got in your pocket
+      Rodney?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thirty two cents.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He can&rsquo;t put on no frills wid dat money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s so. I take it all back,&rdquo; and Patsy offered a begrimed hand to
+      Rodney, which the latter shook heartily with a pleasant smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      That turned the tide in favor of Rodney, the boys gathered around him and
+      he told his story in a few words.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I used to be rich, boys,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but my guardian spent all my money,
+      and now I am as poor as any of you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;d ought to have had me for your guardian, Rodney,&rdquo; observed Mike.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish you had. You wouldn&rsquo;t have lost my money for me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;True for you! I say so, boys, if we can find Rodney&rsquo;s guardian, what&rsquo;ll
+      we do to him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Give him de grand bounce,&rdquo; suggested Patsy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Drop him out of a high winder,&rdquo; said another.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What&rsquo;s his name?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t care to tell you, boys. He&rsquo;s written me a letter, saying he will
+      try to pay me back some day. I think he will. He isn&rsquo;t a bad man, but he
+      has been unlucky.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mike, at the request of Mr. O&rsquo;Connor, showed Rodney a locker in which he
+      could store such articles of clothing as he had with him. After that he
+      felt more at home, and as if he were staying at a hotel though an humble
+      one.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At eight o&rsquo;clock some of the boys had already gone to bed, but Mike and
+      Rodney were among those who remained up. Rodney noticed with what kindness
+      yet fairness the superintendent managed his unruly flock. Unruly they
+      might have been with a different man, but he had no trouble in keeping
+      them within bounds.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was at this time that two strangers were announced, one a New York
+      merchant named Goodnow, the other a tall, slender man with sandy whiskers
+      of the mutton chop pattern.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good evening, Mr. Goodnow,&rdquo; said the superintendent, who recognized the
+      merchant as a friend of the society.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good evening, Mr. O&rsquo;Connor. I have brought my friend and correspondent
+      Mr. Mulgrave, of London, to see some of your young Arabs.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be glad to give him all the opportunity he desires.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The Englishman looked curiously at the faces of the boys who in turn were
+      examining him with equal interest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are not unlike our boys of a similar grade, but seem sharper and
+      more intelligent,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But surely,&rdquo; pointing to Rodney, &ldquo;that boy is
+      not one of the&mdash;Arabs. Why, he looks like a young gentleman.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is a new comer. He only appeared tonight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He must have a history. May I speak with him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;By all means. Rodney, this gentleman would like to talk with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney came forward with the ease of a boy who was accustomed to good
+      society, and said: &ldquo;I shall be very happy to speak with him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER VIII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      RODNEY FINDS A PLACE.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Surely,&rdquo; said the Englishman, &ldquo;you were not brought up in the street?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, no,&rdquo; answered Rodney, &ldquo;I was more fortunate.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then how does it happen that I find you here&mdash;among the needy boys
+      of the city?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because I am needy, too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you were not always poor?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I inherited a moderate fortune from my father. It was only within a
+      short time that I learned from my guardian that it was lost. I left the
+      boarding school where I was being educated, and came to the city to try to
+      make a living.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But surely your guardian would try to provide for you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is no longer in the city.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who was he?&rdquo; asked Otis Goodnow.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Benjamin Fielding.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is it possible? Why, I lost three thousand dollars by him. He has treated
+      you shamefully.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was not intentional, I am sure,&rdquo; said Rodney. &ldquo;He was probably drawn
+      into using my money by the hope of retrieving himself. He wrote me that he
+      hoped at some time to make restitution.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You speak of him generously, my lad,&rdquo; said Mr. Mulgrave. &ldquo;Yet he has
+      brought you to absolute poverty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, and I won&rsquo;t pretend that it is not a hard trial to me, but if I
+      can get a chance to earn my own living, I will not complain.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Goodnow, a word with you,&rdquo; said the Englishman, and he drew his friend
+      aside. &ldquo;Can&rsquo;t you make room for this boy in your establishment?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Otis Goodnow hesitated. &ldquo;At present there is no vacancy,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Make room for him, and draw upon me for his wages for the first six
+      months.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will do so, but before the end of that time I am sure he will justify
+      my paying him out of my own pocket.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a little further conference, and then the two gentlemen came up
+      to where Rodney was standing with Mr. O&rsquo;Connor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My boy,&rdquo; said Mr. Mulgrave, &ldquo;my friend here will give you a place at five
+      dollars a week. Will that satisfy you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney&rsquo;s face flushed with pleasure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It will make me very happy,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come round to my warehouse&mdash;here is my business card&mdash;tomorrow
+      morning,&rdquo; said the merchant. &ldquo;Ask to see me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At what time shall I call, sir?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At half past nine o&rsquo;clock. That is for the first morning. When you get to
+      work you will have to be there at eight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There will be no trouble about that, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now it is my turn,&rdquo; said the Englishman. &ldquo;Here are five dollars to keep
+      you till your first week&rsquo;s wages come due. I dare say you will find them
+      useful.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you very much, sir. I was almost out of money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      After the two gentlemen left the Lodging House Rodney looked at the card
+      and found that his new place of employment was situated on Reade Street
+      not far from Broadway.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It&rsquo;s you that&rsquo;s in luck, Rodney,&rdquo; said his friend Mike. &ldquo;Who&rsquo;d think that
+      a gentleman would come to the Lodging House to give you a place?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I am in luck, Mike, and now I&rsquo;m going to make you a proposal.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why can&rsquo;t we take a room together? It will be better than living here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sure you wouldn&rsquo;t room with a poor boy like me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why shouldn&rsquo;t I? You are a good friend, and I should like your company.
+      Besides I mean to help you get an education. I suppose you&rsquo;re not a first
+      class scholar, Mike?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;About fourth class, I guess, Rodney.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you shall study with me. Then when you know a little more you may
+      get a chance to get out of your present business, and get into a store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That will be bully!&rdquo; said Mike with pleasure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now we&rsquo;d better go to bed; I must be up bright and early in the morning.
+      We&rsquo;ll engage a room before I go to work.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was no difficulty about rising early. It is one of the rules of the
+      Lodging House for the boys to rise at six o&rsquo;clock, and after a frugal
+      breakfast of coffee and rolls they are expected to go out to their
+      business whatever it may be. Mike and Rodney dispensed with the regulation
+      breakfast and went out to a restaurant on Park Row where they fared
+      better.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now where shall we go for a room?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a feller I know has a good room on Bleecker Street,&rdquo; said Mike.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How far is that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A little more&rsquo;n a mile.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right! Let us go and see.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Bleecker Street once stood in better repute than at present. It is said
+      that A. T. Stewart once made his home there. Now it is given over to shops
+      and cheap lodging houses.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Finally the boys found a room decently furnished, about ten feet square,
+      of which the rental was two dollars and a half per week. Mike succeeded in
+      beating down the lodging house keeper to two dollars, and at that figure
+      they engaged it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When will you come?&rdquo; asked Mrs. McCarty.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Right off,&rdquo; said Mike.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll need a little time to put it in order.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Me and my partner will be at our business till six o&rsquo;clock,&rdquo; returned
+      Mike.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can send in your trunks during the day if you like.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My trunk is at the Windsor Hotel,&rdquo; said Mike. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve lent it to a friend
+      for a few days.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. McCarty looked at Mike with a puzzled expression. She was one of
+      those women who are slow to comprehend a joke, and she could not quite
+      make it seem natural that her new lodger, who was in rather neglige
+      costume, should be a guest at a fashionable hotel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will leave my valise,&rdquo; said Rodney, &ldquo;and will send for my trunk. It is
+      in the country.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mike looked at him, not feeling quite certain whether he was in earnest,
+      but Rodney was perfectly serious.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;re better off than me,&rdquo; said Mike, when they reached the street. &ldquo;If
+      I had a trunk I wouldn&rsquo;t have anything to put into it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll see if I can&rsquo;t rig you out, Mike. I&rsquo;ve got a good many clothes,
+      bought when I was rich. You and I are about the same size. I&rsquo;ll give you a
+      suit of clothes to wear on Sundays.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will you?&rdquo; exclaimed Mike, his face showing pleasure. &ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to see
+      how I look in good clo&rsquo;es. I never wore any yet. It wouldn&rsquo;t do no good in
+      my business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You won&rsquo;t want to wear them when at work. But wouldn&rsquo;t you like to change
+      your business?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you ever tried?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What&rsquo;d be the use of tryin&rsquo;? They&rsquo;d know I was a bootblack in these
+      clo&rsquo;es.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When you wear a better suit you can go round and try your luck.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to,&rdquo; said Mike wistfully. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want you to tell at the store
+      that you room with a bootblack.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t that I think of, Mike. I want you to do better. I&rsquo;m going to
+      make a man of you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you are. Sometimes I&rsquo;ve thought I&rsquo;d have to be a bootblack always.
+      When do you think you&rsquo;ll get the clo&rsquo;es?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall write to the principal of the boarding school at once, asking him
+      to forward my trunk by express. I want to economize a little this week,
+      and shall have to pay the express charges.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll pay up my part of the rent, Rodney, a quarter a day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney had advanced the whole sum, as Mike was not in funds.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you can&rsquo;t pay a dollar a week I will pay a little more than half.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There ain&rsquo;t no need. I&rsquo;ll pay my half and be glad to have a nice room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got three or four pictures at the school, and some books. I&rsquo;ll send
+      for them later on, and we&rsquo;ll fix up the room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will you? We&rsquo;ll have a reg&rsquo;lar bang up place. I tell you that&rsquo;ll be
+      better than livin&rsquo; at the Lodge.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still that seems a very neat place. It is lucky for poor boys that they
+      can get lodging so cheap.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But it isn&rsquo;t like havin&rsquo; a room of your own, Rodney. I say, when we&rsquo;re
+      all fixed I&rsquo;ll ask some of me friends to come in some evenin&rsquo; and take a
+      look at us. They&rsquo;ll be s&rsquo;prised.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly, Mike. I shall be glad to see any of your friends.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It may seem strange that Rodney, carefully as he had been brought up,
+      should have made a companion of Mike, but he recognized in the warm
+      hearted Irish boy, illiterate as he was, sterling qualities, and he felt
+      desirous of helping to educate him. He knew that he could always depend on
+      his devoted friendship, and looked forward with pleasure to their more
+      intimate companionship.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After selecting their room and making arrangements to take possession of
+      it, the boys went down town. Rodney stepped into the reading room at the
+      Astor House and wrote the following letter to Dr. Sampson:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      DR. PLINY SAMPSON:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      DEAR SIR&mdash;Will you be kind enough to send my trunk by express to No.
+      312 Bleecker Street? I have taken a room there, and that will be my home
+      for the present. I have obtained a position in a wholesale house on Reade
+      Street, and hope I may give satisfaction. Will you remember me with best
+      wishes to all the boys? I don&rsquo;t expect to have so easy or pleasant a time
+      as I had at school, but I hope to get on, and some time&mdash;perhaps in
+      the summer&mdash;to make you a short visit.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Yours truly, RODNEY ROPES.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER IX.
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      THE FIRST DAY AT WORK.
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      A little before half past nine Rodney paused in front of a large five
+      story building on Reade Street occupied by Otis Goodnow.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He entered and found the first floor occupied by quite a large number of
+      clerks and salesmen, and well filled with goods.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, young fellow, what can I do for you?&rdquo; asked a dapper looking clerk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would like to see Mr. Goodnow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He&rsquo;s reading his letters. He won&rsquo;t see you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was provoked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you decide who is to see him?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;re impudent, young feller.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Am I? Perhaps you will allow Mr. Goodnow to see me, as long as he told me
+      to call here this morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s a different thing,&rdquo; returned the other in a different tone. &ldquo;If
+      you&rsquo;re sure about that you can go to the office in the back part of the
+      room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney followed directions and found himself at the entrance of a room
+      which had been partitioned off for the use of the head of the firm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Goodnow was seated at a desk with his back to him, and was employed in
+      opening letters. Without turning round he said, &ldquo;Sit down and I will
+      attend to you in a few minutes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney seated himself on a chair near the door. In about ten minutes Mr.
+      Goodnow turned around.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is it?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps you remember telling me to call at half past nine. You saw me at
+      the Newsboys&rsquo; Lodging House.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, yes, I remember. I promised my friend Mulgrave that I would give you
+      a place. What can you do? Are you a good writer?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall I give you a specimen of my handwriting?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; sit down at that desk.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was a desk adjoining his own.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney seated himself and wrote in a firm, clear, neat hand:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will endeavor to give satisfaction, if you are kind enough to give me a
+      place in your establishment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Then he passed over the paper to the merchant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, very good!&rdquo; said Mr. Goodnow approvingly. &ldquo;You won&rsquo;t be expected to
+      do any writing yet but I like to take into my store those who are
+      qualified for promotion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He rang a little bell on his desk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A boy about two years older than Rodney answered the summons.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Send Mr. James here,&rdquo; said the merchant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. James, a sandy complexioned man, partially bald, made his appearance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. James,&rdquo; said the merchant, &ldquo;I have taken this boy into my employ. I
+      don&rsquo;t know if one is needed, but it is at the request of a friend. You can
+      send him on errands, or employ him in any other way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir. I can find something for him to do today at any rate, as
+      young Johnson hasn&rsquo;t shown up.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well. Whats your name, my lad?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Make a note of his name, Mr. James, and enter it in the books. You may go
+      with Mr. James, and put yourself at his disposal.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney followed the subordinate, who was the head of one of the
+      departments, to the second floor. Here Mr. James had a desk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Wait a minute,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and I will give you a memorandum of places to
+      call at.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In five minutes a memorandum containing a list of three places was given
+      to Rodney, with brief instructions as to what he was to do at each. They
+      were places not far away, and fortunately Rodney had a general idea as to
+      where they were.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In his search for positions he had made a study of the lower part of the
+      city which now stood him in good stead.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As he walked towards the door he attracted the attention of the young
+      clerk with whom he had just spoken.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, did you see Mr. Goodnow?&rdquo; asked the young man, stroking a sickly
+      looking mustache.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Has he taken you into the firm?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not yet, but he has given me a place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The clerk whistled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So you are one of us?&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; answered Rodney with a smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you ought to know the rules of the house.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can tell me later on, but now I am going out on an errand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In about an hour Rodney returned. He had been detained at two of the
+      places where he called.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you remember what I said?&rdquo; asked the young clerk as he passed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The first rule of the establishment is for a new hand to treat ME on his
+      first day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s pretty good for you,&rdquo; said Rodney, laughing; &ldquo;I shall have to wait
+      till my pay is raised.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      About the middle of the afternoon, as Rodney was helping to unpack a crate
+      of goods, the older boy whom he had already seen in the office below,
+      walked up to him and said, &ldquo;Is your name Ropes?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are wanted in Mr. Goodnow&rsquo;s office.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney went down stairs, feeling a little nervous. Had he done wrong, and
+      was he to be reprimanded?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He could think of nothing deserving censure. So far as he knew he had
+      attended faithfully to all the duties required of him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As he entered the office, he saw that Mr. Goodnow had a visitor, whose
+      face looked familiar to him. He recalled it immediately as the face of the
+      English gentleman who had visited the Lodging House the day previous with
+      his employer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So I find you at work?&rdquo; he said, offering his hand with a smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir,&rdquo; answered Rodney gratefully, &ldquo;thanks to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How do you think you will like it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very much, sir. It is so much better than going around the street with
+      nothing to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you will try to give satisfaction to my friend, Mr. Goodnow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall try to do so, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You mustn&rsquo;t expect to rise to be head salesman in a year. Festina lente,
+      as the Latin poet has it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be satisfied with hastening slowly, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What! you understand Latin?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Pretty well, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Upon my word, I didn&rsquo;t expect to find a boy in the News boys&rsquo; Lodging
+      House with classical attainments. Perhaps you know something of Greek
+      also!&rdquo; he said doubtfully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In reply Rodney repeated the first line of the Iliad.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Astonishing!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Mulgrave, putting up his eyeglass, and
+      surveying Rodney as if he were a curious specimen. &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t happen to
+      know anything of Sanscrit, do you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir; I confess my ignorance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I apprehend you won&rsquo;t require it in my friend Goodnow&rsquo;s establishment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I do, I will learn it,&rdquo; said Rodney, rather enjoying the joke.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I write a book about America, I shall certainly put in a paragraph
+      about a learned office boy. I think you are entitled to something for your
+      knowledge of Greek and Latin&mdash;say five dollars apiece,&rdquo; and Mr.
+      Mulgrave drew from his pocket two gold pieces and handed them to Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you very much, sir,&rdquo; said Rodney. &ldquo;I shall find this money very
+      useful, as I have taken a room, and am setting up housekeeping.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you have left the Lodging House?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir; I only spent one night there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are right. It is no doubt a great blessing to the needy street boys,
+      but you belong to a different class.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is very fortunate I went there last evening, or I should not have met
+      you and Mr. Goodnow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad to have been the means of doing you a service,&rdquo; said the
+      Englishman kindly, shaking hands with Rodney, who bowed and went back to
+      his work.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not sure but you are taking too much notice of that boy, Mulgrave,&rdquo;
+       said the merchant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No fear! He is not a common boy. You won&rsquo;t regret employing him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope not.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Then they talked of other matters, for Mr. Mulgrave was to start on his
+      return to England the following day.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At five o&rsquo;clock Rodney&rsquo;s day was over, and he went back to Bleecker
+      Street. He found Mike already there, working hard to get his hands clean,
+      soiled as they were by the stains of blacking.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you have a good day, Mike?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; I made a dollar and ten cents. Here&rsquo;s a quarter towards the rent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right! I see you are prompt in money matters.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I try to be. Do you know, Rodney, I worked better for feelin&rsquo; that I had
+      a room of my own to go to after I got through. I hope I&rsquo;ll soon be able to
+      get into a different business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope so, too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Two days later Rodney&rsquo;s trunk arrived. In the evening he opened it. He
+      took out a dark mixed suit about half worn, and said, &ldquo;Try that on, Mike.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mike did so. It fitted as if it were made for him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can have it, Mike,&rdquo; said Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t mean it?&rdquo; exclaimed Mike, delighted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I do. I have plenty of others.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney supplemented his gift by a present of underclothing, and on the
+      following Sunday the two boys went to Central Park in the afternoon, Mike
+      so transformed that some of his street friends passed him without
+      recognition, much to Mike&rsquo;s delight.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER X.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      MIKE PUTS ON A UNIFORM.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A wonderful change came over Mike Flynn. Until he met Rodney he seemed
+      quite destitute of ambition. The ragged and dirty suit which he wore as
+      bootblack were the best he had. His face and hands generally bore the
+      marks of his business, and as long as he made enough to buy three meals a
+      day, two taken at the Lodging House, with something over for lodging, and
+      an occasional visit to a cheap theater, he was satisfied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was fifteen, and had never given a thought to what he would do when he
+      was older. But after meeting Rodney, and especially after taking a room
+      with him, he looked at life with different eyes. He began to understand
+      that his business, though honorable because honest, was not a desirable
+      one. He felt, too, that he ought to change it out of regard for Rodney,
+      who was now his close companion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I had ten dollars ahead,&rdquo; he said one day, &ldquo;I&rsquo;d give up blackin&rsquo;
+      boots.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What else would you do?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;d be a telegraph boy. That&rsquo;s more respectable than blackin&rsquo; boots, and
+      it &lsquo;ould be cleaner.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is true. Do you need money to join?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would get paid once in two weeks, and I&rsquo;d have to live till I got my
+      first salary.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I guess I can see you through, Mike.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; you need all your money, Rodney. I&rsquo;ll wait and see if I can&rsquo;t save it
+      myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      This, however, would have taken a long time, if Mike had not been favored
+      by circumstances. He was standing near the ladies&rsquo; entrance to the Astor
+      House one day, when casting his eyes downward he espied a neat pocketbook
+      of Russia leather. He picked it up, and from the feeling judged that it
+      must be well filled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Now I must admit that it did occur to Mike that he could divert to his own
+      use the contents without detection, as no one had seen him pick it up. But
+      Mike was by instinct an honest boy, and he decided that this would not be
+      right. He thrust it into his pocket, however, as he had no objection to
+      receiving a reward if one was offered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While he was standing near the entrance, a tall lady, dressed in brown
+      silk and wearing glasses, walked up from the direction of Broadway. She
+      began to peer about like one who was looking for something.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I guess its hers,&rdquo; thought Mike.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you looking for anything, ma&rsquo;am?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      She turned and glanced at Mike.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I must have dropped my pocketbook,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I had it in my
+      hand when I left the hotel, but I had something on my mind and I think I
+      must have dropped it without noticing. Won&rsquo;t you help me look for it, for
+      I am short sighted?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is this it?&rdquo; asked Mike, producing the pocketbook.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh yes!&rdquo; exclaimed the lady joyfully. &ldquo;Where did you find it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just here,&rdquo; answered Mike, indicating a place on the sidewalk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose there is a good deal of money in it?&rdquo; said Mike, with
+      pardonable curiosity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you didn&rsquo;t open it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, ma&rsquo;am, I didn&rsquo;t have a chance. I just found it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There may be forty or fifty dollars, but it isn&rsquo;t on that account I
+      should have regretted losing it. It contained a receipt for a thousand
+      dollars which I am to use in a law suit. That is very important for it
+      will defeat a dishonest claim for money that I have already paid.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I&rsquo;m glad I found it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are an honest boy. You seem to be a poor boy also.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s true, ma&rsquo;am. If I was rich I wouldn&rsquo;t black boots for a livin&rsquo;.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Dear me, you are one of the young street Arabs I&rsquo;ve read about,&rdquo; and the
+      lady looked curiously at Mike through her glasses.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I expect I am.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I suppose you haven&rsquo;t much money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My bank account is very low, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve read a book about a boy named &lsquo;Ragged Dick.&rsquo; I think he was a
+      bootblack, too. Do you know him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He&rsquo;s my cousin, ma&rsquo;am,&rdquo; answered Mike promptly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It will be observed that I don&rsquo;t represent Mike as possessed of all the
+      virtues.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Dear me, how interesting. I bought the book for my little nephew. Now I
+      can tell him I have seen &lsquo;Ragged Dick&rsquo;s&rsquo; cousin. Where is Dick now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He&rsquo;s reformed, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Reformed?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, from blackin&rsquo; boots. He&rsquo;s in better business now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I should give you some of the money in this pocketbook, you wouldn&rsquo;t
+      spend it on drinking and gambling, would you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, ma&rsquo;am. I&rsquo;d reform like my cousin, Ragged Dick.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You look like a good truthful boy. Here are ten dollars for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, thank you, ma&rsquo;am! you&rsquo;re a gentleman,&rdquo; said Mike overjoyed. &ldquo;No, I
+      don&rsquo;t mean that but I hope you&rsquo;ll soon get a handsome husband.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My young friend, I don&rsquo;t care to marry, though I appreciate your good
+      wishes. I am an old maid from principle. I am an officer of the Female
+      Suffrage Association.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is it a good payin&rsquo; office, ma&rsquo;am?&rdquo; asked Mike, visibly impressed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, but it is a position of responsibility. Please tell me your name that
+      I may make a note of it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My name is Michael Flynn.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see. You are of Celtic extraction.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know, ma&rsquo;am. I never heard that I was. It isn&rsquo;t anything bad, is
+      it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all. I have some Celtic blood in my own veins. If you ever come to
+      Boston you can inquire for Miss Pauline Peabody.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, ma&rsquo;am,&rdquo; said Mike, who thought the lady rather a &ldquo;queer lot.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now I must call upon my lawyer, and leave the receipt which I came so
+      near losing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;m in luck,&rdquo; thought Mike. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll go home and dress up, and apply
+      for a position as telegraph boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      When Rodney came home at supper time he found Mike, dressed in his Sunday
+      suit.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What&rsquo;s up now, Mike?&rdquo; he asked. &ldquo;Have you retired from business?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, from the bootblack business. Tomorrow I shall be a telegraph boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is good. You haven&rsquo;t saved up ten dollars, have you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I saved up two, and a lady gave me ten dollars for findin&rsquo; her
+      pocketbook.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s fine, Mike.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There chanced to be a special demand for telegraph boys at that time, and
+      Mike, who was a sharp lad, on passing the necessary examination, was at
+      once set to work.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was immensely fond of his blue uniform when he first put it on, and
+      felt that he had risen in the social scale. True, his earnings did not
+      average as much, but he was content with smaller pay, since the duties
+      were more agreeable.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the evenings under Rodney&rsquo;s instruction he devoted an hour and
+      sometimes two to the task of making up the deficiencies in his early
+      education. These were extensive, but Mike was naturally a smart boy, and
+      after a while began to improve rapidly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So three months passed. Rodney stood well in with Mr. Goodnow, and was
+      promoted to stock clerk. The discipline which he had revived as a student
+      stood him in good stead, and enabled him to make more rapid advancement
+      than some who had been longer in the employ of the firm. In particular he
+      was promoted over the head of Jasper Redwood, a boy two years older than
+      himself, who was the nephew of an old employee who had been for fifteen
+      years in the house.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper&rsquo;s jealousy was aroused, and he conceived a great dislike for
+      Rodney, of which Rodney was only partially aware.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      For this dislike there was really no cause. Rodney stood in his way only
+      because Jasper neglected his duties, and failed to inspire confidence. He
+      was a boy who liked to spend money and found his salary insufficient,
+      though he lived with his uncle and paid but two dollars a week for his
+      board.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Uncle James,&rdquo; he said one day, &ldquo;when do you think I will get a raise?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You might get one now if it were not for the new boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You mean Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, he has just been promoted to a place which I hoped to get for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is mean,&rdquo; grumbled Jasper. &ldquo;I have been here longer than he.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;True, but he seems to be Mr. Goodnow&rsquo;s pet. It was an unlucky day for you
+      when he got a place in the establishment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you ask Mr. Goodnow to promote me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but he said he had decided to give Archer&rsquo;s place to Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Archer was a young clerk who was obliged, on account of pulmonary
+      weakness, to leave New York and go to Southern California.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much does Ropes get now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Seven dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I only get five, and I am two years older. They ought to have more
+      regard for you, Uncle James, or I, as your nephew, would get promoted.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will see what we can do about it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish Ropes would get into some scrape and get discharged.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was a new idea, but Jasper dwelt upon it, and out of it grew trouble
+      for Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XI.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      MISSING GOODS.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      James Redwood was summoned one morning to the counting room of his
+      employer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Redwood,&rdquo; said the merchant &ldquo;I have reason to think that one of my
+      clerks is dishonest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who, sir?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is what I want you to find out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What reason have you for suspecting any one?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Some ladies&rsquo; cloaks and some dress patterns are missing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you sure they were not sold?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes: the record of sales has been examined, and they are not included.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is strange, Mr. Goodnow,&rdquo; said Redwood thoughtfully. &ldquo;I hope I am
+      not under suspicion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, not at all.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The losses seem to have taken place in my department.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;True, but that doesn&rsquo;t involve you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you want me to do?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Watch those under you. Let nothing in your manner, however, suggest that
+      you are suspicious. I don&rsquo;t want you to put any one on his guard.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right, sir. I will be guided by your instructions. Have you any idea
+      how long this has been going on?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Only a few weeks.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Redwood turned to go back to his room, but Mr. Goodnow called him
+      back.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I needn&rsquo;t suggest to you,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;that you keep this to yourself.
+      Don&rsquo;t let any clerk into the secret.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      James Redwood, however, did not keep his promise. After supper he called
+      back Jasper as he was about putting on his hat to go out, and said,
+      &ldquo;Jasper, I wish to speak with you for five minutes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Won&rsquo;t it do tomorrow morning? I have an engagement.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Put it off, then. This is a matter of importance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir,&rdquo; and Jasper, albeit reluctantly, laid down his hat and
+      sat down.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jasper,&rdquo; said his uncle, &ldquo;there&rsquo;s a thief in our establishment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper started, and his sallow complexion turned yellower than usual.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you mean, uncle?&rdquo; he asked nervously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What I say. Some articles are missing that have not been sold.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Such as what?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ladies&rsquo; cloaks and dress patterns.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who told you?&rdquo; asked Jasper in a low tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Goodnow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What the boss?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How should he know?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t inquire, and if I had he probably wouldn&rsquo;t have told me. The
+      main thing is that he does know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He may not be sure.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is not a man to speak unless he feels pretty sure.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see how any one could steal the articles without being detected.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems they are detected.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did&mdash;did Mr. Goodnow mention any names?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No. He wants to watch and find out the thief. I wish you to help me,
+      though I am acting against instructions. Mr. Goodnow asked me to take no
+      one into my confidence. You will see, therefore, that it will be necessary
+      for you to say nothing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I won&rsquo;t breathe a word,&rdquo; said Jasper, who seemed to feel more at ease.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now that I have told you so much, can you suggest any person who would be
+      likely to commit the theft?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper remained silent for a moment, then with a smile of malicious
+      satisfaction said, &ldquo;Yes, I can suggest a person.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The new boy, Rodney Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      James Redwood shook his head.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t believe that it is he. I am not in love with the young fellow,
+      who seems to stand in the way of your advancement but he seems straight
+      enough, and I don&rsquo;t think it at all likely that he should be the guilty
+      person.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Uncle James, he SEEMS straight but you know that still waters run
+      deep.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you seen anything that would indicate guilt on his part?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have noticed this, that, he is very well dressed for a boy of his small
+      salary, and seems always to have money to spend.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That will count for something. Still he might have some outide means.
+      Have you noticed anything else?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper hesitated.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I noticed one evening when he left the store that he had a sizable parcel
+      under his arm.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you think it might have contained some article stolen from the
+      stock?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s just what I think now. Nothing of the kind occurred to me at that
+      time, for I didn&rsquo;t know any articles were missing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That seems important. When was it that you noticed this?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;One day last week,&rdquo; answered Jasper hesitatingly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can you remember the day?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Couldn&rsquo;t you fix it some way?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No. You see, I didn&rsquo;t attach any particular importance to it at the time,
+      and probably it would not have occurred to me again, but for your
+      mentioning that articles were missing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There may be something in what you say,&rdquo; said his uncle thoughtfully. &ldquo;I
+      will take special notice of young Ropes after this.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So will I.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t let him observe that he is watched. It would defeat our chances of
+      detecting the thief.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll be careful. Do you want to say anything more, uncle?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No. By the way, where were you going this evening?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was going to meet a friend, and perhaps go to the theater. You couldn&rsquo;t
+      lend me a dollar, could you, Uncle James?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I could, but you are not quite able to pay for your own pleasures.
+      It costs all my salary to live, and its going to be worse next year, for I
+      shall have to pay a higher rent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When I have my pay raised, I can get along better.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If Ropes loses his place, you will probably step into it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I hope he&rsquo;ll go, and that soon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      When Jasper passed through the front door and stood on the sidewalk, he
+      breathed a sigh of relief.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So, they are on to us,&rdquo; he said to himself. &ldquo;But how was it found out?
+      That&rsquo;s what I&rsquo;d like to know. I have been very careful. I must see Carton
+      at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A short walk took him to a billiard room not far from Broadway. A young
+      man of twenty five, with a slight mustache, and a thin, dark face, was
+      selecting a cue.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, Jasper!&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Come at last. Let us have a game of pool.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not just yet. Come outide. I want to speak to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper looked serious, and Philip Carton, observing it, made no
+      remonstrance, but taking his hat, followed him out.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, what is it?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Something serious. It is discovered at the store that goods are missing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t mean it? Are we suspected?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No one is suspected&mdash;yet.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But how do you know?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My uncle spoke to me about it this evening&mdash;just after supper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He doesn&rsquo;t think you are in it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How did he find out?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Through the boss. Goodnow spoke to him about it today.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But how should Goodnow know anything about it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That no one can tell but himself. He asked Uncle James to watch the
+      clerks, and see if he could fasten the theft on any of them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is pleasant for us. It is well we are informed so that we can be on
+      our guard. I am afraid our game is up.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;For the present at any rate we must suspend operations. Now, have you
+      some money for me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, a little.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A little? Why there are two cloaks and a silk dress pattern to be
+      accounted for.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;True, but I have to be very careful. I have to submit to a big discount
+      for the parties I sell to undoubtedly suspect that the articles are
+      stolen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Wouldn&rsquo;t it be better to pawn them?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would be more dangerous. Besides you know how liberal pawnbrokers are.
+      I&rsquo;ll tell you what would be better. If I had a sufficient number of
+      articles to warrant it, I could take them on to Boston or Philadelphia,
+      and there would be less risk selling them there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is true. I wish we had thought of that before. Now we shall have to
+      give up the business for a time. How much money have you got for me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Seven dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Seven dollars!&rdquo; exclaimed Jasper in disgust. &ldquo;Why, that is ridiculous.
+      The articles must have been worth at retail a hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps so, but I only got fourteen for them. If you think you can do any
+      better you may sell them yourself next time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought I should assuredly get fifteen dollars out of it,&rdquo; said Jasper,
+      looking deeply disappointed. &ldquo;I had a use for the money too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very likely. So had I.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I suppose I must make it do. Listen and I will tell you how I think
+      I can turn this thing to my advantage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Go ahead!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      WHAT WAS FOUND IN RODNEY&rsquo;S ROOM.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is a boy who stands between me and promotion,&rdquo; continued Jasper,
+      speaking in a low tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The boy you mentioned the other day?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Rodney Ropes. Mr. Goodnow got him from I don&rsquo;t know where, and has
+      taken a ridiculous fancy to him. He has been put over my head and his pay
+      raised, though I have been in the store longer than he. My idea is to
+      connect him with the thefts and get him discharged.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you mean that we are to make him a confederate?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; answered Jasper impatiently. &ldquo;He would be just the fellow to peach
+      and get us all into trouble.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then what do you mean?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To direct suspicion towards him. We won&rsquo;t do it immediately, but within a
+      week or two. It would do me good to have him turned out of the store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper proceeded to explain his idea more fully, and his companion
+      pronounced it very clever.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Meanwhile Rodney, not suspecting the conspiracy to deprive him of his
+      place and his good name, worked zealously, encouraged by his promotion,
+      and resolved to make a place for himself which should insure him a
+      permanent connection with the firm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ten days passed, and Mr. Redwood again received a summons from the office.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Entering, he found Mr. Goodnow with a letter in his hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, Mr. Redwood,&rdquo; he began, &ldquo;have you got any clew to the party who has
+      stolen our goods?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Has any thing been taken since I spoke with you on the subject?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not that I am aware of.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Has any one of the clerks attracted your attention by suspicious
+      conduct?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir,&rdquo; answered Redwood, puzzled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Humph! Cast your eye over this letter.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      James Redwood took the letter, which was written in a fine hand, and read
+      as follow:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      MR. GOODNOW:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      DEAR SIR,&mdash;I don&rsquo;t know whether you are aware that articles have been
+      taken from your stock, say, ladies&rsquo; cloaks and silk dress patterns, and
+      disposed of outside. I will not tell you how it has come to my knowledge,
+      for I do not want to get any one&rsquo;s ill will, but I will say, to begin
+      with, that they were taken by one of your employees, and the one, perhaps,
+      that you would least suspect, for I am told that he is a favorite of
+      yours. I may as well say that it is Rodney Ropes. I live near him, and
+      last evening I saw him carry a bundle to his room when he went back from
+      the store. I think if you would send round today when he is out, you would
+      find in his room one or more of the stolen articles. I don&rsquo;t want to get
+      him into trouble, but I don&rsquo;t like to see you robbed, and so I tell you
+      what I know. A FRIEND.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Redwood read this letter attentively, arching his brows, perhaps to
+      indicate his surprise. Then he read it again carefully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you think of it?&rdquo; asked the merchant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; answered Redwood slowly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you ever seen anything suspicious in the conduct of young Ropes?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t say I have. On the contrary, he seems to be a very diligent and
+      industrious clerk.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But about his honesty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I fancied him the soul of honesty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So did I, but of course we are liable to be deceived. It wouldn&rsquo;t be the
+      first case where seeming honesty has been a cover for flagrant
+      dishonesty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you wish me to do, Mr. Goodnow? Shall I send Ropes down to you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; it would only give him a chance, if guilty, to cover up his
+      dishonesty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am ready to follow your instructions.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know where he lodges?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I will ask you to go around there, and by some means gain admission
+      to his room. If he has any of our goods secreted take possession of them
+      and report to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir.&rdquo; Half an hour later Mrs. McCarty, Rodney&rsquo;s landlady, in
+      response to a ring admitted Mr. James Redwood.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Does a young man named Ropes lodge here?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I come from the house where he is employed. He has inadvertently left in
+      his room a parcel belonging to us, and I should be glad if you would allow
+      me to go up to his room and take it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You see, sir,&rdquo; said Mrs. McCarty in a tone of hesitation, &ldquo;while you look
+      like a perfect gentleman, I don&rsquo;t know you, and I am not sure whether, in
+      justice to Mr. Ropes, I ought to admit you to his room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are quite right my good lady; I am sure. It is just what I should
+      wish my own landlady to do. I will therefore ask you to go up to the room
+      with me to see that all is right.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That seems all right, sir. In that case I don&rsquo;t object. Follow me, if you
+      please.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As they entered Rodney&rsquo;s room Mr. Redwood looked about him inquisitively.
+      One article at once fixed his attention. It was a parcel wrapped in brown
+      paper lying on the bed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is the parcel, I think,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;If you will allow me I will open
+      it, to make sure.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. McCarty looked undecided, but as she said nothing in opposition Mr.
+      Redwood unfastened the strings and unrolled the bundle. His eyes lighted
+      up with satisfaction as he disclosed the contents&mdash;a lady&rsquo;s cloak.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. McCarty looked surprised.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, it&rsquo;s a lady&rsquo;s cloak,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;and a very handsome one. What would
+      Mr. Ropes want of such a thing as that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps he intended to make you a present of it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, he can&rsquo;t afford to make such present.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The explanation is simple. It belongs to the store. Perhaps Mr. Ropes
+      left it here inadvertently.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But he hasn&rsquo;t been here since morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He has a pass key to the front door?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then he may have been here. Would you object to my taking it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, you see I don&rsquo;t know you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your objection is a proper one. Then I will trouble you to take a look at
+      the cloak, so that you would know it again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly, sir. I shall remember it!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is all, Mrs. &mdash;&mdash;?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;McCarty, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mrs. McCarty, I won&rsquo;t take up any more of your time,&rdquo; and Mr. Redwood
+      started to go down stairs.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who shall I tell Mr. Ropes called to see him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You needn&rsquo;t say. I will mention the matter to him myself. I am employed
+      in the same store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right sir. Where is the store? I never thought to ask Mr. Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Reade Street, near Broadway. You know where Reade Street is?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir. My husband used to work in Chambers Street. That is the first
+      street south.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Precisely. Well, I can&rsquo;t stay longer, so I will leave, apologizing for
+      having taken up so much of your time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, it&rsquo;s of no consequence, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is a perfect gentleman,&rdquo; she said to herself, as Mr. Redwood closed
+      the front door, and went out on the street. &ldquo;I wonder whether he&rsquo;s a
+      widower.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Being a widow this was quite a natural thought for Mrs. McCarty to indulge
+      in, particularly as Mr. Redwood looked to be a substantial man with a snug
+      income.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Redwood went back to the store, and went at once to the office.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, Redwood,&rdquo; said Mr. Goodnow, &ldquo;did you learn anything?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Go on.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I went to the lodging of young Ropes, and was admitted to his room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And there, wrapped in a brown paper, I found one of our missing cloaks
+      lying on his bed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is it possible?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am afraid he is not what we supposed him to be, Mr. Goodnow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It looks like it. I am surprised and sorry. Do you think he took the
+      other articles that are missing?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course I can&rsquo;t say, sir, but it is fair to presume that he did.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am exceedingly sorry. I don&rsquo;t mind saying, Redwood, that I took an
+      especial interest in that boy. I have already told you the circumstances
+      of my meeting him, and the fancy taken to him by my friend Mulgrave.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, I have heard you say that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think I am easily taken in, and that boy impressed me as
+      thoroughly honest. But of course I don&rsquo;t pretend to be infallible and it
+      appears that I have been mistaken in him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The merchant looked troubled, for he had come to feel a sincere regard for
+      Rodney. He confessed to himself that he would rather have found any of the
+      other clerks dishonest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may send Ropes to me,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;Mr. Redwood, and you will please
+      come with him. We will investigate this matter at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XIII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      CHARGED WITH THEFT.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney entered Mr. Goodnow&rsquo;s office without a suspicion of the serious
+      accusation which had been made against him. The first hint that there was
+      anything wrong came to him when he saw the stern look in the merchants
+      eyes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps,&rdquo; said Mr. Goodnow, as he leaned back in his chair and fixed his
+      gaze on the young clerk, &ldquo;you may have an idea why I have sent for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir,&rdquo; answered Rodney, looking puzzled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can&rsquo;t think of any reason I may have for wishing to see you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir,&rdquo; and Rodney returned Mr. Goodnow&rsquo;s gaze with honest unfaltering
+      eyes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Possibly you are not aware that within a few weeks some articles have
+      been missed from our stock.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have not heard of it. What kind of articles?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The boy is more artful than I thought!&rdquo; soliloquized the merchant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All the articles missed,&rdquo; he proceeded, &ldquo;have been from the room in
+      charge of Mr. Redwood, the room in which you, among others, are employed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Something in Mr. Goodnow&rsquo;s tone gave Rodney the hint of the truth. If he
+      had been guilty he would have flushed and showed signs of confusion. As it
+      was, he only wished to learn the truth and he in turn became the
+      questioner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is it supposed,&rdquo; he asked, &ldquo;that any one in your employ is responsible
+      for these thefts?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is any one in particular suspected?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will you tell me who, that is if you think I ought to know?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly you ought to know, for it is you who are suspected.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Then Rodney became indignant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can only deny the charge in the most emphatic terms,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;If any
+      one has brought such a charge against me, it is a lie.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can say that to Mr. Redwood, for it is he who accuses you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What does this mean, Mr. Redwood?&rdquo; demanded Rodney quickly. &ldquo;What have
+      you seen in me that leads you to accuse me of theft.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To tell the truth, Ropes, you are about the last clerk in my room whom I
+      would have suspected. But early this morning this letter was received,&rdquo;
+       and he placed in Rodney&rsquo;s hands the letter given in a preceding chapter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney read it through and handed it back scornfully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should like to see the person who wrote this letter,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It is a
+      base lie from beginning to end.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought it might be when Mr. Goodnow showed it to me,&rdquo; said Redwood in
+      an even tone, &ldquo;but Mr. Goodnow and I agreed that it would be well to
+      investigate. Therefore I went to your room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When, sir?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then it is all right, for I am sure you found nothing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;On the contrary, Ropes, I found that the statement made in the letter was
+      true. On your bed was a bundle containing one of the cloaks taken from our
+      stock.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney&rsquo;s face was the picture of amazement.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is this true?&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It certainly is. I hope you don&rsquo;t doubt my word.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you bring it back with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; your worthy landlady was not quite sure whether I was what I
+      represented, and I left the parcel there. However I opened it in her
+      presence so that she can testify what I found.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is very strange,&rdquo; said Rodney, looking at his accuser with puzzled
+      eyes. &ldquo;I know nothing whatever of the cloak and can&rsquo;t imagine how it got
+      into my room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps it walked there,&rdquo; said Mr. Goodnow satirically.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney colored, for he understood that his employer did not believe him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;May I go to my room,&rdquo; he asked, &ldquo;and bring back the bundle with me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Observing that Mr. Goodnow hesitated he added, &ldquo;You can send Some one with
+      me to see that I don&rsquo;t spirit away the parcel, and come back with it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;On these conditions you may go. Redwood, send some one with Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney followed the chief of his department back to the cloak room, and
+      the latter, after a moments thought, summoned Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jasper,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;Ropes is going to his room to get a parcel which
+      belongs to the store. You may go with him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a flash of satisfaction in Jasper&rsquo;s eyes as he answered with
+      seeming indifference, &ldquo;All right! I will go. I shall be glad to have a
+      walk.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As the two boys passed out of the store, Jasper asked, &ldquo;What does it mean,
+      Ropes?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know myself. I only know that there is said to be a parcel
+      containing a cloak in my room. This cloak came from the store, and I am
+      suspected of having stolen it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Whew! that&rsquo;s a serious matter. Of course it is all a mistake?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, it is all a mistake.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But how could it get to your room unless you carried it there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney gave Jasper a sharp look.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Some one must have taken it there,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How on earth did Uncle James find out?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;An anonymous letter was sent to Mr. Goodnow charging me with theft. Did
+      you hear that articles have been missed for some time from the stock?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Never heard a word of it,&rdquo; said Jasper with ready falsehood.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems the articles are missing from our room, and some one in the room
+      is suspected of being the thief.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good gracious! I hope no one will suspect me,&rdquo; said Jasper in pretended
+      alarm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems I am suspected. I hope no other innocent person will have a like
+      misfortune.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Presently they reached Rodney&rsquo;s lodgings. Mrs. McCarty was coming up the
+      basement stairs as they entered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;La, Mr. Ropes!&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;what brings you here in the middle of the
+      day?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hear there is a parcel in my room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; it contains such a lovely cloak. The gentleman from your store who
+      called a little while ago thought you might have meant it as a present for
+      me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am afraid it will be some time before I can afford to make such
+      present. Do you know if any one called and left the cloak here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I didn&rsquo;t let in no one at the door.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Was the parcel there when you made the bed?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, no, it wasn&rsquo;t. That is curious.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It shows that the parcel has been left here since. Now I certainly
+      couldn&rsquo;t have left it, for I have been at work all the morning. Come up
+      stairs, Jasper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The two boys went up the stairs, and, entering Rodney&rsquo;s room, found the
+      parcel, still on the bed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney opened it and identified the cloak as exactly like those which they
+      carried in stock.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He examined the paper in which it was inclosed, but it seemed to differ
+      from the wrapping paper used at the store. He called Jasper&rsquo;s attention to
+      this.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have nothing to say,&rdquo; remarked Jasper, shrugging his shoulders. &ldquo;I
+      don&rsquo;t understand the matter at all. I suppose you are expected to carry
+      the cloak back to the store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, that is the only thing to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I say, Ropes, it looks pretty bad for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper said this, but Rodney observed that his words were not accompanied
+      by any expressions of sympathy, or any words that indicated his disbelief
+      of Rodney&rsquo;s guilt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you think I took this cloak from the store?&rdquo; he demanded, facing round
+      upon Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Really, I don&rsquo;t know. It looks bad, finding it in your room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I needn&rsquo;t ask any further. I can see what you think.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You wouldn&rsquo;t have me tell a lie, would you, Ropes? Of course such things
+      have been done before, and your salary is small.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You insult me by your words,&rdquo; said Rodney, flaming up.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I had better not speak, but you asked me, you know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I did. Things may look against me, but I am absolutely innocent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you can make Mr. Goodnow think so,&rdquo; said Jasper with provoking
+      coolness, &ldquo;it will be all right. Perhaps he will forgive you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want his forgiveness. I want him to think me honest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I hope you are, I am sure, but it won&rsquo;t do any good our discussing
+      it, and it doesn&rsquo;t make any difference what I think any way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      By this time they had reached the store.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XIV.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      RODNEY IS DISCHARGED.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney reported his return to Mr. Redwood, and in his company went down
+      stairs to the office, with the package under his arm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well?&rdquo; said Mr. Goodnow inquiringly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is the package, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And it was found in your room?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, I found it on my bed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can&rsquo;t you account for it being there?&rdquo; asked the merchant searchingly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You must admit that its presence in your room looks bad for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I admit it sir; but I had nothing to do with it being there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you any theory to account for it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Only this, that some one must have carried it to my room and placed it
+      where it was found.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you question your landlady as to whether she had admitted any one
+      during the morning?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir. She had not.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is very unfavorable to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In what way, sir?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It makes it probable that you carried in the parcel yourself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That I deny,&rdquo; said Rodney boldly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I expected you to deny it,&rdquo; said the merchant coldly. &ldquo;If this cloak were
+      the only one that had been taken I would drop the matter. But this is by
+      no means the case. Mr. Redwood, can you give any idea of the extent to
+      which we have been robbed?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So far as I can estimate we have lost a dozen cloaks and about half a
+      dozen dress patterns.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is a serious loss, Ropes,&rdquo; said Mr. Goodnow. &ldquo;I should think it
+      would foot up several hundred dollars. If you can throw any light upon the
+      thefts, or give me information by which I can get back the goods even at
+      considerable expense, I will be as considerate with you as I can.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Goodnow,&rdquo; returned Rodney hotly, &ldquo;I know no more about the matter
+      than you do. I hope you will investigate, and if you can prove that I took
+      any of the missing articles I want no consideration. I shall expect you to
+      have me arrested, and, if convicted, punished.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;These are brave words, Ropes,&rdquo; said Mr. Goodnow coldly, &ldquo;but they are
+      only words. The parcel found in your room affords strong ground for
+      suspicion that you are responsible for at least a part of the thefts.
+      Under the circumstances there is only one thing for me to do, and that is
+      to discharge you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may go to the cashier and he will pay you to the end of the week, but
+      your connection with the store will end at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t care to be paid to the end of the week, sir. If you will give me
+      an order for payment up to tonight, that will be sufficient.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It shall be as you say.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Goodnow wrote a few words on a slip of paper and handed it to Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will leave my address, sir, and if I change it I will notify you. If
+      you should hear anything as to the real robber I will ask you as a favor
+      to communicate with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Redwood, you have heard the request of Ropes, I will look to you to
+      comply with it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The merchant turned back to his letters, and Rodney left the office, with
+      what feelings of sorrow and humiliation may be imagined.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry for this occurrence, Ropes,&rdquo; said Mr. Redwood, with a touch of
+      sympathy in his voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you believe me guilty, Mr. Redwood?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I cannot do otherwise. I hope you are innocent, and, if so, that the
+      really guilty party will be discovered sooner or later.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      When they entered the room in which Rodney had been employed Jasper came
+      up, his face alive with curiosity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;how did you come out?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am discharged,&rdquo; said Rodney bitterly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, you couldn&rsquo;t complain of that. Things looked pretty dark for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I had committed the theft, I would not complain. Indeed, I would
+      submit to punishment without a murmur. But it is hard to suffer while
+      innocent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Uncle James,&rdquo; said Jasper, &ldquo;if Ropes is going will you ask Mr. Goodnow to
+      put me in his place?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Even Mr. Redwood was disgusted by this untimely request.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would be more becoming,&rdquo; he said sharply, &ldquo;if you would wait till
+      Ropes was fairly out of the store before applying for his position.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I want to be in time. I don&rsquo;t want any one to get ahead of me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      James Redwood did not deign a reply.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry you leave us under such circumstances, Ropes,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The
+      time may come when you will be able to establish your innocence, and in
+      that case Mr. Goodnow will probably take you back again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney did not answer, but with his order went to the cashier&rsquo;s desk and
+      received the four dollars due him. Then, with a heavy heart, he left the
+      store where it had been such a satisfaction to him to work.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On Broadway he met his room mate, Mike Flynn, in the uniform of a
+      telegraph boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are you goin&rsquo;, Rodney?&rdquo; asked Mike. &ldquo;You ain&rsquo;t let off so early,
+      are you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am let off for good and all, Mike.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What&rsquo;s that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am discharged.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What for?&rdquo; asked Mike in amazement.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will tell you when you get home tonight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney went back to his room, and lay down sad and despondent. Some hours
+      later Mike came in, and was told the story. The warm hearted telegraph boy
+      was very angry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That boss of yours must be a stupid donkey,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. The parcel was found in my room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Anybody&rsquo;d know to look at you that you wouldn&rsquo;t steal.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Some thieves look very innocent. The only way to clear me is to find out
+      who left the bundle at the house.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Doesn&rsquo;t Mrs. McCarty know anything about it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I asked her.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Some one might have got into the house without her knowing anything about
+      it. The lock is a very common one. There are plenty of keys that will open
+      it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If we could find some one that saw a person with a bundle go up the
+      steps, that would give us a clew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s so. We&rsquo;ll ask.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But for several days no one could be found who had seen any such person.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Meanwhile Rodney was at a loss what to do. He was cut off from applying
+      for another place, for no one would engage him if he were refused a
+      recommendation from his late employer. Yet he must obtain some employment
+      for he could not live on nothing.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you think, Mike,&rdquo; he asked doubtfully, &ldquo;that I could make anything
+      selling papers?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Such business isn&rsquo;t for you,&rdquo; answered the telegraph boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But it is one of the few things open to me. I can become a newsboy
+      without recommendations. Even your business would be closed to me if it
+      were known that I was suspected of theft.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thats so,&rdquo; said Mike, scratching his head in perplexity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then would you recommend my becoming a newsboy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. You couldn&rsquo;t make more&rsquo;n fifty or sixty cent a day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That will be better than nothing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I can pay the rent, or most of it, as I&rsquo;ll be doin&rsquo; better than you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We will wait and see how much I make.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      So Rodney swallowed his pride, and procuring a supply of afternoon papers
+      set about selling them. He knew that it was an honest business, and there
+      was no disgrace in following it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But one day he was subjected to keen mortification. Jasper Redwood and a
+      friend&mdash;it was Philip Carton, his confederate&mdash;were walking
+      along Broadway, and their glances fell on Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I say, Jasper,&rdquo; said the elder of the two, &ldquo;isn&rsquo;t that the boy who was in
+      the same store with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper looked, and his eyes lighted up with malicious satisfaction.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oho!&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Well, this is rich!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Give me a paper, boy,&rdquo; he said, pretending not to recognize Rodney at
+      first. &ldquo;Why, it&rsquo;s Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; answered Rodney, his cheek flushing. &ldquo;You see what I am reduced to.
+      What paper will you buy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The Mail and Express.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here it is.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can&rsquo;t you get another place?&rdquo; asked Jasper curiously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I might if I could get a recommendation, but probably Mr. Goodnow
+      wouldn&rsquo;t give me one.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I guess not.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So I must take what I can get.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you make much selling papers?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very little.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can&rsquo;t make as much as you did in the store?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not much more than half as much.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you live in the same place?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, for the present.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, by the way, Ropes, I&rsquo;ve got your old place,&rdquo; said Jasper in
+      exultation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought you would get it,&rdquo; answered Rodney, not without a pang.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come into the store some day, Ropes. It will seem like old times.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall not enter the store till I am able to clear myself of the charge
+      made against me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then probably you will stay away a long time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am afraid so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, ta, ta! Come along, Philip.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As Rodney followed with his eye the figure of his complacent successor he
+      felt that his fate was indeed a hard one.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XV.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A RICH FIND.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As Jasper and his companion moved away, Carton said, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sorry for that
+      poor duffer, Jasper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why should you be sorry?&rdquo; asked Jasper, frowning.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because he has lost a good place and good prospects, and all for no fault
+      of his own.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are getting sentimental, Philip,&rdquo; sneered Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, but I am showing a little humanity. He has lost all this through you&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Through us, you mean.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, through us. We have made him the scapegoat for our sins.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh well, he is making a living.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A pretty poor one. I don&rsquo;t think you would like to be reduced to selling
+      papers.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;His case and mine are different.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I begin to think also that we have made a mistake in getting him
+      discharged so soon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We can&rsquo;t take anything more.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why not?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because there will be no one to lay the blame upon. He is out of the
+      store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is true. I didn&rsquo;t think of that. But I invited him to come around
+      and call. If he should, and something else should be missing it would be
+      laid to him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t believe he will call. I am terribly hard up, and our source of
+      income has failed us. Haven&rsquo;t you got a dollar or two to spare?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; answered Jasper coldly. &ldquo;I only get seven dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you have nearly all that. You only have to hand in two dollars a week
+      to your uncle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Look here, Philip Carton, I hope you don&rsquo;t expect to live off me. I have
+      all I can do to take care of myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Carton looked at Jasper in anger and mortification.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I begin to understand how good a friend you are,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not fool enough to pinch myself to keep you,&rdquo; said Jasper bluntly.
+      &ldquo;You are a man of twenty five and I am only a boy. You ought to be able to
+      take care of yourself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just give me a dollar, or lend it Jasper, and I will risk it at play. I
+      may rise from the table with a hundred. If I do I will pay you handsomely
+      for the loan.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t do it, Mr. Carton. I have only two dollars in my pocket, and I
+      have none to spare.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Humph! what is that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Philip Carton&rsquo;s eyes were fixed upon the sidewalk. There was a flimsy
+      piece of paper fluttering about impelled by the wind. He stooped and
+      picked it up.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is a five dollar bill,&rdquo; he exclaimed in exultation. &ldquo;My luck has come
+      back.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper changed his tone at once. Now Philip was the better off of the two.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is luck!&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Shall we go into Delmonico&rsquo;s, and have an ice?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If it is at your expense, yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That wouldn&rsquo;t be fair. You have more money than I.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, and I mean to keep it myself. You have set me the example.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come, Philip, you are not angry at my refusing you a loan?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I think you were sensible. I shall follow your example. I will bid
+      you good night. I seem to be in luck, and will try my fortune at the
+      gaming table.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will go with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I would prefer to go alone.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That fellow is unreasonable,&rdquo; muttered Jasper, as he strode off,
+      discontented. &ldquo;Did he expect I would divide my salary with him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Philip Carton, after he parted company with Jasper, walked back to where
+      Rodney was still selling papers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Give me a paper,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Which will you have?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not particular. Give me the first that comes handy. Ah, the Evening
+      Sun will do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He took the paper and put a quarter into Rodney&rsquo;s hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As he was walking away Rodney called out, &ldquo;Stop, here&rsquo;s your change,&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Never mind,&rdquo; said Philip with a wave of the hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; said Rodney gratefully, for twenty five cents was no trifle
+      to him at this time.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That ought to bring me luck,&rdquo; soliloquized Philip Carton as he walked on.
+      &ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t often I do a good deed. It was all the money I had besides the
+      five dollar bill, and I am sure the news boy will make better use of it
+      than I would.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That was the young man that was walking with Jasper,&rdquo; reflected Rodney.
+      &ldquo;Well, he is certainly a better fellow than he. Thanks to this quarter, I
+      shall have made eighty cents today, and still have half a dozen papers.
+      That is encouraging.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Several days passed that could not be considered lucky. Rodney&rsquo;s average
+      profits were only about fifty cent a day, and that was barely sufficient
+      to buy his meals. It left him nothing to put towards paying room rent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He began to consider whether he would not be compelled to pawn some
+      article from his wardrobe, for he was well supplied with clothing, when he
+      had a stroke of luck.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On Fifteenth Street, by the side of Tiffany&rsquo;s great jewelry store, he
+      picked up a square box neatly done up in thin paper. Opening it, he was
+      dazzled by the gleam of diamonds.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The contents were a diamond necklace and pin, which, even to Rodney&rsquo;s
+      inexperienced eyes, seemed to be of great value.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Some one must have dropped them in coming from the jewelry store,&rdquo; he
+      reflected. &ldquo;Who can it be?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He had not far to seek. There was a card inside on which was engraved:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      MRS. ELIZA HARVEY,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      with an address on Fifth Avenue.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Passing through to Fifth Avenue Rodney began to scan the numbers on the
+      nearest houses. He judged that Mrs. Harvey must live considerably farther
+      up the Avenue, in the direction of Central Park.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will go there at once,&rdquo; Rodney decided. &ldquo;No doubt Mrs. Harvey is very
+      much distressed by her loss. I shall carry her good news.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The house he found to be between Fortieth and Fiftieth Street. Ascending
+      the steps he rang the bell. The door was opened by a man servant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Does Mrs. Harvey live here?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you want with her, young man?&rdquo; demanded the servant in a tone of
+      importance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That I will tell her.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What&rsquo;s your name?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can give you my name, but she won&rsquo;t recognize it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you don&rsquo;t know her.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If it&rsquo;s money you want, she don&rsquo;t give to beggars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are impudent,&rdquo; said Rodney hotly. &ldquo;If you don&rsquo;t give my message you
+      will get into trouble.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The servant opened his eyes. He seemed somewhat impressed by Rodney&rsquo;s
+      confident tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mrs. Harvey doesn&rsquo;t live here,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is she in the house?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, yes, she&rsquo;s visiting here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then why do you waste your time?&rdquo; said Rodney impatiently. He forgot for
+      the time that he was no longer being educated at an expensive boarding
+      school, and spoke in the tone he would have used before his circumstances
+      had changed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll go and ask if she&rsquo;ll see you,&rdquo; said the flunky unwillingly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Five minutes later a pleasant looking woman of middle age descended the
+      staircase.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you the boy that wished to see me?&rdquo; she asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, if you are Mrs. Harvey.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am. But come in! Thomas, why didn&rsquo;t you invite this young gentleman
+      into the parlor?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Thomas opened his eyes wide. So the boy whom he had treated so cavalierly
+      was a young gentleman.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He privately put down Mrs. Harvey in his own mind as eccentric.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Excuse me, ma&rsquo;am,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know as he was parlor company.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, he is,&rdquo; said Mrs. Harvey with a cordial smile that won Rodney&rsquo;s
+      heart.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Follow me!&rdquo; said the lady.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney followed her into a handsome apartment and at a signal seated
+      himself on a sofa.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;I am ready to listen to your message.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you lost anything?&rdquo; asked Rodney abruptly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, have you found it?&rdquo; exclaimed Mrs. Harvey, clasping her hands.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That depends on what you have lost,&rdquo; answered Rodney, who felt that it
+      was necessary to be cautious.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly, you are quite right. I have lost a box containing jewelry
+      bought this morning at Tiffany&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What were the articles?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A diamond necklace and pin. They are intended as a present for my
+      daughter who is to be married. Tell me quick have you found them?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is this the box?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh yes, yes! How delightful to recover it. I thought I should never see
+      it again. Where did you find it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;On Fifteenth Street beside Tiffany&rsquo;s store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you brought it directly to me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, madam.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you any idea of the value of the articles?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps they may be worth five hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are worth over a thousand. Are you poor?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, madam. I am trying to make a living by selling papers, but find it
+      hard work.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you don&rsquo;t look like a newsboy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Till a short time since I thought myself moderately rich.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is strange. Tell me your story.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XVI.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A SURPRISING TURN OF FORTUNE.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney told his story frankly. Mrs. Harvey was very sympathetic by nature,
+      and she listened with the deepest interest, and latterly with indignation
+      when Rodney spoke of his dismissal from Mr. Goodnow&rsquo;s store.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have been treated shamefully,&rdquo; she said warmly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think Mr. Goodnow really believes me guilty,&rdquo; rejoined Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A dishonest boy would hardly have returned a valuable box of jewelry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still Mr. Goodnow didn&rsquo;t know that I would do it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see you are disposed to apologize for your late employer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do not forget that he treated me kindly till this last occurrence.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your consideration does you credit. So you have really been reduced to
+      earn your living as a newsboy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, madam.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I must think what I can do for you. I might give you money, but when that
+      was gone you would be no better off.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would much rather have help in getting a place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. Harvey leaned her head on her hand and looked thoughtful.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are right,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Let me think.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney waited, hoping that the lady would be able to think of something to
+      his advantage.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Finally she spoke.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think you said you understood Latin and Greek?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have studied both languages and French also. I should have been ready
+      to enter college next summer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then perhaps I shall be able to do something for you. I live in
+      Philadelphia, but I have a brother living in West Fifty Eighth Street. He
+      has one little boy, Arthur, now nine years of age. Arthur is quite
+      precocious, but his health is delicate, and my brother has thought of
+      getting a private instructor for him. Do you like young children?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very much. I always wished that I had a little brother.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I think you would suit my brother better as a tutor for Arthur than
+      a young man. Being a boy yourself, you would be not only tutor but
+      companion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should like such a position very much.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then wait here a moment, and I will write you a letter of introduction.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      She went up stairs, but soon returned.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      She put a small perfumed billet into Rodney&rsquo;s hands. It was directed to
+      John Sargent with an address on West Fifty Eighth Street.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Call this evening,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;about half past seven o&rsquo;clock. My brother
+      will be through dinner, and will not have gone out at that hour.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; said Rodney gratefully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here is another envelope which you can open at your leisure. I cannot
+      part from you without thanking you once more for returning my jewelry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have thanked me in a very practical way, Mrs. Harvey.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope my letter may lead to pleasant results for you. If you ever come
+      to Philadelphia call upon me at No. 1492 Walnut Street.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As Rodney left the house he felt that his ill fortune had turned, and that
+      a new prospect was opened up before him. He stepped into the Windsor
+      Hotel, and opened the envelope last given him. It contained five five
+      dollar bills.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      To one of them was pinned a scrap of paper containing these words: &ldquo;I hope
+      this money will be useful to you. It is less than the reward I should have
+      offered for the recovery of the jewels.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Under the circumstances Rodney felt that he need not scruple to use the
+      money. He knew that he had rendered Mrs. Harvey a great service, and that
+      she could well afford to pay him the sum which the envelopes contained.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He began to be sensible that he was hungry, not having eaten for some
+      time. He went into a restaurant on Sixth Avenue, and ordered a sirloin
+      steak. It was some time since he had indulged in anything beyond a common
+      steak, and he greatly enjoyed the more luxurious meal. He didn&rsquo;t go back
+      to selling papers, for he felt that it would hardly be consistent with the
+      position of a classical teacher&mdash;the post for which he was about to
+      apply.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Half past seven found him at the door of Mr. John Sargent. The house was
+      of brown stone, high stoop, and four stories in height. It was such a
+      house as only a rich man could occupy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was ushered into the parlor and presently Mr. Sargent came in from the
+      dining room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you Mr. Ropes?&rdquo; he asked, looking at Rodney&rsquo;s card.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It is not usual for newsboys to carry cards, but Rodney had some left over
+      from his more prosperous days.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir. I bring you a note of introduction from Mrs. Harvey.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah yes, my sister. Let me see it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The note was of some length. That is, it covered three pages of note
+      paper. Mr. Sargent read it attentively.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My sister recommends you as tutor for my little son, Arthur,&rdquo; he said, as
+      he folded up the letter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir; she suggested that I might perhaps suit you in that capacity.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She also says that you found and restored to her a valuable box of
+      jewelry which she was careless enough to drop near Tiffany&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have a good deal of confidence in my sister&rsquo;s good judgment. She
+      evidently regards you very favorably.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad of that sir,&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will you tell me something of your qualifications? Arthur is about to
+      commence Latin. He is not old enough for Greek.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I could teach either, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And of course you are well up in English branches?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I am.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My sister hints that you are poor, and obliged to earn your own living.
+      How, then, have you been able to secure so good an education?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have only been poor for a short time. My father left me fifty thousand
+      dollars, but it was lost by my guardian.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who was your guardian?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Benjamin Fielding.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I knew him well. I don&rsquo;t think he was an unprincipled man, but he was
+      certainly imprudent, and was led into acts that were reprehensible. Did he
+      lose all your money for you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What did you do?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Left the boarding school where I was being educated, and came to this
+      city.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you obtain any employment?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir; I have been employed for a short time by Otis Goodnow, a
+      merchant of Reade Street.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And why did you leave?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because Mr. Goodnow missed some articles from his stock, and I was
+      charged with taking them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was fearful of the effect of his frank confession upon Mr. Sargent,
+      but the latter soon reassured him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your honesty in restoring my sister&rsquo;s jewelry is sufficient proof that
+      the charge was unfounded. I shall not let it influence me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now as to the position of teacher, though very young, I don&rsquo;t see why you
+      should not fill it satisfactorily. I will call Arthur.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He went to the door and called &ldquo;Arthur.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A delicate looking boy with a sweet, intelligent face, came running into
+      the room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you want me, papa?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Arthur. I have a new friend for you. Will you shake hands with him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Arthur, who was not a shy boy, went up at once to Rodney and offered his
+      hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad to see you,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney smiled. He was quite taken with the young boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What&rsquo;s your name?&rdquo; the latter asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you going to stay and make us a visit?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Sargent answered this question.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Would you like to have Rodney stay?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How would you like to have him give you lessons in Latin and other
+      studies?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should like it. I am sure he wouldn&rsquo;t be cross. Are you a teacher,
+      Rodney?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will be your teacher if you are willing to have me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I should like it. And will you go to walk with me in Central Park?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then, papa, you may as well engage him. I was afraid you would get a
+      tiresome old man for my teacher.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That settles it, Rodney,&rdquo; said Mr. Sargent, smiling. &ldquo;Now, Arthur, run
+      out and I will speak further with Rodney about you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right, papa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;As Arthur seems to like you, I will give you a trial. As he suggested, I
+      should like to have you become his companion as well as teacher. You will
+      come here at nine o&rsquo;clock in the morning, and stay till four, taking lunch
+      with your pupil. About the compensation, will you tell me what will be
+      satisfactory to you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I prefer to leave that to you, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then we will say fifteen dollars a week&mdash;today is Thursday. Will you
+      present yourself here next Monday morning?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you would like an advance of salary, you need only say so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir, but I am fairly provided with money for the present.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then nothing more need be said. As I am to meet a gentleman at the Union
+      League Club tonight, I will bid you good evening, and expect to see you on
+      Monday.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney rose and Mr. Sargent accompanied him to the door, shaking hands
+      with him courteously by way of farewell.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney emerged into the street in a state of joyous excitement. Twenty
+      five dollars in his pocket, and fifteen dollars a week! He could hardly
+      credit his good fortune.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XVII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      JASPER&rsquo;S PERPLEXITY.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mike Flynn was overjoyed to hear of Rodney&rsquo;s good fortune.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Fifteen dollars a week!&rdquo; he repeated. &ldquo;Why you will be rich.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not exactly that, Mike, but it will make me comfortable. By the way, as I
+      have so much more than you, it will only be fair for me to pay the whole
+      rent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, Rodney, you mustn&rsquo;t do that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall insist upon it, Mike. You would do the same in my place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes I would.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So you can&rsquo;t object to my doing it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are very kind to me, Rodney,&rdquo; said Mike, who had the warm heart of
+      his race. &ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t every boy brought up like you who would be willing to
+      room with a bootblack.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you are not a bootblack now. You are a telegraph boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There are plenty that mind me when I blacked boots down in front of the
+      Astor House.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are just as good a boy for all that. How much did you make last
+      week?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Four dollars salary, and a dollar and a half in extra tips.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hereafter you must save your rent money for clothes. We must have you
+      looking respectable.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Won&rsquo;t you adopt me, Rodney?&rdquo; asked Mike with a laughing face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s a good idea. Perhaps I will. In that case you must obey all my
+      orders. In the first place, what are you most in want in the way of
+      clothing?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t got but two shirts.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is hardly enough for a gentleman of your social position. Anything
+      else.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;m short on collars and socks.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then we&rsquo;ll go out shopping. I&rsquo;ll buy you a supply of each.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you haven&rsquo;t begun to work yet.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, but Mrs. Harvey made me a present of twenty five dollars. We&rsquo;ll go to
+      some of the big stores on Sixth Avenue where we can get furnishing goods
+      cheap.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney carried out his purpose, and at the cost of four dollars supplied
+      his room mate with all he needed for the present.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;See what it is to be rich, Mike,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It seems odd for me to be
+      buying clothes for my adopted son.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;re in luck, Rodney, and so am I. I hope some time I can do you a
+      favor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps you can, Mike. If I should get sick, you might take my place as
+      tutor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You must know an awful lot, Rodney,&rdquo; said Mike, regarding his companion
+      with new respect.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you for the compliment, Mike. I hope Mr. Sargent will have the same
+      opinion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next day it is needless to say that Rodney did not resume the business
+      of newsboy. He was very glad to give it up. He dressed with unusual care
+      and took a walk down town.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As he passed Reade Street by chance Jasper was coming around the corner.
+      His face lighted up first with pleasure at seeing Rodney, for it gratified
+      his mean nature to triumph over the boy whom he had ousted from his
+      position, and next with surprise at his unusually neat and well dressed
+      appearance. Rodney looked far from needing help. He might readily have
+      been taken for a boy of aristocratic lineage.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hallo!&rdquo; said Jasper, surveying Rodney curiously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How are you this morning, Jasper?&rdquo; returned Rodney quietly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why ain&rsquo;t you selling papers?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t like the business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you&rsquo;ve got to make a living.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Quite true.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you going to black boots?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why should I? Is it a desirable business?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How should I know?&rdquo; asked Jasper, coloring.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know but you might have had some experience at it. I haven&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you mean to insult me?&rdquo; demanded Jasper hotly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I never insult anybody. I will only say that you are as likely to take up
+      the business as I.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got a place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How do you know but I have?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because you were selling papers yesterday and are walking the street
+      today.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is true. But I have a place engaged for all that. I shall go to work
+      on Monday.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper pricked up his ears.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where is it?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t care to tell at present.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is it true? Have you got a place?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see how you could. Mr. Goodnow wouldn&rsquo;t give you a
+      recommendation.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is no reason why he should not.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What, after your taking cloaks and dress patterns from the store?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I did nothing of the kind. Sooner or later Mr. Goodnow will find out his
+      mistake. Probably the real thief is still in his employ.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper turned pale and regarded Rodney searchingly, but there was nothing
+      in his manner or expression to indicate that his remark had been personal.
+      He thought it best to turn the conversation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much pay do you get&mdash;four dollars?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;More than that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t get as much as you did at our store?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; I get more.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Now it was Jasper&rsquo;s turn to show surprise. He did not know whether to
+      believe Rodney or not, but there was something in his face which commanded
+      belief.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much do you get?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You would not believe me if I told you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Try me,&rdquo; returned Jasper, whose curiosity was aroused.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am to get fifteen dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper would not have looked more surprised if Rodney had informed him
+      that he was to become a Cabinet minister.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;re joking!&rdquo; he ejaculated.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How could you have the face to ask such a price. Did you pass yourself
+      off as an experienced salesman?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t understand it at all, that is, if you are telling the truth.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have told you the truth, Jasper. I have no object in deceiving you. The
+      salary was fixed by my employer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who did you say it was?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t say.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper&rsquo;s cunning scheme was defeated. He felt disturbed to hear of
+      Rodney&rsquo;s good fortune, but he had a shot in reserve.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think you will keep your place long,&rdquo; he said in a malicious
+      tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why not?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your employer will hear under what circumstances you left our store, and
+      then of course he will discharge you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will be sorry for that won&rsquo;t you?&rdquo; asked Rodney pointedly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why of course I don&rsquo;t want you to have bad luck.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you. You are very considerate.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Suppose you lose your place, shall you go back to selling papers?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope to find something better to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are you going now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To get some lunch.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So am I. Suppose we go together.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, providing you will lunch with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to impose upon you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You won&rsquo;t. We may not meet again for some time, and we shall have this
+      meal to remind us of each other.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They went to a well known restaurant on Park Row. Rodney ordered a liberal
+      dinner for himself, and Jasper followed his example nothing loath. He was
+      always ready to dine at the expense of others, but even as he ate he could
+      not help wondering at the strange chance that had made him the guest of a
+      boy who was selling papers the day before.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He had nearly finished eating when a disturbing thought occurred to him.
+      Suppose Rodney didn&rsquo;t have money enough to settle the bill, and threw it
+      upon him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When Rodney took the checks and walked up to the cashier&rsquo;s desk he
+      followed him with some anxiety. But his companion quietly took out a five
+      dollar bill, from his pocket and tendered it to the cashier. The latter
+      gave him back the right change and the two boys went out into the street.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You seem to have plenty of money,&rdquo; said Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There are very few who would admit having that,&rdquo; smiled Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see why you sold papers if you have five dollar bills in your
+      pocket.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to be idle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;May I tell my uncle and Mr. Goodnow that you have got a place?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you like.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, good by, I must be hurrying back to the store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney smiled. He rather enjoyed Jasper&rsquo;s surprise and perplexity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XVIII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      RODNEY&rsquo;S SECRET IS DISCOVERED.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper lost no time in acquainting his uncle with Rodney&rsquo;s extraordinary
+      good fortune. James Redwood was surprised, but not all together
+      incredulous.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t understand it,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but Ropes appears to be a boy of truth.
+      Perhaps he may have exaggerated the amount of his salary.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hardly think so, uncle. He gave me a tip top dinner down on Park Row.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He may have been in funds from selling the articles taken from the
+      store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s so!&rdquo; assented Jasper, who had the best possible reason for knowing
+      that it was not so.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish the boy well,&rdquo; said his uncle. &ldquo;He always treated me respectfully,
+      and I never had anything against him except the loss of stock, and it is
+      not certain that he is the thief.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I guess there isn&rsquo;t any doubt about that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yet, believing him to be a thief, you did not hesitate to accept a dinner
+      from him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t want to hurt his feelings,&rdquo; replied Jasper, rather sheepishly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know what sort of a place he has got, or with what house?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; he wouldn&rsquo;t tell me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He thought perhaps you would inform the new firm of the circumstances
+      under which he left us. I don&rsquo;t blame him, but I am surprised that he
+      should have been engaged without a recommendation.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall you tell Mr. Goodnow?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not unless he asks about Ropes. I don&rsquo;t want to interfere with the boy in
+      any way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In the store, as has already been stated, Jasper succeeded to Rodney&rsquo;s
+      place, and in consequence his pay was raised to seven dollars a week.
+      Still it was not equal to what it had been when he was receiving
+      additional money from the sale of the articles stolen by Philip Carton and
+      himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The way in which they had operated was this: Philip would come in and buy
+      a cloak or a dress pattern from Jasper, and the young salesman would pack
+      up two or three instead of one. There was a drawback to the profit in
+      those cases, as Carton would be obliged to sell both at a reduced price.
+      Still they had made a considerable sum from these transactions, though not
+      nearly as much as Mr. Goodnow had lost.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After the discovery of the theft and the discharge of Rodney, the two
+      confederates felt that it would be imprudent to do any more in that line.
+      This suspension entailed heavier loss on Carton than on Jasper. The latter
+      had a fixed income and a home at his uncle&rsquo;s house, while Philip had no
+      regular income, though he occasionally secured a little temporary
+      employment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the meantime Rodney had commenced his tutorship. His young pupil became
+      very fond of him, and being a studious boy, made rapid progress in his
+      lessons.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Sargent felt that his experiment, rash as it might be considered,
+      vindicated his wisdom by its success. At the end of a month he voluntarily
+      raised Rodney&rsquo;s salary to twenty dollars a week.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am afraid you are overpaying me, Mr. Sargent,&rdquo; said Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s my lookout. Good service is worth a good salary, and I am
+      perfectly satisfied with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir. I prize that even more than the higher salary.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Only a portion of Rodney&rsquo;s time was spent in teaching. In the afternoon he
+      and his charge went on little excursions, generally to Central Park.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One holiday, about four months after the commencement of Rodney&rsquo;s
+      engagement, he was walking in the Park when he fell in with Jasper.
+      Jasper&rsquo;s attention was at once drawn to the little boy, whose dress and
+      general appearance indicated that he belonged to a wealthy family. This
+      excited Jasper&rsquo;s curiosity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How are you, Rodney?&rdquo; said Jasper adroitly. &ldquo;It is a good while since I
+      met you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is the little boy with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;His name is Arthur Sargent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney gave this information unwillingly, for he saw that his secret was
+      likely to be discovered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How do you do, Arthur?&rdquo; asked Jasper, with unwonted affability, for he
+      did not care for children.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Pretty well,&rdquo; answered Arthur politely.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you known Rodney long?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, he is my teacher,&rdquo; answered Arthur in some surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper&rsquo;s eyes gleamed with sudden intelligence. So this was Rodney&rsquo;s
+      secret, and this was the position for which he was so well paid.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney bit his lip in vexation, but made no remark.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Does he ever punish you for not getting your lessons?&rdquo; asked Jasper
+      without much tact.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course not,&rdquo; answered Arthur indignantly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Arthur always does get his lessons,&rdquo; said Rodney. &ldquo;I suppose you have a
+      holiday from work today, Jasper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; I am glad to get away now and then.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I must bid you good morning now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Won&rsquo;t you let me call on you? Where do you live, Arthur?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The boy gave the number of his house.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper asked Arthur, thinking rightly that he would be more likely to get
+      an answer from him than from Rodney. He walked away triumphantly, feeling
+      that he had made a discovery that might prove of advantage to him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is that a friend of yours, Rodney?&rdquo; asked little Arthur.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have known him for some time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t like him very much.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why?&rdquo; asked Rodney with some curiosity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; answered the little boy slowly. &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t like everybody.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Quite true, Arthur. Jasper is not a special friend of mine, and I am not
+      particular about your liking him. I hope you like me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You know I do, Rodney,&rdquo; and he gave Rodney&rsquo;s hand an assuring pressure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ten minutes after he left Rodney, Jasper fell in with Carton. The intimacy
+      between them had perceptibly fallen off. It had grown out of business
+      considerations.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Now that it was no longer safe to abstract articles from the store, Jasper
+      felt that he had no more use for his late confederate. When they met he
+      treated him with marked coldness.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On this particular day Carton was looking quite shabby. In fact, his best
+      suit was in pawn, and he had fallen back on one half worn and soiled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hello!&rdquo; exclaimed Jasper, and was about to pass on with a cool nod.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Stop!&rdquo; said Philip, looking offended.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am in a hurry,&rdquo; returned Jasper. &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t stop today.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are in a hurry, and on a holiday?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; I am to meet a friend near the lake.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll go along with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper had to submit though with an ill grace.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Wouldn&rsquo;t another day do?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; the fact is, Jasper, I am in trouble,&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You usually are,&rdquo; sneered Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is so. I have been out of luck lately.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry, but I can&rsquo;t help it as I see.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much money do you think I have in my pocket?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know, I am sure. I am not good at guessing conundrums.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just ten cents.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That isn&rsquo;t much,&rdquo; said Jasper, indifferently.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let me have a dollar, thats a good fellow!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You seem to think I am made of money,&rdquo; said Jasper sharply. &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t
+      got much more myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you might have. You get a good salary.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Only seven dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are able to keep most of it for yourself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Suppose I am? You seem to know a good deal of my affairs.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Haven&rsquo;t you any pity for an old friend?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I&rsquo;ll give you all the pity you want, but when it comes to money it&rsquo;s
+      a different matter. Here you are, a man of twenty six, ten years older
+      than me, and yet you expect me to help support you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You didn&rsquo;t use to talk to me like that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I do now. You didn&rsquo;t use to try to get money out of me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Look here, Jasper! I am poor, but I don&rsquo;t want you to talk to me as you
+      are doing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Indeed!&rdquo; sneered Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I won&rsquo;t have it,&rdquo; said Carton firmly. &ldquo;Listen to me, and I will
+      propose a plan that will help us both.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can easily secrete articles, if you are cautious, without attracting
+      notice, and I will dispose of them and share the money with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper shook his head.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t dare to do it,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Somebody might spy on me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not if you are careful.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If it were found out I would be bounced like Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is he doing? Have you seen him lately?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is getting on finely. He is earning fifteen dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t mean it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes I do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What firm is he working for?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;For none at all. He is tutor to a young kid.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know he was scholar enough.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh yes, he knows Greek and Latin and a lot of other stuff.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is the boy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t feel at liberty to tell. I don&rsquo;t think he would care to have you
+      know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you what you can do. Borrow five dollars of him for me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know about that. If I were to borrow it would be for myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can do as you please. If you don&rsquo;t do something for me I will write
+      to Mr. Goodnow that you are the thief who stole the cloaks and dress
+      patterns.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You wouldn&rsquo;t do that?&rdquo; exclaimed Jasper in consternation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Wouldn&rsquo;t I? I am desperate enough to do anything.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      After a little further conference Jasper agreed to do what was asked of
+      him. He did not dare to refuse.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XIX.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      JASPER&rsquo;S REVENGE
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was considerably surprised one evening to receive a call from
+      Jasper in his room. He was alone, as Mike had been detailed about a week
+      ago for night duty. The room looked more attractive than formerly. Rodney
+      had bought a writing desk, which stood in the corner, and had put up three
+      pictures, which, though cheap, were attractive.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good evening, Jasper,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It is quite friendly of you to call.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hadn&rsquo;t anything else on hand this evening, and thought I would come
+      round see how you were getting along.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Take a seat and make yourself at home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you object to cigarettes?&rdquo; asked Jasper, producing one from a case in
+      his pocket.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I object to smoking them myself, but I don&rsquo;t want to dictate to my
+      friends.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You look quite comfortable here,&rdquo; continued Jasper in a patronizing tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We try to be comfortable, though our room is not luxurious.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who do you mean by &lsquo;we&rsquo;? Have you a room mate?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. Mike Flynn rooms with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is he&mdash;a newsboy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No. He is a telegraph boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t seem to very particular,&rdquo; said Jasper, shrugging his shoulders.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am very particular.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yet you room with an Irish telegraph boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is a nice boy of good habit, and a devoted friend. What could I want
+      more?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, well, you have a right to consult your own taste.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have a nice home, no doubt.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I live with my uncle. Yes, he has a good house, but I am not so
+      independent as if I had a room outide.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How are things going on at the store?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;About the same as usual. Why don&rsquo;t you come in some day?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;For two reasons; I am occupied during the day, and I don&rsquo;t want to go
+      where I am considered a thief.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish I was getting your income. It is hard to get along on seven
+      dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still you have a nice home, and I suppose you have most of your salary to
+      yourself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but there isn&rsquo;t much margin in seven dollars. My uncle expects me to
+      buy my own clothes. You were lucky to get out of the store. Old Goodnow
+      ought to give me ten dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t let him hear you speak of him as OLD Goodnow, Jasper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I&rsquo;m smart enough for that. I mean to keep on the right side of the
+      old chap. What sort of a man are you working for?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Sargent is a fine man.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He isn&rsquo;t mean certainly. I should like to be in your shoes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I hear of any similar position shall I mention your name?&rdquo; asked
+      Rodney, smiling.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I could not take care of a kid. I hate them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still Arthur is a nice boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are welcome to him. What do you have to teach?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is studying Latin and French, besides English branches.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know about as much of Latin and French as a cow. I couldn&rsquo;t be a
+      teacher. I say, Rodney,&rdquo; and Jasper cleared his throat, &ldquo;I want you to do
+      me a favor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I want you to lend me ten dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was not mean, but he knew very well that a loan to Jasper would be
+      a permanent one. Had Jasper been his friend even this consideration would
+      not have inspired a refusal, but he knew very well that Jasper had not a
+      particle of regard for him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think I can oblige you, Jasper,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why not? You get fifteen dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My expenses are considerable. Besides I am helping Mike, whose salary is
+      very small. I pay the whole of the rent and I have paid for some clothes
+      for him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are spending your money very foolishly,&rdquo; said Jasper frowning.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Would I spend it any less foolishly if I should lend you ten dollars?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is some difference between Mike Flynn and me. I am a gentleman.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So is Mike.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A queer sort of gentleman! He is only a poor telegraph boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still he is a gentleman.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should think you might have money enough for both of us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I might but I want to save something from my salary. I don&rsquo;t know how
+      long I shall be earning as much. I might lose my place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So you might.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I could hardly expect to get another where the pay would be as good.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would pay you on installment&mdash;a dollar a week,&rdquo; urged Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see how you could, as you say your pay is too small for you now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, well, I could manage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am afraid I can&rsquo;t oblige you, Jasper,&rdquo; said Rodney in a decided tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t think you were so miserly,&rdquo; answered Jasper in vexation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may call it so, if you like. You must remember that I am not situated
+      like you. You have your uncle to fall back upon in case you lose your
+      position, but I have no one. I have to hustle for myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you needn&rsquo;t make any more excuses. I suppose ten dollars is rather a
+      large sum to lend. Can you lend me five?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry, but I must refuse you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper rose from the chair on which he had been sitting.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I may as well go,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I am disappointed in you, Ropes. I
+      thought you were a good, whole souled fellow, and not a miser.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You must think of me as you please, Jasper. I feel that I have a right to
+      regulate my own affairs.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All I have to say is this, if you lose your place as you may very soon,
+      don&rsquo;t come round to the store and expect to be taken back.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I won&rsquo;t,&rdquo; answered Rodney, smiling. &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t go back at any rate
+      unless the charge of theft was withdrawn.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That will never be!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let it be so, as long as I am innocent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper left the room abruptly, not even having the politeness to bid
+      Rodney good evening.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney felt that he was quite justified in refusing to lend Jasper money.
+      Had he been in need he would have obliged him, though he had no reason to
+      look upon him as a friend.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      No one who knew Rodney could regard him as mean or miserly. Could he have
+      read Jasper&rsquo;s thoughts as he left the house he would have felt even less
+      regret at disappointing him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      About two days afterward when Rodney went up to meet his pupil, Mr.
+      Sargent handed him a letter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here is something that concerns you, Rodney,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t appear
+      to be from a friend of yours.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      With some curiosity Rodney took the letter and read it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It ran thus:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. JOHN SARGENT:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      DEAR SIR&mdash;I think it my duty to write and tell you something about
+      your son&rsquo;s tutor&mdash;something that will surprise and shock you. Before
+      he entered your house he was employed by a firm on Reade Street. He was
+      quite a favorite with his employer, Mr. Otis Goodnow, who promoted him in
+      a short time. All at once it was found that articles were missing from the
+      stock. Of course it was evident that some one of the clerks was dishonest.
+      A watch was set, and finally it was found that Rodney Ropes had taken the
+      articles, and one&mdash;a lady&rsquo;s cloak&mdash;was found in his room by a
+      detective. He was discharged at once without a recommendation.
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+For a time he lived by selling papers, but at last he managed to get
+into your house. I am sure you won&rsquo;t regard him as fit to educate
+your little son, though I have no doubt he is a good scholar. But his
+character is bad&mdash;I don&rsquo;t think he ought to have concealed this from you
+out of friendship for you, and because I think it is my duty, I take the
+liberty of writing. If you doubt this I will refer to Mr. Goodnow,
+or Mr. James Redwood, who had charge of the room in which Ropes was
+employed. Yours very respectfully,
+                                        A FRIEND.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You knew all this before, Mr. Sargent,&rdquo; said Rodney, as he handed back
+      the letter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. Have you any idea who wrote it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I feel quite sure that it was a boy about two years older than myself,
+      Jasper Redwood.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is he related to the man of the same name whom he mentions?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, he is his nephew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Has he any particular reason for disliking you, Rodney?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir. He came round to my room Wednesday evening, and asked me to
+      lend him ten dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I presume you refused.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir. He is not in need. He succeeded to my place, and he has a home
+      at the house of his uncle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He appears to be a very mean boy. Anonymous letters are always cowardly,
+      and generally malicious. This seems to be no exception to the general
+      rule.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope it won&rsquo;t affect your feelings towards me, Mr. Sargent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t trouble yourself about that Rodney. I am not so easily prejudiced
+      against one of whom I have a good opinion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose this is Jasper&rsquo;s revenge,&rdquo; thought Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XX.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      RODNEY LOSES HIS PUPIL.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper had little doubt that his letter would lead to Rodney&rsquo;s loss of
+      position. It was certainly a mean thing to plot another&rsquo;s downfall, but
+      Jasper was quite capable of it. Had he secured the loan he asked he would
+      have been willing to leave Rodney alone, but it would only have been the
+      first of a series of similar applications.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was several days before Jasper had an opportunity of learning whether
+      his malicious plan had succeeded or not. On Sunday forenoon he met Rodney
+      on Fifth Avenue just as the church services were over. He crossed the
+      street and accosted the boy he had tried to injure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good morning, Ropes,&rdquo; he said, examining Rodney&rsquo;s face curiously to see
+      whether it indicated trouble of any kind.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good morning!&rdquo; responded Rodney coolly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How are you getting along in your place?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, thank you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall I find you at your pupil&rsquo;s house if I call there some afternoon?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, unless I am out walking with Arthur.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wonder whether he&rsquo;s bluffing,&rdquo; thought Jasper. &ldquo;I daresay he wouldn&rsquo;t
+      tell me if he had been discharged. He takes it pretty coolly.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How long do you think your engagement will last?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. I never had a talk with Mr. Sargent on that point.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you still give satisfaction?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney penetrated Jasper&rsquo;s motives for asking all these questions, and was
+      amused.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I presume if I fail to satisfy Mr. Sargent he will tell me so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would be a nice thing if you could stay there three or four years.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes: but I don&rsquo;t anticipate it. When Arthur get a little older he will be
+      sent to school.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What will you do then?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t got so far as that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t get anything out of him,&rdquo; said Jasper to himself. &ldquo;I shouldn&rsquo;t be
+      a bit surprised if he were already discharged.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They had now reached Madison Square, and Jasper left Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The latter looked after him with a smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I have puzzled Jasper,&rdquo; he said to himself. &ldquo;He was anxious to
+      know how his scheme had worked. He will have to wait a little longer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If Mr. Sargent keeps Ropes after my letter he must be a fool,&rdquo; Jasper
+      decided. &ldquo;I wonder if Ropes handles the mail. He might have suppressed the
+      letter.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But Rodney was not familiar with his handwriting, and would have no reason
+      to suspect that the particular letter contained anything likely to injure
+      him in the eyes of Mr. Sargent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Later in his walk Jasper met Philip Carton. His former friend was sitting
+      on a bench in Madison Square. He called out to Jasper as he passed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come here, Jasper, I want to talk with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper looked at him in a manner far from friendly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am in a hurry,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What hurry can you be in? Come and sit down here. I MUST speak to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper did not like his tone, but it impressed him, and he did not dare to
+      refuse.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He seated himself beside Philip, but looked at him askance. Carton was
+      undeniably shabby. He had the look of a man who was going down hill and
+      that rapidly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be late for dinner,&rdquo; grumbled Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish I had any dinner to look forward to,&rdquo; said Carton. &ldquo;Do you see
+      this money?&rdquo; and he produced a nickel from his pocket.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is there remarkable about it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is the last money I have. It won&rsquo;t buy me a dinner.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry, but it is none of my business,&rdquo; said Jasper coolly. &ldquo;You are
+      old enough to attend to your own affairs.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I once thought you were my friend,&rdquo; murmured Philip bitterly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, we were friends in a way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now you are up and I am down&mdash;Jasper, I want a dollar.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I dare say you do. Plenty want that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I want it from you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t spare it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can spare it better than you can spare your situation.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you mean by that?&rdquo; asked Jasper, growing nervous.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you what I mean. How long do you think you would stay in the
+      store if Mr. Goodnow knew that you were concerned in the theft from which
+      he has suffered?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Was I the only one?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I am equally guilty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad you acknowledge it. You see you had better keep quiet for your
+      own sake.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I keep quiet I shall starve.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you want to go to prison?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shouldn&rsquo;t mind so much if you went along, too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you crazy, Philip Carton?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I am not, but I am beginning to get sensible. If I go to prison I
+      shall at least have enough to eat, and now I haven&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you mean by all this foolish talk?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I mean that if you won&rsquo;t give me any money I will go to the store and
+      tell Mr. Goodnow something that will surprise him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper was getting thoroughly frightened.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come, Philip.&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;listen to reason. You know how poor I am.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No doubt. I know you have a good home and enough to eat.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I only get seven dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I get nothing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have already been trying to help you. I went to Ropes the other day,
+      and asked him to lend me five dollars. I meant it for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did he give it to you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He wouldn&rsquo;t give me a cent. He is mean and miserly!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. He knows very well that you are no friend of his, though he
+      doesn&rsquo;t know how much harm you have done him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He&rsquo;s rolling in money. However, I&rsquo;ve put a spoke in his wheel, I hope.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wrote an anonymous letter to Mr. Sargent telling him that Ropes was
+      discharged from the store on suspicion of theft.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are a precious scamp, Jasper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are not content with getting Ropes discharged for something which you
+      yourself did&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I too. I accept the amendment. Not content with that, you try to get
+      him discharged from his present position.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then he might have lent me the money,&rdquo; said Jasper sullenly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It wouldn&rsquo;t have been a loan. It would have been a gift. But no matter
+      about that. I want a dollar.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t give it to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I shall call at the store tomorrow morning and tell Mr. Goodnow
+      about the stolen goods.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Finding that Carton was in earnest Jasper finally, but with great
+      reluctance, drew out a dollar and handed it to his companion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There, I hope that will satisfy you,&rdquo; he said spitefully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It will&mdash;for the present.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish he&rsquo;d get run over or something,&rdquo; thought Jasper. &ldquo;He seems to
+      expect me to support him, and that on seven dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Fortunately for Jasper, Philip Carton obtained employment the next day
+      which lasted for some time, and as he was paid ten dollars a week he was
+      not under the necessity of troubling his old confederate for loans.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Now and then Jasper and Rodney met, but there were no cordial relations
+      between them. Jasper could not forgive Rodney for refusing to lend him
+      money, and Rodney was not likely to forget the anonymous letter by which
+      Jasper had tried to injure him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So three months passed. One day Mr. Sargent arrived at home before it was
+      time for Rodney to leave.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad to see you, Rodney,&rdquo; said his employer. &ldquo;I have some news for
+      you which I am afraid will not be entirely satisfactory to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it, sir?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;For the last three years I have been wishing to go to Europe with my wife
+      and Arthur. The plan has been delayed, because I could not make
+      satisfactory business arrangements. Now, however, that difficulty has been
+      overcome, and I propose to sail in about two weeks.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you&rsquo;ll enjoy your trip, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you. Of course it will terminate, for a time at least your
+      engagement to teach Arthur.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be sorry for that, sir, but I am not selfish enough to want you
+      to stay at home on that account.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought you would feel that way. I wish I could procure you another
+      position before I go, but that is uncertain. I shall, however, pay you a
+      month&rsquo;s salary in advance in lieu of a notice.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is very liberal, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think it only just. I have been very well pleased with your attention
+      to Arthur, and I know he has profited by your instructions as well as
+      enjoyed your companionship. I hope you have been able to save something.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, I have something in the Union Dime Savings Bank.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s well. You will remain with me one week longer, but the last week
+      Arthur will need for preparations.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Two weeks later Rodney stood on the pier and watched the stately Etruria
+      steam out into the river. Arthur and his father were on deck, and the
+      little boy waved his handkerchief to his tutor as long as he could see
+      him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney turned away sadly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have lost a good situation,&rdquo; he soliloquized. &ldquo;When shall I get
+      another?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXI.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      CONTINUED ILL LUCK.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney set himself to work searching for a new situation. But wherever he
+      called he found Some one ahead of him. At length he saw an advertisement
+      for an entry clerk in a wholesale house in Church Street. He applied and
+      had the good fortune to please the superintendent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where have you worked before?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At Otis Goodnow&rsquo;s, on Reade Street.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much were you paid there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Seven dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, we will start you on that salary, and see if you earn it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was surprised and relieved to find that he was not asked for a
+      recommendation from Mr. Goodnow, knowing that he could not obtain one. He
+      went to work on a Monday morning, and found his duties congenial and
+      satisfactory.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Seven dollars a week was small, compared with what he had received as a
+      tutor, but he had about two hundred and fifty dollars in the Union Dime
+      Savings Bank and drew three dollars from this fund every week in order
+      that he might still assist Mike, whose earnings were small.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One of his new acquaintances in the store was James Hicks, a boy about a
+      year older than himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Didn&rsquo;t you use to work at Otis Goodnow&rsquo;s?&rdquo; asked James one day when they
+      were going to lunch.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know a boy employed there. He is older than either of us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jasper Redwood. Of course you know him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; answered Rodney with a presentiment of evil.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He felt that it would be dangerous to have Jasper know of his present
+      position, but did not venture to give a hint of this to James.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His fears were not groundless. Only the day after James met Jasper on the
+      street.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Anything new?&rdquo; asked Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; we&rsquo;ve got one of your old friends in our store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper stopped short, and whistled. He was excessively surprised, as he
+      supposed Rodney still to be Arthur Sargent&rsquo;s tutor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t mean it?&rdquo; he ejaculated.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why not? Is there anything so strange about it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. Did Ropes bring a recommendation from Mr. Goodnow?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose so. I don&rsquo;t know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If he did, it&rsquo;s forged.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why should it be?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Goodnow wouldn&rsquo;t give him a recommendation.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why wouldn&rsquo;t he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because he discharged Ropes. Do you want to know why?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;For stealing articles from the store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was the turn of James Hicks to be surprised.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t believe it,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Its true. Just mention the matter to Ropes, and you&rsquo;ll see he won&rsquo;t deny
+      it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think there must be some mistake about it. Rodney doesn&rsquo;t look like a
+      fellow that would steal.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you can&rsquo;t tell from appearances&mdash;Rogues are always plausible.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still mistakes are sometimes made. I&rsquo;d trust Rodney Ropes sooner than any
+      boy I know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t know him as well as I do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t like him?&rdquo; said James shrewdly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No I don&rsquo;t. I can&rsquo;t like a thief.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You talk as if you had a grudge against him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nothing but his being a thief. Well, what are you going to do about it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;About what?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What I have just told you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t feel that I have any call to do anything.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You ought to tell your employer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am no telltale,&rdquo; said James scornfully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you will let him stay in the store, knowing him to be a thief?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know him to be a thief. If he steals anything it will probably be
+      found out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper urged James to give information about Rodney, but he steadily
+      refused.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I leave others to do such dirty work,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and I don&rsquo;t think any
+      better of you, let me tell you, for your eagerness to turn the boy out of
+      his position.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are a queer boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Think so if you like,&rdquo; retorted Hicks. &ldquo;I might give my opinion of you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At this point Jasper thought it best to let the conversation drop. He was
+      much pleased to learn that Rodney had lost his fine position as tutor, and
+      was now in a place from which he might more easily be ousted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As he could not prevail upon James Hicks to betray Rodney he decided to
+      write an anonymous letter to the firm that employed him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The result was that the next afternoon Rodney was summoned to the office.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sit down Ropes,&rdquo; said the superintendent. &ldquo;For what store did you work
+      before you came into our house?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Otis Goodnow&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Under what circumstances did you leave?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was accused of theft.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You did not mention this matter when you applied for a situation here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir. I ought perhaps to have done so, but I presumed in that case you
+      would not have given me a place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are right he would not.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nor would I have applied had the charge been a true one. Articles were
+      certainly missing from Mr. Goodnow&rsquo;s stock, but in accusing me they did me
+      a great injustice.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How long since you left Mr. Goodnow&rsquo;s?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Four months.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What have you been doing since?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was acting as tutor to the son of Mr. Sargent, of West Fifty Eighth
+      Street.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A well known citizen. Then you are a scholar?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, I am nearly prepared for college.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course he did not know you were suspected of dishonesty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;On the contrary he did know it. I told him, and later he received an
+      anonymous letter, notifying him of the fact.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We also have received an anonymous letter. Here it is. Do you recognize
+      the hand writing?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; answered Rodney after examining the letter. &ldquo;It was written by
+      Jasper Redwood.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A boy employed by Mr. Goodnow. For some reason he seems to have a spite
+      against me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I admit that it is pretty small business to write an anonymous letter
+      calculated to injure another. Still we shall have to take notice of this.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, I suppose so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall have to bring it to the notice of the firm. What they may do I
+      don&rsquo;t know. If the matter was to be decided by me I would let you stay.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir,&rdquo; said Rodney gratefully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I am not Mr. Hall. You can go now and I will see you again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney left the office fully persuaded that his engagement would speedily
+      terminate. He was right; the next day he was sent for again.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry to tell you, Ropes,&rdquo; said the superintendent kindly &ldquo;that Mr.
+      Hall insists upon your being discharged. He is a nervous man and rather
+      suspicious. I spoke in your favor but I could not turn him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At any rate I am grateful to you for your friendly effort.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The superintendent hesitated a moment, and then said: &ldquo;Will this discharge
+      seriously embarrass you? Are you short of money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir. I was very liberally paid by Mr. Sargent, and I saved money. I
+      have enough in the savings bank to last me several months, should I be
+      idle so long.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad of it. I hope you will remember, my boy, that this is none of
+      my doing. I would gladly retain you. I will say one thing more, should
+      Jasper Redwood ever apply for a situation here, his name will not be
+      considered.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      So Rodney found himself again without a position. It seemed hard in view
+      of his innocence, but he had confidence to believe that something would
+      turn up for him as before. At any rate he had enough money to live on for
+      some time.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When Mike Flynn learned the circumstances of his discharge he was very
+      angry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to meet Jasper Redwood,&rdquo; he said, his eyes flashing. &ldquo;If I
+      didn&rsquo;t give him a laying out then my name isn&rsquo;t Mike Flynn.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think he will get his desert some time, Mickey, without any help from
+      you or me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Should hope he will. And what&rsquo;ll you do now, Rodney?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. Sometimes I think it would be well to go to some other
+      city, Boston or Philadelphia, where Jasper can&rsquo;t get on my track.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Should hope you won&rsquo;t do it. I can&rsquo;t get along widout you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will stay here for a few weeks, Mike, and see if anything turns up.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I might get you in as a telegraph boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That wouldn&rsquo;t suit me. It doesn&rsquo;t pay enough.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney began to hunt for a situation again, but four weeks passed and
+      brought him no success. One afternoon about four o&rsquo;clock he was walking up
+      Broadway when, feeling tired, he stepped into the Continental Hotel at the
+      corner of Twentieth Street.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He took a seat at some distance back from the door, and in a desultory way
+      began to look about him. All at once he started in surprise, for in a man
+      sitting in one of the front row of chairs he recognized Louis Wheeler, the
+      railroad thief who had stolen his box of jewelry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Wheeler was conversing with a man with a large flapping sombrero, and
+      whose dress and general appearance indicated that he was a Westerner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney left his seat and going forward sat down in the chair behind
+      Wheeler. He suspected that the Western man was in danger of being
+      victimized.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE TURNS UP.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In his new position Rodney could easily hear the conversation which took
+      place between the Western man and his old railroad acquaintance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am quite a man of leisure,&rdquo; said Wheeler, &ldquo;and it will give me great
+      pleasure to go about with you and show you our city.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are very obliging.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, don&rsquo;t mention it. I shall really be glad to have my time occupied.
+      You see I am a man of means&mdash;my father left me a fortune&mdash;and so
+      I am not engaged in any business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are in luck. I was brought up on a farm in Vermont, and had to borrow
+      money to take me to Montana four years ago.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you prospered in your new home?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I did. I picked up twenty five thousand dollars at the mines, and doubled
+      it by investment in lots in Helena.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very neat, indeed. I inherited a fortune from my father&mdash;a hundred
+      and twenty five thousand dollars&mdash;but I never made a cent myself. I
+      don&rsquo;t know whether I am smart enough.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come out to Montana and I&rsquo;ll put you in a way of making some money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Really, now, that suggestion strikes me favorably. I believe I will
+      follow your advice. When shall you return to your Western home?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In about a fortnight I think.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You must go to the theater tonight. There is a good play on at the
+      Madison Square.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t mind. When can I get ticket?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll go and secure some. It is only a few blocks away.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do so. How much are the tickets?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A dollar and a half or two dollars each.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here are five dollars, if it won&rsquo;t trouble you too much.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My dear friend, I meant to pay for the tickets. However, I will pay next
+      time. If you will remain here I will be back in twenty minutes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler left the hotel with the five dollars tucked away in his vest
+      pocket.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He had no sooner disappeared than Rodney went forward and occupied his
+      seat.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Excuse me, sir,&rdquo; he said to the miner, &ldquo;but do you know much of the man
+      who has just left you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I only met him here. He seems a good natured fellow. What of him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He said he was a man of independent means.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Isn&rsquo;t he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is a thief and an adventurer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The miner was instantly on the alert.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How do you know this?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because he stole a box of jewelry from me in the cars some months ago.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you get it again?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; he left the train, but I followed him up and reclaimed the jewelry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Was it of much value?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They were family jewels, and were worth over a thousand dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you think he wants to bunco me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have no doubt of it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have given him money to buy theater tickets. Do you think he will come
+      back?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. He wouldn&rsquo;t be satisfied with that small sum.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Tell me about your adventure with him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will do it later. The theater is so near that he might come back and
+      surprise us together. I think he would recognize me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you advise me to go to the theater?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but be on your guard.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where can I see you again?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you staying at this hotel?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. Here is my card.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney read this name on the card:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      JEFFERSON PETTRIGREW.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish you were going to the theater with us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It wouldn&rsquo;t do. Mr. Wheeler would remember me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then come round and breakfast with me tomorrow&mdash;at eight o&rsquo;clock,
+      sharp.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will, sir. Now I will take a back seat, and leave you to receive your
+      friend.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t call him my friend. He seems to be a mean scoundrel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t let him suspect anything from your manner.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I won&rsquo;t. I want to see him expose his plans.&rdquo; Five minutes afterwards
+      Louis Wheeler entered the hotel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got the tickets,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but I had to buy them of a speculator,
+      and they cost me more than I expected.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Two and a half apiece. So there is no change coming back to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Never mind! As long as you had enough money to pay for them it is all
+      right.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As a matter of fact Wheeler bought the tickets at the box office at one
+      dollar and fifty cent each, which left him a profit of two dollars. When
+      he saw how easily the Western man took it he regretted not having
+      represented that the tickets cost three dollars each.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      However, he decided that there would be other ways of plundering his new
+      acquaintance. He took his seat again next to the miner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is not very late,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Would you like a run out to Central Park
+      or to Grant&rsquo;s Tomb?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not today. I feel rather tired. By the way, you did not mention your
+      name.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t a card with me, but my name is Louis Wheeler.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where do you live, Mr. Wheeler?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am staying with an aunt on Fifth Avenue, but I think of taking board at
+      the Windsor Hotel. It is a very high toned house, and quite a number of my
+      friends board there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is it an expensive hotel?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, yes, but my income is large and&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I understand. Now, Mr. Wheeler, I must excuse myself, as I feel tired.
+      Come at half past seven and we can start for the theater together.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Wheeler rose reluctantly, for he had intended to secure a dinner from his
+      new acquaintance, but he was wise enough to take the hint.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After he left the room Rodney again joined Mr. Pettigrew.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He didn&rsquo;t give me back any change,&rdquo; said the Western man. &ldquo;He said he
+      bought the tickets of a speculator at two dollars and a half each.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then he made two dollars out of you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose that is the beginning. Well, that doesn&rsquo;t worry me. But I
+      should like to know how he expects to get more money out of me. I don&rsquo;t
+      understand the ways of this gentry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nor I very well. If you are on your guard I think you won&rsquo;t be in any
+      danger.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will remember what you say. You seem young to act as adviser to a man
+      like me. Are you in business?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At present I am out of work, but I have money enough to last me three
+      months.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you, like my new acquaintance, possessed of independent means?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not now, but I was six months ago.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How did you lose your money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I did not lose it. My guardian lost it for me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is your name?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;ve had some pretty bad luck. Come up to my room and tell me about
+      it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be glad to do so, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Pettigrew called for his key and led the way up to a plain room on the
+      third floor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come in,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The room is small, but I guess it will hold us both.
+      Now go ahead with your story.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In a short time Rodney had told his story in full to his new acquaintance,
+      encouraged to do so by his sympathetic manner. Mr. Pettigrew was quite
+      indignant, when told of Jasper&rsquo;s mean and treacherous conduct.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That boy Jasper is a snake in the grass,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to give him
+      a good thrashing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There isn&rsquo;t any love lost between us, Mr. Pettigrew, but I think it will
+      turn out right in the end. Still I find it hard to get a place in New York
+      with him circulating stories about me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then why do you stay in New York?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have thought it might be better to go to Philadelphia or Boston.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can tell you of a better place than either.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Montana.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you really think it would be wise for me to go there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Think? I haven&rsquo;t a doubt about it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have money enough to get there, but not much more. I should soon have
+      to find work, or I might get stranded.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come back with me, and I&rsquo;ll see you through. I&rsquo;ll make a bargain with
+      you. Go round with me here, and I&rsquo;ll pay your fare out to Montana.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you are really in earnest I will do so, and thank you for the offer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jefferson Pettigrew means what he says. I&rsquo;ll see you through, Rodney.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I may be interfering with your other friend, Louis Wheeler.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall soon be through with him. You needn&rsquo;t worry yourself about that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Pettigrew insisted upon Rodney&rsquo;s taking supper with him. Fifteen
+      minutes after Rodney left him Mr. Wheeler made his appearance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXIII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      MR. WHEELER HAS A SET BACK.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler had not seen Rodney in the hotel office, and probably would
+      not have recognized him if he had, as Rodney was quite differently dressed
+      from the time of their first meeting. He had no reason to suppose,
+      therefore, that Mr. Pettigrew had been enlightened as to his real
+      character.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was therefore with his usual confidence that he accosted his
+      acquaintance from Montana after supper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is time to go to the theater, Mr. Pettigrew,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson Pettigrew scanned his new acquaintance with interest. He had
+      never before met a man of his type and he looked upon him as a curiosity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was shrewd, however, and did not propose to let Wheeler know that he
+      understood his character. He resolved for the present to play the part of
+      the bluff and unsuspecting country visitor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are very kind, Mr. Wheeler,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;to take so much trouble for a
+      stranger.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My dear sir,&rdquo; said Wheeler effusively, &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t do it for many
+      persons, but I have taken a fancy to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t mean so?&rdquo; said Pettigrew, appearing pleased?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I do, on my honor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I don&rsquo;t see why you should. You are a polished city gentleman and I
+      am an ignorant miner from Montana.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler looked complacent when he was referred to as a polished city
+      gentleman.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You do yourself injustice, my dear Pettigrew,&rdquo; he said in a patronizing
+      manner. &ldquo;You do indeed. You may not be polished, but you are certainly
+      smart, as you have shown by accumulating a fortune.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I am not as rich as you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps not, but if I should lose my money, I could not make another
+      fortune, while I am sure you could. Don&rsquo;t you think it would be a good
+      plan for us to start a business together in New York?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Would you really be willing to go into business with me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson Pettigrew asked this question with so much apparent sincerity
+      that Wheeler was completely deceived.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got him dead!&rdquo; he soliloquized complacently.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He hooked his arm affectionately in the Montana miner&rsquo;s and said, &ldquo;My dear
+      friend, I have never met a man with whom I would rather be associated in
+      business than with you. How much capital could you contribute?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will think it over, Mr. Wheeler. By the way what business do you
+      propose that we shall go into?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will think it over and report to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      By this time they had reached the theater. The play soon commenced. Mr.
+      Pettigrew enjoyed it highly, for he had not had much opportunity at the
+      West of attending a high class theatrical performance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When the play ended, Louis Wheeler said, &ldquo;Suppose we go to Delmonico&rsquo;s and
+      have a little refreshment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They adjourned to the well known restaurant, and Mr. Pettigrew ordered an
+      ice and some cakes, but his companion made a hearty supper. When the bill
+      came, Louis Wheeler let it lie on the table, but Mr. Pettigrew did not
+      appear to see it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wonder if he expects me to pay for it,&rdquo; Wheeler asked himself
+      anxiously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you for this pleasant little supper,&rdquo; said Pettigrew mischievously.
+      &ldquo;Delmonico&rsquo;s is certainly a fine place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Wheeler changed color. He glanced at the check. It was for two dollars and
+      seventy five cents, and this represented a larger sum than he possessed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He took the check and led the way to the cashier&rsquo;s desk. Then he examined
+      his pockets.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;By Jove,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I left my wallet in my other coat. May I borrow five
+      dollars till tomorrow?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson Pettigrew eyed him shrewdly. &ldquo;Never mind,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I will pay
+      the check.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am very much ashamed of having put you to this expense.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If that is all you have to be ashamed of Mr. Wheeler,&rdquo; said the miner
+      pointedly, &ldquo;you can rest easy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo; stammered Wheeler.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Wait till we get into the street, and I will tell you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They went out at the Broadway entrance, and then Mr. Pettigrew turned to
+      his new acquaintance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I will bid you good night and good by at the same time, Mr.
+      Wheeler,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My dear sir, I hoped you won&rsquo;t misjudge me on account of my unfortunately
+      leaving my money at home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I only wish to tell you that I have not been taken in by your plausible
+      statement, Mr. Wheeler, if that is really your name. Before we started for
+      the theater I had gauged you and taken your measure.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sir, I hope you don&rsquo;t mean to insult me!&rdquo; blustered Wheeler.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all. You have been mistaken in me, but I am not mistaken in you. I
+      judge you to be a gentlemanly adventurer, ready to take advantage of any
+      who have money and are foolish enough to be gulled by your tricks. You are
+      welcome to the profit you made out of the theater tickets, also to the
+      little supper to which you have done so much justice. I must request you,
+      now, however, to devote yourself to some one else, as I do not care to
+      meet you again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler slunk away, deciding that he had made a great mistake in
+      setting down his Montana acquaintance as an easy victim.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t think he&rsquo;d get on to my little game so quick,&rdquo; he reflected.
+      &ldquo;He&rsquo;s sharper than he looks.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney took breakfast with Mr. Pettigrew the next morning. When breakfast
+      was over, the Montana man said:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to make a proposal to you, Rodney. How much pay did you get at
+      your last place?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Seven dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll pay you that and give you your meals. In return I want you to keep
+      me company and go about with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall not be apt to refuse such an offer as that, Mr. Pettigrew, but
+      are you sure you prefer me to Mr. Wheeler?&rdquo; laughed Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Wheeler be&mdash;blessed!&rdquo; returned the miner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How long are you going to stay in New York?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;About two weeks. Then I shall go back to Montana and take you with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you. There is nothing I should like better.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Two days later, as the two were walking along Broadway, they met Mr.
+      Wheeler. The latter instantly recognized his friend from Montana, and
+      scrutinized closely his young companion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney&rsquo;s face looked strangely familiar to him, but somehow he could not
+      recollect when or under what circumstances he had met him. He did not,
+      however, like to give up his intended victim, but had the effrontery to
+      address the man from Montana.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you are well, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, I am very well.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you are enjoying yourself. I should be glad to show you the
+      sights. Have you been to Grants Tomb?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not yet.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should like to take you there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, but I have a competent guide.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Won&rsquo;t you introduce me to the young gentleman?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t require any introduction to you, Mr. Wheeler,&rdquo; said Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where have I met you before?&rdquo; asked Wheeler abruptly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In the cars. I had a box of jewelry with me,&rdquo; answered Rodney
+      significantly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler changed color. Now he remembered Rodney, and he was
+      satisfied that he owed to him the coolness with which the Western man had
+      treated him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I remember you had,&rdquo; he said spitefully, &ldquo;but I don&rsquo;t know how you came
+      by it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t necessary that you should know. I remember I had considerable
+      difficulty in getting it out of your hands.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Pettigrew,&rdquo; said Wheeler angrily, &ldquo;I feel interested in you, and I
+      want to warn you against the boy who is with you. He is a dangerous
+      companion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I dare say you are right,&rdquo; said Pettigrew in a quizzical tone. &ldquo;I shall
+      look after him sharply, and I thank you for your kind and considerate
+      warning. I don&rsquo;t care to take up any more of your valuable time. Rodney,
+      let us be going.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It must have been the kid that exposed me,&rdquo; muttered Wheeler, as he
+      watched the two go down the street. &ldquo;I will get even with him some time.
+      That man would have been good for a thousand dollars to me if I had not
+      been interfered with.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have been warned against me, Mr. Pettigrew,&rdquo; said Rodney, laughing.
+      &ldquo;Mr. Wheeler has really been very unkind in interfering with my plans.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shan&rsquo;t borrow any trouble, or lie awake nights thinking about it,
+      Rodney. I don&rsquo;t care to see or think of that rascal again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The week passed, and the arrangement between Mr. Pettigrew and Rodney
+      continued to their mutual satisfaction. One morning, when Rodney came to
+      the Continental as usual, his new friend said: &ldquo;I received a letter last
+      evening from my old home in Vermont.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope it contained good news.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;On the contrary it contained bad news. My parents are dead, but I have an
+      old uncle and aunt living. When I left Burton he was comfortably fixed,
+      with a small farm of his own, and two thousand dollars in bank. Now I hear
+      that he is in trouble. He has lost money, and a knavish neighbor has
+      threatened to foreclose a mortgage on the farm and turn out the old people
+      to die or go to the poorhouse.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is the mortgage a large one?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is much less than the value of the farm, but ready money is scarce in
+      the town, and that old Sheldon calculates upon. Now I think of going to
+      Burton to look up the matter.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You must save your uncle, if you can, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can and I will. I shall start for Boston this afternoon by the Fall
+      River boat and I want you to go with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should enjoy the journey, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then it is settled. Go home and pack your gripsack. You may be gone three
+      or four days.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXIV.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A CHANGE OF SCENE.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now,&rdquo; said Mr. Pettigrew, when they were sitting side by side on the
+      upper deck of the Puritan, the magnificent steamer on the Fall River line.
+      &ldquo;I want you to consent to a little plan that will mystify my old friends
+      and neighbors.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it, Mr. Pettigrew?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have never written home about my good fortune; so far as they know I am
+      no better off than when I went away.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think I could have concealed my success.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It may seem strange, but I&rsquo;ll explain&mdash;I want to learn who are my
+      friends and who are not. I am afraid I wasn&rsquo;t very highly thought of when
+      I left Burton. I was considered rather shiftless.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was always in for a good time, and never saved a cent. Everybody
+      predicted that I would fail, and I expect most wanted me to fail. There
+      were two or three, including my uncle, aunt and the friend who lent me
+      money, who wished me well.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I mustn&rsquo;t forget to mention the old minister who baptized me when I was
+      an infant. The good old man has been preaching thirty or forty years on a
+      salary of four hundred dollars, and has had to run a small farm to make
+      both ends meet. He believed in me and gave me good advice. Outside of
+      these I don&rsquo;t remember any one who felt an interest in Jefferson
+      Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will have the satisfaction of letting them see that they did not do
+      you justice.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but I may not tell them&mdash;that is none except my true friends.
+      If I did, they would hover round me and want to borrow money, or get me to
+      take them out West with me. So I have hit upon a plan. I shall want to use
+      money, but I will pretend it is yours.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney opened his eyes in surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will pass you off as a rich friend from New York, who feels an interest
+      in me and is willing to help me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney smiled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know if I can look the character,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh yes you can. You are nicely dressed, while I am hardly any better
+      dressed than when I left Burton.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have wondered why you didn&rsquo;t buy some new clothes when you were able to
+      afford it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You see we Western miners don&rsquo;t care much for style, perhaps not enough.
+      Still I probably shall buy a suit or two, but not till I have made my
+      visit home. I want to see how people will receive me, when they think I
+      haven&rsquo;t got much money. I shall own up to about five hundred dollars, but
+      that isn&rsquo;t enough to dazzle people even in a small country village.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am wiling to help you in any way you wish, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I think we shall get some amusement out of it. I shall represent you
+      as worth about a hundred thousand dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish I were.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very likely you will be some time if you go out to Montana with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How large a place is Burton?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It has not quite a thousand inhabitants. It is set among the hills, and
+      has but one rich man, Lemuel Sheldon, who is worth perhaps fifty thousand
+      dollars, but put on the airs of a millionaire.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are as rich as he, then.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, and shall soon be richer. However, I don&rsquo;t want him to know it. It
+      is he who holds the mortgage on my uncle&rsquo;s farm.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know how large the mortgage is?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is twelve hundred dollars. I shall borrow the money of you to pay it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I understand,&rdquo; said Rodney, smiling.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall enjoy the way the old man will look down upon me very much as a
+      millionaire looks down upon a town pauper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How will he look upon me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He will be very polite to you, for he will think you richer than
+      himself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;On the whole, we are going to act a comedy, Mr. Pettigrew. What is the
+      name of the man who lent you money to go to Montana?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A young carpenter, Frank Dobson. He lent me a hundred dollars, which was
+      about all the money he had saved up.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He was a true friend.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are right. He was. Everybody told Frank that he would never see his
+      money again, but he did. As soon as I could get together enough to repay
+      him I sent it on, though I remember it left me with less than ten dollars
+      in my pocket.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t bear to think that Frank would lose anything by me. You see we
+      were chums at school and always stood by each other. He is married and has
+      two children.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;While you are an old bachelor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; I ain&rsquo;t in a hurry to travel in double harness. I&rsquo;ll wait till I am
+      ready to leave Montana, with money enough to live handsomely at home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have got enough now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I may as well get more. I am only thirty years old, and I can afford
+      to work a few years longer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish I could be sure of being worth fifty thousand dollars when I am
+      your age.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have been worth that, you tell me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but I should value more money that I had made myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Above five o&rsquo;clock on Monday afternoon Mr. Pettigrew and Rodney reached
+      Burton. It was a small village about four miles from the nearest railway
+      station. An old fashioned Concord stage connected Burton with the railway.
+      The driver was on the platform looking out for passengers when Jefferson
+      Pettigrew stepped out of the car.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How are you, Hector?&rdquo; said the miner, in an off hand way.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, bless my soul if it isn&rsquo;t Jeff!&rdquo; exclaimed the driver, who had been
+      an old schoolmate of Mr. Pettigrew&rsquo;s.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I reckon it is,&rdquo; said the miner, his face lighting up with the
+      satisfaction he felt at seeing a home face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, you ain&rsquo;t changed a mite, Jeff. You look just as you did when you
+      went away. How long have you been gone?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Four years!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Made a fortune? But you don&rsquo;t look like it. That&rsquo;s the same suit you wore
+      when you went away, isn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Pettigrew laughed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well no, it isn&rsquo;t the same, but it&rsquo;s one of the same kind.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought maybe you&rsquo;d come home in a dress suit.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t so easy to make a fortune, Hector.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you have made something, ain&rsquo;t you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, yes, when I went away I hadn&rsquo;t a cent except what I borrowed. Now
+      I&rsquo;ve got five hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That ain&rsquo;t much.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, but it&rsquo;s better than nothing. How much more have you got, Hector?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, you see I married last year. I haven&rsquo;t had a chance to lay by.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So you see I did as well as if I had stayed at home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you going to stay home now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;For a little while. I may go back to Montana after a bit.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is it a good place to make money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I made five hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thats only a little more than a hundred dollars a year. Frank Dobson has
+      saved as much as that and he&rsquo;s stayed right here in Burton.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad of that,&rdquo; said Pettigrew heartily. &ldquo;Frank is a rousing good
+      fellow. If it hadn&rsquo;t been for him I couldn&rsquo;t have gone to Montana.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t seem to have done you much good, as I can see.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, well, I am satisfied. Let me introduce my friend, Mr. Rodney Ropes of
+      New York.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Glad to meet you,&rdquo; said Hector with a jerk of the head.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney, won&rsquo;t you sit inside? I want to sit outide with Hector.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is that boy?&rdquo; asked Hector with characteristic Yankee curiosity, as
+      he seized the lines and started the horses.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A rich young fellow from New York. I got acquainted with him there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rich is he?&rdquo; Jefferson Pettigrew nodded.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How rich do you think?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shouldn&rsquo;t wonder if he might be worth a hundred thousand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t say! Why, he beat Squire Sheldon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, yes, Squire Sheldon wouldn&rsquo;t be considered rich in New York.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How did he get his money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;His father left him a fortune.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is that so? I wish my father had left me a fortune.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He did, didn&rsquo;t he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, he did! When his estate was settled I got seventy five dollars, if
+      you call that a fortune. But I say, what brings the boy to Burton?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;His friendship for me, I expect. Besides he may invest in a place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There&rsquo;s the old Morse place for sale. Do you think he&rsquo;d buy that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It wouldn&rsquo;t be nice enough for him. I don&rsquo;t know any place that would be
+      good enough except the squire&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The squire wouldn&rsquo;t sell.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, well, I don&rsquo;t know as Rodney would care to locate in Burton.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;re in luck to get such a friend. Say, do you think he would lend you
+      a hundred dollars if you were hard up?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know he would. By the way, Hector, is there any news? How is my uncle?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think the old man is worrying on account of his mortgage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who holds it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The squire. They do say he is goin&rsquo; to foreclose. That&rsquo;ll be bad for the
+      old man. It&rsquo;ll nigh about break his heart I expect.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can&rsquo;t uncle raise the money to pay him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is there round here who has got any money except the squire?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are you goin&rsquo; to stop, Jeff?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I guess I&rsquo;ll stop at the tavern tonight, but I&rsquo;ll go over and call on
+      uncle this evening.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXV.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      JEFFERSON PETTIGREW&rsquo;S HOME.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      News spreads fast in a country village. Scarcely an hour had passed when
+      it was generally known that Jefferson Pettigrew had come home from Montana
+      with a few hundred dollars in money, bringing with him a rich boy who
+      could buy out all Burton. At least that is the way the report ran.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When the two new arrivals had finished supper and come out on the hotel
+      veranda there were a dozen of Jefferson Pettigrew&rsquo;s friends ready to
+      welcome him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How are you, Jefferson, old boy?&rdquo; said one and another.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Pretty well, thank you. It seems good to be home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hear you&rsquo;ve brought back some money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, a few hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s better than nothing. I reckon you&rsquo;ll stay home now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t afford it, boys.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are ye goin&rsquo; back to Montany?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. I know the country, and I can make a middlin&rsquo; good livin&rsquo; there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I say, is that boy thats with you as rich as they say?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know what they say.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They say he&rsquo;s worth a million.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh no, not so much as that. He&rsquo;s pretty well fixed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hasn&rsquo;t he got a father livin&rsquo;?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, it&rsquo;s his father that left the money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How did you happen to get in with him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, we met promiscuous. He took a sort of fancy to me, and that&rsquo;s the way
+      of it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you expect to keep him with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He talks of goin&rsquo; back to Montana with me. I&rsquo;ll be sort of guardian to
+      him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;re in luck, Jeff.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I&rsquo;m in luck to have pleasant company. Maybe we&rsquo;ll join together and
+      buy a mine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Would you mind introducin&rsquo; him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all,&rdquo; and thus Rodney became acquainted with quite a number of the
+      Burton young men. He was amused to see with what deference they treated
+      him, but preserved a sober face and treated all cordially, so that he made
+      a favorable impression on those he met.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Among those who made it in their way to call on the two travelers was
+      Lemuel Sheldon, the rich man of the village.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How do you do, Jefferson?&rdquo; he said condescendingly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have been quite a traveler.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir; I have been to the far West.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And met with some success, I am told.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir; I raised money enough to get home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hear you brought home a few hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, well,&rdquo; said the squire patronizingly, &ldquo;that&rsquo;s good beginning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It must seem very little to a rich man like you, squire.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, no!&rdquo; said the squire patronizingly. &ldquo;You are a young man. I shouldn&rsquo;t
+      wonder if by the time you get as old as I am you might be worth five
+      thousand dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope so,&rdquo; answered Mr. Pettigrew demurely.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;By the way, you have brought a young man with you, I am told.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should like to make his acquaintance. He is rich, is he not?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish I was as rich.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t say so! About how much do you estimate he is worth?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think it amounts to quite as much as a quarter of a million.
+      Still, you know it is not always easy to tell how much a person is worth.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is certainly a VERY fortunate young man,&rdquo; said the squire, impressed.
+      &ldquo;What is his name?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The name sounds aristocratic. I shall be glad to know him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney,&rdquo; said Mr. Pettigrew. &ldquo;I want to introduce you to Squire Sheldon,
+      our richest and most prominent citizen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad to meet you, Squire Sheldon,&rdquo; said Rodney, offering his hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I quite reciprocate the feeling, Mr. Ropes, but Mr. Pettigrew should not
+      call me a rich man. I am worth something, to be sure.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should say you were, squire,&rdquo; said Jefferson. &ldquo;Rodney, he is as rich as
+      you are.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh no,&rdquo; returned the squire, modestly, &ldquo;not as rich as that. Indeed, I
+      hardly know how much I am worth. As Mr. Pettigrew very justly observed it
+      is not easy to gauge a man&rsquo;s possessions. But there is one difference
+      between us. You, Mr. Ropes, I take it, are not over eighteen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Only sixteen, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And yet you are wealthy. I am rising fifty. When you come to my age you
+      will be worth much more.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps I may have lost all I now possess,&rdquo; said Rodney. &ldquo;Within a year I
+      have lost fifty thousand dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t say so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; it was through a man who had charge of my property. I think now I
+      shall manage my money matters myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Doubtless you are right. That was certainly a heavy loss. I shouldn&rsquo;t
+      like to lose so much. I suppose, however, you had something left?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh yes,&rdquo; answered Rodney in an indifferent tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He must be rich to make so little account of fifty thousand dollars,&rdquo;
+       thought the squire.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How long do you propose to stay in town, Mr. Pettigrew?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t tell, sir, but I don&rsquo;t think I can spare more than three or four
+      days.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;May I hope that you and Mr. Ropes will take supper with me tomorrow
+      evening?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say the next day and we&rsquo;ll come. Tomorrow I must go to my uncle&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh very well!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Squire Sheldon privately resolved to pump Rodney as to the investment of
+      his property. He was curious to learn first how much the boy was worth,
+      for if there was anything that the squire worshiped it was wealth. He was
+      glad to find that Mr. Pettigrew had only brought home five hundred
+      dollars, as it was not enough to lift the mortgage on his uncle&rsquo;s farm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After they were left alone Jefferson Pettigrew turned to Rodney and said,
+      &ldquo;Do you mind my leaving you a short time and calling at my uncle&rsquo;s?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all, Mr. Pettigrew. I can pass my time very well.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson Pettigrew directed his steps to an old fashioned farmhouse about
+      half a mile from the village. In the rear the roof sloped down so that the
+      eaves were only five feet from the ground. The house was large though the
+      rooms were few in number.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the sitting room sat an old man and his wife, who was nearly as old. It
+      was not a picture of cheerful old age, for each looked sad. The sadness of
+      old age is pathetic for there is an absence of hope, and courage, such as
+      younger people are apt to feel even when they are weighed down by trouble.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Cyrus Hooper was seventy one, his wife two years younger. During the
+      greater part of their lives they had been well to do, if not prosperous,
+      but now their money was gone, and there was a mortgage on the old home
+      which they could not pay.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know whats goin&rsquo; to become of us, Nancy,&rdquo; said Cyrus Hooper.
+      &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll have to leave the old home, and when the farm&rsquo;s been sold there
+      won&rsquo;t be much left over and above the mortgage which Louis Sheldon holds.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you think the squire will give you a little more time, Cyrus?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I saw him yesterday, and he&rsquo;s sot on buyin&rsquo; in the farm for himself.
+      He reckons it won&rsquo;t fetch more&rsquo;n eighteen hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thats only six hundred over the mortgage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t that Nancy. There&rsquo;s about a hundred dollars due in interest. We
+      won&rsquo;t get more&rsquo;n five hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Surely, Cyrus, the farm is worth three thousand dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So it is, Nancy, but that won&rsquo;t do us any good, as long as no one wants
+      it more&rsquo;n the squire.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish Jefferson were at home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What good would it do? I surmise he hasn&rsquo;t made any money. He never did
+      have much enterprise, that boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He was allus a good boy, Cyrus.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s so, Nancy, but he didn&rsquo;t seem cut out for makin&rsquo; money. Still it
+      would do me good to see him. Maybe we might have a home together, and
+      manage to live.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Just then a neighbor entered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you heard the news?&rdquo; she asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; what is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your nephew Jefferson Pettigrew has got back.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t mean so. There, Jefferson, that&rsquo;s one comfort.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And they say he has brought home five hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s more&rsquo;n I thought he&rsquo;d bring. Where is he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Over at the tavern. He&rsquo;s brought a young man with him, leastways a boy,
+      that&rsquo;s got a lot of money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The boy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; he&rsquo;s from New York, and is a friend of Jefferson&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;m glad he&rsquo;s back. Why didn&rsquo;t he come here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It&rsquo;s likely he would if the boy wasn&rsquo;t with him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps he heard of my misfortune.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope it&rsquo;ll all come right, Mr. Hooper. My, if there ain&rsquo;t Jefferson
+      comin&rsquo; to see you now. I see him through the winder. I guess I&rsquo;ll be
+      goin&rsquo;. You&rsquo;ll want to see him alone.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXVI.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      THE BOY CAPITALIST.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How are you, Uncle Cyrus?&rdquo; said Jefferson Pettigrew heartily, as he
+      clasped his uncle&rsquo;s toil worn hand. &ldquo;And Aunt Nancy, too! It pays me for
+      coming all the way from Montana just to see you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad to see you, Jefferson,&rdquo; said his uncle. &ldquo;It seems a long time
+      since you went away. I hope you&rsquo;ve prospered.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, uncle, I&rsquo;ve brought myself back well and hearty, and I&rsquo;ve got a few
+      hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad to hear it, Jefferson. You&rsquo;re better off than when you went
+      away.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, uncle. I couldn&rsquo;t be much worse off. Then I hadn&rsquo;t a cent that I
+      could call my own. But how are you and Aunt Nancy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We&rsquo;re gettin&rsquo; old, Jefferson, and misfortune has come to us. Squire
+      Sheldon has got a mortgage on the farm and it&rsquo;s likely we&rsquo;ll be turned
+      out. You&rsquo;ve come just in time to see it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is it so bad as that, Uncle Cyrus? Why, when I went away you were
+      prosperous.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Jefferson, I owned the farm clear, and I had money in the bank, but
+      now the money&rsquo;s gone and there&rsquo;s a twelve hundred dollar mortgage on the
+      old place,&rdquo; and the old man sighed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But how did it come about uncle? You and Aunt Nancy haven&rsquo;t lived
+      extravagantly, have you? Aunt Nancy, you haven&rsquo;t run up a big bill at the
+      milliner&rsquo;s and dressmaker&rsquo;s?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You was always for jokin&rsquo;, Jefferson,&rdquo; said the old lady, smiling
+      faintly; &ldquo;but that is not the way our losses came.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How then?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You see I indorsed notes for Sam Sherman over at Canton, and he failed,
+      and I had to pay, then I bought some wild cat minin&rsquo; stock on Sam&rsquo;s
+      recommendation, and that went down to nothin&rsquo;. So between the two I lost
+      about three thousand dollars. I&rsquo;ve been a fool, Jefferson, and it would
+      have been money in my pocket if I&rsquo;d had a guardeen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So you mortgaged the place to Squire Sheldon, uncle?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; I had to. I was obliged to meet my notes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But surely the squire will extend the mortgage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, he won&rsquo;t. I&rsquo;ve asked him. He says he must call in the money, and so
+      the old place will have to be sold, and Nancy and I must turn out in our
+      old age.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Again the old man sighed, and tears came into Nancy Hooper&rsquo;s eyes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There&rsquo;ll be something left, won&rsquo;t there, Uncle Cyrus?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, the place should bring six hundred dollars over and above the
+      mortgage. That&rsquo;s little enough, for it&rsquo;s worth three thousand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So it is, Uncle Cyrus. But what can you do with six hundred dollars? It
+      won&rsquo;t support you and Aunt Nancy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought mebbe, Jefferson, I could hire a small house and you could
+      board with us, so that we could still have a home together.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll think it over, uncle, if there is no other way. But are you sure
+      Squire Sheldon won&rsquo;t give you more time?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, Jefferson. I surmise he wants the place himself. There&rsquo;s talk of a
+      railroad from Sherborn, and that&rsquo;ll raise the price of land right around
+      here. It&rsquo;ll probably go right through the farm just south of the three
+      acre lot.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see, Uncle Cyrus. You ought to have the benefit of the rise in value.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Jefferson, it would probably rise enough to pay off the mortgage,
+      but its no use thinkin&rsquo; of it. The old farm has got to go.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know about that, Uncle Cyrus.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, Jefferson, you haven&rsquo;t money enough to lift the mortgage!&rdquo; said the
+      old man, with faint hope.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I haven&rsquo;t I may get it for you. Tell me just how much money is
+      required.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thirteen hundred dollars, includin&rsquo; interest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps you have heard that I have a boy with me&mdash;a boy from New
+      York, named Rodney Ropes. He has money, and perhaps I might get him to
+      advance the sum you want.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Jefferson, if you only could!&rdquo; exclaimed Aunt Nancy, clasping her
+      thin hands. &ldquo;It would make us very happy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll see Rodney tonight and come over tomorrow morning and tell you what
+      he says. On account of the railroad I shall tell him that it is a good
+      investment. I suppose you will be willing to mortgage the farm to him for
+      the same money that he pays to lift the present mortgage?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Jefferson, I&rsquo;ll be willin&rsquo; and glad. It&rsquo;ll lift a great burden from
+      my shoulders. I&rsquo;ve been worryin&rsquo; at the sorrow I&rsquo;ve brought upon poor
+      Nancy, for she had nothing to do with my foolish actions. I was old enough
+      to know better, Jefferson, and I&rsquo;m ashamed of what I did.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, Uncle Cyrus, I&rsquo;ll do what I can for you. Now let us forget all
+      about your troubles and talk over the village news. You know I&rsquo;ve been
+      away for four years, and I haven&rsquo;t had any stiddy correspondence, so a
+      good deal must have happened that I don&rsquo;t know anything about. I hear
+      Frank Dobson has prospered?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Frank&rsquo;s pretty forehanded. He&rsquo;s got a good economical wife, and
+      they&rsquo;ve laid away five or six hundred dollars in the savings bank.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad of it. Frank is a good fellow. If it hadn&rsquo;t been for him I
+      couldn&rsquo;t have gone to Montana. When he lent me the money everybody said
+      he&rsquo;d lose it, but I was bound to pay it if I had to live on one meal a
+      day. He was the only man in town who believed in me at that time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You was a littless shif&rsquo;less, Jefferson. You can&rsquo;t blame people. I wasn&rsquo;t
+      quite sure myself how you&rsquo;d get along.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No doubt you are right, Uncle Cyrus. It did me good to leave town. I
+      didn&rsquo;t drink, but I had no ambition. When a man goes to a new country it&rsquo;s
+      apt to make a new man of him. That was the case with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you goin&rsquo; back again, Jefferson?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, uncle. I&rsquo;m going to stay round here long enough to fix up your
+      affairs and get you out of your trouble. Then I&rsquo;ll go back to the West. I
+      have a little mining interest there and I can make more money there than I
+      can here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you can get me out of my trouble, Jefferson, I&rsquo;ll never forget it.
+      Nancy and I have been so worried that we couldn&rsquo;t sleep nights, but now
+      I&rsquo;m beginnin&rsquo; to be a little more cheerful.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson Pettigrew spent another hour at his uncle&rsquo;s house, and then went
+      back to the tavern, where he found Rodney waiting for him. He explained
+      briefly the part he wished his boy friend to take in his plan for
+      relieving his uncle.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be receiving credit to which I am not entitled,&rdquo; said Rodney.
+      &ldquo;Still, if it will oblige you I am willing to play the part of the boy
+      capitalist.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next morning after breakfast the two friends walked over to the house
+      of Cyrus Hooper. Aunt Nancy came to the door and gave them a cordial
+      welcome.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Cyrus is over at the barn, Jefferson,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll ring the bell and
+      he&rsquo;ll come in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, Aunt Nancy, I&rsquo;ll go out and let him know I am here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Presently Cyrus Hooper came in, accompanied by Jefferson.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Uncle Cyrus,&rdquo; said the miner, &ldquo;let me introduce you to my friend Rodney
+      Ropes, of New York.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad to see you,&rdquo; said Cyrus heartily. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad to see any friend of
+      Jefferson&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir. I am pleased to meet you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jefferson says you are goin&rsquo; to Montany with him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope to do so. I am sure I shall enjoy myself in his company.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How far is Montany, Jefferson?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is over two thousand miles away, Uncle Cyrus.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It must be almost at the end of the world. I don&rsquo;t see how you can feel
+      at home so far away from Vermont.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson smiled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can content myself wherever I can make a good living,&rdquo; he said.
+      &ldquo;Wouldn&rsquo;t you like to go out and make me a visit?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, Jefferson, I should feel that it was temptin&rsquo; Providence to go so far
+      at my age.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You never were very far from Burton, Uncle Cyrus?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I went to Montpelier once,&rdquo; answered the old man with evident pride. &ldquo;It
+      is a nice sizable place. I stopped at the tavern, and had a good time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was the only journey the old man had ever made, and he would never
+      forget it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Uncle Cyrus,&rdquo; said Jefferson, &ldquo;this is the young man who I thought might
+      advance you money on a new mortgage. Suppose we invite him to go over the
+      farm, and take a look at it so as to see what he thinks of the
+      investment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sartain, Jefferson, sartain! I do hope Mr. Ropes you&rsquo;ll look favorable on
+      the investment. It is Jefferson&rsquo;s idea, but it would be doin&rsquo; me a great
+      favor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Pettigrew will explain the advantages of the farm as we go along,&rdquo;
+       said Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So they walked from field to field, Jefferson expatiating to his young
+      friend upon the merits of the investment, Rodney asking questions now and
+      then to carry out his part of the shrewd and careful boy capitalist.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When they had made a tour of the farm Jefferson said: &ldquo;Well, Rodney, what
+      do you think of the investment?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am satisfied with it,&rdquo; answered Rodney. &ldquo;Mr. Hooper, I will advance you
+      the money on the conditions mentioned by my friend, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Tears of joy came into the eyes of Cyrus Hooper and his worn face showed
+      relief.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am very grateful, young man,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I will see that you don&rsquo;t
+      regret your kindness.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When will Squire Sheldon be over to settle matters, Uncle Cyrus?&rdquo; asked
+      Jefferson.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is comin&rsquo; this afternoon at two o&rsquo;clock.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then Rodney and I will be over to take part in the business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXVII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      THE FAILURE OF SQUIRE SHELDON&rsquo;S PLOT.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On the morning of the same day Squire Sheldon sat in his study when the
+      servant came in and brought a card.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a gentleman thats come to see you, sir,&rdquo; she said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Lemuel Sheldon&rsquo;s eye brightened when he saw the name, for it was that of a
+      railroad man who was interested in the proposed road from Sherborn.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad to see you, Mr. Caldwell,&rdquo; he said cordially, rising to receive
+      his guest. &ldquo;What is the prospect as regards the railroad?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I look upon it as a certainty,&rdquo; answered Enoch Caldwell, a grave, portly
+      man of fifty.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And it is sure to pass through our town?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I look upon that as definitely decided.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The next question is as to the route it will take,&rdquo; went on the squire.
+      &ldquo;Upon that point I should like to offer a few suggestions.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be glad to receive them. In fact, I may say that my report will
+      probably be accepted, and I shall be glad to consult you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you. I appreciate the compliment you pay me, and, though I say it,
+      I don&rsquo;t think you could find any one more thoroughly conversant with the
+      lay of the land and the most advisable route to follow. If you will put on
+      your hat we will go out together and I will give you my views.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be glad to do so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The two gentlemen took a leisurely walk through the village, going by
+      Cyrus Hooper&rsquo;s house on the way.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In my view,&rdquo; said the squire, &ldquo;the road should go directly through this
+      farm a little to the north of the house.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The squire proceeded to explain his reasons for the route he recommended.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To whom does the farm belong?&rdquo; asked Caldwell, with a shrewd glance at
+      the squire.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To an old man named Cyrus Hooper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ahem! Perhaps he would be opposed to the road passing so near his house.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I apprehend that he will not have to be consulted,&rdquo; said the squire with
+      a crafty smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why not?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because I hold a mortgage on the farm which I propose to foreclose this
+      afternoon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see. So that you will be considerably benefited by the road.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, to a moderate extent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But if a different course should be selected, how then?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If the road goes through the farm I would be willing to give a quarter of
+      the damages awarded to me to&mdash;you understand?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I do. After all it seems the most natural route.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think there can be no doubt on that point. Of course the corporation
+      will be willing to pay a reasonable sum for land taken.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I can promise that, as I shall have an important voice in the
+      matter.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see you are a thorough business man,&rdquo; said the squire. &ldquo;I hold that it
+      is always best to pursue a liberal policy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Quite so. You have no doubt of obtaining the farm?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not the slightest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But suppose the present owner meets the mortgage?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He can&rsquo;t. He is a poor man, and he has no moneyed friends. I confess I
+      was a little afraid that a nephew of his just returned from Montana might
+      be able to help him, but I learn that he has only brought home five
+      hundred dollars while the mortgage, including interest, calls for thirteen
+      hundred.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you appear to be safe. When did you say the matter would be
+      settled?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This afternoon at two o&rsquo;clock. You had better stay over and take supper
+      with me. I shall be prepared to talk with you at that time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      From a window of the farmhouse Cyrus Hooper saw Squire Sheldon and his
+      guest walking by the farm, and noticed the interest which they seemed to
+      feel in it. But for the assurance which he had received of help to pay the
+      mortgage he would have felt despondent, for he guessed the subject of
+      their conversation. As it was, he felt an excusable satisfaction in the
+      certain defeat of the squire&rsquo;s hopes of gain.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems that the more a man has the more he wants, Jefferson,&rdquo; he said
+      to his nephew. &ldquo;The squire is a rich man&mdash;the richest man in Burton&mdash;but
+      he wants to take from me the little property that I have.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the way of the world, Uncle Cyrus. In this case the squire is safe
+      to be disappointed, thanks to my young friend, Rodney.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Its lucky for me, Jefferson, that you came home just the time you did. If
+      you had come a week later it would have been too late.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you don&rsquo;t think the squire would have relented?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know he wouldn&rsquo;t. I went over a short time since and had a talk with
+      him on the subject. I found he was sot on gettin&rsquo; the farm into his own
+      hands.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If he were willing to pay a fair value it wouldn&rsquo;t be so bad.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He wasn&rsquo;t. He wanted to get it as cheap as he could.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wonder,&rdquo; said Jefferson Pettigrew reflectively, &ldquo;whether I shall be as
+      hard and selfish if ever I get rich.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t believe you will, Jefferson. I don&rsquo;t believe you will. It doesn&rsquo;t
+      run in the blood.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope not Uncle Cyrus. How long have you known the squire?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Forty years, Jefferson. He is about ten years younger than I am. I was a
+      young man when he was a boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you attend the same church?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And still he is willing to take advantage of you and reduce you to
+      poverty. I don&rsquo;t see much religion in that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When a man&rsquo;s interest is concerned religion has to stand to one side with
+      some people.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was in a pleasant frame of mind that Squire Sheldon left his house and
+      walked over to the farmhouse which he hoped to own. He had decided to
+      offer eighteen hundred dollars for the farm, which would be five hundred
+      over and above the face of the mortgage with the interest added.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This of itelf would give him an excellent profit, but he expected also, as
+      we know, to drive a stiff bargain with the new railroad company, for such
+      land as they would require to use.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Stay here till I come back, Mr. Caldwell,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I apprehend it won&rsquo;t
+      take me long to get through my business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Squire Sheldon knocked at the door of the farmhouse, which was opened to
+      him by Nancy Hooper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Walk in, squire,&rdquo; she said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is your husband at home, Mrs. Hooper?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; he is waiting for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. Hooper led the way into the sitting room, where her husband was
+      sitting in a rocking chair.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good afternoon, Mr. Hooper,&rdquo; said the squire. &ldquo;I hope I see you well.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;As well as I expect to be. I&rsquo;m gettin&rsquo; to be an old man.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We must all grow old,&rdquo; said the squire vaguely.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And sometimes a man&rsquo;s latter years are his most sorrowful years.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That means that he can&rsquo;t pay the mortgage,&rdquo; thought Squire Sheldon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, ahem! Yes, it does sometimes happen so,&rdquo; he said aloud.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still if a man&rsquo;s friends stand by him, that brings him some comfort.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose you know what I&rsquo;ve come about, Mr. Hooper,&rdquo; said the squire,
+      anxious to bring his business to a conclusion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose it&rsquo;s about the mortgage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, its about the mortgage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will you be willing to extend it another year?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought,&rdquo; said the squire, frowning, &ldquo;I had given you to understand
+      that I cannot do this. You owe me a large sum in accrued interest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But if I make shift to pay this?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should say the same. It may as well come first as last. You can&rsquo;t hold
+      the place, and there is no chance of your being better off by waiting.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I understand that the new railroad might go through my farm. That would
+      put me on my feet.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is no certainty that the road will ever be built. Even if it were,
+      it would not be likely to cross your farm.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see, Squire Sheldon, you are bound to have the place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is no need to put it that way, Mr. Hooper. I lent you money on
+      mortgage. You can&rsquo;t pay the mortgage, and of course I foreclose. However,
+      I will buy the farm and allow you eighteen hundred dollars for it. That
+      will give you five hundred dollars over and above the money you owe me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The farm is worth three thousand dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nonsense, Mr. Hooper. Still if you get an offer of that sum TODAY I will
+      advise you to sell.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I certainly won&rsquo;t take eighteen hundred.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You won&rsquo;t? Then I shall foreclose, and you may have to take less.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then there is only one thing to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;As you say, there is only one thing to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And that is, to pay off the mortgage and clear the farm.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can&rsquo;t do it!&rdquo; exclaimed the squire uneasily.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Cyrus Hooper&rsquo;s only answer was to call &ldquo;Jefferson.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson Pettigrew entered the room, followed by Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What does this mean?&rdquo; asked the squire.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It means, Squire Sheldon,&rdquo; said Mr. Pettigrew, &ldquo;that you won&rsquo;t turn my
+      uncle out of his farm this time. My young friend, Rodney Ropes, has
+      advanced Uncle Cyrus money enough to pay off the mortgage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I won&rsquo;t take a check,&rdquo; said the squire hastily.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You would have to if we insisted upon it, but I have the money here in
+      bills. Give me a release and surrender the mortgage, and you shall have
+      your money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was with a crestfallen look that Squire Sheldon left the farmhouse,
+      though his pockets were full of money.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It&rsquo;s all up,&rdquo; he said to his friend Caldwell in a hollow voice. &ldquo;They
+      have paid the mortgage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      After all the railway did cross the farm, and Uncle Cyrus was paid two
+      thousand dollars for the right of way, much to the disappointment of his
+      disinterested friend Lemuel Sheldon, who felt that this sum ought to have
+      gone into his own pocket.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXVIII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A MINISTER&rsquo;S GOOD FORTUNE.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have another call to make, Rodney,&rdquo; said Mr. Pettigrew, as they were on
+      their way back to the hotel, &ldquo;and I want you to go with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be glad to accompany you anywhere, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You remember I told you of the old minister whose church I attended as a
+      boy. He has never received but four hundred dollars a year, yet he has
+      managed to rear a family, but has been obliged to use the strictest
+      economy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I remember.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am going to call on him, and I shall take the opportunity to make him a
+      handsome present. It will surprise him, and I think it will be the first
+      present of any size that he has received in his pastorate of over forty
+      years.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There he lives!&rdquo; continued Jefferson, pointing out a very modest cottage
+      on the left hand side of the road.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It needed painting badly, but it looked quite as well as the minister who
+      came to the door in a ragged dressing gown. He was venerable looking, for
+      his hair was quite white, though he was only sixty five years old. But
+      worldly cares which had come upon him from the difficulty of getting along
+      on his scanty salary had whitened his hair and deepened the wrinkles on
+      his kindly face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad to see you, Jefferson,&rdquo; he said, his face lighting up with
+      pleasure. &ldquo;I heard you were in town and I hoped you wouldn&rsquo;t fail to call
+      upon me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was sure to call, for you were always a good friend to me as well as
+      many others.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I always looked upon you as one of my boys, Jefferson. I hear that you
+      have been doing well.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Mr. Canfield. I have done better than I have let people know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you been to see your uncle? Poor man, he is in trouble.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is no longer in trouble. The mortgage is paid off, and as far as
+      Squire Sheldon is concerned he is independent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Indeed, that is good news,&rdquo; said the old minister with beaming face. &ldquo;You
+      must surely have done well if you could furnish money enough to clear the
+      farm. It was over a thousand dollars, wasn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, thirteen hundred. My young friend, Rodney Ropes, and myself managed
+      it between us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad to see you, Mr. Ropes. Come in both of you. Mrs. Canfield will
+      be glad to welcome you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They followed him into the sitting room, the floor of which was covered by
+      an old and faded carpet. The furniture was of the plainest description.
+      But it looked pleasant and homelike, and the papers and books that were
+      scattered about made it more attractive to a visitor than many showy city
+      drawing rooms.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And how are all your children, Mr. Canfield?&rdquo; asked Jefferson.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Maria is married to a worthy young man in the next town. Benjamin is
+      employed in a book store, and Austin wants to go to college, but I don&rsquo;t
+      see any way to send him, poor boy!&rdquo; and the minister sighed softly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Does it cost much to keep a boy in college?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not so much as might be supposed. There are beneficiary funds for
+      deserving students, and then there is teaching to eke out a poor young
+      man&rsquo;s income, so that I don&rsquo;t think it would cost over a hundred and fifty
+      dollars a year.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That isn&rsquo;t a large sum.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not in itelf, but you know, Jefferson, my salary is only four hundred
+      dollars a year. It would take nearly half my income, so I think Austin
+      will have to give up his hopes of going to college and follow in his
+      brother&rsquo;s steps.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How old is Austin now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is eighteen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is he ready for college?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, he could enter at the next commencement but for the financial
+      problem.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I never had any taste for college, or study, as you know, Mr. Canfield.
+      It is different with my friend Rodney, who is a Latin and Greek scholar.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The minister regarded Rodney with new interest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you think of going to college, Mr. Ropes?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at present. I am going back to Montana with Mr. Pettigrew. Perhaps he
+      and I will both go to college next year.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Excuse me,&rdquo; said Jefferson Pettigrew. &ldquo;Latin and Greek ain&rsquo;t in my line.
+      I should make a good deal better miner than minister.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is not desirable that all should become ministers or go to college,&rdquo;
+       said Mr. Canfield. &ldquo;I suspect from what I know of you, Jefferson, that you
+      judge yourself correctly. How long shall you stay in Burton?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I expect to go away tomorrow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your visit is a brief one.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I intended to stay longer, but I begin to be homesick after the
+      West.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you expect to make your permanent home there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t tell as to that. For the present I can do better there than
+      here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The conversation lasted for some time. Then Jefferson Pettigrew rose to
+      go.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Won&rsquo;t you call again, Jefferson?&rdquo; asked the minister hospitably.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall not have time, but before I go I want to make you a small
+      present,&rdquo; and he put into the hands of the astonished minister four fifty
+      dollar bills.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Two hundred dollars!&rdquo; ejaculated the minister. &ldquo;Why, I heard you only
+      brought home a few hundred.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I prefer to leave that impression. To you I will say that I am worth a
+      great deal more than that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you mustn&rsquo;t give me so much. I am sure you are too generous for your
+      own interest. Why, it&rsquo;s munificent, princely.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be troubled about me. I can spare it. Send your boy to college, and
+      next year I will send you another sum equally large.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How can I thank you, Jefferson?&rdquo; said Mr. Canfield, the tears coming into
+      his eyes. &ldquo;Never in forty years have I had such a gift.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not even from Squire Sheldon?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The squire is not in the habit of bestowing gifts, but he pays a large
+      parish tax. May I&mdash;am I at liberty to say from whom I received this
+      liberal donation?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Please don&rsquo;t! You can say that you have had a gift from a friend.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have made me very happy, Jefferson. Your own conscience will reward
+      you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson Pettigrew changed the subject, for it embarrassed him to be
+      thanked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That pays me for hard work and privation,&rdquo; he said to Rodney as they
+      walked back to the tavern. &ldquo;After all there is a great pleasure in making
+      others happy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Squire Sheldon hadn&rsquo;t found that out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And he never will.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      On the way they met the gentleman of whom they had been speaking. He bowed
+      stiffly, for he could not feel cordial to those whom had snatched from him
+      the house for which he had been scheming so long.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Squire Sheldon,&rdquo; said Jefferson, &ldquo;you were kind enough to invite Rodney
+      and myself to supper some evening. I am sorry to say that we must decline,
+      as we leave Burton tomorrow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Use your own pleasure, Mr. Pettigrew,&rdquo; said the squire coldly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t seem to disappoint the squire very much,&rdquo; remarked Jefferson,
+      laughing, when the great man of the village had passed on.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It certainly is no disappointment to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nor to me. The little time I have left I can use more pleasantly than in
+      going to see the squire. I have promised to supper at my uncle&rsquo;s tonight&mdash;that
+      is, I have promised for both of us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Returning to New York, Jefferson and Rodney set about getting ready for
+      their Western journey. Rodney gave some of his wardrobe to Mike Flynn, and
+      bought some plain suits suitable for his new home.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While walking on Broadway the day before the one fixed for his departure
+      he fell in with Jasper Redwood.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you got a place yet Ropes?&rdquo; asked Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not looking for any.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How is that?&rdquo; asked Jasper in some surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am going to leave the city.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is a good idea. All cannot succeed in the city. You may find a
+      chance to work on a farm in the country.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t say I was going to the country.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are you going, then?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To Montana.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Isn&rsquo;t that a good way off?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What are you going to do there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I may go to mining.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But how can you afford to go so far?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Really, Jasper, you show considerable curiosity about my affairs. I have
+      money enough to buy my ticket, and I think I can find work when I get out
+      there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems to me a crazy idea.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It might be&mdash;for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And why for me?&rdquo; asked Jasper suspiciously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because you might not be willing to rough it as I am prepared to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I guess you are right. I have always been used to living like a
+      gentleman.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you will always be able to do so. Now I must bid you good by, as I
+      am busy getting ready for my journey.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper looked after Rodney, not without perplexity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t make out that boy,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;So he is going to be a common
+      miner! Well, that may suit him, but it wouldn&rsquo;t suit me. There is no
+      chance now of his interfering with me, so I am glad he is going to leave
+      the city.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXIX.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A MINING TOWN IN MONTANA.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The scene changes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Three weeks later among the miners who were sitting on the narrow veranda
+      of the &ldquo;Miners&rsquo; Rest&rdquo; in Oreville in Montana we recognize two familiar
+      faces and figures&mdash;those of Jefferson Pettigrew and Rodney Ropes.
+      Both were roughly clad, and if Jasper could have seen Rodney he would have
+      turned up his nose in scorn, for Rodney had all the look of a common
+      miner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was in Oreville that Mr. Pettigrew had a valuable mining property, on
+      which he employed quite a number of men who preferred certain wages to a
+      compensation depending on the fluctuations of fortune. Rodney was among
+      those employed, but although he was well paid he could not get to like the
+      work. Of this, however, he said nothing to Mr. Pettigrew whose company he
+      enjoyed, and whom he held in high esteem.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On the evening in question Jefferson rose from his seat and signed to
+      Rodney to follow him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, Rodney, how do you like Montana?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well enough to be glad I came here,&rdquo; answered Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still you are not partial to the work of a miner!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can think of other things I would prefer to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How would you like keeping a hotel?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is there any hotel in search of a manager?&rdquo; asked Rodney smiling.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will explain. Yesterday I bought the &lsquo;Miners&rsquo; Rest.&rsquo;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What&mdash;the hotel where we board?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Exactly. I found that Mr. Bailey, who has made a comfortable sum of
+      money, wants to leave Montana and go East and I bought the hotel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So that hereafter I shall board with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not exactly. I propose to put you in charge, and pay you a salary. I can
+      oversee, and give you instructions. How will that suit you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So you think I am competent, Mr. Pettigrew?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I think so. There is a good man cook, and two waiters. The cook will
+      also order supplies and act as steward under you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What then will be my duties?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will act as clerk and cashier, and pay the bills. You will have to
+      look after all the details of management. If there is anything you don&rsquo;t
+      understand you will have me to back you up, and advise you. What do you
+      say?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That I shall like it much better than mining. My only doubt is as to
+      whether I shall suit you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is true that it takes a smart man to run a hotel, but I think we can
+      do it between us. Now what will you consider a fair salary?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I leave that to you, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then we will call it a hundred and fifty dollars a month and board.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, Mr. Pettigrew,&rdquo; said Rodney in surprise, &ldquo;how can I possibly earn
+      that much?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You know we charge big prices, and have about fifty steady boarders. I
+      expect to make considerable money after deducting all the expenses of
+      management.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My friend Jasper would be very much surprised if he could know the salary
+      I am to receive. In the store I was only paid seven dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The duties were different. Almost any boy could discharge the duties of
+      an entry clerk while it takes peculiar qualities to run a hotel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was certainly very fortunate to fall in with you, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I expect it will turn out fortunate for me too, Rodney.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When do you want me to start in?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Next Monday morning. It is now Thursday evening. Mr. Bailey will turn
+      over the hotel to me on Saturday night. You needn&rsquo;t go to the mines
+      tomorrow, but may remain in the hotel, and he will instruct you in the
+      details of management.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That will be quite a help to me, and I am at present quite ignorant on
+      the subject.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney looked forward with pleasure to his new employment. He had good
+      executive talent, though thus far he had had no occasion to exercise it.
+      It was with unusual interest that he set about qualifying himself for his
+      new position.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Young man,&rdquo; said the veteran landlord, &ldquo;I think you&rsquo;ll do. I thought at
+      first that Jefferson was foolish to put a young boy in my place, but
+      you&rsquo;ve got a head on your shoulders, you have! I guess you&rsquo;ll fill the
+      bill.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope to do so, Mr. Bailey.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jefferson tells me that you understand Latin and Greek?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know something of them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thats what prejudiced me against you. I hired a college boy once as a
+      clerk and he was the worst failure I ever came across. He seemed to have
+      all kinds of sense except common sense. I reckon he was a smart scholar,
+      and he could have made out the bills for the boarders in Latin or Greek if
+      it had been necessary, but he was that soft that any one could cheat him.
+      Things got so mixed up in the department that I had to turn him adrift in
+      a couple of weeks. I surmised you might be the same sort of a chap. If you
+      were it would be a bad lookout for Jefferson.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In Oreville Mr. Pettigrew was so well known that nearly everyone called
+      him by his first name. Mr. Pettigrew did not care about this as he had no
+      false pride or artificial dignity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you consider this hotel a good property, Mr. Bailey?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you this much. I started here four years ago, and I&rsquo;ve made
+      fifty thousand dollars which I shall take back with me to New Hampshire.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That certainly is satisfactory.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shouldn&rsquo;t wonder if you could improve upon it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How does it happen that you sell out such a valuable property, Mr.
+      Bailey? Are you tired of making money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, but I must tell you that there&rsquo;s a girl waiting for me at home, an
+      old schoolmate, who will become Mrs. Bailey as soon as possible after I
+      get back. If she would come out here I wouldn&rsquo;t sell, but she has a mother
+      that she wouldn&rsquo;t leave, and so I must go to her.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is a good reason, Mr. Bailey.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Besides with fifty thousand dollars I can live as well as I want to in
+      New Hampshire, and hold up my head with the best. You will follow my
+      example some day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It will be a long day first, Mr. Bailey, for I am only sixteen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      On Monday morning the old landlord started for his Eastern home and Rodney
+      took his place. It took him some little time to become familiar with all
+      the details of hotel management, but he spared no pains to insure success.
+      He had some trouble at first with the cook who presumed upon his position
+      and Rodney&rsquo;s supposed ignorance to run things as he chose.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney complained to Mr. Pettigrew.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I can fix things, Rodney,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a man working for me
+      who used to be cook in a restaurant in New York. I found out about him
+      quietly, for I wanted to be prepared for emergencies. The next time Gordon
+      act contrary and threatens to leave, tell him he can do as he pleases.
+      Then report to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next day there came another conflict of authority.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you don&rsquo;t like the way I manage you can get somebody else,&rdquo; said the
+      cook triumphantly. &ldquo;Perhaps you&rsquo;d like to cook the dinner yourself. You&rsquo;re
+      nothing but a boy, and I don&rsquo;t see what Jefferson was thinking of to put
+      you in charge.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is his business, Mr. Gordon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I advise you not to interfere with me, for I won&rsquo;t stand it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why didn&rsquo;t you talk in this way to Mr. Bailey?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s neither here nor there. He wasn&rsquo;t a boy for one thing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you propose to have your own way, Mr. Gordon?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, then you can leave me at the end of this week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What!&rdquo; exclaimed the cook in profound astonishment. &ldquo;Are you going
+      crazy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I know what I am about.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps you intend to cook yourself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I don&rsquo;t. That would close up the hotel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Look here, young feller, you&rsquo;re gettin&rsquo; too independent! I&rsquo;ve a great
+      mind to leave you tonight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can do so if you want to,&rdquo; said Rodney indifferently.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I will!&rdquo; retorted Gordon angrily, bringing down his fist upon the
+      table in vigorous emphasis.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Oreville was fifty miles from Helena, and that was the nearest point, as
+      he supposed, where a new cook could be obtained.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After supper Rodney told Jefferson Pettigrew what had happened.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have I done right?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; we can&rsquo;t have any insubordination here. There can&rsquo;t be two heads of
+      one establishment. Send Gordon to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The cook with a defiant look answered the summons.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I understand you want to leave, Gordon,&rdquo; said Jefferson Pettigrew.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That depends. I ain&rsquo;t goin&rsquo; to have no boy dictatin&rsquo; to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you insist upon having your own way without interference.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, I accept your resignation. Do you wish to wait till the end of
+      the week, or to leave tonight?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I want to give it up tonight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, go to Rodney and he will pay you what is due you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you goin&rsquo; to get along without a cook?&rdquo; inquired Gordon in surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What are you going to do, then?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall employ Parker in your place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What does he know about cookin&rsquo;?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He ran a restaurant in New York for five years, the first part of the
+      time having charge of the cooking. We shan&rsquo;t suffer even if you do leave
+      us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I will stay,&rdquo; said Gordon in a submissive tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is too late. You have discharged yourself. You can&rsquo;t stay here on any
+      terms.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Gordon left Oreville the next day a sorely disappointed man, for he had
+      received more liberal pay than he was likely to command elsewhere. The
+      young landlord had triumphed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXX.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      THE MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At the end of a month Jefferson Pettigrew said: &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been looking over
+      the books, Rodney, and I find the business is better than I expected. How
+      much did I agree to pay you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A hundred and fifty dollars a month, but if you think that it is too much&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Too much? Why I am going to advance you to two hundred and fifty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can&rsquo;t be in earnest, Mr. Pettigrew?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am entirely so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is at the rate of three thousand dollars a year!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but you are earning it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You know I am only a boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That doesn&rsquo;t make any difference as long as you understand your
+      business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am very grateful to you, Mr. Pettigrew. My, I can save two hundred
+      dollars a month.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do so, and I will find you a paying investment for the money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What would Jasper say to my luck?&rdquo; thought Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Three months passed without any incident worth recording. One afternoon a
+      tall man wearing a high hat and a Prince Albert coat with a paste diamond
+      of large size in his shirt bosom entered the public room of the Miners&rsquo;
+      Rest and walking up to the bar prepared to register his name. As he stood
+      with his pen in his hand Rodney recognized him not without amazement.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was Louis Wheeler&mdash;the railroad thief, whom he had last seen in
+      New York.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As for Wheeler he had not taken any notice of the young clerk, not
+      suspecting that it was an old acquaintance who was familiar with his real
+      character.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you just arrived in Montana, Mr. Wheeler?&rdquo; asked Rodney quietly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As Rodney had not had an opportunity to examine his signature in the
+      register Wheeler looked up in quiet surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know me?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; don&rsquo;t you know me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll be blowed if it isn&rsquo;t the kid,&rdquo; ejaculated Wheeler.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;As I run this hotel, I don&rsquo;t care to be called a kid.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right Mr.&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Ropes, you are the most extraordinary boy I ever met.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Am I?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who would have thought of your turning up as a Montana landlord.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t have thought of it myself four months ago. But what brings you
+      out here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Business,&rdquo; answered Wheeler in an important tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you going to become a miner?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I may buy a mine if I find one to suit me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad you seem to be prospering.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can you give me a good room?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but I must ask a week&rsquo;s advance payment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Twenty five dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right. Here&rsquo;s the money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler pulled out a well filled wallet and handed over two ten
+      dollar bills and a five.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is that satisfactory?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Quite so. You seem better provided with money than when I saw you last.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;True. I was then in temporary difficulty. But I made a good turn in
+      stocks and I am on my feet again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney did not believe a word of this, but as long as Wheeler was able to
+      pay his board he had no good excuse for refusing him accommodation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That rascal here!&rdquo; exclaimed Jefferson, when Rodney informed him of
+      Wheeler&rsquo;s arrival. &ldquo;Well, thats beat all! What has brought him out here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Business, he says.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It may be the same kind of business that he had with me. He will bear
+      watching.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I agree with you, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler laid himself out to be social and agreeable, and made
+      himself quite popular with the other boarders at the hotel. As Jefferson
+      and Rodney said nothing about him, he was taken at his own valuation, and
+      it was reported that he was a heavy capitalist from Chicago who had come
+      to Montana to buy a mine. This theory received confirmation both from his
+      speech and actions.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On the following day he went about in Oreville and examined the mines. He
+      expressed his opinion freely in regard to what he saw, and priced one that
+      was for sale at fifty thousand dollars.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I like this mine,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but I don&rsquo;t know enough about it to make an
+      offer. If it comes up to my expectations I will try it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He must have been robbing a bank,&rdquo; observed Jefferson Pettigrew.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Nothing could exceed the cool assurance with which Wheeler greeted
+      Jefferson and recalled their meeting in New York.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You misjudged me then, Mr. Pettigrew,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I believe upon my soul
+      you looked upon me as an adventurer&mdash;a confidence man.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are not far from the truth, Mr. Wheeler,&rdquo; answered Jefferson bluntly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I forgive you. Our acquaintance was brief and you judged from
+      superficial impressions.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps so, Mr. Wheeler. Have you ever been West before?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When you came to Oreville had you any idea that I was here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; if I had probably I should not have struck the town, as I knew that
+      you didn&rsquo;t have a favorable opinion of me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t make out much of that fellow, Rodney,&rdquo; said Jefferson. &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t
+      understand his object in coming here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He says he wants to buy a mine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s all a pretext. He hasn&rsquo;t money enough to buy a mine or a tenth
+      part of it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He seems to have money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; he may have a few hundred dollars, but mark my words, he hasn&rsquo;t the
+      slightest intention of buying a mine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He has some object in view.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No doubt! What it is is what I want to find out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was another way in which Louis Wheeler made himself popular among
+      the miners of Oreville. He had a violin with him, and in the evening he
+      seated himself on the veranda and played popular tunes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He had only a smattering in the way of musical training, but the airs he
+      played took better than classical music would have done. Even Jefferson
+      Pettigrew enjoyed listening to &ldquo;Home, Sweet Home&rdquo; and &ldquo;The Last Rose of
+      Summer,&rdquo; while the miners were captivated by merry dance tunes, which
+      served to enliven them after a long day&rsquo;s work at the mines.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One day there was a sensation. A man named John O&rsquo;Donnell came down stairs
+      from his room looking pale and agitated.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Boys,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I have been robbed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Instantly all eyes were turned upon him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of what have you been robbed, O&rsquo;Donnell?&rdquo; asked Jefferson.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of two hundred dollars in gold. I was going to send it home to my wife in
+      Connecticut next week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When did you miss it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where did you keep it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In a box under my bed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When do you think it was taken?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Last night.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What makes you think so?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am a sound sleeper, and last night you know was very dark. I awoke with
+      a start, and seemed to hear footsteps. I looked towards the door, and saw
+      a form gliding from the room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why didn&rsquo;t you jump out of bed and seize the intruder whoever he was?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because I was not sure but it was all a dream. I think now it was some
+      thief who had just robbed me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think so too. Could you make out anything of his appearance?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I could only see the outlines of his figure. He was a tall man. He must
+      have taken the money from under my bed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did any one know that you had money concealed there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think I ever mentioned it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems we have a thief among us,&rdquo; said Jefferson, and almost
+      unconsciously his glance rested on Louis Wheeler who was seated near John
+      O&rsquo;Donnell, &ldquo;what do you think, Mr. Wheeler?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think you are right, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you any suggestion to make?&rdquo; asked Jefferson. &ldquo;Have you by chance
+      lost anything?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not that I am aware of.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is there any one else here who has been robbed?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      No one spoke.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You asked me if I had any suggestions to make, Mr. Pettigrew,&rdquo; said Louis
+      Wheeler after a pause. &ldquo;I have.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Our worthy friend Mr. O&rsquo;Donnell has met with a serious loss. I move that
+      we who are his friends make it up to him. Here is my contribution,&rdquo; and he
+      laid a five dollar bill on the table.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was a happy suggestion and proved popular. Every one present came
+      forward, and tendered his contributions including Jefferson, who put down
+      twenty five dollars.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Wheeler gathered up the notes and gold and sweeping them to his hat
+      went forward and tendered them to John O&rsquo;Donnell.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Take this money, Mr. O&rsquo;Donnell,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It is the free will offering
+      of your friends. I am sure I may say for them, as for myself, that it
+      gives us all pleasure to help a comrade in trouble.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler could have done nothing that would have so lifted him in the
+      estimation of the miners.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And now,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;as our friend is out of his trouble I will play you a
+      few tunes on my violin, and will end the day happily.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t make out that fellow, Rodney,&rdquo; said Jefferson when they were
+      alone. &ldquo;I believe he is the thief, but he has an immense amount of nerve.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXXI.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      MR. WHEELER EXPLAINS.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Probably there was no one at the hotel who suspected Louis Wheeler of
+      being a thief except Rodney and Mr. Pettigrew. His action in starting a
+      contribution for John O&rsquo;Donnell helped to make him popular. He was
+      establishing a reputation quite new to him, and it was this fact probably
+      that made him less prudent than he would otherwise have been.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As the loss had been made up, the boarders at the Miners&rsquo; Rest ceased to
+      talk of it. But Jefferson and his young assistant did not forget it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sure Wheeler is the thief, but I don&rsquo;t know how to bring it home to
+      him,&rdquo; said Jefferson one day, when alone with Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You might search him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but what good would that do? It might be found that he had money,
+      but one gold coin is like another and it would be impossible to identify
+      it as the stolen property. If O&rsquo;Donnell had lost anything else except
+      money it would be different. I wish he would come to my chamber.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps he would if he thought you were a sound sleeper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is an idea. I think I can make use of it.&rdquo;.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      That evening when Wheeler was present Mr. Pettigrew managed to turn the
+      conversation to the subject of sleeping.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am a very sound sleeper,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I remember when I was at home
+      sleeping many a time through a severe thunder storm.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you sometimes wake up in the middle of the night?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very seldom, if I am in good health.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Its different with me,&rdquo; said another of the company. &ldquo;A step on the floor
+      or the opening of the door will wake me up at any time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad I am not so easily roused.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I had a fish horn,&rdquo; said Rodney, laughing, &ldquo;I should be tempted to
+      come up in the night and give it a blast before your door.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That might wake me up,&rdquo; said Mr. Pettigrew. &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t advise you to try
+      it or the other boarders might get up an indignation meeting.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The same evening Jefferson Pettigrew took out a bag of gold and carelessly
+      displayed it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you not afraid of being robbed, Mr. Pettigrew?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh no. I never was robbed in my life.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much money have you there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know exactly. Perhaps six hundred dollars,&rdquo; said Pettigrew in an
+      indifferent tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Among those who listened to this conversation with interest was Louis
+      Wheeler. Rodney did not fail to see the covetous gleam of his eyes when
+      the gold was displayed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The fact was, that Wheeler was getting short of cash and at the time he
+      took John O&rsquo;Donnell&rsquo;s money&mdash;for he was the thief&mdash;he had but
+      about twenty dollars left, and of this he contributed five to the relief
+      of the man he had robbed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His theft realized him two hundred dollars, but this would not last him
+      long, as the expenses of living at the Miners&rsquo; Rest were considerable. He
+      was getting tired of Oreville, but wanted to secure some additional money
+      before he left it. The problem was whom to make his second victim.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It would not have occurred to him to rob Jefferson Pettigrew, of whom he
+      stood in wholesome fear, but for the admission that he was an unusually
+      sound sleeper; even then he would have felt uncertain whether it would
+      pay. But the display of the bag of money, and the statement that it
+      contained six hundred dollars in gold proved a tempting bait.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I can capture that bag of gold,&rdquo; thought Wheeler, &ldquo;I shall have enough
+      money to set me up in some new place. There won&rsquo;t be much risk about it,
+      for Pettigrew sleeps like a top. I will venture it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson Pettigrew&rsquo;s chamber was on the same floor as his own. It was the
+      third room from No. 17 which Mr. Wheeler occupied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As a general thing the occupants of the Miners&rsquo; Rest went to bed early.
+      Mining is a fatiguing business, and those who follow it have little
+      difficulty in dropping off to sleep. The only persons who were not engaged
+      in this business were Louis Wheeler and Rodney Ropes. As a rule the hotel
+      was closed at half past ten and before this all were in bed and sleeping
+      soundly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When Wheeler went to bed he said to himself, &ldquo;This will probably be my
+      last night in this tavern. I will go from here to Helena, and if things
+      turn out right I may be able to make my stay there profitable. I shan&rsquo;t
+      dare to stay here long after relieving Pettigrew of his bag of gold.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Unlike Jefferson Pettigrew, Wheeler was a light sleeper. He had done
+      nothing to induce fatigue, and had no difficulty in keeping awake till
+      half past eleven. Then lighting a candle, he examined his watch, and
+      ascertained the time.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It will be safe enough now,&rdquo; he said to himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He rose from his bed, and drew on his trousers. Then in his stocking feet
+      he walked along the corridor till he stood in front of Jefferson
+      Pettigrew&rsquo;s door. He was in doubt as to whether he would not be obliged to
+      pick the lock, but on trying the door he found that it was not fastened.
+      He opened it and stood within the chamber.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Cautiously he glanced at the bed. Mr. Pettigrew appeared to be sleeping
+      soundly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It&rsquo;s all right,&rdquo; thought Louis Wheeler. &ldquo;Now where is the bag of gold?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was not in open view, but a little search showed that the owner had put
+      it under the bed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He isn&rsquo;t very sharp,&rdquo; thought Wheeler. &ldquo;He is playing right into my
+      hands. Door unlocked, and bag of gold under the bed. He certainly is a
+      very unsuspicious man. However, that is all the better for me. Really
+      there isn&rsquo;t much credit in stealing where all is made easy for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There seemed to be nothing to do but to take the gold from its place of
+      deposit and carry it back to his own room. While there were a good many
+      lodgers in the hotel, there seemed to be little risk about this, as every
+      one was asleep.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Of course should the bag be found in his room that would betray him, but
+      Mr. Wheeler proposed to empty the gold coins into his gripsack, and throw
+      the bag out of the window into the back yard.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, here goes!&rdquo; said Wheeler cheerfully, as he lifted the bag, and
+      prepared to leave the chamber. But at this critical moment an unexpected
+      sound struck terror into his soul. It was the sound of a key being turned
+      in the lock.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Nervously Wheeler hastened to the door and tried it. It would not open.
+      Evidently it had been locked from the outside. What could it mean?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At the same time there was a series of knocks on the outside of the door.
+      It was the signal that had been agreed upon between Mr. Pettigrew and
+      Rodney. Jefferson had given his key to Rodney, who had remained up and on
+      the watch for Mr. Wheeler&rsquo;s expected visit. He, too, was in his stocking
+      feet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As soon as he saw Wheeler enter his friend&rsquo;s chamber he stole up and
+      locked the door on the outide. Then when he heard the thief trying to open
+      the door he rained a shower of knocks on the panel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Instantly Jefferson Pettigrew sprang out of bed and proceeded to act.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What are you doing here?&rdquo; he demanded, seizing Wheeler in his powerful
+      grasp.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where am I?&rdquo; asked Wheeler in a tone of apparent bewilderment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, it&rsquo;s you, Mr. Wheeler?&rdquo; said Jefferson. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you know where you
+      are?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, it is my friend, Mr. Pettigrew. Is it possible I am in your room?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is very possible. Now tell me why you are here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am really ashamed to find myself in this strange position. It is not
+      the first time that I have got into trouble from walking in my sleep.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you were walking in your sleep!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, friend Petttigrew. It has been a habit of mine since I was a boy.
+      But it seems very strange that I should have been led to your room. How
+      could I get in? Wasn&rsquo;t the door locked?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is locked now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is strange! I don&rsquo;t understand it,&rdquo; said Wheeler, passing his hand
+      over his forehead.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps you understand why you have that bag of gold in your hand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can it be possible?&rdquo; ejaculated Wheeler in well counterfeited surprise.
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know how to account for it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I can. Rodney, unlock the door and come in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The key was turned in the lock, and Rodney entered with a lighted candle
+      in his hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You see, Rodney, that I have a late visitor. You will notice also that my
+      bag of gold seems to have had an attraction for him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am ashamed. I don&rsquo;t really know how to explain it except in this way.
+      When you displayed the gold last night it drew my attention and I must
+      have dreamed of it. It was this which drew me unconsciously to your door.
+      It is certainly an interesting fact in mental science.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would have been a still more interesting fact if you had carried off
+      the gold.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I might even have done that in my unconsciousness, but of course I should
+      have discovered it tomorrow morning and would have returned it to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t feel by any means sure of that. Look here, Mr. Wheeler, if that
+      is your name, you can&rsquo;t pull the wool over my eyes. You are a thief,
+      neither more nor less.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How can you misjudge me so, Mr. Pettigrew?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because I know something of your past history. It is clear to me now that
+      you were the person that stole John O&rsquo;Donnell&rsquo;s money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Indeed, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is useless to protest. How much of it have you left?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler was compelled to acknowledge the theft, and returned one
+      hundred dollars to Jefferson Pettigrew.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now,&rdquo; said Jefferson, &ldquo;I advise you to leave the hotel at once. If the
+      boys find out that you are a thief you will stand a chance of being
+      lynched. Get out!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next morning Jefferson Pettigrew told the other boarders that Louis
+      Wheeler had had a sudden call East, and it was not for a week that he
+      revealed to them the real reason of Wheeler&rsquo;s departure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXXII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      RODNEY FALLS INTO A TRAP.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney had reason to be satisfied with his position as landlord of the
+      Miners&rsquo; Rest. His pay was large, and enabled him to put away a good sum
+      every month, but his hours were long and he was too closely confined for a
+      boy of his age. At the end of three months he showed this in his
+      appearance. His good friend Pettigrew saw it and said one day, &ldquo;Rodney,
+      you are looking fagged out. You need a change.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Does that mean that you are going to discharge me?&rdquo; asked Rodney, with a
+      smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It means that I am going to give you a vacation.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But what can I do if I take a vacation? I should not like lounging around
+      Oreville with nothing to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Such a vacation would do you no good. I&rsquo;ll tell you the plan I have for
+      you. I own a small mine in Babcock, about fifty miles north of Oreville. I
+      will send you up to examine it, and make a report to me. Can you ride on
+      horseback?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is well, for you will have to make your trip in that way. There are
+      no railroads in that direction, nor any other way of travel except on foot
+      or on horseback. A long ride like that with hours daily in the open air,
+      will do you good. What do you say to it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should like nothing better,&rdquo; replied Rodney, with his eyes sparkling.
+      &ldquo;Only, how will you get along without me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have a man in my employ at the mines who will do part of your work, and
+      I will have a general oversight of things. So you need not borrow any
+      trouble on that account. Do you think you can find your way?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Give me the general direction, and I will guarantee to do so. When shall
+      I start?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Day after tomorrow. That will give me one day for making arrangements.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At nine the appointed morning Mr. Pettigrew&rsquo;s own horse stood saddled at
+      the door, and Rodney in traveling costume with a small satchel in his
+      hand, mounted and rode away, waving a smiling farewell to his friend and
+      employer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney did not hurry, and so consumed two days and a half in reaching
+      Babcock. Here he was cordially received by the superintendent whom
+      Jefferson Pettigrew had placed in charge of the mine. Every facility was
+      afforded him to examine into the management of things and he found all
+      satisfactory.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This part of his journey, therefore, may be passed over. But his return
+      trip was destined to be more exciting.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Riding at an easy jog Rodney had got within fifteen miles of Oreville,
+      when there was an unexpected interruption. Two men started out from the
+      roadside, or rather from one side of the bridle path for there was no
+      road, and advanced to meet him with drawn revolvers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Halt there!&rdquo; one of them exclaimed in a commanding tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney drew bridle, and gazed at the two men in surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you want of me?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Dismount instantly!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why should I? What right have you to interfere with my journey?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Might gives right,&rdquo; said one of the men sententiously. &ldquo;It will be best
+      for you to do as we bid you without too much back talk.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What are you&mdash;highwaymen?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;d better not talk too much. Get off that horse!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney saw that remonstrance was useless, and obeyed the order.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One of the men seized the horse by the bridle, and led him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Walk in front!&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are you going to take me?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will know in due time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you will let me go,&rdquo; urged Rodney, beginning to be uneasy. &ldquo;I am
+      expected home this evening, or at all event I want to get there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No doubt you do, but the Miners&rsquo; Rest will have to get along without you
+      for a while.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know me then?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; you are the boy clerk at the Miners&rsquo; Rest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You both put up there about two weeks since,&rdquo; said Rodney, examining
+      closely the faces of the two men.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Right you are, kid!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What can you possibly want of me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be too curious. You will know in good time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney remembered that the two men had remained at the hotel for a day and
+      night. They spent the day in wandering around Oreville.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He had supposed when they came that they were in search of employment, but
+      they had not applied for work and only seemed actuated by curiosity. What
+      could be their object in stopping him now he could not understand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It would have been natural to suppose they wanted money, but they had not
+      asked for any as yet. He had about fifty dollars in his pocketbook and he
+      would gladly have given them this if it would have insured his release.
+      But not a word had been said about money.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They kept on their journey. Montana is a mountainous State, and they were
+      now in the hilly regions. They kept on for perhaps half an hour, gradually
+      getting upon higher ground, until they reached a precipitous hill composed
+      largely of rock.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Here the two men stopped as if they had reached their journey&rsquo;s end.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One of them advanced to the side of the hill and unlocked a thick wooden
+      door which at first had failed to attract Rodney&rsquo;s attention. The door
+      swung open, revealing a dark passage, cut partly through stone and partly
+      through earth. Inside on the floor was a bell of good size.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One of the men lifted the bell and rang it loudly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What does that mean?&rdquo; thought Rodney, who felt more curious than
+      apprehensive.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He soon learned.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A curious looking negro, stunted in growth, for he was no taller than a
+      boy of ten, came out from the interior and stood at the entrance of the
+      cave, if such it was. His face was large and hideous, there was a hump on
+      his back, and his legs were not a match, one being shorter than the other,
+      so that as he walked, his motion was a curious one. He bent a scrutinizing
+      glance on Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, Caesar, is dinner ready?&rdquo; asked one of the men.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, massa, not yet.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let it be ready then as soon as possible. But first lead the way. We are
+      coming in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He started ahead, leading the horse, for the entrance was high enough to
+      admit the passage of the animal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Push on!&rdquo; said the other, signing to Rodney to precede him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney did so, knowing remonstrance to be useless. His curiosity was
+      excited. He wondered how long the passage was and whither it led.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The way was dark, but here and there in niches was a kerosene lamp that
+      faintly relieved the otherwise intense blackness.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have read about such places,&rdquo; thought Rodney, &ldquo;but I never expected to
+      get into one. The wonder is, that they should bring me here. I can&rsquo;t
+      understand their object.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney followed his guide for perhaps two hundred and fifty feet when they
+      emerged into a large chamber of irregular shape, lighted by four large
+      lamps set on a square wooden table. There were two rude cots in one
+      corner, and it was here apparently that his guides made their home.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a large cooking stove in one part of the room, and an appetizing
+      odor showed that Caesar had the dinner under way.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney looked about him in curiosity. He could not decide whether the cave
+      was natural or artificial. Probably it was a natural cave which had been
+      enlarged by the hand of man.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now hurry up the dinner, Caesar,&rdquo; said one of the guides. &ldquo;We are all
+      hungry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, massa,&rdquo; responded the obedient black.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney felt hungry also, and hoped that he would have a share of the
+      dinner. Later he trusted to find out the object of his new acquaintances
+      in kidnaping him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Dinner was soon ready. It was simple, but Rodney thoroughly enjoyed it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      During the meal silence prevailed. After it his new acquaintances produced
+      pipes and began to smoke. They offered Rodney a cigarette, but he declined
+      it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t smoke,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you a Sunday school kid?&rdquo; asked one in a sneering tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, perhaps so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How long have you lived at Oreville?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;About four months.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is the head of the settlement there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jefferson Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is the moneyed man, is he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is he a friend of yours?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is my best friend,&rdquo; answered Rodney warmly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He thinks a good deal of you, then?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think he does.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where have you been&mdash;on a journey?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, to the town of Babcock.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did he send you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What interest has he there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is chief owner of a mine there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Humph! I suppose you would like to know why we brought you here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would very much.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We propose to hold you for ransom.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But why should you? I am only a poor boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are the friend of Jefferson Pettigrew. He is a rich man. If he wants
+      you back he must pay a round sum.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was all out now! These men were emulating a class of outlaws to be
+      found in large numbers in Italy and Sicily, and were trading upon human
+      sympathy and levying a tax upon human friendship.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXXIII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      UNDERGROUND.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney realized his position. The alternative was not a pleasant one.
+      Either he must remain in the power of these men, or cost his friend Mr.
+      Pettigrew a large sum as ransom. There was little hope of changing the
+      determination of his captors, but he resolved to try what he could do.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Pettigrew is under no obligations to pay money out for me,&rdquo; he said.
+      &ldquo;I am not related to him, and have not yet known him six months.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That makes no difference. You are his friend, and he likes you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is the very reason why I should not wish him to lose money on my
+      account.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, very well! It will be bad for you is he doesn&rsquo;t come to your help.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why? What do you propose to do to me?&rdquo; asked Rodney boldly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Better not ask!&rdquo; was the significant reply.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I want to know. I want to realize my position.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The least that will happen to you is imprisonment in this cave for a term
+      of years.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think I should like it but you would get tired of standing guard
+      over me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We might, and in that case there is the other thing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What other thing?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If we get tired of keeping you here, we shall make short work with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Would you murder me?&rdquo; asked Rodney, horror struck, as he might well be,
+      for death seems terrible to a boy just on the threshold of life.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We might be obliged to do so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney looked in the faces of his captors, and he saw nothing to encourage
+      him. They looked like desperate men, who would stick at nothing to carry
+      out their designs.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see why you should get hold of me,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;If you had captured
+      Mr. Pettigrew himself you would stand a better chance of making it pay.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is no chance of capturing Pettigrew. If there were we would prefer
+      him to you. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much ransom do you propose to ask?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      This Rodney said, thinking that if it were a thousand dollars he might be
+      able to make it good to his friend Jefferson. But he was destined to be
+      disappointed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Five thousand dollars,&rdquo; answered the chief speaker.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Five thousand dollars!&rdquo; ejaculated Rodney in dismay. &ldquo;Five thousand
+      dollars for a boy like me!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is the sum we want.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If it were one thousand I think you might get it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;One thousand!&rdquo; repeated the other scornfully. &ldquo;That wouldn&rsquo;t half pay
+      us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then suppose you call it two thousand?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It won&rsquo;t do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I suppose I must make up my mind to remain a prisoner.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Five thousand dollars wouldn&rsquo;t be much to a rich man like Pettigrew. We
+      have inquired, and found out that he is worth at least a hundred thousand
+      dollars. Five thousand is only a twentieth part of this sum.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can do as you please, but you had better ask a reasonable amount if
+      you expect to get it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t want advice. We shall manage things in our own way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Convinced that further discussion would be unavailing, Rodney relapsed
+      into silence, but now his captors proceeded to unfold their plans.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One of them procured a bottle of ink, some paper and a pen, and set them
+      on the table.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come up here, boy, and write to Mr. Pettigrew,&rdquo; he said in a tone of
+      authority.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What shall I write?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Tell him that you are a prisoner, and that you will not be released
+      unless he pays five thousand dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to write that. It will be the same as asking him to pay it
+      for me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is what we mean him to understand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I won&rsquo;t write it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney knew his danger, but he looked resolutely into the eyes of the men
+      who held his life in their hands. His voice did not waver, for he was a
+      manly and courageous boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The boy&rsquo;s got grit!&rdquo; said one of the men to the other.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but it won&rsquo;t save him. Boy, are you going to write what I told you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you not afraid that we will kill you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have power to do it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you want to live?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. Life is sweet to a boy of sixteen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then why don&rsquo;t you write?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because I think it would be taking a mean advantage of Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are a fool. Roderick, what shall we do with him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Tell him simply to write that he is in our hands.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well thought of. Boy, will you do that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney gave his consent for he was anxious that Mr. Pettigrew should know
+      what had prevented him from coming home when he was expected.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, write! You will know what to say.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney drew the paper to him, and wrote as follows:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      DEAR MR. PETTIGREW,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On my way home I was stopped by two men who have confined me in a cave,
+      and won&rsquo;t let me go unless a sum of money is paid for my ransom. I don&rsquo;t
+      know what to do. You will know better than I. RODNEY ROPES.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His chief captor took the note and read it aloud.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That will do,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Now he will believe us when we say that you are
+      in our hands.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He signed to Rodney to rise from the table and took his place. Drawing a
+      pile of paper to him, he penned the following note:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney Ropes is in our hands. He wants his liberty and we want money. Send
+      us five thousand dollars, or arrange a meeting at which it can be
+      delivered to us, and he shall go free. Otherwise his death be on your
+      hands. HIS CAPTORS.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney noticed that this missive was written in a handsome business hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You write a handsome hand,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I ought to,&rdquo; was the reply. &ldquo;I was once bookkeeper in a large business
+      house.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And what&mdash;&rdquo; here Rodney hesitated.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What made me an outlaw you mean to ask?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My nature, I suppose. I wasn&rsquo;t cut out for sober, humdrum life.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you think you would have been happier?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No preaching, kid! I had enough of that when I used to go to church in my
+      old home in Missouri. Here, Caesar!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You know Oreville?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Go over there and take this letter with you. Ask for Jefferson Pettigrew,
+      and mind you don&rsquo;t tell him where we live. Only if he asks about me and my
+      pal say we are desperate men, have each killed a round dozen of fellows
+      that stood in our way and will stick at nothing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right, massa,&rdquo; said Caesar with an appreciative grin. &ldquo;How shall I
+      go, massa?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can take the kid&rsquo;s horse. Ride to within a mile of Oreville, then
+      tether the horse where he won&rsquo;t easily be found, and walk over to the
+      mines. Do you understand?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He won&rsquo;t probably give you any money, but he may give you a letter. Bring
+      it safely to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Caesar nodded and vanished.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      For an hour the two men smoked their pipes and chatted. Then they rose,
+      and the elder said: &ldquo;We are going out, kid, for a couple of hours. Are you
+      afraid to stay alone?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why should I be?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s the way to talk. I won&rsquo;t caution you not to escape, for it would
+      take a smarter lad then you to do it. If you are tired you can lie down on
+      the bed and rest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry we haven&rsquo;t got the morning paper for you to look over,&rdquo; said
+      his captor with a smile. &ldquo;The carrier didn&rsquo;t leave it this morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can get along without it. I don&rsquo;t feel much like reading.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You needn&rsquo;t feel worried. You&rsquo;ll be out of this tomorrow if Jefferson
+      Pettigrew is as much your friend as you think he is.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The only thing that troubles me is the big price you charge at your
+      hotel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good! The kid has a good wit of his own. After all, we wouldn&rsquo;t mind
+      keeping you with us. It might pay you better than working for Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you&rsquo;ll excuse my saying it, but I don&rsquo;t like the business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may change your mind. At your age we wouldn&rsquo;t either of us like the
+      sort of life we are leading. Come, John.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The two men went out but did not allow Rodney to accompany them to the
+      place of exit.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Left to himself, Rodney could think soberly of his plight. He could not
+      foresee whether his captivity would be brief or prolonged.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After a time the spirit of curiosity seized him. He felt tempted to
+      explore the cavern in which he was confined. He took a lamp, and followed
+      in a direction opposite to that taken by his captors.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The cave he found was divided into several irregularly shaped chambers. He
+      walked slowly, holding up the lamp to examine the walls of the cavern. In
+      one passage he stopped short, for something attracted his attention&mdash;something
+      the sight of which made his heart beat quicker and filled him with
+      excitement.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0034" id="link2HCH0034">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXXIV.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      RODNEY&rsquo;S DISCOVERY.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a good reason for Rodney&rsquo;s excitement. The walls of the
+      subterranean passage revealed distinct and rich indications of gold. There
+      was a time, and that not long before, when they would have revealed
+      nothing to Rodney, but since his residence at Oreville he had more than
+      once visited the mines and made himself familiar with surface indications
+      of mineral deposit.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He stopped short and scanned attentively the walls of the passage.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I am not mistaken,&rdquo; he said to himself, &ldquo;this will make one of the
+      richest mines in Montana. But after all what good will it do me? Here am I
+      a prisoner, unable to leave the cave, or communicate with my friends. If
+      Mr. Pettigrew knew what I do he would feel justified in paying the ransom
+      these men want.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney wondered how these rich deposits had failed to attract the
+      attention of his captors, but he soon settled upon the conclusion that
+      they had no knowledge of mines or mining, and were ignorant of the riches
+      that were almost in their grasp.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall I enlighten them?&rdquo; he asked himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was a question which he could not immediately answer. He resolved to be
+      guided by circumstances.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In order not to excite suspicion he retraced his steps to the apartment
+      used by his captors as a common sitting room&mdash;carefully fixing in his
+      mind the location of the gold ore.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      We must now follow the messenger who had gone to Oreville with a letter
+      from Rodney&rsquo;s captors.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As instructed, he left his horse, or rather Rodney&rsquo;s, tethered at some
+      distance from the settlement and proceeded on foot to the Miners&rsquo; Rest.
+      His strange appearance excited attention and curiosity. Both these
+      feelings would have been magnified had it been known on what errand he
+      came.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where can I find Mr. Jefferson Pettigrew?&rdquo; he asked of a man whom he saw
+      on the veranda.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At the Griffin Mine,&rdquo; answered the other, removing the pipe from his
+      mouth.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where is that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Over yonder. Are you a miner?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No. I know nothing about mines.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then why do you want to see Jefferson? I thought you might want a chance
+      to work in the mine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I have other business with him&mdash;business of importance,&rdquo; added
+      the black dwarf emphatically.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If that is the case I&rsquo;ll take you to him. I am always glad to be of
+      service to Jefferson.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you. He will thank you, too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The man walked along with a long, swinging gait which made it difficult
+      for Caesar to keep up with him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So you have business with Jefferson?&rdquo; said the man with the pipe, whose
+      curiosity had been excited.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of what sort?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will tell him,&rdquo; answered Caesar shortly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So its private, is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. If he wants to tell you he will.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s fair. Well, come along! Am I walking too fast for you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your legs are much longer than mine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s so. You are a little shrimp. I declare.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A walk of twenty minutes brought them to the Griffin Mine. Jefferson
+      Pettigrew was standing near, giving directions to a party of miners.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jefferson,&rdquo; said the man with the pipe, &ldquo;here&rsquo;s a chap that wants to see
+      you on business of importance. That is, he says it is.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson Pettigrew wheeled round and looked at Caesar.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;what is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have a letter for you, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Give it to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson took the letter and cast his eye over it. As he read it his
+      countenance changed and became stern and severe.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know what is in this letter?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He led Caesar to a place out of earshot.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What fiend&rsquo;s game is this?&rdquo; he demanded sternly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t tell you, massa; I&rsquo;m not in it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who are those men that have written to me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know their right names. I calls &lsquo;em Massa John and Massa Dick.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems they have trapped a boy friend of mine, Rodney Ropes. Did you
+      see him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; I gave him a good dinner.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is well. If they should harm a hair of his head I wouldn&rsquo;t rest till
+      I had called them to account. Where have they got the boy concealed?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t tell you, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You mean, you won&rsquo;t tell me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. It would be as much as my life is worth.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Humph, well! I suppose you must be faithful to your employer. Do you know
+      that these men want me to pay five thousand dollars for the return of the
+      boy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I heard them talking about it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is a new kind of rascality. Do they expect you to bring back an
+      answer?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I must think. What will they do to the boy if I don&rsquo;t give them the
+      money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They might kill him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If they do&mdash;but I must have time to think the matter over. Are you
+      expected to go back this afternoon?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can you get back? It must be a good distance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can get back.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Stay here. I will consult some of my friends and see if I can raise the
+      money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, massa.&rdquo; One of those whom Jefferson called into consultation
+      was the person who had guided Caesar to the Griffin Mine.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Quickly the proprietor of the Miners&rsquo; Rest unfolded the situation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I want two of you to follow this misshapen dwarf, and
+      find out where he comes from. I want to get hold of the scoundrels who
+      sent him to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will be one,&rdquo; said the man with the pipe.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, Fred.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I will go with Fred,&rdquo; said a long limbed fellow who had been a Kansas
+      cowboy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I accept you, Otto. Go armed, and don&rsquo;t lose sight of him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall you send the money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not I. I will send a letter that will encourage them to hope for it. I
+      want to gain time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Any instructions, Jefferson?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Only this, if you see these men, capture or kill them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0035" id="link2HCH0035">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXXV.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A BLOODY CONFLICT.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This was the letter that was handed to Caesar:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I have received your note. I must have time to think, and time perhaps to
+      get hold of the gold. Don&rsquo;t harm a hair of the boy&rsquo;s head. If so, I will
+      hunt you to death.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      JEFFERSON PETTIGREW.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      P.S.&mdash;Meet me tomorrow morning at the rocky gorge at the foot of
+      Black Mountain. Ten o&rsquo;clock.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Caesar took the letter, and bent his steps in the direction of the place
+      where he had tethered his horse. He did not observe that he was followed
+      by two men, who carefully kept him in sight, without attracting attention
+      to themselves.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When Caesar reached the place where he had tethered the horse, he was
+      grievously disappointed at not finding him. One of the miners in roaming
+      about had come upon the animal, and knowing him to be Jefferson
+      Pettigrew&rsquo;s property, untied him and rode him back to Oreville.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The dwarf threw up his hands in dismay.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The horse is gone!&rdquo; he said in his deep bass voice, &ldquo;and now I must walk
+      back, ten long miles, and get a flogging at the end for losing time. It&rsquo;s
+      hard luck,&rdquo; he groaned.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The loss was fortunate for Fred and Otto who would otherwise have found it
+      hard to keep up with the dwarf.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Caesar breathed a deep sigh, and then started on his wearisome journey.
+      Had the ground been even it would have troubled him less, but there was a
+      steep upward grade, and his short legs were soon weary. Not so with his
+      pursuers, both of whom were long limbed and athletic.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      We will go back now to the cave and the captors of Rodney. They waited
+      long and impatiently for the return of their messenger. Having no
+      knowledge of the loss of the horse, they could not understand what
+      detained Caesar.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you think the rascal has played us false?&rdquo; said Roderick.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He would be afraid to.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This man Pettigrew might try to bribe him. It would be cheaper than to
+      pay five thousand dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He wouldn&rsquo;t dare. He knows what would happen to him,&rdquo; said John grimly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then why should he be so long?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That I can&rsquo;t tell.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Suppose we go out to meet him. I begin to feel anxious lest we have
+      trusted him too far.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am with you!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The two outlaws took the path which led to Oreville, and walked two miles
+      before they discovered Caesar coming towards them at a slow and melancholy
+      gait.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There he is, and on foot! What does it mean?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He will tell us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here now, you black imp! where is the horse?&rdquo; demanded Roderick.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I done lost him, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Lost him? You&rsquo;ll get a flogging for this, unless you bring good news. Did
+      you see Jefferson Pettigrew?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did he give you any money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; he gave me this letter.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Roderick snatched it from his hand, and showed it to John.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems satisfactory,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Now how did you lose the horse?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Caesar told him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You didn&rsquo;t fasten him tight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Beg your pardon, massa, but I took good care of that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, he&rsquo;s gone; was probably stolen. That is unfortunate; however you
+      may not have been to blame.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Luckily for Caesar the letter which he brought was considered
+      satisfactory, and this palliated his fault in losing the horse.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The country was so uneven that the two outlaws did not observe that they
+      were followed, until they came to the entrance of the cave. Then, before
+      opening the door, John looked round and caught sight of Fred and Otto
+      eying them from a little distance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He instantly took alarm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Look,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;we are followed. Look behind you!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      His brother turned and came to the same conclusion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Caesar,&rdquo; said Roderick, &ldquo;did you ever see those men before?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They must have followed you from Oreville. Hello, you two!&rdquo; he added
+      striding towards the miners. &ldquo;What do you want here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Fred and Otto had accomplished their object in ascertaining the place
+      where Rodney was confined, and no longer cared for concealment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;None of your business!&rdquo; retorted Fred independently. &ldquo;The place is as
+      free to us as to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you spies?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t intend to answer any of your questions.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Clear out of here!&rdquo; commanded Roderick in a tone of authority.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Suppose we don&rsquo;t?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Roderick was a man of quick temper, and had never been in the habit of
+      curbing it. He was provoked by the independent tone of the speaker, and
+      without pausing to think of the imprudence of his actions, he raised his
+      rifle and pointing at Fred shot him in the left arm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The two miners were both armed, and were not slow in accepting the
+      challenge. Simultaneously they raised their rifles and fired at the two
+      men. The result was that both fell seriously wounded and Caesar set up a
+      howl of dismay, not so much for his masters as from alarm for himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fred and Otto came forward, and stood looking down upon the outlaws, who
+      were in the agonies of death.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was our lives or theirs,&rdquo; said Fred coolly, for he had been long
+      enough in Montana to become used to scenes of bloodshed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; answered Otto. &ldquo;I think these two men are the notorious Dixon
+      brothers who are credited with a large number of murders. The country will
+      be well rid of them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Roderick turned his glazing eyes upon the tall miner. &ldquo;I wish I had killed
+      you,&rdquo; he muttered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No doubt you do. It wouldn&rsquo;t have been your first murder.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t kill me, massa!&rdquo; pleaded Caesar in tones of piteous entreaty.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; answered Fred. &ldquo;That depends on yourself. If you obey us
+      strictly we will spare you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Try me, massa!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You black hound!&rdquo; said Roderick hoarsely. &ldquo;If I were not disabled I&rsquo;d
+      kill you myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Here was a new danger for poor Caesar, for he knew Roderick&rsquo;s fierce
+      temper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t let him kill me!&rdquo; he exclaimed, affrighted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He shall do you no harm. Will you obey me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Tell me what you want, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is the boy these men captured inside?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Open the cave, then. We want him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t do it,&rdquo; said Roderick, but Caesar saw at a glance that his old
+      master, of whom he stood in wholesome fear, was unable to harm him, and he
+      proceeded to unlock the door.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Go and call the boy!&rdquo; said Fred.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Caesar disappeared within the cavern, and soon emerged with Rodney
+      following him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you unhurt?&rdquo; asked Fred anxiously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, and overjoyed to see you. How came you here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We followed the nigger from Oreville.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      What happened afterwards Rodney did not need to inquire, for the two
+      outstretched figures, stiffening in death, revealed it to him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are the Dixon brothers, are they not?&rdquo; asked Fred, turning to
+      Caesar.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then we are entitled to a thousand dollars each for their capture. I have
+      never before shed blood, but I don&rsquo;t regret ending the career of these
+      scoundrels.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Half an hour later the two outlaws were dead and Rodney and his friends
+      were on their way back to Oreville.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0036" id="link2HCH0036">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXXVI.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      THE RODNEY MINE.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was received by Jefferson Pettigrew with open arms.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Welcome home, boy!&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I was very much worried about you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was rather uneasy about myself,&rdquo; returned Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, it&rsquo;s all over, and all&rsquo;s well that ends well. You are free and
+      there has been no money paid out. Fred and Otto have done a good thing in
+      ridding the world of the notorious Dixon brothers. They will be well paid,
+      for I understand there is a standing reward of one thousand dollars for
+      each of them dead or alive. I don&rsquo;t know but you ought to have a share of
+      this, for it was through you that the outlaws were trapped.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, Mr. Pettigrew, they are welcome to the reward. If I am not mistaken I
+      shall make a good deal more out of it than they.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Upon this Rodney told the story of what he had seen in the cavern.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When I said I, I meant we, Mr. Pettigrew. I think if the gold there is as
+      plentiful as I think it is we shall do well to commence working it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is yours, Rodney, by right of first discovery.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I prefer that you should share it with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We will go over tomorrow and make an examination. Was there any one else
+      who seemed to have a claim to the cave except the Dixons?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No. The negro, Caesar, will still be there, perhaps.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We can easily get rid of him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next day the two friends went over to the cavern. Caesar was still
+      there, but he had an unsettled, restless look, and seemed undecided what
+      to do.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What are you going to do, Caesar?&rdquo; asked Pettigrew. &ldquo;Are you going to
+      stay here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know, massa. I don&rsquo;t want to lib here. I&rsquo;m afraid I&rsquo;ll see the
+      ghostes of my old massas. But I haven&rsquo;t got no money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you had money where would you go?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;d go to Chicago. I used to be a whitewasher, and I reckon I&rsquo;d get work
+      at my old trade.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s where you are sensible, Caesar. This is no place for you. Now I&rsquo;ll
+      tell you what I&rsquo;ll do. I&rsquo;ll give you a hundred dollars, and you can go
+      where you like. But I shall want you to go away at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll go right off, massa,&rdquo; said Caesar, overjoyed. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to come
+      here no more.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you got anything belonging to you in the cave?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, massa, only a little kit of clothes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Take them and go.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In fifteen minutes Caesar had bidden farewell to his home, and Rodney and
+      Jefferson were left in sole possession of the cavern.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, Mr. Pettigrew, come and let me show you what I saw. I hope I have
+      made no mistake.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney led the way to the narrow passage already described. By the light
+      of a lantern Mr. Pettigrew examined the walls. For five minutes not a word
+      was said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, what do you think of it?&rdquo; asked Rodney anxiously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Only this: that you have hit upon the richest gold deposits in Montana.
+      Here is a mining prospect that will make us both rich.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad I was not mistaken,&rdquo; said Rodney simply.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your capture by the Dixon brothers will prove to have been the luckiest
+      event in your life. I shall lose no time in taking possession in our joint
+      name.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was great excitement when the discovery of the gold deposit was made
+      known. In connection with the killing of the outlaws, it was noised far
+      and wide. The consequence was that there was an influx of mining men, and
+      within a week Rodney and Jefferson were offered a hundred thousand dollars
+      for a half interest in the mine by a Chicago syndicate.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say a hundred and fifty thousand, and we accept the offer,&rdquo; said
+      Jefferson Pettigrew.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After a little haggling this offer was accepted, and Rodney found himself
+      the possessor of seventy five thousand dollars in cash.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was fortunate for me when I fell in with you, Mr. Pettigrew,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And no less fortunate for me, Rodney. This mine will bring us in a rich
+      sum for our share, besides the cash we already have in hand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you don&rsquo;t object, Mr. Pettigrew, I should like to go to New York and
+      continue my education. You can look after my interest here, and I shall be
+      willing to pay you anything you like for doing so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There won&rsquo;t be any trouble about that, Rodney. I don&rsquo;t blame you for
+      wanting to obtain an education. It isn&rsquo;t in my line. You can come out once
+      a year, and see what progress we are making. The mine will be called the
+      Rodney Mine after you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The Miners&rsquo; Rest was sold to the steward, as Mr. Pettigrew was too busy to
+      attend to it, and in a week Rodney was on his way to New York.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0037" id="link2HCH0037">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXXVII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_CONC" id="link2H_CONC">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CONCLUSION.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      Otis Goodnow arrived at his place of business a little earlier than usual,
+      and set himself to looking over his mail. Among other letters was one
+      written on paper bearing the name of the Fifth Avenue Hotel. He came to
+      this after a time and read it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It ran thus:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      DEAR SIR:
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+I was once in your employ, though you may not remember my name. I was in
+the department of Mr. Redwood, and there I became acquainted with Jasper
+Redwood, his nephew. I was discharged, it is needless to recall why. I
+had saved nothing, and of course I was greatly embarrassed. I could not
+readily obtain another place, and in order to secure money to pay living
+expenses I entered into an arrangement with Jasper Redwood to sell me
+articles, putting in more than I paid for. These I was enabled to sell
+at a profit to smaller stores. This was not as profitable as it might
+have been to me, as I was obliged to pay Jasper a commission for
+his agency. Well, after a time it was ascertained that articles were
+missing, and search was made for the thief. Through a cunningly devised
+scheme of Jasper&rsquo;s the theft was ascribed to Rodney Ropes, a younger
+clerk, and he was discharged. Ropes was a fine young fellow, and I have
+always been sorry that he got into trouble through our agency, but there
+seemed no help for it. It must rest on him or us. He protested
+his innocence, but was not believed. I wish to say now that he was
+absolutely innocent, and only Jasper and myself were to blame. If you
+doubt my statement I will call today, and you may confront me with
+Jasper. I desire that justice should be done.
+                                            PHILIP CARTON.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Call Mr. Redwood,&rdquo; said the merchant, summoning a boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In five minutes Mr. Redwood entered the office of his employer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You sent for me, sir?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Mr. Redwood; cast your eye over this letter.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      James Redwood read the letter, and his face showed the agitation he felt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know anything about this, Mr. Goodnow,&rdquo; he said at last.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It ought to be inquired into.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I agree with you. If my nephew is guilty I want to know it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We will wait till the writer of this letter calls. Do you remember him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir; he was discharged for intemperance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At twelve o&rsquo;clock Philip Carton made his appearance, and asked to be
+      conducted to Mr. Goodnow&rsquo;s private office.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are the writer of this letter?&rdquo; asked the merchant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you stand by the statement it contains?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, at this late day, have you made a confession?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because I wish to do justice to Rodney Ropes, who has been unjustly
+      accused, and also because I have been meanly treated by Jasper Redwood,
+      who has thrown me over now that he has no further use for me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you willing to repeat your statement before him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish to do so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Call Jasper Redwood, Sherman,&rdquo; said the merchant, addressing himself to
+      Sherman White, a boy recently taken into his employ.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper entered the office, rather surprised at the summons. When he saw
+      his accomplice, he changed color, and looked confused.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jasper,&rdquo; said the merchant, &ldquo;read this letter and tell me what you have
+      to say in reply.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper ran his eye over the letter, while his color came and went.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a lie,&rdquo; said Jasper hoarsely.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you still insist that the articles taken from my stock were taken by
+      Rodney Ropes?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you say, Mr. Carton?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not one was taken by Rodney Ropes. Jasper and I are responsible for them
+      all.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What proof can you bring?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. James Redwood will recall the purchase I made at the time of the
+      thefts. He will recall that I always purchased of Jasper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is true,&rdquo; said Mr. Redwood in a troubled voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you confess, Jasper Redwood?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you will tell the truth, I will see that no harm comes to you. I want
+      to clear this matter up.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper thought the matter over. He saw that the game was up&mdash;and
+      decided rapidly that confession was the best policy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir, if I must I will do so, but that man put me up to it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You did not need any putting up to it. I wish young Ropes were here, that
+      I might clear him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As if in answer to the wish a bronzed and manly figure appeared at the
+      office door. It was Rodney, but taller and more robust than when he left
+      the store nearly a year before.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney Ropes!&rdquo; ejaculated Jasper in great surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Jasper, I came here to see you, and beg you to free me from the
+      false charge which was brought against me when I was discharged from this
+      store. I didn&rsquo;t find you in your usual places, and was directed here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ropes,&rdquo; said Mr. Goodnow, &ldquo;your innocence has been established. This
+      man,&rdquo; indicating Philip Carton, &ldquo;has confessed that it was he and Jasper
+      who stole the missing articles.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am thankful that my character has been cleared.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am ready to take you back into my employ.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir, but I have now no need of a position. I shall be glad if
+      you will retain Jasper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are very generous to one who has done so much to injure you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Indirectly he put me in the way of making a fortune. If you will retain
+      him, Mr. Goodnow, I will guarantee to make up any losses you may incur
+      from him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How is this? Are you able to make this guarantee?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am worth seventy five thousand dollars in money, besides being owner of
+      a large mining property in Montana.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is truly wonderful! And you have accumulated all this since you left
+      my store?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney,&rdquo; said Jasper, going up to his old rival, and offering his hand.
+      &ldquo;I am sorry I tried to injure you. It was to save myself, but I see now
+      how meanly I acted.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That speech has saved you,&rdquo; said the merchant. &ldquo;Go back to your work. I
+      will give you another chance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will you take me back also, Mr. Goodnow?&rdquo; asked Philip Carton.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The merchant hesitated.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, Mr. Carton,&rdquo; said Rodney. &ldquo;I will look out for you. I will send you
+      to Montana with a letter to my partner. You can do better there than
+      here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Tears came into the eyes of the ex-clerk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; he said gratefully. &ldquo;I should prefer it. I will promise to
+      turn over a new leaf; and justify your recommendation.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come to see me this evening at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and I will arrange
+      matters.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall you stay in the city long, Ropes?&rdquo; asked the merchant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;About a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come and dine with me on Tuesday evening.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Later in the day Rodney sought out his old room mate Mike Flynn. He found
+      Mike in a bad case. He had a bad cold, but did not dare to give up work,
+      because he wouldn&rsquo;t be able to meet his bills. He was still in the employ
+      of the District Telegraph Company.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Give the company notice, Mike,&rdquo; said Rodney. &ldquo;Henceforth I will take care
+      of you. You can look upon me as your rich uncle,&rdquo; he added with a smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will be your servant, Rodney.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not a bit of it. You will be my friend. But you must obey me implicitly.
+      I am going to send you to school, and give you a chance to learn
+      something. Next week I shall return to Dr. Sampson&rsquo;s boarding school and
+      you will go with me as my friend and room mate.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, Rodney, you will be ashamed of me. I am awfully shabby.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You won&rsquo;t be long. You shall be as well dressed as I am.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A week later the two boys reached the school. It would have been hard for
+      any of Mike&rsquo;s old friends to recognize him in the handsomely dressed boy
+      who accompanied Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Really, Mike, you are quite good looking, now that you are well dressed,&rdquo;
+       said Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, go away with you, Rodney? It&rsquo;s fooling me you are!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not a bit of it. Now I want you to improve your time and learn as fast as
+      you can.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will, Rodney.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A year later Rodney left school, but he kept Mike there two years longer.
+      There had been a great change in the telegraph boy, who was quick to
+      learn. He expects, when he leaves school, to join Rodney in Montana.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I will not attempt to estimate Rodney&rsquo;s present wealth, but he is already
+      prominent in financial circles in his adopted State. Philip Carton is
+      prospering, and is respected by his new friends, who know nothing of his
+      earlier life.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As I write, Rodney has received a letter from his old guardian, Benjamin
+      Fielding. The letter came from Montreal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My dear Rodney,&rdquo; he wrote. &ldquo;I have worked hard to redeem the past, and
+      restore to you your fortune. I have just succeeded, and send you the
+      amount with interest. It leaves me little or nothing, but my mind is
+      relieved. I hope you have not had to suffer severely from my criminal
+      carelessness, and that you will live long to enjoy what rightfully belongs
+      to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In reply Rodney wrote: &ldquo;Please draw on me for fifty thousand dollars. I do
+      not need it, and you do. Five years from now, if you can spare the money
+      you may send it to me. Till then use it without interest. I am worth much
+      more than the sum my father intrusted to you for me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      This offer was gratefully accepted, and Mr. Fielding is now in New York,
+      where he is likely to experience a return of his former prosperity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As for Rodney, his trials are over. They made a man of him, and proved a
+      blessing in disguise.
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 6em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+
+
+
+
+
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+</pre>
+  </body>
+</html>
diff --git a/399.txt b/399.txt
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+++ b/399.txt
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Cast Upon the Breakers, by Horatio Alger
+
+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: Cast Upon the Breakers
+
+Author: Horatio Alger
+
+Release Date: January 16, 2006 [EBook #399]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAST UPON THE BREAKERS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Keller and David Widger
+
+
+
+
+
+CAST UPON THE BREAKERS
+
+by Horatio Alger, Jr.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+A FAITHLESS GUARDIAN.
+
+
+"Well, good by, Rodney! I leave school tomorrow. I am going to learn a
+trade."
+
+"I am sorry to part with you, David. Couldn't you stay another term?"
+
+"No: my uncle says I must be earning my living, and I have a chance to
+learn the carpenter's trade."
+
+"Where are you going?"
+
+"To Duffield, some twenty miles away. I wish I were in your shoes. You
+have no money cares, and can go on quietly and complete your education."
+
+"I don't know how I am situated, David. I only know that my guardian
+pays my expenses at this boarding school."
+
+"Yes, you are a star boarder, and have the nicest room in the
+institution. I am only a poor day scholar. Still I feel thankful that I
+have been allowed to remain as long as I have. Who is your guardian?"
+
+"A Mr. Benjamin Fielding, of New York."
+
+"Is he a business man?"
+
+"I believe so."
+
+"Do you know how much you will inherit when you come of age?" asked
+David, after a short pause.
+
+"I haven't an idea."
+
+"It seems to me your guardian ought to have told you."
+
+"I scarcely know my guardian. Five years ago I spent a week at his home.
+I don't remember much about it except that he lives in a handsome house,
+and has plenty of servants. Since then, as you know, I have passed most
+of my time here, except that in the summer I was allowed to board at the
+Catskills or any country place I might select."
+
+"Yes, and I remember one year you took me with you and paid all my
+expenses. I shall never forget your kindness, and how much I enjoyed
+that summer."
+
+Rodney Ropes smiled, and his smile made his usually grave face look very
+attractive.
+
+"My dear David," he said, "it was all selfishness on my part. I knew I
+should enjoy myself much better with a companion."
+
+"You may call that selfishness, Rodney, but it is a kind of selfishness
+that makes me your devoted friend. How long do you think you shall
+remain at school?"
+
+"I don't know. My guardian has never told me his plans for me. I wish he
+would."
+
+"I shall miss you, Rodney, but we will correspond, won't we?"
+
+"Surely. You know I shall always feel interested in you and your
+welfare."
+
+David was a plain boy of humble parentage, and would probably be a hard
+working mechanic. In fact he was looking for nothing better.
+
+But Rodney Ropes looked to be of genteel blood, and had the air of
+one who had been brought up a gentleman. But different as they were in
+social position the two boys had always been devoted friends.
+
+The boarding school of which Rodney was, as his friend expressed
+himself, a star pupil, was situated about fifty miles from the city of
+New York. It was under the charge of Dr. Sampson, a tall, thin man
+of fair scholarship, keenly alive to his own interest, who showed
+partiality for his richer pupils, and whenever he had occasion to
+censure bore most heavily upon boys like David Hull, who was poor.
+
+Rodney occupied alone the finest room in the school. There was a great
+contrast between his comfortable quarters and the extremely plain
+dormitories occupied by less favored pupils.
+
+In the case of some boys the favoritism of the teacher would have led
+them to put on airs, and made them unpopular with their school
+fellows. But Rodney had too noble a nature to be influenced by such
+considerations. He enjoyed his comfortable room, but treated his school
+fellows with a frank cordiality that made him a general favorite.
+
+After David left his room Rodney sat down to prepare a lesson in Cicero,
+when he was interrupted by the entrance through the half open door of a
+younger boy.
+
+"Rodney," he said, "the doctor would like to see you in his office."
+
+"Very well, Brauner, I will go down at once."
+
+He put aside his book and went down to the office of Dr. Sampson on the
+first floor.
+
+The doctor was sitting at his desk. He turned slightly as Rodney
+entered.
+
+"Take a seat, Ropes," he said curtly.
+
+His tone was so different from his usual cordiality that Rodney was
+somewhat surprised.
+
+"Am I in disgrace?" he asked himself. "Dr. Sampson doesn't seem as
+friendly as usual."
+
+After a brief interval Dr. Sampson wheeled round in his office chair.
+
+"I have a letter for you from your guardian, Ropes," he said. "Here it
+is. Do me the favor to read it here."
+
+With some wonder Rodney took the letter and read as follows:
+
+
+DEAR RODNEY--I have bad news to communicate. As you know, I was left by
+your father in charge of you and your fortune. I have never told you
+the amount, but I will say now that it was about fifty thousand dollars.
+Until two years since I kept it intact but then began a series of
+reverses in which my own fortune was swallowed up. In the hope of
+relieving myself I regret to say that I was tempted to use your money.
+That went also, and now of the whole sum there remains but enough to
+pay the balance of your school bills, leaving you penniless. How much I
+regret this I cannot tell you. I shall leave New York at once. I do not
+care at present to say where I shall go, but I shall try to make good
+the loss, and eventually restore to you your lost fortune. I may be
+successful or I may not. I shall do my best and I hope in time to have
+better news to communicate.
+
+One thing I am glad to say. I have a casket containing your mother's
+jewels. These are intact. I shall send you the casket by express,
+knowing that you will wish to keep them out of regard for your mother's
+memory. In case you are reduced to the necessity of pawning or selling
+them, I am sure that your mother, could she be consulted, would advise
+you to do so. This would be better than to have you suffer from want.
+
+There is nothing further for me to write except to repeat my regret, and
+renew my promise to make up your lost fortune if I shall ever to able to
+do so. Your Guardian, BENJAMIN FIELDING.
+
+
+Rodney read this like one dazed. In an instant he was reduced from the
+position of a favorite of fortune to a needy boy, with his living to
+make.
+
+He could not help recalling what had passed between his friend David and
+himself earlier in the day. Now he was as poor as David--poorer, in fact
+for David had a chance to learn a trade that would yield him a living,
+while he was utterly without resources, except in having an unusually
+good education.
+
+"Well," said Dr. Sampson, "have you read your letter?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Your guardian wrote to me also. This is his letter," and he placed the
+brief epistle in Rodney's hands.
+
+
+DR. SAMPSON--I have written my ward, Rodney Ropes, an important
+letter which he will show you. The news which it contains will make it
+necessary for him to leave school. I inclose a check for one hundred and
+twenty five dollars. Keep whatever is due you, and give him the balance.
+BENJAMIN FIELDING.
+
+
+"I have read the letter, but I don't know what it means," said Dr.
+Sampson. "Can you throw any light upon it?"
+
+"Here is my letter, doctor. You can read it for yourself."
+
+Dr. Sampson's face changed as he read Rodney's letter. It changed and
+hardened, and his expression became quite different from that to which
+Rodney had been accustomed.
+
+"This is a bad business, Ropes," said the doctor in a hard tone.
+
+He had always said Rodney before.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"That was a handsome fortune which your father left you."
+
+"Yes, sir. I never knew before how much it amounted to."
+
+"You only learn when you have lost it. Mr. Fielding has treated you
+shamefully."
+
+"Yes, sir, I suppose he has, but he says he will try to make it up to me
+in the future."
+
+"Pish! that is all humbug. Even if he is favored by fortune you will
+never get back a cent."
+
+"I think I shall, sir."
+
+"You are young. You do not know the iniquities of business men. I do."
+
+"I prefer to hope for the best."
+
+"Just as you please."
+
+"Have you anything more to say to me?"
+
+"Only that I will figure up your account and see how much money is to
+come to you out of the check your guardian has sent. You can stay here
+till Monday; then you will find it best to make new arrangements."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+Rodney left the room, realizing that Dr. Sampson's feelings had been
+changed by his pupil's reverse of fortune.
+
+It was the way of the world, but it was not a pleasant way, and Rodney
+felt depressed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+THE CASKET OF JEWELS.
+
+
+It was not till the latter part of the afternoon that the casket
+arrived. Rodney was occupied with a recitation, and it was only in
+the evening that he got an opportunity to open it. There was a pearl
+necklace, very handsome, a pair of bracelets, two gold chains, some
+minor articles of jewelry and a gold ring.
+
+A locket attracted Rodney's notice, and he opened it. It contained the
+pictures of his father and mother.
+
+His father he could barely remember, his mother died before he was old
+enough to have her image impressed upon his memory. He examined the
+locket and his heart was saddened. He felt how different his life would
+have been had his parents lived.
+
+He had never before realized the sorrow of being alone in the world.
+Misfortune had come upon him, and so far as he knew he had not a friend.
+Even Dr. Sampson, who had been paid so much money on his account, and
+who had always professed so great friendship for him, had turned cold.
+
+As he was standing with the locket in his hand there was a knock at the
+door.
+
+"Come in!" he called out.
+
+The door opened and a stout, coarse looking boy, dressed in an expensive
+manner, entered.
+
+"Good evening, John," said Rodney, but not cordially.
+
+Next to himself, John Bundy, who was the son of a wealthy saloon keeper
+in the city of New York, had been a favorite with Dr. Sampson.
+
+If there was anything Dr. Sampson bowed down to and respected it was
+wealth, and Mr. Bundy, senior, was reputed to be worth a considerable
+fortune.
+
+In Rodney's mood John Bundy was about the last person whom he wanted to
+see.
+
+"Ha!" said John, espying the open casket, "where did you get all that
+jewelry?"
+
+"It contains my mother's jewels," said Rodney gravely.
+
+"You never showed it to me before."
+
+"I never had it before. It came to me by express this afternoon."
+
+"It must be worth a good pile of money," said John, his eyes gleaming
+with cupidity.
+
+"I suppose it is."
+
+"Have you any idea what it is worth?"
+
+"I have no thought about it."
+
+"What are you going to do with it? It won't be of use to you, especially
+the diamond earrings," he added, with a coarse laugh.
+
+"No," answered Rodney shortly.
+
+"My eyes, wouldn't my mother like to own all this jewelry. She's fond of
+ornament, but pa won't buy them for her."
+
+Rodney did not answer.
+
+"I say, Ropes, I mustn't forget my errand. Will you do me a favor?"
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Lend me five dollars till the first of next month. My allowance comes
+due then. Now I haven't but a quarter left."
+
+"What makes you apply to me, Bundy?"
+
+"Because you always have money. I don't suppose you are worth as much as
+my father, but you have more money for yourself than I have."
+
+"I have had, perhaps, but I haven't now."
+
+"Why, what's up? What has happened?"
+
+"I have lost my fortune."
+
+John whistled. This was his way of expressing amazement.
+
+"Why, what have you been doing? How could you lose your fortune?"
+
+"My guardian has lost it for me. That amount to the same thing."
+
+"When did you hear that?"
+
+"This morning."
+
+"Is that true? Are you really a poor boy?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+John Bundy was astonished, but on the whole he was not saddened. In the
+estimation of the school Rodney had always ranked higher than he, and
+been looked upon as the star pupil in point of wealth.
+
+Now that he was dethroned John himself would take his place. This would
+be gratifying, though just at present, and till the beginning of the
+next month, he would be distressed for ready money.
+
+"Well, that's a stunner!" he said. "How do you feel about it? Shall you
+stay in school?"
+
+"No; I can't afford it. I must get to work."
+
+"Isn't there anything left--not a cent?"
+
+"There may be a few dollars."
+
+"And then," said Bundy with a sudden thought, "there is this casket of
+jewelry. You can sell it for a good deal of money."
+
+"I don't mean to sell it."
+
+"Then you're a fool; that's all I've got to say."
+
+"I don't suppose you will understand my feeling in the matter, but these
+articles belonged to my mother. They are all I have to remind me of her.
+I do not mean to sell them unless it is absolutely necessary."
+
+"I would sell them quicker'n a wink," said Bundy. "What's the good of
+keeping them?"
+
+"We won't discuss the matter," said Rodney coldly.
+
+"Do you mind my telling the other boys about your losing your money?"
+
+"No; it will be known tomorrow at any rate; there is no advantage in
+concealing it."
+
+A heavy step was heard outside. It stopped before the door.
+
+"I must be getting," said Bundy, "or I'll get into trouble."
+
+It was against the rule at the school for boys to make calls upon each
+other in the evening unless permission were given.
+
+John Bundy opened the door suddenly, and to his dismay found himself
+facing the rigid figure of Dr. Sampson, the principal.
+
+"How do you happen to be here, Bundy?" asked the doctor sternly.
+
+"Please, sir, I was sympathizing with Ropes on his losing his money,"
+said Bundy with ready wit.
+
+"Very well! I will excuse you this time."
+
+"I'm awful sorry for you, Ropes," said Bundy effusively.
+
+"Thank you," responded Rodney.
+
+"You can go now," said the principal. "I have a little business with
+Master Ropes."
+
+"All right, sir. Good night."
+
+"Good night."
+
+"Won't you sit down, Dr. Sampson?" said Rodney politely, and he took the
+casket from the chair.
+
+"Yes, I wish to have five minutes' conversation with you. So these are
+the jewels, are they?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"They seem to be quite valuable," went on the doctor, lifting the pearl
+necklace and poising it in his fingers. "It will be well for you to have
+them appraised by a jeweler."
+
+"It would, sir, if I wished to sell them, but I mean to keep them as
+they are."
+
+"I would hardly advise it. You will need the money. Probably you do not
+know how near penniless you are."
+
+"No, sir; I don't know."
+
+"Your guardian, as you are aware, sent me a check for one hundred and
+twenty five dollars. I have figured up how much of this sum is due to
+me, and I find it to be one hundred and thirteen dollars and thirty
+seven cents."
+
+"Yes, sir," said Rodney indifferently.
+
+"This leaves for you only eleven dollars and sixty three cents. You
+follow me, do you not?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Have you any money saved up from your allowance?"
+
+"A few dollars only, sir."
+
+"Ahem! that is a pity. You will need all you can raise. But of course
+you did not anticipate what has occurred?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"I will throw off the thirty seven cents," said the principal
+magnanimously, "and give you back twelve dollars."
+
+"I would rather pay you the whole amount of your bill," said Rodney.
+
+"Ahem! Well perhaps that would be more business-like. So you don't wish
+to part with any of the jewelry, Ropes?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"I thought, perhaps, by way of helping you, I would take the earrings,
+and perhaps the necklace, off your hands and present them to Mrs.
+Sampson."
+
+Rodney shuddered with aversion at the idea of these precious articles,
+which had once belonged to his mother, being transferred to the stout
+and coarse featured consort of the principal.
+
+"I think I would rather keep them," he replied.
+
+"Oh well, just as you please," said Dr. Sampson with a shade of
+disappointment for he had no idea of paying more than half what the
+articles were worth. "If the time comes when you wish to dispose of them
+let me know."
+
+Rodney nodded, but did not answer in words.
+
+"Of course, Ropes," went on the doctor in a perfunctory way, "I am very
+sorry for you. I shall miss you, and, if I could afford it, I would tell
+you to stay without charge. But I am a poor man."
+
+"Yes," said Rodney hastily, "I understand. I thank you for your words
+but would not under any circumstances accept such a favor at your
+hands."
+
+"I am afraid you are proud, Ropes. Pride is--ahem--a wrong feeling."
+
+"Perhaps so, Dr. Sampson, but I wish to earn my own living without being
+indebted to any one."
+
+"Perhaps you are right, Ropes. I dare say I should feel so myself. When
+do you propose leaving us?"
+
+"Some time tomorrow, sir."
+
+"I shall feel sad to have you go. You have been here so long that
+you seem to me like a son. But we must submit to the dispensations of
+Providence--" and Dr. Sampson blew a vigorous blast upon his red silk
+handkerchief. "I will give you the balance due in the morning."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+Rodney was glad to be left alone. He had no faith in Dr. Sampson's
+sympathy. The doctor had the reputation of being worth from thirty to
+forty thousand dollars, and his assumption of being a poor man Rodney
+knew to be a sham.
+
+He went to bed early, for tomorrow was to be the beginning of a new life
+for him.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE.
+
+
+When it was generally known in the school that Rodney was to leave
+because he had lost his property much sympathy was felt and expressed
+for him.
+
+Though he had received more than ordinary attention from the principal
+on account of his pecuniary position and expectations, this had not
+impaired his popularity. He never put on any airs and was on as cordial
+relations with the poorest student as with the richest.
+
+"I'm awfully sorry you're going, Rodney," said more than one. "Is it
+really true that you have lost your property?"
+
+"Yes, it is true."
+
+"Do you feel bad about it?"
+
+"I feel sorry, but not discouraged."
+
+"I say, Rodney," said Ernest Rayner, in a low voice, calling Rodney
+aside, "are you very short of money?"
+
+"I haven't much left, Ernest."
+
+"Because I received five dollars last week as a birthday present. I
+haven't spent any of it. You can have it as well as not."
+
+Rodney was much moved. "My dear Ernest," he said, putting his arm
+caressingly around the neck of the smaller boy, "you are a true friend.
+I won't forget your generous offer, though I don't need to accept it."
+
+"But are you sure you have money enough?" asked Ernest.
+
+"Yes, I have enough for the present. By the time I need more I shall
+have earned it."
+
+There was one boy, already introduced, John Bundy, who did not share in
+the general feeling of sympathy for Rodney. This was John Bundy.
+
+He felt that Rodney's departure would leave him the star pupil and give
+him the chief social position in school. As to scholarship he was not
+ambitious to stand high in that.
+
+"I say, Ropes," he said complacently, "I'm to have your room after
+you're gone."
+
+"I congratulate you," returned Rodney. "It is an excellent room."
+
+"Yes, I s'pose it'll make you feel bad. Where are you going?"
+
+"I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have done."
+
+"Oh yes, I guess there's no doubt of that. I'm going to get pa to send
+me some nice pictures to hang on the wall. When you come back here on a
+visit you'll see how nice it looks."
+
+"I think it will be a good while before I come here on a visit."
+
+"Yes. I s'pose it'll make you feel bad. Where are you going?"
+
+"To the City of New York."
+
+"You'll have to live in a small hall bedroom there."
+
+"Why will I?"
+
+"Because you are poor, and it costs a good deal of money to live in New
+York. It'll be a great come down."
+
+"It will indeed, but if I can earn enough to support me in plain style
+I won't complain. I suppose you'll call and see me when you come to New
+York?"
+
+"Perhaps so, if you don't live in a tenement house. Pa objects to my
+going to tenement houses. There's no knowing what disease there may be
+in them."
+
+"It is well to be prudent," said Rodney, smiling.
+
+It did not trouble him much to think he was not likely to receive a call
+from his quondan schoolmate.
+
+"Here is the balance of your money, Ropes," said Dr. Sampson, drawing
+a small roll of bills from his pocket, later in the day. "I am quite
+willing to give you the odd thirty seven cents."
+
+"Thank you, doctor, but I shan't need it."
+
+"You are poorly provided. Now I would pay you a good sum for some of
+your mother's jewelry, as I told you last evening."
+
+"Thank you," said Rodney hastily, "but I don't care to sell at present."
+
+"Let me know when you are ready to dispose of the necklace."
+
+Here the depot carriage appeared in the street outside and Rodney with
+his gripsack in one hand and the precious casket in the other, climbed
+to a seat beside the driver.
+
+His trunk he left behind, promising to send for it when he had found a
+new boarding place.
+
+There was a chorus of good byes. Rodney waved his handkerchief in
+general farewell, and the carriage started for the depot.
+
+"Be you goin' for good?" asked Joel, the driver, who knew Rodney well
+and felt friendly to him.
+
+"Yes, Joel."
+
+"It's kind of sudden, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What makes you go?"
+
+"Bad news, Joel."
+
+"Be any of your folks dead?"
+
+"It is not death. I haven't any 'folks.' I'm alone in the world.
+It's because I've lost my property and am too poor to remain in school."
+
+"That's too bad," said the driver in a tone of sympathy. "Where are you
+goin'?"
+
+"To the city."
+
+"Are you goin' to work?"
+
+"Yes, I shall have to."
+
+"If you was a little older you might get a chance to drive a street car,
+but I s'pose you're too young."
+
+"Yes, I don't think they would take me."
+
+"I've thought sometimes I should like such a chance myself," said Joel.
+"I've got tired of the country. I should like to live in the city where
+there's theaters, and shows, and such like. Do you know what the drivers
+on street cars get?"
+
+"No, I never heard."
+
+"I wish you'd find out and let me know. You can send the letter to Joel
+Phipps, Groveton. Then find out if it's easy to get such a chance."
+
+"I will. I shall be glad to oblige you."
+
+"You always was obligin', Rodney. I've asked Jack Bundy to do it--you
+know his folks live in the city--but he never would. He's a mighty
+disagreeable boy. He never liked you."
+
+"Didn't he?"
+
+"No, I surmise he was jealous of you. He used to say you put on so many
+airs it made him sick."
+
+"I don't think any of the other boys would say that."
+
+"No, but they could say it of him. Do you think his father is rich?"
+
+"I have always heard that he was."
+
+"I hope he's better about paying his debt than Jack. I lent him twenty
+five cents a year ago and I never could get it back."
+
+The distance from the school to the station was a mile. Joel fetched the
+carriage round with a sweep and then jumped off, opened the door, and
+then helped the passengers to disembark, if that word is allowable.
+
+"How soon does the train start, Joel?" asked Rodney.
+
+"In about five minutes."
+
+"Then I had better purchase my ticket without delay."
+
+"Don't forget to ask about horse car drivers!"
+
+"No, I won't. I should like to have you come to New York. I know no one
+there, and I should feel glad to see a familiar face."
+
+The train came up in time, and Rodney was one of half a dozen passengers
+who entered the cars.
+
+He obtained a place next to a stout man dressed in a pepper and salt
+suit.
+
+"Is this seat engaged?" asked Rodney.
+
+"Yes--to you," and his fellow passenger laughed.
+
+Rodney laughed too, for he saw that the remark was meant to be jocose.
+
+He put his gripsack on the floor at his feet, but held the casket in his
+lap. He did not like to run any risk with that.
+
+"Are you a drummer?" asked the stout man, with a glance at the casket.
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"I thought you might be, and that THAT might contain your samples."
+
+"No, sir. That is private property."
+
+He had thought of telling what it contained, but checked himself. He
+knew nothing of his companion, and was not sure how far it might be safe
+to trust a stranger.
+
+"I used to be a drummer myself--in the jewelry line--" continued his
+companion, "and I carried a box just like that."
+
+"Ah, indeed! Then you are not in that business now?"
+
+"No, I got tired of it. I deal in quite a different article now."
+
+"Indeed?"
+
+"Suburban lot."
+
+"You don't happen to have any of them with you?"
+
+The stout man roared with laughter, giving Rodney the impression that he
+had said a very witty thing.
+
+"That's a good one," he remarked, "the best I've heard for a long time.
+No, I haven't any of the lots with me, but I've got a circular. Just
+cast your eye over that," and he drew a large and showy prospectus from
+his pocket.
+
+"If you should be looking for a good investment," he continued, "you
+can't do any better than buy a lot at Morton Park. It is only eighteen
+miles from the city and is rapidly building up. You can buy lot on easy
+installments, and I will myself pick one out for you that is almost sure
+to double in value in a year or two."
+
+"Thank you," said Rodney, "but I shall have to invest my money, if I get
+any, in a different way."
+
+"As what for instance?"
+
+"In board and lodging."
+
+"Good. That is even more necessary than real estate."
+
+"How long have you been in the business, sir?"
+
+"About six months."
+
+"And how does it pay?"
+
+"Very well, if you know how to talk."
+
+"I should think you might do well, then."
+
+"Thank you. I appreciate the compliment. What business are you going
+into, that is, if you are going to the city?"
+
+"I am going to the city, but I have no idea yet what I shall do."
+
+"Perhaps you may like to become an agent for our lots. I shall be ready
+to employ you as sub agent if you feel disposed."
+
+"Thank you, sir. If you will give me your card, I may call upon you."
+
+The short man drew from his card case a business card. It bore the name
+
+
+ADIN WOODS. ROYAL BUILDING. NASSAU ST. Morton Park Lots.
+
+
+"Come to see me at any time," he said, "and we will talk the matter
+over."
+
+Here the train boy came along and Rodney bought a copy of Puck, while
+the agent resumed the perusal of a copy of a magazine. For an hour
+the cars ran smoothly. Then there was a sudden shock causing all the
+passengers to start to their feet.
+
+"We're off the track!" shouted an excitable person in front of Rodney.
+
+The instinct of self preservation is perhaps stronger than any other.
+Rodney and his seat mate both jumped to their feet and hurried to the
+door of the car, not knowing what was in store for them.
+
+But fortunately the train had not been going rapidly. It was approaching
+a station and was "slowing up." So, though it had really run off the
+track, there was not likely to be any injury to the passengers.
+
+"We are safe," said Adin Woods. "The only harm done is the delay. I hope
+that won't be long. Suppose we go back to our seat." They returned to
+the seat which they had jointly occupied.
+
+Then Rodney made an alarming discovery. "My casket!" he exclaimed.
+"Where is it?"
+
+"What did you do with it?"
+
+"Left it on the seat."
+
+"It may have fallen to the floor."
+
+Rodney searched for it in feverish excitement, but his search was vain.
+THE CASKET HAD DISAPPEARED!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+IN PURSUIT OF A THIEF.
+
+
+"Were the contents of the casket valuable?" asked the land agent.
+
+"Yes; it contained my mother's jewels, all the more valuable because she
+is dead," replied Rodney.
+
+"Were they of much intrinsic worth?"
+
+"They must be worth several hundred dollars at least."
+
+"Then they must be found," said Adin Woods energetically. "They have
+evidently been taken by some passenger during the five minutes we were
+away from our seat."
+
+"Were you inquiring about the casket?" asked a lady sitting opposite.
+
+"Yes, madam. Can you give any information about it?"
+
+"Just after you left your seat the man that sat behind you rose and
+reaching over for it went to the rear end of the car and got out."
+
+"I wish you had stopped him, madam."
+
+"He was so cool about it that I thought he might be a friend of the
+young gentleman."
+
+"I didn't know him. He must have been a thief."
+
+"What was his appearance, madam?" asked the lot agent.
+
+"He was a thin, dark complexioned man, with side whiskers coming half
+way down his cheeks."
+
+"And you say he got out of the rear end of the car?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"He won't get on the train again," said the agent turning to Rodney. "He
+thinks the casket valuable enough to pay him for the interruption of his
+journey."
+
+"What shall I do then?" asked Rodney, feeling helpless and at a loss
+which way to turn.
+
+"Follow him," said the agent briefly. "He will probably stop over in the
+village a day and resume his journey tomorrow."
+
+"Even if I found him I am afraid I shouldn't know how to deal with him."
+
+"Then I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll stop over with you and help you
+make it hot for him. I've had a spite against thieves ever since I had a
+valuable overcoat stolen in one of my journeys."
+
+"I shall feel very much obliged to you, Mr. Woods, but won't it
+interfere with your business?"
+
+"Not materially. If we succeed in overhauling the rascal I shall feel
+sufficiently repaid for the small interruption. But come on, we can't
+afford to linger here while he is carrying off the plunder."
+
+"I don't know how I can repay you, Mr. Woods," said Rodney gratefully.
+
+"You can buy a lot of me when you get rich enough."
+
+"I will certainly do so, though I am afraid it will be a long time
+first."
+
+"You don't know what good fortune may be in store for you. Did you
+notice, madam, in which direction the thief went?"
+
+"Yes, I was looking out of the window. He went over the road to the
+left."
+
+"That leads to the village. You will see, Mr. Ropes, that I was right
+about his plans."
+
+"Don't call me Mr. Ropes. Call me Rodney."
+
+"I will. It don't seem natural to dub a boy Mr. Now, Rodney, follow me."
+
+The two passengers set out on the road that led to the village. They
+could see the latter easily, for it was not more than a mile away.
+
+"He will be surprised to think we have 'struck his trail' so quick,"
+said the agent.
+
+"Where shall we go first?"
+
+"To the hotel if there is one."
+
+"The village seems small."
+
+"Yes, there are only a few hundred inhabitant probably. It is not a
+place where a traveler would be likely to interrupt his journey unless
+he had a special object in doing so, like our dishonest friend. However,
+I think we shall be able to balk his little game."
+
+Ten minutes' walk brought them to the village. Looking about they saw a
+small hotel just across the way from a neat white chapel.
+
+"Follow me," said the agent.
+
+They went into the public room in which there was a small office.
+
+The book of arrivals was open, and Adin Woods went forward and examined
+it. Silently he pointed to a name evidently just written, for the ink
+was scarcely dry. This was the name: Louis Wheeler, Philadelphia.
+
+"This may or may not be his real name," said Mr. Woods in a low voice.
+
+"Do you wish to register, gentlemen?" asked the clerk.
+
+"We will take dinner, and if we decide to stay will register later. By
+the way, I recognize this name, but it may not be the man I suppose."
+
+"Yes, the gentleman just registered."
+
+"Would you mind describing him?"
+
+"He was a tall, dark man as near as I can remember."
+
+"And he carried a small casket in his hand?"
+
+"Yes, and a gripsack."
+
+"Oh yes," said the agent his face lighting up with satisfaction. "It is
+the man I mean--where is he now?"
+
+"In his room."
+
+"Did he say how long he intended to stay?"
+
+"No, sir. He said nothing about his plans."
+
+"Did he seem specially careful about the casket?"
+
+"Yes, sir. He carried that in his hands, but let the servant carry up
+the gripsack."
+
+"My friend," said the agent in an impressive tone, "I am going to
+surprise you."
+
+The country clerk looked all curiosity.
+
+"Is it about Mr. Wheeler?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, the man is a thief. He stole the casket, which contains valuable
+jewelry, from my young friend here. We are here to demand a return of
+the property or to arrest him. Is there a policeman within call?"
+
+"I can summon a constable."
+
+"Do so, but don't breathe a word of what I have told you."
+
+The clerk called a boy in from the street and gave him instructions in
+a low voice. He went at once on his errand, and in ten minutes a stout
+broad shouldered man made his appearance.
+
+"This gentleman sent for you, Mr. Barlow," said the clerk.
+
+"What can I do for you?" asked the constable.
+
+"Help me to recover stolen property."
+
+"That I will do with pleasure if you will tell me what you want me to
+do."
+
+Adin Woods held a brief conference with the constable, then he led the
+way up stairs, followed immediately by Rodney, while the constable kept
+a little behind.
+
+"His room is No. 9," said the bell boy.
+
+The agent paused before the door of No. 9, and knocked.
+
+"Come in!" said a voice.
+
+The agent opened the door, and entered, accompanied by Rodney. A glance
+showed that the occupant answered the description given by the lady in
+the car.
+
+Louis Wheeler changed color, for he recognized both the agent and
+Rodney.
+
+"What is your business?" he asked in a tone which he tried to make
+indifferent.
+
+"That," answered Woods, pointing to the jewel casket on the bureau.
+
+It looked to him as if Wheeler, if that was his name, had been trying to
+open it.
+
+"I don't understand."
+
+"Then I will try to make things clear to you. You have, doubtless by
+accident" he emphasized the last word, "taken from the car a casket
+belonging to my young friend here."
+
+"You are mistaken, sir," said Wheeler with brazen hardihood. "That
+casket belongs to me."
+
+"Indeed. What does it contain?"
+
+"I fail to see how that is any of your business," returned Wheeler,
+determined, if possible, to bluff off his visitors.
+
+"I admire your cheek, sir. I really do. But I am too old a traveler to
+be taken in by such tricks. I propose to have that casket."
+
+"Well, sir, you are the most impudent thief and burglar I ever met. You
+break into a gentleman's room, and undertake to carry off his private
+property. Unless you go out at once, I will have you arrested."
+
+"That you can do very readily, for I have an officer within call."
+
+Louis Wheeler changed color. He began to see that the situation was
+getting serious.
+
+"There is a great mistake here," he said.
+
+"I agree with you."
+
+The agent went to the door, and called "Constable Barlow."
+
+The constable promptly presented himself.
+
+"Do you want me, sir?" he asked.
+
+"That depends on this gentleman here. If he will peacefully restore to
+my young friend here yonder jewel casket I am willing to let him go.
+Otherwise--" and he glanced at Wheeler significantly.
+
+"Perhaps I have made a mistake," admitted the thief. "I had a casket
+exactly like this. Possibly I have taken the wrong one."
+
+"I have the key to the casket here," said Rodney, "and I can tell you
+without opening it what it contains."
+
+"What did yours contain?" asked the agent.
+
+"Jewelry," answered Wheeler shortly.
+
+"What articles?"
+
+"Never mind. I am inclined to think this casket belongs to the boy."
+
+"Rodney, you can take it and Mr. Wheeler will probably find his where he
+left it."
+
+No objection was made, and the discomfited thief was left a prey to
+mortification and disappointment.
+
+Rodney handed a dollar to the constable which that worthy official
+received with thanks, and he and the agent resumed their journey by an
+afternoon train. They saw nothing further of Louis Wheeler who sent for
+dinner to be served in his room.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+A YOUNG FINANCIAL WRECK.
+
+
+"You have been very fortunate in recovering your jewels," said the
+agent.
+
+"I owe it to you," replied Rodney gratefully.
+
+"Well, perhaps so. If I have rendered you a service I am very glad."
+
+"And I am very glad to have found so good a friend. I hope you will let
+me pay for your ticket to New York."
+
+"It won't be necessary. The interruption of our journey won't invalidate
+the ticket we have."
+
+An hour later they reached New York.
+
+"What are your plans, Rodney?" asked Adin Woods, who by this time had
+become quite intimate with his young companion.
+
+"I shall call on my guardian, and perhaps he may give me some advice as
+to what I do. Where would you advise me to go--to a hotel?"
+
+"No; it will be too expensive. I know of a plain boarding house on West
+Fourteenth Street where you can be accommodated with lodging and two
+meals--breakfast and supper, or dinner as we call it here--for a dollar
+a day."
+
+"I shall be glad to go there, for the present, at least. I haven't much
+money, and must find something to do as soon as possible."
+
+"We will both go there, and if you don't object we will take a room
+together. That will give us a larger apartment. Mrs. Marcy is an old
+acquaintance of mine, and will give you a welcome."
+
+Rodney was glad to accept his companion's proposal. They proceeded at
+once to the boarding house, and fortunately found a good room vacant on
+the third floor. Mr. Woods went out in the evening to make a call, but
+Rodney was glad to go to bed at nine o'clock.
+
+The next morning after breakfast Rodney consulted his companion as to
+what he should do with the casket.
+
+"Do you want to raise money on it?" asked the agent.
+
+"No; I shall not do this unless I am obliged to."
+
+"Have you any idea as to the value of the jewels?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Then I will take you first to a jeweler in Maiden Lane, a friend of
+mine, who will appraise them. Afterwards I advise you to deposit the
+casket at a storage warehouse, or get Tiffany to keep it for you."
+
+"I will do as you suggest."
+
+Maiden Lane is a street largely devoted to jewelers, wholesale and
+retail. Rodney followed Mr. Woods into a store about midway between
+Broadway and Nassau Street. A pleasant looking man of middle age greeted
+the agent cordially.
+
+"What can I do for you?" he asked. "Do you wish to buy a diamond ring
+for the future Mrs. Woods?"
+
+"Not much. I would like to have you appraise some jewelry belonging to
+my young friend here."
+
+The casket was opened, and the jeweler examined the contents admiringly.
+
+"This is choice jewelry," he said. "Does your friend wish to sell?"
+
+"Not at present," answered Rodney.
+
+"When you do give me a call. I will treat you fairly. You wish me to
+appraise these articles?"
+
+"Yes, sir, if you will."
+
+"It will take me perhaps fifteen minutes."
+
+The jeweler retired to the back part of the store with the casket.
+
+In about a quarter of an hour he returned.
+
+"Of course I can't give exact figures," he said, "but I value the
+jewelry at about twelve hundred dollars."
+
+Rodney looked surprised.
+
+"I didn't think it so valuable," he said.
+
+"I don't mean that you could sell it for so much, but if you wish to
+dispose of it I will venture to give you eleven hundred."
+
+"Thank you. If I decide to sell I will certainly come to you."
+
+"Now," said the agent, "I advise you on the whole to store the casket
+with Tiffany."
+
+"Shall I have to pay storage in advance?" asked Rodney anxiously.
+
+"I think not. The value of the jewels will be a sufficient guarantee
+that storage will be paid."
+
+Rodney accompanied Adin Woods to the great jewelry store on the corner
+of Fifteenth Street and Union Square, and soon transacted his business.
+
+"Now, you won't have any anxiety as to the safety of the casket," said
+the agent. "Your friend of the train will find it difficult to get hold
+of the jewels. Now I shall have to leave you, as I have some business to
+attend to. We will meet at supper."
+
+Rodney decided to call at the office of his late guardian, Benjamin
+Fielding. It was in the lower part of the city.
+
+On his way down town he purchased a copy of a morning paper. Almost the
+first article he glanced at proved to be of especial interest to him. It
+was headed--
+
+
+SKIPPED TO CANADA
+
+Rumors have been rife for some time affecting the business standing of
+Mr. Benjamin Fielding, the well known commission merchant. Yesterday
+it was discovered that he had left the city, but where he has gone is
+unknown. It is believed that he is very deeply involved, and seeing no
+way out of his embarrassment has skipped to Canada, or perhaps taken
+passage to Europe. Probably his creditors will appoint a committee to
+look into his affairs and report what can be done.
+
+LATER--An open letter has been found in Mr. Fielding's desk, addressed
+to his creditors. It expresses regret for their losses, and promises,
+if his life is spared, and fortune favors him, to do all in his power to
+make them good. No one doubts Mr. Fielding's integrity, and regrets are
+expressed that he did not remain in the city and help unravel the tangle
+in which his affairs are involved. He is a man of ability, and as he is
+still in the prime of life, it may be that he will be able to redeem his
+promises and pay his debts in full, if sufficient time is given him.
+
+
+"I can get no help or advice from Mr. Fielding," thought Rodney. "I am
+thrown upon my own resources, and must fight the battle of life as well
+as I can alone."
+
+He got out in front of the Astor House. As he left the car he soiled his
+shoes with the mud so characteristic of New York streets.
+
+"Shine your boots?" asked a young Arab, glancing with a business eye at
+Rodney's spattered shoes.
+
+Rodney accepted his offer, not so much because he thought the blacking
+would last, as for the opportunity of questioning the free and
+independent young citizen who was doing, what he hoped to do, that is,
+making a living for himself.
+
+"Is business good with you?" asked Rodney. "It ought to be with the
+street in this condition."
+
+"Yes; me and de Street Commissioner is in league together. He makes
+business good for me."
+
+"And do you pay him a commission?" asked Rodney smiling.
+
+"I can't tell no official secrets. It might be bad for me."
+
+"You are an original genius."
+
+"Am I? I hope you ain't callin' me names."
+
+"Oh no. I am only paying you a compliment. What is your name?"
+
+"Mike Flynn."
+
+"Were do you live, Mike?"
+
+"At the Lodge."
+
+"I suppose you mean at the Newsboys' 'Lodge?'"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"How much do you have to pay there?"
+
+"Six cents for lodgin', and six cents for supper and breakfast."
+
+"That is, six cents for each."
+
+"Yes; you ain't comin' to live there, are you?" asked Mike.
+
+"I don't know--I may have to."
+
+"You're jokin'."
+
+"What makes you think I am joking?"
+
+"Because you're a swell. Look at them clo'es!"
+
+"I have a good suit of clothes, to be sure, but I haven't much money.
+You are better off than I am."
+
+"How's that?" asked Mike incredulously.
+
+"You've got work to do, and I am earning nothing."
+
+"If you've got money enough to buy a box and brush, you can go in with
+me."
+
+"I don't think I should like it, Mike. It would spoil my clothes, and I
+am afraid I wouldn't have money enough to buy others."
+
+"I keep my dress suit at home--the one I wear to parties."
+
+"Haven't you got any father or mother, Mike? How does it happen that you
+are living in New York alone?"
+
+"My farder is dead, and me mudder, she married a man wot ain't no good.
+He'd bate me till I couldn't stand it. So I just run away."
+
+"Where does your mother live?"
+
+"In Albany."
+
+"Some time when you earn money enough you can ask her to come here and
+live with you."
+
+"They don't take women at the Lodge."
+
+"No, I suppose not," said Rodney, smiling.
+
+"Besides she's got two little girls by her new husband, and she wouldn't
+want to leave them."
+
+By this time the shine was completed, and Rodney paid Mike.
+
+"If I ever come to the Lodge, I'll ask for you," he said.
+
+"Where do you live now?"
+
+"I'm just staying at a place on Fourteenth Street, but I can't afford to
+stay there long, for they charge a dollar a day."
+
+"Geewholliker, that would bust me, and make me a financial wreck as the
+papers say."
+
+"How did you lose your fortune and get reduced to blacking boots?" asked
+Rodney jocosely.
+
+"I got scooped out of it in Wall Street," answered Mike. "Jay Gould
+cleaned me out."
+
+"And I suppose now he has added your fortune to his."
+
+"You've hit it boss."
+
+"Well, good day, Mike, I'll see you again some day----"
+
+"All right! I'm in my office all de mornin'."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+AN IMPUDENT ADVENTURER.
+
+
+While Rodney was talking with Mike Flynn he was an object of attention
+to a man who stood near the corner of Barclay Street, and was ostensibly
+looking in at the window of the drug store. As Rodney turned away he
+recognized him at once as his enterprising fellow traveler who had taken
+possession of the casket of jewels.
+
+He did not care to keep up an acquaintance with him, and started to
+cross the street. But the other came forward smiling, and with a nod
+said: "I believe you are the young man I met yesterday in the cars and
+afterwards at Kentville?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I just wanted to tell you that I had got back my jewel box, the one for
+which I mistook yours."
+
+"Indeed!" said Rodney, who did not believe a word the fellow said.
+
+"Quite an amusing mistake, I made."
+
+"It might have proved serious to me."
+
+"Very true, as I shouldn't have known where to find you to restore your
+property."
+
+"I don't think that would have troubled you much," thought Rodney.
+"Where did you find your box?" he asked.
+
+"In the car. That is, the conductor picked it up and left it at the
+depot for me. Where are you staying here in the city? At the Astor
+House?"
+
+"No, I have found a boarding house on West Fourteenth Street."
+
+"If it is a good place, I should like to go there. What is the number?"
+
+"I can't recall it, though I could find it," answered Rodney with
+reserve, for he had no wish to have his railroad acquaintance in the
+house.
+
+"Is the gentleman who was traveling with you there also?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"He is a very pleasant gentleman, though he misjudged me. Ha, ha! my
+friends will be very much amused when I tell them that I was taken for a
+thief. Why, I venture to say that my box is more valuable than yours."
+
+"Very likely," said Rodney coldly. "Good morning."
+
+"Good morning. I hope we may meet again."
+
+Rodney nodded, but he could not in sincerity echo the wish.
+
+He was now confronted by a serious problem. He had less than ten dollars
+in his pocketbook, and this would soon be swallowed up by the necessary
+expenses of life in a large city. What would he do when that was gone?
+
+It was clear that he must go to work as soon as possible. If his
+guardian had remained in the city, probably through his influence a
+situation might have been secured. Now nothing was to be looked for in
+that quarter.
+
+He bought a morning paper and looked over the Want Column. He found two
+places within a short distance of the Astor House, and called at each.
+One was in a railroad office.
+
+"My boy," said the manager, a pleasant looking man, "the place was taken
+hours since. You don't seem to get up very early in the morning."
+
+"I could get up at any hour that was necessary," replied Rodney, "but I
+have only just made up my mind to apply for a position."
+
+"You won't meet with any luck today. It is too late. Get up bright and
+early tomorrow morning, buy a paper, and make early application for any
+place that strikes you as desirable."
+
+"Thank you, sir. I am sure your advice is good."
+
+"If you had been the first to call here, I should have taken you. I like
+your appearance better than that of the boy I have selected."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+"This boy may not prove satisfactory. Call in six days, just before
+his week expires, and if there is likely to be a vacancy I will let you
+know."
+
+"Thank you, sir. You are very kind."
+
+"I always sympathize with boys. I have two boys of my own."
+
+This conversation quite encouraged Rodney. It seemed to promise success
+in the future. If he had probably impressed one man, he might be equally
+fortunate with another.
+
+It was about half past twelve when he passed through Nassau Street.
+
+All at once his arm was grasped, and a cheery voice said, "Where are you
+going, Rodney?"
+
+"Mr. Woods!" he exclaimed, with pleased recognition.
+
+"Yes, it's your old friend Woods."
+
+"You are not the only railroad friend I have met this morning."
+
+"Who was the other?"
+
+"The gentleman who obligingly took care of my jewel box for a short
+time."
+
+"You don't mean to say you have met him? Where did you come across him?"
+
+"In front of the Astor House, almost two hours since."
+
+"Did you speak to him?"
+
+"He spoke to me. You will be glad to hear that he has recovered his own
+casket of jewels."
+
+Adin Woods smiled.
+
+"He must think you are easily imposed upon," he said, "to believe any
+such story. Anything more?"
+
+"He said his friends would be very much surprised to hear that he had
+been suspected of theft."
+
+"So he wanted to clear himself with you?"
+
+"Yes; he asked where I was staying."
+
+"I hope you didn't tell him."
+
+"I only said I was at a boarding house on West Fourteenth Street, but
+didn't mention the number."
+
+"He thinks you have the casket with you, and that he may get possession
+of it. It is well that you stored it at Tiffany's."
+
+"I think so. Now I have no anxiety about it. Do you think he will find
+out where we live?"
+
+"Probably, as you gave him a clew. But, Rodney, it is about lunch time,
+and I confess I have an appetite. Come and lunch with me."
+
+"But I am afraid, Mr. Woods, I shall not be able to return the
+compliment."
+
+"There is no occasion for it. I feel in good humor this morning. I have
+sold one lot, and have hopes of disposing of another. The one lot pays
+me a commission of twenty dollars."
+
+"I wish I could make twenty dollars in a week."
+
+"Sometimes I only sell one lot in a week. It isn't like a regular
+business. It is precarious. Still, take the year through and I make a
+pretty good income. Come in here. We can get a good lunch here," and he
+led the way into a modest restaurant, not far from the site of the old
+post office, which will be remembered by those whose residence in New
+York dates back twenty years or more.
+
+"Now we will have a nice lunch," said the agent. "I hope you can do
+justice to it."
+
+"I generally can," responded Rodney, smiling. "I am seldom troubled with
+a poor appetite."
+
+"Ditto for me. Now what have you been doing this morning?"
+
+"Looking for a place."
+
+"With what success?"
+
+"Pretty good if I had only been earlier."
+
+Rodney told the story of his application to the manager of the railroad
+office.
+
+"You will know better next time. I think you'll succeed. I did. When I
+came to New York at the age of twenty two I had only fifty dollars. That
+small sum had to last me twelve weeks. You can judge that I didn't
+live on the fat of the land during that time. I couldn't often eat at
+Delmonico's. Even Beefsteak John's would have been too expensive for me.
+However, those old days are over."
+
+The next day and the two following Rodney went about the city making
+application for positions, but every place seemed full.
+
+On the third day Mr. Woods said, "I shall have to leave you for a week
+or more, Rodney."
+
+"Where are you going?"
+
+"To Philadelphia. There's a man there who is a capitalist and likes land
+investments. I am going to visit him, and hope to sell him several lots.
+He once lived in this city, so he won't object to New York investments."
+
+"I hope you will succeed, Mr. Woods. I think if you are going away I had
+better give up the room, and find cheaper accommodations. I am getting
+near the end of my money."
+
+"You are right. It is best to be prudent."
+
+That evening Rodney found a room which he could rent for two dollars a
+week. He estimated that by economy he could get along for fifty cents a
+day for his eating, and that would be a decided saving.
+
+He was just leaving the house the next morning, gripsack in hand, when
+on the steps he met Louis Wheeler, his acquaintance of the train.
+
+"Where are you going?" asked Wheeler.
+
+"I am leaving this house. I have hired a room elsewhere."
+
+Wheeler's countenance fell, and he looked dismayed.
+
+"Why, I have just taken a room here for a week," he said.
+
+"You will find it a good place."
+
+"But--I wouldn't have come here if I hadn't thought I should have
+company."
+
+"I ought to feel complimented."
+
+Rodney was convinced that Wheeler had come in the hopes of stealing
+the casket of jewels a second time, and he felt amused at the fellow's
+discomfiture.
+
+"You haven't got your jewel box with you?"
+
+"No, I can take that another time."
+
+"Then it's still in the house," thought Wheeler with satisfaction. "It
+won't be my fault if I don't get it in my hands. Well, good morning," he
+said. "Come around and call on me."
+
+"Thank you!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+AT THE NEWSBOY'S LODGING HOUSE.
+
+
+Within a week Rodney had spent all his money, with the exception of
+about fifty cents. He had made every effort to obtain a place, but
+without success.
+
+Boys born and bred in New York have within my observation tried for
+months to secure a position in vain, so it is not surprising that Rodney
+who was a stranger proved equally unsuccessful.
+
+Though naturally hopeful Rodney became despondent.
+
+"There seems to be no place for me," he said to himself. "When I was at
+boarding school I had no idea how difficult it is for a boy to earn a
+living."
+
+He had one resource. He could withdraw the box of jewels from Tiffany's,
+and sell some article that it contained. But this he had a great
+objection to doing. One thing was evident however, he must do something.
+
+His friend, the lot agent, was out of town, and he hardly knew whom
+to advise with. At last Mike Flynn, the friendly bootblack, whose
+acquaintance he had made in front of the Astor House, occurred to him.
+
+Mike, humble as he was, was better off than himself. Moreover he was
+a New York boy, and knew more about "hustling" than Rodney did. So he
+sought out Mike in his "office."
+
+"Good morning, Mike," said Rodney, as the bootblack was brushing off a
+customer.
+
+"Oh, its you, Rodney," said Mike smiling with evident pleasure. "How
+you're gettin' on?"
+
+"Not at all."
+
+"That's bad. Can I help you? Just say the word, and I'll draw a check
+for you on the Park Bank."
+
+"Is that where you keep your money?"
+
+"It's one of my banks. You don't think I'd put all my spondulics in one
+bank, do you?"
+
+"I won't trouble you to draw a check this morning. I only want to ask
+some advice."
+
+"I've got plenty of that."
+
+"I haven't been able to get anything to do, and I have only fifty cents
+left. I can't go on like that."
+
+"That's so."
+
+"I've got to give up my room on Fourteenth Street. I can't pay for it
+any longer. Do you think I could get in at the Lodge?"
+
+"Yes. I'll introduce you to Mr. O'Connor."
+
+"When shall I meet you?"
+
+"At five o'clock. We'll be in time for supper."
+
+"All right."
+
+At five o'clock Mike accompanied Rodney to the large Newsboys' Lodging
+House on New Chambers Street. Mr. O'Connor, the popular and efficient
+superintendent, now dead, looked in surprise at Mike's companion. He was
+a stout man with a kindly face, and Rodney felt that he would prove to
+be a friend.
+
+"Mr. O'Connor, let me introduce me friend, Mr. Rodney Ropes," said Mike.
+
+"Could you give me a lodging?" asked Rodney in an embarrassed tone.
+
+"Yes; but I am surprised to see a boy of your appearance here."
+
+"I am surprised to be here myself," admitted Rodney.
+
+The superintendent fixed upon him a shrewd, but kindly glance.
+
+"Have you run away from home?" he asked.
+
+"No, sir. It is my home that has run away from me."
+
+"Have you parents?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Do you come from the country?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Where have you been living?"
+
+"At a boarding school a few hours from New York."
+
+"Why did you leave it?"
+
+"Because my guardian sent me word that he had lost my fortune, and could
+no longer pay my bills."
+
+"You have been unfortunate truly. What do you propose to do now?"
+
+"Earn my living if I can. I have been in the city for about two weeks,
+and have applied at a good many places but in vain."
+
+"Then you were right in coming here. Supper is ready, and although it
+is not what you are used to, it will satisfy hunger. Mike, you can take
+Rodney with you."
+
+Within five minutes Rodney was standing at a long table with a bowl
+of coffee and a segment of bread before him. It wouldn't have been
+attractive to one brought up to good living, as was the case with him,
+but he was hungry.
+
+He had eaten nothing since morning except an apple which he had bought
+at a street stand for a penny, and his stomach urgently craved a fresh
+supply of food.
+
+Mike stood next to him. The young bootblack, who was used to nothing
+better, ate his portion with zest, and glanced askance at Rodney to
+see how he relished his supper. He was surprised to see that his more
+aristocratic companion seemed to enjoy it quite as much as himself.
+
+"I didn't think you'd like it," he said.
+
+"Anything tastes good when you're hungry, Mike."
+
+"That's so."
+
+"And I haven't eaten anything except an apple, since morning."
+
+"Is dat so? Why didn't you tell me? I'd have stood treat at de Boss
+Tweed eatin' house."
+
+"I had money, but I didn't dare to spend it. I was afraid of having
+nothing left."
+
+When Rodney had eaten his supper he felt that he could have eaten more,
+but the craving was satisfied and he felt relieved.
+
+He looked around him with some curiosity, for he had never been in such
+a motley gathering before. There were perhaps one hundred and fifty boys
+recruited from the street, to about all of whom except himself the term
+street Arab might be applied.
+
+The majority of them had the shrewd and good humored Celtic face. Many
+of them were fun loving and even mischievous, but scarcely any were
+really bad.
+
+Naturally Rodney, with his good clothes, attracted attention. The boys
+felt that he was not one of them, and they had a suspicion that he felt
+above them.
+
+"Get on to de dude!" remarked one boy, who was loosely attired in a
+ragged shirt and tattered trousers.
+
+"He means me, Mike," said Rodney with a smile.
+
+"I say, Patsy Glenn, what do you mean by callin' me friend Rodney a
+dude?" demanded Mike angrily.
+
+"Coz he's got a dandy suit on."
+
+"What if he has? Wouldn't you wear one like it if you could!"
+
+"You bet!"
+
+"Then just let him alone! He's just got back from de inauguration."
+
+"Where'd you pick him up, Mike?"
+
+"Never mind! He's one of us. How much money have you got in your pocket
+Rodney?"
+
+"Thirty two cents."
+
+"He can't put on no frills wid dat money."
+
+"That's so. I take it all back," and Patsy offered a begrimed hand to
+Rodney, which the latter shook heartily with a pleasant smile.
+
+That turned the tide in favor of Rodney, the boys gathered around him
+and he told his story in a few words.
+
+"I used to be rich, boys," he said, "but my guardian spent all my money,
+and now I am as poor as any of you."
+
+"You'd ought to have had me for your guardian, Rodney," observed Mike.
+
+"I wish you had. You wouldn't have lost my money for me."
+
+"True for you! I say so, boys, if we can find Rodney's guardian, what'll
+we do to him?"
+
+"Give him de grand bounce," suggested Patsy.
+
+"Drop him out of a high winder," said another.
+
+"What's his name?"
+
+"I don't care to tell you, boys. He's written me a letter, saying he
+will try to pay me back some day. I think he will. He isn't a bad man,
+but he has been unlucky."
+
+Mike, at the request of Mr. O'Connor, showed Rodney a locker in which he
+could store such articles of clothing as he had with him. After that he
+felt more at home, and as if he were staying at a hotel though an humble
+one.
+
+At eight o'clock some of the boys had already gone to bed, but Mike
+and Rodney were among those who remained up. Rodney noticed with what
+kindness yet fairness the superintendent managed his unruly flock.
+Unruly they might have been with a different man, but he had no trouble
+in keeping them within bounds.
+
+It was at this time that two strangers were announced, one a New
+York merchant named Goodnow, the other a tall, slender man with sandy
+whiskers of the mutton chop pattern.
+
+"Good evening, Mr. Goodnow," said the superintendent, who recognized the
+merchant as a friend of the society.
+
+"Good evening, Mr. O'Connor. I have brought my friend and correspondent
+Mr. Mulgrave, of London, to see some of your young Arabs."
+
+"I shall be glad to give him all the opportunity he desires."
+
+The Englishman looked curiously at the faces of the boys who in turn
+were examining him with equal interest.
+
+"They are not unlike our boys of a similar grade, but seem sharper and
+more intelligent," he said. "But surely," pointing to Rodney, "that boy
+is not one of the--Arabs. Why, he looks like a young gentleman."
+
+"He is a new comer. He only appeared tonight."
+
+"He must have a history. May I speak with him?"
+
+"By all means. Rodney, this gentleman would like to talk with you."
+
+Rodney came forward with the ease of a boy who was accustomed to good
+society, and said: "I shall be very happy to speak with him."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+RODNEY FINDS A PLACE.
+
+
+"Surely," said the Englishman, "you were not brought up in the street?"
+
+"Oh, no," answered Rodney, "I was more fortunate."
+
+"Then how does it happen that I find you here--among the needy boys of
+the city?"
+
+"Because I am needy, too."
+
+"But you were not always poor?"
+
+"No; I inherited a moderate fortune from my father. It was only within a
+short time that I learned from my guardian that it was lost. I left the
+boarding school where I was being educated, and came to the city to try
+to make a living."
+
+"But surely your guardian would try to provide for you?"
+
+"He is no longer in the city."
+
+"Who was he?" asked Otis Goodnow.
+
+"Mr. Benjamin Fielding."
+
+"Is it possible? Why, I lost three thousand dollars by him. He has
+treated you shamefully."
+
+"It was not intentional, I am sure," said Rodney. "He was probably drawn
+into using my money by the hope of retrieving himself. He wrote me that
+he hoped at some time to make restitution."
+
+"You speak of him generously, my lad," said Mr. Mulgrave. "Yet he has
+brought you to absolute poverty."
+
+"Yes, sir, and I won't pretend that it is not a hard trial to me, but if
+I can get a chance to earn my own living, I will not complain."
+
+"Goodnow, a word with you," said the Englishman, and he drew his friend
+aside. "Can't you make room for this boy in your establishment?"
+
+Otis Goodnow hesitated. "At present there is no vacancy," he said.
+
+"Make room for him, and draw upon me for his wages for the first six
+months."
+
+"I will do so, but before the end of that time I am sure he will justify
+my paying him out of my own pocket."
+
+There was a little further conference, and then the two gentlemen came
+up to where Rodney was standing with Mr. O'Connor.
+
+"My boy," said Mr. Mulgrave, "my friend here will give you a place at
+five dollars a week. Will that satisfy you?"
+
+Rodney's face flushed with pleasure.
+
+"It will make me very happy," he said.
+
+"Come round to my warehouse--here is my business card--tomorrow
+morning," said the merchant. "Ask to see me."
+
+"At what time shall I call, sir?"
+
+"At half past nine o'clock. That is for the first morning. When you get
+to work you will have to be there at eight."
+
+"There will be no trouble about that, sir."
+
+"Now it is my turn," said the Englishman. "Here are five dollars to keep
+you till your first week's wages come due. I dare say you will find them
+useful."
+
+"Thank you very much, sir. I was almost out of money."
+
+After the two gentlemen left the Lodging House Rodney looked at the card
+and found that his new place of employment was situated on Reade Street
+not far from Broadway.
+
+"It's you that's in luck, Rodney," said his friend Mike. "Who'd think
+that a gentleman would come to the Lodging House to give you a place?"
+
+"Yes, I am in luck, Mike, and now I'm going to make you a proposal."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Why can't we take a room together? It will be better than living here."
+
+"Sure you wouldn't room with a poor boy like me?"
+
+"Why shouldn't I? You are a good friend, and I should like your company.
+Besides I mean to help you get an education. I suppose you're not a
+first class scholar, Mike?"
+
+"About fourth class, I guess, Rodney."
+
+"Then you shall study with me. Then when you know a little more you may
+get a chance to get out of your present business, and get into a store."
+
+"That will be bully!" said Mike with pleasure.
+
+"Now we'd better go to bed; I must be up bright and early in the
+morning. We'll engage a room before I go to work."
+
+There was no difficulty about rising early. It is one of the rules
+of the Lodging House for the boys to rise at six o'clock, and after
+a frugal breakfast of coffee and rolls they are expected to go out to
+their business whatever it may be. Mike and Rodney dispensed with the
+regulation breakfast and went out to a restaurant on Park Row where they
+fared better.
+
+"Now where shall we go for a room?" asked Rodney.
+
+"There's a feller I know has a good room on Bleecker Street," said Mike.
+
+"How far is that?"
+
+"A little more'n a mile."
+
+"All right! Let us go and see."
+
+Bleecker Street once stood in better repute than at present. It is said
+that A. T. Stewart once made his home there. Now it is given over to
+shops and cheap lodging houses.
+
+Finally the boys found a room decently furnished, about ten feet square,
+of which the rental was two dollars and a half per week. Mike succeeded
+in beating down the lodging house keeper to two dollars, and at that
+figure they engaged it.
+
+"When will you come?" asked Mrs. McCarty.
+
+"Right off," said Mike.
+
+"I'll need a little time to put it in order."
+
+"Me and my partner will be at our business till six o'clock," returned
+Mike.
+
+"You can send in your trunks during the day if you like."
+
+"My trunk is at the Windsor Hotel," said Mike. "I've lent it to a friend
+for a few days."
+
+Mrs. McCarty looked at Mike with a puzzled expression. She was one of
+those women who are slow to comprehend a joke, and she could not quite
+make it seem natural that her new lodger, who was in rather neglige
+costume, should be a guest at a fashionable hotel.
+
+"I will leave my valise," said Rodney, "and will send for my trunk. It
+is in the country."
+
+Mike looked at him, not feeling quite certain whether he was in earnest,
+but Rodney was perfectly serious.
+
+"You're better off than me," said Mike, when they reached the street.
+"If I had a trunk I wouldn't have anything to put into it."
+
+"I'll see if I can't rig you out, Mike. I've got a good many clothes,
+bought when I was rich. You and I are about the same size. I'll give you
+a suit of clothes to wear on Sundays."
+
+"Will you?" exclaimed Mike, his face showing pleasure. "I'd like to see
+how I look in good clo'es. I never wore any yet. It wouldn't do no good
+in my business."
+
+"You won't want to wear them when at work. But wouldn't you like to
+change your business?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Have you ever tried?"
+
+"What'd be the use of tryin'? They'd know I was a bootblack in these
+clo'es."
+
+"When you wear a better suit you can go round and try your luck."
+
+"I'd like to," said Mike wistfully. "I don't want you to tell at the
+store that you room with a bootblack."
+
+"It isn't that I think of, Mike. I want you to do better. I'm going to
+make a man of you."
+
+"I hope you are. Sometimes I've thought I'd have to be a bootblack
+always. When do you think you'll get the clo'es?"
+
+"I shall write to the principal of the boarding school at once, asking
+him to forward my trunk by express. I want to economize a little this
+week, and shall have to pay the express charges."
+
+"I'll pay up my part of the rent, Rodney, a quarter a day."
+
+Rodney had advanced the whole sum, as Mike was not in funds.
+
+"If you can't pay a dollar a week I will pay a little more than half."
+
+"There ain't no need. I'll pay my half and be glad to have a nice room."
+
+"I've got three or four pictures at the school, and some books. I'll
+send for them later on, and we'll fix up the room."
+
+"Will you? We'll have a reg'lar bang up place. I tell you that'll be
+better than livin' at the Lodge."
+
+"Still that seems a very neat place. It is lucky for poor boys that they
+can get lodging so cheap."
+
+"But it isn't like havin' a room of your own, Rodney. I say, when we're
+all fixed I'll ask some of me friends to come in some evenin' and take a
+look at us. They'll be s'prised."
+
+"Certainly, Mike. I shall be glad to see any of your friends."
+
+It may seem strange that Rodney, carefully as he had been brought up,
+should have made a companion of Mike, but he recognized in the warm
+hearted Irish boy, illiterate as he was, sterling qualities, and he felt
+desirous of helping to educate him. He knew that he could always depend
+on his devoted friendship, and looked forward with pleasure to their
+more intimate companionship.
+
+After selecting their room and making arrangements to take possession of
+it, the boys went down town. Rodney stepped into the reading room at the
+Astor House and wrote the following letter to Dr. Sampson:
+
+
+DR. PLINY SAMPSON:
+
+DEAR SIR--Will you be kind enough to send my trunk by express to No. 312
+Bleecker Street? I have taken a room there, and that will be my home for
+the present. I have obtained a position in a wholesale house on Reade
+Street, and hope I may give satisfaction. Will you remember me with best
+wishes to all the boys? I don't expect to have so easy or pleasant a
+time as I had at school, but I hope to get on, and some time--perhaps in
+the summer--to make you a short visit.
+
+Yours truly, RODNEY ROPES.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE FIRST DAY AT WORK.
+
+
+A little before half past nine Rodney paused in front of a large five
+story building on Reade Street occupied by Otis Goodnow.
+
+He entered and found the first floor occupied by quite a large number of
+clerks and salesmen, and well filled with goods.
+
+"Well, young fellow, what can I do for you?" asked a dapper looking
+clerk.
+
+"I would like to see Mr. Goodnow."
+
+"He's reading his letters. He won't see you."
+
+Rodney was provoked.
+
+"Do you decide who is to see him?" he asked.
+
+"You're impudent, young feller."
+
+"Am I? Perhaps you will allow Mr. Goodnow to see me, as long as he told
+me to call here this morning."
+
+"That's a different thing," returned the other in a different tone. "If
+you're sure about that you can go to the office in the back part of the
+room."
+
+Rodney followed directions and found himself at the entrance of a room
+which had been partitioned off for the use of the head of the firm.
+
+Mr. Goodnow was seated at a desk with his back to him, and was employed
+in opening letters. Without turning round he said, "Sit down and I will
+attend to you in a few minutes."
+
+Rodney seated himself on a chair near the door. In about ten minutes Mr.
+Goodnow turned around.
+
+"Who is it?" he asked.
+
+"Perhaps you remember telling me to call at half past nine. You saw me
+at the Newsboys' Lodging House."
+
+"Ah, yes, I remember. I promised my friend Mulgrave that I would give
+you a place. What can you do? Are you a good writer?"
+
+"Shall I give you a specimen of my handwriting?"
+
+"Yes; sit down at that desk."
+
+It was a desk adjoining his own.
+
+Rodney seated himself and wrote in a firm, clear, neat hand:
+
+"I will endeavor to give satisfaction, if you are kind enough to give me
+a place in your establishment."
+
+Then he passed over the paper to the merchant.
+
+"Ah, very good!" said Mr. Goodnow approvingly. "You won't be expected
+to do any writing yet but I like to take into my store those who are
+qualified for promotion."
+
+He rang a little bell on his desk.
+
+A boy about two years older than Rodney answered the summons.
+
+"Send Mr. James here," said the merchant.
+
+Mr. James, a sandy complexioned man, partially bald, made his
+appearance.
+
+"Mr. James," said the merchant, "I have taken this boy into my employ.
+I don't know if one is needed, but it is at the request of a friend. You
+can send him on errands, or employ him in any other way."
+
+"Very well, sir. I can find something for him to do today at any rate,
+as young Johnson hasn't shown up."
+
+"Very well. Whats your name, my lad?"
+
+"Rodney Ropes."
+
+"Make a note of his name, Mr. James, and enter it in the books. You may
+go with Mr. James, and put yourself at his disposal."
+
+Rodney followed the subordinate, who was the head of one of the
+departments, to the second floor. Here Mr. James had a desk.
+
+"Wait a minute," he said, "and I will give you a memorandum of places to
+call at."
+
+In five minutes a memorandum containing a list of three places was given
+to Rodney, with brief instructions as to what he was to do at each. They
+were places not far away, and fortunately Rodney had a general idea as
+to where they were.
+
+In his search for positions he had made a study of the lower part of the
+city which now stood him in good stead.
+
+As he walked towards the door he attracted the attention of the young
+clerk with whom he had just spoken.
+
+"Well, did you see Mr. Goodnow?" asked the young man, stroking a sickly
+looking mustache.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Has he taken you into the firm?"
+
+"Not yet, but he has given me a place."
+
+The clerk whistled.
+
+"So you are one of us?" he said.
+
+"Yes," answered Rodney with a smile.
+
+"Then you ought to know the rules of the house."
+
+"You can tell me later on, but now I am going out on an errand."
+
+In about an hour Rodney returned. He had been detained at two of the
+places where he called.
+
+"Do you remember what I said?" asked the young clerk as he passed.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"The first rule of the establishment is for a new hand to treat ME on
+his first day."
+
+"That's pretty good for you," said Rodney, laughing; "I shall have to
+wait till my pay is raised."
+
+About the middle of the afternoon, as Rodney was helping to unpack a
+crate of goods, the older boy whom he had already seen in the office
+below, walked up to him and said, "Is your name Ropes?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"You are wanted in Mr. Goodnow's office."
+
+Rodney went down stairs, feeling a little nervous. Had he done wrong,
+and was he to be reprimanded?
+
+He could think of nothing deserving censure. So far as he knew he had
+attended faithfully to all the duties required of him.
+
+As he entered the office, he saw that Mr. Goodnow had a visitor, whose
+face looked familiar to him. He recalled it immediately as the face of
+the English gentleman who had visited the Lodging House the day previous
+with his employer.
+
+"So I find you at work?" he said, offering his hand with a smile.
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Rodney gratefully, "thanks to you."
+
+"How do you think you will like it?"
+
+"Very much, sir. It is so much better than going around the street with
+nothing to do."
+
+"I hope you will try to give satisfaction to my friend, Mr. Goodnow."
+
+"I shall try to do so, sir."
+
+"You mustn't expect to rise to be head salesman in a year. Festina
+lente, as the Latin poet has it."
+
+"I shall be satisfied with hastening slowly, sir."
+
+"What! you understand Latin?"
+
+"Pretty well, sir."
+
+"Upon my word, I didn't expect to find a boy in the News boys' Lodging
+House with classical attainments. Perhaps you know something of Greek
+also!" he said doubtfully.
+
+In reply Rodney repeated the first line of the Iliad.
+
+"Astonishing!" exclaimed Mr. Mulgrave, putting up his eyeglass, and
+surveying Rodney as if he were a curious specimen. "You don't happen to
+know anything of Sanscrit, do you?"
+
+"No, sir; I confess my ignorance."
+
+"I apprehend you won't require it in my friend Goodnow's establishment."
+
+"If I do, I will learn it," said Rodney, rather enjoying the joke.
+
+"If I write a book about America, I shall certainly put in a paragraph
+about a learned office boy. I think you are entitled to something for
+your knowledge of Greek and Latin--say five dollars apiece," and Mr.
+Mulgrave drew from his pocket two gold pieces and handed them to Rodney.
+
+"Thank you very much, sir," said Rodney. "I shall find this money very
+useful, as I have taken a room, and am setting up housekeeping."
+
+"Then you have left the Lodging House?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I only spent one night there."
+
+"You are right. It is no doubt a great blessing to the needy street
+boys, but you belong to a different class."
+
+"It is very fortunate I went there last evening, or I should not have
+met you and Mr. Goodnow."
+
+"I am glad to have been the means of doing you a service," said the
+Englishman kindly, shaking hands with Rodney, who bowed and went back to
+his work.
+
+"I am not sure but you are taking too much notice of that boy,
+Mulgrave," said the merchant.
+
+"No fear! He is not a common boy. You won't regret employing him."
+
+"I hope not."
+
+Then they talked of other matters, for Mr. Mulgrave was to start on his
+return to England the following day.
+
+At five o'clock Rodney's day was over, and he went back to Bleecker
+Street. He found Mike already there, working hard to get his hands
+clean, soiled as they were by the stains of blacking.
+
+"Did you have a good day, Mike?" asked Rodney.
+
+"Yes; I made a dollar and ten cents. Here's a quarter towards the rent."
+
+"All right! I see you are prompt in money matters."
+
+"I try to be. Do you know, Rodney, I worked better for feelin' that I
+had a room of my own to go to after I got through. I hope I'll soon be
+able to get into a different business."
+
+"I hope so, too."
+
+Two days later Rodney's trunk arrived. In the evening he opened it.
+He took out a dark mixed suit about half worn, and said, "Try that on,
+Mike."
+
+Mike did so. It fitted as if it were made for him.
+
+"You can have it, Mike," said Rodney.
+
+"You don't mean it?" exclaimed Mike, delighted.
+
+"Yes, I do. I have plenty of others."
+
+Rodney supplemented his gift by a present of underclothing, and on the
+following Sunday the two boys went to Central Park in the afternoon,
+Mike so transformed that some of his street friends passed him without
+recognition, much to Mike's delight.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+MIKE PUTS ON A UNIFORM.
+
+
+A wonderful change came over Mike Flynn. Until he met Rodney he seemed
+quite destitute of ambition. The ragged and dirty suit which he wore as
+bootblack were the best he had. His face and hands generally bore the
+marks of his business, and as long as he made enough to buy three meals
+a day, two taken at the Lodging House, with something over for lodging,
+and an occasional visit to a cheap theater, he was satisfied.
+
+He was fifteen, and had never given a thought to what he would do when
+he was older. But after meeting Rodney, and especially after taking
+a room with him, he looked at life with different eyes. He began to
+understand that his business, though honorable because honest, was not
+a desirable one. He felt, too, that he ought to change it out of regard
+for Rodney, who was now his close companion.
+
+"If I had ten dollars ahead," he said one day, "I'd give up blackin'
+boots."
+
+"What else would you do?"
+
+"I'd be a telegraph boy. That's more respectable than blackin' boots,
+and it 'ould be cleaner."
+
+"That is true. Do you need money to join?"
+
+"I would get paid once in two weeks, and I'd have to live till I got my
+first salary."
+
+"I guess I can see you through, Mike."
+
+"No; you need all your money, Rodney. I'll wait and see if I can't save
+it myself."
+
+This, however, would have taken a long time, if Mike had not been
+favored by circumstances. He was standing near the ladies' entrance to
+the Astor House one day, when casting his eyes downward he espied a
+neat pocketbook of Russia leather. He picked it up, and from the feeling
+judged that it must be well filled.
+
+Now I must admit that it did occur to Mike that he could divert to his
+own use the contents without detection, as no one had seen him pick it
+up. But Mike was by instinct an honest boy, and he decided that this
+would not be right. He thrust it into his pocket, however, as he had no
+objection to receiving a reward if one was offered.
+
+While he was standing near the entrance, a tall lady, dressed in brown
+silk and wearing glasses, walked up from the direction of Broadway. She
+began to peer about like one who was looking for something.
+
+"I guess its hers," thought Mike.
+
+"Are you looking for anything, ma'am?" he asked.
+
+She turned and glanced at Mike.
+
+"I think I must have dropped my pocketbook," she said. "I had it in my
+hand when I left the hotel, but I had something on my mind and I think
+I must have dropped it without noticing. Won't you help me look for it,
+for I am short sighted?"
+
+"Is this it?" asked Mike, producing the pocketbook.
+
+"Oh yes!" exclaimed the lady joyfully. "Where did you find it?"
+
+"Just here," answered Mike, indicating a place on the sidewalk.
+
+"I suppose there is a good deal of money in it?" said Mike, with
+pardonable curiosity.
+
+"Then you didn't open it?"
+
+"No, ma'am, I didn't have a chance. I just found it."
+
+"There may be forty or fifty dollars, but it isn't on that account I
+should have regretted losing it. It contained a receipt for a thousand
+dollars which I am to use in a law suit. That is very important for it
+will defeat a dishonest claim for money that I have already paid."
+
+"Then I'm glad I found it."
+
+"You are an honest boy. You seem to be a poor boy also."
+
+"That's true, ma'am. If I was rich I wouldn't black boots for a livin'."
+
+"Dear me, you are one of the young street Arabs I've read about," and
+the lady looked curiously at Mike through her glasses.
+
+"I expect I am."
+
+"And I suppose you haven't much money."
+
+"My bank account is very low, ma'am."
+
+"I've read a book about a boy named 'Ragged Dick.' I think he was a
+bootblack, too. Do you know him?"
+
+"He's my cousin, ma'am," answered Mike promptly.
+
+It will be observed that I don't represent Mike as possessed of all the
+virtues.
+
+"Dear me, how interesting. I bought the book for my little nephew. Now I
+can tell him I have seen 'Ragged Dick's' cousin. Where is Dick now?"
+
+"He's reformed, ma'am."
+
+"Reformed?"
+
+"Yes, from blackin' boots. He's in better business now."
+
+"If I should give you some of the money in this pocketbook, you wouldn't
+spend it on drinking and gambling, would you?"
+
+"No, ma'am. I'd reform like my cousin, Ragged Dick."
+
+"You look like a good truthful boy. Here are ten dollars for you."
+
+"Oh, thank you, ma'am! you're a gentleman," said Mike overjoyed. "No, I
+don't mean that but I hope you'll soon get a handsome husband."
+
+"My young friend, I don't care to marry, though I appreciate your good
+wishes. I am an old maid from principle. I am an officer of the Female
+Suffrage Association."
+
+"Is it a good payin' office, ma'am?" asked Mike, visibly impressed.
+
+"No, but it is a position of responsibility. Please tell me your name
+that I may make a note of it."
+
+"My name is Michael Flynn."
+
+"I see. You are of Celtic extraction."
+
+"I don't know, ma'am. I never heard that I was. It isn't anything bad,
+is it?"
+
+"Not at all. I have some Celtic blood in my own veins. If you ever come
+to Boston you can inquire for Miss Pauline Peabody."
+
+"Thank you, ma'am," said Mike, who thought the lady rather a "queer
+lot."
+
+"Now I must call upon my lawyer, and leave the receipt which I came so
+near losing."
+
+"Well, I'm in luck," thought Mike. "I'll go home and dress up, and apply
+for a position as telegraph boy."
+
+When Rodney came home at supper time he found Mike, dressed in his
+Sunday suit.
+
+"What's up now, Mike?" he asked. "Have you retired from business?"
+
+"Yes, from the bootblack business. Tomorrow I shall be a telegraph boy."
+
+"That is good. You haven't saved up ten dollars, have you?"
+
+"I saved up two, and a lady gave me ten dollars for findin' her
+pocketbook."
+
+"That's fine, Mike."
+
+There chanced to be a special demand for telegraph boys at that time,
+and Mike, who was a sharp lad, on passing the necessary examination, was
+at once set to work.
+
+He was immensely fond of his blue uniform when he first put it on, and
+felt that he had risen in the social scale. True, his earnings did not
+average as much, but he was content with smaller pay, since the duties
+were more agreeable.
+
+In the evenings under Rodney's instruction he devoted an hour and
+sometimes two to the task of making up the deficiencies in his early
+education. These were extensive, but Mike was naturally a smart boy, and
+after a while began to improve rapidly.
+
+So three months passed. Rodney stood well in with Mr. Goodnow, and
+was promoted to stock clerk. The discipline which he had revived as
+a student stood him in good stead, and enabled him to make more rapid
+advancement than some who had been longer in the employ of the firm. In
+particular he was promoted over the head of Jasper Redwood, a boy two
+years older than himself, who was the nephew of an old employee who had
+been for fifteen years in the house.
+
+Jasper's jealousy was aroused, and he conceived a great dislike for
+Rodney, of which Rodney was only partially aware.
+
+For this dislike there was really no cause. Rodney stood in his way only
+because Jasper neglected his duties, and failed to inspire confidence.
+He was a boy who liked to spend money and found his salary insufficient,
+though he lived with his uncle and paid but two dollars a week for his
+board.
+
+"Uncle James," he said one day, "when do you think I will get a raise?"
+
+"You might get one now if it were not for the new boy."
+
+"You mean Ropes."
+
+"Yes, he has just been promoted to a place which I hoped to get for
+you."
+
+"It is mean," grumbled Jasper. "I have been here longer than he."
+
+"True, but he seems to be Mr. Goodnow's pet. It was an unlucky day for
+you when he got a place in the establishment."
+
+"Did you ask Mr. Goodnow to promote me?"
+
+"Yes, but he said he had decided to give Archer's place to Ropes."
+
+Archer was a young clerk who was obliged, on account of pulmonary
+weakness, to leave New York and go to Southern California.
+
+"How much does Ropes get now?"
+
+"Seven dollars a week."
+
+"And I only get five, and I am two years older. They ought to have more
+regard for you, Uncle James, or I, as your nephew, would get promoted."
+
+"I will see what we can do about it."
+
+"I wish Ropes would get into some scrape and get discharged."
+
+It was a new idea, but Jasper dwelt upon it, and out of it grew trouble
+for Rodney.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+MISSING GOODS.
+
+
+James Redwood was summoned one morning to the counting room of his
+employer.
+
+"Mr. Redwood," said the merchant "I have reason to think that one of my
+clerks is dishonest."
+
+"Who, sir?"
+
+"That is what I want you to find out."
+
+"What reason have you for suspecting any one?"
+
+"Some ladies' cloaks and some dress patterns are missing."
+
+"Are you sure they were not sold?"
+
+"Yes: the record of sales has been examined, and they are not included."
+
+"That is strange, Mr. Goodnow," said Redwood thoughtfully. "I hope I am
+not under suspicion."
+
+"Oh, not at all."
+
+"The losses seem to have taken place in my department."
+
+"True, but that doesn't involve you."
+
+"What do you want me to do?"
+
+"Watch those under you. Let nothing in your manner, however, suggest
+that you are suspicious. I don't want you to put any one on his guard."
+
+"All right, sir. I will be guided by your instructions. Have you any
+idea how long this has been going on?"
+
+"Only a few weeks."
+
+Mr. Redwood turned to go back to his room, but Mr. Goodnow called him
+back.
+
+"I needn't suggest to you," he said, "that you keep this to yourself.
+Don't let any clerk into the secret."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+James Redwood, however, did not keep his promise. After supper he called
+back Jasper as he was about putting on his hat to go out, and said,
+"Jasper, I wish to speak with you for five minutes."
+
+"Won't it do tomorrow morning? I have an engagement."
+
+"Put it off, then. This is a matter of importance."
+
+"Very well, sir," and Jasper, albeit reluctantly, laid down his hat and
+sat down.
+
+"Jasper," said his uncle, "there's a thief in our establishment."
+
+Jasper started, and his sallow complexion turned yellower than usual.
+
+"What do you mean, uncle?" he asked nervously.
+
+"What I say. Some articles are missing that have not been sold."
+
+"Such as what?"
+
+"Ladies' cloaks and dress patterns."
+
+"Who told you?" asked Jasper in a low tone.
+
+"Mr. Goodnow."
+
+"What the boss?"
+
+"Certainly."
+
+"How should he know?"
+
+"I didn't inquire, and if I had he probably wouldn't have told me. The
+main thing is that he does know."
+
+"He may not be sure."
+
+"He is not a man to speak unless he feels pretty sure."
+
+"I don't see how any one could steal the articles without being
+detected."
+
+"It seems they are detected."
+
+"Did--did Mr. Goodnow mention any names?"
+
+"No. He wants to watch and find out the thief. I wish you to help me,
+though I am acting against instructions. Mr. Goodnow asked me to take
+no one into my confidence. You will see, therefore, that it will be
+necessary for you to say nothing."
+
+"I won't breathe a word," said Jasper, who seemed to feel more at ease.
+
+"Now that I have told you so much, can you suggest any person who would
+be likely to commit the theft?"
+
+Jasper remained silent for a moment, then with a smile of malicious
+satisfaction said, "Yes, I can suggest a person."
+
+"Who is it?"
+
+"The new boy, Rodney Ropes."
+
+James Redwood shook his head.
+
+"I can't believe that it is he. I am not in love with the young fellow,
+who seems to stand in the way of your advancement but he seems straight
+enough, and I don't think it at all likely that he should be the guilty
+person."
+
+"Yes, Uncle James, he SEEMS straight but you know that still waters run
+deep."
+
+"Have you seen anything that would indicate guilt on his part?"
+
+"I have noticed this, that, he is very well dressed for a boy of his
+small salary, and seems always to have money to spend."
+
+"That will count for something. Still he might have some outide means.
+Have you noticed anything else?"
+
+Jasper hesitated.
+
+"I noticed one evening when he left the store that he had a sizable
+parcel under his arm."
+
+"And you think it might have contained some article stolen from the
+stock?"
+
+"That's just what I think now. Nothing of the kind occurred to me at
+that time, for I didn't know any articles were missing."
+
+"That seems important. When was it that you noticed this?"
+
+"One day last week," answered Jasper hesitatingly.
+
+"Can you remember the day?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Couldn't you fix it some way?"
+
+"No. You see, I didn't attach any particular importance to it at the
+time, and probably it would not have occurred to me again, but for your
+mentioning that articles were missing."
+
+"There may be something in what you say," said his uncle thoughtfully.
+"I will take special notice of young Ropes after this."
+
+"So will I."
+
+"Don't let him observe that he is watched. It would defeat our chances
+of detecting the thief."
+
+"I'll be careful. Do you want to say anything more, uncle?"
+
+"No. By the way, where were you going this evening?"
+
+"I was going to meet a friend, and perhaps go to the theater. You
+couldn't lend me a dollar, could you, Uncle James?"
+
+"Yes, I could, but you are not quite able to pay for your own pleasures.
+It costs all my salary to live, and its going to be worse next year, for
+I shall have to pay a higher rent."
+
+"When I have my pay raised, I can get along better."
+
+"If Ropes loses his place, you will probably step into it."
+
+"Then I hope he'll go, and that soon."
+
+When Jasper passed through the front door and stood on the sidewalk, he
+breathed a sigh of relief.
+
+"So, they are on to us," he said to himself. "But how was it found
+out? That's what I'd like to know. I have been very careful. I must see
+Carton at once."
+
+A short walk took him to a billiard room not far from Broadway. A young
+man of twenty five, with a slight mustache, and a thin, dark face, was
+selecting a cue.
+
+"Ah, Jasper!" he said. "Come at last. Let us have a game of pool."
+
+"Not just yet. Come outide. I want to speak to you."
+
+Jasper looked serious, and Philip Carton, observing it, made no
+remonstrance, but taking his hat, followed him out.
+
+"Well, what is it?" he asked.
+
+"Something serious. It is discovered at the store that goods are
+missing."
+
+"You don't mean it? Are we suspected?"
+
+"No one is suspected--yet."
+
+"But how do you know?"
+
+"My uncle spoke to me about it this evening--just after supper."
+
+"He doesn't think you are in it."
+
+"No."
+
+"How did he find out?"
+
+"Through the boss. Goodnow spoke to him about it today."
+
+"But how should Goodnow know anything about it?"
+
+"That no one can tell but himself. He asked Uncle James to watch the
+clerks, and see if he could fasten the theft on any of them."
+
+"That is pleasant for us. It is well we are informed so that we can be
+on our guard. I am afraid our game is up."
+
+"For the present at any rate we must suspend operations. Now, have you
+some money for me?"
+
+"Well, a little."
+
+"A little? Why there are two cloaks and a silk dress pattern to be
+accounted for."
+
+"True, but I have to be very careful. I have to submit to a big discount
+for the parties I sell to undoubtedly suspect that the articles are
+stolen."
+
+"Wouldn't it be better to pawn them?"
+
+"It would be more dangerous. Besides you know how liberal pawnbrokers
+are. I'll tell you what would be better. If I had a sufficient number of
+articles to warrant it, I could take them on to Boston or Philadelphia,
+and there would be less risk selling them there."
+
+"That is true. I wish we had thought of that before. Now we shall have
+to give up the business for a time. How much money have you got for me?"
+
+"Seven dollars."
+
+"Seven dollars!" exclaimed Jasper in disgust. "Why, that is ridiculous.
+The articles must have been worth at retail a hundred dollars."
+
+"Perhaps so, but I only got fourteen for them. If you think you can do
+any better you may sell them yourself next time."
+
+"I thought I should assuredly get fifteen dollars out of it," said
+Jasper, looking deeply disappointed. "I had a use for the money too."
+
+"Very likely. So had I."
+
+"Well, I suppose I must make it do. Listen and I will tell you how I
+think I can turn this thing to my advantage."
+
+"Go ahead!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+WHAT WAS FOUND IN RODNEY'S ROOM.
+
+
+"There is a boy who stands between me and promotion," continued Jasper,
+speaking in a low tone.
+
+"The boy you mentioned the other day?"
+
+"Yes, Rodney Ropes. Mr. Goodnow got him from I don't know where, and has
+taken a ridiculous fancy to him. He has been put over my head and his
+pay raised, though I have been in the store longer than he. My idea is
+to connect him with the thefts and get him discharged."
+
+"Do you mean that we are to make him a confederate?"
+
+"No," answered Jasper impatiently. "He would be just the fellow to peach
+and get us all into trouble."
+
+"Then what do you mean?"
+
+"To direct suspicion towards him. We won't do it immediately, but within
+a week or two. It would do me good to have him turned out of the store."
+
+Jasper proceeded to explain his idea more fully, and his companion
+pronounced it very clever.
+
+Meanwhile Rodney, not suspecting the conspiracy to deprive him of his
+place and his good name, worked zealously, encouraged by his promotion,
+and resolved to make a place for himself which should insure him a
+permanent connection with the firm.
+
+Ten days passed, and Mr. Redwood again received a summons from the
+office.
+
+Entering, he found Mr. Goodnow with a letter in his hand.
+
+"Well, Mr. Redwood," he began, "have you got any clew to the party who
+has stolen our goods?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Has any thing been taken since I spoke with you on the subject?"
+
+"Not that I am aware of."
+
+"Has any one of the clerks attracted your attention by suspicious
+conduct?"
+
+"No, sir," answered Redwood, puzzled.
+
+"Humph! Cast your eye over this letter."
+
+James Redwood took the letter, which was written in a fine hand, and
+read as follow:
+
+
+MR. GOODNOW:
+
+DEAR SIR,--I don't know whether you are aware that articles have been
+taken from your stock, say, ladies' cloaks and silk dress patterns,
+and disposed of outside. I will not tell you how it has come to my
+knowledge, for I do not want to get any one's ill will, but I will say,
+to begin with, that they were taken by one of your employees, and the
+one, perhaps, that you would least suspect, for I am told that he is
+a favorite of yours. I may as well say that it is Rodney Ropes. I live
+near him, and last evening I saw him carry a bundle to his room when he
+went back from the store. I think if you would send round today when he
+is out, you would find in his room one or more of the stolen articles. I
+don't want to get him into trouble, but I don't like to see you robbed,
+and so I tell you what I know. A FRIEND.
+
+
+Mr. Redwood read this letter attentively, arching his brows, perhaps to
+indicate his surprise. Then he read it again carefully.
+
+"What do you think of it?" asked the merchant.
+
+"I don't know," answered Redwood slowly.
+
+"Have you ever seen anything suspicious in the conduct of young Ropes?"
+
+"I can't say I have. On the contrary, he seems to be a very diligent and
+industrious clerk."
+
+"But about his honesty."
+
+"I fancied him the soul of honesty."
+
+"So did I, but of course we are liable to be deceived. It wouldn't
+be the first case where seeming honesty has been a cover for flagrant
+dishonesty."
+
+"What do you wish me to do, Mr. Goodnow? Shall I send Ropes down to
+you?"
+
+"No; it would only give him a chance, if guilty, to cover up his
+dishonesty."
+
+"I am ready to follow your instructions."
+
+"Do you know where he lodges?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Then I will ask you to go around there, and by some means gain
+admission to his room. If he has any of our goods secreted take
+possession of them and report to me."
+
+"Very well, sir." Half an hour later Mrs. McCarty, Rodney's landlady, in
+response to a ring admitted Mr. James Redwood.
+
+"Does a young man named Ropes lodge here?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I come from the house where he is employed. He has inadvertently left
+in his room a parcel belonging to us, and I should be glad if you would
+allow me to go up to his room and take it."
+
+"You see, sir," said Mrs. McCarty in a tone of hesitation, "while you
+look like a perfect gentleman, I don't know you, and I am not sure
+whether, in justice to Mr. Ropes, I ought to admit you to his room."
+
+"You are quite right my good lady; I am sure. It is just what I should
+wish my own landlady to do. I will therefore ask you to go up to the
+room with me to see that all is right."
+
+"That seems all right, sir. In that case I don't object. Follow me, if
+you please."
+
+As they entered Rodney's room Mr. Redwood looked about him
+inquisitively. One article at once fixed his attention. It was a parcel
+wrapped in brown paper lying on the bed.
+
+"This is the parcel, I think," he said. "If you will allow me I will
+open it, to make sure."
+
+Mrs. McCarty looked undecided, but as she said nothing in opposition Mr.
+Redwood unfastened the strings and unrolled the bundle. His eyes lighted
+up with satisfaction as he disclosed the contents--a lady's cloak.
+
+Mrs. McCarty looked surprised.
+
+"Why, it's a lady's cloak," she said, "and a very handsome one. What
+would Mr. Ropes want of such a thing as that?"
+
+"Perhaps he intended to make you a present of it."
+
+"No, he can't afford to make such present."
+
+"The explanation is simple. It belongs to the store. Perhaps Mr. Ropes
+left it here inadvertently."
+
+"But he hasn't been here since morning."
+
+"He has a pass key to the front door?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Then he may have been here. Would you object to my taking it?"
+
+"Yes, sir, you see I don't know you."
+
+"Your objection is a proper one. Then I will trouble you to take a look
+at the cloak, so that you would know it again."
+
+"Certainly, sir. I shall remember it!"
+
+"That is all, Mrs. ----?"
+
+"McCarty, sir."
+
+"Mrs. McCarty, I won't take up any more of your time," and Mr. Redwood
+started to go down stairs.
+
+"Who shall I tell Mr. Ropes called to see him."
+
+"You needn't say. I will mention the matter to him myself. I am employed
+in the same store."
+
+"All right sir. Where is the store? I never thought to ask Mr. Ropes."
+
+"Reade Street, near Broadway. You know where Reade Street is?"
+
+"Yes, sir. My husband used to work in Chambers Street. That is the first
+street south."
+
+"Precisely. Well, I can't stay longer, so I will leave, apologizing for
+having taken up so much of your time."
+
+"Oh, it's of no consequence, sir."
+
+"He is a perfect gentleman," she said to herself, as Mr. Redwood closed
+the front door, and went out on the street. "I wonder whether he's a
+widower."
+
+Being a widow this was quite a natural thought for Mrs. McCarty to
+indulge in, particularly as Mr. Redwood looked to be a substantial man
+with a snug income.
+
+Mr. Redwood went back to the store, and went at once to the office.
+
+"Well, Redwood," said Mr. Goodnow, "did you learn anything?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Go on."
+
+"I went to the lodging of young Ropes, and was admitted to his room."
+
+"Well?"
+
+"And there, wrapped in a brown paper, I found one of our missing cloaks
+lying on his bed."
+
+"Is it possible?"
+
+"I am afraid he is not what we supposed him to be, Mr. Goodnow."
+
+"It looks like it. I am surprised and sorry. Do you think he took the
+other articles that are missing?"
+
+"Of course I can't say, sir, but it is fair to presume that he did."
+
+"I am exceedingly sorry. I don't mind saying, Redwood, that I took an
+especial interest in that boy. I have already told you the circumstances
+of my meeting him, and the fancy taken to him by my friend Mulgrave."
+
+"Yes, sir, I have heard you say that."
+
+"I don't think I am easily taken in, and that boy impressed me as
+thoroughly honest. But of course I don't pretend to be infallible and it
+appears that I have been mistaken in him."
+
+The merchant looked troubled, for he had come to feel a sincere regard
+for Rodney. He confessed to himself that he would rather have found any
+of the other clerks dishonest.
+
+"You may send Ropes to me," he said, "Mr. Redwood, and you will please
+come with him. We will investigate this matter at once."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+CHARGED WITH THEFT.
+
+
+Rodney entered Mr. Goodnow's office without a suspicion of the serious
+accusation which had been made against him. The first hint that there
+was anything wrong came to him when he saw the stern look in the
+merchants eyes.
+
+"Perhaps," said Mr. Goodnow, as he leaned back in his chair and fixed
+his gaze on the young clerk, "you may have an idea why I have sent for
+you."
+
+"No, sir," answered Rodney, looking puzzled.
+
+"You can't think of any reason I may have for wishing to see you?"
+
+"No, sir," and Rodney returned Mr. Goodnow's gaze with honest
+unfaltering eyes.
+
+"Possibly you are not aware that within a few weeks some articles have
+been missed from our stock."
+
+"I have not heard of it. What kind of articles?"
+
+"The boy is more artful than I thought!" soliloquized the merchant.
+
+"All the articles missed," he proceeded, "have been from the room
+in charge of Mr. Redwood, the room in which you, among others, are
+employed."
+
+Something in Mr. Goodnow's tone gave Rodney the hint of the truth. If he
+had been guilty he would have flushed and showed signs of confusion.
+As it was, he only wished to learn the truth and he in turn became the
+questioner.
+
+"Is it supposed," he asked, "that any one in your employ is responsible
+for these thefts?"
+
+"It is."
+
+"Is any one in particular suspected?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Will you tell me who, that is if you think I ought to know?"
+
+"Certainly you ought to know, for it is you who are suspected."
+
+Then Rodney became indignant.
+
+"I can only deny the charge in the most emphatic terms," he said. "If
+any one has brought such a charge against me, it is a lie."
+
+"You can say that to Mr. Redwood, for it is he who accuses you."
+
+"What does this mean, Mr. Redwood?" demanded Rodney quickly. "What have
+you seen in me that leads you to accuse me of theft."
+
+"To tell the truth, Ropes, you are about the last clerk in my room
+whom I would have suspected. But early this morning this letter was
+received," and he placed in Rodney's hands the letter given in a
+preceding chapter.
+
+Rodney read it through and handed it back scornfully.
+
+"I should like to see the person who wrote this letter," he said. "It is
+a base lie from beginning to end."
+
+"I thought it might be when Mr. Goodnow showed it to me," said Redwood
+in an even tone, "but Mr. Goodnow and I agreed that it would be well to
+investigate. Therefore I went to your room."
+
+"When, sir?"
+
+"This morning."
+
+"Then it is all right, for I am sure you found nothing."
+
+"On the contrary, Ropes, I found that the statement made in the letter
+was true. On your bed was a bundle containing one of the cloaks taken
+from our stock."
+
+Rodney's face was the picture of amazement.
+
+"Is this true?" he said.
+
+"It certainly is. I hope you don't doubt my word."
+
+"Did you bring it back with you?"
+
+"No; your worthy landlady was not quite sure whether I was what I
+represented, and I left the parcel there. However I opened it in her
+presence so that she can testify what I found."
+
+"This is very strange," said Rodney, looking at his accuser with puzzled
+eyes. "I know nothing whatever of the cloak and can't imagine how it got
+into my room."
+
+"Perhaps it walked there," said Mr. Goodnow satirically.
+
+Rodney colored, for he understood that his employer did not believe him.
+
+"May I go to my room," he asked, "and bring back the bundle with me?"
+
+Observing that Mr. Goodnow hesitated he added, "You can send Some one
+with me to see that I don't spirit away the parcel, and come back with
+it."
+
+"On these conditions you may go. Redwood, send some one with Ropes."
+
+Rodney followed the chief of his department back to the cloak room, and
+the latter, after a moments thought, summoned Jasper.
+
+"Jasper," he said, "Ropes is going to his room to get a parcel which
+belongs to the store. You may go with him."
+
+There was a flash of satisfaction in Jasper's eyes as he answered with
+seeming indifference, "All right! I will go. I shall be glad to have a
+walk."
+
+As the two boys passed out of the store, Jasper asked, "What does it
+mean, Ropes?"
+
+"I don't know myself. I only know that there is said to be a parcel
+containing a cloak in my room. This cloak came from the store, and I am
+suspected of having stolen it."
+
+"Whew! that's a serious matter. Of course it is all a mistake?"
+
+"Yes, it is all a mistake."
+
+"But how could it get to your room unless you carried it there?"
+
+Rodney gave Jasper a sharp look.
+
+"Some one must have taken it there," he said.
+
+"How on earth did Uncle James find out?"
+
+"An anonymous letter was sent to Mr. Goodnow charging me with theft. Did
+you hear that articles have been missed for some time from the stock?"
+
+"Never heard a word of it," said Jasper with ready falsehood.
+
+"It seems the articles are missing from our room, and some one in the
+room is suspected of being the thief."
+
+"Good gracious! I hope no one will suspect me," said Jasper in pretended
+alarm.
+
+"It seems I am suspected. I hope no other innocent person will have a
+like misfortune."
+
+Presently they reached Rodney's lodgings. Mrs. McCarty was coming up the
+basement stairs as they entered.
+
+"La, Mr. Ropes!" she said, "what brings you here in the middle of the
+day?"
+
+"I hear there is a parcel in my room."
+
+"Yes; it contains such a lovely cloak. The gentleman from your store who
+called a little while ago thought you might have meant it as a present
+for me."
+
+"I am afraid it will be some time before I can afford to make such
+present. Do you know if any one called and left the cloak here?"
+
+"No; I didn't let in no one at the door."
+
+"Was the parcel there when you made the bed?"
+
+"Well, no, it wasn't. That is curious."
+
+"It shows that the parcel has been left here since. Now I certainly
+couldn't have left it, for I have been at work all the morning. Come up
+stairs, Jasper."
+
+The two boys went up the stairs, and, entering Rodney's room, found the
+parcel, still on the bed.
+
+Rodney opened it and identified the cloak as exactly like those which
+they carried in stock.
+
+He examined the paper in which it was inclosed, but it seemed to differ
+from the wrapping paper used at the store. He called Jasper's attention
+to this.
+
+"I have nothing to say," remarked Jasper, shrugging his shoulders. "I
+don't understand the matter at all. I suppose you are expected to carry
+the cloak back to the store."
+
+"Yes, that is the only thing to do."
+
+"I say, Ropes, it looks pretty bad for you."
+
+Jasper said this, but Rodney observed that his words were not
+accompanied by any expressions of sympathy, or any words that indicated
+his disbelief of Rodney's guilt.
+
+"Do you think I took this cloak from the store?" he demanded, facing
+round upon Jasper.
+
+"Really, I don't know. It looks bad, finding it in your room."
+
+"I needn't ask any further. I can see what you think."
+
+"You wouldn't have me tell a lie, would you, Ropes? Of course such
+things have been done before, and your salary is small."
+
+"You insult me by your words," said Rodney, flaming up.
+
+"Then I had better not speak, but you asked me, you know."
+
+"Yes, I did. Things may look against me, but I am absolutely innocent."
+
+"If you can make Mr. Goodnow think so," said Jasper with provoking
+coolness, "it will be all right. Perhaps he will forgive you."
+
+"I don't want his forgiveness. I want him to think me honest."
+
+"Well, I hope you are, I am sure, but it won't do any good our
+discussing it, and it doesn't make any difference what I think any way."
+
+By this time they had reached the store.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+RODNEY IS DISCHARGED.
+
+
+Rodney reported his return to Mr. Redwood, and in his company went down
+stairs to the office, with the package under his arm.
+
+"Well?" said Mr. Goodnow inquiringly.
+
+"This is the package, sir."
+
+"And it was found in your room?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I found it on my bed."
+
+"Can't you account for it being there?" asked the merchant searchingly.
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"You must admit that its presence in your room looks bad for you."
+
+"I admit it sir; but I had nothing to do with it being there."
+
+"Have you any theory to account for it?"
+
+"Only this, that some one must have carried it to my room and placed it
+where it was found."
+
+"Did you question your landlady as to whether she had admitted any one
+during the morning?"
+
+"Yes, sir. She had not."
+
+"This is very unfavorable to you."
+
+"In what way, sir?"
+
+"It makes it probable that you carried in the parcel yourself."
+
+"That I deny," said Rodney boldly.
+
+"I expected you to deny it," said the merchant coldly. "If this cloak
+were the only one that had been taken I would drop the matter. But
+this is by no means the case. Mr. Redwood, can you give any idea of the
+extent to which we have been robbed?"
+
+"So far as I can estimate we have lost a dozen cloaks and about half a
+dozen dress patterns."
+
+"This is a serious loss, Ropes," said Mr. Goodnow. "I should think it
+would foot up several hundred dollars. If you can throw any light upon
+the thefts, or give me information by which I can get back the goods
+even at considerable expense, I will be as considerate with you as I
+can."
+
+"Mr. Goodnow," returned Rodney hotly, "I know no more about the matter
+than you do. I hope you will investigate, and if you can prove that I
+took any of the missing articles I want no consideration. I shall expect
+you to have me arrested, and, if convicted, punished."
+
+"These are brave words, Ropes," said Mr. Goodnow coldly, "but they are
+only words. The parcel found in your room affords strong ground for
+suspicion that you are responsible for at least a part of the thefts.
+Under the circumstances there is only one thing for me to do, and that
+is to discharge you."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+"You may go to the cashier and he will pay you to the end of the week,
+but your connection with the store will end at once."
+
+"I don't care to be paid to the end of the week, sir. If you will give
+me an order for payment up to tonight, that will be sufficient."
+
+"It shall be as you say."
+
+Mr. Goodnow wrote a few words on a slip of paper and handed it to
+Rodney.
+
+"I will leave my address, sir, and if I change it I will notify you. If
+you should hear anything as to the real robber I will ask you as a favor
+to communicate with me."
+
+"Mr. Redwood, you have heard the request of Ropes, I will look to you to
+comply with it."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+The merchant turned back to his letters, and Rodney left the office,
+with what feelings of sorrow and humiliation may be imagined.
+
+"I am sorry for this occurrence, Ropes," said Mr. Redwood, with a touch
+of sympathy in his voice.
+
+"Do you believe me guilty, Mr. Redwood?"
+
+"I cannot do otherwise. I hope you are innocent, and, if so, that the
+really guilty party will be discovered sooner or later."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+When they entered the room in which Rodney had been employed Jasper came
+up, his face alive with curiosity.
+
+"Well," he said, "how did you come out?"
+
+"I am discharged," said Rodney bitterly.
+
+"Well, you couldn't complain of that. Things looked pretty dark for
+you."
+
+"If I had committed the theft, I would not complain. Indeed, I would
+submit to punishment without a murmur. But it is hard to suffer while
+innocent."
+
+"Uncle James," said Jasper, "if Ropes is going will you ask Mr. Goodnow
+to put me in his place?"
+
+Even Mr. Redwood was disgusted by this untimely request.
+
+"It would be more becoming," he said sharply, "if you would wait till
+Ropes was fairly out of the store before applying for his position."
+
+"I want to be in time. I don't want any one to get ahead of me."
+
+James Redwood did not deign a reply.
+
+"I am sorry you leave us under such circumstances, Ropes," he said. "The
+time may come when you will be able to establish your innocence, and in
+that case Mr. Goodnow will probably take you back again."
+
+Rodney did not answer, but with his order went to the cashier's desk and
+received the four dollars due him. Then, with a heavy heart, he left the
+store where it had been such a satisfaction to him to work.
+
+On Broadway he met his room mate, Mike Flynn, in the uniform of a
+telegraph boy.
+
+"Where are you goin', Rodney?" asked Mike. "You ain't let off so early,
+are you?"
+
+"I am let off for good and all, Mike."
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"I am discharged."
+
+"What for?" asked Mike in amazement.
+
+"I will tell you when you get home tonight."
+
+Rodney went back to his room, and lay down sad and despondent. Some
+hours later Mike came in, and was told the story. The warm hearted
+telegraph boy was very angry.
+
+"That boss of yours must be a stupid donkey," he said.
+
+"I don't know. The parcel was found in my room."
+
+"Anybody'd know to look at you that you wouldn't steal."
+
+"Some thieves look very innocent. The only way to clear me is to find
+out who left the bundle at the house."
+
+"Doesn't Mrs. McCarty know anything about it?"
+
+"No; I asked her."
+
+"Some one might have got into the house without her knowing anything
+about it. The lock is a very common one. There are plenty of keys that
+will open it."
+
+"If we could find some one that saw a person with a bundle go up the
+steps, that would give us a clew."
+
+"That's so. We'll ask."
+
+But for several days no one could be found who had seen any such person.
+
+Meanwhile Rodney was at a loss what to do. He was cut off from applying
+for another place, for no one would engage him if he were refused
+a recommendation from his late employer. Yet he must obtain some
+employment for he could not live on nothing.
+
+"Do you think, Mike," he asked doubtfully, "that I could make anything
+selling papers?"
+
+"Such business isn't for you," answered the telegraph boy.
+
+"But it is one of the few things open to me. I can become a newsboy
+without recommendations. Even your business would be closed to me if it
+were known that I was suspected of theft."
+
+"Thats so," said Mike, scratching his head in perplexity.
+
+"Then would you recommend my becoming a newsboy?"
+
+"I don't know. You couldn't make more'n fifty or sixty cent a day."
+
+"That will be better than nothing."
+
+"And I can pay the rent, or most of it, as I'll be doin' better than
+you."
+
+"We will wait and see how much I make."
+
+So Rodney swallowed his pride, and procuring a supply of afternoon
+papers set about selling them. He knew that it was an honest business,
+and there was no disgrace in following it.
+
+But one day he was subjected to keen mortification. Jasper Redwood and
+a friend--it was Philip Carton, his confederate--were walking along
+Broadway, and their glances fell on Rodney.
+
+"I say, Jasper," said the elder of the two, "isn't that the boy who was
+in the same store with you?"
+
+Jasper looked, and his eyes lighted up with malicious satisfaction.
+
+"Oho!" he said. "Well, this is rich!"
+
+"Give me a paper, boy," he said, pretending not to recognize Rodney at
+first. "Why, it's Ropes."
+
+"Yes," answered Rodney, his cheek flushing. "You see what I am reduced
+to. What paper will you buy?"
+
+"The Mail and Express."
+
+"Here it is."
+
+"Can't you get another place?" asked Jasper curiously.
+
+"I might if I could get a recommendation, but probably Mr. Goodnow
+wouldn't give me one."
+
+"No, I guess not."
+
+"So I must take what I can get."
+
+"Do you make much selling papers?"
+
+"Very little."
+
+"You can't make as much as you did in the store?"
+
+"Not much more than half as much."
+
+"Do you live in the same place?"
+
+"Yes, for the present."
+
+"Oh, by the way, Ropes, I've got your old place," said Jasper in
+exultation.
+
+"I thought you would get it," answered Rodney, not without a pang.
+
+"Come into the store some day, Ropes. It will seem like old times."
+
+"I shall not enter the store till I am able to clear myself of the
+charge made against me."
+
+"Then probably you will stay away a long time."
+
+"I am afraid so."
+
+"Well, ta, ta! Come along, Philip."
+
+As Rodney followed with his eye the figure of his complacent successor
+he felt that his fate was indeed a hard one.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+A RICH FIND.
+
+
+As Jasper and his companion moved away, Carton said, "I'm sorry for that
+poor duffer, Jasper."
+
+"Why should you be sorry?" asked Jasper, frowning.
+
+"Because he has lost a good place and good prospects, and all for no
+fault of his own."
+
+"You are getting sentimental, Philip," sneered Jasper.
+
+"No, but I am showing a little humanity. He has lost all this through
+you----"
+
+"Through us, you mean."
+
+"Well, through us. We have made him the scapegoat for our sins."
+
+"Oh well, he is making a living."
+
+"A pretty poor one. I don't think you would like to be reduced to
+selling papers."
+
+"His case and mine are different."
+
+"I begin to think also that we have made a mistake in getting him
+discharged so soon."
+
+"We can't take anything more."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Because there will be no one to lay the blame upon. He is out of the
+store."
+
+"That is true. I didn't think of that. But I invited him to come around
+and call. If he should, and something else should be missing it would be
+laid to him."
+
+"I don't believe he will call. I am terribly hard up, and our source of
+income has failed us. Haven't you got a dollar or two to spare?"
+
+"No," answered Jasper coldly. "I only get seven dollars a week."
+
+"But you have nearly all that. You only have to hand in two dollars a
+week to your uncle."
+
+"Look here, Philip Carton, I hope you don't expect to live off me. I
+have all I can do to take care of myself."
+
+Carton looked at Jasper in anger and mortification.
+
+"I begin to understand how good a friend you are," he said.
+
+"I am not fool enough to pinch myself to keep you," said Jasper bluntly.
+"You are a man of twenty five and I am only a boy. You ought to be able
+to take care of yourself."
+
+"Just give me a dollar, or lend it Jasper, and I will risk it at play.
+I may rise from the table with a hundred. If I do I will pay you
+handsomely for the loan."
+
+"I couldn't do it, Mr. Carton. I have only two dollars in my pocket, and
+I have none to spare."
+
+"Humph! what is that?"
+
+Philip Carton's eyes were fixed upon the sidewalk. There was a flimsy
+piece of paper fluttering about impelled by the wind. He stooped and
+picked it up.
+
+"It is a five dollar bill," he exclaimed in exultation. "My luck has
+come back."
+
+Jasper changed his tone at once. Now Philip was the better off of the
+two.
+
+"That is luck!" he said. "Shall we go into Delmonico's, and have an
+ice?"
+
+"If it is at your expense, yes."
+
+"That wouldn't be fair. You have more money than I."
+
+"Yes, and I mean to keep it myself. You have set me the example."
+
+"Come, Philip, you are not angry at my refusing you a loan?"
+
+"No; I think you were sensible. I shall follow your example. I will bid
+you good night. I seem to be in luck, and will try my fortune at the
+gaming table."
+
+"I will go with you."
+
+"No; I would prefer to go alone."
+
+"That fellow is unreasonable," muttered Jasper, as he strode off,
+discontented. "Did he expect I would divide my salary with him?"
+
+Philip Carton, after he parted company with Jasper, walked back to where
+Rodney was still selling papers.
+
+"Give me a paper," he said.
+
+"Which will you have?"
+
+"I am not particular. Give me the first that comes handy. Ah, the
+Evening Sun will do."
+
+He took the paper and put a quarter into Rodney's hand.
+
+As he was walking away Rodney called out, "Stop, here's your change,"
+
+"Never mind," said Philip with a wave of the hand.
+
+"Thank you," said Rodney gratefully, for twenty five cents was no trifle
+to him at this time.
+
+"That ought to bring me luck," soliloquized Philip Carton as he walked
+on. "It isn't often I do a good deed. It was all the money I had besides
+the five dollar bill, and I am sure the news boy will make better use of
+it than I would."
+
+"That was the young man that was walking with Jasper," reflected Rodney.
+"Well, he is certainly a better fellow than he. Thanks to this quarter,
+I shall have made eighty cents today, and still have half a dozen
+papers. That is encouraging."
+
+Several days passed that could not be considered lucky. Rodney's average
+profits were only about fifty cent a day, and that was barely sufficient
+to buy his meals. It left him nothing to put towards paying room rent.
+
+He began to consider whether he would not be compelled to pawn some
+article from his wardrobe, for he was well supplied with clothing, when
+he had a stroke of luck.
+
+On Fifteenth Street, by the side of Tiffany's great jewelry store, he
+picked up a square box neatly done up in thin paper. Opening it, he was
+dazzled by the gleam of diamonds.
+
+The contents were a diamond necklace and pin, which, even to Rodney's
+inexperienced eyes, seemed to be of great value.
+
+"Some one must have dropped them in coming from the jewelry store," he
+reflected. "Who can it be?"
+
+He had not far to seek. There was a card inside on which was engraved:
+
+
+MRS. ELIZA HARVEY,
+
+with an address on Fifth Avenue.
+
+
+Passing through to Fifth Avenue Rodney began to scan the numbers on
+the nearest houses. He judged that Mrs. Harvey must live considerably
+farther up the Avenue, in the direction of Central Park.
+
+"I will go there at once," Rodney decided. "No doubt Mrs. Harvey is very
+much distressed by her loss. I shall carry her good news."
+
+The house he found to be between Fortieth and Fiftieth Street. Ascending
+the steps he rang the bell. The door was opened by a man servant.
+
+"Does Mrs. Harvey live here?" asked Rodney.
+
+"What do you want with her, young man?" demanded the servant in a tone
+of importance.
+
+"That I will tell her."
+
+"What's your name?"
+
+"I can give you my name, but she won't recognize it."
+
+"Then you don't know her."
+
+"No."
+
+"If it's money you want, she don't give to beggars."
+
+"You are impudent," said Rodney hotly. "If you don't give my message you
+will get into trouble."
+
+The servant opened his eyes. He seemed somewhat impressed by Rodney's
+confident tone.
+
+"Mrs. Harvey doesn't live here," he said.
+
+"Is she in the house?"
+
+"Well, yes, she's visiting here."
+
+"Then why do you waste your time?" said Rodney impatiently. He forgot
+for the time that he was no longer being educated at an expensive
+boarding school, and spoke in the tone he would have used before his
+circumstances had changed.
+
+"I'll go and ask if she'll see you," said the flunky unwillingly.
+
+Five minutes later a pleasant looking woman of middle age descended the
+staircase.
+
+"Are you the boy that wished to see me?" she asked.
+
+"Yes, if you are Mrs. Harvey."
+
+"I am. But come in! Thomas, why didn't you invite this young gentleman
+into the parlor?"
+
+Thomas opened his eyes wide. So the boy whom he had treated so
+cavalierly was a young gentleman.
+
+He privately put down Mrs. Harvey in his own mind as eccentric.
+
+"Excuse me, ma'am," he said. "I didn't know as he was parlor company."
+
+"Well, he is," said Mrs. Harvey with a cordial smile that won Rodney's
+heart.
+
+"Follow me!" said the lady.
+
+Rodney followed her into a handsome apartment and at a signal seated
+himself on a sofa.
+
+"Now," she said, "I am ready to listen to your message."
+
+"Have you lost anything?" asked Rodney abruptly.
+
+"Oh, have you found it?" exclaimed Mrs. Harvey, clasping her hands.
+
+"That depends on what you have lost," answered Rodney, who felt that it
+was necessary to be cautious.
+
+"Certainly, you are quite right. I have lost a box containing jewelry
+bought this morning at Tiffany's."
+
+"What were the articles?"
+
+"A diamond necklace and pin. They are intended as a present for my
+daughter who is to be married. Tell me quick have you found them?"
+
+"Is this the box?" asked Rodney.
+
+"Oh yes, yes! How delightful to recover it. I thought I should never see
+it again. Where did you find it?"
+
+"On Fifteenth Street beside Tiffany's store."
+
+"And you brought it directly to me?"
+
+"Yes, madam."
+
+"Have you any idea of the value of the articles?"
+
+"Perhaps they may be worth five hundred dollars."
+
+"They are worth over a thousand. Are you poor?"
+
+"Yes, madam. I am trying to make a living by selling papers, but find it
+hard work."
+
+"But you don't look like a newsboy."
+
+"Till a short time since I thought myself moderately rich."
+
+"That is strange. Tell me your story."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+A SURPRISING TURN OF FORTUNE.
+
+
+Rodney told his story frankly. Mrs. Harvey was very sympathetic by
+nature, and she listened with the deepest interest, and latterly with
+indignation when Rodney spoke of his dismissal from Mr. Goodnow's store.
+
+"You have been treated shamefully," she said warmly.
+
+"I think Mr. Goodnow really believes me guilty," rejoined Rodney.
+
+"A dishonest boy would hardly have returned a valuable box of jewelry."
+
+"Still Mr. Goodnow didn't know that I would do it."
+
+"I see you are disposed to apologize for your late employer."
+
+"I do not forget that he treated me kindly till this last occurrence."
+
+"Your consideration does you credit. So you have really been reduced to
+earn your living as a newsboy?"
+
+"Yes, madam."
+
+"I must think what I can do for you. I might give you money, but when
+that was gone you would be no better off."
+
+"I would much rather have help in getting a place."
+
+Mrs. Harvey leaned her head on her hand and looked thoughtful.
+
+"You are right," she said. "Let me think."
+
+Rodney waited, hoping that the lady would be able to think of something
+to his advantage.
+
+Finally she spoke.
+
+"I think you said you understood Latin and Greek?"
+
+"I have studied both languages and French also. I should have been ready
+to enter college next summer."
+
+"Then perhaps I shall be able to do something for you. I live in
+Philadelphia, but I have a brother living in West Fifty Eighth Street.
+He has one little boy, Arthur, now nine years of age. Arthur is quite
+precocious, but his health is delicate, and my brother has thought of
+getting a private instructor for him. Do you like young children?"
+
+"Very much. I always wished that I had a little brother."
+
+"Then I think you would suit my brother better as a tutor for Arthur
+than a young man. Being a boy yourself, you would be not only tutor but
+companion."
+
+"I should like such a position very much."
+
+"Then wait here a moment, and I will write you a letter of
+introduction."
+
+She went up stairs, but soon returned.
+
+She put a small perfumed billet into Rodney's hands. It was directed to
+John Sargent with an address on West Fifty Eighth Street.
+
+"Call this evening," she said, "about half past seven o'clock. My
+brother will be through dinner, and will not have gone out at that
+hour."
+
+"Thank you," said Rodney gratefully.
+
+"Here is another envelope which you can open at your leisure. I cannot
+part from you without thanking you once more for returning my jewelry."
+
+"You have thanked me in a very practical way, Mrs. Harvey."
+
+"I hope my letter may lead to pleasant results for you. If you ever come
+to Philadelphia call upon me at No. 1492 Walnut Street."
+
+"Thank you."
+
+As Rodney left the house he felt that his ill fortune had turned,
+and that a new prospect was opened up before him. He stepped into the
+Windsor Hotel, and opened the envelope last given him. It contained five
+five dollar bills.
+
+To one of them was pinned a scrap of paper containing these words: "I
+hope this money will be useful to you. It is less than the reward I
+should have offered for the recovery of the jewels."
+
+Under the circumstances Rodney felt that he need not scruple to use the
+money. He knew that he had rendered Mrs. Harvey a great service, and
+that she could well afford to pay him the sum which the envelopes
+contained.
+
+He began to be sensible that he was hungry, not having eaten for some
+time. He went into a restaurant on Sixth Avenue, and ordered a sirloin
+steak. It was some time since he had indulged in anything beyond a
+common steak, and he greatly enjoyed the more luxurious meal. He
+didn't go back to selling papers, for he felt that it would hardly be
+consistent with the position of a classical teacher--the post for which
+he was about to apply.
+
+Half past seven found him at the door of Mr. John Sargent. The house was
+of brown stone, high stoop, and four stories in height. It was such a
+house as only a rich man could occupy.
+
+He was ushered into the parlor and presently Mr. Sargent came in from
+the dining room.
+
+"Are you Mr. Ropes?" he asked, looking at Rodney's card.
+
+It is not usual for newsboys to carry cards, but Rodney had some left
+over from his more prosperous days.
+
+"Yes, sir. I bring you a note of introduction from Mrs. Harvey."
+
+"Ah yes, my sister. Let me see it."
+
+The note was of some length. That is, it covered three pages of note
+paper. Mr. Sargent read it attentively.
+
+"My sister recommends you as tutor for my little son, Arthur," he said,
+as he folded up the letter.
+
+"Yes, sir; she suggested that I might perhaps suit you in that
+capacity."
+
+"She also says that you found and restored to her a valuable box of
+jewelry which she was careless enough to drop near Tiffany's."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I have a good deal of confidence in my sister's good judgment. She
+evidently regards you very favorably."
+
+"I am glad of that sir,"
+
+"Will you tell me something of your qualifications? Arthur is about to
+commence Latin. He is not old enough for Greek."
+
+"I could teach either, sir."
+
+"And of course you are well up in English branches?"
+
+"I think I am."
+
+"My sister hints that you are poor, and obliged to earn your own living.
+How, then, have you been able to secure so good an education?"
+
+"I have only been poor for a short time. My father left me fifty
+thousand dollars, but it was lost by my guardian."
+
+"Who was your guardian?"
+
+"Mr. Benjamin Fielding."
+
+"I knew him well. I don't think he was an unprincipled man, but he was
+certainly imprudent, and was led into acts that were reprehensible. Did
+he lose all your money for you?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"What did you do?"
+
+"Left the boarding school where I was being educated, and came to this
+city."
+
+"Did you obtain any employment?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I have been employed for a short time by Otis Goodnow, a
+merchant of Reade Street."
+
+"And why did you leave?"
+
+"Because Mr. Goodnow missed some articles from his stock, and I was
+charged with taking them."
+
+Rodney was fearful of the effect of his frank confession upon Mr.
+Sargent, but the latter soon reassured him.
+
+"Your honesty in restoring my sister's jewelry is sufficient proof that
+the charge was unfounded. I shall not let it influence me."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+"Now as to the position of teacher, though very young, I don't see why
+you should not fill it satisfactorily. I will call Arthur."
+
+He went to the door and called "Arthur."
+
+A delicate looking boy with a sweet, intelligent face, came running into
+the room.
+
+"Do you want me, papa?"
+
+"Yes, Arthur. I have a new friend for you. Will you shake hands with
+him?"
+
+Arthur, who was not a shy boy, went up at once to Rodney and offered his
+hand.
+
+"I am glad to see you," he said.
+
+Rodney smiled. He was quite taken with the young boy.
+
+"What's your name?" the latter asked.
+
+"Rodney Ropes."
+
+"Are you going to stay and make us a visit?"
+
+Mr. Sargent answered this question.
+
+"Would you like to have Rodney stay?" he asked.
+
+"Oh yes."
+
+"How would you like to have him give you lessons in Latin and other
+studies?"
+
+"I should like it. I am sure he wouldn't be cross. Are you a teacher,
+Rodney?"
+
+"I will be your teacher if you are willing to have me."
+
+"Yes, I should like it. And will you go to walk with me in Central
+Park?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then, papa, you may as well engage him. I was afraid you would get a
+tiresome old man for my teacher."
+
+"That settles it, Rodney," said Mr. Sargent, smiling. "Now, Arthur, run
+out and I will speak further with Rodney about you."
+
+"All right, papa."
+
+"As Arthur seems to like you, I will give you a trial. As he suggested,
+I should like to have you become his companion as well as teacher.
+You will come here at nine o'clock in the morning, and stay till four,
+taking lunch with your pupil. About the compensation, will you tell me
+what will be satisfactory to you?"
+
+"I prefer to leave that to you, sir."
+
+"Then we will say fifteen dollars a week--today is Thursday. Will you
+present yourself here next Monday morning?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"If you would like an advance of salary, you need only say so."
+
+"Thank you, sir, but I am fairly provided with money for the present."
+
+"Then nothing more need be said. As I am to meet a gentleman at the
+Union League Club tonight, I will bid you good evening, and expect to
+see you on Monday."
+
+Rodney rose and Mr. Sargent accompanied him to the door, shaking hands
+with him courteously by way of farewell.
+
+Rodney emerged into the street in a state of joyous excitement. Twenty
+five dollars in his pocket, and fifteen dollars a week! He could hardly
+credit his good fortune.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+JASPER'S PERPLEXITY.
+
+
+Mike Flynn was overjoyed to hear of Rodney's good fortune.
+
+"Fifteen dollars a week!" he repeated. "Why you will be rich."
+
+"Not exactly that, Mike, but it will make me comfortable. By the way,
+as I have so much more than you, it will only be fair for me to pay the
+whole rent."
+
+"No, Rodney, you mustn't do that."
+
+"I shall insist upon it, Mike. You would do the same in my place."
+
+"Yes I would."
+
+"So you can't object to my doing it."
+
+"You are very kind to me, Rodney," said Mike, who had the warm heart of
+his race. "It isn't every boy brought up like you who would be willing
+to room with a bootblack."
+
+"But you are not a bootblack now. You are a telegraph boy."
+
+"There are plenty that mind me when I blacked boots down in front of the
+Astor House."
+
+"You are just as good a boy for all that. How much did you make last
+week?"
+
+"Four dollars salary, and a dollar and a half in extra tips."
+
+"Hereafter you must save your rent money for clothes. We must have you
+looking respectable."
+
+"Won't you adopt me, Rodney?" asked Mike with a laughing face.
+
+"That's a good idea. Perhaps I will. In that case you must obey all
+my orders. In the first place, what are you most in want in the way of
+clothing?"
+
+"I haven't got but two shirts."
+
+"That is hardly enough for a gentleman of your social position. Anything
+else."
+
+"I'm short on collars and socks."
+
+"Then we'll go out shopping. I'll buy you a supply of each."
+
+"But you haven't begun to work yet."
+
+"No, but Mrs. Harvey made me a present of twenty five dollars. We'll go
+to some of the big stores on Sixth Avenue where we can get furnishing
+goods cheap."
+
+Rodney carried out his purpose, and at the cost of four dollars supplied
+his room mate with all he needed for the present.
+
+"See what it is to be rich, Mike," he said. "It seems odd for me to be
+buying clothes for my adopted son."
+
+"You're in luck, Rodney, and so am I. I hope some time I can do you a
+favor."
+
+"Perhaps you can, Mike. If I should get sick, you might take my place as
+tutor."
+
+"You must know an awful lot, Rodney," said Mike, regarding his companion
+with new respect.
+
+"Thank you for the compliment, Mike. I hope Mr. Sargent will have the
+same opinion."
+
+The next day it is needless to say that Rodney did not resume the
+business of newsboy. He was very glad to give it up. He dressed with
+unusual care and took a walk down town.
+
+As he passed Reade Street by chance Jasper was coming around the
+corner. His face lighted up first with pleasure at seeing Rodney, for
+it gratified his mean nature to triumph over the boy whom he had ousted
+from his position, and next with surprise at his unusually neat and
+well dressed appearance. Rodney looked far from needing help. He might
+readily have been taken for a boy of aristocratic lineage.
+
+"Hallo!" said Jasper, surveying Rodney curiously.
+
+"How are you this morning, Jasper?" returned Rodney quietly.
+
+"Why ain't you selling papers?"
+
+"I don't like the business."
+
+"But you've got to make a living."
+
+"Quite true."
+
+"Are you going to black boots?"
+
+"Why should I? Is it a desirable business?"
+
+"How should I know?" asked Jasper, coloring.
+
+"I didn't know but you might have had some experience at it. I haven't."
+
+"Do you mean to insult me?" demanded Jasper hotly.
+
+"I never insult anybody. I will only say that you are as likely to take
+up the business as I."
+
+"I've got a place."
+
+"How do you know but I have?"
+
+"Because you were selling papers yesterday and are walking the street
+today."
+
+"That is true. But I have a place engaged for all that. I shall go to
+work on Monday."
+
+Jasper pricked up his ears.
+
+"Where is it?" he asked.
+
+"I don't care to tell at present."
+
+"Is it true? Have you got a place?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I don't see how you could. Mr. Goodnow wouldn't give you a
+recommendation."
+
+"There is no reason why he should not."
+
+"What, after your taking cloaks and dress patterns from the store?"
+
+"I did nothing of the kind. Sooner or later Mr. Goodnow will find out
+his mistake. Probably the real thief is still in his employ."
+
+Jasper turned pale and regarded Rodney searchingly, but there was
+nothing in his manner or expression to indicate that his remark had been
+personal. He thought it best to turn the conversation.
+
+"How much pay do you get--four dollars?"
+
+"More than that."
+
+"You don't get as much as you did at our store?"
+
+"Yes; I get more."
+
+Now it was Jasper's turn to show surprise. He did not know whether
+to believe Rodney or not, but there was something in his face which
+commanded belief.
+
+"How much do you get?" he asked.
+
+"You would not believe me if I told you."
+
+"Try me," returned Jasper, whose curiosity was aroused.
+
+"I am to get fifteen dollars a week."
+
+Jasper would not have looked more surprised if Rodney had informed him
+that he was to become a Cabinet minister.
+
+"You're joking!" he ejaculated.
+
+"Not at all."
+
+"How could you have the face to ask such a price. Did you pass yourself
+off as an experienced salesman?"
+
+"No."
+
+"I don't understand it at all, that is, if you are telling the truth."
+
+"I have told you the truth, Jasper. I have no object in deceiving you.
+The salary was fixed by my employer."
+
+"Who did you say it was?"
+
+"I didn't say."
+
+Jasper's cunning scheme was defeated. He felt disturbed to hear of
+Rodney's good fortune, but he had a shot in reserve.
+
+"I don't think you will keep your place long," he said in a malicious
+tone.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Your employer will hear under what circumstances you left our store,
+and then of course he will discharge you."
+
+"You will be sorry for that won't you?" asked Rodney pointedly.
+
+"Why of course I don't want you to have bad luck."
+
+"Thank you. You are very considerate."
+
+"Suppose you lose your place, shall you go back to selling papers?"
+
+"I hope to find something better to do."
+
+"Where are you going now?"
+
+"To get some lunch."
+
+"So am I. Suppose we go together."
+
+"Very well, providing you will lunch with me."
+
+"I don't want to impose upon you."
+
+"You won't. We may not meet again for some time, and we shall have this
+meal to remind us of each other."
+
+They went to a well known restaurant on Park Row. Rodney ordered a
+liberal dinner for himself, and Jasper followed his example nothing
+loath. He was always ready to dine at the expense of others, but even as
+he ate he could not help wondering at the strange chance that had made
+him the guest of a boy who was selling papers the day before.
+
+He had nearly finished eating when a disturbing thought occurred to him.
+Suppose Rodney didn't have money enough to settle the bill, and threw it
+upon him.
+
+When Rodney took the checks and walked up to the cashier's desk he
+followed him with some anxiety. But his companion quietly took out a
+five dollar bill, from his pocket and tendered it to the cashier. The
+latter gave him back the right change and the two boys went out into the
+street.
+
+"You seem to have plenty of money," said Jasper.
+
+"There are very few who would admit having that," smiled Rodney.
+
+"I don't see why you sold papers if you have five dollar bills in your
+pocket."
+
+"I don't want to be idle."
+
+"May I tell my uncle and Mr. Goodnow that you have got a place?"
+
+"If you like."
+
+"Well, good by, I must be hurrying back to the store."
+
+Rodney smiled. He rather enjoyed Jasper's surprise and perplexity.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+RODNEY'S SECRET IS DISCOVERED.
+
+
+Jasper lost no time in acquainting his uncle with Rodney's extraordinary
+good fortune. James Redwood was surprised, but not all together
+incredulous.
+
+"I don't understand it," he said, "but Ropes appears to be a boy of
+truth. Perhaps he may have exaggerated the amount of his salary."
+
+"I hardly think so, uncle. He gave me a tip top dinner down on Park
+Row."
+
+"He may have been in funds from selling the articles taken from the
+store."
+
+"That's so!" assented Jasper, who had the best possible reason for
+knowing that it was not so.
+
+"I wish the boy well," said his uncle. "He always treated me
+respectfully, and I never had anything against him except the loss of
+stock, and it is not certain that he is the thief."
+
+"I guess there isn't any doubt about that."
+
+"Yet, believing him to be a thief, you did not hesitate to accept a
+dinner from him."
+
+"I didn't want to hurt his feelings," replied Jasper, rather sheepishly.
+
+"Do you know what sort of a place he has got, or with what house?"
+
+"No; he wouldn't tell me."
+
+"He thought perhaps you would inform the new firm of the circumstances
+under which he left us. I don't blame him, but I am surprised that he
+should have been engaged without a recommendation."
+
+"Shall you tell Mr. Goodnow?"
+
+"Not unless he asks about Ropes. I don't want to interfere with the boy
+in any way."
+
+In the store, as has already been stated, Jasper succeeded to Rodney's
+place, and in consequence his pay was raised to seven dollars a week.
+Still it was not equal to what it had been when he was receiving
+additional money from the sale of the articles stolen by Philip Carton
+and himself.
+
+The way in which they had operated was this: Philip would come in and
+buy a cloak or a dress pattern from Jasper, and the young salesman would
+pack up two or three instead of one. There was a drawback to the profit
+in those cases, as Carton would be obliged to sell both at a reduced
+price. Still they had made a considerable sum from these transactions,
+though not nearly as much as Mr. Goodnow had lost.
+
+After the discovery of the theft and the discharge of Rodney, the two
+confederates felt that it would be imprudent to do any more in that
+line. This suspension entailed heavier loss on Carton than on Jasper.
+The latter had a fixed income and a home at his uncle's house, while
+Philip had no regular income, though he occasionally secured a little
+temporary employment.
+
+In the meantime Rodney had commenced his tutorship. His young pupil
+became very fond of him, and being a studious boy, made rapid progress
+in his lessons.
+
+Mr. Sargent felt that his experiment, rash as it might be considered,
+vindicated his wisdom by its success. At the end of a month he
+voluntarily raised Rodney's salary to twenty dollars a week.
+
+"I am afraid you are overpaying me, Mr. Sargent," said Rodney.
+
+"That's my lookout. Good service is worth a good salary, and I am
+perfectly satisfied with you."
+
+"Thank you, sir. I prize that even more than the higher salary."
+
+Only a portion of Rodney's time was spent in teaching. In the afternoon
+he and his charge went on little excursions, generally to Central Park.
+
+One holiday, about four months after the commencement of Rodney's
+engagement, he was walking in the Park when he fell in with Jasper.
+Jasper's attention was at once drawn to the little boy, whose dress and
+general appearance indicated that he belonged to a wealthy family. This
+excited Jasper's curiosity.
+
+"How are you, Rodney?" said Jasper adroitly. "It is a good while since I
+met you."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Who is the little boy with you?"
+
+"His name is Arthur Sargent."
+
+Rodney gave this information unwillingly, for he saw that his secret was
+likely to be discovered.
+
+"How do you do, Arthur?" asked Jasper, with unwonted affability, for he
+did not care for children.
+
+"Pretty well," answered Arthur politely.
+
+"Have you known Rodney long?"
+
+"Why, he is my teacher," answered Arthur in some surprise.
+
+Jasper's eyes gleamed with sudden intelligence. So this was Rodney's
+secret, and this was the position for which he was so well paid.
+
+Rodney bit his lip in vexation, but made no remark.
+
+"Does he ever punish you for not getting your lessons?" asked Jasper
+without much tact.
+
+"Of course not," answered Arthur indignantly.
+
+"Arthur always does get his lessons," said Rodney. "I suppose you have a
+holiday from work today, Jasper."
+
+"Yes; I am glad to get away now and then."
+
+"I must bid you good morning now."
+
+"Won't you let me call on you? Where do you live, Arthur?"
+
+The boy gave the number of his house.
+
+Jasper asked Arthur, thinking rightly that he would be more likely to
+get an answer from him than from Rodney. He walked away triumphantly,
+feeling that he had made a discovery that might prove of advantage to
+him.
+
+"Is that a friend of yours, Rodney?" asked little Arthur.
+
+"I have known him for some time."
+
+"I don't like him very much."
+
+"Why?" asked Rodney with some curiosity.
+
+"I don't know," answered the little boy slowly. "I can't like
+everybody."
+
+"Quite true, Arthur. Jasper is not a special friend of mine, and I am
+not particular about your liking him. I hope you like me."
+
+"You know I do, Rodney," and he gave Rodney's hand an assuring pressure.
+
+Ten minutes after he left Rodney, Jasper fell in with Carton. The
+intimacy between them had perceptibly fallen off. It had grown out of
+business considerations.
+
+Now that it was no longer safe to abstract articles from the store,
+Jasper felt that he had no more use for his late confederate. When they
+met he treated him with marked coldness.
+
+On this particular day Carton was looking quite shabby. In fact, his
+best suit was in pawn, and he had fallen back on one half worn and
+soiled.
+
+"Hello!" exclaimed Jasper, and was about to pass on with a cool nod.
+
+"Stop!" said Philip, looking offended.
+
+"I am in a hurry," returned Jasper. "I can't stop today."
+
+"You are in a hurry, and on a holiday?"
+
+"Yes; I am to meet a friend near the lake."
+
+"I'll go along with you."
+
+Jasper had to submit though with an ill grace.
+
+"Wouldn't another day do?"
+
+"No; the fact is, Jasper, I am in trouble,"
+
+"You usually are," sneered Jasper.
+
+"That is so. I have been out of luck lately."
+
+"I am sorry, but I can't help it as I see."
+
+"How much money do you think I have in my pocket?"
+
+"I don't know, I am sure. I am not good at guessing conundrums."
+
+"Just ten cents."
+
+"That isn't much," said Jasper, indifferently.
+
+"Let me have a dollar, thats a good fellow!"
+
+"You seem to think I am made of money," said Jasper sharply. "I haven't
+got much more myself."
+
+"Then you might have. You get a good salary."
+
+"Only seven dollars."
+
+"You are able to keep most of it for yourself."
+
+"Suppose I am? You seem to know a good deal of my affairs."
+
+"Haven't you any pity for an old friend?"
+
+"Yes, I'll give you all the pity you want, but when it comes to money
+it's a different matter. Here you are, a man of twenty six, ten years
+older than me, and yet you expect me to help support you."
+
+"You didn't use to talk to me like that."
+
+"Well, I do now. You didn't use to try to get money out of me."
+
+"Look here, Jasper! I am poor, but I don't want you to talk to me as you
+are doing."
+
+"Indeed!" sneered Jasper.
+
+"And I won't have it," said Carton firmly. "Listen to me, and I will
+propose a plan that will help us both."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"You can easily secrete articles, if you are cautious, without
+attracting notice, and I will dispose of them and share the money with
+you."
+
+Jasper shook his head.
+
+"I wouldn't dare to do it," he said. "Somebody might spy on me."
+
+"Not if you are careful."
+
+"If it were found out I would be bounced like Ropes."
+
+"What is he doing? Have you seen him lately?"
+
+"He is getting on finely. He is earning fifteen dollars a week."
+
+"You don't mean it?"
+
+"Yes I do."
+
+"What firm is he working for?"
+
+"For none at all. He is tutor to a young kid."
+
+"I didn't know he was scholar enough."
+
+"Oh yes, he knows Greek and Latin and a lot of other stuff."
+
+"Who is the boy?"
+
+"I don't feel at liberty to tell. I don't think he would care to have
+you know."
+
+"I'll tell you what you can do. Borrow five dollars of him for me."
+
+"I don't know about that. If I were to borrow it would be for myself."
+
+"You can do as you please. If you don't do something for me I will write
+to Mr. Goodnow that you are the thief who stole the cloaks and dress
+patterns."
+
+"You wouldn't do that?" exclaimed Jasper in consternation.
+
+"Wouldn't I? I am desperate enough to do anything."
+
+After a little further conference Jasper agreed to do what was asked of
+him. He did not dare to refuse.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+JASPER'S REVENGE
+
+
+Rodney was considerably surprised one evening to receive a call from
+Jasper in his room. He was alone, as Mike had been detailed about a
+week ago for night duty. The room looked more attractive than formerly.
+Rodney had bought a writing desk, which stood in the corner, and had put
+up three pictures, which, though cheap, were attractive.
+
+"Good evening, Jasper," he said. "It is quite friendly of you to call."
+
+"I hadn't anything else on hand this evening, and thought I would come
+round see how you were getting along."
+
+"Take a seat and make yourself at home."
+
+"Do you object to cigarettes?" asked Jasper, producing one from a case
+in his pocket.
+
+"I object to smoking them myself, but I don't want to dictate to my
+friends."
+
+"You look quite comfortable here," continued Jasper in a patronizing
+tone.
+
+"We try to be comfortable, though our room is not luxurious."
+
+"Who do you mean by 'we'? Have you a room mate?"
+
+"Yes. Mike Flynn rooms with me."
+
+"Who is he--a newsboy?"
+
+"No. He is a telegraph boy."
+
+"You don't seem to very particular," said Jasper, shrugging his
+shoulders.
+
+"I am very particular."
+
+"Yet you room with an Irish telegraph boy."
+
+"He is a nice boy of good habit, and a devoted friend. What could I want
+more?"
+
+"Oh, well, you have a right to consult your own taste."
+
+"You have a nice home, no doubt."
+
+"I live with my uncle. Yes, he has a good house, but I am not so
+independent as if I had a room outide."
+
+"How are things going on at the store?"
+
+"About the same as usual. Why don't you come in some day?"
+
+"For two reasons; I am occupied during the day, and I don't want to go
+where I am considered a thief."
+
+"I wish I was getting your income. It is hard to get along on seven
+dollars a week."
+
+"Still you have a nice home, and I suppose you have most of your salary
+to yourself."
+
+"Yes, but there isn't much margin in seven dollars. My uncle expects
+me to buy my own clothes. You were lucky to get out of the store. Old
+Goodnow ought to give me ten dollars."
+
+"Don't let him hear you speak of him as OLD Goodnow, Jasper."
+
+"Oh, I'm smart enough for that. I mean to keep on the right side of the
+old chap. What sort of a man are you working for?"
+
+"Mr. Sargent is a fine man."
+
+"He isn't mean certainly. I should like to be in your shoes."
+
+"If I hear of any similar position shall I mention your name?" asked
+Rodney, smiling.
+
+"No; I could not take care of a kid. I hate them."
+
+"Still Arthur is a nice boy."
+
+"You are welcome to him. What do you have to teach?"
+
+"He is studying Latin and French, besides English branches."
+
+"I know about as much of Latin and French as a cow. I couldn't be a
+teacher. I say, Rodney," and Jasper cleared his throat, "I want you to
+do me a favor."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"I want you to lend me ten dollars."
+
+Rodney was not mean, but he knew very well that a loan to Jasper would
+be a permanent one. Had Jasper been his friend even this consideration
+would not have inspired a refusal, but he knew very well that Jasper had
+not a particle of regard for him.
+
+"I don't think I can oblige you, Jasper," he said.
+
+"Why not? You get fifteen dollars a week."
+
+"My expenses are considerable. Besides I am helping Mike, whose salary
+is very small. I pay the whole of the rent and I have paid for some
+clothes for him."
+
+"You are spending your money very foolishly," said Jasper frowning.
+
+"Would I spend it any less foolishly if I should lend you ten dollars?"
+
+"There is some difference between Mike Flynn and me. I am a gentleman."
+
+"So is Mike."
+
+"A queer sort of gentleman! He is only a poor telegraph boy."
+
+"Still he is a gentleman."
+
+"I should think you might have money enough for both of us."
+
+"I might but I want to save something from my salary. I don't know how
+long I shall be earning as much. I might lose my place."
+
+"So you might."
+
+"And I could hardly expect to get another where the pay would be as
+good."
+
+"I would pay you on installment--a dollar a week," urged Jasper.
+
+"I don't see how you could, as you say your pay is too small for you
+now."
+
+"Oh, well, I could manage."
+
+"I am afraid I can't oblige you, Jasper," said Rodney in a decided tone.
+
+"I didn't think you were so miserly," answered Jasper in vexation.
+
+"You may call it so, if you like. You must remember that I am not
+situated like you. You have your uncle to fall back upon in case you
+lose your position, but I have no one. I have to hustle for myself."
+
+"Oh, you needn't make any more excuses. I suppose ten dollars is rather
+a large sum to lend. Can you lend me five?"
+
+"I am sorry, but I must refuse you."
+
+Jasper rose from the chair on which he had been sitting.
+
+"Then I may as well go," he said. "I am disappointed in you, Ropes. I
+thought you were a good, whole souled fellow, and not a miser."
+
+"You must think of me as you please, Jasper. I feel that I have a right
+to regulate my own affairs."
+
+"All I have to say is this, if you lose your place as you may very soon,
+don't come round to the store and expect to be taken back."
+
+"I won't," answered Rodney, smiling. "I wouldn't go back at any rate
+unless the charge of theft was withdrawn."
+
+"That will never be!"
+
+"Let it be so, as long as I am innocent."
+
+Jasper left the room abruptly, not even having the politeness to bid
+Rodney good evening.
+
+Rodney felt that he was quite justified in refusing to lend Jasper
+money. Had he been in need he would have obliged him, though he had no
+reason to look upon him as a friend.
+
+No one who knew Rodney could regard him as mean or miserly. Could he
+have read Jasper's thoughts as he left the house he would have felt even
+less regret at disappointing him.
+
+About two days afterward when Rodney went up to meet his pupil, Mr.
+Sargent handed him a letter.
+
+"Here is something that concerns you, Rodney," he said. "It doesn't
+appear to be from a friend of yours."
+
+With some curiosity Rodney took the letter and read it.
+
+It ran thus:
+
+
+Mr. JOHN SARGENT:
+
+DEAR SIR--I think it my duty to write and tell you something about
+your son's tutor--something that will surprise and shock you. Before
+he entered your house he was employed by a firm on Reade Street. He was
+quite a favorite with his employer, Mr. Otis Goodnow, who promoted him
+in a short time. All at once it was found that articles were missing
+from the stock. Of course it was evident that some one of the clerks was
+dishonest. A watch was set, and finally it was found that Rodney Ropes
+had taken the articles, and one--a lady's cloak--was found in his room
+by a detective. He was discharged at once without a recommendation.
+
+For a time he lived by selling papers, but at last he managed to get
+into your house. I am sure you won't regard him as fit to educate
+your little son, though I have no doubt he is a good scholar. But his
+character is bad--I don't think he ought to have concealed this from you
+out of friendship for you, and because I think it is my duty, I take the
+liberty of writing. If you doubt this I will refer to Mr. Goodnow,
+or Mr. James Redwood, who had charge of the room in which Ropes was
+employed. Yours very respectfully,
+                                        A FRIEND.
+
+
+"You knew all this before, Mr. Sargent," said Rodney, as he handed back
+the letter.
+
+"Yes. Have you any idea who wrote it?"
+
+"I feel quite sure that it was a boy about two years older than myself,
+Jasper Redwood."
+
+"Is he related to the man of the same name whom he mentions?"
+
+"Yes, he is his nephew."
+
+"Has he any particular reason for disliking you, Rodney?"
+
+"Yes, sir. He came round to my room Wednesday evening, and asked me to
+lend him ten dollars."
+
+"I presume you refused."
+
+"Yes, sir. He is not in need. He succeeded to my place, and he has a
+home at the house of his uncle."
+
+"He appears to be a very mean boy. Anonymous letters are always
+cowardly, and generally malicious. This seems to be no exception to the
+general rule."
+
+"I hope it won't affect your feelings towards me, Mr. Sargent."
+
+"Don't trouble yourself about that Rodney. I am not so easily prejudiced
+against one of whom I have a good opinion."
+
+"I suppose this is Jasper's revenge," thought Rodney.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+RODNEY LOSES HIS PUPIL.
+
+
+Jasper had little doubt that his letter would lead to Rodney's loss of
+position. It was certainly a mean thing to plot another's downfall,
+but Jasper was quite capable of it. Had he secured the loan he asked he
+would have been willing to leave Rodney alone, but it would only have
+been the first of a series of similar applications.
+
+It was several days before Jasper had an opportunity of learning whether
+his malicious plan had succeeded or not. On Sunday forenoon he met
+Rodney on Fifth Avenue just as the church services were over. He crossed
+the street and accosted the boy he had tried to injure.
+
+"Good morning, Ropes," he said, examining Rodney's face curiously to see
+whether it indicated trouble of any kind.
+
+"Good morning!" responded Rodney coolly.
+
+"How are you getting along in your place?"
+
+"Very well, thank you."
+
+"Shall I find you at your pupil's house if I call there some afternoon?"
+
+"Yes, unless I am out walking with Arthur."
+
+"I wonder whether he's bluffing," thought Jasper. "I daresay he wouldn't
+tell me if he had been discharged. He takes it pretty coolly."
+
+"How long do you think your engagement will last?" he asked.
+
+"I don't know. I never had a talk with Mr. Sargent on that point."
+
+"Do you still give satisfaction?"
+
+Rodney penetrated Jasper's motives for asking all these questions, and
+was amused.
+
+"I presume if I fail to satisfy Mr. Sargent he will tell me so."
+
+"It would be a nice thing if you could stay there three or four years."
+
+"Yes: but I don't anticipate it. When Arthur get a little older he will
+be sent to school."
+
+"What will you do then?"
+
+"I haven't got so far as that."
+
+"I can't get anything out of him," said Jasper to himself. "I shouldn't
+be a bit surprised if he were already discharged."
+
+They had now reached Madison Square, and Jasper left Rodney.
+
+The latter looked after him with a smile.
+
+"I think I have puzzled Jasper," he said to himself. "He was anxious to
+know how his scheme had worked. He will have to wait a little longer."
+
+"If Mr. Sargent keeps Ropes after my letter he must be a fool," Jasper
+decided. "I wonder if Ropes handles the mail. He might have suppressed
+the letter."
+
+But Rodney was not familiar with his handwriting, and would have no
+reason to suspect that the particular letter contained anything likely
+to injure him in the eyes of Mr. Sargent.
+
+Later in his walk Jasper met Philip Carton. His former friend was
+sitting on a bench in Madison Square. He called out to Jasper as he
+passed.
+
+"Come here, Jasper, I want to talk with you."
+
+Jasper looked at him in a manner far from friendly.
+
+"I am in a hurry," he said.
+
+"What hurry can you be in? Come and sit down here. I MUST speak to you."
+
+Jasper did not like his tone, but it impressed him, and he did not dare
+to refuse.
+
+He seated himself beside Philip, but looked at him askance. Carton was
+undeniably shabby. He had the look of a man who was going down hill and
+that rapidly.
+
+"I shall be late for dinner," grumbled Jasper.
+
+"I wish I had any dinner to look forward to," said Carton. "Do you see
+this money?" and he produced a nickel from his pocket.
+
+"What is there remarkable about it?"
+
+"It is the last money I have. It won't buy me a dinner."
+
+"I am sorry, but it is none of my business," said Jasper coolly. "You
+are old enough to attend to your own affairs."
+
+"And I once thought you were my friend," murmured Philip bitterly.
+
+"Yes, we were friends in a way."
+
+"Now you are up and I am down--Jasper, I want a dollar."
+
+"I dare say you do. Plenty want that."
+
+"I want it from you."
+
+"I can't spare it."
+
+"You can spare it better than you can spare your situation."
+
+"What do you mean by that?" asked Jasper, growing nervous.
+
+"I'll tell you what I mean. How long do you think you would stay in
+the store if Mr. Goodnow knew that you were concerned in the theft from
+which he has suffered?"
+
+"Was I the only one?"
+
+"No; I am equally guilty."
+
+"I am glad you acknowledge it. You see you had better keep quiet for
+your own sake."
+
+"If I keep quiet I shall starve."
+
+"Do you want to go to prison?"
+
+"I shouldn't mind so much if you went along, too."
+
+"Are you crazy, Philip Carton?"
+
+"No, I am not, but I am beginning to get sensible. If I go to prison I
+shall at least have enough to eat, and now I haven't."
+
+"What do you mean by all this foolish talk?"
+
+"I mean that if you won't give me any money I will go to the store and
+tell Mr. Goodnow something that will surprise him."
+
+Jasper was getting thoroughly frightened.
+
+"Come, Philip." he said, "listen to reason. You know how poor I am."
+
+"No doubt. I know you have a good home and enough to eat."
+
+"I only get seven dollars a week."
+
+"And I get nothing."
+
+"I have already been trying to help you. I went to Ropes the other day,
+and asked him to lend me five dollars. I meant it for you."
+
+"Did he give it to you?"
+
+"He wouldn't give me a cent. He is mean and miserly!"
+
+"I don't know. He knows very well that you are no friend of his, though
+he doesn't know how much harm you have done him."
+
+"He's rolling in money. However, I've put a spoke in his wheel, I hope."
+
+"How?"
+
+"I wrote an anonymous letter to Mr. Sargent telling him that Ropes was
+discharged from the store on suspicion of theft."
+
+"You are a precious scamp, Jasper."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"You are not content with getting Ropes discharged for something which
+you yourself did----"
+
+"And you too."
+
+"And I too. I accept the amendment. Not content with that, you try to
+get him discharged from his present position."
+
+"Then he might have lent me the money," said Jasper sullenly.
+
+"It wouldn't have been a loan. It would have been a gift. But no matter
+about that. I want a dollar."
+
+"I can't give it to you."
+
+"Then I shall call at the store tomorrow morning and tell Mr. Goodnow
+about the stolen goods."
+
+Finding that Carton was in earnest Jasper finally, but with great
+reluctance, drew out a dollar and handed it to his companion.
+
+"There, I hope that will satisfy you," he said spitefully.
+
+"It will--for the present."
+
+"I wish he'd get run over or something," thought Jasper. "He seems to
+expect me to support him, and that on seven dollars a week."
+
+Fortunately for Jasper, Philip Carton obtained employment the next day
+which lasted for some time, and as he was paid ten dollars a week he was
+not under the necessity of troubling his old confederate for loans.
+
+Now and then Jasper and Rodney met, but there were no cordial relations
+between them. Jasper could not forgive Rodney for refusing to lend him
+money, and Rodney was not likely to forget the anonymous letter by which
+Jasper had tried to injure him.
+
+So three months passed. One day Mr. Sargent arrived at home before it
+was time for Rodney to leave.
+
+"I am glad to see you, Rodney," said his employer. "I have some news for
+you which I am afraid will not be entirely satisfactory to you."
+
+"What is it, sir?"
+
+"For the last three years I have been wishing to go to Europe with my
+wife and Arthur. The plan has been delayed, because I could not make
+satisfactory business arrangements. Now, however, that difficulty has
+been overcome, and I propose to sail in about two weeks."
+
+"I hope you'll enjoy your trip, sir."
+
+"Thank you. Of course it will terminate, for a time at least your
+engagement to teach Arthur."
+
+"I shall be sorry for that, sir, but I am not selfish enough to want you
+to stay at home on that account."
+
+"I thought you would feel that way. I wish I could procure you another
+position before I go, but that is uncertain. I shall, however, pay you a
+month's salary in advance in lieu of a notice."
+
+"That is very liberal, sir."
+
+"I think it only just. I have been very well pleased with your attention
+to Arthur, and I know he has profited by your instructions as well
+as enjoyed your companionship. I hope you have been able to save
+something."
+
+"Yes, sir, I have something in the Union Dime Savings Bank."
+
+"That's well. You will remain with me one week longer, but the last week
+Arthur will need for preparations."
+
+Two weeks later Rodney stood on the pier and watched the stately Etruria
+steam out into the river. Arthur and his father were on deck, and the
+little boy waved his handkerchief to his tutor as long as he could see
+him.
+
+Rodney turned away sadly.
+
+"I have lost a good situation," he soliloquized. "When shall I get
+another?"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+CONTINUED ILL LUCK.
+
+
+Rodney set himself to work searching for a new situation. But
+wherever he called he found Some one ahead of him. At length he saw an
+advertisement for an entry clerk in a wholesale house in Church Street.
+He applied and had the good fortune to please the superintendent.
+
+"Where have you worked before?" he asked.
+
+"At Otis Goodnow's, on Reade Street."
+
+"How much were you paid there?"
+
+"Seven dollars a week."
+
+"Very well, we will start you on that salary, and see if you earn it."
+
+Rodney was surprised and relieved to find that he was not asked for a
+recommendation from Mr. Goodnow, knowing that he could not obtain one.
+He went to work on a Monday morning, and found his duties congenial and
+satisfactory.
+
+Seven dollars a week was small, compared with what he had received as a
+tutor, but he had about two hundred and fifty dollars in the Union Dime
+Savings Bank and drew three dollars from this fund every week in order
+that he might still assist Mike, whose earnings were small.
+
+One of his new acquaintances in the store was James Hicks, a boy about a
+year older than himself.
+
+"Didn't you use to work at Otis Goodnow's?" asked James one day when
+they were going to lunch.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I know a boy employed there. He is older than either of us."
+
+"Who is it?"
+
+"Jasper Redwood. Of course you know him."
+
+"Yes," answered Rodney with a presentiment of evil.
+
+He felt that it would be dangerous to have Jasper know of his present
+position, but did not venture to give a hint of this to James.
+
+His fears were not groundless. Only the day after James met Jasper on
+the street.
+
+"Anything new?" asked Jasper.
+
+"Yes; we've got one of your old friends in our store."
+
+"Who is it?"
+
+"Rodney Ropes."
+
+Jasper stopped short, and whistled. He was excessively surprised, as he
+supposed Rodney still to be Arthur Sargent's tutor.
+
+"You don't mean it?" he ejaculated.
+
+"Why not? Is there anything so strange about it?"
+
+"Yes. Did Ropes bring a recommendation from Mr. Goodnow?"
+
+"I suppose so. I don't know."
+
+"If he did, it's forged."
+
+"Why should it be?"
+
+"Goodnow wouldn't give him a recommendation."
+
+"Why wouldn't he?"
+
+"Because he discharged Ropes. Do you want to know why?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"For stealing articles from the store."
+
+It was the turn of James Hicks to be surprised.
+
+"I can't believe it," he said.
+
+"Its true. Just mention the matter to Ropes, and you'll see he won't
+deny it."
+
+"I think there must be some mistake about it. Rodney doesn't look like a
+fellow that would steal."
+
+"Oh, you can't tell from appearances--Rogues are always plausible."
+
+"Still mistakes are sometimes made. I'd trust Rodney Ropes sooner than
+any boy I know."
+
+"You don't know him as well as I do."
+
+"You don't like him?" said James shrewdly.
+
+"No I don't. I can't like a thief."
+
+"You talk as if you had a grudge against him."
+
+"Nothing but his being a thief. Well, what are you going to do about
+it?"
+
+"About what?"
+
+"What I have just told you."
+
+"I don't feel that I have any call to do anything."
+
+"You ought to tell your employer."
+
+"I am no telltale," said James scornfully.
+
+"Then you will let him stay in the store, knowing him to be a thief?"
+
+"I don't know him to be a thief. If he steals anything it will probably
+be found out."
+
+Jasper urged James to give information about Rodney, but he steadily
+refused.
+
+"I leave others to do such dirty work," he said, "and I don't think any
+better of you, let me tell you, for your eagerness to turn the boy out
+of his position."
+
+"You are a queer boy."
+
+"Think so if you like," retorted Hicks. "I might give my opinion of
+you."
+
+At this point Jasper thought it best to let the conversation drop. He
+was much pleased to learn that Rodney had lost his fine position as
+tutor, and was now in a place from which he might more easily be ousted.
+
+As he could not prevail upon James Hicks to betray Rodney he decided to
+write an anonymous letter to the firm that employed him.
+
+The result was that the next afternoon Rodney was summoned to the
+office.
+
+"Sit down Ropes," said the superintendent. "For what store did you work
+before you came into our house?"
+
+"Otis Goodnow's."
+
+"Under what circumstances did you leave?"
+
+"I was accused of theft."
+
+"You did not mention this matter when you applied for a situation here."
+
+"No, sir. I ought perhaps to have done so, but I presumed in that case
+you would not have given me a place."
+
+"You are right he would not."
+
+"Nor would I have applied had the charge been a true one. Articles were
+certainly missing from Mr. Goodnow's stock, but in accusing me they did
+me a great injustice."
+
+"How long since you left Mr. Goodnow's?"
+
+"Four months."
+
+"What have you been doing since?"
+
+"I was acting as tutor to the son of Mr. Sargent, of West Fifty Eighth
+Street."
+
+"A well known citizen. Then you are a scholar?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I am nearly prepared for college."
+
+"Of course he did not know you were suspected of dishonesty."
+
+"On the contrary he did know it. I told him, and later he received an
+anonymous letter, notifying him of the fact."
+
+"We also have received an anonymous letter. Here it is. Do you recognize
+the hand writing?"
+
+"Yes," answered Rodney after examining the letter. "It was written by
+Jasper Redwood."
+
+"Who is he?"
+
+"A boy employed by Mr. Goodnow. For some reason he seems to have a spite
+against me."
+
+"I admit that it is pretty small business to write an anonymous letter
+calculated to injure another. Still we shall have to take notice of
+this."
+
+"Yes, sir, I suppose so."
+
+"I shall have to bring it to the notice of the firm. What they may do I
+don't know. If the matter was to be decided by me I would let you stay."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Rodney gratefully.
+
+"But I am not Mr. Hall. You can go now and I will see you again."
+
+Rodney left the office fully persuaded that his engagement would
+speedily terminate. He was right; the next day he was sent for again.
+
+"I am sorry to tell you, Ropes," said the superintendent kindly "that
+Mr. Hall insists upon your being discharged. He is a nervous man and
+rather suspicious. I spoke in your favor but I could not turn him."
+
+"At any rate I am grateful to you for your friendly effort."
+
+The superintendent hesitated a moment, and then said: "Will this
+discharge seriously embarrass you? Are you short of money?"
+
+"No, sir. I was very liberally paid by Mr. Sargent, and I saved money.
+I have enough in the savings bank to last me several months, should I be
+idle so long."
+
+"I am glad of it. I hope you will remember, my boy, that this is none of
+my doing. I would gladly retain you. I will say one thing more, should
+Jasper Redwood ever apply for a situation here, his name will not be
+considered."
+
+So Rodney found himself again without a position. It seemed hard in view
+of his innocence, but he had confidence to believe that something would
+turn up for him as before. At any rate he had enough money to live on
+for some time.
+
+When Mike Flynn learned the circumstances of his discharge he was very
+angry.
+
+"I'd like to meet Jasper Redwood," he said, his eyes flashing. "If I
+didn't give him a laying out then my name isn't Mike Flynn."
+
+"I think he will get his desert some time, Mickey, without any help from
+you or me."
+
+"Should hope he will. And what'll you do now, Rodney?"
+
+"I don't know. Sometimes I think it would be well to go to some other
+city, Boston or Philadelphia, where Jasper can't get on my track."
+
+"Should hope you won't do it. I can't get along widout you."
+
+"I will stay here for a few weeks, Mike, and see if anything turns up."
+
+"I might get you in as a telegraph boy."
+
+"That wouldn't suit me. It doesn't pay enough."
+
+Rodney began to hunt for a situation again, but four weeks passed and
+brought him no success. One afternoon about four o'clock he was walking
+up Broadway when, feeling tired, he stepped into the Continental Hotel
+at the corner of Twentieth Street.
+
+He took a seat at some distance back from the door, and in a desultory
+way began to look about him. All at once he started in surprise, for
+in a man sitting in one of the front row of chairs he recognized Louis
+Wheeler, the railroad thief who had stolen his box of jewelry.
+
+Wheeler was conversing with a man with a large flapping sombrero, and
+whose dress and general appearance indicated that he was a Westerner.
+
+Rodney left his seat and going forward sat down in the chair behind
+Wheeler. He suspected that the Western man was in danger of being
+victimized.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+
+AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE TURNS UP.
+
+
+In his new position Rodney could easily hear the conversation which took
+place between the Western man and his old railroad acquaintance.
+
+"I am quite a man of leisure," said Wheeler, "and it will give me great
+pleasure to go about with you and show you our city."
+
+"You are very obliging."
+
+"Oh, don't mention it. I shall really be glad to have my time occupied.
+You see I am a man of means--my father left me a fortune--and so I am
+not engaged in any business."
+
+"You are in luck. I was brought up on a farm in Vermont, and had to
+borrow money to take me to Montana four years ago."
+
+"I hope you prospered in your new home?"
+
+"I did. I picked up twenty five thousand dollars at the mines, and
+doubled it by investment in lots in Helena."
+
+"Very neat, indeed. I inherited a fortune from my father--a hundred and
+twenty five thousand dollars--but I never made a cent myself. I don't
+know whether I am smart enough."
+
+"Come out to Montana and I'll put you in a way of making some money."
+
+"Really, now, that suggestion strikes me favorably. I believe I will
+follow your advice. When shall you return to your Western home?"
+
+"In about a fortnight I think."
+
+"You must go to the theater tonight. There is a good play on at the
+Madison Square."
+
+"I don't mind. When can I get ticket?"
+
+"I'll go and secure some. It is only a few blocks away."
+
+"Do so. How much are the tickets?"
+
+"A dollar and a half or two dollars each."
+
+"Here are five dollars, if it won't trouble you too much."
+
+"My dear friend, I meant to pay for the tickets. However, I will pay
+next time. If you will remain here I will be back in twenty minutes."
+
+Louis Wheeler left the hotel with the five dollars tucked away in his
+vest pocket.
+
+He had no sooner disappeared than Rodney went forward and occupied his
+seat.
+
+"Excuse me, sir," he said to the miner, "but do you know much of the man
+who has just left you?"
+
+"I only met him here. He seems a good natured fellow. What of him?"
+
+"He said he was a man of independent means."
+
+"Isn't he?"
+
+"He is a thief and an adventurer."
+
+The miner was instantly on the alert.
+
+"How do you know this?" he asked.
+
+"Because he stole a box of jewelry from me in the cars some months ago."
+
+"Did you get it again?"
+
+"Yes; he left the train, but I followed him up and reclaimed the
+jewelry."
+
+"Was it of much value?"
+
+"They were family jewels, and were worth over a thousand dollars."
+
+"Do you think he wants to bunco me?"
+
+"I have no doubt of it."
+
+"I have given him money to buy theater tickets. Do you think he will
+come back?"
+
+"Yes. He wouldn't be satisfied with that small sum."
+
+"Tell me about your adventure with him."
+
+"I will do it later. The theater is so near that he might come back and
+surprise us together. I think he would recognize me."
+
+"Do you advise me to go to the theater?"
+
+"Yes, but be on your guard."
+
+"Where can I see you again?"
+
+"Are you staying at this hotel?"
+
+"Yes. Here is my card."
+
+Rodney read this name on the card:
+
+
+JEFFERSON PETTRIGREW.
+
+
+"I wish you were going to the theater with us."
+
+"It wouldn't do. Mr. Wheeler would remember me."
+
+"Then come round and breakfast with me tomorrow--at eight o'clock,
+sharp."
+
+"I will, sir. Now I will take a back seat, and leave you to receive your
+friend."
+
+"Don't call him my friend. He seems to be a mean scoundrel."
+
+"Don't let him suspect anything from your manner."
+
+"I won't. I want to see him expose his plans." Five minutes afterwards
+Louis Wheeler entered the hotel.
+
+"I've got the tickets," he said, "but I had to buy them of a speculator,
+and they cost me more than I expected."
+
+"How much?"
+
+"Two and a half apiece. So there is no change coming back to you."
+
+"Never mind! As long as you had enough money to pay for them it is all
+right."
+
+As a matter of fact Wheeler bought the tickets at the box office at one
+dollar and fifty cent each, which left him a profit of two dollars.
+When he saw how easily the Western man took it he regretted not having
+represented that the tickets cost three dollars each.
+
+However, he decided that there would be other ways of plundering his new
+acquaintance. He took his seat again next to the miner.
+
+"It is not very late," he said. "Would you like a run out to Central
+Park or to Grant's Tomb?"
+
+"Not today. I feel rather tired. By the way, you did not mention your
+name."
+
+"I haven't a card with me, but my name is Louis Wheeler."
+
+"Where do you live, Mr. Wheeler?"
+
+"I am staying with an aunt on Fifth Avenue, but I think of taking board
+at the Windsor Hotel. It is a very high toned house, and quite a number
+of my friends board there."
+
+"Is it an expensive hotel?"
+
+"Oh, yes, but my income is large and----"
+
+"I understand. Now, Mr. Wheeler, I must excuse myself, as I feel tired.
+Come at half past seven and we can start for the theater together."
+
+"Very well."
+
+Wheeler rose reluctantly, for he had intended to secure a dinner from
+his new acquaintance, but he was wise enough to take the hint.
+
+After he left the room Rodney again joined Mr. Pettigrew.
+
+"He didn't give me back any change," said the Western man. "He said he
+bought the tickets of a speculator at two dollars and a half each."
+
+"Then he made two dollars out of you."
+
+"I suppose that is the beginning. Well, that doesn't worry me. But I
+should like to know how he expects to get more money out of me. I don't
+understand the ways of this gentry."
+
+"Nor I very well. If you are on your guard I think you won't be in any
+danger."
+
+"I will remember what you say. You seem young to act as adviser to a man
+like me. Are you in business?"
+
+"At present I am out of work, but I have money enough to last me three
+months."
+
+"Are you, like my new acquaintance, possessed of independent means?"
+
+"Not now, but I was six months ago."
+
+"How did you lose your money?"
+
+"I did not lose it. My guardian lost it for me."
+
+"What is your name?"
+
+"Rodney Ropes."
+
+"You've had some pretty bad luck. Come up to my room and tell me about
+it."
+
+"I shall be glad to do so, sir."
+
+Mr. Pettigrew called for his key and led the way up to a plain room on
+the third floor.
+
+"Come in," he said. "The room is small, but I guess it will hold us
+both. Now go ahead with your story."
+
+In a short time Rodney had told his story in full to his new
+acquaintance, encouraged to do so by his sympathetic manner. Mr.
+Pettigrew was quite indignant, when told of Jasper's mean and
+treacherous conduct.
+
+"That boy Jasper is a snake in the grass," he said. "I'd like to give
+him a good thrashing."
+
+"There isn't any love lost between us, Mr. Pettigrew, but I think it
+will turn out right in the end. Still I find it hard to get a place in
+New York with him circulating stories about me."
+
+"Then why do you stay in New York?"
+
+"I have thought it might be better to go to Philadelphia or Boston."
+
+"I can tell you of a better place than either."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"Montana."
+
+"Do you really think it would be wise for me to go there?"
+
+"Think? I haven't a doubt about it."
+
+"I have money enough to get there, but not much more. I should soon have
+to find work, or I might get stranded."
+
+"Come back with me, and I'll see you through. I'll make a bargain with
+you. Go round with me here, and I'll pay your fare out to Montana."
+
+"If you are really in earnest I will do so, and thank you for the
+offer."
+
+"Jefferson Pettigrew means what he says. I'll see you through, Rodney."
+
+"But I may be interfering with your other friend, Louis Wheeler."
+
+"I shall soon be through with him. You needn't worry yourself about
+that."
+
+Mr. Pettigrew insisted upon Rodney's taking supper with him. Fifteen
+minutes after Rodney left him Mr. Wheeler made his appearance.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+
+MR. WHEELER HAS A SET BACK.
+
+
+Louis Wheeler had not seen Rodney in the hotel office, and probably
+would not have recognized him if he had, as Rodney was quite differently
+dressed from the time of their first meeting. He had no reason to
+suppose, therefore, that Mr. Pettigrew had been enlightened as to his
+real character.
+
+It was therefore with his usual confidence that he accosted his
+acquaintance from Montana after supper.
+
+"It is time to go to the theater, Mr. Pettigrew," he said.
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew scanned his new acquaintance with interest. He
+had never before met a man of his type and he looked upon him as a
+curiosity.
+
+He was shrewd, however, and did not propose to let Wheeler know that he
+understood his character. He resolved for the present to play the part
+of the bluff and unsuspecting country visitor.
+
+"You are very kind, Mr. Wheeler," he said, "to take so much trouble for
+a stranger."
+
+"My dear sir," said Wheeler effusively, "I wouldn't do it for many
+persons, but I have taken a fancy to you."
+
+"You don't mean so?" said Pettigrew, appearing pleased?
+
+"Yes, I do, on my honor."
+
+"But I don't see why you should. You are a polished city gentleman and I
+am an ignorant miner from Montana."
+
+Louis Wheeler looked complacent when he was referred to as a polished
+city gentleman.
+
+"You do yourself injustice, my dear Pettigrew," he said in a patronizing
+manner. "You do indeed. You may not be polished, but you are certainly
+smart, as you have shown by accumulating a fortune."
+
+"But I am not as rich as you."
+
+"Perhaps not, but if I should lose my money, I could not make another
+fortune, while I am sure you could. Don't you think it would be a good
+plan for us to start a business together in New York?"
+
+"Would you really be willing to go into business with me?"
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew asked this question with so much apparent sincerity
+that Wheeler was completely deceived.
+
+"I've got him dead!" he soliloquized complacently.
+
+He hooked his arm affectionately in the Montana miner's and said,
+"My dear friend, I have never met a man with whom I would rather
+be associated in business than with you. How much capital could you
+contribute?"
+
+"I will think it over, Mr. Wheeler. By the way what business do you
+propose that we shall go into?"
+
+"I will think it over and report to you."
+
+By this time they had reached the theater. The play soon commenced. Mr.
+Pettigrew enjoyed it highly, for he had not had much opportunity at the
+West of attending a high class theatrical performance.
+
+When the play ended, Louis Wheeler said, "Suppose we go to Delmonico's
+and have a little refreshment."
+
+"Very well."
+
+They adjourned to the well known restaurant, and Mr. Pettigrew ordered
+an ice and some cakes, but his companion made a hearty supper. When the
+bill came, Louis Wheeler let it lie on the table, but Mr. Pettigrew did
+not appear to see it.
+
+"I wonder if he expects me to pay for it," Wheeler asked himself
+anxiously.
+
+"Thank you for this pleasant little supper," said Pettigrew
+mischievously. "Delmonico's is certainly a fine place."
+
+Wheeler changed color. He glanced at the check. It was for two dollars
+and seventy five cents, and this represented a larger sum than he
+possessed.
+
+He took the check and led the way to the cashier's desk. Then he
+examined his pockets.
+
+"By Jove," he said, "I left my wallet in my other coat. May I borrow
+five dollars till tomorrow?"
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew eyed him shrewdly. "Never mind," he said, "I will
+pay the check."
+
+"I am very much ashamed of having put you to this expense."
+
+"If that is all you have to be ashamed of Mr. Wheeler," said the miner
+pointedly, "you can rest easy."
+
+"What do you mean?" stammered Wheeler.
+
+"Wait till we get into the street, and I will tell you."
+
+They went out at the Broadway entrance, and then Mr. Pettigrew turned to
+his new acquaintance.
+
+"I think I will bid you good night and good by at the same time, Mr.
+Wheeler," he said.
+
+"My dear sir, I hoped you won't misjudge me on account of my
+unfortunately leaving my money at home."
+
+"I only wish to tell you that I have not been taken in by your plausible
+statement, Mr. Wheeler, if that is really your name. Before we started
+for the theater I had gauged you and taken your measure."
+
+"Sir, I hope you don't mean to insult me!" blustered Wheeler.
+
+"Not at all. You have been mistaken in me, but I am not mistaken in you.
+I judge you to be a gentlemanly adventurer, ready to take advantage of
+any who have money and are foolish enough to be gulled by your tricks.
+You are welcome to the profit you made out of the theater tickets, also
+to the little supper to which you have done so much justice. I must
+request you, now, however, to devote yourself to some one else, as I do
+not care to meet you again."
+
+Louis Wheeler slunk away, deciding that he had made a great mistake in
+setting down his Montana acquaintance as an easy victim.
+
+"I didn't think he'd get on to my little game so quick," he reflected.
+"He's sharper than he looks."
+
+Rodney took breakfast with Mr. Pettigrew the next morning. When
+breakfast was over, the Montana man said:
+
+"I'm going to make a proposal to you, Rodney. How much pay did you get
+at your last place?"
+
+"Seven dollars a week."
+
+"I'll pay you that and give you your meals. In return I want you to keep
+me company and go about with me."
+
+"I shall not be apt to refuse such an offer as that, Mr. Pettigrew, but
+are you sure you prefer me to Mr. Wheeler?" laughed Rodney.
+
+"Wheeler be--blessed!" returned the miner.
+
+"How long are you going to stay in New York?"
+
+"About two weeks. Then I shall go back to Montana and take you with me."
+
+"Thank you. There is nothing I should like better."
+
+Two days later, as the two were walking along Broadway, they met Mr.
+Wheeler. The latter instantly recognized his friend from Montana, and
+scrutinized closely his young companion.
+
+Rodney's face looked strangely familiar to him, but somehow he could not
+recollect when or under what circumstances he had met him. He did not,
+however, like to give up his intended victim, but had the effrontery to
+address the man from Montana.
+
+"I hope you are well, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"Thank you, I am very well."
+
+"I hope you are enjoying yourself. I should be glad to show you the
+sights. Have you been to Grants Tomb?"
+
+"Not yet."
+
+"I should like to take you there."
+
+"Thank you, but I have a competent guide."
+
+"Won't you introduce me to the young gentleman?"
+
+"I don't require any introduction to you, Mr. Wheeler," said Rodney.
+
+"Where have I met you before?" asked Wheeler abruptly.
+
+"In the cars. I had a box of jewelry with me," answered Rodney
+significantly.
+
+Louis Wheeler changed color. Now he remembered Rodney, and he was
+satisfied that he owed to him the coolness with which the Western man
+had treated him.
+
+"I remember you had," he said spitefully, "but I don't know how you came
+by it."
+
+"It isn't necessary that you should know. I remember I had considerable
+difficulty in getting it out of your hands."
+
+"Mr. Pettigrew," said Wheeler angrily, "I feel interested in you, and
+I want to warn you against the boy who is with you. He is a dangerous
+companion."
+
+"I dare say you are right," said Pettigrew in a quizzical tone. "I shall
+look after him sharply, and I thank you for your kind and considerate
+warning. I don't care to take up any more of your valuable time. Rodney,
+let us be going."
+
+"It must have been the kid that exposed me," muttered Wheeler, as he
+watched the two go down the street. "I will get even with him some time.
+That man would have been good for a thousand dollars to me if I had not
+been interfered with."
+
+"You have been warned against me, Mr. Pettigrew," said Rodney, laughing.
+"Mr. Wheeler has really been very unkind in interfering with my plans."
+
+"I shan't borrow any trouble, or lie awake nights thinking about it,
+Rodney. I don't care to see or think of that rascal again."
+
+The week passed, and the arrangement between Mr. Pettigrew and Rodney
+continued to their mutual satisfaction. One morning, when Rodney came to
+the Continental as usual, his new friend said: "I received a letter last
+evening from my old home in Vermont."
+
+"I hope it contained good news."
+
+"On the contrary it contained bad news. My parents are dead, but I have
+an old uncle and aunt living. When I left Burton he was comfortably
+fixed, with a small farm of his own, and two thousand dollars in bank.
+Now I hear that he is in trouble. He has lost money, and a knavish
+neighbor has threatened to foreclose a mortgage on the farm and turn out
+the old people to die or go to the poorhouse."
+
+"Is the mortgage a large one?"
+
+"It is much less than the value of the farm, but ready money is scarce
+in the town, and that old Sheldon calculates upon. Now I think of going
+to Burton to look up the matter."
+
+"You must save your uncle, if you can, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"I can and I will. I shall start for Boston this afternoon by the Fall
+River boat and I want you to go with me."
+
+"I should enjoy the journey, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"Then it is settled. Go home and pack your gripsack. You may be gone
+three or four days."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+
+A CHANGE OF SCENE.
+
+
+"Now," said Mr. Pettigrew, when they were sitting side by side on the
+upper deck of the Puritan, the magnificent steamer on the Fall River
+line. "I want you to consent to a little plan that will mystify my old
+friends and neighbors."
+
+"What is it, Mr. Pettigrew?"
+
+"I have never written home about my good fortune; so far as they know I
+am no better off than when I went away."
+
+"I don't think I could have concealed my success."
+
+"It may seem strange, but I'll explain--I want to learn who are my
+friends and who are not. I am afraid I wasn't very highly thought of
+when I left Burton. I was considered rather shiftless.
+
+"I was always in for a good time, and never saved a cent. Everybody
+predicted that I would fail, and I expect most wanted me to fail. There
+were two or three, including my uncle, aunt and the friend who lent me
+money, who wished me well.
+
+"I mustn't forget to mention the old minister who baptized me when I was
+an infant. The good old man has been preaching thirty or forty years
+on a salary of four hundred dollars, and has had to run a small farm to
+make both ends meet. He believed in me and gave me good advice. Outside
+of these I don't remember any one who felt an interest in Jefferson
+Pettigrew."
+
+"You will have the satisfaction of letting them see that they did not do
+you justice."
+
+"Yes, but I may not tell them--that is none except my true friends. If
+I did, they would hover round me and want to borrow money, or get me to
+take them out West with me. So I have hit upon a plan. I shall want to
+use money, but I will pretend it is yours."
+
+Rodney opened his eyes in surprise.
+
+"I will pass you off as a rich friend from New York, who feels an
+interest in me and is willing to help me."
+
+Rodney smiled.
+
+"I don't know if I can look the character," he said.
+
+"Oh yes you can. You are nicely dressed, while I am hardly any better
+dressed than when I left Burton."
+
+"I have wondered why you didn't buy some new clothes when you were able
+to afford it."
+
+"You see we Western miners don't care much for style, perhaps not
+enough. Still I probably shall buy a suit or two, but not till I have
+made my visit home. I want to see how people will receive me, when they
+think I haven't got much money. I shall own up to about five hundred
+dollars, but that isn't enough to dazzle people even in a small country
+village."
+
+"I am wiling to help you in any way you wish, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"Then I think we shall get some amusement out of it. I shall represent
+you as worth about a hundred thousand dollars."
+
+"I wish I were."
+
+"Very likely you will be some time if you go out to Montana with me."
+
+"How large a place is Burton?"
+
+"It has not quite a thousand inhabitants. It is set among the hills,
+and has but one rich man, Lemuel Sheldon, who is worth perhaps fifty
+thousand dollars, but put on the airs of a millionaire."
+
+"You are as rich as he, then."
+
+"Yes, and shall soon be richer. However, I don't want him to know it. It
+is he who holds the mortgage on my uncle's farm."
+
+"Do you know how large the mortgage is?"
+
+"It is twelve hundred dollars. I shall borrow the money of you to pay
+it."
+
+"I understand," said Rodney, smiling.
+
+"I shall enjoy the way the old man will look down upon me very much as a
+millionaire looks down upon a town pauper."
+
+"How will he look upon me?"
+
+"He will be very polite to you, for he will think you richer than
+himself."
+
+"On the whole, we are going to act a comedy, Mr. Pettigrew. What is the
+name of the man who lent you money to go to Montana?"
+
+"A young carpenter, Frank Dobson. He lent me a hundred dollars, which
+was about all the money he had saved up."
+
+"He was a true friend."
+
+"You are right. He was. Everybody told Frank that he would never see his
+money again, but he did. As soon as I could get together enough to
+repay him I sent it on, though I remember it left me with less than ten
+dollars in my pocket.
+
+"I couldn't bear to think that Frank would lose anything by me. You see
+we were chums at school and always stood by each other. He is married
+and has two children."
+
+"While you are an old bachelor."
+
+"Yes; I ain't in a hurry to travel in double harness. I'll wait till
+I am ready to leave Montana, with money enough to live handsomely at
+home."
+
+"You have got enough now."
+
+"But I may as well get more. I am only thirty years old, and I can
+afford to work a few years longer."
+
+"I wish I could be sure of being worth fifty thousand dollars when I am
+your age."
+
+"You have been worth that, you tell me."
+
+"Yes, but I should value more money that I had made myself."
+
+Above five o'clock on Monday afternoon Mr. Pettigrew and Rodney reached
+Burton. It was a small village about four miles from the nearest railway
+station. An old fashioned Concord stage connected Burton with the
+railway. The driver was on the platform looking out for passengers when
+Jefferson Pettigrew stepped out of the car.
+
+"How are you, Hector?" said the miner, in an off hand way.
+
+"Why, bless my soul if it isn't Jeff!" exclaimed the driver, who had
+been an old schoolmate of Mr. Pettigrew's.
+
+"I reckon it is," said the miner, his face lighting up with the
+satisfaction he felt at seeing a home face.
+
+"Why, you ain't changed a mite, Jeff. You look just as you did when you
+went away. How long have you been gone?"
+
+"Four years!"
+
+"Made a fortune? But you don't look like it. That's the same suit you
+wore when you went away, isn't it?"
+
+Mr. Pettigrew laughed.
+
+"Well no, it isn't the same, but it's one of the same kind."
+
+"I thought maybe you'd come home in a dress suit."
+
+"It isn't so easy to make a fortune, Hector."
+
+"But you have made something, ain't you?"
+
+"Oh, yes, when I went away I hadn't a cent except what I borrowed. Now
+I've got five hundred dollars."
+
+"That ain't much."
+
+"No, but it's better than nothing. How much more have you got, Hector?"
+
+"Well, you see I married last year. I haven't had a chance to lay by."
+
+"So you see I did as well as if I had stayed at home."
+
+"Are you going to stay home now?"
+
+"For a little while. I may go back to Montana after a bit."
+
+"Is it a good place to make money?"
+
+"I made five hundred dollars."
+
+"Thats only a little more than a hundred dollars a year. Frank Dobson
+has saved as much as that and he's stayed right here in Burton."
+
+"I'm glad of that," said Pettigrew heartily. "Frank is a rousing good
+fellow. If it hadn't been for him I couldn't have gone to Montana."
+
+"It doesn't seem to have done you much good, as I can see."
+
+"Oh, well, I am satisfied. Let me introduce my friend, Mr. Rodney Ropes
+of New York."
+
+"Glad to meet you," said Hector with a jerk of the head.
+
+"Rodney, won't you sit inside? I want to sit outide with Hector."
+
+"All right, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"Who is that boy?" asked Hector with characteristic Yankee curiosity, as
+he seized the lines and started the horses.
+
+"A rich young fellow from New York. I got acquainted with him there."
+
+"Rich is he?" Jefferson Pettigrew nodded.
+
+"How rich do you think?"
+
+"Shouldn't wonder if he might be worth a hundred thousand."
+
+"You don't say! Why, he beat Squire Sheldon."
+
+"Oh, yes, Squire Sheldon wouldn't be considered rich in New York."
+
+"How did he get his money?"
+
+"His father left him a fortune."
+
+"Is that so? I wish my father had left me a fortune."
+
+"He did, didn't he?"
+
+"Yes, he did! When his estate was settled I got seventy five dollars, if
+you call that a fortune. But I say, what brings the boy to Burton?"
+
+"His friendship for me, I expect. Besides he may invest in a place."
+
+"There's the old Morse place for sale. Do you think he'd buy that?"
+
+"It wouldn't be nice enough for him. I don't know any place that would
+be good enough except the squire's."
+
+"The squire wouldn't sell."
+
+"Oh, well, I don't know as Rodney would care to locate in Burton."
+
+"You're in luck to get such a friend. Say, do you think he would lend
+you a hundred dollars if you were hard up?"
+
+"I know he would. By the way, Hector, is there any news? How is my
+uncle?"
+
+"I think the old man is worrying on account of his mortgage."
+
+"Who holds it?"
+
+"The squire. They do say he is goin' to foreclose. That'll be bad for
+the old man. It'll nigh about break his heart I expect."
+
+"Can't uncle raise the money to pay him?"
+
+"Who is there round here who has got any money except the squire?"
+
+"That's so."
+
+"Where are you goin' to stop, Jeff?"
+
+"I guess I'll stop at the tavern tonight, but I'll go over and call on
+uncle this evening."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+
+JEFFERSON PETTIGREW'S HOME.
+
+
+News spreads fast in a country village. Scarcely an hour had passed
+when it was generally known that Jefferson Pettigrew had come home from
+Montana with a few hundred dollars in money, bringing with him a rich
+boy who could buy out all Burton. At least that is the way the report
+ran.
+
+When the two new arrivals had finished supper and come out on the hotel
+veranda there were a dozen of Jefferson Pettigrew's friends ready to
+welcome him.
+
+"How are you, Jefferson, old boy?" said one and another.
+
+"Pretty well, thank you. It seems good to be home."
+
+"I hear you've brought back some money."
+
+"Yes, a few hundred dollars."
+
+"That's better than nothing. I reckon you'll stay home now."
+
+"I can't afford it, boys."
+
+"Are ye goin' back to Montany?"
+
+"Yes. I know the country, and I can make a middlin' good livin' there."
+
+"I say, is that boy thats with you as rich as they say?"
+
+"I don't know what they say."
+
+"They say he's worth a million."
+
+"Oh no, not so much as that. He's pretty well fixed."
+
+"Hasn't he got a father livin'?"
+
+"No, it's his father that left the money."
+
+"How did you happen to get in with him?"
+
+"Oh, we met promiscuous. He took a sort of fancy to me, and that's the
+way of it."
+
+"Do you expect to keep him with you?"
+
+"He talks of goin' back to Montana with me. I'll be sort of guardian to
+him."
+
+"You're in luck, Jeff."
+
+"Yes, I'm in luck to have pleasant company. Maybe we'll join together
+and buy a mine."
+
+"Would you mind introducin' him?"
+
+"Not at all," and thus Rodney became acquainted with quite a number
+of the Burton young men. He was amused to see with what deference they
+treated him, but preserved a sober face and treated all cordially, so
+that he made a favorable impression on those he met.
+
+Among those who made it in their way to call on the two travelers was
+Lemuel Sheldon, the rich man of the village.
+
+"How do you do, Jefferson?" he said condescendingly.
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+"You have been quite a traveler."
+
+"Yes, sir; I have been to the far West."
+
+"And met with some success, I am told."
+
+"Yes, sir; I raised money enough to get home."
+
+"I hear you brought home a few hundred dollars."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Oh, well," said the squire patronizingly, "that's good beginning."
+
+"It must seem very little to a rich man like you, squire."
+
+"Oh, no!" said the squire patronizingly. "You are a young man. I
+shouldn't wonder if by the time you get as old as I am you might be
+worth five thousand dollars."
+
+"I hope so," answered Mr. Pettigrew demurely.
+
+"By the way, you have brought a young man with you, I am told."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I should like to make his acquaintance. He is rich, is he not?"
+
+"I wish I was as rich."
+
+"You don't say so! About how much do you estimate he is worth?"
+
+"I don't think it amounts to quite as much as a quarter of a million.
+Still, you know it is not always easy to tell how much a person is
+worth."
+
+"He is certainly a VERY fortunate young man," said the squire,
+impressed. "What is his name?"
+
+"Rodney Ropes."
+
+"The name sounds aristocratic. I shall be glad to know him."
+
+"Rodney," said Mr. Pettigrew. "I want to introduce you to Squire
+Sheldon, our richest and most prominent citizen."
+
+"I am glad to meet you, Squire Sheldon," said Rodney, offering his hand.
+
+"I quite reciprocate the feeling, Mr. Ropes, but Mr. Pettigrew should
+not call me a rich man. I am worth something, to be sure."
+
+"I should say you were, squire," said Jefferson. "Rodney, he is as rich
+as you are."
+
+"Oh no," returned the squire, modestly, "not as rich as that. Indeed, I
+hardly know how much I am worth. As Mr. Pettigrew very justly observed
+it is not easy to gauge a man's possessions. But there is one difference
+between us. You, Mr. Ropes, I take it, are not over eighteen."
+
+"Only sixteen, sir."
+
+"And yet you are wealthy. I am rising fifty. When you come to my age you
+will be worth much more."
+
+"Perhaps I may have lost all I now possess," said Rodney. "Within a year
+I have lost fifty thousand dollars."
+
+"You don't say so."
+
+"Yes; it was through a man who had charge of my property. I think now I
+shall manage my money matters myself."
+
+"Doubtless you are right. That was certainly a heavy loss. I shouldn't
+like to lose so much. I suppose, however, you had something left?"
+
+"Oh yes," answered Rodney in an indifferent tone.
+
+"He must be rich to make so little account of fifty thousand dollars,"
+thought the squire.
+
+"How long do you propose to stay in town, Mr. Pettigrew?" he asked.
+
+"I can't tell, sir, but I don't think I can spare more than three or
+four days."
+
+"May I hope that you and Mr. Ropes will take supper with me tomorrow
+evening?"
+
+"Say the next day and we'll come. Tomorrow I must go to my uncle's."
+
+"Oh very well!"
+
+Squire Sheldon privately resolved to pump Rodney as to the investment of
+his property. He was curious to learn first how much the boy was worth,
+for if there was anything that the squire worshiped it was wealth. He
+was glad to find that Mr. Pettigrew had only brought home five hundred
+dollars, as it was not enough to lift the mortgage on his uncle's farm.
+
+After they were left alone Jefferson Pettigrew turned to Rodney and
+said, "Do you mind my leaving you a short time and calling at my
+uncle's?"
+
+"Not at all, Mr. Pettigrew. I can pass my time very well."
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew directed his steps to an old fashioned farmhouse
+about half a mile from the village. In the rear the roof sloped down so
+that the eaves were only five feet from the ground. The house was large
+though the rooms were few in number.
+
+In the sitting room sat an old man and his wife, who was nearly as
+old. It was not a picture of cheerful old age, for each looked sad.
+The sadness of old age is pathetic for there is an absence of hope,
+and courage, such as younger people are apt to feel even when they are
+weighed down by trouble.
+
+Cyrus Hooper was seventy one, his wife two years younger. During the
+greater part of their lives they had been well to do, if not prosperous,
+but now their money was gone, and there was a mortgage on the old home
+which they could not pay.
+
+"I don't know whats goin' to become of us, Nancy," said Cyrus Hooper.
+"We'll have to leave the old home, and when the farm's been sold there
+won't be much left over and above the mortgage which Louis Sheldon
+holds."
+
+"Don't you think the squire will give you a little more time, Cyrus?"
+
+"No; I saw him yesterday, and he's sot on buyin' in the farm for
+himself. He reckons it won't fetch more'n eighteen hundred dollars."
+
+"Thats only six hundred over the mortgage."
+
+"It isn't that Nancy. There's about a hundred dollars due in interest.
+We won't get more'n five hundred dollars."
+
+"Surely, Cyrus, the farm is worth three thousand dollars."
+
+"So it is, Nancy, but that won't do us any good, as long as no one wants
+it more'n the squire."
+
+"I wish Jefferson were at home."
+
+"What good would it do? I surmise he hasn't made any money. He never did
+have much enterprise, that boy."
+
+"He was allus a good boy, Cyrus."
+
+"That's so, Nancy, but he didn't seem cut out for makin' money. Still
+it would do me good to see him. Maybe we might have a home together, and
+manage to live."
+
+Just then a neighbor entered.
+
+"Have you heard the news?" she asked.
+
+"No; what is it?"
+
+"Your nephew Jefferson Pettigrew has got back."
+
+"You don't mean so. There, Jefferson, that's one comfort."
+
+"And they say he has brought home five hundred dollars."
+
+"That's more'n I thought he'd bring. Where is he?"
+
+"Over at the tavern. He's brought a young man with him, leastways a boy,
+that's got a lot of money."
+
+"The boy?"
+
+"Yes; he's from New York, and is a friend of Jefferson's."
+
+"Well, I'm glad he's back. Why didn't he come here?"
+
+"It's likely he would if the boy wasn't with him."
+
+"Perhaps he heard of my misfortune."
+
+"I hope it'll all come right, Mr. Hooper. My, if there ain't Jefferson
+comin' to see you now. I see him through the winder. I guess I'll be
+goin'. You'll want to see him alone."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+
+THE BOY CAPITALIST.
+
+
+"How are you, Uncle Cyrus?" said Jefferson Pettigrew heartily, as he
+clasped his uncle's toil worn hand. "And Aunt Nancy, too! It pays me for
+coming all the way from Montana just to see you."
+
+"I'm glad to see you, Jefferson," said his uncle. "It seems a long time
+since you went away. I hope you've prospered."
+
+"Well, uncle, I've brought myself back well and hearty, and I've got a
+few hundred dollars."
+
+"I'm glad to hear it, Jefferson. You're better off than when you went
+away."
+
+"Yes, uncle. I couldn't be much worse off. Then I hadn't a cent that I
+could call my own. But how are you and Aunt Nancy?"
+
+"We're gettin' old, Jefferson, and misfortune has come to us. Squire
+Sheldon has got a mortgage on the farm and it's likely we'll be turned
+out. You've come just in time to see it."
+
+"Is it so bad as that, Uncle Cyrus? Why, when I went away you were
+prosperous."
+
+"Yes, Jefferson, I owned the farm clear, and I had money in the bank,
+but now the money's gone and there's a twelve hundred dollar mortgage on
+the old place," and the old man sighed.
+
+"But how did it come about uncle? You and Aunt Nancy haven't lived
+extravagantly, have you? Aunt Nancy, you haven't run up a big bill at
+the milliner's and dressmaker's?"
+
+"You was always for jokin', Jefferson," said the old lady, smiling
+faintly; "but that is not the way our losses came."
+
+"How then?"
+
+"You see I indorsed notes for Sam Sherman over at Canton, and he failed,
+and I had to pay, then I bought some wild cat minin' stock on Sam's
+recommendation, and that went down to nothin'. So between the two I lost
+about three thousand dollars. I've been a fool, Jefferson, and it would
+have been money in my pocket if I'd had a guardeen."
+
+"So you mortgaged the place to Squire Sheldon, uncle?"
+
+"Yes; I had to. I was obliged to meet my notes."
+
+"But surely the squire will extend the mortgage."
+
+"No, he won't. I've asked him. He says he must call in the money, and so
+the old place will have to be sold, and Nancy and I must turn out in our
+old age."
+
+Again the old man sighed, and tears came into Nancy Hooper's eyes.
+
+"There'll be something left, won't there, Uncle Cyrus?"
+
+"Yes, the place should bring six hundred dollars over and above the
+mortgage. That's little enough, for it's worth three thousand."
+
+"So it is, Uncle Cyrus. But what can you do with six hundred dollars? It
+won't support you and Aunt Nancy?"
+
+"I thought mebbe, Jefferson, I could hire a small house and you could
+board with us, so that we could still have a home together."
+
+"I'll think it over, uncle, if there is no other way. But are you sure
+Squire Sheldon won't give you more time?"
+
+"No, Jefferson. I surmise he wants the place himself. There's talk of a
+railroad from Sherborn, and that'll raise the price of land right around
+here. It'll probably go right through the farm just south of the three
+acre lot."
+
+"I see, Uncle Cyrus. You ought to have the benefit of the rise in
+value."
+
+"Yes, Jefferson, it would probably rise enough to pay off the mortgage,
+but its no use thinkin' of it. The old farm has got to go."
+
+"I don't know about that, Uncle Cyrus."
+
+"Why, Jefferson, you haven't money enough to lift the mortgage!" said
+the old man, with faint hope.
+
+"If I haven't I may get it for you. Tell me just how much money is
+required."
+
+"Thirteen hundred dollars, includin' interest."
+
+"Perhaps you have heard that I have a boy with me--a boy from New York,
+named Rodney Ropes. He has money, and perhaps I might get him to advance
+the sum you want."
+
+"Oh, Jefferson, if you only could!" exclaimed Aunt Nancy, clasping her
+thin hands. "It would make us very happy."
+
+"I'll see Rodney tonight and come over tomorrow morning and tell you
+what he says. On account of the railroad I shall tell him that it is a
+good investment. I suppose you will be willing to mortgage the farm to
+him for the same money that he pays to lift the present mortgage?"
+
+"Yes, Jefferson, I'll be willin' and glad. It'll lift a great burden
+from my shoulders. I've been worryin' at the sorrow I've brought upon
+poor Nancy, for she had nothing to do with my foolish actions. I was old
+enough to know better, Jefferson, and I'm ashamed of what I did."
+
+"Well, Uncle Cyrus, I'll do what I can for you. Now let us forget all
+about your troubles and talk over the village news. You know I've been
+away for four years, and I haven't had any stiddy correspondence, so a
+good deal must have happened that I don't know anything about. I hear
+Frank Dobson has prospered?"
+
+"Yes, Frank's pretty forehanded. He's got a good economical wife, and
+they've laid away five or six hundred dollars in the savings bank."
+
+"I am glad of it. Frank is a good fellow. If it hadn't been for him I
+couldn't have gone to Montana. When he lent me the money everybody said
+he'd lose it, but I was bound to pay it if I had to live on one meal a
+day. He was the only man in town who believed in me at that time."
+
+"You was a littless shif'less, Jefferson. You can't blame people. I
+wasn't quite sure myself how you'd get along."
+
+"No doubt you are right, Uncle Cyrus. It did me good to leave town. I
+didn't drink, but I had no ambition. When a man goes to a new country
+it's apt to make a new man of him. That was the case with me."
+
+"Are you goin' back again, Jefferson?"
+
+"Yes, uncle. I'm going to stay round here long enough to fix up your
+affairs and get you out of your trouble. Then I'll go back to the West.
+I have a little mining interest there and I can make more money there
+than I can here."
+
+"If you can get me out of my trouble, Jefferson, I'll never forget it.
+Nancy and I have been so worried that we couldn't sleep nights, but now
+I'm beginnin' to be a little more cheerful."
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew spent another hour at his uncle's house, and then
+went back to the tavern, where he found Rodney waiting for him. He
+explained briefly the part he wished his boy friend to take in his plan
+for relieving his uncle.
+
+"I shall be receiving credit to which I am not entitled," said Rodney.
+"Still, if it will oblige you I am willing to play the part of the boy
+capitalist."
+
+The next morning after breakfast the two friends walked over to the
+house of Cyrus Hooper. Aunt Nancy came to the door and gave them a
+cordial welcome.
+
+"Cyrus is over at the barn, Jefferson," she said. "I'll ring the bell
+and he'll come in."
+
+"No, Aunt Nancy, I'll go out and let him know I am here."
+
+Presently Cyrus Hooper came in, accompanied by Jefferson.
+
+"Uncle Cyrus," said the miner, "let me introduce you to my friend Rodney
+Ropes, of New York."
+
+"I'm glad to see you," said Cyrus heartily. "I'm glad to see any friend
+of Jefferson's."
+
+"Thank you, sir. I am pleased to meet you."
+
+"Jefferson says you are goin' to Montany with him."
+
+"I hope to do so. I am sure I shall enjoy myself in his company."
+
+"How far is Montany, Jefferson?"
+
+"It is over two thousand miles away, Uncle Cyrus."
+
+"It must be almost at the end of the world. I don't see how you can feel
+at home so far away from Vermont."
+
+Jefferson smiled.
+
+"I can content myself wherever I can make a good living," he said.
+"Wouldn't you like to go out and make me a visit?"
+
+"No, Jefferson, I should feel that it was temptin' Providence to go so
+far at my age."
+
+"You never were very far from Burton, Uncle Cyrus?"
+
+"I went to Montpelier once," answered the old man with evident pride.
+"It is a nice sizable place. I stopped at the tavern, and had a good
+time."
+
+It was the only journey the old man had ever made, and he would never
+forget it.
+
+"Uncle Cyrus," said Jefferson, "this is the young man who I thought
+might advance you money on a new mortgage. Suppose we invite him to go
+over the farm, and take a look at it so as to see what he thinks of the
+investment."
+
+"Sartain, Jefferson, sartain! I do hope Mr. Ropes you'll look favorable
+on the investment. It is Jefferson's idea, but it would be doin' me a
+great favor."
+
+"Mr. Pettigrew will explain the advantages of the farm as we go along,"
+said Rodney.
+
+So they walked from field to field, Jefferson expatiating to his young
+friend upon the merits of the investment, Rodney asking questions now
+and then to carry out his part of the shrewd and careful boy capitalist.
+
+When they had made a tour of the farm Jefferson said: "Well, Rodney,
+what do you think of the investment?"
+
+"I am satisfied with it," answered Rodney. "Mr. Hooper, I will advance
+you the money on the conditions mentioned by my friend, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+Tears of joy came into the eyes of Cyrus Hooper and his worn face showed
+relief.
+
+"I am very grateful, young man," he said. "I will see that you don't
+regret your kindness."
+
+"When will Squire Sheldon be over to settle matters, Uncle Cyrus?" asked
+Jefferson.
+
+"He is comin' this afternoon at two o'clock."
+
+"Then Rodney and I will be over to take part in the business."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+
+THE FAILURE OF SQUIRE SHELDON'S PLOT.
+
+
+On the morning of the same day Squire Sheldon sat in his study when the
+servant came in and brought a card.
+
+"It's a gentleman thats come to see you, sir," she said.
+
+Lemuel Sheldon's eye brightened when he saw the name, for it was that of
+a railroad man who was interested in the proposed road from Sherborn.
+
+"I am glad to see you, Mr. Caldwell," he said cordially, rising to
+receive his guest. "What is the prospect as regards the railroad?"
+
+"I look upon it as a certainty," answered Enoch Caldwell, a grave,
+portly man of fifty.
+
+"And it is sure to pass through our town?"
+
+"Yes, I look upon that as definitely decided."
+
+"The next question is as to the route it will take," went on the squire.
+"Upon that point I should like to offer a few suggestions."
+
+"I shall be glad to receive them. In fact, I may say that my report will
+probably be accepted, and I shall be glad to consult you."
+
+"Thank you. I appreciate the compliment you pay me, and, though I say
+it, I don't think you could find any one more thoroughly conversant with
+the lay of the land and the most advisable route to follow. If you will
+put on your hat we will go out together and I will give you my views."
+
+"I shall be glad to do so."
+
+The two gentlemen took a leisurely walk through the village, going by
+Cyrus Hooper's house on the way.
+
+"In my view," said the squire, "the road should go directly through this
+farm a little to the north of the house."
+
+The squire proceeded to explain his reasons for the route he
+recommended.
+
+"To whom does the farm belong?" asked Caldwell, with a shrewd glance at
+the squire.
+
+"To an old man named Cyrus Hooper."
+
+"Ahem! Perhaps he would be opposed to the road passing so near his
+house."
+
+"I apprehend that he will not have to be consulted," said the squire
+with a crafty smile.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Because I hold a mortgage on the farm which I propose to foreclose this
+afternoon."
+
+"I see. So that you will be considerably benefited by the road."
+
+"Yes, to a moderate extent."
+
+"But if a different course should be selected, how then?"
+
+"If the road goes through the farm I would be willing to give a quarter
+of the damages awarded to me to--you understand?"
+
+"I think I do. After all it seems the most natural route."
+
+"I think there can be no doubt on that point. Of course the corporation
+will be willing to pay a reasonable sum for land taken."
+
+"I think I can promise that, as I shall have an important voice in the
+matter."
+
+"I see you are a thorough business man," said the squire. "I hold that
+it is always best to pursue a liberal policy."
+
+"Quite so. You have no doubt of obtaining the farm?"
+
+"Not the slightest."
+
+"But suppose the present owner meets the mortgage?"
+
+"He can't. He is a poor man, and he has no moneyed friends. I confess
+I was a little afraid that a nephew of his just returned from Montana
+might be able to help him, but I learn that he has only brought home
+five hundred dollars while the mortgage, including interest, calls for
+thirteen hundred."
+
+"Then you appear to be safe. When did you say the matter would be
+settled?"
+
+"This afternoon at two o'clock. You had better stay over and take supper
+with me. I shall be prepared to talk with you at that time."
+
+"Very well."
+
+From a window of the farmhouse Cyrus Hooper saw Squire Sheldon and his
+guest walking by the farm, and noticed the interest which they seemed to
+feel in it. But for the assurance which he had received of help to pay
+the mortgage he would have felt despondent, for he guessed the subject
+of their conversation. As it was, he felt an excusable satisfaction in
+the certain defeat of the squire's hopes of gain.
+
+"It seems that the more a man has the more he wants, Jefferson," he said
+to his nephew. "The squire is a rich man--the richest man in Burton--but
+he wants to take from me the little property that I have."
+
+"It's the way of the world, Uncle Cyrus. In this case the squire is safe
+to be disappointed, thanks to my young friend, Rodney."
+
+"Its lucky for me, Jefferson, that you came home just the time you did.
+If you had come a week later it would have been too late."
+
+"Then you don't think the squire would have relented?"
+
+"I know he wouldn't. I went over a short time since and had a talk with
+him on the subject. I found he was sot on gettin' the farm into his own
+hands."
+
+"If he were willing to pay a fair value it wouldn't be so bad."
+
+"He wasn't. He wanted to get it as cheap as he could."
+
+"I wonder," said Jefferson Pettigrew reflectively, "whether I shall be
+as hard and selfish if ever I get rich."
+
+"I don't believe you will, Jefferson. I don't believe you will. It
+doesn't run in the blood."
+
+"I hope not Uncle Cyrus. How long have you known the squire?"
+
+"Forty years, Jefferson. He is about ten years younger than I am. I was
+a young man when he was a boy."
+
+"And you attend the same church?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And still he is willing to take advantage of you and reduce you to
+poverty. I don't see much religion in that."
+
+"When a man's interest is concerned religion has to stand to one side
+with some people."
+
+It was in a pleasant frame of mind that Squire Sheldon left his house
+and walked over to the farmhouse which he hoped to own. He had decided
+to offer eighteen hundred dollars for the farm, which would be five
+hundred over and above the face of the mortgage with the interest added.
+
+This of itelf would give him an excellent profit, but he expected also,
+as we know, to drive a stiff bargain with the new railroad company, for
+such land as they would require to use.
+
+"Stay here till I come back, Mr. Caldwell," he said. "I apprehend it
+won't take me long to get through my business."
+
+Squire Sheldon knocked at the door of the farmhouse, which was opened to
+him by Nancy Hooper.
+
+"Walk in, squire," she said.
+
+"Is your husband at home, Mrs. Hooper?"
+
+"Yes; he is waiting for you."
+
+Mrs. Hooper led the way into the sitting room, where her husband was
+sitting in a rocking chair.
+
+"Good afternoon, Mr. Hooper," said the squire. "I hope I see you well."
+
+"As well as I expect to be. I'm gettin' to be an old man."
+
+"We must all grow old," said the squire vaguely.
+
+"And sometimes a man's latter years are his most sorrowful years."
+
+"That means that he can't pay the mortgage," thought Squire Sheldon.
+
+"Well, ahem! Yes, it does sometimes happen so," he said aloud.
+
+"Still if a man's friends stand by him, that brings him some comfort."
+
+"I suppose you know what I've come about, Mr. Hooper," said the squire,
+anxious to bring his business to a conclusion.
+
+"I suppose it's about the mortgage."
+
+"Yes, its about the mortgage."
+
+"Will you be willing to extend it another year?"
+
+"I thought," said the squire, frowning, "I had given you to understand
+that I cannot do this. You owe me a large sum in accrued interest."
+
+"But if I make shift to pay this?"
+
+"I should say the same. It may as well come first as last. You can't
+hold the place, and there is no chance of your being better off by
+waiting."
+
+"I understand that the new railroad might go through my farm. That would
+put me on my feet."
+
+"There is no certainty that the road will ever be built. Even if it
+were, it would not be likely to cross your farm."
+
+"I see, Squire Sheldon, you are bound to have the place."
+
+"There is no need to put it that way, Mr. Hooper. I lent you money
+on mortgage. You can't pay the mortgage, and of course I foreclose.
+However, I will buy the farm and allow you eighteen hundred dollars for
+it. That will give you five hundred dollars over and above the money you
+owe me."
+
+"The farm is worth three thousand dollars."
+
+"Nonsense, Mr. Hooper. Still if you get an offer of that sum TODAY I
+will advise you to sell."
+
+"I certainly won't take eighteen hundred."
+
+"You won't? Then I shall foreclose, and you may have to take less."
+
+"Then there is only one thing to do."
+
+"As you say, there is only one thing to do."
+
+"And that is, to pay off the mortgage and clear the farm."
+
+"You can't do it!" exclaimed the squire uneasily.
+
+Cyrus Hooper's only answer was to call "Jefferson."
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew entered the room, followed by Rodney.
+
+"What does this mean?" asked the squire.
+
+"It means, Squire Sheldon," said Mr. Pettigrew, "that you won't turn
+my uncle out of his farm this time. My young friend, Rodney Ropes, has
+advanced Uncle Cyrus money enough to pay off the mortgage."
+
+"I won't take a check," said the squire hastily.
+
+"You would have to if we insisted upon it, but I have the money here in
+bills. Give me a release and surrender the mortgage, and you shall have
+your money."
+
+It was with a crestfallen look that Squire Sheldon left the farmhouse,
+though his pockets were full of money.
+
+"It's all up," he said to his friend Caldwell in a hollow voice. "They
+have paid the mortgage."
+
+After all the railway did cross the farm, and Uncle Cyrus was paid two
+thousand dollars for the right of way, much to the disappointment of
+his disinterested friend Lemuel Sheldon, who felt that this sum ought to
+have gone into his own pocket.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+
+A MINISTER'S GOOD FORTUNE.
+
+
+"I have another call to make, Rodney," said Mr. Pettigrew, as they were
+on their way back to the hotel, "and I want you to go with me."
+
+"I shall be glad to accompany you anywhere, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"You remember I told you of the old minister whose church I attended as
+a boy. He has never received but four hundred dollars a year, yet he
+has managed to rear a family, but has been obliged to use the strictest
+economy."
+
+"Yes, I remember."
+
+"I am going to call on him, and I shall take the opportunity to make
+him a handsome present. It will surprise him, and I think it will be the
+first present of any size that he has received in his pastorate of over
+forty years.
+
+"There he lives!" continued Jefferson, pointing out a very modest
+cottage on the left hand side of the road.
+
+It needed painting badly, but it looked quite as well as the minister
+who came to the door in a ragged dressing gown. He was venerable
+looking, for his hair was quite white, though he was only sixty five
+years old. But worldly cares which had come upon him from the difficulty
+of getting along on his scanty salary had whitened his hair and deepened
+the wrinkles on his kindly face.
+
+"I am glad to see you, Jefferson," he said, his face lighting up with
+pleasure. "I heard you were in town and I hoped you wouldn't fail to
+call upon me."
+
+"I was sure to call, for you were always a good friend to me as well as
+many others."
+
+"I always looked upon you as one of my boys, Jefferson. I hear that you
+have been doing well."
+
+"Yes, Mr. Canfield. I have done better than I have let people know."
+
+"Have you been to see your uncle? Poor man, he is in trouble."
+
+"He is no longer in trouble. The mortgage is paid off, and as far as
+Squire Sheldon is concerned he is independent."
+
+"Indeed, that is good news," said the old minister with beaming face.
+"You must surely have done well if you could furnish money enough to
+clear the farm. It was over a thousand dollars, wasn't it?"
+
+"Yes, thirteen hundred. My young friend, Rodney Ropes, and myself
+managed it between us."
+
+"I am glad to see you, Mr. Ropes. Come in both of you. Mrs. Canfield
+will be glad to welcome you."
+
+They followed him into the sitting room, the floor of which was
+covered by an old and faded carpet. The furniture was of the plainest
+description. But it looked pleasant and homelike, and the papers and
+books that were scattered about made it more attractive to a visitor
+than many showy city drawing rooms.
+
+"And how are all your children, Mr. Canfield?" asked Jefferson.
+
+"Maria is married to a worthy young man in the next town. Benjamin is
+employed in a book store, and Austin wants to go to college, but I don't
+see any way to send him, poor boy!" and the minister sighed softly.
+
+"Does it cost much to keep a boy in college?"
+
+"Not so much as might be supposed. There are beneficiary funds for
+deserving students, and then there is teaching to eke out a poor young
+man's income, so that I don't think it would cost over a hundred and
+fifty dollars a year."
+
+"That isn't a large sum."
+
+"Not in itelf, but you know, Jefferson, my salary is only four hundred
+dollars a year. It would take nearly half my income, so I think Austin
+will have to give up his hopes of going to college and follow in his
+brother's steps."
+
+"How old is Austin now?"
+
+"He is eighteen."
+
+"Is he ready for college?"
+
+"Yes, he could enter at the next commencement but for the financial
+problem."
+
+"I never had any taste for college, or study, as you know, Mr. Canfield.
+It is different with my friend Rodney, who is a Latin and Greek
+scholar."
+
+The minister regarded Rodney with new interest.
+
+"Do you think of going to college, Mr. Ropes?" he asked.
+
+"Not at present. I am going back to Montana with Mr. Pettigrew. Perhaps
+he and I will both go to college next year."
+
+"Excuse me," said Jefferson Pettigrew. "Latin and Greek ain't in my
+line. I should make a good deal better miner than minister."
+
+"It is not desirable that all should become ministers or go to college,"
+said Mr. Canfield. "I suspect from what I know of you, Jefferson, that
+you judge yourself correctly. How long shall you stay in Burton?"
+
+"I expect to go away tomorrow."
+
+"Your visit is a brief one."
+
+"Yes, I intended to stay longer, but I begin to be homesick after the
+West."
+
+"Do you expect to make your permanent home there?"
+
+"I can't tell as to that. For the present I can do better there than
+here."
+
+The conversation lasted for some time. Then Jefferson Pettigrew rose to
+go.
+
+"Won't you call again, Jefferson?" asked the minister hospitably.
+
+"I shall not have time, but before I go I want to make you a small
+present," and he put into the hands of the astonished minister four fifty
+dollar bills.
+
+"Two hundred dollars!" ejaculated the minister. "Why, I heard you only
+brought home a few hundred."
+
+"I prefer to leave that impression. To you I will say that I am worth a
+great deal more than that."
+
+"But you mustn't give me so much. I am sure you are too generous for
+your own interest. Why, it's munificent, princely."
+
+"Don't be troubled about me. I can spare it. Send your boy to college,
+and next year I will send you another sum equally large."
+
+"How can I thank you, Jefferson?" said Mr. Canfield, the tears coming
+into his eyes. "Never in forty years have I had such a gift."
+
+"Not even from Squire Sheldon?"
+
+"The squire is not in the habit of bestowing gifts, but he pays a large
+parish tax. May I--am I at liberty to say from whom I received this
+liberal donation?"
+
+"Please don't! You can say that you have had a gift from a friend."
+
+"You have made me very happy, Jefferson. Your own conscience will reward
+you."
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew changed the subject, for it embarrassed him to be
+thanked.
+
+"That pays me for hard work and privation," he said to Rodney as they
+walked back to the tavern. "After all there is a great pleasure in
+making others happy."
+
+"Squire Sheldon hadn't found that out."
+
+"And he never will."
+
+On the way they met the gentleman of whom they had been speaking. He
+bowed stiffly, for he could not feel cordial to those whom had snatched
+from him the house for which he had been scheming so long.
+
+"Squire Sheldon," said Jefferson, "you were kind enough to invite
+Rodney and myself to supper some evening. I am sorry to say that we must
+decline, as we leave Burton tomorrow."
+
+"Use your own pleasure, Mr. Pettigrew," said the squire coldly.
+
+"It doesn't seem to disappoint the squire very much," remarked
+Jefferson, laughing, when the great man of the village had passed on.
+
+"It certainly is no disappointment to me."
+
+"Nor to me. The little time I have left I can use more pleasantly than
+in going to see the squire. I have promised to supper at my uncle's
+tonight--that is, I have promised for both of us."
+
+Returning to New York, Jefferson and Rodney set about getting ready for
+their Western journey. Rodney gave some of his wardrobe to Mike Flynn,
+and bought some plain suits suitable for his new home.
+
+While walking on Broadway the day before the one fixed for his departure
+he fell in with Jasper Redwood.
+
+"Have you got a place yet Ropes?" asked Jasper.
+
+"I am not looking for any."
+
+"How is that?" asked Jasper in some surprise.
+
+"I am going to leave the city."
+
+"That is a good idea. All cannot succeed in the city. You may find a
+chance to work on a farm in the country."
+
+"I didn't say I was going to the country."
+
+"Where are you going, then?"
+
+"To Montana."
+
+"Isn't that a good way off?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What are you going to do there?"
+
+"I may go to mining."
+
+"But how can you afford to go so far?"
+
+"Really, Jasper, you show considerable curiosity about my affairs. I
+have money enough to buy my ticket, and I think I can find work when I
+get out there."
+
+"It seems to me a crazy idea."
+
+"It might be--for you."
+
+"And why for me?" asked Jasper suspiciously.
+
+"Because you might not be willing to rough it as I am prepared to do."
+
+"I guess you are right. I have always been used to living like a
+gentleman."
+
+"I hope you will always be able to do so. Now I must bid you good by, as
+I am busy getting ready for my journey."
+
+Jasper looked after Rodney, not without perplexity.
+
+"I can't make out that boy," he said. "So he is going to be a common
+miner! Well, that may suit him, but it wouldn't suit me. There is no
+chance now of his interfering with me, so I am glad he is going to leave
+the city."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+
+A MINING TOWN IN MONTANA.
+
+
+The scene changes.
+
+Three weeks later among the miners who were sitting on the narrow
+veranda of the "Miners' Rest" in Oreville in Montana we recognize two
+familiar faces and figures--those of Jefferson Pettigrew and Rodney
+Ropes. Both were roughly clad, and if Jasper could have seen Rodney he
+would have turned up his nose in scorn, for Rodney had all the look of a
+common miner.
+
+It was in Oreville that Mr. Pettigrew had a valuable mining property, on
+which he employed quite a number of men who preferred certain wages to a
+compensation depending on the fluctuations of fortune. Rodney was among
+those employed, but although he was well paid he could not get to like
+the work. Of this, however, he said nothing to Mr. Pettigrew whose
+company he enjoyed, and whom he held in high esteem.
+
+On the evening in question Jefferson rose from his seat and signed to
+Rodney to follow him.
+
+"Well, Rodney, how do you like Montana?" he asked.
+
+"Well enough to be glad I came here," answered Rodney.
+
+"Still you are not partial to the work of a miner!"
+
+"I can think of other things I would prefer to do."
+
+"How would you like keeping a hotel?"
+
+"Is there any hotel in search of a manager?" asked Rodney smiling.
+
+"I will explain. Yesterday I bought the 'Miners' Rest.'"
+
+"What--the hotel where we board?"
+
+"Exactly. I found that Mr. Bailey, who has made a comfortable sum of
+money, wants to leave Montana and go East and I bought the hotel."
+
+"So that hereafter I shall board with you?"
+
+"Not exactly. I propose to put you in charge, and pay you a salary. I
+can oversee, and give you instructions. How will that suit you?"
+
+"So you think I am competent, Mr. Pettigrew?"
+
+"Yes, I think so. There is a good man cook, and two waiters. The cook
+will also order supplies and act as steward under you."
+
+"What then will be my duties?"
+
+"You will act as clerk and cashier, and pay the bills. You will have to
+look after all the details of management. If there is anything you don't
+understand you will have me to back you up, and advise you. What do you
+say?"
+
+"That I shall like it much better than mining. My only doubt is as to
+whether I shall suit you."
+
+"It is true that it takes a smart man to run a hotel, but I think we can
+do it between us. Now what will you consider a fair salary?"
+
+"I leave that to you, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"Then we will call it a hundred and fifty dollars a month and board."
+
+"But, Mr. Pettigrew," said Rodney in surprise, "how can I possibly earn
+that much?"
+
+"You know we charge big prices, and have about fifty steady boarders.
+I expect to make considerable money after deducting all the expenses of
+management."
+
+"My friend Jasper would be very much surprised if he could know the
+salary I am to receive. In the store I was only paid seven dollars a
+week."
+
+"The duties were different. Almost any boy could discharge the duties of
+an entry clerk while it takes peculiar qualities to run a hotel."
+
+"I was certainly very fortunate to fall in with you, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"I expect it will turn out fortunate for me too, Rodney."
+
+"When do you want me to start in?"
+
+"Next Monday morning. It is now Thursday evening. Mr. Bailey will turn
+over the hotel to me on Saturday night. You needn't go to the mines
+tomorrow, but may remain in the hotel, and he will instruct you in the
+details of management."
+
+"That will be quite a help to me, and I am at present quite ignorant on
+the subject."
+
+Rodney looked forward with pleasure to his new employment. He had good
+executive talent, though thus far he had had no occasion to exercise it.
+It was with unusual interest that he set about qualifying himself for
+his new position.
+
+"Young man," said the veteran landlord, "I think you'll do. I thought
+at first that Jefferson was foolish to put a young boy in my place, but
+you've got a head on your shoulders, you have! I guess you'll fill the
+bill."
+
+"I hope to do so, Mr. Bailey."
+
+"Jefferson tells me that you understand Latin and Greek?"
+
+"I know something of them."
+
+"Thats what prejudiced me against you. I hired a college boy once as a
+clerk and he was the worst failure I ever came across. He seemed to have
+all kinds of sense except common sense. I reckon he was a smart scholar,
+and he could have made out the bills for the boarders in Latin or Greek
+if it had been necessary, but he was that soft that any one could cheat
+him. Things got so mixed up in the department that I had to turn him
+adrift in a couple of weeks. I surmised you might be the same sort of a
+chap. If you were it would be a bad lookout for Jefferson."
+
+In Oreville Mr. Pettigrew was so well known that nearly everyone called
+him by his first name. Mr. Pettigrew did not care about this as he had
+no false pride or artificial dignity.
+
+"Do you consider this hotel a good property, Mr. Bailey?"
+
+"I'll tell you this much. I started here four years ago, and I've
+made fifty thousand dollars which I shall take back with me to New
+Hampshire."
+
+"That certainly is satisfactory."
+
+"I shouldn't wonder if you could improve upon it."
+
+"How does it happen that you sell out such a valuable property, Mr.
+Bailey? Are you tired of making money?"
+
+"No, but I must tell you that there's a girl waiting for me at home, an
+old schoolmate, who will become Mrs. Bailey as soon as possible after
+I get back. If she would come out here I wouldn't sell, but she has a
+mother that she wouldn't leave, and so I must go to her."
+
+"That is a good reason, Mr. Bailey."
+
+"Besides with fifty thousand dollars I can live as well as I want to
+in New Hampshire, and hold up my head with the best. You will follow my
+example some day."
+
+"It will be a long day first, Mr. Bailey, for I am only sixteen."
+
+On Monday morning the old landlord started for his Eastern home and
+Rodney took his place. It took him some little time to become familiar
+with all the details of hotel management, but he spared no pains to
+insure success. He had some trouble at first with the cook who presumed
+upon his position and Rodney's supposed ignorance to run things as he
+chose.
+
+Rodney complained to Mr. Pettigrew.
+
+"I think I can fix things, Rodney," he said. "There's a man working for
+me who used to be cook in a restaurant in New York. I found out about
+him quietly, for I wanted to be prepared for emergencies. The next time
+Gordon act contrary and threatens to leave, tell him he can do as he
+pleases. Then report to me."
+
+The next day there came another conflict of authority.
+
+"If you don't like the way I manage you can get somebody else," said
+the cook triumphantly. "Perhaps you'd like to cook the dinner yourself.
+You're nothing but a boy, and I don't see what Jefferson was thinking of
+to put you in charge."
+
+"That is his business, Mr. Gordon."
+
+"I advise you not to interfere with me, for I won't stand it."
+
+"Why didn't you talk in this way to Mr. Bailey?"
+
+"That's neither here nor there. He wasn't a boy for one thing."
+
+"Then you propose to have your own way, Mr. Gordon?"
+
+"Yes, I do."
+
+"Very well, then you can leave me at the end of this week."
+
+"What!" exclaimed the cook in profound astonishment. "Are you going
+crazy?"
+
+"No, I know what I am about."
+
+"Perhaps you intend to cook yourself."
+
+"No, I don't. That would close up the hotel."
+
+"Look here, young feller, you're gettin' too independent! I've a great
+mind to leave you tonight."
+
+"You can do so if you want to," said Rodney indifferently.
+
+"Then I will!" retorted Gordon angrily, bringing down his fist upon the
+table in vigorous emphasis.
+
+Oreville was fifty miles from Helena, and that was the nearest point, as
+he supposed, where a new cook could be obtained.
+
+After supper Rodney told Jefferson Pettigrew what had happened.
+
+"Have I done right?" he asked.
+
+"Yes; we can't have any insubordination here. There can't be two heads
+of one establishment. Send Gordon to me."
+
+The cook with a defiant look answered the summons.
+
+"I understand you want to leave, Gordon," said Jefferson Pettigrew.
+
+"That depends. I ain't goin' to have no boy dictatin' to me."
+
+"Then you insist upon having your own way without interference."
+
+"Yes, I do."
+
+"Very well, I accept your resignation. Do you wish to wait till the end
+of the week, or to leave tonight?"
+
+"I want to give it up tonight."
+
+"Very well, go to Rodney and he will pay you what is due you."
+
+"Are you goin' to get along without a cook?" inquired Gordon in
+surprise.
+
+"No."
+
+"What are you going to do, then?"
+
+"I shall employ Parker in your place."
+
+"What does he know about cookin'?"
+
+"He ran a restaurant in New York for five years, the first part of the
+time having charge of the cooking. We shan't suffer even if you do leave
+us."
+
+"I think I will stay," said Gordon in a submissive tone.
+
+"It is too late. You have discharged yourself. You can't stay here on
+any terms."
+
+Gordon left Oreville the next day a sorely disappointed man, for he had
+received more liberal pay than he was likely to command elsewhere. The
+young landlord had triumphed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+
+THE MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY.
+
+
+At the end of a month Jefferson Pettigrew said: "I've been looking over
+the books, Rodney, and I find the business is better than I expected.
+How much did I agree to pay you?"
+
+"A hundred and fifty dollars a month, but if you think that it is too
+much----"
+
+"Too much? Why I am going to advance you to two hundred and fifty."
+
+"You can't be in earnest, Mr. Pettigrew?"
+
+"I am entirely so."
+
+"That is at the rate of three thousand dollars a year!"
+
+"Yes, but you are earning it."
+
+"You know I am only a boy."
+
+"That doesn't make any difference as long as you understand your
+business."
+
+"I am very grateful to you, Mr. Pettigrew. My, I can save two hundred
+dollars a month."
+
+"Do so, and I will find you a paying investment for the money."
+
+"What would Jasper say to my luck?" thought Rodney.
+
+Three months passed without any incident worth recording. One afternoon
+a tall man wearing a high hat and a Prince Albert coat with a paste
+diamond of large size in his shirt bosom entered the public room of the
+Miners' Rest and walking up to the bar prepared to register his name.
+As he stood with his pen in his hand Rodney recognized him not without
+amazement.
+
+It was Louis Wheeler--the railroad thief, whom he had last seen in New
+York.
+
+As for Wheeler he had not taken any notice of the young clerk, not
+suspecting that it was an old acquaintance who was familiar with his
+real character.
+
+"Have you just arrived in Montana, Mr. Wheeler?" asked Rodney quietly.
+
+As Rodney had not had an opportunity to examine his signature in the
+register Wheeler looked up in quiet surprise.
+
+"Do you know me?" he asked.
+
+"Yes; don't you know me?"
+
+"I'll be blowed if it isn't the kid," ejaculated Wheeler.
+
+"As I run this hotel, I don't care to be called a kid."
+
+"All right Mr.----"
+
+"Ropes."
+
+"Mr. Ropes, you are the most extraordinary boy I ever met."
+
+"Am I?"
+
+"Who would have thought of your turning up as a Montana landlord."
+
+"I wouldn't have thought of it myself four months ago. But what brings
+you out here?"
+
+"Business," answered Wheeler in an important tone.
+
+"Are you going to become a miner?"
+
+"I may buy a mine if I find one to suit me."
+
+"I am glad you seem to be prospering."
+
+"Can you give me a good room?"
+
+"Yes, but I must ask a week's advance payment."
+
+"How much?"
+
+"Twenty five dollars."
+
+"All right. Here's the money."
+
+Louis Wheeler pulled out a well filled wallet and handed over two ten
+dollar bills and a five.
+
+"Is that satisfactory?" he asked.
+
+"Quite so. You seem better provided with money than when I saw you
+last."
+
+"True. I was then in temporary difficulty. But I made a good turn in
+stocks and I am on my feet again."
+
+Rodney did not believe a word of this, but as long as Wheeler was able
+to pay his board he had no good excuse for refusing him accommodation.
+
+"That rascal here!" exclaimed Jefferson, when Rodney informed him of
+Wheeler's arrival. "Well, thats beat all! What has brought him out
+here?"
+
+"Business, he says."
+
+"It may be the same kind of business that he had with me. He will bear
+watching."
+
+"I agree with you, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+Louis Wheeler laid himself out to be social and agreeable, and made
+himself quite popular with the other boarders at the hotel. As Jefferson
+and Rodney said nothing about him, he was taken at his own valuation,
+and it was reported that he was a heavy capitalist from Chicago who had
+come to Montana to buy a mine. This theory received confirmation both
+from his speech and actions.
+
+On the following day he went about in Oreville and examined the mines.
+He expressed his opinion freely in regard to what he saw, and priced one
+that was for sale at fifty thousand dollars.
+
+"I like this mine," he said, "but I don't know enough about it to make
+an offer. If it comes up to my expectations I will try it."
+
+"He must have been robbing a bank," observed Jefferson Pettigrew.
+
+Nothing could exceed the cool assurance with which Wheeler greeted
+Jefferson and recalled their meeting in New York.
+
+"You misjudged me then, Mr. Pettigrew," he said. "I believe upon my soul
+you looked upon me as an adventurer--a confidence man."
+
+"You are not far from the truth, Mr. Wheeler," answered Jefferson
+bluntly.
+
+"Well, I forgive you. Our acquaintance was brief and you judged from
+superficial impressions."
+
+"Perhaps so, Mr. Wheeler. Have you ever been West before?"
+
+"No."
+
+"When you came to Oreville had you any idea that I was here?"
+
+"No; if I had probably I should not have struck the town, as I knew that
+you didn't have a favorable opinion of me."
+
+"I can't make out much of that fellow, Rodney," said Jefferson. "I can't
+understand his object in coming here."
+
+"He says he wants to buy a mine."
+
+"That's all a pretext. He hasn't money enough to buy a mine or a tenth
+part of it."
+
+"He seems to have money."
+
+"Yes; he may have a few hundred dollars, but mark my words, he hasn't
+the slightest intention of buying a mine."
+
+"He has some object in view."
+
+"No doubt! What it is is what I want to find out."
+
+There was another way in which Louis Wheeler made himself popular among
+the miners of Oreville. He had a violin with him, and in the evening he
+seated himself on the veranda and played popular tunes.
+
+He had only a smattering in the way of musical training, but the airs he
+played took better than classical music would have done. Even Jefferson
+Pettigrew enjoyed listening to "Home, Sweet Home" and "The Last Rose of
+Summer," while the miners were captivated by merry dance tunes, which
+served to enliven them after a long day's work at the mines.
+
+One day there was a sensation. A man named John O'Donnell came down
+stairs from his room looking pale and agitated.
+
+"Boys," he said, "I have been robbed."
+
+Instantly all eyes were turned upon him.
+
+"Of what have you been robbed, O'Donnell?" asked Jefferson.
+
+"Of two hundred dollars in gold. I was going to send it home to my wife
+in Connecticut next week."
+
+"When did you miss it?"
+
+"Just now."
+
+"Where did you keep it?"
+
+"In a box under my bed."
+
+"When do you think it was taken?"
+
+"Last night."
+
+"What makes you think so?"
+
+"I am a sound sleeper, and last night you know was very dark. I awoke
+with a start, and seemed to hear footsteps. I looked towards the door,
+and saw a form gliding from the room."
+
+"Why didn't you jump out of bed and seize the intruder whoever he was?"
+
+"Because I was not sure but it was all a dream. I think now it was some
+thief who had just robbed me."
+
+"I think so too. Could you make out anything of his appearance?"
+
+"I could only see the outlines of his figure. He was a tall man. He must
+have taken the money from under my bed."
+
+"Did any one know that you had money concealed there?"
+
+"I don't think I ever mentioned it."
+
+"It seems we have a thief among us," said Jefferson, and almost
+unconsciously his glance rested on Louis Wheeler who was seated near
+John O'Donnell, "what do you think, Mr. Wheeler?"
+
+"I think you are right, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"Have you any suggestion to make?" asked Jefferson. "Have you by chance
+lost anything?"
+
+"Not that I am aware of."
+
+"Is there any one else here who has been robbed?"
+
+No one spoke.
+
+"You asked me if I had any suggestions to make, Mr. Pettigrew," said
+Louis Wheeler after a pause. "I have.
+
+"Our worthy friend Mr. O'Donnell has met with a serious loss. I move
+that we who are his friends make it up to him. Here is my contribution,"
+and he laid a five dollar bill on the table.
+
+It was a happy suggestion and proved popular. Every one present came
+forward, and tendered his contributions including Jefferson, who put
+down twenty five dollars.
+
+Mr. Wheeler gathered up the notes and gold and sweeping them to his hat
+went forward and tendered them to John O'Donnell.
+
+"Take this money, Mr. O'Donnell," he said. "It is the free will offering
+of your friends. I am sure I may say for them, as for myself, that it
+gives us all pleasure to help a comrade in trouble."
+
+Louis Wheeler could have done nothing that would have so lifted him in
+the estimation of the miners.
+
+"And now," he said, "as our friend is out of his trouble I will play you
+a few tunes on my violin, and will end the day happily."
+
+"I can't make out that fellow, Rodney," said Jefferson when they were
+alone. "I believe he is the thief, but he has an immense amount of
+nerve."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+
+MR. WHEELER EXPLAINS.
+
+
+Probably there was no one at the hotel who suspected Louis Wheeler of
+being a thief except Rodney and Mr. Pettigrew. His action in starting
+a contribution for John O'Donnell helped to make him popular. He
+was establishing a reputation quite new to him, and it was this fact
+probably that made him less prudent than he would otherwise have been.
+
+As the loss had been made up, the boarders at the Miners' Rest ceased to
+talk of it. But Jefferson and his young assistant did not forget it.
+
+"I am sure Wheeler is the thief, but I don't know how to bring it home
+to him," said Jefferson one day, when alone with Rodney.
+
+"You might search him."
+
+"Yes, but what good would that do? It might be found that he had money,
+but one gold coin is like another and it would be impossible to identify
+it as the stolen property. If O'Donnell had lost anything else except
+money it would be different. I wish he would come to my chamber."
+
+"Perhaps he would if he thought you were a sound sleeper."
+
+"That is an idea. I think I can make use of it.".
+
+That evening when Wheeler was present Mr. Pettigrew managed to turn the
+conversation to the subject of sleeping.
+
+"I am a very sound sleeper," he said. "I remember when I was at home
+sleeping many a time through a severe thunder storm."
+
+"Don't you sometimes wake up in the middle of the night?" asked Rodney.
+
+"Very seldom, if I am in good health."
+
+"Its different with me," said another of the company. "A step on the
+floor or the opening of the door will wake me up at any time."
+
+"I am glad I am not so easily roused."
+
+"If I had a fish horn," said Rodney, laughing, "I should be tempted to
+come up in the night and give it a blast before your door."
+
+"That might wake me up," said Mr. Pettigrew. "I wouldn't advise you to
+try it or the other boarders might get up an indignation meeting."
+
+The same evening Jefferson Pettigrew took out a bag of gold and
+carelessly displayed it.
+
+"Are you not afraid of being robbed, Mr. Pettigrew?" asked Rodney.
+
+"Oh no. I never was robbed in my life."
+
+"How much money have you there?"
+
+"I don't know exactly. Perhaps six hundred dollars," said Pettigrew in
+an indifferent tone.
+
+Among those who listened to this conversation with interest was Louis
+Wheeler. Rodney did not fail to see the covetous gleam of his eyes when
+the gold was displayed.
+
+The fact was, that Wheeler was getting short of cash and at the time
+he took John O'Donnell's money--for he was the thief--he had but about
+twenty dollars left, and of this he contributed five to the relief of
+the man he had robbed.
+
+His theft realized him two hundred dollars, but this would not last him
+long, as the expenses of living at the Miners' Rest were considerable.
+He was getting tired of Oreville, but wanted to secure some additional
+money before he left it. The problem was whom to make his second victim.
+
+It would not have occurred to him to rob Jefferson Pettigrew, of whom he
+stood in wholesome fear, but for the admission that he was an unusually
+sound sleeper; even then he would have felt uncertain whether it would
+pay. But the display of the bag of money, and the statement that it
+contained six hundred dollars in gold proved a tempting bait.
+
+"If I can capture that bag of gold," thought Wheeler, "I shall have
+enough money to set me up in some new place. There won't be much risk
+about it, for Pettigrew sleeps like a top. I will venture it."
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew's chamber was on the same floor as his own. It was
+the third room from No. 17 which Mr. Wheeler occupied.
+
+As a general thing the occupants of the Miners' Rest went to bed early.
+Mining is a fatiguing business, and those who follow it have little
+difficulty in dropping off to sleep. The only persons who were not
+engaged in this business were Louis Wheeler and Rodney Ropes. As a rule
+the hotel was closed at half past ten and before this all were in bed
+and sleeping soundly.
+
+When Wheeler went to bed he said to himself, "This will probably be my
+last night in this tavern. I will go from here to Helena, and if things
+turn out right I may be able to make my stay there profitable. I shan't
+dare to stay here long after relieving Pettigrew of his bag of gold."
+
+Unlike Jefferson Pettigrew, Wheeler was a light sleeper. He had done
+nothing to induce fatigue, and had no difficulty in keeping awake till
+half past eleven. Then lighting a candle, he examined his watch, and
+ascertained the time.
+
+"It will be safe enough now," he said to himself.
+
+He rose from his bed, and drew on his trousers. Then in his stocking
+feet he walked along the corridor till he stood in front of Jefferson
+Pettigrew's door. He was in doubt as to whether he would not be obliged
+to pick the lock, but on trying the door he found that it was not
+fastened. He opened it and stood within the chamber.
+
+Cautiously he glanced at the bed. Mr. Pettigrew appeared to be sleeping
+soundly.
+
+"It's all right," thought Louis Wheeler. "Now where is the bag of gold?"
+
+It was not in open view, but a little search showed that the owner had
+put it under the bed.
+
+"He isn't very sharp," thought Wheeler. "He is playing right into my
+hands. Door unlocked, and bag of gold under the bed. He certainly is a
+very unsuspicious man. However, that is all the better for me. Really
+there isn't much credit in stealing where all is made easy for you."
+
+There seemed to be nothing to do but to take the gold from its place of
+deposit and carry it back to his own room. While there were a good many
+lodgers in the hotel, there seemed to be little risk about this, as
+every one was asleep.
+
+Of course should the bag be found in his room that would betray him,
+but Mr. Wheeler proposed to empty the gold coins into his gripsack, and
+throw the bag out of the window into the back yard.
+
+"Well, here goes!" said Wheeler cheerfully, as he lifted the bag, and
+prepared to leave the chamber. But at this critical moment an unexpected
+sound struck terror into his soul. It was the sound of a key being
+turned in the lock.
+
+Nervously Wheeler hastened to the door and tried it. It would not open.
+Evidently it had been locked from the outside. What could it mean?
+
+At the same time there was a series of knocks on the outside of the
+door. It was the signal that had been agreed upon between Mr. Pettigrew
+and Rodney. Jefferson had given his key to Rodney, who had remained up
+and on the watch for Mr. Wheeler's expected visit. He, too, was in his
+stocking feet.
+
+As soon as he saw Wheeler enter his friend's chamber he stole up and
+locked the door on the outide. Then when he heard the thief trying to
+open the door he rained a shower of knocks on the panel.
+
+Instantly Jefferson Pettigrew sprang out of bed and proceeded to act.
+
+"What are you doing here?" he demanded, seizing Wheeler in his powerful
+grasp.
+
+"Where am I?" asked Wheeler in a tone of apparent bewilderment.
+
+"Oh, it's you, Mr. Wheeler?" said Jefferson. "Don't you know where you
+are?"
+
+"Oh, it is my friend, Mr. Pettigrew. Is it possible I am in your room?"
+
+"It is very possible. Now tell me why you are here?"
+
+"I am really ashamed to find myself in this strange position. It is not
+the first time that I have got into trouble from walking in my sleep."
+
+"Oh, you were walking in your sleep!"
+
+"Yes, friend Petttigrew. It has been a habit of mine since I was a boy.
+But it seems very strange that I should have been led to your room. How
+could I get in? Wasn't the door locked?"
+
+"It is locked now?"
+
+"It is strange! I don't understand it," said Wheeler, passing his hand
+over his forehead.
+
+"Perhaps you understand why you have that bag of gold in your hand."
+
+"Can it be possible?" ejaculated Wheeler in well counterfeited surprise.
+"I don't know how to account for it."
+
+"I think I can. Rodney, unlock the door and come in."
+
+The key was turned in the lock, and Rodney entered with a lighted candle
+in his hand.
+
+"You see, Rodney, that I have a late visitor. You will notice also that
+my bag of gold seems to have had an attraction for him."
+
+"I am ashamed. I don't really know how to explain it except in this way.
+When you displayed the gold last night it drew my attention and I must
+have dreamed of it. It was this which drew me unconsciously to your
+door. It is certainly an interesting fact in mental science."
+
+"It would have been a still more interesting fact if you had carried off
+the gold."
+
+"I might even have done that in my unconsciousness, but of course I
+should have discovered it tomorrow morning and would have returned it to
+you."
+
+"I don't feel by any means sure of that. Look here, Mr. Wheeler, if that
+is your name, you can't pull the wool over my eyes. You are a thief,
+neither more nor less."
+
+"How can you misjudge me so, Mr. Pettigrew?"
+
+"Because I know something of your past history. It is clear to me now
+that you were the person that stole John O'Donnell's money."
+
+"Indeed, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"It is useless to protest. How much of it have you left?"
+
+Louis Wheeler was compelled to acknowledge the theft, and returned one
+hundred dollars to Jefferson Pettigrew.
+
+"Now," said Jefferson, "I advise you to leave the hotel at once. If
+the boys find out that you are a thief you will stand a chance of being
+lynched. Get out!"
+
+The next morning Jefferson Pettigrew told the other boarders that Louis
+Wheeler had had a sudden call East, and it was not for a week that he
+revealed to them the real reason of Wheeler's departure.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+
+RODNEY FALLS INTO A TRAP.
+
+
+Rodney had reason to be satisfied with his position as landlord of the
+Miners' Rest. His pay was large, and enabled him to put away a good sum
+every month, but his hours were long and he was too closely confined
+for a boy of his age. At the end of three months he showed this in his
+appearance. His good friend Pettigrew saw it and said one day, "Rodney,
+you are looking fagged out. You need a change."
+
+"Does that mean that you are going to discharge me?" asked Rodney, with
+a smile.
+
+"It means that I am going to give you a vacation."
+
+"But what can I do if I take a vacation? I should not like lounging
+around Oreville with nothing to do."
+
+"Such a vacation would do you no good. I'll tell you the plan I have for
+you. I own a small mine in Babcock, about fifty miles north of Oreville.
+I will send you up to examine it, and make a report to me. Can you ride
+on horseback?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"That is well, for you will have to make your trip in that way. There
+are no railroads in that direction, nor any other way of travel except
+on foot or on horseback. A long ride like that with hours daily in the
+open air, will do you good. What do you say to it?"
+
+"I should like nothing better," replied Rodney, with his eyes sparkling.
+"Only, how will you get along without me?"
+
+"I have a man in my employ at the mines who will do part of your work,
+and I will have a general oversight of things. So you need not borrow
+any trouble on that account. Do you think you can find your way?"
+
+"Give me the general direction, and I will guarantee to do so. When
+shall I start?"
+
+"Day after tomorrow. That will give me one day for making arrangements."
+
+At nine the appointed morning Mr. Pettigrew's own horse stood saddled
+at the door, and Rodney in traveling costume with a small satchel in his
+hand, mounted and rode away, waving a smiling farewell to his friend and
+employer.
+
+Rodney did not hurry, and so consumed two days and a half in reaching
+Babcock. Here he was cordially received by the superintendent whom
+Jefferson Pettigrew had placed in charge of the mine. Every facility was
+afforded him to examine into the management of things and he found all
+satisfactory.
+
+This part of his journey, therefore, may be passed over. But his return
+trip was destined to be more exciting.
+
+Riding at an easy jog Rodney had got within fifteen miles of Oreville,
+when there was an unexpected interruption. Two men started out from the
+roadside, or rather from one side of the bridle path for there was no
+road, and advanced to meet him with drawn revolvers.
+
+"Halt there!" one of them exclaimed in a commanding tone.
+
+Rodney drew bridle, and gazed at the two men in surprise.
+
+"What do you want of me?" he asked.
+
+"Dismount instantly!"
+
+"Why should I? What right have you to interfere with my journey?"
+
+"Might gives right," said one of the men sententiously. "It will be best
+for you to do as we bid you without too much back talk."
+
+"What are you--highwaymen?" asked Rodney.
+
+"You'd better not talk too much. Get off that horse!"
+
+Rodney saw that remonstrance was useless, and obeyed the order.
+
+One of the men seized the horse by the bridle, and led him.
+
+"Walk in front!" he said.
+
+"Where are you going to take me?" asked Rodney.
+
+"You will know in due time."
+
+"I hope you will let me go," urged Rodney, beginning to be uneasy. "I am
+expected home this evening, or at all event I want to get there."
+
+"No doubt you do, but the Miners' Rest will have to get along without
+you for a while."
+
+"Do you know me then?"
+
+"Yes; you are the boy clerk at the Miners' Rest."
+
+"You both put up there about two weeks since," said Rodney, examining
+closely the faces of the two men.
+
+"Right you are, kid!"
+
+"What can you possibly want of me?"
+
+"Don't be too curious. You will know in good time."
+
+Rodney remembered that the two men had remained at the hotel for a day
+and night. They spent the day in wandering around Oreville.
+
+He had supposed when they came that they were in search of employment,
+but they had not applied for work and only seemed actuated by curiosity.
+What could be their object in stopping him now he could not understand.
+
+It would have been natural to suppose they wanted money, but they had
+not asked for any as yet. He had about fifty dollars in his pocketbook
+and he would gladly have given them this if it would have insured his
+release. But not a word had been said about money.
+
+They kept on their journey. Montana is a mountainous State, and they
+were now in the hilly regions. They kept on for perhaps half an hour,
+gradually getting upon higher ground, until they reached a precipitous
+hill composed largely of rock.
+
+Here the two men stopped as if they had reached their journey's end.
+
+One of them advanced to the side of the hill and unlocked a thick wooden
+door which at first had failed to attract Rodney's attention. The door
+swung open, revealing a dark passage, cut partly through stone and
+partly through earth. Inside on the floor was a bell of good size.
+
+One of the men lifted the bell and rang it loudly.
+
+"What does that mean?" thought Rodney, who felt more curious than
+apprehensive.
+
+He soon learned.
+
+A curious looking negro, stunted in growth, for he was no taller than a
+boy of ten, came out from the interior and stood at the entrance of the
+cave, if such it was. His face was large and hideous, there was a hump
+on his back, and his legs were not a match, one being shorter than the
+other, so that as he walked, his motion was a curious one. He bent a
+scrutinizing glance on Rodney.
+
+"Well, Caesar, is dinner ready?" asked one of the men.
+
+"No, massa, not yet."
+
+"Let it be ready then as soon as possible. But first lead the way. We
+are coming in."
+
+He started ahead, leading the horse, for the entrance was high enough to
+admit the passage of the animal.
+
+"Push on!" said the other, signing to Rodney to precede him.
+
+Rodney did so, knowing remonstrance to be useless. His curiosity was
+excited. He wondered how long the passage was and whither it led.
+
+The way was dark, but here and there in niches was a kerosene lamp that
+faintly relieved the otherwise intense blackness.
+
+"I have read about such places," thought Rodney, "but I never expected
+to get into one. The wonder is, that they should bring me here. I can't
+understand their object."
+
+Rodney followed his guide for perhaps two hundred and fifty feet when
+they emerged into a large chamber of irregular shape, lighted by four
+large lamps set on a square wooden table. There were two rude cots in
+one corner, and it was here apparently that his guides made their home.
+
+There was a large cooking stove in one part of the room, and an
+appetizing odor showed that Caesar had the dinner under way.
+
+Rodney looked about him in curiosity. He could not decide whether the
+cave was natural or artificial. Probably it was a natural cave which had
+been enlarged by the hand of man.
+
+"Now hurry up the dinner, Caesar," said one of the guides. "We are all
+hungry."
+
+"Yes, massa," responded the obedient black.
+
+Rodney felt hungry also, and hoped that he would have a share of the
+dinner. Later he trusted to find out the object of his new acquaintances
+in kidnaping him.
+
+Dinner was soon ready. It was simple, but Rodney thoroughly enjoyed it.
+
+During the meal silence prevailed. After it his new acquaintances
+produced pipes and began to smoke. They offered Rodney a cigarette, but
+he declined it.
+
+"I don't smoke," he said.
+
+"Are you a Sunday school kid?" asked one in a sneering tone.
+
+"Well, perhaps so."
+
+"How long have you lived at Oreville?"
+
+"About four months."
+
+"Who is the head of the settlement there?"
+
+"Jefferson Pettigrew."
+
+"He is the moneyed man, is he?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Is he a friend of yours?"
+
+"He is my best friend," answered Rodney warmly.
+
+"He thinks a good deal of you, then?"
+
+"I think he does."
+
+"Where have you been--on a journey?"
+
+"Yes, to the town of Babcock."
+
+"Did he send you?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What interest has he there?"
+
+"He is chief owner of a mine there."
+
+"Humph! I suppose you would like to know why we brought you here."
+
+"I would very much."
+
+"We propose to hold you for ransom."
+
+"But why should you? I am only a poor boy."
+
+"You are the friend of Jefferson Pettigrew. He is a rich man. If he
+wants you back he must pay a round sum."
+
+It was all out now! These men were emulating a class of outlaws to be
+found in large numbers in Italy and Sicily, and were trading upon human
+sympathy and levying a tax upon human friendship.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+
+UNDERGROUND.
+
+
+Rodney realized his position. The alternative was not a pleasant one.
+Either he must remain in the power of these men, or cost his friend Mr.
+Pettigrew a large sum as ransom. There was little hope of changing the
+determination of his captors, but he resolved to try what he could do.
+
+"Mr. Pettigrew is under no obligations to pay money out for me," he
+said. "I am not related to him, and have not yet known him six months."
+
+"That makes no difference. You are his friend, and he likes you."
+
+"That is the very reason why I should not wish him to lose money on my
+account."
+
+"Oh, very well! It will be bad for you is he doesn't come to your help."
+
+"Why? What do you propose to do to me?" asked Rodney boldly.
+
+"Better not ask!" was the significant reply.
+
+"But I want to know. I want to realize my position."
+
+"The least that will happen to you is imprisonment in this cave for a
+term of years."
+
+"I don't think I should like it but you would get tired of standing
+guard over me."
+
+"We might, and in that case there is the other thing."
+
+"What other thing?"
+
+"If we get tired of keeping you here, we shall make short work with
+you."
+
+"Would you murder me?" asked Rodney, horror struck, as he might well be,
+for death seems terrible to a boy just on the threshold of life.
+
+"We might be obliged to do so."
+
+Rodney looked in the faces of his captors, and he saw nothing to
+encourage him. They looked like desperate men, who would stick at
+nothing to carry out their designs.
+
+"I don't see why you should get hold of me," he said. "If you had
+captured Mr. Pettigrew himself you would stand a better chance of making
+it pay."
+
+"There is no chance of capturing Pettigrew. If there were we would
+prefer him to you. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
+
+"How much ransom do you propose to ask?"
+
+This Rodney said, thinking that if it were a thousand dollars he might
+be able to make it good to his friend Jefferson. But he was destined to
+be disappointed.
+
+"Five thousand dollars," answered the chief speaker.
+
+"Five thousand dollars!" ejaculated Rodney in dismay. "Five thousand
+dollars for a boy like me!"
+
+"That is the sum we want."
+
+"If it were one thousand I think you might get it."
+
+"One thousand!" repeated the other scornfully. "That wouldn't half pay
+us."
+
+"Then suppose you call it two thousand?"
+
+"It won't do."
+
+"Then I suppose I must make up my mind to remain a prisoner."
+
+"Five thousand dollars wouldn't be much to a rich man like Pettigrew.
+We have inquired, and found out that he is worth at least a hundred
+thousand dollars. Five thousand is only a twentieth part of this sum."
+
+"You can do as you please, but you had better ask a reasonable amount if
+you expect to get it."
+
+"We don't want advice. We shall manage things in our own way."
+
+Convinced that further discussion would be unavailing, Rodney relapsed
+into silence, but now his captors proceeded to unfold their plans.
+
+One of them procured a bottle of ink, some paper and a pen, and set them
+on the table.
+
+"Come up here, boy, and write to Mr. Pettigrew," he said in a tone of
+authority.
+
+"What shall I write?"
+
+"Tell him that you are a prisoner, and that you will not be released
+unless he pays five thousand dollars."
+
+"I don't want to write that. It will be the same as asking him to pay it
+for me."
+
+"That is what we mean him to understand."
+
+"I won't write it."
+
+Rodney knew his danger, but he looked resolutely into the eyes of the
+men who held his life in their hands. His voice did not waver, for he
+was a manly and courageous boy.
+
+"The boy's got grit!" said one of the men to the other.
+
+"Yes, but it won't save him. Boy, are you going to write what I told
+you?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Are you not afraid that we will kill you?"
+
+"You have power to do it."
+
+"Don't you want to live?"
+
+"Yes. Life is sweet to a boy of sixteen."
+
+"Then why don't you write?"
+
+"Because I think it would be taking a mean advantage of Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"You are a fool. Roderick, what shall we do with him?"
+
+"Tell him simply to write that he is in our hands."
+
+"Well thought of. Boy, will you do that?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Rodney gave his consent for he was anxious that Mr. Pettigrew should
+know what had prevented him from coming home when he was expected.
+
+"Very well, write! You will know what to say."
+
+Rodney drew the paper to him, and wrote as follows:
+
+
+DEAR MR. PETTIGREW,
+
+On my way home I was stopped by two men who have confined me in a cave,
+and won't let me go unless a sum of money is paid for my ransom. I don't
+know what to do. You will know better than I. RODNEY ROPES.
+
+
+His chief captor took the note and read it aloud.
+
+"That will do," he said. "Now he will believe us when we say that you
+are in our hands."
+
+He signed to Rodney to rise from the table and took his place. Drawing a
+pile of paper to him, he penned the following note:
+
+
+Rodney Ropes is in our hands. He wants his liberty and we want money.
+Send us five thousand dollars, or arrange a meeting at which it can be
+delivered to us, and he shall go free. Otherwise his death be on your
+hands. HIS CAPTORS.
+
+
+Rodney noticed that this missive was written in a handsome business
+hand.
+
+"You write a handsome hand," he said.
+
+"I ought to," was the reply. "I was once bookkeeper in a large business
+house."
+
+"And what--" here Rodney hesitated.
+
+"What made me an outlaw you mean to ask?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"My nature, I suppose. I wasn't cut out for sober, humdrum life."
+
+"Don't you think you would have been happier?"
+
+"No preaching, kid! I had enough of that when I used to go to church in
+my old home in Missouri. Here, Caesar!"
+
+"Yes, massa."
+
+"You know Oreville?"
+
+"Yes, massa."
+
+"Go over there and take this letter with you. Ask for Jefferson
+Pettigrew, and mind you don't tell him where we live. Only if he asks
+about me and my pal say we are desperate men, have each killed a round
+dozen of fellows that stood in our way and will stick at nothing."
+
+"All right, massa," said Caesar with an appreciative grin. "How shall I
+go, massa?"
+
+"You can take the kid's horse. Ride to within a mile of Oreville, then
+tether the horse where he won't easily be found, and walk over to the
+mines. Do you understand?"
+
+"Yes, massa."
+
+"He won't probably give you any money, but he may give you a letter.
+Bring it safely to me."
+
+Caesar nodded and vanished.
+
+For an hour the two men smoked their pipes and chatted. Then they rose,
+and the elder said: "We are going out, kid, for a couple of hours. Are
+you afraid to stay alone?"
+
+"Why should I be?"
+
+"That's the way to talk. I won't caution you not to escape, for it would
+take a smarter lad then you to do it. If you are tired you can lie down
+on the bed and rest."
+
+"All right!"
+
+"I am sorry we haven't got the morning paper for you to look over," said
+his captor with a smile. "The carrier didn't leave it this morning."
+
+"I can get along without it. I don't feel much like reading."
+
+"You needn't feel worried. You'll be out of this tomorrow if Jefferson
+Pettigrew is as much your friend as you think he is."
+
+"The only thing that troubles me is the big price you charge at your
+hotel."
+
+"Good! The kid has a good wit of his own. After all, we wouldn't
+mind keeping you with us. It might pay you better than working for
+Pettigrew."
+
+"I hope you'll excuse my saying it, but I don't like the business."
+
+"You may change your mind. At your age we wouldn't either of us like the
+sort of life we are leading. Come, John."
+
+The two men went out but did not allow Rodney to accompany them to the
+place of exit.
+
+Left to himself, Rodney could think soberly of his plight. He could not
+foresee whether his captivity would be brief or prolonged.
+
+After a time the spirit of curiosity seized him. He felt tempted
+to explore the cavern in which he was confined. He took a lamp, and
+followed in a direction opposite to that taken by his captors.
+
+The cave he found was divided into several irregularly shaped chambers.
+He walked slowly, holding up the lamp to examine the walls of the
+cavern. In one passage he stopped short, for something attracted his
+attention--something the sight of which made his heart beat quicker and
+filled him with excitement.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV.
+
+
+RODNEY'S DISCOVERY.
+
+
+There was a good reason for Rodney's excitement. The walls of the
+subterranean passage revealed distinct and rich indications of gold.
+There was a time, and that not long before, when they would have
+revealed nothing to Rodney, but since his residence at Oreville he had
+more than once visited the mines and made himself familiar with surface
+indications of mineral deposit.
+
+He stopped short and scanned attentively the walls of the passage.
+
+"If I am not mistaken," he said to himself, "this will make one of the
+richest mines in Montana. But after all what good will it do me? Here am
+I a prisoner, unable to leave the cave, or communicate with my friends.
+If Mr. Pettigrew knew what I do he would feel justified in paying the
+ransom these men want."
+
+Rodney wondered how these rich deposits had failed to attract the
+attention of his captors, but he soon settled upon the conclusion that
+they had no knowledge of mines or mining, and were ignorant of the
+riches that were almost in their grasp.
+
+"Shall I enlighten them?" he asked himself.
+
+It was a question which he could not immediately answer. He resolved to
+be guided by circumstances.
+
+In order not to excite suspicion he retraced his steps to the apartment
+used by his captors as a common sitting room--carefully fixing in his
+mind the location of the gold ore.
+
+We must now follow the messenger who had gone to Oreville with a letter
+from Rodney's captors.
+
+As instructed, he left his horse, or rather Rodney's, tethered at some
+distance from the settlement and proceeded on foot to the Miners' Rest.
+His strange appearance excited attention and curiosity. Both these
+feelings would have been magnified had it been known on what errand he
+came.
+
+"Where can I find Mr. Jefferson Pettigrew?" he asked of a man whom he
+saw on the veranda.
+
+"At the Griffin Mine," answered the other, removing the pipe from his
+mouth.
+
+"Where is that?"
+
+"Over yonder. Are you a miner?"
+
+"No. I know nothing about mines."
+
+"Then why do you want to see Jefferson? I thought you might want a
+chance to work in the mine."
+
+"No; I have other business with him--business of importance," added the
+black dwarf emphatically.
+
+"If that is the case I'll take you to him. I am always glad to be of
+service to Jefferson."
+
+"Thank you. He will thank you, too."
+
+The man walked along with a long, swinging gait which made it difficult
+for Caesar to keep up with him.
+
+"So you have business with Jefferson?" said the man with the pipe, whose
+curiosity had been excited.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Of what sort?"
+
+"I will tell him," answered Caesar shortly.
+
+"So its private, is it?"
+
+"Yes. If he wants to tell you he will."
+
+"That's fair. Well, come along! Am I walking too fast for you?"
+
+"Your legs are much longer than mine."
+
+"That's so. You are a little shrimp. I declare."
+
+A walk of twenty minutes brought them to the Griffin Mine. Jefferson
+Pettigrew was standing near, giving directions to a party of miners.
+
+"Jefferson," said the man with the pipe, "here's a chap that wants to
+see you on business of importance. That is, he says it is."
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew wheeled round and looked at Caesar.
+
+"Well," he said, "what is it?"
+
+"I have a letter for you, massa."
+
+"Give it to me."
+
+Jefferson took the letter and cast his eye over it. As he read it his
+countenance changed and became stern and severe.
+
+"Do you know what is in this letter?" he asked.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Come with me."
+
+He led Caesar to a place out of earshot.
+
+"What fiend's game is this?" he demanded sternly.
+
+"I can't tell you, massa; I'm not in it."
+
+"Who are those men that have written to me?"
+
+"I don't know their right names. I calls 'em Massa John and Massa Dick."
+
+"It seems they have trapped a boy friend of mine, Rodney Ropes. Did you
+see him?"
+
+"Yes; I gave him a good dinner."
+
+"That is well. If they should harm a hair of his head I wouldn't
+rest till I had called them to account. Where have they got the boy
+concealed?"
+
+"I couldn't tell you, massa."
+
+"You mean, you won't tell me."
+
+"Yes. It would be as much as my life is worth."
+
+"Humph, well! I suppose you must be faithful to your employer. Do you
+know that these men want me to pay five thousand dollars for the return
+of the boy?"
+
+"Yes, I heard them talking about it."
+
+"That is a new kind of rascality. Do they expect you to bring back an
+answer?"
+
+"Yes, massa."
+
+"I must think. What will they do to the boy if I don't give them the
+money?"
+
+"They might kill him."
+
+"If they do--but I must have time to think the matter over. Are you
+expected to go back this afternoon?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Can you get back? It must be a good distance."
+
+"I can get back."
+
+"Stay here. I will consult some of my friends and see if I can raise the
+money."
+
+"Very well, massa." One of those whom Jefferson called into consultation
+was the person who had guided Caesar to the Griffin Mine.
+
+Quickly the proprietor of the Miners' Rest unfolded the situation.
+
+"Now," he said, "I want two of you to follow this misshapen dwarf, and
+find out where he comes from. I want to get hold of the scoundrels who
+sent him to me."
+
+"I will be one," said the man with the pipe.
+
+"Very well, Fred."
+
+"And I will go with Fred," said a long limbed fellow who had been a
+Kansas cowboy.
+
+"I accept you, Otto. Go armed, and don't lose sight of him."
+
+"Shall you send the money?"
+
+"Not I. I will send a letter that will encourage them to hope for it. I
+want to gain time."
+
+"Any instructions, Jefferson?"
+
+"Only this, if you see these men, capture or kill them."
+
+"All right."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV.
+
+
+A BLOODY CONFLICT.
+
+
+This was the letter that was handed to Caesar:
+
+
+I have received your note. I must have time to think, and time perhaps
+to get hold of the gold. Don't harm a hair of the boy's head. If so, I
+will hunt you to death.
+
+JEFFERSON PETTIGREW.
+
+
+P.S.--Meet me tomorrow morning at the rocky gorge at the foot of Black
+Mountain. Ten o'clock.
+
+
+Caesar took the letter, and bent his steps in the direction of the place
+where he had tethered his horse. He did not observe that he was
+followed by two men, who carefully kept him in sight, without attracting
+attention to themselves.
+
+When Caesar reached the place where he had tethered the horse, he was
+grievously disappointed at not finding him. One of the miners in
+roaming about had come upon the animal, and knowing him to be Jefferson
+Pettigrew's property, untied him and rode him back to Oreville.
+
+The dwarf threw up his hands in dismay.
+
+"The horse is gone!" he said in his deep bass voice, "and now I must
+walk back, ten long miles, and get a flogging at the end for losing
+time. It's hard luck," he groaned.
+
+The loss was fortunate for Fred and Otto who would otherwise have found
+it hard to keep up with the dwarf.
+
+Caesar breathed a deep sigh, and then started on his wearisome journey.
+Had the ground been even it would have troubled him less, but there was
+a steep upward grade, and his short legs were soon weary. Not so with
+his pursuers, both of whom were long limbed and athletic.
+
+We will go back now to the cave and the captors of Rodney. They waited
+long and impatiently for the return of their messenger. Having no
+knowledge of the loss of the horse, they could not understand what
+detained Caesar.
+
+"Do you think the rascal has played us false?" said Roderick.
+
+"He would be afraid to."
+
+"This man Pettigrew might try to bribe him. It would be cheaper than to
+pay five thousand dollars."
+
+"He wouldn't dare. He knows what would happen to him," said John grimly.
+
+"Then why should he be so long?"
+
+"That I can't tell."
+
+"Suppose we go out to meet him. I begin to feel anxious lest we have
+trusted him too far."
+
+"I am with you!"
+
+The two outlaws took the path which led to Oreville, and walked two
+miles before they discovered Caesar coming towards them at a slow and
+melancholy gait.
+
+"There he is, and on foot! What does it mean?"
+
+"He will tell us."
+
+"Here now, you black imp! where is the horse?" demanded Roderick.
+
+"I done lost him, massa."
+
+"Lost him? You'll get a flogging for this, unless you bring good news.
+Did you see Jefferson Pettigrew?"
+
+"Yes, massa."
+
+"Did he give you any money?"
+
+"No; he gave me this letter."
+
+Roderick snatched it from his hand, and showed it to John.
+
+"It seems satisfactory," he said. "Now how did you lose the horse?"
+
+Caesar told him.
+
+"You didn't fasten him tight."
+
+"Beg your pardon, massa, but I took good care of that."
+
+"Well, he's gone; was probably stolen. That is unfortunate; however you
+may not have been to blame."
+
+Luckily for Caesar the letter which he brought was considered
+satisfactory, and this palliated his fault in losing the horse.
+
+The country was so uneven that the two outlaws did not observe that they
+were followed, until they came to the entrance of the cave. Then, before
+opening the door, John looked round and caught sight of Fred and Otto
+eying them from a little distance.
+
+He instantly took alarm.
+
+"Look," he said, "we are followed. Look behind you!"
+
+His brother turned and came to the same conclusion.
+
+"Caesar," said Roderick, "did you ever see those men before?"
+
+"No, massa."
+
+"They must have followed you from Oreville. Hello, you two!" he added
+striding towards the miners. "What do you want here?"
+
+Fred and Otto had accomplished their object in ascertaining the place
+where Rodney was confined, and no longer cared for concealment.
+
+"None of your business!" retorted Fred independently. "The place is as
+free to us as to you."
+
+"Are you spies?"
+
+"I don't intend to answer any of your questions."
+
+"Clear out of here!" commanded Roderick in a tone of authority.
+
+"Suppose we don't?"
+
+Roderick was a man of quick temper, and had never been in the habit of
+curbing it. He was provoked by the independent tone of the speaker, and
+without pausing to think of the imprudence of his actions, he raised his
+rifle and pointing at Fred shot him in the left arm.
+
+The two miners were both armed, and were not slow in accepting the
+challenge. Simultaneously they raised their rifles and fired at the two
+men. The result was that both fell seriously wounded and Caesar set up a
+howl of dismay, not so much for his masters as from alarm for himself.
+
+Fred and Otto came forward, and stood looking down upon the outlaws, who
+were in the agonies of death.
+
+"It was our lives or theirs," said Fred coolly, for he had been long
+enough in Montana to become used to scenes of bloodshed.
+
+"Yes," answered Otto. "I think these two men are the notorious Dixon
+brothers who are credited with a large number of murders. The country
+will be well rid of them."
+
+Roderick turned his glazing eyes upon the tall miner. "I wish I had
+killed you," he muttered.
+
+"No doubt you do. It wouldn't have been your first murder."
+
+"Don't kill me, massa!" pleaded Caesar in tones of piteous entreaty.
+
+"I don't know," answered Fred. "That depends on yourself. If you obey us
+strictly we will spare you."
+
+"Try me, massa!"
+
+"You black hound!" said Roderick hoarsely. "If I were not disabled I'd
+kill you myself."
+
+Here was a new danger for poor Caesar, for he knew Roderick's fierce
+temper.
+
+"Don't let him kill me!" he exclaimed, affrighted.
+
+"He shall do you no harm. Will you obey me?"
+
+"Tell me what you want, massa."
+
+"Is the boy these men captured inside?"
+
+"Yes, massa."
+
+"Open the cave, then. We want him."
+
+"Don't do it," said Roderick, but Caesar saw at a glance that his old
+master, of whom he stood in wholesome fear, was unable to harm him, and
+he proceeded to unlock the door.
+
+"Go and call the boy!" said Fred.
+
+Caesar disappeared within the cavern, and soon emerged with Rodney
+following him.
+
+"Are you unhurt?" asked Fred anxiously.
+
+"Yes, and overjoyed to see you. How came you here?"
+
+"We followed the nigger from Oreville."
+
+What happened afterwards Rodney did not need to inquire, for the two
+outstretched figures, stiffening in death, revealed it to him.
+
+"They are the Dixon brothers, are they not?" asked Fred, turning to
+Caesar.
+
+"Yes, massa."
+
+"Then we are entitled to a thousand dollars each for their capture. I
+have never before shed blood, but I don't regret ending the career of
+these scoundrels."
+
+Half an hour later the two outlaws were dead and Rodney and his friends
+were on their way back to Oreville.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI.
+
+
+THE RODNEY MINE.
+
+
+Rodney was received by Jefferson Pettigrew with open arms.
+
+"Welcome home, boy!" he said. "I was very much worried about you."
+
+"I was rather uneasy about myself," returned Rodney.
+
+"Well, it's all over, and all's well that ends well. You are free and
+there has been no money paid out. Fred and Otto have done a good thing
+in ridding the world of the notorious Dixon brothers. They will be
+well paid, for I understand there is a standing reward of one thousand
+dollars for each of them dead or alive. I don't know but you ought
+to have a share of this, for it was through you that the outlaws were
+trapped."
+
+"No, Mr. Pettigrew, they are welcome to the reward. If I am not mistaken
+I shall make a good deal more out of it than they."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+Upon this Rodney told the story of what he had seen in the cavern.
+
+"When I said I, I meant we, Mr. Pettigrew. I think if the gold there is
+as plentiful as I think it is we shall do well to commence working it."
+
+"It is yours, Rodney, by right of first discovery."
+
+"I prefer that you should share it with me."
+
+"We will go over tomorrow and make an examination. Was there any one
+else who seemed to have a claim to the cave except the Dixons?"
+
+"No. The negro, Caesar, will still be there, perhaps."
+
+"We can easily get rid of him."
+
+The next day the two friends went over to the cavern. Caesar was still
+there, but he had an unsettled, restless look, and seemed undecided what
+to do.
+
+"What are you going to do, Caesar?" asked Pettigrew. "Are you going to
+stay here?"
+
+"I don't know, massa. I don't want to lib here. I'm afraid I'll see the
+ghostes of my old massas. But I haven't got no money."
+
+"If you had money where would you go?"
+
+"I'd go to Chicago. I used to be a whitewasher, and I reckon I'd get
+work at my old trade."
+
+"That's where you are sensible, Caesar. This is no place for you. Now
+I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll give you a hundred dollars, and you can
+go where you like. But I shall want you to go away at once."
+
+"I'll go right off, massa," said Caesar, overjoyed. "I don't want to
+come here no more."
+
+"Have you got anything belonging to you in the cave?"
+
+"No, massa, only a little kit of clothes."
+
+"Take them and go."
+
+In fifteen minutes Caesar had bidden farewell to his home, and Rodney
+and Jefferson were left in sole possession of the cavern.
+
+"Now, Mr. Pettigrew, come and let me show you what I saw. I hope I have
+made no mistake."
+
+Rodney led the way to the narrow passage already described. By the light
+of a lantern Mr. Pettigrew examined the walls. For five minutes not a
+word was said.
+
+"Well, what do you think of it?" asked Rodney anxiously.
+
+"Only this: that you have hit upon the richest gold deposits in Montana.
+Here is a mining prospect that will make us both rich."
+
+"I am glad I was not mistaken," said Rodney simply.
+
+"Your capture by the Dixon brothers will prove to have been the luckiest
+event in your life. I shall lose no time in taking possession in our
+joint name."
+
+There was great excitement when the discovery of the gold deposit was
+made known. In connection with the killing of the outlaws, it was noised
+far and wide. The consequence was that there was an influx of mining
+men, and within a week Rodney and Jefferson were offered a hundred
+thousand dollars for a half interest in the mine by a Chicago syndicate.
+
+"Say a hundred and fifty thousand, and we accept the offer," said
+Jefferson Pettigrew.
+
+After a little haggling this offer was accepted, and Rodney found
+himself the possessor of seventy five thousand dollars in cash.
+
+"It was fortunate for me when I fell in with you, Mr. Pettigrew," he
+said.
+
+"And no less fortunate for me, Rodney. This mine will bring us in a rich
+sum for our share, besides the cash we already have in hand."
+
+"If you don't object, Mr. Pettigrew, I should like to go to New York and
+continue my education. You can look after my interest here, and I shall
+be willing to pay you anything you like for doing so."
+
+"There won't be any trouble about that, Rodney. I don't blame you for
+wanting to obtain an education. It isn't in my line. You can come out
+once a year, and see what progress we are making. The mine will be
+called the Rodney Mine after you."
+
+The Miners' Rest was sold to the steward, as Mr. Pettigrew was too busy
+to attend to it, and in a week Rodney was on his way to New York.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII.
+
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+
+Otis Goodnow arrived at his place of business a little earlier than
+usual, and set himself to looking over his mail. Among other letters was
+one written on paper bearing the name of the Fifth Avenue Hotel. He came
+to this after a time and read it.
+
+It ran thus:
+
+
+DEAR SIR:
+
+I was once in your employ, though you may not remember my name. I was in
+the department of Mr. Redwood, and there I became acquainted with Jasper
+Redwood, his nephew. I was discharged, it is needless to recall why. I
+had saved nothing, and of course I was greatly embarrassed. I could not
+readily obtain another place, and in order to secure money to pay living
+expenses I entered into an arrangement with Jasper Redwood to sell me
+articles, putting in more than I paid for. These I was enabled to sell
+at a profit to smaller stores. This was not as profitable as it might
+have been to me, as I was obliged to pay Jasper a commission for
+his agency. Well, after a time it was ascertained that articles were
+missing, and search was made for the thief. Through a cunningly devised
+scheme of Jasper's the theft was ascribed to Rodney Ropes, a younger
+clerk, and he was discharged. Ropes was a fine young fellow, and I have
+always been sorry that he got into trouble through our agency, but there
+seemed no help for it. It must rest on him or us. He protested
+his innocence, but was not believed. I wish to say now that he was
+absolutely innocent, and only Jasper and myself were to blame. If you
+doubt my statement I will call today, and you may confront me with
+Jasper. I desire that justice should be done.
+                                            PHILIP CARTON.
+
+
+"Call Mr. Redwood," said the merchant, summoning a boy.
+
+In five minutes Mr. Redwood entered the office of his employer.
+
+"You sent for me, sir?"
+
+"Yes, Mr. Redwood; cast your eye over this letter."
+
+James Redwood read the letter, and his face showed the agitation he
+felt.
+
+"I don't know anything about this, Mr. Goodnow," he said at last.
+
+"It ought to be inquired into."
+
+"I agree with you. If my nephew is guilty I want to know it."
+
+"We will wait till the writer of this letter calls. Do you remember
+him?"
+
+"Yes, sir; he was discharged for intemperance."
+
+At twelve o'clock Philip Carton made his appearance, and asked to be
+conducted to Mr. Goodnow's private office.
+
+"You are the writer of this letter?" asked the merchant.
+
+"Yes sir."
+
+"And you stand by the statement it contains?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Why, at this late day, have you made a confession?"
+
+"Because I wish to do justice to Rodney Ropes, who has been unjustly
+accused, and also because I have been meanly treated by Jasper Redwood,
+who has thrown me over now that he has no further use for me."
+
+"Are you willing to repeat your statement before him?"
+
+"I wish to do so."
+
+"Call Jasper Redwood, Sherman," said the merchant, addressing himself to
+Sherman White, a boy recently taken into his employ.
+
+Jasper entered the office, rather surprised at the summons. When he saw
+his accomplice, he changed color, and looked confused.
+
+"Jasper," said the merchant, "read this letter and tell me what you have
+to say in reply."
+
+Jasper ran his eye over the letter, while his color came and went.
+
+"Well?"
+
+"It's a lie," said Jasper hoarsely.
+
+"Do you still insist that the articles taken from my stock were taken by
+Rodney Ropes?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"What do you say, Mr. Carton?"
+
+"Not one was taken by Rodney Ropes. Jasper and I are responsible for
+them all."
+
+"What proof can you bring?"
+
+"Mr. James Redwood will recall the purchase I made at the time of the
+thefts. He will recall that I always purchased of Jasper."
+
+"That is true," said Mr. Redwood in a troubled voice.
+
+"Do you confess, Jasper Redwood?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"If you will tell the truth, I will see that no harm comes to you. I
+want to clear this matter up."
+
+Jasper thought the matter over. He saw that the game was up--and decided
+rapidly that confession was the best policy.
+
+"Very well, sir, if I must I will do so, but that man put me up to it."
+
+"You did not need any putting up to it. I wish young Ropes were here,
+that I might clear him."
+
+As if in answer to the wish a bronzed and manly figure appeared at the
+office door. It was Rodney, but taller and more robust than when he left
+the store nearly a year before.
+
+"Rodney Ropes!" ejaculated Jasper in great surprise.
+
+"Yes, Jasper, I came here to see you, and beg you to free me from the
+false charge which was brought against me when I was discharged from
+this store. I didn't find you in your usual places, and was directed
+here."
+
+"Ropes," said Mr. Goodnow, "your innocence has been established. This
+man," indicating Philip Carton, "has confessed that it was he and Jasper
+who stole the missing articles."
+
+"I am thankful that my character has been cleared."
+
+"I am ready to take you back into my employ."
+
+"Thank you, sir, but I have now no need of a position. I shall be glad
+if you will retain Jasper."
+
+"You are very generous to one who has done so much to injure you."
+
+"Indirectly he put me in the way of making a fortune. If you will retain
+him, Mr. Goodnow, I will guarantee to make up any losses you may incur
+from him."
+
+"How is this? Are you able to make this guarantee?"
+
+"I am worth seventy five thousand dollars in money, besides being owner
+of a large mining property in Montana."
+
+"This is truly wonderful! And you have accumulated all this since you
+left my store?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Rodney," said Jasper, going up to his old rival, and offering his hand.
+"I am sorry I tried to injure you. It was to save myself, but I see now
+how meanly I acted."
+
+"That speech has saved you," said the merchant. "Go back to your work. I
+will give you another chance."
+
+"Will you take me back also, Mr. Goodnow?" asked Philip Carton.
+
+The merchant hesitated.
+
+"No, Mr. Carton," said Rodney. "I will look out for you. I will send
+you to Montana with a letter to my partner. You can do better there than
+here."
+
+Tears came into the eyes of the ex-clerk.
+
+"Thank you," he said gratefully. "I should prefer it. I will promise to
+turn over a new leaf; and justify your recommendation."
+
+"Come to see me this evening at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and I will
+arrange matters."
+
+"Shall you stay in the city long, Ropes?" asked the merchant.
+
+"About a week."
+
+"Come and dine with me on Tuesday evening."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+
+Later in the day Rodney sought out his old room mate Mike Flynn. He
+found Mike in a bad case. He had a bad cold, but did not dare to give up
+work, because he wouldn't be able to meet his bills. He was still in the
+employ of the District Telegraph Company.
+
+"Give the company notice, Mike," said Rodney. "Henceforth I will take
+care of you. You can look upon me as your rich uncle," he added with a
+smile.
+
+"I will be your servant, Rodney."
+
+"Not a bit of it. You will be my friend. But you must obey me
+implicitly. I am going to send you to school, and give you a chance
+to learn something. Next week I shall return to Dr. Sampson's boarding
+school and you will go with me as my friend and room mate."
+
+"But, Rodney, you will be ashamed of me. I am awfully shabby."
+
+"You won't be long. You shall be as well dressed as I am."
+
+A week later the two boys reached the school. It would have been hard
+for any of Mike's old friends to recognize him in the handsomely dressed
+boy who accompanied Rodney.
+
+"Really, Mike, you are quite good looking, now that you are well
+dressed," said Rodney.
+
+"Oh, go away with you, Rodney? It's fooling me you are!"
+
+"Not a bit of it. Now I want you to improve your time and learn as fast
+as you can."
+
+"I will, Rodney."
+
+A year later Rodney left school, but he kept Mike there two years
+longer. There had been a great change in the telegraph boy, who was
+quick to learn. He expects, when he leaves school, to join Rodney in
+Montana.
+
+I will not attempt to estimate Rodney's present wealth, but he is
+already prominent in financial circles in his adopted State. Philip
+Carton is prospering, and is respected by his new friends, who know
+nothing of his earlier life.
+
+As I write, Rodney has received a letter from his old guardian, Benjamin
+Fielding. The letter came from Montreal.
+
+"My dear Rodney," he wrote. "I have worked hard to redeem the past, and
+restore to you your fortune. I have just succeeded, and send you the
+amount with interest. It leaves me little or nothing, but my mind is
+relieved. I hope you have not had to suffer severely from my criminal
+carelessness, and that you will live long to enjoy what rightfully
+belongs to you."
+
+In reply Rodney wrote: "Please draw on me for fifty thousand dollars.
+I do not need it, and you do. Five years from now, if you can spare the
+money you may send it to me. Till then use it without interest. I am
+worth much more than the sum my father intrusted to you for me."
+
+This offer was gratefully accepted, and Mr. Fielding is now in New York,
+where he is likely to experience a return of his former prosperity.
+
+As for Rodney, his trials are over. They made a man of him, and proved a
+blessing in disguise.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Cast Upon the Breakers, by Horatio Alger
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #399 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/399)
diff --git a/old/399-h.htm.2021-01-27 b/old/399-h.htm.2021-01-27
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+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en">
+  <head>
+    <title>
+      Cast Upon the Breakers, by Horatio Alger, Jr.
+    </title>
+    <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve">
+
+    body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify}
+    P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; }
+    H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; }
+    hr  { width: 50%; text-align: center;}
+    .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; }
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+    .mynote    {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;}
+    .toc       { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;}
+    .toc2      { margin-left: 20%;}
+    div.fig    { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; }
+    div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; }
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+    .pagenum   {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal;
+               margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%;
+               text-align: right;}
+    pre        { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;}
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+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Cast Upon the Breakers, by Horatio Alger
+
+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: Cast Upon the Breakers
+
+Author: Horatio Alger
+
+Release Date: January 16, 2006 [EBook #399]
+Last Updated: January 9, 2019
+
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAST UPON THE BREAKERS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Keller and David Widger
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <h1>
+      CAST UPON THE BREAKERS
+    </h1>
+    <h2>
+      by Horatio Alger, Jr.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <hr />
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <blockquote>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big>
+      </p>
+      <p>
+        <br />
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. -- A FAITHLESS GUARDIAN. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. -- THE CASKET OF JEWELS. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. -- A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. -- IN PURSUIT OF A THIEF. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. -- A YOUNG FINANCIAL WRECK. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. -- AN IMPUDENT ADVENTURER. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. -- AT THE NEWSBOY’S LODGING HOUSE. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. -- RODNEY FINDS A PLACE. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. -- THE FIRST DAY AT WORK. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. -- MIKE PUTS ON A UNIFORM. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. -- MISSING GOODS. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. -- WHAT WAS FOUND IN RODNEY’S ROOM. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. -- CHARGED WITH THEFT. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. -- RODNEY IS DISCHARGED. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. -- A RICH FIND. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. -- A SURPRISING TURN OF FORTUNE. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. -- JASPER’S PERPLEXITY. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. -- RODNEY’S SECRET IS DISCOVERED. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. -- JASPER’S REVENGE. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. -- RODNEY LOSES HIS PUPIL. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. -- CONTINUED ILL LUCK. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. -- AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE TURNS UP. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII. -- MR. WHEELER HAS A SET BACK. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. -- A CHANGE OF SCENE. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV. -- JEFFERSON PETTIGREW’S HOME. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI. -- THE BOY CAPITALIST. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII. -- THE FAILURE OF SQUIRE SHELDON’S PLOT. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII. -- A MINISTER’S GOOD FORTUNE. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX. -- A MINING TOWN IN MONTANA. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XXX. -- THE MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XXXI. -- MR. WHEELER EXPLAINS. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER XXXII. -- RODNEY FALLS INTO A TRAP. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0033"> CHAPTER XXXIII. -- UNDERGROUND. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0034"> CHAPTER XXXIV. -- RODNEY’S DISCOVERY. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0035"> CHAPTER XXXV. -- A BLOODY CONFLICT. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0036"> CHAPTER XXXVI. -- THE RODNEY MINE. </a>
+      </p>
+      <p class="toc">
+        <a href="#link2HCH0037"> CHAPTER XXXVII. -- CONCLUSION. </a>
+      </p>
+
+      <p>
+        <br /> <br />
+      </p>
+    </blockquote>
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <hr />
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER I.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A FAITHLESS GUARDIAN.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, good by, Rodney! I leave school tomorrow. I am going to learn a
+      trade.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry to part with you, David. Couldn&rsquo;t you stay another term?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No: my uncle says I must be earning my living, and I have a chance to
+      learn the carpenter&rsquo;s trade.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are you going?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To Duffield, some twenty miles away. I wish I were in your shoes. You
+      have no money cares, and can go on quietly and complete your education.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know how I am situated, David. I only know that my guardian pays
+      my expenses at this boarding school.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, you are a star boarder, and have the nicest room in the institution.
+      I am only a poor day scholar. Still I feel thankful that I have been
+      allowed to remain as long as I have. Who is your guardian?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A Mr. Benjamin Fielding, of New York.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is he a business man?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I believe so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know how much you will inherit when you come of age?&rdquo; asked David,
+      after a short pause.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t an idea.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems to me your guardian ought to have told you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I scarcely know my guardian. Five years ago I spent a week at his home. I
+      don&rsquo;t remember much about it except that he lives in a handsome house, and
+      has plenty of servants. Since then, as you know, I have passed most of my
+      time here, except that in the summer I was allowed to board at the
+      Catskills or any country place I might select.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, and I remember one year you took me with you and paid all my
+      expenses. I shall never forget your kindness, and how much I enjoyed that
+      summer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney Ropes smiled, and his smile made his usually grave face look very
+      attractive.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My dear David,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;it was all selfishness on my part. I knew I
+      should enjoy myself much better with a companion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may call that selfishness, Rodney, but it is a kind of selfishness
+      that makes me your devoted friend. How long do you think you shall remain
+      at school?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. My guardian has never told me his plans for me. I wish he
+      would.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall miss you, Rodney, but we will correspond, won&rsquo;t we?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Surely. You know I shall always feel interested in you and your welfare.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      David was a plain boy of humble parentage, and would probably be a hard
+      working mechanic. In fact he was looking for nothing better.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But Rodney Ropes looked to be of genteel blood, and had the air of one who
+      had been brought up a gentleman. But different as they were in social
+      position the two boys had always been devoted friends.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The boarding school of which Rodney was, as his friend expressed himself,
+      a star pupil, was situated about fifty miles from the city of New York. It
+      was under the charge of Dr. Sampson, a tall, thin man of fair scholarship,
+      keenly alive to his own interest, who showed partiality for his richer
+      pupils, and whenever he had occasion to censure bore most heavily upon
+      boys like David Hull, who was poor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney occupied alone the finest room in the school. There was a great
+      contrast between his comfortable quarters and the extremely plain
+      dormitories occupied by less favored pupils.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the case of some boys the favoritism of the teacher would have led them
+      to put on airs, and made them unpopular with their school fellows. But
+      Rodney had too noble a nature to be influenced by such considerations. He
+      enjoyed his comfortable room, but treated his school fellows with a frank
+      cordiality that made him a general favorite.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After David left his room Rodney sat down to prepare a lesson in Cicero,
+      when he was interrupted by the entrance through the half open door of a
+      younger boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;the doctor would like to see you in his office.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, Brauner, I will go down at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He put aside his book and went down to the office of Dr. Sampson on the
+      first floor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The doctor was sitting at his desk. He turned slightly as Rodney entered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Take a seat, Ropes,&rdquo; he said curtly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His tone was so different from his usual cordiality that Rodney was
+      somewhat surprised.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Am I in disgrace?&rdquo; he asked himself. &ldquo;Dr. Sampson doesn&rsquo;t seem as
+      friendly as usual.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      After a brief interval Dr. Sampson wheeled round in his office chair.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have a letter for you from your guardian, Ropes,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Here it is.
+      Do me the favor to read it here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      With some wonder Rodney took the letter and read as follows:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      DEAR RODNEY&mdash;I have bad news to communicate. As you know, I was left
+      by your father in charge of you and your fortune. I have never told you
+      the amount, but I will say now that it was about fifty thousand dollars.
+      Until two years since I kept it intact but then began a series of reverses
+      in which my own fortune was swallowed up. In the hope of relieving myself
+      I regret to say that I was tempted to use your money. That went also, and
+      now of the whole sum there remains but enough to pay the balance of your
+      school bills, leaving you penniless. How much I regret this I cannot tell
+      you. I shall leave New York at once. I do not care at present to say where
+      I shall go, but I shall try to make good the loss, and eventually restore
+      to you your lost fortune. I may be successful or I may not. I shall do my
+      best and I hope in time to have better news to communicate.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One thing I am glad to say. I have a casket containing your mother&rsquo;s
+      jewels. These are intact. I shall send you the casket by express, knowing
+      that you will wish to keep them out of regard for your mother&rsquo;s memory. In
+      case you are reduced to the necessity of pawning or selling them, I am
+      sure that your mother, could she be consulted, would advise you to do so.
+      This would be better than to have you suffer from want.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There is nothing further for me to write except to repeat my regret, and
+      renew my promise to make up your lost fortune if I shall ever to able to
+      do so. Your Guardian, BENJAMIN FIELDING.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney read this like one dazed. In an instant he was reduced from the
+      position of a favorite of fortune to a needy boy, with his living to make.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He could not help recalling what had passed between his friend David and
+      himself earlier in the day. Now he was as poor as David&mdash;poorer, in
+      fact for David had a chance to learn a trade that would yield him a
+      living, while he was utterly without resources, except in having an
+      unusually good education.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Dr. Sampson, &ldquo;have you read your letter?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your guardian wrote to me also. This is his letter,&rdquo; and he placed the
+      brief epistle in Rodney&rsquo;s hands.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      DR. SAMPSON&mdash;I have written my ward, Rodney Ropes, an important
+      letter which he will show you. The news which it contains will make it
+      necessary for him to leave school. I inclose a check for one hundred and
+      twenty five dollars. Keep whatever is due you, and give him the balance.
+      BENJAMIN FIELDING.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have read the letter, but I don&rsquo;t know what it means,&rdquo; said Dr.
+      Sampson. &ldquo;Can you throw any light upon it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here is my letter, doctor. You can read it for yourself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Dr. Sampson&rsquo;s face changed as he read Rodney&rsquo;s letter. It changed and
+      hardened, and his expression became quite different from that to which
+      Rodney had been accustomed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is a bad business, Ropes,&rdquo; said the doctor in a hard tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He had always said Rodney before.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That was a handsome fortune which your father left you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir. I never knew before how much it amounted to.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You only learn when you have lost it. Mr. Fielding has treated you
+      shamefully.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, I suppose he has, but he says he will try to make it up to me
+      in the future.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Pish! that is all humbug. Even if he is favored by fortune you will never
+      get back a cent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I shall, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are young. You do not know the iniquities of business men. I do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I prefer to hope for the best.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just as you please.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you anything more to say to me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Only that I will figure up your account and see how much money is to come
+      to you out of the check your guardian has sent. You can stay here till
+      Monday; then you will find it best to make new arrangements.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney left the room, realizing that Dr. Sampson&rsquo;s feelings had been
+      changed by his pupil&rsquo;s reverse of fortune.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was the way of the world, but it was not a pleasant way, and Rodney
+      felt depressed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER II.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      THE CASKET OF JEWELS.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was not till the latter part of the afternoon that the casket arrived.
+      Rodney was occupied with a recitation, and it was only in the evening that
+      he got an opportunity to open it. There was a pearl necklace, very
+      handsome, a pair of bracelets, two gold chains, some minor articles of
+      jewelry and a gold ring.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A locket attracted Rodney&rsquo;s notice, and he opened it. It contained the
+      pictures of his father and mother.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His father he could barely remember, his mother died before he was old
+      enough to have her image impressed upon his memory. He examined the locket
+      and his heart was saddened. He felt how different his life would have been
+      had his parents lived.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He had never before realized the sorrow of being alone in the world.
+      Misfortune had come upon him, and so far as he knew he had not a friend.
+      Even Dr. Sampson, who had been paid so much money on his account, and who
+      had always professed so great friendship for him, had turned cold.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As he was standing with the locket in his hand there was a knock at the
+      door.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come in!&rdquo; he called out.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The door opened and a stout, coarse looking boy, dressed in an expensive
+      manner, entered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good evening, John,&rdquo; said Rodney, but not cordially.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Next to himself, John Bundy, who was the son of a wealthy saloon keeper in
+      the city of New York, had been a favorite with Dr. Sampson.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      If there was anything Dr. Sampson bowed down to and respected it was
+      wealth, and Mr. Bundy, senior, was reputed to be worth a considerable
+      fortune.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In Rodney&rsquo;s mood John Bundy was about the last person whom he wanted to
+      see.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ha!&rdquo; said John, espying the open casket, &ldquo;where did you get all that
+      jewelry?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It contains my mother&rsquo;s jewels,&rdquo; said Rodney gravely.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You never showed it to me before.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I never had it before. It came to me by express this afternoon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It must be worth a good pile of money,&rdquo; said John, his eyes gleaming with
+      cupidity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose it is.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you any idea what it is worth?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have no thought about it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What are you going to do with it? It won&rsquo;t be of use to you, especially
+      the diamond earrings,&rdquo; he added, with a coarse laugh.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; answered Rodney shortly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My eyes, wouldn&rsquo;t my mother like to own all this jewelry. She&rsquo;s fond of
+      ornament, but pa won&rsquo;t buy them for her.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney did not answer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I say, Ropes, I mustn&rsquo;t forget my errand. Will you do me a favor?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Lend me five dollars till the first of next month. My allowance comes due
+      then. Now I haven&rsquo;t but a quarter left.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What makes you apply to me, Bundy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because you always have money. I don&rsquo;t suppose you are worth as much as
+      my father, but you have more money for yourself than I have.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have had, perhaps, but I haven&rsquo;t now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, what&rsquo;s up? What has happened?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have lost my fortune.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      John whistled. This was his way of expressing amazement.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, what have you been doing? How could you lose your fortune?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My guardian has lost it for me. That amount to the same thing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When did you hear that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is that true? Are you really a poor boy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      John Bundy was astonished, but on the whole he was not saddened. In the
+      estimation of the school Rodney had always ranked higher than he, and been
+      looked upon as the star pupil in point of wealth.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Now that he was dethroned John himself would take his place. This would be
+      gratifying, though just at present, and till the beginning of the next
+      month, he would be distressed for ready money.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, that&rsquo;s a stunner!&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;How do you feel about it? Shall you
+      stay in school?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I can&rsquo;t afford it. I must get to work.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Isn&rsquo;t there anything left&mdash;not a cent?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There may be a few dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And then,&rdquo; said Bundy with a sudden thought, &ldquo;there is this casket of
+      jewelry. You can sell it for a good deal of money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t mean to sell it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you&rsquo;re a fool; that&rsquo;s all I&rsquo;ve got to say.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t suppose you will understand my feeling in the matter, but these
+      articles belonged to my mother. They are all I have to remind me of her. I
+      do not mean to sell them unless it is absolutely necessary.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would sell them quicker&rsquo;n a wink,&rdquo; said Bundy. &ldquo;What&rsquo;s the good of
+      keeping them?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We won&rsquo;t discuss the matter,&rdquo; said Rodney coldly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you mind my telling the other boys about your losing your money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; it will be known tomorrow at any rate; there is no advantage in
+      concealing it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A heavy step was heard outside. It stopped before the door.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I must be getting,&rdquo; said Bundy, &ldquo;or I&rsquo;ll get into trouble.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was against the rule at the school for boys to make calls upon each
+      other in the evening unless permission were given.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      John Bundy opened the door suddenly, and to his dismay found himself
+      facing the rigid figure of Dr. Sampson, the principal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How do you happen to be here, Bundy?&rdquo; asked the doctor sternly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Please, sir, I was sympathizing with Ropes on his losing his money,&rdquo; said
+      Bundy with ready wit.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well! I will excuse you this time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;m awful sorry for you, Ropes,&rdquo; said Bundy effusively.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; responded Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can go now,&rdquo; said the principal. &ldquo;I have a little business with
+      Master Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right, sir. Good night.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good night.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Won&rsquo;t you sit down, Dr. Sampson?&rdquo; said Rodney politely, and he took the
+      casket from the chair.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I wish to have five minutes&rsquo; conversation with you. So these are the
+      jewels, are they?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They seem to be quite valuable,&rdquo; went on the doctor, lifting the pearl
+      necklace and poising it in his fingers. &ldquo;It will be well for you to have
+      them appraised by a jeweler.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would, sir, if I wished to sell them, but I mean to keep them as they
+      are.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would hardly advise it. You will need the money. Probably you do not
+      know how near penniless you are.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir; I don&rsquo;t know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your guardian, as you are aware, sent me a check for one hundred and
+      twenty five dollars. I have figured up how much of this sum is due to me,
+      and I find it to be one hundred and thirteen dollars and thirty seven
+      cents.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir,&rdquo; said Rodney indifferently.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This leaves for you only eleven dollars and sixty three cents. You follow
+      me, do you not?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you any money saved up from your allowance?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A few dollars only, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ahem! that is a pity. You will need all you can raise. But of course you
+      did not anticipate what has occurred?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will throw off the thirty seven cents,&rdquo; said the principal
+      magnanimously, &ldquo;and give you back twelve dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would rather pay you the whole amount of your bill,&rdquo; said Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ahem! Well perhaps that would be more business-like. So you don&rsquo;t wish to
+      part with any of the jewelry, Ropes?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought, perhaps, by way of helping you, I would take the earrings, and
+      perhaps the necklace, off your hands and present them to Mrs. Sampson.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney shuddered with aversion at the idea of these precious articles,
+      which had once belonged to his mother, being transferred to the stout and
+      coarse featured consort of the principal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I would rather keep them,&rdquo; he replied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh well, just as you please,&rdquo; said Dr. Sampson with a shade of
+      disappointment for he had no idea of paying more than half what the
+      articles were worth. &ldquo;If the time comes when you wish to dispose of them
+      let me know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney nodded, but did not answer in words.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course, Ropes,&rdquo; went on the doctor in a perfunctory way, &ldquo;I am very
+      sorry for you. I shall miss you, and, if I could afford it, I would tell
+      you to stay without charge. But I am a poor man.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Rodney hastily, &ldquo;I understand. I thank you for your words but
+      would not under any circumstances accept such a favor at your hands.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am afraid you are proud, Ropes. Pride is&mdash;ahem&mdash;a wrong
+      feeling.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps so, Dr. Sampson, but I wish to earn my own living without being
+      indebted to any one.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps you are right, Ropes. I dare say I should feel so myself. When do
+      you propose leaving us?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Some time tomorrow, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall feel sad to have you go. You have been here so long that you seem
+      to me like a son. But we must submit to the dispensations of Providence&mdash;&rdquo;
+       and Dr. Sampson blew a vigorous blast upon his red silk handkerchief. &ldquo;I
+      will give you the balance due in the morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was glad to be left alone. He had no faith in Dr. Sampson&rsquo;s
+      sympathy. The doctor had the reputation of being worth from thirty to
+      forty thousand dollars, and his assumption of being a poor man Rodney knew
+      to be a sham.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He went to bed early, for tomorrow was to be the beginning of a new life
+      for him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER III.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When it was generally known in the school that Rodney was to leave because
+      he had lost his property much sympathy was felt and expressed for him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Though he had received more than ordinary attention from the principal on
+      account of his pecuniary position and expectations, this had not impaired
+      his popularity. He never put on any airs and was on as cordial relations
+      with the poorest student as with the richest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;m awfully sorry you&rsquo;re going, Rodney,&rdquo; said more than one. &ldquo;Is it
+      really true that you have lost your property?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, it is true.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you feel bad about it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I feel sorry, but not discouraged.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I say, Rodney,&rdquo; said Ernest Rayner, in a low voice, calling Rodney aside,
+      &ldquo;are you very short of money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t much left, Ernest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because I received five dollars last week as a birthday present. I
+      haven&rsquo;t spent any of it. You can have it as well as not.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was much moved. &ldquo;My dear Ernest,&rdquo; he said, putting his arm
+      caressingly around the neck of the smaller boy, &ldquo;you are a true friend. I
+      won&rsquo;t forget your generous offer, though I don&rsquo;t need to accept it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But are you sure you have money enough?&rdquo; asked Ernest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I have enough for the present. By the time I need more I shall have
+      earned it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was one boy, already introduced, John Bundy, who did not share in
+      the general feeling of sympathy for Rodney. This was John Bundy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He felt that Rodney&rsquo;s departure would leave him the star pupil and give
+      him the chief social position in school. As to scholarship he was not
+      ambitious to stand high in that.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I say, Ropes,&rdquo; he said complacently, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m to have your room after you&rsquo;re
+      gone.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I congratulate you,&rdquo; returned Rodney. &ldquo;It is an excellent room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I s&rsquo;pose it&rsquo;ll make you feel bad. Where are you going?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have done.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh yes, I guess there&rsquo;s no doubt of that. I&rsquo;m going to get pa to send me
+      some nice pictures to hang on the wall. When you come back here on a visit
+      you&rsquo;ll see how nice it looks.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think it will be a good while before I come here on a visit.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. I s&rsquo;pose it&rsquo;ll make you feel bad. Where are you going?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To the City of New York.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;ll have to live in a small hall bedroom there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why will I?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because you are poor, and it costs a good deal of money to live in New
+      York. It&rsquo;ll be a great come down.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It will indeed, but if I can earn enough to support me in plain style I
+      won&rsquo;t complain. I suppose you&rsquo;ll call and see me when you come to New
+      York?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps so, if you don&rsquo;t live in a tenement house. Pa objects to my going
+      to tenement houses. There&rsquo;s no knowing what disease there may be in them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is well to be prudent,&rdquo; said Rodney, smiling.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It did not trouble him much to think he was not likely to receive a call
+      from his quondan schoolmate.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here is the balance of your money, Ropes,&rdquo; said Dr. Sampson, drawing a
+      small roll of bills from his pocket, later in the day. &ldquo;I am quite willing
+      to give you the odd thirty seven cents.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, doctor, but I shan&rsquo;t need it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are poorly provided. Now I would pay you a good sum for some of your
+      mother&rsquo;s jewelry, as I told you last evening.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; said Rodney hastily, &ldquo;but I don&rsquo;t care to sell at present.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let me know when you are ready to dispose of the necklace.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Here the depot carriage appeared in the street outside and Rodney with his
+      gripsack in one hand and the precious casket in the other, climbed to a
+      seat beside the driver.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His trunk he left behind, promising to send for it when he had found a new
+      boarding place.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a chorus of good byes. Rodney waved his handkerchief in general
+      farewell, and the carriage started for the depot.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Be you goin&rsquo; for good?&rdquo; asked Joel, the driver, who knew Rodney well and
+      felt friendly to him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Joel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It&rsquo;s kind of sudden, isn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What makes you go?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Bad news, Joel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Be any of your folks dead?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is not death. I haven&rsquo;t any &lsquo;folks.&rsquo; I&rsquo;m alone in the world. It&rsquo;s
+      because I&rsquo;ve lost my property and am too poor to remain in school.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s too bad,&rdquo; said the driver in a tone of sympathy. &ldquo;Where are you
+      goin&rsquo;?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To the city.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you goin&rsquo; to work?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I shall have to.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you was a little older you might get a chance to drive a street car,
+      but I s&rsquo;pose you&rsquo;re too young.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I don&rsquo;t think they would take me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve thought sometimes I should like such a chance myself,&rdquo; said Joel.
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got tired of the country. I should like to live in the city where
+      there&rsquo;s theaters, and shows, and such like. Do you know what the drivers
+      on street cars get?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I never heard.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish you&rsquo;d find out and let me know. You can send the letter to Joel
+      Phipps, Groveton. Then find out if it&rsquo;s easy to get such a chance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will. I shall be glad to oblige you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You always was obligin&rsquo;, Rodney. I&rsquo;ve asked Jack Bundy to do it&mdash;you
+      know his folks live in the city&mdash;but he never would. He&rsquo;s a mighty
+      disagreeable boy. He never liked you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Didn&rsquo;t he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I surmise he was jealous of you. He used to say you put on so many
+      airs it made him sick.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think any of the other boys would say that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, but they could say it of him. Do you think his father is rich?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have always heard that he was.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope he&rsquo;s better about paying his debt than Jack. I lent him twenty
+      five cents a year ago and I never could get it back.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The distance from the school to the station was a mile. Joel fetched the
+      carriage round with a sweep and then jumped off, opened the door, and then
+      helped the passengers to disembark, if that word is allowable.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How soon does the train start, Joel?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In about five minutes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I had better purchase my ticket without delay.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t forget to ask about horse car drivers!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I won&rsquo;t. I should like to have you come to New York. I know no one
+      there, and I should feel glad to see a familiar face.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The train came up in time, and Rodney was one of half a dozen passengers
+      who entered the cars.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He obtained a place next to a stout man dressed in a pepper and salt suit.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is this seat engaged?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes&mdash;to you,&rdquo; and his fellow passenger laughed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney laughed too, for he saw that the remark was meant to be jocose.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He put his gripsack on the floor at his feet, but held the casket in his
+      lap. He did not like to run any risk with that.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you a drummer?&rdquo; asked the stout man, with a glance at the casket.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought you might be, and that THAT might contain your samples.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir. That is private property.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He had thought of telling what it contained, but checked himself. He knew
+      nothing of his companion, and was not sure how far it might be safe to
+      trust a stranger.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I used to be a drummer myself&mdash;in the jewelry line&mdash;&rdquo; continued
+      his companion, &ldquo;and I carried a box just like that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, indeed! Then you are not in that business now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I got tired of it. I deal in quite a different article now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Indeed?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Suburban lot.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t happen to have any of them with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The stout man roared with laughter, giving Rodney the impression that he
+      had said a very witty thing.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s a good one,&rdquo; he remarked, &ldquo;the best I&rsquo;ve heard for a long time.
+      No, I haven&rsquo;t any of the lots with me, but I&rsquo;ve got a circular. Just cast
+      your eye over that,&rdquo; and he drew a large and showy prospectus from his
+      pocket.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you should be looking for a good investment,&rdquo; he continued, &ldquo;you can&rsquo;t
+      do any better than buy a lot at Morton Park. It is only eighteen miles
+      from the city and is rapidly building up. You can buy lot on easy
+      installments, and I will myself pick one out for you that is almost sure
+      to double in value in a year or two.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; said Rodney, &ldquo;but I shall have to invest my money, if I get
+      any, in a different way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;As what for instance?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In board and lodging.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good. That is even more necessary than real estate.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How long have you been in the business, sir?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;About six months.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And how does it pay?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, if you know how to talk.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should think you might do well, then.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you. I appreciate the compliment. What business are you going into,
+      that is, if you are going to the city?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am going to the city, but I have no idea yet what I shall do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps you may like to become an agent for our lots. I shall be ready to
+      employ you as sub agent if you feel disposed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir. If you will give me your card, I may call upon you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The short man drew from his card case a business card. It bore the name
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      ADIN WOODS. ROYAL BUILDING. NASSAU ST. Morton Park Lots.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come to see me at any time,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and we will talk the matter over.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Here the train boy came along and Rodney bought a copy of Puck, while the
+      agent resumed the perusal of a copy of a magazine. For an hour the cars
+      ran smoothly. Then there was a sudden shock causing all the passengers to
+      start to their feet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We&rsquo;re off the track!&rdquo; shouted an excitable person in front of Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The instinct of self preservation is perhaps stronger than any other.
+      Rodney and his seat mate both jumped to their feet and hurried to the door
+      of the car, not knowing what was in store for them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But fortunately the train had not been going rapidly. It was approaching a
+      station and was &ldquo;slowing up.&rdquo; So, though it had really run off the track,
+      there was not likely to be any injury to the passengers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We are safe,&rdquo; said Adin Woods. &ldquo;The only harm done is the delay. I hope
+      that won&rsquo;t be long. Suppose we go back to our seat.&rdquo; They returned to the
+      seat which they had jointly occupied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Then Rodney made an alarming discovery. &ldquo;My casket!&rdquo; he exclaimed. &ldquo;Where
+      is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What did you do with it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Left it on the seat.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It may have fallen to the floor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney searched for it in feverish excitement, but his search was vain.
+      THE CASKET HAD DISAPPEARED!
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER IV.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      IN PURSUIT OF A THIEF.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Were the contents of the casket valuable?&rdquo; asked the land agent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; it contained my mother&rsquo;s jewels, all the more valuable because she
+      is dead,&rdquo; replied Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Were they of much intrinsic worth?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They must be worth several hundred dollars at least.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then they must be found,&rdquo; said Adin Woods energetically. &ldquo;They have
+      evidently been taken by some passenger during the five minutes we were
+      away from our seat.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Were you inquiring about the casket?&rdquo; asked a lady sitting opposite.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, madam. Can you give any information about it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just after you left your seat the man that sat behind you rose and
+      reaching over for it went to the rear end of the car and got out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish you had stopped him, madam.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He was so cool about it that I thought he might be a friend of the young
+      gentleman.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know him. He must have been a thief.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What was his appearance, madam?&rdquo; asked the lot agent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He was a thin, dark complexioned man, with side whiskers coming half way
+      down his cheeks.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you say he got out of the rear end of the car?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He won&rsquo;t get on the train again,&rdquo; said the agent turning to Rodney. &ldquo;He
+      thinks the casket valuable enough to pay him for the interruption of his
+      journey.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What shall I do then?&rdquo; asked Rodney, feeling helpless and at a loss which
+      way to turn.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Follow him,&rdquo; said the agent briefly. &ldquo;He will probably stop over in the
+      village a day and resume his journey tomorrow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Even if I found him I am afraid I shouldn&rsquo;t know how to deal with him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I&rsquo;ll tell you what I&rsquo;ll do. I&rsquo;ll stop over with you and help you
+      make it hot for him. I&rsquo;ve had a spite against thieves ever since I had a
+      valuable overcoat stolen in one of my journeys.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall feel very much obliged to you, Mr. Woods, but won&rsquo;t it interfere
+      with your business?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not materially. If we succeed in overhauling the rascal I shall feel
+      sufficiently repaid for the small interruption. But come on, we can&rsquo;t
+      afford to linger here while he is carrying off the plunder.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know how I can repay you, Mr. Woods,&rdquo; said Rodney gratefully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can buy a lot of me when you get rich enough.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will certainly do so, though I am afraid it will be a long time first.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t know what good fortune may be in store for you. Did you notice,
+      madam, in which direction the thief went?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I was looking out of the window. He went over the road to the left.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That leads to the village. You will see, Mr. Ropes, that I was right
+      about his plans.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t call me Mr. Ropes. Call me Rodney.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will. It don&rsquo;t seem natural to dub a boy Mr. Now, Rodney, follow me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The two passengers set out on the road that led to the village. They could
+      see the latter easily, for it was not more than a mile away.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He will be surprised to think we have &lsquo;struck his trail&rsquo; so quick,&rdquo; said
+      the agent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where shall we go first?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To the hotel if there is one.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The village seems small.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, there are only a few hundred inhabitant probably. It is not a place
+      where a traveler would be likely to interrupt his journey unless he had a
+      special object in doing so, like our dishonest friend. However, I think we
+      shall be able to balk his little game.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Ten minutes&rsquo; walk brought them to the village. Looking about they saw a
+      small hotel just across the way from a neat white chapel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Follow me,&rdquo; said the agent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They went into the public room in which there was a small office.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The book of arrivals was open, and Adin Woods went forward and examined
+      it. Silently he pointed to a name evidently just written, for the ink was
+      scarcely dry. This was the name: Louis Wheeler, Philadelphia.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This may or may not be his real name,&rdquo; said Mr. Woods in a low voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you wish to register, gentlemen?&rdquo; asked the clerk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We will take dinner, and if we decide to stay will register later. By the
+      way, I recognize this name, but it may not be the man I suppose.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, the gentleman just registered.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Would you mind describing him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He was a tall, dark man as near as I can remember.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And he carried a small casket in his hand?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, and a gripsack.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh yes,&rdquo; said the agent his face lighting up with satisfaction. &ldquo;It is
+      the man I mean&mdash;where is he now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In his room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did he say how long he intended to stay?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir. He said nothing about his plans.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did he seem specially careful about the casket?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir. He carried that in his hands, but let the servant carry up the
+      gripsack.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My friend,&rdquo; said the agent in an impressive tone, &ldquo;I am going to surprise
+      you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The country clerk looked all curiosity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is it about Mr. Wheeler?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, the man is a thief. He stole the casket, which contains valuable
+      jewelry, from my young friend here. We are here to demand a return of the
+      property or to arrest him. Is there a policeman within call?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can summon a constable.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do so, but don&rsquo;t breathe a word of what I have told you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The clerk called a boy in from the street and gave him instructions in a
+      low voice. He went at once on his errand, and in ten minutes a stout broad
+      shouldered man made his appearance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This gentleman sent for you, Mr. Barlow,&rdquo; said the clerk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What can I do for you?&rdquo; asked the constable.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Help me to recover stolen property.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That I will do with pleasure if you will tell me what you want me to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Adin Woods held a brief conference with the constable, then he led the way
+      up stairs, followed immediately by Rodney, while the constable kept a
+      little behind.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;His room is No. 9,&rdquo; said the bell boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The agent paused before the door of No. 9, and knocked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come in!&rdquo; said a voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The agent opened the door, and entered, accompanied by Rodney. A glance
+      showed that the occupant answered the description given by the lady in the
+      car.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler changed color, for he recognized both the agent and Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is your business?&rdquo; he asked in a tone which he tried to make
+      indifferent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That,&rdquo; answered Woods, pointing to the jewel casket on the bureau.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It looked to him as if Wheeler, if that was his name, had been trying to
+      open it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t understand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I will try to make things clear to you. You have, doubtless by
+      accident&rdquo; he emphasized the last word, &ldquo;taken from the car a casket
+      belonging to my young friend here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are mistaken, sir,&rdquo; said Wheeler with brazen hardihood. &ldquo;That casket
+      belongs to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Indeed. What does it contain?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I fail to see how that is any of your business,&rdquo; returned Wheeler,
+      determined, if possible, to bluff off his visitors.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I admire your cheek, sir. I really do. But I am too old a traveler to be
+      taken in by such tricks. I propose to have that casket.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, sir, you are the most impudent thief and burglar I ever met. You
+      break into a gentleman&rsquo;s room, and undertake to carry off his private
+      property. Unless you go out at once, I will have you arrested.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That you can do very readily, for I have an officer within call.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler changed color. He began to see that the situation was
+      getting serious.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is a great mistake here,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I agree with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The agent went to the door, and called &ldquo;Constable Barlow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The constable promptly presented himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you want me, sir?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That depends on this gentleman here. If he will peacefully restore to my
+      young friend here yonder jewel casket I am willing to let him go.
+      Otherwise&mdash;&rdquo; and he glanced at Wheeler significantly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps I have made a mistake,&rdquo; admitted the thief. &ldquo;I had a casket
+      exactly like this. Possibly I have taken the wrong one.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have the key to the casket here,&rdquo; said Rodney, &ldquo;and I can tell you
+      without opening it what it contains.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What did yours contain?&rdquo; asked the agent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jewelry,&rdquo; answered Wheeler shortly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What articles?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Never mind. I am inclined to think this casket belongs to the boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney, you can take it and Mr. Wheeler will probably find his where he
+      left it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      No objection was made, and the discomfited thief was left a prey to
+      mortification and disappointment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney handed a dollar to the constable which that worthy official
+      received with thanks, and he and the agent resumed their journey by an
+      afternoon train. They saw nothing further of Louis Wheeler who sent for
+      dinner to be served in his room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER V.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A YOUNG FINANCIAL WRECK.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have been very fortunate in recovering your jewels,&rdquo; said the agent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I owe it to you,&rdquo; replied Rodney gratefully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, perhaps so. If I have rendered you a service I am very glad.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I am very glad to have found so good a friend. I hope you will let me
+      pay for your ticket to New York.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It won&rsquo;t be necessary. The interruption of our journey won&rsquo;t invalidate
+      the ticket we have.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      An hour later they reached New York.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What are your plans, Rodney?&rdquo; asked Adin Woods, who by this time had
+      become quite intimate with his young companion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall call on my guardian, and perhaps he may give me some advice as to
+      what I do. Where would you advise me to go&mdash;to a hotel?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; it will be too expensive. I know of a plain boarding house on West
+      Fourteenth Street where you can be accommodated with lodging and two meals&mdash;breakfast
+      and supper, or dinner as we call it here&mdash;for a dollar a day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be glad to go there, for the present, at least. I haven&rsquo;t much
+      money, and must find something to do as soon as possible.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We will both go there, and if you don&rsquo;t object we will take a room
+      together. That will give us a larger apartment. Mrs. Marcy is an old
+      acquaintance of mine, and will give you a welcome.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was glad to accept his companion&rsquo;s proposal. They proceeded at once
+      to the boarding house, and fortunately found a good room vacant on the
+      third floor. Mr. Woods went out in the evening to make a call, but Rodney
+      was glad to go to bed at nine o&rsquo;clock.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The next morning after breakfast Rodney consulted his companion as to what
+      he should do with the casket.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you want to raise money on it?&rdquo; asked the agent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I shall not do this unless I am obliged to.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you any idea as to the value of the jewels?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I will take you first to a jeweler in Maiden Lane, a friend of mine,
+      who will appraise them. Afterwards I advise you to deposit the casket at a
+      storage warehouse, or get Tiffany to keep it for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will do as you suggest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Maiden Lane is a street largely devoted to jewelers, wholesale and retail.
+      Rodney followed Mr. Woods into a store about midway between Broadway and
+      Nassau Street. A pleasant looking man of middle age greeted the agent
+      cordially.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What can I do for you?&rdquo; he asked. &ldquo;Do you wish to buy a diamond ring for
+      the future Mrs. Woods?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not much. I would like to have you appraise some jewelry belonging to my
+      young friend here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The casket was opened, and the jeweler examined the contents admiringly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is choice jewelry,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Does your friend wish to sell?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at present,&rdquo; answered Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When you do give me a call. I will treat you fairly. You wish me to
+      appraise these articles?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, if you will.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It will take me perhaps fifteen minutes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The jeweler retired to the back part of the store with the casket.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In about a quarter of an hour he returned.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course I can&rsquo;t give exact figures,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but I value the jewelry
+      at about twelve hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney looked surprised.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t think it so valuable,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t mean that you could sell it for so much, but if you wish to
+      dispose of it I will venture to give you eleven hundred.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you. If I decide to sell I will certainly come to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now,&rdquo; said the agent, &ldquo;I advise you on the whole to store the casket with
+      Tiffany.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall I have to pay storage in advance?&rdquo; asked Rodney anxiously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think not. The value of the jewels will be a sufficient guarantee that
+      storage will be paid.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney accompanied Adin Woods to the great jewelry store on the corner of
+      Fifteenth Street and Union Square, and soon transacted his business.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, you won&rsquo;t have any anxiety as to the safety of the casket,&rdquo; said the
+      agent. &ldquo;Your friend of the train will find it difficult to get hold of the
+      jewels. Now I shall have to leave you, as I have some business to attend
+      to. We will meet at supper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney decided to call at the office of his late guardian, Benjamin
+      Fielding. It was in the lower part of the city.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On his way down town he purchased a copy of a morning paper. Almost the
+      first article he glanced at proved to be of especial interest to him. It
+      was headed&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      SKIPPED TO CANADA
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rumors have been rife for some time affecting the business standing of Mr.
+      Benjamin Fielding, the well known commission merchant. Yesterday it was
+      discovered that he had left the city, but where he has gone is unknown. It
+      is believed that he is very deeply involved, and seeing no way out of his
+      embarrassment has skipped to Canada, or perhaps taken passage to Europe.
+      Probably his creditors will appoint a committee to look into his affairs
+      and report what can be done.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      LATER&mdash;An open letter has been found in Mr. Fielding&rsquo;s desk,
+      addressed to his creditors. It expresses regret for their losses, and
+      promises, if his life is spared, and fortune favors him, to do all in his
+      power to make them good. No one doubts Mr. Fielding&rsquo;s integrity, and
+      regrets are expressed that he did not remain in the city and help unravel
+      the tangle in which his affairs are involved. He is a man of ability, and
+      as he is still in the prime of life, it may be that he will be able to
+      redeem his promises and pay his debts in full, if sufficient time is given
+      him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can get no help or advice from Mr. Fielding,&rdquo; thought Rodney. &ldquo;I am
+      thrown upon my own resources, and must fight the battle of life as well as
+      I can alone.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He got out in front of the Astor House. As he left the car he soiled his
+      shoes with the mud so characteristic of New York streets.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shine your boots?&rdquo; asked a young Arab, glancing with a business eye at
+      Rodney&rsquo;s spattered shoes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney accepted his offer, not so much because he thought the blacking
+      would last, as for the opportunity of questioning the free and independent
+      young citizen who was doing, what he hoped to do, that is, making a living
+      for himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is business good with you?&rdquo; asked Rodney. &ldquo;It ought to be with the street
+      in this condition.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; me and de Street Commissioner is in league together. He makes
+      business good for me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And do you pay him a commission?&rdquo; asked Rodney smiling.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t tell no official secrets. It might be bad for me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are an original genius.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Am I? I hope you ain&rsquo;t callin&rsquo; me names.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh no. I am only paying you a compliment. What is your name?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mike Flynn.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Were do you live, Mike?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At the Lodge.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose you mean at the Newsboys&rsquo; &lsquo;Lodge?&rsquo;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much do you have to pay there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Six cents for lodgin&rsquo;, and six cents for supper and breakfast.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is, six cents for each.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; you ain&rsquo;t comin&rsquo; to live there, are you?&rdquo; asked Mike.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know&mdash;I may have to.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;re jokin&rsquo;.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What makes you think I am joking?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because you&rsquo;re a swell. Look at them clo&rsquo;es!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have a good suit of clothes, to be sure, but I haven&rsquo;t much money. You
+      are better off than I am.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How&rsquo;s that?&rdquo; asked Mike incredulously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;ve got work to do, and I am earning nothing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you&rsquo;ve got money enough to buy a box and brush, you can go in with
+      me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think I should like it, Mike. It would spoil my clothes, and I am
+      afraid I wouldn&rsquo;t have money enough to buy others.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I keep my dress suit at home&mdash;the one I wear to parties.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Haven&rsquo;t you got any father or mother, Mike? How does it happen that you
+      are living in New York alone?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My farder is dead, and me mudder, she married a man wot ain&rsquo;t no good.
+      He&rsquo;d bate me till I couldn&rsquo;t stand it. So I just run away.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where does your mother live?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In Albany.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Some time when you earn money enough you can ask her to come here and
+      live with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They don&rsquo;t take women at the Lodge.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I suppose not,&rdquo; said Rodney, smiling.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Besides she&rsquo;s got two little girls by her new husband, and she wouldn&rsquo;t
+      want to leave them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      By this time the shine was completed, and Rodney paid Mike.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I ever come to the Lodge, I&rsquo;ll ask for you,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where do you live now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;m just staying at a place on Fourteenth Street, but I can&rsquo;t afford to
+      stay there long, for they charge a dollar a day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Geewholliker, that would bust me, and make me a financial wreck as the
+      papers say.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How did you lose your fortune and get reduced to blacking boots?&rdquo; asked
+      Rodney jocosely.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I got scooped out of it in Wall Street,&rdquo; answered Mike. &ldquo;Jay Gould
+      cleaned me out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I suppose now he has added your fortune to his.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;ve hit it boss.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, good day, Mike, I&rsquo;ll see you again some day&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right! I&rsquo;m in my office all de mornin&rsquo;.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER VI.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      AN IMPUDENT ADVENTURER.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While Rodney was talking with Mike Flynn he was an object of attention to
+      a man who stood near the corner of Barclay Street, and was ostensibly
+      looking in at the window of the drug store. As Rodney turned away he
+      recognized him at once as his enterprising fellow traveler who had taken
+      possession of the casket of jewels.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He did not care to keep up an acquaintance with him, and started to cross
+      the street. But the other came forward smiling, and with a nod said: &ldquo;I
+      believe you are the young man I met yesterday in the cars and afterwards
+      at Kentville?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I just wanted to tell you that I had got back my jewel box, the one for
+      which I mistook yours.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Indeed!&rdquo; said Rodney, who did not believe a word the fellow said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Quite an amusing mistake, I made.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It might have proved serious to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very true, as I shouldn&rsquo;t have known where to find you to restore your
+      property.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think that would have troubled you much,&rdquo; thought Rodney. &ldquo;Where
+      did you find your box?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In the car. That is, the conductor picked it up and left it at the depot
+      for me. Where are you staying here in the city? At the Astor House?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I have found a boarding house on West Fourteenth Street.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If it is a good place, I should like to go there. What is the number?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t recall it, though I could find it,&rdquo; answered Rodney with reserve,
+      for he had no wish to have his railroad acquaintance in the house.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is the gentleman who was traveling with you there also?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is a very pleasant gentleman, though he misjudged me. Ha, ha! my
+      friends will be very much amused when I tell them that I was taken for a
+      thief. Why, I venture to say that my box is more valuable than yours.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very likely,&rdquo; said Rodney coldly. &ldquo;Good morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good morning. I hope we may meet again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney nodded, but he could not in sincerity echo the wish.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was now confronted by a serious problem. He had less than ten dollars
+      in his pocketbook, and this would soon be swallowed up by the necessary
+      expenses of life in a large city. What would he do when that was gone?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was clear that he must go to work as soon as possible. If his guardian
+      had remained in the city, probably through his influence a situation might
+      have been secured. Now nothing was to be looked for in that quarter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He bought a morning paper and looked over the Want Column. He found two
+      places within a short distance of the Astor House, and called at each. One
+      was in a railroad office.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My boy,&rdquo; said the manager, a pleasant looking man, &ldquo;the place was taken
+      hours since. You don&rsquo;t seem to get up very early in the morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I could get up at any hour that was necessary,&rdquo; replied Rodney, &ldquo;but I
+      have only just made up my mind to apply for a position.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You won&rsquo;t meet with any luck today. It is too late. Get up bright and
+      early tomorrow morning, buy a paper, and make early application for any
+      place that strikes you as desirable.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir. I am sure your advice is good.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you had been the first to call here, I should have taken you. I like
+      your appearance better than that of the boy I have selected.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This boy may not prove satisfactory. Call in six days, just before his
+      week expires, and if there is likely to be a vacancy I will let you know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir. You are very kind.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I always sympathize with boys. I have two boys of my own.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      This conversation quite encouraged Rodney. It seemed to promise success in
+      the future. If he had probably impressed one man, he might be equally
+      fortunate with another.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was about half past twelve when he passed through Nassau Street.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      All at once his arm was grasped, and a cheery voice said, &ldquo;Where are you
+      going, Rodney?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Woods!&rdquo; he exclaimed, with pleased recognition.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, it&rsquo;s your old friend Woods.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are not the only railroad friend I have met this morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who was the other?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The gentleman who obligingly took care of my jewel box for a short time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t mean to say you have met him? Where did you come across him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In front of the Astor House, almost two hours since.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you speak to him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He spoke to me. You will be glad to hear that he has recovered his own
+      casket of jewels.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Adin Woods smiled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He must think you are easily imposed upon,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;to believe any such
+      story. Anything more?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He said his friends would be very much surprised to hear that he had been
+      suspected of theft.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So he wanted to clear himself with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; he asked where I was staying.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you didn&rsquo;t tell him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I only said I was at a boarding house on West Fourteenth Street, but
+      didn&rsquo;t mention the number.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He thinks you have the casket with you, and that he may get possession of
+      it. It is well that you stored it at Tiffany&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think so. Now I have no anxiety about it. Do you think he will find out
+      where we live?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Probably, as you gave him a clew. But, Rodney, it is about lunch time,
+      and I confess I have an appetite. Come and lunch with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I am afraid, Mr. Woods, I shall not be able to return the
+      compliment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is no occasion for it. I feel in good humor this morning. I have
+      sold one lot, and have hopes of disposing of another. The one lot pays me
+      a commission of twenty dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish I could make twenty dollars in a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sometimes I only sell one lot in a week. It isn&rsquo;t like a regular
+      business. It is precarious. Still, take the year through and I make a
+      pretty good income. Come in here. We can get a good lunch here,&rdquo; and he
+      led the way into a modest restaurant, not far from the site of the old
+      post office, which will be remembered by those whose residence in New York
+      dates back twenty years or more.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now we will have a nice lunch,&rdquo; said the agent. &ldquo;I hope you can do
+      justice to it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I generally can,&rdquo; responded Rodney, smiling. &ldquo;I am seldom troubled with a
+      poor appetite.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ditto for me. Now what have you been doing this morning?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Looking for a place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;With what success?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Pretty good if I had only been earlier.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney told the story of his application to the manager of the railroad
+      office.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will know better next time. I think you&rsquo;ll succeed. I did. When I
+      came to New York at the age of twenty two I had only fifty dollars. That
+      small sum had to last me twelve weeks. You can judge that I didn&rsquo;t live on
+      the fat of the land during that time. I couldn&rsquo;t often eat at Delmonico&rsquo;s.
+      Even Beefsteak John&rsquo;s would have been too expensive for me. However, those
+      old days are over.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next day and the two following Rodney went about the city making
+      application for positions, but every place seemed full.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On the third day Mr. Woods said, &ldquo;I shall have to leave you for a week or
+      more, Rodney.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are you going?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To Philadelphia. There&rsquo;s a man there who is a capitalist and likes land
+      investments. I am going to visit him, and hope to sell him several lots.
+      He once lived in this city, so he won&rsquo;t object to New York investments.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you will succeed, Mr. Woods. I think if you are going away I had
+      better give up the room, and find cheaper accommodations. I am getting
+      near the end of my money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are right. It is best to be prudent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      That evening Rodney found a room which he could rent for two dollars a
+      week. He estimated that by economy he could get along for fifty cents a
+      day for his eating, and that would be a decided saving.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was just leaving the house the next morning, gripsack in hand, when on
+      the steps he met Louis Wheeler, his acquaintance of the train.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are you going?&rdquo; asked Wheeler.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am leaving this house. I have hired a room elsewhere.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Wheeler&rsquo;s countenance fell, and he looked dismayed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, I have just taken a room here for a week,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will find it a good place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But&mdash;I wouldn&rsquo;t have come here if I hadn&rsquo;t thought I should have
+      company.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I ought to feel complimented.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was convinced that Wheeler had come in the hopes of stealing the
+      casket of jewels a second time, and he felt amused at the fellow&rsquo;s
+      discomfiture.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You haven&rsquo;t got your jewel box with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I can take that another time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then it&rsquo;s still in the house,&rdquo; thought Wheeler with satisfaction. &ldquo;It
+      won&rsquo;t be my fault if I don&rsquo;t get it in my hands. Well, good morning,&rdquo; he
+      said. &ldquo;Come around and call on me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER VII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      AT THE NEWSBOY&rsquo;S LODGING HOUSE.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Within a week Rodney had spent all his money, with the exception of about
+      fifty cents. He had made every effort to obtain a place, but without
+      success.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Boys born and bred in New York have within my observation tried for months
+      to secure a position in vain, so it is not surprising that Rodney who was
+      a stranger proved equally unsuccessful.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Though naturally hopeful Rodney became despondent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There seems to be no place for me,&rdquo; he said to himself. &ldquo;When I was at
+      boarding school I had no idea how difficult it is for a boy to earn a
+      living.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He had one resource. He could withdraw the box of jewels from Tiffany&rsquo;s,
+      and sell some article that it contained. But this he had a great objection
+      to doing. One thing was evident however, he must do something.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His friend, the lot agent, was out of town, and he hardly knew whom to
+      advise with. At last Mike Flynn, the friendly bootblack, whose
+      acquaintance he had made in front of the Astor House, occurred to him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mike, humble as he was, was better off than himself. Moreover he was a New
+      York boy, and knew more about &ldquo;hustling&rdquo; than Rodney did. So he sought out
+      Mike in his &ldquo;office.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good morning, Mike,&rdquo; said Rodney, as the bootblack was brushing off a
+      customer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, its you, Rodney,&rdquo; said Mike smiling with evident pleasure. &ldquo;How
+      you&rsquo;re gettin&rsquo; on?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s bad. Can I help you? Just say the word, and I&rsquo;ll draw a check for
+      you on the Park Bank.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is that where you keep your money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It&rsquo;s one of my banks. You don&rsquo;t think I&rsquo;d put all my spondulics in one
+      bank, do you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I won&rsquo;t trouble you to draw a check this morning. I only want to ask some
+      advice.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got plenty of that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t been able to get anything to do, and I have only fifty cents
+      left. I can&rsquo;t go on like that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got to give up my room on Fourteenth Street. I can&rsquo;t pay for it any
+      longer. Do you think I could get in at the Lodge?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. I&rsquo;ll introduce you to Mr. O&rsquo;Connor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When shall I meet you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At five o&rsquo;clock. We&rsquo;ll be in time for supper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At five o&rsquo;clock Mike accompanied Rodney to the large Newsboys&rsquo; Lodging
+      House on New Chambers Street. Mr. O&rsquo;Connor, the popular and efficient
+      superintendent, now dead, looked in surprise at Mike&rsquo;s companion. He was a
+      stout man with a kindly face, and Rodney felt that he would prove to be a
+      friend.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. O&rsquo;Connor, let me introduce me friend, Mr. Rodney Ropes,&rdquo; said Mike.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Could you give me a lodging?&rdquo; asked Rodney in an embarrassed tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; but I am surprised to see a boy of your appearance here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am surprised to be here myself,&rdquo; admitted Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The superintendent fixed upon him a shrewd, but kindly glance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you run away from home?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir. It is my home that has run away from me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you parents?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you come from the country?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where have you been living?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At a boarding school a few hours from New York.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why did you leave it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because my guardian sent me word that he had lost my fortune, and could
+      no longer pay my bills.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have been unfortunate truly. What do you propose to do now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Earn my living if I can. I have been in the city for about two weeks, and
+      have applied at a good many places but in vain.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you were right in coming here. Supper is ready, and although it is
+      not what you are used to, it will satisfy hunger. Mike, you can take
+      Rodney with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Within five minutes Rodney was standing at a long table with a bowl of
+      coffee and a segment of bread before him. It wouldn&rsquo;t have been attractive
+      to one brought up to good living, as was the case with him, but he was
+      hungry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He had eaten nothing since morning except an apple which he had bought at
+      a street stand for a penny, and his stomach urgently craved a fresh supply
+      of food.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mike stood next to him. The young bootblack, who was used to nothing
+      better, ate his portion with zest, and glanced askance at Rodney to see
+      how he relished his supper. He was surprised to see that his more
+      aristocratic companion seemed to enjoy it quite as much as himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t think you&rsquo;d like it,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Anything tastes good when you&rsquo;re hungry, Mike.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I haven&rsquo;t eaten anything except an apple, since morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is dat so? Why didn&rsquo;t you tell me? I&rsquo;d have stood treat at de Boss Tweed
+      eatin&rsquo; house.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I had money, but I didn&rsquo;t dare to spend it. I was afraid of having
+      nothing left.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      When Rodney had eaten his supper he felt that he could have eaten more,
+      but the craving was satisfied and he felt relieved.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He looked around him with some curiosity, for he had never been in such a
+      motley gathering before. There were perhaps one hundred and fifty boys
+      recruited from the street, to about all of whom except himself the term
+      street Arab might be applied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The majority of them had the shrewd and good humored Celtic face. Many of
+      them were fun loving and even mischievous, but scarcely any were really
+      bad.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Naturally Rodney, with his good clothes, attracted attention. The boys
+      felt that he was not one of them, and they had a suspicion that he felt
+      above them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Get on to de dude!&rdquo; remarked one boy, who was loosely attired in a ragged
+      shirt and tattered trousers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He means me, Mike,&rdquo; said Rodney with a smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I say, Patsy Glenn, what do you mean by callin&rsquo; me friend Rodney a dude?&rdquo;
+       demanded Mike angrily.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Coz he&rsquo;s got a dandy suit on.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What if he has? Wouldn&rsquo;t you wear one like it if you could!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You bet!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then just let him alone! He&rsquo;s just got back from de inauguration.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where&rsquo;d you pick him up, Mike?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Never mind! He&rsquo;s one of us. How much money have you got in your pocket
+      Rodney?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thirty two cents.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He can&rsquo;t put on no frills wid dat money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s so. I take it all back,&rdquo; and Patsy offered a begrimed hand to
+      Rodney, which the latter shook heartily with a pleasant smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      That turned the tide in favor of Rodney, the boys gathered around him and
+      he told his story in a few words.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I used to be rich, boys,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but my guardian spent all my money,
+      and now I am as poor as any of you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;d ought to have had me for your guardian, Rodney,&rdquo; observed Mike.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish you had. You wouldn&rsquo;t have lost my money for me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;True for you! I say so, boys, if we can find Rodney&rsquo;s guardian, what&rsquo;ll
+      we do to him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Give him de grand bounce,&rdquo; suggested Patsy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Drop him out of a high winder,&rdquo; said another.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What&rsquo;s his name?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t care to tell you, boys. He&rsquo;s written me a letter, saying he will
+      try to pay me back some day. I think he will. He isn&rsquo;t a bad man, but he
+      has been unlucky.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mike, at the request of Mr. O&rsquo;Connor, showed Rodney a locker in which he
+      could store such articles of clothing as he had with him. After that he
+      felt more at home, and as if he were staying at a hotel though an humble
+      one.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At eight o&rsquo;clock some of the boys had already gone to bed, but Mike and
+      Rodney were among those who remained up. Rodney noticed with what kindness
+      yet fairness the superintendent managed his unruly flock. Unruly they
+      might have been with a different man, but he had no trouble in keeping
+      them within bounds.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was at this time that two strangers were announced, one a New York
+      merchant named Goodnow, the other a tall, slender man with sandy whiskers
+      of the mutton chop pattern.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good evening, Mr. Goodnow,&rdquo; said the superintendent, who recognized the
+      merchant as a friend of the society.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good evening, Mr. O&rsquo;Connor. I have brought my friend and correspondent
+      Mr. Mulgrave, of London, to see some of your young Arabs.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be glad to give him all the opportunity he desires.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The Englishman looked curiously at the faces of the boys who in turn were
+      examining him with equal interest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are not unlike our boys of a similar grade, but seem sharper and
+      more intelligent,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But surely,&rdquo; pointing to Rodney, &ldquo;that boy is
+      not one of the&mdash;Arabs. Why, he looks like a young gentleman.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is a new comer. He only appeared tonight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He must have a history. May I speak with him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;By all means. Rodney, this gentleman would like to talk with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney came forward with the ease of a boy who was accustomed to good
+      society, and said: &ldquo;I shall be very happy to speak with him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER VIII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      RODNEY FINDS A PLACE.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Surely,&rdquo; said the Englishman, &ldquo;you were not brought up in the street?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, no,&rdquo; answered Rodney, &ldquo;I was more fortunate.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then how does it happen that I find you here&mdash;among the needy boys
+      of the city?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because I am needy, too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you were not always poor?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I inherited a moderate fortune from my father. It was only within a
+      short time that I learned from my guardian that it was lost. I left the
+      boarding school where I was being educated, and came to the city to try to
+      make a living.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But surely your guardian would try to provide for you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is no longer in the city.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who was he?&rdquo; asked Otis Goodnow.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Benjamin Fielding.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is it possible? Why, I lost three thousand dollars by him. He has treated
+      you shamefully.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was not intentional, I am sure,&rdquo; said Rodney. &ldquo;He was probably drawn
+      into using my money by the hope of retrieving himself. He wrote me that he
+      hoped at some time to make restitution.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You speak of him generously, my lad,&rdquo; said Mr. Mulgrave. &ldquo;Yet he has
+      brought you to absolute poverty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, and I won&rsquo;t pretend that it is not a hard trial to me, but if I
+      can get a chance to earn my own living, I will not complain.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Goodnow, a word with you,&rdquo; said the Englishman, and he drew his friend
+      aside. &ldquo;Can&rsquo;t you make room for this boy in your establishment?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Otis Goodnow hesitated. &ldquo;At present there is no vacancy,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Make room for him, and draw upon me for his wages for the first six
+      months.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will do so, but before the end of that time I am sure he will justify
+      my paying him out of my own pocket.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a little further conference, and then the two gentlemen came up
+      to where Rodney was standing with Mr. O&rsquo;Connor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My boy,&rdquo; said Mr. Mulgrave, &ldquo;my friend here will give you a place at five
+      dollars a week. Will that satisfy you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney&rsquo;s face flushed with pleasure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It will make me very happy,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come round to my warehouse&mdash;here is my business card&mdash;tomorrow
+      morning,&rdquo; said the merchant. &ldquo;Ask to see me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At what time shall I call, sir?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At half past nine o&rsquo;clock. That is for the first morning. When you get to
+      work you will have to be there at eight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There will be no trouble about that, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now it is my turn,&rdquo; said the Englishman. &ldquo;Here are five dollars to keep
+      you till your first week&rsquo;s wages come due. I dare say you will find them
+      useful.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you very much, sir. I was almost out of money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      After the two gentlemen left the Lodging House Rodney looked at the card
+      and found that his new place of employment was situated on Reade Street
+      not far from Broadway.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It&rsquo;s you that&rsquo;s in luck, Rodney,&rdquo; said his friend Mike. &ldquo;Who&rsquo;d think that
+      a gentleman would come to the Lodging House to give you a place?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I am in luck, Mike, and now I&rsquo;m going to make you a proposal.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why can&rsquo;t we take a room together? It will be better than living here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sure you wouldn&rsquo;t room with a poor boy like me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why shouldn&rsquo;t I? You are a good friend, and I should like your company.
+      Besides I mean to help you get an education. I suppose you&rsquo;re not a first
+      class scholar, Mike?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;About fourth class, I guess, Rodney.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you shall study with me. Then when you know a little more you may
+      get a chance to get out of your present business, and get into a store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That will be bully!&rdquo; said Mike with pleasure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now we&rsquo;d better go to bed; I must be up bright and early in the morning.
+      We&rsquo;ll engage a room before I go to work.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was no difficulty about rising early. It is one of the rules of the
+      Lodging House for the boys to rise at six o&rsquo;clock, and after a frugal
+      breakfast of coffee and rolls they are expected to go out to their
+      business whatever it may be. Mike and Rodney dispensed with the regulation
+      breakfast and went out to a restaurant on Park Row where they fared
+      better.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now where shall we go for a room?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a feller I know has a good room on Bleecker Street,&rdquo; said Mike.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How far is that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A little more&rsquo;n a mile.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right! Let us go and see.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Bleecker Street once stood in better repute than at present. It is said
+      that A. T. Stewart once made his home there. Now it is given over to shops
+      and cheap lodging houses.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Finally the boys found a room decently furnished, about ten feet square,
+      of which the rental was two dollars and a half per week. Mike succeeded in
+      beating down the lodging house keeper to two dollars, and at that figure
+      they engaged it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When will you come?&rdquo; asked Mrs. McCarty.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Right off,&rdquo; said Mike.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll need a little time to put it in order.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Me and my partner will be at our business till six o&rsquo;clock,&rdquo; returned
+      Mike.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can send in your trunks during the day if you like.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My trunk is at the Windsor Hotel,&rdquo; said Mike. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve lent it to a friend
+      for a few days.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. McCarty looked at Mike with a puzzled expression. She was one of
+      those women who are slow to comprehend a joke, and she could not quite
+      make it seem natural that her new lodger, who was in rather neglige
+      costume, should be a guest at a fashionable hotel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will leave my valise,&rdquo; said Rodney, &ldquo;and will send for my trunk. It is
+      in the country.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mike looked at him, not feeling quite certain whether he was in earnest,
+      but Rodney was perfectly serious.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;re better off than me,&rdquo; said Mike, when they reached the street. &ldquo;If
+      I had a trunk I wouldn&rsquo;t have anything to put into it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll see if I can&rsquo;t rig you out, Mike. I&rsquo;ve got a good many clothes,
+      bought when I was rich. You and I are about the same size. I&rsquo;ll give you a
+      suit of clothes to wear on Sundays.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will you?&rdquo; exclaimed Mike, his face showing pleasure. &ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to see
+      how I look in good clo&rsquo;es. I never wore any yet. It wouldn&rsquo;t do no good in
+      my business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You won&rsquo;t want to wear them when at work. But wouldn&rsquo;t you like to change
+      your business?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you ever tried?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What&rsquo;d be the use of tryin&rsquo;? They&rsquo;d know I was a bootblack in these
+      clo&rsquo;es.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When you wear a better suit you can go round and try your luck.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to,&rdquo; said Mike wistfully. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want you to tell at the store
+      that you room with a bootblack.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t that I think of, Mike. I want you to do better. I&rsquo;m going to
+      make a man of you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you are. Sometimes I&rsquo;ve thought I&rsquo;d have to be a bootblack always.
+      When do you think you&rsquo;ll get the clo&rsquo;es?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall write to the principal of the boarding school at once, asking him
+      to forward my trunk by express. I want to economize a little this week,
+      and shall have to pay the express charges.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll pay up my part of the rent, Rodney, a quarter a day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney had advanced the whole sum, as Mike was not in funds.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you can&rsquo;t pay a dollar a week I will pay a little more than half.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There ain&rsquo;t no need. I&rsquo;ll pay my half and be glad to have a nice room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got three or four pictures at the school, and some books. I&rsquo;ll send
+      for them later on, and we&rsquo;ll fix up the room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will you? We&rsquo;ll have a reg&rsquo;lar bang up place. I tell you that&rsquo;ll be
+      better than livin&rsquo; at the Lodge.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still that seems a very neat place. It is lucky for poor boys that they
+      can get lodging so cheap.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But it isn&rsquo;t like havin&rsquo; a room of your own, Rodney. I say, when we&rsquo;re
+      all fixed I&rsquo;ll ask some of me friends to come in some evenin&rsquo; and take a
+      look at us. They&rsquo;ll be s&rsquo;prised.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly, Mike. I shall be glad to see any of your friends.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It may seem strange that Rodney, carefully as he had been brought up,
+      should have made a companion of Mike, but he recognized in the warm
+      hearted Irish boy, illiterate as he was, sterling qualities, and he felt
+      desirous of helping to educate him. He knew that he could always depend on
+      his devoted friendship, and looked forward with pleasure to their more
+      intimate companionship.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After selecting their room and making arrangements to take possession of
+      it, the boys went down town. Rodney stepped into the reading room at the
+      Astor House and wrote the following letter to Dr. Sampson:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      DR. PLINY SAMPSON:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      DEAR SIR&mdash;Will you be kind enough to send my trunk by express to No.
+      312 Bleecker Street? I have taken a room there, and that will be my home
+      for the present. I have obtained a position in a wholesale house on Reade
+      Street, and hope I may give satisfaction. Will you remember me with best
+      wishes to all the boys? I don&rsquo;t expect to have so easy or pleasant a time
+      as I had at school, but I hope to get on, and some time&mdash;perhaps in
+      the summer&mdash;to make you a short visit.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Yours truly, RODNEY ROPES.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER IX.
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      THE FIRST DAY AT WORK.
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      A little before half past nine Rodney paused in front of a large five
+      story building on Reade Street occupied by Otis Goodnow.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He entered and found the first floor occupied by quite a large number of
+      clerks and salesmen, and well filled with goods.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, young fellow, what can I do for you?&rdquo; asked a dapper looking clerk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would like to see Mr. Goodnow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He&rsquo;s reading his letters. He won&rsquo;t see you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was provoked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you decide who is to see him?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;re impudent, young feller.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Am I? Perhaps you will allow Mr. Goodnow to see me, as long as he told me
+      to call here this morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s a different thing,&rdquo; returned the other in a different tone. &ldquo;If
+      you&rsquo;re sure about that you can go to the office in the back part of the
+      room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney followed directions and found himself at the entrance of a room
+      which had been partitioned off for the use of the head of the firm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Goodnow was seated at a desk with his back to him, and was employed in
+      opening letters. Without turning round he said, &ldquo;Sit down and I will
+      attend to you in a few minutes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney seated himself on a chair near the door. In about ten minutes Mr.
+      Goodnow turned around.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is it?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps you remember telling me to call at half past nine. You saw me at
+      the Newsboys&rsquo; Lodging House.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, yes, I remember. I promised my friend Mulgrave that I would give you
+      a place. What can you do? Are you a good writer?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall I give you a specimen of my handwriting?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; sit down at that desk.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was a desk adjoining his own.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney seated himself and wrote in a firm, clear, neat hand:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will endeavor to give satisfaction, if you are kind enough to give me a
+      place in your establishment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Then he passed over the paper to the merchant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, very good!&rdquo; said Mr. Goodnow approvingly. &ldquo;You won&rsquo;t be expected to
+      do any writing yet but I like to take into my store those who are
+      qualified for promotion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He rang a little bell on his desk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A boy about two years older than Rodney answered the summons.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Send Mr. James here,&rdquo; said the merchant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. James, a sandy complexioned man, partially bald, made his appearance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. James,&rdquo; said the merchant, &ldquo;I have taken this boy into my employ. I
+      don&rsquo;t know if one is needed, but it is at the request of a friend. You can
+      send him on errands, or employ him in any other way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir. I can find something for him to do today at any rate, as
+      young Johnson hasn&rsquo;t shown up.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well. Whats your name, my lad?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Make a note of his name, Mr. James, and enter it in the books. You may go
+      with Mr. James, and put yourself at his disposal.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney followed the subordinate, who was the head of one of the
+      departments, to the second floor. Here Mr. James had a desk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Wait a minute,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and I will give you a memorandum of places to
+      call at.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In five minutes a memorandum containing a list of three places was given
+      to Rodney, with brief instructions as to what he was to do at each. They
+      were places not far away, and fortunately Rodney had a general idea as to
+      where they were.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In his search for positions he had made a study of the lower part of the
+      city which now stood him in good stead.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As he walked towards the door he attracted the attention of the young
+      clerk with whom he had just spoken.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, did you see Mr. Goodnow?&rdquo; asked the young man, stroking a sickly
+      looking mustache.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Has he taken you into the firm?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not yet, but he has given me a place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The clerk whistled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So you are one of us?&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; answered Rodney with a smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you ought to know the rules of the house.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can tell me later on, but now I am going out on an errand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In about an hour Rodney returned. He had been detained at two of the
+      places where he called.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you remember what I said?&rdquo; asked the young clerk as he passed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The first rule of the establishment is for a new hand to treat ME on his
+      first day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s pretty good for you,&rdquo; said Rodney, laughing; &ldquo;I shall have to wait
+      till my pay is raised.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      About the middle of the afternoon, as Rodney was helping to unpack a crate
+      of goods, the older boy whom he had already seen in the office below,
+      walked up to him and said, &ldquo;Is your name Ropes?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are wanted in Mr. Goodnow&rsquo;s office.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney went down stairs, feeling a little nervous. Had he done wrong, and
+      was he to be reprimanded?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He could think of nothing deserving censure. So far as he knew he had
+      attended faithfully to all the duties required of him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As he entered the office, he saw that Mr. Goodnow had a visitor, whose
+      face looked familiar to him. He recalled it immediately as the face of the
+      English gentleman who had visited the Lodging House the day previous with
+      his employer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So I find you at work?&rdquo; he said, offering his hand with a smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir,&rdquo; answered Rodney gratefully, &ldquo;thanks to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How do you think you will like it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very much, sir. It is so much better than going around the street with
+      nothing to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you will try to give satisfaction to my friend, Mr. Goodnow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall try to do so, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You mustn&rsquo;t expect to rise to be head salesman in a year. Festina lente,
+      as the Latin poet has it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be satisfied with hastening slowly, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What! you understand Latin?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Pretty well, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Upon my word, I didn&rsquo;t expect to find a boy in the News boys&rsquo; Lodging
+      House with classical attainments. Perhaps you know something of Greek
+      also!&rdquo; he said doubtfully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In reply Rodney repeated the first line of the Iliad.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Astonishing!&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Mulgrave, putting up his eyeglass, and
+      surveying Rodney as if he were a curious specimen. &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t happen to
+      know anything of Sanscrit, do you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir; I confess my ignorance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I apprehend you won&rsquo;t require it in my friend Goodnow&rsquo;s establishment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I do, I will learn it,&rdquo; said Rodney, rather enjoying the joke.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I write a book about America, I shall certainly put in a paragraph
+      about a learned office boy. I think you are entitled to something for your
+      knowledge of Greek and Latin&mdash;say five dollars apiece,&rdquo; and Mr.
+      Mulgrave drew from his pocket two gold pieces and handed them to Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you very much, sir,&rdquo; said Rodney. &ldquo;I shall find this money very
+      useful, as I have taken a room, and am setting up housekeeping.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you have left the Lodging House?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir; I only spent one night there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are right. It is no doubt a great blessing to the needy street boys,
+      but you belong to a different class.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is very fortunate I went there last evening, or I should not have met
+      you and Mr. Goodnow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad to have been the means of doing you a service,&rdquo; said the
+      Englishman kindly, shaking hands with Rodney, who bowed and went back to
+      his work.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not sure but you are taking too much notice of that boy, Mulgrave,&rdquo;
+       said the merchant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No fear! He is not a common boy. You won&rsquo;t regret employing him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope not.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Then they talked of other matters, for Mr. Mulgrave was to start on his
+      return to England the following day.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At five o&rsquo;clock Rodney&rsquo;s day was over, and he went back to Bleecker
+      Street. He found Mike already there, working hard to get his hands clean,
+      soiled as they were by the stains of blacking.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you have a good day, Mike?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; I made a dollar and ten cents. Here&rsquo;s a quarter towards the rent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right! I see you are prompt in money matters.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I try to be. Do you know, Rodney, I worked better for feelin&rsquo; that I had
+      a room of my own to go to after I got through. I hope I&rsquo;ll soon be able to
+      get into a different business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope so, too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Two days later Rodney&rsquo;s trunk arrived. In the evening he opened it. He
+      took out a dark mixed suit about half worn, and said, &ldquo;Try that on, Mike.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mike did so. It fitted as if it were made for him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can have it, Mike,&rdquo; said Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t mean it?&rdquo; exclaimed Mike, delighted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I do. I have plenty of others.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney supplemented his gift by a present of underclothing, and on the
+      following Sunday the two boys went to Central Park in the afternoon, Mike
+      so transformed that some of his street friends passed him without
+      recognition, much to Mike&rsquo;s delight.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER X.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      MIKE PUTS ON A UNIFORM.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A wonderful change came over Mike Flynn. Until he met Rodney he seemed
+      quite destitute of ambition. The ragged and dirty suit which he wore as
+      bootblack were the best he had. His face and hands generally bore the
+      marks of his business, and as long as he made enough to buy three meals a
+      day, two taken at the Lodging House, with something over for lodging, and
+      an occasional visit to a cheap theater, he was satisfied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was fifteen, and had never given a thought to what he would do when he
+      was older. But after meeting Rodney, and especially after taking a room
+      with him, he looked at life with different eyes. He began to understand
+      that his business, though honorable because honest, was not a desirable
+      one. He felt, too, that he ought to change it out of regard for Rodney,
+      who was now his close companion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I had ten dollars ahead,&rdquo; he said one day, &ldquo;I&rsquo;d give up blackin&rsquo;
+      boots.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What else would you do?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;d be a telegraph boy. That&rsquo;s more respectable than blackin&rsquo; boots, and
+      it &lsquo;ould be cleaner.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is true. Do you need money to join?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would get paid once in two weeks, and I&rsquo;d have to live till I got my
+      first salary.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I guess I can see you through, Mike.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; you need all your money, Rodney. I&rsquo;ll wait and see if I can&rsquo;t save it
+      myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      This, however, would have taken a long time, if Mike had not been favored
+      by circumstances. He was standing near the ladies&rsquo; entrance to the Astor
+      House one day, when casting his eyes downward he espied a neat pocketbook
+      of Russia leather. He picked it up, and from the feeling judged that it
+      must be well filled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Now I must admit that it did occur to Mike that he could divert to his own
+      use the contents without detection, as no one had seen him pick it up. But
+      Mike was by instinct an honest boy, and he decided that this would not be
+      right. He thrust it into his pocket, however, as he had no objection to
+      receiving a reward if one was offered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While he was standing near the entrance, a tall lady, dressed in brown
+      silk and wearing glasses, walked up from the direction of Broadway. She
+      began to peer about like one who was looking for something.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I guess its hers,&rdquo; thought Mike.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you looking for anything, ma&rsquo;am?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      She turned and glanced at Mike.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I must have dropped my pocketbook,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I had it in my
+      hand when I left the hotel, but I had something on my mind and I think I
+      must have dropped it without noticing. Won&rsquo;t you help me look for it, for
+      I am short sighted?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is this it?&rdquo; asked Mike, producing the pocketbook.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh yes!&rdquo; exclaimed the lady joyfully. &ldquo;Where did you find it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just here,&rdquo; answered Mike, indicating a place on the sidewalk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose there is a good deal of money in it?&rdquo; said Mike, with
+      pardonable curiosity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you didn&rsquo;t open it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, ma&rsquo;am, I didn&rsquo;t have a chance. I just found it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There may be forty or fifty dollars, but it isn&rsquo;t on that account I
+      should have regretted losing it. It contained a receipt for a thousand
+      dollars which I am to use in a law suit. That is very important for it
+      will defeat a dishonest claim for money that I have already paid.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I&rsquo;m glad I found it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are an honest boy. You seem to be a poor boy also.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s true, ma&rsquo;am. If I was rich I wouldn&rsquo;t black boots for a livin&rsquo;.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Dear me, you are one of the young street Arabs I&rsquo;ve read about,&rdquo; and the
+      lady looked curiously at Mike through her glasses.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I expect I am.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I suppose you haven&rsquo;t much money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My bank account is very low, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve read a book about a boy named &lsquo;Ragged Dick.&rsquo; I think he was a
+      bootblack, too. Do you know him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He&rsquo;s my cousin, ma&rsquo;am,&rdquo; answered Mike promptly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It will be observed that I don&rsquo;t represent Mike as possessed of all the
+      virtues.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Dear me, how interesting. I bought the book for my little nephew. Now I
+      can tell him I have seen &lsquo;Ragged Dick&rsquo;s&rsquo; cousin. Where is Dick now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He&rsquo;s reformed, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Reformed?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, from blackin&rsquo; boots. He&rsquo;s in better business now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I should give you some of the money in this pocketbook, you wouldn&rsquo;t
+      spend it on drinking and gambling, would you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, ma&rsquo;am. I&rsquo;d reform like my cousin, Ragged Dick.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You look like a good truthful boy. Here are ten dollars for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, thank you, ma&rsquo;am! you&rsquo;re a gentleman,&rdquo; said Mike overjoyed. &ldquo;No, I
+      don&rsquo;t mean that but I hope you&rsquo;ll soon get a handsome husband.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My young friend, I don&rsquo;t care to marry, though I appreciate your good
+      wishes. I am an old maid from principle. I am an officer of the Female
+      Suffrage Association.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is it a good payin&rsquo; office, ma&rsquo;am?&rdquo; asked Mike, visibly impressed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, but it is a position of responsibility. Please tell me your name that
+      I may make a note of it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My name is Michael Flynn.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see. You are of Celtic extraction.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know, ma&rsquo;am. I never heard that I was. It isn&rsquo;t anything bad, is
+      it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all. I have some Celtic blood in my own veins. If you ever come to
+      Boston you can inquire for Miss Pauline Peabody.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, ma&rsquo;am,&rdquo; said Mike, who thought the lady rather a &ldquo;queer lot.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now I must call upon my lawyer, and leave the receipt which I came so
+      near losing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;m in luck,&rdquo; thought Mike. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll go home and dress up, and apply
+      for a position as telegraph boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      When Rodney came home at supper time he found Mike, dressed in his Sunday
+      suit.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What&rsquo;s up now, Mike?&rdquo; he asked. &ldquo;Have you retired from business?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, from the bootblack business. Tomorrow I shall be a telegraph boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is good. You haven&rsquo;t saved up ten dollars, have you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I saved up two, and a lady gave me ten dollars for findin&rsquo; her
+      pocketbook.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s fine, Mike.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There chanced to be a special demand for telegraph boys at that time, and
+      Mike, who was a sharp lad, on passing the necessary examination, was at
+      once set to work.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was immensely fond of his blue uniform when he first put it on, and
+      felt that he had risen in the social scale. True, his earnings did not
+      average as much, but he was content with smaller pay, since the duties
+      were more agreeable.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the evenings under Rodney&rsquo;s instruction he devoted an hour and
+      sometimes two to the task of making up the deficiencies in his early
+      education. These were extensive, but Mike was naturally a smart boy, and
+      after a while began to improve rapidly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So three months passed. Rodney stood well in with Mr. Goodnow, and was
+      promoted to stock clerk. The discipline which he had revived as a student
+      stood him in good stead, and enabled him to make more rapid advancement
+      than some who had been longer in the employ of the firm. In particular he
+      was promoted over the head of Jasper Redwood, a boy two years older than
+      himself, who was the nephew of an old employee who had been for fifteen
+      years in the house.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper&rsquo;s jealousy was aroused, and he conceived a great dislike for
+      Rodney, of which Rodney was only partially aware.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      For this dislike there was really no cause. Rodney stood in his way only
+      because Jasper neglected his duties, and failed to inspire confidence. He
+      was a boy who liked to spend money and found his salary insufficient,
+      though he lived with his uncle and paid but two dollars a week for his
+      board.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Uncle James,&rdquo; he said one day, &ldquo;when do you think I will get a raise?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You might get one now if it were not for the new boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You mean Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, he has just been promoted to a place which I hoped to get for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is mean,&rdquo; grumbled Jasper. &ldquo;I have been here longer than he.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;True, but he seems to be Mr. Goodnow&rsquo;s pet. It was an unlucky day for you
+      when he got a place in the establishment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you ask Mr. Goodnow to promote me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but he said he had decided to give Archer&rsquo;s place to Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Archer was a young clerk who was obliged, on account of pulmonary
+      weakness, to leave New York and go to Southern California.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much does Ropes get now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Seven dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I only get five, and I am two years older. They ought to have more
+      regard for you, Uncle James, or I, as your nephew, would get promoted.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will see what we can do about it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish Ropes would get into some scrape and get discharged.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was a new idea, but Jasper dwelt upon it, and out of it grew trouble
+      for Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XI.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      MISSING GOODS.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      James Redwood was summoned one morning to the counting room of his
+      employer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Redwood,&rdquo; said the merchant &ldquo;I have reason to think that one of my
+      clerks is dishonest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who, sir?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is what I want you to find out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What reason have you for suspecting any one?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Some ladies&rsquo; cloaks and some dress patterns are missing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you sure they were not sold?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes: the record of sales has been examined, and they are not included.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is strange, Mr. Goodnow,&rdquo; said Redwood thoughtfully. &ldquo;I hope I am
+      not under suspicion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, not at all.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The losses seem to have taken place in my department.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;True, but that doesn&rsquo;t involve you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you want me to do?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Watch those under you. Let nothing in your manner, however, suggest that
+      you are suspicious. I don&rsquo;t want you to put any one on his guard.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right, sir. I will be guided by your instructions. Have you any idea
+      how long this has been going on?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Only a few weeks.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Redwood turned to go back to his room, but Mr. Goodnow called him
+      back.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I needn&rsquo;t suggest to you,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;that you keep this to yourself.
+      Don&rsquo;t let any clerk into the secret.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      James Redwood, however, did not keep his promise. After supper he called
+      back Jasper as he was about putting on his hat to go out, and said,
+      &ldquo;Jasper, I wish to speak with you for five minutes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Won&rsquo;t it do tomorrow morning? I have an engagement.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Put it off, then. This is a matter of importance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir,&rdquo; and Jasper, albeit reluctantly, laid down his hat and
+      sat down.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jasper,&rdquo; said his uncle, &ldquo;there&rsquo;s a thief in our establishment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper started, and his sallow complexion turned yellower than usual.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you mean, uncle?&rdquo; he asked nervously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What I say. Some articles are missing that have not been sold.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Such as what?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ladies&rsquo; cloaks and dress patterns.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who told you?&rdquo; asked Jasper in a low tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Goodnow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What the boss?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How should he know?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t inquire, and if I had he probably wouldn&rsquo;t have told me. The
+      main thing is that he does know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He may not be sure.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is not a man to speak unless he feels pretty sure.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see how any one could steal the articles without being detected.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems they are detected.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did&mdash;did Mr. Goodnow mention any names?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No. He wants to watch and find out the thief. I wish you to help me,
+      though I am acting against instructions. Mr. Goodnow asked me to take no
+      one into my confidence. You will see, therefore, that it will be necessary
+      for you to say nothing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I won&rsquo;t breathe a word,&rdquo; said Jasper, who seemed to feel more at ease.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now that I have told you so much, can you suggest any person who would be
+      likely to commit the theft?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper remained silent for a moment, then with a smile of malicious
+      satisfaction said, &ldquo;Yes, I can suggest a person.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The new boy, Rodney Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      James Redwood shook his head.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t believe that it is he. I am not in love with the young fellow,
+      who seems to stand in the way of your advancement but he seems straight
+      enough, and I don&rsquo;t think it at all likely that he should be the guilty
+      person.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Uncle James, he SEEMS straight but you know that still waters run
+      deep.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you seen anything that would indicate guilt on his part?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have noticed this, that, he is very well dressed for a boy of his small
+      salary, and seems always to have money to spend.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That will count for something. Still he might have some outide means.
+      Have you noticed anything else?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper hesitated.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I noticed one evening when he left the store that he had a sizable parcel
+      under his arm.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you think it might have contained some article stolen from the
+      stock?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s just what I think now. Nothing of the kind occurred to me at that
+      time, for I didn&rsquo;t know any articles were missing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That seems important. When was it that you noticed this?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;One day last week,&rdquo; answered Jasper hesitatingly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can you remember the day?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Couldn&rsquo;t you fix it some way?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No. You see, I didn&rsquo;t attach any particular importance to it at the time,
+      and probably it would not have occurred to me again, but for your
+      mentioning that articles were missing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There may be something in what you say,&rdquo; said his uncle thoughtfully. &ldquo;I
+      will take special notice of young Ropes after this.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So will I.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t let him observe that he is watched. It would defeat our chances of
+      detecting the thief.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll be careful. Do you want to say anything more, uncle?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No. By the way, where were you going this evening?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was going to meet a friend, and perhaps go to the theater. You couldn&rsquo;t
+      lend me a dollar, could you, Uncle James?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I could, but you are not quite able to pay for your own pleasures.
+      It costs all my salary to live, and its going to be worse next year, for I
+      shall have to pay a higher rent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When I have my pay raised, I can get along better.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If Ropes loses his place, you will probably step into it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I hope he&rsquo;ll go, and that soon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      When Jasper passed through the front door and stood on the sidewalk, he
+      breathed a sigh of relief.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So, they are on to us,&rdquo; he said to himself. &ldquo;But how was it found out?
+      That&rsquo;s what I&rsquo;d like to know. I have been very careful. I must see Carton
+      at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A short walk took him to a billiard room not far from Broadway. A young
+      man of twenty five, with a slight mustache, and a thin, dark face, was
+      selecting a cue.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah, Jasper!&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Come at last. Let us have a game of pool.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not just yet. Come outide. I want to speak to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper looked serious, and Philip Carton, observing it, made no
+      remonstrance, but taking his hat, followed him out.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, what is it?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Something serious. It is discovered at the store that goods are missing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t mean it? Are we suspected?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No one is suspected&mdash;yet.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But how do you know?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My uncle spoke to me about it this evening&mdash;just after supper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He doesn&rsquo;t think you are in it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How did he find out?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Through the boss. Goodnow spoke to him about it today.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But how should Goodnow know anything about it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That no one can tell but himself. He asked Uncle James to watch the
+      clerks, and see if he could fasten the theft on any of them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is pleasant for us. It is well we are informed so that we can be on
+      our guard. I am afraid our game is up.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;For the present at any rate we must suspend operations. Now, have you
+      some money for me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, a little.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A little? Why there are two cloaks and a silk dress pattern to be
+      accounted for.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;True, but I have to be very careful. I have to submit to a big discount
+      for the parties I sell to undoubtedly suspect that the articles are
+      stolen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Wouldn&rsquo;t it be better to pawn them?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would be more dangerous. Besides you know how liberal pawnbrokers are.
+      I&rsquo;ll tell you what would be better. If I had a sufficient number of
+      articles to warrant it, I could take them on to Boston or Philadelphia,
+      and there would be less risk selling them there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is true. I wish we had thought of that before. Now we shall have to
+      give up the business for a time. How much money have you got for me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Seven dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Seven dollars!&rdquo; exclaimed Jasper in disgust. &ldquo;Why, that is ridiculous.
+      The articles must have been worth at retail a hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps so, but I only got fourteen for them. If you think you can do any
+      better you may sell them yourself next time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought I should assuredly get fifteen dollars out of it,&rdquo; said Jasper,
+      looking deeply disappointed. &ldquo;I had a use for the money too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very likely. So had I.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I suppose I must make it do. Listen and I will tell you how I think
+      I can turn this thing to my advantage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Go ahead!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      WHAT WAS FOUND IN RODNEY&rsquo;S ROOM.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is a boy who stands between me and promotion,&rdquo; continued Jasper,
+      speaking in a low tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The boy you mentioned the other day?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Rodney Ropes. Mr. Goodnow got him from I don&rsquo;t know where, and has
+      taken a ridiculous fancy to him. He has been put over my head and his pay
+      raised, though I have been in the store longer than he. My idea is to
+      connect him with the thefts and get him discharged.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you mean that we are to make him a confederate?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; answered Jasper impatiently. &ldquo;He would be just the fellow to peach
+      and get us all into trouble.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then what do you mean?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To direct suspicion towards him. We won&rsquo;t do it immediately, but within a
+      week or two. It would do me good to have him turned out of the store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper proceeded to explain his idea more fully, and his companion
+      pronounced it very clever.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Meanwhile Rodney, not suspecting the conspiracy to deprive him of his
+      place and his good name, worked zealously, encouraged by his promotion,
+      and resolved to make a place for himself which should insure him a
+      permanent connection with the firm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ten days passed, and Mr. Redwood again received a summons from the office.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Entering, he found Mr. Goodnow with a letter in his hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, Mr. Redwood,&rdquo; he began, &ldquo;have you got any clew to the party who has
+      stolen our goods?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Has any thing been taken since I spoke with you on the subject?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not that I am aware of.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Has any one of the clerks attracted your attention by suspicious
+      conduct?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir,&rdquo; answered Redwood, puzzled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Humph! Cast your eye over this letter.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      James Redwood took the letter, which was written in a fine hand, and read
+      as follow:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      MR. GOODNOW:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      DEAR SIR,&mdash;I don&rsquo;t know whether you are aware that articles have been
+      taken from your stock, say, ladies&rsquo; cloaks and silk dress patterns, and
+      disposed of outside. I will not tell you how it has come to my knowledge,
+      for I do not want to get any one&rsquo;s ill will, but I will say, to begin
+      with, that they were taken by one of your employees, and the one, perhaps,
+      that you would least suspect, for I am told that he is a favorite of
+      yours. I may as well say that it is Rodney Ropes. I live near him, and
+      last evening I saw him carry a bundle to his room when he went back from
+      the store. I think if you would send round today when he is out, you would
+      find in his room one or more of the stolen articles. I don&rsquo;t want to get
+      him into trouble, but I don&rsquo;t like to see you robbed, and so I tell you
+      what I know. A FRIEND.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Redwood read this letter attentively, arching his brows, perhaps to
+      indicate his surprise. Then he read it again carefully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you think of it?&rdquo; asked the merchant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; answered Redwood slowly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you ever seen anything suspicious in the conduct of young Ropes?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t say I have. On the contrary, he seems to be a very diligent and
+      industrious clerk.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But about his honesty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I fancied him the soul of honesty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So did I, but of course we are liable to be deceived. It wouldn&rsquo;t be the
+      first case where seeming honesty has been a cover for flagrant
+      dishonesty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you wish me to do, Mr. Goodnow? Shall I send Ropes down to you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; it would only give him a chance, if guilty, to cover up his
+      dishonesty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am ready to follow your instructions.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know where he lodges?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I will ask you to go around there, and by some means gain admission
+      to his room. If he has any of our goods secreted take possession of them
+      and report to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir.&rdquo; Half an hour later Mrs. McCarty, Rodney&rsquo;s landlady, in
+      response to a ring admitted Mr. James Redwood.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Does a young man named Ropes lodge here?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I come from the house where he is employed. He has inadvertently left in
+      his room a parcel belonging to us, and I should be glad if you would allow
+      me to go up to his room and take it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You see, sir,&rdquo; said Mrs. McCarty in a tone of hesitation, &ldquo;while you look
+      like a perfect gentleman, I don&rsquo;t know you, and I am not sure whether, in
+      justice to Mr. Ropes, I ought to admit you to his room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are quite right my good lady; I am sure. It is just what I should
+      wish my own landlady to do. I will therefore ask you to go up to the room
+      with me to see that all is right.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That seems all right, sir. In that case I don&rsquo;t object. Follow me, if you
+      please.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As they entered Rodney&rsquo;s room Mr. Redwood looked about him inquisitively.
+      One article at once fixed his attention. It was a parcel wrapped in brown
+      paper lying on the bed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is the parcel, I think,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;If you will allow me I will open
+      it, to make sure.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. McCarty looked undecided, but as she said nothing in opposition Mr.
+      Redwood unfastened the strings and unrolled the bundle. His eyes lighted
+      up with satisfaction as he disclosed the contents&mdash;a lady&rsquo;s cloak.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. McCarty looked surprised.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, it&rsquo;s a lady&rsquo;s cloak,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;and a very handsome one. What would
+      Mr. Ropes want of such a thing as that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps he intended to make you a present of it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, he can&rsquo;t afford to make such present.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The explanation is simple. It belongs to the store. Perhaps Mr. Ropes
+      left it here inadvertently.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But he hasn&rsquo;t been here since morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He has a pass key to the front door?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then he may have been here. Would you object to my taking it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, you see I don&rsquo;t know you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your objection is a proper one. Then I will trouble you to take a look at
+      the cloak, so that you would know it again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly, sir. I shall remember it!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is all, Mrs. &mdash;&mdash;?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;McCarty, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mrs. McCarty, I won&rsquo;t take up any more of your time,&rdquo; and Mr. Redwood
+      started to go down stairs.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who shall I tell Mr. Ropes called to see him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You needn&rsquo;t say. I will mention the matter to him myself. I am employed
+      in the same store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right sir. Where is the store? I never thought to ask Mr. Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Reade Street, near Broadway. You know where Reade Street is?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir. My husband used to work in Chambers Street. That is the first
+      street south.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Precisely. Well, I can&rsquo;t stay longer, so I will leave, apologizing for
+      having taken up so much of your time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, it&rsquo;s of no consequence, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is a perfect gentleman,&rdquo; she said to herself, as Mr. Redwood closed
+      the front door, and went out on the street. &ldquo;I wonder whether he&rsquo;s a
+      widower.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Being a widow this was quite a natural thought for Mrs. McCarty to indulge
+      in, particularly as Mr. Redwood looked to be a substantial man with a snug
+      income.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Redwood went back to the store, and went at once to the office.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, Redwood,&rdquo; said Mr. Goodnow, &ldquo;did you learn anything?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Go on.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I went to the lodging of young Ropes, and was admitted to his room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And there, wrapped in a brown paper, I found one of our missing cloaks
+      lying on his bed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is it possible?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am afraid he is not what we supposed him to be, Mr. Goodnow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It looks like it. I am surprised and sorry. Do you think he took the
+      other articles that are missing?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course I can&rsquo;t say, sir, but it is fair to presume that he did.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am exceedingly sorry. I don&rsquo;t mind saying, Redwood, that I took an
+      especial interest in that boy. I have already told you the circumstances
+      of my meeting him, and the fancy taken to him by my friend Mulgrave.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, I have heard you say that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think I am easily taken in, and that boy impressed me as
+      thoroughly honest. But of course I don&rsquo;t pretend to be infallible and it
+      appears that I have been mistaken in him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The merchant looked troubled, for he had come to feel a sincere regard for
+      Rodney. He confessed to himself that he would rather have found any of the
+      other clerks dishonest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may send Ropes to me,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;Mr. Redwood, and you will please
+      come with him. We will investigate this matter at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XIII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      CHARGED WITH THEFT.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney entered Mr. Goodnow&rsquo;s office without a suspicion of the serious
+      accusation which had been made against him. The first hint that there was
+      anything wrong came to him when he saw the stern look in the merchants
+      eyes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps,&rdquo; said Mr. Goodnow, as he leaned back in his chair and fixed his
+      gaze on the young clerk, &ldquo;you may have an idea why I have sent for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir,&rdquo; answered Rodney, looking puzzled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can&rsquo;t think of any reason I may have for wishing to see you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir,&rdquo; and Rodney returned Mr. Goodnow&rsquo;s gaze with honest unfaltering
+      eyes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Possibly you are not aware that within a few weeks some articles have
+      been missed from our stock.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have not heard of it. What kind of articles?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The boy is more artful than I thought!&rdquo; soliloquized the merchant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All the articles missed,&rdquo; he proceeded, &ldquo;have been from the room in
+      charge of Mr. Redwood, the room in which you, among others, are employed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Something in Mr. Goodnow&rsquo;s tone gave Rodney the hint of the truth. If he
+      had been guilty he would have flushed and showed signs of confusion. As it
+      was, he only wished to learn the truth and he in turn became the
+      questioner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is it supposed,&rdquo; he asked, &ldquo;that any one in your employ is responsible
+      for these thefts?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is any one in particular suspected?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will you tell me who, that is if you think I ought to know?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly you ought to know, for it is you who are suspected.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Then Rodney became indignant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can only deny the charge in the most emphatic terms,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;If any
+      one has brought such a charge against me, it is a lie.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can say that to Mr. Redwood, for it is he who accuses you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What does this mean, Mr. Redwood?&rdquo; demanded Rodney quickly. &ldquo;What have
+      you seen in me that leads you to accuse me of theft.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To tell the truth, Ropes, you are about the last clerk in my room whom I
+      would have suspected. But early this morning this letter was received,&rdquo;
+       and he placed in Rodney&rsquo;s hands the letter given in a preceding chapter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney read it through and handed it back scornfully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should like to see the person who wrote this letter,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It is a
+      base lie from beginning to end.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought it might be when Mr. Goodnow showed it to me,&rdquo; said Redwood in
+      an even tone, &ldquo;but Mr. Goodnow and I agreed that it would be well to
+      investigate. Therefore I went to your room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When, sir?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then it is all right, for I am sure you found nothing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;On the contrary, Ropes, I found that the statement made in the letter was
+      true. On your bed was a bundle containing one of the cloaks taken from our
+      stock.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney&rsquo;s face was the picture of amazement.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is this true?&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It certainly is. I hope you don&rsquo;t doubt my word.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you bring it back with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; your worthy landlady was not quite sure whether I was what I
+      represented, and I left the parcel there. However I opened it in her
+      presence so that she can testify what I found.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is very strange,&rdquo; said Rodney, looking at his accuser with puzzled
+      eyes. &ldquo;I know nothing whatever of the cloak and can&rsquo;t imagine how it got
+      into my room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps it walked there,&rdquo; said Mr. Goodnow satirically.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney colored, for he understood that his employer did not believe him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;May I go to my room,&rdquo; he asked, &ldquo;and bring back the bundle with me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Observing that Mr. Goodnow hesitated he added, &ldquo;You can send Some one with
+      me to see that I don&rsquo;t spirit away the parcel, and come back with it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;On these conditions you may go. Redwood, send some one with Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney followed the chief of his department back to the cloak room, and
+      the latter, after a moments thought, summoned Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jasper,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;Ropes is going to his room to get a parcel which
+      belongs to the store. You may go with him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a flash of satisfaction in Jasper&rsquo;s eyes as he answered with
+      seeming indifference, &ldquo;All right! I will go. I shall be glad to have a
+      walk.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As the two boys passed out of the store, Jasper asked, &ldquo;What does it mean,
+      Ropes?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know myself. I only know that there is said to be a parcel
+      containing a cloak in my room. This cloak came from the store, and I am
+      suspected of having stolen it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Whew! that&rsquo;s a serious matter. Of course it is all a mistake?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, it is all a mistake.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But how could it get to your room unless you carried it there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney gave Jasper a sharp look.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Some one must have taken it there,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How on earth did Uncle James find out?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;An anonymous letter was sent to Mr. Goodnow charging me with theft. Did
+      you hear that articles have been missed for some time from the stock?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Never heard a word of it,&rdquo; said Jasper with ready falsehood.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems the articles are missing from our room, and some one in the room
+      is suspected of being the thief.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good gracious! I hope no one will suspect me,&rdquo; said Jasper in pretended
+      alarm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems I am suspected. I hope no other innocent person will have a like
+      misfortune.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Presently they reached Rodney&rsquo;s lodgings. Mrs. McCarty was coming up the
+      basement stairs as they entered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;La, Mr. Ropes!&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;what brings you here in the middle of the
+      day?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hear there is a parcel in my room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; it contains such a lovely cloak. The gentleman from your store who
+      called a little while ago thought you might have meant it as a present for
+      me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am afraid it will be some time before I can afford to make such
+      present. Do you know if any one called and left the cloak here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I didn&rsquo;t let in no one at the door.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Was the parcel there when you made the bed?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, no, it wasn&rsquo;t. That is curious.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It shows that the parcel has been left here since. Now I certainly
+      couldn&rsquo;t have left it, for I have been at work all the morning. Come up
+      stairs, Jasper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The two boys went up the stairs, and, entering Rodney&rsquo;s room, found the
+      parcel, still on the bed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney opened it and identified the cloak as exactly like those which they
+      carried in stock.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He examined the paper in which it was inclosed, but it seemed to differ
+      from the wrapping paper used at the store. He called Jasper&rsquo;s attention to
+      this.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have nothing to say,&rdquo; remarked Jasper, shrugging his shoulders. &ldquo;I
+      don&rsquo;t understand the matter at all. I suppose you are expected to carry
+      the cloak back to the store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, that is the only thing to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I say, Ropes, it looks pretty bad for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper said this, but Rodney observed that his words were not accompanied
+      by any expressions of sympathy, or any words that indicated his disbelief
+      of Rodney&rsquo;s guilt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you think I took this cloak from the store?&rdquo; he demanded, facing round
+      upon Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Really, I don&rsquo;t know. It looks bad, finding it in your room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I needn&rsquo;t ask any further. I can see what you think.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You wouldn&rsquo;t have me tell a lie, would you, Ropes? Of course such things
+      have been done before, and your salary is small.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You insult me by your words,&rdquo; said Rodney, flaming up.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I had better not speak, but you asked me, you know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I did. Things may look against me, but I am absolutely innocent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you can make Mr. Goodnow think so,&rdquo; said Jasper with provoking
+      coolness, &ldquo;it will be all right. Perhaps he will forgive you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want his forgiveness. I want him to think me honest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I hope you are, I am sure, but it won&rsquo;t do any good our discussing
+      it, and it doesn&rsquo;t make any difference what I think any way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      By this time they had reached the store.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XIV.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      RODNEY IS DISCHARGED.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney reported his return to Mr. Redwood, and in his company went down
+      stairs to the office, with the package under his arm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well?&rdquo; said Mr. Goodnow inquiringly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is the package, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And it was found in your room?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, I found it on my bed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can&rsquo;t you account for it being there?&rdquo; asked the merchant searchingly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You must admit that its presence in your room looks bad for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I admit it sir; but I had nothing to do with it being there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you any theory to account for it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Only this, that some one must have carried it to my room and placed it
+      where it was found.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you question your landlady as to whether she had admitted any one
+      during the morning?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir. She had not.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is very unfavorable to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In what way, sir?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It makes it probable that you carried in the parcel yourself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That I deny,&rdquo; said Rodney boldly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I expected you to deny it,&rdquo; said the merchant coldly. &ldquo;If this cloak were
+      the only one that had been taken I would drop the matter. But this is by
+      no means the case. Mr. Redwood, can you give any idea of the extent to
+      which we have been robbed?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So far as I can estimate we have lost a dozen cloaks and about half a
+      dozen dress patterns.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is a serious loss, Ropes,&rdquo; said Mr. Goodnow. &ldquo;I should think it
+      would foot up several hundred dollars. If you can throw any light upon the
+      thefts, or give me information by which I can get back the goods even at
+      considerable expense, I will be as considerate with you as I can.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Goodnow,&rdquo; returned Rodney hotly, &ldquo;I know no more about the matter
+      than you do. I hope you will investigate, and if you can prove that I took
+      any of the missing articles I want no consideration. I shall expect you to
+      have me arrested, and, if convicted, punished.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;These are brave words, Ropes,&rdquo; said Mr. Goodnow coldly, &ldquo;but they are
+      only words. The parcel found in your room affords strong ground for
+      suspicion that you are responsible for at least a part of the thefts.
+      Under the circumstances there is only one thing for me to do, and that is
+      to discharge you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may go to the cashier and he will pay you to the end of the week, but
+      your connection with the store will end at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t care to be paid to the end of the week, sir. If you will give me
+      an order for payment up to tonight, that will be sufficient.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It shall be as you say.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Goodnow wrote a few words on a slip of paper and handed it to Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will leave my address, sir, and if I change it I will notify you. If
+      you should hear anything as to the real robber I will ask you as a favor
+      to communicate with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Redwood, you have heard the request of Ropes, I will look to you to
+      comply with it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The merchant turned back to his letters, and Rodney left the office, with
+      what feelings of sorrow and humiliation may be imagined.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry for this occurrence, Ropes,&rdquo; said Mr. Redwood, with a touch of
+      sympathy in his voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you believe me guilty, Mr. Redwood?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I cannot do otherwise. I hope you are innocent, and, if so, that the
+      really guilty party will be discovered sooner or later.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      When they entered the room in which Rodney had been employed Jasper came
+      up, his face alive with curiosity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;how did you come out?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am discharged,&rdquo; said Rodney bitterly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, you couldn&rsquo;t complain of that. Things looked pretty dark for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I had committed the theft, I would not complain. Indeed, I would
+      submit to punishment without a murmur. But it is hard to suffer while
+      innocent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Uncle James,&rdquo; said Jasper, &ldquo;if Ropes is going will you ask Mr. Goodnow to
+      put me in his place?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Even Mr. Redwood was disgusted by this untimely request.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would be more becoming,&rdquo; he said sharply, &ldquo;if you would wait till
+      Ropes was fairly out of the store before applying for his position.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I want to be in time. I don&rsquo;t want any one to get ahead of me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      James Redwood did not deign a reply.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry you leave us under such circumstances, Ropes,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The
+      time may come when you will be able to establish your innocence, and in
+      that case Mr. Goodnow will probably take you back again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney did not answer, but with his order went to the cashier&rsquo;s desk and
+      received the four dollars due him. Then, with a heavy heart, he left the
+      store where it had been such a satisfaction to him to work.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On Broadway he met his room mate, Mike Flynn, in the uniform of a
+      telegraph boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are you goin&rsquo;, Rodney?&rdquo; asked Mike. &ldquo;You ain&rsquo;t let off so early,
+      are you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am let off for good and all, Mike.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What&rsquo;s that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am discharged.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What for?&rdquo; asked Mike in amazement.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will tell you when you get home tonight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney went back to his room, and lay down sad and despondent. Some hours
+      later Mike came in, and was told the story. The warm hearted telegraph boy
+      was very angry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That boss of yours must be a stupid donkey,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. The parcel was found in my room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Anybody&rsquo;d know to look at you that you wouldn&rsquo;t steal.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Some thieves look very innocent. The only way to clear me is to find out
+      who left the bundle at the house.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Doesn&rsquo;t Mrs. McCarty know anything about it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I asked her.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Some one might have got into the house without her knowing anything about
+      it. The lock is a very common one. There are plenty of keys that will open
+      it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If we could find some one that saw a person with a bundle go up the
+      steps, that would give us a clew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s so. We&rsquo;ll ask.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But for several days no one could be found who had seen any such person.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Meanwhile Rodney was at a loss what to do. He was cut off from applying
+      for another place, for no one would engage him if he were refused a
+      recommendation from his late employer. Yet he must obtain some employment
+      for he could not live on nothing.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you think, Mike,&rdquo; he asked doubtfully, &ldquo;that I could make anything
+      selling papers?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Such business isn&rsquo;t for you,&rdquo; answered the telegraph boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But it is one of the few things open to me. I can become a newsboy
+      without recommendations. Even your business would be closed to me if it
+      were known that I was suspected of theft.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thats so,&rdquo; said Mike, scratching his head in perplexity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then would you recommend my becoming a newsboy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. You couldn&rsquo;t make more&rsquo;n fifty or sixty cent a day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That will be better than nothing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I can pay the rent, or most of it, as I&rsquo;ll be doin&rsquo; better than you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We will wait and see how much I make.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      So Rodney swallowed his pride, and procuring a supply of afternoon papers
+      set about selling them. He knew that it was an honest business, and there
+      was no disgrace in following it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But one day he was subjected to keen mortification. Jasper Redwood and a
+      friend&mdash;it was Philip Carton, his confederate&mdash;were walking
+      along Broadway, and their glances fell on Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I say, Jasper,&rdquo; said the elder of the two, &ldquo;isn&rsquo;t that the boy who was in
+      the same store with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper looked, and his eyes lighted up with malicious satisfaction.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oho!&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Well, this is rich!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Give me a paper, boy,&rdquo; he said, pretending not to recognize Rodney at
+      first. &ldquo;Why, it&rsquo;s Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; answered Rodney, his cheek flushing. &ldquo;You see what I am reduced to.
+      What paper will you buy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The Mail and Express.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here it is.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can&rsquo;t you get another place?&rdquo; asked Jasper curiously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I might if I could get a recommendation, but probably Mr. Goodnow
+      wouldn&rsquo;t give me one.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I guess not.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So I must take what I can get.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you make much selling papers?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very little.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can&rsquo;t make as much as you did in the store?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not much more than half as much.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you live in the same place?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, for the present.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, by the way, Ropes, I&rsquo;ve got your old place,&rdquo; said Jasper in
+      exultation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought you would get it,&rdquo; answered Rodney, not without a pang.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come into the store some day, Ropes. It will seem like old times.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall not enter the store till I am able to clear myself of the charge
+      made against me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then probably you will stay away a long time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am afraid so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, ta, ta! Come along, Philip.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As Rodney followed with his eye the figure of his complacent successor he
+      felt that his fate was indeed a hard one.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XV.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A RICH FIND.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As Jasper and his companion moved away, Carton said, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sorry for that
+      poor duffer, Jasper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why should you be sorry?&rdquo; asked Jasper, frowning.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because he has lost a good place and good prospects, and all for no fault
+      of his own.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are getting sentimental, Philip,&rdquo; sneered Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, but I am showing a little humanity. He has lost all this through you&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Through us, you mean.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, through us. We have made him the scapegoat for our sins.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh well, he is making a living.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A pretty poor one. I don&rsquo;t think you would like to be reduced to selling
+      papers.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;His case and mine are different.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I begin to think also that we have made a mistake in getting him
+      discharged so soon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We can&rsquo;t take anything more.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why not?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because there will be no one to lay the blame upon. He is out of the
+      store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is true. I didn&rsquo;t think of that. But I invited him to come around
+      and call. If he should, and something else should be missing it would be
+      laid to him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t believe he will call. I am terribly hard up, and our source of
+      income has failed us. Haven&rsquo;t you got a dollar or two to spare?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; answered Jasper coldly. &ldquo;I only get seven dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you have nearly all that. You only have to hand in two dollars a week
+      to your uncle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Look here, Philip Carton, I hope you don&rsquo;t expect to live off me. I have
+      all I can do to take care of myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Carton looked at Jasper in anger and mortification.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I begin to understand how good a friend you are,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not fool enough to pinch myself to keep you,&rdquo; said Jasper bluntly.
+      &ldquo;You are a man of twenty five and I am only a boy. You ought to be able to
+      take care of yourself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just give me a dollar, or lend it Jasper, and I will risk it at play. I
+      may rise from the table with a hundred. If I do I will pay you handsomely
+      for the loan.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t do it, Mr. Carton. I have only two dollars in my pocket, and I
+      have none to spare.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Humph! what is that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Philip Carton&rsquo;s eyes were fixed upon the sidewalk. There was a flimsy
+      piece of paper fluttering about impelled by the wind. He stooped and
+      picked it up.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is a five dollar bill,&rdquo; he exclaimed in exultation. &ldquo;My luck has come
+      back.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper changed his tone at once. Now Philip was the better off of the two.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is luck!&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Shall we go into Delmonico&rsquo;s, and have an ice?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If it is at your expense, yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That wouldn&rsquo;t be fair. You have more money than I.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, and I mean to keep it myself. You have set me the example.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come, Philip, you are not angry at my refusing you a loan?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I think you were sensible. I shall follow your example. I will bid
+      you good night. I seem to be in luck, and will try my fortune at the
+      gaming table.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will go with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I would prefer to go alone.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That fellow is unreasonable,&rdquo; muttered Jasper, as he strode off,
+      discontented. &ldquo;Did he expect I would divide my salary with him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Philip Carton, after he parted company with Jasper, walked back to where
+      Rodney was still selling papers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Give me a paper,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Which will you have?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not particular. Give me the first that comes handy. Ah, the Evening
+      Sun will do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He took the paper and put a quarter into Rodney&rsquo;s hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As he was walking away Rodney called out, &ldquo;Stop, here&rsquo;s your change,&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Never mind,&rdquo; said Philip with a wave of the hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; said Rodney gratefully, for twenty five cents was no trifle
+      to him at this time.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That ought to bring me luck,&rdquo; soliloquized Philip Carton as he walked on.
+      &ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t often I do a good deed. It was all the money I had besides the
+      five dollar bill, and I am sure the news boy will make better use of it
+      than I would.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That was the young man that was walking with Jasper,&rdquo; reflected Rodney.
+      &ldquo;Well, he is certainly a better fellow than he. Thanks to this quarter, I
+      shall have made eighty cents today, and still have half a dozen papers.
+      That is encouraging.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Several days passed that could not be considered lucky. Rodney&rsquo;s average
+      profits were only about fifty cent a day, and that was barely sufficient
+      to buy his meals. It left him nothing to put towards paying room rent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He began to consider whether he would not be compelled to pawn some
+      article from his wardrobe, for he was well supplied with clothing, when he
+      had a stroke of luck.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On Fifteenth Street, by the side of Tiffany&rsquo;s great jewelry store, he
+      picked up a square box neatly done up in thin paper. Opening it, he was
+      dazzled by the gleam of diamonds.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The contents were a diamond necklace and pin, which, even to Rodney&rsquo;s
+      inexperienced eyes, seemed to be of great value.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Some one must have dropped them in coming from the jewelry store,&rdquo; he
+      reflected. &ldquo;Who can it be?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He had not far to seek. There was a card inside on which was engraved:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      MRS. ELIZA HARVEY,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      with an address on Fifth Avenue.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Passing through to Fifth Avenue Rodney began to scan the numbers on the
+      nearest houses. He judged that Mrs. Harvey must live considerably farther
+      up the Avenue, in the direction of Central Park.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will go there at once,&rdquo; Rodney decided. &ldquo;No doubt Mrs. Harvey is very
+      much distressed by her loss. I shall carry her good news.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The house he found to be between Fortieth and Fiftieth Street. Ascending
+      the steps he rang the bell. The door was opened by a man servant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Does Mrs. Harvey live here?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you want with her, young man?&rdquo; demanded the servant in a tone of
+      importance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That I will tell her.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What&rsquo;s your name?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can give you my name, but she won&rsquo;t recognize it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you don&rsquo;t know her.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If it&rsquo;s money you want, she don&rsquo;t give to beggars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are impudent,&rdquo; said Rodney hotly. &ldquo;If you don&rsquo;t give my message you
+      will get into trouble.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The servant opened his eyes. He seemed somewhat impressed by Rodney&rsquo;s
+      confident tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mrs. Harvey doesn&rsquo;t live here,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is she in the house?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, yes, she&rsquo;s visiting here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then why do you waste your time?&rdquo; said Rodney impatiently. He forgot for
+      the time that he was no longer being educated at an expensive boarding
+      school, and spoke in the tone he would have used before his circumstances
+      had changed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll go and ask if she&rsquo;ll see you,&rdquo; said the flunky unwillingly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Five minutes later a pleasant looking woman of middle age descended the
+      staircase.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you the boy that wished to see me?&rdquo; she asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, if you are Mrs. Harvey.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am. But come in! Thomas, why didn&rsquo;t you invite this young gentleman
+      into the parlor?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Thomas opened his eyes wide. So the boy whom he had treated so cavalierly
+      was a young gentleman.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He privately put down Mrs. Harvey in his own mind as eccentric.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Excuse me, ma&rsquo;am,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know as he was parlor company.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, he is,&rdquo; said Mrs. Harvey with a cordial smile that won Rodney&rsquo;s
+      heart.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Follow me!&rdquo; said the lady.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney followed her into a handsome apartment and at a signal seated
+      himself on a sofa.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;I am ready to listen to your message.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you lost anything?&rdquo; asked Rodney abruptly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, have you found it?&rdquo; exclaimed Mrs. Harvey, clasping her hands.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That depends on what you have lost,&rdquo; answered Rodney, who felt that it
+      was necessary to be cautious.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Certainly, you are quite right. I have lost a box containing jewelry
+      bought this morning at Tiffany&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What were the articles?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A diamond necklace and pin. They are intended as a present for my
+      daughter who is to be married. Tell me quick have you found them?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is this the box?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh yes, yes! How delightful to recover it. I thought I should never see
+      it again. Where did you find it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;On Fifteenth Street beside Tiffany&rsquo;s store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you brought it directly to me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, madam.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you any idea of the value of the articles?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps they may be worth five hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are worth over a thousand. Are you poor?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, madam. I am trying to make a living by selling papers, but find it
+      hard work.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you don&rsquo;t look like a newsboy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Till a short time since I thought myself moderately rich.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is strange. Tell me your story.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XVI.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A SURPRISING TURN OF FORTUNE.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney told his story frankly. Mrs. Harvey was very sympathetic by nature,
+      and she listened with the deepest interest, and latterly with indignation
+      when Rodney spoke of his dismissal from Mr. Goodnow&rsquo;s store.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have been treated shamefully,&rdquo; she said warmly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think Mr. Goodnow really believes me guilty,&rdquo; rejoined Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A dishonest boy would hardly have returned a valuable box of jewelry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still Mr. Goodnow didn&rsquo;t know that I would do it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see you are disposed to apologize for your late employer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I do not forget that he treated me kindly till this last occurrence.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your consideration does you credit. So you have really been reduced to
+      earn your living as a newsboy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, madam.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I must think what I can do for you. I might give you money, but when that
+      was gone you would be no better off.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would much rather have help in getting a place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. Harvey leaned her head on her hand and looked thoughtful.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are right,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Let me think.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney waited, hoping that the lady would be able to think of something to
+      his advantage.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Finally she spoke.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think you said you understood Latin and Greek?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have studied both languages and French also. I should have been ready
+      to enter college next summer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then perhaps I shall be able to do something for you. I live in
+      Philadelphia, but I have a brother living in West Fifty Eighth Street. He
+      has one little boy, Arthur, now nine years of age. Arthur is quite
+      precocious, but his health is delicate, and my brother has thought of
+      getting a private instructor for him. Do you like young children?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very much. I always wished that I had a little brother.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I think you would suit my brother better as a tutor for Arthur than
+      a young man. Being a boy yourself, you would be not only tutor but
+      companion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should like such a position very much.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then wait here a moment, and I will write you a letter of introduction.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      She went up stairs, but soon returned.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      She put a small perfumed billet into Rodney&rsquo;s hands. It was directed to
+      John Sargent with an address on West Fifty Eighth Street.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Call this evening,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;about half past seven o&rsquo;clock. My brother
+      will be through dinner, and will not have gone out at that hour.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; said Rodney gratefully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here is another envelope which you can open at your leisure. I cannot
+      part from you without thanking you once more for returning my jewelry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have thanked me in a very practical way, Mrs. Harvey.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope my letter may lead to pleasant results for you. If you ever come
+      to Philadelphia call upon me at No. 1492 Walnut Street.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As Rodney left the house he felt that his ill fortune had turned, and that
+      a new prospect was opened up before him. He stepped into the Windsor
+      Hotel, and opened the envelope last given him. It contained five five
+      dollar bills.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      To one of them was pinned a scrap of paper containing these words: &ldquo;I hope
+      this money will be useful to you. It is less than the reward I should have
+      offered for the recovery of the jewels.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Under the circumstances Rodney felt that he need not scruple to use the
+      money. He knew that he had rendered Mrs. Harvey a great service, and that
+      she could well afford to pay him the sum which the envelopes contained.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He began to be sensible that he was hungry, not having eaten for some
+      time. He went into a restaurant on Sixth Avenue, and ordered a sirloin
+      steak. It was some time since he had indulged in anything beyond a common
+      steak, and he greatly enjoyed the more luxurious meal. He didn&rsquo;t go back
+      to selling papers, for he felt that it would hardly be consistent with the
+      position of a classical teacher&mdash;the post for which he was about to
+      apply.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Half past seven found him at the door of Mr. John Sargent. The house was
+      of brown stone, high stoop, and four stories in height. It was such a
+      house as only a rich man could occupy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was ushered into the parlor and presently Mr. Sargent came in from the
+      dining room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you Mr. Ropes?&rdquo; he asked, looking at Rodney&rsquo;s card.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It is not usual for newsboys to carry cards, but Rodney had some left over
+      from his more prosperous days.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir. I bring you a note of introduction from Mrs. Harvey.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ah yes, my sister. Let me see it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The note was of some length. That is, it covered three pages of note
+      paper. Mr. Sargent read it attentively.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My sister recommends you as tutor for my little son, Arthur,&rdquo; he said, as
+      he folded up the letter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir; she suggested that I might perhaps suit you in that capacity.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;She also says that you found and restored to her a valuable box of
+      jewelry which she was careless enough to drop near Tiffany&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have a good deal of confidence in my sister&rsquo;s good judgment. She
+      evidently regards you very favorably.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad of that sir,&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will you tell me something of your qualifications? Arthur is about to
+      commence Latin. He is not old enough for Greek.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I could teach either, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And of course you are well up in English branches?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I am.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My sister hints that you are poor, and obliged to earn your own living.
+      How, then, have you been able to secure so good an education?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have only been poor for a short time. My father left me fifty thousand
+      dollars, but it was lost by my guardian.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who was your guardian?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Benjamin Fielding.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I knew him well. I don&rsquo;t think he was an unprincipled man, but he was
+      certainly imprudent, and was led into acts that were reprehensible. Did he
+      lose all your money for you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What did you do?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Left the boarding school where I was being educated, and came to this
+      city.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you obtain any employment?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir; I have been employed for a short time by Otis Goodnow, a
+      merchant of Reade Street.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And why did you leave?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because Mr. Goodnow missed some articles from his stock, and I was
+      charged with taking them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was fearful of the effect of his frank confession upon Mr. Sargent,
+      but the latter soon reassured him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your honesty in restoring my sister&rsquo;s jewelry is sufficient proof that
+      the charge was unfounded. I shall not let it influence me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now as to the position of teacher, though very young, I don&rsquo;t see why you
+      should not fill it satisfactorily. I will call Arthur.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He went to the door and called &ldquo;Arthur.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A delicate looking boy with a sweet, intelligent face, came running into
+      the room.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you want me, papa?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Arthur. I have a new friend for you. Will you shake hands with him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Arthur, who was not a shy boy, went up at once to Rodney and offered his
+      hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad to see you,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney smiled. He was quite taken with the young boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What&rsquo;s your name?&rdquo; the latter asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you going to stay and make us a visit?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Sargent answered this question.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Would you like to have Rodney stay?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How would you like to have him give you lessons in Latin and other
+      studies?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should like it. I am sure he wouldn&rsquo;t be cross. Are you a teacher,
+      Rodney?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will be your teacher if you are willing to have me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I should like it. And will you go to walk with me in Central Park?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then, papa, you may as well engage him. I was afraid you would get a
+      tiresome old man for my teacher.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That settles it, Rodney,&rdquo; said Mr. Sargent, smiling. &ldquo;Now, Arthur, run
+      out and I will speak further with Rodney about you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right, papa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;As Arthur seems to like you, I will give you a trial. As he suggested, I
+      should like to have you become his companion as well as teacher. You will
+      come here at nine o&rsquo;clock in the morning, and stay till four, taking lunch
+      with your pupil. About the compensation, will you tell me what will be
+      satisfactory to you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I prefer to leave that to you, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then we will say fifteen dollars a week&mdash;today is Thursday. Will you
+      present yourself here next Monday morning?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you would like an advance of salary, you need only say so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir, but I am fairly provided with money for the present.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then nothing more need be said. As I am to meet a gentleman at the Union
+      League Club tonight, I will bid you good evening, and expect to see you on
+      Monday.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney rose and Mr. Sargent accompanied him to the door, shaking hands
+      with him courteously by way of farewell.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney emerged into the street in a state of joyous excitement. Twenty
+      five dollars in his pocket, and fifteen dollars a week! He could hardly
+      credit his good fortune.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XVII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      JASPER&rsquo;S PERPLEXITY.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mike Flynn was overjoyed to hear of Rodney&rsquo;s good fortune.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Fifteen dollars a week!&rdquo; he repeated. &ldquo;Why you will be rich.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not exactly that, Mike, but it will make me comfortable. By the way, as I
+      have so much more than you, it will only be fair for me to pay the whole
+      rent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, Rodney, you mustn&rsquo;t do that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall insist upon it, Mike. You would do the same in my place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes I would.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So you can&rsquo;t object to my doing it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are very kind to me, Rodney,&rdquo; said Mike, who had the warm heart of
+      his race. &ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t every boy brought up like you who would be willing to
+      room with a bootblack.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you are not a bootblack now. You are a telegraph boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There are plenty that mind me when I blacked boots down in front of the
+      Astor House.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are just as good a boy for all that. How much did you make last
+      week?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Four dollars salary, and a dollar and a half in extra tips.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hereafter you must save your rent money for clothes. We must have you
+      looking respectable.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Won&rsquo;t you adopt me, Rodney?&rdquo; asked Mike with a laughing face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s a good idea. Perhaps I will. In that case you must obey all my
+      orders. In the first place, what are you most in want in the way of
+      clothing?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t got but two shirts.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is hardly enough for a gentleman of your social position. Anything
+      else.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;m short on collars and socks.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then we&rsquo;ll go out shopping. I&rsquo;ll buy you a supply of each.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you haven&rsquo;t begun to work yet.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, but Mrs. Harvey made me a present of twenty five dollars. We&rsquo;ll go to
+      some of the big stores on Sixth Avenue where we can get furnishing goods
+      cheap.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney carried out his purpose, and at the cost of four dollars supplied
+      his room mate with all he needed for the present.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;See what it is to be rich, Mike,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It seems odd for me to be
+      buying clothes for my adopted son.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;re in luck, Rodney, and so am I. I hope some time I can do you a
+      favor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps you can, Mike. If I should get sick, you might take my place as
+      tutor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You must know an awful lot, Rodney,&rdquo; said Mike, regarding his companion
+      with new respect.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you for the compliment, Mike. I hope Mr. Sargent will have the same
+      opinion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next day it is needless to say that Rodney did not resume the business
+      of newsboy. He was very glad to give it up. He dressed with unusual care
+      and took a walk down town.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As he passed Reade Street by chance Jasper was coming around the corner.
+      His face lighted up first with pleasure at seeing Rodney, for it gratified
+      his mean nature to triumph over the boy whom he had ousted from his
+      position, and next with surprise at his unusually neat and well dressed
+      appearance. Rodney looked far from needing help. He might readily have
+      been taken for a boy of aristocratic lineage.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hallo!&rdquo; said Jasper, surveying Rodney curiously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How are you this morning, Jasper?&rdquo; returned Rodney quietly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why ain&rsquo;t you selling papers?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t like the business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you&rsquo;ve got to make a living.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Quite true.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you going to black boots?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why should I? Is it a desirable business?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How should I know?&rdquo; asked Jasper, coloring.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know but you might have had some experience at it. I haven&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you mean to insult me?&rdquo; demanded Jasper hotly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I never insult anybody. I will only say that you are as likely to take up
+      the business as I.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got a place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How do you know but I have?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because you were selling papers yesterday and are walking the street
+      today.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is true. But I have a place engaged for all that. I shall go to work
+      on Monday.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper pricked up his ears.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where is it?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t care to tell at present.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is it true? Have you got a place?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see how you could. Mr. Goodnow wouldn&rsquo;t give you a
+      recommendation.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is no reason why he should not.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What, after your taking cloaks and dress patterns from the store?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I did nothing of the kind. Sooner or later Mr. Goodnow will find out his
+      mistake. Probably the real thief is still in his employ.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper turned pale and regarded Rodney searchingly, but there was nothing
+      in his manner or expression to indicate that his remark had been personal.
+      He thought it best to turn the conversation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much pay do you get&mdash;four dollars?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;More than that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t get as much as you did at our store?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; I get more.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Now it was Jasper&rsquo;s turn to show surprise. He did not know whether to
+      believe Rodney or not, but there was something in his face which commanded
+      belief.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much do you get?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You would not believe me if I told you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Try me,&rdquo; returned Jasper, whose curiosity was aroused.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am to get fifteen dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper would not have looked more surprised if Rodney had informed him
+      that he was to become a Cabinet minister.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;re joking!&rdquo; he ejaculated.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How could you have the face to ask such a price. Did you pass yourself
+      off as an experienced salesman?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t understand it at all, that is, if you are telling the truth.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have told you the truth, Jasper. I have no object in deceiving you. The
+      salary was fixed by my employer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who did you say it was?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t say.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper&rsquo;s cunning scheme was defeated. He felt disturbed to hear of
+      Rodney&rsquo;s good fortune, but he had a shot in reserve.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think you will keep your place long,&rdquo; he said in a malicious
+      tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why not?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your employer will hear under what circumstances you left our store, and
+      then of course he will discharge you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will be sorry for that won&rsquo;t you?&rdquo; asked Rodney pointedly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why of course I don&rsquo;t want you to have bad luck.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you. You are very considerate.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Suppose you lose your place, shall you go back to selling papers?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope to find something better to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are you going now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To get some lunch.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So am I. Suppose we go together.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, providing you will lunch with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to impose upon you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You won&rsquo;t. We may not meet again for some time, and we shall have this
+      meal to remind us of each other.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They went to a well known restaurant on Park Row. Rodney ordered a liberal
+      dinner for himself, and Jasper followed his example nothing loath. He was
+      always ready to dine at the expense of others, but even as he ate he could
+      not help wondering at the strange chance that had made him the guest of a
+      boy who was selling papers the day before.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He had nearly finished eating when a disturbing thought occurred to him.
+      Suppose Rodney didn&rsquo;t have money enough to settle the bill, and threw it
+      upon him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When Rodney took the checks and walked up to the cashier&rsquo;s desk he
+      followed him with some anxiety. But his companion quietly took out a five
+      dollar bill, from his pocket and tendered it to the cashier. The latter
+      gave him back the right change and the two boys went out into the street.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You seem to have plenty of money,&rdquo; said Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There are very few who would admit having that,&rdquo; smiled Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see why you sold papers if you have five dollar bills in your
+      pocket.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to be idle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;May I tell my uncle and Mr. Goodnow that you have got a place?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you like.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, good by, I must be hurrying back to the store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney smiled. He rather enjoyed Jasper&rsquo;s surprise and perplexity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XVIII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      RODNEY&rsquo;S SECRET IS DISCOVERED.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper lost no time in acquainting his uncle with Rodney&rsquo;s extraordinary
+      good fortune. James Redwood was surprised, but not all together
+      incredulous.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t understand it,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but Ropes appears to be a boy of truth.
+      Perhaps he may have exaggerated the amount of his salary.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hardly think so, uncle. He gave me a tip top dinner down on Park Row.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He may have been in funds from selling the articles taken from the
+      store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s so!&rdquo; assented Jasper, who had the best possible reason for knowing
+      that it was not so.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish the boy well,&rdquo; said his uncle. &ldquo;He always treated me respectfully,
+      and I never had anything against him except the loss of stock, and it is
+      not certain that he is the thief.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I guess there isn&rsquo;t any doubt about that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yet, believing him to be a thief, you did not hesitate to accept a dinner
+      from him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t want to hurt his feelings,&rdquo; replied Jasper, rather sheepishly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know what sort of a place he has got, or with what house?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; he wouldn&rsquo;t tell me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He thought perhaps you would inform the new firm of the circumstances
+      under which he left us. I don&rsquo;t blame him, but I am surprised that he
+      should have been engaged without a recommendation.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall you tell Mr. Goodnow?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not unless he asks about Ropes. I don&rsquo;t want to interfere with the boy in
+      any way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In the store, as has already been stated, Jasper succeeded to Rodney&rsquo;s
+      place, and in consequence his pay was raised to seven dollars a week.
+      Still it was not equal to what it had been when he was receiving
+      additional money from the sale of the articles stolen by Philip Carton and
+      himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The way in which they had operated was this: Philip would come in and buy
+      a cloak or a dress pattern from Jasper, and the young salesman would pack
+      up two or three instead of one. There was a drawback to the profit in
+      those cases, as Carton would be obliged to sell both at a reduced price.
+      Still they had made a considerable sum from these transactions, though not
+      nearly as much as Mr. Goodnow had lost.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After the discovery of the theft and the discharge of Rodney, the two
+      confederates felt that it would be imprudent to do any more in that line.
+      This suspension entailed heavier loss on Carton than on Jasper. The latter
+      had a fixed income and a home at his uncle&rsquo;s house, while Philip had no
+      regular income, though he occasionally secured a little temporary
+      employment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the meantime Rodney had commenced his tutorship. His young pupil became
+      very fond of him, and being a studious boy, made rapid progress in his
+      lessons.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Sargent felt that his experiment, rash as it might be considered,
+      vindicated his wisdom by its success. At the end of a month he voluntarily
+      raised Rodney&rsquo;s salary to twenty dollars a week.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am afraid you are overpaying me, Mr. Sargent,&rdquo; said Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s my lookout. Good service is worth a good salary, and I am
+      perfectly satisfied with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir. I prize that even more than the higher salary.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Only a portion of Rodney&rsquo;s time was spent in teaching. In the afternoon he
+      and his charge went on little excursions, generally to Central Park.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One holiday, about four months after the commencement of Rodney&rsquo;s
+      engagement, he was walking in the Park when he fell in with Jasper.
+      Jasper&rsquo;s attention was at once drawn to the little boy, whose dress and
+      general appearance indicated that he belonged to a wealthy family. This
+      excited Jasper&rsquo;s curiosity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How are you, Rodney?&rdquo; said Jasper adroitly. &ldquo;It is a good while since I
+      met you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is the little boy with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;His name is Arthur Sargent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney gave this information unwillingly, for he saw that his secret was
+      likely to be discovered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How do you do, Arthur?&rdquo; asked Jasper, with unwonted affability, for he
+      did not care for children.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Pretty well,&rdquo; answered Arthur politely.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you known Rodney long?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, he is my teacher,&rdquo; answered Arthur in some surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper&rsquo;s eyes gleamed with sudden intelligence. So this was Rodney&rsquo;s
+      secret, and this was the position for which he was so well paid.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney bit his lip in vexation, but made no remark.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Does he ever punish you for not getting your lessons?&rdquo; asked Jasper
+      without much tact.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course not,&rdquo; answered Arthur indignantly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Arthur always does get his lessons,&rdquo; said Rodney. &ldquo;I suppose you have a
+      holiday from work today, Jasper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; I am glad to get away now and then.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I must bid you good morning now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Won&rsquo;t you let me call on you? Where do you live, Arthur?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The boy gave the number of his house.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper asked Arthur, thinking rightly that he would be more likely to get
+      an answer from him than from Rodney. He walked away triumphantly, feeling
+      that he had made a discovery that might prove of advantage to him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is that a friend of yours, Rodney?&rdquo; asked little Arthur.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have known him for some time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t like him very much.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why?&rdquo; asked Rodney with some curiosity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; answered the little boy slowly. &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t like everybody.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Quite true, Arthur. Jasper is not a special friend of mine, and I am not
+      particular about your liking him. I hope you like me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You know I do, Rodney,&rdquo; and he gave Rodney&rsquo;s hand an assuring pressure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ten minutes after he left Rodney, Jasper fell in with Carton. The intimacy
+      between them had perceptibly fallen off. It had grown out of business
+      considerations.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Now that it was no longer safe to abstract articles from the store, Jasper
+      felt that he had no more use for his late confederate. When they met he
+      treated him with marked coldness.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On this particular day Carton was looking quite shabby. In fact, his best
+      suit was in pawn, and he had fallen back on one half worn and soiled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hello!&rdquo; exclaimed Jasper, and was about to pass on with a cool nod.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Stop!&rdquo; said Philip, looking offended.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am in a hurry,&rdquo; returned Jasper. &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t stop today.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are in a hurry, and on a holiday?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; I am to meet a friend near the lake.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll go along with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper had to submit though with an ill grace.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Wouldn&rsquo;t another day do?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; the fact is, Jasper, I am in trouble,&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You usually are,&rdquo; sneered Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is so. I have been out of luck lately.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry, but I can&rsquo;t help it as I see.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much money do you think I have in my pocket?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know, I am sure. I am not good at guessing conundrums.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just ten cents.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That isn&rsquo;t much,&rdquo; said Jasper, indifferently.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let me have a dollar, thats a good fellow!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You seem to think I am made of money,&rdquo; said Jasper sharply. &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t
+      got much more myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you might have. You get a good salary.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Only seven dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are able to keep most of it for yourself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Suppose I am? You seem to know a good deal of my affairs.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Haven&rsquo;t you any pity for an old friend?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I&rsquo;ll give you all the pity you want, but when it comes to money it&rsquo;s
+      a different matter. Here you are, a man of twenty six, ten years older
+      than me, and yet you expect me to help support you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You didn&rsquo;t use to talk to me like that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I do now. You didn&rsquo;t use to try to get money out of me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Look here, Jasper! I am poor, but I don&rsquo;t want you to talk to me as you
+      are doing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Indeed!&rdquo; sneered Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I won&rsquo;t have it,&rdquo; said Carton firmly. &ldquo;Listen to me, and I will
+      propose a plan that will help us both.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can easily secrete articles, if you are cautious, without attracting
+      notice, and I will dispose of them and share the money with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper shook his head.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t dare to do it,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Somebody might spy on me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not if you are careful.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If it were found out I would be bounced like Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is he doing? Have you seen him lately?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is getting on finely. He is earning fifteen dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t mean it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes I do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What firm is he working for?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;For none at all. He is tutor to a young kid.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know he was scholar enough.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh yes, he knows Greek and Latin and a lot of other stuff.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is the boy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t feel at liberty to tell. I don&rsquo;t think he would care to have you
+      know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you what you can do. Borrow five dollars of him for me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know about that. If I were to borrow it would be for myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can do as you please. If you don&rsquo;t do something for me I will write
+      to Mr. Goodnow that you are the thief who stole the cloaks and dress
+      patterns.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You wouldn&rsquo;t do that?&rdquo; exclaimed Jasper in consternation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Wouldn&rsquo;t I? I am desperate enough to do anything.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      After a little further conference Jasper agreed to do what was asked of
+      him. He did not dare to refuse.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XIX.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      JASPER&rsquo;S REVENGE
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was considerably surprised one evening to receive a call from
+      Jasper in his room. He was alone, as Mike had been detailed about a week
+      ago for night duty. The room looked more attractive than formerly. Rodney
+      had bought a writing desk, which stood in the corner, and had put up three
+      pictures, which, though cheap, were attractive.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good evening, Jasper,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It is quite friendly of you to call.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hadn&rsquo;t anything else on hand this evening, and thought I would come
+      round see how you were getting along.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Take a seat and make yourself at home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you object to cigarettes?&rdquo; asked Jasper, producing one from a case in
+      his pocket.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I object to smoking them myself, but I don&rsquo;t want to dictate to my
+      friends.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You look quite comfortable here,&rdquo; continued Jasper in a patronizing tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We try to be comfortable, though our room is not luxurious.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who do you mean by &lsquo;we&rsquo;? Have you a room mate?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. Mike Flynn rooms with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is he&mdash;a newsboy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No. He is a telegraph boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t seem to very particular,&rdquo; said Jasper, shrugging his shoulders.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am very particular.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yet you room with an Irish telegraph boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is a nice boy of good habit, and a devoted friend. What could I want
+      more?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, well, you have a right to consult your own taste.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have a nice home, no doubt.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I live with my uncle. Yes, he has a good house, but I am not so
+      independent as if I had a room outide.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How are things going on at the store?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;About the same as usual. Why don&rsquo;t you come in some day?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;For two reasons; I am occupied during the day, and I don&rsquo;t want to go
+      where I am considered a thief.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish I was getting your income. It is hard to get along on seven
+      dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still you have a nice home, and I suppose you have most of your salary to
+      yourself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but there isn&rsquo;t much margin in seven dollars. My uncle expects me to
+      buy my own clothes. You were lucky to get out of the store. Old Goodnow
+      ought to give me ten dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t let him hear you speak of him as OLD Goodnow, Jasper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, I&rsquo;m smart enough for that. I mean to keep on the right side of the
+      old chap. What sort of a man are you working for?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Sargent is a fine man.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He isn&rsquo;t mean certainly. I should like to be in your shoes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I hear of any similar position shall I mention your name?&rdquo; asked
+      Rodney, smiling.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I could not take care of a kid. I hate them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still Arthur is a nice boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are welcome to him. What do you have to teach?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is studying Latin and French, besides English branches.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know about as much of Latin and French as a cow. I couldn&rsquo;t be a
+      teacher. I say, Rodney,&rdquo; and Jasper cleared his throat, &ldquo;I want you to do
+      me a favor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I want you to lend me ten dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was not mean, but he knew very well that a loan to Jasper would be
+      a permanent one. Had Jasper been his friend even this consideration would
+      not have inspired a refusal, but he knew very well that Jasper had not a
+      particle of regard for him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think I can oblige you, Jasper,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why not? You get fifteen dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My expenses are considerable. Besides I am helping Mike, whose salary is
+      very small. I pay the whole of the rent and I have paid for some clothes
+      for him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are spending your money very foolishly,&rdquo; said Jasper frowning.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Would I spend it any less foolishly if I should lend you ten dollars?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is some difference between Mike Flynn and me. I am a gentleman.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So is Mike.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A queer sort of gentleman! He is only a poor telegraph boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still he is a gentleman.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should think you might have money enough for both of us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I might but I want to save something from my salary. I don&rsquo;t know how
+      long I shall be earning as much. I might lose my place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So you might.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I could hardly expect to get another where the pay would be as good.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would pay you on installment&mdash;a dollar a week,&rdquo; urged Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see how you could, as you say your pay is too small for you now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, well, I could manage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am afraid I can&rsquo;t oblige you, Jasper,&rdquo; said Rodney in a decided tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t think you were so miserly,&rdquo; answered Jasper in vexation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may call it so, if you like. You must remember that I am not situated
+      like you. You have your uncle to fall back upon in case you lose your
+      position, but I have no one. I have to hustle for myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you needn&rsquo;t make any more excuses. I suppose ten dollars is rather a
+      large sum to lend. Can you lend me five?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry, but I must refuse you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper rose from the chair on which he had been sitting.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I may as well go,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I am disappointed in you, Ropes. I
+      thought you were a good, whole souled fellow, and not a miser.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You must think of me as you please, Jasper. I feel that I have a right to
+      regulate my own affairs.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All I have to say is this, if you lose your place as you may very soon,
+      don&rsquo;t come round to the store and expect to be taken back.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I won&rsquo;t,&rdquo; answered Rodney, smiling. &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t go back at any rate
+      unless the charge of theft was withdrawn.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That will never be!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let it be so, as long as I am innocent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper left the room abruptly, not even having the politeness to bid
+      Rodney good evening.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney felt that he was quite justified in refusing to lend Jasper money.
+      Had he been in need he would have obliged him, though he had no reason to
+      look upon him as a friend.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      No one who knew Rodney could regard him as mean or miserly. Could he have
+      read Jasper&rsquo;s thoughts as he left the house he would have felt even less
+      regret at disappointing him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      About two days afterward when Rodney went up to meet his pupil, Mr.
+      Sargent handed him a letter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here is something that concerns you, Rodney,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t appear
+      to be from a friend of yours.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      With some curiosity Rodney took the letter and read it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It ran thus:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. JOHN SARGENT:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      DEAR SIR&mdash;I think it my duty to write and tell you something about
+      your son&rsquo;s tutor&mdash;something that will surprise and shock you. Before
+      he entered your house he was employed by a firm on Reade Street. He was
+      quite a favorite with his employer, Mr. Otis Goodnow, who promoted him in
+      a short time. All at once it was found that articles were missing from the
+      stock. Of course it was evident that some one of the clerks was dishonest.
+      A watch was set, and finally it was found that Rodney Ropes had taken the
+      articles, and one&mdash;a lady&rsquo;s cloak&mdash;was found in his room by a
+      detective. He was discharged at once without a recommendation.
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+For a time he lived by selling papers, but at last he managed to get
+into your house. I am sure you won&rsquo;t regard him as fit to educate
+your little son, though I have no doubt he is a good scholar. But his
+character is bad&mdash;I don&rsquo;t think he ought to have concealed this from you
+out of friendship for you, and because I think it is my duty, I take the
+liberty of writing. If you doubt this I will refer to Mr. Goodnow,
+or Mr. James Redwood, who had charge of the room in which Ropes was
+employed. Yours very respectfully,
+                                        A FRIEND.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You knew all this before, Mr. Sargent,&rdquo; said Rodney, as he handed back
+      the letter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. Have you any idea who wrote it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I feel quite sure that it was a boy about two years older than myself,
+      Jasper Redwood.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is he related to the man of the same name whom he mentions?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, he is his nephew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Has he any particular reason for disliking you, Rodney?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir. He came round to my room Wednesday evening, and asked me to
+      lend him ten dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I presume you refused.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir. He is not in need. He succeeded to my place, and he has a home
+      at the house of his uncle.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He appears to be a very mean boy. Anonymous letters are always cowardly,
+      and generally malicious. This seems to be no exception to the general
+      rule.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope it won&rsquo;t affect your feelings towards me, Mr. Sargent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t trouble yourself about that Rodney. I am not so easily prejudiced
+      against one of whom I have a good opinion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose this is Jasper&rsquo;s revenge,&rdquo; thought Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XX.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      RODNEY LOSES HIS PUPIL.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper had little doubt that his letter would lead to Rodney&rsquo;s loss of
+      position. It was certainly a mean thing to plot another&rsquo;s downfall, but
+      Jasper was quite capable of it. Had he secured the loan he asked he would
+      have been willing to leave Rodney alone, but it would only have been the
+      first of a series of similar applications.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was several days before Jasper had an opportunity of learning whether
+      his malicious plan had succeeded or not. On Sunday forenoon he met Rodney
+      on Fifth Avenue just as the church services were over. He crossed the
+      street and accosted the boy he had tried to injure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good morning, Ropes,&rdquo; he said, examining Rodney&rsquo;s face curiously to see
+      whether it indicated trouble of any kind.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good morning!&rdquo; responded Rodney coolly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How are you getting along in your place?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, thank you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall I find you at your pupil&rsquo;s house if I call there some afternoon?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, unless I am out walking with Arthur.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wonder whether he&rsquo;s bluffing,&rdquo; thought Jasper. &ldquo;I daresay he wouldn&rsquo;t
+      tell me if he had been discharged. He takes it pretty coolly.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How long do you think your engagement will last?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. I never had a talk with Mr. Sargent on that point.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you still give satisfaction?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney penetrated Jasper&rsquo;s motives for asking all these questions, and was
+      amused.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I presume if I fail to satisfy Mr. Sargent he will tell me so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would be a nice thing if you could stay there three or four years.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes: but I don&rsquo;t anticipate it. When Arthur get a little older he will be
+      sent to school.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What will you do then?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t got so far as that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t get anything out of him,&rdquo; said Jasper to himself. &ldquo;I shouldn&rsquo;t be
+      a bit surprised if he were already discharged.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They had now reached Madison Square, and Jasper left Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The latter looked after him with a smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I have puzzled Jasper,&rdquo; he said to himself. &ldquo;He was anxious to
+      know how his scheme had worked. He will have to wait a little longer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If Mr. Sargent keeps Ropes after my letter he must be a fool,&rdquo; Jasper
+      decided. &ldquo;I wonder if Ropes handles the mail. He might have suppressed the
+      letter.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      But Rodney was not familiar with his handwriting, and would have no reason
+      to suspect that the particular letter contained anything likely to injure
+      him in the eyes of Mr. Sargent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Later in his walk Jasper met Philip Carton. His former friend was sitting
+      on a bench in Madison Square. He called out to Jasper as he passed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come here, Jasper, I want to talk with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper looked at him in a manner far from friendly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am in a hurry,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What hurry can you be in? Come and sit down here. I MUST speak to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper did not like his tone, but it impressed him, and he did not dare to
+      refuse.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He seated himself beside Philip, but looked at him askance. Carton was
+      undeniably shabby. He had the look of a man who was going down hill and
+      that rapidly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be late for dinner,&rdquo; grumbled Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish I had any dinner to look forward to,&rdquo; said Carton. &ldquo;Do you see
+      this money?&rdquo; and he produced a nickel from his pocket.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is there remarkable about it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is the last money I have. It won&rsquo;t buy me a dinner.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry, but it is none of my business,&rdquo; said Jasper coolly. &ldquo;You are
+      old enough to attend to your own affairs.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I once thought you were my friend,&rdquo; murmured Philip bitterly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, we were friends in a way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now you are up and I am down&mdash;Jasper, I want a dollar.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I dare say you do. Plenty want that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I want it from you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t spare it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can spare it better than you can spare your situation.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you mean by that?&rdquo; asked Jasper, growing nervous.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you what I mean. How long do you think you would stay in the
+      store if Mr. Goodnow knew that you were concerned in the theft from which
+      he has suffered?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Was I the only one?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I am equally guilty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad you acknowledge it. You see you had better keep quiet for your
+      own sake.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I keep quiet I shall starve.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you want to go to prison?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shouldn&rsquo;t mind so much if you went along, too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you crazy, Philip Carton?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I am not, but I am beginning to get sensible. If I go to prison I
+      shall at least have enough to eat, and now I haven&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you mean by all this foolish talk?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I mean that if you won&rsquo;t give me any money I will go to the store and
+      tell Mr. Goodnow something that will surprise him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper was getting thoroughly frightened.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come, Philip.&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;listen to reason. You know how poor I am.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No doubt. I know you have a good home and enough to eat.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I only get seven dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I get nothing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have already been trying to help you. I went to Ropes the other day,
+      and asked him to lend me five dollars. I meant it for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did he give it to you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He wouldn&rsquo;t give me a cent. He is mean and miserly!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. He knows very well that you are no friend of his, though he
+      doesn&rsquo;t know how much harm you have done him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He&rsquo;s rolling in money. However, I&rsquo;ve put a spoke in his wheel, I hope.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wrote an anonymous letter to Mr. Sargent telling him that Ropes was
+      discharged from the store on suspicion of theft.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are a precious scamp, Jasper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are not content with getting Ropes discharged for something which you
+      yourself did&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I too. I accept the amendment. Not content with that, you try to get
+      him discharged from his present position.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then he might have lent me the money,&rdquo; said Jasper sullenly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It wouldn&rsquo;t have been a loan. It would have been a gift. But no matter
+      about that. I want a dollar.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t give it to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I shall call at the store tomorrow morning and tell Mr. Goodnow
+      about the stolen goods.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Finding that Carton was in earnest Jasper finally, but with great
+      reluctance, drew out a dollar and handed it to his companion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There, I hope that will satisfy you,&rdquo; he said spitefully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It will&mdash;for the present.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish he&rsquo;d get run over or something,&rdquo; thought Jasper. &ldquo;He seems to
+      expect me to support him, and that on seven dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Fortunately for Jasper, Philip Carton obtained employment the next day
+      which lasted for some time, and as he was paid ten dollars a week he was
+      not under the necessity of troubling his old confederate for loans.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Now and then Jasper and Rodney met, but there were no cordial relations
+      between them. Jasper could not forgive Rodney for refusing to lend him
+      money, and Rodney was not likely to forget the anonymous letter by which
+      Jasper had tried to injure him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So three months passed. One day Mr. Sargent arrived at home before it was
+      time for Rodney to leave.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad to see you, Rodney,&rdquo; said his employer. &ldquo;I have some news for
+      you which I am afraid will not be entirely satisfactory to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it, sir?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;For the last three years I have been wishing to go to Europe with my wife
+      and Arthur. The plan has been delayed, because I could not make
+      satisfactory business arrangements. Now, however, that difficulty has been
+      overcome, and I propose to sail in about two weeks.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you&rsquo;ll enjoy your trip, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you. Of course it will terminate, for a time at least your
+      engagement to teach Arthur.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be sorry for that, sir, but I am not selfish enough to want you
+      to stay at home on that account.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought you would feel that way. I wish I could procure you another
+      position before I go, but that is uncertain. I shall, however, pay you a
+      month&rsquo;s salary in advance in lieu of a notice.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is very liberal, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think it only just. I have been very well pleased with your attention
+      to Arthur, and I know he has profited by your instructions as well as
+      enjoyed your companionship. I hope you have been able to save something.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, I have something in the Union Dime Savings Bank.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s well. You will remain with me one week longer, but the last week
+      Arthur will need for preparations.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Two weeks later Rodney stood on the pier and watched the stately Etruria
+      steam out into the river. Arthur and his father were on deck, and the
+      little boy waved his handkerchief to his tutor as long as he could see
+      him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney turned away sadly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have lost a good situation,&rdquo; he soliloquized. &ldquo;When shall I get
+      another?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXI.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      CONTINUED ILL LUCK.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney set himself to work searching for a new situation. But wherever he
+      called he found Some one ahead of him. At length he saw an advertisement
+      for an entry clerk in a wholesale house in Church Street. He applied and
+      had the good fortune to please the superintendent.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where have you worked before?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At Otis Goodnow&rsquo;s, on Reade Street.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much were you paid there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Seven dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, we will start you on that salary, and see if you earn it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was surprised and relieved to find that he was not asked for a
+      recommendation from Mr. Goodnow, knowing that he could not obtain one. He
+      went to work on a Monday morning, and found his duties congenial and
+      satisfactory.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Seven dollars a week was small, compared with what he had received as a
+      tutor, but he had about two hundred and fifty dollars in the Union Dime
+      Savings Bank and drew three dollars from this fund every week in order
+      that he might still assist Mike, whose earnings were small.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One of his new acquaintances in the store was James Hicks, a boy about a
+      year older than himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Didn&rsquo;t you use to work at Otis Goodnow&rsquo;s?&rdquo; asked James one day when they
+      were going to lunch.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know a boy employed there. He is older than either of us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jasper Redwood. Of course you know him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; answered Rodney with a presentiment of evil.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He felt that it would be dangerous to have Jasper know of his present
+      position, but did not venture to give a hint of this to James.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His fears were not groundless. Only the day after James met Jasper on the
+      street.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Anything new?&rdquo; asked Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; we&rsquo;ve got one of your old friends in our store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper stopped short, and whistled. He was excessively surprised, as he
+      supposed Rodney still to be Arthur Sargent&rsquo;s tutor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t mean it?&rdquo; he ejaculated.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why not? Is there anything so strange about it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. Did Ropes bring a recommendation from Mr. Goodnow?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose so. I don&rsquo;t know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If he did, it&rsquo;s forged.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why should it be?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Goodnow wouldn&rsquo;t give him a recommendation.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why wouldn&rsquo;t he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because he discharged Ropes. Do you want to know why?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;For stealing articles from the store.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was the turn of James Hicks to be surprised.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t believe it,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Its true. Just mention the matter to Ropes, and you&rsquo;ll see he won&rsquo;t deny
+      it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think there must be some mistake about it. Rodney doesn&rsquo;t look like a
+      fellow that would steal.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you can&rsquo;t tell from appearances&mdash;Rogues are always plausible.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still mistakes are sometimes made. I&rsquo;d trust Rodney Ropes sooner than any
+      boy I know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t know him as well as I do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t like him?&rdquo; said James shrewdly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No I don&rsquo;t. I can&rsquo;t like a thief.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You talk as if you had a grudge against him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nothing but his being a thief. Well, what are you going to do about it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;About what?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What I have just told you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t feel that I have any call to do anything.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You ought to tell your employer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am no telltale,&rdquo; said James scornfully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you will let him stay in the store, knowing him to be a thief?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know him to be a thief. If he steals anything it will probably be
+      found out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper urged James to give information about Rodney, but he steadily
+      refused.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I leave others to do such dirty work,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and I don&rsquo;t think any
+      better of you, let me tell you, for your eagerness to turn the boy out of
+      his position.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are a queer boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Think so if you like,&rdquo; retorted Hicks. &ldquo;I might give my opinion of you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At this point Jasper thought it best to let the conversation drop. He was
+      much pleased to learn that Rodney had lost his fine position as tutor, and
+      was now in a place from which he might more easily be ousted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As he could not prevail upon James Hicks to betray Rodney he decided to
+      write an anonymous letter to the firm that employed him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The result was that the next afternoon Rodney was summoned to the office.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sit down Ropes,&rdquo; said the superintendent. &ldquo;For what store did you work
+      before you came into our house?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Otis Goodnow&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Under what circumstances did you leave?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was accused of theft.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You did not mention this matter when you applied for a situation here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir. I ought perhaps to have done so, but I presumed in that case you
+      would not have given me a place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are right he would not.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nor would I have applied had the charge been a true one. Articles were
+      certainly missing from Mr. Goodnow&rsquo;s stock, but in accusing me they did me
+      a great injustice.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How long since you left Mr. Goodnow&rsquo;s?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Four months.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What have you been doing since?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was acting as tutor to the son of Mr. Sargent, of West Fifty Eighth
+      Street.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A well known citizen. Then you are a scholar?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, I am nearly prepared for college.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of course he did not know you were suspected of dishonesty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;On the contrary he did know it. I told him, and later he received an
+      anonymous letter, notifying him of the fact.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We also have received an anonymous letter. Here it is. Do you recognize
+      the hand writing?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; answered Rodney after examining the letter. &ldquo;It was written by
+      Jasper Redwood.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A boy employed by Mr. Goodnow. For some reason he seems to have a spite
+      against me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I admit that it is pretty small business to write an anonymous letter
+      calculated to injure another. Still we shall have to take notice of this.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir, I suppose so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall have to bring it to the notice of the firm. What they may do I
+      don&rsquo;t know. If the matter was to be decided by me I would let you stay.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir,&rdquo; said Rodney gratefully.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I am not Mr. Hall. You can go now and I will see you again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney left the office fully persuaded that his engagement would speedily
+      terminate. He was right; the next day he was sent for again.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry to tell you, Ropes,&rdquo; said the superintendent kindly &ldquo;that Mr.
+      Hall insists upon your being discharged. He is a nervous man and rather
+      suspicious. I spoke in your favor but I could not turn him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At any rate I am grateful to you for your friendly effort.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The superintendent hesitated a moment, and then said: &ldquo;Will this discharge
+      seriously embarrass you? Are you short of money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir. I was very liberally paid by Mr. Sargent, and I saved money. I
+      have enough in the savings bank to last me several months, should I be
+      idle so long.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad of it. I hope you will remember, my boy, that this is none of
+      my doing. I would gladly retain you. I will say one thing more, should
+      Jasper Redwood ever apply for a situation here, his name will not be
+      considered.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      So Rodney found himself again without a position. It seemed hard in view
+      of his innocence, but he had confidence to believe that something would
+      turn up for him as before. At any rate he had enough money to live on for
+      some time.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When Mike Flynn learned the circumstances of his discharge he was very
+      angry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to meet Jasper Redwood,&rdquo; he said, his eyes flashing. &ldquo;If I
+      didn&rsquo;t give him a laying out then my name isn&rsquo;t Mike Flynn.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think he will get his desert some time, Mickey, without any help from
+      you or me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Should hope he will. And what&rsquo;ll you do now, Rodney?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. Sometimes I think it would be well to go to some other
+      city, Boston or Philadelphia, where Jasper can&rsquo;t get on my track.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Should hope you won&rsquo;t do it. I can&rsquo;t get along widout you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will stay here for a few weeks, Mike, and see if anything turns up.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I might get you in as a telegraph boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That wouldn&rsquo;t suit me. It doesn&rsquo;t pay enough.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney began to hunt for a situation again, but four weeks passed and
+      brought him no success. One afternoon about four o&rsquo;clock he was walking up
+      Broadway when, feeling tired, he stepped into the Continental Hotel at the
+      corner of Twentieth Street.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He took a seat at some distance back from the door, and in a desultory way
+      began to look about him. All at once he started in surprise, for in a man
+      sitting in one of the front row of chairs he recognized Louis Wheeler, the
+      railroad thief who had stolen his box of jewelry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Wheeler was conversing with a man with a large flapping sombrero, and
+      whose dress and general appearance indicated that he was a Westerner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney left his seat and going forward sat down in the chair behind
+      Wheeler. He suspected that the Western man was in danger of being
+      victimized.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE TURNS UP.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In his new position Rodney could easily hear the conversation which took
+      place between the Western man and his old railroad acquaintance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am quite a man of leisure,&rdquo; said Wheeler, &ldquo;and it will give me great
+      pleasure to go about with you and show you our city.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are very obliging.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, don&rsquo;t mention it. I shall really be glad to have my time occupied.
+      You see I am a man of means&mdash;my father left me a fortune&mdash;and so
+      I am not engaged in any business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are in luck. I was brought up on a farm in Vermont, and had to borrow
+      money to take me to Montana four years ago.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you prospered in your new home?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I did. I picked up twenty five thousand dollars at the mines, and doubled
+      it by investment in lots in Helena.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very neat, indeed. I inherited a fortune from my father&mdash;a hundred
+      and twenty five thousand dollars&mdash;but I never made a cent myself. I
+      don&rsquo;t know whether I am smart enough.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come out to Montana and I&rsquo;ll put you in a way of making some money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Really, now, that suggestion strikes me favorably. I believe I will
+      follow your advice. When shall you return to your Western home?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In about a fortnight I think.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You must go to the theater tonight. There is a good play on at the
+      Madison Square.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t mind. When can I get ticket?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll go and secure some. It is only a few blocks away.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do so. How much are the tickets?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A dollar and a half or two dollars each.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here are five dollars, if it won&rsquo;t trouble you too much.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My dear friend, I meant to pay for the tickets. However, I will pay next
+      time. If you will remain here I will be back in twenty minutes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler left the hotel with the five dollars tucked away in his vest
+      pocket.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He had no sooner disappeared than Rodney went forward and occupied his
+      seat.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Excuse me, sir,&rdquo; he said to the miner, &ldquo;but do you know much of the man
+      who has just left you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I only met him here. He seems a good natured fellow. What of him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He said he was a man of independent means.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Isn&rsquo;t he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is a thief and an adventurer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The miner was instantly on the alert.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How do you know this?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because he stole a box of jewelry from me in the cars some months ago.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did you get it again?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; he left the train, but I followed him up and reclaimed the jewelry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Was it of much value?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They were family jewels, and were worth over a thousand dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you think he wants to bunco me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have no doubt of it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have given him money to buy theater tickets. Do you think he will come
+      back?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. He wouldn&rsquo;t be satisfied with that small sum.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Tell me about your adventure with him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will do it later. The theater is so near that he might come back and
+      surprise us together. I think he would recognize me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you advise me to go to the theater?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but be on your guard.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where can I see you again?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you staying at this hotel?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. Here is my card.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney read this name on the card:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      JEFFERSON PETTRIGREW.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish you were going to the theater with us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It wouldn&rsquo;t do. Mr. Wheeler would remember me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then come round and breakfast with me tomorrow&mdash;at eight o&rsquo;clock,
+      sharp.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will, sir. Now I will take a back seat, and leave you to receive your
+      friend.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t call him my friend. He seems to be a mean scoundrel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t let him suspect anything from your manner.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I won&rsquo;t. I want to see him expose his plans.&rdquo; Five minutes afterwards
+      Louis Wheeler entered the hotel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got the tickets,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but I had to buy them of a speculator,
+      and they cost me more than I expected.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Two and a half apiece. So there is no change coming back to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Never mind! As long as you had enough money to pay for them it is all
+      right.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As a matter of fact Wheeler bought the tickets at the box office at one
+      dollar and fifty cent each, which left him a profit of two dollars. When
+      he saw how easily the Western man took it he regretted not having
+      represented that the tickets cost three dollars each.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      However, he decided that there would be other ways of plundering his new
+      acquaintance. He took his seat again next to the miner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is not very late,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Would you like a run out to Central Park
+      or to Grant&rsquo;s Tomb?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not today. I feel rather tired. By the way, you did not mention your
+      name.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t a card with me, but my name is Louis Wheeler.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where do you live, Mr. Wheeler?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am staying with an aunt on Fifth Avenue, but I think of taking board at
+      the Windsor Hotel. It is a very high toned house, and quite a number of my
+      friends board there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is it an expensive hotel?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, yes, but my income is large and&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I understand. Now, Mr. Wheeler, I must excuse myself, as I feel tired.
+      Come at half past seven and we can start for the theater together.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Wheeler rose reluctantly, for he had intended to secure a dinner from his
+      new acquaintance, but he was wise enough to take the hint.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After he left the room Rodney again joined Mr. Pettigrew.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He didn&rsquo;t give me back any change,&rdquo; said the Western man. &ldquo;He said he
+      bought the tickets of a speculator at two dollars and a half each.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then he made two dollars out of you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose that is the beginning. Well, that doesn&rsquo;t worry me. But I
+      should like to know how he expects to get more money out of me. I don&rsquo;t
+      understand the ways of this gentry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nor I very well. If you are on your guard I think you won&rsquo;t be in any
+      danger.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will remember what you say. You seem young to act as adviser to a man
+      like me. Are you in business?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At present I am out of work, but I have money enough to last me three
+      months.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you, like my new acquaintance, possessed of independent means?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not now, but I was six months ago.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How did you lose your money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I did not lose it. My guardian lost it for me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is your name?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;ve had some pretty bad luck. Come up to my room and tell me about
+      it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be glad to do so, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Pettigrew called for his key and led the way up to a plain room on the
+      third floor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come in,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The room is small, but I guess it will hold us both.
+      Now go ahead with your story.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In a short time Rodney had told his story in full to his new acquaintance,
+      encouraged to do so by his sympathetic manner. Mr. Pettigrew was quite
+      indignant, when told of Jasper&rsquo;s mean and treacherous conduct.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That boy Jasper is a snake in the grass,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to give him
+      a good thrashing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There isn&rsquo;t any love lost between us, Mr. Pettigrew, but I think it will
+      turn out right in the end. Still I find it hard to get a place in New York
+      with him circulating stories about me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then why do you stay in New York?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have thought it might be better to go to Philadelphia or Boston.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can tell you of a better place than either.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Montana.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you really think it would be wise for me to go there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Think? I haven&rsquo;t a doubt about it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have money enough to get there, but not much more. I should soon have
+      to find work, or I might get stranded.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come back with me, and I&rsquo;ll see you through. I&rsquo;ll make a bargain with
+      you. Go round with me here, and I&rsquo;ll pay your fare out to Montana.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you are really in earnest I will do so, and thank you for the offer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jefferson Pettigrew means what he says. I&rsquo;ll see you through, Rodney.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I may be interfering with your other friend, Louis Wheeler.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall soon be through with him. You needn&rsquo;t worry yourself about that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Pettigrew insisted upon Rodney&rsquo;s taking supper with him. Fifteen
+      minutes after Rodney left him Mr. Wheeler made his appearance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXIII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      MR. WHEELER HAS A SET BACK.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler had not seen Rodney in the hotel office, and probably would
+      not have recognized him if he had, as Rodney was quite differently dressed
+      from the time of their first meeting. He had no reason to suppose,
+      therefore, that Mr. Pettigrew had been enlightened as to his real
+      character.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was therefore with his usual confidence that he accosted his
+      acquaintance from Montana after supper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is time to go to the theater, Mr. Pettigrew,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson Pettigrew scanned his new acquaintance with interest. He had
+      never before met a man of his type and he looked upon him as a curiosity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He was shrewd, however, and did not propose to let Wheeler know that he
+      understood his character. He resolved for the present to play the part of
+      the bluff and unsuspecting country visitor.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are very kind, Mr. Wheeler,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;to take so much trouble for a
+      stranger.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My dear sir,&rdquo; said Wheeler effusively, &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t do it for many
+      persons, but I have taken a fancy to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t mean so?&rdquo; said Pettigrew, appearing pleased?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I do, on my honor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I don&rsquo;t see why you should. You are a polished city gentleman and I
+      am an ignorant miner from Montana.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler looked complacent when he was referred to as a polished city
+      gentleman.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You do yourself injustice, my dear Pettigrew,&rdquo; he said in a patronizing
+      manner. &ldquo;You do indeed. You may not be polished, but you are certainly
+      smart, as you have shown by accumulating a fortune.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I am not as rich as you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps not, but if I should lose my money, I could not make another
+      fortune, while I am sure you could. Don&rsquo;t you think it would be a good
+      plan for us to start a business together in New York?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Would you really be willing to go into business with me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson Pettigrew asked this question with so much apparent sincerity
+      that Wheeler was completely deceived.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got him dead!&rdquo; he soliloquized complacently.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He hooked his arm affectionately in the Montana miner&rsquo;s and said, &ldquo;My dear
+      friend, I have never met a man with whom I would rather be associated in
+      business than with you. How much capital could you contribute?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will think it over, Mr. Wheeler. By the way what business do you
+      propose that we shall go into?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will think it over and report to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      By this time they had reached the theater. The play soon commenced. Mr.
+      Pettigrew enjoyed it highly, for he had not had much opportunity at the
+      West of attending a high class theatrical performance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When the play ended, Louis Wheeler said, &ldquo;Suppose we go to Delmonico&rsquo;s and
+      have a little refreshment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They adjourned to the well known restaurant, and Mr. Pettigrew ordered an
+      ice and some cakes, but his companion made a hearty supper. When the bill
+      came, Louis Wheeler let it lie on the table, but Mr. Pettigrew did not
+      appear to see it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wonder if he expects me to pay for it,&rdquo; Wheeler asked himself
+      anxiously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you for this pleasant little supper,&rdquo; said Pettigrew mischievously.
+      &ldquo;Delmonico&rsquo;s is certainly a fine place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Wheeler changed color. He glanced at the check. It was for two dollars and
+      seventy five cents, and this represented a larger sum than he possessed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He took the check and led the way to the cashier&rsquo;s desk. Then he examined
+      his pockets.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;By Jove,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I left my wallet in my other coat. May I borrow five
+      dollars till tomorrow?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson Pettigrew eyed him shrewdly. &ldquo;Never mind,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I will pay
+      the check.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am very much ashamed of having put you to this expense.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If that is all you have to be ashamed of Mr. Wheeler,&rdquo; said the miner
+      pointedly, &ldquo;you can rest easy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo; stammered Wheeler.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Wait till we get into the street, and I will tell you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They went out at the Broadway entrance, and then Mr. Pettigrew turned to
+      his new acquaintance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I will bid you good night and good by at the same time, Mr.
+      Wheeler,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My dear sir, I hoped you won&rsquo;t misjudge me on account of my unfortunately
+      leaving my money at home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I only wish to tell you that I have not been taken in by your plausible
+      statement, Mr. Wheeler, if that is really your name. Before we started for
+      the theater I had gauged you and taken your measure.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sir, I hope you don&rsquo;t mean to insult me!&rdquo; blustered Wheeler.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all. You have been mistaken in me, but I am not mistaken in you. I
+      judge you to be a gentlemanly adventurer, ready to take advantage of any
+      who have money and are foolish enough to be gulled by your tricks. You are
+      welcome to the profit you made out of the theater tickets, also to the
+      little supper to which you have done so much justice. I must request you,
+      now, however, to devote yourself to some one else, as I do not care to
+      meet you again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler slunk away, deciding that he had made a great mistake in
+      setting down his Montana acquaintance as an easy victim.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t think he&rsquo;d get on to my little game so quick,&rdquo; he reflected.
+      &ldquo;He&rsquo;s sharper than he looks.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney took breakfast with Mr. Pettigrew the next morning. When breakfast
+      was over, the Montana man said:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to make a proposal to you, Rodney. How much pay did you get at
+      your last place?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Seven dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll pay you that and give you your meals. In return I want you to keep
+      me company and go about with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall not be apt to refuse such an offer as that, Mr. Pettigrew, but
+      are you sure you prefer me to Mr. Wheeler?&rdquo; laughed Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Wheeler be&mdash;blessed!&rdquo; returned the miner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How long are you going to stay in New York?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;About two weeks. Then I shall go back to Montana and take you with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you. There is nothing I should like better.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Two days later, as the two were walking along Broadway, they met Mr.
+      Wheeler. The latter instantly recognized his friend from Montana, and
+      scrutinized closely his young companion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney&rsquo;s face looked strangely familiar to him, but somehow he could not
+      recollect when or under what circumstances he had met him. He did not,
+      however, like to give up his intended victim, but had the effrontery to
+      address the man from Montana.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you are well, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, I am very well.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you are enjoying yourself. I should be glad to show you the
+      sights. Have you been to Grants Tomb?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not yet.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should like to take you there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, but I have a competent guide.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Won&rsquo;t you introduce me to the young gentleman?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t require any introduction to you, Mr. Wheeler,&rdquo; said Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where have I met you before?&rdquo; asked Wheeler abruptly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In the cars. I had a box of jewelry with me,&rdquo; answered Rodney
+      significantly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler changed color. Now he remembered Rodney, and he was
+      satisfied that he owed to him the coolness with which the Western man had
+      treated him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I remember you had,&rdquo; he said spitefully, &ldquo;but I don&rsquo;t know how you came
+      by it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t necessary that you should know. I remember I had considerable
+      difficulty in getting it out of your hands.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Pettigrew,&rdquo; said Wheeler angrily, &ldquo;I feel interested in you, and I
+      want to warn you against the boy who is with you. He is a dangerous
+      companion.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I dare say you are right,&rdquo; said Pettigrew in a quizzical tone. &ldquo;I shall
+      look after him sharply, and I thank you for your kind and considerate
+      warning. I don&rsquo;t care to take up any more of your valuable time. Rodney,
+      let us be going.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It must have been the kid that exposed me,&rdquo; muttered Wheeler, as he
+      watched the two go down the street. &ldquo;I will get even with him some time.
+      That man would have been good for a thousand dollars to me if I had not
+      been interfered with.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have been warned against me, Mr. Pettigrew,&rdquo; said Rodney, laughing.
+      &ldquo;Mr. Wheeler has really been very unkind in interfering with my plans.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shan&rsquo;t borrow any trouble, or lie awake nights thinking about it,
+      Rodney. I don&rsquo;t care to see or think of that rascal again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The week passed, and the arrangement between Mr. Pettigrew and Rodney
+      continued to their mutual satisfaction. One morning, when Rodney came to
+      the Continental as usual, his new friend said: &ldquo;I received a letter last
+      evening from my old home in Vermont.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope it contained good news.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;On the contrary it contained bad news. My parents are dead, but I have an
+      old uncle and aunt living. When I left Burton he was comfortably fixed,
+      with a small farm of his own, and two thousand dollars in bank. Now I hear
+      that he is in trouble. He has lost money, and a knavish neighbor has
+      threatened to foreclose a mortgage on the farm and turn out the old people
+      to die or go to the poorhouse.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is the mortgage a large one?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is much less than the value of the farm, but ready money is scarce in
+      the town, and that old Sheldon calculates upon. Now I think of going to
+      Burton to look up the matter.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You must save your uncle, if you can, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can and I will. I shall start for Boston this afternoon by the Fall
+      River boat and I want you to go with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should enjoy the journey, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then it is settled. Go home and pack your gripsack. You may be gone three
+      or four days.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXIV.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A CHANGE OF SCENE.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now,&rdquo; said Mr. Pettigrew, when they were sitting side by side on the
+      upper deck of the Puritan, the magnificent steamer on the Fall River line.
+      &ldquo;I want you to consent to a little plan that will mystify my old friends
+      and neighbors.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What is it, Mr. Pettigrew?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have never written home about my good fortune; so far as they know I am
+      no better off than when I went away.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think I could have concealed my success.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It may seem strange, but I&rsquo;ll explain&mdash;I want to learn who are my
+      friends and who are not. I am afraid I wasn&rsquo;t very highly thought of when
+      I left Burton. I was considered rather shiftless.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was always in for a good time, and never saved a cent. Everybody
+      predicted that I would fail, and I expect most wanted me to fail. There
+      were two or three, including my uncle, aunt and the friend who lent me
+      money, who wished me well.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I mustn&rsquo;t forget to mention the old minister who baptized me when I was
+      an infant. The good old man has been preaching thirty or forty years on a
+      salary of four hundred dollars, and has had to run a small farm to make
+      both ends meet. He believed in me and gave me good advice. Outside of
+      these I don&rsquo;t remember any one who felt an interest in Jefferson
+      Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will have the satisfaction of letting them see that they did not do
+      you justice.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but I may not tell them&mdash;that is none except my true friends.
+      If I did, they would hover round me and want to borrow money, or get me to
+      take them out West with me. So I have hit upon a plan. I shall want to use
+      money, but I will pretend it is yours.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney opened his eyes in surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will pass you off as a rich friend from New York, who feels an interest
+      in me and is willing to help me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney smiled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know if I can look the character,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh yes you can. You are nicely dressed, while I am hardly any better
+      dressed than when I left Burton.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have wondered why you didn&rsquo;t buy some new clothes when you were able to
+      afford it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You see we Western miners don&rsquo;t care much for style, perhaps not enough.
+      Still I probably shall buy a suit or two, but not till I have made my
+      visit home. I want to see how people will receive me, when they think I
+      haven&rsquo;t got much money. I shall own up to about five hundred dollars, but
+      that isn&rsquo;t enough to dazzle people even in a small country village.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am wiling to help you in any way you wish, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I think we shall get some amusement out of it. I shall represent you
+      as worth about a hundred thousand dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish I were.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very likely you will be some time if you go out to Montana with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How large a place is Burton?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It has not quite a thousand inhabitants. It is set among the hills, and
+      has but one rich man, Lemuel Sheldon, who is worth perhaps fifty thousand
+      dollars, but put on the airs of a millionaire.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are as rich as he, then.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, and shall soon be richer. However, I don&rsquo;t want him to know it. It
+      is he who holds the mortgage on my uncle&rsquo;s farm.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know how large the mortgage is?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is twelve hundred dollars. I shall borrow the money of you to pay it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I understand,&rdquo; said Rodney, smiling.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall enjoy the way the old man will look down upon me very much as a
+      millionaire looks down upon a town pauper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How will he look upon me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He will be very polite to you, for he will think you richer than
+      himself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;On the whole, we are going to act a comedy, Mr. Pettigrew. What is the
+      name of the man who lent you money to go to Montana?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A young carpenter, Frank Dobson. He lent me a hundred dollars, which was
+      about all the money he had saved up.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He was a true friend.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are right. He was. Everybody told Frank that he would never see his
+      money again, but he did. As soon as I could get together enough to repay
+      him I sent it on, though I remember it left me with less than ten dollars
+      in my pocket.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t bear to think that Frank would lose anything by me. You see we
+      were chums at school and always stood by each other. He is married and has
+      two children.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;While you are an old bachelor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; I ain&rsquo;t in a hurry to travel in double harness. I&rsquo;ll wait till I am
+      ready to leave Montana, with money enough to live handsomely at home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have got enough now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I may as well get more. I am only thirty years old, and I can afford
+      to work a few years longer.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish I could be sure of being worth fifty thousand dollars when I am
+      your age.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have been worth that, you tell me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but I should value more money that I had made myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Above five o&rsquo;clock on Monday afternoon Mr. Pettigrew and Rodney reached
+      Burton. It was a small village about four miles from the nearest railway
+      station. An old fashioned Concord stage connected Burton with the railway.
+      The driver was on the platform looking out for passengers when Jefferson
+      Pettigrew stepped out of the car.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How are you, Hector?&rdquo; said the miner, in an off hand way.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, bless my soul if it isn&rsquo;t Jeff!&rdquo; exclaimed the driver, who had been
+      an old schoolmate of Mr. Pettigrew&rsquo;s.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I reckon it is,&rdquo; said the miner, his face lighting up with the
+      satisfaction he felt at seeing a home face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, you ain&rsquo;t changed a mite, Jeff. You look just as you did when you
+      went away. How long have you been gone?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Four years!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Made a fortune? But you don&rsquo;t look like it. That&rsquo;s the same suit you wore
+      when you went away, isn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Pettigrew laughed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well no, it isn&rsquo;t the same, but it&rsquo;s one of the same kind.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought maybe you&rsquo;d come home in a dress suit.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t so easy to make a fortune, Hector.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you have made something, ain&rsquo;t you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, yes, when I went away I hadn&rsquo;t a cent except what I borrowed. Now
+      I&rsquo;ve got five hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That ain&rsquo;t much.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, but it&rsquo;s better than nothing. How much more have you got, Hector?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, you see I married last year. I haven&rsquo;t had a chance to lay by.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So you see I did as well as if I had stayed at home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you going to stay home now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;For a little while. I may go back to Montana after a bit.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is it a good place to make money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I made five hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thats only a little more than a hundred dollars a year. Frank Dobson has
+      saved as much as that and he&rsquo;s stayed right here in Burton.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad of that,&rdquo; said Pettigrew heartily. &ldquo;Frank is a rousing good
+      fellow. If it hadn&rsquo;t been for him I couldn&rsquo;t have gone to Montana.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t seem to have done you much good, as I can see.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, well, I am satisfied. Let me introduce my friend, Mr. Rodney Ropes of
+      New York.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Glad to meet you,&rdquo; said Hector with a jerk of the head.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney, won&rsquo;t you sit inside? I want to sit outide with Hector.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is that boy?&rdquo; asked Hector with characteristic Yankee curiosity, as
+      he seized the lines and started the horses.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A rich young fellow from New York. I got acquainted with him there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rich is he?&rdquo; Jefferson Pettigrew nodded.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How rich do you think?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shouldn&rsquo;t wonder if he might be worth a hundred thousand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t say! Why, he beat Squire Sheldon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, yes, Squire Sheldon wouldn&rsquo;t be considered rich in New York.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How did he get his money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;His father left him a fortune.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is that so? I wish my father had left me a fortune.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He did, didn&rsquo;t he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, he did! When his estate was settled I got seventy five dollars, if
+      you call that a fortune. But I say, what brings the boy to Burton?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;His friendship for me, I expect. Besides he may invest in a place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There&rsquo;s the old Morse place for sale. Do you think he&rsquo;d buy that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It wouldn&rsquo;t be nice enough for him. I don&rsquo;t know any place that would be
+      good enough except the squire&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The squire wouldn&rsquo;t sell.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, well, I don&rsquo;t know as Rodney would care to locate in Burton.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;re in luck to get such a friend. Say, do you think he would lend you
+      a hundred dollars if you were hard up?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know he would. By the way, Hector, is there any news? How is my uncle?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think the old man is worrying on account of his mortgage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who holds it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The squire. They do say he is goin&rsquo; to foreclose. That&rsquo;ll be bad for the
+      old man. It&rsquo;ll nigh about break his heart I expect.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can&rsquo;t uncle raise the money to pay him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is there round here who has got any money except the squire?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are you goin&rsquo; to stop, Jeff?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I guess I&rsquo;ll stop at the tavern tonight, but I&rsquo;ll go over and call on
+      uncle this evening.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXV.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      JEFFERSON PETTIGREW&rsquo;S HOME.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      News spreads fast in a country village. Scarcely an hour had passed when
+      it was generally known that Jefferson Pettigrew had come home from Montana
+      with a few hundred dollars in money, bringing with him a rich boy who
+      could buy out all Burton. At least that is the way the report ran.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When the two new arrivals had finished supper and come out on the hotel
+      veranda there were a dozen of Jefferson Pettigrew&rsquo;s friends ready to
+      welcome him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How are you, Jefferson, old boy?&rdquo; said one and another.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Pretty well, thank you. It seems good to be home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hear you&rsquo;ve brought back some money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, a few hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s better than nothing. I reckon you&rsquo;ll stay home now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t afford it, boys.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are ye goin&rsquo; back to Montany?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. I know the country, and I can make a middlin&rsquo; good livin&rsquo; there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I say, is that boy thats with you as rich as they say?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know what they say.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They say he&rsquo;s worth a million.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh no, not so much as that. He&rsquo;s pretty well fixed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Hasn&rsquo;t he got a father livin&rsquo;?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, it&rsquo;s his father that left the money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How did you happen to get in with him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, we met promiscuous. He took a sort of fancy to me, and that&rsquo;s the way
+      of it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you expect to keep him with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He talks of goin&rsquo; back to Montana with me. I&rsquo;ll be sort of guardian to
+      him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;re in luck, Jeff.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I&rsquo;m in luck to have pleasant company. Maybe we&rsquo;ll join together and
+      buy a mine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Would you mind introducin&rsquo; him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all,&rdquo; and thus Rodney became acquainted with quite a number of the
+      Burton young men. He was amused to see with what deference they treated
+      him, but preserved a sober face and treated all cordially, so that he made
+      a favorable impression on those he met.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Among those who made it in their way to call on the two travelers was
+      Lemuel Sheldon, the rich man of the village.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How do you do, Jefferson?&rdquo; he said condescendingly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have been quite a traveler.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir; I have been to the far West.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And met with some success, I am told.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir; I raised money enough to get home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hear you brought home a few hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, well,&rdquo; said the squire patronizingly, &ldquo;that&rsquo;s good beginning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It must seem very little to a rich man like you, squire.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, no!&rdquo; said the squire patronizingly. &ldquo;You are a young man. I shouldn&rsquo;t
+      wonder if by the time you get as old as I am you might be worth five
+      thousand dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope so,&rdquo; answered Mr. Pettigrew demurely.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;By the way, you have brought a young man with you, I am told.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should like to make his acquaintance. He is rich, is he not?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish I was as rich.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t say so! About how much do you estimate he is worth?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think it amounts to quite as much as a quarter of a million.
+      Still, you know it is not always easy to tell how much a person is worth.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is certainly a VERY fortunate young man,&rdquo; said the squire, impressed.
+      &ldquo;What is his name?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The name sounds aristocratic. I shall be glad to know him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney,&rdquo; said Mr. Pettigrew. &ldquo;I want to introduce you to Squire Sheldon,
+      our richest and most prominent citizen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad to meet you, Squire Sheldon,&rdquo; said Rodney, offering his hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I quite reciprocate the feeling, Mr. Ropes, but Mr. Pettigrew should not
+      call me a rich man. I am worth something, to be sure.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should say you were, squire,&rdquo; said Jefferson. &ldquo;Rodney, he is as rich as
+      you are.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh no,&rdquo; returned the squire, modestly, &ldquo;not as rich as that. Indeed, I
+      hardly know how much I am worth. As Mr. Pettigrew very justly observed it
+      is not easy to gauge a man&rsquo;s possessions. But there is one difference
+      between us. You, Mr. Ropes, I take it, are not over eighteen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Only sixteen, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And yet you are wealthy. I am rising fifty. When you come to my age you
+      will be worth much more.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps I may have lost all I now possess,&rdquo; said Rodney. &ldquo;Within a year I
+      have lost fifty thousand dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t say so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; it was through a man who had charge of my property. I think now I
+      shall manage my money matters myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Doubtless you are right. That was certainly a heavy loss. I shouldn&rsquo;t
+      like to lose so much. I suppose, however, you had something left?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh yes,&rdquo; answered Rodney in an indifferent tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He must be rich to make so little account of fifty thousand dollars,&rdquo;
+       thought the squire.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How long do you propose to stay in town, Mr. Pettigrew?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t tell, sir, but I don&rsquo;t think I can spare more than three or four
+      days.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;May I hope that you and Mr. Ropes will take supper with me tomorrow
+      evening?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say the next day and we&rsquo;ll come. Tomorrow I must go to my uncle&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh very well!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Squire Sheldon privately resolved to pump Rodney as to the investment of
+      his property. He was curious to learn first how much the boy was worth,
+      for if there was anything that the squire worshiped it was wealth. He was
+      glad to find that Mr. Pettigrew had only brought home five hundred
+      dollars, as it was not enough to lift the mortgage on his uncle&rsquo;s farm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After they were left alone Jefferson Pettigrew turned to Rodney and said,
+      &ldquo;Do you mind my leaving you a short time and calling at my uncle&rsquo;s?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at all, Mr. Pettigrew. I can pass my time very well.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson Pettigrew directed his steps to an old fashioned farmhouse about
+      half a mile from the village. In the rear the roof sloped down so that the
+      eaves were only five feet from the ground. The house was large though the
+      rooms were few in number.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In the sitting room sat an old man and his wife, who was nearly as old. It
+      was not a picture of cheerful old age, for each looked sad. The sadness of
+      old age is pathetic for there is an absence of hope, and courage, such as
+      younger people are apt to feel even when they are weighed down by trouble.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Cyrus Hooper was seventy one, his wife two years younger. During the
+      greater part of their lives they had been well to do, if not prosperous,
+      but now their money was gone, and there was a mortgage on the old home
+      which they could not pay.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know whats goin&rsquo; to become of us, Nancy,&rdquo; said Cyrus Hooper.
+      &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll have to leave the old home, and when the farm&rsquo;s been sold there
+      won&rsquo;t be much left over and above the mortgage which Louis Sheldon holds.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you think the squire will give you a little more time, Cyrus?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I saw him yesterday, and he&rsquo;s sot on buyin&rsquo; in the farm for himself.
+      He reckons it won&rsquo;t fetch more&rsquo;n eighteen hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thats only six hundred over the mortgage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t that Nancy. There&rsquo;s about a hundred dollars due in interest. We
+      won&rsquo;t get more&rsquo;n five hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Surely, Cyrus, the farm is worth three thousand dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So it is, Nancy, but that won&rsquo;t do us any good, as long as no one wants
+      it more&rsquo;n the squire.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish Jefferson were at home.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What good would it do? I surmise he hasn&rsquo;t made any money. He never did
+      have much enterprise, that boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He was allus a good boy, Cyrus.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s so, Nancy, but he didn&rsquo;t seem cut out for makin&rsquo; money. Still it
+      would do me good to see him. Maybe we might have a home together, and
+      manage to live.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Just then a neighbor entered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you heard the news?&rdquo; she asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; what is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your nephew Jefferson Pettigrew has got back.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t mean so. There, Jefferson, that&rsquo;s one comfort.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And they say he has brought home five hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s more&rsquo;n I thought he&rsquo;d bring. Where is he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Over at the tavern. He&rsquo;s brought a young man with him, leastways a boy,
+      that&rsquo;s got a lot of money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The boy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; he&rsquo;s from New York, and is a friend of Jefferson&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;m glad he&rsquo;s back. Why didn&rsquo;t he come here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It&rsquo;s likely he would if the boy wasn&rsquo;t with him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps he heard of my misfortune.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope it&rsquo;ll all come right, Mr. Hooper. My, if there ain&rsquo;t Jefferson
+      comin&rsquo; to see you now. I see him through the winder. I guess I&rsquo;ll be
+      goin&rsquo;. You&rsquo;ll want to see him alone.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXVI.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      THE BOY CAPITALIST.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How are you, Uncle Cyrus?&rdquo; said Jefferson Pettigrew heartily, as he
+      clasped his uncle&rsquo;s toil worn hand. &ldquo;And Aunt Nancy, too! It pays me for
+      coming all the way from Montana just to see you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad to see you, Jefferson,&rdquo; said his uncle. &ldquo;It seems a long time
+      since you went away. I hope you&rsquo;ve prospered.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, uncle, I&rsquo;ve brought myself back well and hearty, and I&rsquo;ve got a few
+      hundred dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad to hear it, Jefferson. You&rsquo;re better off than when you went
+      away.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, uncle. I couldn&rsquo;t be much worse off. Then I hadn&rsquo;t a cent that I
+      could call my own. But how are you and Aunt Nancy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We&rsquo;re gettin&rsquo; old, Jefferson, and misfortune has come to us. Squire
+      Sheldon has got a mortgage on the farm and it&rsquo;s likely we&rsquo;ll be turned
+      out. You&rsquo;ve come just in time to see it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is it so bad as that, Uncle Cyrus? Why, when I went away you were
+      prosperous.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Jefferson, I owned the farm clear, and I had money in the bank, but
+      now the money&rsquo;s gone and there&rsquo;s a twelve hundred dollar mortgage on the
+      old place,&rdquo; and the old man sighed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But how did it come about uncle? You and Aunt Nancy haven&rsquo;t lived
+      extravagantly, have you? Aunt Nancy, you haven&rsquo;t run up a big bill at the
+      milliner&rsquo;s and dressmaker&rsquo;s?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You was always for jokin&rsquo;, Jefferson,&rdquo; said the old lady, smiling
+      faintly; &ldquo;but that is not the way our losses came.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How then?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You see I indorsed notes for Sam Sherman over at Canton, and he failed,
+      and I had to pay, then I bought some wild cat minin&rsquo; stock on Sam&rsquo;s
+      recommendation, and that went down to nothin&rsquo;. So between the two I lost
+      about three thousand dollars. I&rsquo;ve been a fool, Jefferson, and it would
+      have been money in my pocket if I&rsquo;d had a guardeen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So you mortgaged the place to Squire Sheldon, uncle?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; I had to. I was obliged to meet my notes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But surely the squire will extend the mortgage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, he won&rsquo;t. I&rsquo;ve asked him. He says he must call in the money, and so
+      the old place will have to be sold, and Nancy and I must turn out in our
+      old age.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Again the old man sighed, and tears came into Nancy Hooper&rsquo;s eyes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There&rsquo;ll be something left, won&rsquo;t there, Uncle Cyrus?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, the place should bring six hundred dollars over and above the
+      mortgage. That&rsquo;s little enough, for it&rsquo;s worth three thousand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So it is, Uncle Cyrus. But what can you do with six hundred dollars? It
+      won&rsquo;t support you and Aunt Nancy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought mebbe, Jefferson, I could hire a small house and you could
+      board with us, so that we could still have a home together.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll think it over, uncle, if there is no other way. But are you sure
+      Squire Sheldon won&rsquo;t give you more time?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, Jefferson. I surmise he wants the place himself. There&rsquo;s talk of a
+      railroad from Sherborn, and that&rsquo;ll raise the price of land right around
+      here. It&rsquo;ll probably go right through the farm just south of the three
+      acre lot.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see, Uncle Cyrus. You ought to have the benefit of the rise in value.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Jefferson, it would probably rise enough to pay off the mortgage,
+      but its no use thinkin&rsquo; of it. The old farm has got to go.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know about that, Uncle Cyrus.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, Jefferson, you haven&rsquo;t money enough to lift the mortgage!&rdquo; said the
+      old man, with faint hope.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I haven&rsquo;t I may get it for you. Tell me just how much money is
+      required.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thirteen hundred dollars, includin&rsquo; interest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps you have heard that I have a boy with me&mdash;a boy from New
+      York, named Rodney Ropes. He has money, and perhaps I might get him to
+      advance the sum you want.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, Jefferson, if you only could!&rdquo; exclaimed Aunt Nancy, clasping her
+      thin hands. &ldquo;It would make us very happy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll see Rodney tonight and come over tomorrow morning and tell you what
+      he says. On account of the railroad I shall tell him that it is a good
+      investment. I suppose you will be willing to mortgage the farm to him for
+      the same money that he pays to lift the present mortgage?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Jefferson, I&rsquo;ll be willin&rsquo; and glad. It&rsquo;ll lift a great burden from
+      my shoulders. I&rsquo;ve been worryin&rsquo; at the sorrow I&rsquo;ve brought upon poor
+      Nancy, for she had nothing to do with my foolish actions. I was old enough
+      to know better, Jefferson, and I&rsquo;m ashamed of what I did.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, Uncle Cyrus, I&rsquo;ll do what I can for you. Now let us forget all
+      about your troubles and talk over the village news. You know I&rsquo;ve been
+      away for four years, and I haven&rsquo;t had any stiddy correspondence, so a
+      good deal must have happened that I don&rsquo;t know anything about. I hear
+      Frank Dobson has prospered?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Frank&rsquo;s pretty forehanded. He&rsquo;s got a good economical wife, and
+      they&rsquo;ve laid away five or six hundred dollars in the savings bank.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad of it. Frank is a good fellow. If it hadn&rsquo;t been for him I
+      couldn&rsquo;t have gone to Montana. When he lent me the money everybody said
+      he&rsquo;d lose it, but I was bound to pay it if I had to live on one meal a
+      day. He was the only man in town who believed in me at that time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You was a littless shif&rsquo;less, Jefferson. You can&rsquo;t blame people. I wasn&rsquo;t
+      quite sure myself how you&rsquo;d get along.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No doubt you are right, Uncle Cyrus. It did me good to leave town. I
+      didn&rsquo;t drink, but I had no ambition. When a man goes to a new country it&rsquo;s
+      apt to make a new man of him. That was the case with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you goin&rsquo; back again, Jefferson?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, uncle. I&rsquo;m going to stay round here long enough to fix up your
+      affairs and get you out of your trouble. Then I&rsquo;ll go back to the West. I
+      have a little mining interest there and I can make more money there than I
+      can here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you can get me out of my trouble, Jefferson, I&rsquo;ll never forget it.
+      Nancy and I have been so worried that we couldn&rsquo;t sleep nights, but now
+      I&rsquo;m beginnin&rsquo; to be a little more cheerful.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson Pettigrew spent another hour at his uncle&rsquo;s house, and then went
+      back to the tavern, where he found Rodney waiting for him. He explained
+      briefly the part he wished his boy friend to take in his plan for
+      relieving his uncle.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be receiving credit to which I am not entitled,&rdquo; said Rodney.
+      &ldquo;Still, if it will oblige you I am willing to play the part of the boy
+      capitalist.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next morning after breakfast the two friends walked over to the house
+      of Cyrus Hooper. Aunt Nancy came to the door and gave them a cordial
+      welcome.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Cyrus is over at the barn, Jefferson,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll ring the bell and
+      he&rsquo;ll come in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, Aunt Nancy, I&rsquo;ll go out and let him know I am here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Presently Cyrus Hooper came in, accompanied by Jefferson.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Uncle Cyrus,&rdquo; said the miner, &ldquo;let me introduce you to my friend Rodney
+      Ropes, of New York.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad to see you,&rdquo; said Cyrus heartily. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad to see any friend of
+      Jefferson&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir. I am pleased to meet you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jefferson says you are goin&rsquo; to Montany with him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope to do so. I am sure I shall enjoy myself in his company.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How far is Montany, Jefferson?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is over two thousand miles away, Uncle Cyrus.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It must be almost at the end of the world. I don&rsquo;t see how you can feel
+      at home so far away from Vermont.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson smiled.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can content myself wherever I can make a good living,&rdquo; he said.
+      &ldquo;Wouldn&rsquo;t you like to go out and make me a visit?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, Jefferson, I should feel that it was temptin&rsquo; Providence to go so far
+      at my age.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You never were very far from Burton, Uncle Cyrus?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I went to Montpelier once,&rdquo; answered the old man with evident pride. &ldquo;It
+      is a nice sizable place. I stopped at the tavern, and had a good time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was the only journey the old man had ever made, and he would never
+      forget it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Uncle Cyrus,&rdquo; said Jefferson, &ldquo;this is the young man who I thought might
+      advance you money on a new mortgage. Suppose we invite him to go over the
+      farm, and take a look at it so as to see what he thinks of the
+      investment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Sartain, Jefferson, sartain! I do hope Mr. Ropes you&rsquo;ll look favorable on
+      the investment. It is Jefferson&rsquo;s idea, but it would be doin&rsquo; me a great
+      favor.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Pettigrew will explain the advantages of the farm as we go along,&rdquo;
+       said Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      So they walked from field to field, Jefferson expatiating to his young
+      friend upon the merits of the investment, Rodney asking questions now and
+      then to carry out his part of the shrewd and careful boy capitalist.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When they had made a tour of the farm Jefferson said: &ldquo;Well, Rodney, what
+      do you think of the investment?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am satisfied with it,&rdquo; answered Rodney. &ldquo;Mr. Hooper, I will advance you
+      the money on the conditions mentioned by my friend, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Tears of joy came into the eyes of Cyrus Hooper and his worn face showed
+      relief.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am very grateful, young man,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I will see that you don&rsquo;t
+      regret your kindness.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When will Squire Sheldon be over to settle matters, Uncle Cyrus?&rdquo; asked
+      Jefferson.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is comin&rsquo; this afternoon at two o&rsquo;clock.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then Rodney and I will be over to take part in the business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXVII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      THE FAILURE OF SQUIRE SHELDON&rsquo;S PLOT.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On the morning of the same day Squire Sheldon sat in his study when the
+      servant came in and brought a card.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a gentleman thats come to see you, sir,&rdquo; she said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Lemuel Sheldon&rsquo;s eye brightened when he saw the name, for it was that of a
+      railroad man who was interested in the proposed road from Sherborn.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad to see you, Mr. Caldwell,&rdquo; he said cordially, rising to receive
+      his guest. &ldquo;What is the prospect as regards the railroad?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I look upon it as a certainty,&rdquo; answered Enoch Caldwell, a grave, portly
+      man of fifty.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And it is sure to pass through our town?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I look upon that as definitely decided.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The next question is as to the route it will take,&rdquo; went on the squire.
+      &ldquo;Upon that point I should like to offer a few suggestions.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be glad to receive them. In fact, I may say that my report will
+      probably be accepted, and I shall be glad to consult you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you. I appreciate the compliment you pay me, and, though I say it,
+      I don&rsquo;t think you could find any one more thoroughly conversant with the
+      lay of the land and the most advisable route to follow. If you will put on
+      your hat we will go out together and I will give you my views.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be glad to do so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The two gentlemen took a leisurely walk through the village, going by
+      Cyrus Hooper&rsquo;s house on the way.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In my view,&rdquo; said the squire, &ldquo;the road should go directly through this
+      farm a little to the north of the house.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The squire proceeded to explain his reasons for the route he recommended.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To whom does the farm belong?&rdquo; asked Caldwell, with a shrewd glance at
+      the squire.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To an old man named Cyrus Hooper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ahem! Perhaps he would be opposed to the road passing so near his house.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I apprehend that he will not have to be consulted,&rdquo; said the squire with
+      a crafty smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why not?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because I hold a mortgage on the farm which I propose to foreclose this
+      afternoon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see. So that you will be considerably benefited by the road.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, to a moderate extent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But if a different course should be selected, how then?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If the road goes through the farm I would be willing to give a quarter of
+      the damages awarded to me to&mdash;you understand?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I do. After all it seems the most natural route.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think there can be no doubt on that point. Of course the corporation
+      will be willing to pay a reasonable sum for land taken.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I can promise that, as I shall have an important voice in the
+      matter.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see you are a thorough business man,&rdquo; said the squire. &ldquo;I hold that it
+      is always best to pursue a liberal policy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Quite so. You have no doubt of obtaining the farm?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not the slightest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But suppose the present owner meets the mortgage?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He can&rsquo;t. He is a poor man, and he has no moneyed friends. I confess I
+      was a little afraid that a nephew of his just returned from Montana might
+      be able to help him, but I learn that he has only brought home five
+      hundred dollars while the mortgage, including interest, calls for thirteen
+      hundred.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you appear to be safe. When did you say the matter would be
+      settled?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This afternoon at two o&rsquo;clock. You had better stay over and take supper
+      with me. I shall be prepared to talk with you at that time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      From a window of the farmhouse Cyrus Hooper saw Squire Sheldon and his
+      guest walking by the farm, and noticed the interest which they seemed to
+      feel in it. But for the assurance which he had received of help to pay the
+      mortgage he would have felt despondent, for he guessed the subject of
+      their conversation. As it was, he felt an excusable satisfaction in the
+      certain defeat of the squire&rsquo;s hopes of gain.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems that the more a man has the more he wants, Jefferson,&rdquo; he said
+      to his nephew. &ldquo;The squire is a rich man&mdash;the richest man in Burton&mdash;but
+      he wants to take from me the little property that I have.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the way of the world, Uncle Cyrus. In this case the squire is safe
+      to be disappointed, thanks to my young friend, Rodney.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Its lucky for me, Jefferson, that you came home just the time you did. If
+      you had come a week later it would have been too late.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you don&rsquo;t think the squire would have relented?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know he wouldn&rsquo;t. I went over a short time since and had a talk with
+      him on the subject. I found he was sot on gettin&rsquo; the farm into his own
+      hands.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If he were willing to pay a fair value it wouldn&rsquo;t be so bad.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He wasn&rsquo;t. He wanted to get it as cheap as he could.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wonder,&rdquo; said Jefferson Pettigrew reflectively, &ldquo;whether I shall be as
+      hard and selfish if ever I get rich.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t believe you will, Jefferson. I don&rsquo;t believe you will. It doesn&rsquo;t
+      run in the blood.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope not Uncle Cyrus. How long have you known the squire?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Forty years, Jefferson. He is about ten years younger than I am. I was a
+      young man when he was a boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you attend the same church?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And still he is willing to take advantage of you and reduce you to
+      poverty. I don&rsquo;t see much religion in that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When a man&rsquo;s interest is concerned religion has to stand to one side with
+      some people.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was in a pleasant frame of mind that Squire Sheldon left his house and
+      walked over to the farmhouse which he hoped to own. He had decided to
+      offer eighteen hundred dollars for the farm, which would be five hundred
+      over and above the face of the mortgage with the interest added.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This of itelf would give him an excellent profit, but he expected also, as
+      we know, to drive a stiff bargain with the new railroad company, for such
+      land as they would require to use.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Stay here till I come back, Mr. Caldwell,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I apprehend it won&rsquo;t
+      take me long to get through my business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Squire Sheldon knocked at the door of the farmhouse, which was opened to
+      him by Nancy Hooper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Walk in, squire,&rdquo; she said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is your husband at home, Mrs. Hooper?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; he is waiting for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Mrs. Hooper led the way into the sitting room, where her husband was
+      sitting in a rocking chair.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good afternoon, Mr. Hooper,&rdquo; said the squire. &ldquo;I hope I see you well.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;As well as I expect to be. I&rsquo;m gettin&rsquo; to be an old man.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We must all grow old,&rdquo; said the squire vaguely.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And sometimes a man&rsquo;s latter years are his most sorrowful years.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That means that he can&rsquo;t pay the mortgage,&rdquo; thought Squire Sheldon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, ahem! Yes, it does sometimes happen so,&rdquo; he said aloud.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still if a man&rsquo;s friends stand by him, that brings him some comfort.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose you know what I&rsquo;ve come about, Mr. Hooper,&rdquo; said the squire,
+      anxious to bring his business to a conclusion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I suppose it&rsquo;s about the mortgage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, its about the mortgage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will you be willing to extend it another year?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I thought,&rdquo; said the squire, frowning, &ldquo;I had given you to understand
+      that I cannot do this. You owe me a large sum in accrued interest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But if I make shift to pay this?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should say the same. It may as well come first as last. You can&rsquo;t hold
+      the place, and there is no chance of your being better off by waiting.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I understand that the new railroad might go through my farm. That would
+      put me on my feet.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is no certainty that the road will ever be built. Even if it were,
+      it would not be likely to cross your farm.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I see, Squire Sheldon, you are bound to have the place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is no need to put it that way, Mr. Hooper. I lent you money on
+      mortgage. You can&rsquo;t pay the mortgage, and of course I foreclose. However,
+      I will buy the farm and allow you eighteen hundred dollars for it. That
+      will give you five hundred dollars over and above the money you owe me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The farm is worth three thousand dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nonsense, Mr. Hooper. Still if you get an offer of that sum TODAY I will
+      advise you to sell.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I certainly won&rsquo;t take eighteen hundred.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You won&rsquo;t? Then I shall foreclose, and you may have to take less.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then there is only one thing to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;As you say, there is only one thing to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And that is, to pay off the mortgage and clear the farm.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can&rsquo;t do it!&rdquo; exclaimed the squire uneasily.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Cyrus Hooper&rsquo;s only answer was to call &ldquo;Jefferson.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson Pettigrew entered the room, followed by Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What does this mean?&rdquo; asked the squire.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It means, Squire Sheldon,&rdquo; said Mr. Pettigrew, &ldquo;that you won&rsquo;t turn my
+      uncle out of his farm this time. My young friend, Rodney Ropes, has
+      advanced Uncle Cyrus money enough to pay off the mortgage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I won&rsquo;t take a check,&rdquo; said the squire hastily.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You would have to if we insisted upon it, but I have the money here in
+      bills. Give me a release and surrender the mortgage, and you shall have
+      your money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was with a crestfallen look that Squire Sheldon left the farmhouse,
+      though his pockets were full of money.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It&rsquo;s all up,&rdquo; he said to his friend Caldwell in a hollow voice. &ldquo;They
+      have paid the mortgage.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      After all the railway did cross the farm, and Uncle Cyrus was paid two
+      thousand dollars for the right of way, much to the disappointment of his
+      disinterested friend Lemuel Sheldon, who felt that this sum ought to have
+      gone into his own pocket.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXVIII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A MINISTER&rsquo;S GOOD FORTUNE.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have another call to make, Rodney,&rdquo; said Mr. Pettigrew, as they were on
+      their way back to the hotel, &ldquo;and I want you to go with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall be glad to accompany you anywhere, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You remember I told you of the old minister whose church I attended as a
+      boy. He has never received but four hundred dollars a year, yet he has
+      managed to rear a family, but has been obliged to use the strictest
+      economy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I remember.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am going to call on him, and I shall take the opportunity to make him a
+      handsome present. It will surprise him, and I think it will be the first
+      present of any size that he has received in his pastorate of over forty
+      years.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There he lives!&rdquo; continued Jefferson, pointing out a very modest cottage
+      on the left hand side of the road.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It needed painting badly, but it looked quite as well as the minister who
+      came to the door in a ragged dressing gown. He was venerable looking, for
+      his hair was quite white, though he was only sixty five years old. But
+      worldly cares which had come upon him from the difficulty of getting along
+      on his scanty salary had whitened his hair and deepened the wrinkles on
+      his kindly face.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad to see you, Jefferson,&rdquo; he said, his face lighting up with
+      pleasure. &ldquo;I heard you were in town and I hoped you wouldn&rsquo;t fail to call
+      upon me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was sure to call, for you were always a good friend to me as well as
+      many others.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I always looked upon you as one of my boys, Jefferson. I hear that you
+      have been doing well.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Mr. Canfield. I have done better than I have let people know.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you been to see your uncle? Poor man, he is in trouble.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is no longer in trouble. The mortgage is paid off, and as far as
+      Squire Sheldon is concerned he is independent.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Indeed, that is good news,&rdquo; said the old minister with beaming face. &ldquo;You
+      must surely have done well if you could furnish money enough to clear the
+      farm. It was over a thousand dollars, wasn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, thirteen hundred. My young friend, Rodney Ropes, and myself managed
+      it between us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad to see you, Mr. Ropes. Come in both of you. Mrs. Canfield will
+      be glad to welcome you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      They followed him into the sitting room, the floor of which was covered by
+      an old and faded carpet. The furniture was of the plainest description.
+      But it looked pleasant and homelike, and the papers and books that were
+      scattered about made it more attractive to a visitor than many showy city
+      drawing rooms.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And how are all your children, Mr. Canfield?&rdquo; asked Jefferson.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Maria is married to a worthy young man in the next town. Benjamin is
+      employed in a book store, and Austin wants to go to college, but I don&rsquo;t
+      see any way to send him, poor boy!&rdquo; and the minister sighed softly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Does it cost much to keep a boy in college?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not so much as might be supposed. There are beneficiary funds for
+      deserving students, and then there is teaching to eke out a poor young
+      man&rsquo;s income, so that I don&rsquo;t think it would cost over a hundred and fifty
+      dollars a year.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That isn&rsquo;t a large sum.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not in itelf, but you know, Jefferson, my salary is only four hundred
+      dollars a year. It would take nearly half my income, so I think Austin
+      will have to give up his hopes of going to college and follow in his
+      brother&rsquo;s steps.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How old is Austin now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is eighteen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is he ready for college?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, he could enter at the next commencement but for the financial
+      problem.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I never had any taste for college, or study, as you know, Mr. Canfield.
+      It is different with my friend Rodney, who is a Latin and Greek scholar.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The minister regarded Rodney with new interest.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you think of going to college, Mr. Ropes?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not at present. I am going back to Montana with Mr. Pettigrew. Perhaps he
+      and I will both go to college next year.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Excuse me,&rdquo; said Jefferson Pettigrew. &ldquo;Latin and Greek ain&rsquo;t in my line.
+      I should make a good deal better miner than minister.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is not desirable that all should become ministers or go to college,&rdquo;
+       said Mr. Canfield. &ldquo;I suspect from what I know of you, Jefferson, that you
+      judge yourself correctly. How long shall you stay in Burton?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I expect to go away tomorrow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your visit is a brief one.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I intended to stay longer, but I begin to be homesick after the
+      West.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you expect to make your permanent home there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t tell as to that. For the present I can do better there than
+      here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The conversation lasted for some time. Then Jefferson Pettigrew rose to
+      go.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Won&rsquo;t you call again, Jefferson?&rdquo; asked the minister hospitably.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall not have time, but before I go I want to make you a small
+      present,&rdquo; and he put into the hands of the astonished minister four fifty
+      dollar bills.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Two hundred dollars!&rdquo; ejaculated the minister. &ldquo;Why, I heard you only
+      brought home a few hundred.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I prefer to leave that impression. To you I will say that I am worth a
+      great deal more than that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But you mustn&rsquo;t give me so much. I am sure you are too generous for your
+      own interest. Why, it&rsquo;s munificent, princely.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be troubled about me. I can spare it. Send your boy to college, and
+      next year I will send you another sum equally large.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How can I thank you, Jefferson?&rdquo; said Mr. Canfield, the tears coming into
+      his eyes. &ldquo;Never in forty years have I had such a gift.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not even from Squire Sheldon?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The squire is not in the habit of bestowing gifts, but he pays a large
+      parish tax. May I&mdash;am I at liberty to say from whom I received this
+      liberal donation?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Please don&rsquo;t! You can say that you have had a gift from a friend.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have made me very happy, Jefferson. Your own conscience will reward
+      you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson Pettigrew changed the subject, for it embarrassed him to be
+      thanked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That pays me for hard work and privation,&rdquo; he said to Rodney as they
+      walked back to the tavern. &ldquo;After all there is a great pleasure in making
+      others happy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Squire Sheldon hadn&rsquo;t found that out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And he never will.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      On the way they met the gentleman of whom they had been speaking. He bowed
+      stiffly, for he could not feel cordial to those whom had snatched from him
+      the house for which he had been scheming so long.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Squire Sheldon,&rdquo; said Jefferson, &ldquo;you were kind enough to invite Rodney
+      and myself to supper some evening. I am sorry to say that we must decline,
+      as we leave Burton tomorrow.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Use your own pleasure, Mr. Pettigrew,&rdquo; said the squire coldly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t seem to disappoint the squire very much,&rdquo; remarked Jefferson,
+      laughing, when the great man of the village had passed on.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It certainly is no disappointment to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Nor to me. The little time I have left I can use more pleasantly than in
+      going to see the squire. I have promised to supper at my uncle&rsquo;s tonight&mdash;that
+      is, I have promised for both of us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Returning to New York, Jefferson and Rodney set about getting ready for
+      their Western journey. Rodney gave some of his wardrobe to Mike Flynn, and
+      bought some plain suits suitable for his new home.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      While walking on Broadway the day before the one fixed for his departure
+      he fell in with Jasper Redwood.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you got a place yet Ropes?&rdquo; asked Jasper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am not looking for any.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How is that?&rdquo; asked Jasper in some surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am going to leave the city.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is a good idea. All cannot succeed in the city. You may find a
+      chance to work on a farm in the country.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t say I was going to the country.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are you going, then?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;To Montana.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Isn&rsquo;t that a good way off?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What are you going to do there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I may go to mining.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But how can you afford to go so far?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Really, Jasper, you show considerable curiosity about my affairs. I have
+      money enough to buy my ticket, and I think I can find work when I get out
+      there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems to me a crazy idea.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It might be&mdash;for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And why for me?&rdquo; asked Jasper suspiciously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because you might not be willing to rough it as I am prepared to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I guess you are right. I have always been used to living like a
+      gentleman.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you will always be able to do so. Now I must bid you good by, as I
+      am busy getting ready for my journey.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper looked after Rodney, not without perplexity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t make out that boy,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;So he is going to be a common
+      miner! Well, that may suit him, but it wouldn&rsquo;t suit me. There is no
+      chance now of his interfering with me, so I am glad he is going to leave
+      the city.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXIX.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A MINING TOWN IN MONTANA.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The scene changes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Three weeks later among the miners who were sitting on the narrow veranda
+      of the &ldquo;Miners&rsquo; Rest&rdquo; in Oreville in Montana we recognize two familiar
+      faces and figures&mdash;those of Jefferson Pettigrew and Rodney Ropes.
+      Both were roughly clad, and if Jasper could have seen Rodney he would have
+      turned up his nose in scorn, for Rodney had all the look of a common
+      miner.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was in Oreville that Mr. Pettigrew had a valuable mining property, on
+      which he employed quite a number of men who preferred certain wages to a
+      compensation depending on the fluctuations of fortune. Rodney was among
+      those employed, but although he was well paid he could not get to like the
+      work. Of this, however, he said nothing to Mr. Pettigrew whose company he
+      enjoyed, and whom he held in high esteem.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On the evening in question Jefferson rose from his seat and signed to
+      Rodney to follow him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, Rodney, how do you like Montana?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well enough to be glad I came here,&rdquo; answered Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Still you are not partial to the work of a miner!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can think of other things I would prefer to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How would you like keeping a hotel?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is there any hotel in search of a manager?&rdquo; asked Rodney smiling.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will explain. Yesterday I bought the &lsquo;Miners&rsquo; Rest.&rsquo;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What&mdash;the hotel where we board?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Exactly. I found that Mr. Bailey, who has made a comfortable sum of
+      money, wants to leave Montana and go East and I bought the hotel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So that hereafter I shall board with you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not exactly. I propose to put you in charge, and pay you a salary. I can
+      oversee, and give you instructions. How will that suit you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So you think I am competent, Mr. Pettigrew?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I think so. There is a good man cook, and two waiters. The cook will
+      also order supplies and act as steward under you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What then will be my duties?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will act as clerk and cashier, and pay the bills. You will have to
+      look after all the details of management. If there is anything you don&rsquo;t
+      understand you will have me to back you up, and advise you. What do you
+      say?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That I shall like it much better than mining. My only doubt is as to
+      whether I shall suit you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is true that it takes a smart man to run a hotel, but I think we can
+      do it between us. Now what will you consider a fair salary?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I leave that to you, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then we will call it a hundred and fifty dollars a month and board.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, Mr. Pettigrew,&rdquo; said Rodney in surprise, &ldquo;how can I possibly earn
+      that much?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You know we charge big prices, and have about fifty steady boarders. I
+      expect to make considerable money after deducting all the expenses of
+      management.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My friend Jasper would be very much surprised if he could know the salary
+      I am to receive. In the store I was only paid seven dollars a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The duties were different. Almost any boy could discharge the duties of
+      an entry clerk while it takes peculiar qualities to run a hotel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was certainly very fortunate to fall in with you, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I expect it will turn out fortunate for me too, Rodney.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When do you want me to start in?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Next Monday morning. It is now Thursday evening. Mr. Bailey will turn
+      over the hotel to me on Saturday night. You needn&rsquo;t go to the mines
+      tomorrow, but may remain in the hotel, and he will instruct you in the
+      details of management.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That will be quite a help to me, and I am at present quite ignorant on
+      the subject.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney looked forward with pleasure to his new employment. He had good
+      executive talent, though thus far he had had no occasion to exercise it.
+      It was with unusual interest that he set about qualifying himself for his
+      new position.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Young man,&rdquo; said the veteran landlord, &ldquo;I think you&rsquo;ll do. I thought at
+      first that Jefferson was foolish to put a young boy in my place, but
+      you&rsquo;ve got a head on your shoulders, you have! I guess you&rsquo;ll fill the
+      bill.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope to do so, Mr. Bailey.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jefferson tells me that you understand Latin and Greek?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I know something of them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thats what prejudiced me against you. I hired a college boy once as a
+      clerk and he was the worst failure I ever came across. He seemed to have
+      all kinds of sense except common sense. I reckon he was a smart scholar,
+      and he could have made out the bills for the boarders in Latin or Greek if
+      it had been necessary, but he was that soft that any one could cheat him.
+      Things got so mixed up in the department that I had to turn him adrift in
+      a couple of weeks. I surmised you might be the same sort of a chap. If you
+      were it would be a bad lookout for Jefferson.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In Oreville Mr. Pettigrew was so well known that nearly everyone called
+      him by his first name. Mr. Pettigrew did not care about this as he had no
+      false pride or artificial dignity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you consider this hotel a good property, Mr. Bailey?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you this much. I started here four years ago, and I&rsquo;ve made
+      fifty thousand dollars which I shall take back with me to New Hampshire.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That certainly is satisfactory.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shouldn&rsquo;t wonder if you could improve upon it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How does it happen that you sell out such a valuable property, Mr.
+      Bailey? Are you tired of making money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, but I must tell you that there&rsquo;s a girl waiting for me at home, an
+      old schoolmate, who will become Mrs. Bailey as soon as possible after I
+      get back. If she would come out here I wouldn&rsquo;t sell, but she has a mother
+      that she wouldn&rsquo;t leave, and so I must go to her.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is a good reason, Mr. Bailey.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Besides with fifty thousand dollars I can live as well as I want to in
+      New Hampshire, and hold up my head with the best. You will follow my
+      example some day.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It will be a long day first, Mr. Bailey, for I am only sixteen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      On Monday morning the old landlord started for his Eastern home and Rodney
+      took his place. It took him some little time to become familiar with all
+      the details of hotel management, but he spared no pains to insure success.
+      He had some trouble at first with the cook who presumed upon his position
+      and Rodney&rsquo;s supposed ignorance to run things as he chose.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney complained to Mr. Pettigrew.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I can fix things, Rodney,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a man working for me
+      who used to be cook in a restaurant in New York. I found out about him
+      quietly, for I wanted to be prepared for emergencies. The next time Gordon
+      act contrary and threatens to leave, tell him he can do as he pleases.
+      Then report to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next day there came another conflict of authority.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you don&rsquo;t like the way I manage you can get somebody else,&rdquo; said the
+      cook triumphantly. &ldquo;Perhaps you&rsquo;d like to cook the dinner yourself. You&rsquo;re
+      nothing but a boy, and I don&rsquo;t see what Jefferson was thinking of to put
+      you in charge.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is his business, Mr. Gordon.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I advise you not to interfere with me, for I won&rsquo;t stand it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why didn&rsquo;t you talk in this way to Mr. Bailey?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s neither here nor there. He wasn&rsquo;t a boy for one thing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you propose to have your own way, Mr. Gordon?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, then you can leave me at the end of this week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What!&rdquo; exclaimed the cook in profound astonishment. &ldquo;Are you going
+      crazy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I know what I am about.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps you intend to cook yourself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, I don&rsquo;t. That would close up the hotel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Look here, young feller, you&rsquo;re gettin&rsquo; too independent! I&rsquo;ve a great
+      mind to leave you tonight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can do so if you want to,&rdquo; said Rodney indifferently.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I will!&rdquo; retorted Gordon angrily, bringing down his fist upon the
+      table in vigorous emphasis.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Oreville was fifty miles from Helena, and that was the nearest point, as
+      he supposed, where a new cook could be obtained.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After supper Rodney told Jefferson Pettigrew what had happened.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have I done right?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; we can&rsquo;t have any insubordination here. There can&rsquo;t be two heads of
+      one establishment. Send Gordon to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The cook with a defiant look answered the summons.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I understand you want to leave, Gordon,&rdquo; said Jefferson Pettigrew.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That depends. I ain&rsquo;t goin&rsquo; to have no boy dictatin&rsquo; to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then you insist upon having your own way without interference.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, I accept your resignation. Do you wish to wait till the end of
+      the week, or to leave tonight?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I want to give it up tonight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, go to Rodney and he will pay you what is due you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you goin&rsquo; to get along without a cook?&rdquo; inquired Gordon in surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What are you going to do, then?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I shall employ Parker in your place.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What does he know about cookin&rsquo;?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He ran a restaurant in New York for five years, the first part of the
+      time having charge of the cooking. We shan&rsquo;t suffer even if you do leave
+      us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I will stay,&rdquo; said Gordon in a submissive tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is too late. You have discharged yourself. You can&rsquo;t stay here on any
+      terms.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Gordon left Oreville the next day a sorely disappointed man, for he had
+      received more liberal pay than he was likely to command elsewhere. The
+      young landlord had triumphed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXX.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      THE MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At the end of a month Jefferson Pettigrew said: &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been looking over
+      the books, Rodney, and I find the business is better than I expected. How
+      much did I agree to pay you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;A hundred and fifty dollars a month, but if you think that it is too much&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Too much? Why I am going to advance you to two hundred and fifty.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can&rsquo;t be in earnest, Mr. Pettigrew?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am entirely so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is at the rate of three thousand dollars a year!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but you are earning it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You know I am only a boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That doesn&rsquo;t make any difference as long as you understand your
+      business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am very grateful to you, Mr. Pettigrew. My, I can save two hundred
+      dollars a month.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do so, and I will find you a paying investment for the money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What would Jasper say to my luck?&rdquo; thought Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Three months passed without any incident worth recording. One afternoon a
+      tall man wearing a high hat and a Prince Albert coat with a paste diamond
+      of large size in his shirt bosom entered the public room of the Miners&rsquo;
+      Rest and walking up to the bar prepared to register his name. As he stood
+      with his pen in his hand Rodney recognized him not without amazement.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was Louis Wheeler&mdash;the railroad thief, whom he had last seen in
+      New York.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As for Wheeler he had not taken any notice of the young clerk, not
+      suspecting that it was an old acquaintance who was familiar with his real
+      character.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you just arrived in Montana, Mr. Wheeler?&rdquo; asked Rodney quietly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As Rodney had not had an opportunity to examine his signature in the
+      register Wheeler looked up in quiet surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know me?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; don&rsquo;t you know me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll be blowed if it isn&rsquo;t the kid,&rdquo; ejaculated Wheeler.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;As I run this hotel, I don&rsquo;t care to be called a kid.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right Mr.&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ropes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Ropes, you are the most extraordinary boy I ever met.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Am I?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who would have thought of your turning up as a Montana landlord.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t have thought of it myself four months ago. But what brings you
+      out here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Business,&rdquo; answered Wheeler in an important tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you going to become a miner?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I may buy a mine if I find one to suit me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad you seem to be prospering.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can you give me a good room?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but I must ask a week&rsquo;s advance payment.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Twenty five dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right. Here&rsquo;s the money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler pulled out a well filled wallet and handed over two ten
+      dollar bills and a five.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is that satisfactory?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Quite so. You seem better provided with money than when I saw you last.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;True. I was then in temporary difficulty. But I made a good turn in
+      stocks and I am on my feet again.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney did not believe a word of this, but as long as Wheeler was able to
+      pay his board he had no good excuse for refusing him accommodation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That rascal here!&rdquo; exclaimed Jefferson, when Rodney informed him of
+      Wheeler&rsquo;s arrival. &ldquo;Well, thats beat all! What has brought him out here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Business, he says.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It may be the same kind of business that he had with me. He will bear
+      watching.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I agree with you, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler laid himself out to be social and agreeable, and made
+      himself quite popular with the other boarders at the hotel. As Jefferson
+      and Rodney said nothing about him, he was taken at his own valuation, and
+      it was reported that he was a heavy capitalist from Chicago who had come
+      to Montana to buy a mine. This theory received confirmation both from his
+      speech and actions.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On the following day he went about in Oreville and examined the mines. He
+      expressed his opinion freely in regard to what he saw, and priced one that
+      was for sale at fifty thousand dollars.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I like this mine,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but I don&rsquo;t know enough about it to make an
+      offer. If it comes up to my expectations I will try it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He must have been robbing a bank,&rdquo; observed Jefferson Pettigrew.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Nothing could exceed the cool assurance with which Wheeler greeted
+      Jefferson and recalled their meeting in New York.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You misjudged me then, Mr. Pettigrew,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I believe upon my soul
+      you looked upon me as an adventurer&mdash;a confidence man.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are not far from the truth, Mr. Wheeler,&rdquo; answered Jefferson bluntly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, I forgive you. Our acquaintance was brief and you judged from
+      superficial impressions.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps so, Mr. Wheeler. Have you ever been West before?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When you came to Oreville had you any idea that I was here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; if I had probably I should not have struck the town, as I knew that
+      you didn&rsquo;t have a favorable opinion of me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t make out much of that fellow, Rodney,&rdquo; said Jefferson. &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t
+      understand his object in coming here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He says he wants to buy a mine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s all a pretext. He hasn&rsquo;t money enough to buy a mine or a tenth
+      part of it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He seems to have money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; he may have a few hundred dollars, but mark my words, he hasn&rsquo;t the
+      slightest intention of buying a mine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He has some object in view.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No doubt! What it is is what I want to find out.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was another way in which Louis Wheeler made himself popular among
+      the miners of Oreville. He had a violin with him, and in the evening he
+      seated himself on the veranda and played popular tunes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He had only a smattering in the way of musical training, but the airs he
+      played took better than classical music would have done. Even Jefferson
+      Pettigrew enjoyed listening to &ldquo;Home, Sweet Home&rdquo; and &ldquo;The Last Rose of
+      Summer,&rdquo; while the miners were captivated by merry dance tunes, which
+      served to enliven them after a long day&rsquo;s work at the mines.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One day there was a sensation. A man named John O&rsquo;Donnell came down stairs
+      from his room looking pale and agitated.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Boys,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I have been robbed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Instantly all eyes were turned upon him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of what have you been robbed, O&rsquo;Donnell?&rdquo; asked Jefferson.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of two hundred dollars in gold. I was going to send it home to my wife in
+      Connecticut next week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When did you miss it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Just now.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where did you keep it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;In a box under my bed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When do you think it was taken?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Last night.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What makes you think so?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am a sound sleeper, and last night you know was very dark. I awoke with
+      a start, and seemed to hear footsteps. I looked towards the door, and saw
+      a form gliding from the room.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why didn&rsquo;t you jump out of bed and seize the intruder whoever he was?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because I was not sure but it was all a dream. I think now it was some
+      thief who had just robbed me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think so too. Could you make out anything of his appearance?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I could only see the outlines of his figure. He was a tall man. He must
+      have taken the money from under my bed.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did any one know that you had money concealed there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think I ever mentioned it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems we have a thief among us,&rdquo; said Jefferson, and almost
+      unconsciously his glance rested on Louis Wheeler who was seated near John
+      O&rsquo;Donnell, &ldquo;what do you think, Mr. Wheeler?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think you are right, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you any suggestion to make?&rdquo; asked Jefferson. &ldquo;Have you by chance
+      lost anything?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not that I am aware of.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is there any one else here who has been robbed?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      No one spoke.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You asked me if I had any suggestions to make, Mr. Pettigrew,&rdquo; said Louis
+      Wheeler after a pause. &ldquo;I have.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Our worthy friend Mr. O&rsquo;Donnell has met with a serious loss. I move that
+      we who are his friends make it up to him. Here is my contribution,&rdquo; and he
+      laid a five dollar bill on the table.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was a happy suggestion and proved popular. Every one present came
+      forward, and tendered his contributions including Jefferson, who put down
+      twenty five dollars.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Mr. Wheeler gathered up the notes and gold and sweeping them to his hat
+      went forward and tendered them to John O&rsquo;Donnell.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Take this money, Mr. O&rsquo;Donnell,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It is the free will offering
+      of your friends. I am sure I may say for them, as for myself, that it
+      gives us all pleasure to help a comrade in trouble.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler could have done nothing that would have so lifted him in the
+      estimation of the miners.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And now,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;as our friend is out of his trouble I will play you a
+      few tunes on my violin, and will end the day happily.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t make out that fellow, Rodney,&rdquo; said Jefferson when they were
+      alone. &ldquo;I believe he is the thief, but he has an immense amount of nerve.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXXI.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      MR. WHEELER EXPLAINS.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Probably there was no one at the hotel who suspected Louis Wheeler of
+      being a thief except Rodney and Mr. Pettigrew. His action in starting a
+      contribution for John O&rsquo;Donnell helped to make him popular. He was
+      establishing a reputation quite new to him, and it was this fact probably
+      that made him less prudent than he would otherwise have been.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As the loss had been made up, the boarders at the Miners&rsquo; Rest ceased to
+      talk of it. But Jefferson and his young assistant did not forget it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sure Wheeler is the thief, but I don&rsquo;t know how to bring it home to
+      him,&rdquo; said Jefferson one day, when alone with Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You might search him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but what good would that do? It might be found that he had money,
+      but one gold coin is like another and it would be impossible to identify
+      it as the stolen property. If O&rsquo;Donnell had lost anything else except
+      money it would be different. I wish he would come to my chamber.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps he would if he thought you were a sound sleeper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is an idea. I think I can make use of it.&rdquo;.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      That evening when Wheeler was present Mr. Pettigrew managed to turn the
+      conversation to the subject of sleeping.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am a very sound sleeper,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I remember when I was at home
+      sleeping many a time through a severe thunder storm.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you sometimes wake up in the middle of the night?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very seldom, if I am in good health.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Its different with me,&rdquo; said another of the company. &ldquo;A step on the floor
+      or the opening of the door will wake me up at any time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad I am not so easily roused.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I had a fish horn,&rdquo; said Rodney, laughing, &ldquo;I should be tempted to
+      come up in the night and give it a blast before your door.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That might wake me up,&rdquo; said Mr. Pettigrew. &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t advise you to try
+      it or the other boarders might get up an indignation meeting.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The same evening Jefferson Pettigrew took out a bag of gold and carelessly
+      displayed it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you not afraid of being robbed, Mr. Pettigrew?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh no. I never was robbed in my life.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much money have you there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know exactly. Perhaps six hundred dollars,&rdquo; said Pettigrew in an
+      indifferent tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Among those who listened to this conversation with interest was Louis
+      Wheeler. Rodney did not fail to see the covetous gleam of his eyes when
+      the gold was displayed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The fact was, that Wheeler was getting short of cash and at the time he
+      took John O&rsquo;Donnell&rsquo;s money&mdash;for he was the thief&mdash;he had but
+      about twenty dollars left, and of this he contributed five to the relief
+      of the man he had robbed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His theft realized him two hundred dollars, but this would not last him
+      long, as the expenses of living at the Miners&rsquo; Rest were considerable. He
+      was getting tired of Oreville, but wanted to secure some additional money
+      before he left it. The problem was whom to make his second victim.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It would not have occurred to him to rob Jefferson Pettigrew, of whom he
+      stood in wholesome fear, but for the admission that he was an unusually
+      sound sleeper; even then he would have felt uncertain whether it would
+      pay. But the display of the bag of money, and the statement that it
+      contained six hundred dollars in gold proved a tempting bait.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I can capture that bag of gold,&rdquo; thought Wheeler, &ldquo;I shall have enough
+      money to set me up in some new place. There won&rsquo;t be much risk about it,
+      for Pettigrew sleeps like a top. I will venture it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson Pettigrew&rsquo;s chamber was on the same floor as his own. It was the
+      third room from No. 17 which Mr. Wheeler occupied.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As a general thing the occupants of the Miners&rsquo; Rest went to bed early.
+      Mining is a fatiguing business, and those who follow it have little
+      difficulty in dropping off to sleep. The only persons who were not engaged
+      in this business were Louis Wheeler and Rodney Ropes. As a rule the hotel
+      was closed at half past ten and before this all were in bed and sleeping
+      soundly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When Wheeler went to bed he said to himself, &ldquo;This will probably be my
+      last night in this tavern. I will go from here to Helena, and if things
+      turn out right I may be able to make my stay there profitable. I shan&rsquo;t
+      dare to stay here long after relieving Pettigrew of his bag of gold.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Unlike Jefferson Pettigrew, Wheeler was a light sleeper. He had done
+      nothing to induce fatigue, and had no difficulty in keeping awake till
+      half past eleven. Then lighting a candle, he examined his watch, and
+      ascertained the time.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It will be safe enough now,&rdquo; he said to himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He rose from his bed, and drew on his trousers. Then in his stocking feet
+      he walked along the corridor till he stood in front of Jefferson
+      Pettigrew&rsquo;s door. He was in doubt as to whether he would not be obliged to
+      pick the lock, but on trying the door he found that it was not fastened.
+      He opened it and stood within the chamber.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Cautiously he glanced at the bed. Mr. Pettigrew appeared to be sleeping
+      soundly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It&rsquo;s all right,&rdquo; thought Louis Wheeler. &ldquo;Now where is the bag of gold?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was not in open view, but a little search showed that the owner had put
+      it under the bed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He isn&rsquo;t very sharp,&rdquo; thought Wheeler. &ldquo;He is playing right into my
+      hands. Door unlocked, and bag of gold under the bed. He certainly is a
+      very unsuspicious man. However, that is all the better for me. Really
+      there isn&rsquo;t much credit in stealing where all is made easy for you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There seemed to be nothing to do but to take the gold from its place of
+      deposit and carry it back to his own room. While there were a good many
+      lodgers in the hotel, there seemed to be little risk about this, as every
+      one was asleep.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Of course should the bag be found in his room that would betray him, but
+      Mr. Wheeler proposed to empty the gold coins into his gripsack, and throw
+      the bag out of the window into the back yard.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, here goes!&rdquo; said Wheeler cheerfully, as he lifted the bag, and
+      prepared to leave the chamber. But at this critical moment an unexpected
+      sound struck terror into his soul. It was the sound of a key being turned
+      in the lock.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Nervously Wheeler hastened to the door and tried it. It would not open.
+      Evidently it had been locked from the outside. What could it mean?
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      At the same time there was a series of knocks on the outside of the door.
+      It was the signal that had been agreed upon between Mr. Pettigrew and
+      Rodney. Jefferson had given his key to Rodney, who had remained up and on
+      the watch for Mr. Wheeler&rsquo;s expected visit. He, too, was in his stocking
+      feet.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As soon as he saw Wheeler enter his friend&rsquo;s chamber he stole up and
+      locked the door on the outide. Then when he heard the thief trying to open
+      the door he rained a shower of knocks on the panel.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Instantly Jefferson Pettigrew sprang out of bed and proceeded to act.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What are you doing here?&rdquo; he demanded, seizing Wheeler in his powerful
+      grasp.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where am I?&rdquo; asked Wheeler in a tone of apparent bewilderment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, it&rsquo;s you, Mr. Wheeler?&rdquo; said Jefferson. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you know where you
+      are?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, it is my friend, Mr. Pettigrew. Is it possible I am in your room?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is very possible. Now tell me why you are here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am really ashamed to find myself in this strange position. It is not
+      the first time that I have got into trouble from walking in my sleep.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, you were walking in your sleep!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, friend Petttigrew. It has been a habit of mine since I was a boy.
+      But it seems very strange that I should have been led to your room. How
+      could I get in? Wasn&rsquo;t the door locked?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is locked now?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is strange! I don&rsquo;t understand it,&rdquo; said Wheeler, passing his hand
+      over his forehead.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Perhaps you understand why you have that bag of gold in your hand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can it be possible?&rdquo; ejaculated Wheeler in well counterfeited surprise.
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know how to account for it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think I can. Rodney, unlock the door and come in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The key was turned in the lock, and Rodney entered with a lighted candle
+      in his hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You see, Rodney, that I have a late visitor. You will notice also that my
+      bag of gold seems to have had an attraction for him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am ashamed. I don&rsquo;t really know how to explain it except in this way.
+      When you displayed the gold last night it drew my attention and I must
+      have dreamed of it. It was this which drew me unconsciously to your door.
+      It is certainly an interesting fact in mental science.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It would have been a still more interesting fact if you had carried off
+      the gold.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I might even have done that in my unconsciousness, but of course I should
+      have discovered it tomorrow morning and would have returned it to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t feel by any means sure of that. Look here, Mr. Wheeler, if that
+      is your name, you can&rsquo;t pull the wool over my eyes. You are a thief,
+      neither more nor less.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How can you misjudge me so, Mr. Pettigrew?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because I know something of your past history. It is clear to me now that
+      you were the person that stole John O&rsquo;Donnell&rsquo;s money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Indeed, Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is useless to protest. How much of it have you left?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Louis Wheeler was compelled to acknowledge the theft, and returned one
+      hundred dollars to Jefferson Pettigrew.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now,&rdquo; said Jefferson, &ldquo;I advise you to leave the hotel at once. If the
+      boys find out that you are a thief you will stand a chance of being
+      lynched. Get out!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next morning Jefferson Pettigrew told the other boarders that Louis
+      Wheeler had had a sudden call East, and it was not for a week that he
+      revealed to them the real reason of Wheeler&rsquo;s departure.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXXII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      RODNEY FALLS INTO A TRAP.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney had reason to be satisfied with his position as landlord of the
+      Miners&rsquo; Rest. His pay was large, and enabled him to put away a good sum
+      every month, but his hours were long and he was too closely confined for a
+      boy of his age. At the end of three months he showed this in his
+      appearance. His good friend Pettigrew saw it and said one day, &ldquo;Rodney,
+      you are looking fagged out. You need a change.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Does that mean that you are going to discharge me?&rdquo; asked Rodney, with a
+      smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It means that I am going to give you a vacation.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But what can I do if I take a vacation? I should not like lounging around
+      Oreville with nothing to do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Such a vacation would do you no good. I&rsquo;ll tell you the plan I have for
+      you. I own a small mine in Babcock, about fifty miles north of Oreville. I
+      will send you up to examine it, and make a report to me. Can you ride on
+      horseback?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is well, for you will have to make your trip in that way. There are
+      no railroads in that direction, nor any other way of travel except on foot
+      or on horseback. A long ride like that with hours daily in the open air,
+      will do you good. What do you say to it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I should like nothing better,&rdquo; replied Rodney, with his eyes sparkling.
+      &ldquo;Only, how will you get along without me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have a man in my employ at the mines who will do part of your work, and
+      I will have a general oversight of things. So you need not borrow any
+      trouble on that account. Do you think you can find your way?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Give me the general direction, and I will guarantee to do so. When shall
+      I start?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Day after tomorrow. That will give me one day for making arrangements.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At nine the appointed morning Mr. Pettigrew&rsquo;s own horse stood saddled at
+      the door, and Rodney in traveling costume with a small satchel in his
+      hand, mounted and rode away, waving a smiling farewell to his friend and
+      employer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney did not hurry, and so consumed two days and a half in reaching
+      Babcock. Here he was cordially received by the superintendent whom
+      Jefferson Pettigrew had placed in charge of the mine. Every facility was
+      afforded him to examine into the management of things and he found all
+      satisfactory.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This part of his journey, therefore, may be passed over. But his return
+      trip was destined to be more exciting.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Riding at an easy jog Rodney had got within fifteen miles of Oreville,
+      when there was an unexpected interruption. Two men started out from the
+      roadside, or rather from one side of the bridle path for there was no
+      road, and advanced to meet him with drawn revolvers.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Halt there!&rdquo; one of them exclaimed in a commanding tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney drew bridle, and gazed at the two men in surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you want of me?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Dismount instantly!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why should I? What right have you to interfere with my journey?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Might gives right,&rdquo; said one of the men sententiously. &ldquo;It will be best
+      for you to do as we bid you without too much back talk.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What are you&mdash;highwaymen?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You&rsquo;d better not talk too much. Get off that horse!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney saw that remonstrance was useless, and obeyed the order.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One of the men seized the horse by the bridle, and led him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Walk in front!&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where are you going to take me?&rdquo; asked Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You will know in due time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you will let me go,&rdquo; urged Rodney, beginning to be uneasy. &ldquo;I am
+      expected home this evening, or at all event I want to get there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No doubt you do, but the Miners&rsquo; Rest will have to get along without you
+      for a while.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know me then?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; you are the boy clerk at the Miners&rsquo; Rest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You both put up there about two weeks since,&rdquo; said Rodney, examining
+      closely the faces of the two men.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Right you are, kid!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What can you possibly want of me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be too curious. You will know in good time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney remembered that the two men had remained at the hotel for a day and
+      night. They spent the day in wandering around Oreville.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He had supposed when they came that they were in search of employment, but
+      they had not applied for work and only seemed actuated by curiosity. What
+      could be their object in stopping him now he could not understand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It would have been natural to suppose they wanted money, but they had not
+      asked for any as yet. He had about fifty dollars in his pocketbook and he
+      would gladly have given them this if it would have insured his release.
+      But not a word had been said about money.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      They kept on their journey. Montana is a mountainous State, and they were
+      now in the hilly regions. They kept on for perhaps half an hour, gradually
+      getting upon higher ground, until they reached a precipitous hill composed
+      largely of rock.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Here the two men stopped as if they had reached their journey&rsquo;s end.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One of them advanced to the side of the hill and unlocked a thick wooden
+      door which at first had failed to attract Rodney&rsquo;s attention. The door
+      swung open, revealing a dark passage, cut partly through stone and partly
+      through earth. Inside on the floor was a bell of good size.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One of the men lifted the bell and rang it loudly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What does that mean?&rdquo; thought Rodney, who felt more curious than
+      apprehensive.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He soon learned.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A curious looking negro, stunted in growth, for he was no taller than a
+      boy of ten, came out from the interior and stood at the entrance of the
+      cave, if such it was. His face was large and hideous, there was a hump on
+      his back, and his legs were not a match, one being shorter than the other,
+      so that as he walked, his motion was a curious one. He bent a scrutinizing
+      glance on Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, Caesar, is dinner ready?&rdquo; asked one of the men.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, massa, not yet.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Let it be ready then as soon as possible. But first lead the way. We are
+      coming in.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He started ahead, leading the horse, for the entrance was high enough to
+      admit the passage of the animal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Push on!&rdquo; said the other, signing to Rodney to precede him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney did so, knowing remonstrance to be useless. His curiosity was
+      excited. He wondered how long the passage was and whither it led.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The way was dark, but here and there in niches was a kerosene lamp that
+      faintly relieved the otherwise intense blackness.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have read about such places,&rdquo; thought Rodney, &ldquo;but I never expected to
+      get into one. The wonder is, that they should bring me here. I can&rsquo;t
+      understand their object.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney followed his guide for perhaps two hundred and fifty feet when they
+      emerged into a large chamber of irregular shape, lighted by four large
+      lamps set on a square wooden table. There were two rude cots in one
+      corner, and it was here apparently that his guides made their home.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a large cooking stove in one part of the room, and an appetizing
+      odor showed that Caesar had the dinner under way.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney looked about him in curiosity. He could not decide whether the cave
+      was natural or artificial. Probably it was a natural cave which had been
+      enlarged by the hand of man.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now hurry up the dinner, Caesar,&rdquo; said one of the guides. &ldquo;We are all
+      hungry.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, massa,&rdquo; responded the obedient black.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney felt hungry also, and hoped that he would have a share of the
+      dinner. Later he trusted to find out the object of his new acquaintances
+      in kidnaping him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Dinner was soon ready. It was simple, but Rodney thoroughly enjoyed it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      During the meal silence prevailed. After it his new acquaintances produced
+      pipes and began to smoke. They offered Rodney a cigarette, but he declined
+      it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t smoke,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you a Sunday school kid?&rdquo; asked one in a sneering tone.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, perhaps so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How long have you lived at Oreville?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;About four months.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who is the head of the settlement there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jefferson Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is the moneyed man, is he?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is he a friend of yours?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is my best friend,&rdquo; answered Rodney warmly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He thinks a good deal of you, then?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I think he does.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where have you been&mdash;on a journey?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, to the town of Babcock.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did he send you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What interest has he there?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He is chief owner of a mine there.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Humph! I suppose you would like to know why we brought you here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I would very much.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We propose to hold you for ransom.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But why should you? I am only a poor boy.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are the friend of Jefferson Pettigrew. He is a rich man. If he wants
+      you back he must pay a round sum.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      It was all out now! These men were emulating a class of outlaws to be
+      found in large numbers in Italy and Sicily, and were trading upon human
+      sympathy and levying a tax upon human friendship.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXXIII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      UNDERGROUND.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney realized his position. The alternative was not a pleasant one.
+      Either he must remain in the power of these men, or cost his friend Mr.
+      Pettigrew a large sum as ransom. There was little hope of changing the
+      determination of his captors, but he resolved to try what he could do.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. Pettigrew is under no obligations to pay money out for me,&rdquo; he said.
+      &ldquo;I am not related to him, and have not yet known him six months.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That makes no difference. You are his friend, and he likes you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is the very reason why I should not wish him to lose money on my
+      account.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, very well! It will be bad for you is he doesn&rsquo;t come to your help.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why? What do you propose to do to me?&rdquo; asked Rodney boldly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Better not ask!&rdquo; was the significant reply.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But I want to know. I want to realize my position.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The least that will happen to you is imprisonment in this cave for a term
+      of years.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think I should like it but you would get tired of standing guard
+      over me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We might, and in that case there is the other thing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What other thing?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If we get tired of keeping you here, we shall make short work with you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Would you murder me?&rdquo; asked Rodney, horror struck, as he might well be,
+      for death seems terrible to a boy just on the threshold of life.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We might be obliged to do so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney looked in the faces of his captors, and he saw nothing to encourage
+      him. They looked like desperate men, who would stick at nothing to carry
+      out their designs.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see why you should get hold of me,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;If you had captured
+      Mr. Pettigrew himself you would stand a better chance of making it pay.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There is no chance of capturing Pettigrew. If there were we would prefer
+      him to you. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How much ransom do you propose to ask?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      This Rodney said, thinking that if it were a thousand dollars he might be
+      able to make it good to his friend Jefferson. But he was destined to be
+      disappointed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Five thousand dollars,&rdquo; answered the chief speaker.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Five thousand dollars!&rdquo; ejaculated Rodney in dismay. &ldquo;Five thousand
+      dollars for a boy like me!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is the sum we want.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If it were one thousand I think you might get it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;One thousand!&rdquo; repeated the other scornfully. &ldquo;That wouldn&rsquo;t half pay
+      us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then suppose you call it two thousand?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It won&rsquo;t do.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then I suppose I must make up my mind to remain a prisoner.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Five thousand dollars wouldn&rsquo;t be much to a rich man like Pettigrew. We
+      have inquired, and found out that he is worth at least a hundred thousand
+      dollars. Five thousand is only a twentieth part of this sum.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can do as you please, but you had better ask a reasonable amount if
+      you expect to get it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t want advice. We shall manage things in our own way.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Convinced that further discussion would be unavailing, Rodney relapsed
+      into silence, but now his captors proceeded to unfold their plans.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      One of them procured a bottle of ink, some paper and a pen, and set them
+      on the table.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come up here, boy, and write to Mr. Pettigrew,&rdquo; he said in a tone of
+      authority.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What shall I write?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Tell him that you are a prisoner, and that you will not be released
+      unless he pays five thousand dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to write that. It will be the same as asking him to pay it
+      for me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is what we mean him to understand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I won&rsquo;t write it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney knew his danger, but he looked resolutely into the eyes of the men
+      who held his life in their hands. His voice did not waver, for he was a
+      manly and courageous boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The boy&rsquo;s got grit!&rdquo; said one of the men to the other.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, but it won&rsquo;t save him. Boy, are you going to write what I told you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you not afraid that we will kill you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You have power to do it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you want to live?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. Life is sweet to a boy of sixteen.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then why don&rsquo;t you write?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because I think it would be taking a mean advantage of Mr. Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are a fool. Roderick, what shall we do with him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Tell him simply to write that he is in our hands.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well thought of. Boy, will you do that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney gave his consent for he was anxious that Mr. Pettigrew should know
+      what had prevented him from coming home when he was expected.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, write! You will know what to say.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney drew the paper to him, and wrote as follows:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      DEAR MR. PETTIGREW,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On my way home I was stopped by two men who have confined me in a cave,
+      and won&rsquo;t let me go unless a sum of money is paid for my ransom. I don&rsquo;t
+      know what to do. You will know better than I. RODNEY ROPES.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His chief captor took the note and read it aloud.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That will do,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Now he will believe us when we say that you are
+      in our hands.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He signed to Rodney to rise from the table and took his place. Drawing a
+      pile of paper to him, he penned the following note:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney Ropes is in our hands. He wants his liberty and we want money. Send
+      us five thousand dollars, or arrange a meeting at which it can be
+      delivered to us, and he shall go free. Otherwise his death be on your
+      hands. HIS CAPTORS.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney noticed that this missive was written in a handsome business hand.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You write a handsome hand,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I ought to,&rdquo; was the reply. &ldquo;I was once bookkeeper in a large business
+      house.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And what&mdash;&rdquo; here Rodney hesitated.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What made me an outlaw you mean to ask?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My nature, I suppose. I wasn&rsquo;t cut out for sober, humdrum life.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you think you would have been happier?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No preaching, kid! I had enough of that when I used to go to church in my
+      old home in Missouri. Here, Caesar!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You know Oreville?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Go over there and take this letter with you. Ask for Jefferson Pettigrew,
+      and mind you don&rsquo;t tell him where we live. Only if he asks about me and my
+      pal say we are desperate men, have each killed a round dozen of fellows
+      that stood in our way and will stick at nothing.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right, massa,&rdquo; said Caesar with an appreciative grin. &ldquo;How shall I
+      go, massa?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You can take the kid&rsquo;s horse. Ride to within a mile of Oreville, then
+      tether the horse where he won&rsquo;t easily be found, and walk over to the
+      mines. Do you understand?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He won&rsquo;t probably give you any money, but he may give you a letter. Bring
+      it safely to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Caesar nodded and vanished.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      For an hour the two men smoked their pipes and chatted. Then they rose,
+      and the elder said: &ldquo;We are going out, kid, for a couple of hours. Are you
+      afraid to stay alone?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why should I be?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s the way to talk. I won&rsquo;t caution you not to escape, for it would
+      take a smarter lad then you to do it. If you are tired you can lie down on
+      the bed and rest.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am sorry we haven&rsquo;t got the morning paper for you to look over,&rdquo; said
+      his captor with a smile. &ldquo;The carrier didn&rsquo;t leave it this morning.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can get along without it. I don&rsquo;t feel much like reading.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You needn&rsquo;t feel worried. You&rsquo;ll be out of this tomorrow if Jefferson
+      Pettigrew is as much your friend as you think he is.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The only thing that troubles me is the big price you charge at your
+      hotel.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Good! The kid has a good wit of his own. After all, we wouldn&rsquo;t mind
+      keeping you with us. It might pay you better than working for Pettigrew.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I hope you&rsquo;ll excuse my saying it, but I don&rsquo;t like the business.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You may change your mind. At your age we wouldn&rsquo;t either of us like the
+      sort of life we are leading. Come, John.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The two men went out but did not allow Rodney to accompany them to the
+      place of exit.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Left to himself, Rodney could think soberly of his plight. He could not
+      foresee whether his captivity would be brief or prolonged.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After a time the spirit of curiosity seized him. He felt tempted to
+      explore the cavern in which he was confined. He took a lamp, and followed
+      in a direction opposite to that taken by his captors.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The cave he found was divided into several irregularly shaped chambers. He
+      walked slowly, holding up the lamp to examine the walls of the cavern. In
+      one passage he stopped short, for something attracted his attention&mdash;something
+      the sight of which made his heart beat quicker and filled him with
+      excitement.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0034" id="link2HCH0034">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXXIV.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      RODNEY&rsquo;S DISCOVERY.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There was a good reason for Rodney&rsquo;s excitement. The walls of the
+      subterranean passage revealed distinct and rich indications of gold. There
+      was a time, and that not long before, when they would have revealed
+      nothing to Rodney, but since his residence at Oreville he had more than
+      once visited the mines and made himself familiar with surface indications
+      of mineral deposit.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He stopped short and scanned attentively the walls of the passage.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If I am not mistaken,&rdquo; he said to himself, &ldquo;this will make one of the
+      richest mines in Montana. But after all what good will it do me? Here am I
+      a prisoner, unable to leave the cave, or communicate with my friends. If
+      Mr. Pettigrew knew what I do he would feel justified in paying the ransom
+      these men want.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney wondered how these rich deposits had failed to attract the
+      attention of his captors, but he soon settled upon the conclusion that
+      they had no knowledge of mines or mining, and were ignorant of the riches
+      that were almost in their grasp.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall I enlighten them?&rdquo; he asked himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It was a question which he could not immediately answer. He resolved to be
+      guided by circumstances.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In order not to excite suspicion he retraced his steps to the apartment
+      used by his captors as a common sitting room&mdash;carefully fixing in his
+      mind the location of the gold ore.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      We must now follow the messenger who had gone to Oreville with a letter
+      from Rodney&rsquo;s captors.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As instructed, he left his horse, or rather Rodney&rsquo;s, tethered at some
+      distance from the settlement and proceeded on foot to the Miners&rsquo; Rest.
+      His strange appearance excited attention and curiosity. Both these
+      feelings would have been magnified had it been known on what errand he
+      came.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where can I find Mr. Jefferson Pettigrew?&rdquo; he asked of a man whom he saw
+      on the veranda.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;At the Griffin Mine,&rdquo; answered the other, removing the pipe from his
+      mouth.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Where is that?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Over yonder. Are you a miner?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No. I know nothing about mines.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then why do you want to see Jefferson? I thought you might want a chance
+      to work in the mine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; I have other business with him&mdash;business of importance,&rdquo; added
+      the black dwarf emphatically.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If that is the case I&rsquo;ll take you to him. I am always glad to be of
+      service to Jefferson.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you. He will thank you, too.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The man walked along with a long, swinging gait which made it difficult
+      for Caesar to keep up with him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So you have business with Jefferson?&rdquo; said the man with the pipe, whose
+      curiosity had been excited.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Of what sort?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will tell him,&rdquo; answered Caesar shortly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;So its private, is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. If he wants to tell you he will.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s fair. Well, come along! Am I walking too fast for you?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your legs are much longer than mine.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s so. You are a little shrimp. I declare.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A walk of twenty minutes brought them to the Griffin Mine. Jefferson
+      Pettigrew was standing near, giving directions to a party of miners.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jefferson,&rdquo; said the man with the pipe, &ldquo;here&rsquo;s a chap that wants to see
+      you on business of importance. That is, he says it is.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson Pettigrew wheeled round and looked at Caesar.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;what is it?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I have a letter for you, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Give it to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jefferson took the letter and cast his eye over it. As he read it his
+      countenance changed and became stern and severe.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you know what is in this letter?&rdquo; he asked.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      He led Caesar to a place out of earshot.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What fiend&rsquo;s game is this?&rdquo; he demanded sternly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t tell you, massa; I&rsquo;m not in it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Who are those men that have written to me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know their right names. I calls &lsquo;em Massa John and Massa Dick.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems they have trapped a boy friend of mine, Rodney Ropes. Did you
+      see him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes; I gave him a good dinner.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is well. If they should harm a hair of his head I wouldn&rsquo;t rest till
+      I had called them to account. Where have they got the boy concealed?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t tell you, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You mean, you won&rsquo;t tell me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes. It would be as much as my life is worth.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Humph, well! I suppose you must be faithful to your employer. Do you know
+      that these men want me to pay five thousand dollars for the return of the
+      boy?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, I heard them talking about it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is a new kind of rascality. Do they expect you to bring back an
+      answer?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I must think. What will they do to the boy if I don&rsquo;t give them the
+      money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They might kill him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If they do&mdash;but I must have time to think the matter over. Are you
+      expected to go back this afternoon?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Can you get back? It must be a good distance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I can get back.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Stay here. I will consult some of my friends and see if I can raise the
+      money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, massa.&rdquo; One of those whom Jefferson called into consultation
+      was the person who had guided Caesar to the Griffin Mine.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Quickly the proprietor of the Miners&rsquo; Rest unfolded the situation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;I want two of you to follow this misshapen dwarf, and
+      find out where he comes from. I want to get hold of the scoundrels who
+      sent him to me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will be one,&rdquo; said the man with the pipe.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, Fred.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And I will go with Fred,&rdquo; said a long limbed fellow who had been a Kansas
+      cowboy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I accept you, Otto. Go armed, and don&rsquo;t lose sight of him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall you send the money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not I. I will send a letter that will encourage them to hope for it. I
+      want to gain time.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Any instructions, Jefferson?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Only this, if you see these men, capture or kill them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;All right.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0035" id="link2HCH0035">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXXV.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      A BLOODY CONFLICT.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This was the letter that was handed to Caesar:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I have received your note. I must have time to think, and time perhaps to
+      get hold of the gold. Don&rsquo;t harm a hair of the boy&rsquo;s head. If so, I will
+      hunt you to death.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      JEFFERSON PETTIGREW.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      P.S.&mdash;Meet me tomorrow morning at the rocky gorge at the foot of
+      Black Mountain. Ten o&rsquo;clock.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Caesar took the letter, and bent his steps in the direction of the place
+      where he had tethered his horse. He did not observe that he was followed
+      by two men, who carefully kept him in sight, without attracting attention
+      to themselves.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When Caesar reached the place where he had tethered the horse, he was
+      grievously disappointed at not finding him. One of the miners in roaming
+      about had come upon the animal, and knowing him to be Jefferson
+      Pettigrew&rsquo;s property, untied him and rode him back to Oreville.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The dwarf threw up his hands in dismay.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;The horse is gone!&rdquo; he said in his deep bass voice, &ldquo;and now I must walk
+      back, ten long miles, and get a flogging at the end for losing time. It&rsquo;s
+      hard luck,&rdquo; he groaned.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The loss was fortunate for Fred and Otto who would otherwise have found it
+      hard to keep up with the dwarf.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Caesar breathed a deep sigh, and then started on his wearisome journey.
+      Had the ground been even it would have troubled him less, but there was a
+      steep upward grade, and his short legs were soon weary. Not so with his
+      pursuers, both of whom were long limbed and athletic.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      We will go back now to the cave and the captors of Rodney. They waited
+      long and impatiently for the return of their messenger. Having no
+      knowledge of the loss of the horse, they could not understand what
+      detained Caesar.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you think the rascal has played us false?&rdquo; said Roderick.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He would be afraid to.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This man Pettigrew might try to bribe him. It would be cheaper than to
+      pay five thousand dollars.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He wouldn&rsquo;t dare. He knows what would happen to him,&rdquo; said John grimly.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then why should he be so long?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That I can&rsquo;t tell.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Suppose we go out to meet him. I begin to feel anxious lest we have
+      trusted him too far.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am with you!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The two outlaws took the path which led to Oreville, and walked two miles
+      before they discovered Caesar coming towards them at a slow and melancholy
+      gait.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There he is, and on foot! What does it mean?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He will tell us.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Here now, you black imp! where is the horse?&rdquo; demanded Roderick.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I done lost him, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Lost him? You&rsquo;ll get a flogging for this, unless you bring good news. Did
+      you see Jefferson Pettigrew?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Did he give you any money?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No; he gave me this letter.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Roderick snatched it from his hand, and showed it to John.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It seems satisfactory,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Now how did you lose the horse?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Caesar told him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You didn&rsquo;t fasten him tight.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Beg your pardon, massa, but I took good care of that.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, he&rsquo;s gone; was probably stolen. That is unfortunate; however you
+      may not have been to blame.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Luckily for Caesar the letter which he brought was considered
+      satisfactory, and this palliated his fault in losing the horse.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The country was so uneven that the two outlaws did not observe that they
+      were followed, until they came to the entrance of the cave. Then, before
+      opening the door, John looked round and caught sight of Fred and Otto
+      eying them from a little distance.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      He instantly took alarm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Look,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;we are followed. Look behind you!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      His brother turned and came to the same conclusion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Caesar,&rdquo; said Roderick, &ldquo;did you ever see those men before?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They must have followed you from Oreville. Hello, you two!&rdquo; he added
+      striding towards the miners. &ldquo;What do you want here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Fred and Otto had accomplished their object in ascertaining the place
+      where Rodney was confined, and no longer cared for concealment.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;None of your business!&rdquo; retorted Fred independently. &ldquo;The place is as
+      free to us as to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you spies?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t intend to answer any of your questions.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Clear out of here!&rdquo; commanded Roderick in a tone of authority.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Suppose we don&rsquo;t?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Roderick was a man of quick temper, and had never been in the habit of
+      curbing it. He was provoked by the independent tone of the speaker, and
+      without pausing to think of the imprudence of his actions, he raised his
+      rifle and pointing at Fred shot him in the left arm.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The two miners were both armed, and were not slow in accepting the
+      challenge. Simultaneously they raised their rifles and fired at the two
+      men. The result was that both fell seriously wounded and Caesar set up a
+      howl of dismay, not so much for his masters as from alarm for himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Fred and Otto came forward, and stood looking down upon the outlaws, who
+      were in the agonies of death.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was our lives or theirs,&rdquo; said Fred coolly, for he had been long
+      enough in Montana to become used to scenes of bloodshed.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; answered Otto. &ldquo;I think these two men are the notorious Dixon
+      brothers who are credited with a large number of murders. The country will
+      be well rid of them.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Roderick turned his glazing eyes upon the tall miner. &ldquo;I wish I had killed
+      you,&rdquo; he muttered.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No doubt you do. It wouldn&rsquo;t have been your first murder.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t kill me, massa!&rdquo; pleaded Caesar in tones of piteous entreaty.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; answered Fred. &ldquo;That depends on yourself. If you obey us
+      strictly we will spare you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Try me, massa!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You black hound!&rdquo; said Roderick hoarsely. &ldquo;If I were not disabled I&rsquo;d
+      kill you myself.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Here was a new danger for poor Caesar, for he knew Roderick&rsquo;s fierce
+      temper.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t let him kill me!&rdquo; he exclaimed, affrighted.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;He shall do you no harm. Will you obey me?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Tell me what you want, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Is the boy these men captured inside?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Open the cave, then. We want him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t do it,&rdquo; said Roderick, but Caesar saw at a glance that his old
+      master, of whom he stood in wholesome fear, was unable to harm him, and he
+      proceeded to unlock the door.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Go and call the boy!&rdquo; said Fred.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Caesar disappeared within the cavern, and soon emerged with Rodney
+      following him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you unhurt?&rdquo; asked Fred anxiously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, and overjoyed to see you. How came you here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We followed the nigger from Oreville.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      What happened afterwards Rodney did not need to inquire, for the two
+      outstretched figures, stiffening in death, revealed it to him.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;They are the Dixon brothers, are they not?&rdquo; asked Fred, turning to
+      Caesar.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, massa.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Then we are entitled to a thousand dollars each for their capture. I have
+      never before shed blood, but I don&rsquo;t regret ending the career of these
+      scoundrels.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Half an hour later the two outlaws were dead and Rodney and his friends
+      were on their way back to Oreville.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0036" id="link2HCH0036">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXXVI.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      THE RODNEY MINE.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney was received by Jefferson Pettigrew with open arms.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Welcome home, boy!&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I was very much worried about you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I was rather uneasy about myself,&rdquo; returned Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, it&rsquo;s all over, and all&rsquo;s well that ends well. You are free and
+      there has been no money paid out. Fred and Otto have done a good thing in
+      ridding the world of the notorious Dixon brothers. They will be well paid,
+      for I understand there is a standing reward of one thousand dollars for
+      each of them dead or alive. I don&rsquo;t know but you ought to have a share of
+      this, for it was through you that the outlaws were trapped.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, Mr. Pettigrew, they are welcome to the reward. If I am not mistaken I
+      shall make a good deal more out of it than they.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Upon this Rodney told the story of what he had seen in the cavern.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;When I said I, I meant we, Mr. Pettigrew. I think if the gold there is as
+      plentiful as I think it is we shall do well to commence working it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It is yours, Rodney, by right of first discovery.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I prefer that you should share it with me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We will go over tomorrow and make an examination. Was there any one else
+      who seemed to have a claim to the cave except the Dixons?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No. The negro, Caesar, will still be there, perhaps.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We can easily get rid of him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The next day the two friends went over to the cavern. Caesar was still
+      there, but he had an unsettled, restless look, and seemed undecided what
+      to do.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What are you going to do, Caesar?&rdquo; asked Pettigrew. &ldquo;Are you going to
+      stay here?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know, massa. I don&rsquo;t want to lib here. I&rsquo;m afraid I&rsquo;ll see the
+      ghostes of my old massas. But I haven&rsquo;t got no money.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you had money where would you go?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;d go to Chicago. I used to be a whitewasher, and I reckon I&rsquo;d get work
+      at my old trade.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That&rsquo;s where you are sensible, Caesar. This is no place for you. Now I&rsquo;ll
+      tell you what I&rsquo;ll do. I&rsquo;ll give you a hundred dollars, and you can go
+      where you like. But I shall want you to go away at once.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll go right off, massa,&rdquo; said Caesar, overjoyed. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to come
+      here no more.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Have you got anything belonging to you in the cave?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, massa, only a little kit of clothes.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Take them and go.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In fifteen minutes Caesar had bidden farewell to his home, and Rodney and
+      Jefferson were left in sole possession of the cavern.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Now, Mr. Pettigrew, come and let me show you what I saw. I hope I have
+      made no mistake.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Rodney led the way to the narrow passage already described. By the light
+      of a lantern Mr. Pettigrew examined the walls. For five minutes not a word
+      was said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well, what do you think of it?&rdquo; asked Rodney anxiously.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Only this: that you have hit upon the richest gold deposits in Montana.
+      Here is a mining prospect that will make us both rich.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am glad I was not mistaken,&rdquo; said Rodney simply.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Your capture by the Dixon brothers will prove to have been the luckiest
+      event in your life. I shall lose no time in taking possession in our joint
+      name.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      There was great excitement when the discovery of the gold deposit was made
+      known. In connection with the killing of the outlaws, it was noised far
+      and wide. The consequence was that there was an influx of mining men, and
+      within a week Rodney and Jefferson were offered a hundred thousand dollars
+      for a half interest in the mine by a Chicago syndicate.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Say a hundred and fifty thousand, and we accept the offer,&rdquo; said
+      Jefferson Pettigrew.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After a little haggling this offer was accepted, and Rodney found himself
+      the possessor of seventy five thousand dollars in cash.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It was fortunate for me when I fell in with you, Mr. Pettigrew,&rdquo; he said.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And no less fortunate for me, Rodney. This mine will bring us in a rich
+      sum for our share, besides the cash we already have in hand.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you don&rsquo;t object, Mr. Pettigrew, I should like to go to New York and
+      continue my education. You can look after my interest here, and I shall be
+      willing to pay you anything you like for doing so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;There won&rsquo;t be any trouble about that, Rodney. I don&rsquo;t blame you for
+      wanting to obtain an education. It isn&rsquo;t in my line. You can come out once
+      a year, and see what progress we are making. The mine will be called the
+      Rodney Mine after you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      The Miners&rsquo; Rest was sold to the steward, as Mr. Pettigrew was too busy to
+      attend to it, and in a week Rodney was on his way to New York.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0037" id="link2HCH0037">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER XXXVII.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_CONC" id="link2H_CONC">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CONCLUSION.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      Otis Goodnow arrived at his place of business a little earlier than usual,
+      and set himself to looking over his mail. Among other letters was one
+      written on paper bearing the name of the Fifth Avenue Hotel. He came to
+      this after a time and read it.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It ran thus:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      DEAR SIR:
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+I was once in your employ, though you may not remember my name. I was in
+the department of Mr. Redwood, and there I became acquainted with Jasper
+Redwood, his nephew. I was discharged, it is needless to recall why. I
+had saved nothing, and of course I was greatly embarrassed. I could not
+readily obtain another place, and in order to secure money to pay living
+expenses I entered into an arrangement with Jasper Redwood to sell me
+articles, putting in more than I paid for. These I was enabled to sell
+at a profit to smaller stores. This was not as profitable as it might
+have been to me, as I was obliged to pay Jasper a commission for
+his agency. Well, after a time it was ascertained that articles were
+missing, and search was made for the thief. Through a cunningly devised
+scheme of Jasper&rsquo;s the theft was ascribed to Rodney Ropes, a younger
+clerk, and he was discharged. Ropes was a fine young fellow, and I have
+always been sorry that he got into trouble through our agency, but there
+seemed no help for it. It must rest on him or us. He protested
+his innocence, but was not believed. I wish to say now that he was
+absolutely innocent, and only Jasper and myself were to blame. If you
+doubt my statement I will call today, and you may confront me with
+Jasper. I desire that justice should be done.
+                                            PHILIP CARTON.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Call Mr. Redwood,&rdquo; said the merchant, summoning a boy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In five minutes Mr. Redwood entered the office of his employer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You sent for me, sir?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Mr. Redwood; cast your eye over this letter.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      James Redwood read the letter, and his face showed the agitation he felt.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know anything about this, Mr. Goodnow,&rdquo; he said at last.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It ought to be inquired into.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I agree with you. If my nephew is guilty I want to know it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;We will wait till the writer of this letter calls. Do you remember him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir; he was discharged for intemperance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      At twelve o&rsquo;clock Philip Carton made his appearance, and asked to be
+      conducted to Mr. Goodnow&rsquo;s private office.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are the writer of this letter?&rdquo; asked the merchant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;And you stand by the statement it contains?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Why, at this late day, have you made a confession?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Because I wish to do justice to Rodney Ropes, who has been unjustly
+      accused, and also because I have been meanly treated by Jasper Redwood,
+      who has thrown me over now that he has no further use for me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Are you willing to repeat your statement before him?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I wish to do so.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Call Jasper Redwood, Sherman,&rdquo; said the merchant, addressing himself to
+      Sherman White, a boy recently taken into his employ.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper entered the office, rather surprised at the summons. When he saw
+      his accomplice, he changed color, and looked confused.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Jasper,&rdquo; said the merchant, &ldquo;read this letter and tell me what you have
+      to say in reply.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper ran his eye over the letter, while his color came and went.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Well?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a lie,&rdquo; said Jasper hoarsely.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you still insist that the articles taken from my stock were taken by
+      Rodney Ropes?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What do you say, Mr. Carton?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not one was taken by Rodney Ropes. Jasper and I are responsible for them
+      all.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;What proof can you bring?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Mr. James Redwood will recall the purchase I made at the time of the
+      thefts. He will recall that I always purchased of Jasper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That is true,&rdquo; said Mr. Redwood in a troubled voice.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Do you confess, Jasper Redwood?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;If you will tell the truth, I will see that no harm comes to you. I want
+      to clear this matter up.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Jasper thought the matter over. He saw that the game was up&mdash;and
+      decided rapidly that confession was the best policy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Very well, sir, if I must I will do so, but that man put me up to it.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You did not need any putting up to it. I wish young Ropes were here, that
+      I might clear him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      As if in answer to the wish a bronzed and manly figure appeared at the
+      office door. It was Rodney, but taller and more robust than when he left
+      the store nearly a year before.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney Ropes!&rdquo; ejaculated Jasper in great surprise.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, Jasper, I came here to see you, and beg you to free me from the
+      false charge which was brought against me when I was discharged from this
+      store. I didn&rsquo;t find you in your usual places, and was directed here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Ropes,&rdquo; said Mr. Goodnow, &ldquo;your innocence has been established. This
+      man,&rdquo; indicating Philip Carton, &ldquo;has confessed that it was he and Jasper
+      who stole the missing articles.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am thankful that my character has been cleared.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am ready to take you back into my employ.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir, but I have now no need of a position. I shall be glad if
+      you will retain Jasper.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You are very generous to one who has done so much to injure you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Indirectly he put me in the way of making a fortune. If you will retain
+      him, Mr. Goodnow, I will guarantee to make up any losses you may incur
+      from him.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;How is this? Are you able to make this guarantee?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I am worth seventy five thousand dollars in money, besides being owner of
+      a large mining property in Montana.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;This is truly wonderful! And you have accumulated all this since you left
+      my store?&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Rodney,&rdquo; said Jasper, going up to his old rival, and offering his hand.
+      &ldquo;I am sorry I tried to injure you. It was to save myself, but I see now
+      how meanly I acted.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;That speech has saved you,&rdquo; said the merchant. &ldquo;Go back to your work. I
+      will give you another chance.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Will you take me back also, Mr. Goodnow?&rdquo; asked Philip Carton.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The merchant hesitated.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;No, Mr. Carton,&rdquo; said Rodney. &ldquo;I will look out for you. I will send you
+      to Montana with a letter to my partner. You can do better there than
+      here.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Tears came into the eyes of the ex-clerk.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; he said gratefully. &ldquo;I should prefer it. I will promise to
+      turn over a new leaf; and justify your recommendation.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come to see me this evening at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and I will arrange
+      matters.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Shall you stay in the city long, Ropes?&rdquo; asked the merchant.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;About a week.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Come and dine with me on Tuesday evening.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Thank you, sir.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      Later in the day Rodney sought out his old room mate Mike Flynn. He found
+      Mike in a bad case. He had a bad cold, but did not dare to give up work,
+      because he wouldn&rsquo;t be able to meet his bills. He was still in the employ
+      of the District Telegraph Company.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Give the company notice, Mike,&rdquo; said Rodney. &ldquo;Henceforth I will take care
+      of you. You can look upon me as your rich uncle,&rdquo; he added with a smile.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will be your servant, Rodney.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not a bit of it. You will be my friend. But you must obey me implicitly.
+      I am going to send you to school, and give you a chance to learn
+      something. Next week I shall return to Dr. Sampson&rsquo;s boarding school and
+      you will go with me as my friend and room mate.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;But, Rodney, you will be ashamed of me. I am awfully shabby.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;You won&rsquo;t be long. You shall be as well dressed as I am.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A week later the two boys reached the school. It would have been hard for
+      any of Mike&rsquo;s old friends to recognize him in the handsomely dressed boy
+      who accompanied Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Really, Mike, you are quite good looking, now that you are well dressed,&rdquo;
+       said Rodney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Oh, go away with you, Rodney? It&rsquo;s fooling me you are!&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;Not a bit of it. Now I want you to improve your time and learn as fast as
+      you can.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;I will, Rodney.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      A year later Rodney left school, but he kept Mike there two years longer.
+      There had been a great change in the telegraph boy, who was quick to
+      learn. He expects, when he leaves school, to join Rodney in Montana.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I will not attempt to estimate Rodney&rsquo;s present wealth, but he is already
+      prominent in financial circles in his adopted State. Philip Carton is
+      prospering, and is respected by his new friends, who know nothing of his
+      earlier life.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As I write, Rodney has received a letter from his old guardian, Benjamin
+      Fielding. The letter came from Montreal.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      &ldquo;My dear Rodney,&rdquo; he wrote. &ldquo;I have worked hard to redeem the past, and
+      restore to you your fortune. I have just succeeded, and send you the
+      amount with interest. It leaves me little or nothing, but my mind is
+      relieved. I hope you have not had to suffer severely from my criminal
+      carelessness, and that you will live long to enjoy what rightfully belongs
+      to you.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      In reply Rodney wrote: &ldquo;Please draw on me for fifty thousand dollars. I do
+      not need it, and you do. Five years from now, if you can spare the money
+      you may send it to me. Till then use it without interest. I am worth much
+      more than the sum my father intrusted to you for me.&rdquo;
+     </p>
+    <p>
+      This offer was gratefully accepted, and Mr. Fielding is now in New York,
+      where he is likely to experience a return of his former prosperity.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      As for Rodney, his trials are over. They made a man of him, and proved a
+      blessing in disguise.
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 6em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+
+
+
+
+
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+The Project Gutenberg Etext of Cast Upon the Breakers, by Alger
+#3 in our series by Horatio Alger
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+Cast Upon the Breakers
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+
+
+CAST UPON THE BREAKERS
+
+by Horatio Alger, Jr.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+A FAITHLESS GUARDIAN.
+
+
+"Well, good by, Rodney!  I leave school tomorrow.  I am going to
+learn a trade."
+
+"I am sorry to part with you, David.  Couldn't you stay another term?"
+
+"No: my uncle says I must be earning my living, and I have a
+chance to learn the carpenter's trade."
+
+"Where are you going?"
+
+"To Duffield, some twenty miles away.  I wish I were in
+your shoes.  You have no money cares, and can go on quietly
+and complete your education."
+
+"I don't know how I am situated, David.  I only know that my
+guardian pays my expenses at this boarding school."
+
+"Yes, you are a star boarder, and have the nicest room in
+the institution.  I am only a poor day scholar.  Still I feel
+thankful that I have been allowed to remain as long as I have. 
+Who is your guardian?"
+
+"A Mr. Benjamin Fielding, of New York."
+
+"Is he a business man?"
+
+"I believe so."
+
+"Do you know how much you will inherit when you come of age?"
+asked David, after a short pause.
+"I haven't an idea."
+
+"It seems to me your guardian ought to have told you."
+
+"I scarcely know my guardian.  Five years ago I spent a week at
+his home.  I don't remember much about it except that he lives
+in a handsome house, and has plenty of servants.  Since then, as
+you know, I have passed most of my time here, except that in the
+summer I was allowed to board at the Catkills or any country
+place I might select,"
+
+"Yes, and I remember one year you took me with you and paid all
+my expenses.  I shall never forget your kindness, and how much
+I enjoyed that summer."
+
+Rodney Ropes smiled, and his smile made his usually grave face
+look very attractive.
+
+"My dear David," he said, "it was all selfishness on my part. 
+I knew I should enjoy myself much better with a companion."
+
+"You may call that selfishness, Rodney, but it is a kind of
+selfishness that makes me your devoted friend.  How long do you
+think you shall remain at school?"
+
+"I don't know.  My guardian has never told me his plans for me. 
+I wish he would."
+
+"I shall miss you, Rodney, but we will correspond, won't we?"
+
+"Surely.  You know I shall always feel interested in you and
+your welfare."
+
+David was a plain boy of humble parentage, and would probably be
+a hard working mechanic.  In fact he was looking for nothing better.
+
+But Rodney Ropes looked to be of genteel blood, and had the air
+of one who had been brought up a gentleman.  But different as
+they were in social position the two boys had always been
+devoted friends.
+
+The boarding school of which Rodney was, as his friend expressed
+himself, a star pupil, was situated about fifty miles from the
+city of New York.  It was under the charge of Dr. Sampson, a
+tall, thin man of fair scholarship, keenly alive to his own
+interest, who showed partiality for his richer pupils, and
+whenever he had occasion to censure bore most heavily upon boys
+like David Hull, who was poor.
+
+Rodney occupied alone the finest room in the school.  There was
+a great contrast between his comfortable quarters and the
+extremely plain dormitories occupied by less favored pupils.
+
+In the case of some boys the favoritism of the teacher would
+have led them to put on airs, and made them unpopular with their
+school fellows.  But Rodney had too noble a nature to be
+influenced by such considerations.  He enjoyed his comfortable
+room, but treated his school fellows with a frank cordiality
+that made him a general favorite.
+
+After David left his room Rodney sat down to prepare a lesson in
+Cicero, when he was interrupted by the entrance through the half
+open door of a younger boy.
+
+"Rodney," he said, "the doctor would like to see you in his office."
+
+"Very well, Brauner, I will go down at once."
+
+He put aside his book and went down to the office of Dr. Sampson
+on the first floor.
+
+The doctor was sitting at his desk.  He turned slightly as
+Rodney entered.
+
+"Take a seat, Ropes," he said curtly.
+
+His tone was so different from his usual cordiality that Rodney
+was somewhat surprised.
+
+"Am I in disgrace?" he asked himself.  "Dr. Sampson doesn't seem
+as friendly as usual."
+
+After a brief interval Dr. Sampson wheeled round in his office chair.
+
+"I have a letter for you from your guardian, Ropes," he said. 
+"Here it is.  Do me the favor to read it here."
+
+With some wonder Rodney took the letter and read as follows:
+
+
+DEAR RODNEY--I have bad news to communicate.  As you know, I was
+left by your father in charge of you and your fortune.  I have
+never told you the amount, but I will say now that it was about
+fifty thousand dollars.  Until two years since I kept it intact
+but then began a series of reverses in which my own fortune was
+swallowed up.  In the hope of relieving myself I regret to say
+that I was tempted to use your money.  That went also, and now
+of the whole sum there remains but enough to pay the balance of
+your school bills, leaving you penniless.  How much I regret
+this I cannot tell you.  I shall leave New York at once.  I do
+not care at present to say where I shall go, but I shall try to
+make good the loss, and eventually restore to you your lost fortune. 
+I may be successful or I may not.  I shall do my best and I hope
+in time to have better news to communicate.
+
+One thing I am glad to say.  I have a casket containing your
+mother's jewels.  These are intact.  I shall send you the casket
+by express, knowing that you will wish to keep them out of
+regard for your mother's memory.  In case you are reduced to the
+necessity of pawning or selling them, I am sure that your
+mother, could she be consulted, would advise you to do so. 
+This would be better than to have you suffer from want.
+
+There is nothing further for me to write except to repeat my
+regret, and renew my promise to make up your lost fortune if I
+shall ever to able to do so.
+                                       Your Guardian,
+                                     BENJAMIN FIELDING.
+
+
+Rodney read this like one dazed.  In an instant he was reduced
+from the position of a favorite of fortune to a needy boy, with
+his living to make.
+
+He could not help recalling what had passed between his friend
+David and himself earlier in the day.  Now he was as poor as
+David--poorer, in fact for David had a chance to learn a trade
+that would yield him a living, while he was utterly without
+resources, except in having an unusually good education.
+
+"Well," said Dr. Sampson, "have you read your letter?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Your guardian wrote to me also.  This is his letter," and he
+placed the brief epistle in Rodney's hands.
+
+
+DR. SAMPSON--I have written my ward, Rodney Ropes, an important
+letter which he will show you.  The news which it contains will
+make it necessary for him to leave school.  I inclose a check
+for one hundred and twenty five dollars.  Keep whatever is due
+you, and give him the balance.
+                                        BENJAMIN FIELDING.
+
+
+"I have read the letter, but I don't know what it means," said
+Dr. Sampson.  "Can you throw any light upon it?"
+
+"Here is my letter, doctor.  You can read it for yourself."
+
+Dr. Sampson's face changed as he read Rodney's letter.  It changed
+and hardened, and his expression became quite different from that
+to which Rodney had been accustomed.
+
+"This is a bad business, Ropes," said the doctor in a hard tone.
+
+He had always said Rodney before.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"That was a handsome fortune which your father left you."
+
+"Yes, sir.  I never knew before how much it amounted to."
+
+"You only learn when you have lost it.  Mr. Fielding has treated
+you shamefully."
+
+"Yes, sir, I suppose he has, but he says he will try to make it
+up to me in the future."
+
+"Pish!  that is all humbug.  Even if he is favored by fortune
+you will never get back a cent."
+
+"I think I shall, sir."
+
+"You are young.  You do not know the iniquities of business men. 
+I do."
+
+"I prefer to hope for the best."
+
+"Just as you please."
+
+"Have you anything more to say to me?"
+
+"Only that I will figure up your account and see how much
+money is to come to you out of the check your guardian has sent. 
+You can stay here till Monday; then you will find it best to
+make new arrangements."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+Rodney left the room, realizing that Dr. Sampson's feelings had
+been changed by his pupil's reverse of fortune.
+
+It was the way of the world, but it was not a pleasant way, and
+Rodney felt depressed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+THE CASKET OF JEWELS.
+
+
+It was not till the latter part of the afternoon that the
+casket arrived.  Rodney was occupied with a recitation,
+and it was only in the evening that he got an opportunity
+to open it.  There was a pearl necklace, very handsome,
+a pair of bracelets, two gold chains, some minor articles
+of jewelry and a gold ring.
+
+A locket attracted Rodney's notice, and he opened it. 
+It contained the pictures of his father and mother.
+
+His father he could barely remember, his mother died before he
+was old enough to have her image impressed upon his memory. 
+He examined the locket and his heart was saddened.  He felt how
+different his life would have been had his parents lived.
+
+He had never before realized the sorrow of being alone in
+the world.  Misfortune had come upon him, and so far as he knew
+he had not a friend.  Even Dr. Sampson, who had been paid so much
+money on his account, and who had always professed so great
+friendship for him, had turned cold.
+
+As he was standing with the locket in his hand there was a knock
+at the door.
+
+"Come in!" he called out.
+
+The door opened and a stout, coarse looking boy, dressed in an
+expensive manner, entered.
+
+"Good evening, John," said Rodney, but not cordially.
+
+Next to himself, John Bundy, who was the son of a wealthy saloon
+keeper in the city of New York, had been a favorite with Dr. Sampson.
+
+If there was anything Dr. Sampson bowed down to and respected it
+was wealth, and Mr. Bundy, senior, was reputed to be worth a
+considerable fortune.
+
+In Rodney's mood John Bundy was about the last person whom he
+wanted to see.
+
+"Ha!" said John, espying the open casket, "where did you get all
+that jewelry?"
+
+"It contains my mother's jewels," said Rodney gravely.
+
+"You never showed it to me before."
+
+"I never had it before.  It came to me by express this afternoon."
+
+"It must be worth a good pile of money," said John, his eyes
+gleaming with cupidity.
+
+"I suppose it is."
+
+"Have you any idea what it is worth?"
+
+"I have no thought about it."
+
+"What are you going to do with it?  It won't be of use to you,
+especially the diamond earrings," he added, with a coarse laugh.
+
+"No," answered Rodney shortly.
+
+"My eyes, wouldn't my mother like to own all this jewelry. 
+She's fond of ornament, but pa won't buy them for her."
+
+Rodney did not answer.
+
+"I say, Ropes, I mustn't forget my errand.  Will you do me a favor?"
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Lend me five dollars till the first of next month. 
+My allowance comes due then.  Now I haven't but a quarter left."
+
+"What makes you apply to me, Bundy?"
+
+"Because you always have money.  I don't suppose you are worth
+as much as my father, but you have more money for yourself than
+I have."
+
+"I have had, perhaps, but I haven't now."
+
+"Why, what's up?  What has happened?"
+
+"I have lost my fortune."
+
+John whistled.  This was his way of expressing amazement.
+
+"Why, what have you been doing?  How could you lose your fortune?"
+
+"My guardian has lost it for me.  That amount to the same thing."
+
+"When did you hear that?"
+
+"This morning."
+
+"Is that true?  Are you really a poor boy?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+John Bundy was astonished, but on the whole he was not saddened. 
+In the estimation of the school Rodney had always ranked higher
+than he, and been looked upon as the star pupil in point of wealth.
+
+Now that he was dethroned John himself would take his place. 
+This would be gratifying, though just at present, and till the
+beginning of the next month, he would be distressed for ready money.
+
+"Well, that's a stunner!" he said.  "How do you feel about it? 
+Shall you stay in school?"
+
+"No; I can't afford it.  I must get to work."
+
+"Isn't there anything left--not a cent?"
+
+"There may be a few dollars."
+
+"And then," said Bundy with a sudden thought, "there is this
+casket of jewelry.  You can sell it for a good deal of money."
+
+"I don't mean to sell it."
+
+"Then you're a fool; that's all I've got to say."
+
+"I don't suppose you will understand my feeling in the matter,
+but these articles belonged to my mother.  They are all I
+have to remind me of her.  I do not mean to sell them unless
+it is absolutely necessary."
+
+"I would sell them quicker'n a wink," said Bundy.  "What's the
+good of keeping them?"
+
+"We won't discuss the matter," said Rodney coldly.
+
+"Do you mind my telling the other boys about your losing your money?"
+
+"No; it will be known tomorrow at any rate; there is no
+advantage in concealing it."
+
+A heavy step was heard outside.  It stopped before the door.
+
+"I must be getting," said Bundy, "or I'll get into trouble."
+
+It was against the rule at the school for boys to make calls
+upon each other in the evening unless permission were given.
+
+John Bundy opened the door suddenly, and to his dismay found
+himself facing the rigid figure of Dr. Sampson, the principal.
+
+"How do you happen to be here, Bundy?" asked the doctor sternly.
+
+"Please, sir, I was sympathizing with Ropes on his losing his
+money," said Bundy with ready wit.
+
+"Very well!  I will excuse you this time."
+
+"I'm awful sorry for you, Ropes," said Bundy effusively.
+
+"Thank you," responded Rodney.
+
+"You can go now," said the principal.  "I have a little business
+with Master Ropes."
+
+"All right, sir.  Good night."
+
+"Good night."
+
+"Won't you sit down, Dr. Sampson?" said Rodney politely, and he
+took the casket from the chair.
+
+"Yes, I wish to have five minutes' conversation with you. 
+So these are the jewels, are they?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"They seem to be quite valuable," went on the doctor, lifting
+the pearl necklace and poising it in his fingers.  "It will be
+well for you to have them appraised by a jeweler."
+
+"It would, sir, if I wished to sell them, but I mean to keep
+them as they are."
+
+"I would hardly advise it.  You will need the money. 
+Probably you do not know how near penniless you are."
+
+"No, sir; I don't know."
+
+"Your guardian, as you are aware, sent me a check for one
+hundred and twenty five dollars.  I have figured up how much of
+this sum is due to me, and I find it to be one hundred and
+thirteen dollars and thirty seven cents."
+
+"Yes, sir," said Rodney indifferently.
+
+"This leaves for you only eleven dollars and sixty three cents. 
+You follow me, do you not?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Have you any money saved up from your allowance?"
+
+"A few dollars only, sir."
+
+"Ahem! that is a pity.  You will need all you can raise. 
+But of course you did not anticipate what has occurred?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"I will throw off the thirty seven cents," said the principal
+magnanimously, "and give you back twelve dollars."
+
+"I would rather pay you the whole amount of your bill,"
+said Rodney.
+
+"Ahem!  Well perhaps that would be more business-like.  So you
+don't wish to part with any of the jewelry, Ropes?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"I thought, perhaps, by way of helping you, I would take the
+earrings, and perhaps the necklace, off your hands and present
+them to Mrs. Sampson."
+
+Rodney shuddered with aversion at the idea of these precious
+articles, which had once belonged to his mother, being
+transferred to the stout and coarse featured consort of the
+principal.
+
+"I think I would rather keep them," he replied.
+
+"Oh well, just as you please," said Dr. Sampson with a shade of
+disappointment for he had no idea of paying more than half what
+the articles were worth.  "If the time comes when you wish to
+dispose of them let me know."
+
+Rodney nodded, but did not answer in words.
+
+"Of course, Ropes," went on the doctor in a perfunctory way, "I
+am very sorry for you.  I shall miss you, and, if I could afford
+it, I would tell you to stay without charge.  But I am a poor man."
+
+"Yes," said Rodney hastily, "I understand.  I thank you for your
+words but would not under any circumstances accept such a favor
+at your hands."
+
+"I am afraid you are proud, Ropes.  Pride is--ahem--a wrong feeling."
+
+"Perhaps so, Dr. Sampson, but I wish to earn my own living
+without being indebted to any one."
+
+"Perhaps you are right, Ropes.  I dare say I should feel
+so myself.  When do you propose leaving us?"
+
+"Some time tomorrow, sir."
+
+"I shall feel sad to have you go.  You have been here so long
+that you seem to me like a son.  But we must submit to the
+dispensations of Providence--" and Dr. Sampson blew a vigorous
+blast upon his red silk handkerchief.  "I will give you the
+balance due in the morning."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+Rodney was glad to be left alone.  He had no faith in Dr.
+Sampson's sympathy.  The doctor had the reputation of being
+worth from thirty to forty thousand dollars, and his assumption
+of being a poor man Rodney knew to be a sham.
+
+He went to bed early, for tomorrow was to be the beginning of a
+new life for him.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE.
+
+
+When it was generally known in the school that Rodney was to
+leave because he had lost his property much sympathy was felt
+and expressed for him.
+
+Though he had received more than ordinary attention from the
+principal on account of his pecuniary position and expectations,
+this had not impaired his popularity.  He never put on any airs
+and was on as cordial relations with the poorest student as with
+the richest.
+
+"I'm awfully sorry you're going, Rodney," said more than one. 
+"Is it really true that you have lost your property?"
+
+"Yes, it is true."
+
+"Do you feel bad about it?"
+
+"I feel sorry, but not discouraged."
+
+"I say, Rodney," said Ernest Rayner, in a low voice, calling
+Rodney aside, "are you very short of money?"
+
+"I haven't much left, Ernest."
+
+"Because I received five dollars last week as a birthday present. 
+I haven't spent any of it.  You can have it as well as not."
+
+Rodney was much moved.  "My dear Ernest," he said, putting his
+arm caressingly around the neck of the smaller boy, "you are
+a true friend.  I won't forget your generous offer, though
+I don't need to accept it."
+
+"But are you sure you have money enough?" asked Ernest.
+
+"Yes, I have enough for the present.  By the time I need more I
+shall have earned it."
+
+There was one boy, already introduced, John Bundy, who did not
+share in the general feeling of sympathy for Rodney.  This was
+John Bundy.
+
+He felt that Rodney's departure would leave him the star pupil
+and give him the chief social position in school.  As to
+scholarship he was not ambitious to stand high in that.
+
+"I say, Ropes," he said complacently, "I'm to have your room
+after you're gone."
+
+"I congratulate you," returned Rodney.  "It is an excellent room."
+
+"Yes, I s'pose it'll make you feel bad.  Where are you going?"
+
+"I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have done."
+
+"Oh yes, I guess there's no doubt of that.  I'm going to get pa
+to send me some nice pictures to hang on the wall.  When you
+come back here on a visit you'll see how nice it looks."
+
+"I think it will be a good while before I come here on a visit."
+
+"Yes.  I s'pose it'll make you feel bad.  Where are you going?"
+
+"To the City of New York."
+
+"You'll have to live in a small hall bedroom there."
+
+"Why will I?"
+
+"Because you are poor, and it costs a good deal of money to live
+in New York.  It'll be a great come down."
+
+"It will indeed, but if I can earn enough to support me in plain
+style I won't complain.  I suppose you'll call and see me when
+you come to New York?"
+
+"Perhaps so, if you don't live in a tenement house.  Pa objects
+to my going to tenement houses.  There's no knowing what disease
+there may be in them."
+
+"It is well to be prudent" said Rodney, smiling.
+
+It did not trouble him much to think he was not likely to
+receive a call from his quondan schoolmate.
+
+"Here is the balance of your money, Ropes," said Dr. Sampson,
+drawing a small roll of bills from his pocket, later in the day. 
+"I am quite willing to give you the odd thirty seven cents."
+
+"Thank you, doctor, but I shan't need it."
+
+"You are poorly provided.  Now I would pay you a good sum for
+some of your mother's jewelry, as I told you last evening."
+
+"Thank you," said Rodney hastily, "but I don't care to sell
+at present."
+
+"Let me know when you are ready to dispose of the necklace."
+
+Here the depot carriage appeared in the street outside and
+Rodney with his gripsack in one hand and the precious casket
+in the other, climbed to a seat beside the driver.
+
+His trunk he left behind, promising to send for it when he had
+found a new boarding place.
+
+There was a chorus of good byes.  Rodney waved his handkerchief
+in general farewell, and the carriage started for the depot.
+
+"Be you goin' for good?" asked Joel, the driver, who knew Rodney
+well and felt friendly to him.
+
+"Yes, Joel."
+
+"It's kind of sudden, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What makes you go?"
+
+"Bad news, Joel."
+
+"Be any of your folks dead?"
+
+"It is not death.  I haven't any `folks.'  I'm alone in the world.
+
+It's because I've lost my property and am too poor to remain
+in school."
+
+"That's too bad," said the driver in a tone of sympathy.  "Where
+are you goin'?"
+
+"To the city."
+
+"Are you goin' to work?"
+
+"Yes, I shall have to."
+
+"If you was a little older you might get a chance to drive a
+street car, but I s'pose you're too young."
+
+"Yes, I don't think they would take me."
+
+"I've thought sometimes I should like such a chance myself,"
+said Joel.  "I've got tired of the country.  I should like
+to live in the city where there's theaters, and shows, and
+such like.  Do you know what the drivers on street cars get?"
+
+"No, I never heard."
+
+"I wish you'd find out and let me know.  You can send the letter
+to Joel Phipps, Groveton.  Then find out if it's easy to get
+such a chance."
+
+"I will.  I shall be glad to oblige you."
+
+"You always was obligin', Rodney.  I've asked Jack Bundy to do
+it--you know his folks live in the city--but he never would. 
+He's a mighty disagreeable boy.  He never liked you."
+
+"Didn't he?"
+
+"No, I surmise he was jealous of you.  He used to say you put on
+so many airs it made him sick."
+
+"I don't think any of the other boys would say that."
+
+"No, but they could say it of him.  Do you think his father is rich?"
+
+"I have always heard that he was."
+
+"I hope he's better about paying his debt than Jack.  I lent him
+twenty five cents a year ago and I never could get it back."
+
+The distance from the school to the station was a mile. 
+Joel fetched the carriage round with a sweep and then jumped off,
+opened the door, and then helped the passengers to disembark, if
+that word is allowable.
+
+"How soon does the train start, Joel?" asked Rodney.
+
+"In about five minutes."
+
+"Then I had better purchase my ticket without delay."
+
+"Don't forget to ask about horse car drivers!"
+
+"No, I won't.  I should like to have you come to New York. 
+I know no one there, and I should feel glad to see a
+familiar face."
+
+The train came up in time, and Rodney was one of half a dozen
+passengers who entered the cars.
+
+He obtained a place next to a stout man dressed in a pepper and
+salt suit.
+
+"Is this seat engaged?" asked Rodney.
+
+"Yes--to you," and his fellow passenger laughed.
+
+Rodney laughed too, for he saw that the remark was meant to
+be jocose.
+
+He put his gripsack on the floor at his feet, but held the
+casket in his lap.  He did not like to run any risk with that.
+
+"Are you a drummer?" asked the stout man, with a glance at
+the casket.
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"I thought you might be, and that THAT might contain
+your samples."
+
+"No, sir.  That is private property."
+
+He had thought of telling what it contained, but checked himself. 
+He knew nothing of his companion, and was not sure how far it
+might be safe to trust a stranger.
+
+"I used to be a drummer myself--in the jewelry line--"
+continued his companion, "and I carried a box just like that."
+
+"Ah, indeed!  Then you are not in that business now?"
+
+"No, I got tired of it.  I deal in quite a different
+article now."
+
+"Indeed?"
+
+"Suburban lot."
+
+"You don't happen to have any of them with you?"
+
+The stout man roared with laughter, giving Rodney the impression
+that he had said a very witty thing.
+
+"That's a good one," he remarked, "the best I've heard for a
+long time.  No, I haven't any of the lots with me, but I've got
+a circular.  Just cast your eye over that," and he drew a large
+and showy prospectus from his pocket.
+
+"If you should be looking for a good investment," he continued,
+"you can't do any better than buy a lot at Morton Park.  It is
+only eighteen miles from the city and is rapidly building up. 
+You can buy lot on easy installments, and I will myself pick one
+out for you that is almost sure to double in value in a year or two."
+
+"Thank you," said Rodney, "but I shall have to invest my money,
+if I get any, in a different way."
+
+"As what for instance?"
+
+"In board and lodging."
+
+"Good.  That is even more necessary than real estate."
+
+"How long have you been in the business, sir?"
+
+"About six months."
+
+"And how does it pay?"
+
+"Very well, if you know how to talk."
+
+"I should think you might do well, then."
+
+"Thank you.  I appreciate the compliment.  What business are you
+going into, that is, if you are going to the city?"
+
+"I am going to the city, but I have no idea yet what I shall do."
+
+"Perhaps you may like to become an agent for our lots.  I shall
+be ready to employ you as sub agent if you feel disposed."
+
+"Thank you, sir.  If you will give me your card, I may call
+upon you."
+
+The short man drew from his card case a business card.  It bore
+the name
+
+
+                         ADIN WOODS.
+               ROYAL BUILDING.  NASSAU ST.
+          Morton Park Lots.
+
+
+"Come to see me at any time," he said, "and we will talk the
+matter over."
+
+Here the train boy came along and Rodney bought a copy of Puck,
+while the agent resumed the perusal of a copy of a magazine. 
+For an hour the cars ran smoothly.  Then there was a sudden
+shock causing all the passengers to start to their feet.
+
+"We're off the track!" shouted an excitable person in front
+of Rodney.
+
+The instinct of self preservation is perhaps stronger than
+any other.  Rodney and his seat mate both jumped to their feet
+and hurried to the door of the car, not knowing what was in
+store for them.
+
+But fortunately the train had not been going rapidly.  It was
+approaching a station and was "slowing up."  So, though it had
+really run off the track, there was not likely to be any injury
+to the passengers.
+
+"We are safe," said Adin Woods.  "The only harm done is the delay. 
+I hope that won't be long.  Suppose we go back to our seat."
+They returned to the seat which they had jointly occupied.
+
+Then Rodney made an alarming discovery.  "My casket!" he
+exclaimed.  "Where is it?"
+
+"What did you do with it?"
+
+"Left it on the seat."
+
+"It may have fallen to the floor."
+
+Rodney searched for it in feverish excitement, but his search
+was vain.  THE CASKET HAD DISAPPEARED!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+IN PURSUIT OF A THIEF.
+
+
+"Were the contents of the casket valuable?" asked the land agent.
+
+"Yes; it contained my mother's jewels, all the more valuable
+because she is dead," replied Rodney.
+
+"Were they of much intrinsic worth?"
+
+"They must be worth several hundred dollars at least."
+
+"Then they must be found," said Adin Woods energetically. 
+"They have evidently been taken by some passenger during
+the five minutes we were away from our seat."
+
+"Were you inquiring about the casket?" asked a lady sitting opposite.
+
+"Yes, madam.  Can you give any information about it?"
+
+"Just after you left your seat the man that sat behind you rose
+and reaching over for it went to the rear end of the car and got out,"
+
+"I wish you had stopped him, madam."
+
+"He was so cool about it that I thought he might be a friend of
+the young gentleman."
+
+"I didn't know him.  He must have been a thief."
+
+"What was his appearance, madam?" asked the lot agent.
+
+"He was a thin, dark complexioned man, with side whiskers coming
+half way down his cheeks."
+
+"And you say he got out of the rear end of the car?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"He won't get on the train again," said the agent turning to Rodney. 
+"He thinks the casket valuable enough to pay him for the
+interruption of his journey."
+
+"What shall I do then?" asked Rodney, feeling helpless and at a
+loss which way to turn.
+
+"Follow him," said the agent briefly.  "He will probably stop
+over in the village a day and resume his joumey tomorrow."
+
+"Even if I found him I am afraid I shouldn't know how to deal
+with him."
+
+"Then I'll tell you what I'll do.  I'll stop over with you and
+help you make it hot for him.  I've had a spite against thieves
+ever since I had a valuable overcoat stolen in one of my journeys."
+
+"I shall feel very much obliged to you, Mr. Woods, but won't it
+interfere with your business?"
+
+"Not materially.  If we succeed in overhauling the rascal I
+shall feel sufficiently repaid for the small interruption. 
+But come on, we can't afford to linger here while he is
+carrying off the plunder."
+
+"I don't know how I can repay you, Mr. Woods," said Rodney gratefully.
+
+"You can buy a lot of me when you get rich enough."
+
+"I will certainly do so, though I am afraid it will be a long
+time first."
+
+"You don't know what good fortune may be in store for you. 
+Did you notice, madam, in which direction the thief went?"
+
+"Yes, I was looking out of the window.  He went over the road to
+the left."
+
+"That leads to the village.  You will see, Mr. Ropes, that I was
+right about his plans."
+
+"Don't call me Mr. Ropes.  Call me Rodney."
+
+"I will.  It don't seem natural to dub a boy Mr.  Now, Rodney,
+follow me."
+
+The two passengers set out on the road that led to the village. 
+They could see the latter easily, for it was not more than a
+mile away.
+
+"He will be surprised to think we have `struck his trail' so
+quick," said the agent.
+
+"Where shall we go first?"
+
+"To the hotel if there is one."
+
+"The village seems small."
+
+"Yes, there are only a few hundred inhabitant probably.  It is
+not a place where a traveler would be likely to interrupt his
+journey unless he had a special object in doing so, like our
+dishonest friend.  However, I think we shall be able to balk his
+little game."
+
+Ten minutes' walk brought them to the village.  Looking about
+they saw a small hotel just across the way from a neat white chapel.
+
+"Follow me," said the agent.
+
+They went into the public room in which there was a small office.
+
+The book of arrivals was open, and Adin Woods went forward and
+examined it.  Silently he pointed to a name evidently just
+written, for the ink was scarcely dry.  This was the name:  Louis
+Wheeler, Philadelphia.
+
+"This may or may not be his real name," said Mr. Woods in a
+low voice.
+
+"Do you wish to register, gentlemen?" asked the clerk.
+
+"We will take dinner, and if we decide to stay will register later. 
+By the way, I recognize this name, but it may not be the
+man I suppose."
+
+"Yes, the gentleman just registered."
+
+"Would you mind describing him?"
+
+"He was a tall, dark man as near as I can remember."
+
+"And he carried a small casket in his hand?"
+
+"Yes, and a gripsack."
+
+"Oh yes," said the agent his face lighting up with satisfaction. 
+"It is the man I mean--where is he now?"
+
+"In his room."
+
+"Did he say how long he intended to stay?"
+
+"No, sir.  He said nothing about his plans."
+
+"Did he seem specially careful about the casket?"
+
+"Yes, sir.  He carried that in his hands, but let the servant
+carry up the gripsack."
+
+"My friend," said the agent in an impressive tone, "I am going
+to surprise you."
+
+The country clerk looked all curiosity.
+
+"Is it about Mr. Wheeler?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, the man is a thief.  He stole the casket, which contains
+valuable jewelry, from my young friend here.  We are here to
+demand a return of the property or to arrest him.  Is there a
+policeman within call?"
+
+"I can summon a constable."
+
+"Do so, but don't breathe a word of what I have told you."
+
+The clerk called a boy in from the street and gave him
+instructions in a low voice.  He went at once on his errand, and
+in ten minutes a stout broad shouldered man made his appearance.
+
+"This gentleman sent for you, Mr. Barlow," said the clerk.
+
+"What can I do for you?" asked the constable.
+
+"Help me to recover stolen property."
+
+"That I will do with pleasure if you will tell me what you want
+me to do."
+
+Adin Woods held a brief conference with the constable,
+then he led the way up stairs, followed immediately by Rodney,
+while the constable kept a little behind.
+
+"His room is No. 9," said the bell boy.
+
+The agent paused before the door of No. 9, and knocked.
+
+"Come in!" said a voice.
+
+The agent opened the door, and entered, accompanied by Rodney. 
+A glance showed that the occupant answered the description given
+by the lady in the car.
+
+Louis Wheeler changed color, for he recognized both the agent
+and Rodney.
+
+"What is your business?" he asked in a tone which he tried to
+make indifferent.
+
+"That" answered Woods, pointing to the jewel casket on the bureau.
+
+It looked to him as if Wheeler, if that was his name, had been
+trying to open it.
+
+"I don't understand."
+
+"Then I will try to make things clear to you.  You have,
+doubtless by accident" he emphasized the last word, "taken from
+the car a casket belonging to my young friend here."
+
+"You are mistaken, sir," said Wheeler with brazen hardihood. 
+"That casket belongs to me."
+
+"Indeed.  What does it contain?"
+
+"I fail to see how that is any of your business," returned
+Wheeler, determined, if possible, to bluff off his visitors.
+
+"I admire your cheek, sir.  I really do.  But I am too old a
+traveler to be taken in by such tricks.  I propose to have
+that casket."
+
+"Well, sir, you are the most impudent thief and burglar I ever met. 
+You break into a gentleman's room, and undertake to carry
+off his private property.  Unless you go out at once, I will
+have you arrested."
+
+"That you can do very readily, for I have an officer within call."
+
+Louis Wheeler changed color.  He began to see that the situation
+was getting serious.
+
+"There is a great mistake here," he said.
+
+"I agree with you."
+
+The agent went to the door, and called "Constable Barlow."
+
+The constable promptly presented himself.
+
+"Do you want me, sir?" he asked.
+
+"That depends on this gentleman here.  If he will peacefully
+restore to my young friend here yonder jewel casket I am willing
+to let him go.  Otherwise--" and he glanced at Wheeler significantly.
+
+"Perhaps I have made a mistake," admitted the thief.  "I had a
+casket exactly like this.  Possibly I have taken the wrong one."
+
+"I have the key to the casket here," said Rodney, "and I can
+tell you without opening it what it contains."
+
+"What did yours contain?" asked the agent.
+
+"Jewelry," answered Wheeler shortly.
+
+"What articles?"
+
+"Never mind.  I am inclined to think this casket belongs to the boy."
+
+"Rodney, you can take it and Mr. Wheeler will probably find his
+where he left it."
+
+No objection was made, and the discomfited thief was left a prey
+to mortification and disappointment.
+
+Rodney handed a dollar to the constable which that worthy
+official received with thanks, and he and the agent resumed
+their journey by an afternoon train.  They saw nothing further of
+Louis Wheeler who sent for dinner to be served in his room.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+A YOUNG FINANCIAL WRECK.
+
+
+"You have been very fortunate in recovering your jewels,"
+said the agent.
+
+"I owe it to you," replied Rodney gratefully.
+
+"Well, perhaps so.  If I have rendered you a service I am
+very glad."
+
+"And I am very glad to have found so good a friend.  I hope you
+will let me pay for your ticket to New York."
+
+"It won't be necessary.  The interruption of our journey won't
+invalidate the ticket we have."
+
+An hour later they reached New York.
+
+"What are your plans, Rodney?" asked Adin Woods, who by this
+time had become quite intimate with his young companion.
+
+"I shall call on my guardian, and perhaps he may give me some
+advice as to what I do.  Where would you advise me to go--to
+a hotel?"
+
+"No; it will be too expensive.  I know of a plain boarding house
+on West Fourteenth Street where you can be accommodated with
+lodging and two meals--breakfast and supper, or dinner as we
+call it here--for a dollar a day."
+
+"I shall be glad to go there, for the present, at least. 
+I haven't much money, and must find something to do as
+soon as possible."
+
+"We will both go there, and if you don't object we will take a
+room together.  That will give us a larger apartment.  Mrs. Marcy
+is an old acquaintance of mine, and will give you a welcome."
+
+Rodney was glad to accept his companion's proposal. 
+They proceeded at once to the boarding house, and fortunately
+found a good room vacant on the third floor.  Mr. Woods went
+out in the evening to make a call, but Rodney was glad to go
+to bed at nine o'clock.
+
+The next morning after breakfast Rodney consulted his companion
+as to what he should do with the casket.
+
+"Do you want to raise money on it?" asked the agent.
+
+"No; I shall not do this unless I am obliged to."
+
+"Have you any idea as to the value of the jewels?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Then I will take you first to a jeweler in Maiden Lane, a
+friend of mine, who will appraise them.  Afterwards I advise you
+to deposit the casket at a storage warehouse, or get Tiffany to
+keep it for you."
+
+"I will do as you suggest."
+
+Maiden Lane is a street largely devoted to jewelers, wholesale
+and retail.  Rodney followed Mr. Woods into a store about midway
+between Broadway and Nassau Street.  A pleasant looking man of
+middle age greeted the agent cordially.
+
+"What can I do for you?" he asked.  "Do you wish to buy a
+diamond ring for the future Mrs. Woods?"
+
+"Not much.  I would like to have you appraise some jewelry
+belonging to my young friend here."
+
+The casket was opened, and the jeweler examined the
+contents admiringly.
+
+"This is choice jewelry," he said.  "Does your friend wish
+to sell?"
+
+"Not at present," answered Rodney.
+
+"When you do give me a call.  I will treat you fairly.  You wish
+me to appraise these articles?"
+
+"Yes, sir, if you will."
+
+"It will take me perhaps fifteen minutes."
+
+The jeweler retired to the back part of the store with the casket.
+
+In about a quarter of an hour he returned.
+
+"Of course I can't give exact figures," he said, "but I value
+the jewelry at about twelve hundred dollars."
+
+Rodney looked surprised.
+
+"I didn't think it so valuable," he said.
+
+"I don't mean that you could sell it for so much, but if you
+wish to dispose of it I will venture to give you eleven hundred."
+
+"Thank you.  If I decide to sell I will certainly come to you."
+
+"Now," said the agent, "I advise you on the whole to store the
+casket with Tiffany."
+
+"Shall I have to pay storage in advance?" asked Rodney anxiously.
+
+"I think not.  The value of the jewels will be a sufficient
+guarantee that storage will be paid."
+
+Rodney accompanied Adin Woods to the great jewelry store on the
+corner of Fifteenth Street and Union Square, and soon transacted
+his business.
+
+"Now, you won't have any anxiety as to the safety of the casket,"
+said the agent.  "Your friend of the train will find it difficult
+to get hold of the jewels.  Now I shall have to leave you,
+as I have some business to attend to.  We will meet at supper."
+
+Rodney decided to call at the office of his late guardian,
+Benjamin Fielding.  It was in the lower part of the city.
+
+On his way down town he purchased a copy of a morning paper. 
+Almost the first article he glanced at proved to be of especial
+interest to him.  It was headed
+
+
+                       SKIPPED TO CANADA
+
+Rumors have been rife for some time affecting the busines standing
+of Mr. Benjamin Fielding, the well known commission merchant. 
+Yesterday it was discovered that he had left the city,
+but where he has gone is unknown.  It is believed that he
+is very deeply involved, and seeing no way out of his
+embarrassment has skipped to Canada, or perhaps taken passage
+to Europe.  Probably his creditors will appoint a committee to
+look into his affairs and report what can be done.
+
+LATER--An open letter has been found in Mr. Fielding's desk,
+addressed to his creditors.  It expresses regret for their
+losses, and promises, if his life is spared, and fortune favors
+him, to do all in his power to make them good.  No one doubts Mr.
+Fielding's integrity, and regrets are expressed that he did not
+remain in the city and help unravel the tangle in which his
+affairs are involved.  He is a man of ability, and as he is
+still in the prime of life, it may be that he will be able to
+redeem his promises and pay his debts in full, if sufficient time
+is given him.
+
+
+"I can get no help or advice from Mr. Fielding," thought Rodney. 
+"I am thrown upon my own resources, and must fight the battle of
+life as well as I can alone."
+
+He got out in front of the Astor House.  As he left the car he
+soiled his shoes with the mud so characteristic of New York streets.
+
+"Shine your boots?" asked a young Arab, glancing with a business
+eye at Rodney's spattered shoes.
+
+Rodney accepted his offer, not so much because he thought the
+blacking would last, as for the opportunity of questioning
+the free and independent young citizen who was doing, what he
+hoped to do, that is, making a living for himself.
+
+"Is business good with you?" asked Rodney.  "It ought to be with
+the street in this condition."
+
+"Yes; me and de Street Commissioner is in league together. 
+He makes business good for me."
+
+"And do you pay him a commission?" asked Rodney smiling.
+
+"I can't tell no official secrets.  It might be bad for me."
+
+"You are an original genius."
+
+"Am I?  I hope you ain't callin' me names."
+
+"Oh no.  I am only paying you a compliment.  What is your name?"
+
+"Mike Flynn."
+
+"Were do you live, Mike?"
+
+"At the Lodge."
+
+"I suppose you mean at the Newsboys' `Lodge?'"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"How much do you have to pay there?"
+
+"Six cents for lodgin', and six cents for supper and breakfast."
+
+"That is, six cents for each."
+
+"Yes; you ain't comin' to live there, are you?" asked Mike.
+
+"I don't know--I may have to."
+
+"You're jokin'."
+
+"What makes you think I am joking?"
+
+"Because you're a swell.  Look at them clo'es!"
+
+"I have a good suit of clothes, to be sure, but I haven't
+much money.  You are better off than I am."
+
+"How's that?" asked Mike incredulously.
+
+"You've got work to do, and I am earning nothing."
+
+"If you've got money enough to buy a box and brush, you can go
+in with me."
+
+"I don't think I should like it, Mike.  It would spoil my clothes,
+and I am afraid I wouldn't have money enough to buy others."
+
+"I keep my dress suit at home--the one I wear to parties."
+
+"Haven't you got any father or mother, Mike?  How does it happen
+that you are living in New York alone?"
+
+"My farder is dead, and me mudder, she married a man wot ain't
+no good.  He'd bate me till I couldn't stand it.  So I just run away."
+
+"Where does your mother live?"
+
+"In Albany."
+
+"Some time when you earn money enough you can ask her to come
+here and live with you."
+
+"They don't take women at the Lodge."
+
+"No, I suppose not," said Rodney, smiling.
+
+"Besides she's got two little girls by her new husband, and she
+wouldn't want to leave them."
+
+By this time the shine was completed, and Rodney paid Mike.
+
+"If I ever come to the Lodge, I'll ask for you," he said.
+
+"Where do you live now?"
+
+"I'm just staying at a place on Fourteenth Street, but I can't
+afford to stay there long, for they charge a dollar a day."
+
+"Geewholliker, that would bust me, and make me a financial wreck
+as the papers say."
+
+"How did you lose your fortune and get reduced to blacking
+boots?" asked Rodney jocosely.
+
+"I got scooped out of it in Wall Street," answered Mike. 
+"Jay Gould cleaned me out."
+
+"And I suppose now he has added your fortune to his."
+
+"You've hit it boss."
+
+"Well, good day, Mike, I'll see you again some day----"
+
+"All right!  I'm in my office all de mornin'."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+AN IMPUDENT ADVENTURER.
+
+
+While Rodney was talking with Mike Flynn he was an object of
+attention to a man who stood near the corner of Barclay Street,
+and was ostensibly looking in at the window of the drug store. 
+As Rodney turned away he recognized him at once as his
+enterprising fellow traveler who had taken possession of the
+casket of jewels.
+
+He did not care to keep up an acquaintance with him, and started
+to cross the street.  But the other came forward smiling, and
+with a nod said:  "I believe you are the young man I met
+yesterday in the cars and afterwards at Kentville?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I just wanted to tell you that I had got back my jewel box, the
+one for which I mistook yours."
+
+"Indeed!" said Rodney, who did not believe a word the fellow said.
+
+"Quite an amusing mistake, I made."
+
+"It might have proved serious to me."
+
+"Very true, as I shouldn't have known where to find you to
+restore your property."
+
+"I don't think that would have troubled you much,"
+thought Rodney.  "Where did you find your box?" he asked.
+
+"In the car.  That is, the conductor picked it up and left it at
+the depot for me.  Where are you staying here in the city? 
+At the Astor House?"
+
+"No, I have found a boarding house on West Fourteenth Street."
+
+"If it is a good place, I should like to go there.  What is
+the number?"
+
+"I can't recall it, though I could find it," answered Rodney
+with reserve, for he had no wish to have his railroad
+acquaintance in the house.
+
+"Is the gentleman who was traveling with you there also?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"He is a very pleasant gentleman, though he misjudged me. 
+Ha, ha! my friends will be very much amused when I tell them
+that I was taken for a thief.  Why, I venture to say that my
+box is more valuable than yours."
+
+"Very likely," said Rodney coldly.  "Good morning."
+
+"Good morning.  I hope we may meet again."
+
+Rodney nodded, but he could not in sincerity echo the wish.
+
+He was now confronted by a serious problem.  He had less than
+ten dollars in his pocketbook, and this would soon be swallowed
+up by the necessary expenses of life in a large city.  What
+would he do when that was gone?
+
+It was clear that he must go to work as soon as possible. 
+If his guardian had remained in the city, probably through his
+influence a situation might have been secured.  Now nothing was
+to be looked for in that quarter.
+
+He bought a morning paper and looked over the Want Column. 
+He found two places within a short distance of the Astor House,
+and called at each.  One was in a railroad office.
+
+"My boy," said the manager, a pleasant looking man, "the place
+was taken hours since.  You don't seem to get up very early in
+the morning."
+
+"I could get up at any hour that was necessary," replied
+Rodney, "but I have only just made up my mind to apply
+for a position."
+
+"You won't meet with any luck today.  It is too late.  Get up
+bright and early tomorrow morning, buy a paper, and make early
+application for any place that strikes you as desirable."
+
+"Thank you, sir.  I am sure your advice is good."
+
+"If you had been the first to call here, I should have taken you. 
+I like your appearance better than that of the boy I have selected."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+"This boy may not prove satisfactory.  Call in six days, just
+before his week expires, and if there is likely to be a vacancy
+I will let you know."
+
+"Thank you, sir.  You are very kind."
+
+"I always sympathize with boys.  I have two boys of my own."
+
+This conversation quite encouraged Rodney.  It seemed to promise
+success in the future.  If he had probably impressed one man,
+he might be equally fortunate with another.
+
+It was about half past twelve when he passed through Nassau Street.
+
+All at once his arm was grasped, and a cheery voice said, "Where
+are you going, Rodney?"
+
+"Mr. Woods!" he exclaimed, with pleased recognition.
+
+"Yes, it's your old friend Woods."
+
+"You are not the only railroad friend I have met this morning."
+
+"Who was the other?"
+
+"The gentleman who obligingly took care of my jewel box for a
+short time."
+
+"You don't mean to say you have met him?  Where did you come
+across him?"
+
+"In front of the Astor House, almost two hours since."
+
+"Did you speak to him?"
+
+"He spoke to me.  You will be glad to hear that he has recovered
+his own casket of jewels."
+
+Adin Woods smiled.
+
+"He must think you are easily imposed upon," he said,
+"to believe any such story.  Anything more?"
+
+"He said his friends would be very much surprised to hear that
+he had been suspected of theft."
+
+"So he wanted to clear himself with you?"
+
+"Yes; he asked where I was staying."
+
+"I hope you didn't tell him."
+
+"I only said I was at a boarding house on West Fourteenth
+Street, but didn't mention the number."
+
+"He thinks you have the casket with you, and that he may get
+possession of it.  It is well that you stored it at Tiffany's."
+
+"I think so.  Now I have no anxiety about it.  Do you think he
+will find out where we live?"
+
+"Probably, as you gave him a clew.  But, Rodney, it is about
+lunch time, and I confess I have an appetite.  Come and lunch
+with me."
+
+"But I am afraid, Mr. Woods, I shall not be able to return
+the compliment."
+
+"There is no occasion for it.  I feel in good humor this
+morning.  I have sold one lot, and have hopes of disposing
+of another.  The one lot pays me a commission of twenty dollars."
+
+"I wish I could make twenty dollars in a week."
+
+"Sometimes I only sell one lot in a week.  It isn't like a
+regular business.  It is precarious.  Still, take the year
+through and I make a pretty good income.  Come in here.  We can
+get a good lunch here," and he led the way into a modest
+restaurant, not far from the site of the old post office, which
+will be remembered by those whose residence in New York dates
+back twenty years or more.
+
+"Now we will have a nice lunch," said the agent.  "I hope you
+can do justice to it."
+
+"I generally can," responded Rodney, smiling.  "I am seldom
+troubled with a poor appetite."
+
+"Ditto for me.  Now what have you been doing this morning?"
+
+"Looking for a place."
+
+"With what success?"
+
+"Pretty good if I had only been earlier."
+
+Rodney told the story of his application to the manager of the
+railroad office.
+
+"You will know better next time.  I think you'll succeed.  I did. 
+When I came to New York at the age of twenty two I had only
+fifty dollars.  That small sum had to last me twelve weeks. 
+You can judge that I didn't live on the fat of the land during
+that time.  I couldn't often eat at Delmonico's.  Even Beefsteak
+John's would have been too expensive for me.  However, those old
+days are over."
+
+The next day and the two following Rodney went about the city
+making application for positions, but every place seemed full.
+
+On the third day Mr. Woods said, "I shall have to leave you for
+a week or more, Rodney."
+
+"Where are you going?"
+
+"To Philadelphia.  There's a man there who is a capitalist and
+likes land investments.  I am going to visit him, and hope to
+sell him several lots.  He once lived in this city, so he won't
+object to New York investments."
+
+"I hope you will succeed, Mr. Woods.  I think if you are going
+away I had better give up the room, and find cheaper accommodations. 
+I am getting near the end of my money."
+
+"You are right.  It is best to be prudent."
+
+That evening Rodney found a room which he could rent for two
+dollars a week.  He estimated that by economy he could get along
+for fifty cents a day for his eating, and that would be a
+decided saving.
+
+He was just leaving the house the next morning, gripsack in
+hand, when on the steps he met Louis Wheeler, his acquaintance
+of the train.
+
+"Where are you going?" asked Wheeler.
+
+"I am leaving this house.  I have hired a room elsewhere."
+
+Wheeler's countenance fell, and he looked dismayed.
+
+"Why, I have just taken a room here for a week," he said.
+
+"You will find it a good place."
+
+"But--I wouldn't have come here if I hadn't thought I should
+have company."
+
+"I ought to feel complimented."
+
+Rodney was convinced that Wheeler had come in the hopes of
+stealing the casket of jewels a second time, and he felt amused
+at the fellow's discomfiture.
+
+"You haven't got your jewel box with you?"
+
+"No, I can take that another time."
+
+"Then it's still in the house," thought Wheeler with satisfaction. 
+"It won't be my fault if I don't get it in my hands.  Well, good
+morning," he said.  "Come around and call on me."
+
+"Thank you!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+AT THE NEWSBOY'S LODGING HOUSE.
+
+
+Within a week Rodney had spent all his money, with the exception
+of about fifty cents.  He had made every effort to obtain a
+place, but without success.
+
+Boys born and bred in New York have within my observation tried
+for months to secure a position in vain, so it is not surprising
+that Rodney who was a stranger proved equally unsuccessful.
+
+Though naturally hopeful Rodney became despondent.
+
+"There seems to be no place for me," he said to himself. 
+"When I was at boarding school I had no idea how difficult
+it is for a boy to earn a living."
+
+He had one resource.  He could withdraw the box of jewels from
+Tiffany's, and sell some article that it contained.  But this he
+had a great objection to doing.  One thing was evident however,
+he must do something.
+
+His friend, the lot agent, was out of town, and he hardly knew
+whom to advise with.  At last Mike Flynn, the friendly
+bootblack, whose acquaintance he had made in front of the Astor
+House, occurred to him.
+
+Mike, humble as he was, was better off than himself.  Moreover
+he was a New York boy, and knew more about "hustling" than
+Rodney did.  So he sought out Mike in his "office."
+
+"Good morning, Mike," said Rodney, as the bootblack was brushing
+off a customer.
+
+"Oh, its you, Rodney," said Mike smiling with evident pleasure. 
+"How you're gettin' on?"
+
+"Not at all."
+
+"That's bad.  Can I help you?  Just say the word, and I'll draw
+a check for you on the Park Bank."
+
+"Is that where you keep your money?"
+
+"It's one of my banks.  You don't think I'd put all my
+spondulics in one bank, do you?"
+
+"I won't trouble you to draw a check this morning.  I only want
+to ask some advice."
+
+"I've got plenty of that."
+
+"I haven't been able to get anything to do, and I have only
+fifty cents left.  I can't go on like that."
+
+"That's so."
+
+"I've got to give up my room on Fourteenth Street.  I can't pay
+for it any longer.  Do you think I could get in at the Lodge?"
+
+"Yes.  I'll introduce you to Mr. O'Connor."
+
+"When shall I meet you?"
+
+"At five o'clock.  We'll be in time for supper."
+
+"All right."
+
+At five o'clock Mike accompanied Rodney to the large Newsboys'
+Lodging House on New Chambers Street.  Mr. O'Connor, the popular
+and efficient superintendent, now dead, looked in surprise at
+Mike's companion.  He was a stout man with a kindly face, and
+Rodney felt that he would prove to be a friend.
+
+"Mr. O'Connor, let me introduce me friend, Mr. Rodney Ropes,"
+said Mike.
+
+"Could you give me a lodging?" asked Rodney in an embarrassed tone.
+
+"Yes; but I am surprised to see a boy of your appearance here."
+
+"I am surprised to be here myself," admitted Rodney.
+
+The superintendent fixed upon him a shrewd, but kindly glance.
+
+"Have you run away from home?" he asked.
+
+"No, sir.  It is my home that has run away from me."
+
+"Have you parents?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Do you come from the country?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Where have you been living?"
+
+"At a boarding school a few hours from New York."
+
+"Why did you leave it?"
+
+"Because my guardian sent me word that he had lost my fortune,
+and could no longer pay my bills."
+
+"You have been unfortunate truly.  What do you propose to do now?"
+
+"Earn my living if I can.  I have been in the city for about two
+weeks, and have applied at a good many places but in vain."
+
+"Then you were right in coming here.  Supper is ready, and
+although it is not what you are used to, it will satisfy hunger. 
+Mike, you can take Rodney with you."
+
+Within five minutes Rodney was standing at a long table with a
+bowl of coffee and a segment of bread before him.  It wouldn't
+have been attractive to one brought up to good living, as was
+the case with him, but he was hungry.
+
+He had eaten nothing since morning except an apple which he had
+bought at a street stand for a penny, and his stomach urgently
+craved a fresh supply of food.
+
+Mike stood next to him.  The young bootblack, who was used to
+nothing better, ate his portion with zest, and glanced askance
+at Rodney to see how he relished his supper.  He was surprised
+to see that his more aristocratic companion seemed to enjoy it
+quite as much as himself.
+
+"I didn't think you'd like it" he said.
+
+"Anything tastes good when you're hungry, Mike."
+
+"That's so."
+
+"And I haven't eaten anything except an apple, since morning."
+
+"Is dat so?  Why didn't you tell me?  I'd have stood treat at de
+Boss Tweed eatin' house."
+
+"I had money, but I didn't dare to spend it.  I was afraid of
+having nothing left."
+
+When Rodney had eaten his supper he felt that he could have
+eaten more, but the craving was satisfied and he felt relieved.
+
+He looked around him with some curiosity, for he had never been
+in such a motley gathering before.  There were perhaps one
+hundred and fifty boys recruited from the street, to about all
+of whom except himself the term street Arab might be applied.
+
+The majority of them had the shrewd and good humored Celtic face. 
+Many of them were fun loving and even mischievous, but scarcely
+any were really bad.
+
+Naturally Rodney, with his good clothes, attracted attention. 
+The boys felt that he was not one of them, and they had a
+suspicion that he felt above them.
+
+"Get on to de dude!" remarked one boy, who was loosely attired
+in a ragged shirt and tattered trousers.
+
+"He means me, Mike," said Rodney with a smile.
+
+"I say, Patsy Glenn, what do you mean by callin' me friend
+Rodney a dude?" demanded Mike angrily.
+
+"Coz he's got a dandy suit on."
+
+"What if he has?  Wouldn't you wear one like it if you could!"
+
+"You bet!"
+
+"Then just let him alone!  He's just got back from de
+inauguration."
+
+"Where'd you pick him up, Mike?"
+
+"Never mind!  He's one of us.  How much money have you got in
+your pocket Rodney?"
+
+"Thirty two cents."
+
+"He can't put on no frills wid dat money."
+
+"That's so.  I take it all back," and Patsy offered a begrimed hand
+to Rodney, which the latter shook heartily with a pleasant smile.
+
+That turned the tide in favor of Rodney, the boys gathered
+around him and he told his story in a few words.
+
+"I used to be rich, boys," he said, "but my guardian spent all
+my money, and now I am as poor as any of you."
+
+"You'd ought to have had me for your guardian, Rodney,"
+observed Mike.
+
+"I wish you had.  You wouldn't have lost my money for me."
+
+"True for you!  I say so, boys, if we can find Rodney's
+guardian, what'll we do to him?"
+
+"Give him de grand bounce," suggested Patsy.
+
+"Drop him out of a high winder," said another.
+
+"What's his name?"
+
+"I don't care to tell you, boys.  He's written me a letter,
+saying he will try to pay me back some day.  I think he will. 
+He isn't a bad man, but he has been unlucky."
+
+Mike, at the request of Mr. O'Connor, showed Rodney a locker in
+which he could store such articles of clothing as he had with him. 
+After that he felt more at home, and as if he were staying at a
+hotel though an humble one.
+
+At eight o'clock some of the boys had already gone to bed, but
+Mike and Rodney were among those who remained up.  Rodney noticed
+with what kindness yet fairness the superintendent managed his
+unruly flock.  Unruly they might have been with a different man,
+but he had no trouble in keeping them within bounds.
+
+It was at this time that two strangers were announced, one a New
+York merchant named Goodnow, the other a tall, slender man with
+sandy whiskers of the mutton chop pattern.
+
+"Good evening, Mr. Goodnow," said the superintendent, who
+recognized the merchant as a friend of the society.
+
+"Good evening, Mr. O'Connor.  I have brought my friend and
+correspondent Mr. Mulgrave, of London, to see some of your
+young Arabs."
+
+"I shall be glad to give him all the opportunity he desires."
+
+The Englishman looked curiously at the faces of the boys who in
+turn were examining him with equal interest.
+
+"They are not unlike our boys of a similar grade, but seem
+sharper and more intelligent" he said.  "But surely," pointing
+to Rodney, "that boy is not one of the--Arabs.  Why, he looks
+like a young gentleman."
+
+"He is a new comer.  He only appeared tonight."
+
+"He must have a history.  May I speak with him?"
+
+"By all means.  Rodney, this gentleman would like to talk with you."
+
+Rodney came forward with the ease of a boy who was accustomed to
+good society, and said:  "I shall be very happy to speak with him."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+RODNEY FINDS A PLACE.
+
+
+"Surely," said the Englishman, "you were not brought up in the street?"
+
+"Oh, no," answered Rodney, "I was more fortunate."
+
+"Then how does it happen that I find you here--among the needy
+boys of the city?"
+
+"Because I am needy, too."
+
+"But you were not always poor?"
+
+"No; I inherited a moderate fortune from my father.  It was
+only within a short time that I learned from my guardian that
+it was lost.  I left the boarding school where I was being
+educated, and came to the city to try to make a living."
+
+"But surely your guardian would try to provide for you?"
+
+"He is no longer in the city."
+
+"Who was he?" asked Otis Goodnow.
+
+"Mr. Benjamin Fielding."
+
+"Is it possible?  Why, I lost three thousand dollars by him. 
+He has treated you shamefully."
+
+"It was not intentional, I am sure," said Rodney. 
+"He was probably drawn into using my money by the
+hope of retrieving himself.  He wrote me that he hoped
+at some time to make restitution."
+
+"You speak of him generously, my lad," said Mr. Mulgrave. 
+"Yet he has brought you to absolute poverty."
+
+"Yes, sir, and I won't pretend that it is not a hard trial
+to me, but if I can get a chance to earn my own living,
+I will not complain."
+
+"Goodnow, a word with you," said the Englishman, and he drew
+his friend aside.  "Can't you make room for this boy in
+your establishment?"
+
+Otis Goodnow hesitated.  "At present there is no vacancy," he said.
+
+"Make room for him, and draw upon me for his wages for the first
+six months."
+
+"I will do so, but before the end of that time I am sure he will
+justify my paying him out of my own pocket."
+
+There was a little further conference, and then the two
+gentlemen came up to where Rodney was standing with Mr. O'Connor.
+
+"My boy," said Mr. Mulgrave, "my friend here will give you a
+place at five dollars a week.  Will that satisfy you?"
+
+Rodney's face flushed with pleasure.
+
+"It will make me very happy," he said.
+
+"Come round to my warehouse--here is my business card--tomorrow
+morning," said the merchant.  "Ask to see me."
+
+"At what time shall I call, sir?"
+
+"At half past nine o'clock.  That is for the first morning. 
+When you get to work you will have to be there at eight."
+
+"There will be no trouble about that, sir."
+
+"Now it is my turn," said the Englishman.  "Here are five
+dollars to keep you till your first week's wages come due. 
+I dare say you will find them useful."
+
+"Thank you very much, sir.  I was almost out of money."
+
+After the two gentlemen left the Lodging House Rodney looked at
+the card and found that his new place of employment was situated
+on Reade Street not far from Broadway.
+
+"It's you that's in luck, Rodney," said his friend Mike. 
+"Who'd think that a gentleman would come to the Lodging
+House to give you a place?"
+
+"Yes, I am in luck, Mike, and now I'm going to make you a proposal."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Why can't we take a room together?  It will be better than
+living here."
+
+"Sure you wouldn't room with a poor boy like me?"
+
+"Why shouldn't I?  You are a good friend, and I should like
+your company.  Besides I mean to help you get an education. 
+I suppose you're not a first class scholar, Mike?"
+
+"About fourth class, I guess, Rodney."
+
+"Then you shall study with me.  Then when you know a little more
+you may get a chance to get out of your present business, and
+get into a store."
+
+"That will be bully!" said Mike with pleasure.
+
+"Now we'd better go to bed; I must be up bright and early
+in the morning.  We'll engage a room before I go to work."
+
+There was no difficulty about rising early.  It is one of the
+rules of the Lodging House for the boys to rise at six o'clock,
+and after a frugal breakfast of coffee and rolls they are
+expected to go out to their business whatever it may be. 
+Mike and Rodney dispensed with the regulation breakfast and
+went out to a restaurant on Park Row where they fared better.
+
+"Now where shall we go for a room?" asked Rodney.
+
+"There's a feller I know has a good room on Bleecker Street,"
+said Mike.
+
+"How far is that?"
+
+"A little more'n a mile."
+
+"All right!  Let us go and see."
+
+Bleecker Street once stood in better repute than at present. 
+It is said that A. T. Stewart once made his home there.  Now it
+is given over to shops and cheap lodging houses.
+
+Finally the boys found a room decently fumished, about ten feet
+square, of which the rental was two dollars and a half per week. 
+Mike succeeded in beating down the lodging house keeper to two
+dollars, and at that figure they engaged it.
+
+"When will you come?" asked Mrs. McCarty.
+
+"Right off," said Mike.
+
+"I'll need a little time to put it in order."
+
+"Me and my partner will be at our business till six o'clock,"
+returned Mike.
+
+"You can send in your trunks during the day if you like."
+
+"My trunk is at the Windsor Hotel," said Mike.  "I've lent it to
+a friend for a few days."
+
+Mrs. McCarty looked at Mike with a puzzled expression.  She was
+one of those women who are slow to comprehend a joke, and she
+could not quite make it seem natural that her new lodger, who
+was in rather neglige costume, should be a guest at a
+fashionable hotel.
+
+"I will leave my valise," said Rodney, "and will send for
+my trunk.  It is in the country."
+
+Mike looked at him, not feeling quite certain whether he was in
+earnest, but Rodney was perfectly serious.
+
+"You're better off than me," said Mike, when they reached the street. 
+"If I had a trunk I wouldn't have anything to put into it."
+
+"I'll see if I can't rig you out, Mike.  I've got a good many
+clothes, bought when I was rich.  You and I are about the
+same size.  I'll give you a suit of clothes to wear on Sundays."
+
+"Will you?" exclaimed Mike, his face showing pleasure. 
+"I'd like to see how I look in good clo'es.  I never wore
+any yet.  It wouldn't do no good in my business."
+
+"You won't want to wear them when at work.  But wouldn't you
+like to change your business?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Have you ever tried?"
+
+"What'd be the use of tryin'?  They'd know I was a bootblack in
+these clo'es."
+
+"When you wear a better suit you can go round and try your luck."
+
+"I'd like to," said Mike wistfully.  "I don't want you to tell
+at the store that you room with a bootblack."
+
+"It isn't that I think of, Mike.  I want you to do better. 
+I'm going to make a man of you."
+
+"I hope you are.  Sometimes I've thought I'd have to be a
+bootblack always.  When do you think you'll get the clo'es?"
+
+"I shall write to the principal of the boarding school at once,
+asking him to forward my trunk by express.  I want to economize
+a little this week, and shall have to pay the express charges."
+
+"I'll pay up my part of the rent, Rodney, a quarter a day."
+
+Rodney had advanced the whole sum, as Mike was not in funds.
+
+"If you can't pay a dollar a week I will pay a little more
+than half."
+
+"There ain't no need.  I'll pay my half and be glad to have a
+nice room."
+
+"I've got three or four pictures at the school, and some books. 
+I'll send for them later on, and we'll fix up the room."
+
+"Will you?  We'll have a reg'lar bang up place.  I tell you
+that'll be better than livin' at the Lodge."
+
+"Still that seems a very neat place.  It is lucky for poor boys
+that they can get lodging so cheap."
+
+"But it isn't like havin' a room of your own, Rodney.  I say,
+when we're all fixed I'll ask some of me friends to come in some
+evenin' and take a look at us.  They'll be s'prised."
+
+"Certainly, Mike.  I shall be glad to see any of your friends."
+
+It may seem strange that Rodney, carefully as he had been
+brought up, should have made a companion of Mike, but he
+recognized in the warm hearted Irish boy, illiterate as he was,
+sterling qualities, and he felt desirous of helping to educate him. 
+He knew that he could always depend on his devoted friendship,
+and looked forward with pleasure to their more intimate companionship.
+
+After selecting their room and making arrangements to take
+possession of it, the boys went down town.  Rodney stepped into
+the reading room at the Astor House and wrote the following
+letter to Dr. Sampson:
+
+
+DR. PLINY SAMPSON:
+
+DEAR SIR--Will you be kind enough to send my trunk by express to
+No. 312 Bleecker Street?  I have taken a room there, and that
+will be my home for the present.  I have obtained a position in
+a wholesale house on Reade Street, and hope I may give satisfaction. 
+Will you remember me with best wishes to all the boys?  I don't
+expect to have so easy or pleasant a time as I had at school,
+but I hope to get on, and some time--perhaps in the summer--to
+make you a short visit.
+
+                                                 Yours truly,
+                                                 RODNEY ROPES.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE FIRST DAY AT WORK.
+
+
+A little before half past nine Rodney paused in front of a large
+five story building on Reade Street occupied by Otis Goodnow.
+
+He entered and found the first floor occupied by quite a large
+number of clerks and salesmen, and well filled with goods.
+
+"Well, young fellow, what can I do for you?" asked a dapper
+looking clerk.
+
+"I would like to see Mr. Goodnow."
+
+"He's reading his letters.  He won't see you."
+
+Rodney was provoked.
+
+"Do you decide who is to see him?" he asked.
+
+"You're impudent, young feller."
+
+"Am I?  Perhaps you will allow Mr. Goodnow to see me, as long as
+he told me to call here this morning."
+
+"That's a different thing," returned the other in a different tone. 
+"If you're sure about that you can go to the office in the back
+part of the room."
+
+Rodney followed directions and found himself at the entrance of
+a room which had been partitioned off for the use of the head of
+the firm.
+
+Mr. Goodnow was seated at a desk with his back to him, and was
+employed in opening letters.  Without turning round he said,
+"Sit down and I will attend to you in a few minutes."
+
+Rodney seated himself on a chair near the door.  In about ten
+minutes Mr. Goodnow turned around.
+
+"Who is it?" he asked.
+
+"Perhaps you remember telling me to call at half past nine. 
+You saw me at the Newsboys' Lodging House."
+
+"Ah, yes, I remember.  I promised my friend Mulgrave that I
+would give you a place.  What can you do?  Are you a good writer?"
+
+"Shall I give you a specimen of my handwriting?"
+
+"Yes; sit down at that desk."
+
+It was a desk adjoining his own.
+
+Rodney seated himself and wrote in a firm, clear, neat hand:
+
+"I will endeavor to give satisfaction, if you are kind enough to
+give me a place in your establishment."
+
+Then he passed over the paper to the merchant.
+
+"Ah, very good!" said Mr. Goodnow approvingly.  "You won't be
+expected to do any writing yet but I like to take into my store
+those who are qualified for promotion."
+
+He rang a little bell on his desk.
+
+A boy about two years older than Rodney answered the summons.
+
+"Send Mr. James here," said the merchant.
+
+Mr. James, a sandy complexioned man, partially bald,
+made his appearance.
+
+"Mr. James," said the merchant, "I have taken this boy into my employ. 
+I don't know if one is needed, but it is at the request of a friend. 
+You can send him on errands, or employ him in any other way."
+
+"Very well, sir.  I can find something for him to do today at
+any rate, as young Johnson hasn't shown up."
+
+"Very well.  Whats your name, my lad?"
+
+"Rodney Ropes."
+
+"Make a note of his name, Mr. James, and enter it in the books. 
+You may go with Mr. James, and put yourself at his disposal."
+
+Rodney followed the subordinate, who was the head of one of the
+departments, to the second floor.  Here Mr. James had a desk.
+
+"Wait a minute," he said, "and I will give you a memorandum of
+places to call at."
+
+In five minutes a memorandum containing a list of three places
+was given to Rodney, with brief instructions as to what he was
+to do at each.  They were places not far away, and fortunately
+Rodney had a general idea as to where they were.
+
+In his search for positions he had made a study of the lower
+part of the city which now stood him in good stead.
+
+As he walked towards the door he attracted the attention of the
+young clerk with whom he had just spoken.
+
+"Well, did you see Mr. Goodnow?" asked the young man, stroking
+a sickly looking mustache.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Has he taken you into the firm?"
+
+"Not yet, but he has given me a place."
+
+The clerk whistled.
+
+"So you are one of us?" he said.
+
+"Yes," answered Rodney with a smile.
+
+"Then you ought to know the rules of the house."
+
+"You can tell me later on, but now I am going out on an errand."
+
+In about an hour Rodney returned.  He had been detained at two
+of the places where he called.
+
+"Do you remember what I said?" asked the young clerk as he passed.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"The first rule of the establishment is for a new hand to treat
+ME on his first day."
+
+"That's pretty good for you," said Rodney, laughing; "I shall
+have to wait till my pay is raised."
+
+About the middle of the afternoon, as Rodney was helping to
+unpack a crate of goods, the older boy whom he had already seen
+in the office below, walked up to him and said, "Is your name Ropes?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"You are wanted in Mr. Goodnow's office."
+
+Rodney went down stairs, feeling a little nervous.  Had he done
+wrong, and was he to be reprimanded?
+
+He could think of nothing deserving censure.  So far as he knew
+he had attended faithfully to all the duties required of him.
+
+As he entered the office, he saw that Mr. Goodnow had a visitor,
+whose face looked familiar to him.  He recalled it immediately
+as the face of the English gentleman who had visited the Lodging
+House the day previous with his employer.
+
+"So I find you at work?" he said, offering his hand with a smile.
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Rodney gratefully, "thanks to you."
+
+"How do you think you will like it?"
+
+"Very much, sir.  It is so much better than going around the
+street with nothing to do."
+
+"I hope you will try to give satisfaction to my friend, Mr. Goodnow."
+
+"I shall try to do so, sir."
+
+"You mustn't expect to rise to be head salesman in a year. 
+Festina lente, as the Latin poet has it."
+
+"I shall be satisfied with hastening slowly, sir."
+
+"What! you understand Latin?"
+
+"Pretty well, sir."
+
+"Upon my word, I didn't expect to find a boy in the News
+boys' Lodging House with classical attainments.  Perhaps you
+know something of Greek also!" he said doubtfully.
+
+In reply Rodney repeated the first line of the Iliad.
+
+"Astonishing!" exclaimed Mr. Mulgrave, putting up his eyeglass,
+and surveying Rodney as if he were a curious specimen. 
+"You don't happen to know anything of Sanscrit, do you?"
+
+"No, sir; I confess my ignorance."
+
+"I apprehend you won't require it in my friend Goodnow's establishment."
+
+"If I do, I will learn it," said Rodney, rather enjoying the joke.
+
+"If I write a book about America, I shall certainly put in a
+paragraph about a learned office boy.  I think you are entitled
+to something for your knowledge of Greek and Latin--say five
+dollars apiece," and Mr. Mulgrave drew from his pocket two gold
+pieces and handed them to Rodney.
+
+"Thank you very much, sir," said Rodney.  "I shall find this
+money very useful, as I have taken a room, and am setting
+up housekeeping."
+
+"Then you have left the Lodging House?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I only spent one night there."
+
+"You are right.  It is no doubt a great blessing to the needy
+street boys, but you belong to a different class."
+
+"It is very fortunate I went there last evening, or I should not
+have met you and Mr. Goodnow."
+
+"I am glad to have been the means of doing you a service," said
+the Englishman kindly, shaking hands with Rodney, who bowed and
+went back to his work.
+
+"I am not sure but you are taking too much notice of that boy,
+Mulgrave," said the merchant.
+
+"No fear!  He is not a common boy.  You won't regret employing him."
+
+"I hope not."
+
+Then they talked of other matters, for Mr. Mulgrave was to start
+on his return to England the following day.
+
+At five o'clock Rodney's day was over, and he went back to
+Bleecker Street.  He found Mike already there, working hard to
+get his hands clean, soiled as they were by the stains of blacking.
+
+"Did you have a good day, Mike?" asked Rodney.
+
+"Yes; I made a dollar and ten cents.  Here's a quarter towards
+the rent."
+
+"All right!  I see you are prompt in money matters."
+
+"I try to be.  Do you know, Rodney, I worked better for feelin'
+that I had a room of my own to go to after I got through. 
+I hope I'll soon be able to get into a different business."
+
+"I hope so, too."
+
+Two days later Rodney's trunk arrived.  In the evening he opened it. 
+He took out a dark mixed suit about half worn, and said,
+"Try that on, Mike."
+
+Mike did so.  It fitted as if it were made for him.
+
+"You can have it, Mike," said Rodney.
+
+"You don't mean it?" exclaimed Mike, delighted.
+
+"Yes, I do.  I have plenty of others."
+
+Rodney supplemented his gift by a present of underclothing, and
+on the following Sunday the two boys went to Central Park in the
+afternoon, Mike so transformed that some of his street friends
+passed him without recognition, much to Mike's delight.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+MIKE PUTS ON A UNIFORM.
+
+
+A wonderful change came over Mike Flynn.  Until he met Rodney he
+seemed quite destitute of ambition.  The ragged and dirty suit
+which he wore as bootblack were the best he had.  His face and
+hands generally bore the marks of his business, and as long as
+he made enough to buy three meals a day, two taken at the
+Lodging House, with something over for lodging, and an
+occasional visit to a cheap theater, he was satisfied.
+
+He was fifteen, and had never given a thought to what he would
+do when he was older.  But after meeting Rodney, and especially
+after taking a room with him, he looked at life with different eyes. 
+He began to understand that his business, though honorable
+because honest, was not a desirable one.  He felt, too,
+that he ought to change it out of regard for Rodney, who
+was now his close companion.
+
+"If I had ten dollars ahead," he said one day, "I'd give up
+blackin' boots."
+
+"What else would you do?"
+
+"I'd be a telegraph boy.  That's more respectable than blackin'
+boots, and it 'ould be cleaner."
+
+"That is true.  Do you need money to join?"
+
+"I would get paid once in two weeks, and I'd have to live till
+I got my first salary."
+
+"I guess I can see you through, Mike."
+
+"No; you need all your money, Rodney.  I'll wait and see if I
+can't save it myself."
+
+This, however, would have taken a long time, if Mike had not
+been favored by circumstances.  He was standing near the ladies'
+entrance to the Astor House one day, when casting his eyes
+downward he espied a neat pocketbook of Russia leather. 
+He picked it up, and from the feeling judged that it must
+be well filled.
+
+Now I must admit that it did occur to Mike that he could divert
+to his own use the contents without detection, as no one had seen
+him pick it up.  But Mike was by instinct an honest boy, and he
+decided that this would not be right.  He thrust it into his
+pocket, however, as he had no objection to receiving a reward if
+one was offered.
+
+While he was standing near the entrance, a tall lady, dressed
+in brown silk and wearing glasses, walked up from the direction
+of Broadway.  She began to peer about like one who was looking
+for something.
+
+"I guess its hers," thought Mike.
+
+"Are you looking for anything, ma'am?" he asked.
+
+She turned and glanced at Mike.
+
+"I think I must have dropped my pocketbook," she said.  "I had
+it in my hand when I left the hotel, but I had something on my
+mind and I think I must have dropped it without noticing. 
+Won't you help me look for it, for I am short sighted?"
+
+"Is this it?" asked Mike, producing the pocketbook.
+
+"Oh yes!" exclaimed the lady joyfully.  "Where did you find it?"
+
+"Just here," answered Mike, indicating a place on the sidewalk.
+
+"I suppose there is a good deal of money in it?" said Mike, with
+pardonable curiosity.
+
+"Then you didn't open it?"
+
+"No, ma'am, I didn't have a chance.  I just found it."
+
+"There may be forty or fifty dollars, but it isn't on that
+account I should have regretted losing it.  It contained a
+receipt for a thousand dollars which I am to use in a law suit. 
+That is very important for it will defeat a dishonest claim for
+money that I have already paid."
+
+"Then I'm glad I found it."
+
+"You are an honest boy.  You seem to be a poor boy also."
+
+"That's true, ma'am.  If I was rich I wouldn't black boots
+for a livin'."
+
+"Dear me, you are one of the young street Arabs I've read about,"
+and the lady looked curiously at Mike through her glasses.
+
+"I expect I am."
+
+"And I suppose you haven't much money."
+
+"My bank account is very low, ma'am."
+
+"I've read a book about a boy named `Ragged Dick.' I think he
+was a bootblack, too.  Do you know him?"
+
+"He's my cousin, ma'am," answered Mike promptly.
+
+It will be observed that I don't represent Mike as possessed of
+all the virtues.
+
+"Dear me, how interesting.  I bought the book for my little nephew. 
+Now I can tell him I have seen `Ragged Dick's' cousin. Where is
+Dick now?"
+
+"He's reformed, ma'am."
+
+"Reformed?"
+
+"Yes, from blackin' boots.  He's in better business now."
+
+"If I should give you some of the money in this pocketbook, you
+wouldn't spend it on drinking and gambling, would you?"
+
+"No, ma'am.  I'd reform like my cousin, Ragged Dick."
+
+"You look like a good truthful boy.  Here are ten dollars for you."
+
+"Oh, thank you, ma'am!  you're a gentleman," said Mike overjoyed. 
+"No, I don't mean that but I hope you'll soon get a handsome husband."
+
+"My young friend, I don't care to marry, though I appreciate
+your good wishes.  I am an old maid from principle.  I am an
+officer of the Female Suffrage Association."
+
+"Is it a good payin' office, ma'am?" asked Mike, visibly impressed.
+
+"No, but it is a position of responsibility.  Please tell me
+your name that I may make a note of it."
+
+"My name is Michael Flynn."
+
+"I see.  You are of Celtic extraction."
+
+"I don't know, ma'am.  I never heard that I was.  It isn't
+anything bad, is it?"
+
+"Not at all.  I have some Celtic blood in my own veins.  If you
+ever come to Boston you can inquire for Miss Pauline Peabody."
+
+"Thank you, ma'am," said Mike, who thought the lady rather a
+"queer lot."
+
+"Now I must call upon my lawyer, and leave the receipt which I
+came so near losing."
+
+"Well, I'm in luck," thought Mike.  "I'll go home and dress up,
+and apply for a position as telegraph boy."
+
+When Rodney came home at supper time he found Mike, dressed in
+his Sunday suit.
+
+"What's up now, Mike?" he asked.  "Have you retired from business?"
+
+"Yes, from the bootblack business.  Tomorrow I shall be a
+telegraph boy."
+
+"That is good.  You haven't saved up ten dollars, have you?"
+
+"I saved up two, and a lady gave me ten dollars for findin'
+her pocketbook."
+
+"That's fine, Mike."
+
+There chanced to be a special demand for telegraph boys at that
+time, and Mike, who was a sharp lad, on passing the necessary
+examination, was at once set to work.
+
+He was immensely fond of his blue uniform when he first put it
+on, and felt that he had risen in the social scale.  True, his
+earnings did not average as much, but he was content with
+smaller pay, since the duties were more agreeable.
+
+In the evenings under Rodney's instruction he devoted an hour
+and sometimes two to the task of making up the deficiencies in
+his early education.  These were extensive, but Mike was
+naturally a smart boy, and after a while began to improve rapidly.
+
+So three months passed.  Rodney stood well in with Mr. Goodnow,
+and was promoted to stock clerk.  The discipline which he had
+revived as a student stood him in good stead, and enabled him to
+make more rapid advancement than some who had been longer in the
+employ of the firm.  In particular he was promoted over the head
+of Jasper Redwood, a boy two years older than himself, who was
+the nephew of an old employee who had been for fifteen years in
+the house.
+
+Jasper's jealousy was aroused, and he conceived a great dislike
+for Rodney, of which Rodney was only partially aware.
+
+For this dislike there was really no cause.  Rodney stood in his
+way only because Jasper neglected his duties, and failed to
+inspire confidence.  He was a boy who liked to spend money and
+found his salary insufficient, though he lived with his uncle
+and paid but two dollars a week for his board.
+
+"Uncle James," he said one day, "when do you think I will
+get a raise?"
+
+"You might get one now if it were not for the new boy."
+
+"You mean Ropes."
+
+"Yes, he has just been promoted to a place which I hoped to get
+for you."
+
+"It is mean," grumbled Jasper.  "I have been here longer than he."
+
+"True, but he seems to be Mr. Goodnow's pet.  It was an unlucky
+day for you when he got a place in the establishment."
+
+"Did you ask Mr. Goodnow to promote me?"
+
+"Yes, but he said he had decided to give Archer's place to Ropes."
+
+Archer was a young clerk who was obliged, on account
+of pulmonary weakness, to leave New York and go to
+Southern California.
+
+"How much does Ropes get now?"
+
+"Seven dollars a week."
+
+"And I only get five, and I am two years older.  They ought to
+have more regard for you, Uncle James, or I, as your nephew,
+would get promoted."
+
+"I will see what we can do about it."
+
+"I wish Ropes would get into some scrape and get discharged."
+
+It was a new idea, but Jasper dwelt upon it, and out of it grew
+trouble for Rodney.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+MISSING GOODS.
+
+
+James Redwood was summoned one morning to the counting room of
+his employer.
+
+"Mr. Redwood," said the merchant "I have reason to think that
+one of my clerks is dishonest."
+
+"Who, sir?"
+
+"That is what I want you to find out."
+
+"What reason have you for suspecting any one?"
+
+"Some ladies' cloaks and some dress patterns are missing."
+
+"Are you sure they were not sold?"
+
+"Yes: the record of sales has been examined, and they are
+not included."
+
+"That is strange, Mr. Goodnow" said Redwood thoughtfully. 
+"I hope I am not under suspicion."
+
+"Oh, not at all."
+
+"The losses seem to have taken place in my department."
+
+"True, but that doesn't involve you."
+
+"What do you want me to do?"
+
+"Watch those under you.  Let nothing in your manner, however,
+suggest that you are suspicious.  I don't want you to put any
+one on his guard."
+
+"All right, sir.  I will be guided by your instructions. 
+Have you any idea how long this has been going on?"
+
+"Only a few weeks."
+
+Mr. Redwood turned to go back to his room, but Mr. Goodnow
+called him back.
+
+"I needn't suggest to you," he said, "that you keep this
+to yourself.  Don't let any clerk into the secret."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+James Redwood, however, did not keep his promise.  After supper
+he called back Jasper as he was about putting on his hat to go
+out, and said, "Jasper, I wish to speak with you for five minutes."
+
+"Won't it do tomorrow morning?  I have an engagement."
+
+"Put it off, then.  This is a matter of importance."
+
+"Very well, sir," and Jasper, albeit reluctantly, laid down his
+hat and sat down.
+
+"Jasper," said his uncle, "there's a thief in our establishment."
+
+Jasper started, and his sallow complexion turned yellower than usual.
+
+"What do you mean, uncle?" he asked nervously.
+
+"What I say.  Some articles are missing that have not been sold."
+
+"Such as what?"
+
+"Ladies' cloaks and dress patterns."
+
+"Who told you?" asked Jasper in a low tone.
+
+"Mr. Goodnow."
+
+"What the boss?"
+
+"Certainly."
+
+"How should he know?"
+
+"I didn't inquire, and if I had he probably wouldn't have told me. 
+The main thing is that he does know."
+
+"He may not be sure."
+
+"He is not a man to speak unless he feels pretty sure."
+
+"I don't see how any one could steal the articles without
+being detected."
+
+"It seems they are detected."
+
+"Did--did Mr. Goodnow mention any names?"
+
+"No.  He wants to watch and find out the thief.  I wish you to
+help me, though I am acting against instructions.  Mr. Goodnow
+asked me to take no one into my confidence.  You will see,
+therefore, that it will be necessary for you to say nothing."
+
+"I won't breathe a word," said Jasper, who seemed to feel more
+at ease.
+
+"Now that I have told you so much, can you suggest any person
+who would be likely to commit the theft?"
+
+Jasper remained silent for a moment, then with a smile of
+malicious satisfaction said, "Yes, I can suggest a person."
+
+"Who is it?"
+
+"The new boy, Rodney Ropes."
+
+James Redwood shook his head.
+
+"I can't believe that it is he.  I am not in love with the young
+fellow, who seems to stand in the way of your advancement but he
+seems straight enough, and I don't think it at all likely that
+he should be the guilty person."
+
+"Yes, Uncle James, he SEEMS straight but you know that still
+waters run deep."
+
+"Have you seen anything that would indicate guilt on his part?"
+
+"I have noticed this, that, he is very well dressed for a boy of
+his small salary, and seems always to have money to spend."
+
+"That will count for something.  Still he might have some
+outide means.  Have you noticed anything else?"
+
+Jasper hesitated.
+
+"I noticed one evening when he left the store that he had a
+sizable parcel under his arm."
+
+"And you think it might have contained some article stolen from
+the stock?"
+
+"That's just what I think now.  Nothing of the kind occurred to
+me at that time, for I didn't know any articles were missing."
+
+"That seems important.  When was it that you noticed this?"
+
+"One day last week," answered Jasper hesitatingly.
+
+"Can you remember the day?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Couldn't you fix it some way?"
+
+"No.  You see, I didn't attach any particular importance to it
+at the time, and probably it would not have occurred to me
+again, but for your mentioning that articles were missing."
+
+"There may be something in what you say," said his
+uncle thoughtfully.  "I will take special notice of young
+Ropes after this."
+
+"So will I."
+
+"Don't let him observe that he is watched.  It would defeat our
+chances of detecting the thief."
+
+"I'll be careful.  Do you want to say anything more, uncle?"
+
+"No.  By the way, where were you going this evening?"
+
+"I was going to meet a friend, and perhaps go to the theater. 
+You couldn't lend me a dollar, could you, Uncle James?"
+
+"Yes, I could, but you are not quite able to pay for your
+own pleasures.  It costs all my salary to live, and its going
+to be worse next year, for I shall have to pay a higher rent."
+
+"When I have my pay raised, I can get along better."
+
+"If Ropes loses his place, you will probably step into it."
+
+"Then I hope he'll go, and that soon."
+
+When Jasper passed through the front door and stood on the
+sidewalk, he breathed a sigh of relief.
+
+"So, they are on to us," he said to himself.  "But how was it
+found out?  That's what I'd like to know.  I have been very
+careful.  I must see Carton at once."
+
+A short walk took him to a billiard room not far from Broadway. 
+A young man of twenty five, with a slight mustache, and a thin,
+dark face, was selecting a cue.
+
+"Ah, Jasper!" he said.  "Come at last.  Let us have a game of pool."
+
+"Not just yet.  Come outide.  I want to speak to you."
+
+Jasper looked serious, and Philip Carton, observing it, made no
+remonstrance, but taking his hat, followed him out.
+
+"Well, what is it?" he asked.
+
+"Something serious.  It is discovered at the store that goods
+are missing."
+
+"You don't mean it?  Are we suspected?"
+
+"No one is suspected--yet."
+
+"But how do you know?"
+
+"My uncle spoke to me about it this evening--just after supper."
+
+"He doesn't think you are in it."
+
+"No."
+
+"How did he find out?"
+
+"Through the boss.  Goodnow spoke to him about it today."
+
+"But how should Goodnow know anything about it?"
+
+"That no one can tell but himself.  He asked Uncle James to watch
+the clerks, and see if he could fasten the theft on any of them."
+
+"That is pleasant for us.  It is well we are informed so that we
+can be on our guard.  I am afraid our game is up."
+
+"For the present at any rate we must suspend operations. 
+Now, have you some money for me?"
+
+"Well, a little."
+
+"A little?  Why there are two cloaks and a silk dress pattern to
+be accounted for."
+
+"True, but I have to be very careful.  I have to submit to a big
+discount for the parties I sell to undoubtedly suspect that the
+articles are stolen."
+
+"Wouldn't it be better to pawn them?"
+
+"It would be more dangerous.  Besides you know how liberal
+pawnbrokers are.  I'll tell you what would be better.  If I had
+a sufficient number of articles to warrant it, I could take them
+on to Boston or Philadelphia, and there would be less risk
+selling them there."
+
+"That is true.  I wish we had thought of that before.  Now we
+shall have to give up the business for a time.  How much money
+have you got for me?"
+
+"Seven dollars."
+
+"Seven dollars!" exclaimed Jasper in disgust.  "Why, that
+is ridiculous.  The articles must have been worth at retail
+a hundred dollars."
+
+"Perhaps so, but I only got fourteen for them.  If you think you
+can do any better you may sell them yourself next time."
+
+"I thought I should assuredly get fifteen dollars out of it,"
+said Jasper, looking deeply disappointed.  "I had a use for the
+money too."
+
+"Very likely.  So had I."
+
+"Well, I suppose I must make it do.  Listen and I will tell you
+how I think I can turn this thing to my advantage."
+
+"Go ahead!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+WHAT WAS FOUND IN RODNEY'S ROOM.
+
+
+"There is a boy who stands between me and promotion," continued
+Jasper, speaking in a low tone.
+
+"The boy you mentioned the other day?"
+
+"Yes, Rodney Ropes.  Mr. Goodnow got him from I don't know
+where, and has taken a ridiculous fancy to him.  He has been put
+over my head and his pay raised, though I have been in the store
+longer than he.  My idea is to connect him with the thefts and
+get him discharged."
+
+"Do you mean that we are to make him a confederate?"
+
+"No," answered Jasper impatiently.  "He would be just the fellow
+to peach and get us all into trouble."
+
+"Then what do you mean?"
+
+"To direct suspicion towards him.  We won't do it immediately,
+but within a week or two.  It would do me good to have him
+turned out of the store."
+
+Jasper proceeded to explain his idea more fully, and his companion
+pronounced it very clever.
+
+Meanwhile Rodney, not suspecting the conspiracy to deprive him
+of his place and his good name, worked zealously, encouraged by
+his promotion, and resolved to make a place for himself which
+should insure him a permanent connection with the firm.
+
+Ten days passed, and Mr. Redwood again received a summons from
+the office.
+
+Entering, he found Mr. Goodnow with a letter in his hand.
+
+"Well, Mr. Redwood," he began, "have you got any clew to the
+party who has stolen our goods?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Has any thing been taken since I spoke with you on the subject?"
+
+"Not that I am aware of."
+
+"Has any one of the clerks attracted your attention by
+suspicious conduct?"
+
+"No, sir," answered Redwood, puzzled.
+
+"Humph!  Cast your eye over this letter."
+
+James Redwood took the letter, which was written in a fine hand,
+and read as follow:
+
+
+MR. GOODNOW:
+
+DEAR SIR,--I don't know whether you are aware that articles have
+been taken from your stock, say, ladies' cloaks and silk dress
+patterns, and disposed of outside.  I will not tell you how it
+has come to my knowledge, for I do not want to get any one's ill
+will, but I will say, to begin with, that they were taken by one
+of your employees, and the one, perhaps, that you would least
+suspect, for I am told that he is a favorite of yours.  I may as
+well say that it is Rodney Ropes.  I live near him, and last
+evening I saw him carry a bundle to his room when he went back
+from the store.  I think if you would send round today when
+he is out, you would find in his room one or more of the
+stolen articles.  I don't want to get him into trouble, but
+I don't like to see you robbed, and so I tell you what I know.
+                                                  A FRIEND.
+
+
+Mr. Redwood read this letter attentively, arching his brows,
+perhaps to indicate his surprise.  Then he read it again carefully.
+
+"What do you think of it?" asked the merchant.
+
+"I don't know," answered Redwood slowly.
+
+"Have you ever seen anything suspicious in the conduct of young Ropes?"
+
+"I can't say I have.  On the contrary, he seems to be a very
+diligent and industrious clerk."
+
+"But about his honesty."
+
+"I fancied him the soul of honesty."
+
+"So did I, but of course we are liable to be deceived.  It wouldn't
+be the first case where seeming honesty has been a cover
+for flagrant dishonesty."
+
+"What do you wish me to do, Mr. Goodnow?  Shall I send Ropes down
+to you?"
+
+"No; it would only give him a chance, if guilty, to cover up
+his dishonesty."
+
+"I am ready to follow your instructions."
+
+"Do you know where he lodges?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Then I will ask you to go around there, and by some means gain
+admission to his room.  If he has any of our goods secreted take
+possession of them and report to me."
+
+"Very well, sir."  Half an hour later Mrs. McCarty, Rodney's
+landlady, in response to a ring admitted Mr. James Redwood.
+
+"Does a young man named Ropes lodge here?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I come from the house where he is employed.  He has
+inadvertently left in his room a parcel belonging to us, and I
+should be glad if you would allow me to go up to his room and
+take it."
+
+"You see, sir," said Mrs. McCarty in a tone of hesitation,
+"while you look like a perfect gentleman, I don't know you, and
+I am not sure whether, in justice to Mr. Ropes, I ought to admit
+you to his room."
+
+"You are quite right my good lady; I am sure.  It is just what
+I should wish my own landlady to do.  I will therefore ask you
+to go up to the room with me to see that all is right."
+
+"That seems all right, sir.  In that case I don't object. 
+Follow me, if you please."
+
+As they entered Rodney's room Mr. Redwood looked about
+him inquisitively.  One article at once fixed his attention. 
+It was a parcel wrapped in brown paper lying on the bed.
+
+"This is the parcel, I think," he said.  "If you will allow me
+I will open it, to make sure."
+
+Mrs. McCarty looked undecided, but as she said nothing in
+opposition Mr. Redwood unfastened the strings and unrolled
+the bundle.  His eyes lighted up with satisfaction as he
+disclosed the contents--a lady's cloak.
+
+Mrs. McCarty looked surprised.
+
+"Why, it's a lady's cloak," she said, "and a very handsome one. 
+What would Mr. Ropes want of such a thing as that?"
+
+"Perhaps he intended to make you a present of it."
+
+"No, he can't afford to make such present."
+
+"The explanation is simple.  It belongs to the store. 
+Perhaps Mr. Ropes left it here inadvertently."
+
+"But he hasn't been here since morning."
+
+"He has a pass key to the front door?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Then he may have been here.  Would you object to my taking it?"
+
+"Yes, sir, you see I don't know you."
+
+"Your objection is a proper one.  Then I will trouble you to
+take a look at the cloak, so that you would know it again."
+
+"Certainly, sir.  I shall remember it!"
+
+"That is all, Mrs. ----?"
+
+"McCarty, sir."
+
+"Mrs. McCarty, I won't take up any more of your time," and Mr.
+Redwood started to go down stairs.
+
+"Who shall I tell Mr. Ropes called to see him."
+
+"You needn't say.  I will mention the matter to him myself. 
+I am employed in the same store."
+
+"All right sir.  Where is the store?  I never thought to ask
+Mr. Ropes."
+
+"Reade Street, near Broadway.  You know where Reade Street is?"
+
+"Yes, sir.  My husband used to work in Chambers Street.  That is
+the first street south."
+
+"Precisely.  Well, I can't stay longer, so I will leave,
+apologizing for having taken up so much of your time."
+
+"Oh, it's of no consequence, sir."
+
+"He is a perfect gentleman," she said to herself, as Mr. Redwood
+closed the front door, and went out on the street.  "I wonder
+whether he's a widower."
+
+Being a widow this was quite a natural thought for Mrs. McCarty
+to indulge in, particularly as Mr. Redwood looked to be a
+substantial man with a snug income.
+
+Mr. Redwood went back to the store, and went at once to the office.
+
+"Well, Redwood," said Mr. Goodnow, "did you learn anything?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Go on."
+
+"I went to the lodging of young Ropes, and was admitted to his room."
+
+"Well?"
+
+"And there, wrapped in a brown paper, I found one of our missing
+cloaks lying on his bed."
+
+"Is it possible?"
+
+"I am afraid he is not what we supposed him to be, Mr. Goodnow."
+
+"It looks like it.  I am surprised and sorry.  Do you think he
+took the other articles that are missing?"
+
+"Of course I can't say, sir, but it is fair to presume that he did."
+
+"I am exceedingly sorry.  I don't mind saying, Redwood, that I
+took an especial interest in that boy.  I have already told you
+the circumstances of my meeting him, and the fancy taken to him
+by my friend Mulgrave."
+
+"Yes, sir, I have heard you say that."
+
+"I don't think I am easily taken in, and that boy impressed me
+as thoroughly honest.  But of course I don't pretend to be
+infallible and it appears that I have been mistaken in him."
+
+The merchant looked troubled, for he had come to feel a sincere
+regard for Rodney.  He confessed to himself that he would rather
+have found any of the other clerks dishonest.
+
+"You may send Ropes to me," he said, "Mr. Redwood, and you will
+please come with him.  We will investigate this matter at once."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+CHARGED WITH THEFT.
+
+
+Rodney entered Mr. Goodnow's office without a suspicion of the
+serious accusation which had been made against him.  The first
+hint that there was anything wrong came to him when he saw the
+stern look in the merchants eyes.
+
+"Perhaps," said Mr. Goodnow, as he leaned back in his chair and
+fixed his gaze on the young clerk, "you may have an idea why I
+have sent for you."
+
+"No, sir," answered Rodney, looking puzzled.
+
+"You can't think of any reason I may have for wishing to see you?"
+
+"No, sir," and Rodney returned Mr. Goodnow's gaze with honest
+unfaltering eyes.
+
+"Possibly you are not aware that within a few weeks some
+articles have been missed from our stock."
+
+"I have not heard of it.  What kind of articles?"
+
+"The boy is more artful than I thought!" soliloquized the merchant.
+
+"All the articles missed," he proceeded, "have been from the
+room in charge of Mr. Redwood, the room in which you, among
+others, are employed."
+
+Something in Mr. Goodnow's tone gave Rodney the hint of the truth. 
+If he had been guilty he would have flushed and showed
+signs of confusion.  As it was, he only wished to learn the
+truth and he in turn became the questioner.
+
+"Is it supposed," he asked, "that any one in your employ is
+responsible for these thefts?"
+
+"It is."
+
+"Is any one in particular suspected?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Will you tell me who, that is if you think I ought to know?"
+
+"Certainly you ought to know, for it is you who are suspected."
+
+Then Rodney became indignant.
+
+"I can only deny the charge in the most emphatic terms," he said. 
+"If any one has brought such a charge against me, it is a lie."
+
+"You can say that to Mr. Redwood, for it is he who accuses you."
+
+"What does this mean, Mr. Redwood?" demanded Rodney quickly. 
+"What have you seen in me that leads you to accuse me of theft."
+
+"To tell the truth, Ropes, you are about the last clerk in my
+room whom I would have suspected.  But early this morning this
+letter was received," and he placed in Rodney's hands the letter
+given in a preceding chapter.
+
+Rodney read it through and handed it back scornfully.
+
+"I should like to see the person who wrote this letter,"
+he said.  "It is a base lie from beginning to end."
+
+"I thought it might be when Mr. Goodnow showed it to me," said
+Redwood in an even tone, "but Mr. Goodnow and I agreed that it
+would be well to investigate.  Therefore I went to your room."
+
+"When, sir?"
+
+"This morning."
+
+"Then it is all right, for I am sure you found nothing."
+
+"On the contrary, Ropes, I found that the statement made in the
+letter was true.  On your bed was a bundle containing one of the
+cloaks taken from our stock."
+
+Rodney's face was the picture of amazement.
+
+"Is this true?" he said.
+
+"It certainly is.  I hope you don't doubt my word."
+
+"Did you bring it back with you?"
+
+"No; your worthy landlady was not quite sure whether I was what
+I represented, and I left the parcel there.  However I opened it
+in her presence so that she can testify what I found."
+
+"This is very strange," said Rodney, looking at his accuser with
+puzzled eyes.  "I know nothing whatever of the cloak and can't
+imagine how it got into my room."
+
+"Perhaps it walked there," said Mr. Goodnow satirically.
+
+Rodney colored, for he understood that his employer did not
+believe him.
+
+"May I go to my room," he asked, "and bring back the bundle with me?"
+
+Observing that Mr. Goodnow hesitated he added, "You can send
+Some one with me to see that I don't spirit away the parcel,
+and come back with it."
+
+"On these conditions you may go.  Redwood, send some one with Ropes."
+
+Rodney followed the chief of his department back to the cloak
+room, and the latter, after a moments thought, summoned Jasper.
+
+"Jasper," he said, "Ropes is going to his room to get a parcel
+which belongs to the store.  You may go with him."
+
+There was a flash of satisfaction in Jasper's eyes as he
+answered with seeming indifference, "All right!  I will go. 
+I shall be glad to have a walk."
+
+As the two boys passed out of the store, Jasper asked,
+"What does it mean, Ropes?"
+
+"I don't know myself.  I only know that there is said to be a
+parcel containing a cloak in my room.  This cloak came from the
+store, and I am suspected of having stolen it."
+
+"Whew!  that's a serious matter.  Of course it is all a mistake?"
+
+"Yes, it is all a mistake."
+
+"But how could it get to your room unless you carried it there?"
+
+Rodney gave Jasper a sharp look.
+
+"Some one must have taken it there," he said.
+
+"How on earth did Uncle James find out?"
+
+"An anonymous letter was sent to Mr. Goodnow charging me
+with theft.  Did you hear that articles have been missed
+for some time from the stock?"
+
+"Never heard a word of it" said Jasper with ready falsehood.
+
+"It seems the articles are missing from our room, and some one
+in the room is suspected of being the thief."
+
+"Good gracious!  I hope no one will suspect me," said Jasper in
+pretended alarm.
+
+"It seems I am suspected.  I hope no other innocent person will
+have a like misfortune."
+
+Presently they reached Rodney's lodgings.  Mrs. McCarty was
+coming up the basement stairs as they entered.
+
+"La, Mr. Ropes!" she said, "what brings you here in the middle
+of the day?"
+
+"I hear there is a parcel in my room."
+
+"Yes; it contains such a lovely cloak.  The gentleman from your
+store who called a little while ago thought you might have meant
+it as a present for me."
+
+"I am afraid it will be some time before I can afford to make
+such present.  Do you know if any one called and left the cloak here?"
+
+"No; I didn't let in no one at the door."
+
+"Was the parcel there when you made the bed?"
+
+"Well, no, it wasn't.  That is curious."
+
+"It shows that the parcel has been left here since.  Now I
+certainly couldn't have left it, for I have been at work all
+the morning.  Come up stairs, Jasper."
+
+The two boys went up the stairs, and, entering Rodney's room,
+found the parcel, still on the bed.
+
+Rodney opened it and identified the cloak as exactly like those
+which they carried in stock.
+
+He examined the paper in which it was inclosed, but it seemed to
+differ from the wrapping paper used at the store.  He called
+Jasper's attention to this.
+
+"I have nothing to say," remarked Jasper, shrugging his shoulders. 
+"I don't understand the matter at all.  I suppose you are
+expected to carry the cloak back to the store."
+
+"Yes, that is the only thing to do."
+
+"I say, Ropes, it looks pretty bad for you."
+
+Jasper said this, but Rodney observed that his words were not
+accompanied by any expressions of sympathy, or any words that
+indicated his disbelief of Rodney's guilt.
+
+"Do you think I took this cloak from the store?" he demanded,
+facing round upon Jasper.
+
+"Really, I don't know.  It looks bad, finding it in your room."
+
+"I needn't ask any further.  I can see what you think."
+
+"You wouldn't have me tell a lie, would you, Ropes?  Of course
+such things have been done before, and your salary is small."
+
+"You insult me by your words," said Rodney, flaming up.
+
+"Then I had better not speak, but you asked me, you know."
+
+"Yes, I did.  Things may look against me, but I am
+absolutely innocent."
+
+"If you can make Mr. Goodnow think so," said Jasper with
+provoking coolness, "it will be all right.  Perhaps he will
+forgive you."
+
+"I don't want his forgiveness.  I want him to think me honest."
+
+"Well, I hope you are, I am sure, but it won't do any good our
+discussing it, and it doesn't make any difference what I think
+any way."
+
+By this time they had reached the store.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+RODNEY IS DISCHARGED.
+
+
+Rodney reported his return to Mr. Redwood, and in his company
+went down stairs to the office, with the package under his arm.
+
+"Well?" said Mr. Goodnow inquiringly.
+
+"This is the package, sir."
+
+"And it was found in your room?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I found it on my bed."
+
+"Can't you account for it being there?" asked the
+merchant searchingly.
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"You must admit that its presence in your room looks bad for you."
+
+"I admit it sir; but I had nothing to do with it being there."
+
+"Have you any theory to account for it?"
+
+"Only this, that some one must have carried it to my room and
+placed it where it was found."
+
+"Did you question your landlady as to whether she had admitted
+any one during the morning?"
+
+"Yes, sir.  She had not."
+
+"This is very unfavorable to you."
+
+"In what way, sir?"
+
+"It makes it probable that you carried in the parcel yourself."
+
+"That I deny," said Rodney boldly.
+
+"I expected you to deny it" said the merchant coldly.  "If this
+cloak were the only one that had been taken I would drop
+the matter.  But this is by no means the case.  Mr. Redwood,
+can you give any idea of the extent to which we have been robbed?"
+
+"So far as I can estimate we have lost a dozen cloaks and about
+half a dozen dress patterns."
+
+"This is a serious loss, Ropes," said Mr. Goodnow.  "I should
+think it would foot up several hundred dollars.  If you can
+throw any light upon the thefts, or give me information by which
+I can get back the goods even at considerable expense, I will be
+as considerate with you as I can."
+
+"Mr. Goodnow," returned Rodney hotly, "I know no more about the
+matter than you do.  I hope you will investigate, and if you can
+prove that I took any of the missing articles I want no consideration. 
+I shall expect you to have me arrested, and, if convicted, punished."
+
+"These are brave words, Ropes," said Mr. Goodnow coldly, "but
+they are only words.  The parcel found in your room affords
+strong ground for suspicion that you are responsible for at
+least a part of the thefts.  Under the circumstances there is
+only one thing for me to do, and that is to discharge you."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+"You may go to the cashier and he will pay you to the end of the
+week, but your connection with the store will end at once."
+
+"I don't care to be paid to the end of the week, sir.  If you
+will give me an order for payment up to tonight, that will
+be sufficient."
+
+"It shall be as you say."
+
+Mr. Goodnow wrote a few words on a slip of paper and handed it
+to Rodney.
+
+"I will leave my address, sir, and if I change it I will notify you. 
+If you should hear anything as to the real robber I will
+ask you as a favor to communicate with me."
+
+"Mr. Redwood, you have heard the request of Ropes, I will look
+to you to comply with it."
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+The merchant turned back to his letters, and Rodney left the
+office, with what feelings of sorrow and humiliation may be imagined.
+
+"I am sorry for this occurrence, Ropes," said Mr. Redwood, with
+a touch of sympathy in his voice.
+
+"Do you believe me guilty, Mr. Redwood?"
+
+"I cannot do otherwise.  I hope you are innocent, and, if so,
+that the really guilty party will be discovered sooner or later."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+When they entered the room in which Rodney had been employed
+Jasper came up, his face alive with curiosity.
+
+"Well," he said, "how did you come out?"
+
+"I am discharged," said Rodney bitterly.
+
+"Well, you couldn't complain of that.  Things looked pretty dark
+for you."
+
+"If I had committed the theft, I would not complain.  Indeed, I
+would submit to punishment without a murmur.  But it is hard to
+suffer while innocent."
+
+"Uncle James," said Jasper, "if Ropes is going will you ask Mr.
+Goodnow to put me in his place?"
+
+Even Mr. Redwood was disgusted by this untimely request.
+
+"It would be more becoming," he said sharply, "if you would
+wait till Ropes was fairly out of the store before applying
+for his position."
+
+"I want to be in time.  I don't want any one to get ahead of me."
+
+James Redwood did not deign a reply.
+
+"I am sorry you leave us under such circumstances, Ropes,"
+he said.  "The time may come when you will be able to establish
+your innocence, and in that case Mr. Goodnow will probably take
+you back again."
+
+Rodney did not answer, but with his order went to the cashier's
+desk and received the four dollars due him.  Then, with a heavy
+heart, he left the store where it had been such a satisfaction
+to him to work.
+
+On Broadway he met his room mate, Mike Flynn, in the uniform of
+a telegraph boy.
+
+"Where are you goin', Rodney?" asked Mike.  "You ain't let off
+so early, are you?"
+
+"I am let off for good and all, Mike."
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"I am discharged."
+
+"What for?" asked Mike in amazement.
+
+"I will tell you when you get home tonight."
+
+Rodney went back to his room, and lay down sad and despondent. 
+Some hours later Mike came in, and was told the story.  The warm
+hearted telegraph boy was very angry.
+
+"That boss of yours must be a stupid donkey," he said.
+
+"I don't know.  The parcel was found in my room."
+
+"Anybody'd know to look at you that you wouldn't steal."
+
+"Some thieves look very innocent.  The only way to clear me is
+to find out who left the bundle at the house."
+
+"Doesn't Mrs. McCarty know anything about it?"
+
+"No; I asked her."
+
+"Some one might have got into the house without her knowing
+anything about it.  The lock is a very common one.  There are
+plenty of keys that will open it."
+
+"If we could find some one that saw a person with a bundle go up
+the steps, that would give us a clew."
+
+"That's so.  We'll ask."
+
+But for several days no one could be found who had seen any
+such person.
+
+Meanwhile Rodney was at a loss what to do.  He was cut off from
+applying for another place, for no one would engage him if he
+were refused a recommendation from his late employer.  Yet he
+must obtain some employment for he could not live on nothing.
+
+"Do you think, Mike," he asked doubtfully, "that I could make
+anything selling papers?"
+
+"Such business isn't for you," answered the telegraph boy.
+
+"But it is one of the few things open to me.  I can become a
+newsboy without recommendations.  Even your business would be
+closed to me if it were known that I was suspected of theft."
+
+"Thats so," said Mike, scratching his head in perplexity.
+
+"Then would you recommend my becoming a newsboy?"
+
+"I don't know.  You couldn't make more'n fifty or sixty cent a day."
+
+"That will be better than nothing."
+
+"And I can pay the rent, or most of it, as I'll be doin' better
+than you."
+
+"We will wait and see how much I make."
+
+So Rodney swallowed his pride, and procuring a supply of
+afternoon papers set about selling them.  He knew that it was an
+honest business, and there was no disgrace in following it.
+
+But one day he was subjected to keen mortification. 
+Jasper Redwood and a friend--it was Philip Carton, his
+confederate--were walking along Broadway, and their glances
+fell on Rodney.
+
+"I say, Jasper," said the elder of the two, "isn't that the boy
+who was in the same store with you?"
+
+Jasper looked, and his eyes lighted up with malicious satisfaction.
+
+"Oho!" he said.  "Well, this is rich!"
+
+"Give me a paper, boy," he said, pretending not to recognize
+Rodney at first.  "Why, it's Ropes."
+
+"Yes," answered Rodney, his cheek flushing.  "You see what I am
+reduced to.  What paper will you buy?"
+
+"The Mail and Express."
+
+"Here it is."
+
+"Can't you get another place?" asked Jasper curiously.
+
+"I might if I could get a recommendation, but probably Mr.
+Goodnow wouldn't give me one."
+
+"No, I guess not."
+
+"So I must take what I can get."
+
+"Do you make much selling papers?"
+
+"Very little."
+
+"You can't make as much as you did in the store?"
+
+"Not much more than half as much."
+
+"Do you live in the same place?"
+
+"Yes, for the present."
+
+"Oh, by the way, Ropes, I've got your old place," said Jasper
+in exultation.
+
+"I thought you would get it," answered Rodney, not without a pang.
+
+"Come into the store some day, Ropes.  It will seem like old times."
+
+"I shall not enter the store till I am able to clear myself of
+the charge made against me."
+
+"Then probably you will stay away a long time."
+
+"I am afraid so."
+
+"Well, ta, ta!  Come along, Philip."
+
+As Rodney followed with his eye the figure of his complacent
+successor he felt that his fate was indeed a hard one.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+A RICH FIND.
+
+
+As Jasper and his companion moved away, Carton said, "I'm sorry
+for that poor duffer, Jasper."
+
+"Why should you be sorry?" asked Jasper, frowning.
+
+"Because he has lost a good place and good prospects, and all for
+no fault of his own."
+
+"You are getting sentimental, Philip," sneered Jasper.
+
+"No, but I am showing a little humanity.  He has lost all this
+through you----"
+
+"Through us, you mean."
+
+"Well, through us.  We have made him the scapegoat for our sins."
+
+"Oh well, he is making a living."
+
+"A pretty poor one.  I don't think you would like to be reduced
+to selling papers."
+
+"His case and mine are different."
+
+"I begin to think also that we have made a mistake in getting
+him discharged so soon."
+
+"We can't take anything more."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Because there will be no one to lay the blame upon.  He is out
+of the store."
+
+"That is true.  I didn't think of that.  But I invited him to
+come around and call.  If he should, and something else should
+be missing it would be laid to him."
+
+"I don't believe he will call.  I am terribly hard up, and our
+source of income has failed us.  Haven't you got a dollar or two
+to spare?"
+
+"No," answered Jasper coldly.  "I only get seven dollars a week."
+
+"But you have nearly all that.  You only have to hand in two
+dollars a week to your uncle."
+
+"Look here, Philip Carton, I hope you don't expect to live
+off me.  I have all I can do to take care of myself."
+
+Carton looked at Jasper in anger and mortification.
+
+"I begin to understand how good a friend you are," he said.
+
+"I am not fool enough to pinch myself to keep you," said
+Jasper bluntly.  "You are a man of twenty five and I am
+only a boy.  You ought to be able to take care of yourself."
+
+"Just give me a dollar, or lend it Jasper, and I will risk it
+at play.  I may rise from the table with a hundred.  If I do
+I will pay you handsomely for the loan."
+
+"I couldn't do it, Mr. Carton.  I have only two dollars in my
+pocket, and I have none to spare."
+
+"Humph!  what is that?"
+
+Philip Carton's eyes were fixed upon the sidewalk.  There was a
+flimsy piece of paper fluttering about impelled by the wind. 
+He stooped and picked it up.
+
+"It is a five dollar bill," he exclaimed in exultation. 
+"My luck has come back."
+
+Jasper changed his tone at once.  Now Philip was the better off
+of the two.
+
+"That is luck!" he said.  "Shall we go into Delmonico's, and
+have an ice?"
+
+"If it is at your expense, yes."
+
+"That wouldn't be fair.  You have more money than I."
+
+"Yes, and I mean to keep it myself.  You have set me the example."
+
+"Come, Philip, you are not angry at my refusing you a loan?"
+
+"No; I think you were sensible.  I shall follow your example.
+
+I will bid you good night.  I seem to be in luck, and will try
+my fortune at the gaming table."
+
+"I will go with you."
+
+"No; I would prefer to go alone."
+
+"That fellow is unreasonable," muttered Jasper, as he strode off,
+discontented.  "Did he expect I would divide my salary with him?"
+
+Philip Carton, after he parted company with Jasper, walked back
+to where Rodney was still selling papers.
+
+"Give me a paper," he said.
+
+"Which will you have?"
+
+"I am not particular.  Give me the first that comes handy. 
+Ah, the Evening Sun will do."
+
+He took the paper and put a quarter into Rodney's hand.
+
+As he was walking away Rodney called out, "Stop, here's
+your change,"
+
+"Never mind," said Philip with a wave of the hand.
+
+"Thank you," said Rodney gratefully, for twenty five cents was
+no trifle to him at this time.
+
+"That ought to bring me luck," soliloquized Philip Carton as he
+walked on.  "It isn't often I do a good deed.  It was all the
+money I had besides the five dollar bill, and I am sure the news
+boy will make better use of it than I would."
+
+"That was the young man that was walking with Jasper,"
+reflected Rodney.  "Well, he is certainly a better fellow
+than he.  Thanks to this quarter, I shall have made eighty
+cents today, and still have half a dozen papers. 
+That is encouraging."
+
+Several days passed that could not be considered lucky. 
+Rodney's average profits were only about fifty cent a day,
+and that was barely sufficient to buy his meals.  It left him
+nothing to put towards paying room rent.
+
+He began to consider whether he would not be compelled to pawn
+some article from his wardrobe, for he was well supplied with
+clothing, when he had a stroke of luck.
+
+On Fifteenth Street, by the side of Tiffany's great jewelry
+store, he picked up a square box neatly done up in thin paper. 
+Opening it, he was dazzled by the gleam of diamonds.
+
+The contents were a diamond necklace and pin, which, even to
+Rodney's inexperienced eyes, seemed to be of great value.
+
+"Some one must have dropped them in coming from the jewelry
+store," he reflected.  "Who can it be?"
+
+He had not far to seek.  There was a card inside on which
+was engraved:
+
+
+                         MRS. ELIZA HARVEY,
+
+
+with an address on Fifth Avenue.
+
+Passing through to Fifth Avenue Rodney began to scan the numbers
+on the nearest houses.  He judged that Mrs. Harvey must live
+considerably farther up the Avenue, in the direction of Central Park.
+
+"I will go there at once," Rodney decided.  "No doubt Mrs.
+Harvey is very much distressed by her loss.  I shall carry her
+good news."
+
+The house he found to be between Fortieth and Fiftieth Street. 
+Ascending the steps he rang the bell.  The door was opened by a
+man servant.
+
+"Does Mrs. Harvey live here?" asked Rodney.
+
+"What do you want with her, young man?" demanded the servant in
+a tone of importance.
+
+"That I will tell her."
+
+"What's your name?"
+
+"I can give you my name, but she won't recognize it."
+
+"Then you don't know her."
+
+"No."
+
+"If it's money you want, she don't give to beggars."
+
+"You are impudent" said Rodney hotly.  "If you don't give my
+message you will get into trouble."
+
+The servant opened his eyes.  He seemed somewhat impressed by
+Rodney's confident tone.
+
+"Mrs. Harvey doesn't live here," he said.
+
+"Is she in the house?"
+
+"Well, yes, she's visiting here."
+
+"Then why do you waste your time?" said Rodney impatiently. 
+He forgot for the time that he was no longer being educated at an
+expensive boarding school, and spoke in the tone he would have
+used before his circumstances had changed.
+
+"I'll go and ask if she'll see you," said the flunky unwillingly.
+
+Five minutes later a pleasant looking woman of middle age
+descended the staircase.
+
+"Are you the boy that wished to see me?" she asked.
+
+"Yes, if you are Mrs. Harvey."
+
+"I am.  But come in!  Thomas, why didn't you invite this young
+gentleman into the parlor?"
+
+Thomas opened his eyes wide.  So the boy whom he had treated so
+cavalierly was a young gentleman.
+
+He privately put down Mrs. Harvey in his own mind as eccentric.
+
+"Excuse me, ma'am," he said.  "I didn't know as he was parlor company."
+
+"Well, he is," said Mrs. Harvey with a cordial smile that won
+Rodney's heart.
+
+"Follow me!" said the lady.
+
+Rodney followed her into a handsome apartment and at a signal
+seated himself on a sofa.
+
+"Now," she said, "I am ready to listen to your message."
+
+"Have you lost anything?" asked Rodney abruptly.
+
+"Oh, have you found it?" exclaimed Mrs. Harvey, clasping her hands.
+
+"That depends on what you have lost," answered Rodney, who felt
+that it was necessary to be cautious.
+
+"Certainly, you are quite right.  I have lost a box containing
+jewelry bought this morning at Tiffany's."
+
+"What were the articles?"
+
+"A diamond necklace and pin.  They are intended as a present
+for my daughter who is to be married.  Tell me quick have you
+found them?"
+
+"Is this the box?" asked Rodney.
+
+"Oh yes, yes!  How delightful to recover it.  I thought I should
+never see it again.  Where did you find it?"
+
+"On Fifteenth Street beside Tiffany's store."
+
+"And you brought it directly to me?"
+
+"Yes, madam."
+
+"Have you any idea of the value of the articles?"
+
+"Perhaps they may be worth five hundred dollars."
+
+"They are worth over a thousand.  Are you poor?"
+
+"Yes, madam.  I am trying to make a living by selling papers,
+but find it hard work."
+
+"But you don't look like a newsboy."
+
+"Till a short time since I thought myself moderately rich."
+
+"That is strange.  Tell me your story."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+A SURPRISING TURN OF FORTUNE.
+
+
+Rodney told his story frankly.  Mrs. Harvey was very sympathetic
+by nature, and she listened with the deepest interest, and
+latterly with indignation when Rodney spoke of his dismissal
+from Mr. Goodnow's store.
+
+"You have been treated shamefully," she said warmly.
+
+"I think Mr. Goodnow really believes me guilty," rejoined Rodney.
+
+"A dishonest boy would hardly have returned a valuable box of jewelry."
+
+"Still Mr. Goodnow didn't know that I would do it."
+
+"I see you are disposed to apologize for your late employer."
+
+"I do not forget that he treated me kindly till this last occurrence."
+
+"Your consideration does you credit.  So you have really been
+reduced to earn your living as a newsboy?"
+
+"Yes, madam."
+
+"I must think what I can do for you.  I might give you money,
+but when that was gone you would be no better off."
+
+"I would much rather have help in getting a place."
+
+Mrs. Harvey leaned her head on her hand and looked thoughtful.
+
+"You are right" she said.  "Let me think."
+
+Rodney waited, hoping that the lady would be able to think of
+something to his advantage.
+
+Finally she spoke.
+
+"I think you said you understood Latin and Greek?"
+
+"I have studied both languages and French also.  I should have
+been ready to enter college next summer."
+
+"Then perhaps I shall be able to do something for you.  I live
+in Philadelphia, but I have a brother living in West Fifty
+Eighth Street.  He has one little boy, Arthur, now nine years
+of age.  Arthur is quite precocious, but his health is delicate,
+and my brother has thought of getting a private instructor for him. 
+Do you like young children?"
+
+"Very much.  I always wished that I had a little brother."
+
+"Then I think you would suit my brother better as a tutor for
+Arthur than a young man.  Being a boy yourself, you would be not
+only tutor but companion."
+
+"I should like such a position very much."
+
+"Then wait here a moment, and I will write you a letter of introduction."
+
+She went up stairs, but soon returned.
+
+She put a small perfumed billet into Rodney's hands.  It was
+directed to John Sargent with an address on West Fifty Eighth Street.
+
+"Call this evening," she said, "about half past seven o'clock. 
+My brother will be through dinner, and will not have gone out at
+that hour."
+
+"Thank you," said Rodney gratefully.
+
+"Here is another envelope which you can open at your leisure. 
+I cannot part from you without thanking you once more for
+returning my jewelry."
+
+"You have thanked me in a very practical way, Mrs. Harvey."
+
+"I hope my letter may lead to pleasant results for you.  If you
+ever come to Philadelphia call upon me at No. 1492 Walnut Street."
+
+"Thank you."
+
+As Rodney left the house he felt that his ill fortune had
+turned, and that a new prospect was opened up before him. 
+He stepped into the Windsor Hotel, and opened the envelope last
+given him.  It contained five five dollar bills.
+
+To one of them was pinned a scrap of paper containing these
+words:  "I hope this money will be useful to you.  It is less
+than the reward I should have offered for the recovery of
+the jewels."
+
+Under the circumstances Rodney felt that he need not scruple to
+use the money.  He knew that he had rendered Mrs. Harvey a great
+service, and that she could well afford to pay him the sum which
+the envelopes contained.
+
+He began to be sensible that he was hungry, not having eaten for
+some time.  He went into a restaurant on Sixth Avenue, and
+ordered a sirloin steak.  It was some time since he had indulged
+in anything beyond a common steak, and he greatly enjoyed the
+more luxurious meal.  He didn't go back to selling papers, for
+he felt that it would hardly be consistent with the position of
+a classical teacher--the post for which he was about to apply.
+
+Half past seven found him at the door of Mr. John Sargent. 
+The house was of brown stone, high stoop, and four stories
+in height.  It was such a house as only a rich man could occupy.
+
+He was ushered into the parlor and presently Mr. Sargent came in
+from the dining room.
+
+"Are you Mr. Ropes?" he asked, looking at Rodney's card.
+
+It is not usual for newsboys to carry cards, but Rodney had some
+left over from his more prosperous days.
+
+"Yes, sir.  I bring you a note of introduction from Mrs. Harvey."
+
+"Ah yes, my sister.  Let me see it."
+
+The note was of some length.  That is, it covered three pages of
+note paper.  Mr. Sargent read it attentively.
+
+"My sister recommends you as tutor for my little son, Arthur,"
+he said, as he folded up the letter.
+
+"Yes, sir; she suggested that I might perhaps suit you in that capacity."
+
+"She also says that you found and restored to her a valuable box
+of jewelry which she was careless enough to drop near Tiffany's."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"I have a good deal of confidence in my sister's good judgment. 
+She evidently regards you very favorably."
+
+"I am glad of that sir,"
+
+"Will you tell me something of your qualifications?  Arthur is
+about to commence Latin.  He is not old enough for Greek."
+
+"I could teach either, sir."
+
+"And of course you are well up in English branches?"
+
+"I think I am."
+
+"My sister hints that you are poor, and obliged to earn your
+own living.  How, then, have you been able to secure so good
+an education?"
+
+"I have only been poor for a short time.  My father left me
+fifty thousand dollars, but it was lost by my guardian."
+
+"Who was your guardian?"
+
+"Mr. Benjamin Fielding."
+
+"I knew him well.  I don't think he was an unprincipled man, but
+he was certainly imprudent, and was led into acts that were
+reprehensible.  Did he lose all your money for you?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"What did you do?"
+
+"Left the boarding school where I was being educated, and came
+to this city."
+
+"Did you obtain any employment?"
+
+"Yes, sir; I have been employed for a short time by Otis
+Goodnow, a merchant of Reade Street."
+
+"And why did you leave?"
+
+"Because Mr. Goodnow missed some articles from his stock, and I
+was charged with taking them."
+
+Rodney was fearful of the effect of his frank confession upon
+Mr. Sargent, but the latter soon reassured him.
+
+"Your honesty in restoring my sister's jewelry is sufficient
+proof that the charge was unfounded.  I shall not let it
+influence me."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+"Now as to the position of teacher, though very young, I don't
+see why you should not fill it satisfactorily.  I will call Arthur."
+
+He went to the door and called "Arthur."
+
+A delicate looking boy with a sweet, intelligent face, came
+running into the room.
+
+"Do you want me, papa?"
+
+"Yes, Arthur.  I have a new friend for you.  Will you shake
+hands with him?"
+
+Arthur, who was not a shy boy, went up at once to Rodney and
+offered his hand.
+
+"I am glad to see you," he said.
+
+Rodney smiled.  He was quite taken with the young boy.
+
+"What's your name?" the latter asked.
+
+"Rodney Ropes."
+
+"Are you going to stay and make us a visit?"
+
+Mr. Sargent answered this question.
+
+"Would you like to have Rodney stay?" he asked.
+
+"Oh yes."
+
+"How would you like to have him give you lessons in Latin and
+other studies?"
+
+"I should like it.  I am sure he wouldn't be cross.  Are you a
+teacher, Rodney?"
+
+"I will be your teacher if you are willing to have me."
+
+"Yes, I should like it.  And will you go to walk with me in
+Central Park?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then, papa, you may as well engage him.  I was afraid you would
+get a tiresome old man for my teacher."
+
+"That settles it, Rodney," said Mr. Sargent, smiling. 
+"Now, Arthur, run out and I will speak further with Rodney
+about you."
+
+"All right, papa."
+
+"As Arthur seems to like you, I will give you a trial.  As he
+suggested, I should like to have you become his companion as
+well as teacher.  You will come here at nine o'clock in the
+morning, and stay till four, taking lunch with your pupil. 
+About the compensation, will you tell me what will be
+satisfactory to you?"
+
+"I prefer to leave that to you, sir."
+
+"Then we will say fifteen dollars a week--today is Thursday. 
+Will you present yourself here next Monday morning?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"If you would like an advance of salary, you need only say so."
+
+"Thank you, sir, but I am fairly provided with money for the present."
+
+"Then nothing more need be said.  As I am to meet a gentleman at
+the Union League Club tonight, I will bid you good evening, and
+expect to see you on Monday."
+
+Rodney rose and Mr. Sargent accompanied him to the door, shaking
+hands with him courteously by way of farewell.
+
+Rodney emerged into the street in a state of joyous excitement. 
+Twenty five dollars in his pocket, and fifteen dollars a week! 
+He could hardly credit his good fortune.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+JASPER'S PERPLEXITY.
+
+
+Mike Flynn was overjoyed to hear of Rodney's good fortune.
+
+"Fifteen dollars a week!" he repeated.  "Why you will be rich."
+
+"Not exactly that, Mike, but it will make me comfortable. 
+By the way, as I have so much more than you, it will only
+be fair for me to pay the whole rent."
+
+"No, Rodney, you mustn't do that."
+
+"I shall insist upon it, Mike.  You would do the same in my place."
+
+"Yes I would."
+
+"So you can't object to my doing it."
+
+"You are very kind to me, Rodney," said Mike, who had the warm
+heart of his race.  "It isn't every boy brought up like you who
+would be willing to room with a bootblack."
+
+"But you are not a bootblack now.  You are a telegraph boy."
+
+"There are plenty that mind me when I blacked boots down in front
+of the Astor House."
+
+"You are just as good a boy for all that.  How much did you make
+last week?"
+
+"Four dollars salary, and a dollar and a half in extra tips."
+
+"Hereafter you must save your rent money for clothes.  We must
+have you looking respectable."
+
+"Won't you adopt me, Rodney?" asked Mike with a laughing face.
+
+"That's a good idea.  Perhaps I will.  In that case you must
+obey all my orders.  In the first place, what are you most in
+want in the way of clothing?"
+
+"I haven't got but two shirts."
+
+"That is hardly enough for a gentleman of your social position. 
+Anything else."
+
+"I'm short on collars and socks."
+
+"Then we'll go out shopping.  I'll buy you a supply of each."
+
+"But you haven't begun to work yet."
+
+"No, but Mrs. Harvey made me a present of twenty five dollars. 
+We'll go to some of the big stores on Sixth Avenue where we can
+get furnishing goods cheap."
+
+Rodney carried out his purpose, and at the cost of four dollars
+supplied his room mate with all he needed for the present.
+
+"See what it is to be rich, Mike," he said.  "It seems odd for
+me to be buying clothes for my adopted son."
+
+"You're in luck, Rodney, and so am I.  I hope some time I can do
+you a favor."
+
+"Perhaps you can, Mike.  If I should get sick, you might take my
+place as tutor."
+
+"You must know an awful lot, Rodney," said Mike, regarding his
+companion with new respect.
+
+"Thank you for the compliment, Mike.  I hope Mr. Sargent will
+have the same opinion."
+
+The next day it is needless to say that Rodney did not resume
+the business of newsboy.  He was very glad to give it up. 
+He dressed with unusual care and took a walk down town.
+
+As he passed Reade Street by chance Jasper was coming around
+the corner.  His face lighted up first with pleasure at seeing
+Rodney, for it gratified his mean nature to triumph over the
+boy whom he had ousted from his position, and next with
+surprise at his unusually neat and well dressed appearance. 
+Rodney looked far from needing help.  He might readily have been
+taken for a boy of aristocratic lineage.
+
+"Hallo!" said Jasper, surveying Rodney curiously.
+
+"How are you this morning, Jasper?" returned Rodney quietly.
+
+"Why ain't you selling papers?"
+
+"I don't like the business."
+
+"But you've got to make a living."
+
+"Quite true."
+
+"Are you going to black boots?"
+
+"Why should I?  Is it a desirable business?"
+
+"How should I know?" asked Jasper, coloring.
+
+"I didn't know but you might have had some experience at it. 
+I haven't."
+
+"Do you mean to insult me?" demanded Jasper hotly.
+
+"I never insult anybody.  I will only say that you are as likely
+to take up the business as I."
+
+"I've got a place."
+
+"How do you know but I have?"
+
+"Because you were selling papers yesterday and are walking the
+street today."
+
+"That is true.  But I have a place engaged for all that. 
+I shall go to work on Monday."
+
+Jasper pricked up his ears.
+
+"Where is it?" he asked.
+
+"I don't care to tell at present."
+
+"Is it true?  Have you got a place?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I don't see how you could.  Mr. Goodnow wouldn't give you
+a recommendation."
+
+"There is no reason why he should not."
+
+"What, after your taking cloaks and dress patterns from the store?"
+
+"I did nothing of the kind.  Sooner or later Mr. Goodnow will find
+out his mistake.  Probably the real thief is still in his employ."
+
+Jasper turned pale and regarded Rodney searchingly, but there was
+nothing in his manner or expression to indicate that his remark
+had been personal.  He thought it best to turn the conversation.
+
+"How much pay do you get--four dollars?"
+
+"More than that."
+
+"You don't get as much as you did at our store?"
+
+"Yes; I get more."
+
+Now it was Jasper's turn to show surprise.  He did not know
+whether to believe Rodney or not, but there was something in his
+face which commanded belief.
+
+"How much do you get?" he asked.
+
+"You would not believe me if I told you."
+
+"Try me," returned Jasper, whose curiosity was aroused.
+
+"I am to get fifteen dollars a week."
+
+Jasper would not have looked more surprised if Rodney had
+informed him that he was to become a Cabinet minister.
+
+"You're joking!" he ejaculated.
+
+"Not at all."
+
+"How could you have the face to ask such a price.  Did you pass
+yourself off as an experienced salesman?"
+
+"No."
+
+"I don't understand it at all, that is, if you are telling
+the truth."
+
+"I have told you the truth, Jasper.  I have no object in
+deceiving you.  The salary was fixed by my employer."
+
+"Who did you say it was?"
+
+"I didn't say."
+
+Jasper's cunning scheme was defeated.  He felt disturbed to hear
+of Rodney's good fortune, but he had a shot in reserve.
+
+"I don't think you will keep your place long," he said in a
+malicious tone.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Your employer will hear under what circumstances you left our
+store, and then of course he will discharge you."
+
+"You will be sorry for that won't you?" asked Rodney pointedly.
+
+"Why of course I don't want you to have bad luck."
+
+"Thank you.  You are very considerate."
+
+"Suppose you lose your place, shall you go back to selling papers?"
+
+"I hope to find something better to do."
+
+"Where are you going now?"
+
+"To get some lunch."
+
+"So am I.  Suppose we go together."
+
+"Very well, providing you will lunch with me."
+
+"I don't want to impose upon you."
+
+"You won't.  We may not meet again for some time, and we shall
+have this meal to remind us of each other."
+
+They went to a well known restaurant on Park Row.  Rodney ordered
+a liberal dinner for himself, and Jasper followed his example
+nothing loath.  He was always ready to dine at the expense of
+others, but even as he ate he could not help wondering at the
+strange chance that had made him the guest of a boy who was
+selling papers the day before.
+
+He had nearly finished eating when a disturbing thought occurred
+to him.  Suppose Rodney didn't have money enough to settle the
+bill, and threw it upon him.
+
+When Rodney took the checks and walked up to the cashier's desk
+he followed him with some anxiety.  But his companion quietly
+took out a five dollar bill, from his pocket and tendered it to
+the cashier.  The latter gave him back the right change and the
+two boys went out into the street.
+
+"You seem to have plenty of money," said Jasper.
+
+"There are very few who would admit having that," smiled Rodney.
+
+"I don't see why you sold papers if you have five dollar bills
+in your pocket."
+
+"I don't want to be idle."
+
+"May I tell my uncle and Mr. Goodnow that you have got a place?"
+
+"If you like."
+
+"Well, good by, I must be hurrying back to the store."
+
+Rodney smiled.  He rather enjoyed Jasper's surprise and perplexity.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+RODNEY'S SECRET IS DISCOVERED.
+
+
+Jasper lost no time in acquainting his uncle with Rodney's
+extraordinary good fortune.  James Redwood was surprised, but
+not all together incredulous.
+
+"I don't understand it" he said, "but Ropes appears to be a boy
+of truth.  Perhaps he may have exaggerated the amount of his salary."
+
+"I hardly think so, uncle.  He gave me a tip top dinner down on
+Park Row."
+
+"He may have been in funds from selling the articles taken from
+the store."
+
+"That's so!" assented Jasper, who had the best possible reason
+for knowing that it was not so.
+
+"I wish the boy well," said his uncle.  "He always treated me
+respectfully, and I never had anything against him except the
+loss of stock, and it is not certain that he is the thief."
+
+"I guess there isn't any doubt about that."
+
+"Yet, believing him to be a thief, you did not hesitate to
+accept a dinner from him."
+
+"I didn't want to hurt his feelings," replied Jasper,
+rather sheepishly.
+
+"Do you know what sort of a place he has got, or with what house?"
+
+"No; he wouldn't tell me."
+
+"He thought perhaps you would inform the new firm of the
+circumstances under which he left us.  I don't blame him,
+but I am surprised that he should have been engaged without
+a recommendation."
+
+"Shall you tell Mr. Goodnow?"
+
+"Not unless he asks about Ropes.  I don't want to interfere with
+the boy in any way."
+
+In the store, as has already been stated, Jasper succeeded to
+Rodney's place, and in consequence his pay was raised to seven
+dollars a week.  Still it was not equal to what it had been when
+he was receiving additional money from the sale of the articles
+stolen by Philip Carton and himself.
+
+The way in which they had operated was this:  Philip would come
+in and buy a cloak or a dress pattern from Jasper, and the young
+salesman would pack up two or three instead of one.  There was
+a drawback to the profit in those cases, as Carton would be
+obliged to sell both at a reduced price.  Still they had made a
+considerable sum from these transactions, though not nearly as
+much as Mr. Goodnow had lost.
+
+After the discovery of the theft and the discharge of Rodney,
+the two confederates felt that it would be imprudent to do any
+more in that line.  This suspension entailed heavier loss on
+Carton than on Jasper.  The latter had a fixed income and a home
+at his uncle's house, while Philip had no regular income, though
+he occasionally secured a little temporary employment.
+
+In the meantime Rodney had commenced his tutorship.  His young
+pupil became very fond of him, and being a studious boy, made
+rapid progress in his lessons.
+
+Mr. Sargent felt that his experiment, rash as it might be
+considered, vindicated his wisdom by its success.  At the end of
+a month he voluntarily raised Rodney's salary to twenty dollars
+a week.
+
+"I am afraid you are overpaying me, Mr. Sargent," said Rodney.
+
+"That's my lookout.  Good service is worth a good salary, and I
+am perfectly satisfied with you."
+
+"Thank you, sir.  I prize that even more than the higher salary."
+
+Only a portion of Rodney's time was spent in teaching.  In the
+afternoon he and his charge went on little excursions, generally
+to Central Park.
+
+One holiday, about four months after the commencement of
+Rodney's engagement, he was walking in the Park when he fell in
+with Jasper.  Jasper's attention was at once drawn to the little
+boy, whose dress and general appearance indicated that he
+belonged to a wealthy family.  This excited Jasper's curiosity.
+
+"How are you, Rodney?" said Jasper adroitly.  "It is a good
+while since I met you."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Who is the little boy with you?"
+
+"His name is Arthur Sargent."
+
+Rodney gave this information unwillingly, for he saw that his
+secret was likely to be discovered.
+
+"How do you do, Arthur?" asked Jasper, with unwonted affability,
+for he did not care for children.
+
+"Pretty well," answered Arthur politely.
+
+"Have you known Rodney long?"
+
+"Why, he is my teacher," answered Arthur in some surprise.
+
+Jasper's eyes gleamed with sudden intelligence.  So this was
+Rodney's secret, and this was the position for which he was so
+well paid.
+
+Rodney bit his lip in vexation, but made no remark.
+
+"Does he ever punish you for not getting your lessons?" asked
+Jasper without much tact.
+
+"Of course not" answered Arthur indignantly.
+
+"Arthur always does get his lessons," said Rodney.  "I suppose
+you have a holiday from work today, Jasper."
+
+"Yes; I am glad to get away now and then."
+
+"I must bid you good morning now."
+
+"Won't you let me call on you?  Where do you live, Arthur?"
+
+The boy gave the number of his house.
+
+Jasper asked Arthur, thinking rightly that he would be more
+likely to get an answer from him than from Rodney.  He walked
+away triumphantly, feeling that he had made a discovery that
+might prove of advantage to him.
+
+"Is that a friend of yours, Rodney?" asked little Arthur.
+
+"I have known him for some time."
+
+"I don't like him very much."
+
+"Why?" asked Rodney with some curiosity.
+
+"I don't know," answered the little boy slowly.  "I can't
+like everybody."
+
+"Quite true, Arthur.  Jasper is not a special friend of mine,
+and I am not particular about your liking him.  I hope you like me."
+
+"You know I do, Rodney," and he gave Rodney's hand an assuring pressure.
+
+Ten minutes after he left Rodney, Jasper fell in with Carton. 
+The intimacy between them had perceptibly fallen off.  It had
+grown out of business considerations.
+
+Now that it was no longer safe to abstract articles from
+the store, Jasper felt that he had no more use for his
+late confederate.  When they met he treated him with
+marked coldness.
+
+On this particular day Carton was looking quite shabby.  In fact,
+his best suit was in pawn, and he had fallen back on one
+half worn and soiled.
+
+"Hello!" exclaimed Jasper, and was about to pass on with a cool nod.
+
+"Stop!" said Philip, looking offended.
+
+"I am in a hurry," returned Jasper.  "I can't stop today."
+
+"You are in a hurry, and on a holiday?"
+
+"Yes; I am to meet a friend near the lake."
+
+"I'll go along with you."
+
+Jasper had to submit though with an ill grace.
+
+"Wouldn't another day do?"
+
+"No; the fact is, Jasper, I am in trouble,"
+
+"You usually are," sneered Jasper.
+
+"That is so.  I have been out of luck lately."
+
+"I am sorry, but I can't help it as I see."
+
+"How much money do you think I have in my pocket?"
+
+"I don't know, I am sure.  I am not good at guessing conundrums."
+
+"Just ten cents."
+
+"That isn't much," said Jasper, indifferently.
+
+"Let me have a dollar, thats a good fellow!"
+
+"You seem to think I am made of money," said Jasper sharply. 
+"I haven't got much more myself."
+
+"Then you might have.  You get a good salary."
+
+"Only seven dollars."
+
+"You are able to keep most of it for yourself."
+
+"Suppose I am?  You seem to know a good deal of my affairs."
+
+"Haven't you any pity for an old friend?"
+
+"Yes, I'll give you all the pity you want, but when it comes to
+money it's a different matter.  Here you are, a man of twenty
+six, ten years older than me, and yet you expect me to help
+support you."
+
+"You didn't use to talk to me like that."
+
+"Well, I do now.  You didn't use to try to get money out of me."
+
+"Look here, Jasper!  I am poor, but I don't want you to talk to
+me as you are doing."
+
+"Indeed!" sneered Jasper.
+
+"And I won't have it," said Carton firmly.  "Listen to me, and
+I will propose a plan that will help us both."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"You can easily secrete articles, if you are cautious, without
+attracting notice, and I will dispose of them and share the
+money with you."
+
+Jasper shook his head.
+
+"I wouldn't dare to do it" he said.  "Somebody might spy on me."
+
+"Not if you are careful."
+
+"If it were found out I would be bounced like Ropes."
+
+"What is he doing?  Have you seen him lately?"
+
+"He is getting on finely.  He is earning fifteen dollars a week."
+
+"You don't mean it?"
+
+"Yes I do."
+
+"What firm is he working for?"
+
+"For none at all.  He is tutor to a young kid."
+
+"I didn't know he was scholar enough."
+
+"Oh yes, he knows Greek and Latin and a lot of other stuff."
+
+"Who is the boy?"
+
+"I don't feel at liberty to tell.  I don't think he would care
+to have you know."
+
+"I'll tell you what you can do.  Borrow five dollars of him for me."
+
+"I don't know about that.  If I were to borrow it would be for myself."
+
+"You can do as you please.  If you don't do something for me I
+will write to Mr. Goodnow that you are the thief who stole the
+cloaks and dress patterns."
+
+"You wouldn't do that?" exclaimed Jasper in consternation.
+
+"Wouldn't I?  I am desperate enough to do anything."
+
+After a little further conference Jasper agreed to do what was
+asked of him.  He did not dare to refuse.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+JASPER'S REVENGE
+
+
+Rodney was considerably surprised one evening to receive a call
+from Jasper in his room.  He was alone, as Mike had been
+detailed about a week ago for night duty.  The room looked more
+attractive than formerly.  Rodney had bought a writing desk,
+which stood in the corner, and had put up three pictures, which,
+though cheap, were attractive.
+
+"Good evening, Jasper," he said.  "It is quite friendly of you
+to call."
+
+"I hadn't anything else on hand this evening, and thought I
+would come round see how you were getting along."
+
+"Take a seat and make yourself at home."
+
+"Do you object to cigarettes?" asked Jasper, producing one from
+a case in his pocket.
+
+"I object to smoking them myself, but I don't want to dictate to
+my friends."
+
+"You look quite comfortable here," continued Jasper in a
+patronizing tone.
+
+"We try to be comfortable, though our room is not luxurious."
+
+"Who do you mean by `we'?  Have you a room mate?"
+
+"Yes.  Mike Flynn rooms with me."
+
+"Who is he--a newsboy?"
+
+"No.  He is a telegraph boy."
+
+"You don't seem to very particular," said Jasper, shrugging
+his shoulders.
+
+"I am very particular."
+
+"Yet you room with an Irish telegraph boy."
+
+"He is a nice boy of good habit, and a devoted friend. 
+What could I want more?"
+
+"Oh, well, you have a right to consult your own taste."
+
+"You have a nice home, no doubt."
+
+"I live with my uncle.  Yes, he has a good house, but I am not
+so independent as if I had a room outide."
+
+"How are things going on at the store?"
+
+"About the same as usual.  Why don't you come in some day?"
+
+"For two reasons; I am occupied during the day, and I don't want
+to go where I am considered a thief."
+
+"I wish I was getting your income.  It is hard to get along on
+seven dollars a week."
+
+"Still you have a nice home, and I suppose you have most of your
+salary to yourself."
+
+"Yes, but there isn't much margin in seven dollars.  My uncle
+expects me to buy my own clothes.  You were lucky to get out of
+the store.  Old Goodnow ought to give me ten dollars."
+
+"Don't let him hear you speak of him as OLD Goodnow, Jasper."
+
+"Oh, I'm smart enough for that.  I mean to keep on the right
+side of the old chap.  What sort of a man are you working for?"
+
+"Mr. Sargent is a fine man."
+
+"He isn't mean certainly.  I should like to be in your shoes."
+
+"If I hear of any similar position shall I mention your name?"
+asked Rodney, smiling.
+
+"No; I could not take care of a kid.  I hate them."
+
+"Still Arthur is a nice boy."
+
+"You are welcome to him.  What do you have to teach?"
+
+"He is studying Latin and French, besides English branches."
+
+"I know about as much of Latin and French as a cow.  I couldn't
+be a teacher.  I say, Rodney," and Jasper cleared his throat,
+"I want you to do me a favor."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"I want you to lend me ten dollars."
+
+Rodney was not mean, but he knew very well that a loan to Jasper
+would be a permanent one.  Had Jasper been his friend even this
+consideration would not have inspired a refusal, but he knew
+very well that Jasper had not a particle of regard for him.
+
+"I don't think I can oblige you, Jasper," he said.
+
+"Why not?  You get fifteen dollars a week."
+
+"My expenses are considerable.  Besides I am helping Mike, whose
+salary is very small.  I pay the whole of the rent and I have
+paid for some clothes for him."
+
+"You are spending your money very foolishly," said Jasper frowning.
+
+"Would I spend it any less foolishly if I should lend you ten dollars?"
+
+"There is some difference between Mike Flynn and me.  I am a gentleman."
+
+"So is Mike."
+
+"A queer sort of gentleman!  He is only a poor telegraph boy."
+
+"Still he is a gentleman."
+
+"I should think you might have money enough for both of us."
+
+"I might but I want to save something from my salary.  I don't
+know how long I shall be earning as much.  I might lose my place."
+
+"So you might."
+
+"And I could hardly expect to get another where the pay would be
+as good."
+
+"I would pay you on installment--a dollar a week," urged Jasper.
+
+"I don't see how you could, as you say your pay is too small for
+you now."
+
+"Oh, well, I could manage."
+
+"I am afraid I can't oblige you, Jasper," said Rodney in a
+decided tone.
+
+"I didn't think you were so miserly," answered Jasper in vexation.
+
+"You may call it so, if you like.  You must remember that I am
+not situated like you.  You have your uncle to fall back upon in
+case you lose your position, but I have no one.  I have to
+hustle for myself."
+
+"Oh, you needn't make any more excuses.  I suppose ten dollars
+is rather a large sum to lend.  Can you lend me five?"
+
+"I am sorry, but I must refuse you."
+
+Jasper rose from the chair on which he had been sitting.
+
+"Then I may as well go," he said.  "I am disappointed in you, Ropes. 
+I thought you were a good, whole souled fellow, and not a miser."
+
+"You must think of me as you please, Jasper.  I feel that I have
+a right to regulate my own affairs."
+
+"All I have to say is this, if you lose your place as you may very
+soon, don't come round to the store and expect to be taken back."
+
+"I won't" answered Rodney, smiling.  "I wouldn't go back at any
+rate unless the charge of theft was withdrawn."
+
+"That will never be!"
+
+"Let it be so, as long as I am innocent."
+
+Jasper left the room abruptly, not even having the politeness to
+bid Rodney good evening.
+
+Rodney felt that he was quite justified in refusing to lend
+Jasper money.  Had he been in need he would have obliged him,
+though he had no reason to look upon him as a friend.
+
+No one who knew Rodney could regard him as mean or miserly. 
+Could he have read Jasper's thoughts as he left the house he
+would have felt even less regret at disappointing him.
+
+About two days afterward when Rodney went up to meet his pupil,
+Mr. Sargent handed him a letter.
+
+"Here is something that concerns you, Rodney," he said. 
+"It doesn't appear to be from a friend of yours."
+
+With some curiosity Rodney took the letter and read it.
+
+It ran thus:
+
+
+Mr. JOHN SARGENT:
+
+DEAR SIR--I think it my duty to write and tell you something
+about your son's tutor--something that will surprise and shock you. 
+Before he entered your house he was employed by a firm on
+Reade Street.  He was quite a favorite with his employer, Mr.
+Otis Goodnow, who promoted him in a short time.  All at once it
+was found that articles were missing from the stock.  Of course
+it was evident that some one of the clerks was dishonest. 
+A watch was set, and finally it was found that Rodney Ropes had
+taken the articles, and one--a lady's cloak--was found in his
+room by a detective.  He was discharged at once without a
+recommendation.
+
+For a time he lived by selling papers, but at last he managed
+to get into your house.  I am sure you won't regard him as
+fit to educate your little son, though I have no doubt he is
+a good scholar.  But his character is bad--I don't think he ought
+to have concealed this from you out of friendship for you, and
+because I think it is my duty, I take the liberty of writing. 
+If you doubt this I will refer to Mr. Goodnow, or Mr. James
+Redwood, who had charge of the room in which Ropes was employed.
+                         Yours very respectually,
+                                                  A FRIEND.
+
+
+"You knew all this before, Mr. Sargent" said Rodney, as he
+handed back the letter.
+
+"Yes.  Have you any idea who wrote it?"
+
+"I feel quite sure that it was a boy about two years older than
+myself, Jasper Redwood."
+
+"Is he related to the man of the same name whom he mentions?"
+
+"Yes, he is his nephew."
+
+"Has he any particular reason for disliking you, Rodney?"
+
+"Yes, sir.  He came round to my room Wednesday evening, and
+asked me to lend him ten dollars."
+
+"I presume you refused."
+
+"Yes, sir.  He is not in need.  He succeeded to my place, and he
+has a home at the house of his uncle."
+
+"He appears to be a very mean boy.  Anonymous letters are always
+cowardly, and generally malicious.  This seems to be no
+exception to the general rule."
+
+"I hope it won't affect your feelings towards me, Mr. Sargent."
+
+"Don't trouble yourself about that Rodney.  I am not so easily
+prejudiced against one of whom I have a good opinion."
+
+"I suppose this is Jasper's revenge," thought Rodney.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+RODNEY LOSES HIS PUPIL.
+
+
+Jasper had little doubt that his letter would lead to Rodney's
+loss of position.  It was certainly a mean thing to plot
+another's downfall, but Jasper was quite capable of it.  Had he
+secured the loan he asked he would have been willing to leave
+Rodney alone, but it would only have been the first of a series
+of similar applications.
+
+It was several days before Jasper had an opportunity of learning
+whether his malicious plan had succeeded or not.  On Sunday
+forenoon he met Rodney on Fifth Avenue just as the church
+services were over.  He crossed the street and accosted the boy
+he had tried to injure.
+
+"Good morning, Ropes," he said, examining Rodney's face
+curiously to see whether it indicated trouble of any kind.
+
+"Good morning!" responded Rodney coolly.
+
+"How are you getting along in your place?"
+
+"Very well, thank you."
+
+"Shall I find you at your pupil's house if I call there some afternoon?"
+
+"Yes, unless I am out walking with Arthur."
+
+"I wonder whether he's bluffing," thought Jasper.  "I daresay
+he wouldn't tell me if he had been discharged.  He takes it
+pretty coolly."
+
+"How long do you think your engagement will last?" he asked.
+
+"I don't know.  I never had a talk with Mr. Sargent on that point."
+
+"Do you still give satisfaction?"
+
+Rodney penetrated Jasper's motives for asking all these questions,
+and was amused.
+
+"I presume if I fail to satisfy Mr. Sargent he will tell me so."
+
+"It would be a nice thing if you could stay there three or four years."
+
+"Yes: but I don't anticipate it.  When Arthur get a little older
+he will be sent to school."
+
+"What will you do then?"
+
+"I haven't got so far as that."
+
+"I can't get anything out of him," said Jasper to himself. 
+"I shouldn't be a bit surprised if he were already discharged."
+
+They had now reached Madison Square, and Jasper left Rodney.
+
+The latter looked after him with a smile.
+
+"I think I have puzzled Jasper," he said to himself.  "He was
+anxious to know how his scheme had worked.  He will have to wait
+a little longer."
+
+"If Mr. Sargent keeps Ropes after my letter he must be a fool,"
+Jasper decided.  "I wonder if Ropes handles the mail.  He might
+have suppressed the letter."
+
+But Rodney was not familiar with his handwriting, and would have
+no reason to suspect that the particular letter contained
+anything likely to injure him in the eyes of Mr. Sargent.
+
+Later in his walk Jasper met Philip Carton.  His former friend
+was sitting on a bench in Madison Square.  He called out to
+Jasper as he passed.
+
+"Come here, Jasper, I want to talk with you."
+
+Jasper looked at him in a manner far from friendly.
+
+"I am in a hurry," he said.
+
+"What hurry can you be in?  Come and sit down here.  I MUST
+speak to you."
+
+Jasper did not like his tone, but it impressed him, and he did
+not dare to refuse.
+
+He seated himself beside Philip, but looked at him askance. 
+Carton was undeniably shabby.  He had the look of a man who was
+going down hill and that rapidly.
+
+"I shall be late for dinner," grumbled Jasper.
+
+"I wish I had any dinner to look forward to," said Carton. 
+"Do you see this money?" and he produced a nickel from
+his pocket.
+
+"What is there remarkable about it?"
+
+"It is the last money I have.  It won't buy me a dinner."
+
+"I am sorry, but it is none of my business," said Jasper coolly. 
+"You are old enough to attend to your own affairs."
+
+"And I once thought you were my friend," murmured Philip bitterly.
+
+"Yes, we were friends in a way."
+
+"Now you are up and I am down-- Jasper, I want a dollar."
+
+"I dare say you do.  Plenty want that."
+
+"I want it from you."
+
+"I can't spare it."
+
+"You can spare it better than you can spare your situation."
+
+"What do you mean by that?" asked Jasper, growing nervous.
+
+"I'll tell you what I mean.  How long do you think you would
+stay in the store if Mr. Goodnow knew that you were concerned in
+the theft from which he has suffered?"
+
+"Was I the only one?"
+
+"No; I am equally guilty."
+
+"I am glad you acknowledge it.  You see you had better keep
+quiet for your own sake."
+
+"If I keep quiet I shall starve."
+
+"Do you want to go to prison?"
+
+"I shouldn't mind so much if you went along, too."
+
+"Are you crazy, Philip Carton?"
+
+"No, I am not, but I am beinning to get sensible.  If I go to
+prison I shall at least have enough to eat, and now I haven't."
+
+"What do you mean by all this foolish talk?"
+
+"I mean that if you won't give me any money I will go to the
+store and tell Mr. Goodnow something that will surprise him."
+
+Jasper was getting thoroughly frightened.
+
+"Come, Philip." he said, "listen to reason.  You know how poor
+I am."
+
+"No doubt.  I know you have a good home and enough to eat."
+
+"I only get seven dollars a week."
+
+"And I get nothing."
+
+"I have already been trying to help you.  I went to Ropes the
+other day, and asked him to lend me five dollars.  I meant it
+for you."
+
+"Did he give it to you?"
+
+"He wouldn't give me a cent.  He is mean and miserly!"
+
+"I don't know.  He knows very well that you are no friend of
+his, though he doesn't know how much harm you have done him."
+
+"He's rolling in money.  However, I've put a spoke in his wheel,
+I hope."
+
+"How?"
+
+"I wrote an anonymous letter to Mr. Sargent telling him that
+Ropes was discharged from the store on suspicion of theft."
+
+"You are a precious scamp, Jasper."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"You are not content with getting Ropes discharged for something
+which you yourself did----"
+
+"And you too."
+
+"And I too.  I accept the amendment.  Not content with that, you
+try to get him discharged from his present position."
+
+"Then he might have lent me the money," said Jasper sullenly.
+
+"It wouldn't have been a loan.  It would have been a gift. 
+But no matter about that.  I want a dollar."
+
+"I can't give it to you."
+
+"Then I shall call at the store tomorrow morning and tell Mr.
+Goodnow about the stolen goods."
+
+Finding that Carton was in earnest Jasper finally, but with great
+reluctance, drew out a dollar and handed it to his companion.
+
+"There, I hope that will satisfy you," he said spitefully.
+
+"It will--for the present."
+
+"I wish he'd get run over or something," thought Jasper.  "He seems
+to expect me to support him, and that on seven dollars a week."
+
+Fortunately for Jasper, Philip Carton obtained employment the
+next day which lasted for some time, and as he was paid ten
+dollars a week he was not under the necessity of troubling his
+old confederate for loans.
+
+Now and then Jasper and Rodney met, but there were no cordial
+relations between them.  Jasper could not forgive Rodney for
+refusing to lend him money, and Rodney was not likely to forget
+the anonymous letter by which Jasper had tried to injure him.
+
+So three months passed.  One day Mr. Sargent arrived at home
+before it was time for Rodney to leave.
+
+"I am glad to see you, Rodney," said his employer.  "I have some
+news for you which I am afraid will not be entirely satisfactory
+to you."
+
+"What is it, sir?"
+
+"For the last three years I have been wishing to go to Europe
+with my wife and Arthur.  The plan has been delayed, because I
+could not make satisfactory business arrangements.  Now, however,
+that difficulty has been overcome, and I propose to sail in
+about two weeks."
+
+"I hope you'll enjoy your trip, sir."
+
+"Thank you.  Of course it will terminate, for a time at least
+your engagement to teach Arthur."
+
+"I shall be sorry for that, sir, but I am not selfish enough to
+want you to stay at home on that account."
+
+"I thought you would feel that way.  I wish I could procure you
+another position before I go, but that is uncertain.  I shall,
+however, pay you a month's salary in advance in lieu of a notice."
+
+"That is very liberal, sir."
+
+"I think it only just.  I have been very well pleased with your
+attention to Arthur, and I know he has profited by your
+instructions as well as enjoyed your companionship.  I hope you
+have been able to save something."
+
+"Yes, sir, I have something in the Union Dime Savings Bank."
+
+"That's well.  You will remain with me one week longer, but the
+last week Arthur will need for preparations."
+
+Two weeks later Rodney stood on the pier and watched the stately
+Etruria steam out into the river.  Arthur and his father were on
+deck, and the little boy waved his handkerchief to his tutor as
+long as he could see him.
+
+Rodney turned away sadly.
+
+"I have lost a good situation," he soliloquized.  "When shall I
+get another?"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+CONTINUED ILL LUCK.
+
+
+Rodney set himself to work searching for a new situation. 
+But wherever he called he found Some one ahead of him.  At length
+he saw an advertisement for an entry clerk in a wholesale house in
+Church Street.  He applied and had the good fortune to please
+the superintendent.
+
+"Where have you worked before?" he asked.
+
+"At Otis Goodnow's, on Reade Street."
+
+"How much were you paid there?"
+
+"Seven dollars a week."
+
+"Very well, we will start you on that salary, and see if you
+earn it."
+
+Rodney was surprised and relieved to find that he was not asked
+for a recommendation from Mr. Goodnow, knowing that he could not
+obtain one.  He went to work on a Monday morning, and found his
+duties congenial and satisfactory.
+
+Seven dollars a week was small, compared with what he had
+received as a tutor, but he had about two hundred and fifty
+dollars in the Union Dime Savings Bank and drew three dollars
+from this fund every week in order that he might still assist
+Mike, whose earnings were small.
+
+One of his new acquaintances in the store was James Hicks, a boy
+about a year older than himself.
+
+"Didn't you use to work at Otis Goodnow's?" asked James one day
+when they were going to lunch.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I know a boy employed there.  He is older than either of us."
+
+"Who is it?"
+
+"Jasper Redwood.  Of course you know him."
+
+"Yes," answered Rodney with a presentiment of evil.
+
+He felt that it would be dangerous to have Jasper know of his
+present position, but did not venture to give a hint of this
+to James.
+
+His fears were not groundless.  Only the day after James met
+Jasper on the street.
+
+"Anything new?" asked Jasper.
+
+"Yes; we've got one of your old friends in our store."
+
+"Who is it?"
+
+"Rodney Ropes."
+
+Jasper stopped short, and whistled.  He was excessively
+surprised, as he supposed Rodney still to be Arthur
+Sargent's tutor.
+
+"You don't mean it?" he ejaculated.
+
+"Why not?  Is there anything so strange about it?"
+
+"Yes.  Did Ropes bring a recommendation from Mr. Goodnow?"
+
+"I suppose so.  I don't know."
+
+"If he did, it's forged."
+
+"Why should it be?"
+
+"Goodnow wouldn't give him a recommendation."
+
+"Why wouldn't he?"
+
+"Because he discharged Ropes.  Do you want to know why?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"For stealing articles from the store."
+
+It was the turn of James Hicks to be surprised.
+
+"I can't believe it," he said.
+
+"Its true.  Just mention the matter to Ropes, and you'll see he
+won't deny it."
+
+"I think there must be some mistake about it.  Rodney doesn't
+look like a fellow that would steal."
+
+"Oh, you can't tell from appearances--Rogues are always plausible."
+
+"Still mistakes are sometimes made.  I'd trust Rodney Ropes
+sooner than any boy I know."
+
+"You don't know him as well as I do."
+
+"You don't like him?" said James shrewdly.
+
+"No I don't.  I can't like a thief."
+
+"You talk as if you had a grudge against him."
+
+"Nothing but his being a thief.  Well, what are you going to do
+about it?"
+
+"About what?"
+
+"What I have just told you."
+
+"I don't feel that I have any call to do anything."
+
+"You ought to tell your employer."
+
+"I am no telltale," said James scornfully.
+
+"Then you will let him stay in the store, knowing him to be a thief?"
+
+"I don't know him to be a thief.  If he steals anything it will
+probably be found out."
+
+Jasper urged James to give information about Rodney, but he
+steadily refused.
+
+"I leave others to do such dirty work," he said, "and I don't
+think any better of you, let me tell you, for your eagerness to
+turn the boy out of his position."
+
+"You are a queer boy."
+
+"Think so if you like," retorted Hicks.  "I might give my
+opinion of you."
+
+At this point Jasper thought it best to let the conversation drop. 
+He was much pleased to learn that Rodney had lost his
+fine position as tutor, and was now in a place from which he
+might more easily be ousted.
+
+As he could not prevail upon James Hicks to betray Rodney he
+decided to write an anonymous letter to the firm that employed him.
+
+The result was that the next afternoon Rodney was summoned to
+the office.
+
+"Sit down Ropes," said the superintendent.  "For what store did
+you work before you came into our house?"
+
+"Otis Goodnow's."
+
+"Under what circumstances did you leave?"
+
+"I was accused of theft."
+
+"You did not mention this matter when you applied for a
+situation here."
+
+"No, sir.  I ought perhaps to have done so, but I presumed in
+that case you would not have given me a place."
+
+"You are right he would not."
+
+"Nor would I have applied had the charge been a true one. 
+Articles were certainly missing from Mr. Goodnow's stock,
+but in accusing me they did me a great injustice."
+
+"How long since you left Mr. Goodnow's?"
+
+"Four months."
+
+"What have you been doing since?"
+
+"I was acting as tutor to the son of Mr. Sargent, of West Fifty
+Eighth Street."
+
+"A well known citizen.  Then you are a scholar?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I am nearly prepared for college."
+
+"Of course he did not know you were suspected of dishonesty."
+
+"On the contrary he did know it.  I told him, and later he
+received an anonymous letter, notifying him of the fact."
+
+"We also have received an anonymous letter.  Here it is.  Do you
+recognize the hand writing?"
+
+"Yes," answered Rodney after examining the letter.  "It was
+written by Jasper Redwood."
+
+"Who is he?"
+
+"A boy employed by Mr. Goodnow.  For some reason he seems to
+have a spite against me."
+
+"I admit that it is pretty small business to write an anonymous
+letter calculated to injure another.  Still we shall have to
+take notice of this."
+
+"Yes, sir, I suppose so."
+
+"I shall have to bring it to the notice of the firm.  What they
+may do I don't know.  If the matter was to be decided by me I
+would let you stay."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Rodney gratefully.
+
+"But I am not Mr. Hall.  You can go now and I will see you again."
+
+Rodney left the office fully persuaded that his engagement would
+speedily terminate.  He was right; the next day he was sent for again.
+
+"I am sorry to tell you, Ropes," said the superintendent kindly
+"that Mr. Hall insists upon your being discharged.  He is a
+nervous man and rather suspicious.  I spoke in your favor but I
+could not turn him."
+
+"At any rate I am grateful to you for your friendly effort."
+
+The superintendent hesitated a moment, and then said:  "Will
+this discharge seriously embarrass you?  Are you short of money?"
+
+"No, sir.  I was very liberally paid by Mr. Sargent, and I
+saved money.  I have enough in the savings bank to last me
+several months, should I be idle so long."
+
+"I am glad of it.  I hope you will remember, my boy, that this
+is none of my doing.  I would gladly retain you.  I will say one
+thing more, should Jasper Redwood ever apply for a situation
+here, his name will not be considered."
+
+So Rodney found himself again without a position.  It seemed
+hard in view of his innocence, but he had confidence to believe
+that something would turn up for him as before.  At any rate he
+had enough money to live on for some time.
+
+When Mike Flynn learned the circumstances of his discharge he
+was very angry.
+
+"I'd like to meet Jasper Redwood," he said, his eyes flashing. 
+"If I didn't give him a laying out then my name isn't Mike Flynn."
+
+"I think he will get his desert some time, Mickey, without any
+help from you or me."
+
+"Should hope he will.  And what'll you do now, Rodney?"
+
+"I don't know.  Sometimes I think it would be well to go to some
+other city, Boston or Philadelphia, where Jasper can't get on
+my track."
+
+"Should hope you won't do it.  I can't get along widout you."
+
+"I will stay here for a few weeks, Mike, and see if anything
+turns up."
+
+"I might get you in as a telegraph boy."
+
+"That wouldn't suit me.  It doesn't pay enough."
+
+Rodney began to hunt for a situation again, but four weeks
+passed and brought him no success.  One afternoon about four
+o'clock he was walking up Broadway when, feeling tired, he stepped
+into the Continental Hotel at the corner of Twentieth Street.
+
+He took a seat at some distance back from the door, and in a
+desultory way began to look about him.  All at once he started
+in surprise, for in a man sitting in one of the front row of
+chairs he recognized Louis Wheeler, the railroad thief who had
+stolen his box of jewelry.
+
+Wheeler was conversing with a man with a large flapping
+sombrero, and whose dress and general appearance indicated that
+he was a Westerner.
+
+Rodney left his seat and going forward sat down in the chair
+behind Wheeler.  He suspected that the Western man was in danger
+of being victimized.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+
+AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE TURNS UP.
+
+
+In his new position Rodney could easily hear the conversation
+which took place between the Western man and his old
+railroad acquaintance.
+
+"I am quite a man of leisure," said Wheeler, "and it will give
+me great pleasure to go about with you and show you our city."
+
+"You are very obliging."
+
+"Oh, don't mention it.  I shall really be glad to have my
+time occupied.  You see I am a man of means--my father left
+me a fortune--and so I am not engaged in any business."
+
+"You are in luck.  I was brought up on a farm in Vermont, and
+had to borrow money to take me to Montana four years ago."
+
+"I hope you prospered in your new home?"
+
+"I did.  I picked up twenty five thousand dollars at the mines,
+and doubled it by investment in lots in Helena."
+
+"Very neat, indeed.  I inherited a fortune from my father--a
+hundred and twenty five thousand dollars--but I never made a
+cent myself.  I don't know whether I am smart enough."
+
+"Come out to Montana and I'll put you in a way of making some money."
+
+"Really, now, that suggestion strikes me favorably.  I believe
+I will follow your advice.  When shall you return to your
+Western home?"
+
+"In about a fortnight I think."
+
+"You must go to the theater tonight.  There is a good play on at
+the Madison Square."
+
+"I don't mind.  When can I get ticket?"
+
+"I'll go and secure some.  It is only a few blocks away."
+
+"Do so.  How much are the tickets?"
+
+"A dollar and a half or two dollars each."
+
+"Here are five dollars, if it won't trouble you too much."
+
+"My dear friend, I meant to pay for the tickets.  However,
+I will pay next time.  If you will remain here I will be back
+in twenty minutes."
+
+Louis Wheeler left the hotel with the five dollars tucked away
+in his vest pocket.
+
+He had no sooner disappeared than Rodney went forward and
+occupied his seat.
+
+"Excuse me, sir," he said to the miner, "but do you know much of
+the man who has just left you?"
+
+"I only met him here.  He seems a good natured fellow.  What of him?"
+
+"He said he was a man of independent means."
+
+"Isn't he?"
+
+"He is a thief and an adventurer."
+
+The miner was instantly on the alert.
+
+"How do you know this?" he asked.
+
+"Because he stole a box of jewelry from me in the cars some
+months ago."
+
+"Did you get it again?"
+
+"Yes; he left the train, but I followed him up and reclaimed
+the jewelry."
+
+"Was it of much value?"
+
+"They were family jewels, and were worth over a thousand dollars."
+
+"Do you think he wants to bunco me?"
+
+"I have no doubt of it."
+
+"I have given him money to buy theater tickets.  Do you think he
+will come back?"
+
+"Yes.  He wouldn't be satisfied with that small sum."
+
+"Tell me about your adventure with him."
+
+"I will do it later.  The theater is so near that he might come
+back and surprise us together.  I think he would recognize me."
+
+"Do you advise me to go to the theater?"
+
+"Yes, but be on your guard."
+
+"Where can I see you again?"
+
+"Are you staying at this hotel?"
+
+"Yes.  Here is my card."
+
+Rodney read this name on the card:
+
+
+                    JEFFERSON PETTRIGREW.
+
+
+"I wish you were going to the theater with us."
+
+"It wouldn't do.  Mr. Wheeler would remember me."
+
+"Then come round and breakfast with me tomorrow--at eight
+o'clock, sharp."
+
+"I will, sir.  Now I will take a back seat, and leave you to
+receive your friend."
+
+"Don't call him my friend.  He seems to be a mean scoundrel."
+
+"Don't let him suspect anything from your manner."
+
+"I won't.  I want to see him expose his plans." Five minutes
+afterwards Louis Wheeler entered the hotel.
+
+"I've got the tickets," he said, "but I had to buy them of a
+speculator, and they cost me more than I expected."
+
+"How much?"
+
+"Two and a half apiece.  So there is no change coming back to you."
+
+"Never mind!  As long as you had enough money to pay for them it
+is all right."
+
+As a matter of fact Wheeler bought the tickets at the box office
+at one dollar and fifty cent each, which left him a profit of
+two dollars.  When he saw how easily the Western man took it he
+regretted not having represented that the tickets cost three
+dollars each.
+
+However, he decided that there would be other ways of plundering
+his new acquaintance.  He took his seat again next to the miner.
+
+"It is not very late," he said.  "Would you like a run out to
+Central Park or to Grant's Tomb?"
+
+"Not today.  I feel rather tired.  By the way, you did not
+mention your name."
+
+"I haven't a card with me, but my name is Louis Wheeler."
+
+"Where do you live, Mr. Wheeler?"
+
+"I am staying with an aunt on Fifth Avenue, but I think of
+taking board at the Windsor Hotel.  It is a very high toned
+house, and quite a number of my friends board there."
+
+"Is it an expensive hotel?"
+
+"Oh, yes, but my income is large and----"
+
+"I understand.  Now, Mr. Wheeler, I must excuse myself, as I
+feel tired.  Come at half past seven and we can start for the
+theater together."
+
+"Very well."
+
+Wheeler rose reluctantly, for he had intended to secure a dinner
+from his new acquaintance, but he was wise enough to take the hint.
+
+After he left the room Rodney again joined Mr. Pettigrew.
+
+"He didn't give me back any change," said the Western man. 
+"He said he bought the tickets of a speculator at two dollars and a
+half each."
+
+"Then he made two dollars out of you."
+
+"I suppose that is the beginning.  Well, that doesn't worry me. 
+But I should like to know how he expects to get more money out
+of me.  I don't understand the ways of this gentry."
+
+"Nor I very well.  If you are on your guard I think you won't be
+in any danger."
+
+"I will remember what you say.  You seem young to act as adviser
+to a man like me.  Are you in business?"
+
+"At present I am out of work, but I have money enough to last me
+three months."
+
+"Are you, like my new acquaintance, possessed of independent means?"
+
+"Not now, but I was six months ago."
+
+"How did you lose your money?"
+
+"I did not lose it.  My guardian lost it for me."
+
+"What is your name?"
+
+"Rodney Ropes."
+
+"You've had some pretty bad luck.  Come up to my room and tell
+me about it."
+
+"I shall be glad to do so, sir."
+
+Mr. Pettigrew called for his key and led the way up to a plain
+room on the third floor.
+
+"Come in," he said.  "The room is small, but I guess it will
+hold us both.  Now go ahead with your story."
+
+In a short time Rodney had told his story in full to his new
+acquaintance, encouraged to do so by his sympathetic manner. 
+Mr. Pettigrew was quite indignant, when told of Jasper's mean
+and treacherous conduct.
+
+"That boy Jasper is a snake in the grass," he said.  "I'd like
+to give him a good thrashing."
+
+"There isn't any love lost between us, Mr. Pettigrew, but I
+think it will turn out right in the end.  Still I find it hard
+to get a place in New York with him circulating stories about me."
+
+"Then why do you stay in New York?"
+
+"I have thought it might be better to go to Philadelphia or Boston."
+
+"I can tell you of a better place than either."
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"Montana."
+
+"Do you really think it would be wise for me to go there?"
+
+"Think?  I haven't a doubt about it."
+
+"I have money enough to get there, but not much more.  I should
+soon have to find work, or I might get stranded."
+
+"Come back with me, and I'll see you through.  I'll make a
+bargain with you.  Go round with me here, and I'll pay your fare
+out to Montana."
+
+"If you are really in earnest I will do so, and thank you for
+the offer."
+
+"Jefferson Pettigrew means what he says.  I'll see you through, Rodney."
+
+"But I may be interfering with your other friend, Louis Wheeler."
+
+"I shall soon be through with him.  You needn't worry yourself
+about that."
+
+Mr. Pettigrew insisted upon Rodney's taking supper with him. 
+Fifteen minutes after Rodney left him Mr. Wheeler made
+his appearance.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+
+MR. WHEELER HAS A SET BACK.
+
+
+Louis Wheeler had not seen Rodney in the hotel office, and
+probably would not have recognized him if he had, as Rodney was
+quite differently dressed from the time of their first meeting. 
+He had no reason to suppose, therefore, that Mr. Pettigrew had
+been enlightened as to his real character.
+
+It was therefore with his usual confidence that he accosted his
+acquaintance from Montana after supper.
+
+"It is time to go to the theater, Mr. Pettigrew," he said.
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew scanned his new acquaintance with interest. 
+He had never before met a man of his type and he looked upon him
+as a curiosity.
+
+He was shrewd, however, and did not propose to let Wheeler know
+that he understood his character.  He resolved for the present
+to play the part of the bluff and unsuspecting country visitor.
+
+"You are very kind, Mr. Wheeler," he said, "to take so much
+trouble for a stranger."
+
+"My dear sir," said Wheeler effusively, "I wouldn't do it for
+many persons, but I have taken a fancy to you."
+
+"You don't mean so?" said Pettigrew, appearing pleased?
+
+"Yes, I do, on my honor."
+
+"But I don't see why you should.  You are a polished city
+gentleman and I am an ignorant miner from Montana."
+
+Louis Wheeler looked complacent when he was referred to as a
+polished city gentleman.
+
+"You do yourself injustice, my dear Pettigrew," he said in a
+patronizing manner.  "You do indeed.  You may not be polished,
+but you are certainly smart, as you have shown by accumulating
+a fortune."
+
+"But I am not as rich as you."
+
+"Perhaps not, but if I should lose my money, I could not make
+another fortune, while I am sure you could.  Don't you think it
+would be a good plan for us to start a business together in New York?"
+
+"Would you really be willing to go into business with me?"
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew asked this question with so much apparent
+sincerity that Wheeler was completely deceived.
+
+"I've got him dead!" he soliloquized complacently.
+
+He hooked his arm affectionately in the Montana miner's and
+said, "My dear friend, I have never met a man with whom I would
+rather be associated in business than with you.  How much
+capital could you contribute?"
+
+"I will think it over, Mr. Wheeler.  By the way what business do
+you propose that we shall go into?"
+
+"I will think it over and report to you."
+
+By this time they had reached the theater.  The play soon commenced. 
+Mr. Pettigrew enjoyed it highly, for he had not had much opportunity
+at the West of attending a high class theatrical performance.
+
+When the play ended, Louis Wheeler said, "Suppose we go to
+Delmonico's and have a little refreshment."
+
+"Very well."
+
+They adjourned to the well known restaurant, and Mr. Pettigrew
+ordered an ice and some cakes, but his companion made
+a hearty supper.  When the bill came, Louis Wheeler let it lie
+on the table, but Mr. Pettigrew did not appear to see it.
+
+"I wonder if he expects me to pay for it," Wheeler asked
+himself anxiously.
+
+"Thank you for this pleasant little supper," said
+Pettigrew mischievously.  "Delmonico's is certainly
+a fine place."
+
+Wheeler changed color.  He glanced at the check.  It was for two
+dollars and seventy five cents, and this represented a larger sum
+than he possessed.
+
+He took the check and led the way to the cashier's desk. 
+Then he examined his pockets.
+
+"By Jove," he said, "I left my wallet in my other coat.  May I
+borrow five dollars till tomorrow?"
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew eyed him shrewdly.  "Never mind," he said,
+"I will pay the check."
+
+"I am very much ashamed of having put you to this expense."
+
+"If that is all you have to be ashamed of Mr. Wheeler," said the
+miner pointedly, "you can rest easy."
+
+"What do you mean?" stammered Wheeler.
+
+"Wait till we get into the street, and I will tell you."
+
+They went out at the Broadway entrance, and then Mr. Pettigrew
+turned to his new acquaintance.
+
+"I think I will bid you good night and good by at the same time,
+Mr. Wheeler," he said.
+
+"My dear sir, I hoped you won't misjudge me on account of my
+unfortunately leaving my money at home."
+
+"I only wish to tell you that I have not been taken in by your
+plausible statement, Mr. Wheeler, if that is really your name. 
+Before we started for the theater I had gauged you and taken
+your measure."
+
+"Sir, I hope you don't mean to insult me!" blustered Wheeler.
+
+"Not at all.  You have been mistaken in me, but I am not
+mistaken in you.  I judge you to be a gentlemanly adventurer,
+ready to take advantage of any who have money and are foolish
+enough to be gulled by your tricks.  You are welcome to the
+profit you made out of the theater tickets, also to the little
+supper to which you have done so much justice.  I must request
+you, now, however, to devote yourself to some one else, as I do
+not care to meet you again."
+
+Louis Wheeler slunk away, deciding that he had made a great
+mistake in setting down his Montana acquaintance as an easy victim.
+
+"I didn't think he'd get on to my little game so quick," he
+reflected.  "He's sharper than he looks,"
+
+Rodney took breakfast with Mr. Pettigrew the next morning. 
+When breakfast was over, the Montana man said:
+
+"I'm going to make a proposal to you, Rodney.  How much pay did
+you get at your last place?"
+
+"Seven dollars a week."
+
+"I'll pay you that and give you your meals.  In return I want
+you to keep me company and go about with me."
+
+"I shall not be apt to refuse such an offer as that, Mr.
+Pettigrew, but are you sure you prefer me to Mr. Wheeler?"
+laughed Rodney.
+
+"Wheeler be--blessed!" returned the miner.
+
+"How long are you going to stay in New York?"
+
+"About two weeks.  Then I shall go back to Montana and take you
+with me."
+
+"Thank you.  There is nothing I should like better."
+
+Two days later, as the two were walking along Broadway, they met
+Mr. Wheeler.  The latter instantly recognized his friend from
+Montana, and scrutinized closely his young companion.
+
+Rodney's face looked strangely familiar to him, but somehow he
+could not recollect when or under what circumstances he had met him. 
+He did not, however, like to give up his intended victim,
+but had the effrontery to address the man from Montana.
+
+"I hope you are well, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"Thank you, I am very well."
+
+"I hope you are enjoying yourself.  I should be glad to show you
+the sights.  Have you been to Grants Tomb?"
+
+"Not yet."
+
+"I should like to take you there."
+
+"Thank you, but I have a competent guide."
+
+"Won't you introduce me to the young gentleman?"
+
+"I don't require any introduction to you, Mr. Wheeler," said Rodney.
+
+"Where have I met you before?" asked Wheeler abruptly.
+
+"In the cars.  I had a box of jewelry with me," answered
+Rodney significantly.
+
+Louis Wheeler changed color.  Now he remembered Rodney, and he
+was satisfied that he owed to him the coolness with which the
+Western man had treated him.
+
+"I remember you had," he said spitefully, "but I don't know how
+you came by it."
+
+"It isn't necessary that you should know.  I remember I had
+considerable difficulty in getting it out of your hands."
+
+"Mr. Pettigrew," said Wheeler angrily, "I feel interested in
+you, and I want to warn you against the boy who is with you. 
+He is a dangerous companion."
+
+"I dare say you are right," said Pettigrew in a quizzical tone. 
+"I shall look after him sharply, and I thank you for your kind
+and considerate warning.  I don't care to take up any more of
+your valuable time.  Rodney, let us be going."
+
+"It must have been the kid that exposed me," muttered Wheeler,
+as he watched the two go down the street.  "I will get even with
+him some time.  That man would have been good for a thousand
+dollars to me if I had not been interfered with."
+
+"You have been warned against me, Mr. Pettigrew,"
+said Rodney, laughing.  "Mr. Wheeler has really been very
+unkind in interfering with my plans."
+
+"I shan't borrow any trouble, or lie awake nights thinking about
+it, Rodney.  I don't care to see or think of that rascal again."
+
+The week passed, and the arrangement between Mr. Pettigrew and
+Rodney continued to their mutual satisfaction.  One morning,
+when Rodney came to the Continental as usual, his new friend said: 
+"I received a letter last evening from my old home in Vermont."
+
+"I hope it contained good news."
+
+"On the contrary it contained bad news.  My parents are dead, but
+I have an old uncle and aunt living.  When I left Burton he was
+comfortably fixed, with a small farm of his own, and two
+thousand dollars in bank.  Now I hear that he is in trouble. 
+He has lost money, and a knavish neighbor has threatened to
+foreclose a mortgage on the farm and turn out the old people to
+die or go to the poorhouse."
+
+"Is the mortgage a large one?"
+
+"It is much less than the value of the farm, but ready money is
+scarce in the town, and that old Sheldon calculates upon. 
+Now I think of going to Burton to look up the matter."
+
+"You must save your uncle, if you can, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"I can and I will.  I shall start for Boston this afternoon by
+the Fall River boat and I want you to go with me."
+
+"I should enjoy the journey, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"Then it is settled.  Go home and pack your gripsack.  You may
+be gone three or four days."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+
+A CHANGE OF SCENE.
+
+
+"Now," said Mr. Pettigrew, when they were sitting side by side
+on the upper deck of the Puritan, the magnificent steamer on the
+Fall River line.  "I want you to consent to a little plan that
+will mystify my old friends and neighbors."
+
+"What is it, Mr. Pettigrew?"
+
+"I have never written home about my good fortune; so far as they
+know I am no better off than when I went away."
+
+"I don't think I could have concealed my success."
+
+"It may seem strange, but I'll explain--I want to learn who are
+my friends and who are not.  I am afraid I wasn't very highly
+thought of when I left Burton.  I was considered rather shiftless.
+
+"I was always in for a good time, and never saved a cent. 
+Everybody predicted that I would fail, and I expect most wanted
+me to fail.  There were two or three, including my uncle, aunt
+and the friend who lent me money, who wished me well.
+
+"I mustn't forget to mention the old minister who baptized me
+when I was an infant.  The good old man has been preaching
+thirty or forty years on a salary of four hundred dollars, and
+has had to run a small farm to make both ends meet.  He believed
+in me and gave me good advice.  Outside of these I don't
+remember any one who felt an interest in Jefferson Pettigrew."
+
+"You will have the satisfaction of letting them see that they
+did not do you justice."
+
+"Yes, but I may not tell them--that is none except my true friends. 
+If I did, they would hover round me and want to borrow money,
+or get me to take them out West with me.  So I have hit
+upon a plan.  I shall want to use money, but I will pretend it
+is yours."
+
+Rodney opened his eyes in surprise.
+
+"I will pass you off as a rich friend from New York, who feels
+an interest in me and is willing to help me."
+
+Rodney smiled.
+
+"I don't know if I can look the character," he said.
+
+"Oh yes you can.  You are nicely dressed, while I am hardly any
+better dressed than when I left Burton."
+
+"I have wondered why you didn't buy some new clothes when you
+were able to afford it."
+
+"You see we Western miners don't care much for style, perhaps
+not enough.  Still I probably shall buy a suit or two, but not
+till I have made my visit home.  I want to see how people will
+receive me, when they think I haven't got much money.  I shall
+own up to about five hundred dollars, but that isn't enough to
+dazzle people even in a small country village."
+
+"I am wiling to help you in any way you wish, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"Then I think we shall get some amusement out of it.  I shall
+represent you as worth about a hundred thousand dollars."
+
+"I wish I were."
+
+"Very likely you will be some time if you go out to Montana with me."
+
+"How large a place is Burton?"
+
+"It has not quite a thousand inhabitants.  It is set among the
+hills, and has but one rich man, Lemuel Sheldon, who is worth
+perhaps fifty thousand dollars, but put on the airs of a millionaire."
+
+"You are as rich as he, then."
+
+"Yes, and shall soon be richer.  However, I don't want him to
+know it.  It is he who holds the mortgage on my uncle's farm."
+
+"Do you know how large the mortgage is?"
+
+"It is twelve hundred dollars.  I shall borrow the money of you
+to pay it."
+
+"I understand," said Rodney, smiling.
+
+"I shall enjoy the way the old man will look down upon me very
+much as a millionaire looks down upon a town pauper."
+
+"How will he look upon me?"
+
+"He will be very polite to you, for he will think you richer
+than himself."
+
+"On the whole, we are going to act a comedy, Mr. Pettigrew. 
+What is the name of the man who lent you money to go to Montana?"
+
+"A young carpenter, Frank Dobson.  He lent me a hundred dollars,
+which was about all the money he had saved up."
+
+"He was a true friend."
+
+"You are right.  He was.  Everybody told Frank that he would
+never see his money again, but he did.  As soon as I could get
+together enough to repay him I sent it on, though I remember it
+left me with less than ten dollars in my pocket.
+
+"I couldn't bear to think that Frank would lose anything by me. 
+You see we were chums at school and always stood by each other. 
+He is married and has two children."
+
+"While you are an old bachelor."
+
+"Yes; I ain't in a hurry to travel in double harness.  I'll wait
+till I am ready to leave Montana, with money enough to live
+handsomely at home."
+
+"You have got enough now."
+
+"But I may as well get more.  I am only thirty years old, and I
+can afford to work a few years longer."
+
+"I wish I could be sure of being worth fifty thousand dollars
+when I am your age."
+
+"You have been worth that, you tell me."
+
+"Yes, but I should value more money that I had made myself."
+
+Above five o'clock on Monday afternoon Mr. Pettigrew and Rodney
+reached Burton.  It was a small village about four miles from
+the nearest railway station.  An old fashioned Concord stage
+connected Burton with the railway.  The driver was on the
+platform looking out for passengers when Jefferson Pettigrew
+stepped out of the car.
+
+"How are you, Hector?" said the miner, in an off hand way.
+
+"Why, bless my soul if it isn't Jeff!" exclaimed the driver, who
+had been an old schoolmate of Mr. Pettigrew's.
+
+"I reckon it is," said the miner, his face lighting up with the
+satisfaction he felt at seeing a home face.
+
+"Why, you ain't changed a mite, Jeff.  You look just as you did
+when you went away.  How long have you been gone?"
+
+"Four years!"
+
+"Made a fortune?  But you don't look like it.  That's the same
+suit you wore when you went away, isn't it?"
+
+Mr. Pettigrew laughed.
+
+"Well no, it isn't the same, but it's one of the same kind."
+
+"I thought maybe you'd come home in a dress suit."
+
+"It isn't so easy to make a fortune, Hector."
+
+"But you have made something, ain't you?"
+
+"Oh, yes, when I went away I hadn't a cent except what
+I borrowed.  Now I've got five hundred dollars."
+
+"That ain't much."
+
+"No, but it's better than nothing.  How much more have you
+got, Hector?"
+
+"Well, you see I married last year.  I haven't had a chance to
+lay by."
+
+"So you see I did as well as if I had stayed at home."
+
+"Are you going to stay home now?"
+
+"For a little while.  I may go back to Montana after a bit."
+
+"Is it a good place to make money?"
+
+"I made five hundred dollars."
+
+"Thats only a little more than a hundred dollars a year.
+
+Frank Dobson has saved as much as that and he's stayed right
+here in Burton."
+
+"I'm glad of that," said Pettigrew heartily.  "Frank is a
+rousing good fellow.  If it hadn't been for him I couldn't have
+gone to Montana."
+
+"It doesn't seem to have done you much good, as I can see."
+
+"Oh, well, I am satisfied.  Let me introduce my friend, Mr.
+Rodney Ropes of New York."
+
+"Glad to meet you," said Hector with a jerk of the head.
+
+"Rodney, won't you sit inside?  I want to sit outide with Hector."
+
+"All right, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"Who is that boy?" asked Hector with characteristic Yankee
+curiosity, as he seized the lines and started the horses.
+
+"A rich young fellow from New York.  I got acquainted with
+him there."
+
+"Rich is he?" Jefferson Pettigrew nodded.
+
+"How rich do you think?"
+
+"Shouldn't wonder if he might be worth a hundred thousand."
+
+"You don't say!  Why, he beat Squire Sheldon."
+
+"Oh, yes, Squire Sheldon wouldn't be considered rich in New York."
+
+"How did he get his money?"
+
+"His father left him a fortune."
+
+"Is that so?  I wish my father had left me a fortune."
+
+"He did, didn't he?"
+
+"Yes, he did!  When his estate was settled I got seventy five
+dollars, if you call that a fortune.  But I say, what brings the
+boy to Burton?"
+
+"His friendship for me, I expect.  Besides he may invest in a place."
+
+"There's the old Morse place for sale.  Do you think he'd buy that?"
+
+"It wouldn't be nice enough for him.  I don't know any place
+that would be good enough except the squire's."
+
+"The squire wouldn't sell."
+
+"Oh, well, I don't know as Rodney would care to locate in Burton."
+
+"You're in luck to get such a friend.  Say, do you think he
+would lend you a hundred dollars if you were hard up?"
+
+"I know he would.  By the way, Hector, is there any news? 
+How is my uncle?"
+
+"I think the old man is worrying on account of his mortgage."
+
+"Who holds it?"
+
+"The squire.  They do say he is goin' to foreclose.  That'll be
+bad for the old man.  It'll nigh about break his heart I expect."
+
+"Can't uncle raise the money to pay him?"
+
+"Who is there round here who has got any money except the squire?"
+
+"That's so."
+
+"Where are you goin' to stop, Jeff?"
+
+"I guess I'll stop at the tavern tonight, but I'll go over and
+call on uncle this evening."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+
+JEFFERSON PETTIGREW'S HOME.
+
+
+News spreads fast in a country village.  Scarcely an hour had
+passed when it was generally known that Jefferson Pettigrew had
+come home from Montana with a few hundred dollars in money,
+bringing with him a rich boy who could buy out all Burton. 
+At least that is the way the report ran.
+
+When the two new arrivals had finished supper and come out on
+the hotel veranda there were a dozen of Jefferson Pettigrew's
+friends ready to welcome him.
+
+"How are you, Jefferson, old boy?" said one and another.
+
+"Pretty well, thank you.  It seems good to be home."
+
+"I hear you've brought back some money."
+
+"Yes, a few hundred dollars."
+
+"That's better than nothing.  I reckon you'll stay home now."
+
+"I can't afford it, boys."
+
+"Are ye goin' back to Montany?"
+
+"Yes.  I know the country, and I can make a middlin' good
+livin' there."
+
+"I say, is that boy thats with you as rich as they say?"
+
+"I don't know what they say."
+
+"They say he's worth a million."
+
+"Oh no, not so much as that.  He's pretty well fixed."
+
+"Hasn't he got a father livin'?"
+
+"No, it's his father that left the money."
+
+"How did you happen to get in with him?"
+
+"Oh, we met promiscuous.  He took a sort of fancy to me, and
+that's the way of it."
+
+"Do you expect to keep him with you?"
+
+"He talks of goin' back to Montana with me.  I'll be sort of
+guardian to him."
+
+"You're in luck, Jeff."
+
+"Yes, I'm in luck to have pleasant company.  Maybe we'll join
+together and buy a mine."
+
+"Would you mind introducin' him?"
+
+"Not at all," and thus Rodney became acquainted with quite a
+number of the Burton young men.  He was amused to see with what
+deference they treated him, but preserved a sober face and
+treated all cordially, so that he made a favorable impression on
+those he met.
+
+Among those who made it in their way to call on the two
+travelers was Lemuel Sheldon, the rich man of the village.
+
+"How do you do, Jefferson?" he said condescendingly.
+
+"Very well, sir."
+
+"You have been quite a traveler."
+
+"Yes, sir; I have been to the far West."
+
+"And met with some success, I am told."
+
+"Yes, sir; I raised money enough to get home."
+
+"I hear you brought home a few hundred dollars."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Oh, well," said the squire patronizingly, "that's 
+good beginning."
+
+"It must seem very little to a rich man like you, squire."
+
+"Oh, no!" said the squire patronizingly.  "You are a young man. 
+I shouldn't wonder if by the time you get as old as I am you
+might be worth five thousand dollars."
+
+"I hope so," answered Mr. Pettigrew demurely.
+
+"By the way, you have brought a young man with you, I am told."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I should like to make his acquaintance.  He is rich, is he not?"
+
+"I wish I was as rich."
+
+"You don't say so!  About how much do you estimate he is worth?"
+
+"I don't think it amounts to quite as much as a quarter of
+a million.  Still, you know it is not always easy to tell
+how much a person is worth."
+
+"He is certainly a VERY fortunate young man," said the squire,
+impressed.  "What is his name?"
+
+"Rodney Ropes."
+
+"The name sounds aristocratic.  I shall be glad to know him."
+
+"Rodney," said Mr. Pettigrew.  "I want to introduce you to
+Squire Sheldon, our richest and most prominent citizen."
+
+"I am glad to meet you, Squire Sheldon," said Rodney, offering
+his hand.
+
+"I quite reciprocate the feeling, Mr. Ropes, but Mr. Pettigrew
+should not call me a rich man.  I am worth something, to be sure."
+
+"I should say you were, squire," said Jefferson.  "Rodney, he is
+as rich as you are."
+
+"Oh no," returned the squire, modestly, "not as rich as that. 
+Indeed, I hardly know how much I am worth.  As Mr. Pettigrew very
+justly observed it is not easy to gauge a man's possessions. 
+But there is one difference between us.  You, Mr. Ropes, I take it,
+are not over eighteen."
+
+"Only sixteen, sir."
+
+"And yet you are wealthy.  I am rising fifty.  When you come to
+my age you will be worth much more."
+
+"Perhaps I may have lost all I now possess," said Rodney. 
+"Within a year I have lost fifty thousand dollars."
+
+"You don't say so."
+
+"Yes; it was through a man who had charge of my property. 
+I think now I shall manage my money matters myself."
+
+"Doubtless you are right.  That was certainly a heavy loss. 
+I shouldn't like to lose so much.  I suppose, however, you had
+something left?"
+
+"Oh yes," answered Rodney in an indifferent tone.
+
+"He must be rich to make so little account of fifty thousand
+dollars," thought the squire.
+
+"How long do you propose to stay in town, Mr. Pettigrew?" he asked.
+
+"I can't tell, sir, but I don't think I can spare more than
+three or four days."
+
+"May I hope that you and Mr. Ropes will take supper with me
+tomorrow evening?"
+
+"Say the next day and we'll come.  Tomorrow I must go to my uncle's."
+
+"Oh very well!"
+
+Squire Sheldon privately resolved to pump Rodney as to the
+investment of his property.  He was curious to learn first how
+much the boy was worth, for if there was anything that the
+squire worshiped it was wealth.  He was glad to find that Mr.
+Pettigrew had only brought home five hundred dollars, as it was
+not enough to lift the mortgage on his uncle's farm.
+
+After they were left alone Jefferson Pettigrew turned to Rodney
+and said, "Do you mind my leaving you a short time and calling
+at my uncle's?"
+
+"Not at all, Mr. Pettigrew.  I can pass my time very well."
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew directed his steps to an old fashioned
+farmhouse about half a mile from the village.  In the rear
+the roof sloped down so that the eaves were only five feet
+from the ground.  The house was large though the rooms were
+few in number.
+
+In the sitting room sat an old man and his wife, who was
+nearly as old.  It was not a picture of cheerful old age, for
+each looked sad.  The sadness of old age is pathetic for there
+is an absence of hope, and courage, such as younger people are
+apt to feel even when they are weighed down by trouble.
+
+Cyrus Hooper was seventy one, his wife two years younger. 
+During the greater part of their lives they had been well to do,
+if not prosperous, but now their money was gone, and there was
+a mortgage on the old home which they could not pay.
+
+"I don't know whats goin' to become of us, Nancy," said Cyrus Hooper. 
+"We'll have to leave the old home, and when the farm's been
+sold there won't be much left over and above the mortgage
+which Louis Sheldon holds."
+
+"Don't you think the squire will give you a little more time, Cyrus?"
+
+"No; I saw him yesterday, and he's sot on buyin' in the farm
+for himself.  He reckons it won't fetch more'n eighteen
+hundred dollars."
+
+"Thats only six hundred over the mortgage."
+
+"It isn't that Nancy.  There's about a hundred dollars
+due in interest.  We won't get more'n five hundred dollars."
+
+"Surely, Cyrus, the farm is worth three thousand dollars."
+
+"So it is, Nancy, but that won't do us any good, as long as no
+one wants it more'n the squire."
+
+"I wish Jefferson were at home."
+
+"What good would it do?  I surmise he hasn't made any money. 
+He never did have much enterprise, that boy."
+
+"He was allus a good boy, Cyrus."
+
+"That's so, Nancy, but he didn't seem cut out for makin' money. 
+Still it would do me good to see him.  Maybe we might have a
+home together, and manage to live."
+
+Just then a neighbor entered.
+
+"Have you heard the news?" she asked.
+
+"No; what is it?"
+
+"Your nephew Jefferson Pettigrew has got back."
+
+"You don't mean so.  There, Jefferson, that's one comfort."
+
+"And they say he has brought home five hundred dollars."
+
+"That's more'n I thought he'd bring.  Where is he?"
+
+"Over at the tavern.  He's brought a young man with him,
+leastways a boy, that's got a lot of money."
+
+"The boy?"
+
+"Yes; he's from New York, and is a friend of Jefferson's."
+
+"Well, I'm glad he's back.  Why didn't he come here?"
+
+"It's likely he would if the boy wasn't with him."
+
+"Perhaps he heard of my misfortune."
+
+"I hope it'll all come right, Mr. Hooper.  My, if there ain't
+Jefferson comin' to see you now.  I see him through the winder. 
+I guess I'll be goin'.  You'll want to see him alone."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+
+THE BOY CAPITALIST.
+
+
+"How are you, Uncle Cyrus?" said Jefferson Pettigrew heartily,
+as he clasped his uncle's toil worn hand.  "And Aunt Nancy, too! 
+It pays me for coming all the way from Montana just to see you."
+
+"I'm glad to see you, Jefferson," said his uncle.  "It seems a
+long time since you went away.  I hope you've prospered."
+
+"Well, uncle, I've brought myself back well and hearty, and I've
+got a few hundred dollars."
+
+"I'm glad to hear it, Jefferson.  You're better off than when
+you went away."
+
+"Yes, uncle.  I couldn't be much worse off.  Then I hadn't a
+cent that I could call my own.  But how are you and Aunt Nancy?"
+
+"We're gettin' old, Jefferson, and misfortune has come to us.
+Squire Sheldon has got a mortgage on the farm and it's likely
+we'll be turned out.  You've come just in time to see it."
+
+"Is it so bad as that, Uncle Cyrus?  Why, when I went away you
+were prosperous."
+
+"Yes, Jefferson, I owned the farm clear, and I had money in the
+bank, but now the money's gone and there's a twelve hundred
+dollar mortgage on the old place," and the old man sighed.
+
+"But how did it come about uncle?  You and Aunt Nancy haven't
+lived extravagantly, have you?  Aunt Nancy, you haven't run up
+a big bill at the milliner's and dressmaker's?"
+
+"You was always for jokin', Jefferson," said the old lady,
+smiling faintly; "but that is not the way our losses came."
+
+"How then?"
+
+"You see I indorsed notes for Sam Sherman over at Canton, and he
+failed, and I had to pay.  then I bought some wild cat minin'
+stock on Sam's recommendation, and that went down to nothin'. 
+So between the two I lost about three thousand dollars. 
+I've been a fool, Jefferson, and it would have been money in my
+pocket if I'd had a guardeen."
+
+"So you mortgaged the place to Squire Sheldon, uncle?"
+
+"Yes; I had to.  I was obliged to meet my notes."
+
+"But surely the squire will extend the mortgage."
+
+"No, he won't.  I've asked him.  He says he must call in the
+money, and so the old place will have to be sold, and Nancy and
+I must turn out in our old age."
+
+Again the old man sighed, and tears came into Nancy Hooper's eyes.
+
+"There'll be something left, won't there, Uncle Cyrus?"
+
+"Yes, the place should bring six hundred dollars over and above
+the mortgage.  That's little enough, for it's worth three thousand."
+
+"So it is, Uncle Cyrus.  But what can you do with six
+hundred dollars?  It won't support you and Aunt Nancy?"
+
+"I thought mebbe, Jefferson, I could hire a small house and you
+could board with us, so that we could still have a home together."
+
+"I'll think it over, uncle, if there is no other way.  But are
+you sure Squire Sheldon won't give you more time?"
+
+"No, Jefferson.  I surmise he wants the place himself. 
+There's talk of a railroad from Sherborn, and that'll raise
+the price of land right around here.  It'll probably go right
+through the farm just south of the three acre lot."
+
+"I see, Uncle Cyrus.  You ought to have the benefit of the rise
+in value."
+
+"Yes, Jefferson, it would probably rise enough to pay off the
+mortgage, but its no use thinkin' of it.  The old farm has got
+to go."
+
+"I don't know about that, Uncle Cyrus."
+
+"Why, Jefferson, you haven't money enough to lift the mortgage!"
+said the old man, with faint hope.
+
+"If I haven't I may get it for you.  Tell me just how much money
+is required."
+
+"Thirteen hundred dollars, includin' interest."
+
+"Perhaps you have heard that I have a boy with me--a boy from
+New York, named Rodney Ropes.  He has money, and perhaps I might
+get him to advance the sum you want."
+
+"Oh, Jefferson, if you only could!" exclaimed Aunt Nancy,
+clasping her thin hands.  "It would make us very happy."
+
+"I'll see Rodney tonight and come over tomorrow morning and tell
+you what he says.  On account of the railroad I shall tell him
+that it is a good investment.  I suppose you will be willing to
+mortgage the farm to him for the same money that he pays to lift
+the present mortgage?"
+
+"Yes, Jefferson, I'll be willin' and glad.  It'll lift a great
+burden from my shoulders.  I've been worryin' at the sorrow I've
+brought upon poor Nancy, for she had nothing to do with my
+foolish actions.  I was old enough to know better, Jefferson,
+and I'm ashamed of what I did."
+
+"Well, Uncle Cyrus, I'll do what I can for you.  Now let us
+forget all about your troubles and talk over the village news. 
+You know I've been away for four years, and I haven't had any
+stiddy correspondence, so a good deal must have happened that I
+don't know anything about.  I hear Frank Dobson has prospered?"
+
+"Yes, Frank's pretty forehanded.  He's got a good economical
+wife, and they've laid away five or six hundred dollars in the
+savings bank."
+
+"I am glad of it.  Frank is a good fellow.  If it hadn't been
+for him I couldn't have gone to Montana.  When he lent me the
+money everybody said he'd lose it, but I was bound to pay it if
+I had to live on one meal a day.  He was the only man in town
+who believed in me at that time."
+
+"You was a littless shif'less, Jefferson.  You can't blame people. 
+I wasn't quite sure myself how you'd get along."
+
+"No doubt you are right, Uncle Cyrus.  It did me good to
+leave town.  I didn't drink, but I had no ambition.  When a
+man goes to a new country it's apt to make a new man of him. 
+That was the case with me."
+
+"Are you goin' back again, Jefferson?"
+
+"Yes, uncle.  I'm going to stay round here long enough to fix up
+your affairs and get you out of your trouble.  Then I'll go back
+to the West.  I have a little mining interest there and I can
+make more money there than I can here."
+
+"If you can get me out of my trouble, Jefferson, I'll never
+forget it.  Nancy and I have been so worried that we couldn't
+sleep nights, but now I'm beginnin' to be a little more cheerful."
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew spent another hour at his uncle's house, and
+then went back to the tavern, where he found Rodney waiting for him. 
+He explained briefly the part he wished his boy friend to
+take in his plan for relieving his uncle.
+
+"I shall be receiving credit to which I am not entitled," said
+Rodney.  "Still, if it will oblige you I am willing to play the
+part of the boy capitalist."
+
+The next morning after breakfast the two friends walked over to
+the house of Cyrus Hooper.  Aunt Nancy came to the door and gave
+them a cordial welcome.
+
+"Cyrus is over at the barn, Jefferson," she said.  "I'll ring
+the bell and he'll come in."
+
+"No, Aunt Nancy, I'll go out and let him know I am here."
+
+Presently Cyrus Hooper came in, accompanied by Jefferson.
+
+"Uncle Cyrus," said the miner, "let me introduce you to my
+friend Rodney Ropes, of New York."
+
+"I'm glad to see you," said Cyrus heartily.  "I'm glad to see
+any friend of Jefferson's,"
+
+"Thank you, sir.  I am pleased to meet you."
+
+"Jefferson says you are goin' to Montany with him."
+
+"I hope to do so.  I am sure I shall enjoy myself in his company."
+
+"How far is Montany, Jefferson?"
+
+"It is over two thousand miles away, Uncle Cyrus."
+
+"It must be almost at the end of the world.  I don't see how you
+can feel at home so far away from Vermont."
+
+Jefferson smiled.
+
+"I can content myself wherever I can make a good living,"
+he said.  "Wouldn't you like to go out and make me a visit?"
+
+"No, Jefferson, I should feel that it was temptin' Providence to
+go so far at my age."
+
+"You never were very far from Burton, Uncle Cyrus?"
+
+"I went to Montpelier once," answered the old man with evident pride. 
+"It is a nice sizable place.  I stopped at the tavern, and had a
+good time."
+
+It was the only journey the old man had ever made, and he would
+never forget it.
+
+"Uncle Cyrus," said Jefferson, "this is the young man who I
+thought might advance you money on a new mortgage.  Suppose we
+invite him to go over the farm, and take a look at it so as to
+see what he thinks of the investment."
+
+"Sartain, Jefferson, sartain!  I do hope Mr. Ropes you'll look
+favorable on the investment.  It is Jefferson's idea, but it
+would be doin' me a great favor."
+
+"Mr. Pettigrew will explain the advantages of the farm as we go
+along," said Rodney.
+
+So they walked from field to field, Jefferson expatiating to his
+young friend upon the merits of the investment, Rodney asking
+questions now and then to carry out his part of the shrewd and
+careful boy capitalist.
+
+When they had made a tour of the farm Jefferson said:  "Well,
+Rodney, what do you think of the investment?"
+
+"I am satisfied with it," answered Rodney.  "Mr. Hooper, I will
+advance you the money on the conditions mentioned by my friend,
+Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+Tears of joy came into the eyes of Cyrus Hooper and his worn face
+showed relief.
+
+"I am very grateful, young man," he said.  "I will see that you
+don't regret your kindness."
+
+"When will Squire Sheldon be over to settle matters, Uncle
+Cyrus?" asked Jefferson.
+
+"He is comin' this afternoon at two o'clock."
+
+"Then Rodney and I will be over to take part in the business."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+
+THE FAILURE OF SQUIRE SHELDON'S PLOT.
+
+
+On the morning of the same day Squire Sheldon sat in his study
+when the servant came in and brought a card.
+
+"It's a gentleman thats come to see you, sir," she said.
+
+Lemuel Sheldon's eye brightened when he saw the name, for it was
+that of a railroad man who was interested in the proposed road
+from Sherborn.
+
+"I am glad to see you, Mr. Caldwell," he said cordially,
+rising to receive his guest.  "What is the prospect as regards
+the railroad?"
+
+"I look upon it as a certainty," answered Enoch Caldwell, a
+grave, portly man of fifty.
+
+"And it is sure to pass through our town?"
+
+"Yes, I look upon that as definitely decided."
+
+"The next question is as to the route it will take," went
+on the squire.  "Upon that point I should like to offer
+a few suggestions."
+
+"I shall be glad to receive them.  In fact, I may say that my
+report will probably be accepted, and I shall be glad to
+consult you."
+
+"Thank you.  I appreciate the compliment you pay me, and, though
+I say it, I don't think you could find any one more thoroughly
+conversant with the lay of the land and the most advisable route
+to follow.  If you will put on your hat we will go out together
+and I will give you my views."
+
+"I shall be glad to do so."
+
+The two gentlemen took a leisurely walk through the village,
+going by Cyrus Hooper's house on the way.
+
+"In my view," said the squire, "the road should go directly
+through this farm a little to the north of the house."
+
+The squire proceeded to explain his reasons for the route
+he recommended.
+
+"To whom does the farm belong?" asked Caldwell, with a shrewd
+glance at the squire.
+
+"To an old man named Cyrus Hooper."
+
+"Ahem!  Perhaps he would be opposed to the road passing so near
+his house."
+
+"I apprehend that he will not have to be consulted," said the
+squire with a crafty smile.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Because I hold a mortgage on the farm which I propose to
+foreclose this afternoon."
+
+"I see.  So that you will be considerably benefited by the road."
+
+"Yes, to a moderate extent."
+
+"But if a different course should be selected, how then?"
+
+"If the road goes through the farm I would be willing to give a
+quarter of the damages awarded to me to--you understand?"
+
+"I think I do.  After all it seems the most natural route."
+
+"I think there can be no doubt on that point.  Of course the
+corporation will be willing to pay a reasonable sum for land taken."
+
+"I think I can promise that, as I shall have an important voice
+in the matter."
+
+"I see you are a thorough business man," said the squire. 
+"I hold that it is always best to pursue a liberal policy."
+
+"Quite so.  You have no doubt of obtaining the farm?"
+
+"Not the slightest."
+
+"But suppose the present owner meets the mortgage?"
+
+"He can't.  He is a poor man, and he has no moneyed friends. 
+I confess I was a little afraid that a nephew of his just returned
+from Montana might be able to help him, but I learn that he has
+only brought home five hundred dollars while the mortgage,
+including interest, calls for thirteen hundred."
+
+"Then you appear to be safe.  When did you say the matter would
+be settled?"
+
+"This afternoon at two o'clock.  You had better stay over and
+take supper with me.  I shall be prepared to talk with you at
+that time."
+
+"Very well."
+
+From a window of the farmhouse Cyrus Hooper saw Squire Sheldon
+and his guest walking by the farm, and noticed the interest
+which they seemed to feel in it.  But for the assurance which he
+had received of help to pay the mortgage he would have felt
+despondent, for he guessed the subject of their conversation. 
+As it was, he felt an excusable satisfaction in the certain
+defeat of the squire's hopes of gain.
+
+"It seems that the more a man has the more he wants, Jefferson,"
+he said to his nephew.  "The squire is a rich man--the richest
+man in Burton--but he wants to take from me the little property
+that I have."
+
+"It's the way of the world, Uncle Cyrus.  In this case the squire
+is safe to be disappointed, thanks to my young friend, Rodney."
+
+"Its lucky for me, Jefferson, that you came home just the time
+you did.  If you had come a week later it would have been too late."
+
+"Then you don't think the squire would have relented?"
+
+"I know he wouldn't.  I went over a short time since and had a
+talk with him on the subject.  I found he was sot on gettin' the
+farm into his own hands."
+
+"If he were willing to pay a fair value it wouldn't be so bad."
+
+"He wasn't.  He wanted to get it as cheap as he could."
+
+"I wonder," said Jefferson Pettigrew reflectively, "whether I
+shall be as hard and selfish if ever I get rich."
+
+"I don't believe you will, Jefferson.  I don't believe you will. 
+It doesn't run in the blood."
+
+"I hope not Uncle Cyrus.  How long have you known the squire?"
+
+"Forty years, Jefferson.  He is about ten years younger than I am. 
+I was a young man when he was a boy."
+
+"And you attend the same church?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And still he is willing to take advantage of you and reduce you
+to poverty.  I don't see much religion in that."
+
+"When a man's interest is concerned religion has to stand to one
+side with some people."
+
+It was in a pleasant frame of mind that Squire Sheldon left his
+house and walked over to the farmhouse which he hoped to own. 
+He had decided to offer eighteen hundred dollars for the farm,
+which would be five hundred over and above the face of the
+mortgage with the interest added.
+
+This of itelf would give him an excellent profit, but he
+expected also, as we know, to drive a stiff bargain with the new
+railroad company, for such land as they would require to use.
+
+"Stay here till I come back, Mr. Caldwell," he said. 
+"I apprehend it won't take me long to get through my business."
+
+Squire Sheldon knocked at the door of the farmhouse, which was
+opened to him by Nancy Hooper.
+
+"Walk in, squire," she said.
+
+"Is your husband at home, Mrs. Hooper?"
+
+"Yes; he is waiting for you."
+
+Mrs. Hooper led the way into the sitting room, where her husband
+was sitting in a rocking chair.
+
+"Good afternoon, Mr. Hooper," said the squire.  "I hope I see
+you well."
+
+"As well as I expect to be.  I'm gettin' to be an old man."
+
+"We must all grow old," said the squire vaguely.
+
+"And sometimes a man's latter years are his most sorrowful years."
+
+"That means that he can't pay the mortgage," thought Squire Sheldon.
+
+"Well, ahem!  Yes, it does sometimes happen so," he said aloud.
+
+"Still if a man's friends stand by him, that brings him some comfort."
+
+"I suppose you know what I've come about, Mr. Hooper," said the
+squire, anxious to bring his business to a conclusion.
+
+"I suppose it's about the mortgage."
+
+"Yes, its about the mortgage."
+
+"Will you be willing to extend it another year?"
+
+"I thought," said the squire, frowning, "I had given you to
+understand that I cannot do this.  You owe me a large sum in
+accrued interest."
+
+"But if I make shift to pay this?"
+
+"I should say the same.  It may as well come first as last. 
+You can't hold the place, and there is no chance of your being
+better off by waiting."
+
+"I understand that the new railroad might go through my farm. 
+That would put me on my feet."
+
+"There is no certainty that the road will ever be built. 
+Even if it were, it would not be likely to cross your farm."
+
+"I see, Squire Sheldon, you are bound to have the place."
+
+"There is no need to put it that way, Mr. Hooper.  I lent you
+money on mortgage.  You can't pay the mortgage, and of course
+I foreclose.  However, I will buy the farm and allow you eighteen
+hundred dollars for it.  That will give you five hundred dollars
+over and above the money you owe me."
+
+"The farm is worth three thousand dollars."
+
+"Nonsense, Mr. Hooper.  Still if you get an offer of that sum
+TODAY I will advise you to sell."
+
+"I certainly won't take eighteen hundred."
+
+"You won't?  Then I shall foreclose, and you may have to take less."
+
+"Then there is only one thing to do."
+
+"As you say, there is only one thing to do."
+
+"And that is, to pay off the mortgage and clear the farm."
+
+"You can't do it!" exclaimed the squire uneasily.
+
+Cyrus Hooper's only answer was to call "Jefferson."
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew entered the room, followed by Rodney.
+
+"What does this mean?" asked the squire.
+
+"It means, Squire Sheldon," said Mr. Pettigrew, "that you won't
+turn my uncle out of his farm this time.  My young friend,
+Rodney Ropes, has advanced Uncle Cyrus money enough to pay off
+the mortgage."
+
+"I won't take a check," said the squire hastily.
+
+"You would have to if we insisted upon it, but I have the money
+here in bills.  Give me a release and surrender the mortgage,
+and you shall have your money."
+
+It was with a crestfallen look that Squire Sheldon left the
+farmhouse, though his pockets were full of money.
+
+"It's all up," he said to his friend Caldwell in a hollow voice. 
+"They have paid the mortgage."
+
+After all the railway did cross the farm, and Uncle Cyrus was
+paid two thousand dollars for the right of way, much to the
+disappointment of his disinterested friend Lemuel Sheldon, who
+felt that this sum ought to have gone into his own pocket.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+
+A MINISTER'S GOOD FORTUNE.
+
+
+"I have another call to make, Rodney," said Mr. Pettigrew, as
+they were on their way back to the hotel, "and I want you to go
+with me."
+
+"I shall be glad to accompany you anywhere, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"You remember I told you of the old minister whose church I
+attended as a boy.  He has never received but four hundred
+dollars a year, yet he has managed to rear a family, but has
+been obliged to use the strictest economy."
+
+"Yes, I remember."
+
+"I am going to call on him, and I shall take the opportunity to
+make him a handsome present.  It will surprise him, and I think
+it will be the first present of any size that he has received in
+his pastorate of over forty years.
+
+"There he lives!" continued Jefferson, pointing out a very
+modest cottage on the left hand side of the road.
+
+It needed painting badly, but it looked quite as well as the
+minister who came to the door in a ragged dressing gown.  He was
+venerable looking, for his hair was quite white, though he was
+only sixty five years old.  But worldly cares which had come
+upon him from the difficulty of getting along on his scanty
+salary had whitened his hair and deepened the wrinkles on his
+kindly face.
+
+"I am glad to see you, Jefferson," he said, his face lighting up
+with pleasure.  "I heard you were in town and I hoped you
+wouldn't fail to call upon me."
+
+"I was sure to call, for you were always a good friend to me as
+well as many others."
+
+"I always looked upon you as one of my boys, Jefferson.  I hear
+that you have been doing well."
+
+"Yes, Mr. Canfield.  I have done better than I have let people know."
+
+"Have you been to see your uncle?  Poor man, he is in trouble."
+
+"He is no longer in trouble.  The mortgage is paid off, and as
+far as Squire Sheldon is concerned he is independent."
+
+"Indeed, that is good news," said the old minister with
+beaming face.  "You must surely have done well if you could
+furnish money enough to clear the farm.  It was over a thousand
+dollars, wasn't it?"
+
+"Yes, thirteen hundred.  My young friend, Rodney Ropes, and
+myself managed it between us."
+
+"I am glad to see you, Mr. Ropes.  Come in both of you. 
+Mrs. Canfield will be glad to welcome you."
+
+They followed him into the sitting room, the floor of which was
+covered by an old and faded carpet.  The furniture was of the
+plainest description.  But it looked pleasant and homelike, and
+the papers and books that were scattered about made it more
+attractive to a visitor than many showy city drawing rooms.
+
+"And how are all your children, Mr. Canfield?" asked Jefferson.
+
+"Maria is married to a worthy young man in the next town. 
+Benjamin is employed in a book store, and Austin wants to
+go to college, but I don't see any way to send him, poor boy!"
+and the minister sighed softly.
+
+"Does it cost much to keep a boy in college?"
+
+"Not so much as might be supposed.  There are beneficiary funds
+for deserving students, and then there is teaching to eke out a
+poor young man's income, so that I don't think it would cost
+over a hundred and fifty dollars a year."
+
+"That isn't a large sum."
+
+"Not in itelf, but you know, Jefferson, my salary is only four
+hundred dollars a year.  It would take nearly half my income, so
+I think Austin will have to give up his hopes of going to
+college and follow in his brother's steps."
+
+"How old is Austin now?"
+
+"He is eighteen."
+
+"Is he ready for college?"
+
+"Yes, he could enter at the next commencement but for the
+financial problem."
+
+"I never had any taste for college, or study, as you know,
+Mr. Canfield.  It is different with my friend Rodney, who is
+a Latin and Greek scholar."
+
+The minister regarded Rodney with new interest.
+
+"Do you think of going to college, Mr. Ropes?" he asked.
+
+"Not at present.  I am going back to Montana with Mr. Pettigrew. 
+Perhaps he and I will both go to college next year."
+
+"Excuse me," said Jefferson Pettigrew.  "Latin and Greek ain't
+in my line.  I should make a good deal better miner than minister."
+
+"It is not desirable that all should become ministers or go to
+college," said Mr. Canfield.  "I suspect from what I know of
+you, Jefferson, that you judge yourself correctly.  How long
+shall you stay in Burton?"
+
+"I expect to go away tomorrow."
+
+"Your visit is a brief one."
+
+"Yes, I intended to stay longer, but I begin to be homesick
+after the West."
+
+"Do you expect to make your permanent home there?"
+
+"I can't tell as to that.  For the present I can do better there
+than here."
+
+The conversation lasted for some time.  Then Jefferson Pettigrew
+rose to go.
+
+"Won't you call again, Jefferson?" asked the minister hospitably.
+
+"I shall not have time, but before I go I want to make you a
+small present" and he put into the hands of the astonished
+minister four fifty dollar bills.
+
+"Two hundred dollars!" ejaculated the minister.  "Why, I heard
+you only brought home a few hundred."
+
+"I prefer to leave that impression.  To you I will say that I am
+worth a great deal more than that."
+
+"But you mustn't give me so much.  I am sure you are too
+generous for your own interest.  Why, it's munificent, princely."
+
+"Don't be troubled about me.  I can spare it.  Send your boy to
+college, and next year I will send you another sum equally large."
+
+"How can I thank you, Jefferson?" said Mr. Canfield, the tears
+coming into his eyes.  "Never in forty years have I had such a gift."
+
+"Not even from Squire Sheldon?"
+
+"The squire is not in the habit of bestowing gifts, but he pays
+a large parish tax.  May I--am I at liberty to say from whom I
+received this liberal donation?"
+
+"Please don't!  You can say that you have had a gift from a friend."
+
+"You have made me very happy, Jefferson.  Your own conscience
+will reward you."
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew changed the subject, for it embarrassed him
+to be thanked.
+
+"That pays me for hard work and privation," he said to Rodney as
+they walked back to the tavern.  "After all there is a great
+pleasure in making others happy."
+
+"Squire Sheldon hadn't found that out."
+
+"And he never will."
+
+On the way they met the gentleman of whom they had been speaking. 
+He bowed stiffly, for he could not feel cordial to those whom had
+snatched from him the house for which he had been scheming so long.
+
+"Squire Sheldon," said Jefferson, "you were kind enough to
+invite Rodney and myself to supper some evening.  I am sorry to
+say that we must decline, as we leave Burton tomorrow."
+
+"Use your own pleasure, Mr. Pettigrew," said the squire coldly.
+
+"It doesn't seem to disappoint the squire very much," remarked
+Jefferson, laughing, when the great man of the village had
+passed on.
+
+"It certainly is no disappointment to me."
+
+"Nor to me.  The little time I have left I can use more
+pleasantly than in going to see the squire.  I have promised to
+supper at my uncle's tonight--that is, I have promised for both
+of us."
+
+Returning to New York, Jefferson and Rodney set about getting
+ready for their Western journey.  Rodney gave some of his
+wardrobe to Mike Flynn, and bought some plain suits suitable for
+his new home.
+
+While walking on Broadway the day before the one fixed for his
+departure he fell in with Jasper Redwood.
+
+"Have you got a place yet Ropes?" asked Jasper.
+
+"I am not looking for any."
+
+"How is that?" asked Jasper in some surprise.
+
+"I am going to leave the city."
+
+"That is a good idea.  All cannot succeed in the city.  You may
+find a chance to work on a farm in the country."
+
+"I didn't say I was going to the country."
+
+"Where are you going, then?"
+
+"To Montana."
+
+"Isn't that a good way off?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What are you going to do there?"
+
+"I may go to mining."
+
+"But how can you afford to go so far?"
+
+"Really, Jasper, you show considerable curiosity about
+my affairs.  I have money enough to buy my ticket, and
+I think I can find work when I get out there."
+
+"It seems to me a crazy idea."
+
+"It might be--for you."
+
+"And why for me?" asked Jasper suspiciously.
+
+"Because you might not be willing to rough it as I am prepared
+to do."
+
+"I guess you are right.  I have always been used to living like
+a gentleman."
+
+"I hope you will always be able to do so.  Now I must bid you
+good by, as I am busy getting ready for my journey."
+
+Jasper looked after Rodney, not without perplexity.
+
+"I can't make out that boy," he said.  "So he is going to be a
+common miner!  Well, that may suit him, but it wouldn't suit me. 
+There is no chance now of his interfering with me, so I am glad
+he is going to leave the city."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+
+A MINING TOWN IN MONTANA.
+
+
+The scene changes.
+
+Three weeks later among the miners who were sitting on the
+narrow veranda of the "Miners' Rest" in Oreville in Montana we
+recognize two familiar faces and figures--those of Jefferson
+Pettigrew and Rodney Ropes.  Both were roughly clad, and if
+Jasper could have seen Rodney he would have turned up his nose
+in scorn, for Rodney had all the look of a common miner.
+
+It was in Oreville that Mr. Pettigrew had a valuable mining
+property, on which he employed quite a number of men who
+preferred certain wages to a compensation depending on the
+fluctuations of fortune.  Rodney was among those employed, but
+although he was well paid he could not get to like the work. 
+Of this, however, he said nothing to Mr. Pettigrew whose company
+he enjoyed, and whom he held in high esteem.
+
+On the evening in question Jefferson rose from his seat and
+signed to Rodney to follow him.
+
+"Well, Rodney, how do you like Montana?" he asked.
+
+"Well enough to be glad I came here," answered Rodney.
+
+"Still you are not partial to the work of a miner!"
+
+"I can think of other things I would prefer to do."
+
+"How would you like keeping a hotel?"
+
+"Is there any hotel in search of a manager?" asked Rodney smiling.
+
+"I will explain.  Yesterday I bought the `Miners' Rest.'"
+
+"What--the hotel where we board?"
+
+"Exactly.  I found that Mr. Bailey, who has made a comfortable
+sum of money, wants to leave Montana and go East and I bought
+the hotel."
+
+"So that hereafter I shall board with you?"
+
+"Not exactly.  I propose to put you in charge, and pay you
+a salary.  I can oversee, and give you instructions.  How will
+that suit you?"
+
+"So you think I am competent, Mr. Pettigrew?"
+
+"Yes, I think so.  There is a good man cook, and two waiters. 
+The cook will also order supplies and act as steward under you."
+
+"What then will be my duties?"
+
+"You will act as clerk and cashier, and pay the bills.  You will
+have to look after all the details of management.  If there is
+anything you don't understand you will have me to back you up,
+and advise you.  What do you say?"
+
+"That I shall like it much better than mining.  My only doubt is
+as to whether I shall suit you."
+
+"It is true that it takes a smart man to run a hotel, but I
+think we can do it between us.  Now what will you consider a
+fair salary?"
+
+"I leave that to you, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"Then we will call it a hundred and fifty dollars a month and board."
+
+"But, Mr. Pettigrew," said Rodney in surprise, "how can I
+possibly earn that much?"
+
+"You know we charge big prices, and have about fifty steady boarders. 
+I expect to make considerable money after deducting all the
+expenses of management."
+
+"My friend Jasper would be very much surprised if he could know
+the salary I am to receive.  In the store I was only paid seven
+dollars a week."
+
+"The duties were different.  Almost any boy could discharge the
+duties of an entry clerk while it takes peculiar qualities to
+run a hotel."
+
+"I was certainly very fortunate to fall in with you, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"I expect it will turn out fortunate for me too, Rodney."
+
+"When do you want me to start in?"
+
+"Next Monday morning.  It is now Thursday evening.  Mr. Bailey
+will turn over the hotel to me on Saturday night.  You needn't go
+to the mines tomorrow, but may remain in the hotel, and he will
+instruct you in the details of management."
+
+"That will be quite a help to me, and I am at present quite
+ignorant on the subject."
+
+Rodney looked forward with pleasure to his new employment. 
+He had good executive talent, though thus far he had had no
+occasion to exercise it.  It was with unusual interest that he
+set about qualifying himself for his new position.
+
+"Young man," said the veteran landlord, "I think you'll do. 
+I thought at first that Jefferson was foolish to put a young boy
+in my place, but you've got a head on your shoulders, you have! 
+I guess you'll fill the bill."
+
+"I hope to do so, Mr. Bailey."
+
+"Jefferson tells me that you understand Latin and Greek?"
+
+"I know something of them."
+
+"Thats what prejudiced me against you.  I hired a college boy
+once as a clerk and he was the worst failure I ever came across. 
+He seemed to have all kinds of sense except common sense. 
+I reckon he was a smart scholar, and he could have made out
+the bills for the boarders in Latin or Greek if it had been
+necessary, but he was that soft that any one could cheat him. 
+Things got so mixed up in the department that I had to turn him
+adrift in a couple of weeks.  I surmised you might be the same sort
+of a chap.  If you were it would be a bad lookout for Jefferson."
+
+In Oreville Mr. Pettigrew was so well known that nearly everyone
+called him by his first name.  Mr. Pettigrew did not care about this
+as he had no false pride or artificial dignity.
+
+"Do you consider this hotel a good property, Mr. Bailey?"
+
+"I'll tell you this much.  I started here four years ago, and
+I've made fifty thousand dollars which I shall take back with me
+to New Hampshire."
+
+"That certainly is satisfactory."
+
+"I shouldn't wonder if you could improve upon it."
+
+"How does it happen that you sell out such a valuable property,
+Mr. Bailey?  Are you tired of making money?"
+
+"No, but I must tell you that there's a girl waiting for me at
+home, an old schoolmate, who will become Mrs. Bailey as soon as
+possible after I get back.  If she would come out here I
+wouldn't sell, but she has a mother that she wouldn't leave,
+and so I must go to her."
+
+"That is a good reason, Mr. Bailey."
+
+"Besides with fifty thousand dollars I can live as well as I
+want to in New Hampshire, and hold up my head with the best. 
+You will follow my example some day."
+
+"It will be a long day first, Mr. Bailey, for I am only sixteen."
+
+On Monday morning the old landlord started for his Eastern home
+and Rodney took his place.  It took him some little time to
+become familiar with all the details of hotel management, but he
+spared no pains to insure success.  He had some trouble at first
+with the cook who presumed upon his position and Rodney's
+supposed ignorance to run things as he chose.
+
+Rodney complained to Mr. Pettigrew.
+
+"I think I can fix things, Rodney," he said.  "There's a man working
+for me who used to be cook in a restaurant in New York.  I found out
+about him quietly, for I wanted to be prepared for emergencies. 
+The next time Gordon act contrary and threatens to leave,
+tell him he can do as he pleases.  Then report to me."
+
+The next day there came another conflict of authority.
+
+"If you don't like the way I manage you can get somebody else,"
+said the cook triumphantly.  "Perhaps you'd like to cook the
+dinner yourself.  You're nothing but a boy, and I don't see what
+Jefferson was thinking of to put you in charge."
+
+"That is his business, Mr. Gordon."
+
+"I advise you not to interfere with me, for I won't stand it."
+
+"Why didn't you talk in this way to Mr. Bailey?"
+
+"That's neither here nor there.  He wasn't a boy for one thing."
+
+"Then you propose to have your own way, Mr. Gordon?"
+
+"Yes, I do."
+
+"Very well, then you can leave me at the end of this week."
+
+"What!" exclaimed the cook in profound astonishment.  "Are you
+going crazy?"
+
+"No, I know what I am about."
+
+"Perhaps you intend to cook yourself."
+
+"No, I don't.  That would close up the hotel."
+
+"Look here, young feller, you're gettin' too independent! 
+I've a great mind to leave you tonight."
+
+"You can do so if you want to," said Rodney indifferently.
+
+"Then I will!" retorted Gordon angrily, bringing down his fist
+upon the table in vigorous emphasis.
+
+Oreville was fifty miles from Helena, and that was the nearest
+point, as he supposed, where a new cook could be obtained.
+
+After supper Rodney told Jefferson Pettigrew what had happened.
+
+"Have I done right?" he asked.
+
+"Yes; we can't have any insubordination here.  There can't be
+two heads of one establishment.  Send Gordon to me."
+
+The cook with a defiant look answered the summons.
+
+"I understand you want to leave, Gordon," said Jefferson Pettigrew.
+
+"That depends.  I ain't goin' to have no boy dictatin' to me."
+
+"Then you insist upon having your own way without interference."
+
+"Yes, I do."
+
+"Very well, I accept your resignation.  Do you wish to wait till
+the end of the week, or to leave tonight?"
+
+"I want to give it up tonight."
+
+"Very well, go to Rodney and he will pay you what is due you."
+
+"Are you goin' to get along without a cook?" inquired Gordon
+in surprise.
+
+"No."
+
+"What are you going to do, then?"
+
+"I shall employ Parker in your place."
+
+"What does he know about cookin'?"
+
+"He ran a restaurant in New York for five years, the first part
+of the time having charge of the cooking.  We shan't suffer even
+if you do leave us."
+
+"I think I will stay," said Gordon in a submissive tone.
+
+"It is too late.  You have discharged yourself.  You can't stay
+here on any terms."
+
+Gordon left Oreville the next day a sorely disappointed man,
+for he had received more liberal pay than he was likely to
+command elsewhere.  The young landlord had triumphed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+
+THE MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY.
+
+
+At the end of a month Jefferson Pettigrew said:  "I've been
+looking over the books, Rodney, and I find the business is
+better than I expected.  How much did I agree to pay you?"
+
+"A hundred and fifty dollars a month, but if you think that it
+is too much----"
+
+"Too much?  Why I am going to advance you to two hundred and fifty."
+
+"You can't be in earnest, Mr. Pettigrew?"
+
+"I am entirely so."
+
+"That is at the rate of three thousand dollars a year!"
+
+"Yes, but you are earning it."
+
+"You know I am only a boy."
+
+"That doesn't make any difference as long as you understand
+your business."
+
+"I am very grateful to you, Mr. Pettigrew.  My, I can save two
+hundred dollars a month."
+
+"Do so, and I will find you a paying investment for the money."
+
+"What would Jasper say to my luck?" thought Rodney.
+
+Three months passed without any incident worth recording. 
+One afternoon a tall man wearing a high hat and a Prince Albert
+coat with a paste diamond of large size in his shirt bosom entered
+the public room of the Miners' Rest and walking up to the bar
+prepared to register his name.  As he stood with his pen in his
+hand Rodney recognized him not without amazement.
+
+It was Louis Wheeler--the railroad thief, whom he had last seen
+in New York.
+
+As for Wheeler he had not taken any notice of the young clerk,
+not suspecting that it was an old acquaintance who was familiar
+with his real character.
+
+"Have you just arrived in Montana, Mr. Wheeler?" asked Rodney quietly.
+
+As Rodney had not had an opportunity to examine his signature in
+the register Wheeler looked up in quiet surprise.
+
+"Do you know me?" he asked.
+
+"Yes; don't you know me?"
+
+"I'll be blowed if it isn't the kid," ejaculated Wheeler.
+
+"As I run this hotel, I don't care to be called a kid."
+
+"All right Mr.----"
+
+"Ropes."
+
+"Mr. Ropes, you are the most extraordinary boy I ever met."
+
+"Am I?"
+
+"Who would have thought of your turning up as a Montana landlord."
+
+"I wouldn't have thought of it myself four months ago.  But what
+brings you out here?"
+
+"Business," answered Wheeler in an important tone.
+
+"Are you going to become a miner?"
+
+"I may buy a mine if I find one to suit me."
+
+"I am glad you seem to be prospering."
+
+"Can you give me a good room?"
+
+"Yes, but I must ask a week's advance payment."
+
+"How much?"
+
+"Twenty five dollars."
+
+"All right.  Here's the money."
+
+Louis Wheeler pulled out a well filled wallet and handed over
+two ten dollar bills and a five.
+
+"Is that satisfactory?" he asked.
+
+"Quite so.  You seem better provided with money than when I saw
+you last."
+
+"True.  I was then in temporary difficulty.  But I made a good
+turn in stocks and I am on my feet again."
+
+Rodney did not believe a word of this, but as long as Wheeler
+was able to pay his board he had no good excuse for refusing
+him accommodation.
+
+"That rascal here!" exclaimed Jefferson, when Rodney informed
+him of Wheeler's arrival.  "Well, thats beat all!  What has
+brought him out here?"
+
+"Business, he says."
+
+"It may be the same kind of business that he had with me. 
+He will bear watching."
+
+"I agree with you, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+Louis Wheeler laid himself out to be social and agreeable, and
+made himself quite popular with the other boarders at the hotel. 
+As Jefferson and Rodney said nothing about him, he was taken at
+his own valuation, and it was reported that he was a heavy
+capitalist from Chicago who had come to Montana to buy a mine. 
+This theory received confirmation both from his speech and actions.
+
+On the following day he went about in Oreville and examined
+the mines.  He expressed his opinion freely in regard to what he
+saw, and priced one that was for sale at fifty thousand dollars.
+
+"I like this mine," he said, "but I don't know enough about it
+to make an offer.  If it comes up to my expectations I will try it."
+
+"He must have been robbing a bank," observed Jefferson Pettigrew.
+
+Nothing could exceed the cool assurance with which Wheeler
+greeted Jefferson and recalled their meeting in New York.
+
+"You misjudged me then, Mr. Pettigrew," he said.  "I believe
+upon my soul you looked upon me as an adventurer--a confidence man."
+
+"You are not far from the truth, Mr. Wheeler," answered
+Jefferson bluntly.
+
+"Well, I forgive you.  Our acquaintance was brief and you judged
+from superficial impressions."
+
+"Perhaps so, Mr. Wheeler.  Have you ever been West before?"
+
+"No."
+
+"When you came to Oreville had you any idea that I was here?"
+
+"No; if I had probably I should not have struck the town, as I
+knew that you didn't have a favorable opinion of me."
+
+"I can't make out much of that fellow, Rodney," said Jefferson.
+"I can't understand his object in coming here."
+
+"He says he wants to buy a mine."
+
+"That's all a pretext.  He hasn't money enough to buy a mine or
+a tenth part of it."
+
+"He seems to have money."
+
+"Yes; he may have a few hundred dollars, but mark my words, he
+hasn't the slightest intention of buying a mine."
+
+"He has some object in view."
+
+"No doubt!  What it is is what I want to find out."
+
+There was another way in which Louis Wheeler made himself
+popular among the miners of Oreville.  He had a violin with him,
+and in the evening he seated himself on the veranda and played
+popular tunes.
+
+He had only a smattering in the way of musical training, but the
+airs he played took better than classical music would have done. 
+Even Jefferson Pettigrew enjoyed listening to "Home, Sweet Home"
+and "The Last Rose of Summer," while the miners were captivated
+by merry dance tunes, which served to enliven them after a long
+day's work at the mines.
+
+One day there was a sensation.  A man named John O'Donnell came
+down stairs from his room looking pale and agitated.
+
+"Boys," he said, "I have been robbed."
+
+Instantly all eyes were turned upon him.
+
+"Of what have you been robbed, O'Donnell?" asked Jefferson.
+
+"Of two hundred dollars in gold.  I was going to send it home to
+my wife in Connecticut next week."
+
+"When did you miss it?"
+
+"Just now."
+
+"Where did you keep it?"
+
+"In a box under my bed."
+
+"When do you think it was taken?"
+
+"Last night."
+
+"What makes you think so?"
+
+"I am a sound sleeper, and last night you know was very dark. 
+I awoke with a start, and seemed to hear footsteps.  I looked
+towards the door, and saw a form gliding from the room."
+
+"Why didn't you jump out of bed and seize the intruder whoever
+he was?"
+
+"Because I was not sure but it was all a dream.  I think now it
+was some thief who had just robbed me."
+
+"I think so too.  Could you make out anything of his appearance?"
+
+"I could only see the outlines of his figure.  He was a
+tall man.  He must have taken the money from under my bed."
+
+"Did any one know that you had money concealed there?"
+
+"I don't think I ever mentioned it."
+
+"It seems we have a thief among us," said Jefferson, and almost
+unconsciously his glance rested on Louis Wheeler who was seated
+near John O'Donnell, "what do you think, Mr. Wheeler?"
+
+"I think you are right, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"Have you any suggestion to make?" asked Jefferson.  "Have you
+by chance lost anything?"
+
+"Not that I am aware of."
+
+"Is there any one else here who has been robbed?"
+
+No one spoke.
+
+"You asked me if I had any suggestions to make, Mr. Pettigrew,"
+said Louis Wheeler after a pause.  "I have.
+
+"Our worthy friend Mr. O'Donnell has met with a serious loss. 
+I move that we who are his friends make it up to him.  Here is
+my contribution," and he laid a five dollar bill on the table.
+
+It was a happy suggestion and proved popular.  Every one present
+came forward, and tendered his contributions including
+Jefferson, who put down twenty five dollars.
+
+Mr. Wheeler gathered up the notes and gold and sweeping them to
+his hat went forward and tendered them to John O'Donnell.
+
+"Take this money, Mr. O'Donnell," he said.  "It is the free will
+offering of your friends.  I am sure I may say for them, as for
+myself, that it gives us all pleasure to help a comrade in trouble."
+
+Louis Wheeler could have done nothing that would have so lifted
+him in the estimation of the miners.
+
+"And now," he said, "as our friend is out of his trouble I will
+play you a few tunes on my violin, and will end the day happily."
+
+"I can't make out that fellow, Rodney," said Jefferson when they
+were alone.  "I believe he is the thief, but he has an immense
+amount of nerve."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+
+MR. WHEELER EXPLAINS.
+
+
+Probably there was no one at the hotel who suspected Louis
+Wheeler of being a thief except Rodney and Mr. Pettigrew. 
+His action in starting a contribution for John O'Donnell helped
+to make him popular.  He was establishing a reputation quite new
+to him, and it was this fact probably that made him less prudent
+than he would otherwise have been.
+
+As the loss had been made up, the boarders at the Miners' Rest
+ceased to talk of it.  But Jefferson and his young assistant did
+not forget it.
+
+"I am sure Wheeler is the thief, but I don't know how to bring
+it home to him," said Jefferson one day, when alone with Rodney.
+
+"You might search him."
+
+"Yes, but what good would that do?  It might be found that he
+had money, but one gold coin is like another and it would be
+impossible to identify it as the stolen property.  If O'Donnell
+had lost anything else except money it would be different. 
+I wish he would come to my chamber."
+
+"Perhaps he would if he thought you were a sound sleeper."
+
+"That is an idea.  I think I can make use of it.".
+
+That evening when Wheeler was present Mr. Pettigrew managed to
+turn the conversation to the subject of sleeping.
+
+"I am a very sound sleeper," he said.  "I remember when I was at
+home sleeping many a time through a severe thunder storm."
+
+"Don't you sometimes wake up in the middle of the night?"
+asked Rodney.
+
+"Very seldom, if I am in good health."
+
+"Its different with me," said another of the company.  "A step on
+the floor or the opening of the door will wake me up at any time."
+
+"I am glad I am not so easily roused."
+
+"If I had a fish horn," said Rodney, laughing, "I should be tempted
+to come up in the night and give it a blast before your door."
+
+"That might wake me up," said Mr. Pettigrew.  "I wouldn't advise you
+to try it or the other boarders might get up an indignation meeting."
+
+The same evening Jefferson Pettigrew took out a bag of gold and
+carelessly displayed it.
+
+"Are you not afraid of being robbed, Mr. Pettigrew?" asked Rodney.
+
+"Oh no.  I never was robbed in my life."
+
+"How much money have you there?"
+
+"I don't know exactly.  Perhaps six hundred dollars," said
+Pettigrew in an indifferent tone.
+
+Among those who listened to this conversation with interest was
+Louis Wheeler.  Rodney did not fail to see the covetous gleam of
+his eyes when the gold was displayed.
+
+The fact was, that Wheeler was getting short of cash and at the
+time he took John O'Donnell's money--for he was the thief--he
+had but about twenty dollars left, and of this he contributed
+five to the relief of the man he had robbed.
+
+His theft realized him two hundred dollars, but this would
+not last him long, as the expenses of living at the Miners' Rest
+were considerable.  He was getting tired of Oreville, but wanted
+to secure some additional money before he left it.  The problem
+was whom to make his second victim.
+
+It would not have occurred to him to rob Jefferson Pettigrew, of
+whom he stood in wholesome fear, but for the admission that he
+was an unusually sound sleeper; even then he would have felt
+uncertain whether it would pay.  But the display of the bag of
+money, and the statement that it contained six hundred dollars
+in gold proved a tempting bait.
+
+"If I can capture that bag of gold," thought Wheeler, "I shall
+have enough money to set me up in some new place.  There won't
+be much risk about it, for Pettigrew sleeps like a top.  I will
+venture it."
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew's chamber was on the same floor as his own. 
+It was the third room from No. 17 which Mr. Wheeler occupied.
+
+As a general thing the occupants of the Miners' Rest went to
+bed early.  Mining is a fatiguing business, and those who follow
+it have little difficulty in dropping off to sleep.  The only
+persons who were not engaged in this business were Louis Wheeler
+and Rodney Ropes.  As a rule the hotel was closed at half past
+ten and before this all were in bed and sleeping soundly.
+
+When Wheeler went to bed he said to himself, "This will probably
+be my last night in this tavern.  I will go from here to Helena,
+and if things turn out right I may be able to make my stay
+there profitable.  I shan't dare to stay here long after relieving
+Pettigrew of his bag of gold."
+
+Unlike Jefferson Pettigrew, Wheeler was a light sleeper.  He had
+done nothing to induce fatigue, and had no difficulty in keeping
+awake till half past eleven.  Then lighting a candle, he
+examined his watch, and ascertained the time.
+
+"It will be safe enough now," he said to himself.
+
+He rose from his bed, and drew on his trousers.  Then in his
+stocking feet he walked along the corridor till he stood in
+front of Jefferson Pettigrew's door.  He was in doubt as to
+whether he would not be obliged to pick the lock, but on trying
+the door he found that it was not fastened.  He opened it and
+stood within the chamber.
+
+Cautiously he glanced at the bed.  Mr. Pettigrew appeared to be
+sleeping soundly.
+
+"It's all right" thought Louis Wheeler.  "Now where is the bag
+of gold?"
+
+It was not in open view, but a little search showed that the
+owner had put it under the bed.
+
+"He isn't very sharp," thought Wheeler.  "He is playing right
+into my hands.  Door unlocked, and bag of gold under the bed. 
+He certainly is a very unsuspicious man.  However, that is all
+the better for me.  Really there isn't much credit in stealing
+where all is made easy for you."
+
+There seemed to be nothing to do but to take the gold from its
+place of deposit and carry it back to his own room.  While there
+were a good many lodgers in the hotel, there seemed to be little
+risk about this, as every one was asleep.
+
+Of course should the bag be found in his room that would betray
+him, but Mr. Wheeler proposed to empty the gold coins into his
+gripsack, and throw the bag out of the window into the back yard.
+
+"Well, here goes!" said Wheeler cheerfully, as he lifted the
+bag, and prepared to leave the chamber.  But at this critical
+moment an unexpected sound struck terror into his soul.  It was
+the sound of a key being turned in the lock.
+
+Nervously Wheeler hastened to the door and tried it.  It would
+not open.  Evidently it had been locked from the outside. 
+What could it mean?
+
+At the same time there was a series of knocks on the outside
+of the door.  It was the signal that had been agreed upon
+between Mr. Pettigrew and Rodney.  Jefferson had given his key
+to Rodney, who had remained up and on the watch for Mr.
+Wheeler's expected visit.  He, too, was in his stocking feet.
+
+As soon as he saw Wheeler enter his friend's chamber he stole up
+and locked the door on the outide.  Then when he heard the thief
+trying to open the door he rained a shower of knocks on the panel.
+
+Instantly Jefferson Pettigrew sprang out of bed and proceeded
+to act.
+
+"What are you doing here?" he demanded, seizing Wheeler in his
+powerful grasp.
+
+"Where am I?" asked Wheeler in a tone of apparent bewilderment.
+
+"Oh, it's you, Mr. Wheeler?" said Jefferson.  "Don't you know
+where you are?"
+
+"Oh, it is my friend, Mr. Pettigrew.  Is it possible I am in
+your room?"
+
+"It is very possible.  Now tell me why you are here?"
+
+"I am really ashamed to find myself in this strange position. 
+It is not the first time that I have got into trouble from
+walking in my sleep."
+
+"Oh, you were walking in your sleep!"
+
+"Yes, friend Petttigrew.  It has been a habit of mine since I
+was a boy.  But it seems very strange that I should have been
+led to your room.  How could I get in?  Wasn't the door locked?"
+
+"It is locked now?"
+
+"It is strange! I don't understand it," said Wheeler, passing his
+hand over his forehead.
+
+"Perhaps you understand why you have that bag of gold in your hand."
+
+"Can it be possible?" ejaculated Wheeler in well
+counterfeited surprise.  "I don't know how to account for it."
+
+"I think I can.  Rodney, unlock the door and come in."
+
+The key was turned in the lock, and Rodney entered with a
+lighted candle in his hand.
+
+"You see, Rodney, that I have a late visitor.  You will notice
+also that my bag of gold seems to have had an attraction for him."
+
+"I am ashamed.  I don't really know how to explain it except in
+this way.  When you displayed the gold last night it drew my
+attention and I must have dreamed of it.  It was this which drew
+me unconsciously to your door.  It is certainly an interesting
+fact in mental science."
+
+"It would have been a still more interesting fact if you had
+carried off the gold."
+
+"I might even have done that in my unconsciousness, but of
+course I should have discovered it tomorrow morning and would
+have returned it to you."
+
+"I don't feel by any means sure of that.  Look here, Mr.
+Wheeler, if that is your name, you can't pull the wool over
+my eyes.  You are a thief, neither more nor less."
+
+"How can you misjudge me so, Mr. Pettigrew?"
+
+"Because I know something of your past history.  It is clear to
+me now that you were the person that stole John O'Donnell's money."
+
+"Indeed, Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"It is useless to protest.  How much of it have you left?"
+
+Louis Wheeler was compelled to acknowledge the theft, and
+returned one hundred dollars to Jefferson Pettigrew.
+
+"Now," said Jefferson, "I advise you to leave the hotel at once. 
+If the boys find out that you are a thief you will stand a
+chance of being lynched.  Get out!"
+
+The next morning Jefferson Pettigrew told the other boarders that
+Louis Wheeler had had a sudden call East, and it was not for a
+week that he revealed to them the real reason of Wheeler's departure.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+
+RODNEY FALLS INTO A TRAP.
+
+
+Rodney had reason to be satisfied with his position as landlord
+of the Miners' Rest.  His pay was large, and enabled him to put
+away a good sum every month, but his hours were long and he was
+too closely confined for a boy of his age.  At the end of three
+months he showed this in his appearance.  His good friend
+Pettigrew saw it and said one day, "Rodney, you are looking
+fagged out.  You need a change."
+
+"Does that mean that you are going to discharge me?" asked
+Rodney, with a smile.
+
+"It means that I am going to give you a vacation."
+
+"But what can I do if I take a vacation?  I should not like
+lounging around Oreville with nothing to do."
+
+"Such a vacation would do you no good.  I'll tell you the plan
+I have for you.  I own a small mine in Babcock, about fifty
+miles north of Oreville.  I will send you up to examine it, and
+make a report to me.  Can you ride on horseback?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"That is well, for you will have to make your trip in that way. 
+There are no railroads in that direction, nor any other way of
+travel except on foot or on horseback.  A long ride like that
+with hours daily in the open air, will do you good.
+
+What do you say to it?"
+
+"I should like nothing better," replied Rodney, with his
+eyes sparkling.  "Only, how will you get along without me?"
+
+"I have a man in my employ at the mines who will do part of your
+work, and I will have a general oversight of things.  So you
+need not borrow any trouble on that account.  Do you think you
+can find your way?"
+
+"Give me the general direction, and I will guarantee to do so. 
+When shall I start?"
+
+"Day after tomorrow.  That will give me one day for making arrangements."
+
+At nine the appointed morning Mr. Pettigrew's own horse stood
+saddled at the door, and Rodney in traveling costume with a
+small satchel in his hand, mounted and rode away, waving a
+smiling farewell to his friend and employer.
+
+Rodney did not hurry, and so consumed two days and a half in
+reaching Babcock.  Here he was cordially received by the
+superintendent whom Jefferson Pettigrew had placed in charge of
+the mine.  Every facility was afforded him to examine into the
+management of things and he found all satisfactory.
+
+This part of his journey, therefore, may be passed over. 
+But his return trip was destined to be more exciting.
+
+Riding at an easy jog Rodney had got within fifteen miles of
+Oreville, when there was an unexpected interruption.  Two men
+started out from the roadside, or rather from one side of the
+bridle path for there was no road, and advanced to meet him with
+drawn revolvers.
+
+"Halt there!" one of them exclaimed in a commanding tone.
+
+Rodney drew bridle, and gazed at the two men in surprise.
+
+"What do you want of me?" he asked.
+
+"Dismount instantly!"
+
+"Why should I?  What right have you to interfere with my
+journey?"
+
+"Might gives right," said one of the men sententiously.  "It will
+be best for you to do as we bid you without too much back talk."
+
+"What are you--highwaymen?" asked Rodney.
+
+"You'd better not talk too much.  Get off that horse!"
+
+Rodney saw that remonstrance was useless, and obeyed the order.
+
+One of the men seized the horse by the bridle, and led him.
+
+"Walk in front!" he said.
+
+"Where are you going to take me?" asked Rodney.
+
+"You will know in due time."
+
+"I hope you will let me go," urged Rodney, beginning to be uneasy. 
+"I am expected home this evening, or at all event I want to get there."
+
+"No doubt you do, but the Miners' Rest will have to get along
+without you for a while."
+
+"Do you know me then?"
+
+"Yes; you are the boy clerk at the Miners' Rest."
+
+"You both put up there about two weeks since," said Rodney,
+examining closely the faces of the two men.
+
+"Right you are, kid!"
+
+"What can you possibly want of me?"
+
+"Don't be too curious.  You will know in good time."
+
+Rodney remembered that the two men had remained at the hotel for
+a day and night.  They spent the day in wandering around Oreville.
+
+He had supposed when they came that they were in search of
+employment, but they had not applied for work and only seemed
+actuated by curiosity.  What could be their object in stopping
+him now he could not understand.
+
+It would have been natural to suppose they wanted money, but
+they had not asked for any as yet.  He had about fifty dollars
+in his pocketbook and he would gladly have given them this if it
+would have insured his release.  But not a word had been said
+about money.
+
+They kept on their journey.  Montana is a mountainous State, and
+they were now in the hilly regions.  They kept on for perhaps
+half an hour, gradually getting upon higher ground, until they
+reached a precipitous hill composed largely of rock.
+
+Here the two men stopped as if they had reached their journey's end.
+
+One of them advanced to the side of the hill and unlocked
+a thick wooden door which at first had failed to attract
+Rodney's attention.  The door swung open, revealing a dark passage,
+cut partly through stone and partly through earth.  Inside on the
+floor was a bell of good size.
+
+One of the men lifted the bell and rang it loudly.
+
+"What does that mean?" thought Rodney, who felt more curious
+than apprehensive.
+
+He soon learned.
+
+A curious looking negro, stunted in growth, for he was no taller
+than a boy of ten, came out from the interior and stood at the
+entrance of the cave, if such it was.  His face was large and
+hideous, there was a hump on his back, and his legs were not a
+match, one being shorter than the other, so that as he walked,
+his motion was a curious one.  He bent a scrutinizing glance
+on Rodney.
+
+"Well, Caesar, is dinner ready?" asked one of the men.
+
+"No, massa, not yet."
+
+"Let it be ready then as soon as possible.  But first lead
+the way.  We are coming in."
+
+He started ahead, leading the horse, for the entrance was high
+enough to admit the passage of the animal.
+
+"Push on!" said the other, signing to Rodney to precede him.
+
+Rodney did so, knowing remonstrance to be useless. 
+His curiosity was excited.  He wondered how long the
+passage was and whither it led.
+
+The way was dark, but here and there in niches was a kerosene
+lamp that faintly relieved the otherwise intense blackness.
+
+"I have read about such places," thought Rodney, "but I never
+expected to get into one.  The wonder is, that they should bring
+me here.  I can't understand their object."
+
+Rodney followed his guide for perhaps two hundred and fifty feet
+when they emerged into a large chamber of irregular shape,
+lighted by four large lamps set on a square wooden table. 
+There were two rude cots in one corner, and it was here apparently
+that his guides made their home.
+
+There was a large cooking stove in one part of the room, and an
+appetizing odor showed that Caesar had the dinner under way.
+
+Rodney looked about him in curiosity.  He could not decide
+whether the cave was natural or artificial.  Probably it was a
+natural cave which had been enlarged by the hand of man.
+
+"Now hurry up the dinner, Caesar," said one of the guides. 
+"We are all hungry."
+
+"Yes, massa," responded the obedient black.
+
+Rodney felt hungry also, and hoped that he would have a share of
+the dinner.  Later he trusted to find out the object of his new
+acquaintances in kidnaping him.
+
+Dinner was soon ready.  It was simple, but Rodney thoroughly
+enjoyed it.
+
+During the meal silence prevailed.  After it his new
+acquaintances produced pipes and began to smoke.  They offered
+Rodney a cigarette, but he declined it.
+
+"I don't smoke," he said.
+
+"Are you a Sunday school kid?" asked one in a sneering tone.
+
+"Well, perhaps so."
+
+"How long have you lived at Oreville?"
+
+"About four months."
+
+"Who is the head of the settlement there?"
+
+"Jefferson Pettigrew."
+
+"He is the moneyed man, is he?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Is he a friend of yours?"
+
+"He is my best friend," answered Rodney warmly.
+
+"He thinks a good deal of you, then?"
+
+"I think he does."
+
+"Where have you been--on a journey?"
+
+"Yes, to the town of Babcock."
+
+"Did he send you?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What interest has he there?"
+
+"He is chief owner of a mine there."
+
+"Humph!  I suppose you would like to know why we brought you here."
+
+"I would very much."
+
+"We propose to hold you for ransom."
+
+"But why should you?  I am only a poor boy."
+
+"You are the friend of Jefferson Pettigrew.  He is a rich man. 
+If he wants you back he must pay a round sum."
+
+It was all out now!  These men were emulating a class of outlaws
+to be found in large numbers in Italy and Sicily, and were
+trading upon human sympathy and levying a tax upon human friendship.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+
+UNDERGROUND.
+
+
+Rodney realized his position.  The alternative was not a
+pleasant one.  Either he must remain in the power of these men,
+or cost his friend Mr. Pettigrew a large sum as ransom.  There was
+little hope of changing the determination of his captors, but he
+resolved to try what he could do.
+
+"Mr. Pettigrew is under no obligations to pay money out for me,"
+he said.  "I am not related to him, and have not yet known him
+six months."
+
+"That makes no difference.  You are his friend, and he likes you."
+
+"That is the very reason why I should not wish him to lose money
+on my account."
+
+"Oh, very well!  It will be bad for you is he doesn't come to
+your help."
+
+"Why?  What do you propose to do to me?" asked Rodney boldly.
+
+"Better not ask!" was the significant reply.
+
+"But I want to know.  I want to realize my position."
+
+"The least that will happen to you is imprisonment in this cave
+for a term of years."
+
+"I don't think I should like it but you would get tired of
+standing guard over me."
+
+"We might, and in that case there is the other thing."
+
+"What other thing?"
+
+"If we get tired of keeping you here, we shall make short work
+with you."
+
+"Would you murder me?" asked Rodney, horror struck, as he might
+well be, for death seems terrible to a boy just on the threshold
+of life.
+
+"We might be obliged to do so."
+
+Rodney looked in the faces of his captors, and he saw nothing to
+encourage him.  They looked like desperate men, who would stick
+at nothing to carry out their designs.
+
+"I don't see why you should get hold of me," he said.  "If you
+had captured Mr. Pettigrew himself you would stand a better
+chance of making it pay."
+
+"There is no chance of capturing Pettigrew.  If there were we would
+prefer him to you.  A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
+
+"How much ransom do you propose to ask?"
+
+This Rodney said, thinking that if it were a thousand dollars he
+might be able to make it good to his friend Jefferson.  But he
+was destined to be disappointed.
+
+"Five thousand dollars," answered the chief speaker.
+
+"Five thousand dollars!" ejaculated Rodney in dismay. 
+"Five thousand dollars for a boy like me!"
+
+"That is the sum we want."
+
+"If it were one thousand I think you might get it."
+
+"One thousand!" repeated the other scornfully.  "That wouldn't
+half pay us."
+
+"Then suppose you call it two thousand?"
+
+"It won't do."
+
+"Then I suppose I must make up my mind to remain a prisoner."
+
+"Five thousand dollars wouldn't be much to a rich man
+like Pettigrew.  We have inquired, and found out that he is
+worth at least a hundred thousand dollars.  Five thousand is
+only a twentieth part of this sum."
+
+"You can do as you please, but you had better ask a reasonable
+amount if you expect to get it."
+
+"We don't want advice.  We shall manage things in our own way."
+
+Convinced that further discussion would be unavailing, Rodney
+relapsed into silence, but now his captors proceeded to unfold
+their plans.
+
+One of them procured a bottle of ink, some paper and a pen, and
+set them on the table.
+
+"Come up here, boy, and write to Mr. Pettigrew," he said in a
+tone of authority.
+
+"What shall I write?"
+
+"Tell him that you are a prisoner, and that you will not be
+released unless he pays five thousand dollars."
+
+"I don't want to write that.  It will be the same as asking him
+to pay it for me."
+
+"That is what we mean him to understand."
+
+"I won't write it."
+
+Rodney knew his danger, but he looked resolutely into the eyes
+of the men who held his life in their hands.  His voice did not
+waver, for he was a manly and courageous boy.
+
+"The boy's got grit!" said one of the men to the other.
+
+"Yes, but it won't save him.  Boy, are you going to write what
+I told you?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Are you not afraid that we will kill you?"
+
+"You have power to do it."
+
+"Don't you want to live?"
+
+"Yes.  Life is sweet to a boy of sixteen."
+
+"Then why don't you write?"
+
+"Because I think it would be taking a mean advantage of Mr. Pettigrew."
+
+"You are a fool.  Roderick, what shall we do with him?"
+
+"Tell him simply to write that he is in our hands."
+
+"Well thought of.  Boy, will you do that?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Rodney gave his consent for he was anxious that Mr. Pettigrew
+should know what had prevented him from coming home when he
+was expected.
+
+"Very well, write!  You will know what to say."
+
+Rodney drew the paper to him, and wrote as follows:
+
+
+DEAR MR. PETTIGREW,
+
+On my way home I was stopped by two men who have confined me in
+a cave, and won't let me go unless a sum of money is paid for
+my ransom.  I don't know what to do.  You will know better than I.
+                                             RODNEY ROPES.
+
+
+His chief captor took the note and read it aloud.
+
+"That will do," he said.  "Now he will believe us when we say
+that you are in our hands."
+
+He signed to Rodney to rise from the table and took his place. 
+Drawing a pile of paper to him, he penned the following note:
+
+
+Rodney Ropes is in our hands.  He wants his liberty and we
+want money.  Send us five thousand dollars, or arrange a
+meeting at which it can be delivered to us, and he shall
+go free.  Otherwise his death be on your hands.
+                                        HIS CAPTORS.
+
+
+Rodney noticed that this missive was written in a handsome
+business hand.
+
+"You write a handsome hand," he said.
+
+"I ought to," was the reply.  "I was once bookkeeper in a large
+business house."
+
+"And what--" here Rodney hesitated.
+
+"What made me an outlaw you mean to ask?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"My nature, I suppose.  I wasn't cut out for sober, humdrum life."
+
+"Don't you think you would have been happier?"
+
+"No preaching, kid!  I had enough of that when I used to go to
+church in my old home in Missouri.  Here, Caesar!"
+
+"Yes, massa."
+
+"You know Oreville?"
+
+"Yes, massa."
+
+"Go over there and take this letter with you.  Ask for Jefferson
+Pettigrew, and mind you don't tell him where we live.  Only if
+he asks about me and my pal say we are desperate men, have each
+killed a round dozen of fellows that stood in our way and will
+stick at nothing."
+
+"All right, massa," said Caesar with an appreciative grin. 
+"How shall I go, massa?"
+
+"You can take the kid's horse.  Ride to within a mile of
+Oreville, then tether the horse where he won't easily be found,
+and walk over to the mines.  Do you understand?"
+
+"Yes, massa."
+
+"He won't probably give you any money, but he may give you
+a letter.  Bring it safely to me."
+
+Caesar nodded and vanished.
+
+For an hour the two men smoked their pipes and chatted. 
+Then they rose, and the elder said:  "We are going out, kid,
+for a couple of hours.  Are you afraid to stay alone?"
+
+"Why should I be?"
+
+"That's the way to talk.  I won't caution you not to escape, for
+it would take a smarter lad then you to do it.  If you are tired
+you can lie down on the bed and rest."
+
+"All right!"
+
+"I am sorry we haven't got the morning paper for you to look
+over," said his captor with a smile.  "The carrier didn't leave
+it this morning."
+
+"I can get along without it.  I don't feel much like reading."
+
+"You needn't feel worried.  You'll be out of this tomorrow if
+Jefferson Pettigrew is as much your friend as you think he is."
+
+"The only thing that troubles me is the big price you charge at
+your hotel."
+
+"Good!  The kid has a good wit of his own.  After all, we
+wouldn't mind keeping you with us.  It might pay you better than
+working for Pettigrew."
+
+"I hope you'll excuse my saying it, but I don't like the business."
+
+"You may change your mind.  At your age we wouldn't either of us
+like the sort of life we are leading.  Come, John."
+
+The two men went out but did not allow Rodney to accompany them
+to the place of exit.
+
+Left to himself, Rodney could think soberly of his plight. 
+He could not foresee whether his captivity would be brief
+or prolonged.
+
+After a time the spirit of curiosity seized him.  He felt
+tempted to explore the cavern in which he was confined.  He took
+a lamp, and followed in a direction opposite to that taken by
+his captors.
+
+The cave he found was divided into several irregularly shaped chambers. 
+He walked slowly, holding up the lamp to examine the walls of
+the cavern.  In one passage he stopped short, for something
+attracted his attention--something the sight of which made
+his heart beat quicker and filled him with excitement.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV.
+
+
+RODNEY'S DISCOVERY.
+
+
+There was a good reason for Rodney's excitement.  The walls of
+the subterranean passage revealed distinct and rich indications
+of gold.  There was a time, and that not long before, when they
+would have revealed nothing to Rodney, but since his residence
+at Oreville he had more than once visited the mines and made
+himself familiar with surface indications of mineral deposit.
+
+He stopped short and scanned attentively the walls of the passage.
+
+"If I am not mistaken," he said to himself, "this will make one
+of the richest mines in Montana.  But after all what good will
+it do me?  Here am I a prisoner, unable to leave the cave, or
+communicate with my friends.  If Mr. Pettigrew knew what I do he
+would feel justified in paying the ransom these men want."
+
+Rodney wondered how these rich deposits had failed to attract
+the attention of his captors, but he soon settled upon the
+conclusion that they had no knowledge of mines or mining, and
+were ignorant of the riches that were almost in their grasp.
+
+"Shall I enlighten them?" he asked himself.
+
+It was a question which he could not immediately answer. 
+He resolved to be guided by circumstances.
+
+In order not to excite suspicion he retraced his steps to the
+apartment used by his captors as a common sitting room--carefully
+fixing in his mind the location of the gold ore.
+
+We must now follow the messenger who had gone to Oreville with
+a letter from Rodney's captors.
+
+As instructed, he left his horse, or rather Rodney's, tethered
+at some distance from the settlement and proceeded on foot to
+the Miners' Rest.  His strange appearance excited attention
+and curiosity.  Both these feelings would have been magnified
+had it been known on what errand he came.
+
+"Where can I find Mr. Jefferson Pettigrew?" he asked of a man
+whom he saw on the veranda.
+
+"At the Griffin Mine," answered the other, removing the pipe from
+his mouth.
+
+"Where is that?"
+
+"Over yonder.  Are you a miner?"
+
+"No.  I know nothing about mines."
+
+"Then why do you want to see Jefferson?  I thought you might
+want a chance to work in the mine."
+
+"No; I have other business with him--business of importance,"
+added the black dwarf emphatically.
+
+"If that is the case I'll take you to him.  I am always glad to
+be of service to Jefferson."
+
+"Thank you.  He will thank you, too."
+
+The man walked along with a long, swinging gait which made it
+difficult for Caesar to keep up with him.
+
+"So you have business with Jefferson?" said the man with the
+pipe, whose curiosity had been excited.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Of what sort?"
+
+"I will tell him," answered Caesar shortly.
+
+"So its private, is it?"
+
+"Yes.  If he wants to tell you he will."
+
+"That's fair.  Well, come along!  Am I walking too fast for you?"
+
+"Your legs are much longer than mine."
+
+"That's so.  You are a little shrimp.  I declare."
+
+A walk of twenty minutes brought them to the Griffin Mine. 
+Jefferson Pettigrew was standing near, giving directions to a
+party of miners.
+
+"Jefferson," said the man with the pipe, "here's a chap that wants
+to see you on business of importance.  That is, he says it is."
+
+Jefferson Pettigrew wheeled round and looked at Caesar.
+
+"Well," he said, "what is it?"
+
+"I have a letter for you, massa."
+
+"Give it to me."
+
+Jefferson took the letter and cast his eye over it.  As he read
+it his countenance changed and became stern and severe.
+
+"Do you know what is in this letter?" he asked.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Come with me."
+
+He led Caesar to a place out of earshot.
+
+"What fiend's game is this?" he demanded sternly.
+
+"I can't tell you, massa; I'm not in it."
+
+"Who are those men that have written to me?"
+
+"I don't know their right names.  I calls 'em Massa John and
+Massa Dick."
+
+"It seems they have trapped a boy friend of mine, Rodney Ropes. 
+Did you see him?"
+
+"Yes; I gave him a good dinner."
+
+"That is well.  If they should harm a hair of his head I
+wouldn't rest till I had called them to account.  Where have
+they got the boy concealed?"
+
+"I couldn't tell you, massa."
+
+"You mean, you won't tell me."
+
+"Yes.  It would be as much as my life is worth."
+
+"Humph, well!  I suppose you must be faithful to your employer. 
+Do you know that these men want me to pay five thousand dollars
+for the return of the boy?"
+
+"Yes, I heard them talking about it."
+
+"That is a new kind of rascality.  Do they expect you to bring
+back an answer?"
+
+"Yes, massa."
+
+"I must think.  What will they do to the boy if I don't give
+them the money?"
+
+"They might kill him."
+
+"If they do--but I must have time to think the matter over. 
+Are you expected to go back this afternoon?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Can you get back?  It must be a good distance."
+
+"I can get back."
+
+"Stay here.  I will consult some of my friends and see if I can
+raise the money."
+
+"Very well, massa." One of those whom Jefferson called into
+consultation was the person who had guided Caesar to the Griffin Mine.
+
+Quickly the proprietor of the Miners' Rest unfolded the situation.
+
+"Now," he said, "I want two of you to follow this misshapen
+dwarf, and find out where he comes from.  I want to get hold of
+the scoundrels who sent him to me."
+
+"I will be one," said the man with the pipe.
+
+"Very well, Fred."
+
+"And I will go with Fred," said a long limbed fellow who had
+been a Kansas cowboy.
+
+"I accept you, Otto.  Go armed, and don't lose sight of him."
+
+"Shall you send the money?"
+
+"Not I.  I will send a letter that will encourage them to hope
+for it.  I want to gain time."
+
+"Any instructions, Jefferson?"
+
+"Only this, if you see these men, capture or kill them."
+
+"All right."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV.
+
+
+A BLOODY CONFLICT.
+
+
+This was the letter that was handed to Caesar:
+
+
+I have received your note.  I must have time to think, and time
+perhaps to get hold of the gold.  Don't harm a hair of the
+boy's head.  If so, I will hunt you to death.
+
+                                   JEFFERSON PETTIGREW.
+
+
+P.S.--Meet me tomorrow morning at the rocky gorge at the foot of
+Black Mountain.  Ten o'clock.
+
+
+Caesar took the letter, and bent his steps in the direction of
+the place where he had tethered his horse.  He did not observe
+that he was followed by two men, who carefully kept him in
+sight, without attracting attention to themselves.
+
+When Caesar reached the place where he had tethered the horse,
+he was grievously disappointed at not finding him.  One of the
+miners in roaming about had come upon the animal, and knowing
+him to be Jefferson Pettigrew's property, untied him and rode
+him back to Oreville.
+
+The dwarf threw up his hands in dismay.
+
+"The horse is gone!" he said in his deep bass voice, "and now
+I must walk back, ten long miles, and get a flogging at the end
+for losing time.  It's hard luck," he groaned.
+
+The loss was fortunate for Fred and Otto who would otherwise
+have found it hard to keep up with the dwarf.
+
+Caesar breathed a deep sigh, and then started on his wearisome journey. 
+Had the ground been even it would have troubled him less,
+but there was a steep upward grade, and his short legs
+were soon weary.  Not so with his pursuers, both of whom were
+long limbed and athletic.
+
+We will go back now to the cave and the captors of Rodney. 
+They waited long and impatiently for the return of their messenger. 
+Having no knowledge of the loss of the horse, they could not
+understand what detained Caesar.
+
+"Do you think the rascal has played us false?" said Roderick.
+
+"He would be afraid to."
+
+"This man Pettigrew might try to bribe him.  It would be cheaper
+than to pay five thousand dollars."
+
+"He wouldn't dare.  He knows what would happen to him," said
+John grimly.
+
+"Then why should he be so long?"
+
+"That I can't tell."
+
+"Suppose we go out to meet him.  I begin to feel anxious lest we
+have trusted him too far."
+
+"I am with you!"
+
+The two outlaws took the path which led to Oreville, and walked
+two miles before they discovered Caesar coming towards them at
+a slow and melancholy gait.
+
+"There he is, and on foot!  What does it mean?"
+
+"He will tell us."
+
+"Here now, you black imp!  where is the horse?" demanded Roderick.
+
+"I done lost him, massa."
+
+"Lost him?  You'll get a flogging for this, unless you bring
+good news.  Did you see Jefferson Pettigrew?"
+
+"Yes, massa."
+
+"Did he give you any money?"
+
+"No; he gave me this letter."
+
+Roderick snatched it from his hand, and showed it to John.
+
+"It seems satisfactory," he said.  "Now how did you lose the horse?"
+
+Caesar told him.
+
+"You didn't fasten him tight."
+
+"Beg your pardon, massa, but I took good care of that."
+
+"Well, he's gone; was probably stolen.  That is unfortunate;
+however you may not have been to blame."
+
+Luckily for Caesar the letter which he brought was considered
+satisfactory, and this palliated his fault in losing the horse.
+
+The country was so uneven that the two outlaws did not observe that
+they were followed, until they came to the entrance of the cave. 
+Then, before opening the door, John looked round and caught
+sight of Fred and Otto eying them from a little distance.
+
+He instantly took alarm.
+
+"Look," he said, "we are followed.  Look behind you!"
+
+His brother turned and came to the same conclusion.
+
+"Caesar," said Roderick, "did you ever see those men before?"
+
+"No, massa."
+
+"They must have followed you from Oreville.  Hello, you two!" he
+added striding towards the miners.  "What do you want here?"
+
+Fred and Otto had accomplished their object in ascertaining the
+place where Rodney was confined, and no longer cared for concealment.
+
+"None of your business!" retorted Fred independently.  "The place
+is as free to us as to you."
+
+"Are you spies?"
+
+"I don't intend to answer any of your questions."
+
+"Clear out of here!" commanded Roderick in a tone of authority.
+
+"Suppose we don't?"
+
+Roderick was a man of quick temper, and had never been in the
+habit of curbing it.  He was provoked by the independent tone of
+the speaker, and without pausing to think of the imprudence of
+his actions, he raised his rifle and pointing at Fred shot him
+in the left arm.
+
+The two miners were both armed, and were not slow in accepting
+the challenge.  Simultaneously they raised their rifles and
+fired at the two men.  The result was that both fell seriously
+wounded and Caesar set up a howl of dismay, not so much for his
+masters as from alarm for himself.
+
+Fred and Otto came forward, and stood looking down upon the
+outlaws, who were in the agonies of death.
+
+"It was our lives or theirs," said Fred coolly, for he had been
+long enough in Montana to become used to scenes of bloodshed.
+
+"Yes," answered Otto.  "I think these two men are the notorious
+Dixon brothers who are credited with a large number of murders. 
+The country will be well rid of them."
+
+Roderick turned his glazing eyes upon the tall miner.  "I wish
+I had killed you," he muttered.
+
+"No doubt you do.  It wouldn't have been your first murder."
+
+"Don't kill me, massa!" pleaded Caesar in tones of piteous entreaty.
+
+"I don't know," answered Fred.  "That depends on yourself.  If you
+obey us strictly we will spare you."
+
+"Try me, massa!"
+
+"You black hound!" said Roderick hoarsely.  "If I were not
+disabled I'd kill you myself."
+
+Here was a new danger for poor Caesar, for he knew Roderick's
+fierce temper.
+
+"Don't let him kill me!" he exclaimed, affrighted.
+
+"He shall do you no harm.  Will you obey me?"
+
+"Tell me what you want, massa."
+
+"Is the boy these men captured inside?"
+
+"Yes, massa."
+
+"Open the cave, then.  We want him."
+
+"Don't do it," said Roderick, but Caesar saw at a glance that
+his old master, of whom he stood in wholesome fear, was unable
+to harm him, and he proceeded to unlock the door.
+
+"Go and call the boy!" said Fred.
+
+Caesar disappeared within the cavern, and soon emerged with
+Rodney following him.
+
+"Are you unhurt?" asked Fred anxiously.
+
+"Yes, and overjoyed to see you.  How came you here?"
+
+"We followed the nigger from Oreville."
+
+What happened afterwards Rodney did not need to inquire, for the
+two outstretched figures, stiffening in death, revealed it to him.
+
+"They are the Dixon brothers, are they not?" asked Fred, turning
+to Caesar.
+
+"Yes, massa."
+
+"Then we are entitled to a thousand dollars each for their capture. 
+I have never before shed blood, but I don't regret ending the
+career of these scoundrels."
+
+Half an hour later the two outlaws were dead and Rodney and his
+friends were on their way back to Oreville.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI.
+
+
+THE RODNEY MINE.
+
+
+Rodney was received by Jefferson Pettigrew with open arms.
+
+"Welcome home, boy!" he said.  "I was very much worried about you."
+
+"I was rather uneasy about myself," returned Rodney.
+
+"Well, it's all over, and all's well that ends well.  You are
+free and there has been no money paid out.  Fred and Otto have done
+a good thing in ridding the world of the notorious Dixon brothers. 
+They will be well paid, for I understand there is a standing
+reward of one thousand dollars for each of them dead or alive. 
+I don't know but you ought to have a share of this, for it was
+through you that the outlaws were trapped."
+
+"No, Mr. Pettigrew, they are welcome to the reward.  If I am not
+mistaken I shall make a good deal more out of it than they."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+Upon this Rodney told the story of what he had seen in the cavern.
+
+"When I said I, I meant we, Mr. Pettigrew.  I think if the gold
+there is as plentiful as I think it is we shall do well to
+commence working it."
+
+"It is yours, Rodney, by right of first discovery."
+
+"I prefer that you should share it with me."
+
+"We will go over tomorrow and make an examination.  Was there
+any one else who seemed to have a claim to the cave except
+the Dixons?"
+
+"No.  The negro, Caesar, will still be there, perhaps."
+
+"We can easily get rid of him."
+
+The next day the two friends went over to the cavern. 
+Caesar was still there, but he had an unsettled, restless look,
+and seemed undecided what to do.
+
+"What are you going to do, Caesar?" asked Pettigrew.  "Are you
+going to stay here?"
+
+"I don't know, massa.  I don't want to lib here.  I'm afraid
+I'll see the ghostes of my old massas.  But I haven't got no money."
+
+"If you had money where would you go?"
+
+"I'd go to Chicago.  I used to be a whitewasher, and I reckon
+I'd get work at my old trade."
+
+"That's where you are sensible, Caesar.  This is no place for you. 
+Now I'll tell you what I'll do.  I'll give you a hundred dollars,
+and you can go where you like.  But I shall want you to go away
+at once."
+
+"I'll go right off, massa," said Caesar, overjoyed.  "I don't
+want to come here no more."
+
+"Have you got anything belonging to you in the cave?"
+
+"No, massa, only a little kit of clothes."
+
+"Take them and go."
+
+In fifteen minutes Caesar had bidden farewell to his home, and
+Rodney and Jefferson were left in sole possession of the cavern.
+
+"Now, Mr. Pettigrew, come and let me show you what I saw. 
+I hope I have made no mistake."
+
+Rodney led the way to the narrow passage already described.
+By the light of a lantern Mr. Pettigrew examined the walls. 
+For five minutes not a word was said.
+
+"Well, what do you think of it?" asked Rodney anxiously.
+
+"Only this: that you have hit upon the richest gold deposits
+in Montana.  Here is a mining prospect that will make us both rich."
+
+"I am glad I was not mistaken," said Rodney simply.
+
+"Your capture by the Dixon brothers will prove to have been the
+luckiest event in your life.  I shall lose no time in taking
+possession in our joint name."
+
+There was great excitement when the discovery of the gold
+deposit was made known.  In connection with the killing of the
+outlaws, it was noised far and wide.  The consequence was that
+there was an influx of mining men, and within a week Rodney and
+Jefferson were offered a hundred thousand dollars for a half
+interest in the mine by a Chicago syndicate.
+
+"Say a hundred and fifty thousand, and we accept the offer,"
+said Jefferson Pettigrew.
+
+After a little haggling this offer was accepted, and Rodney
+found himself the possessor of seventy five thousand dollars
+in cash.
+
+"It was fortunate for me when I fell in with you, Mr.
+Pettigrew," he said.
+
+"And no less fortunate for me, Rodney.  This mine will bring us
+in a rich sum for our share, besides the cash we already have in hand."
+
+"If you don't object, Mr. Pettigrew, I should like to go to New
+York and continue my education.  You can look after my interest
+here, and I shall be willing to pay you anything you like for
+doing so."
+
+"There won't be any trouble about that, Rodney.  I don't blame
+you for wanting to obtain an education.  It isn't in my line. 
+You can come out once a year, and see what progress we are making. 
+The mine will be called the Rodney Mine after you."
+
+The Miners' Rest was sold to the steward, as Mr. Pettigrew was too
+busy to attend to it, and in a week Rodney was on his way to New York.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXXVII.
+
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+
+Otis Goodnow arrived at his place of business a little earlier
+than usual, and set himself to looking over his mail. 
+Among other letters was one written on paper bearing the name of
+the Fifth Avenue Hotel.  He came to this after a time and read it.
+
+It ran thus:
+
+
+DEAR SIR:
+
+I was once in your employ, though you may not remember my name. 
+I was in the department of Mr. Redwood, and there I became
+acquainted with Jasper Redwood, his nephew.  I was discharged,
+it is needless to recall why.  I had saved nothing, and of
+course I was greatly embarrassed.  I could not readily obtain
+another place, and in order to secure money to pay living
+expenses I entered into an arrangement with Jasper Redwood to
+sell me articles, putting in more than I paid for.  These I was
+enabled to sell at a profit to smaller stores.  This was not as
+profitable as it might have been to me, as I was obliged to pay
+Jasper a commission for his agency.  Well, after a time it was
+ascertained that articles were missing, and search was made for
+the thief.  Through a cunningly devised scheme of Jasper's the
+theft was ascribed to Rodney Ropes, a younger clerk, and he
+was discharged.  Ropes was a fine young fellow, and I have always
+been sorry that he got into trouble through our agency, but
+there seeemed no help for it.  It must rest on him or us. 
+He protested his innocence, but was not believed.  I wish to say
+now that he was absolutely innocent, and only Jasper and myself
+were to blame.  If you doubt my statement I will call today, and
+you may confront me with Jasper.  I desire that justice should
+be done.
+                                             PHILIP CARTON.
+
+
+"Call Mr. Redwood," said the merchant, summoning a boy.
+
+In five minutes Mr. Redwood entered the office of his employer.
+
+"You sent for me, sir?"
+
+"Yes, Mr. Redwood; cast your eye over this letter."
+
+James Redwood read the letter, and his face showed the agitation
+he felt.
+
+"I don't know anything about this, Mr. Goodnow," he said at last.
+
+"It ought to be inquired into."
+
+"I agree with you.  If my nephew is guilty I want to know it."
+
+"We will wait till the writer of this letter calls.  Do you
+remember him?"
+
+"Yes, sir; he was discharged for intemperance."
+
+At twelve o'clock Philip Carton made his appearance, and asked
+to be conducted to Mr. Goodnow's private office.
+
+"You are the writer of this letter?" asked the merchant.
+
+"Yes sir."
+
+"And you stand by the statement it contains?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Why, at this late day, have you made a confession?"
+
+"Because I wish to do justice to Rodney Ropes, who has been
+unjustly accused, and also because I have been meanly
+treated by Jasper Redwood, who has thrown me over now that he
+has no further use for me."
+
+"Are you willing to repeat your statement before him?"
+
+"I wish to do so."
+
+"Call Jasper Redwood, Sherman," said the merchant, addressing
+himself to Sherman White, a boy recently taken into his employ.
+
+Jasper entered the office, rather surprised at the summons. 
+When he saw his accomplice, he changed color, and looked confused.
+
+"Jasper," said the merchant, "read this letter and tell me what
+you have to say in reply."
+
+Jasper ran his eye over the letter, while his color came and went.
+
+"Well?"
+
+"It's a lie," said Jasper hoarsely.
+
+"Do you still insist that the articles taken from my stock were
+taken by Rodney Ropes?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"What do you say, Mr. Carton?"
+
+"Not one was taken by Rodney Ropes.  Jasper and I are
+responsible for them all."
+
+"What proof can you bring?"
+
+"Mr. James Redwood will recall the purchase I made at the time
+of the thefts.  He will recall that I always purchased of Jasper."
+
+"That is true," said Mr. Redwood in a troubled voice.
+
+"Do you confess, Jasper Redwood?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"If you will tell the truth, I will see that no harm comes to you. 
+I want to clear this matter up."
+
+Jasper thought the matter over.  He saw that the game was
+up--and decided rapidly that confession was the best policy.
+
+"Very well, sir, if I must I will do so, but that man put me up
+to it."
+
+"You did not need any putting up to it.  I wish young Ropes were
+here, that I might clear him."
+
+As if in answer to the wish a bronzed and manly figure appeared
+at the office door.  It was Rodney, but taller and more robust
+than when he left the store nearly a year before.
+
+"Rodney Ropes!" ejaculated Jasper in great surprise.
+
+"Yes, Jasper, I came here to see you, and beg you to free me
+from the false charge which was brought against me when I was
+discharged from this store.  I didn't find you in your usual
+places, and was directed here."
+
+"Ropes," said Mr. Goodnow, "your innocence has been established. 
+This man," indicating Philip Carton, "has confessed that it was
+he and Jasper who stole the missing articles."
+
+"I am thankful that my character has been cleared."
+
+"I am ready to take you back into my employ."
+
+"Thank you, sir, but I have now no need of a position.  I shall
+be glad if you will retain Jasper."
+
+"You are very generous to one who has done so much to injure you."
+
+"Indirectly he put me in the way of making a fortune.  If you
+will retain him, Mr. Goodnow, I will guarantee to make up any
+losses you may incur from him."
+
+"How is this?  Are you able to make this guarantee?"
+
+"I am worth seventy five thousand dollars in money, besides
+being owner of a large mining property in Montana."
+
+"This is truly wonderful!  And you have accumulated all this
+since you left my store?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Rodney," said Jasper, going up to his old rival, and offering
+his hand.  "I am sorry I tried to injure you.  It was to save
+myself, but I see now how meanly I acted."
+
+"That speech has saved you," said the merchant.  "Go back to
+your work.  I will give you another chance."
+
+"Will you take me back also, Mr. Goodnow?" asked Philip Carton.
+
+The merchant hesitated.
+
+"No, Mr. Carton," said Rodney.  "I will look out for you. 
+I will send you to Montana with a letter to my partner. 
+You can do better there than here."
+
+Tears came into the eyes of the ex-clerk.
+
+"Thank you," he said gratefully.  "I should prefer it.  I will
+promise to turn over a new leaf; and justify your recommendation."
+
+"Come to see me this evening at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and I
+will arrange matters."
+
+"Shall you stay in the city long, Ropes?" asked the merchant.
+
+"About a week."
+
+"Come and dine with me on Tuesday evening."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+
+Later in the day Rodney sought out his old room mate Mike Flynn. 
+He found Mike in a bad case.  He had a bad cold, but did not
+dare to give up work, because he wouldn't be able to meet his bills. 
+He was still in the employ of the District Telegraph Company.
+
+"Give the company notice, Mike," said Rodney.  "Henceforth I
+will take care of you.  You can look upon me as your rich
+uncle," he added with a smile.
+
+"I will be your servant, Rodney."
+
+"Not a bit of it.  You will be my friend.  But you must obey
+me implicitly.  I am going to send you to school, and give you
+a chance to learn something.  Next week I shall return to Dr.
+Sampson's boarding school and you will go with me as my friend
+and room mate."
+
+"But, Rodney, you will be ashamed of me.  I am awfully shabby."
+
+"You won't be long.  You shall be as well dressed as I am."
+
+A week later the two boys reached the school.  It would have
+been hard for any of Mike's old friends to recognize him in the
+handsomely dressed boy who accompanied Rodney.
+
+"Really, Mike, you are quite good looking, now that you are well
+dressed," said Rodney.
+
+"Oh, go away with you, Rodney?  It's fooling me you are!"
+
+"Not a bit of it.  Now I want you to improve your time and learn
+as fast as you can."
+
+"I will, Rodney."
+
+A year later Rodney left school, but he kept Mike there two
+years longer.  There had been a great change in the telegraph
+boy, who was quick to learn.  He expects, when he leaves school,
+to join Rodney in Montana.
+
+I will not attempt to estimate Rodney's present wealth, but he
+is already prominent in financial circles in his adopted State. 
+Philip Carton is prospering, and is respected by his new
+friends, who know nothing of his earlier life.
+
+As I write, Rodney has received a letter from his old guardian,
+Benjamin Fielding.  The letter came from Montreal.
+
+"My dear Rodney," he wrote.  "I have worked hard to redeem the
+past, and restore to you your fortune.  I have just succeeded,
+and send you the amount with interest.  It leaves me little or
+nothing, but my mind is relieved.  I hope you have not had to
+suffer severely from my criminal carelessness, and that you will
+live long to enjoy what rightfully belongs to you."
+
+In reply Rodney wrote:  "Please draw on me for fifty thousand dollars. 
+I do not need it, and you do.  Five years from now, if you can
+spare the money you may send it to me.  Till then use it
+without interest.  I am worth much more than the sum my father
+intrusted to you for me."
+
+This offer was gratefully accepted, and Mr. Fielding is now in
+New York, where he is likely to experience a return of his
+former prosperity.
+
+As for Rodney, his trials are over.  They made a man of him, and
+proved a blessing in disguise.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Cast Upon the Breakers
+#3 in our series by Horatio Alger
+
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