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diff --git a/old/54608.txt b/old/54608.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 3a2ebb5..0000000 --- a/old/54608.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7703 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Ralph Raymond's Heir, by Horatio Alger - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: Ralph Raymond's Heir - - -Author: Horatio Alger - - - -Release Date: April 26, 2017 [eBook #54608] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RALPH RAYMOND'S HEIR*** - - -E-text prepared by David Edwards, Martin Pettit, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images -generously made available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustration. - See 54608-h.htm or 54608-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/54608/54608-h/54608-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/54608/54608-h.zip) - - - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - https://archive.org/details/ralphraymondshei00alge - - -Transcriber's note: - - Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). - - Text enclosed by plus signs is in bold face (+bold+. - - - - - -RALPH RAYMOND'S HEIR - -by - -HORATIO ALGER, JR. - -Author of "Mark Manning's Mission," "A Debt of Honor," -"Bernard Brook's Adventures," "Ben Bruce," "Mark -Mason's Victory," etc., etc. - - - - - - -A. L. Burt Company, Publishers -New York - - -[Illustration: "Who are you?" asked Cromwell. "I am the spirit of the -boy you murdered," answered Robert. Page 176. - -_Ralph Raymond's Heir_] - - - -CONTENTS - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. THE MYSTERIOUS CUSTOMER. 1 - II. THE HOUSE IN TWENTY-NINTH STREET. 9 - III. AN UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY. 17 - IV. RALPH RAYMOND'S HEIR. 25 - V. JAMES CROMWELL GAINS SOME INFORMATION. 33 - VI. THE FACE AT THE FUNERAL. 41 - VII. PAUL MORTON HAS A VISITOR. 49 - VIII. JAMES CROMWELL'S TRIUMPH. 57 - IX. HOW MATTERS WERE ARRANGED. 65 - X. A VILLAINOUS SUGGESTION. 73 - XI. GOLD VERSUS CRIME. 82 - XII. ON GOAT ISLAND. 90 - XIII. THE VEIL IS LIFTED. 99 - XIV. CLARA MANTON. 107 - XV. A DECLARATION, AND HOW IT WAS RECEIVED. 115 - XVI. A MERCENARY PARENT. 123 - XVII. LOVE AND LUCRE. 131 - XVIII. A DARK DEED. 139 - XIX. CATO. 147 - XX. THE DAY AFTER. 155 - XXI. MAJOR WOODLEY AND HIS DAUGHTER. 163 - XXII. THE GHOST IN NO. 41. 171 - XXIII. A STARTLING APPEARANCE. 180 - XXIV. CONCLUSION. 188 - WHITE-FACED DICK. 197 - A BRUSH WITH THE CHINESE 215 - A. L. Burt's Catalogue of Books for - Young People by Popular Writers 1 - - - -RALPH RAYMOND'S HEIR. - - - -CHAPTER I. - -THE MYSTERIOUS CUSTOMER. - - -A man of middle age, muffled up in an overcoat, got out of a Third -Avenue car, just opposite a small drug shop. Quickly glancing up and -down the street with a furtive look, as if he wished to avoid -recognition from any passerby who might know him, he entered the shop. - -It was a small shop, not more than twelve feet wide by eighteen deep. -The only person in attendance was a young man approaching thirty years -of age, his eyes and hair very light, and his features small and -insignificant. He was the druggist's clerk, working on a small salary of -ten dollars a week, and his name was James Cromwell. - -He came forward as the person first named entered the shop. - -"How can I serve you, sir?" he inquired in a respectful voice. - -The person addressed drew from his pocket a piece of paper on which a -name was inscribed. - -"I want that," he said; "do you happen to have it?" - -The shopman's face was tinged with a slight color as he read the name -inscribed on the paper. - -"You are aware, I suppose, that this is a subtle poison?" he said, -interrogatively. - -"Yes," said the other, in a tone of outward composure, "so I understand -from the friend who desired me to procure it for him. Have you it, or -shall I have to go elsewhere?" - -"Yes; we happen to have it by the merest chance, although it is rather a -rare drug in the materia medica. I will get it for you at once." - -The customer's face assumed an air of satisfaction as the clerk spoke, -and he sat down on a stool in front of the counter. - -James Cromwell quickly placed a small parcel in his hands, and the -customer, drawing out a pocketbook, which appeared to be well-filled, -paid for his purchase. - -He then walked out of the shop, and to the corner of the street, where -he waited for an uptown car. As he left the shop, a ragged boy of ten, -with a sharp, weazened face entered. - -"I want an ounce of carmels," he said. - -"Wait a minute; do you want to earn a quarter?" demanded the shopman, -abruptly. - -"I reckon I do," answered the urchin. - -"Then you must follow the gentleman who just went out of the shop: find -out where he lives, and what his name is. Come out, and I will point him -out to you." - -Just outside of the door, James Cromwell cast his eyes up the street and -saw his late customer in the act of jumping on board a Fourth Avenue -car. - -"There he is," he said, hastily pointing him out to the boy. "You will -have to ride, too. Can you catch that car?" - -"I've got no money," said the boy. - -"Here's a quarter. Now run." - -"But I'm to have a quarter besides?" - -"Yes, yes. Make haste." - -The boy ran forward, and succeeded in overtaking the car and clambering -on board. - -"Look here, young chap," said the conductor, suspiciously, "have you -got any money to pay your fare?" - -"Yes, I have," said the boy. "Don't you be afraid, old hoss." - -"Show your money, then." - -The boy produced the quarter which had just been given him. - -"You're richer than I supposed," said the conductor. "Here's your -change." - -The boy put back the twenty-two cents remaining in the pocket of his -ragged pants, and began to look about him for the passenger whom he was -required to track. The latter was seated on the left hand side, four -seats from the door. - -"I wonder why I'm to foller him about," said the boy to himself. "Maybe -he's run off without paying his bill. Anyway, it's nothing to me as long -as I earn a quarter. It'll pay me into the Old Bowery to-night." - -And the boy began to indulge in pleasing anticipations of the enjoyment -he would receive from witnessing the great spectacle of the "Avenger of -Blood," which was having a successful run at the favorite theatre with -boys of his class. - -Before proceeding, I may mention that the boy referred to was known as -Hake, a name whose derivation I have been unable to learn. He had been -a street vagrant for half his life, and was precocious in his knowledge -of metropolitan life in its lowest phases. - -If the gentleman whom he was employed to watch noticed the ragged boy, -he hadn't the remotest suspicion that there was the least connection -between them, or that his being there had anything to do with his own -presence in the car. He took out a paper from his pocket and began to -read. - -"I wonder how far I've got to go," thought Hake. "If it's far I'll have -to ride back, and that'll take three cents more." - -He reflected, however, that nineteen cents would remain, and he would -besides have the quarter which had been promised him. - -"I can go to the theatre, and get a bully dinner, besides," he -reflected, complacently. - -The car rapidly proceeded uptown, passing Union Square and the Everett -House at the corner of Seventeenth Street. Two blocks farther, and the -passenger first introduced rose from his seat. - -"Next corner," he said to the conductor. - -The latter pulled the strap and the car stopped. - -The gentleman got out, and turned westward up Twenty-ninth Street. - -Hake scrambled out also, and followed him up the street. He crossed -Madison Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and did not pause till he had reached a -handsome house between Seventh and Eighth avenues. Before this time he -had thrown open the coat in which he had been muffled, for the weather -was not inclement, appearing to feel that there was now no further need -of concealment. - -He ascended the steps of the house, and rang the bell. - -The door was opened directly by a servant, and he entered. - -Scarcely had the door closed when Hake also ascended the steps and -looked at the door-plate. The name was there, but unfortunately for -Hake, he had not received even an elementary education, and could not -read. This was rather inconvenient, as it stood in the way of his -obtaining the information he desired. - -Looking about him, he saw a schoolboy of his own age passing. - -"Look here," he said, "what's that name up there on that door?" - -"Can't you read?" - -"I left my spectacles at home," said Hake, "and I can't read without -'em." - -"It's Paul Morton, then, if you want to know," said the boy, curtly. - -"Paul Morton," repeated Hake to himself. "All right!" - -But he was not quite sure whether he had not been deceived. So he went -to the basement door, and rang. - -"What's wanted?" said the servant, curtly. - -"Does Paul Morton live here?" asked Hake. - -"You might say Mr. Paul Morton while you're about it," said the servant. -"Yes, he lives here, and what do you want with him?" - -"I was sent here," said Hake with no particular regard for truth, "by a -man as said Mr. Morton was a good man, and would give me some clothes." - -"Then you won't get them here," said the girl, and the door was slammed -in the boy's face. - -"I've found out his name now," said Hake, "sure," and he repeated it -over to himself until he was certain he could remember it. He retraced -his steps to Fourth Avenue, and jumped on board a returning car, and was -ere long landed at the druggist's shop. - -"Well," said James Cromwell, looking up, "did you do as I told you?" - -"Yes," said Hake. - -"What did you find out?" - -"His name is Paul Morton." - -"Where does he live?" - -"At No. ---- West Twenty-ninth Street." - -"What sort of house is it?" - -"A nice one." - -"Are you sure you made no mistake?" - -"Yes, it's all right. I want my quarter." - -"Here it is." - -The boy took the money and scrambled off, well content with the results -of his expedition; his mind intent upon the play he was to see in the -evening. - -"Paul Morton!" mused the clerk, thoughtfully. "I must put that name -down. The knowledge may come in use some day. I hope some time or other -I shall not be starving on ten dollars a week. It may be that my rise in -the world will come through this same Paul Morton. Who can tell?" - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE HOUSE IN TWENTY-NINTH STREET. - - -The house in Twenty-ninth Street was a solid and substantial one which -could only be occupied by a man of wealth. It was handsomely furnished, -and all the appointments were such as to confirm the impression that its -occupant was, to say the least, in easy circumstances financially. But -it happens oftentimes that outward impressions are very far from -correct. It was a fact that Paul Morton, who had lived here for ten -years, was on the verge of ruin, and knew very well that unless some -help should come he would be compelled to leave his fine residence and -sink into poverty and obscurity. - -He was a downtown merchant, but lured by the hope of large gains, had -indulged in outside speculations which had sapped the springs of his -prosperity and brought him face to face with ruin. - -Just at this juncture, on reaching home one day, jaded and anxious, he -found that a guest had arrived whom they had not seen for years. Ralph -Raymond was his cousin, and of about the same age as himself. As boys -they had been sworn friends and comrades, and each had promised the -other that if he died first without family ties, he would leave to the -survivor his entire property, whatever it might amount to. - -When they became young men, Paul Morton remained in New York, but Ralph -went, after a few years, to China, where he had spent his subsequent -life with brief intervals, as a successful merchant. Paul Morton heard -from time to time of his success, and that he had accumulated a fortune, -and the thought occurred to him, for earlier generous feelings had been -swallowed up in the greed of gain, "If he only dies first, I shall be -greatly the gainer." - -When he met his friend, he found him greatly changed. He was thin, -sallow, and to outward appearance hadn't long to live. - -"You find me greatly changed, Paul, do you not?" said Ralph Raymond. - -"Yes, you are changed, of course, for I have not seen you for twenty -years," was the reply. - -"But I am looking very ill, am I not?" - -"You are not looking well; but perhaps it is the change of climate." - -"It is something more than that," said Ralph, shaking his head. "Old -friend, I feel that I have not many months to live. I have within my -frame the seeds of a fatal disease, which I cannot much longer stave -off. I feel its insidious approaches, and I know that my weakened vital -powers cannot much longer resist them. I have one favor to ask." - -"What is it?" - -"May I spend the short remainder of my life in your house? I shrink from -going among strangers. It will be a great relief to me if I can feel -that I am in the house of my old friend when the solemn messenger -arrives." - -"Surely," said Paul Morton, "I hope you are mistaken in your gloomy -prognostications; but, however that may be, you shall be welcome here so -long as it pleases you to stay." - -"Thank you; I was sure you would consent. As to my being mistaken, that -is hardly possible. This time next year I shall not be numbered among -the living." - -Looking at his thin face and attenuated frame, Paul Morton felt that his -words were probably correct, and his heart glowed with exultation as he -felt that Ralph Raymond was without family ties, and that at his death, -which would soon happen, in all probability his large fortune, one -hundred thousand dollars at least, would become his. This would relieve -him of all his embarrassments, give him a firm financial standing. - -Shortly after Ralph Raymond was confined to his bed by sickness. The -physician who was called spoke ambiguously. He might die suddenly, or he -might linger for a year. Days and weeks passed, and still he remained in -about the same condition, so that the last seemed likely to be the -correct prediction. - -In the meanwhile, Paul Morton's affairs had become more and more -embarrassed. He had plunged into speculations from which he did not see -the way out. He perceived his mistake, but too late. Nothing was left -but for him to float with the tide, and be borne where it might carry -him. - -He did not doubt that at the death of his guest, his large property -would be his. Indeed, a casual remark of Ralph Raymond's had confirmed -him in the impression. As time wore on, and his pecuniary difficulties -increased, he began to long for his friend's death. - -"A few months more or less of life would be of little importance to -him," he thought, "while to me it is of incalculable importance to come -into his estate as soon as possible." - -The more he thought of it the more frequently the suggestion was forced -upon him that his friend's early death was most desirable. At length, as -he was in a book store on Nassau Street one day, he picked up an old -medical work, in which there was one division which treated of poisons. -One was mentioned, of a subtle character, whose agency was difficult of -detection. It did not accomplish its purpose at once, but required some -days. - -Paul Morton bought this book, and when he reached home he locked it up -securely in a drawer accessible only to himself. - -We have now brought up the story to the point where the first chapter -commences. - -The poison which he sought in the small shop on the Bowery was the same -whose effects he had seen described in the volume he had purchased in -Nassau Street. He had an object in going to an obscure shop, as he would -be less likely to be known, and such a purchase would be very apt to -attract notice. But it was only by chance that he succeeded. In most -shops of such humble pretensions such an article would not be found, -but it so happened that some had been ordered by a chemist a year -before, and the druggist, thinking it possible he might have a call for -it, had ordered some to keep in his stock. - -When Paul Morton reached home, he went up to his friend's chamber. - -Ralph Raymond was lying stretched out upon the bed, looking quite sick; -but not so sick as at times during his illness. - -"How do you feel, Ralph?" said his false friend, bending over him. - -"I am feeling more comfortable to-day, Paul," he said. - -"Perhaps you will recover yet." - -"No, I have no expectation of that; but I may be spared longer than I -supposed possible." - -"I certainly hope so," said Paul Morton; but there was a false ring in -his voice, though the sick man, who had no doubt of his sincere -friendship, was far enough from detecting this. - -"I know you do," said Ralph. - -"What medicines are you taking now?" inquired Paul Morton. - -"There is a bottle of cordial; I take a wineglass of it once an hour." - -Paul Morton took up the bottle and gazed at it thoughtfully. - -"Is your nurse attentive?" he asked. - -"Yes, I have no fault to find with her." - -"Where is she now?" - -"She just went down to prepare my dinner." - -"When did you take your cordial last?" - -"About an hour since." - -"Then it is time to take it again." - -"Yes, I suppose so; but I presume a few minutes later will make no -difference." - -"It is better to be regular about it. As the nurse is away I will give -it to you." - -"Thank you." - -"I must go to the window, to see how much to pour out. How much do you -usually take?" - -"A wine-glass two-thirds full." - -Paul Morton took the bottle and the glass to the window. As he stood -there he was out of the observation of the patient. He poured out the -required quantity of the cordial into the glass; but after doing so, he -slyly added a small quantity of powder from a paper which he drew from -his vest pocket. He put the paper back, and reappeared at the bedside -holding the glass in his hand. - -"I think I have poured out the right quantity," he said; but his voice -was constrained, and there was a pallor about his face. - -The sick man noticed nothing of this. He took the cup and drained it of -its contents, as a matter of course. - -"Thank you, Paul," he said. - -Paul Morton could not find anything to say in reply to the thanks which -fell upon his soul like a mockery. - -He took the glass from the trembling hand of the sick man, and looked -into it to see if in the depths there might be any tell-tale trace of -the powder which he had dropped into it; but he could see nothing. - -"Well, I must leave you for a time. Perhaps you can sleep," he said. - -"Perhaps so; I will try," was the answer. - -Paul Morton left the sick chamber, and shut himself up in his own room. -He wanted to screen himself from the sight of all, for he knew that he -had taken the fatal step, and that already, in deed, as well as in -heart, he was a murderer! - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -AN UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY. - - -The next day Ralph Raymond's unfavorable symptoms had returned, and he -was pronounced worse by the physician. Yet the change was not -sufficiently marked to excite suspicion. It was supposed that his -constitution had not vitality enough to rally against the steady -approaches of the disease under which he was laboring. - -Paul Morton read from the old medical book which he had picked up in -Nassau Street, and which, as we know, had given him the first suggestion -of the horrible crime which he had determined upon, the following words: - -"The patient has been known to recover where but one dose of this poison -has been administered, but should it have been given on two successive -days, there is little or no chance that he will survive. Yet, so slow is -its operation, that after the second time of administering, it is not -impossible that he may survive several days. Cases have been known -where the period has extended to a week, but of the final fatal result -there can be no question." - -"I must go through it again," muttered Paul Morton to himself. "It will -not do to fail. While I am about it, I must make a sure thing of it." - -He accordingly sought the bedside of the sick man on the next day, about -the same time as before. He had watched till he saw the nurse go down to -prepare the patient's dinner. - -"How are you feeling, to-day?" he inquired, in apparent anxiety. - -"Worse, my friend," said the sick man, feebly. - -"But yesterday you said you were better, did you not?" - -"Yes, I felt better then, but to-day I have a dull throbbing pain here," -and he pointed to his breast. - -"Did you not sleep well?" - -"Yes, better than usual." - -Paul Morton knew that this was the effect of the poison, for it had been -referred to in the book. - -"I wonder, then, you do not feel better," he said. "I supposed sleep -always had a salutary effect." - -"It has not had in my case. No, my friend, I feel convinced that I have -not many days to live." - -"I hope you are wrong. What can I do for you? Shall I not give you your -cordial as I did yesterday?" - -"Yes, if you like." - -Again Paul Morton poured out the cordial, and again, as on the day -previous, he filliped into the glass a minute portion of the powder. - -The sick man drank it. - -"I don't know what it is," he said, "but it does not taste as it used -to." - -Paul Morton turned pale, but he rallied at once. - -"Your sickness, doubtless, affects your sense of taste," he said. "It is -very often the case in sickness, even of a lighter character than -yours." - -"Very likely you are right." - -"Can I do anything more for you?" asked Paul Morton, who was now anxious -to get away from the presence of his victim. Strange thoughts came over -him when he felt that he had taken a decisive step, which now could not -be recalled. He had administered the poisonous powder for the second -time, and, according to the medical authority which we have already -quoted, there was no longer any help for the sick man, his victim. He -might live two, three or four days, possibly a week, though this was not -probable in the case of one whose constitution was enfeebled by a -lingering malady, but his doom was sure. - -But he was as truly a murderer as if he had approached him with a loaded -pistol, and discharged it full at his temple. Twenty-four hours had made -him such. But he did not realize this. He said to himself, "He was sure -to die; this act of mine has only hastened the event a little. After -all, it may be merciful, for it can hardly be desirable for him to -linger in his present condition." - -With this miserable casuistry he strove to palliate the treachery and -crime which he had just committed, not against a foe who had done him -harm, but against his early friend, for whom he had always professed the -strongest affection. And all this for the sake of a little dross! - -"There is something I want to tell you, Paul," said the sick man, -turning his head on the pillow by an effort, "something which will, -perhaps, surprise you, and after that I shall have a favor to ask of -you. Will you grant it?" - -"Yes," said Paul Morton, "I will grant it. Speak on." - -His curiosity was not a little excited by what he had heard. He drew a -chair to the bedside, and sat down. - -"I am ready to hear what you have to say, Ralph," he said. - -"You suppose, and the world supposes that I have never married," the -sick man commenced. - -Paul Morton started, and he awaited nervously what was to follow. - -"The world is right, is it not?" he said hastily. - -"No, the world is wrong. Sixteen years ago I married a portionless girl. -For reasons which it is unnecessary now to mention, my marriage was not -made public, but it was strictly legal. My young wife lived less than -two years, but ere she died she gave me a son." - -"Is he still living?" asked Paul Morton, in a hoarse voice. - -"Yes, he still lives." - -"Then," thought Paul, with a sense of bitter disappointment, "all my -labor has been for naught. This boy will inherit Raymond's fortune, and -his death will be of no benefit to me." - -"Where is the boy now?" he asked. - -"He is at a boarding-school on the Hudson. He was early educated abroad, -but for two years he has been at Dr Tower's boarding-school, about -forty miles from New York." - -"Does he know anything of his parentage?" - -"Yes, I went to see him before I came last to your house. Besides, I -have thought it well to communicate all the facts in the case to Dr. -Tower as it was possible, that I might die suddenly, and his testimony -might be required to substantiate my son's claims to my estates." - -"What is your son's name?" asked Paul Morton, rousing a little from the -stupor into which the information had thrown him. - -"Robert Raymond. It was the name of my wife's only brother, who had died -young, and as I had no particular preference, I allowed her to name -him." - -"Is he in good health?" - -"Yes; happily he has not inherited my constitution. He seems healthy and -likely to live long. But I am sorry that he will be left so alone in the -world, as he must be by my death. This brings me to the favor I was -about to ask of you. In my will I have appointed you the guardian of my -boy, who is now between fourteen and fifteen. I think it will not -occasion you much trouble. My property, which I have put into solid -securities, will amount to one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Of -course, therefore, there will be no occasion for stinting him. I desire -him to have the best advantages. As for you, my old friend, as a slight -compensation for the trouble you will take, and as a proof of my -affection, I authorize you to appropriate to your own use, during my -son's minority, one-half of the income of the property and pay his -expenses out of the other half. What there may be over can be added to -the principal." - -"But suppose--though, if the boy is as healthy as you say, there is -little fear of that--suppose Robert should die before attaining his -majority." - -"Should that event happen, and, as you say, it is possible, I desire -that the property should go without reserve to you. I have so provided -in my will." - -A flush of gratification mantled the cheek of Paul Morton, as he heard -this statement. "All is not lost," he thought. "The boy _may_ die and -then----" - -This is what he thought, but he said: - -"Ralph, you are too kind and generous. It is my earnest hope that such a -contingency may never occur." - -"I am sure of that. I have perfect confidence in you, and I know you -will be kind to my boy. He may be here to-morrow morning." - -"Here to-morrow morning!" ejaculated Paul Morton, in surprise. - -"Yes. I requested the nurse to write to him yesterday afternoon, in my -name, to come at once. As I have but a short time to live, I wish to -have him with me during the short remainder of my life--that is, if it -will not be inconvenient to you to have him in the house." - -"Certainly not, I shall be glad to have him come," said Paul Morton, -absently. - -"I begin to feel drowsy. I will try to sleep," said the sick man. - -"Then I will leave you. I hope you may awake refreshed." - -Paul Morton walked out of the sick-room with his eyes bent upon the -floor. He wanted to think over this new and unexpected turn of affairs. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -RALPH RAYMOND'S HEIR. - - -In the revelation which had been made him by Ralph Raymond, Paul Morton -found fruitful subject of meditation. To begin with, he had been -disappointed to find a young life between himself and the estate which -he coveted. But, on the other hand, that estate was twenty thousand -dollars larger than he supposed; and, moreover, as the boy's guardian, -he would have in his own hands the control of the whole for nearly seven -years, and be paid in the meantime a handsome sum for his trouble. -Besides, many things might happen in seven years. The boy was young and -healthy, so his father said, but life is uncertain in all cases. He -might die, and in that event, the entire property without reserve, would -fall to him--Paul Morton. The situation, therefore, was far from being -as discouraging as it might have been. - -The next morning Paul Morton was sitting at the breakfast table with -his wife opposite him. As nothing has yet been said of Mrs. Morton, a -few words of description may not be inappropriate. - -Mrs. Morton, then, was ten years younger than her husband. She had -belonged to a proud but poor family, and had married from no impulse of -affection, but because she considered Mr. Morton a rich man who could -give her a luxurious home. No sympathy need be wasted upon her, for she -had very little heart, and lived only for ostentation. There had been -very little domestic harmony between the two. She had shown herself -lavishly extravagant, even beyond her husband's means, and any tendency -on his part to curb her extravagance was met by biting sarcasm, and an -exhibition of ill temper which soon compelled him to surrender at -discretion. - -Such was the ill-assorted couple who sat at the breakfast table on the -morning of which I am speaking. - -Mr. Morton, of whose personal appearance I have not yet spoken, was in -appearance fifty-four years of age, though he was really several years -younger. He had lost nearly all his hair, retaining only a few locks on -either side of his head. There was a furtive look about his eyes -calculated to inspire distrust. He seemed reluctant to look one full in -the face. On the whole the impression given by his features was -unfavorable. They seemed to indicate a mean, ignoble disposition, so -truly do the inner qualities mark their impress on the face. - -"Well, Mr. Morton," said his wife, leaning back in her chair, "have you -brought me the money I asked for yesterday?" - -"No," said Mr. Morton uneasily, for he knew that this reply would elicit -a storm. - -"And why not, I should like to know?" she exclaimed, with flashing eyes. -"Don't pretend to say you forgot it, for I won't believe any such -nonsense." - -"No, I didn't forget it, Mrs. Morton," said her husband, "but the fact -is, it was not convenient for me to bring it." - -"Not convenient! What do you mean by that, Mr. Morton?" exclaimed the -lady in an angry voice. - -"It is just as I say. Business is very dull and money is tight." - -"That is what you always say," said Mrs. Morton, curling her lip. - -"Whether I do or not, it is true enough now. I wish it wasn't." - -"I only asked for a hundred dollars. Surely that would make no -difference in your business." - -"That is where you are mistaken. If you will be kind enough to remember -how often you call upon me for such trifles, and have a head for -arithmetic, you can estimate what they will amount to in the course of a -year." - -"But I haven't a head for arithmetic, and don't want to have. I always -despised it. All I know is, that I have picked out a lovely silk dress -pattern at Stewart's, and I want to go round and secure it this morning, -or I may lose it altogether." - -"If you do, I think you will manage to survive it." - -"You'd better not try to be sarcastic, Mr. Morton. You haven't the -brains for it, and it isn't in your line." - -"You are complimentary." - -"No, I only show a proper discrimination. Heaven knows I have lived with -you years enough, and weary ones at that, to understand you thoroughly. -Can't you send me up a check from your store? It will be in time if I -receive it by eleven o'clock." - -"No, I cannot," said Paul Morton, with unusual firmness. - -"So you refuse, do you?" exclaimed Mrs. Morton, in deep anger. - -"I do; and for a good reason." - -"Give me your reason, then. I should like to judge of it myself." - -"Then I will tell you without reserve, what I had not intended to -mention. In all my mercantile career I was never in such danger of ruin -as at the present. The dull times at which you sneer have proved very -disastrous to me. It is all I can do to keep my head above water. Every -day I fear that the crash will come, and that instead of being able to -afford you this establishment, I shall be obliged to remove into some -humble dwelling in Brooklyn, and seek for a position as clerk or -bookkeeper. How would you fancy this change, madam? Yet it is at such a -time you harass me with your unreasonable demands for money. If I am -ruined, it will be some satisfaction that you, who have had so much to -do with bringing it on, are compelled to suffer its inconveniences with -me." - -Mrs. Morton turned pale while he was speaking, for she had never known -anything of her husband's business affairs, and supposed that such a -thing as his failure was impossible. To be reduced to poverty, where a -wife loves her husband and is beloved in return, is not so hard; but -where there is no pretence of love, and the wife lives only for show, it -is felt as a terrible misfortune. - -"You are only saying this to frighten me," she said after a pause, with -an attempt to rally. - -"If you think that, you are utterly mistaken," said her husband. "I -wish, indeed, that it were true, but unfortunately it is not. My -position is to the full, as hazardous, and my ruin as imminent as I have -told you. You can imagine whether I have a hundred dollars to spare for -you to spend at Stewart's." - -Mrs. Morton was for a brief time silent. She hardly knew how to answer; -at last she said, "There's your sick friend upstairs. Isn't he a rich -man?" - -"Yes." - -"He won't live very long, probably. Won't he leave you anything?" - -"I expected that he would leave me his entire fortune, according to an -old promise between us; but only yesterday I learned that he has a son -living." - -"And you will receive nothing, then?" said his wife, disappointed. - -"Not so. I shall be left guardian of the boy, and for seven years I -shall receive half the income of the property in return for my -services." - -"And how much is the property?" - -"A hundred thousand dollars or more." - -"What will be your share of the income?" - -"Probably not less than four thousand dollars." - -"Four thousand dollars!" said the lady with satisfaction. "Then you -won't have to get a situation as clerk, even if you do fail. We can go -to a stylish boarding-house. It won't be so bad as I thought." - -"But I shan't be able to give you two thousand dollars a year for dress, -as I have been accustomed to do." - -"Perhaps you won't fail." - -"Perhaps not. I hope not." - -"Where is this boy?" - -"He is at a boarding-school on the Hudson. I expect him here this -morning." - -Scarcely had he said this when a servant opened the door and said, "Mr. -Morton, there is a boy just come who says he is Mr. Raymond's son." - -"Bring him in," said Paul Morton. - -A moment later, and a boy of fourteen entered the room, and looked -inquiringly at the two who were sitting at the table. - -"Are you Robert Raymond?" inquired Mr. Morton. - -"Yes, sir," said the boy, in manly tones. "How is my father?" - -"Your father, my poor boy," said Paul Morton, in pretended sadness, "is, -I regret to say, in a very precarious condition." - -"Don't you think he will live?" asked Robert, anxiously. - -"I fear not long. I am glad you have come. I will go up with you at once -to your father's chamber. I hope you will look upon me as your sincere -friend, for your father's sake. Maria, my dear, this is young Robert -Raymond. Robert, this is Mrs. Morton." - -Mrs. Morton gave her hand graciously to the boy. Looking upon him as her -probable savior from utter ruin, she was disposed to regard him with -favor. - -Mr. Morton rose from the table, and motioning Robert to follow him, led -the way to the sick man's chamber. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -JAMES CROMWELL GAINS SOME INFORMATION. - - -On the east side of the Bowery is a shabby street, which clearly enough -indicates, by its general appearance, that it is never likely to be the -resort of fashionable people. But in a large city there are a great many -people who are not fashionable, and cannot aspire to fashionable -quarters, and these must be housed as well as they may. - -There stands in this street a shabby brick house of three stories. In -the rear room of the upper story lived James Cromwell, the clerk in the -druggist's store already referred to in our first chapter. The room was -small and scantily furnished, being merely provided with a pine -bedstead, painted yellow, and a consumptive-looking bed, a wooden chair, -washstand, and a seven-by-nine mirror. There was no bureau, and, in -fact, it would have been difficult to introduce one into a room of the -dimensions. - -The occupant of the room stood before the mirror, arranging his rather -intractable hair, which he had besmeared with bear's grease. He surveyed -the effect with some complacency, for it is a little remarkable that -those who are least gifted with beauty, are very apt to be best -satisfied with their personal appearance. - -He had arrayed himself in a rusty black suit which showed his lank -figure in all its natural ungracefulness and was evidently on the point -of going out. - -"Now for Twenty-ninth Street," he said, as he descended to the street. -"I hope Hake has not deceived me. If he has, I will twist the little -rascal's neck." - -He got on board a Fourth Avenue car, and rode uptown. Nothing occurred -to interrupt his progress, and in the course of half an hour he stood -before the house which, as we already know, was occupied by Paul Morton. - -He stood and surveyed it from the opposite side of the street. - -"That's the house that Hake described," he said, "but whether my -customer of the other day lives there or not, I cannot tell. And what is -worse, I don't know how to find out." - -While he was devising some method of ascertaining this, to him, -important point, fortune favored him. Mr. Paul Morton himself appeared -at the door, accompanied by the physician. As the distance was only -across the street, James Cromwell had no difficulty in hearing the -conversation that passed between them. - -"What do you think of him, doctor?" asked Paul Morton, in accents of -pretended anxiety. "Don't you think there is any help for him?" - -"No; I regret to say that I think there is none whatever. From the first -I considered it a critical case, but within two or three days the -symptoms have become more unfavorable, and his bodily strength, of -which, at least, he had but little, has so sensibly declined, that I -fear there is no help whatever for him." - -"How long do you think he will last, doctor?" was the next inquiry. - -"He cannot last a week, in my judgment. If he does it will surprise me -very much. He is wealthy, is he not?" - -"Yes; he has been a successful man of business." - -"Where has he passed his life?" - -"In China. That is, he has lived there for a considerable time." - -"Probably the climate may have had a deleterious effect upon his -constitution. I will call round upon him to-morrow." - -"Very well, doctor. I will rely upon you to do whatever human skill can -accomplish for my sick friend." - -"I am afraid human skill, even the greatest, can do little now. There -are some recent symptoms which I confess, puzzle me somewhat, as they -are not usual in a disease of the character of that which affects our -patient." - -"Indeed!" said Paul Morton, briefly, but in a tone which did not -indicate any desire to continue the discussion of this branch of the -subject. "Well, doctor, I will not further trespass upon your time, -which I know very well is valuable. Good-night." - -"Good-night!" said the physician, and drawing on his gloves, he -descended the steps, and jumped into the carriage which was waiting for -him. - -Paul Morton closed the door, unaware that there had been a listener who -had gleaned valuable information from the conversation he had just had -with the doctor. - -"Well," thought James Cromwell, emerging from the shaded doorway in -which he had silently concealed himself--for he did not wish to run the -risk of detection and possible recognition by his old customer, whom he, -on his part, had recognized without difficulty,--"well, I'm in luck. I -happened here just at the right time. I know pretty well what's going on -now, and I can give a guess as to the rest. It seems there's a sick man -inside, and that within two or three days he has been growing sicker. -Maybe I could give a guess as to what has made him grow sicker. So the -doctor don't understand some of his recent symptoms. Perhaps I could -throw a little light upon the matter, if it were worth my while. Then, -again, the sick man happens to be wealthy. Perhaps, there is nothing in -that, and then, perhaps, again, there is. Well, there are strange things -that happen in this world, and, if I'm not mistaken, I'm on the track of -one of them, I rather think I shall find my advantage in it before I get -through. I've got that man in my power, if things are as I suspect, and -it won't be long before I shall let him know it. I might as well be -going home now." - -James Cromwell walked to Broadway, then walked a few squares down, until -he reached the Fifth Avenue Hotel, bright with lights, and thronged as -usual in the evening. - -"I think I will go in and have a smoke," said James Cromwell. - -He entered, and making his way to the cigar stand, purchased an -expensive cigar, and sat down for a smoke. It was not often that he was -so lavish, but he felt that the discovery he had made would eventually -prove to him a source of income, and this made him less careful of his -present means. - -"This is the way I like to live," he thought, as he looked around him. -"Instead of the miserable lodging, where I am cooped up, I would like to -live in a hotel like this, or at least, in a handsome boarding-house, -and fare like a gentleman." - -While he was thinking thus, his attention was drawn to a conversation -which he heard beside him. The speakers were apparently two business -men. - -"What do you think of Morton's business position?" - -"What Morton do you mean?" - -"Paul Morton." - -"If you want my real opinion, I think he is in a critical condition." - -"Is it as bad as that?" - -"Yes, I have reason to think so. I don't believe he will keep his head -above water long unless he receives some outside assistance." - -"I have heard that whispered by others." - -"It is more than whispered. People are getting shy of extending credit -to him. I shouldn't be surprised myself to hear of his failure any day." - -James Cromwell listened eagerly to this conversation. He was sharp of -comprehension, and he easily discerned the motive arising in Paul -Morton's embarrassed affairs, which should have led him to such a -desperate resolution as to hasten the death of a guest. There was one -thing he did not yet understand. Paul Morton must be sure that the death -of the sick man would rebound to his own advantage, or he would not -incur such a risk. - -"Probably, it is his brother or uncle, or, perhaps, father," concluded -the clerk. "Whoever it is, it makes little difference to me. Let him -play out his little game to the end, and enter into possession of his -money, which, by the way, I hope will be a pretty good pile. Then I will -step quietly in, and with what I know of a certain purchase, it will be -very strange if I cannot help myself to a generous slice." - -After finishing his cigar, the druggist's clerk went out of the hotel, -and it being a fine, moonlight evening, he concluded to walk home. As he -walked, his mind was full of pleasing reflections. He looked about him -with disgust, as he entered his humble and not very attractive home, and -he soliloquized: - -"If things go right, I won't live here much longer, nor will I stand -behind the counter of a two-penny druggist's shop, at ten dollars a -week." - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE FACE AT THE FUNERAL. - - -"Ralph, here is your son," said Paul Morton, ushering the boy into the -sick chamber of his father. - -The sick man turned his face toward those who had just entered, and his -face lighted up as his glance rested on his son. - -"I am glad you have come, Robert," he said. - -"Dear father," said Robert, bursting into tears, "how sick you are -looking!" - -"Yes, Robert," said Ralph Raymond feebly, "I am not long for this world. -I have become very feeble, and I know that I shall never leave this -chamber till I am carried out in my coffin." - -"Don't say that, father," said Robert in tones of grief. - -"It is best that you should know the truth, my son, especially, as my -death cannot be long delayed." - -"You will live some months, father, will you not?" - -"I do not think I shall live a week, Robert," said his father. "The -sands of my life are nearly run out; but I am not sorry. Life has lost -its attractions for me, and my only desire to live would proceed from -the reluctance I feel at leaving you." - -"What shall I do without you, father?" asked the boy, his breast heaving -with the painful sobs which he was trying in vain to repress. - -"I shall not leave you wholly alone, my dear boy. I have arranged that -you may be in charge of my old friend, Mr. Morton, who, I am sure will -take the tenderest care of you, and try to be a father to you." - -"Yes," said Paul, coming forward, "as your father says, I have promised -to do for you what I can when he has left us. I would that he might be -with us for many years, but since Providence in its inscrutable wisdom -has ordained otherwise, we must bow to the stroke and do the best we -can." - -He put his fine cambric handkerchief to his eyes to wipe away the tears -which were not there, and seemed affected by deep grief. - -Robert cast a glance at the friend to whom he was to be consigned, but -saw nothing to inspire confidence. There are some who almost -unconsciously attract children, and draw young hearts to them in love -and confidence. But Paul Morton was far from being one of the class. -There was much in his crafty, insincere face to repel, little to -attract, and so Robert judged, though he did not think of it at that -time. He rather wondered why he felt so little drawn toward the man whom -his father praised so highly; but the instincts of childhood were right; -and the boy found no subsequent reason to correct his first impressions. - -The interview did not last long, for it was apparent that the excitement -was acting unfavorably upon the sick man, whose strength was now very -slight. So Paul Morton left the room, but by Ralph's request Robert was -left behind, on condition that he would not speak. The boy buried his -head in the bed clothes and sobbed gently. In losing his father he lost -his only relative, and though he had not seen very much of him in his -lifetime, that little intercourse had been marked by so much kindness on -the part of his father, that apart from the claims of duty arising from -relationship, he felt a warm and grateful love for his parent. The -bitterness of being alone in the world already swept over him in -anticipation, and he remained for hours silent and motionless in the -sick chamber of his father. - -Matters continued thus for two days. During that time Paul Morton came -little into the sick chamber. Even his audacious and shameless spirit -shrank from witnessing the gradual approaches of that death which had -been hastened by his diabolical machinations. - -Besides, there was no object to be gained, he thought. Death was now -certain. There was no need of his doing anything more to hasten it. -Then, as to the disposition of the property, there was no chance now of -any change being made in the arrangement. He knew precisely what -advantage he was himself to reap from his friend's death, and though it -was not so great as he at first anticipated, it would be enough to put a -new face upon his affairs. - -Besides, he would have the entire control of his ward's property, and he -did not doubt that he could so use it as to stave off ruin, and -establish himself on a new footing. Then again, there was the -contingency of the boy's death; and upon this, improbable as it was, he -was continually dwelling. - -After two days the end came. - -The nurse came hurrying into the room of her master, and said, "Come -quick, Mr. Morton. I think the poor gentleman is going." - -"Not dying?" asked Paul Morton, with a pale face, for though expected, -the intelligence startled him. - -"Yes; you must come quick, or you will not see him alive." - -Paul Morton rose mechanically from his chair, and hastily thrust into -his pocket a sheet of paper on which he had been making some -arithmetical calculations as to the fortune of his dying guest, and -following the nurse entered the sick chamber. - -It was indeed as she had said. Ralph Raymond was breathing slowly and -with difficulty, and it was evident from the look upon his face, that -the time of the great change had come. - -Robert stood by the bedside holding his father's hand, and sobbing -bitterly. - -As Paul Morton entered, the dying man turned his glazing eyes toward -him, and then toward the boy at his side, as if again to commend him to -his care. - -Paul understood, and with pale face he nodded as if to assure the dying -man that he undertook the trust. - -Then a more cheerful look came over the face of Ralph. He looked with a -glance of tender love at his son, then his head sank back, his eyes -closed, and the breath left his body. - -The deed was consummated! Ralph Raymond was dead! - -"Poor gentleman! So he's dead!" said the nurse with a professional sigh, -"and no doubt he's better off." - -No answer was made to this remark. Neither Paul Morton nor Robert seemed -inclined to speak. The former was brought face to face with the -consequence of his crime. The latter was filled with the first -desolation of grief. - -Three days later the funeral took place. Paul Morton took care that -everything should be in strict accordance with the wealth and position -of the deceased. He strove to satisfy his troublesome conscience by -paying the utmost respect to the man for whose death he had conspired. - -Owing to the long absence of Ralph Raymond from the country, there were -not very many who remembered him, but Paul Morton invited his own -friends and acquaintances liberally, and the invitation was accepted by -a large number, as there are always those who have some morbid feelings -and appear to enjoy appearing at a funeral. - -The rooms were draped in black. The doorbell was muffled in crape, and -the presence of death in the house was ostentatiously made known to all -who passed. - -Among these there was James Cromwell, who for some reason, nearly every -evening, after his hours of labor were over, came up to take a look at -the house in Twenty-ninth Street, which appeared to have a great -attraction for him. When he saw the crape he managed to learn through a -servant the precise hour of the funeral, and applied to his employer for -leave of absence on that day. - -"It will be inconvenient," said his employer. - -"I must go," said the clerk, "I wish to attend a funeral." - -Supposing that it must be the funeral of a relation, or at least, a -friend, the employer made no further objection. - -As the time of the service approached, James Cromwell attired himself in -his best, and made his way to the house. His entrance was unnoticed -amongst the rest, for there was a large number present. He got into an -out-of-the-way corner, and listened attentively to the solemn service -for the dead, as performed by one of the most eminent clergyman in the -city. Among the rest his eye rested on Paul Morton, who sat with his -face buried in his handkerchief. - -At length Paul looked from behind the handkerchief, and his eye roved -over the company. Suddenly he turned livid. His eye met that of a thin -young man, with light hair, in an out-of-the-way corner, _and he -remembered at once under what circumstances they had met before_. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -PAUL MORTON HAS A VISITOR. - - -Paul Morton's consternation can hardly be described, when, in the number -who had come to witness the funeral ceremonies of Ralph Raymond, he -recognized the shopman in the obscure druggist's shop where he had -purchased the poison. The sweat stood out upon his brow, and he eagerly -questioned himself--how much did this man know, or what did he suspect, -or was his presence purely accidental? - -But he could hardly believe that a man in such a position would attend -the funeral, unless he had some object in view. How had he found out his -name and residence? Was it possible that he had been tracked? - -He looked furtively at the young man, now grown an object of strange and -dread interest to him. He noted his insignificant features, and the -general meanness of his appearance, and he began to pluck up courage. - -"Suppose he does suspect anything," he thought; "will his testimony be -believed against mine? A miserable druggist's clerk, probably on a -starvation salary. At the worst I can buy him off for a small sum." - -Reassured by these thoughts, he recovered his boldness, and in looking -about him, did not hesitate to meet the gaze of James Cromwell, without -suffering a trace of the first agitation to be seen. - -But that first agitation had been observed at the time by the druggist's -clerk, and he had drawn his own conclusions from it. - -"He has used the poison," he said to himself, "and it is for that reason -that my presence alarms him," he said. - -At length the funeral ceremonies were over. - -The company who were assembled left the house, and with them James -Cromwell. He went back to his room, not feeling that it was of -importance to remain longer. He had shown himself at the funeral, he had -been recognized, and thus he had paved the way for the interview which -he meant to have, and that very shortly. - -Two evenings later, he approached the house in Twenty-ninth Street, and -ascending the steps, boldly rang the bell. - -The servant who answered the summons, looked at him inquiringly, -supposing from his appearance that he had merely come to bring some -message. - -"Is Mr. Morton at home?" - -"Yes, he is at home." - -"I would like to see him." - -"He doesn't see visitors, on account of a death in the family. I will -carry your message." - -"I must see him," insisted the clerk, boldly. - -"I don't think he will see you." - -"I do. So go and tell him I am here." - -"What name shall I carry to him?" - -"The name is of no consequence. You can tell him that the young man whom -he noticed at the funeral is here, and wishes to see him on very -important business." - -"That's a queer message," thought the servant, but concluded that it was -some one who had something to do with furnishing something for the -funeral, and was anxious to get his pay. - -Mr. Morton was sitting in his library, or a room furnished with books, -which went by that name, when the servant entered. - -"There is somebody to see you, sir," she said. - -"Who is it?" - -"I don't know his name." - -"Is it a gentleman?" - -"No, sir." - -"Did you tell him I was not receiving visitors now?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Well?" - -"He said he wanted to see you on very important business." - -"Why didn't he give his name?" - -"He said that I was to tell you it was the young man you noticed at the -funeral," said the servant. - -Mr. Morton turned pale, but at once recovered himself. - -"I am not sure that I know who it is," he said, "but I can easily -ascertain. You may bring him up." - -"You are to come up," said the girl reappearing. - -James Cromwell smiled in conscious triumph. - -"I thought so," he said to himself. "Well, now for my game. It will be a -difficult one, but I will do my best." - -Left alone, Paul Morton began to consider how he should treat the -new-comer. He resolved to affect no recognition at first, and afterward -indifference. He thought he might be able to overawe the young man, from -his own superiority in social position, and so prevent his carrying out -the purpose he proposed. - -Accordingly, when James Cromwell entered the room, he arched his brows a -little, and looked inquiringly at him. - -"Have you business with me?" he said, abruptly. "Did not my servant -inform you that, on account of a recent death, I am not receiving -callers at present?" - -"I thought you would see me," said the young man, with a mixture of -familiarity and boldness. - -"Really, I don't know what claims you have to be excepted to my rule," -said Paul Morton, haughtily. "If you are a tradesman, and have a claim -against me, you might have sent it in the regular way." - -"I am not a tradesman, and I have no claim against you, Mr. Morton," -said the young man--"that is, no regular claim." - -"You speak in riddles, sir," said Mr. Morton, in the same haughty tone. -"If you have no business with me, I am at a loss to know why you have -intruded yourself upon me at such a time. Perhaps, however, you were -unaware of my recent affliction." - -"I am quite aware of it, Mr. Morton. In fact, I was present at the -funeral, if you refer to the death of Mr. Raymond, and unless I am -greatly mistaken, you yourself observed me there." - -"You were present at the funeral! What brought you here?" - -"That seems rather an inhospitable question. For some reasons of my own, -I felt an interest in what was going on in this house, and made it my -business to become acquainted with all that passed. When I heard of Mr. -Raymond's death, I resolved at once to attend the funeral." - -"I suppose you must have known Mr. Raymond, then," said Paul Morton, -with something of a sneer. - -"No, I had not the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with the -gentleman," said James Cromwell, who, far from being overawed by the -evident haughty tone of the other, preserved his composure with -admirable success. - -"Then let me repeat, I do not understand why you should have taken the -trouble to be present at his funeral. Persons, in general, wait for an -invitation before intruding on such occasions," he added, with a -palpable sneer. - -"He wouldn't parley so long if he did not know me and fear me," thought -James Cromwell, and this conclusion showed that he was not without a -certain natural shrewdness. - -"Was Mr. Raymond rich?" he asked, nonchalantly. - -This was more than Paul Morton could bear. He was naturally an irritable -man, and he had been obliged to exercise considerable self-control thus -far in the interview. It angered him that this insignificant druggist's -clerk--this miserable specimen of a man--should have ventured to intrude -himself in this manner on his privacy, but the terror of his crime and -the consciousness that this man suspected it, had hitherto restrained -him. - -But when James Cromwell asked this question, sitting coolly, with one -leg crossed over the other, and staring impudently in his face, he could -not restrain himself any longer. He rose to his feet with angry -vehemence, and pointing to the door with a finger literally quivering -with rage, he said, hoarsely: - -"You impertinent scoundrel! begone instantly, or I will summon my -servants and have you kicked down my front steps!" - -"That might not be altogether prudent, Mr. Morton," said James Cromwell. - -"Might not be prudent! What do you mean by your cursed impudence?" -demanded the merchant, glaring furiously at the druggist's clerk. - -"What do I mean?" repeated James Cromwell. "Do you wish me to answer -your question?" - -"I demand that you answer my question, and that immediately," said the -merchant, hardly knowing what he did, so carried away was he by his -unreasonable anger. - -"Very well, I will do so," said the clerk, quietly, "but, as it may take -a brief time, will you not be kind enough to resume your seat?" - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -JAMES CROMWELL'S TRIUMPH. - - -The coolness displayed by James Cromwell had its effect upon the -merchant. Mechanically he obeyed, and resumed his seat. - -"Say what have you to say, and be done with it," he muttered. - -"In the first place, then, I beg leave to ask you a question. Do you not -remember me?" and the clerk looked searchingly with his cold gray eyes -in the face of Paul Morton. - -"I may possibly have met you before," he replied with an effort, "but I -meet a great many people, and there is no particular reason, that I am -aware of, why I should remember you in particular." - -"I also meet a considerable number of persons," said James Cromwell, -"but circumstances have led me to remember you very well." - -"Well, grant that you remember me," said the merchant, with nervous -impatience, "what then?" - -"It may be necessary for me to remind you that I am employed in a -druggist's shop on the Bowery." - -"I hope you like your situation," said Paul Morton, with a sneer. - -"No, I don't like it, and that is the reason why I have come to you, -hoping that you will help me to something better." - -This was said with quiet self-possession, and Paul Morton began to -realize with uneasiness that this young man, whom he had looked upon -with contempt, was not so easily to be overawed or managed as he had -expected. - -"This is a cool request, considering that you are a comparative stranger -to me." - -"But consider the peculiar circumstances," said James Cromwell, -significantly. - -"What peculiar circumstances?" demanded the merchant, desperately. - -"Shall I mention them?" asked Cromwell, pointedly. - -"If you want me to understand, yes. You are talking in enigmas, and I -never was good at understanding enigmas." - -"Then," said James Cromwell, leaning slightly forward, and looking -intently at Mr. Morton, "may I ask to what use you have put the subtle -poison which you purchased of me ten days since?" - -The color rushed to Paul Morton's face at this direct interrogation. - -"The poison?" he repeated. - -"Yes, you certainly have not forgotten the purchase." - -"I think you must be mistaken in the person." - -"Pardon me, I am not." - -"Suppose that I did buy poison, how should you identify me with the -purchaser, and how came you to know where I lived?" - -"I sent a boy to follow you home," said Cromwell. - -"You dared to do that?" - -"Why not? We have no curiosity about our ordinary customers, but when a -person makes such a purchase as you did, we feel inclined to learn all -we can about him." - -"A praiseworthy precaution! Well, I admit that I did buy the poison. -What then?" - -"I asked to what purpose you had put it?" - -"Very well, I have no objection to tell you, although I deny your right -to intrude in my private affairs, which I regard as a piece of gross -impertinence. I bought it, as I think I stated to you at the time, at -the request and for the use of a friend." - -"Would you tell me the friend's name?" asked the clerk, imperturbably. - -"He lives in Thirty-seventh Street." - -"What is his name?" - -"None of your business," exclaimed the merchant, passionately. - -"I beg your pardon, but I was blamed by my employer for not taking down -the name of the purchaser, and I told him in return that I would gather -full particulars." - -"You may tell him it is all right. He must have heard of me and of my -firm, and that will satisfy him." - -"But the name of this gentleman in Thirty-seventh Street----" - -"It is not necessary to the purpose." - -"_Has there been a death in his family within ten days?_" asked the -clerk in quiet tones, but there was a significance in them which sent a -thrill through the frame of his listener. - -"What makes you ask that?" he stammered. - -"I will tell you," said James Cromwell, boldly throwing off his reserve. -"It is as well to be frank, and there is no use in mincing matters. I -do not believe this story of the man in Thirty-seventh Street. I think -you bought the article for your own use. Since the purchase there has -been a death in your house." - -"Your inference is ridiculous," said the merchant, nervously. "My -intimate and dear friend, Mr. Raymond, was sick of an incurable disease, -as the physician will testify, and it could have terminated in no other -way." - -"I am quite willing to believe you are right," said the clerk. "Still, -under the circumstances, you will not object to an investigation. I feel -it my duty to inform a coroner of the facts in the case, and if on -examination no traces of the action of poison can be found in the -deceased, of course you are entirely exonerated from suspicion!" - -"What!" exclaimed Paul Morton. "Do you think I will suffer myself to be -subjected to such a degrading suspicion--a man of my position in -society--what advantage could I possibly reap from my friend's death?" - -"He was a rich man," suggested James Cromwell, significantly. - -"That is true," said the merchant, with self-possession. "He was a rich -man." - -"And he may have left his property to you." - -"You happen to be mistaken there. He had left his property to his son, a -boy of fourteen." - -"Where is this son?" asked the clerk, a little taken aback by this -discovery, which was new to him. - -"He is now in my house." - -"And suppose the boy dies?" - -It was now Paul Morton's turn to hesitate. - -"That is not very probable," he said. "He is a strong, vigorous boy." - -"Who is to be his guardian?" - -"I am." - -"Indeed! And if he dies, is there no provision made as to the property?" - -"It will go to me, if he dies before attaining his majority." - -The clerk coughed--a little significant cough--which annoyed Mr. Morton -not a little. It conveyed an imputation which he couldn't resent, -because it was indirect. - -"I hope you are satisfied," he said at length. - -"Oh, certainly; that is, nearly so," said James Cromwell: "but then it -is not enough that I should be satisfied." - -"Why not?" - -"My employer may not be." - -"Does your employer know who made the purchase?" - -"No, I have not as yet communicated the name to him." - -"Don't tell him, then. It is none of his business." - -"He will not agree with you there." - -"What matter if he does not?" - -"You must remember that I am a poor clerk, dependent on my salary, and -that in my position, it is not safe to risk offending my employer. -Suppose I am discharged from my position, how am I to live?" - -"Can you not procure another situation?" - -"Not if he refuses his recommendation, which would probably be the case. -Besides, our business is crowded, and under the most favorable -circumstances I might be weeks, and possibly months, without -employment." - -Paul Morton leaned his head on his hand, and considered what was to be -done with this difficult visitor. It was evident that he expected to be -bought off and that he must be. - -"What wages do you get?" he asked, looking up. - -"Twenty dollars a week, sir," said Cromwell. - -As the reader knows, this was just double what he did receive, and as -Mr. Morton was not likely to inquire of his employer, he felt that the -lie was a safe one, and likely to conduce to his advantage. - -"Twenty dollars a week! Very well, I will tell you what you must do. In -the first place, you must refuse to make your employer any -communications respecting this affair." - -"Very well, sir." - -"And if he discharges you, I will pay you twenty dollars a week until -you can get another situation. Perhaps I may find you some other -employment, unless you prefer your present business." - -"No, sir, I don't like it." - -"Do, then, as I tell you, and I will see that you suffer no loss." - -"Thank you, sir," said James Cromwell, rising. "I will follow your -directions, and let you know the result to-morrow evening." - -The clerk left the house in a very contented frame of mind. He -determined to resign his situation the next morning, and claim the -stipulated weekly allowance. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -HOW MATTERS WERE ARRANGED. - - -After the clerk had left him, Paul Morton began to consider what was -best to be done. He had at first been inclined to despise this man as -insignificant and incapable of mischief, but the interview which he had -just had convinced him that on this point he was mistaken. It was -evident that he was in the clerk's power, and just as evident that the -latter wanted to be bought off. - -"After all, it is not so bad," he said to himself, "he has his price; -the only question is, whether that price is an exorbitant one or not. I -must make the best possible terms with him." - -There was another question to be decided, and that related to his -ward--young Robert Raymond. - -Should he send him back to school or not? - -While he was pondering as to this question, an idea occurred to him. - -Why should he not kill two birds with one stone, by placing his ward in -the charge of James Cromwell, with a liberal allowance, to be deducted -from his ward's income for his trouble? Not that he considered the -clerk, of whom he knew next to nothing, and that little not to his -credit, a suitable person to have the charge of a boy. But then, he was -not a conscientious guardian, and his only desire was, so to arrange -matters as best to subserve his own interests. Besides, there were -certain plans and hopes which he cherished that could best be subserved -by a man not over scrupulous, and he judged rightly that James Cromwell -would become a pliant tool in his hands if he were paid well enough for -it. - -He was not surprised to receive another visit from the clerk on the -evening succeeding the interview which was chronicled in the last -chapter. - -"Well," he said, when the latter was ushered into his presence, and they -were left alone, "what have you to tell me?" - -"I have lost my situation," said Cromwell, briefly. - -"Then your employer was offended at your silence?" - -"Yes; he said he must know who bought the article." - -"And you refused to tell him?" - -"I did. Upon this he said that he had no further occasion for my -services, and that under the circumstances he must refuse me a -recommendation. So you see I have got into serious trouble on account of -keeping your secret." - -Paul Morton winced at the last two words, but he didn't comment upon -them. - -Could the late employer of James Cromwell have heard the assertions just -made by his clerk, he would have opened wide his eyes in astonishment. -The fact was that the clerk had alleged failing health as a reason for -giving up his situation, and had at that very moment an excellent -recommendation from his employer in his pocket. It must be said that he -deserved it, for he had been a faithful and competent assistant in the -shop, however destitute he might be of moral qualities. But James -Cromwell had no idea of entering the shop of another druggist. His ideas -had been enlarged, and he aspired to something less laborious, and more -remunerative. - -"I must see what I can do for you," said Paul Morton, who was quite -prepared for the communication which had been made him. "Last evening I -did not see any way clear, but a plan has since then occurred to me. But -it is necessary that I should first know a little more about you. Have -you ever been in the West?" - -"Yes, sir, I was born in Indiana." - -"Then you have some acquaintance about there?" - -"Yes, sir," said the clerk, wondering what was coming. - -"How would you like to buy out a drug-shop in some prosperous Western -town? As a proprietor the business might be more agreeable to you than -as a clerk." - -"Yes, sir, it would," said the clerk, brightening up. The prospect of a -business of his own struck him favorably. - -"But I have no money," he added. - -"That matter could be arranged," said the merchant. "Of course I cannot -pay except for services rendered, but I have a charge to intrust you -with." - -James Cromwell awaited with interest and curiosity what should be said -next. - -Paul Morton continued: - -"I have been thinking," he said, "that it will be better for my ward's -health that he should reside in the West. My opinion is that the rough -winds of the Atlantic coast may be injurious for him, but I have been -puzzled to decide upon a competent man to take charge of him. I am -inclined to think that as you have nothing to prevent your going out -West, and moreover, are acquainted with the country, it will suit my -views to give you the general oversight of Robert. He can board at the -same place with you, and go to school." - -"What shall I receive for my services?" asked James Cromwell, coming at -once to that part of the business which was to him of the greatest -importance. - -"I have been thinking of that," said the merchant. "How much will it -cost to buy out a fair druggist's shop?" - -"It might be managed for two or three thousand dollars." - -"Two thousand dollars will be quite enough, I am sure. Very well, I am -willing to buy you such a business, and allow you besides, a thousand -dollars a year for the charge of the boy. Out of this you will pay for -his board and clothes, and the balance you can keep for your trouble." - -"There won't be much left," grumbled the clerk, though the offer -exceeded what he anticipated. Still he wished to make the best bargain -he could. - -"Half of it will be left," said the merchant; "his board in a Western -town won't cost more than two hundred and fifty dollars a year, leaving -the same sum for his clothing and miscellaneous expenses. That will -consume only one-half of the money, leaving you five hundred, besides -what you can make from your business." - -"How old is the boy?" - -"Fourteen years old." - -"Do you think he will be willing to come with me?" - -"It doesn't make much difference whether he is willing or not. As his -guardian, it is my right to make such arrangements for him as I choose." - -"How soon do you wish me to undertake the charge?" - -"As soon as you can. Do you think of any town or village where you think -it would suit you to settle down?" - -"Yes," said James Cromwell, after a pause, "I think of one town where I -heard that the druggist wished to sell out." - -"What is the name of the town?" - -"Barton." - -"And where is it located?" - -"In the southern part of Indiana." - -"Yes, that will do." - -There was a pause at this point. James Cromwell was waiting to learn -what farther communication the merchant might have to make. The latter -hesitated because he wished to come to an understanding on a certain -point which it required some delicacy to introduce. - -"I suppose," he commenced, "when you inquired the boy's age, you wished -to understand how long this arrangement was likely to last?" - -"Yes, sir. That is an important consideration." - -"Then again," said Paul Morton, trying to speak indifferently, "of -course there is the contingency of his early death, which would cut off -your income arising from the allowance I make for him." - -"Yes," said the clerk, "but if I remember rightly, it would be a benefit -to you, for you would inherit the property in his place." - -"Yes; that was the arrangement his father made without my knowledge. But -that has nothing to do with you. I will tell you what I have decided to -do in the contingency which I have just named. If the boy dies, you will -be an annual loser; I will agree to give you outright such a sum as -will produce an equal annual income, say ten thousand dollars." - -"You will give me ten thousand dollars if the boy dies?" - -"Yes; should he be removed by an early death, though, of course, that is -not probable, I will make over to you the sum I have named." - -"Ten thousand dollars?" - -"Yes; ten thousand dollars, as a testimonial of my appreciation of your -services in taking charge of him. That certainly is a liberal -arrangement." - -"Yes," said James Cromwell, in a low voice, his pale face a little paler -than its wont, for he knew as well as his employer, that the sum -mentioned was indirectly offered him as an inducement to make way with -the boy. He could not prove it, of course, but it was clear to his own -mind, and Paul Morton meant that it should be. - -"Come here to-morrow," he said, rising, as a signal of dismissal, "and -meanwhile I will prepare my ward for the new plans which we have been -discussing." - -James Cromwell rose, and his mind in a tumult of various emotions, left -the house in Twenty-ninth Street. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -A VILLAINOUS SUGGESTION. - - -"Tell Robert Raymond that I wish to speak to him," said Paul Morton, to -a servant who answered his bell. - -"Yes, sir." - -In five minutes Robert entered his presence. The boy was clad in a suit -of black, and his face was grave and sad. The death of his father, his -only relation of whom he had any knowledge, had weighed heavily upon his -feelings, and he moved about the house in a listless way, with little -appetite or spirit. - -"You sent for me, sir?" he said interrogatively, as he entered. - -"Yes, Robert, take a seat. I wish to speak to you," said his guardian. - -The boy obeyed, and looked inquiringly in the face of Paul Morton to see -what he had to communicate. - -"It is desirable," he said, "that we should speak together of your -future arrangements. It is for that purpose I have sent for you this -morning." - -"I suppose I shall go back to the school where my father placed me," -said Robert. - -"Ahem!" said his guardian, "that we can settle presently. I have not yet -decided upon that point." - -"It is a very good school, sir. I think it was my father's intention -that I should remain there for at least two years longer." - -"He never spoke to me on that subject. He thought it would be safe to -trust to my judgment in the matter." - -"Then I am not to go back?" said Robert, in some disappointment. - -"I do not say that. I only say that I have not yet decided upon that -point. Even if you go back you need not go at once." - -"I shall fall behind my class," said Robert. - -"You are young yet, and there is no hurry. For the present I have -another plan in view for you." - -"What is it, Mr. Morton?" - -"Come here a minute. I want you to look at some views I have here." - -In some surprise the boy came to his side; for the remark seemed to have -no connection with the plan his guardian had referred to just now. - -Mr. Morton drew from a drawer in his desk a collection of views of -Niagara Falls, and spread them before his ward. - -"Have you ever visited Niagara, Robert?" he asked. - -"No, sir." - -"Here are some views of the cataract. It is a beautiful sight." - -"Oh, yes, sir," said Robert; "I have heard a great deal of it, and I -have often thought I should like to see it." - -"Well, your wish is likely to be gratified," said his guardian. - -"Do you mean to let me visit it, then?" asked the boy, looking up with -eager and animated inquiry. - -"Yes; I have observed that your father's death has naturally weighed -upon your mind, and depressed your spirits. If you should go back to -school now, you would not be in a fitting frame to resume your studies. -I think a little change and variety would do you good. For this reason I -intend to let you go on a journey, not only to Niagara, but still -farther West." - -"You are very kind, Mr. Morton," said Robert; "but," he added, with -momentary hesitation, "would it be quite right for me to go on a -pleasure excursion so soon after the death of my poor father?" - -"Your father would, I am sure, approve it," said his guardian. "Because -your mind is diverted by pleasant scenery, it will not follow that you -have forgotten your father." - -"No, I shall never forget him as long as I live." - -"So you see there is no objection on that score." - -"Are you going with me, Mr. Morton?" asked Robert, suddenly. - -"No, I am unable to leave my business for so long." - -"Am I going alone?" - -"No, you are too young for that. I have a friend," Mr. Morton was about -to say; but after a pause he said, "acquaintance, who is to start at -once on a trip to the West, and I shall place you under his charge." - -"Who is it, sir?" - -"A young man named Cromwell." - -"How soon are we to start?" - -"Probably in a day or two. You can look over your wardrobe, and see if -you need any new clothes, and can get them before you leave New York." - -"Yes, sir." - -Robert left his guardian's presence in better spirits than he had -entered. The prospect of a journey was very agreeable, for he had all a -boy's love of new scenes, and it added to his pleasure, though he hardly -admitted it to himself, that his guardian was not able to accompany him. -He hardly knew why it was, but, although he had been told that Mr. -Morton was his father's intimate friend, and had no reason to doubt the -truth of this statement, he found it impossible to like him. Indeed, -there was a half feeling of repugnance which he was dimly conscious of, -and had tried to overcome, but without success. This feeling was not so -strange as it appeared to him. It was the natural repugnance of a frank -and innocent boy to the double dealing and false nature of a selfish man -of the world. - -Shortly after Robert left the presence of his guardian, James Cromwell -was once more ushered into it. - -He was no longer the threadbare clerk, but had provided himself with a -new suit of clothes, which looked, indeed, better than his former array; -but no clothing, however costly, could change the appearance of his mean -and insignificant features, and give him the air of a gentleman. - -"I have waited upon you early, Mr. Morton," he said. - -"Not too early," answered the merchant. "Indeed, I may say that I am -anxious to complete our arrangements, and put the boy under your care as -soon as possible. The fact is, that with my business cares the -additional burden of a ward is not very welcome. If it had not been the -son of my intimate friend, I might have declined the trust; but under -the circumstances I did not think I ought to do so." - -James Cromwell listened to this statement from the lips of his employer -in silence. It is needless to say that he did not believe one word of -it; but it was for his interest now to appear to credit whatever Mr. -Morton chose to say, and he accordingly did not think it politic to -indicate in any way his real feelings. - -"Yes, it is a great care in addition to by business responsibilities," -proceeded the merchant; "but I shall feel in a great measure relieved -when Robert is once placed under your charge." - -"Does he know that he is going with me?" inquired Cromwell. - -"I have just had an interview with him. He has been at a boarding-school -on the Hudson River, and he supposed he was going back. When I told him -that I had another plan for him, he was at first disappointed." - -"Did you tell him what the plan was?" - -"Not precisely. I showed him some views of Niagara Falls, and asked him -if he would like to visit the cataract. He said that he would. I then -told him that previous to his going back to school I intended to let him -have a little journey,--visiting the Falls, and going as far as Indiana. -He was pleased with this prospect." - -"Does he know he is going with me?" - -"I mentioned that I had asked an acquaintance of mine to take charge of -him. I shall introduce you as that acquaintance." - -"You intend then, Mr. Morton, that we shall take Niagara Falls on the -way?" said James Cromwell. - -"Yes; I think it will be a pleasant arrangement for you, no doubt, if -you have never seen the Falls." - -"No, I have never seen them." - -"And besides, it will make the journey seem more plausible to Robert. He -need not know until you get to your journey's end that he is not coming -back." - -"How shall it be communicated to him?" - -"I think I will give you a letter to him which you can let him read when -the proper time comes." - -"When do you wish me to start?" - -"As soon as possible--day after to-morrow. You can be ready, can you -not?" - -"I can be ready at any time. I have very few arrangements to make." - -"I should like to show you some views of Niagara, which I have here, Mr. -Cromwell," said Paul Morton. "Will you step to the table?" - -The clerk left his seat, and advanced to the side of the merchant's -chair. - -"There," said Paul Morton, looking over the views, and selecting one, -"is a view of Goat Island. You will no doubt visit that?" - -"Yes, sir; we will try to see all that is worth seeing." - -"I think," said Paul Morton, slowly, "I have heard of a man--or a -boy--who was standing here one day, and chanced to lose his footing, and -fell over the cataract. Horrible, was it not?" - -He looked significantly in the face of his companion. James Cromwell's -face grew pale, as he comprehended the infernal meaning of this speech, -and he echoed the word "Horrible." - -"I just mentioned it," said the merchant, "for boys are apt to be -careless, and it occurred to me that perhaps Robert might be in danger -of a similar accident." - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -GOLD VERSUS CRIME. - - -James Cromwell did not reply to the merchant's speech. Not that he was -so much appalled at the wickedness suggested, as that his nature, which -was a timid one, shrank with timidity from undertaking so hazardous a -crime. He hardly knew what to think or what to say. In fact, it was most -politic for him to be silent, for, with such artfulness had Paul Morton -conveyed the suggestion to the mind of his confederate, that he appeared -only to be counselling prudence, and to be actuated by a kind desire to -protect his boy-ward from possible danger. He had so guarded himself -that he could at any time boldly deny having counselled violence, and -turn upon his instrument with the unblushing assertion--"Thou canst not -say I did it." - -Paul Morton, seeing the sudden pallor of his companion, knew that his -purpose had been accomplished, and went on to other matters. - -"I think," he said, "that you will be able to start on the day after -to-morrow. I will see that Robert is ready, and if you will come around -by nine o'clock, there will be ample time to take the middle train." - -"Very well," said Cromwell. "I will bear in mind what you say, Mr. -Morton." - -"And now, I think, Mr. Cromwell, I shall be obliged to leave you, as my -business, which I have neglected of late, requires my attention." - -James Cromwell took the hint, and left the house. He fell into a fit of -musing, as he rode downtown on a street-car. - -"Shall I do this thing which he wants of me?" he said to himself. "There -would be danger in it, and there is something ugly in the thought of -murder. Still, ten thousand dollars would set me up in life. Besides, I -should still have a hold on Mr. Morton. Ah, it would be pleasant to be -rich! No more miserable drudgery, no more cringing to an employer who -cares no more for you than for a dog, and perhaps treats you no better! -Money, money is a blessed thing. It brings independence; with it you can -lift your head erect, and walk proudly among men, who are always ready -to doff their hats to a man who is backed up by wealth. Yes, it is worth -something to gain it, but then--murder!" - -Here James Cromwell shuddered, and imprisonment, trial, conviction and -the gallows, loomed up, an ugly and forbidding picture, before him. So -weighed was his imagination with the terrors of the scene which he had -conjured up before him, that when he was aroused from his musings by a -slap on the shoulder, he started, and turned a terror-stricken -countenance to the face that bent over him. He fancied for a moment that -the terrible tragedy had been accomplished, and that the touch was that -of a policeman who had been sent to arrest him. - -"Why, Cromwell, what's the matter?" asked the other, in wonder. "You -look as pale and scared as a ghost." - -"Is it you, Hodgson?" said Cromwell, with an air of relief. - -"Who did you think it was? You didn't think a policeman was after you, -did you?" said Hodgson, jocosely. - -"Oh, dear, no!" said Cromwell, laughing faintly. "I am not afraid of -anything from that quarter. But the fact is, I have been getting nervous -lately, and I think my health is affected." - -"Why are you not in the shop? Got a furlough?" - -"Yes, a permanent one. I resigned my situation on account of my -health." - -"Indeed! I don't see but you look about as usual--that is, now, though a -minute ago, you looked pale enough." - -"You can't always judge by appearances," said James Cromwell, shaking -his head. - -"Well, what are your plans? You haven't retired on a fortune, have you?" - -"Not exactly. Still I am not wholly without resources. I think of going -out West." - -"Do you?" - -"Yes, I think the change may benefit my health." - -"Well, I hope it will. I don't know but I shall go myself, if I can find -an opening. If you find anything you think will suit me, I wish you -would let me know." - -"All right. I will bear you in mind." - -"Good-bye. I get out here. Good luck to you!" - -The young man, who was salesman in a shoe-store, got out of the car, and -James Cromwell rode on to his destination. - -When he reached the small room which he had been compelled to call home, -because he could afford nothing better, he looked with disdain on its -scanty and shabby furniture, and said to himself: - -"Thank Heaven, I shall not long be compelled to live in such a hole! -That reminds me that I must give warning to my landlady." - -He went down, encountering a careworn and shabbily-attired woman on the -stairs. - -"I was just looking for you, Mrs. Warren," he said. "I am intending to -leave you this week." - -"Indeed!" said the landlady. "I hope you are not dissatisfied, Mr. -Cromwell?" - -"No; that is not my reason for going. I am going to leave the city." - -"Indeed, sir! have you left your place?" asked the woman, in surprise. - -"Yes, I have been obliged to on account of my health." - -"I am sorry to hear it, sir. What is the matter with you?" - -"I expect it is the confinement." - -"I am sorry to lose you, sir. I find it hard to keep my rooms full. If -you know of any of your friends who would like a room, I hope you will -send them to me." - -"I will, certainly." - -"When were you expecting to leave, Mr. Cromwell?" - -"Day after to-morrow, but I will pay you up to the end of the week." - -"Thank you, sir." - -The landlady went away sighing at the loss of one who represented to her -so many dollars a month, and James Cromwell went up again to his little -room. He sat down on the bed, and indulged himself in pleasant thoughts. - -"What a change has come over my prospects!" he said, complacently. -"Three weeks ago I was a poor clerk on a miserable salary of ten dollars -a week. Now, fortune has opened her doors, and there is a prospect of my -acquiring an independence, and that without much trouble. It was a lucky -day when Paul Morton came into our shop. It is well that my employer was -not there, or I should have been unable to act with the promptness which -has bettered my fortunes so materially. It isn't every one who would -have improved so shrewdly such a chance. I must say that, at least, to -the credit of my shrewdness. Would Paul Morton even have thought of -intrusting his ward to me, if I had not let him know that I had a hold -upon him, and meant to make use of it? In that hold lies a pile of -money, and I mean to squeeze it out of him. I don't think he will deal -unfairly by me. He must know that it would not be safe." - -Money was the god of James Cromwell's idolatry. He had been in early -life a poor orphan, reared in a poorhouse, kicked and cuffed by older -boys, who sneered at him on account of his poverty. Later, he was -apprenticed to a druggist, and served a hard apprenticeship, poorly fed -and clothed. When he reached manhood, he came to New York to try his -fortune, but his unpromising personal appearance stood in the way of his -obtaining a desirable situation. At last, when he was reduced to his -last dollar, he obtained a situation as assistant in the small store on -the Bowery, where we found him at the commencement of the story, on a -salary of six dollars a week. He had remained there for several years, -and still his compensation had only reached the low figure of ten -dollars a week. - -He had pined for riches, and dreamed what he should do if he ever could -amass a moderate sum of money, but three weeks since, it seemed very -improbable whether he would ever be able to compass what he so -feverishly longed for. - -Thus all the circumstances of his past life had prepared him to become -the pliant tool of Paul Morton's schemes. In his case, as in so many -others, the love of money was likely to become the root of all evil. - -So, with weak and vacillating timidity, drawn on by the lust for gold, -James Cromwell thought over the proposal which had been made to him, -weighing the risk against the gain proffered, and the more he thought, -the stronger grew the power of the temptation, and the greater became -the peril which menaced the life of Robert Raymond. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -ON GOAT ISLAND. - - -"Robert," said his guardian, "this is Mr. Cromwell, who is to take -charge of you on the journey. Mr. Cromwell, this is my ward, whom I hope -you will find a pleasant traveling companion." - -"How do you do?" said James Cromwell, holding out his hand rather -stiffly to the boy. - -"I am well, thank you," said Robert, looking with curiosity, and it must -be confessed, disappointment, at the young man who was to be his -companion. - -He had hoped that he would be a congenial person, with whom he might be -on terms of pleasant familiarity; but when he looked at the small, -ferreting eyes and mean features of James Cromwell, his first -impressions were unfavorable. Every man's face is to a certain extent -indicative of his disposition and prevailing traits; and Robert, who was -quicker than most boys in reading character, concluded without delay, -that the companion with which his guardian had provided him would not -be to his taste. Still, he possessed a great deal of natural courtesy -and politeness, and he determined to conceal this feeling as well as he -might, and treat Mr. Cromwell with as much respect and politeness as if -he had liked him better. Though he would have liked to travel with a -different person, still, the natural scenery which he would behold would -be none the less attractive, and would afford him some compensation for -the absence of a congenial companion. - -James Cromwell was on his side not without sharpness of insight. As he -met the boy's gaze with the glance of his small ferret-like eyes, he -perceived the look of disappointment, however carefully it was veiled, -and with the spite of a small, mean mind, it inspired him with instant -dislike for Robert. Instead of determining to win his confidence and -regard by kindness, he resolved as soon as he fairly had him in his -power, to annoy him by petty tyranny, and so wreak vengeance upon him -for the feelings which he could not help. But the time for this had not -yet come. He knew that policy dictated a courteous and polite treatment -for the present. Accordingly he said in a soft voice: - -"I hope I shall be able to make Mr. Raymond's time pass pleasantly." - -"Thank you," said Robert, politely. - -"Oh, I have no doubt you will get on well together," said Mr. Morton. -"Robert, I shall expect you to follow the directions of Mr. Cromwell, as -I have confidence that he will act with good judgment." - -Robert bowed. - -"I have obtained tickets for you by the middle train," proceeded the -merchant. "Here they are, Mr. Cromwell." - -"Thank you, sir," said Cromwell, taking them and putting them in his -pocket. - -"You will remain at Niagara two or three days if you like," continued -Paul Morton. "I have no doubt you will enjoy yourself. What do you say, -Robert?" - -"I shall be sure to enjoy it," said Robert, with animation. - -"So shall I," said Cromwell. "I have never visited the Falls." - -"Well," said the merchant, drawing on his gloves, "I am sorry, but I -shall be obliged to leave you. I have considerable business awaiting me -at my counting-room. I have ordered a carriage at eleven to convey you -with your trunks to the railroad depot. Good-bye, Robert, good-bye, Mr. -Cromwell. A pleasant journey to you." - -"Good-bye, sir," said both. - -"Oh, by the way, Mr. Cromwell," said the merchant, turning as he reached -the door, and looking significantly at Cromwell, "if you meet with any -mishap, telegraph me at once." - -Again a greenish pallor overspread the face of James Cromwell, for he -understood the allusion, and his cowardly nature recoiled with fear, not -with abhorrence. - -"Yes, sir," he said, "I will remember." - -"Once more, good-bye, then," and Paul Morton closed the door behind him. - -"I hope I shall never see that boy alive again," he said to himself. -"Once get him out of the way and the money is mine. A hundred and twenty -thousand dollars will be a great windfall to me. To be sure, there will -be ten thousand to pay to Cromwell, but it will leave over a hundred -thousand. Egad! it would be a capital arrangement if they both would -tumble over the Falls together. It would be the best joke of the -season." - -And Paul Morton laughed to himself, a low, wicked laugh, at the -prospect of the two from whom he had just parted being hurled together -into a death so frightful, and all that he might gain money. As if human -life were to be weighed against perishing dross! Yet every day life is -bartered for it; not always criminally, but sacrificed by overwork, or -undue risk, so insatiable is the hunger for gold, and so desperate are -the efforts by which men seek to obtain it. - -In due time they reached the station, and entering one of the long cars, -selected their seats. They did not sit down together, but took seats -directly in front of each other, giving a window to each. - -"I suppose I ought to say something to him," thought Robert, "but I -don't know what to say." - -Indeed, there seemed to be no common ground on which they could meet. -With some persons the boy would have been engaged in animated -conversation long before this, but he seemed to have nothing to say to -James Cromwell. - -"Do you like traveling, Mr. Cromwell?" he asked, at length. - -"Pretty well," said Cromwell. - -"I think we shall have a pleasant journey." - -"Yes; I expect so." - -"Do you know when we shall reach Niagara, Mr. Cromwell?" - -"I think Mr. Morton said it would take us about twenty-four hours." - -"Then we shall get there about this time to-morrow." - -"Yes; we shall be all night on the cars." - -"I am sorry for that, for we shall lose the scenery on the way--I mean, -that we pass through during the night." - -Here the conversation dropped. James Cromwell bought a paper from a boy -who came through the cars, and began to read. Robert, with all the eager -interest of his age, employed himself in looking out of the window, -watching the fields and houses among which they were wending their rapid -way. - -It will be unnecessary to chronicle the incidents of the journey, for -there were none worth mentioning. In due time they reached Niagara, and -secured rooms at the principal hotel on the American side. - -It was afternoon, and they only went round a little before supper. They -decided to defer the principal part of their sightseeing until the next -day. - -The next day was pleasant. Together the two walked about, enjoying -views of the cataract from various points. - -At length Cromwell said, "How would you like to go to Goat Island? I am -told the view is fine from there." - -"I should like it very much. Suppose we go," said Robert, promptly. - -Had he known the sinister purpose with which this proposition was made, -he would have recoiled from it as from a deadly serpent, but the boy was -wholly unconscious of the peril that menaced him, nor did he observe the -nervous agitation that affected James Cromwell, whose timidity made him -shrink with fear at the risk he was about to incur. - -"Then we will go," said the young man. - -They soon found themselves on the island, and advancing, reached an -exposed point from which they could look down upon the foaming waters -beneath. Cromwell manoeuvered so as to have the boy on the side toward -the water. - -"What a grand sight!" exclaimed Robert, surveying the great fall with -boyish enthusiasm. - -He had scarcely uttered these words when he felt a violent push at the -side, and felt himself impelled toward the brink of the precipice. He -would infallibly have fallen if he had not seized with the desperate -clutch of self-preservation the arm of James Cromwell. As it was, he -hung balancing over the brink, and nearly carried the clerk with him. -Cromwell saw that it must be either both or neither, and he drew Robert -back to a place of safety. - -"Good Heavens! Mr. Cromwell," exclaimed the boy, his face pale with -horror, "what does this mean? Did you mean to push me over?" - -"What a question!" returned Cromwell, himself pale. "Thank Heaven! I -have saved you!" - -"But you pushed me!" said the boy, suspiciously. "If I hadn't clung to -you, I should have fallen!" and he shuddered at the thought. - -"Yes; it is true. I will explain. I am troubled with fits occasionally -which make me rigid and convulsed. Whenever I feel one coming on I grasp -convulsively at whatever is nearest me. I felt one coming on a moment -ago, and that led me to seize you. But I believe my terror, for I came -near going over the precipice with you, has saved me from the threatened -attack." - -"Do you often have these fits?" asked Robert. - -"I have not had one for three months, but lately I have been -apprehending one, for I have not felt as well as usual. Indeed, I have a -violent headache now. I think I will go to the hotel and lie down, if -you can amuse yourself for awhile." - -"Yes, you had better do so. I can get along quite well." - -Robert easily credited the plausible explanation which had been given, -for he could not believe that Cromwell would deliberately seek his life. -He did not know the powerful motive which prompted him. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE VEIL IS LIFTED. - - -About a fortnight from the time of their departure the two travelers -reached a town in Southern Indiana, which we will call Madison. They had -traveled leisurely, stopping at several places on the way. Cromwell had -not ventured upon a second attempt upon the life of Robert Raymond. The -first failure had left on his mind an impression of fear, and he -resolved that he would not again attempt open violence. If anything was -to be done, it should be by more subtle and hidden ways. - -As for Robert, his first feeling of suspicion was entirely dissipated. -He accepted Cromwell's explanation in good faith, and thought little -more about the matter, but gave up his time and thoughts to the new -scenes into which each successive day brought him. He had not got to -like Cromwell, nor was there any chance that he would, but the two did -not interfere much with each other, but kept by themselves, so far as -it could be done under the circumstances. - -On arriving in Madison, a town of which Cromwell had formerly known -something, they went to the Madison House, as the hotel was called, and -entered their names. - -The next morning Cromwell went round to the village drug store, kept by -an old acquaintance, formerly a fellow clerk, named Leonard Grover. - -"How do you do. Grover?" he said, as he entered the shop. - -Grover surveyed him scrutinizingly. - -"Don't you know me?" asked Cromwell. - -"What! James Cromwell? How came you out here? And where have you been -for some time? Sit down and tell me all about it." - -The two took chairs, and Cromwell said as much as he chose to say. - -"I have been employed in New York," he said, "but I got tired of that -city, and came out here to see if I couldn't find an opening somewhere." - -"You don't like New York, then?" - -"Not particularly. At any rate, I have determined to make a change." - -"Well, that is curious." - -"Why curious?" - -"I mean that while you are tired of New York, I am anxious to go -there." - -"You are? Why don't you then?" - -"Because I am tied down to this store. If I could sell out to anybody -for any decent price, I would start for New York, mighty quick." - -"Then I suppose you are not doing well here?" - -"Yes, I am doing well, but I don't think my health is as good here as at -the East. Besides, I have some relations in New York, and that would -make it pleasant for me to be there." - -"What would you sell out for?" asked Cromwell. - -"Do you mean business?" - -"Yes, I have been thinking that if I could get a shop on favorable -terms, I would buy one. Tell me what is the best you can do." - -"If you will come in to-morrow, I will do so. I must take a little -inventory of my stock, so as to see how I stand." - -"Very well, I will do so." - -The next day James Cromwell arranged to purchase the shop, with its -present stock, at fifteen hundred dollars, cash. - -"It's worth two thousand," said the proprietor, "but I am willing to -sacrifice twenty-five per cent. for the sake of freeing myself. You get -it dirt cheap." - -"If I did not, I could not buy it at all," said Cromwell. - -James Cromwell was authorized to draw upon Paul Morton for a sum not -exceeding two thousand dollars, whenever he could make an arrangement to -purchase a drug shop. Although he had agreed to pay fifteen hundred, he -drew for the entire sum, and this draft was honored. In the course of a -week all the arrangements were completed. The old sign was removed, and -another put in its place bearing in large letters the name: - - - JAMES CROMWELL, - - DRUGGIST AND APOTHECARY. - - -While these arrangements were in progress, Robert Raymond was left in -complete ignorance of them. He spent the day in roaming over the -neighborhood, with which he had by this time become quite familiar. It -had occurred to him several times, to wonder why Mr. Cromwell saw fit to -remain so long in a town which seemed to possess no especial -attractions. He once or twice put the question, but was put off with an -evasive answer, and did not repeat it. - -But one morning as he walked through the principal street, he saw the -new sign referred to above, going up, and he was struck with surprise. - -"What does that mean, I wonder?" he asked himself. - -Just at this moment James Cromwell himself appeared at the door of the -shop. His hat was off, and it was evident that he was at home here. - -"What does that mean, Mr. Cromwell?" asked Robert, pointing to the sign. - -"It means that this shop is mine; I have bought it." - -"But I thought you were only going to stay in Madison a few days? I did -not know you intended to go into business here." - -"No, I suppose not," said Cromwell, coolly. "I did not know that there -was any necessity of telling you all my plans." - -"Of course not," said Robert. "I do not wish you to tell me any more -than you think proper of your affairs. But I was thinking how I should -go back to New York, as now you will probably be unable to accompany -me." - -"Yes, I shall be unable to accompany you," said Cromwell, "but I don't -think there will be any trouble about that." - -"I am old enough to travel alone, I think," said Robert. "I have been -over the route once with you, and I think I can get along well enough." - -"You seem to have made up your mind that you are going back to New -York?" said Cromwell, with a slight sneer. - -"Of course. My guardian told me that I was to go on a short journey, and -would return to my old school again." - -"He did not tell _me_ that," said his companion, significantly. - -"What did he tell you, Mr. Cromwell?" asked Robert, beginning to feel -nervous and anxious, for he was very anxious of returning to his old -school, where he had many valued friends. - -"He can explain that best himself," said Cromwell, in reply. "Here is a -letter which he told me to hand you when the time came that rendered it -necessary." - -He drew forth, as he spoke, a letter from the inner pocket of his coat, -addressed to - - MASTER ROBERT RAYMOND. - - -Robert opened it hastily, and read in the merchant's handwriting, the -following: - - - "ROBERT:--Circumstances have led me to decide that it would be - best for you to remain at the West for a time, instead of returning - to your former school, as you doubtless desire. It is not necessary - for me to detail the reasons which have led me to this resolution. - As your guardian, I must use my best discretion and judgment, and - it is not for you to question either. Mr. Cromwell will look after - your welfare, and make all necessary arrangements for you, such as - finding a school for you to attend in the town where he decides to - establish himself. Of course, you will board at the same place with - him, and be under his charge. I expect you to be obedient to him in - all things. Your guardian, - - "PAUL MORTON." - - -Robert Raymond read this letter with mingled disappointment and -indignation. He felt that he had been treated very unfairly and that he -had been entrapped into this Western journey under false pretences. - -He looked up after he had finished reading the letter, saying: - -"Mr. Morton has not treated me right." - -"Why hasn't he?" - -"He ought to have told me all this before we started." - -"If he had, you would have made a fuss, and he wished to avoid this." - -"I think it was mean and unfair," said Robert, hotly. - -"Perhaps you had better write and tell him so," said James Cromwell, -sneering. - -"I shall write to him," said Robert, very firmly. "My father never would -have sanctioned such an arrangement as this. Besides, I don't believe -there is any good school out here." - -"It is just possible that there may be somebody in Madison who may know -enough to teach you," said Cromwell, with an unpleasant sneer. - -Robert Raymond looked at him intently. He felt instinctively that he -should obtain no sympathy in his complaints, and he became silent. He -went back to the hotel and wrote a letter to Mr. Morton, in which he set -forth respectfully his objections to remaining at the West. The letter -reached its destination, but his guardian did not see fit to answer it. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -CLARA MANTON. - - -James Cromwell did not remain at the Madison Hotel, but secured board -for himself and Robert at a private house in the village, where the only -other boarders were a gentleman and his daughter. The latter was about -nineteen, passably pretty, and very fond of attention. Her name was -Clara Manton. Her father was in ill-health, and for a year or two had -been out of business. He was possessed of about fifteen thousand -dollars, well invested, and the income of this sum in a place like -Madison, yielded him and his daughter a very comfortable support. - -When Clara Manton heard that they were to have two fellow-boarders, and -that one of them was a young man, she determined, as she expressed it to -her friend, Louisa Bates, "to set her cap for him." - -"Would you marry him?" inquired Louisa, of her friend. - -"As to that, I can't tell. I haven't seen him yet. He may be very -disagreeable for all I know. But even if he is, I am going to flatter -him up, and make him fall in love with me. Then, when he offers himself, -I can take his case into consideration." - -"Perhaps you'll fall in love yourself, Clara," suggested her friend. - -"I am not very susceptible. I wouldn't marry a masculine angel, unless -he had some money. I must find out how Mr. Cromwell stands in that way, -first." - -When James Cromwell first made his appearance at Mrs. Shelby's table, -Clara Manton, who sat opposite, fixed her black eyes upon his face, and -examined him attentively. - -As James Cromwell's personal appearance has previously been described, -it will readily be believed that Clara was not fascinated with the -retreating forehead, ferret-like eyes, mottled complexion and -insignificant features. - -"He's horrid ugly!" she said to herself. "I don't think I ever saw a -homelier man. The boy is much better looking. I wish he were the young -man. There'd be some satisfaction in exercising my fascinations upon -him. However, beauty is only skin deep, and if Mr. Cromwell has got -money, I don't know that I would object to marrying him. What I want is -a nice house and an easy life." - -It will be seen that Clara Manton was not one of the romantic girls of -which heroines are usually made. In truth, she was incapable of any -love, except self-love, and though she could counterfeit sentiment, she -had none of the quality. She was very practical and calculating, and did -not mean to surrender her freedom, unless she could obtain the -substantial advantages which she desired. - -In spite, therefore, of James Cromwell's personal deficiencies, she -determined to exercise her arts upon him. - -On sitting down to the table she was introduced by Mrs. Shelby. - -"How do you like Madison, Mr. Cromwell?" she said, with great suavity. - -"Pretty well, thank you," said Cromwell, rather awkwardly, for he always -felt uncomfortable in the society of ladies, particularly if they were -young, or in any way pretty or attractive. It might have been a vague -idea of his own personal disadvantages that produced this feeling, but -it was partly because he had had very limited opportunities of becoming -acquainted or associating with the opposite sex. - -"I am glad you like us well enough to establish yourself here," said the -young lady, graciously. "I hear you have gone into business in the -village, so that we may hope to have you as a permanent accession to our -village society." - -"Thank you, Miss Manton," said James Cromwell, trying to think of -something more to say, but not succeeding. - -"Do you go back to the store in the evening?" asked the young lady, as -he rose from the table. - -"Yes, I think so. I am expected to keep open in the evening." - -"But you have an assistant?" - -"Yes." - -"Then I advise you not to make yourself a slave to business. We shall -hope for the pleasure of your company occasionally in the evening." - -James Cromwell felt flattered, and looking full in the young lady's -face, he thought to himself, "She is very pretty, and she seems to show -me a great deal of politeness." - -"Thank you, Miss Manton, for your kind invitation. I will accept it very -soon--as soon as I think I can be spared from my business." - -"You will be quite welcome," said Clara, graciously. - -The young man might not have felt quite so well pleased, if he could -have read what was passing in Clara's mind. - -"He is not only ugly," she said to herself, "but an awkward boor. I -don't believe he ever spoke to a lady before. However, he may be worth -catching. At any rate, it will give me a little amusement to angle for -him, and I will see if I can't make an impression." - -"Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." So runs an old -proverb. This was illustrated in the case of James Cromwell, who, -ignorant of the real opinion entertained of him by Miss Manton, began, -after a while, to conceive the delusive thought that she had taken a -fancy to him. But we are anticipating. - -Three evenings later, when supper was concluded, James Cromwell made no -movement to go back to the store. This was quickly observed by Clara, -who said, with a smile: - -"You are going to remain with us, this evening, are you not, Mr. -Cromwell?" - -"If it will be agreeable," he said. - -"Can you doubt it?" she said, with a look which quickened the -pulsations of Cromwell's heart. "I get so tired passing the evening -alone. Papa gets hold of a paper or magazine, and I am left to my own -devices for amusement." - -She invited Cromwell to their private parlor, which was furnished with a -piano. - -"Do you like music, Mr. Cromwell?" she inquired. - -"Very much, indeed," he answered, though the truth was he scarcely knew -one tune from another. - -"Perhaps you are a musician?" - -"Not at all," he said, hastily, and in this statement, at least, he was -correct. "Won't you play something, Miss Manton?" - -"I haven't anything new, but if you don't mind old pieces, I will play -for you." - -She played a noisy instrumental piece, to which James Cromwell listened -in silence, with very little idea of what was being played. His eyes -were fixed rather on the young lady herself. - -"How do you like it, Mr. Cromwell?" - -"Very much, indeed," said Cromwell, hitching his chair a little nearer -the instrument, and then coloring, lest the movement should have been -observed. - -"I think I will sing you something," said Clara. "I don't sing in -public, but before an intimate friend I do not feel so bashful." - -The words "intimate friend," slipped out so easily and naturally that -she seemed unconscious of them, but they were intentional, and she -glanced out of the corners of her eyes to watch their effect. She saw -that Cromwell's eyes brightened, and the color came to his pale cheeks, -and then she knew that they had produced the effect which she intended. - -"She is certainly very charming," thought Cromwell, "and she is very -friendly. I don't think I ever met a young lady so attractive." - -"He's getting in love," said Clara to herself. "It'll be fun to see him -when he gets quite carried away by the tender passion. I've heard of -eloquent eyes, but I don't think his are capable of looking like -anything except those of a ferret. Well, I'll see the play through." - -She accordingly sang the well-known song, "Then I'll Remember Thee," -putting into it as much meaning as possible, and occasionally glancing -in a languishing manner at the young man, who sat uneasily in his chair, -and began to feel all the symptoms of love. He sat as if spell-bound -when she had finished. - -"Why don't you compliment me, Mr. Cromwell?" she said, turning round, -with a smile. "Do you know you are wanting in your duty, sir? Every -young lady expects to be complimented, when she has done a young -gentleman the favor to sing to him." - -"It was because I was so charmed," said James Cromwell, with more -readiness than might have been expected. "I was so charmed that I was -incapable of saying a word." - -"I am afraid you are like the rest of your sex, a sad flatterer, Mr. -Cromwell," said the young lady, shaking her head, with a smile. "You -don't expect me to believe that, now, do you?" - -"Yes, I do, Miss Manton, for it is perfectly true," said James Cromwell, -plucking up courage; "you sing like a nightingale." - -"Do I? I was so afraid you'd say like an owl, or something else -uncomplimentary. As you have behaved so well, I must sing you something -more." - -So the evening passed. The young lady paid assiduous attention to her -visitor, and when they parted her task was accomplished. James Cromwell -was in love. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -A DECLARATION, AND HOW IT WAS RECEIVED. - - -Robert Raymond did not propose to rebel against his guardian's -arrangements, however disagreeable they were to himself. He had written -a letter to Paul Morton, and he hoped that his remonstrance would have -some effect. But meanwhile he determined to accept his fate, and act in -accordance with the instructions which had been given him. - -There was a private school in Madison, kept by a college graduate, and -to this school Robert was sent by James Cromwell. He found himself the -most advanced pupil in the classics, and he soon found that his -teacher's acquirements were far from extensive or thorough. Still he -could learn by his own efforts, though not of course, as well as at his -former school, and he resolved to make the best of it. Of his connection -with the school nothing in particular need be said. He was regular in -attendance, and was treated with a degree of deference by the teacher, -who perceived that his scholarship was sufficient to enable him to -detect his own slender acquirements. - -Meanwhile the flirtation between James Cromwell and Clara Manton -continued. The young lady was always gracious, and so far as her manner -went, might readily be supposed to have formed a decided inclination for -her admirer, for such the druggist had now become. She had a certain -dash and liveliness of manner which fascinated him, and he felt -flattered in no slight degree that such a young lady should have singled -him out as her favorite. - -Desirous of appearing to the best advantage, he ordered a new suit from -the village tailor without regard to expense, but it was beyond the -power of any garments, however costly or showy, to set off the peculiar -appearance of Cromwell, or make him look well. But Miss Manton smiled -sweetly upon him, and he felt himself to be in paradise. - -Occasionally the young lady went into his shop on some ostensible -errand, and tarried to have a chat. James Cromwell's heart fluttered -with delight whenever he saw her face at the door, and during her stay -he could attend to nothing else. - -One evening there was to be a concert in the village. - -James Cromwell brought home tickets, and said diffidently, "Miss -Manton, will you do me the favor to accompany me to the concert this -evening?" - -"Thank you, Mr. Cromwell," she answered, smiling graciously, "I will -accept with pleasure. I was wishing to go, but papa does not feel very -well to-day, so I had made up my mind that I must pass my time at home. -At what hour does the concert commence?" - -"At half-past seven." - -"Will it be time if I am ready at quarter past?" - -"Quite so." - -"Then you may depend on me." - -Strange as it may appear, it was the first time in his life that James -Cromwell ever acted as escort to a lady in visiting a place of public -entertainment, and he felt a degree of awkwardness because of that. But -when Clara Manton appeared, she was so gracious and sociable, that all -his _mauvaise haute_ disappeared, and he walked arm in arm with her, -feeling easier and more unembarrassed than he had supposed to be -possible. When they entered the hall he glanced around him with pride at -the thought it would be perceived that he was the chosen cavalier of -such an attractive young lady. - -Of the concert it is unnecessary to speak. It closed at a comparatively -early hour, and the two wended their way homeward. - -"Shall we prolong our walk a little?" he said. "It is still early, and -it is very pleasant." - -"Yes; that will be pleasant," she returned. "Papa is probably asleep by -this time, and won't miss me. What a charming concert we had." - -"None of them sang as well as you, Miss Manton," said Cromwell. - -"Oh, now you are flattering me, Mr. Cromwell. I cannot permit that, you -know," she said, playfully. - -"No," he said earnestly, "I am not flattering you, Miss Clara. You are -so--so--I hope you'll excuse me, but you are so beautiful and attractive -that----" - -"Oh, Mr. Cromwell!" uttered Clara; adding to herself, "I dare say he is -going to propose. Well, it's just as well now as at any other time. How -ridiculous it makes him look, being in love!" - -Luckily unconscious of the thoughts that were passing through the mind -of his companion, Cromwell burst out, "But it's true, Miss Clara. I -love you; and I don't think I can live without you. Will you marry me?" - -"I am afraid you have said such things to a great many other young -ladies before. How can I believe you are in earnest?" - -"No; on my honor," he said earnestly, "I never loved before. Do you -doubt the sincerity of my attachment? Don't you think you could look -favorably upon my suit?" - -"Perhaps I might," she answered, coyly. "That is, in time. It is so -sudden, you know. It is not more than a month since I first met you." - -"But in that month I have learned to love you better than anyone I ever -knew, Miss Clara. Can't you give me some encouragement? Tell me that I -am not wholly disagreeable to you?" - -"If you had been, would I have accepted your invitation this evening, -Mr. Cromwell?" - -"Then you do like me a little?" he said, overjoyed. - -"Perhaps, a little," she said, coquettishly. - -After some time, Clara thought it polite to confess that she had herself -no particular objections to him as a husband,--a confession which filled -the enamored druggist with delight--"but," she proceeded, "I cannot -marry without my father's approval." - -"But do you think he will object to me?" asked Cromwell, in dismay. - -"Papa is a very peculiar man," answered Clara. "I never can undertake to -say beforehand how he will look upon any proposition. Perhaps he may -give his consent at once, or perhaps it may take considerable time to -persuade him. I cannot tell. But whatever he decides, I cannot disobey -him." - -"Not if your own happiness depended upon it?" - -"No," said Clara, who played the role of a dutiful daughter for this -occasion; "I can't go against papa's wishes." - -"May I call upon him, and ask his consent?" - -"Perhaps that will be the best way." - -"I will ask to-morrow." - -"Is it necessary to be in such haste, Mr. Cromwell?" - -"I cannot rest until I know. I cannot remain in suspense. Will you allow -me to call to-morrow?" - -"Yes, I think so," said Clara, coquettishly, "that is, if I do not -change my mind during the night." - -By such speeches as these she added fuel to the flame of her lover's -adoration, and increased his impatience to obtain a favorable decision. - -When Clara returned home her father happened to be still up. He had -become interested in something that he was reading, and this caused him -to defer his hour of retiring. - -"Well, papa," said Clara, taking off her bonnet, "I've got some news for -you." - -"What is it?" - -"I've had an offer." - -"An offer? Who from?" - -"Oh, from that ridiculous druggist, Cromwell." - -"Well, what did you say?" - -"I referred him to you. He's going to call to-morrow." - -"Well, what shall I say? Just give me instructions. Do you love him?" - -"Stuff and nonsense, papa! As if anybody could! Such a ridiculous -creature as he is!" - -"Then I am to decline the honor of his relationship?" - -"Not exactly." - -"But you don't love him?" - -"That is not necessary in marriage. Thank Providence, I am not -sentimental, and never shall break my heart for love. When I marry I -want to marry a man who has got some money. Just find out if he's worth -ten thousand dollars. If he is and will agree to settle half of it on -me, I will become Mrs. Cromwell whenever he says the word. Otherwise, I -won't. But of course, this must be your condition, not mine. I am -supposed to be perfectly indifferent to money matters. I dare say I -shall rail against you on account of your mercenary spirit, if he can't -meet the condition, and comes to complain to me. You won't mind that, -will you?" - -"Not a particle. Rail away, if you think best. It won't break any -bones." - -"Well, I am rather tired, and will go to bed. Good-night, papa! Just let -my suitor understand that you are inexorable, will you?" - -"Very good. I understand you." - -Clara Manton retired, and slept considerably better than her lover, -whose suspense kept him awake half the night. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -A MERCENARY PARENT. - - -James Cromwell lost no time next morning in waiting upon Mr. Manton. He -was in that state when suspense is intolerable, and he wanted to have -his fate decided at once. Accordingly, soon after breakfast, he was -introduced into the presence of Clara's father, whom he found alone. The -young lady, considerately foreseeing the visit, had gone out for a walk. - -Mr. Manton was sitting indolently in a rocking-chair, reading. - -"Good-morning, Mr. Cromwell," he said. "Take a chair, if you please, and -excuse my not rising. I am not young and strong like you, but an -invalid." - -It may be remarked that Mr. Manton's invalidism proceeded as much from -constitutional indolence as from confirmed ill-health, and furnished him -an excuse of which he was always ready to avail himself. - -"Oh, certainly," said Cromwell, doing as directed. "I have come to see -you, Mr. Manton," he proceeded, "on important business." - -"Indeed!" said his companion, whose cue was to assume entire ignorance -until informed of the nature of his errand. - -"You have a daughter," proceeded the young man, nervously. - -"Yes, and an excellent girl she is," said Mr. Manton, warmly. - -I am sorry to say that this was not Mr. Manton's real opinion. He and -Clara, in fact, used to quarrel pretty often in private, and he had more -than once styled her a cross-grained vixen and termagant, and used other -terms equally endearing. He felt rather rejoiced at the prospect of -having her taken off his hands, though, like Clara, he thought it -prudent that his prospective son-in-law should be well supplied with the -gifts of fortune, that there might be no necessity of contributing to -their support from his own income. Of course, it was his policy to speak -well of Clara to her lover, and not allude to the little defects of -temper of which he knew rather more than he desired. - -"Yes," said James Cromwell, fervently, "your daughter is charming, Mr. -Manton." - -"She is a good girl. It would break my heart to part with her!" said -the father. - -"You wouldn't object to her being married, would you?" said Cromwell, -alarmed at this last statement. - -"I suppose she will marry some time," said Mr. Manton. "No, I should not -feel it right to interfere with her marrying, if she desired it. Far be -it from me to blight her young affections." - -"I love her, Mr. Manton. Let her marry me," exploded Cromwell, -nervously. - -"Really, you surprise me," said Mr. Manton. "You wish to marry Clara?" - -"I should consider myself the most fortunate of men if I could win her -as my wife," said Cromwell, who talked more freely than usual under the -influence of the tender passion. - -"You think so; but marriage will cure you of all that," so thought Mr. -Manton; but he said: - -"Have you spoken with Clara on this subject?" - -"Yes." - -"And does she return your love?" - -"She authorized me to speak to you. If you have no objection, she will -give her consent." - -"It is an important matter," said Mr. Manton, slowly; "giving away the -hand of an only daughter in marriage." - -"I will do my utmost to make her happy," said the enamored lover. - -"I have no doubt of it. To be sure I have not known you long; but I have -formed quite a favorable opinion of you from our brief acquaintance." - -This was hardly true; for Mr. Manton had designated James Cromwell as an -awkward booby in familiar conversation with his daughter, and she had -assented to the justice of the epithet. - -"Thank you, sir," said Cromwell; "may I then hope for your consent?" - -"Why, you see, Mr. Cromwell," said Mr. Manton, throwing one leg over the -other, "there are several things to be taken into consideration besides -the personal character of the husband. For instance--I hope you won't -think me mercenary--but I want to make sure that you are able to support -her in comfort, so that she need not be compelled to endure any of the -privations of poverty." - -"I have a good business," said Cromwell, "which is sure to bring me in a -good income." - -"Do you own your shop and stock up clear of incumbrance? Is it all paid -for?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"That is well--for a beginning. Now what property have you besides?" - -"Why," said Cromwell, "I make about five hundred dollars clear from my -ward, Robert Raymond." - -"Indeed! that is handsome. Still, he is likely to be taken from you." - -"I don't think he will." - -"Still, it is not a certainty. It is not equal to property producing -this amount of annual income." - -"No; sir; but----" - -"Hear me out. There is nothing so substantial as property invested well. -A good income is a good thing, but if it comes from anything else it is -not sure. Now I will tell you what my intentions have been when anyone -applied to me for my daughter's hand, though I did not expect the -occasion would come too soon. I meant to say, that is, provided the -party was otherwise suitable, 'Are you ready to settle five thousand -dollars on my daughter on her wedding day, and will you still have an -equal sum left?' That is the question I meant to ask, and I will ask it -now of you." - -He leaned back in his rocking-chair as he spoke, and fixed a glance of -inquiry on James Cromwell. He hoped that the young man would be able to -answer in the affirmative, for if Clara could be well married, he would -have his income entirely to himself, and he had about made up his mind -in that case to go to Europe on a pleasure trip. This he could do -without breaking in upon his principal if he went alone; but as long as -Clara remained unmarried, he knew that he should be expected to take her -with him, and this would involve more expense than he was willing to -incur. - -James Cromwell was taken aback by this unexpected difficulty. - -"I am afraid my means are not sufficient to admit of my doing this, just -yet," said Cromwell, reluctantly; "but just as soon as I am able I will -agree to make the settlement you propose." - -Mr. Manton shook his head. - -"I am sorry," he said, and here he only told the truth, "that you are -not in a position to comply with my conditions, for they are -indispensable. You must not think me mercenary, but I don't believe in -love in a cottage! As for Clara, she is a dear, unselfish girl, and she -would think me mercenary. She never thinks of money, (I wish she -didn't, he mentally added,) and would as soon marry a poor man as a rich -man. But I want to guard her against the chances of fortune. So I desire -that five thousand dollars should be settled upon herself, so that if -her husband should fail in business, and you know such things happen -very often, she will have a fund to fall back upon. I am sure you will -think I am reasonable in this." - -"My business is a very safe one, and the percentage of profit is large," -pleaded Cromwell, rather downcast; "and I think there would be no danger -of that." - -"Yes, of course, you think so. Nobody believes he is going to fail. But -disasters come to the best business men." - -"Then you insist upon your condition, Mr. Manton," said James Cromwell, -in a tone of disappointment. - -"I must," said Mr. Manton, with suavity. "Of course, I am sorry to -disappoint you, but then the happiness of my daughter is the first -consideration with me." - -"Perhaps her happiness would best be promoted by marriage." - -"She may think so now! but you may depend upon it that the happiest -marriages are founded on a solid money basis." - -"You haven't any objection to me personally, as a son-in-law?" - -"Not the least in the world. My only objection arises from the fact that -you are unable to comply with my conditions." - -"Supposing, then, I should be able to do so in six months or a year, -what would be your answer?" - -"I should say, take her, and may you be happy." - -"Then," said Cromwell, "I may tell you that, though I am not worth the -sum necessary to secure your consent, I have a relative who has me down -in his will for a legacy of ten thousand dollars. I don't think he will -live long. Within a few months I may be worth the required sum." - -"I hope you will, Mr. Cromwell," said Mr. Manton; "when that time comes, -come to me again with your suit, and I will grant it, that is, unless -Clara has formed another attachment during that time." - -Cromwell winced at this suggestion, but he saw that he could accomplish -nothing more with the father, and in rather an unsettled frame of mind -he took his leave. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -LOVE AND LUCRE. - - -When James Cromwell alluded to the possibility of his receiving a legacy -of ten thousand dollars at no distant date, it will be understood at -once that he alluded to the sum promised him by Paul Morton in the event -of the death of his ward. He had endeavored to compass Robert's death at -Niagara Falls, but since his failure there, he had let the matter drop, -partly from a timid fear of consequences, partly from the thought that -even without this sum he was sure of a good income. But the unexpected -condition imposed by Mr. Manton, again turned his thoughts to the -question of Robert's death, and its pecuniary advantage to himself; and -again our young hero was menaced by a peril by no means insignificant. -James Cromwell was neither strong nor brave; but there is no one so -powerless that his enmity may be disregarded, especially when it is -unsuspected. - -But Cromwell's timid nature shrank from the audacity of the crime which -suggested itself to his mind. Besides, though he was fascinated by Clara -Manton, he was not clear about settling so large a sum as five thousand -dollars upon her. He would have done it if in his power, rather than -lose her, but if he could obtain her on any easier terms he thought that -it would be better. He decided, therefore, to see Clara herself, to -communicate to her her father's answer, and prevail upon her, if -possible, to marry him without her father's sanction. - -Had he known Clara better, he would not have ventured to hope for -success, but he was wholly unaware that the mercenary condition had been -affixed by Clara herself. He fancied that she loved him for himself, and -believed her incapable of being swayed by self-interest. - -Chance, as he thought, favored him, for only a short distance from the -house he met Clara, herself. She had left the house considerately, in -order to allow him an opportunity to call upon her father, and was now -returning. - -"Mr. Cromwell?" she said, with affected surprise. "I supposed you were -in your shop. I fear you are becoming inattentive to business." - -"I cannot attend to my business until one matter is decided," said -Cromwell. - -"What is that?" - -"How can you ask? Clara, I have just called upon your father. I asked -his permission to marry you." - -"What did he say?" inquired the young lady. - -"He told me he would consent on certain conditions." - -"Certain conditions!" repeated Clara, innocently. "What could they be?" - -"He said that I must prove to him that I was worth ten thousand dollars, -and must consent to settle half that amount upon you." - -"I hope," said Clara, quickly, "that you don't think I had anything to -do with such conditions?" - -"No; I am sure you had not," said Cromwell; and he believed what he -said, for no one, to look in the face of the young lady, would have -supposed her mercenary. - -"I hope you don't blame papa. He carries prudence to excess." - -"No, I don't blame him. It is natural that he should wish to make sure -of his daughter's comfort." - -"And what did you say in reply?" asked Clara, considerably interested. - -"I told him that at present my circumstances would not permit me to -comply with his conditions." - -"That's a pity." - -"But that I was expecting a legacy from a near relative that may -possibly fall to me very soon, which would remove every difficulty." - -"What did he say then?" - -"That when I received the legacy he would give me your hand, provided -you were still willing." - -The young lady cast her eyes upon the ground. She did not think much of -waiting for dead men's shoes, and doubted whether her lover had any such -relative as he referred to. In her own mind she looked upon the matter -as at an end; and began to consider for whom she had better angle next. -She did not, however, mean to say this to Cromwell, for she had no -objection to keeping him dancing attendance upon her. It would gratify -her vanity, and perhaps he might serve, unconsciously, to help her in -snaring some other fish. She thought her best policy in the present -case, was to remain silent, unless she was called upon to say something. - -"What do you say to that, Clara?" asked Cromwell. - -"I suppose it is fair," she said. - -"No; it is not fair," he said, "to make me wait so long. I have a good -income; I am careful, and not extravagant, and I know I can support you -comfortably. Do not make me wait. Tell me will you marry me at once?" - -"I cannot disobey my father," said the young lady, who had all at once -become very dutiful. - -"But do you think he has a right to interfere with your happiness?" - -"He does it for my good." - -"He thinks so; but do you agree with him?" - -"Perhaps not; but I have always been taught to obey my father. I suppose -he knows better than I what I ought to do." - -"Surely, you are not afraid that I should be unable to support you -comfortably?" said Cromwell, reproachfully. - -"Oh, no," answered Clara. "I never think of money. My father often tells -me that I ought to think more of it. As far as I am concerned, I should -never think of asking whether you were worth one thousand dollars or -ten." - -James Cromwell listened to Clara as she spoke with assumed simplicity, -her eyes downcast, and he was so infatuated by his love for her that he -never thought of doubting her. In his inexperience of female wiles he -was by no means a match for Clara, who was already, though yet under -twenty, a finished female coquette. So he accepted her for what she -chose to appear and the flame of his passion was increased. - -"I am sure," he pleaded, "that if we were once married your father would -not object. The legacy I spoke of is sure to come to me in a year or -two, for my relative is very old and in very poor health, and there is -no fear of his changing his will." - -"I have no doubt what you say is all true," said Clara, though in her -own heart she had very serious doubts; "but then it will not be very -long to wait a year or two, as the money will come to you then." - -"A year or two!" repeated Cromwell. "It seems to me like waiting -forever." - -"I am afraid you have not the gift of patience, Mr. Cromwell," said -Clara, smiling archly. - -"No; I have not in this case, for I do not think there is any occasion -for waiting." - -"But my father thinks so, unfortunately. If you can succeed in -persuading him to the contrary, you will find me ready to do as you -desire." - -"Then you are determined to abide by your father's decision," said -Cromwell, in accents of disappointment. - -"I must," said Clara, mildly, "however much my own heart suffers in -consequence," and she put on the air of a victim of parental tyranny; -"unless," she added, "I am able to make my father regard it in a -different light." - -"Promise me that you will try," said her lover, grasping her hand. - -"I will do what I can," she said. "But, really, I must go now. My father -will not know what has become of me." - -With a sweet smile, she left him, and returned to the house. He turned, -and went back slowly to his shop. - -"Well, that's all over," said Clara, to herself. "I should be a fool to -marry such a stupid gawky, unless he could settle money upon me. I don't -mean to throw myself away just at present." - -"Well, Clara, I have had an offer for your hand," said her father, as -she entered his presence. - -"Well?" - -"I said what you told me, and found he could not comply with the -conditions." - -"So you refused the honor of a son-in-law?" - -"Yes." - -"That was right." - -"He said he was expecting a legacy of ten thousand dollars in a year or -two." - -"All humbug, papa. I don't believe a word of it." - -"You don't seem inclined to break your heart about the disappointment," -said Mr. Manton, with a smile. - -"No; he is the last man I would break my heart about, if I were fool -enough to break my heart about anybody. I must look out for somebody -else." - -"And meanwhile?" - -"I'll keep a hold on him. There might be something in the story of the -legacy, you know." - -"I see you are well able to look out for your own interests, Clara." - -"So I ought to be." - -Thus spoke the unselfish Clara Manton, who was above all mercenary -considerations. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -A DARK DEED. - - -"There is no other way!" thought James Cromwell, as fresh from his -interview with Clara, he returned to his shop. "The boy stands in my -way. His death will bring me money, and then that man will give me the -hand of the woman I love. There is no other way, unless Clara prevails -upon her father to recall his condition." - -But another interview with the young lady in the evening, dissipated any -hope of this nature which he may have entertained. She reported that her -father was immovable on this point, and that persuasion and entreaty had -alike been in vain. - -"I may soon be able to comply with your father's conditions," said -Cromwell. "I have received a letter to-day, which informs me that the -party from whom I expect a legacy, is in very feeble health." - -"Perhaps there may be something in his story," thought Clara, and -influenced by the doubt, she smiled graciously, and said, "Let us wait -and hope that fortune may favor us." - -"Promise me one thing," asked Cromwell, "that you will wait for me, and -will not admit the attention of any one else?" - -But this did not suit the plans of the astute Clara. She by no means -wished to compromise her matrimonial chances by binding herself to an -uncertainty, and accordingly answered: - -"I would willingly do as you ask, Mr. Cromwell, if papa were willing, -but he has expressly forbidden me to bind myself by an engagement, or -make any promise." - -James Cromwell's countenance fell. - -"After all," she added, with a smile, "is any promise necessary in our -case? Do we not understand one another?" - -These words and the smile that accompanied them, restored the -cheerfulness to her lover. He thought he did understand Clara Manton, -but in this, as we know, he was egregiously mistaken. - -The next morning he received the following letter from Paul Morton. It -was the first he had received from the merchant, and was in reply to one -of his own written from Madison. - -It was as follows: - - - "JAMES CROMWELL: - - "_Dear Sir_:--Yours of the 15th inst., informing me of your safe - arrival at Madison and your determination to make that place your - home, was duly received. The accident which you speak of as near - befalling my ward at Niagara Falls did not surprise me. He is a - careless boy, and I should not be surprised at any time to hear of - his coming to harm from this cause. Of course, you will exercise - proper care in cautioning him, etc., and then, should he meet with - any accident, I shall exonerate you from blame in the matter. How - is his health? I have at times thought he inherited the feeble - constitution of his father. I understand also from the late Mr. - Raymond, that his mother was an invalid, and it is hardly to be - expected that he would have a very strong or vigorous constitution. - However, I do not feel anxious on this point, as I am aware that - you have a knowledge of medicine, and I have full confidence in - your ability to take all proper care of my young ward. I suppose - you have found a suitable school for him. I shall be glad to hear - that he is doing well in his studies, though on account of his not - very strong constitution, previously referred to, it may be well - not to press him too hard in the way of study. - - "Let me hear from you respecting Robert's welfare, from time to - time. Yours, etc., - - "PAUL MORTON." - - -James Cromwell read this letter twice over. - -"He's a crafty old spider," he said to himself. "Any one to read it -would think that he was very solicitous for the welfare of this boy. It -would be considered an excellent letter by those who did not understand -it. I am behind the scenes, and I know just what it means. He means to -blame me, because I didn't make a sure thing of it at Niagara Falls, and -hints pretty plainly about some accident happening to him in future. He -is impatient to hear of his death, that is plain, and no doubt he will -gladly pay the amount he promised, as soon as he receives intelligence -of it." - -This reflection plunged James Cromwell into serious thought. Already -predisposed to the foul deed, the artful suggestions of this letter -tended to fan the flame, and incite him still more to it. Danger indeed, -and that most serious, was menacing our young hero. - -So James Cromwell, spurred by a double motive, veered more and more -toward the accomplishment of the dark deed which would stain his soul -with bloodshed, and in return give him the fleeting possession of money -and the girl whom he loved. - -Once resolved upon the deed, the next consideration was the ways and -means of accomplishing it. - -Should he use poison? - -That seemed most in his line, and he regretted that he had not secured a -supply of the same subtle poison which Paul Morton had purchased of him -in the small shop on the Bowery. There was likely to be no one in that -neighborhood who possessed a sufficient medical knowledge to detect its -presence or trace its effects. But it was rare, and there was little -chance of his obtaining it unless by sending to New York, and this -would, of itself, afford strong ground for suspicion against him. - -Then, as to the ordinary poisons, their effects upon the human system -were too well understood, even by ordinary physicians, for him to employ -them without great peril. He decided, therefore, to adjure poisons -altogether. The fact that he was a druggist would render their use even -more readily suspected than in the case of an ordinary person. - -How then should he proceed? - -This question was still undetermined in his own mind, when chance -decided the matter for him. - -One evening, while he was still pondering this question, and much -embarrassed about the decision of it, he chanced to be returning home -from a desultory walk which he had taken. Now, in the town of Madison, -somewhat centrally situated, or at least one side of it was near the -center of the town, there was a pond of about two miles in circuit. By -the edge of this pond James Cromwell met Robert Raymond. - -Instantly an idea came into his mind, as casting his eyes toward the -pond, he saw a small boat tied by a rope round the trunk of a tree. - -"Good evening, Mr. Cromwell," said Robert. "Have you been taking a -walk?" - -"Yes, but I have not been far. When did you come out?" - -"About half an hour ago." - -"By the way, do you know how to row?" - -"A little." - -"I was thinking that we might borrow this boat, and have a little row on -the pond. What do you say?" - -"I should like it," said Robert, promptly, for he had a boy's love of -the water. "Shall I unfasten the rope?" - -"Yes, I wish you would." - -Robert at once sprang to the tree, and quickly untied the rope and set -the boat free. - -"All ready, Mr. Cromwell!" he cried. "Jump aboard, and I will get in -afterward." - -James Cromwell stepped into the boat, his heart beating quick with the -thought of the deed which he meditated. His courage almost failed him, -for he was of a timid nature, but the thought of the stake for which he -was playing, renewed his courage, and he resolved that, come what might, -that night should be Robert Raymond's last. - -"Which of us shall row, Mr. Cromwell?" asked Robert. - -"I will row first, and you may do so afterward." - -"All right." - -Cromwell took his place, and rowed rather awkwardly until the boat -reached the middle of the pond. - -"Shan't I take the oars now, Mr. Cromwell?" - -"Not quite yet. I am going to row into that little recess over yonder. -You can row back." - -The outline of the pond was irregular. In one place there was a recess, -surrounded by woods, within which they would be shielded from view. It -seemed a fitting place for a tragedy. - -When they were fairly within it, Cromwell said: - -"Now you may take the oars." - -Robert rose from his seat, and stepped toward the center of the boat. -His movements were naturally rather unsteady. James Cromwell turned -pale, and he braced his shrinking nerve. He felt that now was his time. -Unless he acted now, his opportunity would be gone. - -As Robert approached, he suddenly seized the unsuspecting boy around the -middle, and threw him into the water. So suddenly was it done, that -before the boy understood what had happened to him, he found himself -engulfed. - -Never once looking back, James Cromwell seized the oars, and rowed -himself swiftly back. When he got on shore, he looked nervously out over -the surface of the pond. All was still. Nothing was visible of Robert. - -"He is drowned!" said Cromwell to himself, wiping away the large drops -of perspiration from his forehead. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -CATO. - - -Such was the suddenness with which Robert had been hurled into the water -that he had no chance to defend himself. He was scarcely conscious of -having been attacked until he found himself in the water struggling for -life. He knew nothing of swimming from actual experience, yet under the -stress of necessity, and with death staring him in the face, he -instinctively struck out, and managed temporarily to keep his head above -water. But the shore was a hundred yards distant, and to reach it would -have been beyond his unskilled strength to accomplish, if he had not -luckily happened to receive assistance. - -Unknown to James Cromwell, there had been a spectator of his dastardly -attempt to drown the boy who had been placed in his charge. - -The spectator was an odd character; an old negro, who years ago had -built for himself a rude cabin in the shadow of the woods. He had -formerly been a slave in Kentucky, but had managed to escape from -servitude, and built himself this cabin, where he lived by himself. He -supported himself by working for any one who needed help on the farm or -in the garden, and cooked his own food in his simple dwelling. - -When he saw the boy flung into the water he was standing on the bank, -unobserved on account of his color. He recognized Cromwell, for he had -been to the drug store only a day or two previous to buy some medicament -for the rheumatism which he occasionally suffered from. He knew Robert -also. - -"What debble's work is dis?" he said to himself. "What's he goin' to -kill de boy for? Can't let de poor boy drown, no way." - -As he spoke, he flung himself into the water and swam with vigorous -strokes toward the place where Robert was struggling. - -"Hold up a minute, young massa," he cried, for in his freedom he -preserved the language of former days, "hold up a minute, and I'll save -yer." - -Robert heard this, and it gave him courage to struggle longer. In a -short time the negro was at his side and seizing him by the arm, turned -and headed for the shore. It was soon reached, and the two stood side by -side, both dripping with moisture. Had James Cromwell turned back he -might have discovered the rescue, but he did not dare to do so until he -reached the opposite side, and then there was nothing to be seen. - -"What's all this mean, young massa?" asked Cato, for this was the name -of the negro. He had brought no other with him, but one was quite -sufficient for his modest requirements. - -"I don't know," said Robert. "The man that was with me suddenly seized -me round the waist, and flung me into the pond." - -"I saw him do it," said Cato. "What made him?" - -"That's more than I can tell, unless he is crazy," said Robert. - -"Is dis de fust time he try to drown you?" asked Cato. - -Robert started as the force of this question dawned upon him. He -recalled the scene at Niagara Falls, and the narrow escape he had from a -horrible death at that time. He remembered that he had been forcibly -pushed by James Cromwell on that occasion, and only saved himself by -clutching hold of him, while the latter did not pull him back till his -own danger seemed imminent. At the time he accepted Cromwell's -explanation, but now, since this second attempt had been made, he could -not shut his eyes from the fact that Cromwell had sought his -destruction. What could have been his motive was to him a profound -mystery. - -"No," he answered, "he tried to push me over Niagara Falls once, but I -thought it was an accident then. I don't think so now." - -"You lib with him?" - -"Yes; my guardian placed me with him." - -"He's a wicked man. Don't you go nigh him again." - -"I won't," said Robert. "I shouldn't feel safe with him. But I don't -know where to go to-night." - -"Come to my cabin!" said Cato. "It's a poor place for the likes of you, -young massa, but it's better dan sleepin' out in de woods." - -"Thanks, Cato," said Robert, for he knew who it was that had saved him. -"I will accept your invitation, gladly. Lead the way, and I will -follow." - -The negro's hut was near by. It was small enough, being only about ten -feet square. On the floor was spread a blanket over some straw, and -Cato signed to Robert to lie down. But first he advised him to take off -his wet clothes. He gathered some sticks and made a fire for the purpose -of drying these. - -Robert lay down on the rude bed, and though excited by the peril through -which he had passed, and by the thought that James Cromwell had been -guilty of such an atrocious attempt, nature at last asserted her -supremacy, and he sank to sleep. When he woke the sun had already risen. -The first sight upon which his eyes rested was the black face of his -companion bending over him. He did not immediately remember where he -was, and cried, raising his head, "Where am I?" - -"Here, young massa, in Cato's cabin," said the negro. - -"Yes, I remember now," said Robert. - -"Did you sleep well, young massa?" - -"Yes, Cato. I slept soundly. Only don't call me young master, for I am -not likely to be any body's master, except, perhaps, my own." - -"Just as young massa says," said Cato, rather inconsistently. "Here's -your clothes, just as dry as can be; only don't get up till you get -rested. There's plenty of time." - -"I'm rested now, Cato, thank you," said Robert. - -He sprang from his couch and hastily put on his clothes. He found that -through the kind services of the negro they were quite dry, though his -shirt-bosom and cuffs presented rather a limp appearance, the starch -having soaked out of them. This was, however, a minor calamity, to which -he paid but little attention. - -When he was dressed he turned to go away, though he hardly knew where to -direct his course. - -"Stop," said Cato. "Cato have breakfast ready in a minute." - -"Do you mean that I am to take breakfast with you, Cato?" - -"Yes; young massa will be so kind." - -"I think the kindness is all on the other side," said Robert, laughing. -"Yes, I will accept your invitation with much pleasure; particularly as -I don't know where else to go for any." - -Cato appeared to consider that a great favor had been granted to him in -acceptance of the invitation, and he set to work zealously to prepare a -meal of which his young guest might partake. - -He had a small stove in his cabin in which he generally kept a fire, for -being used to a warm climate, it was easy for him to stand a degree of -heat which would have baked a white man. Nor was he a mean cook. Indeed, -while in Kentucky, he had officiated for a considerable time in his -master's kitchen, and had not wholly forgotten his ancient skill. - -In the course of an hour, Cato produced a breakfast consisting of hot -hoe cakes and fried eggs, which not only had a very appetizing flavor, -but stood the test of eating, remarkably well. Robert's peril of the -previous night had by no means injured his appetite, and he did full -justice to the breakfast provided. Cato gazed with much satisfaction at -the evidences of his young guest's relishing the repast provided, and -appeared to regard it as a personal compliment to himself. - -While Robert was eating he was considering his future plans. As to going -back to James Cromwell, he decided that this was out of the question. -His life would not be safe. He determined that it would be his proper -course to return to New York, and report to his guardian the character -of the man in whose care he had placed him. He hoped then to be allowed -to go back to school, and resume the studies which had recently been -interrupted. Had he known that his guardian was at the bottom of the -plot which had so nearly culminated in his death, he would have decided -differently; but of this he had no suspicion. - -He had in his pocket the sum of ten dollars, which, though soaked in -water, he was able to dry; and this, though insufficient to defray his -expenses, would at least start him on his journey. As to what he might -do, after this was exhausted, he did not know, but he was buoyant in -hope, and he felt that it was no use to anticipate trouble. Enough to -meet it when it came. - -His course would be to reach the bank of the Ohio, and get conveyance on -its waters as far East as he could. To this end he obtained directions -from Cato, and shortly after breakfast, after shaking the kind negro by -the hand and thanking him heartily for his kindness, which he meant some -day to reward substantially, he set out on his way. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -THE DAY AFTER. - - -James Cromwell came down to breakfast on the morning succeeding his -attempt to drown our young hero, with as composed a manner as his -nervous agitation permitted him to assume. - -"Where is your young friend?" inquired the landlady, for Cromwell and -Robert usually came in together. - -"I have not seen him since supper," said Cromwell. "I was about to ask -you if you had seen anything of him." - -"Was he not here last night?" - -"No, I went into his room just now, and find that his bed is untouched." - -"That is strange," said Mr. Manton. - -"I have felt quite troubled about him," continued Cromwell, -hypocritically. - -"Do you think anything has befallen him?" asked the landlady. - -"I think it more likely that he has run away," said Cromwell. - -"He seemed to be very quiet and gentlemanly," said Mr. Manton. - -"No doubt he _seemed_ so," said Cromwell, "but his guardian when he -confided him to my charge, informed me that he was a hard case, but -exceedingly artful, so that no one would suspect it. He was opposed to -coming west with me, and my impression is, that he has started for New -York secretly. I shall put up a notice calling for information. If I -receive none I shall be compelled to go on to New York myself and give -information to his guardian of his sudden disappearance." - -"You will be compelled to leave your business. I should think that would -be inconvenient," said Mr. Manton. - -"It will be inconvenient," said Cromwell, "and probably a pecuniary -loss, but I feel it my duty, and money is a secondary consideration." - -"Perhaps Mr. Raymond may appear in the course of the forenoon," -suggested the landlady. "It may be only a boy's adventure." - -"I hope you may be right," said Cromwell, "but I hardly think it will -prove so." - -He did not eat much breakfast. The thought of Robert Raymond lying at -the bottom of the pond kept continually recurring to him. He wondered -whether he would be found and when. He would like to have set out for -New York at once; but if immediately after his departure the body should -be found, it would look bad, and possibly excite suspicion. He thought -it would be better for him to wait two or three days, and then he would -feel at liberty to start on his journey. - -If during that time he attended to his business as usual, there would be -no chance for suspecting him of having had anything to do with Robert's -disappearance. - -This course, then, he resolved to adopt, but in spite of all he could -do, he was tormented by a constant, nervous anxiety. Every moment he -thought of the liability that Robert's body might be discovered, and he -braced himself to stand the shock. - -He thought it best, however, to write a letter at once to Paul Morton, -announcing the mysterious disappearance of Robert. - -It ran thus: - - - "PAUL MORTON, ESQ.: - - "_Dear Sir_:--It is with great regret that I take my pen, having - only bad news to communicate. Your ward, Robert Raymond, whom you - placed in my charge, has mysteriously disappeared. I have seen - nothing of him since yesterday at supper. He went out after that, - and did not return to pass the night at his boarding house. I do - not know what to think, whether he has met with any accident, - _perhaps of a fatal nature_, or has only run away. If the latter, I - suppose he would make his way to New York and present himself - before you. I shall take every means of ascertaining which of these - is the true explanation of his mysterious disappearance. I think of - starting for New York in a couple of days, in order to see you - personally, and let you know all that I can learn about this - unfortunate affair, as I know that you will be _deeply_ interested - in all that concerns your ward. Your obedient servant, - - "JAMES CROMWELL." - - -"I think that will do," said Cromwell, after reading his letter over -when finished. "It tells nothing to an ordinary reader, but Mr. Morton -will understand it well enough, especially when he reads the words which -I have underlined. On the whole, I don't know but it will be well that -the body should be found before I go, as he may need absolute proof of -the boy's death before he is willing to pay me the ten thousand dollars. -I wish it were well over, and the boy was buried. I can't bear to look -at him; I am afraid I should get nervous, and so excite suspicion. -Still it might be attributed to my sorrow for his loss." - -With this idea he thought it best to look troubled, and express a -considerable degree of anxiety about the lost boy, so that one who was -not in the secret might have supposed that his emotion was real. - -Leaving Cromwell, for a time, we will follow the course of Robert -Raymond, who after receiving directions from Cato, had shaped his course -for the Ohio river. Madison, as has already been stated, was situated in -the southern part of Indiana. The distance between it and the Ohio -river, which separates that State from Kentucky, was about fifty miles. -It was Robert's intention to reach the river, and then get on board a -boat, and proceed as far East as his limited funds would admit. The -extent of these was but ten dollars, and ten dollars would not go a -great way, unless extreme economy was practiced. Robert was willing to -be economical, and when he learned that the river was but fifty miles -distant, he determined to walk the whole way. - -It was important that he should not be recognized. He wished James -Cromwell to believe that he had succeeded in his design, and that he -was drowned. Then there would be some chance of ascertaining what had -been his motive in perpetrating so dark a deed. Besides, it would save -him from the risk of pursuit, and he wished to make his way unmolested -to the presence of his guardian, where he intended to expose the -unprincipled conduct of the man to whose care he had been confided. - -On the first day Robert walked about twenty miles, resting in the middle -of the day. He was unaccustomed to walking and it made him footsore and -weary. At four o'clock in the afternoon, he desisted and went up to a -farm-house, for he was at the time passing through a sparsely settled -town; he asked for accommodations for the night. - -Fortunately the occupant of the farm-house was a hospitable and -kind-hearted farmer, who did not, as some might have done, view him with -suspicion. - -"So you want to be took care of for the night, youngster," he said. - -"Yes, sir," said Robert. - -"Well, I guess the old woman can accommodate you. Our house is big -enough, and you won't take up much room. Are you a-travelin' far?" - -"Yes, I am going to New York." - -"To York. That's a pretty long journey for a lad like you. It's over a -thousand miles." - -"Yes, it's a good ways, but I guess I can get there." - -"Where are you a travelin' from?" was the next question. - -"I came from the North," said Robert, evading a direct answer. - -"I understand," said the farmer, shrewdly, "you don't want to tell. -Well, maybe you've a good reason, and maybe not. That's not my business, -only if you're running away from your father or mother, I advise you to -go back again. It isn't a good thing to run away from home." - -"If I had a father or mother," said Robert, earnestly, "I should be the -last one to run away from them. I have neither father nor mother -living." - -"Have you no sisters nor brothers?" - -"No." - -"And you've got to make your own way in the world?" said the -sympathizing farmer. "Well, I'm sorry for you." - -"If you mean that I am poor, that is not the case," Robert answered. "I -have been unfortunate in other ways, but my father left me a fortune, -and I am going to my guardian who is in New York." - -"Then how comes it that you are out here all alone?" - -"I'd rather not tell now," said Robert, frankly. "The time may come when -I shall return this way, and shall feel at liberty to tell you all." - -"Well, well, my lad, I won't pry into your secrets. I shall be glad to -have you stay with me to-night and to-morrow you can go on your way, and -no questions asked." - -"Thank you," said Robert. - -"Now, we'll be goin' into the house, and see if supper isn't most ready. -If you've been travelin' it's likely you're hungry, and I reckon the old -woman will give us something we can relish." - -Robert did not refuse the invitation, for in truth he was hungry. Indeed -he had never felt hungrier in his life. He was soon seated at the -farmer's plain board, on which was spread a homely but abundant repast, -to which he did full justice. - -In the morning, after a refreshing sleep, he started anew on his -journey. He tried to make the farmer accept payment for his hospitality, -but without success, and with his scanty funds still entire, he resumed -his walk. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -MAJOR WOODLEY AND HIS DAUGHTER. - - -On the third day Robert reached the Ohio river, and was fortunate enough -to intercept a steamer bound East. He went to the office, and found that -his money would suffice to pay his fare to Wheeling, but would leave him -nothing. This did not trouble him much. He had the sanguine and elastic -temperament of youth, and he did not doubt that something would turn up. - -"If I can't do any better," he resolved, "I will obtain work of some -kind till I have laid by enough money to pay my passage for the -remainder of the way. Or I can write to my guardian, and ask him to send -me money enough to bring me to New York." - -He had no idea how unwelcome this communication would be to his -guardian, nor that by this time that guardian, having received James -Cromwell's letter, supposed him dead. - -On board the steamer he looked about him with a boy's curiosity, and as -the boat proceeded he surveyed with interest the towns on either shore, -at most of which the boat stopped. - -Among the passengers his attention was drawn to a tall gentleman of -bronzed complexion who had as a companion a young girl of about -thirteen, whom he addressed as Edith. The young lady had a very sweet -face, and Robert caught himself more than once wishing he had such a -sister. Had he been older that is perhaps the last thing he would have -desired. But he was only a boy of fourteen, and was of course too young -to experience the sensation of being in love. - -The gentleman's name he learned was Major Woodley, and the young lady's, -of course, Edith Woodley. - -Robert wished that he might have an opportunity of making the -acquaintance of Major Woodley and his daughter, but while on their trip -up the river chance did not favor him. The opportunity, however, was -only deferred. It came at the end of the voyage. - -At length they reached Wheeling, and the passengers generally -disembarked. Major Woodley and his daughter were among these. - -Arrived on the pier, while Major Woodley was looking out for his -baggage, a horse, maddened by a blow from his brutal driver, started -suddenly forward, and in an instant would have trampled Edith Woodley -under his feet, had not Robert sprung forward, and clasping her round -the waist, drawn her quickly out of danger. - -Her father was at some distance. He happened to look up just in time to -see his child's danger, but not in time to rescue her. - -To his great relief he saw Robert's prompt action, and he realized that -but for this, his daughter would probably have lost her life. - -Filled with gratitude he hurriedly advanced, and seized Robert by the -hand. - -"Well done, my brave boy! You have probably saved my daughter's life. -From my heart, I thank you." - -"I am glad it was in my power to do her a service," said Robert, -modestly. - -"You exposed your own life to danger," said the Major. - -"I did not think of that," said Robert, simply. "I only thought of the -young lady's danger." - -"That shows you are a brave boy. If you had not been so cool and prompt, -it would have been too late. If you had hesitated a moment, I shudder to -think what would have been the result." - -"I am very glad, indeed, that I was standing by," said Robert, "but I -think anyone would have done the same." - -Major Woodley shook his head. - -"I know men better than you, my lad," he said, "and I know that coolness -and self-possession in the hour of danger are not so common as they -might be. Let me know the name of my daughter's preserver." - -"Robert Raymond." - -"Are you going further East?" - -"Yes, sir, as soon as I can. I am bound for New York." - -"So am I. But I shall stop at the hotel till to-morrow. Why won't you -stop over also and go on with us?" - -This was an embarrassing question for Robert. The fact is, that his -entire worldly wealth, so far as he carried it with him, consisted of -twenty-five cents, and this, so far from enabling him from going on to -New York, would not even pay for his breakfast, unless he confined -himself to a very frugal one. He felt a little shame at confessing this -to Major Woodley, who had the air of a man of large means, yet he could -not help confessing to himself that it would be very agreeable for him -to pursue his journey in company with the Major and his daughter to New -York. Of course he would become very well acquainted with the daughter, -and this he thought he should like very much. - -He had never had a sister, and he felt that she would be one to him. - -So he hesitated, and did not immediately answer the question asked. - -"If this would interfere with any of your arrangements, or if you have -other friends to travel with," proceeded Major Woodley, observing his -hesitation, "don't hesitate to say so." - -"It is not that," said Robert, "I am traveling alone." - -"So I supposed, as I saw no one with you on the boat. Why then will you -not join us?" - -"I will tell you," said Robert, making up his mind to tell the truth. "I -find myself out of money, and I shall be obliged to wait here until I -can receive money enough from my guardian to pay my fare to New York." - -"Does your guardian, then, live in New York?" asked the major. - -"Yes, sir." - -"May I ask his name? I have some considerable acquaintance in New York, -and perhaps I may know him." - -"His name is Paul Morton. He is a merchant, I believe." - -"Paul Morton!" repeated Major Woodley, in surprise. "Is he your -guardian?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"How long has he been?" - -"Only a few weeks. My father was an early friend of his, and he died in -his house. He left me to the charge of Mr. Morton." - -"What was your father's name?" asked Major Woodley, quickly. - -"Ralph Raymond." - -"Was he an India merchant?" - -"Yes, sir. Did you know him?" asked Robert, eagerly. - -"Intimately. I passed some time in India, and there I made your father's -acquaintance. I valued him for his high honor, and excellent qualities, -and I am truly glad to have met his son. I did not know of his death. -But of that and other things you must inform me at the hotel. You need -not trouble yourself about want of money. Go with me, and I will see you -safely in New York." - -Major Woodley ordered a carriage, and the party at once proceeded to -the best hotel in the place. Breakfast was ordered, for the boat had -arrived in the morning. After this meal was over, Major Woodley said: -"Now, my young friend, tell me about your father's death." - -Robert recounted the circumstances which are already familiar to the -reader, except as to the wicked means by which his father's life was -shortened. Of this he was himself ignorant, as we know. - -"Now," said the Major, "how does it happen that you are traveling alone, -and almost friendless in this region? I confess it surprises me. I -cannot understand why your guardian should allow it." - -"It is a strange story," said Robert. "I do not understand it myself." - -Therefore he gave an account of the manner in which he had been -consigned to the care of James Cromwell, and the events that followed, -his auditor listening with strong interest. - -"So he intrusted you to the charge of a druggist! That is certainly -strange. He removed you from your school, and sent you to an inferior -school in a Western village. There is something remarkable about this." - -When Robert gave an account of James Cromwell's attempt to put him out -of the way, Major Woodley's eyes flashed, and Edith, placing her hand on -Robert's arm, said, "What a horrid, wicked man he must have been!" - -"I sometimes think he is not in his right mind," said Robert. "What do -you think, sir?" he continued, appealing to the Major. - -"I am not so charitable," said the Major. "I think he was quite aware of -what he was doing and that he had a motive in what he did." - -"What motive could he have had, sir?" - -"I will keep that to myself at present. I have my suspicions, but they -may be groundless." - -In fact Major Woodley suspected that Cromwell was acting under -instructions from Paul Morton, of whom he had a bad opinion, and he -determined to satisfy himself on this point when they reached New York. -But he felt that it would not be of any service to impart this to Robert -until he should have ascertained definitely. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -THE GHOST IN NO. 41. - - -After waiting two days, during which no tidings were received of Robert, -James Cromwell determined to go to New York. He had hoped that the body -might be found in order that he might carry with him the proof that -would entitle him to the reward of ten thousand dollars. But he did not -venture to suggest that the pond should be dragged, lest it might appear -that he was too well informed about the matter. - -He announced his determination to Mr. Manton and Clara the evening -previous. He thought it politic to assign a double motive for his -departure. - -"You may remember," he said, "that I referred to a relative in delicate -health from whom I expected a legacy." - -"Yes," said Mr. Manton. - -"I have received intelligence that he is very low and wishes to see me. -So, although it will be inconvenient for me to leave my business, I -find it necessary to go." - -"Perhaps you may be rewarded for going," suggested Mr. Manton. - -"Yes, I have no reason to doubt that I shall be well remembered in my -relative's will. I think that when I return there will be nothing to -prevent my complying with the conditions you named, and that I may be -able to claim your daughter's hand." - -"Perhaps I may change my mind," said Clara, energetically; but she saw -fit to devote herself to her suitor through the entire evening, -displaying an affability and assumed interest which quite captivated -him. The thoughts of her favor even drove away the memories of the dark -deed which, as he fully believed, had consigned to a watery grave the -boy who had been committed to his charge. - -"There seems some chance of his story proving true," said Mr. Manton, -when the two were alone. - -"Yes, it may be. On that chance I've been trying to make myself -agreeable to-night. He evidently thinks I'm dead in love with him. As if -anybody could fancy such a stupid lout. I declare I wish it was somebody -else who was going to get the money. The exertions I've made have quite -wearied me," and fair Clara yawned excessively. - -"If you think you can't like him, it is not too late to withdraw," said -the father, who had a little more heart than his daughter. - -"Oh, as to that, it isn't of much consequence," said Clara. "I haven't -got much sentiment, and if he can show the cash, I'll marry him." - -"I presume you won't throw away your fascinations upon him after -marriage," said her father. - -"You may be sure of that. He'll soon have a realizing sense of my -motives in marrying him." - -"Suppose he resents it, and treats you badly?" suggested Mr. Manton, -with a little paternal solicitude. - -"I can protect myself," said Clara, with nonchalance. "He's a weak fool -and I can twist him round my finger." - -"He may not be as manageable as you think, Clara." - -"Oh, I know him thoroughly. He hasn't much spirit. I should be ashamed -if I could not manage him." - -"You remember Catharine in 'Taming the Shrew'?" - -"Very polite, upon my word, to compare me to a shrew. Yes, I remember -her; but I shall have a different man to deal with from Petruchio. You -needn't trouble yourself about me. I know what I'm about." - -"Well, it's your own affair," said Mr. Manton, philosophically. "We -shall know in a short time whether I am to welcome a son-in-law." - -"Or whether your daughter is to remain a while longer 'an impatient rose -on the ancestral tree.'" - -"And use her thorns on her father instead of a husband," supplemented -Mr. Manton. - -"But you are getting bright in your old age, papa. Be careful or the -rose may show its thorns." - -The conversation just recorded indicates the pleasant prospect which -James Cromwell had of domestic happiness in case his wishes were -gratified, and he gained the hand of the young lady. But he had no -conception of her real disposition, or he might have hesitated to go -farther. She had tact enough to veil her faults from the scrutiny of her -lover, and present to him only an amiable and agreeable side. - -In the morning, James Cromwell started for New York, going by Wheeling. -It so chanced that he arrived in the evening at the same hotel where -Robert and Major Woodley had rooms. He was fatigued by his long journey, -and retired at nine o'clock, or soon after his arrival. He did not think -to look over the books of the hotel, or he might have made the discovery -that Robert was still alive, and that his journey was likely to prove -fruitless. Neither did he meet Major Woodley or Robert, for they were -sitting together in the major's room until half-past ten, chatting -cosily. - -But James Cromwell was destined to meet with an adventure, which -tormented his soul with guilty fear, and gave him a great shock. - -It chanced that the room assigned to him was No. 41. The room occupied -by Robert was No. 43, just beyond in the same corridor. - -As has been said, Cromwell retired to bed at half-past nine; but, though -fatigued, he was unable to go to sleep--he was haunted by the thoughts -of the pond and the body that lay beneath, deprived of life through his -most wicked agency, and as he lay he became nervous and restless, and -not even his physical fatigue could induce the coveted slumber to visit -him. - -When Robert, coming from the room of Major Woodley, sought his own room, -he could not at first remember whether it was No. 41 or 43. He had the -impression that it was No. 41 that had been assigned him. He accordingly -opened the door of the room and stood just within the door. - -At the sound of the opening door James Cromwell rose in bed, and gazed -with horror at the face and figure of the boy whom he supposed that he -had murdered. The moonlight entering through the windows fell upon -Robert's face and gave it a ghastly look, or at least seemed to do so to -the excited imagination of the guilty Cromwell. He gazed spell-bound, -and cowering with fear at the apparition, with difficulty ejaculated: - -"Who are you?" - -Of course Robert recognized Cromwell and he at once guessed the truth, -that he was going to New York to give his own version of his -disappearance to his uncle. He saw at once that he was mistaken for a -ghost, and the desire seized him to carry out this deception. Certainly, -if one were justifiable in frightening another by exciting his -superstitious fears Robert was justified in terrifying the man who had -so basely sought his life. - -When, therefore, with faltering lips, James Cromwell put the question, -"Who are you?" Robert answered in a low, guttural voice: - -"I am the spirit of the boy you murdered!" As he uttered the words, he -waved one hand aloft, and made a step forward toward the bed. - -Excited to the wildest pitch, Cromwell trembled convulsively, then -opened his lips to utter a piercing shriek, and flinging the bed-clothes -over his head, cowered beneath them in craven terror. - -Robert thought this a good chance to make his exit. He noiselessly -retreated, closing the door behind him, and entered his own room before -the servants, aroused by Cromwell's shriek, could reach the door of his -apartment. - -"What's the matter here?" demanded a waiter, opening the door of No. 41. - -The only answer was a groan from beneath the bed-clothes. - -"What's the matter, I say?" he repeated, rather sharply. - -The voice was so decidedly earthly that James Cromwell, somewhat -relieved of his fear, removed the clothes from his head, and looked up. - -"I--I don't know," he said, "I think I had the night-mare." - -"Well," uttered the servant, "I hope you won't have it again. You'll -wake up all that are asleep, and make them think that somebody is being -murdered." - -James Cromwell recoiled at the last word, and he said, hastily, for he -feared a return of the supposed spirit: - -"My friend, if you'll come in here and stop till I've gone to sleep, -I'll pay you for your trouble. I'm afraid of having the night-mare -again." - -"Can't do it; I haven't got the time. Besides, what's the use? You won't -have the night-mare when you're awake." - -He shut the door, and James Cromwell lay for a long time in a state of -nervous terror, trying to go to sleep, but unable to do so. At last, -from sheer fatigue, he fell into a troubled slumber, which was disturbed -by terrifying dreams. - -He woke, at an early hour unrefreshed, and going below ordered a -breakfast which he did not relish. - -Thence he went to the depot and took the early morning train bound -eastward. He was already speeding on his way rapidly before Robert -Raymond arose. The door of No. 41 was open, and he looked in. But the -occupant had disappeared. Going to the office he saw the name of James -Cromwell on the books of the hotel, and learned from the clerk that he -had already gone. - -"He's a queer chap," said the clerk; "he had a terrible night-mare last -night, and shrieked loud enough to take the roof off. You must have -heard him, as your room adjoined his!" - -"Yes, I heard him," said Robert, but he said no more. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -A STARTLING APPEARANCE. - - -Paul Morton was sitting in his library, carelessly scanning the daily -paper. He no longer wore the troubled expression of a few weeks before. -He had succeeded in weathering the storm that threatened his business -prospects by the timely aid afforded by a portion of his ward's -property, and now his affairs were proceeding prosperously. - -It may be asked how with such a crime upon his soul he could experience -any degree of comfort or satisfaction. But this is a problem we cannot -explain. Probably his soul was so blunted to all the best feelings of -our common nature that he was effected only by that which selfishly -affected his own interest. - -"At last I am in a secure position," he said to himself. "Then the -opportune death of my ward, of which I am advised by Cromwell, gives me -his large estate. With this to fall back upon, and my business righted, -I do not see why I should not look forward in a few years to -half-a-million." - -He was indulging in these satisfactory reflections when the door -opened, and a servant entered. - -"A gentleman to see you," she said. - -"Who is it?" asked Mr. Morton. - -"I think it is the same one that called several times about the time of -Mr. Raymond's funeral." - -"Cromwell!" repeated Mr. Morton. "Show him up," he said. - -A moment afterward James Cromwell entered the room. - -The two looked at each other with a kind of guilty intelligence. Each -saw in the other a murderer. One had put to death his intimate friend, -for the sake of his money. The other had sent to death (so both -supposed) an innocent boy, confided to his charge, and his crime, too, -was instigated by the same sordid motive. - -"Well," said Paul Morton, slowly. - -"Did you receive a letter from me a day or two since?" asked James -Cromwell. - -"Yes." - -"About the boy?" - -"Yes, but I did not quite understand it. You wrote that he had -disappeared. Has he returned to you?" - -"No," said Cromwell. - -"How do you account for his disappearance?" asked Paul Morton. - -"I think he must have gone out in a boat on the pond and got drowned," -said Cromwell. - -"Has the body been found?" questioned the merchant. - -"Not yet." - -"Was not the pond searched, then?" - -"No." - -"Then how do you know that he was drowned there?" - -James Cromwell moved uneasily in his chair. It was not a pleasant -question for him to answer. - -"I cannot, of course, say positively," he stammered, "but I have every -reason to feel satisfied that the boy is dead." - -"And yet, come away from Madison without ascertaining definitely." - -"I thought there was no need," said Cromwell. - -"No need! Do you think I am willing to remain in uncertainty as to -whether or not my ward is dead? What faith am I to put in your statement -since it appears that you have no satisfactory evidence to offer?" - -James Cromwell began to perceive his mistake. He saw that he ought to -have had the pond dragged, and personally superintended the funeral -ceremonies of his victim, in order that he might have brought to the -merchant the most indubitable proof of the reality of his death. - -"Why need he be so particular?" he thought. Then, with a suspicious -feeling, he began to think that Mr. Morton was making all this -unnecessary trouble in order to evade the payment of the sum which he -had promised him. This thought irritated him, and to satisfy himself -whether his suspicions were correct, he determined to broach the subject -at once. - -"I need not remind you," he said, "of the promise you made me in case -the boy should not live." - -"To what promise do you refer?" demanded Paul Morton. - -"You promised me the sum of ten thousand dollars as a reward for my care -of your ward." - -"It would be a handsome reward for a few weeks' care," said the -merchant, sneering. - -"I can't help that," said Cromwell, angrily. "Handsome or not, it is -what you promised me. Do you mean to say you did not?" he added, -defiantly. - -"Softly, my friend. I have said nothing of the sort. But you will do me -the favor to remember that it was only to be given in case the boy -died." - -"Well, he is dead." - -"How am I to know that?" - -"Because I say so." - -"You only say you think he is dead. You bring me no proof. When I ask -you how you can know it positively, you offer me no explanation." - -"I saw his ghost Thursday night," said James Cromwell, shuddering. - -"His ghost! What ridiculous nonsense is this?" demanded the merchant. - -"I saw his ghost as plain as I see you," said Cromwell, in a subdued -voice. - -"And where was it that this precious apparition came to you?" asked Mr. -Morton, with contempt. - -"It was in a hotel at Wheeling," said James Cromwell. "I was lying awake -when the door of my chamber suddenly opened, and his person entered." - -"Did he speak?" asked Paul Morton, impressed in spite of himself, by the -tone of conviction with which the other spoke. - -"Yes," said Cromwell. - -"What did he say?" - -"I--cannot tell," he said, with a shudder. - -"Pooh, man! you had a night-mare, nothing more and nothing less," said -the merchant. "You must be crazy if you expect me to believe that the -boy is dead on any such absurd testimony as this. I dare say you had -eaten a heavy dinner, or perhaps drank too much, and so the supposed -ghost was only the offspring of your own distempered fancy, and that -proceeded from a disordered stomach." - -James Cromwell shook his head. - -"You are wrong," he said. "I was as wide awake as I am now." - -"Well, that is your affair--if you choose to believe in the reality of -this visitation, well and good. That is nothing to me. But if you want -me to credit the story of the boy's death, you must bring a certified -statement from the coroner in your town--Madison is the name, I -believe--then there will be no room for doubt." - -"To do that, I shall be obliged to return to the West," said Cromwell, -disconcerted. - -"Then you have only yourself to blame for the extra trouble you are -obliged to take. You ought not to have come away at all until you could -bring with you satisfactory evidence of the boy's death." - -James Cromwell looked down in dismay. This did not suit his views at -all. Besides, he saw that it would be awkward to go back, and institute -such proceedings so late. But Paul Morton evidently meant to keep him to -it. - -"Perhaps it would have been better," he said, at last. - -"Of course it would. You can see for yourself that until I have -satisfactory proof of my ward's decease I cannot take possession of the -property, nor of course can I give you any portion of it while I am not -sure whether it is mine to give. I should think that was plain enough." - -It was plain enough. James Cromwell saw that now, and he was provoked at -his mistake. - -"Then," he said, disappointed, "I suppose I must go back." - -"No, that will not be necessary. You can telegraph to some person to -institute a search of the pond, if you have reason to think the body -will be found there, and request information to be sent at once of any -discovery that may be made." - -"I will do so," said Cromwell, relieved. - -While they were speaking, the doorbell had rung, though neither had -heard it, and Major Woodley, instructing the servant to usher him in -without previous announcement, entered the presence of the guilty -employer and his equally guilty confederate; close behind him followed -Robert Raymond. - -At the sight of him Cromwell staggered to his feet, and gazed upon him -with distended eyes, and Paul Morton sat as if rooted to the chair. - -It was an effective tableau. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -CONCLUSION. - - -The merchant was the first to recover his self-possession. - -"I have not the pleasure of knowing you, sir," he said to Major Woodley. - -"My name is Woodley," said the latter. "I was a friend of this boy's -father," and he laid his hand on the shoulder of Robert. - -"May I ask how you fell in with him? I confess I am puzzled at his -unexpected appearance, having just received intelligence from this -person (indicating Cromwell) that he had disappeared." - -"May I ask, as his father's friend, why you should have committed Robert -to the care of a man, who is, to say the least, wholly unfitted by -education or experience, to have the charge of him?" - -"I do not choose to be called to account," said Mr. Morton, haughtily. -"His father made me his guardian, and confided in my judgment." - -"Then, sir, you should have shown yourself worthy of the confidence he -reposed in you," said Major Woodley. - -"Sir, you assume an extraordinary tone," said Paul Morton, angrily. - -"Are you aware of the manner in which the boy has been treated by the -person to whom you committed him?" - -"Yes, I presume so. You perhaps have credited the boy's story, which -probably is wholly unreliable. Of course, I don't know what he has told -you." - -"Then, sir, I have to inform you that it is only by a miracle that the -boy stands here to-day in health. This wretch made two distinct attempts -to murder him!" and he pointed his finger at James Cromwell. - -"Impossible!" exclaimed Paul Morton, nervously. - -"It is not only possible, but true. On the first occasion he attempted -to hurl him over Niagara Falls, but the boy's quick grasp saved him from -the fearful fate." - -"I cannot believe this," muttered Mr. Morton. - -"On the second occasion he seized him unawares while both were in a boat -on a pond, and threw him into the water to drown. Fortunately, he was -rescued by one who witnessed the attempt." - -"These are fables," said Paul Morton. "The boy has grossly deceived -you." - -"We can send for evidence, if necessary," said Major Woodley, coolly, -"but that will hardly be necessary. If you look at that man's face, you -will read upon it the proof that the story is no invention, and is the -literal truth." - -He pointed to Cromwell, who was livid with terror, and stricken with the -confusion of conscious guilt. He staggered to his feet, and in his wild -terror attempted to rush out of the apartment. - -In this he was unsuccessful. Woodley coolly stepped in front of him, and -said, "Not so fast, Mr. Cromwell. We cannot dispense with you yet." - -Cromwell glanced at the stalwart figure of the Major, and saw that -resistance would be useless. Hoping to make better terms for himself, he -said, "Promise not to harm me, and I will tell you all." - -"Are you mad?" said Paul Morton, sharply, filled with terror lest his -confederate should betray him. "Do you never plead guilty to this -atrocious charge!" - -"Why should he not, if he is guilty?" demanded Major Woodley. "It -appears that you desire to shield him." - -Paul Morton saw his imprudence, and determined to adopt a different -course. - -"If he is guilty, I do not wish to shield him. But I thought you meant -to terrify him into confessing what was not true." - -"There is no need of that. We can prove the charge on the testimony of -the boy, and the man who witnessed the attempt to drown him. I will not -engage to screen him from punishment, but if he confesses it, he will -stand a better chance of mercy." - -"Then," said Cromwell, clutching at this promise, "I will tell you all. -I did try to drown the boy." - -"And what could have been your motive for such a dastardly deed?" - -"Mr. Morton promised me ten thousand dollars when the boy was dead." - -"It's a lie!" ejaculated Paul Morton, hoarsely. "He has told an -atrocious falsehood!" - -But, though he spoke thus, his face became livid and the truth was -patent in his look. - -"Can this be true?" demanded Major Woodley, shocked and startled, "What -motive could Mr. Morton have for conniving at such a crime? How would -the boy's death benefit him?" - -"Read his father's will, and you will know," said Cromwell. "At the -boy's death the whole property goes to Mr. Morton." - -"Is this true, Mr. Morton?" said Major Woodley, sternly. - -"So much is true, but the other is a base lie," said the merchant. - -"I could wish it were so. What evidence can you give of the truth of -your statement? Have you the offer in writing?" - -"No, he was too careful to write it, but he hinted at it in terms which -only I could understand." - -"He is a miserable liar," said the merchant. - -"I can hardly believe him capable of such atrocity." - -"You cannot?" said Cromwell, glancing at Paul Morton, spitefully. "Then -I will tell you what he is capable of. I accuse him of poisoning the -boy's father." - -"Good heavens! are you mad?" exclaimed Major Woodley, starting. - -"I am perfectly aware of what I am saying, and I can prove it. He bought -the poison of me, at a time when I was employed in a drug store on the -Bowery. It was a slow poison which accomplished its work without leaving -any perceptible traces." - -Robert listened to the revelations with pale face, horror-stricken, and -for a moment no word was spoken. - -"Mr. Morton," said Major Woodley, "this is an extraordinary charge, -which, whether you are innocent or guilty, must be investigated. I -brought a policeman here with the view of arresting this man Cromwell, -but I feel it is my duty to direct your arrest also." As he spoke, he -opened the door communicating with the hall, and a policeman entered. - -"Arrest these two men," he said. - -Paul Morton's face wore the look of one brought to bay, and he -exclaimed, "Never will I submit to the indignity. Here is one means of -escape." - -He pulled a drawer beside him open, and drew forth a revolver. - -"I must die," he said, "but I will not die alone." - -As he spoke he pointed the revolver at Cromwell, and there was a sharp -report. - -The unhappy druggist bounded from his chair with a shrill cry, then -sank lifeless on the carpet, the life-blood welling from his heart. - -There was a cry of horror from all who witnessed the tragic scene. - -Major Woodley sprang forward to seize the revolver, but too late. Paul -Morton turned it, and pressing it to his forehead, drew the trigger. - -There was another report, and he fell forward, his brains being -scattered over the floor. - -"This is most terrible!" exclaimed Major Woodley, in a tone of horror. -"May it never be my lot to be witness to such a scene again!" - -Robert, over-excited by the revelation of his father's fate, and the -horrible scene which had been enacted before him, fainted. - -Major Woodley raised him gently, and carried him from the room. - -"I leave you in charge, sir," he said to the policeman. "It is fortunate -that you were a witness to what has occurred." - -The tragical end of Paul Morton was a nine-days' wonder in the city, and -then some other startling event surpassed it in the popular thought. It -was found on examination of the late merchant's affairs that his ward's -fortune was intact. This would not have been the case, but that his own -affairs had taken a fortunate turn, and he had redeemed his losses by a -fortunate rise in some securities which had been for a while depressed, -and had at last advanced rapidly in price. - -Robert Raymond selected Major Woodley as his guardian, and was fortunate -in doing so, for the Major was a man of the utmost probity, and of -excellent judgment in business affairs. He was at once returned to his -former school, where he continued his studies. In due time he entered -college, where he acquitted himself with credit. On his graduation he -went to Europe, where he traveled for two years. Returning last year, he -found that he had wholly mistaken the feeling which he supposed he -entertained toward the fair Edith. He was no longer willing to look upon -her as a sister, but aspired to a nearer relation. Major Woodley was not -slow in giving his sanction to a suit which received his entire -approbation, and the wedding took place. - -In a beautiful country seat on the Hudson, Robert Raymond lives with his -fair young wife. They are happy in each other and in the gifts of -fortune. Long may they remain so! - -The reader may be interested to learn that Clara Manton has not yet -found a husband, nor does she desire it. Her father's death put her in -possession of his property, and she prefers to maintain a selfish -independence to risking her money in a husband's charge. Cato was -handsomely rewarded for the signal service he had rendered our young -hero, and was made comfortable for life. - - - - -WHITE-FACED DICK. - -A STORY OF PINE-TREE GULCH. - - -How Pine-tree Gulch got its name no one knew, for in the early days -every ravine and hillside was thickly covered with pines. It may be that -a tree of exceptional size caught the eye of the first explorer, that he -camped under it, and named the place in its honor; or, may be, some -fallen giant lay in the bottom and hindered the work of the first -prospectors. At any rate, Pine-tree Gulch it was, and the name was as -good as any other. The pine-trees were gone now. Cut up for firing, or -for the erection of huts, or the construction of sluices, but the -hillside was ragged with their stumps. - -The principal camp was at the mouth of the Gulch, where the little -stream, which scarce afforded water sufficient for the cradles in the -dry season, but which was a rushing torrent in winter, joined the Yuba. -The best ground was at the junction of the streams, and lay, indeed, in -the Yuba valley rather than in the Gulch. At first most gold had been -found higher up, but there was here comparatively little depth down to -the bed-rock, and as the ground became exhausted the miners moved down -towards the mouth of the Gulch. They were doing well as a whole, how -well no one knew, for miners are chary of giving information as to what -they are making; still, it was certain they were doing well, for the -bars were doing a roaring trade, and the store-keepers never refused -credit--a proof in itself that the prospects were good. - -The flat at the mouth of the Gulch was a busy scene, every foot was good -paying stuff, for in the eddy, where the torrents in winter rushed down -into the Yuba, the gold had settled down and lay thick among the gravel. -But most of the parties were sinking, and it was a long way down to the -bed-rock; for the hills on both sides sloped steeply, and the Yuba must -here at one time have rushed through a narrow gorge, until, in some wild -freak, it brought down millions of tons of gravel, and resumed its -course seventy feet above its former level. - -A quarter of a mile higher up a ledge of rock ran across the valley, and -over it in the old time the Yuba had poured in a cascade seventy feet -deep into the ravine. But the rock now was level with the gravel, only -showing its jagged points here and there above it. This ledge had been -invaluable to the diggers: without it they could only have sunk their -shafts with the greatest difficulty, for the gravel would have been full -of water, and even with the greatest pains in puddling and timber-work -the pumps would scarcely have sufficed to keep it down as it rose in the -bottom of the shafts. But the miners had made common cause together, and -giving each so many ounces of gold or so many days' work had erected a -dam thirty feet high along the ledge of rock, and had cut a channel for -the Yuba along the lower slopes of the valley. Of course, when the rain -set in, as everybody knew, the dam would go, and the river diggings must -be abandoned till the water subsided and a fresh dam was made; but there -were two months before them yet, and every one hoped to be down to the -bed-rock before the water interrupted their work. - -The hillside, both in the Yuba Valley and for some distance along -Pine-tree Gulch, was dotted by shanties and tents; the former -constructed for the most part of logs roughly squared, the walls being -some three feet in height, on which the sharp sloping roof was placed, -thatched in the first place with boughs, and made all snug, perhaps, -with an old sail stretched over all. The camp was quiet enough during -the day. The few women were away with their washing at the pools, a -quarter of a mile up the Gulch, and the only persons to be seen about -were the men told off for cooking for their respective parties. - -But in the evening the camp was lively. Groups of men in red shirts and -corded trousers tied at the knee, in high boots, sat round blazing -fires, and talked of their prospects or discussed the news of the luck -at other camps. The sound of music came from two or three plank -erections which rose conspicuously above the huts of the diggers, and -were bright externally with the glories of white and colored paints. To -and from these men were always sauntering, and it needed not the clink -of glasses and the sound of music to tell that they were the bars of the -camp. - -Here, standing at the counter, or seated at numerous small tables, men -were drinking villainous liquor, smoking and talking, and paying but -scant attention to the strains of the fiddle or the accordion, save when -some well-known air was played, when all would join in a boisterous -chorus. Some were always passing in or out of a door which led into a -room behind. Here there was comparative quiet, for men were gambling, -and gambling high. - -Going backwards and forwards with liquors into the gambling-room of the -Imperial Saloon, which stood just where Pine-tree Gulch opened into Yuba -valley, was a lad, whose appearance had earned for him the name of -White-faced Dick. - -White-faced Dick was not one of those who had done well at Pine-tree -Gulch; he had come across the plains with his father, who had died when -half-way over, and Dick had been thrown on the world to shift for -himself. Nature had not intended him for the work, for he was a -delicate, timid lad; what spirits he originally had having been years -before beaten out of him by a brutal father. So far, indeed, Dick was -the better rather than the worse for the event which had left him an -orphan. - -They had been traveling with a large party for mutual security against -Indians and Mormons, and so long as the journey lasted Dick had got on -fairly well. He was always ready to do odd jobs, and as the draught -cattle were growing weaker and weaker, and every pound of weight was of -importance, no one grudged him his rations in return for his services; -but when the company began to descend the slopes of the Sierra Nevada -they began to break up, going off by twos and threes to the diggings, of -which they heard such glowing accounts. Some, however, kept straight on -to Sacramento, determining there to obtain news as to the doings at all -the different places, and then to choose that which seemed to offer the -best prospects of success. - -Dick proceeded with them to the town, and there found himself alone. His -companions were absorbed in the busy rush of population, and each had so -much to provide and arrange for, that none gave a thought to the -solitary boy. However, at that time no one who had a pair of hands, -however feeble, to work need starve in Sacramento; and for some weeks -Dick hung around the town doing odd jobs, and then, having saved a few -dollars, determined to try his luck at the diggings, and started on -foot with a shovel on his shoulder and a few days' provisions slung -across it. - -Arrived at his destination, the lad soon discovered that gold-digging -was hard work for brawny and seasoned men, and after a few feeble -attempts in spots abandoned as worthless he gave up the effort, and -again began to drift; and even in Pine-tree Gulch it was not difficult -to get a living. At first he tried rocking cradles, but the work was far -harder than it appeared. He was standing ankle deep in water from -morning till night, and his cheeks grew paler, and his strength, instead -of increasing, seemed to fade away. Still, there were jobs within his -strength. He could keep a fire alight and watch a cooking-pot, he could -carry up buckets of water or wash a flannel shirt, and so he struggled -on, until at last some kind-hearted man suggested to him that he should -try to get a place at the new saloon which was about to be opened. - -"You are not fit for this work, young 'un, and you ought to be at home -with your mother; if you like I will go up with you this evening to -Jeffries. I knew him down on the flats, and I dare say he will take you -on. I don't say as a saloon is a good place for a boy, still you will -always get your bellyful of victuals and a dry place to sleep in, if -it's only under a table. What do you say?" - -Dick thankfully accepted the offer, and on Red George's recommendation -was that evening engaged. His work was not hard now, for till the miners -knocked off there was little doing in the saloon; a few men would come -in for a drink at dinner-time, but it was not until the lamps were lit -that business began in earnest, and then for four or five hours Dick was -busy. - -A rougher or healthier lad would not have minded the work, but to Dick -it was torture; every nerve in his body thrilled whenever rough miners -cursed him for not carrying out their orders more quickly, or for -bringing them the wrong liquors, which, as his brain was in a whirl with -the noise, the shouting, and the multiplicity of orders, happened -frequently. He might have fared worse had not Red George always stood -his friend, and Red George was an authority in Pine-tree Gulch--powerful -in frame, reckless in bearing and temper, he had been in a score of -fights and had come off them, if not unscathed, at least victorious. He -was notoriously a lucky digger, but his earnings went as fast as they -were made, and he was always ready to open his belt and give a -bountiful pinch of dust to any mate down on his luck. - -One evening Dick was more helpless and confused than usual. The saloon -was full, and he had been shouted at and badgered and cursed until he -scarcely knew what he was doing. High play was going on in the saloon, -and a good many men were clustered round the table. Red George was -having a run of luck, and there was a big pile of gold dust on the table -before him. One of the gamblers who was losing had ordered old rye, and -instead of bringing it to him, Dick brought a tumbler of hot liquor -which some one else had called for. With an oath the man took it up and -threw it in his face. - -"You cowardly hound!" Red George exclaimed. "Are you man enough to do -that to a man?" - -"You bet," the gambler, who was a new arrival at Pine-tree Gulch, -replied; and picking up an empty glass, he hurled it at Red George. -The by-standers sprang aside, and in a moment the two men were facing -each other with outstretched pistols. The two reports rung out -simultaneously: Red George sat down unconcernedly with a streak of blood -flowing down his face, where the bullet had cut a furrow in his cheek; -the stranger fell back with a bullet hole in the centre of his -forehead. - -The body was carried outside, and the play continued as if no -interruption had taken place. They were accustomed to such occurrences -in Pine-tree Gulch, and the piece of ground at the top of the hill, that -had been set aside as a burial place, was already dotted thickly with -graves, filled in almost every instance by men who had died, in the -local phraseology, "with their boots on." - -Neither then nor afterwards did Red George allude to the subject to -Dick, whose life after this signal instance of his championship was -easier than it had hitherto been, for there were few in Pine-tree Gulch -who cared to excite Red George's anger; and strangers going to the place -were sure to receive a friendly warning that it was best for their -health to keep their tempers over any shortcomings on the part of -White-faced Dick. - -Grateful as he was for Red George's interference on his behalf, Dick -felt the circumstance which had ensued more than anyone else in the -camp. With others it was the subject of five minutes' talk, but Dick -could not get out of his head the thought of the dead man's face as he -fell back. He had seen many such frays before, but he was too full of -his own troubles for them to make much impression upon him. But in the -present case he felt as if he himself was responsible for the death of -the gambler; if he had not blundered this would not have happened. He -wondered whether the dead man had a wife and children, and, if so, were -they expecting his return? Would they ever hear where he had died, and -how? - -But this feeling, which, tired out as he was when the time came for -closing the bar, often prevented him from sleeping for hours, in no way -lessened his gratitude and devotion towards Red George, and he felt that -he could die willingly if his life would benefit his champion. Sometimes -he thought, too, that his life would not be much to give, for in spite -of shelter and food, the cough which he had caught while working in the -water still clung to him, and, as his employer said to him angrily one -day: - -"Your victuals don't do you no good, Dick; you get thinner and thinner, -and folks will think as I starve you. Darned if you ain't a disgrace to -the establishment." - -The wind was whistling down the gorges, and the clouds hung among the -pine-woods which still clothed the upper slopes of the hills, and the -diggers, as they turned out one morning, looked up apprehensively. - -"But it could not be," they assured each other. Every one knew that the -rains were not due for another month yet; it could only be a passing -shower if it rained at all. - -But as the morning went on, men came in from camps higher up the river, -and reports were current that it had been raining for the last two days -among the upper hills; while those who took the trouble to walk across -to the new channel could see for themselves at noon that it was filled -very nigh to the brim, the water rushing along with thick and turbid -current. But those who repeated the rumors, or who reported that the -channel was full, were summarily put down. Men would not believe that -such a calamity as a flood and the destruction of all their season's -work could be impending. There had been some showers, no doubt, as there -had often been before, but it was ridiculous to talk of anything like -rain a month before its time. Still, in spite of these assertions, there -was uneasiness at Pine-tree Gulch, and men looked at the driving clouds -above and shook their heads before they went down to the shafts to work -after dinner. - -When the last customer had left and the bar was closed, Dick had -nothing to do till evening, and he wandered outside and sat down on a -stump, at first looking at the work going on in the valley, then so -absorbed in his own thoughts that he noticed nothing, not even the -driving mist which presently set in. He was calculating that he had, -with his savings from his wages and what had been given him by the -miners, laid by eighty dollars. When he got another hundred and twenty -he would go; he would make his way down to San Francisco, and then by -ship to Panama and up to New York, and then west again to the village -where he was born. There would be people there who would know him, and -who would give him work, for his mother's sake. He did not care what it -was; anything would be better than this. - -Then his thoughts came back to Pine-tree Gulch, and he started to his -feet. Could he be mistaken? Were his eyes deceiving him? No; among the -stones and boulders of the old bed of the Yuba there was the gleam of -water, and even as he watched it he could see it widening out. He -started to run down the hill to give the alarm, but before he was -half-way he paused, for there were loud shouts, and a scene of bustle -and confusion instantly arose. - -The cradles were deserted, and the men working on the surface loaded -themselves with their tools and made for the high ground, while those at -the windlasses worked their hardest to draw up their comrades below. A -man coming down from above stopped close to Dick, with a low cry, and -stood gazing with a white, scared face. Dick had worked with him; he was -one of the company to which Red George belonged. - -"What is it, Saunders?" - -"My God! they are lost," the man replied. "I was at the windlass when -they shouted up to me to go up and fetch them a bottle of rum. They had -just struck it rich, and wanted a drink on the strength of it." - -Dick understood at once. Red George and his mates were still in the -bottom of the shaft, ignorant of the danger which was threatening them. - -"Come on," he cried; "we shall be in time yet," and at the top of his -speed dashed down the hill, followed by Saunders. - -"What is it, what is it?" asked parties of men mounting the hill. - -"Red George's gang are still below." - -Dick's eyes were fixed on the water. There was a broad band now of -yellow with a white edge down the centre of the stony flat, and it was -widening with terrible rapidity. It was scarce ten yards from the -windlass at the top of Red George's shaft when Dick, followed closely by -Saunders, reached it. - -"Come up, mates; quick, for your lives! The river is rising; you will be -flooded out directly. Every one else has gone!" - -As he spoke he pulled at the rope by which the bucket was hanging, and -the handles of the windlass flew round rapidly as it descended. When it -had run out, Dick and he grasped the handles. - -"All right below?" - -An answering call came up, and the two began their work, throwing their -whole strength into it. Quickly as the windlass revolved, it seemed an -endless time to Dick before the bucket came up, and the first man -stepped out. It was not Red George. Dick had hardly expected it would -be. Red George would be sure to see his two mates up before him, and the -man uttered a cry of alarm as he saw the water, now within a few feet of -the mouth of the shaft. - -It was a torrent now, for not only was it coming through the dam, but -it was rushing down in cascades from the new channel. Without a word the -miner placed himself facing Dick and the moment the bucket was again -down, the three grasped the handles. But quickly as they worked, the -edge of the water was within a few inches of the shaft when the next man -reached the surface, but again the bucket descended before the rope -tightened. However, the water had begun to run over the lip--at first in -a mere trickle, and then, almost instantaneously, in a cascade, which -grew larger and larger. - -The bucket was half-way up when a sound like thunder was heard, the -ground seemed to tremble under their feet, and then at the turn of the -valley above, a great wave of yellow water, crested with foam, was seen -tearing along at the speed of a race-horse. - -"The dam has burst!" Saunders shouted. "Run for your lives, or we are -all lost!" - -The three men dropped the handles and ran at full speed towards the -shore, while loud shouts to Dick to follow came from the crowd of men -standing on the slope. But the boy still grasped the handles, and with -lips tightly closed, still toiled on. Slowly the bucket ascended, for -Red George was a heavy man; then suddenly the weight slackened, and the -handle went round faster. The shaft was filling, the water had reached -the bucket, and had risen to Red George's neck, so that his weight was -no longer on the rope. So fast did the water pour in, that it was not -half a minute before the bucket reached the surface, and Red George -sprang out. There was but time for one exclamation, and then the great -wave struck them. Red George was whirled like a straw in the current; -but he was a strong swimmer, and at a point where the valley widened -out, half a mile lower, he struggled to shore. - -Two days later the news reached Pine-tree Gulch that a boy's body had -been washed ashore twenty miles down, and ten men, headed by Red George, -went and brought it solemnly back to Pine-tree Gulch. There, among the -stumps of pine-trees, a grave was dug, and there, in the presence of the -whole camp, White-faced Dick was laid to rest. - -Pine-tree Gulch is a solitude now, the trees are growing again, and none -would dream that it was once a busy scene of industry; but if the -traveler searches among the pine-trees, he will find a stone with the -words: - -"Here lies White-faced Dick, who died to save Red George. 'What can a -man do more than give his life for a friend?'" - -The text was the suggestion of an ex-clergyman working as a miner in -Pine-tree Gulch. - -Red George worked no more at the diggings, but after seeing the stone -laid in its place, went east, and with what little money came to him -when the common fund of the company was divided after the flood on the -Yuba, bought a small farm, and settled down there; but to the end of his -life he was never weary of telling those who would listen to it the -story of Pine-tree Gulch. - - - - -A BRUSH WITH THE CHINESE - -AND WHAT CAME OF IT. - - -It was early in December that H.M.S. _Perseus_ was cruising off the -mouth of the Canton River. War had been declared with China in -consequence of her continued evasions of the treaty she had made with -us, and it was expected that a strong naval force would soon gather to -bring her to reason. In the meantime the ships on the station had a busy -time of it, chasing the enemy's junks when they ventured to show -themselves beyond the reach of the guns of their forts, and occasionally -having a brush with the piratical boats which took advantage of the -general confusion to plunder friend as well as foe. - -The _Perseus_ had that afternoon chased two Government junks up a creek. -The sun had already set when they took refuge there, and the captain did -not care to send his boats after them in the dark, as many of the creeks -ran up for miles into the flat country; and as they not unfrequently -had many arms or branches, the boats might, in the dark, miss the junks -altogether. Orders were issued that four boats should be ready for -starting at daybreak the next morning. The _Perseus_ anchored off the -mouth of the creek, and two boats were ordered to row backwards and -forwards off its mouth all night to insure that the enemy did not slip -out in the darkness. - -Jack Fothergill, the senior midshipman, was commanding the gig, and two -of the other midshipmen were going in the pinnace and launch, commanded -respectively by the first lieutenant and the master. The three other -midshipmen of the _Perseus_ were loud in their lamentations that they -were not to share in the fun. - -"You can't all go, you know," Fothergill said, "and it's no use making a -row about it; the captain has been very good to let three of us go." - -"It's all very well for you, Jack," Percy Adcock, the youngest of the -lads, replied, "because you are one of those chosen; and it is not so -hard for Simmons and Linthorpe, because they went the other day in the -boat that chased those junks under shelter of the guns of their battery, -but I haven't had a chance for ever so long." - -"What fun was there in chasing the junks?" Simmons said. "We never got -near the brutes till they were close to their battery, and then just as -the first shot came singing from their guns, and we thought that we were -going to have some excitement, the first lieutenant sung out 'Easy all,' -and there was nothing for it but to turn round and to row for the ship, -and a nice hot row it was--two hours and a half in a broiling sun. Of -course I am not blaming Oliphant, for the captain's orders were strict -that we were not to try to cut the junks out if they got under the guns -of any of their batteries. Still it was horribly annoying, and I do -think the captain might have remembered what beastly luck we had last -time, and given us a chance to-morrow." - -"It is clear we could not all go," Fothergill said, "and naturally -enough the captain chose the three seniors. Besides, if you did have bad -luck last time, you had your chance, and I don't suppose we shall have -anything more exciting now; these fellows always set fire to their junks -and row for the shore directly they see us, after firing a shot or two -wildly in our direction." - -"Well, Jack, if you don't expect any fun," Simmons replied, "perhaps you -wouldn't mind telling the first lieutenant you do not care for going, -and that I am very anxious to take your place. Perhaps he will be good -enough to allow me to relieve you." - -"A likely thing that!" Fothergill laughed. "No, Tom, I am sorry you are -not going, but you must make the best of it till another chance comes." - -"Don't you think, Jack," Percy Adcock said to his senior in a coaxing -tone later on, "you could manage to smuggle me into the boat with you?" - -"Not I, Percy. Suppose you got hurt, what would the captain say then? -And firing as wildly as the Chinese do, a shot is just as likely to hit -your little carcass as to lodge in one of the sailors. No, you must just -make the best of it, Percy, and I promise you that next time there is a -boat expedition, if you are not put in, I will say a good word to the -first luff for you." - -"That promise is better than nothing," the boy said; "but I would a deal -rather go this time and take my chance next." - -"But you see you can't, Percy, and there's no use talking any more about -it. I really do not expect there will be any fighting. Two junks would -hardly make any opposition to the boats of the ship, and I expect we -shall be back by nine o'clock with the news that they were well on fire -before we came up." - -Percy Adcock, however, was determined, if possible, to go. He was a -favorite among the men, and when he spoke to the bow oar of the gig, the -latter promised to do anything he could to aid him to carry out his -wishes. - -"We are to start at daybreak, Tom, so that it will be quite dark when -the boats are lowered. I will creep into the gig before that and hide -myself as well as I can under your thwart, and all you have got to do is -to take no notice of me. When the boat is lowered I think they will -hardly make me out from the deck, especially as you will be standing up -in the bow holding on with the boat-hook till the rest get on board." - -"Well, sir, I will do my best; but if you are caught you must not let -out that I knew anything about it." - -"I won't do that," Percy said. "I don't think there is much chance of my -being noticed until we get on board the junks, and then they won't know -which boat I came off in, and the first lieutenant will be too busy to -blow me up. Of course I shall get it when I am on board again, but I -don't mind that so that I see the fun. Besides, I want to send home -some things to my sister, and she will like them all the better if I can -tell her I captured them on board some junks we seized and burnt." - -The next morning the crews mustered before daybreak. Percy had already -taken his place under the bow thwart of the gig. The davits were swung -overboard, and two men took their places in her as she was lowered down -by the falls. As soon as she touched the water the rest of the crew -clambered down by the ladder and took their places; then Fothergill took -his seat in the stern, and the boat pushed off and lay a few lengths -away from the ship until the heavier boats put off. As soon as they were -under way Percy crawled out from his hiding-place and placed himself in -the bow, where he was sheltered by the body of the oarsmen from -Fothergill's sight. - -Day was just breaking now, but it was still dark on the water, and the -boat rowed very slowly until it became lighter. Percy could just make -out the shores of the creek on both sides; they were but two or three -feet above the level of the water, and were evidently submerged at high -tide. The creek was about a hundred yards wide, and the lad could not -see far ahead, for it was full of sharp windings and turnings. Here and -there branches joined it, but the boats were evidently following the -main channel. After another half-hour's rowing the first lieutenant -suddenly gave the order, "Easy all," and the men, looking over their -shoulders, saw a village a quarter of a mile ahead, with the two junks -they had chased the night before lying in front of it. Almost at the -same moment a sudden uproar was heard--drums were beaten and gongs -sounded. - -"They are on the look-out for us," the first lieutenant said. "Mr. -Mason, do you keep with me and attack the junk highest up the river; Mr. -Bellew and Mr. Fothergill, do you take the one lower down. Row on, men." - -The oars all touched the water together, and the four boats leapt -forward. In a minute a scattering fire of gingals and matchlocks was -opened from the junks, and the bullets pattered on the water round the -boats. Percy was kneeling up in the bow now. As they passed a branch -channel three or four hundred yards from the village, he started and -leapt to his feet. - -"There are four or five junks in that passage, Fothergill; they are -poling out." - -The first lieutenant heard the words. - -"Row on, men; let us finish with these craft ahead before the others -get out. This must be that piratical village we have heard about, Mr. -Mason, as lying up one of these creeks; that accounts for those two -junks not going higher up. I was surprised at seeing them here, for they -might guess that we should try to get them this morning. Evidently they -calculated on catching us in a trap." - -Percy was delighted at finding that, in the excitement caused by his -news, the first lieutenant had forgotten to take any notice of his being -there without orders, and he returned a defiant nod to the threat -conveyed by Fothergill shaking his fist at him. As they neared the junks -the fire of those on board redoubled, and was aided by that of many -villagers gathered on the bank of the creek. Suddenly from a bank of -rushes four cannons were fired. A ball struck the pinnace, smashing in -her side. The other boats gathered hastily round and took her crew on -board, and then dashed at the junks, which were but a hundred yards -distant. The valor of the Chinese evaporated as they saw the boats -approaching, and scores of them leapt overboard and swam for shore. - -In another minute the boats were alongside and the crews scrambling up -the sides of the junks. A few Chinamen only attempted to oppose them. -These were speedily overcome, and the British had now time to look -round, and saw that six junks crowded with men had issued from the side -creek and were making towards them. - -"Let the boats tow astern," the lieutenant ordered. "We should have to -run the gauntlet of that battery on shore if we were to attack them, and -might lose another boat before we reached their side. We will fight them -here." - -The junks approached, those on board firing their guns, yelling and -shouting, while the drums and gongs were furiously beaten. - -"They will find themselves mistaken, Percy, if they think they are going -to frighten us with all that row," Fothergill said. "You young rascal, -how did you get on board the boat without being seen? The captain will -be sure to suspect I had a hand in concealing you." - -The tars were now at work firing the gingals attached to the bulwarks -and the matchlocks, with which the deck was strewn, at the approaching -junks. As they took steady aim, leaning their pieces on the bulwarks, -they did considerable execution among the Chinamen crowded on board the -junks, while the shot of the Chinese, for the most part, whistled far -overhead; but the guns of the shore battery, which had now been slewed -round to bear upon them, opened with a better aim, and several shots -came crashing into the sides of the two captured junks. - -"Get ready to board, lads!" Lieutenant Oliphant shouted. "Don't wait for -them to board you, but the moment they come alongside lash their rigging -to ours and spring on board them." - -The leading junk was now about twenty yards away, and presently grated -alongside. Half-a-dozen sailors at once sprang into her rigging with -ropes, and after lashing the junks together leapt down upon her deck, -where Fothergill was leading the gig's crew and some of those rescued -from the pinnace, while Mr. Bellew, with another party, had boarded her -at the stern. Several of the Chinese fought stoutly, but the greater -part lost heart at seeing themselves attacked by the "white devils," -instead of, as they expected, overwhelming them by their superior -numbers. Many began at once to jump overboard, and after two or three -minutes' sharp fighting, the rest either followed their example or were -beaten below. - -Fothergill looked round. The other junk had been attacked by two of the -enemy, one on each side, and the little body of sailors were gathered -in her waist, and were defending themselves against an overwhelming -number of the enemy. The other three piratical junks had been carried -somewhat up the creek by the tide that was sweeping inward, and could -not for the moment take part in the fight. - -"Mr. Oliphant is hard pressed, sir," Fothergill said to the master. -"Shall we take to the boats?" - -"That will be the best plan," Mr. Bellew replied. "Quick, lads, get the -boats alongside and tumble in; there is not a moment to be lost." - -The crew at once sprang to the boats and rowed to the other junk, which -was but some thirty yards away. - -The Chinese, absorbed in their contest with the crew of the pinnace, did -not perceive the newcomers until they gained the deck, and with a shout -fell furiously upon them. In their surprise and consternation the -pirates did not pause to note that they were still five to one superior -in number, but made a precipitate rush for their own vessels. The -English at once took the offensive. The first lieutenant with his party -boarded one, while the newcomers leapt on to the deck of the other. The -panic which had seized the Chinese was so complete that they attempted -no resistance whatever, but sprang overboard in great numbers and swam -to the shore, which was but twenty yards away, and in three minutes the -English were in undisputed possession of both vessels. - -"Back again, Mr. Fothergill, or you will lose the craft you captured," -Lieutenant Oliphant said; "they have already cut her free." - -The Chinese, indeed, who had been beaten below by the boarding party, -had soon perceived the sudden departure of their captors, and gaining -the deck again had cut the lashings which fastened them to the other -junk, and were proceeding to hoist their sails. They were too late, -however. Almost before the craft had way on her Fothergill and his crew -were alongside. The Chinese did not wait for the attack, but at once -sprang overboard and made for the shore. The other three junks, seeing -the capture of their comrades, had already hoisted their sails and were -making up the creek. Fothergill dropped an anchor, left four of his men -in charge, and rowed back to Mr. Oliphant. - -"What shall we do next, sir?" - -"We will give those fellows on shore a lesson, and silence their -battery. Two men have been killed since you left. We must let the other -junks go for the present. Four of my men were killed and eleven wounded -before Mr. Bellew and you came to our assistance. The Chinese were -fighting pluckily up to that time, and it would have gone very hard with -us if you had not been at hand; the beggars will fight when they think -they have got it all their own way. But before we land we will set fire -to the five junks we have taken. Do you return and see that the two -astern are well lighted, Mr. Fothergill; Mr. Mason will see to these -three. When you have done your work take to your boat and lay off till I -join you; keep the junks between you and the shore, to protect you from -the fire of the rascals there." - -"I cannot come with you, I suppose, Fothergill?" Percy Adcock said, as -the midshipman was about to descend into his boat again. - -"Yes, come along, Percy. It doesn't matter what you do now. The captain -will be so pleased when he hears that we have captured and burnt five -junks, that you will get off with a very light wigging, I imagine." - -"That's just what I was thinking, Jack. Has it not been fun?" - -"You wouldn't have thought it fun if you had got one of those matchlock -balls in your body. There are a good many of our poor fellows just at -the present moment who do not see anything funny in the affair at all. -Here we are; clamber up." - -The crew soon set to work under Fothergill's orders. The sails were cut -off the masts and thrown down into the hold; bamboos, of which there -were an abundance down there, were heaped over them, a barrel of oil was -poured over the mass, and the fire then applied. - -"That will do, lads. Now take to your boats and let's make a bonfire of -the other junk." - -In ten minutes both vessels were a sheet of flame, and the boat was -lying a short distance from them waiting for further operations. The -inhabitants of the village, furious at the failure of the plan which had -been laid for the destruction of the "white devils," kept up a constant -fusillade, which, however, did no harm, for the gig was completely -sheltered by the burning junks close to her from their missiles. - -"There go the others!" Percy exclaimed after a minute or two, as three -columns of smoke arose simultaneously from the other junks, and the -sailors were seen dropping into their boats alongside. - -The killed and wounded were placed in the other gig with four sailors -in charge. They were directed to keep under shelter of the junks until -re-joined by the pinnace and Fothergill's gig, after these had done -their work on shore. - -When all was ready the first lieutenant raised his hand as a signal, and -the two boats dashed between the burning junks and rowed for the shore. -Such of the natives as had their weapons charged fired a hasty volley, -and then, as the sailors leapt from their boats, took to their heels. - -"Mr. Fothergill, take your party into the village and set fire to the -houses; shoot down every man you see. This place is a nest of pirates. I -will capture that battery and then join you." - -Fothergill and his sailors at once entered the village. The men had -already fled; the women were turned out of the houses, and these were -immediately set on fire. The tars regarded the whole affair as a -glorious joke, and raced from house to house, making a hasty search in -each for concealed valuables before setting it on fire. In a short time -the whole village was in a blaze. - -"There is a house there, standing in that little grove a hundred yards -away," Percy said. - -"It looks like a temple," Fothergill replied. "However, we will have a -look at it." And calling two sailors to accompany him, he started at a -run towards it, Percy keeping by his side. - -"It is a temple," Fothergill said when they approached it. "Still, we -will have a look at it, but we won't burn it; it will be as well to -respect the religion, even of a set of piratical scoundrels like these." - -At the head of his men he rushed in at the entrance. There was a blaze -of fire as half a dozen muskets were discharged in their faces. One of -the sailors dropped dead, and before the others had time to realize what -had happened they were beaten to the ground by a storm of blows from -swords and other weapons. - -A heavy blow crashed down on Percy's head, and he fell insensible even -before he realized what had occurred. - -When he recovered, his first sensation was that of a vague wonder as to -what had happened to him. He seemed to be in darkness and unable to move -hand or foot. He was compressed in some way that he could not at first -understand, and was being bumped and jolted in an extraordinary manner. -It was some little time before he could understand the situation. He -first remembered the fight with the junks, then he recalled the landing -and burning the village; then, as his brain cleared, came the -recollection of his start with Fothergill for the temple among the -trees, his arrival there, and a loud report and flash of fire. - -"I must have been knocked down and stunned," he said to himself, "and I -suppose I am a prisoner now to these brutes, and one of them must be -carrying me on his back." - -Yes, he could understand it all now. His hands and his feet were tied, -ropes were passed round his body in every direction, and he was fastened -back to back upon the shoulders of a Chinaman. Percy remembered the -tales he had heard of the imprisonment and torture of those who fell -into the hands of the Chinese, and he bitterly regretted that he had not -been killed instead of stunned in the surprise of the temple. - -"It would have been just the same feeling," he said to himself, "and -there would have been an end of it. Now, there is no saying what is -going to happen. I wonder whether Jack was killed, and the sailors." - -Presently there was a jabber of voices; the motion ceased. Percy could -feel that the cords were being unwound, and he was dropped on to his -feet; then the cloth was removed from his head, and he could look -around. - -A dozen Chinese, armed with matchlocks and bristling with swords and -daggers, stood around, and among them, bound like himself and gagged by -a piece of bamboo forced lengthways across his mouth and kept there with -a string going round the back of the head, stood Fothergill. He was -bleeding from several cuts in the head. Percy's heart gave a bound of -joy at finding that he was not alone; then he tried to feel sorry that -Jack had not escaped, but failed to do so, although he told himself that -his comrade's presence would not in any way alleviate the fate which was -certain to befall him. Still the thought of companionship, even in -wretchedness, and perhaps a vague hope that Jack, with his energy and -spirit, might contrive some way for their escape, cheered him up. - -As Percy, too, was gagged, no word could be exchanged by the midshipmen, -but they nodded to each other. They were now put side by side and made -to walk in the centre of their captors. On the way they passed through -several villages, whose inhabitants poured out to gaze at the captives, -but the men in charge of them were evidently not disposed to delay, as -they passed through without a stop. At last they halted before two -cottages standing by themselves, thrust the prisoners into a small room, -removed their gags, and left them to themselves. - -"Well, Percy, my boy, so they caught you, too? I am awfully sorry. It -was my fault for going with only two men into that temple, but as the -village had been deserted and scarcely a man was found there, it never -entered my mind that there might be a party in the temple." - -"Of course not, Jack; it was a surprise altogether. I don't know -anything about it, for I was knocked down, I suppose, just as we went -in, and the first thing I knew about it was that I was being carried on -the back of one of those fellows. I thought it was awful at first, but I -don't seem to mind so much now you are with me." - -"It is a comfort to have some one to speak to," Jack said, "yet I wish -you were not here, Percy; I can't do you any good, and I shall never -cease blaming myself for having brought you into this scrape. I don't -know much more about the affair than you do. The guns were fired so -close to us that my face was scorched with one of them, and almost at -the same instant I got a lick across my cheek with a sword. I had just -time to hit at one of them, and then almost at the same moment I got two -or three other blows, and down I went; they threw themselves on the top -of me and tied and gagged me in no time. Then I was tied to a long -bamboo, and two fellows put the ends on their shoulders and went off -with me through the fields. Of course I was face downwards, and did not -know you were with us till they stopped and loosed me from the bamboo -and set me on my feet." - -"But what are they going to do with us do you think, Jack?" - -"I should say they are going to take us to Canton and claim a reward for -our capture, and there I suppose they will cut off our heads or saw us -in two, or put us to some other unpleasant kind of death. I expect they -are discussing it now; do you hear what a jabber they are kicking up?" - -Voices were indeed heard raised in angry altercation in the next room. -After a time the din subsided and the conversation appeared to take a -more amiable turn. - -"I suppose they have settled it as far as they are concerned," Jack -said; "anyhow, you may be quite sure they mean to make something out of -us. If they hadn't they would have finished us at once, for they must -have been furious at the destruction of their junks and village. As to -the idea that mercy has anything to do with it, we may as well put it -out of our minds. The Chinaman, at the best of times, has no feeling of -pity in his nature, and after their defeat it is certain they would have -killed us at once had they not hoped to do better by us. If they had -been Indians I should have said they had carried us off to enjoy the -satisfaction of torturing us, but I don't suppose it is that with them." - -"Do you think there is any chance of our getting away?" Percy asked, -after a pause. - -"I should say not the least in the world, Percy. My hands are fastened -so tight now that the ropes seem cutting into my wrists, and after they -had set me on my feet and cut the cords of my legs I could scarcely -stand at first, my feet were so numbed by the pressure. However, we must -keep up our pluck. Possibly they may keep us at Canton for a bit, and if -they do the squadron may arrive and fight its way past the forts and -take the city before they have quite made up their minds as to what kind -of death will be most appropriate to the occasion. I wonder what they -are doing now? They seem to be chopping sticks." - -"I wish they would give us some water," Percy said. "I am frightfully -thirsty." - -"And so am I, Percy; there is one comfort, they won't let us die of -thirst, they could get no satisfaction out of our deaths now." - -Two hours later some of the Chinese re-entered the room and led the -captives outside, and the lads then saw what was the meaning of the -noise they had heard. A cage had been manufactured of strong bamboos. It -was about four and a half feet long, four feet wide, and less than three -feet high; above it were fastened two long bamboos. Two or three of the -bars of the cage had been left open. - -"My goodness! they never intend to put us in there," Percy exclaimed. - -"That they do," Jack said. "They are going to carry us the rest of the -way." - -The cords which bound the prisoners' hands were now cut, and they were -motioned to crawl into the cage. This they did; the bars were then put -in their places and securely lashed. Four men went to the ends of the -poles and lifted the cage upon their shoulders; two others took their -places beside it, and one man, apparently the leader of the party, -walked on ahead; the rest remained behind. - -"I never quite realized what a fowl felt in a coop before," Jack said, -"but if its sensations are at all like mine they must be decidedly -unpleasant. It isn't high enough to sit upright in, it is nothing like -long enough to lie down, and as to getting out one might as well think -of flying. Do you know, Percy, I don't think they mean taking us to -Canton at all. I did not think of it before, but from the direction of -the sun I feel sure that we cannot have been going that way. What they -are up to I can't imagine." - -In an hour they came to a large village. Here the cage was set down and -the villagers closed round. They were, however, kept a short distance -from the cage by the men in charge of it. Then a wooden platter was -placed on the ground, and persons throwing a few copper coins into this -were allowed to come near the cage. - -"They are making a show of us!" Fothergill exclaimed. "That's what they -are up to, you see if it isn't; they are going to travel up country to -show the 'white devils' whom their valor has captured." - -This was, indeed, the purpose of the pirates. At that time Europeans -seldom ventured beyond the limits assigned to them in the two or three -towns where they were permitted to trade, and few, indeed, of the -country people had ever obtained a sight of the white barbarians of -whose doings they had so frequently heard. Consequently a small crowd -soon gathered round the cage, eyeing the captives with the same interest -they would have felt as to unknown and dangerous beasts; they laughed -and joked, passed remarks upon them, and even poked them with sticks. -Fothergill, furious at this treatment caught one of the sticks, and -wrenching it from the hands of the Chinaman, tried to strike at him -through the bars, a proceeding which excited shouts of laughter from the -bystanders. - -"I think, Jack," Percy said, "it will be best to try and keep our -tempers and not to seem to mind what they do to us, then if they find -they can't get any fun out of us they will soon leave us alone." - -"Of course, that's the best plan," Fothergill agreed, "but it's not so -easy to follow. That fellow very nearly poked out my eye with his stick, -and no one's going to stand that if he can help it." - -It was some hours before the curiosity of the village was satisfied. -When all had paid who were likely to do so, the guards broke up their -circle, and leaving two of their number at the cage to see that no -actual harm was caused to their prisoners, the rest went off to a -refreshment house. The place of the elders was now taken by the boys and -children of the village, who crowded round the cage, prodded the -prisoners with sticks, and, putting their hands through the bars, pulled -their ears and hair. This amusement, however, was brought to an abrupt -conclusion by Fothergill suddenly seizing the wrist of a big boy and -pulling his arm through the cage until his face was against the bars; -then he proceeded to punch him until the guard, coming to his rescue, -poked Fothergill with his stick until he released his hold. - -The punishment of their comrade excited neither anger nor resentment -among the other boys, who yelled with delight at his discomfiture, but -it made them more careful in approaching the cage, and though they -continued to poke the prisoners with sticks they did not venture again -to thrust a hand through the bars. At sunset the guards again came -round, lifted the cage and carried it into a shed. A platter of dirty -rice and a jug of water were put into the cage; two of the men lighted -their long pipes and sat down on guard beside it, and, the doors being -closed, the captives were left in peace. - -"If this sort of thing is to go on, as I suppose it is," Fothergill -said, "the sooner they cut off our heads the better." - -"It is very bad, Jack. I am sore all over with those probes from their -sharp sticks." - -"I don't care for the pain, Percy, so much as the humiliation of the -thing. To be stared at and poked at as if we were wild beasts by these -curs, when with half a dozen of our men we could send a hundred of them -scampering, I feel as if I could choke with rage." - -"You had better try and eat some of this rice, Jack. It is beastly, but -I daresay we shall get no more until to-morrow night, and we must keep -up our strength if we can. At any rate, the water is not bad, that's a -comfort." - -"No thanks to them," Jack growled. "If there had been any bad water in -the neighborhood they would have given it to us." - -For six weeks the sufferings of the prisoners continued. Their captors -avoided towns where the authorities would probably at once have taken -the prisoners out of their hands. No one would have recognized the two -captives as the midshipmen of the _Perseus_; their clothes were in -rags--torn to pieces by the thrusts of the sharp-pointed bamboos, to -which they had daily been subjected--the bad food, the cramped position, -and the misery which they suffered had worn both lads to skeletons; -their hair was matted with filth, their faces begrimed with dirt. Percy -was so weak that he felt he could not stand. Fothergill, being three -years older, was less exhausted, but he knew that he, too, could not -support his sufferings for many days longer. Their bodies were covered -with sores, and try as they would they were able to catch only a few -minutes' sleep at a time, so much did the bamboo bars hurt their wasted -limbs. - -They seldom exchanged a word during the daytime, suffering in silence -the persecutions to which they were exposed, but at night they talked -over their homes and friends in England, and their comrades on board -ship, seldom saying a word as to their present position. They were now -in a hilly country, but had not the least idea of the direction in which -it lay from Canton or its distance from the coast. - -One evening Jack said to his companion, "I think it's nearly all over -now, Percy. The last two days we have made longer journeys, and have not -stopped at any of the smaller villages we passed through. I fancy our -guards must see that we can't last much longer, and are taking us down -to some town to hand us over to the authorities and get their reward for -us." - -"I hope it is so, Jack; the sooner the better. Not that it makes much -difference now to me, for I do not think I can stand many more days of -it." - -"I am afraid I am tougher than you, Percy, and shall take longer to -kill, so I hope with all my heart that I may be right, and that they may -be going to give us up to the authorities." - -The next evening they stopped at a large place, and were subjected to -the usual persecution; this, however, was now less prolonged than during -the early days of their captivity, for they had now no longer strength -or spirits to resent their treatment, and as no fun was to be obtained -from passive victims, even the village boys soon ceased to find any -amusement in tormenting them. - -When most of their visitors had left them, an elderly Chinaman -approached the side of the cage. He spoke to their guards and looked at -them attentively for some minutes, then he said in pigeon English, "You -officer men?" - -"Yes!" Jack exclaimed, starting at the sound of the English words, the -first they had heard spoken since their captivity. "Yes, we are officers -of the _Perseus_." - -"Me speeke English velly well," the Chinaman said; "me pilot-man many -years on Canton river. How you get here?" - -"We were attacking some piratical junks, and landed to destroy the -village where the people were firing on us. We entered a place full of -pirates, and were knocked down and taken prisoners, and carried away up -the country; that is six weeks ago, and you see what we are now." - -"Pirate men velly bad," the Chinaman said; "plunder many junk on river -and kill crew. Me muchee hate them." - -"Can you do anything for us?" Jack asked. "You will be well rewarded if -you could manage to get us free." - -The man shook his head. - -"Me no see what can do, me stranger here; come to stay with wifey; -people no do what me ask them. English ships attack Canton, much fight -and take town, people all hate English. Bad country dis. People in one -village fight against another. Velly bad men here." - -"How far is Canton away?" Jack asked. "Could you not send down to tell -the English we are here?" - -"Fourteen days' journey off," the man said; "no see how can do -anything." - -"Well," Jack said, "when you get back again to Canton let our people -know what has been the end of us; we shall not last much longer." - -"All light," the man said, "will see what me can do. Muchee think -to-night!" And after saying a few words to the guards, who had been -regarding this conversation with an air of surprise, the Chinaman -retired. - -The guards had for some time abandoned the precaution of sitting up at -night by the cage, convinced that their captives had no longer strength -to attempt to break through its fastenings or to drag themselves many -yards away if they could do so. They therefore left it standing in the -open, and, wrapping themselves in their thickly-wadded coats, for the -nights were cold, lay down by the side of the cage. - -The coolness of the nights had, indeed, assisted to keep the two -prisoners alive. During the day the sun was excessively hot, and the -crowd of visitors round the cage impeded the circulation of the air and -added to their sufferings. It was true that the cold at night frequently -prevented them from sleeping, but it acted as a tonic and braced them -up. - -"What did he mean about the villages attacking each other?" Percy asked. - -"I have heard," Jack replied, "that in some parts of China things are -very much the same as they used to be in the highlands of Scotland. -There is no law or order. The different villages are like clans, and -wage war on each other. Sometimes the Government sends a number of -troops, who put the thing down for a time, chop off a good many heads, -and then march away, and the whole work begins again as soon as their -backs are turned." - -That night the uneasy slumber of the lads was disturbed by a sudden -firing; shouts and yells were heard, and the firing redoubled. - -"The village is attacked," Jack said. "I noticed that, like some other -places we have come into lately, there is a strong earthen wall round -it, with gates. Well, there is one comfort--it does not make much -difference to us which side wins." - -The guards at the first alarm leapt to their feet, caught up their -matchlocks, and ran to aid in the defence of the wall. Two minutes later -a man ran up to the cage. - -"All lightee," he said; "just what me hopee." - -With his knife he cut the tough withes that held the bamboos in their -places, and pulled out three of the bars. - -"Come along," he said; "no time to lose." - -Jack scrambled out, but in trying to stand upright gave a sharp -exclamation of pain. Percy crawled out more slowly; he tried to stand -up, but could not. The Chinaman caught him up and threw him on his -shoulder. - -"Come along quickee," he said to Jack; "if takee village, kill evely -one." He set off at a run. Jack followed as fast as he could, groaning -at every step from the pain the movement caused to his bruised body. - -They went to the side of the village opposite to that at which the -attack was going on. They met no one on the way, the inhabitants having -all rushed to the other side to repel the attack. They stopped at a -small gate in the wall, the Chinaman drew back the bolts and opened it, -and they passed out into the country. For an hour they kept on. By the -end of that time Jack could scarcely drag his limbs along. The Chinaman -halted at length in a clump of trees surrounded by a thick undergrowth. - -"Allee safee here," he said, "no searchee so far; here food;" and he -produced from a wallet a cold chicken and some boiled rice, and unslung -from his shoulder a gourd filled with cold tea. - -"Me go back now, see what happen. To-mollow nightee come again--bringee -more food." And without another word went off at a rapid pace. - -Jack moistened his lips with the tea, and then turned to his companion. -Percy had not spoken a word since he had been released from the cage, -and had been insensible during the greater part of his journey. Jack -poured some cold tea between his lips. - -"Cheer up, Percy, old boy, we are free now, and with luck and that good -fellow's help we will work our way down to Canton yet." - -"I shall never get down there; you may," Percy said feebly. - -"Oh, nonsense, you will pick up strength like a steam-engine now. Here, -let me prop you against this tree. That's better. Now drink a drop of -this tea; it's like nectar after that filthy water we have been -drinking. Now you will feel better. Now you must try and eat a little of -this chicken and rice. Oh, nonsense, you have got to do it. I am not -going to let you give way when our trouble is just over. Think of your -people at home, Percy, and make an effort, for their sakes. Good -heavens! now I think of it, it must be Christmas morning. We were caught -on the 2d and we have been just twenty-two days on show. I am sure that -it must be past twelve o'clock, and it is Christmas-day. It is a good -omen, Percy. This food isn't like roast beef and plum-pudding, but it's -not to be despised, I can tell you. Come, fire away, that's a good -fellow." - -Percy made an effort and ate a few mouthfuls of rice and chicken, then -he took another draught of tea, and lay down, and was almost immediately -asleep. - -Jack ate his food slowly and contentedly till he finished half the -supply, then he, too, lay down, and, after a short but hearty -thanksgiving for his escape from a slow and lingering death, he, too, -fell off to sleep. The sun was rising when he woke, being aroused by a -slight movement on the part of Percy; he opened his eyes and sat up. - -"Well, Percy, how do you feel this morning?" he asked cheerily. - -"I feel too weak to move," Percy replied languidly. - -"Oh, you will be all right when you have sat up and eaten breakfast," -Jack said. "Here you are; here is a wing for you, and this rice is as -white as snow, and the tea is first-rate. I thought last night after I -lay down that I heard a murmur of water, so after we have had breakfast -I will look about and see if I can find it. We should feel like new men -after a wash. You look awful, and I am sure I am just as bad." - -The thought of a wash inspirited Percy far more than that of eating, and -he sat up and made a great effort to do justice to the breakfast. He -succeeded much better than he had done the night before, and Jack, -although he pretended to grumble, was satisfied with his companion's -progress, and finished off the rest of the food. Then he set out to -search for water. He had not very far to go; a tiny stream, a few inches -wide and two or three inches deep, ran through the wood from the higher -ground. After throwing himself down and taking a drink, he hurried back -to Percy. - -"It is all right, Percy, I've found it. We can wash to our hearts' -content; think of that, lad." - -Percy could hardly stand, but he made an effort, and Jack half carried -him to the streamlet. There the lads spent hours. First they bathed -their heads and hands, and then, stripping, lay down in the stream and -allowed it to flow over them, then they rubbed themselves with handfuls -of leaves dipped in the water, and when they at last put on their rags -again felt like new men. Percy was able to walk back to the spot they -had quitted with the assistance only of Jack's arm. The latter, feeling -that his breakfast had by no means appeased his hunger, now started for -a search through the wood, and presently returned to Percy laden with -nuts and berries. - -"The nuts are sure to be all right; I expect the berries are, too. I -have certainly seen some like them in native markets, and I think it -will be quite safe to risk it." - -The rest of the day was spent in picking nuts and eating them. Then they -sat down and waited for the arrival of their friend. He came two hours -after nightfall with a wallet stored with provisions, and told them that -he had regained the village unobserved. The attack had been repulsed, -but with severe loss to the defenders as well as to the assailants; two -of their guards had been among the killed. The others had made a great -clamor over the escape of the prisoners, and had made a close search -throughout the village and immediately round it, for they were convinced -that their captives had not the strength to go any distance. He thought, -however, that although they had professed the greatest indignation, and -had offered many threats as to the vengeance that Government would take -upon the village, one of whose inhabitants, at least, must have aided in -the evasion of the prisoners, they would not trouble themselves any -further in the matter. They had already reaped a rich harvest from the -exhibition, and would divide among themselves the share of their late -comrades; nor was it at all improbable that if they were to report the -matter to the authorities they would themselves get into serious trouble -for not having handed over the prisoners immediately after their -capture. - -For a fortnight the pilot nursed and fed the two midshipmen. He had -already provided them with native clothes, so that if by chance any -villagers should catch sight of them they would not recognize them as -the escaped white men. At the end of that time both the lads had almost -recovered from the effects of their sufferings. Jack, indeed, had -picked up from the first, but Percy for some days continued so weak and -ill that Jack had feared that he was going to have an attack of fever of -some kind. His companion's cheery and hopeful chat did as much good for -Percy as the nourishing food with which their friend supplied them, and -at the end of the fortnight he declared that he felt sufficiently strong -to attempt to make his way down to the coast. - -The pilot acted as their guide. When they inquired about his wife, he -told them carelessly that she would remain with her kinsfolk, and would -travel on to Canton and join him there when she found an opportunity. -The journey was accomplished at night, by very short stages at first, -but by increasing distances as Percy gained strength. During the daytime -the lads lay hid in woods or jungles, while their companion went into -the village and purchased food. They struck the river many miles above -Canton, and the pilot, going down first to a village on its banks, -bargained for a boat to take him and two women down to the city. - -The lads went on board at night and took their places in the little -cabin formed of bamboos and covered with mats in the stern of the boat, -and remained thus sheltered not only from the view of people in boats -passing up or down the stream, but from the eyes of their own boatmen. - -After two days' journey down the river without incident, they arrived -off Canton, where the British fleet was still lying while negotiations -for peace were being carried on with the authorities at Pekin. Peeping -out between the mats, the lads caught sight of the English warships, -and, knowing that there was now no danger, they dashed out of the cabin, -to the surprise of the native boatmen, and shouted and waved their arms -to the distant ships. - -In ten minutes they were alongside the _Perseus_, when they were hailed -as if restored from the dead. The pilot was very handsomely rewarded by -the English authorities for his kindness to the prisoners, and was -highly satisfied with the result of his proceedings, which more than -doubled the little capital with which he had retired from business. Jack -Fothergill and Percy Adcock declare that they have never since eaten -chicken without thinking of their Christmas fare on the morning of their -escape from the hands of the Chinese pirates. - - -THE END. - - - - -A. L. Burt's Catalogue of Books for Young People by Popular Writers, -52-58 Duane Street, New York - - -BOOKS FOR BOYS. - -+Joe's Luck+: A Boy's Adventures in California. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. -12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -The story is chock fall of stirring incidents, while the amusing -situations are furnished by Joshua Bickford, from Pumpkin Hollow, and -the fellow who modestly styles himself the "Rip-tail Roarer, from Pike -Co., Missouri." Mr. Alger never writes a poor book, and "Joe's Luck" is -certainly one of his best. - - -+Tom the Bootblack+; or, The Road to Success. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, -cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -A bright, enterprising lad was Tom the Bootblack. He was not at all -ashamed of his humble calling, though always on the lookout to better -himself. The lad started for Cincinnati to look up his heritage. Mr. -Grey, the uncle, did not hesitate to employ a ruffian to kill the lad. -The plan failed, and Gilbert Grey, once Tom the bootblack, came into a -comfortable fortune. This is one of Mr. Alger's best stories. - - -+Dan the Newsboy.+ By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price -$1.00. - -Dan Mordaunt and his mother live in a poor tenement, and the lad is -pluckily trying to make ends meet by selling papers in the streets of -New York. A little heiress of six years is confided to the care of the -Mordaunts. The child is kidnapped and Dan tracks the child to the house -where she is hidden, and rescues her. The wealthy aunt of the little -heiress is so delighted with Dan's courage and many good qualities that -she adopts him as her heir. - - -+Tony the Hero+: A Brave Boy's Adventure with a Tramp. By HORATIO ALGER, -JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -Tony, a sturdy bright-eyed boy of fourteen, is under the control of -Rudolph Rugg, a thorough rascal. After much abuse Tony runs away and -gets a job as stable boy in a country hotel. Tony is heir to a large -estate. Rudolph for a consideration hunts up Tony and throws him down a -deep well. Of course Tony escapes from the fate provided for him, and by -a brave act, a rich friend secures his rights and Tony is prosperous. A -very entertaining book. - - -+The Errand Boy+; or, How Phil Brent Won Success. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. -12mo, cloth,illustrated, price $1.00. - -The career of "The Errand Boy" embraces the city adventures of a smart -country lad. Philip was brought up by a kind-hearted innkeeper named -Brent. The death of Mrs. Brent paved the way for the hero's subsequent -troubles. A retired merchant in New York secures him the situation of -errand boy, and thereafter stands as his friend. - - -+Tom Temple's Career.+ By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, -price $1.00. - -Tom Temple is a bright, self-reliant lad. He leaves Plympton village to -seek work in New York, whence he undertakes an important mission to -California. Some of his adventures in the far west are so startling that -the reader will scarcely close the book until the last page shall have -been reached. The tale is written in Mr. Alger's most fascinating style. - - -For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the -publisher, +A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York+. - - -BOOKS FOR BOYS. - -+Frank Fowler, the Cash Boy.+ By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, -illustrated, price $1.00. - -Frank Fowler, a poor boy, bravely determines to make a living for -himself and his foster-sister Grace. Going to New York he obtains a -situation as cash boy in a dry goods store. He renders a service to a -wealthy old gentleman who takes a fancy to the lad, and thereafter helps -the lad to gain success and fortune. - - -+Tom Thatcher's Fortune.+ By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, -price $1.00. - -Tom Thatcher is a brave, ambitious, unselfish boy. He supports his -mother and sister on meagre wages earned as a shoe-pegger in John -Simpson's factory. Tom is discharged from the factory and starts -overland for California. He meets with many adventures. The story is -told in a way which has made Mr. Alger's name a household word in so -many homes. - - -+The Train Boy.+ By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price -$1.00. - -Paul Palmer was a wide-awake boy of sixteen who supported his mother and -sister by selling books and papers on the Chicago and Milwaukee -Railroad. He detects a young man in the act of picking the pocket of a -young lady. In a railway accident many passengers are killed, but Paul -is fortunate enough to assist a Chicago merchant, who out of gratitude -takes him into his employ. Paul succeeds with tact and judgment and is -well started on the road to business prominence. - - -+Mark Mason's Victory.+ The Trials and Triumphs of a Telegraph Boy. By -HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -Mark Mason, the telegraph boy, was a sturdy, honest lad, who pluckily -won his way to success by his honest manly efforts under many -difficulties. This story will please the very large class of boys who -regard Mr. Alger as a favorite author. - - -+A Debt of Honor.+ The Story of Gerald Lane's Success in the Far West. By -HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -The story of Gerald Lane and the account of the many trials and -disappointments which he passed through before he attained success, will -interest all boys who have read the previous stories of this delightful -author. - - -+Ben Bruce.+ Scenes in the Life of a Bowery Newsboy. By HORATIO ALGER, -JR. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -Ben Bruce was a brave, manly, generous boy. The story of his efforts, -and many seeming failures and disappointments, and his final success, -are most interesting to all readers. The tale is written in Mr. Alger's -most fascinating style. - - -+The Castaways+; or, On the Florida Reefs. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, -illustrated, price $1.00. - -This tale smacks of the salt sea. From the moment that the Sea Queen -leaves lower New York bay till the breeze leaves her becalmed off the -coast of Florida, one can almost hear the whistle of the wind through -her rigging, the creak of her straining cordage as she heels to the -leeward. The adventures of Ben Clark, the hero of the story and Jake the -cook, cannot fail to charm the reader. As a writer for young people Mr. -Otis is a prime favorite. - - -For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the -publisher, +A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York+. - - -BOOKS FOR BOYS. - -+Wrecked on Spider Island+; or, How Ned Rogers Found the Treasure. By -JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -Ned Rogers, a "down-east" plucky lad ships as cabin boy to earn a -livelihood. Ned is marooned on Spider Island, and while there discovers -a wreck submerged in the sand, and finds a considerable amount of -treasure. The capture of the treasure and the incidents of the Voyage -serve to make as entertaining a story of sea-life as the most captious -boy could desire. - - -+The Search for the Silver City+: A Tale of Adventure in Yucatan. By JAMES -OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -Two lads, Teddy Wright and Neal Emery, embark on the steam yacht Day -Dream for a cruise to the tropics. The yacht is destroyed by fire, and -then the boat is cast upon the coast of Yucatan. They hear of the -wonderful Silver City, of the Chan Santa Cruz Indians, and with the help -of a faithful Indian ally carry off a number of the golden images from -the temples. Pursued with relentless vigor at last their escape is -effected in an astonishing manner. The story is so full of exciting -incidents that the reader is quite carried away with the novelty and -realism of the narrative. - - -+A Runaway Brig+; or, An Accidental Cruise. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, -illustrated, price $1.00. - -This is a sea tale, and the reader can look out upon the wide shimmering -sea as it flashes back the sunlight, and imagine himself afloat with -Harry Vandyne, Walter Morse, Jim Libby and that old shell-back, Bob -Brace, on the brig Bonita. The boys discover a mysterious document which -enables them to find a buried treasure. They are stranded on an island -and at last are rescued with the treasure. The boys are sure to be -fascinated with this entertaining story. - - -+The Treasure Finders+: A Boy's Adventures in Nicaragua. By JAMES OTIS. -12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -Roy and Dean Coloney, with their guide Tongla, leave their father's -indigo plantation to visit the wonderful ruins of an ancient city. The -boys eagerly explore the temples of an extinct race and discover three -golden images cunningly hidden away. They escape with the greatest -difficulty. Eventually they reach safety with their golden prizes. We -doubt if there ever was written a more entertaining story than "The -Treasure Finders." - - -+Jack, the Hunchback.+ A Story of the Coast of Maine. By JAMES OTIS. Price -$1.00. - -This is the story of a little hunchback who lived on Cape Elizabeth, on -the coast of Maine. His trials and successes are most interesting. From -first to last nothing stays the interest of the narrative. It bears us -along as on a stream whose current varies in direction, but never loses -its force. - - -+With Washington at Monmouth+: A Story of Three Philadelphia Boys. By -JAMES OTIS. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price -$1.50. - -Three Philadelphia lads assist the American spies and make regular and -frequent visits to Valley Forge in the Winter while the British occupied -the city. The story abounds with pictures of Colonial life skillfully -drawn, and the glimpses of Washington's soldiers which are given shown -that the work has not been hastily done, or without considerable study. -The story is wholesome and patriotic in tone, as are all of Mr. Otis' -works. - - -For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the -publisher, +A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York+. - - -BOOKS FOR BOYS. - -+With Lafayette at Yorktown+: A Story of How Two Boys Joined the -Continental Army. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, -illustrated, price $1.50. - -Two lads from Portsmouth, N. H., attempt to enlist in the Colonial Army, -and are given employment as spies. There is no lack of exciting -incidents which the youthful reader craves, but it is healthful -excitement brimming with facts which every boy should be familiar with, -and while the reader is following the adventures of Ben Jaffrays and Ned -Allen he is acquiring a fund of historical lore which will remain in his -memory long after that which he has memorized from textbooks has been -forgotten. - - -+At the Siege of Havana.+ Being the Experiences of Three Boys Serving -under Israel Putnam in 1762. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, ornamental cloth, -olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50. - -"At the Siege of Havana" deals with that portion of the island's history -when the English king captured the capital, thanks to the assistance -given by the troops from New England, led in part by Col. Israel Putnam. - -The principal characters are Darius Lunt, the lad who, represented as -telling the story, and his comrades, Robert Clement and Nicholas Vallet. -Colonel Putnam also figures to considerable extent, necessarily, in the -tale, and the whole forms one of the most readable stories founded on -historical facts. - - -+The Defense of Fort Henry.+ A Story of Wheeling Creek in 1777. By JAMES -OTIS. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50. - -Nowhere in the history of our country can be found more heroic or -thrilling incidents than in the story of those brave men and women who -founded the settlement of Wheeling in the Colony of Virginia. The -recital of what Elizabeth Zane did is in itself as heroic a story as can -be imagined. The wondrous bravery displayed by Major McCulloch and his -gallant comrades, the sufferings of the colonists and their sacrifice of -blood and life, stir the blood of old as well as young readers. - - -+The Capture of the Laughing Mary.+ A Story of Three New York Boys in -1776. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, price $1.50. - -"During the British occupancy of New York, at the outbreak of the -Revolution, a Yankee lad hears of the plot to take General Washington's -person, and calls in two companions to assist the patriot cause. They do -some astonishing things, and, incidentally, lay the way for an American -navy later, by the exploit which gives its name to the work. Mr. Otis' -books are too well known to require any particular commendation to the -young."--+Evening Post.+ - - -+With Warren at Bunker Hill.+ A Story of the Siege of Boston. By JAMES -OTIS. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50. - -"This is a tale of the siege of Boston, which opens on the day after the -doings at Lexington and Concord, with a description of home life in -Boston, introduces the reader to the British camp at Charlestown, shows -Gen. Warren at home, describes what a boy thought of the battle of -Bunker Hill, and closes with the raising of the siege. The three heroes, -George Wentworth, Ben Scarlett and an old ropemaker, incur the enmity of -a young Tory, who causes them many adventures the boys will like to -read."--+Detroit Free Press.+ - - -For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the -publisher, +A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York+. - - -BOOKS FOR BOYS. - -+With the Swamp Fox.+ The Story of General Marion's Spies. By JAMES OTIS. -12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -This story deals with General Francis Marion's heroic struggle in the -Carolinas. General Marion's arrival to take command of these brave men -and rough riders is pictured as a boy might have seen it, and although -the story is devoted to what the lads did, the Swamp Fox is ever present -in the mind of the reader. - - -+On the Kentucky Frontier.+ A Story of the Fighting Pioneers of the West. -By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1. - -In the history of our country there is no more thrilling story than that -of the work done on the Mississippi river by a handful of frontiersmen. -Mr. Otis takes the reader on that famous expedition from the arrival of -Major Clarke's force at Corn Island, until Kaskaskia was captured. He -relates that part of Simon Kenton's life history which is not usually -touched upon either by the historian or the story teller. This is one of -the most entertaining books for young people which has been published. - - -+Sarah Dillard's Ride.+ A Story of South Carolina in 1780. By JAMES OTIS. -12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -"This book deals with the Carolinas in 1780, giving a wealth of detail -of the Mountain Men who struggled so valiantly against the king's -troops. Major Ferguson is the prominent British officer of the story, -which is told as though coming from a youth who experienced these -adventures. In this way the famous ride of Sarah Dillard is brought out -as an incident of the plot."--+Boston Journal.+ - - -+A Tory Plot.+ A Story of the Attempt to Kill General Washington. By JAMES -OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -"'A Tory Plot' is the story of two lads who overhear something of the -plot originated during the Revolution by Gov. Tryon to capture or murder -Washington. They communicate their knowledge to Gen. Putnam and are -commissioned by him to play the role of detectives In the matter. They -do so, and meet with many adventures and hairbreadth escapes. The boys -are, of course, mythical, but they serve to enable the author to put -into very attractive shape much valuable knowledge concerning one phase -of the Revolution."--+Pittsburgh Times.+ - - -+A Traitor's Escape.+ A Story of the Attempt to Seize Benedict Arnold. By -JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -"This is a tale with stirring scenes depicted in each chapter, bringing -clearly before the mind the glorious deeds of the early settlers in this -country. In an historical work dealing with this country's past, no plot -can hold the attention closer than this one, which describes the attempt -and partial success of Benedict Arnold's escape to New York, where he -remained as the guest of Sir Henry Clinton. All those who actually -figured in the arrest of the traitor, as well as Gen. Washington, are -included as characters."--+Albany Union.+ - - -+A Cruise with Paul Jones.+ A Story of Naval Warfare in 1776. By JAMES -OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -"This story takes up that portion of Paul Jones' adventurous life when -he was hovering off the British coast, watching for an opportunity to -strike the enemy a blow. It deals more particularly with his descent -upon Whitehaven, the seizure of Lady Selkirk's plate, and the famous -battle with the Drake. The boy who figures in the tale is one who was -taken from a derelict by Paul Jones shortly after this particular cruise -was begun."--+Chicago Inter-Ocean.+ - - -For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the -publisher, +A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York+. - - -BOOKS FOR BOYS. - -+Corporal Lige's Recruit.+ A Story of Crown Point and Ticonderoga. By -JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -"In 'Corporal Lige's Recruit,' Mr. Otis tells the amusing story of an -old soldier, proud of his record, who had served the king in '58, and -who takes the lad, Isaac Rice, as his 'personal recruit.' The lad -acquits himself superbly. Col. Ethan Allen 'in the name of God and the -continental congress,' infuses much martial spirit into the narrative, -which will arouse the keenest interest as it proceeds. Crown Point, -Ticonderoga, Benedict Arnold and numerous other famous historical names -appear in this dramatic tale."--+Boston Globe.+ - - -+Morgan, the Jersey Spy.+ A Story of the Siege of Yorktown in 1781. By -JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -"The two lads who are utilized by the author to emphasize the details of -the work done during that memorable time were real boys who lived on the -banks of the York river, and who aided the Jersey spy in his dangerous -occupation. In the guise of fishermen the lads visit Yorktown, are -suspected of being spies, and put under arrest. Morgan risks his life to -save them. The final escape, the thrilling encounter with a squad of red -coats, when they are exposed equally to the bullets of friends and foes, -told in a masterly fashion, makes of this volume one of the most -entertaining books of the year."--+Inter-Ocean.+ - - -+The Young Scout+: The Story of a West Point Lieutenant. By EDWARD S. -ELLIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -The crafty Apache chief Geronimo but a few years ago was the most -terrible scourge of the southwest border. The author has woven, in a -tale of thrilling interest, all the incidents of Geronimo's last raid. -The hero is Lieutenant James Decker, a recent graduate of West Point. -Ambitious to distinguish himself the young man takes many a desperate -chance against the enemy and on more than one occasion narrowly escapes -with his life. In our opinion Mr. Ellis is the best writer of Indian -stories now before the public. - - -+Adrift in the Wilds+: The Adventures of Two Shipwrecked Boys. By EDWARD -S. ELLIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -Elwood Brandon and Howard Lawrence are en route for San Francisco. Off -the coast of California the steamer takes fire. The two boys reach the -shore with several of the passengers. Young Brandon becomes separated -from his party and is captured by hostile Indians, but is afterwards -rescued. This is a very entertaining narrative of Southern California. - - -+A Young Hero+; or, Fighting to Win. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. 12mo, cloth, -illustrated, price $1.00. - -This story tells how a valuable solid silver service was stolen from the -Misses Perkinpine, two very old and simple minded ladies. Fred Sheldon, -the hero of this story, undertakes to discover the thieves and have them -arrested. After much time spent in detective work, he succeeds in -discovering the silver plate and winning the reward. The story is told -in Mr. Ellis' most fascinating style. Every boy will be glad to read -this delightful book. - - -+Lost in the Rockies.+ A Story of Adventure in the Rocky Mountains. By -EDWARD S. ELLIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1. - -Incident succeeds incident, and adventure is piled upon adventure, and -at the end the reader, be he boy or man, will have experienced -breathless enjoyment in this romantic story describing many adventures -in the Rockies and among the Indians. - - -For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the -publisher, +A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York+. - - -BOOKS FOR BOYS. - -+A Jaunt Through Java+: The Story of a Journey to the Sacred Mountain. By -EDWARD S. ELLIS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -The interest of this story is found in the thrilling adventures of two -cousins, Hermon and Eustace Hadley, on their trip across the island of -Java, from Samarang to the Sacred Mountain. In a land where the Royal -Bengal tiger, the rhinoceros, and other fierce beasts are to be met -with, it is but natural that the heroes of this book should have a -lively experience. There is not a dull page in the book. - - -+The Boy Patriot.+ A Story of Jack, the Young Friend of Washington. By -EDWARD S. ELLIS. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50. - -"There are adventures of all kinds for the hero and his friends, whose -pluck and ingenuity in extricating themselves from awkward fixes are -always equal to the occasion. It is an excellent story full of honest, -manly, patriotic efforts on the part of the hero. A very vivid -description of the battle of Trenton is also found in this -story."--+Journal of Education.+ - - -+A Yankee Lad's Pluck.+ How Bert Larkin Saved his Father's Ranch in Porto -Rico. By WM. P. CHIPMAN. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -"Bert Larkin, the hero of the story, early excites our admiration, and -is altogether a fine character such as boys will delight in, whilst the -story of his numerous adventures is very graphically told. This will, we -think, prove one of the most popular boys' books this season."--+Gazette.+ - - -+A Brave Defense.+ A Story of the Massacre at Fort Griswold in 1781. By -WILLIAM P. CHIPMAN. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -Perhaps no more gallant fight against fearful odds took place during the -Revolutionary War than that at Fort Griswold, Groton Heights, Conn., in -1781. The boys are real boys who were actually on the muster rolls, -either at Fort Trumbull on the New London side, or of Fort Griswold on -the Groton side of the Thames. The youthful reader who follows Halsey -Sanford and Levi Dart and Tom Malleson, and their equally brave -comrades, through their thrilling adventures will be learning something -more than historical facts; they will be imbibing lessons of fidelity, -of bravery, of heroism, and of manliness, which must prove serviceable -in the arena of life. - - -+The Young Minuteman.+ A Story of the Capture of General Prescott in 1777. -By WILLIAM P. CHIPMAN. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -This story is based upon actual events which occurred during the British -occupation of the waters of Narragansett Bay. Darius Wale and William -Northrop belong to "the coast patrol." The story is a strong one, -dealing only with actual events. There is, however, no lack of thrilling -adventure, and every lad who is fortunate enough to obtain the book will -find not only that his historical knowledge is increased, but that his -own patriotism and love of country are deepened. - - -+For the Temple+: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem. By G. A. HENTY. With -illustrations by S. J. SOLOMON. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. - -"Mr. Henty's graphic prose picture of the hopeless Jewish resistance to -Roman sway adds another leaf to his record of the famous wars of the -world. The book is one of Mr. Henty's cleverest efforts."--+Graphic.+ - - -For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the -publisher, +A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York+. - - -BOOKS FOR BOYS. - -+Roy Gilbert's Search+: A Tale of the Great Lakes. By WM. P. CHIPMAN. -12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -A deep mystery hangs over the parentage of Roy Gilbert. He arranges with -two schoolmates to make a tour of the Great Lakes on a steam launch. The -three boys visit many points of interest on the lakes. Afterwards the -lads rescue an elderly gentleman and a lady from a sinking yacht. Later -on the boys narrowly escape with their lives. The hero is a manly, -self-reliant boy, whose adventures will be followed with interest. - - -+The Slate Picker+: The Story of a Boy's Life in the Coal Mines. By HARRY -PRENTICE. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -This is a story of a boy's life in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. Ben -Burton, the hero, had a hard road to travel, but by grit and energy he -advanced step by step until he found himself called upon to fill the -position of chief engineer of the Kohinoor Coal Company. This is a book -of extreme interest to every boy reader. - - -+The Boy Cruisers+; or, Paddling in Florida. By ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE. -12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00 - -Andrew George and Rowland Carter start on a canoe trip along the Gulf -coast, from Key West to Tampa, Florida. Their first adventure is with a -pair of rascals who steal their boats. Next they run into a gale in the -Gulf. After that they have a lively time with alligators and Andrew gets -into trouble with a band of Seminole Indians. Mr. Rathborne knows just -how to interest the boys, and lads who are in search of a rare treat -will do well to read this entertaining story. - - -+Captured by Zulus+: A Story of Trapping in Africa. By HARRY PRENTICE. -12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -This story details the adventures of two lads, Dick Elsworth and Bob -Harvey, in the wilds of South Africa. By stratagem the Zulus capture -Dick and Bob and take them to their principal kraal or village. The lads -escape death by digging their way out of the prison hut by night. They -are pursued, but the Zulus finally give up pursuit. Mr. Prentice tells -exactly how wild-beast collectors secure specimens on their native -stamping grounds, and these descriptions make very entertaining reading. - - -+Tom the Ready+; or, Up from the Lowest. By RANDOLPH HILL. 12mo, cloth, -illustrated, price $1.00. - -This is a dramatic narrative of the unaided rise of a fearless, -ambitious boy from the lowest round of fortune's ladder to wealth and -the governorship of his native State. Tom Seacomb begins life with a -purpose, and eventually overcomes those who oppose him. How he manages -to win the battle is told by Mr. Hill in a masterful way that thrills -the reader and holds his attention and sympathy to the end. - - -+Captain Kidd's Gold+: The True Story of an Adventurous Sailor Boy. By -JAMES FRANKLIN FITTS. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -There is something fascinating to the average youth in the very idea of -buried treasure. A vision arises before his eyes of swarthy Portuguese -and Spanish rascals, with black beards and gleaming eyes. There were -many famous sea rovers, but none more celebrated than Capt. Kidd. Paul -Jones Garry inherits a document which locates a considerable treasure -buried by two of Kidd's crew. The hero of this book is an ambitious, -persevering lad, of salt-water New England ancestry, and his efforts to -reach the island and secure the money form one of the most absorbing -tales for our youth that has come from the press. - - -For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the -publisher, +A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York+. - - -BOOKS FOR BOYS. - -+The Boy Explorers+: The Adventures of Two Boys in Alaska. By HARRY -PRENTICE. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -Two boys, Raymond and Spencer Manning, travel to Alaska to join their -father in search of their uncle. On their arrival at Sitka the boys with -an Indian guide set off across the mountains. The trip is fraught with -perils that test the lads' courage to the utmost. All through their -exciting adventures the lads demonstrate what can be accomplished by -pluck and resolution, and their experience makes one of the most -interesting tales ever written. - - -+The Island Treasure+; or, Harry Darrel's Fortune. By FRANK H. CONVERSE. -12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -Harry Darrel, having received a nautical training on a school-ship, is -bent on going to sea. A runaway horse changes his prospects. Harry saves -Dr. Gregg from drowning and afterward becomes sailing-master of a sloop -yacht. Mr. Converse's stories possess a charm of their own which is -appreciated by lads who delight in good healthy tales that smack of salt -water. - - -+Guy Harris+: The Runaway. By HARRY CASTLEMON. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, -price $1.00. - -Guy Harris lived in a small city on the shore of one of the Great Lakes. -He is persuaded to go to sea, and gets a glimpse of the rough side of -life in a sailor's boarding house. He ships on a vessel and for five -months leads a hard life. The book will interest boys generally on -account of its graphic style. This is one of Castlemon's most attractive -stories. - - -+Julian Mortimer+: A Brave Boy's Struggle for Home and Fortune. By HARRY -CASTLEMON. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1. - -The scene of the story lies west of the Mississippi River, in the days -when emigrants made their perilous way across the great plains to the -land of gold. There is an attack upon the wagon train by a large party -of Indians. Our hero is lad of uncommon nerve and pluck. Befriended by a -stalwart trapper, a real rough diamond, our hero achieves the most happy -results. - - -+By Pike and Dyke+: A Tale of the Rise of the Dutch Republic. By G. A. -HENTY. With illustrations by MAYNARD BROWN. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, -price $1.00. - -"Boys with a turn for historical research will be enchanted with the -book, while the rest who only care for adventure will be students in -spite of themselves."--+St. James's Gazette.+ - - -+St. George for England+: A Tale of Cressy and Poitiers. By G. A. HENTY. -With illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price -$1.00. - -"A story of very great interest for boys. In his own forcible style the -author has endeavored to show that determination and enthusiasm can -accomplish marvellous results; and that courage is generally accompanied -by magnanimity and gentleness."--+Pall Mall Gazette.+ - - -+Captain Bayley's Heir+: A Tale of the Gold Fields of California. By G. A. -HENTY. With illustrations by H. M. PAGET. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, -price $1.00. - -"Mr. Henty is careful to mingle instruction with entertainment; and the -humorous touches, especially in the sketch of John Holl, the Westminster -dustman, Dickens himself could hardly have excelled."--+Christian Leader.+ - - -For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the -publisher, +A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York+. - - -BOOKS FOR BOYS. - -+Budd Boyd's Triumph+; or, The Boy Firm of Fox Island. By WILLIAM P. -CHIPMAN. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -The scene of this story is laid on the upper part of Narragansett Bay, -and the leading incidents have a strong salt-water flavor. The two boys, -Budd Boyd and Judd Floyd, being ambitious and clear sighted, form a -partnership to catch and sell fish. Budd's pluck and good sense carry -him through many troubles. In following the career of the boy firm of -Boyd & Floyd, the youthful reader will find a useful lesson--that -industry and perseverance are bound to lead to ultimate success. - - -+Lost in the Canyon+: Sam Willett's Adventures on the Great Colorado. By -ALFRED R. CALHOUN. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1. - -This story hinges on a fortune left to Sam Willett, the hero, and the -fact that it will pass to a disreputable relative if the lad dies before -he shall have reached his majority. The story of his father's peril and -of Sam's desperate trip down the great canyon on a raft, and how the -party finally escape from their perils is described in a graphic Style -that stamps Mr. Calhoun as a master of his art. - - -+Captured by Apes+: The Wonderful Adventures of a Young Animal Trainer. By -HARRY PRENTICE. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. - -Philip Garland, a young animal collector and trainer, sets sail for -Eastern seas in quest of a new stock of living curiosities. The vessel -is wrecked off the coast of Borneo, and young Garland is cast ashore on -a small island, and captured by the apes that overrun the place. Very -novel indeed is the way by which the young man escapes death. Mr. -Prentice is a writer of undoubted skill. - - -+Under Drake's Flag+: A Tale of the Spanish Main. By G. A. HENTY. With -illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. - -"There is not a dull chapter, nor, indeed, a dull page in the book; but -the author has so carefully worked up his subject that the exciting -deeds of his heroes are never incongruous nor absurd."--+Observer.+ - - -+By Sheer Pluck+: A Tale of the Ashanti War. By G. A. HENTY. With -illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. - -The author has woven, in a tale of thrilling interest, all the details -of the Ashanti campaign, of which he was himself a witness. - -"Mr. Henty keeps up his reputation as a writer of boys' stories. 'By -Sheer Pluck' will be eagerly read."--+Athenaeum.+ - - -+With Lee in Virginia+: A Story of the American Civil War. By G. A. HENTY. -With illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price -$1.00. - -"One of the best stories for lads which Mr. Henty has yet written. The -picture is full of life and color, and the stirring and romantic -incidents are skillfully blended with the personal interest and charm of -the story."--+Standard.+ - - -+By England's Aid+; or, The Freeing of the Netherlands (1585-1604). By G. -A. HENTY. With illustrations by ALFRED PEARSE. 12mo, cloth, olivine -edges, price $1.00. - -"It is an admirable book for youngsters. It overflows with stirring -incident and exciting adventure, and the color of the era and of the -scene are finely reproduced. The illustrations add to its -attractiveness."--+Boston Gazette.+ - - -For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the -publisher, +A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York+. - - -BOOKS FOR BOYS. - -+By Right of Conquest+; or, With Cortez in Mexico. By G. A. HENTY. With -illustrations by W. S. STACEY. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.50. - -"The conquest of Mexico by a small band of resolute men under the -magnificent leadership of Cortez is always rightfully ranked among the -most romantic and daring exploits in history. 'By Right of Conquest' is -the nearest approach to a perfectly successful historical tale that Mr. -Henty has yet published."--+Academy.+ - - -+For Name and Fame+; or, Through Afghan Passes. By G. A. HENTY. With -illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. - -"Not only a rousing story, replete with all the varied forms of -excitement of a campaign, but, what is still more useful, an account of -a territory and its inhabitants which must for a long time possess a -supreme interest for Englishmen, as being the key to our Indian -Empire."--+Glasgow Herald.+ - - -+The Bravest of the Brave+; or, With Peterborough in Spain. By G. A. -HENTY. With illustrations by H. M. PAGET. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, -price $1.00. - -"Mr. Henty never loses sight of the moral purpose of his work--to -enforce the doctrine of courage and truth, mercy and loving kindness, as -indispensable to the making of a gentleman. Boys will read. 'The Bravest -of the Brave' with pleasure and profit; of that we are quite -sure."--+Daily Telegraph.+ - - -+The Cat of Bubastes+: A Story of Ancient Egypt. By G. A. HENTY. With -illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. - -"The story, from the critical moment of the killing of the sacred cat to -the perilous exodus into Asia with which it closes, is very skillfully -constructed and full of exciting adventures. It is admirably -illustrated."--+Saturday Review.+ - - -+Bonnie Prince Charlie+: A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. By G. A. HENTY. -With illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price -$1.00. - -"Ronald, the hero, is very like the hero of 'Quentin Durward.' The lad's -journey across France, and his hairbreadth escapes, makes up as good a -narrative of the kind as we have ever read. For freshness of treatment -and variety of incident Mr. Henty has surpassed himself."--+Spectator.+ - - -+With Clive in India+; or, The Beginnings of an Empire. By G. A. HENTY. -With illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price -$1.00. - -"He has taken a period of Indian history of the most vital importance, -and he has embroidered on the historical facts a story which of itself -is deeply interesting. Young people assuredly will be delighted with the -volume."--+Scotsman.+ - - -+In the Reign of Terror+: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy. By G. A. -HENTY. With illustrations by J. SCHOENBERG. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, -price $1.00. - -"Harry Sandwith, the Westminster boy, may fairly be said to beat Mr. -Henty's record. His adventures will delight boys by the audacity and -peril they depict. The story is one of Mr. Henty's best."--+Saturday -Review.+ - - -For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the -publisher, +A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York+. - - -BOOKS FOR BOYS. - -+The Lion of the North+: A Tale of Gustavus Adolphus and the Wars of -Religion. By G. A. HENTY. With illustrations by JOHN SCHOENBERG. 12mo, -cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. - -"A praiseworthy attempt to interest British youth in the great deeds of -the Scotch Brigade in the wars of Gustavus Adolphus. Mackey, Hepburn, -and Munro live again in Mr. Henty's pages, as those deserve to live -whose disciplined bands formed really the germ of the modern British -army."--+Athenaeum.+ - - -+The Dragon and the Raven+; or, The Days of King Alfred. By G. A. HENTY. -With illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price -$1.00. - -"In this story the author gives an account of the fierce struggle -between Saxon and Dane for supremacy in England, and presents a vivid -picture of the misery and ruin to which the country was reduced by the -ravages of the sea-wolves. The story is treated in a manner most -attractive to the boyish reader."--+Athenaeum.+ - - -+The Young Carthaginian+: A Story of the Times of Hannibal. By G. A. -HENTY. With illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. 12mo, cloth, olivine -edges, price $1.00. - -"Well constructed and vividly told. From first to last nothing stays the -interest of the narrative. It bears us along as on a stream whose -current varies in direction, but never loses its force."--+Saturday -Review.+ - - -+In Freedom's Cause+: A Story of Wallace and Bruce. By G. A. HENTY. With -illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. - -"It is written in the author's best style. Full of the wildest and most -remarkable achievements, it is a tale of great interest, which a boy, -once he has begun it, will not willingly put one side."--+The -Schoolmaster.+ - - -+With Wolfe in Canada+; or, The Winning of a Continent. By G. A. HENTY. -With illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price -$1.00. - -"A model of what a boys' story-book should be. Mr. Henty has a great -power of infusing into the dead facts of history new life, and as no -pains are spared by him to ensure accuracy In historic details, his -books supply useful aids to study as well as amusement."--+School -Guardian.+ - - -+True to the Old Flag+: A Tale of the American War of Independence. By G. -A. HENTY. With illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, olivine -edges, price $1.00. - -"Does justice to the pluck and determination of the British soldiers -during the unfortunate struggle against American emancipation. The son -of an American loyalist, who remains true to our flag, falls among the -hostile red-skins in that very Huron country which has been endeared to -us by the exploits of Hawkeye and Chingachgook."--+The Times.+ - - -+A Final Reckoning+: A Tale of Bush Life in Australia. By G. A. HENTY. -With illustrations by W. B. WOLLEN. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price -$1.00. - -"All boys will read this story with eager and unflagging interest. The -episodes are in Mr. Henty's very best vein--graphic, exciting, -realistic; and, as in all Mr. Henty's books, the tendency is to the -formation of an honorable, manly, and even heroic -character."--+Birmingham Post.+ - - -For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the -publisher, +A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York+. - - -BOOKS FOR BOYS. - -+The Lion of St. Mark+: A Tale of Venice in the Fourteenth Century. By G. -A. HENTY. With illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, olivine -edges, price $1.00. - -"Every boy should read 'The Lion of St. Mark.' Mr. Henty has never -produced a story more delightful, more wholesome, or more -vivacious."--+Saturday Review.+ - - -+Facing Death+; or, The Hero of the Vaughan Pit. A Tale of the Coal Mines. -By G. A. HENTY. With illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, -olivine edges, price $1.00. - -"The tale is well written and well illustrated, and there is much -reality in the characters. If any father, clergyman, or schoolmaster is -on the lookout for a good book to give as a present to a boy who is -worth his salt, this is the book we would recommend."--+Standard.+ - - -+Maori and Settler+: A Story of the New Zealand War. By G. A. HENTY. With -illustrations by ALFRED PEARSE. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. - -"In the adventures among the Maoris, there are many breathless moments -in which the odds seem hopelessly against the party, but they succeed in -establishing themselves happily in one of the pleasant New Zealand -valleys. It is brimful of adventure, of humorous and interesting -conversation, and vivid pictures of colonial life."--+Schoolmaster.+ - - -+One of the 28th+: A Tale of Waterloo. By G. A. HENTY. With illustrations -by W. H. OVEREND. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. - -"Written with Homeric vigor and heroic inspiration. It is graphic, -picturesque, and dramatically effective ... shows us Mr. Henty at his -best and brightest. The adventures will hold a boy enthralled as he -rushes through them with breathless interest 'from cover to -cover.'"--+Observer.+ - - -+Orange and Green+: A Tale of the Boyne and Limerick. By G. A. HENTY. With -illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. - -"The narrative is free from the vice of prejudice, and ripples with life -as if what is being described were really passing before the -eye."--+Belfast News-Letter.+ - - -+Through the Fray+: A Story of the Luddite Riots. By G. A. HENTY. With -illustrations by H. M. PAGET. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. - -"Mr. Henty inspires a love and admiration for straightforwardness, truth -and courage. This is one of the best of the many good books Mr. Henty -has produced, and deserves to be classed with his 'Facing -Death.'"--+Standard.+ - - -+The Young Midshipman+: A Story of the Bombardment of Alexandria. With -illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. - -A coast fishing lad, by an act of heroism, secures the interest of a -shipowner, who places him as an apprentice on board one of his ships. In -company with two of his fellow-apprentices he is left behind, at -Alexandria, in the hands of the revolted Egyptian troops, and is present -through the bombardment and the scenes of riot and bloodshed which -accompanied it. - - -For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the -publisher, +A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York+. - - -BOOKS FOR BOYS. - -+In Times of Peril.+ A Tale of India. By G. A. HENTY. With illustrations. -12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. - -"The hero of the story early excites our admiration, and is altogether a -fine character such as boys will delight in, whilst the story of the -campaign is very graphically told."--+St. James's Gazette.+ - - -+The Cornet of Horse+: A Tale of Marlborough's Wars. By G. A. HENTY. With -illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1. - -"Mr. Henty not only concocts a thrilling tale, he weaves fact and -fiction together with so skillful a hand that the reader cannot help -acquiring a just and clear view of that fierce and terrible struggle -known as the Crimean War."--+Athenaeum.+ - - -+The Young Franc-Tireurs+: Their Adventures in the Franco-Prussian War. By -G. A. HENTY. With illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price -$1.00. - -"A capital book for boys. It is bright and readable, and full of good -sense and manliness. It teaches pluck and patience in adversity, and -shows that right living leads to success."--+Observer.+ - - -+The Young Colonists+: A Story of Life and War in South Africa. By G. A. -HENTY. With illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. - -"No boy needs to have any story of Henty's recommended to him, and -parents who do not know and buy them for their boys should be ashamed of -themselves. Those to whom he is yet unknown could not make a better -beginning than with this book." - - -+The Young Buglers.+ A Tale of the Peninsular War. By G. A. HENTY. With -illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1. - -"Mr. Henty is a giant among boys' writers, and his books are -sufficiently popular to be sure of a welcome anywhere. In stirring -interest, this is quite up to the level of Mr. Henty's former historical -tales."--+Saturday Review.+ - - -+Sturdy and Strong+; or, How George Andrews Made his Way. By G. A. HENTY. -With illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. - -"The history of a hero of everyday life, whose love of truth, clothing -of modesty, and innate pluck, carry him, naturally, from poverty to -affluence. George Andrews is an example of character with nothing to -cavil at, and stands as a good instance of chivalry in domestic -life."--+The Empire.+ - - -+Among Malay Pirates.+ A Story of Adventure and Peril. By G. A. HENTY. -With illustrations. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. - -"Incident succeeds incident, and adventure is piled upon adventure, and -at the end the reader, be he boy or man, will have experienced -breathless enjoyment in a romantic story that must have taught him much -at its close."--+Army and Navy Gazette.+ - - -+Jack Archer.+ A Tale of the Crimea. By G. A. HENTY. With illustrations. -12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. - -"Mr. Henty not only concocts a thrilling tale, he weaves fact and -fiction together with so skillful a hand that the reader cannot help -acquiring a just and clear view of that fierce and terrible -struggle."--+Athenaeum.+ - - -For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the -publisher, +A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York+. - - - - - * * * * * * - - - - -Trancriber's note: - -A Table of Contents has been added. - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RALPH RAYMOND'S HEIR*** - - -******* This file should be named 54608.txt or 54608.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/4/6/0/54608 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. 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